Hello Little One!

My cousin & his wife recently had a baby which gave me occasion to play with the CTMH Babycakes collection.

Here is the card I made for them using Mojo Monday Sketch #318:

Materials Used:
CTMH Babycakes collection
CTMH Babycakes stickers
Die Cut Words - CTMH Artbooking Cricut Collection
CTMH Cardstock: Colonial White, Chocolate & Sunset

Hope you are having a great week!

Inspired by Pinterest Extravaganza

I've spent the last few days putting together a wide selection of cards for my Spring All Occasion card workshop.  My biggest source of inspiration was, of course, Pinterest.   So many great ideas, so little time!  Attendees at my workshop will be able to choose which of the following cards they'd like to make & how many of each - flexible so that you go home with the cards you need & will use. 

Here is the full card selection:

Designed by Carla Ironside from Less is More sketch

Size: 6" x 6"

Materials Used:

CTMH May 2012 Stamp of the Month - "Friendship Bouquet"

CTMH White Daisy cardstock

CTMH Black ink

CTMH Watercolor Pencils

Inspired by Paige Dolecki

Size: 5" x 7"

Materials Used:

CTMH Footloose paper

CTMH Wings paper (retired)

CTMH Cardstock: Smoothie, White Daisy

CTMH Glitter Buttons from Bohemian Assortment

Card Word Puzzle stamp set

CTMH Ink: Cocoa

Flowers, stems, vase cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

Inspired by Nancy Ball

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Lucy paper

CTMH cardstock: Colonial White, Sweet Leaf, Cotton Candy, Grey Wool

CTMH grey bakers twine

CTMH Say it in Style stamp set

CTMH ink: Grey Wool

Inspired by: Close to My Heart Idea Book

Size: 5.5" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Stella paper

CTMH cardstock: Desert Sand, Pear, Colonial White

CTMH Thanks stamp set

CTMH ink: Chocolate

All die-cut pieces (including card base) cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

CTMH Pearl Opaques

Inspired by: Christina Eisenhour

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Florentine paper

CTMH cardstock: Cocoa, Colonial White, Olive, Creme Brulee

CTMH ink: Twilight, Creme Brulee, Cocoa

CTMH Card Chatter- Birthday stamp set

CTMH Antiqued Copper Brad

Flower & leaves cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

Inspired by: Betsy Veldman

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Typeset paper

CTMH Cruisin' paper

CTMH cardstock: Colonial White, Black, Vineyard Berry

CTMH Ink: Black

CTMH Wooden Button

CTMH Black Waxy Flax

Star and Alphas cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

CTMH Blue Ribbon stamp set

Inspired by: Tina Lovell

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Elemental paper

CTMH cardstock: Desert Sand, Pacifica, Colonial White

CTMH ink: Pacifica

CTMH Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon

Square and Scalloped Square cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

Inspired by: Tina Lovell

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Elemental paper

CTMH cardstock: Desert Sand, Pacifica, Colonial White

CTMH ink: Pacifica

CTMH Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon
Square and scalloped square cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

 

Inspired by: Amy Sheffer

Size: 5" x 7"

Materials Used:

CTMH Victory paper

CTMH cardstock: Bamboo, New England Ivy, Chocolate, Sunset, White Daisy

CTMH ink: Bamboo, Chocolate

CTMH Clear Buttons

CTMH Sunset Bakers Twine

CTMH Love Life stamp set

CTMH Card Chatter - Birthday stamp set

Stars & tag cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

Inspired by: Carol Labuski

Size: 5" x 7"

Materials Used:

CTMH Sonoma paper

CTMH Seam Binding Ribbon

CTMH Cardstock: Cocoa, Colonial White

CTMH Inks: Petal, Smokey Plum

CTMH 4 My Friend stamp set

CTMH Soul Mates stamp set (retired)

CTMH Art Philosophy stamp set

Hearts cut with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

Inspired by: CTMH art department

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Cruisin' paper

CTMH Cardstock: Black, Colonial White, Desert Sand, Cranberry, Honey

CTMH ink: Black

CTMH Classmate Alpha stamp set

CTMH Thank You stamp set (retired)

CTMH Typeset stamp set (retired)

CTMH black bakers twine

Pencil cut with A Child's Year Cricut cartridge

If you are in the Calgary area and are interested in attending or hosting a Spring All-Occasion Card Workshop - Click HERE for more details & pricing.

The Sweetest Gift

I absolutely LOVE this sketch from Random Acts of Creativity this week.  I can see myself using this one again and again.

Here is my card:

I also incorporated the following challenges:
Hand Stamped Sentiments - Pinkalicious
Creative Inspirations - Punches & Dies
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart, except as noted):
Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Pack
Baby Love Acrylic Stamp set
White Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)
Cotton Candy Cardstock
White Cardstock
Puffies Sticker from KI Memories

Welcome Baby Card!

And the baby boom continues amongst our family & friends!  A boy this time, though!

