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Showing posts from April, 2012

Art Philosophy Blog Hop-Teacher Appreciation Gifts

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Welcome to the 7th stop on your Art Philosophy Blog Hop Adventure. If you are here from Connie's Crafty Closet  then you are in the right place, if not, please go and start from the beginning at http:// www.creatingwithcourtney.blogsp ot.com . Here is the Teacher Appreciation Gifts I created with my Art Philosophy Cartridge: The Post it Note Holder is made from an acrylic frame and I used Typeset along with the stamp set "Notice the Details". I left the card blank thinking it would be a great place for the student to write a note. Candy Candy Bar Wrapper (minus the candy bar!) also uses Typeset paper and "A Little Thanks" Stamp Set. Finally, there is a 3x3 card using Typeset and a CTMH wooden button. This will also be used as part of a workshop on Tuesday May 8th from 6:30-8:30. We will also be creating a card set. Next visit Erin at http:// www.imcreaterin.blogspot.ca  to see her wonderful creation. If after visiting all the blogs and decidin...

Day 26 and 27-Cards, Cards and More Cards

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I have spent the past two days making cards and using many of my scraps! Since I teach card workshops I also had a lot of kits ready to assemble, so I put those together and added to them to get a nice set of cards done. Here are the cards I have created all using Close to My Heart paper, ink and stamps: Have a great weekend!

Day 24-Prepare for May Day

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Today I decided to start preparing for May Day. Every year I think I am going to put some baskets together for Simon to leave on the neighbors porch. This year I am actually going to do it!  I took four pieces of heaver patterned cardstock an created these 4 cones: I got the template for the cones at The Cake Journal. Around the two lighter cones I cut out the top border with the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge from Close To My Heart. Stay tuned tomorrow as we make something for the inside of the ones as Day 25.

Day 23-Scraps, Scraps and More Scraps

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After sorting and purging my paper I realized just how many scraps of patterened paper and cardstock I really had. I decided to use some scraps of Bo Bunny and a canvas budge buttom from Close To My Heart to create a birthday card for my brother-in-law. I used Cocoa ink from Close to My Heart and Card Chatter-Birthday stamp set also from Close to My Heart. I would love to see what you create with your scraps of paper. Remember, you have until April 30th to link to this post for a chance to win free Close to My Heart paper.

Day 21-Use Your Stash-Ribon, Ribbon and More Ribbon

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I love buying ribbon. However, I am not very good at using the ribbon I buy. I mainly store it. Today though I used ribbon on both a card and a layout. For the card I used Close to My Heart Cardstock and embossed the card base with my Sizzix. I then used the Art Philosophy Cartridge and the Card Chatter-Sympathy along with misc. ribbon from my bin. For the layout I used 6 or 7 different misc. ribbons and buttons along with some chipboard alphabets I had lying around. I inked in denim blue CTMH ink and used light blue CTMH cardstock. I cannot wait to see your ribbon creations.

Day 20-Use Your Stash-Scraps

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Today's challenge is to use those scraps of paper you have been saving but have never used. I typically save any strip of paper that is 1" x 12" and larger. What that means is I have a huge stash of scraps. I store mine in the same rack as my scrapbook paper which is why I think I sometimes forget to use them as they are hard to find. However, I also think if I kept them in their own bin I would also for get to use them. What size scraps do you keep and how do you store them? Today I dug out some scraps from an old DCW pad along with some misc. ribbon and buttons and some chipboard accents from Close to My Heart's Lucky collection. I used CTMH cardstock and denim blue ink. I was inspired by a layout from the Imagine How To Book. I cannot wait to see what you create with your scraps.

Day 19-Use Your Stash-Altered Canvas

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You might have noticed that there is no Day 18. Day 18's project was a bust and ended up in the garbage because it was so bad I could not even pass it off as my son's craft project:) Day 19 turned out much better though! I bought some 8x8 blank canvas frames a couple of months back to modge podge pictures from our Alaskan/Seattle vacation. I even ordered the pictures at that time, but never got them done. Today I finished them!!!! First I painted black around the edges of the canvas so if the picture was not perfectly straight or sized right you could not tell. Then after the paint dried I applied a layer of modge podge and laid the photo on top and gently smoothed it out. Once the photo dried a couple of hours, I applied a thin layer of modge podge on top of the black and white photo to take the shine off of it and give it a more matte finish. (If you are using pictures you printed at home, test first before applying to paper.) Here are my two canvas' ready to go on ...

April 17-Use Your Stash Challenge-Sort Your Paper

I have decided it is time to quit being a hoarder and time to part with some of my paper. I have paper that I will not use in a million years, not even in cards! So today's task is to go through your paper and box up what you are never going to use and give to your child's school, local community center, treatment center, daycare, etc. If I am not to embarrassed after boxing mine up I will take a picture of it! Have a fabulous day and I am off to enjoy our only sunny day this week.

