6x6 Thank You Card

If you ask me, one can never have enough "Happy Birthday" and "Thank You" cards so I decided it was time to add to my collection of "Thank You" ones the other day. 

I based the card on a Becky Fleck card sketch from March of 2011.  I love how it turned out for the most part.  I really should have inked the edges of the patterned paper I used on the background to make it pop more against the cardstock base.  Oh well ... Note to self:  Lay the paper on the cardstock BEFORE adhering it next time to see if  inking is needed. 

This shot shows you the tiny bits of bling a little bit better on the card.  I had originally put an opaque on every second piece of 'lace' that jutted out BUT there were an odd number of pieces jutting out so there were two spaces left and it looked silly.  Another "Note to self" moment!  Argh!  



Supplies (all CTMH unless specified):

Cardstock:

Bamboo, Vanilla Cream and Black

Patterned Paper: 

X7132B Bliss Level 2

Stamp Sets: 

C1461 Salutation Seals

D1472 Simple Sentiments

Embellishments: 

Z1336 Pearl Opaques

Other: 

Black Ink

1.25" circle punch (Stampin' Up)

Card instructions:
1.  Cut Bamboo 12x12 cardstock in half and score that piece in 1/2 so you end up with a 6x6 card base.
2.  Cut Bliss pattened paper sheet into a 5.5"x5.5" square.  Ink edges (LOL) with Black Ink and adhere to card base front. 
3.  Cut a 5" circle from Black cardstock. 
4.  Cut a 4.5" circle from Bamboo cardstock.  Stamp with lace edge image from Simple Memories stamp set.  Ink edges of circle and adhere to black circle.  Mount on card base.
5.  Stamp "Thank You" image from Salutation Seals stamp set on Vanilla Cream cardstock and punch out using 1.25" circle punch (or with scissors).  Ink edge.  Adhere to center of round lace image.

6.  Adhere Pearl Opaques to each lace piece of image. 

New Clearance Items ....

Close To My Heart has added a bunch more items to the "While Supplies Last" section of Consultant's blogs!  Check them out:

Stardust Flexi Labels

Colonial White Edge Anchors

1/4" Colonial White Ricrac

White Daisy Paper Flowers

Pretty Pins

Bella Level 2 Stickease Assortment

Adventure Dimensional Elements

White Daisy Crochet Flowers

Chocolate Ribbon Rounds Collection

Click on the "Discounted Products" icon to the right to see everything in the "While Supplies Last" section.

NOTE:  I will be putting in an order on June 5th for some of these items so if there is anything you want, and you're local, we can combine our order (s) and save on shipping.  If I get enough people interested and we have enough of an order to get the Stamp of the Month free, I will draw from everyone who is in on the order with me and that person can have the Stamp of the Month that is earned.  :-)

Payment must be made to me before I order, though, so you have a little time to let me know.

Inspired by Eight ... (May 22 - 28)

I know, I know .... it's not Inspired by Five this week.  LOL

I've decided just to call it by what it is each week.  Some weeks I only find three or four projects that wow me, other weeks (like this week), it is eight!  I've changed the name of the labels viewable in the sidebar to just "Inspired by ..."  so all the Inspired By postings show in the same spot if you click on it to see the past ones.

While I am only posting eight this week, I originally had THIRTEEN posts saved to show you but had to narrow it down.  :-) It was a very creative week in blog-world. 

So as usual, and in no particular order, here is this week's inspirations:

1.  Cards using the Miracle paper pack by Denise at Inspired by Heart.  I love what she did with this pack of papers.  Such beautiful cards.  (Note:  The kit she links to is not available anymore.  There IS a Miracle paper pack available, though.  It does not have the die cut papers in it.  Everything else can be purchased seperately, though.)
ETA:  I also just realized that the date of her post is from May 2010 not 2011.  My mistake.  Ooops!  Still beauiful work ....
2.  Spray pen cards by Marie at Ison Cre8tions.  Embossing resist plus our spray pens = stunning cards. 
3.  Dream card by Annette at Annette's Creative Journey.  I LOVE how she used the "You and Me" kit (only available for TWO MORE DAYS) and did a card instead of a layout.  (See #4 for what else she has done with this great kit and it's stamp set). 
4.  Create Album by Annette at Annette's Creative Journey.  I am soooo going to lift this and make one.  I *heart* it so much!
5.  Live Inspired card by Leisa at Big Red Scraps.  I love the stamp set that has this sentiment on it.  Love it, I tell you.  :-)
6.  Happy Birthday card by Karen at Karen's Creations.  Pleated paper, bling and one of the blossoms from the Pink Collection ribbons ... need I say more?
7.  Celebrate Card from Karen at Karen's Creations.  Another use for the "You and Me" kit from this month.  You can really see the versatility of it and Karen rocked this card.
8.  Home Sweet Home card by Brenda at Stamp.Scrap.Create.  She did a fab job on the paper piecing using the Stamp of the Month for this month (click on the "Stamp of the Month" icon at right to see this set and how to get it).  I just got my set last week and cannot wait to try this technique. 

