CLEAN and SIMPLE FLORAL GREETING

I have really come to love the clean and simple card designs.  That doesn't mean they are always quicker to design, but they allow the stamped image to be the focal point of your card.  These are samples of this type of clean design - similar inspiration, but different approaches.

The inspiration came from the CAS(e) This Sketch Challenge this week.  I first decided to try the variant colors by piecing cardstock together.  That worked well - just make sure that you have the pieces firmly butted up against each other so your stamped image is clean.  I was very happy with the results.

But I had really wanted to try inking the background, and then I saw a blog post from Close to My Heart describing how to use stamp cleaner to get a watercolor effect on the inked background.  So I decided to give that a try as well.  Click here to see that post.  I was really pleased with the results - although the splotches don't show up so well in the photo.  I think it's because the ink was lighter, they sort of faded away as everything dried.  But I still happy with the monochromatic background.  I just inked more at the bottom of the section than at the top so there was some gradient color.

In order to get the ink just where I wanted it with the straight line, I used washi tape to mark off my area.  Then I used a sponge to apply the mink ink.  I've tried using daubers for this, but the effect is not as smooth as using a sponge.  So I cut my sponge into six wedges - and I always add a tag with the color of it so I don't get them mixed up when I am using multiple colors!

On this card, I used mint ink and cardstock and black ink for the image and sentiment.

The floral image is from the Budding Peonies stamp set from CTMH (D1831). 
The sentiment is from Card Captions (S1901) the January Stamp of the Month from CTMH.

This inked background card is the one that I am entering in the CAS(e) This Sketch challenge.

You can head over to their blog to see other creations by clicking on the blog link in the line above.

For the striped background, I cut the strips of cardstock slightly wider than the white base cardstock.  This made it possible for me to make sure everything would be even.  It's easy to trim even with the base cardstock once everything is assembled.  I also found that I had to be VERY careful as I cut the strips - a little bit off and the background was going diagonally!  It is important to make sure that the strips butt up against each other so there is no gap for your stamped image.  I used ballerina cardstock (light side on the background) and mint cardstock - both light and dark sides of the sheet.  For the matting, I used the dark side of the ballerina cardstock.  The only drawback I found to doing the strips is that the sentiment needs to fit on the cardstock - if you try to overlap to the background piece, you will get a gap in the inking.  But otherwise, it's a quick process to create this design.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my cards!  If you are interested in any of these products, feel free to pop over to my CTMH website and check them out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES!

It's fun to celebrate with color, and this card gives you lots of that!  The cupcakes make it the perfect card to enter into the Just Add Ink #441 challenge - Inspiration.  The inspiration photo is shown on the right, and you can click on the blog link above to see the other creations that are entered into this challenge.

I used lots of the new products from Close to My Heart.

• Background paper is from "I Heart Us" paper suite
• Cardstock is raspberry, bluebird and Carolina
• Inks are raspberry, bluebird, and canary
• The scallop stitched circle is from the "Fancy Tags" die set
• Cupcake shape and "happy" are cut from the Artbooking Cricut cartridge
• Birthday sentiment is from the Stamp of the Month "Card Captions"
• Cupcakes are from the "Years of Sweetness" stamp set

This card will be a part of the Birthday Extravaganza card class in February.

Thanks for stopping by!

NEW SEASONAL EXPRESSIONS CATALOG FROM CLOSE TO MY HEART

The new Seasonal Expressions catalog is now available on my Close to My Heart website.  Click on the link so you can see all of the wonderful new products.

CTMH's founder and CEO Jeanette Lynton is celebrating 35 years in the papercrafting industry.  The products that she is providing in this catalog are wonderful - a variety that will fit any need you have in the coming months.

Here's a link to the CTMH Blog where they have a wonderful sneak peak at some of the new products - take a look!

If you are interested in having a catalog of your own to flip through instead of looking online, contact me and I'll make it happen - scrappingailaz@gmail.com.

And - Happy New Year!

NATIONAL PAPERCRAFTING MONTH - CRAFT DAYS & NIGHT!

