Crafting with Fantastic Florals!

Crafting with Fantastic Florals! #daisydaisy #floral #scrapbooking #cardmaking #closetomyheart #memorykeeping #togethertime #sweetmoments #lifeisbeautiful #lovelyyou #diy #crafting #papercrafting #techniquefeature #stories #storytelling

With a wonderful array of patterns and a striking color palette, the enchanting Daisy, Daisy collection is a wonderful way to bring your creative dreams from the drawing board into reality. Sometimes all you need to find inspiration and kickstart that creativity is the right collection of products. We want to give you a brief look into all that awaits with the Daisy, Daisy collection, including the cards and scrapbook pages included in the Daisy, Daisy Workshop! 

To get started, we want to give you a quick overview of what crafters can expect from Daisy, Daisy. The color palette for this collection is bold, featuring vibrant greens, punchy pinks, and crisp white tones. As the name implies, this collection prominently features a selection of floral elements, perfect for all types of springtime crafts!

Crafting with Fantastic Florals! #daisydaisy #floral #scrapbooking #cardmaking #closetomyheart #memorykeeping #togethertime #sweetmoments #lifeisbeautiful #lovelyyou #diy #crafting #papercrafting #techniquefeature #stories #storytelling

Along with the patterned paper, Daisy, Daisy also includes a selection of stickers, stamps, and Thin Cuts*, all of which are designed to coordinate seamlessly with the paper packet, and with each other. 

*Thin Cuts are temporarily out of stock, but don’t worry, there will be more available before this special is over!

Each of these elements help you to create cohesive, polished artwork with ease. Not only that, Daisy, Daisy also includes a workshop kit, which includes instructions for creating both scrapbook pages and cards! 

To really get to know this collection, we want to highlight four techniques in this post, all of which are visible in the cards and scrapbook pages featured in the Daisy, Daisy workshop. Let’s take a look!

Crafting with Fantastic Florals! #daisydaisy #floral #scrapbooking #cardmaking #closetomyheart #memorykeeping #togethertime #sweetmoments #lifeisbeautiful #lovelyyou #diy #crafting #papercrafting #techniquefeature #stories #storytelling

First off, we have an adorable daisy wreath on this 12” x 12” “Life is Beautiful” page. These lovely layered daisies were created using the Daisy, Daisy Thin Cuts set, making them incredibly easy to cut and assemble. This set offers two different styles of petals, which we have cut using a nice assortment of colors, resulting in a lush layered effect for each blossom. Each of these flowers was constructed using just two colors of cardstock. Making good use of our two-toned cardstock, we were able to end up with clear variation apparent in the petals and centers of the flowers.

Crafting with Fantastic Florals! #daisydaisy #floral #scrapbooking #cardmaking #closetomyheart #memorykeeping #togethertime #sweetmoments #lifeisbeautiful #lovelyyou #diy #crafting #papercrafting #techniquefeature #stories #storytelling

Once the flowers were assembled, we attached them to the base page with 3-D foam tape for some additional pop. Each of these gorgeous blooms would make a beautiful addition to a scrapbook page or card just on its own, but combining several of them—eight, to be precise—in a wreath like this makes it a striking feature that sets this scrapbook page apart. 

Our next technique is found on this 12” x 12” “Sweet Moments” layout. Both pages start with a white cardstock base, most of which we covered with a series of patterned pennant pieces that really show off these adorable paper designs.

Crafting with Fantastic Florals! #daisydaisy #floral #scrapbooking #cardmaking #closetomyheart #memorykeeping #togethertime #sweetmoments #lifeisbeautiful #lovelyyou #diy #crafting #papercrafting #techniquefeature #stories #storytelling

What makes this effect unique is the variation in pennant width and length. Rather than cutting these pennants to be the same length, they are slightly varied to accentuate the layering effect, even though the actual overlap of these pennants is relatively minor. These pennants are also varied in their width, adding further to the layered effect. By including these pennants, you preserve continuity by reusing a familiar shape, but avoid monotony by switching up the dimensions and incorporating just the slightest bit of overlap.

Crafting with Fantastic Florals! #daisydaisy #floral #scrapbooking #cardmaking #closetomyheart #memorykeeping #togethertime #sweetmoments #lifeisbeautiful #lovelyyou #diy #crafting #papercrafting #techniquefeature #stories #storytelling

These patterned dovetail pennants prove that, like our daisy wreath in the previous example, simple elements repeated throughout a page or layout really help to set these memory keeping pieces apart!  


