Celebrate

I admit it... I am addicted to pretty paper!  My favorites, of course, are Close to My Heart, but I have a couple of 6x6 pads and loose sheets from My Mind's Eye that I have been hoarding for some time now. I just adore the patterns and colors and finally decided to create with them. This paper is from My Mind's Eye (Lime Twist) Fly a Kite Collection. I used Cocoa and Colonial White CTMH cardstock and the stamps are from the CTMH Paper Lanterns set-- which I also love! This stamp set is so perfect for celebrating a special occasion or just celebrating the everyday. Inks are CTMH Pear, Sunset and Cocoa.

 

 

Confession...

Ok, confession time... this is the first time I have used the Sonoma paper that has been sitting on my craft table for a loooong time and... this is my first attempt at the rolled roses from the Art Philosophy cartridge. I have NO idea why I waited so long! I am so happy with the results and the roses were easy and so fun to make! I was inspired to open that Sonoma pack by these cards on Lynn's blog. She inspired me with her great tips and her quick but beautiful layouts. I was also inspired by sweet Brenda Rose, "queen of the cluster." And now that fall is just around the corner, I am loving that Smoky Plum color in the Sonoma papers.

You're a Hoot!

Many of you know that I've got a whole lot of owl love going on these days. My classroom is decorated in owls and and I can't get enough of them! So, I made these cute little treat bags for some very special friends! I used the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to cut the face-- it is a fancy sqaure-ish cut, folded in half. The eyes are just circles cut at three different sizes. I used Kraft, white daisy, black and grey Dotty for You paper. The beak is just colored with an orange marker. The back is decorated with a retired stamp set (called "You're a Hoot!" I am crazy about it!) stamped in chocolate ink. I was inspired by a Pinterest project here . Hope my sweet friends like their sweet treats!

Happy 96th Birthday, Grandma!

My Grandmother's 96th birthday is Tuesday and she loves butterflies and sparkle, so this is what I created for her.

The Art Philosophy cartridge made cutting out the butterflies a breeze. I attached one directly onto the background and the other one I glued just in the middle with the wings bent up to make it appear to be in flight. I love the Splendid Day stamp from the Harvest Happiness set, and I used the Eclectic Edges to trim the pink paper and the inside of the card. The paper, of course, is Lucy from CTMH. :)

More Country Life!

I could not put this "Country Life" stamp set away! The images are just so charming and sweet. I chose the lamb for this card and think he is just precious. I could easily see using this stamp on a baby card!  For this card, I distressed the papers by sponging chocolate ink around the edges. I have a confession... (you won't tell, will you?)... I have not been a big fan of distressing. Gasp!! I know!! Please don't judge me too harshly-- it's hard enough to live with the shame as it is! I have had trouble seeing the purpose in making something NEW look OLD. Yes, yes, I know! Vintage is "in." I think at some time in my past, I must have been exposed to some very badly done distressing-- you know, scrapbook pages that looked like they had been crumpled up and thrown away, then pulled out of the garbage as an afterthought, and cards that just looked torn and dirty. Honestly, I couldn't see giving that to someone as an expression of my affection for them! BUT-- I think I have seen the light! Lately I have seen some really beautifully distressed artwork! So, thank you to my wonderful team-mates (go Rose Blossoms!!) and the fabulous CTMH artists and crafters out there who share their passion and their lovely work each day. :) You have broadened my horizons.

Sooo... this little card has some Elemental paper (love it!), some Kraft Color Ready borders (sponged with chocolate ink), a button, ribbon, waxy flax and a little bit of that Simple Stories 100 Days of Summer floral print... all thrown together and attached to some Kraft cardstock.  Hope you like-y. :)

Here's a video clip from Close to My Heart featuring some gift ideas created with the "Country Life" stamp set. Enjoy, and have a wonderful weekend! xoxo

Country Life

One stamp set I don't see used very often is the Country Life set. I'm not sure why, though, because I think that set is adorable! The set includes a rooster, a sheep, a cow and a sentiment. The sentiment says, "Live simply, love generously." The stamps are rustic, yet detailed. I have several friends and family members who collect roosters, so I thought I would make a card using the rooster stamp.

I used the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to cut the oval and the scalloped frame. I can't tell you how much I love that cartridge (and there's a new one called Artiste coming out August 1--yippee!!)-- it has so many wonderful cuts-- I don't know what I'd do without it.

I embellished with a couple of "Just Blooms," an antiqued copper brad and some cocoa grosgrain ribbon. I love the blooms and really have to show restraint and not add them to every card I make! The paper is not from CTMH, but I fell in love with the floral print which reverses to check. It is from Simple Stories' "100 Days of Summer" line. I think it is just perfect for that cute little rooster. Inside I added more of the print paper and trimmed it with the Color Ready Kraft Borders (from the "while supplies last" list) which I inked in CTMH's chocolate ink.

I'm thinking I might make a card set using the sheep and the cow, too. Stay tuned... :)

Materials:

Paper: CTMH Kraft and Colonial White cardstock, Simple Stories 100 Days of Summer
Stamps: CTMH Country Life
Ink: CTMH Chocolate Exclusive Ink
Embellishments: (All CTMH) Just Blooms, Antique Brass Brads, Color Ready Kraft Borders
Other: CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge

Avonlea and Mojo Monday

I was so happy to wake up this morning and not feel like I should be writing a paper or reading a text book! Saturday was my last class for my Specialist's degree and I am so excited to be done!  Teachers in my district report back to work in two weeks, so I have two weeks to relax, play and catch up on things. :)

This morning I opened my e-mail and there was the new Mojo Monday card sketch. I always enjoy looking at all of the beautiful creations and have found so much inspiration from all of the talented papercrafters who participate. So... I decided to jump right in! This is not the first time I have created a card from one of the sketches, but I might just try to link this one up! :)

I love CTMH's new Avonlea paper-- the color combination of green, teal, grey and chocolate are just lovely!  I really, really, like the patterns too. They are just so fresh and modern. All of the papers are from the Avonlea kit, the stamp is from Hooray Bouquet and the embellishments are mocha gems. I hope you like it!

Here is my card:

From this sketch: