Sympathy Swap

To me, the most difficult cards to create are Sympathy type cards. Usually it is because you may be too grieved to be creative. So, it is nice to have a few cards on hands. This was the card that I created for a Sympathy Swap using Sonata papers with the retired Natural's Cardstock, Hollyhock & Lilac Mist CS & EI, with the Friendship Blessing Stamp Set. I have a few from the swap that I may post later.

Distressing Tools Class

Have you ever wondered how to use all the tools in the Distressing Toolbox displayed on page 102 of the current catalog? You knew you wanted that darling little Toolbox but you were unsure how to use all the tools?

I decided that I would do a class for my customers that not only explained how to use these tools but they would carry away little techniques books showing the tools, instructions on how to use the tools, and any techniques associated with the tools. Yes, we will be creating a Stamping and Scrapbooking Technique Book as a reference.

Here are the pages (below) with the sample work we did in the class. You can download the document in .pdf or Microsoft Publish document here:

The page below will have an index tab on it.


We first took True Teal (my favorite of all CTMH colors (retired) and crinkled it, flattened it and then used the sanding block. Then we added the Desert Sand with sanding diagonally. Looks so cool in real life (and these colors are amazing together).

On Distressing paint, I've used the Ceramcoat with Petal re-inker on the smaller flower for a flat color and I've used Petal re-inker with Create-A-Color for a pearlized look on the larger flower. The "believe" is stamped with the Ceramcoat on black CS

The black texture tool was used on this as the background, sponged the chipboards with the sponge tool and stamped the bottom chipboard flower with SpotOn background set.

The background below is the sea sponge tool using the Cremacoat paint on Outdoor Denim CS.

It's Your Day - August Stamp of the Month Standing Swap

All of these are created with Animal Cookies Papers and Colors. Thought you would enjoy seeing all of them. The first 3 were sent by Laura Buckley. I'm not sure if Laura did all of these herself or she was also sending someone else's. First card is standard size.

Did you notice that this is a holder for a Hershey's Candy Bar?

This is an 8x31/2.

Although this looks bigger it is 2x3 card

The following is a standard size card done by Joe Ann Balles

Below is a 5x7 and I'm pretty sure this was Diane, our Hostess' card.

This is a 4.5x4.5 card (below).

Celina Little is the author of the this little 3x2 inch card.

This is my August SOTM which is a 5x7 size card

Gear Up! New Workshop

Is this just the cutest card ever! It was the creative genius of Vicki Wizniuk, a Canadian Close To My Heart Consultant! We aren't going to make that card for this workshop, but if you had the Gear Up stamp set you could!

This is a workshop that will show you how flexible CTMH stamp sets can be. I'm going to show you another way to use this stamp set (for girls only)! You probably already know what I'm talking about if you have watched the new episode of CTMH TV which can seen here. It's a fun episode about 15 minutes long. And, for those of you coming to my free workshop, I will post the projects--a set of mini notecards and envelopes in a cute little box.

July SOTM swap cards - You've Got Flair!

I have been so far behind on posting and I'm glad I am finally putting up the July Stamp of the Months. This is such a FUN set--especially for those who love to make stackable images using pop dots to separate the layers. The first card below is a standard size card by Sylvia.


Round layout is done by Kayla and comes from the Fabulous WISHES book just out! Aren't these round layouts the bomb?


The little box below (yes, it's a little box) is my swap item.


Joey's card is one of the little 3" x 2" cards. Liquid glass embellish the image.


Diane, our swap host was the creator of the "standard" size card below.

And, another darling round layout by Celina! Aren't these fun?

SOTM standing Swap - June - Tender Tags

Oh my gosh! I can't believe that it has been so long since I've posted. Well, I realized that I never posted the June SOTM - Tender Tags artwork. My June Stamp of the Month was the Hinged Card which is the post just before this one. Here are the rest of the groups artwork.

3x3 Card by Sylvia - just love those metal decorative brads!


Below is a standard size card by Laura - Don't you just love those buttons?


The card below is a 3.5" x 6" as I recall. It uses the Moon Doggie Papers.

Next is a standard size card from Joey. She has used the "rolling" technique.

Below is a standard size card by Diane, our swap host and organizer. I am so amazed at the different ideas that come from this group!


The last card, by Celina, is a standard size card. I forget how cool the monochrome side of the paper can look!

And, in the post below is my Hinge Card tutorial for my card that I posted below. Hope you enjoyed the artwork as much as I enjoyed getting these!

TTFN!

Tutorial for Hinged Card

When I first saw the "hinged" card it took me a minute to figure out what I was looking at. The first picture below shows the card closed. The second picture shows that the top half of the card swings up to reveal a message. Pretty cool huh?

The featured stamp set is the June Stamp of the Month Tender Tags using the Moondoggie papers and colors.

1. Start with a standard size piece of cardstock (CS) for the base. I used white daisy CS.

2. The bottom of the card (B&T) is 4 1/4 x 3 1/4" before punching (if not using a punched border use 4 1/4 x 3". The top part of the card (here bamboo) is 4 1/4 x 3".

3. I laid the top portion of card on the standard size piece of CS to measure where the adhesive will go for the bottom part of the card. Leave about 1/4" on the side where the hinge will pivot. Glue down the bottom portion of the card.

4. Slip the top piece of the card under the B&T and line the card up--top and bottom pieces--before punching a hole through all the layers for the brad that will make the pivoting hinge. When the brad is put thru all the layers, it will secure the top piece of CS to the card.

5. My accent piece is 2.25 x 2.25" and is adhered to the top part of the card (bamboo CS) with our 3D foam tape just slightly above top of the B&T paper so that when the card pivots upward and back down the CS slips behind the B&T and the accent piece swings over the B&T.

6. You can stamp your hidden greeting on the standard size piece of CS once you know how much of the CS will be visible after adhering the B&T paper.