CTMH Christmas Card Challenge

As many of you know, I am on the design team for a challenge blog called Crafting By Designs.  It is a terrific site that encourages friendship and creativity.  Weekly, we do fun challenges that often push the creative juices.  :o)  This week, the challenge is to create a card using only the color white.  We were allowed to color an image.  CTMH has so many terrific images that are perfect for coloring but one of my favorites immediately came to mind to use....

 

It is the cardinal from the "To You and Yours" set (B1403).  This set was actually released last year and remains current.  I loved it last year and I continue to love it.   White on White is a challenge.  When I was designing this card, I knew that I would have to come up with texture to show off the different mats.  I used my Cuttlebug folders along with my scoreboard for the top mat to do this.  The cardinal was stamped using my CTMH Archival Black ink and colored with my CTMH alcohol markers.  Just a tip...  when you use the Archival Black ink for your markers please allow it to dry before you color the image.  I usually will do my stamping and go off and prepare the rest of the card while the ink is setting.  You could also use your heat gun to speed the process.  The key is to ensure that the ink is dry to avoid smearing.  Anyway, after the cardinal was colored, I cut it out before I attached it to the mats.  I wanted to do that to enhance the texture of the card.

I know that we are all busy right now, but take a few moments and check out the challenge on Crafting By Designs.  Feel free to enter a card, too.  I would love to see how you interpret the White on White challenge.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Christmas Card

I'm still busy working on different Christmas Cards.  How about you?  I wanted to try something a little different for this card and you will have to let me know if you think it worked.  I did some stamping and inking with the My Acrylix Blocks.  Ok, we always use our blocks to stamp because the CTMH stamps adhere so easily and the clear acrylic allows you to see where you are stamping.  But, what if you use the block without a stamp on them?

 



I inked the actual block with shades of Whisper, Sky and Smokey Plum and then randomly stamped them down onto the mat.  I wanted to created the sharp look of an iceberg.  I chose those colors because if you think of the sun shinning of snow and ice, it's not always just white...you have a prism effect of many beautiful colors.  I thought that these 3 colors fit the bill perfectly.  I added a little Prisma Glitter to the peaks of the icebergs, too.

In keeping with the theme of the Penguin Card, I created a "snow globe" for the sentiment.  I took one of the CTMH Treat Cups (Z1778) and used my Spellbinders to 2 holes in coordinating card stock mats.  The treat cups are open on the back so I also cut a back mat that would show through the front of the treat cup.  I stamped on the back mat and before I attached the treat cup (they come with an adhesive strip) I added just a touch of plastic snow that I use with my Christmas Village to create the snow globe effect.  The Penguin is from a CTMH stamp set that is exclusive for Hostesses.  It is called Wintery Wishes (C1560.)  If you look closely, I added some Liquid Applique (Z308) to his Santa Hat.

I really hate to mention that  Liquid Applique and the Treat Cups are all on the retiring list for this spring.  So, if you would like to stock up on these CTMH favorites visit my website to purchase them before they are gone.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Crafting By Designs Challenge

I am finally seeing my way clear to assume some of my Crafting By Designs designer team responsibilities.  Whew....  Crafting By Designs is a terrific challenge blog that focuses on creativity and friendship.  The challenges run for a week and many times have a great give away attached.  This weeks challenge is to create a card that features either a Christmas or Winter Theme. 

My card for the challenge features the CTMH stamp called Classy Doily (B1424) and the Frosted paper packet (X7175B.)  Both of these products are 2 of my favorites from the Fall/Winter Idea Book.

To complete this card, I heat embossed the Classic Doily 3 times in silver embossing powder.  I cut out the first image, then cut the second one around an inner design and the third I cut out the center star.  I lightly colored small sections of each with my CTMH alcohol markers for just an accent and the focal image was done.  "Noel" was also heat embossed in silver.  The two bottom strips were punched using my CTMH border punch (Z1851.)   A few sparkles, a little shimmer tape and the card was done.  By the way, the sketch is from "Make It From The Heart, Vol. 1."  (9035)  I love the CTMH sketch and how to books.

