Welcome to our May Art Philosophy/Artiste Blog Hop!   As you know, both the Artiste and the Art Philosophy cartridges are available exclusively through a Close to My Heart consultant.  If you don’t already have a Consultant that you are currently working with, please contact one the Consultants in our hop with any questions you have!

If you have just hopped onto my blog, please start at the beginning at Lucy’s blog – Love 2 Create.   If you came from Theodora ~ Celebrate Crafts then you are in the right place!

Our challenge this month features not only one of these amazing cartridges but we also have a Wedding  theme.  There are so many weddings this time of year!  Do you have any weddings coming up?

Supplies used are all Close to My Heart: For Always Paper Packet, Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, Artiste Cricut cartridge, For Always My Stickease Assortment, Sparkles Clear Assortment, and Bitty Sparkles.

Your next stop on our “Happily Ever After” hop is Penny ~ It Makes Total Cents.

Here is the complete lineup in case you get lost along the way:

1. Lucy ~ Love 2 Create
2. Theodora ~ Celebrate Crafts
3. Wendy ~ My Scrapbooking Blog
4. Penny ~ It Makes Total Cents
5. Michelle ~ My Flights of Fancy
6. Jennifer ~ 4 Hearts Scrapbooking
7.  Michelle ~ My Creations with Michelle
8. Traci ~ Paper Crafting 101

Thanks for hopping along with us – we hope we were able to inspire you in creating your own wedding themed projects!

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Supplies used: Sophia Paper Packet (retired), Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, Chantilly Textiles, Harvest Baker’s Twine, Felt Alphabet – Keepsake (retired), Sparkle Flourishes, and Bitty Sparkles.

I have to admit when Close to My Heart came out with these fabrics I really wasn’t sure what to do with them.  It’s great that they coordinate with different papers but I have a feeling they will last me a very long time.  For my layout I used the fabric to create the butterflies and flowers.  The butterflies are roughly 2″ squares of fabric cut with pinking shears on the sides.  To create the flowers I first cut a long strip (about 1/2″) of fabric.  Then I twisted it so the pattern was mostly on the outside and from there I twisted it further into a circle.  As I did the final twisting, I used 1″ glue dots to adhere it to my paper flower.  The inside of the small flower is a strip of fabric tied in a loose knot with the ends cut off.  At first, I planned to use knots with the ends but I didn’t like it so I used those (they look like little bows) in the upper corner of my layout.  I used this sketch from Scrappy Sketches.

And here are some closeup pics:

Your next stop is: Judy Faye !

Participants:
Debi
Tabbi
Stephanie Chumbley
Wendy K.
Judy Faye
Shirley
Joy

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There is new ownership over at Scrap Our Stash.  Come see the changes and check out the new challenges!  Our first one is Kraft It Up.  Create a layout using 50% kraft (paper, embellishments, etc.)  The stash buster is metal.  Use at least 3 pieces of metal embellishments (eyelets, brads, gears, hinges, etc.) on your layout.

Here’s my layout:

Supplies used: Close to My Heart Kraft Paper, unknown pattern paper from my stash (it’s from a stack), Close to My Heart Artiste Cricut cartridge, Creative Memories Circle Cutter, mulberry paper from stash, Making Memories Charmed Photo Corners, Making Memories Metal Flowers, Making Memories Metal Word, and Close to My Heart Milepost Shapes (retired).

First of all I have to say that I recently bought some Kraft paper because I see it everywhere and honestly…I hate it.  So this was a true challenge for me!  In an attempt to use up some of my kraft paper, I used it as the background of my layout.  The decorative circle is cut from the Artiste cartridge (p.60 – Accent 4 – Shift – Fit to Page).  I took the scraps from the inside of this circle image and flipped them around (double-sided paper) and used them to create the flower.  I added another circle of mulberry paper that was buried deep in my stash.  Do you remember this stuff?  I even used my Creative Memories circle cutter.  The shapes in the corners of the layout are layered metal pieces, 2 photo corners topped with the flower.

Now head over to Scrap Our Stash and submit your own layout.  You have until March 29th.

