Monday 20 June 2016

Thin Cuts - CTMH Australasian Blog Hop

Welcome to our Australasian Blog Hop. We have all been creating with Close to My Heart's 
"Thin Cuts" Dies and coordinating Stamp sets. 

If you have arrived here from Maz Wood: Inky Fingers then you are in the right place. If you landed here another way, please join in by following the link at the end of this post. Follow the links, check out all the amazing ideas and eventually you'll come right back here to where you started. 

There are currently 4 sets of Thin Cuts that are currently available (see below).

I started with the Tickled Pink Thin Cuts with matching Tickled Pink stamp set and while I was cutting them I cut out extras of the A Bunch of Love Thin Cuts to use for other projects with the matching A Bunch of Love stamp set.

I wanted to make a pop up card and the steps below are how I did it. 


Below are the pictures of the stamp sets that perfectly coordinate with these two thin cuts. 


You put your thin cuts downward (all facing with the sharp edge down). I found the wings of the flamingo moved a little so I found the best way to keep them in place was with Washi Tape. (You can get this pear striped washi tape in the Ultimate Embellishments Bundle that is available in the Flash Sale today until Tuesday). 


For my Card I got a piece of White Daisy Cardstock cut to 8 inches x 4 inches. I marked the middle of the cardstock on the edges at 4 inches (You can use a pencil mark or a small crease at the edge of the card - DO NOT crease the card all the way across or your pop up card will be ruined - I'm not exaggerating {Smiley Face}). 

 When you are cutting the pop up card from any of the thin cuts you choose, make sure you lay only half of the shape across the centre line. You hang out the half you wish to NOT cut out the bottom of your cutting placement on your Big Shot or Cuttlebug (as shown above). 

 Above photo shows how the flamingo looked after it had been cut and folded. He almost looks like a dinosaur (Note to self: Dinosaur!!). I made it this size purposefully because it fits into our 5 1/2" × 4 1/4" White Envelopes, from the Value PackAlso available in the Flash Sale Ultimate Envelopes Bundle (6-pack) available until Tuesday this week. 


The above shows how the flamingo looks printed in Pixie Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad
and Black Memento™ Ink PadThe Memento Ink is because I was planning to use watercolour paints!
  

I loved using the Watercolor Paints and Waterbrush—Medium Round with blue water colour paints from the set.  

While I was waiting for the paint to dry I took a photo of the above lying down opened out. This is how I painted them. 

To finish off the cards I used 3-D Foam Tape to stick on the wings and extra flamingo and Black Memento™ Ink Pad to stamp the "You are Fabulous" sentiment. 

I was really happy with my end product and made 10 of them for our Consultant ten-fold swap at our Monthly Consultant Fun Day this month. 

Remember these Thin Cuts are only available until the end of the current Seasonal Expressions Catalogue (end of August 2016) from my website or from your Close to My Heart Consultant

Thanks so much for dropping by to check out my latest project, I hope you get inspired. I'm really interested to hear what you think about it, so I'd love you to leave a comment before heading off to the next stop on our Australasian Blog Hop which is Lauren Moore- CTMH Craftings.

Come back to see me again soon. Thank You!

Wednesday 15 June 2016

Piano Cards

I was recently commissioned by a friend to make three black and white Piano/musical cards for my friend to give to her friend who is a piano teacher. I love an artistic challenge. She asked that I didn't put any title on the cards, which made it easy. 

I got some inspiration from Pinterest and created 3 different cards along the piano theme. 

Card 1 - was started with a strip of black cardstock 5.5 x 4.25 inches stuck on our 5 1/2" × 4 1/4" Colonial White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack with Duck® Easy Stick™ Adhesive.

Next I got a strip of white cardstock about 1.5inches x 5.5 inches. I cut the white at 0.5 inches wide on the SureCut™ Deluxe Craft Paper Trimmer. I don't cut things completely evenly so I had a small strip left over at the end but this was perfect because it allowed me to space apart the keys to show the black through them. I cut the black strip of paper about 1 inch wide x 3/8" inch wide.



