CMCC#5 Lollydoodle Layout

I am really excited to share this next layout with you. It showcases some new product as well as tons of Cricut cuts and hand-stitching. Recently, I found another challenge blog on Pinterest. It's called Colour Me...!

Recipe:
Paper: Lollydoodle, Desert Sand CS, Hollyhock CS, Sunset CS, White Daisy CS
Stamps: Classmate Alphabet (retired), Wild About Love (CTMH)
Inks: Desert Sand, Hollyhock, Sunset (CTMH)
Tools: Cricut Art Philosophy, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer (CTMH)
Other: Foam Tape, Antique Copper Brad (retired), White Marquee Enamel Shape, Smoothie Flower (retired), White Daisy Embroidery Floss (retired), Sunset Baker's Twine (CTMH)

I was inspired by a layout that was previously featured in the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book, Page 95. When I started creating this, it was intended to be used in a baby book, but as I continued to work on it, I began looking back through Valentine's Day photos from last year. I really only got one good shot. It provided the perfect opportunity to combine a pretty sketch with my new Wild About Love stamp set.

Have a great day!

Casandra

DD#87 Friend Card

I decided to make another quick card today. There are just too many cute challenges out this week, and I don't want to miss out on playing along.

Recipe:
Paper: For Always (retired), White Daisy CS, Smoothie CS (CTMH)
Stamps: A Bowwow, Doodle Signs, Inspiration Flourishes (CTMH)
Inks: Slate, Hollyhock (CTMH)
Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer (CTMH)
Other: Clear Sparkles, Smoothie Baker's Twine, Foam Tape (CTMH), Pink Embroidery Floss (DMC)

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
1. Retro Sketches RS#99 Challenge
2. Dynamic Duos DD#87 Challenge
3. Muse Challenge #52

Retro Sketches created an awesome sketch this week. This card went together really fast. I really like the Muse Challenge card, too. The flourishes, sparkles, and chevrons made my heart happy. I even stamped the inside of this card in juniper ink with the sentiment "You inspire me". 

So, I hope I have inspired you today. Have a wonderful day!

Casandra

MFTWSC160 Clementine In The Spotlight

Good morning. I needed something to do to take my mind off the snowy, windy weather outside. What better way to do this, then to go to my "happy place"...my craft room. We won't mention the current condition of my craft room; I carefully advert my eyes from piles of stamps and papers. 

Today's card was inspired by the current sketch over at My Favorite Things website. 

Recipe:
Paper: Clementine (retired), Colonial White CS (CTMH), Kraft CS (MFT)
Stamps: Casual Expressions, Petite Perks (CTMH)
Inks: Twilight, Chocolate
Tools: Honey Alcohol Marker Set, Chocolate Marker (retired), Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH), Circle Stax Die (MFT), Modern Wallpaper Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)
Other: Twilight Brads (retired) (CTMH)

This week's current challenge at H2H is "In The Spotlight". I had another idea in mind when I first saw this challenge, but when I was in the midst of creating this card, I remembered I had a brand new, unopened alcohol marker set sitting on a shelf above my head. I have hesitated to use them for various reasons, but mostly due to worrying I'd mess up a perfectly good stamped image. But since I was using tiny scraps and an even tinier stamp image, I figured no time like the present to give them a try. I...LOVE...THEM! 

I didn't bother with any fancy pigment, archival or staz-on ink to stamp with, just lightly colored in next to the stamped lines. There is no streaking, just smooth color that looks like it could have been stamped on. I will definitely be adding another set of alcohol markers to my next order. 

Until next time, my friends, stay crafty!

Casandra

STS#12 Baby Card

A dear friend of mine recently had a baby. He is adorable and a true miracle to his family. Since I knew she loves the new Jubilee pack and the Babycakes Workshop On The Go, I decided to combine the two to create a unique baby card for her. I found this sketch over at Seize the Sketch blog.

