Cloud Nine Card Kit

I am so excited to share some cards that I created this weekend. It's been soooo long since I had some extra time to play in my craft room.

In honor of National Papercrafting Month, Close To My Heart has created a special card kit. Check out all of the cards I was able to create from this kit.

I used a birthday and frame stamp set for the last 2 cards. Wish I had more of this paper left because it was super fun, but I used up all but super tiny scraps. I'd say a card kit that boasts 10 cards, and actually yields 13 is pretty darn snazzy. 

If you would like to purchase the Cloud Nine kit, please check back on January 1st. You can go to my website and purchase your very own kit. Happy New Year!

Casandra Bennett

Handle With Care

Good morning! We woke up to -14 degrees here in Bliss today. The sun is shining and the snow is sparkling...we don't have to dream of a "White Christmas" here.

Today, I would like to share some impromptu gift bags I created the other day for some special cross pendants I purchased for my sweet nieces and little girl.

I made 4 of them in all, and cut them on my Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge at 5". You can get 2 gift bags per 12x12 sheet. I used some retired Roxie paper that I thought was perfect for both Christmas, as well as Valentine's Day. These days, we are all about reducing, reusing and recycling. I stamped the sentiment with our current Stamp Of The Month, "Special Care", in smoothie ink. Fun and festive! 

I love our stamp of the month program. I was able to purchase this stamp, valued at $17.95, for just $5.00! 

S1312 Special Care 

This stamp set will retire on December 31st, so be sure to get your's now if you like what you see.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Casandra

Sparkle and Shine Workshop

Good morning. Life has been very busy lately. I have begun working five days a week to try and put a better foot forward with the holidays.

It has been snowing here for a couple of days and we have about 6" of fresh powder. My garage door picked a fine time to stop working correctly so now I have to park outside. Brr.... But it's a little thing, and it wasn't that long ago that I didn't even have a garage.

I hosted my Sparkle and Shine workshop a few weeks ago, but forgot to post my pictures, so here they are.

The last layout was inspired by Dana Kessler and Dawn Montagano. I love how Dawn used the Artbooking present photo mats in her layout. I carefully glued white cardstock to the back of the presents on the left, right and bottom portion, so that my photos can slip right in. The dimensional elements that coordinate with this kit are so fun. Where you see "grey" chipboard, it is actually silver. I embossed the "Shining Moments" title, and after creating the first workshop layout without embossing, I suggested that my customers emboss that one, as well. It was a big hit. Embossing can be very addicting, I tell ya. :)

If you would like to order any of the products you see here, they are available through December 31, 2013. Please visit my website for more details, or to place your order. Thank you.

I wish you all a safe and happy holiday.

Casandra Bennett

CTS#53 Polar Bear Holiday

Good morning, everyone. Last night, I found myself with a few minutes and a crafty vision took hold. I was inspired by this week's sketch over at CAS(E) this Sketch!. I am also entering this into H2H Challenges "Seeing Double" challenge.

Recipe: (All products are CTMH)
Paper: Moonlight (retired), Juniper CS, White Daisy CS
Stamp: Polar Bear Holiday
Ink: Black
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Cricut Artbooking Cartridge, Watercolor Pencils
Other: Clear Sparkles, Silver Shimmer Trim, Stardust Glitz Gel, Foam Tape

There is still a little bit of time to play. Thanks for stopping by!

Casandra

Cards for Cath Sparkle and Shine

Good afternoon. I have been busy cutting out cards today for my Christmas card workshop on Sunday. The kids are home from school because it is Teacher In-Service. They spent the morning looking at their scrapbooks. It makes me so proud that I'm a paper crafter and have been able to preserve memories for them.

I wanted to share the card that I worked on today. I would like to post this to the Moxie Fab World website. As some of you have probably already heard, Miss Cath is leaving Moxie Fab World. She has taught me so much over the past few years and has been so generous and thoughtful, stopping by once in a while to leave a comment, and also to give out prizes each week. Twice, I have been the recipient of her generosity, but even more so, when I lost a baby in 2011, Cath left me a personal message of condolence on my Facebook page. It was so touching, and I've never forgotten it.

