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)
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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.

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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!!

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

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

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.

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

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

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