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)

{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

IT'S A {PRETTY} PARTY!

Don't you just {love} papercrafting, scrapbooking and/or cardmaking? Twice a year, to launch each NEW Idea Book, I host IT'S A {PRETTY} PARTY! What is it you ask? Well, it's a crafty open house to showcase all the fabulous new products available!   And, there's usually a {pretty sweet} special! Since the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book went LIVE, I've been busy prepping for my Open House, which was held this past Sunday.  If you haven't already 'LIKED' my Facebook page ~ CTMH - pretty paperie sweets ~ remember to do so as all Event details are always posted there.  

As a little {thank you} to those that attend, we usually make somethin' {pretty}!  Here's a sweet 3x3 card made with the NEW Babycakes paper pack ... I just {heart} these little cards!

And, with a new month comes a NEW Stamp of the Month ... and it's so cute! It's called A Chocolate Affair and the FAB news is you get it for FREE!  

*No additional tax will be applied for the free stamp set. Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the stamp set ($17.95). Offer valid August 1-31, 2013.

So, August is definitely a sweet time to shop—when you place an order of $50 or more during August, you’ll receive the August Stamp of the Month set, A Chocolate Affair (S1308A), FREE!* This D-size stamp set with a retail value of $17.95 includes 16 images and sentiments that will have your friends salivating over your chocolate layouts and cards. Make every project a treat with this must-have set. Plus, on my website, you'll find the artwork that was created with the stamp set to re-create yourself! Take a peek at mine ...

Well, if you didn't make it out to this one or take advantage of the {pretty sweet} specials, then be sure to keep it in mind next time in early Spring!  

Click on the photo below to visit my website to browse all the great new products!

SUPPLIES: {LOVE IT} 3x3 card

Papers: CTMH Colonial White, Sunset Cardstock, CTMH Babycakes

Ink: Chocolate & Sunset

Stamps: You Only Live Once (B1434), All the Details (D1555) & Eclectic Edges (C1450) (retired)

Embellishments: CTMH Opaques Mocha Adhesive Gems (Z1333)

{Birthday Wishes}

Here's another quick card I thought I would share in the CTMH New Product Blog Hop. Click HERE to link back to my first post and the blog hop list. 

This sweet card was made using the new Laughing Lola paper pack.  I really {heart} the paisley pattern! The Whisper cardstock was embossed with an embossing folder. The Laughing Lola B&T Duo paper was cut into squares and rounded on opposite ends and adhered to Black cardstock. I also added a strip of pattern paper from Stella and a strip of pattern paper from Laughing Lola, just the flip side. I embossed the sentiment {Birthday Wishes} from the 'Just a Number' stamp set on Smokey Plum cardstock with white embossing powder.  Then, it was adhered with 3-D foam tape over a few strands of Grey Wool baker's twine.  

Thanks for hopping on by ... enjoy all the FAB projects!

SUPPLIES

Papers: CTMH Smokey Plum, Whipser & Black Cardstock, CTMH Laughing Lola & Stella (retired)

Stamps: Just a Number (D1514)

Embossing Powder: CTMH White (retired)

Embellishments: CTMH Grey Wool Baker's Twine

CAMP. FOR ME.

Hello!  It's time for camp.  For me that is, not the little ones!

I've heard so much about Online Card Classes and wanting to take a class or two but have not had the time. But, a few weeks ago, I was the lucky Summer Card Camp 2 (SCC) Giveaway winner from Mariana Grigsby's blog. The class is taught by Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire and special Guest Designers. I am so very giddy to start this class and know I’ll be inspired by the many cards they have planned for us.  

Here's a bit about how the class works...

It's a three-week class that will be bursting at the seams with ideas! Each week will follow the same format; yet, each week will bring us a fresh spin on the day’s theme:

• Mondays – Sketches & Weekly Color Combo
• Tuesdays – Techniques, Tips & Tricks
• Wednesdays – Inspiration Using the Weekly Color Combo
• Thursdays – Design & Card Challenge
• Fridays – Student Spotlight & More Inspiration

Class officially started last Monday, but life was busy! Let's hope this week is different! I did however manage to find time on the weekend for homework. Today's cards are made from last week's sketches and color combo.

Here is my first card ...

Just {love} the texture of the background layer.  It is embossed with a geometric circles embossing folder, which is very trendy right now!

And, here is my second card ...

This one is inspired by a fellow SCC participant, Angela McQ.  It's a spin on one of the sketches and I {heart} all the layered banners!

Well, the first week of class was really exciting! I learned some FAB techniques and can't wait to see what's happening this week!  Sill time to sign up! Click HERE to see all about it.  

SUPPLIES

Papers: CTMH White Daisy, Hollyhock, Sorbet, Honey, & Sky Cardstock, CTMH Patterned Paper (scraps)

Stamps: Just a Number (D1514), Pun Fun (C1505)

Ink: CTMH Black 

Embellishments: CTMH Clear Sparkles, CTMH Grey Wool Baker's Twine