Tuesday, December 31, 2013

January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

It's 2014!  Hooray!  I hope your holidays were wonderful and filled with laughter and love.

If you're here for the the January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - you're in the right place.  The set is called Cross Stitch Wishes, and it is cute.  If you've arrived here from Adeline's blog, welcome!  

Here's the January stamp set.  it's hard to tell, but each of the little images are made with "X"s...like Cross Stitch.  Very traditional needle working craft.  



You may not have noticed, but I have a new thing - to use up those little zip strips that come on the top of the 12x12 paper!!!!  The easiest thing to do with them is to make a frame around your card.  This "frame" is from Sarita.  It's simple, but nice.  I added the flowers to give it a little interest.




Supplies Used:
Cross Stitch Wishes, January SOTM (S1401, $17.95 or $5 with your $50 order)
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge (flowers, 1" and 3/4") (Z1686, $99)
Sarita Paper Pack (just the zip strips) (X7171B, $9.95)
Goldrush card stock (flowers) (1243, $14.50 for 24 sheets)
Indian Corn Blue Stamp Pad (Z2130, $5.25)
Blue Green Gems (retired)
Twilight Bigger Brads (retired)
Crystal Blue Waxy Flax (retired)
----
For this card, I used Ruby Card stock and the Art Philosophy Cartridge.  I tried putting a grey frame around the cutout, but I didn't like it.

I used white embossing powder for the hearts and Cranberry Ink for the inside.



I cut out one of the Cricut flowers for the front - very Valentine-y.  I cut it and sponged it with Blush Ink. The sparkles are with Liquid Glass and Prisma Glitter (retiring 1/31/14).  There's also a little pearl in the inside of the flower.


----
I thought a quilty-creation with this stamp set would be fun.  I'm not a quilter (you can tell), so my designs are super simple.  This is a GREAT way to use up scraps!  The squares are 1".


Supplies Used:
Paper pack:  Sarita
Ink:  Indian Corn Blue

Now hop on over to Michelle's blog to see what beautiful creations she has for you!

And don't forget to stop back by here for the Cloud Nine Blog Hop on January 3!!

Sunday, December 29, 2013

2014 Calendar

My mother-in-law is a big scrapbooker.  So, every year I make her a scrapbooking-oriented gift.

This year I used the pre-printed calendar from Impress (fits in a CD jewel case) and put pictures on each month of the different family members.  This was harder than I thought it would be, but mostly because some family members didn't give me many pictures to work with!  (This year is no different than any other.)  These pictures start with the month of February, because I already gave my mother-in-law the January calendar "on time" at Christmas in the jewel case.  I just finished the rest of the months today (hey, it's only 4 days late).

Almost everything is CTMH (it's great, because the pictures are small, and I can use scraps to decorate.)  Also, since they are smaller, you can take pictures from Facebook and they look decent.











Cricut Art Philosophy frame


Made a picture from from the zip strips on the 12x12 B&T paper

Stamped on the calendar and on a piece of card stock.  Cut the "Wonderful" out and adhered it with foam mounting tape.

Can't ever have enough glitter at Christmastime!

I had fun making this, but really, I should start earlier than Christmas Eve. 

Last year I did the 12x12 Display Tray (Z1750, $19.95).  I like the way that turned out, too.  She still has it up.  :)


More soon!  - Lisa







Monday, December 23, 2013

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!



It's Christmas time, and the start of a new year soon, and I wanted to say THANK YOU for being the wonderful friends and customers that you are.  I truly appreciate you and your support.  Being a Close To My Heart consultant is the best job in the world!  I get to play with paper and stamps, get together with friends, meet new people, teach, share my love of card making, and make money and go on trips!  The best part, though, is that I get to help you connect with your  friends.  The cards that we make in class that we send off to our friends mean so much to them.  I know, because people I've sent cards to have told me how touched they are and how special they feel.  That's what makes the world go 'round...the connections that we make and keep with one another.

Thanks for being a part of my world.  I really appreciate you!  

I hope the coming year is filled with blessings and smiles for you and your family.  Peace.

Lisa






Monday, December 16, 2013

Glittery Holiday Gift Card Holder

Whenever Christmas and holidays (and birthdays, for that matter) roll around...it's getting harder and harder to pick gifts for my teenagers.  That's why gift cards are so perfect (but not nearly as much fun to shop for unless you're in a rush).  

Here's a little gift card holder we did in class last month.  Even though my daughter says this particular shade of green is never a good choice for Christmas, I disagree.  I love Pear, Cotton Candy and Lagoon together.

These are cuts from the Circut Artbooking and Cricut Artiste Cartridges ($99 each for 700 Cricut shapes, 3 sheets of coordinating chipboard and 3 coordinating stamp sets--an awesome deal!).  Did you know (in most cases) there's still time to order for before-Christmas-delivery...if you hurry??!??  AND if you order $1 more in stuff, bringing your total up to $100+, you can pick out something from the Holiday Gift Guide for FREE!!  There's quite a few great products to choose from).  My favorite cheap-o item?  Sponge - $1.25  (Z697).  Great product, great price.  Cut it in half or in quarters, so you can use it for different colors.  (You can wash them out, but I usually just label the sponge as being designated for that particular color.)




I used the Green Glitter Paper (Z1847, $4.95 for 1 each of 3 different shades of green glittery heaven) underneath the white overlay.  (AND you can use the snowflake cut outs to embellish more cards!) 

Inside the card:



This is what the card base looks like (before you fold and glue it):



So you fold up the bottom of the "pants" (there's tiny, tiny score marks showing where to fold), and fold IN the little tabs on the right and left.  

I used a few drops of Liquid Glass on each of the little tabs, used a small binder clip to secure (like a vice, to hold it in place while it dries).  You could also use regular adhesive (Tombow, double stick tape or whatever, but for cards that have pieces that are sliding in and out (the gift card and note inserts), but I like adhesive that "dries hard."

"Dries Hard" adhesive does not have any sticky parts when the glue is dry -- that your other pieces of paper can "catch" on or stick to.  Liquid Glass is a GREAT "dries hard" adhesive.  Once it's dry, it's (a) not going anywhere and (b) other stuff doesn't stick to it.  Glue Sticks also will dry hard, but it's not a very strong adhesive.

Adhesive that doesn't "dry hard" - Tombow (dots or tape), framing tape, double stick tape, Glue Dots, etc. potentially can stick to other stuff, even if you waited weeks.  Under normal use, it doesn't need to dry to stick stuff together, which is great -- unless you are pulling something in and out of your card and don't want it to stick to your other stuff.  

I really hope that made sense, it's kind of hard to explain.

This gift card holder pattern from Artbooking is SO useful!  I used plain card stock, but it would be cute with patterned paper, too.  You can decorate for birthdays, anniversaries, whatever!  LOVE IT!  :)  

For the little gift card holder, I used a little Baker's Twine to keep it shut.  It unties in the back.

If you want any of these fun products, click here, to shop now!


Supplies Used:
Cricut Artiste Cartridge (Z1790, $99)
Cricut Artbooking Cartridge (Z1906, $99)
Cotton Candy Card Stock (X5760, $14.50 for 24 sheets)
Green Glitter Paper (Z1847, $5.95 for 3 different shades of green glitter paper)
Laughing Lola Paper Pack (X7170B, $9.95)
Perfect Fit Holidays Stamp Set (B1412 $9.95)
White Daisy Card Stock (1385, $9.50)
Ink:  Lagoon (Z2195, $5.25)
Baker's Twine - Paradise (Z1702, $4.95 for 10 yards each of 4 colors)
Glitz Glitter Gel - Silver (Z1482, $2.75) - retiring
Sponge Dauber (Z726, $3.95 for a set of 3)
Foam Mounting Tape
Glue Dot 

Cuts Used:
Card Base:  Artbooking - page 43.  Size 5 1/2"
White Snowflake Overlay on cover - Artbooking - page 76.  Size 5 1/2"
Gift Card Holder - Artiste - page 57.  Size 2 3/4"

For the scallop circle on the cover, I used a punch...but you could use the Cricut for that, too.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Frosty Friends Snow Globe Card

Ever since we came out with a Cricut cartridge that cuts circle cards, I've wanted to make a snow globe card.  It's only taken me 3 years, but here it is.  You could easily make a bunch of these.  I LOVE snowmen!


