Cricut Butterfly Card

I absolutely love Lisa Stenz; both for the person she is and for her absolute phenomenal creativity.  She never seizes to amaze me!

I was inspired to duplicate this creation she shared through her blog a short time ago and later taught it to guests at my team retreat.  It was a HUGE hit with no surprise!

We cut out two solid butterflies and created a 1/4" score line on the bottom one, adhering them together to create the fold seen here. 

Then we cut out several of these intricate butterflies, using our exclusive Art Philosophy cartridge, of course.  One of them was cut out of the coordinating cardstock used for the bases.  Then we cut out 3 additional images out of "scrap" paper and layered them on top of another to create the depth seen in the first picture.

 That allowed to create this beautiful card that we topped off with a fitting sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Join my team in March! (Get Cricut Bundle FREE!)

Embrace the Philosophy of Fun

Now is a great time to join Close To My Heart because when you sign up as a new Consultant between March 1–31, you’ll receive a FREE Cricut® Art Philosophy collection! The collection’s retail price of $99 adds incredible value to your New Consultant Kit and will give you hours of creative fun with the included exclusive Cricut® cartridge, three coordinating My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets, and three sheets of matching Dimensional Elements shapes. Already own the collection? You can always give your free one as a gift or choose to receive $100 in select product credit** instead. Now is the time to embrace the philosophy of fun—Consultant and Cricut® fun!

*Offer available March 1—31, 2012. No additional tax is charged on the Cricut® collection when ordered during enrollment.

**Additional requirements and limitations regarding the redemption and shipping of Select Product Credit apply. Select Product Credit is added to new Consultant account following approval of enrollment.
 
CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY TEAM or contact me with any questions you may have.  I'd love to have you!

Happy March 1st! (Stamp of the Month)

Isn't it hard to believe that March 2012 has already arrived?!  Where does the time go?  I am blessed to enjoy every day, although the time passes way too fast - especially when you are doing something you truly enjoy.

This month's Stamp of the Month, "Potential", has just that - potential.  :0)  It is very versatile, yet elegant, for any occasion.  It is a set of 8 images and available only during the month of March.  It can be yours for just $5 with a $50 purchase or you can purchase it outright for $17.95.

This month I used the Victory paper packet to create my card. I loved the pattern on one of the B&T papers that coordinated perfectly with the image and the checkered pattern also complimented the image.

I topped it off with some of our Foundry Pins (retired), Chocolate Ribbon, our Wooden Buttons and Hemp.

I like the masculine appeal this card took on as I typically make "girly" items. 

Here are some other creative variations you can enjoy using the same stamp set.  Some of my fellow Consultant friends were willing to share photos of their creations with me.



Created by Tonya Whitehurst - Click here to visit her blog

Created by Judy Faye Garner - Click here to visit her blog

Created by Cherri Hardcastle - Click here to visit her blog

Thanks for stopping by and watch for many artwork ideas coming to you this month!  Have a blessed month!

Texas' BIGGEST Crop?!

Two weeks ago, I was happily joined by 42 other papercrafters at my annual Heartfelt Sentiments Team Retreat.  We gathered, for the third year in a row, at Lone Oak Ranch & Retreat in Gainesville, TX.  We absolutely love the facilities - plenty of space to scrapbook - and the ability to retreat back to your room for a quick nap or a few hours of overnight sleep. 

Here is a photo of part of the ballroom we inhabit for the weekend.  How fun, right?!

This year's theme was "Color Your World".  Color Your World with new friendships, new opportunities, and a newfound passion for what you love to do!  It was a bit cold this year so we elected to stay inside and take some group photos based upon our crop groupings. 

My First Downline in attendance.

Kristi, Cyndi, Dot, Kimberly, Aarin, Amanda & Xellina

Windy, Christi, ME, Nancy, Betty

Lulu, ME, Dianne, Cherri, Tawnya, Michelle & Annette

Lisa, ME, Melissa, Joy (Milligan)

Maria Elena (my MOM), Euvah, Karen, ME, Mary, Tawnya, Patricia

Mary, Laurie, Angie, ME, Jan, Lynn, Peggy

Debbie, Debi, ME, Francene, Debi

Angie and I acting silly

Mary and I striking a pose on the bar top

I will be sharing more photos from the fun weekend but wanted to start with showing off these first!  Have a fabulous weekend!

Technique Blog Hop

WELCOME to our Technique Hop!  We have 15 "players" this month so I hope you are ready to be inspired with our creativity!  You gotta love getting ideas from Consultants with various styles.

