17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 10: All the Best Wishes

Advent Cards to College Day 10 - 2010

Today is another card created by CTMH consultant Jean.  I love the way she brought all the greens together.  Normally I'm not a real big "green" fan -- but this card is just gorgeous in person. :)  This is again using the CTMH Level 2 Mistletoe Paper pack.  What a great way to combine the green side of the snowflake papers from the pack with the cuttlebug dry embossing folder!  It looks so sharp -- what you don't see well from the picture though is the tiny little sparkles to add just a touch of glitz to this card in the lower corner of the sentiment and on the ornament.  Cardstock used: Colonial White and Olive.

Tomorrow -- back to self-created cards with recipes. :)  see you then!

17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 4: Snow Friends

Advent Cards to College Day 4 - 2010

Sending a Christmas card each day my daughter is away at PSU.  We are up to day 4.  She'll be coming home on the 17th, so follow me through each day as I make a new card.  At the end I have a special surprise that I've made for my daughter (so she has somewhere to keep all the cards).  You'll have to wait since I don't want to spoil her surprise. :)

Today's card was inspired by Jeanette Lynton.  I saw this lovely card on the CTMH website and just had to make it for my daughter (well something very similar since I couldn't find the measurements and directions; it's not saying they're not out there somewhere, I was just in a hurry to beat the postal carrier to the mailbox, LOL).

Supplies
CTMH Stamp Sets: Snow Friends (D1244), January Word Puzzle (D1268), & Spot On Backgrounds (D1280)
CTMH CS: White Daisy, Cocoa, Desert Sand, Juniper
CTMH Exclusive Inks: Juniper, Cocoa

CTMH Ribbon: White (Grosgrain) & Hollyhock
CTMH sanding kit
CTMH Brads: Pewter & Basic Collections
CTMH Glitz Stardust Liquid Glitter
Cricut Cartridge: When it's Cold Outside (2009-2010)
Cuttle Bug Embossing Folder: Ice Crystals

From Base up
Card base is 5.5" x 5.5"
Juniper layer is 5.25" x 5.25" and is embossed with the Ice Crystals, then sanded
Desert Sand layer is 5.25" x 3.5"
White Daisy is 5.25" x 1 5/8"
Juniper is 5.25" x 1.25" and is stamped with Juniper using the Spot On Backgrounds
Cocoa Layer is 2.75" x 2.75"
Daisy White Layer is 2.5" x 2.5 and is stamped in Cocoa with the Snow Friends and sponged with Coca, color as desired.
Use Cricut to cut snowflakes.  Attach snowflakes with the brads and put two brads on the snowman's belly for his buttons, then assemble card as shown.  Finally, apply Glitz to the brads (except the snowman).

Pagoda Cartridge: Kanji Journey Tree

Last week I received the Pagoda Cartridge compliments of ScrapbookPal.com and I've been exploring all the neat images on this cartridge for a few days.

Today I thought I would also try out some metal with the Cricut. In case you didn't know, the Cricut will cut thin metal and you can even dry emboss it with your Cuttlebug to add even more dimension. The picture doesn't show nearly the depth you get in person, but you can still see some of the effect in the picture below.

Supplies

Cricut Cartridge: Pagoda

Cuttlebug Embossing Folders: Distressed Stripes and Mesh

CTMH Card Stock: Clover Meadow (1229), Cocoa (X5642), Ponderosa Pine (1276), and Colonial White (1388)

CTMH Tan Hemp (Z280)

CTMH Exclusive Inks: Ponderosa Pine (Z2145)

Making Memories Metal Sheets: aluminum or copper (comes in a package of 2 -- one thick and one thin -- I used the thin)

CTMH Stamp Set: Solos "J"

EK Success border punch (unfortunately they don't name their punches, it's the one that has a wavy edge and dots running along the edge -- I just call it wavy-dots, LOL)

1/8” Hole punch

Pop Dots

Adhesive

Go to Kanji Journey Foil Tree for the PDF version to see the full directions and print out if you like.

All Dressed Up with Cricut Forever Young Card

I've been busy trying to make some more Cricut projects for display at my Sunday Demo. So...today's card is another idea inspired by Cricut -- check out the Cricut.com projects for some cool ideas on scrapbook layouts, cards and cake decorating.

