Have a Blessed Easter

Hope you all enjoyed a full day with family and friends. 

This Easter weekend has heralded the first real days of spring. It was RAINING tonight, but finally its not snow; just a soft drizzle washing the streets clean...

Here are a couple of snapshots of the pot of daffodils we took out to our cousins this evening.

The bunny image is from CTMH's Sensational Spring, stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa and coloured with alcohol markers. The pinwheels (see link to Paper Wishes template HERE) were made using assorted CTMH double-sided papers, card-stock and brads, affixed to chopsticks with Liquid Glass (which besides working like Glossy Accents, is a super-duper adhesive).

I am linking this up to Heart2Heart's final challenge of March--Easter projects, and to MoxieFab World's Spring decor.

TTFN

SOME Bunny Mustache you...

 After making the complicated card I posted earlier today, this cutie came together in no time.
I am linking it to a couple of challenges:

• Heart2Heart Mustache Challenge and
• Moxie Fab World's Speech Bubble.

I  showcased this little bunny earlier this week in this POST. What? You didn't recognize him? Well, he's in disguise so no-one notices him hiding the eggs and jelly beans...

The bunny comes from Paper Smooches' A Magical Spring, as does the jelly-bean stamp and the greeting inside the card. I used the glasses and mustache from another PS set, Chubby Chum Pals, to create the disguise.  I stamped them on a scrap of clear plastic packaging with Staz-On ink, so you can still see the bunny's adorable expression. The speech bubble die, from Simon Says Stamp, is cleverly hidden amongst the sponged clouds... The font is a retired CTMH set, nice and small for this 4"x4" card.

Here's the inside:

There is still time to play along with both these challenges--both run until the end of this month. Use the links above to visit the blogs, check out the other entries and get inspired!

Hoppy crafting....

Caroline

Supplies Used:

White Daisy, Sweet Leaf (CTMH) and green textured card-stock (Wausau); kraft paper

Sky, Buttercup, Blush, Pear and Chocolate inks (CTMH); Staz-On black

Alcohol Markers

A Magical Spring, CHubby Chum Pals (Paper Smooches); font (CTMH)

Dies: Simon Says Stamp speech bubble; MFT Die-namic grass

Ombre goes "green"

I am loving messing around with this OMBRE effect!  

Here is another card, which I will be linking to the Heart2Heart challenge this week: Go Green. 

My project IS green. Very green. And it uses one of my favorite re-purposed items, the corrugated coffee sleeve...

This sophisticated St. Patrick's Day card features a cascade of leaves from the "Harvest Happiness" stamp set (CTMH), heat-embossed in white (plus a sneaky shamrock). Then from the bottom up, I layered New England Ivy, Olive, Topiary and finally Sweet Leaf. I love the suede effect produced by sponging on the colour! 

The shamrock is cut using a Sizzix die. I tried stamping the sentiment from  Paper Smooches' "A Magical Spring" onto CTMH's Color-Ready Seam Binding ribbon, but it bled quite a bit, so I added a slip of paper on top of the ribbon banner.

I'm so pleased with how this one turned out!

Go check out the other submissions this week at Heart2Heart. They are celebrating March Madness, with a new theme every week, and some prizes at the end of the month.
I'm also linking this baby up to the Moxie Fab World Ombre challenge, on through April 1st.

Happy SPONGING!

Caroline

Christmas Crackers with Heart2Heart Challenges

This is my last post with the design team at Heart2Heart Challenges. *heavy sigh*  

I have had so much fun with this group the last six months--the different challenges have definitely stretched me creatively; staying on schedule for posting assignments has been its own challenge at times, with holiday travel, other commitments, and computer issues! But I think the best part has been getting to know and work with my fellow design-team members, through the wonders of the Internet. I truly feel they are now friends, if only in the virtual sense!

I wish Mary Vogel all the best for a New Year of adventures in crafting, as she moves on to fresh creative pursuits. Big high-fives to Haley and Shirley as they take over the reins at Heart2Heart. To the DT gals, I'll continue to follow your inky antics!

