Shoebox Cards

We have so much fun with Shoebox cards...almost a full house, we had nine ladies participate this last Tuesday and it was excellent.  Check out our creations...

 Anita made us be creative... she brought so much stuff for us to make our "collage" tag cards.  I am not such a fan of collage... so here is my interpretation.

 Deborah's quick card was fun!

 This is from a 6x6 craft card pack.  It was inspired by a CTMH consultant Jennifer Bennet.  cut off the bottome 6x6 and use it to make a 3x3 and the extra parts.  Using Roxie and Rock the Block

 3x3 card using leftovers from 6x6.

 This was Dulce's first time in attending cards and we were glad to have her join us.  She surprised us with this delightful Disney card.

 Kathy also is a first time attendee and helped us create this groovy Valentine:)

 Lori's Charming Valentine was fun to quickly assemble... Even the hearts were embossed.

 Melani showed us a fun fold card embellished with a flower created with eight circles that we folded and folded and folded:):):).

Roxxy's card surely sparkled.

Hostess Club Layout

The Third Tuesday is Hostess Club... we meet at 7:00 and create a 2 page layout.  There's good music, light chit chat and creativity... Please bring your basic kit (cutter, scissors, adhesive and blocks) and come create with us.

Here's the January Project... and of course you can choose your papers and colors to create a project that works for you. We are using the cricut on this project.

Event update

Hi Ladies, 

So glad the days are getting longer.  Here's a quick update on CTMH and the upcoming events...

The new books have arrived and will be available during Hostess club...Keep in mind that they go into effect February 1st.

Have you thought of trying Studio J?  If you want some help... let's set up an appointment and play around.  it's fun and free... try it!

Have you found my CTMH page on Face book? it's a great way to keep in touch.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Close-to-my-Heart-Diane-Bowman/244042018959283

Have you found my blog?  now that the holidays are over, I will be updating each week. http://superstampingdivadi.blogspot.com/

New year... new Hostess club starting... Would love to have your join us.  Hostess club meets on the third Tuesday each month. Guests are always welcome.  When you bring a guest who orders, receive a mini stamp set. 

Perks...

take turns being hostess and receiving the hostess rewards. 

create a two page layout

great music

fun chats

great products

sneak peeks

**order specials for each month (for club members only)

**When it's your month to hostess, get an extra 15% off your order

let me know if you are interested...

Hostess Club dates:

January 17th

February 21st

March 20th

April 17th

May 15th

June 19th

Shoebox card nights... we meet on the 4th Tuesday each month.  Design a card and prepare for up to 10 people to create your card.  bring the supplies in a shoebox.  Please RSVP if you plan to attend.

Jan 24th

Feb 28th

Mar 27th

WOTG nights Bring your workshop on the go kit and come and do it at here with a group. there will be a suggested wotg and you are welcome to do the kit of your choice.  These events are free with the purchase of a kit. Come join us for music, chit chat and creativity.

Here's the schedule of events:

January 31st Sonoma (Sneaking this one due to date conflicts)

February 7th Super hero

March 6th Florentine

April 3rd Stella

May 1st Lucy

June 5th Footloose

July 3rd Victory

Workshops...

Friday Feb 10th... Event Calendar $14

Friday April 20th... Toilet paper tube album (to be determined)

Tuesday May 29th....3x3 cards (2 sets of 5) $7

Village Creek Bible Camp March Scrapbooking Retreat...

March 7th -March 11th

http://villagecreek.net/#/village-creek-bible-camp

This is a wonderful event... Make plans to attend now:)

Photo Ops... I am learning to use my camera... and am hoping to take photos throughout the year to create a calendar for next year.  Let me know if you are interested in "shooting".

