Close to My Heart

Managed a little playtime

I saw these cards in the July/August idea book and I had to order the stamp set. For whatever reason, I fell in love with mushroom stamps when CTMH released it’s Twitterpated workshop YEARS ago. Between the cute gnomes and the mushrooms, I was sold.

You can buy the stamp set alone, or get the coordinating thin cuts so you can avoid fussy cutting. My die/embossing machine is currently safely packed away in storage so I choose to get the stamp set only.

When I first started playing with the stamps, I thought, oh this will be fun I can color with markers and have a relaxing time doing that. . . life laughed at me and workers showed and started pounding, sawing and in general making lots of noise in a room that will eventually be next to my studio, but currently has some opened walls into my studio. The plastic barrier does not do anything to prevent the noise. I did color for a bit, but then put it aside and fled the studio in hopes to find a quiet(er) sanctuary.

The next morning, not sure what day, but a day when workers were not scheduled to be here, I found my colored images and started fussy cutting them. I am not typically a fussy cutter, but at this point I was grateful for some quiet studio time. Here is the card that resulted from 45 minutes of sheer crafting bliss!

top view

I did a bendi fold as I wanted to use more of the mushrooms as background and was enjoying the coloring. For the base of the card I only used shimmer brushes to color. By making multiple passes over some of the areas I was able to achieve some shading. Most of that doesn’t show up in the photo, but if you look in the back left under the white flower you can see a bit of it on a small mushroom.

These are instructions from a series of fun fold classes I did. I plan to do some videos walking through the folds and providing the handouts so you can create your own book of fun folds to refer to when you make cards. (Hopefully this fall?)

It was nice having some play time again! I did use the sentiment and the butterfly in the upper right corner from the July Stamp of the Month!

Happy Crafting!

Craft with Heart Cards 3&4

In the midst of a world of chaos, and I’m not just referring to COVID-19, I decided to take on the project of re-developing my CTMH business from California. In Michigan, we have a great group of crafty ladies and before all the safer at home orders, the group met at least once a month. This monthly gather was a day that could bring crafting, good stories, food, always fellowship, and also included a new technique, card fold, or some other project. We have all missed this. And I want to find that again here in Southern California

Along the lines of finding that again here, I had not chosen to make it a priority. When we first moved, there were other duties that needed attending. Now that we are all here, in a house that is under construction, (and because we hired a contractor, nothing we can do to help move it along) I found myself with time to craft. Thankfully I had kept SOME of my crafty tools and supplies out when we packed the rental house. So, what do I do with all this “free time?” I watch videos of other ladies crafting, videos of how to edit videos, make lists of things I feel I could teach others, and try to find fun new techniques for cards & scrapbooking.

Cards 3 & 4 from Craft with Heart Cards May-Aug 2020

One of the items that got “kept out” was the Craft with Heart subscriptions boxes that arrived as we were packing the house. Since I needed some material for making video content, and I had time to craft, wah-la videos of me making the crafting with heart cards in “My” style.

I’m learning lots and looking forward to learning more. If you have any suggestions for changes, video content, or other comments, please share.

Hope you find some time for fun crafting!

Facebook Live Workshops

Close to My Heart has been hosting workshops for the paper kits in the Idea books and special paper packs on Facebook. If you indicate you’re going you will be eligible for prizes from CTMH. You can find the list of upcoming events here https://www.facebook.com/CloseToMyHeartOfficial/events/?ref=page_internal

If you miss any of the live workshops, you can always go back and watch it in your own time. Some of the paper packs are available in the online-only section and are only there while supplies last. You can see what’s available here. https://craftingwithamanda.closetomyheart.com/Retail/Products.aspx?CatalogID=317

June 30, 2020, Brushed Bundle (CC6204) Brushed Workshop (This is the link for the instructions for the to make 3 double layouts, 1 single layout & 8 cards.

July 7, 2020, Stitched Together Card making Workshop Kit (G1206)

July 14, 2020 Stitched Together Scrapbooking Workshop Kit (G1202)

August 11, 2020, Summer Vibes Card making Workshop Kit (G1209)

August 18, 2020, Summer Vibes Scrapbooking Workshop Kit (G1207)

August 26, 27 & 28, 2020, Happiest Place Scrapbooking and Card making Workshops (TBA)

September 19, 2020 National Stamping Day Workshops (TBA)

Happy Crafting!

Monthly Challenges On Facebook

Each month I will post challenges for cards, scrapbooking, organizing, or something else.

That means you will have multiple options for earning chances for a gift from me!

You can find these challenges in the Crafting with Amanda -VIP group on Facebook. You must be a member of my VIP group to win prizes. To join our group, just request membership & answer 2 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/CraftingwithAmanda

To kick things off, July Challenges will be:
Scrapbook, journal, planner Layout or mini album:

Scrapbook:
Create a Layout that is inspired by this sketch.

From Cherish – Visual Texture

It must include at least one photo and have handwritten journaling.
Layouts should be new creations from July 1 – 31, 2020. Post your entry in the VIP group photo album labeled July Scrap. Winners will be selected at random from all qualified entries.

Handmade Card:
Create 2 cards inspired from this sketch.

From Originals – Winning Combination

Both cards should be new creations from July 1-31, 2020. Post your entry in the VIP group photo album labeled July Card. Winners will be selected at random from all qualified entries.

Organization Challenge:
Create color sample cards or swatches

In July I challenge you to create a sample swatch for ALL of your ink pads. You can do this however works for you. Some have stamped on a full sheet and put that in a page protector with their different inks (die, solvent, pigment, distressed, oxide. . .) I use 2” x 2” cards and a solid image arrow and have my samples all on a big ring. I also indicate if the ink is from an old-style pad or if the color has been retired.

This is what I use. 2×2″ hole punched cardstock

Post a photo of your swatches in the VIP group photo album labeled July Organization. This challenge could be something you have previously done, and if that is the case I challenge you to clean your ink pad and storage areas. 🙂

Color Challenge:
Create a Layout, journal or planner page, or 2 cards

In a previous iteration of my life, July was spent on Allis Chalmers tractors, harvesting hay and all the different components that involves. Using that as my inspiration, create a layout, mini album, planner or journal page, or two cards using these colors. All artwork entries should be new creations from July 1-31, 2020. You can add Black, White & kraft for other colors, but no others unless they are shades of these four color challenge colors. Post a photo of your creation in the VIP group photo album labeled July Color.

I look forward to seeing your creations!

Happy Crafting!

I did it, my first edited video!

It’s not pretty, but I learned a lot and am hopeful that the next one will be better! Lighting, camera set up and jumps in video editing add to the charm of this first Craft with Heart video!

I choose to assemble the first two cards from the May-August Craft with Heart Card Subscription box. I am breaking the rules and doing my own spin on them, but a wise lady once told me coming up with a good idea is hard, improving upon a good idea is easier. So I just improved upon the great foundation CTMH gave me.

Here are my versions of cards #1 & #2. Hopefully, I’ll have more, with better videos soon!