Welcome to our April Blog Hop featuring artwork created using the CTMH Feels Like Home collection. To purchase any of the items seen in our blog hop today, contact your local consultant to place an order.
We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our viewers….whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn …. by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see. Thank you.
Now on to our hop! As this is a circular hop, if you’ve just hopped onto my blog, then you are starting in Alberta and will work your way out to B.C., then loop back to the East Coast. However, if you want to follow us across Canada, then you can start at the beginning by clicking here to go to Michelle’s page in Nova Scotia. If you came from Jessica’s page then you are in the right place!
Today, we are creating with Close To My Heart’s “Feels Like Home” collection, which is the fourth and final collection in the Seasonal Expressions 1 Idea Book and catalogue. You can find the collection beginning on page 56.
This month, I am showing you a 2-page layout that I created (using ideas from two older layouts that I had kept in my “Ideas” file) for one of my upcoming scrapbook workshops. It makes use of a lot of florals (which I love!) to add dimension and detail to an otherwise very quick and simple layout. No stamping necessary! All of the sentiments, titles and other pics/tags were fussy cut from the Cut Apart sheet in the paper pack. All of the Sugarplum/Charcoal and White Daisy/Sapphire flowers were cut on the Cricut using the Artistry collection.
You can see in this close up that I gently rolled the top, Charcoal layer of the flowers for even more dimension!
Even though I did not do any stamping for this project, the Feels Like Home collection includes some beautiful stamp sets. You can see the scrapbooking set here, and the cardmaking set here, on my shopping site:
Supplies used in this layout:
X7243B Feels Like Home paper pack
X6028 Black card stock
X5989 Sugarplum card stock
X5999 Charcoal card stock
X6028 White Daisy card stock
X6021 Sapphire card stock
Z4194 White & Gold Skinny Ribbon
Z4192 Sugarplum Glitter Gems
Z3298 Artistry Cricut Collection (see here for more details)
Thanks for hopping along with us! I hope we’ve inspired you to get creative using some of the designs, products and techniques featuring the Feels Like Home collection. For more inspiration, please join us again next month when we will be featuring artwork from the brand new Seasonal Expressions 2 using the “Sweet Girl”collection. Mark your calendars for May 10th so you can hop along with us again.
Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is Kristine. If you get lost along the way, you can head to Michelle’s page, as she has the complete hop list.
This blog hop is one big circle, so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork. Just keep clicking the link in each post to go to the next page. The page just before me is Michelle Robinson’s so if you are coming from there, you are on the right track! From here you’ll visit Catherine Nowak’s page. In case you get lost, you can get a complete list of participants at the bottom of this post.
Each month, this group shares with you a different technique featuring Close To My Heart products. This month 8 of us are showcasing how to incorporate different types of embossing into your paper crafting projects. I found a terrific website that lists four of the major types of embossing and the necessary terminology.
Embossing Terminology
Chipboard – A light cardboard that can be used as a base for embossed patterns. Chipboard is similar to the thin cardboard used to make cereal boxes, and it’s a great material to use if you want to add some depth and texture to your paper crafts.
Dry Embossing – Also called “relief embossing”, dry embossing is done by tracing a stencil with a stylus in order to create a raised pattern.
Embossing Ink – A thick, slow-drying ink used in heat embossing.
Embossing Powder – A fast-melting powder often used in heat embossing. Embossing powder is sprinkled on a stamped design and melted using a heat gun to create a raised pattern.
Heat Embossing – An embossing technique that creates a raised pattern using a stamp, embossing ink, embossing powder, and a heat source.
Heat Gun – A tool that directs high heat to a small area without producing air. Used for melting embossing powder during heat embossing.
Sandwich – Not to be confused with an edible sandwich! Crafting sandwiches are used in die-cutting. They consist of a base, plate, shim, die, paper, and a cutting plate, and result in a die-cut.
Light Box – A back-lit frame with a translucent plastic face, used to transmit light through an image for the purpose of tracing. In embossing, it’s frequently used to view the stencil lines under the sheet of paper. You can also use a bright window.
Relief Embossing – See “Dry Embossing”.
Stencil – A template made by cutting a design into stiff paper, plastic, cardboard, or metal, commonly used in dry embossing. You can easily make your own stencil using a die-cutting machine.
Stylus – A pen-like instrument used often used in dry embossing.
