CTMH Artiste Video

The Cricut Artiste Collection comes with two booklets.  One for the images and one for assembling the 3D objects.  See how easy you can create with this awesome cartridge!




Right now would be a great time to buy this Cricut Artiste Collection because you'll be able to purchase the Stamp of the Month "Baroque Borders" S1208 for $5 and the "It's Your Day" double stamp special for $5.  In total, you'll get 6 D-sized stamp sets (3 exclusive to the cartridge), 3 dimensional elements sheets corresponding to some of the images, and the Cartridge with 700 images on it for $109 plus shipping and tax.  

And when you order the Artiste Collection,  I'll send you an index for all of the Artiste images.  The alphabetical index lets you look up what type of image you'd like to cut and then you can go directly to the page within the spiral bound book.  No more hunting for what you want!

Too Early for Halloween?

It's never too early to get ready for Halloween, although with the latest Artiste Cricut Collection, you'll be able to procrastinate more.

How cute would these make as a party favor filled with finger gummies, or eyeball gummies or gum?  Any body part would go well with the saying.

This coffin was cut on Kraft paper at half the maximum size -- 3.75" -- and then stamped with the Backdrop-Charmed stamp set using Black ink.  I almost covered the lid completely, but what it didn't cover wasn't missed.  You'll want to stamp before you assemble.

The saying  mat is cut from Slate paper at 1.50" and the cat is 1" from Black paper.  I bent the cat's legs in opposite directions to create the feet and then used Liquid Glass to adhere the cat to the lid (after it was assembled).

You can decorate your house with the full sized version of the coffin.  It doesn't look bigger than the upper one, but it is cut at 7.5".  This one isn't as elaborately decorated because it was my first one and the Artiste cartridge was much newer (I couldn't take too long to decorate -- there were more images to cut)! 

Everything paper came from the Artiste cartridge.  The skeleton is two separate images but you cut them at the same size so they match.  The word "Boo!" is also cut from the cartridge.  I'm telling you, with 698 different and new images from Art Philosophy, these two cartridges are the only ones I use (and need to use)!

So where are these images on the cartridge?  For those of us who have the Expressions 2, I refer to images on a Column Row grid.  For instance, the coffins are found at C6R5.  That's column 6 row 5.  And it's the 3D object.  If you have an earlier version of Cricut, then it's on the "Eek!" key.  The cat (card) and skeleton (accent 2 and accent 2 shift) are found on the same key.

The focal mats (card and card shift) and "Boo!" (shift) are found on the C7R5 or "Halloween" key.

On these two cartridge keys you'll also find a tombstone with overlay, an owl, spider web, web border, "Spooky", a bat folded card, banners, yo-yos, pumpkin faces, web cupcake liner, spider, and a box with decorations.

Want a Halloween kit fit for a party?  Check out and order the Workshop on the Go Spellbound Cricut Kit.  You'll have instructions to make a party for 8 including treat bags, cupcake picks and liners, soda wraps, and a banner.  The paper is only available in this kit and can be yours for $32.95 (plus tax and shipping).


Products Used (all CTMH):
Both:
Z1789  Kraft Cardstock
Z1790  Cricut Artiste Collection
X5930  Slate Cardstock
1386     Black Cardstock
Z1701   Neutral Assortment Baker's Twine
Z2118   Desert Sand Ink (sponged around all edges)

Small Coffin:
D1490  Backdrop -- Charmed
B1399  Crafted with Love (saying - found in Spring/Summer 2012)
Z2105  Black Ink
Z2173  Slate Ink
Z1393  Black Mini Medley Accents Collection
Z679    Liquid Glass
Z1741  Haunted Assortment
Z1151  3D Foam Tape

Large Coffin:
Z1335  Licorice Opaques Adhesive Gems

July Workshop Extra Samples Close Up

Let me show you the additional 6 cards I created with the Stella Complements Canvas Shapes and Paper Packet.  Four of the five patterns can be found in Jeanette Lynton's Wishes how-to book.  The fifth is a new pattern.

The first one is Lower Layers.  It is almost identical to its partner -- the color of the flowers are the only difference.  Sunset ink was rubbed on the Sunset cardstock to lend the muddled look of the cardstock.  I like the look -- it adds texture without adding an additional color.  A Lagoon Baker's Twine knot was glued with Liquid Glass onto the green canvas button.  The small flower was mounted on foam tape.