I highly encourage you to think about applying for the next DT call with this group. Follow Heart2Heart and watch for the deadline.

NOW! On to this week's challenge:

Christmas Project #4

Christmas Cracker made using the Cricut Artiste cartridge

Christmas crackers are a staple of the Christmas dinner celebrations in Canada. A throw-back to our British colonial days. We always had them when I was a kid. You pull them apart with a big bang and a little gunpowder smell, and they contained a tissue-paper hat, a riddle or joke, and a little toy or other small gift. One year, when my kids were younger, we hand-made them, using old toilet-paper rolls and Christmas wrapping paper, buying the cracker snaps at Michael's. The kids made up the jokes, which were made everyone laugh because 7 and 9-year old's ideas of humour are too funny...

Anyway, when I saw the 3-D party-favour available on the Cricut Artiste cartridge, it reminded me of a cracker, and I decided to try one out.

The Artiste booklet recommends cutting these out at 11". I used a solid colour card-stock, but a patterned paper would work well, too. The next step is to score all the fold-lines, using a scor-board, or in this case, the CMTH clear ruler and a scoring stylus, on a foam surface.

Once all the lines are scored, the centre "box" is formed by adding strong adhesive to the flaps and tucking them in. I used 1/4-inch Terrifically Tacky tape for this purpose. Then you push the bow-tie-shaped ends towards the box, forming the "ruffles." 

I would recommend threading the cracker snaps through the cracker, and adding the contents before doing this step, as the crackers are effectively closed at that point. Once the ruffles are formed, the ends of the cracker snaps should be adhered to the "ruffles," so that they will be pulled apart when the cracker is pulled (here is a link for instructions on making and filling crackers).

I tied the ends of my crackers with tulle ribbon in green, ensuring that the ruffles stay closed. Any ribbon would work well for this.

I added a stamped tag (also cut with the Artiste cartridge), tied with some hemp and jingle bells purchased at Michael's.

I added patterned paper to each side of the cracker, cut at 2" by 3.75".  As these will also function as place-cards at our dinner table, I added the name in contrasting card-stock, cut with the Artiste's new font, at 1" size. I sanded the edges of the letters a bit, for better definition against the patterned paper.

So, now to get my sons (now aged 17-21) to come up with some jokes and riddles, suitable for mixed company! I found a source for the paper hats, and will add some Christmas candy to the crackers.

How about sharing your Christmas-themed creations with us at Heart2Heart Challenges?  Here are the guidelines for playing along:

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.
2. Create your artwork, with a Christmas theme--card, scrapbook layout or other crafts are welcome.
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery.
4. Come back here and directly link to your blog post, not your blog home page. 
5. Mention Heart 2 Heart somewhere in your blog post indicating that you are playing along with us and link to our site. 
6. Consider adding the H2H badge to your blog. We'd love to spread the word and see more crafters participating! 
7. Finally, you have the whole month of December to link up. There won't be a December top-ten, but we love to see your creations, and will be leaving comments.

Just a reminder - link to the specific page your artwork is on - if we go to your blog and it's not at the top, we have a hard time looking for your entry. 

Happy crafting, as we enter the Christmas countdown...
Caroline

CTMH Supplies Used:
Card-stock in Cranberry, White Daisy and Desert Sand
Pear & Partridge paper pack
Inks in New England Ivy and Smoothie
Cricut "Artiste" cartridge
Natural hemp

Other Supplies:

Terrifically Tacky Tape 

Jingle bells

All that Glitters...

...is Fabulous!

The challenge at Heart2Heart  this week was to: 

Glitter it up! Add some sparkle to your card or other project using glitter, glitter glue, etc...

Its been awhile since I actually did any scrap-booking, so I decided to use photos taken this past summer, to create a lay-out telling the story of my husband's special birthday treat.

I mentioned earlier that there were a lot of RED-LETTER events in our family this year--my husband and I both turned a nice, round number, our oldest turned 21 and we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.

