Santa's riding the City Sidewalks

Just dropping in to say hello to my friends, family and followers!

I'm digging out some current Close To My Heart holiday paper to make a few cards before the season totally overwhelms me.  This one is a tri-fold shutter card pattern, combining with some Red Shimmer Trim and some bling.

The paper is called "City Sidewalks," and it coordinates with the digital-only Cricut cartridge that had been sold by CTMH. Had been?  Yup, it's sold out. And there are only 16 more days to get your holiday papers too, as the Holiday Expressions catalog retires on 12/31 and ... YES! ... that means a new catalog is around the corner.

Would YOU like to receive a Seasonal Expressions CTMH catalog?  Just leave a comment here with a way for me to contact you to get your address, and I'll send one right out to you.  WAIT until you see the new products -- papers, stamps, AND more! 

December's Disney Pixar Blog Hop

Welcome to the Original Disney Pixar Blog Hop
 

Disney and crafting are a magical combination, and we are so happy you joined us to day for this blog hop.  Some of the crafters participating in this event have been doing this together since 2011!  Over the years the hop has grown but one thing has always stayed the same . . . amazing crafting projects that feature your favorite characters from Disney and Pixar movies.

For 2016 we have had a hop every other month for the entire year!  If you missed one of the hops we already had this year, you can still go back and see the projects.  For February click HERE, for April click HERE, for June click HERE, for August click HERE and for October click HERE.  If you are on Facebook, you can like the group page so that you can be the first to learn about each upcoming event.  Just click HERE to go the the Facebook page.

To make sure you don't miss any of the fun, be sure to start at Shawn's blog to see all of the projects. Just click HERE to head over to Shawn's blog and then follow the hop line up at the bottom of the post to see everyone's projects.

 

Here's my project:

 

It's almost Christmas (eeeek, how did that happen!!?), so I decided to make a Mickey Christmas card for a favorite Disney-freak. Did you know that Cricut has added some sweet Christmas in Disney images to their Cricut Design Space shop?

 

 

 

I purchased the two images -- Mickey on the ladder and the Cozy Pluto -- and cut / pieced the images, using my Cricut Explore, for my side-step card.  The Christmas tree is also from Cricut Design Space ("Access").  The sentiment I stamped using a retired font stamp set from Close To My Heart and Ruby Exclusive Ink.

Before you go, make sure to enter to win our prize for this hop . . .

We have a prize from KatScrappiness.com!  This prize pack includes a die set and 5 packages of sequins of the winners choice!  Choices must be from the current inventory. Winners must be in the continental United States.

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thank you again for joining us on this Original Disney Pixar Blog Hop, and for supporting our fun for the past year. We hope to see you again in 2017 for more Disney magic!  Now please head over to Tammy's blog for the next stop along the happy train.

 

Good luck, and enjoy the rest of the hop!

The full blog hop line up is below.  

Shawn

Ellen

Tammy

Melissa

Miranda

Cathie

Trending Colors # 3 - Hot Pink, Gold and Black

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!  We had a wonderful time with my daughter Emily, her hubby Josh and their kids Charlotte and Evan. I overdid it on dinner -- whew, so many sides, so many pies! -- but we're now enjoying leftovers, yum!!

Today, I was supposed to go to a Christmas card workshop at my friend Anita's house, but really, I just need time in my own craft room to focus on cards I need to make.  Of course, I got few done because the mess is distracting. But maybe tomorrow .... if buying a new washer and dryer doesn't interfere. There's always something, isn't there??

Here is the next card I've made to focus on "trending colors" as shown in HGTV Magazine's December 2015 issue:

The trending colors are: Hot Pink, Gold and Black.  For this card, I used Close To My Heart's "Blessings of Peace" stamp set for the dove and sentiment. I stamped the dove on White Daisy CTMH cardstock in Versamark and sprinkled it with gold embossing powder. I then embossed it by warming the powder with my heat crafting gun. The hot pink paper is from my stash, and the black/white striped is from CTMH's new La-Vie En Rose paper line. The bling is also from CTMH, as is the gold adhesive stripe across the middle (that doesn't photograph well).

