Creating with Cricut... Introducing Artistry Cricut Collection

This project was inspired by our "CTMH Cricut Cut" challenge on Between The Folds, which is a new Close To My Heart Weekly Challenge Blog!  Every Tuesday we will be offering themed challenges that will challenge your creativity!  We hope you play along!

This week our challenge was CTMH Cricut Cut!  I absolutely love all of our CTMH Cricut Collections, and the brand new Artistry is no different!  I am quickly falling in love with this collection too!

I chose to create a fun layout to showcase different categories this collection has to offer.  From titles, to flowers, to adorable icons and banners... Artistry is sure to meet the needs of any paper crafter.

I love ladybugs and butterflies and have always loved this little quote, so that is what I decided to base my layout on.  I used the layered banner style title and added the text using the "write" feature in Cricut Design Space.  Then I just added my adorable little ladybug, the beautiful butterfly and finally some beautiful cricut flowers, leaves and flourishes.  I chose to multi mat my photo as I wanted it to share an equal amount of space as the title to balance the page out.  The base for this page is Pixie Paper Fundamentals.

Here is a close look:

TIP: The bling on this page started out clear and I used our Shin Han Alcohol Marker to color the gems to make them the color I needed to match my page.  The color used for all the flowers was R5, Cherry Pink and G46, Vivid Green was used for the ladybugs eyes.

When it came time to add the photo (believe it or not, I designed this layout without one), I realized none of the photos of my now 19 year old daughter went well with the layout, so I contacted a friend and asked if I could showcase her beautiful daughter in this layout.  She had the perfect photo and gave me permission to use it!  Photo credit goes to her amazing photographer, Moments by Megan, in Concord, NC.  I just love how this all came together!

Don't forget to check out the inspiration from the other designers over at Between The Folds Weekly Challenge... we hope you will play along!

Products used in this project are as follows:

Artistry Cricut Collection

Whimsy Paper Fundamentals

NOTE: the current Paper Fundamentals are retiring on August 31, 2015.  As of September 1, 2015, you will be able to get the Paper Fundamentals, however the Pixie base page used above with the little hearts will not be available.  The color will be the same, however the pattern will be different.  If you want the hearts, grab them now while you still can!  You get 2 pieces of each color in the Whimsy Collection.





CTMH Exclusive Cardstock Colors: Pixie, Hollyhock, Sweet Leaf and Black (all will be available past August as they are NOT retiring.

Sparkles Clear Assortment

ShinHan Touch Twin Cherry Pink Marker

ShinHan Touch Twin Vivid Green Marker

September Workshop - Zoe

Zoe means "life" or "alive" and these pages are just that!  They are interactive and alive!!! I just love the versatility of this paper collection because of the smaller repetitive pattern! Using the same cut pieces, you can decide how you want your layout to look! 

Finally, a scrapbook layout to celebrate scrapbooking! I have a ton of photos of my time spent with my crafty friends... it's time to get them in the scrapbook!! You can mix and match the pattern pieces on this layout or choose all of one or all of the other! So versatile!

Let's take a closer look: 

Speaking of versatile, how fun is this next layout... If you want a more classy and versatile look, choose Option 1...



If you want a more masculine layout, choose Option 2...



If you want it more girly, choose Option 3...



But wait, there's more... even the cards can me made using the options you decide on... even the sentiments!



Don't miss out on this one!!! It is already filling up!

What is included:
For only $20, you will get to complete 2 two-page layouts and a greeting card! **If you would like the $5 BONUS Add-On Zoe Assortment or the Zoe Complements (or both), please plan on adding $5 for each item and let me know when you RSVP what you would like. Only 1 of each per person! 

All pieces are pre-cut and ready to assemble. All you need is your basic tool kit, including scissors, adhesive, glue dots, pop or foam dots.

ALL DATES this will be offered are:
Tuesday, 9/15/15 @ 5:30 pm
Thursday, 9/17/15 @ 5:30 pm
Monday, 9/21/15 @ 5:30 pm
Tuesday, 9/29/15 @ 5:30 pm

If you are intersted in attending one of my workshops, or if you would like to order a kit, please contact me at paperhugz@gmail.com.

Here is a list of products used on this project:

X7197B - Zoe Paper Pack

Z3123Enamel and Glitter Duos Green Triangles

Z3088 Coral Shimmer Trim

Z1918 Teal Shimmer Trim

Z1809 Black Shimmer Trim

X5762 Lagoon Cardstock
Z3167 Cricut Artistry Collection 

Z1752 Sparkles Clear Assortment

Putting the "FUN" in Paper Crafting with Paper FUNdamentals!

This project was inspired by our "Paper Fundamentals" on Between The Folds, which is a new Close To My Heart Weekly Challenge Blog!  Every Tuesday we will be offering themed challenges that will challenge your creativity!  We hope you play along!

This week our challenge was Paper Fundamentals!  What exactly is that you ask??  It is a 12 x 12 sheet of paper with the same design on both sides, but one side is glossy!  These fun papers are sure to add a little "FUN" to any paper crafting project!

