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

The Tax Man Cometh... Soon

January and February are supposed to be months for catching up and catching one's breath.  Well, THAT didn't happen around here.  The minute the new year begins, papers start flying in preparation for (gulp) taxes, which means number crunching and less time for playing in the craft room!

Here are the cards I made for Valentine's Day this year for my grandchildren, using the Spring Holiday Card Cartridge (from 2011, still available on some websites).  I cut them both at 4.3" high and also cut the white backs at 4.3" high.  These were very simple cards to make and I know the children will be delighted with them.

For the "grown ups", I made a different card using the Paper Lace cartridge.  I also embossed the card base with my Sizzix and various embossing folders.

 Using a sponge dauber (Z726), I inked the edges with cranberry (Z116).  The inside greeting is simply "Happy Valentine's Day" from last year's CTMH January Stamp of the Month (retired).

Thanks for joining me on this project.  If you have any questions or comments, please share them with me.  Adrienne

Greetings of the Season

Pear and Partridge Cards

The days grow shorter and so does the time to get ready for Christmas.  This Workshop On The Go from Close To My Heart is from last year's holiday collection and no longer available.  It is so beautiful, though, I wanted to share it anyway.  There are many other wonderful seasonal workshops available in both the regular Idea Book and the Holiday Gift Guide.  As in most of the workshops, all materials are included except the inks needed to complete 15 cards.

Here are the items from the workshop - papers, ribbon, "bling", stamps, and guide for paper cutting, stamping and assembly of cards.

Here are all the pieces of all the cards cut out and ready to stamp and assemble.

 A view of one of the pages of directions - very clear and easy to follow.  ALL the workshops are like this - that's why I like them.

 Three colors of ink were used on this project - cranberry, cocoa and olive.  Edges of all pieces were also daubed with cocoa ink.

This card uses the technique of masking part of the stamp and placing the extra piece on top with 3-D foam.

These little stamps are so delicate - I just love the way this card turned out!

One stamp was used over and over to make the background on this card.  S-s-s-h-h-h, don't tell, I didn't stamp underneath where the red piece covers.

Hope you all enjoy this project.  Wishing everyone peace, joy and love during this season.  Blessings all year long.  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 

"Down Time" Sweater, Blanket and Frustration

Being fundamentally lazy, faced with the prospect of yet ANOTHER step in an already seemingly daunting project was just about more than I wanted to deal with today.  The instructions?  "Spray the cut cardstock piece lightly (?) with water, crumple into a ball, then flatten out; repeat as desired.  Set aside to dry under heavy, flat surface."  Yeah, right.

Clearly these people are not dealing with humid climes on a routine basis (uh, no, they're in UTAH!).  So now I'm grumpy AND behind on this project.  All the spray bottles I own are downstairs, industrial size and likely don't work anyway - can I get an "amen"?!

Then, a chorus sang from Heaven, a light beamed brightly through the window and I gazed upon that most maligned of household appliances - the steam iron.  

Problem solved and I didn't even have to turn it on.  A few spritzes from the on-board "sprinkler", that baby was crumpled into a sodden mass, filleted like a trout, and stomped under 5 pounds (OK, well maybe it's only 2 - who cares?) of steam iron on a board with holes - built in convection air dry!  Genius (and laziness) comes through again.

In the meantime, here are a couple of projects I HAVE completed in the last few weeks.  The first is a baby blanket made from a pattern right off the yarn label:

Bernat Baby Sport 100% Acrylic

Lace Edging Detail

The second project is a lovely sweater made for a lucky lady for an upcoming holiday!  From Debbie Bliss Junior Knits book.

Crystal Palace Merino 5 100% Superwash Merino Wool in Guacamole

The color is really pretty and the yarn knits up very smooth and soft.  Next up will be the completed cards made with that paper wad mess drying under the iron - I promise!

A Card to Say Farewell

This project uses several Close To My Heart products including the exclusive CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  This post is can also be seen on She's A Sassy Lady today.  It is so much fun to be part of the Sassy Lady design team.

It is never easy to see friends move away, even when we know it is for the best.  The French always say, "Au Revoir", which means, "Until we meet again", a very hopeful outlook.  Here is a card made for such a time.

Close To My Heart Supplies Needed:


Papers  - "Stella" (no longer available) and small scraps
Inks - Ruby Z2170  Cocoa Z2114  Lagoon Z2195
Embellishments - "Stella" workshop lace and button (no longer available)
Stamp Set - "Bonjour Occasions" B1414 (retired)
Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686)
Colonial White Card 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 (X1410) (link is to the 50 card value pack)
Liquid Glass (as adhesive) (Z679)

Non-CTMH Supplies:
Embossing Machine (Big Kick) and Folders ("Botanics")
Cricut machine (plus Gypsy, if desired)
Adhesives of choice

To make the card:

Choose your embossing materials, cut your main paper at 1/4" less than the size of your card and emboss that paper for the front of your card.

Sizzix "Botanics" Embossing Folder

Paper in folder ready to emboss

Embossing detail - pretty flowers!

Using your Gypsy (or inputting directly into your Cricut machine if you prefer), find the designs on the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge needed for this project.
     Heart - p. 26  Layer <s> setting (row 1, col. 5).  Cut one each at 1", 1.5" and 2.25"
     Scallop - p. 55 <Rctngle7>** (row 5, col. 4).  cut one at 1.5"

**(note - on the Gypsy, to me, this means NONE of the buttons are pushed on the left hand side where you pick icons or fonts and "shift" - clear as mud, right?  It would be the same thing on the Cricut keypad.)

Designs laid out on Gypsy

Papers loaded and ready to cut

Brush edges of card and embossed paper with ink

Attach main paper to base card

Brush edges of hearts with ink

Here's the pretty embossed paper on the card

Brush edges of scallop with ruby ink, stamp sentiment with cocoa ink, add embellishments and secure with liquid glass.  Note - Liquid Glass is wonderful for adding a 3-dimensional look to paper, details, or stamped images, making them sparkle and shine.  It is also terrific as used here - securing embellishments absolutely.  They WILL NOT fall off your card!

Completed card

Thanks for  joining me this time.  If you have any questions, feel free to send me a note.  Have a wonderful week and a safe Labor Day holiday.