I Want To Soak Up The Sun!

Cold weather brings a need to look forward to warmer days.  I thought I'd take today to look forward to summer!!  Here is a simple note card to send cheer to a friend or loved one!  Take some white cardstock.  Cut it 1/2 smaller on both sides than a colorful card base. 

 Stamp your large image onto the white cardstock.  Run your stamped image through your embossing machine using your favorite border folder.  Now tape it to your card.  Note that when taping down an embossed piece, you should tape all four sides all the way to the edge, all the way around.  They don't stick as well as a non-embossed piece and you don't want them coming up once they reach their destination!!  Here is another look at the same stamped and embossed white cardstock on a different base.  Have fun!!  

Happy New Year!!!!

The New Year is here!!  

I had bought a card kit from Basic Grey a couple of years ago.  The kit used their "June Bug" paper kit.  It is discontinued now.  In that kit was small stamp sets for a variety of holidays.  One of the cards/stamp sets was this Happy New Year card.  The only thing I did differently to the card was to add some Stickles glitter glue to the "fireworks".  It is a cute card.  A little hard to tell from the picture, but the center is a clock pointing to midnight.  

I needed to send out New Year's greetings to my treasured customer's, so I pulled this card out and "Up-cycled" it. This is what I came up with!  Let me know what you think!!  

Let's Talk Kits!!

Have you ever purchased a scrapbook kit??  I have purchased many of them.  My absolute FAVORITE kits come from Close To My Heart.  Why?  Because they are incredibly beautiful and make this no-talent, but patient scrapbooker look like an ARTISTE!!  The detail that go into CTMH layouts is incredible.  They give you elegance, glamour and glitz all in one two page layout!  Your friends and family will LOVE THEM!!  Give the finished layouts (...or bonus projects...) as a bridal, shower, anniversary, birthday or graduation gift and you will be the STAR of the party!!

This particular kit that I completed today is retired...but I have people....and my people have my back....LOL!  Let me know if you want this particular kit and I will find you one.  But, as we are talking kits....if you go to my CTMH shop...see the link on the top right of this blog...you can click on "Workshops On The Go" on the left and you will see the current offerings.  Workshops on the Go is the name of CTMH's scrapbook kits.  It's a Workshop because you can do them with other folks, like ME (if you live near me!).  CTMH is the "Let Me Show You How" company and our goal is to be able to help you with the kits.  But the instruction guide that comes with the kit is all you need to be able to create a two page layout!  Also, when ordering from ME, I will provide you with the instructions for the 2nd, two-page layout.  Then, if you so choose to do the "bonus project", I will provide you with those instructions as well!  Getting back to the layout I completed....The kit provides the papers, instructions, embellishments, stamp set and more that you need to complete the layouts.  All you usually need to purchase is the ink colors, and possibly an alphabet stamp set.  However, I have been known to substitute different Alpha sets if I don't have the particular one they use.  I am loving this layout!!   I used the embellishments included in the kit...see the rhinestones and the plastic circle that says "friends" under the "seeds" stamped piece?

 They also included some flower and bee embellishments...like the little flower that is again under the "seeds".  I used a blending pen (also a CTMH item) to add color to the stamped flowers and seed packet.  I love this layout because you have so many places to add your pictures!!  On the second page...there were several places where I stamped directly on the base page...then added the other stamped images and embellishments on top.  That gives your layout a dimensional look and really makes it elegant!!  Please take a moment to check out CTMH's Workshops on The Go!  You will be glad you did!!!  kindnesspaper.ctmh.com

Laughing Lola!

Laughing Lola is a new paper packet from Close To My Heart.

It's design and color scheme is great for teens and tweens as well as friends.  The bright colors pop as the paisley pattern delights!  This is a simple card using a small bit of the patterned paper.  You can easily make a card set for that special girl in your life in just a short time!  I took a piece of gypsy card stock and cut it to fit the base of the card, 4 1/2 x 5 1/4.  I attached a 2 3/4" piece of the patterned paper to the center of the card.  Then I used gypsy, cotton candy and lagoon as the ink colors to stamp the heart "quilt square" from the new Stitch Wonder stamp set (Item# C1564, $13.95).  I used the border stamp included in the same stamp set and inked the top and bottom in black.  Inside I added another small strip (1"x5 1/4") of patterned paper to the top of the base card.

