CTMH Artfully Sent Cards

The CTMH Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge can make so many cards... quick & easy.... and for any occasion.  Merry & Bright in both blue & red.  I cut out separate snowflakes & ornaments (I used washi tape as the stripe on the ornament) to add more color.

The cupcake card makes a very quick birthday card.  I used the cupcake pieces to make another card (I need to take a picture so I can add it here).

Cards made using scraps

I always say I need to make better use of my scraps.  Below are a couple of examples of what great cards can be made from those scraps.

Pop Up / Box Cards

I really like the look of the box cards and how versatile they are.... below are a couple more that I've made....  The first card I made for my nephew's 15th birthday.  I liked the combination of softball, soccer ball, football & basketball... All of which I cut using the CTMH Artbooking cartridge.

The second card, I used the Critters cartridge but I could have used the Artbooking cartridge as well.

Artfully Sent - Halloween

I wanted to try some more Artfully Sent cards and with Halloween coming up... what better place to start than with a haunted house.  The Artfully Sent book recommends using a 7"setting so that's what I did.  My first card was a 5 x 7 (see card on the left).  I was thought it was really cool but I wanted to see if I could make a standard A2 card.  I figured if I used 7" for a 5 x 7 card then it made sense that 5 1/2"would make a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 (A2) card.  It really was that simple.  If the card on the left looks different than the card on the right, it's because the card for the card on the right I cut a 2nd card (black), cut the house from the card then cut a piece of yellow the size of the house and made a cardstock sandwich.  I like the look of the card on the right much better (plus you can write on the inside of the card).  I will be doing the same to the 5 x 7 card.

Sue got more creative with the Artfully Sent cartridge and created a mural for her cubicle wall at work.   Didn't she do a great job!!!

Below is close up of the haunted house.  It just goes to show that even though Artfully Sent is a card cartridge, it can be used for soooo much more.

Here Sue used what was supposed to be a card as a sign.  It just goes to show the only limit is our own imagination.

Happy Crafting!!!

CTMH Cricut Artfully Sent Cartridge

I love hot air balloons so it only stands to reason that the first card I make with Artfully Sent is.... hot air balloons.  I used the CTMH Balloon Ride paper for the inside.

'Beautiful Day' is cut by the cricut.  The card needed more so I stamped and colored one of the balloons from the CTMH Give a Lift stamp set then cut it out.  I stamped tone-on-tone clouds before adhering the balloon.

More Box Cards

I had so much fun with the first two box cards, I thought I would a couple more using flowers this time.  I cut all the flowers with the cricut and just played until I got the right combination.

I wanted the card to have some appeal when it was taken out of the envelope so I stamped tone-on-tone flowers & butterflies.

My second flower box card is made with stamped images that I colored instead of the cricut flowers.  Okay, I used my Cricut for the watering can and a die cut for the fence.

When the card is closed.....

This paper is retired CTMH and other than adding 'Happy Birthday' I didn't have to do anything so it was easy (my favorite... lol).

Fun with Box Cards

I have seen some really amazing box cards so I had to figure out how to do them for myself.  My first attempt, I made the box first then decided what to do with it - a little backward... I don't recommend it... lol

Didn't that come out so cute?!?!?  I love the Cricut Create a Critter Cartridge.  Below is what the card looks like when it is closed.  I used tone-on-tone to stamp the balloons - not alot just a little something.

My next attempt was still a birthday card but for a 50 year old kid instead of a 4 year old one.... lol   Since it was a 50th birthday card, I wanted to go with black and white so I started with CTMH's Basics Paper Fundamentals.  These papers are soooo cool!  The black paper is black on black glossy on one side and black and white chevron on the other.  Check it out below...

More with Stamping with My Acyrlix Blocks

Sorry I didn't get another post up before now with more cards where I started by stamping with My Acrylix blocks.  Below are the cards I didn't get posted.  Both of these are more guy cards.  I wasn't sure I liked this one at first but it has grown on me.  CTMH Beautiful Things (D1298) stamp set.

My brother-in-law is a big motorcycle fan so I thought he might like this card...  CTMH Born To Ride (C1483) stamp set.

I really want to use this technique with the CTMH Seaside Greetings (D1609) stamp set in the new 2015 Annual Inspirations catalog.

Stamping with My Acrylix blocks

Have you ever wanted to make a card with lots of color but don't want to have to actually color with your pencils or markers?  Consider inking your My Acrylix blocks, stamp with your block then stamp your image as usual.  If it sounds difficult or confusing, take a look at what I have created so far.... it's such an easy and quick way to create a card and so many different looks.

