Celebration Moments

Close To My Heart Stamp Of The Month

This is the September 2009 Close To My Heart Stamp Of The Month:

 

I love the words - I can see these words on scrapped pages and cards - just perfect.  Also love the airiness of the flowers - so many ideas come to mind.  Check out my Close To My Heart Online Store to see how you can get this stamp set for FREE or at a discount.  You'll also find lots of ideas for using this set on cards and scrapped pages - just click here... Shop online today - for Treasures September Stamp of the Month

Also don't miss you're opportunity to get the Every Day Celebration Card Kit for FREE!! Click here to find out how to puchase this fantastic kit or how to get the Every Day Celebration Card Kit for FREE!!  Every purchase automatically enters you into the Every Day Celebration Card Kit Contest!!

One more thing - check out Sudio "J" - it's an exciting new way to scrapbook using the same beautiful colors and papers you love from Close to my Heart....take a Studio "J" tour today.

Spellbinder Nestabilites, Cuttlebug, Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month, Sizzix Fancy Cut Corners

 

 

Oh my, how time does fly!!!  My oldest granddaughter, Lindsey, turned 10 last Friday.  She is such a wonderful, beautiful, intelligent young lady.  We have a very special bond.  This is the card I made for her for her birthday.  I feel it's really important to help young girls create a strength and a belief within themselves that they can achieve what they dream.  The Close To My Heart Be Happy Stamp Set had the perfect sentiment "Believe In Yourself".

To create the center of the card I stamped the sentiment from the Close To My Heart Dream Wishes Set along with the decorative outer circle onto Close To My Heart Colonial White Cardstock.  Using the Spellbinder Standard Circle Nestabilities I was able to cut a perfect circle around the stamped image.  It was like Close To My Heart and Spellbinders got together - they match up perfectly.  By the way did you know you can click in the Amazon search box on the left sidebar type in "Nestabilities Standard Circle Large" then go and you will be taken right to the page where you can purchase this set for the very low price of $16.65 - priced elsewhere for as much as $24.99.

Added a little decorative touch to Lindsey's present with the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month - Butterfly Wings.

Happy Birthday Lindsey - I had a great time at your party!!!

Stamps: Close To My Heart - Butterfly Wings March Stamp of the Month, Dream Wishes, Be Happy

Paper: K & Co. Designer Mat Pad; Stampin' Up! Barely Banana, Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose, Rose Red; Close To My Heart Colonial White

Ink: Stampin' Up!: Kiwi Kiss, Rose Romance, Summer Sun, Black

Accessories: Spellbinder Nestabilities, Sizzix, Bling, Stampin' Up! HodgePodge Hardware, Metalic Violet Embossing Powder, Cuttlebug - Stylized Flowers & Swiss Dots, Liquid Pearls, Stampin' Up Label Punch

Basic Grey, Sizzix, Cuttlebug, Stampin' Up!, Close To My Heart, Liquid Pearls

 

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Dreams du Jour, Stampin' Up! Riot of Petals Background Stamp, Close To My Heart Soul Mates Paper: Stampin Up! More Mustard, Real Red, Kiwi Kiss; Close To My Heart Colonial White Ink: Black; Creole Spice Kaleidacolor (butterfly); Close To My Heart Desert Sand; Versamark Accessories: Close To My Heart Pearl Paint, Basic Grey Ribbon, Liquid Pearls, Crayon, White Embossing Powder, Cuttlebug Corner, Bling, Close To My Heart  Liquid Glass, Close To My Heart 3D Foam Squares, Chipboard Frame, Stampin' Up! Scallop Edger Techniques: Embossing The card measures: 5 X 5 Close up of details -

 

Close To My Heart, Sta,mps For Sale, American Girl, Daisy D's, Sizzix, Chipboard, Cuttlebug, Stampin' Up!

Playing with the girls over at Splitcoaststampers tonight...Come on over and see what we're up to it's called Virtual Stamp Night - VSN!!

Starting at 7:00 PM tonight a challenge goes up every hour.  You have 45 minutes to complete the challenge and then a 15 minute break before the next challenge.  The last challenge is posted at 11:00 PM.  Then when we get up in the morning we can start playing at 12 noon until 11 at night - whew!!!

I'll post my cards here as I complete them with a brief description.  Enjoy!!! Join us if your feeling creative tonight or tomorrow.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sketch A Little Love

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Time For You

Paper: Stampin' Up! Rose Red, Mint Melody; Daisy D's Designer Paper

Ink: Black, Stampin' Up! Markers

Accessories: Daisy D's Button & Flowers; QuicKutz, Misc. Acrylic Heart, Black Polka Dot Ribbon from American Girl Lunch, Liquid Pearls White Opal, Creative Memories Circle Template         See With The Heart Stamps: SU See with the Heart Paper: SU Forest Foliage, Rose Red; CTMH Colonial White Ink: Black StazOn, CTMH - Desert Sand, Taffy, Honey & Sweet Leaf Accessories: K & Co. Brad, Sizzix Corner, SU Ribbon, Sponges, Misc. Flowers, 3D Foam Squares, Sandpaper Block, Cuttlebug                 Thank you! Stamps: CTMH Quilted Treasures, SU Very Punny & Fancy Flexible Phrases Paper: SU Forest Foliage (was on the counter from the last challenge), CTMH Colonial White (also was on the counter) Ink: Versamark, Black, Markers - Barely Banana & Blush Blossom Accessories: Topiary EP, Piercing Tool, Silver HodgePodge Hardware, CTMH Ponderosa Pine Ribbon, SU Square Punch & Square Scallop Punch, 3D Foam Squares The Close To My Heart Quilted Treasures is for sale - you can find the set and info in the right sidebar under - "Stamps For Sale"

Martha Stewart Lace Punch - Close To My Heart Pewter Brads - Stampin' Up! Top Note

 

I have to say this card is one of my favorites - I had so much fun making it and it ended up being the card I gave to Tom for our 24th Anniversary. 

Let's start with the wonderful designer paper - all of the designer paper you see including the paper the photo is taken on is from the Close To My Heart Emporium Paper Pack.  I've used this paper on several cards now - it's beautiful - don't you think?!?  In order to get the punched holes to be in the same spot on the back matting I cut both the Colonial White and the Blue/Green Designer Paper the same size - punched out the corners then cut 1/8" off of each side of the Designer Paper. 

The next layer is cut out with the new Stampin' Up! Top Note Punch.  See all those little slits in the paper - that is part of the punch!  Glue the punched out piece to a piece of cardstock and hand cut arount the cardstock to match the punched piece.  Did you know that you can use your Cuttlebug Machine with the new Stampin' Up! Sizzix Punches - how fun is that?!?! Click on photo's to enlarge them!!

The middle band is two strips of DP (Designer Paper) taped together - sligthly creased - folded back and forth to make a pleated look.  On the top folds I placed a 3D Foam Square to give it added dimension.  The Martha Stewart Lace punch was used for the Colonial White Strip on top of the pleated paper.  Punch one side of the cardstock - trim it down (not too much) then punch the other side.  Finally added a strip of velvet ribbon and two Close To My Heart Pewter Brads.

My favorite part is the ribbon ruffles around the hearts.  That technique is described in the photo's below.  Stamped the words - hand cut most and used the Stampin' Up! Arrow Punch for the "hand IN" words.  The arrow and the hearts are all attached with 3D Foam Squares.  Click on the photo and a separate window will open for a close up view.

 

 

Stamps: Close To My Heart Soul Mates D1254

Paper: Close To My Heart Emporium Paper Kit, Misc. Burgundy

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip Craft, Cranberry Crisp, Close To My Heart Chocolate

Accessories: Close To My Heart Pewter Brads, Close To My Heart 3D Foam Squares, Stampin' Up! Top Note by Sizzix (love this!), Stampin' Up! Wrought Iron & My Way Punches, Stampin' Up! Chocolate Ribbon, Misc. Cream Ribbon, Bling, Martha Stewart Lace Punch, Copper Embossing Powder (for hearts), Versamark Ink Pad

Techniques: Paper Pleats

Sizzix, Chipboard, Felt Flowers - Close To My Heart Checklist!

 

 First I have to say I love this paper from Close To My Heart - Magic Moments.  I've used it on quite a few cards lately - there are so many choices with this paper kit because you get so much paper plus all the designer paper is reversible.  I'm keeping it out - going back to make some scrapped pages with it!!

Also, love this stamp set from Close To My Heart - Checklist.  This set is so versatile - I've used it here to make a Thank You card.  But just check out all the words - it can be so many different types of cards - a friend, a love, a congratulations and annoucement card.  AND my head is just filled with ideas for using this set on a scrapped page.

The little bird on the card is from this very fun pack of chipboard from Stampin' Up!  You get six sheets of chipboard filled with darling little birds, owls, flowers and branches.  I used the paper from the Magic Moments Kit to paper piece this little guy today.  Used a glue stick to adhere the paper.  His little eye is colored in with a black marker then added a little Close To My Heart Liquid Glass to give it a little gleam.

