Finish It Friday - Final CTMH new product sneek peek (Happy Anniversary/Birthday card)

  WELCOME FELLOW CRAFTERS!

It's Finish It Friday. Today, I am continuing with the sneak peaks into the CTMH Sep. 2020 to Aug. 2021 catalog. I wanted to make a couple more cards using the same color pallet from the "Party Time Paper Packet" that I used for the cards in my Monday and Wednesday posts. It may seem like I am on a card binge, because I am. My goal was to finish a Birthday card for every single person on my Birthday list. As fate would have it, the minute I finished the birthday cards three of my friends had wedding Anniversarys. So here I am, working on cards, not scrapbook layouts.

Here are today's cards.

For the cards on the left I used the confetti patterned paper on the layout base, with highlights of nectarine cardstock and raspberry cardstock. For the cards on the right I used the confetti patterned paper on the layout base, with highlights of nectarine cardstock and raspberry cardstock. These are the same patterned papers I used for Monday's cards, just larger pieces of the paper. Hopefully, this will give you a better idea of what the paper looks like when used on a project. 

Here is a close up of the 1st card.

It's hard not to love the versatility of the Wishing You Everything Stamp & Thin Cut (Z3779) set. The "HAPPY", "anniversary" and "heart" are all stamped from this set.

Here is the close up of the second card.

You can literally make a card or scrapbook layout for any occasion using this stamp set and paper packet.

Here is the list of product used.

1. Party Time Paper Packer + Sticker Sheet (X8016S) - Avaialble Sep 1, 2020
2. Party Time Coordinating Cardstock (X8016C) - Available Sep 1, 2020
3. Wishing You Everything Stamp & Thin Cut (Z3779) - Available Sep 1 , 2020
4. Raspberry Exclusive Inks
5. White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack (you will need 1 card base & envelopes)
6. Thin 3-D Foam Tape

I am off to mail my cards and then on to scrapbooking more of those 21st birthday pictures. Check September 1st for the offical new product launch!! So many new products, so little times.  

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

TINA Stanczak

shop |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Cricut Affiliate link  | TinaStanczakCricutAffiliateLink

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions)

Work on it Wednesday - Close To My Heart new product sneek peak (Happy Birthday Layout)

WELCOME FELLOW CRAFTERS!

It's work on it Wednesday. Today, I am continuing with the sneak peaks into the CTMH Sep. 2020 to Aug. 2021 catalog. I wanted to make a scrapbook layout using the same color pallet from the "Party Time Paper Packet" that I used for the cards in my last post!! Later in the week, I will feature cards and layouts using greens, blues and yellows.

Here is the layout.

I used the same pink dot patterned paper on the layout base, with highlights of Lemonade Cardstock and raspberry cardstock. I also used the pink side of the birthday present patterned paper. You would never know the back side of the paper was so blue/green by looking at the layout. It's hard not to love the versatility of this paper packet.

If you look closely at both the patterned paper and the cardstock, you will see I inked the edges with the matching ink color (Raspberry ink and  the Lemonade ink) ) to give the layout a little more "pop". A little splash of glitter using a Raspberry Shimmer Brush, add a few stickers and the layout is done....or is it.

The top picture is the right side of the birthday layout and the bottom picture is the left side of the layout. I added the balloons to the top of the picture to be used as a pull tab. Watch what happens when you lift the tab.

I used flip flaps to create a "waterfall" of pictures because I had a series of pictures showing my daughter first discovering the streamers blocking her door, and then her climbing thru them. I wanted to capture the whole memory and no 1 photo did this.

Here is my list of products used to make this layout

1. Party Time Paper Packer + Sticker Sheet (X8016S - Avaialble Sep 1, 2020
2. Party Time Coordinating Cardstock (X8016C) - Available Sep 1, 2020
3. Yellow Acrylic Stars
4. Raspberry Exclusive Inks
5. Lemonade Exclusive inks
6. 4" × 6" Flip Flaps™ Memory Protectors™

I know many of you are in the same boat as I am with having so many pictures from a single birthday, and how could I not when it was her 21st birthday??  Check back Friday for one more set of girlie cards berfore I fall head first into birthday layouts with a goal of staying in the moment.  

