Close To My Heart

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Thankful

Pathfinding is one of my favorite papers in the whole Annual Inspirations book. Shocking since I didn't care for it much in the beginning. But after making lots of scrapbook pages using this paper packet, it has grown on me and now it's become my favorite.

I love how classic and simple this card turned out to be. I got my inspiration from one of the Cricut Explore's Make It Now projects, I just tweaked the focus so I could use the Pathfinding Scrapbook WOTG stamp set. I love this stamp set!








Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Puppy Birthday Card

Tomorrow is the birthday of one of my daughter's teachers and we made this card for her. My toddler thinks the puppy is so cute she kept stamping it over and over again. We settled on this one and made a birthday card out of it.

It's my first time to try the Sarita paper pack. It has always struck me as weird, but today I thought I'd be bold and create something with it. Paper base and the small strip are from Sarita B&T, and I used the Puppy Party stamp set. I stamped the puppy using Chocolate ink, Happy Birthday using Smokey Plum, and the rest of the doodles using a mix of Cotton Candy, Hollyhock, Lagoon, Smokey Plum and Gypsy. I used the black journaling pen for the stitch border on the white piece, and then Sakura white gel pen for the white stitch on the blue B&T paper.



Here's the stamp set that I used. Ain't it just cute???

B1464 Puppy Party
Enjoy!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Trick or Treat!

Halloween's around the corner, and even though I've made so much Halloween cards already, this Scaredy Cat paper pack just can't keep me away. Seriously, I'm so in love with this! I can't wait for Oct 31st when I can take pictures of my kid and make layouts using this paper pack.

The card base I used was Bazzill, I can't remember the name, Purple Royalty I think. The witch and fence were cut using Cricut Autumn Celebrations cartridge, the bunny was my leftover 2nd piece from the previous card I made. It was from a Lawn Fawn Halloween stamp set. I added in the RIP from the Scaredy Cat complements, and embellished the stars from the Scaredy Cat assortment.




Enjoy!

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Cricut Explore Test Cuts

Those of you who follow me on Facebook know I recently took the plunge and bought the Cricut Explore. For a week now I've been trying to learn Cricut Design Space, and testing the capabilities of the machine.



I am so in love with it! I also bought the bluetooth adapter, but I'm not sure if it's the adapter's fault or my internet's fault, but connection seems to be intermittent. When it works though I love how hassle free it is without having to move my laptop to be close to the machine then having plugs and cords around me.

So you saw the floral card I just made last week, and this week I tried cutting this Spider web card just to test how intricate it cuts. I didn't get around to decorating it, since I made it too small. I cut it at A2 size (even though recommended is A7) using the new Cricut Artfully Sent cartridge, just so I can test if it can really handle small cuts or if it will tear the web. I swear it did not. And believe it or not, it's a simple as pulling the cardstock off the mat, and it came out all in 1 whole piece. The cuts were precise, clean and it was super fast and easy, painless! I cut a few spiders to go with it, to test if the legs will tear when I take it out, but it did not. I love my new Cricut Explore!

My only regret is not getting the HSN special (Cricut Wild Orchid)!


Thanksgiving Recipe Box

Here's my take on Close to My Heart's Journaling Cards Box. Since Thanksgiving is around the corner, I thought making this recipe box will be a nice gift to someone. I would use it to store my favorite Thanksgiving recipes.

I used the Pathfinding paper pack to cover the box, with Champagne cardstock as my base. I stamped the word "Recipes" using Circus Alphabet stamp set in Olive ink, and but the images using Cricut Artbooking. For the stamp sets I used Pathfinding Scrapbooking Workshop on the Go stamp set. The acorns were cut using Cricut, I can't remember what cartridge they're from. I'm trying to use as much as I can with the free trial subscription that came with my Cricut Explore. The pumpkins were cut using Artbooking and stamped using Autumn Terracota ink, and after stamping I outlined them with gold glitter pen. Not sure if you can see it from the picture, but it has some glitter on it to make it stand out.





I have to say Pathfinding might just be my favorite paper line as of now. I love how the colors scream fall/autumn. Here's the Pathfinding Scrapbook WOTG.

G1082 Pathfinding Scrapbook WOTG
And here's the Circus Alphabet - July's Stamp of the Month. It is retired now, but if you want it, please feel free to send me an email, I do have some still available.

