October 31, 2016

Happy, Happy Christmas - November Close to My Heart Constant Campaign

The Happy, Happy Christmas Campaign features a workshop designed to help you have a happy, happy Christmas! This workshop is meant to help you create not only a beautiful Christmas album, just in time for the holiday season, but also to give you the materials to create four additional items that would make beautiful holiday gifts! It’s like getting five amazing projects all in one workshop!
During November, save over 10% off the retail value when you purchase one of the 12″ × 12″ album bundles (CC1179 and CC1180) for only $74.95 each! This bundle includes an exclusive guide to walk you through the steps of assembling five beautiful 2-page layouts. Add on additional items to make additional projects with your leftover materials, too! Check the different options out ...click here...

October 26, 2016

More new Thin Cuts ... Seashells and School Kids

Welcome to part II of the brand new Thin Cut reveal from Close to My Heart. These combinations of stamps and thin cuts can be ordered individually. All other thin cuts in the catalogs are only available as bundles. So if you already ordered the stamp set, this is your chance to get the matching Thin Cut. I don't mind fuzzy cutting around stamped images, but these Thin Cuts will make it so much easier and faster :-) 


Swirly Seashells 

Swirly Seashells Stamp (C1664)
Price: $ 13.95

To order....Click Here







Swirly Seashells Thin Cuts (CC1155)
Price: $ 18.95 

To order....Click Here









School Kids


School Kids Stamps (D1706)
Price: $ 17.95

To order....Click Here







School Kids Thin Cuts (CC1158)
Price: $ 15.95

To order....Click Here






Remember to order your Thin Cuts early before they are gone. 

For all annual planner lovers, the new planner inserts and combo-packs for 2017 are currently available to order. They are on a while supplies last base...so don't wait too long and they might be gone. Last years planner pages sold out very quickly and they can not be re-ordered!!! 
To see all offers for the planners .... Click Here

Stay tuned for more to come.......






October 24, 2016

NEW Thin Cuts ....Wreath, Birthday and more

Just in time for the busiest time of the card making season, Close to My Heart released some brand new "Thin Cuts". These new thin cuts coordinate with stamp sets for the Idea Book and Seasonal Book and ....they can be ordered individually. So if you already own the stamp sets, go ahead and order just the thin cuts...otherwise get them both with the same order.

 Wreath - Stamp 

Stamp Set (A1193) 
Price: $6.95

To order....Click Here




 Wreath - Thin Cut

Thin Cut (CC1157)
Price: $10.95

To order....Click Here






This wreath is really cute and I think you can used this all year long. Add a few berries for Christmas, add a few little flowers for spring and summer, add a few acorns or pumpkins for Autumn... the possibilities are endless!


Sweet Birthday - Stamp

Stamp Set (B1532)
Price: $ 9.95

To order....Click Here
Sweet Birthday - Thin Cut

Thin Cut (CC1156)
Price: $ 9.95

To order....Click Here






The birthday version is also a very versatile set. Use the little head to decorate little critters or as a border. The candle can be used for wreaths, cakes and naturally the cupcake and so much more. Love the cute little face that can go on the cup cake, or how about some cups, mugs, balloons etc... 

Check back tomorrow for more new Thin Cuts....

October 21, 2016

Autumn Door - Thankful

Finally I am caught up with my class pictures. I don't know what has happened to this year, but it sure flew by in a lightning stroke. So, welcome to the first of two October classes. 

This card actually gives you a ton of other ideas to create a card. You can cut around the door and really have it open...you can cut out parts of it like a barn door, etc...well we went down a little simpler path.


















I ran a trip of grey cardstock through my embossing machine with a brick embossing folder. The grey strip is placed on the bottom of the card front. A piece of brown cardstock is adhered directly to the front and overlapping the grey portion just a bit. Next I cut a second rectangle (about 1/4" shorter than the first on) and adhered it in the center of the first one. The door panels are cut from the same brown cardstock as the previous piece. I went around all the edges with a sponge and some chocolate ink. All panels are placed with foam dots to the card. The lower right panel also includes the door handle. I put a little brand in to create the door knob.


Two pieces of brown cardstock are cut in small strips and are adhered to the bottom of the door to create a little step. 

To decorate the card I cut both pumpkins and the leafs with my Cricut machine and placed them with adhesive to the card. A little phrase tag and the front of this card is done, well almost....

...I used colonial white cardstock as my base so the color contrast wouldn't be to harsh. But it still was a little to white for me. So I used a little sponge dauber tool to create the little speckles seen here above the pumpkin and inside the card.

I stamped my phrase on the inside and added a few more sprinkles to lighten up the inside. I hope you had fun exploring this card. Let me know if you need any help or with any other question that might occur.






October 18, 2016

Close To My Heart - NEW Everyday Life Planner 2017 is back!

Good News! The fabulous Close To My Heart "Everyday Life Planners" are back. Last years version was such a success that we ran out of pages and books within weeks. So, to make sure you will get a chance to order yours this time, here is the latest and greatest:

The planner is available in the following combinations:




The bundle includes the gorgeous sea glass faux leather album and a set of 2017 planner pages (including monthly and weekly calendars, designs to color in and pages for notes). It also includes three beautiful golden paperclips and a clear pencil bag. 
$ 31.90 (plus SH&T)










The bundle includes the black and white striped album and a set of 2017 planner pages (including monthly and weekly calendars, designs to color in and pages for notes). It also includes three beautiful golden paperclips and a clear pencil bag. 
$ 31.90 (plus SH&T)




The 2017 planner pages includes monthly and weekly calendars, designs you can color in, pages for notes and it also includes three beautiful golden paperclips and a clear pencil bag. 
$ 16.95 (plus SH&T)








All offers seen here are only available for a limited time and while supplies last!

These planner pages and bundles sold out last year very very quickly. And if you thought about getting one this time, don't wait to long. You can place an order right off my website or sent me an email....

October 17, 2016

Pets and a special Birthday Card


This was a super fun project to make in class. I had all these cute little images of dogs, cats, bunnies and even some guinea pigs.  

I picked a few different design papers to cover the front of each card. Each front piece is about 1/4" shorter than the base. I scored a square in the upper part of the paper and cut in a diagonal from one corner of the square to another creating an X-shape.

I curled back each tip to the outside and wrapped a piece of baker twine around it. I finished the string with a bow in the upper right corner.

Now I place the pet picture on the card base, lining it up with the square of the front cover. A few foam dots went on the back of the front cover to raise it up. A little stack of oval shapes and my little phrase "Well Hello" from the Sweet & Short set (A1189) are finishing of the front. A few hearts, bones or a roll of yarn as an embellishment and the front done.

 All embellishment parts are cut with one of our Close to My Heart exclusive Cricut cartridges. If you haven't heart of them yet....click here to see them all.

The newest cartridge is our "Flower Market" (Z3285) a must have for all card makers and page creators and for everyone in between. Awesome items are on this one and like with the others...700 images per cartridge!
 And like always, don't forget to decorate the inside of your card. I used a "Happy Birthday" stamp set and a little phrase to go along with is. A few more cricut cut embellishments and these little cuties are ready to be sent out.

So what do you think? Aren't they stinking cute or what? Stay tuned for more to come...


October 14, 2016

Thank You - Easel Card

This time we made an easel card in class and what better to use than a big thanks? To create an easel card you pretty much only need a regular card base of 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" scored in half so you base will be 5 1/2"x4 1/4".

Next I scored an extra line on the long side of the front, about 2" from the half fold. Fold the new score line over.

I used design paper to cover one panel on the front and the inside half. Both panels in the front are matted with some green cardstock. For the background of the "Thanks" I used plain daisy white cardstock and stamped some flourish in glacier blue ink on top. The "Thanks was adhered with foam dots to make it stand out even more. 

A little scalloped oval cut from green glitter paper and a white oval with a small phrase stamped on are adhered with foam dots to create the little catcher. 

This card folds flat to sent it out. The recipient has to fold the front panel down and place it behind the little catcher. This way the card will stand up like a display.

I hope you liked this little project and give it a try yourself. Happy crafting and stay tuned for more ideas to come...




October 12, 2016

Rose Card for a special Birthday

We don't do a try-fold card that often in class, but this pretty embossing was to good to be cut apart. I love these roses and they look so pretty all the way around the card. I used an Anna Griffin 6"x12" embossing folder and some of our Close to My Heart hollyhock cardstock paper.

First I run the paper strip through my embossing machine. The folder not only creates the embossing it also creates the folds for the try-fold with it.







Carefully fold the sides over and crease with a bone-folder. Be careful not to go over the embossed image. Next I used some white pigment ink and a sponge dauber to color over the embossed images. Depending on how often you go over the image or how much ink you use, your rose might be more or less white. Let the ink dry completely before you continue to embellish the card, otherwise you will smooch the white ink all over the place.



Next I created a few little tags that guide you along while opening the card. A piece of white cardstock with a little embellishment leaves enough room for some private notes. 


The embossing folder is really awesome and no matter what side you use for your project, they are both stunning. 

Well I hope you liked this wonderful project. Leave me a comment and tell me what you like about it. 

Stay tuned for more cute cards to come.....

October 10, 2016

Born to be Wild - Scooter Card

Here is a project I had a lot of fun with. This is a Birthday card I made for a very special family member who just got a super scooter for her birthday. Being handicapped isn't easy and when I heard about the present she got, I thought I had to make a fun card for her....and this image just hit it home :-)

So first I had this lovely stamp from Art Impressions. I stamped it on some watercolor paper twice and colored it in with my watercolor pencils. I used the second image to cut out just the scooter with I placed with foam dots on top of the first image...oh and the little basket too. Next I created the step card base and here I decided to do steps on each side. But what can you put on the side panels? Well, the racing lady need some kind of background and street to race on...so again, back to my watercolor pencils. I added the gray street portion and some green for trees and a little blue sky. 

Then I found a set of tree stamps from Close to My Heart.  The great thing about the clear stamps is that they are so flexible. I bend the tree stamp on the bottom to make it look like it tilts to the right and stamped it on my right panel. The tree on the left panel was stamped like normal (straight ;-) )

For the second steps up front I simple made two smaller panel and also colored them in in gray. The sign is floating of the scooter and hanging on with a little string that is tucked under the back of the scooter. The cat looks so scared and guess what? The recipient has cats too....coincident?

I placed a piece of with cardstock on the back for some personal words and a few rhinestones finished of this card.... Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of this card?
I had a lot of fun making this card and I know it went to a very special Birthday Girl that loved it as much as I did :-) Now I wait for a real photo of her racing through the neighborhood!
 



October 7, 2016

A Year of Card Techniques ~ October Blog Hop ~ Black Magic or Joseph's Coat

Welcome to


It is month ten of our year long journey to explore different techniques.This month we are experimenting with some ink and embossing techniques called "Joseph's Coat" or "Black Magic Technique". Either way you called it, it is a simple but very effective technique. It is a bit messy at some time, but hey we love being messy once in a while right?

I haven't tried doing my own videos yet (which will be hilarious and chaotic I am sure ;-) and might happen one of these days) but for now, here are some really good examples to explain the technique:

Black Magic Technique
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeWSlk6gDeg&index=10&list=PLs5r50_JvYWia4z4ZUKGLUzXLr1CBiWe2

Joseph's Coat (two different ways)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufB0401pSgY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjSDg8lyo1A


Oh and remember, it's not to late to hop along and comment on each blog to be entered into out prize drawing. If you missed any of the previous months, you can click on the month to be taken directly to the start of that month's hop.

January February March April May June July August September

Now let's start with the projects and what I came up with. Having a very busy month and another one coming up, I thought I make a few simple cards this time. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing bad about simple. Sometimes less is more anyway, right?


I started with the "Black Magic" and I have to say this is really an awesome


technique. I used plain black cardstock and white pigment ink from Close to My Heart. I recently saw a comparison of different white pigment inks, sadly they didn't included our CTMH one. I have to say SU and CTMH both are of the same good and vibrant intensity while some of the other one the market don't show to good on black.

So why do you have to use pigment ink and what is the difference to regular ink? Pigment ink is a very thick ink that tends to dry very slow. The ink stays on the surface of your paper and doesn't "sink" in. This makes it ideal for stamping on darker papers. Due to the thickness of the ink, it is good to use stamps that are not too detailed, because they might not show as good as they do with regular inks.

I stamped a flower design in white ink on my black cardstock and let it dry over night. This way I was sure the ink would not smudge. The next day I grabbed some coloring pencils and started coloring in the leaves and flowers. I used different shades of green, yellow-orange and pink. It is amazing how these colors pop up. I didn't want to take away form the coloring, so I simply stamped my phrases with watermark ink and used white embossing powder to make it shine. A few sequins, pears and rhinestones and I called these two done. Really simple technique, but I think awesome results. What's your take on it?

Next I tried the "Joseph's Coat"....black inky fingers here I come... I cut two pieces of white cardstock to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".

For the first one I used a couple of Ranger Distress inks in fall colors and sponged them on the cardstock. I wasn't to careful blending them, since most of the piece will be later covered in black anyway. For the second piece I used shimmer paint and water. I carefully placed three stripes of gold, green and red on my cardstock. I tried to blend the lines between each color just a bit and let it dry. 



Next I used some fall stamps, leaves, dots and acorns and watermark ink. I stamped the images randomly on the papers and covered them with clear embossing powder. Once heated and set, the areas with the clear embossed images will no longer take on ink! I started sponging brown in on the one piece, but it didn't make the leaves pop as much as
I wanted them to stand out....so I took my black ink pad and rubbed it all over both pieces. I then carefully removed some of the ink with a paper towel. 

The shimmer ink piece need a little longer to dry with the black ink on it due to the paint underneath. Once dry I was able to clean off the acorns and leaves. Don't these colors pop out? The only really hard part of these technique is to get the black ink of your fingers LOL...

Well, you can see the finished cards and I hope this will inspire you too to try something new with your inks and embossing powder. Have fun been messy and don't forget to leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.


Up next are the wonderful creations of Debbie!

Keep on crafting and don't forget to comment!
Have a wonderful day
Claudia
Here's today's line-up in case you get lost along the way


October 5, 2016

Birthday Cake Side-Step-Card

This was the last of the three cards we did in Junes class. 

It is a little more time consuming, but worth it. We used the Close to My Heart stamp of the month which was perfect for this project. The stamp creates the different layers of the cake as well as the base and the candles. 





We stamped the cake pieces ones on cream and ones on yellow colored cardstock. We kept the cream color piece as our base and just cut around the outer lines. The yellow pieces were also cut on the outer lines and in the middle too. We took some of the yellow cake pieces and placed them on the cream piece which makes the cake look like 3-D.

The candles were colored in and cut out as well. For a side-step-card you have to cut your card base partially in the center and create multiple score lines to create the steps. If you need exact measurements, please feel free to contact me.

The difficult part is to place the individual layers correctly on each step so that they will look like a cake when you place the card open on a flat surface. As you can see in the picture on the left, I started with the top part of the cake and adhered it right on the top of the back step.
Next you dry fit the lower cake level with the stand so the cakes pieces will overlap when the card is closed, but they will just but up when the card is open. Decorate the rest of the card with design papers and some phrases.

I hope you enjoyed the cards from the "past"...now we will continue to catch up with our September projects.....so stay tuned...