To get the little music book shape. I used a scrap of 12" × 12" Colonial White Cardstock 
with the musical flower from the Hello Blooms stamp set (shown below) stamped with Black Memento™ Ink Pad. I rounded the top of the "book" so it looked more like a book and added a thin strip of Black Cardstock to finish it off. I stuck it onto the card along the middle and folded up the edges. 

I used Silver Shimmer Trim to complete the edge of the keyboard. 

Card 2 - The next card I made was a sit up card. I used the same measurements for the black and white keys. The base card was cut in Black Cardstock at 5x8 inches. Then I scored the card at 4 inches and 6 inches. I wanted it to fit into the bulk envelopes from the 5 1/2" × 4 1/4" White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack.


I added an extra piece of Black Cardstock cardstock at 5x4 inches on the front of the folds (see below). I used the retired paper Yuletide Carol that has music on it to mat that in the same size. Then small 1.5x1 inch squares of it x 6 and used small bits of Black Cardstock that I matted the musical paper on. Both sides of the top strip and just the top side of the bottom bit (thats a confusing sentence!). I stuck it together with my Mini Stapler and Mini StaplesI used Gold Shimmer Trim to frame the keys and to make a "shelf". 

I used the Ivy Lane Assortment purple flower to make something to hold the fold card up and it adds a pretty floral element.  




Inside I added a strip of 12" × 12" White Daisy Cardstock for somewhere to write on. 


I folded the little musical book so it stuck out 3D. 

Card 3 - The last card I made was a Piano shape. I freehand cut the shape of the piano in 12" × 12" Black Cardstock scraps. The white and black keys were also the same sizes but I shortened the length of them by a quarter inch. To finish the card I added Gold Shimmer Trim and then the Gold Foil Tape along the top of the piano keys. I had thought I may cut off the white section at the top of the  5 1/2" × 4 1/4" White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack card but I decided the inside of the card needed the extra space for writing (if I cut off the top section you would have less space to write). 



The below photo with all the cards in was taken where I made them at my regular crop day at Brown Park in Swan View (not the greatest lighting). If you'd like a day of scrapbooking/cardmaking or any kind of crafting, then please let me know and I can give you more info. The day includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, table goodies, door prizes, displays and sometimes workshop demonstrations & samples.  


