Thursday, February 28, 2013

Rumple Ribbons Thursday - In your Easter Basket ...



Happy (early) Easter, CardMonkey fans!  I tried something a bit different with my Rumple Ribbons (by Lovebug Creations, link here) today. Well, isn't that every day?  I just love playing with my ribbons!
 
Here, I took an Easter basket die cut and wove the new delicious color called Rosebud through the upper edge of the basket. I backed the basket with green paper, fringing the top. The grass above which the basket is floating (??!) is actually an inverted icicles die -- clever, huh? 

And the eggs are simply Spellbinders ovals. The scrumptious chocolate bunny is part of the Cheery Lynn Designs die set with the basket. And the sentiment is cut using a different die ... and gosh, now I forget the manufacturer!  Sorry!



Sunday, February 24, 2013

Day 2 of the MARCH HOLIDAYS BLOG HOP

Welcome to DAY #2 of the first blog hop featuring the creations by the members of the Lovebug Creations Creative Team! 

We're featuring projects celebrating the upcoming March Holidays, and we're showing off some of the newest colors of our favorite Rumple Ribbons.

Yesterday, I showed off a card for St. Patrick's Day, did you see it?  The next major holiday in the March calendar starts March 25, and it's Passover.  While I celebrate Easter, I have many friends and neighbors who are Jewish. I'm sure they'll love this card which features a bow I made using Lovebug Creations' Rumple Ribbons in the new SUGAR PLUM color:

 


 

For this yummy card, I created the background paper using rubber stamps from Papertrey Ink, stamped in CTMH "Whisper" Exclusive Inks, onto CTMH Daisy White paper. I layered that paper onto a piece of CTMH Smokey Plum paper. The sentiment is also from Papertrey Ink, stamped onto Daisy White paper using Versafine Black Onyx ink. I layered the sentiment onto CTMH Chocolate paper, and then onto a CTMH Avonlea B&T Duo leftover from a Workshop On the Go.  The antiqued brads at the corners are also from Close to My Heart. The metal frame embellishment I found at Michael's during a crafty haul (for $0.13!); it is from Making Memories. I used my sewing machine to border-stitch around the white frame, using smokey plum thread.
 
Now, on to the business of a BLOG HOP!  There's of COURSE luscious candy, provided by our sponsor at Lovebug Creations, manufacturer of Rumple Ribbons. Follow and comment on EVERY Blog Hop blog and you get a chance to win 2 of the newly released Rumple Ribbon collections!  The winner will be announced on Monday morning on the Lovebug Creations blog. 

Head on over next to my friend DORCAS who will show you the cutest project!!  In case you get lost along the way, here's the full line-up:

2. Ellen (CardMonkey) - http://cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com/
6. Dawn Carlyle - http://designsbydawnrene.com


Saturday, February 23, 2013

"FOR ALWAYS" Blog Hop

If you are visiting here and looking for the LOVEBUG CREATIONS' CREATIVE TEAM'S March Holidays Blog Hop, please CLICK HERE


Good morning, CardMonkey Fans, and welcome to our February Art Philosophy/Artiste Blog Hop!  

These two terrific Cricut cartridges are available exclusively through a Close to My Heart consultant. If you don't have a Consultant already, please contact one the Consultants in our hop with any questions you might have

Our theme this month features not only one of these two amazing cartridges but also a brand NEW paper pack from Close to My Heart called "For Always". In this hop, you will see projects featuring one (or both!) of our versatile Cricut cartridges using this paper pack from many talented crafty ladies.  Enjoy our blog hop!

HOPPERS' NOTE: If you have just hopped onto my blog, please start at the beginning at Lucy's blog – Love 2 Create. If you came from Michelle's "My Flights of Fancy" blog, then you are in the right place.

As my followers know, I recently re-upped with a renewed commitment (and time) to dedicate to these beautiful Close to My Heart products and consulting on how to use them to enhance your scrapbooking and cardmaking. 


Aren't these CTMH "For Always" papers gorgeous??!  To order your paper pack of "For Always", CLICK HERE.


