Another Look at the Blosson Workshop on the Go Cardmaking Kit

Today is my talented friend, Becca's last day guest designing on my blog...but she is going out with such a BANG!!!  Wait until you see what she did with one of the Close to My Heart cardmaking kits!  Here she is...

I have one simple rule when it comes to purchasing a Workshop on the Go from CTMH:  I'd better have lots of ideas of what to do with it once the paper and embellishments are gone.  The Blossom WOTG is that kind of set.  Here's a picture of what comes in the kit.

I can see using those stamps over and over and over again...like this!

Below are supply lists broken down by cards (with links for your shopping convenience) as well as instructions that might not be self-explanatory.  The two things you will need for all cards are the Blossom WOTG, Foam Tape, and White Daisy Cardstock.

1)  Make a Wish

• Ink: Canary, Honey, Topiary, Black
• Accessories: Honey Triangle Washi tape, Topiary Washi tape, Black Mini Medley Accents

I stamped the line flower/circle twice in Canary, rotating a bit between stamping to give the frayed edge look.  I used the larger of the two dot clusters to fill in the centers with Canary, and then I stamped in Honey with the smaller dot cluster to add depth.  The stem was stamped in Topiary, stamped off on scratch paper, then rolled in Topiary around the edges. 

2)  You are worth celebrating

• Ink: Smoothie, Sunset, Canary, Pear, Crystal Blue, Thistle, Pixie, Black
• Accessories: White Shimmer Trim, Coral Reef Sequins

Sorry about the photography.  I don't understand why it turned out so grainy.  This one was pretty easy except for the sentiment.  I started by cutting the top panel at 5.5"x4.25".  I drew a straight line with a ruler and pencil about 1" from the bottom, stamped the candle in a gazillion colors, cut at the pencil line, and trimmed off about a 1/4" from the bottom piece.  I carefully inked just the "YOU" and stamped it on the top panel.  Then I carefully inked everything but the "YOU" and stamped it underneath...and then I stamped it again on the shimmer trim to cover up the mess I made.  It would have made things easier to cut the stamp in two, but I just now thought of that!

3)  Happy Birthday

• Ink: Canary, Thistle, Champagne, Cashmere
• Accessories: Thistle Diagonal Striped Ribbon, Coral Reef Sequins
• Tools: Sanding kit, Micro-tip Scissors

Ever since I saw the popsicle stick, I've wanted to create a woodgrain on it using the stamp from the Pathfiding WOTG.  If you don't have that set, though, you can still create a bit of texture by using the stamps that come in the Blossom WOTG.  On this card, I inked the candle in Cashmere, inked the popsicle stick in Champagne, pressed the popsicle stick onto the inked candle, then stamped. It was a little fussy because both images are so small.   The "4 you" tab was stamped on a scratch piece of White Daisy paper.  I stamped it leaving about 1/4" of blank space above the straight edge of the image so, when I cut it out, I had space to glue.  I used the Sanding kit to smooth down the edges after I cut it out because I can never cut a smooth circle.

If you have questions about anything, please leave a comment and then come back for the answer.

It has been such a pleasure to guest design for Amie Kiger, and I can't believe I've come to the end of my time.  I'll be taking a break from all design team duties until I get my next novella written (half done and my characters have simply stopped talking to me!! Eeeek!), and I get moved to hubby's next duty station in Alaska.  I'll still be making cards and other projects, so I hope you'll come visit me at my blog.  Since I'm really hoping you'll do that, I'll sign off with my customary...

Until next time,

Becca

--

Thank you so much for sharing your gorgeous creations, Becca!  

Rain or Shine Sympathy Card

It isn't ever easy to make a sympathy card for a friend.  It is always a good idea to have one on hand in case of sudden events, so come to my workshop on Saturday and make this card that is versatile to use for numerous occasions.

I used the rock and roll technique for the sun--did you know it is super easy to stamp in two colors?

The sentiment is from Look to the Light...

I also used Rain or Shine, another My Acrylix that sneaked right by me in the Seasonal Expressions 1 Idea Book--but will always be available for purchase due to the cricut shapes it can stamp (the cloud is on Artiste!)   :)

Here is another example of using these images on a card...

You can do a lot with this one!

Let's Talk About MOTHERS!