The Stampin' Up! Sizzix Top Note was cut twice using my Cuttlebug Machine. The Top Note was first cut from cardboard then designer paper from the Magic Moments Kit and glued together with a glue stick.  This gives it a little more dimension on the card.  DID YOU KNOW THAT ALL THE NEW STAMPIN' UP! SIZZIX DIE CUTS WILL WORK IN YOUR CUTTLEBUG MACHINE!!  TOO COOL!!

Stamps: Close To My Heart Checklist D1252

Paper: Close To My Heart Magic Moments Paper Kit

Ink: Close To My Heart Black & Hollyhock

Accessories: Hirschberg RickRack, Stampin' Up! Silver Twine, Stampin' Up! Bigz Top Note, Stampin' Up! On Board So Tweet, Stampin' Up! Flower Fusion Felt Flowers, Friendly Forest Brad, Close To My Heart Liquid Glass   A sample sheet of the Stampin' Up! On Board So Tweet Chipboard.

Just a reminder - Close To My Heart has this wonderful giveaway this month - if you spend $25.00 on stamps you get this darling "Fun Times" Stamp Set for FREE (shipping and tax may apply).

Close To My Heart Easter Eggs - Cuttlebug - Martha Stewart Punch

Stamps: Close To My Heart Easter Eggs  - February Stamp of the Month

Paper: Close To My Heart - retired - can anyone remember the name of this paper??  It's from my scraps but I believe it was from a Mother's Day Kit?!?

Ink: Close To My Heart Taffy, Black

Accessories: Close To My Heart Autumn Ribbon, Brads, Eyelet, 3D Foam Squares; Stampin' Up! Gold Twine; Cuttlebug Corners and Strip Template; Martha Stewart Tag Punch; Basket Stencil

Sizzix Bunny - Martha Stewart Crown - Close To My Heart Easter Eggs

 

I used the Close To My Heart Easter Egg SOTM Set for this card.  This is suppose to look like a spray of flowers but the flowers are the egss - what do you think?!?  I used the Spellbinder to cut cardboard templates first then used the Close To My Heart Emporium paper and Colonial White Cardstock to cut a second set of templates.  With a glue stick I glued the two together so it looks like chipboard.   

 

Stamps: Close To My Heart Easter Eggs February SOTM

Paper: CTMH Emporium Paper Packet

Ink: Black, Honey, Twilight

Accessories: CTMH Winter Ribbon, Spellbinder Labels One, Misc. Punches, Sizzix Corner

 

I'll be back with the details.... but do check out the Close To My Heart Easter Egg February SOTM

Stamps: Close To My Heart Easter Eggs - SOTM for February

Paper: Close To My Heart Emporium Paper Kit

Ink: Chocolate, Cranberry Crisp

Accessories: Making Memories Mini Brads, Close To My Heart Waxy Flax & Eyelets, Stampin' Up! Scallop Punch, Martha Crown Punch, Bling, Stampin' Up! Wrought Iron Punch, Creative Memories Circle Cutter, Gold Paint Pen, Butterfly Punch, Bling

Close To My Heart - Unforgettable ... that's what you are ...

Don't you just love this new Unforgettable Designer Paper  from Close To My Heart - I do!!  All this beautiful paper came from one Level 2 Paper Packet - 10 different cardstock sheets (2 each of 3 colors, 4 neutral) and 12 Designer Papers (2 each of 6 reversible patterns).  The chocolate with the pink flowers, the stripe and the paper I've taken the photo on are all from the kit.  

I did another card using the paper pleating from yesterdays challenge at Splitcoaststampers.  Again, adding the lace work from the Martha Stewart Lace Border Punch.  The center is comprised of a Chocolate Cardstock cut out with the Spellbinder's Scalloped Circle and a Colonial White Cardstock cut out with the Spellbinder's Circle and one more Colonial White Cardsotck cut out with a smaller Spellbinder Circle. 

Since the Close To My Heart Stamps are clear I was able to stamp the Close To My Heart Dream Wishes Stamp  after I cut the shapes out.  The minute I saw the Dream Wishes Stamp Set in the new Close To My Heart Idea Book I knew it was a perfect match for my Spellbinder Nestabilities. 

The edge of the card is faux stitched using a pattern marker.  Using a personal trimmer as a guide you can run the wheel of the pattern marker along the cutting line - this will punch an even perforated line for you.  Use an old personal trimmer for this - I use this trimmer for my faux stitching and paper creasing.  I use a seperate personal trimmer for cutting. 

Then use the small tip of a marker and go over the perforated holes - now it looks like you've stitched the paper.

One of my favorite things about Close To My Heart Paper is that it's reversible.  Here's a little photo showing both sides of the Designer Paper.   

And finally a close-up of the card front.  I used the Stampin' Up! Blush Blossom Marker to color in the flower petals and then added a touch of Liquid Pearls to the center of each flower.

The chunky button is from the Close To My Heart Spring Button Collection - darling isn't it!

The Dream Wishes Stamp Set  is perfect for journaling on scrapped pages!!  I love how they fit the Spellbinder Nestabilities! 

Grandpa made a workbench - Grandma made a card!

  It's the Birthday Boy - Joey!!  I can't believe it's two years already - wow!!

  Grandpa and I went to the store to find one of those old wooden Fisher Price workbench's - no such thing anymore - plastic, plastic and more plastic.  We did find some wooden tools though!!

  Came home and Granpa made a workbench for Joey - I just loved how it turned out!!  What do you think?!?

  So I had to make a card to go with this very fun workbench and had the perfect stamp set from All That Scraps - it's called Handyman Jack - and that would definitely describe Joey's Grandpa Tom.

  

  Handy Man Jack's clothes are all paper piece.  How do you paper piece??  Stamp the image on different colored cardstock and/or designer paper then carefully cut everything out - just like when we played paper dolls! 

  The picture frame is chipboard from the Close To My Heart Dimensional Elements.  Using a glue stick cover the chipboard generously with glue - stick onto the back of the chipboard - rub the front of the chipboard with a bone folder so the paper and chipboard get a good bond.  Trim the excess designer paper away from the chipboard then use a Close To My Heart Finishing File to get into all the nooks and crannies.  I cut a small piece of Close To My Heart Page Protector to fit in the fram and  printed a small version of the photo to mount behind the page protector.  The frame is then popped up with Close To My Heart Foam Squares! 

This whole birthday project was so much fun!  And our sweet little Joey really enjoyed everything - including the card!

Around the Block - Stamp Set Sold!

I pulled a retired Stampin' Up! Hostess Set out of my for sale bin to make this card today!

The Try A New Technique Challenge at Splitcoaststampers today was "Faux Mosaic".

The top of the card was covered with double stick scotch tape.  Then 12 little 7/8" squares were lined up and stuck on top of the tape.

Then bronze embossing powder was sprinkled on the sticky tape that was still showing.  Heat set the embossing powder - faux mosaic!

The large chipboard "W" was also covered with the bronze embossing powder. 

This very versatile stamp set has four stamps: B is for bliss; T is for thanks; G is for genuine and W is for wonderful. 

Find this set and others for sale by clicking on the link on the left sidebar.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Around The Block

Paper: Close to my Heart Magic Moments, Stampin' Up! Wild Wasabi

Ink: Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip Craft

Accessories: Close to my Heart Ribbon, EP, Stampin' Up! Scalloped Edge Punch

Technique: Faux Mosaic

Keys To My Heart - For Sold!

I think I might be back in the swing of this stamping business!  Made three cards yesterday - here is the second card from the Ways To Use it Challenge at Splitcoaststampers yesterday.  Once again, I went to Puffluna.Etsy.com for my color and card inspiration.    

 

I picked up on the black oxidized silver chain paired with the vintage white faceted glass beads.  The hint of a pink shimmer in the jar finished up my color combo.  The keys hanging on the left of the oval on the card represent the dangling earrings.

 Stop by Puffluna's Blog  - she always has a special on Fridays! 

Stamps: Close To My Heart  -  Keys To My Heart  - these are for sale - see the left sidebar.

Paper: Black, Pink, Close To My Heart Colonial White

Ink: Versamark, Black

Accessories: Close To My Heart Silver Embossing Powder , Spellbinder Oval Templates, Close To My Heart My Accents Beads, Sizzix Architectural Accent #3, Friskars Corner Punch, Stampin' Up! Jersey Ribbon Be A Better Kisser!  Now that I have your attention have you seen the How To Video's From Close To My Heart TV - they are packed with information and fun techniques.  Also, I love this part, you can purchase the stamp set shown in this video at a discount!! Click here  for scrap book pages and cards using the Kissing Technique, Blending Pen and Water Color Pen.  Lots of information packed into a very up beat video!  You're going to love it!

Close To My Heart Simple Beauty & Puffluna

                                                                                        The Inspiration and The Card!

I wish you could see my card IRL (in real life)  my colors match the earrings  almost exactly - but under what is obviously imperfect photo shoot conditions the colors on my card are off.  Even the Stampin' Up! Gold Brush Foil Paper looks off - IRL the color matches the earring cap perfectly!!

