Christmas & Winter Creations - Seasonal Blog Hop

It's the most wonderful time of year!!!!! Hello and welcome to another •MAKE•IT•Crafty• Seasonal Blog Hop! You can check out the last one here, if you like.

If you just hopped onto my blog, you can start here and work your way around as this hop is circular. If you arrived from Diana's blog {Farmer Di Stamps}, then you are on the right path. And, don't worry if you get lost, you'll find the complete list of participating Close to my Heart consultants HERE.

This month we are showcasing Christmas/Winter projects.  All of the artwork is using Close to my Heart products from the Annual Inspirations catalog.  Hope you are inspired to create something FESTIVE!!!

Are you a Pinterest junkie? I can easily spend an endless amount of time {pinning} to 'CASE' various artwork creations. For this project, I wanted to recreate Brenda's (aka Skrapaddict's) layout ~ Christmas morning.

I just {heart} the non-traditional colours featured in the Snowhaven paper packet.  The palette is Black, Cranberry, Glacier, Whisper and White Daisy.

The layout came together rather quickly.  It uses one sheet of the B&T Duos, the first shown above, and a few pieces of cardstock. If you hadn't noticed, the pennant strips are also from that same sheet. To save a little paper, I decided to cut out a slightly smaller sized piece of the pattern paper where the Glacier cardstock was going to be placed and then use it for the pennants.  And to sturdy up the layout, I mounted the now cut B&T Duo onto Black cardstock.

Not sure how to use that extra strip along the edge of the B&T Duos? Here, I used it to highlight the title of the layout.  As I stamped the word 'morning', I didn't want the strip to cover it up so I cut around the 'g' to lift the cardstock and slide the strip underneath. 

Well, it's time to now hop on over to Dominique's blog {FUN2CRE8}. Thanks so much for following along today! Be sure to come on back for the next Blog Hop featuring CARDS and Valentine Creations.

Wintery Wishes!

SUPPLIES
Papers: Snowhaven B&T (CTMH), Black, Glacier, Whisper, & White Daisy cardstock (CTMH)

Stamps: Handwritten Print (E1030)

Ink: Glacier

Other: Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors (Z1836), Cricut Art Philosophy (Z1686), Cricut Expression/Cricut Craft Room, & EK Success mini heart punch 

Halloween & Fall Creations - Seasonal Blog Hop

Ghostly Greetings! Ok, I'm back after a way too long hiatus, again!! So, welcome to the •MAKE•IT•Crafty• Seasonal Blog Hop! If you just hopped onto my blog, you can start here and work your way around as this hop is circular. If you arrived from Natalie's blog {Scrappy Sassy Studios}, then you are on the right path. And, don't worry if you get lost, you'll find the complete list of participating Close to my Heart consultants HERE.  

This month we are showcasing Halloween/Fall projects.  All of the artwork is using Close to my Heart products from the Annual Inspirations catalog.  Hope you are inspired to create something SPOOKTACULAR!

Anyways, it seems the last days of summer are finally here.  The temperature has dipped noticeably, the wind is stronger, and the most visual indication of the changing of seasons, the light is fading.  As summer gradually gives over to autumn, it's not going down without a fight. But despite the changes, fall is by far my favourite time of year! I just LOVE the freshness in the air, the red, yellow, orange and brown and all the hues in-between, the smell of all things pumpkin, and of course the oversized sweaters ... don't you?

OK, enough about my love of the season ... onto the craftiness, right! For this Hop, I created two cards. First up, a 'just a note to say thanks!' card.

It's really quite simple. I used the Close to my Heart Art Philosophy cartridge along with the Cricut Craft Room to weld the tree & cut it on white cardstock. From there, I embossed a piece of kraft cardstock using the woodgrain embossing folder, which was placed behind the tree. I punched several leaves from the Pathfinding paper packet. I then laid out all the leaves for visual placement, that's key! Once the leaves were all adhered down, I stamped the sentiment. Now, it's time to place it onto the card base. The new thin 3-D foam tape was perfect for this. And, voila! Ok, I admit ... I just love how it all came together.

And, here's the second one, a 'happy halloween' card.

