2015 Christmas Cards

I had so much fun making these cards!  That's a good thing because I made over 50 of them!!  I used Schell's Joy Fold instructions from her 2015 Mickey and Minnie Card Series.  Go check it out here:  https://youtu.be/l6U3VJezUvI  Her videos are awesome and so easy to follow!

Supplies:
Black Cardstock - Recollections
Patterned Paper - There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays from The Paper Studio
Glitter Paper - Die Cuts With a View
Cream Cardstock (sentiments and inside panel) - Colonial White by Close To My Heart
Inks - Ponderosa Pine by Close To My Heart (retired color - sorry) and Versafine Onyx Black (embossed with clear embossing powder by Ranger)
Spellbinders Lacey Ovals Die
Spellbinders Large Ovals Die
Sentiment - Holiday Tags D1560 from Close To My Heart and Glory D1483 (retired set)

Gift Card Holders

For something as simple as a gift card holder I cannot believe I used so many different supplies!!  I started with an idea I found on Pinterest that did not lead to an actual web page (grrr!) so I can't give credit.  If you know who designed this, please let me know so I can give them credit.  Don't you just hate it when Pinterest takes you to just an image with no details?


Supply List:
Red Cardstock - Recollections - cut at 3.75" x 11" and scored at 3" and 7.5"
Glitter Paper - Die Cuts With a View
Gift Paper - The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby) - cut at 2.75" x 3.5"
Ribbon - Hobby Lobby
Snowflake Die - Spellbinders
Scalloped Circle Punch - Fiskars
Circle Punch (for the inside notch) - The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby)
Snowflake Embossing Folder - Darice (Hobby Lobby)
Fancy edge on front - Spellbinders Labels Ten Nestabilities (partially die cut)
Adhesives - Scotch ATG, large glue dots, and 3D Foam Squares from Scrapbook Adhesives

I told you it was a lot of supplies!!  I also used my awesome CutterPillar and my Big Shot (with both my extended plates and my magnetic plate) so I pretty much used all my tools except for my Cameo or Cricut.  Although the original plan for these gift card holders did use a cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge and a CTMH stamp set but the tags I created just didn't fit these holders so they will get used on Christmas presents under the tree instead.  I'll try to get some pics of those and post the info.

Cyberweek Sale at Close to My Heart!

CTMH is having a great sale starting on Monday, November 30th, 2015, starting at 9am MST and going through Friday, December 4th, 2015, at 4pm MST.  They have marked 39 items at 25% off!!  Here's a list of the items including their original price and the sale price:

