Close to My Heart December Blog Hop - Pear and Partridge

Hi all!

Welcome to the Damask Divas December Blog Hop!

If you've just come from Melissa Thompson then you are on the right track. If you haven't, please start at the beginning of the hop with our team leader Mandy Leahy. 

This month the team is focusing on the Pear and Partridge paper pack exclusive to Close to My Heart. 

Here are some projects that I have created using this wonderful paper pack and using the Cricut cartridges Artiste and Art Philosophy. 

The ornament on this card comes from the Art Philosophy cartridge...

I used a square punch on strips of paper to create banners. The glittered letters are glittered thickers...

I used the tree cut on page 56 of the book from the Artiste cartridge. The ornaments were hand decorated by me! 

I cut this hexagon box at 3 1/4 inches. It is also from the Artiste cartridge. The ribbon came from Michael's. Inside this lovely box is one of the above ornaments that I will be giving as gifts.

I hope that you have enjoyed my projects! ♥

Next you should visit Ashley. Happy Hopping!

If you want to purchase any of this beautiful paper, you can purchase it HERE!

Tilda's Town weekly challenge entry

Hi Everyone!!!!

I had a few moments today to create a card to enter in to Tilda's Town Weekly Challenge. I've been wanting to submit a project for their weekly challenge for a couple months. This is the first time I have had enough time to do so!!!! 

I hope that you like my project!!!!!

Thankful!!!

Hi everyone!!!

I've been away from the blog for a few weeks but the last week was due to Hurricane Sandy. My hometown of Jersey City, NJ was hit VERY hard! I have NEVER seen flooding like this in Jersey City in ALL my years here. 

Unfortunately, almost all of the downtown area was flooded. Country Village, Society Hill, Droyer's Point, Stadium Plaza, Newport Mall and the Hudson Mall (not too far from me) suffered extreme flooding. Our PATH system (trains that travel to/from midtown Manhattan) was deluged with water and is still under water. The city was without electricity and heat for days. The West Bergen section (where I live) had power restored this morning. There are still pockets of JC without lights and heat. Thankfully there have been no reports of fatalities or injuries here.
I want to thank all those who tried to reach out to us and to thank the Bed Bath and Beyond in the downtown area of Jersey City for allowing people to charge their devices for free. It was a huge help for so many people who just needed an escape from their cold homes or to reach out to loved ones! 
I'm thankful that despite this inconvenience, we have our home and our health!!! There are still many that are still without and I hope that things improve for my fellow residents very soon. 

And after some volunteering tomorrow, I'll have some pictures of a couple cards I managed to create during the craziness! ♥

Autumn Tag; Free Artiste Birthday Giveaway

Hi Everyone!

Yesterday was my birthday and it was a very good day!!! Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes!!!
Today I wanted to create a quick Autumn project, so I decided to create this quick tag. I just love the way it turned out!!! 

I used Wild Honey and Walnut Stain Distress inks on tag. I stamped corn stalks on the tag from the Abundance stamp set from Close to My Heart. The scarecrow and pumpkins are from the September Stamp of the Month from Close to My Heart; they were colored using Copic markers. I just love this cute little tag!!!!

Don't forget that I am giving away a three prizes including the new Artiste cartridge bundle. All purchases of $30 or more will be entered into the giveaway. Sharing the giveaway on Facebook or on your blog will earn you extra entries. You have until October 30th 8pm EST to be entered to win!!! You can click >>>>>HERE<<<<< to make a purchase!! 

Link Up for Pink - Hope

Hello!!

I have been quite busy creating projects for Link Up for Pink. Here is one my card that I have created for such a wonderful cause!!! The paper comes from the Sweetheart paper pack from Close to My Heart. This pack is now retired, but there are plenty of beautiful paper packs available.

♥ ♥ ♥

Link Up for Pink - Praying for You

More for Link Up for Pink!!

The digi stamp is from Sassy Studio Design. I colored the stamp using Copic Markers. The plaid paper is from Recollections. 

Link Up for Pink - Tag

Here's more projects for the Link Up for Pink!!

I used an embossing folder on the tag. The black border is a Martha Stewart Punch and the flowers are Prima flowers. 

Link Up for Pink - Another card!

Another card for Link Up for Pink!!!!

