Layered Library Birthday Card

My friend and coworker is having a birthday tomorrow. We're Children's Librarians, so I wanted to make something library themed, but also cute and not kiddie. 

I have some cute library book pockets that I only bring out on rare occasions that fit this theme perfectly. I paired it with some retired CTMH Fundamentals, gold gems, and paper chipboard embellishment. I am not sure what set the chipboard embellishment came from, but it is way retired CTMH. I stamped Happy Birthday from a retired CTMH stamp set called Create-a-Cake, and Deborah was created using Sizzix rub-ons.

I'm a big fan of layers, and all my designs reflect that. Layers happen to be a theme for Heart 2 Heart Challenges this month, so I am submitting this design for the challenge.

Happy scrapping, my artsy friends!

Dream Big Always- Scrapbook Layout

Hello again,

We just moved at last month into a gorgeous modern colonial, and I have a huge, pink and white craftroom!!! Since, it's been calling my name this weekend, I got in there to scrapbook. I made two single page layouts this weekend.

The first layout I want to share is of my youngest's first night home from the hospital. I'm a bit behind on his scrapbook, but I am having fun with it. This layout features the retired (sad face) CTMH Babycakes paper pack and the Babycakes Picture My Life card set. The stars are from a retired CTMH baby boy embellishment set that I've actually struggled to use, because it doesn't match any particular paper pack. I cut the sleeping baby out using the Baby Steps Cricut cartridge.

This second layout is from his first doctor's visit after hospital release (so the morning after). I used a DCWV paper pack that has a manly theme (grills, mustaches, plaid, etc.). I like using this set for my little guys, because it's fun and coordinates pretty well with CTMH cardstock, as you can see here. The rectangular background behind the smaller picture is another Babycakes Picture My Life Card. And, I embellished the page with some gold metal triangles from CTMH. I think these are also retired, but they're some of my favorite embellishments ever.

I am entering the first layout in Heart2Heart Challenges July Anything Goes challenge.

Happy scrapping, my artsy friends!

Danger, Will Robinson

Hello readers!

It's definitely been too long. I've been working full time almost a year now, so while I have been crafting I haven't always been posting here. But, this layout is my entry into this week's Heart 2 Heart  National Scrapbooking Month Challenge, so I definitely needed to share it here.

My youngest is about to turn two, and I have been actively working on his first year scrapbook this year. This page is from about this time last year right before he turned one. As you can see, I have my hands full with him.

For this layout, I used the retired (and my absolute favorite) CTMH Later Sk8er paper pack, stamp set, and complements. There is also some stamping from the newer (but also retired) CTMH Star Gazer stamp set. I love this paper, so anytime I actually bust it out of my stash, I like to showcase a lot of it. Layers are my thing, so it's pretty easy to let the paper shine. But, the real star of this layout is my fearless son who braved Mt. Oven and scared Mommy for life.

Happy Scrapping, My Artsy Friends.

For more info about Heart 2 Heart Challenges, click here. 

Nerd-tastic Graduation Card

Hey readers! My department head finished her PhD this week!!! To celebrate, I made a card for her for our department to sign. I used a retired CTMH paper pack and embellishments. Here's the result:

The sentiment is from a CTMH stamp set that features tags. On the actual stamp, the words are all stacked together, but I used masking tape to cover the parts up to split it. I used a circle punch to create the embellishment spot. I cut the circle using white cardstock and then used a finger dauber to bring some color in. The glasses are leftovers from the embellishments that coordinated with this paper pack.

For the inside, I simply stamped "Congrats!" from the retired CTMH Typed Note stamp set. I wanted to just keep the inside plain, so there was plenty of signing room.

Happy crafting, my artsy friends!

There Is a Boy Layout

Hello readers! It's been too long! A lot has changed in my world, since my last post. I left CTMH as a consultant, my husband retired from AD, we moved to VA, and I started a new job as a Children's Librarian. All of that has made crafting very hard! However, I am back at it now with a brand new layout!

I created this layout for a picture of my oldest son being a total goofball, which he often is. The photo is a 4x6, and will go on the blue mat. For this layout, I used the Little Man paper pack by Lori Whitlock.

The cardstock, inks, stamps, diecuts, and chipboard are all from several CTMH sets that mixed well with the Little Man paper and theme of the page.

