For the first Heart 2 Heart Challenge of May we are seeking papercrafting projects where vellum has been incorporated. You can use it in any way you desire. Be to use at least one product from Close To My Heart and link up to us on our Blog.
Keeping with what seems to be my motto, "Sweet and Simple", I am pleased with this card. I wanted the polka dot vellum paper to serve as the focus point and then stamped the "thankful" sentiment on it with Black Archival Ink (and let it dry thoroughly). I glued it on Pansy cardstock, placing adhesive on the dots so it would not show through the vellum.
The scallop border is a Thin Cut used on Gold Foil Paper. White & Gold Ribbon (one of my faves) was added, as well as some Gold Glitter Gems. The rest of the sentiment, "for sweet friends like you" was stamped in Pansy ink. The stamp sets used are brand new and will be released tomorrow, May 1st. (I'll edit this post and include a photo and link to them.)
You may be wondering where I got this patterned vellum paper. It is included in the Postcard Perfect paper packet that is a special for May, celebrating National Scrapbooking Month. The polka dot pattern is only one of the two included in this exclusive product line. I couldn't resist incorporating it.
Be sure to link up to us at Heart 2 Heart for this week's challenge. I look forward to seeing your artwork there!
Join us twice a month as we CASE, “Copy And Selectively Edit”, artwork created by the Art Department of Close To My Heart as showcased in the current Idea Books and our Make It From Your Heart How-To Books.
On the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, at 7 pm CST, we will direct you towards a piece of art and recreate it using the exact products or others that compliment its initial design. Tips, techniques and assembly directions will be shared in detail to help you recreate them on your own.
As you reproduce the items we have shared, post them on social media using the hashtag #ctmhinanycase. We will randomly search that hashtag and reward those who CASE our items. Winners will be announced on our blogs so be sure to follow us!
Melinda and I have some fun artwork to share with you today, a spin off of creations generated from the Close To My Heart Art Department.
I am highlighting the "so happy for you" card shown on the left. Because I don't have a sewing machine, I had to make some adjustments to accommodate the elements of the card.
Be sure to read to the end of this post so you can view what Melinda is sharing with you, with a link provided to take you to her blog.
I enjoy working with vellum and don't do so often enough. I love the softness it provides for artwork, generating an elegant look. There are some things that need to be considered when using vellum, including a way to attach it so that the adhesive doesn't show and disrupt the desired results. For that reason, I decided to create a black border (as opposed to sewing as done on the original card) that would secure the vellum.
The Black cardstock was cut at 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" with a 1/4" border allowed on all sides, creating a frame. I then stapled two pieces of White Twine to the black frame, before proceeding, so the back of the staples do not show.
I glued the piece of patterned paper to the card base. After embossing the floral images, with White Embossing Powder, on the Vellum Paper, I placed a thin line of adhesive around the edges of the vellum piece (where the black would cover it) to secure it to the patterned paper. Then, I adhered the black frame on top of it.
The sentiment was stamped, in Black ink, on a piece of Bashful cardstock measuring 3/4" x 2 3/4". A dovetail was cut for visual appeal. Add three White Gems and you have a beautiful creation to gift to someone.
I love the resulting card and hope you do too. It's simple and elegant - a perfect combination, in my opinion.
Now, be sure to head over to Melinda's Blog where she is showing you how to make this gorgeous sympathy card using our awesome clear, acrylic stamps.
We always appreciate you stopping by our blogs and encourage you to do your own version of CASEing. Be sure to tag us when you do - #ctmhinanycase - as we search social media ready to reward participants with a prize.
Enjoy the rest of your week and see you next time, on May 10th, for our next episode of "In Any CASE..."!
Thank you for joining our Blog Hop where this month we are featuring Picture My Life Cards from Close To My Heart and creative uses of them. PML cards are commonly known as "pocket cards".
You can buy specific package of PML Cards (some which are on clearance) and they are also included in each of the paper packs. Each paper pack comes with two sheets of them, each side with cards of different orientation, allowing you to use them in your layouts, cards or whatever else your heart desires! I chose to use the Summertime Picture My Life Cardsin my artwork.
If you are coming from Haley's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants by clicking here.
