Elf Christmas Card - Inspired By #2

I love Laurel Seabrook's new challenge blog "Inspired By". The inspiration photo for this week brought to mind, Red curves, Elves and Whimsy. As soon as I saw this photo I thought of Santa's bag of toys and the great little stamp set 'Merry Pursuits' (which is unfortunately retired).

This card is in a different style than I usually make, but I did have fun making it. I cut a piece of red cardstock 4 1/4" x 10 1/2", scored it at 5 1/4" and folded it to make the card base (the card base is 1/4" shorter than the finished card so that the presents at the top can extend beyond the top fold and cover it). I free handed a toy bag on a sheet of copy paper 4 1/4" x 5 1/4", cut it out and traced it onto the front of my card base. I cut out the shape (cutting through both back and front layers of the card and then using my pattern as a mask I inked the edges and folds of the bag using first Tulip then Grey Wool ink. (see below)

Here is the inspiration photo:

Here is the pattern that I drew. You can see where I cut the pattern in order to ink the image.

Supplies - All Materials are CTMH except where noted - Card size is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Paper - Animal Cookies (retired), White Daisy, Tulip & Dutch Blue cardstock, Solar White cardstock for images (Neena)
Stamps - Merry Pursuits (retired), Beary Much (retired), Tiny Typewriter Alpha
Ink - Tulip, Dutch Blue, Grey Wool, Sunflower, Clover Meadow, Tuxedo Black (Memento), Copics
Accessories - Color Ready Alphabet - Bold, Sparkles - Clear, Blue, Green, Red, Assorted Ribbon Scraps, two way glue, glitter, Black Waxy Flax, 3D foam tape

Joy Christmas Card - Inspired By #1

Laurel Seabrook has started an new challenge blog called "Inspired By". The muted tones, the word 'Joy' and the punch of green is what jumped out at me in the inspiration picture. Here is the card that I created.

Here is the inspiration photo:

I based my card on the Card Patterns sketch #144

Supplies - All products are CTMH except where noted - Card size is 5 1/2 x 5 1/2
Paper - Designer Paper - Mistletoe (retired), Bamboo, Heavenly Blue & Colonial White cardstock
Ink - Bamboo
Accessories - Dimensional Elements Monograms, Clear Sparkles, Green 1/2" seam binding (May Arts), bakers twine (May Arts), Snowflake buttons (unknown)
Other - Edge Distresser, 3D foam tape, Labels 18 (Spellbinders)

Gift Idea - 3D Frame

I created this framed photo as a Christmas gift for my mother-in-law. It features a picture of her as a young girl of 17 on a date with her future husband at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto in 1955. I love the Roxie paper with this photo, not sure why but it just says retro to me. The shadow box frames were bought in a pack of three from Michaels for about $12.

I started out looking at scrapbook layout sketches for inspiration and ended up using a card layout sketch. Since the actual working space available is about 6" x 7 1/2", card sketches actually work well. This layout was inspired by a past Mojo Monday sketch #155.

I wanted to do a video tutorial for this, but don't have the time right now. So here are the measurements for anyone interested.

Cardstock Background - 10" x 8"
Designer Paper Background - 10" x 8"
Left DP strip - 6" x 1-3/4"
Center DP strip - 6" x 1-1/2"
Right DP strip - 6" x 2-1/2"
I used my Spellbinders to cut a shape for across the bottom, but you could put a rectangular piece across the bottom at 1-1/2" x 6"
Photo Mat - 5" x 4"
Photo - 4-3/4" x 3-3/4"

I don't own a Cricut yet, but if I did I would have made some 3-D flowers using the Art Philosophy cartridge instead of the prima roses. I distressed the edges of the paper with Desert Sand ink and an edge distresser. I coloured the center rhinestone on each of the rhinestone brads with a Copic marker so that there would be a touch of Juniper on the right side. I changed the colour of the top of the pins using liquid glass mixed with black re-inker and popped the photo with a double layer of 3-D foam tape to pop it up higher.

