Silly Old Bear - creating with Irresistibles

Irresistibles can be a little intimidating at first, but once you start inking, distressing, and splattering you just can't stop right?  What about layering those distressings and inks?  That is exactly what I did when creating this layout. 

To start, I lightly added Periwinkle Ink to the floral irresistible cardstock with a Blending Brush in a circular pattern.  Next, I added Sapphire Ink in a "swooshing" pattern to the paper being careful to make sure I blotted off the blending brush first on scrap paper so that the Sapphire ink didn't overpower the Periwinkle.  Next, I came back with the Periwinkle and added more ink while blending the two colors together.  Once this was complete, I gave the cardstock a little time to completely dry.  Finally, I went over the entire paper with the Periwinkle Shimmer Brush - for this I used the side of the brush and slowly brushed the shimmer until the paper was completely covered.  

Giving complete coverage of the cardstock with the Shimmer Brush lended the cardstock to bow slightly, or give a warped look.  I covered the cardstock with a piece of wax paper and laid a heavy book on top of the paper for about an hour.  This flattened the paper back out while it dried.  Once the paper was dry, I adhered it to White Daisy cs and continued to create my layout.

For a larger view of the layout, click on the layout and it will open in a new window.

Hive details 

Irresistible title details

Bee details

glitter floral detail

This layout is now available and can be found in my shop by clicking here.

Supplies used:  (X9050) July-August 2023 Mix-ins, (retired) Blue Belle Glitter Paper, (Z4662) Periwinkle Shimmer Trim, (X6067) Periwinkle cs, (1385) White Daisy cs, (Z4675) Irresistibles cardstock, (retired) Deep Water Liquid Pearls, (retired) Bisque Liquid Pearls, (Z4674) Irresistibles Alphabet Stickers, (Z4584) Periwinkle Shimmer Brush, (Z4583) Honey Butter Shimmer Brush, (Z6537) Periwinkle Exclusive Ink Pad, (Z2848) Sapphire Exclusive Ink Pad, (Z4189) Intense Black Exclusive Ink, (S2307) July 2023 Stamp of the Month: The Bee's Knees, (Z2060) Thin Foam Tape, (Z7010) Adhesive Runner, (Z4572) Blending Brushes.  The supplies that are current can be purchased in my shop at: www.tonyasheridan.ctmh.com.

Have a sassy day!

Tonya

Hello Stinkers!

Have you met our little tribe of skunks?  These are little skunks that I would be glad to meet in a dark field!  Introducing Close To My Heart's Little Stinkers!  The Stamp of the Month for the month of May!

A trick that I shared in my card class -  the skunks are much more adorable with a dark, clean stamped image and the best way to accomplish that is to use a new, or freshly re-inked, ink pad! If you don't have this available, try using a MISTI, or alternate stamping platform - by multiple stamping of the same image, you can also achieve that dark, bold and vibrant black color.  

So how do you snag this adorable stamp set?  I am glad you asked!  If you are a VIP, you can earn this stamp set for FREE with a $50 qualifying purchase!  If not, you can still earn this stamp set for $5 with a qualifying purchase.  Click here for more details!  Or course, you can also buy the stamp outright for $19.95.  Whatever method you choose, this is a must have for card makers (in my opinion!)

So now that I have shared the little stinkers, and what I have found is the best way to achieve a great image, I want to share some cards I created with the stamp set!

I adore all four of the cards, but I do believe that this one is my favorite!  The "wash" under the sentiment was created with the Honey Butter Shimmer Brush so it shimmers! Bonus right?  A trick I learned with this is to create your wash, and then let it completely dry before stamping over the wash - otherwise you will likely smear your sentiment.  

Love the noses?? That inspiration was from my dear friend, and cardmaker, Linda Adams!  Once we added the little touch, I just had to add it to every. single. skunk!  

The flowers on the stamped images are colored in with the Raspberry and Flamingo Shimmer Brushes.  