On this page, the "adventure" banner was fussy-cut from another PML card and placed 3-D on the bottom right area of "my summer". The "it's the little things" circle image was cut from a card, using the Basic Circle Thin Cuts and tucked behind the other card.
The polka dot journaling spot is one of the 3" x 4" cards. The watermelon is fussy-cut from another card and the little "tab", above the top right photo... Yup, you guessed it! It is also from a PML card! A few Stargazer Dots were added on both pages.
I enjoyed using the cards both as for titles and journaling spots on my layouts, as well as embellishments. Fun, right?! They are very versatile! (I haven't put photos on them yet because I'm trying to decide which I want to place there or if I want to create some new photo opportunities this summer.)
To see how others have incorporated them, head on over to Wendy's Blog. I'm sure you'll find other creative uses as you make your way around the hop.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope today is a great start to an awesome weekend!
Thank you so much for joining us for this month's Technique Blog Hop where were are theme is "Creative with Cards". In this hop, we are featuring creative use of our Picture My Life (aka PML) Cards.
If you are coming from Katy's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants at the bottom of this blog post.
I love the ability to use these PML cards to create simple greeting cards that are attractive and don't take too much time to create.
If you would like more details about how I created this card, and the use of baby powder for papercrafting, check out this video.
Thank you for stopping by. Be sure to hop on over to Haley's Blog, as well as the rest of the participants this month, to check out the fun artwork. We always appreciate you leaving a comment.
Welcome to our first April episode of "In Any CASE..."!
Join us twice a month as we CASE, “Copy And Selectively Edit”, artwork created by the Art Department of Close To My Heart as showcased in the current Idea Books and our Make It From Your Heart How-To Books.
On the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, at 7 pm CST, we will direct you towards a piece of art and recreate it using the exact products or others that compliment its initial design. Tips, techniques and assembly directions will be shared in detail to help you recreate them on your own.
As you reproduce the items we have shared, post them on social media using the hashtag #ctmhinanycase. We will randomly search that hashtag and reward those who CASE our items. Winners will be announced on our blogs so be sure to follow us!
Today I am highlighting this adorable card using the Gimme Some Sugar product line. It was CASEd from page 43 of the Seasonal Expressions 1 Idea Book (which retires April 30, 2018 as does most of the product within it). You can view a digital copy through the link provided or contact me for a hard copy. You also get one FREE with any order placed through my website, through the end of the month.
Before I get into the details of my creation, I want to remind you to continue reading through this post where you will see what my partner in CASEing, Melinda, is showcasing on her blog. Her scrapbook page is AMAZING and you'll want to head there next, I promise!
The image above is what was designed from Close To My Heart...
This is my design. What do you think? Did I pass? :)
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the different elements incorporated into this card. Allow me share a few points about them (with images shared below):
The "kraft" die-cuts - scallop border, rolling pin and white-striped border - are all from the Complements (shown below) and are not self-adhesive.
The mixing bowl is a sticker from the Complements. (I have made it 3-D by this process shared in a video, using baby powder.)
The hearts are adhesive-backed, cork images (which come with hearts and flowers in several designs).
The measuring cup is from the stamp set (shown above) which has FUN images and coordinating, metal die cuts. Look at the puns that go perfectly with the kitchen images!
Check out some of the details of the card through this photo, including my use of the Bashful Shimmer Brush Pen (A FAVORITE) on the small tag!
The Bashful Shimmer Brush Pen is ONLY AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST, and only through the end of the month (if it lasts that long)!
I have taken a few minutes to share, in this video, how the faux-stitching look was achieved as well as how I applied the shimmer (which doesn't photograph nor video well but looks GREAT in person).
These are the dimensions I used on my (re) creation. It's a super simple sketch but has so much potential.
And now...check out THIS beautiful scrapbook page Melinda is sharing with you on her blog. You'll learn how she duplicated this page to make it her own, seeing why CASEing is totally worth considering, especially when there is plenty of artwork in our Idea Books!
Don't forget, show us you are following "In Any CASE..." by sharing something that was inspired by what we do AND be sure to tag #ctmhinanycase. We are always checking out social media to see what you have created and are ready to award some prizes!
