Creatively Cricut

Discover tips and tricks for using your Cricut^® machine to get the most out of your die-cutting. Stamp on Cricut^®-cut pieces, change the size using special features, and more!

Don't forget to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail!) Visit my website for more information!

Take time to create,

Alex

It's a Cricut Party!

Whether you use one Cricut^®-cut piece or several, you can create cute party favors and decorations using your Artiste cartridge. Combine your Cricut^® pieces with unique stamping techniques and you have projects that will knock your guests’ socks off! Want some recipes and tips for how to make this adorable artwork? Below are instructions for creating two pieces from the “Clearly the Best: How to kiss—with stamps” episode. Combine the Cricut^®-cut pieces for these projects with the kissing stamping technique taught in the video, and you have a stellar 3-D item! Want to learn more about the kissing stamping technique?
Watch the video!

Recipes and Tips

Party Banner
Stamp set of your choice
X5668 Honey Cardstock
X5764 Pear Cardstock
1272 Cranberry Cardstock
Z2197 Pear Exclusive Inks^® Pad
Z2163 White Daisy Exclusive Inks^® Pad
Z1751 Baker’s Twine Harvest Assortment
Z1311 1¼" Circle Punch
Cricut^® Shapes:
Artiste
1" Shift+3D Object (cut 56, p. 57)

Art Tip! This banner only uses one type of Cricut^® shape, but the finished product is still stunning. Use stamp kissing to randomly stamp across the pieces using the stamp set of your choice. Score with the help of the Cricut^®-cut score lines on the shape and piece together to create little globes. Tie together with baker’s twine and voila!
Owl Miss You Bag
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
1292 Crystal Blue Cardstock
X5668 Honey Cardstock
X5930 Slate Cardstock
Z2162 Honey Exclusive Inks^® Pad
Z2117 Crystal Blue Exclusive Inks^® Pad
Z1349 Shimmer Designer Brads
Z1752 Sparkles Clear Assortment
Z1311 1¼" Circle Punch
Twist Ties
Thread
Cricut^® Shapes:
Artiste
4½" 3D Object (p. 77)
4½" Shift+3D Object (cut 2, p. 77)
1" Shift+Accent 2 (p. 51)

Art Tip! This project uses many Cricut^® shapes and all the pieces coordinate so nicely for an adorable finished product. Use the Artiste assembly booklet to put the bag together and then add the embellishments. The feathers are created with punched circles that are stamped using the kissing technique; however, if you don’t have the circle punch, you can easily make these using the Cricut as well. The eyes were created using Shimmer designer brads, but you can use any large brad or button to create the same look. Finish with the “owl miss you sentiment” for a special touch.

Take time to create,

Alex

Creating with Canvas

Discover the ease of creating with canvas by using the step-by-step instructions in this video. With the My Creations™ canvas display, your favorite photos, tissue paper, and finishing glue, you’re ready to create!

Don't forget to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail!) Visit my website for more information!

Take time to create,

Alex

Glitter Glam

It’s easy to add glitter glam to your projects with products like glitter paper, Shimmer trim, glitter gel, and more. Watch the video to learn how!

Don't forget to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail!) Visit my website for more information!

Take time to create,

Alex

Fabric Basics

Learn great tips and techniques for using fabric in your artwork—where to use it, how to adhere it, and how to create ruffles, flowers, and much more!

 

Don't forget to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail!) Visit my website for more information!

 

Take time to create,

 

Alex

 

 

 

 



Mini Album

For a fun way to use up an eclectic array of papers, stamped images, and Cricut^® shapes, a mini album is the perfect choice! Learn how to make an 8" × 5" mini album from start to finish for a cute little scrapbook full of variety and personality!

Don't forget to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail!) Visit my website for more information!

Take time to create,

Alex



Cricut Foldables

Learn how to create foldable Cricut^®-cut pieces that you can add to a scrapbook page, card, or home décor item for extra dimension!
From yo-yos to bows, embellishments cut with the Cricut^® Art Philosophy and Artiste cartridges add something special to your artwork.

Don't forget to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail!) Visit my website for more information!

