Stampaganza Blog Hop!

Tina Sutton,
Scattered Hearts leader

It's my pleasure to be participating in this Stampaganza Blog Hop by the Scattered Hearts Team, hosted by Tina Sutton -- our fearless leader and one of the top Close To My Heart (CTMH) superstars. 

You should have arrived here from Heather's blog. If you have jumped here and just discovered our blog hop, feel free to check the participants' list at the starting point at Tina's blog at missgingerdots.com to find the complete list of blog hop participants.

On with the show!

Tina asked hop participants to show current CTMH products and stamp sets, and to offer a reminder that in July, Stampaganza is back!  

What's a Stampaganza?  This is where you can buy two of the current CTMH stamp sets and get a third of equal or lesser value FREE!!  That's right -- this includes any stamp set shown in the 2016-2017 Annual Inspirations or the Seasonal Expressions 2 catalogs. 

And here is another reminder: those catalogs and all of the paper in them (along with most of the current stamp sets) will retire on July 31, so get them now!

For my project, I made my favorite style of card (yes, again!) -- a pop-up box card -- but this time, I used the current "No Worries" line of CTMH papers with its beachy feel, along with the complementing "No Worries - Cardmaking" stamp set (C1679).  I made it with a retirement in mind, but for no one in particular ... and within a few minutes of showing it off on Facebook, my daughter Emily asked if she could claim it for a retiring nurse who is heading for the beach. 

To make it, I used my Pop Up template that you can find on my tutorials site, link here.  The finished card folds flat to 5.5" x 5.5". I cut the base of the card CTMH's using Sapphire cardstock.  I used a center strut to hold the embellishments, which were stamped using Sapphire Exclusive Inks by CTMH.  My favorite detail on the card is the braided twine tied around the box, holding two anchors. I cut the anchors from silver metallic paper, using my Cricut.  

(Shhhh... Want to hear a sneak about the upcoming new CTMH Annual Inspirations catalog?  CTMH will now be carrying gold and silver metallic papers, beginning August 1! And guess what?!  There will be a new Cricut cartridge available in both physical and digital models.  I can't wait!! Ooooh, and -- if you're in the market for a new Cricut Explore Air machine -- you'll want to know more about the new Hostess Rewards incentives that CTMH will be offering starting on August 1.  Ask me!) 

I make all sorts of Pop-Up Box Cards, and frankly, they are my biggest custom seller. 

Last week, I made this wedding Pop-Up Box Card on special order. 

The card uses current Ruby cardstock, and retired CTMH paper called "For Always." On the back of the card, I used a current stamp set called "Wedding Wishes" (B1547, $9.95) and send this reminder: you can get this stamp set and all other current stamp sets at B2GO pricing, through July 31. 

Also during "Stampaganza," you can also get a fantastic set of 12 month-specific D-sized stamps called "Word Puzzle" for the unbelievable bargain price of just $143.60. 

But wait!  Want to save THAT amount too?  

You can get the "Word Puzzle Bundle" for FREE (!!!) by either hosting a qualifying party OR enrolling to be a new CTMH Consultant this month, and achieving $300 in sales by August 31.  I'm telling you ... either will be easy-peasy when you see the new CTMH Annual Inspirations catalog. Contact your favorite CTMH Consultant for more information on how to join, or how to host a party either in person or virtually!

I'm sure you'll want to see more inspiration, so hop on over to the next blog stop with Jean McNulty.  And don't forget, shop now during Stampaganza, July 1-31 with your favorite CTMH Consultant. (Most of us will have a "Shop Now" button on the sidebar of our blogs ... look for them!)  

Lost or need more info?  Check out the full list of hop participants at our host site, with Scattered Hearts' team leader, Tina Sutton. Click HERE. 

It's a BLOG HOP to celebrate the birthday of a great 16-year old!

Welcome to the very special celebration of the birthday of a VERY sweet 16-year old young woman. Her name is Emily (like my own daughter) and she is the daughter of my friend, Beth.

Over my 5-year (!!) course of blogging, I've met many, many crafting colleagues who I now consider friends.

