Another Cricut Cartridge!!!

Yes, it's true . . . Close To My Heart debuts a new exclusive Cricut Cartridge! I can't wait to get a chance to play with it. The cartridge is called Artbooking and the only place you can purchase it is from a CTMH Consultant like me! I have this huge list of what a want from the catalog. I'm going to have to make a list and order a few things at a time. Don't you just love a budget? Ugh.

New Artbooking Cricut Cartridge

I had a chance to really sit down and play with my Cricut over the weekend and one of the most exciting things I discovered is the Cricut Craft Room.

I now have all my cartridges loaded on the program and I don't even have to get the cartridge out. I just choose the images I want and place them on the virtual mat that's in the program. It safes SO much paper. Check the program out when you get a chance. It's FREE!

I'm off to create some more projects. It's addicting!

Happy Stamping/Scrapbooking/Cricutting,

Elaine

Cricut Creations

I confess -- I started playing with the Artiste new CTMH Cricut cartridge yesterday and I couldn't stop. That cartridge is the coolest thing ever!

I made this adorable little paper purse using the Avonlea paper. I even cut out the word "Love" using the Cricut. It would make an adorable party favor or perhaps a gift holder for a gift certificate or even money. :-)

 This next 3D box reminds me of the little boxes you get when you order something from a bakery. The second picture shows it unfolded and the first picture shows what it looks like all tucked in.

I cut a square piece of White Daisy cardstock and used it for a card. No need for an envelope for this card. Wouldn't it be fun to slip some chocolate in with the card? Very fun!

 This cool looking box was on the cartridge as well. I love how the two sided decorative paper looks like I paper layered. And the little handle is so adorable,  I think the handle could be used as a decorative strip on a card. Fill this puppy with some candy and you'd make someone's day.

This isn't a 3D object but it was a fun, not your ordinary card. The 1" strip of patterned paper slips off, revealing the card tucked into the interesting envelope.

The inside holds this fun card that would be perfect for any occasion. I'm enjoying life, that's for sure! Loving all the new papers in the new catalog, but best of all, I'm loving the new Cricut cartridge, Artiste. What an amazing piece of technology!

Playing with a Cricut

I've been quite busy creating little 3D projects with the new Cricut cartridge, Artiste. I also made some adorable cards. I made the cutest tiny scrapbook, a box to hold candy for your special someone, and some fun cards. And just to clarify, a Cricut is a diecut machine and it never says "chirp, chirp." :-)

The Artiste collection includes the cartridge, 3 chipboard sheets, and 3 stamp sets. The chipboard pieces can be covered by simply cutting the shape out with your Cricut and then using the stamp set to stamp on top of the covered shape. Sweet! No cutting of shapes. Wahoo!

Here are some of the things I've made with the Cricut:

This adorable purse holds 4 pages to scrapbook your fun memories.

 

This album was a chipboard album that I covered with the new Avolena papers. To make life simplier, I used the Cricut to cut the pages out and presto . . . more time to add doodads!

This fun card is special . . . pull the card out of the top. The pink section is a holder for the card. The little dress has a sparkle belt. Very fun.

This is one of my favorite cards. The white background pieces are cut using the Cricut Artiste cartridge. Couldn't be any easier!

I hope you find time to stamp and scrapbook today. And remember a Cricut is a diecut machine, not a bug.

November Holiday Wishes

I am SO far behind . . . this month's special for the month is an adorable stamp set at an incredible discount.

When you purchase $25 in My Acrylix Stamp sets between November 1st and 30, you can add a new exclusive to November only, D-size Holiday Wishes stamp set for only $5. One Holiday Wishes stamp set for every $25 in qualifying purchases.  As a plus, 4 of the images coordinate with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge (only available though a CTMH Consultant). Here is some artwork from the flyer. For more information, email me or go to my website. I can't wait to get my set!

Christmas in October

Yes, the weather is so warm I wore shorts over the weekend and yet, here I am playing with the stamp of the month "Holiday Magic" and this adorable "Bundled Buddies" stamp set. It looks like this little raccoon is going for a ride in a winter wonderland.

I used my Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to cut the oval shaped red and white mat behind my scene. The great thing about the Cricut is the ability to cut one size bigger than the other as easy as a flip of the knob. Be sure to look for items outlined in red in the current catalog, that means it has a coordinating shape on the cartridge. That makes stamping faster, easier and simpler for sure!

What have you made with your Cricut lately? Are you having trouble getting started? Good news, I'm planning a Cricut Party soon . . . keep your eye out for the email!

Have a chirpy day!
Elaine

Cricut Creations You Can Make!

The Cricut machine sat for years  in my closet. In it's cute little leather bag I looked at it occasionally and thought about dragging it out, but really it seemed like a lot to do and I wasn't really sure what to do with it. And then Close To My Heart introduced the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge bonus bundle and I decided, "whoa there, this is the coolest thing since sliced bread!"

 I returned from the CTMH convention and proceeded to set up that green little Cricut critter on his own table and have been happily Cricut cutting ever since. Out of sight, out of mind I guess.

