Saturday, March 31, 2012

CTMH Milk Carton Using Victory Paper Pack and Stickease


Whenever my kids attend a birthday party and want to give a gift card, we like to think of different ways to present it.  After consulting my "little experts", we always try to incorporate a few elements.  We always use the child's name, choose colors we think the person may like, and we almost always include candy!

Lately, I have fallen in love with the Close To My Heart milk cartons!  They are super duper cute, and really economical (you get two in a pack for $4.95).  Best of all, they are something different.  It is really fun to decorate them and personalize them.  This one is for a friend of my son's -- a super great kid so we wanted to make sure it was specially decorated.  In this case, I used the Victory Paper Pack from CTMH.  I absolutely LOVE this paper pack!  The first time I saw it, I knew it would be perfect for me since I have four men in my life :)  I ended up using only half a 12x12 sheet on this project.  Instructions and supplies are listed below.

First I chose the paper I wanted to use.  Then, I inked all the edges of the milk carton with a sponge and co-ordinating color (in this case, Bamboo).  I cut four pieces of cardstock (2 patterned, 2 solid color) at 2-7/8" by 3-1/8".  This is for the sides. I then cut two patterned pieces of cardstock at 2-7/8" x 2" for the top.  I simply used the Victory My Stickease Assortment for embellishments - some I mounted on to cardstock first and then cut, others I "popped up" using foam tape.  The tag slide and numbers pictured below were cut using the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.


We added some candy and a gift card -- voila!



* * * * * * *

Supplies used (all are CTMH unless specified):

My Creations Milk Carton (Z1739 - $4.95)
Victory Paper Pack (X7150B - $9.95)
Victory My Stickease Assortment (X7150C - $4.95) 
CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Collection (Z1686)
American Crafts Ribbon (brown)
Bamboo Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad (Z2103 - $5.25)
Sponge (Z697 - $1.25)
3D foam tape (Z1151 - $5.95)
Bonding Memories Glue (1512 - $6.95)





Friday, March 30, 2012

"Resticking" your Cricut Mats



Over the years, I have spent a whole lot of money buying Cricut mats.  Alas, I have found a way to restick my existing mats, and also SAVE MONEY!

As far as adhesive goes, my tool of choice is a good ole tape runner.  However, for thicker embellishments that I need to REALLY stick, I will grab my CTMH Broad Tip Glue PenI now love my glue pens even more because I can use them to "restick" my Cricut mats!



I'm going to experiment as I go and I will keep you posted. I wanted to make this as quick and easy as possible, so I just took my Cricut mat "as is".  I chose not to scrape it off or anything.  I have heard that some people use engine cleaner to "unstick" their mats first.  Yikes!  I couldn't imagine using that stuff anywhere near my kids, so I'm going to try this way first.

All you have to do is glide your glue pen inch by inch along the length of your mat.  The glue is blue when wet, and clear when dry.  It took only about 10 minutes for my mat to dry, then I replace to protective plastic that comes with your mat to keep it sticky.  Voila!  Here is what my mat looked like just after applying the layer of adhesive glue pen. 



The glue pens are only $6.95 (you can purchase them here), and I can't even imagine how many mats you could "re-stick" with it.  All I know is that I just saved myself $13 by using my glue pen to re-stick the mats I already have!  New mats and it only used a small amount of my glue pen which I already love!

Taking it One Step Farther

After having such great (and quick) results, I thought I would take the time to do a little comparison and experimentation.  I decided to try the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser method of removing the old adhesive from the mat first, before I added the new adhesive.  Much better than engine cleaner!  I took some lovely pictures of the whole process, unfortunately, I got over-excited and unplugged my camera before the pictures were completely transferred and corrupted them :(.  This is the first time that has happened, but I will summarize with a few comments what we would have visually learned from the pics.

Tips:

1.  You will used an entire magic eraser removing the adhesive off of one mat - so factor that into your cost.  I think it is because of the fact you are removing adhesive, but the eraser sort of crumbles apart (great picture would have been inserted here).  As a result, you will most definitely make a mess, but super easy to clean up.

2.  I "erased" the mat by doing a 3"x3" section at a time.  This allowed me to scrub a little harder on a smaller space.  By focusing on a smaller area, you are able to really see if you have removed the adhesive. 

3.  I "erased" the mat twice.  This means that I went over the mat completely (3"x3" section at a time), and then I repeated the process.  The first time over the mat seems to remove the old paper residue that is left behind.  Then, when you go over it a second time, it removes the adhesive.  You are then left with a completely smooth mat -- no adhesive - with the exception of cut marks.

4.  Use lots of water on your magic eraser.  It seems to make the eraser not crumble as much.  It does not seem to affect your the mat, even though there are cut marks.

I was able to salvage pictures of the almost finished product after using the magic eraser.  The first one is a shot of the reapplied adhesive when it is wet.  The second one is the the dried result.


  
Finally, here is a shot of the two end-results side by side. It is quite obvious which is which.  There is not doubt the mat I used the magic eraser on first is more pleasing to look at (especially if you use a lot of dark paper like I do)! 


