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Home from CTMH 2013 Convention and Lots of News!

Well, I've made it home from the Close To My Heart Convention without incident.  What fun we had.  I think that everyone will be thrilled with all of the new CTMH products.  But, I did want to share some of the other fun too...

Me and the Mice

Some of the "PaperDolls" and the Mice

Liz, Francis and Lucy at Magic Kingdom

Lucy and I after Splash Mountain...boy did we get soaked!

 

 

A Close To My Heart Convention is a great deal of fun, but it is also a lot of hard work.  The reason I hadn't been posting much was because I was making an album to enter into the Album Contest along with preparing my projects.  I didn't get selected to teach at Extravaganza, but I was asked to be a "Creative Helper."  That meant, I was sent some projects in advance of Convention, made them at home and then walked around helping other consultants work with the newly released product.  I was so  pleased with the opportunity.  I couldn't share a think that I had been doing for several weeks!  Made blog posting hard.  I had to almost sign my life away agreeing not to reveal any of the new product to even my Convention roommates.  I was good...they had no idea.  :o)

 

Now for the really big news...  I am starting a new blog!  Yes, it is called www.savingmemorieswithcindy.com  It will have all of the same tips and tutorials as this blog, but is will sooner than later have a new twist.  Please check it out and "follow me" just like you did here.  For Now, Happy Crafting and see you at www.savingmemorieswithcindy.com .

CTMH Dream Pop Scrapbook Layout

What???  Another post from me today!  Yes, I am so excited about Dream Pop.  The CTMH special campaign celebrating National Scrapbooking Month is so much fun and so easy to work with that I was able to complete this Scrapbook Layout since my last post!

 With just a few embellishments and a simple stamped title, I was able to complete this great layout in just a few minutes.  Dream Pop is designed to make your scrapbook layouts cheery and bright while affording the opportunity to complete them quickly.  If you look closely, the stripe on the side along with the flower flourishes are already there for you.  All you need to do is add the photo and a touch of your own style to personalize.

I used the CTMH Washi Tape (Z1817) to complete the flower.  To do this, punch a small circle from card stock and pleat the Washi Tape around the circle overlapping it to form the petals.  When you complete the first edge, move slightly inward and repeat.  The number of times you go around the circle will depend upon the size of the circle.  I finished the center with a Filigree Charm (Z1269.)  I also added some chipboard flourishes (from a retired set) and paper flowers (Z1764) to finish off the side.  I added sparkles (Z1752) and Glitz Glitter Gel (Z1313) to the pre-printed flowers just to spice them up a bit.  By the way, the title is stamped in Slate and is from Love Life (D1482.)

That is all it took and the Dream Pop layout was done!  Don't forget to stop by my website and treat yourself to a set of Dream Pop in honor of National Scrapbooking Day.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

 

CTMH and National Scrapbooking Month

Wow, has it been forever since I posted.  No particular reason, all is well, just busy working on projects.  I had my monthly workshop, am already working on my next class and a scrapbook that isn't ready to post. 

I wanted to remind everyone that May is National Scrapbooking Month AND today is National Scrapbook Day...who needs Hallmark.  :o)  Close To My Heart is celebrating the Month with a special paper packet called Dream Pop.  It is wonderful...brightly colored along with that new hot resist paper!  Here is a card that I made using the packet...

I used the pretty banana colored resist paper along with one of the bird caged pattern sheets to coordinate with the Hello Tweety Stamp Set (B1420).  I wanted to tone the bright colors down for this card so I paired it with Olive card stock and Cocoa inks....works perfectly don't you think? 

Dream Pop can be yours for only $10 with a $35 purchase of current CTMH products.  It is really a terrific deal.  Stop by my website to check out.  Well, it's back to more creating.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

A Crafting By designs Blog Hop!

Crafting By Designs is one of the hottest new Challenge Blogs and today we are having a Blog Hop!  Our Hop is featuring digi stamps from QKR Stampede and the theme is Spring Flowers.  What a perfect theme as it predicted to be 87 degrees today here in the Philadelphia area. 

