Monday, January 31, 2011

February Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

Welcome to the February edition of the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop where over 65 Close To My Heart consultants show you their creativity with the Stamp of the Month!

If you've arrived here from Paige's Paper Paradise, you've come to the right place.

This month's stamp set is called "Friendship" and is available only during the month of February.  You can see it in the NEW Spring Summer Idea Book, which is available on Feb 1.  It's PACKED with new stamps, papers, ideas and inspiration!  (Contact me if you'd like me to send you one for just the $5 shipping charge, which is refundable with your first order!)  




I  wanted to create a monochromatic card and something elegant, because this stamp set is very elegant.  My favorite color is Sweet Leaf, (although Pear is a close second), and I wanted to do a card with a fold-over closure. 




Not exactly monochromatic, but close...

I scored a 4"x12" piece of card stock at 1 1/4" and 6 3/4".  The finished card is 4" x 5 1/2".



On to the stamping...The stamp set has some stylized Victorian flowers.  I couldn't decide which to use on my card.  I tried...

I liked this image, but wasn't sure about using it by itself.  Oops!  Time to reink the stamp pad!



Didn't like the bat wings with the flower...



This one's OK, but I thought the diamond shape was a little overpowering...



Ahhh, just right...


Then, I had to decide what color ink to use with the Sweet Leaf Card Stock.  The images above were with Sweet Leaf ink.  Gotta try some other options, just to be sure!


Sweet Leaf...Garden Green...Topiary.
I think I'll stick with Sweet Leaf.





I've been wanting to use this punch I got at JoAnn's.


Didn't really like that floral swirly.  It doesn't add anything, and it's taking away from the "elegant" look I was going for.  Back to the plain black strip.


Then I just added the sentiment, which is wonderful...and some Licorice Opaques.  (Love those Opaques!)



Inside of the card I put a Colonial White liner, so you can easily write on the card.  Plus, it's more finished looking.

Now hop on over to Jean McNulty's blog and see what goodies she has in store for you!  Thanks for checking out our Blog Hop!

If you like what you see, you can subscribe (upper right hand corner) and get my posts delivered directly to your IN Box.  If you would like to buy supplies to make this card, you can shop day or night at my website.  

Have a sunny day - and don't forget to Stamp (yourself) Happy!

Supplies used:
Friendship, D1453
Sweet Leaf Card Stock, X5639
Colonial White Card Stock, 1388
Black Card Stock, 1386
Black Stamp Pad, Z2105
Sweet Leaf Stamp Pad, Z2153
Licorice Opaques, Z1335

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Dreamy...

I absolutely LOVE the new stamp set, Dreams Come True!

I made this card...love it!  I especially love the new color - PEAR.

I sponged Chocolate ink all around the smaller squares.  It's hard to tell from this picture, but it really is a nice card...and a great way to use up scraps!  I also added some Opaques, the pearls in the flower.

Supplies Used:
Dreams Come True, $22.95
Smoothie Ink, $5.25
Chocolate Ink, $5.25
Pear Ink, $5.25
Sunny Yellow Ink, $5.25
Pear Card Stock
Chocolate Card Stock
Colonial White Card Stock
Polkadot B&T paper from Twitterpated
Opaques, $2.95


Kitty - I can't see through you!   Are you still looking for that mouse?

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Valentine's Card

It seems like it was just Christmas, but Valentine's Day is coming up quick!  This month at card class we're making this Valentine's card with the new stamp set, A Game, from the Inspirations catalog.  (It will also be in the Spring/Summer Idea Book, so if you love it, you will still be able to get it later.)


It's hard to tell from the picture, but the I stamped an extra heart on a piece of paper, cut it out and mounted it with "puffy tape."  It is also glittered.



I have a funny story - yesterday I was doing a gathering at a gal's house, and two of the ladies had toddlers, and there was a bunch of little kids running around.  That's no problem, of course, but at one point, one of the moms looked over to check on her son, and he had my plastic glitter container open and he was eating spoonfuls of glitter, like ice cream.  We're not sure how much he ate, but she's sure she'll know later...  I just don't think it could have been very tasty -- but it does look delicious!

Did you know you can get a discount during January on this stamp set - A Game - and others in the Inspirations brochure?  Just buy the Wings Workshop on the Go and you can buy all of the stamp sets shown in the brochure at a discount!  Instead of $7.95, this stamp set would be $5.00.  Woooo!

