A Display Box featuring CTMH La Belle Vie

I was finally able to get decent pictures of my latest project!  I have had this Tim Holtz Configurations Box for months and just never knew what to do with it.  Then, Close To My Heart released the Fall Idea Book and we had La Belle Vie.  The minute I saw that paper packet, I knew that it would be perfect for my ideas.

 

I have to admit that this home decor project is a combination of my different brands.  There are several little "trinkets" from the Tim Holtz collection including the keys, charms, tissue tape and of course the box and its feet.  The chess pieces are from Bead Landing.  But, the rest is all Close To My Heart!  The box is covered using the papers from La Belle Vie. 

 

 



The butterflies and rolled flowers feature the 2 speciality colors from the paper packet called La Belle Vie Mauve and La Belle Vie Pink. By the way, the flowers and butterflies along with the leaves and flourishes in the top corner with cut using the Artiste Cartridge. LOVE IT! :o)

 

Speaking of the Artiste Cartridge, the cameo was cut on the cartridge in Bamboo and Black and then covered with Liquid Glass.  I used the new Pigment Ink (Olive) to stamp the sentiment..."The Best Things" (C1503.)  The flourish in the "cherished" box is also stamped the same way and is from the same set. 

I really had fun creating this box and I have decided that it will be one of the items for the Bag Auction at the September 29th Operation Smile Crop.  Don't forget about that crop...It is being held just outside of Philadelphia and if you are in the area, please contact me to join in on the fun.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Handmade Christmas Card CTMH Style

The past couple days I have been busy working on my September Workshop.  I may have mentioned that my club members decided that they wanted to work on their handmade Christmas Cards early this year.  I just love CTMH's new paper packed called Pear and Partridge!

 

The sketch is from the Mojo Monday blog challenge...it is the 4th week of the month so that means it is their "round or square" challenge.  :o)  I really like this sketch...it is simple yet you can make it as "fancy" as you wish.

 



To make this card, I started with a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch base of Champagne card stock.  Next I added a Cranberry mat and then a Cashmere mat.  I cut the strips from the Pear and Partridge paper packet and the sentiment is from the new stamp set called "To You and Yours" (B1403.)  By the way, the poinsettia along with the other metal embellishments are from the "Mistletoe Level 2 Assortment" pack that is available on my website under the "while supplies last" section.  I have always loved this embellishment pack and for $2 is is a terrific buy.

I really like this Mojo Monday sketch.  Something about it just "spoke" to me.  Don't forget to check out other great creations on their site.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

"Beware" a Heart 2 Heart Challenge...Handmade Paper Flower Wreath

The challenge this week over at Heart 2 Heart, is an interesting one.  It is a color challenge that focuses on Pear, Sunset and Lagoon.   Hummmm...interesting color choices.  With my Operation Smile Charity Crop looming ever close, my time is getting very valuable.  So, I thought about the colors and what I could do to incorporate them into a sample to display at the Crop.

The Crop is slated for September 29th so I have do do some fun things for Halloween.  This wreath showcases the new Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  Everything on this wreath was cut using the cartridge...including the flying bat and the paper bow!  The stamped images are from a new stamp set called "All Hallows Eve" (C1462.)  The spider web was stamped in Slate and the spider in Smokey Plum for fun.  I added Sparkles in the centers of the flowers for just a touch of bling.

I plan on  adding this wreath to the Bag Auction for Operation Smile.  If you are in the Philadelphia area and would like more information about the crop, check out this post, or email me.  Don't forget to hop over to the Heart 2 Heart blog for more great artwork featuring Pear, Sunset and Lagoon made by talented Close To My Heart enthusiasts.  And, last by not least, if you are interested in purchasing the Artiste Cartridge, click on over to my shopping site.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Handmade CTMH Gift Tag Box using Artiste Cartridge

Oh, did I have fun today.  No sooner does one of my workshops end, that I begin to plan the next.  The gals that routinely attend, decided that they wanted to get a jump start on their Holiday Cards this year, so September's class will be Holiday focused.  I thought it would be fun to make some gift tags along with the cards.  And, if you make a pile of gift tags, you need someplace to store them until December.  So, we will be making this great box I found on the Artiste Cricut Cartridge.

I figured this box would be perfect to store the gift tags in until they are ready to be used.  The box is made using the image found on page 71 of the guidebook.  You use the 3D Object feature and I cut it on "fit to page."  It made the image 5 1/4 inches.  The Artiste cartridge makes creating these boxes so easy!  It just cuts out the form, gives you "tick" marks on where to fold and all you do is adhere it at the appropriate fold lines.  Artiste even has an additional guidebook that shows you how to assemble each 3D item.  WOW...so easy. 