Next we have Top View.  The Sunset paper was scored every 1/4" and then sanded to show the white core.  The Cocoa square was also sanded for continuity.

Sentiment Wave is one of my favorite patterns.  Since I didn't have the round sentiment to use as in my original card, I put  a small flower and flourishes surrounding the flower.  The color of the center of the flower was darkend by placing another canvas image on top.   I also direct to paper edge distressed all paper and card base.  Wishes comes with a printable template for the wavy piece.  To recreate it on the flap, just trace a second copy of the corner.  Once I glued the paper onto the card base flap, I trimmed the excess paper from the curved flap.

From there we go to the Top it Off pattern.  The stitched border is from a zip strip from one of the background and textured papers.  The papers are all direct to paper edge distressed with Lagoon ink.  To have the curved paper on the flap, I center aligned the cut paper to the flap (toward the edge of the paper so as not too cut too much off) and traced the curve.  I then trimmed along the traced line.

And, finally, we reach the New Pattern.  It might be new, but this bird and branch are facing the opposite direction than the original.  Only the light background and texture paper received the direct to paper edge distressing with Cocoa ink.  The bird is mounted.

There were several Complement images left so I created one more card.  The pattern I based this card on is one from the new "Make It from Your Heart" Volume 1 how-to publication.  The card is 5"x7".  I apologize for the blurry picture.  The saying is mounted on Cocoa cardstock.  The base of the card is Olive.

To complete the workshop, you'll need these products (all CTMH):
X7147B  Stella Paper Packet
X7147C  Stella Complements Canvas Shapes
Z2114     Cocoa Ink
Z2195      Lagoon Ink
Z2191      Sunset Ink
Z1738      Colonial White Die-Cut Cards and Envelopes
Z1151      3D Foam Tape
Z1702      Paradise Assortment Baker's Twine
Wishes how-to program

July Stella Workshop -- Extra Samples

At my workshops I have two samples of each card or project.  July's workshop was no exception.  What makes the second set of samples different from the first set this month is that they are slightly different than the first set.

"Huh?", you might be asking?  In July we didn't stamp anything.  We created five 3.5"x8" cards with the Stella Compliments which are canvas images.  Each participate got her own Compliments and then created the cards as I did or however she wanted.  The cards I posted were half of the finished project.

After completing my 10 cards, I had several Compliment images left, so I created a 5"x7" card.  Below are the 11 cards I showed at the workshop:

As you can see, some of the images were close enough to give me two of the "same" card.  The word images didn't allow for that and I improvised.

Since I outlined what was done in my original five cards, I'll show you up close the remaining six cards in the coming week.

National Stamping Month 2012

September is National Stamping month, and this year Close to my Heart is celebrating with a double stamp set.  There are 47 images in the "It's Your Day" stamp set, which retails for $35.90.  You can add it to your $35 qualifying purchase for just $5.  But don't wait too long because it's only available while supplies last or September 30, 2012 (whichever comes first).

Here is the stamp set images with examples!

I hope you had a chance to look at my post from the Paper Cupcake's Blog Hop.  Jump over if you missed it.  You can view the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book or go straight to shop.

I have a suggestion for you.  NOW is the opportune time to purchase the Cricut Artiste Collection or Cricut Art Philosophy Collection for $99 because you can get the Stamp of the Month for $5 and this double set for $5.  So, for $109 you get 6 D-sized stamp sets (6*$17.95= $107.70) PLUS the 700 imaged Artiste Cricut Cartridge PLUS 3 Dimensional Elements Sheets(3*4.95=$14.85) that coordinate with the cartridge.

DID I DO THE MATH RIGHT?!  With this deal you are basically getting the Cricut cartridge and the dimensional elements FREE for the cost of the 6 stamp sets.  All I can say is, BUY NOW!!

"It's Your Day" Paper Cupcake's Blog Hop

If you've come from Tasha Valdez's blog you are on the right path!  If you're starting with me, welcome aboard!  Jump on in and continue (or go backward and catch up).  I hope you've enjoyed what you've seen so far.

I enjoyed playing with this stamp set so much, I've made it into my card workshop for the month of August.  More details about how to participate in the workshop even if you're far away can be found on Monday's post.

