Family Reunion Invitation Card

I'm updating this post so my subscribers by email have the new links to the products on my shopping site.

So I am re posting this so everyone has the same information and to avoid confusion.

I thought this would make a nice family reunion get together card. Spring is just around the corner and this would be a nice card for an invite for family reunion gatherings.

Cartridge:  CTMH - Art Philosophy - Image found on P. 47 of the handbook.

In Cricut Craftroom I sized the image to cut at 3" the shadow I sized to fit at W: 2.597 x H: 3.472

Stamp Set:  D1506 Family Love                        Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 53

CTMH Paper Kit - X7153B - Florentine                            Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 52
CTMH Ink -  Z2123 - Goldrush                         Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 9
CTMH Ribbon - Z1732 Seam Binding Ribbon    Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 124
Gems - Z1104 Sparkles                                      Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 126

Using the Art Philosophy cartridge and coordinating stamp sets is really easy.
You just simply look on the plastic sheet that holds your stamp. It will tell you what size to cut your image on your Cricut machine. You size the image on your Cricut machine and cut the image. Next you get the coordinating stamp for the image you cut and stamp the image on the die cut.
It's really that easy. When I post projects I will tell you what stamp set I used and where you can find the image in your Cricut Handbook.

Welcome To The Art Philosophy Collection

If you own or would like to own the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge I am compiling a list of stamp sets that coordinate with this cartridge that is in this post. I found 38 stamp sets that coordinate with this cartridge!
I wasn't aware there were that many stamp sets to chose from. Awesome!

If you don't have this cartridge yet and would like to purchase it from my ctmh website you can find it at this link  Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge Collection . In this collection you will receive:

•  3 coordinating stamps sets
•  3 sheets of chipboard shapes 
• Art Philosophy Cartridge

These are the stamp sets that coordinate with this cartridge.
I noticed on my Close To My Heart website that not all the stamps that coordinate are outlined in red.
Now with the new system they are show the cut size next to the stamps.
I compiled this list from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book and Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book.





              MY CTMH                                IDEA BOOKS

B1398 - Just For You                             Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P.18

C1484 - Love Clusters                           Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 24

C1502 - Princess Wings                         Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 30

C1497 - Pure Adventure                         Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 35

D1506 - Family Love                              Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 53

C1496 - Enjoy                                        Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 54

C1483 - Born To Ride                            Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book  - P. 60

C1441 - Affection                                   Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book  - P. 65

A1121 - A Blossom                                Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book  - P. 67

D1491 - Hooray Bouquet                       Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book  - P. 69

D1458 - American Celebration               Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book  - P. 79

B1391 - Zoology                                    Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book  - P. 85

C1501 - New Arrival                              Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book  - P. 87

D1515 - Play Day                                  Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book  - P. 88

D1502 - Look Who's                             Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book  - P. 91

C1464 - Blue Ribbon                             Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book  - P. 92

B1392 - Key Moments                          Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book  - P. 95

C1503 - The Best Things                       Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 98

D1482 - Love Life                                 Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 100

B1399 - Crafted With Love                   Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 108

D1481- Vintage Type                            Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 118


S1203 - Potential            Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 140 - March Stamp Of The Month         



S1202 - Thoughtful Tidings    Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 139 - Feb. Stamp Of The Month

S1206 - Life Is Tweet           Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book - P. 143 - June Stamp Of The Month


C1463 - Harvest Happiness                  Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 35

C1465 - Unscripted                              Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 36

C1467 - Sweet Moments                      Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 41

C1462 - All Hallows Eve                      Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 48

D1494 - Christmas Cheer                     Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 53

B1390 - Countdown                             Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 54

D1480 - Snowflakes                             Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 59

B1381 - Holiday Cheer                        Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 76

A1115 - A Holiday                               Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 76

D1493 - Fill In The Blank - Holiday      Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 79

C1469 - December 25th          Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 102

S1109 - Limited Edition  -       Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 140 - Sept. Stamp Of The Month

S1111 - Cherish The Day -     Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 142 - Nov. Stamp Of The Month

S1112A - Mad About You  - Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book - P. 143 - Dec. Stamp Of The Month

S1201 - Little Reminder  -  Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book  - P. 144 - Jan. 2012 Stamp Of The Month

Happy Crafting!!
Mary

Just A Note Flower Card

Just A Note Flower Card

Supplies:

Cartridge:  

Art Philosophy- Spring/Summer Idea Book P. 13 -

Flower cut at 2-1/2" - Cricut Art Philosophy Handbook P. 57

Large flower size - W: 2.931 X H: 3.153

Card Base: 

Cricut Art Philosophy Handbook P. 26 (Instructions below)

