Category Archives: CTMH

15 years of Close to my Heart goodness!

CTMH Technique Blog Hop – Creative with Cards

Welcome to April’s Technique Blog hop! Today you should have arrived from Catherine’s blog, however, if you started here, that’s ok, as it is a big circle, so you will loop back around to her! This month we are focusing on cards . . . PML cards, that is! What’s a PML card? Well, first it stands for Picture My Life. These are cards that are 3×4 and 4×6. All of the themed paper packs (found in the little books) have 2 sheets of them. You can also get them as stand along products that generally coordinate with at least one of the themed papers, color wise.

This layout uses one of the PML cards traditionally and one in a different way. Can you see how? I did the same thing with this card.

I used the fun dots PML card (which is a 4×6 card) as a paper ‘strip’ on this layout. This pic shows just the bottom corner, but if you look again at the full layout, you can see that it is repeated at the top, and it looks like it is a full piece from top to bottom. However, it really is just two smaller pieces!

On the right page, you can see that there is a 3×4 PML card that is ready for journaling to be added! I really like how this page turned out! It is just one of 6 layouts that are part of my Stargazer WYW Plus kit! It starts with the WYW kit and I add 3 layouts to it, with just adding a few sheets of cardstock! Let me know if you want a set, and I will gladly get them to you!

I hope you liked my layout! You know, this paper is going away at the end of the month (if it lasts that long!) You will want to make sure to get yours before its’ gone!!

Thanks for stopping by! I would love if you left me a little note to let me know what you thought about my layout!

Did you know that I have a FB group so that we can share our creations with each other? I would love to have you join! Just click here to join!

Now it’s time for you to hop on over to Katy’s blog! Have a great day!

Color Your Life – April SOTM Blog Hop

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Welcome to the blog hop! Today you should have arrived from Colleen’s blog. If not, that’s ok, as it’s a big ol’ circle! If you get lost along the way, Melinda has the full list here.

This set is such a fun set! Today, I’m using two of the stamps from this set, and making two cards. They don’t look tremendously different, but I do like how they did turn out!

As you can see, I did one card with traditional boy colors and one with traditional girl colors. I really do like how they both turned out! I used pattern 15 from the Make it from your Heart Volume 4 book. I am LOVING this book, I’m telling you, you really need to get it! I added a layer behind the sentiment layer, to help give it more pop (and to use the second stamp in a fun way!).

I was using scraps for both of these cards. This first one uses both Make Waves and Gimmie Some Sugar. They mixed up so well together! I used pixie ink to stamp the ‘feather’ type line stamp on either side of the mat layer under the sentiment, and then ran the flat edge of all four sides of the mat on the ink pad to get the darker line to help the color pop a bit more. (I took care to make sure that the lines were going in the same direction!)

I added 3 sparkles to help it pop, and my card is done! Now, let’s look at the other card, shall we?

For the second card I used pieces from the Stargazer paper pack. I did everything the same with this card, well, mostly. The pieces are lined up slightly differently, however, they are all the same sizes. I used Sapphire ink on the mat piece for this card.

I did similar placements on the Stargazer dots, it just worked so well. I stamped both “Celebrate” sentiments with black Memento ink.

Did you know that you can get the April Stamp of the Month for just $5 with your qualifying purchase. That is a GREAT deal!

Want to know my secret for getting everything lined up both as a square and in the middle of the card base? I use washi tape! I tell my ladies to bring their “ugly” washi to classes! (now, what I used wasn’t ‘ugly washi’, but it still works!) I linked up some inexpensive washi below, in case you need to add some more to your collection! The secret is to flip your paper over, and use washi to tape your pieces together, so you have one block of papers. Then, use liquid glass to attach to the card base. This gives you a little bit of wiggle room when you put it on your card base! I LOVE using this little secret on my cards and my layouts too!

I hope you like my little cards today! Over in my facebook group, I am having a little contest, and you could win one of these cards! Come and check it out!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have enjoyed my cards! Now, hop on over to Kathy’s blog and see what fun stuff she has for you!

Items used to create my cards today:
Make Waves Paper Pack
Gimmie Some Sugar Paper Pack
Stargazer Paper Pack
Make it from your Heart Volume 4
Cards & Envelopes
White Daisy Cardstock
Sparkles
Stargazer Dots
Pixie Ink
Sapphire Ink
Black Memento Ink
Washi Tape
Liquid Glass

CTMH Technique Blog Hop – Purposeful Patterns

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Welcome to this months Technique Blog Hop! This month we are working with the Make if From Your Heart volumes 3 and 4. You should get plenty of great ideas from this blog hop, and I am certain that you will want one or both of these books by the time you are done! You should have arrived from Danielle’s blog. If you didn’t, and you started here, that’s ok, it’s a big round circle, and you will get back to her blog!

Today I am working with Volume 4, which is all about cards! I had a hard time choosing which pattern to use, but decided to go with pattern #4.

This is the first card that I made. Now, I did make some adjustments for this card. I left off the piece on the left, and I added another banner piece, plus the sentiment piece as well.

