Another Florentine card with some Mojo 229

Even though this sketch is from last week, I really wanted to make a card using it. Do you ever see a card or layout in your head and just have to make it? That's how this card was!

I really, really wanted to try making the crinkled ribbon using the new CTMH Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon. It was very quick and easy to make. I sprayed a length of seam binding using rubbing alcohol and re-inker mixed in the Spray Pen. I spritzed away until the ribbon was a little darker than I wanted it to be, since I knew it would dry lighter. I scrunched the ribbon as I spritzed it, the scrunched it up as small as I could. I dried it with the heat gun, holding the ribbon with craft tweezers. Keep the heat gun moving so the ribbon doesn't scorch. It dried in just a few quick minutes with a nice rumpled, crinkly look. 

The stamp set for this card is one of many A-size stamp sets (only $6.95!). I love how quick a cute card comes together with this darling stamp. I inked the heart in Goldrush ink, then used the sponge daubers to add some Olive and Twilight ink. 

I used these products to make the card:

Florentine Level 2 Paper Packet
Adore
Spray Pens
Just Blooms - Flutter
Foundry Pin Clips
Bohemian Assortment
Bouquet Assortment
Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon

And the sketch --

   

Studio J Saturday - Tinkerin' Layout

Tinkerin' is such a great paper packet for little boy pages! All the gears remind me of my boys, playing with K'Nex. Something fun I did on this page was to add a double mat around the focal photo. It's easy to do: just add a text box and size it to just a little larger than the matted photo. Change the paper for the mat to the color you want it to be by clicking on the color selection tool. It will cover your photo, but don't panic! Right-click and select "Send to back." If part of the mat goes behind another paper, right-click again and select "Bring forward." It adds a little something extra.

Left Page

Right Page

Studio J Saturday: Love Your Layout - Make Your Own Patterned Paper

Enjoy this video about making your own patterned paper in Studio J!

Embrace the Philosophy of Fun in March!

Now is a great time to join Close To My Heart because when you sign up as a new Consultant between March 1–31, you'll receive a FREE Cricut® Art Philosophy collection*! The collection's retail price of $99 adds incredible value to your New Consultant Kit and will give you hours of creative fun with the included exclusive Cricut® cartridge, three coordinating My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets, and three sheets of matching Dimensional Elements shapes. Already own the collection? You can always give your free one as a gift or choose to receive $100 in select product credit** instead. Now is the time to embrace the philosophy of fun—Consultant and Cricut® fun!

I'd love to have you join my team! Feel free to call or e-mail with questions. (309-826-6705 or clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com) You can also check out the Join My Team! page on this blog or watch the video for more information.

Studio J Saturday - Elemental Layout

This is the second layout for my son-in-law-to-be. (Isn't that a mouthful?!) He certainly was a cute little guy. They will have beautiful children!

I love, love, love the Elemental papers! They are so versatile and go with almost any photos. I used several Stickease on this layout, including a little cluster on the right page. The Stickease can be resized to whatever size you need, making them so flexible! Don't you love the little banners by the title?

I left the journaling area blank for Mike's mom to add her thoughts. We'll cut a piece of cardstock to fit and attach it when she is done. I may even add a few more embellishments.

Left Page

Right Page

Studio J Saturday: Photo Editing Tool

Mojo Monday 228 - 5 x 7 Card

I'm focusing on the paper packet Florentine this month, and the more I use it, the more I like it! The cardstock-weight B&T paper can be perfect for a card. I like the way it dresses up the inside of the card without adding much weight.

Items used:

Paper: Florentine Level 2 Paper Packet, Colonial White cardstock

Stamps: Remarkable Wreath

Inks: Cocoa, Goldrush, Twilight, Olive

Embellishments: Bohemian Assortment, Foundry Pin Clips, Designer Ribbon Blue Collection

Other: Art Philosophy Collection

Tools: Photo corner punch (EK Success), score board (Martha Stewart), bone folder

My friend won!

