Just to Say...

I'm a big fan of having a variety of cards available at all times.  This means that I keep a stock of Thank you, Birthday, Congratulations, Thinking of You, and Sympathy cards at all times.

There's a little bit of everything in there.  Some new, some older.

Sometimes these cards are completely custom and I've made judicious use of our Annual Inspirations and Seasonal Expressions for inspiration.  You can also find great ideas for custom card making in our books that teach you how to be more creative and even how to balance color and shapes to make a pleasing composition.  As an artist, I really appreciate that our Originals Card Confidence Program book teaches people how to make decisions based on time-honored design principles.

This book is so useful! There are layouts and basic design education.

Today I am going to share probably my favorite card kit out of the Holiday Expressions 2016 catalog.    The Workshops Your Way Just To Say Cardmaking Kit (that's a mouthful, isn't it?!). This kit comes with a beautiful stamp set and all the paper, embellishments, and card blanks you need to craft 10 cards.

One of the things I love about this kit is the colors! It uses Sea Glass, our color of the year, which is a lovely muted turquoise color.  It also uses two of our new Adventure Color Palette hues, Blossom and Raspberry, two very lovely pink shades that coordinate beautifully with Sea Glass.  These beautiful colors are calmed a bit by Whisper, a soft warm grey.

Doesn't you just love them? The stamp set is very versatile, with sentiments for two of our most common reasons for making cards, and the adorable thought bubble and hearts.  There are three different "border" stamps that you could use over and over to add a little color or texture to various projects.

Look at that bubble! So cute!

The enamel gems are sparkly but not too much.

I think this is going to my aunt who has a birthday next month...

I love the two-step heart. You can have just an outline, or fill it in.

I'm happy to say these cards are in my stash to be sent out when I need them!

Available Products:

Item # - Item Name (and link)

G1113 - Just To Say Cardmaking Kit

Z3271 - Archival Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2813 - Sea Glass Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2810 - Blossom Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2812 - Raspberry Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2172 - Whisper Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

1512 - Broad Tip Bonding Memories Glue Pen

Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape

Y1501 - My Acrylix Block Starter Kit

I love handmade tags!

I know that most people don't think they have time to make handmade tags for every gift they give at Christmas.  They buy big pages or rolls of unoriginal and uninspiring self-adhesive tags.  Nobody loves these tags and for those who spend the extra money for the fancier tags, I feel so bad for you.  I never realized how easy it could be to make my own handmade tags until I started making paper crafts with Close to My Heart two years ago.

There are so many options, from tags cut out using our Exclusive Cricut Cartridges, to stamping a sweet Christmas sentiment on a circle cut using one of our punches or another shape using our exclusive Thin Cuts designs.  If there's any interest, I will happily provide pictures of examples I've made previously.  There's one option that I love even more when I'm busy because I don't have to plan or cut ANYTHING.  Today's post is about another Cut Above kit that's available in the Holiday Expressions 2016 catalog (items available through December).

This Cut Above 'Tis the Season Tag Kit seemed to lack color and "umph" to me when I saw it online, but I ordered it anyway because I have faith in the designers over at CTMH headquarters.  This is not a traditional Christmas red and green tag with Santa or snowflakes.  This tag is so sophisticated and goes perfectly with the craft wrapping paper I picked up at the after Christmas sales last year!! (see pic above - bow handmade with CTMH City Sidewalks paper left over from when I made the Happy Holidays Cardmaking Kit)

 'Tis the Season Tag Kit contents

You choose one of the sentiments I mentioned in the the 'Tis the Season Card Kit  post (also listed below).  Just stamp using our Archival Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad and start assembly.  These tags take no time at all to put together.  After they were all assembled, I decided to add the "to:" and "from:" on the back using our Perfect Presents stamp set.  I loved the textures and sparkle of this kit! The polka dotted craft cardstock and the gold glitter and foil on the other layers was stunning! Because I'm a color fiend, I elected to add some Red Enamel Gems after everything else was done.  I was so happy with how they turned out, I've already ordered two more kits for myself.

All put together!

So PRETTY! 

Available Products:

Item # - Item Name (and link)

Z4018 - Cut Above 'Tis the Season Tag Kit

Z3271 - Archival Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

1512 - Broad Tip Bonding Memories Glue Pen

Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape

Y1003 - 2"x2" My Acrylix Block

M1155 - Merry & Bright My Acrylix Stamp

              (Mini Christmas (M1152), Happiest Holidays (M1153), or Mini Joy (M1154))

D1697 - Perfect Presents My Acrylix Stamp Set

Z3090 - Red Enamel Gems

Cards for any occasion

Made these lovely cards from the Thinking of You Cardmaking Kit today! I love how easy these new cardmaking kits are... it barely took any time to make 10 cards, and the kit had enough patterned paper and cardstock left over to make another 5 cards (if you have the extra bases and envelopes)! You can find the kit and all supplies on my website http://waywardgypsy.ctmh.com.

