Easter Chick Basket (with FREE cutting file download)

My talented friend and fellow Consultant Christine Adams posted a unbelievably cute Easter Bunny basket the other day that inspired me to create my own version.

Using the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge I came up with these cute and easy gift baskets and I've decided to share the cutting file with you!

You will need the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. Don't already own one, that's okay, you can purchase one right here. You'll be happy you did!

To download the free cutting file, click here to visit my giveaway form.

If you have any questions, email me at CreatewithChristine@msn.com

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Sonoma : Personalized Stationery Gift Set

Sometimes we all need a gift in a pinch, but we certainly don't want it to look like it. The Art Philosophy cartridge makes it easy to pull together a wowie gift just like the one below.

Personalize the gift by adding the recipients initial, cut out of Buttercup CS, in the bottom left hand corner of each card. Envelopes lined with coordinating B&T paper, a rolled paper flower and gift tag add the finishing touches.

 ~ * ~ * ~ REMINDER ~ * ~ * ~
There is still time to win my Party Pennants Stamp Set Giveaway!  [enter now]

and don't forget these fabulous specials that end January 31st!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Sonoma Paper Packet, Colonial White Cardstock, Buttercup Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock
Stamp: Love Life
Ink: Cocoa
Embellishments: Mocha Opaques, Natural Hemp
Other: Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge

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Rock the Block Perpetual Calendar

Another example of how I used the Rock the Block set with coordinating stamp set and Elemental paper packet - a perpetual calendar. Below the photo I've included tips on what to put on each block to save you from having to figure it out the hard way like I did.Block 1 - Jan, Feb, Mar, blank side - Top: Apr  Bottom: decorated with stamped image
Block 2 - May, Jun, Jul, blank side - Top: Aug  Bottom: decorated with stamped image
Block 3 - Sep, Oct, Nov, blank side - Top: Dec  Bottom: decorated with stamped image
Block 4 - 0, 1, 2, blank side - Top: 3  Bottom: decorated with stamped image
Block 5 - 0, 1, 2, 4 - Top: 5 Bottom: blank side
Block 6 - 6, 7, 8, blank side - Top: 9  Bottom: decorated with stamped image

To adhere the paper to the blocks, I painted a side of the block with mod podge and laid it down on the paper. I then used my cutting knife to trim away the excess paper and rubbed down the edges of the paper to the block corners using the handle of my knife.

My month's are from the font on the Art Philosophy Cartridge and merged in the Cricut Craftroom

*You want to keep your sides relatively flat - this is the time to skip bumping embellishments. Oh, so hard to do ;)

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A Little Art Philosophy Take Out

Did you know that Close To My Heart now carries Kraft Cardstock? It's the perfect neutral. For this quick gift box, I cut the Art Philosophy take out box out of kraft, added a wee bit of stamping using Party Pennants and Love Life and finished it off with my favorite ribbon.

Tip: Rather than wrapping the ribbon all the way around the box and tying the bow on top, I wrapped a piece of ribbon just long enough to go around the box and tape under each side flap. Then I tied a pretty bow and attached it to the top. This way the recipient can open the gift, close it again without having to worry about tying another bow and still have it looking pretty. What I like best about this method is that the original recipient is likely to reuse it and I'm all about my crafts being used forward. 

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It's the Presentation That Makes the Gift

Looking for a cute way to spruce up a simple gift? The fry box decorated with a rolled paper rose from Close To My Heart's Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge offers the perfect presentation for anything from a set of handmade cards to gift cards to hot cocoa packets. 

You may notice that the outside paper comes from the Elemental Paper Packet, while the insides comes from Typeset. Here's a tip, before cutting your shape, adhere your two pieces of paper with a spray adhesive and then you'll only have to cut once.

Finished off with my favorite ribbon, stamped images (Harvest Happiness - cut with AP) and pins from the Bling Assortment I simply can't wait to fill it and brighten my son's bus drivers day with it!

Thank you Lisa for hosting the Art Philosophy blog hop!

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Art Philosophy: Perfect Finish for our Teacher's Christmas Gifts

Each year, I try to come up with something unique for the boys teachers. This year they will be receiving candy dishes decorated in buttons and crayons and finished with an Art Philosophy paper flower bouquet. (want another idea, see what I made for the end of the year gift)

Create custom sparkles with an inexpensive set of Bic Mark It permanent markers. You can even blend colors. The light gold wasn't dark enough for me, but the orange was too orange. I scribbled with orange on the carrier sheet and picked up some of the color with the light gold to make my own custom "gold" color.

For the flowers I used the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge and cut out Flower7 (pg 3) in Cranberry and New England Ivy in increasing 1/2 increments starting at 2.5". Attached each layer with foam tape for dimension.

To make them sparkle, I lined the edges with Red Glitz Glitter Gel. Then I finished them off with three sparkles in the center of each flower.

For the flower stems I used bamboo skewers and dyed them with our Close To My Heart New England Ivy reinker. Put a few drops in a bag to coat the skewers. Then roll them out onto paper towels to soak up some of the ink and make them dry faster.

Create a custom candy dish by gluing crayons around the outside of a glass dish with hot glue. My recommendation is to stick with a round dish wish straight upright sides and go smaller. I was amazed at how many crayons this took to complete. I bought the biggest box and used over half. Not as cost effective as I had intended, but still cute. You might want to consider stocking up on crayons at the beginning of the school year when they are on sale.

*I sprayed the bottom of the dish after the crayons were glued on with a clear spray paint to seal the crayons.

For the second candy dish I pulled out my stash of buttons. Honestly, I think I like the button version even better. Which one is your favorite?

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See it all 700 images here - CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge

I've received quite a few requests to see all 700 images that the new Close To My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge will cut. I'm happy to oblige! After looking at these images, I am sure you'll agree that it is a pretty amazing cartridge.

Right now I'm hosting an Art Philosophy special, but you'll have to visit my Facebook page for the details (while you are there, "like" my page to hear future specials first).

Ready to get your hands on this new cartridge? Shop online at www.CreatewithChristine.com

- click on the images to see full size -

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