TRIANGULAR TRI-FOLD AND MY CRICUT

Well, I am into my fourth month of being a Close To My Heart Consultant.  I really am loving it but am finding it is a LOT of work and occupies my mind quite a bit.   I did a few craft vendor shows and that was a learning experience.  They went well and I met a lot of fun people.  I do enjoy the relational part of the business---the crafty part too!!  HA!  So I guess I am doing the right thing!

I am not having a CTMH Club this month but am trying to plan next year out and create some fun things and also create some excitement in YOU to come and have fun with paper and with a bunch of neat ladies.  I designed four cards for January using the same design but different themes.  One is a Valentine, one is a sympathy card, one is a birthday card, and one is a fun snowman card using one of my favorite stamps from CTMH.

Before I show you my cards, a big kudos to Holly for creating a wonderful tutorial on her blog.  Click this link to see this: Multi-fold tutorial  I loved her Valentine designs--so cute and fun.  So I created my own Valentine but I also thought I would try and create some different themes so that the cardmakers in my club will start getting a variety of cards to give.  

 I really am happy with how they turned out.  I am not going to go into detail on how to make these since I linked you to the tutorial.  However, I will make note of products that were helpful in creating the above cards.  The paper was all scraps that I had in my stash.  

Here the triangular card is opened

The snowman card I used Flakey Friends stamp set.  I cut the snowflake out using the Cricut and Cricut Artiste cartridge set.  This cartridge is sold exclusively from Close To My Heart and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  

I used the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge set for the Valentine card.  I just got this cartridge a few weeks ago and I didn't think I would like it as well as the Artiste, but I was pleasantly surprised.  I LOVE this one as well and have used it quite a bit.  The Artiste has a LOT of 3D items to create and card/envelopes, while the Philosophy has a LOT of embellishments and tags for cardmaking and scrapbooking.  They both are a great resource with each cartridge cutting over 700 images!  AMAZING!!  Oops--bunny trail....   OK....back to the Valentine card.  I used Philosophy cartridge.  The tag is on page 67 of the Philosophy booklet and is cut at 2 1/2 inches.  The heart is on page 69 of the same booklet and is cut at 2".  The heart stamp came with the Philosophy set and I used CTMH Ruby Exclusive Ink.

The sympathy card is also made using scrap paper and items from Cricut Art Philosophy set.  The flower is from page 41 of Philosophy cut at 2 1/2 inches.  I forgot to write down the page for the tag on the inside, but that is also in the Philosophy booklet.  I used CTMH  Words of Comfort stamp set for the inside. 

Lastly, the birthday card also makes use of the Cricut Philosophy set.  The cupcake is cut at 2 1/2 inches and used the stamp that comes with the Philosophy set.  The stamped words on the inside are also stamps included in the set.

These were a lot of fun to make.  I hope a few more ladies will decide to join us for CTMH Club in January.  Stay tuned for more info.  

I will soon post an awesome get-well tissue box!!  So FUN!!

THREE-LAYER CHRISTMAS CARD
Hi Everyone,
I hope all of you had a blessed Thanksgiving.
I had a relaxing holiday and had time to take a  nap and to papercraft.  Today I created my first tutorial for my CTMH Club ladies.  We created a three-layered card and I wanted them to have written directions on how to make it.  I applaud all the people who create tutorials---it is a lot of work and time.  I must give credit to a wonderful youtube video put out by stampcamp.com that taught me how to make this card. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=axgjPFvgGmo
 Here are a few pics of my card.