Original Price	Sale Price	Savings!!		Item
$2.95	$2.21	$0.74	*	Z3111 Base & Bling Snowflake Charm—Faux Gold
$2.95	$2.21	$0.74	*	Z3112 Base & Bling Jingle Bell—Faux Gold
$2.95	$2.21	$0.74	*	Z3135 Base & Bling Snowflake Charm—Faux Silver
$2.95	$2.21	$0.74	*	Z3136 Base & Bling Jingle Bell—Faux Silver
$2.95	$2.21	$0.74	*	Z3138 Base & Bling Red Bead Charm—Faux Gold
$2.95	$2.21	$0.74	*	Z3139 Base & Bling Red Bead Charm—Faux Silver
$8.95	$6.71	$2.24	*	Z3180 Picture My Life™ Going Places Scrapbooking Program - this set includes 56 cards with an awesome travel theme!  That comes out to less than .12 cents each!!
$10.95	$8.21	$2.74	*	Z3147 Cut Above™ Dapper Giraffe Card Kit - this is an awesome deal!  You can make 10 cards (including the envelopes) for about .82 cents each!!
$9.95	$7.46	$2.49	*	Z2028 Designer Creations Short Stack Album
$3.95	$2.96	$0.99	*	Z2036 Designer Creations Slate Paper Bags
$3.95	$2.96	$0.99	*	Z2037 Designer Creations Lagoon Paper Bags
$3.95	$2.96	$0.99	*	Z2038 Designer Creations Ruby Paper Bags
$3.95	$2.96	$0.99	*	Z2039 Designer Creations Honey Paper Bags
$5.95	$4.46	$1.49	*	Z2049 Designer Creations Cupcake Box
$5.95	$4.46	$1.49	*	Z2050 Designer Creations Takeout Box
$4.95	$3.71	$1.24	*	Z2053 Designer Creations Buttoned Bag
$18.95	$14.21	$4.74	*	Z1838 5" x 7" Hinged Display Tray
$19.95	$14.96	$4.99	*	Z1750 Designed Décor Display Tray
$28.95	$21.71	$7.24	*	Z2006 Designed Décor Red Magnetic Chalkboard
$28.95	$21.71	$7.24	*	Z2015 Designed Décor Black Shadow Box
$28.95	$21.71	$7.24	*	Z2016 Designed Décor Colonial White Shadow Box
$3.95	$2.96	$0.99	*	Z1833 My Creations™ Kraft Container
$5.95	$4.46	$1.49	*	Z1871 My Creations™ Kraft 3-Ring Album
$5.95	$4.46	$1.49	*	Z1953 My Creations™ Journaling Cards Box
$8.95	$6.71	$2.24	*	Z1956 My Creations™ Hip Pics Album
$9.95	$7.46	$2.49	*	Z3043 My Creations™ Black Mini Book
$9.95	$7.46	$2.49	*	Z3044 My Creations™ Kraft Mini Book
$6.95	$5.21	$1.74	*	Z3069 My Creations™ Mini Mix Album
$5.95	$4.46	$1.49	*	Z3137 My Creations™ Pint-Sized Container
$99.00	$74.25	$24.75	*	Z3168 Cricut® Artfully Sent Collection - this is seriously an amazing price!  This set comes with the cartridge, three stamp sets valued at $53.85, and a cardstock combo pack that has a regular price of $14.50.  That means you are only paying $5.90 for the cartridge!!  This cartridge has over 700 images that you can use for a wide variety of craft projects.
$3.95	$2.96	$0.99	*	Z1476 4 ¼" x 5 ½" White Daisy Envelopes
$3.95	$2.96	$0.99	*	Z1477 5" x 7" White Daisy Envelopes
$3.95	$2.96	$0.99	*	Z1478 6" x 6" White Daisy Envelopes
$3.95	$2.96	$0.99	*	Z1756 3" x 3" Colonial White Envelopes
$3.95	$2.96	$0.99	*	Z1757 4 ¼" x 5 ½" Colonial White Envelopes
$3.95	$2.96	$0.99	*	Z1758 5" x 7" Colonial White Envelopes
$3.95	$2.96	$0.99	*	Z1759 6" x 6" Colonial White Envelopes
$17.95	$13.46	$4.49	*	Z1851 Scallop Border Punch
$17.95	$13.46	$4.49	*	Z1997 Triangle Border Punch

Keep in mind that if you spend $50 you can purchase the Stamp of the Month for only $5!  I really love the SOTM for December.  I'm a sucker for anything with mason jars!

All items can be purchased on my website (www.reneprice.ctmh.com) 

and will be shipped directly to you.  

Please let me know if you have any questions or run into problems on my website.

Skeleton Tags

I can't believe it has been so incredibly long since I posted here.  I've been busy crafting but just haven't been able to get here to post what I've been working on.  One of my latest projects was making some cute pumpkins with my dance troupe for a nursing home visit we were doing.  One of the other girls brought in the crafting project for everyone to put together and I made the tags.  I used the Little Monsters stamp set (C1630) from Close to My Heart for the cute skeleton and sentiment.  The tag was just a simple tag cut out from my Cameo.  I really like how it looks like the skeleton is peeking into the tag.  I needed to make 60 of these so I really needed something fast and easy but still cute.  I really think this worked!  I stamped the sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and the skeleton in CTMH Chocolate ink.

Awesome July Stamp Special!

Hi all!  I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to post some of my latest projects - lots of cards, several 3D projects, some bible journaling, and even a pocket letter!  But I wanted to jump in before the month was too far gone to let you know about a special that is really great.  Have you ever wanted one of the Close To My Heart hostess stamp sets but didn't want to actually be a hostess?  Then this special is for you!  For every $25 in stamps that you purchase you can purchase one of the hostess stamp sets for $5!  Or...if you prefer, you can get the July Stamp of the Month for free.