Don't think you are a scrapbooker? Think it takes too much time or you don't know where to start? If you can relate this is the perfect post for YOU!
If you love scrapbooking, and even enjoy creating from scratch, you will also find joy in what I have to share because sometimes, just like me, a quick, easy and beautiful layout is totally what I need to feel accomplished.
We have a fabulous product line, Cut Above, offered in both cards and layouts, and today I am highlighting this beautiful one called "This is Me".
What I love most about this line is that the artwork creations come together so quickly. Yes, you read the title of this post correctly. It only took me 35 minutes, start to finish, to complete these three, 12" x 12", and gorgeous layouts.HUGE, right?!
If you click on the images, you'll see an enlarged view (and I share information below on how you can see another sample). This layout (above) is designed for you to reflect on some prepared topics (located in each of the circles) such as: Feeling, Loving, Waiting For, Something I Do Well. And that paper and accents...isn't it gorgeous?! It coordinates with Chelsea Gardens.
This layout is unique and something that can be totally fun and highly valued as it's designed for others to respond to prompts about YOU! Questions like, "What was your first impression of me", are asked with a place provided for their answers and photos! Another prompt is "Pick 3 words to describe me". I don't know about you but I'm excited and a little scared to ask these of someone else. LOL But, how fun will it be to have other people's perspective about YOU? And, you could elect to ask various people in your family, friends, etc. to get a variety of responses.
Who would you ask? If you have children, wouldn't it be fun to ask them these questions now and in a few years? That, in itself, would be worth preserving.
And last, but definitely not least, look at this beautiful layout commemorating a best day (or maybe best dayS). There are some pre-printed elements, others that are added on top, and I used some good ol' baby powder to give some fun dimension to a select number of the floral elements. Baby Powder?! Yes, I did say baby powder. :) Keep reading...
There are many fun elements in this kit. Here's a quick close-up snapshot of a few of them. Many of the elements included are gold foil and then you can see some of the journaling spaces and floral images (bottom right) that are also part of the simple kit.
Another awesome thing about our Cut Above Kits is they require few products outside of what is contained in the kit. These are five items I suggest you have in your possession to create the layouts as I did. All are pretty self-explainable, however, I can assume you are wondering what the baby powder is used for, right?! LOL I enjoy making some of the embellishments dimensional and place Thin 3-D Foam Tape on the back of those images. (It's one of my most favorite products!) When I want to add some dimension to our stickers, and want to remove the "sticky" from the back, I sprinkle the baby powder and eliminate the "sticky".
To better understand this concept, check out this video where I used the technique on a card. (I also share some additional information with you.)
This Cut Above Layout Kit, "This Is Me", contains materials to make three coordinating two-page scrapbook layouts, including pre-printed base pages, die-cuts, stickers, photo placeholders, and instructions, PLUS four top load Memory Prectors. WHAT A KIT AT A PRICE (only $24.95)!
In fact, if you click on this link, you'll see some thumbnails at the bottom where you can view sample layouts with photos and journaling. (Click on them again for an even better view.) I will work to get photos and journaling placed on mine and will share so when that's the case.
If you have any questions about this kit, others in this line, or ANY Close To My Heart products, I'd love to hear from you! (Post in the comments or you can email me directly.)
Whether you've been a Close To My Heart Consultant before, or want to give this fun opportunity a try, when you sign up in April there are some wonderful bonuses for doing so! Be sure to read all the details below, to consider which option is best for YOU! I'm always happy to answer any questions you may have.
You can take advantage of the Fab Four Sign-Up Special when you become a Consultant in April by receiving the four new Stamp of the Month Sets for May, June, July and August FREE! (They are ADORABLE!) This is a great opportunity for you to get a sensational value as well as to be supplied with essential business supplies that will help you hit the ground running!
If you would like better photos of these, contact me. (You can also click on the image to get an enlarged view.)
