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  • Card Making,  Uncategorized

    Joyful Sunflower Slim Line Cards

    August 21, 2020 /

    Send a little sunshine someone’s way with the Joyful Sunflower stamp set. I love sunflowers and knew I had to have this stamp for my collection. They are so bright and cheerful and I can not imagine my garden without these happy flowers! I’m sure you have noticed slimline cards are definitely trending right now. I thought it would be a fun format for this card and I am happy with my end result.

    You can always watch this card come together in the youtube tutorial below. I’d love to have you as a subscriber to my Youtube channel.

    The slimline card sizes vary a bit depending on your personal preference. I created this card to be 8.5 x 3.5”. I really like the balance and feel of this size. I first stamped my images using Intense Black ink then brought them to life with Spectrum Noir TriBlend markers. Although I must say, these sunflowers look amazing stamped in classic black and left alone. You will notice I alternated the sunflowers by stamping some directly onto my card base while die-cutting and popping up the center flower. This adds interest and dimension. The coppery shimmer trim adds an unexpected pop of shimmery goodness.

    The Joyful Sunflowers stamp set is available with or without coordinating thin cut die through the month of August. I appreciate there is a coordinating die for just about every image in this set.

    Thank you for stopping by. I hope you found a little inspiration and get creating. Happy crafting my friends!

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  • Card Making,  Uncategorized

    Christmas in July, Gnome Christmas Cards

    July 26, 2020 /

    I didn’t even know Christmas in July was a thing until a few years ago. Turns out it is a great time to gear up and get a jump start on your Christmas cards. If your days are passing as quickly as mine then its never too early! Today I will show you how to create 3 cards all with non-Christmas products from the July and August catalog. Let us take a closer look at these festive cards.

    I always recommend checking out the YouTube tutorial to see these projects come together and pick up on a few tips and tricks. I’m a visual person and love to watch the crafty process in action.

    For today’s cards, I used the beautiful patterned papers from the Timber collection. These papers are perfect for fall, the manly guy in your life, or Christmas! Nothing says Christmas more than a red plaid. They are perfect for your mountain adventures too. I can think of so many ways to use this collection.

    For my first card, I began by layering up the pretty patterned papers. This is a classic go-to card design for me. I love all the layers and how the stitched circle highlights our little gnome character. The measurements for each card will be posted below along with all the supplies used to create these projects. I should add that the Merry Christmas sentiment is from the Say it In Style stamp set. this stamp has a sentiment for just about every occasion!

    The Gnome is actually from a garden gnome set. Just by selecting Christmas inspired colors, we can transform our image into the perfect holiday character. I’ve colored this whimsical gnome image with Spectrum Noir tri-blend marker in Dark Red and accented with black. The Gnome Matter stamp is available with or without the coordinating thin cut dies.

    For my second card, I added kraft paper for a homespun Christmas vibe. The pine trees are from the Timber cardmaking set. It’s designed as an outdoor fishing themed stamp but the tree made for a perfect Christmas tree! Using New England Ivy ink I combined first and second generation stamping to create different shades for my trio of trees. I added dimensional foam to pop up the center tree then gave it a shimmery finish with a clear shimmer brush.

    My third card had to be a shaker card because they are so much fun! The adorable Gnome dressed in his Christmas best makes the perfect embellishment layered onto this shaker window. I felt it needed a little something to offset the Gnome so I dug through my Christmas stash and stamped, colored and fussy cut the holly images. I chose the loose Julep Sequins to fill my shaker window because the green was just the right pop of color.

    Below are the card measurements I used for today’s projects. I adhered each card panel onto a standard A2 card (5.5 x 4.25″).

    Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the card sketches and are feeling inspired to get creating. Happy crafting my friends!

    ***Supplies***

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  • Inspiration,  Scrapbooking Layouts and Projects,  Uncategorized

    The Happiest Place!

