H2H Colour Challenge--Colour Challenge

Lagoon, Sunset & Pear

Aren't these gorgeous sun-shiny colours? The challenge at Heart2Heart Challenges this week is to create a project using these three shades.

"It's Your Day" double stamp set

I chose to feature this double stamp set, which is available from August 15 to the end of September, through CTMH consultants.

As I had not yet had my summer vacation when I was working on this challenge, I used a photo from last summer and created a "pinwheel" card. This is a folding card, in this case, 4" square, which opens up to reveal a photo or message inside:

Card with securing "belly-band" removed

The following photos reveal the inside of the card, as the flaps are opened. A tutorial follows.

The photo is of my son and his girlfriend swimming in the Northumberland Strait, in PEI.  Happily, the "noodles" they were using fit the colour theme perfectly!

To create a 4" pinwheel, start with an 8" square of card-stock or double-sided paper (the heavier weight of the new CTMH DP papers make them ideal for this project). Cut off a 2" square at each corner:

You will want to round the corners, to make tucking them in easier. I used a large spool of thread to trace the shape and trimmed them with scissors, but if you have a very large corner-rounder, that would work as well.

Next, you will want to score the fold-lines, where the flaps meet the body of the card, as shown below. You may want to sponge the edges of the card, for extra definition.

This is the BACK of the card. I cut paper pieces slightly smaller than the flaps, so 3.5" x 1.75,"rounded the corners and stamped them with the diagonal lines stamp from the "It's Your Day" set. Although the stamp is not as wide as my paper pieces, because they are clear, it was easy to line up and stamp a second parallel line, matching up the diagonal lines on the stamp.

Cut your photo slightly smaller than 4" square--trim off 1/8" to 1/4"on two sides, to permit the card to fold easily. Similarly don't layer your embellishments TOO thick on the inside flaps, or you will have trouble folding and tucking in the flaps, or they will tear as you open and close the card.

You may wish to use a "belly band" to slip around the card, although it should stay closed once folded.

Here, I used a strip of PEAR cardstock, secured it loosely around the package, so it would slip on and off easily, then covered it with some Colour-Ready Seam Binding, dyed the same shade (anyone who has tips on how to do this, I'd love to hear them. I ended up making a green mess everywhere and could not get the ribbon to dry or the dye to set). 

I used a dimensional chipboard shape and heat-embossed one of the images from the stamp set onto it, creating my own "Irrestible." Then I could ink it to match my project, but the sentiment image remained white. I wound some Sunset baker's twine around the flower shape, and using some green "Sparkles," just to get more of those challenge colours into the mix!

Here is another version of this card:

 

I used a fancier shape for the rounded corners, and simple striped paper ("Miracle" paper pack).

So break out your ink pads and join in the Heart2Heart Challenge HERE.
Remember, you only have to include SOME Close to My Heart products to "play."

Happy Crafting!

Caroline

CTMH Products Used:

Lagoon, Sunset and Pear inks and card stock.

Buttercup inkpad.

Dotty For You paper pack (retired)

Colour-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon Z1732

Dimensional Elements "Mixed Shapes" Z1683

Paradise Assortment Baker's Twine  Z1702

Sparkles, Blue & Green Assortment Z1327

Non-CTMH Products:

Lil' Inker sun die

Craft foam (Michael's)

Stickles glitter glue

Dog-gone it...

Just a quick post to join in the H2H Challenge this week--"Dog Days."
I am using free WiFi at Tim Horton's as we have no internet access (or TV!) at the cottage. Nothing to do but swim, read and eat lobster...
Our dog, usually white, is getting pink feet from walking on the red sand at the beach! Not quite so clean as the little fellow above.
Go check out the H2H post and add your doggie or other pet-themed projects!

With Sympathy... H2H Challenges

It is always difficult to know what to write when someone you know suffers a loss. But sending a hand-made, heart-felt card conveys your compassion perfectly.  This is the challenge at Heart2Heart Challenges this week:

make a sympathy card.

