Friday, December 4, 2015

White Pines Sampler

Thanks to a couple of my customers, I've been encouraged to keep creating art for the Shadow Box frame.  


This year's Christmas sampler was created with the White Pines My Reflections paper and Complements and the Artistry Cricut cartridge.  It was inspired by a couple pieces of artwork I've seen this fall created by Leesa Bartu.  

The White Pines paper is full of elegance and whimsy as you can see with the beautiful flowers and the cute forest critters.  

In making this sampler, I had TONS of complements (stickers, chipboard diecuts and clear accent pieces) left over so I'll make up a few gift tags too.  When I created the "Joy, Peace, Noel, Merry and Bright" background with the Artistry Cricut Cartridge I filled in the rest of the 12x12 piece of cardstock with simple tags shapes in my Cricut Design Space File.

Want this sampler?  You can order the White Pines Paper and Complements from my website and I'll send you the instructions and Cricut Design Space File. You'll also need clear sparkles and the Artistry Cartridge.  You can order a kit from me for $15 + shipping.
My kit will also include cut from Cranberry and Colonial White Cardstock and a few clear sparkles.

You will also need 3D foam tape, Liquid Glass and Bonding Memories adhesives to complete the project.

Contact me to order your sampler today.  Kits are only available while supplies last.  

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Christmas tag workshop

Lets create some adorable tags for Christmas!  


I'd love to host this workshop in your home in the month of November or early December with your friends.  Each set of 12 tags (2 of each) is just $5.  Everything is pre-cutb .  Just add adhesive!  

My 1st workshop featuring this kit will be Saturday, November 14th at 1pm.  
Please RSVP no later than noon on Friday if you want to attend.  

I plan to have at least one more workshop in the next 4 weeks as well.  I just haven't picked a date.
Let me know in the comments if you're interested in attending an upcoming workshop.  

Want a kit in the mail?  (US addresses only.) I can ship pre-stamped ready to assemble kits.  A handout will be emailed to you to help you assemble them.


Don't wait!  Nearly all the paper I have for these kits are retired.   When I run out, I'll change the design (the tea cup & latte cup wrapper will be the first ones to be changed).

Want to create your own tag workshop?
You'll need CTMH Cricut Cartridges Artiste, Artbooking, Artfully Sent and Artistry.


**Purchase link has been disabled**

I also want to thank my upline Michele Rowley for her inspiration on this tag workshop.  She helped me get started on this kit yesterday and she designed the JOY and nativity tags.  Thank you Michele!



Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Thanksgiving Place Cards

Here's the place cards I created based on yesterday's pyramid card.  They're so easy!


I used the Sangria papers this time and the Artistry Cricut Cartridge for the leaf & banner. 
Here's the Cricut Design Space file.  The acorn is from our Art Philosophy Cartridge.  
If you don't have Design Space and an Explore, the Banner is 1.25" tall, the leaf is 2" and the acorn is 1.25"

Step 1:  Cut 3 squares at 4"  (You can cut them at 3" for a smaller place card.)
Score them corner to corner in just 1 direction.  Fold lightly and open back up.

Step 2:  Overlap 2 of the squares half way.  The fold will line up with the edge of the other square.
Adhere with strong adhesive.  

When you pull the first triangle over the last one, you'll get what we call a tee pee or tent.

Time to embellish.  Cut square at 3.75" or 0.25" SMALLER than the base squares.
Now cut them into triangles.  
Our SureCut Fiskars paper trimmer is great for this.  The wire lines makes it so easy to line it up and know that you're getting a perfect cut.  I've used mine for 3 or 4 years now.  

Step 5 is to apply adhesive to the back.  I love using a dot adhesive and our All-Purpose Mat.  (Actually I use only half of our mat; it's so big that I cut it in half)
NOTHING sticks to it.  And if it does, it comes up really easily.  This helps me get adhesive to and over the edge of my paper without making a mess.  

Repeat on all 3 large triangles.  The last triangle gets a little bit of contrasting paper (or the same).  I cut a 1.5" square diagonally to get this little triangle.

Now it's time to make your project stand up.  

There's two ways to do it.  One is with our Hook & Loop Dots (We can't call them Velcro (TM) because they're not made by Velcro Industries)

Another way to secure your flap is to punch holes through the 3 layers and tie with some extra thick baker's twine.  



Now to embellish and enjoy!  


I used the Etched Alphabet to stamp my name on the banner in Pomegranate ink.  
I added a Gold Bling Gem for a bit of sparkle.

I created a smaller version starting with 3" squares of Kraft Cardstock.
The pattern paper is 2.75" with a 1" punched circle for the name from the Champagne Cardstock that is included in the Sangria paper pack and tied it closed with Poppy Extra Thick Twine.

