Hershey Nugget Candy Box - Cricut

One of the most fun things about the Art Philosophy and Artiste cartridges from Close to my Heart is all the things I do with them that aren't scrapbooking or card related.  This candy holder is an example of just one of the fun items you can make if you have these cartridges.  I'm using Avonlea paper again because I really want to use up a bunch of scraps I have for this set.  To make the basic candy holder, you will need to cut a piece of pattern paper from this set hitting the "oval 1" key, the shift key and the font layer key on our Art Philosophy cartridge..  Set your measurement at 6" and it will hold two Hershey Nuggets perfectly.

You have to decorate your nuggets too!  Take some of the pattern paper and cut in strips of 1 inch by 4 inches.  I also cut the zip strips from the top of the paper in the set to decorate the middle.  Distress everything using slate ink and then glue the zip strip (which you cut 4 inches long) to the center of the candy wrappers.

If you want the wrapping around the nugget to end up on the bottom then start it at the top edge of the side of the candy, wrap it securely around using tombow to hold it and a glue dot to seal it tightly.  Do not rely on the Tombow to hold it without a glue dot. 

Now, using the little marks that the Cricut cuts out to let you know where to fold, fold the four sides up neatly. 

Use a little tombow in the center of the box to keep your nuggets from sliding around.  

Two sides are met to go in first, they have a slit in them to make them fit together as shown.



Take the Whooo's Your Valentine stamp set to fit into a tag that you've cut out from page 30 in your Art Philosophy book, it's just "tag 1" cut at 1 3/4 inches.  Cut it out of that soft white paper in your kit.  Stamp the "you're sweet" stamp in slate ink and distress piece.  Put a thin piece of ribbon through the slits on the other two sides of the box and slide the ribbon also through your tag.  Now tie it in a nice bow, I actually tied a double bow.  It's the greatest little gift for a friend.  Make it in Easter paper and stick it in the box from the Easter Bunny. 

If you like the products you see, just click on the links and it will take you right to them.  Don't forget to enter the contest for the Art Philosophy cartridge this month, you can place an order on my website at www.barbraotten.ctmh.com

Thanks So Very Much Card - Cricut

Let's make a big card today!   I am really excited about this card because I enjoy making unusual sizes.  This card you'll cut using Avonlea paper.  Using the "oval 1" key, the shift key and the "card" key, cut out the pattern paper at 5 1/2 inches.  Distress and fold the card.  On page 23, you'll need to cut a square border using the "square 1" key and the "layer" key.  See how we're skipping ahead to the key we'll be using later this week?   Cut it out of Avonlea blue, distress with slate ink, and attach to the front of your card.

 

 

Open your card and cut a square using the "square 1" key out of the Avonlea off-white.  Cut it at 4 1/2 inches.  Distress with slate ink and glue centered inside of card.  It makes a nice background to see through the snowflake cutouts.

 

This part is optional because you can just tie a bow from any matching ribbon for the card but I LOVE the paper bows I cut from my Artiste cartridge.  I cut it at 1 inch and then stamped on it using the Universal Backgrounds stamp set and slate ink.

 

On the inside of the card stamp the Thank You banner and "Thank You" stamp from the For A Friend stamp set.  Use slate ink. 

 

To decorate, put the bow together with a bran and add Durables studs on the outside snowflakes.  Using the same stamp set, stamp the "Thanks so very much" sentiment on the Avonlea off-white paper and cut it out OR you can use "rectangle 4" shape on page 25 of your book cut at 1 1/2 inches.  Doesn't having a Cricut make life so much easier?!!!  Distress and attach to the lower center of the card and you're done! 

 

All products are available by clicking on the links!!

Ever wonder which way to look at the shape in your instruction book to determine what size you need?  Check out this video. 

A Gift For You Tag - Cricut

Hello!  We're working on the second page in the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge book today and we'll be making a gift tag.   The paper set I'm using today is Avonlea, it's really full of beautiful muted colors.  Cut a tag at 3 3/4 inches out of the Avonlea blue cardstock using the "oval 1" key along with the "tag" key.  Next cut the same tag, using the same keys, out of Avonlea green and cut it at 3 1/2.  This tag makes a sweet little snowflake cutout.

 

 

Distress those pieces with slate ink and attach the white to the blue.