Plus, I love this stamp set for all-occasion cards...not just Valentine's Day.  (But guess what my husband is getting for his card this year.)

Supplies Used:
A Game, A1113, $7.95 if you buy it by itself; $5 if you buy it this month along with the Wings Workshop on the Go (G1016, $29.95)
Cotton Candy Card Stock
Chocolate Card Stock
Cotton Candy Stamp Pad
Chocolate Stamp Pad
Liquid Glass (as adhesive for the glitter)
Prisma Glitter
Foam Mounting Tape

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Subtle changes make a difference

I had my son write his Christmas Thank-You notes on blank papers, then I figured I would make the card-fronts afterwards.  (You know, nothing too girly.)  

I wanted to use the paper from Sweet Home because they are Indian Corn Blue and not feminine.  (The paper packs are retired, but Level 1 and My Stickease are still available).  

I used the stamp set Bon Voyage (D1316), which I've had for 3 years and never used.  It's got a great Mediterranean feel.  In fact, they designed the stamp set especially for the people who earned the Mediterranean cruise, and then gave it to us.  And now, you can have it too, because it's available for customers to purchase.

Anyway, I stamped the image and put it in the middle of the card like this:



It looks nice enough, but then I moved the sailboat over to the left.  It made a big difference!


Even my husband, who rarely expresses an opinion about my cards said "I like this one better."  I think it's because of the movement that is implied in the card.  The sailboat is sailing off the card.  

Just one way to easily show movement.  You also could add some little thing-of-interest on the lower right side of the card...like small brads.

Supplies Used:
Sweet Home Paper Pack
Bon Voyage (D1316, $22.95)
Indian Corn Blue Stamp Pad
Crystal Blue Marker (for the water)
Crystal Blue Stamp Pad (little bit of color below the water line)
Sponge Dauber (for below the water line)
Vineyard Berry Stamp Pad (for sponging around the white card)
Round Sponge 
Buttercup Stamp Pad (for the sun)

Friday, January 14, 2011

Close To My Heart January Specials






SNEAK A PEEK AT GREAT SPRING/SUMMER 2011 IDEA BOOK products - including amazing deals on new stamp sets and the January Stamp of the Month when you buy the new Wings Workshops on the Go Kit!

All of our Workshops on the Go come with paper, accessories, and an exclusive stamp set designed specifically for the workshop projects.

During January when you purchase the Wings Workshop on the Go Kit, you can get:

- The January Stamp of the Month at a substantial discount or even FREE!
Get your hands on an Inspirations Brochure to find out all the details about these fabulous savings by contacting me today!

To schedule your own party or come to a card class this month to get your discounted and/or free goodies, give me a call or send me an email.  (425.255.3731).   

Card classes are:
     Friday, January 21 at 6:30pm, 
     Thursday, January 27 at 10:00am and 
     Friday, January 28 at 6:30pm. 

Let me know if you'd like to join us!  I'd love to see you.  :)

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Lots O' Cards

I was inspired to make a bunch of cards today.   I wanted to make easy ones, so I just used a 1 1/2" strip of the NEW paper, Wings (LOVE IT!) and Sweet Leaf card stock.

The sentiment is not CTMH, but the Other Company.  Please don't hold it against me!  :)  I had it hanging around.



This one is the same card, turned sideways.  This sentiment was from the dollar bin at Michaels.  (Hey, I have to check out the competition, right!?)  I added some Bitty Sparkles, too.


Then I had these strips left over, so I put them to work, too.



By this point, I wanted to just be done with my Card Time, and I had one card front left, so I made this one with Best Wishes (C1318, $18.95) and it looked kind of boring, so I added an Edge Anchor on the left.  



At least I'm now well supplied with some Care and Concern cards!  
I hope this inspires you to make something with your papers today. 

Supplies Used:
Wings Paper Pack (X7135B, $12.95)
Sweet Leaf Card Stock (included in Wings)
Colonial White Card Stock (included in Wings)
Vineyard Berry Stamp Pad
New England Ivy Stamp Pad
Sweet Leaf Stamp Pad
Bitty Sparkles
Best Wishes (C1318, $18.95)

Saturday, January 8, 2011

New Cards and Products - from the January Inspirations Mini-Catalog

Here's a card we made at our team meeting today.  I LOVE this new paper, called Wings.  It's from the new Close To My Heart Inspirations January mini-catalog.  The card was designed by team member, Roberta.  She taught us how to make the scrunchy flowers from scalloped circles made from white card stock. 




