Christmas Gift Card Holder

New artwork to share!!
I don't know about you but it seems like I give more & more gift cards every year.   I guess as my neices and nephews get older and as we have more & more teachers & coaches in our lives - gift cards are the go-to gift!    I find that 'dressing up' the gift cards a little makes me feel a little better about giving what seems like such an impersonal gift.    The CTMH Cricut Artiste cartridge makes creating gift card holders super easy!   Check out this Christmas version I created:

The gift card holder base is cut with the Cricut - you simply fold it, adhere it & decorate it!  

EDIT - I've had a few questions about the specific Cricut cut -- it is the "L" key (found on page 59 of the booklet), "Card" function, size - 'fit to page'.   If you use your fit to page function - it doesn't matter what size your dial is set at.  The finished card is just over 5.25" x 3.5" - fits in a standard envelope for a 4.25 x 5.5" card.  You can cut two gift card holders on each 12x12" sheet of cardstock.  

Materials Used:

Patterned paper: CTMH Stella, CTMH Pear & Partridge

Gift card holder, ornaments and sentiment panel cut with CTMH Cricut Artiste

Holiday Cheer stamp set

Harvest Bakers Twine

Ink: CTMH Cocoa

Have a great weekend!

Easy Christmas Cards with CTMH Rub-Ons

I'm not sure about all of you, but I send out a TON of Christmas cards -- always handmade, of course!   So when it comes to my holiday cardmaking - - I am always looking for ways to make a lot of cards in a short amount of time.     I was able to do exactly that recently by playing with the new CTMH Pear & Partridge Rub-ons!      Absolutely love the quality of these rub-ons - - I found they were so much easier to use than a lot of other brands of rub-ons I've tried in the past.   Also love that the colours of the rub-ons are so vibrant!!

Here are my ten cards:

Card #1 (5"x7") - Inspired by this card by Aaron Brown

Card #2 (5"x7")

Card #3 (5"x7")

Card #4 (6"x6") - inspired by this card by Allisa Chilton

Card #5 (5"x7")

Card #6 (6"x6")

Card #7 (6"x6")

Card #8 (6"x6") - inspired by this card by Aaron Brown

Card #9 (5"x7")

Card #10 (6"x6")

Love how these turned out!!   I also used some of the remaining rub-ons in the package to decorate my ten envelopes for that added 'special touch'!

Hope you like these as much as I do!!  I'll be offering this set of cards as a class at my home in Calgary in December and will also be offering these as a card kit for those of you unable to attend the class.

Class -  Sunday December 9th @ 7:30pm
10 cards as shown above and envelopes - $27.50
RSVP by EMAIL by Saturday November 10th

Card Kit - 10 cards and envelopes as shown above, pre cut & pre stamped with diagrams of the finished cards (you add the rub-ons & assemble the cards) for $30 plus mailing costs to you (if applicable - if you are local to me - we can arrange a pickup).  Order by EMAIL by Saturday November 10th - kits will be mailed out to you on or before Monday December 3rd.

Scraplifting Fun!!

We are doing something a little different this week at Let's Get Sketchy!!  We had an extra Monday on the calendar this month, but instead of bringing you an extra sketch, we decided to have a little scraplifting challenge!!    Each design team member was assigned another member of the DT to 'lift' and we are hoping you'll be inspired to 'lift' any one of our layouts to play along!

I was assigned DT member "Kathleen" to lift.  I chose this layout of hers:

And here is my version (or 'scrap lift!'):

Can you see where I used her layout as a jumping off point for the inspiration for my layout?   Super fun!!  Hope you'll check it out & see all of the other design team scrap lifts!!  

Materials used on my layout:
CTMH Footloose paper pack (retired)
CTMH Stella paper pack
Black brads
CTMH Footloose Complements Chipboard accents (retired)
Flowers cut with CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge
CTMH Creme Brulee Photo Corner metal accent (retired)
AC Thickers
CTMH Black Cardstock
CTMH Tulip ink (retired), Black ink

A Thousand Years

We have a brand new challenge for you today at Scrap it with a Song.   Our theme this month is 'spooky songs' and this week we have "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri up on the playlist.

Sketch inspiration came from the October Sketchy Challenge at Canadian Scrapbooker.  Here is my layout:

Materials Used:
CTMH paper: Stella, Scholastic
CTMH Cork Alphabet
CTMH Stamp Set from the Scroll Album Workshop Kit
CTMH Olive Mini Medley Accessories - ribbon, frame, brads
CTMH Felt embellishments (Button, leaf, heart) (retired)
My Minds Eye Rub-Ons (used in title)
Green metal circle - unknown - from my stash!
CTMH Colonial White Waxy Flax
Cardstock: CTMH Cocoa & Colonial White
Ink: CTMH Cocoa

This is such a great song.  I'm not even a Twilight fan - haven't read the books or seen the movies - but this song is so powerful & haunting - - I love it!     Would love to see how our song selection inspires you!  You have until October 31st to play & link up with us at Scrap it with a Song!

