This is a place where friends of all ages can gather to create, explore, discover, inquire and share creative projects using a variety of tools and materials including Cricut and Close To My Heart resources.
New Card Design by Kimberly Bower using November SOTM and Tis The Season papers
November SOTM Blog Hop - Seasonal Trees
Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. I'm so glad you're here! If you're here from Melissa Robinson's blog, you're on the right path. This hop is a great big circle so you can start here and work your way around. When you get back to me you'll know that you've seen all of the creative ideas offered through this month's blog hop. There are 19 participating consultants so you're bound to be inspired by the time you complete the hop. If you'd like to see the full list, you can find that on Melinda's blog: If You Bling It.
This month we are featuring November's Stamp of the Month: Seasonal Trees.
If you love this stamp set, you will want to be sure to purchase it this month as it is only available during the month of November. Once you add $50 of qualifying products to your shopping cart you will see an option below the cart to add this special stamp for only $5.00.
Here's a closer look at my card design:
I hope you enjoy all of the design elements. Which part is your favorite? If you have any questions on my card design, please ask in the comments. I will answer each one. Your next stop along this hop is Darlys Recker's blog so hop on over and see what wonderful creation she has for you today.
Stay creative and continue to share kindness along the way,
Kimberly
New Card Design by Kimberly Bower
featuring Boutique Scrapbooking stamp,
Texture Paste, and Silver Tinsel
Embossing Powder
Paste-fully Creative - CTMH Technique Blog Hop
Paste-fully Creative - CTMH Technique Blog Hop
Welcome to our monthly Technique Blog Hop. I'm so glad you're here! If you're here from Darlys Recker's blog, you're on the right path. This hop is a great big circle so you can start here and work your way around. When you get back to me you'll know that you've seen all of the creative ideas offered through this month's blog hop. There are 17 participating consultants so you're bound to be inspired by the time you complete the hop. You can continue the hop by clicking on the links provided in each post. If you'd like to see the full participant list, you can find that on Melissa's blog, My Heartfelt Sentiments.
I would love it if you'd share your thoughts in a comment before continuing with our hop. For a detailed list of products used, please scroll past my signature line. Your next stop along this hop is Catherine Nowak's blog so hop on over and see what wonderful creation she has for you today.
Stay creative and continue to share kindness along the way,
Kimberly
Want to make this? Let's go shopping! Want help with assembly? Let's do a Facebook Live! Just let me know.
If you are not already working with a consultant, I'd be honored to earn your business. If you'd like to enjoy the added privileges of being a consultant, I can show you how. Check out the labeled tabs for more details. You can also contact me via comment or email.
Welcome to our monthly Technique Blog Hop. I'm so glad you're here! If you're here from Darlys Recker's blog, you're on the right path. This hop is a great big circle so you can start here and work your way around. When you get back to me you'll know that you've seen all of the creative ideas offered through this month's blog hop. There are 13 participating consultants so you're bound to be inspired by the time you complete the hop. You can continue the hop by clicking on the links provided in each post. Should you get lost along the way, there is a list of participants below.
This month we are showcasing products found in our brand new 2018 Holiday Expressions catalog that give the appearance of, or contain actual, stitching. There is a 'stitched' alphabet stamp set, 'stitched' thin cuts in different shapes, thread for use in actual stitching, and of course, you can add the look of stitching with a journaling pen. You can view the entire catalog online here. Also, if you place an order of any size, Close To My Heart will send you a catalog for free. I love using the photos in the catalog to inspire my own creations.
I decided to venture outside the box a little by creating a travel sewing kit that you could keep in your purse, overnight bag, or glove box. This would make a great 'thank you' gift for a friend and is small enough that you could tuck it into a card for mailing. You could also change it up a bit and turn it into a gift card holder. It'd be an easy swap. Here's a look at it open and a rear view too:
Here's how to make this travel sewing kit:
Cut one B&T (patterned paper): 4.5" x 9.5".
Score at 1.75", 4.5", 5.75", and 7".
Make valley folds at all score lines except for 5.75" score line. At this line, make a mountain fold.
Place sewing kit along 5.75" score line. Make a mark on each end of the sewing kit. Cut along the center area of this score line so sewing kit will slide into the opening.
Flip paper over. Use a strong double-sided adhesive like Duck to create a sealed edge between the score lines to the immediate right and immediate left of 5.75" score/cut line. This will prevent your sewing kit from falling out of the bottom of your travel kit.
Use a corner rounder on both corners closest to the 1.75" score line. This will be the top flap.
Cut one B&T (patterned paper): 2" x 7". This will be a band around your kit.
