Vintage Cards and Avonlea

I was in the mood to make some vintage (or vintage looking at least) cards today.  I used CTMH's Avonlea papers for all these cards.  Avonlea was new in the last CTMH Idea Book, but it was popular enough to be carried into the new Spring/Summer catty available Feb 1 as well.  I used it for a vintage look with these cards, but I just used it on my New Year's Eve layout, and it looks completely different--not vintage at all.  To purchase the Avonlea paper pack or any other CTMH products, go HERE to my CTMH website or click on the link in the right column.

Here are some close ups:

This is a copy of an original postcard I have with this little girl on it.  I think she's really cute, and I've used this image before.  The flowers, leaves, and flower centers are all CTMH embellishments. 

I love this card.  The picture is a copy, but it's the first time I've used it.  I printed the sentiment and punched it out.  The flowers are from Recollections, and the black gems are from CTMH.

My friend Jane gave me a bunch of her childhood Valentines from the 1960s.  Isn't it cute?  All these cards are different, but I think the Avonlea paper works well on all of them.  The flowers are from Recollections, and the small red hearts are from a punch.

This time I used a piece cut from an actual early 1900s postcard.  I wove the papers for a little interest and added some Recollections flowers and CTMH mini pearls.  All the edges have been distressed with brown ink.

It's a snow day here in Iowa, but spring is on its way, and no one is more anxious for it than I am.   Fortunately, the new Close to My Heart Spring/Summer Idea Book goes live February 1 (Friday)!  Here's a sneak peak at the cover art--it screams spring, right?  Contact me for your copy or click on the link on the right column of this blog to shop online.  

New Year's Eve Layout

Yes, I still scrapbook.  New Year's Eve at our friends' house was a lot of fun, and I knew the pictures would make a great layout.  I used CTMH's "Avonlea" paper pack and lots of black and slate cs.

Here's a close up of the first page:

I made the clock from CTMH's Cricut Artiste cartridge.  The hands are separate pieces, so of course I made the time midnight.  I attached the letters from the CTMH "Pennant Alphabet" stamp set to some CTMH Shimmer Trim.  The year is "Token Alphabet" stamped on black cs with "Colonial White" pigment ink.

I reversed the colors with off-white background and black ink for the new year.  I added another, smaller clock and the word "Cheers" from SU's "Happy Hour" set to showcase some of the photos of us toasting the new year.  I added lots of bling and some festive flourish shapes from an old EK Success punch.  I added some CTMH Glitz Glitter Gel to the flourishes for an even more festive look.

It was a great evening with close friends enjoying more than a few beverages, and I think the layout captures the atmosphere.

Vintage Look Valentine

I made this card by copying one on Pinterest.  After a little detective work, I found the original photo came from DarleneDesign.com a couple years ago.  She titled it "Pocket

Full of Hearts," and I must give her full credit for the design.  I'm just copying.  Thanks, Darlene!

I used all retired CTMH papers and the CTMH stamp set "Air Mail" for the postmark.  I distressed the envelope and the outside of the envelope with Tim Holtz "Walnut Stain" Distress Ink by Ranger.  If I did it over, I'd probably distress around each heart too.  The little heart seal in the middle of the envelope is an old CTMH Stickease piece from the retired "Simple Pleasures" papers.

Happily Ever After Wedding Card

What a horrible picture.  If I wasn't so lazy, I'd do a re-take, but that would cut into my crafting time, so nope.  The castle in the background is a wood mount from Whipper Snapper Designs called "Princiess Village."  I used CTMH watercolor pencils to color it and added some Stickles to the flags.  Yesterday at my LSS I found the stamp of the princess and knight ("Good Knight Kiss") from Stampendous for 50% off, and I knew it would go perfect with the castle stamp.  I colored it with Copics, embellished it with CTMH's Glitz Glitter Gel, and attached it with dimensional adhesive.  In real life, the knight & princess area really pops because it's colored in brighter colors and is raised while the background castle is more muted.  I also added a few little flowers from Recollections to the flowers already in the castle image.  I added Liquid Pearls to the stamped and paper flowers to tie them together.  The fairy tale-like sentiment comes from an old CTMH stamp set "Soul Mates."  I would keep this set forever for this sentiment alone.  I use it on A LOT of wedding cards.

This isn't where I got my inspiration for the card, but after I was done, the card reminded me of this recent photo of Neal & Jess from Vegas outside the Excalibur:

...and they lived happily ever after

Easily Embellished on Etsy

My sister-in-law Sandy has a new Etsy store, Easily Embellished.  She's got some unique and cute home decor stuff on there (like this darling pillow!), and she's adding new items all the time.  Check it out HERE.

Bike Birthday Card

The bicycle is from CTMH's August special stamp set, "It's Your Day."  I like the simplicity of this card and that it's a little masculine.  I don't make many "boy" cards, so it's good to have a few on hand.  I used some black opaque gems for the center of the wheels to add some dimension and interest.  The background is CTMH Desert Sand cs embossed with my Cuttlebug for almost a leather look.

Life Is Far too Short Not to Have a Little Umbrella in Your Drink

 I made these summery feeling cards based on one of my favorite sayings, which I use a lot:  "Life Is Far Too Short Not to Have a Little Umbrella in Your Drink."  It's true. All drinks should include a little umbrella (and maybe a cherry soaked in rum too).

The drink images are from SU's "Happy Hour" set.  I like the set fine except for the fact that they aren't clear plastic like CTMH's stamps, so lining up the umbrella (a separate stamp) so it sits in the drink is a little challenging.  It's a cute set though, but CTMH is still the best IMHO.  Here are the cards close up:

 

 

Again I embossed the background cs through my Cuttlebug for some dimension.  I added Stickles to all of the drinks for some sparkle.  The insides either say "Happy Birthday" or, like the one below, "Cheers!"

Cheers to you! --mr

Pun Fun

I love this stamp set!--it's CTMH's Pun Fun C1505.  I've been into making simple cards lately with sparkly images highlighted in the middle (as you'll see in upcoming posts).   Here's the stamp set:

 

You can tell it's well-used already.  Here are some close-up pics of some of the cards I made with it:

 

I used my Cuttlebug on the background cs on each card for some texture.  I colored the images with Copic markers and added some glitter gel so they all sparkle.  Dimensional adhesive makes all the images pop off the card.  Very simple, but they turned out cute.  Any beginning cardmaker could make these.  To order this set and other CTMH products, go HERE to my Close to My Heart website.

Fiskars Rocks!!!

I use my paper cutter A LOT.  So much that I'd worn some of the numbers off.  My friend Robin told me Fiskars would replace it free.  I was skeptical and waited probably a year before I contacted Fiskars.  I sent them a picture similar to this one:

Then I forgot about it.  The holidays came and went and then early last week, look what came in the mail--a brand new cutter! 

Isn't it pretty?  They also sent a free replacement blade.  All I did was fill out a claim on their website and attach a photo.  No questions, no receipts, no response of any kind except a new cutter.  Needless to say, I'm a fan of the Fiskars brand now more than ever.  Here's a link to Fiskars' website post about CHA 2013 exclusive projects.  Fiskars cutters have LIFETIME warranties, so if your numbers are wearing off, make sure to put in a claim with their customer service. 

Happy New Year!

Okay, I'm a little late, but at least it's still January.  I did ring in the new year.  Here's proof:

 

Then last weekend we went to Las Vegas!

 

HaHa!  I just noticed Tom has the same shirt on in both photos.  Anyway, I have a lot of scrapbooking to catch up on, plus I have lots of other creative ideas I hope to try in 2013, so don't give up on me, I hope to blog often this year.