"Love never melts" Winter Scene Card

September is almost here...I can't believe it! And I can't believe I posted 3 cards in a row! That's what happens when you decide to play in challenges last minute... me, a procrastinator??? =)

I made this card for the "Make a Scene" Challenge at H2H CTMH Challenge Blog.
I don't usually stamp scenes...it takes sooo much time...it involves looots of masking...but I had all these new stamp sets I wanted to use...thought this would be a good way to used lots of stamps in one card!

First I stamped the gingerbread house, then the snowman. I masked the snowman to stamp the trees behind it. Added stamped snowflakes, white and red embossing powders, colored with Copic markers, added some Liquid Glass and Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel. Then, finished it off with the stamped corners and sentiment...wait! Then, I decided the card needs some baker's twine!

Told you it takes lots of time and masking! (O.K. maybe I lied about the masking part, 'cause I only masked one image...)
But the time I spent creating it was totally worth it! I had "snow" much fun! =)

Hope you like it! And thanks for stopping by!

CTMH stamp sets and supplies:
D1557 Candyland
C1506 Flakey Friends
D1544 Distressed Backgrounds
Trees from Frosted Cardmaking Workshop stamp set (now in D-size, instead of C) 
Z679 Liquid Glass
Z1313 Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel

A Little Ray of Sunshine Card

That's a loong title for this card...but isn't that whale the cutest whale you've ever seen? =)

And that happens to be the title of a song! So I'm entering this card in the H2H CTMH Challenge Blog 

- Sing a little Song for Me Challenge.

For the 5"x7" card base, I used a circle foam stamp and stamped it with blue acrylic paint several times. After it was dry, I stamped 3 stamp images in black. 

Then, I put a vellum overlay with lots of baby feet on it (it is folded on the left side of the card and adhered to the back). This gave the background a softer look!
I stamped the whale in black on the vellum and on a blue cardstock, cut the whale out and adhered it on the vellum.
Finally, I stamped sentiment in black on blue cardstock, trimmed it like a banner and adhered it on the card.

The final detail...I added little sequins!!! I'm glad sequins are back...'cause I have a lot... =)

CTMH stamp sets:
New Baby (C1541)
It's Your Day (retired)

Thanks for stopping by!
Lilian

Now Boarding Card

My mom has been helping me with my "new" baby (not so new...he is 11 months-old now!) and she is leaving today...sad...

This is a card I made for her:

The stamp set is Sightseer (C1534) from CTMH. Ink pads are Memento London Fog and Paris Dusk (Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko). I also used 3-D foam tape (CTMH)  and a 1.25" circle punch (EK Success).

I will be entering this card in H2H CTMH Challenge Blog - Bon Voyage Challenge.
(Update 09/22/13 - this card was in the Top Ten!!!)

Thanks for stopping by!
Lilian

Weekend Projects: Framework Alphabet Stamp Set

Who said that stamps are not educational? =)
I love this new stamp set from CTMH - E1027 Framework Alphabet (set of 66). It comes with 2 carrier sheets.
And this is what I do with it...

I leave the stamps on the carrier sheet and ink them (if my son N lets me...).
Then, place the sheet on a piece of paper and stamp them, rubbing the whole sheet so you don't miss any letter.
And ta-da!!!
You can ask your kids to trace, color, circle a specific letter, anything!
N loves it and asks for it almost every day! =)

To purchase it, click on the post title or go to http://lilian.ctmh.com

Hope you like it!
And thanks for stopping by today!

Lilian

September Classes

These are the upcoming classes at Hobby Lobby Vernon Hills!

If you live in the area and are interested in joining, check here for dates and info.

Notes for all Classes/Workshops: 

1. To pay for Classes and/or purchase supplies for Workshops:

OPTION A. Pay here, from my blog (I use PayPal).

Depending on the class (Scrapbooking Workshops), the supplies can be delivered to your home, unless otherwise arranged (if you would like the papers pre-cut, for instance). 

Card and Scrapbooking Classes: I'll have all the supplies pre-cut and ready to go on the day of the class.

The "BUY NOW" buttons are on the right side of my blog.

OPTION B. e-mail me at theLeafStudio@yahoo.com

2. Card and Scrapbooking classes: you'll have to RSVP three days before the class. E-mail me at: theleafstudio@yahoo.com to RSVP.

3. Some extra supplies are needed to complete Workshops' projects at home: ink pads, acrylic blocks, adhesive, etc.

But for the Classes, you don't have to purchase them, if you don't want to! You can use mine!

Otherwise, you can go to: http://lilian.ctmh.com to shop for extra supplies.

4. If you have any questions, e-mail me at: theLeafStudio@yahoo.com 

Laughing Lola Card Class

When: Tuesday September 10th

Time: 4:30-6pm

RSVP by: September 7th

Class fee: $10

We'll be making 4 cards using the new WOTG Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit.

Frosted Card Class

When: Tuesday September 24th

Time: 4:30-6pm

RSVP by: September 21th

Class fee: $10

We'll be making 4 cards (3 shown below, 4th coming soon!) using the new WOTG Frosted Cardmaking Kit.

