Here is my layout:

Supplies used: CTMH Life Delights paper (retired), DCWV Alphabet Stickers, 7 Gypsies Pink Posy Velvet Flowers, CTMH Opaques Pearl Flourishes, Hero Arts Pearls, K & Company Life’s Journey Clearly Yours Alphabet, and CTMH Dark Chocolate Striped Ribbon.

I wasn’t sure about the letters on this layout at first.  I left it and came back the next day.  Funny thing is that I liked it right away.  I dug deep in my stash for most everything on this layout.

There is still time to submit your layout at Scrap Our Stash.  You have until March 29th.

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Supplies are all CTMH unless otherwise noted: Clementine Paper Packet, Color-Ready Cork Alphabet, Burlap Ribbon, Milepost Shapes (retired), Juniper Marker, Dimensional Elements Awards, Brown Bag ink (retired), Brown Bag cardstock (retired), Basic Grey Pearls, and Prima flowers.  Challenges: Scrapbook.com – Page Maps Sketch Challenge

I used this Sketch Thursday sketch by rotating it and using one photo instead of two:

I am really happy with this layout.  Cork, burlap, and corrugated items are not what I typically use and these items are bound to end up buried in my stash.  So I am proud to have used them and I think I like it because I mixed them with other things that I do enjoy using, like flowers and pearls.  I used the new CTMH Alcohol Markers to color the cork letters.

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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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Supplies used are all Close to My Heart unless otherwise noted: Fancy Pants Baby Mine papers, Prima flowers, Just Blooms (CTMH flowers), Mocha Opaque Pearls, Love Life stamp set, Eclectic Edges stamp set, and Cocoa ink.  Layout idea from Scrapbook Generations.  Title idea from The Perfect Title.

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C1511 Love Blooms

Supplies used are all Close to My Heart: Love Blooms stamp set, Flirty Paper Packet, Goldrush ink, Brown & Tan Sparkles, and Opaque Mocha Adhesive Gems.

These are the cards from the Flirty Workshop on the Go Kit with modifications.  I purchased the Love Blooms stamp set with the Flirty Paper Packet instead of the Flirty Workshop on the Go Kit.  I replaced the stamped images and dimensional elements with images from this stamp set and added a variety of different embellishments.

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WELCOME!  I’m so glad you are joining us for our “Use Your Stash Blog Hop”.  If you have already started, you should be coming from Joy’s Blog.  If this is your first stop, continue through until you make your way back here.  This month we are focusing on our scraps.  This is one of my favorite challenges because I love using things up.

Supplies used: Die Cuts with a View paper, Close to My Heart ribbons, Close to My Heart Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes, American Crafts Thickers, and Close to My Heart Opaque Mocha Adhesive Gems.

When I first think of “use up scraps” I think of paper.  But for this hop I decided to do something different and use up some embellishments, specifically scraps of ribbon.  I really like using paper like this that already has a pattern on it.  It makes for a quick and easy layout.  I also like adding embellishments to the base like the pearls I added to the flower centers along the bottom.

I used the sketch below from The Scrapbook Room.  This would also work great to use up scraps of paper.

Now hop on over to Judy’s Blog for more ideas on using up your stash.

Here is a list of participants:

1. Debi Barber
2. Rachel Ventura
3. Joy McHargue
4. Wendy Kessler
5. Judy Faye Garner

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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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Welcome to our The Artiste in 3D Blog Hop!

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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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Today we will show you how to Make It From Your Heart!  Jeanette Lynton has created a brand NEW “how-to” program to not only guide you but also inspire you to create beautiful artwork.   This amazing publication has so many different pattern blueprints that you can interpret in ANY WAY you want!

Through our blog hop, we hope to inspire you to use your own artistic instincts to interpret and create your own artwork.  Each of our crafty consultants has chosen a different page of this book to create two projects for you – that’s right two projects with the SAME pattern!  One project will follow the blueprint pattern as laid out.  The second project will use the pattern “with a twist”  to show you how versatile the patterns are.