This hop is one big circle, and I am starting it out, but you are welcome to start and stop anywhere throughout.  I have also provided a list of the participants and their blogs below should you get lost or want to retrace your steps at some point.  If you have come from Kimberly's Blog or our Technically Terrific Blog (where you can find challenges and prizes, of course, for our blog hop), you are on the right track!

1. Melissa - http://mlisrobinson.blogspot.com/
2. Shirley – http://momnmescrap.blogspot.com/
3. Debi – http://debiistheothersister.blogspot.com/
4. Wendy – http://myscrapbookingblog.com/
5. Lisa– http://lisastampinroom.blogspot.com/
6. Tabby– http://stuckonscrappin.blogspot.com/
7. Cherri– http://craftwithfeeling.blogspot.com/
8. Rachel– http://thehappyscrappinsquad.blogspot.com/
9. Judy Faye– http://judyfaye.blogspot.com/
10. Bethany– http://crappingrandmabethany.blogspot.com/
11. Michelle B– http://michelleshandmadeworld.blogspot.com/
12. Tonya– http://heartandsoulscrappers.blogspot.com/
13. Joy– http://www.studiowow-joy.com/
14. Michelle W– http://inksandinspirations.blogspot.com/
15. Kimberly– http://crazy4scrappin.blogspot.com/  (link to http://technicallyterrific.blogspot.com)

This month's technique highlights the "Even Easier" technique as highlighted on page 91 in the NEW (Spring/Summer) Idea Book.  You can create beautiful accents with My Acrylix stamps, even easier, with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  By using the Cricut machine to cut the coordinate shape using the indicated size on the carrier sheet, you can stamp directly on the cut out image.  It is so nice not to have to pick up a pair of scissors and trim around the image yourself!

This first card was made using the Sonoma paper packet and one of the coordinating stamp set that comes with the Cricut cartridge.  I used the Cricut to cut out both the "frame" and flower diecuts and then easily stamped inside of them with the desired image and color. Of course, this process is EASY when using our clear, acrylic stamps as placement is perfect every single time!

This card, made using the NEW Lucy paper packet, also incorporated one of the stamp sets included with the Cricut bundle.  First, I sponged one of the coordinating dimensional elements in Creme Brulee' and then cut out the coordinating but slightly smaller scallop using the Cricut.  I then stamped the image, tone-on-tone and layered accordingly.

It has been super easy to prepare for workshops/classes and to create art when not having to take time to cut out the intricate images.  Instead, I just let the Cricut do the work for me - saving me time and allowing me to create artwork Faster.Simpler.Easier.

You too should give it a try!  The Cricut bundle can be all yours for just $99 and it's valued at even higher than that when you think of how it makes creating quicker and easier.  (Plus, you can get it at 50% off when you have a Gathering of just $250 in sales!)  You can find a link to it, and more details, in the right margin.

Now hop on over to Shirley's Blog to see what creative inspiration she has in store for YOU and then be sure to submit your own version of this technique at our Technically Terrific Blog!  There are prizes to be awarded there!

Happy hoppin'!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays because I love the colors - red, pink, white, black, PURPLE - and the focus of the day ~ LOVE.  There's just a sweet spirit about this day despite all the hoopla of long dinner lines and expensive gifts. 

This is the card I made for my fantastic hubby.  I used some scraps from the "Sweetheart" paper packet (retired) and the matching epoxy stickers (also retired).  The stamp image came from the set which accompanied the Roxie Workshop on the Go. 

Then, I used our most recent Constant Campaign, "Rock the Block", to create this perpetual calendar.  Each block has a variety of letters or numbers which can be rotated to indicate the current date.  Each block is 2x2 in size and can be used for other creative items.  (To be shared on my blog in the next couple of days.)

I must not take credit for the idea as my dear friend and fellow Consultant, Debi Barber, is responsible for the design.  I simply reproduced it using the gorgeous Sophia paper packet (now retired).  The letters were cut using our exclusive Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge and the images on the non-letter and non-number cubes were stamped using the exclusive stamp set that was included as the campaign in January.

The blocks, called "My Creations Collage Cubes", as noted in the NEW Idea Book, are available through the end of the year so get them while you can!

Wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day!

The NEW IDEA book is here! (and February Stamp of the Month)

Happy February!  I'm a couple of days behind in my post because of the need to celebrate my hubby's birthday and because I am preparing for a team retreat next weekend with 43 women!  Both events have kept my plate full but I have been creating with some of Close To My Heart's newest products!