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Supplies used: CTMH Clementine Paper Packet, CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, CTMH Almond Glitter Glitz, Making Memories paperie greenhouse stickers, and Kaiser Pearls.

One of my goals this month is to use up my Clementine Paper Packet so you will see a bit more with this paper and then I will be done!  For this layout I took two of the zip strips that were cut from the tops of the papers and put them together to make the decorative border in the center.  I used Glitter Glitz to the edges of the scalloped circles to add some sparkle to the page.  I used this sketch from Inspired Blueprints.

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Welcome to our February Art Philosophy/Artiste Blog Hop!   As you know, these cartridges are available exclusively through a Close to My Heart consultant.  If you don’t already have a Consultant that you are currently working with, you can search for one in your area or contact me (visit my website).

Our theme this month features not only one of these amazing cartridges but also a brand NEW paper pack from Close to My Heart – “For Always”.   In this hop, you will see projects featuring one (or both!) of our versatile Cricut cartridges with this paper pack from many talented crafty ladies!  Enjoy our blog hop!

If you have just hopped onto my blog, please start at the beginning at Lucy’s blog – Love 2 Create.   If you came from Priscilla’s Paperie then you are in the right place!

Supplies used: CTMH For Always Paper Packet, CTMH For Always Textiles, CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge, CTMH Sunset cardstock, Ranger Black Diamond Stickles, and CTMH Black and Grey Glitter Paper.  Challenges: Scrapbook.com - Cricut, Scrapbook.com - Sketch.

I started with this sketch by Julie Bonner:

I used Cricut Craft room to create the flourishes and other diecuts from the Artiste cartridge.  I found it was easier to visualize this way.  I flipped the sketch and turned it into a 2-page layout.

Your next stop on our “For Always” hop is Stephanie at The Quilted Scrapper.

Here is the complete lineup in case you get lost along the way:

1. Lucy ~ Love 2 Create
2. Darla ~ Caution: Stamping is Contagious
3. Theodora ~ Celebrate Crafts
4. Michelle ~ My Creations With Michelle
5. Priscilla~  Priscilla’s Paperie
6. Wendy ~ My Scrapbooking Blog
7. Stephanie-The Quilted Scrapper
8. Michelle ~ My Flights of Fancy
9. Ellen ~ CardMonkey’s Paper Jungle
10. Melissa Lind~ MyWatermelonMoon
11. Jennifer ~ 4 Hearts Scrapbooking

Thanks for hopping along with us – we hope we were able to inspire you.

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D1520 Ornamental Cheer

Supplies used are all Close to My Heart unless otherwise noted: Ornamental Cheer stamp set, Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, Olive ink, Cranberry ink, and unknown beaded string.

I had the idea for these ornaments for quite some time.  They turned out to be quite simple to make and I am pleased with the final result.  Each ornament is made from 6 diecut pieces.  It worked best to score them before folding.  Because of the size/shape of the ornaments, I was able to cut twice as many on one 12×12 sheet by using Cricut Craft Room.  I created the ornaments with the 3 hanging pieces first, then made the simpler single ornaments to hang from another light.

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Supplies used: My Mind’s Eye Garden Party paper and embellishments, CTMH 3D Foam Tape, CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge, CTMH cardstock (Colonial White, Cocoa, & Twilight), and CTMH Mocha Opaque Pearl Gems.  Title from The Perfect Title.

I used this sketch from Even More Scrapping:

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Oh, I love-love-love how this layout turned out!  I used this sketch from  Sketch Support.  All products are Close to My Heart.  I used the retired Sweetheart papers with a Cotton Candy cardstock background.  For the border I cut 2″ scalloped borders with the Art Philosophy cartridge, cut them in half and lined them up along the striped paper.  The title is from The Perfect Title and also cut from the Art Philosophy cartridge.  It took a little extra time to cut all the hearts from the Affection stamp set (stamped with first- and second-generation Cotton Candy ink) and attach with 3D foam tape, but it was well worth it!  Grey sparkles were the finishing touch.

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Welcome to our The Artiste in 3D Blog Hop!

