May 2013 Close to My Heart Cross-Canada Blog Hop

This is my second month participating in the CTMH Cross Canada Blog Hop!  How great to be involved with such a great group of paper-crafters - all independent Consultants for a fantastic company . . . especially in a time when Big names in the paper crafting industry are struggling.  I am proud to be a part of a strong, independent Company with such talented ladies representing them!

Welcome to our May Blog Hop featuring our Canvas Display project.  We have 2 sizes available to purchase, the larger one comes in a WOTG Kit and measures 12x12.   The kit is $39.95 (G1062), it comes with directions, an exclusive stamp set and Embellishments to decorate your canvas, you can find this on page 23.  The second size available measures 6x6, it can be found on page 126, and is $4.95(Z1818).

We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our viewers....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see. Thank you… now on to our hop!

If you have just hopped onto my blog, you can start here as this is a circular hop, but if you want to follow us across Canada then please start at the beginning and join Michelle Stewart at mycreationswithmichelle.blogspot.ca . If you came from Nancy Klein of http://nancyklein.blogspot.ca/2013/05/cross-canada-may-blog-hop-canvas-display.html then you are in the right place!
 

 

I chose to Focus on the 6"x6" Canvas's for the May 2013 Cross Canada Blog Hop.

For this Project I used the 6"x6" Canvas's at $4.95 each,  Whisper, Desert Sand and Outdoor Denim cardstock at $14.95 per 24 sheets,  Vintage Type Stamp Set at $17.95, Various CTMH ribbon, twine and embellishments and the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge at $99.00.

I had these family pics done of my Boys in December 2012.  I was looking for a way to display them that was fun, but didn't take away from the pictures too much.  So I chose solid colour cardstock in colours that co-ordinated with the (co-ordinating but NOT matching) outfits the Boys wore.  I then chose to use the circles in the Vintage Type set and random stamped the Whisper cardstock - full sheet 12x12 before cutting to 6"x6" pieces.  I chose inks in the same colour family.

Each photo is matted on Desert Sand cardstock and then I used the cricut to cut their first Initial in the Outdoor Denim.

Still using the Vintage Type Stamp set, I stamped "Live", "Love", and "Laugh" on the separate photo's.  How did I choose who got which word?  Easy! Our Middle Son, Josh, is a 5 year Cancer Survivor!!! He gets LIVE - for sure.  The other two were a draw.  And I think the words actually suit the boys individual personalities very well!

I attached each completed 6"x6" page to the canvas using our Glue Dots (pg 132 $7.50).

The 6"x6" canvas can be used for so many more options . . . one minute on Pinterest will have your head spinning with ways to use them, I promise.

And really, I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered them.  But these are sturdy, well made little canvases with picture hangers already attached (mind this location when attaching your paper and pics - one child was hanging sideways at first).

 

This is the back of the frame so you can see it is solid and well made.  I hope you enjoy my art, but mostly - I hope you enjoy what you can create with either of the Close to My Heart Canvas Frame Options!

 

I Hope to see you next Month!

Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is Candra Holmes of http://www.paperdragonfleur.ca/2013/05/cross-canada-blog-hop-may.html.
 If you get lost along the way, you can head to Michelle S Blog, http://mycreationswithmichelle.blogspot.ca, as she has the complete blog list.

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to create your own Canvas projects using some of the designs, paper and techniques seen along the way. Join us again in June when we will be featuring party themed projects.


This is the line up of Cross Canada Blog Hops for May 2013:
Michelle~ mycreatioinswithmichelle.blogspot.ca

Nicola~ timelesscottagenb.blogspot.ca

Arlene~ arlenescreativespace.blogspot.ca

Sheri ~ sherisays-justscrapit.blogspot.ca

Brae~ brae-er.blogspot.ca

Carol~ craftycarol55.blogspot.ca

Cheryl~ scrappercherylctmh.blogspot.ca

Brandy~ canadianscrappers.blogspot.ca

Teresa~ countrycraftingmama.blogspot.ca

Ashley~ ctmhashleydenny.blogspot.ca

Janet ~ worksofheart2011.blogspot.ca

Nancy~ http://nancyklein.blogspot.ca/2013/05/cross-canada-may-blog-hop-canvas-display.html

Karen~ clearyprecious.blogspot.ca

Candra~ http://www.paperdragonfleur.ca/2013/05/cross-canada-blog-hop-may.html
 

Whats the BUZZ....

