OMG It's Cecilia

OG It's Cecilia Scrapbook layout is one of my favorites.  At 3 months of age this little girl was so expressive and I just had to capture the expression and make a layout.  She is so much fun to work with as her moods change in an instant and she is such a charmer.

For the scrapbook layout I used Studio J and picked out paper that I thought would coordinate well with her photos.  With Studio J that is easy to do and I had so much fun making this layout that it only encourages me to do more.

Fall Festival Fun

Took the kids to a fall festival the other day and they just loved it.  Even the little one enjoyed all the bright colors while is big brother and sister enjoyed the bouncy houses, the animals, games, the face painting and all the other kids. The little one even had a mustache painted on just for him.

I made up this scrapbook layout in Studio J.  I like how all the bright colors came together and how it showcases how much fun the kids were having.

Scrappin Through Texas-- Tilden Texas

As we travel through Texas we are taking many photos.  It is our intention to photograph all 254 historic Texas courthouses.  Here is the page we did of Tilden, Texas.  Tilden is a very small town in South Texas.  Tilden is located in McMullen County and there is not much there.  It does have  a post office, 3 gas stations and police station and a county courthouse.

I made this scrapbook page using Studio J.  It was easy to make and because I only had a few photos Studio J is ideal program to make great layouts with so few photos.  Studio J also has so many paper and photo combinations that no matter what your theme you can create the perfect layout.

Brotherly Love ... A Studio J Two Page 12 by 12 Layout

Brotherly Love is my very first attempt at using Studio J.  I decided to use my favorite 3 year old and his baby sister as featured stars in this layout.  I found Studio J to be easy, fast and fun.  It did not take me long to do the layout and with Studio J there are literally hundreds of layouts to choose from.

Another thing I really like about Studio J is that I can scrapbook without buying tons to other stuff yet if I choose I can still embellish the layout with other items if I want.

I hope you like my first attempt with Brotherly Love.

Tweet Me Card

Tweet Me is the message on this adorable birdhouse card.  I made this card using the "Tweet Me' Close to My Heart stamp set along with CTMH cardstock and the birdhouse from the Cricut Botanicals cartridge.  I cut out the bird house in 3 different sizes, and used three different ribbons for color adhered to the green background.  I adhered the birdhouses to the ribbon and background and stamped the sentiment "Tweet Me".  I thought it was just the cutest combo.  As a side note I used one of the cutouts as the stencil on the "Wishing you Happiness" card made a few days ago. Two cards for the price of one... how fun is that.

Wishing You Happiness Card

 

 

Today’s card was made using one of my most favorite techniques.  The card was made using water color inks and a stencil made from a birdhouse I made for another card which I will be posting later.  To make this card I simple brushed on CTMH water downed gold rush ink and then using black stazon ink I stenciled the birds and birdhouse. The Wishing You Happiness phrase is from the “Give a Lift” Stamp set.

Happy Day Pumpkin Card and Free Stamps

Today I would like to share this pumpkin card I made using the August Stamp of the Month, "What a Hoot".  The card was made with the pumpkin and flower from the stamp set.  The grass was cut from the Cricut artbooking cartridge and the words Happy Day with cut with one of the fonts found on the Cricut Explore.  I stamped the pumpkins and the flowers and then colored them in with the ShinHan Close to My Heart Markers. 

The Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month for August 2014 is the “What a Hoot” Stamp set.  This stamp  set includes  17 adorable stamps featuring owls, fall and party symbols.  The stamps set has a retail value of $17.95 but it can be yours for as little $5.00 with a qualifying purchase.

 

 Also as a special offer through August  31, 2014 I am also including a FREE Stamp Set AND  FREE Cuttlebug Owl Flourish Embossing Folder  for a qualifying purchase made through my website www.margaritasmadness.ctmh.com.  

This offer includes  the stamp set  “ Owls”  which includes 7 stamps  (Retail value $9.95). Also included a part of the special offer from me is the Cuttlebug Owl Flourish Embossing Folder (Retail Value $4.95).  Both of these items can be yours FREE so order now.   

 

 

In order to qualify for these FREE items you must have a CTMH minimum order of $50.00 purchased through my website and you must also purchase the August  Stamp of the Month “What a Hoot” stamp  which you can purchase for $5.00.  Once you have made your purchase, email me margaritasmadness@gmail.com and I will send you your  FREE OWL FLOURISH  Cuttlebug embossing folder and your FREE  “Owls” Stamp set.  Please note this FREE STAMP and FREE  Embossing Folder  is a personal gift from me and is NOT part of a CTMH promotion and is available to US residents only. DO NOT ENTER THEM as part of your order just email me and I will mail them directly to you.  Hurry as this offer ends on August 31, 2014 at which time the “What a Hoot” stamp set will no longer be available. 

