CTMH February 2014 Blog Hop ~ SOTM Cascading Card Tutorial

Welcome to our February Team Braer Blog Hop that focuses on "New items" in our brand new idea book.   You will see creations from our team that may include stamp sets,patterned paper,inks, embellishments and more from the  Close To My Heart Spring/summer 2014 Idea book. To purchase any of the items seen in our blog hop today,kindly contact me to place an order or you can order on line at: http://cardsbytamara.ctmh.com.

We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we really love feedback from our blog viewers....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see. Thank you… now on to our hop! 

If you have just hopped onto my blog, you can start here as this is a circular hop, but if you want to follow our team's blogs, then please start at the beginning and join Brae Montgomery at 

http://www.brae-er.com/2014/02/springsummer-ctmh-idea-book-reveal-day-5-blog-hop.html. 

If you came from " Lucy Imrie blog: http://lucyscreativeexpressions.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-brae-ers-blog-hop-featuring-new.html then you are in the right place! 

This is such a simple card tutorial that will make your cards look like amazing.  I love the 3D effect that is achieved with this design.  Let’s look at how to create this great Cascading Card. 

                           

Step One: Cut card stock  8 x 10 ½”.  Laying the card stock long ways, mark a dot at the 2 ½ “ down from the top and rotate paper to do on the opposite side.  This will create a slanting line.

Step Two: Line your marked dots up and cut to form as shown in the picture.

Step Three: Score at 1 ¾ “ , 3 ½”,  5 ¼”, 7”, and 8 ¾”.  Do this on both sections of paper.  Once you have all the lines scored crease in alternating mountains and valley folds and crease with your Scor-Pal Tool or bone folder.  

Step Four: Measure down your first score line ( the score line that is at the 1 ¾") to 2  ½ “ and on your last score line (score line that is at the 8 ¾”) measure down  1 ½”.  This will be half way between on both sides.  Cut down from the top to the measured place creating a slit.  You will do this on both pieces however on the second piece instead of cutting from the top down, cut from the bottom up. 

Step Five:  Slide your two pieces together using the slots created.  I glued my flaps together using double sided Tape so the front and back would layout flat.  Decorate as desired using the amazing new products from CTMH!!  See below for the item numbers of all products used!

    


I used the SOTM for February: Wild about Love to decorate the card.  You can get this stamp set for only $5 with a $50 CTMH order until February 28! 

Wild About Love - February 2014 Stamp Of The Month

Item Number: S1402 Set of 9

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your D-size Stamp of the Month set for a discounted price! Add the stamp set to your cart on this page at full retail price or, with your qualifying order, add it at checkout for the promotional price. 

Recommended My Acrylix™ Blocks: 1" × 1" (Y1000), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 3" × 3" (Y1006)

To decorate the card: 

I also used the new Pink Glitter Paper for the hearts  Item Number: Z1922 $5.95  3 – 12" × 12" sheets, 3 colors, cardstock weight, Cricut® compatible.

Durables Triangle Studs $3.95 Z1928  Just peel and stick these metal, adhesive-backed shapes. 48 studs; 9mm, 12mm; antiqued silver, antiqued gold.

Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape $7.95 Z1920v Adhesive-backed paper tape. 15 yards, 1" wide.

Flamingo Dots $3.95 Z1934  108 adhesive-backed enamel dots; 4mm, 5mm, 7mm; 3 pink shades.

There are great Instructions for this card with good photos to help you along with your project (2 score pal photos used above are also from pinkcloudscrappers blog):  http://pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/cascading-card-tutorial.html

Hope you have fun creating your own cascading card!

Your next stop on the Team Braer Hop is Alyson Mayo of  http://createwithalyson.blogspot.com/2014/02/unit-blog-hop-ivy-lane-easel-card.html to help inspire you with her amazing creation!

If you get lost along the way, you can head to  Brae's blog at www.brae-er.com, as she has the complete blog list. http://www.brae-er.com/2014/02/springsummer-ctmh-idea-book-reveal-day-5-blog-hop.html

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to get creative using some of the designs, products and techniques seen along the way.  Join us next month where we will be featuring things that channel sunshine and warm breezes! 

