Hybrid Greeting Cards -- Perk Up Girls

Don't you just identify with coffeekiki (C.C Designs) here when it comes to your morning coffee? I'll be posting complete instructions on my website (http://www.scrappigators.com/) hopefully later today. Though this image comes in a traditional stamp, I opted to download it digitally to create a Z-file card for my Delcastle Craft show. Though Kiki was much admired, I think she may have hit a little too close to home. I used Copic markers to color her and found the perfect cardstock combinations in Close To My Heart's new cardstock selection (Smoothie and Sky Blue). The front piece came from my CTMH scraps. I'll be posting more hybrid cards later on this week. I'll be leaving home in about an hour to go to A.C. Moore's in Dover, DE where I'll be encouraging people to sign up for my next round of SDU scrapbooking classes (Nov 30, Dec 1, 7 and 8 from 6 PM - 8 PM) and to a Hybrid Christmas Card class (December 2 from 6 PM - 8 PM).

H2H Tag Challenge

I just got back from the CKC Convention in Valley Forge when I saw the new Heart2Heart Challenge and its requirement to involve tags. I viewed this as a perfect opportunity to play with acrylics I saw and use up some scraps at the same time!

I love making cards from scraps! I found some wonderful sentiments on a mostly-used Emporium Level 1 Sticker set, backed them with scraps from Emporium B&T’s and mini-glue-dotted them onto a clear card base (Z1323).

I made my tag from a Twilight cardstock scrap, colored a White Daisy Clear Bloom (Z1300) with Buttercup ink (Z2110) and adhered an Emporium sticker in the center. I used the tail end of a Z1127 Chocolate Ribbon Round as my tag topper. I edged papers and stickers with Twilight Ink (Z2160)

Since this is a greeting card, I wanted to make sure that I could write a sentiment on the inside of the card, so I considered myself most fortunate to find a journaling blank among my leftover Emporium stickers. So I placed my sentiment on the lower portion of my Clear Card album and left the top open for my sticker. I positioned the journaling sticker to it could be seen above the sentiment. After adhering two layers of B&T’s on top of the cardstock tag, I cut the blank top off the “beautiful moments” sticker and adhered it to the tag. Next I adhered the flower with a glue dot, then the center of the flower with the Stickese sticker. Finally, I added my tag topper and adhered it with glue dots and now I have a most unusual card.

Two Challenges: Triple the Scraps & Heart2Heart Color Challenge

Matthew 6:26 is the inspiration for this scripture. Behold the birds of the air, for they neither snow nor do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they? Our little birds may not “work”, but what is more joyful in the morning than to hear to hear uplifting bird-song as we begin our day? In the same way, what father does not revel in his own child’s laughter, or seek to “fix things” that make his child sad? Just as my own sons’ parenting skills are clear reflections of their father, so must our hearts and our actions be reflections of our heavenly Father. How blessed are we to have His protection, his agape love, and to be cherished as His children?


I struggled with what projects to take with me to work on at the Friday Night Crop at the CKC Convention in Valley Forge, PA. It hit me Thursday morning (we left Thursday evening) that this would be a WONDERFUL opportunity to catch up on ALL of my missed challenges! I was five behind on my Triple the Scraps scripture challenge and I wanted to do this week’s Close to My Heart Color Challenge.

So, I frantically looked for scriptures and art for three out of the five challenges, added a few last minute projects, and was confident that I would have plenty to do while making huge strides to finish overdue projects during our four-hour cropping window. I failed to factor one element into my best-laid plans: EXHAUSTION! After a grueling, 10,000-step, six-class day, my world took on Alice-in-Wonderland angles and shapes. My inability to cut a straight line with a ruler/trimmer magnified itself to the power 10. Scallops were lost and edges skewered. But how like our heavenly Father is it to accept us as we are, odd angles and all? Rather than redo the project, I decided to let the imperfections remain because we are flawed creatures who can rest in our Father’s perfections.

“You should have seen her!” my roommate Melissa shared with our two other cropping partners – Tina and Erica. “By 10:00 she was nodding off at the table with pop dots in her hand.” The next day, after another five classes and almost 6,000 steps, I added the final touch to the project -- “stitching” – while sitting in my minivan waiting for my three traveling companions to finish their last class. I used three-general stamping on my little birds and created my scallops with an EK Success corner rounder.

I used the following products to complete this project.

