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Lovely Layers- CTMH Technique Blog Hop

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Welcome to our February Blog Hop!

CTMH Technique Blog Hop February 2019

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!

Until next time

Valerie

List of Participants:

Melissa Robinson
Catherine Nowak
Miss. Carrie’s Creations
Michelle Loncar
Marciava Beretervide Warrell
Michelle Johns
Haley Dyer
Debi McBain
Darlys Recker
Lauren Moore
Maz Wood
Valerie Kapsha YOU ARE HERE!
Danielle Wagner
Katy Taylor
Terry Metzger
Tamara Sandwisch

February 2019 Cross Canada Blog Hop

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I Heart Us

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 February workshop layout
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.

February Stamp of the Month FREE Kit

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I’m very happy to unveil the contents of the February FREE kit that goes to anyone that purchases the Stamp of the Month “Heartfelt Sentiments”.

Here is the stamp set. DO NOT be discouraged! I know exactly what you’re thinking: I will never use this stamp set. But take a peek at the two-page layout that will be yours, and how easy it was to incorporate this stamp into the layout.

CTMH February 2019 Stamp of the Month
CTMH SOTM Heartfelt Sentiments Free Layout Kit
Convinced yet? Take a closer look!

And even better? The whole thing (not including colouring the two flowers with leaves) took me about 20 minutes to assemble and colour.

The kit will arrive with a full colour, step-by-step set of instructions, including the technique I used to colour in the large stamped sentiment on the left page.

So. You know that you can buy this stamp set outright for $24.75 (plus shipping & GST), but did you know that if you place a minimum $50 CTMH order with me, any time during the month of February, you can just put $18.75 back in your wallet, because all you have to pay is $6.00! AND you get the kit for FREE? This is the first time I have offered a two-page layout in my FREE kit, so I know you do not want to miss out. To order, you can contact me at [email protected] Or, if you’d like your order delivered directly to your door (except the kit, which comes from me), you can click on the button below to head over to my CTMH shopping site.

I want to shop!

Until next time

Valerie

January SOTM Free Kit!

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Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and made lots of memories to record!

I wanted to start off the year with a FREEBIE!

You’ve probably noticed the picture on my Home Page, of the January Stamp of the Month “Card Captions”

CTMH SOTM JANUARY 2019

Definitely a winner. I can see this stamp set going right into my Evernote database and never leaving!! And to get you off to a roaring start actually using this stamp set, I’ve created three cards for this month’s FREE kit.

“Card Captions” Free Kit

As always, when you receive your new stamp set, you will also receive everything you need to create these three cards, along with colour pics and instructions.

Don’t forget: THIS KIT IS ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY 31, 2019!

Until next time

Valerie

CTMH Seasonal Expressions 1 Open House

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The launch of our Close To My Heart 2019 Seasonal Expressions 1 Idea Book and Catalogue is just around the corner. In fact, the catalogue itself will be going live for everyone on January 1, 2019! Interested in getting an up-close look at all the goodness?

CTMH 2019 Seasonal Expressions 1 Cover
CTMH 2019 Seasonal Expressions 1 Cover

What’s Inside?

On top of four new amazing collections, you will find new layouts in our SUBSCRIPTION PROGRAM: Craft With Heart, new Picture My Life collections, new THIN CUTS, more Story by Stacy,  new stamp sets and lots, lots more.

There will definitely be lots to see! Display items and samples, a make-and-take, thank you gift, door prizes, vintage items clear out, Seasonal Expressions 1 Idea Books for you to take home, and much more!

Where & When?

I’ve gone back to a two-day format so you have a choice:

Saturday, January 5, 2019 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM or

Sunday, January 6, 2019 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

As usual, I will have everything set up in my studio (well I MIGHT just have to spread out a little😉) in NW Calgary. You can message me for the address, if you don’t already have it.

So, mark your calendars now and call up a friend. If you’ve attended one of my open houses in the past, you KNOW you do not want to miss out!!

R.S.V.P. PLEASE!

