CTMH Australasian Stampaganza Blog Hop

Hello and welcome aboard our Close To My Heart Stampaganza Australasian Blog Hop. If you have arrived here from Lauren Moore's CTMH Craftings, then you are in the right place. If you landed here by accident, no problem, please join in by following the link at the end of this post. 

Stampaganza is happening again! That means that throughout March, when you purchase two of our gorgeous My Acrylix stamp sets, you can choose another stamp set (of equal or lesser value) FREE! Yes, FREE! That's 3 stamp sets for the price of 2. What's not to love about that?

So today on our Australasian Blog Hop, we are celebrating Stampaganza 2016 by sharing some projects using our favourite stamp sets from the Annual Inspirations or Seasonal Expressions Idea Books.  

I have chosen my most favourite stamp set, Blossoming Expressions.  As you can see, this stamp set is completely gorgeous! The stamp set features solid stamps with less detail for background stamping and stamps with finely detailed leaf and flower images for stamping the foreground. You can use first and second generation stamping with the same colour to create a subtle contrast between the background and foreground, or stamp with different ink colours for a more dramatic effect- the choice is up to you.

Did you know that it's Jeanette Lynton's birthday this month? Jeanette is the CEO and founder of Close To My Heart and she is one truly remarkable woman! 

To celebrate Jeanette's birthday, CTMH are encouraging everyone to create a handmade birthday card for Jeanette, snap a photo of it and post it to Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #cards4jeanette.  You can see more details on the CTMH Blog Make it from your Heart. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we flooded social media with beautiful handmade cards for Jeanette?  Will you join in the celebration too by creating your own card?

I was determined to use my favourite stamp set, Blossoming Expressions to create a truly special card in honour of Jeanette's birthday.  I created the following Cascade Card featuring La Vie En Rose B&T Paper with coordinating colours Pixie, Hollyhock, Ruby, Poppy and Pomegranate.  

Cascade Cards are so easy to create.  The base is created from two pieces of Cardstock that are cut and scored so they can slide together and interlock to make the mechanism that helps the card stretch out and then lay flat again. 

You can click on the link to download my instructions (PDF) for creating this Blossoming Expressions Cascade Card. I do hope you enjoy creating this special card as much as I enjoyed designing and making it! 

My next card is based on a card design by consultant Catherine Nowak. I just love the simplicity of the design and I think the La Vie En Rose B&T Paper works beautifully alongside the purple hues of Thistle and Eggplant on this card.  

The ingredients used to create this card are:

D1665 Blossoming Expressions stamp set

White Daisy Card and Envelope (Value Pack)

5 1/2” x 7/8” La Vie En Rose B&T Paper (black and white side)

4” x 4” White Daisy Cardstock (for stamping flowers and leaves)

2 3/4” x 1” White Daisy Cardstock (for stamping sentiment)

3” x 1” Thistle Cardstock

5” strip of Purple Shimmer Trim

Thistle Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Eggplant Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Pear Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Topiary Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Black Journalling Pen

Thin 3-D Foam Tape

3-D Foam Tape

Thank you for visiting my Blog to check out my card projects featuring the stamp set Blossoming Expressions.  I would love it if you would leave a comment below before you hop to the next stop on our Australasian Blog Hop, Jenny Gilbert's The Creative Heart, to see what stamp set is Jenny's favourite! 

Remember, the Stampaganza promotion is only available throughout March 2016 from your Close To My Heart Independent Consultant, so make sure you snap up your favourite stamp sets before the end of the month!

Warmest crafting wishes,
Denise :)

Time for another favourite stamp set!

This month, I am all about sharing my favourite stamp sets- well some of the anyway! I am loving revealing some of the my go-to stamp sets and a few of the projects that you can create with these beauties!