Please contact me margaritasmadness@gmail.com with any questions prior to purchase.

 

National Thrift Day Card: Shop Till You Drop

Today, August 17th is National Thrift Shop Day and in its honor I made this "Shop Till You Drop" Card.  The card is made with Close to My Heart Cardstock including the Daisy white and pattern and pink paper from the new Brushed Collection..  Using my Explore I cut the shopping bag from the Create a Critter Cartridge and the words "Shop Till you Drop" are from Paisley cartridge.  I also used two pink flowers from my stash to embellish the card.  What girl or women doesn't like to shop and thrift shops are a great way to find that perfect item.

Who Card and Free Stamps

Today I would like to share this "Who?" card that I made using Close to My Heart paper from the Pathfinding packet and the August Stamp of the Month "What a Hoot" stamp.   For this card I made a mat from the brown pattern paper and  a leaf cut with my Explore.  I then stamped one of the owls from the stamp set and colored it in my the wonderful new Close to My Heart  ShinHan markers.  I also cut the word "Who" with the explore and adhered it to the owls tummy.  I love the fall look of the Pathfinding papers and even though it is 100 degrees here in Texas I can feel a hint of fall in the air.

The Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month for August 2014 is the “What a Hoot” Stamp set.  This stamp  set includes  17 adorable stamps featuring owls, fall and party symbols.  The stamps set has a retail value of $17.95 but it can be yours for as little $5.00 with a qualifying purchase.

 

 Also as a special offer through August  31, 2014 I am also including a FREE Stamp Set AND  FREE Cuttlebug Owl Flourish Embossing Folder  for a qualifying purchase made through my website www.margaritasmadness.ctmh.com.  

This offer includes  the stamp set  “ Owls”  which includes 7 stamps  (Retail value $9.95). Also included a part of the special offer from me is the Cuttlebug Owl Flourish Embossing Folder (Retail Value $4.95).  Both of these items can be yours FREE so order now.   

 

 

In order to qualify for these FREE items you must have a CTMH minimum order of $50.00 purchased through my website and you must also purchase the August  Stamp of the Month “What a Hoot” stamp  which you can purchase for $5.00.  Once you have made your purchase, email me margaritasmadness@gmail.com and I will send you your  FREE OWL FLOURISH  Cuttlebug embossing folder and your FREE  “Owls” Stamp set.  Please note this FREE STAMP and FREE  Embossing Folder  is a personal gift from me and is NOT part of a CTMH promotion and is available to US residents only. DO NOT ENTER THEM as part of your order just email me and I will mail them directly to you.  Hurry as this offer ends on August 31, 2014 at which time the “What a Hoot” stamp set will no longer be available. 

Please contact me margaritasmadness@gmail.com with any questions prior to purchase.

 

 

August 16th National Roller Coaster Day

Today, August 16^th, is National Roller Coaster Day so I thought I would whip up this roller coaster card.  It is made with CTMH cardstock and images from Cricut cartridges.  The roller coaster is from the Carousel cartridge, the phrase  “Enjoy the ride” is from the Graphically Speaking cartridge and the sunburst is from the First Few Years Cartridge.     I embellished the card with a few blue star flowers just to give it a little “pop”.  Whether you are a fan of the biggest and baddest coasters or the kiddie coaster they are fun for all ages.

Blue Foil Card

Today I want to share a Blue Foil Card I made in just a matter of a few minutes.  This card was made strictly from scraps that I had filed away in one of my many spare scrap shoeboxes.  The card is simply a white card, with a blue foil mat with a smaller square added on top.  The card is trimmed in white glitter tape and I added a white flower with pearl center for added focus.  Now what could be simpler than that.

You're the Best Owl Card

Today I would like to share with you this “You’re the Best” Card I made using the Cuttlebug Owl Flourish Folder, “You’re the Best” from the Cricut Lyrical Letters Cartridge and the owl from the Stamping Cricut cartridge.  This card was a cinch to make using the Cricut explore.

To make this card I used the Cuttlebug Owl Flourish Embossing Folder, available FREE here and embossed an A2 card.  I cut out the phrase “ You’re the Best” sized at 2 inches by 2 inches on brown textured CTMH Fundamentals Basic Cardstock.  The phrase includes a bird attached to the phrase but I removed it and replaced it with an Owl sized 1 inch by 1 ¼ inch cut from a lighter brown CTMH Fundamentals Cardstock.  The owl is from the Cricut Stamping cartridge and I thought it goes so well with the Owl Flourish embossing folder.  I adhered all the pieces to the card and as quick at that I have this adorable owl all set to be mailed today.