The other sale for February:

EMBOSSING IS BOSS

Receive a FREE embossing folder with your qualifying purchase during February.

During the month of February, you qualify to receive a free embossing folder for every 2 packs of bulk cardstock (single color or combo) you purchase! That is a savings of $8.95! Select from 5 new embossing folder designs—dot, chevron, quatrefoil, damask, or stripe—when you submit a qualifying order.

Contact me for more details.

*Offer valid February 1–28, 2014. Paper Fundamentals, Colonial White, White Daisy, and kraft cardstock packs do not count toward the qualifying purchase. No tax will be charged on the free item(s). Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price ($8.95) of the free item(s).

Our blog hop!

1. Brae Montgomery- washi card 

http://www.brae-er.com/2014/02/springsummer-ctmh-idea-book-reveal-day-5-blog-hop.html

2. Lucy Imrie - Balloon Ride 

http://lucyscreativeexpressions.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-brae-ers-blog-hop-featuring-new.html

3. Tamara Lisowski ~ Card using the SOTM for February and I used the pink glitter paper (I also embellished with the gold dot washi tape and the gold triangle studs. But the main feature is the SOTM) http://geermara.blogspot.com/2014/02/ctmh-february-2014-blog-hop-sotm.html 

4. Alyson Mayo - something card related using Ivy Lane     http://createwithalyson.blogspot.com/2014/02/unit-blog-hop-ivy-lane-easel-card.html    

5. Sheri Ballantyne - Timberline 1page LO    http://sherisays-justscrapit.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-brae-ers-blog-hop-new-stuff-from.html

6. Rosalynd Kelly - two page layout using Skylark on one side & Picture My Life "Skylark" on the other. http://inmyscrappinroom.blogspot.com/2014/02/february-team-braer-blog-hop.html

7. Heather Steeves - New base & bling necklaces  http://paperplayroom.blogspot.com/2014/02/february-team-blog-hop.html

8. Arlene Bonsma - Ariana - single page layout. - http://arlenescreativespace.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-brae-ers-february-blog-hop.html

9. Michelle Hughes - new mini's stamps  http://therighthugh.blogspot.com/2014/02/ctmh-2014-springsummer-team-blog-hop.html

10. Cindy Kyle-Ariana-card-http://cindykyle.blogspot.com/2014/02/february-blog-hop.html

February 2014 Special from CTMH!!!

and THIS just in!!!  Another FABULOUS FEBRUARY Special!!!

Get a free

embossing

folder of

your choice

with your

qualifying

purchase!

During the month of February, 
you are eligible to receive your choice of a new embossing folder FREE (a savings of $8.95!) for every 2 packs of bulk single color or combo cardstock you purchase. 

Come see the 5 NEW 5x7 embossing folder that CTMH has to offer YOU!!



*Offer valid February 1–28, 2014. Paper Fundamentals, Colonial White, White Daisy, and kraft cardstock packs do not count toward the qualifying purchase. No tax will be charged on the free item(s). Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price ($8.95) of the free item(s). Embossing folder size fits most standard embossing machine; sold separately.

Chocolate Almond Macaroons

These would be great to add to a cute treat bag or box (lined with wax paper) from one of CTMH Cricut Cartridges and given for Valentines Day!!  

Chocolate Almond Macaroons

(Almond Joy Bites) via Laura Haffke

 

1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/4 t. Salt

2 t. Vanilla

14 oz. pkg Coconut

 

1/2 c. Almond Slices

2 squares Chocolate Almond Bark

 

Oven 350*

Mix Condensed Milk, Salt & Vanilla in a large mixing bowl.  Add Coconut and stir.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper. ( I use the air bake sheets for even baking).

Use a small scoop (1-2 T. size)  and place on parchment paper. I fit about 16 on each sheet.

Bake 15 minutes. Cool.

 

Toast Almond Slices in oven 350* for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.