 I stamped the "Love you to Pieces" sentiment on white daisy card stock then cut it out and added it to a double mat of black and the brighter purple pattern paper.  The double matting really makes the sentiment stand out to the reader.  Then I used the border stamps on the bottom and to either side of the sentiment from the same "Stitch Wonder" stamp set in cotton candy ink.  It came out super cute!  Always add a strip of coordinating paper to your envelope for added quality!  You can't see it in the picture, but while I was stamping the front of the card with the black ink border, I also stamped the front, bottom of my envelope to charm the receiver!   Again, this is a super cute, easy project that anyone could do.  Please click the "Shop With Me" link on the right to order your own Laughing Lola!!

Fall is HERE!!

How about some Happy Fall greetings?  Close To My Heart (CTMH) has a new catalog that is full of ideas for Fall cards, scrapbook layouts, altered projects, and much more!!

 I couldn't resist doing a folded card with the new Huntington paper. (Huntington Paper Packet, Item #X7174B, $9.95)  This card folds over on both sides...kind of like a warm and cozy robe...and has a pretty sash to slide on and off of it!  Cut your base paper 5 1/2 x 12.  With your scoring board, score the paper (placed on your scoring board with the 12" horizontally across the board) at 4" and 8 1/2".  Then grab your paper cutter and cut diagonally from the right of the fold down to the corner of your paper.  Do this for both sides.  Just make sure you still have your 12" side on the bottom!  CTMH's patterned paper is PERFECT for this project!!  It has the right "weight" to the paper to be a quality card that feels good in the reader's hand!  AND it's double-sided, so you only need the one piece of paper and the insert.  I made this card two ways so that you can see the difference and maybe "lift" my card and use the paper and stamps of your choice.  For the insert, shown above and below...I used Colonial White paper and my CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  I used the cut at 6" from page 60, the "D" key, <SHIFT>, Photo Mat 1.

Then I only had to cut a small bit off of the bottom for it to fit perfectly inside my base card.  I used coordinating ink in Barn Red and Desert Sand to stamp "Happy Autumn" and the flowers from the NEW "Happy Autumn" stamp set (item #D1550, $17.95).  On the flowers, I used a "2nd generation" stamp technique so that it would be light enough for me to write my message over the flowers.  All you do is ink your stamp, stamp it once on a scrap piece of paper, then a "2nd" time on your insert.  It gives it a "watermark" look.  I also used this same technique on my envelope above to do the corn stalk in Desert Sand.  It works perfect on your envelope to delight your receiver!!  For the sash, you use a 8" x 5/8" piece of your base card stock; score it in the same way you did your base card.  Then I took Bronze Glitter Tape (Item#Z1849) and placed it across the front of the sash.  Lastly, I added the wooden/gem from the babycakes assortment (Item#Z1869).  

I wanted to show you a different card using similar techniques.  But without using the Cricut cartridge since I know that not everyone has a Cricut (even though I'm not sure why....LOL!).   I hand cut the insert out of colonial white card stock to 5 x 4 1/4.  I punched the top of the insert on the second card with a Marth Stewart border punch, and as you can see...it's lovely!  I also changed the wooden/gem on the sash.  I used one of the wooden pieces from the babycakes assortment, took the grey gem off of it and replaced it with a shiny gem from the Rosewood Mini-Medley Accents Collection (item #Z1857).  Charming!! 
For the second card, I used the "Give Thanks" from the same "Happy Autumn" stamp set above.  Then for the charming pumpkin and sentiment I used the "Count Your Blessings" stamp set (Item #C1555, $13.95).  I hope that you see that this card can be made using all different types of papers.  A little glitter gives it the polish that it needs.  Fall can be a glorious and colorful time of year.  Your family and friends will cherish receiving a handmade card from you!!  Please let me know if I can assist you in picking out some fall product that is in your budget!!  Enjoy the Season!!!  

