Subway Tidings

Flutter Card

Hello, friends!  Guess what?!  I'm writing this while enjoying the absolutely fabulous outdoors!!!  I'm sitting on my back porch watching my youngest swing.  It is the perfect temperature out here, so I figured I would enjoy it before it gets beastly hot.  :o)
I thought I would share a fun butterfly card with y'all!  I made this sweet card using the For Always paper pack.

I absolutely love the chevron print paper!  I layered Honey card stock that I had embossed over top.  Then, on top of that, I layered a frame with the script print paper and the black glitter card stock.

Lots of butterflies make this card super fun!  I used Honey card stock layered with silver glitter paper, and a white paper butterfly on top.  :o)

I wanted to add a bit of a surprise, so I figured I would use the black tulle ribbon gathered with some white twine.  Another paper butterfly sits on top.  I really love this card!  :o)

Happy Crafting!

Cherri
craftwithfeeling.ctmh.com

Supply List:

• For Always paper pack (X7165B)
• Black & Grey Glitter Paper (Z1829)
• Black Tulle Ribbon (Z1798)
• Baker's Twine Neutral Assortment (Z1701)
• Flutter Paper Shapes (Z1463)
• Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge (Z1686)
• Bling pins (discontinued)

Use Your Stash Blog Hop

It's another blog hop!!!  Yay!!!  This one is a very important one for me.  I don't know about you, but I am a hoarder of all things crafty!  This time, we were challenged to use something old with something new.  If you are coming from Judy Faye's blog, you are on the right track!

I have yet another NON card project to share with you!!!  Because today is the official first day of spring, and Easter is nearing, I thought it would be fun to do a little treat box with yummy jelly beans inside.  :o)  Who can say no to that?

I used the Cricut Artiste cartridge to cut this darling butterfly box out of the old Dotty For You paper.  Isn't it fun?!

The blue butterfly was cut with the same cartridge, but I used the new Claire paper for this one.  Then, I layered a paper butterfly on top with a bit of 3D foam tape.  The bling on the wings adds fun sparkle.

I also used some of our fun black net ribbon!!!  I just put a strip of red line tape on it and folded a few gathers into it.  I stuck it on the backs of each of the bottom butterfly's wings.  :o)  I think it will be a fun gift to give.

Very simple, and made very easy with the Artiste!!!

Now, hop your way on to Janet's blog to see more of what can be done with old and new!!!

Happy Crafting!!!

Technique Blog Hop: Black and White

Hello, friends!!!  Welcome to another fun blog hop.  I really hope you hop all the way through because the creations are just amazing!  What talented women!!!  Anywhooo....as I said, this is a blog hop, and we are trying a fun technique of using only black and white.  If you are coming from Debi's blog, then you are in the right place!

Usually, I make cards.  That seems to be my happy place.  So, I decided to step out of my box and use the opportunity to make a home decor item.  I made a fun wreath using the Close To My Heart 'For Always' paper pack and the black and grey glitter paper.

I discovered that photographing a wreath is much more difficult than a card, so I tried to take several pictures to give you a better idea of what it looks like, really.  As always, it is much prettier in real life.  :o)

This was my first time making Kumata flowers.  I made one big one and two smaller ones.  I also cut out the various rolled flowers with the Cricut Artiste cartridge varying in size from 4 inches to 2 3/4 inches.

I used the different glitter paper to create the foliage.  I used three different types of leaves in the three different shades of black and grey.  Grey is a shade of white, right?  :o)

I really wish I had a better picture of this darling rosette!  It's my favorite flower of the bunch!  I used the chevron pattern to create it, and cut it out at 1 3/4 inches.  It turned out so darling!!!

To make the banner, I used the chipboard banner shapes, and cut the paper to cover it using the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  I also cut out this cute dragonfly.  I thought it would add such a cute touch.  I put the glittery layer on with 3-D foam tape, so it gives it dimension.  Love it!!!  Baker's twine hangs the banner onto the wreath with black roses at each end of the twine.

Here it is hanging on my door.  The lighting still isn't right, but like I said...wreaths are hard for me to figure out how to photograph.  :o)  I hope you have at least an idea of what it looks like!  It's sparkly and pretty.  Everything should have some sort of glitter, right?  LOL

Now, it's time to hop on over to Joy's blog to see what lovely creation she has come up with!!!

Upcoming Events

I am so excited to let you all know about my classes for the next few weeks!!!  I am really excited about them, and I hope you will join me.  We are going to have such a good time!

Studio J Class Thursday, Feb. 21 noon-2pm

I will be doing my first MONTHLY meeting teaching about the online scrapbooking, Studio J.  This is a free class, and this month through the 15th of March each layout is ONLY $5!!!  Woohoo!!!  So, come and let me show you how easy this digital thing can be, AND save some money!  You will just need to bring your laptop with you.