This month I will be showing you a project that I created using one of CTMH’s newer embossing folders “Playful Scallops”. As you can see by the photo below, to really make the embossed ridges show up, I used a distressing block to rough up the surface and reveal the white core of the card stock. As I was adding the layers of paper, it seemed to make sense to distress other layers as well, so I used the same distressing block to rough up the edges of the black diamond patterned paper, and then inked the edges of the Bluebird/White Daisy diamond-patterned paper with Sapphire. See below for a complete list of supplies used to create this project.
List of Materials used in this project:
Sapphire Exclusive Inks stamp pad Z2848
Lagoon Exclusive Inks stamp pad Z2895
Ruby Exclusive Inks stamp pad Z2870
Heather Exclusive Inks stamp pad Z2826
Bluebird card stock X5987
Linen card stock X6009
Mix-in paper packet (2018-retired*Sorry, it was the only one I could find that I liked!)
I Heart Us paper packet X7242B
Something Fierce – Cardmaking C1749
Silver Embellishing Thread Z4213
Playful Scallops Embossing Folder Z4231
For a special add-on project, I have a project which I created using white embossing powder, White Daisy pigment ink and vellum paper. I love the effect this technique has and it’s so simple! After stamping with the pigment ink, directly on the vellum paper, add the embossing powder and heat. Once the vellum has cooled, turn it over and add your colour to the back. I like using the Shin Han Alcohol Markers, as their colours are so vibrant. One thing to remember is that this technique does not lend itself to shading or blending. Straight colouring is best. After that you can fussy cut your images and voila!
List of Materials used in this project:
Sapphire Exclusive Inks stamp pad Z2848
White Daisy Pigment Exclusive Inks stamp pad Z2863
Sapphire card stock X6021
Mint card stock X5986
Something Fierce paper packet X7240B
Vellum Paper Z3367
“Sticky Notes” C1751
Stitched Circles Thin Cuts Z4181
Red Shimmer Brush Z4223
Shin Han Alcohol Markers: Brick Brown, Carmine, Melon Yellow, Yellow Green & Sap Green
“Embossing adds interesting texture to your paper crafts and can make any amateur crafting project look polished and professional. It’s a simple way to add a new visual element to your design without worrying about incorporating new colors, patterns, or embellishments. And with a little bit of practice, you can emboss like a boss too!
Thank you so much for stopping by! If you noticed something you want to see more of, you can see all of the products used on my CTMH shopping site: here. If you have any questions about the projects or techniques used here, or you’d just like to tell me what you thought of the projects, feel free to leave me a comment below or email here. I’d love to hear from you!
After that, keep following the links in each post and check out what we have to share with you. I hope you enjoy your time with us, see some cool projects and get some terrific tips and ideas!
Now…go see what great stuff Catherine has to share with you and happy crafting!
Welcome to our March Blog Hop featuring artwork created using the CTMH So Much Happy collection. To purchase any of the items seen in our blog hop today, contact your local consultant to place an order.
We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our viewers….whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn …. by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see. Thank you.
Now on to our hop! As this is a circular hop, if you’ve just hopped onto my blog, then you are starting in Alberta and will work your way out to B.C., then loop back to the East Coast. However, if you want to follow us across Canada, then you can start at the beginning by clicking hereto go to Michelle’s page in Nova Scotia. If you came from Janet’s page then you are in the right place!
Today, we are creating with Close To My Heart’s “So Much Happy” collection, which is the third collection in the Seasonal Expressions 1 Idea Book and catalogue. You can find the collection beginning on page 46.
The idea for my project this month started with the CTMH Stamp of the Month “This Happened”. Every month I offer a free kit to anyone that purchases the SOTM. Last month I did a layout and I didn’t want to repeat myself. So I looked around for another way to use the stamp set and this is what I came up with.
It’s a one-page wonder mini album!
The project had to be relatively simple and easy for me to reproduce. It also needed to focus on making use of the stamp set. The white/yellow flowers on a grey background, paired with the happy Lemon yellow (from the So Much Happy collection), was perfect! This little cutie also features a few of CTMH’s Thin Cuts to give it added dimension, but keep it from getting too thick. The overall measurements when closed are: 4″ high x 4 1/4″ wide x 1/2″ thick. It will accommodate 5 – 4″ x 4″ photos if replicated as shown.
To shop this look, you can see everything listed below at my CTMH shopping site, here.