We are having a giveaway – that’s right blog candy for you hoppers!  Lucy will be giving away a copy of the Make It From Your Heart – Volume 1.  All you have to do to be eligible to win is to leave a comment on each blog.

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

Now to the good stuff!  For my projects I chose Pattern #30 in Make It From Your Heart Volume 1.  This is an amazing book and very affordable at only $7.95!

My first project is a card:

Supplies used: Creative Imaginations paper, CTMH White Daisy cardstock, CTMH Smokey Plum ink, CTMH Pear ink, Stampin Up blending pen, CTMH Black ink, CTMH Love in Bloom stamp set (retired), and unknown rhinestones from my stash.

I used a blending pen with ink off the lid of my ink pad to color in the flower image.

My second project is a journal.  I alter these notebooks all the time for birthday gifts.  The kids love them.  They are great gifts for any age and can be personalized for anyone.  I typically use the same paper on the back but did not have enough for this one so I used a coordinating color of cardstock.  Then, I cut it a bit small on the backside…great things can come from mistakes, right?  I covered the section with ribbon and made it longer so it overlaps into the notebook to be used as a bookmark.   What a great idea!  :-)

Supplies used: Creative Imaginations paper, Stampin’ Up! cardstock, CTMH Friendship Alphabet Large stamp set (retired), CTMH Smokey Plum ink, CTMH Opaques Pearl Flourishes, and K & Company Layered Accents.

Back:

This is the final stop on our blog hop.  Thanks for looking and you can purchase the amazing Make It From Your Heart Volume 1 on my Close to My Heart website today for just $7.95!

Here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this months blog hop:

• Lucy ~ Love to Create
• Darla ~ Caution: Crafting is Contagious
• Michelle ~ My Creations with Michelle
• Maria ~Maria’s Paper Craft Place 
• Theodora ~ Celebrate Crafts
• Bethany ~ Stamping at Home
• Stephanie ~ The Quilted Scrapper
• Wendy ~ My Scrapbooking Blog

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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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This blog hop is a circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique.  So if you are starting here, just continue until you make your way back.  If you have already started, you should be coming from Amy Kaminski’s Blog.

Supplies used are all Close to My Heart unless otherwise stated: Die Cuts With a View paper, Twilight Marker Set, Clear Sparkles, Bitty Opaques Pearl, Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes, and DCWV alphabet stickers.

I took a different approach to the technique this month.  I am showing some of the things besides stamped images that you can color with the new Close to My Heart alcohol markers.  I used both colors that come in the Twilight set but for the most part I did not notice a difference in color. I did like the lighter color for the butterflies but I did one with each and you can see there is not much of a difference, if you can tell at all.  The sparkles are a very light color with they are finished.  My favorite coloring was on the pearls.  They took the color very well and are beautiful!  I would recommend either heat-setting the pearls and sparkles or letting them out to dry.  After 10 minutes, my pearls were still wet to touch but they were dry overnight.

Other items that would be good to color: Color-Ready Wooden Shapes, Color-Ready Alphabets, ribbon, any of the Just Blooms, cork, chipboard, etc.

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto Joy McHargue’s Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation and happy hopping!

Here is a list of participants:

1. Judy Faye Garner
2. Michelle West
3. Rachel Ventura
4. Shirley Ross (no artwork)
5. Amy Kaminski
6. Wendy Kessler
7. Joy McHargue

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A1120 Quick Cards – Butterfly

This stamp set is one of a few made by Close to My Heart that are designed specifically to create quick and easy cards.  For this particular stamp, I chose to separate the words and the butterflies by cutting the stamp so that it is now two.  I can now stamp them separate or together.  I will often do this with my stamps.  It is a great option with acrylic stamps but you do have to be careful.  You will want to cut in one single, smooth cut so that it won’t later rip and you need to be careful that you do not cut too close to the image that it won’t stamp correctly (or that you cut into the image itself).  This one was more difficult because they were close together.  I decided to risk it because I knew I would use the stamp more with just the butterfly (and I’m not big on masking).  In the places that were close, I focused on the butterfly image so that if it didn’t work I would have that part.  It ended up working just fine!  I think this is the closest one I have cut.

