Chalk It Up with an Attitude Blog Hop

Good evening and welcome to the monthly Stampers with an Attitude Blog Hop.   This month we are showcasing the fantastic new paper pack, Chalk It Up.  You've most likely come from Christy's Blog and have seen her great artwork...makes me want a giant cookie!   The blog hop is one big circle, so just follow along and you're sure to get some great inspiration for your own crafting!

 

Up first I have a layout I've put together using some of my favorite sheets in the Chalk It Up pack.  These photos were taken during our trip to Walt Disney World for last year's CTMH Convention.  We had a great day at EPCOT...particularly the French Pavilion with all its great pastries!

 

 

Stamps: Great Job

Inks: Slate, Whisper

Papers: Chalk It Up, Kraft, Slate, Whisper, Teal Glitter pack

Markers: Chalk

Accessories: White Enamel Stars, Chalk It Up Picture My Life

Tools: Score Board, Artiste and Artbooking Cricut cartridges, Make It From Your Heart Vol. 2 #3

 

I've used one of the 4x6 cards from the Chalk It Up Picture My Life collection as a journaling box...on which I still need to journal.   I love the new Great Job stamp set and used the Chalk marker to highlight the stamped images, as well as the Kraft pieces of the layout.


Next up I have a card that I made for our local team swap. 

Stamps: Great Job

Inks: Lagoon

Papers: Chalk It Up, Black cardstock

Accessories: Scaredy Cat assortment

Tools: Micro-tip scissors, Make It From Your Heart Vol. 2 #20

 

I used the same stamp set again.  I think it makes me nostalgic for my doodling childhood days.

 

 

Anyway, now you're off to see Sue's Blog and the cute little gifty idea she has.  Enjoy!

 



 

Bling with an Attitude Blog Hop

Welcome to another Stampers With An Attitude team blog hop. This evening we'll be showing off our best bling!
   

You may have come from Catherine's Blog or you may have stumbled upon me by chance.  Either way, you're in for a treat with everyone's creations. 

My art piece was created with the retiring Skylark paper pack and is heavy on the Cricut use.  Take a peek:

 

Inks: Chocolate

Papers: Skylark paper pack, Brown and Tan Glitter paper

Accessories: Chocolate embroidery floss,  Antiqued Gold Rhinestone Charms, My Creations 6x6 Canvas, Create a Shade Pearl Paint

Tools: Art Philosophy, Artiste, and Artbooking Cricut cartridges, Liquid Glass, Ruler, Piercing Tool

 

 

 

Here is a close up of the birdcage, it is the lightest sheet in the Brown and Tan Glitter paper pack. I went over the whole thing with Liquid Glass to give it some more dimension and shine, as well as the "dream" at the bottom of the canvas.  I added the Rhinestone Charms for even more blingy-bling!

 





 

 

 

We have three...3...cartridges from CTMH with birds on each one.  You'd think there would be a birdcage in there somewhere, right? 

 

 

Well...I did.     And guess what...no birdcages!  So, I made my own.  Here is a screen shot from Cricut Craft Room of all the pieces I used in my canvas and which cartridges each of the shapes come from.

  

The birdcage is created with the top three shapes from the AP cartridge as well as the Umbrella shape from the AB cartridge.


I hope you enjoyed your little stay with me, now move along to Sue's Blog and see what sparkly, blingy piece she's created!
 

Happy Mother's Day

Ah, the mother of all holidays!  I get to sleep in, have breakfast served in bed, read a book without interruptions...wait, no that never happens.  Maybe someday...

This holiday is kind of bittersweet.  I lost my own mother 4 years ago but have since then gained a wonderful stepmother.

This year my birthday falls on Mother's Day, too.  So you know...double presents!


I made a special card to send to my special stepmom.

Stamps: Universal Backgrounds (retired), Simple Beauty (retired)

Inks: Whisper, Slate, Black

Papers: White Daisy, Black cardstock

Accessories: Sparkles Clear Flourishes-Small, Black satin ribbon

Tools: Artiste Cricut cartridge

I used the Artiste cartridge and CCR to make the piano base.  On page 47 of the booklet, there is a cut for a card holder.  It is Accent 3.  I welded a rectangle to the right side of the shape and sized it to be 5.5"x8.5".   And yes, all the keys are individual pieces.  It looked so much better than just drawing the lines.

