Bunny Garden Gate on a Gate-Fold Card!

I have happy memories of an arched trellis in our neighbor's yard as I was growing up.  The roses were beautiful, and it wasn't unusual for a bird to build a nest and raise their babies right there next to us!  So I couldn't resist getting the Daisy Meadows Cardmaking Workshop Kit (G1226) if only to use that garden archway die! 

I decided that the garden gate really should be on a gate-fold card, so here you see how it opens!

This sweet little bunny from the Snuggle Up Stamp/Die set (Z3727) or stamp only (C1843) was perfect for the front.  I used a sentiment from Happy Easter Bunny (A1246) and some little eggs from a stamp set that retired ten years ago!  Nice to have those things in your stash when you need them!

There were several recent challenges that had a theme of bunnies or hopping, so I thought this card would work for them.  These are the challenges where you can find this card.  Click on the links to see other creations that follow the theme:

Fusion Card Challenge - Easter Eggs

Inspired By Challenge - Bunny Roll

Stinkin' Inkers Challenge - Hop To It! 

You can see that I just couldn't stop creating with this garden arch, so I did an actual garden scene with the second card, but no gate-fold! 

I used ink blending and a stencil to create the background of the cards, and actually created a video that discusses these things:

• You will notice one background is plain and one has a cloud pattern.  Both used regular die inks and I share the three options of tools I like best for inking.
• The cloud background was created with a stencil that I cut myself using a die.  I show you several options of materials to use to make your own stencils, and what you choose may depend on how often you think you will use it!  Oh - and if you don't have a die that works for creating a cloud, just draw some arches and cut them out on a strip.  It works just as well.
• The bunny card is a gate-fold card.  But when you ink the front of a gate-fold card, you have to take extra steps to keep the front closed.  Watch the easy way to do that!
• The arch is rather narrow, so adding foam to pop it up really wasn't an option.  After all, look at how many pickets are on the fence and gate!  So I used multiple layers of the die and glued them together to achieve the dimension I wanted.

All of the times for the various techniques that I used are available in the information about the video on YouTube.  So you can just click on those time links and be taken directly to that section.  And there are links to all the materials I used on the cards as well.

I hope you enjoy this video - there's a LOT of information for you!

Thanks for stopping by!  

I hope you give the inking and the gate-fold card a try!

 

Heart 2 Heart Sketch Challenge - Daisy Meadows

Sketches help me a lot as I design - and this card is the perfect example!  I use the sketch as a "guideline" rather than an actual blue print that has to be followed exactly.  So - I started with the sketch provided at the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog at the beginning of March and made a few adjustments.  First - I rotated the sketch so the design is vertical rather than horizontal.  Then I left off the little E/F piece shown on the sketch.  This worked for the images I used.

The papers are from the Daisy Meadows paper suite from Close to My Heart.  The floral images are from the Daisy Meadows Scrapbooking/Thin Cut Die set (Z3932).  I used the Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend Markers (Pale Pink, Gold Yellow, and Dull Green Blends) to color the images.  Some Pink Taffeta Stickles were added the center of the back flower, and Onyx Pearl and Rose Gold Liquid Pearls were used on the front flower.

The sentiment is stamped in Peacock ink, and can be found on the March Stamp of the Month set from CTMH - Winged Masterpiece.  I'll be playing more with those beautiful winged images as the month goes on!  So stay tuned.

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog to check out this creation.  Don't forget to pop over to the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog to see other creations made with this sketch.  Here's to a great week!
 

Stitched Lattice Background Die = QUICK Card!

 

Sometimes, it's nice to have a quick design option for a card.  The detail in the Stitched Lattice Thin Cut Die (Z3681) from Close to My Heart is just such an option!  Notice the detail in the quilt-style stitched background and the various sizes of cut-out shapes that bring interests to the background.

The typewriter image is from the Happiness Lives Here Cardmaking Workshop (G1222) stamp set.  I used Black Soot Distress Oxide ink and added clear embossing powder to give the look of an old-fashioned typewriter.  Gold shimmer trim was added, and the stamped strip uses one of the images on the February 2021 Stamp of the Month - Doodled Borders (S2102). 

There's not a lot of other details on the card front, so adding some embellishments gives it a bit of life.  I stayed with gold - using gold embellishing thread, gold shimmer trim, gold glitter gems, and I took the wooden heart (which comes with the cardmaking workshop) and used the gold shimmer brush to give it some sparkle.  I substituted a wooden star on one card, adding the same shimmer. 

This card is one of the four-card set for the February Stamp Kit.  Here's a link to the post that gives the details of all the cards and the cost for purchasing.  Registration ends on Friday, February 26, 2021.
 

Mini Slimline Card - Furry Friends

So many of us have those furry friends that keep us company and give us love.  How fun to create cards that reflect our love for them.  I used the sketch over at Mojo Monday to create this card (well, actually, two cards) using both the Cattitude (D1953) and Let's Paw-ty (D1952) stamp sets from Close to My Heart.  Using the mini slimline design, it was easy to just use a portion of the large stamp image on the card, but still get the full effect of all the fun cats and dogs on the stamp.  The sentiments that accompany each set are so varied and so fun!