Score the band at 2" and 4.75". Make sure it fits around your kit.
Use adhesive to seal the two ends of band together.
Cut a saffron heart with the 2.5" Basic Heart Thin Cut.
Cut a light B&T heart with the 2.25" Stitched Heart Thin Cut.
Stamp "Sew thankful" sentiment. Stamp leaves and designs as desired on stitched heart using 'Grateful Heart - Cardmaking Stamp Set'. Add Bitty Sparkles, as desired.
Attached stitched heart to basic heart.
Attach double heart to cover the raw edge of the belly band.
Slide belly band over sewing kit.
Enjoy!
Whoa! Wait a minute! I had so much fun creating this travel sewing kit that I made another, slightly smaller version (4" wide instead of 4.5") substituting in our Boutique cardmaking stamp, papers and complements. Which one do you like better?
I would love it if you'd share your thoughts in a comment before continuing with our hop. For a detailed list of products used, please scroll past my signature line. Just a note: I was inspired by quite a few gift card holder designs on Pinterest, most of which were fairly similar in size and structure. Your next stop along this hop is Catherine Nowak's blog so hop on over and see what wonderful creation she has for you today.
Stay creative and continue to share kindness along the way,
Kimberly
Want to make this? Let's go shopping! Want help with assembly? Let's do a Facebook Live! Just let me know.
If you are not already working with a consultant, I'd be honored to earn your business. If you'd like to enjoy the added privileges of being a consultant, I can show you how. Check out the labeled tabs for more details. You can also contact me via comment or email.
New Card Design by Kimberly Bower
featuring Boutique and Grateful Heart Cardmaking
Stamp Sets and Grateful Heart Paper Packet
Blog Hop Featuring Close To My Heart
'2018 Holiday Expressions' New Products
Welcome to our New Product Blog Hop. I'm so glad you're here! If you're here from Haley Dyer's blog, you're on the right path. This hop is a great big circle so you can start here and work your way around. When you get back to me you'll know that you've seen all of the creative ideas offered through this month's blog hop. There are 20 participating consultants so you're bound to be inspired by the time you complete the hop. If you'd like to see the full list, you can find that on Melinda's blog: If You Bling It.
This month we are showcasing products found in our brand new 2018 Holiday Expressions catalog. You can view the entire catalog online here. Also, if you place an order of any size, Close To My Heart will send you a catalog for free. I love using the photos in the catalog to inspire my own creations.
My card design features our Grateful Heart - Cardmaking and Boutique - Cardmaking stamp sets, and our Grateful Heart Paper Packet. This paper packet features the following colors: Pomegranate, Sapphire, Glacier, New England Ivy, Fern,Saffron, Goldrush, Espresso, Mink, and White Daisy. Here's a look at these three items:
I am in love with our Grateful Heart butterfly. I took creative license and strayed from the natural colors of the Monarch butterfly to create a butterfly that made my heart happy. I inked the butterfly in Archival Black and the sentiment, 'you make my heart happy' in Sapphire. I used 'Thin Cuts - Stitched Hearts' for the three hearts on the front and one on the inside of the card. There is a tiny banner in the lower left-hand corner that uses the woodgrain from our Seasons Mix-In Paper Packet. I embellished my card with three Gold Glitter Gems and added sparkle to the butterfly and the hearts with our clear Shimmer Brush. If you got to paint a butterfly, what colors would you choose?
New Card Design by Kimberly Bower
featuring Boutique and Grateful Heart Cardmaking
Stamp Sets and Grateful Heart Paper Packet
I would love it if you'd share your thoughts in a comment before continuing with our hop. For a detailed list of products used, please scroll past my signature line. Your next stop along this hop is Miss Carrie's Creations so hop on over and see what wonderful creation she has for you today.
Stay creative and continue to share kindness along the way,
Kimberly
Want to make this card? Let's go shopping! Want help with assembly? Let's do a Facebook Live! Just let me know.
If you are not already working with a consultant, I'd be honored to earn your business. If you'd like to enjoy the added privileges of being a consultant, I can show you how. Check out the labeled tabs for more details. You can also contact me via comment or email.
All-Occasion Inside Shadow Box Card
made by Kimberly Bower using
September SOTM and Boutique papers
Blog Hop: September CTMH Stamp of the Month - Just Treats
Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. I'm so glad you're here! If you're here from Haley Dyer's blog, you're on the right path. This hop is a great big circle so you can start here and work your way around. When you get back to me you'll know that you've seen all of the creative ideas offered through this month's blog hop. There are 20 participating consultants so you're bound to be inspired by the time you complete the hop. If you'd like to see the full list, you can find that on Melinda's blog: If You Bling It.
