Archives

Scaredy Cat Blog Hop

Aug31

Welcome to our September Damask Divas blog hop featuring the Close to my Heart paper pack, Scaredy Cat.  Halloween will be here before we know it!  If you came here from Lilian’s blog, then you are in the right place.  You can always click here to go to the Damask Divas blog page and view all that it has to offer including a complete list of blog hop participants.

I could not resist creating a Halloween themed wreath with these papers.   Of course, the color palette does not limit you to Halloween since most of the pack are bright patterns you can use for other themes.  I really liked the actual Halloween themed page in the pack and I fussy cut some of the cute designs and sayings from it to include on my wreath.  I love rosettes so I decided to make the wreath with a variety of rosettes in different sizes using each of the patterned papers in the pack.  I also used the metal pieces from the Scaredy Cat assortment to add interesting accents and was able to bend them a little to fit the round of the wreath base. They are a little hard to see in the photo, but they are tucked between the rosettes and one is on the front of the bottom rosette.  I wrapped the wreath base in burlap ribbon and orange organza ribbon.  The bow is black tulle.  I think it is a fun little project.

Halloween Wreath Using Scaredy Cat Paper Pack

Halloween Wreath Using Scaredy Cat Paper Pack

I cut the rosette strips by hand, but you can also cut them from the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge and have fun details on the edges.  I scored them using my scoreboard and used liquid glass to glue them together.  You glue the accordion pleated end to end to make a circle. The smaller rosettes are a strip of paper 1 1/4″ by 12″ scored at 1/4″ intervals to make a 2.5″ round rosette.  The middle size is two strips of 2″ by 12″, scored at 1/2″ intervals and glue the two together to make a 4″ round rosette.  The largest is 2 1/2″ by 12″ scored at 1/2″ intervals – also two strips glued together for a 5″ round rosette.  You will need one inch paper circles (two for each rosette) to hold them together. You can then add an embellishment over the circle as I did or leave them showing if you use coordinating paper for the circles.  The trick is to have your accordion pleated circle sitting on your work table and push the middle together while pulling the outside edges out.  Have your circles ready with the glue on them.  Push the circle as tight into the middle as you would like and press a circle on until the glue is holding, then flip it over and glue the circle on the other side.   I used hot glue to glue them to the wreath, but liquid glass would work too.

Recipe:

Scaredy Cat paper pack – item # X7185B

Scaredy Cat Assortment – item # Z3011

Liquid Glass – item # Z679

Score Board – Item # Z1937 (I already had a scoreboard, but if you need one, check out CTMH’s new scoreboard!)

You will also need a wreath base,  ribbons to wrap the base, unless you use a grapevine wreath, and wide ribbon or tulle for a bow.

Visit my online shop at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com to purchase CTMH items or contact your own Close to my Heart Independent Consultant.  Don’t forget to check out the CTMH Stamp of the Month program and special purchase offers each month.

I hope this project inspires you!  The next stop on the blog hop is Melissa’s.   Click here to see her project!  Enjoy and Happy Crafting!

 

September Promotions from Close to my Heart Brought to you by Cydney Fowler, Independent Consultant

Aug30

The stamp of the month is a cute set featuring a beautiful tree with hearts and sayings that include family, forever, love and sweet moments.  There is also a fancy little heart stamp, a tiny flower and tiny hearts, too.  Get it for $5.00 with any $50 order in September, or you can purchase the set for the regular retail price of $17.95.  This set is only available to order in September.  Look online at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com, or if you have a catalog, it is on page 13.   Here are the samples for September Stamp of the Month:

September 2014 Stamp of the Month Sample Layout

September 2014 Stamp of the Month Sample Layout

September 2014 Stamp of the Month - Sample Penant

September 2014 Stamp of the Month – Sample Penant

In addition, there is a September special celebrating 30 years of stamping.  You can get the cute and versatile stamp set pictured below.  It includes 30 little stamps!  You can get this set for FREE! when you spend $30 on any current retail-priced stamps.

