Ballon Ride Layout CTMH

Ballon Ride CTMH paper This was part of a wreath with my grandkids handprints. Was too large to scra... - http://pinterest.com/pin/60798663697255008/?s=3&m=blogger

Fall "One of a Kind" scrapbook page

Well it is FALL. l love Fall....but am so sick of gray sky's and rain.  I found the two pictures of my grandson and got inspired by CTMH'S new Idea Book "Annual Inspirations " cover.  This is what I came up with. Cut my leaves with my Cricut embossed using several CTMH stamp sets with gold and copper powders. I used Safron, Autumn Terracotta, Eggplant and Fern inks. Some I sponged on and some I used re-inkers as water colors. I used craft cardstock and the Sarita paper pack and emblishments. (From last year)

I love Fall colors.  The new Sangre paper is beautiful. Can't wait to get mine. The Workshop on the go is full of beautiful Fall goodness and a great exclusive stamp set#G1097.

I love the way my page turned out and I had tons of fun making leaves.  Be curious and and make some leaves for a card, scrapbook page or home decor!( I want a banner for my fireplace ) Visit my website curiouscrafter.ctmh.com for supplies and some great inspiration. 

Cricut cartridges I used were Art Philosophy & Artistry. Stamp sets were Fall Harvest & Fallen Leaves. Other supplies: paper, Daisy White, Champagne, Saffron, Craft, and colonial White. Embossing powder Gold, Copper, brown (from my stash).

                   Stay Curious

                              &

                        Be Crafty

                  

Scrapbook Layout

I have been wanting to play with my Cricut Explore for a long time. So today (between loads of laundry) I gave it a try.  I used a "Make it Now" project.  I found a layout that I liked and chose my papers.....pushed the GO button and instant satisfaction!   I chose papers from the Moonlight and Jackson papers added some emblishments and a cute little bird that I made. I love the way it turned out. What do you guys think? 

If you have the Cricut Explore and haven't played with it be sure to give it a try.  Stay Curious!

Close to my Heart has just released our new 2015-2016 Annual Inspirations and Holiday Expressions Idea books.  Oh my.....what Lovely things they have.  The art work is beautiful with lots of new colors, supplies and ideas.  I can't wait to share these with you guys!  If you can't wait and want to see all the pretty things go to my website. www.curiouscrafter.ctmh.com  the books are online this time.

               Stay Curious!
  Do something you Love everyday
  Tell your stories for the future
  generations .  Let me show you
  How.

Vintage Inspired

We have been so busy this summer.  Trying to enjoy the grandkids and the last part of summer. I can't believe I will have a senior this year and 2 on high school and my baby in middle school.  Also starting to see the light in the old house. Have gotten lots done. Hopefully we will have it finished and on the market by the end of August.

Haven't had a lot of crafting time. When I saw these printable tags on Pinterest I just had to play. All I did was print them out, cut, add some CTMH White Daisy ink to edges, added some emblishments from my stash and some ribbon.   I just love how they turned out.

   Stay Curious my Crafty friends!

New England Ivy - Everything ABC Blog Hop

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop. The letter for this Hop is N.  You can use any element that starts with the letter N.  My element is Close to my Heart's New England Ivy card stock and ink.  If you have just came from Darlys at CraftyHappy you are on the right track.  If you should get lost along the way visit Linda at ScrappyTherapy  for a complete list of participants in this Hop.

I have a Granddaughter's birthday coming up and have wanted to try this "bokeh" technique for awhile and decided to give it a try. I love green, it's one of my favorite colors on this card I used New England Ivy, Sweet Leaf, Olive inks and Daisy white craft ink for the technique.  I used New England Ivy card stock for my card base, a Daisy white layer and some glossy (photo) paper for the technique.

The stamp sets I used are Curlicue Frames from the Artfully sent collection and Love This for the butterfly. Used Artfully sent cartridge to cut the labels. I colored the butterfly with the ShinHanart markers in Sap Green and Pastel Green.  A little ribbon from my stash and all done.

To find the products I used for this card please check out My Web Site

Next in the hop is Linda at ScrappyTherapy    I hope have visited all the creative Crafters in the Hop and comment on their art work.  We all love comments and feed back on the things we make.

Until next time Stay Curious and Keep Crafting!

