Can Achieve When Believe

You Can Achieve When You Believe

I FINALLY scrapbooked our family photo at my graduation from WGU in the Spring of 2017.  I know that is a little ways back there :).  I went back to finishing my degree in 2016.  It was INTENSE.  I truly felt that I was inspired and directed to finish at that time.  However, I didn't just feel the prompting and push to finish.  I felt the push that I needed to finish as soon as possible.  When I enrolled at WGU, I asked them if they thought it was possible to finish in 18 months.  The answer was an absolute no.  Somehow, though, I felt like that was the time frame I needed to complete my education in.  I sat down and mapped out how many credits I would need to complete in a semester.  Then, I broke it down further and figured out that I would need to complete each course in 2.5 weeks.  To help me stay focused, I printed out a little sign that said, "You CAN achieve when you BELIEVE."   

For 12 months, I slept, ate and did school.  Oh.  That's not true.  I also continued subbing for the school district in all of the schools K-12 and volunteering once a week in my daughter's classroom for 3 hours every time.  

Then, if that wasn't enough, one week before school started in 2016, the elementary principal asked me if I would be willing to start the year out for the English 4th grade dual immersion teacher.  She had just had an accident on her lawn mower and got a major concussion.  I said, "Sure."  I set up her classroom, met with her and went over the routines and procedures she wanted the students to learn.  That week turned into 4 months teaching full-time.  I had three weeks right before Christmas break when I only taught half-days, so I could finish my clinicals.  Then, on the first day back from Christmas break, I returned to that classroom and the Spanish cohort side.  I taught the first half of the day in Spanish and the second half of the day in English.  By this time, these two teachers knew me really well and just had me take charge of all the learning while I was in class.  I was also called as my ward's Primary President.  We had a rather large Primary.  I was over 110 children ages 18 months to 11 years old and 46 different leaders.  

Despite everything, I was ABLE to finish in 18 months.  I referred back to my little sign every day.  I deliberately capitalized CAN and BELIEVE, because it helped me to believe in myself when it was really hard.  We CAN BELIEVE, and when we really do, there is nothing that can stop us for reaching our goals.  

So much has happened since then.  Immediately after graduating, I was hired on as a K-5 elementary teacher and started a brand new blended learning STEAM elementary school.  That first year I taught grades 3-5 on Monday and Wednesday and grades K-2 on Tuesday and Thursday.  On Fridays, we had different activities, and I taught Spanish to students in K-5.  The staff consisted of myself and the principal.  Between the two of us, we did everything- admin, recess duty, instruction, interventions, secretarial and janitorial duties.  

That was 3 years ago.  Now, we are weathering through COVID-19; however, this feels like nothing compared to the three years before.  In fact, I feel that things went really well for me and my students this past Spring.  Looking towards this next year, I am not afraid or overwhelmed that I will have students in 2 grades attending M-TH in class; 100% remotely; 50% in class and 50% remotely; 3 days in class; and M-TH half days.  

All products used in this scrapbook page are from Close to My Heart or Stampin' Up except for the gold flourish stickers and dark blue cardstock. 

CTMH Halloween treat box

Hello! Hello! I made these cute little boxes for the sister's I visit teach.  I created the box itself on cricut craft room and cut it out on my cricut.  To do t this, simply weld the squares together to form a "t". I used CTMH'S Artbooking cricut cartridge for the overlays. I used white pigment ink to distress the edges of the box and attached the overlays using 3D foam tape.
For the bookmark, I stamped one of the scriptures fromCTMH'S "Look to the Light" stamp set with black ink. The flower background is one of the stamps from CTMH'S stamp of the month set for September 2015 using sorbet ink. Then I distressed the edges with bamboo ink.
Thanks for stopping by! - Dari :)

CTMH La Vie en Rose Display Swap 12x12 layout

How's that for a title?  It seems like I have been away for forever (lol).  During the years you have kids in school, life seems to revolve around that aspect.  Changes are made each year.  Each year brings its own challenges and adventures.  This year has seemed like there have been more.  Not in a bad way, but I haven't fully adjusted to all of them yet. 

This year all of my kids are in school all day.  I have one in each school (high, middle, elementary).  I began substitute teaching. I go help at the MS and Elementary one day a week.  In addition to these activities, I have been going to the temple once a week.  These are the things I have ADDED to life.  I am still a mother, still a wife, still a housekeeper/homemaker, still a friend, still...... the list goes on.  I'm not sure how to fit it all in (not possible).  What has taken the back seat is my crafting.  