January and February ideas

 

^January 

^{New year’s parties}

^{A fireplace}

^{A snowman}

^{Kids bundled up}

^{Cold weather clothing}

^{Animals in the snow}

^{A hot meal}

^{Blankets and throws}

^{A snow covered tree}

^{Super bowl parties}

^{New Year's resolutions}

^{Kids playing video games}

^February

^{A frosted window pane}

^{An outside thermometer}

^{Skiing, skating, sledding}

^{Hanging icicles}

^{Favorite indoor activities}

^{People you love}

^{Valentines flowers or candies}

^{A hug and kiss}

^{A bowl of worm oatmeal}

^{Flower pots of forced bulbs}

^{Groundhog day shadow}

^{Mardi Gras costumes}

^{It's amazing how fast time really goes...be sure to Scrapbook it:)}  

^{Have an amazing day:)}

December Ordering Special

December Ordering Special... (good only Friday and Saturday December 9-10) Orders will be here in time for Christmas
 

Order $25 receive free ink pad OR Order $50 receive a free level 2 paper pack or "b" stamp set OR order $75 receive a free "C" stamp set OR order $100 and receive a free "D" set. (free gifts are not cumulative and order total is before taxes and shipping)

Contact me today to get in on this special.  (Also free gift wrap with a $50 order)

Winter Wonderland WOTG

This is my version of the Winter Wonderland workshop on the go!  Hope you can attend.  It's tonight at 7:00 pm at my house:) 

This one isn't quite finished.. just needs a bit of embellishment...

Sprucing up Cricut Art Philosophy Cuts

By Joy McHargue (my Texas friend:)  thanks for sharing Joy:)

Cricut shapes and cut-outs look flat and boring straight off the cutting mat. These are some simple steps to give your Cricut Art Philosophy cuts more pizzazz.
Note: for cutting examples, I use the keypad system 1-10 across and A-E down. So the Cupcake would be Shift E10, for example. Idea Book examples are from the Fall/Winter 2011 book.

Ink:
• Sponge dauber the edge- same tone, darker, or even a lighter pigment (card p74)
• DTP or direct to paper: My favorite looks is running the cut at a 90 degree angle which gives just the edge depth-this works best with a strong dark color. (winter card p 74)
• You can also DTP edge distress with ink of any color for that shabby chic look. (p19 WOTG pages)
• Stamp on the cuts: flourishes and background images work very well, but random stamping a literal image like flowers look great also! (p 27 card)
• Texture tools and stippling: best to use a good contrast color to give texture.
• Stamp underneath a cricut shape (pocket p 108)

Layering:
• Use the layer function on the cartridge to add a framed look: cut at same size for layer to go on top, cut ¼” larger for layer to go outside the first cut. (card p 64)
• Decorative layers make great frames for many cuts- refer to p 72 booklet.
• Add ¼” to original cut in a different color paper/CS to make a sort of mat. Note: not all images cut to make a precise ¼” border so do a test cut first-works well for squared and circular but not as well for ovals and rectangular shapes.
• Glue cut to CS and hand cut a mat.
• Layer with strips, squares, and/or circles under your Cricut shape to pop up your shape. (card p 30 , p51)
• Make several layers, graduating sizes like flowers ( card p87)
• Use foam tape to pop Circuit shape.
• Offset layers (p15 flourish on card)

Accessories:
• Tie it up: hemp, ribbon, floss, waxy flax (banner p106))
• Sparkles, glitter, brads, buttons, pearls
• Liquid appliqué- this looks really nice on card cutouts like snowflakes (Shift+card A10) with glitter added while wet.
• Sanding/edge distress your shapes. (card p57)
• Glitz is a super easy way to add depth!

Special note: Card cut outs- usually done with shift +card function really need attention- use two or more of these to ramp up this type of cut (I love you card p 88)
• Add a frame from a layer cut- look on page 71-72 to find a suitable shape.
Example: shift+card E10 cutout card would be framed nicely with squared frames like Layer E3, Layer B4, and several others. Decorative layer D3.
• Sponge dauber the edge of the cutout lightly
• Put patterned paper behind the cutout- finish inside with a frame around that piece for dauber.
• Glitz around edge or liquid appliqué