Box Cards!

Better Late then Never!

Like many crafty folks, I was taken in by the creativity and fun of these box cards! Splitcoast Stampers has a great tutorial on the Pop Up Box Card HERE.  There are several others in various sizes including this one by Dina in a typical A2 size. Mine were made by following the Splitcoast version and were really too large to place in an envelope. Instead, I tied ribbon on some and 1 I made a belly band for out of card stock.

The cards I'm sharing today are from Valentine's Day and were inspired by a $13.99 Hallmark Card found in a Wal-Mart Circular. I placed a pic of the Wal-Mart ad on my FaceBook page and how I could make these for less! Well, wouldn't you know, I had an order for 8 of them from 1 person before the hour was up. Here are just a few of the cards I made for her. 

How did I do that?

These were actually pretty easy although a bit time consuming! I started out with a variety of papers that had a Valentine motif or would coordinate. I ended up using several papers from 2 old packs I had and added Ariana and For Always as well as coordinating card stock from CTMH. As usual, my Cricut helped me do lots of cutting! I actually cut ALL-yes ALL of the decorative paper and shapes on my Cricut using Art Philosophy, Artiste and Art Booking Cartridges which are exclusive to CTMH. 

From there I just decorated each flap and added cut designs to fill in the box. Each of the shapes was either connected to a cut strip of old transparencies I got from teacher friends or if they needed to hold upright better, I just used good old card stock strips. 

I really like how these turned out and so did the friend who ordered them. 

Close to My Heart has a wonderful set of papers and embellishments as well as fantastic Cricut Cartridges. If you haven't tried CTMH products or would like to add something new to your crafting table, I'd encourage you to take a look at our wonderful selection and ideas. You can find all the exciting supplies we offer on my online shop HERE.

I also have a Workshop on the Go monthly club where you get rewards if you join and participate for 6 months! FREE supplies just for ordering materials you would order ANYWAY! You can find more details on this club by clicking the link at the top of this page.

Thanks so much for stopping by to see my projects. If you liked any of the boxes, I hope you shared them via your Pinterest page!

Happy Crafting!

Sharon

Everything ABC's Blog Hop Letter E

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop!

For this hop we will be featuring the letter E. This may be the name of a paper, a stamp set or an embellishment. Whatever the crafter has chosen as their E element will be featured in their post.

If you have just hopped onto my blog, please start at the beginning at Linda's blog ~ Scrappy Therapy 

If you came from Michelle Battitori then you're on the right track!

E is for Embossing!

Embossing can add so much dimension to any card or project. Here is the Mother's Day card I made with 2 different embossing folders. One is a damask design embossing folder on the Hollyhock Card Stock and the other is a dot embossing folder on the white card stock in the center. [See the 3rd photo for a close up that shows this best!).  The shine on the photo above is Frost White All-Purpose Ink for fantast/x which I sponged on the flowers and the background card stock. It really isn't that white looking in person but with the right light it does sort of glow. 

Pretty in Pink! 

I love the depth of the embossing coupled with the Frost White! To get this look I made sure I ran Close to My Heart's white core card stock through against the grain. This ensured that I got more white to show. Then to even up the white, I used our sanding block and swirled in circular motions until I got the exact look I wanted. Then I sponged on the Frost White ink and set it aside to dry.

Cricut Cuts

This center section is just jam-packed with Cricut Cuts from CTMH's Art Philosophy cartridge. 

Oval Frame: p.43 Decorative Layer  cut at 3"

Oval (background) p. 43 Basic Oval 3 cut at 3"

Inside sentiment frame: Basic Oval5 cut at 1 3/4"

Flowers: Flower 8 p.50 cut from 1/2" to 2" in quarter inch increments.
The leaf can be cut from the cartridge but I had a punch that I liked better so I used it. If you wanted to cut on the Cricut you'll find a similar branch on p.35 (Branch 2)

I layered the oval frame in Hollyhock on top of the dot embossed oval. Since they were cut at the same size they fit perfectly on top of each other. I stamped the sentiment using Holiday Tags stamp set. I then worked some magic on the flowers. I used the retired {boo} stylus to soften the flowers and bend them using circular motions from the outside edge of the petal into the center. Then I flipped the flower over and pushed the eraser end of a pencil into the middle. If some of the petals didn't curl enough I used my bone folder to get more of a curl. I layered several sizes of the flowers together and inserted a mini-brad in the center. Once that was complete I sponged on some of the Frost White on each of the flowers. Finally, I glued the flowers onto the card using mini-glue dots.

