CTMH Trees on Parade

Through the Years

Merry Christmas to all who visit my blog.

 May the Lord bless you richly this Christmas season. 

I will be back posting after Christmas with some New Years creations. 

In the mean time let's celebrate nine years of Close to My Heart Christmas papers.

Can you find the tree using CTMH Christmas paper?

2004 Contemporary Christmas

2005 Deck the Halls

2006  Hollydays   

2007 Everlasting

7007 Everlasting Creative Basics

2008 Evensong

2008 Evensong Creative Basics

2009 Jingle

2010 Mistletoe

2010 Mistletoe Creative Basics

2011 Believe

2012 Pear & Partridge

White Christmas Trees

White Trees on Silvery Snow

Cut trees using white daisy and Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.

From Booklet page 52 cut trees 3 inches. Add some glitter paper 

for snow and stamp snowflakes on the trees. Add snowflake from 

Booklet page 27.  Add sparkles where needed.

CTMH supplies:

Cardstock: White Daisy, Pacifica, Glitter

Ink: Pacifica

Stamps: Snowflakes

Embellishments: Sparkles

Other: Snowflake embossing folder

It's All About the Scraps

Trees On Parade

This week I've been playing with different kinds of Christmas trees.

This one is made with just scraps that were laying on the table.

You can view my burlap tree Here or my scallop circle trees Here.

My White Christmas trees will be here tomorrow.

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Pear & Partridge

Cardstock: Cranberry, Kraft, Colonial White, Cocoa

Ink: White Daisy, Cranberry

Stamps: Snowflakes, Countdown

Embellishments: Seam binding Ribbon, Bakers Twine, Green buttons

Color Dare #22

Sweet Leaf and Twilight

Color My Heart challenge this week is two of  my 

favorite colors together: Twilight and Sweet Leaf.

Merry & Bright Christmas card with a burlap tree. 

To make the tree just cut your tree shape using Desert Sand 

cardstock and adhere to a piece of burlap ribbon. 

Cut out tree and embellish as you wish.

So now, grab your twilight and sweet leaf and share 

your special creation with us at Color My Heart.

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Florentine, Believe(retired)

Cardstock: Twilight, Colonial White

Ink: Twilight

Stamps: Snowflakes, Merry & Bright

Embellishments: Sparkles, Burlap Ribbon, Blue Brads

Warmest Wishes

With Paper Trees

Scallop circle punch used to make paper trees

for this weeks  Mojo Monday sketch.

 To make trees: Punch a green circle and a white circle. Fold circle in half and in half again to find the center point of the circle. Cut a 4 scallop piece, a 3 scallop piece and a 2 scallop piece from each circle. Layer together with the white scallops on the bottom of each piece. Add a sparkle to the top of the trees.

Use this sketch to make your project and share with us at Mojo Monday.

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Pear & Partridge, Believe(retired)

Cardstock: Sky, White Daisy

Ink: Sky

Stamps: Perfect Fit-Holidays, Snowflakes

Embellishments: Sparkles, Bakers Twine

Other: Ribbon from stash

Monogram Monday

Clean And Simple

From CAS(E) this sketch

 Monograms can be used for word cards. 

"JOY" at Christmas with the monograms makes a Clean and simple card.

 Use this sketch to make your own clean and simple card.

These "NOEL" monograms make the card on page 42 

from the Make It From Your Heart How to Booklet pattern #19

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Pear & Partridge

Cardstock: Cranberry, Cashmere, White Daisy, Colonial White, Pear

Ink: Cranberry, New England Ivy, Topiary

Stamps: Monograms J,O,Y,N,E,L, Merry & Bright

Other: Ribbon from stash

Whoo's Your Valentine? Hop

Candy Treats

Just for all your Valentines we are hopping on the Whoo's Your Valentine Trail. 

If you have hopped from Sheila's blog you are on the right trail. 

Nothing says Love like M&Ms with peanuts.

Or a chocolate Hershey Bar

Or some heart wrapped Hershey Nuggets.

Now check out the valentine goodies at Jean's blog for a hoppin' good time.

CTMH Supplies:

Cardstock: Ruby, Glitter CS, White Daisy, Blush

Ink: Ruby, Blush

Stamps: Whoo's Your Valentine

Embellishments: Bakers Twine, 

Other: clear boxes, Ribbon from my stash

Another Valentine Sneak Peak

Color Dare #21...A Buttercup Valentine

How fun! A one color color dare is going on at Color My Heart. 

One catch: use black and white with your buttercup.

I'm still playing with the stamp set from the Valentine Kit coming your way on 

December 13. I also wanted to try the new cluster stamping technique 

featured this week at Close To My Heart. I hope you can play along

this week at Color My Heart with some Buttercup, Black & White.

