H2H Challenge: Back to School

As August comes to a close, the challenge over at H2H is to create a project for back-to-school.  I decided to create a covered notepad, as I thought this would make a nice gift to the teacher at the start of the year.

I used up the very last of my retired Typeset paper pack, however this project could just as easily be made with the all-new Scholastic paper pack.  I purchased a 5" by 8" pad of paper, and simply created a folder to hold it.  The back flap has a pocket that the cardboard backing of the pad fits into, and the front flap has an inner pocket as well.  After a lot of scoring and folding to create the folder, I simply embellished the front, and voila!

 

To create the folder, I started with a sheet of Kraft, cut at 8 1/4" by 11".  Along the 11" edge, I scored it at 5 3/8" and 5 5/8".  This created the basic folder.  To create the pocket on the back flap, I started with a sheet of Kraft cut at 6" by 8 3/4".  I scored this sheet at 5 3"8 and 8 1/4" respectively.  I trimmed 1/4" off the top, and adhered it to the back flap using the folds for adhesive.  This way, the cardboard back of the pad slips easily into this pocket.  To make the pocket on the inside of the front flap, I used a 6x6" piece of Kraft, scored at 5 3/8" and 5 1/2", and again adhered it using the folds.

It was mostly trial and error, as I wasn't working from any kind of template, but I like how it turned out.  If my directions aren't making sense, and you are interested in trying to create a similar folder, please contact me and I will answer your questions.

CTMH Products used to create this layout include:
Papers: Typeset (retired), Kraft and Creme Brulee cardstock
Stamps: Typeset WOTG stampset, Blue Ribbon
Inks: Black and Juniper
Embellishments: Vineyard Berry Pleated Ribbon (retired), Black Waxy Flax (Z1089), Evergreen Cork Shapes (Z1719), Black Opaque Gems (Z1335)
Other: Cricut AP Cartridge (Z1686)

For more inspiration, head on over to H2H and check out the fabulous artwork created this week by my fellow Design Team B members, or click on their links here: Haley, Angel, Nancy, Dorothy and Dania.

If you want to play along, here is what you need to do...

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.  
2. Create a project for back to school.
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery. 
4. Link your blog post to this challenge at H2H.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to read your comments, so please let me know what you think.  Happy scrapping!

Space Party with Cricut Artiste!

How cute is this?  I am so excited about the Cricut Artiste!  There are so many fantastic projects on this cartridge!  Contact me today to order yours!

Happy scrapping!

H2H Challenge: Lagoon, Pear and Sunset

This week, it's a colour challenge over at H2H: Lagoon, Pear and Sunset.  This is such a vibrant and pretty combination, so I really enjoyed playing along with this one.  Since these colours were all featured in the fun and flirty Dotty for You paper pack, I decided to use up some of my scraps of this paper to create a fun birthday card.  Here is what I came up with...

I used a Kraft die-cut 6x6 card for this project, and these cards come with envelopes.  Here is the card with it's matching envelope...

Don't you just love the dimension added by the awesome new burlap ribbon from Close to my Heart?  I think it's my favourite new accessory in this Idea Book!  The edges of the ribbon are bound, so to achieve this look, I trimmed the edges and pulled a thread or two with my paper piercer to unravel the edges a bit.  I popped up the green pennant, so it would sit nicely on top of the burlap ribbon, and tied the baker's twine around all of the pennants.  I also popped up the 5 on the tag that holds the card closed.

This came together in a snap, and I hope my little guy likes it!  After his birthday, I might turn it into a mini-album by adding some pages to the inside with pictures from his party.

CTMH Products used to create this card include:
Papers: Dotty for You (retired), and Colonial White cardstock
Stamps: Look Who's Turning (D1502)
Inks: Sunset and Lagoon
Embellishments: Burlap Ribbon (Z1760), Sunset Baker's Twine (Z1702)
Other: Cricut Art Philosophy (Z1686), Kraft Die-Cut Cards and Envelopes (Z1474)

For more inspiration, head on over to H2H and check out the fabulous artwork created this week by Design Team A, or click on their links here: Mary, Kelly, Caroline, Erin, Madeline, and Shirley.

If you want to play along, here is what you need to do...

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.  
2. Create your project using Lagoon, Pear and Sunset.
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery. 
4. Link your blog post to this challenge at H2H.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to read your comments, so please let me know what you think.  Happy scrapping!

CTMH's New How-To Publication: Make it From Your Heart!

Many of you have asked what was going to replace the fabulous How-To books that so many of us have come to rely on.  Well, CTMH has come out with yet another fantastic How-To publication.  Check it out, and contact me today to order yours!

A Shadow Box Layout for Fiona

As this post publishes, I am driving into the beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming to visit my sister and her family.  In preparation for our visit, my sister has been booking excursions and activities for us for weeks.  I wanted to bring her a gift, so I decided to make a layout, framed in a shadow box, for my adorable niece Fiona.  I was inspired by the NEW Close to my Heart Idea Book, and you may recognize the layout from page 24.  I didn't have the all-new Clementine paper at the time I was crafting, so I used up some Sophia paper from my stash. 

This is a photo of the completed layout before I put it in the shadow box.  I left space for a 5x7 photo so my sister could choose which photo she wants to frame.

I embellished the bottom left corner of the photo mat with flowers from the Garden Wooden Shapes collection, various paper flowers, buttons, and sparkles.

Much like the layout in the idea book, I used Cricut-cut scalloped circles to mount buttons tied with waxy flax, and circles to mount Cricut-cut hearts that I scored and sewed to the circles.  I folded them up to add dimension.  All of the edges are inked in Desert Sand ink.