My inspiration for this card:
Design Dollies Colour Challenge (Blue, Yellow with optional Black/White)
Papertake Weekly Sketch #45

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

Animal Cookies Level 2 Paper Pack

Magic Moments Level 2 Paper Pack

Welcome Baby Acrylic Stamp Set

Black Bitty Brad from Brads Basic Assortment

Dutch Blue Buttons from the Summer Craft Button Collection

White Grosgrain Ribbon - from the Animal Cookies Creative Basics Kit

Ink: Dutch Blue, Black

Cardstock: White Daisy and Textured Black

It's ANOTHER Girl!!

Another baby card - this time for one of my husband's coworkers!

I was inspired by a few challenges (I'm a little late on a few of them . . .):

Twisted Sketches - Card Sketch and this week's twist which was "metal"
Practical Scrappers - Using your stash older than 1 year (the metal frame has been in my baskets of goodies FOREVER!!)
Frosted Designs - Border punches

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart, except as noted):

Cherry-O Level 2 Paper Pack

Sweet Baby Acrylic Stamp Set

Cardstock: Textured Blush and Textured Chocolate, and Colonial White

Inks: Blush and Chocolate and Tulip

Other: Metal frame was a dollar store find

It's a Girl!

So excited for my cousin who just had her first baby!

I used the Unscripted Sketches challenge this week as my inspiration for this card:

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

Cherry-O Level 2 Paper Pack

Chocolate Designer Ribbon Rounds

Baby Impressions Acrylic Stamp Set (retired)

Sweet Baby Acrylic Stamp Set

Cardstock: Colonial White & textured Chocolate

Inks: Blush, Chocolate

CTMH Caboodle Baby Card

There seems to be an abundance of new babies among our friends and family recently (and in the near future) - so I am building up my stash of baby cards.  This card, which I LOVE, was inspired by a fellow CTMH consultant (whose name I neglected to take note of - if it is you, please let me know so I can give proper credit!).

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

Caboodle Level 2 Paper Pack

Life's a Jungle Acrylic Stamp Set

Welcome Baby Acrylic Stamp Set

Crystal Blue button from Winter Craft Buttons

Heavenly Blue button from Spring Craft Buttons

Twilight Corduroy Brad from Winter Cozy Mini Medley (on sale now for $6.95Cdn, while supplies last!)

Cardstock: Crystal Blue, Black, White Daisy

Ink: Black

CTMH Caboodle Made for Each Other

Love this new stamp set!!  A quick card today for the Stamps & Smiles Sketch Challenge over at Our Creative Corner.  I also incorporated the Frosted Designs challenge to use eyelets!  And finally the Raise the Bar Challenge to use something you haven't used before - which in this case is the stamp set "Love You Forever".

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart, except as noted):

• Caboodle Level 2 Paper Packet
• Love You Forever Acrylic Stamp Set
• Chocolate Soft Set Eyelets
• Ribbon from the Designer Ribbon Rounds Chocolate Collection
• Chocolate Waxy Flax
• Tag from my stash
• Cardstock: Crystal Blue, Vanilla Cream
• Ink: Chocolate, Sorbet, Crystal Blue, Sweet Leaf

We had an exciting morning here today.  The family & I got into the Olympic spirit and went & watched the Olympic torch relay as it passed near our community here in Calgary!! It was a lot of fun & maybe a 'once in a lifetime' kind of thing - so glad we went!  Can't wait to cheer for Canada at the Olympics in just a few weeks!!  Here is a photo of the 'passing of the flame' which was done right in front of our 'roadside' spot! 

CTMH More to Adore Baby Card

I made a card for one of my husband's staff members using the sketch from Unscripted Sketches for this week.

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

• More to Adore Level 2 Paper Pack (I LOVE the pinks & browns in this paper pack!)
• Sweet Baby Acrylic Stamp Set
• Welcome Baby Acrylic Stamp Set
• Baby Steps Acrylic Stamp Set
• Chocolate Brads
• Cardstock: Chocolate, Hollyhock, Vanilla Creme
• Inks: Chocolate, Hollyhock
• Other: Foam Tape

CTMH Life Delights Mini Criss Cross Card

Continuing on my Life Delights paper week . . .

Here is a cute little mini criss-cross pullout card! I saw the template on Deneen's A Path of Paper blog. Love her site - she has the neatest ideas and templates. This criss-cross card template was so easy!!

Here is my version:

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

• Life Delights Level 2 Paper Pack
• Life Delights Stickease Assortment
• Say it in Style Acrylic Stamp Set
• Best Wishes Acrylic Stamp Set
• Chocolate Brad
• Cardstock: Blush & Colonial White
• Ink: Chocolate

CTMH Animal Cookies & Using up my Stickers!

The challenge at Practical Scrappers this week is to use up your stickers - specifically 3 or more (and letter stickers don't count).

I'm a little late on this challenge - I see they have already posted this week's winner - - but thought I'd post my layout anyway! This one was super easy - - I used our Level 1 kit - - so things came together quickly!! Which is what I need when I'm scrapbooking!! I simply don't have the time to spend hours on a layout!! Our page kits (both the Level 1 & Level 2's) & our How-To books are a necessity for a busy mom like me!!

