Sweet Birthday

In order to incorporate the four different colors for Color Dare #85 on the Color My Heart blog, I decided to use a technique which the Fabulously Artsy Tresa Black taught in her Card Cafe class at Creative University last month.  This Inky Blocks technique is easy to do.  Using one of the CTMH Acrylic Blocks, ink the block with color just as you would a stamp.  Then fill a Spray Pen (or other misting bottle) with water and spritz a couple of sprays onto the block as you hold it upside down.  The ink becomes very wet and beads up on the block.  Now stamp onto your cardstock.  It is not a perfect colored image, as the idea is to create a background with texture and interest.  Since the block will be very wet and messy, be sure to use a paper towel to wipe it off before using it with an ink pad again.  

To complete the card, a sweet sentiment is used from the Birthday stamp set, which is included with the Artiste Cricut cartridge.  A bit of Chevron Ribbon, Washi Tape, and Opaques complete the card. 

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

Life is Good ... in Mexico!

If you were not able to join us for Crop Tuesday this week, this is the 2-page layout that you missed.  We are meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 am.  Please join us!  If that day and time is not convenient and you would like to create this layout, contact me and we can schedule a time for you.  

For Thanksgiving last year, we spent the week in Mexico at the Azul Fives resort for the wedding of some friends.  It was a beautiful week, and a very nice get-away.   Of course I took quite a few pictures while in Mexico, so it was nice to be able to put some of them on a 2-page layout that the Fabulously Artsy Tresa Black taught at Creative University this year.  And it was perfect to share for Crop Tuesday.  

The "nature" colors of the Skylark kit are a great combo to our pictures at the beach.  Images from both the Believe in Yourself and True to Life stamp sets, as well as the Keyboard Uppercase alphabet, were used to accent the pages.  Other embellishments include Aqua Dots, Topiary Mini Chevron Ribbon, and the 'shipping tag' and striped banner which were cut from the first piece of patterned paper shown with the Skylark kit in the Spring/Summer Idea Book.       

The letters "good" and the label with the 'cherish this' stamp were both cut using the Artbooking Cricut cartridge.   The view from the poolside lounge chair is my favorite photo from the week.  This was the same view out from one of the balconies of our spacious 3 bedroom suite.  

If you would like to join us for Crop Tuesday, or if you would like to schedule a time to create this layout, please contact me via email or phone.  All of the pieces will be pre-cut and ready for you to stamp, assemble and embellish.  The cost is $10 per kit, or the fee is waived if you order $30 or more in CTMH products. 

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

Wrapped Leather Bracelet

Made my first Wrapped Leather Bracelet, and I love the way it looks!  Thanks so much to the Fabulously Artsy Tresa Black for sharing this project at Creative University this year. 

Even though it may look complicated, this was actually very easy to make.  Rings & Things has a fabulous tutorial on their website for 'How to make wrapped leather bracelets' including a list of all the supplies that you need.  You can complete the bracelet in just a couple of hours. 

The African turquoise beads are so nice, and blend well with the smaller crystal beads. 

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

Creative University ~ Roomie Gift

Fortunate to be enjoying my seventh year attending Creative University, which is hosted by the Fabulously Artsy Tresa Black.  Since our sleeping quarters are cabins, we have roommates and it is traditional to give each one a little "roomie gift."  

Instead of the usual lotions, chocolate, and candy, this year my four roomies received a kit so they can create 18 birthday cards. It is always nice to have some handmade cards available to send to friends and family.

Using 12" strips (cut in various widths) from both the Buzz & Bumble and Huntington paper kits, adhere them to a 12"x12" piece of paper.  Allow the adhesive to dry, and then cut 2" wide strips which you then cut into thirds, so the result is 18 pieces of unique patterned paper, each 2"x4".  This is a great way to use scraps from different paper packs.  The colors I chose are very gender-neutral and great for birthday cards.  Use this technique to create a stack of Holiday cards or party invitations, using any color combo.  

To complete each of my cards, a sentiment from the Belated Birthday stamp set was used.  The cupcakes were cut using the Artiste Cricut cartridge.  To add a bit of dimension to the 'frosting,' it was embossed using the d'vine Swirl folder.      

This wonderful idea was one of the lessons in the Create & Share Cardmaking class offered at Big Picture Classes.  

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

Card Café from Creative University

For the fifth straight year, I have enjoyed a snowy February weekend at Creative University in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.  It is a fun-filled four days of creating and enjoying time with fellow crafters.  