Link Up for Pink - Part 2

Hello everyone!!!

Here are some more projects that I have created for the Link Up for Pink linking party. Visit their site here to join the link up. LINK UP FOR PINK

The paper used to create this card comes from Close to My Heart.

Don't forget to get your boobies checked! ♥

Link Up for Pink Projects!!!

Hi everyone! 

Today begins the first day of Link Up for Pink to bring awareness to Breast Cancer. Yolie and her crew have done wonderful things to help bring awareness to yearly screening and monthly breast self checks. Yolie is also having giveaways for linking your pink projects! Visit the website Link Up for Pink for more info on how you can link up your projects.

Now here are my first three projects:

This image comes from milk coffee stamps.

This image comes from Sassy Studio Designs. The background is a digital scrapbook page.

This image comes from Sassy Studio Designs. The background is a digital scrapbook page.

I colored all of the images using Copic Markers. Love, love, love Copics. I used my Xyron Creative Staion to adhere the digital images to the cards. This has made my life so easy! 

This is just the beginning of many projects/cards to come in the next fourteen days!!! Don't forget to link up your projects. BUT most importantly, DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR YEARLY SCREENINGS AND DO YOUR MONTHLY SELF CHECKS!

A Homespun Affair - October 2012 Edition

Hello!!!! It's the October edition of A Homespun Affair and this month we are bringing you projects for a Halloween!!! I'm not as big a fan of Halloween as I was as a child, but I do like to see the little ones dressed in their costumes (and of course the chocolates, lol)! For this edition, I focused more on the projects rather than a tutorial.

For the rosettes I used the Artiste cartridge. You need two cuts for one rosette. For this banner I cut 16 at 2 1/2 inches. Fold them like an accordion and adhere both ends together.
The medallion is cut at 3 1/2 inches from the Artiste cartridge. The word "Spooky" was cut from the Blackletter cartridge at 3 1/4 inches.
I punched holes at opposite ends of the rosettes and strung ribbon through. The stamped images are from the Wicked set and I colored the witch lightly with chalk. I used Stickles on the letters for a little shimmer. 

The treat bag was cut at 5 1/4 inches from the Artiste cartridge. The scallop was cut at 3 inches from the Art Philosophy cartridge. I stamped and cut the stamps from the Wicked stamp set. This bag is large enough to fit some yummy treats inside!!! 

I hope you have enjoyed these projects!!! 

A Homespun Affair - September Edition

Hello! It's time for another edition of A Homespun Affair! I hope you have enjoyed all of the editions in the past! This edition is just as full of projects and inspiration like the others!

This month I decided to create a 3D apple since it's the season to go back to school. I myself will be going back to work in a few days, so this project was very appropriate! You can get all the directions on how to create this 3D apple in this month's edition of A Homespun Affair. The paper used comes from DCWV (Grade school paper pack). 

I used the outer layer of an apple from the cartridge Potpourri Basket. I hid the inner layers using my Gypsy. 

Check out how I used this same apple three different ways! 

Instead of making a full apple, keep it flat and adhere it to the front of a mini album or mini notebook for a splash of color and a touch of texture.

I used the same technique to make this mini apple as a tag for this backpack. The backpack was made using the Campin' Critters cartridge. The twine holding the apple comes from 3 Girls Jam. 

I hope I have inspired you to be become creative! And if you decide to create a 3D apple of your own, link it back to my blog! Also, don't forget to check out this month's challenge at A Homespun Affair. 

More Copic Coloring

Hello everyone!!! 

My summer vacation is nearly over...and I go back to work the day after Labor Day. I've gone in to set up my classroom and I'm ready for my new students to arrive! 

Since I only have a few days left, I decided to keep my mind occupied by using my Copics to improve my coloring. Here are two cards that I worked on today.

The Halloween card is super cute! The paper comes from the Mischief (retired) paper pack from Close to My Heart. The sentiment shape comes from the Artiste cartridge and the sentiment comes from the Spellbound Workshop on the Go Kit from Close to My Heart. Although the Mischief paper is recently retired, the new Moonlight paper pack is just as adorable!

This card I think has a slight vintage feel to it. The paper comes from Kaiser Kraft paper pad. The border comes from a Martha Stewart Punch. The flowers are Prima flowers. The ovals come from the Art Philosophy cartridge. Both the Art Philosophy and Artiste cartridges are exclusive to Close to My Heart. PM me for details on how you can get FREE SHIPPING on either cartridge.

