CTMH Art Philosophy Paper Flower Wreath

I told you I've been busy creating!  I finished another flower wreath yesterday solely using the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge and I couldn't wait to share it with you.

I really wanted to showcase some of the options of the cartridge on this wreath and what fun I had "playing" with features and varied CTMH products.

You know, paper flowers are one of the hottest things going right now and the Art Philosophy cartridge has so many possibilities for you to create a spring bouquet.  If you look at the blue flowers, you'll notice that I cut out 2 sets of solid petals in Pacifica.  Then, using the "layer" feature on that flower, I cut the open petals in Sky.  I attached then in the center only, slightly bent the petals upward and added a Shimmer Brad to form the center of the flower.  The orange flowers were cut using the same technique but a different flower option.  This time, I cut the base petal from Elemental and the layer in Sunset.  This flower differs from the blue flower because I glued down the Sunset Layer to make a flat flower.  The centers are Antiqued Copper Brads.  The purple flowers were really fun!  I selected my flower.  Using the "font" option, and Colonial White paper, I cut the image,  What you get is a flat spiral.  The spiral is rolled to create the 3D flower.  For these, before I rolled the flower, I misted the flat spiral with a mixture of Pearl Paint, water and Gypsy re-inker.  When they were almost dry, I did the rolling.  Liquid Glass is a great adhesive to hold the rolled flower together.  By the way, that is Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel in the center.

Don't you just love that bird?  He is on the Cartridge too!  I cut him from Vanilla Cream.  Next, his wing is cut from Sunset on the Layer feature (I lined it with Desert Sand).  I sponged him with Desert Sand, Cocoa and if you look closely, you'll see that I sponged Sunset for a feather cap on his head and tail.   Just a note on cutting items using the layer feature.  You do not need to change the size of the image when cutting a layer.  The cartridge is so smart that it will cut the perfect sized layer for your base image.  When I cut the leaves and stems for "greenery" I used the same process.

I also wanted to take a few words to talk about my color choices.  Remember a few posts back, I talked about color selection for your projects?  This wreath fits perfectly with that post.  Orange, Purple and Green are the Secondary colors.  They are the colors derived when you "mix" together the Primary colors (blue, red and yellow.)  Because of their relationship to each other on the color wheel, they will always coordinate.  Now, you asked, why the blue flowers???  Blue and orange are what are called Complementary colors.  Complementary colors are those that are opposite each other on the color wheel.  (I have an example of a color wheel in that highlighted post.)  Complimentary colors will always also work well together.

Thanks for bearing with this long post...I am always happy when I have the opportunity to explain the whys and wherefores of one of my projects.  :o)  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Florentine Memory Showcase

A few posts ago, I showed a card that I had made using one of the new CTMH paper packets called Florentine.  I mentioned that my goal was to use it to scrap some of the photos I had taken while touring Europe.  I actually got it done already!  I used one of the fun CTMH 6 x 6 Memory Showcase accordion albums.  I love these.  They work up quickly and make terrific gifts.

Florentine is terrific for travel pictures.  One of the great things about these albums is the that you can scrap as ornately or as simply as you care.  I used a number of fun techniques and products in this album including from embossing/ink resist, combined Glitz Glitter Gel combined with Liquid Glass to make faux rust, rock and roll stamping on Canvas Buttons, chipboard that is covered using  the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, brads, buttons and metals. 

I love the Memory Showcase Albums.  The only draw back is that they don't photograph well.  :o)  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Magic

I remain very very busy creating!  I wanted to share a scrapbook layout that I've wanted to create for a long time.  The gals pictured are members of one of my monthly workshops and I plan to proudly display it at my studio.    The layout is from CTMH Magic.  Magic is the latest of the "how to" books.  The book contacts wonderful interactive layouts and helps you add dimension and fun to your artwork.  Sadly, we have learned that this is the last Idea Book that these great books will be available.

The layout features the Roxie paper packet along with several fun techniques and embellishments.  I used my Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to make those great flowers along with the letters and the covering for the chipboard banner.  I heat embossed the the flourishes in Cranberry powder and ink distressed over the embossing to make it stand out.  This ink resist technique is a really simple and fun way to add depth to your projects.  Remember I said that Magic contained interactive elements?  Look on the first page of the spread...you don't see it do you?  Now look....  :o)

Magic comes with a DVD for you to print out the templates to make these fun elements.  In this case, the picture slides up just like an easel card to reveal hidden journaling.

This is a close up of some of the ink resist I completed in the lower corner.  You can see how the embossing and the ink really add to the page.  Also pictured are 3 samples of the flowers that you can make with the Art Philosophy cartridge.  Those great bling buttons and pins are from an embellishment packet called "Bling Buttons."