CTMH's new annual catalog is now available, and I recently took part in a display kit swap.  I deliberately chose the  La Vie en Rose paper pack, because it did not "jump" out at me, and at the time of sign ups, I was in the mood for a challenge.  Let me just say that I have LOVED working with this pack.  I am so glad that I stretched myself, because I would not have ordered this and had so much fun if I hadn't stepped out of my comfort zone.

This is the 12x12 layout I completed for the swap.  All products are CTMH. 

Here are the ingredients:
La Vie en Rose paper pack
Fern cardstock
Damask embossing folder
Artbooking Cricut cartridge (title)
Blossoming Expressions Stamp Set (D1665)
Dye Inks: Saddle, black, pomegranate, grey flannel (whisper), olive (fern), new england ivy, pixie.
3D foam tape

I also used Cindy Loo Cricut Cartridge (flourish).

Thanks for stopping by! Here's to stretching yourself :)  -Dari

Gee, Thanks Box

Hello! Hello!  We had a family council a couple of weeks ago.  During this meeting, our children informed us that we hadn't done anything this summer.  "Hallelujah!" is what I thought; however they weren't as excited about that as I was :).  So, we asked them what they had in mind.  Afterwards, we decided to cram it all in within a two week period. 

We spent two days at Lagoon and 4 days at Bear Lake.  We are home now, and maybe I can recuperate again before school starts (at least it's a thought).

I'm back and ready to craft again. I shared the cricut file I created for this box awhile ago.  If you'd like to use it, you can go to my website daris-corner.weebly.com.  On the top of the screen, go to Cricut Files.  You should be able to find it from there.

I stamped the background using one of my favorite stamp sets from CTMH "Give a Lift" with Bamboo ink.  Then, I colored it with my Crayola colored pencils, folded it, glued it, and punched the holes for the string.

For the tag, I used CTMH's Hostess Rewards tag set in the current Seasonal Expressions supplement (can't remember the name, and it's not right with me). I stamped the background in bamboo and the sentiment with desert sand.  I don't have the cricut cartridge that goes with the stamp set, so I just used my paper trimmer and scissors.

Thanks for stopping by! As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask :). -Dari

Wedding Explosion Box

 Hello! Hello!  I created this explosion  box for my niece as a bridal shower gift. The color combination was harder for me to work with than I thought it would be; however, I like the results :).

 There are 8 pockets inside with a tag in each for journaling or adding additional photos.  There are 12 designated spots for photos.

 These pretty little flowers were made using CTMH's Flowers For Mom (B1473) stamp set, pansy purple dye ink, cranberry dye ink, versamark ink, gold embossing powder and my heat gun. 

 I love how simple yet elegant this layer turned out.  I cut this flourish out on my Cricut using the Cindy Loo cartridge. The fun sentiment came from one of my favorite stamp sets: CTMH Your Own Kind of Wonderful (D1627).

 I was pleasantly surprised with the lacy feel of this layer!   I love how the punched border complements and accentuates the stamped images.  For this layer, I used CTMH's Flowers for Mom Stamp set (flower), Believe in Yourself C1574 (corner flourish and swirl flourish), Saddle, Cocoa, Cranberry, Barn Red dye inks, Zig Emboss  pen, and Lavender Pearl Ex powder. 

Just a note, although you can't see it in the photo, there is a purple metallic shine in the center of the flower.  I created this by coloring the center of the flower with my Zig Embossing pen, brushing the Pearl Ex over it with a paint brush, wiping off the extra powder and heat embossing it to set it.  I used this technique a lot in this box.

Just realized this photo is upside down and having a moment of, "I don't want to fix it."  I love the center layer of this box.  It really is the "icing on the cake" :).  The photo above (glittery lace border) is on two sides and the flowers shown here make up the other two sides of this layer.  I used the same technique described above with the Pearl Ex on these flowers.   For the sentiment on the center bottom shown here (upside down), I used CTMH's Happy To Be Friends Stamp Set (C1605) and Cocoa dye ink. It is simply beautiful!

My niece was so excited about her gift.  She said, "I've seen your boxes on Facebook and have really wanted one!"  Well, this one was totally customized just for her :). 

