H2H Challenges: Ribbon

This week's Heart 2 Heart challenge is to use ribbon on your project.  Boy, did I have fun with this one!  All of my supplies were things that I had on hand, and (I think) it came together nicely.

I began with a blank, plain wooden frame that I think I got for $1 long ago.  I cut the ribbon to fit across the frame, making stripes.  Then, I spread the tacky glue all over the frame, washed my hands, and quickly hurried back to lay down the strips of ribbon, one at a time, to adhere to the frame.

After it all dried, I trimmed the edges a bit.  The pennants were cut with the Cricut cartridge, and I stamped my daughter's name in Hollyhock and sponged the edges in Cocoa.  (The Sweet Leaf ribbon at the beginning and end of the name pennant is retired.)  I added the mini Sweet Leaf sparkles between each pennant, and then larger pink sparkles in the flower centers.

We decided that we liked the addition of the wooden butterfly, so I embellished it with more sparkles and Bronze Glitter Glitz Gel.

This week's challenge is somewhat bittersweet for me because (a) it marks the last challenge for my great H2H Team B and (b) my daughter was a third grader in this picture and she's now 14!

Now it's your turn.  Go grab some ribbon and get crafty!  Be sure to use some Close To My Heart products and link up your work at the H2H blog before the end of the month.  Happy crafting!

Before I sign off for today, remember that Heart 2 Heart challenges is looking for new design team members (July-Dec.).  If you love CTMH as much as we do and would be interested in creating and posting every other week, please consider applying!  You can read all the details HERE.
Supplies from Close To My Heart: Z1384 Pink Designer Ribbon Collection, Z1316 Cocoa Designer Ribbon Collection,  Z1383 Sweet Leaf Stitched grosgrain ribbon;  C1401 Friendship Alphabet Small stamp set; Cocoa and Hollyhock inks; Z1327 Blue & Green and Z1326 Red, Pink, & Purple sparkles assortment; Z1483 Bronze Glitz glitter gel
Other: frame and Aleene's Tacky Glue

Happy Father's Day!

Today, I'd like to wish a happy Father's Day to all dads, especially to those who take the time and effort to be a true father to their children and to those who "step in" to make a difference in the life of a child (blood relative or not). I have been truly blessed with a terrific father of my own and a great father to my children! (Here they are at Easter.)

Now, here is the card that I made for my DH to thank him on this day for all that he does for his girls.  If you're interested in the card details, it's a sketch from Originals (no longer available) using the Florentine paper pack with the Family Love and Tag the Occasion stamp sets.  Color-ready cork shapes and Durables Studs accent the card.  (It is really easy- and fun- to stamp on the cork.  I love how well the color goes with the Florentine paper pack.)

If you've created a Father's Day project with any Close To My Heart products, consider linking it up to the Heart 2 Heart challenges blog.  We'd love to see your work too!

Happy Father's Day!

CTMH Product Spotlight Blog Hop: Stamp Your Own Designer Paper

For this month's Close To My Heart product spotlight, we're showing you how to stamp your own designer paper!  These ideas couldn't have come at a better time with the Stampaganza Buy 2, Get One Free stamp sale going on right now and the retiring stamps list also announced.  If you're starting here at my blog, hopping is easy: just click on the link to the next blog to hop around.  If you're already hopping, then you should be arriving from Lori's blog, and you'll visit Wendy next.  We have about a half doze consultants showcasing stamping techniques, so you'll enjoy hopping along.

My first card uses the Family Love stamp set.  (You'll be seeing more of this great stamp set if you'd like to stop back soon.)  I used some of the smaller stamps to stamp the Twilight strip and the Cocoa bottom portion.  Here's a hint that helped me with the Cocoa piece: starting at the top with the rectangular tile stamp, stamp it in the center and then stamp to the left and to the right to make the first stripe.  For the next row, stamp to the left and right of center.  For the next, row, begin in the center.  Continue with this pattern so that your piece is balanced.