It’s a huge help to me if I have a rough idea how many people will be attending. After all, you wouldn’t want me to run out of cookies would you??

You can RSVP right on the event page, which is HERE. Once on the event page, scroll down to just below the image and you can make your selection.

12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

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12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style! 

Day 12 – Sunday, December 23, 2018

Christmas Luminaries

Well, we made it! Here we are on Day 12, the last day of my 12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style! It’s been a lot of fun putting these projects together and doing the research. I have especially enjoyed offering you some spectacular offers almost every day.

Deciding on the topic for our final day was tough. After looking through A LOT of ideas, I finally decided on Christmas Luminaries (or Lanterns). In my research, I came across many, many types of luminaries, not all paper, so I’ll start with those and then finish off with the paper ones.

Just a couple of tips before we start:

  1. If you need to add a bit of weight to your finished project, you can use sand or small stones in the bottom of your luminaries. It’s very easy to place the tea light/votive on top of that layer.
  2. If you are using paper luminaries, please remember to use the battery-operated tea lights/votives. We don’t need any fires over the Christmas Season.

Okay, here we go!

THE HISTORY OF LUMINARIES

I stumbled across an interesting article which talks about the origins of this tradition in the southern states in the US.

“The traditional luminary consists of a small brown paper bag, a small candle and a little bit of sand to weigh down the bottom of the bag in case of wind, etc. When entire neighborhoods participate in the tradition, it makes for an elaborate and beautiful visual display…people will come from miles around to drive through our neighborhood and enjoy the experience.

The luminary tradition is very popular in the Southwestern states of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Historically, the tradition started some time during 16th century as a Spanish tradition of lighting bonfires along roadsides and churchyards to help guide people to Midnight Mass on the final night of the celebration of “Las Posadas.”

To find out more, check out the website below:

The History of Luminaries

GLASS LUMINARIES

Mason Jar Luminaries

Quite a variety of ideas to choose from!

Video Tutorial for Hand-Drawn Glass Jar Luminaries

Mason Jar Luminaries in White

A bit of a different take on the previous idea!

Jar Luminaries Using Epsom Salts!

You are going to love how easy these are and how gorgeous when they are finished!

5-Minute Glass Jar Luminaries

Yup. You read right. 5 minutes!

LUMINARIES MADE WITH OTHER MATERIALS

Clay Christmas Tree Luminaries

You can easily save these and bring them out year after year.

Luminaries Using Up-cycled Materials

You will not believe how easy these are to make!

Luminaries Made From Cans

 

 

PAPER BAG LUMINARIES

Luminaria Bags in Red and White

This project makes use of punch-anywhere type punches.

Flame-Resistant Paper Bag Luminaries

Believe it or not, you can actually buy these on Etsy! They are made using white bags that are flame resistant, and come in a variety of patterns.

 

 

 

Paper Bag Luminaries with Clear Windows

These are quite different, and kid friendly!

 

Step-by-Step Luminary Instruction for Paper Lunch Bags

OTHER PAPER LUMINARIES

Paper Luminaries

This is a very quick tutorial (under a minute!)

… and here is a link for the template:  Luminary Template

Mini Luminary with a Template

Another kid friendly project, this one supplies a template and step-by-step instructions. The sample is done for Halloween, but it would be very simple to substitute Christmas/Winter themed images!

Paper Star Luminaries

and here is the template:

Download Template Pattern Here

Cricut-Cut Paper Luminaries

Not much to say about these beauties! If you have Cricut Design Space, you can access everything you need to create them. If you own the CTMH Cricut cartridge “Artbooking”, there is no end to the patterns that you can use to create your very own luminary.

 

Well that’s it for luminaries! I think you should find something you like within all of these ideas. One last thought: If you have young ones that are restless and don’t know what to do with themselves (already), put them to work making one of the ideas you see here.

