Friday, December 31, 2010

January Stamp of the Month Bloghop

I'm so excited, this is my first time ever participating in the CTMH Stamp of the Month Bloghop.  I love the creativity that happens here every month.  It's inspiring!

Thanks for stopping by.  If you've arrived here from Wendy Coffmans blog, welcome!

The January Stamp of the Month is called Find Your Style.  It's got a vintage feel. 




I've included the supply list for my cards below each card. 

I made this card with the butterfly in this stamp set...lots of little sparkly things on it.  It's hard to see on this picture, but I used Mocha Opaques and Bitty Sparkles on the leaves, and Blue-Green Assortment of Sparkles on the butterfly's body.



I used a double layer of foam mounting tape under the butterfly to really pop him up.  I also bent the wings up a bit.

TIP:  The best way to place the Bitty Sparkles and Opaques is by using the Piercing Tool tip.


Supplies Used:
Find Your Style (January Stamp of the Month)
The Present
Olive Card Stock
Bamboo Card Stock
Colonial White Card Stock
Olive Stamp Pad
Cocoa Stamp Pad
Sorbet Stamp Pad
Mocha Opaques
Bitty Sparkles
Blue-Green Assortment Sparkles
Piercing Tool (to place bitty sparkles, opaques)
Round Sponge
Foam Mounting Tape

I also made this card inspired by Linda Caler.




At first I stamped the bird flying downwards, and it looked like he was dive-bombing, so I leveled him out a little bit, and now he just looks like he's soaring.

Just tipping the bird a little made a difference.

Supplies Used:
Find Your Style (January Stamp of the Month)
Magnifique Paper Pack, X7127B  (Pacifica card stock, Bamboo patterned paper)
Cocoa Card Stock
Cocoa Stamp Pad
Pacifica Stamp Pad
Metal Brad Assortment
Round Sponge

If you like what you see, feel free to comment or subscribe to my blog (box is on the upper right), and you'll get my posts delivered right to your In Box!  You can even buy all the supplies used here on my website.

January is a FABULOUS time to place an order. Check out the Inspirations Brochure online, too.  During January you can get a deep discount on stamp sets shown in the Inspirations Brochure. (woo-hoo!)  You can even get the Stamp of the Month for free (or for a lot less than it would usually cost you.)

And now, hop on over to Vickie Tagatz's blog to see what goodies she has in store for you!  Happy stamping!





Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Hope your Christmas was fabulous!

Here's the last Christmas card I made this year.  It would have been a lot smarter to make the SAME Christmas card, but I guess that's kind of boring. 

I "borrowed" this card from my friend Lisa Stenz, who is incredibly talented.  








I liked the way the card turned out.  After trying it with Liquid Glass and a little glitter, I tried it with a can of spray adhesive and a LOT of glitter.  See what you get?  My mother, who thinks everything goes better with glitter, would love it.


Sorry about the naked buttons.  I only made one of these.  I was surprised how much glitter it took.

Supplies Used:
Hello There (for the branch)
Holiday Trinkets (for hanging thread)
Buttoned Together ("So Glad We're Friends")
Prisma Glitter
Pear Stamp Pad
Chocolate Stamp Pad
Pear Mini-Medley Accents
Lagoon Mini-Medley Accents
Liquid Glass
Spray Mount (spray adhesive in an aerosol can)




Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Another (Quick) Christmas Card

Well, I'm not sure that this qualifies as "quick" since there is a little bit of coloring in it, but I got the idea from my friend Tara, who sent me a Christmas card with a similar design, but it had cute printed card stock with reindeer on it) on the center strip and plain card stock on the background.  She didn't even need to stamp or color anything!  I loved the simplicity.  

I still have bunches of Christmas cards to make - I made 50 of these last night.  I stamped the snowmen, colored and glittered last night ... then let the Glitz Glitter Gel dry while I slept.  I have to finish assembling tonight and then write my cards.  yikes!  Running out of time!  And I still have to make my Mother-in-Law's scrapbooking gift!

Plus, I wanted to use up my retired stuff - my Citrus Leaf Card Stock and inks.  (That was a factor in the color choices.)

Nothing like waiting until the last minute!  (You know me, I work best under pressure!)