I chose to create a layout using this Senior Photo of my daughter because I just love the colors, not to mention her smile!  I spent a lot of time concentrating on her pink shirt until I looked past her shirt and concentrated on the beautiful natural colors of the background!  It didn't take long to realize I wanted to use Canary (yellow) from the Whimsy color palette to draw the eye to the ray of sunshine and the adorable little yellow flower.  I added a piece of Black Paper Fundamentals from the Basic color palette and accented with Topiary from the Adventure color palette.   I love how the flowers turned out... even the solid green flower has texture due to the glossy side of the paper.  I matted it all on Black cardstock!  Make sure you click on the photo for a closer look!

I didn't want to waste any of this awesome paper, so I cut the middle out, leaving the frame and simply cut the middle Canary piece down an 1/8" creating the black border and turned it over to the glossy side.  The "you are my sunshine" was added using a piece of Canary cardstock!

The pretty flowers were made using the new Artistry Cricut Collection.  So simple, yet so elegant!

These popular papers have earned their own spot in our new Idea Book, which goes live on September 1, 2015!  Each current collection is retiring, however they are just being replaced with new fun patterns!  Make sure you visit my website on or after September 1st to see the newest designs in all 4 collections: Adventure, Basic, Enchanted & Whimsy!

If you can't wait and want to get your hands on some of this paper before it retires at the end of August 2015... here are the links to take you directly to your purchase:

Paper Fundamentals Adventure Assortment

Paper Fundamentals Basics Assortment

Paper Fundamentals Enchantment Assortment

Paper Fundamentals Whimsy Assortment

Now head on over to the new CTMH Between The Folds Blog to see more inspiration by our design team and join in the weekly challenges.  I challenge you to play along and link your projects for this week's challenge!  

Back To School Layout with Chalk It Up

This project was inspired by our "Back To School Challenge" on Between The Folds, which is a brand new Close To My Heart Weekly Challenge Blog!  Every Tuesday we will be offering themed challenges that will challenge your creativity!  We hope you play along!

Unfortunately the Chalk It Up paper and coordination items, are retiring at the end of the August! This collection is absolutely perfect for your Back To School paper crafting needs!  There is still time to "Chalk It Up"... just head on over to my website and visit the "retiring items" section or click on the link above.

Don't forget to add in some coordinating Picture My Life cards... perfect for pocket style scrapbooking or adding to any traditional scrapbooking layout!  Check them out!

There is also still time to get your hands on the Chalk It Up Workshop On the Go Scrapbooking Kit!

Using the items in this kit and the easy to follow instructions, you can create these amazing layouts to document your back to school memories.

Now head on over to the new CTMH Between The Folds Blog to see more inspiration by our design team and join in the weekly challenges.  I challenge you to play along!  

My Creations Mini Folio with Zoe

This project was inspired by our Anything Goes Challenge on Between The Folds, which is a brand new Close To My Heart Weekly Challenge Blog!  Every Tuesday we will be offering themed challenges that will challenge your creativity!  We hope you play along!

Just when you thought the new paper pattern, Zoe couldn't get any more adorable!  I paired it with the My Creations Mini Folio, the new Artistry Cricut Collection, added a sprinkle of Coral Shimmer Trim and Green Enamel Triangles and here are the results!!!  So cute!

Let's look at the details more closely... the cover shows just how this adorable Mini Folio closes... so easy and so cute!  You can really see the beautiful color of the Coral Shimmer Trim and the Green Enamel Triangles.  The cute little "FUN" mat was cut with the new Artistry Cricut Collection.  Just add some Zoe Complements and some coordinating paper and voila!  I used my go to stamp, Keyboard Uppercase for the 2015 and Hello Summer (which I just realized is retiring... so get it while you can - until August 31, if you like it)!

Using a pieces from the Zoe Complements and Paper, Flip Flaps, Artristry and a few pieces from Artbooking, I just added the detail where I thought it would work best to tell the story of the Summer of 2015!  Click on the photos for a larger view!  Check out the new overlays from the Artistry Cartridge... adorable!

I wanted to point out the I used the stamp set, LOL, which is cute and represents today's online social media trends and references!

Flip Flaps easily add dimension and room for more photos to any album or scrapbook page!

The little My Day complement is perfect for this section of the mini album... simply add the photos in the flaps, numbered 1-10 and write the description on the list!  Others will easily follow the details of your day! 

Kid's Workshop anyone?  I will be offering this as a workshop, and allowing children aged 8 and up to participate, so check the calendar on the PaperHugz Workshop Tab above and look for "Zoe Mini Album" in August and September!  You may also view the workshops on my facebook page where I will be posting the events soon!  Adults are welcome too, this is not just for kids!  Email me at paperhugz@gmail.com if you are interested in participating in this workshop!

Below is a list of the products used for this project... you can click the Shop With Me link at the top right of my blog to go to my shipping website if you are interested in purchasing any of the product.

Zoe Paper Pack Z7197B

Zoe Complements X7197C

Coral Shimmer Trim Z3088

Green Enamel Triangles Z3123

My Creations Mini Folio Z3070

Flip Flaps Small Assortment Z1747

Artistry Cricut Collection Z3167

Artbooking Cricut Collection Z3169

LOL Stamp Set A1159

Hello Summer Stamp Set C1595

Keyboard Uppercase Stamp Set B1416

Now head on over to the new CTMH Between The Folds Blog to see more inspiration by our design team and join in the weekly challenges.  I challenge you to play along!