Thursday 2 June 2016

Retiring Products 2016


Products retiring 31st July 2016
G1096 Workshops on the Go® Zoe Scrapbooking Kit
G1097 Workshops on the Go® Sangria Scrapbooking Kit
G1100 Workshops on the Go® La Vie En Rose Scrapbooking Kit
G1101 Workshops on the Go® Kaleidoscope Cardmaking Kit
G1102 Workshops on the Go® Georgie Scrapbooking Kit
G1103 Workshops on the Go® Urban Scrapbooking Kit
X7197B My Reflections™ Zoe Paper Packet
X7197C Zoe Complements
X7199B My Reflections™ Sangria Paper Packet
X7199C Sangria Complements
X7201B My Reflections™ La Vie En Rose Paper Packet
X7201C La Vie En Rose Complements
X7202B My Reflections™ Kaleidoscope Paper Packet
X7202C Kaleidoscope Complements
X7203B My Reflections™ Georgie Paper Packet
X7203C Georgie Complements
X7204B My Reflections™ Urban Paper Packet
X7204C Urban Complements
Z1475 3” x 3” White Daisy Envelopes (already retired)
Z1476 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" White Daisy Envelopes
Z1477 5” x 7” White Daisy Envelopes (already retired)
Z1478 6" X 6" White Daisy Envelopes 
Z1725 Adhesive Springs
Z1750 Display Tray 
Z1752 Sparkles Clear Assortment 
Z1756 3" X 3" Colonial White Envelopes
Z1757 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" Colonial White Envelopes
Z1758 5” X 7” Colonial White Envelopes
Z1759 6” X 6” Colonial White Envelopes
Z1816 Durables Artisan Studs
Z1833 My Creations™ Kraft Container
Z1838 5" X 7" Hinged Display Tray
Z1849 Bronze Shimmer Trim
Z1851 Scallop Border Punch
Z1853 Aqua Dots
Z1871 My Creations™ Kraft 3-Ring Album
Z1903 Base & Bling Adhesive Dots
Z1904 Base & Bling Adhesive Strips
Z1918 Teal Shimmer Trim
Z1919 Purple Shimmer Trim
Z1922 Pink Glitter Paper
Z1924 Dot Embossing Folder
Z1925 Chevron Embossing Folder
Z1926 Quatrefoil Embossing Folder
Z1927 Damask Embossing Folder
Z1928 Durables Triangle Studs
Z1934 Flamingo Dots
Z1953 My Creations™ Journaling Cards Box
Z1956 My Creations™ Hip Pics Album
Z1960 Stripe Embossing Folder
Z1980 My Legacy™ Cocoa Damask D-Ring Album
Z1981 My Legacy™ Slate Circles D-Ring Album
Z1982 My Legacy™ Cocoa Damask Post-Bound Album 
Z1983 My Legacy™ Slate Circles Post-Bound Album 
Z1986 Pink Shimmer Trim
Z1991 Teal Glitter Paper
Z1992 Purple Glitter Paper
Z1993 Arrow Embossing Folder
Z1994 Floral Embossing Folder
Z1995 Honeycomb Embossing Folder
Z1996 Woodgrain Embossing Folder (already retired)
Z1997 Triangle Border Punch
Z1998 Chevron Border Punch
Z2006 Designed Décor Red Magnetic Chalkboard
Z2009 Red Enamel Hearts
Z2010 White Enamel Stars
Z2015 Designed Décor Black Shadow Box
Z2016 Designed Décor Colonial White Shadow Box
Z2023 Bling Gems Gold Assortment 
Z2028 Designer Creations Short Stack Album
Z2036 Designer Creations Slate Paper Bags
Z2037 Designer Creations Lagoon Paper Bags
Z2038 Designer Creations Ruby Paper Bags
Z2039 Designer Creations Honey Paper Bags
Z2049 Designer Creations Cupcake Box
Z2050 Designer Creations Takeout Box
Z2053 Designer Creations Buttoned Bag
Z2054 Base & Bling Journey Style Sheet
Z2055 Base & Bling Signature Style Sheet
Z2090 My Legacy™ Lagoon Chevron D-Ring Album
Z2091 My Legacy™ Ruby Floral D-Ring Album
Z2092 My Legacy Lagoon Chevron Post Bound (already retired)
Z2093 My Legacy™ Ruby Floral Post-Bound Album
Z3018 Heart Embossing Folder
Z3019 Vine Embossing Folder
Z3020 Diamond Embossing Folder
Z3021 Scallop Embossing Folder
Z3025 Blue Shimmer Trim
Z3032 Rolling Tote
Z3034 My Legacy™ Black D-Ring Album
Z3035 Pixie Extra Thick Twine 
Z3036 Flaxen Extra Thick Twine 
Z3039 Glacier Extra Thick Twine
Z3040 Thistle Extra Thick Twine
Z3043 My Creations™ Black Mini Book
Z3044 My Creations™ Kraft Mini Book
Z3069 My Creations™ Mini Mix Album
Z3070 My Creations™ Mini Folio
Z3078 La Vie En Rose Assortment
Z3079 Urban Assortment
Z3082 Zoe Assortment
Z3084 Sangria Assortment
Z3085 Kaleidoscope Assortment
Z3092 Georgie Assortment
Z3114 Instalife™ Roller Stamp This Happened
Z3115 Instalife™ Roller Stamp Day-to-Day
Z3137 My Creations™ Pint-sized Container 
Z3145 Picture My Life™ Overlay Black 
Z3147 Cut Above™ Dapper Giraffe Card Kit
Z3148 Cut Above™ Beautiful Blossoms Card Kit 
Z3168 Cricut® Artfully Sent Collection
Z3170 Cricut® Artiste Collection
Z3171 Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection
Z3173 Base & Bling Affirmations Style Sheet
Z3174 Base & Bling Lovely Blooms Style Sheet
Z3177 Picture My Life™ Through the Year Scrapbooking Program
Z3178 Picture My Life™ Childhood Scrapbooking Program
Z3179 Picture My Life™ Georgie Scrapbooking Program
Z3180 Picture My Life™ Going Places Scrapbooking Program
Z3181 Picture My Life™ Beautiful You Scrapbooking Program
Z3182 Instalife™ Album—Berry 
Z3183 Instalife™ Album—Teal 
Z3186 Instalife™ Cards—Colorful Me 
Z3187 Instalife™ Cards—The Bright Side 