The box is cut from a sheet of Champagne paper.  Originally, I was sad to see Vanilla Cream and Brown Bag retire, but to tell the truth, I am really loving the new browns...Champagne, Cashmere and Saddle.  Anyway, the solid mats are Olive and the pattern paper is Pear and Partridge.  Another one of my fav's from the new Idea Book.  The sentiment and images come from a new stamp set called "Merry and Bright" (C1510.)  I just love how it coordinates so perfectly with Pear and Partridge.  The sentiment is perfect, too, for a gift tag holder...what do you think?  :o)  I'll be posting the matching gift tags soon.

I guess I've mentioned in previous posts how much I really do love the new Artiste Cartridge.  Creating is so easy with the cartridge.  You can purchase the cartridge by visiting my website.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Announcing a Close To My Heart Operation Smile Charity Crop

I am officially announcing my Operation Smile Charity Crop that will be held on Saturday September 29, 2012! 

The Mission of Operation Smile

 

Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families. Together we create smiles, change lives, and heal humanity.

 

 

 

I have already put a great deal of planning into this crop!  It is being held at The Church of St. John, Lower Merion, which is located in Bala Cynwyd PA (a suburb of Philadelphia.)  The cost of the crop is $35.  Continental Breakfast, Lunch and some fun surprises are included in the cost.  One hundred percent of the entrance fee proceeds along with the proceeds from the raffles and bag auction will be donated to Operation Smile.

 

If you would like to make a donation or attend the event, please email me.  The day is sure to be filled with a great deal of fun.  Hope you will be able to join us.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

 



CTMH Cricut Artiste Scrapbook Layout

I know that I posted earlier today, but I couldn't wait to share this layout I finished up today using the Close To My Heart Artiste Cricut cartridge. 

A few days ago, I saw a hot air balloon in the sky over my Studio.  It was just after sunrise and was so pretty that I grabbed my cell phone and took a picture.  Later that day, I realized that the new cartridge has a hot air balloon image and my wheels began to turn.  :o)

The balloon doesn't show up well in the photo, but trust me it is there...just to the left of the middle tree.  :o)  I cut the large hot air balloon image using the "fit to page" feature.  It measured 11 1/2 inches when done.  The background is "Sky" (of course) and it has been sponged with Sky, Slate and Pacifica.  The clouds are also an image on the cartridge and have been cut in various sizes in White Daisy.  The balloon overlay was cut using a piece of paper from the Stella packet.

A few fun details about layout...look closely at the gondola.  It cuts separate from the balloon.  I stamped it with one of the flourishes from this month's stamp of the month called Baroque Borders (S1208.)  I then scored and sanded it to give a woven realistic look.  I also poked holes in both the balloon and the gondola and threaded Lagoon Bakers Twine to make it appear that the gondola is hanging from the balloon.  "Enjoy the Ride" is one of the images in CTMH's double stamp set special to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month.  Both are specials and available on my website.

This was a really fun layout to make!  I can't wait to do more fun things with the Artiste Cartridge.  Check back often to see what I come up with next.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge....WOW!

I've finally had a little time to play with the new Close To My Heart Cricut Cartridge called "Artiste"  and all I can say is WOW!  I didn't think it was possible, but this cartridge is more fun than "Art Philosophy.  It has 698 unique and new images (it has 700 images but the circle and square are handy repeats from Art Philosophy) that include pop up cards, 3D images, cupcake holders, flowers, boxes, bags, tags....  It is amazing.

This card base is cut using the cartridge...scallops included.  It is a perfect A2 size (5 1/2 x 4 1/4.)  All you need to do is set the machine to cut the card on 5 1/2 and away it goes.  By the way, there are 2 guide books.  The traditional book that comes with all cartridges except it is enhanced to make finding the image you want so easy.  The second guide book is a step by step "how to" pictorial on folding the 3D images.  Speaking of 3D images...wait for it...

...this is the inside of the card!  The pop up image matches the card base and is found on the same key!  So easy.

The scallop mats on this card have been cut using "Artiste."  For fun, I took the little tiny flower included in "Heartfelt Treasures" and stamped it in each of the scallops.  That's Bronze Glitz Gel in the centers of the flowers.  "Bravo" is from one of the 3 stamp sets that coordinate with the cartridge that are included in the "Artiste" bundle.

I think I did mention 3D items...  :o)  This purse was cut in one step on the cartridge.  Remember the days when we used to have to print out a template, trace it to our paper and had cut with a craft knife?  No more!  How many times have you needed something small and cute as a gift bag?  "Artiste" has the solution.

Actually, these are all things I've made for my Workshop scheduled for tomorrow.  Unfortunately (fortunately) the class is sold out, but you can see the fun that we will have making these projects.  We will be making both the cards and the purse is for the door prize.  By the way, each project features the new paper packed called Clementine.  You can read more about the "Artiste" cartridge or even purchase it on my website.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Handmade "Quilted" Close To My Heart Clementine Card

Close To My Heart has come up with yet another terrific idea.  It is a new "how to" book called "Make It From The Heart....Volume 1."  I just received my copy the other day and it is great!  It is filled with both card and scrapbook sketches along with tips and techniques.  It is soft bound and only costs $7.95.

