Friday, December 4, 2009

A Prize Winning Card

I have been urged by my good friend and fellow CTMH consultant, Dawn, to post this card, so here goes……… Despite some amazing competition, I managed to win the card contest at our recent CTMH Regional Celebration here in Portland with this little beauty. It was my first CTMH event and my head was already spinning with all the great classes and projects I was lucky enough to enjoy. This win was just the icing on the cake!!! Thanks to all my CTMH sisters who voted for my card!

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I have seen versions of this “easel” card all over the blogging world, so I don’t know who the original credit goes to. But whomever you are—THANKS!!!

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The funny thing about this card is that I wasn’t even going to buy this stamp set. CTMH has another cute leaf stamp set that also debuted in the recent Autumn/Winter Idea Book and I decided to buy it and told myself I DID NOT need another leaf set. However, one of my customers fell in love with this set and decided to order it. It happened to be delivered right before the All-Day Crop I was holding, and as soon as I saw it in person I wanted to try it out. Luckily, said customer was my mom and, of course, she let me play with it at the crop. Needless to say, I fell in love with it and this card was born (and I bought the set for myself, too). So, thanks also go out to my mom, DiAnne, for buying this set in the first place!

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Some of the leaves are embossed with gold on several different colors of cardstock. The other leaves are made with a technique called “stamp rolling.” To achieve this look, ink up your image with the base color (usually a lighter color), then lightly “roll” the edges of your stamp image in a second color (usually a darker color). Then stamp on your paper, as usual.

The acorns are first stamped with colored ink, then stamped again, directly over the image, with VersaMark and embossed with clear embossing powder. (Gotta love the clear stamps!) The leaves and acorns are then layered together with foam tape to give the wreath dimension.

The leaf behind the sentiment is done with the rolling technique, and then stamped “second generation.” In other words, I stamped first on scratch paper to remove most of the ink, and then again on the project. This gives the lighter, sheer look to the image. I stamped the sentiment directly over the leaf image.

Since CTMH only makes the Foundry Bookplates (Z1147) in pewter and I needed something in gold, I tried embossing them. Guess what? It worked!! Press the Bookplate into a VersaMark ink pad then emboss with gold embossing powder. If there are little nooks and crannies that don’t get covered, just touch them up with an embossing pen and more powder. Reheat and you have a gold bookplate!

The stamp set used is called Flourished Blessings (D1379) and the paper is from the set, Back Country (X7110B). I used a wide variety of colors including Outdoor Denim, New England Ivy, Autumn Terracotta, Cocoa, Honey, Goldrush, Barn Red, Chocolate, Desert Sand & Colonial White. Also in the mix are Autumn Terracotta brads & Barn Red Bigger Brads, along with the aforementioned Bookplate.

This card is a little larger than standard, 6 1/2” x 6 1/2”, to accommodate the wreath. The wreath is my own original design.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Gift Packaging Workshop

Just in time for the Holidays!!! Join me next Thursday, December 10th at 7 p.m. to make 5 fun packaging projects (Be sure to read to the bottom of this post for information on a BONUS KIT!!) Cost is only $15!! Included in the workshop are:

Gift bag with matching tag

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Decorative tin with 16 gift tags

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Gift card tin with 6 coordinating treats

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Small gift box with matching tag (box is approx. 4”x 4”x 4”)

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Large gift box (approx 5”x 8”x 8”)

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Reserve your spot now as spaces are limited!! Your reservation and payment MUST be received NO LATER than Tuesday, December 8 so I can have all materials prepared. With 5 projects to complete in one short evening, all papers will be pre-cut so all you will need to do is stamp and glue!! So bring lots of adhesive (regular and dimensional), glue dots (both regular and mini),  and your scissors (just in case you need to trim something).

Can't make it on the 10th? No problem!! Contact me to receive all the materials needed to make these projects on your own. The basic kit of materials (unstamped) is $15. Add $5 if you would like me to stamp everything for you. Add $5 if you would like the kit shipped to you (if you are unable to pick it up in person). All kits will be ready/shipped on Saturday, December 12.

BONUS FOR THOSE ATTENDING ON DECEMBER 10th!!!

As a thank you for your business, all those attending the workshop on December 10 will receive this bonus Tag Kit. Included is an adorable mini stamp set and the materials to make 6 gift tags, all packaged in a cute tin.

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You can contact me via e-mail at shannon.ctmh@yahoo.com (or by phone if you have my number). I hope to see you on the 10th!!