There are six great "How to" books that will be going away in August.  I can't stress how these books have really helped me elevate my artwork.  Contact me if you would like to order one or visit my website.  I had a great deal of fun creating this page.  If you've ever attended one of my workshops, look closely...you may be pictured.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Hand Made Flower Wreaths

Well, I wanted to prove that even thought I might not get posts done as frequently as I used to, I still work very hard at my crafts.  Today was no different.  This wreath is made using hand made paper flowers1
I used punches and hand cut spirals to make the flowers.  The leaf stems were cut using my Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.

While I had my floral goodies out, I decided to finally get around to finishing the new wreath for my hall bathroom.  Replacement was long overdue.  :o)

This wreath uses real...errrr...silk flowers.  :o)  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Thanks to CTMH's Florentine

There are so many really nice paper packets and stamps in the new Spring CTMH Idea Book, that I don't know which to share next!  It was my turn to host another challenge over at Crafting By Designs so I jumped on the opportunity to share more product.

This card features so many fun things.  First off, the pattern paper is from Florentine.  Florentine is a terrific muted color, antique looking paper packet that I plan to use for the remainder of those Europe trip pictures I have.  The "Thanks" is from one of those great "A" sized stamp sets.  I love these...they are only $6.95 and are so very usable.  More about how I did that background later.  Anyway, the little flower in the bottom corner is from the new Paper Flower Embellishments.  As soon as I can find some time, I will scrap some of those Europe pictures and really show off Florentine!

Because this card was made for a challenge, I wanted to do something interesting.  I dug out my alcohol inks to do the background.  I cut a piece of glossy card stock (alcohol inks need glossy paper.)  I filled my felt applicator with butterscotch ink and gold and randomly blotted it on the paper.  Next, I added the the mixative solution to "break" the color apart on the paper.  This step creates the marble look.  I heat embossed the "Thanks" in Cocoa powder.  The alcohol inks create a really wonderful background.  And, I am planning a workshop featuring this technique.

Don't forget to take a look at the Close To My Heart new Spring Idea Book.  It is one of the nicest IB's in recent memory!  For Now, Happy Crafting!

More Goodies from the CTMH Spring Idea Book

One nice thing about my beloved Eagles not being in tonight's Super Bowl is that I have the opportunity to work on my crafting.  I decided to play with a few of the great new products in the Spring Idea Book.

This card features one of the cutest new stamp sets called "A Garden."  This set includes a vase, stemmed flowers, flowers, a butterfly and 3 sentiments.  You stamp the single images to make your own individual design!  Love it!  I have also used one of my favorite new paper packets called "Lucy."  So perfect for spring. 

Almost more important to mention than the new products is that CTMH just announced that those terrific "How to" books are going away after the end of the tenure of the Spring Idea Book.  This card is taken from a sketch in the Originals book.  I LOVE these books.  Each page is filled with sample art work, along witht the specific measurements for each tried and ture sketch.  I have both card making books and all 4 scrapbooking books.  All of my copies are so tattered that I should replace them before they are no longer available.  If you have never purchased them, please consider it before they aren't available.  They are on the "must have" list.

Well off to do some more creating.  For those of you who attend my monthly workshop, this will be one of the cards we'll be making!  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Spring 2012 Idea Book is Here!

Finally...the new CTMH Spring 2012 Idea Book is here!  There are so many new goodies, that I don't know where to begin.  Four new paper packets, many new stamp sets and piles of new embellishments.  I have been busy creating and what fun!  A few of the projects I'm not able to post just yet because I am awaiting news if they will be published.  :o)  This is a card that I finished yesterday...

The card features pattern paper from one of the new packets called Pemberley.  Love it!  Those diamond shaped studs on the bottom are called Durable Studs.  New to the Idea Book, Durable Studs are metal brad looking embellishments that stick to your projects.  Whooo Whoooo...no more poking holes in your projects.  The flower image and Happy Birthday are from what I know will become one of my favorite stamp sets.  It is called Card Word Puzzle.  There are flowers and a butterfly along with almost any possible "word" for a card you could want.  Each word is separate and you just make the card that you need.

What else have I been doing?  I don't know if I officially mentioned this, but I am now the Floral Designer at my local Michaels.  I begin taking classes at the local Community College at the end of the month to become a "Certified" florist.  I am still teaching paper crafting classes at the store, too!  Wait until you see the "floral" project I'm working on that features the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.  :o)

I'm also still on the Design Team at Crafting by Designs.  This is a terrific website that supports wonderful creativity and marvelous friendships.  Yesterday, it was my turn to post the Copic Coloring Challenge.  The challenge is to color "curves" and this one of my sample cards... 

This is a digi stamp supplied by one of the site's sponsors called "The Stamping Boutique."  Look in the small heart in the corner..."Miss You" is from that terrific new "Card Word Puzzle" stamp set!  Check out Crafting By Designs.  It is a great site that supports all paper crafters regardless of skill level or products used.

If you are in need of the new CTMH Spring Idea Book, please contact me.  I promise it won't disappoint.  For Now, Happy Crafting!