For the cluster embellishment, one of my signature page elements, I used the Words of Truth stamp from Stampin' Up, some retired Outdoor Denim CTMH ink, retired CTMH embellishments, and an embellishment I created myself. The hexagon was made with a scrap piece of an old paper pack that I made using my Epiphany Crafts Hexagon punch and Bubble Caps. I did a quick Google search for Epiphany Crafts, and it turns out they are available in several big box stores now. They began as a small business, and I found them at the Scrapbook Expo in Akron last year. I highly recommend their punches!

Happy Scrapping, My Artsy Friends!

Santa Cards Using Sketch

My oldest son is in preschool this year. I wanted to make his teachers cards that were a little more kid friendly, since they are part of a gift from a 3yr old. I used a sketch from Heart 2 Heart Challenges to create a fun Santa card.

I created this design using the retired White Pines paper pack and a retired Santa stamp set. I added green shimmer trim and used the shimmer brush on the snowflake to add some sparkle.

For more information on Heart 2 Heart Challenges click here.

Happy scrapping, my artsy friends!

Oh Deer Scrapbook Layout

Last year, we used our traditional family Christmas pictures to announce our pregnancy with baby #2. I used the Oh Deer Workshop Your Way kit to scrapbook the day.

All of the photos are 4x6 in size, and there is certainly room to add more, if you have more photos.

For the left page, I added the page title "JOY" using the Complements. I also added an embellishment cluster with a retired stamp, and more Compliments.

For the right page, I added a similar embellishment cluster along with some journaling. The journaling card is part of the Oh Deer paper pack.

I am entering this layout in the Heart 2 Heart Oh Deer Challenge, Between the Folds Oh Deer Challenge, and Color My Heart's Color Dare #223.

Happy scrapping, my artsy friends!

Oh Deer Christmas Cards

For Christmas cards this year, I am really behind!!! Having a second baby can do that, I suppose. I decided to go with a simple design, but with big impact. I used the Oh Deer paper pack, Complements, and Accessories, and added some bling with shimmer trim and retired Paper Fundamentals Complements.I skipped stamping this year, in order to finish quickly. I had to make 12 cards, and here's what I came up.

I am entering these cards in this week's Heart 2 Hear Oh Deer Challenge, Between the Folds Oh Deer Challenge, and Color My Heart's Color Dare #223.

Unfortunately, I have some bad news. At the end of the year, I will no longer be an active Consultant with Close to My Heart. I will still be maintaining this blog to offer tips and tricks, display my artwork, and offer instructions/ cut guides. I hope you continue to join me!

Happy scrapping, my artsy friends!

Thanksgiving Thank You Card

This year for Thanksgiving, we are going to visit my husband's grandparents. I wanted to make a Thank You card to thank them for feeding us and housing us for a few days. Here's what I came up with.

I used a Colonial White card base, and layered Kraft paper and a retired CTMH fall, B&T paper. I also added some bronze shimmer trim to create a dividing line on the card. For the sentiment, I stamped Cocoa ink on Kraft paper using the retired Thanksgiving Wreath stamp set.

For the pumpkin and leaves, I used the retired Thankful Heart stamp set. I stamped all of the items using pigment ink and then heat embossed to give them texture. I then hand colored them all with markers. Finally, I took a quilling tool to curl the edges of the leaves.

I am entering this card in Heart 2 Heart's Get Your Kraft On Challenge.

Happy Scrapping, My Artsy Friends!

Birthday Banner, Bag, and Card

Besides selling CTMH products, I do commissioned work as well. I was commissioned to make a birthday banner, bag, and card for a 2yr old girl's birthday. The theme is sea creatures and mermaids, and the color scheme is purple and teal.

The banner is made with three separate pieces to offer variety in decorating.

The gift bag is made with two sheets of Paper Fundamentals in Gypsy (now retired).

The card is a very simple birthday cake card that I brought in sea creatures to tie it altogether.

I sell this entire set for $30 + shipping. If you are interested in purchasing a birthday kit, please email me at watkinsaprilm@yahoo.com. I accept payment through PayPal only.

Happy Scrapping, My Artsy Friends!

Superhero Birthday Card

My oldest son is in preschool this year. He just got invited to his first birthday party for a class friend! The boy will be four and LOVES superheroes. It just so happens that my son had a superhero birthday party for his 3rd birthday, and I already had the perfect stamp to use for his friend's card!