CTMH Supplies: 

B&T Duos: La Belle Vie

Cardstock: Buttercup, Black, Colonial White

Stamps: Whoo's Your Valentine

Ink: Black, Buttercup

Embellishments: Flutter shapes, Opaques, Pewter Mini Medley, Black Ribbon, Pin Clips

Technique: Cluster Stamping

Monogram Monday

For the Desk of.....

A Christmas Gift for my mother, Barbara and a Christmas challenge at Heart 2 Heart.

For the desk collection includes a calendar, Journal, some coordinating 

binder clips covered with coordinating papers and catch all container.

 A Journal to record all those special memories and thoughts.

 A catch all container holds paper clips, coordinating binder clips,
 loose change, post it notes, etc.

2013 Calendar indicating all family birthdays so no one will be forgotten. 

Birthdays are listed on the back of the calendar stand. 

Calendar stand is made using an Acrylic Photo Frame.

Now, let's see your Christmas projects. Be sure to post at Heart 2 Heart.

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Florentine

Cardstock: Creme Brulee, Twilight, Colonial White

Stamps: Monogram "B"

Ink: Goldrush

Embellishments: Bohemian Assortment. Opaques, Antique Gold Mini Medley, Paradise Flowers

Other: Binder Clips, Assorted ribbon from stash, Acrylic Photo Frame, 2013 Calendar, Journal

Another Valentine Sneak Peak

Hershey Bar Wrapper

Couldn't wait to play with the new valentine stamp set in the 

Valentine Kit for National Paper Crafting Month.

Exclusive Whoo's Your Valentine Kit available beginning December 13. 

Be sure to check back then to hop along the trail of the 

Whoo's Your Valentine blog hop. Mark your calendar.

CTMH Supplies:

Cardstock: Cranberry, White Daisy, Blush

Ink: Cranberry

Stamps: Whoo's Your Valentine(available December 13)

Embellishments: Silver Shimmer Trim, Bakers Twine

Valentine Sneak Peak

Whooo's Your Valentine?

Couldn't wait to play with the new valentine stamp set in the 

Valentine Kit for National Paper Crafting Month. 

I used the sketch from Heart 2 Heart for my project.

Hershey chocolate bar wrapper

Heart 2 Heart sketch for this week's challenge.

Now it's your turn to create something special using this sketch for inspiration.

Be sure to share with us at Heart 2 Heart  

CTMH Supplies:

Cardstock: Cranberry, White Daisy

Ink: Cranberry

Stamps: Whoo's Your Valentine(available December 13)

Embellishments: Silver Shimmer Trim, Bakers Twine

Monogram Monday

Take Note

On each Monday in December I will be sharing my monogram gifts

 that I will be giving to family members. Since the age of  9 

I have been making homemade gifts for everyone at Christmas time. 

This year each one will get  monogrammed ensemble of special items.

 For all your note taking needs

A box of monogrammed note cards with monogrammed envelopes.

 Monogrammed note pad clippy board.

 Monogrammed post it note holder

Monogrammed post it note clippy board.

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Flirty

Cardstock: Colonial white

Ink: Autumn Terracotta, Goldrush, New England Ivy

Stamps: A Friend Like You, "A" monogram

Embellishments: Sparkle Flourish, Paradise Flowers, Bouquet assortment

Other: Assorted Ribbons from stash, Coasters, Binder Clips, RSVP Pen

Ghirardelli Gift Tags

A Christmas Package Get A Special Gift Tag

Using the Color My Heart challenge colors to get ready for Christmas with Ghirardelli Gift Tags.

Color Challenge: Cranberry, Smoothie, Olive, and New England Ivy

 Left Tag: Make a 3" envelope from Artiste Cricut cartridge page 73. Decorate to 

coordinate with your package and insert the Ghirardelli chocolate square.

Right Tag: Cut a 5" Petal Box from Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge page 21. 

Fold in three sides leaving one side up to form the tag. Decorate to coordinate 

with your package and insert the Ghirardelli chocolate square.

 Add gift tag to your special package.

These gift boxes are handmade using Cranberry cardstock and New England Ivy 

cardstock. Let me know if you need a tutorial and I will make one.

So, let's see your project using these challenge colors at Color My Heart.

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Pear and Partridge

Cardstock: Cashmere, Cranberry, Olive, Smoothie, New England Ivy

Ink: Cashmere, Cranberry, Smoothie, White

Stamps: Christmas Love, Snowflakes, Merry & Bright

Embellishments: Seam binding Ribbon, Wood Buttons, Green Buttons, Bakers Twine

Snowflake Cookie Cutter Ornament

Sparkle and Glitter

Heart 2 Heart is all sparkly this week. 

The challenge is to add some glitter and sparkle to our project.