I typically don't create cards for Halloween, do you?  But lately, I have been inspired by all the crafty goodness from various new releases, blogs, and Pinterest, ofcourse! Without a doubt, Scaredy Cat is the perfect paper packet!  I tend to create from the top layers down, if that makes sense? The pumpkins were die cut from pattern paper followed by measuring & cutting all the other layers. I also distressed all the edges of the black cardstock, which may be hard to see in the photo. Again, I lay it all together before adhering it. I am such a visual thinker! Then, it's onto assembly. I popped up the pumpkins with 3-D foam tape on the pattern paper, to start. But wait, before I adhered this layer, I felt something was missing. It just needed a bit of contrast between the two pattern papers. Can you see the chevron pattern peeking through? Well, it's actually the new Sunset Chevron Washi Tape adhered to a piece of kraft cardstock. Brilliant! Ok, now it's safe to finish assembling the layers.  Then, add a few buttons, hemp cord, a sentiment and of course cute twine bows on each of the pumpkins. Phew, it's complete!

Well, now it's time to hop on over to Dominique's blog {FUN2CRE8}. Thanks so much for following along today! Be sure to come on back for the next Blog Hop featuring 'FA LA LA LA' Christmas/Winter projects.

Happy Haunting!

SUPPLIES
Card #1:

Papers: Pathfinding B&T (CTMH), White Daisy & Kraft cardstock (CTMH)

Stamps: A Friend Like You (B1410, retired)

Ink: Chocolate

Other: Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors (Z1836), Thin 3-D foam tape (Z2060), Woodgrain Embossing Folder (Z1996), Cricut Art Philosophy (Z1686), Cricut Expression/Cricut Craft Room, & Martha Stewart Crafts punch, Rose Leaf. 

Card #2:

Papers: Scaredy Cat B&T (CTMH), Colonial White, Black & Kraft cardstock (CTMH)

Stamps: Frightfully Fun (B1453)

Ink: Chocolate

Other: Sunset Chevron Washi Tape (Z2005), Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors (Z1836), Thin 3-D Foam Tape (Z2060), 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151), Designer Buttons, Wooden (retired), natural twine (The Twinery), Hemp Cord, Zots clear adhesive dots & MFT Dienamics, Primitive Pumpkins.

CTMH NEW PRODUCT BLOG HOP ROUND #2 - {Hope your Birthday's as Sweet as You}

Have you had the chance to peek at the new CTMH Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book yet? Are you looking for inspiration?

Well, I am excited again to be participating in the CTMH New Product Blog Hop. Join me and other CTMH consultants as we share our creations with new product from the Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog. Welcome & enjoy!

A few weeks ago I hosted an Open House Launch Party to showcase some of the new products. Plus, there was yummy drinks & eats, especially if you have a sweet tooth like me!  And, who doesn't love to make somethin' {pretty}?  Well, we always create one make n' take or sometimes two, which I share with you here.  But this time around, I decided to wait and share it during this hop!

As Balloon Ride is my fave paper packet, I could not resist to grab a sheet of pattern paper to create with. I then added two strips of solid cardstock, sunset and chocolate, both stamped with background stamps for added dimension.  And last, the extra decorative strip along each sheet of pattern paper is perfect for this project!  To add a bit of flair, I cut each strip at either end and slightly layered each at different heights.  The strips are mounted on a sheet of solid cardstock and then adhered on the card base.  Add a sentiment on a piece of cardstock, pop it up with 3-D foam tape and voilà!!

Thanks for stopping in!  Now, hop on over to check out the other fabulous artwork (March 3th - 8th).

SUPPLIES

Papers: CTMH Balloon Ride B&T, Sunset, Chocolate & Champagne cardstock

Stamps: CTMH Distressed Backgrounds (D1544), Cricut Artiste Collection Birthday (D1529)

Ink: Cocoa

Other: Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors (Z1836), 3-D foam tape (Z1151), corner rounder (Z1912)

3x3 Card Set with Mini Gift Box

Popping in with a quick Hello! It seems this month there has been a lot of hustle & bustle ... lots of appointments, CTMH New Product Blog Hop, Neeje Association Crop, Valentine's Day & hosting an Open House Launch Party for CTMH's new Spring/Summer Idea Book.

Anyways, I {heart} 3x3 cards! Why you ask? Well, it's so simple to whip up a batch, great for using scrap paper & of course fabulous for gift giving.  A lot of my inspiration comes from Vicki Wizniuk over at Wizard's Hangout. She is the {queen} of 3x3 cards, in my opinion! And, can't forget Pinterest too. Well, it's a little late but I thought I would share this valentine gift set I created for the Neeje Association Crop make n' take. 

Such a cute box filled with six 3x3 cards. The bow was cut using the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge & the box was cut and scored from a sheet of cardstock. Here's the instructions for the mini box (note: search 'Mini Pizza Box' for tutorials):

Cardstock for the box should be cut to 5 1/4" x 9 1/2.  Assembled box will measure approx. 3 3/8" square x 1" high.