You can contact me for more information or go directly to my online store to place your order.  Once you put at least $25 worth of stamps in your basket the system will let you know that you qualify for the Jump On It July special.

I'll be back soon to share some new creations and more information on the new Close To My Heart catalog coming out in September - it includes a brand new Cricut cartridge!!

My Favorite Card and Stamp Set

Here is the card I hinted at way back in January when I was finishing up my thank you card series.  The has to be one of my favorite cards that I've made.  At the last minute I thought it would be cute to make the paper look like it was curling up from the typewriter so I curled it up with my bone folder and then stuck a bit of foam adhesive in the middle.  How many of you remember when you used a manual typewriter and you had to flatten your paper out after you were done?  I sure do!  I also remember the angst at trying to get that darn paper back in the typewriter just right if you made a mistake.

I love this set - it comes will all kinds of sentiments to put in the typewriter and a fabulous pointing finger.  I just love the whole vintage trend that is going on with this set!

You can buy this set for only $5 when you place a qualifying $50 order.  And...if you can get two other friends to go in with you on this and you end up with $150 in orders*, all three of you can get your own stamp set for $5 and you (as the hostess with the mostest) will earn at least $25 in free select product!!  This stamp set is only available during the month of April 2015 so you need to be Johnny on the spot with this one!

Supplies:

Close to My Heart Typed Note April Stamp of the Month S1504

Close to My Heart Colonial White Card Base and Envelope

Close to My Heart Black Cardstock

The Paper Studio Kellerkurtz & Co paper stack

Momento Tuxedo Black Ink

*sadly any purchases of the grab bag specials do not count toward hostess credits - they still will help you qualify for the Stamp of the Month so it's not all bad news down here at the asterisk!

April Excitement

I have several things going on in April.  The first is that I am running a fundraiser for ChildSafe Colorado.  I am donating 20% of all sales I have on my Close To My Heart shop in April to ChildSafe Colorado as part of my participation in Shimmy Mob 2015.  You can access my Close To My Heart shop via the link on the right hand side of my blog.  ChildSafe Colorado is an awesome charity that the Ft. Collins Shimmy Mob team is supporting for the 2nd year in a row.  They provide services for children who have been victims of sexual abuse and their non-offending family members.  It's an amazing charity - check them out here:  http://www.childsafecolorado.org  Let's help them make thrivers of the survivors!

Also in April Close To My Heart is running a really fun special.  Each day during April, while supplies last, they will have a random grab bag filled with current and retired Close To My Heart products available for purchase at a major discount. To grab your bag, simply place any current, full-priced item in your online shopping cart at my website and  you will be eligible to purchase as many grab bags as you wish (while supplies last)! Grab bags will be featured at five different price points throughout the month, ranging from $35 to $150.  Some grab bags will contain product with more than DOUBLE the retail value of the price you pay!  Grab bags will be available for 24 hours starting at 3 pm MDT each day and only while supplies last—so visit often and early!  Remember that grab bag tiers will be featured on a random schedule throughout the month, so seize the opportunity to purchase from the grab bag tier you’re interested in when it becomes available because it might not come around again!

I'm also really excited about the Stamp of the Month for April.  This has to be my favorite one so far! I'll be posting a project I made on my blog tomorrow so come back and check it out then.  You have two ways of purchasing the Stamp of the Month.  You can pay the full price of $17.95 for the stamp set or you can get it for only $5 if you have a qualifying purchase of $50 or more.  And...the grab bag purchase counts toward the $50 purchase!

Please let me know if there are any questions you have about any of these exciting things I've shared!

Best Wishes Hot Air Balloon

I made this card for a friend for her birthday.  I cut the oval with Spellbinder's Lacey Ovals die and then stamped an image and sentiment from Close to My Heart's Give a Lift (D1581) stamp in CTMH Sorbet Pigment Ink (retired).  I heat embossed the panel with Ranger Clear Embossing Powder.  I stamped the inside with CTMH Sorbet dye based ink.  I love using the coordinating dye based ink on the inside when I heat emboss something on the outside.  It ties it together without having to wait forever for the pigment ink to dry.