I happened to be browsing the site and saw a cute card project I thought I'd give a try. I changed the dimensions slightly and modified only a couple other things, but other than that I followed the directions. It's a cute card.


Supplies
Close to My Heart Paper packet Daydream
CTHM Black CS CTMH Blue CS
CTMH sorbet dash grosgrain ribbon
CTMH autumn harvest organza ribbon
Cuttlebug Swiss Dots dry embossing folder
Cricut cartridge Forever Young
scrap of "feather" ribbon flower eyelet

Cricut & Cuttlebug make Tinker Bell Sparkle

Today's project is another Cricut and Cuttlebug creation! :)



Supplies
CTMH White Chipboard (z1164)
CTMH Exclusive Inks -- Star Spangled Blue Ink Pad (z2149)
CTMH White Daisy CS (1385)
Scrap of blue and scrap of purple CS
Cuttlebug - Divine Swirl embossing folder
Cuttlebug - Tinker Bell Embossing Folder / Die cut combo
Cricut Cartridge Accent Essentials - Accent 47s (page 78)
Cricut Cartridge Tinker Bell & Friends - Tink (page 47)
Martha Stewart's blue glitter.
Buttons
Ribbon
Pop-dots or dimensionals
Adhesive

First, using the chipboard, cut one accent 47s @ 5". Then, using the white CS, cut one @ 4.5" and another at 3.75". Sponge the edges of all 3 pieces with the Star Spangled Blue. Next, mount the 4.5" on top of the 5" with pop-dots or some kind of dimensional, and mount the 3.75" on top of both (creating a stack).

Next, cut a 3"x3" piece of CS (from your scrap, mine is the blue one) and emboss with the Divine Swirl folder; sponge the edges with the Star Spangled Blue. Attach ribbon going around the back to keep edges hidden. Now, attach with adhesive to the scalloped set. Place a button in each upper corner. Using your Cricut, cut out Tink (pg 47) @ 1.5" and place between the two buttons.

Last, using a piece of scrap white CS, first cut out the Tinker Bell with the Tink Die and then line up and emboss with the embossing folder set; color and add sparkles as desired. Mount Tink with pop-dots hiding edge behind ribbon.

Makes a cute 3-D picture to mount in a frame for your special princess, or just display on a plate holder. You could even turn it into a card if you like by attaching it to a card face. Enjoy!

Happy May 1st! with a Cuttlebug & CTMH Card

Wow! 5 months have zipped by this year. Happy May day!

Yay, today is warm again it was 81° outside around noon, and it's now 89° outside at 3:00 pm. I was trying to work on my project 365 some today. I've been taking the pictures since March when I found out about it, but haven't been so good about uploading them. I really need to work on that, LOL. Something is down on the site today though, so I guess it will have to wait until another time... See I really should just stay up to date, then it wouldn't matter if it was down today. :) If you aren't familiar with project 365, check out my page link above it will tell you all about it and give you the links to where you can find out more and get your own 365Project. :)

So, anyway I have a cute card for you that's great to put on a package as a gift card, or if you like a small thank you card. It's simple and doesn't take many supplies.



Supplies
5" x 2.5" - CTMH Chocolate Card Stock (x5643); fold in half
1.5" x 2.5" - CTMH Indian Corn Blue Card Stock (1284)
1.5" x 2.25" - CTMH Colonial White CS (1388) **
CTMH Exclusive Inks Pad: Pansy Purple (Z2141)
CTMH Stamp set: August Word Puzzle (D1290)
Cuttlebug embossing folder :Forest Branches

First, stamp the flip-flops on the Colonial White CS. Next, emboss the Indian Corn Blue CS and attache to the bottom portion of the folded Chocolate CS. Finally, attache the Colonial White CS with the flip-flops at an angle and you're done and ready to stamp or write your sentiment inside. Have fun!


