Monday, December 3, 2012

It's Christmas time!

Cool Advent Calendar Workshops!

Leave it to CTMH to come up with a faster, simpler, easier way to create traditions and memories for your family at Christmas! Our Advent Calendar Workshop on the Go has it all! The box, paper, cool chipboard frames, and an exclusive stamp set. So easy and yet so fun to put together. 
I decided to make one using the Workshop on the Go kit. I love how it turned out. I didn't add lots of Christmas decorations since I think I'm going to use the box for other count downs with different boxes. 1 chipboard display...many little drawers! I can't wait to make the drawers for Easter!


Santa's little elves!

Here are my little elf friends busy working on their calendars!  We had such a great time! They decided to use a variety of papers. Robin bought some vintage looking paper and I cut the boxes and frames using my Artiste Cartridge. This is just one of our amazing Cricut Cartridges. A must have if you like 3D projects and parties.


Shirley asked me to make several daisy white drawers as well as a few red and green. She took pieces of Christmas wrapping paper, paints, gel pens, and practically anything else she could find to create her own designs. She is an excellent painter and I was amazed at how unique and beautiful each box turned out. She is a more free-style creator. Every box has a different feel. You can see a few of her first boxes in the photo to the left. I did cut numbers for her but she also hand sketched and painted some of the numbers herself.

Here is the creative elf herself! Working on her project. Yes, she has her mag-eyes on so she can see the detail. One of my fav craft tools is my set of mag-eyes.


Almost finished!

Here is Robin's very cool calendar almost finished. She sponged each of the frames I cut from the Artiste and the Art Philosophy Cartridge.
I love how well these two carts make creating so much easier. I know some of you would disagree, but I love the ability the Cricut gives me to cut shapes at a variety of sizes to fit any project. I have only a few punches but I just can't see buying a punch or die to cut 1 to 2 sizes. I figure my Cricut has paid for itself and it takes up so much less room than 100+ punches and I have so many more designs just on the two CTMH carts.

 Finished!

It took us a couple nights of fun and crafting but Robin and I got ours done. Shirley is still adding the finishing touches to hers. She has her numbers on and most of the painting done. She now needs to coat each one with Mod-Podge to protect the painting. It won't take her too long. But she is actually just starting. She plans to make little clay and paper animals for a Nativity. Some of them she will even make with the family getting the calendar as a gift. 

Robin has purchased small ornaments and she and her son are adding them to their tree each day.

Great friends made great memories of crafting together and now families are enjoying these calendars that will enhance their Christmas traditions for years to come!
Doesn't get much better than that! I'd love to have you as a customer & a friend! No matter if you are near or far, Ieven FaceTime or Skype to help you craft.

It's not to late! Close to My Heart has several great projects that you and your family could do over Christmas. Check out my new promotion: Whooose Your Valentine which starts on Dec. 13. You get a great Valentine project for $10 with a qualifying purchase of $35. It includes the exclusive stamp set with owls, die cut boxes, and the candy holders! (Swoon!) 
I'd love to have you as a customer & a friend! No matter if you are near or far, I'm here to support you and your crafting. I'm just an email, FB post or video chat away!

Check back soon! I've got several My Creation Stars I'll be posting!
Blessings!
Sharon








Friday, November 30, 2012

Pear & Partridge Hop: Joy to the World!

The Diva's Pear & Partridge Blog Hop

Thanks for making the Diva's hop part of your day during this super busy time of year! If you hopped here from Debbie you are on the right track. If you are starting at my blog, please click here to start from the beginning. You don't want to miss any of the festive Pear & Partridge creations!
Remember to submit your entry for the Diva's blog hop candy on our Diva's page.

Joy to the World!

I love Christmas and I love the Pear & Partridge paper. So festive and yet, I know my scraps will make their way into so many non-holiday projects in the future! One of my all-time favorite Christmas hymns is Joy to the World! My project reflects this joy that my Savior brings me everyday!


