CTMH Lollydoodle

Lollydoodle is one of the fun new CTMH paper packets just released in the Spring/Summer Idea Book.  It is bright, cheery and features Pear, Lagoon, Sky, Cotton Candy, Sorbet and Slate.  With all of the nasty winter weather so many of us have been experiencing, you just have to love the spring colors.

I think I’ve mentioned before that I love the Jeanette Archive stamps.  This adorable little girl is from the Winter book but is still available.  I stamped her using my Archival Black ink, colored her with my CTMH alcohol markers and then cut her out.  I stamped the flowers that are included in the set along the bottom of the focal mat, colored them with the markers and sponged the background in sky to give the impression of sky and clouds.  The sentiment is from one of the stamp sets included with the Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  By the way, the centers of the flowers are the new Flamingo Dots….love them!
For those of you stuck in the awful winter weather pattern, please be safe.  I have a suggestion, spend you time at home being warm and creative.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

The CTMH Spring Summer 2014 Idea Book is Here!

 

Click on the picture to see all the new Close To My Heart products.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Introducing CTMH Ariana

Tomorrow is February 1st, and we all know what that means…the CTMH Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book is released to the public.  The papers in this IB are beautiful.  Today, I thought I would make something using one of the new packets called Ariana (X7179B.)
 

I will let the papers speak for themselves.  Ariana is a vintage look collection that features Crystal Blue, Outdoor Denim and White Daisy.  It also features Ariana Green, Ariana Gray and a beautiful color called Ariana Coral. 
For me, cameo’s have always screamed vintage so I thought that a cameo image would be perfect to introduce this paper packet.





I used my CTMH Artiste Cartridge to make the cameo.  First I cut the frame in Outdoor Denim.  You can find it on the “W” key using the Accent 2 feature. I cut it at 2 1/4 inches.  Next I cut out the same image but 1/4 inch larger and in White Daisy.  I did this because I wanted the an oval that would be a tad easier to work with for my background.  Then, with the “W” key, Accent 2 feature and shift, I cut the cameo face back on 2 1/4 inches.  I positioned the cameo on the White Daisy oval and began to sponge around the cameo…I used it as a mask.  I sponged heavily with Crystal Blue and then lightly with Outdoor Denim.  If you try this, make sure that you do not move the cameo face or your image will be fuzzy.  Lastly I very lightly sponged the white daisy cameo face with Whisper ink for a little depth.  Then just adhere your oval inside the frame.  There you go…your cameo is done! 


Just a few more things about this card.  The sparkle flourish is from the Sparkles Clear Flourishes – Small pack (Z1812) and the sentiment is from a set called Sincere Expressions (A1146.)  Oh...almost forgot...that is Silver Shimmer tape (Z1799) across the tops. So, tomorrow, don’t forget to visit my website to see all the new goodies CTMH has to offer.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH ProPlayer and Liquid Glass

In between getting ready for the upcoming release of the CTMH Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book, I’m busy working on my February workshops.  I think I mentioned before, how I was using ProPlayer.  When you first look at ProPlayer, you assume that it is meant for young boys.  And, yes, it is perfect for that type of project; but, this is what I love about CTMH, the versatility.  I am using a stamp set called “Cup of Cheer” (B1404.)  I think it is working well.  What do you think?

The faux ceramic tile is a really fun technique using Liquid Glass (Z679.)  Here is how you  make one yourself.
1.  Start with a square piece of paper.  I like to use nothing smaller than 3 x 3 inches.  It will make the “math” easier and you will see why soon.
2.  Stamp your image.  In this case, I used the border from the mentioned stamp set and the coffee pot.  I stamped them with the Black Archival Ink (44751.)  When it was dry, I colored with my water color pencils (3505) and blended with a blending pen (3174.)
3.  Now is the fun part…be brave…cut your finished square in equal pieces.  This is why I start with the 3 x 3 inch square.  I cut at the 1 inch and 2 inch marks and wind up with 9 inch pieces of the “puzzle.”  I sponge around the edges of all the pieces (I like to use Whisper, because it gives a ceramic look.) 
4.  Next, coat each piece in Liquid Glass.  I just put a dollop on each small square and smooth with my finger.  Set aside to dry.
5.  Once dry, it is time to reassemble the tile.  I usually use a piece of Slate cardstock because the gray gives the appearance of “grout.”  I cut the Slate square 1/8 of an inch larger than my original image square.  Put the “puzzle” back together and attach each square using your favorite adhesive.  Sometimes a corner might stick up a bit….just hold it down with Liquid Glass.

This is a really fun technique.  I think it is fun, too, to be creative and find alternate themes for the very versatile CTMH papers.  If you need any of the products I’ve mentioned, drop by my website to place an order.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

The CTMH Spring Summer 2014 Idea Book is Coming Soon!

The CTMH Spring Summer 2014 Idea Book will be released in just 5 days.  I can hardly wait.  Bombay asks what about you?  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Handmade Card With ProPlayer

No sooner do I finish one series of classes and it is time to start another round.  The month of February we will be using the CTMH paper packet called ProPlayer (X7172B.)  At first, I wasn’t sure about ProPlayer, but the more I studies it, the more I realized that it is a very useable pattern for many styles of cards.  So, here is the first in the group of my projects for the workshops.

The stamp set is another one of the “hidden” treasure Cricut Compatible stamps.  These are stamps that have not appeared recently in an Idea Book, but contain images that work with one of the CTMH Cartridges.  This stamp is called “A Cup of Cheer” (B1404) and has a sentiment image that uses the Art Philosophy cartridge.  By the way, the stamps are very usable even if you don’t have the cartridge.My workshops are all about techniques.  This card features sanding, coloring with watercolor pencils and washi tape.


Since I’ve often mentioned my workshops, I thought it would be fun to share a few pictures…

Some of the gals sharing their projects at Crafting in the City…sorry the exposure isn’t better.

Dottie and Teresa busy working

Here is Pam sharing an organization system for all of our class materials with Sue at a Crafting in the Country class.

Here are the gals busy concentrating on their projects at a Country Class.

I love working with everyone.  So, don’t forget if you live in the Philadelphia area, contact me to join one of the classes.  There is also room for one more.  If you have ever thought about, or enjoy sharing the joy of paper crafting, think about joining the growing Saving Memories CTMH Team.  We have a blast!  For Now, Happy Crafting!

DIY: Easy 3-D Effects and CTMH Cricut Cartridges

I Thought this was well done and I LOVE the CTMH Cricut Cartridges.  For Now, Happy Crafting!