Valentines for Everyone!

So, mid January, we had what became known as "Snowzilla" or "Snowmageddon" here in our neck of the woods, because anything over 2 inches of snow is considered catastrophic and completely unmanageable.  Church was cancelled all over parts of Tennessee and Kentucky!  The angels sang, I'm certain of it.  In any case, it was quite beautiful here for a couple of days, impassable on local country roads for about 5 days, and a big ole' mess on ALL the roads for about a week.  Great weather for staying indoors and crafting, reading, watching movies, cleaning house (WHAT!?!  NOT!), and eating a pot of homemade soup.

In any case, I got a head start on my Valentines for this year.  Is it just me or does everyone have a craft room that looks like a party exploded all over it when they're working on a project?  Between choosing papers, inks, stamps and designs, I make a mess.  It's a FUN mess, though!

This year I used the remains of last year's CTMH Heartstrings WOTG for Valentine cards, including the stamp set, and these other Close To My Heart supplies:

CTMH Artfully Sent Cartridge (Z3168) (pp. 36 & 37)
Shimmer Tape, Red (Z1848) and Silver (Z1799)
Clear Sparkles (Z1752)
Daisy White Cardstock (1385)
Ruby Cardstock (X5927)
Red Glitter Paper (Z3075)
Dimensional Elements - Hearts (retired)
Stamp - Beloved Bouquet, January SOTM (retired)
Stamp - Coming Up Roses, Jeanette's Archive (retired)
Note - Both stamps were used for the phrase "Happy Valentine's Day" and may be substituted with another of your favorite stamps.

Other supplies included scrap papers for pink and red hearts, the arrow on one of the cards, and small bits of yellow for the flower in "Love Bug".

The Artfully Sent cartridge creates beautiful 5"x7"cards.  Two of them are "pop up" type cards.

This card has a plain front if not embellished using the "pocket card" feature available on the cartridge.

The inside of the card "pop up" opens to the lacy heart.The arrow and small heart in the middle are also part of the cartridge.

A bit of red shimmer tape adds interest to this card.  

When opened, the cutout heart provides a place for your greeting.

This little card was made from "leftovers" of last year's Heartstrings WOTG.  Still pretty cute!

Finally, three versions of a very cute "pop-up" card for the children.  Since the 3D dimensional element hearts are no longer available, cut out hearts of red glitter paper, or other embellishment add interest to this card, which otherwise has a plain front.  On the third card (pictured in back), I used a textured, very pretty paper that made up for lack of embellishment.

Inside, the VW pops up, complete with silver shimmer tape for bumper and details!  The "Love Bug" cuts on the Cricut are done at the same time as the VW in red and white.  I added the yellow in the center of the flower because I liked that better than the white.

Thanks for following along.  May you enjoy a wonderful day with your special Valentine!

Blessings,

Psalm 1:1-6

 

Winter Birthday

Happy New Year to everyone!  Here's hoping the holidays were filled with good things and good times spent making good memories.

This card was fun and easy to make.  I like it because it's perfect for a winter and holiday season birthday.  Which is exactly why it was a lovely card for our daughter!

Close To My Heart supplies used:

"Lovely Lily" Stamp - B1401 (retired) - front sentiment
"Joyful Birthday" Stamp - B1419 - inside sentiment
"Always Grateful" Stamp - C1559 - Trees
Ponderosa Pine Ink (retired - use Topiary Z2155 or New England Ivy Z2135)
Brown Glitter Paper (retired - use Gold Z3076 or Green Z1847)
Brown Opaques (retired, use Brown and Tan Sparkles Z1753)
Liquid Glass - Z679
Colonial White Cardstock - 1388
Colonial White Cards and Envelopes - X1410

Colonial white cardstock was cut at 4" x 5 1/4" and stamped with trees alternating 1st and 2nd generation stamping.  Another colonial white cardstock piece was stamped with the front sentiment and applied to the glitter paper with liquid glass.  It's important to use liquid glass when applying the cardstock to the glitter paper as many ordinary adhesives will not work.

Add sentiment to the inside of the card.  Embellish the front as desired (sounds like a recipe - "garnish for presentation", doesn't it?).  I used Brown Opaques, which are no longer available, so I suggest using Brown and Tan Sparkles, which come in assorted sizes, 108 to a package.

This card also works well as a plain note card, greeting card, thank you card or just about any other application.  I really like the tree motif.  If you have any questions about this project, send me a note.  Thanks for following along!

Here's to a wonderful year of crafting and making new friends.  See you next time!

Blessings,

Romans 8:28

A Jolly Holly Christmas - Act Three

Christmas approaches and we may have need for some last minute cards.  Here are the last three cards in the Close To My Heart White Pines collection I began presenting two posts ago.

Supplies used are listed here.
Edges of  some cards and pieces of cardstock used are inked with complimentary color.

Both the card above and the card below use zip strips to accent and add interest.  Using White Pines complements to create the scene is quick and easy!

The Colonial White cardstock shape on this card is cut with the Artistry cartridge -  Real Dial size, 3” Shape <h> Page 26.  Attach the acetate shapes to the card with liquid glass, which will dry clear.

Again, White Pines complements create the scene.  Use Fern Cardstock -4 ½" x 3" (cut Banner into one end) and Colonial White Cardstock –4" x 2 ¾" (cut Banner into one end) for the background to the scene.

I hope you've enjoyed seeing how these cards are put together.  If you have any questions about this project, please contact me.  Best wishes for pleasant holidays.

Blessings,

Isaiah 30:18

Holly Jolly Christmas Too

As promised, here's the second installment of Christmas greeting cards using the White Pines collection from CTMH.  Supplies used are listed here.