Although hard to see in the photo, each of the smaller stitched circles are popped up with Thin Foam Tape to create a fun depth!

This card used some "controlled" splattering with the Capri Shimmer Brush!  I learned recently that if tap your shimmer brush on the lid for splattering it creates a much finer, and smaller shimmer - almost a mist.  LOVE it!    It is quickly becoming an addictive color to me! I have to be honest, I haven't used much of the Capri before but wow! It is such a beautiful color!

The circle element is from the circle shaker Thin Cuts and window foam HOWEVER, I didn't create it as a shaker - I used the foam circle and adhered the stitched circle directly to the foam for depth.  Super cute idea right?  By adding the White Daisy circle behind the foam, it allowed me to have a "clean" circle for my stamping.  

The little hearts inside the foam rim and stamped with the stamp of the month and then a dollop, or dot, of Ballerina Liquid Pearls were added to the center of each stamped heart.

This card was intentionally created to use some of the circles left from the cutting of the previous two cards - I am all about using all of the fruits leftover from one card, or project, on another!  I added Honey Butter circles that were left from a different project and then cut the three stitched circles to add depth and more character to the card.  Although not truly obvious in the photo, the colored circles are all flat and the stitched circles are all popped up with Thin Foam Tape.

The card also has that fine shimmer splatter from the Capri Shimmer Brush and the centers of the dainty stamped flowers are the Ballerina Liquid Pearls.

For this card, I wanted a little more a  masculine feel so I chose to back the card with Sapphire verses the Capri and pinks.  Paired with that, I used the Deep Water Liquid Pearls verses the Ballerina.  This color is absolutely beautiful!  It is bold and vibrant and works so well with anything Sapphire.

For those who would like to create cards like these, below are the supplies that I used.  For those who would like a pre-cut and pre-stamped kit of this card set.  The set includes 8 cards: 2 each of 4 designs.  Click here for to order your own set, or for ordering details.

Supplies used:  All current supplies are available at: www.tonyasheridan.ctmh.com.  (Z4310) Circle Shaker Window Foam & Acetate, (Z4309) Circle Shaker Window Thin Cuts, (Z4583) Honey Butter Shimmer Brush, (Z4288) Capri Shimmer Brush, (Z3606) Raspberry Shimmer Brush, (Z3814) Flamingo Shimmer Brush, (Z3798) Ballerina Liquid Pearls, (Z4602) Deep Water Liquid Pearls, (Z2805) Black Exclusive Ink Pad, (X6050) Flamingo cs, (X5957) Sapphire cs, (1385) White Daisy cs, (X6066) Honey Butter cs, (X6057) Capri cs, (X8033S) Flower Shoppe Paper Pack with Stickers, (Z2060) Thin Foam Tape, (Z3372) Adhesive Runner, (Z4105) Circle Windows Slimline Thin Cuts, (X257) Slimline Card Bases & Envelopes, (X254) Value Cards & Envelopes.

Sassfully yours,

Tonya

Snowflake Mandalas & Gilt!

 My new fascination are the Gloss Sprays!  Oh my creating happiness!!!  They are so awesome!  This week I played with the Gilt Gloss Spray and I have to say - I do believe that I love that even more than I do the White Gloss Spray!  The finish is gold and glittery and really pops!!

Now, a friendly disclaimer...the spray sprays and it sprays and falls where it falls!  Each application is going to reap very different results!  So for me, I stamped my images several times, sprayed them, and then selected my favorites to then create my cards with.  

Now, the stamped images are from the November Stamp of the Month (which of course is only available for a few more weeks!!)  A am completely in love with this too!  There are so many possibilities to stamp, and layer, and it is just a wow! factor.

For this card, I used the Mix-in paper for the small square.  I love how it has just a little bit of color in it and differentiates from the White Daisy papers.

For each card, I wanted a different look so here I took the snowflake and cut it with a scalloped tag.  To me, it gives a completely different look and feel.