 Vineyard Berry cardstock (1248)

 Vineyard Berry Exclusive Ink (Z2257)

 Blush Cardstock (Z2257)

 Crème Brulee cardstock (X5754)

 Black Exclusive Inks (Z2305)

 Classic Cap Alphabet stamp set (D1110)

 Love Birds stamp set (C1396)

Challenge 15 --Fear Not

An expected noise, swooshing branches scratching the side of a house, thunder-splitting lightening assaulting a nearby tree – who isn’t afraid of things that go bump in the night? But Scripture tells us we have nothing to fear for our Lord is with us always. He strengthens us in the middle of the storm. He keeps us safe in the unsafe places. He has plans for us. So when we’re afraid, we can draw courage from Isaiah 41:10 as we move through the danger and experience victory at His right hand.

Triple the Scrap’s Fear Not” challenge begged for monsters which were not part of my inventory until my CTMH convention bundle arrived last week. So I put together another sneak preview using products schedule for release on September 1. I used the Hooligans Level I Paper Pack X7129A which included the cardstock and stickers for the 6” x 6” page, squares, and “Boo!!” I used my EK Success powder brush to de-stick the stickers. I used the felt monsters for added depth from CTMH’s Hooligans Level 2 Assortment ( Z1332). I edged with Black Exclusive Inks (Z2105) and one of our new fall colors, Lagoon (Z2195).

I took a short cut and used some mini-shimmer alpha stickers from Making Memories for the “Fear Not” title rather than break open a new pack of our Color Ready Bold Alphabets (X5750). I can blame it on my two larger dogs (Bo @ 65 pounds and Tally @ 55 pounds) who are deathly afraid of thunderstorms. Just I finished, thunder, lightening, and a more than wet thunderstorm swept by our house. Lucy (a 28-pound fireball) was pretty nonchalant about the whole thing, but Bo and Tally were completely undone. They could not “fear not.”

Heart2Heart What's Cookin' Challenge

My favorite tea house is the Victorian Lady (www.victorianladytea.net/) in Milford, Delaware. Kay Young (the owner) has a five-course tea luncheon that is a must for every special occasion. She starts with soup, then scones, fruit, sandwiches and dessert. Of course, you have your choice of teas. When I saw the Heart2Heart recipe challenge, I immediately thought of Kay. So I called her and got a recipe for each course and placed them in my mini recipe box which I made from a coffee holder that I got at the Gaylord in Washington D.C. during our CTMH Convention. I used our soon to be released stamps titled “A Sip” (A1109) and Royal Birth (D1441). Of course, no crown is complete without bling, so I bejeweled it with Bitty Sparkles (Z1263). I have five recipes in the mini-box (one for each course) and attached tea bag labels with Cranberry Waxy Flax (Z1086). I stamped and edged with Cranberry Exclusive Inks (Z2116) and used That’s Amore Level 2 Paper Pack (X7107B) scraps to cover the coffee holder inside and out.

Convention, CTMH Style

Too little time, too much to do . . . but we finally made it to the Close to My Heart Convention at the Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center in Washington DC. I've taken hundreds of pictures since I arrived yesterday afternoon, but I was particularly taken with this special treatment of some steps at the Gaylord . . . how cool is this? I'm now a "supervisor" with CTMH because I have sponsored my good friend, Melissa Fulgham, into the company. Our team is the "Scrappigators" and we plan to be around for a long, long time. I'd love to share the opportunity with you . . . so just drop me an email so we can talk. Meanwhile, dare to dream.
   Tomorrow we'll be doing some "create and takes" so I'll be posting those soon. We've had a long and productive day and now it's time to sleep. Don't forget to wear the crown of your achievements, to soar like a butterfly, to build a framework for success, to join a community built on heart, and to fly on the wings of creativity -- that's Close To My Heart.

Operation Welcome Home

These 4 ½” x 5” cards are for: Operation Welcome Home Maryland. This organization includes handcrafted cards in their "welcome home" packages for servicemen and women returning from overseas assignments. Operating of BWI, they greeted 42,088 returning servicemembers in 2009. My personal goal is to make a minimum of 25 cards per month. 
      While not all cardmakers like to include an inside sentiment, I do. I also like to stamp the matching envelopes. Operation Welcome Home Maryland doesn't require envelopes. The first card reflects both the card cover and the inside message. I normal stamp the inside before building the card.
      I made 24 of these cars using CTMH products. I used Cocoa cardstock (X5642) on a white card base and Desert Sand (1273) for the helmut base. Much to my disappointment, I ran out of my cocoa cardstock . . . and I didn’t even have any chocolate on hand to substitute! I also CTMH Exclusive Inks Cocoa (Z2114), Vanilla Cream (Z2169) and New England Ivy (Z2135).