If you want to make a similar card, I'm happy to share my Cricut Craft Room file with you! Just leave your email address with a comment below. I'll send you and invite to Dropbox where you can download the file!

CTMH has a new line of 5x8 embossing folders that are very nice! This video gives great information on how to work with our white core card stock to get different looks. Like less white core showing when you emboss? Then emboss WITH the grain. Take a look at how to find the grain and special features of our embossing folders {open at the top].

I want to thank you for stopping by my blog! I'd like to invite you to join my blog and my Facebook page so you won't miss a single post or project! Your next stop on our Everything ABC'S blog Hop is Cary Magnani of My Heart's Design.

Blessings! ~Sharon

Here is the complete lineup in case you get lost along the way :)

1. Linda Norman - Scrappy Therapy
2. Joy McHargue -  Studiowow 
3. Catherine Nowak ~ Catscrapbooking  
4. Pam Trostle - Pam's Crafty Creations
5. Jenny Gilbert - Jen's Creative Classroom
6. Anita Autore- Cards and Coffee
7. Lauren Moore - CTMH Craftings
8. Michelle Battitori - Michelle's Handmade World
9. Sharon Chapman-Sharon's PaperFiesta        YOU ARE HERE!
10. Cary Magnani - My Heart's Design
11. Stephanie Feist-The Quilted Scrapper
12. Shalana Glass - Scrappin with Shalana

Damask Diva's Lollydoodle Blog Hop

Welcome to the Damask Diva's Blog Hop! For this hop we will be featuring the Lollydoodle Paper Pack. 

If you have just hopped onto my blog, please start at the beginning with Mandy Leahy. If you came from Lilian Yeh then you're on the right track!

Simple Friend Card

This month I decided to make a very simple friend card using Lollydoodle paper, the Owls stamp set, and 3 of the coordinating inks: One thing I love about our paper packs is they always list coordinating colors on the zip strips at the top of the B&T papers! It makes it soooo easy to stamp.

To make this card I used (1) 3x4 piece of B&T, a white card base and scrap white card stock to stamp the owls and branch. I started with stamping the You & me on the left side of the card. When I got to the third {cotton candy} one I knew the me would show so I used a masking technique and adhered a post-it note to the card base where the 'me' would stamp. Then I glued the B&T paper down on the upper right corner of the card. After stamping the owls and branch, I used our wonderful micro-tip scissors to fussy cut them.

This picture shows the owls and branch up close! I used our Bonding Memories to glue the branch down and our foam tape to pop up the owls to add some dimension.  This card has no bling and I know exactly which friend of mine will appreciate a more simple, cute card.
If you would like to see some of my other cards that use multiple stamping click here! 

Thank you so much for hopping on in. I'd like to invite you back on March 8th when I'll be participating in another blog hop: Everything ABC. Our letter this month is 'E'! Mark your calendar!

Your next stop on our Damask Diva Blog Hop is Rhonda Kiernan of Mother Daughter Craft Creations.

For the complete listing of all the participants in this blog and other inspiration check out www.DamaskDivas.com/LollydoodleBlogHop

Blessings!
Sharon

Everything ABC's Blog Hop Letter D

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop!

For this hop we will be featuring the letter D. This may be the name of a paper, a stamp set or an embellishment. Whatever the crafter has chosen as their D element will be featured in their post.

If you have just hopped onto my blog, please start at the beginning at Linda's blog ~ Scrappy Therapy. If you came from Michele's Ink It Stamp It then you're on the right track!

Diamond Fold Card 

Yes, sir! I selected the Diamond fold card for the "D" blog hop! I had never made one before but had seen several tutorials available online. My card features the Ariana paper pack from Close to My Heart and the coordinating stamp, Joyful Wishes. I just love the A-sized stamp sets as they are the perfect size and at $6.95, so affordable {and adorable}. And Ariana is a fabulous blend of textures and flowers. If you are planning a project for Mother's Day, Ariana is your paper pack!