SWEET!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner!  I thought I would share a super sweet two-page layout with you!  First let me say that Close To My Heart makes scrapbooking so easy!  They have how-to pattern books that give you the layout's you want, with directions and cut size's.  All you do is pick the pattern that will go with the pictures you want to use -OR- you pick the layout you want to take pictures to fit!!  The pattern for this layout comes from Jeannette Lynton's book, MAGIC, page 22, titled "Now You See It".  MAGIC is a great book, but it has become retired and take my advice, if you see a copy, pick it up!  You can search on Amazon and see that it is going for $57.00 + USED!  Never fear!  If you are one of my CTMH customers...I have the book.  Also, they are coming out with other paper backed pattern books that are just as great if not better because of the price!  The paper I used for this layout is called SWEETHEART and it is also retired.  But, I am sure that you could peruse the internet and find some if you really wanted to!  I will have two of these layouts for sale in my Etsy Shop.  :)

This is a fabulous layout for some engagement or couple pictures...exceptional for some black and white photo's!  The first page has space for a large photo, a little smaller than 8 x 8...an 8 x 10 could be cut down for it.  The second page has room for three vertical 4 x 6 photos.
On the first page, I used the CTMH exclusive Cricut Cartridge, "Art Philosophy" to cut out the word "sweet" at 2 inches.  I then took a flourish stamp and my tulip ink and highlighted each letter.  I used the "swiping" technique on the "Love" square.  Swiping means to take your stamp and "swipe" it across your ink pad.  It gives it a "brushed" look.  The stamp set I used is called "Love Ya" from 2011 as well.  The hearts, I stamped and cut out to add to my page.  I scallop cut the white paper to give it that "sweet" polish, adding bitty pearls (Z1707, $2.95) on every other scallop.

The two tags with ribbon were cut on Art Philosophy at 2".  I added white paper with pink hearts to them and a little white gelly roll pen across the top to give them dimension.  What do you think of the Happily Ever After ribbon??  It worked perfect for this project, which is COOL because I purchased it at the Big "M" on clearance.  I tied it onto the tags and made sure that the words were on there just right to see the "Happily" and the "Ever...After".  Then I tucked them behind my large picture mat!  That just left the two little black button brads for the bottom left corner.  :)
Speaking of buttons....CTMH announced to it's consultants that it will be discontinuing it's button line after the next catalog.  That catalog runs until June.  They have an EXCELLENT price on buttons, so pick some up by clicking on my "shop with me" button on the right of this post.  72 assorted buttons for $5.95 and they are gorgeous and of course color-coordinated!

Page two of my layout was just as fun to make!  The ribbon is on there loosely so that the pictures can be added later right underneath the ribbon and scallop border at the top.  There are three sweet little hearts on the top and more bitty pearls on the scallop.  Down below I stamped the sentiment, matted it and then "popped" it up with pop-dots.  I then added two more sweet little brads underneath.  The journal spot in the middle is just big enough to record the thoughts of the day.  I double matted it to bring some interest and attention to it.  Have a sweet day everyone!  xoxoxo

Snowflakes and Glitter

 When you start doing some serious scrapbooking or cardmaking, you see quickly that the possibilities are endless.  I had the pleasure of purchasing a new machine this week that cuts and embosses shapes.  It is called the Spellbinders Grand Calibur.  In the card above, you see the shapes that the snowflake is on?  That is three separate cuts of three papers that nest together; each one a little larger than the last.  This is my first project that I completed with the new machine.  Another new to me product is the super fine sparkle glitter that I added to the snowflake after I stamped it.  I used Close To My Heart's Liquid Glass (Z679, $6.95) to add the glitter.  It dries completely clear and is easy to use in the space and thickness you desire.  I cut my 5 x 7 card from CTMH White Daisy cardstock, then embossed another white rectangle panel with my CuttleBug machine using the snowflake embossing folder.  I added white satin ribbon taped to the back of the rectangle and then adhered it to the card.  Then I cut the three shapes at one time on the Grand Calibur using the "Labels One" dies.  I used foam tape to "pop-up" the three labels from each other.  I used two stamp sets for the front of the card.  The large snowflake is from New Fallen Snow (D1171) and the "Merry Christmas" and circle is from Tag The Occasion (B1362).