For his birthday, I decided to rent my DH a special car for a week. I priced out some luxury rentals and sadly, the bankbook just couldn't swing it. BUT, he had expressed an interest in test-driving a FIAT-500. So! Off to the airport we went, on the mystery errand. He had a lot of fun (and panic!) trying to figure out why exactly we were driving to the airport, and why he had to bring photo-ID...but was totally thrilled by that cute little convertible!

We had fun buzzing around with the roof down (a head-rest blew off at one point!) for a week and it was quite comfortable for four people.  Anyway, it was a hit, and generated quite a few fun photos.

For the assignment, I used glitter to hi-light my title: "50 or 500, you are FABULOUS!"

I used the retired workshop-on-the-go kit, "Cruisin" because it had great on-the-road retro images and lent itself to the black-&-white-&-red colour scheme.  The kit included the chipboard Dimensional Element Numbers (Z1681). I spread Liquid Glass (Z679)  onto the letters and sprinkled Martha Stewart glitter onto the wet glue. That looked okay, but the edges were still white, so I fixed that with an alcohol pen in Cranberry.

I did not have the corresponding Dimensional Element alphabet, so I cut letters from cranberry card-stock, using the Cricut "Art Philosophy" cartridge (Z1686), in the same size 

as the numbers (1.5"). I coated them with Liquid Glass and added more glitter.

 I have a new respect for that product; not only is it a really strong adhesive, that can add a nice glossy effect, it also adds wonderful dimension. Those flat letters became fabulously fat and glittery, and stayed that way, even after the glue dried!

Here's the complete lay-out:

I used a pattern from the new CTMH inspiration book, "Make It From Your Heart" Volume  1. (9035). A great value at $7.95! I tweaked  the pattern a bit to accommodate all the photos, including cutting one photo to span the mats, 

and hiding another in the journalling box, which can be opened by untying the Waxy-Flax (Z1089) bow. I thought that map paper was perfect for this lay-out!

A couple of other fun features of that paper pack were the Scrabble letter paper, which I cut apart and mounted with foam tape, for part of my title, and the bottle caps, which add a lot of height to the page, but a lot of style, too, methinks.

So, there you have some glittery goodness.!

Why not break out your stash of glitter glue, gel, Stickles, etc, and link up to Heart2Heart?

Here's all you need to know:

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.
2. Create your GLITTERY project.
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery.
4. Come back here and directly link to your blog post, not your blog home page. 
5. Mention Heart 2 Heart somewhere in your blog post indicating that you are playing along with us and link to our site. 
6. Consider adding the H2H badge to your blog. We'd love to spread the word and see more crafters participating! 
7. Finally, you have the whole month of November to join us on any of our November challenges and be eligible for our Top Ten!

Off to vacuum or leaf-blow all that glitter off my craft-table--it even got into my eyebrows!

Happy crafting,

Caroline

Gratitude Journal

 

Just a warning up front: this is going to be a long post, with lots of pictures and a lengthy explanation for how it came about...

The assignment at Heart-2-Heart Challenges this week was to create something to convey GRATITUDE.  Now, one way in which Close to My Heart supports its consultants is the provision of  business tips in the "Weekly Wisdom" column. This week's edition was particularly timely: It suggested that how we see or react to things that happen in our life is a CHOICE.

"We can wake up every morning and be angry that we ran out of coffee, or that we were stopped by every red light on our way to our daily tasks. Or we can choose joy. We can choose joy at having another day to wake up to. Joy that we have a car with working brakes to stop at the stoplights. And joy that we are a part of something rewarding in the form of Close To My Heart (our hobby!--my italics)."
It continued:
"Sit down right now and write down ten things that give you joy. Your children, your pets, your spouse, whatever. Then write down ten things that frustrate you. Look at that list and then make one last list changing those ten frustrating things into ten things that could be joyful – and then throw away the list of the frustrations. Spend a minute every morning for a week reading out loud the list of things that give you joy. When we make joy a conscious effort rather than sitting around waiting for the joy to come, we see the joy more prevalent in our lives – and so will others."
With the H2H assignment in mind, I decided to create a "Gratitude Journal" where I will complete my list of 10 things that bring me joy and for which I'm grateful (they'll become little mini-layouts with photos if possible), as well as the ten irritating things that I can CHOOSE to see positively.