UPCOMING CRAFT DAYS and CRAFT NIGHT

Prescott Valley, Arizona

  The inaugural Craft Days and Craft Night will be held in January 2019! Here are the dates and times:
Thursday, January 10 from 9 am - 6 pm
Friday, January 11 from 4 pm - midnight
Saturday, January 12 from 9 am - 6 pm

These events are held in my home craft studio in Prescott Valley, Arizona.  Address will be given after you register.

-- Any paper or fiber/fabric crafting is welcome, but no open liquids or paint can be used at these events.
-- There is power at four of the stations so you can bring a machine to help you create (please let me know when you register if you need one of those spots).
-- A minimum of five people is needed for each session to be held.
-- Pre-payment is required using either PayPal or Zelle. I will send you a link when you register. 

You can email me at scrappingailaz@gmail.com to register

Cost is $20 per session. Here are some introductory specials!
-- Register for 2 days and get $5 off the second day.
-- If two or more people register together, you will each get $5 off your space (sorry, only one discount per person).

Everyone attending will receive a special packet of paper products that you can use to create or add to a project, and receive a “reward” prize if you complete it during your craft time with me. 
 
-- I provide beverages and a snack, but you can bring whatever other food you want to enjoy as you work.
-- Those who attend a Craft Day or Craft Night will have access to my hundreds of stamp sets, many focused on scrapbooking themes, titles and journaling, as well as those used for cardmaking.
-- I have several heat guns if you like to add heat embossed elements to any of your projects.
-- There is a large variety of thin cut dies from various companies as well as embossing folders, and machines that you are welcome to use for these.
-- Since I teach paper crafting classes in this studio, I have patterned papers and 50+ colors of cardstock available should you need any as you work, plus adhesives and embellishments.
-- I have a number of scrapbooking kits that are quick and easy to assemble as well as page protectors and pocket scrapbooking cards.
-- Just ask if there is something you need – I will probably find it in my stash!

BOXING WEEK SALE FROM CLOSE TO MY HEART!

It's that time of the year - Boxing Week!  Close to My Heart is featuring new items every day until December 31.  Check it out on my website - scrappingail.closetomyheart.com - for those new deals every day.  They start at midnight Mountain Standard Time and end at 11:59 the same day.  Remember - all sale items are While Supplies Last, so be sure to shop early!

ANOTHER SNEAK PEAK - Seasonal Expressions 1 and January Stamp Club

Here's another peak at new products from the upcoming Seasonal Expressions catalog from Close to My Heart.  I think you will love this butterfly as much as I do.

I love following sketch challenge blogs to get fresh ideas for my creations.  This week, I was drawn to the Freshly Made Sketch, and am also entering this into the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  You can use either of those links to check out other projects entered in these challenges.

Now, let's talk about the card.  The base is made from sweet leaf cardstock.  The tag is cut with the large stitched tag from the Fancy Tags thin cut die set. I used the new peach cardstock which works well with the leaf pattern from the "Feels Like Home" papers.  The sentiment is from the "I Heart Us - Cardmaking" stamp set.

The closeup image below shows the detail of the butterfly - stamped and die cut with the "Butterfly Friendship" stamp/die set.  Both peach and peacock inks were used  to stamp the inside coloring of the butterfly.  The layer of velum gives an added dimension . 

 


You'll notice that I stamped the "beautiful" in peacock blue and popped it up over the sentiment.  I actually consulted the new "Love of Color" book to figure out what ink would provide the best compliment to the cardstock colors I was using.  While the book suggested a brighter blue, at least it directed me to a color choice - something I sometimes have difficulty with.

Here's some of those products I mentioned that were used on this card.  This card will be one of four projects offered in January's Stamp Club classes.  More information will be posted here - but if you are interested, send me an email
scrappingailaz@gmail.com

My classes are held in my home studio in Prescott Valley, AZ, but I do offer pre-stamped kits and can mail those directly to you.

Classes will be held on January 3, 5, 7, & 8.
Hope you can join us!

If you are interested in any of these products, head over to my CTMH website as of January 1 to get the for yourself -
scrappingail.closetomyheart.com
If you place an order, you will get the new catalog in your order!

