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!

CTMH Happy New Year

Well, I hope everyone had a Wonderful Holiday Season.  I've not been around recently, not by choice, but due to computer issues.   So, please stick with me as try to get used to posting with a tablet.

I've spent some time playing with the CTMH paper packet called Sarita (X7171B.). It is bright, fun and usable for both card making and scrapbooking.  One of the great thing that CTMH started in the current Idea Book is to feature stamp sets from Jeanette Lynton's archive.  Jeanette is the founder of CTMH and has dedicated her life to to her family and this industry.  The feature includes stamps that were published in some of her first catalogues.

I am to not letting this opportunity pass, so I am using a really cute stamp called Teddy Bear Birthday (A1143) for one of my January Classes.

This is a square card for fun.  If you look closely that is an overlay I cut using the Artbooking Cricut cartridge.  I sponged a piece of Colonial White with Gypsy, Cotton Candy and Lagoon to give the card some visual texture.

I love the stamps from Jeanette's archive and, of course, I love the Artbooking cartridge.  Visit my website to get yours. For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Baby Cakes

Working an odd schedule today but I did want to get a quick post done before I head off to work.  I love CTMH's new paper called Baby Cakes (G1068.)  I used it to make that 8 x 8 album I posted a few days ago and wanted to use a few of the left over "scraps" to make a card.

 

 

CTMH is now making stamps called "Mini's."  This baby carriage(M1027) is one of them.  They are terrific because they only cost $2.95!  I colored it using my CTMH Alcohol Markers.  Just a reminder, don't throw away those "tiggles" from an overlay on the Artbooking cartridge.  The Sorbet zig zags are left overs from the baby book.

Well, it's off to work I go.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Artbooking, Baby Cakes and Kraft Album

Can I tell you how much I love the new Artbooking Cricut Cartridge???  :o)  I've mentioned that I was working on several major projects and I am here today to share one with you.

I just finished an 8 x 8 Kraft Album (Z1871) with a Baby Girl Theme.  I used the new paper packet called "Baby Cakes" (X7173B).  I will tell you that it is an odd color pallet, but is just so perfect.  Artbooking Cricket cartridge is mind blowing for working on scrapbook albums.  These is just so much...  images, a beautiful font, overlays and you can even cut out the actual pages to fit into the 8 x 8 album. Everything in this book is Close To My Heart, but I did use some retired stamps.  There is so much in it that I am just going to let you look and enjoy...

 

 

I've got to say that I really had fun putting this book together.  Artbooking is going to revolutionize scrapbooking.  :o)  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Joyful Stars Blog Hop

It's the Joyful Stars Blog Hop!  I am so happy to be participating in this hop for the second month.  This month, our goal is to share new anything new from Close To My Heart.  Oh my, with the new Fall/Winter Idea book now released, how does one decide?  :o)

If you've come here from Angelina's Blog you are on the right track.  And, here is what I have to share with you...

 

The paper is from one of the new paper packets called Huntington (X7174B.)  In the Idea Book, it is pictured with fall stamps, but as I studied it, I thought it would be perfect for heritage or vintage Layouts, too.  The Title, photo mats, flowers and leaves are all cut with the new Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  What makes this cartridge so special is that everything is cut on the same key!  Yep, all the goodies on this layout are from the "D" alpha key.  All I did was use different functions.  Artbooking makes it so simple.  Just a sidebar...the photos are primarily my maternal grandparents, my Mom is there, too...the young teenager.    I am so lucky to have these wonderful shots.  That is my Grandmom on the left in 1900.  The windmill in the lower right is the family sawmill somewhere near Cologne Germany...photo taken circa 1890.  Believe it or not, my relatives still own the business today.

 

We are all so busy that finding the time to preserve our memories is difficult.  Everyone needs a little help getting the task done...please meet my assistant, Bombay.

 

So, where or not you are lucky enough to have an assistant, the Artbooking cartridge makes preserving your memories so easy.  Well, I am the last person on the hop list, so thanks for joining us...or if you came the our fun in the middle, hop on up to Joyce's blog to see what she has created for us!  For Now, Happy Crafting!







The New CTMH Idea Book is Here with a Give Away!

