H2H Challenge with shapes!

For the challenge this week over at Heart2Heart Challenges, we were asked to make a projcet using die-cut shapes.  Well, since my new Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge has been in almost constant use since the end of July, this was an easy week!  :-)

One of the things I absolutely adore about the Art Philosophy cartridge is the ability to create shaped card bases.  This week's card was made using one of them.  My daughter's favorite gymnastics coach and his wife welcomed a new baby boy in to their lives a few weeks ago.  I have yet to make a congratulations card and/or purchase a  gift, so I used this challenge to get my rear-end in gear.  In addition to the congratulations card below, I am also making a mini-album, and I will share pictures of that later this week (as soon as I get it finished!). 

With the exception of the elephant and giraffe, every single item on this card was cut with the Cricut.  The card base and patterned paper?  Yep!  The scalloped circles?  Yep.  The focal sentiment piece?  Yep (and the cut-out piece was then stamped with a coordinating stamp that fits the shape exactly.  Heaven!!)  The teeny-tiny little tag?  Yep again (and the little heart on the tag, too!  See the picture below for a close up of the tag!). 

Dimensional tape was used to attach the sentiment to the inside of the card, so that it pops out through the window on the front.  I have to confess, and say that I did use my Gypsy with my Cricut to manipulate images and create the cut-out in the middle.....but only because I wanted to create the layered look with my patterned paper. With this particular card base, the front panel is solid, so I used the Gypsy to cut out the squared image in the middle.  It would be possible to do this with a Cricut Expressions or Create or Imagine as well, using the Center Point feature.  You can also check out the new Cricut Craft Room online....and it's FREE!!  Google it.  :)  There are plenty of other cards on the cartridge that would have worked if I just wanted the center panel cut out, however.  I just like to make things complicated.  :-)  Here is a picture of what the popped-up sentiment looks like:

Now I just have to find the time to finish the coordinating mini-album, and give it to Baby Carter and his family before he starts Kindergarten (yes, I know that's a bit of an exaggeration, but I work slowly!).  :-)   Thanks for stopping by, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you and our Guest Design Team Member, Jane Haas come up with.  Make sure you use mostly all Close To My Heart products, and be sure to link it up at http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/ for your chance to win some great prizes!!

Materials used (all products are Close To My Heart,except where noted):
-paper: Elemental level 2 paper pack, Desert Sand cs, Pacifica cs, Colonial White cs
-stamp sets: Zoology, Cricut bundle set, Love Life
-ink: Pacifica, Creme Brulee, Grey Flannel, Chocolate
-embellishments: Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, Pin Clips, Pewter Mini-Medley, mini diaper pins (from my stash...maybe Making Memories?), colonial white ribbon