Weeks of Wonder: A Fabulous Duo

If there’s a product in Close To My Heart’s line-up that I love almost as much as My Acrylix stamps, it would be the My Reflections B&T papers. I love the beautiful colors and patterns, and, I don’t know about you, but I still love the newer, heavier weight of the paper as well. There are already so many fabulous ways to use your B&T papers, but today I’d like to talk about good ways to stamp on them, too!

The paper from the Sonoma paper pack looks just beautiful on this card. The neutral tones accented by that ribbon of Cranberry cardstock really do melt my heart. Although the Snowflakes stamp set (D1480) is featured with the Wonderland paper packet in the Idea Book, it blends perfectly with this paper, too! Using 3D foam tape to pop the stamped image up helps it to stand out just enough to not get lost in the pattern.

Can you pick out the B&T that was used on this project? That’s right, it’s the Cranberry sheet from the wonderfully versatile Elemental paper pack. And the small snowflake image from the December 25th stamp set (C1469) fits right in here. It’s one of the hallmarks of Close To My Heart that our products are designed to coordinate with each other, and the stamps and B&T papers are no exception!

Start with a B&T paper that you want to embellish. The papers from the Elemental kit are all great choices, but other patterned papers lend themselves to this technique as well. Then look through and find a stamp image that coordinates with that pattern. The sets that are featured with the paper packs in the Idea Book are a good place to start, but branch out and look at other options, too!

Ink your stamp in your desired color and stamp onto your B&T paper. You can choose the same color to blend into the pattern, or you could choose a coordinating or contrast color, as well.


Make sure you stamp your image off the edges of your piece to maintain the integrity of the new pattern. Sponge the edges of your piece to finish it off.

Have fun mixing and matching your stamps and B&T’s to create your own patterns and backgrounds!

Madison's 1st Halloween

 

Here is my new granddaughter, just over two weeks old, wearing her first Halloween outfit! So adorable.

Shape-a-Day: Day 23

These lovely leaves are stamped with some more fabulously coordinating stamp images, found on the Harvest Happiness stamp set (C1463). And while I love the effect of the stamping on these leaves, they also look gorgeous cut out on colored cardstocks or Background and Texture papers – no stamping required!

Shape instructions: You’ll see these three different leaves on pages 34, 56, and 62 of the cricut booklet. You’ll find the size instructions listed on the carrier sheet of the Harvest Happiness stamp set, which appears on page 35 of this year’s Autumn / Winter Idea Book.

Shape-a-Day: Day 22

In today’s card, all three heart shapes were cut using different features found on the same button – and, as a result, you can see how the card cut-out, the heart, and the heart outline are perfectly matched.

Shape Instructions: For the basic heart shape, push the sixth key from the left on the top row, with the size set at 1 ¾”. For the outline, leave the size at the same setting and push the same key with the “Layer” feature key activated. For the card, you’ll set the size to 4 ½” and push the same key with the “Card” feature key and shift activated.

Shape-a-Day: Day 21

Today’s Cricut shape is this fun heart container. Use this container as a fresh way to let your loved ones know how you feel, or as a thank-you. Use it for decorating, or on a scrapbook page. Experiment with different sizes to see the multitude of uses this fun shape lends itself to.

Shape Instructions: Set the size to 9”, then push the “Font Layer” feature key, shift, and the sixth key from the left on the top row.

Shape-a-Day: Day 20

No matter what project you are working on, the Art Philosophy cartridge has a shape for you! With several pennant shapes to choose from, all you have to do is choose which to use!

Shape Instructions: Cut these simple pennants by setting your size dial to 5” and then pushing the second key from the right on the third row. To top it off, set your size dial to 3 ¾” and push the second button from the left on the bottom row to cut the decorative oval shape. Trim the bottom and top pieces off and attach it to your pennant base.

Shape-a-Day: Day 19

When you use your Art Philosophy cartridge to cut out an envelope for your card, you can make an easy lining for your envelope by cutting the same envelope ¼” smaller on a coordinating B&T or cardstock. Trim off the side and bottom flaps and glue the lining inside the outer envelope before inserting your card. Little details like this can have a big impact on the recipient.

Shape Instructions: For the square envelope, push the “font layer” feature key, followed by shift, and the second key from the right on the top row. The size dial was set at 4 ¾” for this envelope, and 4 ½” for the lining. Refer to page 29 in the Cricut booklet.

Introducing....

My first granchild -- Madison Amber! Here she is in all her glory!

Shape-a-Day: Day 18

Don’t you just love a few well-placed butterflies? These beautiful wings work wonders for this door hanger. And yep, they were all cut with the Cricut.

Shape Instructions: Add an intricate layer to your butterfly wings by pressing the “layer” feature key, then shift, and then the fifth button from the left on the fourth row. The large butterfly on this project is 2”. See page 55 in the Art Philosophy booklet.

Shape-a-Day: Day 17

It’s hard to pick a favorite from among the Art Philosophy flowers featured on today’s layout. Each flower you see was cut using the Cricut cartridge, and most were stamped with a stamp set that features six coordinating images – Hooray Bouquet (D1491). The end result is irresistible!