 

Out of Avonlea white, blue, green and slate cardstock, cut out 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch pieces and distress with slate ink.  Attach them to the tag as shown here in a grid pattern.  Do not think it has to be perfect!

 

Using the stamp set, "For a Friend," stamp "A Gift For You" onto a piece of the Avonlea white cardstock you've cut 1/4 by 2 1/4 inches.  Distress and stamp the words in slate ink.  Attach with 3-d foam tape.  The best thing about our foam tape is that you can cut it exactly at the size you need which was really helpful on such a skinny phrase as this one.  Add the sparkle flourishes smallest piece to the left of your tag.   Attach a green epoxy bubble in the middle of the snowflake cut out then slip knot a ribbon through the tag's hole.  So easy!

 

Don't forget my Art Philosophy cartridge giveaway, you are eligible to win it if you place an order on my website this month.

Warmest Wishes Card - Cricut

We're on page 22 in the Close to my Heart Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  Today we're using the decorative layer key with the "oval 1" key.  We are also using the card key with the "oval 1" key to make a card.  Using outdoor denim cardstock cut the card out at 9 inches.  Cut the decorative layer using white daisy cardstock at 3 1/4 inches. 

 

 

The card looks like this, it will fit in a 4 by 9 1/2 inch envelope.  I've been hoping to find a good card to fit that standard size envelope because I have about 100 of them!!   Distress both pieces. 

 

If you remember, I mentioned that the Cricut doesn't always cut smaller circles perfectly so I pulled out my Close to my Heart 1 1/4" punch to get it just right.  Stamp first when using this and then line up your punch to cut it out.  I used the Perfect Fit- Holidays stamp set for this card.   Stamp the snowflake twice on white daisy paper using outdoor denim ink.  Stamp the circle in sky ink on white daisy paper and then "warmest wishes" in the middle of that with outdoor denim ink. 

 

Attach the decorative layer piece first to the center of the folded card.  Use 3-d foam tape to pop up the two snowflakes as shown below.   I did dry emboss lines on the front of the card with my embossing tools and trimmer but you don't have to do that.

 

I felt the front of my card was a bit too white so I used this cool wiry tool to make tiny little specks all over the front of the card with outdoor denim ink.  It's the handiest little tool.  Pop up the "warmest wishes" stamped image in the center of your card. 

 

Use glitz gel to decorate.  I put it on the smaller snowflakes points, really brightens up the card. 

 

What does Set Cut Area mean?

 

Thanks Card - Cricut

Hi, Happy St. Patrick's Day.   Noone won the non-stick scissors because there were no orders this week.   Don't let this happen with the $99 Art Philosophy cartridge that I'm giving away this month to one lucky customer.  You must place an order on my website to be eligible.  www.barbraotten.ctmh.com

 

Today we'll be working on the "oval 1" key on your Close to my Heart Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  I'm skipping over the decorative layer an going right to the "tag" key.   To cut out the pieces for this card you will need to cut a regular oval with the "oval 1" key using ruby cardstock at 1 3/4 inch.   Cut out the tag oval using the "oval 1" key and the "tag" key using white daisy cardstock at 1 1/2 inch key. 

 

 

I'm using the For Always paper pack on this card, love this set!  Cut out a piece of black cardstock at 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 and fold in half.   Cut ruby cardstock at 5 1/4 by 4 inches.   Distress with black ink and attach to the black.   Cut a piece of the pretty pattern paper 3 3/4 by 1 1/2 inches.  Distress and attach just 1/8 inch from the bottom of the ruby cardstock.

 

Cut three other pieces of pattern paper at 1 1/4 by 3 inches.  Cut a strip of whisper cardstock 1/2 inch by 3 3/4.  Distress all with black ink. Attach the three strips at the top about 1/8 inch in from sides of ruby cardstock.  Attach the outer two pieces first then add the third in the center in case the pieces are not cut perfectly.  You can see that my center strip is a little short but I wasn't worried because I knew it would be covered by my stamped piece.  Add the strip last to cover up any rough edges between the bottom piece and the three top pieces.

 

Using the A Little Thanks stamp set using Archival Black Ink (remember I told you how awesome this ink is), stamp a big thanks on the oval you cut out.

 

Distress and add to the large ruby oval.  Add two black brads through the holes that the Cricut cut out.  Use 3-d foam tape to attach to center of card over the whisper cardstock strip.  If you have the Artiste cartridge you can cut your own paper bow but, if not, use a real piece of red ribbon and glue it down right above the "thanks" piece.  If you like liquid glass like I do, use it on the letters to shine them up!  That's it, you're done!