My piano display for Christmas!
My Joy rosette center piece will spend many years displayed on my piano or Christmas dining table. This project started out to be a Christmas tree made from rosettes cut from select Pear & Partridge papers. I took a tutorial my sister, Denise, used and revised it using the Artiste Cricut Cartridge to cut the rosettes. But once I put the rosettes together, I noticed that the tutorial called for all the rosettes to be scored at 1/2 inches. The Cricut automatically reduces the scores to fit the size of the rosette. So what I got was a very squatty tree. Nothing like my sister's beautiful one seen here which she made with our very own Pear and Partridge Paper. Didn't see do a great job? 



 I think I could have made it work, but then I saw them layered on each other in 3 piles and I could just picture this center piece and viola! this small disaster turned into something cool!


My this Christmas season fill your heart with JOY!

Here is a close up of the largest rosette. Olive card stock from the paper pack was combined with the B&T papers. The J was cut using the Cindy Loo Cricut Cartridge. The glitter papers were from my stash. But good news is that CTMH will have some glitter/shimmer paper available next catty! Once the rosettes were cut, folded and put together, our foam tape popped up each rosette. After all the rosette stacks were assembled, I colored the skewers using a red Sharpie marker. To get the heights just right I used our Versamat and put each rosette face down at the angle I wanted. Then the bottom line and mat grid helped me keep everything even and straight. It sounds harder than it was! Phew!
I used hot glue to attach the skewers. The O and Y skewers were glued so the excess would be at the top of the rosette; keeping the point for the bottom. I just took my rose pruner and snipped off the extra. Easy-peas-y!
The base for my project measures about 13 inches. The box had old business cards in it and was perfect for this project! I covered the outside with paper from the pack, glitter paper boarder cut using the Artiste, and our Shimmer Trim, which is soooo simple to use! One of my fav products from this IDEA Book. Inside the box I put a Dollar Tree styrofoam piece wrapped with Dollar Tree garland. To finish it off I wrapped a few strips of garland around the skewers, too!

I want to take this time to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2013! Hope to see you back here soon. Or better yet, subscribe to my blog or join me on Facebook.

Please hop on over to see what Latisha Gilliland has created for you! She's your last stop in this festive hop!

Love and Joy!
Sharon


Anyone purchasing $10 or more through my online business address this month will get this project tutorial and corresponding Cricut Craft Room cut files. Purchases of $50 or more will get a B size stamp set of your choice. Simply click here and join the Pear and Partridge gathering. Then email me your information.







Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Time to Get FLIRTY!

Damask Diva Flirty Blog Hop

Wow! Weren't Mandy's and Ashley's creations fantastic? If you happened upon my blog and missed Ashley's click on her name in blue above.

Now it's time to get Flirty right here! I've created a My Creations Frame with Flirty paper for the covering and flowers. I used Mod-Podge and Liquid Glass to adhere both. The flowers were a combination of flowers from Artiste and Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridges. And of course, every project needs a little bling and so I added the flourishes to each corner.


On the inside of the frame I made a wreath mixing the same Flirty Flowers from a combination of colors that came in the paper pack. The background is the Ponderosa Pine B&T paper found on the back of the flower motif sheet. I then cut the ribbon for the top from the Artiste Cartridge found on page 55.
Anyone interested in the Cricut Craft Room cut files for this project is welcome to leave a comment at the bottom with their email address and I'll send you my files. Be sure to also like my Facebook Page, Close to My Heart PaperFiesta where you'll get to see more projects. Hope to see you on Saturday when I have scheduled a post on how to more easily roll these roses!

You will find a complete list of the hop and a be able to register for our GIVE AWAY sponsored by Gloria Shirr here on our Damask Diva Blog. Now hop on over to Melissa's blog and continue your Flirty adventure!


Blessings and Celebrate Life with Paper!
Sharon





Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Add shading to any stamping you do!


What a great video! I'll be trying these techniques out soon! Along with that I'll be posting pictures of my open house set up. Also be sure to come back to see my classes. If you live in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, I hope you contact me soon and sign up for some fun, laugh-filled, time in a craft class soon! I've got some terrific ladies who come crop and if you are interested in an invite, I need to hear from YOU!

Hugs and party on with paper!
Sharon

Thursday, September 20, 2012

OPEN HOUSE!