It's Your Day

** I'm doing a little one question survey of my blog readers - - check my post HERE to respond!  Thanks for your help!!**

I have some new artwork to share with you and all the details about an exciting new CTMH special celebrating National Stamping Month that starts today!

All of my artwork today features a great new stamp set "It's Your Day".   This stamp set is available for just $5 from August 15th to September 30th!   Keep reading to find out how you can get yours!

This clean & simple card (my favourite style!!) is based on a great sketch from the new Make it from Your Heart Volume 1 book from CTMH:

And check out the scrapbook pages I created, also using this stamp set:

Most of you are surely familiar with this style of scrapbooking.  I first tried it after reading/seeing Stacy Julian's ideas on "Photo Album Scrapbooking" and, of course, this style has gone viral with the popularity of Becky Higgin's "Project Life".     Well -- including these types of pages in your regular scrapbook albums are a great way to include many photos on one page - whether it be to capture everyday moments and memories like I did here, or to include multiple photos from one event such as vacations or birthdays/Christmases.  I often pick my favourite photos from an event to create a few traditional layouts and then add the rest of the photos from the same event into the album using these great CTMH photo storage pages.     (These pages are also great for using up your small scraps of cardstock & patterned paper and all those leftover alphabet stickers that we all have!) 

The "It's Your Day" stamp set I have used in my layouts and card above have some great phrases and images that are super versatile for scrapbooking your everyday life, but can also be used for cute cards too!

Here is the great double stamp set, which includes over 50 individual stamps:

Every CTMH order of $35 or more received between August 15th and September 30th will qualify to receive this great double stamp set for just $5.  Orders can be placed ONLINE or directly to me via EMAIL.   

Want even more artwork ideas using this great stamp set?  Check out the quick video CTMH has put together with even more ideas that will have you inspired to capture your everyday life on your next layout:

Happy Girl - with CTMH Stella & Dotty for You

We have a bonus challenge for you this week at Let's Get Sketchy!  July brings us one extra Monday on the calendar - so for a little something different, our recipe challenge this week is:
- White Background
- One Bright Colour
- Flowers

Here is my take on it:

Sketch is Release #1 from Sketchers

Love how this turned out.   This is a 'vintage' photo of yours truly - - about age two :-)   I combined strips of paper from the Stella and Dotty for You paper packs from CTMH which both feature that gorgeous Lagoon colour.  The background stamp and flower stamp both from the retired CTMH set "Circle Around".  Twine is CTMH Paradise Assortment Bakers Twine, Flowers are CTMH Just Blooms Paradise Assortment, buttons are from my stash.  Alphas are the Colour Ready Lots of Dots Irresistibles from CTMH sponged with Lagoon ink.

Hope you'll join us this week at Let's Get Sketchy for this fun challenge!  Would love to see your creations!  

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.

You Light up my Life with Stella

It's pretty quiet here on the blog this week!  I have a large crop coming up this Saturday so I've been busy prepping for that.  Can't wait to spend the day with a bunch of my Calgary crafty peeps!!  My co-hosts and I have fun make & takes planned, lots of yummy food, and some great prizes!  I'll try & remember to take pictures - I always get so busy when I'm there that my camera always seems to stay in the bag. 

So while I busily pack my cropping gear - I have a layout for you to enjoy :-)  This gorgeous page design is from the CTMH Stella Workshop Kit.  The kit includes a full colour artwork guide that features this layout.  I love how well the Stella papers look with our pool photos from vacation. 

Materials Used:

CTMH Stella Workshop Kit (all stamps, paper, accessories, etc. used are included in the kit!)

Die cutting done with CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

Thanks for visiting today.  Check back again tomorrow - - I'll have a new layout for Scrap it With a Song.



"How Sweet it Is" - with CTMH's Stella

A layout to share with you today - Stella is my favourite paper pack from the current CTMH catalogue - watch for more artwork to come using this collection!  I also used the coordinating canvas stickers - gorgeous!! As well as the Bohemian assortment of accessories (crocheted flowers & fabulous character buttons!). 

Thanks for stopping in today!

Sketch fun with Stella

We have a fun new sketch for you up at Let's Get Sketchy!

Here is my take:

And the sketch:

Materials Used:
- CTMH Stella paper
- Brads: CTMH Colonial White
- Pearls: CTMH Pearl Opaques
- Cardstock: CTMH Colonial White
- Flowers: Recollections
- Alphabet: American Crafts Thickers
- Butterflies cut with Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge

Hope you'll give this sketch a try! Come link up with us at Let's Get Sketchy by Sunday April 8th at 8pm for a chance to be one of our picks of the week & to be entered into our April prize draw!

CTMH Stella "You're Loved"

I have been creating up a storm with all my goodies from the new CTMH Spring/Summer Idea Book.

Love, love, love this paper line called Stella!  GORGEOUS!
This sketch is from "Let's Capture These Sketches #118".

Materials Used:
CTMH Stella patterned papers
CTMH Stella canvas stickers
CTMH Cardstock: cocoa, colonial white
CTMH ink: cocoa
CTMH Rub-ons - Primavera (retired)