CTMH Avonlea Card Workshop

I haven't been around for a few days as I was working on a major project that I will post at a later date.  I've also been working on my upcoming Avonlea Card Workshop.  This is just a  quick post but I wanted to share the warm up card that we will be making.

This is just a simple card that features a stamp from the Avonlea Workshop on the Go.  It does have something interesting.  Avonlea is one of those paper packets that contains the "special" colors that are only available in the paper packet.  What I learned is you can recreate the "teal" color by mixing Juniper and Outdoor Denim.  If you look closely, you'll see that I rock and rolled the image to give the appearance of the Avonlea Teal.  :o)

This is just a short post but I didn't want anyone to think I forgot to share my latest work.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Handmade Hello Card using CTMH Avonlea

The more I work with CTMH's Avonlea paper packet, the more I like it.  What beautiful colors.  I have been working on my February Workshop that features Avonlea and working with flourishes and vellum. 

 

Here are a couple sneak peeks at the techniques in this card.  The first are the flourishes.   "The Best Things" (C1503) is comprised of these terrific flourish stamps that are great for accents on your projects.  For this card, I only wanted small portions of the flourish, so I inked the stamp (used Rock and Roll inking with Juniper and Outdoor Denim) and just stamped a portion that would accent the Avonlea paper.  By the way, don't forget, you can stamp on pattern paper as a accent.  The other feature of this card is the vellum mat.  CTMH doesn't sell vellum anymore, but I still like to use it occasionally as it is a terrific accent.  I very lightly scored the edges to make the vellum appear as a frame for the scalloped sentiment.

 

This was a really fun card to put together.  Avonlea has such beautiful colors (think I said that before.)  It features shades of blues and greens which always work so well together.  CTMH makes putting projects together so easy because they have done all the work and matched the solid colors with the pattern papers.  To see all of the terrific CTMH papers, stop by my website.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

A CTMH Scrapbook Layout Using Dakota

A few weeks ago, I posted a some scrapbook layouts that featured the a page of the CTMH Memory Protector Photo Storage Pages.  I call my new style "Scrap Express."  The premise is that you can still scrapbook several pictures quickly, while retaining some stamping and artistry.  If you recall, when working with the Storage Pages, I suggested thinking about your layouts in quadrants.  Then, you only need to plan out a 4 x 6 inch section to stamp or embellish.  Much quicker than a traditional 2 page scrapbook layout.

 

This Layout of my trip to Portugal is actually meant to be the following pages after the Spain Layout I shared with you.  If you look, you will notice that the Photo Storage Page is on the left.  It is the same protector as the Spain Layout.  I did something really fun with this layout that only added a few more minutes to the completion of the project.  I added a 6 x 12 Flip Flap!

 

Using the Flip Flap allowed me to add even more photos to the layout and more room for journaling. "Telling Your Story" is one of the hottest trends right now in scrapbooking. And, to tell you the truth, it makes a great deal of sense. Why have all these beautiful pictures if we don't take the time to document about them.

 

This layout, as the last, has some stamping but it also has allowed to scrapbook all these pictures quickly.  I wanted to share the a couple of the elements.  Throughout the city of Lisbon, the sides of the Medieval Buildings are adored with tile work called Azulejo.  I wanted to replicate one of these tiles.  To do this, I sanded I stamped the ship (from Summer Breeze...retired) with Archival Black.  I then used my water color pencils and a blending pen to color it.  I sponged the image and then cut the image apart in equal squares and coated them with Liquid Glass.  After they were dry, I reassembled and attached them to a piece of Slate card stock to form the grout.  I coated the entire piece a second time with Liquid Glass to give the glazed appearance.   The second picture was completed to allow me to do just a little more embellishment.
I am really liking this style of Scrapbooking... "Scrap Express." I went to Portugal in 2000 and these are the first photos that I had scrapbooked so I guess my idea works. I have posted a "Scrap Express" kit that will help you scrapbook your Christmas Photos quickly. Stop by my website if you would like to purchase the Photo Storage Protectors or Flip Flaps. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Mixed Media and CTMH

The Spring/Summer CTMH Idea Book has so many fun items!  One of them is a 6 x 6 Canvas Display (Z1818.)  It is a blank canvas, mounted on wood and ready for you to decorate.  I've seen so many terrific Mixed Media projects and the minute I saw this canvas, I knew it was perfect for that style of project.