So, if you want to take a break from your cooking, baking and eating, hop over to the Crafting By Designs Blog Challenge and share one of your creations.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Christmas Card

Today I worked some time to begin to organize just how many Christmas Cards I have made and much to my dismay, I don't have enough made yet!  AHHHH....  So, I began to think about a quick card that I could design and mass produce. 

Close To My Heart makes it so simple to make cards quickly but that still have a special flair.  After all, the CTMH motto is "faster, simpler, easier."  I dry embossed Cranberry card stock and then sanded it to remove color from the raised area.  I love that CTMH card stock is white core....just another fun design dimension that can be added to any of your projects.  The sentiment is, once again, from that terrific Frosted WTOG stamp set.  It has become my go to stamp this season.

I was able to create 6 cards in no time!  Whew...  CTMH is the answer to Holiday card making projects.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Christmas Card

Well, it's back to work on my Christmas Cards and CTMH makes it so easy.  There are so many wonderful stamp sets and papers and it is hard to decide what I want to make.

I've shared several photos of projects that I've made with the Stamp from the Frosted Workshop On The Go.  If I haven't mentioned it before, this WTOG is the best kit CTMH has put together.  For $24.99, you get 15 card blanks, papers to complete all the cards, embellishments and a beautiful "D" sized stamp set.  Just love it...

 

The focal image of this card is made by "building" the scene.  I know that sounds hard, but it was actually very easy.  Here is how I did it...

1. The White Daisy mat was cut to 3 x 2 inches.  Take a  small circle of scrap paper for the moon and roughly tear scrap paper to produce the sky.

2.  Position the scrap circle in the upper left hand corner and do not move it.  Take the torn paper and position it close to the top.  Sponge toward the top with Sky Ink.

3.  Move the torn paper down about 1/4 of an inch and sponge again.  Remember NOT to move the circle.

4.  Continue this step until you've sponged the entire piece of paper in Sky.  The variations in the sponging will create the "cloud" look to the sky in your scene.

5.  Using Whisper Ink, stamp the trees across the bottom of the card.  You will have to stamp twice to complete your "forest."

6.  Using VersaMark, repeat this step over the trees that you have stamped with Whisper.  Vary the height of the trees from those already stamped.

7.  Using Silver Embossing Powder, heat emboss the VersaMark trees.

8.  Your scene is completed.  No two will look the same.  :o)

 

 



A little more about this card...  I used a White Daisy Card Base and the Gray Sparkle paper from the Sparkle and Shine paper packet.   The larger White Daisy Mat was dry embossed using an embossing folder and "Peace" was embossed in Silver.  It is from the October STOM.  I "grounded" the scene with the strip of Gray, White Daisy, Silver Shimmer Tape and Gray Bakers Twine.

 

It is not too late to make some wonderful Holiday Cards.  The Frosted WTOG and CTMH tools make it so easy.  BTW, we just learned that CTMH is retiring the heat embossing tools in February so, if you are in need of some of the supplies I mentioned here, or need heat embossing tools, visit my website to purchase them.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Close To My Heart Christmas Card and the New Stitch Guide

A few weeks back, I got the new CTMH Stitch Guide (Z1852.)  I have been anxious to try it since it was introduced at Convention and just hadn't had the time.  Time, I found the time.  All be it, I squashed it in between washing the kitchen curtains, windows and walls, raking leaves, designing a card class for my Michaels schedule and having my car inspected and walking home a mile instead of waiting for it to be done. 

Well, let me tell you, it didn't disappoint!  I used in to make a Christmas Card with Frosted (X7175B) and Yuletide Greetings (D1553.)  Let me describe the stitch guide...  It is a plastic ruler with multiple holes in patterns that you can use to pierce the paper and then stitch with embroidery floss or some sort of fiber.

The guide is several inches long and contains several patterns suitable for a 12 x 12 scrapbook page.  But, because I was doing a card, I used just a small flourish.  It worked beautifully!  I was able to pierce the paper and easily stitch the design.  I used Flower Thread for the stitching...a single ply fiber that was in my cross stitch stash.  I want to share a few tips I learned while doing the stitching....

