Monday, April 2, 2018

YAY! I'm Baaaack, with a fun card!


Hello, Friends.

Long time, no see!  So very much has happened since my last post too long ago. Without belaboring it too much, let me just say that in 2017, hubby John and I both survived life-threatening health issues, so social media had to take a backseat. 

Also sharing that backseat were my card classes. But we're baaaaack, and I am truly going to endeavor to make this blog better than ever.  Thank you for finding me again. Without further ado, let's get to the business of today's card!  

In April, I'm going to be making cards that feature some of my favorite things from the current Close To My Heart's (CTMH*) products. Many of these will be retiring in July, so please don't hesitate to buy those you'd like to use in the future. Yes, a new Annual Inspirations catalog will be introduced at the CTMH Convention, June 28-30 in Las Vegas!  

I made this card today to celebrate coming back and resuming this blog. I really missed it, and you!  And also, cardmaking, for it's my therapy. My mood is often reflected in my cards, and today, I'm feeling it. You know ... it!

So to make this card, I first created the lively background by first splashing Close To My Heart's (CTMH*) White Daisy cardstock with colors from the CTMH Watercolor Palette, using a CTMH Waterbrush (medium) and an old toothbrush.


Let the paper dry; you can hasten this by blowing it dry using a CTMH Craft Heater, or a hairdryer. Trim your paper down to fit an A2 card -- I cut it to 4.0" high x 5.25" wide.  

Next, line up the letters from CTMH's Alphabet Thin Cuts onto the paper, centering the letters and carefully lining them up to be straight. I tape the letters down using blue painter's tape from any home improvement store, in the paint section. Just tape lightly, and run it through your die cutting/embossing machine. (I used a Cuttlebug, and its A, B and C plates.)  


Now here's the fun part -- making this into a "Shaker Card," with sequins inside to add to the party!  

Using Cricut's Design Space software and cutting with my Cricut Maker, I made an A2 card frame that is 1/2" wide around the perimeter. For this card, I wanted the cardboard to be about 3 layers thick, so I made the file to have three copies of the frame. Here is the file for you to download and use as you wish: https://design.cricut.com/#/design/88985193.

I cut old cardboard that I recycle from cereal boxes.  So layer the frames, printed side down, and gluing them together to create a stack of three. Top the stack with a piece of acetate trimmed to fit/cover the opening. While you can purchase acetate (I buy at Amazon), I also use recycled acetate from packaging like bakery or salad bar boxes. :)

I covered the base of the card with the light side of CTMH's unique two-toned cardstock; I used Lagoon.  Next, add a layer of multi-colored sequins -- enough to be happy, not so much to suffocate, right?   Put a layer of glue all around the perimeter and affix the stacked layer of cardboard/acetate. Now, add your painted/cut piece with YAY! on it.  

I also added a CTMH Title Banner below the "YAY!" (optional) to balance the die cut.  You could also just stamp, "Congratulations," or more -- even "Happy Birthday", Happy Anniversary, etc.  

Don't you just love an all-purpose, fun card?  

See you back here soon!

Ellen/"CardMonkey"
www.cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com
Shop: www.cardmonkey.ctmh.com

Proud to be an Independent Consultant for Close To My Heart, and the Manager of its Paper Jungle Team.  Ask me how you too can join CTMH and my team, and earn discounts on the products you purchase.  I am also happy to come to your home to host a CTMH Gathering and personalized card class, for those local to me in southeastern Pennsylvania!  Contact me at cardmonkey@comcast.net.



7 comments:

Linda Gorman said...

Darling card! Great blog post!

Warrell Creations said...

Beautiful job, love the sequins!

Ali Scraps said...

Gorgeous and lots of fun. Thanks for posting

Sosa's Wife said...

Gorgeous card! Happy Blogiversary! Looking forward to seeing more of your creations ��
(And I can't wait to meet you at convention!)

Marilyn McLeod @ Pink Paper Cottage said...

Hi Ellen... so glad to see you back and well! I had read somewhere on one of the Facebook timelines I think, that you were having some severe health issues and I was so sorry.. you were in my prayers! I still remember the help you gave me when I was a CTMH consultant and have never forgotten your kindness. Welcome back to being able to craft and make.. which is what we need to feed our souls! I hope your hubby is better also. God Bless.... Marilyn

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

SO good to see your happy face meet me when I came here, I'm so happy to hear you are (both) in good health and raring to go.
It certainly shows in this fabulous card.
Faith
x

Jann Schott said...

Welcome back! Such a cute card!

Personally, I use Washi Tape to secure my dies to the cardstock. I keep a roll of the wide in the Washi tape dispenser (Z2052).

Cheers!

Jann