 

 

 

I've never done any type of Mixed Media so this was truly an experiment.  Here is how I did this...

 

1.  The canvas was painted with a mixture of CTMH's Pearl Paint (Z1039.)  Pearl Paint is formulated to mix with re-inkers so that you can make any color you want.  It has a nice sheen to it too.  Next, I mixed the paint with Sunset re-inker and unevenly brushed the canvas.  Quickly, I went over the entire area with a foam brush and water.  This mixed the colors in a random pattern right on the canvas.  When it was dry,  I lightly brushed the canvas with a mixture of Pearl Paint and Barn Red re-inker to give the streaked look.

 

2.  While the canvas was drying, I went to work on the other elements... 

a.  The bird image was heat embossed using Barn Red pigment ink (Z2502) and clear embossing powder.  That great image is from Fabulous You (C1533.)  When it cooled, I colored the flowers with the Autumn Terracotta alcohol marker set (Z2427.)  You can see the shading.  The whole image was sponged with Autumn Terracotta and Barn Red.  Lastly, Liquid Glass (Z679) was added to the center of the flowers.

b.  Using the diamond pattern from the Fabulous You stamp set and Autumn Terracotta pigment ink, I heat embossed a pattern directly onto pattern paper that is in the Clementine paper packet (X7156B.)

c.  The edges were edge distressing using the Distressing Tool (Z1297.)

d.  I assembled the project onto the dry canvas using aLiquid Glass.  First I wrapped Natural Hemp (Z280) around the Clementine strip.  The metal embellishments on that strip are from the Antique Gold Mini-Medley Assortment (Z1786) and the squares are from Square Studs (Z1705.)

 

I have never tried anything like this before and it was fun.  We often don't think of CTMH and Mixed Media together.  That is why I added all of the product numbers.  There are many products that work really well for a mixed media project.  Don't be afraid to try something different.  CTMH makes creating so easy.  By the way, the sketch I used for this project is actually a 6 x 6 card from the Originals Book (9036.)  Check out my website for these and all of the great products in the new Spring/Summer Idea Book.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

 



Handmade Card Using CTMH Buzz and Bumble and Spirelli

Today is my day to hostess the challenge over at Crafting By Designs.  I wanted to do a challenge that offered a new technique for all to try.  I decided to highlight a technique called Spirelli.  Spirelli is a great way to make embellishments for all your paper craft projects.  First my card, and then a few tips on Spirelli.

 

 

Spirelli is the art of wrapping string or floss around a scalloped shape.  It adds a special accent to flowers, backgrounds and frames.  Here is how you get started...

 





 

Start with a scalloped image.  You can use a punch, dies or Cricut image.  Attach string or floss to the back of the image using a glue dot.  If you are using floss, you might want to separate the ply.

 

 

Begin wrapping your floss around the image.  Select a number of scallops between each wrap.  The fewer the scallops skipped, the larger the center.  For this sample, I skipped 5 scallops.

 

 

Continue to wrap, skipping the same number of scallops with each wrap.  Work your way around the image.

 

 

When you are finished, attach the end to the glue dot that is holding the beginning of the floss.  Regardless of the number of scallops you skip, each should have 2 wraps.

 

 

Here is my card again and some details... 

 

 

The pattern paper is the new CTMH Buzz and Bumble and is highlighted with Cocoa, Goldrush, Creme Brulee and Olive.  The sentiment is from one of the terrific stamps you get with your Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  If you look closely, the strip behind the sentiment has been stamped with a background stamp from the Clementine Workshop on the Go set.  I wanted to replicate the look of a honeycomb.