It's almost May, so that means you need to start thinking about that special lady you might have in your life--your MOM!  My upcoming card workshop features a beautiful combo of papers from the Brushed Paper Packet in a card just for her!

Brushed

This sentiment surrounded by fabulous green glitter is from the Happy to Be Friends My Acrylix that was introduced in the Seasonal Expressions 1 Idea Book last fall.  Don't worry if you didn't notice it then--I finally realized its full potential!  ;)  Plus, you can use whatever sentiment you like for this one at the workshop if you don't need a Mother's Day card! 

Happy to be Friends

Green Glitter Paper

Wait a minute, though...we don't HAVE any green sequins yet...how?  OH, yep, I sure did color this one with my Leaf Green ShinHan Alcohol Ink Marker!

Leaf Green ShinHan Touch Twin Alcohol Ink Marker

I started off with a white one from the Coral Reef Sequins Assortment...

 RSVP soon for my workshop if you need to!  :)

Typed Note

Typed Note for National Scrapbook Day Card Workshop

Hey there!  Becca will be back for one more visit on my blog, but for now, enjoy another card you can make at my upcoming workshop on the evening of May 2nd.  This one uses the April Stamp of the Month from Close to My Heart.  It is SUCH a versatile set!  You will be able to choose from several sentiments to make a little card kit for this one to keep on hand for any occasion!

I used the Seaside and Snowhaven Paper Packets for this one--opposites attract!  

A sprinkle of Oceanside Sequins makes any card sparkle!

I based this design off my earlier creation using the same stamps--but I made it workshop friendly with a cute little knot of Black Striped Twill Ribbon.  You can see my original creation with these same supplies HERE.

For my workshop, you can stamp several "sheets" of typing paper with different sentiments.  Later, you can just add them to the card as needed.  I used glue dots and a couple of squares to pop it up and give it a 3D feel.

This is one of my FAVORITE sentiments in the set!  I wonder why?  ;)

Anyway, I am super excited to host a National Scrapbook Day crop followed by a card workshop on May 2nd.  RSVP to save a spot so you can make this card!  :)

Washi Wednesday with Paper Bird

Welcome back to my blog and another week with washi fun!  I have a wonderful nature-themed card to share with you today for Earth Day.

Did you know there are two NEW hostess rewards stamp sets that debuted with the Seasonal Expressions 2 supplement from Close to My Heart?  Yep!  Here is my favorite...Paper Bird.

This set is super-versatile.  I used it to design this sympathy card for my upcoming workshop.

The bird is really a lovely image to use on this sort of card.  I used Glacier and Desert Sand Inks along with Flaxen CS matting the White Daisy panel.  A length of Gold Polka Dot Washi Tape runs behind it on top of the Seaside Pattern Paper.  I also inked the paper edges with Desert Sand.  I really love how the ink color mimics the gold in the washi.

This card is great to use for men OR women, so it really is perfect to have on-hand. 

If you want to make this card along with others I will be showing soon, just RSVP to my National Scrapbook Day Card Workshop being held on Saturday, May 2nd at 7pm.  :)

Only in April!

Makeover Monday with Typed Note and Mini Calendar

Yes!  It is time for another one of my favorite days to post--Makeover Monday!

This week, I have a real treat for you.  I used the April Stamp of the Month, Typed Note, AND the size M Mini Calendar stamp to makeover one of the Picture My Life pocket cards.

Before...

This card is found in the Chalk it Up Picture My Life Kit.

...and after!

Isn't it a great little way to document the dates in your scrapbook?  I used White Daisy and Slate CS to stamp the images in Black ink, then trimmed them out.  SUPER easy!

I used this as a little make and take at my crop this weekend, and they loved it!  I have a few more to show you later.   :)

Pick up this adorable set in April before the month is over!  :)

Pick up the stamp of the month for just $5 on my website with qualifying purchase!  :)

Pi

Paper Addicts UNITE: Time to Clean Out the Scraps!

Are YOU a paper addict?  Don't worry, you can say it--what happens on my blog, stays on my blog, lol.   I just LOVE my friend Becca's layout using her "scraps!"  Brilliant.  Enjoy her post today!


Hello, my name is Becca Whitham and I'm a paper addict.  I save itsy, bitsy, teensy, weensy pieces because I think I'll use them all--someday!  Well, with an "overseas" move looming in my future, it's time to start purging scraps.

