Anniversary Card

The "Free To Be Me" promotional papers from a few months back were really beautiful and versatile.  When I made a wedding card for our brother-in-law and his bride, I also made an anniversary card for my husband.

CTMH Supplies used:
Free To Be me Papers (retired)
Sorbet Ink (Z2164)
Stamp - "The Happy Couple" (D1539)

Non-CTMH Supplies:
Stampendous Asian Collection "Faith, Hope, Love" (N089)

This was a very simple card and went together quickly.  My husband liked it a lot!

Blessings of the season to you all.

Isaiah 9:6

The End of the Road... And the Beginning

Last month my sister retired, YAY!  We celebrated with a BIG party and of course, lots of cards and gifts.  One of her great passions is camping, so this card was perfect for her.

CTMH Supplies:
Timberline papers, assortment and embellishments (retired)
Colonial White Cardstock (1388)
Colonial White Card and Envelope (X1410)
Camper Crazy Stamp (C1578)
Shin Han Markers (Z2453)
Chocolate (Z2111) and Champagne (Z2174) Inks
Sunflower Ink (retired - any bright yellow will do)
Baker's Twine (retired)
Scraps

Using the embellishments and stickease assortment items always helps a card go together very quickly.  All the edges of the paper pieces were inked with chocolate ink.

Isn't that the cutest little trailer?  The Shin Han markers were perfect for coloring the little windows and pennant flags.  My sister loved her card as much as I loved making it for her.

Thanks for joining me on this project.  Drop me a line if you have any questions or would like to know more about the products I used.  Enjoy your time getting ready for the holidays!  Fun with projects, to be sure.                               

Blessings,

 

Matthew 11:28-30

Autumn Is Busy

We had the pleasure of attending a family wedding recently.  Since it was fairly close to home, we made a road trip of it and had a great time.  The card I made for the bride and groom (my husband's brother) used these supplies:

CTMH - 
Free To Be Me Papers (Promotional, retired)
Daisy White Paper(1385)
Sparkles Flourishes (Z1812)
Opaques Pearls (retired)
Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686)
Stamp - "The Happy Couple" (D1539)
Inks - Sorbet (Z2164), Lagoon (Z2195), Hollyhock (Z2128)
Liquid Glass (Z679)

Non-CTMH Supplies - 
Copic Markers Y38, YR18, YR02
Adhesives of choice (I love my ATG tape runner!)

Inside of card

The flowers came together quite nicely on the Cricut cartridge - I have found using an old hemostat from my working days is great for hanging on to that bitty internal edge and winding that flower until it is nice and "set".  The CTMH Liquid Glass works very well to hold the flowers in place once they have been formed, needing only a minute or two for setting them on the bases.

Lucia and Brian

The wedding was lovely.  The bride and groom are a terrific couple and we know they will be happy.

Adrienne and David

The next day we all went to Niagara Falls together and had a marvelous time.

Thanks for following along on this project.  Contact me with any questions or comments.

 I Corinthians 13:13

Jesse's Card

As summer moves into fall, we continue to celebrate birthdays and other special times with family and friends.  Here is a card I made for a musician friend who celebrated his 85th birthday recently.

Supplies needed:


Lollydoodle Papers (retired)
Sorbet Ink (Z2164)
Juniper Ink (Z2165)
Universal Backgrounds Stamp (retired)
Cricut Art Philosophy Stamps (Z1686)
Mini Medley Accents (retired)
Tim Holtz Music Tape

Retired elements can be substituted with other available stamps and embellishments.

All paper edges were inked.  The zip strip was added for accent, as was the triangle repeating stamp on the plain blue paper.  Since Jesse is a musician, the background music stamp added a nice touch on the inside of the card.

Have a wonderful time with your end of summer, beginning of autumn crafts!  Holidays are fast approaching - ghosts and goblins will overtake us next month!

Blessings,

                                                                           Proverbs 17:1


 

Getting Organized

Getting Organized

It's great fun to spend time crafting and creating.  Every once in awhile, though, I have to take a deep breath and re-organize things in my craft room.

After two years as a CTMH consultant, I have collected almost 200 stamp sets.  It was becoming nearly impossible to locate "that stamp with the wedding bells" or "lighthouses" or "Sorry for your loss" sentiments or... you name it.  I spent more time pawing through my large organizers looking for things than I spent making things!  SO, I took several days and organized my STAMPS.

Excel Spreadsheet

This Excel spreadsheet catalogues stamps by number, title, description of each stamp, how many (yes, maybe I'm the only one who does it, but I wind up with duplicates because I forget what I have and buy another one) and whether there is a complimentary Cricut cartridge.  Using the spreadsheet, I can search by item or phrase ("Christmas", "Congratulations", "Happy Birthday", "cake", heart") to locate the stamps that most closely match what I want to portray.