     I used the following CTMH Stamps:

• Welcome Home (D1370) 
• Around the Block (D1377)
• For Every Occasion (D1187)
• Hero’s Pride (C1315)
• Just Like You (C1300)
• Dainty Thoughts (C1350)

     I used my stippling tool from our Texture Tools set (Z1298) for my background on the second card.

 

Triple the Scraps, Abide

Abide was a much more difficult theme for me to present, but, after two attempts, this simple scene conveyed my first thoughts. My scripture is John 15:7, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” The delight our silhouetted young girl conveys as she receives flowers from her friend reminds me of our relationship with Christ. This is a tender moment, an idyllic setting that takes us to a place of peace and contentment. How much more so is the gift we receive as our faith stands firm in difficult times? Abiding, patiently waiting for the Holy Spirit’s direction and instruction and then walking ahead with full possession of His gift gives rise to that special peace that passes all understanding. How great is our God indeed.


With the exception of Smooch Spritz, Gold Glow, all my products are from CTMH. I used Vanilla Cream pigment ink to stamp the images on our Cocoa Cardstock. The cross comes from our B1326 He Is Risen clear stamps, while the scene is from D1373 Childhood Portrait and the lettering comes from D1195 The Works Acrylix Clear Stamp set. I typed the scripture in a 2-inch column and then sprayed it with Smooch Spritz Gold Glow spray which gave the typed page and air-brushed, glittery effect. I also stamped the cross using CTMH Cocoa ink pad onto White Daisy Cardstock that I sprayed with the Smooch Spritz.

Triple the Scraps, Temptation

This is the second of 26 Scripture Challenges for the year. My scripture selection is from Matthew 26:41 (Amplified). All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

I used Close to My Heart's (CTMH) Cocoa and Twilight inks and cardstock along with Bamboo as a cardstock base. I used the D1349 Be Yourself for my joggers and D1418 Felicity and D1222 Tiny Typewriter Alphabet for lettering. I also used a B&T scrap from CTMH’s Grace Level 2 pack for accent. I stippled the scripture reference with Twilight ink. I scalled the title strip with my EK Success corner rounder (with the corner guard removed) and my hand punch for the arrows. I popped them out a bit with foam dots.

Triple the Scraps, Hope

Our first scripture challenge is Hope. Hope is truly a gift from God. It keeps us going in hard times. My scripture is from Roman 15:13 (Amplified) -- May the God of your hope so fill you, with all joy and peace in believing [through experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.
I used CTMH’S Bamboo and Cocoa cardstocks to build this page. I added a heart border with my Fiskar’s Punch and used graphic elements from B1326 He Is Risen and D1373 Childhood Portraits. I stippled Cocoa Exclusive Inks on the scripture to add texture. For the title I used D1100 Classic Caps.

Scripture Challenge Cover Page

I'm excited about this year's Triple the Scrap’s scripture challenge which we're doing on 6"x6" scrapbook pages. This is the cover page for 2010 Scripture challenge. The Bible graphic and Scripture citation are from CTMH's Come Unto Me My Acrylix Stamp Set (D1199). I used CTMH’s You Rock background paper along with Bamboo, Desert Sand, Cocoa and black cardstock. I used Cocoa Exclusive Inks for all stamping and Stazon’s Timber Brown to bronze the pewter decorative button and chocolate brown brads on the scripture reference. I also added a tad of bling with a gold glitter pen on the Bible. I used Provo Craft’s Pixie Serif Black Roll Alphabitties for the title, but this product seems to be discontinued. I used large, clear pop dots to enhance the Bible’s three-dimensional effect and a thin brown ribbon from my stash to bring a finishing detail. I cut the "2010" title from the "Animal Crackers" disk on my Making Memories Slice.

I finished it! Page 16

The young men who comprised the Trinidad youth were awesome. Not only mannerly and helpful, they were willing to try new things; and there was no shortage of new things to put their hand to. Our kids had a ball, and I think they did as well. Friendships were formed in a memorable trip for all.