It is finally the day to release the new Idea Book!!!!!!!  Party Hardy everyone because this IB is probably the best one in ages!  I love everything in it.  There is a new Cricut Cartridge that is ground breaking.  Literally, you no longer have to waste paper cutting images that don't fit on your project.  Just set the Cricut on the size of your layout the the title, embellishments, overlays and photo mats cut perfectly.  There are new wonderful papers, embellishments and stamps.  I hardly know where to begin.  Convention was a blast this year because of all of the excitement around the new products.

One of the special treats in the IB is in celebration of the upcoming anniversary.  Hard to believe, but CTMH has been in business for almost 30 years and remains as solid and innovative as ever.  One special treat are stamps from Jeannette Lynton's archive.  They are stamps favorites from years past that are being brought back for a limited time only.  So very special...

This adorable ragdoll is just one of those archived stamps.  It is from a set called "Stitched With Love" (B1425.)  There are soooo many fun things packed into this little card.  The pattern paper is from a new set called Laughing Lola (X7170B.)  The sentiment is actually from one of the stamp sets that come with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge...the first CTMH Cricut Cartridge.  And, that buttercup zigzag... is from an Artbooking Cricut Cartridge cut.  Ah...don't let those cuts from the overlays go to waste.  I am working on a project that I will be posting in a week or so...

Anyway, to celebrate the new Fall/Winter Idea Book, I'm doing a give away.  Leave a comment on this or any future post through August 18th and you be entered into a random drawing to receive this wonderful retro stamp.  Place an order on my website by joining in on the online party called Fall Winter Idea Book Party between today and August 18th and I'll send you a special treat along with two entries into the random drawing.  Comment on my Facebook Page during the same dates and I'll also enter you into the drawing.

Come party with me and celebrate the new Close To My Heart Fall Winter Idea Book.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge

Oh, am I ever loving the soon to be released CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge!  I spent some more time yesterday playing with it and it is really amazing.  Prior to the 2013 Convention, there was a post from Close To My Heart that indicated that something that was going to be unveiled at Convention was "ground breaking."  Well, let me tell you, it is this cartridge.  You know how so many times, you are working on a layout and you waste paper because you misjudged the size of your image or title?  Admit it, we've all done it... :o)  With Artbooking, you will no longer waste that time and paper!  Contained right on the pages of the booklet, are full scrapbook layouts with the mats, titles and embellishments designed to fit.  A few simple cuts and you have a layout.  There are also several mini books that are set up the same way.

I guess I am still on Convention mode, but this is a layout I did yesterday.  It features some fun pictures from Disney.  The best thing is that short of the stamped stitching along the sides (Stitched Together C1459) everything is done with the products contained in the Artbooking Cricut Package.  Even the title stamp and the stamped arrows are from the package.  How can you argue with that. 

Artbooking will be available to the general public in just a few days (August 1st.)  I know that everyone is going to love it as much as I do.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Introducing CTMH Artbooking A Little Sneak Peek!

Yesterday a box of Close To My Heart goodies arrived at on my doorstep!  One of the best things in that big box with a plastic bag with the new Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  Available from my website on August 1st, this is just a little sneak peek at what you can do with it.

It has been such a hot summer here in Philadelphia, that I thought it would be fun to make a winter card.  Notice the lattice work mat?  Well, that is one of the terrific features you can create using the new cartridge.  Contained within the cartridge are countless overlays and scrapbook pages.  The beauty of the cartridge is the programing...You select the size of the scrapbook album you wish to make and hit real dial size and everything on the key will fit.  No more wasted paper or miscuts!  WOW!!!  You know how much time and money that will save?

Now, this is a card you say, not a scrapbook page.  Yes, it is!  I didn't have time to create a layout, so I did a little figuring and converted one of the layout overlays into card size.  Artbooking is not for scrapbooks alone.  In the near future, I will post how I figured it out.  In the mean time, a few more fun facts about this card...the snowflake was also cut using the Artbooking.  That adorable polar bear is in one of the soon to be released stamp sets.  He was stamped using the Archival Black ink and lightly colored with the CTMH Alcohol Markers.  By the way, that is Prisma Glitter and Liquid Applique on the bottom to create the snow.

Keep checking back before August 1st for more peeks at upcoming new CTMH products.  When you purchase the new Artbooking Cartridge, remember, is works for both scrapbooks and cards. And, it is not always about the price...it is about the customer service and the friendships you build while using Close To My Heart products.  For Now, Happy Crafting!