 I created my tutorial in Microsoft--so now I am going to try and get it on my blog.  hmmmm.....
HEY!!  I DID IT!!!  Good ol' copy and paste! :-)

THREE-LAYERED CHRISTMAS CARD

Supplies:

“Mother & Child” wood stamp by Inkadinkadoo stamps

“Everlasting Life” Holiday acrylix stamps by Close To My Heart (CTMH)

Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder

Cuttlebug

CTMH Slate Exclusive Ink

Colored cardstock

Vanilla cardstock

Main Card

1.      Cut colored CS (cardstock) 5 ½” x 8 ½”  —fold in half lengthwise to make 4 ¼” x 5 ½” card

2.      Cut 2 ¼” off the front

3.      Cut Vanilla cardstock 5 ¼” x 8 ¼” (1/4” smaller than card)—fold in half lengthwise

4.      Insert vanilla card into the colored card and adhere the back half of vanilla CS to the inside of colored CS

Top or Front of card

1.      Cut vanilla CS:  1 ¾ “ x 5 ¼ “

2.      Emboss with Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder

3.      Adhere to left hand front of card

Layered front stamp

4.      Cut vanilla CS:  2 ½ “ x 3 ½ “ (top)

5.      Cut colored CS:  2 5/8 “ x 3 5/8 “ (middle)

6.      Cut vanilla CS:  2 ¾ “ x 3 ¾ “ (bottom)

7.      Stamp top layer using CTMH slate ink, “Mother and Child” stamp (Inkadinkadoo) 

8.      Antique edges  with sponge and slate ink

9.      Emboss CTMH “Peace on Earth” (Everlasting Life) stamp with silver embossing powder

10.  Adhere the three layers  and adhere to front of card

Second Layer of Card

1.      Cut colored CS:  3 7/8 “ x 5” Emboss with Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder

2.      Adhere to the second layer (the top of the vanilla card)

Prepare layers for “Gloria” stamping

3.      Cut vanilla CS: 2 ¾” x 1 5/8 “ (top)

4.      Cut colored CS: 2 7/8” x 1 ¾” (middle)

5.      Cut vanilla CS: 3” X 1 7/8 “ (bottom)

6.      Stamp “Gloria” CTMH Everlasting Life stamp with CTMH slate ink.  Antique edges with sponge and slate ink if desired.

7.      Adhere layers and adhere to second layer (on top of colored snowflake-embossed CS)

Inside Card

1.      Cut vanilla CS:  3 ½” x 2 ¾”

2.      Cut colored CS : 3 ¾ “ x 3”

3.      Stamp Isaiah 9:6 from CTMH “Everlasting Life” on vanilla cardstock using CTMH Slate Exclusive Ink

4.      Adhere vanilla CS to the larger colored CS

(You can choose any stamp and cut vanilla CS to size and then cut the colored CS ¼ “ bigger both length and width to create a beautiful matte.

5.      For bottom strip: Cut colored CS:  1 ¼ “ x 4”

6.      Using EK snowflake border punch—punch snowflakes along top length of strip

7.      Adhere silver ribbon to bottom portion of stip.

Adhere both verse and bottom decorative strip to inside of card

Cut silver ribbon 15” and tie on Top Layer

************************************************************************

Summary of cutting

VANILLA CARDSTOCK: Cut the following:

5 ¼ “ x 8 ¼” fold in half

2 ¾” x 3 ¾”

2 ½” x 3 ½”

2 ¾” x 1 5/8”

3” x 1 7/8”

3 ½” x 2 ¾”

1 ¾” x 5 1/8” (emboss)

COLORED CARDSTOCK: Cut the following:

5 ½” x 8 ½” fold in half and cut off 2 ¼” off one side

2 5/8” x 3 5/8”

2 7/8” x 1 ¾”

3 ¾” x 3”

3 7/8” x 5” (emboss)

 This card was a lot of fun and I love how it turned out!
Wishing you all a blessed Christmas.  May you know the true reason we celebrate---that our Creator God loved us so  much he sent His only Son Jesus into the world to save us from our sins.  My hope is in Christ and I pray yours is too!
 

CREATIONS FOR HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

I can't believe we are almost to Thanksgiving.  Life has been very, very busy---but I am sure that is true for you as well.   Yesterday I had a vendor booth at a craft/home-business fair.  So I have been busy creating some inexpensive papercrafts to display at my booth.  It helped bring people to the booth and gave me opportunity to talk with them about Close to My Heart. 

Here are my creations:

lip balm purse--created with the Cricut Artiste cartridge sold only from CTMH

Snowman poop gift---"Heard you've been naughty so here's the sccop--all you get for Christmas is snowman poop!"