Dotty For You-April 17-May 31st-Close To My Heart Promotion

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Now is the time to stock up on your favorite Close to My Heart products, try out some new products or buy another pack of your favorite paper. Between now and May 31st, Close to My Heart is rewarding it's customers with a fabulous paperpack of 24 sheets of patterned paper for only $5 with any purchase of $35. If you have never purchased Close to My Heart products, visit my on-line store  and take a look around. Whether you are a cardmaker, scrapbooker or paper crafter Close to My Heart has products for you. With the Dotty For You Paper Pack I have created the following items and still have plenty of paper left to continue playing: My Creations Cube If you have never purchased Close To My Heart Products here are some recommendations that will coordinate with your Dotty For You Paper. All die cuts were made with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge from Close to My Heart. If you purchase the Cartridge directly from me this month I will throw in the Dotty For You pap...

Day 15-Use Your Stash-Use That Paper

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As the month goes on I become even more embarrassed by the amount of paper I have accumulated in just 5 years. One of these days our challenge is going to be to donate some of the paper we will never use! Today I chose paper that I bought almost 3 years ago scrap our move to our current home. I actually used the paper for that purpose too! Here is the two page layout I created with a sketch from the Magic How To Book from Close to My Heart: I used the following supplies: Sweet Home Paper Pack-Close to My Heart White Daisy Cardstock-Close to My Heart Cocoa Ink-Close to My Heart Misc. Brads Misc. Buttons I look forward to see what you create with some of the paper you have been storing for years.

Day 14-Use Your Stash-Birthday Layout

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I am finally scrapping my son's 4th birthday party even though I have not finished his 3rd birthday yet! I had purchased extra paper and embellishment when I made his invites so it was finally time to use them. I used paper from Pinecone Press, Creme Brule cardstock from Close to My Heart, Thickers and die cuts that I designed with Make the Cut and cut on my Cricut. Tomorrow's post will be more detailed, but we are headed out on a date tonight!

Day 13-Use Your Stash-Paper, Paper and More Paper

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Today's theme is paper. The thing we all buy tons of and are waiting for the "perfect" pictures to use it for and 2+ years later it is still sitting in our stash. I pulled out more of Close to My Heart "Twitterpad", my Simply Stitches stamp set, some random buttons and some Desert Sand CTMH cardstock and created this 2 page layout using a Becky Higgins sketch. I look forward to seeing what paper you pull out and play with this weekend!

Day 12-Die Cut Cards

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I purchased some acrylic die cut cards and Kraft die cut cards from Close to My Heart last year sometime. They have sat every since! I decided to pull them out and use them for my weekend crop. I used the acrylic card with the Dotty For You paper that is available April 17-May 31st with any $35 purchase from CTMH for a mere $5. That is 24 pieces of double sided paper for only $0.21 each. I also used the Card Chatter-Birthday Stamp. I used Sunset ink for the sentiment and edge distressing. For the Kraft card I used some extra Stella paper I had left from layouts and some Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, which I have fallen in love with. I used the Paper Lanterns Stamp Set. I used chocolate ink for stamping and edging. Here are my cards: I cannot wait to see your card creations.

Day 11-More Cards Using Die Cuts

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Without putting to much thought into today I want you to go into your drawer of die cuts, embellishments from swaps and grab a few of them to use. My drawer is actually a drawer and a plastic bin! I joined so many swaps a few years ago I will never use them all:) I grabbed these four items and will be making some cards with them. I used all scraps to create the cards and here is the final result: I used the following stamp sets: Notice the Details-Close To My Heart Any Occasion-Close To My Heart Card Chatter-Birthday-Close To My Heart I cannot wait to see what beautiful cards you create with your die cuts.

Day 10-Project 12 January Layout

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In January I chose two lucky Facebook followers and will spend 2012 creating a scrapbook album following the  Project 12  philosophy of Scrapbook & Cards Today. This year instead of the talented Becky Fleck providing monthly sketches we can choose any sketches from the prior 2 years and they will provide a color challenge for each month. I did not do the color challenge for January. I chose this sketch from October 2010: Using the following products I created this 2 page layout: Close to My Heart Winter Wonderland Paper Twilight Cardstock Twilight Ink Opaque Gems Art Philosophy Cartridge by Close to My Heart I cannot wait to see what you do with this fabulous sketch.

Day 9-Random Stamping

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Sorry to post this so late today. We finally had sun and warmth so Simon and I spent the afternoon playing outside and doing yard work. Another Close to My Heart Consultant, Amanda Hinson does amazing random stamping and inspired me try some of my own. So today, I grabbed some card stock that has been sitting on the shelf way too long, a black ink pad and the stamp set Love Life. I also used scraps from Perfect Day, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, markers and the Opaque Pearls all from Close to My Heart. Here are the 3 cards I created. Remember, you have until the end of April to post a link to your compelted projects for a chance to win free CTMH product.

Day 8-One Page Layout

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Since today was Easter and I have been busy for the past 2 days prepping for it I am too tired to put a lot of thought into tonight's layout! And, I broke my cardinal rule and did not add a picture. I gave myself a break though because I know exactly what 5x7 photo will go here when I get it printed. Therefore, if you complete a one page layout using something from this layout as inspiration AND you add pictures, you will get an extra entry into the drawing for a free paper pack. I used the Twitterpad Close to My Heart Paper pack and created this simply layout. I look forward to seeing what inspires you.