I cut a 3 1/2" circle card with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge and adhered the Indian Corn Blue "base" to the back of the card.  (Card opens at the bottom.)

I also cut a 3 1/2 open circle (also with Art Philosophy) using the Laughing Lola paper.  This purple paper is the back side of the crazy black, blue and purple paisley sheet. 

Using the Flakey Friends stamp set, I stamped the snowman in Indian Corn Blue.  I then colored in his scarf and hat.

I stamped some snowflakes (I cut off 3 of the snowflakes on the strip of snowflakes in the Flakey Friends set) with Sky ink.

I took a piece of (double sided, super sticky) Miracle Tape (I got mine from Viva Las Vegas Stamps  http://www.vlvstamps.com/  They come in lots of different widths.  This one is 1 1/2".  Then I trimmed the top of the tape so that it was a little wavy and didn't just go straight across.  (This tape is WAY cheaper than the Terrifically Tacky Tape that you can get at the craft store.)

I applied the Miracle Tape to the card, trimmed the edges and removed the front protector piece.  I put Prisma Glitter (now retired, so sorry!) on top of the tape.  Because it's super sticky, you press the glitter in, shake off the excess, and it stays on the tape.  Very Cool!  A comparable glitter that I like and have used is Art Glitter's Angel Dust.  www.artglitter.com  You might be able to find Art Glitter at your local art store.  Another great place to check out glitter is Sparkle & Sprinkle http://sparklensprinkle.com/  They have a lot of FABULOUS custom blends.

I then used tiny dabs of Liquid Glass to adhere the purple circle onto the circle card.  (This is especially important on the glitter portion of the card.)

The finishing touch was Glitz Glitter Gel (Stardust)--also retired  :(  on the snowflakes.  

Supplies Used:
Flakey Friends (C1506, $13.95)
Laughing Lola Paper Pack (X7170B, $9.95)
Card Stock:  White Daisy, Indian Corn Blue
Ink:  Indian Corn Blue, Sky
Markers:  Cotton Candy, Sky, Vanilla Cream (retired)
Prisma Glitter (retired)
Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)
Liquid Glass (as an adhesive for the purple circle)
Terrifically Tacky Tape

Hope this inspires you to make a snow globe card soon!  Or at least go out and play in the snow!  :)

Lisa


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

A Sweet Christmas in Candyland

We just had one class this month, it's just too busy with the holidays.  I'm so glad so many of my friends and customers could come and make cards with us!



I'm totally copying a card I saw on a blog...but I can't read the watermark on the picture.  So sorry, I would love to give you credit, whomever you are!

Supplies Used:
Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686, $99) for the tags
Candyland (D1557, $17.95) (gingerbread man)
Fabulous You (C1533, $13.95) (diamonds and birds under the tag)
Holiday Tags (D1560, $17.95) (sentiment)
Card Stock:  Cranberry, Colonial White, Champagne
Inks:  Sweet Leaf, Saddle
Liquid Applique (retiring on 1/31/14 - get yours while you can!)
Red Glitz Glitter Gel (retiring 1/31/14 - get yours while you can!)
Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)
Cranberry Waxy Flax (retired)

The Fabulous You stamp set has a bird, some flowers and grass.  I just used that as a background stamp under my gingerbread man.  It also has the diamonds I used on the tag.  There are two rows of 6 diamonds on the stamp set, I only wanted 4 of them on my tag, so I made a mask for the bottom of the tag (with a Post-It Note) so I would only get the 4.  

This is my new favorite Christmas card.  WELL, this is a problem - I have all these penguin cards I made to send to friends, and I'm tired of them and don't want to use them.  This is what happens when you start making Christmas cards in September...  :(

Have fun playing with paper this week!

Lisa

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Getting Over My Washi Tape Phobia...

Last month we did this super fun card in class.  It uses several techniques:

- Washi Tape (ack!)
- Masking - I stamped the cloud on a Post-It note to make a mask (see below for more info)
- Using the CTMH spray pen with rubbing alcohol and reinker to subtly change colors on the page
- Paper Piecing (cutting out a stamped image and sticking it on top of another stamped image that's on your card


1. Stamp your image (cloud) on a Post-It note.  Cut out the cloud.  This is your "mask."
2. Put the mask on the blank piece of paper where you want your clouds to be.
3. Use the spray pen and fill it to line 9 (or so) with rubbing alcohol.  Put 2 or 3 drops of Pacifica Reinker in the pen.  Close and shake well.
4.  Prime the spray pen (spray it on a scratch paper).  Holding the spray pen about 12" from your (project) paper, mist lightly.  The closer you are to the paper, the "blobby-er" your spray will be.
5. Remove your Post-It clouds.  It will be white where the Post-It was, and light blue everywhere else.