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

TINA Stanczak

shop |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Cricut Affiliate link  | TinaStanczakCricutAffiliateLink

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions)

Motivation Monday - Close To My Heart new product sneek peak (Girlie Cards)

  WELCOME FELLOW PAPER CRAFTERS!

It's movtivation Monday. Today, I am continuing with the sneak peaks into the CTMH Sep 2020 to Aug 2021 catalog. The more I use the "Party Time Paper Packet", the more I fall in love with it!! One of the key features of this paper packet is the versatilty of the patterns.  Today and tomorrow, I will be featuring cards and layouts using pinks, orange and yellow. Later in the week I will feature cards and layouts using greens, blues and yellows.

Here are today's cards:

Both cards use pink dot paterned paper and pink/orange patterned paper on the base, with highlights of nectarine cardstock and raspberry cardstock. If you look closely at the "Anniversary" and "Birthday" sayings stamped in Raspberry ink on the Lemonade Cardstock, you will note a lighter shade of yellow was used for the "Anniversary" saying:

This is because Close to My Heart cardstock has a white core with a light shade on one side and a darker shade on the other side. You get a "twofer" or two colors on a single sheet of paper. Very handy for insuring your colors match while getting a variety of shading.

Here is the list of product used.

1. Party Time Paper Packer + Sticker Sheet (X8016S - Avaialble Sep 1, 2020
2. Party Time Coordinating Cardstock (X8016C) - Available Sep 1, 2020
3. Wishing You Everything Stamp _ Thin Cut (Z3779) - Available Sep 1 , 2020
4. Raspberry Exclusive Inks
5. White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack (you will need 1 card base & envelopes)
6. Thin 3-D Foam Tape

I love that the variety of patterened paper in the packet allowed my to customize the birthday card by using a patterned paper with the words Happy Birthday, written in different colors and sizes behind my "Birthday wishes" sentiment. 

At the same time I was able to quickly change the card design into an anniversary card by using the confetti patterned paper behind my "Anniversay wishes" sentiment.

This patterned paper is great for those girlie occasions, like a princess birthday or bridal shower or anniversary. 

The confetti and "Happy Birthday" colors are so bright and cheerful!! Don't they just remind you of a cake you want to eat right up??

Well, on to scrapbooking some of the 21st birthday pictures.  Check back tomorrow for a girlie birthday layout featuring some more of this wonderful Party Time paper packet and stamp set.  

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

TINA Stanczak

shop |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Cricut Affiliate link  | TinaStanczakCricutAffiliateLink

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions)

Finish It Friday - Close To My Heart new product sneek peek (Generic Happy card)

 WELCOME FELLOW CRAFTERS!

Today, I am working on an generic "Happy Card" for any occasion. I never used to make cards, but since I retired and I have so many paper crafting supplies on hand, I set a goal to fill a box with cards so that I never have to run out to the store to buy a last minute greeting card. I think I am the Queen of the last minute greeting card! LOL

I used the following products for today's card:

1. Party Time Paper Paket + Sticker Sheet (X8016S) - Available Sept 1 2020
2. Party Time Coordinating Cardstock (X8016C) - Available Sept 1, 2020 
3. or a 1' by 4" piece of Lemonade Cardstock and a 4" by 5.25" piece of Lagoon Cardstock
4. Acrylic Shapes - Yellow Stars (Z3804) - Available Sept 1, 2020
5. Wishing You Everything Stamp + Thin Cut (Z3779) - Available Sept 1, 2020
6. White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack (you will need 1 card base & envelopes)
7. Thin 3-D Foam Tape
   
8. Z2895 Lagoon Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad
   
9. Z2848 Sapphire Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad

Since I had all of the supplies pulled out to make the aniversary card, I stamped several of the "Happy" in Lagoon ink with the Sapphire Ink "Happy" graphic on top. I had also stamped and cut several of the tiny rectangles using Lagoon Ink. I used these pre-stamped items to make this cute generic card.

I am so excited to be playing with a few of the new products being offered by CTMH for the Sep 2020 to Aug 2021 year. One of the big changes that CTMH made for this years catalog is the fact that there now "core paper packs"...meaning these paper packs will be available throughout the whole year. The Party Time Paper Packet  + Sticker Sheet (X8016S - Available Sept 1 2020) is one of the new core paper packs. This means that no matter in which month of the year your special celebration is held, you will be able to purchase the paper packet and make your scrapbbok layouts right away, with no waiting. Here is the sneak peek of the paper paket.