Supplies used in this layout:
X7241B So Much Happy paper pack
X6007 Lemon card stock
X6007 Lagoon card stock
X6010 Mink card stock
X6028 White Daisy card stock
X6021 Sapphire card stock
Z4241 Decorative Borders Thin Cuts
Z4182 Stitched Hearts Thin Cuts
Z4181 Stitched Circles Thin Cuts
Z4259 Stitched Square Frames Thin Cuts
Z2848 Sapphire Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2895 Lagoon Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2808 Lemon Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z4221 Mink Twine
Thanks for hopping along with us! I hope we’ve inspired you to get creative using some of the designs, products and techniques featuring the So Much Happy collection. For more inspiration, please join us again next month when we will be featuring artwork using the “Feels Like Home”collection. Mark your calendars for April 10th so you can hop along with us again.
Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is Kristine . If you get lost along the way, you can head to Michelle’s page, as she has the complete hop list.
Just shaking things up this month! It’s been a while since we’ve looked at mini albums, and this one is so much fun. The entire thing is made from only one sheet of double-sided paper. I used a sheet from the CTMH “So Much Happy” collection, which is definitely the case!
When you order the March 2019 Stamp of the Month, “This Happened”, you will receive everything you need to make this little puppy, including all the little embellishments. Pretty good deal. Right? You can order the stamp set by itself for $24.75 (+shipping/GST) or, if you place a minimum $50 order any time during the month of March, you only pay $6.00.
NO LYING!!!
When you receive your FREE kit everything is ready to assemble. All you add is adhesive. And some stamping with your new stamp set of course! Plus, you will get the directions for this cutie, so you can make many more of them if you like. Finished dimensions: 4″ high x 4 1/4″ wide x 1/2″ deep (approximately). Room for lots of photos!
Celebrate our 35 year milestone with week-long savings on the incredible Workspace Wonder™ line. This customizable system allows you to stack individual components into a configuration that is just right for you! Choose from any of the bundles below or buy components individually.
The Workspace Wonder Bundles
Carousel Bundle (CCFS28
Mini Stamp Pad Stack Bundle CCFS16
Small Stamp Pad Stack Bundle CCFS18
Medium Stamp Pad Stack Bundle CCFS22
Large Stamp Pad Stack Bundle CCFS25
Ultimate Stamp Pad Stack Bundle CCFS19
Mini Marker Stack Bundle CCFS17
Small Marker Stack Bundle CCFS20
Medium Marker Stack Bundle CCFS21
Large Marker Stack Bundle CCFS24
Paper Tray Bundle CCFS27
Ribbon Organizer Bundle CCFS29
Tool Cubby Bundle CCFS23
Large Tool Cubby Bundle CCFS26
The Workspace Wonder Bundle Details:
These bundles are only available during the sale period!
Each bundle is 35% off the regular price.
Shipping is always calculated using the full retail price.
You can see a list of what’s included in each bundle when you click on the blue button below.
I will be submitting a group order on Monday, February 25th at 3:00 pm. If you would like to save a bit on shipping, send me your order before then and I will add it to the others! Email to [email protected]
Someone told me there MAY be a FLASH SALE coming up tomorrow afternoon. Stay tuned for 3:00 pm Monday, February 18, 2019. There MAY be some amazing deals to be had!
This blog hop is one big circle, so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork. Just keep clicking the link in each post to go to the next page. The page just before me is Maz Wood’s so if you are coming from there, you are on the right track! From here you’ll visit Danielle Wagner’s page. In case you get lost, you can get a complete list of participants at the bottom of this post.
Each month, this group shares with you a different technique featuring Close To My Heart products. This month 16 of us are showcasing how to incorporate different types of layering into your paper crafting projects. Layering can come in many forms: layering paper on paper, layering different types of mediums, layering embellishments on paper, layering die cuts and embossing impressions onto paper, etc. Layering is a very common, and easy to accomplish, technique found in all forms of paper crafting!
This month I decided to create two cards, each with very different types of layering. This first card is all about layering paper. Patterned paper, glitter paper and card stock. Once I had everything in place, I decided to also layer one small stamp in the corner of the heart. It just seemed to work! See below for the list of supplies used to create this project.
