Starry Christmas Angel

I saw Hazel's Christmas challenge to spread a little Joy and Love and knew I needed to use an angel with the Good News of Christ's birth. I'm sure that the shepherds who heard that message were filled with wonder and joy at the news that the Messiah had come. That message spread both joy and God's love for mankind. What is amazing is that the message of Love and Joy is for all ages. May God's Love bless you with Joy today and always!

I used the great angel stamp from Clearly Digi Stamps, "Angel" and the sentiment "Christmas Blessings."

The star overlay was so easy to cut. I used ProPlayer dp and the Cricut Artbooking Cartridge. I set the Real dial size at 4" then matted the overlay with silver glitter paper. They were mounted on the snowflake paper of the Frosted paper pack.


Image - Angels (outline)
Sentiment - Christmas Blessings
Copic Markers - E00, E02, E30, E35, Y11, R81, R85
Papers - CTMH Frosted (snowflake), ProPlayer (blue stars overlay)Silver glitter paper, Colonial White, Baby Pink, unknown blue cardstock
Accents - CTMH Smoothie baker's twine, unknown pink gingham and cream lace
Tools - printer, Photoshop (to flip image horizontally), Spellbinders Nestabilities Scalloped Circles, CTMH Cricut Artbooking and Art Philosophy (circle)
Technique - cut blue overlay with stars at 4" real dial size on Cricut Artbooking and mat with silver glitter paper

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Can You Digi It? #41 - Holiday Hullabaloo
Christmas Card Challenge #36 - sketch



Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #136 - Spread a little joy and love
Deep Ocean #57 - Christmas in July
Inky Chicks #10 - Lovely Lace
Jellypark CHallenge- Christmas in July
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge #270 - 2 or more designer papers
Shopping Our Stash Weekly #113 - sun, moon, or stars (stash is old retired baby pink and blue cs)
The Paper Shelter - #123 - Punches and Dies (Cricut and Spellbinders)

 

Perfect Sentiment Challenge #86 - Favorite Technique

We're back! After a month of summer "vacation," our design team at The Perfect Sentiment Challenge is ready to inspire you again and be inspired by your creations!  Our challenge this week should be easy for everyone - show and tell us your favorite technique.
CREATE A CARD FOR THE OCCASION OF YOUR CHOICE USING YOUR FAVORITE TECHNIQUE. A TECHNIQUE CAN BE ANYTHING FROM HEAT EMBOSSING, DRY EMBOSSING, FUSSY CUTTING, SEWING, PAPER PIERCING, EMBOSS RESIST AND SO FORTH. PLEASE INCLUDE WHAT TECHNIQUE YOU USED.  DON'T FORGET YOUR SENTIMENT ON THE FRONT.

Our sponsor is Robyn's Fetish, who will award one lucky winner 5 free digis of their choice!

 



My favorite technique is one I enjoy using a lot: USING DIE CUTS.  I love using Spellbinders and Cricut die cuts. They make a great mats for images and sentiments. Today I'm also showing you a Cricut Artbooking background design using the key OVERLAY. This cartridge has a great OVERLAY that's perfect for Back to School projects.  Check it out:

I used the Robyn's Fetish digi called "Reading Is Fun." I got the sentiment acrylic stamp, my favorite for teachers, from My Favorite Things. The set was called "Clearly Sentimental about Teaching." The papers are all from Close To My Heart. The Cranberry overlay is on a Scholastic paper showing vintage library cards--so appropriate for a reading image! The image is colored with Copic markers and popped up on two circular images cut from Cricut Artiste using papers from the new Sarita paper pack. 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:
Bearly Mine #98 - Tic Tac Toe ( middle row across):

Craftin' Desert Divas #12 - Back to School

Crafty Bloggers Network #14- Favorite Things (my Cricut and Spellbinders dies and cutting machines)

Crafty Boots - Die Cuts

Created with Love #52 - Blog hop and anything goes

Digi Sketch Challenge - Anything Goes

Mema's Crafts Bonus Challenge - Anything Goes with Back to School option

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Pile It On #31 - School Time

The Paper Nest Dolls #10 - Back to School

 

 

 

 



 

Twist of Faith #49 - Sketch

Today we have a  new challenge at Twist of Faith:

It's Time to get Sketchy!



 

 

 

We have a sketch challenge this week and  another amazing sponsor!   Digi Darla Designs is once again sponsoring our challenge.  One lucky winner will receive some of her lovely images! We are so thankful for our sponsors each week - and Digi Darla Designs is certainly one to be thankful for time and time again!! 

I love this verse, Psalm37:4. I was thinking several times this past week about how important it was that I learned to delight in the Lord as a child. I looked forward to going to church several times a week, having fellowship dinners, practicing singing in the youth choir, reading my Bible before bed each night, and more. I especially felt drawn to things of the Lord when I went to church camp each summer and was able to spend entire days listening to teaching and missionaries, singing hymns, and fellowshipping with other Christians. I didn't know it then, but I did have the desire in my heart. God was preparing me for full-time Christian service in my adult years. During those years the desires of my heart were simply things that were part of being a pastor's wife, mother, or Christian school teacher. Now that I'm older and no longer work, He fills my heart with joy each day and gives me new opportunities to serve Him in ways I never imagined.

