CTMH Chantilly Easter Cards

I'm getting a jump start on Easter this year.  It's not going to sneak up on me this time around!  This time I've got my cards ready. This past Saturday, I hosted the Scrapbook, Stamp and Socialize crop here in Jacksonville and in addition to teaching a fun "Create and Take" I was able to make16 Easter cards.  Whoo hoo!  I feel such a great sense of accomplishment about this. 

I used the lovely and spring like Chantilly collection from Close To My Heart.  The pretty pastel colors of Champagne, Twilight, Buttercup and Cotton Candy are absolutely perfect for Easter.  I wanted my cards to be playful and cute, so I used the adorable stamp called Easter Wishes to create the the front of the card. The egg stamp perfectly matches a shape on the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge! 

CTMH Easter Wishes (B1422)

Here are supplies that I used:

CTMH Chantilly and Easter Wishes

For inspiration, I consulted my trusty copy of the "Make It From Your Heart" publication; an amazing book of beautiful scrapbook and card patterns from Close To My Heart Founder and CEO, Jeanette Lynton.  I choose card pattern #25 on page 45 as a starting point.  

Here's how I made my card:

5 1/4" x 4" piece of patterned B&T Duos paper 
4 1/4" x 3" piece of coordinating cardstock
3 1/2" x 2 1/4" piece of white cardstock
1 3/4' egg from white cardstock 

I stamped the egg stamp on the egg shape plus the sentiment "It's what's inside that counts" in Blush ink.  The chicks emerging from their shell was stamped in Champagne ink.  I colored the chicks using my Watercolor Pencils and softened the color a bit using my Blending Pen.  I also used the Champagne to ink around the edges of the patterned paper and the colored cardstock for some dimension.  Lastly, I added two Pink Glitter Gems for some sparkle.

I adhered the layers together, largest to smallest, and added the egg using 3-D Foam Tape to make it pop up. Then I mounted it to a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" white card base.

Ta-da!  The finished product:

CTMH Chantilly Easter Card

Budweiser Clydesdales

The Budweiser Clydesdales visit Jacksonville

Look at this gorgeous animal!  Today I was amazed by the size and beauty of the famous Budweiser Clydesdale Horses.  The 8 giant horses along with their beer wagon, team drivers, dalmatian and entourage made a stop today at the Budweiser plant here in Jacksonville.  They were unloaded from a fleet of semi-truck trailers that are custom made to transport them on their cross-country tours.  From what I understand, two trucks carry the horses and a third carries the beer wagon.  

Once they emerged from the trailers they were all put into their harnesses.  I'm not very knowledgable about what other things were strapped onto them, i.e. bridles, bits, etc. but I can tell you that the horses were so well trained that when the handler walked up to them to start the process, they bowed their heads so that all of the equipment could be slipped right on.  It was so fun to watch the whole process and see how gentle the horses are and well they were treated.

After they were hooked up to their "hitch", they clip clopped through the parking lot giving plenty of opportunities for visitors to take photos.  As they passed by, I was so awestruck by their size.  I've never seen a full grown Clydesdale in person before today.  It was very cool!  

Here they come!

Look at how beautiful they are!  I'm so glad that I got the opportunity to see them in person.  

I was tickled to find out that the beer wagon that they pull actually has beer in it!  So even though it was barely 50 degrees outside with a brisk north wind, my husband and I shared a Bud!  We are not ones to miss out on an opportunity for a free beer.

Every year, I faithfully watch the SuperBowl not for the game, but for the Clydesdale commercials.  This years offering with the baby Clydesdale touched my heart so much that when I heard they would be coming to my hometown, I just had to go.  If you ever have an opportunity to see these spectacular creatures in person, please go.  You won't be disappointed.

There they go!

CTMH Buzz and Bumble Post It Note Holder

Hello everyone!  I'm sorry it has been a few days since my last post.  I've started a "real" job and it has been a bit of an adjustment for me.  But, don't worry - my favorite job will always be   sharing my love of paper crafting with others!

After work tonight, my wonderful husband suggested that I relax by playing with paper!  He didn't need to say it twice - it was just what I needed to clear my mind and stop thinking about   whether or not I was doing well in training for the new job.  So, I got out my Close To My Heart Buzz and Bumble Workshops On The Go kit and started creating.  I wanted to make something quick and easy with a high instant gratification factor so I decided to make a Post It note holder using shapes cut out with my Cricut from the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge.

I have to admit, I think that it came out incredibly cute!  What do you think?  Take a look!

Buzz and Bumble Post It Note Holder

CTMH Buzz and Bumble

Here's how I made it:

Using your Close To My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge cut the following shapes...

One 3 1/2" Card in the <Square 2> (page 33) using Cocoa cardstock
One 3" <Square 1> (page 23) using B&T Duos patterned paper
One 2 1/2" <Square 1> (page 23) using Sunset cardstock

Using the coordinating stamp set from the kit, stamp flowers in Goldrush ink, shade using Chocolate, Honey and Autumn Terracotta Watercolor Pencils; then blend with a Blending Pen to create depth.  Then I cut out the flower shapes using an exacto knife.  Micro-tip scissors would also work well for this task.

Score 1/4" in from each side of the center line of the card shape and fold.  Layer the remaining pieces and embellish!

I sanded and inked (Goldrush) the edges of the patterned paper and the Sunset cardstock. 

I added a wooden bee shape from the Buzz and Bumble Assortment, two Antiquated Copper Brads, and put sparkles in the center of the small flowers from the Sparkles Brown & Tan Assortment.  I used 3-D Foam Tape under the small flowers to make them pop!  I also tied a bit of White Hemp around the top for a little something extra.

I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed making it.  Remember, you don't need hours of time to turn something ordinary into spectacular...just take a little time to "Create with Care"!

Looking for a deal?  Check out the "While Supplies Last" page on my website for great prices on limited quantity items.