Coordinate with Cricut Cuts

Learn how to use your stamps to bring Cricut® cut-outs to life! Many Cricut® shapes from the Artiste and Art Philosophy collections coordinate with stamp sets so you have more potential for creating, decorating, and accessorizing!

Dauber Dynamite—Getting Perfect Precision from Your Inks

Discover the beauty of sponge daubing. When you ink your stamps with sponge daubers, you can create a soft, shaded look that is perfect for a page or card!

Make It From Your Heart Blog Hop

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 - Love 2 Create 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 just happened to come to this blog, you should begin your hop at the beginning with Lucy - Love 2 Create.  If you came from My Creations with Michelle’s blog, you’re in the right place!

My projects today are a 2 page layout and a card.

When I flip through the 2012 Fall/Winter Ideabook, there are many things that I really love.  However, there are 2 items that I feel are a MUST!  One is the new Cricut Artiste Cartridge and the other is the Make It From Your Heart publication.  They are fabulous and I use them frequently.  That is why I am so happy to participate in this hop!

I utilized pattern 15 on pages 34-35.  It is a 2 page layout design.  On the left hand side of the Make It From Your Heart publication (pg. 34), the design digram with cutting directions can be found.  The right side (pg. 35), gives two completed layout examples.  Below you will find my layout example using the new La Belle Vie paperpack.

I love stamping with Create A Shade paint on black cardstock.  The paint gives a fun shimmer to the paper without overpowering the pages.  Another technique that I would like to highlight is the use of the Baroque Borders stamp set to create my own random stamped patterned paper. 

Project Recipe

Cricut Artiste Cartridge 

Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

La Belle Vie Paperpack

Black Cardstock

Colonial White Cardstock

White Daisy Cardstock (photo placement holders)

Baroque Borders Stamp Set (August Stamp of the Month)

Create A Shade Paint

Blush Stamp Pad

Silver Shimmer Trim

Glitz Glitter Gel

Journaling Spot

My second project is the card inspired by the 2 page layout design.



I have a friend that just had identical twin girls.  So, I wanted to create a

 "Congratulations Baby Card" for her.

 For this card, I was inspired by the right hand scrapbook page of layout 15 (see layout page example above).  You can see that I followed the same geometric pattern with the rectangles on this card.  I used one of my favorite retired stamp sets "Special Delivery" for this card.  The stork with baby was stamped, colored and then pop-dotted on the card.

Project Recipe

La Belle Vie Paperpack

White Daisy Cardstock Card Base

Vineyard Berry Cardstock (retired)

Special Delivery Stamp Set (retired)

Black Ribbon (non-CTMH)

Vineyard Berry Stamp Pad (retired)

Black Stamp Pad

Markers

Sponge

Pop Dots

The next stop to making it from your heart is Theodora from Celebrate Crafts. 
Here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this months blog hop:

1.  Lucy - Love 2 Create

2.  Darla - Caution: Crafting is Contagious 

3.  Michelle - My Creations with Michelle 

4.  Maria - Maria's Paper Craft Place

5.  Theodora - Celebrate Crafts

6.  Bethany - Stamping at Home

7.  Stephanie - The Quilted Scrapbooker

8.  Wendy - My Scrapbooking Blog

I Was Nominated for the Liebster Award!

Woo Hoo! I have been nominated for the Liebster Award! I am so grateful to have been noticed by other talented, crafty bloggers. I was nominated for this award by Melinda Everitt from If You Bling It.

A little about the Liebster. This is how it works…

Liebster is a German word meaning “Beloved,” “Favorite,” or “Dearest.” This award is a peer to peer award in which fellow bloggers present the award to their favorite bloggers with less than 200 followers. The origins of this award is unclear, but is believed to have originated by a German blogger. This award was designed to be a blog award in the pay it forward fashion to share your dearest and most beloved blogs that have less than 200 followers.

RULES FOR ACCEPTANCE

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog. Post the award onto your blog. Give the award to five bloggers who you appreciate that have less than 200 followers. Leave a comment on their blog letting them know that you have given them this awesome award!