    July 23, 2020 /

    Hello there! I have been having so much fun documenting a Disneyland trip from years ago. It’s wonderful to revisit these early memories. My boys were so little! We are definitely overdue for a Disney vacation and I can’t wait to visit again. Close To My Heart’s new collection, Happiest Place, rocks the perfect Disney vibe. I did add the mouse ears from my stash but everything else included on this layout is from the kit and 100% fun!

    I always recommend checking out the youtube process video below to see this layout come together and pick up a few design tips and tricks.

    The coordinating sticker sheet is loaded with silver glitter foil accents! Who doesn’t love a little something sparkly? You can see the shine in my roller coaster image below. There is even silver foiled cardstock! Whoop, whoop! I was pretty happy with how the balloons pop with the Happy title. The yellow color really helps to lead your eye around the page.

    My title, Happy Magical Place, came together easily by combining the phrase “Happy” from the sticker sheet along with “Magical”, a coordinating black acrylic accent. I like to mix fonts and different elements to create a more visually interesting title.

    The Black Acrylic Accents are perfect for adding a new texture to your page. I’ve scattered black stars around my embellishment clusters to tie in with the word Magic and reinforce the silver foiled stars on my background patterned cardstock. The little Ferris wheel embellishment couldn’t have been more perfect for these photos with the Ferris Wheel ride in the background. I love it when things come together so well.

    This Happiest Place special is available through the end of August while supplies last. Be sure to grab your while you can. Check out all the goodies in this line including a custom Cricut collection. Thanks so much for stopping by, I appreciate you!

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  • Inspiration,  Scrapbooking Layouts and Projects,  Uncategorized

    Sunny Days Traveler’s Notebook

    June 27, 2020 /

    If you have been following me for a while, you know I am typically a 12×12 scrapbooker. I really wanted to create a garden journal to document this season so a traveler’s notebook seemed like the right choice for the project. I quickly discovered that a layout is a layout and if it inspires you, you can easily alter the scale to fit your scrapbooking needs!

    Be sure to check out the YouTube tutorial below to see this layout come together.

    Here’s a look at the entire spread below. I just noticed one of my jute bows wasn’t adhered down yet and moved a bit for the photo 😂 🤣. I went ahead and fixed that after the photo shoot. Too funny! I found this format perfect for utilizing scraps from my paper packs. It came together so quickly and I think I’m really going to enjoy creating this little journal.

    I’m loving these beautiful garden tags from the June Stamp of the Month. They coordinate beautifully with the Tabs & Tags Thin Cut Dies. You can get the SOTM free with any $50 purchase for the month of June. I really like how I can type up my journaling on the computer and then die cut with the Tag Thin Cut. You can downsize the font to add more information while keeping it neat and tidy.

    My title, “Sunny Days”, came from an unexpected stamp set. The Seas The Day scrapbooking stamp is definitely a nautical inspired set which I love. One might not consider it for a garden journal but the phrase Sunny Days is so versatile it can work for numerous themed layouts. I love to stretch my stash and get more out of the stamp sets I already have.

    Below you can see a photo gallery of some of the main supplies I used to create this layout. The Garden Tags set is only available for the month of June so grab yours before it’s gone.

    Thank you for stopping by. I hope you are feeling inspired and as always, happy crafting my friends!

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  • Card Making,  Uncategorized

    Retiform Card Technique

    June 17, 2020 /

    I recently stumbled across this cool technique and had to give it a go. Turns out it has been around for a long time! Not sure where I’ve been or how I missed it but I’m happy to have another fun technique in my toolbox. Be sure to watch the YouTube tutorial below to see these fun projects come together.

    To begin, you will need some type of masking element. I love to use Post-It removable labeling tape. It’s sticky enough but peels off beautifully and won’t damage your paper. You can find it at your local office supply, Walmart or Amazon.

    You will need a stamp set, preferably one with multiple images pertaining to a theme. I have used CTMH’s “From The Deep Blue” and “Palm Paradise” for today’s cards. These are gorgeous stamp sets from the May/June catalog. Be sure to add these to your collection before they disappear!