So today's card honors Miss Cath. She has brought so many of us joy. I wish you much luck in your future endeavors. *Hugs*

I can't take complete credit for the design of this card. You can check out my inspiration for this card here. If you would like to participate in giving your regards to Cath, too, you may want to check out this link "Cards For Cath".

Recipe:
Paper: Sparkle and Shine, Olive CS, Cranberry CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Tools: Snowflake Dies (MFT), Damask Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge (CTMH)
Other: Red Sequins (Jo-Ann's), Glue Dots (CTMH)

Thanks for stopping by. Have a terrific day!

Casandra

STS#4 Mary and Babe Card

Here is the last card I have to share with you today. I created this card using a sketch from Seize The Sketch blog. I missed the deadline, but it was such a great sketch, I felt inspired to still play along.

Recipe: (All products by CTMH unless otherwise noted.)
Paper: Florentine (retired), Colonial White CS, Kraft CS
Stamp: Mary and Babe
Ink: VersaMark, Twilight
Tools: Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer, Heat Gun, Gold Embossing Powder, Craft Tray
Other: Chocolate Ribbon (American Crafts), Pearls

My customers will have the option to emboss or stamp the sweet Baby Jesus image in cocoa and color in for my upcoming Christmas card workshop.

Thanks again for stopping by. Hope you have a great day!

Casandra

Mojo 314 Christmas Card

I wanted to play around with a previous Mojo sketch I had pinned to my Pinterest board. I am entering this next card into the TSG232 Pattern Power Challenge at There She Goes blog. 

Recipe: (All products by CTMH unless otherwise noted.)
Paper: Sparkle and Shine, White Daisy CS
Stamp: Santa Claus
Ink: Slate, Ruby
Tools: Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer, Cranberry Marker, Watercolor Pencils, Circle Stax Die (MFT)
Other: Bitty Pearls, Gold Ribbon (retired), Foam Tape

I love how Santa is jumping for joy. Thanks for stopping by today.

Casandra

Mojo 312 Grateful For You Card

I missed the deadline for the Mojo sketch challenge, but this next card fits perfectly with this week's theme over at H2H Challenges, "Grateful For You".

Recipe: (All products by CTMH)
Paper: Buzz and Bumble (retired), Stella (retired), Garden Green CS (retired), White Daisy CS
Stamp: Thoughtful Tidings (retired)
Ink: Olive
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors
Other: Brown Sparkles

This card went together very fast, especially since I had these scraps sitting out on my desk. Have a great day!

Casandra

DS123 Thank You Card

When I saw this next sketch from Deconstructed Sketch blog, I couldn't wait to pull out my papers and circle dies. 

Recipe: (All supplies by CTMH unless otherwise noted.)
Paper: Hooligans (retired), Black CS, White Daisy CS
Stamp: Thoughtful Tidings (retired)
Ink: Black
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Ticket Corner Punch (SU!), Circle Stax Dies (MFT)
Other: Silver Shimmer Trim, Licorice Opaques

I would also like to enter this card into the current challenge at H2H Challenges. This week's theme is "Grateful For You".

Have a happy day!

Casandra

DD#77 Christmas Card

On Saturday, I was in the process of finishing up my Christmas card designs for my upcoming card workshop. When I saw the color challenge at Dynamic Duos, I knew it would be perfect for my next card.

Recipe: (All supplies by CTMH unless otherwise noted.)
Paper: Sparkle and Shine, White Daisy CS, Jingle CS
Stamps: Very Merry Christmas (retired), Trim The Tree
Inks: Ruby, Juniper
Tools: Scallop Border Punch (SU!), Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge
Other: Baker's Twine (Martha Stewart), Bitty Sparkles

Sparkle and Shine Paper Pack $9.95

Trim The Tree $6.95

This card went together super fast. Thanks for stopping by!

Casandra

CTS#51 Lifting Spirits Card

Hello, again! I found a little extra playtime today in my craft room. I found the cutest sketch over at CAS(E) this Sketch blog.