1.  If you are using embroidery floss, separate the individual threads...any more than 3 will tear the paper.  Hemp and baker's twine are probably too thick.
2.  Make sure you don't pierce the paper too close to the edge. 
3.  Keep your thread short.  This will keep it from tangling as you stitch.
4.  Hold the ends down with adhesive....Tombow or ATG work great.
5,  Pierce your holes lightly...you can always enlarge the holes to accommodate you thread, but you can't make the holes smaller.  :o)

A few more fun things about this card...I used my CTMH Alcohol Markers and Black Archival Ink.  And, the multiple layers of mats are cut only 1/8 of an inch instead of the customary 1/4 inch.  This give just the hit of color.

Even if you're not a sewer, don't be afraid to try the Stitch Guide.  It is easy and adds yet another fun dimension to your scrapbooking and card making.  You can see it on my website.  For Now, Happy Crafting!.

Another CTMH Matching Gift Tag and Christmas Card

Yesterday, I shared a card and gift tag set that I completed using the Season's Tweetings Gift Bag kit.  Today, I want to share another tag and card set I created.  This time I used the Frosted Workshop on the Go Stamp Set and built a serene Holiday scene...

Because the bags are Topiary color, I used that shade of green as my base rather than the Juniper or Olive that coordinates with the Gift Bag Kit and Frosted.  To create the background, I roughly tore stripes of paper.  Because CTMH paper is white core, when you tear it, you have a layered edge.  I sponged across the torn paper several times repositioning it each time to give the effect of clouds and ground.  Also, because CTMH paper is white core, it sands beautifully.  Sanding gives an aged distressed look.  In this case, I sanded to give the effect of snow. 

Don't forget to check out the Holiday's From The Heart Gift Guide on my website.  I think you are going to like all of the goodies!  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Holiday's From The Heart Gift Bags and Christmas Cards

I just love the CTMH Holiday's From the Heart Season's Tweetings (Z1913) Gift Bag Set.  For $14.95, you receive 6 fabric gift bags, a B sized stamp set along with 9 tags.  They are just too cute for words.

We are using this set for our 4th Annual Holiday Workshop on Saturday.  As I was preparing for class, I realized that it would be fun to include matching Christmas Cards with the gift bags.

How cute is that to not only create a special wrapping for your gift, but also create a matching card!  Both the card and the tag feature the images from the stamp set that is included in the Season's Tweeting kit.  The card also features the Sparkle and Shine Paper Packet (X7176C) that is in the Gift Guide.

Here are both the card and gift bag so that you can get a better look at them.  By the way, the birdies are colored using my water color pencils and a blending pen.  I also wanted to share just another reason I love Close To My Heart.  Each of the images are separate stamps.  I used the banner stamp as a "booster" for the little bird so that she can reach the bigger bird.  The sentiment is stamped inside the banner after it was stamped.  Try doing all that with a wood mount stamp.  heeheehee.

Stop by my website to see the entire CTMH Holiday's From The Heart Gift Guide.   For Now, Happy Crafting!

Close To My Heart Christmas Joyful Stars Blog Hop

It's time again for our Joyful Stars Blog Hop!  Every month, several very talented gals get together and endeavor to provide you with great Close To My Heart inspiration.  This month, our theme is either Christmas or Thanksgiving.

If you arrived here from Nancy's Blog, you are on the right track.  As is usually the case at this time of the month, I am busy preparing for one of my monthly workshops.  This month is no different so I share one of the cards that we will be making at our 4th Annual Crafting in the Country Holiday Party Workshop.

 

This is a square card that uses CTMH Sparkle and Shine papers (X7176B), the stamp set from the Season's Tweetings Gift Bag Kit (Z1913) and images from Yuletide Greetings (D1553.)  I also used my CTMH Alcohol Markers and Prisma Glitter to complete the card.

