Cricut Art Philosophy 3D Petal Flowers

Love the new Cricut cartridge - Art Philosophy - from Close To My Heart. There are five awesome cuts on the cartridge for making 3D rose-like flowers, but you can also make some great flowers from some of the petal shapes. Here are a couple of very simple 3" x 3" cards that I quickly made to showcase the flowers.

The six petal flower above was made using six of 'Petal 1' cut at 1 1/4" and one base 'flower 7' cut at 3/4"

The seven petal flower above was made using seven of 'Petal 2' cut at 1 1/4" and one base 'Flower 6' cut at 3/4"

Check out the video below for details on how I put these flowers together.



Supplies - Cards are 3" x 3" - All supplies CTMH
Paper - Pemberly B&T, Colonial White & Indian Corn Blue cardstock
Stamp - Thank You
Ink - Outdoor Denim, Creme Brulee
Accessories - Opaque Pearls
Other - Cricut Art Philoshophy cartridge

Moose Hunt

Someone sent this to my husband - too funny!

Several guys from Peterborough Ontario dressed up their truck with a guy tied to the roof.

The driver and passengers put on Moose Head costumes.

As they drove down the main street of Peterborough they caused about 6 accidents.

They were charged with Public Mischief and having open beer in a vehicle, Peterborough cops have no sense of humor.

Stella Valentine's Card

I love the simple elegance of this Valentine's card using one of the new paper packs from CTMH and my Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. I like the look of using the negative space and tried my hand at machine stitching on my art for the first time (it was almost my last when my thread snagged six stitches in). The bow was made with our new baker's twine.

I used the current sketch at Card Patterns

The hearts were cut at 3/4" high. I used repositional dotto-dots on the left half of each heart to lay out the pattern and then sewed through each column of hearts. I then folded up the left side of each heart and removed the adhesive with a rub and remove eraser. I wrapped the ribbon around the top of the white layer and then adhered it to the red printed layer using 3D foam tape.

I've had some questions about the word LOVE on the card. I cut them at 1" high. I manually moved the blade on my Cricut to about where I thought I wanted the letters on my card (cut the card front larger than your finished piece - it is easier to cut off the excess afterwards than to position the blade exactly where you want it). I cut out the L and the O first, taking note of the positon of the blade given by the measurements on the screen. After cutting the L and O, I manually moved the blade back to the appropriate measurement so that the V would line up with the L, leaving about an 1/8" between the bottom of the L and the top of the V. Cut out the V and E and then use the negative space.

Supplies - Card size is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" - All supplies CTMH
Paper - Stella B&T, White Daisy & Black cardstock
Stamp - Mad About You (for inside sentiment)
Ink - black
Accessories - black & tulip grosgrain ribbon, black baker's twine, pewter mini-medley
Other - Cricut Art Philosophy, sewing machine, 3D foam

Florentine Anniversary Card - Coloring CTMH Seam Binding

I created this card for my parents 64th wedding anniversary this year. The paper used is from one of the new paper packs being offered in the Spring/Summer 2012 CTMH Idea Book. I love the soft colours in this paper pack and some of the great new embellishments available to go with it.

I was really excited to see the Color Ready Seam Binding now available. I love wrinkled seam binding bows on cards. I have been playing around a bit with different methods to color the seam binding and have created a short video tutorial (see below). I will probably only use this on cards for the time being until I can verify the permanence of the dye on the seam binding. (I colored another brand of seam binding some months ago with water and reinker and found that over time the color migrated from the ribbon onto the card - not what I would want to have happen to a layout).

Supplies - Sketch from Originals - Message Enclosure - Card size is 6 1/2" x 4 3/4" (so it can fit into one of my clear boxes)
Paper - Florentine B&T, Cocoa, Black and Colonial White CS
Stamps - Family Love - D1506, Love Always - D1337 (for inside sentiment)
Ink - Cocoa, Twilight, Garden Green re-inker
Accessories - Color Ready Seam Binding, Timeless Charms, Bohemian Assortment, Mocha Opaques and Black Waxy Flax
Other - rubbing alcohol, spray pen, heat gun, 3D foam, corner rounder

Spring/Summer Idea Book

The new Close To My Heart Idea Book goes live today! Check out the link to the right of this page to see all of the new product available to order from today until July 31st, 2012.

True Fit Folios - Create a Layout That Holds Memorabilia

I have two children who have long since graduated from post-secondary school, however I have always wanted to create a 'School Years' scrapbook for each of them that could hold their report cards, certificates etc. Close To My Heart offers a product called a 'True Fit Folio' (you can find them on page 129 of the new Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book) that fits perfectly into a 12" x 12" memory protector and allows you to store items within it and out of sight.