These trending colors are shown in the magazine like this:

Trending Colors # 2 - Green, Navy and Light Blue

Hello, CardMonkey Followers!

I'm back today with another trending color combination that caught my eye in the December 2015 issue of HGTV Magazine.  Here is the Christmas card I made today, using the "mint green, navy and light blue" combination the magazine suggests.

And here is a picture of the pages from the HGTV Magazine that inspired this pretty combination:

My card uses Close To My Heart's (CTMH) "Festive Trees" stamp set (#B1493), along with Exclusive Inks stamp pads in Pacifica (large tree), Pear (middle) and Lagoon (right).  I also used a small pieces of blue Glitter Trim and fern Thick Twine.  The images were stamped on White Daisy CTMH paper, stitched onto Sweet Leaf cardstock and mounted with Foam Tape onto Pacifica card-stock. I also embossed the silver star atop the large tree, and applied Wink of Stella Silver glitter to the tree on the right.

Pretty Blue Holly -- with pink? Christmas Card

Often, many of those who make cards too where I get inspiration for my designs. Honestly, the answer is "everywhere I look!"  I'm active on Facebook where cardmakers post their work for "scraplifting", and there's Pinterest too. 

I also subscribe to HGTV Magazine, and I just love many of the shows on that network too.  I look to this magazine to see what is trending, as I'm an older dog who until recently never used the term "trending."  (And funny enough, my 85-year old Mom gave me my first HGTV subscription, proving once again there is no such thing as too old to be trending!)

This picture caught my eye in the December 2015 issue:

I'd never otherwise think of pairing these colors together (and grew up thinking pink and red clashed!). But using this as inspiration, I made this Christmas card:

Untraditionally, I used the holly leaf and berries stamps from The Ton Stamps to form flowers on a solid white cardstock.  I stamped using Memento ink ("London Fog" color) and colored using an assortment of Copic markers. This photo makes the berries and ribbon look red, but they're really hot pink. I dabbed the flowers using "Wink of Stella" in silver to pick up on the silver edging on the ribbon by Really Reasonable Ribbon. I matted the card on hot pink and black cardstock and mounted it onto a white A2 card. The sentiment is on the same stamp set as the holly berries and leaves, from The Ton.

Christmas Card Class Using White Pines PML cards

Updated:  What a fun class we had on Saturday, November 21!  We're taking a holiday break over December, but will be back at the Scatter Joy Center for the Arts in January, 2016. Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year to all!

 

Three of my card class students helped each other
during another wonderful session at the Scatter Joy
Center for the Arts in Horsham, Pennsylvania.
Thank you (from left) Felicia, Pam and Anna!

 

 

Attendees of the CardMonkey's Holiday Card Class made the seven cards shown above, using Close To My Heart's White Pines Scrapbooking Program cards and White Pines paper.  All of the materials necessary to make these cards were provided to the class students. They also walked away with even more White Pines Scrapbooking Program cards, to design more cards or gift tags using the leftovers!

Don't live local to my classes?  Feel free to comment or leave a message if you're interested in buying a kit, which includes the necessary products as well as cut papers and embellishments, and instructions, to make these cards.  I can be reached at cardmonkey@comcast.net.

If you are a Close To My Heart consultant yourself and would prefer to buy your own White Pines Scrapbooking Program cards, card blanks, paper packs and twine, I will also provide the instructions and photograph for each, for a nominal fee.  Wouldn't this make a great class in December for your groups?  Just let me know how I can help.



WIN! and 10 More Great Cards from the 20 Card Challenge

Have you started the 20 card challenge?  Think of how you'll be able to make real headway in your Christmas card production if you could knock out 20 cards in 3 hours! 

