Rose Blossom Garden Challenge 1

The Site: Rose Blossom Garden. Challenge#1.

The first challenge is to use the "Happy Birthday" key on the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge - pg 70 in the book.
This was a perfect first challenge as it is my hubby's birthday and I got to make him a wonderful card!

I used CTMH Chantilly paper along with CTMH Dutch Blue cardstock (sadly this color is retired). They blended wonderfully together to create a masculine card.

Here is the card and envelope:

And here is the open card:

I tried to use as many different elements as are available on this one key as possible. Yes!! Only one key was used for everything except the word "Adam" and the number "46". All the remaining elements were cut from just ONE key!! This card did not use all the different possibilities from the one key.

Imagine what can be done with the entire cartridge!!!

The card base was cut at 4.5" from the card stock. A second card base was cut from the Chantilly paper at the same size to use as a liner on the inside flap. I shifted it down just a touch to have the zigzag peek over the top. Then I recut the card base at 4" to create the inner cupcake.
The envelope was cut at 4.5" from CTMH Chantilly paper.
"Happy Birthday" and the envelope "diamonds" were cut at 1/2".
"Adam", "46" and "Years Old" were cut at 1".
I cut 2 cherries - 1 in chocolate, 1 in ruby - at 1" then glued only the stem from the chocolate cardstock onto the cherry.
Yes, even the sprinkles were from the same button. They are the centers of the "Sun" cut at 1/2".

I had a lot of fun creating this card for the challenge. Why don't YOU join me and create a project as well?

Don't have the supplies needed? Click on the link below the pictures to go to my shopping site to start your "keying" adventures.

Cricut® Artiste Collection    $99.00 Z1790

 

 

 

Chantilly Paper Packet    $9.95 X7163B

Welcome Lorina Gudmundson!!!

Good Morning Everyone!

I ask that you join me in welcoming Lorina as our newest CTMH sister! Lorina has been an avid crafter for many years and brings a wealth of experience and a ton of imagination and enthusiasm to the paper crafting world.

From gorgeous layout to beautiful cards and fantastic 3-D projects, Lorina can help with any project you have in mind!

Sign Up and Celebrate!

 

It’s time to sign up as a Close To My Heart Independent Consultant! When you sign up as a Consultant in April, you’ll receive a little something extra for joining the Close To My Heart family—the April, May, June, and July Stamp of the Month stamp sets for free! These D-size stamp sets are great for a new Consultant to create artwork, bring to Gatherings, and show off to everyone. Now that’s a reason to celebrate!

*No additional shipping/handling or tax will be applied for the free stamp sets. Only new Consultants who sign up during the month of April will qualify for the free stamp sets. Offer valid April 1–30, 2013.

Dates: Offer valid April 1–30, 2013.

Fabric Has Arrived at CTMH!!

Chantilly Textiles

3 sheets of cotton fabric with pinked edges, designs coordinate with Chantilly paper packet, 14" × 24" each; Buttercup polka-dot, Pear damask, Blush small floral.

You might also be interested in...

Chantilly Paper Packet

Chantilly Complements Dimensional Elements

Chantilly Assortment

Pear Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad

Blush Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad

Buttercup Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 For Always Textiles

 3 sheets of cotton fabric with pinked edges, designs coordinate with For Always paper packet, 14" × 24" each; black damask, white with black polka-dots, black with white script.

You might also be interested in...

For Always Paper Packet

For Always My Stickease® Assortment

For Always Assortment

Lagoon Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad

Ruby Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad

 

Now you may be wondering just what can you do with fabric when you are a paper crafter. Watch this wonderful video that will start your creative juices flowing.

Don't forget this month's special - Jump For Joy. This is the perfect time to get your hands on this beautiful new crafting material. When your order reaches $250 you automatically jump to the next reward level. See my prior post for all the juicy details!

 

Oh an don't forget - every $50 order allows you to get the current Stamp Of The Month for just $5!!

Jump For Joy!

Are you debating about having a Close To My Heart Home or Online Gathering?  March is the month for you!  During the month of March, hostesses JUMP to the next level of Hostess Rewards when a Gathering reaches $250 or more!  More discounts and more free products for hostesses - now that's a reason to Jump for Joy!