Supplies Used:
Snow Friends, D1244
Tag the Occasion, B1362
Feathery Flakes, D1317
Dutch Blue Card Stock
Dutch Blue Stamp Pad
Citrus Leaf Card Stock (retired, but Pear would be a great substitute)
Citrus Leaf Marker (retired)
Watermelon Stamp Pad (retired, but Cotton Candy would be a great substitute)
Watermelon Marker (retired)
Hydrangea Marker (retired, but Gypsy would be a great substitute)
Dutch Blue Marker
Topiary Marker
Glitz Glitter Gel, Z1313 (for the snow below the snowmen)
1" circle punch
Bitty Sparkles, Z1263

Monday, December 20, 2010

Owls, anyone?

I love the new colors that Close To My Heart came out with a few months ago.  They're softer than the old colors, and more updated.  I saw this card in a Close To My Heart consultant publication, and I thought it was really cute, so I duplicated it (to the best of my abilities).  The finished size is 8" x 3 1/2".  We made this card in our December Card Class.  Fun!

Card designed by the Close To My Heart Art Department

Supplies Used:
Olivia Paper Pack, X7128B
Love You Forever Stamp Set, C1398
Sunset Mini-Medly Accents, Z1338
Basic Craft Buttons, Z1206 (Colonial White Button)
Chocolate Stamp Pad
Desert Sand Stamp Pad
Watercolor Pencils
Blending Pen
Chocolate Marker
Lagoon Marker
Black Marker (for small owl's eyes)
Round Sponge (for edge distressing in Chocolate)
Lagoon Card Stock
Pewter Brads (for eyeballs)
Piercing Tool
Waxy Flax, Crystal Blue
Glue Dots
White Gel Pen (Gelly Roll Brand), for faux stitching
Foam Mounting Tape

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Quick Gift Tag

My husband wanted some gift tags for some small gifts he was giving work-friends.  Of course, I opted for "faster, simpler and easier."  Here's what I came up with:  (I even put the stamps all on the same block, so I only had to stamp once!)



I used the (retired) stamp set Chillin' (love those polar bears!) and the "To" and "From" from Gift of Love.  You could use any stamp that had a little animal or something.

I also sponged around the edges in Blush.  Spring Iris would have been pretty, too.  It's subtle and you can't really see it in the picture, but it's there...

To apply the glitter I squirted some Liquid Glass on a scrap paper.  Then I "picked some up" and spread it with the flat side of the toothpick where I wanted the glitter to stick.  I dipped it the card in the glitter and shook off the excess.  I could have used Glitz Glitter Gel, but I am impatient and don't like to wait for the stuff to dry.  Liquid Glass dries faster.

SUPPLIES USED:
Gift of Love (C1291)
Chillin' (retired)
White Daisy Card Stock (1385)
Moonstruck Ink (Z2134)
Blush Ink (Z2106) (I sponged around the edges, but you can't see it in the picture)
Round Sponge (Z697)

Watercolor Pencils (3505) (I used Spring Iris) - but you could just use a Lilac Mist marker and skip the blending pen
Blending Pen (3174)

Liquid Glass (Z679)
Prisma Glitter (Z134)
A flat toothpick (for spreading the Liquid Glass)

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Doesn't get much easier than this!

I love to make cards that aren't too involved.  This quick and easy card uses a couple of pieces of paper and the Dimensional Elements - Flurry...and glitter.

I like the effect the sandpaper gives on the Moonstruck paper.  It makes it look snow-stormy.



Supplies Used:
Moonstruck Card Stock
Moonstruck Ink
Lilac Mist Card Stock
White Daisy Card Stock
Feathery Flakes (D1317)
Holiday Trinkets (D1366)
Dimensional Elements - Flurry
Prisma Glitter
Liquid Glass (as adhesive for the glitter) 
Sandpaper (to distress the Moonstruck Card Stock)
Round Sponge (to add a little color to the Lilac Mist Card Stock)
Bitty Sparkles (to "dot" the "I" in Christmas)

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Pennant Card - from a Christmas Stamp Set

The other day I was working on a Christmas card using the Evergreen stamp set (D1315).  I was staring at the trees (triangles) and I realized that a few of them look just like the pennants in Party Pennants (C1429, my favorite stamp set in this Idea Book).

