Balloon Wishes Birthdays

September brings lots of birthdays.  So I made two different cards using a new Close To My Heart Stamp called "Balloon Wishes".

The first one uses retired papers and accents from the Tommy collection.

Additional supplies for this card include:

Joyful Birthday Stamp (B1419)
Desert Sand Ink (Z2118)
Shin Han Markers

The second card is for my sister.  She LOVES bling, so I really outdid myself on this one!

In addition to the Balloon Wishes Stamp (D1667), supplies include:

White Daisy Cards (X254)
White Daisy Cardstock (1385) - one sheet
CTMH Artiste Cartridge (Z3167)
Thistle (Z2640) and Sweet Leaf Inks (Z2153)
Joyful Birthday Stamp (B1419)
Junebug Puffies (Z3038)
Pink Glitter Gems (Z1807)
Confetti Wishes Paper and Complements are retired.  Replace with Zoe Papers (X7197B) and Complements (X7197C)
Pink Glitter Gel (retired) 

I used a Copic marker - Honey (Y38) to outline the "Celebrate" emblem.

Since so many of the stamps in the "Balloon Wishes" collection use the Artiste cartridge, I went ahead and cut up a whole sheet of banners and "Celebrate" emblems.

Forgot to take a picture before I started peeling them off the sheet - oops!

These two cards show how completely different "looks" can be using various papers, complements and ink colors.

Thanks for following along.  Happy autumn!

Hebrews 13:1-6

Anniversary Card Box

Last time I shared a card I made for an anniversary and said it would take a box to hold it because of the flowers, which were too big to fit in an envelope.  So this time, I made a box for the card.

The box was made with the CTMH Artiste Cartridge (Z1790) using.Cricut 12" x 24" Antiquity cardstock and Dotty for You papers (retired).

Other CTMH Supplies used:

Stella Complements (retired)
Green Glitz Glitter Gel (retired)
Flowers made with Art Philosophy Cartridge
Teal Shimmer Trim (Z1918)

The two pieces were "scored" for easier folding.  These score marks can be removed if one is using a Gypsy (yes, I'm still "old school" - don't know if the same holds true for the new design center software).  I chose to use them for this project, just to make sure I got everything folded correctly.

Using the scoreboard and bone folder also was very helpful on this project.  there were a lot of lines to draw.  Making them straight ensured the box came together well.

It took a little guesswork to make the box to fit the card.  Dimensions aren't always perfect as specified on the cartridges, particularly when the measurements include flaps.  Using a height of 5 1/2 inches (the card is 4 1/2 inches in height) gave me a comfortable margin of error and still made both pieces of the box small enough to fit on the Cricut mat.

 The top of the box required the larger paper and 12" x 24" mat.

The bottom of the box fit nicely on 12" x 12" paper.

Here is the card with the finished box top shown in the back.  This was a fun project with a little bit of guesswork on the size.  I do wish there was a sure-fire way of eliminating that.  I haven't found one, though.  Thanks for walking along with me on this.  If you have any questions or comments, let me know.

Blessings,

Psalm 46: 1-11

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

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

I'm On Cloud Nine

January heralds the beginning of the promise of Spring.  Although there are a few more months of winter, that promise is out there, under the frost line.  Just like there are clean work surfaces under the explosion that happened in my craft room over the holidays.

"The Miami Sound Machine exploded all over here"

Once I got the tissue paper and greeting cards put away, I was ready to get down to work.  January is ALSO National Papercrafting Month and Close To My Heart is celebrating with a special Cloud Nine cardmaking kit (CC1026).  The exclusive Cloud Nine cardmaking kit is $15 (retail value $46) with a qualifying purchase of $35 or more (excluding tax and shipping) during January in celebration of National Papercrafting Month.

Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit

 The kit makes 10 adorable cards (2 each of 5 designs).  It includes everything needed except Exclusive stamping inks - Sunset (Z2191) and Lagoon (Z2195). 

As with all CTMH kits, instructions are provided for cutting paper, stamping and placing embellishments.

Cutting and assembly instructions

The base shapes (die cuts) used under the stamps are provided on a pre-cut page, which is nice.  These die cut shapes may also be found on the Cricut Artiste cartridge (Z1790) for future projects.

