Dotty for Dad

Hello again! I am guest blogging on Cricut is Close to My Heart today!! Here is my post:  I hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day...I know we sure did. Today, I want to share the card I made for my wonderful father and my amazing husband. I was inspired by the 7" x 5" R Card artwork on the back of the Dotty for You paper pack. I found this card to be quite versatile, and I was able to make just a few changes to make it masculine instead of feminine.

I started with a 7" x 5" card base for both cards. One in Kraft and the other in yellow. For both cards I added the big dot paper as the background. This took the place of the butterfly paper from the back of the paper pack. I cut this later at 4" x 6" so it wouldn't show from behind the frame layer I added next.  I cut the frames using the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge <Rctngle1> image at 4". For the Kraft frame, I used the mini yellow polka dot paper and for the Yellow frame, I used the blue mini polka dot paper. Both the big dot layer and the mini dot layer were added with dimensionals to give the card a fun twist.

Before I added the frame layer, I turned it over and added some green ribbon to it so it would show though. I used my trusty liquid glass adhesive to secure it to the back and put the adhesive on the back of the frame so it wouldn't show. Then I added the dimensionals and attached the frame. Finally, I used my Cricut Wild Card cartridge to cut the Happy Father's Day sentiment at 9 1/2". That is the <father> image on page 66. Both my father and my husband loved the cards and I hope you do too!!  See you soon!

Panda Hugs!
-J

Four Frame Shadowbox Mother's Day Card

Here is my Guest Blogger debut post on Cricut is Close to My Heart!

Hi there everyone! This is Jamie, more affectionately known as Glitter Panda.  I have a beautiful card to share with you today AND an awesome giveaway at the end of this post. Mother's day is right around the corner and I am fortunate enough to have MANY fabulous mommies who I love dearly. So, I realized I am going to have to start nice and early with my Mother's Day cards to make sure I have enough. I am sharing my very FIRST Mother's Day card with you today. Today's card is what I call the Four-Frame Shadowbox Card. I LOVE shadowbox cards and when I found this four-framed square on the Art Philosophy cartridge I knew I had to try it out!!  To make today's card, I used the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge for every cut!  I also used the new Stella 12 x 12 paper packet.

To create the card, I started with a 5" rounded edge square card (SQUARE1 cut on the card button) on page 23 of the Art Philosophy booklet. I sponged the edges of the card using the CTMH Olive Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad and Round Sponge.

Next, I added the 5" four square frame on top of the card base (SQUARE1 on p. 23 on the decorative layer button). I used dimensionals to do this. This creates a 3D effect and raises the "shadowbox" a little bit higher. I used the same ink to sponge the edges of this layer as well.

I like to put something different in each frame. On the top left, I used a 2" butterfly (BTTRFLY2 p. 55 cut on the regular button on shift for the bright blue base and the Layer button on shift for the pretty, decorative overlay. I edged only the base with the olive ink because the overlay is too delicate. I attached the overlay to the base using liquid glass only on the body of the butterfly. This allows the overlay to pop up as long as you gently roll the edges up. I added 3 tiny pearls to the body of the butterfly and then I added this to the card using two layers of dimensionals so it looks like it is about to fly off the card!

On the top right, I used the Stella Canvas Complements Canvas Shape Stickers for the two ladybugs and the button is attached using liquid glass and is from the Bohemian Assortment.

The bottom left square is where I added the sentiment. I used a 1 1/2" square shape with the corners cut out (SQUARE5 on p.63 for the base cut and then the same cut on the decorative layer button for the frame). I mounted the bright blue paper to one of the Dimensional Elements Mixed Shapes that matched. These are chipboard shapes and this set specifically coordinates with the cuts on the Art Philosophy cartridge if you cut them on the suggested size. I stamped the square with the Love sentiment using the CTMH Olive Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad.   