Today over at Splitcoaststampers we were to use a website where color combo's inspire us.  I have two such sites listed on my right sidebar: Close To My Heart Color Combo's and Stampin' Up! Color Combo's.  But in all reality (I know I've been told I say that too much!) - I really go to Julie's     Puffluna.Etsy.Com  site alot for inspiration.  I look at the design and the color and ask myself if I was making a card to go along with this piece of jewlery what would I make. 

Stamps: Close To My Heart Simple Beauty Simple Beauty

Paper: Stampin' Up! Blush Blossom, Perfect Plum, Brushed Gold

Ink: Black, Brialliance Gallaxy Gold

Accessories: Stampin' Up! Gold Twine, Labels, Jersey Ribbon, Gold Paint Pen, Markers, Scallop Punch; Nestabilities Labels One; Cuttlebug Leafy Branch

Valentine Cherubs - Sold

  

Pulled this beautiful stamp set out of my Stamps For Sale Bin!!  The stamp set is still for sale if your interested - $8.00 plus actual shipping cost.

I started making this card on Sunday for the Splitcoaststampers Featured Stampers Challenge and finally finished it on Tuesday night - life got in the way!! 

I had just received some new Die-Cuts from Spellbinders and really wanted to use them. I used the Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Two for the center of the card.  Used three different templates - cut each one then embossed each one - rubbed them with Close To My Heart Desert Sand Ink to highlight the embossing.  The Desert Sand Ink is a fantastic color to give your cards or scrapped pages an antiqued look!!

It's probably hard to tell but I also added some Close To My Heart Liquid Glass to the flowers.  On the very edge of the Colonial White Cardstock you'll notice a thin gold line - this was applied with the Stampin' Up! Paint Pen and a piece of cardstock for a drawing guide.

Stamps: Close To My Heart Valentine Cherubs  - Retired but for sale on my blog!!

Paper: Close To My Heart Elegant Bouquet Paper Packet - retired

Ink: StazOn Black, Close To My Heart Desert Sand Ink

Accessories: Spellbinder Nestabilities - Labels Two, Stampin' Up! Ribbon, Close To My Heart Ribbon, Stampin' Up! Wrought Iron Punch, Gold Pen, Close To My Heart Liquid Glass, Stampin' Up! Watercolor Crayons Occassionally my daughter, Julie, will create a vintage piece of jewlery for her shop.  Just had to share this beautiful piece with you that has the vintage glass cabochon that is set in brass - I also love how she's taken the photo. You can see the entire necklace at her shop at Puffluna.etsy.com -  enjoy visiting with her! Had to share this wonderful video with you for making a Close To My Heart My Creations Memory Keeper.  This would be a wonderful Valentine's present, Anniversary, Grandparent or Baby - this is a must see video.  Plus the video comes with a Supply LIst and all the Measurements!!  PLUS - if you'd like to purchase the products as a bundle you'll save over $10.00!!  Way too cool!!  Let me know if you have any questions.  I know you're going to love this project and the video!! Welcome to Close To My Heart's Heart & Soul TV Art & Soul Non-Traditional Kit Products

Moments in Time ... Chipboard ... Buttons

Started this card yesterday for the Splitcoaststampers  

Sketch Challenge - BUT - the weather was pretty bad here - the roads had a very dangerous sheet of ice hiding under the snow!!  School was cancelled, the girls were home and it was Amelia's Birthday!! SO - we all went bowling!!  How fun was that!!!  I'll stick a couple of our bowling pics at the end here - teehee!!

But I got lucky the Ways To Use It Challenge at Splitcoaststampers was to use stars ... well, my card had stars - it was a two for one day!!! Lucky!!

I had used this paper  for my photo backdrop on my last card I made and I just had to make a card with it - isn't it darling paper!!  Close to my Heart has these wonderful paper packs for Scrapbookers and Stampers - they have assembled cardstock and designer paper all coordinated and all in one package.  That really makes crafting much easier. 

How to use chipboard*:  on the left side is a large Stampin' Up! Star and four smaller Close To My Heart Chipboard Shapes covered with designer paper.  1.  Generously cover the chipboard with glue using a glue stick. 2.  Lay the glued side onto the back of your designer paper.  3.  Turn the paper over and firmly rub the paper with a bone folder to adhere it to the chipboard.  4.  Trim around the chipboard with micro-tip craft scissors.  5. Carefully file (I used CTMH Finishing Files)   and sand the edges of the paper and chipboard.  6. Using a finger tip sponge dauber rub with ink.  

The Close To My Heart Fresh Shapes Chipboard   already sticky on the back with a peel off backing.  The Stampin' Up! large star chipboard is apllied with liquid glue.  Click on the above photo for a closer look at the chipboard elements.  

This is the complete Moments In Time Stamp Set.  I knew I would be able to use it on a scrapped page but the challenge was to use it on a card.  I'm really happy with how this turned out.  This card is for Amelia.  on the inside I'm going to write a little something about how wonderful it was the day she was born.  How we remember that shooting stars and loved filled the room.

Stamps: Close To My Heart  Moments In Time  D1339 - Stamp of the Month - January 2008 only!

Paper: Close To My Heart Magic Moments Paper Pack  & Stickease Pack, Stampin' Up! Wild Wasabi, More Mustard

Ink: Close To  My Heart Chocolate, Cranberry

Accessories: Close To My Heart Waxy Flax, Dimensional Elements (Chipboard Star & Heart) and Finishing Tools, Stampin' Up! Large Chipboard Heart, Daisy D's Buttons You know how the story goes - when you see something you like you'd better get it or it will be gone - well - that's happened to me plenty of times.  While I was creating this card it reminded me of a bracelet from Julie's Shop  that I just loved the "Colorfall Bracelet".  Well, it's gone - but I still wanted to share the photo with you.  If you haven't been to Julie's Puffluna Shop yet - today is a great day to visit.  Her work is very creative with a little bit of funkiness - love it!! * Great Ideas To Share: Catch this informative and fun video on Close To My Heart TV - it's all about How To Alter Chipboard  How To Alter Chipboard.  It's one of the PBS episodes that you can view right on my Close To My Heart Store.  It's free, it's fun and it's informative! I had mentioned I'd add some photo's from yesterdays bowling party - well - LOL - they are all of everyone's back - maybe the bowling alley isn't the best place to take photo's!!

                                   

Holly got a STRIKE!!

Glitter - Cuttlebug - Martha Stewart & A Bunny!

I love this image of this sweet bunny.  

I know who else loves bunnies - my dear friend Sharon - she's the one that wrapped a present for me using the "in the garden" ribbon you see at the top of the card.  I've been wanting to use this ribbon on a card for ages - I'm so glad I found the perfect image to go with the ribbon.  

This cute bunny and the sentiment is from the current Stampin' Up! Catalog - it's called Serene Spring.  

The card base is scored on the edge and bottom using a bone folder and Friskars Personal Trimmer.  Added the beautiful velvet scalloped ribbon on the left edge.  The Cuttlebug Birds & Swirls  Embossing Plate was used to create the blingy background - I ran the Martha Stewart Glue Pad over the embossed paper then covered it with Martha Stewart Blue Topaz Glitter.  Hint: hold it over a trash can and brush with a stiff brush to remove all the excess glitter. 

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Serene Spring

Paper: Stampin' Up! Kraft, Brilliant Blue, (the Pumpkin Pie is in the ribbon and buttons), Close To My Heart Colonial White

Ink: StazOn Black, Close To My Heart Chocolate

Accessories: Ribbon My Girlfriend Used On A Gift For Me, Velvet Scallop Ribbon,  Cuttlebug - Distressed STripes & Birds and Swirls , Martha Stewart Glue Pad & Blue Topaz Glitter & Fence Border Punch, Karen Foster Buttons, Stampin' Up! Water Color Buttons, Bone Folder & Friskar's Personal Trimmer

Techniques: Glitter Pumpkin Pie was one of the colors in the Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge today - which reminded me of the "Vintage Finds Earrings Orange" over at my daughter Julie's Shop on Etsy.  They are the cutest things:     Vintage Finds Earrings Orange    Great Ideas To Share: Here is a great video showing you how to Make Your Own Background and Textured Paper.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

That was the Limited Supply Challenge at Splitcoaststampers today.  I used the same Close To My Heart Stamp Set I used yesterday - Soul Mates.  And also checked out Julie's Shop for some inspiration again - her wonderful creations are some of my favorites.  Also, check with Holly she tell you that Julie is also my favorite daughter - teehee!!   

So here you see it - I love black and gold together it looks for rich to me.  Also love any type of embossing - with powder, brass templates, Cuttlebug templates any type - and ribbon - if you know me it's laughable how much ribbon I've collected here in my workshop. 

The ribbon on this card is a very pretty black velvet scalloped ribbon - difficult to see in this photo - a little easier to see in this small photo.

Also, did you know that if you click on any photo it will enlarge for a better look - try it! 

