Damask Divas Taste of Summer Blog Hop

Happy Spring!  Welcome to the Damask Divas’ Taste of Summer Blog Hop.  If you came to my page from Traci’s page, then you are in the right place.  You can always start at the beginning or navigate to the various participant’s pages by going to the Damask Divas team blog page at http://www.damaskdivas.com or click this link.

These papers with their juicy, colorful, fruity prints are so much fun. I made some simple and quick cards to share with you.

Taste of Summer Greeting Cards

This Taste of Summer paper pack (Item # CC1038) and the coordinating stamp set (CC1039) are the Constant Campaign from Close to my Heart for May 2015.  You can only get these papers in May, so be sure to contact me or your own consultant to order.  My CTMH online store is located at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com or click this link.

The celebrate sentiment is from the Dizzy Circles stamp set (Item # C1610).  I used coordinating CTMH ink pads and colored the Thank You with a Shin-Han marker (P83 – Lavender).  I used CTMH archival ink for the black sentiments.  The card bases and envelopes are the White Daisy value pack (Item # X254).  Of course, I used my CTMH acrylic blocks to stamp with, and my Versamat to help get a nice clear imprint (Item # Z1279).  The Thank You stamp is retired, but still one of my favorites.

Your next stop on the hop is Felica’s page.  I hope you enjoy seeing all of creations and they inspire you to make your own.  Happy Crafting!

 

 

 

 

Snowhaven Workshop on the Go Cardmaking Set by CTMH

I got a jump start on the holidays by making fifteen holiday cards using the Close to my Heart Snowhaven Workshop on the Go (WOTG) card making set.  It comes with everything you need to make these beautiful cards – card bases, envelopes, stamps, trims and papers with complete instructions.  To buy this and other Workshop on the Go kits, visit my online shop at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com (you can click on the address to be directed to that website).  The item # for the Snowhaven WOTG is G1085.  At $24.95 it is a bargain and you will have the instructions and stamp set for later use.   Here is how my cards turned out:

 

I hope this inspires you to try a Workshop on the Go kit!  Happy Crafting!

 

Sixteen Cards Using One Sheet Wonder

I used the Brushed paper pack for one set of cards and the Pathfinding paper pack for the other.  These are both current Close to my Heart paper packs found in the Annual Inspirations Idea Book and Catalog.  Any of the beautifully coordinated CTMH paper packs work well for these cards.  I find the link to this one sheet wonder template and tutorial on Pinterest.  It is by Jessica and can be found at http://inkitupwithjessica.com/one-sheet-wonder-tutorial.  There are many one sheet wonder templates to choose from on Pinterest.  This one caught my eye and I found it easy to follow and use.  I like the way the cards come out.  You only use one sheet of B&T duos patterned paper and four sheets of coordinating solid papers (two of each of two colors) plus one sheet of white for the sayings and images to be stamped on.  The template illustrates what sizes to cut the patterned paper and which cards they go with (A, B, C, D and E).  The tutorial explains how to cut the other pieces easily and how to put all of the cards together.    You need sixteen card bases.  I used the CTMH bulk card bases or you can make your own out of 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper.  Cut the 11 inch side of the paper into two 5 1/2 inch pieces and fold each of those in half to get two card bases per sheet of paper.  If you don’t have 8 1/2 by 11 paper, trim the 12 x 12 down – be sure to save the scraps for other uses like stamping phrases on for other cards or layouts.   I used a variety of stamps from my collection for the card sayings.

I enjoyed making these coordinated all occasion cards and will move on to some holiday cards next.  I also discovered a one sheet wonder set up in the Close to my Heart “Wishes” card confidence book and want to try that one too.  It looks similarly easy to put together 16 cards (two each of 8 designs).  The instructions and photos begin on page 110 of the Wishes book (Close to my Heart Item # 9041).

Recipe:

Brushed paper pack, Item # X7190B

Pathfinding paper pack, Item # X7186B

White Bulk Card Bases and Envelopes, Item # X254

White Daisy paper, Item # 1385

Coordinating solid papers are found in the paper packs

Stamp sets of your choice applicable to the occasions you want your cards for; smaller size stamps work best as the white pieces are small rectangles.