Recipe:
Paper: Jubilee, Outdoor Denim CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Babycakes WOTG (retired), Baby Love (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Honey, Outdoor Denim, Crystal Blue, Indian Corn Blue (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Outdoor Denim Bitty Brads (retired) (CTMH)

Thank you to Sieze the Sketch for inspiring me. 

Casandra

FMS120 Thank You Card

Hello! I am back today with another sneaky peek at a couple of new paper packs that will be available beginning February 1st. 

Recipe: 
Paper: Ariana, Ivy Lane, Outdoor Denim CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Cricut Art Philosophy (CTMH)
Inks: Hollyhock, Outdoor Denim (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Sky Brads (retired) CTMH)

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
1. Freshly Made Sketches FMS120 Challenge
2. Friday Mashup FM144 Challenge
3. Color Dare #78 Challenge

I am really loving the mix and match versatility of the new papers in our Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book. Hope you are enjoying your Sunday, and can find time to get into your craft room. :)

Casandra

LGS January Week 2 Challenge

I found another great scrapbook challenge blog through Pinterest called Let's Get Sketchy.

I began working on this home decor piece yesterday. Shadow boxes are such a fun way to showcase artwork that you would rather not hide in an album. They also make great gifts, which is the true intention of my next project. My Mother-In-Law's birthday is coming up on Sunday. 

Recipe:
Paper: Ariana, Balloon Ride, Jubilee, Paper Fundamentals, Balloon Ride PML, White Daisy CS, Crystal Blue CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Delicate Wings (Petite Perks), My Sunshine (retired), Lifting Spirits (CTMH)
Inks: Buttercup, Creme Brulee, Sorbet, Crystal Blue, Desert Sand (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Corner Rounder (CTMH), Cloud Die (MFT)
Other: White Daisy Embroidery Floss, Antique Copper Brads, Chocolate Bitty Brads (all retired) (CTMH)

I used a lot of new product for this layout. The base of the layout is from our new Paper Fundamentals pack. Similar to the Dream Pop campaign from last Spring, it has print on one side, and a beautiful embossed texture on the other side. The green paper is from the new Ariana pack. That lacy yellow strip at the bottom of the photos is from the new Jubilee pack. The other papers are from Balloon Ride, which you saw snippets of in my last post. The truly exciting part of this layout is the pretty new Balloon Ride Picture My Life assortment, as you can see from the title, as well as that yellow paper in between the sorbet and crystal blue pieces, plus the photo mats.

This is the very first shadow box frame I've made. I hope Jeannie will like it. Have a great day!

Casandra

Saying Goodbye to Bowwow

Of course, my day wouldn't be complete without a second card post. I am sad to see this stamp set retire. It was definitely a favorite of mine. That little word bubble with Hello, that sweet puppy dog, and then you have the inside sentiment "Wishing You A Doggone Good Day". 

Recipe:

Paper: Skylark, Ivy Lane, White Daisy CS (CTMH), Kraft CS (MFT)

Stamp: A Bowwow (CTMH)

Inks: Chocolate, Sweet Leaf, Lagoon (CTMH)

Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Watercolor Pencils (CTMH), Picket Fence Die (MFT)

Other: Bitty Sparkles (CTMH)

I kept looking at my scraps of Skylark and those birds on a wire are actually part of the print. They reminded me of my childhood when I was about my daughter's age. I used to get up every morning quite early and greet the sunshine and the birds in my yard. I remember sitting in a lawn chair watching the sunrise, and listening to the birds on the telephone lines twittering and chirping. I still think that is a lovely sound, even on a Sunday morning as I try to sleep in.

So, about the stamp set...it is retiring on January 31st. If you are at all interested in purchasing this adorable stamp set, you may visit my website here. It's a crazy low price of just $6.95!

Enjoy your Friday!