National Stamping Month and 30 Years of Happy Campaign

National Stamping Month and 30 Years of Happy Campaign

When you shop with Close to my Heart the bonus levels accumulate – so if you spend $50 you can get the $5 SOTM set (one set for every $50 you spend – so if you spend $150 you are eligible for 3 of the same sets at $5.00 each set – great for gift giving) AND if $30 of your $50 is retail priced stamps, you qualify for the free set of 30 stamps.

So don’t forget to stop on by my online CTMH shop and make your September purchases!  Click here or type in this address – http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com.  This is my personal online business address so if you shop there I will get full credit towards my sales quotas.  I appreciate my customers and offer my own incentives and bonuses to those who place orders with me.  If you ever have any questions, all of my contact information is on the online shop site.

Happy Crafting!

There is still time to get the CTMH August Stamp of the Month

Aug14

The August Stamp of the Month by Close to my Heart is still available until the end of August.  You can purchase the stamp set for $17.95 or get it for just $5 when you spend $50.   Click Here to go to my online CTMH shop.  It is my personal site and my account will be credited with your purchase.  I appreciate the support!  The link is http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com

Owls are very on trend right now – you can use this adorable owl themed set for Halloween with the included “happy Owloween” saying and costume pieces for the owls, or you can use it for a variety of all occasion cards and layouts using just the owls and “What a Hoot” phrase included in the set.

Here is a sample treat bag using this versatile stamp set:

1408-sotm-bag

 

And here is a cute layout using the same stamp set:

1408-sotm-layout

August SOTM

August SOTM

I know you will think of many more ways to use this adorable stamp set for your own creations.

I also have a Mystery Hostess gathering you can join when you shop at my online CTMH store.  It is open until August 31, 2014.  The customer with the largest order attached to the online gathering will be the hostess!  The mystery hostess will receive free select product credit (SPC) as long as the gathering reaches a minimum total merchandise sales of $150.  The SPC is $25 when the gathering reaches $150, and goes up as the gathering sales increase. Check out the Idea Book online to get all of the details about sales levels and corresponding hostess rewards.  Just click the above links to get to my online shop and you can get all of the information there.  Feel free to contact me if you have questions.  All of my contacts are on the website.

Happy Crafting!

 

 

 

Chalk It Up Blog Hop

Jul31

Welcome to the Damask Divas August Blog Hop featuring the Chalk It Up paper pack.  If you got here from Judy’s blog, you are in the right place.  You can always go to the Damask Divas blog to start from the beginning and/or to see the entire list of participants.  I created a cute card using the featured papers and the new Great Job stamp set.   I used the Colonial White pigment ink pad so it looked like chalk on the black paper.  Remember to let the pigment ink dry well.  It goes on thick so I blotted it to make it look more see through like chalk.  I fussy cut the Great Job and the shooting star shapes out.  I used the new Touch markers to color the shooting stars and pop dotted them for dimension.  I also used the zip strip from the graphics paper to make a “ribbon” under the saying.  The smaller black square is the reverse of the paper that also has a chalkboard look to it.  The card base is Colonial White.  I like to use the pre-made CTMH card bases that come with envelopes.  You get a pack of 50 cards and envelopes for $14.95 and they look professional.  I used archival ink to stamp the shooting stars since I was going to color them in with markers.  The archival ink won’t bleed from the markers.

A2 size greeting card - Chalk It Up

A2 size greeting card – Chalk It Up

Recipe:

Chalk It Up paper pack – Item #Z7184B

Colonial White Pigment Ink Pad – Item #Z2168

Black Cardstock paper scrap to stamp Great Job and cut out

Archival Black Ink Pad – Item #44751

Great Job stamp set – Item #C1588

Touch Markers – YR26 Pastel Peach, R140 Lt Orange, B68 Turquoise Blue

I hope this card inspires you to make your own creations.  To shop for these items and many more exciting items from the new Annual Inspirations Idea Book, go to my personal online CTMH store at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com or contact your own consultant.  We are always happy to assist you.