To make this card today, I took inspiration from one of the sketches in the book. 

The card is made using Clementine.  I cut 6 1 1/2 inch squares...3 in pattern paper and 3 in Sorbet.  The pattern paper squares were cut from corner to corner.  To assemble the "quilt" I cut a 3 x 4 1/2 inch piece of scrap paper to keep the small squares aligned.  I started with the sorbet and then added one of the Clementine triangles and then the other (flipped over to show the other side of the pattern paper) to complete the square.  I added the remaining 4 squares to complete the quilt block.  Before I attached it to the card base, I embossed it with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  The sentiment is from Heartfelt Treasures and I added the faux stitching to complete the quilt look.

This is another card that we will be making at my August Workshop.  Don't forget to check out the "Make It From The Heart" how to book on my website.  For Now, Happy Crafting!



CTMH Consultant Team Meeting

I just had to share a quick post. We had a great Papers Pads and Pictures Team Meeting today! We laughed, we learned and we created. Just before the meeting started, I spied this hot air balloon in the sky over my Studio.

I was so excited to see it! I just received my Artiste Cricut Cartridge in the mail on Friday and saw that there was a Hot Air Balloon image! I can't wait to play. I do have to say that Artiste looks even better than Art Philosophy....if that is possible. Check out the new Artiste Cricut Cartridge on my website. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Sympathy Card using CTMH's La Belle Vie

I had a few minutes to spare before I went to work today, so I thought I would make a card for this week's Heart 2 Heart challenge....make a sympathy card. 

I wanted to "play" with my new Close To My Heart Alcohol markers and La Belle Vie.  After studying the papers I came up with this card.

I wasn't sure, at first, if I liked La Belle Vie.  After looking at the papers, I decided that the only way to tell if I really liked it was to use it.  And, now I can tell you that I do like it!  The back mat of this card features one of the special papers that is included only in the paper packet called "La Belle Vie Mauve."  The 2 small pieces of pattern paper are from the kit also.

I still only have the new markers that I got at Convention.  :o(  I am eagerly awaiting my order.  The rose (from Card Word Puzzle) has been colored with the Cotton Candy markers that I received.  A number of people have commented and asked about the "hows and whys" of these markers and I will delve into that when I get a larger complement of the pens, but I will tell you that you can blend, add shading and give a more realistic look to your coloring than with water based markers.  As a side bar, the leaves were stamped using the Olive pigment ink on Sweet Leaf card stock.  I like how the pigment ink gives a more textured look to stamped images.

By the way, I should give credit where credit is due....the sketch is from Mojo Monday's challenge this week. 

It's a nice sketch, don't you think?  I learned today, that I do like the La Belle Vie papers.  They will be much more useful that I originally thought.  For Now, Happy Crafting!







Oh My Darling, Clementine....So Close To My Heart!

I love Clementine!  Clementine is one of the new paper packets in the new Fall/Winter CTMH Idea Book.  It is so much fun and there are so many creative options.  I like it so much that it is the first paper packet I am using with my Workshops. Not only does it feature three of the new colors....Saddle, Cashmere and Champagne, it also shows off two of my other all time favorite colors....Twilight and Sorbet.

This is a fun topper tent fold card and is one of the cards that we will be making.  With the topper attached, it measures 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 and fits perfectly into a standard envelope.  One of the goals of my workshop planning is to demonstrate from month to month, how different papers coordinate with different paper packets.  For this card, I used a previous stamp set we used called "Beautiful Friendship" (B1400) and the set we are using this month called "Heartfelt Treasure" (C1456.)  Don't you think they coordinate well with Clementine?

If you ever have questions about how to select coordinating stamps and papers, please ask.  And, don't forget, if you are in the Philadelphia PA area, I host monthly workshops that focus on techniques and learning.  We always have a great time.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Getting Flirty with the New Close To My Heart Pigment Inks

One of the really fun products in the new CTMH Idea Book are Mini Pigment Ink Pad Sets.  These ink pad sets come in a tower of 10 colors.  The sets correspond with the new color families of Basics, Enchantment, Adventure and Whimsy.  All of the great CTMH 40 colors are are included in one of these categories.  Colonial White and White Daisy are the "go to" neutrals and they are not included in color families but are still readily available.

Many people have asked what you do with pigment inks.  Well, pigment inks are more opaque than the traditional dye based variety and are made to "sit" more on top of the paper.  Because of this, they are slower drying and can be used for heat embossing!  What these towers now means to us is that we now can include embossing on our projects in all of the wonderful CTMH colors by using the pigment inks and clear embossing powder!  :o)

Pigment inks are also great for Home Decor and 3D projects because of the intense color.  I decided I wanted to give my new inks a rigorous try by putting them to the test on a canvas board.