I loved the flowers and the butterflies on this PML card from the Chelsea Gardens paper pack. So, I trimmed it to 4 x 5.5, trimmed the card base down to the same size, and started layering things! This whole card (minus the base) is used from scraps from my projects that I have made already! That lacey banner piece, that was part of a 3×4 PML card. The mat under the sentiment? It’s the same PML card! I used charcoal ink to stamp the sentiment with and the Many Congratulations stamp set. I used just a bit of the White Shimmer Trim to give a bit more sparkle. Topped it off with some bitty sparkles, and you have a beautiful card!

The next card, believe it or not, is from the same Chelsea Gardens paper pack! I wanted to show that there is great versatility in this paper pack! I even used the same card pattern! The only difference is the size of the sentiment banner!

This is a MUCH more boy-ish card! It is very monochromatic! I am loving this card too! The dark banner piece is one of the zip strips from this paper line. That see through piece? That is our vellum that I colored with the Warm Grey 7 marker! I used that same marker to color the mat piece for the banner! The sentiment is from March’s Stamp of the Month. Like the first card, I stamped with Charcoal ink. I couldn’t leave it plain, so added a few of the white dots to finish it off, and it looks great!

I love that these cards look the same, but so different at the same time! It just goes to show that these card patterns can be used so very many different ways!

The books show you the sketch of the pattern, the dimensions (which I’ve covered in the photo), and two samples of the cards as well. These volumes come hole punched and ready for you to put in an album. You can use any of the mini albums available right now!

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know which card is your favorite! Now you are on to Tammy’s blog.

CTMH Technique Blog Hop – Blushing Backgrounds

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Welcome to January’s blog hop! This month we are focusing on stamped backgrounds! There are so many fun options, I know you will get some great ideas from the ladies in the hop! Today you should have arrived from Darlys’ blog. If not, that’s ok, it’s a big circle, and you will get back to her!

Today, I made a card for one of my dear friends. (she will probably see it online before she gets it, if she reads my blog, anyway!) It started out with one idea, and totally went to another, and this is what I ended up with!

I used the Wishes book to find a card idea. I ended up using the “Classic Closure” card on page 62.

As you can see, this card front doesn’t go all the way to the right side. I like the effect that it gives. The book shows a brad and twine closure, however, we don’t carry those anymore, so I thought I would come up with another fun idea. This banner is stamped with Jennifer’s Hand in pewter ink, trimmed with the micro tip scissors, and then attached with liquid glass, and sits just under the inside layer. I inked the layer’s edge with the pewter ink to help it stand out just a bit, and not have to have yet another layer.

The front panel is stamped with one of the background stamps included in the Flower Market Cartridge bundle in heather ink. I used a bit of the Chelsea Gardens paper for a bit of accent.

The mat under the 27 is inked with the pewter ink, so that it would match the inks used. (I could have used cardstock, but it was just such a small piece, that I used what I had immediately available. I popped up just the bottom of the 27 with some foam tape, so that the banner could tuck under it, just a smidge, to keep the card closed.

I added some bitty sparkles and some clear sparkles to give it a bit more pop!

I hope you have enjoyed my little card!! Now, hop off to Debi’s blog for her inspiration on the blushing backgrounds!

Have a great day!!

~Michelle

CTMH Technique Blog Hop – Fabulous Foil

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Welcome to the CTMH Technique blog hop! You should have arrived from Michelle’s blog, if not, that’s ok, it’s a big circle, so you will get back to her!

Today we are focusing on our new Foil papers! Have you seen them? They are GREAT!! Our foil paper is 10 lb cover weight, so it’s nice and sturdy. Hopefully you will hop through the blog hop and get some great fun new ideas to use this fabulous new product!

Now, I know that summer is still here, and that fall is just around the corner, but I just HAD to share this with you. In the new ‘little book’ (i.e. Holiday Expressions), you will find 2 different Christmas papers, a cut above card kit (also Christmas) and a Tag set too! (As well as two other paper packs that aren’t Christmas!) Well, I just had to show you something SUPER fun that you can do with this tag set!

I know, I know, BUT, you can totally use this idea and make a Celebrations banner, or Happy New Year, or Happy Birthday, or Happy Anniversary! The options are almost endless, really!!

To get to the end result, I added a few things to the tag set. The Black Cardstock helps the shimmer of the gold and silver pop against the white. The Gold and Silver Foil papers were added (of course), and the Basics Ribbon Pack. I used the Block Alphabet Thin Cuts to cut the letters from the foil papers. The tags (both gold and silver), the glitter bows, and the white circles are all included in the tags kits, along with some white twine, which I did not use in this project.

Now, I know my lighting isn’t the best, but just LOOK at all that shine!! I used the gold foil paper for the letters on the tags that had the gold embossing on them, and used the silver foil paper for the circle under the gold letters. For instance, this M from Merry Christmas:

This fun banner was super simple to put together! I know you will want to make something similar! I can’t wait to see what YOU do!

Next up is Sarah, so hop on over to her blog, and see what fun things she has made for you!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you again soon!