Supplies: (all CTMH except where noted)

Paper - Roxie designer paper, Black & Juniper cardstock
Stamps - Circle of Love (D1438), Because I Love You (C1259 - retired)
Ink - Black, Smoothie, Desert Sand, Juniper, Black re-inker, Copic marker BG72
Accessories - Paper roses (Prima), Rhinestone Designer Brads, pins and rhinestone button - Bling Assortment, Bamboo Waxy Flax, Bitty Sparkles, 3D foam tape, Liquid Glass, 1/2" Black seam binding (May Arts), window charm (unknown)
Other - Edge distresser, leaf punch (Martha Stewart), Labels 18 (Spellbinders)

Close To My Heart Sneak Peek - Rock the Block Campaign

Check out the video below for a sneak peek at one of the new products that will be available in the Spring/Summer Idea Book for 2012. These My Creations Collage Cubes will be available in a special promotion that starts December 19th and runs through to January 31st. The Rock the Block campaign also includes and exclusive E sized stamp set.

It's Been a While - A Couple of Photo Frames Today

Hello everyone. I can't believe it has been over a month since I posted to this blog. I have been very busy with other priorities so haven't spent much time in my crafting room.

I do have a couple of photo frames to show you today, that I donated to a craft sale earlier this month. I picked up these wood frames at Michaels for $1 each. They suited the purpose, but I wasn't very happy with the stand (a small dowel to be placed in a small hole at the back), so I didn't make as many as I had originally intended. These would make a great gift, but I would invest in a better quality frame if I was to make them again.

The first two frames are the same, just different shades of steel blue cardstock were used.

I painted the backs and sides of the frame first with black acrylic paint. I traced the inside opening of the frame unto my cardstock and marked the outer edges of the frame on the cardstock with pencil. I cut out the inside opening (I found it easier to do this before gluing to the frame rather than after) and stamped the image 'Live, Laugh, Love' from the stamp set "Love Life" around the outside. Then I covered the front of the wood frame with 2 way glue, glued the cardstock to the front of the frame making sure to center the opening on the cardstock with the opening of the frame and then trimming the outside of the frame using a craft knife. I then sprayed the whole thing with a matt finish spray sealer.

The frame below is a result of:
a) not cutting out the center opening before gluing the cardstock to the frame. I trimmed the center opening after the paper was already glued to the frame and had a difficult time getting a clean cut (hence I had to add the additional black paper cardstock frame to cover the rough edges)
b) touching the front of the frame with paint on my fingers. I had a couple of spots to touch up with the black paint on the back of the frame and accidentally got paint on the front of the cardstock. This frame was suppposed to be the same as the blue frames above, but I had to change it to cover the unwanted paint. The stamp set used was a retired set called 'Make It Count'

For this final frame I used paper from the retired paper pack 'Miracle' to cover the frame and paper from the retired paper pack 'Perfect Day' for the rose. The letter stickers are from retired 'Silhouette' My Stickease.

New Blog Header

I have been wanting to change my blog header for some time, but just didn't know where to start. I happened to go to fellow consultant Tresa Black's blog on the weekend and found some great tutorials on doing exactly that. Check them out here!

Thank you Tresa! I now love my blog header.

Card Sets for Local Bazaar

I am donating items to a local Senior's Home for their bazaar which is being held in November. Here are some of the cards sets that I have already completed and I will post more as I get them done. I am packaging the cards with envelopes in sets of four in these great clear boxes from The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. I absolutely love these little boxes as they are perfect to slip your cards into after completion to keep them safe, they are great for storing cards and they provide a beautiful way to present embellished cards or sets of cards.
I tried to keep the card styles simple and easy to make (especially when making so many multiples) and as inexpensively as possible to keep the sets at a reasonable cost. These first cards used a great stamp set from House Mouse. Love these little guys. I coloured them simply (no shading) with Copics and mounted on black and white cardstock bases.

I totally CASE'd this next card by Lisa Johnson at PTI.

And here is a sample of what they look like in their clear boxes.

Supplies - All cards are standard A2 size
House Mouse cards - Paper - Black & White cardstock; Stamps - Birthday Cupcake (House-Mouse), Piece of Cake (CTMH); Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics;
Thank you Cards - Paper - Magnifique, Kraft & Colonial White cardstock (CTMH); Stamps - Circle of Love (CTMH), Say It In Style (Waltzing Mouse); Inks - Pacifica, Chocolate & Lagoon (CTMH), Memento Tuxedo Black; Other - Hemp, Spellbinders labels 4

Just For Fun - Attack of the Killer Apples

I have been working diligently on items that I am donating to an upcoming bazaar at a Seniors Residence so I haven't got anything new to show you today. I will post pics of the card sets I am making for the bazaar when I get the chance.

