IN A BOOK

 

This stamp set - "In a Book" from Close to My Heart - has been waiting for me to play with it.  Well, this was the week to finally do that.  I felt that the sketch at the Freshly Made Sketches challenge was perfect for my main project, although I needed to rotate it to a landscape orientation.  I then checked out the Time Out Challenges blog and found they had a reading theme, and I knew it was time!  By the way, you can click on either of the challenge names to head over to the blogs and see other creations using the same inspiration.

The main reason I bought this set was because my sons love to read - the oldest since he was a young child.  The younger one grew into it!  While the stamp set had a woman reading (you'll see that image soon), I knew that I could use the "Buddies" series of boys to create someone who looks like Jonathan as a child.  So - I started with "Ian" as a base (the hair and clothes were correct), but needed the glasses from "Joey"!  So I stamped and embossed Joey's head, then cut out only the glasses to add to Ian.  

Now I used the image of the woman from the "In a Book" set and cut out the book she was holding to read.  The problem I ran into was that Ian's arms were both straight down.  How was I going to get him to hold the book?  Well, a little "surgery" on the stamped image allowed me to rotate his arm so it was bent and could now hold the book.  

I had to stamp three sets of the bookshelf books to go across the card front, and I needed something to make them stand out a bit.  I found an edging stamp that was the right width, but I didn't like the design.  So, I switched it over and put the image side down on my stamp block and inked up the solid backing of the stamp to create my shortbread colored strip.  As I look at the card from a distance (not sure if it is visible in the photo), the books look as if they are popped up over the backing - but they are adhered straight down to the card front!  How fun that something as simple as that backdrop created a fun dimension.

I used LOTS of different markers to complete this project - but had I not had the Spectrum Noir TriBlends, it would have been a lot more!

I'm working on another card with this same stamp set - but using the woman reading as the focal point.  Here's a link to the post with that completed card.

But I did think you might like to see the card I made recently for the younger son's birthday using the "Buddies" sets.  It took three sets to create the correct Nathanael!

 

I used "Ian" for the body because that fit Nathanael's outdoor attire.  But, Nathanael has curly hair, so I had to use "Ezra" to get that.  And of course, I needed "Joey's" glasses to make it complete.  At least no surgery was required for this card!  These "Buddies" sets are pretty versatile, and really fun to see what you can create.

Just so you know, these "boys" are both in their 30's now, but it was fun to go back to those younger years and create for them.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of blogdom!  I hope you have a great day.

Clean & Simple Floral Card

 

I love the rustic look of this wheelbarrow.  The flowers inserted into the slot brighten it up!  I used the stamp/die set from the new Backyard Bliss Cardmaking Workshop Kit (CTMH #G1260) for the images and sentiment and the Stitched Lattice Background Die (CTMH #Z3681) for the background. 

I love that with the die, the background white space is still clean, but gives some dimension to the card front.

I used my Spectrum Noir TriBlend markers to color the images.  I love how easy they are to use and create such a beautiful final product.   Just a little foam to get those flowers to pop out of the wheelbarrow!

I am entering this card into two challenges this week - you can pop over to each of these blogs to see other great creations by clicking on the links below:

• AAA Cards Challenge with a sketch and flowers
  
• Paper Players Green Thumb challenge
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  Thanks for stopping by!  If you are interested in any of the products used, just click here and enter the product number listed in the description.
  

SOMETHING FOR MY MOM!

 My husband and I are heading to Nebraska soon to help my mom celebrate her 93rd birthday!  This photo was taken last year for her 92nd.  I knew that I had to do something special with this photo.  when I saw the "Forever a Friend" (D2084) stamp set from Close to My Heart, I knew that floral MOM would be perfect.  Then it was off to find what else would work!

The paperboard plaque that I used as the backing has been sitting on my shelf for years!  I keep moving it, thinking I should just donate it since I didn't have a use for it.  Well, this is one of those times I'm glad I hung onto it!  It was perfect.  I covered the plaque with ModPodge and a sheet from the "In Full Bloom" paper pack.  The elements on the paper helped me as I built my collage.