Upcoming Classes (October):
Easel Cards Class
Polar Pals Card Class

Cheer Up Card

This card is CAS (clean and simple)! And easy to make! I was able to create it while my toddler was taking a nap and the baby was being entertained by Cheerios...

I used the stamp set from Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit, some foam tape and sequins.

The colors (aqua, green and orange) were inspired by the CFC112 challenge at CAS-ual Fridays and the card sketch is from CAS(E) this Sketch! #41, but I changed the card orientation.

And since I don't have a lot of time to craft lately, I'm also entering this card in another challenge Blog, H2H CTMH Challenge Blog - Sentiment-ally Yours!

Check their blogs out!
CAS-ual Fridays
CAS(E) this Sketch!
Heart 2 Heart Close To My Heart Challenge Blog

Thanks for stopping by!
Lilian

Birthday Cards

More cards from a class I'll be teaching this week:

Supplies:
card bases (MME), cardstock (SEI), paper flowers (Prima), gemstones (Studio G), scallop border punch (Fiskars), 1.25" circle punch (EK Success), Memento and Studio G ink pads, Birthday Background stamp (Stampabilities), Tim Holtz Distress Stickles (Ranger).

CTMH stamp sets & accessories:
Birthday (from the Cricut Artiste Collection)
Perfect Fit - Birthday (B1417)
Cotton Candy stamp pad
3-D foam tape

FREE stamp set (or 2...) and a Card

Place an order of $50 or more this month, and get the "A Chocolate Affair" stamp set for FREE!!!

AND you'll also get a mini stamp from ME!!!

Go to http://www.lilian.ctmh.com and start shopping!


Here's my card using the "A Chocolate Affair" stamp set:

Inside of the card:

I used Silver Glitter Paper (Z1829) and added Stardust Glitz™ Glitter Gel (Z1313) to the cake's frosting:

Thanks for stopping by!

Thank You Cards

Some easy "thank you" cards from a class I'll be teaching...fast cards you can make in 10 minutes or less (each card, of course!) =)

Supplies: card bases (MME), cardstock (SEI), paper flowers (Prima), foam dot (The Paper Studio), yellow glitter, gemstones (Studio G), scallop punch (Fiskars), Memento ink pads.

CTMH stamp sets & accessories:
Word Ballon (from the Cricut Artiste Collection)
For a Friend (D1542)
A True Thank You (M1029)
A Flowering Bunch (retired)
Cotton Candy stamp pad
3-D foam tape

For the flower center (card on top), I just put a foam dot and sprinkled yellow glitter on. Easy glittery flower center!

Hostess Reward Stamp Set Faves: You only live Once

Another favorite Hostess-only stamp set...this pretty card is featured in the newest Idea Book & Catalog.

August Class: Cards with a Punch

Usually I post classes/workshops early. But I had to change my class schedule a bit...
I'll be teaching only one class in August (at Hobby Lobby Vernon Hills)...we'll be making easy "thank you" and "birthday" cards (8 total) using one border punch and stamps!


Cards with a Punch Class
When: Tuesday August 20th
Time: 4:30-6pm
RSVP by: August 17th
Class fee: only $10!!! (can be paid before class starts)

New Goodies #7: Hostess Rewards Stamp Sets

Watch this video! It shows the new Hostess Rewards Stamp Sets (for hostesses only) and some stamping techniques!
Washi Wonder is one of my favorites sets!

Would you like to host a gathering, but don't want to clean the house? =)
It can be done online!!!
Host an online gathering and earn Select Product Credit (SPC) to purchase the Hostess Rewards Stamp Sets or other products! They will be available only through January 2014.
Contact me for more info. Or click HERE to learn more about it.

Rediscover CTMH: Free Printable

A new FREE printable from CTMH is available!
Go check it out! And get crafty!!!

New Goodies #6: Paper Collections & Kits

New paper collections are here (and Workshops on the Go Scrapbooking/Card Kits)!!!

These are a few of my favorites:

Babycakes

Huntington

Frosted

Which one(s) is(/are) your favorite(s)?

CTMH's New Idea Book & Catalog is here!

Close To My Heart's new Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book & Catalog is here!!!
If you've been visiting my blog, you saw a few sneak peeks of the new goodies...but if you missed them, you can view the whole Idea Book online HERE.

You can also purchase it here on my blog. It's $6.00 (with shipping included). Just click on the "Buy it now" button on the right side.

Lots of new goodies are in the new catalog! A new Cricut Cartridge Collection - Artbooking, new paper packets and Kits (Workshops on the Go), new Base & Bling Wearable Crafts, new...I guess you'll have to see it yourself! It's a lot of new this & that! =)

And to make it even better, if you place an order of $50 or more during August, you'll receive the August Stamp of the Month set for FREE!

A Chocolate Affair (S1308A), FREE! This D-size stamp set with a retail value of $17.95 includes 16 images and sentiments that will have your friends salivating over your chocolatey layouts and cards. Make every project a treat with this must-have set.

Start shopping at: http://lilian.ctmh.com today!
Thank you for stopping by!