Wintertime Layouts with Artbooking

Winter is here!  I can't believe how cold it has been getting in my neck of the woods.

Though I realize other places are much, much colder...and wetter...and whiter!

And to me, that is the perfect time to stay bundled up indoors and get some crafting done.  Except it's 2 weeks until Christmas and I have a whole other list of things to be doing!

So, if you can't set aside some time to get some crafting done, take a couple of minutes to watch the newest Artbooking video from Close To My Heart and get some inspiration for all those winter photos!

If you'd like to get your own Artbooking Bundle...maybe pass along a hint for a great Christmas gift...you can get it here!

Noel

This was a simple and quick card to put together.  Totally not my usual style, but it was fun to do.  I used the Cricut Craft Room to design the landscape using the House (pg. 42), the Tree2 (pg. 52), and the Rectangle8 (pg. 65) from the Art Philosophy cartridge.  I welded the Noel (pg. 79) from the Artiste cartridge in the bottom corner.

Paper: Sparkle and Shine Reflections Kit (limited time only!!)

Tools: Art Philosophy, Artiste Cricut cartridge

When I cut the pieces, I cut two of the snow scene.  I tore the top off of one and attached it to the top of the other to create some depth in the snow.  If I make this again, I think I'll cut another snow scene piece for more depth.  Or I may just leave it and move on to another card design in my head.

Come back soon and see!

Christmas Card Binder

This past Stamp Camp, my friend Trish shared her project and I loved it!  She solved the problem of what to do with all those Christmas cards and photo cards you receive every year.  Create a binder for them!

She used the new My Creations Kraft Album and created a beautiful project you can keep those photos and cards safe, and bring some holiday cheer into your home at the same time!

Stamps: Framework Alphabet

Inks: Ruby

Papers: Frosted Reflections kit, Kraft cardstock

Accessories: Ruby Shimmer Tape, Ruby Mini-Medley Assortment, Sparkles

Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge



I'll be using the Artbooking cartridge to add some Kraft cardstock pages to my binder.  Because I love it so much and thing it is such a fantastic project, I'm offering classes at my home next month.  Emails have been sent out, but if you're not on my class list and would like to attend, give me shout and I'll get you set up!

Now, I just have to wait for the post to be delivered! 

Happy Holidays

I forgot to post the last card for my workshop!  And it is one of my favorites!  I cannot find the original blog post this came from, but you can see the inspiration piece here.

Stamps: Perfect Fit-Holidays

Inks: Cashmere

Papers: Ruby, Colonial White, Kraft cardstock

Accessories: Brown and Tan Sparkles

Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

It's super windy here today...a perfect day to stay indoors and craft!
 

Gratitude with an Attitude Blog Hop

Good evening everyone!  I hope you're enjoying a restful Sunday with family and friends.  Tonight I invite you to take a stroll down our team's blog hop and see some pretty great projects.

This month we've focused on Gratitude and everything that means to us.  If you're following along the hop already, you've just come from Melinda's Blog.  Let me guess, something with lots of bling??
 
I love her love of all things blingy!!


Well let me show you my project.  First of all, I am grateful for many things...especially a very patient and helpful husband who will calmly tell me to try something new when a project kind of blows up in my face.  Which it did...several times this week.  I still want to go back and get it right but for tonight I'll share my back up project.

When CTMH came out with the My Creations® Collage Cubes a while ago, I wanted to try making a photo puzzle but just never got around to it...until now.

I've used photos of people I am most grateful for in my life.  Enjoy!

Of course my boys and my family...

My dad and stepmom...just look how happy they are together!!
Engineer and I on the Eiffel Tower in Vegas...

Me and my siblings a playing card game, something we always end up doing when we're together...

A perfect day at White Sands, NM.  The boys love to visit here and play in the sand!

My parents got to travel with Engineer and I when our school band went to Europe...

My mom...still miss her and am so grateful to be her daughter.

This guy...puts up with more than he should and I can't imagine life without him!  (sorry if that embarrassed you, sweetie!)

One of my favorite shots of the boys this summer.


I had saved a small puzzle from one of the boys' kids' meals some time hoping to use it as a model to make my own.  Luckily, I found this awesome tutorial and didn't have to short a fuse figuring it out myself!


Our Creation Cubes measure 2" so this makes a nice big puzzle to sit on a table for display.  I will most likely give it a thin coat of Modge Podge this week...and maybe sand the edges, too.  But for now, I'm grateful to have it finished!

Now moving on...head over to Becky's Blog and see what fabulous project she's got prepared for you!

Another Christmas Card Workshop Piece

I'd like to show you card #5 for my upcoming workshop.  This is another Pinterest inspired card, take a look at the inspiration piece here.

And now my version:

Stamps: Ornamental Cheer

Inks: Cashmere

Papers: Roxy (retired), Kraft, Colonial White, Ruby cardstock

Accessories: Almond Glitz Gel, Brown and Tan Sparkles

Tools: Artbooking Cricut cartridge, Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, micro-tip scissors

I've had a lot of fun recreating Pinterest finds...quite a challenge!

Go Climb A Tree

Last Thanksgiving, we spent the holiday with family in Las Cruces, NM.  Engineer and I both went to school there at NMSU, so we knew the Horseshoe would be a perfect place to take some family photos.  (It was probably the one place we spent the majority of our college days...in marching band practice!)