Evergreen (D1315)




Did you know that you can turn your stamps over (stick the front of the stamp on the block) and stamp on the flat (back) side of the stamp?  I wanted to use the triangle shape on this Christmas tree, but I didn't want to have the paisleys on on my stamped image.

I used the colors Pear, Dutch Blue, Sunflower and Holiday Red.  I stamped the same flag in different colors, so I had to clean in between each color.  The little triangle box made a cute holder for the card/pennants.








This card is all-purpose.  You can send it to anyone...just change the letters.  :)

Supplies Used:
Evergreen (D1315)
Extreme Caps (D1250)
Colonial White Waxy Flax
Pear Stamp Pad
Dutch Blue Stamp Pad
Sunflower Stamp Pad
Holiday Red Stamp Pad
Outdoor Denim Stamp Pad (for letters)

Friday, December 3, 2010

Christmas Gift Card Holder

Inspired by Tresa Black
This month, one of the cards we're making in class is a 3-D gift card holder.  This card was inspired by the fabulous Tresa Black, on her UStream video that I watched yesterday.  She really is creative!  I didn't have the Christmas tree stamp she had, but I had another symmetrical tree stamp, so that worked out fine.  :)  Plus, this is my fav. Christmas tree stamp set, Evergreen (D1315).  One year we put a bunch of small cranberry brads on the trees to make them look like ornaments.  Super fun and easy (my two favorite adjectives when it comes to card making.)

So, this card doesn't necessarily fall into the "easy" category, but I think it's worth the effort.

Take a 5"x12" piece of card stock, and score it at 3 1/2", 6" and 8 1/2"
Fold the card up in the center and down on the sides, so it looks like a "W"

With the card folded in half, measure in 3/4" from the folded edge and mark it.  Take a 1/4" hole punch and punch 1/2 of the hole at the 3/4" marks.

Then take a paper trimmer or Exacto knife and cut between the two holes, to make a card pull-out (trough).

Take a 1" punch (or similar) and punch a partial circle in the middle of the pull-out you just made.

Once again, pictures are better (at least for me)... (You can click on the picture and make it larger and print it.)



Glue the two center pieces of the fold together (gluing just on the edges, in a "U" shape), forming a pocket for your gift card in the center.  

TIP:  Tresa suggested using an adhesive that "dries hard."  I never thought about this before...You know how sometimes you make a gift card holder (or a card with a pull-out tab), and the gift card kind of sticks to the adhesive you used on the card?  That makes me just a little bit crazy.  Well, if you use an adhesive that "dries hard" like glue stick, Bonding Memories, Liquid Glass you won't have that problem.  If you use an adhesive that never dries out, and remains sticky forever (like Tombow, Terrifically Tacky Tape (redliner tape), Hermafix (Dotto Dots), or Glue Dots) you have the potential of your gift card sticking to your adhesive.  This was an AH-HA moment for me! 

SO - Use the "dries hard" kind of adhesive on the middle section.



You're basically done with the gift card part of the card.  The embellishing is the harder part of this card.  Tresa made a 3-D Christmas tree. So, I did, too, copy-catter that I am...


Stamp and cut out 3 Christmas trees.  Decorate the trees with markers.  Score them in half, folding the "pretty sides" in.  You can trim the trees or sponge the edges a bit, if you "missed a spot."

Now for the gluing instructions...If you label the backs of the trees 1,2,3 and the halves on each tree labeled Right (R) and Left (L), glue them together like this:

Side 1L gets no adhesive at this time
Side 1R attaches to 2L
Side 2R attaches to 3L
Side 3R gets no adhesive at this time
Got it?  Good!  :)

I put Bitty Sparkles on the center one (tree #2).  Don't put sparkles on the center crease.

If you don't want to do the fancy tree, just stamp ONE tree on the card stock and decorate that one.  It's still a cool gift card holder.

When you're ready to put your tree on your card, just put adhesive on Tree Side 1L and 3R and stick to your card.  One of the nice things about this gift card holder, is that even though it's 3-D, it can lay flat and will mail easily.

