Cards & More Cards

The February Card Gathering took place a few days ago.  We had a lot of fun making cards.  We made two cards.  The first card was made using the February Stamp of the Month:  A Happy Hello.  I saw a lot of nice cards looking at blogs, but many of them were flowers where we would have to fussy cut around each piece.  For the gathering, I needed something easier.  This is what we made:

  

I saw a similar card online somewhere, but I don't remember where, otherwise I would give credit to the person that created this.  









Check out the Stamp of the Month for February.  It
would be a great, versatile stamp set to use!

We also made a card using stamp set C1605 – Happy To Be Friends.  This set is in the Seasonal Expressions.  I’ve shown the picture before, but here it is again (below).

This card was my own creation.  I entered this in a contest and this card won second place.

Recently I’ve made some Valentine’s Day cards and a birthday card.  The first card is made using the Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge.  I was inspired by the card I saw on Obsessed With Scrapbooking by Joy.  This was only my second card that I've made using the Artfully Sent cartridge.  I just love this one!

     Last night I made a birthday card for my nephew who is eleven years old today.  I used B1470 -- Love Ya Silly.  That is such a fun stamp set for a boy!

Don't forget the February Special on scrapbook albums -- buy one at regular price and get a second one for half-price.

Buy One, Get One Half-off Albums

February Special:

     The February special is all about the new albums.  During the month of February, the special is buy one at full price ($34.95) and get a second one at half price.

These trendy canvas albums have 1-1/2” D-ring or post-bound bindings perfect for holding 12” x 12” projects.  The D-ring style is great for projects using divided protectors such as Picture My Life (PML) layouts.  The post-bound album style is great for showcasing classic 12” x 12” scrapbook layouts side-by-side in Memory Protectors featuring the lay-flat seam.  It’s sturdy binding is ideal for securing thicker layouts.  Don’t you just love those pretty covers?

     These albums come in three colors in both styles:  Black, Lagoon Chevron, and Ruby Floral.  They have a special coating designed to prolong durability and prevent stains.  Can be easily wiped clean from minor spills and dirt.

Stamp of the Month:

     Since I haven’t made a card with the Stamp of the Month – A Happy Hello yet, here are some samples that Close To My Heart has to share.

Valentine's Day Card:

     Our January Gathering was fun!  We made some Valentine's Day cards using the January Stamp of the Month and Heartstrings Paper Packet.

This card is based on one that I saw by Melissa Robinson at My Heartfelt Sentiments.  We ran out of time to make two cards at the gathering, so everyone took this card home to put together after they did the stamping.  

We used the Hearstrings WOTG to make this one.  This would work as a Valentine's Day card, birthday card, or one for many other occasions.  The Words are from the Happy To Be Friends set (C1605). 

     February Gathering:

    Our February Gathering will take place soon.  We will be making cards using the Hopscotch paper from the Seasonal Expressions.  I really like this stamp set and the Hopscotch paper.

   We will also be making a card using the Stamp of the Month.  Stay tuned to see a photo of that card.  I still need to work on coming up with an idea.

  February Class:  Thursday, Feb. 12th at 7:00 p.m.

 Place:      My House

  Cost:  $5 or FREE if you order $25 or more in products

  Please RSVP by clicking on "Contact Me" at the top right side of the page if you plan on attending.

    Have a great week!

Best Christmas Card

     The October Card Gathering was a lot of fun!  We made an easel card which you can see here.  I just love that polar bear!  This was a fun card to make and I hope to make more of these for some of my Christmas cards.

     We made one other Christmas card using the Best Christmas stamp set (D1613).  The tree has a Scandinavian look and works well with the Snowhaven paper.  

We also stamped the inside of the card and added some wash tape:

Supplies Used:

D1613   Best Christmas

Cardstock:  White Daisy, Glacier, Ruby or Cranberry

Inks:  Black, Glacier, and Cranberry

Ruby Chevron Washi Tape

Red Shimmer Tape

Sponge Dauber

Scallop Border Punch

Chalk It Up Assortment (hearts)

     Don't Forget!  There are only ten days left to order the October SOTM and to receive a FREE ribbon (if you spend $50).  This SOTM is such a great one!

This Stamp of the Month is also a great one to use for making your own Chirstmas gift tags!