This month we are featuring September SOTM: Just Treats (S1808). This stamp comes with 22 images celebrating multiple Fall holidays.
If you love this stamp set, you will want to be sure to purchase it this month as it is only available during the month of September. Once you add $50 of qualifying products to your shopping cart you will see an option below the cart to add this special stamp for only $5.00.
Measurements and supplies
for card front
CTMH Exclusive My Acrylix Inks used
View of card interior (inside shadow box)
View of card when open revealing
inside shadow box
Card folds flat and fits in
standard A2 envelope for mailing
To make the card front, you'll need pieces cut as follows:
Saffron: 5.5" x 4.25" (cut 1), 2.75" x 3.25" (cut 1)
Glacier: 2.5" x 3" (cut 1), 4" x 1.25" (cut 1)
Boutique B&T (polka dots): 4" x 2" (cut 2)
Gold Glitter Trim: 4" (cut 1)
On the Saffron base, adhere the Boutique B&T and Glacier rectangles as seen in photo. Adhere the Gold Glitter Trim along the bottom edge of the Glacier strip. Stamp the sentiment, 'Thankful for sweet friends like you', on the Glacier rectangle. Adhere this to the smaller Saffron rectangle. Attach this piece at an angle on top of your base (see photo). Stamp the candy pieces (lemon center) and the coffee cup on White Daisy cardstock. I used Toffee for drink color inside cup and Saffron for design on cup exterior. Cut. Use Archival Black if you intend to use water with the watercolor pencils after coloring the cup and/or candies.
View of alternate inside of card
using White Daisy cardstock for
box rather than Glacier
To make the 'box' for the card, you need:
1) Blank A2 CTMH White Daisy Card: Cut off 0.5" from one end which will become the back of the card,
2) Glacier cardstock: 5.5" x 8.5", scored at 0.5", 4.25", and 4.75", then cut a sliver off of the end that has the 0.5" scoring,
3) Oval Thin Cuts: Place where desired on the section closest to the 0.5" score line and cut out using Cuttlebug, and
4) Linen: 3.75" x 5" for background inside shadow box.
Stamp the woodgrain image from 'Grateful Heart - Cardmaking' onto the Linen rectangle about 2.5" up from bottom (depending on size and placement of your Oval Thin Cut). Use Thin 3-D Foam Dot to place fussy-cut cup onto woodgrain 'table'. Stamp steam swirls on top of cup and onto background (see photo). Using Duck Easy Stick tape runner, tape the 0.5" seam of the Glacier 'box'. Align to fold line on interior of White Daisy Card. Fold and press card closed to adhere. Use Duck Easy Stick tape runner along both edges of the inside back of the Glacier 'box'. Align to outside back of White Daisy card base. Press to adhere. When closed, the card will be the standard A2 card size and can be mailed in the envelope provided in the CTMH bulk card/envelope package.
If you need further instructions on putting this card together, I'd be happy to assist.
I was inspired by the Inside Shadow Box Cards video instructions by Jennifer McGuire Inks to create the inside shadow box. I changed up the instructions a little to use our card base, but you could easily use White Daisy cardstock instead. I made one using Glacier cardstock and another using White Daisy cardstock. Which do you like better?
Want to make this card? Let's go shopping! Want help with assembly? Let's do a Facebook Live! Just let me know.
If you are not already working with a consultant, I'd be honored to earn your business. If you'd like to enjoy the added privileges of being a consultant, I can show you how. Check out the labeled tabs for more details. You can also contact me via comment or email.
Your next stop along this hop is Katy Taylor's blog so hop on over and see what wonderful creation she has for you today.
Stay creative and continue to share kindness along the way,
Kimberly
Cover Page for my 2018-2019
School Year Album using
CTMH 'You've Got Class'
'You've Got Class' CTMH Blog Hop
Welcome to our Blog Hop featuring the 'You've Got Class' promotion. I'm so glad you're here! If you're here from Darlys Recker's blog you're on the right path. This hop is a circle so you can start here and work your way around. When you get back to me you'll know that you've seen all of the creative ideas offered through this blog hop. There are 7 participating consultants so you're bound to be inspired by the time you complete the hop. If you'd like to see the full list, you can find that on Melinda's blog: If You Bling It.
