Sunday, December 23, 2018

Christmas Joy Layout using Zip Strips


Did you know that all of Close to my Heart’s patterned paper comes with ½" strips on the top with a different pattern? They are called “zip strips.” Sometimes we cut them off and set them aside and forget about them or even (gasp) toss them in the trash, but they can be used for so many different things. I used them on this layout to create the Christmas tree. I used a few of the patterns from the ‘Tis the Season Collection and the Seasons Mix-Ins on this layout a well. 


I also used some of the pieces from the ‘Tis the Season Complements pack to embellish the layout. The ornaments, title, snowflakes, stars, and pinecones are all from the Complements pack. The Red Glitter banner was cut from a left over piece of the die cuts that come in the pack.   


It’s hard to see in the photo, but I also used some Thin Embellishing Thread on the top of the die cut ornaments. I also added a few of the self-adhesive Red Pearls which I love.


The title is from the ‘Tis the Season Complements pack as well. I cut the “s” off the word “holidays” and paired it with Glitter die cut “JOY” that comes in the ‘Tis the Season Complements pack. The fern is cut from a piece of New England Ivy cardstock using an image form the Flower Market Cricut cartridge. If you like these products be sure to order them soon. They are all retiring next week on December 31st.

So don’t forget about those fun zip strips. You can always trim them off and save them for projects later. After all, isn’t that what we crafters do best? Save everything to use on future projects? LOL! 

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Story by Stacy Gift/Storage Box with Design Space Link


The Story by Stacy kits that are on sale this month are a quick and easy way to document your sweet memories. They also make great gifts! Embellishing the front cover of the album is easy with a die cut cardstock flower. This flower was created using the Flower Market Cricut cartridge. (Click here for the Design Space file.)


When you are done with your album, you can create a cute gift box to hold it. I created the black cardstock base of my box in Design Space (click here for the link) and then created a wrap to go around the box. After cutting, folding, and adhering the black cardstock base, I added a piece of 5¼" x 5¼" Polka Dot paper inside.

To create the wrap, start with with a piece of 11¾" x 5⅝" piece of White Daisy cardstock and adhere it to a piece of Ballerina Polka Dot paper (from the Seasons Mix-Ins) on one side. Then score and fold it at 5¼" and 6¼". I created the top flap of my wrap from a piece of 11" x 5" piece of Ballerina cardstock and then die cut one side with the large stitched scallop die from the Thin Cuts—Decorative Borders set. (You will need to cut it a bit at an angle in order to fit it through a standard sized Cuttlebug.) Score the Ballerina cardstock at 5⅜" and 6⅜" then adhere it to the Polka Dot paper/cardstock to create the full wrap.


You can then adhere the bottom of the box base to the center of the wrap if you like or simply leave the wrap unattached to the base. 


Your Story by Stacy album will fit inside perfectly.


After placing the album inside, I closed up the box and tied a piece of White Ribbon around it to keep it closed. Then I created the tassels by using another one of the dies from the Thin Cuts—Decorative Borders set. After die cutting the tassels I added some adhesive to the top of the die cut cardstock and then tightly rolled it. (If you have a quilling tool, it makes it much easier.) I added a small strip of Ballerina cardstock and a piece of White Gold Ribbon around the top of each tassel. Then I “fluffed” the tassels at the bottom with my fingers.


Click here for the Design Space link to create the flower and the base of the box.

How will you use your Story by Stacy mini albums this holiday season? Give them as gifts or keep them for yourself? Or both?

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

December Project Kit - Oh What Fun Interactive Flip Flap Layout


This month’s project kit is a Christmas themed Flip Flap scrapbook layout using the adorable Oh What Fun paper collection. You will create an interactive 12" x 12" double page spread that opens up to fit 34 photos or Picture My Life pocket scrapbooking cards. This layout is perfect for scrapbooking your holiday memories.

The local class this month will be held on Tuesday, December 18th at my house at 7pm. (If you are unable to attend but would still like a kit, you can either choose the “shipped” option at checkout and I will mail the kit to you or if you are local, you may choose the “local” option and I will drop it off or you can pick it up.)

The basic project kit is $40 and includes all of the following:
Additional supplies needed to complete the project:
Watch this short video to see the interactive layout in action...


Both pages closed...


Right page open...


Left page open...


Both pages open together...


Use the chipboard or sticker words and images from the Oh What Fun Compliments to embellish your layout... 


Use the Holiday Style PML Cards or photos to fill each of the 34 spots on your layout. 