I chose to go serious, although I have seen some great silly commiseration cards recently, at the Paper Wishes website.

This is a card sketch I have used before--love the window and the dimensional flower (see details below).  This time I added a scripture verse and some dandelion images to the front,

and "sympathy" on the inside.

 I promised in my last post to share how to make the "flower" (last time it appeared as a sand-dollar).

Circle-punch flower tutorial:

Punch out five or six circles using a craft punch. I used a 1" punch here, but the CTMH 1-1/4" punch works as well--just results in a larger flower.  Both sides of your paper will be visible, so using a double-sided paper ensures a beautiful result.  Cut out an extra circle in a contrasting colour.

Create a template to help with folding the petals, by trimming the contrasting circle into the shape shown below. You will cut off a similar amount on both sides of the circle, forming a point on one side.

Fold one side of the DP circle over the cut edge of the template; score.

Fold the second side of the DP circle over the template, score. Remove the template and fold your remaining petals in the same manner.

Arrange the finished petals into a flower-shape and glue to your project. You can create a five-or six-petal flower (or even more) depending on how "fat" you make your template. Some space between the petals looks okay, too.

Have fun with the double-sided paper; you could make a flower using the reverse side of the paper on the same project.

You can add a centre to the flower, using brads, gems, glitz, buttons, etc or choose to leave it un-adorned.



Happy crafting,
Caroline




CTMH Supplies:
Circle Punch:  Z1311
Piercing Tools Kit:  Z1114
Corner Rounder:  Z578
Make it Count stamp set: D1257 (discontinued)
Dreamin' WOTG: stamp set and DP paper X7142B (discontinued)
Kraft paper:  Z1375
Colonial White card-stock: 1388
Paradise Collection Twine:  Z1702 Sunset
Metal Assortment:  Z1366 copper brad
Chocolate:  Z2111 and Saddle:  Z2171 inks.

Other Supplies:
Paper Smooches: "Good Gab" sentiment stamp set.

All supplies indicated available for purchase using the "Shop with me" CTMH link at the bottom of this post.

Flip-flops=Summer

Hello, Blogger-land pals! Sorry to have been M.I.A. this past fortnight... We have had back-to-back out-of-town family visiting, a stray for a couple of days, and I've been filling in at work for peeps off on vacation, so NO time to play.  Well, hardly any. My sister, visiting from Amsterdam, and I were able to get inky one evening, trying out new supplies together as we made anniversary cards for our parents (it doesn't get much better than that!).

Here is one of my new FAVE purchases:  the Flip Flop dies and stamp set from Lil' Inker (use the link to see the complete set).
The signature perforations on these dies really adds to their interest, and all the little do-dads mean you can personalize the flip-flops ad infinitum.

The sentiments on this set are to DIE for, too--so punny. I made several cards in no time--the inspiration just kept coming.

Here is the anniversary card. The sun is another die from Lil' Inker this past month. It is lots of fun to put those flip-flops together--tons of options.

This is the sentiment on the inside of that card.

Next I made a card for my hubby. He and all the boys have already left for vacation; I have to stay and work until Thursday, then I get to join them. So the sentiment on this card seemed just right!

This is the inside of the "missing you" card. There are several different ways to finish the "flippin" phrase. I added the heart, leftover from pieces cut for the card front.

And here is the piece-de-resistance, which I am going to link up to the Retro-Sketches #23 Challenge.

Here is the sketch. I turned it on its side to allow for more space for the flip-flops.

I have not been wearing sandals much this summer (sad!). There is a "no-open-toed shoes" rule at work, and although I wouldn't think of wearing flip-flops to work, I don't seem to be wearing them outside of it either. I have a lovely collection of summer footwear (collecting dust!), hence the idea of a pair for every day of the week.

I cut multiple pairs of flip-flops from craft foam, which adds even more dimension, and mixed the colours as I put them together.

Here's the inside of the final card.


Counting down the days 'til I get to wear 'em...