Happy Birthday, DUDE!

Here is a detail from a card I made earlier this summer for my brother-in-law. He can do/make ANYTHING (build a dock, finish a rec-room, create cartoons) so this image from CTMH's "Rugged Dude" stamp set seemed most appropriate. The denim pocket and stitching are separate clear stamps, so you can customize as you wish.

I also used new "rugged" barn-wood paper and some brass studs.

Inside of the card features those awesome grommet stamps! I used the small "genuine" and "brand" stamps to hide a smear...

The only sad thing is, this card got misplaced during summer travel! (I took it on vacation so the family could all sign it, and it went MIA). So virtual wishes for my B.I.L this year...(we also phoned and sang the birthday song).

Hope it was happy, dude!

Happy Crafting,

Caroline

CTMH:

B1405 Rugged Dude stamp set

Dakota paper pack

Burlap ribbon

Durables studs

Other:

PaperTreyInk birthday stamp set

Loving the LOBSTER...TSG173

For the past three months, I have been the very lucky recipient of the new-release stamp sets from There She Goes Clear Stamps (I was the big prize winner at this year's "Mother of All Blog-Hops"). It is a package to drool over every month--so many fun images, clever sentiments and even coordinating dies last month. Jessica Knutsen is a generous lady!  So far, I have definitely NOT done justice to those stamps on my blog. I had the opportunity recently to start to fix THAT situation.

We enjoyed another wonderful family vacation on Prince Edward Island this past August. I brought back gifts of goats-milk soap to my co-workers (it is wonderful stuff--feels so good on your ski--and smells delicious). Lobsters are a big thing on PEI, so I used the smaller lobster image from the Beach Bums stamp set to create gift tags for the bars of soap.
I stamped the little guy in Archival Black ink (CTMH) and used Spectrum Noir and Copic markers to colour in the image. The "for you from" sentiment is from The Stamps of Life penguins4Christmas set. I stamped "PEI" with the small Friendship alphabet from Close to My Heart. The tag was made with an older Sizzix die, "Bread Tags."
Here's a look at the soap all packaged up:

 I just wrapped the bars in tissue paper then secured with some maraschino twine from The Twinery, clipping the bread tag onto the twine.

The whole bunch!

Such a fun little evening's work, and definitely cuter thanks to There She Goes Clear Stamps!

I am entering the gift tags to this week's TSG challenge #173, making a project with a present/gift-giving theme. Perfect, don't you think?

Happy crafting,
Caroline

Stretch the Sketch...H2H Challenge

The assignment at the Heart2Heart Challenge blog this week was to use this sketch:

I thought the framed rectangle on the sketch looked like a perfect "photo-well" so I decided to create a lay-out vs. a card this time. It is sized at 8"x10" inches, to fit into a standard photo-frame.

Details, details:  I had just received my CTMH "Avonlea" paper pack, and used that to create a patchwork of fish-tail banners as the diagonal element. Those papers look so textural, almost like fabric, which suggested the idea of adding some machine-stitching. I had a variegated green/brown thread already on the machine, from my latest quilting project (which WILL get completed and posted here ONE of these days...) which matched the paper very nicely.  Also added a few cross-stitches with embroidery floss. Here is a close up of some of the stitching:

My husband and I both had big, round-number birthdays this year, as well as celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary (the photo was taken at his birthday dinner), so the "congratulation" stamp with the big C (initial of both our names) seemed appropriate. It also nicely echoed the rosette design on the Avonlea paper. I added some pleated black tulle ribbon and a lace flower and button, in keeping with the vintage look of the paper, to fulfill the circle element of the sketch. I didn't have an ink pad which perfectly matched the colours of the background paper, so I inked my stamp with Juniper ink, then lightly touched it to the Slate ink, to "grey" down the colour, before stamping.

This sketch challenge is open to all paper-crafters, and runs through the end of September, plenty of time to dream up a card, lay-out or other item. Simply include some Close to My Heart product amongst your supplies, and link up your creation to: Heart2Heart Challenges. Can't wait to see your projects!