So here are 5 card samples using the "It's Your Day" double stamp set.  You can earn this stamp set for $5 with a qualifying purchase of $35 or more.  Don't wait too long because it's only available August 15 - September 30, 2012 while supplies last!  You can purchase it through an open gathering found on my website in the lower right corner.

More details pertaining to these rockin' cards will be posted throughout the month of September.  Bookmark this blog so you can come back and check it out.

If you've filled your senses enough here, hop on over to Linda Taylor's blog to see what she's created using the "It's Your Day" stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by!  :)

August Card Workshop - "It's Your Day"

I've been working with a double stamp set that will be available to purchase for $5 after a qualifying purchase of $35 August 15 through September 30, 2012 (while supplies last).  I'm even participating in a blog hop with 7 fellow consultants.

I'm only putting information about the workshop here -- no pictures until the 15th.  Come back then to see the 5 cards we'll be making for $12.

Besides stamping with 17 images from the set (47 separate images total within the set), you'll get to work with a sampling of 4 paper packets (3 are new) and images from the new totally awesome Artiste Cricut Collection!

Workshop dates are Monday August 27th and Tuesday August 28th from 7 to 9pm at my house (Sabre Springs, San Diego).  If you'd like to participate but can't make those dates or live too far, no problem.  I will be happy to put together a kit for you.  Shipping costs will be added to the price of the workshop.

Please let me know if you're coming by August 19th.  If you'd like a kit, you can order one anytime during the month (I'll send it out as soon as it's put together).

Thanks, and I hope to see you soon.  :)

Check out the cards you'll be making during the "It's Your Day" blog hop starting August 15th.

Final Close Up Look of Cards 9 and 10

Finally, we reached the last two cards of the this workshop found in Wishes.  The cutting diagrams on page 68 made cutting and assembling these cards a cinch.  The best thing is that with the diagrams you'll end up with 20 cards -- two each of ten designs.

Here is the ninth card:

This one was finished really simply.  I edge distressed each piece of paper with our edge distresser.  (tip: I always stamp my image before distressing the paper so that I can line it up easier with clean lines.)  The saying is mounted with 3-D foam tape.  And the card is finished off with three different flowers from the Floret Just Bloom Flowers, topped off with a brown sparkle from the Brown and Tan Sparkle Assortment.  Super fast and easy.



And last, but not least, is a fun card.  I've been reading that mustaches are fashionable right now.  So of course our Artiste Cartridge Collection is going to include one!

I teamed the mustache up with a saying within the Collection and matching dimensional element.  I've added watercolor lines to the mustache.  And looking at it right now, the mustache could double as some hair that's bouncing away from a man's head (or a girl's bangs).  Not that I know when and where you'd use those options... I just saying you could use it for those purposes too.  :)

The saying has been inked in Twilight ink and then rolled in Pacifica ink.  I did stamp the saying on a Artiste cut out because I thought the White Daisy Dimensional Element would be too bright.  The saying is stamped, instead, on Colonial White paper. For the underlying mat I cut another word bubble out of Cashmere cardstock 0.5" larger than the saying size (the size of that is found on the stamp carrier).  I simply cut the tail off.  I cut the tail off because it didn't match up correctly with the saying tail.  And I didn't want to have to "guess" the size of the oval.  I could have found the oval on the Art Philosophy Cartridge and increased the size too, but what if the shapes were slightly different.  Also, this way, I didn't have to change cartridge.

The Sorbet cardstock is direct to paper ink distressed with -- you guessed it -- Sorbet ink.



And that's it.  Wishes is a great book to own if you like making cards.  It can be found online as we no longer sell it.  However, I'm delighted to tell you we have an alternative.  We now have a new how-to publication called Make It from Your Heart which will come out with every new Idea Book.  The cost is $7.95 plus shipping and tax, has 16 two-page layouts, two one-page layouts, and 12 card designs.  The publication has updated artwork and plenty of tips to keep your creative juices going.