 

If you've ever thought about joining the Close to my Heart club, April will be your month.  When you join for only $49.00 plus shipping and tax you will not only get over $150 worth of brand new products but you get all the stamps of the month from April, May, June and July too!   Those are $17.95 per stamp set!!!  You can join and make Close to my Heart work for you, whether it's as a hobby, a business, or somewhere in between!   Think about it and we'll be talking more later!

See you tomorrow!

Taking today off, new card will be up tomorrow.

Awards - Cricut

Every month I make up awards for the top sellers on my team.  We're about 70 strong right now so to be in the top three is really a result of hard work and out of the box thinking!   I make their awards on magnets so they can put them up on their refrigerator and see their successes.   Business card magnets are easy to find and just the right size.  If you want to make an award or just a cool refrigerator magnet, here's one way to do it.  Cut smokey plum cardstock 3 1/2 by 2 inches and distress with smokey plum ink.  Cut a piece of white daisy cardstock 3 1/4 by 1 3/4 inches.  Distress and attach to the smokey plum paper.  Attach to business card magnets.

 

 

Using the "oval 1" key that we're working on this week on your Art Philosophy cartridge, cut an oval at 2 inches out of smokey plum cardstock using the "oval 1" key alone.  Cut another oval using the "oval 1" key and the layer key out of white cardstock.  This one has little decorative holes around the outside edge.  Cut it at 1 3/4.  Distress both ovals and attach to each other.  (If the holes don't all punch out easily, use a piercing tool to poke them out).

Glue the oval piece on the front of your magnet.

 

 

To decorate I cut out the snowflake on the "oval 1" key out of smokey plum cardstock.  You'll need to hit the shift key too.  Cut it at 2 inches.  Using the Snowflakes stamp set, stamp the center of the snowflake you cut out with white daisy ink.  Attach to right hand side of the oval and add a sparkle in the center.  Going back to the first key we used last week, cut a 1 1/4 inch circle out of white daisy cardstock using the "circle 1" key.  Use the Save the Date stamp set to stamp a number of your choice in the center.  Use foam tape to pop it up and center on the oval.  Cut a piece of white cardstock 1 1/2 inches by 3/8 inch.  Stamp the date of your choice on it in the same smokey plum ink.  Cut a piece of white cardstock 1 1/4 inch by 3/8 inch and stamp the year in smokey plum ink.  Use pop up tape on both the number and month as shown. 

 

 

If you're wondering where the award with the number one on it went, here's my number one salesperson this month, Linda Hicks, holding it!  Congratulations Linda.

 

 

Ever wonder what "line return" on your Cricut does?  Check out this video.

 

You Melt My Heart card - Cricut

I just noticed that when using brackets to describe the key you are supposed to use when cutting with the cartridge, it makes the whole name of the key disappear in my paragraphs so if some of the cutting instructions in past posts sound confusing, please point them out to me.  I tried to fix them but may have missed spots.

 

For those of you who haven't been following my blog this month, I am going page by page, shape by shape through my Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge by Close to my Heart.   I'm on the second page, page 22 and today I'm using both the "snowflake 1"  and the layer key for the snowflake.  To make this card cut smokey plum cardstock at 2 1/2 inches using the shift key and the "snowflake 1"  key (which is the 2nd key on the top row).  Cut white daisy cardstock using the shift key, the layer key and the "snowflake 1" key.  Cut it at 2 inches. 

 

 

Cut your card front out of white daisy cardstock at 8 1/2 by 5 1/2, fold in half and have the opening to the right side vertically.   Cut a piece of smokey plum cardstock 5 1/4 by 4 inches.  Cut a piece of white daisy cardstock at 5 by 3 3/4 inches.  If you would like to, you can use a Cuddlebug to emboss.  I used a diamond shape template but a dotted one would be really cool.  Glue them in order to each other after you distress with smokey plum ink. Attach the white snowflake to the smokey plum snowflake and add them with 3-d foam tape to the upper center of card about 1/2 inch down from the top.   Using the "Snowflakes" stamp set by Close to my Heart, stamp "You melt my heart" using smokey plum ink just below the snowflake slightly to the left. 

