Inspiration

  • Card Making,  Inspiration,  Uncategorized

    The 12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 9

    November 22, 2019 /

    Hello and welcome to day nine of The 12 Days of Christmas Cards! I am having such a good time with all this cardmaking. So many of you have shared your cards with me and it is great to see the different versions come to life. I love today’s card because I just can’t get enough of that red buffalo plaid. I used the same Build-A-Plaid stamp set from day 5’s Christmas card but gave this one a completely different look by changing up the embellishments.

    I combined Cricut images from different cartridges to create this fun card. The poinsettias and greenery are from the Complete Creativity Collection while the buck silhouette is from Artistry. It is fun to pull images from different projects and create your own. There are so many creative possibilities! Below is a look at the layout I borrowed the poinsettias from. To see more of the Complete Creativity Collections click here.

    The stitched rectangle die makes a perfect background to highlight the deer silhouette. I chose Vanilla cardstock rather than White Daisy for a softer look. Since I have a layer of Kraft cardstock matting my buffalo plaid, I wanted to repeat that color elsewhere. The second layer of the poinsettias was a good choice to tie the kraft color in. It breaks the color up against the red plaid background helping them to pop. I inked the edges with a black shimmer brush and then used Clear Shimmer to add sparkle and shine to the red layer of the flowers.

    The gold sequins are the perfect embellishment for my flower center! For my sentiment, I chose “Warm Wishes” from the Traditional Holiday stamp set. I really like the scrolly banner element of this particular sentiment. This stamp set is part of the Holiday Cheer promotion and is only available through the month of November. Be sure to check it out.

    Having used black cardstock for my card base, I needed to add a place to write a sentiment. Using the large stitched rectangle die and Vanilla cardstock I mimicked the rectangle on the front. Adding a poinsettia to the inside gives this card a special touch. To see this project come to life check out the youtube tutorial below.

    Thank you for stopping by. Stay tuned for Monday’s Christmas card and as always, happy crafting!

    Project Details:

    • Black cardstock base measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 and opens vertically
    • Kraft layer cut at 4 x 5 1/4″
    • Candy Apple Red cut at 3 3/4 x 5
    • Stamp red cardstock as shown in the video with Black Ink using the Build-a-plaid stamp set
    • Use the medium stitched rectangle die to cut a rectangle from Vanilla cardstock
    • Attach Kraft, Candy Apple Red, and Vanilla layers as shown.
    • For embellishments: The deer silhouette is sliced from the Artistry collection. He measures approx 3″ tall and is cut from black cardstock. The poinsettias are 1.2″ squared and cut from both Kraft and Candy Apple Red.
    • Using liquid glue attach embellishments as shown in the video tutorial. I recommend micro glue dots to adhere the sequins.
    • Stamp Warm Wishes sentiment onto Kraft cardstock and trim with your Microtip scissors. Adhere to project with dimensional tape.
    • For a detailed tutorial, you can watch me create this project in the video link.

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  • Card Making,  Inspiration,  Uncategorized

    The 12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 8

    November 21, 2019 /

    Hello and welcome to day eight of The 12 Days of Christmas Cards. Today’s card is a fun whimsical design. I’ve incorporated stamping, the Holly Jolly paper pack, and a few Cricut cuts from the Complete Creativity collection to create this joyful card. Just look at this cheerful little guy!

    Below is a closer look at the Whimsical Holiday stamp set. This stamp is a part of the Holiday Cheer promotion and is only available through the month of November so be sure to check it out. The snowman is perfect for the cheerful holiday scene on today’s card. He is such a happy little guy! I gave him a bit of color using Spectrum Noir Tri-blend markers and the Clear Shimmer Brush.

    The snowflake background paper, along with the pink trim, is from the Holly Jolly paper collection. I cut the trees from the Adventure layout in the Complete Creativity collection, altering the size a bit to fit my card front.