The striped paper I used was 4" x 7 1/2".  With the folded paper in the center, the card is a tiny, tiny bit larger than the 7" you think it is.  So you can just glue the decorative paper down and trim the excess off.

So now, you can decorate your card together with whatever you want to.  I liked the ribbon closure (22"), but you could also use Velcro dots or a spiral paper clip.  Whatever suits you!

Supplies I Used:
Evergreen (D1315)
Today's Date (D1286)
Mistletoe Paper Pack (X7130B)
New England Ivy Card Stock (included in Mistletoe Paper Pack)
Cranberry Card Stock (included in Mistletoe Paper Pack)
Colonial White Card Stock (included in Mistletoe Paper Pack)
Bamboo Card Stock (for liner in the back section) (1301)
Desert Sand Card Stock (for the tree trunk) (1273)
New England Ivy Stamp Pad (Z2135)
Cranberry Stamp Pad (Z2116)
Cocoa Stamp Pad (for sponging) (Z2114)
New England Ivy Marker (Z2335)
Gold Ribbon is from Creative Basics Mistletoe Collection (X5811)
Bitty Sparkles (Z1263)
Blue & Green Assortment of Sparkles (Z1327)
Red. Pink & Purple Assortment of Sparkles (Z1326)
Sanding Kit (for edge distressing) (Z1294)
Round Sponge (Z697)
Bonding Memories Glue (1512)

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

December Stamp of the Month - Amore

This  month, the Stamp of the Month is called Amore (D1145).  I made a simple card with this set for a party I did today.  You can use it for Valentines, or any other love-y occasion.






I used the Chocolate colored paper from Bella, but any paper that's Chocolate will do...even plain Chocolate card stock.  If you're using plain card stock, I would recommend sponging the edges with Chocolate Ink.  It just looks better...more finished.

For this card, I stamped the saying in Cocoa ink.  Also, the "Love" on the Chocolate paper is Cocoa.  I sponged Blush all around the small paper and the card base.

My favorite part of this card is the embellishments.  I used an itty bitty pearl from the Mocha Opaques pearls set at the top of the saying.  Plus, I put a bunch of Bitty Sparkles dotted around the frame.



I also put one inside the card - it's hard to tell from the picture, but the Bitty Sparkle adds a lot to the inside of the card. 



I plan on giving this card to my sweetie for Valentine's Day...that is if I can find it when the time comes! Oh, wait!  I can give it to him for our anniversary, which is this month.   Actually, I always feel like I'm cheating when I give him a hand made card.  It's like a baker giving his wife a loaf of bread as a gift.  You know, not that special, just an ordinary "work" thing.  Maybe I'll make him a mini-scrap book.  I know he likes that kind of stuff (even more than I do).

If you want to come and make this card - come to a card class this month!  I have just one - Friday, December 3 at 6:30.

Supplies Used:
Amore Stamp Set, D1445 (December Stamp of the Month)
Bella (Chocolate paper)
Blush Card Stock
Hollyhock Card Stock
Colonial White Card Stock
Blush Stamp Pad
Cocoa Stamp Pad
Round Sponge
Bitty Brads
Mocha Opaques
Chocolate Ribbon Rounds
Glue Dots (for the ribbon)

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Change your Font Colors to Close To My Heart colors!

One of my customers asked me about changing the font colors on her computer to match the Close To My Heart colors.  YES!  You can change the color of your type in Word or other similar programs.  The color values and directions on how to change them are below:

I can only tell you about the steps to take for Word for Windows, but I assume other programs are similar.  

1. Highlight the text you want to change the color of.
2. With the text still highlighted, look on the toolbar at the top of your screen, on the right hand side.  There should be a letter "A" with a little down arrow next to it.
3. Click on the arrow.
4. Click on "More Colors"
5. Click on "Custom" Tab
6. Enter in the values shown (below) for the R (Red), G (Green), B (Blue) codes
7. Click "OK"

If you don't see the "A" on your toolbar, you can also use the pull-down menu:  Under Format, Click on Font.  See the Font Color pull-down box?  Click on More Colors, then click on the Custom Tab. Enter in the values (below).