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Supplies used are all Close to My Heart: Art Philosophy Cricut Collection, Olivia Paper Packet (retired), Bronze Glitter Glitz, Mini-Medley Accents Antiqued Gold, Artiste Cricut cartridge, Gold Metallics Marker, and inks (Autumn Terracotta, Olive, & Cocoa).

To get the different colors on the leaves, I first inked in Autumn Terracotta, then using sponge daubers added Olive and Cocoa before stamping.  I love the look!   All the stamps I used are from the Seasons stamp set which is included in the Art Philosophy Collection.  The title is cut from the Artiste cartridge.

I used this sketch from Sketch Support:

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Products used in this video:
Z1790 Artiste Cricut Collection (includes the Kudos stamp set) 
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Z2128 Hollyhock Ink
Z2195 Lagoon Ink
Z1792 Dimensional Elements Awards (included in the Artiste Collection but also available separately)
Z1686 Art Philosophy Cricut Collection
Z1685 Dimensional Elements Banners (included in the Art Philosophy Collection but also available separately)
Z1683 Dimensional Elements Mixed Shapes (included in the Art Philosophy Collection but also available separately)
X5762 Lagoon Cardstock

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C1463 Harvest Happiness

Supplies used are all Close to My Heart: Harvest Happiness stamp set, Mini-Medley Accents Antiqued Gold, Bronze Glitter Glitz, Cocktail Alphabet stamp set, Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, and inks (Autumn Terracotta, Cocoa, and Goldrush).  Sketch from Got Sketch.

This stamp set is one that coordinates with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  I just love this!  I cut the leaves in the upper left of the page with the Art Philosophy cartridge then stamped my image, so much faster and easier than cutting them out by hand!  I created the border along the left with one of the leaf images and added Glitter Glitz throughout the page for some bling.

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This stamp set coordinates with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, which makes it so easy to cut and stamp.  What a perfect way to make tags for Christmas, birthdays, or any other occasion!  These were so quick and easy to make!  I stamped most of them with one color but you could use the rock n’ roll technique like I did on the pink/purple circle or add multiple colors with a sponge dauber.  You can add a small sentiment to the center, a to/from, or just the name of the person receiving the gift.  I used the Salutation Seals and Casual Expressions stamp sets.  You could also use these as embellishments on a page or other project.  You can rotate two of the frames for a total of 6 different looks.  Just stamp and leave as is or add pearls, sparkles, ribbon, and other accessories to add more details.

Some of the things I used to embellish:
Pearls
Sparkles
Glitter Glitz Gel
Durable Studs
Boutique Assortment
Mini-Medley Accents
Just Blooms

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C1459 Stitched Together

Here’s another altered notebook.  Once again, I have specified it to the interests of this particular girl per my daughter’s request.  I used the Cricut Create-a-Critter cartridge (so super cute!), Close to My Heart papers (grey wool and grey flannel) and inks (black and grey flannel).  I used both the images and borders of the Stitched Together stamp set.  I’ve been doing a lot of tone-on-tone stamping for backgrounds lately!  The name is stamped with the new Urban Alphabet stamp set, which is becoming a favorite of mine.  It’s just the perfect size for so many things!

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If you are coming from Bethany’s Blog, you’re in the right place.  If this is your first stop, you can go to the beginning at Lucy’s blog.

Here’s my layout:

Supplies used are all Close to My Heart unless otherwise noted: Moonlight Paper Packet, Damask stamp set (retired), Smokey Plum ink, Opaque  Pearl Flourishes, Opaque Pearls, and Graphically Speaking Cricut cartridge.

I used a Becky Fleck sketch for this one.  Who would have thought that these were “Halloween” papers?!  I just love Close to My Heart’s double-sided B&T Duos Paper Packs!  The strip is cut from the top of the paper.  This is a great feature that they’ve added over the last year, in addition to the paper being a thicker, cardstock quality.  To overlap the pearl flourish from one page to the next, I first cut it on the transfer sheet, then applied each section, matching up the one on the second page with the one already attached on the first page.  The photo corners are stamped with the same damask stamp that is on the page.  I cut the squares in half to create the triangles for corners.

The next stop on your moonlight walk is Stephanie’s Blog.

