Deepest Sympathy Card

Hello. I hope you are all staying warm today. We have had a strange mix of weather here. Bitter cold temperatures of up to -30 degrees one day, and then 10 degrees the next with lots of snow. After two days off from school, the kids returned today. This allowed me to catch up on some things I've been meaning to get to.

A dear friend of the family passed away a couple of weeks ago, and I wanted to send out a sympathy card to his wife. She was actually the first person I knew that stamped, so I think she will appreciate a handmade card. 

Recipe:

Paper: Miracle (retired), Garden Green CS (retired), Chocolate CS, Colonial White CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)

Stamp: Card Chatter - Sympathy (retired) (CTMH)

Ink: Chocolate (CTMH)

Tools: Chevron Border Punch, Paper-Piercer (CTMH)

Other: Clear Sparkles (CTMH)

I actually used some washi tape to mask the sentiment to create a better symmetry. It was easy peasy. I chose to keep this card fairly simple, but stamped and paper-pieced a vase with flowers to the inside. 

Today, I am sharing one of my favorite bible verses with you.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Have a blessed day.

Casandra

Heartstrings Valentines Day Layout

I have had this Scrapbook Generation sketch sitting on my desk for a year now. It was just waiting for the right moment to be used. I had a 9" piece of paper left from my Heartstrings pack and knew it would be perfect with this sketch.

Recipe:
Paper: Heartstrings, Hollyhock CS, Whisper CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Love Ya Silly (CTMH)
Inks: Lagoon, Cranberry (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Stuck On You glitter puffies, Pink Embroidery Floss, Heartstrings Complements (CTMH)

Isn't it cute? Perfect for my daughter's scrapbook. Best part is that it went together really fast.

I am entering this into this week's H2H Challenge: Think Pink.

Casandra

H2H Entwined Challenge

I have been on a creative kick lately. This weekend, when time allowed, I worked with the Hopscotch kit. I have to be honest and say I wasn't at all sure about the thicker twine that came with the workshop on the go kit. But, I decided to challenge myself to use it.

Here is what I came up with:

Recipe:
Paper: Hopsctoch, Colonial White CS, Glacier CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Just Sayin' (CTMH)
Inks: Indian Corn Blue, Flaxen, Glacier (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Foam Mat, Micro-Tip Scissors, Cricut Art Philosophy, Liquid Glass (CTMH)
Other: Junebug Glitter Puffies, Gold Sequins, Flaxen Twine, White Embroidery Floss (CTMH)

I was inspired by the layout featured on page 5 of the current Seasonal Expressions book. This layout will likely be the last page in another baby album I'm working on. Seems like our family has more boys than girls.

The first paper I cut from this kit was the blue b&t (pattern) paper; I left a 3/4" border around the edge. After adhering the paper to my cardstock, I squeezed a thin line of liquid glass glue all the way around the inside of the blue b&t paper (in 6" intervals) so I could tack the twine down. It was surprisingly easy to do. If you try this technique, my word of caution would be to make sure you don't get the liquid glass accidentally on your finger. I did this and then forgot what type of glue it was when I was holding the twine in place. Thankfully, I was quick and was able to wipe my finger smudge of liquid glass off the b&t paper. 

I have another fun tip for you. If you don't have our handy stitch guide ruler yet, simply cut out your desired shape(s) with our cricut cartridge (I used Art Philosophy) in the desired sizes (I cut at 1 1/2", 1 3/4" and 2"). The trick I used to keep my hearts in place was tacking a piece of washi tape to the underside of the cricut shape. It's repositionable, and as long as you remove it gently, it shouldn't muss up your project. After sticking my heart shape down, I pierced around the edge, removed the shape and stitched away. How fun is that?!

Heart 2 Heart has a fun challenge going on this month called "Entwined". You only have until the end of the month to play along, though.

If you would like any additional info. on this layout, please comment below. Thank you for stopping by today. Hope your week is crafty.

Casandra

My Love Affair With Paper

My love affair with pretty paper began back in 2001. My cousin introduced me to scrapbooking and I was hooked. With the release of each new Idea Book from Close To My Heart, I find at least one new paper pack that becomes my new favorite. The funny thing about the papers that I chose for this blog hop is that they were actually my least favorite from the 2013 Spring/Summer Idea Book. BUT, my fellow Close To My Heart consultants kept displaying artwork with it that made me fall for it, and I snatched up a kit shortly before they sold out. My daughter's Hello Kitty dress pairs perfectly with this paper. Love happy coincidences like that.