Let me show you what your Hostess Rewards would be during the month of March:

WHEN YOUR GATHERING SALES REACH:	REWARD YOURSELF WITH:	AND CHOOSE YOUR HOSTESS REWARDS PLUS! OPTION(S) FROM ANY idea book ITEM OR THE HOSTESS COLLECTION
$250-$349	$60 in free product	AND select any 1 item in the current Idea Book at 50% off
$350-$449	$80 in free product	AND select up to 2 items in the current Idea Book at 50% off
$450-$549	$100 in free product	AND select up to 2 items in the current Idea Book at 50% off
$550–$649	$120 in free product	AND select up to 3 items in the current Idea Book at 50% off
$650–$749	$140 in free product	AND select up to 3 items in the current Idea Book at 50% off
$750–$849	$160 in free product	AND select up to 4 items in the current Idea Book at 50% off
$850–$949	$180 in free product	AND select up to 4 items in the current Idea Book at 50% off
$950–$1049	$200 in free product	AND select up to 4 items in the current Idea Book at 50% off

My Oh MY!!  Look at how much amazing  product that you can receive by just gathering a few orders!  Let me see...you could get:

• 6 paper packets or
• 11 ink pads or
• 6 B-sized stamps sets or
• 4 packets of Cardstock Combo Packs or
• Workshop on the Go kits or
• Blocks or
• Re-Inkers or
• My Stickease or 
• Complements or
• Studio J Layouts OR
• A COMBINATION OF ALL THOSE THINGS!

And with a half-price item or two, you can get your Cricut Collection (or any other item you choose) at half-price!!

This is a special you won't want to miss!  Close To My Heart has made it so easy for you!  My hostesses don't even have to deliver their orders because everything is delivered directly to their guests!  It's easy, fun, and you reap some great rewards!

Contact me TODAY to arrange your gathering and soon you will Jump For Joy as well!!

Spring/Summer 2013 Paper Packs!

Here are the new paper packs in the 2013 Spring Summer Idea Book!

Look at all the new choices you have!

Chantilly is my choice of pack to work with this month. Here's a peek at the WOTG kit:

What a beautiful spring layout.

CTMH has also introduced some coordinating fabrics as shown in this project:

 Oh My!!!

Whooo's Your Valentine

Happy 2013 to Everyone!!

First I'd like to share the newest addition to my family and the reason I haven't had time to keep up on my blog.

Grayson - Born November 29, 2012

 I think you will agree that this little man is the perfect reason not to be here blogging!! However, there is a new kit out called "Whooo's Your Valentine" and with this little one being my newest valentine, I'd like to share a "little special love" with you as well.

This kit is just $10 when you spend $35 on other Close To My Heart products PLUS I'm kicking in my own special:

Everyone who orders this kit from my online store will receive a $10 gift certificate, good towards your next purchase, making this kit FREE!!!!  Just head to my store and click "JOIN" on the right hand side next to the "Whooo's Your Valentine" party.

 Your “Whooo’s Your Valentine” kit includes:

• 12 – Die-Cut Boxes (3 each of 4 colors: White Daisy, Blush, Hollyhock, Ruby)
• 3 – 12" × 12" Cardstock Sheets (White Daisy, Blush, Hollyhock)
• 1 – Sheet Silver Glitter Paper — new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
• 12 – Treat Tubes with Lids — new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
• 1 – My Acrylix® Whooo’s Your Valentine Stamp Set (D-size)

Full color instruction brochure so you can whip these up for your valentine in next to no time.

Here is a close-up view of the exclusive stamp set you can only get in this kit:

Isn't this just the cutest and most versatile stamp set you've seen!

Other Crafts...or why my posts are so random!

Ok, my apologies for no paper projects lately. I am otherwise occupied BUT am still crafting...just with fabric this time. My second grandbaby is due to arrive in early December and I am scrambling between working full time and starting university to make some special things for baby and parents.

Project # 1 - This project was a better-have-an-alternative-plan project. You will see a little further down why!

I found a wonderful YouTube video series that makes these disposable diaper "cakes" without waste. Nothing in this glued down so the whole item can be torn apart and used for baby. The only throw-away part are the "axles" which are cardboard tubes from wrapping paper. Here is the link to Thom's Facebook account which will also direct you to her blog and YouTube channel:

Here is a link to Thom's Crafts and Treats Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thoms-Crafts-and-Treats/452887034737446

Project # 2 - This is the original project which is quickly falling behind schedule - hence the above project. The internet is chock full of different free diaper patterns so I settle on this one...for now.

The outer shell is made from PUL ( do not ask for the technical terminology!) and the inner layer is made using microfleece. PUL is a fabric that provides a waterproof barrier so that you eliminate the need for outer pants. When used as the outer layer of fabric it's a cloth replacement for the disposable diaper! LOVE IT!