 

 

Take time to create,

 

Alex

Cricut Craft Room

Discover how to use Cricut^® Craft Room—the free online design software that makes it easier to create projects with your Cricut^® machine—in this step-by-step tutorial.

Don't forget to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail!) Visit my website for more information!

Take time to create,

 

Alex

Canvas Art

Discover the versatility of the new Workshops on the Go^® canvas art kit—complete with Dimensional Elements in two color schemes so that your artwork complements the space you display it in! I used mine with our 15th wedding anniversary trip to Napa Valley! It was super easy to use and it looks perfect on my table by the front door! I'll post a picture later.

Enjoy the show!



Don't forget to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail!) Visit my website for more information!

Take time to create,

Alex

Muslin Gift Bags

Say “thanks” by giving a gift that is personalized down to the very bag itself with My Creations™ muslin drawstring bags. Simply stamp and fill with goodies! Check out this video!



Don't forget to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail!) Visit my website for more information!

Take time to create,

Alex

Close To My Heart is celebrating National Scrapbooking Month with a unique paper packet at a bargain price. In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)!

This exclusive paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos^® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else! Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Also, consider hosting this month: Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more.

Watch the video to get your creative juices flowing!



Take time to create,

Alex

Fabric and frame

One way to add texture, color, and pattern to a piece of home décor is with fabric. The new Chantilly textiles make it easy to embellish with fabrics that include the beautiful colors and patterns that are typical of Close To My Heart. In the frame décor featured on page 16 of the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book, pieces of Pear damask and Buttercup polka-dot fabric from the Chantilly textiles, as well as burlap ribbon, add a little something extra to a standard white frame. Follow these simple steps to incorporate fabric into an embellished frame that you can hang anywhere.1. Determine how long you’d like the finished ribbon and bow. This is based on the size of your frame and if you’ll be hanging it. If you are hanging it on a wall or door, you’ll need enough ribbon to wrap around the top of the frame a couple of times and still have a long strip coming out the back of the frame.
2. Cut enough strips of fabric to equal your desired length, making sure the strips are about 3½" wide to wrap around the burlap ribbon.
3. Sew the short ends of the strips together to create one long strip that equals the finished size you need for the project.
4. Fold the long fabric strip around a piece of burlap ribbon of the same size and secure temporarily with a straight pin.
5. With a sewing machine, carefully sew four straight lines down the length of the fabric-wrapped burlap ribbon. This will keep the burlap from moving around or bunching up inside the fabric.

6. Loop and hot glue the fabric-wrapped burlap ribbon around the top of the frame a couple of times so that it is nice and sturdy for handling and hanging.

7. Tie the remaining fabric-wrapped burlap ribbon into a large bow. Fold the tails of the bow into a wave and hot glue to the frame to secure the shape.

8. Embellish frame with accessories, as desired.

Easy, isn’t it? Now you have a beautiful piece of fabric-embellished home décor that you can show off to friends and family! Check out my website and the Chantilly and For Always textiles in the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book to get your creative juices flowing for more project ideas with fabric.

Take time to create,

Alex

Embossing and Stamping!

Did you know that embossed images resist ink? "Embossed Resist Stamping" features a stamping technique for inking the areas around an embossed image to make the image stand out. Learn this fun trick to ink the areas around your embossed images to make them really stand out! Enjoy the show!




Don't forget to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail!) Visit my website for more information!

Take time to create,

Alex

Learn how to create a random pattern for a background design on your paper. Just stamp the image of your choice randomly on the page for results that are unique and stunning!



Don't forget the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! Visit my website for more information!

Take time to create,

Alex

Dream Pop! May Special

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, you can get the yummy Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 when you spend $35 in May (valued at $19.95 retail)! This exclusive paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos^® papers that were specifically designed for this promotion only—you can’t get these sweet colors and patterns anywhere else!

 

 

Start National Scrapbooking Month off right with a unique paper packet at a bargain price and get your creative juices flowing! Also, consider hosting this month: Hostesses receive one paper packet free with qualifying May Gathering sales totals of $400 or more.

*Shipping/handling and tax apply. Not available for purchase at full retail. Offer valid May 1–31, 2013, while supplies last. Qualifying purchases must be current, retail-priced product.

 

Take time to create,

 

Alex