Stamp set with project example

 Next, I went through old catalogues and found examples of how the stamp set can be used.  Having a picture on the FRONT of the stamp envelope allows me to file the stamps by catalogue number, rather than by event, season, holiday or other designation which might not come to mind when searching for a specific stamp.

Large Organizer with stamp sets

As I catalogued the stamp sets, I filled CTMH large organizers (Z1834) with them.  A and B sets in one, C and D sets in one, 2012-2013 Stamp of the Month (SOTM) in one, 2014-15 SOTM and Cricut cartridge stamps in the last 2 organizers.  I didn't label the organizers since I may have to change them out later.

Slide out cabinet drawer with organizers

Finally, I put 4 of the 5 organizers in the slide out drawer of my lower cabinet - they fit perfectly!  Since the lower slide out drawer holds my Cricut machine and cartridges, there is no room for the fifth organizer - it's on the floor.  One step at a time, right?

Perhaps this will energize you to get organized with your stamps.  It certainly makes it easier to find what I need without going through all my stamps.

Thanks for looking and keep enjoying summer!

Blessings,

II Corinthians 4:15-18

Summer Birthdays

Happy Birthday!

Summer birthdays are always fun.  this year I made cards for the grandchildren using my Cricut machine with "Tinkerbell and Friends" and "Cars" cartridge layers.  I made two of each card so I have a "spare".  Using my Gypsy to lay out the different layers, I was able to get many of them on to one 12"x12" Cricut cutting mat.

Ready to cut Tinkerbell layers!

Oops - can you tell which one is "cross-eyed"?

Love the little Teddy Bear!

The inside sentiment is CTMH "Teddy Bear Birthday" (A1143)

Happy summer time to everyone.  Hope you enjoy this project.  If you have any questions, drop me a note.


 
Matthew 7:1-12

Remains of the Day, Part 2

Father's Day 2014

Last week I showed you a birthday card and two inspirational cards made with remains of an Ivy Lane project I did for Mother's Day.  Now Father's Day is upon us and here are some more examples of how to use leftover papers and embellishments for great looking cards.

Supplies needed:

Ivy Lane Papers (X7178B)
Colonial White Cards (X1410)
Ink - Chocolate (Z2111)
"Perfect Fit Dad Holiday" Stamp (C1542)
"You've Got A Friend" May 2014 SOTM (retired)
Copic markers Y19 (Napoli Yellow) and B18 (Lapis Lazuli)
3D Foam
Cricut Artiste Cartridge (Z1790) for moustache outline (optional, p. 67; I just cut them freehand)

Hm-m-m-m, how to arrange the papers?

Here are four cards of the same general design (finally, after some lip chewing and arranging papers) with a couple of different sentiments inside for the "fathers" in our family.

Final Look

Perfect Sentiments for Father's Day!

These cards showcase the masculine prints in "Ivy Lane" papers.  Please use these ideas to generate your creativity and imagination.  Blessings, Adrienne  Romans 8: 38-39

Remains of the Day

A few posts back I showed you a great card box with five inspirational cards.  Well, like most projects, after making 4 of those, I ended up with a lot of leftover paper odds and ends.  I don't know about you, but I just go nuts trying to figure out what to do with all that paper!!  The Ivy Lane papers are so beautiful, it was easy to come up with some more cards.

Supplies needed for  "Light" Cards:

Ivy Lane Papers (X7178B)
Ivy Lane Complements (X7178C)
Colonial White Cards (X1410)
"Illuminate" November 2013 SOTM (retired)
Ink - Pansy Purple (retired - may use Smokey Plum Z2147 instead)
Bohemian Assortment (lace and brass button - collection retired, other embellishment will work)
Bitty Sparkles (Z1263)
Copic markers Y38 (Honey) and Y21 (Buttercup)
3D Foam

All of the cuts are made by hand or using a simple paper cutter.

Two finished cards

Inside sentiment

 Additional or Alternate Supplies needed for Birthday Card:

Art Philosophy "Happy Birthday" Stamp (Z1686) included in collection
"You've Got A Friend" May 2014 SOTM (retired)
Ink - Sweet Leaf (Z2153)
Bohemian Assortment (green button - collection retired, other embellishment will work)
Copic marker Y06 (Yellow)
CM Corner Rounder (OK, it didn't come out exactly right)

Finished Birthday Card

Inside sentiment for my husband!

This card  demonstrates the use of more masculine-looking papers in the Ivy Lane collection.