Cricut Artiste shape information

The sizes and page notes are provided on the stamp sheet, although I have found in the past it is a good idea to double check sizes for accurate fit.

Putting it all together

 Once all the pieces are cut and stamped, it's time for assembly using your adhesive of choice.  Most of the time, I really like my ATG "gun".  For this card, I also used some little 3D squares to raise the stamped sentiment and make it "pop".

Finished Card

There are four more cards in this collection - come back to visit, they may show up in another post.  Thanks for joining me on this project.  If you have any questions or comments, please share them with me.  Adrienne

Laughing Lola Cards

This Close To My Heart Workshops On The Go (WOTG) is the "Laughing Lola" design (G1064).  The colors are vibrant, the kit comes complete with all the cards, papers, stamps and embellishments needed to make 15 beautiful cards.

Additional supplies needed are listed in the cardmaking guide included with the kit.  Mainly, you will need inks, acrylic blocks, CTMH Cricut Artiste cartridge (Z1790), sanding (distressing) supplies and adhesive, including 3-D dots or tape.  If you don't have the Artiste cartridge, there are other cartridges that have hearts, emblems and banners that may approximate the shapes needed for these cards.  As you can see from the cards above, though, the stamps fit perfectly on the Artiste cuts.

The cardmaking guide is very detailed, so there are only a few notes to add to what is included.  I found the instructions for the Cricut cuts to be somewhat vague. 

Accent 1 is on Accent 3, R1, C3 (on the keypad) - cut at 1.75" (H)
Accent 2 is on Accent 4 <s>, R5, C6 - cut at 1.5" (H)
Accent 3 is on Accent 2, R1, C5 - cut at .75" (H)

Additionally, the measurement provided for the heart cut is incorrect.  It is given as 1.5" (H) cut (that is also what is noted on the sheet of stamps).  That cut is too small.  In order to be big enough for the heart stamp ("Thinking of You"), the cut must be made at 2.24" (H) x 1.9" (W), using the heart on p. 66 of the Artiste guide book (Accent 1 <s>, R4, C6).

Once all the pieces and shapes are cut out, the smaller detail pieces are to be sanded on all edges:

My assistant Smokey was very helpful during this portion of the project.  I think she was just hungry and wanted supper, HAH!

Stamping the sentiments and shapes was next.  Since I didn't have Pear ink (recommended in the materials list), I used Sweet Leaf instead and it looks great!

Here is one of each of the final cards.  They turned out so well, I gave the "You Can Never Have Too Much Happy" one to my girlfriend today for her birthday.  "OOOH - PURPLE!" she exclaimed when she opened it.  Now who could ask for anything more?

Here is an example of varying the "look" of the cards by taking advantage of the double sided paper and turning it over:

Thanks for joining me for this project.  If you have any questions, do send me a note.  Here's sending everyone blessings for a bountiful Thanksgiving.  Adrienne 

Clementine Cards

"The New Pattern"

My last post, Darlin' Birthday Card, detailed one card from the Close To My Heart Clementine Workshop on the Go cardmaking project.  Here are two more cards from that project.  For the list of supplies needed, see the link to the post above.

For "The New Pattern" Card

Sponge all edges of card and pieces with saddle ink, stamp across middle with Creme Brulee ink.

Cut burlap ribbon as pictured.

Cut "Forever Friends" zip strip to fit card, sponging edges with Saddle ink.

Since the inside of this card is dark, I added a light piece for a personal note or stamped sentiment.

The next card is "Gallery".

Sponge all edges of card and pieces with saddle ink.

Stamp and cut out the medium flower. 

Remember the recent post about steam ironing a piece of paper?  The finished product is below, to be incorporated in this card.

For an added bit of texture, I ran the largest piece through my Big Kick using the "Dots" folder.

Stamp sentiment with Sorbet ink on small piece.

In order to fit the sentiment on the piece on TWO levels,

use a piece of paper or post-it to "mask" half of the stamp when applying it to the piece.

 Finished piece:

Here are all the pieces, ready to be assembled, including the large flower stamp.

The finished card, with some "bling", was perfect for our nephew on his birthday.

Thanks for joining me on this project.  If you have any questions, drop me a note.  Many blessings, Adrienne