April Workshop

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!  I know I did.  We also celebrated my mother's birthday, so it was an extra special day.  (I am very proud of myself for not giving in to the 'egg' pun!!!  LOL)

I would like to show you all what I created with the April stamp of the month.  I will be teaching these two cards, plus two other 'girlie' cards for my card class this month.  Keep on going to the end of this post for those details!  :o)

For these cards, I used the Cruisin' paper.  I really like the masculine qualities of it.  Having boys, any paper like this really comes in handy to make birthday cards or layouts.  The first card was really fun.  I just love heat embossing!  I heat embossed with clear powder for the background, and red powder for the sentiment.  The ribbon is custom colored with the color ready ribbon.  I can tell that this will definitely be one of those 'go-to' things for me!  I tattered the edges to give it a worn look.

The second card uses a star dimensional element covered with paper.  I just love the argyle pattern of the Cruisin' line!  Once again, the ribbon is the color ready ribbon that I stamped onto.  What fun, huh?!  The memo pins are great, too!

So, here are the details of the card class.  We will be making four cards in total.  Two cards that are more feminine, and two cards that are more masculine.

 Here is girlie card #1

and girlie card #2!

I will be teaching this class on Saturday, April 28th at 10:30 am and ending at 1:30 pm.  The cost is $20.  Payment will reserve your spot, so please hurry!  I only have 8 spots!!!

New Adventures

I am venturing out into new areas!  I created my first demo video, so I am now officially on YouTube!  It is so strange trying to teach in front of a video camera instead of a group of people.  I had to do this video to submit an application for teaching at  the CTMH convention this year.  I think I kind of like the idea, so you may see more videos coming from me in the future!
I decided to do a video on the 3-D flowers because I have had several people struggle with them, and, because I love them so much, I just had to help everybody else love them, too!  I add them to most of my projects.  :o)  I had to turn in the video and 5 pieces of sample work.  I really love what I turned in, and I hope they make it there and back into my hands in one piece.  I thought I would share one of my samples along with the video.  Tell me what you think!  And cross your fingers for me to be selected!  It would be such an honor, and boost in confidence.  :o)
Here is a picture of the birdhouse I covered.  I love scouring dollar sections of different stores...that's where I found the birdhouse!

I used the Stella paper for this project.  The roses were perfect for this little bird house!  I always make a few different sizes, and I generally have extras that I save for future projects.

Here is my video tutorial on rolling these darling flowers.  LOL  You can definitely tell that I had been busy in my craft room by the looks of my inky fingers!

The roof was tremendously fun to make, and SO easy!  I used the Art Philosophy cartridge again, and cut out the scalloped border strips.  After distressing them with cocoa ink, I layered them on, only adhering the top edge.  I then curled the scallops up a bit to give the roof that fun texture.  I love things having interesting texture...things to feel.

I added swirls of pearl opaques that wrapped around the sides of my house.  I love flourishes of all kinds.

Leave me a message, and tell me what you think!  Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me, too!  :o)

Until next time, happy scrappin'!!!

March Stamp Of The Month

This month's stamp set is Potential.  I love the flourishes!  The sayings are fabulous, too.  I really like this one.  It has such a classic, clean feeling to it.  Because of this, I actually stepped away from my grunged up, aged look!  GASP!!!  I know!  It is SO unlike me!  I love the card I made with it, though.  I was actually inspired with the color scheme by my friend Elizabeth.  She created a card with this color scheme that I thought was stunning, so I had to give it a go.  What do you think?  I'm still working on my photography skills.  LOL

I know this is a much cleaner look than I normally do.  My mom would like this one!  :O)
Here are some more projects done with this stamp set by some talented friends of mine!

 Created by Judy Faye

 Created by Melissa Robinson

 Created by Michelle West

Created by Tonya Whitehurst

Beautiful Stamps, Amazing Discounts

Each month you can enjoy a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5—that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing.

JOIN MY TEAM
I know you want to be part of the awesome Cherri Blossoms team!  And this is the month to do it!  I can't believe the FABULOUS (yes, I said it!  That's my excited word!) deal going on this month for all the new consultants!  Everyone who joins this month will get the ULTIMATE, the SPECTACULAR Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge (with the 3 STAMP SETS and 3 DIMENSIONAL ELEMENTS) absolutely for FREE!!!  I am floored by this deal!  Woohoo!!!!  So, do the happy dance, and join my team!!!

