Layout with CTMH Snowhaven Paper Pack

I'm working on my album from 2003 - feels good to be getting it done.  I put the bulk of my pictures in pocket protectors and then am doing the rest as traditional layouts.   

I love the How-To Books by CTMH - I used a pattern from Magic for this layout with 

CTMH Snowhaven patterned papers and co-ordinating solid cardstock.

My Cricut Explore came with a free 6 month subscription to their image library. 

 I used Teresa Collin's December 25th Cartridge for the Title & Snowflake Flourish.  

I embellished the snowflake with CTMH Bitty Sparkles.   

The "25" is cut from Teresa Collins Christmas Holly Digital Set.

I used CTMH Stitch Guide and then hand stitched around the Whisper cardstock.  

I used CTMH Cranberry and Slate Inks and sponged around the edges of the Cranberry and Slate Cardstock.  

I triple layered the Yuletide Season title with 

Cranberry, White Daisy and Snowhaven Black patterned cardstock.   

I used CTMH White Shimmer trim to add some sparkle to both pages. 

Cherry Pickin' Scrapbook Page with CTMH Taste Of Summer

Here's a different take on CTMH Taste of Summer papers.  These papers feature berries and oranges and limes but I decided to change it up and use them for some pictures of my kids picking cherries in the backyard with some friends.

I cut the titles and flowers with my Cricut using the Nifty Fifties cartridge and the Tie The Knot cartridge.  Pickin' with friends was cut with Birthday Cakes.  I also used my Cricut Explore to write the kids names on the yellow paper.

CTMH products used:

CTMH White Daisy Cardstock

CTMH Black Cardstock

CTMH Sweet Leaf Cardstock

CTMH Taste of Summer paper pack - Yellow striped, Purple grid and 

Green Blossom patterns

CTMH Gold Bling Gems

Burlap Ribbon & Dark Pink paper from my stash

Introducing Cricut's newest machine - Cricut Explore One!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. 

If you're new to the wonderful world of crafting -- or even if you consider yourself to be more of a "basic" crafter -- then Cricut's brand new machine is just for you! This nifty new machine is called the Cricut Explore One™ and it's perfect for crafting beginners and basic crafters because it offers a simplified design-and-cut system that is incredibly user-friendly. The Explore One™ actually offers most of the same features as Cricut's other Explore machines, it's just priced lower!

In addition to its affordable price, here are a few other things about the Cricut Explore One™ that you're sure to love:

• It can cut over 60 different materials, from the most delicate materials like vellum to thicker things like leather. It can also cut cardstock, vinyl, fabric, balsa wood, leather, and more…without complicated settings.
• You'll have free access to Cricut's Design Space™ online software and iPad® app so you'll able to design on your computer or your Pad®. You'll also be able to use a Bluetooth® adapter for wireless cutting.
• The Explore One allows you to cut a wide range of shapes and sizes with exceptional precision, from ¼" tall up to 11½" wide x 23½" tall. You just select the material that you're using on the Smart Set® dial. From there, the machine's Cut Smart® technology will deliver a clean, professional cut.
• You can upload your own images and use your own fonts -- for free!
• Each machine comes with over 25 free 1-click projects and 50+ free images to get them started right away.
• If you want to use the machine to write or score, you can easily swap out the cutting cartridge with the Cricut Explore One™ Accessory Adapter and Pen.

The Cricut Explore One™ makes it easy, fast, and affordable for you to explore your creativity and delight your loved ones with personal handmade projects and gifts! And if you purchase your very own Cricut Explore One™ before the end of May - you'll get free shipping when you use code MAYSHIP!

Bendy Fold Anniversary Card

My Grandparents are celebrating their 65th Wedding Anniversary this month and I wanted to make them a special card.

I ended up going with a free file from Birds Cards that I had downloaded earlier this month.

I went online to see what the traditional colours are for 65th Anniversary - 

Sky Blue according to About.com

In Cricut Design Space I resized the card so that the back part of the card measured 5x5.

Then I made 2 labels - one for the back of the card that was personalized and another for the inside with an Anna Griffin Anniversary sentiment that I found in Design Space.

I used the writing feature with my Cricut Explore with the Pilot Precise V5 pens - I was so impressed with these pens in the Explore.  I took a short video clip with my iPhone as it was writing.  

The fine detail is amazing!  

Inner label with Sentiment from Anna's Garden Cards & Embellishments written with Cricut Explore.

I cut the base of my card using CTMH White Daisy Cardstock 

and covered the front opening with light blue vellum.

I cut the outer frame piece out of CTMH Silver Glitter paper and carefully attached it so nothing stuck to the vellum.  I wanted the vellum to bend with the front of the card and hide the inner sentiment label.   

                                                

I used my CTMH Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge to cut a 5x7 Envelope out of CTMH Glacier Cardstock in keeping with the 65th Sky Blue Anniversary theme. 

Birds Cards cutting files are available free for personal use only.

Close To My Heart products are available for purchase on my CTMH website

Cricut Explore Air & Anna Griffin Cartridge are available at Cricut.com