Recipe:
Paper: Sarita, White Daisy CS
Inks: Black, Outdoor Denim
Stamp: Lifting Spirits
Tools: Cloudy Skies Embossing Folder (Darice), Paper-Piercer, Watercolor Pencils
Other: Licorice Pearls, Foam Tape

I kept it very simple today. I was so excited to be able to use a new stamp set in my stash. Have a happy day!

Casandra

Mojo Monday 316

Good morning! I am enjoying a quiet Sunday morning at home. Not only did I get to eat one of my favorite Sunday morning yummies...cinnamon rolls, but I also found an hour to create a Christmas card. Happy, happy, happy!

This will be one of the cards offered for my annual Christmas card workshop. I took inspiration from this week's Mojo Monday sketch.

 

Recipe: All Items are CTMH, unless otherwise noted.

Paper: Sparkle and Shine, Juniper CS, White Daisy CS, Cranberry CS

Ink: Cranberry

Stamp: Santa Claus

Tools: Paper-Piercer, Circle Stax Die (MFT), Snow Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)

Other: Cranberry Brads

I tweaked the design a little for faster assembly. Thanks for stopping by today.

Casandra

Polar Bear Frosted Holiday

So, if you've been following along with me today, this is the last of the cards I created on World Cardmaking Day. All patterns used are from the new Make It From Your Heart Volume 2 book. This handy guide makes these cards a snap to crank out.

Here is my proud mommy moment. Every time the kids see me coloring in a stamped image for a card, they want to play along. So I usually find some scrap cardstock and stamp a couple of extra images. This is what my 5yo daughter colored. When asked if that was a blue moon behind Mary, I was quickly told it was a grey moon. Oops. My bad. ;)

I need to make quick note that I received my new Polar Bear Holiday stamp set yesterday afternoon, and pulled it out of the box just to make these cards. Also, the crystal blue and slate grey cardstock were left over pieces from the Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit, as seen previously on my blog (today).

Casandra

Laughing Lola Card Workshop

This is where the bulk of my cards came from yesterday during World Card Making Day. I purchased the Laughing Lola Card Workshop Kit for just $24.95*.

Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit

This kit includes everything needed to complete 15 cards, envelopes included. By using some extra white daisy cardstock and the You Are My Happy stamp set, I was able to create extra cards. I made 5 each of the examples showcased above.

Colored this little guy to look like a skunk. It made my kids laugh.

I added a small piece of retired Florentine paper since it was already out on my workspace. I also had left over pieces of cardstock and used those on some of the other cards I created last night. My goal was to see how much of the pattern paper I could use up, and I'm proud to say I have like 2 small pieces left over. As was the case with Chantilly, I had enough paper left to create 4 more cards with this kit, making it 19 total for just $24.95*.

*Plus shipping and tax.

Casandra

FMS106 Winter Tree Card

I am back today with the first card I made on World Card Making Day. I used this fun sketch created by Freshly Made Sketches.

There are moments when things don't go quite according to plan. Such was the case with this card. My initial vision called for me to use my Snow Dots embossing folder instead of the hexagon folder. I cut my circle out and the corresponding Spellbinder die fancy circle. Instead of silver pearl, I originally intended to use kraft cardstock, but since it was a new die, it ripped that circle. At each turn, I finally realized I was being pushed to try some of my new products with this card. You see, I originally intended to make a standard size card, but in the end, I'm happy I made this lovely 5x7 version, instead. 

Recipe:
Paper: Silver Pearl CS (Jo-Ann's), White Daisy CS, Florentine (CTMH)
Stamps: Lovely As A Tree (SU!), Very Merry Christmas (CTMH)
Inks: VersaMark, Tsuniko Black
Tools: Hexagon Folder (Cuttlebug), Fancy Circle Die (Spellbinders), Circle Stax Die (MFT), Paper-Piercer, Silver Embossing Powder, Craft Tray, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Craft Heater (CTMH)
Other: Blue Epoxy Bubbles (CTMH)

The trees are embossed in silver, but my picture doesn't show that detail well. Hope you like.

Casandra