So, you thought it was a Christmas stamp....?

So, you thought the October Stamp of the Month was a Christmas Stamp..? Fooled you, huh? Fooled me too!  (BIG SMILE) It fooled me until I came across this DARLING card! The original was inspired......okay, practically copied EVERYTHING!...by fellow consultant, Dana Kessler! :)

Is sure doesn't look Christmasy to me! :)  I adored this card when I first saw it and now even more so that I have it sitting on my desk at work....just plain ole BRIGHT & CHEERFUL! 

Of course you'll notice the Cricut Artbooking image, as well as a hint from Artiste! I never get tired of using all of those cartridge images! :) :) With 700 Images on each cartridge it's my PLEASURE knowing that each single image costs me only .14! WHOOT! Blows a Punch right out of the water!! :) 

Have you got your hands on the Scandinavian Wishes Stamp set? Remember, it's ONLY available throughout the Month of October...and you can get it for a discounted price of only $5! Now, who's being THRIFTY?! :)

Now that I've created something Non-Christmasy with this Christmas themed stamp set I'm moving onto another project using it! I can't wait! If you don't already have your set why don't you get it ordered and we can play along together! :)

Supplies Used

Laughing Lola Level 2 Paper Packet

Lagoon & White Daisy Cardstock

Kraft Keyboard Alphabet

Clear Sparkles

Sparkles Flourishes 

Cricut Artbooking Collection

Cricut Artiste Collection

I'm so Glad you joined me today...just a short and sweet post today but I'm so Glad to have each of you!

Blessings, Sus 

Lovin' me some Scandinavian Wishes!

Isn't it Great how First Impressions aren't always correct? I think I'm repeating myself from yesterday, maybe I need to just learn to be a little more patient! 

I'm introducing you to the October Stamp of the Month 'Scandinavian Wishes' :)  It was the furthest thing from my taste but as I began playing with it I just fell in love!

I am totally In Love with Close to My Heart's Circle Spin Cards! They are BEYOND Cool! I covered my spinner circle with the same scalloped square (only .25" larger) that fit the flourished stamped frame from the set! I masked out the "To" & "From" and then stamped my sentiment inside...it fit PERFECTLY!

Four of the stamp images in this set coordinate with our Art Philosophy Cricut Collection! Did you know that ANY stamp image in our idea books that have a red outline around them  match one of our EXCLUSIVE Cricut Cartridges?  

Did you ALSO know that even though any Cricut Coordinating stamp set - whether listed in the Idea book or not - Is NOT retired?! YES! That's right! At this time Close to My Heart is still offering any of the Cricut Coordinating Stamp sets for sale even though they are not in a current Idea Book! So, that Stamp set you adore from Spring 2012 but didn't order it before it stopped showing up in our Idea books...if it is Cricut Compatible then you will find it listed on my Website for purchase! :)

I really love the Non Traditional "Red" & "Green" in this card! I used B&T (Background & Texture Paper) from the Kits; Laughing Lola, Frosted, and my dear friend Chantilly! Toss in some Black Glitter Paper & Adhesive Backed Black Shimmer Trim and PRESTO! Ka-CUUUTE! 

This card is SO Sparkly in person, my photo taking skills (nor my camera) have ever been "something to sing about" LOL! 

And in true 'Studio Sus' Form I couldn't leave the inside Blank.....:) 

If you'd like to get your hands on this Darling Stamp set, it's EASY! Place an order on my Shopping Website of $50 and you can buy this stamp set for only $5! (a savings of $12.95) 

I am also allowing the Stamp of the Month purchasing requirements to overlap with my CRUSH CARD COLLECTION Workshop requirements (READ ABOUT IT HERE)...now that's some SERIOUS BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! :) 

Thanks for stoppin' in Girls! I'm SO appreciative you joined me!

Blessings, Sus

A Little more Lola!

I adore this Darling little Artiste Box! How about you?!

 

I pulled out Ole Trusty Artiste....Okay, so I didn't "pull it out"...it actually lives in one of my Cricut Machines!  I couldn't believe it but this was my first time using this image...what in the world too me so long?! I love it! It's the perfect size to give...just to brighten a day! It could hold a few candies perfectly!

To Top it off I simply HAD to add some Cricut Flowers! They were the perfect touch! :) These were also cut from the Cricut Artiste Collection at sizes of 3" & 3.5". 

 

Finally, my favorite part of the entire project is the Black Mini Medley assortment! 

 

Notice the Sequin Ribbon!? Oh My word! It is Darling! You can see it used HERE on a previous post! :) There are adhesive backed sequins as well as Glitter Buttons & Flourishes! 

You can see how I used the flourishes and sequins on today's project! :) 

I added a small bit of Black Shimmer trim and a couple sparkles from the Black/Grey assortment...and Done!

Thanks for joining me today! 

