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!

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 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!



Close To My Heart - Twist Ties!

I love this idea.  Guess what I'm going to try before I go to work!  For Now, Happy Crafting!