 

Melt 2 Chocolate Almond Bark Squares in microwave safe bowl (30 seconds, stir, 20 seconds, stir).

 

Divide in half, put half in a small ziplock bag.

 

With the remaining chocolate, drop a small amount of melted chocolate on each macaroon. Sprinkle with Toasted Almonds.

 

Snip a very small corner of the baggie and drizzle on top of the Almonds- zig sagging back and forth. After they have cooled, they are ready to eat or share!

Free Downloads From CTMH!!

REDISCOVER YOU.

As you plan your New Year’s resolutions, take time to rediscover who you are and who you want to become. Download these free journaling prompts through January 31 to get to know yourself better!

http://cdn.closetomyheart.com/2014/promotions/campaigns/rediscover/1401-rediscover-you-download.pdf

Tricks of the Trade ~ CTMH

Tricks of the Trade

Here is a  list of how to use the many tools that CTMH offers to us in the catalog. the List came from Julie Reynolds and our fearless team leader Joy McHargue......

BONDING MEMORIES GLUE

re-sticking my Cricut mats)

make re-sealable envelopes!  Just put a line of bonding memories glue onJenvelope flap, let air dry and you have a re-stickable flap!  

temporary adhesive when masking (another image), if I can't stamp on a Post-It

cover the face of chipboard or paper with the glue then sprinkle it with prisma glitter.

trace stamped images with it then sprinkle on the glitter.

Best adhesive for gluing paper to My Creations items like the blocks or star. Make sure you have good "blue" coverage from edge to edge and hold for 30 seconds.

very economical adhesive.

QUILLING TOOL

curl our Cricut flowers

 quilling- cut 1/8" strips and roll

Hook Ribbons to push them through a “slot” in the cubes to make a hanger for it!   

BONE FOLDER

one of the best weighted and shaped ones out there.  (curve in place for between thumb and index finger

Score and crease cards before folding

Scoring for additional multi-folds in card creations

use this with my 3D Artiste Cricut items…folding those lines could not be done Jwithout the bone folder!  

add texture to my card stock – score to stripe on reverse side

make flat cricut cut outs pop up.... Like a five petal flower

I use the bone folder to "curl" edges of flowers, leaves, borders, etc. (rub with round end on VersaMat

 Use the bone folder like you would a pair of scissors to curl ribbon.  I place my item down on my piercing mat or the foam side of our versamat for stability.

I use it a lot for faux stitching – especially great for non-straight lines. 

 I recommend everyone with a Cricut have one handy to use to score and fold all cards and 3-D items for crisp edges.

SPONGE DAUBERS

Washable

Must have at least one for each color family, or why not one for every color! 

With sponge daubers, I like to use one for each color family. I'll label the side "orange", "red/pink", "blue",etc.

Ink distress edges, makes a nice, “tight” sponged look on the papers (as opposed to round sponge )

Also, like to use these to come in on the corners of my papers when sponging…so instead of just the edge being sponged, The entire corner is colored and then blended out to the edges.

apply color to a stamp image,

also I use them for chalk application.

I also use Sponge Daubers on masked images (stamp the image (like the scotty dog we had a while back, cut it out.  Keep the outside, discard the inside of the dog.  Use the sponge dauber to color the fur of the dog.)

I like to do a quick-coloring technique with them by creating a stencil & sponging through.

Stamp an image on glossy or thick cardstock. Cut it out (or portions of the image) w/ an xacto knife. Stamp same image on paper, lay stencil over top & sponge through. It makes a quick, almost air-brushed type of look.

use these with pigment inks…sponge on different colors on one stamp image 

Use sponge daubers to add colors to Color Ready Seam Binding Ribbon

I love using the sponge daubers to color chipboard and irresistibles.

I also like to heat emboss with clear detail powder and use my sponge dauber to create my own resist pattern on paper and chipboard.

cleaning up white edge of paper on cricut cuts (with ink that matches paper)

FINISHING FILES

I use the finishing files to even out the edges of the chipboard – clean off the nubbins from punching them out

to make paper blend in with the my creation items when I cover them.  