     You can shop on my CTMH website by clicking "Shop With Me" on the top of the blog.  If you have any questions, click "Contact Me" on the top right side of the blog and I'll answer your questions.

September Specials

      September is National Stamping Month.  In honor of that, as well as, Close To My Heart's 30th anniversary, if you purchase $30 of stamps this month, you will receive the below special set for FREE!

What a great set this is!  These stamps are each approximately 3/4" to 1-1/4" in size and can be used in so many ways. 

September Stamp of the Month

     The September Stamp of the Month is titled Family Is Forever.  It's a set of 7 stamps and can be used in a variety of ways for card making and scrapbooking.  I haven't had a chance to make a card myself.  Here are samples of the stamps and ideas on how to use them.

     I'll later post a photo of a card I make once I get a chance to work with it.  I did  post an anniversary card last week using just the large hearts.  I colored the leaves in the middle with the ShinHan markers (BR68 - Turquoise Blue).

This Stamp of the Month is available for $5 with a $50 order or $17.95 with no minimum order.  If you want to place an order, go to my Close To My Heart website at dianebradner.ctmh.com or send me an e-mail by clicking the words below the words Contact Me on the top right side of the blog.

     My next card making gathering will take place on Thursday, September 18th.  I'll have some samples of cards to show in the next week on the blog.

     Have a great Friday and weekend!

Last Chance for August Monthly Specials

     On August 1st, Close To My Heart introduced their new Annual Inspirations.  It has been an exciting month with so many new items.

You can view the Annual Inspirations on this blog.  Go to the right side of the blog.  Find where it says CTMH Idea Book.  Click on the words below the title that says Click here.  This will take you to my blog.  Click on Products and then Idea Books.  You will see the current Idea Book.  Click Read Now if you want to read the catalog cover to cover.

     The month is almost over and so are two specials that CTMH has for the month of August.    First, is the Stamp of the Month.  It is so cute!  Here's a sample:

These owls are so cute and look nice by paper piecing.  These cards are used with Scaredy Cat and Chalk It Up papers.  It doesn't have to be a Halloween card.  It also works as a fun birthday card (like the bottom one).  The top card has Sunset Chevron Washi Tape lining the bottom of the card.  This gives it a nice look!

This stamp set is available in August only.  Order by Sunday, August 31st by clicking Contact Me on the top right side of the blog.  The stamp set is $5 with a $50 order or $17.95 with no minimum order.

     There is another special this month with Picture My Life.  If you buy one of 13 Picture My Life sets for $24.95, you can select one of 8 scrapbook page protectors for $3 (regularly $9.95).  Go to Monthly Specials at the top of the blog to read more about it.

     If you want to order Picture My Life, the Stamp of the Month, or anything else, feel free to contact me or place your own order by going to my website at dianebradner.ctmh.com.  Just click Shop CTMH on the top of the blog or click the highlighted words in this sentence.

     Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!  Happy crafting!

For Always Anniversary Card

     This weekend I finished an anniversary card using the retired For Always paper.  I really like how this paper makes a card look so elegant.  I will be so sad when I run out of the paper.

The hearts are made using the September Stamp of the month.  I also colored in the leaves with the ShinHan Touch Twin Turquoise Blue Marker.  I'm looking forward to experimenting with the rest of the stamps in the September Stamp of the Month set.  The tree will look nice on a scrapbook page.

     I don't have any other occasions in August to make cards for.  I'm going to start working on figuring out cards for my September gathering and I may even make a few Christmas cards.  I don't want to wait until November to get started on them.  Making a few each month would take the pressure off at Christmas time.  I have another family anniversary coming up in less than two weeks.  I think I'll get started on that one, too.

Supplies Used:

For Always paper pack (retired)

X5927   Ruby cardstock

Z2170   Ruby Exclusive Ink

S1409   Family Is Forever (Sept. SOTM)

D1539   The Happy Couple

Z2009   Red Enamel Hearts

Z1812   Small Sparkles Clear Flourishes

Z2105   Black Exclusive ink

Z726     Sponge Dauber

Z2175   Cashmere Exclusive Ink

Z1848   Red Shimmer Trim

Z2465   Turquoise Blue ShinHan Marker