Holiday Sparkle - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

New Shaker Card design by
Kimberly Bower featuring
Holiday Sparkle Cut Above Card Kit

Holiday Sparkle - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to our Holiday Sparkle and Seasons of Joy Blog Hop. I'm so glad you're here! If you're here from Melinda Everitt'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 14 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 here.

This blog is showcasing CTMH's Holiday Sparkle and Seasons of Joy Cricut Collection. I selected to feature our Holiday Sparkle Cut Above Card Kit. Here's a look at the stamp set and bundle:

My design showcases ways to personalize your design beyond the holidays. I want to assure you that if you purchase this kit and later discover you have purchased too many holiday cards, there are so many fabulous uses for shaker card bases beyond the holidays. Here's how to make my version of the Holiday Sparkle card:

Shaker Assembly:

1) Select a photo to feature in the shaker portion of your card.

 2) Use the Thin Cuts: Shaker Window & Confetti and your Cuttlebug or other die-cutting machine. Cut the photo using the 3" circle. Cut heart-shaped confetti out of other portions of the photo that will bring the colors of the photo into your shaker. You can either use one of the ring stickers from the kit for the top of your shaker, or use another portion of the photo that was cut away like I did in my design.

3) Glue your photo on top of the circle on your card base. I knew I was adding shells to my shaker card and didn't want them to damage the photo so I used two acetate circles. I put one acetate circle above the photo but beneath the shaker filling. The second acetate circle is above the Shaker Window Foam (which can also be purchased separately from the kit, if desired). 

4) Attach the Shaker Window Foam. I used a double layer of foam to accommodate the size of the shells I added to my design. Use the anti-static pouch around the inside edges of the foam and the base of your shaker window to minimize any static inside your shaker window.

5) Add the silver loose sequins, the heart confetti, a few small shells and a bit of beach sand (if desired) into the shaker 'pool'.

6) Remove the film from the clear acetate. Attach the clear acetate to the top of your foam ring.

7) Using Liquid Glass, attach the cover ring of your shaker, or use one of the stickers in your Cut Above Kit.

Card assembly:

1) I wrapped some twine around the outside of the shaker two times and then tied a knot.

2) I used the Decorative Thin Cuts and cut two tassels out of Pomegranate cardstock. I rolled the tassels with my quilling tool, adding small dots of glue as I went. I slipped the twine on each end through the top ring of each tassel. I added the teal and heart charms and knotted the twine. Finally, I tied a bow and trimmed the ends.

3) I used the back of the punch out greeting and the stamp that came in the bundle to stamp the sentiment on my card in Lagoon ink. I used the mini hearts from the same stamp set and stamped them in random places on the strip of cardstock around the sentiment. 

4) Attach a 1.5"x5" strip of lagoon across the bottom of the card. 

5) Attach Red Shimmer Trim at top of lagoon strip.

6) Attach sentiment using foam dots to add dimension. 

Enjoy! 

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 Alyson Mayo'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

Close To My Heart products: 

Stamp set: Holiday Sparkle: Love with All the Trimmings

Exclusive My Acrylix Ink: Lagoon

Cardstock: Pomegranate and Lagoon

Bundled Cut Above Card Kit: Holiday Sparkle Bundle

Thin Cuts: Decorative Borders, Shaker Window & Confetti

Embellishments: Base & Bling Teal Bead Charm: Faux Gold and Base & Bling Heart Charm: Faux Gold (both in Clearance), Red Shimmer Trim

Other Close To My Heart supplies used: 

Bone Folder (to fold card, and press foam tape down) 

Bonding Memories Dual Action Glue Pen

Liquid Glass (to adhere clear acetate)

Duck Easy Stick permanent adhesive tape runner

Thin 3-D Foam Dots

Anti-Static Pouch

Micro-tip Scissors

My Acrylix Spritz Cleanser and Stamp Scrubber (care and maintenance of stamps) 

Tweezers (to place small pieces/embellishments on card) 

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.

