Another Personalized Card

Here's another card I created for a co-worker. I really enjoy the challenge of making cards for people when they have something specific in mind. All supplies except the letter stickers are from Close to my Heart. I used Outdoor Denim and Indian Corn Blue cardstock and ink. I crumpled the Indian Corn Blue and sanded the Outdoor Denim to distress it.

Customized Birthday Card

This was a birthday card made for a co-workers wife. They love the outdoors. Her favorite color is blue. Most of my co-workers like cards with the intended recipient's name on them.

I used all CTMH product on this one. Crystal Blue and Outdoor Denim inks and cardstock. The font is the Gypsy font and the trees are cut with a Sizzix die.

Thank You Card

I have another Thank you card for today. This was one of about 40 I made for a lady at work. She gave her daughter a box of cards fro a gift and wanted several thank yous and general birthdays.

I machine sewed around the edges.

More Dotty for you Sneak Peaks

These two cards are kits I made for my team. I used the new Dotty for You paper pack from Close to my Heart. This paper will be available April 17. It's only $5 with any purchase of $35 or more from the current Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book.

Thank You Card

Here's a thank you card I made for a co-worker.


Sorry for the flash glare



I modled this card off the elegant birthday card in this post

The background paper is a piece of randomly stamped paper I had in my stash. I embossed the purple cardstock for texture. The flowers are random flowers I have. Some are Prima, some are from the wedding secation at Michael's and some were bought at a scrapbook garage sale. I added various brands of pearls and sparkles to the flowers for some WOW. I used silver beaded ribbon/garland that I got from Michael's one year in the Christmas section.

Get Well Card

Here's a get well card I made for a co-worker. I used Close to my Heart Unforgettable and cuts from Indie Art and Creat a Critter.

Extravaganza Application part 2

I had to split this into two posts.

This next project is a mini inside one of the My Creations Card Boxes. I cut the front of the box to form a flap that folds down, where the mini album is hidden. There's a tray on top to hold memorabilia or accessories for the book. This project was inspired by Paper Phenomenon's Kathy Files Secretary found here



The box has a nice magnet closure on it, but because I altered the box, the magnet wasn't strong enough to hold it closed. I used two brads and some twine to keep it closed.

Here's the book that is hidden inside








My final art piece is mini album home decor piece. This idea came from Laura at Following the Paper Trail






The sides come off the box so you can put pictures on the "pages"





I made the roses from co-ordinating cardstock and some of the patterned paper. The butterflies are Flutter Paper shapes, sponged with Outdoor Denim, Honey, and Indian Corn Blue inks. The butterfly trails are Mocha Opaques Adhesive Gems.




The box goes together very easily and quickly. I used the Pemberly paper pack and additional Honey and Colonial White cardstock.

I hope you enjoyed my application artwork.

Application for Close to my Heart Convention Extravaganza

Today's post is really exciting for me. Every year Close to my Heart accepts applications from consultants to teach at a convention event called Extravaganza. This year I decided I wanted to give it a try. So I sent in my application and 5 pieces of art and patiently waited to hear. I got a confirmation email yesterday telling me I was accepted to teach. I was excited, scared, nervous, and shocked all at the same time. This is an incredible opportunity for any consultant and I'm glad I get to be a part of it this year.

I'm a very superstitious person so no one saw my artwork entries except my family and Close to my Heart. I took pictures of them before sending them off to the Close to my Heart offices and now that I know my fate, I will post them here for everyone to see.

There are a lot of pictures in this post. I hope you enjoy them.

First up is the card requirement-we had to include a card, a layout and 3 other pieces of our choice.

This card is entirely sponged and stamped. I used techniques I learned from following Michelle Zindorf's tutorials. I used Outdoor Denim, Sky, Crystal Blue, and Black inks, The Best Things, A Garden, and the June 2012 Stamp of the Month Life is Tweet. I added Outdoor Denim ribbon and a pewter ribbon slide. I mounted the scene on Sky and Outdoor Denim cardstock.