CTMH Paper Pack:  X714b - Pemberley - Spring/Summer Idea Book P. 22 

CTMH Stamp Set: B1398 - Just For You - Spring/Summer Idea Book P. 18
CTMH Inks: Z2130 - Indian Corn Blue Z2150 - Sunflower Z2114 - Cocoa
CTMH Baker's Twine: Z1702 Paradise Assortment - Spring/Summer Idea Book - P. 124
CTMH Embellishments:  Z1694 - Bouquet Assortment - Spring/Summer Idea Book - P. 128

The Art Philosophy Cartridge has many card bases. You can use them as they are or alter them on you gypsy or Cricut Craft Room design software. I used the heart card base found on page 26 of your cricut handbook. I hide the heart contour and place an enlarged Flower cut found on page 57 for the card base. You do not weld the flower to the card base. You just place it evenly on the front of the card so the image cuts out. I cut out the card on white card stock first. Next I cut the card out in this pattern paper. Next I stamped my 2 flower cuts. One for the front and one that shows when you open the card. So its 2 sided. The baker's twine was placed in between the 2 flower cuts and adhered together. I strung the smaller cut flower that I stamped in the center of the cut out on the front of the card with baker's twine in between the two card base layers. Next I adhered the 2 card base layers together. This is the first time I made this type of card and it went together easily for me. For inking the stamp I applied 2 inks on my petal stamp using sponge daubers.  Indian Corn Blue and Sunflower.  The green came out when mixing these 2 colors. It created a nice affect for the flower petals.

Monogram Card

Monogram Card



Supplies:

Cuttlebug All In One Folder

Basket Storage

I came up with a decorative tool caddy. I had a blue round one on my table. I was at Michael's and found some cute baskets that I am using for storage now.  I really, really like them.  I love using baskets to deocrate my room and use the for storage.

 I had some small boxes that I fit inside the basket to divide it into sections and keep the tools seperate

I really like this better for a tool caddy then the ones specifically made for this.

Then on the right I have a smaller basket that I use for the rest of my craft supplies.

I have some bigger baskets that I got from Michaels and Walgreens.

The purple baskets are from Micahels, and the tan baskets are from Walgreens.

I have my books seperated in  groups in the basket according to subject.

One basket is for Sketch books, another for heritage scrapbooking, one for quotes and page titles and another one for magazines.

I wish Michaels had some more smaller purple or pink baskets like this cause I would have bought more.

I love the accent of the fabric lined baskets for added interst to the Craft Room.

Tool Kit

I have the Cricut Tool Kit. I really liked the case. Well the zipper broke and it was falling apart from use.
So I had to find an alternative to store my tools used with my die cutters. Here's what I came up with.

It is has double sided storage. It is a quilling tool kit case. I really like it. I like how it keeps everything together. There are 3 storage sections for storing regular blades, deep cut blades and the blade housing.
They fit perfectly in there. I also have room to get the scoring tip housing. It's a nice way to keep everything together.

Decorating Your Storage Boxes

Decorating Your Storage Boxes

 I have been trying to think of some creative ways of leaving my storage containers out in the open. And have them as decorative accents for my Craft Room. Pictured below I decorated envelope boxes and made them apart of my room decor. This gives me a nice decorative storage place for small items. In the bottom box pictured on the right I have my embossing folders stored. The top 2 boxes are envelope storage and the small box to the left is also envelope storage.

Supplies:

Mod Podge Binderie Decorative Pattern Paper Krylon Clear Glaze Spray

Directions:

I altered the lid of the box by cutting the sides of the cover shorter.
I used Mod Podged on the paper to adhere it to the box.
I sealed the paper with Krylon Clear Glaze Spray.
I used my binderie to drill holes in the lids of the boxes to add a bow.
They are a cute addition to my Craft Room.

Cricut Cartridge Storage Ideas

If you have been following along with me I have been organizing my craft room. It has become quite a big job for me. But, I am making progress.

Here is a look at some past and present or Cricut Cartridge Organization Ideas.


This is the present way I am storing my cartridges.  I keep my handbooks and Cartridges seperate because most times I am not using the handbooks. I have been using the Cricut Imagine, Gypsy or Cricut Craftroom and the Cricut Mini to make up my projects. I have most of the digital handbooks downloaded from Cricut.com so I mainly look at the digital handbooks.

I store my cartridges in bead boxes.

I have the ends all labeled as to which cartridges are in what boxes.

I laminated the sheets and adhered them on the box with adhesive back Velcro.

This is so if I want to change on how I have the cartridge organized.

I can easily remove the label from the end of the box and make a new label.

This is a sample sheet of the cartridges listed at the end of the box.

Each box is numbered and listed in order to the section of the box they are in.

This is how I store my handbooks.