 

What a fun card to make!  I love the look of white on white textured mats and thought I would use that style to help show of the pretty flowers that have been colored with my Close To My Heart alcohol markers.  A note about printing digi stamps...  I have learned from experience that if you are using an ink jet printer (like most of us have) print your image on good cardstock.  I like either X-Press It Blending Card or Bazzill Cococnut White.  Let the image "rest" for several hours before you start to color and your ink won't smear.

Head on back to the Crafting By Designs home page to check out more of the design teams wonderful work along with more fun from QKR Stampede.  Make your own spring flower card and using the link, upload your creation.  You could win 5 digi images from QKR Stampede.  For Now, Happy Crafting and Happy Hopping!

CTMH For Always and a 6 x 6 Canvas

Mixed Media, canvas and 3D items are so "hot" right now.  And, they should be!  We spend so much time working on our projects that it is sad to keep them locked up in a closed album or sealed envelope.  CTMH has several new and fun "My Creations" 3D items ready for you to decorate and call your own.

 

This is the 6 x 6 Canvas Display (Z1818) that I decorated.  When you receive the canvas, it is a Colonial White color.  The canvas is stretched on a substantial wood frame so that you can even stamp on the canvas.  To get started on my project, I mixed a few drops of Black re-inker into Pearl Paint (Z1035).  With the create a shade paint, and re-inker, you can create any color that you want.  After it dried, I randomly sponged Ruby Pigment Ink (z2502) on the surface.  A quick note about pigment ink...it is more opaque than dye based ink.  Therefore, it dries more slowly and is great for embossing.  It also is "thicker" and "sits" on the top of your surface making it perfect for 3D objects. 

After everything was dry (doesn't take too long) I set out to decorate the canvas.  My base was the For Always paper packet (X7165B).  CTMH has released these terrific fabric that coordinate with For Always and Chantilly.  Here, I cut a strip, sewed a running stitch down the middle and gathered it for the trim.  I attached it with Liquid Glass ...boy, can you use Liquid Glass for just about anything.  :o)  The Eiffel Tower and cameo were cut using the Artiste Cricut Cartridge (Z1790).  A note about the cameo.  I cut out the frame, inner circle and silhouette.  Using repositionable adhesive, I attached the silhouette and sponged heavily around it using Ruby ink.  When the silhouette was removed, I had a reverse mask.  I stippled the center with Slate ink to give a more realistic look.

This is a close-up of the "melted" flowers that I made using the Satin Polka Dot Ribbon (Z1802).  I added a glitter button (retired) with a sparkle in the center for some bling. 

This is the YouTube Video I did explaining how to do the "melted' flowers.

 

I love the idea of being able to show off my artwork in 3D projects.  They're not hard, you design them with the same thought process as you would any scrapbook layout or card.  With a few dimensional embellishments and some Liquid Glass for adhesive, you've got a great 3D project.  Stop by my website to check out all of the great CTMH products.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Chantilly Paper Packet

One of the reasons, I love CTMH papers is that they are absolutely so versatile.  Let me give you an example.  The new Chantilly paper packet (X7163B) is just filled with wonderful spring colors.  Buttercup, Blush, Pear, Sweet Leaf, Hollyhock, Ruby...all coordinate beautifully.  The other great thing is that they are double sided.  In other words, each sheet of B/T Duo's paper and a coordinating reverse side.  It is so cost effective!  So many times, you purchase a paper packet and the back side is white.  What fun is that in your scrapbook albums?  :o)  Also, double sided paper allows to to use up scraps more efficiently.

Here is a cascade card I made using less than a 1/2 sheet of pattern B/T paper!  The green in the middle fold is the reverse side of the brightly colored 1st and 3rd panel.  Look how great they work together and CTMH has made it so simple.  The guess work has been taken out of matching patterns.

Here is another card that I made using scraps from the Chantilly paper packet.  This card, because of the black base, has a totally different feel than the first card, don't you think?  The pinks and reds work beautifully with the black and yet it is still a bright and cheery card. 