If you are not going to re-use these place cards, you can also just adhere the flap with adhesive instead of tying or using our Hook & Loop Dots.  

Be sure to check my previous post to see my first pyramid card.



Sunday, November 8, 2015

Kaleidoscope Pyramid Card


These pyramid cards that I've been seeing on Pinterest are a ton of fun!  This is a great way to introduce the new Kaleidoscope papers to you.  These cards are also called teepee cards.


I used Kaleidoscope paper and ink colors along with Shower Flowers C1612 to embellish this card.
The banner is 1.25" tall and from our new Artistry Cricut Cartridge.

This is a 3D card and it can be mailed flat in an envelope.  It will take a 5x7 envelope.

Then you just fold it and tie the cord in a pretty bow.

It's so easy to create this card, it will be one of my 5 cards for my fun & fab card workshop this month.  
The workshop is at 6:30 on November 20th since the regular 4th Friday is Thanksgiving weekend. 

Can't come to my workshop?
You can request a pre-stamped card kit shipped directly to you.
Please request your kit no later than the RSVP Workshop RSVP date of November 17th.  
5 Card Kit with shipping is just $18 (US only).

Come back on Tuesday morning for the Tutorial.


Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Oh Snap Artistry Card


Here's a playful card for today's post!  


This was a swap card that I designed back in August to feature some new product from the 2015 Annual Inspirations catalog and idea book.

Check out the camera!  It was cut from our new Eggplant cardstock from our new Artistry Cricut Cartridge.  
The cute little heart is from our Enamel and Glitter Purple Heart Duos
There's a lot of flash and shine from the  silver foil tape behind the banner and in the flash of the camera.
The whisper grey was embossed with our new Confetti embossing folder 
Oh Snap is from our mini Etched Alphabet.  
InkBlot is a great stamp set so versatile.  It has been my #1 stamp set this fall.  I use it on a ton of projects to add texture.

Whew!  That's a lot of new product!  


I love these little hearts.  The glitter ones are even more fun!  

This alphabet fits in a ton of places!  It was designed to be a monogram for our Base & Bling collection.

This is one of many posts that you'll see this year featuring artwork from several huge artwork swaps. I'll try to use the hastag ‪#‎GreatCardSwap2015‬ so you can find them all on  Facebook or Instagram. You may also see some of my cards on other websites and FB pages.  No worries!  They were part of the swap.



Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Sangria: I am blessed

Hello friends!

I am so in love with the Sangria paper pack that I'm having a hard time giving it up right now. 


Last weekend I mentioned that I'm posting swap cards.  This is one of my swap cards I created for around 30 consultants back in August.  I'm happy to see there's derivatives of this card floating around on Pinterest.  The card that went along with the Sangria Sampler is also based on this card.  

This is a super easy card to put together.  The design is from Make It From Your Heart Vol 2.  This booklet gives you a full cutting guide on how to make this card.  Did you hear that?  Measurements!  

To make this card, you'll want to have 
Artistry Cricut Bundle 

Place $20 order on my website that includes the Sangria paper pack and I'll email you the cutting guide for this workshop for free!  



Now can I pull myself away to talk about White Pines or do you want me to keep posting Sangria artwork?


Sunday, November 1, 2015

Simply Fundamentals Workshop


Have you played with our new Fundamentals papers?  If not, this is your chance!  

In the month of November, you can purchase the Simply FUNdamentals scrapbooking kit, any album and get a Value Pack of Memory Protectors (25 of them!) for free!  

And there's a ready-to cut workshop that goes with it!  


What's included?  
3 sheets of White Daisy cardstock
FREE Memory Protectors (25 pack!)

To get the free page protectors, add the bundle to your cart through this link.  

(You can also order just the scrapbooking paper & assortments by clicking on the individual items)

You'll also qualify for this month's Stamp of the Month for $5!

Getting this stamp set just for the journaling lines would be a steal


If you're local, I'll be having a workshop to create these layouts on 
Saturday, January 9th, 2016 at 1pm. Here's the Facebook Event.  
(Psst... this workshop is after the holidays...  This bundle would make a wonderful Christmas gift!)

Now the question is:  what memories would you preserve in these 10 pages?  


Saturday, October 31, 2015

Happy Halloween



Happy Halloween!

Do you have an scoundrels that will be wandering around the neighborhood tonight?



This card was created by Debbi Foley.  She used the Steampunk Scoundrels B1503 stamp set and Black, Eggplant, Whisper and Saffron cardstock.  