The piece in Julie's Shop that inspired me today was this beautiful Brass and Pearl Locket Necklace.  The embossing on the locket is repeated on the card with the Cuttlebug Templates and the brass look is repeated in the paper and embossed hearts.     

I did one of the hearts on the card in the same dark burgundy that Julie has in her rose and freshwater pearls.

Check out Julie's Blog  for her weekley discounts and monthly contests.  You might just be a winner!!    

I have some other favorite cards I've made with this same stamp set.  They've been posted on the blog before but just thought this would be a nice time to share them.

  This is the complete Soul Mates Stamp Set! 

 

Inspired by love...

Love inspires us in so many ways ... and today I was inspired by the love my daughter puts into her beautiful craft of jewlery making.  I choose this funky and fun necklace to use along with this Splitcoaststampers Challenge today.  

Want to see this necklace and other original and vintage piece - Dream, Imagine and Fly with Puffluna.

The Ways To Use It Challenge today was to use anything silver and how perfect was Julie's necklace as an inspiration!

I've added some photo's that might help you add a little distressing to your cards or scrapped pages.  Hope they help!

1.  Painted Close To My Heart  Pearl Paint  onto Close To My Heart Colonial White Paper.

2.  Stamped the heart image with Versamark then used Close To My Heart Cranberry Embossing Powder to emboss the design onto the paper.

     

3.  Heat set with the Close To My Heart Craft Heater.

4.  After I have hand cut a piece it sometimes isn't quite as smooth as I'd like - so I use the four-sided sanding block from the Close To My Heart  Distressing Kit   to smooth the edges.

5. I used the Cuttlebug Birds and Swirls Embossing Template for the back layer on the card.  Then added Chocolate Ink with the Foam Tool  found in the Close To My Heart Distressing Kit.  This helps bring out the embossed images. 

6. You know how you have favorite tools - well - this is one of mine - the Closed To My Heart Edge Distresser  .  I've distressed all the edges of the cardstock and desiger paper then either rubbed them with the chocoate ink and foam tool or ran the edge of the chocolate ink pad directly onto the paper.

 

The finished product - how do you like it??

I was inspired to use my Close To My Heart Pearl Paint from watching a CTMH TV episode. 

Would you like to see what inspired me - check out: Episode 8: RESOLVE TO HAVE A GREAT YEAR!  

Get inspired too by clicking on the above link - they show you how to make some great calendar scrapbook pages.

Stamps: Close To My Heart Soul Mates D1254

Paper: Stampin' Up! Red Riding Hood & Chocolate; Close To My Heart Colonial White; Daisy D's Designer; Misc Silver

Ink: Close To My Heart Chocolate , Versamark

Accessories: Close To My Heart Cranberry Embossing Powder , Pearl Paint & Metal Tag, Stampin' Up! Silver Thread, Sizzlits Funky Brush Die-Cuts, Sizzix Corner, Cuttlebug Birds & Swirls - Distressed Stripes, My Mind's Eye Gems, Prima Flowers

Poinsettia Christmas

Just had to share this wonderful challenge from Splitcoaststampers.com with you today.  The petals for this poinsettia are made with the small and large Stampin' Up! punches.  Not my idea (too bad!) but a very clever idea - here's the link for the directions: Tag Punch Starburst.  The petals are also embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Template.  One more little point - rather than using the gluing method in the directs I ran all the cut tags through the xyrox before assembling.

    I made three layers and curled the edges with a pencil.  The center Prima flower was cut down a little (on an angle) and then cut up to the edges of the gem.

Two of the layers are embossed with the Cuttlebug Embossing Templates - they are listed below.  The "merry Christmas" is embossed with embossing powder.

This is an extremely easy technique if you have the right tools and oh so fun!!

Side view - close-up:

Stamps: Studio 6

Paper: Misc. Burgundy, Eggplant, Orange

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Claret Embossing Powder, Stampin' Up! Tag Punches, Stampin' Up! Wine Organdy Ribbon, Craft Narrows Gold Ribbon, Cuttlebug - Birds and Swirls & Swiss Dots, Prima Flower, Close To My Heart Brads , Bohemia Bling, Stampin' Up! Ticket Corner Punch

Techniques: Starburst   NEED TO MAKE 20 CARDS IN A HURRY THEN YOU JUST GOTTA CHECK OUT THIS HOW-TO-VIDEO - you can watch the video, then read the directions complete with  measurements and supply list.  After you've completed your 20 cards email me a pic so I can post it to my blog!!

Fun News!

A while back I had submitted two cards to the Stampers Sampler Take Ten Magazine.  This is a quarterly magazine that features cards that can be made in "10 minutes". 

I submitted my cards in the "We Challenge You" Sketch Challenge.  And to my surprise (I just found this out before going on our last trip) my cards were accepted and published in the Summer 2008 issue.

I can't remember if I've shared these cards with you before so I thought I'd post them again. 

Flutter - The stamps used for this card are from Prickley Pear. All the details for making this card can be found on page 21 of the magazine.

And on page 23 of the Stampers Sampler you can find the "Good News" card along with all the details for making this card.  The stamps are from Stampin' Up!

This was my first time submitting to a magazine for publication - it was really fun to have my cards published.

Enjoy your day!  Off to stamp!!

Life's A Jungle

I love this little elephant - he's from the upcoming June Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Set - Life's A Jungle.

I know, I know - not much happening on my Blog lately - I'll try to work on that!  Since I haven't done much on Splitcoaststampers either I put three challenges together for this card.

The Color Challenge for today, A Sketch Challenge and a Ways To Use It Challenge.  The Ways To Use It Challenge was to use your scissors to either cut out an image or add dimension to your card with cut paper - so I added stems and petals to the Stampin' Up! Felt Flowers - with the addition of little buttons in the center of the flowers.

The sentiment "feel better soon" is from the May Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Set - "Say It In Style".

The Say It In Style Set is one of those set's that is a must have - it has a sentiment covering just about any occassion or holiday. 

Stamps: Close To My Heart - Life's A Jungle and Say It With Words (May & June SOTM)

Paper: Stampin' Up! - Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Wild Wasabi

Ink: Close To My Heart Grey Wool, Black

Accessories: Cuttlebug, K & Co. Ribbon, Stampin' Up! Felt Flowers, Mini Buttons

OMG!! We've been very, very busy!

Hopefully my Mom won't read this because I've been trying to keep it a secret from her.  We purchased a new RV a little over a week ago - very exciting but lots of work.  You might think there isn't much to do but to go pick it up - but there is the cancelling of old insurance, getting the new insurance, deciding how to tow the car, how to deal with the bikes, fixing little things that aren't quite right.

It's been at least three weeks and I can say we finally have everything in order (I think!) so now I can get back to my place in the basement - my workshop!!!  Since I missed so many challenges from Splitcoaststampers and have lots of new stamps I haven't used - I decided to combine lots of challenges.

This card is for the Stacked Ribbon Technique,

The Color Challenge, The Featured Stamper Challenge and finally The Ways To Use It Challenge - Rub On's.

I love this new stamp set from Stampin' Up - "Time For You" - it also comes with the cutest little park bench.

Stamps:  Stampin' Up Time For You

Ink: Black

Paper: Real Red, Glorious Green, Night of Navy

Misc: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, Martha Stewart Edge Punch, Close To My Heart Ribbon, Stampin' Up! Ribbon, Watercolor Crayons, Watercolor Pencils, Rub On, Liquid Pearls White Opal (in center of each flower)

I'm back now - I'll be back to posting every day!!! NO, really I will!!!

Oh, yes - going back to my Mom - we're planning on going down to see her next week - she lives in Hilton Head, South Carolina.  We usually stay at a campground that is far enough away from her that we need to drive - we'll now be staying just a mile away so we can ride our bikes over to her place for an early cup of coffee.  My plans are to have her over for cocktails when we arrive - hopefully she'll like our new "Lex".

While we travel please stop by to share in the adventures of Lex and Stella - more to follow...

Express Postage Stamp of the Month

I love the Close To My Heart April Stamp of the Month - Express Postage {But It!} .  It can be used for all kinds of events - weddings, birthdays, graduations and more.  Go to my online store to see all the details for this fun stamp set - plus more ideas on how to use it!

I know alot of you purchased the Prima Flowers from me that are on the front of this card.  I stacked three of the flowers here then punched out a circle, distressed it, and attached it with a Close To My Heart Bigger Brad {Buy It!}.

All the papers are Close To My Heart and I love how the colors all go together without any thinking on my part. Also, didn't need to think about what ribbon to use - I just picked up my tube of Twilight Designer Ribbon {But It!} and it matched - that's because I used Close To My Heart Twilight, Chocolate and Sweet Leaf cardstock - that just happens to match the Close To My Heart Good Times Paper Pack {But It!}. 

The edges of all the papers are distressed with the Close To My Heart Edge Distresser then sponged with Chocolate Ink.  The postal image is stamped with Stampin' Up! Chocolate Craft Ink. 

To give everything a little more texture the Twilight Matting and the Sweet Leaf Strip are both Cuttlebugged with the Swiss Dots Embossing Template.

Some Old Favorites!

