Happy WCMD! {thank you card}

A day set aside, across the world, to MAKE CARDS. Can it get much better than that!?

Even if you aren't making cards today, there are blog hops and inspiration GALORE across the internet today. I hope you can hang around and create {or be inspired} today!

I have a quick and simple card to share with you today! It's been sitting here in my file for a while now, and I didn't realize that I never shared it! GASP! This came together easily with the beautiful Sarita papers and a few stamps.  I made this card at my mom's house, and she actually had that flower all stamped and ready to roll, plus the diecut that I stamped the sentiment on.  I just started playing with what she had laying around, and pulled this together. (It doesn't get much easier than that - thanks Susan, for doing half the work for me!) 

Have a terrific weekend, and HAPPY WORLD CARD MAKING DAY!

xoxo Laura,

I Think You Are:

Hello, hello!

I whipped up a card using journaling cards, and a sticker from the My Crush "Besties" assortment.  These are awesome little bits and pieces to use in a book, but they can be a lot of fun for cards too!

I added some twine, a paperclip, plus some washi tape along the bottom.  (The yellow washi snuck it's way onto this card, but it was from my stash, not from CTMH. Gasp! sorry!) 

Don't be afraid to cover up or alter what doesn't work for you.  The background card, with the stripes along the top actually had text on it, which didn't work with my card, so I simply covered it up.  Make products do what you want them to do! It's okay to cover something up with a sticker, or layer something over it!! 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Artbooking Made Easy (S01E03): Summer Mini-Albums

YOU ARE MY HAPPY

 

This month from CLOSE TO MY HEART

You can purchase this trio of stamps for only $10.00

Have 3 times the fun with our new 

YOU ARE HAPPY stamp set trio—just $10!  

Just purchase $50 or more in Sept. and it’s yours for only $10
(retail value of $47.90 = savings of $37.90!)
 
*Offer valid September 1-30, 2013. One stamp set trio for every $50 spent. Tax and shipping/handling apply.
The stamp set trio arrives on 3 D-size carrier sheets in 2 stamp envelopes:
one carrier sheet in one envelope (like a D-size stamp) and two carrier sheets in one envelope (like an E-size stamp).

Create with Cricut® Collections

Artbooking Made Easy (S01E01): Getting Started with Cricut Artbooking

Find It. Crush It. Love It.

National Stamping Month: September 2013

September Stamp of the Month {Poster Tidings}

When I was in Fort Myers, I had the treat of sneak-peeking all of the Stamps of the Month from the current catalog.  I whipped up some projects to show them off to you, and I am pleased to introduce Poster Tidings, September's SOM.  (Because yes. . .it is SEPTEMBER! eeeks!)

This stamp set is composed of two large stamps, perfect for filling most of a 4.25x5.5 card.  (They would also make terrific tags or layout embellishments!!)

I was going for a chalkboard look on this first card, and I added some of the new Ruby chevron ribbon.   

 And on this second card, using the 2nd stamp set I created a fun fall card.  I added some of the Trinkets Wood Shapes.  You can add color to these cute little embellishments, but I love the look of the bare wood, especially for fall!

Remember you can score the September Stamp of the Month, Poster Tidings, for just $5 when you spend $50 this month!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

-Laura :)

new cards, and new goodies! {featuring Love This}

I'm back home after a few days at my parents house.  I tried to sneak in as much time in the craft room as I could, whenever I could keep my children out of the swimming pool! I  reinked all of my CTMH ink pads while I was there, and pawed through all of the new product my mom has! Woohooo!  And then. . . I came home to a fabulous box of CTMH goodies waiting for me. A CTMH box is like Christmas coming early, don't you think!?

Some of my favorite things from the new catalog. . . .

Aqua Dots

Lagoon Washi Tape

Trinkets Wood Shapes (I'm using them on EVERYTHING!)

Today I'd love to share this card using the new stamp set, called Love This.  This is going to be a FUN stamp set to paper-piece.  I trimmed the bird and flower from cardstock and kept things pretty simple on here but I'd like to go crazy and pop the flower petals up and add some crazy dimension . . . next time!

The font on this sentiment is so lovely, isn't it? With gorgeous sentiments, you often don't need to do much else to make a stunning and simple card!

Thanks so much for coming by today!

-Laura

Introducing the $5 layouts ONLY Available at my All Day Create & Crops!

Here are some quick and easy $5 double page layouts that will be offered in limited quantities at my all day Create & Crop on August 24 and September 21.

Weekend Crop Projects!

This coming weekend, August 16-18, we have another great weekend crop in Estero, Florida.  If you aren't already registered and paid, you can still come for any projects and classes.  All weekend crop space is sold out,but anyone can stop by and shop, attend classes and work on create & take projects.

Here are few of the classes and projects that will be available at the Close To My Heart table, but we have lots more so be sure to stop at our table as soon as you are settled and check us out!

ORIGINALS CARD CONFIDENCE CLASS

Susan Tomaino

CELEBRATE

 

 LIVE 

 FUN and SUN

 LIVE

NEW

CRICUT ARTBOOKING COLLECTION

Only available from Close To My Heart

 Each Cricut key in this collection is optimized for creating 12 X 12 pages in a jiffy!  Just set your dial and everything you want to cut will cut to the right proportion for your base page.  NO MORE GUESS WORK and no more wasted paper, cardstock or time!  It's great!  The layout above was all done with my dial set at 11 inches.  Everything else followed at the right size!