The New Idea Book is absolutely gorgeous; that's no surprise!  It's chalk full of new product - stamp sets, paper packets, embellishments, and more - PLUS the beautiful artwork throughout is definitely reproducable! If you would like a copy of the Idea Book, please contact me.  It's just $5 or FREE with a $30 minimum purchase.  Keep watching my blog as I showcase some of these awesome new products!

One of my favorite new products contained in the Idea Boolk is the February Stamp of the Month!  I absolutely adore it!  It is called "Thoughtful Tidings" and has some wonderful sentiments and icons for any time of the year.  Each is perfect for sharing your sentiments towards friends and loved ones.  Of course, the red outline on some of the images can only mean...YES!  Those images are perfect for nesting inside of our exclusive Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge diecuts!  Gotta love when you can cut out those images without even touching scissors!

While I love purple, I had yet to create anything with the beautiful Sonoma paper packet (still available).  I decided to incorporate it with this stamp set, while creating a birthday card for my husband.  I decided to use the "We love you" image but being that it was only me providing the greeting, I needed to take out the "we" and replace it with love.  I inked up the image in Smokey Plum and then took a tissue to wipe off the ink on the "we" and replaced it with "I" from "The Works Alphabet". 

I am addicted to the 3-D Foam Tape that helps provide dimension and adhered it to both the square focal point and ticket. 

I was pleased with the results of this creation and my husband loved it!

Three of my dearest Consultant friends have shared their Stamp of the Month artwork with me to in turn share with you.  It is always nice to see artwork created from different artistic perspectives.  Enjoy!

Created by Cherri Hardcastle - Visit her blog by clicking here

Created by Sheila Wilkerson - Visit her blog by clicking here

Created by Judy Faye Garner - Visit her blog by clicking here

Thanks for stopping by.  If you would like to know how you can get this exclusive stamp set, only avaialable in February, please contact me!  It's too good to pass up!

Inspired,

Technique Blog Hop

There are 13 of us highlighting the Argyle technique this month.  This technique is shown on page 91 in the 2011 Autumn/Winter Idea Book.  If you have arrived here from Cherri's Blog, you are on the right track.   Initially I couldn't see past the use of a triangle for the pattern, but thanks to some inspiration from participating Consultants, I decided to step outside the box.

I decided to use the "Love Life" stamp set - one of my favorites - specifically, the large heart image and small star.  Stamping the heart, top to top and bottom to bottom, I created this background.

Then, using one of the stamp sets which coordinates with our exclusive Cricut cartridge, and coordinating Dimensional Elements, I created the focal point on this card.  I didn't want to detract much from the background so kept it simple and added a little bling.

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy circling around the hop.  Now, hop on over to Tonya's Blog where you will find some additional inspiration for this technique.

Happy Hoppin',

January Stamp of the Month - "Cherish the Day"

This month's Stamp of the Month comes with multiple images, easy to switch out for any special occasion and it can be yours for just $5 with a $50 purchase!  What a great offer!  It is available only during this month.

 

I loved using the Believe paper packet for this card.  While it easily identifies with Christmas, it can also be made pretty versatile.   The Green Sweet Leaf star and Sky polka dot patterns are absolutely adorable for any occasion!

 

If you would like to add this stamp set to your order this month, let me know!  You can always buy it outright for $17.95 but would't you prefer to get it for just $5 with a $50 purchase?

Enjoying my last day of Christmas break,



Happy New Year!

Happy 2012!  What a blessed day today is - the start of a new year!  We brought in the new year at church in a fun and God-filled way!  There is no other place I would have rather been!

I always love a fresh start and that's definitely what the new year promises us.  What we do with the new year is up to us.  I hope you plan on making the most of YOUR new year!

I enjoyed making these cards using the negative part of "2012" cut out from our exclusive Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  I cut out the letters and then used the remaining piece as a template.

I sponged a little bit of Sky Ink on the numbers and then used the snowflakes, stamped in Lagoon, to create the texture on the numbers.  A little saying and a few snowflakes later and I was done!  I love how simplistic, but beautiful these cards are!  I also made a few Christmas cards using this same process!

I must confess that while I came up with this idea about the 2012 card all on my own (LOL), the original idea, using this process was CASEd from Lisa Stenz!  I love her artwork!  (Click here to view her blog.)

Check back tomorrow for artwork using the Stamp of the Month.  I delayed that post today so I could wish you a Happy New Year first!

Here's to 2012...