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!
I hope you are enjoying this Easter eve in a wonderful way - with friends, family, relaxing...whatever it is that you are blessed to do today. I've been enjoying the weekend papercrafting with friends and am looking forward to Resurrection Day tomorrow.
Punny cards are all the rage these days and these are super easy to make! Would any of these cards bring happy to your mailbox if you received them, aside from all that not-so-fun and junk mail? I'm assuming the answer is 'YES'!
I created 12 cards using the adorable Punny Pals stamp set, and coordinating Thin Cuts (ON SALE THIS MONTH). All cards are of the same design but with a different critter and sentiment. Watercolor Paints were used to color in the images, using a Small Round Waterbrush. I love the results and they feel pretty cool, too! LOL (It's the dried watercolor paints on the cardstock. You just have to feel it for yourself. ha!)
When you purchase this stamp set, Close To My Heart will donate $7 of the proceeds to Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that provides surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates for children around the world.
Use these 13 thin metal dies to quickly and easily cut the paper shapes shown that coordinate with the Punny Pals stamp set (above). The Thin Cuts are packaged on their own magnetic sheet and work well with most die-cutting machines. (I use the Cuttlebug.)
I love the simplicity of these cards, highlighting the Punny Pal and the cute sentiment that coordinates. The Gimme Some Sugar paper pack is where I pulled the floral and polka dot pattern. I used two colors of cardstock - Fern (green) and Bashful (pink), and added a strip of Bashful Glitter Paper. This says, "You are top KOALA-ty!"
The circle was cut using one of our other Thin Cuts on sale this month, Basic Circles. The circle sizes are 2 1/2", 2", 1 1/2" and 1".
You'll see the pattern repeated here, with a different Pal. It reads, "I'm BANANAS about you."
And the last one I'm highlighting in greater detail, "Some BUNNY loves you."
I hope these super fun cards bring some joy into you life as you read the punny sayings. They are definitely something I can rely on to make me smile.
If you need some "pals" in your life, head over to my website and get them before they're gone! Remember, the Thin Cuts are only on sale this month and both are available while supplies last.
Welcome to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge where we were asked to create something based on inspiration gained from this front cover of our Seasonal Expressions I Idea Book. It contains new product released on January 1, available until the end of April, while supplies last. You can view a digital version by clicking here or can receive a hard copy by placing an order on my website or contact me directly. If you're like me, you like flipping through pages and physically tagging them for ideas to use on future artwork items.
For this challenge artwork, I decided to alter a journal (based on the shared idea by my friend, Katy - thanks, Katy). Altering inexpensive items found many places is one of the things that attracted me to papercrafting with Close To My Heart more than 22 years ago. I love that I can buy something at a great price and then make it my own, which is what I did here.
I picked this book because of the black border that I could avoid in my design. It's also pretty think and has some cute lined paper, in turquoise. This was purchased at Dollar General for $2. Now...to see how I prettied it up!
Using the Gimme Some Sugar paper pack and coordinating cardstock, Peacock (one of my new favorite colors) and Bashful, I created this front cover. Isn't it fun? It makes me super happy and yes, I will be using it! (I've already written in it, in fact.) Fab thing is, when I use up all the paper in this notebook, I can go buy another one and transfer the front cover to it. Ha!
And that stamp set...you like it, don't you?! :) It is totally adorable and currently included in the Consultant Kit! This is the first time I have used it and want to use some of the other fun images. Who knows? Maybe you'll get something I make with it. (If you want to consider joining my team, click the link for more information. I am happy to answer any questions you may have.)
Come join us at Heart 2 Heart and link your artwork creation to this themed challenge, or any others in the month of March. Be sure to use at least one Close To My Heart product in your artwork. I look forward to seeing it there!
Welcome to this week's Heart to Heart Challenge where we are using Close To My Heart products to create artwork aligned with the theme, "Sunny Days". To participate, simply head over to the blog and provide your link at the bottom of the associated post; that's it! In fact, you can participate in other February challenges while you're there. We love seeing what you create!