Several of these are women who joined me in "Banner Hops" where we made special occasion banners -- Halloween, Christmas, and Spring -- for children at a long-term care facility where I used to work.

One of those women, Beth McGee and her young daughter, Emily, made beautiful banners many times, and generously donated them to the kids in need of special love. 

So when Beth asked if I would join with her in celebrating Emily's 16th birthday with a surprise card hop, I am all in.  I decided to make one of my favorite cards, a pop-up, to mark this special occasion and special girl.  Here is the card (front view, at top; side view next; and the back is the third image, below.)

If you're a long-time follower of my blog, you know I've made several of these cards. They're spectacular to receive, and often become real keepsakes. And they're really not that hard to make. If you'd like to see the template I've developed for them, just scroll down to the word-cloud (index) at the bottom of my blog and look for "pop-up cards". Click there, and you'll be taken to other examples, as well as the template.

WIN BLOG CANDY!!!

So now what's a blog hop without blog candy, right?

Last week, I taught a really fun class in which students made 7 Christmas cards using the beautiful CTMH White Pines Scrapbooking Program cards, CTMH Poppy Twine and CTMH Red Enamel gems.  One of the cards was a pop-up. If you'll be so kind as to leave a comment here on this post, and follow my blog if you'd like, one winner will receive the detailed printed instructions for the pop-up card, pictures of some of the pop-ups I've made, and the Close To My Heart products (mentioned above) I gave to my students to make the set!  The products have a value of about $15, and the directions are ... priceless, of course.

Again, the only requirement for my blog candy is to leave a comment on this blog post; follow my blog only if you'd like to.

It's time to move on in the Hop...

You should have arrived here from THIA's blog so your next stop is at JANIS's blog.  CLICK HERE to be taken directly to Janis's blog post.

If you came to my blog just to see what's up and would like to see more cute cards for Emily's 16th birthday, go back to Beth's blog at the start of the hop.  Beth (Emily's Mom) has GRAND PRIZE blog candy that you'll not want to miss!

Here is the full list of those celebrating this very special occasion:

1. Beth - http://thecraftyscrapyard.blogspot.com
2. Mary - http://cardztv.blogspot.com
3. Shawnee - http://sunshinycards.blogspot.com
4. Thia - http://bluemooncreation.blogspot.com
5. Ellen- http://www.cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com
6. Janis-http://pausedreamenjoy.blogspot.com
7. Jennifer R- http://www.craftycardgallery.blogspot.com
8. Rachelle-http://rachellescreativeplace.blogspot.com
9. Krystal - http://krystalklearcreations.blogspot.com
10. Cathie-http://mimiscraftcorner.blogspot.com
11. Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
12. Maria - http://maria-linacreativedesigns.blogspot.com
13. Jessica D. - http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com
14. Georgia-  http://www.geritolgal2.blogspot.com
15. Julie - http://muddypawsinkyfingers.BlogSpot.com
16. Barbara - http://www.spotofsanity.BlogSpot.com
17. Jessica P - http://kissinkrafts.BlogSpot.com

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.



Another Custom Order -- Pop-Up Wedding Card

How I do love making pop-up cards, and it seems that these are the cards that sell consistently the best, and for the most amount of money compared to the time it takes to make one. Also, customers love that pop-ups lend themselves to a lot of customization, whether in colors, names, and other accents.

Here is a custom order I received this week from customer Pam (who had ordered previously).  This is a military (Marine) dress wedding, so Pam's instructions to me were to make it "red, white and blue, of course."  

I used a white base for the box, and as I traditionally do in a wedding card, I decorated the back/inside of the box with a highly reflective silver foil cardstock by Bazzil. It's hard to see the detail on the groom's uniform here, but he has on the single epaulette of a First Lieutenant, royal blue jacket with gold buttons, white belt over it, and lighter blue slacks trimmed in a red stripe. 

I used Close To My Heart's new "La Vie En Rose" beautiful rose-filled paper for the outside of the box, trimmed in silver shimmer trim. On the inside of the box, I decided to accent in stars. The white overlays are embossed using CTMH's newest embossing folder called "Star Confetti". Each "arm" of the box was trimmed in a quote from the paper zip-strip. 