You should be able to click on the document (below) and print and/or save it (as a .pdf). (Some of the numbers might be cut off on the blog post, but if you click on the document, they should all be there.)




Have fun creating!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

I AM capable of making a labor intensive card! (but only if it has sparkles)

I saw a similar card to this one somewhere...I think it was at JenniferMcGuireInkcom   
(I tried to find the post, but wasn't able to.)

Jennifer's card was a clear one with a snowman on the front, and she had run the front of the card through an embossing folder and her Cuttlebug.  Very pretty!  But I wanted to make one with Close To My Heart stuff, of course!  AND I wanted to show you the shaving cream technique with reinkers.  A bit messy, but very fun.

Plus, I LOVE the stamp set All Decked Out.  The snowman pieces are great, and you can change his hat, scarf and body parts.

So this is a clear plastic card (which you can't tell from the picture).  The snowman is on the front of the card, the blue swirlies are on the inside front of the card, and the dark blue (Moonstruck) is on the back of the card.

DON'T FORGET:  Peel the plastic protective sheets off BOTH sides of the plastic card before you start.


I made the swirlies with a plate full of shaving cream (any kind - use the cheap kind from the dollar store) and some Crystal Blue and Moonstruck Reinkers.


Put some shaving cream and drops of reinker on your plate


Now swirl it around, trying NOT to mix it too much

Lay a sheet of paper on the shaving cream, making sure you press the card into the shaving cream.
Wipe it off with a paper towel.  Let dry. Repeat with other blank sheets of paper (for extras).


You will get different patterns as your shaving cream gets moved around.
You can even spread it on your sheet with a knife.

I rounded the edges, stamped a few snowflakes and attached the swirly paper to the INSIDE of the card.

Then I mounted the Moonstruck card stock on the BACK of the card, to cover up the adhesive from the swirly sheet.  Be sure to keep the adhesive away from the edges of the Moonstruck paper, so they will not show through the front of the card.  (Sorry, the adhesive on the back of the snowman does show.)

TIP:  The adhesive I used on this card was Tombow or Liquid Glass.  You can also use double stick tape.  You do not want to used glue stick.  It will get dry and un-stick.  With the Liquid Glass, I held the paper down for a few minutes, to make sure it was good and stuck.  Also, be careful, it squishes out, if you put too much on.





I debated between Crystal Blue, Sky and Lilac Mist for the swirls.  I decided on Sky and Lilac Mist. 


Then I added Bitty Sparkles, Liquid Glass and Prisma Glitter.  LOVE that bling!

I also added Liquid Applique to his hat, between sections of Lilac Mist. 
Fun Flock would also be a nice addition.

I stamped the arms in Brown Staz-On on the front of the plastic card.  BE CAREFUL, it is slippery.  Try not to let the stamp slide around when pressing down.

This was a fun card to make - worth all the time it took.  :)  I hope you liked it, too.


Supplies Used:
Shaving Cream
Reinker, Moonstruck
Reinker, Crystal Blue
Clear Cards 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Assortment (Z1323, 8  for $8.95)
All Decked Out (D1308)
Moonstruck Stamp Pad
Moonstruck Card Stock
White Daisy Card Stock
Spring Iris Marker
Sky Marker
Sunflower Marke
Baby Pink Marker
Liquid Glass
Prisma Glitter
Bitty Sparkles
Liquid Applique
Staz-On Brown (for the arms)
Corner Rounder



Monday, November 22, 2010

Another way to save your precious paper

I've had lots of positive feedback on my post about how to be efficient with your 12"x12" paper.  Here's another tip on how to get the most from your paper (especially the pretty patterned paper, which is always a limited resource.)  I have friends/customers (myself included) that just want to look at the nice, complete, brand new paper pack, but don't want to cut the papers...because if you cut into them, you can't look at them in their "mint condition"!  (sigh, it's a balance, loving paper...)  You may think I'm weird...or you may have felt this way, too, but thought you were the only one.  Don't worry, you are not alone. 

Anyway, on to the Saving-Of-The-Paper.

On my other post, I suggested making your card bases 4" x 5 1/2" (finished) instead of the standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  If you buy cards that are already cut into the "normal" finished size of 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", or use 8 1/2" x 11" paper to cut your own card bases, smaller cards isn't really a convenient option.  I still have paper-saving ideas for you.  