Edges of  some cards and pieces of cardstock used are inked with complimentary color to add interest.  

On this card, use Colonial White Cardstock –3” Shape<z> Page 31 to create background shape.  White Pines complements and red enamel gems create the scene.

This card uses Fern Cardstock –2 ¾ “ Shape <Elegant> page 46 and Colonial White Cardstock – 2 ½ ” Shape<Elegant> Page 46, with White Pines complements and red enamel gems.  Add a twine bow to one of the packages or along the side for more pizzazz!

Most of the shapes on this card are cut by hand, except the ornament - Colonial White Cardstock –1 ¾ Shape <0> page 10.  Adhere the Fern green twine with liquid glass.

The simplicity of this card is accented by the sentiment and White Pines complement flowers.  For the stamp, use Colonial White Cardstock – 2” Shape<6> Page 6.

Note - All cuts use Real Dial size and are from the new Artistry cartridge.

The final three cards will be presented in the next post.  If you have any questions about this project, please contact me.  Best wishes for pleasant holidays.

Blessings, 

 Hebrews 10:24

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

 

Halloween is Around the Corner

Autumn is in the air, which means Halloween fun for many folks.  Since all my little goblins are far away, I send them cards.  Here is the assortment that went in the mail to them this year:

The little white things are fabric weights - I used them to get the flaps to lay down flat so the decorations would show!  Sometimes cards just don't "model" cooperatively.

All supplies used are from Close To My Heart:

6x6" Die cut Cards (retired)
Backdrop - Charmed Stamp (D 1490)
Scaredy Cat Paper (retired - Use Nevermore - X7198B and Complements X7198C)
Scaredy Cat Complements (X7185C) On Clearance!
Scaredy Cat Assortment (Z3011) On Clearance! (may also use Nevermore Assortment Z3083)
Thistle (Z2640) and Smokey Plum (retired) Inks

Close up of flap detail and ink distressing on scalloped edge

Interior sentiment

The Complements packet provides a variety of  options for sentiments and embellies!

Close up of one exterior

A second version using same stamp, different paper

It's amazing how many different "looks" can be created using the different sides of paper, inking all the edges of papers and cards.  The stick on paper and metal complements that match the B&T papers, using some scraps to bring out the sentiment inside the card all add interest and fun to these cards, making each of them a one of a kind creation.

Thanks for your interest in this project.  Enjoy the season of haints and saints!

Blessings,

James 5:13-15

A New Toy

It's all thanks to Cocoa's Mom and Sassy Lady.  Well, maybe thanks isn't exactly the right word.  Last week Sheila posted a card she made using the "We R Memory Keepers" Fuse tool.  THEN, Christine (Cocoa's Mom) piped up and offered the information that a TV station (which shall remain nameless) offered a WHOLE bundle of goodies with the tool.  I was a goner.  Did I ever really stand a chance?

Clearly the packaging was overkill.  My shiny new toy must be VERY valuable to warrant all that bubble wrap and extra space.

Since I'm a bit obsessed with demonstrating stuff - here is the actual size of the container compared to the outside package.  I was underwhelmed *sigh*. 

Ah, then I looked inside!!  My eyes began to dance - 

Look at all those cards and sparkles and, and, STUFF!

Also included are straight edges, rulers, and other tools to help crafting.

You use this tool to make your own photo protector waterfall pages for your project.  You can also make greeting cards with sealed windows that hold "goodies".

The basic kit comes with a photo sleeve fuse tool, fusing tip, cutting tip, ruler stencil, and tool stand.  This expanded "but wait, there's more" version includes cards, envelopes, sparkles, a 12"x12" cutting mat (that's what I REALLY wanted), 12" square photo sleeves, and instructions.

At this writing, I'm getting ready for another road trip, this time with my sister to Chicago.  So I apologize for this more "techy" post.  I hope to have a project done with this new toy next month.

Enjoying Autumn and looking toward the holidays!

Blessings,

Phillippians 4:4-7

 

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

The "Artfully Sent" Cartridge in Action

It's been a busy summer and I must confess I haven't done as much in the paper crafting department as I would like to have done.  We decided to clean out a few things to give to the church yard sale, and I discovered a treasure of Christmas supplies that needed to be turned into some fun stuff - centerpieces and wreaths.  Here is a picture of the centerpieces:

Sitting on my Great Aunt's dresser in one of our guest rooms!  Hope they all find a happy home.

SO, I've been a bit preoccupied.  In July, though, I attended a terrific workshop given by Gina Brandstetter using the Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge (Z3168).

Other CTMH Supplies Needed:
Cashmere Cardstock (X5932)
Olive Cardstock(1245)
Yuletide and Jackson Papers (retired - use substitutes)

Desert Sand Ink (Z2118) 

Bling Gems Gold Assortment (Z2023)

Stamp - Paper Bird - C1613 (retired) 

NOTE- Pathfinding Paper packet (X7186B), may substitute for Yuletide and Jackson, which are no longer available..  Also contains Olive cardstock and Champagne cardstock (use instead of Cashmere cardstock)

For full directions for Cricut cuts and assembly of cards, download the file here.  Substitute papers will be needed for the tree trunk (Nevermore X7198B would work) and card backgrounds (light patterns as in Pathfinding X7186B).  Here are the finished cards:

Pocket Card

"So Sorry" Sentiment Card

These cards were lots of fun to make with the Artfully Sent Cartridge.  Gina's workshops are always informative and fast-paced, with lots of laughter.  I hope you'll explore some of the great cards on this cartridge.  Until next time!

Matthew 6: 24-34