I used a CTMH White Daisy card base and the blue chevron mat is the retired Indian Blue Paper Fundamentals. The circles are several different paper brands from the local craft store that I cut using a Sizzix circle set. The superhero boy and sentiment are from My Favorite Things Super Boy set. You can't really tell from this photo, but the lightning bolt and sentiment have been highlighted with the CTMH Shimmer Brush. This brush adds just a flash of light and glitter to a specific area of your designs.

For the inside of the card I used more of the red polka dot paper to mat some White Daisy cardstock. I wanted to leave the inside blank, so my son could draw his friend a picture.

I am entering this card in the current Seize the Birthday Anything Goes Challenge and Paru's Cardmaking November Challenge. 

Happy Scrapping, My Artsy Friends!

Christmas Lights Layout

Every year, my town has a beautiful Christmas lights display on the square. My son absolutely loves walking through the light tunnels. Last year, the colors were perfect for an old Doodle Bug paper pack I had in my stash. The Doodle Bug paper pack is called Winter Friends, and I have no idea how old it is. I bought it a few years ago, but I believe it was already retired at that point.

So, for this layout, I used the Cricut Create a Critter 2 cartridge to cut out these adorable penguins, polar bear.

For the both pages, I also added a fun light string stamped design using a retired Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month. Unfortunately, not as much ended up showing as I had originally intended.

This little twinkle was from the same stamp set.

Finally, I added some funky Christmas trees from the Cozy Christmas Thin Cuts Bundle. This is a stamp set that comes with the Thin Cuts! The sentiment is also from this stamp set. And, the Enamel and Glitter Duos Blue Dots also matched this paper pack perfectly!

I am entering this layout in the Heart 2 Heart Holiday Challenge, which asks for holiday designs without red or green!

Close to My Heart Ingredients:

• Glitter Duos Blue Dots
• Cozy Christmas Thin Cuts Bundle
• White Daisy Cardstock
• Black Cardstock
• Slate Cardstock
• Peacock Ink Pad

Happy Scrapping, My Artsy Friends!

Autumn Wishes Card

Happy National Stamping Month again! Each month I design a simple card for my Home Gatherings. When I also have online gatherings, I create a video tutorial to share with the guests. For September, I created a simple card using the Autumn Wishes stamp set and Whimsy Fundamentals.

If you are interested in viewing the tutorial and playing along, you can view it here, or below.

If you would like to host your own gathering, please contact me through my website, or by commenting below. 

Measurements: 

• Standard size card base
• Chocolate Cardstock 4x5.25in
• Canary Whimsy Fundamentals 3.75x5in
• Pumpkin cut using Artbooking at 2in Real Dial Size
• Circle cut using Artbooking at 1in Real Dial Size

Happy Scrapping, My Artsy Friends!

Hawiian Birthday Card

Hello readers! September is National Stamping Month! CTMH is celebrating by offering a really adorable mini card set. You can order yours here.

I am kicking off my celebration with a Hawaiian inspired birthday card for a friend.

For the base of this card, I used a retired paper fundamentals sheet in lagoon. The pineapple was cut from the Artistry Cricut cartridge. And, the flowers are stamps from the retired Blossoming Friendship set. I used the second generation stamping method for to create the two tone look of the flowers. 

I am entering the card in the Heart 2 Heart stamping challenge.

Happy Scrapping, My Artsy Friends!

All You Need Is Love

Recently, I purchased a mini stamp with the sentiment "All You Need Is Love Love Is All You Need". I specifically purchased this stamp to use for my 5th Anniversary page. In the end, this is what I came up with.

I used the retired Happy Times paper pack to create this page. For the banner, I used the Paper Fundamentals Sticker packs. The background stamp is from Penny Black.

For the other side, I dove into my stash for the yellow, foam 5, and created a small cluster with stickers, puffies, and sequins.

Ingredients: Unfortunately, all of this products are retired. For current products, please visit my website. 

Happy Scrapping, My Artsy Friends!

Twinkle Twinkle Joy

There is something truly magical about kids at Christmas. My oldest son absolutely loves our Christmas tree. (A little too much as he kept pulling ornaments off). I made a single page layout using the retired White Pines WOTG to highlight a single photo of him admiring our tree. 

I really liked the idea of using the Cricut Artbooking half page background on one side mixed with a busier left side. I added a stamped title on a Picture My Life card that I cut down.

I also added some ornament complements to the bottom.

All of these products are retired. To view current products, please visit my website.

Happy Scrapping, My Artsy Friends!