My first try - I tried to keep it simple with 2 x 2 block.  I actually like the fact that you can see the outline of the block.

I tried to get more creative with my next attempt.... it's growing on me but when I first made it, I wasn't sure I liked it....

So.... I went back to the 2 x 2 block but wanted to try something other than flowers...  added ribbon to one and shimmer tape to another.

Now I felt stuck so I went to Pinterest to see what I could find.... as always, I found some great inspiration... I copied the basic design of the cards below....  The card below I used as a retirement card - I thought the sentiment a dream come true was very appropriate for retirement.

I saw a similar card to the one below and I liked the use of 3 different sized blocks.  To be honest, I didn't have exactly the blocks I wanted but thought it still came out pretty good.

The next three cards have just a single strip of color across.  While I only made three cards, I tried different colors to get an idea of how it would look.  The possibilities seem endless...

Now my creative juices were really flowing.  As I was trying to think of other patterns using the blocks that I have, I came up with the thought that I can use the side of the blocks...  Doesn't everyone's brain work like mine!?!?!?  Okay, probably not... lol   But I like how the cake lines up with the color changes.  The indent of the side of the block also gives it a different look.

And if you can stamp with the side of a block, why can't you stamp with the back of the stamp?!?!?  I chose a flower stamp, stamped with the back 3 times (two colors) then I flipped the stamp over and stamped with the traditional side of the stamp.  Again, gives the card color without actually coloring.

I have a couple more cards made that I need to take a picture of and ideas for more cards so hopefully I will be able to post more pictures soon.

Miscellaneous Cards

I haven't been good about staying current with my postings so I thought I would add a few different cards.  The first one Lisa asked me to post months ago (sorry Lisa).

How cute is her card?!?!!?

I was playing with my Cricut Critters cartridge.  I knew I wanted to make bunnies for my Easter cards so I started there.... then made some eggs because Easter bunnies need Easter eggs.... 

then made the deer for Chloe's birthday card.  Used a little shimmer tape for the deer's collar.

Made a birthday card for a friend using my Cuttlebug, and Cricut and, of course, stamps - CTMH Frame Flair and Year Round Cheer (Dec.2012 SOTM).

 And a bridal shower card using the bride's colors of pink and orange - CTMH's retired Claire paper was the perfect choice.

Guy cards using Timberline paper

When I first saw the Timberline paper pack, I was really excited to use the 'barn wood' paper but when I needed to make some guy cards I found that the other side was really fun and easy to work with.  Like the train...

"Don't Wake the Bear (He's Grouchy)"  is so cute!

My brother loves to fish so this is perfect.

Nice outdoorsy guy card.

Studio J Savings in March

Are you behind with your scrapbook pages?  Or do you need to print out some pictures?  Did you know that you can print pictures using Studio J. Check out the video below to see some of the great ways to use Studio J and take advantage of the March special.

March SOTM - Happy Place

Did you ever play with nesting dolls?  Well, here's a chance to play with nesting dolls on your cards and scrapbook layouts.  And check out the great sentiments!

Remember Happy Place is only available during the month of March.

Wintry Wishes - Christmas cards 2013

My Christmas cards were made using the CTMH Wintry Wishes stamp set.  Most were made with the Pear and Partridge paper from last year.

Some were made with the retired Aspen paper pack.

Both designs have silver shimmer tape for that holiday sparkle.

Gift Pack of 10 Cards

For Christmas, I decided to make a set of 10 cards to give as gifts to my co-workers.  I wanted to create a collection of cards that were diverse.  I used a combination of cards I have made in the past as well as design ideas I found on Pinterest.  Of all the pictures I took of the cards, some how I managed to not take one picture of all ten cards so I will have to post them separately.

This first card continues with my obsession with rounded squares and all the ways you can work with them.

 This is a card I have made before but it's so pretty that it was worth making again.

 CTMH Card Word Puzzle is such a versatile stamp set.  The next two cards were both made using this stamp set.  The ideas I saw on Pinterest.

 This card I have made before - what I like about it the patterned paper in the background means that you don't need to color in the flowers.  And of course the shimmer tape adds that bit of sparkle.

CTMH has great stamps for $2.95 that make such great cards.  I used five different background papers then colored in "YOU" to match the background paper.  Gives each card a slightly different look.

Have you ever run aluminum foil thru your Cuttlebug?  I love the look.  When you use the diamond plate folder - you get great guy cards.

 

But you can also run use aluminum foil as a way to add sparkle and shine for the ladies.

 CTMH For Always paper - great for so many things.  This card is definitely something I saw on Pinterest.