    The snowflake embossing folder adds texture and interest while the sequins bring life and movement to the design. Everything works together to create a cheerful little card bound to bring joy to the recipient. You can watch this project come together in the Youtube tutorial below.

    Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed today’s project and I will see you on Friday. Happy crafting!

    Project Details:

    • A2 Card base measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2″ folded
    • Cut Glacier Snowflake patterned paper to 4 x 5 1/4″
    • Cut White Daisy cardstock at 3 3/4 x 5″
    • Use the large circle die to cut a circle from the right side of the White Daisy piece as shown.
    • Emboss White Daisy piece with the Snowflake embossing folder
    • Line layers up then stamp JOY sentiment onto center of the circle
    • Using the adhesive foam circle and acetate window, create your shaker
    • Adhere White Daisy piece to snowflake patterned paper with dimensional foam.
    • The tree images are cut from the Adventure Layout in the Complete Creativity Collection. The tree with the striped overlay measures 3 1/2″ tall and the “Charlie Brown tree is 2 1/2”.
    • Embellish card front as shown using liquid glass to glue detailed embellishments.

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  • Card Making,  Inspiration,  Uncategorized

    The 12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 7

    November 18, 2019 /

    Hello and welcome to day seven of the 12 Days of Christmas Cards! Today’s card is a simple yet elegant design. We combine basic ink shading with stamping and a touch of sparkle to achieve today’s look.

    This card was originally inspired by Gina K Designs. When I saw her project I knew I wanted to create the card with this Merry Christmas stamp set. I am so glad I did because I love the result! This is a simple card to create and you need just a few basic supplies.

    In this picture, you can really see the sparkle dusting the tops of the snowbanks from my Clear Shimmer Brush. So pretty!!! In my video tutorial, I stamped using a Misti stamping platform. Although this does make layered stamping a tad easier, you do not need it for this stamp set. The images of the tree are very easy to line up and can be done with acrylic blocks. I do recommend beginning with the fuller, more detailed layer. The empty spaces for the ornaments make it easy to visualize where the second layer goes. You can stamp the little ornaments in any color or dress it up with the Red Stickles as I did.

    Above is a closer look at this beautiful stamp set. I love layered stamps. They create such a realistic dimensional look when using varied shades of ink. This set is from our current Holiday catalog and will only be available through December. For more tips and tricks you can watch the youtube tutorial below. As always, thank you for stopping by and happy crafting!

    Project Details:

    • Vanilla Card base measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2″ folded
    • Ruby Base cut at 4 x 5 1/4″
    • Vanilla cardstock cut at 3 3/4 x 5
    • Scrap paper for the mask is 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. Cut in half creating a gently rolling hillside
    • Using grey ink, sponge color onto vanilla cardstock creating a soft snowbank three times (see video for tutorial)
    • Mask lower snowbank and then stamp tree image in the same color. Repeat with the second stamp layer.
    • Stamp Merry Christmas sentiment on the upper-right corner as shown.
    • Adhere to Ruby cardstock and then the card base
    • Add ornaments to your tree using Christmas Red Stickles
    • Add sparkle with your Clear Shimmer Brush to the tops of the snowbanks.
    • Enjoy your beautiful card!

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  • Card Making,  Inspiration,  Uncategorized

    The 12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 6

    November 15, 2019 /

    Hello and welcome to day 6 of The 12 Days of Christmas Cards! Today’s card is a super fun Gingerbread themed card. I used black cardstock for my base to really give this project a cool chalkboard vibe. I have combined embossing, watercolored pencils, and texture paste to achieve this look.

    Below is a closer look at this whimsical stamp set. You can mix and match the elements or use the images on their own. (This fun set is only available through December 2019). I love the way the white embossed elements pop against the dark background. Since alcohol-based markers wouldn’t show against the black, I opted for my watercolor pencils. Again, they lend themselves to that soft and subtle chalkboard look.

    To see this project come together you can watch the youtube tutorial below. As always thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for Monday’s Christmas card!