 

Stamp is "Flakey Friends" from CTMH--Oreo pops easy to make and yummy to eat!

FROM MY IPHONE

Here is my first attempt to blog from my phone and to post pics! I am hoping I can post more than one pic. So the first pic is one of three pics I have of a Christmas card I created.

I found the pattern fore making this double layer card on Pinterest. I will try and give the site for this tutorial .
The URL is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=axgiPFvgGmo
I used my cuttlebug and snowflake cuttlebug embossing fodder . I also used "Everlasting Life" acrylic stamps from Close To My Heart. The Mary stamp I bought at Michaels several years ago. I will have to check and see if it has a name on it.
Okay...I'm stopping for now in case this phone blog doesn't work.

My husband surprised me and purchased an Iphone for me.  I know...your jealous and I am spoiled!! ;-)  I told him I thought it would be helpful for me in posting pics up to facebook and my blog.  Well...I am able to get my pics to facebook but I have yet to figure out how to put pics up to my blog.  I have created a Double-layer Christmas card using the  "Everlasting Life" stamp set from Close to My Heart.  I look forward to sharing it with you but for now I will have to put you on hold.  :-)
So I figured for now I will post the Close To My Heart special for November:

Capture the Date, Capture the Savings!
November 2012 Constant Campaign

In November, you’ll get something extra when you buy the Stamp of the Month—50% off another stamp set! When you qualify for and buy the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, you’ll receive another stamp set* of your choice for 50% off—it’s like two promotions in one! The versatile Capture the Date stamp set is great for any layout, card, invitation, or calendar, and now you can choose another stamp set at half-off for more wonderful papercrafting. Get Capture the Date and then capture the savings today!

* Offer valid for A-E and M size stamp sets only; K-size, Workshops on the Go^®, Cricut^® collection, and Stamp of the Month stamp sets are not eligible for this promotion. Maximum of one 50% off stamp set per order.

Dates: Offer valid November 1–30, 2012

I currently am thinking of some ideas to use these stamps...so stay tuned.  I will also post my pics for November CTMH Club.  I LOVE the "Pear and Partridge" Christmas paper.  

I have been busy lately searching for ideas on how to use up scraps of paper.  As I have become a new consultant for Close To My Heart, I have decided that I want to learn and also teach people to use up all their paper they purchase.  I LOVE how CTMH paper coordinates to beautifully and I want to use it all and not have it sit in my scraps for years.  So today's blog I am going to share a few cards I have designed thanks to PINTEREST and fellow crafters who share their creations and ideas so freely!  

This card idea came from Scrapping Backgrounds from Cara.  She has a great tutorial at:Scrapping Backgrounds by Cara  So a big thank you to Cara!  The verse I created on Adobe Photoshop quite a while ago.  The brown scallop circle was created using my Cuttlebug and scalloped Nestabilities.  I love the way this turned out.  It really is a LOT easier then it looks---especially following the tutorial.

This card looks intricate but it's a lot of fun!  I also found this on Pinterest (I LOVE Pinterest and all you crafty people who share your cool ideas!).  Here is the tutorial for this pinwheel:  Pinwheel Tutorial.  The stamp I used is Clear Hero Arts Stamp: Everyday Sayings. The ink is from CTMH--Cocoa Exclusive Ink Pad.

If you live nearby and want to create these cards, email me at llquislaura@gmail.com   We will be creating these cards at CTMH Club on October 20 or October 22 at 6:30.  Cost for workshop is $5 unless you are a Club member--then it is free!!

OCTOBER STAMP OF THE MONTH

Very Merry Christmas SET OF 11Available October 1–31, 2012
Get the Stamp of the Month set for just $5 (S1210A) when you place an order of $50 or more in products.

 Jump-start the fun by ordering the items from the list below to create this artwork! You’ll find helpful assembly tips at my Online Business Address under Promotions.