The papers are from CTMH's retired paper pack Balloon Ride.  I loved that paper and this is just about the last of what I have.  The card base is also from CTMH and is the Colonial White color.

ODBD Challenge for OWH - March 2015

The Our Daily Bread Designs challenge for March is to make a card where the sentiment is the main focus.  I just made this card last night and it fits the challenge perfectly so I figured it was meant to be that I was able to join the challenge this month.

I was surprised that this card even came out of my head!  I had a PML card hanging out and I started looking at it and trying to figure out how to use it on a card.  I cut the sentiment from the card out and used it on another card and then cut up the left over pieces into two layers.  Then I embossing the sentiment on the card in white embossing powder and layered them on a piece of Whisper cardstock. I felt like it was way too plain so I ran the Whisper cardstock through an embossing folder to mimic the dots on the bottom layer of the sentiment panel.

Funny thing about that embossing folder.  When I would use that folder in my Texture Boutique I never had good results and I was about ready to throw it away as a defective cheapo folder.  But...I already had my Big Shot out to cut the other layers so I decided to try using the embossing folder with the Big Shot and WOW! did it come out great!  Very well embossed and consistent throughout the whole cardstock!!  Your tools really do make a difference.  I think I'll be using my Big Shot from now on!  Sorry cute little purse embossing thingy - being cute does not make up for your shortcomings!

Here's a link if you would like to join the challenge and help Operation Write Home by providing for shipping costs for two boxes of cards to our service members.  http://operationwritehome.org/march-odbd-challenge-3/

Supplies used:

Close to My Heart Whisper Cardstock
Close to My Heart Picture My Life For Always Card
Close to My Heart Have a Happy Day Stamp Set (D1616)
Close to My Heart Card Base and Envelope
Versamark Stamp Pad
Recollections Detail Snow Embossing Powder
The Paper Studio polka dot embossing folder
Spellbinders Curved Matting Basics Dies S5-171

Robot Birthday Card

I made this little card for my niece's 6th birthday.  I used a retired Close to My Heart stamp set called Robot Family.  It is so cute - I'm bummed they retired it!  I also used a cute sparkly polka dot paper from the DCWV Pet Stack.  I stamped the robot on X-Press It Blending Cardstock using Momento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with my Copics.  I then covered the robot and the cake with Wink of Stella Clear Glitter - I wish the camera would pick up all the sparkle.  I didn't have the exact color cardstock I wanted for the sentiment so I just stamped it on a scrap piece of the white X-Press It and colored the background with a Copic.  I put the sentiment banner on some foam adhesive to give it a little dimension.  I cut the oval and background paper using a couple Spellbinder's basics dies.

I hope she likes the card!

Copics used:

DIY Meal Planner

The hubby and I have been making great strides in improving our health and part of the process is eating well.  Meal planning is really important to ensure we can eat as healthy as possible without huge amounts of stress on me.  Nothing worse than having a busy day and then coming home without any idea what to make for dinner.  I usually do my planning on Friday night or Saturday morning and do my shopping on sometime during the weekend.

I saw these great free printables on ScatteredSquirrel.com and so I put together a binder that will contain all our meal plans for the year in one place.  It's really great to be able to go back and see a particularly good meal plan and then copy it for a new week.  This works well when I'm short on time or imagination.  I can also make notes about changes I made and whether it was a hit or miss.

I printed each page on Hammermill Premium Inkjet & Laser paper and then scored and folded the pages in half to create 8.5" x 5.5" pages.  I glued the bottoms of the pages together with score tape to create pockets (good for holding new recipes I want to try or coupons for shopping) and then used my Cinch to bind it all together.  The covers are just black chipboard cut to 8.5" x 6".

There are lots of other planner printables on the site I used so I'm sure I will be creating some other organizational helps.

Valentine Card

I had grand plans to make a bunch of Valentine cards this year but I just didn't have time to do it.  I did get this card done for my hubby.  It looks like a really simple card but it sure took a long time to glue everything down!!  I found the couple silhouette doing a Google image search and unfortunately I was never able to figure out who to credit with it (if you know, leave me a comment and I'll update this post).  The little hearts came from the Close to My Heart Artiste Cricut cartridge.