Today, I am going go ga-ga over the My Anchor stamp set (and matching My Anchor Thin Cuts).  This nautical stamp set has got so much going for it.  It creates gorgeous cards for males (and I know that we are always looking for more male-oriented card designs), spectacular embellishments for page payouts, and adds pizazz to your Planner and other paper crafting projects.

I created the card below to teach at my upcoming April Creative Cardmaking Workshop. I wanted to offer an eye-catching, fun and simple card for a male birthday.  The card features Sapphire, Glacier, White Daisy and Lagoon Cardstock, Regatta B&T Paper as well as Cranberry, Honey, Sapphire, Desert Sand Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads and Memento Black Stamp Pad.  With the use of the matching Thin Cuts, this card comes together quickly but still looks colourful and interesting. What do you think?

The 4 cards below are created from the products supplied in the Regatta Workshops Your Way Scrapbooking Kit.  In fact, you can create 2 each of these designs from this kit as well as 6 page layouts and 2 pocket scrapbooking pages! Wowza! I just love the fresh, fun feel of these adorable cards and the sentiments really make me smile!

Coordinating Thin Cuts really do make life easy-peasy! Just stamp and then roll the stamped image through your Big Shot or Cuttle Bug with the matching Thin Cut for a perfect cut every time! 

Check out our current range of stamp sets and coordinating Thin Cuts! Oh my gosh, they are just too adorable.  (Please note that the Springtime Wishes Thin Cuts are already sold out due to a huge demand and the other Thin Cuts have been placed on While Stocks Last).  

Don't forget, this month as part of our Stampaganza 2016 special promotion, when you purchase two of our gorgeous stamp sets, you can choose another stamp set (of equal or lesser value) FREE! Yes, FREE! That's 3 stamp sets for the price of 2.  How exciting! Order on my website 24/7, or send me a text or email with your order.

Don't forget to keep checking back in March as I continue to blog about my favourite stamp sets this month!

Warmest crafting wishes,
Denise :)

Alpha-Crazy!

I love alphabet stamps and I cannot lie! And they are my favourite stamps that I'll be sharing with you today! 

That's right, if you've been along for the ride with me this month, you know that I have been blogging about my favourite stamp sets to celebrate Stampaganza 2016!

Don't forget, this month as part of our Stampaganza 2016 promotion, when you purchase two of our gorgeous stamp sets, you can choose another stamp set (of equal or lesser value) FREE! Yes, FREE! That's 3 stamp sets for the price of 2.  How exciting!

Alphabet stamps are the bomb! You can use any combination of letters to create any words, sentiments or headings for your cards, pages, tags, planner or other crafting projects- and you never RUN OUT! You can mix and match letters from different alphabet stamps to create interesting and eye-catching focus points on your work and you can use different colour combinations to make those letters pop!

Close To My Heart has a huge assortment of My Acrylix Alphabet stamp sets available in a variety of fun, fabulous and funky fonts, but today I'm going to share four projects created with just a selection of them- 1. Jennifer's Hand, 2. Marquee Uppercase, 3. Typography, 4. Etched, 5. Keyboard Uppercase and 6. Inked.

The first project, a 5 1⁄2" x 4 1⁄4" Congrats! Card is featured on page 107 of the Annual Inspirations Idea Book and is created using the Etched and Jennifer's Hand Alphabet stamp sets.  The Etched stamp set has been used to create the stamped background and Jennifer's Hand has been used for the embossed sentiment at the front of the card.  

Ingredients used to create this card include:

A1182 My Acrylix® Etched Alphabet 
B1484 My Acrylix® Jennifer’s Hand 
Z7203B Georgie Paper Packet
1386 Black Cardstock
Z2172 Whisper Exclusive InksTM Pad 
Z888 Black StazOnTM Ink Pad 
Z2013 Sequins Silver Assortment 
Z2068 RangerTM White Super Fine Embossing Powder 
Z1979 Marvy® Uchida® LePenTM
Journaling Pen 


This adorable 12" x 12" Layout "You’re Off to Great Places" features on page 106 of the Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  It is a fabulous example of how you can use a number of stamp sets on the same project to create a fun and cohesive look.  This layout features 5 different stamp sets but they work together so beautifully! 

