Friday, October 20, 2017

Embossed Rose Birthday Card

One of the benefits of using CTMH’s clear stamps is that you can see through them while you are stamping. The Beautiful You stamp set contains some fun 3-step stamps that would be nearly impossible to use without the benefit of being able to see exactly where you are stamping.


I used Bashful, Pixie and Raspberry inks to stamp the flower on this card. Because I could see through each layered stamp, I was able to perfectly stamp each color on top of the other to create the multicolored rose. The leaves are stamped with Sweet Leaf and Fern. This set also comes with coordinating Thin Cuts Dies to perfectly die cut each image as well. (LOVE the Thin Cuts!) Or if you'd rather, you can order the stamp set separately and then “fussy cut” the images with Micro-Tip Scissors.


After creating the flower, I scored and folded a piece of 4¼" x 11" White Daisy cardstock in half and then embossed the bottom ⅔ portion of the card front with the Rose Embossing Folder. I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment in Pewter ink just above the score line. (The stamp actually has a slight curve to it because it was created to coordinate with the banners in the Golden Moments Cut Above Card Kit, but because it is a clear stamp, I was able to manipulate it enough on my block to make it straight. (Gotta love CTMH’s clear stamps!)

Friday, October 13, 2017

Die Cut Camouflage Christmas Card

I am taking a great online class right now called “Merry Making” offered by onlinecardclasses.com. Yesterday’s class was all about die cuts which is what inspired this card. 


I started with a piece of patterned paper from Close to my Heart’s Silver & Gold Collection. I distressed the paper by sponging some Glacier, Juniper, and Lagoon ink on it first. I also stamped some “splats” using the Splash of Color stamp set. Then I stamped some snowflakes and swirls from the stamp that comes with the Merriest Wishes Card Kit in Pebble and Heather ink. Finally I heat embossed some stars from the First Noel stamp set and the edges of the paper with Silver Embossing Powder. (You can see what the original paper looked like, before I distressed it, in the background of my photos.)  


After creating the background paper, I used the Thin Cuts Block Alphabet dies to cut the word “JOY” from the paper. I also cut the letters 3 more times from a piece of white cardstock. I layered the white cardstock letters on top of each other to create a thick chipboard look. Then I adhered the patterned paper letters on top. After matting the patterned paper to the card base, I adhered the faux chipboard letters in the openings which created the “camouflage” effect.

I die cut a white cardstock banner shape using the medium banner from the Thin Cuts Basic Banners set, then embossed the sentiment from the First Noel stamp set with Silver Embossing Powder. I also embossed a thin strip of white cardstock with the word Christmas from the same stamp set and trimmed it so it looks like it’s tucked in under the letter “Y.” I added a few Bitty Sparkles to the tiny stars to finish off the card.


I love that the card looks so different depending on the angle. The dimension from the die cut “camouflage” letters is so much fun!

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Happy National Card Making Day


Happy National Card Making Day! I thought I would share a fun card today that I made using a combination of two card kits. The overall design was inspired by the Kind Thoughts card making kit. I also used the Circle Thin Cuts and the stamps from the Happy Day card making kit.

I embossed the Bashful cardstock with the Rose Embossing Folder and added a flower and leaves that I stamped using the Beautiful You stamp set and coordinating Thin Cuts dies. The Scallop Border Thin Cuts die was used to make the black cardstock strip.


It’s always fun to mix and match kits and products. 
Have a Happy Day!

Friday, October 6, 2017

October Project Kit - Boxed Christmas Card Kit


This month’s project kit is one of my new favorites. We will be making a set of 8 Christmas cards along with an interactive box to hold them.

This month’s local class will be on Thursday, October 26th at 7pm. If you are not local or unable to attend and would like to order a kit to be shipped directly to you, select the shipping option below. Basic kit is $30 or $40 with the Thin Cuts bundle. ($6 will be added for shipping.)

Christmas Card Boxed Card Kit - $30 or $40 with the Thin Cuts Dies
All pre-cut kits will include the following:
Add on the Thin Cuts Metal Dies for just $10 more. (You will need a die cutting machine such as a Cuttlebug or Big Shot to use the dies.)

Additional kits with no stamp set or dies are just $16.

Your kit includes the sweet Silver and Gold—Cardmaking  stamp set. (See below.)



Add the Thin Cuts Dies for just $10 extra. (see below.)


Extra supplies needed to complete the project: 

Each kit makes an interactive box with 8 cards (2 each of 4 designs.)

Watch the video below to see the project in action.



The box holds all of the cards and envelopes.



When the box is first opened, you will see Christmas card list on the inside flap. This is where you can list your recipients’ names and addresses. There is also a column for you to check off each person after you have sent them their card.



When you lift up the Christmas List flap, you will have a place to insert your cards. You can even have the front flap of one of the cards hanging over if you like to make it more decorative as seen in the photo below.


Once you take the cards out, you are left with a cute empty box that you can use again next year.


Below are the cards that you will make in this kit.
The first card has a fun diagonal front flap that looks great hanging over the inside of the box base.



This card has a die cut center that gives the card some dimension.



This card uses a slightly different version of the latest Eclipse technique to create a raised sentiment with a red shadow peeking through. 



This is the most simple of the cards, but it is my favorite. It has a cutout section in the middle like the second card, but it is much more clean and simple with the gold foil snowflake border.




All kits are now sold out. Thank you for your interest.

To find out more about my monthly “no-commitment” Creative Club, click here.
You do not need to be local to participate. *Ü*

Sunday, October 1, 2017

October Promotions

Happy October everyone! I am excited to share this month’s fabulous promotions with you!

Share a Smile




With the purchase of every Punny Pals stamp set, Close To My Heart is donating $7 of the proceeds to Operation Smile™. And, for this month only and while supplies last, you can get a coordinating set of Thin Cuts for cutting out the adorable animal shapes. Even better, we’ve built an exclusive card kit that includes the Thin Cuts along with card bases, envelopes, paper pieces, and instructions that you can use to create endearing cards that will sure enough bring a smile to anyone’s day!


1 – Thin Cuts—Punny Pals (set of 13) 
32 – 3" x 3" white card bases 
32 – 3" x 3" white envelopes 
10 – cardstock sheets (Bashful, Eggplant, Glacier, Lagoon, New England Ivy, Smoothie, Sweet Leaf, Thistle, White Daisy, Gold Glitter) 
Cutting guide and assembly instructions 
Retail Value: $48.69 
Discounted Price: $39.95 

32 – 3" x 3" white card bases 
32 – 3" x 3" white envelopes 
$9.95 

13 metal dies; coordinates with My Acrylix® 
$28.95

Punny Pals stamp set (D1751) Stamp set sold separately. 
$17.95

For Hostess: Hosting a Close To My Heart event is even more rewarding in October! When you host a party that reaches the third level of Hostess Rewards or higher (submitting your party order no later than November 5, 2017), you’ll receive a FREE Share a Smile Card Kit (CC1342) — that’s a $48.69 value, totally free! Contact me to schedule an in-home or online party.

For New Consultants: Anyone who becomes a Close To My Heart Consultant in October will receive a FREE Share a Smile Card Kit (CC1342) in their New Consultant Kit — that’s a $48.69 value, totally free! Visit my New Consultant FAQ page for more information on joining my team.

Round-up Matching: Every time you place an order, you can round your order up to the nearest dollar, giving the extra as a donation to Operation Smile™. During October, your round-up donation will go even further, because Close To My Heart will be matching all round-up donations, up to $10,000 USD!

Lucky Winners: When you participate in our Share a Smile promotion by purchasing any of these special items or rounding up your order in support of Operation Smile™ you will automatically qualify for a chance to win a not-yet-released stamp set from our upcoming 2018 Seasonal Expressions 1 idea book! We’ll be choosing winners throughout the month of October, so any time you place an order, you can be a winner!


Click here to see all of the Share a Smile Options.


* Close To My Heart will match round-up donations made in October up to $10,000 USD. Offer available October 1–October 31, 2017 while supplies last. Shipping and handling assessed on retail value.

______________________



October Stamp of the Month — Christmas Tunes





With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your D-sized Stamp of the Month set for just $5! Add the stamp set to your cart here at full retail price ($17.95) or, with your qualifying order of $50, get it for just $5!



Set of 7
Recommended My Acrylix® blocks:
2" × 2" (Y1003), 3" × 3" (Y1006), 2" × 3½" (Y1009), 4" × 5" (Y1012)

Click here or on the image below to order your Stamp of the Month.



*Stamp of the Month is only available October 1– 31, 2017.