Bend It, Curve It, Stamp It - Clearly the Best

Close To My Heart is excited to be working with My Craft Channel, an online craft TV network, to create a new video series called Clearly the Best.  If seeing is believing, then you will quickly see that when it comes to stamping, CTMH's My Acrylix stamps and blocks are truly the best.  Each video will show stamping techniques demonstrating the creative flexibility and perfect placement possible with our clear stamps.    


This first video, titled "Bend It, Curve It, Stamp It" shows innovative ways to use the flexibility of the clear stamps to create unique shapes for your projects.

The Beautiful Phone

"La Belle Vie" is French for "The Beautiful Life" and I decided to use the papers with that name to create 'The Beautiful Phone' case.  Remember, your pretty papers can be used for many different projects - not just for creating cards and scrapbook pages.  

A few months ago, I found this clear case for my phone on clearance for only $5.  Since that time, I have been intending to create something to decorate the back of my phone.  When I read the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog this week, I thought it said to create something smaller than a standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card.  This would be the perfect project, so I created the insert for the case.  Unfortunately, when I came to post the photo and re-read the H2H post, it specifically says Mini Card Challenge - not just "mini anything" challenge.  Back to the craft table I went to create a mini card to go along with the phone case and participate in the challenge. 

The phone case is very simple, and I like the way it turned out.  A beautiful piece of paper from the La Belle Vie kit is cut to size and then I used the actual case to mark where the "hole" for the camera needed to be and cut that out with an Exacto knife.  To add a little 'sparkle' to the paper, there is Green Glitz Glitter Gel added to the green swirl on the paper.  The wording that you see in the lower right corner of the case is the name brand and is actually not normally very visible as it is just etched into the clear case.  Must just be the camera angle and lighting which cause it to be noticeable.

To comply with the challenge, this 3" card was cut using the Artiste cartridge for the Cricut machine.   Same paper is used along with some Whisper cardstock for the base of the card.  The sentiment is included in the Artiste - Kudos stamp set, which is one of three stamp sets received when you purchase the Artiste Collection.  

Best part about this card is that the Artiste cartridge also cuts two thumb notches inside to hold a gift card. 

All stamp images and papers used are from Close To My Heart (CTMH). 

Fall Favorites (September SOTM Blog Hop)

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop which features the Fall Favorites stamp set from Close To My Heart.  An adorable scarecrow, pumpkins, and other Fall images will remind you of crisp, cool days ahead.  

If you have come here from Lisa's 'Stamp Happy' blog, you are on the right path!  With over 60 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations, you will see many different uses for this stamp set.  Blog Hopping is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one!

A 'puzzled' scarecrow from the Fall Favorites stamp set is featured on this 6"x6" card.  The fun puzzle pieces were cut using the Artiste cartridge for the Cricut machine and then mounted slightly apart from each other for a 'disjointed' look.   Just select portions of the image was colored using some of the new alcohol-based markers to coordinate with papers from the Clementine kit.  A small piece of Burlap Ribbon adds a rustic touch.  

Now "Hop" on over to 'Tamra's Crafty Paper Creations' blog to see her work!  Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting inspiration and other fun ideas!  Remember, the Fall Favorites stamp set is only available during the month of September 2012.  The regular price is $17.95, or you can purchase it for only $5 with a minimum order of $50 in other CTMH products.

If you get lost on the Blog Hop or find links that aren't working, there is a complete list of all participating blogs on Helen's 'Hooked on Stamping' blog.

A Sweet Cameo

Finally felt creative enough to participate in the Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog.  This week, the challenge is to use the CTMH colors Lagoon, Pear and Sunset.

The cameo images in the Sweet Moments stamp set are some of my favorites.  For this card, the cameo and frame are stamped using Lagoon and Sunset ink, and the patterned paper is from the Stella kit.  To incorporate the Pear color for the challenge, the ink was used to sponge the edges of the papers as well as to dye the Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon.  A small touch of green glitter is used on a flower on the cameo and there are green Sparkles on the card.  

Introducing Alcohol Ink Markers

This month, Close To My Heart introduced their own line of alcohol-based markers.  These dual tipped markers are available for all 40 exclusive colors.  Markers come in a 2-pack, with the exclusive color and a coordinating color for shading.  These markers are very nice and fun to use.  Alcohol inks are waterproof.  They can be layered and blended on paper, and also on other surfaces such as fabric and plastic.  

For a good overview of the new alcohol-based markers, watch this video tutorial created by CTMH.    



My first attempt at using the markers was at our Convention last month.  This cute rocking chair image is from the Pun Fun stamp set, and the 'lacey' pieces in the background are cut using the new Artiste cartridge for the Cricut.  Papers from both the Dakota and the La Belle Vie kits are also used.  

If you have any questions or would like a copy of the Autumn/Winter Idea Book & Catalog, please contact me. 

A "Flirty" Purse

In order to introduce the new Artiste cartridge for the Cricut machine, join us for a workshop to create a purse holding three notecards and envelopes.  

Using the vibrant flowered paper from the Flirty paper pack, cut the scalloped purse shape using the Artiste cartridge.  Then, simply cut three scallop edge card bases and three matching scallop envelopes from the reverse side of the same paper.  After stamping some flowers with the Love Blooms stamp set and assembling your cards, your project is almost complete. 

    

The completed cards and envelopes fit nicely in the assembled purse.     

Adhesive is not even required to assemble the purse.  Simply fold at indicated lines and 'interlock' the side pieces together.     

    

All items cut for this workshop are from the "2" key on the Artiste cartridge.  The purse is shown in green on the page and the card/envelope combo are orange.  

The “Flirty” Purse workshop will be offered next weekend - August 24 & 25.  On Friday at 7 pm, and Saturday class at 1 pm.  You will create one purse plus three cards and envelopes for a workshop fee of $5.  Allow approximately two hours to complete your project.  Please be sure to bring your favorite adhesive.  All other supplies are provided with the workshop fee.  All stamps and papers used are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

Everyone who attends will also receive a FREE copy of the Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter Idea Book & Catalog which features some fabulous new stamp sets, papers, and other great items.  As an added bonus, if you place a $30+ order, your workshop fee is waived. 

Please let me know if you would like to attend.  Contact me by sending an email to sheilabennett@comcast.net, or calling 913-485-4355.