Don't be a Scaredy Cat - Cards Made with Stamps Are Fun!

I love to stamp on my cards. I get a ton of mileage out of a stamp set with the perfect sentiment. I broke out my Scaredy Cat papers and a few different stamp sets to make these cards.

Check out this one:

I used a sentiment from the You Mean the World to Me set. This set is quickly becoming a favorite of mine! With this everyday sentiment, the Halloween papers quickly become so much more!

I did do some more Halloween-like creating as well. What a difference a stamp set can make!

 

For this one I used  the new stamp Quoth the Raven. The second I saw this stamp I knew I had to have it. I chose to emphasize the purple by using Thistle cardstock behind my image.

 

For this card I went with a stamp from the Magic Potion set. I kept it more traditional with Halloween orange and black.

All three of these cards will be available at my card buffet workshop on 10/6. See the classes tab for more information.

What are your favorite cards to send? Do you celebrate each holiday with a card (even Halloween)? Or are cards reserved for more momentous days like birthdays?

Family is Forever - Stamp of the Month!

I really like the September Stamp of the Month (SOTM) Family is Forever.

Stamps of the month are a great value, but they are only available for a limited time. (Have you heard the story about the SOTM that I didn't buy at the second or third CTMH gathering I ever attended as a customer?) When I saw this one, I knew I would have to get it!


The sentiment "Family is Forever" is one stamp and it fits perfectly across a standard sized card base. Check out this simple card:

 

 Check back tomorrow to see a layout I made using different stamps from the set. 

What is your favorite stamp of the month in the current Annual Inspirations Idea Book?
Remember, every comment this month will be entered into a drawing for a free stamp set!

National Papercrafting Month Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit

It's National Papercrafting month, and boy do I have a special for you! 

Would you like to earn almost $100 in Close to My Heart products for just $55? Here's how:
1. Place a $35 order from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book
2. Add the Cloud 9 Card Making Kit for just $15.
3. Add the stamp of the month for just $5.

Viola! You have ordered almost $100 of product for only $55!

In addition to all of these fabulous products you will receive, buying the Cloud 9 kit reserves you a seat at my February 12 Cloud 9 workshop! You'll get a fun night out crafting and you'll leave with all 10 cards completed!

What does the Cloud 9 Card Making Kit involve? I'm so glad you asked!



If you are interested in any of these products, you can order via my website or contact me. You are going to love these cards!

Frosted on the Paper Trail

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful...

Are you singing yet? Although the weather here isn't quite frosty yet, Frosted is here on the Paper Trail! If you've arrived here from Karen's blog you're on the right trail. If not, don't worry. Our hop is circular!

I taught a couple of Christmas card workshops using this paper during this fall. Here are some we made.

On this card I used the Single Snowflake stamp to embellish the card base and then used two sides of the same B&T. The sentiment is from Glory to God (a set you'll see more of here later this week.)

On this card I added in some neutrals using Bamboo cardstock and Cashmere Ink. The stamps are from Scandinavian Wishes, the October stamp of the month. I also added a bit of bling - the star from the Sparkle Holiday Shapes.












When the card workshops were over, I had leftover pieces. I couldn't just throw away that beautiful paper, so I created this layout. I added Twilight and Colonial White cardstock behind the B&T paper and then Startdust Glitz Glitter Gel on top. I think the added sparkle is just the right thing for this paper!

Thanks for stopping by! Check back next week to see more artwork using the Glory to God stamp set. Until then, hop on over to Betsy's blog to see what she's created!

A couple of cards to say...

Happy Mother's Day!

Both cards were made using CTMH paper from one of my many scrap bags and retired stamps. Can you name any of the paper packets featured here? I'll give you a hint, the green pattern on the second card is from a current pack, that is the only one!

Hope your day was great!

Skating Along the Paper Trail

Welcome to the Paper Trail blog hop! This month we're sliding into May with the Later Sk8r paper packet. You may be skating on in from Betsy's blog or this may be your first stop. Either way I'm sure you'll find some inspiration!

I love the colors and patterns in this paper (even if the English teacher in me cringes each time I type the name). The cool blues and greens are right up my alley, and since I have a little guy who has a birthday this month, I am especially enjoying this pack right now.

This month I created a few simple all occasion cards. I was surprised at the versatility of this paper. I would gladly give these cards to any friends - male or female!

I liked the distressed look of the papers. They seemed to fit well with the Slate Washi Tape. This tape is quickly becoming a go-to embellishment for me.

It is very easy to use and you can add it to projects in so many different ways. It comes on a roll and you can cut it with scissors or tear it just like masking tape or painters tape. It is sticky so adhering it is super simple!

Sometimes I use washi tape as an additional adhesive, or to accentuate the way individual pieces are joined together. It can serve as an embellishment and can even be a substitute for ribbon or strips of paper.

Thanks, again, for stopping in. Check back later in the week for more updates on my latest crafting endeavors including the invitations to my little guy's party using the Later Sk8r paper and a fun new stamp! Until then, I skate on over to Vicki's blog to see what she has created. I'm sure you'll find something inspirational!

Buzz and Bumble on the Paper Trail Hop!

Welcome to the Paper Trail Blog Hop. This month we are buzzing along with Close to My Heart's new Buzz and Bumble paper packet. You may have arrived here from Karen's blog but either way you're on the right track - this hop is circular!

Here is a look at the Buzz and Bumble paper pack:

I love the warm colors in this pack. I had fun creating some cards using these papers.

 

I thought this paper was perfect for some all occasion cards. Many of the cards I create have very generic sentiments on the front. I leave the insides blank when I create them, then I have a ready supply of cards that I can tailor to a specific event with the words I use inside.

And here are some close ups:

And I just couldn't resist one "bee" pun:

 

Do you have any card making tricks? I'd love to hear what works for you!

Thanks for buzzing by! I hope you'll check back next week to see about some classes and events in March! For now, buzz on over to Lynne's blog. I'm sure you'll appreciate her bee-autiful creations!

Moonlight Shines!

Welcome to the Paper Trail blog hop! This month we are featuring the Moonlight paper pack from Close to my Heart. If you've arrived here from Vicki's blog, you've already seen Moonlight shining. (If not, don't worry, our hop is circular.)

I created more cards this month using more new products from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book.

The cards are all based on patterns in the new Make it from Your Heart book. That book is quickly becoming a staple in my scrap bag.

I love the colors of this paper pack. The Smokey Plum, black and ivory make for some classic looks.

The rosette on this card is made from Black Tulle Ribbon with a large Shimmer Brad as the center.

**One tip about working with Tulle Ribbon - the easiest way to adhere it is to stitch or attach using a brad. If neither of those is an option, Liquid Glass will work, but may show through the Tulle.

For the rosette on this pennant I created an accordion fold flower with paper and an Opaque center.

All occasion cards are fun, but sometimes a themed card really fits the bill. These cute owls seemed perfect for a Halloween card!

To embellish this one, I folded the Tulle Ribbon in half and the pleated it before I attached it to the card.

I hope you'll continue on to Tracey's blog to see what she's created. I'm sure it will be great! Thanks for stopping by!