HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY (yesterday)

I didn't want to post this card until I was sure everyone got it in the mail...

But since I saw it on both my mother's and my mother-in-law's countertops already I think it's safe!

This is the card 2 sets of Grandparents and 4 sets of Great-Grandparents received this year:

 

Yes, I was HEAVILY inspired by a card in the current Close To My Heart catalog... but I tweaked it enough that I am ok sharing it! 

 

It turned out pretty dimensional! I knew this would be a Post Office card anyway...

 

Did everyone notice the amazing bow?

 

Go look again...

 

Happy Grandparents Day!

Random card

I made this card awhile ago and it seems it got lost in my massive picture archive...

I loved the "butterfly specimen sample" look! I just punched a bunch of butterflies out of random scraps of Elemental and Typeset Close To My Heart papers. And then of course it needed some ribbon and bling!

Happy weekend!

Birthday Cards

First of all, THANK YOU to the Fabulously Artsy Tresa Black (visit her amazing blog HERE) for teaching me how to add text to my photos! Now I can take credit for my scrappy stuff... or not if it doesn't turn out :)

That being said, I cannot take credit for this card:

I searched and searched to find out who I copied this idea from 2 years ago, and I failed! So if this is your card with my paper choice, please let me know so I can give you credit!!! It's so simple with the bow, but I love how it looks like presents.

This next card really is mine:

I had a few friends and Aunts (ok, only one friend and one Aunt) with birthdays who needed a special card.

The flowers are made with one of my many flower punches I am addicted to and a coiled ribbon center. I find that glue dots work best for this technique, but you can finish the end off with a glue gun to make sure it survives the mail!

And yes, I am particularly proud of my ribbon bows on both of these! So nice when things turn out!

Make It From Your Heart Winner! (and loser)

Close To My Heart has a consultant contest called Make It From Your Heart each time a new catalog is released. They have a ton of categories to enter, so you think I would try to enter as many as possible to win... Instead I lost track of time and only entered two... But half of them won!

This is my winning card:

I used the Believe paper packet and a whole lot of patience! Here is a detail shot:

I became very comfortable with my Xacto knife after this tree! I stamped the outline image first, then cut out the windows, and then cut little paper pieces to fit. I painted the new Dimensional Elements Shapes stars and the edges of all the dark green with Pearl Paint. I stitched floss through the ribbon so I could tie on my circle tag. Insane amount of work? Yes! But I won!

This one is my loser... but I still like it:

I used the Wonderland paper packet and a lot of sparkles:

It is hard to see in the picture, but I stamped the Dimensional Elements snowflake with a design before sponging and painting it. I have always loved this card pattern! It is just so clean and elegant; perfect for an icy blue and sparkly winter card!

Thanks for looking! If you want to see more or know my exact recipes, they are all  HERE at Close To My Heart's site.

Hello blog world!

Ok Aunt Chantre, today I looked out the window and saw a pig landing gracefully like a butterfly in my backyard; so it was time to start a blog!

Hello and welcome to my little chunk of the crafty world!

The goal is to use this blog to force myself to be creative more often. I have found that unless I am accountable to someone, even things I enjoy doing just don't get done! Hopefully you will see lots of artwork, links, and even some tutorials as I get this going. Please be patient as I learn how to post...

Now that we are done with the intro, here is the reason I started making cards:

Not quite sure what's happening with the color, but you get the idea. I entered this card in the Close To My Heart consultant contest in January and WON! This card uses the Sophia paper, pearls, a discontinued stamp set (sorry), and my favorite sweet leaf green ribbon. The ribbon is stitched on both edges, so all you have to do to gather it is pull on the stitching! Just make sure you tie off the other end first or you'll just pull the string all the way out... Here is a detail close-up:

Now maybe I can be motivated to create another card! Thanks for visiting!