Each month I offer a layout challenge to my customers. The layout sketch for January was 'Transfigure' from the How-To book 'Magic'. I completed my oldest daughter's Grade 9 layout using this sketch, CTMH's Typeset paper pack and a true fit folio. I completed the layout and then adhered the Left page to the front of the folder, trimming the layout as needed and adding some paper to the inside back of the folio folder for a seamless look. I am keeping these layouts fairly simple and flat since I will be adding things to the folders. The Typeset canvas shapes are fabulous and made this layout a snap to complete.

Here is a closer look at the left page to show how you can tuck reports etc. behind the layout.

For the sake of simplicity, I have decided to use this same layout sketch for both albums. Only 29 more layouts to go!

Supplies - All supplies are CTMH except where noted
Paper - Typeset B&T, Black, Colonial White and Creme Brulee cardstock
Ink - Black
Accessories - Typeset Canvas shapes, Mileposts Corrugated shapes, Pewter mini-medley, Black Waxy Flax, Black ribbon, pewter frame (unknown)
Other - Cricut Art Philoshophy, True Fit Folio, 3D foam

A Change of Direction

A year ago I started this blog and spent a good part of 2011 cardmaking and working on some specific skills. I spent a lot of time browsing blogs, admiring the work of some very talented women and entering card challenges. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed all of these things I have come to the realization that I have to return to my first passion which is creating scrapbook pages. I am looking forward to seeing what the year will bring.

Back In Business - Craft Room Redo Complete

So, I have spent the better part of the past 2 weeks taking everything out of my scrapbooking room except one dresser, organizing all my supplies, building Ikea furniture and putting everything back together again. I am so excited about my new work space, love everything about it.

This is how my week started:

And here is how it ended (still have a few minor things to attend to but the majority of the room is done)

Love this Expedit bookcase. Still have room to grow.

My work space (still have to buy a new chair) and a new home for my sewing machine and Cricut.

And a fabulous new dresser with tons of storage! I was originally going to get another Expedit bookshelf (just a single row of 5 cubbies)to put above the dresser, but the day we headed into the city to go to Ikea my husband's truck wouldn't start. By the time we got to the store they had just sold the last one. In the end it worked out, since I don't really need the storage, so now I have to decide what to put on the wall above the dresser.

Love my new room! (unfortunately it will probably never look the same again- good thing I took lots of pictures). Here are some closeups of some of the storage:

Stamp Sets - This didn't change. I have been storing my stamp sets in the drawers of this old dresser for a while. I sacrifice one Idea Book each release for cutting up. Each time I buy a new stamp set I cut out the picture of the set and put it into a three ring binder by categories (ie. Nature, Alhpabets etc). Then I store the stamp sets alphabetically by name in the dresser drawers. When I need an image I go through my binder, find the name of the stamp set and then find the set in the drawer. The stamp sets also fit in the new 'Hopen' dresser that I bought.

Ribbon - I bought a couple of Skubb drawer organizers from Ikea as well - great for storage

Cardstock - I have always stored my paper horizontally - however this takes up a lot of space so I thought I would try some vertical storage - 12" x 12" Cropper Hopper's work great. However, I did have to cut about 3/8" off the top of the Cropper Hopper to get it to fit in the Expedit bookcase.

CTMH Paper Packs - When I get a paper pack I always take out the cardstock. I keep the B&T paper and any scraps in the bag that it came in. They seem to be fitting into the Cropper Hoppers, but because of the bags they can't be stored in the bookcase, so they will live on the top of this dresser. I cut out a picture of each paper pack from the Idea books and will be attaching this picture to the top left corner of each bag so that I can see what papers are in each bag without having to take the bag out of the holder.

Can't wait to get back to scrapping - hope to post some art by next week. Have a great weekend everyone!

The Straw That Broke the Camel's Back

... is my new Cricut Expression. Happy New Year everyone, hope santa was good to you this year. I got my first Cricut for Christmas and was quite excited until I realized that there was no way that I could set it up in my craft room the way it is currently organized (which is not very well). Over the years I have spent most of my craft dollars on scrapbooking supplies, neglecting to purchase proper storage containers and furniture. It was becoming increasingly difficult to work effectively in the room and not being able to use my Cricut in there was the final straw.

So, I have spent the past couple of days organizing and clearing everything out of the room, to make way for some furniture. It's off to Ikea this weekend, and hopefully I will be crafting again in a couple of weeks.

Close To My Heart - Retiring List

For all of my Close To My Heart customers, here is a list of items that will be retiring as of January 31st, 2012. Be sure to check it carefully so that you don't miss out on something that you want or need.