This blog hop features the You've Got Class promotion. This promotion is available through September 30, while supplies last. Here's a closer look at the product line:
For a little background as to my purpose for this album, I am a Library Media Specialist at a public elementary school. I take a lot of pictures of library activities throughout the year. I post them on a bulletin board in the hallway, then change them out after the next round of STEM challenges or other activity. This Workshop will be the perfect foundation for my new 2018-2019 KEC/Canal Point Media Center Album. Today's layout will be the first page in the album.
Here are some pictures that will give you a closer look at my layout as I explain my process. I used the Summer Fun Paper Doll + Thin Cuts to represent me. I stamped the doll in Toffee. Then I used the Thin Cuts to cut out the doll, purse and dress. I stamped the purse and dress designs using Background Essentials (Hostess Rewards) stamp set in Poppy. An available alternative stamp set would be In The Background. I used some red dots I had on hand for the hair knot as well as the buttons on both the dress and purse. Red Gems would work as well.
Next I used the Flowering Alphabet stamp set with Lagoon ink to stamp '2018' and '2019' on the linen cardstock. I matted that with the Lagoon cardstock. The heart with dots on both sides is a stamp from the Let Me Show You How stamp set that comes in the New Consultant Kit. I used the writing font from the CTMH You Are Here cartridge to add the wording: "Ms. Bower, Library Media Specialist, KEC/Canal Point Elementary School, #KECCanalPtMedia" on Linen cardstock. It's a great way to add journaling too, especially if you don't like your own handwriting. The color of the Cricut 0.4 Tip pen is Geode. I used Cricut images available with Cricut Access: (Teacher #M4593F) for the chalkboard and (School Days #M46FE7) for the 'School Days' image. I added blue stars from some confetti I had on hand.
A close-up of the 'School Days' image
I stamped the words 'Tell your story' with our Typography stamp set in Lagoon on the Linen coordinating cardstock. I embellished the 'o' in story with a small Thin Cuts Stitched Heart. This photo also gives a closer look at the background papers. I used the B&T patterned ledger and poppy papers, and the solid sapphire blue paper. I used the 3rd Grade layout in the 'You've Got Class Workshop Instructions' on page 5 as my inspiration.
As a final fun touch, I made the doll representing myself into a bobblehead! I layered two small 3-D Foam Dots behind the doll's feet and three large 3-D Foam Dots behind her shoulders so the body would align properly with the head after I attached the wobble element (Amazon). Check out the video to see her head in action. I know this page will primarily be in a Memory Protector, but I still thought it'd be fun. What do you think?
Other Close To My Heart supplies used:
Bone Folder (to fold card, and press foam tape down)
Tweezers (to place small pieces/embellishments on card)
Want to make this layout? Let's go shopping! Want help with assembly? Let's meet up or do a Facebook Live! Just let me know.
If you are not already working with a consultant, I'd love to earn your business. If you'd like to enjoy the added privileges of being a consultant, I'd love for you to join my team. Check out the labeled tabs for more details. You can also contact me via comment or email.
I'd love for you to leave me your thoughts before you continue on with the blog hop. What was your favorite part of this layout?
Your next stop is Catherine Nowak's blog so hop on over and see what wonderful creation she has for you today.
Stay creative and continue to share kindness along the way,
Welcome to our Blog Hop featuring the Bring Back My Pack (More Magical) promotion. I'm so glad you're here! If you're here from Katy Taylor's blog you're on the right path. This hop is a circle so you can start here and work your way around. When you get back to me you'll know that you've seen all of the creative ideas offered through this blog hop. There are 7 participating consultants so you're bound to be inspired by the time you complete the hop. If you'd like to see the full list, you can find that on Melinda's blog: If You Bling It.
This month we are featuring the Bring Back My Pack (More Magical) promotion. The stamp set, Dreams, comes with 12 images including two Walt Disney quotes. This promotion is available through September 30, with a 25% discount when purchasing the kit together.
I was actually inspired by the layout from another promotion, Here's To You, and I used one of the layouts from that kit (available on my CTMH website until 8/31/18). I just turned the layout 45-degrees clockwise. I pulled colors from the More Magical Workshop Kit that coordinated with the photo I hope to add to the spread.
Here's the layout before
the photo. What a
difference the photo
makes, right?
Tweezers (to place small pieces/embellishments on card)
Want to make this layout? Let's go shopping! Want help with assembly? Let's do a Facebook Live! Just let me know.
If you are not already working with a consultant, I'd be happy to help. If you'd like to enjoy the added privileges of being a consultant, I can show you how. Check out the labeled tabs for more details. You can also contact me via comment or email.
Your next stop along this hop is Lauren Moore's blog so hop on over and see what wonderful creation she has for you today.
Stay creative and continue to share kindness along the way,