It is important to note that when combining the stamping & Gilt Gloss Spray, you will want to spray first, allow adequate time to dry, then stamp.  If you were to do these steps in reverse, the Gilt Gloss Spray could end up covering up the stamped sentiment. 

Finally, for the last card, I used the smaller stamp in the set.  

Here is the image of the Stamp of the Month.  This is available only during November at full retail value of $19.95, $5 with a $50 qualifying purchase or free for VIP's with a $50 qualifying purchase.

Supplies used:  (Z5009) Gilt Gloss Spray, (Z3787) Platinum Stickles, (Z4610) Pine Exclusive Ink Pad, (1385) White Daisy cs, (Z4610) Pine Glitter Paper, (Z3238) Gold Glitter Paper, (X9044) Oct-Dec Mix Ins, (X7286B) Christmas Story Paper Pack, (X254) Value Cards & Envelopes, (S2211) Snowflake Mandala Stamp Set (November Stamp of the Month), (Z5024) Red Line Tape, (Z2060) Thin Foam Tape, and (Z3372) Adhesive Runner.  All of these supplies can be ordered on my Close To My Heart website at: www.tonyasheridan.closetomyheart.com.

As for this card set, it is available in my shop both pre-splattered and non-pre-splattered.  Click here for more details.  

With very gilt-glittery fingers,

Tonya

Flowers, kitties, and wood grains. The perfect combinations!

I love the August Stamp of the Month Floral Celebration, and when I saw this new Wood Grain white plank paper that will be available on September 1st, I had to pair the two together!

When I looked at the wooden plank paper, I couldn't help but notice the shades of white and creams so I wanted to thread both throughout the layout.  That being said, I chose to use the White Daisy and the French Vanilla cardstock together and then stamped the flowers on both shades of cardstock with Espresso and Toffee - both in first and second generation stamping.  Each of the flowers were then cut out by hand, layered with Thin and Regular Foam Tape and then arranged as a flourishing row on a double matted piece of cardstock.  My suggestion if re-creating, stamp several extras from both shades and then piece with what tucks and works well for you.  Once the floral columns were created and adhered down, I stamped the littlest solid flower around the outside edges of the flowers to add a little more character.  In addition, to add some texture, I added some knots of a burlap ribbon to several of the flower centers.

If you look very closely, you will see hidden paw-prints stamped...similar to the concept of the "hidden Mickey's" with Disney.  I discretely stamped little paw-prints within the clustering flowers and on the title piece.  I loved how they added a little bit of fun, and hopefully, a smile or two.  I also added the subtitle "cattitude is everything" from our new Cattitude stamp set.  Super cute and fun!  

August Stamp of the Month - Floral Celebration

Cattitude (available Sept. 1)

(available on September 1, 2020.)

Supplies used:  (coming soon! - X8017) Wood Grain Paper Pack, (S2008) August 2020 Stamp of the Month: Floral Celebration, (coming soon! - D1953) Cattitude, (1385) White Daisy cs, (X6046) French Vanilla cs, (Z2829) Espresso Exclusive Ink, (X5950) Toffee Exclusive Ink, (Z2060) Thin Foam Tape, (Z341) Mini-Glue Dots, (Z3372) Adhesive Runner.

If you would like to re-create this layout on your own, the supplies are listed above and may be purchased on my CTMH website at: www.tonyasheridan.ctmh.com.  If you would like to purchase a pre-stamped version, it is now available in my shop at: www.inallsassiness.com.  It is available stamped with both the paw-prints stamped and without the paw-prints stamped - you may choose what works best for you!  Please allow about a week for preparation.

Now that I have shared the details of the layouts, I wanted to share how I completed my layout with my personal photographs.  This is our cat Maple (although Gabriel will attest that she is just his)!  She is such sweetheart and has all of our hearts.  These pictures were taken around the time that the Covid-19 began and we joked that she was thinking "when, oh when will these kids go back to school?"!  Regardless of whether these were her thoughts or not, I absolutely adore this picture of her (the one on the left) and HAD to scrapbook it!