Products Used (all CTMH):
Both:
X7156B  Clementine paper packet
X7153B  Florentine paper packet
X1410     Colonial White Card and Envelopes
Z1151      3-D Foam Tape
Z2160      Twilight ink


"God be with You" card:
C1524  Words of Comfort
Z1297   Edge Distresser
Z1764   Just Bloom Flowers -- Floret
Z1753   Brown and Tan Assortment Sparkles


"You make me smile" card:
Z1790  Artiste Cricut Cartridge Collection
3505     Watercolor Pencils
Z2194   Pacifica ink
Z2160   Sorbet ink

Wishes Card Workshop Cards 7 and 8

The past few days I've been sharing with you cards from the Wishes card how-to program book.  Over the course of the day, I'll share the remaining four cards.

Cards 7 and 8 are fall cards.  It's easy to get caught up in all new stamps but there are some good ones that were around last year too.  These two cards are good examples.  As a reminder, the paper I used for all ten cards have been Clementine Paper Packet (more specifically, Sorbet and Saddle cardstock, and the small floral B&T paper) but I've changed the flavor of each card with different stamps and finishings (is that a word?).

Harvest Happiness stamp set sets this card up.  That stamp set also corresponds with the Art Philosophy Cricut collection, which is what I used to cut out the leaves and the saying.  I rolled the leaves before I stamped.

Rolling technique:

• For the large leaves, I inked the stamp in Creme Brulee ink and then rolled the edges of the stamp in Sorbet ink.  You want to do this slowly so the center of the stamp doesn't get covered with the second color.
• For the small leaves, I used a second generation rendering of Sorbet and then rolled the stamp in Creme Brulee ink.  Remember that a second generation is obtained after stamping once on scratch paper with a well inked stamp.
• When using two different colors such as I have, you want to clean your stamp between images so that you don't put darker ink onto the lighter ink pad.
• You can achieve a rolled look with the same color -- second generation then roll in same color.  In this case you would not have to clean your stamp.  :)

To finish the card:  the saying has been mounted; the swirls behind the leaves are in Twilight ink; the leaves have been edge sponged with Creme Brulee or Sorbet, whichever the rolled color was; and sparkles from our new Brown and Tan Assortment have been randomly placed on the card.


Card 8 also has autumn written all over it.  Here I used the So Grateful stamp set to achieve this look.

The pumpkin base was stamped on a separate piece of colonial white paper with Sunset ink.  The words were then stamped on top with Autumn Terracotta ink.  Before the image was cut out, I stamped the stem and tendrils, as well as the leaves, with Olive ink.  The tendrils and stem are attached to the pumpkin.  And do you see, I used the rolling technique on two of the leaves!

To add a little more dimension to the focal, I bent the leaves a little before gluing just the center down (so the leaf's edges lift up a little bit).  I also stamped the tendrils on the Saddle paper which you can see to the right of the stem.  The card was finished with direct to paper edge distressing with Sorbet ink.


Products Used (all CTMH):
Both:
X7156B  Clementine Paper packet
X7153B  Florentine Paper packet
X1410     Colonial White Card and Envelopes
Z1151      3-D Foam Tape
1388        Colonial White cardstock
Z2164  Sorbet ink


"Splendid Day" card:
C1463  Harvest Happiness
Z1686  Art Philosophy Cricut Collection
Z2160  Twilight ink
Z2167  Creme Brulee ink
Z1753  Brown and Tan Sparkle Assortment


Pumpkin card:
B1395  So Grateful
Z2101  Autumn Terracotta ink
Z2191  Sunset ink
Z2137  Olive ink

August Stamp of the Month

It's a new month -- and what an exciting month!  We have a new Idea Book filled with new stamps, markers, paper, and product.

Each month we feature a new, limited time only, stamp set.  This month is no exception.  August's stamp of the month is called Baroque Borders.  This stamp set can be yours for purchase at $17.95 plus shipping and tax.  Or, by spending $50 (pretotal), you can buy it for $5!  That's 72% off.

Here are two additional samples I made using the stamp set.  Well, first, here is the stamp set:

And here are the samples:

If you'd like to read more detail on how these cards were made, click here.

Cards 5 and 6 of Wishes Workshop

Yesterday I posted the 10 cards I prepared for my girlfriend's open house which I forgot to take to her.  And earlier today I posted cards 3 and 4.  Now it's time for cards 5 and 6.

This "Celebrate Today" card was inspired by the left card on page 63 of the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book.  I wanted to create that look and August's stamp of the month fit the bill.  The base Sorbet cardstock was stamped with VersaMark, as was the focal image, and then embossed with Clear Detail Embossing Powder.