Card Class Friday, March 1st 7-9pm

This class is going to be so much fun!!!  I designed three very different cards, and I love all of them!  I used the new For Always paper from Close To My Heart.  This paper is so beautiful and elegant.  I love working with it!

Card #1

Card #2

Card #3

This cost is only $20.  You will be using different techniques, and have a fun evening hanging out with friends.  Remember, space is limited, so don't wait to reserve your spot!

What to bring:

• microtip scissors
• 3D tape
• Glue Dots
• Adhesive
• Needle for threading the twine

Optional items:

• black ink
• Lagoon ink
• White Daisy ink

I hope you like them, and I really hope you can come!  :o)

Happy Crafting!

Cherri

469-438-6556

Technique Blog Hop: Alcohol Markers

Hello, and welcome to our technique blog hop!!!  This month we are showing the various uses for the new Close To My Heart alcohol ink markers.  If you are coming from Debi's blog, you are on the right track.  So, without further ado, let me show you what I have done, and what YOU can do with these fun markers!!!

I love making cards, so I came up with another one to show you.  I did use the Wishes book for a pattern idea, but I did not use the cutting instructions.  Here it is!

So, I started with the new Claire paper pack from Close To My Heart.  It's one of those that I wasn't sure I would like until I started playing with it.  Now, I LOVE it!!!  I cut the stamped paper out at 3 1/2 inches from the really smooth paper I use for Copic markers (I really couldn't say what brand that is, sorry!)  I stamped in black Memento ink.  This seems to work best for me with no smearing when I color.

I colored the image with Cranberry, Autumn Terracotta, Honey, New England Ivy, and Outdoor Denim markers.  I like to begin with the lightest color first, then add the shading with the darker color, and blend them together with the lighter color.  I colored the branch with the gold metallic marker.  After coloring the image, I distressed the papers with Saddle ink and a sponge.  I also stamped the argyle pattern with Saddle ink on the base paper.  I cut the rosette with the Artiste Cricut cartridge at 1 inch and added an old golden button from my stash.

Do you see these awesome blue pearls?!  Those used to be white!!!  I colored them with the markers!  Isn't that cool?!  You can color any white pearls or clear sparkles with these markers and get them to match whatever you are working on!  You can go over them and get them darker, just let them dry between coats for a few seconds.

I cut the flower out at 2 1/2 inches and distressed it with Saddle ink before rolling it up.  The ribbon is the Close To My Heart Color Ready ribbon.  I squashed my Outdoor Denim and Saddle ink pads onto my craft mat, then sprayed them with alcohol.  I ran the ribbon through the inks and crinkled it up and let it dry,  I love the worn look it gets by doing that!  :o)

Here is the list of supplies I used:

• Claire paper pack
• Saddle ink pad
• Outdoor Denim ink pad
• Black Memento ink pad
• Cranberry alcohol ink markers
• Autumn Terracotta alcohol ink markers
• Honey alcohol ink markers
• New England Ivy alcohol ink markers
• Fabulous You stamp set
• Pearl Opaques
• Color Ready seam binding ribbon
• Artiste Cricut cartridge (of course!!!)  :o)
• Gold button

I hope you enjoyed the card.  Now, hop on over to Joy's blog to view more fabulous art work!!!  :o)  Don't forget to leave comments.  We all love to hear from you!

Happy Crafting!

Cherri

Flutter Card

Hey, peeps!!!  Happy Valentine's day!!!  :o)  I really love this time of year.  It seems to inspire craftiness in everybody, even boys!  LOL  I had an open house last Saturday (I'm sorry if you didn't get an invite...I am still trying to get all of my contacts organized so it's easier to make sure everybody gets an invitation.)  I had some of the new product to show, and I had a fun, simple card for everyone to make.

I used the Buzz and Bumble paper pack.  Even though it isn't as 3D like most of my other cards, I still really like it.  I used the chicken wire background stamp from the Distressed Backgrounds set.  I really like this stamp set.  I didn't use a block to stamp it.  I wanted it to fade in and out in spots even more than they already do in their design, so I used my fingers as a block.  :o)  The only ink I used was Cocoa.  I stamped with it and I distressed all of the papers with it.

The main stamp set I used was a Quick Cards set called Dragonfly.  I really love the saying on it...'you make my heart flutter.'  It seemed like the perfect card to share with you on this day of love and friendship.  :o)

Happy Crafting!!!

Cherri

Use Your Stash Blog Hop!!!

If you are joining us for the "Use Your Stash Blog Hop" you are right on track. WELCOME! You should be coming from Judy Faye's blog.