Inside, I used two other stamp sets, Snow Flurries (D1384) for the snowflake and Peace On Earth (D1243) for the sentiment.  This is a simple to make, but absolutely beautiful card.  Take advantage of the tools that are on the market, especially at Holiday Season prices.  They can really make your work SPARKLE!!

Getting in the Christmas Card Swing of Things

Hello!  Hope you are having a good Thanksgiving Week!  We have been very busy at our house decorating for Christmas.  What?!  Yes, that is correct.  My husband is a Christmas Decor FREAK!!  Having a December birthday has decidedly shaped his seasonal urge to go loony for lights, bulbs, santa, and anything red, green, or sparkly!  He took the Christmas boxes out of the attic before I could get the Halloween decorations put away!  By last weekend, our front yard was a spectacle to be seen in the neighborhood and soon to become a blip on Google Maps!  We now have 3 trees up and decorated inside our home.  After this weekend, there will be at least one more....a Hello Kitty tree for my ScrapLoft.  (That one is ALL ME!)

I have had the good fortune to spend several days making Christmas cards.  Christmas has always been about family in my household.  It's always also been about Love and Peace and Kindness.  My family does not celebrate Christmas as Jesus' Birthday.  We know that many other Christians do.  We know that the bible does say, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."  -Isaiah 9:6.  In the spirit of "Peace on Earth", I give you this card that I made to send tidings of Love and Peace and Good Will.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.  xoxoxo  Sherry

Elegant Wedding or Engagement Card

Who doesn't love a wedding?  Romance, emotion, Love, giggles, happiness.  My beautiful niece, Danielle will be married this week in Georgia.  I sadly cannot attend the wedding.  I wanted to send her a beautiful card to convey how very much I wish her and Charles a wonderful life full of all the good things.  I came up with this card.  (Hers is a little different...)  What is more elegant than black, white, cream and silver?  When making cards by hand, it always adds elegance and polish to "mat" your papers.  The front of this card has 7 paper layers and two ribbon layers.  Wow!  You don't really feel them when holding the card.  I started with a black card base, added a floral paper with a black mat and a white mat.  I adhered the wide black satin ribbon and the slim white satin ribbon to the floral cardstock (wrapped around and taped in the back) before adhering the floral to the black and white mat.  This "hides" your assembly and makes the card appear like it was "made" that way or "seamless".  Then I cut the shape under the heart out of a black on black baroque printed paper from my Cricut Cartridge and matted it with white again.  Finally I embossed a heart shaped stamp in silver on Colonial white cardstock with foam tape to make it stand out.  Then I used glitter glue to fill in the silver embossed "vines" on the heart.  The cream floral paper already had silver glitter in the center of the flowers, so again, adding it to the heart gave it a more polished look.

Inside I added a CTMH stamped sentiment, "Wishing you Peace, Love and Happiness" from the "Lovely Lily" stamp set (B1401) and then a French Bow from a NEW CTMH stamp set called "Jardin Flair" (D1528).  In the center of the ribbon I added an "Opaques light tan Adhesive Gem" (Z1333, $2.95).  What a beautiful and elegant sentiment for a gorgeous card!

Boo From The Crew!