Stamps Retiring 31st July 2016


A1115 A Holiday
A1117 A Typeface
A1121 A Blossom
A1131 Love
A1146 Sincere Expressions
A1149 Trim the Tree
A1150 Charming Chevrons
A1159 Lol
A1161 Beyond Measure
A1164 Beach Gear
A1167 Keep Your Chin Up
A1172 Smiles Begin with You
A1173 The Best Dad Ever
A1174 Spray of Joy
A1175 Pen Pals
A1176 Christmas Star
A1177 Light the Menorah
A1178 Love My Dog
A1179 Housewarming Hello
A1181 Love My Cat
A1183 Little Things - Hostess Rewards
B1381 Holiday Cheer
B1390 Countdown
B1391 Zoology
B1392 Key Moments
B1398 Just For You
B1399 Crafted With Love
B1400 Beautiful Friendship
B1404 Cup Of Cheer
B1408 Buttons, Bits, And Bobs
B1409 Pirouette
B1412 Perfect Fit—Holidays
B1413
Perfect Fit—Halloween
B1415 In Gear
B1416 Keyboard Uppercase
B1417 Perfect Fit—Birthday
B1419 Joyful Birthday
B1422 Easter Wishes
B1424 Classy Doily
B1427 Perfect Fit—Thanksgiving
B1428 Look to the Light
B1429 Eek & Shriek
B1431 Reel Life
B1435 Angel Friends
B1438 Banner Wishes
B1443
B1449 Oodles of Doodles
B1453 Frightfully Fun
B1460 Trick or Treat Sweets
B1462 Lovely Birthday
B1463 Thankful Heart
B1466