There are 5 participants this month. If you get lost along the way you can see the entire list of hoppers on Rachel's Blog. Let's get started.

Today I am showcasing using the awesome quilling tool to make those beautiful paper flowers SO very easy to roll up! Here are the simple steps I used. Seriously easy!

First, I cut out the flower and leaves with the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  Then, I crumpled up the flower.  :o)  No, this is not a necessary step.  I was trying to make it look older and well worn.

Don't mind my chipped nail polish.  LOL  The quilling tool has a slit in the end where the end of the paper flower slips into.  Then, it's just as easy as rolling it up!

Once it is all wound up, I unwind it just a bit until it looks close to what I want.

To finish it, I just use some liquid glass on the flower base, and glue it down. I set it aside to dry while I finish the rest of the card. I sanded the leaves, folded them in half and sanded that lightly, too.

 Okay, so I don't know what happened to that picture, but I used the Clementine paper to cover the card base. The design of the card was taken out of the Wishes card book. I used some Cashmere card stock and used the stamp of the month to stamp the roses on it. I cut the sentiment tag out with the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, and used a sentiment from the stamp of the month, also. I love it!!!

Now hop on over to Joy's blog for more ideas of using up your stash.

Happy Crafting!

Cherri

craftwithfeeling.ctmh.com

Hanging on to Christmas

Hi!  I had really meant to share this with y'all in December, but, um, it was crazy busy!  So, I figured it would be nice to look back on Christmas and begin sharing ideas for next time.  :o)  I really love the way these wreaths turned out.  I made them to sell at a craft fair, and people loved them.

This wreath was definitely the favorite, and got the most attention.  I sold out of it pretty quickly!  :o)  I used the Tim Holtz nutcracker die cut, and the leaves from his Holly Branch die cut.  I used the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to make the poinsettias.

I cut the leaves out of Tim Holtz Glassine paper, and used gold and different green color alcohol inks to give them a guilded look.

This little man was so much fun to create!!!  After I cut him out of grunge paper, I painted the different parts with acrylic paint, and after the pieces dried, I sanded them and inked over them with a brown ink to give it a well worn appearance.  :o)  I love it!!!

After cutting out the flowers, I embossed them with a fun folder that seemed to fit.  Then, I swiped over the top of them with gold paint, stacked them, and added some glimmery brads.  LOVE IT!!!

This wreath is one of those that is hard to photograph and really get across what it looks like in person.  Every part of it, except the wreath itself, either sparkles or is snow covered!

The most noticeable sparkle is the Noel die cut (do I need to mention it's a Tim Holtz die cut, too?  LOL.)  I love the was it shimmers!  What is less noticeable is the rosettes.  I used white picket fence Stickles to bring shine to their centers, and sprayed the rosettes with Perfect Pearls.  And guess what?!  The pinecones are paper, too!  After creating them, I used Liquid Applique to make them snow covered!!!  People couldn't believe they were paper pinecones!  :o)

These chip board snowflakes sure were fun!  They are from CTMH.  I painted them white, just to make them the shade of white I wanted, then I used Glossy Accents all over them and coated them with Diamond Dust.  They turned out so cool!

I decided to do a bright, whimsical wreath, too.  I took the color combination from some jingle bells I have had for a long while.  I used the Tim Holtz Pine Tree die cut, and the Reindeer die cut, too.  The flourishes are some old chip board shapes I have had for years from CTMH.  They are, sadly, retired.

I painted both the flourishes and the reindeer with Crackle Paint, and I tied pieces of twill in a fun bright pink onto the reindeer.  :o)  So much fun!  I used baker's twine from CTMH to add the jingle bells that were the inspiration for this one.  It just brings a smile to my face!

I am very sure I will be creating something for my door for Valentine's Day.  I'll be sure to share with you when I do!
I promise I haven't forgotten that I told you I would share with you the neat trick to get those paper flowers done in a snap.  Check back with my next post on the 22nd!  :o)

Happy crafting!!!

Cherri

Hello, friends!  I have some really fun things to show you coming up, so I thought I'd give you a little sneak peak of one of the cards.

It's a simple card, but I am going to be showing you a fabulously EASY way to make these darling flowers!

 

I used the Clementine paper pack from Close To My Heart.  I really like the shades of brown this has along with orangy pinks.  They are definitely not the traditional Valentine's Day colors, and I think that makes it the perfect paper.  :o)

I'll be sharing pictures of the steps to make this flower so easy, you'll add them to nearly everything (like I do!!!  LOL)

Remember, the current Close To My Heart catalog will be done at the end of the month and lots of the products will be retiring.  So...if there is anything you have been wanting, or anything you want to stock up on, go to my website and have it shipped directly to you!  :o)

Happy Crafting!!!

Cherri