Here are a couple of old favorites.  I'm working on the pages for the next Scrapbook Class - but will be posting some new cards with some new stamps very soon.  Thanks for stopping by to see what's new!

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! Bugs & Kisses

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Fabulous Flowers

Stamps: Close To My Heart Friendship Blessings

Stamps: Close To My Heart So Sweet Seasons

Sweet Pea

I'm pretty tired - it's not even that late - but I worked physically hard helping Tom get the camping trailer out of the back yard today.  Wanted to share these little Easter Goodies with you.  The Title Sweat Pea is the name of the Close To My Heart Paper Packet that I used for both of these cards.  I love the fresh spring-like look of this paper.  The layout is the same layout that I used for Joey's Easter card - recognize it from this week's Card Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoastampers.com - it's a great sketch.

I made two cards for my two beautiful granddaughters - the same but a little different.  That technique of doing cards the same but a little different makes the process go much quicker. 

Stamps: Inky Antics Easter Friends Block, Stampin' Up! Fancy Flexible Phrases

Paper: Close To My Heart Sweet Pea Paper Packet {Buy It!}

Ink: Black StazOn

Accessories: Making Memories Garden Party Brads; Close To My Heart Pin & Waxy Flax; Martha Stewart Tag Punch & Ribbon; Stampin' Up! Water Color Crayons This was the invite I sent out for Easter Brunch.  Used the computer to print everything leaving a space for the cute little bunny in the salad bowl. Happy Easter to you and your family! Linda Thought I'd share some more Easter Card Ideas - from the past!

For Joey!

Easter is almost here and Thursday is probably the last day to get your greetings in the mail.  This is a little card I made for my darling Grandson Joey!  I wanted to keep it simple and boyish - you know he's our first little "grandson" - BTW - he's walking all over the place now!  Hope he likes his card!

The bow on the front of the card was inspired by 4Hounds - you can find her over at Splitcoaststampers.  I love that website I have never seen so much creativity in one place!  It inspires me on a daily basis - and pushes me out of my comfort zone.

Tuesday is Sketch Challenge Day over at Splitcoaststampers - one of my favorite challenges and the sketch for Joey's card was inspired by the challenge today.

The sketch was perfect to use with a Close To My Heart Level 2 Paper Pack.  The paper is already pre-coordinated for you - no guessing here as to what goes with what.  This particular Close To My Heart paper is from the "It's A Guy Thing" Level 2 Paper Pack.  I wanted to keep this card simple and boyish and use colors that didn't necessarily represent Easter but were more boyish. 

The card is finished off with this cute little bunny with his gathered chicks. He's all decked out in his sneakers and blue jean coveralls.  I hope this cutie finds himself onto a scrapped page for Joey! 

Stamps: Inky Antics

Paper: Close To My Heart It's A Guy Thing {Buy It!}

Ink: Black StazOn

Accessories: Close To My Heart Brads, Ribbon, 3D Foam Squares; Love Elsie Ribbon; Stampin' Up! Punch, Watercolor Crayons

Happy Birthday Lindsey!

My oldest granddaughter is turning "9" next week - it's terrible - where have the days gone of the rocking chair, the first steps the first words - they've turned into the super fun days of the trips to American Girl Place and shopping at the Limited II - re-thinking - "9" is fun!!

This card is for Lindsey and for the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge today - you can find the challenge here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/fo...d.php?t=332032. I slept on this sketch all night - woke up and still had no clue - it was a toughy this week - but I'm happy with how my card turned out - and see lots of possibilities with this sketch now!

Also, used the Color Challenge July 3, 2007 - Pretty In Pink, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive. My very favorite ribbon of all time is the SU Old Olive Grosgrain - it always looks crisp and tie's perfectly!

Stamps: Close To My Heart Make It Count {Buy It!}

Paper: Kay & Co, Stampin' Up!

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: K & Co. Metal Charm; Close To My Heart Brads, Pin & Waxy Flax {Buy It!}; Stampin' Up! Ribbon, Chipboard, Circle Punch; Sewing Machine; Copper EP

Techniques: Sewing, Embossing

Two Hearts

This was a quick and simple card for the Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers today.  The colors we were suppose to use were: Black, Basic Gray and Pomegranate.  I wanted to make sure to use the Stampin' Up! Pomegranate Ribbon that I had purchased during the BOGO Special that Stampin' Up! had a couple of months ago.   I tried to keep it simple!  This is a square card with the center panel embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Template.  The two hearts are from the Cuttlebug Cutting and Embossing Folders Set.

"Love" is from the Close To My Heart From Me To You Set - I know lots of you have that set from the Close To My Heart Special Card & Stamp Promotion.  Used the Stampin' Up! Corner Punch and Oval Punches - tied the Ribbon into a big fancy bow and there you are!

Also, wanted to share these cards with you that Sharon made the other day from scraps she had from the Daisy D's Workshop we had back in January.  I love how Sharon just pieced her cards together from her scraps - they really turned out great.  I especially like the Happy Birthday Card with the burgundy banner - I like the sketch layout of this card and will give it a try . Sharon - thanks for sharing!

Oh...I couldn't get to sleep last night....

I didn't get to sleep at all, no, no - I lay awake and watched until the morning light - washed away the darkness - LOL!!  Anyway - this is a card I made with this cute little sheep stamp I just got - and for some reason it made me think of counting sheep while your trying to sleep.  See the sheep jumping over the fence (the circle behind the fence turns) as you count from 100 - 99 - 98 - 97 - 96 - 95 - you get what I mean. 

I never have trouble sleeping - I stay up until 2 or 3 AM so I'm pretty tired at that point but I do fall right sleep and sleep soundly all night long!!!!

Yesterday I said that I'd post some snow pics - it was so sunny and bright this morning when I went out that it didn't feel like 22 degrees when I went out to take some snow photo's.  I hope you can get a sense of the amount of snow that fell!! I'm first going to post some ice pics then the snow pics that followed the ice two days later.  That was a good part of the weather problem here in Northeast Ohio - it was very icy out and then a huge blizzardy snow storm came on top of the sliding, slippery ice!!  Created lots of problems.

I'm going to show you two pics of the bench by the front walk - one is the ice photo and the other is the snow photo!

And finally the photo of the front walk - we do in fact have a front porch but it's all at the same level right now - well, until the snow melts at least. Stay Warm - Stay Safe!!

DeBossing Vellum For Splitcoast Stampers!

I'm so excited that I had the opportunity today to post the Monday Try A New Technique Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.com.  I choose a technique that I had been taught by June Knaack from Zoar, Ohio.  I had taken a class from her at a convention and enjoyed her so much that I took more classes at her shop in Zoar.  There is a tutorial for this technique - the tutorial can be found in the "Step by Step Cards" folder over on the left sidebar. Click on the word "Step by Step" (not the photo) and you'll be taken to the beginning of the tutorial. 

This is the finished card - simple in design.

This card measures 5 X 7 with a top fold.
Card Base of Close To My Heart Textured Chocolate Cardstock
Layer of Close To My Heart Taffy Textured Cardstock
Layer of Textured Chocolate Cardstock
Close To My Heart Colonial White Cardstock - for sentiment
Close To My Heart Vellum

Stamp Set: Close To My Heart March Stamp of the Month - Simple Beauty

Ink:
Close To My Heart Black Dye
Stampin' Up! Markers - Old Olive & Really Rust

Misc:
Cuttlebug Swiss Dot Template
Velvet Scalloped Ribbon
Close To My Heart 3D Foam Squares
Making Memories Metal Corners
Piercing Tool

Happy Trails To You...

Until - We - Meet - Again....Do You Remember?!? Most of you are probably way too young - but I know some of you remember the tune - we watched Roy Rogers and Dale Evans every Saturday - What was the name of Roy's Horse - did you know he had his horse stuffed. (I know it's not called stuffed but I can't think of the term/word right now!)

This is for the Way To Use It Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers - The Challenge was to make a card that was music inspired. I had the Punny Farm Stamp Set out (My Favorite Things) -because I was getting my cards together for a "My Favorite Things" Swap and the Be Happy Stamp Set from Close To My Heart - perfect for the challenge.

Stamps: Close To My Heart Be Happy, My Favorite Things Punny Farm

Paper: Close To My Heart Silhouette Paper Packet

Ink: Black, Chocolate

Accessories: Cuttlebug Music Note Template, Stampin' Up! Circle Punches & Scallop Punch, Close To My Heart Edge Anchors & Brads, Stampin' Up! Watercolor Crayons

Valentines For The Girls and Doilies

I know Valentine's Day has come and gone but I had wanted to share these ideas with you.  I had wanted to use doilies when making Valentine's cards for my two Granddaughters and thought they'd look cute with the little monkey's from the C.C. Design Set - Monkey Love .

Solving A Problem: You know how you look at a word stamp that you want to use on your card and it just won't fit right - what you can do is stamp the words - cut them apart and adhere them to a tag - that's what I've done on these two cards.