If you wish to purchase Close to my Heart supplies for this project, visit my online shop at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com and Happy Crafting!

October Stamp of the Month – Close To My Heart

Here we are – officially in the fall season with the holidays just around the corner.  The Christmas themed October Stamp of the Month (SOTM), Home for the Holidays, is available for a limited time.  It can be yours for just $5.00 with a $50 purchase but it is only available to you during October.   You can also purchase the October Stamp of the Month for $17.95 without a qualifying purchase.   I especially love the polar bear image.  The set coordinates with the Art Philosophy cartridge and provides measurements to cut pieces for all but two of the images (the candy cane and candy don’t have images on Art Philosophy but all of the others do) .   Here is a sample set I cut out using the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge and stamped.

Samples stamped with the October SOTM

I also made two cards with the polar bear postage stamp.  One with glitter paper and the other with paper from the Snowhaven paper pack.  So cute!

 

You can purchase the Stamp of the Month and the supplies online at my Close to my Heart business address at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com.

Recipes:

October Stamp of the Month “Home for the Holidays” Item #S1410

the “Winter Wishes” phrase is from the stamp set To You and Yours, Item #B1403

The “Snow Much Fun” phrase and snowflakes are from Flakey Friends, Item # C1506

Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge Item # Z1686

Snowhaven Paper Pack Item # X7188C

Teal Glitter Paper Item # Z1991

Silver Shimmer Trim # Z1799

White Daisy Bulk pack of card bases and envelopes Item #X254

White Daisy Paper Item # 1385

Ink Pads:  Glacier #Z2641, Topiary #Z2155, Ponderosa Pine #Z2145, Ruby # Z2170.  The bright red on the December 25 tag is Holiday Red and that is a discontinued color, but you can use Cranberry in its place, #Z2116.

If you are using the Cricut Explore die cut machine instead of a legacy model, you can insert codes in search to find the cuts on Art Philosophy.   Be sure to be at search all images and enter the code with the # in front of it.  Light bulb shape ornament tag is #M41BE5;  Polar bear stamp is #M450F2, the Home for the Holidays tag is #M45A94, The Do Not Open tag is #M45080 and the larger ornament is #M4003B.

I hope you enjoy this peek at the possibilities using the October Stamp of the Month!  Leave a comment below or if you have questions, please feel free to email me at cydneyfowlercreations@gmail.com and I will respond as soon as possible.  Click here to be directed to my online CTMH shop.

 

 

Pathfinding Blog Hop

Welcome to the Damask Divas October Blog Hop!  Fall is in the air and we are featuring the Pathfinding paper pack – autumn colors galore!  If you got here from Lilian’s blog, you are in the right place.  You can always go to the Damask Divas blog site to see all of the inspiring projects – just click here.

I made a 5×7 greeting card using the Pathfinding paper pack.  I used the new Artfully Sent exclusive Close to my Heart Cricut cartridge to make the card base, envelope and envelope liner.  I used my Cricut Explore and Design Space to Print then Cut the pumpkin, sentiment and leaves (these are from Artiste).  If you don’t have the Explore you can just cut paper items in the usual way using Artiste and your Expression or E2 machine for the embellishments.

Card base made with Artfully Sent

If you are using your Expression or E2, set the card base size according to the booklet on page 39 and page 47 for the envelope and liner.  If you are using the Explore, set the size for the card base to cut at 9.34″ wide by 11.31 height.  Set the envelope and liner to cut at 10″ wide with 7″ height.  This gives you a little extra room in the envelope for a thick card.

In Design Space you can locate items to cut by their assigned number.  Here are the numbers for the cuts I used:

Frame Card – #M1011E3

Envelope – #MEF85D

Pumpkin – #M3D514

Give Thanks and Leaves – these are part of the Harvest Layout and the items are grouped together.  #MB0171 is the number.  To use just the Give Thanks and the leaves, ungroup them.  Hide what you don’t need by clicking on the eye for each item you want to hide.  For Print then Cut – change colors to suit your theme, flatten, select all, attach.