Come on over this Saturday and let me show you how:

  • to set up a monthly Craft Club where you and a few friends relax, craft and take time for yourselves while earning free craft supplies for less than what the cost of dinner and a movie!
  • to tap into your creativity
  • to use your paper craft supplies instead of just collecting them!
  • to learn cool techniques that will take your crafts to the next level
  • finish that scrapbook you started when your child was in kinder in time for high school graduation this May
  • to stop waisting money on supplies that end up NOT going together.
  • to display your pictures in cool decor items
Yes, I'm having an open house with many sample projects on display. You'll even get to use our AMAZING stamps to make your own 3x3 card. 
Come sign up for classes in my studio. 
Like what you see and want more info? Sign up to host a party with your friends! They'll have a great time making a small card or craft. Who wouldn't like a great night crafting with friends? 
Here is one of the great classes you can sign up for! Come see this cool star in person. I started it last night and finished it this morning. Took about an 1 1/2 hours to complete! I love it!

I hope to see you on Saturday. Don't forget to sign up for door prizes while you are here. 



Saturday, September 1, 2012

Artiste coordinating stamps

Casual Expressions & Clementine! A match made in Artiste!


Casual Expressions(D1525) is a fantastic stamp set that coordinates beautifully with Clementine (and Dakota) paper. 
Here are the cards up close and personal that I made with these stamps for the recent Clementine Blog Hop. All the cut sizes and page numbers are listed on the stamp liner so it is soooo easy.




The background shapes are from the 1 sheet wonder on the previous post. LeeAnn Greff provides a tutorial. Just click her name for the hyperlink! She did an awesome job. 

What I like about these cards is I could use my stash of flowers, buttons and other embellishments that were taking over my craft room. I want to be a CRAFTER not a COLLECTOR!  The flowers, glitz, buttons, twine, durables, and brads are ALL Close to My Heart products. Some were extras from Workshops on the Go that I hadn't used. But all were begging to come out of their packages:) 

Of course you could easily add more bling, background stamps or even embossing with your Big Shot or CuttleBug to these cards. Our new burlap ribbon also looks fantastic with these colors!

If you would like the CCR cut file for Casual Expressions, like my FB page and leave me a comment with your email address. I'll gladly email you the cut file!

Celebrate every day~paper fiesta style!

Blessings!
Sharon



Friday, August 31, 2012

Clementine Damask Diva Hop

Clementine One Sheet Wonder Cards

Welcome hoppers! You just saw Ashley's fantastic Clementine project on your Damask Diva's Paper Pack hop. I'm the 8th entry on the hop but if you got here out of order you can check out our Damask Diva's blog here.

For this month's hop I decided to do a 1 sheet wonder I found on LeeAnn Greff's website. I have been in a rut and needed to change up my cards. 

What's a 1 sheet wonder?

1 sheet of B&T paper cut into different shapes. Some of them combine to make a design on a card and some are used on their own. These cuts can then be backed with card stock and arranged in a variety of ways. Add a few colored card bases that coordinate and there are endless possibilities.

Why a 1 sheet wonder? 

  • Very little waist! 
  • Huge variety of designs possible
  • Great for punches or sentiment frames from Cricut Artiste/Art Philosophy Cartridges
  • Great way to use embellishment stash up
  • Great way to use scraps
  • Makes 16 very different cards

Very cool!



I love how these turned out! My favorite is the Celebrate card. Oh  and the Fall themed card made the $5 Stamp of the Month set. (See more info below) Or maybe the one with the Artiste bow on the front or the Have a day filled with.... No...OK; I just can't choose!

My cards used several cuts and matching stamps from the CTMH exclusive Artiste Cricut Cartridge collection. I'm really enjoying learning this new cartridge. If you would like to see each of the cards close up I'll be posting each of them this week on my Facebook page: Close to My Heart Paper Fiesta. 

Tips when you try this!