If you have come here from Janet McCormick's blog, you are on the right track. 

I created two layouts from the Claire paper pack, and a friend loaned me her wotg stamp set. 

Products Used:

Paper: Claire (retired), Outdoor Denim CS, Colonial White CS, Hollyhock CS, Sunset CS, Blush CS (retired) (CTMH)

Stamps: Claire WOTG (retired), Keyboard Uppercase Alphabet, Trinity Alphabet (retired) (CTMH)

Inks: Hollyhock, Outdoor Denim, Desert Sand, Champagne, Cotton Candy (CTMH)

Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen, Watercolor Pencils, Corner Rounder, Sanding Kit (CTMH)

Other:Bitty Sparkles (CTMH)

Your next stop on the hop will be Priscilla Gotham's blog. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Casandra

RS153 Year Noted

I'm back today with another card I created this weekend using the Year: Noted kit from Close To My Heart.

Recipe:
Paper: Year: Noted (retired), White Daisy CS, Bamboo CS (CTMH)
Stamp: You Mean The World To Me (CTMH)
Ink: Lagoon (CTMH)
Tools: Marvy Uchida Journal Pen, Micro-Tip Scissors, 2" Scallop Circle Punch, Diamond Embossing Folder (CTMH)
Other: White Shimmer Trim (CTMH), Blue Ribbon (American Crafts)

This color combo of peach and mint makes me think of the early 90's. I remember looking at my first fashion catalog and wanting this cute tunic sweater and stirrup pants combo (LOL - Yes, stirrup pants). Peach and Mint Green were featured everywhere in this catalog. But alas, I needed to be 18 and have access to a credit card....

I would like to enter this card into this week's Retro Sketches #153 Challenge. Thanks for stopping by today.

Casandra

Use Your Stuff 173 Thank You Card

Good afternoon. I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend. The weather was perfect for staying in and snuggling with my sweethearts, at a balmy 20 below 0. 

This week's Use Your Stuff Challenge #173 - Circles paired perfectly with a card I made last night. I made 17 cards and 5 pages over the weekend with the Year: Noted kit. It has lovely shades of mint green and peach. 

Recipe:
Paper: Hopscotch, Year: Noted (retired), Bamboo CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: You Mean The World To Me (CTMH)
Ink: Lagoon (CTMH)
Tools: Micro-Tip Scissors, Marvy Uchida Journal Pen, 1 1/4" Circle Punch (CTMH), 2" Circle Punch (Fiskars) 
Other: Year: Noted Gold Foil Stickers (CTMH)

Circles are so fun, and I never have enough thank you cards on hand. Stay warm and have a great day!

Casandra

Mini Valentines Day Cards

This past weekend, I spent probably about 8 hours working on 55 mini Valentine's Day cards for my kids. My son needed 32 and my daughter needed 23. I made several different designs, but thought it might be a little wonky to post 55 pictures of them here for you, so I took just a few pictures instead.

Recipe:
Paper: Hopscotch, Heartstrings, Chalk ItUp, Whisper CS, Slate CS, Black CS, Sorbet CS, Hollyhock CS, Lagoon CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Love Ya Silly, Typed Note (CTMH)
Inks: Lagoon, Hollyhock, Whisper, Slate, Black (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Journal Pen (CTMH)
Other: Stuck On You glitter puffies, Chalk It Up Assortment (CTMH)

I love how they turned out. The Wishes How-To-Book made it so easy to come up with patterns and dimensions. I "wish" I'd thought of it sooner. Yeah, I know...I'm rolling my eyes, too. Teehee.

The kids were really excited about them. Izzy helped me make one just for Daddy, but she couldn't wait until Valentine's Day to give it away. Jack made sure to include both teachers when counting out how many were needed for his class. And Izzy even made sure to use an acid free pen when writing "Frum Izzy". :)

I am entering this into this week's Color My Heart: Color Dare #129. Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you are spending it with those you love.

Casandra

Love Ya Silly Card

Good afternoon. I made this next Valentine's Day card for my son. He thinks the monsters are cool. I am entering this card into the Use Your Stuff Challenge #172: Love Theme.