Ingredients used to create this layout include:
E1033 My Acrylix® Inked Alphabet
B1484 My Acrylix® Jennifer’s Hand 
E1029 My Acrylix® Marquee Uppercase 
B1416 My Acrylix® Keyboard Uppercase 
A1182 My Acrylix® Etched Alphabet 
X7201B La Vie En Rose Paper Packet X7204B Urban Paper Packet
1386 Black Cardstock
X5760 Cotton Candy Cardstock
Z3146 Watercolor Paper
Z2641 Glacier Exclusive InksTM Pad 
Z2105 Black Exclusive InksTM Pad
Z3091 Pink Enamel Gems
Z3132 Watercolor Paints
Z3188 Paintbrush Set
Z3169 Cricut® Artbooking Collection Thread
Cricut® Shapes:
Art booking, 11" Overlay <3> (cut 2, p. 40) 

This sweet 4 1⁄4" x 5 1⁄2" Alphabet Card is on page 104 of the Annual Inspirations Idea Book and features the Typography stamp set. I just love the contrast between the Whisper background stamping and the pop of Poppy for the sentiment.  

The ingredients used to create this card include:
E1032 My Acrylix Typography 
X7197B Zoe Paper Packet
X5779 Poppy Cardstock
Z2652 Poppy Exclusive Inks Pad 
Z2172 Whisper Exclusive Inks Pad 


Finally, here are two projects that would be super-cute additions to your next birthday bash!

This simple 4 1⁄4" x 5 1⁄2" Thanks a Bunch Card above features on page 107 of the Annual Inspirations Idea Book and includes letters from both the Inked and Etched alphabet stamp sets.  I just love the way the individual letters from the Inked stamp set can be stamped to look like they are joined into a cursive script! Check out the "thanks" sentiment above as a gorgeous example of this.  And of course our clear blocks make it so easy to line up the letters perfectly!

Ingredients used to create this card include:
E1033 My Acrylix Inked Alphabet 
A1182 My Acrylix Etched Alphabet 
D1663 My Acrylix Floral Banners 
X7201B La Vie En Rose Paper Packet 

Z2105 Black Exclusive Inks Pad 
Z2641 Glacier Exclusive Inks Pad 
Z2123 Goldrush Exclusive InksTM Pad 
Z2642 Flaxen Exclusive Inks Pad 
Z2012 Sequins Gold Assortment 
Z3086 Aqua Shimmer Trim 

The 5 3⁄4" x 4 3⁄4" HB to You Bag is also featured on page 107 of the Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  The Etched and Typography stamp sets have been used to create this adorable gift bag.  

Ingredients used to create this bag include:
A1182 My Acrylix Etched Alphabet 
E1032 My Acrylix Typography 
X7203B Georgie Paper Packet
1243 Goldrush Cardstock
Z2105 Black Exclusive Inks Pad
Z2641 Glacier Exclusive Inks Pad
Z2036 Designer Creations Slate Paper Bags 
Z2012 Sequins Gold Assortment
Z3171 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection Tissue Paper
Cricut® Shape:
Art Philosophy, 2" <Circle1> (p. 21) 

Do you want to create one or more of these super cute projects?  I'd love to show you how, and throughout March is definitely the perfect time to snap up your favourite Alphabet stamp sets (or any of your favourite stamps for that matter)!

Drop by my shop 24/7 to check out the huge range of My Acrylix stamp sets before Stampaganza 2016 is over or contact me to place an order or register for one of my upcoming workshops. 

Warmest crafty wishes,

Denise :)

Joyful Birthday

As you know, this month I am sharing some of my favourite stamp sets and projects to celebrate our fabulous promotion Stampaganza 2016! 