On the back of the card, I made a slide-in card/envelope for the giver's check to the wedding couple.  These cards truly pack a punch -- beautiful to give and a keepsake to receive. Have you tried making one yourself, yet?

Create Custom Pop-Up Cards for Ooohs and Aaahhhs

For those looking for a custom card, or a greeting card that never fails to draw the "oohs and aaahhs" from a recipient, I've specialized in pop-up cards. And while they look difficult to make, they're really quite easy and addictive. Scroll below and I'll enclose here a template that I use to make my cards.

I was hired by a woman named Pam to make this gorgeous card for her niece, Corin. Pam's direction to me was only that the bride's colors were soft beige and grey, and that I could use any accent colors I chose.  

I used Close To My Heart's Whisper (grey) cardstock as the base, and cut doilies from Close To My Heart's Champagne (soft beige) to cover the base of the box.  The rose/blue designer papers are also from Close To My Heart -- a line called "Heartstrings" (now retired).  I used both paper and sticker "Complements". I added to the center strut the silhouette of the dancing couple, cut using a Silhouette Online Store file, using my Silhouette Cameo.  The image is reflected in the Bazill silver metallic cardstock adhered to the back panel of the card. 

To finish off the elegant box card, I added a customized name plate encircled with a beautiful circle rhinestone from The Buckle Boutique. The edge of the box at the fold also has a line of resin rhinestones cut from a sheet of The Buckle Boutique's Dazzling Diamonds clear resin rhinestone sheets. The man wears a boutonniere of a mini-rosebud trimmed down from a flower I had in my stash from Wild Orchid Crafts.

Let's take a look at another, similar card:

This card used the same basic template, but used a more classic black/white motif to celebrate the wedding of Megan and Robert. The paper used was another retired paper from Close To My Heart, called "Forever Yours."  The same silhouette was cut, this time using black and white to represent the groom and bride. The decorations here are simpler: a trellis of free form roses (also by Wild Orchid Crafts) was affixed to the center strut. I used a slightly larger rhinestone ring from The Buckle Boutique to highlight the wedding couple's names. 

Don't hesitate to try your hand at a Pop-Up Box Card. I promise you that they're so easy, you'll be wondering what took you so long to make your first one!  Here is my template:

Mama Mia Blog Hop - Honoring our Moms

Welcome to the Mama Mia Blog Hop

We are here to honor and cherish our Moms this weekend the best way us crafters know how, with a blog hop showcasing some amazing projects either for a special mom or about a special mom in our lives.. We hope that our projects will show Moms everywhere just how special they are to us all.

 

I am the second stop on this fun Hop, so if you are just joining me here and wish to start at the beginning,

Connie Can Crop is the first stop on this Blog Hop.

This is a one day blog hop and we appreciate your leaving a comment for all of these talented friends who are here sharing their ideas and creations. 

 

We have an awesome sponsor and giveaway for this hop!

Please be sure to visit their site at http://pinkandmain.com/, and their Blog at http://pinkandmainblog.com/shop

Pink & Main has graciously donated this adorable Super Mom themed Stamp Set as our blog candy.

So what do you need to do to win? Easy... become  a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment letting them know what you like best about their projects. Then stop by our sponsor's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pinkandmain and give her a "Like."  You will have until 12:00 am Monday to finish the hop and leave your comments.  Winners will be announced on Wednesday at Connie Can Crop.

 

This is my gorgeous Mom, Dot, in a picture taken at a most memorable occasion -- the wedding of my daughter, Emily. Believe it or not, in this picture in 2010, my Mom was 80 and I think totally stunning.

 

Just a few months after this picture, Mom had a massive brain stem stroke and the prognosis was grim. The four of us kids flew to Tampa General Hospital where she was on life support. Much as we couldn't bear to see her in that state, we also were not ready to give up on her.

 

We agreed to try an experimental surgery where the doctors implanted a cardiac stent (narrow but straight) into her twisting but fully clogged basilar artery. The stent didn't deploy as it should, but the skillful work of the surgeons was enough to restore blood flow to the brain stem.