Recipe:
Paper: Heartstrings, White Daisy CS, Whisper CS, Lagoon CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Love Ya Silly, Distressed Backgrounds (CTMH)
Inks: Lagoon, Glacier, Cranberry (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Stuck On You glitter puffies (CTMH)

What do you think? This is one stamp set I don't think I can part with. It's just too cute!

Casandra

Heartstrings Goat Time Layout

The Heartstrings paper pack is full of vibrant color, in fact, 2 of my favorites: Lagoon and Hollyhock. My favorite thing about it is that even though it is meant for love-themed projects, it is versatile enough to be used with other themes, such as I did with my following layout. This paper pack is definitely one of my new favorites, and I used up every scrap of it. I would like to enter this layout into this week's Heart2Heart Challenge: Share the Love, the CTMH Way. I know...too many favorites...but all of them, CTMH.

Recipe:
Paper: Heartstrings, Glacier CS, White Daisy CS, Whisper CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Thrill Ride (retired), Ticket to Ride (retired), Marquee Uppercase Alphabet, Keyboard Uppercase Alphabet (CTMH)
Inks: Blush, Hollyhock, Slate, Lagoon (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Stuck On You Glitter Puffies, Bitty Sparkles, Heartstrings Complements, Foam Tape, Embroidery Floss (CTMH)

I used a Scrapbook Generation sketch, and retired Thrill Ride and Ticket To Ride stamp sets. In case the title piqued your curiousity, my daughter was being super silly on the way to the fair this past Summer. She kept talking about goats, and when I told the kids "It's go-time, people.", Izzy quickly asked "Goat time?" I hope I will always remember her giggles and how fun she was at this age. It was such a funny moment, that I quickly wrote the dialogue down and put it in a safe place for her scrapbook.

Hope I've inspired you to look at the Heartstrings paper pack in a new light. Thanks for stopping by.

Casandra

FMS172 Valentine Card

I have been busy all week finishing up love-themed projects. Today's card is for my husband.

Recipe:
Paper: Heartstrings, Hollyhock CS, Whisper CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: #30yearsofhappy (retired), Distressed Backgrounds (CTMH)
Inks: Hollyhock, Black, Cranberry (CTMH)
Tools: Journal Pen, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen, Cricut Art Philosophy (CTMH), Fancy Flourish Die (MFT)
Other: Stuck On You glitter puffies, Bitty Sparkles (CTMH)

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
1) Freshly Made Sketches FMS172 Challenge
2) The Friday Mashup FM196 Challenge
3) Stampin' Royalty #265 Challenge

I recommend adhering the flourish with a glue pen. Happy Valentine's Day.

Casandra

FM196 Heartstrings Layout

I made it a mission to try and use up as much of the Heartstrings paper pack and matching complements as I can. Often, leftover scraps get tucked away with plans to reuse them. However, the next paper pack looks sparkly and exciting and those leftover scraps quickly become a thing of the past. 

Recipe:
Paper: Heartstrings, Hollyhock CS, Whisper CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Other: Heartstrings Complements, Stuck On You Puffies (CTMH)

I would like to enter this into The Friday Mashup FM196 Challenge: Love is in the air. I plan to use this layout for next week's Valentine's Day pictures.

I spent some time looking at the stickers I had left before finally attaching them to the page. The close-up of the layout shows you how I clustered them and added dimension with the puffy stickers. Feel free to scraplift for your own use.

Casandra

Heartstrings Love These Moments Layout

I am so happy to be creating layouts that aren't winter-themed. LOL I look outside and I see snow, so much white; playing with vibrant colored papers makes me feel happy.

I created a second layout with Heartstrings. After much deliberation, I finally decided on 2 sketches from our Reflections book. I taylored this layout after one that was featured in the Annual Inspirations book with Chalk It Up papers.

Recipe:
Paper: Heartstrings, Lagoon CS, White Daisy CS, Cranberry CS (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Sanding Kit (CTMH)
Other: Stuck On You Glitter Puffies, White Shimmer Trim (CTMH)

It may be hard to see, but I sanded the edges of my papers. It takes a little extra time, but I think it is worth it. Because there was so much color going on, I decided to print my pictures in black and white (again). This also helped unify the color since my photo subjects were all dressed in different colors. 
I would like to enter this into the current challenge at Heart 2 Heart: Home Is Where The Heart Is. 

Thank you for stopping by. Have a great day!

Casandra