Ribbons and Trims

I always say that I'm going to use more ribbon in my projects... this video has some great ideas... some ideas that I wouldn't have thought of on my own.... check out this great video.

Oklahoma Relief Campaign

Remember the A True Thank You stamp set is only $2.95 with all proceeds going to help the Oklahoma Relief effort.  I made a simple card that I hope you will like as much as I do....

June SOTM - A Flowering Bunch

The June SOTM - A Flowering Bunch is a great stamp set for those of us that like to color.  However, I know not everyone agrees so I thought I would make a few cards where no coloring is necessary.  The first card I stamped black on a blue print paper (Miracle, retired).  I place Bitty Sparkles in several of the flowers and black Shimmer Trim to give it some bling.

I stamped the larger flower on the same blue patterned paper (unfortunately, you can really see the blue paper in this picture.  I stamped the stem and leaves on pear green paper (Olivia, retired).  The cardstock is black that I ran thru the Cuttlebug to add some dimension.

I stayed with the black card stock and the Cuttlebug but this time I sanded the card (all CTMH cardstock has the great white core that makes sanding so simple and dramatic).  I stamped one of the bigger flowers and one small flower in Holiday Red.  

I cut several of the large tulip flowers on my Cricut.  I stamped them in black and I want to try coloring them in various color combinations - I just didn't get that far today.  Remember A Flowering Bunch is only available June 1st - 30th.

Cards made with 3 strips of patterned paper

For my birthday last month, three of the handmade cards I received had a commonality - all were made with three (3) strips of patterned paper.  The similarity ended there which got me thinking.  I want to show you the three cards that got my creative juices flowing.  First is a card from Ally - her card is basically green with a simple floral pattern - horizontal card with vertical strips.

 Next is a card from Dawn.  Dawn used CTMH Florentine paper which is has more colors and a busier pattern.  Her card is vertical with vertical strips.

The third card is from Sue.  Sue used CTMH Twitterpated paper.  This striped paper is a very busy / loud pattern.  It is a horizontal card with horizontal strips.

Aren't they great?!?!  Now what did I do....  Well, let's start with a true guys card - camo from the CTMH Victory paper pack.  Vertical card with vertical strips.

 Then go to a very feminine card using CTMH Sonoma paper.  I really wanted to do something with this paper but what I had was a scrap piece and it wasn't quite big enough so what do you do??? Improvise.  I used an edge punch to get the pretty border and now my piece of scrap paper fits perfectly.  You can't really tell from the picture but I used Liquid Glass (luv Liquid Glass) on all the stems and leaves to give everything a little 'pop'.  Horizontal card with horizontal strips.

Next I made two cards with the same base - CTMH Mayberry (the background papers look different but that''s just my photo skills not the paper).  The outcome was two very different looks.  Both cards are Horizontal with vertical strips. The first one has yellow and pink flowers to pick up the colors from the paper - the center of the flowers is Bronze glitter gel.

The second one has a happy birthday banner from the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge.  The bigger flowers have dots of Bronze glitter glitz and the smaller flowers with the pink centers has Liquid Glass over the pink.

Just a few more... wanted to try striped patterned paper.  If you don't know some of these papers, it is because I'm using paper scraps.  The first one here is a soft striped patterned paper from the CTMH Miracle paper pack.  I used the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge for the die cut then used the corresponding Frame Flair stamp set.  I used a plate of cupcakes for the center but think of the possibilities... animals, flowers, words the list goes on and on.  At the bottom are three Antiqued Gold Durables.  Horizontal card with horizontal strips.

The second striped pattern is bright - the paper is from CTMH Animal Crackers... which just naturally leads me to creating a kids card.  The CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge was used to create the "3"and the cupcake. The great thing is how easy it is to create a shadow background by simply increasing the size.  The "3"I ran thru the Cuttlebug swiss dot folder.  The cupcake - well, that I just went a little crazy on... I used Liquid Glass on the cupcake paper, the cupcake top has pink, blue & green sparkles with some red and silver glitter gel for good measure (did I mention I kinda went crazy on the cupcake... lol).  Horizontal card with vertical strips.

The final card... it isn't three (3) strips, it's five (5).  How can you not love CTMH Bella paper?!!?!  I have to admit, I saw a similar card to this on Pinterest.  I used the Bronze glitter gel in the center of the sunflower and Liquid Glass on the greenery.  Vertical card with horizontal strips.

Whew... that's what I came up with for now.  Hope I inspired you to try some cards with 3 strips...

June Special - Make It A Banner Day

It’s going to be a “banner” day!  When you place a $25 order in June that includes one stamp set and receive a My Creations® Mini Banner for free!  The Mini Banner includes 10 chipboard pennants in 4 different shapes with 9 jump rings for hanging.  Decorate one side for the 4th of July, and the reverse side for Birthdays!  The Mini Banners are versatile and a great addition to your parties & get-togethers.

Below is a list of the great specials in June...

• Relief for Okalahoma
• Let's Be Patriotic
• Make It A Banner Day
• June SOTM - A Flowering Bunch

Remember to place your order on my website today.

Let's Get Patriotic

Show your support of troops and country with new patriotic stamp sets — available only from June 1 to July 31, 2013!

 

  As a show of our support, Close To My Heart will donate $3 from each B-size My Acrylix® Courage stamp set

and $5 from each D-size My Acrylix® Home of the Brave stamp set to the USO, the leading, most recognized military-support and services organization in the United States, 

or $3 from each B-size My Acrylix® Courage stamp set and $5 from each D-size My Acrylix® Strong and Free stamp set to the Canadian Hero Fund, which supports spouses and children of fallen Canadian military troops by providing post-secondary education in Canada. 

Show your support today by placing your order on my website.

June SOTM - A Flowering Bunch

Order the June Stamp of the Month at full price…or get it for only $5.00 with a qualifying purchase.  Create this collection of beautiful artwork – you’ll find the information on website.

Remember this stamp set is only available from June 1st thru June 30th.

Relief for Oklahoma Campaign

Close To My Heart is making a new Autumn/Winter 2013 stamp set, A True Thank You, available immediately and will donate 100% of the profits from sales of the set from May 23 through June 30 to the American Red Cross to aid the Oklahoma victims. Help us provide relief to those affected by the devastating Oklahoma tornado by purchasing A True Thank You stamp set for $2.95 (M1029) today!

If you would like to help support the people of Oklahoma and get this great, versatile stamp set, please visit my website to place your order.