H2H Extra Extra Read All About It

Greetings! I am so excited to continue as the guest designer over at Heart 2 Heart Challenges. This week's challenge, if you choose to accept it, is "Extra, Extra! Read All About it!"

I had a couple of ideas spinning around in my head, but decided there was no time like the present to complete my daughter's birthday layout from last weekend...you know, while the memories were still fresh. We had a tea party theme, and I'd love to say I got tons of great pictures, but with 13 children all together, and me being the only person in the bunch that they all knew, I was on my feet and moving the entire time. It was great fun, and the girls are still talking about it a week later. I call that a success!

Without further ado, here is my layout:

Recipe:
Paper: Brushed, Buttercup CS (retired), Pear CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Friendship Alphabet - Small (retired), Trinity Alphabet (retired), Tea Time (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Pixie, Buttercup (retired), Hollyhock, Slate (CTMH)
Tools: 2" Scallop Circle Punch (retired), Paper-Piercer, Foam Mat, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: White Embroidery Floss (retired), Pink Buttons (retired), White Enamel Stars, Glue Dots, Foam Tape (CTMH)

According to Wikipedia, "Hear Ye, Hear Ye" translates to "Listen up!" In England, town criers were the means of communication with the people of the town since many people could not read or write. Proclamations, local bylaws, market days, adverts, were all proclaimed by a bellman or crier. 

Before I go, I wanted to share a piece of advice with you. If you don't currently have good storage for your embellishments, I urge you to make that your next purchase. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, so long as you can see what you have so you use it. I bought a medium organizer from Close To My Heart to store my embellishments in. Now, I know exactly what I have, and that means that I will remember to use it. Use it or lose it. :)

Have a wonderful day!

Casandra

Brushed Joy Captured Layout

I made this layout a couple of weeks ago but never got around to posting it here. I love how this turned out, and my pictures worked perfectly with the Brushed kit's colors of green, yellow and pink.

Recipe:
Paper: Brushed, Juniper CS, Pixie CS, White Daisy CS, Slate CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Brushed WOTG, It's The Little Things (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Black, Pixie, Buttercup (retired) (CTMH)
Tools: Craft Tray, Craft Heater, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Sponges, Journal Pen, Micro-Tip Scissors, Cricut Artbooking Cartridge (CTMH)
Other: Topiary Washi Tape, Foam Tape (CTMH)

These pictures are from 3 years ago. Hard to believe my little girl will be 7 in just a month.

Happy crafting!

Casandra

SOUS Easter Layout

Today, I am enjoying the sunshine as I sit here in my craft room. I even played silly hide-and-go-seek games with my daughter.

I'm really proud of my latest scrapbook layout. One of my close friends finally took the leap to log into Cricut Craft Room, and she inspired me to give it a try. After more than 2 hours trying to get my computer to recognize the cricut and finally to update firmware, etc., I began to have my doubts if it was really worth it. BUT, now that all those things have been accomplished, I love the ease of using CCR. I can even create 12" grass! Amazing....And, I even bought a digital cricut cartridge download (Doodlecharms) so I could cut the Easter basket. 

Recipe:
Paper: Brushed, Juniper CS, Hollyhock CS, White Daisy CS, Black CS, Kraft CS (CTMH)
Stamps: A Hop (retired), Keyboard Uppercase Alphabet, Brushed WOTG (CTMH)
Inks: Pear, Hollyhock, Buttercup (retired), Pixie, Desert Sand, Black, Juniper (CTMH)
Tools: Cricut Artiste, Cricut Doodlecharms, Micro-Tip Scissors, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Sponges (CTMH)
Other: Lagoon Heart Washi, Topiary Chevron Ribbon, Glue Dots, Foam Tape (CTMH)

At one point, as Izzy was participating in her 2nd Easter Egg Hunt (she did three of them last year), she yelled "Chocolate. I need chocolate! Chocolate I tell ya!"

I am entering this layout into the following challenges:
1) Stuck On U Sketches: In The Garden Challenge
2) Heart 2 Heart Challenges: How Cute Challenge

I can't wait for this Easter. Izzy wants to take back her record of finding her Easter basket first. I wonder who will succeed?

Casandra

LM231 Wild Thing Layout

Good morning. We are counting down the days until Spring Break. A couple of weeks ago, my little niece turned 4, and we surprised her with cupcakes at McDonald's. While this layout will actually go into my daughter's scrapbook, I thought it would be good to show the personalities and relationships that my children have with their little cousin.

Recipe:
Paper: Hooligans (retired), Flaxen Paper Fundamentals, White Daisy CS, Black CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Brushed WOTG (CTMH)
Ink: Gypsy (CTMH)
Tools: Micro-Tip Scissors, Scallop Border Punch, Journal Pen (CTMH)
Other: Hooligans Complements, Boardwalk Washi Tape (CTMH)

I would like to enter this layout into the following challenges:
1) Lasting Memories #231 Challenge
2) Heart 2 Heart "Green With Envy" Challenge

I knew this old paper pack I have been hoarding was perfect for these pictures. I added in the flaxen paper (pennants) to help draw the eye to the photos. Oddly enough, it all works together. The green 1/4" strips are actually washi tape and comes in a washi trio called "Boardwalk Washi". I couldn't wait to use it. It's "WOWZA!"