Casandra

Fun With Sketches Card

We are getting tons of fresh powder right now. So much so, that I kept searching desperately on all the local tv station websites trying to see if school was closed. My little boy is home sick today for the second day in a row, and my little princess braved another day riding to school on the bus without big brother.

I found a new sketch site earlier this week (The Shabby Tea Room) through Pinterest. Though this challenge has recently ended, I was inspired to use this pretty shabby chic sketch.

FYI: This is another sneaky peek at the beautiful new paper pack "Balloon Ride". Isn't it gorgeous? I love sorbet and crystal blue together. The green bit is from "Ivy Lane". 

Here's the sketch I used:

Recipe:
Paper: Balloon Ride, Ivy Lane, Chocolate CS, Colonial White CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Lifting Spirits, Look To The Light (CTMH)
Inks: Chocolate, Crystal Blue (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH), Doily Lace Border Punch (Martha Stewart)
Other: White Daisy Bitty Brads (retired) (CTMH)

I am really digging that crackle sorbet paper. Yummy!

Casandra

CTS#61 A Tree Card

I couldn't resist making another card today using our pretty new Skylark paper. This one may be my favorite. A funny little side note. When I finished making this card, my husband noted that the sparkles looked like "the butterfly was pooping sparkles". I love his sick humor. Hehe.

I was inspired by this week's sketch challenge over at CAS(E) this Sketch! I would also like to enter this into H2H Challenge "Two-Faced Challenge".

Recipe:
Paper: Skylark, Scholastic (retired), White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: A Tree (CTMH)
Inks: Lagoon, Chocolate (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Watercolor Pencils (CTMH)
Other: Bitty Sparkles (CTMH)

So, I have a confession to make. I've owned this tree stamp for nearly 2 years now, and this is the first time it has seen ink. *Gasp* I know, right?

Casandra

MOJO329 Timberline Birthday Card

Good morning. I am sharing a sneak peek at the new Timberline paper that will be available beginning February 1st exclusively to Close To My Heart.

If you're anything like me, you find it a little difficult to create masculine cards. I went back and forth on this particular card a couple of times...should I add ribbon, or leave it as is. I decided that for this card, ribbon would just be too feminine. 

Recipe:
Paper: Timberline, White Daisy CS, Slate CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Perfect Fit - Birthday, Cricut Artiste Kudos (CTMH)
Inks: Slate, Lagoon (CTMH)
Tools: Circle Die Stax (MFT), Chicken Wire Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, 1 1/4" Circle Punch (CTMH)
Other: Lagoon Brads (retired) (CTMH)

Thank you, Mojo Monday, for another great sketch!

Casandra

Use Your Stash Blog Hop

Last week, my new products arrived, and it made me realize something. I have too much paper. I am a paper addict. With that being said, I found the perfect way to bust my stash (a wee bit) with a blog hop put on by some of my CTMH sisters.

If you have arrived here from Michelle's blog, you are on the right track.

At the top of the pile in drawer #2 of my super cute Lingerie chest (that I found at a resale shop) was Emporium. My card stash was low, but I never start there when using up scraps. I always try to squeeze out as many scrapbook layouts as possible, first.

Without further ado, here they are:

Inspired by Spring 2009 Idea Book

Inspired by Spring 2009 Idea Book

Inspired by Spring 2009 Idea Book

Sketch Layout from Imagine

Sketch Layout from Reflections

A childhood friend lost her baby boy back in August, and I plan to use most of these layouts in a scrapbook album that she can personalize to remember her sweet Jayce by. After creating 6 pages, I was left with small scraps that were perfect for cards.

I used a lot of retired product for this challenge. 