Oh yeah! ;) And might I mention that you can be among the Consultants who are first to receive this beautiful new Idea Book, the Seasonal Expressions 2, before it's released to the general public?! I'm telling you, the Consultant perks are worth much more than the kit price - which is totally phenomenal - and if you're a former Consultant, check out the following details:
SPECIAL OFFER FOR FORMER CONSULTANTS
If you became a Former Consultant before January 2018, you not only get the Fab Four Stamp of the Month Stamp Sets, you can choose a no-kit sign up option that will allow you to sign up for only $50. If you choose this option, you will not receive a Consultant Kit, but will receive the four stamp sets and the $50 CTMH Cash sign-up bonus. It's an unbeatable deal, making April an ideal time to come back to Close To My Heart! (You do have the option to obtain the full kit for just $75.)
**IMPORTANT**
I've been issued a challenge AND have the opportunity to be entered into a FABulous contest where I can earn and expense-paid trip to a CTMH-sponsored event (registration fee, airfare, accommodations) even to as far as Australia! To do so, I need to have at least FOUR people sign up on my team this month and "qualify", submitting at least $300 in sales by June 15, 2018 (which is super easy to do and I will help you). When you sign up and meet this requirement, I will give you $25 worth of products, of your choice, as a thank you and congratulations!
Truly, that's all the commitment you have to make, and you can save on your purchases! There is also some opportunities to earn additional rewards by achieving milestones set by Close To My heart, with prizes awarded, of course. I'm happy to provide you those details.
Look at ALL THIS GOODNESS contained in the Consultant Kit!
Thank you, in advance, for your consideration in helping me achieve this challenge and more importantly, for taking advantage of an awesome opportunity, at a great price, to save on and earn fabulous products FREE! (If you aren't interested, but are willing to pass this information along to someone who is, I would greatly appreciate it and will give you a REFERRAL GIFT for doing so.)
With the theme for this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge, there was nothing more glaring than using the CUTE Stargazer product line for my creation. While I tend to lean more towards girly things, I've truly enjoyed creating with these items and am excited to share this creation with you.
This card is a design from the Scrapbooking Workshop Your Way. Yes, you read that right, SCRAPBOOKING! However, with each kit, there are cutting diagrams and instructions for NINE cards, three of each design. You can use remaining workshop materials and a few extra supplies to create them. If you go to this place on my website, you'll see the kit as well as the FREE, downloadable guide. Contact me if you have questions.
Here is the card design in the guide. I did change it out slightly, wanting to incorporate the astronaut. What do you think of my version?
I used this adorable stamp setwhich can be purchased with the coordinating Thin Cuts, making fussy-cutting "no fuss". Gotta love when that can happen!
Join us for this week's challenge that is active through the end of this month. Simply link up to us at Heart 2 Heart and be sure to use at least one Close To My Heart product in your creation.
Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge where we are focusing on "Birthday Bash" as our theme, incorporating at least one Close To My Heart product in our artwork creations.
I couldn't resist creating a card with these images from the March Stamp of the Month (now retired), The "1 year older" image can be used for a birthday of any age.
Happy Easter and April 1! Welcome to this month's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop where we are featuring this wonderful stamp set, "Color Your Life".
This stamp set comes with great sentiments/words that can be used on any type of papercrafting project. In fact, I am excited to make it through this hop and see what wonderful creations were made with it. I know we will be inspired. You can get this stamp set for $5 with a qualifying order. (You can click here for all the details.)
If you are coming from Cat's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants by clicking here.
The card was kept relatively simply in order to draw attention to the sentiment. Life is sometimes challenging with all that can be thrown our direction. It's at those times that we should remember to celebrate life and remind ourselves of our many blessings. I hope this card brings a little bit of happy to your life today.
I used patterned paper from our Basic Fundamentals paper pack and accented it with Raspberry cardstock (I love this beautiful and bright color) and White Shimmer Trim. The coordinating ribbon was created by using the Cherry Pink Shin Han Marker on Cream Ribbon. One of my favorite techniques is being able to take some of our white/cream products - ribbon, Dots, etc. - and using the markers to make them any color I choose.
Shin Han Markers were used to color the letters that come with some fun texture inside of each one. The Lagoon accents are leftovers I had from the Make Waves Complements.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Before heading over to Wendy's Blog, consider leaving a comment. I appreciate and enjoy blog love, knowing your thoughts on my artwork.
Have a blessed and wonderful week/month and don't forget to...celebrate life!