It's that time of year when we start pulling out sweaters, showing off our fashionable scarves and getting ready for Halloween!  Halloween is actually my least favorite holiday.  I don't know if it is because my kids are grown, or if my optimistic attitude doesn't like the "dark" side of the ghoulish day, or if Orange and Green are just not my pick of colors.  However, one look at this cute stamp set from Close To My Heart put me in the mood for some Halloween card making!  I saw this little ghost and thought he could be made into something sweet and have the ability to put a smile on some one's face....And a SMILE?....yep, I'm all for that!  I went to my trusty box of premade cards and envelopes (they are a card maker's dream...especially if you find them half off or on clearance!) and picked out the bright yellow cards. Link to Example Box of Cards 

Then I searched for some coordinating paper and found the orange wiggly stripe that you see in the picture.  I always cut my background piece 1/4 " shorter than my base card.  Then I rounded the corners to give it a softer look....which works well because the ghost doesn't have hard edges!  Then I used CTMH Colonial White cardstock to cut a smaller piece to stamp my ghost onto.  Almost always, I ink all my edges...it puts polish on your project and really makes everything work well together!  I put "sunset" ink on the pumpkin and black on the rest of the stamp.  Then I added the sentiment in "sunset".  I saw it still needed something....so I added a black rat and a black bat.  I LOVE glitter, so I added some glitter glue to the bottom of the ghost.  

On the inside of the card, I used a piece of Olive cardstock, again cut down 1/4" from the size of the card and rounded the corners and inked the edges.  Then I used a colonial white piece cut from the "Art Philosophy" cricut cartridge (Z1686) and adhered a coordinating Dimensional Element (Z1685) that I had stamped in "Sunset" with one of the stamps that comes with the Cricut Cartridge kit.  This left room for writing a note and a signature.  You can purchase the solid cardstock, ink, stamps, and cricut cartridge and more in my CTMH shop to make your own "Boo from the Crew" card.  The "shop with me" link is on the right side of my blog!  Boo! from my crew!  Have a safe and Happy Halloween and fall season!  

Avonlea Photo Box

I realized today that I haven't shown you the Photo Box I made from the leftover paper in the Avonlea Workshop Kit!!!  It came out soooo cute!  I don't know about you, but I have seen this type of "altered" project before and thought, there's no way I can make it look that good!  Well this altered project was an exception!  I followed the instructions that were given to me and with a few minor adjustments finished up with this gorgeous box!  

It is covered with Avonlea paper on all four sides.  The only thing that I found I had to adjust was the template they gave for the front and top of the box.  It's a much better idea to just trace your empty box.  If you would like to make this box, go to my "shop with me" icon on the right of this blog and purchase the Avonlea Scrapbooking Workshop kit (pg 21 of catalog, #G1045, $29.95), a My Creations Photo Box (#Z1322, 6.95) and if you wish, a Color-Ready Canvas Alphabet (#Z1777, $6.95).  The canvas alpha was used to spell out "PHOTOS".  You could substitute with an alpha stamp set of your choice or the letters cut from cardstock with your Cricut.  Although, the texture and look of the canvas is a really nice addition to the project.

The box is plain white inside and comes with a magnetic closure.  This would be a lovely Christmas gift!  

One Fine Day

Close To My Heart has the BEST scrapbook kits!!  They put together the greatest paper packets with embellishments, stamps and great design.  I had the pleasure of working with the Typeset Workshop Kit this past week.  Typeset is no longer available, but I will show it to you so that you can see the amazing things you can do with a CTMH kit!  

My son Michael was lucky enough to visit with my Mom in Virginia every summer.  We lived in Georgia for many years, so he would come up and visit for several weeks.  In June of 2000, Hampton Roads had its first Opsail celebration.  Tall Ships from all over the world come to our area to visit.  Mom took him to Opsail that year and they had an incredible day.  That is the pictures I used for this layout and they came out amazing!  The kit came with specific instructions for cutting, preparing and laying out the pages.  I used the first CTMH cricut cartridge, Art Philosophy to cut out the large shape behind the pictures.  

The kit included an exclusive stamp set that had the "star" and "button" stamps and the "UR special" stamp.  The "FINE" I stamped was from one of my other CTMH stamp sets called "Token Alphabet".  It is still available for purchase (E1020, $29.95) in my CTMH shop.  The "cardboard" shapes I used are also still available (Milepost shapes, Z1464, $3.95) and come in a pkg of 48 pieces of arrows, circles, shapes, circles, ovals, etc.  