The card base is a Close to My Heart pre-made card base.  I use these all the time - they are always perfectly cut and scored and the price can't be beat!  I think they are the greatest value in the whole CTMH line!!  For $14.95 you get 50 cards and the envelopes and the quality of the cardstock they use is awesome!

Butterfly Shaker Card

I had lots of fun making this card for my sister for her birthday.  I pulled together lots of tips and tricks I've picked up lately on making shaker cards.  I also had some trial and error while making this card.  I started out by creating the card front on my Cameo.  I drew a 3.75" x 5" rectangle first and then grabbed a simple butterfly silhouette from my stash of svgs.  I placed that at an angle  near the top of the rectangle and cut it out of white cardstock.

I've picked up a tip from several crafters to use fun foam as the base behind your shaker to give your card a more substantial feel and to help make sure your shaker stuff stays where it's supposed to.  I tried just cutting the same shape out on my Cameo but I learned that you can't cut fun foam with your Cameo.  So...I ended up laying my base on top of the fun foam and tracing it with a pencil and then cutting it out by hand.  Just make sure you cut everything a tiny bit larger than the opening so it doesn't show when you glue it all together.  Also, trace your design using the backside of your card front just in case your pencil slips like mine did.

Then I adhered some plastic I had leftover from some packaging (always save the plastic!) and used distress ink in peeled paint to give it some color.  Here's another lesson I learned - don't adhere the plastic until you've finished your inking.  I stamped the sentiment in Topiary ink and drew some faux stitching around the edge of the card and the butterfly.

I glued the fun foam to the back of the card piece.  Then I laid my sequins down on a piece of patterned paper and glued it to the fun foam.  Then that whole piece was glued down to another piece of coordinating patterned paper.  I then glued that whole thing down on a Colonial White card base.  

There are lots of tutorials on YouTube if you've never made a shaker card before.  My favorite YouTubers would be Jennifer McGuire, Sandy Allnock, and Kristina Werner.  You won't go wrong with any of them.

Supplies:

Kirby Teesdale Studio Patterned Paper from The Paper Studio

Topiary Ink

Your Own Kind of Wonderful Stamp Set

Sakura Jelly Roll White Pen

Colonial White Card Base and Envelope

Fun Foam from Hobby Lobby

Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive

Scotch ATG Tape

Awesome Albums!!

During the month of February, when you purchase one of Close To My Heart’s coated canvas albums you will be eligible to receive a second album of your choice at half price. That is a savings of over $17!

These albums are available in a gorgeous variety of colors and patterns in both post-bound and D-ring styles—perfect to pair with traditional, Studio J^®, or pocket scrapbook layouts.

This offer is only available while supplies last, so make certain to get your order in early to ensure you can choose the styles and colors you love. They’re going fast and are built to last; so don’t delay—place your order today!

Dates: Offer valid February 1, 2015–February 28, 2015

Artfully Sent Birthday Card

I love all the Close to My Heart Cricut Cartridges but I think Artfully Sent is turning into my favorite!  Between the cartridge and stamp sets included in the bundle I am using this thing all the time.  I'll have a link below if you want more information about this cartridge or would like to purchase one for yourself.  It comes with the cartridge (over 700 images), three large stamp sets, and a pack of 12x12 White Daisy cardstock.

I dug into my scrap box for this card so I can't tell you exactly where the papers came from but the base was cut out of CTMH Daisy White cardstock.  I really love the way this cardstock cuts in both the Cricut and the Cameo.  Once I had cut out the celebrate layer I ran it through a dotted embossing folder for some extra dimension.  For all the different scraps I just rough cut them so they wouldn't show through the neighboring letters and stuck them down with plain old scotch tape.  When it was all finished I adhered the panel to the card base with my ATG.  You will want to make sure and use a strong adhesive due to all those layers and the embossed paper.  This card is a great stash buster!