This first one has too large of legholes for a newborn so I made adjustments in diaper # 2.

Number 2 is closer to what I want to see in a newborn diaper so I will play with it some more and post number 3 when it is done.

Happy Crafting!!!

Honor Our Soldiers...Always

Reposted From YouTube:
" On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a drug store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the stores PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.

Terry was impressed with the stores leadership role in adopting the Legions two minutes of silence initiative. He felt that the stores contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.

When eleven oclock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the two minutes of silence to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.

Terrys anger towards the father for trying to engage the stores clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, A Pittance of Time. Terry later recorded A Pittance of Time and included it on his full-length music CD, The Power of the Dream.

Thank You to the Royal Canadian Legion Todmorden Branch #10 and Woodbine Height Branch #2 for their participation in the Video. "

Please visit www.terry-kelly.com

I would like to thank all the men and women who sacrificed so much so that I can sit here posting to my blog today in FREEDOM. I am forever grateful to the soldiers who gave their lives for me. I am forever grateful to the Families of these soldiers who lost their own so that I can post these words freely today.

Please join me in my gratitude and make sure that those around you ALWAYS remember what Remembrance Day (Canada) and Veterans Day (USA) means and ALWAYS honors those who gave their lives for us.

November Specials

 

 

 

During the month of November if you order $50 AND buy the stamp of the month for $5.....drum roll.......you get any stamp set of your choice (size A-E or M) for 50% off! 

 

 

Here is what the full set images looks like. 

 

 

It's only available Nov. 1-30, 2012 so click here to get yours now! The stamp set is $17.95 but you can get it for only $5 with a $50 min. order! 

CTMH Alcohol Ink Markers

Our markers come in all 40 exclusive colors we carry along with a complimentary marker in either a darker or lighter shade for one low price!!! Each set of 2 markers is just $5.95. Now that is real value! Get yours today.

Shake Your Bootie...err Card!

I have to share a wonderful Christmas card made by one my talented daughters, Shandel. She decided to try her hand at a shaker card and what a beautiful job she did!

The shaker card is only limited by your imagination. It can be any shape or size as long as it fits over top of your card base.

To make a shaker card you will need your card, a shape with the center cut out, double sided foam tape, shaker material and, clear plastic to keep the material inside. Shandel used CTMH Partridge & Pear B&T paper, Cranberry and New England Ivy cardstock, CTMH foam tape, pretty red stars she picked up at Michaels and the clear window was cut from a sheet of transparency paper. This you can get at any office supply store. If you don't want to leave the comfort of your home you can also cut a piece from a clear plastic bakery container. Make sure you enjoy the baked goods while you craft!

The easiest way to make your shaker is from the outside in. First cut your shape and a piece of transparancy paper slightly smaller than your shape, making sure it fully covers the opening in the shape. Embellish the shape the way you want it. Shandel used the CTMH  Merry & Bright (C1510)  stamp set to add holly berries.

Lay the shape face down and adhere the transparency to the back side of the shape. Put the foam tape all the way around the shape, making sure there are no gaps or else you will lose your shaker material! I like to cut smaller pieces especially when going around corners. Fill the shaker at this point before removing the second covering from the foam tape so that you don't get stray material on the sticky parts.

The last part is the tricky part - centering your card over the shaker to adhere it together. I usually stand at a height where I can look sideways between the layers as I'm putting them together. This way I can "see" where the shaker needs to be. Viola! Shaker card made!!

Discover the Possibilities of Cricut® Craft Room

If you love your Cricut^® machine, then you are going to adore all of the fabulous things you can do with Close To My Heart Cricut^® cartridges in the Cricut^® Craft Room. Create layers, cut negative space in the shape of your choice, make borders, and link elements together for a connected look. It’s easy! We’ll show you how.