For design team duties over at Amie Kiger's blog, I decided to cut hexagons using the Artbooking cartridge until I had used up several scraps.  But then I went and trimmed out even more pieces with scissors using the Cricut cut hexagons as guides.  Here's what I had when I was done:

Then I pieced them together to make this scrapbook page:

Here's the supply list (with links for your shopping convenience):

• Paper: Seaside, Snowhaven, Wanderful, Chalk It Up, Brushed
• Accessories: Thick Twine in Pixie, Flaxen, and Glacier
• Tools: Artbooking Cricut Cartridge

Don't be intimidated by the number of paper packs used on this example.  One of the great things about CTMH patterned paper is that they are printed on both sides.  You can cut your hexagons, flip some of them over, and you'd achieve the same effect.

You'll notice that I wasn't trying to be fussy about lining up the hexagons symmetrically.  The scraps which were only small bits required me to use a random approach. 

Using multiple colors in little bits like this is great for two types of scrapbook pages: 1) where the photo itself doesn't have many colors (like this one), and 2) when there are lots of different colors in your pictures (like maybe a birthday party where your' guests weren't kind enough to wear color coordinated outfits).

I actually used up six scraps to the point of having to throw out what was left over.  I'm so proud of myself!

Until next time,
Becca --

Throwback Thursday Picture My Life Photo Tip!

Hey everyone!  I finished up my 12 x 12 layouts for Spring Break that I was working on, but I had lots of random leftover pics.  What do you do with those leftovers that don't quite fit into your pages, but you can't bring yourself to toss them?  I FINALLY found the perfect solution!  :)

Picture My Life!!!!  The pocket style pages made for this system also referred to as Project Life, are just perfect to toss those extra pics in at the end of your 12 x 12 album!  It takes just a few minutes to tuck them in along with some pre-made PML cards.  :)  Here are a few that I added to the end of mine...

The journaling cards are just perfect for my kiddos to write their own special memories to add to the album.  I can add some anecdotes, dates, names, etc. without taking much time as well. 

I hope you like my solution, and hope you find it useful!  I used some cards from the retired Picture My Life Surf's Up Kit and retired Heartstrings Kit.  You can see all the available Picture My Life cards and pages on my website right HERE.

http://mimimyselfandi.ctmh.com/retail/product.aspx?sku=S1504

Save the Date with Typed Note

This was a super-fun card to make!  I am short on time, but wanted to get this posted up for you to see...so I am going to change it up a bit and show the pics and THEN the products I used...hope you like it!  :)

I still had my St. Patrick's Day Jamberry Nails on back then!  I just used a black journaling pen to color the sleeve...

I am super-excited to finally share this one...seems like forever ago that I made it, lol...

If you want to recreate this fantastic and fun save the date card, here are the products I used:

Yuletide Carol Paper Packet (it's not just for Christmas!)
White Daisy CS
Happy to Be Friends My Acrylix Stamp Set
April Stamp of the Month, Typed Note
Champagne and Black Exclusive Inks
Neutral Metallic Bakers Twine
Piercing Tool Kit

Don't Lose A Finger with Typed Note

Are you ready for another FANTASTIC Friday visit from the FABULOUS Becca Whitham?  I am!  You will be too, when you see the super tips and tricks she has to share today using the April 2015 Stamp of the Month, Typed Note, from Close to My Heart.  :)

Some things are worth the wait...like the April Stamp of the Month from CTMH.  Every since I got my catalog in August, I've been drooling over this stamp set.  Love, LoVe, LOVE it!!

I went really basic with my card.  The image has so much interest in it that it doesn't require much help.  I don't normally do much with the inside of my cards, but I had a little bit of fun with this one.

Here's the supply list (with links for you shopping convenience):

Stamps: Typed Note
Ink: Black (dye), White Daisy (pigment)
Paper: Seaside, Black cardstock, White Daisy cardstock
Accessories: Gold Sequins, Black Arrow Washi tape, Liquid Glass, Chalk Marker, Journaling Pen
ShinHan Markers: Colorless Blender, WG4 Warm Grey
Tools: Micro-tip Scissors
Non-CTMH: X-acto knife

For the paper coming out of the typewriter, I did a few things to add interest.  One of the great things about clear stamps is you aren't always stuck with the image as shown.  CTMH very kindly left a hole in the stamp where the paper is.  This allowed me to bend it into a more interesting shape.  It doesn't hurt the stamp; the image will correct back to it's normal shape as soon as you take it off the acrylic block.  Here's a close up so you can see it a little better.