'Relax and Enjoy Your Day' Card for Design Challenges With Video of Starfish on Naples Beach, FL

Relax and Enjoy Your Day
Card Design

Today's post is an entry to the 'Unwind & Relax' CTMH Challenge at Heart 2 Heart Challenges and 'Machine Die Cutting' Challenge at Three Amigos Blog Hop Challenges. Here is the Heart 2 Heart challenge:

To answer these design challenges, I used all CTMH products with the exception of the one blue watercolor-effect paper and the bronze glitter. I used the Scallop Border Thin Cuts for the edge along shoreline, Fresh Air Stamp and Thin Cuts for the sentiment, and No Worries Stamp and Thin Cuts for the umbrella, chair, sand detailing and starfish. Then I used the gold shimmer brush to add highlights on the sand, and the bronze glitter to make the starfish really sparkle. 

Close To My Heart products used:

• Thin Cuts: Scallop Border
• Stamp + Thin Cuts: Fresh Air Cardmaking
• Stamp + Thin Cuts: No Worries Cardmaking (retired)
• Cardstock: White Daisy, Fresh Air Coordinating Paper Pack (Toffee)
• White Cards and Envelopes Value Pack
• Tools: 3-D Foam Tape, Bone Folder, Adhesive Runner, Bonding Memories Dual Action Glue Pen, Micro-Tip Scissors, Tweezers, Liquid Glass, and Shimmer Brush - Gold

Other products used:

• ColorBok 75386 Spray Paint Cardstock Paper Pad 12" x 12"
• Recollections Glitter Set (Bronze), on hand

Want to make these cards? Let's go shopping!

If you need 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.

Be sure to check out the challenges at Heart 2 Heart and Three Amigos. You might enjoy checking out the other entries as well. This is my first month participating and I know I've gotten a lot of great ideas from checking out the past challenges.

Three Amigos Blog Hop Challenges

Heart 2 Heart Challenges

Stay creative and continue to share kindness along the way,
Kimberly

P.S.: Today's the last day to pick up (1) June Stamp of the Month, (2) Dad is Rad Workshop Kit, and (3) 25% discount on Create The Rainbow cardstock. Want to check them out? Click the pictures for a direct link to each item:

June Stamp of the Month: 
A Bushel and A Peck

Create the Rainbow

Dad is Rad

Here's a short video of a starfish on the beach in Naples, Florida. The music is relaxing too. Enjoy!

Welcome

Welcome

I'm glad you're here.

A little about me

• I'm a library media specialist at a public elementary school teaching reading strategies, leading technology integration, designing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) challenges in our media center makerspace and providing information and reader's advisory services,
• I'm an anti-bullying and literacy advocate,
• I'm a freelance writer and book reviewer, and
• I'm an ordained minister.
• I enjoy making beautiful *usually useful* things with my hands,
• I thrive in the great outdoors and enjoy gardening, hiking, biking, camping, and geocaching,
• I love digging in the dirt and breathing deeply of the salty ocean air, and
• I'm really big on family.

How'd I pick the site name?

The term 'makerspace' is big in the educational world. I consider myself to be and also encourage everyone I meet to become and remain lifelong learners. Learning keeps the mind alert and the brain active. I started this blog to be a place where friends of all ages can gather to create, explore, discover, inquire and share wholesome, family-friendly creative projects using a variety of tools and materials. I will make use of my Cricut Maker, Cuttlebug, HP instant-ink ready color printer, Janome sewing machine, Close To My Heart papercrafting supplies, as well as my varied assortment of on hand home office and craft supplies. Although I will post the sources of any newly purchased supplies, you are not obligated in any way to purchase from these sites. My goal is to freely share my projects and discoveries with you. I hope you'll join me and share your learning too.

My favorite quotes

Why do we fear when we already know the ending? -- Kimberly Bower

Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth." -- Mark Twain

Thoughts about books, reviews and site indexes

As a librarian I come across many new books every month. I scour professional journals and websites, research on Edelweiss and NetGalley, subscribe to feeds from a host of other sources and take part in Twitter chats to see what's new, coming up in the ranks, popular etc. I can't read every title. There just isn't time. I do, however, look closely enough to decide if I would read a title before requesting a galley, ARC, or review copy. Those titles will likely find their way into a New On My Nightstand post, a topical book list or research guide. NOTE: New On My Nightstand is soon-to-be-added to this site. I'll be playing catch-up for a bit but I feel strongly about sharing the best makerspace-related resources I find. Stay tuned! I'll have a Book Review Index for quick links to reviews.

I enjoy engaging with other librarians, readers and bloggers. I like to check out other blogs and share ideas. I love to promote authors offering content that meets the stated goals of this blog. Thanks again for stopping by. I hope to get to know you better.

Blessings on your journey today,

Kimberly