Spring/Summer 20ll Idea Book
(All Stamp Sets, in order as they appear in the book. Pricing reflects the changes as of January 1, 2012)

Trellis – D1451 - $17.95
Backgrounds & Borders – D1463 - $17.95
Dreams Come True – D1470 - $17.95
Summer Days – B1375 - $9.95
Love Ya – D1460 - $17.95
From My Heart – C1443 - $13.95
A Love – A1103 - $6.95
So Lucky – C1390 - $13.95
Circle of Love – D1438 - $17.95
Soul Mates – D1254 - $17.95
Bless This Nest – C1445 - $13.95
A Little Buzz – B1353 - $9.95
Beautiful Butterflies – B1373 - $9.95
Ambiance – C1349 - $13.95
Springtime – D1415 - $17.95
*A Hop – A1112 - $6.95
Take Luck – B1364 - $9.95
Enjoy Every Moment – C1395 - $13.95
Beloved – B1343 - $9.95
Bunny Love – B1324 - $9.95
Carefree – C1447 - $13.95
A Paisley – A1105 - $6.95
Always In My Heart – A1101 - $6.95
Charmed – C1385 - $13.95
Togetherness – D1402 - $17.95
One Of A Kind – D1410 - $17.95
Blooming Layers – C1449 - $13.95
A Posy – A1102 - $6.95
Extreme Happiness – C1356 - $13.95
Friendship Blessings – D1191 - $17.95
Flower Pot – D1409 - $17.95
Smiles – C1397 - $13.95
Happy Moments – C1437 - $13.95
His and Hers – C1460 - $13.95
Tasty Treats – D1427 - $17.95
You’re Sweet – B1351 - $9.95
Recipe Box – D1364 - $17.95
Bon Apetit – D1367 - $17.95
Daydream – D1297 - $17.95
*Makin’ Waves – C1365 - $13.95
Cruisin’ – D1471 - $17.95
Down By The Sea – C1451 - $13.95
True Happiness – D1365 - $17.95
Summer Breeze – C1453 - $13.95
Treetops – C1368 - $13.95
Let’s Go Camping – C1355 - $13.95
Beautiful Things – D1298 - $17.95
Campin’ Fever – D1353 - $17.95
*Beary Best – C1363 - $13.95
*Beary Busy – C1409 - $13.95
Howdy – D1435 - $17.95
You’re Great – D1434 - $17.95
Hot Diggity – C1407 - $13.95
It’s A Zoo – C1360 - $13.95
Fun Times – B1309 - $9.95
Love Birds – C1396 - $13.95
*Over The Rainbow – D1426 - $17.95
Post Card – Travel Series – D1357 - $17.95
Horizon – C1454 - $13.95
Ciao – D1461 - $17.95
Thrill Ride – D1425 - $17.95
Retro Tech – C1446 - $13.95
Around The Block – D1377 - $17.95
Family Ties – C1346 - $13.95
Family Ties – Children – C1345 - $13.95
Family Ties – Pet – B1350 - $9.95
Family – C1305 - $13.95
Play Day (old set) – D1360 - $17.95
Believe In Your Dreams – B1322 - $9.95
Ms. Scrapbook – B1352 - $9.95
Ms. Chillin’ – D1404 - $17.95
You Rock – D1346 - $17.95
Catching Waves – D1466 - $17.95
X-Treme – D1432 - $17.95
Hero – D1474 - $17.95
Star Power – D1403 - $17.95
Tea Time – C1438 - $13.95
*Little Princess – C1414 - $13.95
Birthday Boy – C1411 - $13.95
*Birthday Blast – C1436 - $13.95
Shining Star – D1320 - $17.95
Royal Birth – D1441 - $17.95
Cupcakes Sprinkles – D1336 - $17.95
Piece of Cake – D1407 - $17.95
Paisley Praise – D1414 - $17.95
Sweet Baby – C1359 - $13.95
*Baby Love – B1368 - $9.95
You Did It – C1351 - $13.95
Adoption – A1098 - $6.95
Precious Love – C1444 - $13.95
Love Always – D1337 - $17.95
A Game – A1113 - $6.95
Magic Tabs – C1448 - $13.95
Circle Together – B1372 - $9.95
Just For Boys – C1338 - $13.95
Just For Girls – C1337 - $13.95
Cherished Flourishes – D1413 - $17.95
Unity – C1422 - $13.95
Two-Step Backgrounds – D1473 - $17.95
On The Edge – C1399 - $13.95
Circle Around – D1300 - $17.95
Connections – D1330 - $17.95
Adorning Corners – D1322 - $17.95
Fill In The Blank – D1465 - $17.95
Priceless Love Word Puzzle – D1348 - $17.95
Kanji Phrases – C1339 - $13.95
Boom! – B1354 - $9.95
Just The Ticket – B1323 - $9.95
Salutation Seals – C1461 - $13.95
A Little Everything – D1408 - $17.95
*For Every Occasion – D1187 - $17.95
Thank You – D1361 - $17.95
*TLC – C1364 - $13.95
In The Month Of February – C1403 - $13.95
In The Month Of March – C1404 - $13.95
In The Month Of April – C1405 - $13.95
In The Month Of May – C1415 - $13.95
In The Month Of June – C1416 - $13.95
In The Month Of July – C1417 - $13.95
Notice The Details – D1378 - $17.95
On This Day – D1468 - $17.95
Happy Holidays – D1431 - $17.95
Dream Big – D1399 - $17.95


Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book

Typeset WOTG Kit – G1024 - $29.95
Roxie WOTG Kit – G1025 - $29.95
Elemental WOTG Kit – G1026 - $29.95
Dreamin’ L2 Paper – X7142B - $9.95
Dreamin’ My Stickease – X7142C - $4.95
Dreamin’ WOTG Kit – G1027 - $29.95
Sonoma WOTG Kit – G1028 - $29.95
Mischief L2 Paper – X7144B - $9.95
Mischief My Stickease – X7144C - $4.95
Mischief WOTG Kit – G1029 - $29.95
Believe L2 Paper – X7145B - $9.95
Believe My Stickease – X7145C - $4.95
Believe WOTG Kit – G1030 - $29.95
*Wonderland L2 Paper – X7146B - $9.95
Wonderland My Stickease – X7146C - $4.95
Wonderland WOTG Kit – G1031 - $29.95
Sophia L2 Paper – X7131B - $12.95
Sophia My Stickease – X7131C - $4.95
Mayberry L2 Paper – X7136B - $12.95
Mayberry My Stickease – X7136C - $4.95
Lucky L2 Paper – X7137B - $12.95
Lucky My Stickease – X7137C - $4.95
Fanfare L2 Paper – X7138B - $12.95
Fanfare My Stickease – X7138C - $4.95

pg 124
Colonial White Ribbon collection - Z1126 - $7.95
Cranberry grosgrain ribbon - Z1103 - $6.95
Cocoa grosgrain ribbon - Z1100 - $6.95
Colonial White grosgrain ribbon - Z1102 - $6.95
White Daisy grosgrain ribbon - Z270 - $6.95
Wings Level 2 Assortment - Z1398 - $4.95

pg 125
Embroidery Floss - Red/Pink - Z1092 - $3.25
Embroidery Floss - Green - Z1094 - $3.25
Embroidery Floss - Blue/Purple - Z1093 - $3.25

Waxy Flax - Cranberry - Z1086 - $3.95
Waxy Flax - Sorbet - Z1249 - $3.95
Waxy Flax - Juniper - Z1248 - $3.95
Waxy Flax - Crystal Blue - Z1247 - $3.95

pg 126
Designer Brads - Colonial White - Z1274 - $3.95
Designer Brads - Pewter - Z1146 - $3.95

pg 127
Mini Medley - Antiqued Copper - Z1275 - $4.95
Mini Medley - Colonial White - Z1276 - $4.95
Foundry Metal - Bookplates - Z1147 - $3.50
Soft Set Eyelets - Black and White Daisy - Z1228 - $3.95
Soft Set Eyelets - Chocolate and Colonial White - Z1229 - $3.95

pg 128
Midnight Felt Shapes - Z1462 - $3.95
Harvest Charms - Z1633 - $4.95
Holiday Packets - Z1486 - $4.95
Top Coats Icing Overlays - Z1468 - $4.95
Lucky Level 2 Assortment - Z1356 - $4.95
Lucky Level 2 Journaling Spots - Z1359 - $3.95
Bliss Level 2 Assortment - Z1355 - $5.95
Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment - Z1386 - $4.95
Fanfare Level 2 Assortment - Z1400 - $4.95
Spring Blossom - Z1266 - $7.95
White Daisy Variety Pack - Z1300 - $5.95

pg 129
Cardstock - Black 8-1/2 x 11 - X1412 - $5.50
Cardstock - Colonial White 8-1/2 x 11 - X1411 - $6.75
Cardstock - White Daisy 8-1/2 x 11 - 1320 - $6.75
Color Ready Alphabets - Oxford - X5749 - $3.95
Color Ready Alphabets - Hodge Podge - X1406 - $3.95

pg 130
Dimensional Elements - On Target - Z1226 - $5.95
Dimensional Elements - Flurry - Z1225 - $4.95

pg 131
My Creations - Board Book - Z1310 - $6.95
My Creations - Journal - Z1268 - $7.95
My Creations - Memory Showcase 9x9 - Z1198 - $5.95

pg 132
Rubber Brayer - Z616 - $12.95

pg 133
Soft Set Eyelet Tool - Z1208 - $14.95
Eyelet Tool Replacement Punches - Z1245 - $2.95

I would like to send a huge 'Thank You' to fellow consultant Cassandra for compiling this list.