Most of you have "stashes" (do we use this term in papercrafting like we do in knitting for squirreling away yarn?) of papers and accessories you can use to create equally nice projects from "leftovers".  "Use it up, wear it out, make it do" is a phrase I was raised on and now live by.  Please use these ideas to generate your creativity and imagination.  Blessings, Adrienne  Matthew 7:7 

Easter Fun

While this is a bit late for THIS year's Easter celebration, these ideas will still work in years to come.

Supplies used:

Lollydoodle Cardmaking Workshop On The Go (G1080)
"Be Still" Stamp (A1141)
"Faith, Hope, Love, Peace, Joy" Stamps (retired)
White Daisy (1385) and Colonial White (1388) Cardstock
K&H Embellishments
Sure Cuts A-Lot (SCAL) Computer program

The Lollydoodle cardmaking kit comes with a nice set of stamps.  By using some of them, combined with more "Easter-oriented" theme stamps, I was able to use some of the Lollydoodle cards for Easter.

Cardmaking kit in progress

Finished card with Easter sentiment

Finished card using Lollydoodle kit stamps

Inside of card for Easter

For the grandchildren, I used the  SCAL program to create bunnies and words for the bunny cards.

Screen View

Computer connects to Cricut machine, just like Cricut programs

The SCAL program only works with older Cricut machines.  This is the first time I've used it and I was very pleased with the results.  The program is intuitive, very similar to using a Gypsy or one of the other Cricut proprietary software programs.

Bunny before "bling"

Dressed up in style for my grandloves!

Finished Bunny cards used K&H embellishments and retired CTMH stamping on the inside.

The finished Lollydoodle cards have 3 variations.  They are all very bright and perfect for Spring celebrations.

The card on the right was perfect for my husband's Easter card

If you have any questions about this project, please contact me and I will do my best to answer them.  Blessings for a beautiful Spring!  "He Is Risen, Indeed!"  Adrienne

Variation on a Theme

Ivy Lane Papers

Last month I showed you the lovely box with 5 cards I made in a workshop.  This month, I made several more of those boxes and cards to give as Mother's Day gifts.  To stay in the theme, I used some of the leftover papers to create Mother's Day cards.

Supplies used:

Ivy Lane Paper Pack (X7178B)
Ivy Lane Complements (X7178C)
Look To The Light Occasions Stamp (B1428)
Perfect Fit - Mom Holiday Stamp (C1543)
Bitty Sparkles (Z1263)
Cricut Artiste Cartridge (Z1790)

The Artiste cartridge was used to cut the stamp shape and background frame.  Accent 3 Row 1 Column 3 at 1 1/2 and 1 3/4 height, using real dial size.  the inside sentiment is from the "Look to the Light" collection.

The final collection was combined with this card to send to my family "moms".

Although my own mom has left this mortal coil, I enjoy sharing these beautiful cards with loved ones still here.  May you all have a blessed Mother's Day.

A Box of Inspiration

Last week I went to a workshop hosted by Gina Brandstetter.  We made these great boxes and filled them with five different cards stamped with Bible inspirations from the "Look To The Light" collection (B1428).  Supplies needed:

Colonial White Cards and Envelopes (Value Pack - X1410)
Journaling Box (Z1953)
Ivy Lane Paper Pack (X7178B)
Ivy Lane Complements (X7178C)
Bitty Sparkles (Z1263)
Bamboo Ink (Z2103)
Smokey Plum Ink (Z2147)
Look To The Light Stamp (B1428)

Ivy Lane Complements (X7178C)

Ivy Lane Paper Pack (X7178B)

Look To The Light Stamp (B1428)

The measurements for folding paper to cover the journaling box are here. 

The cricut cuts are as follows:
"I CAN DO ALL THINGS...." - Ivy Lane Purple Cardstock - Artiste 2 1/2" Accent 1 <I LOVE YOU>
Bamboo Cardstock - Artiste  2 1/4" Accent 1 <I LOVE YOU>
"Come Unto Me......"   Art Philosophy - 1 1/4" <Shape3>

I don't have measurements for the papers on the cards or for the paper backing for the "flower" on the box.  When making new cards, I'll have to "wing it".

Pictures of the completed project:

Covered Journaling Box, to hold cards

"Come Unto Me All Who Labor"

"Cast Thy Burden Upon The Lord"

"I Can Do All Things Through Christ"

"God Is Our Refuge and Strength"

"Thy Word Is a Lamp Unto My Feet"

The Collection

This project was lots of fun.  Since all the paper pieces were pre-cut for us, the entire project took 2 hours.  When figuring out all the measurements and creating the pieces "from scratch" it will likely take double the time.  I have ordered all the supplies to make MORE of these great little boxes and fill them with cards - they will be terrific gifts!

Thanks for joining me on this project.  Enjoy Spring, create something wonderful every day!  Blessings, Adrienne