My Close to My Heart Hostess Club is tonight . . . So as I'm taking a picture of the layout for my instructions it occurs to me "I could use this picture and put it on my blog" . . .that thing I'm always forgetting about.

Two posts in a week?  unheard of!

So here ya go folks, a preview of tonights Hostess Club layout!

 This featuring the Buzz and Bumble Paper Pack that CTMH introduced this Spring.  I am in love with this little bumble bee, and our alcohol markers do a great job colouring the bum.

For this layout I started with our Kraft Cardstock as a base.  The Kraft paper is super versatile.   I then edge distressed various items and the base with our sponge daubers and chocolate ink.

I titled this blog "whats the Buzz", because that was the original title for the layout as you see here:



But I was recently at a crop doing this make & take card;

The ladies doing my make-n-take said that Mother's Day layouts were not so great because there are never any MOM pictures, as she's theone behind the camera.  So I changed the title for them to "whats the Buzz . . .which they said was much better.  But when I began to prep for my Hostess Club I decided that that couldnt be true and I went back to my orginal Mothers Day Layout plan.  Guess what?  The only pictures I could find of myself were the family portraits we did last Christmas and few horrid ones of me asleep with our toddler taken by my hubby.

I guess its true!  Anyway, I've decided to give my Club ladies the choice tonight!  We'll see how it goes! 

Whats your Vote?

Meanwhile - remind me to schedule my husband for a Mother's Day photo shoot with my kids! 

Hope you enjoy my interpretation of the Buzz and Bumble paper pack!



April CTMH Cross Canada Blog Hop

Welcome to our April Blog Hop featuring a Home Decor project of our choosing.

12x12 chalkboard sheet (pg. 125  $4.95), Chalk Pen (pg. 130 $2.95), Pink Glitter Gems (pg. 120 $3.95), Cricut Art Philosophy leaves in Olive and Just Blooms Paper Shapes.

We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our viewers....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see. Thank you… now on to our hop!

If you have just hopped onto my blog, you can start here as this is a circular hop, but if you want to follow us across Canada then please start at the beginning and join Michelle Stewart at http://mycreationswithmichelle.blogspot.ca. If you came from Pam Klassen of http://p-inks.blogspot.com/2013/04/cross-canada-hop-april-home-decor.html  then you are in the right place!


Welcome to Karen's Clearly Precious Blog.  I am not such a  frequent Blogger  . . . frequent crafter yes, but I always forget to take a picture and  Blog it!

So, I was really excited when I was invited to join so many other talented, Canadian Close to My Consultants on a Cross Canada Blog Hop.  Due to some injuries I haven't been able to partake until now . . .but the previous Hops have been super inspiring!

Hope you will enjoy my creation:

 This is a great Home décor project that is trendy, easy, fun and CHEAP!!!

The CTMH products used: 12x12 Chalkboard Paper ($4.95), Chalkboard Pen ($2.95), Dry Embossing Stylus ($3.25),Pink Glitter Gems, CTMH assorted paper & crochet flower Embellishments $5.95/pack), Leaves made with CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy and Olive Card Stock.

Other Products used: Dollar Store 12x12 1"thick Canvas Frame and Dollar Store acrylic black paint.

Something this good obviously isn't my own.  I saw this on Pinterest and fell in Love:

This is the Perfect combination of my love of gardening and my current love of Chalkboard Art.  If you go here: www.ellaclaireinspired.com created and blogged the above. You should find complete step by step instructions on her site, however, I just used the print out she created, and copied it to a word document to fit my 12x12 chalkboard paper and print out.  You could make any quote you like . . . and just playing around with various word fonts and sizes come up with something very personal and cool for you or a loved one.    If you look at my December 2012 posts you should find some Christmas Variations I did, one using scripture for a friend and one more generic "Happy Holidays".

So once you have your base design printed out and flourishes the way you like you are going to tape the chalkboard paper onto a work mat (the CTMH Versa Mat is Perfect) then tape your printout on top.  You will then firmly trace over the whole design with your Embossing Stylus.

