Bokeh

Before I tell you about this card done with the Bokeh technique, I first want to welcome you back to my blog.  Life was really full this spring with a family illness and other goings on, and I allowed myself to ignore blogging.  I was inspired by my friend, Laurie, who, after two years, picked up the pieces of her blog.  So here I am with the best of intentions, hoping to continue showing you projects that will inspire your paper crafting!  I encourage you to comment on my posts in any way you choose...I will love your feedback!

Now on to the Bokeh technique.  There are so many tutorials posted on various blogs and YouTube.  This one came up first on my Google search, so these are the directions that inspired me:  http://www.createwithme.com/2014/09/bokeh.html
I used watercolor paper and water colors that were hanging out in my cupboard.  However I am happy to say that both of these items will be available in the new CTMH catalog available September 1st.  I also used one of the stamps from Paper Garden...the September Stamp of the Month.  A happy surprise for me was how the image took on shading from the White Daisy Pigment Ink used on the background.  (I found it best to allow the white pigment to dry overnight before stamping the image)  Be sure to click on the above link to see how easy it is to achieve this look.

For more information about the products used, contact me at suebruch47@gmail.com or visit my website www.suebruch.ctmh.com

Chalk it Up Layout

This is the first layout that I have done with the Chalk it Up paper packet..  Some of the papers in this set have a chalkboard appearance, but this one is just fun and is perfect for my grandson's final day of  preschool last year.  I also used Lagoon, Flaxen, Smoothie and Black cardstock.  The title was done on the computer and the cutouts were done on the Cricut machine. 

Chalk it Up Paper Packet X7184B

Chalk it Up Complements X7184C

Chalk it Up Workshop on the Go G1081

More Cut Above

When you want to create some gorgeous cards with a minimum of work and time, turn to the Cut Above kits.  I have previously shown you the Christmas kits and today I am showing you one of the everyday kits.  With all the papers precut, you can honestly create the 10 cards in just a few hours.  In addition to the kit, you will also need the accompanying stamp set, White Daisy Pigment Ink and a My Acrylix block.  Contact me to see how you can order yours.

Yuletide Carol

As I mentioned last week, Christmas is coming up and it is not too early to start your paper crafting plans.  I have done a layout from the Yuletide Carol Workshop on the Go showing family pictures from last year.  I love the WOTG kits because everything is there...paper, stamps, embellishments and detailed instructions!  I would never think of all the great creative ideas given in the instructions!  This layout uses several Cricut cutouts, but there are instructions on how to create an equally gorgeous layout with regular manual cuts.

Scaredy Cat!

I love the Halloween themed paper offered by Close to My Heart this fall.  But if you look closely you will see that the small patterns can be used for many everyday projects.  Today I am showing you three cards for Halloween.  The two on the outside use Scaredy Cat and the Halloween Greetings stamp set.  I also used Black Shimmer Trim and an assortment of embellishments from CTMH.  The middle card was cut with Artfully Sent, our newest Cricut cartridge. It is geared towards the card maker and is loaded with possibilities!  I hope to see you at my Open House on Wednesday where I will be showing even more creative projects.

Base and Bling

A friend asked about the Base and Bling jewelry line, so I thought I'd show you the necklace I made for myself.  It was so easy to create this fun and stylish accessory with the assortment of charms, pendants, chains available from Close to My Heart.  To see more items in this line, check out pages 164-167 in the online Annual Inspirations catalog.

For my necklace, I chose a background sticker of music and scissor and camera charms.  These are all things that reflect things that I love.  I added a rhinestone charm just because a little bling is fun!

 



 

 



 

Snowhaven Cards

As promised, here are a few cards created from the Snowhaven paper packet.  I have chosen to use Christmas as my theme for these cards.

The first card uses the Mary and Babe stamp set (C1562) located on page 72 of the Annual Inspirations book.  I followed the basic pattern shown there. Not having all the colors in our Shinhan marker line, I chose to just stamp the image in Slate.

The second card highlights one of the very cute stamps in Home for the Holidays, the October Stamp of the Month (S1410).  It is a wonderful set that will be perfect for your Christmas cards, tags and layouts.  It will be available in October for $17.95 or just $5.00 with a $50.00 purchase.

 

 

Lastly, this card is created from Sing Glory (C1587), a set available only to our wonderful hostesses.  It can be purchased for only $8.00 with hostess dollars!  Contact me to see how you can earn your own.

 

Design  credit goes to CTMH Annual Inspirations, page 7



I used Snowhaven patterned paper and White Daisy, Slate and Cranberry cardstock to make these cards.  Inks included Glacier, Slate and Cranberry. I also used some Sliver and Teal Shimer Trim and Silver Geometric Washi Tape, Silver Sequins and Clear Sparkles.

 

I hope you are inspired to start creating your own Holiday cards!  Talk to you soon!