~Michelle

Fancy Elephants

CTMH Technique Blog Hop – Crazy About Cardstock

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Welcome to the CTMH Technique Blog Hop! Today you should have arrived here from Michelle’s blog. If not, that’s ok, it’s a big circle, and you can make it back around to her!

This month we are focusing on cardstock! If you haven’t heard yet, CTMH changed up the cardstock a bit with the new Annual Inspirations! And, let me tell you, this is a FANTASTIC change!! One side will have the ‘true’ CTMH color, the other side will be 10% lighter! This means we have now effectively doubled our cardstock colors! How awesome is that??

So, We are showing you many different things that you can do with your cardstock, whether it be to show the two colors, or other fun projects!

My little project for you, is this fun card made with the new Color of the Year, Bashful! I was inspired by this card that I found on Pinterest. I used the Bashful Cardstock and the Bashful Glitter Paper.

This was a super fun and EASY card to do! (and perfect for scraps!!)

Look at all that bashful bliss!! Here you can see a little closer the difference between the cardstock. This cardstock is all from one sheet! (not counting the glitter, of course!)

I decided to mimic some of the elements on the front, to the inside of the card. So there is the black cardstock, white daisy cardstock, and the leftover strips from the bashful cardstock, just to give some interest to the inside of the card!

Want to make this card for yourself? Check out below for the sizes and all of the products that I used!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you liked my little card! Next up is Sarah, so hop on over to her blog and see what fun things she has come up with!

Card Details:
Card base, White Daisy: 4 1/4 x 11, scored at 5 1/2
Black cardstock pieces: 4 1/16 x 4 1/16 & 4 1/16 x 5 5/16
White Daisy pieces: 4 x 4 & 4 x 5 1/4
Bashful cardstock: 1 1/4 x 1 1/4 (qty 6) & 1 x 1 (qty 6) & 1 1/4 x 4 & 1 x 4
Bashful Glitter Paper: 1 1/4 x 1 1/4 (qty 3) & 1 x 1 (qty 3)
Thin Foam Dots
Liquid Glass
Archival Black Ink
Thanks a Million Stamp Set
Bitty Sparkles
Bashful Pearls
“Pokey Tool”

Cut all your pieces to the sizes listed above.

Using your black archival ink, in the white core edges on the black cardstock.
Using some washi, tape the 1 1/4 x 1 1/4 squares together on the back side, making sure they line up properly.
Using liquid glass, glue the squares that are washi’d together onto the white daisy square base. (this gives you some wiggle room that tape runners don’t give!)
Again using the liquid glass, glue the white daisy square to the black square. (again, that wiggle room is important with the tiny edge that we have here)
Laying the square on the front of the card, figure out where your sentiment is going to be. Stamp this with the archival black ink on the card front.
Layer the bashful strips on the white cardstock for the inside of the card. Mine is approximately 1/4″ up from the bottom of the white daisy cardstock.
Then layer the white daisy card onto the black cardstock. Using liquid glass will help you get this aligned properly.
Once all layers are layered for the inside of the card, attach to the inside of the card.
Once the inside is complete, add the square to the front of the card.

Once it was all glued together, I added the bashful pearls and the bitty sparkles with the “pokey tool”. The more I look at it, I think I would go with one or the other, maybe not both. (so I might switch that up before I give it to anyone!)

Viola! Your card is now complete! Try this with other colors of cardstock, and share your creations! I would love to see them! Share on Facebook or Instagram! I would LOVE to see them!

Until next time!
~Michelle

JCB Blog Dreamin Big

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Welcome to the Just Crazy Blessed monthly mini blog hop! This month we are focusing on the Dreamin Big paper pack! I am LOVING this kit!

This kit works for spring or summer pages, for boys or girls! If you don’t like the bugs, flip the paper over and you have flowers!

In just a couple of weeks, my WYW ladies will be doing the Dreamin Big WYW, and I will be adding two 2 page layouts to the kit. These pages can be used for additional pages that match the other pages, or stand alone pages for another event.

When I designed the WYW extra pages, I manged to use EVERY SINGLE one of the compliments stickers!! I don’t know that I have ever done that before! Here you can see all of the embellishments that are left (before making the cards that also go with the kit!)

My ladies have seen the pages (and the cards) and are in love with them! Let me know what you think!

Now, you are off to Danielle’s blog to check out her stuff!

Until next time!

~Michelle

Tuesday Treats: Gem Box

Sprinkled with Love

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Who doesn’t like sprinkles, right?? Today I am back with another card! I’ve used more of the Sugar Rush papers for this card, and the coordinating Complements pack. There is NO stamping on this card, and it was quick and easy!!

I was inspired by Global Design Project’s Sketch.

This fun chipboard has gold foil stripes on it! It makes it sparkle very nicely!

Here I created the shadow so that you could see that the gold foil really does stand out! The sentiment is foil as well. The Whisper cardstock and the Pomegranate washi add just enough of a pop of color to really stand out!

I hope you have enjoyed this little card today!

You only have a short time left to get the Welcome Home Wreath and the January Stamp of the Month! You definitely don’t want to miss out!

Something else you won’t want to miss out on is the Spring Retreat at the Beach! I have spots still available! You can find the specifics here.