Sassfully yours,

Tonya

Exclusive stamp sets available for just one more week!

March is Stamp-a-ganza and that means our fabulous My Acrylic Stamp sets are buy 2 get 1 free until March 31st!  Fantastic right?  But wait, there is more!  Just introduced, "Hello Paradise" is just available for a very short time (through March 31st) - but it is available to be included in the stamp-a-ganza promotion.  Fabulous right?  I told you so!  Fun, tropical, and certainly has me wanting summer! Read CTMH's blog post for some oh-so-cute artwork using this tropical stamp!  

And if the stamp-a-ganza and the Hello Paradise isn't enough for you, the March Stamp of the Month,  Sunshine Birdies will certainly tickle your stamp buds!  Adorable and perfect to color with either watercolors or our Shin Han markers - it is surely a stampers dream stamp!  Sunshine Birdies can be purchased for $5 (plus shipping and tax) with a $50 qualifying order.

To order either of these stamps, or both, visit my website at:  www.tonyasheridan.ctmh.com.

May Stamp of the Month - Just Sayin'

"Just sayin' " - My son Nicholas' favorite catch phrase but now, the phrase is the name of a cute stamp set as well!  This month's Stamp of the Month has so many possibilities...think background patterns, journaling spots and so much more and the best part...it can be yours for just $5 (plus shipping and tax) with a $50 purchase.  You can take advantage of this special on my website at: www.tonyasheridan.ctmh.com until midnight on May 31, 2015.

October Stamp of the Month - Home for the Holidays and Ribbon Revelry!

Each year there is one Christmas stamp that just trumps all others for my heart and this year, "Home for the Holidays" is certainly that stamp set!  All of the images are adorable, and most are Cricut compatible which is an amazing advantage, but have you seen the POLAR BEAR???  Need I Gabriel is passionate beyond belief about polar bears!  So, this stamp set instantly won my heart over!  He has already claimed ownership of the set--(which of course, I anticipated and ordered him his own set).

So, how can you get you own set?  Simply make a $50.00 qualifying purchase either on my website (www.ctmh.com/tonyasheridan) or e-mail me your order to: inallsassiness@gmail.com and you can purchase this October Stamp of the Month for $5.00 plus shipping and tax! 

As a bonus, when you spend $50 (before shipping and tax) on regular priced merchandise, you will also qualify for our Ribbon Revelry campaign!  What's that you ask?  During the month of October, when you spend $50 in product you will receive a roll of chevron free!  Will you receive Outdoor Denim or Ruby?  It's a surprise and you will have to wait and see but whichever the color, it's an amazing deal!

What a Hoot...it's Picture My Life!

Have you ordered your very own "What A Hoot?" August Stamp of the Month yet?  There is just one week left to grab this "must-have" adorable stamp set!  Love, love, love the little owls and the creativity that the little stamps inspire!  And what I love even more, is that even though the stamp set is perfect for, and includes, some Halloween images, it also includes non-Halloween images making it a great stamp set to add to your collection for use all year long.

I have seen so many adorable cards created with this set, but when asked to design a create and take for a friend's event filled with creative minded consultants, I wanted to highlight other possibilities....so, I created a Picture My Life card!  The finished PML card size is 4" x 6" - just the right size for a vertical pocket.  Of course, if you are not a PML lover (and why exactly is that?), you can adapt the PML card to a greeting card, a tag, or an embellishment on a scrapbooking layout.  

Want to create your own 'Owloween Picture My Life Cards?  I will be offering a class on Saturday, September 27th at 10am at my Lend-A-Paw crop.  The class will be open to all clients, even if they are not attending the crop as croppers.  Additional card designs that will be taught and class details will be available soon!  

While you anticipate this owl-errific workshop, make sure to order you own What A Hoot? Stamp set.  You can purchase the stamp set for $5 with a $50 qualifying purchase.  Click here to get started!

What a Hoot!