This paper packet is so versatile. For instance, the present patterned paper features pinks and oranges on one side and blues and greens on the other side. The present patterned paper also features different color sets on the A side vs the B side. Or, how about the the Happy Birthday words on one side of the paper and the confetti on the other side of the paper?  Wouldn't the confetti be cute for a New Years layout or a school dance layout (maybe Homecoming??). And the stripes or the dots, those patterens can be used for virtually anything!!

Take a look at the Acrylic Shapes - Yellow Stars (Z3804) up close.

There is so much depth to these. They will add a nice pop to any greeting card or scrapbook layout. Hint: be on the lookout for the new core catalog as there will be many choices for similar Acrylic Shapes.

Be on the lookout for more sneak peeks next week!! I have a whole weeks worth of peeks planned!!

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

TINA Stanczak

shop |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Cricut Affiliate link  | TinaStanczakCricutAffiliateLink

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions)

Work on it Wednesday - Close To My Heart new product sneek peak (Anniversary Card)

 WELCOME FELLOW CRAFTERS!

Today, I am working on an Anniversary card for my DH (darling husband) for our 26th wedding Anniversary tomorrow. I wanted to make a special card for him, well just because. I will be using a pattern provided by Close To My Heart to make this card. 

Here is the list of product used:

1. Party Time Paper Paket + Sticker Sheet (X8016S) - Available Sept 1 2020
2. Party Time Coordinating Cardstock (X8016C) - Available Sept 1, 2020 
3. or a 3/4' by 5" piece of Lemonade Cardstock and a 2" by 4.5" piece of Raspberry Cardstock
4. Acrylic Shapes - Yellow Stars (Z3804) - Available Sept 1, 2020
5. Wishing You Everything Stamp + Thin Cut (Z3779) - Available Sept 1, 2020
6. Simple Serif Bundle - Available Sept 1, 2020
   
7. White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack (you will need 1 card base & envelopes)
8. Thin 3-D Foam Tape
   
9. Z2895 Lagoon Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad
   
10. Z2848 Sapphire Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad

I am so excited about the new products being offered by CTMH for the Sep 2020 to Aug 2021 year. The item I am most excited about is the Simple Serif Bundle - Available Sept 1, 2020. This Serif alpha comes with both stamps and thin cuts. On the card below, I have used it to stamp the numbers 26 on top of the die cut 26, and left the "th" as a die cut. There are so many combinations I could have used. For example, I could have stamped the Sapphire ink on the lagoon cardstock to change up the look of the card. Or, cut the 26th out of Sapphire glitter paper (yes, she says clapping her hands in excitement!! You can now get Sapphire glitter paper!!). 

Sneak Peak Simple Serif Bundle - Available Sept 1, 2020

I am hoping to use the Serif Alpha stamp + thin cut set on many upcoming scrapbook layouts.

The "Happy" and the "Anniversary" Sayings come from the Wishing You Everything Stamp + Thin Cut (Z3779) - Available Sept 1, 2020. Sneak Peak Below.

All of the stamps highlighted in light blue have a matching thin cut (die).  I love that the "Happy" can be stamped by itself or layered with another color and/or combined with so many other sayings. Here are some examples of the greetings you can make with the set.

1. Happy Birthday
2. Happy Anniversary
3. Happy Everything
4. You make me Happy
5. A good day to be Happy
6. Hope your Day is Happy
7. Wishing you a Happy Day
8. Anniversay Wishes

Of course you can combine stamped sayings from this set with stamps from your stash!! The possibilities are endless.

One design tip to note: for the word "Anniversary" I used a curved stamp. I straighten one end of the stamp and held it straight while sticking to the block, then I straightened the back end of the word. I made a test stamp to make sure the word was straight before stamping into the rectangle that I had die cut and stamped in Lagoon ink.

You can used the same design trick to make straight stamps into curved stamps to fit the curved banner. Check back next Tuesday as I will give more detailed instructions on Technique Tuesday.

I will be continuing the new product sneak peak until Sept 1, 2020 so be sure to check back for more peaks!!

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

TINA Stanczak

shop |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Cricut Affiliate link  | TinaStanczakCricutAffiliateLink

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions)

Motivation Monday - Finally 21

 WELCOME FELLOW CRAFTERS!