    Project Details:

    • A2 Card base measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2″ folded
    • Ruby Base cut at 4 x 5 1/4″
    • Black cardstock cut at 3 3/4 x 5
    • Dust Black cardstock with anti-static pouch and stamp gingerbread images with Versamark ink
    • Emboss with white embossing powder
    • Stamp sentiment and emboss with red embossing powder
    • Using watercolor pencils, color gingerbread house as desired. With a white pencil, shade in a border on either side of your house.
    • Place project onto your All-Purpose mat and using a sponge dauber apply White Daisy ink around top portion of the card to create a halo effect.
    • Using snow stencil cut from the Complete Creativity Collection, apply texture paste to create a snowy background.
    • Use foam adhesive to attach shrubs flanking the front of the house as shown.
    • Attach finished piece to Ruby red cardstock and then to your white A2 card base.
    • Draw faux stitching around the edge of black cardstock with a white gel pen.
    • Enjoy your finished project!

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  • Card Making,  Inspiration,  Uncategorized

    The 12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 5

    November 13, 2019 /

    Hello and welcome to day 5 of The 12 Days of Christmas Cards! I love today’s card! I love them all but anything with red Buffalo plaid speaks my language. I picture a cozy log cabin tucked away in a quiet snowy forest. Inside is warm and smells like evergreen and cinnamon.

    This card is fairly simple to make. We combine stamping with die cuts to put this little work of art together. First of all, let me say how excited I am about this plaid stamp! There have been numerous times I wished I had just a bit of plaid patterned paper to finish a layout. Everything in my stash would inadvertently be wrong in one way or another. Well never again my friends! I can create any plaid pattern in any color scheme. I will never be plaidless again!!! Definitely a stamp set I will never part with. It is a staple!

    Above is a closer look at the different stripes and patterns included in the Build-a-plaid stamp set. You can also use them to create simple borders as well.

    To see this card come together you can check out the youtube tutorial below

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you are enjoying this card series as much as I am! Stayed tuned for Monday’s post and as always happy crafting.

    Project Details:

    • A2 Card base measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2″ folded
    • Black Base cut at 4 x 5 1/4″
    • Candy Apple Red cut at 3 3/4 x 5
    • Stamp red cardstock as shown in the video with Black Ink
    • Use the medium stitched rectangle die and the large stitched circle to die-cut shapes from black cardstock
    • The snowflake image is from the Complete Creativity Collection and was altered to measure 3″
    • Apply Clear shimmer brush to snowflake
    • Attach layers using both a tape runner and liquid adhesive.
    • Pop sentiment up on dimensional foam.
    • embellish with a bow tied from jute twine
    • Enjoy your creation!

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  • Card Making,  Inspiration,  Uncategorized

    The 12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 4

    November 12, 2019 /

    Hello and welcome to day four of The 12 Days of Christmas Cards series. Today’s card is a quiet snowy Christmas Eve scene. Imagine Silent Night playing on the radio while you peer out the window at this dreamy landscape anticipating the joy of Christmas morning. Sounds lovely I think!

    To create this card I combined elements from The December SOTM along with the CTMH Complete Creativity collection. To begin, I embossed snow flurries onto a Sapphire background and then, using my Micro-tip scissors, I hand trimmed snow banks from a strip of White Daisy. With my Cricut Explore, I cut four trees from New England Ivy cardstock alternating the two sides of the paper for more dimension and interest.

    The larger trees are cut at 2″ while the smaller measures 1.5″. I love that you can pull any particular element from a layout design in the Complete Creativity collection and use it for another project. It is so incredibly versatile! The sentiment is one of several featured on the December SOTM. I embossed it with silver embossing powder and wrapped silver thread around the base to finish it off with some pizzaz. (This stamp will be available December 1st)


    To see this project come together check out the youtube tutorial below.

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you are enjoying this card series as much as I am! Stayed tuned for Wednesday’s post and as always happy crafting.