Honestly, each mat feels equally sticky.  I believe it is better to use your elbow grease and the magic eraser to remove the old adhesive though, as it will probably last longer.  I will be happy to test out each mat and keep you posted though!  Stay tuned for an update.  I also plan on video taping the next set of mats I do and adding that soon also!




Thursday, March 29, 2012

Quick Lucy Card Using Art Philosophy

Quick and easy!   I used the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge and the Lucy paper pack, and this card came together incredibly quickly.  The butterfly is cut at 1-3/4".  The card is a 4"x4" card.  I used ink to sponge the edges of the card.  Some may think it is a tedious task -- but it is completely worth the time.

I always like to add a little something to the inside of my cards -- especially one that is so basic such as this one.  It just seems to make it more complete. The picture isn't so great, but it gives you an idea.



Colors:  Grey Wool, Sweet Leaf, Creme Brulee
Embellishments:  Bitty Sparkles
Stamps:  CTMH A Tree (A1124), CTMH Lucy Workshop on the Go Stamp Set (G1034)
Ink:  Grey Wool, Black, Creme Brulee
Resource:  CTMH Wishes Card Confidence Program ("Right Away", Pg. 84)




Wednesday, March 28, 2012

How-to Books - Available while supplies last!

These books are the second reason I signed up with Close to my Heart!  I borrowed one from a lady who was at a Scrapbooking Retreat I attended.  I was SO impressed with her book, I came home and looked up the company so I could order my own copy! 

It was recently announced that these books will be discontinued at the end of this catalogue.  :(  I GUARANTEE they will not last that long as limited quantities are available.

Each of these hardcover books is jammed packed with layout ideas, templates, patterns, creative ideas, and most of them even have a CD or DVD included as well. Most of the layouts and cards that are pictured in the current Idea Book/Catalogue can be found in these how-to books.  As a matter of fact, if you look under the pictures in the catalogue, there is small print which tells you which how-to book the pattern came from and what the pattern is called.

Four scrapbooking programs—Reflections®, Cherish™, Imagine™, and Magic™—provide patterns for gorgeous and balanced layouts, along with tips to make your pages beautiful and engaging. Two cardmaking programs—Originals® and Wishes™—bring you hundreds of card patterns in any shape or size. Each book contains blueprints, cutting diagrams, assembly instructions, templates, artwork ideas, and more!

Be sure to order your copies of these books before they are gone. Feel free to order directly from my website by clicking on the link below, or let me know if you have specific questions about each book.  While you are at my shopping website, be sure to have a look at the While Supplies Last section for some great deals!



Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Cool Tip Tuesday - Are you in a "color rut"??

I try my best to put myself "out there" and look for ideas to help me do things faster and better.  I am always amazed at how many super-bright ladies are out there, and best of all, they are willing to share!

For today's cool tip, I came across this website that will help me with my chronic issue of being stumped by color selection.  I have a few 'tried and trues" that I always seem to fall back on, but I am almost color blind when it comes to choosing which colors go best together.

The site is called My Create Ink - CTMH Color Lab

My Create Ink Color Lab





All you have to do is choose a color, or two, or three, etc. from the list on the left of the site, then when you click on "search" it will give you a visual list of suggested color combination complete with a ranking.

I love to choose just one or two colors and see what comes back!  This site will definitely help me break out of my chronic color rut!  I like it so much that I am going to put a blog badge on the right of my blog that will lead directly to the site.  Whenever you are in a "color rut" just come visit my blog and the link will be there for you!


Monday, March 26, 2012

Birthday Cards using CTMH Art Philosophy Cartridge

















These cards were made using the Close to my Heart Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge (see sizes below).  This cartridge is one of the main reasons I became a consultant with Close to my Heart.  If you are a Cricut user, this is the most amazing cartridge!  You will quickly fall in love.  If I had to choose my favorite Cricut Cartridge, this would be IT!  You purchase it as a bundle -- it comes with three co-ordinating stamp sets as well as three sheets of co-ordinating chipboard dimensional elements.  All for only $99!  I love the idea of stamp sets with co-ordinating cuts on the cartridge.  All you have to do is cut it and stamp, and you end up with a beautiful complete embellishment!  The cartridge is complete with 700 images including font, shapes and 3D items.  I will continue to add project ideas on this blog as I reach for this cartridge over and over!

Using the Art Philosophy Cartridge:

I cut out the ticket shaped card (Rctngle4 with Card feature selected) at  5-3/4" on black cardstock.
I cut out two ticket shapes (Rctngle4) at 2-1/2"- one on patterned cardstock for the front and one on colonial white cardstock for the inside.
I cut out three stars (Star5) at 1" on Tulip cardstock as well as one cupcake (Cupcake) at 2-1/2".




















I then stamped on the cupcake and stars with the co-ordinating stamp from the Celebration set that comes with the cartridge.
I cut out three 1-1/2" squares in colonial white and inked the edges with a sponge and Tulip ink.
On the cupcake, I tied black and white grosgrain ribbon around it.  I then used some sparkles to add a little bling to the muffin top!
The sentiments were stamped in black also using the Celebration stamp set that comes with the Art Philosophy cartridge. Voila!