I'm not sure if you can tell in the picture, but the kit called for me to use my pearl paint to highlight the cardboard shapes.  That was fun!  There is also a little paint brushed directly on the page.  I love the texture in this layout!  The yellow (creme brulee) stars were cut out using the cricut cartridge and then I used my bone folder to score them on the back to make them pop up!  To bring this page altogether, I inked all of my edges with cocoa ink.  It was One Fine Day in my Scrap Loft!    

Then, I was able to make a SECOND layout on my own.  Bryan is my shining star.  I made this for him, but I do have ONE for sale on my Etsy shop, Kindness Paper.  You can find it at http://www.etsy.com/shop/KindnessPaper.  I used the paper left over when I cut out the background shape from the first layout for the top of this layout!  

The shape is echoed in the bracket on the right side of my son's photo and in the shape on the left side of the photo.  See how it makes the page visually appealing?  

I used the same alpha stamp again to stamp the "YOU" on the banner.  Then, I used my new CTMH crictut cartridge, Artiste, for the "shining STAR".  I used the same pearl paint to make the letters "shine".  The only thing that isn't CTMH on this page is the star punch I used above the "shining".   Keep in mind that you can use ANY Paper kit from CTMH to make this SAME layout!!!  Once you have the design, that's all you need!  Let me know if you try it on your own, I can send you some of the measurements I used.  What a great kit!!!

My Flirty Layout

Happy Monday everyone!  I finally finished MY Flirty Workshop (see yesterday's post!) layout this morning and can share it with you.  I added my own touch to the layout by taking out the Fall Elements that was instructed to use and switched them with the pretty roses.  In the left lower hand corner...you can see that these pictures were taken in May of 2006.  Bryan and Hunter were 10 years old and at such a FUN age!!

I love to play with embellishing my Titles by hand inking.  This time I decided to add chocolate ink to the right hand sides of all the letters...it really makes them "POP".  Then I decided to search for my old Close To My Heart rub-on's and added the "Memories" on the side of the "Family" title's "F" and "friends forever" between the two kids.  I also used the rub-on's to add "Bryan & Hunter" on my Journal spot.

Hand-writing your journaling even on the most put-together page can really make your page.  It brings that "homemade" warm feel to your most precious memories.  It will draw the person looking at your album into the story.  We are so blessed that Bryan & Hunter have become the greatest friends.  I hope their closeness will last their lifetimes!  I welcome your comments and suggestions on my artwork!  Just go to the bottom and click on "comment".  You can also subscribe to my blog at the bottom of the page.  Thank you for reading!

Today I had the great pleasure of scrapbooking the Flirty Workshop (G1050, $29.95) with two of my good friends!!  "Flirty" has a GREAT color scheme!!  It came out in the catalog as a "FALL" kit, but the colors are so great and flexible, they can be used all year long!!!  The Workshop is a kit that gives you instructions and supplies to create FOUR two-page layouts.  With the purchase of two additional items, you have enough supplies left over to create 5 greeting cards as well (Z1738, Colonial White Die-Cut Cards & Z1749 Autumn Lane Assortment).  

The Workshop Kit comes with an exclusive stamp set that you can only get through buying the kit!!  It also comes with all of the paper you need, Dimensional Elements chipboard shapes (see the tree and the leaves in the picture), and a sparkles clear assortment (rhinestones).  All you need to purchase is the kit, an alphabet stamp set (or use one you already have or one of the "Cricut" cartridges if you own it), Cocoa and Goldrush ink pads, and a corner rounder.  If you are lucky enough to be in the Hampton Roads area, you don't need all the extras, you can just come scrap with ME!!  On the upper right hand side of my blog, you will see a link to "Kempsville Scraps Classes/Crops Calendar".  Click on "Meetup" and it will take you to the Meetup website.  Meetup is a place where an organizer (like me) can go to upload a calendar of  classes/dates or "Meetups" so that folks like you can find other like minded individuals who have the same hobbies as you do!  They have great tools for me to use to share my calendar with members of my local paper crafting/scrapbooking group.  Please join us if you can!

