Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #166

This week's sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge immediately made me think of a flap card.

These cards are easy to make, and perfect to add a gift voucher or other mall, flat present on the inside.

The frot of the card was decorated as per the sketch, with the Kaleidoscope Paper Packet and a flower that I embossed then watercoloured. I had to put the flower in the opposite corner from the sketch as it overwhelmed the flap opening if I placed it at the bottom of the framed sentiment.



When you open the card, there is enough room to add your gift and a message. I added another strip of the Kaleidoscope Paper and covered each panel in the paper as well.



The card will flip open and you can add a small amount of the clear temporary adhesive to the flap. For full instructions on hoe to make this card, I used this tutorial without the circle punched top.



Even the back panel looks pretty when covered in this paper. You could easily add more decoration and a note to whoever is receiving this card.



We would love to have you join us with your interpretation of this week's sketch!

Georgie for my Gorgeous Boys

This week, Close To My Heart has asked us to create a page about why I scrapbook, preferably using the Georgie Paper Packet, with a chance to win an amazing prize pack.

I was very much inspired by their earlier post and so I recreated this layout using the yellows and blues from Georgie, Zoe and Kaleidoscope.

Here is a layout of my two gorgeous boys. I was told I would never have children, so every day I am in awe of these two little dynamos. I want to show them that I love the special moments between the two of them, and their brotherly bond is something I cherish.



Who can resist these smiles?



The journaling says "I love scrapbooking these special moments between the two of you. My miracle boys, you make me smile every day."

I thought this stamped sentiment was very appropriate for this layout- I stamped the whole sentiment with Canary ink then rolled the top two lines in Juniper ink to create this effect.



This layout will hopefully show my boys why I scrapbook- I love capturing their bond and it is something that we will all look back on and remember.

This layout is also for the Color Dare this week as the other paper packets have these colours in them too.

May Worldwide Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring May's SOTM, which is Celebrate With Cake, a set of 17 stamps.

If you have come here from Darlys' Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.

This month we have over 30 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

I had some leftover kits cut from the Kaleidoscope Card Kit, which is a great cardmaking kit for birthdays. I decided to change things up a bit and stamp the last set with the May SOTM.

Here are my three cards using the Kaleidoscope Cardmaking cutting guide and the same coloured inks as the original guide, but substituting with the May SOTM for a different look.



The first card has the layered birthday cake on it, and I stamped the sentiment within the top layer of the cake.



For the second card, I fussy cut the banner after stamping it on some scrap patterned paper. I also added some pink twine to the top of the cake slice. After making this card, I smudged the side of the White Daisy cardstock (don't you hate it when that happens!) so I improvised and added three roses to the side.



For the last cake, I stamped cake and candles instead of balloons and added another fussy cut banner with the "so Sweet' sentiment.



Now "Hop" on over to Michelle's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the May SOTM is only available until 31st May!  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount!

Kaleidescope Mini Album

I have been loving the mini albums around recently, and this idea came from experimenting with a design I saw on Traci Cornelius' video.

I used the PML Childhood cards and the Kaleidoscope Paper, as well as some stamp sets I have, to quickly create this mini album.

Here is the front of the album, which I have held together with the zip strip.



As it opens up, there are different flaps to decorate and use for photos and journalling.



The PML cards are perfect to add quotes, space for writing and some photo mats.



I even cut out the balloon from one of the cards to add a decorative element to the album.



Here is a short video I made of my Kaleidoscope Mini Album, showing closer details of each flap and how I put it together.

This album is super quick, and very cute for a last minute tween gift idea!

Kaleidoscope Paper Feature

Hello and welcome aboard our Australasian Close to My Heart Blog Hop, featuring the Kaleidoscope Paper Packet.

If you have arrived here from Shaunna's Blog then you are in the right place.

If you landed here by accident, no problem, please join in by following the link at the end of this post.

Today I would like to share with you a layout made with Close To My Heart’s Kaleidioscope Papers, a beautifully fun paper collection perfect for spring, Easter and Birthday photos.

Here is the layout before I put any photos on it. I used the paper as a background on my layout, along with some of the coordinating cardstock.


The December SOTM added a fun party banner to the bottom left of my layout, which I embellished with pink flamingo dots.



Here is the finished layout with journalling and some stamped embellishments.



For the left hand side I cut out the title using my Cricut, and added some journalling and a date stamp. These photos of my boys and husband happened on my birthday, and I loved them so much that I had to include them on this otherwise girly layout.



Later in the evening we went out for dinner, which is the theme of the right hand side. This was a special dinner as we used to go this restaurant every year, but this was the first year it had re-opened after the earthquakes so it was great to go back! I added some more journalling in the pocket I made, talking about how special the evening was.



I'd love you to leave a comment before heading off to the next stop,  Denise Tarlinton's blog, Scrap Stamp Share.

CTMH supplies used:
Cardstock: Canary, Gypsy, Pear, White Daisy
Embellishments: Brushed Assortment, Creme Brulee Baker's Twine, Flamingo Dots, Mini Stapler
Ink: Gypsy
Paper Packets: Free To Be Me, Kaleidoscope
Stamp sets: Candlelight Garden, Dated, Documenting Moments

Candlelight Garden S1512: CTMH Stamp of the Month Australasian Blog Hop

Hello and welcome aboard our Stamp of the Month Australasian Close to My Heart Blog Hop. If you have arrived here from Meryl's Blog, Mez' Craft Room, then you are in the right place. If you landed here by accident, no problem, please join in by following the link at the end of this post.

Today I would like to share with you these three cards that feature the December Stamp of the Month, Candlelight Garden, available exclusively throughout December for $33 or for just $10 when you spend $75.

Here they are all together, using stamps from the December SOTM and other items.



The first card uses the mason jar and flowers stamped in black ink, I then stamp the flowers and hearts on different cardstocks and fussy cut them all to layer on top of the black stamped image. The sentiment was stamped from the Friend Tree stamp set and matted on cardstock. Finally, I added some pink gems for the finishing touch.



The second card uses the same flower stamp in black ink, but this time I decided to let the papers and cardstocks provide colour. The sentiment is also from the December SOTM. I fussy cut the leaves and placed them behind the cardstock, and cut the mason jar from the Artistry Cricut cartridge. Isn't the Kaleidoscope paper beautiful? The pattern works so well with flower and leaf motifs.



For the last card, I wanted a firefly type card as we are celebrating summer over here currently. Using White Diasy ink, I stamped the jar, sentiment and sparkle lines from the SOTM onto Sapphire cardstock, then added the Gold Sequins for the fireflies.



Which card do you like the best?

Candlelight Garden is only available until 31st December from your CTMH consultant. I'd love you to leave a comment before heading off to the next stop, Patricia's Blog.