The boys loved climbing in the giant trees that line the field.  We don't have trees like this at our house!  With them so happy, it was easy to get them to pose for a few photos.  Well, I say a few...but it was probably closer to 50.  

I made a Studio J layout with some of my favorites, take a look!


Studio J: Free Spirit Reflections Kit


We had such a good time, we took everyone else with us the next day for a big group photo shoot.  Now I just need to get started on that layout so I can share with everyone!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Holidays

My family went camping this weekend...something I've not done in many, many years. 


It was with the purpose of Loquacious earning a scout badge, which he did, but it also reminded me of the many reasons I haven't camped in a long time.  The lack of sleep, thanks to a overly warm tent (5 bodies put out a lot of heat!) and a not very thick sleeping pad had me so tired...I really did not know what day it was when I woke up yesterday.  Good thing it was Sunday!   And thank goodness for Sunday naps...though mine wasn't very long.

Anyway, now it's Monday and a brand new week!  Also a brand new month!  Pretty soon the holiday rush will be here and over before you know it.

Today I'm going to share card #4 of my upcoming workshop.  You can see the inspiration card here.

And here is my version:

Stamps: Merry and Bright

Inks: Ruby, Cashmere

Papers: Colonial White, Kraft cardstock

Accessories: Ruby Mini-Medley Assortment, Brown and Tan Sparkles, Color Ready Seam Binding, Almond Glitz Gel

Tools: Artiste Cricut cartridge



Now, before I get to play in my Closet today, I'll have to do a little housework.


Nothing like cleaning up after a camping trip!

Blast from the Past

Happy Halloween everyone! My boys are gearing up for the big night, are you?

Before you put on that costume and get that bowl of goodies out, watch this video with a creative blast to the past!



Coloring is a favorite part of creating for me, takes me back to being a kid again. How about you? Stay safe tonight!

Wishing You a Very Happy Holiday

And by that I don't mean Halloween...which is tomorrow...feel free to go into panic mode if you're not quite ready for that yet!


No, I'm talking about card #3 for my Pinterest Inspired Christmas card workshop.  I think this is my favorite of the bunch!  You can see the original inspiration here, and my version of it here:

Stamps: Universal Backgrounds, Holiday Cheer

Inks: Cashmere, Ruby

Papers: Ruby, Colonial White, Kraft cardstock

Accessories: Almond Glitz Gel, Brown and Tan Sparkles

Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

I don't know what we'd do if we actually got this much snow.


But it gives me a peaceful feeling all the same.

Happy Wednesday!

Merry & Bright

  Good morning!  Chilly mornings means free A/C around here...though my boys all think it's too cold to have the doors open so early.
But that also means hot cocoa if they're up early enough.

In my last post I shared one of the cards for my upcoming Pinterest inspired workshop.  This is another one we'll be making that day.  The original can be seen here.

Stamps: Merry and Bright

Inks: Ruby, Cashmere

Papers: Roxy Reflections Kit (retired), Ruby, Kraft, Colonial White cardstock

Accessories: Brown and Tan Sparkles, Almond Glitz Gel

Tools: Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

 

My workshop is scheduled for Saturday, November 9 at my home from 12pm-4pm.  The cost is $20 and we'll be making 12 cards, 2 of each 6 designs.  If you're not local but would still like a kit, just send me an email and I'll get one set up for you!

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year...Christmas Card Making Time!

I know, Halloween is still over a week away. 

But I have succumbed to the crafters need to get Christmas cards started!  (Because if I start them now, maybe I'll actually have some done to send on time!)

I've been busy creating cards from some really great Pinterest inspirations.  And I think that's half the fun of Pinterest...seeing something and trying to recreate it with what you have!  Here is the original, found at Stamped Silly.

I love the large snowflake...even though we rarely see it here in Tucson.
Here is my version:

Stamps:  Merry and Bright

Inks: Cashmere, Ruby

Papers: Kraft, Ruby, Colonial White

Accessories: Almond Glitz, Brown and Tan Sparkles

Tools: Art Philosophy and Artiste Cricut Cartridges

I've made a set of coordinating cards for this year.  I love the look of Kraft with the Ruby and Colonial White cardstocks!  I'll be back soon with more cards to share from the set.

Artbooking Baby Album

Did you know it is Babywearing Week?


No, neither did I until about a month ago.

My friend is a part of Babywearing, International, Inc. and is a Babywearing Educator.  That means she teaches people how to use wraps and carriers to...well, wear your baby.

Since my "baby" is almost 8, I never even knew this existed...aside from seeing her every Sunday with her little ones wrapped around her as she walked into church.  I was quite envious of how her arms were free to use though.  I always had arms full of boys and bags and car seats.

Anyway, their local group is having an auction and I contributed a basket of Close To My Heart goodies.  I also made a new baby mini-album from the Artbooking Cricut cartridge and a framed layout.

I kept the colors neutral, as I don't know what beautiful baby photos the winner will add to it!

Inks: Sunset, Buttercup, Slate, Chocolate

Papers: Babycakes Reflections

Accessories: Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain, Babycakes Assortment. Baker's Twin Harvest and Neutral Assortments

Tools: Artbooking Cricut cartridge

 

The baby album was heavily influenced by Pamela O'Conner.  You can see photos of her album on her Cricut Craze Pinterest board!


This is the boys' last week of Fall Break.  I'm a bit happy and a bit sad about that.  When they get home from piano lessons we'll all have a quick lunch then head to the pool with some friends.  One of the great things about living in Tucson...you can still swim in October!