I hope that you have enjoyed my creations and I hope that I have inspired you to become crafty!

Using My Copic Markers

Hi Everyone!

I've been busy these past few days working on projects for the upcoming release of A Homespun Affair. In the meantime, I've been practicing coloring using my Copic Markers on a Tilda stamp. I REALLY enjoy using Copic Markers! For her skin, I used the colors E00, E11, E13, E21. Although I know I need more practice, I'm quite happy with the results!

The scallops and the border are from the Art Philosophy cartridge from Close to My Heart. I used silver Stickles on her wings. The paper is from the Lucy Paper pack from Close to My Heart. The sentiment also comes form CTMH. I added some pearls to give more dimension. The ribbon is from my personal stash.

I hope you have been inspired to create! Happy Crafting! ♥

Blog Makeover; Artiste & Art Philosophy Projects

Hi Everyone!!! Today I am revealing the new look of my blog! I want to thank Sarah of Designs by Sarah for making my blog sooooo super cute! I LOVE it! She is super easy to work with and her prices are reasonable! Find her page on Facebook Designs by Sarah to find out more information about how you get your blog to look beautiful!!!

I've been busy crafting in the mean time. The first project is a card using cuts from the Art Philosophy Cartridge. 

The card base is a Kraft paper from Close to My Heart. The paper is from the Lucy paper pack (retiring). The butterflies and oval cuts are from the Art Philosophy cartridge. The sentiment comes from the Thoughtful Tidings stamp set, also from CTMH. The ribbon border is from my personal stash.

This next project is an exploding box. I enjoy making exploding boxes. The concept is similar to the one I created for our newsletter A Homespun Affair. This was cut from the brand new Artiste cartridge at 3 inches. I love that this cartridge has so many 3D objects that are great for parties and home decor. 

When you take the lid off, the box "explodes" outward. What I like about this box is that it is large enough to put a lovely surprise inside! The stamping around the box comes from the Love Life stamp set. The flowers and the butterfly on the lid both come from the Artiste cartridge. I added mini pearls on the stamped swirls around the box. The ribbon around the lid is from my personal stash and the paper comes from the Lucy Paper pack.

If you are interested in purchasing any one of these cartridges, visit my website HERE!!! I'm still offering free shipping until the end of August. And stay tuned for more projects featuring both Artiste and Art Philosophy! 

Core Cards Creative Frenzy

Hi everyone!!!  Today I'm posting my submission for the Core'dinations Card Designer Design Team. First I would like to thank Core'dinations for the opportunity to try out for their fabulous team. Now --- on to the cards!

Here are the three cards that I have submitted:

The first card I created is a flower fold card. At first glance it looks like a small  4 x 4 card. However, once you open it up, the card opens up like an accordion to reveal a lovely surprise! This type of card is very easy to make---you can make it as long or as short as you want. The base of the card is 3 sheets of card stock that measure 8 x 8. Again, you can make this as large or as small as you want. You over lap one square over another square. If you want more information on how to create the flower fold card, please see my post on July 16th. The rosette on the front of the card was cut out using the new Cricut cartridge Artiste. 

Front view

Inside view

Back view

I added a button with some twine on the back of the card. The paper is from the Dotty for You paper pack. 

This second card is an accordion card. I used my Gypsy to weld four tags together from the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge. The tags are 5 inches tall. I used cuts from Mini Monsters and Artiste to decorate this cute card and used ribbon to keep it closed. The black border is from the Art Philosophy cartridge.

Front view

Inside view

The last card I created was an A2 card with a white base from Core'dinations. The pink mat is called pink smoothie. The dress form stamp is from Tim Holtz and the butterflies are from an Inkadinkadoo stamp. I used Tim Holtz Distress ink in Tattered Rose on the stamps. I used a border from Ribbons and Rosettes and I layered some pink lace ribbon on top of the border. I added some pearls to give it some more dimension. 

I hope that you have liked my cards! Happy Crafting!

~Tiffany~

A Homespun Affair - August Edition - First VIDEO tutorial!!!