Sweet Salutations

B1473 Flowers for Mom
B1474 Flowers for Mum
B1475 Handmade
B1476 My Fave
B1478 Ice-Cold Summer
B1479 Salute Our Heros
B1481 Friendly Pets
B1482 My Story
B1483 Season's Greetings
B1485 Positive Chemistry
B1486 Darling Dinos
B1487 Perfect Pear - Hostess Reward
B1488 Pumpkin Chevron
B1490 Happy Hooray - Hostess Reward
B1491 Birthday Funnies Hostess Reward
B1492 Fallen Leaves
B1494 Hit the Road
B1495 Play Hard—Baseballl
B1496 Play Hard—Basketball
B1497 Play Hard—Cricket
B1498 Play Hard—Football
B1499 Play Hard—Hockey
B1500 Play Hard—Rugby
B1501 Play Hard—Soccer
B1502 Play Hard—Volleyball
B1503 Steampunk Scoundrels
B1504 Sending Love
B1505 Baby & Friends
B1506 Little Presents
C1441 Affection
C1462 All Hallows Eve
C1463 Harvest Happiness
C1464 Blue Ribbon
C1465 Unscripted
C1467 Sweet Moments
C1469 December 25th
C1483 Born To Ride
C1484 Love Clusters
C1496 Enjoy!
C1497 Pure Adventure
C1501 New Arrival
C1502 Princess Wings
C1503 The Best Things
C1509 Magic Potions
C1521 Approved
C1523 Outta This World
C1530 Sail Away
C1531 Tropical Paradise
C1532 Camping Delights
C1534 Sightseer
C1537 Honeycomb
C1538 Girls Rock
C1540 Hello Blooms
C1541 New Baby
C1542 Perfect Fit—Dad
C1543 Perfect Fit—Mom
C1558 Wild Wonders
C1559 Always Grateful
C1564 Stitch Wonder
C1565 In the Moment
C1566 Tech Speak
C1567 Santa Claus
C1575 True to Life
C1578 Camper Crazy
C1580 Big Top
C1581 Inspiration Flourishes
C1582 Made from Scratch
C1584 Feathers
C1588 Great Job
C1590 Delightful Ditty
C1591 Merry, Merry
C1594 Treasured Friendship
C1599 Pretty Petals
C1604 Forever in My Heart
C1607 Someone Special
C1610 Dizzy Circles
C1611 Campfire Lifestyle
C1616 Treats of Friendship
C1620 Baby Zoo
C1621 Mr. & Mrs.
C1622 In Review
C1623 Loads of Fun
C1624 Birthday Wish- Hostess Rewards
C1625  A Thousand Thanks
C1626 Hexagonal Patterns
C1627 Reindeer Bells
C1628 Christ Is Born
C1629 Diamonds Are Forever
C1630 Little Monsters
C1632 Say It All - Hostess Rewards
C1633 For Family
D1458 American Celebration 
D1459 Canadian Celebration
D1480 Snowflakes
D1481 Vintage Type
D1482 Love Life
D1490 Backdrop—Charmed
D1491 Hooray Bouquet
D1493 Fill In The Blank—Holiday
D1494 Christmas Cheer
D1502 Look Who's...
D1506 Family Love
D1515 Play Day
D1518 Christmas Delights
D1520 Ornamental Cheer
D1522 Glamour Lowercase
D1524 Frame It Up
D1525 Casual Expressions
D1526 Family Tree
D1527 Perfect Fit—Frames
D1536 Perfect Fit—Frames 2
D1537 Glamour Uppercase
D1539 The Happy Couple
D1542 For a Friend
D1545 Wheel Of Life
D1546 Frame Flair
D1555 All the Details
D1556 School Years
D1560 Holiday Tags
D1561 B Is for Baby
D1578 Flight of the Arrows
D1580 Catch You Later
D1581 Give a Lift
D1584 Big Hug
D1599 Geek is Chic
D1600 Here We Go
D1604 Season of Thanks
D1605 Halloween Greetings
D1607 Bodacious Banners
D1609 Seaside Greetings
D1610 Christmas Post
D1611 Frosty Fun
D1612 Teacher Appreciation
D1613 Best Christmas
D1614 Reason for the Season
D1617 Make It Merry
D1618 Build-a-Cake
D1627 Your Own Kind of Wonderful
D1633 Hopping By
D1634 Rain or Shine
D1635 Assorted Edges
D1636 I Do
D1637 Jumping Geometrics
D1644 The Authentic Life
D1645 Botanical Backgrounds
D1647 Documenting Moments
D1648 Snapshot Memories
D1651 Wavy Blooms
D1652 Team Player
D1656 Miracle of Christmas
D1657 Holly Jolly Christmas
D1659 Mini Messages - Hostess Rewards
D1661 Crazy Good
D1662 Harvest Wreath
D1663 Floral Banners
D1664 Packages, Boxes, & Tags
D1665 Blossoming Expressions
D1666 Believe in Christmas
D1669 Tasty Terrors
D1677 Friend Tree
D1679 Animal Greetings
E1028 Hopscotch Alphabet
E1029 Marquee Uppercase
E1031 Dated
M1000
M1001 Monogram B
M1002 Monogram C
M1003 Monogram D
M1004 Monogram E
M1005 Monogram F
M1006 Monogram G
M1007 Monogram H
M1008 Monogram I
M1009 Monogram J
M1010 Monogram K
M1011 Monogram L
M1012 Monogram M
M1013 Monogram N
M1014 Monogram O
M1015 Monogram P
M1016 Monogram Q
M1017 Monogram R
M1018 Monogram S
M1019 Monogram T
M1020 Monogram U
M1021 Monogram V
M1022 Monogram W
M1023 Monogram X
M1024 Monogram Y
M1025 Monogram Z
M1050 Mini Calendar
M1051 Wish
M1053 Sweeter with You
M1054 Xoxo
M1055 Friendship Wreath
M1122 Wedding Day
M1123 Feel Better
M1124 Birthday Calligraphy
M1125 Celebrate!
M1126 This Is Christmas
M1127 Hand-Lettered Christmas
M1128 Doubly Merry
M1129 Holiday Greetings
M1130 A Penned Hello
M1131 Victorian Gratitude