My great friend, Pam, was a winner in Mojo Monday's monthly sketch contest! I'm so happy for her! Here's a picture of her card:

Be sure to drop by her blog, Clearly Creative, to see how she made this card - and don't forget to leave her some love!

Florentine Workshop on the Go

The Florentine papers are some of my favorite in the Spring Summer 2012 Idea Book, and I can hardly wait to make the layouts and cards from the Workshop on the Go. All the thinking is done for me - layouts and embellishments - and complete instructions are included! Everything I need to make two gorgeous layouts and the bonus project are included with just a couple of additional items: White Daisy Die-Cut Cards & Envelopes and Pewter Badge Buttons.

Here is the additional layout, which is going to be perfect for my daughter's wedding scrapbook:

Aren't these additional cards just too cute?!

I hope these projects inspire you!

Studio J Saturday - Animal Cookies Layout

In the spirit of Studio J Saturday, I'm going to be sharing some of the layouts I've made recently. In addition to the heritage album I'm making for my husband, I'm also working on an album for my future son-in-law, which will be displayed at the wedding reception. My daughter brought an assortment of pictures from his growing-up years, and I scanned them to use on the pages. I'm going to ask him mom to do the journaling so it will be a gift from both of us. I will provide cardstock cut to the proper size for her to use, and we can just add it to the layout. Simple!

The first layout is of babyhood. I love the Animal Cookies paper for this! That's a great thing about Studio J - you can use paper packets that are retired from the Idea Book. You can also modify the colors if you need to.

Left Page

Right Page

Studio J Saturday: Focus on the Photos

February Creative Club - Tea Caddy

Make this cute little tea bag caddy at this month's Creative Club! You will receive all materials needed to make the project for $5. The club will meet on Thursday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday, February 25 at 10:00 a.m. at my house. RSVP by 2/15 to 309-826-6705 or clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com to reserve your spot and for my address. See you there!

LOVE

The challenge at Heart 2 Heart this week is to make something for the one you love. I've had these heart-shaped large bottle caps for quite a while and decided to use them to make a little wall hanging for over my kitchen sink. I love how it turned out!

It was very easy to make. I traced the heart shape onto a scrap piece of cardstock and cut out a template. Then it was easy to trace the pattern on the back of the lovely Lucy B&T paper and adhere the paper to the hearts. The letters were cut using Art Philosophy (of course!) and embellished with little pearls. So sweet and simple!

Products used:

Paper: Lucy Level 2 Paper Packet

Embellishments: Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems, Colonial White ribbon

Other: Cricut Art Philosphy, heart bottle caps, Cropadile



Mojo Monday 227 - Florentine card

It has been ages since I've played along with Mojo Monday! It's exciting to be back in the swing of things. This week's card uses a brand-new CTMH paper packet: Florentine. I love the color combination and the sweet, romantic prints. The card also features the new bohemian assortment and the February Stamp of the Month, Thoughtful Tidings. Scroll down for a list of all products used.

Products used:

Paper: Florentine Level 2 Paper Packet, Colonial White and Cocoa cardstock

Ink: Cocoa, Twilight

Stamps: February SOTM - Thoughtful Tidings

Embellishments: Bohemian Assortment, Bouquet Assortment, Foundry Pin Clips

Tools: Cricut Art Philosophy

Studio J Saturday: Personalize Your Layouts

Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book

The Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book is here! It is full of beautiful new products - I know you'll love it! You can request your own copy by sending me an e-mail (clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com) or by giving me a call (309-826-6705). You can also get a copy when you attend one of my card or scrapbook workshops.

With all the fun new items (and those that will be coming in the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book!), we have to say goodbye to some current products to make room for the new ones. Close To My Heart does a great job of letting us know about product lines that will not be continued in future Idea Books. The Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book will be the last idea book the following products will be featured:

• How-To Books
• Distressing Kit (full kit only)
• Exclusive Inks® Markers
• Cardstock Shade Packs
• 8 1/2" x 11" Cardstock Packs

If you are interested in any of these products, be sure to place your order right away as they will be available only while supplies last!