I did not identify the stamps used for the box top, so here they are: Blossom WOTG Stamp Set (leaves) stamped with New England Ivy, Flowers for Mom (techniques mentioned in post), February 2015 SOTM A Happy Hello (S1502) for the circle pendant.

Thanks for stopping by! -Dari

Chalk It Up Teacher Appreciation Gift

Hello! Hello!  Tomorrow is my Princess' last day of Kindergarten.  I picked up two bottles of lotion from the store for her teacher and their class' aid.

I am tickled with the end result of these :).  I created a CCR file for the box/container/wrap (whatever you want to call it)!  You can download it on my website: daris-corner.weebly.com.

Ingredients I used for this project are: (all CTMH except the glitter chipboard)

*Chalk It Up paper pack
*Dye inks: sorbet, black, flaxen, lagoon
*Believe in Yourself Stamp Set (C1574)- back side on corners
*Pretty Petals Stamp Set (C1599)
*Give a Lift Stamp Set (D1581)
*White Daisy Cardstock
*Fiskars Paper trimmer/scorer
*3D Foam Dots
*Dots- Aqua
glue
lagoon equivalent of glitter chipboard (front and inside bottom to stabilize and strengthen)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to hear from my readers :).  Hope you have a great day. -Dari


Ha! Ha!  So, I completely forgot to give you the scoring measurements for this fun box :).  After you cut it out on your Cricut, you are going to score the long rectangle (along the long side) at: 3/4 inch.

On the smaller rectangle with the oval cut out, score 1/2 inch from the shorter edge.  On the longer side from the oval, score at 1/2 inch and 1 1/2 inch.

Fold along the score lines of the long rectangle the same direction.  This forms the base of your gift container.

Fold along the score lines of the small rectangle in opposite directions. 

Place glue on the 3/4" section of the long rectangle and line up the 1 1/2" high section of the smaller rectangle to the edge.  Press into place. Make sure you glue the 3/4" tab on the backside of the smaller rectangle.

At this point, I found it best to insert my gift (lotion) into the oval before gluing the 1/2" tab to the backside of the container.

Enjoy! -Dari

Star Spangled Wreath

Hello! Hello!  Here is my fourth project for our upcoming Craft 'N Mingle.  I got the inspiration for this project from the blog littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com.  She has an awesome tutorial for this project. 

I began with a 10 inch white paper wreath I cut on my Cricut.  The inside dimensions were 7 inches.  All of the stars are the same size- 3 inches (Cricut Craft Room Basic Shapes).  There are 10 craft colored stars and 6 each of the blue, red and off white.

I distressed all of the edges with Desert Sand dye ink. For the blue stars, I ran them through the Cuttlebug using CTMH's dot embossing folder.  For the red stars, I stamped a background using CTMH's Baroque Borders (S1208): an old stamp of the month set with cranberry ink.  The off white stars are stamped with a type font background stamp I have using black ink.

The cute flag is an old CTMH rubber stamp that I dug out of my daughter's stash.  I love that stamp.  I stamped it twice and cut out part of the second image to layer and give it dimension and used 3D foam tape to assemble.

I adhered EVERYTHING using CTMH's Bonding Glue Pen and Liquid Glass.

I hope you enjoy it!  If you would like to join me on June 20th and make one of your own, the cost is $10 for this project.  Just let me know :).  I'd love to help you make your own!

Thanks for stopping by :) -Dari

CTMH Tic-Tac gift

Hello! Hello!  Who said Tic-Tacs can't be a great gift?  I would even love this (and I don't like tic-tacs) :). 

This is one of the 5 projects I am offering at our Craft 'N Mingle on June 20th here in Oakley, UT.  The project costs $4.50.  This includes the tic-tacs.  Wouldn't these be perfect for Visiting Teaching handouts; Just Because/Thinking of You/Pick Me Up gifts; Teacher Appreciation gifts.......? 

I have to admit that the Hopscotch paper packet hasn't been as easy for me to work with as I had hoped.  I love the colors of this pack, but I've had a harder time with the "juices" flowing with it.  However, you would never know from this project.  I love it!

I created the box using my Cricut.  It took quite awhile (longer than I expected) and several attempts before I was successful.  You can import your own Cricut Craft Room File for this on my website daris-corner.weebly.com. 

