CTMH Frosted and Christmas Village

I have wanted to try CTMH's Christmas Village since I got it right after Convention.  Finally, today, I had a little time to play so out came the stamp set.  CTMH Frosted is perfect for this stamp. 

 



Christmas Village (D1554) is a terrific stamp set that has 6 charming Victorian look buildings along with a size appropriate tree, snowman and fence gate.  It even has a nice sentiment (not the one I used on this card.)  The minute I saw it, creative possibilities began swirling in my mind.  Everyone knows how I love to color and each of the stamps is a line stamp just perfect to color and shade.  Each of the buildings are individual so I can image a full village.  Love it!

This card is made with CTMH Frosted (X7175B,) Champagne, Twilight and Crystal Blue card stock along with Silver Shimmer Tape, sparkles and baker's twine hemp.  The sentiment is from a current set called Holiday Cheer (B1381.)

Stop by my website and take a look at this terrific stamp set.  How many possibilities can you think of?  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Huntington Workshop

It's time again for me to begin working on my October Workshop featuring CTMH Huntington.  I love that paper packet!  This month not only will we be using Huntington (X7174B), but we will also be using the CTMH Stamp Set called Perfect Fit - Thanksgiving (B1427.)  Why is it called "Perfect Fit?"...several of the images are meant to coordinate with the Artiste Cricut Cartridge (Z1790.)  No more hand cutting out those intricate designs.  Now you can cut your image, grab your stamp and create the perfect shape!

That is exactly what I did on this card.  I cut out the turkey and then inked the corresponding stamp in multiple shades to give my bird a realistic look.  We are also going to be working with CTMH burlap ribbon for the workshop.  The sketch is from Make It From The Heart Volume 2.  Instead of using card stock for the horizontal stripe, I used burlap.  The pins are also currently available on my website under "While Supplies Last."  I've always loved those pins.

Well, it's time to head off and create more Huntington Cards for the workshop.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH My Creations Bracket Frame

I think that I mentioned that I am teaching paper crafting at the Main Line Night School this fall.  This is the CTMH My Creations Bracket Frame that we will be making on the class scheduled for November 9, 2013.

In this class, we are going the be reviewing how to cover chipboard, making paper flowers, making burlap flowers and how to place embellishments for the most visual impact.  The frame is covered with CTMH Victory and features cuts from the Art Philosophy and Artiste Cricut Cartridges.  This class promises to be a great class and the students will have a handmade gift for the Holidays!

If you are in the Philadelphia PA area, visit the Main Line Night School area and sign up for this great class!  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Announcing My Second Annual Operation Smile Crop!

The time has come to let everyone know about my 2nd annual Operation Smile Crop!  Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 26, 2013!  We will again be holding the event at The Church of St. John in Lower Merion, PA.  The cost of the event is $30 for a full day of cropping, fun, food, fellowship and most importantly, a chance to contribute to a worthy cause...  Operation Smile.

Operation Smile is an organize that travels around the world providing free surgery for individuals effected by facial deformities.  It only takes $240 to change a child's life!  The proceeds from the entrance fee, along with monies raised from varied raffles and other fund raisers will be donated to the organization.

 

We had a terrific time last year and raised enough money to help 2 children.  This year, we want to help even more! 

 

 

So, if you live in the Philadelphia PA area, contact me for registration information.  Space is limited so contact me soon.  It promises to be a great event!  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Close To My Heart National Stamping Month

I haven't had a chance yet to share just that the CTMH National Stamping Month promotion is adorable.  It contains 3 D sized stamps sets and you can get it for only $10 if you spend $50 on product on my website.  What a deal!  And, what makes it even better is one stamp set is cute little images, one set are wonderful sentiments usable for both scrapbooks or cards and the third is a very usable alphabet. 

This is a card I made today using one of the sentiments and one of the images...

I think it is a nice simple card that speaks volumes.  It is a tent fold card in black with white mats that have been embossed with my Cuttlebug.  The flowers were stamped with Black Archival Ink, colored with the CTMH alcohol markers, cut out and popped up to create motion.  I love the sentiment.  :o)

I just think that this campaign is terrific and with all the goodies in the Idea Book, how can you go wrong?  Don't forget to check out my website to get your own CTMH National Stamping Month Stamp Set.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Designed Decor Frame

One of the things that I love about Close To My Heart is the product diversity.  There are all those pretty patterned papers, wonderful white core card stock, the stamps, the embellishments and now, a full line of Home Décor Items.  These Home Décor items are designed to work up easily using your paper crafting skills.  One of my favorite in the new Idea Book is the Designed Décor Frame Kit.

What a value it is!  For $35.95 (plus s/h and tax) you receive a large frame with chicken wire embedded in it, a stamp set, 33 die cut shapes, mini clothes pins, bakers twine and all the instructions you need to complete a great gift or decoration for your home.

 

 

I made this as a memento from my Convention trip to Disney World.  Several of us took one of the evenings and headed out to Magic Kingdom.  What a great time we had.  The die cut shapes and stamp set were perfect for this fun outing.

 

 



Another great feature of the Designer Frame Kit is that there are plenty of die cuts and embellishments, that you can change out the design when you like.  I added a special touch to mine and using Velcro, attached a piece of CTMH Fabric from the Chantilly line (Z1819.)  By using the Velcro, I'll even be about to change that when I like.  I used some left over fabric to make that cute flower in the top corner too. 

While the Décor Frame might seem like it is a difficult thing to make, it really isn't!  Look closely, the stamping is done using all of the regular techniques I often talk about....the use of threes and working in triangles.  If you need a unique gift, especially with the Holidays coming or just want something fun, do consider making a Décor Frame.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Huntington...Joyful Stars Blog Hop

Hi Everyone.  It's time for the Joyful Stars Blog Hop.  I really love participating in the hop.  This month, our theme is anything fall.  Huntington is one of the new CTMH paper packets and it so versatile.  Last month, I used it for a heritage layout and this month I'm using it to help us get ready for Thanksgiving.  I often think that in today's world, Thanksgiving gets forgotten.  Believe it or not, as a floral designer at Michaels, I've already started making Christmas decorations.  Yup...what I have made for fall is all that there is going to be.  So, I thought I should pay a little attention to this wonderful family holiday.

If you've arrived here from Helen's Blog you are on the right track.  Without further ado, here is my project...

I wanted to do something that we get everyone ready for a great dinner.  Huntington (X7174B) and the Perfect Fit - Thanksgiving (B1427) are perfect for the Dinner Invitation, Napkin Ring and Place Card.

 

The card is an 8 x 3 1/2 inch card.  BTW - I love this size.  Did you realize they fit into a business envelope?  The sketch comes from the Originals "how to" book.

 

The napkin ring uses the CTMH burlap ribbon for the flower and the actual ring around the napkin.  Love our burlap ribbon!

 

Last but not least is the place card.  I made the leaves by cutting them on the Cricut using Artbooking.  I then sponged them with Goldrush, Autumn Terracotta and Barn Red Pigment Inks and heat embossed with clear powder.  I repeated the process to give the almost enameled look.

Well, I hope you are enjoying the Joyful Stars Blog Hop.  It's time to head over to Elizabeth's Blog to see what she has created for us.  Thanks for hopping by and For Now, Happy Crafting!