Stamps:  C.C. Designs - Monkey Love

Paper:  Daisy D's Maybe Baby (Buy It!), Stampin' Up! Ruby Red and Barely Banana

Ink: Black StazOn, White Gel Pen, Black Marker

Misc: Doiley, Spellbinder Templates,  Heidi Swapp Large Flowers (Buy It!), Stampin' Up! Ribbon and Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Martha Stewart Tag Punch, Close To My Heart Eyelet and Waxy Flax (Buy It!) , Making Memories Jumbo Brads.

THIS WAS FUNNY:  Remember how I said I wanted to use doiles - so yesterday I get my March Issue of Creating Keepsakes and what's on the front cover but a large doiley - they used it as a matting for a photo - go figure!!  And for the journaling they had cut the words apart and mounted them in a punched circle/scallop matting.

If you love scrapbooking idea books - your going to love the newly released Close To My Heart Reflections - they have a very nice ad on the back cover of the Creating Keepsakes Magazine.  The Close To My Heart How-To Scrapbooking Program Books just don't have photos they have measurements, placement keys, artwork and are filled with technique how-to's.  Close To My Heart has three Scrapbook Program Books - and I have to say if your a scrapper these are all must have's!  The newest is Relections (Buy It!), Imagine (Buy It!) and the first book - Cherish (Buy it!) - I promise you wouldn't be dissapointed. 

If you have any of the Close To My Heart Scrapbook Program Books PLEASE leave a comment and share what it is you love about them - THANKS!!!

Make It Count

This is one of my new finds from Close To My Heart the "Make It Count" Stamp Set {Buy It} - I was so happy to see that the challenge at Splitcoaststampers.com was to use a round stamp - so I got a chance to ink up!

I've been attracted to lots of cards lately that have embossing powder on them and I love embossing powder.  For some reason I also forget to use embossing powder when I'm making a card but that's going to change.  EP is going to be one of the first things I reach for from now on.  I'm excited to see what happens!!

Oh - something fun to share - Close To My Heart now has the entire Idea Book online - you can flip right through the pages - this is too cool - you can even put a sticky note on a page - FUN!!!!  Its' very user friendly - click here and try it out-  Close To My Heart Spring Idea Book - it is listed on my online store under PRODUCTS. Come back and tell me how it worked for you. 

I'm having some crazy ideas running through my head - you know what check back on Monday I might just have a little contest using the Idea Book with the new flipping pages!!!  Oh yes - don't forget to stop by on Sunday for the Sketch Challenge. 

Well gotta go - my two darling Granddaughters are sleeping over tomorrow night and I need to get organized around here - they'll be here for Dinner, A Movie and Sleepover with Grandpa and Grandma - how fun!!!  Oh Yes!  My TAXES are done - yippee!!!

I wish you a ........

Happy Valentine’s Day…May the chocolate be with you!

Almost done with my taxes - I'll have them finished today!!  Stayed up a little later to make a card for by Dear Husband.  And as soon as I post this I'm heading upstairs for a bowl of popcorn and to catch this evenings American Idol Show.

This is a top fold card that measures: 5-1/2 by 4-1/4 - so that would mean you'd cut your 8-1/2 X 11 sheet of cardstock in half lengthwise.  I really like top-fold cards - they stand up much nicer on the mantel - but for some reason I always forget to cut my cardstock for a top-fold and end up with a side-folded card.

I'm using the Close To My Heart Soul Mates Stamp Set again (Buy It) - I love that set - I love the hearts and all the neat words in it.  This time I've embossed the heart using Versamark and Silver Embossing Powder.  The square measures 2 X 2 and the black square is slightly larger and can be cut with scissors or punched out.

The ribbon is from Stampin' Up! and the large pin and pearls are from the Pretties Kit by Stampin' Up! The front of the card is run through the Cuttlebug with just the front going into the embossing folder.

Usually when we see cards posted here or anywhere on the internet we only see the outside of the card - so I thought I'd share the inside with you too!  I was happy with how this turned out - I wanted the heart and stamped words to look as though they were in the background and decided to print the words onto a transparency.  You can buy transparency paper at Walmart for under $7.00 for a pack of 10. 

I used the same paper for the inside of the card as the card was made from.  Cut the inside to 5-1/4 X 4 and lined the edge of it with a silver paint pen. 

The transparency is attached by running a thin strip of glue along the top edge of the cardstock.

Two things to keep in mind: 1) When gluing the transparency down if it touches the glue it's glued right there - so be careful.  2) When printing remember to reverse the words (mirror image) and print on the rough side of the transparency if your using an Ink Jet Printer.

Four From Scraps

Well, I believe we all made it through the 14 scrapped pages yesterday - it was so much fun!!!  And thank you all for putting up with my insanity!!!  As promised I'm posting the four cards that you can make from your left over scraps.  All the parts and pieces are in your kits all you need to do is cut the decorator paper from your scraps and glue it all together.  Email me with any questions.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! A Little Bird Told Me

Paper:   American Crafts a la Mode

Ink: Black

Misc: Red Ribbon; Stampin' Up Oval Punches

Measurements:  Card when folded is 5-1/2 X 4-1/4 - fold is on left side. 

Black CS: 4 X 5-1/4; 1-5/8 X 3-1/8

Pattern: 3-7/8 X 5-1/8

White: 3 X 1-1/2

Oval is popped up with a Close To My Heart 3D Foam Square.

Stamps: Close To My Heart Happy Birthday; Stampin' UP! A Little Bird Told Me

Paper: American Crafts a la Mode

Ink: Black

Misc: Red Ribbon: Stampin' Up! Circle Punches

Measurements: Card when folded is 5-1/2 X 4-1/4 - fold is on the left side

Black Pattern: 1-3/4 X 4

Polka Dot: 2-3/4 X 4; 2-3/8 X 2-3/8 (turn over and use green side)

White: 2-1/4 X 2-1/4

Circle is popped up with Close To My Heart 3D Foam Square.

Stamps: Close To My Heart Happy Birthday

Paper: American Crafts American Crafts a la Mode

Ink: Black

Misc: Close To My Heart Ribbon; Stampin' Up! Circle Punches & Scallop Punch

Measurements: Card when folded is 5-1/2 X 4-1/4 with the fold on the left side

Black CS: 4 X 5-1/4

Pattern Paper: 3-7/8 X 5-1/8

Scalloped Circle is popped up with a Close To My Heart  3D Foam Square.

Stamps: Close To My Heart Happy Birthday

Paper:  American Crafts American Crafts a la Mode

Ink: Black

Misc: Scallop edge scissors

Measurements: Card when folded is 5-1/2 X 4-1/4 with the fold on the top edge.

Black: 3-1/8 X 5-3/8; a slight 4-1/4 X 5-1/2

Using the scalloped scissors trim the bottom edge of the front of the card.  Open the card and adhere the larger black cs piece to the back of the card front.

All fourteen of the scapped pages are posted in the Scrapbook Layout Album on the right sidebar. I will be offering another 14 page Workshop later in the year.  Check the Class Schedule  on the upper left sidebar for upcoming classes.

Thank you to everyone that attended the Workshop yesterday - I really appreciate your support - I hope it inspires you to take snapshots of all the moments of your life - and then scrap them!

Simple Lines

I made this card for a challenge at Splitcoaststampers.com last weekend. The challenge was to look at an Art Print and be inspired by the design, colors or layout and create something. 

I really tried hard to keep it simple with clean lines and also capture the essence of the inspiration photo. The embossed lines on the card were made with a Friskars Personal Paper Trimmer and a Bone Folder.

The bird is painted with Stampin' Up! Watercolor crayons and cut out with a Spellbinder Template.  The panel was embossed with a Cuttelbug Embossing Folder. 

I hope this inspires you to create something today. (Note:  Suzanne this is the little bird I had painted the other night when you were here - glad he made it onto a card!)

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Touch of Nature (one of my all time favorite stamp sets); Basic Grey Winterland

Paper: Stampin' Up! Old Olive, White, Cameo Coral

Ink: Close To My Heart Black, Grey Wool

Accessories: Misc. Heart; Stampin' Up! Olive Ribbon, Gold Twine, Bone Folder; Cuttlebug; Spellbinder; Close To My Heart 3D Foam Squares; Friskars Paper Trimmer

Inspiration

If you read my blog often you know I'm always over at Splitcoaststampers either checking out what all the creative ladies are doing over there or trying my hand at one of the challenges.  Sometimes you find someone that really inpsires you, someone's work that is always a step above -  when I look at the work of  Faith Hofrichter I am always amazed at her level of creativity.  Check out her blog and be ready to be blown away ... Stampin' With Markie's Mom .

This is my card that I made last night (after my cropping friends left ) that was inspired by Faith.  I used the new Close To My Heart Stamp Set "Endless Love" . 

The card has lots of layers and lots of dots and lots of embossing powder - it was fun to do!  I'm lovin' this look - not sure if there's a name but it looks a little Dutch Country to me. 

Enjoy your weekend and I hope this inspires you to sit down and create something fun today!

Stamps:  Close To My Heart Endless Love, Free Spirit and Soul Mates.

Forever love...