Scrapbook Class

Making your own Backgrounds

My initial idea for this class was to just have a "play date" and play with some techniques and get a little messy. No stress......just fun!  Well I'm not sure that worked out. We did make a mess....lots of mess.  My class mates wanted a finished page.  So we did get some personal choices going on.  During the class I felt like my "students" were wanting more structure.  We continued  on and with a little help and guidance everyone managed to end up with two pages they were happy with.

On this page we used a stencil, some mist we made with CTMH re-inkers and some cuts from my "goodie box" On the second page we used the stencil as a stamp after we sprayed the mist. (couldn't waste all that color)

Two great pages with a personal touch.

On this page we also used the stencil to stamp. She used colors that went with

other pages she had made for this Birthday party.

This is the stencil after she misted with two colors.  Added some cuts from my "goodie box" and a personal cut for the 13th title.  I love how it turned out.

On this page a new student, used a stamp, embossed it then used a mist (sweet leaf) sprayed the back ground. She also tore and inked the edges.  Added some cuts from my "goddie box" and a title I cut for her from the Art Philosopy cartridge.

She did the same back ground on this page added a piece of lace and fabric flower (from my stash)

Love how it turned out.  We won't talk about our first attempt at the embossing.  Oh well we got a good laugh!

Class was fun for us all and we can't wait to do it  again.

Stay Curious and keep crafting.

Chautauqua in the Park

Every Year in our Town we have Chautauqua in the Park in June.  It's a fun filled week of art, music, food, activities and lots of fun.  On of the kick off events is the "Balloon Glow".  At sundown the balloons are lit up and the next day they fly.  All this depends on the weather of course and every year we try to go to the "Balloon glow" and every year....too much wind, rain ......  This year we actually forgot all about it and just happened by. Great weather, we were lucky and found the perfect parking spot and got some good pictures  How Lucky are we?

I guess this was the year!

My Oval Wrist Cuff

When I saw this wrist cuff and the Base and bling style sheets, I knew I had to have one.  My life has been a roller coaster for the past several years. Sometimes I can just barely stay afloat !  On of my goals for this year has been to reduce the clutter in my life (stuff and people). This has been hard for me (a baseline Hoarder, paper addict, and make everyone happy) kind of person.  

I am making progress....Yea Me!  It is so much easier to live and be creative when you are not surrounded by clutter. So when I saw this design from the Journey Style sheet, I knew it was the one for me.  It was so easy to make, only took me about 15 minutes.  The whole thing only cost around $6.00 to make just add a little liquid glass and put it all together and it's Beautiful!

With Close to My Heart, we not only do cards and scrapbooks.....but jewelery, home decor, party things, the sky is the limit and of course how curious you are.  What can you make?

Check out My Web Site  to find the supplies I used for my project and see what else you can make.

So I will continue to "Live Simply" and de-clutter, but I will always stay curious.

If you like my project please comment and feel free to post any projects you have make using Close to My Heart products.  How Curious can you Be?

Stay Curious and keep Crafting!

Birthday Cards

Two special guys in my family had Birthdays this past week.  The first card I made using CTMH supplies.  Papers; Sunset, Sweet Leaf and White Daisy.  The Sunset I used for my card base and I used the Sweet Leaf through my Bigshot using CTMH's Honeycomb embossing folder. On the Daisy White layer I used a stencil that I cut with my cricut and added inks using re-inkers and a baby wipe. The colors I used were Sunset, Sweet Leaf, Twilight and Canary. The cuts were from the Artiste cartridge and the stamp set that came with that bundle.  I stamped the balloons with Sweet Leaf, Twilight and Sunset inks. (on the sunset one I turned over the stamp to get a solid color).  I Stamped the Banner with Twilight.  I think it turned out pretty. My granddaughter & I made several backgrounds using the inks and we liked this one best.

This card I made using up some of my stash.  The paper came from a sports pack ( I think from Deja Views) some twine thread I found for 50 cents, the stars were punched out of some paper I had water colored, the shaker element was made from heart dies (I don't know where they are from) had them for years. I cut them out of blue paper and blue craft foam, also cut the window using the largest die. I added some sequins, and confetti that I had in my stash. It was easy to put together and I love the shaker element.  I really enjoyed making this card.