50-Card Christmas Workshop

When I saw these cards on one of the Close To My Heart (CTMH) bulletin boards and realized that you could make 50 cards from half a level 2 paper pack, I knew this was an incredible holiday workshop. Unlike the one I saw, I've added a few extra elements to the project. Instead of two basic stamp sets, I used four. Instead of 4" x 5.5" cards, I purchased quality card bases at 4.5" x 5.5 inches. So I created a "ribbon" effect by adding a half-inch strip and crimping it. In the first set of four cards you see, I used CTMH's Angel Sent cards featuring for sweet cherubs (A1099). Visit my website at http://dianecook.myctmy.com for more art. I'll be posting more later today or tomorrow. My workshop is at my home and is slated for Saturday, October 3 from 9 AM to 5 PM. Sign-up deadline is September 15, 2009. For more details, email me at dcookwrites@cookworkshop.com and I'll add you to my newsletter mailing list.

50-Card Workshop

Above are some examples of an October 3rd workshop that I plan to teach during which we will make 50 Christmas Cards from 1/2 a level 2 paper pack day-long session. This is my first pass which takes a bit longer than it should because I did a lot of detailing. I will try it again next week to work faster and more efficiently.

Travel Workshop Report

One of the greatest joys of scrapbooking is sharing, and that was proven at our first travel crop on Saturday, July 18. It was so successful that we're going to do it again on Saturday, August 29th. Here Dawn Johnson, Melissa Fulgham's sister, holds up her last 2-page layout. New to scrapbooking, Dawn actually completed six pages chronicling her June vacation to South Dakota during her first scrapbooking round.

"When Melissa told me I would get four to six pages done today, I thought she was wrong," Dawn said. "How long does it take to put a few pictures on a page?" But Dawn soon discovered that this art form is about telling your story with pictures, paper, journaling . . . and that it's a bit addictive.

Dawn effectively incorporated maps and memorabalia into her design . . . and has committed to attend our August workshop. The rest of her designs are below:

Sadie's First Page

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Sadie is our daughter's dog. A Shepherd-Huskie Mix, she weighs in at about 85 pounds and gets around well for a 14-year-old dog. According to the UC Davis Book of Dogs, small-breed dogs (such as small terriers) then become geriatric at about 11 years; medium-breed dogs (such as larger spaniels) at 10 years; large-breed dogs (such as German Shepherd Dogs) at 8 years; and giant-breed dogs (such as Great Danes) at 7 years. (Wikepedia). According to this, Sadie has almost doubled her geriatric years. We thought we were losing her last month, but she rebounded and will be spending the day with me since my daughter is Air Guarding at the drop zone this afternoon.

On Monday night I started playing with a "Pet Pages" project and random stamped background papers and designs. I used a Jeanette R. Lynton's Reflections Scrapbook Program design layout (page 19) as a blueprint and handstamped my designs on Close To My Heart's Colonial White cardstock. Using Close to My Heart's Brown Bag cardstock as a background, I used three Exclusive Inks colors (Blush, Brown Bag and Sweet Leaf) to stamped my background papers. My puppy paws came from CTMH's Welcome Baby set (B1325). The doggie bones came from CTMH's Dog's Life set (C1316). The heart was from CTMH's Love Language (D1343)

Brothers

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As I was deciding on what to do with the second "Club Baby" double-page spread, I started thinking about Brayden's big brother Parker. I have an older brother who was cooler than cool in my kid sister eyes. I hope that Brayden and Parker will get along as well.

The nuclear family is not so nuclear anymore, especially with the "yours, mine and ours" construct. But brothers are brothers whether they are full-, half- or step-.


I appreciate Parker's capacity to love the big bruiser of a little guy who is taking so much of Mom's time and attention. But these pages prove beyond a doubt that "he aint heavey, he's my brother."


This is why I decided to make the second two-page project a brothers project, because no child should feel left behind.

I used Close To My Heart Emporium Level 2 papers to build the 2-page spread along with Sol0 "P" (B1240) and "B" (B1226) stamp sets. My journaling and title I generated on the computer and printed onto in vellum. Stickers are from theEmporium stickese pack, but I'm not sure whether they were Level I or II. The white crocheted flower is from CTMH's White Daisy Collection (Z1136), which be purchased on my website at http://www.dianecook.myctmh.com/. Actually, all of the CTMH products can be purchased on my website.



The two brothers stamped together at the top of the page next to the title is from CTMH's Family Ties -- Children collection. (C1345). I just ordered Family Ties -- Adults (C1346) and am looking forward to pairing them with the children in future projects.


I used Jeannette Lynton's Balanced Blocks layout from Cherish Scrapbook Layouts Made Beautifully Simple (CTMH Item # 9029) as a launchpoint. I normally prefer designing my projects on my computer and deciding what I'll use where. I sort of made this one up as I went along. All in all, I'm happy with the end result . . . now I suppose I'll have to make a page for my daughter-in-law . . .