 Scholastic Paper Packet
($9.95, X7159B, Autumn/Winter 2012
Idea Book p. 44)
Olive Cardstock
($14.50, 1245, p. 9)
Silver Shimmer Trim
($4.95, Z1799, p. 124)
Festive Velvet Rub-Ons
($4.95, Z1743, p. 126)
Sparkles Black & Grey Assortment
($2.95, Z1754, p. 127)
Cricut® Artiste Collection($99, Z1790, p. 15)
RECOMMENDED BLOCKS: 1” μ 3½” (Y1002), 2” μ 2” (Y1003), 3” μ 3” (Y1006)
contact

Happy October everyone!! 
I thought I would update you on this months specials with Close To My Heart. 

 October 2012 Constant Campaign

Get a free Studio J^® layout in October! In this special promotion, you will receive a free custom-printed layout when you buy 9 custom-printed Studio J layouts. To receive the discount, just add 10 or more layouts to your cart. You’ll see a discount reflected in your order total. And you can totally take advantage of this promotion by ordering in multiples of 10. Buy 9, get 1 free. Buy 18, get 2 free. Buy 27, get 3 free. Up to 4 free layouts! It’s a great time to use any Member Bonus layouts you may have. If you haven’t tried Studio J yet, now is the time to start!

Dates: October 1–31, 2012

Visit my online page http://lauraq.ctmh.com and try Studio J out.  It does not cost anything to set up an account and create layouts on your account.  Give it a try.  I love creating digitally!

Hi Everyone,
Last week I was playing with my new Cricut Artiste cartridge from Close To my Heart.  You will probably get sick of hearing this---but I just LOVE this cartridge.  It has so much on it.  Anyhow, just wanted to show you a few of my creations.  The first one was pictured in the CTMH Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book and I really liked it (page 74).  So here is my creation:

 The stamp set is CTMH "So Grateful" set (B1395) and sells for $9.95.  I just LOVE this stamp set! 
I used Autumn Terracotta and New England Ivy Exclusive Ink stamp pads for the pumpkin and leaf.  The vine and "Harvest" were stamped in Cocoa.

 The box was quickly cut out using CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge (page 15 in Idea book).  This was cut using key 44 (Mother's Day key).  I used the 3d object key for the brown part of the box and the card key for the top and bottom.  Once cut, this box assembles in minutes!  LOVE!!  

The Cricut Artiste Cartridge is only  sold through Close To My Heart.  With 700 images, the cartridge features themed projects, interactive cards, awards, and more.   When you purchase the Cricut Artiste collection, you'll get the cartrdge plus three new coordingating, D-size stamp sets and three 12" x 9" sheets of coordingating Dimensional Elements shapes for maximum mixing, matching, and wowing!!  You can order this collection online at my CTMH site.  Here is the link:  http://lauraq.ctmh.com  This complete collection sells for $99.  If that is too tight for your budget, consider hosting a gathering.  If you sell $250 of product at your gathering you get $40 free product and you would be able to get one item in the catalog (which includes this Cricut Artiste Collection) for 1/2 off!!  Contact me at llquislaura@gmail.com for more info or to book a gathering!

Okay--one more teaser.  I made these cute little purses in a matter of minutes also using the Cricut cartridge.  

 These were cut using the V key and  the 3D Object key.  SO FUN!!  They open up and you can put goodies in them--lip balm or my favortie---M & M's

Stay tuned for more projects and happy creating!!

A week from today will be my first CTMH Club.  I am so looking forward to it.  So far, I have four ladies committed to coming and I hope to add more!  My goal for Club is to encourage myself and others to get some scrapbooking layouts made each month and also to create cards or some gifts.  If we spend the money on our crafting, we need to utilize what we have and use that paper we buy!  Let's not continue accumulating but let's CREATE to bless others and ourselves!!  
I have been busy trying to get projects made for next month so you can see it and decide what you want to do and what you may need to purchase.  Essential supplies for papercrafting are a nice papercutter, adhesive, and adhesive pop-up tabs (optional) but nice.  
Next months layouts are from Close To My Heart "Flirty" papers.  I purchased the Workshop on the Go to create the following.

These are the two layouts I created from WOTG (workshop on the go) on page 53 of Idea book.  The first layout, I turned counterclockwise so that my pics fit the layout and I changed the words to "Love Blooms" rather than "Autumn Blooms"

 

The second layout I used pics of the past from all different years.  It was fun to do and easy to make.  I do still have to write a journal entry for the bottom right side of this.  Journaling comes hard for me but I know it helps make the page and helps leave a legacy.