IDEA:  Cut your "pretty" paper a little smaller, so that you have a 1/8" border around your card.



Pictures are better - this is what I'm talking about:

Card inspired by Antoinette Herrin

This card has the New England Ivy card stock border around it.  Even if your card is 4 1/4" wide, you can still use a 4" piece of patterned paper, like I did here.  You get more pieces from your 12x12 sheet.  6 pieces of the patterned paper that are 4" x 5 1/4".

This is in contrast to going all the way to the edge with your patterned paper, like this:

Designed by Linda Caler


I kind of like the border on the edge anyway, I think it makes a nice frame.

TIP:  If you didn't want to throw more paper on your card (I mean the solid frame), you can always INK your border color on the edge, using a sponge dauber or something.  The color will still set off the smaller patterned paper.

Items used:
Mistletoe Paper Pack (X7130B)
Mistletoe Creative Basics Collection (X5811)
Snow Days (C1420)
Colonial White Collection Designer Ribbon Rounds (Z1126)

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Two-Tone Stamping

I LOVE the November Stamp of the Month.  I like that it has a thankfulness theme. 

This month, we're using it on a circle card.  But that's not what I wanted to show you!

See how the THANKS is yellow and green?  First I inked the stamp in Goldrush, and then I applied a sponge dauber inked in Topiary to the already-inked stamp.  It adds the second color and makes the image more interesting!  . 

You could also just use the second color around the edges of the stamp, to give it some shading.  This technique is really pretty on leaf stamps.



TIPS:  It really works best on stamps that have a more solid image.  (Like you could use this same technique with the bird stamp, shown above.)  Also, you want to use colors that blend together well on top of each other.  What I mean is, green is made up of yellow and blue, so it works when you put green on top of yellow.

If you put green on top of red, you would get brown.  It might be interesting, but it also might not look like you intended.  (I don't think you could get red and green together on the same stamp using this technique.)

Supplies Used:
4 1/2" Circle Cards (Z1353, $5.95 for 12 cards AND square envelopes)
Splendor Paper Pack (X7124B)
November Stamp of the Month, A Little Thanks (D1444)
Leave Your Mark (D1405)
A Tweet (A1104)
Chocolate Ribbon Rounds (Z1127)
Mocha Opaques (Z1333)
Pearl Opaques (Z1336)
Topiary Stamp Pad (Z2155)
Goldrush Stamp Pad (Z2123)
Chocolate Stamp Pad (Z2111)
Sponge Daubers (Z726)

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Decorative Recipe/Photo Box


This past weekend was our church's Alternative Gifts (Christmas) Fair.  I decorated the My Creations Recipe/Photo Box (Z1322) with Close To My Heart papers I had from previous promotions.  It was fun to make them, and went pretty fast.  My problem was I got started at 8:00pm the night before the event...so I didn't get many made.  Still, we raised over $100 for Northwest Harvest, one of our local food banks.

I love the My Creations Recipe/Photo Boxes. They will hold 4x6 photos or recipe cards and have a magnetic clasp on the front flap.




I also made 4x6 inserts for each box with coordinating paper, and little tabs made with my Cuttlebug and a round punch.





I used the Irrisistibles Dimensional Elements for the flower.  The colors are Spring Iris, Pink Carnation (retired), Key Lime and Sunny Yellow.  It may be Kiwi (retired) on the patterned paper, but since I don't have any more Kiwi paper, I used Key Lime for the flpa.  It looked fine.



My favorite decorated box was with the new Mistletoe paper.  Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of that style, before I sold them.  

I just made my own template for the rounded piece and the notched piece on the front.  I used a heavy piece of card stock to make my template, so it wouldn't get ruined while I was using it.

I sponged the edges of the boxes before sticking paper on them.

I glued together two 4x6 pieces of Card Stock to make the divider inserts.  One piece of Card Stock just didn't seem heavy enough.  For the scalloped pieces, I used my Cuttlebug with Nestabilities Dies.