 

Mom's recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. Where most doctors thought she would die, she lived. Where they surmised she would be vegetative or severely compro-ised, she has rehabbed back to greater than 100%!  This is Mom today (left), just last week at the Country Club with Dad, in Naples, FL.  Standing, walking without assistance, driving, beading, fully cognitive and conversant -- loving!  I am TRULY blessed to still have both of my parents alive and well, living happily in their 62nd year of marriage!

 

Mom deserves so much more than I can give her or make her, but here is the card I made for her to celebrate her 60th year of Motherhood:

 

To make this card, I followed a template that I developed to cut the base on a paper trimmer. I share it here, for your personal use:

 

 

For the papers, I used Close To My Heart's Ivy Lane collection. I trimmed the flowers by hand, from the paper, and adhered them to the center support ("strut") using glue on acetate. I also stamped the sentiments on Bamboo paper, using CTMH Cranberry ink. The stamp set is called "Perfect Fit - Mom" (# C1543, $13.95).  The small dark red carnations are made from mulberry paper by Wild Orchid Crafts.

 

I hope you enjoy the Pop Up cards as much as I like making them. They're really not difficult to do, and offer a great deal of pizzazz!

 

Now, back to the Hop you go!

 

Up next is ALICIA at Golden Goddess Designs.

Here is our complete line up in case you get lost along the way:

 

1. Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com

2. Ellen/Cardmonkey- http://cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com {YOU ARE HERE}

3. Alicia- http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com {GO HERE NEXT}

4. Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com/

5. Sarah - www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com

6. Gina - http://californiascrappin-gcinderella21.blogspot.com/

7. Elizabeth - www.ejoym.blogspot.com

8. Melanie - http://afternoonscrapper.blogspot.com/

9. Angela - www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com

10. Esther - http://forthejoyofcreating.blogspot.com

11. Jessica -  www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com

12. Lori - http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/

13. Diane - http://thehappyscrapbooker.blogspot.com/

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday to Two Very Special Women!

Two of my dearest, and longest-term friends, celebrate birthdays within 10 days of each other. I made a 3-D Pop-up card (below) for each of them.  But first about them:

I first met Debbie as "Mrs. Donaldson," when she was to interview me for my second job after college, and the first in what would be the field of my choice: public relations in the health industry.

Debbie was the Program Coordinator for the Philadelphia Chapter of the March of Dimes, and I was applying to be its Communications Coordinator.  Debbie found herself located in Philadelphia when her husband, Tom, was stationed in the City for the Navy.  She hired me, and we had a wonderful time working together, and building a friendship as well.

Debbie, Tom and their beautiful family traveled the world with the Navy. They're now located back in Virginia, near their daughter Krista and her young family.  I hope we'll see the Donaldsons in 2014 on a visit, now that they're not too far away.

That's Mary Beth, second from left. She is hugged by Dani at left and her
son, AJ. Next to AJ is MB's daughter, Nicole. Out ice skating.

The other young'un is one of my most favorite women, my baby sister Mary Beth.  Mary B is the "new 50" this year -- you know, 50 is the new 30 -- because I swear MB looks more like a sister to her two beautiful daughters Danielle and Nicole than their mother.  Check this out:

She was always the most athletic of the sisters, for sure (check out this t-ball picture from a zillion years ago), but now, as climbs to the top of the halfway point to 100, she has taken on a new passion: running.  Can you believe this woman is now running half-marathons!!?  I admire her more than she can possibly know. While I spend marathon sessions on my butt making cards, she's out running hers off.  God bless!!!

... and happy birthday to you both!

I made these cards using Jillibean Soup's papers and embellishments from the Birthday Bisque line.  The template is my own, developed from the pattern provided free by http://extremecards.blogspot.com.  I love the celebration of a 3-d pop-up card, and am hooked on making them!  :)

 

St. Patrick's Day greetings to you and yours!

Supplies:

Cutting template by Extreme Cards (http://extremecards.blogspot.com)
Paper: Pear (green) and Daisy White by Close To My Heart; Shamrocks by Best Creation; gold metallic by Bazzill
Rhinestone resin sheet by The Buckle Boutique
Leprechaun cut using "Everyday Paper Dolls" by Cricut/ProvoCraft
Vines cut using a Cheery Lynn Design die and Big Shot
Glue: Liquid Paper by Close To My Heart
Tape Adhesive by Scor-Pal
Electronic Cutting machine: Silhouette Cameo

Happy Birthday Blog Hop: Celebrating with a Pop-Up Card!