Thanks for stopping by - and hope you enjoy this holiday season.

SNEAK PEAK - Seasonal Expressions 1 from Close to My Heart

There's a new catalog on the way from Close to My Heart on January 1 - and it is full of wonderful stamp sets and accompanying products.  Here's a peak at one of the stamps that caught my eye.

This layered floral image is made possible because each layer of the design is a separate stamp - fitting perfectly to let the word "LOVE" stand out in the front.  No masking - just lining up those lovely clear stamps to create this wonderful look.  The stamp set is called Love in Bloom (D1819) and will be available on January 1!

In addition, I used one of the new embossing folders - it is called Swiss Dot (Z4232) with a border strip that allows you to have a section left flat to add sentiments or other images.  I angled the design with the embossing folder because I use a sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch for the card.


You can head over to the CAS(E) this Sketch blog and find other cards based on the same design.

Thanks for stopping by - and I hope you check back as I share more sneaks of the upcoming product.  If you are interested in what Close to my Heart has to offer, pop over to my website -
scrappingail.closetomyheart.com - and see what is currently available, and come January 1, you can see the new products.

 Or send me an email - 

scrappingailaz@gmail.com - 

and we can discuss how you can get 

one of the new catalogs in your hands!

December Stamp Club - Sign Up NOW!

Wow!  Christmas is just around the corner.  During December, we will continue making Christmas cards, but if you have some other needs, you can adjust the designs to suit what works for you.

Here are the options for cards we will be making. I will be posting more information about each design in coming days, but wanted you to see what I am offering. The class includes ONE of each of the card designs that I am showing - but you have options based on your needs.



The photo of the two cards above coordinates with the photos to the right and below - showing that they actually opens up to a shadow box on the inside!

More cards will be shown after the details of the classes!

December classes will meet on the following dates - all meeting in my home craft studio in Prescott Valley, AZ. If you are out of the area or can't make one of the days, I can prepare a pre-stamped kit with photo/video instructions for you to assemble at home (shipping also available).

Thursday, December 6
Saturday, December 8
Monday, December 10
Wednesday, December 12

All classes start at 9:30 am and run until early afternoon - mostly because of the social time we all enjoy!!!!
Let me know if you are interested by sending me an email -- scrappingailaz@gmail.com--

 This card uses the beautiful Sugarplum cardstock - the Color of the Year from Close to My Heart.  In addition, silver embossing has been added to the cardstock, and a die has been cut from silver foil paper and backed with a white shadow.

It is so special to get a card in the mail instead of an electronic message.  I love this "Old School Text" stamp set, and have adapted it for both Christmas and Valentine's Day.  In addition to the stamp set, I used the new Decorative Border Dies to give it the look of coming out of a spiral notebook!  You can see the inside of these cards on the right.

Hope you can join us for one of these classes.  It would be great to have you!

Cathedral Window Christmas Card

Recreating quilt patterns on paper is really fun.  The cathedral window pattern is beautiful, and pretty easy to put together.  On top of it, what a great way to use up your scraps!

For this card, I used the 'Tis the Season papers from Close to My Heart.  I love the bold traditional colors in these papers.  Since all papers from CTMH are double-sided, I selected four pieces of paper plus the cardstock.  Mixing up the papers from your stash would create a wonderful design as well!

I created a video showing the process for creating this card, and variations you can use.  

I hope you find it helpful if you want to try this.

The beautiful sentiment used on this card is from the new stamp set from Close to My Heart -

Christmas Blessings (CC12181)

I used the new Candy Apple Red (Z6509) and Fern (Z2850) stamp pads.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of blog land.  Have a great week!

'TIS THE SEASON CHRISTMAS CARD WORKSHOP

It's time to start making Christmas cards, and Close to My Heart's 'Tis the Season papers and complements were the perfect staring point for this workshop.  I have created these 16 beautiful cards and hope you will enjoy creating them with me.

You can get this kit several ways.