  1. Take the CTMH desk pad or 12 X 12 colonial white sheet and make a template to scale. Label each of the sections as per the instruction sheet. Put this template on your work station and as you cut each piece, place your cut piece on top of the matching section. It will help you keep track of your cuts. And if you make mistakes cutting, like I did, you can adjust quickly. 
  2. Once you select your B&T paper, go through your scraps and pull anything out that coordinates. It will save you time when you want to back pieces of the B&T with a layer or add small paper embellishments. 
  3. Don't forget the ZIP STRIP on the B&T papers! I used a couple different zip strips from the paper pack to add to the cards. I love how CTMH has these little extras that don't cost extra!
  4. Vary the direction of the card from landscaped to vertical. 
  5. Use 3-4 different coordinating colors of 12 x 12 card stock sheets and cut 2 card bases from each. Save the remaining strips for layers and stamping. I looked at the zip strip on the paper pack to see what colors I might have that CTMH recommended. 

Come back soon!

Can't wait until next month when we showcase the Moonlight paper pack! But in the mean time, I'll be posting more great projects as I prepare for my upcoming OPEN HOUSE! So excited to showcase my new Fall Make & Takes and of course the great new CTMH products! So you all come back soon! Or better yet, join my blog by entering your email at the top and get notified every time I add a new post!

Now it is time to hop on over to Jeannie's blog and see what she's created!

I'd love to be YOUR consultant! Click here to order your Clementine paper pack or Artiste Cricut cartridge from me. For support after the sale, I'm available on my FaceBook page and via email or bby appointment on FaceTime(video chat). I'm happy to walk you through any design challenges, a Workshop on the Go, or even one of my projects I post here.

September Stamp of the Month

Just $5 with a qualifying purchase. A great set of stamps at a fantastic price! Order Today!




Celebrate Life~PaperFiesta Style!

Blessings! Sharon









Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Artiste Smash Box with Rose

Such a romantic feel to this!

I just love how this smash box from the ARTISTE cartridge turned out! You'll find this box on p. 48 of the Artiste cartridge instruction booklet. I use Cricut Craft Room and used the fit to page to make the box and lid.  I used the Pirouette stamp (B1409) coordinating shape found on page 56 for under the flower cut at 3.75". The rose is found on page 54 (F key/accent 2) and is cut at 8.375" x 8.514". The leaves are from the same page as the rose but Accent 4 and are cut at 2.861" x 1.806". Thank you to Every Day Cricut for this design!

This is my best rose yet! Here's why:  First I used a Quilling tool (new to CTMH) to help me roll the rose. I also made sure to pull very tight as I rolled which causes the petals to curl down. If one didn't curl, I just folded it down a bit and re-rolled. The more you work with the paper, the softer and more 'memory' it has for the curl. 
Another tip I have is to use your embossing stylus (z1206-a MUST HAVE tool) on the leaves. I ran my stylus over the entire leaf in little circles with the ball end. Then I went over the edges of the leaves even more until they curled up. Taking the pointed end I made the vein marks you can see. These little details really add to the box; don'tcha think? I used Liquid Glass to adhere the rolled flower and leaves to the base.
To give my rose and leaves more depth I sponged ink on both. The rose I added smokey plum and All Purpose Ink in Frost White for the shimmer. If you have CTMH's Pearl Paint that will work great too! For the leaves I used a matching green ink to the paper and the frost white. The butterfly is one from Flitter Paper Shapes and I sponged it with smokey plum ink, frost white, and then dusted it with Prism Glitter while wet. Once dry, I put a small dot of Liquid Glass on the back to fasten it to the flower.

By the way, my box doesn't smash! To keep it from smashing I simply cut out several 1 x 2 inch rectangle flaps from the scrap paper left on the Cricut mat. I scored each of these in 1/2 so I could glue them to the inside of the box where each side meets. This prevents the box from smashing and gives it much better structure. 

Join the fiesta and make your own box! If you'd like the CCR file, please leave a comment with your email address. I'll send it right out to you with a bonus Art Philosophy scalloped flower card if you join my blog. 

For a short period of time you can get the retired Sonoma Paper on the While Supplies Last found here. It is only $3.50 for LOTS of sheets of 2 of the designs from the original pack. Check out several of the other great deals there!