 

 

Add sparkles to center of snowflake and three on the lower right of the card for some bling.  It's a super easy card to celebrate the last few days of winter.  Don't forget the giveaway I am having this month.   Order from my website for your chance at an Art Philosophy cartridge.   www.barbraotten.ctmh.com

                                               

 

Happy St. Patty's Day Card - Cricut

This card is going to be a bit different.  We are on a new page in our Art Philosophy booklet.  This is the page with the on it.  We're going to start with the oval but I'm not going to give you directions today because most of what I made this card with is not something that you have.  So, just check out this unusual card and IF you would like to make it, join us TODAY at the Berrien Senior Center in Coloma (on Ryno Road) from 12:30-2:30.  For just $10 you can make all the cards possible in 2 hours.  I have 25 different cards for you to choose from.  

A very long time ago paper dolls were very popular in scrapbooks.  A company called Stamping Station made these cute little paper dolls called Stick Kids.   I loved them and bought EVERY single kit.  I have dolls that are dressed in sports uniforms, brides, grooms, princesses, slumber party pj's and so much more.   Since they've gone out of style I haven't been able to use them much anymore but I pulled out the groom paper doll and changed it into a leprechaun for St. Patrick's Day.  Here is the clothes I traced from the "groom's" clothes pattern.  

I finished the doll and plopped him on a 8 by 3 1/2 inch card, making him stand on a rectangle that contains a   Happy Patty's Day sign that I made on ......ta da.....an oval cut from the Art Philosophy cartridge.  Hope you like it and that you can make it to the card workshop today to make it!!!

Don't forget that you have a chance to win a brand new pair of our non-stick scissors if you place an order by Sunday AND get in the drawing for the Art Philosophy cartridge (a $99 value). www.barbraotten.ctmh.com.

Ghirardelli Candy Box - Cricut

I've been looking forward to getting to do this first box on the Art Philosophy cartridge.  To do double duty, I'm also using the exclamation point that you need to cut by hitting the shift key, the font key and the :circle 1" key.  Cut it at 1 inch out of the outdoor denim cardstock.  It's on the first page of the shapes in the book and it's the very last shape on the "circle 1" key.  You will also need to hit the "font layer" key.  Cut it at 5 inches.  You can cut a bit smaller but the wrappers on the Ghirardelli candies are pretty long and need to be folded slightly under to fit so the 5 inch gives it some wiggle room.  I'm using Tommy paper (I love this set) so use the anchor paper for this one.  When you cut these boxes there are little scoring slits in it that show you where to fold.  I usually will hold it up to light to see them clearly before I fold.  Distress with outdoor denim ink.

Though it's very easy to do without my help, you can check out my video here to watch me do it.

Cut the zip strip off the paper for the Tommy set, there are three different ones to choose from.  Cut it in half at 6 inches and wrap it around your box attaching it to itself on the bottom of the box, do the same with the second piece.  Each of them should slid off to open the candy.  Distress them with the outdoor denim ink. 

Since most people throw the box away after eating the candy, let's keep it simple.  Cut out the letters I and h at 1 inch from the outdoor denim cardstock.  For the "I" hit and font key  For the "h" hit  and font key.  Now cut a piece of outdoor denim cardstock at 1 3/4 by 1 inch and a piece of honey cardstock at 1/8 of an inch bigger.  The easiest way is to glue the blue onto the yellow and use your trimmer to just make the slightest edge around it.  Attach the letters and the ONLY glue to the top "sliding" piece with a glue dot or two.  If you attach the "hit" to both strips, it won't open easily.  Slide the un-decorated strip on first and then the decorated strip and you have the cutest candy treat!   DON'T FORGET TO ORDER OFF MY WEBSITE THIS WEEK FOR A DRAWING FOR OUR NEW NON-STICK SCISSORS AND TO BE PUT INTO THE BIG DRAWING FOR THE ART PHILOSOPHY CARTRIDGE!  WWW.BARBRAOTTEN.CTMH.COM

Happy Birthday Card - Giveaway Day!

Read through the directions to see my special giveaway today!

 

We're still on the first page in the Art Philosophy booklet for the Cricut machine.  Today I'm going to use both the number one on the "circle 1" key with the font key, and the number one with the holes in it on the "circle 1" key and the font layer key.  We're using Tommy paper today and you need to cut out the number one out of white daisy paper using "circle 1" plus the font key.   Then, cut the number one layer out of honey cardstock using the "circle 1" key with the font layer key (also at 2 inches).  This is a first birthday card but, of course, you can use another page and set of keys for other numbers.