To use the codes, make sure you put the # sign in front of the number.  Insert images, make sure you are in all images.  In the search box type the #number and hit enter.  You should see a preview of the image.  Click on the preview to insert the image.  The image codes start with #M and the cartridge codes for the CTMH cartridges start with #S.  This allows you to search for the cartridge image set in search in the same way as the images.  It is a real time saver.

Artfully Sent is #S124E3

Artbooking is #S54A

Artiste is #S20E

Art Philosophy is #S13C

Recipe for the Card:

Pathfinding paper pack – Item # X7186B

Artfully Sent Cricut Collection – Item # Z3017

Artiste Cricut Collection – Item # Z1790

Colonial White Paper – Item # 1388

You can purchase Close to my Heart products from me at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com or from your own consultant.

I hope you enjoyed my card and information on using the Cricut Explore.  You can make this project with your legacy machines, but I am hooked on the new Explore and Design Space.  Combined with our CTMH Cricut cartridges and CTMH papers it is amazing what you can do.

I am the “end of the line” for this blog hop.  If you want to start again, click on the link at the top of the page to return to the Damask Divas blog page.  Thanks for joining us!

 

 

 

 

 

Chalk It Up Blog Hop

Welcome to the Damask Divas August Blog Hop featuring the Chalk It Up paper pack.  If you got here from Judy’s blog, you are in the right place.  You can always go to the Damask Divas blog to start from the beginning and/or to see the entire list of participants.  I created a cute card using the featured papers and the new Great Job stamp set.   I used the Colonial White pigment ink pad so it looked like chalk on the black paper.  Remember to let the pigment ink dry well.  It goes on thick so I blotted it to make it look more see through like chalk.  I fussy cut the Great Job and the shooting star shapes out.  I used the new Touch markers to color the shooting stars and pop dotted them for dimension.  I also used the zip strip from the graphics paper to make a “ribbon” under the saying.  The smaller black square is the reverse of the paper that also has a chalkboard look to it.  The card base is Colonial White.  I like to use the pre-made CTMH card bases that come with envelopes.  You get a pack of 50 cards and envelopes for $14.95 and they look professional.  I used archival ink to stamp the shooting stars since I was going to color them in with markers.  The archival ink won’t bleed from the markers.

A2 size greeting card – Chalk It Up

Recipe:

Chalk It Up paper pack – Item #Z7184B

Colonial White Pigment Ink Pad – Item #Z2168

Black Cardstock paper scrap to stamp Great Job and cut out

Archival Black Ink Pad – Item #44751

Great Job stamp set – Item #C1588

Touch Markers – YR26 Pastel Peach, R140 Lt Orange, B68 Turquoise Blue

I hope this card inspires you to make your own creations.  To shop for these items and many more exciting items from the new Annual Inspirations Idea Book, go to my personal online CTMH store at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com or contact your own consultant.  We are always happy to assist you.

Next up on the blog hop is Hilary.  Click here to go to her blog and enjoy even more Chalk It Up inspiration!  Happy Crafting!

Cards featuring CTMH July Stamp of the Month

I needed two thank you cards for my convention roomie/friends.  I used the July Stamp of the Month, Circus Alphabet (Item #S1407).  This is also a sneak peek at the new Shin-Han markers CTMH is unveiling in the August Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  I love the way they color!  Also a sneak peek at one of the new washi tapes, Topiary (item #Z2002), that is also available in August.  I used various CTMH solid colors to make the festive banner for the multi-color card, and Skylark paper for the green card.  Notice that I cut one inch squares to stamp the individual letters on – that way if you mess up coloring you can do one letter over and the letters are easy to line up this way.  Also, don’t hesitate to stamp letters in a random, wavy pattern if you have trouble lining the stamps up perfectly straight.  Perfect is the enemy of good!  Have fun with stamping and creating!  The Skylark paper pack is available until the end of July (Item #X7177B).  Get your favorite papers before the end of July!  All of the B&T duos patterned papers will be replaced with exciting new designs effective August 1.

Here are the two cards I made for my wonderful friends, Kelle and Erin:

Green Thank You card with the Circus Alphabet and Topiary Washi Tape.

Multi-Color Thank You card made with the Circus Alphabet.

