Category: Creative Memories

Rugby Father’s Day Cards for Make Shift

On By patriciamanhireIn Art, Cardmaking, Creative Memories, Greetings3 Comments

Hello

Wow, we are getting so close with Make Shift opening for the public.  It has been a lot of hard work, but it is going to be so worth it.  I would like to thank my fellow Collective Members who have been amazing in their commitment and resourcefulness to help get this dream up and running.  It has been an incredible journey and I would love to think there is far more to come as well.

We have Father’s Day coming up next month and living in a rugby mad country  I have made some special themed cards for Make Shift.  In New Zealand, the All Blacks are our national rugby team and in the process of de-stashing I found some All Black stickers that I had bought to do some All Black layouts after we won the Rugby World Cup in 2011.  (James took so many photos of the victory parade that I ended up doing a photo book instead!)  These stickers became my inspiration for some cards instead and I am pleased how they turned out.  I kept to a simple black and white theme as it emphasised the clean lines of the stickers which meant they were very quick and easy to make.  I have also chosen the sentiments so that the cards could be suitable for both Father’s Day and birthdays.

Here they are:

All Blacks card All Blacks Card All Blacks card All Blacks card All Blacks cardBefore going on to listing the materials used I would like to make a special mention of where I get my base card stock from.  Because I make lots of cards I do not have the time to cut, score and fold all the base cards, so a few years ago I discovered Cardmakers in Christchurch.  Nicky and Joe Arts provide a huge range of basic cards, bulk supplies, die cut cards and many other essential supplies for cardmakers.  They have been amazing with their service, which has been even more remarkable since the earthquakes in Christchurch meant they were unable to access their premises in the Red Zone.  Despite this massive disruption I have always had my cards delivered promptly and they will give you extra cards when you order a bulk supply of cards.  They do deliveries overseas as well so please take the time to support them by visiting their website and checking out their great deals at:

www.cardmakers.co.nz

Materials used for these cards:

Cuttlebug embossing folder – swiss dots

Peelcraft All Blacks stickers

Peelcraft stickers – silver lines

Creative Memories Epoxy stickers – Enchanted

Stampin-Up stamps – Best Dad Ever

Memento ink – black

Black and White Cardstock.

Have a great weekend and Happy Crafting

Patricia

 

A solution to the Creative Memories pages and protectors dilemma

On By patriciamanhireIn Close to My Heart, Crafts, Creative Memories, Photography, ScrapbookingLeave a comment

Welcome back.

This is a quick post is for all those people out there (like me) who have Creative Memories albums but not enough pages or protectors.  The very resourceful new CTMH Consultants in Australia have discovered a solution to your dilemma.  You can convert the CTMH page protectors to use in your CM albums and save a lot of money instead of trawling through Trade Me or Ebay and paying exorbitant prices.  It looks to be very easy to do and the CTMH pages are really good quality and will protect your photos in many years to come.  I am really hanging out until the time I can sign up as a Close to My Heart Consultant in New Zealand.  Hopefully it will be early next month.

Please check out this YouTube video for further information and details:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5rIJlpQEpY&feature=youtu.be

I hope you find this useful during this transition from Creative Memories to Close to My Heart.

Happy scrapping

Patricia

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A whole new world coming to New Zealand with Close to My Heart

On By patriciamanhireIn Cardmaking, Close to My Heart, Crafts, Creative Memories9 Comments

Welcome

I have just been to the Close to My Heart Opportunity Event in Auckland last week and I am very excited about this opportunity.  The career pathway looks great and the products will allow people to be a lot more creative.  I have put a Cricut Expressions 2 on layby and can’t wait to get the cartridges from CTMH to play with.  They look so cool and it will be nice to be able to make my own embellishments to match my scrapbook layouts and cards.  I am also looking to the three dimensional elements on the cartridge and will be looking at doing some workshops at Make Shift when Make Shift gets established.  The other thing that is really cool is that I can just do parties online as well as doing parties with people.

We had a little play with some inks, papers and cute glitter embellishments and the papers and cardstock are lovely.  It took a while to work out how to use the ink pads, but I have got it sussed now.  The stamps are great and easy to use and I will be looking at building up my CTMH stamp kits.  I am also looking forward to playing with the alcohol markers as well.

Just as well I have joined a de-stash Facebook site to start clearing out some of my old stock to make room for Close to My Heart.

In the meantime I have got back to basics and will be teaching heat embossing at my card making class tomorrow at the Upper Hutt Library.  When I first started doing cards too many years ago to remember I started with heat embossing and I still have my heat tool as well (which is starting to get a little sick and I will finally get a new one once I sign up with CTMH).  I remember a lot of hit and misses then, but I have discovered using a embossing buddy (a kind of chalk in a bag) that helps with keeping the card clean and my endeavours are much more successful now.  Here are a few of the cards I have made with heat embossing:

Embossed flowers card Embossed flowers Embossed flowers Embossed flowers

 

I found some papers that I bought years ago as a 6 x 6 paper pack at The Warehouse and they matched perfectly with the pink cardstock from Stampin‘Up.  I also like the combination of gold and pink and the result is some very retro looking cards, but some people still like these classic cards so I will be putting them in Make Shift as well.  I have coloured the images using a watercolour pen and Stampin’Up inks.  I have also used my artist quality paints in the past with good effect as well.