Here are are the other items I used in making this box:

Dry Embossing/Scoring Stylus (z608) 
Flitter Paper Shapes butterflies (z1463) 
 Smokey Plum Ink (z2147)
Smokey Plum card stock (1291)
Bamboo Card Stock (1301), Pirouette Stamp (B1409). And last but certainly not least the Cricut Artiste Collection (z1790).
All these great products can be ordered from me at www.sharon.ctmh.com

And for a limited time with a qualifying purchase of $35 of full retail priced items you get this great 2 page stamp set for $5 to celebrate National Stamping Month. 
And as always, we have a fantastic stamp of the month which is also $5. You can really build your crafting supplies for less by choosing CTMH! We really do make it faster, easier, and simpler!

Party on Crafters! Blessings~Sharon



Friday, August 10, 2012

Cute 2 sheet box tutorial

Can you believe it!?! Takes only 2 sheets: 1 card stock and 1 B&T!

Look at these beautiful boxes my sister made! Denise really 'threw herself' and they turned out sweet! She found the box at Dawn's Stamping Studio. So thanks to Dawn!

What I love the most is that Close to My Heart Border and Texture paper in Lucy and Pemberly take  the same box and make them look soooo different! Love it!

Not to be outdone, I HAD to make one!  I used Stella paper and sunset card stock. Wait-Sunset card stock? If you look closely at the picture below the card stock is Colonial White. That's because I goofed up when I cut the sunset cs and so I decide to move to Colonial White in case I goofed again. 
Mine turned out pretty good but I like my sister's better! LOL! I think popping the different layers of the flowers up added so much! I also think I'd have liked mine better in Sunset cs!  
Okay...so are you ready to join the fiesta and make your own box? Well, grab a glass of your favorite beverage, 1 sheet of card stock, 1 sheet of B&T, your favorite glue/sticky tape, scissors, score tool, and paper cutter. Here you go!!

Cut card stock and paper as follows:
(1) 7 1/2" x 10" Card Stock piece (save the rest for the flower)
(1) 1"x 11" for the belly band
(6) 1 1/ 8" x 2 3/8" Border & Texture paper of your choice
(4) 2 3/8" x 2 3/8" Border & Texture paper

Cricut Cuts: Art Philosophy
Card stock cuts of Flower 8 @ (1) 2" height, (1) 3" hight
1 B&T cut of Flower 7 or if you want a pointy flower use Snowflake 1 @ 2.6 to 2.75 depending on how big you want the middle layer. Cut extra if you want more layers.

Box Assembly
Take card stock base and score on the 10" side @ 1 1/4", 2", 3 3/4", 6 1/4", 8" and 8 3/4"
Turn card stock so the 7 1/2" base is at the top of your scoring tool and score @ 2 1/2" & 5"
Fold all your score lines. 



Turn your paper so the 10" side is horizontal and using your paper snips cut from the bottom up on the 2" score line to the first score line you meet. Then turn your paper and cut to the 1 1/4 " score line. Turn and cut on that same line up to the 3 3/4" line. You'll do this on the other end of the paper and on the opposite side. Here's a picture that will help you figure this out! 




When you finish you'll fold all the cut little "doors" up on score lines that weren't cut. 

Now fold up the center noted in the picture above to make the box. Add a strong tape adhesive to the edges of the card stock as shown in this picture below. I put adhesive on each flap edge. You can see on one side I added it to the outside edge and the other I put it on the inside edge to add strength.





Once you have the center box made, remove 2 triangles from the side flaps. This makes the sides easier to fold up and hold. You add NO adhesive on the side flaps. They should just stay folded.






You have all the hard stuff done! Now you just glue all your B&T papers on each of the faces of the box. I added a couple extra so no sides would be undecorated. It should look like this when completed.

Now just put the long belly band strip around the box and adhere the ends.  This covers the open edges where the sides come up. Don't pull too tight! You have to have some slack so you can slide it off easily. Then create your flower by layering your flower pieces cut from the Art Philosophy cartridge. I used Liquid Glass to adhere mine and added a medium sized Durables Round (z1706) for the center of my flower. Use foam tape or scrap of chipboard if you want more space between the layers, like my sister had on her box.

Flower Power
Denise's flowers and mine have Flower Power! We each took our embossing stylus and rubbed over the entire flower to soften the card stock. We then took our bone folders and added veins in the flowers and curled the edges a bit, just like you would curly ribbon!  I also inked the edges of my box and each of the flower layers with Chocolate ink. I also added some Sunset ink to match the paper but adds a bit of highlight to the petals. 
This was a long one but hopefully you'll enjoy making this cute little 2 sheet box! I'd love to see the boxes you make! Go to my FaceBook page and add your pics to the album I've set up there.

