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!

Joyful Stars Blog Hop - Close To My Heart

It's time again for the Joyful Stars Blog Hop!  I really enjoy participating in this hop.  This month, the theme is Holiday Gifts or Tags.  Well, I've done several tags already so I decided to do a Holiday Gift for my home.  If you've arrived here from Helen's Blog you are on the right track.  So without further ado, here is my project.

I took a Glass Craft Block and filled it with Buffalo Snow, Snow Sparkles and a strand of 20 white cord lights.  Next, using Cashmere and Ruby Pigment Ink, I inked the edges, sprinkled with Clear Embossing Powder, Prisma Glitter and heated it, to give the effect of ice around the block.  The CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge has a key that includes the negative space "Peace" and the Poinsettias (page 80.)  I cut the sentiment in Champagne and the Poinsettias in Ruby with a Champagne overlay.  Each was sponged, lined with Prisma Glitter and attached to the block with Liquid Glass.  Last but not least, I wrapped the block with Deco Mesh and Ribbon and tied the big bow for the top.  Here is a picture of it in it's new home by my fireplace.

That's it in the lower right hand corner all lit up.  By the way, I used a great deal of Deco Mesh this year for my decorating and I will give some tips but that is for another post.  :o)  It's time to hop over to Elizabeth's Blog to see what she has created for us.  If you get lost along the way you can always head back to the Joyce's blog to find the full list of participants.  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!

CTMH Christmas Card

The CTMH Holiday's From The Heart Gift Guide has several great Holiday stamp sets.  One such stamp is called Mary and Babe (C1562.)  It is a beautifully drawn set that has 3 images, 2 Bible Verses and a sentiment.  While it is a line stamp and could be colored, I wanted to try it using heat embossing instead.

When I was thinking about how I should complete the card, I knew that I wanted to do something that was both simple and elegant.  The first Cocoa mat is 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 inches.  I then cut the Colonial White mat to 5 1/4 x 4 inches, cut it in half at the 2 inch mark and ran each piece through the Big Kick using 2 separate embossing folders.  I hid the seam with the Cocoa and Colonial White strip.  While the Big Kick was out, I used my Spellbinders to cut a small mat for the star.  A little heat embossing and cutting out, a bow tied and the card was done. 

I always try to match the papers and layout to the style of the card. For this card,  I wanted to do a stylish, elegant style befitting this beautiful stamp.  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 Holidays From The Heart Gift Guide

Finally, the Holidays From The Heart Gift Guide is here!  This is the first time that I remember CTMH releasing an Idea Book supplement and the just released products are terrific.  The Gift Guide is a 21 page pamphlet that contains a new paper packet, a gift bag set, stamps, sparkles ... oh my!  :o)

 

This is a card that I made using the new paper that is called "Sparkle and Shine."  The paper packet is hard to describe as the patterns include fun ornaments, polka dots, hounds tooth, a lattice pattern and these traditional stripe and small pattern papers used in my card.  The coordinating colors are Ruby, Slate, Whisper, Juniper and Sparkle and Shine Gray.  I think Topiary green would also look terrific.  This adorable little bird and the sentiment are from the Season's Tweeting Gift Bag Kit (Z1913.)  That kit is another one of those terrific deals that CTMH offers....6 large muslin patterned bags, a stamp set and the die cut tags that you need to spice up your gift giving.  And, the stamp set is so cute, after your bags are made, you use the stamp set to make cards.  :o)

 

 



If you click on the cover, the link will take you to a place to view all the fun products in the guide.  I also just want to say, that not everything in the guide is Christmas based.  There are great stamp sets for Valentines Day along with a stamp set that has a Hot Air Balloon!  Some of the items in the Gift Guide are "While Supplies Last," while others are sneak peaks at items that will be in the Spring 2014 book.  So my suggestion is to check out the guide on my website and make sure you get in on the fun!  By the way, if you order over $100 from either the guide or the current IB, you'll get to pick one of the marked items in the book for free!  The potentially free items are clearly marked with a star in the guide.

I hope you enjoy the guide!  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!