    Project Details:

    • A2 Card base measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2″ folded
    • Sapphire Base cut at 4 x 5 1/4″
    • Pine trees cut at 2″ and 1.5″
    • Large stitched rectangle frame in White Daisy
    • Piece for snowbank measures 4 x 1″. Cut in half mimicking a rolling hill and flip one side over.
    • Stamp sentiment on White Daisy trimmed to 2 1/4″ x 1 1/4″. Double mat onto silver paper and wrap with silver embellishing thread.

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  • Card Making,  Inspiration,  Uncategorized

    The 12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 3

    November 8, 2019 /

    Hello and welcome to day 3 of The 12 Days of Christmas Cards! Today’s card is a beautiful snowy winter wonderland. I’m loving the frosty blues mixed with the white and pop of silver!

    To create this card I began with a bit of water coloring. Nothing fancy mind you. Anyone can do this type of water coloring including my 3-year-old nephew. I started with a piece of watercolor paper wetting the area to be painted. Using CTMH’s watercolor pallet I added my color to the water moving it around to my liking. I mixed blues and greys to color my background circle. Once dry, I cut the circle with my stitched circle thin-cut die.

    The snowflakes are from the Complete Creativity Cricut collection! I love how I can pull images from the pre-designed projects to use on my own! I sized the larger snowflake to approx 2 3/4″ squared. The smaller snowflake is about 2″. Cover them in Versamark ink and the silver embossing powder. Set with your heat tool and then repeat the process. I double embossed them to really achieve this finish. They almost look like metal embellishments! I have made several of these cards and alternated the sentiments. You can use any sentiment you like!

    I embossed the background paper with CTMH’s snowflake embossing folder. This really makes the card special. Layer the embellishments as shown adding a bit of silver embellishing thread to pop out from behind the circle. To see this project come together check out the youtube tutorial below.

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you are enjoying this card series as much as I am! Stayed tuned for Monday’s post and as always happy crafting.

    Project Details:

    • A2 Card base measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2″ folded
    • Carolina Blue base layer is 4 x 5 1/4″
    • White Daisy embossed layer measures 3 3/4 x 5″
    • The large snowflake is approx 2 3/4″ square
    • The small snowflake is 2″ square

    Supplies:

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  • Card Making,  Inspiration,  Stamp Of The Month

    The 12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 2

    November 6, 2019 /

    Hello and welcome to day two of the 12 Days of Christmas Cards! Today’s card is a mix of older products from my crafty stash and some new goodies I’ve collected. I love the way the reindeer quietly set the scene in this wintery card. The snowy feel invokes such a peaceful feeling!

    To create this card I used first and second generation stamping to vary the color of my ink pad. I also added detail by embossing white snow flurries against the white background. The look is subtle but has a big impact on the finished product.


    Stamping the sentiment “Merry Christmas” in Candy Apple Red adds a vibrant pop of color to this card. Bordering the sentiment strip with a bit of the matching red cardstock helps it to stand out and repeat the color for balance.

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you are enjoying this card series as much as I am! Stayed tuned for Friday’s post and as always happy crafting.

    Project info:

    • A2 Card base measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 folded
    • Cut piece of New England Ivy cardstock to 4 x 5 1/4
    • For Stamping, you will need a piece of White Daisy measuring 3 3/4 x 5
    • Stamp your pine tree image alternating with first and second generation stamping to vary your color
    • Stamp the reindeer in black ink centered in front of your tree line.
    • Dust card front with the anti-static pouch and using Versamark ink or an embossing pen, create snow flurries on the card. Add white embossing powder and set it with your heat tool.
    • Add clear Shimmer Brush to the reindeer image
    • Stamp your sentiment in Candy Apple Red onto a strip of White Daisy then dovetail the end as shown. Adhere to a strip of Candy Apple Red cardstock allowing a border to show. Dovetail this layer as well.
    • Using foam tape, pop up the sentiment on the lower portion of your card front.
    • Adhere to your card base and your project is complete!