For my niece's name, I used the Eclectic Alphabet Chipboard, and inked it all in Blush, and then the edges in Tulip.  I mounted the letters on my favourite new accessory from the new Idea Book, Burlap Ribbon.  I cut the edges of the burlap and frayed it with my paper piercer.  I love how it looks!

And here is the finished product framed in the shadow box.  I hope Fiona loves it!  I almost want to keep it, so I just might have to make another one to hang at my own house!

I was so inspired by all of the home decor items in the new Idea Book to make something I could hang on the wall.  If you don't have your copy of the new catalog yet, contact me today to find out how to get yours!

CTMH Products used to create this layout include:
Papers: Sophia (retired), Tulip and White Daisy cardstock

Inks: Blush, Tulip, and Desert Sand
Embellishments: Garden Wooden Shapes (Z1718), Burlap Ribbon (Z1760), Colonial White Waxy Flax (Z1081)
Other: Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge (Z1686), miscellaneous paper flowers, buttons and sparkles  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed it.  Happy Scrapping!

H2H Challenge: Dog Days of Summer

This week the challenge over at H2H is to create a project featuring an animal, with the option to step it up by including a dog in your project.  This was a tough one for me as I am allergic to everything cute as far as animals go.  My sister, however, is a major dog lover.  She has two adorable beagles who she loves like children.  I am actually visiting my sister right now, so for this challenge I decided to create a piece of artwork featuring her dogs.  Here is what I came up with...

As I created this prior to my visit, I didn't have a picture of her dogs ready to insert, but picture two really cute beagles where the photo mat is, and you'll get the idea.   Here is a close up of the embellishments, so you can see the dimension.  Various items are popped up, and the star is embossed and folded to make it 3D.

The above pictures are prior to framing.  I framed it in a shadow box, so you are still able to see the dimension of all of the embellishments.  Here is what it looks like framed...

I will try to post a photo of the final product once the dogs are included if I get a chance while visiting my sister.

And for those of you who recognize this layout, I did my best to recreate the layout on page 73 of the new Idea Book.  At the time I created this layout, I hadn't yet received my copy of the all-new How-To publication Make it from Your Heart, so I was guessing at dimensions. 

CTMH Products used to create this layout include:
Papers: Retired cardstock (some of you may remember the names of these packets, but I don't!), Cocoa and Kraft cardstock
Stamps: Limited Edition (S1109), Typeset WOTG stampset, You and Me (D1495)
Inks: Garden Green, Barn Red, Cocoa
Embellishments: Chocolate Baker's Twine (Z1701), Colonial White Twill Ribbon (retired), |Evergreen Cork Shapes (Z1719), Square Durables Studs (Z1705)
Other: Cricut AP Cartridge (Z1686)

For more inspiration, head on over to H2H and check out the fabulous artwork created this week by my fellow Design Team B members, or click on their links here: Haley, Angel, Nancy, Dorothy and Dania.

If you want to play along, here is what you need to do...

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.  
2. Create a project featuring an animal.  Step it up by including a DOG!
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery. 
4. Link your blog post to this challenge at H2H.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to read your comments, so please let me know what you think.  Happy scrapping!

Stamping with the Cricut Artisite Cartridge

Contact me today to order your Cricut Artiste Cartridge!  You will love it!  Happy scrapping!

H2H Challenge: Sympathy Card

The challenge this week over at H2H is sympathy cards.  I always hope never to need these, but like to have a couple on hand, just in case.  I decided to use up the very last of my Pemberley paper to create this cute little card...

Here is a close up so you can see the dimension added by the awesome new burlap ribbon from Close to my Heart.  I also popped up the sentiment, inked the edges of the smaller shape, and sanded the edges of the larger shape for contrast.

CTMH Products used to create this card include:
Papers: Pemberley (X7148B), Indian Corn Blue and Desert Sand cardstock
Stamps: Over the Rainbow (D1426)
Inks: Indian Corn Blue and Desert Sand
Embellishments: Bouquet Assortment Resin Flowers (Z1694), Burlap Ribbon (Z1760)
Other: Cricut Art Philosophy (Z1686), Sanding Kit (Z1294)  

For more inspiration, head on over to H2H and check out the fabulous artwork created this week by Design Team A, or click on their links here: Mary, Kelly, Caroline, Erin, Madeline, and Shirley.

If you want to play along, here is what you need to do...

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.  
2. Create your sympathy card.
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery. 
4. Link your blog post to this challenge at H2H.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to read your comments, so please let me know what you think.  Happy scrapping!

Stepping Up Your Stamping

New Product Alert: Home Decor!

Some of the awesome new home decor projects in the all-new Idea Book and Catalog are featured in this video.  Check it out and contact me today to get your copy of the catalog!

Happy Scrapping!

Join my Team in August: FREE TOTE!

Have you been thinking about becoming an Independent Consultant with Close to my Heart? Whether you are a hobbyist who simply wants a great deal on scrapbooking supplies, or interested in starting your own business doing something you love, August is the time to join.  Join my team in August, and you will receive this exclusive tote bag (with a retail value of $50) for FREE!

You thought the free tote was great news?  It gets even better!  Join for the incredibly low cost of $49 with the Essentials kit, which includes everything you need to get off to a great start (products total a retail value of $130)!

Or you can choose the Masters kit for $99 and receive everything pictured above, as well as some additional business supplies to really get your business going.

To join my team, visit my website at www.cherylcuddie.ctmh.com and click on Opportunities.  You will love it!

Happy Scrapping!