Oklahoma Tornado Relief Campaign

Just one of the great things about Close to My Heart is that they care.   After the recent tragedy in Oklahoma, Close to My Heart is prepared to help.  In August we have a new idea book with new products scheduled to be released.  In their desire to help out, they have released one of their new stamp sets early and are donating 100% of the profit to the American Red Cross to aid the tornado victims in Oklahoma. 

You can order this adorable stamp set from May 23rd through  June 30th and all profits will be donated.  This is a single stamp that fits a 2x2 acrylic block and it's only $2.95!  Not only will you be getting an adorable stamp, but you'll be helping those in need.  You can stop by my website here to order yours today.

Mother's Day Card

Previously, I posted a card I had made with the Simon Says Stamp May card kit as a part of the His & Hers online card class.  I kept looking at the card and I just wasn't happy with it.  So I salvaged my water-colored roses by cutting them out of the original card face and reinventing the card.

The roses are from the SSS stamp set Best Mom Ever.  I stamped them on watercolor paper and used CTMH Blush and Cotton Candy inks, along with my waterbrush to color them. I used Olive for the leaves in the same manner.    The banner is also a stamp from that set along with the sentiment. I stamped them in CTMH Black Ink on White Daisy cardstock.  I used Black Shimmer Trim from CTMH to jazz up the banner a little bit.   Since I had some sparkle on the banner I decided to add some to the roses with CTMH Prisma Glitter.    I mounted the card face on a Black cardstock top-fold card base I had cut.  A simple card with a simple design and plenty of sparkle.  It was exactly what I was looking for.  The inside sentiment simply says, "Happy Mother's Day."  

Thanks for stopping by.  For all you mothers out there, Happy Mother's Day!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Birthday Greetings for Him

I'm skipping around a bit, but on Day 2 of the His & Hers class from Online Card Classes, they featured birthday cards.  Jennifer McGuire had a real neat stamping technique that I had try.  I stamped several cards, well, the beginnings of cards..lol.   This has been a very hectic week so I didn't get but a few cards finished.  Here is my, probably more gender neutral than masculine, birthday card.

I used a leaf stamp from Harvest Happiness stamp.  I stamped the image in Whisper, Sweetleaf, Juniper, Indian Corn Blue, and Outdoor Denim.   I mounted my card face on an Outdoor Denim card base I cut to be a top-fold standard card.  The sentiment is from the Just a Number stamp set, stamped in Outdoor Denim ink.  The button was from the Outdoor Denim Mini Medley. 

I really liked the idea.  I started several more cards like this, hopefully I will get them finished and be able to share them, too.  We are going on vacation, so it may be a little while before posting.  

Thanks for stopping by!     

Sympathy for Him

Day 3 of the His & Hers class focused on sympathy cards.  I try to keep some sympathy cards on hand.  Sadly I have a need for them more often than I would like.  I do struggle with trying to keep them gender neutral at the least.  Heather Nichols had a great card that featured a little pocket on the inside to put another little card in, like a prayer card.  I thought it was a really neat idea.  Here's my "his" card.

The card ends up being a standard size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. It starts out a tri-fold.  But you secure the right side to make a pocket to hold your inside card.  I used kraft for my base.  I stamped the leaf images from the Fall Harvest stamp set in Red Barn, Olive, and Goldrush inks.  The sentiment is from Card Chatter - Sympathy stamped in Cocoa ink.  I covered my right side folded piece with a piece of New England Ivy cardstock and attached a strip of brown grosgrain ribbon.  I added two brads.  Instead of using them to secure it with I used large glue dots.  That way the ends of my brads would not be on the backside of my card.  Here's the little card inside. 

I used the same images and ink and stamped on a smaller Colonial White piece.  The sentiment on this little card is from the Family Tree stamp set.  I then stamped another sentiment from the card chatter set on the inside of the actual card itself. 

I really liked this idea.  I foresee more of these in my future.  I like the little card tucked inside.  As I was making this I was thinking of bookmarks, gift cards, or even trinket gifts in a smaller envelope that could be tucked in here for all different occasions. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Back to more homework!

Happy Scrapping! 

His and Hers

The His & Hers class from Online Card Classes has been great. I tend to have a little trouble making masculine cards.   They make it look so easy!