Blessings, Sus

New Kits are in DA HOUSE!

Hi Girls! 

I wanted to drop in here quickly to let you know I've added 4 new kit designs to my inventory and have several more in the works for this week! :)

You can find them for sale in a number of places....My Facebook Business Page, My Ebay Shop, by simply Commenting on this post or Emailing me! I will be happy to assist you with your order and get it shipped right away! :)

Here are the newest Kits that have been added to my inventory as of this morning! :)

You will find additional-more detailed photos of each kit on Facebook & Ebay! :)

I'll be back soon with some more fabulous Artwork! :)

Purse-uing a Little More Lola!

Did you roll your eyes at that one? :) I know, I don't know what to do with me either! 

Okay, I think I'm done with my obnoxious spiel from yesterday...Last night I spent over 5 hours playing with the crush books...(turning them into some KICK-BUTT Art...Holla!)...so I think it's out of my system for a while! :) 

BACK TO THE LOLA! How darling is this SUPER Quick and SUPER Simple little purse?

Thank you Cricut Art Philosophy once again! Ever notice that darling little 3-D bag on the cartridge? Okay, cute as it may be, there's ALWAYS room for some tweaking, right?! :) 

I cut my bag out at 5.5" (did you  know you can get 2 per 12X12 sheet at this size?...Thrifty!)  After scoring, folding, and adhering you'll see the perfect little baggie...now, to turn Mr. Baggie into the purse all you need to do is (wish I would have taken a photo of this step - sorry) fold the front and back sides together so the handles are touching each other...just like the brown paper grocery bags.  You will need to gently crease the edges (again, just like the brown grocery bags) to help it take shape.  Now, you will need some nice strong adhesive to hold this shape....:)  So, you've heard me plug away at the New Wearable Craft Jewelery line not too long ago.....right?! 

Well, they have created the greatest (sturdiest) adhesive for this line! I decided to give it a try for my purse and oh my Gosh! It was perfect! It is SUPER strong and easy as can be to cut to the right length and adhere right onto my project! 

I adorned the front of my purse with pieces from the Black Mini Medley Collection as well as the Laughing Lola Assortment Collection...They were Perfect! 

The Black Sequined ribbon was a bit tricky....I thought a while on how to best attach it to my purse and decided to give my "new favorite" adhesive a try for the job....SUCCESS! It worked perfectly! :)

I am learning that just because a product was created specifically for a particular use it doesn't mean it doesn't have a part to play in other areas! :) 

Also Remember, All $50 orders throughout the month of August will receive a FREE August Stamp of the Month from CTMH Corp! Just to sweeten the deal I created these DARLING (and perhaps a bit twisted) Chocolate Coffin Kits for you! Everyone qualifying for the Free Stamp of the Month will receive a couple of these shipped right from my studio to your doorstep! :)

I hope you enjoyed this short post! I'm so glad you joined me again today! :) 

Blessings, Sus

Love Me Some Laughing Lola!

It's true! I am Lovin' me some Laughing Lola....This paper is so "Me"! I Love bright colors and I LOVE pairing them with Black, I think it makes them stand out all the more! 

As You already know I have just recently finished the biggest artistic undertaking I've ever done! It was a Blast, a tiresome, wonderfully challanging blast and I'm finally done....of all the projects I created THIS one is my very favorite! HANDS DOWN! :) 

Here is my Lola French Fry Box! I'm not really sure where she came from, it was not cased or inspired by anyone (maybe THAT'S why I Love her so much....she is a 'Sus Original') 

I used my trusty Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge for the 'heavy lifting'...it doesn't  matter how many wonderful cartridges Close to My Heart introduces I will ALWAYS have a need for my lovable Art Philosophy! He doesn't leave my machine! I have more than one Cricut machine and you will always find him safely housed inside one of them! :) 

I wanted my box pretty good sized so I hit my 'fit to page' button and cut it as large as was possible.  The Slate Satin Ribbon still ranks near the top of my FAV EMBELLISHMENT list and I think it added 'just enough' to my project! 

It also worked great for my bag ribbon....Can you tell there is a small package of Close to my Heart Jewels inside the box? I also trimmed 1/8" strips of my scrap cardstock and crumpled them up for a delightful confetti filing! 

My baggie topper also housed a couple Art Philosophy Flowers as well as a piece from the Laughing Lola Assortment Collection (LOVE!).  

Now, one of my FAVORITE things on the entire project is this DARLING little 'Happy Birthday' Stamp set! 

Girls! These little beauties are only $2.95! WHAAAT!? Yes! $2.95 each! We have (8) of the adorable little stamp sets now and I have every one of them! Did you miss them when you were browsing the New Autumn/Winter Idea Book? Turn to page 113 to have a look now! :) 

So, of course you already know I love the price tag too! Can we say THRIFTY? :) You will see many of these images pop up in my artwork over the next few months! 