One of the fun things about receiving this award is that it challenges you to view more blogs,

to search for fellow creative persons and brighten their day–just a bit–by acknowledging their talent.

Here are the 5 blogs that I have chosen to pass this award along to (go check them out!):

Wendy Kessler

Shelly Nemitz

Wendy Coffman

Nichole Lewno

LaJeania Hicks

Take a Walk in the Moonlight Blog Hop

Thank you for joining us on our “Take a Walk in the Moonlight” Blog Hop. We have a fabulous path for you to follow as you take your walk in the moonlight with us as we feature Close to My Heart’s Moonlight paper pack.

 

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should begin your walk at the beginning at Lucy's blog - http://www.love2createitall.com/.

If you came from Erin ~ http://www.imcreaterin.blogspot.ca, you're in the right place!

I have been working on some home decor. So, I'm happy to my project, a Fancy Witch Hat.

Last year after Halloween, I purchased a brown paper mache witch hat on clearance.  I put it in my stash of things to get to.  Well, a year later, I felt inspired to finish it.

I used the paper from Moonlight to cover the top of the witch's hat.  I just wrapped it around in a cone shape, glued and then cut off the excess. Next, I placed the hat on a black piece of 12x12 cardstock.  I traced the bottom, and cut it out.  Once the large circle was cut out, I measured the inside circle and cut it out.  I glued the black circle image down, added the tulle ribbon and began adding embellishments.

I hand cut 3 paper flowers and added them to the side of the hat.  Next, I added a few stick pin flowers, leaves, and orange bling.

The next stop on your moonlight walk is Carolyn ~ http://nuts4scrappin.blogspot.com/

Here is the list of all the talented consultants who will lead you down the moonlight path:
1.  Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com/

2.  Darla ~ http://www.stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com/
3.  Deanne http://deannestamps.blogspot.com/
4.  Bethany ~ http://stampingathome.blogspot.com/
5.  Wendy ~ http://MyScrapbookingBlog.com/
6.  Stephanie ~ http://www.quiltedscrapper.blogspot.com/
7.  Erin ~ http://www.imcreaterin.blogspot.ca
8.  Maria ~ http://mariawoodworth.blogspot.com
9.  Carolyn ~ http://nuts4scrappin.blogspot.com/
10. Joanne ~ http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com
11. Julia ~ http://youcancreatectmh.blogspot.com/
12. Theodora ~ http://www.celebratecrafts.com/

September Artiste Blog Hop

Welcome to our September ARTISTE Blog Hop!  Each month we are showcasing the amazing, exclusive ARTISTE Cricut cartridge which can be only purchased through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.  CLICK HERE to get your ARTISTE Bundle today.

We don't want to scare you but Halloween is a little over a month away and we know you have to be thinking about what YOU are going to create for this spooky holiday! We decided to show you all the creative projects you can make using our exclusive Artiste Cricut cartridge. You will be hopping along our haunted trail of creativity - you never know what you will see next!

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog - Love 2 Create.

Also, to help you get ready to start making your own Halloween projects Lucy has some blog candy for you! She is giving away a Moonlight Complements Dimensional Elements pack!  That's two (2) sheets of Printed Dimensional Elements that you can use to create your own Halloween project! There is a picture of the blog candy on her blog. All you have to do to be eligible to win is to leave a comment on everyone's blog AND become a follower of Lucy's blog.  (If you are already a follower, just let her know in your comment.)

My project is a Halloween Botique Wall Decor.

I wanted to share an out of the box idea with this hop.  I used a dollar store Pizza Pan, black spray paint with orange glitter and some fun Close to My Heart embellishments to create a piece of home decor.

I used a plain pizza pan that I bought for $1.  Then, I used one of my FAVORITE Close to My Heart products....  The Artiste cartridge to cut out the word "BOO!" on page 77 in the Artiste Handbook.

Once I had "BOO!" cut out, I used my Tombow tape runner to temporarily adhere the letters to the pan.  I took it outside and spray painted with a texture spray paint that had orange glitter flakes in it.  I let it set for a few days to dry.