Punch 6 scalloped circles.  With a sponge, ink 3 of the circles with one color (both sides), and 3 with another (both sides).  We used Black and Vineyard Berry.  Then wet the circles with a spritzer (or even better, the new Close To My Heart Spray Pen*.  Wait a few minutes, then scrunch each scallop up into a ball.  Let dry.

After the scallops are dry, unroll them a bit, take a piercing tool and poke a hole in the middle of each.  Put a brad through the center of all the scallops and scrunch up around the brad to make a flower.  The brad can be any kind, as long as the back is long enough to secure all the scalloped pieces.  Let completely dry before adhering it to your card.

This flower technique was really fun and easy!  Love the card!

The piercing tool is also great for placing Opaques (the little pearls) onto your projects.

*Spray Pen is available in the Wings Workshop on the Go Kit (G1016, $29.95.  Includes a full Wings paper pack (22 sheets of coordinating papers!), exclusive stamp set and Spray Pen.)  The Spray Pens will also be available in a 3-pack, beginning February 1.

Supplies Used:
Wings Workshop on the Go Kit- NEW! (G1016, $29.95)
Vineyard Berry Stamp Pad (Z2157, $5.25)
Take A Picture (C1440, $18.95 - unless you buy the Workshop on the Go during January on the same order, then this stamp set is just $15!!) - Check out the Inspirations  brochure for more info.
Black Stamp Pad (Z2105, $5.25)
Sponge (Z697, $1.25)
Piercing Tool (Z1114, $5.95)
Licorice Opaques (Z1335, $2.95 for 108 gems)
Brad (any size or shape, as long as the back prongs are long.)

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

New Stamp Set - Wings Workshop on the Go!


Did you know that there's a new Close To My Heart mini-catalog out right now? Just for the month of January, there's a sneak peek into the new Spring Catalog - with a few new stamp sets, papers, accessories and LOTS of Inspiration! You can even get great discounts on new products...just for being an early shopper!  Here's a sample of some of the gorgeous stamps and papers!



Here's a card I made with the stamp set that comes with the new Wings - Workshop on the Go. The workshop includes the coolest thing - a spray pen that you can make your own custom blended ink sprayer. I used rubbing alcohol, Create-a-Shade Pearl Paint and Vineyard Berry reinker. They suggest you add a few seed beads (small beads) to the spray pen in order to mix the liquids together. (Kind of like the beads they used to put in the bottom of nail polish bottles.)


I used the basic layout that was in the Workshop's card instructions, but I changed it a little bit.  (You know me, can't leave well enough alone.)  I love the way the spray pen worked.  Very easy!  It's actually quite sparkly...but you can't really tell here...it looks really flat in the picture, but it's not.

Also, I LOVED the little button brads.  So cute!


Here's what I used to make the spray solution:  You can use water or inexpensive rubbing alcohol in the spray pen.  I like the rubbing alcohol because it is quick drying.  I filled the spray pen to the 9th line from the bottom (there's little hash marks on the side, but you can't see them here), squirted a blob of Create-a-Shade paint, added 9 drops of Vineyard Berry reinker.  (I suggest you start with 5 drops, shake well, do a few test sprays, then add more reinker as needed.)  Before closing up the spray pen, you should also add some seed (small) beads to your spray pen.  It helps with the mixing.  (Before I added my beads, I checked to see if they were too big to fit into the intake tube.  They were.  You don't want beads going up your tube and clogging it.  I think you would have a hard time getting them out..)  Shake Well.  Spray to test the color.

Some people suggest emptying and rinsing your spray pen after each creative session, to prevent clogging.  I haven't had any trouble with clogging, but I don't have an explanation why.



I LOVE the spray pen.  Can't wait to show you!

Supplies Used:
Wings Workshop on the Go (NEW!)
Sweet Leaf Card Stock (included in Wings Workshop on the Go)
Colonial White Card Stock (included in Workshop)
Vineyard Berry Reinker
Create-a-Shade Pearl Paint
Vineyard Berry Stamp Pad
Olive Stamp Pad
Mini-Medley Black Accents (NEW!)
Spray Pen (NEW!) - (included in Workshop)
Glue dots
Foam mounting tape (for the tiny flower)