 

I hope you are able to find ways to delight in the Lord and to see the way He blesses you!

 

I used this fun floral arrangement, One Cup a Daisies, from Digi Darla. She has so very many beautiful flower images!  I colored the image with Copic markers and did a little fussy cutting. The verse is a Plain Jane (single verse) from Verve. I sponged the edges with some Goldrush ink.

 

This was so easy and fun to make since the sketch was already provided. I was ready to use some of my CTMH Sarita paper pack.  I cut two circular type images using the Cricut and two smaller circles, 2.5" and 2.75" using Cricut Art Philosophy.  I added Tan Sparkles, retired Goldrush organdy ribbon with a Goldrush flowered pin.

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

 

Card Mania #26 - Summer Blooms

Craft-Dee BowZ August Challenge - Anything Goes with a handmade bow

Crafty Boots - Die Cuts

Created with Love - Anything Goes

Digi Sketch Challenge - Anything Goes

Get Inky #10 - Ribbons

My Craft Creations - Ribbons and Bows

Pattie's Creations #72 - Recipe - I used flowers, gems, ribbon, and sentiment

Word Art Wednesday #91 - anything goes with scripture, or encouraging verse

 

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you with delight in Him and the desires of your heart!

 

Mojo Monday #305 with Artbooking

Mondays are always fun when I get to see all the inspiring cards at Mojo Monday. Today I couldn't stop playing with my new Cricut Artbooking cartridge to join in their challenge, sketch #305.

 

 

 

The positive sentiment is a Plain Jane from Verve, "Nicest Thoughts." I used the CTMH Sarita paper pack and a plaid piece from Laughing Lola. They match so nicely. Instead of adding a ribbon across the card I used a heart banner from Cricut Artbooking, cut at 8" using the border key on page 49 (border key with <w>).  I backed the open heart cut outs with silver glitter paper.

 

The flower on p. 80 (Icon key with Sugar and Spice Key) was cut using Real Dial Size which I set at 2." I love the lacy effect and the center has heart shapes that pop up rather than cut out. It has a glitter button center covering some tinier hearts that could have popped up. It's tied with dark blue waxy flax. The other glitter buttons are tied with some older Ocean waxy flax.

 

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

 

613 Avenue Create #31 - Anything goes, with optional twist - Use a Sentiment

Challenges 4 Everybody #26 - Anything goes

Crafty Bloggers Network August Challenge - show your favorite things (mine is using die cuts)

Make It Monday - anything goes linky party

Mojo Monday #305 - sketch

Stamp and Create August Challenge - Glitter

 





Artbooking in August - Blog Hop #1 Card

Welcome to our Artbooking in August Blog Hop. If you just arrived from Amy McVey's blog, you're in the right spot.


I hope you'll let our 40 talented CTMH consultants inspire you with their creativity this month.   Each Monday in August, we will be posting artwork to our blogs.  You can follow our blogs or set your alarm to make sure you do not miss a post!

Our challenge was to create 4 different projects using the Cricut Artbooking cartridge and any CTMH paper pack.  ( yes - we all have retired paper packs in our 'stuff' and this cartridge is perfect for using up paper!!)  Our mission is to design each of the following:

1. 2 page layout 
2. Card
3. Mini Book
4. Home decor or giftable item 

We were able to choose what to make and when to post it. AND if we wanted to add stamps to our designs, that was o.k.  You will not want to miss any of our totally awesome and fantastic artwork!!

My first post is a card with several elements from Artbooking. This is obviously an amazing cartridge for making scrapbook pages and mini-albums, but by using the real dial size feature, it's also perfectly amazing for making cards.  This is the Anniversary card I'm giving my husband this month.

 This card uses the Laughing Lola paper pack. The sentiment frame was adhered to one of the chipboard frames that comes with the Artbooking. It was cut from Lagoon cardstock at 2.5" real dial size (p. 85 shift Photo Mat 1 <Little Toes> key). I replaced the Lagoon center mat with a white one the same size, perfect for stamping the sentiment from 4 My Friend (D1510).

The heart border from p. 80 was cut using the scrapbook suggested size, 11," not real dial size. It was a great size for a 6" x 6" card and was easy to back with patterned paper.  I used <Sugar and Spice> key, shift Border.  Using the same key, I cut the black flower outline: 2" real dial size Icon (no shift).  The flower, my favorite part of the card, has a fold out center that makes it 3-D!

I used gem and ribbon embellishments from the Laughing Lola Assortment and one of the Sparkles Black Flourishes.

You are ready now to go to Maureen O'Sullivan's blog!