Finally, the bottom right square is a 3D Rosette. I LOVE these!! I created a tutorial to help you use the Art Philosophy cuts to create the Rosettes and embellish them. For this particular Rosette, I used a double layered approach by cutting two rosette shapes at 3" on the Cricut (p.68 on font layer in red and orange).  First I inked the edges in Olive, then I put them one on top of the other and staggered one slightly higher than the other. Finally, I rolled them up together and secured them with liquid glass. I added a clear jewel in the middle for a little bling! I put one of the canvas shape stickers down first to become a leaf for the rosette and to add a little more dimension.


I am so happy with the way this card came out, and all of the cuts were made on ONE cartridge. I love the way the papers in the Stella paper pack complement each other. it made it VERY easy to come up with a great color combo!! I hope you enjoy recreating this card as much as I enjoyed creating it in the first place.

Last, but not least, I have a CONTEST for you!! As a SPECIAL treat, Vicky from Good wil* Creations has generously donated a one-of-a-kind twirl skirt of your choice to one lucky person. You can even choose whether you want the child or adult skirt child! These adorable skirts are made using recycled t-shirts, so they are even good for the environment!!  To be eligible to win, just sign up for our new Close to My Heart monthly newsletter! Click here for the link to register, and please feel free to shop at my Close to My Heart store today! I will announce the winner of the skirt on my blog next Sunday, April 22. Good Luck!

Panda Hugs!

J-
Glitter Panda

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Little Scrap Pieces - Use a Flower Challenge 
Anything Goes - Challenge #64: Anything Goes at Anything Goes

Teachers...and Easter

I am so excited to be on SPRING BREAK! 

Even though I love my job as a teacher, I always feel like the little break we get, at this time of year, allows us to stay fresh and enthusiastic for our students.  Teachers, not unlike many other professions, always have to be "on."  Whether we are having a bad day, just received awful news or simply are not feeling "well," we can not let these emotions or feelings interfere with our classrooms. From 8:00 - 3:00, every day, we put on our smiley faces and let the kids know that there is a friendly ear waiting to hear all that interests them, a patient person to help them deal with all that troubles them, and a knowledgeable guide to point them in the direction of any assistance that they need. 

So, it is understandable that since we have to keep smiling, even in the face of difficult situations, we have the occasional need for a moment to ourselves. One to enjoy our families, take care of our health problems and just re-energize for the rest of the year. Spring break is a wonderful time to do this. Not only because it comes after a long period without a break from school, but also because it is a time to celebrate the spring holidays, like Easter and Passover.

Although we do not celebrate it personally, we always participate in the Easter activities in our community. The revelry of the Easter bunny and Easter egg hunts have become family, rather than religious activities. Today, we have our 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt Block Party. All of the children on the block get together to hunt for eggs, win prizes and eat the awesome food made by the wonderful parents on our block! To celebrate the occasion, I made this VERY simple Easter card. I hope you enjoy it!

Panda Hugs!
J-
Glitter Panda

Recipe:

Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge (from Close to my Heart) - Cut the egg card base Shape9 on card button (pg. 57) at 5" - you can use any patterned paper for this - I used a very tie-dye looking paper from my SEI Couture Stack

Cut the Shape9 on decorative layer button (pg. 57) at 5" - This looks better with a solid color that you pick from the patterned paper - I added this layer using dimensionals to give it a layered look

The stamp was a $1 craft store find from Studio G

Thanks a Bunch

My daughter's Kindergarten teacher has been amazing! She is supportive, thoughtful and the kids absolutely adore her. So, you can imagine how sad I was when she explained at conferences, that Friday will be her last day. Her reasons for leaving are family related and absolutely justifiable. If I were in her shoes I would have to do exactly the same thing. This does not, however, take the sadness factor out of the equation. They have asked her to wait to tell the children, so there is this black cloud hanging over us, knowing that very soon, our daughter will be devastated! For all that she has done for my daughter this year, I wanted to make sure Bunny will give her a card that is super special.

So, I decided to experiment with my Art Philosophy cartridge and come up with something unique. Since getting the cartridge, I have been eying the little window card I used here. BUT I wanted to jazz it up a little more, so I decided to make a shaker card out of it! Using the same button for the card base, window and layer, I was able to come up with the perfect card. To put a finishing touch on it, I also added one of the fabulous rosettes I made for my tutorial video. You can find that video here.

