{*Click photos to view larger}

Can you see the cute itty bitty ones? They were cut at 1/4" ... I just love those little butterflies. =) I cut the rest of them in sizes 1/2", 3/4", 1" all the way up to the big one which I believe is 2 1/2". I left the centers of the butterflies flat and then bent up the wings to add a 3D effect.

The cardstock colors used were CTMH Smoothie, CTMH Creme Brulee and CTMH White Daisy over the damask patterned paper from the CTMH Stella Paper Pack. Each butterfly was adhered down using Liquid Glass from Close To My Heart. Once all the butterflies were in place I topped them off with some sparkles using a few little dots of CTMH Glitz down the center of each one.

Here is another look at it before putting it into the 10" x 14" shadow bow frame...

TO ORDER THE ART PHILOSOPHY CRICUT COLLECTION, CLICK HERE!
TO ORDER CLOSE TO MY HEART PRODUCTS, CLICK HERE!

© Copyright 2012, MyPassionForScrapbooking.com | Mandy Leahy CTMH Independent Consultant

This is one of the 3 projects I created after being asked by Cricut to design some projects for a bigger campaign they will be doing with summer projects. Very exciting!!!

Since I love making paper flowers I came up with something fun using actual paper flowers cut using the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge from Close To My Heart. Nope, not the 3D ones... it was actually this one...

I cut them using Close To My Heart Creme Brulee Cardstock in sizes 3", 2 1/2" & 2". You'll need the 3 sizes to make 1 flower on the topiary. I took about 10 sheets of cardstock to cover the 4 1/2" styrofoam ball.

To help you out I created this quick video showing how to make the flowers and attach them to the styrofoam ball.

And if you prefer to see pictures of the process, don't worry I've got you covered too... 

You'll want to cut 3 sizes of each flower (3", 2 1/2" & 2") using the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. Then ink up the edges with an ink color of your choice. I used CTMH Orange on Creme Brulee Cardstock.
Next you'll want to take a little squirt bottle and spritz each flower with 2 sprays on the front and 2 sprays on the back. They will start to curl up and the ink will spread inward.
Now for the fun part..... wad up the flowers into little balls.
Open them back up and layer them smallest on top to largest on the bottom.
Now take a push pin and carefully poke it through the center of the flower stack. I use the foam pad from the Close To My Heart piercing tool kit so the pin goes into the pad rather than poking my fingers. ;)
Squish the flowers inward to cover the push pin and shape it to look like a flower.
Now take the push pin and insert it right into your styrofoam ball about 1/2" from the previous one and go all the way around the ball to create your topiary. Oh oh I almost forgot to mention you'll need to make a little hole at the bottom of your styrofoam ball for the stem (aka wooden dowel). I just used scissors and twisted them until I had the size and depth to what I needed. And to make the stem green I wrapped it in floral tape. ;) You could also paint it if you prefer.
Here is closer look at how they will look once they are put up against eachother... I started covering the styrofoam ball with flowers by going across the center and then the row above and below and continued until it was completely covered.

Once you have the styrofoam ball completely covered you'll simple take a vase and fill it with the green floral foam. I poked the dowel directly into the foam and covered it with the green moss that can be found in the floral section at the craft store. Now just use some thick ribbon... I used the Dark Chocolate Striped Ribbon from Close To My Heart and tied a bow onto the stem/dowel. I trimmed  the edges of the ribbon by folding and cutting at a downward angle to create a nice clean finish.... viola!

Hope you enjoyed my topiary and will want to make one too. Please feel free to share your finished project on my facebook page or send me a link to your blog post. I'd love to see it. =)   

TO ORDER THE ART PHILOSOPHY CRICUT COLLECTION, CLICK HERE!

TO ORDER CLOSE TO MY HEART PRODUCTS, CLICK HERE!

Copyright 2012, MyPassionForScrapbooking.com | Mandy Leahy CTMH Independent Consultant

My February GIVEAWAY is $99 in Close To My Heart Products -OR- the Art Philosophy Cricut Collection. Your choice!!! The giveaway will end February 29th at 12pm PST. Hurry over to my giveaways page to enter!

© Copyright 2011, MyPassionForScrapbooking.com | Mandy Leahy CTMH Independent Consultant

Don't forget to keep an eye on my facebook page for upcoming stamp set giveaways and the February Giveaway announcement which I'll also post up on my blog later this week.

Big CONGRATS to #605 Tracy Godfrey!!!
You have until February 7th to claim your prize... contact me here!

Check out the awesome February Stamp of the Month that you can get for just $5 when you spend $50 or more on my CTMH website, here! Also all the fabulous NEW Close To My Heart Products from the Spring/Summer Idea Book are available starting 2/1... hurry over and start shopping.

© Copyright 2012, MyPassionForScrapbooking.com | Mandy Leahy CTMH Independent Consultant

Details on how I made it: I used the new Stella paper pack (avail. Feb 1st) for the squares and rectangles, inked them up with CTMH black ink, cut the pennant banners using the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge with CTMH black cardstock, popped them up with foam squares, made cute little bows with hemp to go between the banners, added L-O-V-E with the CTMH cork alphabet, made an accordion circle with CTMH black cardstock, adhered that to the card and stuck a CTMH Rhinestone Designer Brad through a CTMH Foundry Pin Clip and cut out a 1" heart using the Art Philosophy Cartridge to place on top of the pin, added a CTMH wooden button with a hemp bow and lastly I added 3 CTMH sparkles.

Phew... that was information overload. Haha! I didn't want to leave any info out but this preggo mama is off to bed!!! I've been really sick and super tired this 1st trimester. Looking forward to feeling better in the next few weeks and get some energy back so I can craft more often. =) I've got so many ideas for upcoming projects and videos I want to create and share with you all.