That's it for this week.  Next week's post is already shaping up to be a good one.

Time is running out!

Click on the picture above to watch a video that tells you more about the You and Me Kit from Close To My Heart.

This kit is only available until 31 May 2011 so you only have another 9 days to get your order in.  Spend $55 (Can.) and you can buy this kit for only $16.50.  You can also buy the kit outright for only $38.95 if you want. 

Want to see the flyer after you've watched the video?  Click HERE.

If you've been thinking about joining the Close To My Heart family, you can get your starter kit for 1/2 off right now, until the end of May, AND you get the You and Me Kit for FREE with your kit!    That will give you tons of product for only $70.  The retail price for everything you would receive is $283.55!!!  You can't lose!

Click HERE to join my team and take advantage of the great deal that's only available until 31 May 2011. 

Questions?  Email me!

Inspired by Five ..... (May 15 - 21)

I only found four things this week for you!  Boo!  Sorry.  If you count the last one as multiples again, though, it is five.  Kinda like last week.  LOL

Here they are, in no particular order:

1.  Ice Cream Cone card by Leisa of Big Red Scraps.
2.  Harvest Love card by Leisa of Big Red Scraps.
3.  You and Me cards (multiple cards) by Aaron of Booth #32.
4.  (and 5?) Cards and Layout by Jeanette of jeanettelynton.com.

See you later!

Desk Set with Instructions

I craft once a month with a wonderful group of ladies!  Usually one of the group each month brings something paper crafted for the whole group.  Last month a bunch of them brought paper crafty goodies with Easter themes for everyone in the group.  A couple of us decided we needed to do something this month since we didn't bring anything last month.  :-)

The month got away from me, of course, and when the reminder about group night showed up, panic mode set it.  It was then a race to find something quick and easy but fun to make for them.

This is what I came up with:

A personalized post-it note holder - pretty and functional.

It's a quick project that is also useful.  I found this idea on another blog but made it my own.  The original project has a ribbon tied around the top above the post-it note pad but I decided to just put a line of bling on it, just above the monogram.  I love the more simplistic look it gives. 

If you've got a dollar store near you, that is the best place to find the 4x6 acrylic frames that are used for this. 

You can see from the side view how it would sit on your desk. 

I just cut a 4x6 pieces of the Sophia papers - which happened to go so well with the colors of the post-it note packs I picked up.  I opted not to buy dollar store post it notes for this as they never seem to come apart or stick as well as the name brand ones.

Anyway ... slide the paper into the photo frame. 

I then cut mats for the monogram pieces that closely matched the color of the post-it notes.  Mine measure 2.25x2.25 inches.  The monograms are then stamped onto 2x2 inch pieces of White Daisy cardstock and the edges of each piece are inked.  The stamp set I used on this one is the Bohemian Alphabet, which I love.  The swirl (and flower I stamped onto each post-it note pad) is in the same stamp set! Bonus!

I adhered the post-it note pad to the acrylic frame using our Tombow Adhesive, just running a strip along the top of the back of the pad.  I mounted it, leaving a 1/4 inch space along the bottom and right hand side of the frame.  (You could also, maybe, just remove the brown paper backing of the post-it notes and adhere it using the post-it note's adhesive so once the pad is used up, it would be easier to add a replacement.  I didn't think of that until just now, of course!  *LOL*)

The monogram square/mat is then mounted, centered in the space to the left of the pad, using the top edge of the pad as the top border. 

Just add some bling in a straight line centered above the monogram and you're done!  I mounted mine so the bottom of the bling was about even with the top of the note pad.  Well, as close as I could eye-ball it, anyway!  LOL

Inspired by Five ..... (May 8 - 14)

Better late than never again ... lol

Had no problem picking these five projects to share with you this week.  :-)

1.  Bird Notecard by Leisa Hubley at Big Red Scraps
2.  Happy Moments Journal by Aaron at Booth #32
3.  Happily Ever After Card by Debbie Carriere of Scrappin' My Heart Out
4.  and 5.  Birthday Wishes and Create Art Journal by Jeanette Lynton at jeanettelynton.com

I know that's kind of cheating but I loved them both.  :-)  More to come!

