H2H Challenge: Biggie Cards

This week, it's go big or go home at H2H!  The challenge is to create a card larger than the standard A2 (4 1/4" by 5 1/2").  I thought this challenge was perfect to start breaking in my brand new Cricut Artiste cartridge, as it contains quite a number of card cuts.  So, without further adieu, here is my biggie card....

I used the all new, and very beautiful La Belle Vie paper pack to make this 6x6 card.  The key I used to cut the shape for the base of the card can be found on page 46 of the handbook.  Here is a better view of the shape...

You will notice that the card I chose is a postcard, rather than a folding card.  I simply cut 2 of them, scored the piece that would make the back flap close to the edge, and attached it to the card front.  That way there is no fold visible on the front of the card.  Here is the inside, so you can see what I mean.

I cut the larger shape at 6", the black on the front of the card at 5" and the butterfly patterned paper on the front at 4 1/2" to create the layers.  The lined paper on the inside is cut at 5" as well.

CTMH Products used to create this layout include:
Papers: La Belle Vie (X7158B), Smokey Plum and Black cardstock
Stamps: Cricut Artiste Collection (Z7190)
Inks: Blush, Smokey Plum and Black
Embellishments: Black Waxy Flax (Z1089), Black Striped Grosgrain (Z1781), Glitter Trim (Z1799), Grey Button (Z1787), Dimensional Elements Numbers (Z1681)
Other: Cricut Artiste Cartridge (Z7190)

For more inspiration, head on over to H2H and check out the fabulous artwork created this week by my fellow Design Team B members, or click on their links here: Haley, Angel, Nancy, Dorothy and Dania.

If you want to play along, here is what you need to do...

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.  
2. Create a BIGGIE card!
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery. 
4. Link your blog post to this challenge at H2H.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to read your comments, so please let me know what you think.  Happy scrapping!

I Received a Liebster Award!

I have been nominated for a Liebster Award by a fellow blogger!  I am so thrilled and appreciate it so much!  Thanks so much for the award Mickie!  Her blog is lots of fun, so check out the Little Scrap Corner to see what she's been up to.  

This whole blogging experience has been completely new to me, and has been quite the learning curve.  It's been a lot of fun, and I have so appreciated learning from others out there in the blogosphere who do what they do so well.  And here's the really great part of the Liebster... in order to accept it, you must nominate other bloggers with less than 200 followers whose blogs you love and appreciate!

ABOUT THE AWARD

Liebster is a German word meaning "Beloved," "Favorite," or "Dearest." This award is a peer to peer award in which fellow bloggers present the award to their favorite bloggers with less than 200 followers. The origins of this award is unclear, but is believed to have originated by a German blogger. This award was designed to be a blog award in the pay it forward fashion to share your dearest and most beloved blogs that have less than 200 followers.

RULES FOR ACCEPTANCE

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog.  Post the award onto your blog.Give the award to five bloggers who you appreciate that have less than 200 followers.  Leave a comment on their blog letting them know that you have given them this awesome award!

PAY IT FORWARD

So, without further adieu, here are the 5 blogs (in no particular order, as they all are fabulous!) with less than 200 followers that I would like to pass the Liebster Award on to..... 

Romaine at Bumbles 'n' Bees
Angel at Angel's Paper Crafts and Things
Nancy at Nancy's Crafty Blog
Kelly at Scrapper Chic
Erin at CreatErin 

I love all of these blogs, and appreciate all of the inspiration you provide!  And now ladies, you will have the difficult task of choosing 5 blogs to nominate!  I found it hard to limit it to 5, as there are just so many fun and fabulous blogs out there.

Thanks again to Mickie for the Award, and thanks to those of you who actually read my blog once in a while!  It's nice to know you are out there!

Flirty Mini Cards for H2H

This week the challenge over at H2H is to create a card smaller than the standard 4 1/4" by 5 1/2" card.  I decided this challenge was the perfect inspiration to make some cute thank you cards.  I decided to make some 4x4" cards.  I used the brand new Flirty paper pack from CTMH, and whipped up this little cutie...

And, if you know me, you know I never stop at just one.  I made a set of 4, so I have a few extra on hand.  

CTMH Products used to create these cards include:
Papers: Flirty, Desert Sand and Bamboo cardstock
Stamps: A Typeface (A1117)
Inks: Desert Sand

Other: Cricut Art Philosophy (Z1686), pink sparkles (unknown brand)

For more inspiration, head on over to H2H and check out the fabulous artwork created this week by Design Team A, or click on their links here: Mary, Kelly, Caroline, Erin, Madeline, and Shirley.

If you want to play along, here is what you need to do...

