Inspiration is Everywhere

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Last week I talked about getting inspiration from the Close to My Heart How To Books and this week I’m taking you down a different road of adventure. I’m not sure why, but I pay close attention to details and I file things away and use them later. For instance I have a friend that ALWAYS looks at the dessert menu for Key Lime Pie – if it’s not there she probably doesn’t order dessert…so I filed that information away and when we had a dinner party recently it was on my radar and I wanted her to feel special. This little quirk works really well for my card-making too. I can see something and think – “oh that might look good on a card”.

This dish towel is a prime example. I saw it online and decided to grab a screenshot. There were several things I liked about the towel (besides the pie) and knowing that I had the Pumpkin Treats stamp set sitting on my desk I started planning my card.

I started by stamping, coloring and die cutting three slices of pie, then I decided what I liked about the towel. The linen colored background and plaid edges really stood out along with the words…oh what would I do.

And there we have it…not an exact match, but close enough. It definitely has the elements that I liked in the dish towel. This Pumpkin Treat stamp set is definitely getting a lot of use in the Coop. You’ll see one more card using it on Friday and then probably a few more times through the season. I’m sure I’ll be using it on some scrapbook pages too!

Leave me a comment with what you use for inspiration and if you want to challenge me send me a message with an inspiration piece and I’ll see what I can come up with.

Thanks for stopping by…I’m off to find a piece of pie!

Double Trouble #93

~ theprincesschick ~ 3 Comments

It’s time for more trouble…Double Trouble Papercrafting Challenge that is.

Our challenge consists of three parts: Trouble Makers main challenge, Double Dares challenge to link with another blog which you may or may not decided to participate in and Twisted Sisters surprise challenge! You can find all the details on the rules page of the challenge blog.

This Challenge is one of my favorites because Trouble Maker can’t tell me what to do…it’s a Something, Anything, Everything Challenge.

I took inspiration from the Close to My Heart Seasonal Catalog and joined used the sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #438. I used Mulberry cardstock cut with the Stitched Lattice Background Thin Cut, added a tag from the Mix In collection and die cut and colored images from the Pumpkin Treats stamp set.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my card and will consider joining our challenge. If you’d like more inspiration visit my team members at Double Trouble.

It’s Hauntingly Fun

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One more card to finish the week from the Boo Crew Collection. This is another pattern from the Make It From Your Heart Vol 5 How-to Book. If you’ve not tried one of our how to books I’d strongly suggest it. Each sketch comes with all the measurements on how to cut and where to place your papers. It really makes cardmaking and scrapbooking so much quicker.

I just loved the shocked look on this ghosts face…it actually made me giggle thinking about how he was scared that you found him in his envelope hiding place. I stamped the greeting directly onto the pattern paper…the USPS seems to be getting a little pickier about bumpy thick cards so I’m trying to tone it down just a bit with the extra layers. Did you see that my extra banners made it to this card?

I hope you’ve enjoyed a little Halloween inspiration this week. The Boo Crew special is available through the end of October or until supplies last. I just picked up another pack of the paper so I hope to bring you some more art to inspire you soon!

Thanks for stopping by…as always I love reading your comments so please take a minute and let me know what you think of the Boo Crew!

Pattern Play

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If you’ve been around for any length of time you know I LOVE the Close to My Heart How to Books. Make It From Your Heart Volume 5 is no exception. It features 15 patterns for two-page scrapbook layouts, 5 patterns for single-page layouts, and 10 patterns for standard-size 4¼” x 5½” cards.

Item #9046
Make It From Your Heart Vol 5

I thought it would be fun today to show my process on how I use these sketches. I chose pattern 29 for it’s two rows of banners – the opposing page of each pattern gives two full color examples of what the Close to My Heart Art Department has created with the pattern, but here I’m showing you what I did.

The first thing I look at with a sketch is what else can I do with it. Can it be rotated to a horizontal or vertical layout? Can it be shrunk to a smaller card? Can it be enlarged to make a layout? These sketches are truly just jumping off points and the creating is all up to you!

In my first card, you’ll notice I kept pretty true to the sketch. I didn’t want to cut all those banners so I grabbed the Penant Banner Alphabet Thin Cut set and went to town die cutting the banners out of different colors of cardstock & patterned paper from the Boo Crew collection. I added pumpkins in Nectarine, Black & Ballerina and even cut my sentiment from a piece of the patterned paper.

My second card using the sketch I rotated, but still used the basic layout for the banners. I also mixed the shapes of the banners on this card, which I like a little better. I absolutely love the witches hat & broom from this stamp set.

What do you use for inspiration for your cards? I have always loved a good sketch, but I also look for color inspiration in the things around me. Next week I’ll share another card and where I got the inspiration. I hope you’ll come back and join me for the fun.

Gettin’ Spooky with Boo Crew

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The Boo Crew special has been sitting on my desk for a while. Although orange and black are traditional Halloween colors, I am loving the addition of Ballerina and Wild Berry. Did you see the little Holographic Ghost sequins? There could be a shaker card in my future!

Next to Christmas cards, Halloween cards are one of my favorite to make. I tend to head “cute” not “scary” with smiling jack o’lanterns and flying bats and oh candy…can’t go wrong with Halloween Candy!!!

Did you know that Snickers Chocolate Bars are considered the number one treat for Halloween and that 40% of adults sneak candy from their own candy bowl ? (Gasp) What is your favorite Halloween Treat?

Thanks for stopping by…leave me a comment so I know you’ve been here!