Here is the list of all the talented consultants who will lead you down the moonlight path:

Lucy
Darla
Deanne
Bethany
Wendy
Stephanie
Erin
Maria
Carolyn
Joanne
Julia
Theodora

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Supplies used: Composition notebook, Cricut Create-a-Critter cartridge, CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, CTMH Gypsy cardstock, CTMH Grey Wool cardstock (retired), CTMH Grey Flannel cardstock (retired), CTMH Baby Pink cardstock (retired), CTMH Circle Around stamp set (retired), and unknown rhinestones from my stash.

My daughter had THREE birthday invitations this week!  This means that this is one of a few altered notebooks that I will be making.  I’m sure glad I dug through the clearance a couple weeks ago and picked up some extras.  Back-to-school time is when I usually stock up.  I’d be even smarter if I made them ahead of time but we usually make them specific to a what the birthday girl likes.

The Create-a-Critter cartridge has some super cute animals on it but I have to admit it makes me frustrated because I am so used to the Close to My Heart cartridges with marked keypads in the booklet, so much easier to find the images!

I’ve been doing a fair share of random stamping lately.  I really have a hard time settling with plain paper anymore.  I stamped the purple cardstock wtih the same color ink for a tone-on-tone look that adds a fun pattern.

My tips for random stamping:
1. choose 3 stamps (one large, one medium, one small)
2. start with the largest stamp, stamping in a somewhat triangular pattern
3. fill in with the medium and then the small stamp

Important key: Make sure when you stamp that you have a scrap paper underneath and stamp over the edge of your paper.  This will make it look like real patterned paper. And try not to think about it, it’s supposed to be random!

Here’s the back:

I usually do the back in the same main patterned paper as the front or if I only have one sheet of that paper then I will choose a coordinating color of cardstock.

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Welcome to the Art Philosophy Blog Hop.  This month our hop is Halloween themed.  The blog makes a circle so you can start anywhere and continue until you are back to where you started.  If you are coming from Julia’s Blog, you are on the right path.

Supplies used are all Close to My Heart: Paper and stamp set from Spellbound Cricut WOTG Kit, Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Black ink, and Artiste Cricut Cartridge.

I’ve created for you today this Halloween Pillow Box which is cut with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.  I used the Spellbound paper and stamp set.  I don’t do much for black/orange Halloween layouts because they don’t ever seem to match our costumes so I’m using this paper for different treat/goodies bags.

Your next stop is Carolyn Mendoza’s Blog.

List of participants:

• Lucy
• Darla
• Diana
• Stephanie
• Julia
• Wendy Kessler
• Carolyn Mendoza
• Kindred Hearts
• Rebecca
• Maria Woodworth

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Supplies used are all Close to My Heart: My Creations Bracket Frame, Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, Love Blooms Stamp Set, Sky ink, Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems, Black Tulle Ribbon, and Pixie Glitter Alphabet.

I have 3 girls and I have frames for the older girls and needed one for Miranda.  When CTMH came out with this new Bracket Frame it was the perfect solution and a reason for me to get it done.  The opening in the back is 9×9 and the front opening is 7×7.  I printed my photo as an 8×8 and matted it onto black cardstock.  This added more support and you don’t even see the cardstock but it would be okay if you did.

I was unable to find paper that I really liked with this so I decided to try stamping directly onto the frame.  Turns out that I LOVE the new Love Blooms stamp set.  I wasn’t sure about it at first and even after I had it in my hands I had second thoughts.  Even when I was using it I was wondering “how the heck do you line this up?” but then I realized it is very forgiving and you really don’t need to line it up at all.  After finishing all my stamping, I never did figure it out and I love the random look (better than looking like a repeat of the same flower).  I would suggest doing a lot of “stamping off the edge” like I did for the best look.  You also have to sometimes hold the stamp in one hand and press up on the frame (around the inside/middle) with the other because there is not the support from underneath here when stamping and you may miss part of your image.  But even if you do, the great thing about acrylic stamps is that you can just line it up and try again!

I attached my matted photo to the frame with heavy glue dots.

