Christmas Workshop Designs are here!

My workroom is a mess with blocks, stamps, cricut mats and inks everywhere, but I had a ton of fun making up these designs! And I cannot wait to get to the workshops - I'm looking forward to crafting with friends and having tons of fun with paper and glue.

Again many thanks to Case Study for all the inspiration - there's a ton of talent over there and some drop dead gorgeous cards to boot. It once again is spearheaded by Chupa of Random Acts of Creativity who also sits on the design committee. Half the fun of doing card workshops is the excuse to go and dig through Case Study.

Card #1 is from Case Study Challenge #89, inspired by Iwona Palamountain:

Card #2 is from Case Study Challenge #85, inspired by Debby Hughes:

Card #3 is from Case Study Challenge #99, inspired by Teneale Williams:

Card #4 is from Case Study Challenge #83, inspired by Laura Bassen;

Card #5 is from Case Study Challenge #90, inspired by Beverly from Uniko (the winner!)

Card #6 is from Case Study Challenge #96, inspired by Debby Hughes:

Card #7 is from Case Study Challenge #106, inspired by Shirley-bee from Shirley-bee's Stamping Stuff (another winner!! )

Card #8 is from Case Study Challenge #104, inspired by Maureen Plut:

I apologize for the sad quality of these photos, but I'm almost out the door to catch yet another flight (can you tell one of my other hobbies is travelling?) but I wanted to get these designs out to those lovely ladies who are joining me for my workshops Oct 27 and November 24th. 

All the cardstock bases are courtesy of Michaels, but all embellishments, inks, patterned cardstock, and stamp sets can all be found in the latest CTMH catalogue. 

I'll never learn to pack the night before,

Macs and I...

Due to the fact that the big desktop has now actually made it into the shop, I was trying to figure out how best to edit photos on a Mac. And then how to export it. I know it's sheepish, but I finally figured it out. Can you tell I'm a Windows PC person?

Anyway, I took the bold step of printing out baby photos that I had been sent and converted it directly into a card. I don't do photo cards often, but I thought it was the most fitting for the event.

Isn't baby adorable?? Baby's eyes are closed, but hopefully baby's parents' don't mind me giving them 15 minutes of fame on my blog.  This was actually inspired by a card shown in the Spring/Summer 2012 catalog and I was dying to at least try it out.

The parents opened the card and I got the compliment of "this is going to be framed!" even the grandparents loved it. I'm just glad it was such a big hit :)

CTMH:
* Avonlea Level 2 Paper Pack
* New Arrival
* Itty Bitty Sparkles
* Blue and Green Sparkles
* Topiary Ink
* Outdoor Denim Ink

The leaves are slowly changing color... and the designs for the Xmas workshop is almost done!

Sometimes inspiration is hard to pass up.

I was browsing some type of social media at the time (either Pinterest, or Facebook) and I ran into this unbelievably gorgeous card. And I just absolutely had to borrow it.

Today's lucky find is from Erin Taylor, for Papertrey Ink's Make it Monday #83.

Of course I'm on a Christmas kick now, and my favorite color combination is red and silver. So much that these were actually my wedding colors four years ago! I stamped the tree, snowflakes, and sentiment in embossing ink, and then used silver embossing powder plus a couple of gemstones to jazz up the tree. If you look closely there are snowflakes from two separate stamp sets in the cluster.

For something new, this time I reversed the colors and instead stamped with Cranberry Ink on white. Again, if you look closely - snowflakes from two different sets. It's about this time of year that I dig out all the Christmas sets I've bought since I started collecting CTMH, and I like to give some oldies a whirl amid the new sets that are available in the current catalog.

I am offering Christmas card workshops this year! Cards are $1.50 each to make and come with their own envelopes. The dates available are October 27th, November 3rd, and November 24th. If you want a card creating party of your own let me know and we can set something else up! Designs are currently in the works and will be posted once complete.

Michaels, etc:
* Solid cardstock - Jewel Collection
* Solid cardstock - Primary Collection
* Rhinestones
* Silver embossing powder
* Embossing Ink

CTMH:
* Snowflakes
* Card Chatter - Christmas
* Holiday Warmth (retired)
* Cranberry Ink

I'm still enjoying what's left of summer!

Winter's comin...

This feels like the last weekend of Indian summer, but I won't complain. With that fades into fall and then winter, and with winter comes Christmas!!

I did it - I have since made my first Christmas card of the year as I am thinking Christmas card workshops for October and November while we're still in September. I'm super pumped to do them - nothing beats a little wine, some munchies, and good company.