 

Both sets are so fun - the collage images are large enough to cover the front of your card, but they can easily be cut down to use as you would a strip of patterned paper.

Be sure to check out the other creations over at the Mojo Monday Challenge found on the Poetic Artistry blog.

Thanks for stopping by!
 
 

February Card Kit Ready to Order

 

The February card kit has a mix from the current seasonal catalog and the Core catalog from Close to My Heart.  Such fun papers, dies, and stamp sets to work with!  Take a peak at what I have to offer.

While you see seven cards in the photo above, you will notice that there are only four basic card designs.  Several of the cards have options for you to choose from.  If you decide to purchase this card kit, I will follow-up with an email to you so you can tell me what options you want on the different cards.

All kits come with everything you need pre-cut and pre-stamped.  Embellishments are included, so you just need to assemble the cards with your choice of adhesive. 

I will be offering a virtual class via Zoom on Monday, March 1, for putting the cards together.  A replay video of the class will be available via private link on YouTube if you are not able to make the virtual class.  

Kits can be ordered through Friday, February 26, 2021.  However, if you want to receive the kit before the class date, but sure to order by Monday, February 22, 2021 so I can get the kit in the mail to you.  Kits are shipped via First Class USPS.

So - let's take a look at the details of the cards!  The main products I used on the cards are listed, and if you click on the red item number, you will be directed to my CTMH website so you can see the specifics.

The easel card props up with the help of the floral strip on the card base, but lays flat so it fits in the envelope.  This card uses the Lovely paper pack (X8015S) which can be purchased with or without the sticker sheet.  The images are from the Stitched Florals stamp set with dies (Z3698).   Both items are shown below and are from the Close to My Heart Core Catalog.  Click on the red item numbers to see the items on my website if interested. 

 

The second card uses the cute Winter Penguins set (with dies).  What a fun way to wish someone a happy birthday!

The Party Time papers (X8016S) are available with or without the sticker sheet.  They are in the CTMH Core catalog.  There are a total of six penguins in the Winter Penguins stamp set and you can get it with dies if you wish (Z3917).

 

A quick way to create a card is to use a card-front die.  

That's what I've done on this third card, using the Stitched Lattice Background Thin Cut (Z3681).  The typewriter image is from the Happiness Lives Here Cardmaking Workshop Kit (G1222), and the stamped border strip uses the February Stamp of the Month - Doodled Borders (S2102).  You will choose from either the Desert Rose cardstock or Sage Green.

 

The final card is what I call an "option" card.  All the same materials are used to create the card, but you get to choose between two different stamp sets for the image on your card.

The two stamp sets are very similar, but one is for dogs and the other for cats. 

Let's Paw-ty (D1952) has lots of fun dogs in the large image with so many options of sentiments to go with it.  Cattitude (D1953) does the same for the cat lovers out there!  And you will notice that while the animal background stamp could cover your entire card front, I'm only using a small piece of it.  The possibilities are endless with either of these stamps.

SO - are you ready to order your kit?  Here are the details:

COST
The basic kit fee is $20 for 4 cards
Postage for mailing the kit via First Class USPS is $4.50

The kit fee includes everything you need to complete the cards:
- pre-cut papers
- pre-stamped and pre-cut images and sentiments

- all embellishments
- card bases and envelopes
- Zoom virtual class will be held on March 1
- link to video instructions on YouTube for assembling the cards
 

Click on the payment button below.

I will respond with an email within 24 hours (usually sooner).  Be sure to provide a correct email and physical mailing address.

Gnomebody Like You for Fusion Card Challenge

 

Gnomes are certainly popular, and the Fusion Card Challenge suggested a Valentine Gnome this past week, so I went for it.  I thought this guy and the sentiment fit the challenge.  And this card actually was my husband's Valentine card!

The image and sentiment are from the "Garden Gnomes" stamp and thin cut combo from Close to My Heart (Z3781).  It's fun to take a general purpose stamp set and make it work for a special occasion.  The design for the card was from a previous Mojo Monday sketch, but I didn't get the card finished in time to submit on that blog.  I did paper piecing for most of the gnome, except for his boots and skin.  For those, I used Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend markers.

I really wanted to use the stitched heart die for the sentiment, but it was too wide for the heart.  No problem - I just stamped it on another piece of smoothie cardstock and fussy cut around the word that was too big and popped it up so it overlapped the heart.  Quick, easy solution!

Once I had the main elements on the card, I knew that I needed to fill in some of the "blank" spaces, but didn't want much.  The current Stamp of the Month from CTMH is called Doodled Borders (S2102), and there are so many little elements on this set that it was easy to find stamps that worked perfectly!  Notice that they even fit the Valentine's theme!  The little heart border to the right of the gnome, the XO below that border, and the tiny heart at the top.  How great to have a set that has so many options. 

For that turquoise acrylic heart, I reached into my embellishment stash and found this from the Aurora retired paper suite - it added that last element to the card.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my card.  Be sure to pop over to the Fusion Card Challenge blog to see the other creations in this challenge. 