Two special guys! On Birthdays I usually make Dinner for the special day and they get to request what they want.  This time the request was for breakfast food and ice cream cake. The choice seemed to be a hit with everyone.  Happy Birthday to my "Son-in-law and my Grandson"!

  

Hope you guys enjoyed these cards.  Stay Curious and Keep Crafting.  If you are interested in products I used please visit my Web Site  

To see more of my projects sign up or join my blog.

Please take a min. to like this post and comment..

Stay Curious!

Muslin Gift Bag

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop. This week the letter is M. This can be any element you use in your art work. Paper, inks, stamp sets, or embellishments.  If you just came from Catherine's Blog then you are on the right track.  If you should get lost along the way, you can find a list of everyone taking part in this Hop by visiting Linda's Blog.

My M elements for this Hop are the material and technique I have used.  I needed a small gift bag for a gift for my friend and decided to use one of Close to My Heart's Muslin Bags.  Of course I was Curious about what I could use to decorate it up a little (or a lot) so I decided to use a doily and some mist I made using CTMH re-inkers and alcohol. I also decided to try stamping and coloring the flowers I had stamped.  I really liked the way it turned out, except for my failed attempt to emboss on the muslin bag. (I think it would have worked if I had used a less detailed stamp). Decided to stamp my image and sentiment on a small tag to attach to the bag.   

Then I decided I needed to make a card and used the drolly from the mask on my bag. Some stamped images, coloring, a little bling and a butterfly and my card was done. ( I keep a box that has cricut cuts; butterflies, hearts, stars, and some extra stamped sentiments ) This makes it easy to make a card quickly when I need one.

For a list of supplies used in my project please check below. The next stop along the way is Lauren's Blog so hop on over to see what she has created.  Hope you enjoy all the beautiful and creative art work on this hop. Please feel free to comment on the projects you see.  If you like our art work and want to see more, please sign up / join our blogs so you won't miss anything.  Stay Curious and keep crafting.

SUPPLY LIST:

Card stock; Colonial White, Olive

Inks; Memento black, CTMH sunflower, Topiary, Lagoon, 

ShinHan markers; YR26, Y49, R140, B262, RP198, P282, R11, Blinder pen

CTMH Stamp Sets; #30 Years of Happy, Love This, A Happy Hello,

Happy Thoughts, A Garden, Treasure Life

My Creations Muslin Bags

CTMH seaside sequins

Misc supplies; dolly, clear sequins and Wink of Stella glitter pen

To purchase these supplies or check out other supplies we have to offer please visit My Web Site

Stay Curious and Craft On!

Self Closing Box

I must confess ........ I am a You Tuber!  I found this cute idea on Maria Fennely's channel.  Just had to give it a try using Blossom CTMH paper pack.  My curious nature ...... again.  This box is really neat it stays closed until you push in the side of the box and when you let go it closes again.  It would great for a small gift, jewelry, Candy, flower seed packs, gift card ..... lots of things I can think of.  Don't you just love the colors. I used CTMH's "Love This" stamp set for the flowers, butterfly and sentiment.  So Cute!

Here are the instructions I used to make the box.

Start with a 8 1/2" x 6" piece of card stock. I used Daisy White so you could see the score lines and cut lines better. You will also need 2 pieces of 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" B&T patterned paper to decorate the box.  First thing you want to do is score your piece of card stock.

Along the 8 1/2" side score at 4" & 8" (you will have 1/2" on the end for tab)

Turn your paper to short side and score at 1"  & 5"

Turn your paper again and score at 2" & 6" just down to the first score line.

Next time you want to mark the "triangle" score lines (red lines), use a ruler to draw lines from the intersecting lines as marked.  It helps if you extend your score lines all the way off your paper. This help you line them on your paper cutter. I use red ink so it would show but you should use a pencil so you can erase the lines after you score them. Cut out the 2 rectangles on the right side to make your tab. and cut on the broken lines to make your bottom flaps of the box.

Line up your drawn lines on your cutter (as shown) and score all the red lines. 

This makes the shape of your box. you will have 2 V shaped areas when you are finished.

Fold all your score lines using a bone folder so they are nice & crisp. The center straight pencil line is the side of the box it fold all the way from top to bottom. 

Take your 3 1/2" squares and find the center and mark it. Cut from the center mark to the edge on both sides. You will end up with these shapes. You can turn the small ones over as I did when added to your box.  It's easier if you add these pieces before you put the box together. After you add these pieces add adhesive to the outside of your tab and put your box together.