I thought I'd share a few things I've made in the last week or so. My favorite is the scrapbook page I made for my daughter's National Charity League album . . . it's SO beautiful!  
 

These pages were made with the Mayberry Level 2 paper and the Cricut cut the flower border and the fun 3D flowers.

Side view of the 3D flowers.

Then I made some cards which were amazingly fun!

This card was fun to make since it had the hand cut paper doily and the fun sunflower looking flowers.

This card not only includes the flowers cut with the Art Philosophy cricut, but I used one of the stamp set that came with it to stamp the "Thanks." It's just a beautiful card with the larger flowers bringing out the paper pattern (Mayberry again).

This card looks like a big postage stamp to me with it's fun, decorative edging, all cut on the Cricut. I also cut out the dragon flies, using the new Dreamin' Paper pack. I used the under layer with the decorative squares and the top part is the sold blue, Pacific cardstock. (Note: stamplifted from Jeanette's website.)

Have fun with your Cricut . . . but remember, don't tuck it away, bring it out, give him a home and USE him! :-)

Cricut Flowers, No Watering Needed!

I have had so much fun these past few weeks with the latest and greatest product from Close To My Heart, The Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge and coordinating stamp sets. Talk about easy as sliced bread, this little puppy has made even my little Cricut (he's old, only 6"x12", poor baby), crank out the most beautiful artwork and all with the snap of an "on" button!

This beautiful card was made using the Mayberry paper from our last catalog and the cut outs from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. The stamped saying is from one of the stamp sets that come with the cartrige bundle.

To add a little pizzazz, I used 3D foam tape under some of the flowers and the saying as shown in the photo below. I can't believe how fast this card came together! A few pieces of advice I've gathered from the last week . . . find a spot for your Cricut to make it accessible. If you have to dig for it in a closet or pull it out of a bag, you will be less likely to use it. Mine is sitting on a little side table, ready for some Cricut cutting at a moment's notice!

Also keep a few of the paper cutting mats so you can leave one loaded with your different color cardstock or paper while you are working on a project. Do not leave them over night or it will become a sticky mess, but I found it saved a ton of paper if I just left the Colonial White mat where I could pop it in the machine for a quick mat or another flower.

Enjoy your Cricut!!! Chirp, chirp!

Cricut Creations!

The Cricut, baby, the Cricut! I absolutely am in love with this new creation! The Cricut Art Philosophy Collection has got to be the hottest thing since sliced bread!!!!

This card, which I have stamp lifted somewhere, and I'm so sorry I can't remember where . . . took me minutes to make! Really! I cut the flowers and the little doily and the leaves out with the Cricut . . . added the "Best Wishes . . . " from one of the sets that came with the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection. The paper is from Dreamin' Collection. So easy!

I have a very old Cricut (it only cuts 6"x12" paper) so I made the french fry box but could only make it 5 1/2" so it turned out little, but SO cute. It would be perfect for little party favors or a gift card.

I used the Dreamin' Paper pack for this one too and the stamp sets that came with the Cricut Art Philosophy stamp set. Oh my goodness, it was super quick to make too and I loved how easy it was to stamp the thank you tag on the die-cut ticket. Super easy too!

I'm hooked on my Cricut!

Get yours too! The CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy is only available through CTMH so let me know if you *need* one too! :-)

See page 13 of the new catalog and be sure to come to my upcoming Cricut 101 class! Fun!

Paper Flower Tutorial

I love making the paper flower rosettes that are on the new CTMH Art Philosophies cartridge . . . and my friend, Michele Pryor really has the best tutorial ever!  Michele's Flower Tutorials

Making flowers is SO much easier than growing them! Michele is an exceptional paper gardener as shown here with a card she made using her Cricut and the CTMH set that coordinates. Beautiful!

 This is the side angle of the Cherry O paper card . . . I love how Michele has the flower petals curled up a bit to give it more diminsion. Simply lovely! And no watering involved. Have fun with your paper garden!

Wicked Fun

 I am LOVING the August Stamp of the Month . . . and maybe it's not just because it's called Wicked. It's no where near Halloween and yet, the stores are full of Halloween stuff already (and school hasn't even started). Heck, if I bought candy for the trick or treaters now, what would the chances of it still being here (or me finding it in October because I hid it in such a perfect place from myself that I can't find it) . . . yup, not a good idea.

So, instead I'm stamping witches and brooms and lots of scary stuff . . . including the cat, who, by the way, is NOT wicked. She's really cute and I just had the thought that she would make an adorable card . . . and I could make her have green eyes with some of my little jewels. OR I could make her spooky with some of the red ones.

this is a cute cat card

this is a real wicked cat

Oh, and the cat card was really fun to make because I cut the scallop shaped card out with my new CTMH Cricut cartridge. There are several really fun shaped cards, including circle cards which I love making, but are hard to cut out because, well, I failed cutting circles out in kindergarten. LOL

Okay, so apparently, I need to go make some more cards with my new Wicked stamp set. I hope it's not wicked of me to not make my family dinner because I'm too busy stamping. It's not Wicked if you make cute stuff, right?

MeOw!

Fun with the Cricut (I know, more!)