**you could use Daisy White instead if you prefer

Buttons-n-bows: A Spring Bunny for Easter

w! This year is sure moving along quickly. I can't believe it's April already! Happy April fool's day! Did you play any pranks today? This weekend is Easter already (so far it's a warm one) -- and my birthday too. Every now and then my birthday falls on Easter -- this is one of those years, LOL. Here's the Easter card I made for my daughter.....

Fiskars All A-Fleur Embossing Border
Bunny stamp by Embossing Arts Co (old wood mount, no longer available)
Close to My Heart Waxy Flax Amethyst
Close to My Heart Exclusive Inks Hydrangea Stamp Pad (z2129)
Close to My Heart Exclusive Inks Grey Wool Stamp Pad (z2125)
Close to My Heart Exclusive Inks Gleden Ember Marker (z2322)
Close to My Heart Exclusive Inks Watermelon Marker (z2358)
Close to My Heart Exclusive Inks Star Spangled Blue Marker (z2349)
Close to My Heart Exclusive Inks Pansy Purple Marker (z2341)
Close to My Heart Exclusive Inks Marker Citrus Leaf (z2312)
Close to My Heart Colonial White Card Stock
Close to My Heart Craft Buttons - Colonial White (from Basic set Z1206 or Holiday Z1285)
Card base is 4.5" x 5.25"
Cuttle Bug Embossing folder Swiss Dots
Cricut Cartridge Accent Essentials (Page 62, shadow and shift keys pressed)
White flocking for the bunny

Altered Art CD Card: A thing of Beauty...

SSS45 - February 27, 2010

This Altered Art card uses an old CD (you know, the free ones you get when someone is trying to sell you something).

I made it for the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge:
SSS45 - February 27, 2010 which gives you a specific pattern to follow. I had this CD laying around and was thinking today -- how can I incorporate it into a card. Then, when I went to the Sweet Stop Blog, I knew it was meant to be because the pattern included a circle with layers that would cover the center hole. Perfect! :)

Basic Supplies (PDF link at bottom):

Close to My Heart Stamp set “Thing of Beauty” (C1301)

Close to My Heart Stamp set “Cherished Flourishes" (D1413)

Close to My Heart Exclusive Inks Hydrangea Stamp Pad

Close to My Heart Colonial White Organza Ribbon (15”)

Close to My Heart Cocoa Grosgrain Ribbon (7”)

Close to My Heart CS Cocoa (6” x 12” folded in half to create card base; 2.25” x 3.25” & 2.25” x 2.2”)

Close to My Heart CS Petal (5.75” x 5.75”; 2” x 3” & 2” x 2”)

Versa Mark Ink Pad

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder “Victoria”

Martha Stewart’s Blue Topaz Fine Glitter

PSE Verdigris Embossing Powder

Distress Stickles “Broken China”

Gems in a variety of sizes and colors

Terrifically Tacky Tape (to hold CD in place)

Pop dots

You may choose to view the full directions or print them out by going to the PDF document which includes All supplies and Directions.

Mojo Monday 124 - Piece of Cake

Mojo Monday got me thinking this week...I used the CTMH February Stamp of the Month -- Piece of Cake (D1407) Stamp Set.

Supplies

Cuttle Bug -- deco squares embossing folder (not sure of the name will have to look for it)

CTMH SOTM Spring 2010 -- Piece of Cake Stamp Set (D1407)

Close to My Heart Day Dream paper packet

CTMH Exclusive Inks, Ink pads: Lilac Mist (Z2133), Sweet Leaf (Z2153), Créme Brulee (Z2167), Bubblegum (Z2109)

Colonial White crocheted Ribbon

Waterbrush (1771)

Marvy Uchida Medallion Circle Punch

Fiskars Floral border punch

Dried Flowers

Glue Dots, double-sided mounting foam

Directions

Create a (5.5" x 4.25") card base with the Daisy White in the Day Dream paper packet, sponge edges with Sweet Leaf.

Cut a piece of Sweet Leaf CS to 5.25" x 4"; run through your Cuttle Bug and attach to card base.

Stamp cake image on scrap of Daisy White CS; let dry before coloring with the waterbrush.

Attach B&T Duo paper (approx 1.5" x 2.75") to a 1.75" x 3" piece of Lilac Mist; cut another piece of B&T (2" x 2"); attach to card.

