Multi-purpose card with Florentine

Out of the eight new paper packets in the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book, I think the Florentine paper packet coordinates with March's Stamp of the Month Potential the best.  I have yet used the medallion stamp and was looking for inspirations.  Then I came across this sketch provided by Card Patterns:

The big circle is exactly what I need to create a card with the medallion stamp so I used the Florentine paper packet and made this card:

I have yet decided what I will use this card for.  As of now, it will go to my multi-purpose card category.

Materials used:
1.  Colonial White cardstock
2. Florentine paper packet
3. Buttons - Natural Assortment
4.  Waxy Flax - Colonial White
5.  Potential stamp set
6.  Olive Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Become a Close to My Heart consultant in March!

So you have been thinking about becoming a Close to My Heart consultant.  You'd like to meet more people who are into paper crafts.  You'd like to be inspired by craft ideas.  You'd like to make extra money to support your hobby.



March is the perfect time to become a consultant.  If you sign up as a new Consultant in March 2012, you will receive a FREE Cricut^® Art Philosophy collection! Yes, a FREE Cricut^® Art Philosophy collection!  That means you will receive the regular new consultant kit and a FREE Cricut^® Art Philosophy collection for only $99!  You must seize this great opportunity!  If you already have the Cricut^® Art Philosophy collection, no worries, you could select to receive $100 in select product credit.  Become a consultant and embrace the philosophy of fun!

Flowers made of Baker's Twine

A craft magazine is showcasing various uses of Baker's Twine.  That article refreshes my fond memory of what I liked to do all the time when I was a kid.  This trick was not shown in the magazine and I'd like to share with you:

I punched out the scalloped circle using the 2" Scallop Circle Punch, then I stuck one end of the Baker's Twine to the bottom of the scalloped circle.  I started to weave between the top and bottom of the scalloped circle by jumping seven arches each time until all arches are done.  You will find it easy and fun and can't resist to make more!

Materials used:
1.  Black cardstock
2.  Kraft cardstock
3.  Creme Brulee cardstock
4.  Baker's Twine - Paradise Assortment
5.  Workshops on the Go Pemberley Kit
6.  Olive Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Mojo Monday 230 with Superhero

This week Mojo Monday Challenge provides two sketches - a round one and a square one:

I'd like to make a card that is not girly so I thought I should use the Superhero paper.  Thus I came up with a July 4 card:

Materials used:

1.  White Daisy cardstock

2.  Superhero Paper Packet

3.  Moonstruck Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

4.  Cranberry Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

5.  American Celebration stamp set

6.  Friendship Alphabet stamp set

7.  Dimensional Elements - stars

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Picture Perfect Challenge

This week Heart 2 Heart Challenge provides us with a picture and asks that we create our artwork based on the the inspiration from that.  The picture shows a really lovely room, in which there are many elements I love: the colors, the decorations on the wall, the framed "dwell" and many others. 

My mind has changed at least 20 times when I was preparing my card, and I finally settled with this idea:

I insist to incorporate the gray stripes which I found on the pillow on the couch and the "sunflower" on the wall.  With the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection, the card was easily made.  I then cut out two little ones to accompany the central flower, stuck the retired Kraft Color-Ready borders  on a piece of Gray Wool cardstock to cut out the zic-zac stripes, added some blings to give it some interest. 

Materials used (All Close to My Heart products):
1.  White Daisy cardstock
2.  Sky cardstock
3.  Gray Wool cardstock
4.  Bohemian Assortment
5.  Bling Assortment

Celebrate Today

Sometimes I like to make one-layer cards because, even though they look simple, they can be very challenging, meaning that they can be just as fun as mult-layered, well-embellished cards. 

Some of the challenges in making a one-layer card are: the proportion of blank space in the card; number of colors to be used and proportion of space for the sentiment, if we decide to include it on the card front.  In this card I made it rather colorful and busy:

I always find this stamp set very cute and I think the lanterns are perfect for making this one-layered card.  The bright vibrant colors give a lift to the sentiment "Celebrate Today!"

Materials used:
1.  White daisy cardstock
2.  Paper Lantern stamp set
3.  Smoothie Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
4.  Pear Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
5.  Sunset Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
6.  Lagoon Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
7.  Gypsy Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
8.  Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Anything is Possible

Are you ready for a new Stamp of the Month?  The Stamp of the Month of this month is called Potential.  The flourishes in the stamp set are very pretty.  I like the sentiment "Anything is possible."  In particular, two fonts are used so the word "Anything" stands out nicely. 

I then realize that even though the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge has 700 shapes, I have not even explored 1/10 of it!  So I have decided to make a card with the stamp set and the cartridge:

Don't you love the doily?  It makes the card elegant and matches with the sentiment so well!

Materials used:
1.  Sonoma paper packet
2. Chocolate cardstock
3.  Cricut Art Philosophy Collection
4.  Potential stamp set
5.  Cocoa Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad