April 28, 2017

Technique: Stamp Set Showdown - Part 1

Welcome back to our "A Year of Card Making Techniques" follow up posts. As every month with our hop I try to give you a little more inside in how these cards were made.

First of let's talk about the stamp set I used for this technique. Our challenge was to use one set in multiple ways. This Close to My Heart set "Hello Lovely" was sitting in my stack of stamps and since I had to do a few wedding cards I thought this was the perfect pick. Whenever you start with a set, make it easy for yourself and think of backgrounds first. Most stamps make great backgrounds. Cut yourself a few pieces of white cardstock measuring 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" which are the size of a regular card front. Stamp your background on them and later, depending on your layout and design, cut them down to the size needed for your card.

- I used one of the pre-cut cardstock piece and stamped the biggest stamp of the set along the right side. Make sure your stamp goes over the edges so it looks more random. In all my samples I used our grey ink "Whisper". To make this background look a little bit more festive I added clear glitter with a brush to the smaller grey roses.







- For the next piece I stamped the frame with "Mr&Mrs" on the cardstock randomly and again on to some post-it notes. Cut out the frame on the post-it note and cover the stamped images on the white cardstock covering them up completely. Now I used the big stamp again and stamped all over the white cardstock with the post-it notes covering my frames. I made sure I turned the stamp around multiple times and I went over the edges. With this big stamp I did had some white spaces in between so I used on of the hearts from the set and some colored ink and filled them in. Ones you remove the post-its the frames seem to sit on top of your flowers.

OK, now that I had my backgrounds done I needed to think about the card design. Since I cut the pieces of white cardstock at the same size as a regular card front, I could either leave them as cut or I could mat them, die cut them... You can trim these piece down to the desired size.

For my first card seen at the beginning of this post I trimmed the stamped image down to about 4" x 5 1/2". I used a piece of grey cardstock measuring 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" to cover my card front. 

The stamped image was centered with foam dots in the middle of the front leaving a small strip of grey on either side. I die-cut the wedding couple in a darker grey and placed white glitter paper behind the couple. The couple was raised with foam dots and placed onto the left side of the stamped image. I decided to go with a sentiment on a small piece of grey cardstock. I used watermark ink and platinum embossing powder to give it more elegance.  

For the inside I cut a piece of grey cardstock at 3 3/4" x 5" and adhered a piece of white cardstock 3 1/4" x 4 1/2" to it. I stamped the same flower image one more time on white cardstock and used the matching die-cut to cut it out. I stamped my phrase for the inside to the top so the die-cut would fit in the lower right corner.

Simple, but elegant in white, grey and a little glitter. I hope you liked this one :-)









For the second card I cut my card base at 4 1/4" x 11" folded in half. I cut another piece of 4 1/4" x 5" white cardstock which was scored at 1/2", 1", 2 1/4", 3 1/2". Accordion fold the piece and glue the 1 1/2" end to the bottom inside of the card front. The front of the card is covered in  a piece of 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" grey cardstock and my stamped background was cut down to 4" x 5 1/4" and glued in the center of the grey cardstock. 


The steps in front of the card are covered with pieces of grey cardstock matching the steps (Just cover the fronts, not the back of the steps). I die-cut the wedding couple from sorbet cardstock, the same color that was used to stamp the hearts. I added white glitter paper behind the couple and fuzzy cut around it leaving a small border around the couple. I glued the couple to the bigger step of the front so the dress is right about where the smaller step. Two matching flowers from the set as well as a little phrase and some pearls finishing off this card.


Lucky me, without having my finished card planed in my head (LOL sometimes you get lucky) the first frame of the "Mr&Mrs" sits right above their heads.

I piece of white ribbon wrapped around the top and a bow finishing off this card. If you card doesn't want to stay open, score carefully a line about 1/2" off the top of the back of the card and fold it outside. 


Well, I hope you like this little excursion into how these cards came along. Tune back in next Friday for part 2 of this series to see card two more card ideas. 
But I also would love to see you back here regular to see more cards, ideas, inspirations and news about Close to My Heart and other products.

If you have questions or like to join one of my classes, contact me I would love to hear from you.

Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think or if there is anything else you like to see here....Thanks for hopping....stay tuned 

April 26, 2017

Seasonal Expressions Book 1 is retiring soon


Our wonderful Seasonal Expressions Book 1 is retiring on April 30th, 2017. All paper packs, stamp sets and everything else will not be available anymore after April 30th. So remember to sent me you order or place your order on my website before midnight that day otherwise you will not be able to get any of these products anymore.

Here are the items that will be caring over into the next book:
Z3316 Shimmer Brush - Gold
Z3317 Thin Cuts - Basic Hearts
Z3318 Thin Cuts - Basic Circles
Z3312 Gold Glitter Gems
Z3313 Blush Shimmer Ribbon

Well, take advantage and check out May 1st post with the new Seasonal Expressions Book 2.






April 21, 2017

A Year of Card Techniques ~ April Blog Hop ~ Stamp Set Showdown!


Welcome to A Year of Card Techniques Blog Hop where each month we’ll feature a different card technique. We’ve assembled a team of fabulous card makers who range from new to advanced, so you’ll see a wide variety of cards and ideas. 


The month of April features a Showdown! A stamp set showdown, that is. We’re using one stamp set in various ways. Let’s face it, stamp sets are getting more and more expensive; so we’re here to inspire you by demonstrating how to s-t-r-e-t-c-h those stamps!

If you would like to check out our past technique hops, you can do that here: 

January-Shaving Cream Marbleizing
February-So Sketchy
March-no hop


We have an amazing sponsor this month, Wilma Payne of Fun Stamper's Journey:

Please take a moment to check out the great products Fun Stampers Journey has to offer. To visit Wilma's blog, click here and her Facebook Group here.

And the awesome prize this month is:


We really appreciate feedback, so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in the hop today. One winner will be chosen from all comments on the hop as of April 28, 2017. The winner will be announced in our May hop; so be sure to come back next month.

You should have arrived here from the wonderful Sharon. If you're visiting here first, you might want to start at the beginning so you don't miss a thing and increase your chances of winning by leaving a comment on each blog.

Here are my projects for this month. I used our Close to My Heart "Hello Lovely" stamp set.

I started out by stamping the roses bunch in "Whisper" ink, a light grey color. Two samples are covering the whole page, one sample creates a border and one is arranged in the middle. I left some of these samples plain and colored others in. I will show you more information and pictures  of each project on the next two Fridays (otherwise this post will be too long ;-) ), so don't forget to tune in ....




























































I couldn't part with the middle that I die-cut out, so I decided to turn it into an inter-logging closure.



















On the left you can see how the stamped image started. I replaced the front of the card with acetate so when you close it the stamped image appears to be intact.

I hope you liked the inspiration and techniques shown. Let me know if you have questions and don't forget to comment. I love to hear from you and maybe you are our April blog hop winner. Good Luck! 


Remember, I will have more pictures and information about each card on my follow up posts on the next two Fridays. :-)

Now you’re off to visit with my talented friend Kim. Hope you had fun and thanks for stopping by. See you next month with another technique!

Claudia



Always remember:

"Art comes from the heart.

So there is never a right way or a wrong way;
there is only YOUR WAY."


Here’s the full line-up in case you get lost:

April 7, 2017

Easter Cross Card

This is the last card of out March card classes. Sadly the camera didn't quite pick up the colors.

We used a regular white card base and adhered a piece of lavender colored cardstock 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" to the front. Next we rounded all four corners to match the next two layers.

Both frame layers were cut with the Cricut machine and are just about 1/8" different in size. To archive more depth we adhered the darker purple to the base first using foam dots. Following it the lighter purple layer also adhered with foam dots.





The cross was stamped twice on cream cardstock and fuzzy cut. They are adhered on top of each other with foam dots.

The green circle it adhered flat to the base towards the top of the card so the "Rejoice" phrase would fit underneath. We carefully stamped the phrase to the inside of the frames. Last, adhere the cross to the center of the oval and decorate with a few rhinestones. 






Stay tuned for more to come....and don't forget, April 22nd is our Year of Techniques Blog Hop again....but I will be back before :-)

April 6, 2017

One-Day Flash Sale


Super One-Day Flash Sale
The flash sales starts tomorrow, Friday, April 7! Close to My Heart is holding another one-day flash sale on our websites starting Friday, April 7 at 3:00 pm MDT (2:00 pm PDT; 4:00 pm CDT; 5:00 pm EDT) and ending at that same time on Saturday, April 8.
This sale will feature a 30% discount on selected products and product bundles from Annual Inspirations and Seasonal Expressions 1. So don't miss out on this special sale tomorrow.
I don't know what will be on sale either :-) so check out my website and see all the offers :-) Don't miss it!