Score the shorter distance at 1", 4 1/4" 5 1/4" and 8 1/2" (9 1/2" across top of score board)

Score the longer distance at 1" on each side, left & right (5 1/4" across top of score board)

Cut each 1" line across the longer distance on each side, left & right (total of 8 cuts)

Fold score lines to make it more "flexible." 

Adhere with adhesive.

For the Belly Band, cardstock should be cut to 1 7/8" x 10" and scored the short distance at 1", 2 1/8", 5 1/2" and 6 5/8".

And, I love that I could make the cards {girly} with pinks, reds & grays, which doesn't happen often with a household of boys.  

Thanks for stopping by. 

SUPPLIES

Papers: CTMH Slate, Blush, Hollyhock, Cranberry& White Daisy Cardstock

Stamps: Whooo's Your Valentine (retired)

Ink: Slate, Hollyhock, Cranberry & White Daisy 

Embellishments: Silver Shimmer Trim (Z1799) & 

Other: Cricut Art Philosophy (Z1686), Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors (Z1836), Mini Scoring Board (MS), 1 1/4" circle punch (CTMH), 3/4" circle punch (SU), 3-D foam tape (Z1151), corner rounder (Z1912) & Scor-Tape.

{Happy Birthday}

Hello again! Did you get a chance to take a peek at the fabulous creations from my fellow Close to my Heart Consultants the other day?  Well, I thought today I would share another card as part of the CTMH New Product Blog Hop.  Click HERE to link back to my original post if you missed it!

This card was inspired by Jackie Pedro over at {The Scalloped Edge}.  I really liked how it came together with some of the circles popped up for dimension, which may be hard to tell from the photo.  The patterned paper here is Ariana, although I couldn't let go of Balloon Ride just yet so I added a few circles of the sky blue patterned paper to the mix.

 It features Ariana Corel, Ariana Green, Ariana Grey, Crystal Blue, Outdoor Denim and White Daisy.

Thanks again for stopping on by!

SUPPLIES

Papers: CTMH Ariana & Balloon Ride, CTMH Whisper, Slate, Outdoor Denim & White Daisy Cardstock

Stamps: In the Background (D1540), Just a Number (D1514)

Ink: Slate

Embellishments: Aqua Dots (Z1853)

Other: Micro-Tip Scissors, Corner Punch, Crafter's Workshop Circle Grid stencil, Silhouette Cameo & various circle punches.

CTMH NEW PRODUCT Blog Hop - {Thinking of You}

Hello! If you don't already know the NEW Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book is now LIVE here!

Ok, I've been MIA for awhile, sorry for that!  But, I am excited today to be participating in the CTMH New Product Blog Hop. All of the projects featured in this hop are to showcase new products from the fabulous Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book.  Welcome and enjoy!

I simple {heart} all the paper collections this time around! Yet, I absolutely LOVE the colours of Balloon Ride.  It features Cashmere, Colonial White, Creme Brulee, Crystal Blue, Juniper, Saddle, Sky and Sorbet. Isn't it beautiful?

And, here's a {Thinking of You} card I made for a friend. 

First, I stamped the hot air balloon image from the Lifting Spirits stamp set on a piece of Balloon Ride patterned paper.  I knew I wanted to paper pierce it so I stamped it again on the flip side of the same patterned paper and on a piece of Outdoor Denim cardstock.  I then fussy cut the Envelope (top) and the Basket (bottom).  I mounted it on a piece of Sunset cardstock.  I love how cute the cloud images are from this set so I stamped them too and cut them out.  I then grabbed the One-Way Borders stamp set and used one of the arrow images to stamp on a strip of Whisper cardstock.  It came together pretty easy with some more pattern paper to match along with Outdoor Denim and Slate Grey cardstock.  The sentiment is also from the Lifting Spirits stamp set and it's stamped with Outdoor Denim ink. 

Want to see more? Simply click on any of the thumbnail links below to visit the blogs of other CTMH consultants who are participating in this hop and see their creations! And, make sure to stop by periodically during the week as the hop is on until February 9th. Thanks again for hopping on by and I am sure you'll find some inspirational artwork!

SUPPLIES

Papers: CTMH Balloon Ride, CTMH Whisper, Slate, Sunset, Outdoor Denim & White Daisy Cardstock

Stamps: One-Way Borders (C1561), Lifting Spirits (C1570)

Ink: Whisper, Outdoor Denim

Other: Micro-Tip Scissors, Corner Rounder