Kits are now sold out. 
Thank you for the great response.


To find out more about my monthly “no-commitment” Creative Club, click here.
You do not need to be local to participate. *Ü*

Saturday, December 1, 2018

December Specials

Story Starter Special

Get up to 30% off Story by Stacy Kits in December



Story by Stacy™ products teach you how to focus on the story in your memory keeping, and this December is a wonderful time to share the stories that matter to you with the Story Starter Special. Preserve your memories with Story Starter—a fun 4" x 4" workshop kit that walks you through the steps of uncovering meaningful memories related to the people, places, and things you love! During December, take advantage of 20% off the retail price of all Story Starter workshop kits and both coordinating stamp sets. For even more savings, get 30% off the retail price with a variety of bundles featuring Story Starter workshop kits and stamp sets.


Includes:
1 of each Story Starter album (Dots, Stripes, and Candy Apple). 

Retail price: $44.85 
30% Discounted price: $30.95




Includes:
1 of each Story Starter album (Dots, Stripes, and Candy Apple), plus My Acrylix® Colorful Texture and My Acrylix® Quotable Words stamp sets. 

Retail price: $82.75 
30% Discounted price: $56.95

Or purchase the albums and/or stamp sets separately...



Includes:
 Story Starter Workshop Kit (Candy Apple or Dots, or Stripes), plus My Acrylix® Colorful Texture and My Acrylix® Quotable Words stamp sets. 

Retail price: $52.85
30% Discounted price: $36.95

Visit my website for other options.


For Hostesses: When you host a party that reaches the third level of Hostess Rewards or higher (order dated for December and submitting your party order no later than January 7, 2019), you will receive your choice of either the My Acrylix® Colorful Texture or My Acrylix® Quotable Words stamp set, FREE. That’s an added value of $18.95 that you receive totally free! Contact me to set up an online or in home party.


For New Consultants: When you join my team and become a Close To My Heart Consultant in December, you will receive your choice of either the My Acrylix® Colorful Texture or My Acrylix® Quotable Words stamp set, FREE. That’s an added value of $18.95! Visit my New Consultant FAQ page or contact me for more information on becoming a Consultant.


Shipping and handling assessed on retail value of all items. 
Special prices available through December 31, 2018, while supplies last.

_______________


December Stamp of the Month

Candy Cane Alphabet Stamp Set



With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your D-sized Stamp of the Month set for just $5! Add the stamp set to your cart here at full retail price ($18.95) or, with your qualifying order of $50, get it for just $5!



Set of 44
Recommended My Acrylix® blocks:
1" × 1" (Y1000), 1" x 3½" (Y1002), 1" × 6½" (Y1005)

Click here or on the image below to order your Stamp of the Month.


Stamp of the Month is only available December 1– 31, 2018.


_______________


Christmas Blessings

Exclusive card workshop for celebrating the heart of the season



You can never get enough Christmas. For a limited time, CTMH is offering a discounted workshop bundle with an exclusive stamp set that gives you materials to create 12 cards that celebrate the heart of this special season.


You can order a kit which includes the exclusive stamp set or you can order the stamp set separately.


Visit my website here to download the workshop guide with instructions for recreating the cards and to see what other supplies you may need.

Only available October 15–December 31 while supplies last. 
Shipping and handling will be assessed on the full retail value of your order.

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving


I am grateful for so many things, including you! 
Wishing you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Everything Christmas Blog Hop - Boxed Christmas Card and Tag Set


Welcome to the Paper Trufflez Team Blog Hop. The theme for this hop is “Everything Christmas.” If you have come from Chris’ blog, you are on the right path.

The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way around. If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants here. It’s really simple to hop along with us. Simply click on the link at the end of each blog post to move to the next one.


I have a fun boxed Christmas card and tag set to share with you today. I created this box using this file that I created in Design Space. (You will need the Flower Market Cricut cartridge to cut the file.) The inside dividers were created using cardstock that I scored and folded and then placed inside the bottom of the box.

This is what the box looks like closed. I used the polka dot paper from the Seasons Mix-Ins packet for the lid and a piece of Candy Apple cardstock for the bottom. I decorated the top with some Candy Apple striped ribbon. The tag was created using the Design Space file. I used Gold Foil cardstock, New England Ivy cardstock, White Daisy cardstock, and some Red Pearls.

 

I cut a piece of White Daisy cardstock using the largest circle from the Thin Cuts—Stitched Circles set then stamped the sentiment from the ‘Tis the Season—Scrapbooking stamp set in Black ink.