Happy crafting,
Caroline

CTMH Supplies:
Avonlea paper pack
Chocolate, Avonlea White and Slate card-stock
Chocolate, Juniper and Slate ink-pads
2" scallop circle punch
Bohemian assortment (lace flower and silver button)
Black tulle ribbon
Piercing tools

Other supplies:
Signo white gel pen
Organdy ribbon, JoAnn's
Sewing machine and King Tut variegated thread
DSM embroidery floss

Go Big...

The challenge this week at Heart2Heart is to create something really BIG--a bigger than usual card, that is (bigger than the standard 4.25 x 5.5 inches), using some Close to My Heart supplies.

I was asked to make a thank-you card for a benefactor at the Rehabilitation Centre where I work as a speech-language pathologist. He very generously donated two iPads to our program, which patients can use for a variety of things: for face-to-face communication when speech is no longer possible, for independent practice on therapy programs such as reading and word-finding, as external memory aids for those with acquired brain injury--the applications are almost endless and the gift truly appreciated!

Sooo...I decided to create a thank-you card in the shape of an iPad.

It is real size, that is 9.5 x 7.5 inches. I made an easel card, so it will stand up, like an iPad. I used a piece of page-protector cut to the size of the "screen," and used stamped images from "Its Your Day"(this month's constant campaign item--see tab at top for details on how you can acquire this double-stamp set for $5!) as icons.

Inside is lots of space for the therapists and staff to sign, and I used two quotation marks popped up with foam tape to form ledges to hold the card upright.

The thank-you ceremony is next week--hope it goes over well!

Why not pop over to Heart2Heart and link up your creation? This challenge is open all month. 

Happy Crafting!

Caroline

More Monograms and Other Goodies

I had fun earlier in the summer, experimenting with making jewelry with stamps and papers.

I was inspired by a Paper Wishes "Webisode," (click on the link to see the video) and ordered the glass tiles and hardware, but used some Close to My Heart stamps, and some gorgeous Japanese screen-printed paper for my necklaces.

I stamped and heat-embossed one of the new monogram stamps in white, then sponged on colour with the new pigment inks. Then I glued the glass tile to the image using Crystal Lacquer, let it dry and trimmed around the edges of the tile. I painted the back with Smooch Ink, and sealed it with more Crystal Lacquer before glueing on the silver bail.

Close-up of the embossed monogram, and the back of the pendant

The other pendant uses the Japanese "chiyogami" paper. Chiyogami translates as "a thousand layers." The paper is screen-printed in multiple colours, usually with some gold or silver details. My husband and I stayed on Queen Street West when we visited Toronto last February. Lots of funky coffee bars and boutiques, including The Paper Place. It was FULL of fabulous goodies, for all kinds of paper-crafting: stamping, invitations, origami, book-binding...drool! I purchased several small samples of the chiyogami, to "play" with:

Close-up of 4"x4" piece of chiyogami

I made a couple more necklaces for my sister's birthday. This time, I embossed a CTMH stamp image in black. For the chiyogami pendant, I added a small Dazzle sticker word "create" to the front.

The backs are almost as pretty as the fronts!

I purchased some satin-cord and ball-link chains from Paper Wishes to complete the necklaces, but also experimented with creating "chains" using coordinating ribbon. The jump rings, lobster-claw clasps and  pieces to finish the ribbon ends (not sure what they're called!?) and some pliers were picked up at my local Michael's store.

This was a lot of fun, and I've got lots of plans for Christmas gifts.!

When Close to My Heart sent out a consultant survey last month, they asked what new areas the company should explore. Jewelry was one of them. They've done well with home decor items, so I hope they DO pursue jewelry... I'd buy into it!

Happy crafting,
Caroline

Loving the Leibster...

Yesterday I received a Liebster Award, nominated by my new blog-friend and fellow Heart-2-Heart DT member, Erin Schulte (see her lovely creations at www.imcreaterin.blogspot.ca).

Thank you, Erin!

This is like getting a virtual hug and high-five all rolled into one. One of the aspects I've so enjoyed this past year since joining the "blogosphere," is the feedback, inspiration and friendship of all the talented people out there, from literally all over the world. The Liebster award is given to acknowledge and encourage relatively new bloggers, those with less than 200 followers, who then "pay-it-forward" and share some of the blogs they follow, by passing on the award.