• If you are local to the Prescott Valley, AZ area, you can attend one of my workshops. (The dates and times listed later in this post.)
• Not available on those dates, or you live out of town?  No problem!  I will put together a pre-stamped kit ready for you to assemble with photo instructions included.  Shipping can be added for an additional fee.
• If you are a CTMH consultant and would like to use this workshop with your customers, you can purchase the Consultant Guide.  Check out the details later in this post.

These are the cards that you will make with this kit!

 Pine cones, gold foil accents, and traditional reds and greens.

 Black, white and red - not traditional colors, but very striking!

Red glitter letters and gold foil chipboard - simple but elegant cards!

Participants will make ONE of these cards, not both.

Limited by the designs in the paper pack!

Lots of paper patterns and more gold foil!

Beautiful stickers are used from the 'Tis the Season complements.

Stickers are accented with the gems and sparkles.

More of the candy cane stripes with the black and white snowflakes.

The cost for the workshop to create all 16 cards is based on how you receive it:

• Attend a local workshop for $40
• Have a pre-stamped kit prepared for $45
• Add Priority USPS Mail shipping for $6.70 
• CTMH consultants can receive the Consultant Guide for $12

Workshop dates are:

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Fee is $40

Classes meet at 9:30 a.m. in my craft studio in Prescott Valley, AZ

Email me at greetingsfromgail@gmail.com to register

Once you registration is confirmed, if you are unable to attend, I will prepare 

the pre-stamped kit for you and provide you with the photo instructions.

Here's the information if you would like to order the kit.

 Everything you need except adhesive and coloring medium is included in the kit.  You will receive:

• 16 card bases and envelopes
• all the 'Tis the Season papers and cardstock cut for creating 16 beautiful cards
• all the sentiments stamped on cardstock, and extra pieces of cardstock for each card should you want to use a sentiment of your own
• the 'Tis the Season complements - coordinating stickers and chipboard shapes
• Bitty Sparkles, Red Enamel Gems and Gold Glitter Gems to embellish your cards
• Candy Apple Red striped ribbon
• 8-page PDF photo instruction document for assembling the cards plus added hints.  This document will be emailed to you. 
• An optional red shimmer brush (CTMH #Z4223) was used on the samples shown.  This item can be added to your order if you wish for $6.30. 
• Most of us have a foam adhesive we like to create dimension on our projects.  CTMH has a wonderful THIN 3-D foam that allows you to add several layers of foam on the card without the finished project being too thick to go through the mail. Several of the cards in this kit use multiple layers of foam. You can add the Thin 3-D Foam Dots to your order as well.  You will receive 128 small dots and 50 large dots, all 1mm thick for $5.15.   

If you are local, you can purchase the kit for $45 and pick it up.

Email me at greetingsfromgail@gmail.com to register and I will invoice you for payment.

 

If you are out of town, the kit will still cost $45, plus $6.70 for shipping.  

You can use the PayPal button below to add this kit and any add-on items to your cart.

 

CTMH Consultant Guide is available for $12 USD

This workshop uses a quarter of the 'Tis the Season paper pack, the coordinating complements, a little more than 3 sheets of cardstock in varying colors, and 16 card bases and envelopes.  Embellishments include 25" of candy apple red striped ribbon, 

half a pack (or less) each of bitty sparkles, gold glitter gems and red enamel gems.

 The electronic files that include the 9-page PDF cutting guide, 8-page PDF photo instructions for assembling the cards, consultant release form, 

and photos you can use to market the workshop to your customers.  

Use the PayPal button below to add the Consultant Kit. 

 Please leave a message with your PayPal order and include your  Consultant Website address, or email me at greetingsfromgail@gmail.com with that information.
 

Are you ready to order your kit?  

All prices listed include shipping fees where appropriate.  

Please be sure PayPal has your correct shipping address and email address so the kit and electronic instructions arrive safely!

 

Please email me at greetingsfromgail@gmail.com if you would like to order more than one kit so I can calculate shipping costs for you.  

Also, email me if you have any questions.  

'Tis the Season Christmas Card Workshop

Pre-stamped Kit w/ Priority Mail $51.70 USD CTMH Consultant Guide w/ e-delivery $12.00 USD Add-on Red Shimmer Brush $6.30 USD Add-on Thin 3-D Foam Dots $5.15 USD