Using scraps of Blush and Daisy White, punch out medallion shapes (one each colour); sponge the white with Lilac Mist and stamp "Happy Birthday" with Lilac Mist; attach the sentiment slightly off-set on top of the blush.

Edge punch 1.5" x 4" Lilac Mist; attach Colonial White Crocheted Ribbon, then attach to card base.

Add Dried flowers with glue dot or double sided sticky mount, add another on top of that to attach the sentiment.

Attach the Cake with dimensionals/pop-dots/double-sided foam mounting tape.

Add sentiment inside as desired.

SSS42 - with love (in the round)

I don't know for some reason I'm on a pink and blue creative roll this weekend. Today's card uses Close to My Heart's Day Dream Paper Packet for the Sweet Stop challenge, which is to make a circle card. You can visit the Sweet Stop by clicking on the icon over to the left.

This is my first successful circle card...and it makes me ooooh... so much more a Cricut fan. I could not have done this without my Cricut. I tried once upon a time to create a circle card...ewwwww... it was terrible, LOL. So, I thought for sure I would bag the idea and never again make a circle card. Well along comes Cricut's Wild Card Cartridge and I thought, well maybe someday if I feel so inspired....well, I guess I felt inspired to give it another go...because this time at least it looks like a card...hahahaha.

Supplies
Cricut cartridge Wild card (Blackout Doily card, pg 52)
Cricut cartridge Accent Essentials (Circle using Accent1s, pg 32) - cut @ 4.5" (once with Close To My Heart's DayDream B&T duo paper, and once with CTMH's Lilac CS)
Cuttle Bug embossing folders - Bubbles & the border saying: with love
Fiskars All a-fleur Embossing Border Punch
Close to My Heart Exclusive Inks Bubblegum ink pad (Z2109)
Close to My Heart Exclusive Inks Lilac Mist ink pad (Z2133)
CTMH White Ricrac
Just Blooms Paper Flowers (Z1300)
CTMH Day Dream Paper packet (all B&T and CS colours used are in the packet)
Colonial White Brads (from the basic collection - Z1218)
Hollyhock Ribbon (from the Hollyhock collection - Z1122)
pop dots
Red gems

Directions
1. Using the Cricut Wild Card Cartridge and CTMH Blush CS, cut Doily on Blackout @ 4.75" to create the card base.
2. With the Cricut Accent Essentials cut a 4.5" circle using the CTMH B&T duo paper included in the Day Dream paper packet (I used the one with the crown and the frog on it).
3. Cut another circle this time using the CTMH Lilac CS -- then cut the circle in half or slightly less than 1/2. Emboss with the bubbles on the Cuttlebug
4. Using left over scrap about 1" x 4.5" use the Fiskars embossing border punch on the CTMH Sweet Leaf CS, glue to the straight edge of the Lilac CS
5. Glue white Ricrac ribbon to cover seem between Lilac and Sweet Leaf CS, folding excess to back to hide edges.
6. Glue set to left edge of card base (mine has fold at top, but it works with the fold at the side too)
7. Emboss with love on a small piece of CTMH CS, and cut to fit. Sponge with Bubblegum ink to make "pop" out; glue in place
8. Sponge the larger paper flower with the Lilac Mist and the smaller paper flower with the Bubblegum; insert brad into each, place on card using pop-dots.
9. Tie ribbon into a bow and place on card with pop dot (or glue dot)
10. Glue 3 red gems below the "with love"
11. Add sentiment to inside

February: Romance, Friendship, Love and Family -- A month of love for all!

February always brings thoughts of romance, hearts and love, but love can be the friendship kind or the family kind too. Don't forget those that may not have a romantic relationship in their life; they still need to feel loved. Here's a simple quick card for February that leaves the hearts behind, but doesn't leave the heart ♥ out of the, "I'm thinking of you today" sentiment.