I suppose it has more than one special meaning.  My mom always wanted us kids to play, so we had lessons growing up.  I don't play as much as I used to, but I can still sit down and make something come out of the piano.


My stepmom also plays the piano and organ.  So I knew this card would be just perfect for her.  I'm so grateful for her bringing music back into my dad's house!

I also sent her a Base and Bling necklace.

Dreamer Style Sheet

Craft Queen Charms

Rhinestone Charms

I used a glitter nail polish on the Glass Cover first to give it sparkle.  Then used one of the images from the Dreamer sheets for the image.



Well I hope you have a great weekend and gets lots of special treatment from your family!

Noel

This was a simple and quick card to put together.  Totally not my usual style, but it was fun to do.  I used the Cricut Craft Room to design the landscape using the House (pg. 42), the Tree2 (pg. 52), and the Rectangle8 (pg. 65) from the Art Philosophy cartridge.  I welded the Noel (pg. 79) from the Artiste cartridge in the bottom corner.

Paper: Sparkle and Shine Reflections Kit (limited time only!!)

Tools: Art Philosophy, Artiste Cricut cartridge

When I cut the pieces, I cut two of the snow scene.  I tore the top off of one and attached it to the top of the other to create some depth in the snow.  If I make this again, I think I'll cut another snow scene piece for more depth.  Or I may just leave it and move on to another card design in my head.

Come back soon and see!

Happy Holidays

My family went camping this weekend...something I've not done in many, many years. 


It was with the purpose of Loquacious earning a scout badge, which he did, but it also reminded me of the many reasons I haven't camped in a long time.  The lack of sleep, thanks to a overly warm tent (5 bodies put out a lot of heat!) and a not very thick sleeping pad had me so tired...I really did not know what day it was when I woke up yesterday.  Good thing it was Sunday!   And thank goodness for Sunday naps...though mine wasn't very long.

Anyway, now it's Monday and a brand new week!  Also a brand new month!  Pretty soon the holiday rush will be here and over before you know it.

Today I'm going to share card #4 of my upcoming workshop.  You can see the inspiration card here.

And here is my version:

Stamps: Merry and Bright

Inks: Ruby, Cashmere

Papers: Colonial White, Kraft cardstock

Accessories: Ruby Mini-Medley Assortment, Brown and Tan Sparkles, Color Ready Seam Binding, Almond Glitz Gel

Tools: Artiste Cricut cartridge



Now, before I get to play in my Closet today, I'll have to do a little housework.


Nothing like cleaning up after a camping trip!

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year...Christmas Card Making Time!

I know, Halloween is still over a week away. 

But I have succumbed to the crafters need to get Christmas cards started!  (Because if I start them now, maybe I'll actually have some done to send on time!)

I've been busy creating cards from some really great Pinterest inspirations.  And I think that's half the fun of Pinterest...seeing something and trying to recreate it with what you have!  Here is the original, found at Stamped Silly.

I love the large snowflake...even though we rarely see it here in Tucson.
Here is my version:

Stamps:  Merry and Bright

Inks: Cashmere, Ruby

Papers: Kraft, Ruby, Colonial White

Accessories: Almond Glitz, Brown and Tan Sparkles

Tools: Art Philosophy and Artiste Cricut Cartridges

I've made a set of coordinating cards for this year.  I love the look of Kraft with the Ruby and Colonial White cardstocks!  I'll be back soon with more cards to share from the set.

Birthday Cupcake Card Set

A few months ago a friend and I made a swap for our home business products.  I got a really great little bottle of Frankincense and I made her a big stack of birthday cards. Take a peek!