A friend posted this video on Facebook that I wanted to share - too cute!

World Card Making Day Challenge - Cartoon Inspired

In honor of World Card Making Day (which was Saturday October 1st - I'm just a few days late), Flourishes is hosting a fun challenge (FLLCWCMD11). Create a card using your favourite cartoon character as inspiration. I chose Donald Duck, one of my favourite cartoons when I was a child, for my colour scheme on this clean and simple card. I used Card Patterns Sketch 135 as my layout inspiration.

Supplies - Card size - 5 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Paper - You Rock (CTMH - retired), Outdoor Denim CS (CTMH), Neenah Solar White CS
Stamps - Mix 'n' Mugs (Flourishes)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Accessories - Bakers twine (May Arts), Buttons (CTMH)
Other - corner rounder

Baby Boy Congrats - Card Patterns Sketch #134

Nothing quite says purity and innocence like a newborn baby so I like to use a lot of white when making baby congrats cards. This card is for my new great nephew Case (I now have 24 great nieces/nephews).

I was waiting for the perfect opportunity to use some of my new ribbons from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. Love this wide May Arts blue and white check ribbon. I used this week's sketch from Card Patterns for inspiration. (The sun was hiding this morning so my picture isn't as pure white as is should be, the card is gorgeous in person.)

Supplies - Card size is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Paper - White Daisy and Sky cardstock (CTMH)
Stamps - Say It In Style (Waltzing Mouse)
Ink - Sky (CTMH)
Accessories - Ribbon (May Arts), buttons, charm (CTMH), white floss (DMC)
Other - Lacy Squares (Spellbinders), Swiss Dot folder (Provo Craft), border punch (Martha Stewart), 3D foam

Another Orchid Card - Timeless Tuesday #136

The Timeless Tuesday Challenge FTTC136 this week is to create a girly card. Well, this card started out really girly in my head, but after changing out the paper I was going to use for something else it didn't quite turn out as I had originally intended. Still very happy with it though.

Supplies - Card size is 4 3/4" x 6 1/2"

Paper - DP - Enlish Rose (Kaisercraft), Silhouette (CTMH - retired), Black & green CS (Bazill), Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
Stamps - Orchids (Flourishes)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Bamboo (CTMH)
Accessories - lace (Kaisercraft), satin ribbon (fabric store), resin charm (CTMH)
Other - Spellbinders Plain Ovals (large & small), Labels 18

Poppy Patch Card - Flourishes Sketch Challenge

I put this card together quickly today to meet the deadline for the Flourishes noon time Sketch challenge FLLC911A. This is an older stamp set, but new to me and I was really excited about using it. I am still working on my colouring with Copics, but am slowly getting there.

I used the same technique for extending my image beyond the Spellbinders die-cut as I did in my previous post. You can view a tutorial on the Flourishes website here. Love this technique.

Supplies - Card size is 6 1/2" x 4 3/4"

Paper - Designer Paper - Roxie (plaid), Silhouette (dot)- retired, Grace - retired (CTMH), Black CS (Bazzill), Neena Classic Crest Solar White CS
Stamps - Poppy Patch (Flourishes), Card Chatter - Thank You C1381 (CTMH)for inside
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Bamboo (CTMH), Copics - R02, R14, R27, YG11, YG13, YG17, Y21, Y35
Accessories - 1/2" black seam binding (MayArts), Black Waxy Flax, Bamboo Button (CTMH)
Other - Reverse Wonky Rectangles (Spellbinders), 3D foam

"Gus" Birthday Card - Mojo Monday 206

Hey all, I've been away for a while. Had a wonderful visit with my oldest daughter and next week my youngest daughter is coming home, so I thought I had better sneak a card in here. My brother-in-law is celebrating his 60th birthday, so I had to pull out my favourite digi image "Gus" from Bugaboo Digi Stamps

Normally I make these cards more simply with white bases and some contrasting bright colours, but I liked the sketch at Mojo Monday this week so I thought I would try something a little different for 'Gus'. I used one of Close To My Heart's new paper packs called 'Dreamin'. The opposite side of these papers, have beautiful floral designs, but for this card the more geometric patterns suited a masculine card better.