Next up on the blog hop is Hilary.  Click here to go to her blog and enjoy even more Chalk It Up inspiration!  Happy Crafting!

Cards featuring CTMH July Stamp of the Month

Jul16

I needed two thank you cards for my convention roomie/friends.  I used the July Stamp of the Month, Circus Alphabet (Item #S1407).  This is also a sneak peek at the new Shin-Han markers CTMH is unveiling in the August Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  I love the way they color!  Also a sneak peek at one of the new washi tapes, Topiary (item #Z2002), that is also available in August.  I used various CTMH solid colors to make the festive banner for the multi-color card, and Skylark paper for the green card.  Notice that I cut one inch squares to stamp the individual letters on – that way if you mess up coloring you can do one letter over and the letters are easy to line up this way.  Also, don’t hesitate to stamp letters in a random, wavy pattern if you have trouble lining the stamps up perfectly straight.  Perfect is the enemy of good!  Have fun with stamping and creating!  The Skylark paper pack is available until the end of July (Item #X7177B).  Get your favorite papers before the end of July!  All of the B&T duos patterned papers will be replaced with exciting new designs effective August 1.

Here are the two cards I made for my wonderful friends, Kelle and Erin:

Green Thank You card with the Circus Alphabet and Topiary Washi Tape.

Green Thank You card with the Circus Alphabet and Topiary Washi Tape.

Multi-Color Thank You card made with the Circus Alphabet.

Multi-Color Thank You card made with the Circus Alphabet.

 

Don’t forget – you can only get this cute alphabet stamp set during July.  Retail is $17.95, but you can get it for $5.00 with any $50 purchase during July.  My personal online CTMH shop is located at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com.  Click on the link to shop.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!  Watch for regular posts featuring more wonderful Close to my Heart products.  Happy Crafting!

 

 

July Stamp of the Month from Close to my Heart

Jul15

This circus style alphabet stamp set is so cute!  This set is only available for purchase in July.  You still have time to get yours!  You can get yours for $17.95 retail, or for the bargain price of only $5.00 with a $50 purchase.  Go to my personal online CTMH website to place an order now!  Click here to be redirected  to http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com. I will post some cards made with this stamp set in the next few days so you will have examples.  Happy Crafting.

What a fun alphabet stamp set!

What a fun alphabet stamp set!

Damask Divas Frosted Blog Hop

Nov30

Welcome to the Damask Divas December blog hop featuring the Close to my Heart paper pack “Frosted” – perfect for holiday cards.  If you came here from Brenda’s blog you are in the right place.  If you want to start at the beginning or see the entire list of participants visit the Damask Divas blog by clicking here.

I made several cards.  The first two were made with scraps from the third card pictured here.  I used the Colonial White card pack for the base and envelopes.  The patterned paper is Frosted, the solid colors are Champagne and Crystal Blue. I thought these colors complimented each other nicely.  I love the way CTMH papers coordinate so well!

Two rectangles and a square for a simple card with pretty snowflake stamping

Two rectangles and a square for a simple card with pretty snowflake stamping

Same design - two rectangles and a square with snowflake stamping. I added a little silver shimmer tape to give it some bling with the neutral colors.

Same design – two rectangles and a square with snowflake stamping. I added a little silver shimmer trim to give it some bling with the neutral colors.

The main card design has more details with the addition of a sparkly snowflake, ribbon and a banner.  I continued the snowflake theme with the stamping.  I thought the Peace sentiment went with the peaceful theme of the card.

Sparkly snowflake card.

Sparkly snowflake card

The snowflake was cut at 2″ using the Art Philosophy CTMH Cricut cartridge (item #Z1686).  The banner was cut at 2-1/2″ using the same cartridge.   To purchase CTMH supplies visit my online shop at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com or your consultant’s site if you have one already.