As always, I am a Close To My Heart Independent Consultant and I would love to earn your business! Click on the link at the top of the page to go to my website and order. All orders are supported with help so you USE your products! I can Skype or Face Time with any long distance customer and help you with your projects! 

Party on Paper Lovers! ~Sharon

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Do you recognize this stamp set?



I love CTMH's stamp sets as they are so versatile! Here you see the stamp set from the Avonlea WOTG used in a VERY different way: to create background paper in a 3 step stamping card.
You can also see that I used some of the left over ribbon from the kit. Because the WOTG's are not purchased by everyone-your additional cards you make using the stamps will have an extra special flair!
Here is the entire card and tutorial so you can get the same effect!
 Directions for 3-step stamping

Daisy white card stock cut at:
2 x 3.25 inches
3 x 4.25
4 x 5.25

Cut your  coordinating solid color card stock at:
2.25 x 3.5 inches
3.25 x 4.5
5.5 x 8.5-base of the card-fold in 1/2

Stamping instructions:
First layer your daisy white card stock on top of each other with largest on bottom building up. I used some temporary glue tape underneath to keep the layers from shifting. If you don't have any use any type of dotto/tape runner glue but oil it up so it isn't a permanent stick by rubbing it between your fingers before you put it on the paper.
Then stamp your sentiment on the smallest card stock piece. I do this so I make sure I have room for the sentiment. I love stamping around a page and can get CARRIED AWAY!

Next take your background stamp ( in this case the leafy design) and stamp in a neutral/soft color. I used the new Slate ink. I start close to the center and then work my way around making sure that I turn the stamp so it doesn't go the same direction. Stamp so that it goes across the 3 layers of paper once in awhile. Then come back with your focal/larger designed stamp and a brighter color and fill in the rest of the card. I stamped with smokey plum to match the card stock using the largest geometric shape from the stamp set.

When I was finished I had some gaps that I decided to fill with the small geometric/flower type stamp. I made sure that some of them went from one layer to another and off the edge of the largest paper.

Don't worry if you have gaps between the paper layers when you stamp!! This happens but it gets covered by the background card stock!

Finished stamping? Adhere your stamped pieces to the solid coordinating card stock pieces. Largest white glued to the card stock base.
Here is another very different card I made using the same technique!

 This card uses the Paper Lantern stamp set. Instead of gluing all the pieces flat, I popped up the top layer with foam tape and the word Celebrate. You can see that best on the second picture.

Just like our stamps being versatile, so is this card technique.

Hope you are having a great day partying with paper!

Come back soon. I have finished about 3 projects I'll be posting later this week!

~Sharon

Friday, August 3, 2012

Avonlea Cardmaking Kit!

My first 5 cards from the WOTG on my craft table!
So glad you visited my blog today! I love making cards and so happy that CTMH have 2 card making kits for the fall! I had so much fun making these. Easy to cut and put together with extra bling and even ribbon. I have never had good luck with background stamps until the stamp in this kit!

I'm still working on my extra cards I'm making with the scraps. When I have more done, I'll post! 
I feel in love with Avonlea and while this Workshop on the Go has extra, it isn't going to be enough for me! I've got the regular paper pack on my wish list so I'm sure you'll be seeing it on several projects this fall. Next blog will have an elegant flower topped box cut from the Cricut Artiste Cartridge. Hope you come back to see this stunning project!

If you would like your own Avonlea Card making WOTG order here.

Party on!
Sharon

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Damask Divas Avonlea Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Damask Divas Avonlea paper blog hop and Sharon's Paper Fiesta! You have found yourself here from Diana and no doubt you are already inspired to create with this elegant paper!

I absolutely love how versatile this new paper is and how well it goes with the new Pirouette stamp  seen in black emboss on my card. I decided to heat emboss the stamp design here so the pattern from the paper would show through. It was a tough call as this stamp also coordinates with the newArtiste Cricut Cartridge and I thought about cutting the shape out instead. I really do like how it turned out.
Avonlea greeting card front layered design with embossing.

