Damask Divas July Blog Hop - Surf's Up!

If you came from Shirley Bernal blog then you are in the right place.  If you have jumped here and just discovered our blog hop, feel free to check the list at Damask Divas blog Damask Divas Blog to find the complete list of blog hop participants.

Hope you have a great time on our hop and checking out all the creations using Surfs Up paper pack. If you get lost, just hop on over to Damask Divas Blog for the full list.

Hi all it is that fun creative time of the month again!  the Damask Divas Blog Hop!  This month's featured paper pack is Surfs Up.  I decided to make a small chipboard album for this months project.  Hope you enjoy it.  :)

First the supply list:
Surf's Up Paper Packet
Canvas Alphabet
Opaques Mocha Adhesive Gems
Stamp Pads - Sunset , Chocolate, Bamboo, Goldrush, and Lagoon
Cuttlebug Circle Embossing Folder
Maya road chipboard Album
Ric rak - maize and white
Ribbon - maize, blue, brown
K and co Borders
MAMBI Chipboard Shapes
Joann's 3D Stickers
Blue Rhinestones
Prima Flowers
Gold Stickles

I started this project out by painting the edges of the chipboard album white, and then I cut all the paper to page size by tracing one of the triangle pages that did not have the scallops.  I attached to paper to one side of the page at a time.  Making sure to poke my microscissors through to the other side and cutting the pieces out of the slots for the jump rings.  For the cover I then took a sponge dauber in lagoon ink and dabbed it in the canvas letters.  I then adhered them along with the flowers.  I did a double layer of flowers and used the opaques for the centers.        

For the next pages inside the book I cut the photo mats, inked the edges on most of them, and adhered 3D embellishments and accents.  On the first double page layout I added an embossed paper piece as an accent (I love the embossed look so you know I had to put it in there somewhere lol).  On the third picture above page I put a hidden tag for journaling in that layout.  I put it behind one of the photo mats with large white ric rack attached to the top.  

 
On the back I also cut the photo mat and adhered the accents.  On the jump rings I tied ribbon and fiber all around them.  The key to making the most of a completed mini album like this is printing your pictures in WALLET SIZE.  They will fit perfectly and you will have the best brag album for your desk.  :) 

Well, you made it to the end of this month's hop.  We hope you had as much fun browsing our creations made with the Surf's Up Paper as we had making them!  If you would like to check things out again just hop on over to Damask Divas Blog for the complete list of blogs. Thanks so much for hopping with us--now go get your crafty on!
XOXO Happy crafting!
:) Amanda

I am a VERY lucky person!

Hi all I have great news, I am so very lucky!  I won the Happy Birthday Sketch and Scrap Challenge from My Creative Endeavors!  Yay!!!  A BIG thanks to all the folks over there!!!  So of course I'm going to share this fun with you all.  :)  They sent me the most awesome prize pack.  Here is a peak at what was in there.

So after I was done doing my happy dance, I decided to make some projects this weekend with all these fabulous goodies!  I made four projects this past weekend and I still have enough stuff to make even more creations. 

I also decorated the envelop.  I stamped a medium sized pink heart that says xoxo and put the 2 mini heart stickers on the front lower right hand corner.  I just have to decorate these envelops when I create with them. 

Here is what the inside of the card look like.  The little stamped bird saying I love you goes in the yellow envelop.  :)

My next project is a Mother's Day card (getting a jump start on next year).  I doubled up the buttons on the middle of the flower to give it that look.  

So a birthday gift bag is always something that everyone can use.  Especially one made for a great girlfriend.  I just LOVE that pom pom ribbon!  Here is what I came up with for the birthday gift bag.   

And last but definitely not least... A 12x12 layout (why yes I do scrapbook in addition to card making lol).   This layout is for me to put a pic of me and my hubby on.  