Project Supply List:

Laughing Lola Level 2 paper pack    X7170B 

Laughing Lola Embellishment Assortment    Z1854

Lagoon Cardstock   X5762

White Daisy Cardstock   1385

Heartfelt Birthday Wish Stamp Set    M1033

Slate Satin Polka-Dot Ribbon   Z1802

Black & Grey Sparkles   Z1754 

Girls, I hope you enjoy my French Fry Box!  Here are a few more fun projects I did way back in 2011 when Art Philosophy was first introduced! :) 

Footloose French Fry Boxes with Wrapped Chocolate Nuggets

Superhero French Fry Boxes with Wrapped Chocolates

Typeset French Fry box with Thank you Note cards & Envelopes

Thank you so much for joining me again! 

You are a Blessing to me!! 

Death by Chocolate!

I'm a little late to the party (happens VERY Often!) as am JUST now getting a chance to play with the Adorable August Stamp of the Month! 

Last night I spent some time in my studio and this is what I came up with! Mind you...you'll have to enjoy some twisted humor to appreciate it! :)

I think it turned out SUPER CUTE! How Fun would these be to give your Girlfriends? Or to give out During the Halloween Season?! They came together SO QUICK and Easily that I decided to create a few kits! 

Since This Month you can get your Hands on the August Stamp of the Month for FREE with a $50 order I'm sweetening the Deal! Anyone placing an order of $50 or more on my Website throughout the Month of August will receive a couple of these kits - shipped right to your door - as my THANK YOU for your order! 

To be fair...because I'm a fair kind of girl, All of my Fabulous Ladies who have ALREADY placed qualifying orders on my Website this month will ALSO receive one as well! So, you wonderful girls know who you are....be on the lookout in your mailbox next week! :) 

You still have plenty of time get your hands on your very own set! 

Thank you Lovelies for joining me again today! 

Blessings, Sus 

A Little Bit of Lola!

A Little bit of Laughing Lola.....with some Artbooking Flair! :) 

I Love how this layout turned out! I did some Jazzin' to the Traditional Workshop on the Go Kit! :) 

I thought this layout was SCREAMING for some of the Lola Gold! Lola Gold is one of the Exclusive colors to the Laughing Lola Paper collection and I LOVE IT! :) 

Do Tell....what do you think of that Overlay? (Squealing with Delight!) If you've not met allow me to introduce you to Mr. Cricut Artbooking! OMWord, it is Fabulous! 

I Love the variety of Overlays featured on our Exclusive Cricut Cartridge....There are SO many ways to use them on your layouts as well as cards and other paper crafts! I used the 'half sheet' overlay (bottom right image) and cut it at 11".

 Now...the COOLEST thing about this cartridge is that everything is cut proportionally! Perfectly! Okay...speak slower...Hillbilly words, right?! Okay, maybe that's just for me. :) This entire page (above) has been created to cut each individual piece in proper proportion to your page size....the largest the cartridge will cut is 11" (unless you use Cricut Craft Room - more on that later)...so by doing that it gives you the MOST PERFECT boarder around your pages (you already know I LOVE boarders...just look at my pictures!).  

See the sample layout on the page above, how the left page has the sage green overlay cut at 11" leaving a nice boarder of the grey base page? So with your cricut dial set on 11" your large overlay will be cut at 11" square.  Now, DON'T touch the size dial again....when you begin cutting the picture mats, title, etc. on these pages it all will automatically cut PERFECTLY to fit onto that designed layout...making sense? I tell ya, It took me a while before this really kicked in with my brain...I'm always a little slow to the party!.  

So, your size dial is set on 11", that does not mean that (like most other cricut cartridges) your photo mats will cut at 11"....it will cut in PROPORTION to an 11" project size.  BUT wait, CAN you get an 11" photo mat (or any other character in the booklet...? OF course! Ever noticed the button on your machine on the left of the overlay keypad that says "Real Dial Size"? Just simply hit that button and each character will be cut to the size of your dial. 

My Mind was Blown, totally Blown.  Of course the thought that kept running through my mind was "Oh My Gosh Sus, think of how much paper you will save now that your cuts will be sized perfectly the FIRST time!!" Whoot! 

Okay...trip off the track, Let's get back to it! My Goal with this layout was to keep the Basic Workshop on the Go Layout pattern while Kicking it up a notch with Artbooking....so the larger Overlay just didn't really fit my pattern, truthfully neither did the half sheet overlay.  I had already cut it out on my cricut when I decided it just didn't quite work...until...I trimmed it in half! It worked perfectly! I was not "over the top" yet gave my layout just a little kick!

And How about the title? Just another kick from my pal! I cut it twice, once with Lola Gold and a second time with Black....nice little punch! :)  

This cartridge is loaded with Great titles for your projects! I grabbed this title from one of another one of the pre-designed layouts! It had a Winter theme but I loved the sentiment for this page! 