Remove your top paper and your entire design should be just visible enough to go over with the chalkboard pen, but not so much that you see it after you've drawn on it.

Carefully trace over all the lines and words.  Start at the top and work your way down so that your hand doesn't drag over the ink.  It dries very fast, can be removed with a baby wipe if your act fast.   But the chalkboard pen is PERMANENT and doesn't smudge or wipe off after its dry. (If you have an emergency - like forgot a letter - you can try acetone free nail polish remover with a Q-tip  just gently wipe at the words).  You may wish to go over a few lines twice to get thicker colour or thicker line.

When this is done and dry you remove the adhesive backing of the chalkboard paper and stick the whole page down onto your prepared canvas (use black paint to cover the white sides and first 1/2 inch of top of canvas and let dry completely).  Now you can embellish with the flowers, leaves and  Glitter Gems.

Cost of the finished product is under $15 in CTMH product (not including AP Cartridge) plus another $3-$4 at the Dollar store.

I have given several of these pieces away now and friends have genuinely LOVED them.  This one is for me though!  Sits perched on a shelf above our coat hooks in the entry way as a welcome to guests and a reminder to me!

Thanks for joining me on my first ever Cross Canada Blog Hop! 

Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is  Candra Holmes of http://paperdragonfleur.blogspot.ca/2013/04/cross-canada-blog-hop-april.html
 If you get lost along the way, you can head to Michelle S Blog, http://mycreationswithmichelle.blogspot.ca, as she has the complete blog list.

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to create your own projects using some of the designs and paper seen along the way. Join us again in May when we will be featuring some Canvas projects.


We have 19 ladies on this hop.....should be a great Blog Hop!

1. Michelle ~ mycreationwithmichelle.blogspot.ca
2. Darla ~ stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.ca
3. Rosalynd ~ inmyscrappinroom.blogspot.ca
4. Nicola ~ timelesscottagenb.blogspot.ca
5. Arlene~ arlenescreativespace.blogspot.ca
6. Krista ~ simplycreatingtogether.blogspot.ca
7. Sheri ~ sherisays-justscrapit.blogspot.ca
8. twirlntime ~ twirlntime.blogspot.ca
9. Brae ~ brae-er.blogspot.ca
10. Carol ~ craftycarol55.blogspot.ca
11. Cheryl ~ scrappercherylctmh.blogspot.ca
12. Terry Ann ~ terryanndiack.blogspot.ca
13. Janet ~ worksofheart2011.blogspot.ca
14. Famida ~ getscrappinfami.blogspot.ca
15. Chantal ~ itsahootpapercrafts.blogspot.ca
16. Nancy ~ nancyklein.blogspot.ca
17. Pam ~ http://p-inks.blogspot.com/2013/04/cross-canada-hop-april-home-decor.html
18. Karen ~ clearlyprecious.blogspot.ca
19. Candra ~http://paperdragonfleur.blogspot.ca/2013/04/cross-canada-blog-hop-april.html

Chalk it up!

I have been dying to try CTMH's new Chalkboard sheets ($4.95 ea) and Chalk Markers ($2.95 ea).  So I ordered them . . . and then did a little research on Chalkboard Art and Subway Art .

I saw this:

At  "Growing Up Gardner" by Amanda Gardner and immediately thought of a good friend.  So . . .I decided to make my own.

But I was scared, I didnt want to freehand it, didn't want to waste a sheet of Chalkboard paper.  The maker is not erasable!

So, I took a deep breath and did this:

I printed the whole saying out as a word document - selecting different fonts.

I laid this over the the Chalkboard sheet and used the embossing stylus to trace (firmly) over all the words.

You can faintly see the lines, just enough to cover up and trace with the Chalk marker.  I added the star and Manger freehand.

I am tempted to add more, but don't want to spoilt it.

I plan to attach this to a black 12x12 canvas I have and then it's a perfect gift for a loved friend for under $10!

Its my first try with the Chalkboard products.  but it was fun and I have ideas on what to do with the extra (back up) sheet I bought!

Remember me?

