It's A Holly Jolly Christmas

My friend Gina is one of the most creative people I know.  She holds workshops all the time and provided the inspiration for these cards.  I'll be presenting 2 or 3 different cards for the next few blog posts.

Close To My Heart Supplies used:
Holly Jolly Christmas Stamp - D1657
White Pines Paper Packet  - Z7200B
White Pines Compliments - Z7200C
Fern Twine - Z3093
Red Enamel Gems - Z3090
Fern Ink - Z2650; Cranberry Ink - Z2116
Liquid Glass - Z679
Colonial White Cards and Envelopes - X1410
Colonial White Cardstock - 1388
Cricut Artistry Cartridge - Z3167
3D Foam Tape -  Z1151

Edges of  some cards and pieces of cardstock used are inked with complimentary color to add interest.  Use your imagination!  In the card above, the liquid glass comes in handy to glue on the clear plastic "holiday cheer" banner without leaving a visible residue after it dries.

This card uses a piece of Fern Cardstock cut at 1 ¼ ” (Real Dial) Shape <c> Page 33 of Artistry handbook.

Colonial White Cardstock is used on this card, Real Dial cut a 5” Shape <Christmas> Page 48 of Artistry handbook.  For added interest, emboss the cut with your favorite embossing folder.  This would also work with any of the large, solid color backgrounds.

Best wishes for pleasant holidays!

Blessings,

Phillippians 1:20-26

 

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

Welcome Baby!

A baby's arrival is always special.  Here's a card for some friends of ours who are expecting.

Close To My Heart Supplies needed:


Blossom Papers (X7196B)
B is for Baby Stamp (D1561)
4 My Friend Stamp (retired)
Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686)
Sweet Leaf (Z2153), Sunset (Z2191), and Sunflower (retired) inks

The stamp collection provides the cutting size (height) information to use on the "Welcome Baby" stamp.  It also tells where to look in the book for the shape, which is helpful.  I raised the cut out up using 3D squares.  Edges of sections were distressed with Sweet Leaf ink.

Inside, a cute rocking horse and sentiment.  This was a quick project even using the Cricut machine (I used my Gypsy, too!) to cut the front stamp frame.  Hope you enjoyed it!

Blessings, 

Psalm 57:1 - 11

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

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

Days of Spring and a Facelift

Spring is certainly making an appearance - every day new blossoms shoot up, trees are leafing out and our GRASS is growing.  It seems folks can't WAIT to get out on their riding lawn mowers.

For quite awhile, now, I've been longing to clean up my craft room and I finally did it!  Our local cabinet maker Larry fixed me up with a GREAT set of cabinets.  Yesterday, my new HON task chair (sits higher than a regular desk chair) arrived from Costco and now I'm STYLIN'.  Here's what the room looked like in January:

The OLD Look

This is a view of the same wall this morning:

The NEW Look!

Yes, I realize it's a mess - but WHAT a mess!  To the left, the lower cabinets have 2 roll out shelves that hold my Cricut machine, cartridges, and 3 large organizers full of CTMH stamps.  The four drawers to the right hold my paper supplies, watercolors, and assorted implements of construction.  The upper cabinets go all the way to the ceiling, holding books, ink pads, scrapbooking papers and sets, my little crafting sewing machine, fabric, more painting supplies (paint box, drawing paper).  The cabinets at the VERY top hold extra things I couldn't bear to part with, but really don't need right now - and a bunch of plaques from awards at work, ha-ha!

NOW all I have to do is decide whether to leave the old white tables in the middle of the room (right now my new cutting board - 5' x 3' - is relaxing on one) or find another place for them.  Since my husband immediately covered the top table (the other one is a "typewriter return" on wheels that nests under the main table) with assorted cables, computer parts and "guy stuff", I suspect it may stay there!

I know you all are as excited as I am with all this new storage and a great work space.  Next up - custom made bookcase with sliding doors for the little cubby room that is my sewing haven!  Thanks for looking.  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