I used the floral damask (left) and the gentle penmanship (center) to make my card, and I used the Art Philosophy cartridge.  Here is my project:

 
To make this 5x7" card, I affixed my CTMH papers to a mat of Recollections black and red roses paper. I then ruffled sewed together laterally two pieces of Lovebug Creations' Rumple Ribbon (in Chocolate Dipped Berries color), topping the 1" wide band with some black/white dotted ribbon I had on hand.  I then created my label, cutting two layers using Art Philosophy -- the top in white using the label with flourishes, and the bottom in a solid and slightly larger label. I stamped the sentiment using a CTMH stamp from the Avonlea Workshops on the Go kit.  Then, I again turned to Art Philosophy to cut the rolled roses in small sizes (1", 1.5"). Before removing the cuts from the mat, I tipped the edges of the red paper using a Copic Marker (T10), to coordinate with the Rumple Ribbon. I pop-dotted the label over the ribbon and mounted it to a CTMH Daisy White pre-made card.

Art Philosophy is my go-to Cricut cartridge out of more than 140 cartridges I own. With more than 700 images, it is truly versatile. I have Artiste on order -- and I am sure it will be just as wonderful. Have you considered purchasing either or both of these fabulous cartridges, which are exclusive to CTMH?  At just $99, you get not only the fantastic cartridge, but bundled with it are 3 exclusive stamp sets and a wide selection of dimensional elements to use on your next project. (Scroll down a few posts to see the great stamps that are featured in Artiste.)

If you order your Art Philosophy and/or Artiste cartridge now, you'll be eligible to receive this month's "Home Sweet Home" Stamp of the Month for just an additional $5.00. That's a $17.95 value, for just $5.00.  Look at the sweet projects you can make with this stamp set, shown in the photo above.

HERE IS A LINK to purchase the Cricut/CTMH Collections from my CTMH site. I truly would appreciate your business!

Now, moving on through the hop, your next stop is the fantastic MELISSA at "My Watermelon Moon." 

In case you get lost along the way, here is a full blog line-up for this hop, with Active Links:

 
 
Thank you again for visiting my blog! :)


March Holiday Blog Hop featuring Rumple Ribbons!

Thank you for visiting my blog! If you are here looking for the Close To My Heart "For Always" Blog Hop, please click HERE.

Welcome to the first blog hop featuring the members of the Lovebug Creations Creative Team!  We're featuring projects celebrating the upcoming March Holidays, and we're showing off some of the newest colors of our favorite Rumple Ribbons.

Now, truth be told, I have a lot of ribbons in my stash ... and I seldom used them on my cards, until I was introduced to Rumple Ribbons. I love the Rumple Ribbons' versatility and exploring new ways to use and enjoy putting the Rumple Ribbons on my cards.  And ooooh-la-la, the new colors?  LUSCIOUS!!

My very favorite color (really, of all time) is GREEN LEAVES!   Could it be that peridot is my birthstone?  Or that I'm Irish (at least a smidge)?  Or that my eyes are kinda this color?  Whatever ... love it!  Here's my project, celebrating March 17th's St. Patrick's Day:



I wove a background of Green Leaves Rumple Ribbons onto my green dotted background, first punching ribbon holes using my Sew Ribbon punch. I alternated the solid Green Leaf, with the green leaf-tipped-white. I cut the word frame "OH HAPPY DAY" using a cut file from Silhouette's Online store, and decided I rather like the pun, changing the Oh to an apostrophe'd O' ... such a punster. I accented the letters and lines between the words using a white gel pen.  I next added the clip-on orange hairbow simply because I liked it and had it from my recent Michael's clearance haul. That bow cost $0.02!!
 
Now, on to the business of a BLOG HOP!  There's of COURSE luscious candy, provided by our sponsor at Lovebug Creations, manufacturer of Rumple Ribbons. Follow and comment on EVERY Blog Hop blog and you get a chance to win 2 of the newly released Rumple Ribbon collections!  The winner will be announced on Monday morning on the Lovebug Creations blog. 

Head on over next to my friend DORCAS who will show you the cutest project!!  In case you get lost along the way, here's the full line-up:

2. Ellen (CardMonkey) - http://cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com/
6. Dawn Carlyle - http://designsbydawnrene.com


Thursday, February 21, 2013

Love messages -- All Month long!

February is the Month of L♥VE!
 
I hope you are having a month full of sweetness, no matter whether you have a love interest, a partner, a significant other, or not ... get in on the LOVE. May your ♥ be full!
 
Thursday is my day to take over the Lovebug Creations Creative Team blog, and this week, we're previewing some of the new delicious colors available in Rumple Ribbons beginning February 24th in the Lovebug Creations Shop.