 

The Spirelli flowers have been cut using the Artiste cartridge and were wrapped using metallic floss.  I added a CTMH designer brad in the center to complete the flower.  The leaves were also cut using Artiste.  This is actually a 5 x 7 portrait style card.  It is a design from the Originals How to book.  I am so happy to have that book back!

 

Don't forget to check out Crafting By Designs Challenge Blog.  It is emerging as a great challenge site.  Participate in this challenge and you are eligible to be randomly selected to win a CTMH goodie package worth over $35.  I'm this month's sponsor!  Also, if you are interested in trying out any of the great CTMH products, visit my website.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

 



Handmade CTMH Card with Background Tutorial

Crafting By Designs, one of my favorite challenge blogs has a really cute challenge running right now.  The challenge is to create a CAS (Clean and Simple) card featuring a sea creature.  Ah....this is the perfect time to try out a new technique I found while stumbling around on the Internet.  The technique uses children's bubbles! 

Children's bubbles you say...She has really gone round the bend this time.  Let me share with you how to make this fun background that is perfect for water scenes.

 

 

First, you need a bottle of bubbles, re-inker, a straw and a container for the mixture.

 

Pour some of the bubbles into your container.  I used one of those foil cupcake holders but you could use a low bowl or cup.  I wouldn't use anything that has high walls.  Using your straw, blow bubbles until they reach the top of the container.

 

Now, lay your card stock over the top of the container.  Glossy card stock works best. 

 

The bubbles will stick to the card stock and all you need to do is pop them with your finger.



 

Repeat the process until you achieve your desired effect.  I used 3 different colors of colors of re-inker to give the ocean effect I wanted for my card.  Set aside to dry.  You can speed the drying process with a heat gun, but be careful not to blow you popped bubbles around the paper.

 

 

Here is the card again and a few more details.  After the bubbles were dried, I used the leaves and stems from the CTMH set called "A Garden" (A1119) to create the seaweed.  "Hello" is also from this set.  This fish and sand on the bottom is from another CTMH set called "Under the Sea" (C1500).  Remember, when working with glossy card stock, use need to use a permanent or pigment ink.  I used the CTMH pigment inks for the seaweed and sand.  The fish is stamped with CTMH Black archival ink and colored with my CTMH alcohol markers.  

 

I love trying new techniques and challenges!  Don't forget to check out Crafting By Designs for other great challenges.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

"Bonjour" The new CTMH Spring Idea Book is Here!

Finally, the new Close To My Heart Spring/Summer Idea Book has been released.  What a terrific selection of new products.  I've given you a few sneak peeks and here is the card that I made to celebrate the release.

 

 

 

The pattern paper is from the new black and white set called "For Always."  While, the Idea Book features it as a "wedding theme." it is perfect for just about anything.  For this card, I used Ruby, Black, White Daisy and Whisper as the accent colors.  The kit also features it with Lagoon and Honey, but picture it with Sweet Leaf, Crystal Blue or Blush.  The possibilities are endless.

 

I wanted to show the versatility of "For Always" when I designed this card.  I used the "Bonjour" stamp set (B1414) for the sentiment.  The Eiffel Tower and Cameo were cut on my Cricut using the Artiste cartridge.  If you haven't tried that cartridge yet, check it out on my website....it is terrific.  Anyway, to add texture to the Eiffel Tower, I scored it, sanded it and then inked it using a stipple brush.  For the Cameo, I cut the image and positioned it with repositionable adhesive on the oval that is created when you cut the cameo frame.  I sponged around the face with Ruby and when it was removed, I was left with the negative image.  One of the other fun things new products I used were the acrylic flowers.  They are in the "Claire Assortment" (Z1813) and are clear.  I colored them using my Ruby CTMH alcohol marker.  I also colored the sparkles on the Cameo frame.  That is the great thing about alcohol markers....you can use them to color on non-porous surfaces.

 

There is one last fun thing about this card.  The sketch is from "Originals,"  the terrific how to book that had been discontinued but is again available.  Stop by my website and check out all of the new paper packets and embellishments in the new Idea Book.  For Now, Happy Crafting!