To make the sentiment frame, I first inked up the stamp in Twilight and then rolled it in Cocoa ink.  I quickly stamped it onto a piece of Colonial White cardstock that I cut with the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.  (I also cut the mat from a piece of Florentine B&T.)  The flower was also cut with the Cricut on the same B&T.  (I used my fingers to bend the petals to give the flower some dimension.)  A Mocha Opaques adhesive pearl finished it off.

This next card has a rustic feel to it thanks to the A Journey and Universal Backgrounds stamp sets.  I started with a Colonial White card base.  I stamped the wood grain stamp from Universal Backgrounds with Chocolate ink to completely cover the card front.  On the Olive piece, I stamped the trees in New England Ivy in first and second generation.  Tearing that piece also added to the rustic feel.  On the Outdoor Denim piece, I used the same color ink to "walk" the shoe tread stamps across that piece.  Again, the sentiment piece was cut out using the Cricut.  It's actually a square base, but I tucked the rest of it behind the Olive strip.  I am loving the Durables Studs as fun, hardy, masculine embellishments!

Both of my card sketches are from the Originals how-to guide.  (Unfortunately, this guide is no longer available, but I am expecting some exciting how-to programs in September!  We'll see then if my prediction is correct.)

Now, it's time to go check out Wendy's stamped background on her beautiful layout next!  I'd love to know what you think of my cards before you leave.  Thanks!

Father's Day Card #1

Are you ready for Father's Day this Sunday?  I've gotten started on my cards and gifts by modifying the Retro Sketches sketch #15 and using the Close To My Heart Adventure USA stamp set as the starting point for this Father's Day card for my dad.  He and my mom love to travel!  (Mom, don't show him this post, okay?  He'll have to wait until Sunday.)

I'm also linking it up to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenges and Use It Tuesday's Father's Day challenges.  I think this also fits the Charisma Cardz challenge #22, travel.  From my stash, I used scraps from the CTMH Cruisin' paper pack and finally inked up my Adventure USA stamp set.  I can't wait to play more with this stamp set!  (I've got some fun projects in mind, plus a great travel scrapbook class in late July planned.)  I also used Grey Wool, Black, and Cranberry inks, plus the cool new CTMH cork shapes and baker's twine.  The "Happy Father's Day" sentiments came from the Tag the Occasion stamp set, which will be retiring at the end of July.

If you'd like to check out and/or purchase the products I used, be sure to visit my website. ;)  Happy stamping and paper crafting those Father's Day projects!  I've got some more up my sleeve, so be sure to come back.  Thanks!

CTMH Retiring List: Stamps

With Stampaganza here this month (buy 2, get 1 free), it's a great time to pick up some of these retiring stamp sets that won't be around much longer! Besides being able to find these in the Autumn Winter Idea Book, you can find them on my website. These will officially be retired as of July 31st:

Item #

Description

Autumn-Winter Idea Book Page #

Retail

C1466	Instant Memories	23		$13.95
B1391	Zoology	30		$9.95
C1463	Harvest Happiness	35		$13.95
C1465	Unscripted	36		$13.95
C1467	Sweet Moments	41		$13.95
B1392	Key Moments	42		$9.95
C1462	All Hallows Eve	48		$13.95
D1494	Christmas Cheer	53		$17.95
B1390	Countdown	54		$9.95
D1480	Snowflake	59		$17.95
C1468	Winter Joy	60		$13.95
C1419	Harvest Home	65		$13.95
C1426	Thanksgiving	65		$13.95
B1395	So Grateful	66		$9.95
C1423	Captured Moments	67		$13.95
B1359	Fright Night	68		$9.95
D1437	Party Animal	69		$17.95
A1109	A Sip	71		$6.95
C1424	Nature's Gift	71		$13.95
C1420	Snow Days	72		$13.95
C1472	Bundled Buddies	73		$13.95
D1384	Snow Flurries	74		$17.95
D1308	All Decked Out	75		$17.95
A1115	A Holiday	76		$6.95
B1381	Holiday Cheer	76		$9.95
D1446	Adorn-able	77		$17.95
A1107	A Twinkle	78		$6.95
B1361	Tannenbaum	78		$9.95
D1493	Fill in the Blank--Holiday	79		$17.95
C1427	I Believe	80		$13.95
D1449	Father Christmas	81		$17.95
A1110	A Timber	82		$6.95
B1356	St. Nick	82		$9.95
D1483	Glory to God	83		$17.95
A1099	Angel Sent	84		$6.95
B1394	John 3:16	84		$9.95
D1436	The Present	87		$17.95
A1108	A Flitter	88		$6.95
D1306	Treasure Life	89		$17.95
C1429	Party Pennants	91		$13.95
A1095	Always Remember	92		$6.95
B1362	Tag the Occasion	92		$9.95
C1471	Happy Clusters	93		$13.95
B1393	Joyful Jar	94		$9.95
C1425	Month by Month	95		$13.95
C1470	Gnome Garden	96		$13.95
A1113	A Game	97		$6.95
B1396	School Rocks	97		$9.95
C1408	Live Inspired	98		$13.95
D1373	Childhood Portrait	99		$17.95
D1492	Christmas Love	101		$17.95
C1469	December 25th	102		$13.95
D1388	Card Chatter--Christmas	103		$17.95
D1440	Everlasting Life	104		$17.95
C1379	Holiday Commentary	105		$13.95
C1382	Holiday Commentary--Spanish	105		$13.95
C1383	Holiday Commentary--French	105		$13.95
D1283	Say It in Style	106		$17.95
D1444	A Little Thanks	107		$17.95
D1401	Authentic	108		$17.95
D1387	Made with Love	109		$17.95
D1499	Live Your Style	110		$17.95
D1386	Save the Date	111		$17.95
D1397	Save the Date--French	111		$17.95
D1398	Save the Date--Spanish	111		$17.95
E1006	Baroque Alphabet	113		$29.95
C1401	Friendship Alphabet Small	114		$13.95
E1013	Field Trip Alphabet	114		$29.95
E1016	Friendship Alphabet Large	114		$29.95
D1136	Giggle Caps	115		$17.95
D1137	Giggle Lowercase	115		$17.95
D1267	Rustic Numbers	117		$17.95
E1002	Rustic Alphabet	117		$29.95

Cutie Patootie Layout Share

The "cutie patootie" in this layout is now 11 years old and did NOT want me to share! Obviously I couldn't resist though. ;)  For whatever reason, these pictures didn't get scrapbooked when she was younger, but they were tucked into a page protector in her album where they should go.  The (retired) Topstitch level 1 kit was perfect to preserve these photos and some memories associated with them.  (You can still find Topstitch in Studio J if you'd like to scrapbook with these beautiful papers too.)

I did use my photo editting program to blur out her cute little hiney in these pictures of the layout to post online.

The large strip on the left will actually go in the album behind the layout (with the tab at the top as a nudge to pull out). I recorded my thoughts on patting hineys, a tradition/habit that I got from my mom. I'm really glad that I was able to go even deeper than the actual photos on this layout. I encourage you to try that sometime!

Hope you have a great Monday and a great start to your week!

Life Is Tweet Sunburst Card

Have I told you how much I love the June stamp of the month, Life Is Tweet?  This sunburst card was fun to make!  First, I started with the sun print from the Footless paper pack and cut it to fit my card front.  Then, using my paper trimmer, I sliced it into pieces and inked the edges in Cocoa ink.  Before reattaching the pieces in order on the card front, I stamped the border in Creme Brulee onto each "ray."

The circle "medallion" is the Life Is Tweet stamp that I stamped in Creme Brulee and then stamped again in Cocoa, turning it just a bit so that the curlicues fit more or less in between each other.  A button covered the now "ugly" center since the words looked pretty funny.

I hope that you're having a day filled with sunshine!