This is the first of many cards I'll posting this fall that is created by sister consultants in a huge card swap that took place after the launch of the new idea Book. I'll try to use the hastag ‪#‎GreatCardSwap2015‬ so you can find them all on Facebook or Instagram.  You may also see some of my cards on other websites and FB pages.  
Being a CTMH consultant comes with an amazing support system.  And it's only getting better!  Between consultant led swaps to new workshops created by the CTMH Home Office, there's tons of inspiration and help to host workshops and be successful without doing it all on your own.  

Let me know if you have questions about being a consultant!  The benefits are amazing.  

Our current consultant kit is all about starting workshops.  It is designed to create a card workshop or scrapbook workshop for 10-12 guests within a few days of receiving your kit.  It is designed to help you become successful and profitable from the very start.  



Thursday, October 15, 2015

Sangria card workshop

Ever need some quick and beautiful cards fast?  

This workshop is for you!  


This workshop has a cutting diagram to make 5 of each card, 10 cards total.  
1 paper pack has enough Background & Texture paper to create 2 sets when Eggplant is substituted for the Kraft paper.  





What you'll need:  
C1625 My Acrylix® A Thousand Thanks
X7199B Sangria Paper Pack
Z1375 Kraft Cardstock (Or use the Eggplant from the paper pack)
1385 White Daisy Cardstock (1 sheet needed)
Z3091 Pink Enamel Gems
Z3129 Foil Tape Gold or Z1985 Gold Shimmer Trim
Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape

NEW:  Z2647 Eggplant Exclusive Inks™ Pad
NEW:  Z2653 Pomegranate Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2164 Sorbet Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Y1000 1" x 1" My Acrylix® Block
Y1002 1" x 3½" My Acrylix® Block
X254 White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack

Place a $20 order on my website (anytime between now and August 2016) that includes the Sangria paper pack & I'll send you the cutting guide for free!

Come back to see next month's fun & fabulous workshop.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Happy World Card Making Day

Hello friends!  It's a beautiful fall day here and I'll be having some friends over tonight to make cards & the last Seasonal Sampler.

Here's one of the cards I made this morning for tonight's workshop using the Sangria papers and Sangria Assortment.


I created this with the leftover scraps from the Sangria samplers.  Even the Cricut shapes took up "leftover" paper from my sampler.  This pumpkin was used on the sampler.  I just resized it for the card.  

This card sketch is one of my favorites from the Make It From Your Heart Vol 2 Card & layout how-to book from Close to My Heart.  It's one of 12 great card sketches that includes the dimensions of each part of the card.  That's my favorite part!  





Monday, September 21, 2015

Sangria Seasonal Sampler

I think I saved the best for last, don't you?

No, I haven't been keeping this paper tucked away for a year, it's new!  This sampler features our brand new Sangria papers & assortment from the new 2015 Annual Inspirations catalog.


This features 3 SUPER EASY 3D flowers from our very 1st Cricut Bundle, Art Philosophy along with shapes from Artbooking and the brand new Artistry Cricut cartridge.  


My last workshop will be on Saturday 10/3 @ 7pm  
Click here to order a pre-cut ready to assemble kit to create on your own or at the workshop
The kit will also include 2 coordinating cards.

Want to make one on your own and have the Cricut Cartridges?  
Place an order on my website for $20 and I'll send you the Cricut Design Space Link and a project guide.  This project can also be easily created on the Cricut Expression.  

Items used:
Adventure Cardstock
Neutrals Cardstock
Cricut Bundles:  

This completes a full year of seasonal samplers.  We started in October 2014 with Halloween and we're ending in ((late)) September with Autumn.

I have a limited amount of supplies on hand for some of last year's kits. 




Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Last workshop from the 2014 Annual Expressions


So many mixed emotions!   I've loved theses papers but I'm so excited to feature the all new 2015 Annual Inspirations too!   

This week's card workshops will be feature these 3 cards PLUS 3 more of the same with different papers.  (Jackson, Blossom & Pathfinding)

I have absolutely loved using Brushed (left card) and Confetti Wishes (right card) this last year.  

The latte cup card is from the new Zoe papers and from the new Artistry Cricut cartridge that are already available.    


It's not too late to request a virtual, pre-stamped kit or sign up to attend.  Please contact me no later than noon on Wednesday to RSVP.    Cost is $15 for the workshop or $18.50 for a pre-stamped kit shipped directly to you next week (within US).  Leave a comment below to RSVP.  All comments are moderated and I will not publish comments if you leave me your email address in the message.