6. Use a heat gun (lightly) to be sure the rubbing alcohol has completely dried.
7. Stamp the cloud stamp on top of the white clouds to outline them.  (I used Outdoor Denim.)  Pretty cool, huh!


8. Stamp your other images on the paper


It IS subtle, but there is a difference between the sprayed and unsprayed papers.


9. Stamp a second balloon on a scratch paper.  Color it with markers and cut it out.  (I just cut out the big balloon and the small basket...not the balloon "ropes."


10.  Using foam mounting tape, adhere the colored balloon to the top of the uncolored balloon on your card.  Do the same with the basket.

Close up shot of the balloon and basket.


I used the pink pokadotted Washi Tape for an accent piece on the side.  Love it!  Slowly, slowly, I'm recovering from my washi-tape-phobia!

Have fun creating your own "blue sky"!!  
This would also work great to make a background with different coordinating colors.

Supplies Used:
Party Washi Tape 3-pack (Z1908, $14.95)
Lifting Spirits (C1570, $13.95)
Outdoor Denim Stamp Pad (Z2140, $5.25)
Markers:  Gypsy, Honey, Indian Corn Blue
Spray Pen (Z1380, $3.95 for a set of 3)
Reinker: Pacifica
Micro-Tip Scissors (retiring at the end of January)
Rubbing Alcohol
Post-It Note
Foam Mounting Tape

Lisa



Saturday, November 30, 2013

December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

Welcome to the December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  I'm so excited that you've dropped by!

If you've arrived here from Dawn's blog, you're in the right place!  If you've gotten lost along the way while hopping, here's a list of all the hoppers in order.  :)

Have you seen the December stamp of the month yet?  Here it is!  Some are Cricut shapes, and some are not.  I ended up cutting some of mine out by hand.




This card was designed by my friend and team member, Mindy.  I love the bling on the strip going across (that's the zip strip from the paper pack.)  Thanks, Mindy!



Supplies Used:
December Stamp of the Month - Special Care
For Always Paper Pack (retired)
Cricut Artbooking Cartridge (Heart) (Z1906, $99) 
Cranberry Card Stock (1272, $14.50 for 24 sheets)
Glitter Paper - Silver (from Z1829, Black and Grey, $5.95)
Glitz Glitter Gel - Silver (Z1482, $2.75)
Black Stamp Pad (Z2105, $5.25)

Bitty Sparkles (Z1263, $2.95) This super cute bag was designed by my friend, Shelley.  As you know, I have a Washi Tape Phobia, so she was helping me with that.  We both got these cute little bags and paper straws from a booth at the Queen & Co booth at CKC recently.  She had the idea to use them as flower stems.  

It would be fun to fill this bag with sweet treats.




Supplies Used:
December Stamp of the Month - Special Care (S1312)
Crafted With Love (B1399, $13.95)
Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Flowers) (Z1686, $99)
Card Stock:  Pear, Creme Brulee, Sunset
Glitz Glitter Gel: Almond (Z1769), Green (Z1771), Pink (Z1770) - $2.75 each
Outdoor Denim Ink (Z2140, $5.25)
Embellishments - Aqua Dots (Z1853, $3.95); Pink Glitter Gems (Z1807, $3.95)
Green Glitter Paper (Z1847, $5.95)
Party Washi Tape 3-pack (Z1908, $14.95)

Other:
Queen & Co. (gasp!) paper straws and bag
Yellow Frizz (paper shreds)
Washi Tape (brand X - hahaha)

These two, I actually did myself, although I had a lot of help.  The lagoon overlay and "baby" are from the Cricut Artbooking cartridge.  The overlay and cartridge are SUPER cool!  

The Artbooking cartridge can cut your scrapbook layouts proportionally so no matter the size you tell it, it all works out to look "right."  