Yesterday, I introduced the challenge -- and showed you the first ten of my 20 cards I made on Monday in less than 3 hours, using Close To My Heart's new "Sparkle & Shine" paper pack. Below, I'll post the second half of my cards. But wait, before you go, I have blog candy!!

YES, for one lucky follower*, if you leave a comment here not later than Friday, October 25 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, you could WIN a Close To My Heart "Sparkle & Shine" paper pack yourself! (MSRP $9.95).   In your comment, tell me whether you have started making your cards for this holiday season, how many handmade cards you typically make each year AND leave me your e-mail address. (*Also tell me how you follow this CardMonkey blog.)   PLEASE leave the e-address a "safe" way so that spammers don't get ahold of it ... it doesn't happen often, but it can. For example, I'd leave my e-mail this way: cardmonkey at Comcast dot net. 

Here are the cards you could be making with this beautiful new paper:

If you missed the first 10 cards of the 20 I made from the single paper pack, please do scroll down to yesterday's post.  Also, if you would like to SHOP for a paper pack, embellishments, stamp sets, ink pads etc., please visit my Close To My Heart website at http://cardmonkey.ctmh.com. 


DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

The 20 Card Challenge

Are you up for the challenge?

Take three 12x12" matching sheets of your favorite designer paper ... combine it with just one complementing color cardstock sheet (12x12") or two half-sheets of two colors ... and one sheet of white, if you choose.  Use no more than three stamp sets and three ink pads, on-hand embellishments ... and just three hours ... to convert 20 A2 (4.25"x5.5") plain white cards into TWENTY (20) unique Christmas cards.

Here are my twenty unique cards:

For my challenge, I took three sheets of the brand new Close To My Heart Sparkle & Shine paper. This is a double-sided paper.  I used a half-sheet scraps of ruby, juniper and white to complement.  I used just three stamp sets from Close To My Heart: Santa Claus (C1567), Frosted Card Workshop (D1562), and Perfect Fit-Holidays (B1412), along with gems, twine, buttons, glitter tape, and red mini-accents. 

To make these cards simple to replicate, I did not use any electronic cutting machines -- just a paper trimmer and micro-tipped scissors.  I used a tape runner and white glue for my adhesives, nothing fancy.

...and the best part, I designed and made all 20 of these cards is less than 3 hours!

Let's take a look at the cards, individually:

... Come back tomorrow to see the next ten cards! 


DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

A Cardmaker's Conundrum

What a conundrum Christmas is for cardmakers! Or am I alone in this?  I want to personalize each of the cards I make for those about whom I care, and I do enjoy thinking about each person as I make their card. However, it's not always possible ... especially from a time perspective.

Here is a card I made for a friend. I am enclosing with it some art I made for her -- it was a "moment worth remembering". When I found this vellum piece in a stack from Little Yellow Bicycle, I knew that my design was almost done.  The paper I used is from Bazzill Basic Papers "Believe" collection. 

I cut the holly leaves using a cut file from the Silhouette Online Store. I tried to cut the same design from extremely fragile "cork paper", but it fell apart on the mat. So, using the off-cut as a stencil/edge, I cut a complementing holly leaf by hand.  The brad, gems and ribbon are from my stash. 

This post today marks my 500th post since I started blogging 2 years ago. I hope you've enjoyed the projects I've made and the tips I've shared. Here's to many more! Thank you for "following" me, and growing with me.
 

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Peace on Earth card

'Tis the season ... for yet another holiday card. This one, I am planning on sending this week to my favorite neighbors who are Jewish and celebrate Hanukkah.  They, like many who are deeply concerned about the unsettled situation in Israel, pray for world peace daily. I do, too.  I hope we get to a time when all of our troops are home with their families at the holidays, and always. 

Once again relying on my Silhouette Cameo and a cutting file from
the Silhouette Online store, I cut this overlay using Brilliant White #130
cardstock on the double cut feature. I mounted it on Bazzill cherry
stock and adhered the whole thing to a card also made from the
Brilliant White #130 cardstock.  The finished size is 5x7".