Two things that I really wanted to do - (1) is the challenge of using paints - so I was excited to see that the Ways To Use It Challenge , at Splitcoaststampers.com, was using paint today. The other (2) was to make a card using Acetate - that was an earlier challenge also at Splitcoaststampers.com .  Our 24th Wedding Aniversary is on Valentine's Day - I think I'll save this for my DH.

What I learned today - that once you stick something to the transparency it's stuck.

I also learned that when opening a tube that stands on it's end cap you should turn it upright first and then open it ... i.e. the Close To My Heart Pearl Create A Shade Paint - it was interesting!!

I've stamped with StazOn on the front of the card and then painted behind the word with Close To My Heart White Paint mixed with Bubblegum Re-inker. THEN I remembered I wanted to use my new Pearl Shade Paint mixed in so I scrapped part of the pink away and went over the paint with the Pearl - it gave it a slight shabby chic look.  You can see in this photo how the Pearl Paint has a little shimmer to it - it doesn't show in the photo of the card - but is very shimmery in real life.

Stamps: SU Wonderful Words II

Paper: Daisy D's Maybe Baby (doubled side dp)

Ink: Black StazOn

Accessories: Close To My Heart Pearl Paint, Acrylic Paint & ReInker; K & Co. Charm; Stampin' Up! Ribbon & Twine; Daisy D's Flowers & Buttons; Martha Stewart Rick Rack; Misc Rick Rack; Walmart Transparency

Flower Child

Don't you love it when you get new toys to play with - I'm talking about stamping and scrapping toys.  I just got these new chubby flowers and buttons from Close To My Heart - I just love how they look - totally different from any other flowers I have.  Also, just got these cute little babies in the flower pots they are part of the  Close To My Heart Flower Child Stamp Set Close To My Heart Flower Child Stamp Set - I really like the one in the middle - the baby reminds me of Joey.

I made this card yesterday for the Limited Supply Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.com.  The challenge was to make your own background paper - not to use any pre-designed paper or a Cuttlebug.  I teamed up these flower pot babies with the current Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month - Eastertime.

I also used Close To My Heart Textured Cardstock - each sheet has a CTMH color on one side and a lighter shade on the other.  You can see this difference when you look at the pink layer on the back of the card and then the flipped (lighter) pink layer behind the flower pot babies.  A little bird told me a big sale is coming next month on the Close To My Heart Textured Cardstock.  Stay tuned...Close To My Heart also received several mentions in the Creating Keepsakes 2008 Ultimate Products Guide.  Close To My Heart Papers were mentioned on pages 27, 28 and 54; chalks on page 95; Inks on pages 96 & 97 and finally there's a ad for the upcoming Reflections Scrapbook Program on the back cover of the magazine.

Close To My Heart also was a winner/runner-up in the following favorite CK "Product Picks" categories:  Post Bound Albums, Idea Books, Inovative Products (E-Size Alphabet Stamps), Internet Retailers, Online Ordering, Scrapbook Clubs (joint winner), Scrapbook Kits, Stamping Inks and Stamps.

Stamps: Close To My Heart Eastertime, Close To My Heart Flower Child

Paper: Close To My Heart Textured Cardstock

Ink: Close To My Heart Desert Sand, Blush, Garden Green, Spring Iris

Accessories: Close To My Heart Just Blooms, Craft Buttons, 3D Foam Squares; Michaels Ribbon

Simply White Cardstock

I made a bunch of these white cards today - but I'm just posting four.  They are so quick and easy.  You do need the Cuttlebug and some embossing folders (large and small). 

I also wanted to use a new Close To My Heart Stamp Set that I just got - I really like it - Soul Mates.  All the following cards are stamped with the Close To My Heart  Soul Mates Stamp Set. I also used Close To My Heart White Daisy Cardstock, Close To My Heart Sparkles and Embossing Powders.  

This is so simple to make these cards - here's how.  (1) Use a high quality white cardstock (Close To My Heart White Daisy) and cut it down to 8-1/2 X 5-1/5 and fold in half with crease at the top.  (2) Place your small cuttlebug template in the corner, aligning it with the edges (your card can be folded - but the cb template is only on the front of the cs) (3) run this through the CB machine - you want your card to go through with the bottom first and the top folded edge last (not sideways) (4) now put the template on the right bottom corner and repeat (5) now line the template up in the center and repeat (6) put your card front face down in your 12" paper trimmer (around 1/4" or so) and run your bonefold over the cardstock to create a raised line on the front of the card (7) slide the card down and repeat this raised line above your cuttlebug image one or two lines.  That's it - tie on a ribbon and your good to go.

Would like to give huge "Thank You" to StampinKub  for his wonderful tutorial on how to Watermark with Photo Shop Elements.  For a very long time I have wanted to add my name to my photo's but could never figure it out - Kurtis's tutorial is a video with voice of him telling you how to do it.  So you can replay over and over until  you have the hang of it.  If your interested in learning this technique just click here:  How To Create Watermarks.  Also, thanks to all the nice ladies over at Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps and All That Scraps for steering me to Kurtis.

Tweetheart

I did this card for a Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.  Also, just got this wonderful Close To My Heart Silouette Designer Paper today and just had to use it. I had a class here tonight and we stamped on transparency - so I have transparencies on my brain - I told the girls to watch out we'll probably be adding lots of them to our upcoming classes. Anyway, these two little sweeties are stamped on a transparency then colored in with Close To My Heart Markers. You have to color them several times in order to get the ink to look ok. TFL - love playing the sketch challenges!

Hope you like it.

Stamps: C. C. Designs Rubber Stamps - Love Ya' Much

Paper: Close To My Heart Silhouette Paper Packet; Stampin' Up! Pink Passion; Misc. Black, Beige, Cream

Ink: Close To My Heart Black and various markers

Accessories: Transparency (Walmart), $1 Brads & Ribbon (Target); Close To My Heart Black Brads & 3D Foam Squares, Cuttlebug, Spellbinder Nestabilities, Mega Oval Punch

Close To My Heart Eastertime Stamp Set

I love the new Close To My Heart Easter Time Stamp of the Month Stamp Set - I was making "a" card for a challenge and then got carried away. I was on a roll - just thought I'd share.

Paper:  Close To My Heart Sonata

These were all basically pretty easy to make.  The one with all the flowers is a Stampin' Up! Punch that punches three flowers at one time so it looks like more work than it really is.  The flowers in the basket are just stamped, cut out and popped up - pretty easy.  I really like how the word "happy" looks over the word Easter.  This set is available through the end of January.  Hope you feel inspired to make some cards.  The Sunday Card Sketch Challenge goes through Friday - give it a try. 

"G" Thanks!

I've been wanting to do a "G" thanks card for a while now and finally got the opportunity.  I love sketch challenges and that is exactly what this was a sketch challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.com.  It's basically pretty easy - just lots of layers - a chipboard letter and a thanks stamp! This is a 5-1/2 X 4-1/4 card with a left side fold.

Stamps: Close To My Heart For Every Occasion

Paper: Basic Grey (I think); Stampin' Up! Black, Sage & Ruby Red

Ink:  Stampin' Up! Black and Ruby Red

Accessories: K & Company Chipboard Letter, Gem, Ribbon, Fancy Pants Flower, Piercer, Stampin' Up! Designer Label Punch, Circle Punch, Ticket Corner Punch

Fun News!!!

I've been waiting for the new year to get here so I could share some more exciting news.  For the coming year of "2008" I was lucky enough to be chosen to be on the Design Team for Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps. Go check them out - my photo is the one in the middle - I have the two Lorikeets on my shoulders.  Check out the other very creative ladies that were also chosen to be on the Team.  It's going to be a fun year.  I'm waiting for my goodies from Prickley Pear to arrive so I can start creating some fun funky stuff!

Meantime here's a sneak peak at what I started working on yesterday.  As soon as I have it completed it I'll be adding it to the Scrapbooking Tutorials on the left sidebar.  So be sure to check back as the day goes along I'll be adding more sneak peaks!

Also, just received my goodies from All That Scraps - the fun new C.C. Designs Rubberstamps!  I picked up the cutest little Valentine Mailboxes at Target yesterday - I'm sure between the C.C.Designs Rubberstamps and the little mail boxes I'll be able to come up with something.  Well, as promised here's a sneak peek:

What's also been fun is that Tom's become a basement "Dweller" with me.  Check out what he's up to:

Happy New Year! Happy Birthday!!

We have two birthdays to Celebrate this month - Amelia & Joey. 

This is for Joey - he's turning "1" in January - darn that goes so fast - he's my darling little grandson - check out my blog there's a Polar Bear Frame with a cute Christmas Morning photo of Joey in it (Grandma Bragging Rights!) Anyway - back to the card - this is for a  Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge . It was suggested we keep it simple since it's still a busy time for everyone - but - I had to make mine cute for you know who!!!

What I love is that my daughter will pull the parts of the card apart and use it on a scrapbook page - so I like to put lots of elements on the card for her to use.