Using scraps (yes SCRAPS!) from the Avonlea Workshop on the Go Cardmaking Kit. I cut the Border & Texture paper to fit an A2 card base made from Colonial White card stock.
I then cut another piece of the same Border & Texture at 2.5' x 4'.  I glued the smaller one on top making sure the opposite design was showing.

Once dry, I rubbed the paper with a dryer sheet (to help with the embossing), stamped with VersaMark, added embossing powder. After removing the powder from the inner green section with small child's paint brush to give it an open layer effect, I heat set the powder.
Inside stamped with smoky plum and slate inks using WOTG exclusive stamps!

Adding sliver shimmer trim, sparkles from the Sparkles Assortment, and a stamped and bling'd banner. evened out the design.

When I placed this on the card base I felt like something was still missing. So I took a small piece of smoky plum card stock from the kit, embossed it with a CuttleBug folder and positioned it to the left. That was it! I adhered all my pieces and then used 2 of the stamps from the Workshop on the Go to decorate the inside of the card.
I love the geometric shapes, multi-layers and the on-trend colors! I hope you do too!

Interested in purchasing these products? Click here.  Here is a list with their order number and prices.
Supplies used:
Avonlea WOTG (G1041~$29.95) What a bargain!
Avonlea WOTG exclusive acrylic stamps
Pirouette stamp (B1409~$9.95)
Slate Ink (z2173~$5.25)
Sparkles Assortment Black/gray (z1754 ~$2.95)
Sparkles Assortment Clear (z1752~$2.95)
Silver Shimmer Trim (z1799~$4.95) LUV IT!
Colonial White Card Stock (1388~$14.50)
Craft Heater (Z555~$29.95)
Cuttle Bug embossing folder
Want to see some of my cards from the Workshop on the go kit? Then come back tomorrow. I'll be partying on with many more projects to come! Your next stop is the wonderful Ashley at cutesyandsillscrafts.  Keep the paper party going!
Blessings!~Sharon

Monday, July 30, 2012

Gift Card Holder

Card Holder Card!
     I love this gift card holder I just made using the Victory Paper pack. When I bought this paper I thought, ugh camo green and blue---what will I do with it? But I just love the colors and they work great for classic cards.

This card idea I got from Madaline Morcelo's Inking from the Heart school! You can order projects like these from her and check out her blog Inking from the Heart.

I hadn't used this SOTM yet and I love it with the more masculine paper. My inks were Outdoor Denim, Olive and Goldrush. I used the Olive on Happy Birthday and Outdoor Denim on Amazing. I sponged the edges of the Happy Hirthday piece with O.D. and Amazing with Olive. Goldrush was used on the back layer of colonial white behind Happy Birthday. To complete this card I'll put in another denim blue card stock piece with slits cut in where a gift card will fit. The card really needs no envelop since the outside acts as a mini-gift bag in itself! Let me know what you think!

The card took me longer than most to figure out but now that I have it, I'll be making more of them. I can hardly wait until my new Fall/Winter paper packs come in the mail.

Did you know? Our new IDEA Book and products are available for order August 1st. Great new papers and stamps for Fall/Winter holidays. Decor items galore! Check them out on Wednesday here. Go to products and IDEA Book!
Come to the Paper Fiesta again soon! Blessings!

Sharon

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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Yippee! I got the Artiste Cart bundle!

My Artiste Cricut Cartridge Bundle came last week! I've dug into it and am so excited about all the projects and 3-D items I'll be able to create. The best part is Close to My Heart also has additional stamps, Workshops on the Go, and supplies that will take my Artiste projects to the next level!
You have probably seen the fliers but I think my pictures(although amateur) show the bundle in much better detail!
Acrylic Stamp sets and instruction booklets
The chipboard pieces match cuts and stamps



No confusion! We have instructions for all 3D projects-Yippee!


The talk bubbles are stamps, cuts, and chipboard for instant stunning results!
I'm offering free Cricut Craft Room cut files for anyone who orders their Artiste cartridge from me. This can save you so much time and effort. This cartridge is available starting August 1!