Make Waves Pinwheel Card Tutorial

Posted on February 19, 2018

in Cards, CTMH

Pinwheel Card Tutorial

I love double-sided, patterned paper and have recently been on a quest to find fun fold cards that will showcase both sides of the paper. The first I discovered was this adorable pinwheel card fold, so I thought I would make a quick tutorial. I used the following CTMH products on my card:

X7227B Make Waves Paper
S1802 Sunny Thoughts SOTM
X5941 Bashful Cardstock
X5984 Pixie Cardstock
Z2844 Pixie Ink Pad
Z534 Micro-tip Scissors

Be sure to take advantage of the Pretty in Pink sale this month where you can save 25-30% on pink items including the cardstock and ink used on this card!

To create the card, you will need the following paper:

8″ x 8″ double-sided paper
4″ x 4″ cardstock or paper for inside
7/8″ x 12″ paper or cardstock for belly band
12″ Zip Strip for decorating the belly band
Additional paper/cardstock to decorate your card

One of my YouTube subscribers sent me a picture of the card she recreated from the video, and I’m thinking I may not have been entirely clear on the instructions, so read this prior to making the card! Roughly 5 minutes into the video, I show you how to score on the inside of the card to the corner you just cut out. Please note that you are only scoring on the left side of each flap so that, when folded, your paper looks like the image to the left.

I hope you enjoy this video, and please subscribe to my YouTube channel and share your cards with me in the comments below or on my StudioScrapping Facebook page!

CTMH Technique Blog Hop – Blushing Backgrounds

Posted on January 15, 2018

in Cards, CTMH

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CTMH Technique Blog Hop ~ Blushing Backgrounds

Welcome to the CTMH Technique Blog Hop! This month, we are focusing on Blushing Backgrounds in the hope that you will find some new uses for your background stamps. If you are joining me from Annemarie Julian Wetzel’s blog, you are on the right track!

One of the things I love best about background stamps is that they let me create my own patterned paper. For the Whale Done card, I stamped Shells & Stars onto ombré paper from the Adventure Fundamentals. That paper would have been fine on its own, but I really like the added texture I get on my card with tone-on-tone stamping. It adds just enough interest without taking away from the icon and sentiment from the Make Waves Cardmaking Stamp.

Kraft paper is such a fantastic neutral, and I use it in scrapbooking all the time. It can look a little plain in cardmaking, so I jazz it up by adding background stamps! The Paws stamp set is perfect for either cats or dogs, so I paired it with the Cat’s Meow stamp to create this simple yet adorable card.

Here’s a quick bonus technique for you–I cut the “Nine Lives” stamp apart so that I could finish the sentiment on the inside of the card. I added ellipses on both the front and inside with a Blending Pen and Toffee ink. The Blending Pen is in the Going Soon section of my website, so get some while you still can. I have one for every color family.

Here are a few more examples of background stamps or small stamps used to create backgrounds. Look at your stash of stamps and get creative. I would love for you to share your creations in the comments below or on the StudioScrapping Facebook page.

The next stop on the hop is Melissa Robinson’s blog.

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I’m back with loads of CTMH goodness to share!

Posted on September 10, 2017

in Cards, Cricut, CTMH, SOTM

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I’ve been missing in action since April and have so much to share! Since then, I submitted my National Boards, finished my first year of teaching AP Computer Science Principles, attended the CTMH Convention, saw a total solar eclipse, walked over 150 miles with my husband, worked on several online Web Design courses, took a tap dancing class, and made a lot of swap cards. I probably should have taken some time to document all these adventures along the way, but I didn’t really come up for air. Now the new school year has started and I’m really feeling the time crunch. Even so, I got off to a great start blogging this year, and I really do want to continue that, so here goes.

September 2017 Stamp of the Month

I’m a fan of the September SOTM, Feel So Blessed. Here is the first card I created with it. I used the new color of the year, Bashful, along with the new Rose embossing folder. I have to admit that it has been awhile since I’ve done heat embossing, and I managed to run my finger through the letters before they were dry. I’m sure I’ll do better next time. LOL!

I can’t wait to see what you create with this awesome stamp set. It will be perfect for my November gratitude journal!

New Cricut Collections

Calling all Cricut fans…CTMH knocked it out of the park with 4 new Cricut collections. That’s right, four! The You Are Here Cricut Collection contains everything from travel to staycation images. It is really fun…and the stamp sets are fantastic! Here are a couple swap cards I created with them.

The other three digital-only country collections are Hello USA, Hello Canada, and Hello AU/NZ!

Wow! It is really late and I have so much to share. Looks like I’ll have to make another post, so be sure to subscribe to my feed so you receive an email when I make the next post.

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April 2017 Stamp of the Month

Posted on April 2, 2017

in Cards, CTMH, SOTM

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April is here and that means a new Stamp of the Month! This one is a throw back to growing up with the Partridge Family reruns. In fact, I saw another consultant create an adorable card using the blocks from the bus. I need to find it again, because it was totally scraplift worthy! 🙂

SOTM Card Folio

I was inspired by another consultant, Cassie Ingersoll, who created a really cute card folio last month. I recently taught it at a workshop in my home. Here is the folio that I created with papers from Some Kinda Wonderful. I did some paper piecing on the front cover, but everything else was stamped and colored with ShinHan Markers.