    You can use one shade of ink to achieve this look however I found I prefer a lighter shade combined with a darker shade. Here I’ve used Carolina and Bluebird Inks for my ocean card and Evergreen and Sage for the Palm Paradise card.

    You are basically masking off geometric angles to stamp little vignettes in. I recommend combining smaller stamped images with larger images for visual interest. You first blend ink around the edges leaving white space in the center. You will reapply your masking tape and then stamp over these areas with your selected images. Check out the video for some tips on how to do this.

    I have stamped my sentiment with VersaMark ink onto black card stock and then heat set with white embossing powder to achieve this look. I love white text on a dark background! This look is definitely trending right now but I don’t think it will ever go away. Lastly, add a little wow factor with a tangle of Silver or Gold Embellishing thread and a few sequins around your sentiment. Did you see the seashell sequins?!?! 😍

    Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate you and hope you have found some crafty inspiration. It’s fun to learn new techniques and revisit older ones! Happy crafting 😊

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  • Inspiration,  Scrapbooking Layouts and Projects,  Uncategorized

    Stitched Together “Happy” Layout

    June 9, 2020 /

    The new Stitched Together collection from CTMH is so bright and fresh! Having two teenage boys, I don’t always have the opportunity to make pages like this one. I love creating embellishment clusters with big bold florals. The look never disappoints!

    This layout actually uses very little patterned paper. It will be a perfect go to when you have used up most of your collection. To see this layout come together and learn some tips and tricks check out the video tutorial below.

    The “Happy” title is from the Stitched Together card making stamp. The stamp included dies for both the phrase as well as a coordinating shadow and is perfect for scrapbooking as well as card making. I chose the phrase “Happy” for my title because when I’m gardening I’m definitely in my happy place.

    The Stitched Together card making stamp has a sentiment for just about every occasion! The sentiments give the look of white text stamped on a dark background which is definitely trending right now.

    I’ve added some enamel dots and a few wooden buttons to add texture and interest to my floral layered embellishments. I am excited that buttons have come back into style! Who still has buttons in their stash? I know I do and these cute little wooden buttons have a big impact!

    Cutting Guide:

    • Begin with a sheet of 12×12 White Daisy
    • The peach patterned paper I’ve cut to 4×12
    • The Glacier piece I’ve cut at 8×5
    • The Sapphire photo mat is cut to 4 1/4 x 6 1/4 and slightly offset behind my picture.
    • I added a 1/4” strip of the red patterned paper and trimmed to 7” in length.
    • Embellish with images from the coordinating sticker sheet and fussy cut flowers from the floral patterned paper
    • Tear paper away from upper right edge and back with patterned paper of your choosing.

    Thank you for stopping by! Leave me a comment to say hello 👋. Happy crafting my friends!

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  • Card Making,  Easy To Embellished,  Uncategorized

    Easy to Embellished, From The Deep Blue

    May 31, 2020 /

    The ocean has always intrigued me. Below the surface is a secret world teeming with enchanting creatures. The new From The Deep Blue stamp set beautifully captures an array of sea life perfect for cards and scrapbook layouts. I have 3 cards to share with you today beginning with a simple single-layer stamped card and then stepping it up each time thereafter.

    For my first card above, I have combined the Seahorse and coral stamp to create a scene. This card came together quickly as it is all single layer stamping.

    • Begin with a piece of White Daisy cut to 3 3/4 x 5″
    • Stamp the coral along the bottom in Nectarine ink
    • Stamp the seahorse in Intense Black Ink and color as desired. I used Coral and Blue Turquoise Spectrum Noir Tri-Blends
    • Add your sentiment as shown and adorn with bubbles stamped in Lagoon Ink
    • Adhere to a piece of Lagoon cardstock cut to 4 x 5 1/4″
    • Then attach to your white card base using the White Cards and Envelopes Value Pack.

    This next card was very fun to create. I used a masking technique to create my background element stepping this card up quite a bit.