New Items Listed in "While Supplies Last" Section

Some fun new items have been listed in the "While Supplies Last" section on the sites of Close To My Heart Consultants .... Here are the ones I noticed this last time around.

1.  Edge Anchors Rustic Collection

2.  Mini Medley Accents Spring Blossom Collection

3.  Mini Medley Accents Shades of Chocolate

4.  Mini Medley Accents Autumn Garden Collection

5.  Heartfelt Whimsy Die Cuts

6.  Soft Suede Pinwheel Die Cuts

Lots of other items are there, too, so check it out.  Fabulous deals to be had.  :-)  (Shhhh.  There's a lovely box on it's way to my house as I type this.... LOL)

May Newsletter

They say April showers bring May flowers.  We didn't get much 'showers' in April but the flowers are FINALLY starting to bloom around here.  :-)

MAY 2011 STAMP OF THE MONTH

The Stamp of the Month for May is so cute and I have come across several creations that make me think I really need this stamp set. 

Yep, I really think I do!  Click on the Stamp of the Month icon on the right to see more details on this adorable set and how you can get it at a discount or even FREE!  My favorite word.  LOL

NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING MONTH

(May 1 - 31 only)

May is National Scrapbooking Month and Close To My Heart has put a great kit together to mark the ocassion.  They always put something great together for National Scrapbooking Month so I wasn't surprised that I loved this kit so much.  I have one in my hot little hands right now and cannot wait to play.  The colors are great and so me - so is the stamp set that comes with it!!!! 

Click on the above picture to check out the flyer and see how you, too, can get this great kit and what comes in it, regular price or at a discount. 

Just in case you miss it while drooling over the layouts they've included instructions for - the double sided patterned papers in this kit are cardstock weight!!!  Oh, yeah!

JOIN MY TEAM!

If you've ever thought of becoming a Close To My Heart Consultant, now is a REALLY great time. 

If you join Close To My Heart during the month of May, you get your Consultant kit at 50% OFF.

That is an amazing deal.  Your Consultant kit would normally be $140 (CAN) but can be yours for only $70.  Everything you need to start your home based business and lots of great product as well. 

And there is more ... Join Close To My Heart during May and as well as the 50% discount on your kit, you will get one of the National Scrapbooking Month kits (a $38.95 value). 

Interested?  Click on the "Join My Team" icon to the right to join now. 

Inspired by Five ... (April 24 - May 7)

I am covering TWO WEEKS this time around since I am behind (and only had four selections for the week of April 24-30).

For April 24 - 30:

1.  Cards by Jeanette Lynton, CTMH founder on jeanettelynton.com
2.  Sympathy Card by Lisa Stenz of Lisa's Creative Corner
3.  Birthday Card by Leisa Hubley of Big Red Scraps
4.  Birthday Card by Vicki Wizniuk of Wizard's Hangout

For May 1 - 7:

For this week I had NINE items saved and really had a hard time narrowing it down to just five.  :-)

1.  Chairs to you card by Aaron of Booth #32
2.  Notecard Box Set by Lisa Stenz of Lisa's Creative Corner
3.  Thank You card by Dena of Stampin' Mim
4.  Purse Card Set by Vicki Wizniuk of Wizard's Hangout
5.  Thank You card by Vicki Wizniuk of Wizard's Hangout

I hope you enjoy these creations as much as I did.

April DT Projects

These ladies amaze me month after month.  How about you???

For April, I gave each of them papers from the Sophia Level 2 Paper Pack (X7131B), Blush Buttons (Z1370), White Daisy Ric Rac, Pearl Opaques (Z1336), and Hollyhock Ribbon from the Hollyhock Ribbon Collection. 

Their challenge was to create something, anything BUT it had to have a minimum of two circles included in it.  I think they went above and beyond  with that part of the challenge.  :-)

Here are Nikki's creations.  A plethora of cards that are super cute and bright and definitely would bring a smile to anyone who receives one. 

Here is Irma's creation for the month. 

An uber cute Easter treat holder.  She also used the March Stamp of the Month, Sensational Season, inside and out.  Adorable. 

For May, I have given them papers from the Miracle Level 2 paper packet as well as some of the Kraft borders.  I forgot to write down the rest so it will be a surprise to me too once they've completed their May creation.  LOL  No challenge for them for May, though, but it will be a layout that they will be working on.