This is what it will look like (with your B&T paper added)  I forgot to add mine until after this step.

Now fold in your bottom pieces. You may have to work with these to make sure they are square. Add adhesive to hold them together.

This is what your box will look like once it is put together.

Just push in on the sides to open and when you let go it closes back.  How cool is that!

Ta...Da..... A really cool box. You can decorate any way you want. I used the "Love this" stamp to stamp my floors on card stock, and the butterfly on a piece of B&T paper.  I also used the "Amazing" sentiment from the same set.  Made a couple banners and tied them onto my box with some ribbon.  to decorate my flowers and butterfly, I inked the edges added a Teal resin flower, some sparkles and aqua dots for the butterfly and added my leaves (cricut cut ... Art Philosophy)  Now I just have to decide what to put in my box.  I Love Crafting!  Close to My Heart has so many pretty things to play with.  Be Curious and go HERE to see all the "pretties"  CTMH has a great selection of products, project ideas and embellishments.

I hope you enjoyed this post and that it will help you make your own box.  I would love to see what you come up with. Please share your creation in the comments section.  I would love to hear from you and what you think of my pretty box.  If you want to keep up with my "Curious" adventures please join my blog or sign up with e-mail.

Be Curious and stay Crafty!

Magical First

Those who know me, know that I have been working on moving for over a year now.  Trying to move 30 years of "things" has been so hard. ( especially for a borderline Hoarder). Anyway, during that process I found these two photos in frames that we had boxed up.  These are of my oldest two granddaughters seeing the ocean for the first time.  They were taken at different times and I thought it was neat that they were so much alike.  

I decided a scrapbook page was in order.  I wanted a background that reminded me of the beach. I Love to work with inks, so I decided to make a sunset. I used CTMH inks: canary, sunset, pixie, thistle, glacier, twilight and sky blue. I used a mask for the sun then just used a sponge to add ink until I got the look I wanted. I cut the "Magical" in the title with the cricut and the "FIRST" came from some acrylic letters I won at a crop.  The Ocean is make using twilight card stock and adding some inks to give it some dimension.  I tore the bottom edge to make it look like waves on the beach. I inked, sprayed with water and distressed the edges with my finger.

The sandy beach.....now that's a story in its self.  I made some texture paste myself and added saddle re-inker to give it some color.  This was a trial and error experience!  In the end I had to make the paste very thin and add it in layers (drying between) I added two layers then made some spritz with the saddle re-inker and gave it a spray or two. I also added a view drops of the saddle ink here & there.  I recommend using liquid glass to adhere the bottom of the "ocean" and the trees and other embellishments.   I added my journeying around the edges of the photos.  Now I have a page to share this memory with my family in the future.

I think it turned out pretty good. I love how the sunset and sky ended up.  My Curious nature did good ....... don't you think?  I hope you give something new a try. Find a picture that brings special memories back and make a page.  Thy something new to help express how you felt.  I wanted to share the wonder of the first look at the ocean brings.  How do you think I did?

If you are here and like my page, please take the time to like and comment .  If you would like to see more of my "Curious" adventures join my blog or sign up with e-mail.  You can go HERE to see all that Close To My Heart has to offer; high quality products at affordable prices, wonderful project ideas and business opportunities.  I would LOVE to have you as a part of my Team.

Be Curious, preserve your memories, and tell your stories.

Happy Crafting

Happy Scrapbook Layout

Recently I went with my Daughter on a business trip to Hampton.  To occupy my time while she was in her meetings I took some pictures and scrapbooking supplies. I was very productive and completed several pages.  This one was a "Curious" experiment . I had some birthday pictures and decided to make my own background paper. It's hard to see the colors but I used Pixie, Canary, Flaxin Glacier and Thistle CTMH inks (all the new colors)  I inked the top with pixie and the bottom two places with Canary and Flaxin inks. I didn't take many stamps so I used a pencil eraser to stamp with Thistle ink.  The banner at the top we found at Hobby Lobby in a sales bin. When I started to Make my title I realized that I did not have what I needed to make "Happy Birthday" As I was looking through my pictures I found these and the title "Happy" just seemed to fit and the colors went well with my background.  I used Flaxin card stock to mat my pictures. Took my Happy tied on some pink and white bakers twine, some embellishments and I think my layout turned out just fine.

