CTMH PANELIST REVIEW

I am a little behind in my postings.    This is a project that I did for Jill Rancourt  - The Scrapoholic for her Close ToMy Heart review. She sent us a package of CTMH goodies and set us free to try them out and share with you all.

Pics are first:

I have used CTMH stamps in the past and have a couple of sets.  I really like them. They take the ink really well and give a great smooth clear image. This project is the first that I have used their papers.  I really love this set of patterned papers.  The bright colors are so perfect for a "Mickey" themed album or mini-book.  My only complaint was that I really wanted to use the patterned paper on the back side just as much.  It was a tough decision.  I kept the scraps so that I could maybe to a small 6" x 6" layout.  I will probably purchase their products, but I am trying to clear out my extensive collection of papers right now until I am gainfully employed again.  But they are definitely on my list.

Some of the other products in the package are other 12 x 12 sheets of double sided paper.  I really like the colors and the coordinating patterns.  On this project I used my Cricut with Design Studio.  I cut the book at about 5-1/2".  Of course the dimensions aren't exact due to Mickey's ears.  The CTMH paper cut like butter, no problem.  Sometimes other patterned papers are too thin to cut without getting drags or tears. I didn't have one bad cut.  This is a really good quality pattern paper. I used cardstock from my stash, sorry I don't have brand names to give you, but it was very easy to find matching colors.  Even the difficult red shades were not a problem.  I'm sure that CTMH has coordinating cardstock, but it was nice to know that I could match with my existing paper stash.  The Bingo Style letters have been in my stash for a long time.  They didn't even have a label left on the package to be able to give you a brand name.  The distressing around the edges was done with Color Box Pigment Cat's Eye - Chianti.  I do not have any CTMH ink pads at this point, but I would definitely buy them in the future.  My sister has used them and likes them.

When you get a minute, you need to head on over to Jill's Blog: thescrapoholic.blogspot.com.  Or you can contact her at TheScrapoholic@gmail.com.  She is also on Facebook.com/TheScrapoholic, etsy.com/shop/thescrapoholic, or twitter.com/TheScrapoholic.

 I am still working on finishing some projects and will hopefully have them posted by the end of the week.

Brick with Beads

May's Card of the Month theme was Brick with Beads.  I decided to make a pillow box for my card this month.  I was handing out a lot of gift cards between birthdays and graduations. 

The pillow box cut is from Easter 2010.  I used Design Studion to cut it, but the end size is about 3" x 5.5".  The brick scallop and indulge are both cut from Graphically Speaking and then the yellow insert was cut using George.  The bead was from upstairs in the attic.  I have a ton of beads left from 20 years ago when beading was popular.   Head on over the this thread to see all of the other amazing cards: http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=6796467&mpage=1&key=?

MPS Father's Day Challenge

Yikes, I'm down to the wire here.  My Pink Stamper is having a drawing on her site: http://www.mypinkstamper.com/ for a Cricut Expression.  The challenge was to create a Father's Day item.

I put together this very easy card this morning.  I used old leftover Making Memories Travel paper from a 6 x 6 pad.  The Dad's Day cut is from the Designer's Calendar cartridge cut at 1-1/2" and the grill is from the From My Kitchen Cartridge cut at 3".  The ribbon is some more leftover ribbon. 

 The finished card size is 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".

Open House Invite Word Book

I wanted to share the Open House invitation that I made for my dear friend's daughter.  I made 50 for her and I think they liked them.  It's hard to imagine that she is graduating, she is supposed to stay little forever. I am sure that she is going to do great things.

I used Design Studio to create this invitation. I started with the square from George and welded shadow letters from Base Camp. Then I added the regular Base Camp letters (with no shadow) to the pages. Each page was adjusted to see each letter at the edge of the pages.

After cutting all the pages and letters I glued the letters to the pages. The picture with Open House and open house detail pages were printed and layered.

The 2010 shadow was welded with Design Studio and the white numbers were then adjusted to fit on the shadows. I placed the 2010 over some decorative ribbon.

