Showing posts with label 2016/17 Annual Inspirations Book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2016/17 Annual Inspirations Book. Show all posts

Sunday, September 11, 2016

CTMH Swan Lake and the September STOM

Another week has gone by and it is my turn to post a project using the new Close To My Heart paper packet called Swan Lake (X7212B) and the September Stamp of the Month called Blessed Beyond Measure (S1609.)  Swan Lake is featured in the Seasonal Expressions book.  It is a versatile packet that includes a sheet with swans, others with fall designs and still others with coordinating abstract patterns.  The STOM is Thanksgiving themed with a pumpkin, leaves and several sentiments.

I got energetic this morning and decided to create an easel card.  I haven't done one of these is quite a while so let's review the measurements.  First cut a base measuring 4 1/4 x 11 inches.  Score it at the 2 3/4 inch and 5 1/2 inch mark.  Cut another sheet that measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches.  This sheet will attach to the 2 3/4 inch folded tab.  When assembled, this makes a perfect A2 card (5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.)  This will make more sense when you see the card!

Clear as mud...right?!?  :0)


Now you can see how the card folds along the score lines.  When unfolded, and placed flat, it will fit perfectly into an envelope.

I had fun making this card because I used so many fun tools, techniques and colors.  I used the CTMH Artbooking cartridge to cut the pumpkin in Fern Card Stock.  I then stamped the pumpkin on White Daisy using the rock and roll inking techniques.  First I inked the stamp in Flaxen and then rolled the edges in Poppy to create the 2 tone look.  I cut out the stamped image and the attached it to the Fern pumpkin leaving the stems showing.  Also using Artbooking, I cut out the leaves in Goldrush and then stamped the veins using Fern Ink.  I sponged the edges lightly with Poppy ink to give the fall like appearance.  Helping to hold up the focal mat is a strip of gold shimmer tape.  The smaller leaves also act as a wedge to help stabilize the fold.  Here is the front of the card again so hopefully this makes some sense.

I you remember, my friend Karen and I are taking turns showcasing CTMH products.  Don't forget to hop over to her blog to see what she has created.  By the way, Swan Lake will only be available through November and the Stamp of the Month will only be available during September.  Check out my website for more information.  For Now, Happy Crafting!



Sunday, August 14, 2016

Close To My Heart Watercolors

It's time to share another creation with the Balloon Wishes Stamp Set (D1667.)  If you remember from past posts, My friend Karen and I have decided to feature a CTMH product monthly and share our creations with that product each week.  Today is my turn!

Watercolors are so hot right now!  You can use them as a background, highlight or paint with them.  Today I chose to actually paint my stamped image.

 Balloon wishes has such a wonderful main image that I thought it would be fun to frame it!  First I stamped the balloon with Memento Black.  After it dried, it was cut out.  I used my CTMH watercolors (Z3132) to paint the image.  Tip...when painting a round image, to help it look more realistic, paint the area darker on the outer images and lighter in the center.  This will give the illusion of the light reflecting off the item.

I used Glacier Cardstock for the background and sanded it to give the appearance of a "real" sky.  The clouds were cut using one of my CTMH Cricut cartridges and lightly sponged with Whisper ink.  Lastly, the "Up Up and Away" was stamped with the black ink, cut out lightly painted and attached to the balloon using pop up dots.

Please feel free to check out Karen's Blog to see what she is creating.  And, for sure, don't forget to check out my website for these products along with all of the wonderful Close To My Heart items.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Monday, August 1, 2016

It is time for a new CTMH Annual Inspirations Book!

It is hard to believe that the me has rolled around for a new Close To My Heart Annual Inspiration Book.  The 2016/2017 book is here today!

I've not been as good about posting as I once had been.  I start out with the best intentions and then life gets in the way.  Well, I am really going to try to do my very best maintain steady posts (this with a little help from my friend Karen.)  We have decided to share posting time by featuring a product a month.  This month, to celebrate the new idea book, we chose to feature a wonderful stamp set called Balloon Wishes (D1667.)  It highlights a hot air balloon that is perfect for watercolors, markers or paper piecing along with a number of useful sentiments.  This set works perfectly for both scrapbook pages and cards.  So without further ado, here is our first installment using Balloon Wishes.




I used Glacier and Juniper card stock for the mats.  The top mat of Glacier was embossed using the Confetti Embossing Folder (Z3118) and then sanded for additional texture.  The balloon image and sentiment were stamped using Black Memento ink onto White Daisy card stock.  Each was then cut out.  The Balloon was colored using my CTMH watercolor pencils (3505) and the color was blended with the blending pen (3174.)  Lastly, the sentiment was "popped up" using 3D tape.

This is just the first in many planned featured product posts.  Remember, I mentioned Karen???  While I'm doing the featured post today, do not forget to head over to her blog for some of the fun things she has been doing.  Next week, she will be doing a project featuring this same stamp set.

I am going to try my very best to keep this posting going.  It feels so good to be doing this kind of creating once again.  If you are interested in seeing the new idea book, stop over to Karen's blog or visit my website for more information.  For Now, Happy Crafting!