This cookie cutter ornament is easy to make. Just trace the shape of your 

cookie cutter and cut it out. Secure it to the back using Liquid Glass. 

Use an adhesive spring to secure an image(snowflake)

 in the center of the cookie cutter so it will pop out. 

Attach stamped images(snow birds) on the edge with Liquid Glass. 

Add your sparkles and/or Glitter Gel as desired.

Now it's your turn to show us your sparkle at Heart 2 Heart.

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Wonderland

Cardstock: White Daisy, Crystal Blue

Ink: Indian Corn Blue, Cranberry Marker

Stamps: Perfect Fit-Holidays, Very Merry Christmas

Embellishments: Glitter Gel, Sparkles

Other: Cookie Cutter

Christmas Treats

Stocking Stuffers

It's Christmas Week at Heart 2 Heart. You will find lots of ideas 

there to fancy up your Christmas.

I

 M&Ms peanut or plain make a yummy chocolate Christmas treat.

Hershey's Nuggets or Ghirardelli chocolate squares for a Christmas stocking.

Be sure to visit Heart 2 Heart to get some amazing Christmas ideas

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Pear and Partridge, Believe

Cardstock: Cranberry, Topiary, White Daisy

Stamps: Very Merry Christmas. Perfect fit-Holiday, Perfect fir-Halloween

Ink: Cranberry, Topiary,Sky, New England Ivy, Cotton Candy

Embellishments: Seam binding ribbon, Sparkles, Bakers Twine

Other: Ribbon from my stash

Clear Boxes from www.clearbags.com 

Color Dare #19 Gets CAS

Cranberry, Hollyhock, and Sweet Leaf

Complementary colors are in play at Color My Heart this week. 

I used the sketch below to make my card Clean And Simple.

Come play at Color my Heart and CAS(E) this sketch.

Share your creations with us.

Color My Heart With Gratitude

Giving Thanks

Thank you Sarah at Color My Heart and Mary at Heart 2 Heart.

 Each week Sarah gives us some challenging color combos to play with. 

And... for several years Mary has challenged us with many weekly inspirational 

challenges of all kinds. As a previous DT member at H2H I was always amazed at how 

each member was totally inspired in different ways without consulting one another. 

Mary has announced her retirement from H2H and I personally will miss her. 

However, all good things at H2H will continue with some amazing leadership 

and new designers. Be sure to play along in the new year.

Color My Heart Challenge: Avonlea Teal, Flirty Raspberry, La Belle Vie Pink

Heart 2 Heart Challenge: Tell us what you are grateful for.

Take the challenge and share at Heart 2 Heart and/or Color My Heart.

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Avonlea, Flirty, La Belle Vie

Cardstock: Colonial white, La Belle Vie Pink, Avonlea Teal

Stamps: Thank You, Just for You

Ink: Slate

Embellishments: Brocade Assortment

Pattern: Make It From Your Heart #30

Home of the Free

Because of the Brave

On Veteran's Day we honor all those who have served our country 

to secure and defend the freedoms of the United States of America. 

We salute you, your bravery, and your unwavering commitment 

to freedom for all peoples. May God bless your lives and give you 

His gracious and unending peace for what you have given to us. 

We will not forget this great gift given with such great sacrifice. 

We can only pray that the Lord will come soon and bring Peace on earth.

Yoohoo

A Photo Challenge

This week at Heart 2 Heart we get our inspiration from a photo. 

I used the wood grain, the black from the napkins, the red 

from the bricks for my color scheme and the Owl in the stamp set Dream Big. 

I also tried another sketch from  CAS(E) the Sketch. 

 Card inspired by the Heart 2 Heart Photo

 Inspired by the owls, the black and brick red colors and the wood grain.

I used this sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch.

 Now it's your turn to share with us your inspired

creation from the photo at Heart 2 Heart.

CTMH Supplies: 

B&T Duos: Dakota

Cardstock: Colonial White

Stamps: Dream Big, Kudos

Ink: Barn Red, Black

Embellishments: Black Ribbon Round, Bitty sparkles

Warm Wishes From the Snow Birds

Clean and Simple 

I followed the trail to this sketch challenge. It started with the sketch 

Laurel used at Inspired By. I followed her link to the CAS(E) this Sketch

 that she used to make her card. Then I saw that the challenge for that sketch 

was closed so I went to the sketch for this week at CAS(E) the Sketch. 

The sketch looked like fun so I gave it a try.

 Snow Birds give a warm wishes greeting.

Use this sketch for your creation. The challenge will end today 

but a new one will be up on Thursday. Be sure to check it out.