First I stamped the flourishes and sentiment in Colonial White pigment ink on the black canvas.  The Colonial White is not new and comes in the standard CTMH sized stamp pad.  I set this aside to dry.  Again, pigment inks are much thicker than dye based inks so drying does take some time.  You can speed the process with a heat gun.  Next, I set out to make the flower and leaves. They are both from a brand new set called Love Blooms (C1511.)   First I stamped the solid portion of the flower using the Goldrush pigment ink.  I heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.  The second step was to over stamp the cooled image with the corresponding line stamp in Autumn Terracotta.  Following that step, I sponged the image with both Goldrush and Autumn Terracotta to create the shaded appearance.  The embossing created an ink resist surface and the Goldrush pigment ink showed up beautifully. The completed flower was then cut out.   I did the leaves a bit differently.  I first stamped the solid image in dye based Olive and then stamped the veins in New England Ivy pigment ink and heat embossed.  I wanted to give a textured look. 

Last was the assembly of the canvas project.  The pattern paper is from "Flirty"...another of the new paper packets.  The pin flowers are also new and in an embellishment packet (Autumn Leaves Assortment...Z1749.)  The ribbon is the Color Ready Seam Binding....love that product, too, because you can now have ribbon in any color you want.

My vote is that the Mini Pigment Stamp Pad Sets are great!  With the option to have embossing in ever color, along with the ability to stamp on canvas our creative possibilities are endless.  Remember, pigment inks are "thicker" and take longer to dry.  If you have any questions about using the Pigment Inks, please ask me.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Pear and Partridge CTMH Cardinal

Here in Philadelphia, we are heading into 6th heat wave!  I love summer, but this is getting crazy.  It was my turn to hostess the Copic Coloring Challenge over at the Crafting By Designs site so I thought it would be fun to create something that might help us have "cool" thoughts.

This was also the perfect time to make my first card with some of the new CTMH colors, holiday paper and one of my new stamps.  The card base is Cashmere....one of the 6 new colors.  The pattern paper is from Pear and Partridge...love this Christmas paper!  That gorgeous cardinal is from "To You and Yours" (B1403.)  The holly and sentiment are also included in the set. 

The coloring is done with my Copics.  Everyone knows that I love my Copics....but did you know that Close To My Heart now has alcohol markers?!?  I don't have mine yet, but I can't wait!  The numbering system is much easier to understand because when you purchase a marker (CTMH color name) you get 2 markers!  One shade is lighter and the other a shade darker but both are called by the same name.  How simple is is that!  Shading made easy.  We did get the Cotton Candy markers at Convention and I am really pleased with the results....you can see one of the cards I made using them here.  Can't wait to get my hands on more and for only $5.95 for 2 it won't take long for me to get my set.  :o)

Well, it's off to work I go....keep cool and safe everyone.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

A Close To My Heart Clementine Layout

Now that the new Fall Winter CTMH Idea Book is here, along with Mr. Fed Ex having visited my house, I can begin to really have fun playing with the new products.  One of my favorite new paper packets is Clementine.  It's fun, it's great for both scrapbooking and card making and it features several of the new colors.  When I studied it, I realized that one of the current stamp sets that I already owned coordinates beautifully....Heartfelt Treasures (C1456.)  So I set out to create a Layout that we could make at our upcoming Team Meeting.

I thought this design would be a great one to share with both my team and you.  The 8 x 10 inch mat in the center is cut from the new color, Cashmere.  Both the strip and the small patterned mat are papers from Clementine.  The flowers are from Heartfelt Treasures along with the little flourish on the title mat.  The bigger flourish is from "Love Life" (D1482.)  The sentiment is from Poster Board Alphabet and Bingo Alphabet.

Oh by the way, see that shinny plastic on the photo mat?  That is a "Flip Flap."  Close To My Heart has come up with this terrific way for you to add additional photos to your layout without interrupting the integrity of your layout.  Flip Flaps are plastic pockets that fit onto your layout and you are able to add pictures into the pockets!

Clementine is such a fun paper.  I don't know yet what photos I'll add to the layout but I can see pictures of children, pictures of a party, pictures of a wedding....the possibilities are endless.  As you look at the new Idea Book, don't be afraid to combine the old with the new.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

It's Here....The New Close To My Heart (CTMH) Fall Winter Idea Book!

The time has finally come!  The Idea Book is officially released and now you can share the joy and get your hands on all of the wonderful new products!  You can see it  here on my shopping site.

Fall is drawing closer...could have fooled me as we are headed into our 6th heat wave of the season, but the Idea Book is here!  I have also been working on fall floral designs at the store since July 4th....can you stand it?  For Now, Happy Crafting!