I did cheat and added some retired Glacier Thick Twine to the Hello card because I accidentally placed the sentiment too high.

Available Products:

G1117 - Workshops Your Way Thinking of You Cardmaking Kit

Z2809 - Tangerine Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2810 - Blossom Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2813 - Sea Glass Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape

Y1510 - My Acrylix Block Starter Kit

A little Halloween Treat

This card was made with retired papers and a retired stamp set, but I fell in love with this little guy and just HAD to use him again. These will be going out in the mail tomorrow!

Available Products:
X254 - 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" White Cards & Envelopes a Value Pack
Y1501 - My Acrylix Block Starter Kit
44751 - Archival Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2468 - ShinHan Touch Twin Warm Grey 7 Marker
Z2453 - ShinHan Touch Twin Lavender Marker
Z2457 - ShinHan Touch Twin Marigold Marker
Z2454 - ShinHan Touch Twin Leaf Green Marker
Z2452 - ShinHan Touch Twin Golden Yellow Marker

I've gotta brag a bit...

I've got my craft room all set up!! I'm looking forward to being creative in this space...

Wow that was FAST!

Okay, so yesterday I told you about the Happy Holidays Cardmaking Kit and how FAST you can make handmade Christmas cards. Today I feel I have to share an even faster kit we have at Close To My Heart.  I present to you the Cut Above 'Tis the Season Card Kit!  

This kit comes with all the paper pieces you need to make ten cards, precut and ready to assemble.  All you need to do is stamp with a sentiment and get to gluing!  These use a nice pre-printed cardstock base, heavy glitter paper, and a gold foiled sentiment block. 

Gorgeous, aren't they?! I kid you not, these 10 cards took me less than 30 minutes from start to finishing cleanup.  You can put the card kits together as you wish, which is great for those who are a little more creative (or have a little more time to plan).  I didn't even feel the need to bling these up any - and I'm a sparkle fiend.

Available Products:
Z4018 - Cut Above 'Tis the Season Card Kit
Z3271 - Archival Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
1512 - Broad Tip Glue Pen
Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape
Y1003 - 2"x2" My Acrylix Block
M1155 - Merry & Bright My Acrylix Stamp
                   (or choose Mini Christmas (M1152), Happiest Holidays (M1153), or Mini Joy (M1154))

A leap ahead...

Think you don't have time to make your own Christmas cards? The Happy Holidays Cardmaking Kit takes only about an hour to complete from start to finish - that's 10 cards!! That means each card only takes about 5 minutes to make!

I decided that the kit was beautiful as it was, but I wanted to add some more bling. I broke into my stash of leftovers from previous kits and added some red gems and gold sequins for no extra cost.

Visit http://waywardgypsy.ctmh.com to pick up some kits yourself!

G1115 - Happy Holidays Cardmaking Kit
Z2816 - Cranberry Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2807 - Willow Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Y1003 - 2"x2" My Acrylics Block
Y1006 - 3"x3" My Acrylics Block
1512 - Broadtip Glue Pen
Z3090 - Red Enamel Gems
Z2012 - Gold Assortment Sequins

New year... Life Book 2014

At my mother's urging, I've decided to participate in Life Book 2014.  Life Book is the brain-child of Tamara Laporte and consists of weekly lessons and inspirations to help you grow as an artist and as a person.  I haven't gotten access of my own yet, but mom came over the other night and we worked on our week 1 pieces.  There was guided meditation (which we kinda failed at because of critter and husband distractions) and then we were supposed to create a picture of our inner art guardian.  She (he/it) is supposed to guide us and protect us from criticism and encourage us to continue creating.  We were also supposed to choose a word - something we want to focus on in the next year. 

I chose "Confidence" because I would like to have more of it.  I never believe my work is good enough, I feel like I'm imposing if I try to join a conversation, and I especially don't like "pushing" my work on others.  I KNOW mentally that I am a good artist, that people like me, and they like when I share my work, but it's hard to make my inner critic shut up long enough for me to accomplish much sometimes.  Please let me know what you think... but be kind, as I'm just starting to work on this confidence thing.

New Classes

New Classes!  See images below for more information.  To reserve a spot in these classes, make sure to contact me directly or call 405-310-3400 between 10-6 Monday through Saturday.

Autumn Flowers Class - Saturday September 28th from 1-4pm.  All supplies and drinks/snacks will be provided.  There is plenty of room at the tables to bring lunch with you.