Supplies

• 2.5"x4.75" Close to My Heart Card Stock, Moonstruck 1293

• 5"x11" Close to My Heart Card Stock, Desert Sand 1273

• 4.5"x5" Close to My Heart Card Stock, Barn Red X5637

• 1"x4.75" Close to My Heart Card Stock, Colonial White 1388

• 5"x5" Close to My Heart Card Stock, Colonial White 1388

• Close to My Heart Exclusive Inks, Moonstruck Z2134

• VersaMark

• Dauber Duo sponge applicator

• Close to My Heart Stamp Set, Love Language D1343

• Close to My Heart Acrylic block size 3X3

• 21" Close to My Heart Grosgrain Ribbon, Cocoa Z1100

• Close to My Heart Embossing Powder, Cocoa Z1246

• Fiskars Dandy Doodles embossing edge punch

• Cuttle Bug Embossing Folder Stylized Flowers

• Pop dots

Directions

1. Fold the Desert Sand in half creating a 5"x5.5" card base; sponge all 4 sides with Moonstruck ink using the dauber duo.

2. Stamp the Bird using VersaMard on the 5"x5" piece of Colonial White CS. Emboss with the CTMH Cocoa embossing powder; cut out (this is the most time consuming piece, you may choose to leave as a square instead and just sponge the edges).

3. Using Moonstruck and dauber duo, sponge the white areas of the tail, wing and comb.

4. Emboss the Barn Red with the Cuttle Bug Stylized Flowers folder, then sponge the edges with Moonstruck. I also sponged the flowers. Attach to the card base (fold at top).

5. Edge punch the Moonstruck CS, set aside.

6. Cut the Cocoa Grosgrain ribbon into 4 pieces -- 1 piece 6" long the other 3 pieces at 5" each. Attach the 6" piece of ribbon to the 1"x4.75" Colonial White CS, hiding the ends on the back. Attach this to the waiting Moonstruck CS. Finally, attach group to left edge of Card base with the decorative edge facing toward the center of the card.

7. Next, use the remaining pieces of ribbon to tie three different knots, trim edges as desired.

8. Now, attach bird with pop-dots. If you like add a sentiment to the front, or just place inside.

Mojo Monday 119 -- CCS13 & Cute Card Thursday

Wow! 2009 sure went quick!!! I can't believe it's already down to the last 3 days of December. In honor of sending out the year with a bang...Today's Mojo Monday card is a New Year's celebration card. You can check out Mojo Monday HERE. And I recently came across A Fairy Creative site with some great challenges to get the creative mind gears moving -- this week's challenge was to use your favorite embellishments. Oh, I just LOVE embellishments, my favorites being anything sparkle, but I love embossing, and using my punches too, and even adding extra little dangling things...ooooh, too-too hard to pick just one favorite. So, this card uses a few of them. :) ...And Cute Card Thursday has a challenge for a New Year's Card. So...on to the card let's send 2009 off with lots of fireworks and bring in the creative 2010 :) (the links to all challenges are over on the left a little ways down)



As a crafter, I tend to save things I think I will be able to use at a later time...so that's where the champagne bubble flute comes it...I don't remember where I picked these up, but I had a few left. What better time to use one, than to "Cheer" in the new year! :) I also used some tinfoil to get some glitz going in the background as well as a small snowflake charm I had "hanging" around.

For today's card I used 2nd generation stamping and aging with a piece of paper towel on the multi-text area in the circle underneath the Glittered "Happy New Year".

The embossing was all done with the Cuttle bug using only 2 embossing folders, but then sponging the edges of the pieces for more texture.

I put my Cricut to use to make the scalloped edges layer and the circles layers.

Here is a close up detail of the snowflake charm...


...and a close-up detail of the tag (created from the CTMH stamp set)



Getting ready to run off to the next activity, so if I've forgotten something just request in the comment section and I'll post as soon as I get back. Thanks! ♥


Supplies
Cuttle Bug Embossing Folders Ice Crystals and Snowflakes
Close to My Heart Tulip CS (x5753)
Close to My Heart Moonstruck CS (1293)
Close to My Heart Grey Wool CS (5571)
Tin Foil
Close to My Heart Exclusive Inks Outdoor Denim Stamp Pad (z2140)
Punch around the page Topiary (for the decorative frills above Champagne glass)
Heat & Stick Powder (Stampin' Up!)
Red Glitter
Snowflake charm
Silver stretch cording