Now for the fun part! Tonight’s extra-special offer is in two parts:

  1. If you have Design Space (and a Cricut Explore Air or Maker) you will love this. The digital Artbooking Collection is available to purchase on my website, and you can have a look at the details HERE. From now until MIDNIGHT, Monday night, December 24th I am offering you a whopping 40% discount on the advertised price!
  2. Also until MIDNIGHT, Monday night, December 24th, feel free to browse back through any or all 12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style! and revisit the special offer for that/those day(s). THEY ARE ALL IN EFFECT NOW!!! *To find past posts, from the Home page, scroll to the bottom. They are all listed on the left side*

The fine print:

  • You have to order directly through me to get the extra special pricing. You CANNOT order on my shopping site!
  • Shipping, as always, is calculated on the full retail price.
  • You have to order by MIDNIGHT on Monday, December 24, 2018.

Finally, from our (Stephen, Valerie, Ahyoka & Yazhi) house to yours, we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and hope that your Christmas will be filled with joy, love, health, happiness, prosperity and new memories! Big Christmas Hugs to you all!

Until next time

Valerie

 

12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

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12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style! 

Day 11 – Saturday, December 22, 2018

Unusual Gift Tags

One thing I realized when looking for unique gift tags, is that this could be considered an art form! And while I really enjoyed looking through all the beautiful pics, I probably would never actually make a tag this complex, because I WOULD NEVER GIVE IT AWAY!!!

Anyhow, I chose my top 11 tags (since we are on Day 11) and then added on some Honourable Mentions at the end. Many of them have links to the directions, which I added wherever possible. Hope you enjoy!

Lawn Fawn – Stitched

Rosette Snowman

 

Texture Paste Snow

 

Embossing with Clear Acetate

Shabby Chic

Using Layered Heat Embossing & Mixed Media

Using Foil With Die Cuts

 

 

Using a Punch to Make a Tree

 

Using Clear Acetate and Layering

Using Zip Strips

 

Honourable Mentions

Even though these tags didn’t make it into the top 11, they still deserve some attention. Some did not have links to the directions. Others were in a language other than English.

 

Now for the fun part! If you head on over to my shopping site and search on the word “tags”, you can order ANYTHING that comes up on that list AT A 50% DISCOUNT! No you did not misread. I did indeed say 50%!!!

The fine print:

  • You have to order directly through me to get the extra special pricing. You CANNOT order on my shopping site!
  • Shipping, as always, is calculated on the full retail price.
  • You have to order by 8:00 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2018. All bets are off after that!

Until next time

Valerie

12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

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12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style! 

Day 10 – Friday, December 21, 2018

Thank You Cards for Christmas Gifts

I recently read this on the American Greetings website:

“The Christmas celebrations and festivities are over, you’ve had your fill of eggnog and carols, and it’s time to tackle your to-do list for the new year. At the top of that list? Writing thank you notes for (the) Christmas gifts you received.”

I don’t know about you, but I never really gave much thought to this before, so I read on:

“If you’re feeling tempted to make an informal resolution to procrastinate indefinitely on this task, you’re not alone. But it’s really easier to accomplish than you think. We’ve got lots of ideas for you to pick and choose from, and you can use them as jump-starters for your own personal messages, or find a line or two that work perfectly for your particular situation. With the suggestions offered below, we’ll get you through this in no time!”

Huh. Who knew? Well I spent some more time reading and have discovered a lot of information when it comes to writing thank you cards after Christmas. Want to find out more? Read on!

  1. Here is the link for the American Greetings website. They have A LOT of ideas and information for you to access.
  2. I found thank you cards that kids can make over at Teaching Mama:
  3. You can see personalized thank you cards over at MadinBelgrade
  4. WHAT to write in thank you cards at Hallmark  and The Courier Journal
  5. Free templates for kids’ thank you cards at Genesis Sandbox and Mimi’s Dollhouse
  6. Images you can use on thank you cards on Pinterest
  7. Funny thank you card ideas on Etsy (there is a charge for these!)

So. After reading ALL of this, will YOU be writing thank you cards after Christmas? Tell us in the comments. We’d love to hear from you!

Now for the fun part:

  1. Head over to my shopping site: https://surescrapsalot.closetomyheart.ca
  2. In the search bar type the word “thanks”
  3. Anything you order in the next 24 hours from that list will be 40% off!!!