Paper: Florentine, Emporium, Veranda (retired)

Stamps: Love You Forever (retired), Baby Love (retired), Capture The Date (retired), Trinity Alphabet (retired), Rustic Alphabet (retired), Headline Alphabet (retired), Laughing Lola Cardmaking WOTG, Art Philosophy, You Only Live Once, Words of Comfort, Look To The Light, For Every Occasion, Santa Claus, Artbooking

Inks: Cocoa, Twilight, Crystal Blue, Garden Green (retired), Sweet Leaf, Heavenly Blue (retired)

Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Watercolor Pencils, Blending Pen, Corner Rounder, Scallop Border Punch, Sanding Kit, Artbooking Cartridge

Other: Metallic Brads (retired), Neutral Brads (retired), Sweet Leaf Ribbon (retired), Heavenly Blue Ribbon (retired), Chocolate Ribbon (retired), Neutral Embroidery Floss (retired),Clear Sparkles, Bronze Glitter Tape,Buttons (retired), Dimensionals (retired), Neutral Baker's Twine

Next up on the blog hop, please be sure to visit Nikki's blog. Thank you for visiting my blog today. I hope we have inspired you to use up some of your old scraps, too. 

Casandra

Core'dinations January Sketch Challenge Card

Good afternoon. I'm back with my second post for the day.

I found a sketch on Pinterest last week and was drawn back to it today to create the following sympathy card. You can participate in this challenge, by clicking this link.

Products Used:
Paper: Veranda (retired), Emporium (retired), Cocoa CS, Colonial White CS
Stamp: Words of Comfort
Inks: Cocoa, Garden Green (retired) (CTMH)
Other: Bitty Sparkles

Have a great day.

Casandra

SSSC203 Valentine Card

I recently made it a mission to try and use up scraps from an old paper pack I've had sitting in a drawer since *gasp* 2010. I refuse to count back in years just how long that might be...you do the math. LOL

Anyways, this morning I was trying to finish up this craft mission and started with a sketch and an inspiration challenge. From there, this card was born.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

1. Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #203
2. Curtain Call - Love Letter Challenge
3. The Cat's Pajamas TCP TCPTUES252 Paper-Piecing Challenge

I plan to give this Valentine card to my little boy. I stamped the inside with "Happy Valentine's Day". I know he's going to love it.

Products Used:
Paper: Florentine (retired), Emporium (retired), White Daisy CS, Cocoa CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Words of Comfort, Fast and Furious (CTMH)
Inks: Sweet Leaf, Cocoa, Twilight, Sunset, Desert Sand (CTMH)
Tools: Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen, Paper-Piercer, Watercolor Pencils (CTMH)
Other: Bamboo Brads (retired)

Thanks for stopping by. Have a happy, crafty day!

Casandra

Frosted Workshop

Good afternoon, my friends. I hope you are all doing well and staying warm this winter.

In honor of the weather we are currently having in Northern Michigan, I would like to share my Frosted layouts with you.

Our snowman has lost a little weight in the last week. In five days, we went from temperatures like 20 below zero to a high of 39 degrees. And in the past hour, we are thankfully getting snow again, after freezing drizzle overnight. 

I love how these layouts turned out. When I first sat down with Frosted, I loved the colors and the patterns but felt it was pretty neutral. Like a mad scientist, I gleefully began sorting through kits to find hollyhock cardstock but could only come up with 1 sheet. What's a girl to do? So I took some Smoothie, Cotton Candy and Blush and put it up next to my daughter's winter coat to compare color contrast. In the end, Smoothie was the closest fit for me, and I love how it makes Izzy's snow gear pop. 

I also added gypsy and smokey plum to certain layouts for a nice contrast of color. For the "All Bundled Up" layout, I added some White Daisy, Slate and Juniper cardstock to pull colors from my son's winter gear. I love how the photos pop on that layout with the white daisy photo mats. On the last layout, I decided to embellish the overall story with a retired stamp set called "Bundled Up". Jack and Izzy played in the snow that day making snow angels and throwing snowballs. Did you happen to notice the winter hat I stamped and fussy cut above the "O" in the title? It was a last-minute addition, and I totally love the effect.

Thanks for stopping by today. My new Spring/Summer 2014 goodies should be here tomorrow. :) Have a happy day!

Casandra