Sonoma - Cards with "Shape"

My very favorite feature of the new Art Philosophy cartridge for the Cricut machine is the card 'feature' which cuts a fabulous card with each image on the keypad.  

For this shaped card, the base was cut using Cocoa cardstock, and then a slightly smaller card was cut using the paisley paper from the Sonoma kit.  The patterned paper card was then cut at the fold line, one half placed on the front of the card, and the other half turned over so the reverse side of the paper would be on the inside of the card.  It really gives a nice 'complete' look to the card.  For the sentiment, the image is stamped using one of the stamp sets that is included with the Art Philosophy cartridge.  The coordinating shape was also cut using the Cricut in graduated sizes for a layered look.  

A long and narrow card, this features different papers from the Sonoma kit along with the 1/2-inch 'zip strip' that is included on each piece of patterned paper for a border.  To add a little sparkle, Rhinestone Designer Brads were added to the sentiment piece.  

Quick and easy - use the Art Philosophy cartridge to cut a ticket-shaped card, add a smaller ticket shape with a stamped image from the included stamp set, and you have a unique card.

An overview of all the shapes that can be cut using the 'Card' feature of the Art Philosophy cartridge.  Some of the cards have specific shapes for the outline of the card, while others have rounded edges and a cut-out 'window' in the front of the card. 


All stamps, inks, cardstock, and patterned paper used are from Close To My Heart (CTMH). 
   

Delightfully Wicked

Wanted to share a couple more cards using the delightful Wicked stamp set, which is the stamp-of-the-month from Close To My Heart.  This stamp set has a fabulous witch, broomstick, scary cat, and witch's hat, along with some great sentiments. 

For a non-Halloween look, this card shows only the legs of the witch along with the "best foot forward" sentiment and the Dreamin' paper packet.  Both the double-edged scallop piece and the fancy frame for the sentiment are cut using the Cricut cartridge from the Art Philosophy collection.   A little 'sparkle' was added to the shoes using Glitz Glitter Gel.

To create the pumpkin for this fun Halloween card, three ovals were cut using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge and then stamped using the 'honeycomb' image from the Wicked stamp set.  The card is completed using a striped paper from the new Sonoma paper packet, a 'photo corner' cut using the Cricut, and a pumpkin stem which is actually the witch's hat.  This clever idea was 'stamplifted' from the very creative Jen Rubio. 

The Wicked stamp set is only available during the month of August.  The regular price is  $17.95, or you can purchase it for only $5 with a minimum order of $50 in other CTMH products.   

In addition, Close To My Heart is celebrating their newly updated Stamp-of-the-Month program by offering an "Extra! Extra!" bonus stamp set with the purchase of the August SOTM at the discounted $5 price.  A Typeface is a great little alphabet set that is only available this month and is FREE!  It has a retail value of $6.95.  

CTMH & Cricut - introducing Art Philosophy Cricut® Collection

Last week, Close To My Heart held their annual Convention at the Disneyland Hotel.  And I was fortunate enough to be selected to teach an Extravaganza class featuring the BIG announcement for the year - it is the Art Philosophy Cricut® Collection.  It is a bit difficult to see in the photo, but there is an exclusive Cricut cartridge along with his spiral companion book, three stamp sets with images that can be cut using the Cricut cartridge, and three Dimensional Elements shaped chipboard sheets which also coordinate with the Art Philosophy cartridge.  This entire bundle is only $99, and is available beginning August 1.

As an Extravaganza teacher, I received the new Art Philosophy cartridge along with new papers and other products being introduced about two months in advance so that I could create display boards and prepare for the seven classes that I would teach.  

The Art Philosophy cartridge is incredible - it includes 700 shapes.  There are 50 basic shapes (shown on this button overlay).  But the most amazing part is that all six Feature buttons of the Cricut are utilized.  

The Feature buttons are fabulous.  For each of the basic shapes, you have the following Features:

• Layer:  frames, outline shapes
• Decorative Layer: tags and frames with cut-outs
• Tag:  shaped tags with cut-outs, and ribbon slides
• Card:  shaped cards, and cards with cut-out image windows
• Font:  26 letters, numbers, special characters, photo corners, borders, spiral flowers
• Decorative Font:  26 letters with decorative stems, 3D boxes, envelopes, flourishes, doilies, more borders

You simply have to see the booklet to appreciate the potential of this Cricut cartridge.  Considering that all of the Feature buttons are utilized, and in such unique ways, this cartridge seems to be the equivalent of at least three 'regular' Cricut cartridges.

For a sneak peek at some of the possibilities, here are the three display boards that I created for Extravaganza.

Board #1:  Features images that be cut using the last button on the overlay, which includes a tag and a cupcake.  The cupcake stamp is in one of the stamp sets that is bundled with the Art Philosophy cartridge.  New papers featured are from the Elemental and the Roxie kits.

Board #2:  Features the new Sonoma paper pack along with some shaped cards, letters, and other images cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge. The stamps on the three cards are also included in the bundle with the Cricut cartridge. 

Board #3:  Includes papers from Wonderland and Believe paper kits.  Notice the variety of different card shapes that can be cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge as well as the large flowers that are from the Hooray Bouquet stamp set, and the holly leaves that are from the new A Holiday stamp set.  Both of these stamp sets, along with many others in the Idea Book include coordinating images that can be cut using the Cricut cartridge.  These coordinating stamp set shapes are in addition to the stamp shapes in the three stamp sets that are included with the purchase of the Art Philosophy cartridge.

And for even more information, CTMH has prepared a short video introducing the Art Philosophy Cricut® Collection.