I really like covering journals and notebooks to personalize them; I've made several with different themes as gifts. I usually buy a basic black hard-cover notebook, but this time I used a spiral-bound notebook. CTMH has discontinued this particular product, but now has a canvas-covered journal which you can STAMP on!.  I removed the covers by gently opening the coils, to make it easier to work with.

Love the mess on my desk!?

I pulled off the original plastic sleeve on the front cover

I used the new pigment ink pads to colour the edges of the covers--just swiped them with the ink pad--so easy!

The "Irresistibles" Houndstooth Alphabet was also very easy to colour. When I started investing in Sizzix alphabet dies (and now the Cricut), and my CTMH alphabet stamps, I swore I would never to buy another alphabet sticker! So annoying to run out of Es, Ts, Ss... But! I'll be making an exception for those Houndstooth letters. They look great!

Just added ink with a sponge dauber--the resist pattern shows up like magic.

I used a discontinued (but still beautiful) paper pack called "Dreamin." It has great autumn colours--gold, rust, brown and blue.  The copper charm is from the matching embellishment packet, but the current "Timeless Charms" would work equally well.
I used the pigment ink pads again to stamp some floral images from the"Treasure Life" stamp set, D1306. The opaque ink showed up well over patterned paper. 

A mishmash of products as I make final design decisions...

 Final product, showing both covers.

And voila...

This whole process definitely gave me joy. And contemplating gratitude today (Nov. 11th) as the jets fly overhead to commemorate Remembrance Day here in Canada, is even more fitting.

Please pop by the H2H blog to see inspiring projects by the other design team members, and please play along!
Here are the rules for participating:

1. Use mostly Close to My Hearts products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.
2. Create your project, showing us what you're grateful for!
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery.
4. Come back here and link directly to your blog post, not your blog home page.
5. Mention Heart 2 Heart somewhere in your blog post, indicating that you are playing along with us and link to our site.
6. Consider adding the H2H badge to your blog. We'd love to spread the word and see more crafters participating.
7. Please consider turning off word verification if you'd like to get comments (you can always enable comment moderation if you're concerned about spam).
8. Finally, remember that you have the whole month of November to join us on any of our November challenges and be eligible for our Top Ten!
   
   
   May you find joy in your crafting!
   Caroline

Supplies Used:
Pacifica, Goldrush, Autumn Terracotta and Chocolate inks and card-stock
Dreamin' paper pack (discontinued)
Harvest Charms (discontinued)
"Houndstooth" Irresistibles Alphabet
Natural hemp
Journal

Heart2Heart Challenges: Keepin' it Neutral

Whew--its been some time since I last posted. We were away for 5 days, then catching up at work and with laundry and groceries at home. Last weekend I attended an all-day workshop on how to use Copic alcohol markers, at Heather's Stamping Haven.  Some great ideas which I hope to feature here.

But! Now back in the krafting saddle, which brings me to this week's challenge at Heart2Heart!

The assignment this week is to create a card using one or more neutral shades: black, white, off-white, grey, kraft.  Close to My Heart completely revamped their neutral/basic colour family this past summer, coming up with such new shades as Whisper, Slate, Cashmere, Champagne and Saddle.

I chose to stick with a more sepia-toned palette, of Colonial White, Desert Sand and the natural shades of burlap. The subdued colour scheme meant the texture of the fabric, stitching and lace takes visual precedence. The card design was inspired by Andrea Ewen's post for CASE Study Challenge #107.

A closer look at the burlap hearts: I created templates/patterns for them from cardstock, using shapes on the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. I was afraid attempting to cut them directly with on the Cricut cutting mat would end in stringy disaster. The burlap does cut cleanly & easily with Sizzix dies, however. The lighter shade is CTMH's burlap ribbon. The darker shade I bought at my local fabric store. You can colour the burlap ribbon with alcohol markers, too, for a different shade.
The lace was also purchased at the fabric store, but the bling button and embroidery floss are CTMH.
"Thanks" is from the stamp set "For Every Occasion" D1187, currently available, which has a ton of sentiments for, you guessed it! every occasion.