List of Materials used in this project:
Charcoal exclusive inks stamp pad Z2831
Black exclusive inks stamp pad Z2805
Charcoal card stock X5999
White Daisy card stock X6027
Mix-in paper packet X9003
I Heart Us paper packet X7242B
Red Glitter paper Z324
Paper Pal Pets stamp set & Thin Cuts Z4268
Paw Prints on My Heart C1770
Shaker Window Thin Cuts Z4309
Basic Hearts Thin Cuts Z3317
Stitched Hearts Thin Cuts Z4182
Basic Hearts Thin Cuts Z3317
For the second card, I decided to focus on different types of media for layering (with some card stock layering added in for good measure)😉 I had seen another card done with the barn door and just loved the colour combination they had used, so that’s where I started. After cutting the Ruby base card stock to 5 1/4″ by 4″, I used a stencil from my stash to layer on opaque, matte texture paste. I didn’t want to lose the intensity of colour, so after it dried, I sprayed on a layer of water and Espresso re-inker mixed together. While that was drying, I stamped the barn door, handle & “Hello” sign. The door is stamped with Heather ink on Mink card stock. The sign is black ink on the dark side of the Mink card stock. I layered the twine on the barn door, and then added the sign on top of that. Once the base was dry, I assembled everything, popping up the centre, Ruby, piece.
Because this card didn’t really have a specific sentiment on the front, I decided to add one to the inside. I love the sprigs of leaves, as they match the sign on the front of the card, so I added those after stamping the sentiment.
List of Materials used in this project:
Black exclusive inks stamp pad Z2805
Heather exclusive inks stamp pad Z2826
Ruby exclusive inks stamp pad Z2870
Espresso Re-inker Z2729
Black card stock X6028
Ruby card stock X6019
Mink card stock X6010
Heart & Home stamp set C1750
Opaque Matte Texture Paste Z4245
Palette Knife Z4247
Mink Twine Z4221
Thank you so much for stopping by! If you noticed something you want to see more of, you can see all of the products used on my CTMH shopping site: here. If you have any questions about the projects or techniques used here, or you’d just like to tell me what you thought of the projects, feel free to leave me a comment below or email here. I’d love to hear from you!
After that, keep following the links in each post and check out what we have to share with you. I hope you enjoy your time with us, see some cool projects and get some terrific tips and ideas!
Now…go see what Danielle Wagner has to share with you and happy crafting!
Welcome to our February Blog Hop featuring artwork created using the CTMH I Heart Us collection. To purchase any of the items seen in our blog hop today, contact your local consultant to place an order.
We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our viewers….whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn …. by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see. Thank you.
Now on to our hop! As this is a circular hop, if you’ve just hopped onto my blog, then you are starting in Alberta and will work your way out to B.C., then loop back to the East Coast. However, if you want to follow us across Canada, then you can start at the beginning by clicking hereto go to Michelle’s page in Nova Scotia. If you came from Janet’s page then you are in the right place!
Today, we are creating with Close To My Heart’s “I Heart Us” collection, which is the second collection in the Seasonal Expressions 1 Idea Book and catalogue. You can find the collection beginning on page 36.
I began with a page sketch that I had saved on Pinterest a while back. I have a lot of sketches pinned onto my “Sketchy Sketchy” board. You can check them out here. If you have any other sketches that you love, feel free to send them to me and I’ll be happy to add them to the board!
This layout was designed to use at my monthly paper crafting workshop. I wanted the ladies to get a feel for the cut-apart sheets, as well as highlight a couple of the dies in the Decorative Borders thin cuts set. The grouping of flowers on the right page come from the I Heart Us – Cardmaking stamp set, and were stamped with Intense Black ink, coloured using our watercolour pencils, then fussy cut. The two yellow flowers by the journaling strips, were stamped with Canary ink and then fussy cut. We finished off with a few detail pieces from the I Heart Us Complements and the I Heart Us Sequins. Now to find some cheerful photos to add!
CTMH I Heart Us layout
To shop this look, you can see everything listed below at my CTMH shopping site, here.
Supplies used in this layout:
X7242B I Heart Us paper
X7242C I Heart Us Complements
Z4270 I Heart Us Sequins
X5998 Canary card stock
X6007 Lagoon card stock
X5987 Bluebird card stock
Z4242 Watercolour Pencils
Z4241 Decorative Borders Thin Cuts
Z4189 Intense Black Ink Pad
Z4823 Canary Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Thanks for hopping along with us! I hope we’ve inspired you to get creative using some of the designs, products and techniques featuring the I Heart Us collection. For more inspiration, please join us again next month when we will be featuring artwork using the “So Much Happy”collection. Mark your calendars for March 10th so you can hop along with us again.
Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is Kristine . If you get lost along the way, you can head to Michelle’s page, as she has the complete hop list.