Pumpkin Spice Macaron

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I told you I was going to convince you that the Ooh La La Macaron stamp set belonged in your stamp collection. Here I paired with with a plaid from the Pumpkin Spice Paper Packet, stamped it and colored it with my Tri Blend Markers I envisioned a fall flavored extravaganza – Pumpkin, Mocha and Salted Caramel. My mouth is almost watering. What flavor would you choose?

I hope you’ve enjoyed my week of sweet treats. Make sure to let me know if you purchase the Macaron stamp set and I’ll get the Chick’s Picks Card Kit in the mail to you! Thanks for stopping by!

Sweeter with Friends

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If anything can convince you to fall in love with the Chick’s Pick for September maybe it will be not one but two slim line cards featuring these fun Macarons. Both of these cards pack a punch with watercolored macarons. Don’t they look good enough to eat? The card on the left features a brand new slimline die – I just love those hearts in the background and the new Shortbread cardstock YES PLEASE! The second card exclaims that Life is Sweeter with Friends (and Macarons) how true!!! Both of these cards feature the brand new colors including the color of the year.

A macaron (/ˌmækəˈrɒn/mak-ə-RON;[1][2]French: [ma.ka.ʁɔ̃]) or French macaroon (/ˌmækəˈruːn/mak-ə-ROON[3][4]) is a sweet meringue-based confection made with egg white, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond meal, and food colouring. It wasn’t until recently that I had actually tried a Macaron. All the colors and flavors mesmerize me.

Thanks for stopping by…I hope you’ll consider adding the Ooh La La Macaron to your stamp collection and making some sweet friendship cards.

The Chicks Pick – September

~ theprincesschick

With classes in The Coop currently on hold I wanted to come up with an idea that will keep you crafty – you may have already heard, but if not let me introduce you to The Chick’s Pick!

The Chick’s Pick will be new each month so make sure you’ve signed up to receive my blog posts by e-mail or check back here so you don’t miss out on the fun!

 Each month I will feature my current favorite stamp (because they are all favorites at one time or another) and create three cards that I hope you fall in love with.  Not only will you build your stamp collection with a new stamp (sometimes a thin cut too) you will receive pre-cut and pre-punched project supplies to make THREE cards (1 each of three designs) using the featured stamp set each month. When you participate for 3 consecutive months you’ll receive an additional bonus gift from me.

You’ll find each month’s pick here on my blog for reference along with a list of supplies that I’ve used. Make sure you e-mail me when you place your order at my website http://www.papercraftingprincess.ctmh.com so that I can mail your kit.

The September pick is OOH LA LA MACARONS . You’ll find this sweet stamp set in our annual catalog or on my website here. Our oldest daughter has a love of Macarons and I’d never actually eaten any until she sent us a gift box last spring – I had no idea that they came in so many flavors and color.

Supplies: You will need to provide your own card bases, adhesive, embellishments & ink.

  • Card 1: Stamped in Intense Black ink and colored with Tri-Blend Markers in colors complementary to the cardstock. Antique Pink and True Blue. The Your Sweet was highlighted with a swipe of Ballerina Ibk using a stamp from the Ink Blot stamp set – you could also use Marker or a Swipe from a Waterbrush dipped in the ink.
  • Card 2: Stamped in Intense Black Ink and Watercolored. The ooh la la in the background is second generation stamping. Macaroons were cut apart so it’s only a stack of two.
  • Card 3: Sentiment is stamped in Intense Black Ink and cut with the Stitched Fancy Bracket die. The Macaron was also stamped with Intense Black Ink and colored with a Tri Blend Marker and cut apart and pop dotted at the edge of the bracket.

I have been using this stamp set a lot, so you should see plenty of it this week on my social media platforms. If you have any questions please leave me a comment.

Thanks for stopping by!

Double Trouble #92

~ theprincesschick ~ 6 Comments

It’s time for more trouble…Double Trouble Papercrafting Challenge that is.

Our challenge consists of three parts: Trouble Makers main challenge, Double Dares challenge to link with another blog which you may or may not decided to participate in and Twisted Sisters surprise challenge! You can find all the details on the rules page of the challenge blog.

This week the challenge is to use a fun fold – there’s a list of tutorials on our DT blog, but there’s lots of options out there so give it a try! The second part of our challenge is to chose a color from our Play Doh color palette.

I chose to use the CTMH Waterfall Thincut to create a fun interactive card. I had so many ideas running through my head for color combos that I finally just settled for this retired Craft On paper from CTMH that had a fun palette of Play Doh like colors!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my card and will consider joining our challenge. If you’d like more inspiration visit my team members at Double Trouble and our partner team The Creative Creases #14.

Craft with Heart

~ theprincesschick

The one complaint I hear on a regular basis is “I just don’t have enough time to craft!”

Close to My Heart has an amazing answer to that age old complaint. No they aren’t adding time to the clock or making time standstill, but they have created the Craft with Heart subscription program. . As a subscriber, you’ll receive regular deliveries of Cut Above® layout kits, each kit featuring two beautifully designed two-page layouts. Your layouts come together in minutes thanks to pre-printed base pages, with complementary die-cuts and stickers to help you preserve your memories in style.”

When you nurture your creative side with a 12-month Craft with Heart™ Cardmaking or Scrapbooking subscription, you’ll receive a free, exclusive stamp set! These sets are only available to crafters who sign up for or renew a 12-month Craft with Heart™ subscription between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022. But wait…there’s more! When you sign up for a 12 month scrapbooking subscription through my website you’ll receive a gift from me a choice of either a 4X6 Flip-Flap pack or a CTMH Adhesive Runner.

Starting September 1, 2021, VIP Customers can now earn 15% shopping credit on the amount they pay for Craft with Heart subscriptions.

If you have any questions…please reach out to me by leaving a comment.