April Stamp of the Month-Close to My Heart

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As far as Stamp of the Month's go April is one of my favorite. The versatility in layouts, cards and paper crafts is endless. This stamp can be yours for just $5 with any $50 purchase or $17.95 for the stamp itself. You can purchase it here.

Day 7-Alter Something Part 2

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Yes, I am altering something again! Since my stash includes a large number of items to alter so I am hoping to get a few of them altered this month. I recovered this old journal for myself. I have never covered one before and learned a lot and will definetely do it different next time so I cover all of the old color, not just the color. Live and learn! I have a good friend who is very inspiring who recently talked on her blog about being happy and are you really happy. It provided me many days of food for thought. Life is so busy and sometimes we get so focused on the negative that we truly forget about what makes us happy. To help remind myself in the years to come all of the fun and happy times with the family as Simon grows up I thought this journal would be a perfect place to record our happy family times. I used the Latte pack that I got from JoAnne's almost 18 months ago along with the Art Philosophy Cartridge to cut out the circle and the Love Life Stamp Set from Close...

Day 6-Alter Something

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We all are guilty of purchasing a frame, bucket, vase, clipboard or something else to alter. We had great plans but alas it still sits there months or years later! Today it will sit no  more. I want you to finally take the time to alter it. I have had this frame for at least 6 months if not a year. So I finally took the time to alter it. I used some remaining pieces of Perfect Day, Cocoa Ink and Dark Chocolate Striped Grograin Ribbon all from Close to My Heart. I love how this turned out and cannot wait to find a picture that will compliment it perfectly. I cannot wait to see your altered project.

Dot, Stripes and Flower Crop

You heard it right, a dots, stripes and flower Crop. Friday April 13th and Saturday 14th are time for you to get some "me" time and get some projects finished. Whether you scrapbook, make cards or make paper craft this crop is for you. We will crop for 12 hours on Friday, 10am to 10pm. Lunch and dinner is included along with snacks, prizes, use of my cricut, cuttlebug, sizzix, stamps and ink. Saturday we will be cropping from 9am to 5pm with breakfast and lunch included. Crafting for both days will only cost you $40. Can only join me Friday night for dinner and craft time the cost is $15. Can only join for one day, cost is $25. Your crop fee will also include a 2 page layout or 3 cards each day you register for. Limited Spots available so RSVP by Wednesday April 11th. Bring a friend and receive the current Stamp of the Month for free!

Advanced Scrapbooking Workshop

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I hope you can join me Monday April 23rd for a scrapbooking workshop to take your techniques to a new level. We will work with flip flaps, hidden journaling, film strips, stamped backgrounds and more. We will use the Footloose, Pemberley and Dreamin' paper lines from Close to My Heart . Here is the scrapbook sample for Footloose and Flip Flaps: Here is the Pemberley layout we will be creating: Third layout using Dreamin' will be posted soon. The cost for the workshop is $25 and includes all supplies except adhesive. Please RSVP by Monday April 16th.

Day 5-Easter Cards

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Good morning! It is icy and wintery like here but hopefully Spring will arrive by Easter Egg hunting time this weekend. For Today's Use Your Stash I want you to make an Easter Card or two. I made about 20, but mailed a bunch before I remembered to take pictures. Here are pictures of the cards I made and took pictures of. I cannot wait to see your Easter cards. I used the following products to make these cards: Close to My Heart Cardstock-Spring Collection Perfect Day Paper Pack Cocoa Ink Sensational Season Stamp Set I cannot wait to see your Easter or Spring cards.

Day 4-Finish Those Layouts

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Most of us have layouts lying around in our craft area that we created but never added pictures. Today is a day to add pictures and journaling and get those beautiful layouts into your albums. This was actually harder for me than I thought. Obviously I had layouts to use up. Three that I had created this year and a 4th of July one I created at a Home Gathering that another consultant, Shannon Smoltz, did well over a year ago. The hard part was finding the right pictures. Therefore, I understand if this takes you more than one day as I spent quite a bit of time on my computer finding the right pictures and than ordering them and picking them up. Here are the four empty layouts I started with: And after I added photos and journaling here are the completed layouts: I cannot wait to see your finished layouts. Don't forget you have until the end of the month to post a link to your completed projects.

Day 3-Use Those Pads

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You all know where this post is going. We have all purchased the Seasonal Pads at Michaels, JoAnne's or Hobby Lobby. We also have years worth of pads left because we only used about 1/10th of the paper in it. Today we are going to grab a pad and create some cards with paper you will never use in any other project! I used the Spring pad from probably 2 years ago that I picked up at JoAnne's. I also further used my stash by using 2 card bases from a box of cards from JoAnne's. Here are the cards I made today. I fussy cut the butterflies from a large piece of paper and the pink and yellow "ribbon" are from a piece of paper that was all borders. I used the Art Philosophy Cartridge to cut the sentiment tags and then used "A Little Thanks" and "A Garden" CTMH stamp sets for the sentiments. I cannot wait to see the cards you create today with your pads!