So I guess we can all agree that not only am I a terrible writer . . .but I'm horribly inconsistant with this whole "Blog" thing.  Please do not take this as a reflection of my passion for scrapbooking and Cardmaking and all.  In fact it's the complete opposite:  I am SO busy just creating that I forget to get out my camera, take a few pics along the way and share. 

My apologies!

Anyway . . I have been really busy with my crafting and I have a bunch of pictures to share now . . I figured I better take pics of my cards before I send them out!

Without Further ado here is what I came up with using the Close to My Heart Pear & Partridge Paper Pack:

This Card is made on our 6x6 Kraft card & envelope set.  I used all the papers is P&P to create the pattern "quilt" and then used the Cricut AP to cut the leaves and red Glitter Gliz gel for the berries.  The stamp is from the Octovber Stamp of the month.  I glued down the flap on the inside to create a picture or gift card pocket and decorated it too:

I got the idea for this off Split Coast Stampers by a "Cindy E".

This card uses a background stamp on the star and more glitter gel.  Fairly simple card, and I wish the word stamping stood out more on the green background texture.

These two cards are exactly the same . . .just different background paper.  I used the Cricut Artiste to cut the ornament, and the spritz spray pens with water and pearl paint to spray the back piece.  More of the Glitter Gel here too . . I love that stuff!

This design is taken right from our new make it from the heart card and layout Idea book volume 1.

This card is also from "Make it From the Heart".  I love how a simple design can be slightly modified to get a totally different look.  And I like the subtle colouring really shows off the Cranberry.

Another 6x6 Kraft card base- Almost entirely Cricut AP - super simple and I wanted to use that "Zip strip" from the top of this pattern paper. 

I got this idea from Pinterest . . but didn't "pin" it and cant find who to give credit to.  Sorry . . not my idea, and mine didnt turn out as nice as the original.  Oh well.  I was going for bouncing ornaments here . . .

This is one of our 3.5x8" card and envelope bases.  I covered the flap with the image stamped on the stacking cricut shapes.  Simple and perfect for those occasional cash or cheque Holiday gifts!

I love these cards:  Desser sand card base and I used the red velvet rub-ons.  So Sad these arn't available any more.  hope CTMH finds a new supplier!  The October Stamp of the Month and the rub-ons made for some super fun cards.

My final Christmas Card only has a hint of Pear & Partridge . . .okay, I admit . . .was getting a little tired of red and green.  Plus, I have a snowflake addiction.  So I took White Daisy card stock and sprayed with water, pearl paint and crystal blue re-inker, once it dried, I used a variety of snowflake stamps and radom stamped first and second generation all over.  the effect is snowflakes that look near and far away.  I wanted to look out the "window" into a snow storm.  Now, I was at a crop and didn't have any of my other cardstock with me (besides P &P colours). . so I bought some from Sandra @ Making Memories (she has a portable store and attends many local Crops).  So the base is grey and the window frame is Navy . . .Would be equal to Slate and Outdoor Denim I think.

So My next Project was to complete one of our new Advent Calendars . . .I didn't use the kit ('cause I'm terrible at following someone else's plan) I just used CTMH cardstock and pattern paper and the base box.  I used our Kraft Paper for all the 2.5" squares because I thought it was a little sturdier for little kids to play with. 

I think I might try to sell this one though . . since I made two lovely advent calendars last year and don't really need another . . .

My Final addiction . . and I'm still on it as you will see from the last photo, the Modge Podge is still drying:

I am LOVING Subway Art.  So, I made some for the kids playroom:

And there were a few learning curves on this . . like I used a tape runner to create the pages and stick to the canvas and then only modgepodged on top . . . so there are wrinkles.  But I've come to terms with it.  Mostly I'm happy with this, except that the dark blue words don't stand out very well.  (Admission: this is a contraband Cricut cartidge - with CTMH's two cricut cartridges and 1400 images we have no cars :(.

Then, yesterday while out for lunch with friends I saw this sign at a store called "the Posh Shop".  they wanted $36.99 for it.  I got all the supplies for $4.48 . . .  and I love it.  Think I'll be making a few for friends gifts this year too!

