Thursday, July 18, 2013

Rediscover CTMH - You Make Me Happy Canvas (Surprised it's not a card??)



After I made several cards using the free download from CTMH, I decided to go a different direction. Using a 6x6 canvas and a new paper packet (Laughing Lola), I made this fun little canvas display. I love the black glitter paper behind the paper to give it a little shine and sparkle! The ginormous bow was just because I could - haha! Isn't it fun?




Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Rediscover CTMH - You Make Me Happy Card #4

Ever since my daughter's wedding, I have been inspired by the colors she chose (grey and yellow). I have purchased bedding in that combo and was drawn to the gray tag in the free downloads. It just seems cheerful, which suits the sentiment! A little bling helps it sparkle. 



Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Rediscover CTMH - You Make Me Happy Card #3

The free downloads from CTMH feature eight tags in different colors that fit just about any color combination you can imagine! I borrowed the layout and color combination for this card from the new Make It from Your Heart - Vol. 2 to be released August 1. Remember the video a few days ago about using background stamps? I was inspired and used a background stamp on the Ruby cardstock! 


I'm continuing in my commitment to use up older products, so I used the 6x6 kraft cards. They have a fun flap on them, and I held the top closed using one of the hook & loop dots

Monday, July 15, 2013

Rediscover CTMH - You Make Me Happy - Card 2

Here's another fun card using the free downloads from CTMH available until July 31. I'm trying to use some of my stash before I dig into the new products. The Dotty for You papers always made me happy, so I thought they were a great fit for the sentiment on the tag! I also used the now retired clear cards, which I love. 

The trick to using clear cards is figuring out how to hide the adhesive. I try to always use layers and place one on the inside, then the smaller piece on the outside to avoid seeing the adhesive. Once you get the hang of it, it's a piece of cake!




Sunday, July 14, 2013

Rediscover CTMH: You Make Me Happy - Card 1

I downloaded these cute tags from CTMH: Rediscover CTMH. The tags are available through July 31 and are free, so be sure to hop over to download them today! For the next few days, I'm going to share what I've done with the tags, starting with this monochromatic card:



The card is standard sized (4.25 x 5.5") and was so easy to make using White Daisy and Hollyhock cardstock, Hollyhock ink, and one stamp set - Honeycomb. I even stamped the small hexagon shapes across the bottom of the inside of the card. 

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Sneak Peek - Designed Decor

At Christmas, I'm not usually a "peeker" - I don't try to guess what my gifts are because I want the surprise on Christmas morning. I'm usually the same way about sharing new items from a yet-to-be-released Idea Book, but I couldn't wait to share this new Designed Decor item from Close To My Heart (available August 1). Mainly because it's going to be hanging in my office on Monday morning - and it's so cute!



This is one of two new Designed Decor frames. The other one is a black frame with wire "clothesline" to hang pictures, cards, or other fun things. I'll be featuring the black one in a future post. The frames are available on their own (frame only), and the Colonial White one pictured here is available as a kit which is what I used.



The kit comes with all the fun pre-cut shapes shown here as well as the frame, the mini clothespins, twine hemp, and a B-size stamp set. All you have to add is ink. I also used the new Ruby chevron ribbon, Classmate Alphabet, and one clothespin from the Wooden Mini Medleys. It came together really quickly, and I have pre-cut shapes left over! So fun!



I used pigment ink (Chocolate and Ruby) for a richer color, but dye inks would work well on the kraft cardstock, too. Head over to my website on August 1 to order your kit!

Friday, July 12, 2013

Using Background Stamp Sets

This video is so informative about using background stamp sets in different ways! I'm motivated to get mine out to use.


Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Artbooking - Be Still My Heart!

Every year, CTMH manages to top last year's Cricut cartridge even though it seems like it just can't get any better. This year's cartridge is no exception. Artbooking definitely makes scrapbooking simpler, faster, and easier! This amazing cartridge has hundreds of images including complete two-page layouts and numerous mini scrapbooks. How fun! Mine arrives tomorrow (stalking the FedEx guy . . .), so the fun will commence! I have to confess that my heart beats just a little faster when I think about using this amazing product. Be watching for a fun weekly blog hop during August featuring projects made using the Artbooking cartridge. You will be inspired!

Check out all the images on the PDF file below. I have gone through it several times and see something new every time! I'm accepting pre-orders now and will place your order on August 1. Like all CTMH Cricut cartridges, it comes with three sheets of Dimensional Elements and three stamp sets. It's a great deal at $99! Pre-order from now until July 31, and I will include free shipping on the cartridge! Click the button below to place your pre-order. 








Art Attack: Bend It, Curve It, Stamp It

Discover the ease of creating new designs from stamp sets you already own. Personalize by using this new stamping technique. The versatility of clear My Acrylix® stamps makes it simple to bend, curve, and mix and match stamps to produce a completely unique design!


Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy 4th of July!

I celebrated America's freedom by creating a canvas to display around the patriotic holidays. I used the stamp set Home of the Brave that is offered through July 31. $5 from the sale of every one of this stamp set will be donated to the USO in support of our troops.




I had so much fun making this! I stamped the fireworks directly on the 6x6 canvas and discovered that the stamp scrubber with the lid on fits perfectly into the canvas so I could stamp in the middle with a decent image. I used pigment ink for the most vibrant colors. The flag and the Statue of Liberty were stamped on cardstock then cut out and adhered to the canvas using 3-D foam tape. If you're stamping directly on the canvas, be sure to check where the sawtooth hanger is on the back. Don't make the mistake I did and have it on the side rather than the top. Oops! ~ Oh, well! 

Items used:
Stamp set: Home of the Brave
Inks: Pigment inks - Honey, Ruby, Outdoor Denim, Slate

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Art Attack: Easy Party Planning with Cricut

Learn how to plan the perfect party using one key from the Cricut®Artiste cartridge—it’s that easy! Invitations, envelopes, banners, cupcake liners, and party favor boxes will make this party a hit!


Monday, July 1, 2013

CTMH Retiring List

With all the exciting new products coming on August 1, CTMH has to clear out some old favorites to make room for the new! The list below are items that will not be available after August 1. These items are available while supplies last, and they are selling out quickly. 

Join my online party if you'd like to order items from this list (or any other items!). Go to lorimiller.ctmh.com and Join the Gathering for "Lori's Online Party - July." Your items will be shipped directly to your home! Couldn't be easier!