The bottles are from April's "Message in a Bottle" stamp of the month set, the leaves from "Sprigs & Sentiments", and there are several black acrylic heart shapes.

The doilies that you see - the really large glacier one and the smaller lagoon and peacock - are a sneak peak at products available for the May/June celebration of National Scrapbooking Month.  They are so fun to work with, and provided the perfect backdrop for my project.

The floral MOM and the sentiment are from that inspirational stamp set - Forever A Friend.   The butterfly is from the In Full Bloom die cut shapes.

For that floral MOM title, I played around with colors for a while.  The lighter glacier blue wasn't strong enough, but the lagoon by itself wasn't quite right with my mom's jacket!  So, I pulled out the retired peacock ink pad, and after stamping the flowers in the lagoon ink, I rolled the edges in the peacock ink, I got the look I wanted.  Luckily, the leaves were a separate stamp!

The Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog's current project guidelines were to include flora or fauna on your artwork.  Well, I think I've got that covered!

And the Shopping Our Stash challenge theme is "What a Difference You've Made in My Life."  My mom has always been there for me, supporting me, and teaching me, no matter how old we both get!   

You can click on either of those blog titles and you'll pop over to the blogs, where you can enjoy the projects created by others using the same themes.

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy those in your life that have made a difference to you.

 

COFFEE HELPS - The Paper Players Sketch Challenge

 

I've just finished my first cup of coffee for the day, so I guess I'm ready to do some work!  This set - "Coffee Helps" - is a sneak peak at products from the upcoming May/June catalog from Close to My Heart.  Once available, I'll come back and add some details of the items used.

The design of this card was based on the sketch this week at the Paper Players Challenge Blog.  I certainly took up more space on my card with the images, but it's still the same basic style.  

The background was cut from mint cardstock using the "Decorative Texture Background Thin Cut" die. 

The "Postage Frame Thin Cut" dies were cut from mocha cardstock, with a little of the retired almond cardstock as backing.

I love that the stamp set has coordinating dies to cut out the images.  I used Spectrum Noir TriBlend markers to color them - ice grey blends & shades, red brown blends, gold yellow blends, jade green blends, tan blends & shades, coral blends & shades, and of course, the blending marker!

Click on this link so you can pop over to the Paper Players Challenge Blog to check out the other creations using this sketch. 

Thanks for stopping by - and enjoy your coffee!

A TERRARIUM IN A FAUX SHAKER CARD

 

I just discovered that terrariums were first developed in the 1800s.  And I thought they came into being while I was in high school, when I decided to follow the trend and fill a jar with soil and water for my plants.  But it was SOOOO heavy!  Tough to move that thing around.  I think the paper terrarium is a much better way to go!

Message in a Bottle (S2204) is the May Stamp of the Month from Close to My Heart.  That means that you can get this set ONLY during the month of May.  You can pay regular price for it, but with a $50 purchase, it’s yours for only $5.  And if you happen to be a VIP member, then withthe same purchase, the stamp set is FREE!

I used one of the bottles in the set to create this dimensional terrarium.  It uses the principles of a shaker card, but nothing inside the bottle moves – it’s all glued in place. 

The succulents are from a stamp set called “Succa For You” (D2077).  There are many options of plants in that set, but I limited it to three for my terrarium.  The background plants are stamped directly to the paper (after I stamped the bottle) and then I fussy-cut the front plant and used a it of foam under it to lift it above the others.  Finally, I put some glue on top of the soil I had colored, sprinkled some of the yellow Bright Bitty Beads (Z3784) over the glue, and pressed them down so they would stay in place.

I cut the cover piece for the bottle from the Stitched Rectangle Frames thin cut dies (Z4260) and stamped the same bottle again.  This time, I took my micro-tip scissors (Z534) and cut the bottle - working from the center to cut away all of the black line of the stamped image.  I wanted the entire image from the bottom bottle to show through.  However, I did lay the piece down and used a fine-tip black marker to go around the cut-out image to give it some definition.