Oh, I almost forgot:  this is the layout I did with my Hostess Club last week:

Again, using the Cricut Artise, and you can't really tell from the terrible picture (Please Santa bring me a new digital SLR) but we second generation stamped the entire background with the Universal Borders stamp to create a nice background and used the Keepsake Alphabet to stamp "dear Santa".  I love that stamp set!

So, the above, along with the 6 family and close friend birthday's in November (Our baby turned 4!!) and few other events and projects . . . I have not been slacking.  Just haven't been taking the time to keep this blog up to date. 

Still LOVING Close to My Heart and anxiously awaiting the new Idea Book in the New Year!

I have another project or two in the works so I promise (sort of) to get these posted before Chrsitmas!!!

Thanks for reading!! And Happy creating!



A Little Bit COUNTRY

Those of you who know me know that I. am. not. a. COUNTRY. girl.  But some of you who know me very well know that just once a year, secretly, I AM!

So when I first saw the new Dakota Paper pack, I dismissed it as not for me.  And what do I do when I have that thought?  I buy the paper pack and it usually becomes one of my favorites.  At first it was just the super cute Denim Pocket Stamp "Rugged Dude" shown here:

I thought this was really cute and not JUST country . . .so I ordered it.  Even though I didn't use it in this layout - It did start me down this road!

And then a cabin friend (who knows me very well) sent me pictures of my youngest little guy dressed up for Western Weekend at the cabin.  And realized that Dakota really would be the perfect paper pack to scrapbook these pictures.  But there it is in colour, if you look really closely, out of focus - me, in pig tails, denim shirt and all.  A Country Girl! Watching my gorgeous little guy and his friends dance to great Music of the "Hong Kong Cow Boy".  This guy is amazing, for country music.

So I came up with this layout for my September Hostess Club this week.  I hope the ladies will forgive me this little slip into the world of boots, horses, denim and hay.

The layout is from CTMH's newwest pattern book "Make it from your Heart", pattern #9.

Anyway, I bought the Workshop on the go, because I love the stamp set that comes exclusively with the WOG you can see all the Stamped images are from that.  Or check out the latest CTMH idea book to view.

Finally I took black cardstock, misted it with a combination of chocolate ink and pearl paint to give it a glittery almost hammered metal look.  I glued the letters to the coordinating CTMH chipboard letters and distressed the edges with our files . . .looks a beat up and Country to me.  Now I've just gotta finish the other facing page for my own scrapbook with the remaining evidence, err pictures.

Hope Hostess Club enjoys it as much as I did creating it . . .now back to my regularly scheduled, non-Country programming!

Karen

Yup, it's been a while . . . a long while.  With 14 and 12 year old boys in the house computer time is getting more and more limited.  If I can't do it on my ipad or iphone it doesn't seem to get done.

But now . . gloriously, all three kids are in school!! So I can finally post.

And this isnt terribly exciting . . I'm actually just trying to Post to my CTMH Bulletin Board, but can't post a pic unless it has a URL and to have a URL it seems I need to save the pic somewhere on the WWW.  OH my, it's all above my head some most days.

Anyway this is the latest project I've been working on:  Scratch and Win tickets for the upcoming BC Crop for Kids:

I saw this idea on Pinterest and immediately saw marketing opportunities for CTMH.

I used the CTMH gathering invitation postcards, and then pritned our info on one side of the back.

I then used staples 2"x4" labels to create individual discount / prize tags:

I then used packing tape to cover the "scratch off" part of the tag.

Then you use a combination of Silver paint and dish soap (4:1) to paint over the taped area:

(Please excuse my messy work area, should have edited that pic before I saved it!)

 

Finally I leet dry for about an hour and then trimmed to size (2x4) and then peeled and stuck to the left side of the post card.

 

Voila!

 

 

 

Individual CTMH scratch and Win tickets!

 

My kids love them so much I am thinking of doing this for household chores too!!

 

You can use this technique on any paper surface, so you could print, stamp, draw etc your own ticket and then use the tape / paint trick to create your hidden scratch off area.

 

A fun, easy and super cheap trick - I had everything at home in my stash of crafty stuff! but you could pick supplies up at the dollar store.

 

Lots of possibilities, try a few and let me know how it works out!