I will post a YouTube video for this shortly.

The ingredients I used for this project (all CTMH):

*White Daisy Cardstock
*Hopscotch paper pack
*Glacier Thick twine
*Bonding Glue Pen
* 3D foam tape
*Hello Blooms Stamp Set (C1540)
 

For me, that's a short list!!

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy crafting! :)-Dari

CTMH Easter layout

Hello! Hello!  I can't seem to get enough of this Blossom Paper Pack :).  I really love it.  Normally, after I use a paper pack for a month, I am done with it.  However, I still love this paper!

We made this fun Easter layout yesterday at my monthly scrapbooking group.  I love how simple it is and yet how classy it looks.

Here are the ingredients I used:
*CTMH White daisy cardstock
*Craft cardstock
*CTMH Blossom paper pack
*CTMH February 2015 Stamp of  the Month Set
*CTMH dye inks: sorbet, smoothie, glacier, flaxen and sweet leaf
*CTMH bonding glue pen
*CTMH glacier thick twine
*CTMH Coral sequins
*CTMH Cricut Artbooking Cartridge (title)
*3D foam tape
*CTMH liquid glass (to adhere twine)
*CTMH New Year Stamp Set 2015 (the one that was in Dec-January).  Don't have the set in front of me at the moment.
*CTMH quatrefoil embossing folder
*CTMH Blossom Card Kit Stamp Set

We have a lot of fun at this group.  It always brings me smiles to create and visit with friends at the same time.  If you'd like to join our monthly group, I'd love to have you join us :).

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous weekend- Dari

CTMH FAMILY wall art

Hello! Hello!  It has been a few days since I posted.  I took a much needed vacation for two days, and we all know how life goes when we return- frantically running around trying to catch up on everything we didn't do while we were gone :).

This morning I finished my "Family" wall hanging.  This is the biggest project I will be offering at our Craft 'N Mingle on Saturday, June 20th.  The cost to make this project will be $27.  That includes the frame and everything! 

Ingredients I used for this are (all CTMH):

*Cardstocks- Smoothie, White Daisy and Lagoon
*Dots embossing folder
*Dye inks- smoothie, glacier, sorbet, sweet leaf, flaxen lagoon, pear
*Cricut Artbooking Cartridge (font)
*Blossom Paper Pack
*Coral Reef Sequins
*3D Foam Tape
*Bonding Glue Pen
*Stamp Sets:  Blossom Card Kit Workshop on the Go (D1649), Your Own Kind of Wonderful (D1627), Happy To Be Friends (C1605), Flowers for Mom (B1473). Believe in Yourself (C1574).

Non CTMH products:
*Glitter tape (Michaels)
*Liquid Pearls- pink and yellow

I'd love to have you join me at our Craft 'N Mingle.  For more info, just leave a comment.  You can shop for the products listed above at dariscreativecorner.ctmh.com. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you have a wonderful day :) -Dari

Cricut Butterfly Shadow Box

Hello! Hello!  Awhile ago I fell in love with a butterfly wall hanging that Gayle Wheeler created.  My friend and I are starting a Craft 'N Mingle Activity twice a year.  This is one of my five projects I will be offering at the Mingle.

I LOVE this project.  I can't wait until my craft room is done, because this one is definitely going in it :).  My little princess loves it, too.  She wants one in her room as well.  I guess it's a winner :).

The ingredients for this project are:

6"x14" (inside dimensions) white shadow box (I got it at Michaels)
CTMH Heart Strings Paper Pack (print paper, smoothie cardstock)
CTMH White Daisy and Glacier card stocks
CTMH Cricut Artbooking Cartridge
Cricut Paisley Cartridge
CTMH Quatrefoil, Stripes and Dots embossing folders
Cuttlebug floral embossing folder
CTMH Liquid Glass
CTMH smoothie and glacier inks
CTMH sponge
White Liquid Pearls

If you would like to join us for our Craft 'N Mingle, we'd love to have you join us!  The cost for this project is $20. It will be on Saturday June 20th from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The cost is $10 (building and food).  Then, you can sign up for any of the 10 projects we offer or just bring your own to work on :).

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Crafting!

CTMH Mother's Day Explosion Box

Hello! Hello!  I have had a lot of people on facebook ask about this project.  I thought I had the ingredients listed for it; however, as I was browsing my past posts, I realized that I didn't post this box!  I posted a similar one, but it doesn't have the ingredients either :)!