I created 4 cards, tags, and mini gift cards using the same polka dot paper along with papers and Compliments from the ‘Tis the Season Collection, some Fern Stitched Ribbon. I also used the ‘Tis the Season—Cardmaking and Oh What Fun—Cardmaking stamp sets.



 


Now “hop” on over to Amy’s blog, to see her fabulous artwork. Be sure to visit all the Consultants in the hop to get some fun creative ideas. If you get lost along the way, here is a list of participants. Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, November 16, 2018

Clean and Simple Watercolor Christmas Card


Today’s Christmas card was inspired by Kristina Werner from the Online Card Class that I am taking, which is appropriately called Clean and Simple Holiday. I cut down a piece of cold press watercolor paper to 4¼" x 11", scored it, and folded it in half. Then I used some washi tape to mask off the triangle shape in the center of the card front. I used my watercolor paints to make the graduated blue stroke marks. I made sure to not use too much water so that you could still see some of the brush marks. Once the paint dried, I carefully peeled off the washi tape mask. You could get a similar effect with a waterbrush and ink from the lid of a CTMH water-based ink pad. (Just squeeze the ink pad together before you open it to get some ink on the inside of the lid.)

The sentiment is from the Christmas Blessings stamp set. I spaced out the words so that I could add a Bitty Sparkle between them. Then I finished it off by adding a few Clear Sparkles and Bitty Sparkles to the tree. The card is definitely simple but the thickness and texture of the watercolor paper makes it feel somewhat elegant and “high end.”

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Christmas Snowflake Shaker Card


I have been making shaker cards like crazy. (I just can’t stop! I think I may be addicted.) In an online card class that I am taking right now, they talked about using metal dies to make shaker cards. I couldn’t wait to try out this idea with one of CTMH’s snowflake dies from the Winter Flurries Thin Cuts set. I used the largest snowflake for this card and die cut it from a piece of 4" x 5¼" snowflake patterned paper from the ‘Tis the Season paper packet. I stamped the “Merry Christmas” sentiment from the Christmas Blessings stamp set in Charcoal ink under the die cut snowflake.

Then I created the shaker on the back of the snowflake opening. The Shaker Window Acetate and Foam Circles work perfectly with this size snowflake, so it made it super quick and easy. I filled the shaker window with some Loose Silver Sequins and then adhered the whole piece to a folded piece of 4¼" x 11" Candy Apple cardstock using the extra foam pieces that came on the inside of the foam ring.


I stamped the “Sending warm wishes...” sentiment from the Love with All the Trimmings stamp set in Charcoal ink onto a strip of Pewter cardstock and attached it to the center of the opening with a piece of Thin 3-D Foam Tape. To finish off the card, I added a few of the Loose Silver Sequins to the card front.


I added a white panel on the inside with the snowflake that was cut from the front. I also stamped another sentiment from the Christmas Blessings stamp set in Charcoal ink on the bottom.

Saturday, November 3, 2018

November Project Kit - Christmas JOY Glitter Letter Kit


This month's project kit is a set of chipboard letters that spell the word “JOY” that you will decorate to display for the holidays. You will cover the 11½" white chipboard letters with silver glitter paper and then decorate with die cut pine cones, pine needle branches, and a 3D cardstock bow. You can display your letters on your fireplace mantel, hang them on the wall, or even place them under your tree.

The local class this month will be held on Tuesday, November 27th at my house at 7pm. (If you are unable to attend but would still like a kit, you can either choose the “shipped” option at checkout and I will mail the kit to you or if you are local, you may choose the “local” option and I will drop it off or you can pick it up.)

The basic kit is $25 and includes the following:
  • (3) 11½" white chipboard letters (J, O, and Y)
  • (3) 12" x 12" silver glitter paper
  • Pre-cut cardstock pinecones, pine needle branches, bow
  • Link to Design Space file. (All kits will be pre-cut. You will only need this file if you’d like to make more in the future. In order to cut file, you will need a Cricut machine compatible with Design Space such as the Explore or Maker, and the Flower Market Cricut Cartridge.)
  • Step-by-step instruction guide
Additional supplies needed (add-ons):

You will decorate (3) white chipboard letters with the glitter paper and die cut pine cones, pine needles, and a 3D cardstock bow.


Add on the Clear Shimmer Brush to add sparkle to the pine cones and pine needles.




All kits are now sold out. Thank you for your interest.


To find out more about my monthly “no-commitment” Creative Club, click here.
You do not need to be local to participate. *Ü*