The sentiment (from the “In Full Bloom – Cardmaking” set C1932) was stamped below the bottle.  Now it was time to assemble the faux-shaker!

A piece of acetate from my stash was adhered to the backing of this stitched rectangle,  and regular 3D foam tape (Z1151) was added to the edges of the cut-out shape as well as the edges of the rectangle.  Placing it directly over the dimensional plant bottle was a little tricky – so I started by pulling off a bit of the backing on the foam so I could move it around a little before exposing all of that adhesive!

The background paper is from the Wood Grain Paper Pack (X8028) in the Core Catalog.  A little kraft paper (Z1375) provides the mat for the stitched rectangle bottle, and a few loose gold sequins (Z4235) were added for a bit of sparkle.

All of the products can be found on my CTMH website – just click here and then put the product number in the search box.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blog world.  I hope you enjoy creating a faux-shaker of your own.

Cake Day Cardmaking - a different take on the kit!

 The Cake Day Cardmaking Workshop (G1250) stamp set has a large interactive cake on it, but it also has this nice little cake image, the banner and the sentiment.  I used these elements of the stamp set along with one of my favorite sheets of paper from the Cake Day paper suite (X7278S), and created this card.  This card was not one of the four designs provided in the kit.  I love that these stamp sets are versatile on their own.

I only used two colors on this card - glacier, which is the color of the letters for HAPPY BIRTHDAY that are spread over the paper, and Wild Berry, which happens to be the focus of the CTMH special sale this month!

You can see several details I added that weren't a part of the cardmaking workshop set.  The ink splotch behind the cake is from Perfectly Imperfect Patterns (D2051) gave just the right backing for the cake.  The scallop border is from the Festive Borders stamp/thin cut die set (Z3996).  It is a birthday themed set, so it seemed appropriate to use it here.

The little dots you see are the Wild Berry Enamel Dots (Z5008), which just happen to be on sale this month!  Don't miss out if you like this color.  I also added just a tiny strip of Wild Berry Glitter Paper (Z2538) along the edge of that scallop border.  Just the right pop of sparkle!

The papers in the suite, as all of the Close to My Heart papers do, have a zip strip at the top.  It's nice to have that little extra design when creating.  I used it on the bottom of the inside of the card, and used the banner stamp again along with another one of the birthday greetings.

I am entering this card in three card challenges this week.  Be sure to check out each of these blogs to see other creations that have been shared.  Just click on the name of each blog and you'll pop right over to it!

Heart 2 Heart Challenges - Anything Goes! 

Seize the Birthday - Challenge #235 - Stripe it Up - OR - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps and More - Make Your Mark

All of the products that I used are from Close to My Heart, and you can find them all on my CTMH website.  Click here to head over there, then put the item number you are interested in seeing in the search box.

MARCH/APRIL 2022 CARD KIT

 

I have been busy creating cards using the products in the new March/April catalog from Close to My Heart.  These four cards feature both paper suites - Cake Day and In Full Bloom - as well as the marvelous Mix-In paper pack.  Both Cardmaking Workshop Kits were used as well as several other stand-alone stamps.  Take a look at each of the cards below, and click on the links to get all the details of products used on each card, in case you want to create a version of your own!

 

The first card is a modified Z-fold card, inspired by fellow CTMH Maker Lauren Moore.  You can see how it opens up below, giving lots of beautiful floral images as well as room to write your greeting.  

Several other sentiment options are shown on the right - you can select any of these are choose to have the area left blank so you can add your own stamped image when you are ready to send the card.

Click here to go to the blog post for all the details of this card.

 
The second card in the kit is from the Cake Day Cardmaking Workshop Kit, with a fun interactive element with a slide-out cake slice!

 

There are two options for this card, as you can see in the photos.  There is minimal coloring, and you have to admit that it is quite unique!

