Thursday, November 22, 2012

Hooked on Advent Calendars!!!


So I finally had a chance to create my Advent Calendar.  I love it.  The boxes were easy to cut and assemble, especially when using the Cricut Craft Room so I could save some paper!  The CTMH Advent Calendar kit made it so easy.... but I actually want to make more now... with patterns and surprises representative of the person I am giving it to!  I am doing a workshop this Saturday and can't wait to see the finished projects of my friends!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 2, 2012

November Blog Hop

Welcome to our November Blog Hop.  If you arrived here from Andrea's blog, you are on the right path.  I encourage you to follow along til you end up back here.  You will no doubt come across some wonderful projects and get some great ideas to try on your own.


We have decided to feature a layout and a card each month from the new Make It From Your Heart, How To Book.  If you have not had a chance to check this book out, you must do so right away!  It is filled with inspiration!  We will start with the first pattern for the layouts and cards and work our way through the book, so I hope you will stop back each month to see what we come up with!


This how to book is a new item in the Fall/Winter Idea Book, released in August.  The pattern above is #2.  I decided to incorporate the November Stamp Of The Month, Capture the Date (only $5 with a qualifying $50 order).  I have tried to include links to all the items used on this 2 page layout and on the card in the event you would like a closer view or if you are interested in getting your hands on some of these wonderful products.  I used the La Belle Vie Paper Pack because I love it and haven't had a chance to use it yet!  I was limited on time this month, so I was disappointed that I didn't get a chance to use the Cricut Artiste Collection or the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection.  In addition to the Capture the Date Stamp, I used the scroll from the Felicity Alphabet Stamp Set (retired) on both sides of the layout. I embellished the stamped image with sparkles.


This pattern was very easy to cut and assemble.  I did make the small boxes a little bigger than the pattern called for because I wanted more of the pattern paper to show and the photos I had we different sizes, so I wanted to balance the page more.  I used Bamboo cardstock, which is one of the accent colors listed in this paper packet as the base for the layout.


The placement of the pattern paper provided a nice spot to put the photos and I love how there was still a lot of room for the title and tons of room to embellish!!


At first I struggled with what to do with this "capture the date" stamp... but as soon as I sat down with the La Belle Vie paper and decided to use the photos of my daughter's Semi Formal in 9th Grade, it came to me right away... why not use the cute little numbers to list 10 things that describe her and her Best Friend's friendship!!  In addition to the 10 words describing their friendship, I thought I would use the month and year stamps so they will always remember when it was they went to their dance!  I used the Dimensional Elements Mixed Shapes, sponged it with Sweet Leaf (one of the accent colors in the La Belle Vie Paper), and then used Black inkBlack Baker's Twine and the Black Sparkles from the Black and Grey Assortment.  There is another heart on the left side of the layout that is also covered in the black pattern paper.


I love the Dimensional Elements Hearts.  I sponged one in Sweet Leaf, one in Blush and I covered one with the beautiful black pattern paper from the La Belle Vie packet.  I also used the pink Blush buttons (retired) and Black Hemp for the little tie.  I embellished the hearts with more sparkles from the Black and Grey Assortment, shown above.  I also can't get enough of the Houndstooth Irresistibles Alphabet, sponged in Sweet Leaf.  I have to say, I have used them on many projects and am only on my 2nd set.  They seem to last a while, with many duplicate letters. 


Now on to the card.  This is the second card pattern in the book, which is actually Pattern #20.  There are 12 card patterns total in the book.  This card was so fun and very easy to make.  The cut sizes are provided and there is a sample card next to the pattern.  I fed off the sample and added my own twist!  This one was actually shown in portrait, but I changed it to landscape so I could fit more on it.


Again, I used the La Belle Vie Paper Packet.  I have an Anniversary coming up so this one was actually easy!  I didn't even have to think about this one!  I used the abbreviated month stamp and the medium numbers... makes it easy to figure out my Anniversary is on Nov. 17.  I used a white card from the White Cards and Envelopes Value Pack, 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 cards, which is the size the pattern calls for.

I used the Dimensional Elements Hearts again on this card, just like on the layout above.  I also used another  shape from the Dimensional Element from mixed shapes and covered it with the striped paper in the packet.  My little addition of the Black Tulle Ribbon made the heart stand out on the card a little.  I wrapped it all with a little Black Hemp and added a pin from the Bling Assortment

    

I hope you enjoyed my projects... I can't wait until next month!!!

I encourage you to hop on over to Jane's Blog to see what wonderful projects she came up with this month.  Since we will be doing a blog hop the first of every month, don't forget to sign up to follow my blog so you can come back and visit again soon or bookmark any of the blogs along the hop and check back each month for more great ideas!