So, if you have been searching for the ingredients for this box and been unsuccessful in your quest, it isn't because you are technically challenged.  It's because my brain goes way faster than the rest of my being :).

Here is the list of ingredients I used for this (CTMH= Close To My Heart product):

*CTMH Blossom paper packet
*CTMH flaxen and white daisy cardstocks
CTMH Blossom Cardmaking Workshop Stamp Set (D1649)
*CTMH Flowers for Mom Stamp Set (B1473)
*CTMH Happy to Be Friends Stamp Set (C1605)
CTMH Delicate Wings Petite Perks Stamp Set-little butterfly on inside (W2028)
CTMH Your Own Kind of Wonderful Stamp Set (D1627)
CTMH Believe in Yourself Stamp Set (C1574)
CTMH dots embossing folder and quatrefoil embossing folder
CTMH dye inks: sorbet, smoothie, sweet leaf, glacier, lagoon, flaxen, black
CTMH Bonding Glue Pen
CTMH Lagoon stripe washi tape
CTMH Liquid glass 
*3D foam tape
Ribbon- glacier color and pear color (not CTMH but equivalent)

Whew!  That was a lot.  The * stands for products you see/I used on the outside of the box.

To download and print your own copy of my cutting/scoring diagram, click here.  This link will take you to my website :).  Just scroll down the page until you see the box and click on the file under the picture.

You can watch my YouTube tutorial for this project on my channel: Dari's Creative Corner.

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Crafting! -Dari

P.S.:  I would love for you to comment below if you make your own.  I would love to see your creation :).  Also, if you are interested in purchasing any of the CTMH products I used for this project, you can shop with me at dariscreativecorner.ctmh.com.
stapler with regular gray staples :)
Cricut- Craft Room Basics- the tag on the front and circle on the top

CTMH Just Because Floral Card

Hello! Hello!  What a beautiful day it is :).  I finally got my cards done for my monthly Card Swap group.  We meet the second Thursday of the month. I was browsing through my CTMH Originals  book the other day and fell in love with this card sketch.  I knew it would be perfect for my card!

Here are the ingredients I used:

CTMH White daisy card
CTMH cardstocks: white daisy, flaxen, glacier and lagoon
CTMH Quatrefoil embossing folder
CTMH distressing tool
CTMH sponge
CTMH Workshops on the Go: Blossoms Cardmaking kit (printed paper, washy tape paper, sequins)
CTMH Happy to Be Friends Stamp Set
CTMH Flowers for Mom Stamp Set
CTMH dye inks: sorbet, smoothie, black, lagoon, glacier and flaxen
CTMH 3D foam tape

Other: Cricut Cindy Loo Cartridge (flourish die cut)
Sewing machine

Thanks for stopping by! As always, if you have a question, just leave a message :).  Happy Crafting! -Dari

Easter Egg Sight Word Game

Hello! Hello!  I hope you enjoyed your Easter weekend as much as I did.  It was wonderful to be with my family, to celebrate, and to be filled spiritually.

On Friday I had the opportunity to help do one of the stations in my daughter's Kindergarten Easter party.  I chose to do this fun little craft/game.  Inside the box are little squares of paper with a sight word on it.  There are also 5 images of cracked eggs.  To play the game, you take turns drawing out a piece of paper and reading the sight word.  If you know it, you get to keep it.  Pretty simple, huh?  The catch is that if you draw out a cracked egg, you lose all of your squares!  

I created the box using Cricut Craft Room by welding basic shapes together.  I had all of the boxes cut out and scored to make it easier for the kids.  The rabbit on the front of the box was also cut out on my Cricut.  It comes from the Create a Critter cartridge. The paper is CTMH's Chalk it Up.

That's it!  I hope I have inspired you today.  Happy Crafting! -Dari

Dari's CTMH Cricut "Egg Throne" kits now available for purchase!

Hello! Hello!  These little babies turned out so cute and were a huge hit at our Girls' Night Out at the Library last night.  I have decided to create a ready to assemble kit you can purchase.  Wouldn't they make the perfect little "thinking of you" gift visiting teaching gift, or for friend's birthdays, or for a hostess gift, or.....? 