Today is my daughter's 21st birthday, so I am not crafting, but rather venturing out into the world to visit a couple of vineyards, take a nature tour, and watch the sunset while eating dinner. I am hoping to take boatloads of pictures and come back inspired to complete a boat load of birthday themed scrapbook layouts.

Yes, my daughter is that much taller than me. LOL

Check back in on Wednesday for another special occasion.

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

TINA Stanczak

shop |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Cricut Affiliate link  | TinaStanczakCricutAffiliateLink

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions)

Stash Busting Saturday - Finally 21 Birthday Card

 WELCOME FELLOW CRAFTERS!

Today I am working on a Birthday card for my DD (darling daughter) who is turning 21 on Monday.  I wanted to do a special card for her, since turning 21 in the middle of a pandemic is... well... let's face it, it kind of sucks. I happened to see this card on Pinterest that I knew she would love...so I scraplifted it.

I dug into my Queen & Co stash to pull out;

1. my MAGIC HEAD DIE 
2. a retired MOUSE HEAD card kit which contained the pre-cut foam and an acetate sheet
3. some washi tape
4. some "toppings", i.e. blingy bits
5. and my MAGICAL Charactors paper pad

Making this card was tricky because the washi was both on top of the "sandwich" and inside the "sandwich". Let me explain. First let's review the full "sandwich"/layers

1. Washi tape, Silver Shimmer Trim, and bling (on top of)
2. shiney cardstock with the mouse head cut out of it (part of Mouse Head card kit)
3. Acetate (part of Mouse Head card kit)
4. Foam (part of Mouse Head card kit)
5. shaker fillings
6. Black Mouse head patterned paper (MAGICAL Charactors paper pad)

I attacked the layers from the bottom and the top moving to the center. Let me explain. 

1. First, I adhered the Mouse Head patterned paper to the card base. 
2. Next, I adhered the skinny pink washi tape (from CTMH Calypso collection - retired) to the far left edge of the shiney cardstock with the mouse head cut out of it
3. I then adhered the Silver Shimmer Trim on the left hand side of the card top, butted up next to the pink washi tape
4. Finally, I added a 3/8 in strip of the pink and black striped paper next to the Silver Shimmer Trim

With this prep finished, we are ready for the tricky part. In order to get the washi layer both on the top of the card and inside the shaker, we have to use the MAGIC HEAD DIE. I used washi tape to hold the card top (i.e. the shiney cardstock with the mouse head cut out of it) to the MOUSE HEAD DIE.

Unforunately, I laid the die on top of the card base to take the picture. I am hoping you get the idea. I the put the die through my Cuttlebug to cut the paper strip from the cut top. 

Next, I adhered the shimmer trim and striped cardstock piece to the base of my card, using the MOUSE HEAD DIE as the template to show me where to glue these peices down (left side of picture below). I added the foam cutout to the card as shown in the picture on the right.

Ok, now we are ready to add toppings to the shaker. I wanted to get a good mix of colors in the toppings. In the end I decided on some silver tinsel (from Magic Scraps circa 2006?), dark pink diamonds (Queen & Co), light pink diamonds(Queen & Co), and star sequins from CTMH. I really wanted the star sequins so I picked them out of.the pack of Gold - Loose Sequins. Refer to the picture below for a close up of the toppings I used.

I remove the protective cover from the top of the top before adding the toppings to make sure I don't spill any of the toppings when pulling the cover off. I quickly add my acetate to the foam after I put the toppings in the foam. Again, this ensures I don't spill the toppings out of the foam. 

The picture on the left shows my topping mix. The picture on the right show the card with the acetate attached. Before I add the card top, I make sure to smush any air pockets that have formed between the foam and the acetate. Finally, we add the shiney white cardstock top with the mouse head cut out of it.

I found a piece of pink ribbon I used for the bottom bow, adding a Striped Ribbon Bow for the top bow. I added a couple of black dots and pink hearts from Queen & Co pink sequin topping bottle.

The last step was adding my "Finaly 21" greeting and birthday saying on the inside of the card. I had intended on cutting the "Finally 21" saying out with my Cricut but I couldn't find my Black Glitter Paper so I ended up using the retired Glamour Glitter Alphabet stickers from CTMH to add my saying. I added the "Cheers" saying along with the champange glasses and bubbles to the inside of the card using the Nov 2016 SOTM "New Years Cheers".