 

Cut outdoor denim cardstock 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 inches.  Cut a piece of the striped paper 5 1/4 by 2 inches.  Cut the yellow pattern paper (looks like linen) 5 1/4 by 1 3/4 inches.  Cut the yellow checked pattern paper 5 1/4 by 1/2 inch.  Cut a piece of outdoor denim cardstock 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inches.  Cut a piece of honey cardstock 1 3/4 by 1 3/4 inches.  Distress all pieces with outdoor denim ink.

 

 

 

Attach the striped, checked and linen paper in order in the center of the card leaving an eighth of an inch all around the outside as a border.

 

Layer the yellow "1" over the white "1" and glue to the blue square.  Attach with 3-d foam tape to the honey cardstock square and then glue down to the upper right of your card as shown.  If you hate when the pop dots and 3-d foam tape get stuck to your scissors, you might want to try our new non-stick scissors.   I'm giving away a pair of these scissors to one of the persons who order off my website this week (expires on Saturday the 17th).  Drawing will take place on Sunday the 18th.  ALSO, EVERYONE WHO ORDERS FROM MY WEBSITE THIS MONTH WILL BE PUT INTO  A DRAWING FOR AN ART PHILOSOPHY CARTRIDGE!!   HERE'S MY WEBSITE.

 

Using the Joyful Birthday stamp set, stamp Happy Birthday of your choice in outdoor denim ink directly onto the yellow linen paper on the lower left.

 

Add some of our new blue epoxy bubbles on the lower right of the card, so pretty!   Attach whole card front to the card base which you've cut out of white paper 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches. 

 

Here's how to change the mat size for your Cricut. 

 

I'm taking a break on posting today after a long weekend at the Women's Expo in Grand Rapids.  See you tomorrow.

Hoppy Easter card - Cricut

There's a great card in the new Close to my Heart catalog using the Hoppy Easter stamp set and I just had to do my own version of it.   Here's the problem.  I wanted to use this card (below, center, in gray) which is our next shape and had a problem with it cutting out properly.

If you look closely at the card below you can see that the flower cut outs are more oblong than circular and they just didn't look good.  This is a flaw in the Cricut machines, when cutting circular images, they have a tendency to not cut perfect circles.  The smaller the circular image, the more likely it will not be perfect.  One day I'm sure the Cricut company will be able to correct this but in the meantime it messes up my card.  So......I cheated.  I went to another page in the book and cut out the square card on that page instead.  I'll hope you overlook that one little cheat and enjoy the card below.

Use page 23 in your Art Philosophy cartridge book and cut out pear or sweet leaf cardstock with the "card" key on and the "square 1" key.  Cut it at 4 inches. Cut a second piece of sweet leaf or pear cardstock using the square key only at 4 inches for the card "front." Fold it and then cut out buttercup cardstock at 3 8/10 inches and cut a piece of white cardstock at 3 6/10 inches using just the "square 1" key.  Now I have a Cuddlebug so I decided to use a template that had diagonal lines on it just to add some texture.  You can do this but it looks just fine without it too.  Distress all pieces with blush ink and attach in order to the square card front.

On a piece of white cardstock paper, stamp the bunny out of the Hoppy Easter set.  Color it in using our markers, I used pinks, greens, brown and yellow.  Cut out the bunny.  Find some matching ribbon and glue it around the bottom of the card making sure to fold the ends around the back of the card front.  Cut another piece and tie it in a bow and glue to lower right of your ribbon.  I use a little liquid glass and Tombow.  Attach the bunny with 3-d foam tape. 

Cut a piece of white cardstock about 2 inches by 3/4 inch and stamp the "hoppy Easter" phrase on it in blush ink.  Distress.  Attach with 3-d foam tape on upper right of card.  Glue whole card front to card base.  Use green glitz gel to decorate the center of the egg and you're finished.  I can't tell you how cute this card is in person, you have to make it!!

Cricut Tip:  One of the tools that comes in our Texture Tools set is a stipple brush.  I never had much use for that until now.  I use it to brush out the tiny pieces of paper that tend to accumulate inside and around my Cricut machine when I'm in a cutting mode.  It's easy on the machine and keeps it clean!