Also as a special offer through August  31, 2014 I am also including a FREE Stamp Set AND  FREE Cuttlebug Owl Flourish Embossing Folder  for a qualifying purchase made through my website www.margaritasmadness.ctmh.com.  

 

This offer includes  the stamp set  “ Owls”  which includes 7 stamps  (Retail value $9.95). Also included a part of the special offer from me is the Cuttlebug Owl Flourish Embossing Folder (Retail Value $4.95).  Both of these items can be yours FREE so order now. 


In order to qualify for these FREE items you must have a CTMH minimum order of $50.00 purchased through my website and you must also purchase the August  Stamp of the Month “What a Hoot” stamp  which you can purchase for $5.00.  Once you have made your purchase, email me margaritasmadness@gmail.com and I will send you your  FREE OWL FLOURISH  Cuttlebug embossing folder and your FREE  “Owls” Stamp set.  Please note this FREE STAMP and FREE  Embossing Folder  is a personal gift from me and is NOT part of a CTMH promotion and is available to US residents only. DO NOT ENTER THEM as part of your order just email me and I will mail them directly to you.  Hurry as this offer ends on August 31, 2014 at which time the “What a Hoot” stamp set will no longer be available. 

Please contact me margaritasmadness@gmail.com with any questions prior to purchase.
  

Two Butterfly Cards

 

 

The cards I will be showing you today are made from Cricut “Damask Décor” cartridge.  The card itself is featured on the cartridge and is super easy to make as it consists of only two parts.  The card and the butterfly overlay.

For the black/blue butterfly I used CTMH crystal blue paper and black glitter paper.  I colored in the top of the butterfly with copper colored paint and the bottom with blue glitter paint.  Upon completion of the coloring I adhered the black glitter overlay to the card.  So simple!

For the pink/lavender card I used the same card template from the Cricut Damask Décor cartridge.  I water colored a piece of vellum cardstock with pink and lavender inks from the CTMH collection.  I then adhered the butterfly overlay to the velum and decorated the butterfly with pearl embellishments.  Upon completion I adhered the entire butterfly overlay (using dimensionals) to the base butterfly card.

Two cards and two fun projects!

FREE Stamps AND FREE Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

The Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month for August 2014 is the “What a Hoot” Stamp set.  This stamp  set includes  17 adorable stamps featuring owls, fall and party symbols.  The stamps set has a retail value of $17.95 but it can be yours for as little $5.00 with a qualifying purchase.

 

 Also as a special offer through August  31, 2014 I am also including a FREE Stamp Set AND  FREE Cuttlebug Owl Flourish Embossing Folder  for a qualifying purchase made through my website www.margaritasmadness.ctmh.com.  

This offer includes  the stamp set  “ Owls”  which includes 7 stamps  (Retail value $9.95). Also included a part of the special offer from me is the Cuttlebug Owl Flourish Embossing Folder (Retail Value $4.95).  Both of these items can be yours FREE so order now.   

 

 

In order to qualify for these FREE items you must have a CTMH minimum order of $50.00 purchased through my website and you must also purchase the August  Stamp of the Month “What a Hoot” stamp  which you can purchase for $5.00.  Once you have made your purchase, email me margaritasmadness@gmail.com and I will send you your  FREE OWL FLOURISH  Cuttlebug embossing folder and your FREE  “Owls” Stamp set.  Please note this FREE STAMP and FREE  Embossing Folder  is a personal gift from me and is NOT part of a CTMH promotion and is available to US residents only. DO NOT ENTER THEM as part of your order just email me and I will mail them directly to you.  Hurry as this offer ends on August 31, 2014 at which time the “What a Hoot” stamp set will no longer be available. 

Please contact me margaritasmadness@gmail.com with any questions prior to purchase.

 

Without Music Card and ONLY 5 DAYS Left for FREE STAMPS AND FREE PAPER

 

 

Today’s  “Without Music” Card is one of my favorites to make.  Of course, being a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant I primarily used their wonderful products.  The “Without Music” card is made with Daisy white cardstock, Black Cardstock, Black ink, “Hello Blooms” Stamp Set, Black Glitter Tape and Black sparkle Embellishments.  The sentiment quote is from my personal stash (pre Close to My Heart Consultant days) and states "Without Music Life would be a mistake"  Friedrich Nietzsche but I feel it is especially well suited for the hello Blooms Stamp Set.

