November Blog Hop:

"Watercolours"

Welcome to another blog hop! A "Blog Hop" is a circular link between a group of bloggers (in this case my fellow CTMH consultant team members).  No matter where you start, you can view all our blogs in this blog hop.  If you have come from Michelle's Blog Michelle K Scraps then you are on the right track.

This month is all about using Watercolours.  The photo above shows the new CTMH Watercolour Paints, Watercolour Paper and the Paintbrush set.

My favourite use of the watercolours is to paint a background.  The tree on the below card is from the stamp set called "Always Grateful".  The sentiment is from "Sincere Expressions".  I let the watercolours dry before stamping the tree with Black Archival Ink.

On the following card, I used the same technique, only using different shades of blue for the sky.

I separately stamped the balloon (from the "Balloon Wishes" stamp set) and coloured it in using the ShinHan Markers.  After fussy cutting around it, I adhered it to the card using 3D foam tape.  This gives the card a bit of dimension and it look like the balloon is floating across the sky.

Here are two of my other cards.

Although using these products was a bit daunting at first, I can honestly say it was lots of fun experimenting with them.  My biggest tip - just have a go and see what results.

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog.  If you want to view more of the Close To My Heart products, just go to my website www.wendywatson.ctmh.com.au. 

Now, for more great ideas using the CTMH Watercolours, 'hop' over to Cindy's Blog to see what she has created this month.

Happy crafting!
Wendy

July Blog Hop - "Operation Smile"

Welcome to another blog hop!  If you have arrived from Helen's Blog (Helen's Heart 'n' Craft) then you are on the right path.

In this months Blog Hop we are promoting the stamp set Happy Everything, sales from which go towards raising money for a very special cause, "Operation Smile". 

"Since its founding in 1982, Operation Smile has performed over 220,000 surgical procedures to correct facial deformities in children.  It only takes an hour for volunteer medical teams to perform these life-altering surgeries that will give children confidence for a lifetime"  CTMH Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea Book.

If you would like more information and to read some truly inspirational stories about 'Operation Smile', see their website.

For every Happy Everything stamp set (see below) sold, CTMH will donate US$3 to Operation Smile.

This is the card I created using this stamp set: 

The card uses the "masking technique" and is based on a similar card made by Lauren Moore.
I have been wanting to try this technique for a long time now.  It is such an effective and simple way to add colour - and is very easy.

The technique uses masking tape, washi tape or any tape that can be removed without leaving behind any residue or damaging the surface of the paper.  Take a piece of tape and press it against a stamp pad.  Lift it off, and then stick it to your paper.  When the tape is lifted off the paper, the ink will remain on the paper. 

This was done three times for the three colours on my card: Canary, Crystal Blue and Smoothie.  The balloon was then stamped over the three colours using Outdoor Denim ink.  The Happy Birthday sentiment was also stamping using Outdoor demin.

This design was then mounted on Crystal Blue Cardstock and three Aqua Dots added to the top right hand corner to add some 3D dimension to the card.

I hope you will support this very worthwhile cause, by purchasing this versatile stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by.  If you want to view more of the Close To My Heart products, just go to my website www.wendywatson.ctmh.com.au. 

Now, for more great ideas using this stamp set, jump over to Alison's Scissors Paper Heart Blog to see what she has created this month.

Happy crafting!
Wendy