April 5, 2017

Happy Easter Card with Chickadee

No Easter without a little chickadee, right? And this one is so cute. I have to admit, this is a SU stamp set, but it was just so perfect for this months class.

Due to a lot of fuzzy cutting for the other cards we made, I thought we needed something more ...well, let's say less intense ;-)


Let's start with the super difficult instructions of this card....























You will need a white card base measuring 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", a piece of white cardstock at 3 1/4" x 5 1/2", two strips of grey cardstock about 1/2" x 5 1/2" and a piece of design paper about 3/4" x 5 1/2". I picked some yellow design paper to match the rest of my colors in this card. 


All stamping was done on the extra piece of white cardstock. The phrase was stamped in grey ink and the chicken is stamped in black. To color the little chicken you can use any coloring tools you have on hand. We used alcohol markers in two shades of yellow to color in the body as well as an orange and grey marker.

To assemble the card, first adhere a grey strip flush to the top and bottom of the card. Next adhere the design paper strip to the bottom of the card leaving about 1/4" of the grey showing. Wrap some bakers twine or ribbon around the white cardstock piece before adding it with foam dots to the front of your card. Make sure it is centered so part of the design paper as well as the grey cardstock on top will show.

Add some decoration to the inside and your card is done.
How cute is this little cutie?

April 3, 2017

Easter Bunny Family Greetings

Here is our second Easter card. We used the Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month set from February.

Cute little bunny family with happy flowers and a pretty "Happy Easter" greetings.

Since Easter comes in so many colors we did mix up the card bases a little bit. We used pink, blue and yellow cardstock to create the base of this card. It is called an easel card and is pretty simple to archive.

The base is a regular 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of cardstock folded in half. We then folded the front of the card in half again, creating the little stand base. To make sure the folded part doesn't fall flat when put up we added a piece of green cardstock cut at 1" x 5 1/2"with foam dots to the inside of the card. To decorate the strip, we stamped the Easter phrase and a few little flowers to a pieces of 3/4" x 5 1/2" piece of cream cardstock. You can add this strip directly to the green strip or use more foam dots. 

To decorate the easel part of the card, we stamped the little bunny family first on brown cardstock. Then we stamped the clothing part of each bunny on some design paper. Next, yes, more fuzzy cutting again. First off, cut out the clothes and adhere them to the bunny body. Then fuzzy cut the bunnies themselves. 



The background is built from a piece of green cardstock and cream lattice (cut with the Cricut) adhered to each other. When attaching this piece to the easel part of the card front, make sure you only place adhesive on the lower part of the piece. Fold the front of the card over so it stands up and adhere the green lattice piece flush to the bottom of the easel with the rest standing up. Add your bunnies with glue and foam dots to the lattice. Make sure the bunny is flush with the side and the ears are not reaching over the edges of the base (otherwise it will not fit into your envelope). Decorate with some eggs and your card is done.

The card folds flat to be sent in the mail. The side view of the card will give you a better idea how it is folded and how items are adhered. It's a little hard to describe here ..LOL... maybe I should look into creating videos for these things.

Well I hope you like this little cute card as much as we did when we made it. The base is a great way change up your "regular" cards so give it a try.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think and if you ever tried this kind of card base....stay tuned for more to come!


April 1, 2017

15-Minute Memories! - April Constant Campaign


April 2017 Constant Campaign: 15-Minute Memories

This month our innovative new Cut Above™ layout kits are available at 50% off the retail price! That’s an incredible deal on layout kits that make memory keeping incredibly easy. Choose between two designs—Little One(Z3320) and Forever & Always(Z3319)—and then follow the simple assembly instructions to create your beautiful two-page layout in minutes. Add even more memories using the coordinating pocket cards and pocket Memory Protectors included in the kit. You’re going to love how quickly you can preserve your memories with Cut Above.
New Consultants: Anyone who signs up in April will receive their choice of either the Little One or the Forever & Always Cut Above™ Layout Kit in their New Consultant Kit at no additional cost to them!
Campaign Dates: April 1, 2017 (12:00 am MDT) – April 30, 2017 (11:59 pm MDT)

You can find this months special and more on my website .... just CLICK HERE