Day 1, they featured  "Thinking of You" cards.  Here is my take on a couple of their designs.  The first one was a based on a sketch from Kristina Werner.

His:

I found some papers in my stash that worked for the masculine theme.  The only thing stamped was the sentiment from Simon Says Stamp.  The card base is CTMH Saddle cardstock and the patterned papers, I think, are Colorbok.  I inked all my edges with Saddle as well.  The little star is a from Color-Ready Trinkets Wooden Shapes.  I just left it natural. 

The card below was adapted from the same sketch.  The stamp is from the SSS kit of the month and I stamped it on watercolor paper.  I used Blush and Cotton Candy inks from CTMH with my waterbrush to color the roses.  I stamped the sentiment in versamark and then embossed it in white.  I colored a little piece of the watercolor papers with the same inks and then punched out the heart.  I coated it with liquid glass and attached it on my vellum strip.  

Hers:

The card below  was adapted from a card by Lisa Spangler. I used the same papers from my first card.  I liked the idea of using the negative space for the sentiment.  I thought the card needed a little color, so I found scrap piece from my stash and cut out the sentiment on my Silhouette.  I inked all the edges with Saddle,  used some hemp twine, and added three copper toned brads.  

That's it for tonight. I'll be working on some more cards.  I can never keep up with class, but I do enjoy the challenge.  Thanks for stopping by.  Hopefully, I'll have more homework done tomorrow. 

Happy Scrapping!

Buzz and Bumble Additional Layouts Workshop

Out of the new papers for the Spring/Summer catalog, the three that came out on top for me were Chantilly, Claire, and Buzz and Bumble.  I'm usually a really bright-color girl, but there is something that draws me to the Buzz and Bumble, too.  I especially loved the Workshop on the Go kit for that paper pack.  The antique seed pack and the flowers just sucked me right in.   I liked the page designs that were featured in the WotG kit, but I wanted more.  With the addition of just a few extra sheets of cardstock and a Wooden Mini Medley I was able to get the two featured layouts and three additional two page layouts from the kit.

Embellishments for these layouts were made using the stamp set that comes in the WotG, but could easily be replaced with the Buzz and Bumble My Stickease that compliments the paper pack.  After making the five 2-page layouts, I still had quite a bit of paper left to use in other projects.

The instructions, with cutting guide,  for these additional layouts are available with any purchase from the Buzz and Bumble line (WotG kit, paper pack, My Stickease, or Buzz and Bumble assortment).  After making a purchase, simply send me an email and I will send you the files (approximately 8 mb). Be sure to put "Buzz and Bumble Workshop" in the subject line.   When you make a purchase through my website, be sure to join the Mystery Hostess Gathering for a chance to receive $25 in hostess rewards.  For every $25 you spend, you will be entered into the drawing at the end of the month.

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy Scrapping!

Dream Pop Birthday Card

May is National Scrapbooking month and Close to My Heart will be celebrating.  Although we are not there yet, I thought I would share what's coming up.   Beginning May 1st, you will be able to order a spectacular paper pack called Dream Pop.  The colors in this paper are so bright and cheery.  They are simply irresistible.   I have great plans for this paper, but I just couldn't help myself , so I made a card..lol.  So here's a sneak peek at some of the Dream Pop papers I used.  Aren't they just fun?

I started with a standard sized top fold card base.  The little girl is Sweet Kiki LaRue from CC Designs.  I thought she was adorable. I colored her with copics to match the paper.  The sentiment is from the Cricut Collection stamp set that comes with the Art Philosophy cartridge.  I added some grey and white baker's twine and a little button from the retired Honey Mini Medley set.   It's hard to tell from the picture, but I coated her shoes and the cherry with liquid glass and her ice cream with Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel.  

I thought it turned out pretty cute.  Because this one has a button, I will be entering it in the Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog as well.  

The Dream Pop papers will be available for only $10 with a $35 qualifying order beginning May 1st through May 31st.  This set has 12 sheets of embossed cardstock and 12 sheets of B&T Duos which are only available for this promotion.  You'll hear more about the Dream Pop collection closer to it's debut, so keep checking back. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy Scrapping!