Joyful Stars July Blog Hop...

I'm so glad you could hop on by and view the Creative Inspirations of some of our talented Close To My Heart Independent Consultants.  If you  arrived here from the blog of  Stephanie Brown then you're right on track.

Hope you are having a terrific summer!  I love all the vibrant colors and little critters that are scurrying around this time of year and so I thought I'd capture a little piece of summer in this "Butterfly" assortment.  Enjoy!

For this little trio I used my Cricut Air Explore and a combo of Close To My Heart's Cricut Collections.  Featured are images from Artbooking, Artfully Sent and Artiste.  I used a combination of honey, gypsy and black My Exclusive cardstock.  And My Reflections Kaleidescope.

Here's a closer look...

I'm your last stop on this month's Blog Hop.  If you got lost along the way or want to start over, please begin at Joyce Houck's Blog.

If you'd you like to learn more about Close To My Heart products, please visit my website.

Happy Creating!

Donna

#30yearsofhappy

Have you seen this hashtag floating around Pinterest or Facebook?  Wonder what all the hype is about?  Close To MyHeart is Celebrating 30 Years!  To celebrate you can receive the #30yearsofhappy Stamp Set FREE with a qualifying $30 purchase.

Need a little more Inspiration?  Check out these projects I found on the web from other CTMH consultants.

Don't delay offer good through September 30, 2014.  Visit my website for details or to place your order today!  donnalong.ctmh.com

Happy Creating!

Adding Texture & Dimension...

Last night on Facebook I gave this clue as to what I'd be blogging about today.

Did you Guess It?

Embossing Folders

Close To My Heart released a line of Embossing Folders last year and has added several new folders in the Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  Now, Embossing Folders are nothing new and I've been using them for years.  Not to date myself but do you remember Embossing Plates?  My first exposure and yes I was hooked.  What I want to tell you about is, "WHY I Like Them".  In one word "VERSATILITY"!

I love that you can take one pattern and apply several Papercrafting Techniques to give your projects a completely different look.  Let's look at these three projects I created for.

I've showcased three of CTMH's Embossing Folders and three Techniques.  BUT that's just the beginning...you have so many options!  Be sure to follow me on Pinterest, I have a board dedicated to Papercraft Tips & Techniques.

First, there is Basic Folder Embossing.  Place paper in embossing folder and run through an embossing machine, I use a Cuttlebug.  Texture is embedded into your paper, this at heart is the simplest and most basic form of folder embossing.  In this example I used Close To My Heart's Stripped Folder.

 Now let's take the same idea but enhance the image by applying an Ink Overlay.  Again, you begin by following the Basic Folder Embossing technique but take your embedded image and run an ink pad over the raised pattern.  The ink will adhere to the raised image leaving a nice contrast, giving you both texture and dimension.  Here's something to note about CTMH Embossing Folders, they have a slit in the top of the folder that allows you to create a full length boarder for Scrapbook projects.  Also, as in this mini card I only wanted the front embossed so I was able to position the card through the slit and place the embossing just where I wanted it.  In this card I used the Chevron Embossing Folder  and My Exclusive Inks Cranberry.  I just love how this card resembles a composition notebook.

 

The third technique I am going to share highlights Distressing.  Begin by using the Basic technique.  Once you have your embossed image gently rub sandpaper over the image exposing the white core of Close To My Hearts Cardstock.  After I sanded the raised pattern, I took it one step further and used my scissors to distress the edges of the paper.  For this card I used the Dot Embossing Folder and the CTMH Sanding Kit.


See three completely different looks using Embossing Folders.  Hope you enjoyed this overview and that you too will try a new technique with Embossing Folders.  It really does add Texture and Dimension to you project taking it from Ordinary to Extraordinary!

Happy Creating!

Birthday Greetings....

Last month I had workshop called "Summer Birthday Pack"  we made 3 sweet little cards to get us through summer celebrations.  I loved hearing who they were making them for as they were creating :)  That's one of the things I love about Stamping & Papercrafting...so versatile and personal.  Who doesn't love a handmade card!

My latest creations...

 

Products used...

My Reflections Papers Packs - Lollydoodle (X7183B) and Timberline (X7182B)

Glitter Paper - Pink (Z1922)

My Acrylics Stamp Sets - Balloons (M1037), Camping Delights (C1532), Cricut Artiste Collection Birthday (D1529)

Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads - Cotton Candy, Black (Z2105) and Chocolate (Z2111)

Embellishments - Flamingo Dots (Z1934), Sponges (Z697)

Miscellaneous supplies; 1" circle punch, adhesive, foam tape and scissors.