I cannot take hardly any of the credit for these cards.  The floral card was designed by Dawn Montagano, the latte cup is everywhere because it's a shape on the new Artistry cartridge... but I used my wonderful upline Michele Rowley's card for my inspiration and the last card was inspired by many many cards that have banners that I've spotted on Pinterest (not just 1 card).

Stay tuned!  I'll be doing more of these virtual card kits in the coming year.  I'm looking forward to sharing my designs with you.


Monday, August 10, 2015

Best Friends

Do you ever scraplift?  


I created this card over the weekend using the early release products.  
I love the dogs and cats on the cartridge.  I also appreciate that there's 3 of each.  Not all dogs look the same!  

The "Best Friends" stamp is from the Artistry Cricut Collection so when you purchase the collection, you'll have everything you need to start creating a card like this.

Back to scrap-lifting.  I used this beautiful card from the current catalog as my inspiration.  


This card design is actually Design #26 from the Make It From Your Heart Volume 2.  This is a how-to booklet that gives you the cutting guide for card and scrapbook layouts.  It gives me the structure.  After that's it the fun part of embellishing!

What have you scraplifted lately?






Saturday, August 8, 2015

What a beautiful year!

I want to thank everyone who joined me we created wall art for our homes and offices.  It was a ton of fun to fill my shadow box with something new each month!


Just a reminder, the supplies for all of these samplers have been discontinued and are in short supply. They will become unavailable no later than August 31st.  If you wish to purchase one of these kits, please contact me ASAP or no later than August 25 so I can order supplies if they're still available.

I have a complete list of all samplers here.  Most of them also included extras as I tried to use up all the supplies in each kit.

I can't wait to start designing a new series of workshops for the next Idea Book & Catalog year.  What would you like to make?

Monday, August 3, 2015

Enjoy Artistry!


Here's my first card from the new CTMH Cricut Bundle 'Artistry'


This cartridge isn't fancy.  Instead it's amazing.  
No 3D flowers.  But gorgeous layered flowers
No 3D boxes.  But it has a mason jar on pg 2 that is lovely.
No 3D cards but hundreds of items to make a card
No scrapbook layouts but tons of titles, icons, borders and backgrounds.

And of course a coffee cup, latte cup on page 5 and items for tea on later pages.  

There's 700 shapes, many of which are layered making 442 grouped images in Cricut Design Space.

And a font that can be shadowed with a bold setting, normal or handwritten with a pen.  

CTMH has released the shape index so you can see everything that's part of the cartridge.  

And it's available as a Digital Cartridge for Explore users in Cricut Design Space for a $20 savings.  
A code will be shipped with the cardstock & 3 exclusive stamp sets.  

Are you excited about this cartridge? 
I have more artwork to show you!


Sunday, July 19, 2015

Here's where to find sneak peeks!

Here's some EXCITING news!

New goodies are coming the next 2 months.  

Find sneak peeks on Facebook & Instagram because I can't say what they are on my blog until they're released.  

or
Crafty Lalia on Instagram (no account needed to view Instagram)


Want to receive updates 1-2x a month?  

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Farewell Old, Wonderful Colors

Big things are happening with the new Annual Inspirations Idea Book & Catalog that will be coming out on September 1.  You'll see sneak peeks on Facebook.

In the meantime, if you love some of our classic colors, you'll want to stock up on Reinkers and cardstock.

These 7 colors from our Enchantment Cardstock Combo are retiring:
Smokey Plum
Outdoor Denim
Indian Corn Blue
Ponderosa Pine
Olive
Autumn Terracotta
Barn Red




Staying are:
Ruby
New England Ivy
Goldrush

joining them are Eggplant, Sapphire, Peacock, Poppy, Fern, Pomegranate, and Saffron
Here's a how they'll  line up.


Smokey Plum >> Eggplant
Outdoor Denim >> Sapphire
Ponderosa Pine >> Peacock
Autumn Terracotta >> Poppy
Olive >> Fern
Pomegranate is red 
Saffron is a gold.

I've seen a couple projects made with the new color pallet and they work so beautifully together.  You'll love what you see in September!

If you love and HAVE an inkpad from a retiring color, get the reinker NOW.  (Olive is already sold out).  If you don't have these colors in your collection, wait for the new ones.  They're going to be wonderful!

To order inks, reinkers and cardstock  >>> Shop my website.  

Monday, July 6, 2015

Seaside Sampler

I love the beach, don't you?  I love beach themed scrapbook supplies.  They remind me of the good times I have with friends and family.  I couldn't be more thrilled how this seasonal sampler turned out!  Even though Pacific Northwest beaches don't have palm trees, I see plenty of shells, star fish and a few sand dollars when I visit.