I just found more ideas and hints and tips for integrating the Art Philosophy cartridge with the stamp sets.
I want to make more of these adorable flowers.

Also, if you want more step by step directions on very 3D rosette flowers, see page 33 of the current catalogs. It couldn't be easier to create one of a kind art work!

Online Current Catalog (go to page 33)

Have fun and let me know if you have any questions or want your own Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.

Chirp, chirp!

Cricut Chirp, Chirp!

What a FUN afternoon! My good friend, Katie and I sipped iced tea, and I showed her all I know about the Cricut, which isn't much, but we experimented and used up some old cardstock and managed to make some cute cards and tags, if we don't say so ourselves.

The card shape for this fun Happiness card is found on the Art Philosphy Cricut cartridge and the gnome is from the new stamp set called Gnome Garden C1470. Katie made one just like it, in blue, because we needed a man card. Yes, we know . . . the bow might not make this manly, but we added some of those opaque circle things . . . plus, you know, her brother will just be amazed at the gnome and won't notice the flower and stuff, right? ;-)

We also made this tag to hang in Katie's car . . . to remind her of how cool gnomes can be. I could tell Katie's husband was really excited about the gnome picture. The squirrel is totally making the card, everyone knows that squirrels and gnomes are the real bosses of the forest and definitely good luck!

We also experimented with the rosette flowers that come on the Cricut cartridge. This tag was made using two of the different style flowers. Super easy to make too! You just choose your flower and the size (I did 4" ones) and after it cuts the flower (a spiral shaped circle), you start on the outside of the spiral and roll it up toward the center of the circle (I used a skinny sanding tool but a pencil works too). Once you have it rolled, just glue it down to the center circle. I used a glue dot and then added some Liquid Glass here and there to keep it in place. then I stuck a decorative brad in the middle for the center of the flower. The tag is from the Cricut cartridge. So much FUN! I love the little Cricut bug! :-)

 What have you been making with yours? Let me know! Chirp, chirp!

This witch is NOT wicked!

Life was just never the same after that house fell on Glenda, the Good Witch's evil sister, in the infamous Wizard of Oz movie and that reminds me, the Stamp of the Month program will never be the boring, old same either.  You can still just buy the stamp, if you so desire, or spend just $50 and you can buy it for just $5 more. Pretty good deal, if I don't say so myself, but this month, it's even BETTER!

Spend $50 and buy the stamp set, Wicked for just $5 and get the Typeface (A size) font set for FREE! That's just wickedly awesome and such a great way to kick off the new catalog. But wait. There's more. (I sound like an infomercial now.)

If you go the www.closetomyheart.com and look under the Campaigns and Promotions subtitle and click on Stamp of the Month, It has directions and recipes for the ideas present at the back of the catalog. There's also a card included with the stamp set that has a close up picture of the projects. This is great news for lazy crafters like me, who love a great idea (that may or may not be my idea . . . mostly not) and I just hate having to guess what was used. Thank you, CTMH, for making it even faster, simplier, and easy! Love it!

Have yourself a wickedly witchy day!

This Cricut Cartridge ROCKS!

Wowzer, I am loving this new Cricut cartridge Art Philosophy from Close To My Heart. Not only is using the Cricut to cut out letters and shapes ultra cool and easy, but stamping your design right on the exact size shape is just . . . well, pretty awesome, in the words of my Rachel (17 years old). I stamp lifted (yeah, okay, copied) this card shown here right from the little book that comes with the cartridge. And speaking of that little book, don't lose it!!!! It shows you EXACTLY how to get the images to print, including the fonts, the tags, the cute shaped card, like this oval scalloped card here:

I made this card exclusively with everything that is included with the bundled Cricut cartridge . . . including those 3D flowers! The stamp set too! And in case you were wondering why some of the images in your new CTMH catalog are outlined in red, those are the images that can stamp perfectly onto one of the 700 images contained on the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge and you can order it from me, easy as . . . well, easy as stamping with CTMH acrylix stamp sets.

For more great Cricut ideas, check out Jeanette's blog: Jeanette's Blog and the CTMH Corporate how to video: Corporate Art Philosopy YouTube Video

If you have any questions or you want your VERY own Cricut Cartridge and stamps and dimensional shapes, send me an email or shop on my website: http://stampedbyme.myctmh.com

Have a Chirpy Day!
Elaine

New Cricut Cartridge!

I am SO excited! The new CTMH Cricut cartridge arrived in the mail a few days ago and today I can try it out! It came with 3 D size stamp sets that coordinate with the diecuts (they fit right in the images perfectly) and the cartridge comes with some 3 D projects like boxes, special cut cards, and even some flowers! VERY cool!

Here's a picture of the back so you can see what it includes!

The cartridge package is shown and explain in detail on pages 12 and 13 of the NEW catalog! You don't have a NEW catalog? Well come and get one! I will leave some on my porch or email me and I'll get you one ASAP. Here's the link to the online version: Link to the New Fall Catalog!















As always, no order is too small. Let me know if you'd like to treat yourself to something from the new catalog or shop directly from my website at http://stampedbyme.myctmh.com.

Off to play with my new stamps and Cricut toys!
Let me know if you have any questions!