Which Do You Like Best?

I'm trying to decide which of these cards I like best.  I need your help.  If you're a crafter you might now what I'm going through.  Your creations are like your kids, it's hard to pick a favorite because you can see why each one is special!  

There's something about the combo of yellow and black that I really like.  I need to use yellow more; I for some reason tend to shy away from it.  The "Congratulations" is heat embossed.  In person you don't see the little spots that show up on this picture.  I think I might need to redo that.

The second one has a splash of red with it.  It looks a little pink in the photo; much better in person.

The last one uses the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  The saying inside says "Hey there cupcake!"

If you could only pick one, which would you pick???  Thanks for your help.  

More "Shape-A-Day"

I have chip board flourishes, sticker flourishes, sparkly flourishes, etc.  It's nice to think that I don't have to buy and keep an inventory of flourishes; I can make them when I need them, and I'll always be able to have them coordinate with my papers.  Awesome.  Here's the latest post from Jeanette Lynton from Close to My Heart regarding how to make flourishes using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.

Many of you are sure to recognize my dear friend Monica and her sweet new baby, Maya, in this layout. If you’re looking for flourishes to add a big WOW to your layouts, the Art Philosophy has several to choose from. This gorgeous splash of color calls on a few different flourishes to achieve its effect.

Shape instructions: You can see several flourishes on page 76 of your Art Philosophy booklet. For the large flourishes used on the left page of this layout, push the “Font Layer” feature key, then shift, and then the second key from the right on the fourth row. These flourishes were cut at 2 ½”.

Jeanette Lynton's Shape-A-Day

Here's the latest Shape-A-Day from Jeanette Lynton's blog.  I like the simplicity of this card, and the colors really work for me!  The Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge makes it so easy.  Love it!

In today’s card, all three heart shapes were cut using different features found on the same button – and, as a result, you can see how the card cut-out, the heart, and the heart outline are perfectly matched.

Shape Instructions: For the basic heart shape, push the sixth key from the left on the top row, with the size set at 1 ¾”. For the outline, leave the size at the same setting and push the same key with the “Layer” feature key activated. For the card, you’ll set the size to 4 ½” and push the same key with the “Card” feature key and shift activated.

Crafting Chicks Giveaway

If you've read any of my other posts, you probably know by now how much I love Studio J, the online scrap booking program from Close to My Heart.  I'm a relatively new Studio J fanatic, and I think Studio J is so easy!  It gives me a great boost in my scrap booking because I can do so many beautiful layouts so quickly.  Don't get me wrong, I still love the traditional scrap book pages too, but I think having both options is such a great benefit.



Well, I'm glad to tell you, there are other Studio J fans out there.  Check out Crafting Chicks giveaway!  They love it so much they're giving it away, free!  They agree that it is so easy and fun to use, and want to share the experience.  So check them out, sign up for the giveaway, I'd love to have one of you win it.  Tell your friends!  And if you don't win, don't worry, contact me and I can get you started.  If you host a gathering, you can use your hostess rewards towards your Studio J purchase.  If you're not in my area, don't worry, we can do an online gathering.  Let me know if you're interested.

I Believe!

I used the Close to My Heart Believe Workshop on the Go Bonus Project to make these next Christmas Cards.  The instructions have two of the cards as Thank You cards but I switched one to Christmas.  I loved how easy these were!!!  And I think they turned out great.  The Holiday Pockets are a great idea, easy but they look great.  I might have to make a few more of these, and I have one Holiday Pocket left!

For my stars on card #2 I used the Art Philosophy cartridge and the Dimensional stars.  So easy, I'm not one who likes to cut free hand.

Christmas Cards!

It's time to start making those Christmas cards!  I like to have all mine made before Thanksgiving, I then spend the next week or so addressing them and they're off!   In the past I've made only one or two cards of each design, mostly because I want to try a lot of different designs and can't decide on just one.  Of course, this takes a lot of time!!!  I'm going to try to be more disciplined this year and do more of each design.

So far I've made the cards from the Close to My Heart Believe and Wonderland Workshops on the Go Bonus Projects, which helped give me a good head start.

Here are the cards I made using the CTMH Wonderland paper packet and Workshop bonus project instructions.  I love the Silver Glitz Glitter Gel!  It took me awhile to get the hang of it, I have sort of a heavy hand!  But once I did, I loved it.  I like the idea of cutting up the Top Coats Icing Overlays and using them on cards.  I think they add a nice touch.  Very blingy!

My Funny Aunt!

I have a great Aunt who's got a terrific sense of humor.  Birthday's and social etiquette are very important to her, so you always get a card from Aunt LaVelle.  But this year my birthday came right after she had heart surgery.  And it was sort of a tough surgery.  She's going to be fine, but the healing process is going to be slow for her I think.  Well, when my birthday came around, it was Columbus Day and so no mail, no birthday card. But my hubby and I were talking and he said it'd be surprising if she had been able to get a card out.  So the next day, when no card showed up, I wasn't surprised.  I was surprised the next day when lo and behold, there it was, my birthday card from Aunt LaVelle.  But the best part of all, it's hilarious!  I love this card!  I've gotten some great cards, and this one has to be one of my top three favorites.  When I called to thank her, she apologized for it being late but she had forgotten there was no mail service on Columbus Day!  What a gal.  Thank you Aunt LaVelle!

Inside it says "Hope your birthday is full of lasting memories."  Perfect!!!
(the card is from American Greetings, written by Jackie Tilton and designed by Jack Delaney.)