Close To My Heart

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Catching Up on Scrapbooking

Last Saturday I attended The Busy Bee's Falling for Scraps team event by invitation from my good friend Sandie Alford. Her awesome team organized the event and I was very lucky to have participated. We did 7 make and take projects, and I came out inspired, and pumped to actually finish my scrapbook layouts. I had a layout from August that I was not able to finish and was not able to offer together with my card workshop.

Here's my completed August Chalk It Up Scrapbook Layout. I tweaked the design a little bit from the intended Chalk It Up WOTG Scrapbooking kit. I tried to add in more picture slots, because personally I'm the type who wants to load the pages with pictures. I also threw in a Chalk It Up Picture My Life card in there to show just how versatile that kit is. All the cuts used Cricut Artbooking cartridge.



My September Scaredy Cat Scrapbook Layout is inspired by Sandie herself. I added in some borders and embellishments from the August Stamp of the Month What A Hoot. I did the 2nd page and tried to continue on the theme from the 1st. I added in the Dracula image from Creepy Creatures stamp set, just to make it more fun. I gave them a dash of color by using Shin Han Peony Purple and Light Orange markers. I love love this stamp set!! Everything else is cut using Cricut Artbooking cartridge.



I can't wait for Halloween. My daughter wants to be Elsa from Frozen. Probably not fit for this layout but who knows, kids, they always change their minds! :)

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Witch Penny Slider Card

I've always wanted to try making a penny slider card and now here's my rendition. What I like about this is it's so easy to make, and in case you didn't notice, I didn't stamp a single thing! The design is an SVG cut from the Silhouette Online store. It is so easy to make though, even without the SVG cut.

This is a 5x7 card. I used Sunset cardstock as base. Then I used scraps to make the moon from my Scaredy Cat Paper Pack, a white cardstock that I sponged Soft Vanilla ink to make a wispy shadow and topped it with Whisper ink to show a grayish fog effect. The rest of it is from the Scaredy Cat Complements pack, and the stars from the Scaredy Cat Assortment pack.

For the partial moon, you'll need to cut the bottom layer a little over 4.1" wide by 3.7" high, and the top layer size is about 1/8" less than the bottom one. Once you've got your pieces cut, draw a curved line and cut. You'll need to line up and layer the 2 B&T papers (after you cut a curved edge) together with the black base, and cut out a "hook" angle so the penny can rest there. Make sure you clip them together so you get a clean cut through. You'll have to take 2 pennies first, mount them together with foam tapes, and use that as your guide to make sure you pennies will easily slide up and down the slot. Make sure the pennies slips through the slot you make. This applies to any penny slider card you make. You measure the distance, depending on how far you want your image or attachment to travel.

Then you can add whatever image you want to the penny, in this case I used the witch from the assortment and embellished as I go. I hope this somehow teaches you how to make your own penny slider card. And if it's too hard, you can always purchase it from the Silhouette Online store.

If you have questions, pop a comment or leave an email please. Would love to hear from you!



Here's another view of the witch flying halfway. This shows you what the "hook" looks like.


I can't wait for Halloween! Didn't used to be something I look forward to or celebrate, but this year, believe it or not, Scaredy Cat got me into it!

Enjoy!


Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Get Well Soon

My mom's been feeling under the weather lately so I thought I'd make a card for her. I decided to break in my Spectrum Noir blendable colored pencils today, and I used Taylored Expressions Mixed Blooms stamp set. I watched a DVD on how to use the blendable pencils and I hate to admit it but it literally took me hours to color this. I've been coloring a lot using Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, I've colored a good number of images already but I think I can safely say I've never achieved depth like this. Granted it's not perfect, but after coloring my 1st image, I can say I know where I need to improve. Holding the pens, the stroke and the technique will take time, but having said that, I am pleased with how my 1st image turned out.

I own all 5 tins, and the image below is colored from the Essentials, Primaries, Florals and Nature sets. I picked colors from each, just so I can test the colors that each tin represents, the differences in greens, purples and pinks. I'm happy how it turned out, but I'm dying to practice more!

Card base is kraft, background and textured papers are from Ki Memories.



Sunday, September 21, 2014

Rest Relax Repeat

I finally got the chance to do a card using the new Cricut Artfully Sent cartridge. There's so many designs to choose from I didn't know where to start! I picked one that I can give to a good friend of mine. He's been feeling under the weather lately and no matter how often I tell him to take a break from work and rest, he still keeps going. I saw this design and thought this is so appropriate for him!

I used a plain white cardstock to cut the scene, then I sponged the clouds, raindrops and the rest of the card with Sky ink, I masked the flower and sponged it with Saddle ink for the stem, a mix of Saddle and Buttercup for the buds, and a light sponge of Whisper for the petals. I used Sweet Leaf for the leaves and to add dimension to the front of the card, I stamped and cut a few butterflies from the stamp set Your Own Kind of Wonderful. Each butterfly was stamped using Thistle, Sorbet, Honey and Pacifa.



Here's what the inside of the card looks like. I stamped the sentiment Get Well using the stamp set Sincere Expressions. This card was so easy to make! The only thing that took time for me was sponging it with different colors, and of course cutting the butterflies. I wanted it to be colorful and I hope it projects a happy mood, so my friend can feel better somehow, or lift his spirits somehow.