One of the great things about CTMH is that everything coordinates so easily.  The stamp I used on the first card is actually a retired stamp from 2 years ago.  Look how great it coordinates with current product.  Once again, CTMH has a cost effective answer to our card making and scrapbooking needs....the products continue to coordinate and work together!  Stop by my website to check out the Chantilly along with the other great CTMH papers.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Studio J

I am so sorry that I haven't been around for so long.  Not because I gave up on my blog, but rather, my blog gave up on me!  I haven't been able to post any pictures for some dumb reason.  :o(  But, I must say that I've been busy creating just awaiting the time for my blog to cooperate.

One of the things that I worked with was Studio J.  Every time I do a few Studio J layouts, I realize how much fun they are and how easy it is to create quick and great scrapbook layouts.

Remember last year when I did the Operation Smile Crop?  Well, I had never scrapbooked all of those terrific pictures.  Studio J was just perfect...

Being able to complete these layouts quickly and beautifully brought back such wonderful memories of a day that will bring life changing joy to disadvantage children!  If you were at the crop, look closely as you may be in the pictures!

Next, I share with you the layouts I did for the 2012 Close To My Heart Convention.  Convention is a wonderful experience!  You have the opportunity to meet fellow Consultants the all around America and Canada that you would never have the chance to meet.  You get to visit a city that perhaps you might not get to otherwise and you get a plethora of new product and tips.  You have to be a Consultant to attend, unfortunately.  BUT, right now, there is a great special running...  Sign up to be a Consultant in April for $49 and not only will you get the terrific start up kit, but you will receive the next 4 Stamps of the Month for free!!!  That's over $70 in stamps along with the kit that is a $155 value...all for $49!  You can't beat that deal.  If you were ever considering becoming a Consultant, contact me.  My Papers Pads and Pictures Team is a growing and active group of crafters who love to create and laugh together.  I promise, there are exchanges in ideas, communication and collegiality.

Back to Studio J...If you are sinking in family photos that are trapped on a memory card or computer file, visit my website and give Studio J a try.  If you are already a digital scrapbooker, also stop by my website and give Studio J a try.  I think you will be amazed at the ease and creative possibles in the CTMH Online Scrapbooking Program.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Alcohol Markers

Things are finally beginning to return to normal for me...notice I said "for me?"  :o)  I'm still crazy busy, but I at lease have a few moments to breathe.  Yesterday, I had a good friend to my home to work on cards for her upcoming Craft Fair.  She realized that she didn't have enough Easter Cards to sell, so that is what we set out to do.

 

 

 

This is one of my all time favorite CTMH Heart Stamp Sets.  It is called Sensational Season and it is a former Stamp of the Month.  Isn't that little bunny just to cute!  I stamped him using the CTMH Black Archival Ink, let it dry and then colored him with the CTMH Alcohol Markers. 

 











 

This is an image that I've had in my stash for several years.  It is from a company called Outline Rubber Stamps that unfortunately is no longer in business.  I did the same thing with this stamp that I did with the last...I stamped with the CTMH Black Archival Ink, let it dry and then colored with the CTMH Alcohol Markers.

 

I am really pleased the the CTMH Alcohol Markers.  When you purchase them, you get two in a set for $5.95.  One in a lighter shade and one in a darker shade of the master CTMH color.  It really takes all of the guess work out of shading for the beginner.  And, if you want to blend multiple colors, you can very easily with terrific results. 

 

"Coloring" is one of the hottest trends right now.  It is relaxing and with the CTMH Alcohol Markers remarkable easy.  Stop by my website and grab a couple sets and start having fun.  For Now, Happy Crafting! 

CTMH Bracket Frame

Well, I haven't been around much lately as I've been working on some special projects.  I thought it was finally time to share some of my work.

Awhile back, I bought one of CTMH's Bracket Frames (Z1797.)  I had seen so many lovely projects made using it.  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it but one day, out of the blue, I got the idea to make a 3D Flower Cart.  So off I went with my planning and production and a week later, here are the results.

 

I am not afraid to say that this was quite the endeavor.  Every piece is cut from either the Art Philosophy or Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  For example, the wheels are from the Ferris Wheel key and the actual cart is a box envelope that I folded differently to form the cart.
 





One of the most difficult things I found in trying to complete this project was getting the proportions and sizes of the individual piece correct.  The opening of the frame is only 7 x 7 inches!  Trust me when I say that I went though an entire package of "stock" card stock as I didn't want to waste my good CTMH paper as I was making the pro-type.  Some of the flowers are only 1/4 of an inch! 

 



 

 

As I was planning and working, I realized that in order to make this project look realistic, I had to pay very close attention to the details.  For example, the actual cart was sanded, sponged and then "painted" with Liquid Glass (Z679).  Before it dried, I used a comb and added texture because I wanted to create a wood look.  I cut the edge off of the burlap ribbon (Z1760) to finish off the top of the cart.  Several of the flowers are tone on tone stamped to add texture and I even made a "chalkboard" to advertise the flowers.

 





 

Because I wanted to make this a "3D" project, I had to ensure that it had a realistic look.  Look closely, I built a shelf into the inside of the cart to hold the flower pots.  The umbrella is made from a scalloped circle cut from Artiste and folded it to "stand up" on the project.  The "dracaena spike" was actually cut using the comb on the Artiste cartridge and rolled.  And, those are sparkles and bitty sparkles added to all the centers of the flowers.

 



 

Last but not least, I wanted to decorate the sides of the frame to coordinate with the cart.  The flourishes, leaves and flowers were cut using the Cricut Cartridges.  I hand dyed CTMH embroidery floss with Cotton Candy re-inker to wrap my Spirelli.  Whew....

 

After seeing this, I hope that you can forgive me for not being around for a while.  :o)  Now it's time to continue to work on my monthly card workshop featuring Chantilly.  For Now, Happy Crafting!



CTMH Chantilly and a Handmade Card

Well, all of my projects are done and I am back to posting again!  Whew, I have been busy and actually this will just be a short post as I need to head out and teach a class. 

One of the really pretty new paper packets is called Chantilly.  It features fun spring colors and I think we all can look forward to spring!  I made this card with a twist.  I wanted to play with the terrific Polka Dot Satin Ribbon and needed a way to tie it into the card.  So, I added a Black base. 





The Polka Dot Satin Ribbon comes in Slate and works wonderfully with the Twilight in the pattern paper.  So that the bow didn't overwhelm the card, I made it on a 5 x 7 base.  I also did some scoring and sanding for another fun touch.

Oops, I just looked at the clock and I must head out.  I hope to get back to normal with all of my postings.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Welcome Stars and Stamps Friends

I want to say hello to my new friends from Stars and Stamps.  For those of you who don't know, Stars and Stamps is a blog branch of the terrific Operation Write Home organization.  OWH collects and distributes handmade cards to our troops so they can have wonderful cards to send home to their loved ones.

My dear friend Nancy asked if she could share my recent tutorial on Spirelli.  Spirelli is the art of wrapping thread around an scalloped shape in order to add texture and dimension to you projects.  Here is what I mean...

This is a flower embellishment on a corner of a project that I will be posting a little later.  The link to post on how to complete the work is here.  And, last but not least, this is the card that goes along with the tutorial.

I hope you'll give Spirelli a try.  Thanks to all of the good work the Operation Write Home does and For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Alcohol Markers

I can't believe that today is March 1st!  Is it like a lamb or lion where you are?  The sun is out here but for some reason I just can't get warm today.  Two o'clock in the afternoon and I'm headed off for a cup of coffee. 

I've been busy working on several different projects in the last week.  Some for Michaels and some that I will post later.  I did want to take a moment to post a card that I have gotten done in the past few days.

 

If this card looks familiar, well, it should.  It is a re-make of a card I showed a few posts ago.  I wanted to "play" with color so I came up with this variety.  The pattern paper is from 2 different CTMH paper packets...Clementine and Chantilly.  CTMH makes it so easy to mix and match papers.  This two paper packets both feature Twilight. 

 



Have I mentioned before how much I love to color images?  heeheehee  I really like the CTMH alcohol markers.  Yes, there have been some reported problems and not all of the colors are available, but I've not experienced any issues with them at all!  They are easy to work with because when you order a color, you actually get 2 markers!  One light and one dark in the same color family.  Once again, CTMH makes things so easy.

 

Take a moment to stop by my website and check out Clementine, Chantilly and the fun alcohol markers.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

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!