These are just the four I came up with last weekend.  Now I have to confess I did add to my creations a set of Queen & Co gemstone trios.  I had to I am a bling LOVER.  And in case you would like to know here are the Close to My Heart supplies I used in my creations:

cotton candy ink

Cricut Art Philosophy Collection (Happy Birthday stamp)

Posterboard Alphabet

January 2013 Stamp of the Month (retired but I could try to find you one if really needed)

Well I hope you all have enjoyed these fun creations.  Remember if at any time you would like to know more about my projects, want a custom card order, or want to order Close to My Heart supplies I am only an email away at LoveManifested22@gmail.com  

Happy crafting my friends!  

:) XOXO Amanda    

Festive Friday - Festive Flags

 

Today is

Cricut Design Team Festive Friday – Festive Flags!

Welcome everyone!  Glad you could join me today for the daily project for My Cricut Craft Room.  http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com/

Today’s theme is Festive Flags.  I choose to create a custom invite for a 4^th of July fun, festive, party! 

 

Supplies used: Cricut Summer Celebrations and Tie the Knot cartridges, red and blue cardstock, black Queen and Co Goosebumps, Close to My Heart star spangled blue ink, and CTMH Atomic Lower Case

The how to: First I cut the flag pattern and 4th of July out of the Summer Celebrations cartridge.  I cut the word Celebrate from the Tie the Knot cartridge.  I adhered the word Celebrate to the white piece of cardstock, inked the edges in blue ink, and attached it to the card with 3D foam.  I then adhered the blue part of the flag to the red part, attached that to the front of the card, and then adhered the 4th of July to the inside of the card.  The next step is to cut a piece of red cardstock to the size of  4 x 5 1/2 inches and cut the white piece of cardstock to 3 x 4 1/2 inches.  I stamped the time, place, rsvp and then adhered the two pieces of cardstock.  The last step is to create teh blue around 4 th of July.  To do that I used a stipple brush and blotted it onto the ink pad and then dabbed it into the card.  And there you go a great invite for this years festivities!     

Thanks for taking the time to stop by!  If you'd like to see more awesome Festive Flag cards please visit the MCCR blog at http://www.mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com.

XOXO :) Amanda     .    

And the winner is...

Hello all!  This blog post is going to be full of great stuff today! 

So lets get down to the most fun thing of all – The winner of the Home Sweet Home Stamp Giveaway is Tina Reynolds!!!!  Congrats to you!!!  Tina please email me your address at LoveManifested22@gmail.com and I will get your prize out to you!  :)

Other news - I have decided that once a month I will be make a post detailing info on the special for Close to My Heart for the month and any specials offered at Love Manifested (my online Etsy store).  CTMH has a bunch of specials going on this month so here is what is going on for the month of June.

Courage B 1437 - $9.95  Strong and Free D 1575 - $17.95  Home of the Brave D 1576 - $17.95

Close To My Heart will donate a portion of the proceeds to either the USO (for US) or the Canadian Hero Fund (for Canada), charitable organizations that support military families. The patriotic stamp sets were made exclusively for this campaign and can only be purchased during June and July 2013. The My Acrylix® Courage (B1437) stamp set is $9.95 and is military themed. The My Acrylix® Home of the Brave (D1576) stamp set is $17.95 and USA themed while the My Acrylix® Strong and Free (D1575) stamp set is $17.95 and Canada themed.     

A True Thank You - OK Tornado Relief- $2.95

Close To My Heart is making a new Autumn/Winter 2013 stamp set, A True Thank You, available immediately and will donate 100% of the profits from sales of the set from May 23 through June 30 to the American Red Cross to aid the Oklahoma victims. Help us provide relief to those affected by the devastating Oklahoma tornado by purchasing A True Thank You stamp set for $2.95 (M1029) today!

Receive a free My Creations^® mini banner in June! Make it a “banner” day by placing a $25 order that includes a qualifying stamp set to receive your free mini banner. The mini banner includes 10 chipboard pennants in 4 different shapes with 9 jump rings for hanging. Use the mini banner as a decoration for your parties and get-togethers this summer for many “banner” days!  Dates: Offer valid - June1-15th.
 Update - This deal was so popular that they have run out of the banners (banners are now retired). CTMH is currently offering milk cartons in place of this however supplies are limited on the milk cartons as well so order now.   