I also created the additional project.  The following 5 cards.  I actually have enough products for 5 cards---I have everything precut in case someone would like to make these up for cards the month of October.  I did have to purchase the die cut cards and envelopes for this and the Autumn Assortment embellishments (listed on page 53).  This gave me enough to make 10 cards.

THE FOLLOWING IS WHAT I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT!  I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CRICUT ARTISTE CARTRIDGE (A BIG THANK YOU TO MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WHO PURCHASED IT FOR ME AS A EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT!!)  I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!  There is SO MUCH you can create with it---700 items!!!  Boxes, tags, cards, capcake holders, there is a font--I could go on and on.  Anyhow, I have been playing with it this week and I came up with a project for next month for the cards makers in our club (scrapbook makers can do this too)! ;-)

  This darling purse was made with extra "flirty" paper I had.  The purse and bow was cut from the cricut cartridge.  But wait....there's MORE!!!

 When you open up the purse, there are 4 handmade 3 x3 cards with envelopes! 

The cards are made from scraps leftover!!  Envelopes are cut from Cricut cartridge--so easy and fast and CUTE!

Inside are simple greetings (pictured below)

Such a fun and easy project!!  I had some sparkle glitter that I added to the purse for extra pizazz!

JOIN THE CTMH CLUB AND MAKE THIS CUTE PURSE WITH US IN OCTOBER!!  Email me @ llquislaura@gmail.com  if you are interested!!

First CTMH Club meets this month!!

You can choose to create two 2-page layouts which will look similar to below except with YOUR own photos!

Saturday, September 22 or Monday, September 24 at 6:30 pm at my house.

 

 OR you can choose to make cards!

 

Cost for non-members is $10 for either the 2 scrapbook layouts OR 6 cards (2 ea. of 3 designs).  

Please email me at  llquislaura@gmail.com  if you are interested in participating.  Thanks!

JOIN MY CLUB AND GET FREE PRODUCT!

Do you love scrapbooking or cardmaking or  papercrafting/stamping?

Do you want to invest in quality materials and earn FREE product without hosting a gathering?

JOIN CTMH CLUB

--CTMH Club is a 12 month commitment of ordering a minimum of $15 in product each month.  We will meet on a monthly basis to create scrapbooking layouts and/or cards.

Benefit: This helps you budget your supplies a little at a time.

 * Each month you will take turns being the Hostess.

You will earn at least $25 in FREE Close To My Heart products when it's your turn to be the hostess.

You can choose from stamp sets, paper packets, ink pads, markers, cardstock, acrylic blocks and more.

Benefit: When it's your month you can collect outside orders from friends and family to increase the amount of FREE goodies you get. 

--The following purchases all qualify and are based on total amount before shipping and tax:
      website orders
     Studio J orders
     phone/e-mail orders

--If there are months you cannot make our crafting club night, that is fine.  You just need to place your order for that month.

--new members are always welcome and encouraged.  You are rewarded for bringing in new members. If you bring in a new member, you will  receive a free stamp “B” stamp set or paper pack after that new members 3^rd purchase.

--At each meeting, I will have samples displayed of next months scrapbook layouts and card designs.  This will be helpful for you in knowing what to order for the following month.  You are not required to purchase that month’s layout but if you do, that price goes toward your minimum purchase of $15.

--non-members are allowed to come to our meetings but must pay project fee.  You must RSVP so that product will be available.  Non-members do not receive club rewards.

In addition to being the hostess, all members will receive:

* FREE Idea Books before other customers -

-Autumn/Winter 2012 (Current) and

-Spring/Summer 2013

* A FREE gift just for joining!

* Stamp of the Month for FREE during hostess month

* One month of being the hostess earning at least $25 in FREE products. 

Hostesses average $40 or more and as much as $200 or more in FREE Product plus half-priced items.

* At the end of the club  you will receive a mini stamp set as a Thank You for participating!