I use the handles to curl paper and roll flowers when my tweezers or quilling tool are not within reach. 

hole poker

holding down paper when embossing

I use these all the time for finishing edges on projects, especially wood, FABULOUS for a clean edge.  Sell them by the boat load at expos because I always incorporate their use in one of the hands on projects

PIERCING TOOL KIT

Pierce holes for brads

The piercing tool is great for picking up opaques and sparkles – and especially the bitty ones - as you want to add them to your work.

Piercing holes for stitching

lifting the adhesive off the silver trim ribbon

opening the hole back up from the liquid glass

TWEEZERS

Easy pick-up of brads (especially when you have lovely long fingernails or short absent ones!)

Tweezers - to place opaques and sparkles on artwork

RUB-ON TOOL

Application of rub-ons

smoothing your paper down after using the bonding memories to help it lay down. No air bubbles.

To give dimension to cricut cutouts ex. Flowers

LIQUID GLASS

Good adhesive for gluing paper to MyCreations items

Great for any dimensional items on cards, pages or projects: buttons, etc.

adhering Cricut-cut flowers together once they are rolled

making sponged dimensional element letters shine

highlighting pretty much anything you want to have highlighted .....

CTMH Pajama Party 2014!

Close To My Heart is teaming up with Big Picture Classes again to bring you a live webcast with step-by-step instructions for making this Valentine's Day scrapbook page. It's the perfect way to showcase your precious photos of that special someone.

The free webcast will air Thursday, January 30 at 7:00 pm (MST). The Pajama Party will be available for FREE at BigPictureClasses.com on January 30, and will be archived after the event for future viewing.

If you would like to interact on the message board, participate in live chat, post to the gallery, download handouts, or enter any contests, you will need to log in to the Pajama Party "classroom" by creating a free account on the Big Picture Class website.

To make our "Lucky in Love" scrapbook page, you will want to have the following items—or similar products—on hand:

• G1066 Workshops on the Go Sarita Scrapbooking Kit
• X5935 Adventure Cardstock Combo Pack
• 1385 White Daisy Cardstock
• Z2016 Blush Exclusive Inks Pad
• Z2170 Ruby Exclusive Inks Pad
• Z1826 Hollyhock Zipper Lace
• Z1807 Pink Glitter Gems
• Z1850 Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape
• Z1294 Sanding Kit
• Z1151 3-D Foam Tape

Contact me if you have any questions about registering for this free webcast. To purchase any of the supplies needed for this layout shop on my website http://cardsbytamara.ctmh.com

I'm On Cloud Nine!!

 

Reminder of the special for the month: Not only is it the first month of the year, but it's National Papercrafting Month. To celebrate, Close to My Heart is offering a Cloud 9 card kit for only $15 with a qualifying purchase of only $35. The kit comes with enough supplies to make ten cards, two each of five designs. The gold polka dotted washi tape and the teal shimmer trim included in the kit are new products that will be in the Spring/Summer Idea Book that goes live on Feburary 1.

There are two ways to get the adorable Cloud Nine cardmaking kit: Purchase it for just $15 (retail value $46) with a minimum qualifying order of $35 during January 2014 in Or you can get it FREE when you enroll as a new Consultant in January and submit total personal sales of $300 or more.

Create 10 cute cards (2 each of 5 designs) using three sneak-peek accessories from the upcoming Idea Book, a new D-size stamp set, and exclusive papers!

Cloud Nine Card Kit Contents

1 – My Acrylix™ Cloud Nine Stamp Set (D-size) 1 – Cloud Nine B&T Duos™ Paper 1 – Lagoon Cardstock Sheet 1 – Honey Cardstock Sheet 1 – 9" x 9½" White Daisy Die-Cuts Sheet 1 Roll – Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape† 1 Roll – Teal Shimmer Trim† 1 Package – Durables Triangle Studs† 10 – Card Bases & Envelopes 1 – Instructional Brochure Featured colors: Lagoon, Sunset, Honey, White Daisy