Two Sketch Challenges

Both of the weekly blog challenges that I have been following have sketches for this week, so I am not able to combine them into a single card.

The Heart 2 Heart challenge this week is H2H25, and I created a Christmas card using the Holiday Trinkets stamp set and Emporium papers.  Texture was added to the Cocoa cardstock using the Cuttlebug - Mesh embossing folder.  When creating Christmas cards, be sure to consider all of your patterned papers, not just ones that are specifically designed for Christmas.

For the Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO157), I used a cute little butterfly and sentiment from the Butterfly Kiss stamp set along with patterned papers from the Sweet Home My Reflections kit. 

Something Splendid is Irresistible

Participating in Creative University Online this weekend really got me into 'creative mode' and I finally finished a card using a paint "resist" technique that Nona Davenport shared at the CTMH Convention this summer.  

The large flower image from the Something Splendid (August SOTM) was embossed using clear powder onto a piece of patterned paper from the You Rock kit, and then white paint was brushed over the top.  The embossed image 'resisted' the paint so that the patterned paper is visible through the flower petals.  One of my favorite stamp sets available in the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book is Unity, and includes the small frame and cute sentiment used on the card. 


I wanted to add just a bit of shimmer to the edges of the Goldrush cardstock, so I used some of the Glitz Glimmer Gel and applied it with a small paintbrush to the very edges of the cardstock.  In real life, there is a nice little sparkle to the edge, but it is difficult to see in the scanned image.   Another interesting detail is the flower patterned paper on the right side of the card.  You may recognize it from the Sweet Home kit, but the paper is actually a tan color.  Since I wanted a Goldrush color to the pattern, I simply used the ink pad to apply some Goldrush ink directly to the patterned paper.

Welcome Home - picture frame card

Using the masking technique shown on page 13 in the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book is an easy way to stamp a portion of the couch stamp inside the picture frame. Add a pillow and a lamp from the Welcome Home stamp set and the scene is complete. The background paper on the card is from the Sweet Home paper packet. Notice that the end of the pull-chain for the lamp is actually a Bitty Brad, and the pillow was cut from another piece of patterned paper. It's the little details that give a nice finishing touch.

CTMH New Product Sneak Peak - Blog Hop

Welcome to our Close To My Heart New Product Sneak Peak Blog Hop! 29 fabulous CTMH Consultants are celebrating the upcoming release of the Autumn/Winter 2009 Idea Book by giving you a 'Sneak Peek' of some of the great products available in the new Idea Book starting September 1st.

If you have come here from Helen's 'Hooked on Stamping' Blog, you are on the right path! It is simple to 'blog hop' - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one.

One of my favorite new stamp sets is Welcome Home which includes images you can use to create a 'comfy' scene. There is a couch, fireplace, lamp, coatrack, and other items as well as some picture frames and sentiments.

This was a really fun card to create, and uses papers from the new Sweet Home paper packet. Ink colors used are Garnet, Indian Corn Blue, Chocolate, Honey, and Buttercup. Finishing touches include Bitty Brads for the end of the pull-string on the lamp, the drawer pull, and the center of the flower in the vase.

Now "Hop" on over to Haley's 'The Inky Scrapper' Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great ideas for using the new products available from Close To My Heart!

If you get lost on the hop or find links that aren't working, there is a complete list of participating blogs on Erin's 'Tazzygirl2000' blog.