Here is another version, intended as a wedding card. I used the stitched mat dies from Lil'Inker instead of machine-stitching on this one.

Head on over to the Heart2Heart site to see the beautiful creations by the rest of the DT.You have until Nov. 3rd to link up projects for any of the challenges this month (October).

Happy crafting and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Christmas in October...

The crew at Heart2Heart Challenges is helping you get a jump-start on your holiday preparations. 

My take on a Pear & Partridge WOTG card

This marks the second week that the Design Team has been asked to create a Christmas project. I had intended to start designing gift tags (one of my favorite things to do {see some of my December 2011 posts}, but I am in PEI, Canada this weekend (Oct 12th-14th) to run a half marathon, so this post had to be written before I left.  

Earlier this fall, I ordered the "Pear & Partridge" Christmas-card workshop-on-the-go (Idea book, page 62). Enough supplies and embellishments to make five each of three card designs. I got everything cut out, and made one of each card, then got bored... Don't get me wrong, the CTMH designs are great, and the instructions to cut everything out at once, batch-style, save lots of time and calculating. But the featured cards didn't even use all the stamps on the enclosed stamp set; I started to get ideas. I was also inspired by fellow CTMH consultant, Alyson Mayo, who posted a whole set of variations on the CTMH website. Here's a look at some of her cards:

Alyson Mayo's card designs

 I'm posting a couple of my "takes" on the original designs. So the paper elements and layouts are the same but the stamping and embellishing are mine. I added some bulk cranberry ribbon, hemp, the wooden arbor shapes (LOVE these! you can colour them with your ink pads, stamp on them, layer them). On the first card, I used the stamps (branches and words) to create my background paper.  The snowflake stamp is included in the Pear&Partridge WOTG scrapbooking kit.

On this card, I used a new (non-CTMH) "toy," the stitched mats from Lil' Inker Designs. These are a set of nesting dies, starting with the largest, which embosses this simple stitched detail on an A2 (4.25"x5.5") card base.  A subtle but beautiful addition of texture. I'll have fun using these on my eventual Christmas gift tags. I also stamped and inked the edges of the wooden shape.

So, wish me luck on the run (its supposed to rain!). Catch you on the next post,

Happy Crafting,

Caroline

Rollin', rollin', rollin'...

October, already!

 Welcome to another month of challenges at Heart2Heart! 

The first assignment for Team A was to use the "rolling" technique (also known as "rock'n roll") on a card. This is where you ink your stamp with one colour, then before applying it to the paper, carefully roll the edges of the stamp in another  ink colour, resulting in a two-tone stamped image. It gives an extra look of  dimension. Fellow DT member, Haley reminded us that you can also use the technique with just a single colour: stamp off the image for a lighter, "second generation" tone, then roll the edges again in the same colour of ink, which is what I chose to do for my project.. Shirley, another DT member, produced yet another variation on this technique by rolling off her edges, on her gorgeous Christmas card, seen HERE.

I shamelessly CASEd THIS card, by Amy Wanford (Aimes) in the UK. Great colour combination (see ink-pads above) and wonderful autumn image of fallen leaves. LOVE cruising the web for inspiration...

Here's a close up of the leaves. I used the stamp set "Harvest Happiness," which has a variety of funky leaf shapes (which you can also cut out with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge!), and stamped them in Smoky Plum, Sunset, Creme Brulee and Cashmere. 

The piece de resistance (not sure how to put an accent on the E in piece for the proper French pronunciation...) was stamping onto the wooden maple leaf shape (Arbor Wooden Shapes) with two colours of ink. The ink soaked really well into the wood, without running or smearing, so the flourish detail is still visible. A brown button and a hemp-twine bow finish it off.

So, ROLL up your sleeves, start humming "Rawhide" and get to work! You have all month to participate in this challenge. Remember to use SOME Close to My Heart product (doesn't have to be 100%), get inky, then link up your card at Heart2Heart Challenges. We all love to see your creations!

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

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)

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