CTMH Supplies:

Cardstock: Sky, Indian Corn Blue, White Daisy

Ink: Indian Corn Blue

Stamps: Perfect Fit-Holidays

Embellishments: Sparkles

Chocolate Book

Inspired By #48

With the inspirational photo at Inspired By I decided it was time to make my 

Rules of Chocolate Book again. I used neutral colors from the Scholastic 

Paper Packet. The inside of the book hold two Hershey chocolate bars 

with the Rules of Chocolate on top of each bar.

 Front Cover of the Book

 Inside the book hold 2 chocolate bars with the Rules of Chocolate.
Click on the rules to enlarge for reading.

Inspirational Photo from the Inspired By Challenge.

Use this photo to create something special to share at Inspired By.

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Scholastic

Cardstock: Cashmere, Colonial White

Stamps: Approved

Ink: Black, Ruby

Embellishments: Antique Gold Brads, Durable Studs

A Challenging Color Dare

Smokey Plum  Sunset   Sweet Leaf

This week at Color My Heart the color dare is some what challenging. 

Sarah calls these triadic, secondary colors. I call them Halloween colors. 

But Halloween is over. So...what to do? I decided to focus on the Smokey Plum 

and accent with small amounts of Sunset and Sweet Leaf. 

The neutral background helps to soften the look.

So... take the challenge with Smokey Plum, Sunset, and Sweet Leaf. 

 Be sure to share your creations at Color My Heart.

CTMH Supplies:

Cardstock: Colonial White, Smoky Plum, Desert Sand

Stamps: Card Word Puzzle, Avonlea Card WOTG

Ink: Smokey Plum, Sunset, Sweet Leaf, Desert Sand

Embellishments: Opaques, Green Buttons

Other: Ribbon and Lace from my stash

Avonlea Card Workshop Meets A Color Dare

Color Dare #16

Cranberry, Autumn Terracotta, Goldrush, and Honey

My Avonlea card workshop gets an update with this new color 

challenge at Color My Heart  The workshop calls for two 

B&T papers and three colors of cardstock. I used the 

Honey B&T from Pemberley and the Goldrush B&T from Flirty

 with Cranberry, Goldrush, and Autumn Terracotta cardstock. 

Then I just followed the directions in the workshop brochure.

 Card #1 Make It From Your Heart #20

Card #2 Make It From Your Heart #27

Card #3 Make It From Your Heart #29.

Tomorrow a new Color Dare Challenge will be at Color My Heart. 

Join us early and join us as often as you can.

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Pemberley, Flirty

Cardstock: Cranberry, Goldrush. Autumn Terracotta

Stamps: Avonlea Workshop on the Go

Ink: Cranberry, Autumn, Terracotta, Goldrush, Honey

Embellishments: Sparkles

Other: Cranberry Ribbon from my stash

Patterns: Make It From Your Heart #20. #27. #29

View the original Avonlea Card Workshop Here

Thank You Lord

Just a Little Prayer

for all the victims of hurricane Sandy. 

May the Lord be with all those who have suffered loss and may He give them 

His strength each day as they regain their daily lives. 

Also, May the Lord give strength and wisdom to all  first responders, rescue workers, 

Governors, and the re-builders of this great devastation. Our thoughts and prayers 

are with all each day as our nation works together to build back that which was lost. 

May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, 

keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Philippians 4:13

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween to All

Whether it Tricks of Treats I wish you all a Happy Day.

Pumpkin Time

Time to Give Thanks

This week at Heart 2 Heart we can choose Halloween or Pumpkins.

I've been wanting to make a pumpkin using circles and different paper prints. 

This one is easy: it takes two 1 3/4" circles and one oval for the center. 

The stem is made with the burlap ribbon. 

A raffia bow is added for some Fall texture.

Question: Halloween or Pumpkins? Share with us at Heart 2 Heart.

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Clementine

Cardstock: Saddle, Cashmere, Colonial White

Ink: Saddle

Stamps: A Little Thanks

Embellishments: Burlap Ribbon, Sorbet Brad

Other: Raffia

Pattern: Make It From Your Heart #24

Color Dare #15

Color My Heart is Back

We've been missing Sarah and her color dares. This week at Color My Heart 

she took us back to summer colors with Lagoon, Pear, and Creme Brulee.  

 My card is a pattern from Make it From Your Heart #24. 

The roses from the stamp set Love Blooms are layered by cutting 

out sections of each rose and layering them with pop ups. The coloring 

technique is the base and shade technique showing Here. The 

leaves are inked with Creme Brulee with the edges rolled in Pear. 

Now, grab these summer colors and make us a surprise to share at Color My Heart.

CTMH Supplies:

B&T Duos: Clementine

Cardstock: Lagoon, Creme Brulee, Colonial White

Stamps: Love Blooms, Words of Comfort

Ink: Lagoon, Creme Brulee, Pear

Embellishments: Boutique Assortment, Burlap Ribbon

Pattern: Make It From Your Heart #24