Here is a charming card that would be appropriate for anyone, from your Mom to your bestie, or a special friend:

 
This card features the new Icy Blue Rumple Ribbon on the lower edge of the card and tied into a bow onto a colonial white card by Close To My Heart. The sentiment, flowers and bird chipboard elements are called My Reflections Chantilly Complements by CTMH (#X7163C), and are shown in the Spring-Summer Idea Book.  They have been applied using foam dots in a variety of thicknesses. The bottom edge of the card has been punched using a Martha Stewart lace punch.

Now remember, if you're looking to stock up on the wonderful new colors of Rumple Ribbon, they're going to be available beginning on February 24. You'll get to see all of the new colors and sets this weekend (Feb 23 - 24) when the terrific gals of the Lovebug Creations Creative Team hop together to celebrate March Holidays, featuring all of the new colors of the Lovebug rainbow.

Speaking of the Lovebug Creations Creative Team ... YES, the fantastic new team! ... Have you had a chance to stop by each of their blogs this week to see the other Sneak Peeks of the new Rumple Ribbon colors??  Here is whose blog is featured when this week, with ACTIVE LINKS on where to visit!!  Be sure you do because there are PRIZES available! (More on that later...)

Sunday, February 17:
 
Monday, February 18:
 
Tuesday, February 19:
 
Wednesday, February 20:
 
Thursday, February 21:
Ellen (CardMonkey) -- You're here, silly!
 
Friday, February 22:

Now, about those prizes! YES, there are PRIZES available! ONE lucky person who comments on each LBC Creative Team's sneak peek post (this week) will win his/her choice of 2 sets of the new Rumple Ribbon colors ... and another lucky crafter will win his/her choice of two new color sets, if chosen at random from the comments made during the LBC March Holidays Blog Hop! 

One more thing .... If you are interested in purchasing the adorable Chantilly Complements (and/or their matching papers!) that I featured on the card I show here, I'd be happy to be your Close To My Heart consultant. You can link to my CTMH shop by going to http://cardmonkey.ctmh.com or feel free to contact me directly to place your order and ask any questions.  There is a link to my CTMH shop at the upper right hand side of my blog. Thank you!

... hey, ya know? We need to keep our monkeys in bananas!

 

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Artiste-bundled CTMH Stamps - Versatile Additions To Your Craft Room


My dear friend named Star asked what I thought is a very good question -- is there a way to see which Close To My Heart stamps come in the Artiste Cricut Cartridge bundle, so she could determine if she needed or wanted to buy more stamps to get the most out of the Artiste cartridge?

Well, I searched, but didn't find one -- so I put this one together for her to see, and here I share it with you in case you too are thinking like an Artiste.



These are the ones that come with the Artiste cartridge and can't be purchased separately from the bundle. There are also MANY more CTMH stamps that are available to coordinate with either/both the Artiste and Art Philosophy cartridges. You can see the list of them here:

Also, when you peruse the CTMH Idea Books (a great source of inspiration!) or view CTMH stamps online, if you look for the stamped images that have the RED outline around them, that stamp shape has a coordinating cut on either Art Philosophy or Artiste.

Art Philosophy has become my GO-TO cartridge for just about everything; I suspect Artiste will be the same -- I'm getting it next.  If you're interested in buying it too, you may want to time your purchase based on which (if either) of the Stamp of the Month you'd want to get, because you only need a minimum purchase of $50 to get the Stamp of the Month for just $5.

 


Right now (February), the Stamp of the Month is "Home Sweet Home" which is a nice set, but personally, I'm coveting the March Stamp of the Month which is a really pretty layered roses set called "Floral Happiness."  With that, you stamp the background petals in a lighter color ink and the shadowing part in the darker color to make the roses look so pretty!

I'd be honored to be your Close To My Heart Independent Consultant. You may drop me a note at cardmonkey@comcast.net and I'll be in touch, or check out the new Idea Book by going to cardmonkey.ctmh.com.  Thank you!

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Friday, February 15, 2013

Scraps Make a Pretty Card: STT Blog Hop, February 16


Welcome to Scraps To Treasures' February Blog Hop, hosted by my friend and mentor, Lucy Kelleher.


This month, our STT team was to use either a card or layout sketch to make our project, and to keep those projects made only out of scraps.