Here is how to get started with Cricut^® Craft Room:

1. Create a FREE account in a few easy steps.
2. Download and run the application for PC or MAC, depending on the type of computer you use.
3. Connect your Cricut^® machine to your computer using a Type B USB cable. (Note: For more info on this type of cable, see your Cricut^® user’s guide or your local electronics store.) Once you have connected your computer to your Cricut^® machine, the “Load Mat” button is the only button you will ever need to push on your machine in the entire process. Cricut^® Craft Room will do everything else for you.
4. Once inside the application, choose the type of Cricut^® machine you own.
5. Insert your Close To My Heart Art Philosophy or Artiste cartridge into your Cricut^® machine.
6. In the lower left portion of the application there is a tab that is labeled “Images/Cartridges.” Select “All Cartridges” from the dropdown menu. (Note: You must choose a cartridge that you own. You can also purchase individual images from the Cricut^® store.)
7. Scroll to find the Close To My Heart Art Philosophy or Close To My Heart Artiste cartridges you own.
8. The virtual mat in Cricut^® Craft Room is just like the mat you’ll load into your machine. And, it is oriented the same way that you will load your mat into the machine, with the arrow at the top.
9. To drag an image to the mat, simply click on the image in the image selection tool box and move it to the mat.
10. Once the image is on the virtual mat, you can adjust the placement by clicking on the image and moving it to any location on the mat.
11. Now that you know the basics, you can start creating and exploring the possibilities!

Follow these steps to create the negative space on a card base, like you see on this Cheer Up card, featuring images from the Art Philosophy cartridge:

1. Select the “Card” tab in the Art Philosophy images. Find the card base you prefer and drag it onto the mat. (We used Square 1 for the Cheer Up card.) The image will be cut in the exact direction and location that you place it on the virtual mat. At the top of the screen, or at the left under the “Shape Properties” tab, you’ll see size boxes. Enter the width and height for your shape. This is the size it will be cut on the machine, regardless of what size your machine indicates on the flip screen.

2. Choose an image to cut out of your card front. We have chosen a butterfly by going to the Basics tab, clicking the “Show Shift/Lock Images” at the bottom, and then selecting the butterfly. Drag the image to the right side of the card base, position it, and alter the size, as desired. Once the image is in place, you will see a cut-out image in its place. This Weld feature is automatically on unless you disable it, and allows you to see how the card base will look with your images cut out.

3. Select another image, drag it to the card base, and position it how you’d like it. Continue adding images to the card base, if desired.

4. To cut your finished artwork, load the mat into your Cricut^® machine and insert the corresponding cartridge. Next, press the green Cut button at the top of the computer screen and follow the prompts. The machine will cut the shapes as you have prepared them in Craft Room. If more than one cartridge shape has been added to the project, the machine and screen will prompt you with instructions.

Here are so more artwork examples that have been made using Cricut^® Craft Room software. Follow the instructions below to learn some more fun tricks we used in creating this artwork.

Birthday Greetings card

Here’s how to create the bracket frame as shown in this Birthday Greetings card:

1. Drag a card base from Art Philosophy cartridge and size it to be 9" wide and 4½" high.
2. Add a 1½" bracket frame (from the Basic tab) to the center of the right side of the card. So far, all of the shapes have been placed in Layer 1. You can add additional layers using the Layer feature located toward the top of the screen, directly above the mat. Each Layer will be cut from a separate sheet of paper and is indicated by a different color on the screen. Using the Layer feature allows you to fully design your Cricut^® shapes before cutting any pieces.
3. Add a second Layer by clicking the plus sign. Click and hold the Layer 2 tab and drag the tab to the left so it is first in the row. This allows you to see the second Layer on top of the first so you can visualize your finished project. Drag a 3" bracket frame to the card base and position it over the 1½" frame. Then, still using Layer 2, add a 1½" bracket frame in the center of the 3" frame.
4. Maneuver the Layer 2 frames so that they perfectly line up with the Layer 1 frame. Use your keyboard arrows for exactness.
5. Cut the pieces following the prompts on the computer screen and Cricut^® machine. Layer 2 will be cut first, so be sure to load that paper first. Then load a new sheet of paper for the Layer 1 pieces.
6. Embellish the card as desired.

All Boy page

Want to create a border that spans the entire length of your 12" page? It’s easy!

1. In Craft Room, change the mat size to 12" x 24" under Machine & Mat tab on the left of the screen.
2. Drag your selected border to the mat and rotate it so it is vertical.
3. Change the height of the border to 12". It will automatically change the width proportionally unless you click the aspect ratio button between the width and height measurements.
4. Whether you have a 12" × 24" mat or a 12" × 12" mat, you can use this function with a 12" × 12" piece of paper. Simply place the border as close to the top of the Craft Room mat as possible, but not exactly flush with the top.

5. Cut the piece following the prompts on the computer screen and Cricut^® machine.

To create the title with the letters joined together to form one piece instead of individually cut letters…

1. Drag your letters to the mat
2. Overlap portions of each letter to connect them
3. Use the Weld feature to join the letters together seamlessly.
4. Cut the piece following the prompts on the computer screen and Cricut^® machine.