In March, when you purchase two of our fabulous My Acrylix stamp sets, you can choose a third set *FREE! Yes, completely and utterly FREE! This is such a wonderful promotion and the perfect time to snap up the stamp sets that you have on your wish list! 

Today I am sharing a stamp set that wasn't on my radar for such a long time, and then I saw it used on a card, found it in my Annual Inspirations Idea Book and thought to myself, 'Why don't I have this stamp set?' Seriously, birthday cards are the cards I make most often and these four Happy Birthday sentiments are perfect for a huge range of birthday projects including cards, page layouts, gift bags, gift tags and 3D projects.  

Since I have added this stamp set to my collection, it is probably the sentiment stamp set that I use most frequently and it is often the star of a card or project at my monthly cardmaking and paper crafting workshops. I LOVE it!

My favourite project featuring the Joyful Birthday stamp set has to be this adorable card featuring rolled roses that is based on a design taught to me by my sister consultant Dawn Heathwood.  I just love the stark contrast between the Black and Canary Cardstock, the striking black leaves the Black Glitter Paper, White Daisy Scallops and of course that gorgeous Happy Birthday sentiment! Who wouldn't want to receive this card for their birthday?

This has been one of the most popular cards at my Cardmaking Workshops. Everyone just loves making it! If you would like to have a go at making this card, then check out the ingredients and instructions below.

Ingredients:

B1419 Joyful Birthday stamp set

5 1/2” x 8 1/2” Black Cardstock (card base)

4” x 5 1/4” Canary Cardstock

4” x 5 1/4” White Daisy Cardstock (for inside the card)

2 1/4” x 5” Black Cardstock

2” x 4 3/4” La Vie En Rose B&T Paper (Black patterned side)

2 3/4” x 2 7/8” Black Cardstock

2 1/2” x 2 3/4” White Daisy Cardstock (for stamping sentiment)

1/2” x 4” White Daisy Cardstock (for creating scallop border)

3 x Canary Roses (Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, p. 68, Font <shift>, 2.25”)

3 x Black Leaves (Artiste Cricut Cartridge, p. 54, 3D Object <shift>, 1.25”

3 1/2” x 3 1/2” White Daisy Cardstock (for stamping)

1/2” x 4” Black Glitter Paper

Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Scallop Border Punch

Dot Embossing Folder

Thin 3-D Foam Tape

Mini Glue Dots

Instructions:

1. Score at 4 1/4” along the 8 1/2” length of Black Cardstock.  Fold in half along the score line to create the card base.

2. Start at the outside of the roses and roll towards the centre using your Quilling Tool.  Adhere the rose to the centre/base with Liquid Glass.  Hold for 90 seconds to allow the rose to adhere to its base. Set aside to dry.

3. Emboss the Canary Cardstock using the Dots Embossing Folder.

4. Adhere the embossed Canary Cardstock to the front of the card base.

5. Dovetail the bottom of the La Vie En Rose B&T Paper and adhere it to the long piece of Black Cardstock leaving an even mat around the sides and top.

6. Dovetail the bottom of the Black Cardstock to match the La Vie En Rose dovetail and adhere this piece down the left side of the card as shown.

7. Stamp 'Happy Birthday' in Black ink at the top-right of the piece of larger White Daisy Cardstock.

8. Adhere the White Daisy Cardstock to the black mat, aligning the bottom of the cardstock pieces.

9. Adhere to the card.

10. Adhere the Black Glitter Paper strip below the stamped Cardstock.

11. Use the Scallop Border Punch to create a scalloped strip and adhere it under the Black Glitter paper.

12. Add the roses and leaves using Glue Dots.

Thanks for dropping by my Bog.  I will continue to share my favourite stamp sets throughout March, so feel free to drop back again.

Warmest crafting wishes,

Denise :)

*The FREE stamp set must be of the same or lesser value than the two full-priced stamp sets. This promotion excludes some stamp sets.