Recipe:

Larger snowflake stamp – Item # M1031

Peace stamp is from Stamp of the Month for October – Scandinavian Wishes, Item #S1310

Small snowflakes stamp is from Polar Bear Holiday, Item #C1557

Frosted Paper Pack, Item # X7175B

Colonial White Value Pack Cards and Envelopes, Item #X1410

Crystal Blue Paper Pack, Item #1292

Champagne Paper Pack, Item #X5931

Silver Shimmer Trim, Item #Z1799

I used Crystal glitter glue and ribbon I had on hand.

The Peace card includes Champagne paper cut at 3-3/4″ by 5″, Frosted cut at 3-1/4″ by 4-1/2″.  The ribbon is cut at 6″ long.  The other two cards have rectangles cut at 2-1/2″ by 2″ and a 2″ square.  I didn’t include a photo, but I stamped the inside sentiment on a 3″ by 1-1/4″ colonial white paper and used adhesive to place inside the card.  This saves paper so you don’t accidentally ruin the inside of the card with a stamping “oops” and that does happen to me occasionally no matter how careful I am!  I used the stamp set Yuletide Greetings, Item # D1553 and it says, “Wishing you a holiday season that sparkles and shines.”

I hope you are inspired by my cards!  Your next stop is Lilian’s blog – click here.  Thanks for stopping by.  Happy Crafting and Happy Holidays to you!

Damask Divas Blog Hop with Huntington Paper Pack

Oct31

Welcome to the November Damask Divas blog hop.  This  month we are featuring the Huntington paper pack from Close to my Heart.  If you got here from Traci’s blog you are in the right place.  If you want to start from the beginning or see the list of all participating CTMH Damask Divas bloggers, click here to go to the Damask Divas blog.

This paper is perfect for Autumn memories so I made a single page layout using photos that my sister and her family posted on Facebook.  My great-niece took her first trip to the pumpkin patch with my niece and then spent some time with her grandparents (my sister and brother-in-law).  They live in Florida so they don’t have the autumn chill to deal with but they still have pumpkins!  My brother-in-law, Danny, did an awesome job on the pumpkin carving and the photo of the lit pumpkin adds just a touch of spooky!

Autumn Memories

Autumn Memories

The papers are all from the Huntington pack except the pumpkins and words I added.  I used the CTMH Cricut Artbooking cartridge for the words and the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge for the ovals in the paper pumpkin (oval3). I had the words and ovals on hand since I cut a lot to use on cards and tags.  I added some ink to the wooden arbor shapes.  The saying “A Harvest of Memories” is a zip strip from another pack (can’t remember which one – I save them all and use them when I need to add a little something).

If you are interested in browsing or buying on my CTMH website click here or go to http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com or visit your own consultant’s site if you have one.  Any of us are happy to be your consultant and help you to create your own memories!  Happy Crafting!

Next on the hop is Amanda’s blog.  Click here to go to her page and see what she has created with this beautiful paper pack!

July CTMH Workshop on the Go Offer – Canvas

Jul3

Get the discounted Workshops on the Go® canvas art kit in July—no qualifying purchase required! From July 1 to July 31 you can get this trendy kit to create your own canvas art to hang in your home, regularly priced at $39.95, now discounted to $19.95—more than 50% off! Take papercrafting to the next level with this adorable home décor piece that you can display for all to see.

Dates: Offer valid July 1–July 31, 2013.

Visit my online store at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com

Make your own fabulous canvas art piece using this CTMH kit - discounted 50% - while supplies last!

Make your own fabulous canvas art piece using this CTMH kit – discounted 50% – while supplies last!

Support the Troops when you buy CTMH Patriotic stamp sets

Jul3

Celebrate military service and promote patriotism with our new patriotic stamp sets—available only from June 1 to July 31, 2013. Three dollars from each B-size My Acrylix® Courage stamp set and $5 from each D-size My Acrylix® Home of the Brave stamp set will be donated to the USO, the leading, most recognized military-support and services organization in the country. Show your support with your own patriotic stamp set!

Dates: Offer valid June 1–July 31, 2013.

Visit my online store at http://cydneyfowlercreations.ctmh.com

US or Canadian sets available

US or Canadian sets available