Thought I’d show you this too because it’s a neat look but not what I needed for my project:

The black frame on this one is from the Art Philosophy cartridge page 43 layer set at fit to page.  I don’t know why the Cricut will cut at 11″ for this setting yet when I tell it to cut 11″ it tells me it won’t fit…not the smartest of machines.

Now this next part is because I was curious and I learned some things….  The decorative square on page 53 of the Art Philosophy cartridge sure looks like it matches this frame….so you  should be able to cut your paper to match, right?  Here’s how I did it:
1. Cut the outside using the <Square4> on page 53 with the Fit to Page setting.
2. Unload mat and center the cut image on your mat.  This is easy to do by just lining up the points with the 6″ lines on the mat.

3. Now here’s where I learned that my Cricut is even less smart than I originally thought.  If you go over 6″ it is not the center of your mat…the cricut thinks you only have 11 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches to cut.  So,  you have to be smarter and move your blade over 5 3/4″ and down 5 3/4″ and this will get you to the center.
4. Cut <Square1> on page 23 at 6 3/4″ using the Center Point setting and Real Dial Size on.

And there you go!  A (close to perfect) cut for your frame to add any paper from your stash.  The square I used for the center has rounded corners but I wanted to stick with the same cartridge.  If you want the pointed square, you can use the same directions and just change the image.

Last, here are the instructions to cut a border (like the black I used on my frame):
1. Cut the outside using the <Square4> on page 53 with the Fit to Page setting.
2. Unload mat and center the cut image on your mat.  This is easy to do by just lining up the points with the 6″ lines on the mat.
3. Move your blade over 5 3/4″ and down 5 3/4″ and this will get you to the center.
4. Cut <Square4> on page 53 using the Center Point setting and Real Dial Size on at 10″.  Or cut smaller for a thicker border.

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The blog hop makes a circle so if you are starting here, just continue until you make your way back.  If you have already started, you should be coming from Diana’s Blog.

Supplies used: Diecuts With a View paper, Close to My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, CTMH Sparkle Flourishes, and Making Memories Shimmer Alphabet Stickers.

I chose the banner on the decorative layer page 59 (no shift).  Instead of using it as a banner, I created a border across the bottom of my scrapbook page.  I really like the silver on this layout!

Your next stop is Eva’s Blog!

List of participants:

• Lucy ~ page 62
• Darla ~ pg 34 (shift)
• Diana ~ pg49 (no shift)
• Wendy Kessler ~ pg 59 (no shift)
• Eva~ pg 29 (no shift)
• Carolyn ~ pg 27 (shift)
• Stephanie ~ pg 32 (no shift)
• Joanne ~ pg 24 (shift)
• Laura W. ~ pg43
• Kindred Hearts ~ pg 50 (no shift)
• Pam Stewart ~ Banner 29, 39, 49 & 59.
• Carolyn Mendoza ~ pg 55 (shift)

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Supplies used are all Close to My Heart unless noted: Sophia Paper Pack, Mod Podge, Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, Hollyhock cardstock, Hollyhock ink, Creative Imaginations Bare Element Wood Clock, Sparkle Flourishes, and Sparkles.

The Scrap Our Stash Challenge for this month is anything to do with time.  As soon as I heard this I knew exactly what my project would be.  I can’t tell you how long I have had this clock and it’s just one of those projects that has remained in the box due to lack of time.  I applied the first coat of paper with Mod Podge, after that I decided to just use my ATG gun and not worry about a top coat.  After each paper I pointed through the middle hole from the back so I could locate it and then used my Finishing Tools to sand the circle/hole and make it pretty.  One of the filing tools is rounded and works wonderfully for things like this.  Now once I got the initial covering and numbers on I just didn’t know what else to do with it.  It was pretty the way it way but I really like to embellish.  Part of me wishes I had the numbers I wanted or that I had stamped them on flower shapes or something but I’m not going and you really don’t need numbers on a clock.  After a day passed with this sitting unfinished on my desk I chose to complete it with 3D paper flowers and some sparkles.  Now all I have to do is get it hung up.  It will go in my scrapbook room but it’s not easy to get to where I want it.

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