I paper pieced the robe and slippers and coloured the image with Copics.

Supplies - Card size is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Paper - Designer Paper - Dreamin' (CTMH), Brown cardstock (Bazill), Bamboo and Colonial White cardstock (CTMH)
Stamps - 'Gus' digi stamp (Bugaboo), Card Sentiments - D1111 (CTMH - retired)
Ink - Chocolate (CTMH), Copics, computer
Accessories - Anitque Copper brads, Flourishes Foundry Access. (CTMH), 1/2" brown satin ribbon (Offray)
Other - 3D foam

Cricut Art Philosophy Images

Here are all of the images on the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge available exclusively through Close To My Heart.

(Click on images for larger view)

The Cricut Art Philosophy Collection includes everything you see below. Be sure to check the Fall/Winter Idea Book for more stamp sets that co-ordinate with this great bundle. Order yours today!

Another Sonoma Birthday Card - with Ribbon Roses

While I had my Sonoma paper out, I thought I had better make another birthday card (there seem to be a lot in August). I realized that I hadn't made a card with hand made ribbon roses in a while so decided to make some of those for this card. I followed the Sketch #127 at Card Patterns.

Supplies - Card size is 5 3/8" x 5 3/8"

Paper - Sonoma & Mistletoe designer paper, Bamboo & Desert Sand cardstock (all CTMH)
Stamps - Happy Birthday (C1257)(CTMH)
Ink - Bamboo, Smokey Plum (CTMH)
Accessories - Opaques - Pearl (CTMH), cream lace (Kaisercraft), seam binding ribbon (May Arts - The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store), 1/4" & 5/8" satin ribbon (Offray)
Other - Spellbinders Lacey Circles & Plain Circles Small, Butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), ticket corner punch (SU), needle, thread, 3D foam

Sonoma Birthday Card And A Great Clear Box To Put It In

I made this birthday card for a dear friend of mine using one of the new paper packs from Close To My Heart called Sonoma. I love this paper pack, it lends an elegant feel to projects made with it. I used a Viva La Verve sketch by Andrea Ewen at SCS.

I am so excited about some new product that I received yesterday from The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. The wrinkled seam binding is only one of hundreds of ribbons that Sharon sells and the clear boxes are awesome. Now I can store my cards safely and easily until I am ready to use them and the presentation is incredible. See below for pics.

Here is the sketch that I used:

Supplies - All products are CTMH except where noted - card size is 6 1/2" x 4 3/4"

Paper - Sonoma Designer Paper, Olive & Colonial White cardstock
Stamps - Live Inspired (C1408), Gracious Greetings (D1265)
Ink - Smokey Plum, Bamboo
Accessories - Wrinkled Seam Binding (May Arts), Heirloom Assortment
Other - Border Punch (EK Success), Spellbinders Classic Oval Small & Large
3D foam

Here is a picture of the card in its clear case and also a picture of my Roxie birthday card in a clear case.

Just Had To Share - My Nephew in a Bell Commercial

How cool is that!

H2H Challenge - Roxie Bday Card with Altered Embellishments & Paper Rose

As soon as I saw the Roxie paper pack in the new Fall/Winter Idea Book from Close To My Heart, I knew I wanted to make a birthday card with it. This card actually turned out as I envisioned it (this doesn't always happen).

All products used on the card are CTMH except the little feather. I have created a video to show how I created the fan, rose and the altered embellishments. Check it out below. You can view my original Paper Rose Tutorial here.