So there you go the winner of the Home Sweet Home Stamp Set giveaway and June's specials.  If you have any questions or would like to place an order I'm here for you.  :)

Happy crafting all!
XOXO :) Amanda

June 100 Cricut Cartridge Blog Hop

June's 100 Cricut Cartridge Blog Hop 

You should have started at http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com/ if not please start at the beginning. :)

Welcome everyone!  I’m excited to show you what I can up with for this month’s blog hop.  I used 6 different Cricut cartridges and made 6 different projects.  The first project I would like to show you is a party invite I made using Frightful Affair.  

Supplies used: Cricut Frightful Affair cartridge, Paper Studios cobweb embossing folder, Jim Holtz fence embossing folder, Die Cuts with a View Metallic cardstock, red and black Close to My Heart inks, Close to My Heart Swirl Stroke lowercase, Happy Hauntings (retired), and Art Philosophy Celebrations stamp sets, mini google eyes

 The how to: I cut the metallic cardstock ¼ inch smaller than the card, embossed it with the cobweb pattern, and then sanded it.  I cut the zombie and zombie layers from Frightful Affair.  I then stamped You’re Invited and cut the stamped image in a rectangle.  I inked the edges of the rectangle to give it a bloody look.  I put together the zombie (his bloody knee piece I put on the opposite side then indicated in the handbook since I knew the you’re invited sign would cover it up).  I then outlined his mouth with a black pen and attached the google eyes.  Next step step was to adhere everything to the card.  next I embossed the fence on white cardstock and inked with a sponge the embossed fence with black ink.  I then stamped the info inside the card and attached the fence to the bottom of the card. 

***Note - If there is anyone who doesn't know how to ink edges of paper or with a sponge just leave a comment letting me know that and I will create a video blog entry to show you how.  :)

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The next project I completed was a super easy and quick Christmas card.

  Supplies used: Cricut Close to My Heart Art Philosophy cartridge, silver stickles, CTMH red and green inks, CTMH Ornamental Cheer stamp set, silver ribbon

 

The how to:  I cut a piece of black cardstock to fit the front of the card.  Then I cut the ornament shape from the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge (3 inch size as indicated on the CTMH Ornamental Cheer stamp set).  After that I stamped the ornament with the coordinating stamp from the Ornamental cheer stamp set.  The next step was to cut a small piece of silver ribbon and tie a little knot in it.  I cut another piece of ribbon that I used to make it look like the ornament is hanging on the front of the card.  I then attached the ornament and ribbon.  The last step was to add silver stickles to make it pop.  I applied the silver stickles by putting a small amount on a paper towel and then blotting it onto the card around the ornament and ribbon.  I stamped the inside of the card with the sediment “Wishing you a holiday filled with joy.”  This sediment stamp is also on Ornamental Cheer from CTMH.  This card is easy and quick to make.  Perfect design for making many for the Christmas season! 

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My third project I created for this hop is a birthday card for a great friend.

Supplies used: The Hoot and Hollar Cricut Cartridge, large orange gem, Queen and Co Twinkle Goosebumps - green, CTMH Just a Number stamp set, star spangled blue ink, and google eyes 

The how to: First I cut out the adorable owl and assembled him.  Instead of using the belly for the owl on the cartridge I used a felt flower (this came from my stash and I am not sure who makes it sorry).  I put a gem inside the middle of the flower.  I then added google eyes (I like to use google eyes I think they make a project come alive).  I cut the white piece of cardstock and stamped the sediment “With age comes wisdom…”.  For the inside of the card I cut a piece of white cardstock a 1/4 an inch smaller then the card.  I inked the edges and then stamped the sediment "You are one of the wisest people I know."  The perfect card for a great friend!      

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For my next creation I made a card for newlyweds (a subject I am loving since I recently tied the knot myself).  