My photo was 4".  Here are the 2 sizes I cut first - at 5" and 11".  Just like Goldilocks - Too small and too big...



8" was just right!



By the way, that "baby" in the picture is my now 18-year old son.

Supplies Used:
December Stamp of the Month - Special Care
Card Stock:  Lagoon, Outdoor Denim, Slate
Cricut Artbooking Cartridge (set at 8")
Light gray paper is B&T from the new Babycakes paper pack.
Corner Rounder 




  
This is a cute heart-shaped box/holder.  I wanted to put Hershey Kisses in it, but I didn't have any.  Get it?  Kisses required...

Supplies Used:
December Stamp of the Month - Special Care
Card Stock:  Cranberry, White Daisy
Ink:  Black
Glitz Glitter Gel, Silver (Z1482, $2.75)
Fabric:  Sparkle & Shine Textiles (Z1884, $8.95)
Base & Bling Floral Accents (Z1883, $4.95)

I hope some of these have inspired you to use this stamp set!  If you're wanting to get a set for yourself, click here to shop online


Now hop on over to Pamela's Blog to see her beautiful art!

Thanks for hopping by!


Sunday, November 10, 2013

The Owl on the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge is SOOOOOO cute!

I had seen the owl on the CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge in the little book that comes with the cartridge, but I thought the owl looked kind of demented, and not cute at all.  This weekend I worked in Dr. Phil and Roz's Close To My Heart booth at the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Bellevue, and they had the cutest little card with the owl.  It didn't look demented at all.  So even though mine is not as cute and decorated as theirs (darn, I forgot to take a picture of it!), I was able to hurriedly make a card for a friend this morning.  (Yes, I use as MUCH paper as I can on these cards, because I have toooooooo much paper in my house!)



You may know that I have a hard time making masculine cards, but this one was easy.  (On the other hand, it's not really masculine (but it's definitely not feminine.)  

I cut the owl at 2 1/2" (I did it with the Real Dial Size 'on', but I don't know what it would have looked like if I'd left it 'off.'  Maybe the same.)  It turned out really cute.  The card base is 5x7.  The B&T paper is from the retired Sonoma Paper Pack.

I was too lazy to cut the talk-bubble on the Cricut, so I just cut around the stamped image.  (It is included in the CTMH Cricut Artiste cartridge.)  Actually, it says "thanks" inside, but I carefully cut it out, so I could just use the bubble.

Supplies Used:
Cricut Cartridge - Artbooking
Cricut Cartridge Stamp Set - Artiste
Paper Pack:  Sonoma
Card Stock:  Chocolate, Desert Sand, Bamboo, Smokey Plum
Foam Mounting Tape (under the talk-bubble)

Maybe this will inspire you to use your Cricut today.  I know I can't wait to play some more this week!

Lisa

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Happy Hedgehog Card

Did I mention that I also love hedgehogs?  Not the real ones (I've never met one)...just the stamped ones.

CTMH had this really cute hedgehog stamp a few years ago as a stamp of the month (I think).  I love making  happy cards with this set...and coloring them with chalk.  It's a softer look than markers.

The clouds on the blue card are from the new stamp set, Lifting Spirits (C1570, $13.95) in the new Holiday Gift Guide.





I love the happy clouds, airplane and hot air balloon in this stamp set. ADORABLE!!

Lifting Spirits

We'll be making a card with this stamp set very soon in my card class.  :)

Want to come make cards with us?  We'll be making a few wintery/holiday cards, something with the Stamp of the Month and something with Washi Tape.  The next classes are:

Friday, November 15 at 6:30pm
Saturday, November 16 at 10am
Thursday, November 21 at 10am
Friday, November 22 at 6:30pm

Friday, December 6 at 6:30pm

Email me if you're in the Seattle area and want to come!  I'd love to see you!!

Lisa

Thursday, October 31, 2013

November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Hello there!  I'm so excited that it's November.  October is so hectic for me, November almost feels relaxing!  (I know, I'm backwards.  December is practically a vacation!!)

I'm so excited that you're here for the November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  This month's stamp set is called ILLUMINATE, and has fun lamps and lanterns on it.  You can only get it in November, and it's just $17.95...unless you place a $50 order, then it's just $5.00!!

If you've arrived here from Teresa's blog, welcome!