Amazing deal on Cricut.com!

If you have been on the fence or curious about the Cricut die-cutting system, the Cuttlebug or the Your story machine...the time to stop procrastinating is now!  Cricut.com has an amazing deal while supplies last.  Click on this link to learn more:  Cricut Ultimate Starter Bundle.  If you are in the Hampton Roads area, I will be holding technique classes for the cricut and the Cuttlebug embossing system.  Over time, I purchased all of the items in the bundle separately and can't even imagine how much I paid...it wasn't near $199.00!  Leave me a comment if you take advantage of the offer, because I'm still in disbelief!  Xoxoxo

Etsy Craft Party

I have truly enjoyed having an Etsy shop.  What is Etsy??  Etsy is www.etsy.com.  An internet site where YOU can "Buy unique handmade and vintage items directly from independent sellers around the world."  I sell my handcrafted paper items in my Etsy shop.  I also sell a few vintage items from time to time.  It is a super easy way for me to buy items that I LOVE and to sell the items that I make.  You can pay through PayPal or use your credit card directly on the Etsy site.  My shop is at http://www.kindnesspaper.etsy.com.  There is a link you can click on to the left of this post!  
Etsy has a "Craft Party" once a year for the sellers on Etsy.  A local shop chooses to organize the party for the area.  This year it was held at "Kitsch" in Norfolk.  They had a station where you could make and take an owl...see my cute little guy??  Yes, you guessed it!!  It's made out of a toilet paper roll!!  What an awesome craft to share with the kids in your life!!!  All you do is wrap the paper and tape it around the roll, punch or cut two circles for the eyes and a triangle for the nose and voila!  I might have to make a whole family of owls!!  HA!  You can check out Kitsch online at "Kitschva.com" or in person at 807 Shirley Avenue, Norfolk, VA  23517.  Thank you to Kitsch for your sponsorship of the Etsy Craft Party this year!  I enjoyed it!!!  

Thank You!!!

Thank you to all my new customers and blog readers!!! If I could reach out and give you a hug, I would!  Here's a little Kitty carnation for you instead!  xoxoxo  Sherry

Superhero Bonus!

In my last post I showed you a layout you could make from the Superhero paper packet.  I made 3 layouts so far out of that packet.  I still have some left over to make a one page layout, but I decided to get crafty (now there's a surprise!) and make a little note card for my honey.  On the new Artiste Cricut Cartridge only available through Close To My Heart (CTMH) there is a page dedicated to Father's Day.  There's the cutest little things on that page like argyle diamonds, an argyle border, a cupcake cup, a bow tie/shirt goody box, a Happy Father's Day title, and a #1 Dad sentiment.  There's also this cute little dress shirt/tie card that you can make.

It cuts out flat on the cricut and you fold it over to make a card.  I cut mine at 4 1/2 inches and it made a small card, a little bigger than gift size.  On the other side of the red Superhero paper is the side that has the "Superhero words" on it.  It has a moonstruck blue background, so if you were making a card, you would have to cut some lighter paper to go inside to write or stamp a sentiment.  I thought, hmmm....I'm going to make my honey a cute note for him to take to work and put in his desk.  

I cut a small strip of the chemistry table paper and wrote him a sweet note.  It tucked right up into the shirt!  Cute!!  You know, men really like to be reminded that they are your hero.  It feeds into their macho, caretaker/provider need.  He really liked it!  What a cute way to use some leftover paper!!!

Just a reminder that the Superhero paper packet is not in the new catalog.  It can still be ordered as long as supplies last.  The item number is X712B.  At $9.95 it is an incredible deal.  If you have a Cricut or have been thinking about buying one, you have to check out the cartridges that CTMH offers.  They are incredible deals that you won't find anywhere else!  

The Cricut^® Artiste collection helps you turn everyday events into magical celebrations! The unique cartridge takes creativity to a new level allowing you to cut themed projects and shapes using a single key. Color-coded images in the accompanying booklet indicate shapes that are linked and can be cut using the same size setting for hassle-free layering and assembly. Choosing a themed project is easy with the project reference pictures, and assembling 3-D items is a snap with the separate assembly and folding guide.