We are experiencing some cloudy and rainy days in the Dallas area, something I don't mind because it gives me a reason to stay inside and papercraft. Today I decided to share this layout that I associate with these theme because it is giving tribute to a friend, one who is sure to bring a sunny day to a not-so-fun one. I am sure to experience a smile whenever we chat. Sometimes that is done via text or messenger but on occasions like this one, it was done in person!
I had the opportunity to visit my friend, Kim, in her new home in Kansas City in early December. It was such a great visit with her and her family. We were never without coffee, delicious food, entertaining chats and other fun experiences.
I used the Gimme Some Sugar product line to create the layout. While it was cold and chilly in KC, I loved the patterns in this paper pack and the embellishments that made for a layout worthy of memories that make me smile.
Some of the Complements (aka stickers and chipboard elements) were used to create visual clusters in a couple of areas on the layout. That bitty flower on the bottom right, is a Cork Shape (there are flowers and hearts). Cute, huh?!
These chipboard elements are part of the Complements as well. (The Bashful Gems that served as the centers are now sold out.)
HAPPY FEBRUARY and welcome to this month's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop where we are featuring the exclusive stamp set, "Sunny Thoughts".
This stamp set, which contains 13 wonderful images, are great for any piece of artwork where you want to add a little sunshine! Only available this month, you can get it for $5 with a qualifying purchase. Details on the Stamp of the Month offer can be found here.
If you are coming from Marie's Blog, you are on the right track. You can find a complete list of participants on Melinda's Blog, if you were to get lost along the way.
Placed on a White Daisy card base, I allowed a 1/2" border around each side before adding on some patterned paper and cardstock. The grey background is from the Basic Fundamentals paper pack where as the light pink argyle pattern is from the Gimme Some Sugar paper pack. A couple of 1/2" strips of Peacock cardstock was added as well as some White Twine.
I did stamp the swags directly onto the White Daisy cardstock and then stamped the flowers on a separate sheet of cardstock. By fussy-cutting them, and then gluing them on top, I was able to generate the two colors and provided some dimension.
This simple and sweet card was fun to create and I can't wait to see how the others have used it in their artwork. Please consider leaving a comment below - I always enjoy hearing from you - and then head over to Cat's Blog.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a FABULOUS FEBRUARY!
Happy New Year! Thank you for joining us today as we welcome in the new year and highlight the first Stamp of the Month in 2018, "Bloom and Grow". The title alone let's us know that today, and this month, provides an opportunity for a new start as we make progress towards our dreams and goals in 2018. And speaking of new starts...
NEW PRODUCTS ARE HERE! We have brand new products releasing today in the Seasonal Expression I Idea Book, many that I would guess will be incorporated in the artwork featured in this hop. You can get a FREE copy when you place an order. (Otherwise, contact your Consultant for additional information.)
The stamp set includes 15 images and can be yours for $5 with a qualifying order. The sentiments contain inspiring messages and some beautiful images are also included. You can find all details by clicking here.
If you are coming from Vickie's Blog, you are on the right track. We've got 21 Close To My Heart Consultants highlighting this stamp set so be sure to continue through the blog links to see them all. If you were to get lost along the way, you can find a complete list of participants here.
The beautiful new papers included on this card are from the new line, "Gimme Some Sugar". Aren't they gorgeous? I love the color combination and that floral paper is perfect for the sentiment.
The paper packet has some patterns focused on cooking, recipes, etc. but as always, offers patterns that allow you to use them outside of the obvious theme. You can find the entire Gimme Some Sugar line by clicking on the link where you can enlarge the images and see the details better.
That cute bling... They are Bashful Pearls. A few of them were perfect for a little "bling".
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. Your visit is always appreciated and welcome. I love to hear from you so please consider leaving a comment before heading over to Cat's Blog to see her wonderful creation.