Life Is Tweet 3"x3" Card Set

This card set is based on the 6"x6" card workshop in the Wishes how-to guide, but I halved all the measurements to make twelve 3"x3" cards instead (two each of the six designs).  I used the Footlose paper pack, Life Is Tweet stamp set, Cocoa and Sweet Leaf ink and markers, Mocha Opaques, Paradise Just Blooms, and Baker's Twine.  They were fun and easy to make!

The Wishes how-to guide won't be around for much longer, so order yours today!

Heart 2 Heart Challenges: Black & White Plus a Pop of Color

Our first Heart 2 Heart Challenge for June is to create with black and white plus a pop of color.  Can you guess which color I used?  It's one of my favorites!  If you guessed Lagoon, you're right!

I began with a standard top-fold card base and then added the black panel to it.  The white panel measures 4"x5.25".  I stamped the roses from the Card Word Puzzle stamp set in kind of a diagonal pattern to cover the bottom right half of the card.  I colored in the flower centers with my Lagoon marker and then used Stardust Glitter Glitz Gel over them.  I love the shimmery, sparkly effect!  After cutting a piece of Lagoon card stock in the banner shape, I pleated it a few times then adhered it to the front.  I stamped the "For You" sentiment in black on white, and then popped the edge with some Licorice Opaques.

Now it's your turn to show off your black & white plus one CTMH creation!  Just visit the H2H blog to link up your project.  You have until the end of June, so please play along with us.  You can also check out our Design Team's gorgeous inspiration pieces if you need a few ideas (or just like to look at paper crafted projects like I do).  Happy June!

"Just Us Girls" Sketch Challenge #139

Isn't the JUGS Sketch Challenge 139 a nice and simple sketch?  Lots of possibilities there!  I couldn't resist playing along using the Close To My Heart June stamp of the month, Life Is Tweet, and the Footloose paper pack.

A few techniques I used on my card were scissor and ink distressing the edges plus paper piecing the bird.  If you look closely at the bird's wing, I used an exacto knife to cut it and then curl it up a bit.  The paper pieced bird body layer was attached with foam tape so that it has some pop.  I also added a tiny Mocha opaque to give its eye some dimension.

All supplies from Close To My Heart: Life Is Tweet stamp set; Footloose paper pack; Cocoa ink; Green button collection; Sweet Leaf ribbon; Mocha Opaques; 3D foam tape

CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Life Is Tweet (June 2012)

Welcome to the June CTMH stamp of the month blog hop!  A little birdie told me you'd be flying by.  The June stamp of the month, "Life Is Tweet," is probably my favorite stamp of the month in the current catalog!  (If you're already flapping, I mean hopping, then you should have arrived from the talented Michelle Loncar's blog and you'll visit Teresa Scrivens next and then Wendy Coffman.)

I love this set so much that I've already made several fun projects with this stamp set.  (You can see two cards HERE if you'd like to peek.) 

This particular project is a diagonal double pocket card that I made using a sheet from the Stella paper pack.  (If you'd like to learn how to make your own diagonal double pocket card, click HERE for a great tutorial.)  I had a blast stamping on the card with Tulip, Cocoa, Lagoon, and Sunset inks.  I paper pieced the bird (stamping her once in Cocoa on the card itself so you could see her beak and legs, and then again on a piece of that pretty patterned Stella paper, which I then cut out and adhered over the original).  The sentiment was stamped on a piece that I cut with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.

The two tags are the only non-CTMH parts of this project.  They're just regular old office supply tags (but you could easily cut your own or use the Cricut to make them); I just have a bunch on hand.

One of the great things about this card is that it's easy to add the ever-popular gift card to the lower pocket, making it a card and a gift in one. ;)

Thanks for flapping by!  Please leave me a little tweet, and then fly on over to see Teresa's creations next. 

Supplies from Close To My Heart: Life Is Tweet stamp set (June 2012 stamp of the month); Stella paper pack; Tulip, Cocoa, Lagoon, and Sunset inks; Cocoa ribbon; Mocha Opaques self-adhesive pearls

Non-CTMH supplies: tags from office supply store