Enjoy!

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Just For You Floral Card

I wanted to try just how good the Cricut Explore will cut intricate images and thought I'd try one of the floral sentiments on the Cricut Artfully Sent cartridge.

This card was done super quick, like really quick! I think it took me more time changing out the color of the raised flower I stamped and holding the ribbon down! And yes, I now get it. The new Cricut Explore does cut like butter, and is quiet compared to the old Expression machines. I still have to learn Cricut Design Space though.

Anyway, I used Hollyhock cardstock, stamped a flower in Thistle ink, and topped it with Thistle Diagonal Striped ribbon.




Now wouldn't you love to create a card this fast too? Simple to do, and pretty stylish! Grab your Cricut Artfully Sent now! For only $99 you can have this amazing Cricut cartridge which includes TONS of projects for you to create! Get yours now!

Z3017 Cricut Artfully Sent

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Hoppy Halloween

I spent part of my day at the Scrapbook Expo today in Ontario and got me some buy 3 get 1 free Lawn Fawn stamps. I've been on the lookout for the Love You Tons die for quite some time now and was so glad to see it was available at the Expo. Part of my purchase was also a Hoppy Halloween mini stamp set. It was too cute to resist!

So I came home and made a quick and simple Halloween card. I know, I can't get enough of this Scaredy Cat paper so I created yet another card with it. This is a 4x4 card, and it was easy to put together. If you follow my blog you know i'm not 100% CTMH purist, so here goes, a card made with CTMH supplies and Lawn Fawn stamp set.

I colored the moon using ShinHan Y49 Pastel Green, Carrot leaves using Z2463 Sap Green and Z2454 Leaf Green, and the bunny cape using Z2453 Lavender and Z2462 Peony Purple. I also added a bit of glitter using Purple Wink of Stella glitter pen. The blank enamel stars are from the Scaredy Cat Assortment. I finished off the card using a black baker's twine.

Hoppy Halloween! Which reminds me, I gotta pick a costume for my little one! Halloween's just a couple of weeks away!


Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Autumn Cards

Now that I've done my scrapbook layouts, am back to making cards again! I've been hoping we'd get some nice cool weather out here soon, but that doesn't seem likely. So, I'll just pour my energy into these fall themed cards and hope that that cool day comes soon!

My first card uses my scraps from the Pathfinding Cardmaking WOTG, and I used the stamp from the Always Grateful set. I sponged the edges using Goldrush ink, and double dipped on both Chocolate and Goldrush ink to get a 2-toned effect. Don't you just love the color change on the sentiment "Ah Autumn"? I love it! The woodgrain washi tape I believe is retired. I love how it contributed to the whole nature fall look.




This second card uses the Beyond Measure stamp set, and I've added the leaves and vines from a retired set called Be Grateful. I added a tiny scrap of paper from the Pathfinding collection and gold shimmer trim to add some pop. And of course, to top the whole thing, I added it some brown and tan sparkles!



Here's what the stamp sets look like.

C1559 Always Grateful

A1161 Beyond Measure

Fall Pathfinding Workshop

Fall is here and my workshop is finally created and completed! You've seen my card workshop portion before, and now here's the scrapbook layout portion of it.

This workshop uses the Pathfinding Scrapbooking WOTG. To make this 2-page layout, the cost is $15 and everything comes pre-cut and pre-stamped.



Big thanks to Sandie's team member Angela for this inspiration. They got me so pumped up, and tremendously helped me move forward to complete this month's workshop.

Here's what the entire Workshop On The Go looks like. Purchasing the entire WOTG can make you 4 pages and includes a stamp set and embellishments to add to your layout. 


For those interested in the card workshop, below is what you'll be making. This card workshop consists of 3 cards and cost $12. Everything comes pre cut and pre stamped. 



Here's what the entire Pathfinding Cardmaking Workshop On The Go kit looks like. This kit can make 15 cards and features 3 card styles. It also comes with a stamp set, shimmer trim and embellishments. 



If you wish to purchase both the scrapbook layout and the 3 cards, it will be $25 total. 

I will be hosting a workshop locally on Saturday, October 25 from 1-4pm. If you're interested please send me an email and I'll send location details. Last day to register is October 19.

I can also mail out the kits if attending locally is not an option. 

Thank you!


Fall Workshop Kits