  

Use Your Stash Blog Hop

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

WELCOME! This month we are featuring buttons and flowers. 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 two different cards in an attempt to use up my enormous supply of buttons and flowers.  I am serious!  I have so many, I don't even want to THINK about it!  So...here is my button card.

 I decided to try to use up my buttons in a sort of rainbow.  Do you know something crazy, though?  I have tons of buttons, but NO PURPLE ones!  LOL  So, I think this will be a great birthday card for one of my many nephews.  I even have enough buttons to make a couple more of these.

Now for the flower card!

I really like this one.  I'm still trying to figure out how to make my pictures look better.  I can't ever get them to look like they do in person!  It's so frustrating!  Anyways...I have waaaayy too many of these flowers, so I think I'll be making a few more of these cards, too.  :o)

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

My Lovely Valentine

Last weekend I had a fabulous time at a retreat with some wonderful ladies.  I have to thank Melissa for putting this together!  I didn't get a whole lot done, but I absolutely loved what I did accomplish!  I plan on sharing pictures of my projects for the next few days, and I thought it would be fun to share the card I made for Valentine's Day for my sweetie pie.

I really don't like to use the traditional Valentine's color scheme...especially on a card that's for my hubby.  I used some fun techniques on this card that I'd love to share with you!  The first is the fabulous Rock Candy Crackle paint!  I really love this stuff!  It gives it such a cool, cracked glass effect!

Did you notice the large flower?!  I'm sure it's hard to miss!!!  :o)  I made that with my own little hands!  And I am so very proud of it!  I saw a tutorial on one of the blogs I follow...I wish I could remember which one.  I'll have to check so I can share it with all of you!  It just takes a Gluber and fabric!!!  It's so fantastically simple, but has a huge impact!!!

I hope y'all like it!  My hubby did, so that makes me smile.  :o)
Happy Scrappin'!

Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month we are highlighting the “Even Easier” Technique as shown on page 91 in the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book!  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique. 

We would love to see what you’ve created using this month’s technique, please visit our challenge blog at http://technicallyterrific.blogspot.com where you can share your project and be entered in a chance to win great prizes.  You will also find a listing of all participants and their blog addresses if you should get lost or want to reference a blog along the way.  Let’s get started!

If you are coming from Tabby's Blog, you are on the right track! 

Because there are so many stamp sets that coordinate with the Art Philosophy cartridge, there are tons of options and projects that you can do with this technique!  It makes it so very easy to create beautiful things, too!  When I first saw the Just For You stamp set, I HAD to have it!  I love the bohemian feel of it with the stitched outlines and patterns.  Once you have the stamp set, it makes it easy to use your Cricut because the size is written on the acrylic backing right next to the stamp!  No guessing!!!  How awesome is that?!  So, I cut the flower out accordingly, and then stamped the stitched border.  Then, I stamped the petals alternating with Tulip and Sunset inks.  A wooden button keeps with the bohemian feel, and how can you say 'no' to the gorgeous chocolate striped ribbon?  I know I can't!  :o)

Supply List:  

• Just For You stamp set (B1398)
• Stella Paper Packet (X7147B)
• Wooden buttons (Z1387)
• Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (Z1617)

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto Rachel's Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation. Happy hopping!

February Stamp Of The Month

Alright, my friends...this stamp set is one of those must haves for nearly ANY occasion!  At least, that's how I feel about it.  :o)  I decided that it would be perfect for the Valentine's Day cards that I had in mind for my boys' classes.  Yes, I brailled them!!!  I love it!  Usually when I create things I love, love, love to use embellishments!  Well, this time they will be given to little kids who will take a quick look, grab the candy and toss the card.  So, only a tiny little bling, and ONLY because I have tons of them, so I won't be too sad.  I just hope one of the mothers notices.  LOL  Okay...enough talk.  Time for some pictures!

So this is what I will be giving to the kiddos.  I also made a cute gift bag for the teachers.  Check it out!

I did do a bit of distressing on this one.  I figure that teachers are definitely worth it!  Still, everything is cut with the Cricut, so it made it super easy.  I absolutely LOVE my Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge!!!

Want to see some more projects made with this set?  Here you go!

This one was made by the fabulous Sheila Wilkerson!  You can check out her blog here.

Judy Faye made this card!  Isn't it cute?  Check out her blog here.

This card was made by the lovely Melissa.  Her lucky hubby gets to keep this one!  Check out her blog here!

I hope you enjoyed the work, and I hope it gave you some good ideas.  :o)
Until next time...happy scrappin'!