After looking the card over, I wasn't happy with the placement of the saying on the front, because I was thinking the "Finally 21" was too high up and there was too much white space between the saying and the Mouse Head......so as a final touch I added some champange bubbles.

I am now so happy with this card! I can't wait to give it to my DD on her birthday; right before I take her wine tasting.

If you are in need of a special card, reach out to me via FB messenger. I would love to create a custom card for your special occasion.

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

TINA Stanczak

shop |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Cricut Affiliate link  | TinaStanczakCricutAffiliateLink

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions)

Work on it Wednesday - Writing with your Cricut (Gnome Christmas Cards)

 WELCOME FELLOW CRICUT CRAFTERS!

Today I am tyring to finish up a Christmas in July project I started, well in July. I am making some cute little Gnome Christmas cards. I got stuck because I do not own the stamp set needed to stamp and emboss the saying on the cards. Since the sayings are really quite easy; "MERRY CHRSTMAS" and "Happy Holidays" I decided to use my Cricut to write and cut what I needed. In the process I learned a little bit about using different pens styles and sizes.

I tried a few different pens.

1. Glitter Gold Gel Tip 0.8 pen purchased thru| TinaStanczakCricutAffiliateLink.
2. American Crafts Gold Metallic marker
3. Glitter Silver Gel Tip 0.8 pen purchased thru | TinaStanczakCricutAffiliateLink.
4. American Crafts Silver Metallic marker
5. Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic (Silver)
6. Silver Gel Tip 1.0 pen purchased thru | TinaStanczakCricutAffiliateLink.

Let's talk about the gold pens frist. I used a Glitter Gold Gel Tip 0.8 pen that I had purchased thru my Cricut Affiliate link  | TinaStanczakCricutAffiliateLink.

I loved the way the pen wrote, however I felt the writing was not "thick" enough.

It is pretty but as you can tell from the picture, quite thin. I thought maybe I could use a metallic marker to get thicker lines, so off to my stash I went. I came back with an American Crafts Gold Metallic marker. This marker almost worked. The writing was definitely thicker, but uneven. To be fair, this marker is probably more than a few years old. I may have picked it up a a certain scrapbook store chain which has been out of business since 2013.

When I didn't get the look I wanted with the gold pens, I moved on to silver pens. As it turns out, I have more silver pens in my stash than I have gold pens.

The pen at the top of the photo is the Glitter Silver Gel Tip 0.8 pen purchased thru | TinaStanczakCricutAffiliateLink in the Glitter Basic Pen set. The result withthe silver glitter gel pen was similar to the gold glitter gel pen. It wrote nicely but very thin, 

The second pen shown in the picture is the American Crafts Silver Metallic marker. The result was much better than the result with the American Crafts Gold Metallic marker, leading me to believe that this marker might not be quite a old.

The third pen shown in the picture is the Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic (Silver). I loved the results using this pen.

The fourth pen shown in the picture is the Cricut Silver Gel Tip 1.0 pen. This is not "metallic", just silver. Again, I liked the way the pen wrote put the lines were really thin. I wasn't sure how this pen would write but it is a 1.0 size vs. the 0.8 size of the Glitter Silver Gel Tip pen. In the end, I was very happy I gave this pen a try.

Here is a closer look at the final saying using this pen.

Here is a closer look at the final saying using the Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic (Silver) pen. If 

I had to pick just one pen to use with my Cricut, this is the pen I would use. Even tho the lines are thin, the saying is thick enough to read and who doesn't love a little sparkle.

Here is a side-by-side look at how the two pens write.

The top four sayings were written with the Cricut Silver Gel Tip 1.0 pen and the bottom three sayings were written with the Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic (Silver) pen. The results are very similar. The Sakura pen just writes thicker.

Well, I am happy I spent the tiem trying out all the different pens I have purchaed over time. I am also hoping this will save you some time figuring out what pen to purchase/use on your next Cricut writing project.

Be sure to check back Friday to see the finished gnome Christmas card set. #CricutMade

Stay well and Happy crafting!!

TINA Stanczak

shop |    http://emptynestscrapin.closetomyheart.com

Pinterest |    https://www.pinterest.com/niallsmama

Cricut Affiliate link  | TinaStanczakCricutAffiliateLink

Facebook |     Emptynest   Scrapin   (private group for project instructions)