I made 3 ribbon flowers to stick to the pan using "Glubbers".  I love how you just stick your ribbon or fabric into the middle of these big glue dots.  You start from the middle and turn the glue dot while you twist the ribbon and stick it down to create the flower.

Once I had the flowers made, I used liquid glass to make sure that they did not unravel.

I used my Crop-a-dile big bite to punch holes along the top left and right of the pan to allow for ribbon to hang the pan.

This picture shows the glitter fleck in the paint, the silver glimmer from the pan and also the 3 ribbon flowers once I had them adhered.

I told you last week that you can color clear sparkles with Alcohol based markers.  Here is a shot of me coloring the sparkles orange with my COPIC marker. 
I also colored the bling buttons for the center of the flowers.

Finally, I added my orange sparkles to the pan in the letters and around my flowers.

 I hope you enjoyed my project today.  Remeber, pizza pans aren't just for baking!  They make great home decor, memo boards, chalk boards, etc.

The next stop on the haunted trail is Kindred Hearts - It Makes TOTAL Cents.

Here's the entire blog hop lineup in case you get spooked along the way:

1. Lucy - Love 2 Create 
2. Darla - Caution Crafting is Contagious
3. Diana - Dianas Free Moments 
4. Carolyn - Nuts 4 Scrappin'
5. Julia Hammond - You Can Create 
6. Wendy Kessler - My Scrapbooking Blog
7. Pam Stewart - I Candy Scraps
8. Carolyn Mendoza - Crafting With Carolyn 
9. Jennifer Kramer - 4 Hearts Scrapbooking 
10. Maria Woodworth - Maria's Paper Craft Place  (You are HERE)
11. Kindred Hearts - It Makes TOTAL Cents   (NEXT Stop)
12. Ginger Morriello - Ginger's Creative Cottage 

Thanks for stopping by for some Halloween fun --

 hope we didn't scare the creativity out of you! Muah-ha-ha!

January 2013 Stamp of the Month Card

It may be a little earlier for Valentine's Day.  However, it is never to early for a little inspiration!  This card highlights the January Stamp of the month.  The flower and "Happy Valentine's Day" sentiment can be found in this stamp set.  I used my COPIC markers to shade in the flowers.  I also used the "Make it from the Heart" publication for this card design.  If you don't have one yet, I suggest that you put it on your MUST HAVE list!  You are missing out on a tool that is stacked with fabulous patterns for cards and layouts!  CLICK HERE to get your copy today!!

September Art Philosophy Blog Hop

Welcome to our September Art Philosophy Blog Hop!  Each month we will showcase our amazing Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.  CLICK HERE to order one now.

Halloween is just around the corner.  So, this month we will be featuring projects for Halloween made using the Art  Philosophy Cricut cartridge!  Hope you don’t get too scared by the time you get to the end of our hop!

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog - http://www.love2createitall.com.

My project is a "Trick or Treat" Giftie Box

I kept it pretty simple this week with my giftie box.  However, simple can still look great!  The Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge and other great Close to My Heart products definitely make paper crafting... Faster, Simpler, and Easier.  I started with a 12x12 sheet of cardstock for this pillow box and set my Cricut Expression dial to 6".  This pillow box can be found on page 28 of the Art Philosophy Handbook.  I cut a piece of Moonlight patterned paper 1 3/4"x7" to wrap vertically around the box.  I LOVE the black bulk tulle ribbon that just came out with this new ideabook.  I cut it in half lengthwise to make the ribbon more narrrow.  This also gave me more product...  I can use the other half on another box later!  I also used the Art Philosophy cartridge to cut the circle for the "Trick or Treat" stamping that I did.  The circle image can be found on page 21.  I used B1413 "Perfect Fit-Halloween Holiday".  You really do get a perfect fit with the stamps and the Art Philosophy images.  The stamp set tells you exactly what size to cut the image in order to allow the stamp set to fit the cut image perfectly.  LOVE IT!