Peace be with you, and your family.

Fondly, 

Winter Wonderland Blog Hop, sponsored by the Krazy Crafting Crew

Welcome to the Winter Wonderland Blog Hop, brought to you by the Krazy Crafting Crew.  This is our last monthly hop of the year as we celebrate the holidays, say sayonara to 2012 and welcome in a year that's bound to be great and full of crafting!  

We in the KCC have had a wonderful year with fun themes; have you noticed?  Would you like to join us?  Just let me know in your comments and I'll hook you up!  :)  We're having lots of fun themes, sponsored blog candy, and more in 2013.  Today, the KCC will be bringing you all sorts of wintry projects including our holiday cards. 

Here's my Winter Wonderland card:

Top left: Close up of Santa's sleigh, snowy hill and a reindeer
Bottom: The full eight-panel accordion card, unfolded.
I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut this card, using a design from
the Silhouette Online Store. (All images from the store are half-
price through December 3. This one was just 50 cents!)
The cardstock is Brilliant White 130# ordered from
www.discountcardstock.com. I trimmed out the reins using
gold embroidery floss. The reindeers' antlers are made to
look more like Vegas showgirls' hats by trimming the base
of the flourish with gold Stickles. I made a complementing
kraft pocket card/envelope for the Merry Christmas sentiment,
rather than stamping directly on this pretty card that can
double as a mantle's home decor for the holidays.

Like what you see?  Be sure to hop along. I'm the second stop, right after our hostess Lissa Marie at So Many Crafts, So Little Time. I will post the full blog roll below.  Your next stop is the fantabulous JAMIE at Jamie Lindstrom Designs -- she always has some fun projects, so don't delay.

BUT WAIT!!!  Before you go, Santa's arrived a bit early and dropped off this fun Designer Card Kit from Momenta which could be yours if you win the CardMonkey blog candy!

How to win? Easy!  

1. Be a follower here and state as much in a comment on this blog post here.  
2. In your comment, I'd like you to tell me what you'd like to find in your crafter's Christmas stocking (under $20) .... can you tell, I'm looking for some ideas for my Secret Santa gift for a fellow crafter?   
3. Do tell me, too, how to contact you when you win the Momenta Card Kit!

Other bloggers have blog candy throughout the hop too ... so be sure to stop by and read the candy requirements on each.  For example, your host Lissa Marie is giving out a mini calendar to those who are followers of her blog (confirmation is required or she won’t see that you have signed up if you are new).  She will make the calendar just for you to help you schedule your appointments or if you are a blogger you can schedule all your hops all right next to your monitor! All you have to do is tell her your favorite colors!

Another great reason to comment is so you can also win with our monthly sponsor, Scrapbook Stamp Society (http://scrapbookstampsociety.com/).

They would love to reward one special blog visitor with a prize from their store. To be qualified for their drawing, please comment on all participating blogs and let them know you have.

You can receive extra entries for following them on Facebook at
and for commenting on the Scrapbook Stamp Society blog

Thank you for taking the time out to check out my projects.  Please do click on for more joyous Winter Wonderland.

Remember, your next stop is JAMIE, at www.jamielindstromdesigns.com.

Thanks so much for hopping through our Winter Wonderland!  Here is the full line up in case you need help navigating:

Your Host: Lissa Marie ~ www.somanycrafts.com 

Ellen ~ www.cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com 

Jamie ~ www.jamielindstromdesigns.com 

Liz ~ www.tryin2craft.blogspot.com 

Robin ~ www.scrapandchat.blogspot.com 

Jearise ~ www.lorbysworld.blogspot.com 

Cicily ~ www.pinkdalmationscrapper.blogspot.com 

Katina ~ www.twochicsandacricut.blogspot.com 

Pam ~ www.mzlavr2.blogspot.com 

Paula ~ www.preciouspagesbypaula.blogspot.com 

Lucy ~ www.love2createitall.blogspot.com

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,