The kit comes with everything you need (except glue and scissors) to put together 6 of these adorable little thrones.  All images and sentiments are prestamped, pieces are all cut out (except the little birdie) and score lines are already made for you!  It really is a super quick gift!

The cost for the kit is $14.50.  This includes shipping and tax.  To purchase your own kit, visit my website's storefront at daris-corner.weebly.com.

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy crafting :) -Dari

CTMH Cricut Cadbury Egg Throne

Wow!, How's that for a title, huh? Oh well.  This is the project I came up with for my monthly Girls' Night Out at the Library held at the Kamas Library.  We discuss a book that we have read and create a fun project. 

The outer wrapping is made from a sheet of paper measuring 2.25"w x 9" l.  You could simply cut a piece of paper to these dimensions and then score slightly more than 3.75" from each end; however, I created a template using my Cricut that includes the fun little tag top and window cut out :).  You can look for this YouTube tutorial soon!

The throne is made from a rectangle measuring 2.25" w  x 2" l.  You could simply score 1/2" on all sides and cut a slit on the end squares for your tabs.  You would also have to punch a 3/4" circle in the center of your rectangle so your egg has a place to sit.  Of course, I did this on my Cricut as well.

I also created the window frame using my Cricut and then ran it through my Cuttlebug embossing machine.

CTMH ingredients I used in this project are:
Blossoms Paper Pack (absolutely love this pack)
White Daisy Cardstock
Dots Embossing Folder
Dye inks: Glacier, Sorbet, Sweet Leaf and Black
3D foam tape (window frame)
"Hello Blooms" stamp set (C1540)-birdie.  Not sure if this set is still available.  It is from the previous catalog
"Finding the Words" stamp set (D1646)- Amazing sentiment set.  It has something for almost everything :).

If you'd like to order any of the items I used, you can shop with me at dariscreativecorner.ctmh.com.

Happy Crafting!  Thanks for dropping by- Dari

Heart Box Cricut cut file

Hello! Hello!  This is my first attempt at exporting and sharing a cricut cut file.  So, heads up, this is a test run!  I hope it works :).  The most recent file I have in my Cricut Craft Room is the heart box I posted about yesterday.  Therefore, it is the one I chose- most convenient (lol).

Here is the link to my heart box cricut cut file.  If you prefer, you can go to daris-corner.weebly.com.  At the top of my home screen, there are page links.  Click on the one that says, "More."  Then, you will want to click on the Cricut Cut Files option.  You can find my box there :).

Once you click on the file, choose the save file option.  Then, you can go to Cricut Craft Room.  Click on FILE.  From the options, choose OPEN. Go down to the buttons at the bottom and click on IMPORT. It should pop right up, but if not, you will want to look under DOWNLOADS. Once you have clicked on it, the file will show up in your Cricut Craft Room Projects window where you open your files.  Click on the file and then go down to the button that says open.  Wah lah! 

Please let me know if it works for you :)!  It worked for me.  Thanks for stopping by! -Dari

Cricut CTMH Just Because Box

Hello! Hello!  I am so excited about this box :).  I have had lots of fun playing around with Cricut Craft Room and figuring out how to meld basic shapes like rectangles together to create my own boxes!  This is one of them. 

We will be making this fun box at my Mommy and Me group this Saturday at 11 a.m.  There is still room if you'd like to join us. 

The dimensions for this box are 2 1/4" wide x 3 1/4" tall (box part).  The tag sticks up 2 1/2" more :). 

The recipe for this box is:

CTMH white daisy, lagoon, and glacier cardstocks
CTMH February 2015 SOTM set (Happy Hello S1502)
CTMH Happy Birds Stamp set (C1600)
CTMH Happy to Be Friends Set (C1605)
CTMH dye inks: flaxen, lagoon, glacier and juniper
CTMH quatrefoil embossing folder
CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge
CTMH sanding block
CTMH Bonding glue pen

Other:
sheer ribbon (Michaels)
3D foam circles
Hole punch

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope I have inspired you to create your own amazing creation :). -Dari

CTMH February 2015 SOTM Creations!

Hello! Hello!  Two days ago I was browsing a CTMH SOTM (Stamp of the month) blog hop.  I was totally inspired by some of the creations out there.  One in particular sparked my creative juices. Jeanie Burch from clearlycards.blogspot.com created a very simple card using a washi tape masking technique.  I fell in love with it!  I had to use this technique to create my own works of art :). Her blog walks you through the steps for this technique, so hop on over to her blog to learn how to do it.  Thanks Jeanie for a great tutorial.