I wanted to show you a close up of the stamped image with the tri-color bling around it.  All of the gems in this picture are CTMH.  However, I want you to pay close attention to the orange gems....  I used my alcohol based COPIC marker to color over a clear gem.  This allowed the image to take on the same color as the marker.  It dries quick and it looks like the gem was made orange from the start!!  Don't forget this trick later when you are using your CTMH Alcohol or COPIC markers.  You can buy clear and change them to whatever embellishment color that you need!!

Here is a list of supplies used (Project Recipe):
Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge
B1413 Perfect Fit-Halloween Holiday
Black Cardstock
Moonlight Paperpack
Bulk Black Tulle Ribbon
Sweet Leaf Gems
Clear Gems
Sparkle Brad
Black Stamp Pad
Sweet Leaf Stamp Pad
Sponge
(non-CTMH item) Orange Copic Marker

You have reached the last stop on the hop if you started at the beginning.  However, why not go through again?  Let's start at the beginning with your next stop on this spooky blog hop trail at Lucy's blog - http://www.love2createitall.com 

Here's the entire blog hop lineup in case you get spooked along the way:

Lucy - Love 2 Create - (Next Stop)

Darla - Caution: Crafting is Contagious!

Diana - Diana's Free Moments 

Stephanie - The Quilted Scrapper

Julia - You Can Create

Wendy Kessler - My Scrapbooking Blog

Carolyn Mendoza - Crafting With Carolyn

Kindred Hearts - It Makes Total Cents

Rebecca - Stamp & Scrap Studio

Maria Woodworth - Maria's Paper Craft Place  - (You are HERE)

"Smitten Layout" - January 2013 Stamp of the Month

Here is another layout that I did recently for a swap.  I used a little bit of patterned paper from the Stella and Victory paperpacks to complete this layout.  Also, I stamped with the January 2013 Stamp of the month - Valentine's Day.   The title says "Smitten...    with all my heart"  The script and flowers can be found on this elegant stamp set.  I stamped the flower image in the lower left hand corner on the base page, and then pop dotted a small colored in flower at an angle on top of the base page image.  I like this technique.  Thanks for stopping by. 

Be sure to come back tomorrow for another blog hop....  I'm cooking up a little  Halloween Magic for you!

It's all RELATIVE

My lines really are straight.  This picture looks a little wonkie.  However, you get the idea :)

This is my Avonlea layout before pictures were added.  I added pictures and journaling of my cousins and our children together.  Just like the cad I posted yesterday, I used the "Make it from the Heart" pattern publication from Close to My Heart.  It really made this layout easy.  I used my Artiste cartridge for the word "Relative", flourish under the flowers and for the flowers in the lower right hand corner.  I used the new silver polka dot ribbon (SWOON!!) and the silver shimmer tape.  I absolutely LOVE these 2 embellishments.  Thanks for stopping by!

Feminine Birthday Card

Here is a fun and SUPER EASY card that I did recently for a swap group that I am in.  I used a card design from the new "Make it from your heart Volume 1" design publication from CTMH.  It is a fabulous tool!  It includes 16 two page layout patterns, two single page layout patterns, as well as 12 different card patterns.  I LOVE IT!  It is lightweight, easy to take to crops or open up on my work desk.  PLUS, it tells me how many pieces of paper I need, what size to cut them and where to put them.  Seriously, can it be any easier?  All I had to really think about was the paper pack (La Belle Vie) that I wanted to use and the stamp sentiment (from "4 You"). 

For an added touch to this card, I stepped it up a little by random stamping my own patterned paper with the August Stamp of the Month "Baroque Borders" in blush ink.  Once I stamped my paper, I cut it to the size that I needed and added it to my card.  I used my Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge to cut out a paper flower.  I pulled it over my blush ink pad, rolled it and added a little bling.  Finally, I added a piece of the bulk Silver Shimmer Trim to add a little more bling.  A girl can never have too much bling on her Birthday, right?  I hope you enjoy my card.  Thanks for stopping by!

Easy Party Planning with Cricut

Learn how to plan the perfect party using one key from the Cricut® Artiste cartridge—it’s that easy! Invitations, envelopes, banners, cupcake liners, and party favor boxes will make this party a hit!



