Love

I have been so inspired by the incredible challenges coming out this morning and the past weekend!  Lots of new inspiration and technique challenge.  Since it's cold and icy here, I'm holed up in my craft room with nothing but the wind howling outside the window and a hot cup of coffee.  I'm ok with that!

The idea for this card template and layout is from Such a Pretty Mess.  Gabrielle is so talented and I find myself wanting to recreate her projects quite often.  She uses a lot of Bo Bunny and Dusty Attic. As you might guess, I'm a CTMH fan----since my daughter is a consultant!  Now, let me add even if she weren't a consultant, I'd still be a fan.  So, this is my CTMH take on her card!

The fold on this swing card is interesting; I'm not much into measuring and such, but I wanted to give this a try!  You can see the dimensions and the card in action at her site.  I have yet to get into the video part of blogging.  Maybe this will be the year for that.....hmm.....  I'll think on that one!

Anyway, as I always do, I have digressed.  This card has lots of "bells and whistles" besides the cut.  I cut the burlap hearts freehand from the CTMH burlap ribbon.  The top two layers of the flower are cut from Art Philosophy; the rest of the flowers are from the CTMH Floret Paper Flowers (retired).

Note the twine in the upper left hand corner as well
as tied on the button.  That is a strand
I pulled from burlap used on another project.

The background on this Barn Red CS was created by
sanding the CS on top of an open embossing folder.
The button, little piece of lace, and thread were all laying
on the table from a past project!  There are some
advantages to being messy!

Everything here is from CTMH except the buttons, thread, embossing folder and seam binding.  Here are the supplies:

CS:  White Daisy, Barn Red, Paper Fundamentals, and Seaside

Inks and Powder:  Barn Red, Chocolate, Archival Black, Daisy White Pigment and Hollyhock Pigment; White embossing powder

Blush and Chocolate Homemade shimmer mist:  Re-inker colors, water, and Create a Shade paint (retired)

CTMH Embellishments:  Burlap, Gems, Floret Paper Flowers

CTMH Stamps:  Universal Backgrounds, Just to Say, and Art Philosophy Stamp Set

Techniques:  Sanding over an embossing folder, distressing, sewing, stamping, inking edges, hand cutting the swing card, hand made flower, heat embossing

I was inspired by the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge Blog - X-periment:  this was a new card cut for me!
Craft Hoarders - Choose your Challenge from a chart:  ink, fabric, seam binding, thread, lace, stamping, die cutting, folding & scoring, mixed media (?), distressing, sand paper, heat embossing, buttons, bling, flowers, and found items!
Heart 2 Heart - bling, ribbon, Cricut or stamping distressing, ribbon
613 Avenue - 1001 Techniques

Check out the challenges above!  Lots of fun.  While you are surfing around, be sure to stop by KatiesCorner and take a look at the new ideas over at CTMH.  If you haven't seen the new Seasonal Expressions Idea Book, you should take a peek!  There are some great new products and ideas in there!  Did you also know there are inspirational videos at that site!  Yep, click the tab CTMH TV and you'll find them.

Hope your weather isn't too bad where you are.  But if it is, stay in and enjoy some crafting time!