Today's inspiration is courtesy of Case Study: Case Study Challenge #95 based off Teneale's version.

Those dots look familiar, don't they - they're off the double sided stamp set featured in this month's promotion for National Stamping Month! And, I used the newest craze of "swiping" to give it a bit of texture. It doesn't show very well, but I used liquid glass to pop up the middle of the snowflakes and broke out my CTMH waterbrush to color in the little raccoon. He's colored with Grey Wool (retired), Barn Red, Blush and Pondorosa Pine.

I brought the blue inside the card and again used liquid glass for the middle of all those snowflakes. My favorite thing about liquid glass is that it takes on whatever color it's sitting on top of and it doubles as an adhesive if you have lost the adhesive backing on some of the smaller adhesive gems/pearls.

It would be fitting to enter my first Christmas card of the year into H2H's Christmas challenge!

Michaels, etc:
* Solid cardstock
* Ribbon
* Embroidery floss

CTMH:
* Snowflakes
* Bundled Buddies (retired)
* Pink/Red Adhesive Gems
* Opaque Adhesive Pearls
* Bling Assortment
* Liquid Glass
* Cricut Art Philosopy Cartridge
* Water brush

Designs for the workshop are well in progress!

Starter Kits!!

I remember when I first started and didn't have a clue as to what I really needed (vs my huge wish list that threatened to dwarf my 4'11 frame). Therefore, I'm offering a starter kit to get you started!

The set pictured above is showing the La Belle Vie Level 2 paper pack with two of 3 double sided patterns and 6 sheets of corresponding solid card stock, 3x3 acrylix block, Ponderosa Pine Ink, Quick Cards - Butterfly (A-sized stamp set), and a Tombow adhesive runner.  Retail value: $39.60 CAD.

I am offering this kit for $35.00 which includes: (from the current catalogue)

* 1 - Any A-sized stamp set of your choice
* 1 - Any Exclusive Inks ink pad of your choice
* 1 - Level 2 Paper Pack
* 1 - 3x3 acrylix stamp block
* 1 - Tombow Adhesive roller

all you'd need to do to get started is pick up a pair of scissors and a paper trimmer from your local craft store and you're set to go.

Contact me if you're interested - stamped.by.hand.ctmh@gmail.com

I can never turn down a contest...

When I made this card, I didn't have a recipient in mind this time, but most of my female family members' birthdays have come and gone. I'm considering making cards for sale, however.

I had a fantastic time in Vancouver and Seattle! We visited Summerhill and Quail's Gate winery, our friends in Vancouver, Granville Island, our friends in Seattle, Pike Place Market and even took a hammer to our dinner.

This is the view from our table at Quail's Gate Old Vines Restauraunt in Kelowna, overlooking the mountains, the lake, and their vineyard is to the right.

I can't resist a Mojo Monday contest, and last Monday's contest was no exception! I came home to my order waiting for me which included two stamp sets from the latest catalogue - Jardin and Magic Potions. I have grand plans for Magic Potions later!

Today's inspiration is Mojo Monday : MOJO257

I broke out my embossing gun which I haven't for some time now! The silver powder is from somewhere in Vancouver Island that my grandmother bought me years ago before she passed away. However, she's probably grinning from Heaven - like me, she absolutely adored crafting of all kinds. I decided to blend a few paper packs again; Florentine, Stella, and Avonlea. They match so beautifully.

As I didn't have an event to make this for, I decided to add some elements from the front and leave it blank. In case you're wondering where the butterfly is from - I stamped it out of Jardin and cut out the butterfly. I've got a serious weakness for beautiful butterflies.

Last but never least, it's a new month which means there's a new SOTM available! It's really cute to use for Fall, Thanksgiving, or even possibly Halloween cards and decor. It's called Fall Favorites and I know I will definitely have to get one for myself.  This set is only 5$ with a 50$ minimum purchase.

And of course don't forget... it's National Stamping Month! See this post - http://stamped-by-hand.blogspot.ca/2012/08/just-couldnt-resist.html for details. Spend $35 and get a double-sided set for only 5$ more. It's quite versatile!

Michaels, etc:

* Ribbon

* Solid cardstock

* Silver embossing powder

* Rhinestones

CTMH:

* Avonlea Level 2 Paper Pack

* Stella Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)

* Florentine Level 2 Paper Pack

* Jardin

* Smokey Plum

* Topiary

I'm out to enjoy the last weekend of summer!