Supplies Used:
My Creations Recipe/Photo Box (Z1322, $6.95)
Retired CTMH Papers
Round Sponge
Coordinating Ink Pad
Cuttlebug
Nestabilities Dies
Round punch (1 1/4")
Really strong glue.  I used 3M Poster Tape with the giant tape-gun-dispenser  You could use Bonding Memories Glue, but I would recommend applying it on both pieces of paper/the box and the decorative paper.  Tombow just isn't sticky enough for this project. 

Monday, November 15, 2010

Copy Catter

One of the things I try to do on my blog is to show you cards that aren't super elaborate and don't take a lot of time to create.  Sometimes I'm envious of the people who post those gorgeous, time consuming cards and projects, but I just know that I would never take the time to make them.  I'm just too busy!

So, when I see a good idea and want to copy it - I just do.  (I'm shameless, but what can I say?) 

Here's a freebie card we received from World Wildlife Fund.  As soon as I saw it, I said, "Hey, I like that.  I can do that.with my CTMH stamps!"  My daughter liked mine better, because it has glitter.  She also said I HAD to use Liquid Applique (the puffy stuff at the bottom).

I would not have thought of putting the swirly snowflakes vertically on my own.  I've always thought of doing them horizontally.  It's good to get out of the box!



Supplies used:
Nature's Gift (C1424)
Snow Flurries (D1384)
Crystal Blue Card Stock
Pacifica Stamp pad
Prisma Glitter (Z134)
Bonding Memories Glue (1512) (for the glitter)
Liquid Applique (Z308)
Bitty Sparkles (Z1263) $2.95

Friday, November 12, 2010

Thank You Gifts

I love my customers.  If I ever quit doing Close To My Heart, I would really miss them!  I wanted to do something special for them, since this is one of our last monthly card classes for the year.  (I also have an optional December 3 card class.)

I saw this project on Lisa Stenz' blog.  She's so talented!  I made a few adjustments, and voila!


It's a little bag made out of paper with hot chocolate fixin's inside!

Supplies Needed:
4 1/2" x 3" piece of card stock (any color, I used Colonial White)
5" x 12" piece of patterned paper (I used the striped paper from Mistletoe (X7130B)
1 1/4" Circle punched from Cranberry Card Stock
Scalloped circle punched from Cranberry Card Stock
Circle punched from Colonial White Card Stock (just make sure it's smaller than your scallop)
Card Chatter -Thank You stamp set (C1381)
Snow Flurries (D1384) - snowflakes on the tag
Cranberry Stamp Pad
Sweet leaf Stamp Pad
1/4" hole punch
White Grosgrain Ribbon
Tombow adhesive or Teriffically Tacky Tape (if you use Terrifically Tacky Tape, you don't need to double the adheisve.
Euro Personal Paper Trimmer (with Scoring Blade)

Score the small paper 1/2" on each edge. Fold up the edges up to make a "tray" shape.




Cut where the red lines are shown. Put adhesive all the way around the edges. Stick the "tray" together, with the adhesive facing OUT. (tabs are "in" holding it together.)
If you are using Tombow, put adhesive on the striped sheet, too, as shown.

Next, you will be sticking the tray and long side of the paper (the side with the adhesive) together, to make the bag. Using adhesive on both papers ensures a better bond.  Starting at the center of the long side of the tray, press the long side of the sticky, striped side of the paper onto the tray.  (HINT:  Remember the short side of the paper has some adhesive, too.  That short side with adhesive will be the LAST thing you attach to the tray.)  Try to stick the striped paper as close to the bottom on the "tray" as possible.  Work your way around the tray.  Now you have your bag!  (OK, I know these instructions sound complicated, but it really isn't.  It's just that writing them out makes the instructions look hard!  I'm making mental notes on how to have the pictures supplement the instructions.)



You can fill your bag with whatever you want.  It's fun if your goodies poke out of the top.  I used a circle punch to make a Cranberry Circle, and folded it in half to attach to the front.  Then I punched a 1/4" hole in it for ribbon.  Not only does it add a little interest at the top, it reinforces the hole.  You can also do this on the back side, but I chose to use see-through hole reinforcements, instead.  It's especially important to reinforce the hole somehow on the back, because it's just patterned paper, not card stock.  It might rip if there's any stress with the ribbon.

Have fun!