A Banner Year...

2012 is gone, and good riddance, the year was one disaster after the other for us, a bunch of hospital/Doctor/Dentist visits,more than any in my life. Despite all the awesome travel we got to do, we are looking forward to a calmer year. And to start the year off right it is my oldest daughters birthday in January, last year we had a princess themed party complete with all the Disney fixin's, this year we are amp-ing it up with a Rock Star theme. However, with 5+ birthdays in my family in January I think we shall have to theme this month for banners. All kinds of banners and pennants. First up is last years birthday banner for my daughters birthday, all princessed up.

I used my handy Cricut Expression to cut all the banners from Close to my Heart's Art Philosophy along with thier decorative elements at 5.5". The paper was Close to my Heart cardstock and Disney Mega Pack from EK Success. The letters were cut out of Colorbok glitter cardstock with the Cricut Paper Lace cartridge which has an awesome font on it. String it up with a fancy ribbon and we are ready to party!

Swirly Thank You

A classic two tone Thank You card. Not sure if the paper is Heidi Swapp or not, I have had it that long,but the cardstock is Close to my Heart's Cocoa color. Some swirly stamping on the cardstock and fun elements as a whole.

I cut the plaque with Cricut - Art Philosophy, then used the layer function and cut the 'Bamboo' color. Used a piece of Bamboo to showcase the Basic Grey RubOn and embellished with Close to my Heart's Opaque pearls.

To finish the card we used the negative from the Bamboo layer on the inside so people could write thier names and it's stylish!

Grace-ful Thank You

I love the bold colors in this card, the paper is Close to my Heart as is the cardstock stickers, stamp and embellishments. I also used Close to my Hearts Cricut Cartridge - Art Philosophy for the great layered tag in the center.

I first started by distressing the background, using the CTMH sanding paper, I distressed all the paper. It creates the great denim, rough feeling which goes with the rich fall colors of the paper.

Close to my Heart usually has coordinating cardstock weight stickers along wth other coordinating products. Here I used the coordinating cardstock stickers and Antique Copper Brads to punch the rough, mascuine feeling in the card.

Here is where the masuline feeling gets thown out the window with this great cardstock weight Heart sticker, so cute, I just couldn't resist.

And we fnish it all off with the inside of the card, a great blue (Twilight Blue), with cardstock sticker and Close to my Heart stamp in Cocoa Brown.

A 'Bliss'ful Layout

Yesterday I caught up on my picture taking...I had sooo many layouts and cards that needed to be photographed that it took me most of the afternoon. But, now caught up, I have a load of pictures to post for you!!! I decided to start with a layout, lately while perusing the blogosphere, I realized that there seems to be a shortage of layouts posted. I still love to use Close to my Heart Scrapbook Layouts, they are clear and I DO always get a great layout, I am no longer a consultant but still love all things Close to my Heart. This layout is all CTMH except 6 little buttons and Tattered Angles Glimmer Mist.

A really sweet layout for either a B/W baby photos or Wedding pictures, it is dreamy and soft, perfect for those pictures. I did lots of different techniques on these pages,

I tried to layer lots, so I first took CTMH new Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge and cut a large Medallion, then I used that medallion as a mask for both pages, layering Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Coffee Shop/Creme de Chocolat/Pearl over the mask.

I used the same on a Tattered Angels Flourish Mask on a photo mat, punched my scalloped strips with a Martha Stewart punch, Inked all edges, added CTMH crochet ribbon and generic buttons, but it still needed something...

So I cut up the mask I used and used the pieces to embellish this great layout. I am not sure if I should classify this as Shabby Chic or Romantic, but I love this layout and will use my Cricut to make many more masks!!!!

A Princess of a Birthday

Here we are just after Christmas and Valentines, just waiting for the other holidays creep up on us. I am one of those lucky people who in my own direct family, between Christmas and Valentine's day have 10 BIRTHDAY'S to celebrate. It's a good things I am in Russia or good bye Christmas Cards, Hello, Birthday Cards. One of those birthdays just happens to be my daughter's 6th birthday, I know, it's a big one! So to each girl in her class we send out one of this too cute Princess invitations. Everyone loved the invites and asked me where I bought them....I said 'bought?'. NO, my handy-dandy Cricut and I made these cards. All the cardstock was from Close to my Heart, absolutely the best cardstock and cuts like a dream. The Belle paper on the front of the card was from a Disney Mega pack I bought, the inside had all the need to know information! I actually used the cut out crowns on the edge of the cards as the 'for', 'when', 'where' and RSVP information, no waste here. Belle was a little difficult to piece together because her eyes would be easier in a larger size, I ended up adding the whites of the eyes with a white gel pen, it works too! We had lots of fun with Crowns I cut on the cricut and let the girls decorate, each girl had a blast putting ribbon, jewels and flowers on thier crowns. A good time for all the girls, here is a picture of the 11 girls we had at out house!

We also served my last box of Duncan Hines Chocolate cupcakes and I made these great cupcake toppers for them. They were really easy with just and oval, sihouette, toothpick and some Stickles for the glitter. Girls were choosing their favorite ones and taking the toppers home.

Our centerpiece of the party was this cute 3D castle that you can find near the end of 'Once upon a Princess' Cartridge. It didn't take me too long to make, and it was just the right height for our table. It is only about 10" wide by 7" deep by 12" high. The girls loved opening the door to see what was inside...nothing!

I also made a banner that says 'Happy Birthday' with Princess's at the beginning(Ariel), middle(Belle) and end(Jasmine). Each pennant is only 6" high, perfect for such a long word. I used Glitter paper for the letters, Disney Mega Pack paper for the toppers and Close to my Heart cardstock for the base. It was easy to make and the banner is still up to this day! My daughter passed from 5 to 6 with all the grace and beauty of a real princess. It was worth it!

Going strong in the New Year

Finally figured out how to add posts to my blog over here in Russia, I apparently need a new computer! I am back, full tilt in scrapbook/card making mode and have been pumping out some great cards and awesome layouts, but today I want to share a card I made last year, of course last year was only a couple of days ago but I digress, circle and shape cards are all the rage at the moment and thanks to my cricut, I am able to make them. I love the circle cards and even though in my ex-patriot community there aren't a lot of babies around, every so often a cute little baby does come home with some one, so this card is for them.

I have had this paper forever, it is Making Memories and I think it was called Animal Crackers (boy), I also used a Making Memories rub-on for the cute 'little one' sentiment and topped it off with a ribbon I had lying around.

The close up is of the paper and the buttons, the paper was flocked which is why I held onto it for so long. A fun, soft card for a cute, soft baby. The buttons were from Close to my Heart, which I am very sad but had to give up my consultant status when I moved over here! Still some of my favorite scrapbook items and my sister still sells it, so I can always get something. Just a little something to get you all by till I make my next post, I am hoping to keep up my blog with lots of new ideas and inspire some of you!