Supplies:

Close to My Heart Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge

Daisy White Cardstock

Darice Dot Embossing Folder

Scotch ATG Tape Dispenser

Various paper scraps from my stash

New Project

I thought I'd give you a sneak peak of something other than paper crafting that I'm working on.  I just started this sweater and so far it's coming along wonderfully.

Stay tuned for more progress pictures!!

Joy Fold Thanks

I had a lot of fun with this card.  I learned this particular fold from Schell Fabian.  I'll link her video below so you can learn how to do this too!  It's not hard but really turns out a beautiful card that everyone will think you spent hours and hours on!!  Besides...Schell is an awesome teacher and produces really nice videos so you should go check her out!

This is the final card in my big thank you card series for our upcoming cruise.  Although...there is one card that I won't be showing you until April.  That particular card is my absolute favorite but it's using a stamp set that won't be released until April so stay tuned for that one!

Supplies:

Close to My Heart Skylark paper - this paper is unfortunately retired now but we do have some Picture My Life cards featuring these designs still in the catalog.  Check it out here and here.

Close to My Heart White Daisy Cardstock

The Paper Studio Pearlized Cardstock - this stuff is absolutely gorgeous!  I wish the pics would have shown the sheen you get with this paper.

Close to My Heart A Tree A1124 - this stamp set is only available through the end of January 2015 (while supplies last) and then it will be retiring.

Close to My Heart Thanksgiving Wreath Hostess Stamp Set B1454 - let me know if you want more info on how to earn this stamp set.

Close to My Heart Chocolate Ink

Schell's Video:  http://youtu.be/l6U3VJezUvI

Bannered Thanks!

I had a lot of fun with this card.  It's so bright and cheery and I was able to use up some scraps and extra die cuts I had laying around.

This stamp set is a hostess only set but it is really easy to earn hostess rewards.  You just need to gather orders that add up to at least $150 and you can purchase this set for $6!  You will also earn $25 in hostess rewards so in reality the set is free!  Our entire catalog is available online and your friends and family can order directly on my website and have their order shipped directly to their doorstep.  You do not have to sort through orders or even clean your house and fix cute little snack food!!  Although if you feel the need to clean and create awesome food, just let me know and I'll come over and enjoy your labors!

Supplies:

Close to My Heart Thanksgiving Wreath Hostess Stamp Set B1454

Close to My Heart Daisy White Card Base & Envelope

We R Memory Keepers Simply Spring paper pack

Close to My Heart Artiste Cricut Cartridge

Close to My Heart Sorbet Ink Z2164

Close to My Heart Sparkles (colored with a Copic G43 marker to match) - I love these little adhesive gems!  You can color them any color you like with an alcohol marker and you get 100 for only $2.95!!

Thankful Wreath

Here is another in my thank you card series!  I kept this one really simple but I like the understated look I got with it.  I used Operation Write Home sketch #33 for this one.  The only thing I did different that the sketch was layer the sentiment panel on another piece of coordinating paper.

Unfortunately this stamp set is retired now but I absolutely love it.  It comes with several pieces so you can build your wreath layer by layer.  We have a similar type of build it wreath set in our Christmas collection called Merry, Merry (C1591).  That set is available at least through July this year.  Not sure what is going to carry over into the new Annual Inspirations coming out in August.  I'm always sad when stamps and paper collections leave but it seems like something new always comes along and soothes me and makes me feel better again! ;-)

Supplies:
Close to My Heart C1473 Remarkable Wreath stamp set (retired set)
Close to My Heart Z2165 Juniper Ink
Close to My Heart Z2111 Chocolate Ink
Momento Tuxedo Black Ink
Close to My Heart Colonial White Cardstock
Close to My Heart Colonial White Card Base & Envelope (these are the greatest deal - you get a pack of 50 pre-cut and scored A2 sized cards and envelopes for $14.95)
The Paper Studio Kirby Teasdale Studio paper pack

Vellum Anniversary Card

I saw this amazing tutorial from Jennifer McGuire on using vellum to create a shaker card.  It took me a little while to pull this together but that is because I was learning (aka screwing up) as I was going along.