The materials I have used here are:

Stampin’Up Cardstock – pink

Stampin’Up ribbon – Light Pink

Stampin’Up inks – Old Olive, Artichoke, Regal Rose, So Saffron, More Mustard

Kaisercraft stamps

Kaisercraft rhinestones

Peelcraft stickers

Creative Memories Custom Cutting System – ovals

Creative Memories Border Maker – Twinkle Chain Cartridge

Cuttlebug and embossing folders – Swiss Dots and Edges

Cuttlebug Die – Whimsy

For the heat embossing I have used a versamark ink pad and the powder is Ultra Detail Embossing Powder – gold.

I hope the ladies tomorrow get inspired to branch out and do more with their stamps and inks.

I am now going to look at doing some digital scrapbooking to get put onto canvases for Make Shift to sell.

Happy crafting

Patricia

 

 

 

Special cards for the budding ballerina

On By patriciamanhireIn Art, Cardmaking, Children, Crafts, Creative Memories, Greetings, Scrapbooking2 Comments

Welcome back.

I have been busy going through all my stash and found these gorgeous papers that I bought years ago when I first starting scrapbooking.  They are from K & Company and the pack is called Hopscotch.  I have no idea if they are still available, but the papers make beautiful cards.  I have already done a couple of layouts of my ballet forms from many years ago and will perhaps keep a couple of papers for layouts for my daughter for when she did ballet.  I managed to match up the colours with various cardstock that I had already and I am really pleased with how they turned out.  For most of these cards I have distressed the edges and that has helped with making the different papers stand out more from the backgrounds.  The little pictures of flowers, butterflies and tutus have been fussy cut out from the paper.  These cards have been easy as the paper and colour coordination was made easy by using the same range of papers.

I am sure these will go down a treat at Make Shift.

Here they are:

Ballet card Ballet card Ballet card Ballet card Ballet card Ballet cardMaterials used for these cards:

K & Company Hopscotch 12 x 12 pad

Creative Memories Cardstock – Pink Shimmer

Bazzill Cardstock – Bling (sorry not sure of the name)

Peelcraft stickers

Kaisercraft pink pearls

Stampin‘Up greeting

Versamark stamp pad

Gold embossing powder

Creative Memories Place-n-Punch – Blossom

Creative Memories Custom Cutting System – circles.

Tim Holtz Distressing Ink – Victorian Velvet

I am really excited to be going to Auckland tomorrow to find out more about Close to My Heart and also get my hands on some of the products.  I can’t wait to join up and start having workshops at Make Shift.

I hope you all keep well and safe and Happy Crafting

Patricia

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Bi-Colour Cards

On By patriciamanhireIn Cardmaking, Close to My Heart, Crafts, Creative Memories, Greetings6 Comments

Welcome back.

I am looking through all my stash to try to either use it up or put it on a de-stash facebook page before I start with Close to My Heart.  I have a mix of different products from different companies and lots and lots of different papers so I will probably take some of these to use up at my Crafty Angels group when we do some papercrafts next term.

With these cards I have used a burgundy card from Stampin’Up (sorry I don’t know the name of the colour as it came in a pack that was on special – I have been told it is Rich Razzleberry by my Stampin’Up friend Julie Butler) and white cardstock and used embossing folders and Memory Box dies to create these cards. I even sneaked in some stamping as well.  I took these cards to the library where I take a card making session and sold a couple of cards before I could even get them put aside for Make Shift.

Here they are:

Handcrafted card Handcrafted get well card Handcrafted sympathy card Handcrafted sympathy card Handcrafted thank you card Handcrafted thank you card

Materials used:

Memory Box dies – Cherry Blossom, Phloe, Pippi Butterfly

Dienamics Die – Fancy Flourish

Stampin-Up Stamps – Cottage Garden

Creative Memories Custom Cutting System – ovals

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder – Elegant Frame, Swiss Dots

Peelcraft stickers

Purchased sympathy stickers.

White ribbon and button from my stash

I have just purchased a Cricut Expressions 2 and put it on layby so won’t be picking it up for a while.  I am not sure how long I can hold out with this as it is going to expand my creative horizons so much!   I have been watching videos on You-Tube and can’t wait to get started.  Next week I am off to Auckland to learn more about Close to My Heart and  get the chance to get my hands on some of the CTMH products which I am really looking forward to.  We have been really fortunate that we have got this opportunity to move forward with.  I really feel for the CM Consultants in Canada and the United States who may not have the same opportunities.