Fall Favorites - SOTM Blog Hop

  

Welcome to our September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! This month Close to My Heart is offering a stamp set called "Fall Favorites". This set can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant for only $5 with a qualifying purchase of $50.  CLICK HERE to start shopping with me and add it to your cart today.

 

(Stamp Set Images for Fall Favorites)

(Artwork by Close to My Heart Art Department using Fall Favorites)

In this hop, you will see projects featuring this fun stamp set from many talented crafty ladies! We hope you enjoy our blog hop today!

If you have just hopped onto my blog, please start at the beginning
at Lucy's blog: http://love2createitall.com/.  
If you came from Tina Gale of My Scrappy Ideas, then you are in the right place!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this stamp set.  It was so much fun to use!  I can't wait to use it on my layouts, and other projects.  For this hop, I couldn't decide on just one project.  So, I have 2 groupings for you today.  My first project is a bag and matching tag. 

My second project is a table centerpiece, name card and place setting.

Here are 2 gift bags with matching tags.  For the gift inside, I made a set of 4 Thank You cards with envelopes tied in raffia for each bag.  I gave these to Wyatt's preschool teachers Friday as a thank you for the "extras" they did this week.  Thank you Ms. Sherry and Ms. Tina!

The bags match our colonial white cardstock perfectly and they are a blank canvas for stamping!  I stamped using Fall Favorites in black ink and colored the images in using my COPIC markers.  I added a little bit of our bulk burlap ribbon and adhered it with liquid glass.  I used my Cricut to cut the tag at 3" with my Art Philosophy cartridge.  The stamp set tells you exactly what size to cut the image.  How great is that?  It made my crafting so much easier.  After coloring in the image, I tied it on with a little raffia.  Then, I wanted to create a few cards to slide inside the bag as a Thank You gift.  I thought thank you cards would be a popular choice for preschool teachers.  I kept them pretty simple by stamping the pumpkin image in the lower right hand corner and adding a "retired" thank you image.

Here is a close up of the 4 pack of cards with envelopes

Next, I created a centerpiece for my dining room table and fall place settings.

If you haven't purchased the NEW Artiste cartridge, you are missing out!  This cartridge has so many fun images, cards, boxes, etc.  It really made this project very easy and quick to make.  CLICK HERE to get yours today!

I cut the pumpkins using Sunset cardstock.  The leaves and vines were cut using Olive cardstock. 

The little pumpkins in the centerpiece are cut at 2".

The larger one in the centerpiece and on the plate are cut at 3".

I love how the centerpiece turned out!

I used the Clementine paper pack patterned paper to highlight the scarecrow image and "pick o' the patch" sticks. A fun burlap bow finishes off the centerpiece.

Finally, I used a little piece of scrap paper to create a name card for my place setting.  I just stamped using Fall Favorites, colored it in and added my name using the Trinity alphabet.

I hope you enjoyed my projects and they inspire you to create some fall themed projects using the new Fall Favorites stamp of the month.  Thanks for hopping with us today!

Your next stop on the Fall Favorites Stamp Set Blog Hop is Jennifer Kramer of 4 Hearts Scrapbooking.

Here is a complete list of the blog hop in case you get lost along the way:

Lucy :  Love 2 Create
Darla : Caution: Crafting is Contagious!
Shelly Mendenhall : Inky Wheeler's Artsy Musings
Eva Friesen : For The Love Of Creating
Judith Ashmore : My Blog Adventure
Stephanie : The Quilted Scrapper
TinaGale : My Scrappy Ideas
Maria Woodworth : Maria's Paper Craft Place  ~ You are Here
Jennifer Kramer : 4 Hearts Scrapbooking  ~ Next Stop
Carolyn : Nuts 4 Scrappin'
Madeline Morcelo : Inking From The Heart
Theodora : Celebrate Crafts
Laura W. :  Scrappinsweetie's Escape
Michelle Stewart : My Creations With Michelle

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to create your own "Fall Favorites" projects.

Twins Baby Shower Cake

I just finished a cake order today.  This cake is for a baby shower for Twins (Evie and Charlie)!