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  • Card Making,  Inspiration,  Stamp Of The Month

    The 12 Days of Christmas Cards Day 1

    November 4, 2019 /

    Hello crafty friends! I can’t believe we are in November already! I know others have already been sharing Christmas cards but I wanted to get through October first. However, the holidays are upon us and I’m excited to share day one of my 12 days of Christmas Cards. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I will be uploading a new video featuring a handmade festive Christmas card. You can subscribe to my channel here so you don’t miss any upcoming videos.

    Here is my first card! I love the traditional color pallet. I can practically smell the fresh pine from the beautiful wreath! Close your eyes and just imagine that delicious scent. Or it could be my pine-scented candle flickering on the table next to me.

    The stamp set I used to create this card is our December stamp of the month. It will be available for the month of December only so mark your calendars! Starting December 1st with any $50 purchase you can get this set for $5. A Merry Christmas 🎁 gift for yourself!

    I used the pine bough image from the stamp to create my Christmas wreath. I love looking beyond the images you see to stretch them even further and create something new and maybe unexpected. The Christmas Red Stickles glitter gel was a fun way to add my sparkly red berry clusters. To watch this card come together you can view the YouTube tutorial below

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you are inspired and stay tuned for more Christmas cards!

    Cutting measurements:

    • A2 Card base measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 folded
    • Trim the Green patterned paper to 4 x 5 1/4
    • For the wreath trim White Daisy cardstock to 3 1/4 squared
    • For the red banner trim a piece of Candy Apple Red to 5 x 1 1/2.
    • You’ll need enough red ribbon to tie a bow

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  • Cricut Projects,  Inspiration,  Scrapbooking Layouts and Projects

    Complete Creativity “So Happy”

    October 23, 2019 /

    Hello there! I have another Complete Creativity layout for you today! I am having so much fun customizing these projects to fit my needs and adding my own creative touches. This is actually part of a collaboration I did with fellow consultant Jayma Malme. Be sure to check out her blog for even more inspiration here. This scrapbook layout was originally designed for an 8.5 x 11 layout. I am a 12×12 scrapbooker so, in Design Space, I enlarged everything to scale. I also added an additional 3×3 photo, journaling strips, a second butterfly and additional flower sprigs. I went with the proposed color palette because it worked perfectly with my photos. The pink tone in my sister-in-law’s sweater works with the embellishments to move your eye around the page. However, you could easily change the colors to fit whatever pictures you have in mind. My goal here was to snap a nice family picture for my Brother. His boys were full of laughter and excitement. This was the best picture we got. The title “so Happy” was perfect to capture the shenanigans of the moment.

    After cutting my flower from Thistle cardstock, I applied some sparkle with the Clear Shimmer Brush. Adding a few sequins around the page adds some texture and little pops of color. I do recommend adhering these little guys with the micro glue dots. Sometimes with liquid adhesive, they will pop off after the adhesive is dry. The glue dots have a little flex to them and work great!

    I really like all the detail you get by layering these Cricut cuts. The chevron background overlay and the torn “notebook” paper all work together perfectly. My base layer cardstock and the chevron overlay are both Glacier cardstock. Because CTMH’s paper is two-toned you can use the reverse side to get this look without having to have all those extra colors of cardstock. Sort of like paint colors on a paint chip, multiple tones in one color family. Brilliant!

    I quickly threw this cute little card together utilizing the negative cut-outs from the chevron background. The hearts are cut from the stitched heart thin cuts and the fun plaid pattern is from the Heart patterns stamp set. I created an additional scrapbook layout as well so stay tuned for that or check out the youtube video below to see it all come together.

    As always, thank you so much for stopping by. The complete Creativity Collection can only be purchased through a Close to My Heart Consultant. To see more of this collection check out the link here. It will take you to Cricut.com where you can instantly add the Complete Creativity to your Design Space account. Happy crafting my friends!

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