Bombshell Bookmark

Just wanted to share a fun bookmark today. I'm tired of boring old slips of paper, cards, etc. sticking out of my books, so I made this:

Supply List:

• Butterfly Queen unmounted stamp set, Bombshell Stamps (also available mounted)
• Storybook Cricut cartridge and any cartridge that cuts circles, Provocraft
• Blue Ribbon level 2 paper pack, Close To My Heart
• Parchment cardstock, Close To My Heart
  
• Archival Black stamp pad, Close To My Heart
• Dye-based stamp pads in Outdoor Denim and Honey, Close To My Heart
  
• Amore Uppercase and Lowercase stamp sets(Discontinued), Close To My Heart
• Exclusive Inks Markers in Buttercup, Cranberry, Indian Corn Blue, Outdoor Denim, Parchment, and your choice of hair color, Close To My Heart

Tips:

• I stamped my image on Parchment cardstock - it's light enough to color with the other markers and eliminates the need to color in all of that skin, lol! I use a Parchment marker to go over those areas that should be darker, such as the "behind" leg, bend of the elbow, etc.
  
• Using Archival Black ink will eliminate bleeding when you color with water based markers.
• I made my Honey colored circle resemble a spotlight by sanding the center lightly and sponging the edges with Honey stamp pad ink.
• To keep my bookmark in like-new condition, I slipped it in a vinyl bookmark sleeve.

Disclaimer: I do receive a commission on Close To My Heart products that I sell, and I do stand by our products. I receive no compensation from any other manufacturers or stores listed or linked to in this post. I have had a good experience with these linked vendors, but cannot guarantee that your experience will be the same. All purchases from 3rd party vendors are at your own risk.

"Dad" Word Weld file for Cricut

I created a fun word weld file in Cricut Design Studio for a Father's Day swap I'm in over on Down Paper Lane (a yahoo group). Since it took me a considerable amount of time to create I thought I would share it here, just in time for Father's Day projects.

The actual CUT file is the chocolate brown portion of this handsome border I made. Cricut cartridges required for this are Plantin Schoolbook, Storybook, Hello Kitty Font, Calligraphy Collection, and Mickey Font.

If you want to make the complete border, here's how I did it. I used all Close To My Heart supplies, and a sewing machine. I first cut the file from CDS in Chocolate cardstock, and pounced it allover with Chocolate ink using a finger tip sponge dauber. I cut a strip of Bamboo CS to fit the Cricut cut and sponged the edges with the chocolate ink. I ran the cut through my Xyron, and ran an embossing stylus around all the cuts to prevent adhesive strings. Then I adhered the cut to the Bamboo CS. TIP: Go slowly! With that much adhesive, it won't be easy to reposition if you mess up!

I next cut a strip of Crystal Blue CS the same length, but about 7/8" wider than the Bamboo. I sponged one long edge with the Chocolate ink and adhered the Bamboo piece to the opposite edge. Next I tore a strip of striped paper from the Caprice paper pack a little less than 3/4" wide (I used a Plaid brand tearing ruler.) and sponged the torn edge as well as both ends. I adhered the strip to the Crystal Blue, edge touching the Bamboo. I ruffled the torn edge with my fingers and sewed along each side of the strip with brown thread. Lastly, I added a pewter nailhead (discontinued CTMH) to each end of the strip.

Now, if you're ready to download the file for your personal use, here's the link:
http://www.4shared.com/file/109901452/5dc5fa98/dad_weld.html