They are filed away in alphabetic order. I really like them filed so they are easy to find.

The are stored by my table with a hide-away table skirt in front of the storage.

I don't like all my stuff out in the open. So this is really working out for me well.

I store my Imagine cartridge in these altered Creative Options boxes. They fit nicely in there.

I had to cut away some sections of the box to add handbook store to the box.

This is really working out nicely for me.

I know everyone has their own needs on how they want to store things.

These are just some Ideas on how I am doing it.

This is the old way I used to store my cartridges.

This storage system was ok.

But, I didn't like digging through 8 heavy containers trying to find my cartridges.

This is why I went and with smaller containers and seperating the handbooks.

Prior to this storage system I used to store my cartridges like this.

I used baby food containers to seperate my cartridges and the containers were hot glued together.

I was able to fit my handbooks in alphabetic order in these boxes.

I went away from this storage Idea. 

 I found the boxes especially with the books were heavy and not easily moved around.

I do like this way of storing by keeping cartridges and handbooks seperate.

Trendy Alternative - Magnetic Project Boards - Updated

Trendy Alternatives Update: 
I found a Beechwood Art Board Stand Easel to put my magnetic project board on. I found it at Hobby Lobby that is the only place I found it. I got 40% off. So I got it for under $25.00. The lip on the bottom is a little smaller then I would have liked but it serves its purpose. It is adjustable height and is 30" x 20" 19" .  I thought it might be too big. But I love the size. It is just right for my craft room.  It is light weight and I love the set up I have.

I have a Trendy Alternative for the Scrap'n Easel and other magnetic project work surfaces.
I do love that the Scrap'n Easel has angled work surface. I love having the option to hold my project pieces in place when designing. I love the fact that it is a 12x24 work surface. I love the fact that it folds up to a nice portfolio. I like the fact that it has a grided work surface.
I would just love to be able to have the Scrap'n Easel but it is just too expensive.

I got to thinking how can I have all of that and be able to afford it.

So I came up with a Trendy Alternative to this.  With some creative thinking and shopping around looking for ideas. This is what I came up with. I love it just as much for a fraction of the cost.
It's a 17"x23" work surface. It is a Magnetic Dry-Erase Board. Sometimes also called a White Board.
It's by Quartet and I picked it up at my local Wal-mart for under $10. I also found some magnets at Wal-mart that work perfectly with this magnetic board.
I had a book stand so I didn't need to purchase that.  It works fantastic! It's very sturdy with the bookstand behind it. The board and magnets cost Under $20.
You would just need to find an easel that would work with it. Maybe you or a handy hubby could build you one. I was lucky enough to have my bookstand available. I like the fact that the white board will hold one 12 x 12 layout.
This leaves and extra space at the side of the magnetic board to hold your cuts or make some notes as you go along.
Here are some photo's of how it looks.

Here's The label from the product

This book stand I already owned.

These are the magnets I purchased seperately.

Valentine Heart Wreath

  

Valentine Heart Wreath

I bought this wreath at Walmart. I decide to add my favorite bear cut to it to decorate it.
It was a really super fast and easy project to make.

Supplies:

Cricut Digital Download - Valentine Sweets - Bear Cut at 4"

3D Valentine Mailbox

  
3D Valentine Mailbox

I purchased a couple of digital downloads for Cricut Craft Room 3D Valentine Boxes and Valentine Sweets.I have been wanting to make mailboxes for so long. Every where I looked the tin mailboxes were sold out.  I went ahead and tried the 3D Valentine Boxes from Cricut.com. The bear on Valentine Sweets is just so adorable and I really like the mailbox too.

Supplies:

Cricut Digital Download:

3D Valentine Boxes - For the mailbox: Cut at 6" -  

Valentines Mail: Cut at 3.917 x 1.597

Digital Download:

Valentine Sweets - For the Bear: Cut at 4"

 Love - Cut at 1.972 x 0.972

Close To My Heart Cricut Art Philosophy - for the label behind Valentines mail : Cut at 5.944 x 2.361

Finished Size -  5-1/2" L - 4-1/2" H - Door Opening is 2-1/2" W - 4" H

I made this box with some alterations of the image.

I welded the 2 sides and top of the mailbox together in Cricut Craft Room. Making it one piece. I found it much easier to work with the top of the mailbox by doing it this way.

I cut all the pieces out in chipboard first. Then I cut all the pieces out with pattern paper.

On the pattern paper cuts, I cut off the tabs. Then I adhered the pieces(not the tabs) to the chipboard.

I used terrifically tacky tape to hold it together. I tried other adhesives and terrifically tacky tape worked the best.

I took 2 strips of pattern paper and applied them to the two end seams of the mailbox for a more finished look.