There are so many possibilities to explore in the Cricut^® Craft Room using the versatile Art Philosophy and Artiste cartridges from Close To My Heart! If you have any questions about using Cricut^® Craft Room, visit www.cricut.com where a Cricut^® employee will be glad to help you. Be sure to get your Art Philosophy and Artiste Cricut^® cartridges today in order to create with them in this new and exciting environment!

First Time Fantastic

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!

My friend, Erica has once again been busy crafting away and has allowed me to share her creation with you.

This time she decided to do some firsts - using a clear card, rock & roll technique, and the sponge dauber inking technique.She also used a couple of  simple but effective distressing techniques - tearing and sponging. These are each simple techniques, yet by combining them she has created an entire scene - Great Job Erica!

The inside of her card shows how tearing creates a dramatic definition between layers of paper. It truly gives the impression of a rolling landscape with a warm summer sun beaming down. Sponging the edges creates a lighter section on the center drawing the eyes to it. She truly made this look like sky.

Erica used the Rock & Roll technique on her stamp. By inking up with Autumn Goldrush first then "rolling around" the outer edge of the stamp in Sorbet she achieved a subtle color change. Notice how the sun looks brighter in the center. You can see the first stamp in straight Autumn Goldrush peeking out from underneath which gives the element a 3D appearance.

In looking at this, I imagined a myself laying in the grass next to a field of orange flowers under a hot summer sun, glass of cold ice tea in one hand and a good book in the other.

Clear cards can be difficult to work with the first few times. You are creating one image out of two layers. Erica managed to create 2 separate yet equally wonderful themes to her card. All this on her first attempt!

The front of her card has some wonderful features.She combines ribbon with buttons to create a wonderful banner that ends with the pinwheel sun from the bottom layer.

She hid the inner features by using a straight line on her B&T paper set a bit higher than the one underneath. 

The sentiment is where Erica put her creativity to work! She watched the CTMH Sponge Dauber video, liked the technique, but didn't have the daubers. She used the tape off technique to create the same effect. The combination of Smokey Plum, Pear and Goldrush look stunning together - way to go Erica!

As you can see by the closed card, it has a completely different feel to it than the open view. 

What a wonderful "Firsts"creation!!

Erica, you now have a gift certificate for a free set of daubers with your next order!!

Who's next for a gift certificate? Watch the CTMH Sponge Dauber Video, create a project using the technique and email me your creation. That's it - your gift certificate is yours!

Send your pics to mizzchristine@shaw.ca

World Card Making Day meets CTMH Fall Favorites

Happy World Card Making Day!

Here is my card to celebrate the day and Thanksgiving.

This is my first easel card and I was amazed at how easy they are to make. Mine is 4.5" x 4.5".
I used the new CTMH Saddle cardstock as the base paper which coordinates well with the Cocoa card stock. The B&T is from a retired paper pack.

You may recognize the September SOTM - Fall Favorites image. I just adore this little scarecrow. I used watercolor pencils to color him in. The sentiment is from a retired CTMH stamp set D1175 Autumn's Gifts.

The fence is Martha Stewart's bat fence but I snipped off the bat wings to make this into a wrought iron fence. The ribbons are again CTMH - I am in absolute love with our new burlap ribbon!

Alright, I showed you mine now you show me yours!! Make a card for World Card Making Day!!

Creative Talent Featuring Erica

I met Erica through my daughter, Shandel, a few years back. She has the most bubbly personality of anyone I have the pleasure of knowing. She is intelligent, hard working, honest, and has a keen eye for photography. Now, Erica was a self-proclaimed "non-crafty type person". She relayed to me that she didn't really care for anything girly and certainly was not a scrapbooker.I took her at her word and instantly loved her as part of my own "brood".

One weekend, Shandel was having a CTMH home gathering that always includes a small project and Erica decided to attend even though she was sure this was not her thing. Her loyalty of friendships is what bought her out that day. I am so thrilled to know that that event sparked something in Erica she never knew she had - a love of paper crafting. Since then, she has created many wonderful projects and her increasing "eye" for pattern and structure is awesome to watch.

I  have to share Erica's beautiful creations with you all.

Don't you agree that is is DEFINITELY not the work of a "non crafty type person"? I think there is an amazing amount of talent in this wonderful person known as Erica.