The book was then stapled with oversize embellishment staples.  I didn't add a lot of extra embellishments since there were a few layers and I wanted it to go through the mail without being mangled.

The finished size is 4" - 5-1/2"

Thanks for looking.

Twisted Papers Vintage Card

Whew, it's been a while since I posted anything.  It took me a week to recover from the challenges I did at My Pink Stamper National Scrapbook Day weekend.  I have also been working on some unique open house invitations for a dear friend's daughter.  I will post them when they are done.

This card was my entry for the Card of the Month Swap on Cricut.com.  This month's theme was Ecru with Embossing.  You can see everyone's creations at: http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=6661083.

The picture was a free download from Twisted Papers a month or so ago.  You should visit their website to see all of the really great vintage items they have.  They also have links to their store.  The link is:  http://www.twistedpapers.com/.

OK, now for the details.  I used the EK Success Double Moracco Lace border punch for the border.  The background paper is from a Heidi Grace Collection I purchased at Joann's a long time ago. The little message sign is a cut from Home Accents cartridge.  And the pearls were some leftovers I had laying around.  They weren't in their package, so I'm sorry, I don't know the brand.  I almost forgot the embossing part.  I embossed the picture using the Cuttlebug Stylized Flowers folder.

The finished size is 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".

Off to Brick with Beads for next month.

Where in the world is ScrapGuy?

Susan and I have been following a blog by Bryan at http://www.scrapguy.blogspot.com/.  He just recently went on a trip to South Asia and India and is sharing some great travel videos on his blog.  His is also sharing some great blog candy.  Check out the first entry at: scrapguy.blogspot.com.  He is giving away a beautiful natural pearl and crystal necklace.  I would love to travel with him.

His first video entry is at Hong Kong Harbor.  Very foggy that day, but still incredible.  Follow along.

NSD Challenge # 2 - "Getting Scrappy"

I hope this isn't too late - I think I am an hour ahead so here goes nothing.  If it's too late, that is OK too! 

My entry for NSD Challenge #2 - Getting Scrappy.  The Challenge: use your scraps.

CC - Graphically Speaking

NSD Challenge #9 - "Take Shape"

"Take Shape" - this is the NSD Challenge #9.  Thankfully, the challenge isn't to get into shape, but to cut a shaped card, layout, or project.  I just finished off a box of chocolate from Easter.

I used Design Studio again to weld the house from pg 28 on Create A Critter.  What a cute pink piggy they have on that page too.  The paper is from K & Co. Amy Butler Designer Paper.  I've had this paper forever too.  The "we've moved" is from Beyond Birthdays cartridge.  I cut that on Design Studio too so that it would fit the roof.   I'm thinking Susan made a big mistake - huge mistake by giving me this cartridge.

The finished size is 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".

NSD Challenge #4 - "I Like You Least"

Hum - what cartridge do I like least or use the least.  The challenge: use a cartridge you thought you had to have and then don't use very much.  I have to say mine is Jasmine.  I absolutely love the style of this font, but I have such a hard time getting it to cut cleanly.  I found that if I use Design Studio or up the speed on the Cricut, it cuts better.  Sometimes.

I used Design Studio to cut this card front.  I used the rectangle from George and placed the Warmest Wishes from Jasmine on top of it.  I had the bottom of the rectangle cut across the center between warmest and wishes.  After cutting I glued the blue over the brown.

The finished card size is 5-1/2" x 4-1/4"

NSD Challenge #5 - Teacher Appreciation Day

I'm still working on challenges for My Pink Stamper.  This journal if for the NSD Challenges #5 - "Teacher Appreciation Day".  The Challenge:  make something for Teacher Appreciation Day or for someone you appreciate.  I thought that I would make up a journal for a teacher for their summer break.  I decorated this composition notebook with summer break paper from DCWV Summer Stack.  This stack is a couple of summers old, but still seems to work.  I cut the letters at 1" with Base Camp. 

The finished size is 7-1/2" x 9-3/4".