This seasonal sampler uses the "whole" Seaside collection of paper, complements (cardstock stickers) and the gorgeous metal assortment, all from Close to My Heart.  It's retiring August 31, 2015 if it doesn't sell out in the mean time.  The complements are currently on backorder and will return next week.

The Cricut shapes are from the CTMH Artbooking cartridge and the Cricut Life's A Beach cartridge.  If you don't own the beach one, you can now buy the individual shapes through Cricut Design Space which is a fabulous way to get a couple shapes without breaking the bank.  

I made 4 cards with about half of the remaining complements.  There was still a lot leftover! 

If you attend one of my workshops or order the kit, you'll receive pre-cut supplies to make the sampler & all four cards.

The cost for the whole kit is $25 plus applicable shipping.  Contact me if want a kit.  Due to the potential of sell-out, I'm not adding a PayPal button.  I'll check inventory before taking a payment.

You can also order the supplies from my website and I'll send you the kit instructions.  

Workshop dates:
July 18th
August 22nd (bring any kit to finish this evening)
Saturday's at 7pm

I need a bit of time to order and prepare your workshop kit, please RSVP with payment as soon as you can.  

Freedom Sampler

I hope everyone had a good Independence Day weekend!  
Here's the latest installment of my seasonal sampler.  


This one features Cranberry, Colonial White, Outdoor Denim and Kraft papers and lots of Desert Sand Ink to distress the edges of nearly every piece of paper.  

My year of seasonal samplers are coming to end very soon!  Why?  
The supplies are being discontinued this summer to make way for a whole new batch of fresh papers and complements.  If you'd like this sampler or any of my previous samplers, contact me now before it's too late!  The new catalog starts September 1st, but many of the supplies used in earlier samplers are already starting to run out.  (The Yuletide Santa themed Sampler is no longer available and I only have 1 kit remaining of the Snowhaven Sampler.)


Saturday, June 6, 2015

Latte Cup Tag & Recipe for Cold Brewed Coffee

Good morning!  
Welcome to the 2nd day of the Coffee Lover's Blog Hop!  




Today's project is a tag that I designed to go along with the teacher gifts we gave last year.  Looking back, I realized I never blogged about this cute little tag.

This tag been hanging in my office for a year and I can't believe how vibrant the CTMH inks are.  I photographed it a couple days ago on my quart jar of cold coffee.  (I didn't have any other mason jars handy and I wanted to share with you my cold coffee recipe)



Like this year's teacher gifts, it was tied on a Mason Jar that was filled with chocolate and coffee (of course!)

RECIPE:  Cold Brew Coffee in a Mason jar!  
Here's the basic recipe. Why re-invent the recipe when they've done a great job photographing it?
 I use 6 scoops of finely ground coffee and fill the quart jar with filtered water.  Be sure to shake it a couple times throughout the day.  I strain it with a similar mesh strainer and then with my old reusable mesh drip basket like this one because I use a pretty find grind.  Other websites suggest a coarse grind but then you'll have to use more coffee.

Don't toss your coffee grounds!  It's a nice big bunch of them.  Take them out and put them around a Hydrangea or Rhododendron to gently acidify the soil.  They will love it!  I have 2 bushes that I can reach from my back step that are loving the extra acid.  (In other words, I can do this in my PJ's)

You'll get a rich, concentrated cold coffee that's perfect for Iced Coffee or home-made Fraps.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Welcome to the Coffee Lover's Summer Blog Hop!

If you love coffee and stamping, this is the place to be!

This blog hop is a little different than my usual hops in TWO ways.  
#1  You'll find all of the blog hoppers here.  
#2 We have prizes, lots and lots of prizes!  

Here's my first piece of artwork for this blog hop~Yes, I'll have more throughout this week so please keep coming back.  



All products for this card are from Close to My Heart.  
I used 3 stamp sets for this card.  Who doesn't love coffee and ice cream?

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Summer Crush is here!

We have the most amazing deal this month.   Our My Crush Books each have a coordinating stamp set that you can receive free when you order the book & its coordinating assortment pack.

These books are wonderful! Part SCRAPBOOK, part JOURNAL, they're a great way to scrap a graduation, anniversary, summer trip or for one of your daughters to have fun with! I've also used one for a farewell scrapbook for a family at our Homeschool coop. Each family glued in photos and left notes in it. My girlfriend has a couple in the same way for retirement gifts for co-workers.

Choose from the following My Crush Collections







P.S.  Order sooner than later, these My Crush products will not be restocked as they're being discontinued (aka replaced) September 1st.

Check out this month's Stamp of the Month Ice Cream Dream S1506.  It's $17.95 or just $5 with a $50 purchase.