In addition to using the SOTM, I used a couple sentiments from the Flower Market stamp set. I kept the cards simple and easy for mailing, so only embellished with the Black & White Dots since they are nice and flat.

I’ll link the rest of the cards below. I also took a photo during the construction of the pouches for the cards. I used the Base & Bling Adhesive Strips which are currently on sale in the Clearance section of my website! That adhesive is really strong and is perfect for 3D projects like this.

Don’t forget that you can get this stamp set for $5 with a $50 purchase or for $17.95, but it is only available in April. If you purchase the set from me, I’ll send you the instructions for creating this folio with 6 cards!

Join My Team and Get a Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea Book

The new Idea Book doesn’t go live to customers until May 1st, but, if you join my team today, not only will I send you a copy of the Seasonal Expressions 2, you’ll also be able to order from it immediately! Contact me for more details.

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Pi Day & Mojo Monday 488

Posted on March 13, 2017

in Cards, CTMH

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Let’s Celebrate with a Card and Pie!

Okay, I’m not really going to eat pie tomorrow, but I am going to give this card to the math teacher at school who awarded me the Steed of Courage at our last staff meeting. The math department is providing pie in celebration of Pi Day, so it’s the least I can do. I would love to give this card to all my math teacher and geeky friends, so know that this virtual card is my way of wishing you a very Happy Pi Day!

I had two inspirations for this card. The first was by a fellow consultant, Michele Rowley, who posted a fantastic Pi Day card on our team page. Once I saw her card, I knew I had to make my own. I used today’s Mojo Monday sketch 488 to complete my card. I love how it turned out! I used lots of foam tape on this one.

Would you like to make your own Happy Pi Day card? Here’s a FREE Cricut Design Space file you can use. Happy scrapping!

Happy Pi Day Card by Amy Ulen

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Dreamin’ Big Blog Hop

Posted on March 11, 2017

in Cards, CTMH

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Welcome to our Dreamin’ Big Blog Hop!

I’m excited to be participating in my first blog hop in years! We will be showcasing items from our new Seasonal Expressions Idea Book with various projects created by talented Close To My Heart consultants. If you are visiting from Julie’s blog, then you are on the right track. If you get lost along the way, feel free to start at the beginning with our hostess Carol.

Dreamin’ Big Meets Thin Cuts

If you have been following my blog at all, you know that I’m in love with the adorable critters from the Some Kinda Wonderful Cardmaking set. If you are new to my blog, welcome! I’ll admit that my use of these critters has become a bit of an obsession. 😉 With that being said, how awesome is it that you can get the Some Kinda Wonderful Cardmaking Thin Cuts Bundle at a 25% discount this month!

On this card, I created the Dream Big banner by cutting it out of a 3×4 card on the PML sheet that comes in the Dreamin’ Big kit. I also added enamel dots to the eyes of the fox!

Here is an example of the fox without the enamel dots. On both cards, I colored the fox with Watercolor Pencils and went over it with the Blending Pen.

Next, check out Darlene’s blog or scroll down to see a Dreamin’ Big layout created with Flip Flaps!

Dreamin’ Big Meets Flip Flaps

One of the great perks of being a CTMH consultant is attending workshops where we get to make art with sneak peeks of new product a month or more before it goes live to customers. If you want to take advantage of this perk, I would love for you to join my team! This layout is from our last Seasonal Expressions launch event in December. I loved the layout that the CTMH art department created, so I didn’t modify it other than adding Flip Flaps. Be sure to click on the images to see the full size versions.

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Cricut Design Space + CTMH Thin Cuts!

Posted on March 5, 2017

in Cards, Cricut, CTMH

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Free Cricut Design Space Files +
25% Savings on CTMH Thin Cuts

I have to admit that I designed these cards in Cricut Design Space at the end of January. I cut out all the pieces on my Cricut and did manage to put a couple of the cards together. Check out this post and this post for details and the free Cricut Design Space files. The final three designs have been sitting on my craft table just waiting to be assembled. Luckily, my crafting buddies came over last night, so it finally gave me an opportunity to finish these cards!

The good news is that the Some Kinda Wonderful Cardmaking Thin Cuts bundle I’ve been using on these cards is on sale for 25% off while supplies last! This set is adorable, so I would order right away. I also used the ladybug from the Dreamin’ Big Cardmaking Thin Cuts bundle and the Silly Sayings set which coordinates with the Artistry Cricut collection.

All of the cards use the following:

Cardstock: Pear, Topiary, Glacier, White Daisy
Ink: Memento Black & Pear
ShinHan Markers
Watercolor Pencils
Various Embossing Folders
Adhesive: 3-D Foam Tape, EZ Dots, Bonding Memories Glue Pen

Here are the links to all of the free Cricut Design Space files for these cards:

You’re Weird Card

Happy Birthday Card

That Didn’t Just Happen Card

On a final note, just want to mention that I used the Lawn Fawn stitched border die to create the borders on my cards, but each of the linked Design Space files includes a border that you could cut with your Cricut.