Sketches are fun and useful for those in a hurry. They give a crafter a guide to follow when she's stumped for idea. They stimulate thinking but there's no limit on how they can be interpreted. Here are the sketches that were provided:



Now, you know I'm a cardmaker, so here is what the sketch inspired me to make:

I used my scraps from my February "Card Kitchen" card kit
by Jillibean Soup to make this sweet card. The papers in
this month's kit are from the Family Ties line of Pebbles
papers, in a 6x6" pack.  The ribbon was a scrap of my
Rumple Ribbons by Lovebug Creations.
The sweet Magnolia image is a digital image I found on
Pinterest, that I colored with Copic Markers, paper pieced
using a scrap, and Stickled.  The two gems are leftovers
from my Avonlea Close To My Heart WOTG kit.



Now for HOP BUSINESS:  You should have arrived here from Susanne's blog. If not, or if you just visited my blog as one of my "regulars", please do hop over to our hostess's start at Love 2 Create It All by Lucy.  If you're interested in winning blog candy, make sure you hop through all the blogs and comment on each for a chance to win. 

Here are details on the blog candy provided by our Hop Hostess, Lucy Kelleher:  One lucky winner (chosen at random from those who qualify) will receive a how-to publication called "Make It From The Heart" published by Close to My Heart. It features 16 two-page layouts, 2 single-page patterns, as well as 12 different card patterns.  

To win:  

1. Follow ALL the blogs in this hop
2. Comment on ALL the blogs in the hop
3. Head on over to Lucy's FB fan page at https://www.facebook.com/LucyK.CTMH and give it a like. If you come back to Lucy's blog and leave a comment saying you did so get entered in for a second chance.

OK, time to move on down the road ...

The next stop on the STT Blog Hop is to our newest member, Kathryn. If you get lost along the way, here is the full line-up for easy navigation:
..........................................................................

Lucy ~ http://love2createitall.com
Lissa Marie ~ www.somanycrafts.com
Cicily ~ http://pinkdalmationscrapper.blogspot.com/
Tahi ~ http://tahisscrapcorner.blogspot.com
Robin S. ~ http://scrapandchat.blogspot.com/
Camille ~ http://shortonideasaz.blogspot.com/
Robin C. ~ http://cutonedesignsbyrobin.blogspot.com/
Pam ~ http://mzlavr2.blogspot.com/
Paula ~ http://preciouspagesbypaula.blogspot.com/
Liz ~ http://tryin2craft.blogspot.com
Ellen ~ http://cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com/
Kathryn ~ www.creationswithkathryn.com


Thursday, February 14, 2013

Valentine's Day 2013

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'll let you in on the inside joke between me and my hubby John: yes, we call each other "monkey," which is why "CardMonkey" came very naturally to me. 

While I'm the sweet one who makes cards and plays with paper, John makes up adorable stories about Flying Monkeys. For instance, at Christmas, he insisted that it's Flying Monkeys who pull Santa's sleigh, not reindeer. 

So I couldn't resist making him this Flying Monkey Valentine's Day card, complete with an ascot:

Cut: Silhouette America Online store (monkey, angel wings)
Accessories (scarf): Rumple Ribbon by Lovebug Creations
Paper from stash
Gel pen by Amy Chomas; Adhesive by 3M ATG
 
Do you have sweet traditions with your loved ones, or pet names for each other?  The best thing about making cards is being able to customize them for those we love. 

Happy ♥ Valentine's ♥ Day, Monkey Butt.

IWALY, 

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Cheerful Everyday Cards

Greetings from the Paper Jungle!

My NBFs (New Best Friends) are my UPS, FedEx and USPS delivery guys, because they've been bringing me just luscious new things for my craft room.

A few days ago, my February kit from The Card Kitchen arrived -- just in time to make not only the kit cards, but also to use the leftovers (some call "scraps") for other cards too. If you stop back on Saturday 2/16, you'll see one such "scraps only" projects I made for the Scraps to Treasures Blog Hop.
Meanwhile, let me show you two more of the cards made from this kit. The flower papers and colors are so very cheerful in the dismal winter months, don't you think?

Today, I received from the FedEx guy my delivery from the Close to My Heart Spring/Summer Idea Book, so be on the look-out for some nifty projects I'll make using those supplies. I also hope to make some card kits available using the CTMH products. Are you interested in receiving more info on these?  Or can I send you your own copy of the CTMH catalog? 


The CTMH catalog is called an "IDEA BOOK" for a good reason: it's chock-full of ways to use any scrap products. (Of course, they're created for CTMH products!)  Don't be shy -- let me show you how to use these innovative products to produce your best cards, 3D projects, and layouts yet! 