If you are interested in any of these products to complete the above projects, please visit my online website.  I would love to earn your business.

Please check back soon for upcoming class schedule!

Happy Creating!!!

Celebration Cards...

Love using our new "Free To Be Me" paper pack.  Finished up three of the cards for my Celebration Cards Workshop tomorrow featuring our Cricut Collections and featured paper.

Be sure to get your "Free To Be Me" paper pack which is our National Scrapbooking Month Special for ONLY $5 with a $50 CTMH order.  Must order by May 31, 2014.

 Speaking of my Celebration Cards Workshop, here are three of the 4 cards we'll be making.  Finishing up the Graduation Card tonight.  Enjoy!

                BABY

            WEDDING

               BIRTHDAY

Happy Crafting!

Friends Forever...

I have been blessed with some very dear friends through the years.  God seems to bring people into my life that have walked the road before me or are willing to walk the road with me.  Whether its raising a special needs child, being a girl scout leader, crafter in crime, life long schoolmate, college dorm buddies, sorority sisters or sisters in Christ.  My life has been blessed!  You know who you are and I thank God you are in my life!

As I was playing around with our new "Free To Be Me" paper pack I decided to use our "Fabulous You" stamp set in honor of my dear friends.  As I say "Hints Of Happiness" in Everyday Life...Friends definitely fall into that category!  Take time to look around and count your blessings, pick up the phone and call just to say HI!  Reach out to others and be inspired!  Hope you enjoy this cute little card I made today using our Artiste Cricut Collection.

If you would like to recreate this look, here are the products I used.  If you need to order any Close To My Heart products, I would love to earn your business.  You may shop at my online website.

• Cricut Artiste Collection Z1790, Base cut at 4.25 using Oval Card & 3-D Object on page 45 and Flower Embellishments cut at 2.50 using Accent 1 on page 55.
• Fabulous You Stamp Set C1533
• Exclusive Inks Black Z2205
• Colonial White Cardstock 1388 for base
• Free To Be Me Paper Pack (National Scrapbooking Promotional Offer May 2014) for insert, ribbon and flowers.
• Faux Pearl Gemstones

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Creating!

Wild About Love....

Had the pleasure of meeting a very talented fellow CTMH Sister this past weekend,  Shalana Glass.  She shared Interactive Cards and Scrapbooking with us.  Here is the Building Block Card using our My Reflections Babycakes Paper Packet.  I changed up the design a bit to incorporate our current Stamp Of The Month!  Still time to place an order for $50 and receive the Wild About Love Stamp Set for $5, promotion ends on February 28th.


To create this project you will need the following items.  If you need to place an order I would love for you to shop at my online website, donnalong.ctmh.com.
Colonial White Cardstock 1388
My Reflections Babycakes Paper Packet X7173B
My Acrylix SOTM Stamp Set Wild About Love S1402A
My Acrylix Stamp Set Owls B1450
Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad Saddle Z2171
Cricut Art Philosophy Collection Z1686
Sparkles Brown & Tan Assortment Z1753

Happy Crafting....Enjoy!

Lollydoodle Creative Cards Workshop....

Greetings from Pennsylvania!  Here for my CTMH Regional Team Meeting Retreat, ready to learn some new techniques and play with our new products.  Came in a day early andhad a chance to work on the cards for my upcoming workshop.  So here's a little peek at one of the cards I created for next weeks Creative Cards Lollydoodle Workshop.

Love the fresh vibe of the CTMH Lollydoodle paper pack and complements!  This workshop includes 12 cards, 4 each of 3 designs.  Workshop is Thursday, February 27th from 6-8 PM.  Let's get creative together!

Want to bring this look into your scrapbooking?  Chekout our Lollydoodle Workshop On The Go, directions for two full 2-page layouts, embellishments and a size D My Acrylix stamp set....what a Great Value!

A "Buggy" Valentine...

With the new Close To My Heart Catalog Release this February...I was inspired to create a little something new products I received and join up with other CTMH Consultants to bring you a few new creations featuring some of our new products.  Be sure to "Hop on Over" to some of the other sites for further inspiration.






In preparation for my Open House this past week I created this cute little "Buggy Valentine"

I made this card using the My Acrylix Buggy Love set from the new Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book & Catalog.  Featured colors from our  Exclusive Color Pallete include; Hollyhock, Buttercup, Pear and Lagoon.  This set is Fun & Cheerful, it will work well for most any occasion and will coordinate well with our new My Reflections Lollydoodle paper pack.  Which features bright, crisp colors sure to Inspire your next Creation!