This year, Tresa Black asked me to design and teach the Card Café.  At the Card Café, there were stations set up for each card where CU students could work at their own pace to learn some new ideas while creating four birthday cards using a variety of papers, stamps, and card designs.  All four cards use the new CTMH Just A Number stamp set, along with other stamps and embellishments.  Coordinating envelopes complete each card.

Based on comments from fellow CU students, the favorite card was definitely this fun one using papers from Footloose and the cute Under the Sea stamps.  There are actually two flaps on the front of the card - the piece with the whale opens and then the Creme Brûlée piece also opens from the opposite direction.  There is a birthday greeting under the Creme Brûlée flap.  A Bitty Sparkle is added for the eye of the whale and some Glitz Glitter Gel to add sparkle to the water bubbles. 

For more of an elegant look, papers from the retired Bliss kit were used along with Taffy card stock for a bit of color.  The hearts were cut on the Cricut using the Art Philosophy cartridge and then run through the Cuttlebug with the D'vine Swirls embossing folder for some texture. Using a sponge dauber, Grey Flannel ink was added to the edges of all of the papers and to the embossed swirls to make them more prominent.  As a finishing touch, Bitty Opaques were added to the tips of the swirls on the hearts. 

Patterned paper with stripes and with stars from the Superhero paper packet are just right to create this fun card.  The pinwheel is made using 1"x1" squares that have been cut in half diagonally and then a corner rounder used on one corner.  Simply adhere the triangles to a piece of card stock, and add a button in the center.  

The beautiful striped paper from the Florentine kit is accented with a flower cut on the Cricut using the Art Philosophy cartridge and stamped using the Just For You stamp set.  Even if your stamped images do not line up perfectly, adding a Designer Brad to the center of the flower does a good job of disguising it.  




   

Gift Card Holders (class from Creative University)

For the Card Boutique at Creative University, I designed three gift card holders and all the CU students really enjoyed learning the 'mechanics' of each card.  Now is your opportunity to create your own by attending the special "Post-CU Gift Card Holder" class on March 9 or 10.  You can click on any of the photos for a larger view.

The wonderful old-fashioned bicycle from Enjoy Life stamp set is used for this gift card holder made using papers from the Lucky kit.  Inside the card are two coin envelopes, which are the perfect size to hold a standard store gift card.  The second envelope holds a small sentiment where you can also add a personal message.

A simple 3"x4" card using the Paper Lantern stamp set and Sophia papers has an interior slot to insert a gift card.  Or make the slot just a bit narrower, fold up a $1 bill (or $20 or $50) and insert into the slot.

For the third gift card holder, papers from the Sweetheart kit are used with the Dreams Come True stamp set.  It is a bit difficult to see in the photo, but there is a slot with a thumb notch to hold a gift card.

The "Post-CU Gift Card Holder" Workshop will be offered on Wednesday evening, March 9 and also on Thursday evening, March 10.  The workshops will begin at 6:30 and you should be able to complete the cards by 8:30 or 9:00.  Since these items are a bit more complicated than the cards you normally create at a card workshop, you will make just one of each design.  The workshop fee is $10, and you only need 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).

As an added bonus, place a $50+ order from the Close To My Heart  Spring/Summer Idea Book - and your workshop fee is waived. 

Please let me know if you would like to attend the Gift Card Workshop this month.  Feel free to leave me a comment on this blog, send an email to sheilabennett@comcast.net, or call 913-485-4355.

Creative University - A Fun Filled Weekend

Spent last weekend on the shores of beautiful Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho attending the fourth annual Creative University.  The Fabulously Artsy Tresa always plans a wonderful weekend, full of fun and creative classes.  Our meals are all prepared for us, we have plenty of table space for stamping and creating, as well as a cozy sitting area around a fireplace to knit and visit with friends.

 This is our "silly" group photo, with almost 60 ladies who attended this year's CU.

My "roomies" posing in the CU Photo Booth.

And a glimpse at some of the fabulous projects we created during the classes.   

For the Card Boutique, I designed three gift card holders (on left side of photo) for all CU attendees to create.  And if you live in the Olathe area, you will be able to attend a special post-Creative U class to create your own gift card holders.  Classes will be held on Wednesday, March 9 and Thursday, March 10.  More details will be posted soon. 

And a fun photo flying over the mountains in Washington.