Hi Everyone!!!! It's that time again ----- the next edition of A Homespun Affair. This edition is awesome! There are tons of great projects, tips, and giveaways! I am very excited about this edition of our magazine     --- this month I have included my very first VIDEO tutorial! That's right! I am now going to be doing video tutorials on a regular basis. Here is the link below! This month the project is a tutorial on how to create an exploding box! 


Exploding boxes come in a variety of shapes, styles and sizes. 

The one in this tutorial is geared toward beginner crafters. HOWEVER, more experienced crafters would enjoy creating one as well! If you decide to create an exploding box, I would love to see it! Please link back to my blog showing off your beautiful box!

Thanks for looking!!!! 

~Tiffany~

A Homespun Affair Color - Last day to enter color challenge!!

Hi everyone! Today is the LAST DAY to enter the color challenge for A Homespun Affair! To enter your project for a chance to win a prize pack from ME, go to A Homespun Affair to submit your project! The prize this month is a paper pack and accessories from Close to My Heart.

Here is the project I made for the color challenge:I wrapped the wreath in red ribbon 1 1/2 width. I cut out the roses from the Art Philosophy cartridge and secured them with pearl head straight pins. I added some pearl trim in between the flowers and finished the wreath with white ribbon.

I also created a quick card as well! This was made using the Plantin Schoolbook cricut cartridge and my Gypsy.

Don't forget to link up your project before midnight CST! Good luck!!!

Flower fold card; New cartridge coming soon!!!

Hello!!!! I've been working away on some projects since I'm on vacation! Here'a little card that I made that looks complicated but is so very easy! I love making 3D objects and items! I love to make interactive items that are quick and easy but beautiful just the same. Here is a little card that I made. Now from first glance, it's just a little 4 x 4 card. But once you untie it...

front view

It opens up to reveal this beautiful card!!! This flower card was so easy to make! If you want me to create a tutorial for this in an upcoming issue of our E-Magazine A Homespun Affair, leave me a comment below and I will make sure that a tutorial will be available! All the paper used came from the Lucy paper pack from Close to My Heart. The stamp is a Tilda stamp from Magnolia stamps. I used my Copic Markers to color Tilda! 

opened card

Back view 

AAAAANNNNNDDDDD

Don't forget that Provo Craft is releasing a new cartridge exclusive to Close to My Heart called Artiste! This cartridge is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!! If you want to take a look at the handbook, take a look HERE. You are going to LLLOOOVVVEEE it!!!!! 

I am taking PRE-ORDERS for the cartridge! The cartridge will be released officially on August 1st. You can send me an email at tyronetiffanys@msn.com for additional details! Please put cricut cartridge in the subject area! 

Thank you for looking!

~Tiffany~

A Homespun Affair - July Issue

So have you been following along! Today is the release of our second edition of our magazine A Homespun Affair. We have been working VERY hard to bring you some awesome designers, projects and tutorials! 

Here's the latest edition of our magazine!

A Homespun Affair E-Magazine

What did you think of the flower tutorial??? Easy, peasey, right? Well here is a flower I made and I used it as an embellishment on a mini book. 

Here is a picture of the mini book

And here is a closeup of the flower! 

If you decide to make a flower or two, I would love to see them!!!! Just make a post linking back to my blog so I can see them!!! 

Now, don't forget I gave you a sneak peek in  my last post about my color challenge project. Did you guess what it was??? No??? If not, here is the completed project for you to see. But guess what??? I am the sponsor for this month's color challenge!!!! That means you get $25 in product from me from Close to My Heart. The colors for this month's challenge are Red, White and Blue in honor of Independence Day. You can make ANYTHING you want as long as you use these colors and as long as it is a new project. You can link back to A Homespun Affair for a chance to win. Make sure you follow ALL the rules for entry! We don't want anyone to be disqualified! And now on to the project!

I used a 12" wreath from Michael's. I wrapped in it red ribbon. The flowers were cut at 3" and 5" from the Cricut Art Philosophy cart EXCLUSIVE to Close to My Heart. If you want to purchase this fabulous cartridge, you can purchase it HERE. I used hot glue to affix some white stringed pearls in between the flowers. I also added a white ribbon. So if you want to make a project using the colors, don't forget to link your project. You have until July 23rd to do so!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!!!

~Tiffany AHA Design Team~