Here's the stamp set, in case you haven't already seen it.









I know, it's a little basic looking, but it's got some cool things going on.  
(1) Because the stamps are flexible, I curved the lamps
(2) You can see where you're stamping.  (I love this because I am fussy.)  I skipped one of the lights on purpose.
(3) I typed my own sentiment on the computer (using CTMH's retired font disk)
(4) I used the zip strips from the top of our patterned paper (B&T) to make a border-frame.  This one is from the retired paper pack Clementine

Inside I stamped "I miss you." 

I think I might sponge some Sky or Crystal Blue on the white -- it just seems so plain.

Supplies Used:
Illuminate - November Stamp of the Month
Outdoor Denim Stamp Pad
Colonial White Card Stock
Honey Stamp Pad
Bitty Sparkles (for the light bulbs)
CTMH Font Disk #1
Clementine Paper Pack Zip Strips from the top of the paper



I'm not very good with "messy" so I'm not sure how I feel about this one...but I tried to go outside my 'box.'

I love the lamp post and choice of lamps in the stamp set...so I wanted to try using it.  AND I wanted to use the Washi Tape (I have Washi-Tape-Phobia).  My friend said - just stick it on your pictures or whatever.  

I distressed the paper with Saddle Ink and the Edge Distresser.

Supplies Used:
Illuminate - November Stamp of the Month
Card Stock:  Saddle, Chocolate, Colonial White
Patterned Paper (B&T) - Chantilly
Inks:  Saddle, Gypsy, Honey, Black
Embellishments:  Durables Square Studs (Z1705, $3.95), Party Washi Tape 3-pack (Z1908, $14.95)
Other:  Edge Distresser (Z1297, $2.50)


If you want to stop and shop for any of these fun goodies, take a little detour to my CTMH website.  But don't forget to come back, so you can keep on hoppin'!

Now hop on over to Kami's blog to see her beautiful artwork!

Thanks for stopping by!

Lisa

Friday, October 25, 2013

Winter Cards ... Penguins and bears...oh, my!

I LOVE winter stamp sets...penguins...polar bears...snowflakes (and owls, too, if I can winterize them).

Last month we made this card at card class with the new stamp set Polar Bear Holiday (C1557, $13.95).  It's similar to a stamp set that CTMH came out with ages ago, and I loved that one, too.




I stamped the bear in Outdoor Denim and colored it in with Hollyhock and Cranberry markers.  Bitty Opaques give his sweater a little dazzle.  The snowflakes are heat embossed with white embossing powder (which we no longer carry) onto Indian Corn Blue paper for the sky.  The 'hillside' is torn White Daisy card stock.  I cut the bear out and popped him up with foam mounting tape.  Very cute.  Not too hard, but it makes people smile.

The penguin card I made is with the Hostess Exclusive stamp set Wintery Wishes.  Also LOVE this set!  (penguin addiction).  


It's basically the same card as the bear one, just a different background.  For my card classes this month, we're making this card, but gluing a used dryer sheet to the top of the white background, sprinkling it with glitter to make it super cool and snowy looking!  

Here's the upgraded version:


And a close up:


Supplies Needed:
Wintery Wishes - Hostess Exclusive Stamp Set
Card base - My finished cards are 4" x 5 1/2", so cut a piece of paper 8" x 5 1/2" and fold it in half
Pacifica Card Stock (for the card front) 4" x 5 1/2"
White Daisy Card Stock (3 3/4" x 5 1/4") for the background and and extra piece to stamp your penguin)
Bonding Memories Glue Pen
Sky Card Stock 1 1/2" x 4" (trim freehand to make your hillside)
Pacifica Stamp Pad (for the words, snowflakes and penguin)
USED* dryer sheet
Prisma Glitter
Liquid Glass
Foam Mounting Tape
Micro-Tip Scissors
Glitz Glitter Gel (I used silver and/or green) for the snowflakes behind the penguin
Gel Pens for coloring in your penguin's scarf