Closed Diamond Fold Card 4x4

Above you see the card when it is closed. The diamond is part of the card base with the attached stamped layered square on top. I stamped the Joyful Wishes image in Outdoor Denim Exclusive Ink on a 3x3 square of Daisy White card stock and sealed it with clear embossing powder. I then used markers to color in the image. Once complete I added a 3.25 square of Outdoor Denim card stock from the paper pack. I set that aside while I created the card base. 

Card Base

Here is a quick slide show that shows the basics for folding this card. You begin with a 4" x 12" piece of card stock or B&T paper you want for your base and scoring and folding does the rest!

If you need more information you can click here for a link to the Splitcoast Stampers tutorial. They have 2 variations in addition to this tutorial available.

Inside Front View

Side view gives you a good look at the folds

When you open this card there is an explosion of triangles that support the diamond on top. I couldn't find any written dimensions for covering this card. So I've put instructions below for you to make it easier!

Decorative paper pieces

Here are the cuts you'll need to decorate each of the areas:

(2) 1 3/4 in x 3 3/4 in B&T paper for side

(2) 1 7/8 in x 3 7/8 in card stock background layer

(2) 3 3/4 in x 3 3/4 in coordinating B&T squares: Cut to make triangles as shown above.

For the top diamond I used a 2 13/16 in square of B&T in the coral pattern for brightness and contrast.

Supplies 

Most supplies are available on my online CTMH store or from your CTMH independent consultant. 

Close to My Heart Supplies

Ariana Paper Pack

Outdoor Denim Exclusive Ink

Joyful Wishes stamp set

Bone Folder

Paper Trimmer

Additional Items

Score Board: Mine is the Martha Stewart board & I would recommend it. 

Clear Embossing Powder

Thanks for coming to the Paper Fiesta!  The party isn't over yet as you have 1 more hop!

Your next stop on our Everything ABC'S Blog Hop is Anita Autore of Cardsandcoffee.blogspot.com

Here is the complete lineup in case you get lost along the way :)

1. Linda Norman- Scrappy Therapy 

2. Lauren Moore- CTMH Craftings

3. Michelle Battitori - Michelle's Handmade World

4. Catherine Nowak ~ Catscrapbooking 

5. Jenny Gilbert - Jen's Creative Classroom 

6.  Lisa Plummer - Flaunt Your Creativity

7. Cary Magnani - My Heart's Design 

8. Shalana Glass - Scrappin with Shalana

9. Pam Trostle - Pam's Crafty Creations 

10. Michele Pryor - Michele's Ink it Stamp it

11. Sharon Chapman - Sharon's Paper Fiesta    <<<<<& you are here!

12 Anita Autore -Cards and Coffee 

Damask Divas Ivy Lane Blog Hop

Welcome to Sharon's Paper Fiesta and the Damask Diva's Ivy Lane blog hop! If you are coming from Kelly Janes's blog then you are in the right place! If you are starting here then make sure to go to our Damask Diva blog and see all the other creations from the start!

Ivy Lane

Romance is in the air with Ivy Lane! I just love the color combinations in this new paper pack: pinks, purples, greens and lots of great patterns and textures. With Valentine's day right around the corner, I designed this card using cuts from our fabulous Art Philosophy and Artiste Cartridges. I don't know what I would do without them!

I started out by cutting a 5x5 card base, card front, circle and hearts all from the Art Philosophy Cartridge using CCR. Then I cut out the adorable cupid from the Artiste Cartridge. Then I sponged the sides of the card base, circle and pink heart in Smokey Plum Exclusive Ink. To put the card together, I used our Bonding Memories Glue and Foam Tape.  This gave the card a bit more dimension.

 Finally I place a small Sparkle Flourish just under the corner of the pink heart. I felt like the card needed a bit of sparkle. {Of course what card doesn't??}

In this photo you can see that the cupid is popped up just a bit.  He's been my go-to guy lately as I've been working on several Valentine's cards. Those cards will be posted soon, so please subscribe to my blog and come back soon!  Now off you go to see the next inspirational project done by none other than Michelle Southworth.

If you are interested in ordering any Close to My Heart products  or need a new Idea Book, please visit my online store HERE! I also have a Kit of the Month Club that earns you FREE products and other monthly specials and give aways.  Let me earn your business!