I'm so touched to receive the Liebster, and wish I could give out an unlimited number of them--certainly everyone on the Heart-2-Heart Challenge team deserves one. Here are the details on how the Liebster works:

ABOUT THE AWARD

Liebster is a German word meaning "Beloved," "Favorite," or "Dearest." This award is a peer to peer award in which fellow bloggers present the award to their favorite bloggers with less than 200 followers. The origins of this award is unclear, but is believed to have originated by a German blogger. This award was designed to be a blog award in the pay it forward fashion to share your dearest and most beloved blogs that have less than 200 followers. 

RULES FOR ACCEPTANCE

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog. Post the award onto your blog.Give the award to five bloggers who you appreciate that have less than 200 followers. Leave a comment on their blog letting them know that you have given them this awesome award!

PAY IT FORWARD

Here are the five people I would like to acknowledge. I've only met one of them in person, but have messaged back and forth with the others. They are all UBER-talented, generous with their praise and ideas and well worth checking out. The last is my dear sister, who got me started in this whole crazy, absorbing, paper-crafting business in the first place--love ya, Muggie! ;0)

Tracy aka PaperCraftNut                          http://papercraftnut.wordpress.com/author/papercraftnut/

Miriam at  Sooner Rather Than Later http://mprantner.blogspot.ca/

Lyndal at Dreams & Other Realities          http://lyndalhiggins.blogspot.ca/

Sharon, The Okistamp Queen          http://okistampqueen.blogspot.ca/

Morag of Muggie’s Hollow                  http://www.muggieshollow.typepad.com/

Happy crafting, everyone!

Caroline

Sweet and Small...Heart2Heart Challenges--Mini Cards

Hello September and back to routine!

We just arrived home last night from our wonderfully long vacation. Many things to do today including restocking the pantry, getting ready for work and school, and getting caught up with my Heart2Heart duties, as well.

The challenge this week at Heart2Heart is to create "mini-cards," that is, smaller than the standard A2 size (5.5" x 4.25").  This challenge will be open for the entire month of September, so even though these next few weeks are likely to be busy, we hope you find some time to join the challenge.

Remember, you have to use SOME Close to My Heart products, altho not exclusively. Once you post your project to your blog or gallery page, go to Heart2Heart and direct-link your artwork. Please also mention Heart2Heart Challenges somewhere in your post.

I will also be uploading this project to the Color My Heart Dare Challenge #14: this week's theme is a monochromatic palette with Outdoor Denim, Indian Corn Blue and Crystal Blue.

For my mini-cards, I used a new product from the CTMH Autumn/Winter catalogue, a monogram stamp (catalogue page 116). These have lovely flourish detail surrounding the letter and fit the CTMH 1-1/4" circle punch perfectly. I used my "C" to create a set of little personalized note cards, 3"x3," lined for writing. Envelopes for this size card are available in White Daisy, Colonial White and kraft (catalogue p. 123).

I made two versions of each colour-combo, mixing up the three shades of blue. Here, I used part of a dollar-store (remember when it was a "DIME" store?!) doily which echoes the detail around the monogram; the second version is less elaborate.

The crystal blue cards: to make the frill around the hollow scalloped circle, I added Glue Dots to the back, then finger-pleated thin organdy ribbon, pressing it to the adhesive. It is attached to the card with foam tape, creating recessed space for the monogram.

For the Indian Blue cards, I used a lace doily die cut from Cottage Cutz. The second version uses the scalloped circle as a ribbon-slide.

So, hope you are inspired to get out your scraps and make one or a few little cards or a whole set, for thank-yous, gift enclosures, etc.  We'd love to see your creations at Heart2Heart!

CTMH Supplies Used:
cardstock: white daisy, outdoor denim, Indian corn blue, crystal blue
ink pads: colours as above
sponge daubers
corner rounder
2" scallop circle punch
1 1/4" circle punch
Heavenly Blue ribbon collection (retired)
Scoring tool
Foam tape

Non-CTMH products:
Nestabilities scalloped circle dies
Cottage Cutz lace doily die
Paper doily
Corner Chomper
Organdy ribbon (JoAnn's)