As an extra bonus, I am including a second shaker card here and a tutorial on how you can create it too! It doesn't use the Cricut, so it could be recreated by any crafter, even a Cricut-less crafter! I hope you enjoy it!

Panda Hugs!
-J
Glitter Panda

 Thank you card Recipe:

Card Base

Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge p. 43 - Square3 - cut at 5" on card button (Red card stock)

Square 3 - cut at 4 1/2" (Yellow card stock)

Square 3 - cut at 3 1/2" - on card/shift button - cut this card in half on score line 

(My Mind's Eye - Love Nest Stack)

I sponged ink around the edges of the red and yellow card stock to distress

Shaker component (see shaker card tutorial for instructions)

Add piece of acetate smaller than window - use CTMH liquid glass to secure

Create a well for the glitter using foam mounting tape or the edges of dimensional strips

Stamp piece of 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" card stock with image - I used Lagoon Ink and

"Thanks a Bunch" from CTMH My Acrylix Sentiments collection

Filled with pink glitter

Assemble and embellish

I attached the yellow square to the red card base using dimensionals

Added the shaker component to the yellow card stock using another layer of dimensionals

Added the red rosette (See technique in video here) - 

placed a jewel down in the center of rosette using liquid glass

I am linking this post to Sundays are Lovely with Jaihart # 7

Everything's Coming Up Rosettes!

I am having so much fun with my Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge!! I was having trouble finding videos to help me figure out how to assemble the Rosettes on pages 68-70, so I decided to make my own!! This is my first full-length tutorial video, so it is far from perfect, but I hope it will help you to figure out how to create beautiful rosettes for your projects. I am looking forward to creating some cards that include these!

Panda Hugs!
J-
Glitter Panda

Such a Sweet Surprise

I am so excited to get started with all of my fabulous Close to My Heart products! I am in the process of getting together a group for a crafting workshop and am thinking about the Sweet Surprises Card kit to get everyone started AND excited! This was one of the first products that caught my attention. The cards come in a set of 10 and are perfect for creating birthday cards or Valentines, but imagine how great it would be to use as a good bag/thank you for a birthday party! Today, people are looking for ways to get the thank yous out as soon as possible. Imagine having these ready to go with a note thanking your guests for coming! Check out the video below, and if you are interested in purchasing the kit, CLICK HERE to order now!

Panda Hugs!
-J
Glitter Panda

My philosophy? Art Philosophy!

You can NOT imagine how excited I was when my Close to My Heart Consultant Kit arrived on Friday with my very own Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge and collection! We had a busy weekend planned and all I wanted to do was start crafting!!! BUT...first things always come first and I was only able to find the time to make one card so far. My daughter had a birthday party yesterday, and I could not resist the opportunity to make a princess card for the princess themed party. I had very little time, so I wet super simple, but I was so delighted by how easy this new cartridge made it for me to make a birthday card in less than 15 minutes (which was all the time I could spare after gymnastics and a shopping trip to buy a gift!).  Since I am so happy with the cartridge and since you still have time to get it for FREE when you sign up to be a Close to My Heart Consultant for just $99 in the month of March, I wanted to give you details ASAP!!

What do I have to do?  Sign up to be a consultant with Close to my Heart and get, not only the amazing start up kit, but also your choice of the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection or $100.00 in free product for only $99.00. It is included with the crafting packed starter kit!  It is important to note that if you want this cartridge, signing up for CTMH this month will give you tons of free extras and you never have to sell a thing!!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW!

Embrace the Philosophy of fun with the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

Not sure if this is the right option for you? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this amazing opportunity...

What is the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection?  This collection includes the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge. It is AMAZING!! With over 700 images, you will be able to create fabulous cards, envelope liners, boxes, a door hanger and more! In addition to the cartridge, you get 3 full sized coordinating stamp sets that include cut sizes on the stamps to get the perfect cut to use with you Close to my Heart Stamp Images.  You also get 3 large sheets of chip board shapes that match the cuts on the cartridge.  They are ready to perfectly work with your stamps and inks.  This is a $124.00 value.  CTMH's regular price is $99.99 for this collection.  You will get yours FREE in the month of March!