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Speedy Card Creation

Posted on February 26, 2017

in Cards, CTMH

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Speedy Card Creation using MOJO480

So, I had no intention of making a card today. I have a bunch of work I need to do for school and National Boards, plus I spent yesterday crafting. Yet, somehow I found myself on the Mojo Monday blog this morning, and…yeah…here I am with another card and blog post. LOL!

I do have to say that I’m super proud of myself. This is by far the fastest card I have ever made. I knew I didn’t have time to mess around, so I grabbed my supplies and made this card in around an hour…that is lightening fast for me! I’m actually really happy with the way it turned out, as well, so perhaps this is a lesson I should take to heart for future card creations.

I used the retired Treats of Friendship (C1616) set along with the Sugar Rush Cardmaking Thin Cuts Bundle. I like it when new product can breathe life into an old favorite. Here is a list of the other products I used:

Sugar Rush Paper
Gold Shimmer Trim
Bitty Sparkles
Cardstock: Sea Glass, White Daisy, Chocolate
Ink: Sea Glass, Blossom, Raspberry, Saddle, Memento Black
Adhesive: 3D Foam Tape, Bonding Memories Glue Pen, E-Z Dots

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Card Inspiration from Maya Angelou

Posted on February 25, 2017

in Cards, Cricut, CTMH

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Dr. Maya Angelou Video Inspiration

When I got up this morning, I checked my email and in it was a link to this video. I’m always inspired by Maya Angelou’s words, but this time I was inspired into action. When she said that we should aspire to “be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud,” a card design immediately popped into my head!

The Card with a Free Cricut Design Space File

I actually used the same Mojo Monday 485 sketch from my last post. I really like this sketch and have a feeling I will use it often. Now, I’m not remotely happy with the way the coloring turned out. When I make this card again, I will use my ShinHan Markers instead of the Watercolor Pencils and Blending Pen. The purple paper comes from the Adventure Fundamentals, and it is so bright and vibrant that the watercolor gets lost against it. The markers would make the images pop. I’ll also stamp the flowers with Black Memento ink like I did with the rainbow and bunny. I had originally thought about paper piecing the rainbow, so I’ll try that next time, as well.

What I love about this card is that I learned something new on my Cricut today! I’ve used the Cricut Markers that came with my Explore, but none of them have a fine tip, so wouldn’t work with my card design. Since the sentiment was directly inspired from the Maya Angelou video, I had to find a way to make it work. I pulled out my purple Pilot Precise V5 Extra Fine pen and tried it in my Cricut…it fit!

Click on the image above for the free Cricut Design Space file for this card! If you haven’t used markers with your Explore, you should give it a try, because the possibilities are endless when you can create your own sentiments. I selected “Has a Writing Style” from the first list, the font that I wanted to use from the second list, and “Writing” from the third. Be sure to play with the letter spacing when you are using a sans serif font as the letters tend to blend together making them more difficult to read.

#chooselove

I hope you enjoyed the video and this card. Go out and “be the rainbow in someone else’s cloud” today!

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Mojo Monday 485 with February SOTM

Posted on February 20, 2017

in Cards, CTMH

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Mojo Monday 485 Sketch

I’ve been determined to become a card maker, and I think it is finally starting to happen. Typically, when I see the Mojo Monday email come through, I admire the sketch and occasionally go check out the cards being submitted. I don’t ever feel the desire to participate, because I don’t feel like I’m good enough. What I’m coming to realize is that “being good enough” isn’t the issue. I simply lack confidence in my ability to make cards. Well, that is changing. It doesn’t matter that I’m not an award winning card maker, what matters is that I’m having fun. Now, just imagine how awesome I would feel if I started sending the cards that I make! I’m going to keep saying that to myself until I actually start doing it.

It probably also helped that I didn’t have school today, so I had more time to get creative. I was also motivated by the Connected Hearts team challenge to create something using the February Stamp of the Month. So, you are getting a sneak peek at next month’s special!

February 2017 SOTM = Tea-rrific

I really like the versatility of this stamp set. Between the sketch and cute stamp set, I was inspired to make two cards! I also have ideas for using the Mother’s Day cup and the bunny from this month’s SOTM, so stay tuned. 🙂

It’s a little hard to see in the photo, but I fussy cut the images on the “You are tea-ffific” card from patterned paper from the Hello Lovely collection. On the “Your Love” card, I used the Blending Pen and ink pads to color the stack of mugs. I finished them off with the Clear Shimmer Brush. I also used the Gold Shimmer Brush on the heart.

Sign Me Up Special is Almost Over

The February “Sign Me Up!” special is almost over. If you have ever thought about becoming a Close To My Heart Consultant, this is the month to do it. You will get three FREE Stamps of the Month…including Tea-rrific! Please contact me if you have any questions.