Inks: Hollyhock, Crystal Blue, Juniper, Spring Iris (retired), Crème Brulee, Chocolate, Cashmere

Papers: Hollyhock, Crystal Blue, Juniper, Spring Iris (retired), Crème Brulee, Chocolate, Cashmere, White Daisy, Black cardstock plus B&T papers from Bella, Notebook, Perfect Day, and Dreamin' Reflections Kits (all retired)

Tools: Artiste Cricut cartridge, paper crimper, Liquid Glass

I wanted her to be able to use them for any age, boy or girl.  And who doesn't like cake on their birthdays?

Now if you'll excuse me, our school break has started and the boys will be home for 3 weeks!  That means we'll be hitting the pool as much as possible...to keep them from the video games as much as possible!

Heart 2 Heart Challenge: Tool Time

Good morning and welcome to another weekly challenge from Heart2Heart!

Summer is upon us and that means one of two things. 
Either you are super busy with travel, swim lessons, backyard parties, and countless trips to the library...or you don't have kids.  Just kidding!  I have found that summer can be a hard time of year, you're either over run with activities or a total lack of energy to do anything.  And that my friends is where the wonderful world of tools come in!  Anything to make life easier, right?

My Mama (grandmother) told me once, and I'm sure we've all heard it at one time or another, "Oh you make the cutest things!  I could never do that!"  I told her anyone can do anything if they have the right tools.

And so for this week's challenge, we want you to share something you've created using your very favorite tool...or three if the case may be.

With Father's Day just around the corner, I made a little something for my Dad using my favorite tool, the Cricut!

Stamps: Perfect Fit-Dad

Inks: Barn Red, Outdoor Denim, Desert Sand, New England Ivy, Indian Corn Blue, Chocolate

Papers: Colonial White, Kraft, Outdoor Denim cardstock

Accessories: Brown and Tan Sparkles

Tools: Artiste Cricut cartridge, tweezers, micro-tip scissors 

The ties are found on page 75 of the Artiste handbook.  I cut them out at 3".  The circle is 2" and just the right size for the "award".


There were six of us growing up, hence the six ties for my dad.  Now all I have to do is be sure and get it in the mail!

So time to get creating!  Be sure and follow the guidelines...CTMH items, link to your blog post, etc.  You know the drill.  Have fun and be sure to stop by the other DT members' blogs and check out their favorite tools, too!

Heart 2 Heart Challenge: May Flowers

This week's challenge from H2H is May Flowers, as in April Showers bring May Flowers. While we don't have showers over here just yet, I'm always happy to make up some pretty flowers! And I couldn't do it without my handy dandy Artiste cartridge! Well, I could but it wouldn't be nearly as fun.

May always seems to sneak up on me. There are so many things going on this month...for everyone! Mother's Day is always a hard holiday for me. I love my boys and they're wonderful...but it makes me miss my own mom.

But luckily I have a fantastic step-mom and I knew I could use this challenge to make her something special! But you know how I was just saying May is so busy...well, I haven't got around to getting it sent to her yet!

So Diane, if you're reading this...STOP!



Ok, moving on.  I found a small grapevine wreath in my craft room and went to work covering it with flowers!

Ink: Saddle

Paper: Dakota paper pack, Olive cardstock

Tools: Artiste Cricut cartridge, quilling tool, hot glue gun

Accessories: Burlap ribbon

One piece of advice I have for anyone wanting to make something like this...glue your leaves down first!  Then layer your flowers on top.
I...did it the other way around.  
I don't know what I was thinking when I did that, but that's what happened.


So if you'd like to join this week's challenge, head over to the H2H Blog and check out the other DT members' creations for more inspiration!

Heart2Heart Challenges Rules:

1.Use Close To My Heart products. Your project doesn't have to be 100% CTMH, but you must use some. After all, this is a challenge blog created and sponsored by CTMH consultants.
2.Incorporate this week's challenge...May Flowers!
3.Link your project back to Heart 2 Heart from your blog or online gallery. If you are linking from a blog, you must link directly to the actual post, not your entire blog.
4.You also need to mention Heart 2 Heart (H2H) in your blog post.
5.Finally, we ask that you consider turning off word verification, as it makes it easier for the design team (and others) to leave comments.


Happy Crafting!