Almost forgot: The animals in the center are printed with the Colored Impressions Computer Images Program then embossed with their matching brass template.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Wild About You

Paper: Stampin' Up! Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue

Ink: Close To My Heart Heavenly Blue, Goldrush; Stampin' Up! More Mustard Marker

Accessories:  Cuttlebug Embossing Template , WeRMemory Keepers Diner Chipboard Letter, K & Company Brad (it says "so"), Ribbon, Coluzzle Templates, Stampin' Up! Oval Punch, Marvy Circle & Scallop Punches

In My Heart

I made a couple of cards with the Close To My Heart Stamp of the month - thought I'd share them with you.

This one was quick and simple - it goes with a Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge - click here to see the Sketch.  The card measures: 5 X 7 and is a side fold.

Stamps: Close To My Heart December Stamp of the Month - In My Heart

Paper: Misc. Black and Pink, Stampin' Up! Lovely Lavendar

Ink: Black

Accessories: Creative Memories Circle Templates, Coluzzle Heart Template, Prima Flower, Ribbon, Stampin' Up! Build A Brad with a piece of ribbon under the clear dot - then trimmed, piercing tool (edge of black circle) I made this awhile back for a Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers - not crazy with how it turned out.  I'm happy with the sketch but the colors seem to be on the harsh side to me.  I 'm going to re-do it in pinks - then I'll be happy!  Card measures: 4-1/4 X 5-1/2 and is side folded.

Stamps: Close To My Heart December Stamp of the Month - In My Heart; Stampin' Up! Looks Like Spring

Paper: Close To My Heart Grey Wool and Grey Flannel

Ink: Close To My Heart Black, Grey Wool, Grey Flannel; Stampin' Up! Craft Red

Accessories: Close To My Heart eyelids, snaps, pop up dots; KI Ribbon Spool; $1 ribbon; Marvy Punches; Cuttlebug

Kisses From Heaven Has Sold & A Winner!!!!

I'm sure Monday was crazy and fun for everyone!  It's Wednesday evening and I'd like to say everything is back to normal and under control.  But I don't think there ever was a normal and under control - teehee!!

The Close To My Heart Kisses From Heaven stamp set was one of the first sets I purchased from Close To My Heart.  Close To My Heart makes acrylic stamps now and this set is rubber on wood - pre-acrylic.  Some of  you will remember one of the very infamous "Frame Cards" we made using this set.  I have that pictured below with a photo of Joey from Christmas Morning.  This set is now "SOLD" - delivery costs free if picked up here or actual mail cost (your choice 1st class or priority).

This was a gift card I made for a Dear Husband to give to his Dear Wife for Christmas.  (Just incase you didn't know - I design a special card to hold all gift cards that are purchased through me.)

Remember this frame card we made??  Bring back memories?  First we stamped half of a tree image on the top edge of the cardstock then we used white embossing powder sprinkled with silver - lots of embossing on this card.  If I remember correctly we had quite the mess when we were done.

This was a giveaway a couple of weeks ago.

This is an embellishment for a scrapbook page!  I had made up a couple of these for door prizes for one of our scrapbooking workshops.

This is the set that's for sale.

Isn't it a darling set - please email me at Sept1330@aol.com if you would like me to hold it for you.  Also, check out my other sets I have for sale - I have an album set up on the right with photo's and pricing.

Since Monday has come and gone and I never posted the winner for the "Merry Christmas Giveaway" I better do that now - well all eight of you have a very good chance!  The winning number is ... no. 6 and that is ... Lisa .... Congrats to you!!  Lisa - please email me your snail mail address - thanks!

For The Girls!

Cleaning and getting ready for cookie day so no time to chat.  But wanted to share these two very simple and quick Christmas Cards I made for my two darling granddaughters. 

Stamps:  Close To My Heart Winter - which is discountinued but click here for some other Winter options!

Paper:  White, Misc. Red, Misc. Silver

Ink:  Close To My Heart Hollyhock & Indian Corn Blue; Stampin' Up! Night of Navy

Misc:  Cuttlebug - to cut circle; Stampin' Up! Round Tab Punch - ornament Tops; Close To My Heart Silver Photo Hanger; Stampin' Up! Old Olive Ribbon

Lisa helped me find the polar bear and penquin at Target.  You can find them in the gift wrapping section - not the Christmas Section - the gift wrap section.  Come in a variety pack - reasonable price.  Cards went together very quickly.  Torn sticky paper made the edge for the snow and a sponge and finger dauber sponge helped put the colors onto the cardstock.  I cut the circles first.  Sorry - I'm doing this really fast so I probably have half my sentences backwards - hope your getting the jest of what I did.  Merry Christmas!

For Joey!

My Christmas Cards are finally done - and on their way to the Post Office - I used the Stampin' Up! Watercolor Crayons to color in 540 Snowmen Bodies, 540 Snowmen Hats, 540 Snowmen Carrot Noses, 1,080 Snowmen Buttons, some patches and some snow on the ground.  Tom, my DH, decided to step in and help me with the painting - What a guy! - that certainly help speed the process along.  He went to bed exhausted - teehee! - not use to this all night stamping thing! But I did appreciate his help.

Did this card the other day and just thought I'd share it with you.  This is for my grandson Joey - it's his first Christmas - if you follow my blog at all I'm sure you've seen some photo's of him - he's a cutie!!

This went along with the Splitcoaststampers Try A New Technique Challenge - add some Dazzle to our Holidays! I didnt' have Dazzling Diamonds Embossing Powder (not that I could find anyhow) so I used Stampin' Up! Irrescent Ice Embossing Powder instead. The card is all glittery and oh so much prettier IRL.  Santa's Head is a frame from the Stampin' Up! Chipboard  On Board Trimmings. I painted it first with Delta Creamcoat Magnolia White then covered it with VersaMark and the Embossing Powder. Santa's buckle is also chipboard - from Close To My Heart Chipboard Ribbon Accents - covered in Stampin' Up! Gold Glory Embossing Powder.

This card is a very close take-off on the card in the October issue of Paper Crafts Magazine - I just blinged mine up a little to go with the challenge and to get a smile out of Joey!! TFL

Here's a page scrapped with Joey - now tell me he's not the cutest thing ever - Grandma Bragging Rights! Scrapped Page With Joey - click here!

Stamps: Close To My Heart Ho, Ho, Ho Set

Paper: Stampin' Up! Forest Foliage, Real Red, White

Ink: Stampin' Up! Craft White, Versamark

Accessories: $1 Ribbon, Chipboard - SU & CTMH, Close To My Heart  Black Brads, Red Gem (his mouth), Clear Gem and Black button; Emagination Heart Punch; Stampin' Up! Designer Label Punch, Circle Punches; Martha Stewart Lace Punch, Delta Creamcoat Acryclic Paint, Stampin' Up! Embossing Powder, Gold Pen, Chalk (to edge the circle), PomPom, Creative Memories Circle Template, Stampin' Up! Chalk

Two Treatments For One Stamp

Just a few more Christmas Cards then it will be time to celebrate the beginning of a new year - 2008!  And already it's looking like it's going to be a GREAT one!  Gotta love that Cuttlebug - well I love mine anyhow!  The Cuttlebug was used to create the backdrop for the center stamped image. After the cardstock was run through the Cuttlebug it was then gently swiped with the Stampin' Up! Craft White Ink Pad.  The Stampin' Up! ticket corner punch was used on the green top layer of the card and again on the middle stamped layer.  Rather than putting brads in the corners of the middle stamped layer I just punched little holes with the paper piercer.  (Make sure to click on the photo for a close-up look of the card). 

The circle on the green top layer was cut with the use of the Coluzzle Circle Template.  A small piece of cardstock was embossed with the little Cuttlebug Wintery House image that was also cut out with a Coluzzle Circle Template and to add a little more dimension it was popped up with a Close To My Heart 3D Foam Square.

Stamps: Inkadinkado (purchased the cute kids on the sleigh stamp at the Jacksonbelle Embellishment Store on Ebay - if you shop there let Lindsey know you found her through my blog!), Stampin Up! Flannel Plaid BG Stamp

Paper: Stampin' Up! Handsome Hunter, Misc. Vanilla

Ink: Stampin' Up! Handsome Hunter, Stampin' Up! Whisper White Craft

Accessories: Stampin' Up! Ticket Corner Punch, Piercer, Coluzzle Circle Templates (two different sizes), Cuttlebug & Templates, Misc. Ribbon, Staple, Now take that same stamp and tear off a little piece of sticky note paper and cover of the words - "Joy to the World".  With the stamp upside down ink up just the kids on the sleigh - It gives you a silhouette of just the kids.  How do you like it?  The Joy from the same stamp was stamped on a separate piece of paper cut out and mounted on to a punched circle that was then mounted on a piece of red cardstock that was punched out with the Stampin' Up! Designer Label Punch.  I added Close To My Heart Edge Anchors on either side of the embellishment.  The oval was cut using the Coluzzle Circle Template.  The ribbons on the left are tied onto a Close To My Heart Brass Photo Hanger . The Pine cone Stamp is also from Jacksonbelle Embellishments.