Monday

Christmas Card Workshop



A Christmas card workshop has suddenly precipitated out of my recent Jingle obsession. The cost of the workshop is $10 (free with a $50 order placed on the day of the workshop) We will be using an assortment of stamps and techniques.
Just a quick reminder: November is STAMPAGANZA month (buy two stamps get one free) Yes, it is a stamp lovers extravaganza. PLUS if you order $50 worth of stamping and scrapping goodies, you will get the November stamp of the month for $11.48. In other words, you can get a lot of Jingle for your jangle. Haaaa haaa haaa aaa haaaa.
When: November 7th 1:00 - 4:00 p.m
Cost: $10 (free with $50 order placed the day of the workshop)
Email me (tlkaiser-1@msn.com) to register.
See the calendar for more information.
Happy Crafting




Wednesday

CTMH Jingle: The Creation Continues

This paper has certainly captured my imagination. The above card was inspired by Paper Cupcakes. It required quite a bit of "stuff" to make. The tag and holly leaves are Cricut, the embossing is Cuttlebug (of course) candy cane- Sizzix. The edge punch is Fiskars, paper is CTMH Jingle, the snow flake is CTMH Dimensional Elements - Flurry; stamp - CTMH Say it in Style.





I know I've seen a card similar to this somewhere - but I can't find it anywhere. So, if it looks like something you've made, send me an email and I'll give you credit. This one was really simple.
I know what you're thinking: "who has time to embroider their Christmas cards?" Honestly, it took less than three minutes and the embroidery floss from CTMH matched EXACTLY. Besides, when your friends and loved ones see that you've embroidered on the cards, they will think you're a rock star and they will forever consider you the Crafting Queen. (Martha Stewart, move over)
Happy Crafting!







Tuesday

CTMH Jingle

I wasn't sure I was going to love this paper, but I've fallen to it's charms. A few years ago I was caught up in the disturbing trend toward pink Christmas cards. I churned out snowmen clad in pink caps and scarves set against pink plaid backgrounds by the dozen. They were tied with hemp to balance their"pinkness" and stamped with a sentiment wishing the recipient "toasty toes and a frosty nose" or something along those ridiculous lines. I thought they were delightful and I was endlessly impressed with myself, even though they'd been shamelessly copied from an idea book.

That experience purged my creative soul of the need for pink. Until now. I spent many unproductive hours staring at the packet waiting for the muse. Finally, a card happened. Then another. I believe pinkish Christmas cards may be in my future. In this case, the pink is balanced with other colors like tulip and juniper. I think I love this paper.




Above is the tri-fold shutter card opened and closed. I might replace these photos with better ones tomorrow. I think I need better photo editing software.





My sister made this one. Thank you, Kathy!













I think the card above is my favorite. I made the poinsettia by trimming down a CTMH white flower and dying it in tulip ink.



Pocket card - I don't know if I like it.
Happy Crafting!



















Saturday

Twitterpated Thank You


I never have enough thank you notes, so I got on a roll and made several of them using Twitterpated. The blue table cloth doesn't show them to their best advantage, but sometimes that's the compromise - get it done with the readily available tools (like a blue sheet/tablecloth) or wait another week and have a better setting.

The stamp set is CTMH Thoughtful Seasons. If I'm ever stranded on a desert island and can only save one stamp from the ship before it goes down, I will try to save Thoughtful Season. It's the best all-purpose stamp set CTMH sells. It includes sentiments and images for all occasions (most occasions) I'll try and salvage some markers, scissors, adhesive, and a paper packet from that sinking ship, and use my isolation to accomplish some of my paper crafting goals. Wouldn't be lovely to arrange a good stranding?

Happy Crafting!

Wednesday

Twitterpated - Kit of the Month







I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new Twitterpated. I've already made a mountain of cards and some scrapbook pages, and I can't wait to make some more Twitterpated goodies! You just gotta see this paper in person!
You can purchase Twitterpated by itself for $12.95 anytime, but for the month of October you can buy the Workshop on the Go Kit which includes
  • Twitterpated Level II paper pack
  • Exclusive Stampset (super cute) Can't get it anywhere else - only with this kit
  • Chocolate Ribbon Assortment
  • Workshop on the Go idea booklet and cutting guide
All for only $29.95







Monday

Halloween


Curiously, I never tire of making adorable little outfits for my candy. I wish I'd invented the idea - it's such a clever notion.





Nugget holders - delightful! I first saw the idea of putting stamped labels on Nichole Heady's website. She has the best ideas!

Here are the Card and Treats class samples for Halloween. Last year the class was such a hit that I'm going to offer it twice this year - Sat. Oct. 17, and Wed. Oct. 21. You can mix and match making any or all of the cards and treat holders.
For more information see the calendar on my CTMH website.
Until next time,
Happy Crafting!

Thursday

Christmas Gifts




Quality on a budget - that's this year's Christmas theme. I've made several of these purse and card sets. They're surprisingly quick to make and many of the people I know appreciate receiving handmade cards for gifts.

I like the purse because I can refill it with cards and they stay in good condition (no bent corners like the ones I stuff in drawers) Also, it looks cute on my desk or shelf. This paper design is Bella. Silhouette is my other favorite paper for this set.

Sometimes I get caught up in the card creating moment and continue adding details and layers to the card late into the night. While I enjoy the process of making the 6-hour $450 card, sometimes the practicality of limited resources (mostly time) dictates a 20-minute card which is mostly stamped on the surface as opposed to stamping every image separately, cutting them all out and piecing them together for the delightful 3-dimensional experience I crave.

Above is a case in point: The flower is cut out. Each little petal loving released from the cardstock. The button - trimmed, it's edges inked, and it's center laced with waxy flax. Such fun - it nearly bordered on a spiritual experienced as I lost myself in the joy of trimming and inking. Until I'd done about 30 of them. That's when the cramping in my hands disrupted the Nirvana. I decided flat flowers and buttons stamped directly on the card would convey all the necessary sentiment to the recipient without crippling my hands.


Click here for a tutorial to make it on your own. Or join us for a class.

When: Nov. 1 from 1:00 - 4:00
Cost: $18.00 includes paper, use of stamps, inks, etc. (there will be plenty of paper left over for other projects)

For more information, see the calendar on my CTMH website.

Happy Crafting!