This was my layout entry






I used the Victory paper pack, square durable studs, twine and pewter embellishments. The layout is "Dialogue" from the how to book Imagine.

My first "other" project is a Tunnel Book. I've seen several tutorials online for this one and really didn't follow anyone in particular, but here's a good one.



As you can see I created a scene on several layers. I used Stella paper and the canvas shapes Compliments to create the scene. It took a little measuring and hand cutting with an exacto knife to get this one done. It's hard to tell in the pictures, but you could look through it to read the sentiment in the back. It did have to be moved a little to read the full sentiment, but that's half the fun, moving it around to see what else you can find in the scene.

Easter Cards

Here are a couple Easter cards I made for a co-worker. He asked for a couple cards to take to his family this weekend. He wanted them a little fun and whimsical


I used all Close to my Heart products. Stamps sets are My Peeps and A Hop

Another Dotty sneak peak

I have another sneak peak today of the new Dotty for You papers from Close to my Heart. These papers will be available April 17. There's 24 sheets in the pack(2 each of 12 designs). The special pricing for the papers is $5 with any $35 purchase from the current Close to my Heart Spring/Summer idea book.

This piece is called Origami Magic Rose box. I've wanted to try this since I first found the video on You Tube. It looks complicated but it's really not. It is a little difficult to get the folds creased well because of the thickness of the paper, but I think it turned out well. I reccomend using a bone folder to get nice tight creases.

Here's the rose


and here's the rose folded into the box

More Dotty for You sneak peaks

I just love this promo from Close to my Heart. The colors and patterns are so fun and vibrant, perfect for warmer weather. Me, I like the rain and dreary skies, this paper is perfect even for the doom and gloom of rain.

I made this origami basket following this You Tube video.

Believe it or not I only used 2 pieces of 12 x 12 papers.




After making this project, I know why origami paper is so thin, it's really not designed for thicker paper. Even though the project turned out, all those folds were tough with the thick paper.

Birthday card for a 16 year old young marine

Today's post is a card I made for a lady at work. This was for her 16 year old grandson who's part of the Young Marines and plans on joining the service once he graduates.

I used old Close to my Heart paper called Independence and several patriotic stamps. The "Semper Fi" are white rub on letters. I added hemp for a little texture.


Sorry for the flash glare. The card was already in a protective envelope before I remembered to take a picture.

Dotty for You Artwork

Close to my Heart's National Scrapbooking Month celebration kicks off April 17 with the Dotty for You paper pack. Please see the CTMH specials page for all the details.

Here are a couple origami boxes I made using this fun paper. I found this tutorial by Jen Lowe on You Tube and thought these papers would be great for them. I am working on some printed instructions and they'll be available soon.

This project was created for Jinger Adams Design Team Call - My Love Envelope Keepsake Book

Today's post is a project I created for Jinger Adam's Design Team Call. I used the Coral Couture paper stack and co-ordinating cardstock from Die Cuts with a View. Colonial White crocheted ribbon from Close to my Heart. I thought it added a vintage feel to these gorgeous papers. I added the ribbon slide for some dimension. The bird tag was cut from a sheet of the paper and embellished with Close to my Heart Mocha Opaques Adhesive Gems.

When you open the book you're greeted by the same little bird at home in his garden. This paper has glitter all over it. You can just see a little sparkle on the bird, flowers, and leaves.

There's lots of room for photos and keepsakes in this little book. When you open the second envelope, it reveals more space for those memories.


The last surprise in this book is a pull out, allowing for more photos, mementos and journaling.


I love the last page in this book. It can be used for a secret love note or to just tell the story of the photos held within. Look at that glitter on those flowers, truely beautiful.


I hope that you have enjoyed my project today. I'm so excited to be applying for Jinger's design team.

**EDITED** I realized I forgot to post where I found the instructions for this book
scrapbookandcards.com