The August Stamp of the Month, "What A Hoot" is the cutest little stamp set for all of the owl lovers out there!  Use the stamps to create a Halloween or non-Halloween themed project that is completely personalized and uniquely yours!  This would also be a great stamp set to share with the little ones in your lives --I am so seeing my Brownies (gasp...I am so used to saying Daisies) create with this one!

So, how do you get your very own "What A Hoot" stamp set?  Simply place a qualifying $50 order and it is yours for just $5 more (plus shipping and tax).  You can place your order with me directly at: inallsassiness@gmail.com or on my website at:  www.ctmh.com/tonyasheridan.

Life is Tweet - June Card Club

This month's carb club features the June Stamp of the Month, Life is Tweet, and the Footloose paper pack.  Club meets tonight at the Hill's from 6-9PM and the cost is $10.  We will make two each of four cards.  Colors being used are:  Sweet Leaf, Bamboo, Desert Sand, Lagoon, Chocolate and White Daisy.  There are still spaces available, so if your evening plans are rained out, we'd love to have you join us!  Just send me an e-mail at: inallsassiness@gmail.com.

May you have a tweet day!

Wicked Treat box with cards!

Close to my Heart has revamped a new Stamp of the Month program and with this program there is a featured project each month...the projects are super cute and very versatile! This little card box and the coordinating cards are August's Stamp of the Month Project. For details on how to create the box and cards, visit the corporate website at: www.closetomyheart.com , join me tomorrow night (Monday) at the Scrappers for a Cause crop, or e-mail me and we can set up a time to make your own box! I tweaked the box and cards just a little to fit my style.

Note the little Licorice Opaques on the spider...it's all about the details!

Card design is Designer Tag from Wishes.

My tweaked cards for the Designer Tag card.

Cards that are just wicked!

Created with the new August Stamp of the Month "Wicked" that is! I am not one for scary Halloween fun, but this little witch and kitty have a little bit of a sassy to them making them lots of fun to create with. These are two of the cards I created for a swap that I was in earlier in the month. The colors of the new Mischief paper pack are unique and definitely create the mood! I love the inclusion of the Barn Red! Never would have thought of that as a Halloween color, but it works so well with the other combinations. They are fantastically wicked together!

The card design is Top Band from Wishes. (finished size 8" x 3 1/2").

The card design is Medallion from Wishes. (finished size is 5" x 7").

My Ultimate Scrapbooking Challenge: 159 designs completed. 49 to go.

So, how do you go about getting your very own Wicked stamp set? You can purchase it outright for $17.95 or for just $5 with a $50 purchase! And when you purchase this sassy set, you will also receive a new stamp set with the Typepress font for free! E-mail me at: inallsassiness@juno.com or visit my website at: www.tonyasheridan.myctmh.com to order your set today!

"All you need is love..."

"love...love is all you need!"

And what better way to express your "love" then when a handmade card with this adorable little porcupine! Too cute! This is by far one of my favorite stamp sets that Close To My Heart has introduced in a long time but it is available for just a short time! This exclusive stamp set is available until July 31st! To order you "Happy Forever" stamp set, e-mail me at: inallsassiness@juno.com and I will be glad to share with you the many ways you can earn this set at a discount or even receive it for free (shipping charges still apply).

Happy creating and...Happy Forever!

Oh, Christmas Tree!

This stamp set (Holiday Warmth - October's Stamp of the Month) was truly not one of my favorites at first sight, but I have to admit, I am now in love with it! I found this adorable card that was posted by a fellow consultant, and features a reverse watercolor effect and just had to try to recreating it. She also had a card where she used Glitter Mist which inspired my second card. I altered the color palettes and design a little and wallah a second masterpiece. Because I am in love with these new techniques, and can't wait to share them, I am going to adjust my schedule to teach a workshop on them on Wednesday, November 4th in Broadway. The workshop cost is just $10 and you will make three of each card. And if you too are in love with this set, you can order it at full price, or with a discount, through Wed. with the grace period. Just e-mail me for details at: inallsassiness@juno.com.