If you have any questions please send me an email....vodell2@aol.com

 

 

 

I'm sharing this card with the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks  #153- add some bling

Art Impressions Stamps Challenge #115 -Sentiment Focus

Cards Galore - Bingo (middle row across) gems, die cuts, inks

 

 

 

Craftin' Boutique CHallenge #1- Anything goes

Ladybug Crafts - something floral

Little Claire's Monthly Challenge #35 - Wedding or Anniversary (for our anniversary this month)

Paper Crafting Journey - punches or die cuts

Sister Act Card Challenge #18 - Anything Goes

 

 

 

Cricut Artbooking - A Heritage Christmas Layout

I had some old 1960's photos to scrapbook. They show my younger siblings at Christmas and on birthdays.  I'm adding this layout to an album I've been making of Christmas past that I take every year to my family Christmas gathering. My kids really enjoy seeing their relatives as young children.

I started this layout with some older Basic Grey paper and letter stickers, a Technique Tuesday title in a circle, and red velvet scalloped ribbon, . Then I got stuck and set it aside because I wasn't sure how to embellish this layout.

I opened my new Cricut Artbooking cartridge and found the answer! The snowflake border (p. 76) and individual snowflakes were great, especially with some extra sparkles. The brick overlay (p. 56, cut with real dial size) fit perfectly into one empty space beside the photo of my youngest sister visiting Santa. That segment seemed to need a little more, so I added the reindeer (p. 57). (Aren't they supposed to prance around on the roof beside the brick chimney?) 

The Artbooking cartridge is now available here!  I hope this layout gives you some ideas for your own layouts. I also hope it will give you the incentive to scrapbook older photos, something many of my friends want to just leave in boxes.

Come back to my blog early Monday morning (or after 8 p.m.CDT Sunday evening) and you'll be able to see lots of Cricut Artbooking projects. I'll be part of an Artbooking in August Blog Hop. Forty crafty artists will be sharing their layouts, cards, mini-albums, and 3-D/giftable items using this fun cartridge.


I'm sharing this layout with the following challenges:
Anything But a Card #24 - Christmas in July
Crafting for All Seasons #57 - Christmas in July
Crafty Ribbons #55 - use at least one circle (Technique Tuesday title and velvet scalloped ribbon)
Deep Ocean Challenge #57 - Christmas in July
Die Cuttin' Divas #126 - Anything goes
D.L.Art Thankful Thursday #114 - Christmas in July
Going Grey with Scrap-Creations - Anything goes
Hiding in My Craft Room #108 - Christmas in July
Inspire Me Fridays #114 - Anything goes
Lasting Memories #150 - Christmas in July

Yellowstone Layouts Using Tommy Paper & My Sheri Crafts Inspiration

My husband gave me the greatest gift this summer. He arranged for grandchildren to join us on a memorable vacation to The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks. Joy shared is an even greater joy.  I've been showing the kids our vacation photos for years and talking to them about the amazing creation God has given us to enjoy. It was so much more meaningful to let them see it firsthand.

These are the first four layouts I've made about our trip. They are part of a workshop  for my scrapbooking friends. The first one is part of the Close To My Heart Tommy Workshop on the Go. The others roughly use Magic patterns and inspiration from CTMH friends. I made all four layouts to hold more photos close to 4" x 6."  They used an incredible set of matching canvas stickers and Tommy Assortment of embellishments, which had many Stickease left over when I was finished. If you are one of my workshop ladies, hopefully these will help you know how to add photos. Scroll down under the first four layouts to see individual pages enlarged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Layout 1 - left page 6" x 4" photos

 

Layout 1 - Right page 4" x 5.5" photos

 

 

Layout 2 - left page photo 5" x 7"

 

Layout 2 - Right page  (OOPS! My hemp slipped on this page!) 4" x 4.5" photos

 

Layout 3 - Left page 7" x 7" photo (or use 7" x 5" photo and additional 7" x 2" piece of patterned paper on the left of the photo)

 

Layout 3 - Right page - photos are 5" tall

 

Layout 4 - Left page 6" x 4" photos

 

Layout 4 - Right page 4" x 6" photos

 

If you missed the workshop but would like to have the four kits, please contact me here or by email (vodell2@aol.com). It will be pre-cut and pre-stamped. It will have the papers cut, extra cardstock, Tommy assortment, and canvas stickers for $25.00 (plus shipping to your home if you're out of the area).

 

 

I'm sharing these layouts with the following challenges:

Cut It Up! #24 - Summer plus die cuts ( Layout 2 left page uses Cricut Artiste (10.75" circle, library pocket, and notebook page for journaling)

Going Grey with Scrap Creations - anything goes

Inspire Me Fridays #113 - anything goes

Make It Monday #151 - Anything goes

Mema's Crafts August Challenge - Anything goes with "Best Vacation" theme

My Sheri Crafts #115 - Let's Take a Trip travel theme

Simply Create Too #42 - Anything But a Card

Time 4 Scrap #9 - Walk in the Countryside