I got the inspiration for this cake off of Pinterest.  I just love the dowel rod banners that have been popping up on cakes lately.  So, I had to do one of my own!

I love making cakes and I love paper crafting!  This cake allowed me to mix both!  I made the banner with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge and the baby shoes are made with the Cricut Artiste cartridge.

Once I had the banner images cut, I used the retired Giggle Alphabet to stamp the W-E-L-C-O-M-E.  I stamped the onsies and colored them in with my copics.  I picked the onsie ribbon up at Wal-Mart.

Aren't these baby shoes just adorable?  The blue one for Charlie is made using the Pemberley paper pack and La Belle Vie was used to make the one for Evie.

 

The inside is a white cake with Lemon Pudding.  Sounds like a yummy shower cake to me! 

Thanks again Kristy!

And the winner is...

REBEKAH!

Please email me your contact information to get your double stamp set!  Congratulations!  Thanks for following my blog and for commenting on our Blog Hop!

National Stamping Month – It’s Your Day Blog Hop

Good morning and welcome to our National Stamping Month Blog Hop!  At Close to My Heart, we want to celebrate the everyday moments in our lives.  Close to My Heart is doing that by offering an amazing exclusive double-stamp set called “It’s Your Day”.  This is two D-size stamp sets in one!! 

This amazing set has nearly 50 images designed to inspire you to capture your life one day at a time.   There are trendy chevron backgrounds, classic images as well as versatile phrases.  You can get your own stamp set for only $5 with a qualifying order of $35.  This stamp set has a value of $35.90!  CLICK HERE to start shopping with me and get yours today!

We also are happy to announce that I am offering blog candy!!!  You could be the lucky winner of this great Campaign Stamp Set! YEAH!!  To be eligible to win, please be sure to leave a comment on each blog post and become a follower of my blog. Thanks so much for participating!

We're so excited to be doing this hop and we have a fabulous lineup with some very talented ladies. There will be lots of fun projects.

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog - http://www.love2createitall.com.

 My projects today are a card and a mini-purse.

 Have I told you today how much I love this double stamp set?  There are so many versatile stamps included.  I know that I will be using this set later for my layout pages and mini-albums.  I can see people using this for journals, smash book, calendars, etc.  However, I wanted to showcase this great double stamp set in a couple other ways.  So, I chose to do a card and a mini-purse.  You can get the recipes for these projects at the end of this blog post.

 I love the spots, chevrons, and stripes stamps that are included with this set.  In both of my projects today, you will see that I used the stamps as background images to make my own patterened paper.  In the card above, I stamped the spots in sweet leaf to make a spot pattern on the left hand side of the card.  I also cut up our burlap ribbon a little, frayed the edges and I have smoothie baker's twine sewn in two lines along the edges.  I pulled out a little retired Mulberry patterned paper.  I made my own banner embellishments by random stamping the same patterns and adding them to wooden stir sticks.

Here is my playful mini-purse

This purse came together so quickly that I can't wait to make more!  I used the new Cricut Artiste cartridge that can only be purchased through a Close to My Heart Consultant.  If you haven't purchased on yet, CLICK HERE to add one to your cart today.  I cut the purse image on page 41 of the Artiste handbook, the ribbon image can be found on page 55 and the 2 flowers (cut at 1" and 3/4") are found on page73.  I used the chevron stamp to create my own indian corn blue chevron patterned paper.  I wanted to add a bit of bling with an accent color.  So, I went into my stash of retired items. I found these hollyhock glitter brads and a bit of hollyhock ribbon for the coordinating bow. 

I hope you enjoyed my projects today.  I appreciate you stopping by!  Don't forget.....  I am also giving away blog candy.  I will be giving away a National Stamping Month - It's Your Day Stamp Set to one lucky person.  In order to have a chance to win, you need to be a follower of my blog and leave a comment below.  My kiddos will pick one person at random on Labor Day.  Good Luck!

 The next stop on your blog hop fun is You Can Create with Julia Hammond.