Thanks again for stopping by. I hope I've inspired you to find your crafting mojo!


Tuesday, February 12, 2013

A Few of My Favorite Things...

Today, I'm showing a few of my favorite things: a Card Kitchen card (February kit from Jillibean Soup); 3D roses handmade using Rumple Ribbon (by Lovebug Creations); and, a stickpin that I created using simple jewelry findings.


The card kit design showed the papers as I have placed them, as well as the "You are my Favorite" sticker. However, I decided to change it up by making the complementing roses -- they're simply rolled and glued, with a pearl center. I added adhesive pearls and Punch Bunch punched leaves beneath. To make the stickpin, I used a pearl corsage pin and added three glass beads and a crimp bead. Easy-peasy, and I think it truly enhances the card. What do you think?

This is my daughter Emily's Valentine's Day card. Of course she's my FAVORITE daughter -- she's my only child! :)  Thank you for being the bestest daughter, as well as my best friend, Emily!

Love,
MomE

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Valentine's heart crocheted embellishment

Have you ever tried something just completely different with your craft supply to see where it would take you?

That's what I did recently with some Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon -- I created a 3-D embellishment with the ribbon itself.

To make this sweet heart, I "crocheted" a chain of single stitches using the ribbon as my "yarn."  I tied it off in a bow, then laid down a line of white glue in a heart shape, onto a black piece of cardstock.

I fussy-cut an arrow that I threaded into the heart, and glued the shape onto the card. I then filled the center of the heart with CTMH Liquid Glass.  I finished the card by adhering the black card onto a CTMH Colonial White card, added faux stitching in white gel pen, and added four CTMH glitter gems.

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Sketches for Inspiration Blog Hop (by the Krazy Crafting Crew) - February 3, 2013

This month, I am pleased to co-host the Kreative Crafting Crew's monthly blog hop. We're featuring SKETCHES.  My sweet co-host Lissa Marie created a beautiful sketch for those of us who like to do scrapbook layouts; and, I took a turn at creating a sketch for the cardmakers among us.  Participants get to pick one, so hop along to see how each followed the sketch, or took a creative turn.

Here was my card sketch posted for our group to use as inspiration:

I created this sketch using Adobe Illustrator, a part of the Creative Suite. I've been using Illustrator far longer than I've been blogging, and I still only know about 10% of its great capabilities.  I hope to learn more!





Here is my "take" on the sketch:


I used the beautiful new line of papers called "Chantilly" by Close To My Heart, featured in the new Idea Book. The Idea Book was just issued on Friday, February 1, and I'll tell you, the papers have fantastic designs -- a breath of fresh air! -- and they truly cut like butter on your Cricut or Cameo, or even with your paper trimmer. No jaggedy edges!! 

The intricate "Asian Butterfly" is a design from Silhouette America's online store. I thought it complemented the sweet paisleys and flowers on the CTMH paper. The sentiment is from Jaded Blossoms. The gems are from CTMH as well.

Are you up for some Blog Candy?

KCC is fortunate to have as its monthly sponsor the Scrapbook Stamp Society. To qualify to win the prize, you must comment on each blog on this hop. You'll earn an extra entry by following their blog at Addicted to Stamps.

My co-host Lissa Marie and I both have blog candy, so be sure to visit both for special prizes. My prize is a $10 CTMH gift certificate for any CTMH item ordered through my consultant site. To be eligible to win my prize, you must:

   1. Follow the CardMonkey blog, and tell me so in your comment.
  2. Comment on this post.
  3.
Leave a way for me to contact you if you're a winner.

Time to move on ... the next stop is with JANET at Janet's Creative World. 

Here is the full line-up in case you get lost along the way:

Lissa ~ www.somanycrafts.com/

Ellen ~ www.cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com/

Janet ~ www.janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/

Liz ~ www.tryin2craft.blogspot.com/

Paula ~ www.preciouspagesbypaula.blogspot.com/

Katina ~ www.twochicsandacricut.blogspot.com/

Robin ~ www.scrapandchat.blogspot.com/

Zenita ~ www.scrappinwithz.blogspot.com/

Cicily ~ www.pinkdalmationscrapper.blogspot.com/

Lisa ~ www.handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/

Lucy ~ www.love2createitall.blogspot.com/

Pam ~ www.mzlavr2.blogspot.com/

Thank you for visiting!