Here is a picture of the Collection so you can see some of the amazing stamps that are included:

Keep in mind that not only does the Art Philosophy cartridge include shapes that were created exclusively to coordinate with the included CTMH stamp sets, but CTMH indicates when stamps not included with the collection coordinate as well, so you can buy more stamps later to go with this amazing cartridge. This means that you can cut down on all of your dies and punches and replace them with this versatile cartridge!

If you're already screaming, "I need it!" CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW!

Otherwise, keep reading...  

What else will I get in my Consultant Kit?  Your stater kit will include both business supplies AND lots and lots of the most popular CTMH products to get you started (or just to play with if you choose not to take advantage of the business opportunity)!  You will receive MANY different stamps (of the very highest quality - check out the card I made at the top of the post...the Happy Birthday stamp is almost as crisp as a computer printed image!) inks, acrylic blocks, embellishments, stamp spritz to clean the ink, the famous stamp double scrubber, cards, envelopes, paper samples, idea books, adhesives, liquid glass and more! The contents of the kit include products valued at $288.00 and you STILL only pay $99.00 INCLUDING the Art Philosophy Collection FREE!!!  Altogether, you will receive approximately $400.00 worth of high quality and super fun products for just $99.00!!!  

Here is a picture of all the amazing items you will receive:

  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW!

Are you interested in Digital scrapbooking? Add on a 3 month Studio J Membership.  This will allow you to create spectacular digital designs in the comfort of your own home! If you are into digital scrapbooking, this is a great package.  It's a $63.00 value and is yours for only $40.00 exclusively to "New" consultants. 

What's the best part? After you purchase your consultant kit, you are under no obligation to do anything other than enjoy it!! You are not under ANY pressure to become a CTMH consultant, but it can be so rewarding, so if you want to try, you could do that too!! You can sign up today, enjoy all of these amazing products and still not be obligated. You will have access to the CTMH online training academy to get ideas and inspiration.  and you can learn more about this exciting business opportunity with no PRESSURE!! Finally, you will start off with a 22% discount on your future purchases and a 22% commission on all of your sales as well. AND as you buy and sell more, that number only INCREASES!!

What's the catch? What do I have to give back if I don't become a consultant? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!  If you never want to move forward as a consultant, the entire kit is yours to keep, including the fabulous Art Philosopy cartridge! If you continue with the business opportunity, you meed to have at least $300 in sales per quarter to keep your consultant status. That's only $300 in sales for every 3 months! We would love for you to go above and beyond this, but that is all that is required. So throw a crafting party once a month for 4 or 5 friends and you will MORE than cover the minimum!!  If you do not reach $300 a quarter, you become a Jr. Consultant.  The commission is lower and you will not have as much access to online areas, BUT you will not have any fees or penalties to pay.  But don't worry, our blog and the blogs for other fab CTMH consultants will still continue to inspire you regularly!

Finally, check out the CTMH video to learn more:

I hope you have seen something (or a lot of things) that you like here. If you have, CLICK HERE to join me as a CTMH consultant today...OR if you just want to shop with me, I would very much appreciate it! Just CLICK HERE to shop with me now!

Close to My Heart

I finally decided it is time to take my scrapping to the next level!! I am very excited to announce that I am now a Close to My Heart Consultant. I hope that you will take a moment to check out my snazzy new website. AND I would LOVE for you to join me in this new (ad)venture! Since many of you know I am obsessed with all things Cricut, you may be intrigued by the CTMH March promotion. For the month of March, when you sign up to be a CTMH Consultant, you get the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge and stamping set FREE!!! There has never been a better time to join, so I hope you'll take a look at all there is to offer. I look forward to posting my first projects for you and am so happy you can join me as I embrace the culture of Close to My Heart!