Here are the lessons I learned - hopefully you can learn by my mistakes:

1.  You can barely see glitter behind vellum so save yourself some frustration and just don't use it!
2.  Don't use a really small stitch on your sewing machine because it will just end up tearing the vellum apart.
3.  Go really slow when you are using metallic thread in your sewing machine - I must have broken the thread at least six times before I figured that out (I'm a slow learner).
4.  Don't use washi tape to hold down your edges.  When I took it off it tore some of the pattern paper up as well.  Next time I will use the blue painter's tape and I will test it first!
5.  Use the flattest shaker stuff you can find - the sequins I have in my stash have the slightest cup to them and they don't move very freely behind the vellum.  They will work great with a different type of shaker but not one that lies as flat as this.  They still move but not like I would like them to.

Supplies:

Authentique Down the Boardwalk Pattern Paper
Core'dinations Vellum
Copic BG18
Recollections Detail Snow Embossing Powder
Your Own Kind of Wonderful Stamp Set
Stampabilities Card Phrases Stamp Set
White Daisy Cardstock

Jennifer's tutorial:  http://youtu.be/HxqtWxwZcAM

Tropical Hello!

With all the snow and cold we've had this winter I'm ready for Spring to get here.  I thought I'd try pushing it along with a bright and happy thank you card.  I cut the word balloon out using the Close to My Heart Artiste Cartridge.  The sentiment was stamped in Smoothie Pigment Ink and then clear embossed.  I popped it up on some foam tape for added dimension.  The paper is from The Paper Studio Beach mat stack and the bronze accent at the bottom is actually Shimmer Trim but it didn't show up shimmery at all in the pic.  Trust me it's really sparkly!

Supplies:

CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge
D1531 Artiste Word Balloons stamp set (comes with the cricut cartridge bundle)
CTMH Smoothie Pigment Ink*
The Paper Studio Beach mat stack
Z1849 Bronze Shimmer Trim
InkXPressions Clear Embossing Powder

*just a note about the pigment ink I used - it comes as part of a 10 pack of inks that are being retired. It is marked down to $13.95 and will only be available while supplies last.  They are about the same size as the distress ink minis from Tim Holtz.  I love them because it allows me to have lots of colors to choose from at a low price point and the bonus is that I can easily store them in my very small crafting area.  I also really like using colored pigment inks with clear embossing powder rather than trying to keep every color of embossing powder on hand.  Again...cost effective and storage friendly!

Merci Beaucoup!

Here is another card in my thank you card series.  I love using sketches to this one is based on Operation Write Home's sketch #1.

For this card I used a Stamp of the Month from Close to My heart that is really cute!  I had this paper in my stash (or should I say 'stache) and I thought this stamp was made for it!  Unfortunately this Stamp of the Month is no longer available but here is this month's stamp:

They are a great deal and can be had for either $17.95 regular price or you can get one for only $5 if you spend $50 or more on other items.  This particular set is compatible with our Artbooking Cricut Cartridge Bundle.

Supplies used:

Close to My Heart Autumn Terracotta Ink
The Paper Studio Glasses, Staches, & Ties paper pack
Close to My Heart Colonial White Cardstock
Close to My Heart Black Cardstock
Close to My Heart Colonial White Case Base
Close to My Heart #S1405 You've Got a Friend stamp set

Happy Camper!

I have been working on thank you cards lately and here is one I just finished up that will work for both thank you and just as a general thinking of you card.  I love this stamp set and really enjoyed doing some quick coloring with my Copics.  Normally when I use my Copics I'm doing something detailed with lots of shading and it takes F.O.R.E.V.E.R!  But not this one.  I actually made six of these!  I even took them up to my sewing room and added some zig-zag stitching on my machine.  It was so easy and I love the added dimension.

Some of these cards will be going to Operation Write Home in my next box and others will be coming with us on our upcoming cruise to hand out to staff members we catch doing something special.



Here are the Copic colors I used:

Other supplies:
Close to My Heart Chocolate Ink
Close to My Heart Ponderosa Pine Ink
Momento London Fog Ink
Close to My Heart #C1578 Camper Crazy Stamp Set
Close to My Heart Colonial White Card Base
The Paper Studio Yee Haw Paper Pack