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!

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!

Lifting Spirits with Close To My Heart

The CTMH Holiday's From The Heart Gift Guide is just packed with wonderful projects.  It has ideas for the Holidays, but also ideas for scrapbooking and gift giving in the new year.  One of the fun new stamp sets is called Lifting Spirits (C1570.)  It is a terrific C sized set with an old fashioned prop plane, hot air balloon, clouds and 4 sentiments.  The paper packet featured in the Gift Guide are slanted toward Christmas, but pair the paper with Lifting Spirits and look what you can make...

I stamped the balloon image using the CTMH Black Archival Ink (44751.)  By the way, there has been a lot of chatter recently about using this ink with the markers.  I want to tell you that I've never had a problem using the archival ink.  The key is to allow it to set and dry in the paper.  I let it dry at least 15 minutes before I begin coloring.  That seems to be the key.  When I plan on using the ink, I stamp my image and then prepare the remained of the card.  When that is done, I go back and color my image.  I have even used this ink with my Copics without a problem!  Anyway, while my balloon was "setting," I randomly stamped the clouds in the background and cut my mats and banners.  Once I colored the balloon, I cut it out and attached it to the card.

This card is also for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge this week.  The challenge is called "Seeing Double."  I've got 2 double banners along with double clouds in the background.  :o)

Don't be afraid to use your Archival Black ink with your markers.  Just make sure you let it dry and set first.  Also, don't forget to check out the CTMH Holidays From The Heart Gift Guide.  It is not just for Christmas.  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!