 Here's the entire blog hop lineup in case you get lost along the way:

1.Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com

2.Darla ~ http://www.stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com/

3.Lori B ~ http://savingmine.blogspot.com/

4.Amie Kiger ~ http://www.mimimyselfandibykigz.blogspot.com/

5.Deanne J ~ http://deannestamps.blogspot.com/

6.Jennifer Kramer ~ http://4heartsscrapbooking.blogspot.com/

7.Carolyn ~ http://www.nuts4scrappin.blogspot.com/

8.Bethany ~ http://stampingathome.blogspot.com

9.Eva Friesen ~ http://loveofcreating.blogspot.com 

10.Maria Woodworth ~ http://mariawoodworth.blogspot.com/ (You are HERE)

11.Julia Hammond ~ http://youcancreatectmh.blogspot.com/ (This is your NEXT stop)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  We hope you have enjoyed all of our projects!

Project Recipes (Supplies Used are CTMH - unless noted)

Card

Colonial White Standard 4 1/4x 5 1/2 Card Base

1 Stir Stick (not CTMH)

It's Your Day Stamp Set

Cocoa Cardstock

Mulberry Stripe paper (retired)

Burlap Ribbon

Smoothie Baker's Twine

Smoothie Stamp Pad

Sweet Leaft Stamp Pad

Cocoa Stamp Pad

Blocks

Mini-Purse

Artiste Cricut Cartridge

Colonial White Cardstock

Indian Corn Blue Cardstock

Indian Corn Blue Stamp Pad

Hollyhock Ribbon (retired)

Hollyhock big and regular size glitter brads (retired)

Hook and Loop Circle

Blocks

National Stamping Month - Video

Here is a peek of the stamp set that I have been playing with for National Stamping Month!  We have a blog hop set for release on Saturday.  So, you will want to stop back for tons of consultant inspiration!

Here are the details from Close to My Heart Corporate on how to get this super fun and versatile stamp set:

To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, we are bringing back our popular double stamp set promotion! You can get the exclusive, new My Acrylix® It’s Your Day double stamp set for just $5 when you place a minimum order of $35 in full retail products from August 15 through September 30, 2012. You’ll love this double set—two D-size sets in one envelope—which includes nearly 50 trendy images that makes it easy to capture the everyday moments in your life. The double set has a retail value of $35.90, which drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase! Have twice the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with our new, exclusive It’s Your Day double stamp set.
Dates: Offer valid August 15 (9:00 am MDT) – September 30, 2012 (11:59 pm MDT)

If you want to get yours today, START HERE.  You will be linked to my CTMH website to start shopping.

Cricut Artiste - One Size Fits All

Today, I want to share a short, yet super helpful video that has been released by Close to My Heart Corporate.  This video will help you to discover how to create multiple-piece projects using the Cricut® Artiste cartridge. You no longer have to size each individual piece—the Cricut® machine cuts the pieces to fit one assembled size of your choice!  I hope you find this technique helpful.  If you want to purchase your cartridge today...  CLICK HERE 

And the winner is.....

BEV BLAIR

Congratulations Bev!  For those of you that visit my blog often, you know that I opt not to use the electronic "random sort".  I have 3 little people that like to choose numbers from 1 to whatever.  This time I asked Sydney for a number between 1-6.  This is the number of comments that I received on the Artiste Blog Hop Eye Candy Contest.  Sydney chose lucky number 6.  The 6th person to comment was Bev Blair.  So, congratulations Bev!  I have your email address.  So, I will be emailing you to find out your favorite current paperpack.  To everyone else....  Thanks for stopping by, commenting and check back on Friday.  I will be running another giveaway before my next blog hop release on Saturday.

Artiste Blog Hop

Welcome to our August ARTISTE Blog Hop! Each month we will showcase a feature of the amazing ARTISTE Cricut cartridge which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.

We're so excited to be doing this hop and we have a fabulous lineup with some very talented ladies. There will be lots of fun projects!!!

This month we will be showcasing a different page from the Artiste cartridge! Did you know there were 700 images on this cartridge?? That's right -- 700!!!

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog - http://www.love2createitall.com.