The Cricut Artfully Sent is now available for purchase. If you're a card maker, you can't go wrong with this. It is so worth it! Check out the complete package below. It comes with 3 sets of stamps and a pack of White Daisy cardstock. Get yours now! 

Z3017 Cricut Artfully Sent Cartridge

Here's a look at the stamp sets I used.

D1627 Your Own Kind of Wonderful

A1146 Sincere Expressions

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Fall Cards Using Pathfinding

Fall is just around the corner (at least for us here in SoCal), and I can't wait! Weather's been way too hot I hope Fall comes soon.

Here's a sneak peek of my workshop for October. I made 3 cards using Pathfinding Cardmaking Workshop on the Go. The whole kit can make 15 cards out of these 3 designs. I did my own version, with some tweaking the design that came with the kit.



Here's a close up look of each card. This has got to be my favorite I think. I love the different mix of colors and how 'Fall' it looks like!



I am so loving the woodgrain stamp that comes with this kit. Isn't that just adorable? You can use it as a full card background too. I will have to do that some time.



My third card's inspiration is from the Wishes book I believe.



The whole kit costs $24.95 and can make you 15 cards from 3 designs. If you wish to purchase the kit, click here. I will be including this for my October workshop so stay tuned for details! If you can't wait, leave a comment or email me and I can send this card workshop first.

Thanks!

Scaredy Cat Witch Cottage

I've been procrastinating lately, and this witch's cottage is one of my victims. I've had this sitting out on my table for a couple of weeks now, and just left it out to sit. I have to admit it's not my 100%, but I just want to get it done, and hopefully donate it to my kid's school for decoration.

I used the Scaredy Cat paper pack, for the cottage, and the Halloween Greetings stamp set to cut out the bats, the witch peeking out the window, and the broom parked by the side of the house. I also used the rat from the Creepy Creatures stamp set to add to the chimney. This witch's cottage is a cut file from Silhouette and I used my cameo to cut it.



 
I will most likely still dress up the front of the cottage. For now I placed an orange star as a 'knob' from the Scaredy Cat Assortment.


Thank You Card

I've had this card lying around for about a week now, it's actually long overdue to give to the intended person. Nevertheless, I finally had the chance to take a picture of it and share.

I used the Princess stamp set from Simon Says Stamp, the girl just looks so sweet! Perfect way to say "Thanks" don't you think? And I also use the 'thanks' die from Simon Says.


Thursday, September 11, 2014

Cricut Artfully Sent Is Finally Here!!

After months of waiting, I am so excited to share with you that the new Cricut Artfully Sent cartridge is finally available!! I cannot wait to get my hands on this! This cartridge features over 25 different card themes and 5 different formats to make over 400 different cards including interactive designs. If you've been following my blog I've been trying some 3D interactive cards every now and then and I just cannot wait to create more using this Artfully Sent cartridge. Pop Ups, scenes, sleeves and pocket cards, you can create masterpieces with this cartridge!
The cartridge comes with 3 D-size stamps and 12x12 white cardstock. Here's the link for you to shop now!




Saturday, September 6, 2014

September - Scaredy Cat Workshop

Halloween is just around the corner and I thought I'd get started on Halloween projects. For this month's workshop, I've created 1 treat box, 2 cards and 1 home decoration item. All of these uses the Scaredy Cat paper pack.



I used 4 stamp sets to create everything in this project. I love all these Halloween themed stamps. I used B1460 Trick or Treat Sweets, D1605 Halloween Greetings, B1453 Frightfully Fun and  C1522 Creepy Creatures.

Here's a closer look of the projects individually.






This workshop costs $20. Papers in the kit will come pre-cut and images are pre-stamped. If you wish to buy the stamps to create these projects separately, shop now at shabbychiccrafting.ctmh.com or simply click on the stamp names described above.

Anything can be customized, so if you wish to special order anything from this workshop, please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email at shabbychiccrafting@gmail.com

Thanks so much!


Celebrate National Stamping Month!




September is National Stamping Month, and Close To My Heart is ready to celebrate all month long! When you spend $30 on any current retail-priced stamps during the month of September, you qualify to receive the exclusive C-sized stamp set #30yearsofhappy for FREE! This special offer is part of our celebration of National Stamping Month and in honor of our ongoing celebration of our founder and CEO Jeanette Lynton’s 30-year anniversary in the scrapbooking and stamping industry. The exclusive stamp set features 30 mini images and sentiments perfectly suited for 30 days of happy stamping! 

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

September Stamp of the Month

This month's stamp of the month is focused on Family, and the images are fitting for making scrapbook pages. However since I do not have the time for that, I made a quick card instead.

I embossed the background paper using Cricut Cuttlebug, and colored them using Faber Castell Gelatos. I love my Gelatos and I love this technique. I spritzed enough water and rubbed them to sort of blend the colors subtlety but making sure the distinction is still there. I stamped the word "Love" and cut each letters. I wanted it to be the focus of the card, and love how bold the letters seem to be in rich black ink. I stamped the heart image using Indian Corn Blue color. I really love how it stands out.




 Here's an image of this month's Stamp of the Month - Family is Forever. Get yours now for only $5 with a qualifying purchase of $50.

S1409 Family is Forever