Have a wonderful day!

Casandra

Brushed Oh So Happy Layout

Good morning. I am so happy to finally see the sun shining. I hope that is a good omen for how today is going to go. My little girl (pictured here) has to have her first cavities filled today. I'm anxious about how she is going to be.

Recipe:
Paper: Brushed, Pear CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Brushed WOTG, It's The Little Things (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Buttercup (retired), Pixie, Hollyhock, Juniper, Black (CTMH)
Tools: Sponges, Cricut Artbooking, Micro-Tip Scissors, Craft Heater, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Leaf Green ShinHan Alcohol Marker, Journal Pen (CTMH)
Other: Topiary Striped Washi Tape (CTMH)

This is the first time I've tried this technique. First, I cut out an overlay with my cricut. Next, I tacked it down gently with some washi tape (since it's repositionable). Then, I began sponging yellow ink down in random spots, followed by pink ink. I even sponged ink on to my clear stamp to get a two-tone ink effect. I will definitely have to use this technique again. It really jazzed this layout up.

I would like to enter this layout into the following challenges:
1) Use Your Stuff Challenge #177
2) The Paper Players PP236 Challenge

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Casandra

Happy Birds Artiste Card

It is time to face reality. Our furnace kicked on during the night for the first time, this season. Of course, little girl leaving her window ajar probably didn't help matters. When I went in to wake her up this morning, Izzy yawned, stretched, and snuggled into me with a sleepy smile and a "I'm cold". Well, duh. 

The other day, this same little girl was caught sneaking off to her room with nail polish, after I told her no. When I asked for the nail polish back, she denied taking it (at first). After another round of questioning, she caved. "No, I didn't take it...okay; I did. I was testing my limits." I couldn't help myself; a giggle, followed quickly by another, escaped. Before I knew it, Izzy was laughing, too. 

Here's what you really stopped by for:

I made a card a few weeks ago and forgot to post it here to my blog. (Oops.) 

I found inspiration from one of our old idea books, Autumn/Winter 2012. I wanted to highlight some of the pretty patterns from Brushed. Is it just me or does anyone else see retired Veranda in that green paper? I cut the sentiment from our Artiste cricut cartridge. 

Recipe:

Paper: Brushed, Canary CS, White Daisy CS, Desert Sand CS (CTMH)

Stamps: Happy Birds, Art Philosophy (CTMH)

Inks: Chocolate (CTMH)

Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Alcohol Markers, Craft Heater, Glue Pen, Artiste Cartridge (CTMH)

Other: Sparkle Flourish, Bitty Sparkles, Chocolate Embroidery Floss (CTMH)

One of the patterns from Brushed paper has this cool ombre effect; it really makes the sentiment pop. 

Casandra

Birdy Thinking of You Card

I am so happy that it's finally Thursday; last day of my work week. 

One of the many perks of being a Close To My Heart consultant, is that we get to order 6x6 samplers of the new paper packs included in each new Idea Book. This also helps my creative process along. I can lay out the papers and gather up scraps and pair different colors together until I get the look I'm going for. That is exactly how this card came about. 

Recipe:
Paper: Brushed, Canary CS, Smoothie CS, Desert Sand CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Happy Birds (CTMH)
Inks: Pear, Desert Sand, Chocolate, Smoothie (CTMH)
Tools: Scallop Border Punch, Watercolor Pencils, Alcohol Markers, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Clear Sparkles (CTMH)

Those birds make me happy. Have a great day!

Casandra

New Home Congrats Card

Here's another card that was inspired by the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book.

Isn't it fun? As I was sitting here looking at the card, I remembered that one of my relatives moved into their first new home. This will be perfect for them.

Recipe:
Paper: Later Sk8r (retired), Brushed, Flaxen CS, Chocolate CS, Desert Sand CS, Lagoon CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Cricut Art Philosophy (CTMH)
Ink: Chocolate (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tips Scissors, Glue Pen, Sanding Kit, Cricut Art Philosophy, Journal Pen (CTMH)
Other: Aqua Dots, White Daisy Embroidery Floss (retired), Neutral Baker's Twine, Teal Shimmer Trim (CTMH)

Thanks for stopping by. I hope your day is blessed.

Casandra

Art Philosophy Thank You Card

Good morning. I am back today with another card I made a week ago. This one was also inspired by a card from the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book.

Here is where I need to give another shout-out to my friend (and fellow CTMH Consultant) Celina from Arizona. We met through a private chat board that is exclusive for consultants. She came to my rescue when I made an error that would've cost me some product credits. About two weeks ago, I was playing in my craft room when the FedEx truck showed up. I wasn't expecting anything so when I opened the box, in it were 3 stamp sets, a craft sponge (inside joke) and this chevron border punch. I quickly grabbed a tissue. Celina has a generous spirit, a big heart, and a great sense of humor. I feel like God blessed me with her friendship at a time when I was really feeling low. 

So this card was made with Celina in mind. It uses the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge and stamps, the new (and fun!) chevron border punch, teal shimmer trim, Seaside and Brushed papers. 

Have a wonderful day, my friends.

Casandra