To make the “Without Music” card I first stamped white daisy card stock with the music flower stamp from the “Hello Blooms” stamp set.  I then cut out 3 different size flowers (3 times) from the Flower Shoppe Circuit cartridge and 2 different size flowers  (3 times)from black cardstock and layered them to make the flowers.  I used black sparkles embellishments for each center of the flower.  I also cut out 3 stems from black glitter tape and lined the bottom edge of the card with black glitter tape to complete the card. 

 

There are only 5 days left to take advantage of my personal FREE STAMP AND FREE PAPER offer.

Make a qualifying purchase through July 31, 2014 and I will personally send you a  FREE Stamp Set AND FREE Paper.  This offer includes 12 sheets of 6 by 6 inch plain color CTMH cardstock (12 different 6 by 6 inch sheets) and 12 sheets of 6 by 6 inch CTMH designer  paper (12 different sheets) for a total of 24 sheets of 6 by 6 inch paper perfect for making a wide variety of cards or for use as scrapbooking accents. (Paper included in packet will vary but will include 12: 6 by 6 plain and 12: 6 by 6 designer sheets) Also included FREE (with qualifying purchase) is the “Love This” Stamp set which includes 6 stamps. (Retail value $9.95). This offer is through me and NOT through a CTMH company promotion.

Love This Stamp
Retail Value $9.95

In order to qualify for these FREE items you must have a CTMH minimum order of $50.00 purchased through my website and you must also purchase the July Stamp of the Month Circus Alphabet stamp which you can purchase for $5.00. Once you have made your purchase email me margaritasmadness@gmail.com and I will send you your FREE 24 sheets of 6 by 6 paper and your FREE “Love This” Stamp. Please note this FREE STAMP and FREE Paper is a personal gift from me and is NOT part of a CTMH promotion and should NOT be added to your order.  Just email me and I will send them to you directly from me. Once you try our stamps and paper I am sure you will thoroughly pleased with the products.

Hurry as this offer ends on July 31, 2014 at which time the Circus Alphabet Stamp will no longer be available. Please note this offer is only available to residents of the United States,

Please contact me margaritasmadness@gmail.com with any questions prior to purchase.

Flower Pot Card and ONLY 6 DAYS Left for FREE STAMPS AND FREE PAPER

The card we will be making today I call The Flower Pot Card and it is made from the Flower Shoppe Cricut cartridge.  The Flower Pot card can be made with any colors and the flowers add dimension and texture to the card.  Embellishments include gemstones for flower centers and glitter tape for card corners. All products used are from the  Close to My Heart collection available here.

Instructions:

• Cut piece of 5 3/8 inch by 4.25 inch piece of pink cardstock .

• Cut 4 inch by 4 inch flower pot image.  Cut the following layers with real size dial off.

• Flower pot Layer

• Rim Layer

•  Leaf Layer

•  Leaf border Layer

• Flower Layer

• Wrap  Teal glitter tape diagonally around each corner of pink layer 1 /2 inch below corner

• Adhere pink layer to front of ivory card.

• Cut  flowers as listed below from Flower Shoppe cartridge:

                       Image M46100 – 10 pieces size 1 ¾ Inches each (two for each flower)

                       Image M46100-   10 pieces size  1 ¼ inches each(two for each flower)

                       Image M45CB3- 10 pieces size 1 inch (cut of tips) 

• Assemble flowers, gluing layers as you build flower

• Glue gemstone embellishment in center of each flower

• Glue 5 flowers to flower layer on flower pot.

There are only 6 days left to take advantage of my personal FREE STAMP AND FREE PAPER offer.

Make a qualifying purchase through July 31, 2014 and I will personally send you a  FREE Stamp Set AND FREE Paper.  This offer includes 12 sheets of 6 by 6 inch plain color CTMH cardstock (12 different 6 by 6 inch sheets) and 12 sheets of 6 by 6 inch CTMH designer  paper (12 different sheets) for a total of 24 sheets of 6 by 6 inch paper perfect for making a wide variety of cards or for use as scrapbooking accents. (Paper included in packet will vary but will include 12: 6 by 6 plain and 12: 6 by 6 designer sheets) Also included FREE (with qualifying purchase) is the “Love This” Stamp set which includes 6 stamps. (Retail value $9.95). This offer is through me and NOT through a CTMH company promotion.