Halloween Moon Class - Tuesday October 15th from 6-9pm.  All supplies and drinks/snacks will be provided.  There is plenty of room at the tables to bring dinner with you.  Adult beverages are permitted after the store closes. 

Happy Harvest Class - Thursday October 24th from 6-9pm.  All supplies and drinks/snacks will be provided.  There is plenty of room at the tables to bring dinner with you.  Adult beverages are permitted after the store closes.

Etsy madness!

My absolute favorite pendant I've ever made... I dunno why, I just love it.

Lookie, lookie!  I have an Etsy site!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/waywardgypsy is slowly but surely getting items added.  I hope to get through the jewelry tomorrow before a friend's wedding, and then I'll start adding the paintings and other miscellaneous stuff that I'd like to get out of my studio after the weekend.  It feels so refreshing to be DOING something with all the things I've made in the last couple years.  I sometimes feel weighed down and unable to come up with new ideas because I'm constantly surrounded by old ideas and spent creativity.

Also, I realized today that I showed pictures of my disaster of a craft room in the old house, but I've never shown you the "after" pics of my studio and craft space in the new house.  I will have to snap some pictures and get them posted in the next few days.

Exciting weekend

Stitch/Craft Create LIVE is this weekend in Arlington, TX. Guess where I'll be the next two days?! Mom and I made the trek down from Norman tonight so we can spend the whole day tomorrow and Friday at the convention before heading home to be ready to head up to Stillwater on Saturday for another day full of classes. :) This is going to be such a great weekend! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures to share with you.

On an unrelated note, we will be repeating the Abstract Landscape class on Saturday June 15th from 1-4pm and the April Showers class on Friday June 21st from 6-9pm. If you missed these the first time, make sure you call Scrap That at 405-310-3400 sign up!

"LOVE" Painting Class

It was a small group today, but we made up for it by having TONS of fun and making some great art.  :)  Seriously, every class I do is so different, and I appreciate every single one of my students.  I learn as much from teaching you guys as you learn from me.

Our Sample piece this class - The pages are from an old hymnal, so the verses all have something to do with Love. ;)

Usha was at the last class, but she managed to slip out before picture time.  I made sure to catch her this time!  She does beautiful work!  I love the bright green and vivid warm accents. 

Julie didn't want to show her painting at first... because she wanted to tease her daughters.  ;)

But she let me take a real picture too!  :)  I adore the teal and pink (and the fact that her "v" looks like a big heart).

Shelia did this as a mother's day present for her granddaughter, who recently had her first baby.

I love how she added the pictures and used her granddaughter's favorite colors!

Our next class is the "April Showers" painting on April 26th from 6-9pm.  My mom tells me she's going to do hers in green and purple... :)  Should be fun!  Make sure to call Scrap That at 405-310-3400 to reserve your spot!  Remember that alcohol is allowed at the evening classes and that there will be space at your table for food/drinks.

April Showers

Landscape Madness!

On last Friday, we had my second painting class at Scrap That in Norman, OK.  I had 7 students there to learn how to paint this lovely landscape:

This bunch of ladies was so much fun to hang out with that we actually stayed an extra hour!  ;)  Everyone had a ton of fun and painted a great picture of hang on their wall at home or give as a gift.  I seriously feel like the best instructor ever, even though I know it's none of my doing and entirely their own talent. Unfortunately one student managed to get out the door before I got pictures, but here's the student gallery:

I love this final picture, where you see how each person put their own stamp on the same image!  :)

Our next two class samples are below.  Space is limited so that I can help students 1 on 1 if needed, so call Scrap That at 405-310-3400 to reserve your spot today if you're interested!

April 13th from 1-4pm

April 27th from 6-9pm.  Adult beverages allowed, BYOB.

First painting class!

As in... the first class I've taught!  I know, right?!  The class was 1-4pm Saturday 3/2/2013 at Scrap That Scrapbooking store here in Norman, OK.  I was so excited, and had three wonderful and talented ladies taking the class.  :)  I'll stop gushing and show you their wonderful work...

Lana had never painted before!  I think she really has a future in painting, she LOVED playing with the paint.

Terri decided she liked my painting so well that she wanted hers as close to the sample as possible, and she did a fantastic job of it!  It's got its own personality, but keeps the same feeling.

Vickie decided to take my sample as a general guideline and did her own thing.  I think it turned out amazing!  It has a real 3D effect in person and seems to pop off the canvas.

My demo sample is one of my favorites I've done of this particular design.  :)

I'm excited to do my next class on March 22nd from 6-9pm... it's my first landscape class!  ;)  And as an added bonus, we can bring wine (or whatever we want to drink) since the store will be closed during the class.  Woohoo!  Nothing goes better with painting than a glass of pinot!