A Stitch in Time...

Morning all!  I have to get some housekeeping things in order for today so rather than not post anything, I'm going to share one of CTMH's Art Attack videos.

Stitching on layouts and cards gives such a homemade quality that I just really love.  It's something that may take a bit of time to do, but I find it so relaxing while I do it.  And having the right tools makes all the difference, right?

H2H Challenge: Fancy Fold Technique

Happy Monday and welcome to another Heart2Heart Challenge!  I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend...I know my boys are as they get to play on the computer!

So back to the challenge...this week we want you to show us your fanciest of fancy card folds...other than the fold in the base that is!

Here is my submission for the challenge:

Closed

 

Opened

Stamps: Happy Valentine's (January 2013 SOTM)

Inks: Cashmere, Desert Sand, Cranberry Marker set, Olive Marker set

Papers: Pear & Partridge Reflections Kit

Tools: Cutting Knife, 2" Circle Punch

 



I thought I would be clever and make Engineer's Valentine's card early...I mean, nearly a month early is pretty good for me!  But alas, being that early always runs the risk of ruining the surprise...which happened as I was uploading my photos and he walked into my room.
Well, maybe by next month he'll have forgotten what it looks like!

Head over to the H2H blog and see the other creations from Team A, they are fantastic!  Then get yourself busy and create your own fancy folds to share!

Clearly the Best: Dauber Dynamite

Have you every wanted to add rainbows of color to your artwork?   Watch the newest video from MyCraftChannel and learn how easy it can be from Kristine and Monica.

Clearly the Best: Terrific Two-Tone

Another great video with Monica and Kristine!  This time, they share tricks and tips for using the Base and Shade technique.  This is an awesome technique to use with our My Acrylix stamp sets!



Visit MyCraftChannel for more ideas and stop by my website to get your own My Acrylix stamps for your crafting fun!

CTMH Clearly The Best: Spanning The Space

Time for another wonderful video from MyCraftChannel!  Watch and learn how Close To My Heart's My Acrylix stamps let you move your creativity outside the box!



You can get all these great stamping products by visiting my website The Craft Closet.

CTMH Clearly The Best: The Swipe Hype

Time for another great video from MyCraftChannel!



This technique is used in the new Moonlight WOTG.  I can't wait to get my own kit and get started!

H2H Challenge: Embossing

That has to be the loveliest word I've heard this week. Between Scrap Pack, a workshop and prepping for my Studio J class tonight, I've not had much me time...creatively speaking. And I've not been able to participate in the H2H Challenges for quite a while either! School breaks and traveling will mess with your scheduling I suppose.

But I'm happy to see the challenge this week was embossing because that means I have a card to share!


Here it is:


Stamps: CTMH Share The Magic (October 2010 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH New England Ivy, Cranberry, Versamark
Papers: CTMH New England Ivy, Cranberry, White Daisy, Black, Vellum

I used the same coloring technique as in this card. I haven't used it very often, but I sure love the look it gives.

How about a nice shiny close-up?




In case you missed the technique the first time, emboss your image on vellum, flip it over and color it in with markers and blending pens. It gives it a nice watercolored look. I used several CTMH markers to color the back of the image: Barn Red, Cranberry, New England Ivy, Olive, Grey Wool, Black, Honey, Grey Flannel, Vanilla Cream, Blush.


Well, I still have to get dinner planned and cleaned up before class starts so I'll sign off now. Have a great weekend everyone!

H2H Challenge: Fun Folds

Well, here is another just-barely-made-it submission for this week's H2H Challenge. When did my days get so busy?

Since it's so late, I'll keep this short. This week we were challenged to use some fancy folds in our creations. I remembered a folded quilting technique a fellow CTMH consultant shared on the bulletin boards a while ago and thought I'd give this a try.


Stamps: CTMH Unity
Inks: CTMH Pacifica, Chocolate
Papers: CTMH Magnifique My Reflections Kit

Here is a closer look at the folds.



By the time I finished my card this evening, my natural lighting was gone. I may have to take another shot of it tomorrow.


Have a great Labor Day!

H2H Challenge: Time For S'more Sketches

This week I was more on the ball with the H2H Challenge...it's only Tuesday! They have provided a fun sketch for us to use:



Now I actually had a card in mind yesterday, but wanted to wait until today to share it. Why? Do you know what today is?

No?

Then let me enlighten you with a quote from the great Ham Porter of The Sandlot:

"Alrite now pay attention. First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham. Then you roast the 'mallow. When the 'mallows flaming...you stick in on the chocolate. Then cover with the other end. Then you scarf. Kind of messy, but good!"


Yes, it is National S'mores Day!

Did you even know that existed?

Me either, until a couple of days ago. But I had wanted to try something in honor of the gooey treat and after I flipped it, this sketch was just right.