Love This Stamp
Retail Value $9.95

In order to qualify for these FREE items you must have a CTMH minimum order of $50.00 purchased through my website and you must also purchase the July Stamp of the Month Circus Alphabet stamp which you can purchase for $5.00. Once you have made your purchase email me margaritasmadness@gmail.com and I will send you your FREE 24 sheets of 6 by 6 paper and your FREE “Love This” Stamp. Please note this FREE STAMP and FREE Paper is a personal gift from me and is NOT part of a CTMH promotion and should NOT be added to your order.  Just email me and I will send them to you directly from me. Once you try our stamps and paper I am sure you will thoroughly pleased with the products.

Hurry as this offer ends on July 31, 2014 at which time the Circus Alphabet Stamp will no longer be available. Please note this offer is only available to residents of the United States,

Please contact me margaritasmadness@gmail.com with any questions prior to purchase.

Create a Critter-- Zebra Card

Create a Critter cartridge offers so many opportunities for cards for every occasion.   One of the many critters found on the cartridge is this adorable zebra. Although the sentiment says “Hello Love” this card makes me smile just because it is so cute.

Instructions:

1).  Cut score and fold 11 by 8.5 black and white zig zag card stock to form a 5.5 by 4.25 card (Paper Fundamentals Basics Assortment-CTMH)

2). Using craft knife cut out zig zag border along folded edge of card ( template below). Fold over chevron points to outside of card and flatten with bone folder.

3). Cut zebra (sized at 3in by 3in ) from cricut ‘Create a Critter” cartridge on black and white zig zag cardstock.  I turned the paper 90 degrees to have the pattern change direction.   

4.  Cut the shadow zebra  layer from black cardstock.

5. Cut out face layer from black  cardstock.  Do not cut any other layers as they are not needed.

6. Cut out speech bubble with words miss you from red  card stock  (sized at 1.25in by 2.5in)

7.  Using black ink stamp “Hello Love” sentiment ( Hello Blooms Stamp Collection-CTMH) to red speck bubble.

7. Using a very small piece of red card stock adhere to back face piece in order to highlight the mouth portion of the face.

8. Adhere face section to striped zebra.

9. Adhere speech bubble to front of card.

10. Using 3D Foam Tape adhere striped zebra to shadow zebra.

11. Adhere sparkles for zebra eyes, and flower embellishment to top of zebra’s head

12. Cut  4 pieces of black/white zig zag card stock and adhere to 3 by 4 inch rectangle of daisy white cardstock and adhere to inside of card for handwritten sentiment.

 

 

Supplies:

 

Paper Fundamentals Paper	Hello Blooms Stamp	Grey and Black Sparkles	Black stamp Pad
Paper Trimmer	3D Foam Tape	Tombow Adhesive

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Blue and White Good Luck Tea Bag Fold Card

I really enjoyed making this pretty tea bag card using some left over gift wrapping paper, CTMH cardstock, stamps, and ink.   The stamps were from the paper doll collection and the  Casual Expressions collection (listed below.) Tea bag  cards are fun to make and can be folded into a variety of designs.

Instructions:

1), Cut, score and fold 8.5 by 11 inch piece of pacific blue cardstock to form a 4.25 by 5.50 inch card.

2). Cut 8, 2 inch squares of off white striped gift wrapping paper.

3). Stamp ¼  circles in each corner of each 2 inch square of wrapping paper.

4) Fold each square into a triangle tea bag fold.

5. Assemble as shown below.

6,.Stamp circle in center of completed medallion. Adhere enamel dot  to center of stamped circle.

7. Adhere medallion to 3 inch square of pacific blue card stock.

8. Adhere pacific blue cardstock square with medallion attached to 3 1/8 inch square of white wrapping paper.

9. Adhere that square to front of card.

10. Cut 3 1/4 inch banner from white wrapping paper, inking edges with pacific blue stamp ink.  Cut out 1.5 inch circle and using “Good Luck” stamp with pacific blue ink stamp circle. Lightly ink edges of circle with pacific blue stamping ink.

11. Adhere banner to card. Center and adhere Good luck circle to center of banner. Embellish banner with enamel dots as shown.

12. For inside sentiment cut 3 1/2 by 4 1/4 rectangle of daisy white card stock.  Using circle stamp from Paper Doll stamp set, stamp 1 4 circle with pacific blue ink  each corner of rectangle. Adhere rectangle to inside of card.

Tea Bag Fold Instructions:

Supplies:

White Daisy Cardstock	Pacifica Cardstock	Pacifica Ink	Good Luck Stamp
Paper Doll Stamp	Tombow Adhesive	My Acrylix Block Set	Paper Trimmer