One of the things you have to watch out for when you bend a stamp is that parts of it can come off the acrylic block and get ink on it.  My original intent wasn't to do two sheets of paper, but I ended up with a blob of black ink on the right-hand side of my bottom paper sheet.  Working on the premise that almost all mistakes are fixable, I stamped the second piece of paper on a scratch piece of white cardstock, cut it out, used and X-acto knife to cut a slit, and shoved the second piece of paper through. It was a tight fit which caused the top sheet to warp.  I put a dot of Liquid Glass over my mess, pressed the corner of the top sheet into it until it held, and Voila!  I really, really like how it ended up adding interest and dimension.

If you look carefully, you can see where I shaded around the typewriter and paper with the ShinHan marker.  I forget where I learned this trick, but adding that "halo" of shading around an image gives it great "pop".  The warm grey marker is too intense on it's own, so I scribbled it onto an acrylic block and then picked it up with the colorless blender for that nice, soft shade.

One word of caution...  Since I used pigment ink on the hand image, I cleaned it by scrubbing it against a pad with little bristles.  It's not the CTMH one, but it is made specifically for stamping.  The tip of the finger broke off.  **Sad Face**  Thank goodness CTMH has such a great return policy!

I can't wait to scrapbook with this set.  I've been holding off doing the pages for signing my book deal waiting to get this set in my inky fingers. Yay!!

Until next time,
Becca --

Thank you so much, Becca!!!  Make sure you guys go leave her some blog love!  :)

She is totally right about Close to My Heart--our return policy is pretty fantastic, and your consultant can help you to always be 100% happy with your purchases if something isn't quite right.  Always inspect your stamps and other products within the first 90 days so you can get any items replaced or exchanged, should they need to be--just like the situation with which I will be assisting Becca!  Our Acrylic stamps are pretty sturdy for the most part, but occasionally the unexpected can happen, and we are no exception. 

Now, if you like that stamp set as much as I do, you want to get it in April because it is only around for one month!  Take a peek at it on my website below...

March Madness Mystery Hostess Winner!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway this month and placed an order!  I appreciate each of you so much!  Don't worry, I will do another one in the months to come....but the winner of $60 in FREE CTMH hostess rewards is......

Heidi B.!!!!!

I will be in touch with you, Heidi, to get your wishlist!  :)

Stay tuned for details of my upcoming crop and card class on May 2nd, National Scrapbook Day!  :)

Tuesday Tip and LAST Day to Enter My Giveaway!

Warning!!!  Today, April 7th, is the LAST day to place an order and qualify for my March Madness Mystery Hostess Giveaway!  You get one entry for every $25 in products you purchase on my website.  Right now, you could win $60 of inks, paper, stamps, and other hostess rewards!  Enter HERE today!

Now here is your Tip on Tuesday!

Do you ever get ink where you didn't QUITE mean to when stamping images?  Yeah, me too!  It really can be frustrating, but I have learned that mistakes are often just opportunities to add more bling!  Lol, ok, or just add more of anything...

Take this oops I made, for instance...

I used a Hostess ONLY My Acrylix stamp set for this card--see it here, and enter to win!

I had Black Exclusive Ink on my fingers that of course ended up on my very LAST cloud cut.  Instead of firing up the Explore and cutting out another one, I just added my other embellishments to hide the out of place ink.  :)

What are some of your favorite fixes for misplaced ink?

Just $5 with a $50 purchase!  :)

Just Beachy By the Seaside

I am officially running out of beach titles for blog posts, lol.  That's OK, because I should be home by now and ready to get crafty again after the break!

Lets get right to the layouts featuring the Seaside Workshop on the Go Scrapbooking Kit!

Remember to use the zip strips that run along the edge of the Close to My Heart Pattern Papers!  They all coordinate with the colors in the paper packet and have many different uses!  :)

I used the Chevron Border Punch to add an interesting linear element. (That's just fancy talk for, "check out this awesome border punch that I used!")

 The net image found in the WOTG is great for random stamping on nautical themes...

Yep, it is a tad blurry...oooops! 

 I stamped it twice before re-inking for a different effect...

The metal Seaside Assortment embellishments are the perfect addition.

Thanks for taking a peek!  :)