Finally...back in the Room-Formerly-Known-As-The-Craft-Room

I think the HH has accomplished more in The Room than I have this past month...he's almost done with his second 1000 piece puzzle. As for me...I'm not sure why, but I went a month without creating anything. Trying to get back into the swing of things before my January workshop. Doesn't look like I'll continue as a CTMH consultant this year but I've got a bestie taking over if anyone wants to order.

A 15 minute tin, made to put a gift card in. 

 After Christmas Thank Yous.

 Christmas Layout 1

 Christmas layout 2

 Another one of those "I can't flip" photos :(

Isn't smitten such a fun word?

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a great start to the New Year!

Marie with a :)

FBTSOMP Birthday Banner

Yesterday afternoon we had a surprise birthday party for my daughter's fiance.
And of course I was flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants when I decided to make a birthday banner and layouts before the guests arrived.
This has to be some of the fastest work I have EVER done. The cricut and Art Philosophy cartridge helped A LOT!  I didn't take pictures in my craft room, so the photos aren't so great. Here's the banner:

This layout I created as a sort of supersized birthday card from our church where Caleb is the worship leader, and asked guests to sign the back:

I used the front of the CTMH Idea Book for my inspiration so I didn't have to take a lot of time designing the page.  Have I mentioned lately that I love the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge for the Cricut? ( All products used were Close To My Heart)

Thanks for stopping by,
Marie with a :)

This One is For Michelle L: The Cricut boxes!

I told someone yesterday I would post different boxes that can be made with the Cricut but did not get time to cut and "cute-ify" some myself so am using a fellow Close To My Hearter's post to show them in their basic cut:

http://scrapguy.blogspot.com/2011/08/close-to-my-heart-cricut-art-philosophy.html

Michelle, the price I quoted for the french fry boxes can actually be cut in half. The pillow box would be the same price.  The others would be slightly more due to size of paper being used.


And for those who have a Cricut, or are anticipating getting one in the near future, here is a YouTube video that shows more that can be done with the Art Philosophy Cartridge that is exclusively CTMH's!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdUV0y4RFDI

Thanks for stopping by,
Marie with a :)

It's a Jungle (Too Many Monk Episodes??)

I think I've watched one too many Monk episodes lately.  Got the It's a Jungle Out There song running through my head so I've once again played with the "Life's a Jungle" stamp set:

One, well actually TWO, things I love about acrylic stamps: You can stretch them to fit around a particular shape (like a circle) AND you can cut them apart to divvy up images or sentiments.  Well, maybe THREE things...I love that you can see through the clear blocks to position exactly where you want an image.

Thanks for stopping by!
Marie with a :)

More Art Philosophy: French Fry Box

Here's the pieces I cut out with the cricut. Isn't that mini tag card adorable?

• Just doing some size comparisons here...the small french fry box is the size of a thumb nail!

Thanks for stopping by,

Marie with a :)

92 Card Shapes!!

I counted 'em.  And there are at least 92 different card shapes you can make with the Exclusive CTMH Cricut cartridge.  This one is just your basic circle card with a little layering.  I also used the new "pair-a-phrases" stamp set that will be available FOR FREE with qualifying orders beginning August 15th.  Check out the Two D-sized stamp set HERE .

Here's a size comparison: the card is a 5" version of the scrapbook circle, which is 11".  Have I mentioned I LOVE the new Exclusive CTMH Cricut Cartridge?  FYI...it's called "Art Philosophy."  And it's fantabulous :)

Thanks for stopping by!
Marie with a :)

Un.Believe.Able

Did I say that already?  Well let me repeat myself: the new CTMH cricut cartridge is unbelievable.  I'm somewhat inept when it comes to technology but I've managed (with a little help from my CTMH sisters) to figure it out. This is like having a kazillion different dies all in one place: fonts, cards (I haven't counted the exact number of shaped cards yet but it's A LOT), boxes, shapes, tags, buckles, and on and on and on.  Notice the butterfly on my french fry box and the one in front of it, in my last photo?  That's just two of the dozens of sizes I can created with this one cartridge. The cartridge has been so exciting that I haven't even mentioned all of the other new products we've got: great new cardstock weight papers (and let's face it, CTMH papers have always been the best in the industry!), fun embellishments, great new workshops on the go and stamp sets....and LOWER PRICES!

I filled the box with cards, inspired by one of my CTMH bloggers (I'll add a link to her blog when I find it!)

Just a couple of the hundreds of  shapes, including round cards.

Found it! Here's a link to the artwork that inspired this card box: Lori Miller's Clearly From The Heart Blog 

Thanks for stopping by!

Marie with a :)

PS I Like You Too: Typeset Layout

I am in Scrapbookers' heaven.
The Exclusive Cricut Cartridge is Un.Believe.Able.
No more need for 500 punches or costly dies.  This one cartridge (which takes up less space than a single large (not extra large) Sizzix big die I have for the Big Shot) does it all. Cards. Boxes (Chinese Take Out, Pillow, Crayon or French Fry and so on), envelopes, tags, flowers, and shapes galore. And don't forget fonts!  The beauty however is that it does them in WHATEVER SIZE YOU NEED...from 1/4" to 11 3/4" (to 23 3/4" depending on the Cricut Machine you have.)
Sure it's an investment. But $99 gets you the equivalent of 7000 punches/dies.  Yes, you read that right.  PLUS you get 3 coordinating stamp sets (size D) and 3 sets of coordinating chipboard pieces. Swoon.  Now what husband could possibly thing that isn't a bargain? ;)  Notice in this layout I have used a large (10 3/4 ") shape as the main focus...but notice the same tiny shape in the corner of the picture on the first page?  Yep...there's so much you can do with this cartridge that it'll be a challenge to get me out of the craft room...

 Did I mention stars and arrows?

This layout was to remind my kids that I don't just LOVE them...I like them too :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Marie with a :)