 

Don’t forget – you can only get this cute alphabet stamp set during July.  Retail is $17.95, but you can get it for $5.00 with any $50 purchase during July.  My personal online CTMH shop is located at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com.  Click on the link to shop.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!  Watch for regular posts featuring more wonderful Close to my Heart products.  Happy Crafting!

 

 

Skylark Blog Hop

Welcome to our monthly Damask Divas blog hop.  We are featuring the Skylark paper pack.  If you got here from Brenda’s blog, you are in the right place.  You can always start from the beginning by going to the Damask Divas blog where you will find a list of all of the participants and links to their blogs.  I created a few cards.  I just love the paper with the birds and dragonflies  so I cut my paper to highlight those images.  I added some embellishments – wood color ready shapes that compliment the design, washi tape, the zip strip from the edge of the paper, some leaves and bling.  These papers are perfect for Spring and Summer.  The colors are very soothing and peaceful.

Dragonfly – Spread Your Wings

Skylark – Believe

Blue Bird – Happy Birthday

That beautiful blue bird is part of the paper design not an embellishment! This paper would be great as a scrapbook page background as well.  I hope these cards give you some crafty inspiration.  If you want to purchase Close to my Heart papers and crafty goodness, go to my online store by clicking here, or contact your own consultant.  We are all happy to help you. Next up on the hop is Felica.  Click here to go to see what she has created for your viewing pleasure.  Happy Crafting!

Timberline Blog Hop

Welcome to the Damask Divas blog hop for June featuring the Timberline paper pack.  If you got here from Brenda’s blog, you are in the right place.  You can always go back to the Damask Divas blog by clicking here if you want to start at the beginning or view the Damask Divas main blog page.

I could not resist creating a camping themed card with Timberline and the Camper Crazy  stamp set.  Such cute little RVs and camping sayings in that stamp set.  The stars and moon across the top is a zip strip from one of the sheets of paper in the Timberline pack.  The pack includes a wood grain sheet I used for the tree and a variety of outdoor themes and patterns including those I used in the card.  I colored the camper to look like an Air Stream camper and fussy cut it out using my CTMH micro tip scissors.  I “fringed” the bottom strip to look grassy and I “parked” the camper on the grass.

A2 size card using Timberline paper pack

Recipe:

Timberline Paper Pack – Item #X7182B

Camper Crazy Stamp Set – Item #C1578

Art Philosophy Cricut Collection – Item #Z1686 (for the tree trunk and leaves)

White Daisy Card base and envelopes pack – Item #X254

Visit my Close to my Heart online shopping site by clicking here to purchase supplies for this project or contact your own consultant.  Happy Crafting!

Next up on the blog hop is Felicia.  Click here to go to her blog to see her Timberline project.

 

 

Damask Divas Blog Hop Balloon Ride

Welcome to the Damask Divas Blog Hop for May, 2014.  If you got here from Jamie’s post, then you are in the right place.  You can always go to the Damask Divas Group Blog to see the entire list and/or start at the beginning.

This month we are using the Close to my Heart paper pack “Balloon Ride.”  It is one of my favorites.  I have been wanting to make a box card and decided I would give it a go with this paper pack.  Melody Lane made the project available to her followers in Design Space so I was able to use my new Cricut Explore to do the cutting on the box.   I cut the balloons and clouds out by hand.  The rest of the decor is from embellishments I had on hand (La Belle Vie, Picture My Life, etc.).  The sentiment is from the CTMH stamp set “Give a Lift” and it also has cute balloons.  Next time I use this paper pack I will use the balloons in that stamp set too.

Back side folded into A2 size card

Sentiment side folded into A2 card

Sentiment side of box card

Front side of box card with balloons and cloud

Supplies used include:

Balloon Ride Paper Pack = Item # X7180B

Give a Lift Stamp Set = Item # D1581

These items and many more are available from Close to my Heart.  Shop my online store – click here – or shop with your own consultant.  We are all very happy to serve you.

Next on the hop is Kelly.  I hope you enjoy seeing all of our creations using this fun hot air balloon themed paper.  There are several beautiful patterns and colors in this pack.   Happy Crafting!