The collection includes 15 layout themes, 10 themed mini books, and oh so much more!  700 images that include fonts, mini books, and layouts.  Lots of images that are great for card makes too!  The collection includes the Cricut Cartridge, (3) exclusive D-size stamp sets that coordinate with this collection, and (3) 12" X 9" Dimensional Elements in coordinating shapes.  All for only $99.00.

Purchase or order your collection at the weekend crop and receive the August Stamp of the Month for FREE (substitutes available), FREE shipping, and a special gift.  

Orders ship for FREE through this special event.

JOIN US ON FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE BOARD ROOM

for a FREE demonstration!  Check with us at the crop for the specific time.

Sightseer

As the summer winds down I thought I'd share a few travel-themed cards. In a few days, I'm off for a quick little trip to my parents, where I will DIVE into my mom's new CTMH goodies from the latest catalog.  I hope to have lots of new cards made, to share in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, here are some cards featuring one of my favorite stamp sets, Sightseer!   

I have two cards to share today, both in one of my favorite color combos - aqua, black, and white!  I used CTMH washi tape on this, and made a fun border with the arrow stamp.

 On this second card, I embossed the camera.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the way crisp bold images look, when they are embossed.  I also used an embossing folder to create this dotted background. (And I'm sad to say I have no idea where the embossing folder is from - I borrowed it from a friend, at a crop! And I think I NEED it!!!!) A VERY helpful tip - when stamping on an embossed surface, stamp FIRST, then emboss the dots.  (Something I didn't do this time, but I was able to fix my inconsistently stamped sentiment with a Sharpie!)

I'm looking forward to sharing some NEW NEW NEW goodies with you in the next few weeks.  I promise I'll get busy as soon as I get into my mom's stampy stash!! (After all, her craft room is in MY old bedroom, so that gives me clout. Right?)  ;)

xoxo

Laura,

Project Inspirations: Ombré Technique

Cricut Artbooking Collection

This Collection is the best ever!  Over 700 images that include Fonts, Mini Books, Layouts, and more, you will find tons of uses for these designs1  The collection includes 15 layout themes, and you can create several coordinating pages for each theme using JUST TWO KEYS.  It's oh so simple!  No more playing around with sizes to coordinate with your page - just select the size for your main cut out and everything else will cut to the correct proportion.  FAST, SIMPLE, EASY and saves you time and paper!

The Artbooking Collection also includes 10 themed mini books and you will find new creative inspiration with this new Collection!  Celebrate birthday, new baby, vacations, friends, sports, Halloween, Christmas, and so much more.

Your Collection includes:
(1) CTMH Cricut Cartridge
(3) My Acrylix D-Size Stamp Sets for this Collection
(3) 12" X 9" Dimensional Elements in coordinating shapes

With 700 images, you also have so many that will be super additions to your cards!  Watch my blog for some cute ideas just for cardmakers!

Order your Collection in August and also receive the wonderful August Stamp of the Month, A Chocolate Affair FOR FREE! 

Email me for more information about special savings in August with the order of this collection!

Think Ahead - Think Chocolate!

A new Idea Book will be LIVE on August 1.  We have a large assortment of new products for your paper crafting PLUS wearable crafting projects called Base and Bling.  Check it out on Page 74-77 in the new book.

During the month of August you can earn the August Stamp of the Month "A Chocolate Affair" FREE with any order of $50.00 or more.  Below is a picture of the set plus a card using the new set. 

Supplies for the above card:
Stamp Set:  A Chocolate Affair (S1308 August SOM)
Ink:  Chocolate (Z2111)
Marker:  Chalk Marker (Z1767)
Embellishment:  Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain (Z1617)
Card Base:  Kraft Cardstock (Z1375)
Cardstock:  Bamboo (1301)

Get Organized!

Background Stamps

Just Chillin'!

Summer sunshine is shining like crazy around sunny Florida. We were lucky to enjoy it over the 4th of July weekend, playing at the pool and the beach with extended family. Despite one child sick as can be during the week before the holiday, he was thankfully well just in time. Then, Sunday morning . . . . child number two - down for the count. He seems to be recovering much faster though, which is a relief to this mama! 

I created these two cards, using the Just Chillin stamp set. I love the look of the twine on this first card - it's a little lighter look than wrapping the entire card with twine (which I tend to do pretty much ALL THE TIME.)  And I'll be honest - I totally just eyeballed the measurements and punched the holes in what looked like the center.  After that, I just threaded the twine through the holes and tied a bow.  I stamped and trimmed my flipflops and stuck them on with a cute, tiny clothespin.  (I added some extra stability with a piece of foam adhesive behind them though.)

When I created this second card I wanted to experiment with the idea of creating a banner with something other than little flags - so I used sand pails!

Creating banners and flags continues to be such a trend right now. . . why don't you look through your stamp stash, and see what you can turn into a banner!?

Thanks so much for stopping by today. 

 I hope your week is filled with sunshine and fun!

xoxo

New Artbooking Cricut Collection from Close To My Heart

Reserve your new Artbooking Cricut Collection today or you can order August 1 from my website:
susan.ctmh.com