Supplies used: Tie the Knot Cricut cartridge, CTMH Kraft card,  Paper Studio embossing folder,For Always CTMH paper pack, Love You and Adorable Backgrounds stamp sets (both retired), CTMH red sparkles, CTMH red ink, and Queen and Co Rhinestone Trios in black.

The how to:
First I cut the paper pieces for the card from the patterned paper and adhered them.  Next I cut the heart from the Tie the Knot cartridge.  Then I embossed the heart with the love embossing folder and sanded it down.  I followed that with stamping the adorable background pattern on the card flap.  Next step attach the heart with 3-d foam adhesive and I added black gems to the background pattern on the card flap.  Next I cut the white cardstock for the inside of the card.  I stamped the white cardstock and adhered it to the inside of the card.  Last steps are to cut the Mr & Mrs from red cardstock, ran it through my Xyron, and attached it to the envelop.  

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 Next project is a special way to say congrats to all those Grads out there!

Supplies used:Cricut Something to Celebrate cartridge,  Die Cuts with a View Shimmer cardstock, glitter cardstock, black cardstock, Scrapbooking Adhesives photo corners, silver decorative dots, and Close to My Heart Casual Expressions stamp set

First step for this card I cut the gray metallic cardstock back ground.  It is 1/4^th an inch smaller than the card.  The next step I used the Something to Celebrate cartridge to cut the mortar board shape.  I used glitter cardstock to cut the top of the mortar board and regular black card stock for the bottom part.  It was a bit tough to catch on camera to show you.  I did this to give it a bit of extra depth.  I assembled the mortar board pieces.  I then stamped congratulations on white cardstock and cut it down to the rectangle.  I adhered the gray metallic cardstock, attached the photo corners, and adhered the stamped congratulations image.  I then added the silver decorative dots.  I adhered the mortar board with foam adhesive to give it more depth.  That easy!

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My last project for you to check out today is for all the cat lovers out there.  This is a birthday card from your cat. :)

Supplies I used: Cricut celebrations cartridge, Cuttlebug Happy Birthday embossing folder, CTMH Meow (retired) and Perfect fit Birthday stamp sets, 4 mini pewter brads, Bazzill Bling blue and google eyes

 The how to: First I cut the green piece just a ¼ inch smaller than the card.  Then I embossed the green piece with the Happy birthday design and adhered it to the card.  I then cut the cat face and pieces.  I put the cat together outlining the cut detail in black marker, attached google eyes, and then attached the cat to the bling cardstock.  I attached the bling cardstock to the white cardstock, put the brads in the corners, and adhered the box with the cat face with 3d foam adhesive.  The last step was to stamp Happy birthday and the paw print on the inside of the card.  My idea was you can write the cats name next to the paw print.  :)

  

Well I hope you enjoyed my creations for this month.  Remember you can just shoot me an email if you ever have questions about my creations.  

Next on the blog hop is: Dee at - http://craftfavorites.com

In case you get turned around the entire lineup for the blog hop is:

Start - http://MyCricutCraftRoom.blogspot.com
Julie - http://www.thecricutchirp.com/
Marilyn - http://marilyncricutcards.blogspot.com/
Shelly - http://cardsbyshelly.blogspot.com/
Amanda http://amandaslovemanifested.blogspot.com/
Dee - http://craftfavorites.com
Erica http://ericasprojects.blogspot.com
Luisa - http://lepaperstudio.blogspot.com
Cindy - http://inlovewithpaper.blogspot.com
Sandy- http://scrapbookblessings.blogspot.com
Melissa - http://iamapapermaniac.blogspot.com
Vivian - Vivijdesigns.blogspot.com
Faith -  http://www.faithabigaildesigns.com/
Kathy U - http://kathy213-kathyscorner.blogspot.com/
Crafting Blog Events - http://craftingblogevents.blogspot.com

Thanks for taking the time to stop by.  Happy crafting all!
XOXO :) Amanda