1.  Stamp the white paper first (using Pacifica) - words and snowflakes (1st and 2nd generation stamping)
2.  Use CTMH's Bonding Memories glue pen (put the glue all over the paper, especially the corners and edges.)  
3.  Quickly stick the USED* dryer sheet on top of the glue.  Turn it over, press down to make sure it's stuck.  Trim the extra dryer sheet off the edges of the paper
4.  Go to your glitter container and sprinkle the glitter on the dryer sheet.  Shake off the excess. Press the glitter that's sticking onto your card.
5.  Cut your snowy hillside. Stamp and cut the penguin out.
6.  Glue your snowy hillside and penguin to your glitter sheet using foam mounting tape.  For extra adhesion, put a drop or two of Liquid Glass on the foam mounting tape (the side that will come in contact with the glitter.)  
7.  Glue it all to the Pacifica card stock; Glue the Pacifica Card stock on to the card base.
8.  Make your friends ooh and ahhhh.  :)


* Make sure your dryer sheet doesn't have any of the fabric softener left on it.  I ended throwing a bunch of the used dryer sheets into a wash bag and washing and drying them to be sure the softener was all gone.

Have fun!

Lisa




Monday, October 14, 2013

Holiday Gift Guide Bloghop - Hooray!

I'm so excited about Close To My Heart's Holiday from the Heart Gift Guide, which starts today, October 15 and goes through December 31!  Haven't seen it yet?  Click on the (red) link to see the the entire Holidays From the Heart Gift Guide.




WINTER SPECIAL:  When you place a $100 order from the Holidays From the Heart Gift Guide and/or Autumn/Winter Idea Book, you get a "starred" item in the Holiday Guide for free!  Yippee!  Just another way Close To My Heart is saying 'Thanks for being a great customer!' (Check out the Guide for the "starred" items.)
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Just like the Stamp of the Month Bloghop, you hop around from blog to blog, checking out what people have done with the 'new stuff.'  If you've arrived here from Jean's blog, you're in the right place!  

If you get lost along the way, here's a link to the complete list of hoppers. (It's on the left hand side of the page.)
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I LOVE owls (and penguins and hedgehogs...).  So I HAD to use this stamp set that comes with the Seasons Tweetings Gift Bag Kit.

The kit includes 6 super cute fabric bags with drawstrings (3 red, 3 green), 6 die cut tags and a super cute stamp set with a wreath, owl, 2 birds, mistletoe, Santa hat, flower and banner (which is a Cricut shape).  All for just $14.95 (and you can buy extra bags if you like).

Here's the stamp set:



And here's the cute bags that come with it (you get 3 of each color):



Here's the card I made with it:



Don't recognize the polkadotted paper?  It's in the Holidays From the Heart Gift Guide, as well.  It's called Sparkle and Shine.  The back side is super cute, too.  Candy cane stripes.

I colored the wreath with Pear markers (both light and dark) and colored the berries with Cranberry markers (both light and dark) and Glitz Glitter Gel, plus Liquid Glass on the white ones.  I cut it out and mounted it with foam mounting tape.

Supplies Used:
Season's Tweetings Gift Bag Kit (Z1913, $14.95)
Sparkle & Shine Paper Packet (X7176B, $9.95)
Card Stock:  Cranberry, White Daisy
Stamp Pad Colors:  Topiary, Cranberry, Pear (for edge distressing)
Markers:  Pear, Cranberry (both light and dark shades)
Glitz Glitter Gel:  Almond, Silver, Pink, Green
Sponge Dauber
Baker's Twine, Harvest Assortment (Z1751, $4.95)
Other:  Foam Mounting Tape



Here's another card I made with the Stamp of the Month, Scandinavian Christmas and the Sparkle and Shine polkadotted paper:


It's a 4x4 card, but I didn't want to cut off the Baker's Twine
So easy to make a lot of these!  I really like the special touch that the red/white Baker's Twine adds.  Grey would be really cute, too.

Supplies Used:
Scandinavian Christmas (October Stamp of the Month) (S1310, $17.95 or just $5 with your $50 order)
Countdown (B1390, $9.95)
Sparkle and Shine Paper Pack (X7176B, $9.95)
Juniper, Cranberry Stamp Pad
White Daisy, Cranberry Card Stock
Sparkle

You could dress it up with some Glitz Glitter Gel or sparkles.

Want to get some goodies so you can start creating?  Click HERE to go to my website to shop.

Ready to hop on over to the next creative consultant?  Hop on over to Wendy's blog to see what fun she has for you to see!

Lisa