With 700 images, you’ll find a themed project for any event, large or small, from Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and Halloween, to occasions like birthdays and baby showers, plus clever motifs like signage, game night, gears, timepieces, awards, and more. Use the three coordinating My Acrylix^® D-size stamp sets to jazz up your Cricut accents, then splash in some Dimensional Elements shapes from the three included sets for added flair! The Cricut^® Artiste cartridge makes it easy to create a charming, cohesive project, taking you from crafter to awesome artiste in a flash.

Cricut^® Artiste Collection (Z1790)

$99 (retail value of nearly $125)
1 – Cartridge (700 images: themed projects, cards, font, shapes, 3-D items)
3 – My Acrylix^® D-size Stamp Sets*
3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements in coordinating shapes

SUPERHERO and Best Friends

Have a son or grandson?  (Of course, Superhero could apply to a Dad or Grandpa too!) Have you seen the Superhero paper from Close To My Heart?  I have made 3 different fun layouts with the paper packet.  The packet comes with 6 sheets of patterned paper (CTMH calls them B&T duos), and 6 sheets of coordinating cardstock. All for $9.95!  The item number is 'X7152B'.  If you like my layout, you can either buy the layout in my Etsy store or purchase the paper packet on my ctmh store.  Click the box to the right that says, "Shop with me".

I chose this two page Best Friends layout to share with you:

All of the items I used came in the paper packet except black hemp to tie on the "chemistry paper" tags.  That is item #Z282.  I also used the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to cut the tags and the NEW Artiste Cricut Cartridge for the title "Best Friends".  The photo spot on the first page is cut at 4 1/4" x 6 1/4" so that you can add a 4 x 6 photo of the friends!  The sentiment on the side is "Dynamic Duo".  What do you think of the "torn" paper look?  It adds texture to your page.  I also took my black pen and added dots at the top of the letters to make them stand out more.  It's the little things that really make your page look polished!

On the second page, the white space at the top is for journaling about the best friends.  The two smaller photo spots to the right are for individual pics of the two friends.  Add a white sticker alphabet (CTMH used to carry one..can't find it at the moment...) at the bottom right corner of each pic that spells out the boys' names and you will LOVE IT!  The two larger photo spots are 3 1/2 x 5 to add some comical pics of the boys.  Think superhero stuff if you want to do a photo shoot with the two friends.  :)

Leave me a comment to let me know what you think of this layout!  Now, let me see if I can go feed some hungry superhero's in my household!  xoxoxo  Sherry

August Specials

Hey Ya'all I have $5.00 specials for my FIRST MONTH as a CTMH Consultant!!! To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, CTMH is offering a double stamp set! You can get the exclusive 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. Visit my business page at: http://kindnesspaper.myctmh.com/

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. With a retail value of $35.90, this set drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase. Have twice the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with your new It’s Your Day double stamp set!

This is my SECOND Exclusive special to customers who book a gathering or on-line party with ME!! Anyone booking an in-home gathering from me can order the FLIRTY workshop ($29.95) for $15.00!! You can make 4-5 layouts from that workshop, but you must place your order through me. Just let me know and I'll order it for you! I will be hosting TWO different workshops at NO CHARGE to anyone purchasing FLIRTY here in the Va Beach area. LET ME SHOW YOU HOW.... is my MOTTO!! xoxoxo Workshops on the Go® Flirty Kit Contents
Flirty Paper Packet
My Acrylix® Flirty Workshop Stamp Set (C-size)
Colonial White Cardstock Sheets (2)
Sparkles Clear Assortment
Flirty Complements Dimensional Elements
Instructional Guide
Featured Colors: Flirty Raspberry, Flirty Yellow, Goldrush, New England Ivy

Follow the included step-by-step instructions to create the two-page layout featured in the workshop guide. The layout pattern is a Jeanette Lynton original created exclusively for this workshop. Then use your remaining materials and online tips to create an additional layout and a bonus project, shown in the guide.