    • Begin with a piece of White Daisy cut to 3 3/4 x 5″
    • Mask and ink blend as shown in the youtube tutorial
    • Embellish with a seahorse popped up with dimensional foam adhesive. I have colored this one with the Coral Tri-Blend marker
    • Stamp coral on the upper right side of the card panel and add a sentiment of your choosing.
    • Finish off with a few enamel dots randomly placed on the card front

    This last card is definitely my favorite! I love all the dimension, layering and ink blending. I’ve also dressed up the card panel with the Stitched Rectangle Frames Die to add the stitched detailing around the edges.

    • Begin with a white Daisy panel cut from the largest Stitched Rectangle Frames die.
    • Stamp the Coral using Nectarine Ink on the lower left and right corners and on a scrap of White Daisy to die cut.
    • Using the medium Stitched Rectangle Die, cut another piece of White Daisy and ink blend using the same technique demonstrated in card two.
    • Splatter your inked panel with Clear Shimmer Brush to add sparkle and shine
    • Layer stitched pieces together as shown and adhere to a piece of Peacock cardstock.
    • Add the Seahorse and additional coral piece as shown using foam tape to add dimension. Before tacking the seahorse down attach some Gold Embellishing Thread looped around 3 times.
    • Attach sentiment as shown. I’ve used the May stamp of the month and heat embossed white onto black cardstock

    Thank you for stopping by! I appreciate you and hope you’ve been inspired. Happy crafting my friends.

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  • Card Making,  Uncategorized

    One Embossing Folder, Five Ways

    May 22, 2020 /

    I love to get more out of my crafty stash so I set out to see what I could create with the Quilted Embossing Folder from CTMH. I came up with five different cards to share with you! Check out the video tutorial below for some added tips and tricks.

    My first card was to simply emboss a piece of Mint cardstock to use as a background. The Quilted Embossing Folder is like having several in one with all the different textured squares. I love the detail it packs giving this background a touch of ”WOW”! The Kitty is from the You Make Me Happy stamp set. Seven dollars of the proceeds for every one of these stamps sold goes to Operation Smile, a nonprofit organization helping children with cleft lips and or palettes. For the sentiment, I’ve heat embossed with white powder onto a black background and finished off with a few Julep Sequins.

    This card turned out so cute! I designed it for a friend who just had her first baby. I thought this adorable Snuggle Up bunny image was too cute. I again embossed a piece of Mint cardstock but then cut up the individual squares to create my background. The White Daisy stitched circle is a perfect resting spot for the bunny. I colored my stamped images in with Spectrum Noir TriBlend Markers and added a congrats sentiment from the May SOTM, Celebrate Today.

    For this next card I applied Versamark ink directly to the embossing folder. Emboss your paper then coat in white embossing powder. Tap off the excess then set with your heat gun. You get a shiny elegant finish that dresses this card up beautifully! The photo does not catch the glossy background but you definitely can see it in the video tutorial. To continue with a formal vibe I chose a black and white color scheme. Adding a vellum butterfly with silver embellishing thread compliments my embossed background perfectly. Change the sentiment to congratulations and you have a perfect wedding card.

    This card is a favorite! My background was inspired by a fellow consultant from Japan. I love how she combined different cardstock colors to create this monochromatic look. The Multi Squares Window Thin Cut works well with this technique to take it up a notch. I embellished this card with the same Snuggle Up bunny and added Julep Sequins for some added sparkle. The sentiment is from the Say It In Style stamp set.

    For my last card, I embossing a piece of White Daisy Cardstock and then lightly applied Glacier ink with a blending tool. The color picks up the raised embossed pattern beautifully. I trimmed 1/3 off the background and used as a side panel for this card.

    So many ideas and looks all from one embossing folder!!! Check out your own crafty stash to see what you can create!