*** Just a quick note - In the video I explain how I made the fan - after folding and adding liquid glass between each pleat I wrapped a rubber band around the end to hold it together just until the liquid glass dries - *** Remove the rubber band when dry ***

Supplies - All products are CTMH except where noted - Card size is 4 3/4" x 6 1/2"
Paper - Designer Paper - Roxie, Vanilla Cream, Black, Juniper cardstock
Stamps - Picture Perfect (D1363), Birthday Script (B1208)
Ink - Jet Black (Staz-On), Desert Sand, Smoothie, Juniper
Accessories - Pin - Bling Assortment, Charm - Heirloom Assortment, Rhinestone Designer Brads, Sparkles, Color Ready Kraft Borders, Black Organday Ribbon, feather (dollar store)
Other - liquid glass, fine wire, 3D foam, Spellbinders Labels 10 & Plain Oval

New Stamp of the Month Program - Free Extra Stamp in August!

If you have had a chance to browse the new Idea Book which went live on August 1st you probably already know that the Stamp of the Month Program has changed.

Spend just $55 on CTMH products and you can purchase the Stamp of the Month for only $5.50. To celebrate this new program Close To My Heart is throwing in a free alphabet stamp if you order the Stamp of the Month 'Wicked'

Free stamp set - 'A Typeface'

Stamp of the Month - 'Wicked'

Fabulous New Cricut Cartridge Coming to CTMH

In just a few days Close To My Heart's Fall/Winter Idea Book 2011 goes live to customers. One of the exciting changes to our product line is the addition of an excluseve Cricut cartridge that co-ordinates with many of the new stamp images in the new Idea Book. I have held off purchasing a Cricut, but this may be the extra push I need to finally pick one up. Here is a CTMH video describing the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection.



Fellow consultant Amanda Leahy has also created a great video to view the images on the cartridge.

Just For Fun

Saw this video on Global News last night, too cute!!!

Making Hand Cut Paper Flowers

Making hand cut paper flowers isn't new, but I thought I would share with you some of the flowers I have made lately.

I absolutely love how this Sympathy card turned out. The flowers are meant to be Florida Clematis. The flowers were made using good quality copy paper for the petals and printed paper from the retired paper pack Paper Garden.
Check out the video below to see how I made these flowers. For the flower centers please refer to my video tutorial 'Button Carnations' and for the leaves check out my picture tutorial 'Paper Roses'.

Paper sizes for flowers -

Large clematis - 1 - 3" x 3" white copy paper
1 - 1" x 6" designer paper for center

Small clematis - 1 - 2" x 2" white copy paper
1 - 5/8" x 6" designer paper for center



Supplies - All CTMH except where noted - card size is 7" x 5"
Paper - Good quality white copy paper, White Daisy, Ponderosa Pine and Gypsy cardstock, Designer paper - Paper Garden (retired)
Stamps - Card Chatter - Sympathy
Ink - Black, Hydrangea (retired), Grey Wool, Ponderosa Pine, C1 - Copic Marker
Accessories - black brads
Other - Embossing Folder (Provo-Craft), embossing stylus

Here is another 6 petalled flower I made using paper from the paper pack Magnifique

Paper sizes for Magnifique flower -

1 - 2" x 2" multi print
1 - 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" - peacock feather print
1 - 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" - peacock feather print



Eight Petalled Paper Flowers

Below I have another video tutorial for creating 8 petalled hand cut flowers.

Paper Sizes for pink flower -

2 - 2" x 2"
2 - 1 3/4" x 1 3/4"
2 - 1 1/2" x 1 1/2"

Paper sizes for 'Wings' flower -

Large - 1 - 2" x 2" - black print (Wings)
1 - 2" x 2" - pink print (Unforgettable - retired)
1 - 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" - black print (Wings)

Small - 1 - 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" - black print
1 - 1" x 1" - pink print
1 - 1" x 1" - black print

Paper sizes for Black Eyed Susans -

Large - 2 - 3" x 3" - sunflower print - (Magic Moments - retired)
1 - 1" x 9" - cocoa print - (Magic Moments - retired)for center

Small - 2 - 2" x 2" - sunflower print - (Magic Moments - retired)
1 - 5/8" x 6" - cocoa print - (Magic Moments - retired)for center
(can use 3/4" x 6" for center)



I hope you enjoyed these video tutorials. By altering the shape of the petals, the number of layers, the papers for each layer and what you choose for the flower centers you can create an endless variety of flowers. Try glitter, heat embossing etc. for even more variety.

Have fun! I would love to see what you create!