Notice another WAY CUTE pre-designed layout for your Winter themed pictures!? Mix and match them as I did or Create layouts identical to these pictured....the designers at Cricut really have done the hard work for us! This cartridge will allow you to create MANY pages in a short period of time! Saving Time?! Sign me UP! Whoot! :)

I further "Jazzed" by adding some of the Newest Embellishments Close to My Heart Offers! Aqua Dots (Self Adhesive....YAY!), the New Laughing Lola Assortment, as well as my trusty old standby of Black Shimmer Trim (also self adhesive backed)

I was so happy at how this layout turned out! The pictures...not so much! But the Layout I LOVE! If you'd like to get your hands on the products to create this layout I encourage you to shop here. 

Would you love to get your hands on the Brand New Cricut Artbooking Collection? How would you love to get it for Half Price? Did you know you can host an online gathering (More information on THIS blog post) and with you and your friends having a total order as low as $250 you can own the Artbooking Collection for only $49.50! WHOOT! 

I would love to visit more with you about hosting an online gathering! Or Placing a product order! 

August is the PERFECT time since Close to My Heart is offering the August Stamp of the Month (regular price $17.95) FREE with all $50 orders! Order $100 and they will send you 2!  (Big Smile....who's ALREADY doing Christmas shopping?) 

 

If you think you might be interested in an online party please feel free to contact me anytime! I'd love to visit more about it, you will never be hounded and there are no obligations whatsoever. :) Chat with me on Facebook HERE or by emailing me. :)  

It's gonna be a Fun Ride Girls...hang with me, we're gettin' to the Good Part! 

Thank you for joining me again, and for being one of my Blessings! Sus

How about a peek at some Lola!?

Laughing Lola that is! 

The Launch date for the Close to my Heart Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea book is right around the corner and I just can NOT wait to begin showing you the Artwork I've been working so hard on! 

One of the Brand New MyReflections Paper Kits bears the name 'Laughing Lola' and its as joyful as it sounds! A Crazy Collection of Raspberry, Purple, Black, and Gold make for a striking project I assure you! 

Lola was the first Kit I dug into! I have always loved the bright colors and I am especially fond of pairing black with bright color schemes! :) 

I've been working on a CRAZY AWESOME group of projects for some CRAZY AWESOME ladies and I wanted to share with you a couple of sneak peeks at a few of the pieces...:) 

Here is just a PEEK at a pair of matching layouts...do you see that FABULOUS Gold overlay? Uh...Let me introduce you to Mr. ARTBOOKING! You will be seeing much more of him soon! :)  I'll get a proper photo of these layouts soon but enjoy the CORNERS for now. :) 

 

Here are the corners of a couple of Lola Cards....they were not finished at the time of this photograph (probably around 2 AM when I took it - LOL) but at the time I thought they were just too pretty NOT to capture and share! :)

How about those Purple & Teal Flowers? (Big Smile!)  They are from the Brand New 'Base & Bling' Line....Did someone say Jewelery? GIRLS, I have SO much to share with you, my fingers just can't keep up! :) WHOOT!

And Last but not least...a Full picture because a sneak peek just wouldn't do this project justice! It's my favorite piece created thus far into this new Idea Book's worth of products!

I paired my FAVORITE Box from the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Collection, the FRENCH FRY BOX, with the New Laughing Lola paper & accessories! Whoot! I LOOOOOOVE IT!:)

This photo was just taken with my mobile phone (to be shared on Facebook of course!) so stay tuned for some better pictures and more details about how I created this beauty! :)

If you're like me you LOVE cards as well so I was thrilled that the Lola Kit came in a Card 'Workshop on the Go' package as well! And did you know the Card WOTG kits DECREASED in price? YES! They are down to $24.95! and they include a "D" sized (6" X 6") Acrylic Stamp set...HOLY SMOKES...that's like getting the rest of the ENTIRE kit for only $7! DOUBLE WHOOT! :)

Okay, so I'm jabbering on and on...I just had to pop in here and show you a few peeks! I am SOOO Sorry my poor unattended blog has just been sitting here all alone! Please hang with me, I promise it will be worth the wait! :) 

Oh, one more thing....I am reminding you to grab your HALF PRICED Canvas Kit before they are all gone....they are only available til the end of the Month and on a 'while supplies last' basis! :)  

I had a friend inquire about them this week, she asked if they might be a project her little girl could complete on her own to enter into the local fair? I could not believe I'd never thought of it before, that would be a GREAT way to use your canvas! And who wouldn't love a kit for their Birthday or Christmas gift? GOSH, the things you can get now days for under $20 is Amazing! :) :) :) 

Friends, Thanks for hanging with me while during my lack of posting, I will be back shortly with some FANTASTIC things to share! :) 

Blessings, Sus