You will be amazed at how productive you can be  when you limit yourself to just a few supplies.  When I packed I just picked some card stock, a couple CTMH paper packs, 5 different types of embellishments, some inks, a couple stamp sets, my pictures and some tools.  I found that I had much more time to create when I didn't have so many things to 'choose from".  Be Curious and limit yourself to just a few supplies and see what you come up with.  I would love to see what you come up with.  Please feel free to post your creations in the comments section.

While you're here take some time to sign up or join my blog.  I love to share my art work with you and get you comments about what I am doing.  Be a Curious person like me, I like to try new things, techniques, crafts, supplies and things that you would not expect to see.  If you follow my blog we can exchange ideas!  

Visit my Web Site  to see the wonderful products we have and see some great project ideas

Thought I would also share some picture of some flowers I took while we were there.

Sparkle Lace Cards

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop. For this hop we will be using the letter L. This may be the name of a paper, stamp set, or an embellishment. Whatever the crafter has chosen as their letter L element that will be featured in their post.  If you came from Darlys then you are on the right track.

For my Letter L element I will be using Lace.   I love lace and glitter so I decided to use them both in the cards I made.

Used lace as a mask on this card and then added some lace to the bottom of the card also.

On this card I used the actual lace that I used as a mask for another card. Sorry you can't really see the color or shine so well in this photo. It turned out a beautiful green.

For these cards I used the lace as a mask on the card. I sprayed over the lace with adhesive and then added my glitter. Then removed the lace......then you have two elements....card front and lace for another card.  

The products I used are:  Close to My Heart card stock White Daisy, Pixie and Flaxen.  Stamp sets were Choose Happy and It's the Little Things.  I stamped the main image with CTMH Chocolate ink and used the following inks and our blending pen to color in the images.( Glacier, Pear, Olive, Pixie, Thistle, and Canary)   I also used some lace my sister had given me, spray adhesive, glitter (pink & green) ribbon and bling form my stash.  

I am last one on the Everything ABC's Blog Hop. I hope you enjoyed everyones art work today. In case you get lost along the way go to Here  for a complete list of participants.

If you are interested in Close to My Heart products and supplies or would like to become a member of my Team please visit me Here

Remember stay Curious and Keep Crafting!

A Little Taste of Summer

I don't know about you but I am ready for some warm weather!  After this winter we need some sunshine and flowers.  May is National Scrapbooking Month and Close To My Heart is celebrating by offering a beautiful paper pack for only $8.95.  These are B&T papers, double sided, 2 of each pattern. I just love the bright colors of the pack.  This paper pack will make beautiful scrapbook pages and cards.

Beautiful Layout

Using Picture My Life Cards

This Beautiful Paper pack is only available during the Month of May.  If you can't wait to get your hands on the paper pack visit My Web Site to see all the fun things and promotions going on for National Scrapbooking Month.  Can't wait to make some beautiful layouts with this paper pack. We also have a stamp set available for this special Month.

Don't you just love this sweet stamp set.  It can be used for so many things. Some of the images can be cut out with your Cricut. While you are visiting My Web Site  take time to check out all the great art work using this stamp set and "A Taste of Summer" paper pack.

Be Curious and Check it out.  I would love to see what you create with this paper pack and sweet stamp set.  If you have any questions or wish to purchase these supplies please contact me.  I would Love to show you how to create some beautiful art work.

While you are here please like this post, make a comment, join this site, sign up for e-mail notifications.  I love to here your comments or suggestions.

Be Curious!

Be Crafty!

Be a Maker of Memories!

Be a Teller of your Stories!

Flower Pot of Roses

My Mom loved yellow roses. So this one I made with her in mind. I made a template for the pot & embossed it. I also distressed it with brown distress ink, olive and colonial white. Flower, leaf and butterfly cuts were made with the Close to my Heart Art Philosophy cartridge. Stamp set "You are my Happy" from CTMH. Papers and ink colors were buttercup, autumn terracotta, and new England ivy. I added (from my stash ) enamel dots and some clear wink of Stella.
     Hope you enjoy my roses.
     Have a Curious crafty day!

If you liked my post please let me know or if you have any comments or questions, please post in the comments.