Cards that are a Cut Above

Everyone wants to create that project that's just a cut above. The kind of project that everyone says, "Wow! You made that?" or "How did you create that?". What if you can create a set of greeting cards very quickly and can proudly say, "I made it myself." Close to My Heart created a series of card kits called, "A Cut Above" where you can create a set of cards quickly and inexpensively.

I particularly run out quickly of Thank You and Birthday cards. Not to mention more people added to my holiday card list. Cut Above Kits makes 10 cards or 10 treat bags. You will need to get minor supplies like adhesive, ink pad, and stamp.

A Cut Above Thank You Card Kit (Z2063)

 

  

A Cut Above Happy Birthday Card Kit (Z2061) 

 

A Cut Above Holiday Card Kit (Z2065)

 

A Cut Above Christmas Card Kit (Z2064)

 

There are two crafting projects in the Cut Above series.

A Cut Above Halloween Treat Bag Kit (Z2058)

Cut Above Holiday Treat Bag Kit (Z2057)

 



Little of this and that-Holiday Cards

So if you are like me you probably have a stash of card making and scrapbooking supplies from various companies. So this holiday I decided to mix and match brand name supplies to create my own design. Here's a just a few of the holiday cards that I've made.

This top card has got to be one of my favorites. I ran into a friend of mine at Michael's Arts and Crafts store last week when she asked for my opinion on some of her purchases for holiday card ideas. She wanted to heat embossed on the card base directly, nothing wrong with that, but then I proceed to explain to her matting the embossed image even with metallic photo frames would add a real impact and professional quality look to her card. So I created this sample to show her what I meant. She loved it and is creating her own versions of them as well. To recreate I used  Recollections card base and stamp. Using metallic paper I had in stock I hand die cut them using a Spellbinders die. The black center with the image is also metallic cardstock. I used Martha Stewart punch to create the ribbon out of metallic cardstock. Lastly, the musical paper was used from a scrap paper that's also found in the Recollections paper packet. Can't remember which one, sorry.

This angel's card was created when a friend of mine thought we should give our pastor hand made cards using angels because we called our bible study group, "the angels". Well I quickly found out I don't have many angel stamps so I purchase a Hero's wood stamp set and made this card using Close to My Heart cardstock (Whisper, Daisy White), Frosted Paper Packet, Neutral Baker's Twine, and a retired Daisy White glitter button. I colored the stamp images using alcohol markers.

This card was made using both Close to My Heart and Recollections paper and cardstock. I used Close to My Heart Polar Bear Holiday stamp and Whisper cardstock. Using Recollections patterned paper and cardstock I made this charming little card. I colored these fun characters using alcohol markers.

 

 

Remember mix and match. I love purchasing items that are versatile for me to use time and time again. Holiday stamps are just the trick. It's Christmas every year, birthdays occur every month, and it's always polite to send a Thank You card. So don't feel guilty for buying these items.

 

 

Don't forget Close to My Heart has an incredible deal when you purchase from the current Holiday Guide. View the 2013 Holiday Guide here.

Holiday Cards with Stamping Gear

In preparing for my Michael's Arts & Craft store class called Stamping Gear I decided to create a holiday card version of the class. It still teaches the techniques and uses their stamps. However, I had to use Close to My Heart products too. It's the only thing I brought along with me on my vacation.

I made four cards but wanted to show you my two favorites. I think you can see why these are my favorites.

This is a 6" x 6" card I used the small center gear and used Topiary and Olive Green Inks. Two stamps from the same stamp set was used. I matted this piece in Chocolate cardstock with an Olive Green card base.

For the inside I also matted the sentiment. This sentiment is from a Close to My Heart stamp called Merry and Bright, found in the current Idea Book.

The sentiment was stamped using Topiary pigment ink and topped with Gold embossing powder. I wanted a gold/green look so I heat embossed it. I love the way it turned out.

 

This card also measure 6" x 6" and I used the Stamping Gear and stamps to create this lovely affect. Whisper Cardstock was used for the card base, then Twilight cardstock for mat, Daisy White for the stamping base. The color I used to stamp these snowflakes was Twilight. The center snowflake is a Close to My Heart stamp called Snowflake, and can be purchased for only $2.95.  I used CTMH Silver Bitty bling on each snowflake.

The snowflake was stamped using Twilight Pigment Ink topped with Clear Embossing Powder. I heat embossed this image and added Silver Bitty Bling for sparkle. The scalloped background was cut out using a CTMH punch and Twilight cardstock.

 

 

The Warm Wishes sentiment is from a Close to My Heart stamp called Warm Wishes, currently featured in the new Idea Book.

 

What can I say Stamping Gear is fun but I still love my Close to My Heart products.