WHICH CTMH CARTRIDGE IS BEST? Art Philsophy, Artiste or Artbooking?

This post includes links to the pdf versions of each CTMH cartridge handbook.

Which CTMH Cricut Cartridge is the best??  This is a question I get asked again and again.  The Close to my Heart Cricut cartridges are WHY I signed up as a consultant!  

Here is the story --  I was researching which Cricut cartridges are the most popular, as I didn't want to buy cartridge after cartridge.  Time and time again, I kept hearing about the Art Philosophy cartridge.  It didn't take me long to learn that you could only get Art Philosophy through Close to my Heart.  After seeing the images on the cartridge, I was SOLD!   I had previous experience with Close to my Heart product and LOVED it (the clear stamps were also a favorite), so I decided to sign up.  Since then, they have released two more cartridges which are equally impressive.

So, which cartridge is my favorite?  Unfortunately, the answer is, they ALL are! Each one is my favorite for a very different reason.  I love the basic elements of the Art Philosophy cartridge (ie. flower, oval, banner shapes, labels, etc.  I love all the 3D items (gift card holders, rosettes, boxes) on the Artiste cartridge.  I love the background images and how easy it is to do an entire scrapbook layout with the Artbooking cartridge.  I should also mention that I love all three cartridges because I have stamp sets that co-ordinate with each of them.  Don't forget, as you look through the catalogue, any image that is outlined with a red line, means there is a co-ordinating cut on one of our cartridges.  If you look at the bottom of the page in the catalogue, it will tell you which cartridge the "cut" is from.

To help you decide which cartridge you like best, I have included a brief description of each below.  I have also included links to pdf versions of the cartridge handbooks.  I find it really helpful to see all the images on any cartridges I may want to buy in order to decide if I will use it.   Click on the cartridge name or the picture of the handbook below to get to the pdf of the handbooks.

Art Philosophy 

 This cartridge includes many basic shapes and images.  Each image on the cartridge also has a co-ordinating card and a co-ordinating tag cut.   There is also an assortment of borders and backgrounds.  This cartridge includes a variety of seasonal items some of which include a snowflake, christmas tree, stocking, hearts, acorn and cupcake.  The only 3D items that can be made with this cartridge is an assortment of six flowers.  The font included on this cartridge is a standard, slightly-formal font.

Artiste  

This cartridge includes basic shapes as well as shapes which are more detailed.   There is a wide variety of seasonal items such as a turkey, mitten, leaves, spider, skeleton, hearts, and snowflakes.  It also includes shaped cards, gift card holders, ready-made mini-books, phrases and words (ie. "thank you", "it's a girl", "Happy Birthday", "family", "Merry Christmas", etc.  One of the main features of this cartridge are the 3D items you can make such as milk cartons, file folder boxes, cupcake holders, rosettes, decorative boxes, gift bags, french fry boxes, etc.  Because of this feature, there is an assembly guide included.  The font included on this cartridge is very clean, straight-edged and basic.

 Artbooking 

This cartridge is a little different because it includes a very special additional feature.  In addition to a number of detailed and basic shapes, you can make an entire, co-ordinating scrapbook layout using one key on the overlay.  This allows you to quickly and easily create an entire perfectly sized layout-- using just one key/page on the cartridge.  This cartridge includes lots of backgrounds, borders, picture frames and phrases (ie. "always and forever", "capture the details, "fun and sun", "think grow learn", "party time".   There are no 3D items on this cartridge.  The font included on this cartridge is the most formal and a little "curly". 

  

I hope this helps you determine which cartridge you put at the top of your wish-list.  And don't forget, each cartridge comes with three pages of co-ordinating chipboard elements as well as three co-ordinating stamp sets.  In my honest opinion, all three are must-have cartridges -- not only because they are a great value, but they are also sure to be your "go-to" cartridge for any project you tackle!

Once again, here are the links to the pdf of the handbooks for each cartridge:

Art Philosophy

Artiste

Artbooking

 

 

Whoooo's Your Valentine Promotion!