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.  
2. Create your mini card project.
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery. 
4. Link your blog post to this challenge at H2H.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to read your comments, so please let me know what you think.  Happy scrapping!

H2H Challenge: Back to School

As August comes to a close, the challenge over at H2H is to create a project for back-to-school.  I decided to create a covered notepad, as I thought this would make a nice gift to the teacher at the start of the year.

I used up the very last of my retired Typeset paper pack, however this project could just as easily be made with the all-new Scholastic paper pack.  I purchased a 5" by 8" pad of paper, and simply created a folder to hold it.  The back flap has a pocket that the cardboard backing of the pad fits into, and the front flap has an inner pocket as well.  After a lot of scoring and folding to create the folder, I simply embellished the front, and voila!

 

To create the folder, I started with a sheet of Kraft, cut at 8 1/4" by 11".  Along the 11" edge, I scored it at 5 3/8" and 5 5/8".  This created the basic folder.  To create the pocket on the back flap, I started with a sheet of Kraft cut at 6" by 8 3/4".  I scored this sheet at 5 3"8 and 8 1/4" respectively.  I trimmed 1/4" off the top, and adhered it to the back flap using the folds for adhesive.  This way, the cardboard back of the pad slips easily into this pocket.  To make the pocket on the inside of the front flap, I used a 6x6" piece of Kraft, scored at 5 3/8" and 5 1/2", and again adhered it using the folds.

It was mostly trial and error, as I wasn't working from any kind of template, but I like how it turned out.  If my directions aren't making sense, and you are interested in trying to create a similar folder, please contact me and I will answer your questions.

CTMH Products used to create this layout include:
Papers: Typeset (retired), Kraft and Creme Brulee cardstock
Stamps: Typeset WOTG stampset, Blue Ribbon
Inks: Black and Juniper
Embellishments: Vineyard Berry Pleated Ribbon (retired), Black Waxy Flax (Z1089), Evergreen Cork Shapes (Z1719), Black Opaque Gems (Z1335)
Other: Cricut AP Cartridge (Z1686)

For more inspiration, head on over to H2H and check out the fabulous artwork created this week by my fellow Design Team B members, or click on their links here: Haley, Angel, Nancy, Dorothy and Dania.

If you want to play along, here is what you need to do...

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.  
2. Create a project for back to school.
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery. 
4. Link your blog post to this challenge at H2H.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to read your comments, so please let me know what you think.  Happy scrapping!

Space Party with Cricut Artiste!

How cute is this?  I am so excited about the Cricut Artiste!  There are so many fantastic projects on this cartridge!  Contact me today to order yours!

Happy scrapping!

H2H Challenge: Lagoon, Pear and Sunset

This week, it's a colour challenge over at H2H: Lagoon, Pear and Sunset.  This is such a vibrant and pretty combination, so I really enjoyed playing along with this one.  Since these colours were all featured in the fun and flirty Dotty for You paper pack, I decided to use up some of my scraps of this paper to create a fun birthday card.  Here is what I came up with...

I used a Kraft die-cut 6x6 card for this project, and these cards come with envelopes.  Here is the card with it's matching envelope...

Don't you just love the dimension added by the awesome new burlap ribbon from Close to my Heart?  I think it's my favourite new accessory in this Idea Book!  The edges of the ribbon are bound, so to achieve this look, I trimmed the edges and pulled a thread or two with my paper piercer to unravel the edges a bit.  I popped up the green pennant, so it would sit nicely on top of the burlap ribbon, and tied the baker's twine around all of the pennants.  I also popped up the 5 on the tag that holds the card closed.

This came together in a snap, and I hope my little guy likes it!  After his birthday, I might turn it into a mini-album by adding some pages to the inside with pictures from his party.

CTMH Products used to create this card include:
Papers: Dotty for You (retired), and Colonial White cardstock
Stamps: Look Who's Turning (D1502)
Inks: Sunset and Lagoon
Embellishments: Burlap Ribbon (Z1760), Sunset Baker's Twine (Z1702)
Other: Cricut Art Philosophy (Z1686), Kraft Die-Cut Cards and Envelopes (Z1474)

For more inspiration, head on over to H2H and check out the fabulous artwork created this week by Design Team A, or click on their links here: Mary, Kelly, Caroline, Erin, Madeline, and Shirley.

If you want to play along, here is what you need to do...

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.  
2. Create your project using Lagoon, Pear and Sunset.
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery. 
4. Link your blog post to this challenge at H2H.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to read your comments, so please let me know what you think.  Happy scrapping!

CTMH's New How-To Publication: Make it From Your Heart!

Many of you have asked what was going to replace the fabulous How-To books that so many of us have come to rely on.  Well, CTMH has come out with yet another fantastic How-To publication.  Check it out, and contact me today to order yours!