    Supplies:

    • May SOTM Celebrate Today
    • Say It In Style
    • Stitched Circles Thin Cuts
    • Basic Circles Thin Cuts
    • Stitched Rectangle Frames Thin Cuts
    • You Make Me Happy
    • Snuggle Up Stamp & Thin Cuts
    • Quilt Embossing Folder

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  • Card Making,  Scrapbooking Layouts and Projects,  Uncategorized

    Alphabet Stamps Creative Ways to Use Them

    May 7, 2020 /

    There is an often overlooked valuable tool stashed away in your craft room. It’s alphabet stamps! These may not be the most exciting thing you see when pouring over a newly released catalog but they are a versatile must have that never goes out of style.

    One of my favorite things to do is mix and match fonts for a new look. In my title pictures above, “You Make Me Smile”, I’ve combined the Teeny Tiny Type with Brushed Letters to create this fun look. I love that I can customize them by switching up the ink colors to coordinate with my project.

    I want to talk about the hearts because let’s face it, they are adorable! First of all, yes my friends, you can use hearts to embellish boy pages! Go ahead and do it. By layering hearts cut from different pattern papers and cardstock, you can whip up a fun embellishment cluster. The stitching detail from the Stitched Heart Thin Cuts (dies) adds a lot of visual interest, while the white acrylic hearts add texture, depth and dimension. Layer them up and vary the sizes and voila, your done! It’s a great way to use up those scraps of paper too!

    For my card project below, I wanted to further show the versatility of alphabet stamps. I’ve again used the Brushed Letters to spell out the word HELLO. By first stamping a background with the Strokes of an Artist stamp, I’ve created a quick and fun card. I used second generation stamping to lighten the background then stamped my letters right on top. Craft foam adds some dimension by popping my card front and again, the stitching detail really adds a beautiful finishing touch.

    Below is a closer look the stamp sets featured in today’s projects

    Thanks for stopping by! You can purchase any of these products listed below from my online store. I do appreciate your support!

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  • Card Making,  Cricut Projects,  Uncategorized

    Everyday Moments Lace Card Reimagined

    April 29, 2020 /

    The Everyday Moments Cricut collection by CTMH is overflowing with creativity! All the projects, like this lace card, are beautiful as is. However, I just can’t help myself and have to see what else I can create with the individual components for each project. Pictured above is the 5×7 Lace Card created exactly as designed. I used Eggplant and Wisteria cardstock on a white card base. There are also several sentiments to choose from to personalize your card. Now let us see what else we can do!

    I recommend watching the video to see these cards come together and learn some tips and tricks. Be sure to check out the YouTube tutorial below.

    This whimsical card was created with the Fairytale Magic stamp set. I used Canary, Wisteria, Ballerina and Glacier ink for this cheerfully colored background. It was so quick and easy to do! Add the lace overlay and finish it off with a stitched rectangle frame.

    The Chickadee card below is quite possibly my favorite of the bunch. It was inspired by my garden. Gorgeous yellow roses reach their way up a white trellis while the winged garden creatures flutter to and fro filling the air with birdsong. What’s not to love? Using the same lace overlay cut from White Daisy, I adhered it to my card panel. You can then embellish with roses from the Yesterday & Today cardmaking stamp and adorn with this cute Chickadee. I colored him with my Spectrum Noir Triblend Markers in Grey-brown and Golden-Brown. My sentiment is from the Say it In Style stamp set.

    This unique card was created by using the lace overlay as a stencil and applying texture paste. It makes for a beautifully elegant card destined to congratulate the new couple on their wedding day. To finish off the center I added a heart cut from vellum with the Stitched Heart Die. The sentiment, already cut from my first project, was perfect to center on the card front. I added a few pearls to go along with my wedding theme and this card is finished!

    Below is another card similar to the first but dressed up with French Vanilla and Gold Foil. The foil paper really makes a statement don’t you think? Imagine centering big bold numbers to represent the anniversary, 25 or maybe 50!

    Thank you for stopping by. Leave me a comment here or on my youtube channel to say hello and vote for your favorite card. Now take your new-found inspiration and start creating. Happy crafting my friends!

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