You can click here to go to the blog post that gives you all the details of this card - what I used and links to information on my CTMH website.

The third card in the kit makes use of the stamps and dies from the In Full Bloom Cardmaking Workshop, but does not use any of the designs in the kit.  Instead, I was inspired by a card created by fellow CTMH Maker Liz Johnson, and rotated the design and added more elements to it.  

 

Once again, there are multiple options for sentiments for this card.  Or you can have it left blank so you can use your own sentiment.

Click here to get all the details about the creation of this card in another blog post. 

 

 

I absolutely LOVE slimline cards, so had to add one to this kit!

"When it Rains" is a stamp set that gives lots of sentiment options to go with the rainy day feeling.  See the choices you have on the left.

You can check out the blog post with the details of this card by clicking here. 

  

 

 

 

KIT DETAILS

The basic kit fee is $20 for four cards.

Mailing the kit is available for an additional fee, which has been running between $3.00 and $4.00 for a 4-card kit (within the US). 

The kit fee includes everything you need to complete the cards:

• pre-cut papers 
• pre-stamped & pre-cut images and sentiments 
• embellishments 
• card bases and envelopes

Instructions are provided via a PDF photo page of the cards and a private link to a YouTube video with hands-on assembly of all cards.

 

 Registration Deadline for the mailed kits has ended.  

Email me at:

Gail Gross - scrappingailaz@gmail.com
if you are interested in being added to my email list so you get notices of future card classes and other events!

 Email me if you have any questions!

MODIFIED Z-FOLD CARD WITH IN FULL BLOOM CARDMAKING STAMP

Click on any of the red highlighted item numbers to get all the information about the products discussed. I love spring flowers.  The In Full Bloom Cardmaking stamp set  was just what I wanted for this card.  I first saw a portrait version of this modified Z-fold card, created by fellow CTMH Maker Lauren Moore, using the In Full Bloom Scrapbooking stamp set (Z7722 with dies or D2081 without dies).  I altered it to a landscape orientation and you can see below how it opens up!

The In Full Bloom Cardmaking Stamp Set (Z4423 with die or C1932 without the die) is shown on the right.  You can see that the die creates an opening for the sentiment, and the image can be stamped a second time upside down at the top of the card to give you a complete card front.  I wanted to show that it is just as effective to stamp the floral image only once but still make it a focal point of the card.

The papers used, of course, are from the In Full Bloom paper suite (X7279S with sticker sheet or X7279B with papers only).  The floral image was stamped sideways on the inside of the card in glacier ink, leaving enough room for a personal message to be written.

This card is a part of the March/April 2022 Card Class (or kit if you want it mailed).  Check out this link to find out the details of getting this and three more cards delivered to your mailbox!

CAKE DAY CARDMAKING WORKSHOP

 Click on any of the red highlighted item numbers to get all the information about the products discussed. 

Cake Day is one of the paper suites in the March/April catalog from Close to My Heart.  The cardmaking workshop (G1250) presents a unique interactive cake slick to send your greetings!

 

The cardmaking workshop for Cake Day gives you this stamp set with dies, the Cake Day Dots (X7278E), and papers, card bases with envelopes, and instructions for cutting and creating 16 cards (4 each of 4 different designs).  I changed up the papers, using sheets from the full paper pack for Cake Day (X7278S), that is available with or without the coordinating sticker sheet.   By the way, the sticker sheet with this set can create any number of projects with no stamping needed!

I colored the candles for the cake with my Spectrum Noir TriBlend markers, and added Golden Rod Stickles for the flames.  The Mustard Yellow watercolor pencil gave some dimension to the edges of the cake.

This Cake Day Cardmaking Workshop has been so popular, that it sold out in just nine days!  But the good news is that more are on the way, hopefully arriving later this month.  Stay tuned and I'll update this information when the kit is available again.

Other good news is that you can still make this card now!  This card is a part of the March/April 2022 Card Class (or kit if you want it mailed).  Check out this link to find out the details of getting this and three more cards in your mailbox.