The fine print:

  • You have to order through me to get the extra special pricing.
  • Shipping, as always, is calculated on the full retail price.
  • You have to order by 8:00 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2018. All bets are off after that!

 

 

12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

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12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style! 

Day 9 – Thursday, December 20, 2018

Okay, it’s Thursday. Only 5 days until “C” day!!! I’d say it’s time for a CONTEST!

Here’s the deal:

First, Check out my website (yes the one you are on right now). You’re looking for my Events Calendar.

Once you’re on my Events Calendar you need to find two pieces of information for me:

  1. What is the date of my next Open House which will be the launch for CTMH’s Seasonal Expressions 1 Idea Book and Catalogue?
  2. What is the technique that I will be teaching during my Technique Time class in February 2019?

Still with me? Good!

Now that you have those two VIP (Very Important Pieces) of information, you’re going to head over to my Facebook Page. No Mr. Linky this time. You are going to have to get there on your own! Just remember that it is Sure Scraps (not Sure Scraps a Lot). Once you have arrived at my Facebook Fan Page, leave me a comment, with the answers to the two questions. No other explanation is necessary.

Okay. Now comes the good part:

FOR EVERY CORRECT ANSWER, YOU WILL GET ONE TICKET INTO A DRAW!  And the lucky person whose name is drawn will receive a voucher that entitles him/her to FREE REGISTRATION for one Sure Scraps a Lot class or workshop of their choice!

The fine print:

  • You have to comment on my Facebook Fan Page – NOT HERE! by 8:00 pm on Friday, December 21, 2018. All bets are off after that!
  • The winner will be announced on December 29, 2018 at 8:00 pm during my Facebook Live, which will be on my Facebook Fan Page HERE.

 

 

 

12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

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12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style! 

Day 8 – Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Teacher Gift Ideas

If you’re anything like me, picking out gifts for people that I hardly know, like teachers, hair dressers, dog groomers, etc. can be a challenge. And that means I always leave them to the last minute. You with me??!!

I took some time to search many, many websites to find the perfect teacher gift. In my mind that means that the gift:

  1. doesn’t break the bank
  2. isn’t something the person already has a zillion of
  3. is something that the person will actually USE

So before you now are my ten best teacher gifts for Christmas 2018 (in no particular order)

  1. Any kind of gift card for a fun coffee, treats, or lunch: Starbucks, Tim Horton’s, Dairy Queen, Subway, McDonalds. (Teachers can be like a pack of wolves when it comes to food. Any thing that is somewhat edible and ends up in the teacher lunchroom is sucked up quicker than a Lego in a vacuum cleaner.) An Amazon or Chapters gift card also works well!
  2. Food is always a great choice (see #1 above) or a gift card to GET food.
  3. Fancy markers or Sharpies, or any other fun type of school supplies. Remember we are NERDS!!
  4. Movie tickets taped to a box/can of popcorn
  5. Gas gift card or car wash coupon
  6. Something you can find at the checkout counter of your local hardware store: flashlight, inexpensive screwdriver or hammer, batteries, duct tape
  7. Personalized vase, pencil holder, clip board, lunch tote or note cube
  8. DIY pedicure set
  9. A “Night In” gift basket – you can include things like jigsaw puzzle, snuggle blanket, cozy socks, microwave popcorn, single serve hot chocolate, a movie the teacher has mentioned, etc.
  10. A “White Christmas” gift basket –  You could include anything a teacher needs to survive a day at school, so long as it’s white or comes in a white container! For example, check out this sample from Shaken Together Life

I hope you found some useful ideas tonight, and now for the fun part!

Head on over to my shopping site HERE. In the search bar, type in the word “white”. A LOT of items will come up! Order any white thing on the list, and I will give you an amazing 40% discount on those white items.

The fine print:

  • You have to order through me to get the extra special pricing.
  • Shipping, as always, is calculated on the full retail price.
  • You have to order by 8:00 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2018. All bets are off after that!

 

Until next time

Valerie