Clean and Simple "shadow" cards

This technique is an oldie-but-goodie if you ask me!  The simple art of taking a plain piece of paper, cutting a shape out of the CENTER of it, and then using that opening as your framework for your card...like so:

 Look how the flowers jut POP in the little window frame you made.  HINT: make sure your template leaves plenty of room around the outside of your window so you do not get ink on the card when sponging.  I used a craft sponge to add the color to both of these cards first - and then stamped the remainder of the design over the frame. 

I love the tone-on-tone look of this card.  I think it looks elegant. I suppose it might be helpful to take a picture of the actual template I made - but then I would have had to take a picture of that before I threw it out.  I'll have to work on that for you!  Give it a try and let me know how you like it. 

Clean and Simple Card Designs

Sometimes it is easy to get carried away with adding too many layers or too much "bling" to a card - and we as ladies just can't help ourselves.  BUT - even though the US Post Office loves charging us for the extra postage to mail our "fat" cards - it is a good reminder that our art can be just as beautiful if we keep it simple.

 This card uses the Art Philosophy (AP) cartridge for the Cricut Machine (WOW - did I mention to you at all that CTMH now has their very own cartridge for the Cricut...oh yah!). The beauty of the AP cartridge is that so many of the images are designed to coordinate with our wonderful stamp sets.  SO...I cut the flowers out of 2 different colors of cardstock, and then stamped the image, lightly inked the edges to give them depth, and added a small black button brad to the center.  Fast, Simple, and Beautiful.

This card also uses images from the AP cartridge.  So not only are your cards simple, they truly are fast.  The flower is made by cutting 4 circles out, in 1/4 inch increments.  Crumple the paper, layer, secure in the center with a brad - and then add a light layer of what I call glimmer mist (made by adding our pearl paint and water to our spritz bottles) for a beautiful finishing touch. 

October workshop - Dry Erase Boards

I just love this project.  Take a simple 12 x 18 simple photo frame and design a layout for your memo board.  Remove the back from the photo frame, and insert your layout under the glass.  Then you can write on the glass just as you would a white dry-erase board.  So fun!!  Here are the 3 that you can choose from in the class.   Each board you choose to do is $13.00.

4 INCREDIBLE DEALS FOR APRIL

OK ....I hope you are ready for an "INKCREDIBLE" April, because CTMH has just announced the specials that are sure to please.

1. - WHILE THEY LAST....new items have just been posted to my CTMH website at incredible LOW prices, so go HERE to get to my website (because this is the only way to get these super discounted items), and it will take you directly to the list of items available.  Here is a sample of what you will see there:


#Z9101 Cherry-O Bundle - a value of $32.00 NOW only $15.00

2.  APRIL STAMP OF THE MONTH - Blessed, #D1455
 
This beautiful set is available only during the month of April, valued at $22.95

• Spend $25 and pay only $17.21
• Spend $50 and pay only $11.48
• Spend $75 and pay only $5.74
• Spend $100 and GET IT FOR FREE!!!

Keep the price of that in mind when shopping the "While Supplies Last" section of my website, or placing a personal order through me.  Read on for more ways to save in April....

3.  LOVIN' LEVEL 1  -  Whether a scrapbooker or a card maker, our Level 1 Kits are an amazing value, and now you can earn one FREE!
 
This special also hinges on the $100 level - when your order reached $100, you can not only earn the Stamp of the Month for FREE (22.95 value), but you can choose from any one of our current Level 1 Kits for FREE (9.95 value) - taking you total to $32.90 in FREE PRODUCT..  
You can browse the on-line catalog to see the Level 1 Kits HERE
You can get started by clicking HERE 

And last but not least...
#4.  LOVIN' STUDIO J - If you have not looked into the most powerful (and easiest to use) on-line scrapbook program on the planet - then you are missing out my dear friend!  In the month of April you can earn BLING for free when you purchase 10 or more Studio J layouts.  


CLICK HERE to learn more about Studio J and get started preserving your memories!

There you have it - enough FREE to satisfy every need - but only in the month of April.  

CHECK back often, I'll be posting artwork of our April stamping groups soon.

BE A FOLLOWER - add your name to the list, and send a link to your friends who might also enjoy hearing all of my stamping banter!