Celebrate National Papercrafting Month with an incredible deal—our Whooo’s Your Valentine kit (CC1022) for only $10! Combine your love of papercrafting with the contents of this kit to create personalized valentines—perfect for classrooms and other group settings. This darling kit, which retails for $40, can be yours for only $10 when you spend $35 or more in Close To My Heart product from the Autumn/ Winter 2012 Idea Book. You’ll receive 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sheet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes, and an exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit. This kit offers you a sneak peek at two new Spring/Summer 2013 products: the treat tubes and the silver glitter paper! Decorate the die-cut boxes with the stamp images, cardstock, and glitter paper. Then attach the clear tube and fill with treats for valentines in a cinch!

Kit includes:
• 12 — Die-Cut Boxes (3 each of 4 colors: Blush, Hollyhock, Ruby, White Daisy)
• 3 — 12" x 12" Cardstock Sheets (Blush, Hollyhock, White Daisy)
• 1 — Sheet Silver Glitter Paper—new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
• 12 — Treat Tubes with Lids—new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
• 1 —My Acrylix® Whooo’s Your Valentine Stamp Set (D-size)

Also note that this stamp set co-ordinates with cuts on the Artiste cartridge!

This is in addition to the December Stamp of the Month, see below.  So, with a $50 purchase, you would quality for both promotions!!  The Whooo's Your Valentine promo is while supplies last -- so don't miss out on this one!  Here is a video highlighting this promotion:

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December's Stamp of the Month - Year Round Cheer, available only in the month of December and for just $5 with a $50 order.

CTMH Artiste Christmas Banner

I love making banners!  I started by making one for my daughter and was amazed at how quick and easy it is to make something beautiful.  Once again, it is especially easy if you have the right tools!  I have decided I will make a banner for my mantle for each of the seasons, and the perfect season to start with is Christmas.

There are many words you can choose but I thought this pretty much sums up the entire season for our family -- JOY.  I used the CTMH Artiste cartridge.  Wow -- it was soooo easy!

Here are my "cut" dimensions.  Page numbers refer to the Cricut Artiste handbook that comes with the cartridge.

Flag pieces - Pg. 77 - 4.5" - Elemental Patterned Paper

Top border - Pg. 47 - 1" - Red card stock (trimmed as needed)

Rosettes (3-D) - Pg. 77 - 1.75" - Colonial White Cardstock (remember to cut two for each rosette)

Rosettes (flat) - Pg. 56 - 3.5" - Colonial White Cardstock

Ornament - Pg. 79 - 3" - Colonial White (remember to cut four as you will need two for each ornament)

Letters - Various Pages - 3" - Cranberry Cardstock

Stamp sets used:

Love Life (D1482)

Very Merry Christmas (Oct. SOTM)

Inks and Embellishments:

Cranberry

Olive

Zip Strip from Elemental Paper Pack

Clear Sparkles (Z1752)

 

Tips/Notes:

-Almost every one of my pieces were sponged around the edges with Olive or Cranberry ink. This step adds dimension to your project.  You MUST do this and you will not be disappointed!

-I just used ribbon to string my pieces together.   I tie a knot behind each piece so it does not slide around.  

-To make the ornament multi-colored, I simply stamped two ornaments, one in green and then one in red.  I then cut out the middle of the green ornament and glued it onto the red.

-I used 3-D foam tape to mount my letter.  Again, gives the project dimension.

Don't forget about this month's Promotions!!


From Dec. 1-31, all orders placed on my website that reach or exceed $50 will also include a free Bonding Memories glue pen (Z553) -  a $4.50 value!

Not only is this my absolute favorite adhesive -- but it is a MUST for Cricut users who agonize over glueing up each individual letter.  The glue pen offer is also in addition to our regular Stamp of the Month promo.

December Stamp of the Month

December's SOTM is "Year Round Cheer" is so super-cute -- it includes reasons to celebrate all through the year. You can purchase this stamp set for only $5 with any purchase over $50.