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

• Animal Cookies Level 1 Kit
• Tulip brads, White Daisy Brads, Hemp, Tulip Marker
• Chipboard Heart and White Daisy Die-Cut Tag from "Dazzling Die-Cuts" promotional kit
• Additional cardstock for photo matting: Sunflower & Desert Sand

P.S. Did you know that all of the layouts on the Close to My Heart Level 1 Kit pre-printed base pages are based on the layout designs in our Reflections Scrapbook Program book?!?! The first page of this layout is "Title Topper - Subtle" and the second page is "Main Frame - Tied Together".

CTMH Color Challenge Baby Card

The Color Chef Challenge #16 over at KJ's Stamp Pad this week is Moonstruck, Crystal Blue, Grey Wool & White Daisy. I dry embossed the stripes on the grey cardstock. The sentiment circle piece is popped up with foam squares.

Card Pattern is "Bullseye" from the Wishes Card Confidence Program.
Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

• Sweet Baby Acrylic Stamp Set
• Cardstock: Moonstruck, Crystal Blue, Grey Wool, White Daisy
• White Buttons from Holiday Craft Button Collection
• Crystal Blue Brads from Winter Cozy Assortment of Brads
• White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon
• Inks: Crystal Blue and Moonstruck

CTMH Notebook Baby Card

Happy Monday to all! Hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was busy & fun & REALLY hot!! My Mom, sister, neice & nephew were here to visit us this weekend. The weather was amazing (relatively speaking - - this is Calgary, after all!) We spent Saturday at a local amusement park - the kids had a blast! When we got home - we turned on the sprinklers in the back yard, filled the mini-pool and just tried to stay cool!! Love those kind of days!!

I did manage to sneak in a little crafting time -- my sister needed a baby shower card for a friend at work. This is what we came up with (don't you love doing matching envelopes!??!):

The card design is "Center Charms" from Originals Card Confidence Program.
We actually lifted the artwork idea from a girl version done in the Summer 2009 Idea Book, Page 71. Love how the 'boy' version turned out!!

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart, except as noted):

• Notebook Level 2 Paper Pack
• Baby Steps Acrylic Stamp Set
• Inks: Crystal Blue, Desert Sand, Chocolate
• Cardstock: Colonial White, Desert Sand, Chocolate
• Chocolate Brads
• Crystal Blue buttons from the Winter Collection Craft Buttons
• Chocolate Embroidery Floss from the Embroidery Floss Neutral Assortment
• Chipboard Tag from Dimensional Elements Framed Fun
• Ribbon from Michaels

Thanks for stopping by!! Have a great week!

CTMH Animal Cookies & Mojo Monday #95

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you had a great weekend!
As always - had to start my creativity going this week with the Mojo Monday sketch!

Here is my take on Sketch #95:

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

• Creative Basics Animal Cookies Collection
• In the Wild Acrylic Stamp Set
• Classmate Alphabet Acrylic Stamp Set
• White Grosgrain Ribbon from the Creative Basics Animal Cookies Collection
• Foam Die-Cuts Numbers
• Cardstock: Tulip, Dutch Blue, White Daisy
• Inks: Sunflower, Desert Sand, Clover Meadow, Dutch Blue, Tulip

CTMH Colour Challenge #11

Wow - I REALLY struggled with this week's colour challenge over at KJ's Stamp Pad. The challenge this week was to use ONLY Bamboo and White!! Limiting myself to only 2 colours was unbelievably hard!

But in the end - I'm happy with the result and glad I played along with the challenge to 'step out of my box' a little! It is hard to see in the photo (I'm still working on trying to improve my photos!!) - - but the tag says 'boy'.

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart, except as noted):

• Welcome Baby Acrylic Stamp Set
• Simple Stitches Acrylic Stamp Set
• Spot On Backgrounds Acrylic Stamp Set
• Cardstock: Bamboo & White Daisy
• Ink: Bamboo
• White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon
• White Daisy Love Story Rub-Ons
• White Daisy Brad
• Foam Squares
• Oval Tag from Walmart
• Scalloped Punch from EK Success

CTMH Colour Challenge

I have recently become addicted to challenges! They give me a kickstart when I'm having trouble getting inspired to start a new piece of artwork! They also are a great way for me to try new things and to 'step out of my box'.

One of my favourite challenges is Jeannette Lynton's weekly CTMH Colour challenge called Colour Me Monday(Yes, I know that I'm a few days behind on this one too!). Every week on her blog she posts a different combination of CTMH colours, and then it is up to us to see what we can come up with!

Here is a simple but sweet baby card I came up with for this week's challenge:

Materials Used (all CTMH):

Baby Steps

Sans Alphabet

Cardstock: Petal, Pansy Purple, White Daisy

Inks: Petal, New England Ivy

The design of the card is based on the "Locket" design from Originals