TO ORDER CLOSE TO MY HEART PRODUCTS, CLICK HERE!
TO PARTICIPATE IN MY GIVEAWAY FOR THE ART PHILOSOPHY CRICUT COLLECTION, CLICK HERE!

© Copyright 2012, MyPassionForScrapbooking.com | Mandy Leahy CTMH Independent Consultant

I made this card for the Mojo Monday #224 challenge using the new Pemberley Paper Pack from the Close To My Heart 2012 Spring/Summer Idea Book. I decided to keep a sentiment off and just show off the pretty new papers, that way when something comes up I can just add a quick sentiment inside and be ready for any occasion.

For the banners, circles and the scalloped circle I used the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge (of course). I honestly have not changed out this cartridge since July when I got it. It really has every shape imaginable for all you card makers, scrapbookers, stampers, and paper crafters. I would have previously brought out my bulky punches and only had 2 choices of circles sizes and just one scalloped circle (which cost me $45 for just THREE punches in only THREE sizes) or I could have brought out my cuttlebug and dies and tried to get the right size for the card. Now with the Art Philosophy Cartridge from Close To My Heart I don't have to bother with any of that...I just load some paper in my cricut, push any shape and cut in ANY size I want. I would have to spend a gazillion dollars on punches to have just a few shapes in ALL the sizes I can cut on my cricut.

CRICUT TIP: If you want to line up your paper or stamped imagine and have the cricut cut perfectly around it all you need to do is move your blade so it is right above the center of where your paper/image. On your cricut machine there is a "Center Point" button... push that and then push "cut" (with the shape/size you want). That is what I did when I cut the circle so the hexon shape was perfectly in the center. Easy Peasy!

Have I mentioned lately how this cartridge is a MUST HAVE...  it will save you a bundle. So if you don't have it yet, what are you waiting for? ORDER TODAY! If you want to check out all the images on the cartridge be sure to check out my YouTube video, here!

Don't forget when you order $40 or more on my CTMH website during January I will mail you the NEW 2012 Spring/Summer Idea Book for FREE.

TO ORDER CLOSE TO MY HEART PRODUCTS, CLICK HERE!

© Copyright 2012, MyPassionForScrapbooking.com | Mandy Leahy CTMH Independent Consultant

{*Click photos to view larger}

I just love all the vibrant colors from this paper pack and it could easily go for boy or girl. So as you can see I added the baby's 1st ultrasound photo and in August when the baby arrives I will add the 1st photo of the new baby. =) See I'm thinking ahead and going to start scrapbooking for this baby now considering I will have a newborn, Maverick will be 2 years & 3 months and then Brooklyn will be a week shy from turning 8 years old when the baby arrives. I'm sure with 3 kiddos they will limit my craft time for a bit. Hopefully not for long though or I will have major crafting withdrawals. Hee hee!

Here are some close up shots {click photos to view larger}...

TO ORDER CLOSE TO MY HEART PRODUCTS, CLICK HERE!
TO ORDER THE ART PHILOSOPHY CRICUT CARTRIDGE, CLICK HERE!
TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY FOR THE ART PHILOSOPHY CRICUT COLLECTION, CLICK HERE!

Copyright 2012, MyPassionForScrapbooking.com | Mandy Leahy CTMH Independent Consultant

Perfect time to stock up on clearance items... Did you know there are even paper packs for just $3? Check them out, here! Or if you haven't purchased the MUST HAVE Art Philosophy Cricut Collection now is the time! If you already have it then how about some paper packs or coordinating stamp sets. Happy Shopping!

Don't forget all orders of $50 or more will receive the new Spring/Summer Idea Book for FREE as well.

© Copyright 2012, MyPassionForScrapbooking.com | Mandy Leahy CTMH Independent Consultant

{*Click photos to view larger}

I cut the heart base with white cardstock at 10", using the layer feature key, then just shift and the heart. Then I cut a bunch of hearts in a variety of sizes ranging from 3/4" to 2 1/4". The paper pack I used was CTMH Sweetheart. It is actually on major clearance right now for only $3.00 for an entire paper pack. SCORE! You can purchase it, here or check out other "while supplies last" items, here.

I also made 2 of the accordion fold circles... for directions you can check out my video tutorial here on how I made the paper necklace as it shows the accordion fold circles (approx 3min 45sec into the video).

To give the wreath some dimension I used 3D foam squares to have some hearts pop up and then topped it off with some CTMH rhinestone sparkles.

On the back I simply hot glued some ribbon on and it was ready to hang. =)

 
And for those of you wanting to see the backside of the wreath... here you go...

Products Used:
Paper: CTMH Sweetheart (retired clearance item)
Tools: CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge
Extras: CTMH Sparkles & CTMH Ribbon

TO ORDER THE ART PHILOSOPHY CRICUT CARTRIDGE, CLICK HERE!
TO ORDER CLOSE TO MY HEART PRODUCTS, CLICK HERE!
TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY FOR THE ART PHILOSOPHY CRICUT COLLECTION, CLICK HERE!

Don't forget if you spend $50 or more during the month of January I will send you the new 2012 Close To My Heart Spring/Summer Idea Book. It's available to order from starting February 1st and boy does this issue have tons of inspiring artwork and of course MUST HAVE products.

© Copyright 2012, MyPassionForScrapbooking.com | Mandy Leahy CTMH Independent Consultant

To order any of these products, CLICK HERE! These is a search field on the right side where you can easily locate the retiring product you're looking for.

Don't forget if you spend $50 on my site in January I will mail you the new Close To My Heart 2012 Spring/Summer Idea Book for FREE!!!

Big thanks to Tammy Jenkins for putting this great slideshow together.