Shape Instructions: You’ll find these flowers on pages 29, 48, and 57 of your Cricut booklet. If you already have the Hooray Bouquet stamp set, you can find the appropriate sizes printed right on the carrier sheet.

Shape-a-Day: Day 16

You may recognize this tag from the card I shared on day one. Now the tag is stand-alone and adorned by some more Cricut-cut shapes! You’ll notice that the green flourish on the center tree was made using the piece cut from the tree layer on the left. It’s like getting two shapes in one!

Shape Instructions: For the top layer piece, push the “Layer” feature key, shift, and then the first key on the second row. Refer to page 31 in the booklet.

Shape-a-Day: Day 15

Ready for more 3D excitement? The Art Philosophy cartridge can also cut this fun take-out box for you! It makes for a great container, or just a nice-looking decoration for your shelf.

Shape Instructions: Size 10 ¾”; Push the “Font layer” feature key, then shift, and then the fourth key from the left on the top row. You can see this on page 24 of your booklet.

Shape-a-Day: Day 14

The Art Philosophy cartridge brings a whole new set of possibilities to your artwork. The intricate cutting on these doilies would have been impossible with scissors, or even a craft knife. The Cricut makes it a piece of cake.

Shape Instructions: The largest of the doilies was cut at 5 ½”. Push the “Font layer” feature key, then shift, and then the third key from the right on the bottom row. Make sure you reduce your speed setting on these intricate cuts for the best results. Look at page 68 in the Art Philosophy booklet.

Shape-a-Day: Day 13

One of my favorite things about the Art Philosophy cartridge is combining the Cricut shapes with coordinating stamp images. The sentiment on this card comes from the Holiday Cheer stamp set (B1381) and this image fits perfectly on one of the Art Philosophy shapes. Cricut and My Acrylix stamps – what a great combination!

Shape Instructions: Cut this shape by setting the size to 1 ¼” and pressing the 6th key over from the left on the third row. This key is highlighted on page 46 of your Cricut booklet.

Shape-a-Day: Day 12

If you enjoy going out on limbs, you’ll love today’s shape. The leafy branch on this My Creations card box is an absolute delight to look at – and it was just as delightful to create!

Shape Instructions: Cut branch by setting your size dial to 2 ½” and pushing shift and the fifth button in from the left on the second row. Page 35 in the Art Philosophy booklet.

Shape-a-Day: Day 11

There's so much to love in this layout, but I'm going to focus on another feature of the Art Philosophy collection – the complementary Dimensional Element shapes. Those banners on the right page were cut with the Cricut and attached to perfectly-coordinating pennants. The best part? The packaging tells you exactly what sizes to use!

Shape Instructions: Set the size to 2” and cut the banner shape by pushing the second key from the right on the top row. Look on page 29 of the booklet to see it.

Shape-a-Day: Day 10

On the tenth day of my shape showcase, I’m featuring a project cut almost entirely with the Cricut. This card, the vase, the flowers, the envelope, and the envelope lining were ALL cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge! The cut-out in the center of this card allows for all kinds of layering – so get creative!

Shape Instructions: To cut this card, set the size to 7”, push the “Card” feature key, and the sixth key from the left on the top row.

Shape-a-Day: Day 9

Looking for an easy way to bag your Christmas goodies this year? Well the Art Philosophy cartridge and the Believe papers come together beautifully in this fun and festive container!

Shape Instructions: You can make this container by setting your size dial to 10 1/2” and pushing the “Font Layer” feature key, shift, and the third key from the left on the top row. See page 23 in your Cricut booklet.

Shape-a-Day: Day 8

Today’s shape is one I’m particularly excited about – the spiral flowers! These beautiful flowers add a big pop to today’s layout. With just a little twirling and a dab of liquid glass, you can add these gorgeous paper blossoms to your projects, too!

Shape Instructions: You can cut these flowers in a variety of sizes; For the sorbet flowers, push the “Font” feature key, shift, and then the second key from the right on the bottom row. For the crème brulee flowers, push “Font” feature and the third key from the right on the bottom row. The flowers cut on the tulip cardstock can be cut using the same key by pushing the “Font” feature key and shift. To see what other flowers you can make, look at pages 68-70 in the Cricut booklet.

Shape-a-Day: Day 7

Tags make great additions to gifts – they add just the right touch and keep the sentiments short and sweet. The Art Philosophy cartridge has loads of tags to choose from, with lots of fun layering options, too!

Shape Instructions: Cut this tag by setting the size dial to 4”, and pushing the last key on the right side of the third row. Page 50 in the booklet.

Shape-a-Day: Day 6

Here is another of the Art Philosophy cartridge’s great 3-D offerings. This makes the perfect gift box and your Cricut will score and notch it for you. All you have to do is fill it, fold it, and give it away.

Shape instructions: Set the size dial to 11 ¼”; push the “font layer” feature key, then shift, then the key, which is the second key on the top row. Page 22 in the booklet. The heart shapes can be found on page 69 of the booklet

Shape-a-Day: Day 5

Are you seeing stars? Perfectly pointy stars are a snap! Cut them in a multitude of sizes, layer them, stamp on them using coordinating star stamps – the possibilities are limitless!

Shape instructions: Press shift and then the far right key on the second row. The size dial was set to various sizes from 3” to ¾”. Page 40 in the booklet.