Welcome to the Happy Birthday Blog Hop

It's Connie Can Crop's birthday weekend and what better way to celebrate than with a super blog hop full of fabulous projects, a spectacular lineup, and yummy presents for 2 lucky followers!!

This weekend, we're celebrating the birthday of our host, Connie, with this one-day blog hop.  Connie Can Crop is the first stop on her birthday blog hop. Leave a comment for all of these talented friends (and a birthday greeting for Connie, if you will!) and you have a chance to win these prizes: 

We have TWO awesome
sponsors and giveaways for this hop!

 

ABusyBee is giving away 3 delicious Spring Colors of Skittles!! What's a skittle?? Check out her store HERE:

Connie is  giving away a gorgeous 6x6 paper pad and  may just throw in some fabulous LoveBug Creations Rumple Ribbon too!!

So what do you need to do to win? Easy... become  a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a  comment letting them know what you like best about their projects. Then come back to Connie Can Crop and post that you followed the rules.  You will have until 12:00 am Monday to finish the hop and leave your comments.  Winners will be announced on Wednesday at Connie Can Crop.

Be sure to follow everyone and leave a comment  along the way!

Gonna Party! 

It's Connie's Birthday! 

Let's go! 

Here's my project:

Have you gotten into the new craze of making 3-D pop-up box cards?  They're all the rage now. In fact, many people are already getting sick of seeing them. I, for one, can't get enough of them because they're unique, special, and I bet people will take some extra care with them. They'll likely stay on a recipient's desk or tabletop for quite some time!

Last month, I showed you the pop-up birthday card I made for one of my cardmaking students, Susan. (If you didn't see it, here's the link.)  Well, she loved it so much that she commissioned me to make a card for a friend of hers.  Here it is:

The friend's birthday coincides with the opening of the baseball season, and Jane's quite a baseball fiend -- especially Phillies baseball.

To make the base of this card, I relied on a brand new box card file from the Silhouette Online Store, created by Lori Whitlock.  What I especially like about this file is that it has shaped pop-ups for securing the sentiment and baseball.

For the background paper, I used a glittered baseball pattern that I have had for a while. I think I got it at a local scrapbook store that has since closed. It's by Best Creation Inc. (www.bestcreation.us). I backed it with Close To My Heart cardstock in Barn Red. The red/white polka dotted paper on the front is by Recollections for Michael's.  The ribbon is Rumple Ribbon by Lovebug Creations. I printed the sentiments and Phillies logos on my computer. Baseball stickers were provided by the client; I believe they're by Jolee Boutique.

Here is another 3-D pop-up card that I recently made, using Close To My Heart's new Timberline paper and "Happy Camper" stamp set. Isn't it adorable?For this one, I used a template that I found on an excellent blogsite called Extreme Cards. This site has free templates that you can hand-cut, or download to cut on your Silhouette. It's far easier to make these cards than it looks -- give it a try!

Now, continue on the Happy Birthday Blog Hop by visiting our next stop along the way, to the fantastic blog by:

SHARON

Here is our complete line up in case you get lost along the way:

1. Connie- www.conniecancrop.blogspot.com
2. Jenny - www.crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com
3. Janet  - http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/
4. Sandy - http://simplycraftycreationsbysandys.blogspot.com/
5. Beth~ http://thecraftyscrapyard.blogspot.com
6. Shawnee-http://sunshinycards.blogspot.com
7. Ellen-http://cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com
8. Sharon - http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com
9. Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com/
10.  Alicia http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
11. Angela - www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com
12. Jessica http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com
13. Kathy - http://kathyand3kids.blogspot.com
14. Lori - http://scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/
15. Robin L. - http://create-a-latte.blogspot.com
16. Holli - http://SunflowerHolli.blogspot.com
17. Carri - http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/

Be sure to leave everyone a comment 
to be entered to win!!

GOOD LUCK!

OH, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Connie!!