 

Using my Artiste Cricut Cartridge (Z1790) and the Sparkle and Shine paper packet I made these fun 3D Christmas Ornaments.  I cut each image 3 times.  After adhering the overlay to the solid image, I scored them and attached them side by side to give the 3D effect.  I added some sparkles and Prisma Glitter to a little bling.

 

It's time to hop over to Elizabeth's Blog to see what she has created for us.  This is a circular hop but if you get lost, start back with Joyce's Blog.   Thanks for joining us.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

 

Close To My Heart Christmas

I just love the CTMH Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide!  There are papers, kits, WTOG's, washi tape and even an album.  I've been playing around with some of the items and want to share them!

 

 

These are two of the Season's Tweetings Gift Bags (Z1913.)  They come in a kit that contains 6 fabric gift bags, 9 tags and a B size stamp set.  They are so cute and work up so easily.  What fun for office or teacher's gifts.  By the way, the images pictured here were colored with my CTMH alcohol markers and had a little Red Glitz Glitter Gel added for an accent.

 

 

 

This card is made using the same stamp set that is included in the Gift Bag kit and the Sparkle and Shine paper packet (X7176B.)  It also has some washi tape, turquoise dots and prisma glitter.  I love the stamp set and being able to also use it for cards or even scrapbook layouts just proves the value in CTMH products.

 

If you would like to give these projects a try, visit my website and order a set.  For Now, Happy Crafting!



CTMH Frosted Card Workshop On The Go

Can I begin to tell you what a wonderful deal the Close To My Heart Card Workshop on the Go (WTOG) for the Frosted paper packet (G1063)?  First off, Frosted is absolutely beautiful.  It is shades of blues, grays, champagnes with coordinating colors of Olive, Ruby, Cocoa and Kraft.  In you kit, you receive a "D" size stamp set (WOW), sparkles, pattern paper, card stock, 15 card blanks, bakers twine and the great instructions.  There is so much more in the kit than past years and the best part is the price has been reduced to $24.99!!!

You get plenty of supplies to complete at least 15 cards and here is one of them...

This is a terrific card that works up very quickly.  It features a great technique called second generation stamping.  You ink the trees and stamp on scrap paper.  Using the ink remaining on the stamp, you stamp on the actual mat.  Then you re-ink the stamp and stamp directly onto the paper over the previously stamped image.  See how that creates the illusion that there are trees in the background?

The stamp set included in the kit are so usable that I wanted to create other cards to show off the versatility of the set.  The first card features a Cocoa card base.  For a twist, I've added Slate and the Silver Shimmer Trim (Z1799.)  An unexpected combination.

 

This card is an features Ponderosa Pine instead of the CTMH suggested Olive.  Ponderosa Pine is a blue shaded green and I really like how it works with the blue grays of Frosted.  I've added just a touch of Ruby Shimmer Tape and Baker's Twine for fun.  By the way, the holly in the upper corner is from one of my favorite Holiday Stamps called "To You and Yours" (B1403.)  The leaves have been colored with my CTMH markers.



 

I am really pleased with the CTMH Frosted Card workshop.  Stop by my website to check it out further and see what you can create.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Christmas Card

Well, forgive me for being absent for a few days.  Busy...so what else is new.  I've been preparing for an upcoming workshop and just had a terrific workshop last night.  In the midst of all of that, I was able to finish this card...

I made this card with one of my favorite new CTMH stamps called Classic Doily (B1424.)  To make it, I took a large piece of 140 pound cold press watercolor paper and made a wash.  I scribbled, yes scribbled all over the watercolor paper with different shades of blue and gray pencils.  Then, using my waterbrush, I wet the page to mix the scribbles.  When it was dry, I heat embossed the Doily image 3 times with gold powder.  I then cut out the layer, added some additional coloring with the pencils and a blending pencil and popped up the layers with 3D foam.  Last, but not least, "Joy" was heat embossed on a scrap piece of the water color paper.  :o)

The card also features the new Ruby Glitter tape.  A striking card, what do you think?  And, I just looked at the clock and I must head out to work!  For Now, Happy Crafting!