 

A PENGUIN BIRTHDAY PARTY!

If you've been following my posts, you know that I've had a LOT of fun with the Winter Penguins stamp/die set from Close to My Heart (Z3917).  This is the last one I have created (at least as of today!).   These fun little penguins are ready to go to the birthday party.  Wouldn't you love to join them?

I used the smooshing technique with the Distress Oxide inks.  I was concerned that the Picked Raspberry would be a bit too bold, so I mixed it with Tattered Rose on my All Purpose Craft Mat before spritzing with water and then smooshing the paper on it.  The Tattered Rose had the effect I wanted - toning down the bright pink.  

I used Spectrum Noir Tri-Blend markers to color the penguins - Magenta Blend, Blue Turquoise Blend, and Burnt Orange Blend.  The strip of confetti paper is from the Party Time paper suite from CTMH.  The Happy Birthday greeting is from "On Your Birthday" (D1960)

Thanks for stopping by - wishing you a happy day!

 
 

PENGUIN SLIDER CARD

 

I mentioned that I would be sharing more with the Winter Penguins stamp/die set from Close to My Heart (Z3917).   I couldn't resist creating this slider with the skating penguin and giving him a real ice pond to skate on!  This card had two sources of inspiration.  A fellow CTMH consultant had shared a penguin slider card using a recent paper pack, and the company actually used holographic paper for an ice patch on a sample in the current catalog.  So I combined the two ideas and found some Wonderland papers in my stash from years ago (literally, this paper came out in the autumn/winter catalog of 2011!).  The colors coordinated quite nicely with the new Dreamy holographic paper (Z3635).  Speaking of colors, the twilight and crystal blues in the pattern paper had also retired, but of course, I found some cardstock in my stash, and I still had the ink pads!  It's good to hang on to those things you truly love!

Here's a quick little video that shows you how nicely he slides along the ice pond.

 The trees were cut and stamped using the Jingle Joy Scrapbooking stamp/die set (Z3896) that was in the November/December catalog, but is still available on my website.  The snow scene with houses and trees was created with the Yuletide Borders thin cuts (Z3893).  This set was from the same catalog, and it is also available.  I think these little elements really bring the scene to life.

Don't miss out on getting these cute penguins (Z3917) - they have LOTS of fun characters to play with!

Thanks for stopping by!

Winter Penguins' Birthday for Freshly Made Sketches

 

To think that I almost didn't get these penguins!  I'm so glad I changed my mind - you're going to be seeing a lot of them in the coming days.  I used the Freshly Made Sketch #470 for the basic design of the card and had fun coloring and jazzing up the little penguins to help someone special celebrate their birthday.

I used the Cool Mint and Glisten Stickles to bring some sparkle to the pom poms on these penguins' stocking caps.  If you look closely, you will notice that the glasses are shining as well.  I was able to use the CTMH medium tip embossing pen to go over the stamped eye glasses and added clear embossing powder to help the glasses stand out.  The gift up in the top right corner was actually colored with the CTMH lemonade shimmer brush, so there's a bit of shine up there as well!

The penguins are stamped and die cut using the "Winter Penguins" stamp and thin cut die set from Close to My Heart (Z3917).  I used the Spectrum Noir Tri-blend markers (pale pink blend, magenta blend, blue turquoise blend, and orange blend) to color the little penguins.  The confetti paper is from the CTMH Party Time paper pack (X8016S), with a little bit of lagoon cardstock.  The birthday sentiment is from the "Celebrating You" stamp set from CTMH (C1847).

Thanks for stopping by my blog to check out this card.  Don't forget to pop over to the Freshly Made Sketches blog to see the other cards created with this same sketch.  I love the way everyone has their own take and you get so many wonderful ideas!
 

Whole Latte Love Challenge Card

 

It's pretty cool here in Northern Arizona as we are getting our first snowfall of the year.  Having something warm to drink is so nice.  This fun stamp set "Whole Latte Love" with coordinating dies from Close to My Heart was perfect to work with the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches, as well as the coffee theme at Shopping Our Stash and the Make It Hot theme at Stinkin' Inkers Challenge Blog.  

 

The toffee colored patterned paper in the current CTMH Mix In pack was perfect for the strips in the design.  I added a little bit of antique linen Distress Inks behind the strips and splattered some gold shimmer brush over it all.  I used candy apple ink for the sentiment and the coffee sleeve.  The cup lid and edge of the cup were colored with the Spectrum Noir TriBlend marker - Earth Brown and Tan Blends.

The stamp set Whole Latte Love includes coordinating dies (Z3919).  The outlined heart die cuts come from the Heart Shaker Window Thin Cut Dies (Z3870).  

Thanks for stopping by to check out this card.  Hope you enjoy something warm and cozy!  

Don't forget to pop over to each of these blogs to see the projects created following the sketch or theme.

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge Blog

Shopping Our Stash Challenge Blog

Stinkin' Inkers Challenge Blog