On the layout you see above, I masked off three areas and used her technique.  I began with a piece of white cardstock and stamped away.  When I finished, I was so happy with the results that I had to finish the page (lol).  Do you ever do that?  If I didn't like it, I thought I would just trim off the section I had stamped and save the rest for another project :). As I looked through my printed photos, I ran across this one picture from my wedding day and thought, "That's perfect!" Read on to see some of my favorite parts of this layout (besides the masking technique).

This is a closer photo of the stamping technique.  In addition to the February 2015 SOTM set, I used another favorite stamp set Happy to Be Friends (C1605).  The sentiments were perfect for my layout :).  This stamp set is in CTMH's Seasonal Expressions, which is only available through March (next month).

I not only used the February SOTM set for the background blocks, I also used it to create my focal embellishment.  I stamped the different layers and then assembled them using 3D foam tape.  On the white background, I used the leaf stamp in the set.  The larger flower I sponged more color on so it wasn't so white and added some purple glitter glue to the center.  It looked better before I smeared it with my palm (that's a typical me thing to do :).)

After I created my epoxy paper clip in the top of the photo frame, I had a little piece of stamped paper left over.  I couldn't throw it away because I liked it so much; so, I moved it around on my paper until I found a spot and idea how to use it.  Adding the three stamps (also in the SOTM set) and some of CTMH's lagoon striped washi tape, I had the perfect layout.

For this layout, I used the following CTMH products:
*White daisy cardstock
*Glacier cardstock
*Lagoon Striped washi tape
*Dye inks: Pear, Lagoon, Thistle, Glacier, Sunflower (current color- Canary), Flaxen.
*3D Foam tape

This was my first creation I made from Jeanie's technique.  I love the way this one turned out as well!  We need those days, right?  When we are pleased with the results :).

For this card, I cut a piece of white daisy cardstock to 3.75" x 5" and masked off a section that had a 1.5" high area to stamp. I used the washi tape masking technique.  Then I stamped the sentiment from the SOTM set (so many versatile stamps on this set).  I ran half of my card base through my cuttlebug. Next, I glued down my card front onto my base.  It looked fine, but I had to give it some more bling!  I rummaged through my scraps and found this little remnant of flourishes and the flower embellishment.  I thought they fit perfectly.  I put some clear glitter in the center of the two orange flowers and wah lah!

Oh, a tip if you want to use this masking technique- on this card I used some cheap washi tape I had that I don't see myself using again.  It was too sticky.  If you look closely at my card above, you can see some areas where the paper got peeled up a little.  For the layout, I used CTMH washi tape- not as sticky and came off better :). Shucks, I was hoping to find a good use for this washi tape!

I couldn't leave the inside of my card blank.  My blogging friend, Donna, has inspired me to decorate the insides of my cards as well as the fronts.  Thanks Donna! the inside is really simple.  I just stamped along the right edge with images I had used on the front of my card and glued it down.

The CTMH products I used for this card are:
*White Daisy cardstock
*February 2015 SOTM set (only available this month)  You can get it for $17.95 or $5 with a $50 order.
*Mini flourishes
*Skylark embellishment (discontinued)
*Dye inks: sorbet, sunflower (current- canary), lagoon, thistle, pear

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope I have inspired you to give this technique a try!  I would love to hear/see what you create from this post. -Dari

P.S.: To order any of the products mentioned in this blog, contact your consultant, or I would love to be your consultant :).  You can click on my CTMH link on the right. Have a great day!

CTMH Love Struck layout

Hello! Hello!  I found this adorable sketch via YouTube.  I can't remember the creator of the video; however, she got the sketch from nutsaboutsketches.blogspot.com. When I saw it, I knew I had to create my own layout from the sketch.  We will be creating this in my monthly scrapbooking group the last Thursday of the month :).

Here are the CTMH products I used to create this:

CTMH Heart Strings Paper Packet
CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge (banner)
CTMH lagoon washi tape
CTMH cranberry, slate and black dye inks
CTMH Forever in My Heart stamp set (C1604)- title and hearts
CTMH Take Note Stamp Set (D1574)- journal lines

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Crafting :) -Dari