Unlike the background stamp, the focal image was sponged over so if it looks darker, it is.  Because the image was embossed, that part of the cardstock is resistant to the ink.  The darker parts are where the ink hit the cardstock.  The final steps were mounting the focal image and adding the Cottage Assortment embellishment.



The sixth card also uses August's stamp of the month.

I wanted to show the versatility of August's Stamp of the Month - Baroque Borders with this sixth card.  The stamp was stamped first generation then moved slightly and then stamped in second generation.  A second generation image was stamped on the other side of the first generation image.  Do they look like wings?!  I guess they are a little lopsided wings...

The zip strip from Clementine was utilized as ribbon here and three bling buttons were added to the strip.  The love stamp was mounted after being edge distressed with the edge distresser and then with Creme Brulee ink and the direct to paper technique.  Simple and fun card.

I'll share the last four cards tomorrow.  :)

Products Used (all CTMH):
both:
X7156B  Clementine Paper Packet
X7153B  Florentine Paper Packet
X1410     Colonial White Cards and Envelopes
S1208     Baroque Borders (August Stamp of the Month)
Z2164     Sorbet ink
Z1151     3-D Foam Tape


"Celebrate Today" card:
Z891   VersaMark ink
Z821   Clear Detail Embossing Powder
Z555   Craft Heater
Z1794  Cottage Assortment


"Love" card:
A1131  Seal Love
Z2117  Crystal Blue ink
Z2167  Creme Brulee ink
Z1466  Bling Assortment
Z1297  Edge Distresser

Wishes Cards 3 and 4 Close Up

Card three was fun to do because only images from the new Cricut Artiste Collection were used to create this card.  Who doesn't have a need for birthday cards?  The great thing about the collection is that you get three stamp sets that correspond  with the Cricut  cartridge and can only be found in the collection.  The saying is from a second stamp set that comes with the collection.  The stamped image was symmetrical but I cut the right side straight with the edge of the card.

If you look closely, you'll see holes on the white focal paper.  I lined up our Ruler and poked the holes.  I thought about adding floss but decided against it because I didn't want that to compete with the Opaques on top of the cupcake.  Now, if you look at the cupcake itself, you'll notice that is comprised of three different colors.  The image was stamped with Twilight (icing), Creme Brulee (wrapper), and Desert Sand (cake itself), and then cut out individually.  These three images could have been cut with the Cricut, but I wanted to cut it really close (and honestly, I didn't cut the images out to see how close the stamped images would have come to the edge of the cut out).  If  you were to lift up an Opaque (there are two types), you would find "sprinkles" which I used for placement.  :)

The cupcake is mounted on top of the mounted focal.  The "hip-hip-hooray" is also mounted.  And finally, the edges of the card is distressed with Sorbet ink with the direct to paper technique.

The fourth card,

 

I sprayed a water and Sorbet re-inker mixture onto the base and let it dry. The spray adds visual interest to the otherwise plain Colonial White card base.  Not that there isn't a time for plain which can create clean lines and beauty of its own.  I just don't think this was the time.

The words are stamped in Outdoor Denim and the flowers are in Sorbet.  The stamp set has a single flower and one that's attached to the swirl.  I put the two together to create the first image (top and bottom).  I then removed the single flower and stamped.  Looks like one stamp, huh?!

The blue ribbon was added to the back of the focal which was edge distressed with our edge distresser and the whole thing was mounted.

Products Used (all CTMH):
both:
X7156B  Clementine paper packet
X7153B  Florentine paper packet
X1410     Colonial White Cards and Envelopes
Z1151      3-D Foam Tape
Z2164  Sorbet ink

"Hip-Hip-Hooray" card:
Z1790 Cricut Artiste Collection
Z1333  Mocha Opaques
Z1336  Pearl Opaques
Z2167  Creme Brulee ink
Z2160  Twilight ink
Z2118  Desert Sand ink
Z1471  Ruler

"Love and Hugs" Card:
C1525 Words of Comfort
Z1380  Spray Pen
Z1385  Blue Ribbon Collection
Z2264  Sorbet re-inker
Z2140  Outdoor Denim ink
Z1297  Edge Distresser