Supplies used are all Close to My Heart: Perfect Day Paper Packet (retired), Quick Cards – Butterfly Stamp set, Sorbet ink, Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems, Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon, and Colonial White and Black cardstock.

This was a very quick card that would work for just about any occasion.  It took me a total of 15 minutes from the time I decided to make the card to completion.  You can’t beat that!

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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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WELCOME!  I’m so glad you are joining us for our “Use Your Stash Blog Hop”.  If you have already started, you should be coming from Debi Barber’sBlog.  If this is your first stop, continue through until you make your way back here.

This month we are pulling out some of our oldest Close to My Heart paper.

Supplies used: CTMH Between Friends Level 1, CTMH Opaque Mocha Adhesive Gems, CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, Petaloo Color Me Crazy Flowers, and Desert Sand ink.

This is among the oldest paper that I have.  I think I purchased it on clearance in my first days as a consultant.  Even though it’s old, the diecuts (not even stickers!) are going to work well for some teen girl pages.

Now hop on over to Michelle West’s Blog for more ideas on using up your stash.

If you get lost along the way you can see the entire list of hoppers on my previous post.

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Supplies used are all Close to My Heart: Miracle Paper packet (retired), Miracle Stickease (retired), Kraft borders (retired), and Bitty Opaque Pearl Adhesive Gems.

I finished this layout that I started way back when.  It’s been an unexpectedly busy summer and it sure is nice to get a page done.

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I chose this beautiful layout from Sherri Tozzi’s blog:

Here is my layout:

Supplies used are all Close to My Heart: Silhouette Paper Packet (retired), Color-Ready Garden Wooden Shapes, journal tags (retired), Opaque Pearl Adhesive Gems, Black Ribbon Round (retired), Pink Sparkles, Black ink, and Desert Sand ink.

This was a fun challenge and helped me scrap pictures that I was struggling with because they had both pink and red in them.  The neutral papers solved this problem.

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D1283 Say it in Style

Supplies used are all Close to My Heart: Say It In Style stamp set, Bamboo Cardstock, Veranda Paper Packet (retired), Felicity stamp set (retired), Seam Binding Ribbon, Stazon ink, Juniper ink, and Opaque Mocha Adhesive Gems.

I used this stamp set to stamp words on the Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon.  I learned you HAVE to use Stazon ink!  I tried with regular and it bled all over.  Now that is the nature of this ribbon and it’s a good thing because when you ink it, the color blends well throughout the ribbon for an even look, whether you are using one color or fading to multiple colors on one piece.  But for stamping on it, this works only with the Stazon but it does work!  Now I just need to improve my skills with using the StazOn ink.

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Today we have a blog hop featuring the Close to My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut Collection.  If you have already started, you should be coming from Eva’s blog.

I didn’t get my project done for this hop like I had planned so I ended up putting something together at the last minute.  I discovered another great thing about this collection.  You can whip something together quick and it will look great!  This is my 15-minute card:

Supplies used are all Close to My Heart: Art Philosophy Cricut Collection, Silhouette Paper Packet (retired), Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Opaques Adhesive Gems- Mocha, Just Blooms Paper Shapes – Flutter, and Black ink.

One more thing I learned is that the slits that the Cricut cuts on the card option work great to feed ribbon through for the front of the card!  Now continue to Michelle’s blog for more Art Philosophy creations.

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B1402 My Peeps

Supplies used are CTMH unless otherwise noted: Lucy Paper Packet, My Peeps stamp set, Sweet Leaf Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Sky/Outdoor Denim/Petal inks, Sweet Leaf/Cotton Candy/Sky/Petal/Creme Brulee Markers, and Kaiser Pearls.

I started with a sketch from Magic.  It was a fun one because of all the pictures that I was able to add.  I have a few more so I will be adding flip flaps over the bottom left photo.  This is a great stamp set for Easter.  I used all of the images.  The eggs were fun to color and added a lot of color to the layout.  This set also works great with the adhesive springs for an added playful element.  I didn’t use them on this layout but I have used them on a milk carton that I’m almost finished with and will share soon.

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