{HUGS}
Sharon

Huntington Damask Diva Blog Hop

Welcome to your next stop on the Damask Diva's Huntington Blog Hop! If you are coming from Jessica Wilson's blog you are in the right place! But no worries…if you are starting with my post you can find all the links to the blog hop at our Damask Diva blog.

This is just one of the projects I've made using the Huntington paper pack. I love the rich textures and colors CTMH has put together so much I've bought several packs so I'll have it for projects throughout the year!

Make it from Your Heart vol. 2

This card comes from our great Make it From Your Heart Vol. 2 book. It is found on page 43. Pattern 22 gives you great layers and a stamping area that is very versatile! I chose to use the beautiful stamp set for fall called, Happy Autumn. To begin with, I took the small cluster of flowers and inked them up using the Rock the Block technique. Rock the Block is when you first stamp your image in the lighter of 2 colors. Then you take the darker color but instead of fulling inking the stamp you gently rock your acrylic block in a circular motion touching only the edges of the stamp. For this card I used Autumn Terracotta ink as the base color and I rocked it onto Barn Red, just on the edges of the flower. I made one imprint and then without re-inking I immediately printed again underneath. This technique is called Stamping Off. Then I stamped the sentiment in Chocolate ink. I made this card as part of a Stamp-a -Stack class and below is an example of what one of the class members, Robin, made.

Super Cute!

I think Robin's card came out super cute! She masked (covered) part of the sentiment and then used the Turkey from the retired stamp set, C1426 Thanksgiving. On one of her other cards she changed it up a bit and used the pumpkin from this set and the pilgrim boy{2 cute}. 

While, buying new stamp sets is always exciting. I just love seeing how so many sets old and new can be used to create wonderful cards and layouts!  

Stamp a Stack

Here are some more pics from my Stamp-a-Stack class I held at my home. We had a great time stamping a variety of cards-10 cards in all!

The creativity and personal touches everyone adds to their cards always amazes me! I want to thank Robin, Shirley, and Jennifer for attending the class! 

It is so much fun to be a CTMH consultant! It has blessed my life in so many ways. 

Grateful!

I'm also so grateful to you for stopping by! I hope that you'll come back soon or better yet, join my blog and never miss a post! 

Now hop on over to Brenda's blog and see what she has been busy making for you! 

May the Blessings of Thanksgiving be with you the whole year through!

Sharon

Sympathy Card

I unfortunately had to make my first sympathy card since becoming a CTMH consultant. A few weeks ago, my cousin's college age son passed away unexpectedly. Such a tragic loss. While I haven't seen the young man since he was a toddler, his grandmother (my aunt) played a very important role in my life and I knew I needed to send sympathies to her.

Background stamping

I began the card by making an A2 card blank. Next I cut fronts for the card in 1/8 in increments with the bamboo card stock 1/8 in greater than the colonial white card stock. The using the Universal Background stamp set and bamboo ink I stamped the script background. 

Torn card stock technique

As you can see, I tore the corner off both the bamboo and white card stock. I find if you tear with an "up" motion with your dominant hand the paper tears and leaves the rough edge. All CTMH card stock has a white core perfect for this and for embossing.
I finished up the card by stamping the flower and sentiment. The flower is from a retired stamp set. Both sentiments are from Card Chatter-Sympathy stamp set. Don't dismiss this stamp set! It has great sentiments that work for many situations, not just in a time of loss. I've used this set many times for illness, baptisms and support of those going through a difficult time. I'm sure my aunt felt the love sent with this homemade card.

Want to start making your own cards?

Making your own cards is fun and easy! But even easier with CTMH Workshop on the Go Card Kits!

We have 2 card kits available in our Fall 2013 Idea Book: Laughing Lola and Frosted(Christmas) These are great crafting kits at an awesome VALUE!

But you can get even more value when you join my Monthly Kit Club! You'll get FREE products every month you order one of our Workshops on the Go or Decor Kits! Want to know more about the great monthly FREE products and the special gift at the end of the club? Click HERE!  I know you are going to LOVE the great products!

To order any of our great CTMH products, please click here! I appreciate your business and am just a click, email or call away to help you make the most of your crafting!