My projects are a 4x4 mini-album, 3D Box trees and a couple Christmas Ornaments.

There were so many FUN pages to choose from in the new Artiste Handbook (comes with the cartridge), that I had a hard time picking just one to showcase.  However, PAGE 53 jumped out at me as the one that I had to play with first.

Here is a look at the images that I had to choose from on page 53

You can find my recipes for each project item at the bottom of my post.

The first thing that I thought of when I saw the star in the lower right hand corner was an ornament.  However, I wanted to do something a little different with the star image.  So, I took a few pictures of my honey and I, and made this 4"x4" Smitten Star album.

But, I couldn't stop there.  I absolutely LOVE the paper box trees that are found in the new Close to My Heart Fall/Winter Ideabook.


Soooo....  I had to do a version of them in the new Avonlea paperpack.

The large one to the left is done at 5.5", the middle is 4 1/4" and the small one is 3.5".

Also, you will notice that the page glistens and shines...  I brushed Create-A-Shade Pearl Paint on the Avonlea Paper before I glued the paper box trees together.  I added a few fabulous Close to My Heart embellishments in order to keep them classy, but simple.  Finally, I want to point out that the large star on the left is done with a piece of Colonial White cardstock, and I used Juniper reinker in my spray mister to give it a little color.  It is hard to see in the picture, but it gave the trio a lighter complimenting color.

I guess I have the "Christmas in August" bug, because I also put together a few Christmas Tree ornaments.  I kept with the theme of Avonlea and the Create-a-shade pearl paint...

I absolutely LOVE how the Artiste cartridge does all of the work for me.  I used a piece of Colonial White cardstock and a piece of patterned paper from the Avonlea level 2 paper pack, turned my dial to 2 1/4" punched in accent 1 (& then 2) and let the cricut do all of the work.  I brushed on a little create-a-shade pearl paint and added a seam binding ribbon bow and VOILA...  They are done!! 

Each year we put up a family ornament Christmas tree.  So, I am already guessing that we will have a lot of these on our tree this year.  I think this will be a fun project for my kiddos.  It will be super simple to let them cut the images and glue them together. 

I really hope you enjoyed my projects for this hop!  I appreciate you stopping by!
The next stop on your blog hop fun is Judith Ashmore ~ www.grammiejudys.blogspot.com.  Here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this months blog hop:

1.Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com/

2.Darla ~ http://www.stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com/

3.Julia ~ http://youcancreatectmh.blogspot.com/

4.Theo ~ www.celebratecrafts.com

5.Tina Gale ~ http://tiggersscrapplace.blogspot.com

6.Stephanie ~ http://www.quiltedscrapper.blogspot.com

7.Mandy ~ http://www.mandydesigns.blogspot.com

8.Joanne ~ http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com

9.Laura W. ~ http://scrappinsweetiesescape.blogspot.com/

10.Rebecca ~ http://blog.scrapprincess.com/

11.Maria Woodworth ~ http://mariawoodworth.blogspot.com ~ You are here

12.Judith Ashmore ~ www.grammiejudys.blogspot.com ~ This is your next stop on the hop

13.Lisa Woodward ~ http://mycraftyspaces.blogspot.com

14.Laura Charko ~ http://koladesigns.wordpress.com/

15.Jennifer Kramer ~ http://4heartsscrapbooking.blogspot.com/  

16.Eva Friesen ~ http://loveofcreating.blogspot.com  

Thanks so much for stopping by and hopping with us - we hope you LOVE all the projects we created!

Recipe of Supplies Used - All
(All items are Close to My Heart)
Cricut Artiste Cartridge
Avonlea Level 2 paper pack
Colonial White Cardstock
Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon

Smitten 4x4 Album - Additional product used
January Stamp of the Month: Happy Valentine's
Bitty Opaque Pearls
Silver Shimmer Trim
Black Stamp Pad

Paper Box Trees - Additional product used
Pear & Partridge Card WOTG Stamp Set
Designer Brads - Rhinestone
Silver Shimmer Trim
Black Stamp Pad
Bitty Opaque Pearls
Bling Assortment Pin