Have a good day and Happy Crafting.

Patricia

Baby Cards for Make Shift

On By patriciamanhireIn Art, Babies, Cardmaking, Children, Crafts, Creative Memories5 Comments

Hi there

Here is just a small selection of baby cards that I have made for Make Shift.  At the moment I have just done blue and pink cards, but will look at doing some different colours like yellow, green and purple.

Handcrafted card Handcrafted card Handcrafted card Handcrafted card Handcrafted card Handcrafted card Handcrafted card

 

I have used a variety of materials and tools in these cards:

Creative Memories Pink Shimmer Cardstock

Creative Memories Border Maker – scallop cartridge and twinkle chain cartridge

Creative Memories Fabulous Tone on Tone paper

Creative Memories rotary trimmer – scallop edge

Bazzill Cardstock

Cuttlebug embossing folders – Swiss dots and Welcome Baby, buttons strip

Memory Box dies – Pram

Kaisercraft pink bling

These cards have been very quick and easy to complete.  Once we have Make Shift up and running I hope to be able to run workshops teaching cardmaking and will also look to having some quick make and takes when I am working in the shop.

Happy Crafting

Patricia

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More Sad news

On By patriciamanhireIn Creative Memories, PhotographyLeave a comment

Welcome back.

Raindrops on Bower Vine

I was really sad to hear today that Creative Memories in America will be closing down at the end of the month.  My thoughts go out to all the Creative Memories Consultants as I know what they are going through, as we have been through it all down under just a very short time ago.  We are fortunate that we have been given a lifeline by Close to My Heart.  I hope all the Consultants find another door opening for them like it has for us here.

My thoughts also go to the families of the firefighters lost in the wildfires in Arizona, USA, as well.  It is tragic when men, in the prime of their lives, fighting the ferocity of nature lose their lives protecting others.

Patricia

 

Cool cards for those difficult to please teenagers

On By patriciamanhireIn Art, Cardmaking, Close to My Heart, Creative Memories, Greetings, Photography2 Comments

Hello there.

Welcome to all my new followers and thank you to all those that visit and take the time to comment and like my posts.  I really appreciate the feedback.

I am back to showing some of my cards that will be available at Make Shift when we open.  I don’t know about you but sometimes I find it very difficult to make cards for teenage girls who are not into the flowers or butterflies or all things girly.  So when I was in the local $2 shop I found these really cool layered stickers for these cards.  I have made use of my CM border maker to make some borders as a contrast so the cards are quite edgy and not soft or feminine at all.  I think the contrast between the deep pink and black is kind of cool as well.  Anyway, here they are:

Cool chick handcrafted card Pink and black handcrafted card Pink and black handcrafted card for teenagers Disco ball handcrafted card Rock chick handcrafted card

 

The materials I have used are:

Bazzill card stock

Plain black cardstock

Creative Memories Border Maker – hexagon and banner cartridges

Peelcraft stickers

Stampin‘Up greeting stamps

Couture Creations Drink Me embossing folder

I am really looking forward to going to Auckland in a couple of weeks to check out the launch of Close to My Heart in New Zealand.  I am drooling over the cartridges for the Cricut machine and am scouring Trade Me for some bargains.  I like using my Cuttlebug, but it will be nice to have an accurate cut each time and be able to layer the images and stamps together.  It should add a whole new dimension to my crafting.

I hope everyone has a good weekend and I will catch up soon with some more cards and/or photographs.

Happy crafting

Patricia

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Funky Birthday Cards

On By patriciamanhireIn Cardmaking, Crafts, Creative Memories, Greetings6 Comments

Welcome back

I have been really busy making lots of cards for our new pop up shop, Make Shift, that we are looking to open about the beginning of August.  I am looking at doing a wide range of cards for to cater for everyone, but some cards have been easier to make than others.  I love feminine cards with flowers, but that is not going to interest everyone so I have been using a wide range of products and papers to make lots of different cards.

For this range of cards I have purchased one sheet of gorgeous paper with foil accents and was able to make 8 cards out of this one sheet of paper.  I love the colours in this paper and have kept the cards fairly simple to highlight the simple, naive design of the paper.  I managed to match up the paper with the Creative Memories It’s a Boy embossed cardstock – lime green and Creative Memories Taffy Cardstock.

Handcrafted card Handcrafted card Handcrafted card Handcrafted card Handcrafted card Handcrafted card Handcrafted card Handcrafted cardThe materials I have used with these cards are:

Creative Memories Shape Maker – square

Creative Memories Square Maker

Peelcraft stickers

Stampin‘Up greeting

Scorepal

Creative Memories Tape Runner

Creative Memories Rotary Trimmer

Kaisercraft Pearls

As you can see these birthday cards can be great for any age – but probably more suitable for the ladies or girls.

I will keep posting more photos of my cards as I complete them to show the wide range that will be at the shop.

I hope you all have a great week.

Happy Crafting

Patricia