Stamps: CTMH Beary Best, Tiny Typewriter Alphabet
Inks: CTMH Brown Bag, Chocolate (of course!), VersaMark, Memento Tuxedo Black
Papers: CTMH Brown Bag, Chocolate (mmmm!), White Daisy

Doesn't it just look good enough to eat?

Oops, got to be careful not to wrinkle the cardstock.


Take a closer look at that chocolate piece:



I got this effect by clear embossing the entire piece then scoring it to look like a chocolate bar.

Then I got out the Liquid Applique. First, I made the 'mallow. And then sponged on some Brown Bag ink.




Then I sponged the Liquid Applique on the edges of the White Daisy cardstock. After heating it, I sponged a little Brown Bag ink, followed by some Chocolate ink just on the edges.



Mmmmm! Looks nice and toasty doesn't it? Okay, now I'm totally hungry for s'mores. Guess what we're having for dessert tonight!

Don't forget to create something of your own and share it over at the H2H blog!

H2H Challenge: Neat Techniques

Who's ready for another weekly H2H Challenge?


Okay class, settle down. This week's challenge is to include a technique, any technique, in your art piece. If you'll all turn to your Wishes book and look at the card on page 92...wait, some of you don't have your own books?



I'm speechless.

What are you waiting for? If you're a card maker, this book is a life saver! Run to the nearest CTMH consultant (that would be me) and get your own...don't worry, I'll wait. Here, I'll make it easy for you: Wishes

Okay, now we can continue. As I was saying, Wishes is not only full of card templates and ideas, it also features tips and techniques on almost every page. The one I used here is from page 92 and is called ghosting.

I've never used this particular technique though it is quite similar to emboss resisting. It just adds an extra step.


First, here is my card:


Stamps: CTMH Wonderful Friend (June 2010 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Olive, Brown Bag, VersaMark
Papers: CTMH Colonial White, Garden Green, Brown Bag

You see what I did there? The sentiment says 'the greatest treasure is invisible'...and I've made my watch invisible...because I have no time right now...thus making it very treasurable to me.

It's a very meaningful card I tell ya.


Right, back to the technique class.

When you choose your image, you'll emboss it with clear embossing powder onto a light colored cardstock. Then sponge around the image with a darker ink. Right here would be the end of an emboss resist technique. To do the ghosting technique, you'll need to get out your iron. Yes, I said iron. I have one we got as a wedding present years ago and I think I've actually used it on clothes a total of 5 times in 10 years. So it has since become my craft iron. After you've embossed and inked your image, take a scrap piece of cardstock and place it over the image. Using a hot iron, run it over the scrap cardstock. Now don't leave it on too long...I don't want to be responsible for any fires!

The heat from the iron will melt the embossing powder to the scrap cardstock. When you remove it, all that's left is the ghosting of the image.

Pretty neat, huh class?

Okay now, you've all got your assignments. Head over to the H2H Challenge Blog and see the other techniques featured by the DT members. Be sure to get your pieces posted by the Sunday deadline...there is another Prize Sponser this week!

Okay, class dismissed!

Thank You Mothers!

On this day to celebrate Mothers, I want to thank every mom I know! We have the hardest job, sometimes with the least recognition. But I doubt any of us would change anything about it.


So to say thank you, I'll share this card with all of you...because the postage alone would kill me, much less all that envelope licking.


Stamps: CTMH Flower Pot (April 2010 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Brown Bag, Crystal Blue, Sorbet, Sweet Leaf, Creme Brulee, Stazon Timber Brown
Papers: CTMH Caboodle Reflections Kit

The flowers and window were watercolored with reinkers, a waterbrush and watercolor paper. This is one of my favorite ways to color...very hard to mess up!


Hope your day is filled with love!

Holiday Warmth

The two older boys have left for school and that leaves me with a very quiet house. Knock-Out is keeping himself entertained for the moment and I just might relax a bit.



Oh, who am I kidding...I don't have time for that!

The call of Christmas cards is still ringing in my ears...very loudly! I'm trying to get them done before Thanksgiving comes around this year. Well, that's the goal anyway.

Here's another card I did with this month's Stamp of the Month, Holiday Warmth.



Stamps: CTMH Holiday Warmth (October SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Olive, Garden Green, Tulip, Brown Bag, Chocolate markers, VersaMark
Papers: CTMH That's Amore Reflections Kit, Evensong Reflections Kit, Vellum

Here is the sentiment on the inside:



My boys all pointed out the hidden Mickey in the corner.


Here's a close-up of the tree:



I know what you're all thinking, "Oooooh! It's so shiney and pretty! Please tell us how you did it!"

Okay, maybe not...but I'll still let you know how I did this.

The tree is stamped on vellum and embossed with gold detail powder. Then using markers and blending pens, color and shade on the reverse side of the image. It gives a soft, watercolor effect. I love how this turned out and it's another card I could look at all day!

I'm going to go have some humble pie right now, anyone care for a slice?