Another favorite element from the Daisy, Daisy workshop is the detailing on this “Lovely You” standard-size card. To complement the bright colors in the patterned paper on this card, we’ve gone in with a few TriBlend markers to add coloring and subtle color details to the stamped daisy petals and leaves.

Crafting with Fantastic Florals! #daisydaisy #floral #scrapbooking #cardmaking #closetomyheart #memorykeeping #togethertime #sweetmoments #lifeisbeautiful #lovelyyou #diy #crafting #papercrafting #techniquefeature #stories #storytelling

To ensure you get an even finish on the base color, using a light hand with your marker is imperative. This light touch allows you to have greater control as you apply the color, preventing excess color saturation.

Crafting with Fantastic Florals! #daisydaisy #floral #scrapbooking #cardmaking #closetomyheart #memorykeeping #togethertime #sweetmoments #lifeisbeautiful #lovelyyou #diy #crafting #papercrafting #techniquefeature #stories #storytelling

Once the base color was applied, our next step was to add small details along the leaf veins and petal creases, using another shade of TriBlend™ marker, deepening the dimensional effect. (If you’re not familiar with TriBlend™ markers, then you’re in for a treat! Each one includes three separate shades, making it a cinch to add various color details to your artwork, all while using the same marker!) 


Oftentimes, a beautiful embellishment can be the perfect thing to set a piece apart, and in this 12” x 12” “Together Time” layout, the delicate black floral die-cuts provide an excellent series of focal points throughout the pages.

Crafting with Fantastic Florals! #daisydaisy #floral #scrapbooking #cardmaking #closetomyheart #memorykeeping #togethertime #sweetmoments #lifeisbeautiful #lovelyyou #diy #crafting #papercrafting #techniquefeature #stories #storytelling

These embellishments, though small, are grouped together and scattered throughout the layout, helping to draw the eye throughout the pages. With some fun variety in available shapes, the floral theme is reinforced with their inclusion in this layout.

Crafting with Fantastic Florals! #daisydaisy #floral #scrapbooking #cardmaking #closetomyheart #memorykeeping #togethertime #sweetmoments #lifeisbeautiful #lovelyyou #diy #crafting #papercrafting #techniquefeature #stories #storytelling

On the whole, the design for this layout is on the simpler side, but the pop and slight dimension generated by the inclusion of these black die-cut flowers allows for some subtle boost on this pair of pages. 

As you can see, there’s a veritable garden of potential awaiting with Daisy, Daisy, and we’ve loved sharing just a taste of it with you today! What was your favorite feature from this Daisy, Daisy showcase? Let’s hear about it in the comments below!

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Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever!

Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me

At Close To My Heart, it’s no secret that we love LOVE! Love is one of the most amazing things on earth, and as we’re only about a month away from Valentine’s Day 2023, we want to take some time to share a few ideas about how you can celebrate the love in your life this year! 

Whether you’re celebrating new love, old love, love for family members, friends, or any other relationship, there’s no better way to commemorate it than with handmade crafts from the heart. With that in mind, we want to introduce you to our love-themed collection, Now & Forever

This collection is a callback to vintage floral patterns and is perfect for any design you can dream. The patterned paper is an adorable flurry of soft pinks and floral themes, with a dash of French-inspired flair, and a sticker sheet that kicks things up a notch with metallic gold accents.

  • Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me
  • Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me
  • Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me
  • Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me

Another stand-out feature of this collection is the accompanying assortment of embroidered floral and butterfly embellishments, which are a great way to dress up your cards and scrapbook pages!

Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me

Last but not least is the Now & Forever Stamp + Thin Cuts set, which includes an exclusive selection of stamps, floral and butterfly dies, and a very special heart doily die, complete with delicate lace edging! With so many spectacular products to work with, Now & Forever is an excellent collection for preserving cherished memories and celebrating relationships with people that you love!

Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me

To see the power of Now & Forever in action, we’re going to take a peek at the cards and scrapbook pages featured in the Now & Forever workshop kits!

Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me

Our first stop on our Now & Forever journey is to take a look at the pages included in the scrapbooking workshop kit. First on the list is this 12″ x 12″ “Cutie Pie” layout. This layout was designed with room for eight total photos, making it a wonderful way to tell a story!

Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me

With predominant themes of red, pink, and white, and splashes of Seabrook, this layout is a gorgeous backdrop for fond memories and journaling. One of our favorite parts of this layout is the selection of patterns and their flow across the page. The ledger pattern on the left page is balanced by the floral pattern on the right page, bridged by the red patterned paper that spans the center of the layout. Although not entirely symmetrical, these patterns flow nicely when grouped together this way—just another benefit of using coordinated papers in a Close To My Heart paper packet

Our second piece on the hot seat today is this single “Timeless” page. Right away, our eyes are drawn through the page from the “Timeless” title in the upper left-hand corner down through the lower right-hand corner, which sports a delicate lace-edged heart doily. 

Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me

This unique feature is created by using the die in the Now & Forever Stamp + Thin Cuts set.The rest of the accents and detailing in this page were created using stickers, zip strips, and the Now & Forever Embroidered Embellishments, and we love how it came together!   

One of our favorite parts of the Now & Forever suite is the metallic gold detailing present on many of our stickers. These are on full display in this “Laugh Often…” layout. While this layout has a lot going on in terms of patterns, additional excitement is generated by the presence of multiple gold-accented stickers at various points around the pages.

Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me

This layout also includes another heart doily die-cut, this time repurposed as a journaling piece! Between the innovative journaling piece and the selection of sparkly stickers, this layout is a wonderful example of the impact a few well-placed embellishments can have! 

Before we move on to our array of cards, we want to show off one last scrapbook layout, which brings together many of the stand-out elements discussed in the previous pages. The “Our Story” layout utilizes a beautiful blend of patterns from the paper pack, a couple of our embroidered embellishments, another heart doily journaling piece, and a large golden sticker serving as the title piece.

Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me

All of these elements taken together create a gorgeous backdrop for the photos and journaling shared in this layout, and we couldn’t have asked for a better way to showcase them! If any of these layouts caught your fancy, these designs are all available to create with the Now & Forever Scrapbooking Workshop Kit. Click here to check it out! 

If cardmaking is more your forte, you can also find plenty of inspiration in the card selection available through the Now & Forever Cardmaking Workshop Kit! This workshop kit includes options to create eight standard size cards—two each of four designs—and three unique slimline cards, with downloadable instructions available on our website.

Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me

One of the major perks of crafting with the Now & Forever cardmaking kit is that while you have the materials to create two each of four standard size card designs, the coordination in the patterned papers makes it easy to switch out the colors and patterns used between cards. This means that even though you’re working with four standard size card designs, you can end up with eight unique cards!

  • Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me
  • Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me
  • Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me
  • Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me

As you can see in the photos above, each of the four card pairs were created using the same design, but the changes in paper colors and patterns, ink colors, and embellishment placement results in eight unique cards! 

Along with our standard size cards, the Now & Forever Cardmaking Workshop Kit also offers options for three slimline card designs, pictured below:

Cherish Your Love, Now and Forever! #love #valentinesday2023 #valentine #now&forever #scrapbooking #cardmaking #memories #relationship #cards #care #floral #stories #storytelling #you&me

These cards each have their own individual flair and are a perfect way to implement some more out-of-the-box card creativity into your crafts! 

We have loved walking you through the incredible projects available through the Now & Forever Scrapbooking and Cardmaking Workshop Kits, and we can’t wait to see how else you celebrate the love in your life with the products included in this amazing love-inspired collection! 

What stories and relationships will you commemorate with Now & Forever? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

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A Pastel Christmas

Red and green, silver and gold—we love the traditional holiday color palette. This season, why not have a little fun and switch things up! Venture into the trendy world of pastel colors and try incorporating them in your Christmas cardmaking and scrapbooking projects.

Pastel color schemes are an easy way to give your holiday crafts a feminine, sophisticated look or a cool, vintage feel.

Take a look at how we are using pastels for Christmas projects this year.

Pastel Christmas Trend #ctmh #closetomyheart #pastel #Christmas #trend #bashful #silver #glitter #pink #lightblue #juniper #December #scrapbooking

 

This scrapbook page shows you how to mix and match cardstock, paper packets, and Complements to create a completely different color scheme. The pastel color palette gives the project a delicate tone that draws attention to the photos, while the silver glitter die-cuts add some classic holiday bling.

If you like this color trend for your layouts but aren’t too confident you can pull it off without a little bit of help, give our Noelle Cut Above® layout kit a try.

Pastel Christmas #ctmh #closetomyheart #cutabove #noelle #pink #pastel #Christmas #scrapbooking #layout

Featuring the dreamy hues of the pastel holiday trend, this kit is the perfect option for easy memory keeping! The kit includes base pages, stickers, die-cuts, Memory Protectors™, and instructions—all you need is adhesive and a journaling pen! (If you are worried about whether or not your photos will match, try printing them in black and white. Not only would black and white photos look great on this layout, but they would also create a vintage finish to your pages.)

 

Paired with black and white, a pastel color scheme can add a touch of class to holiday crafts, including cards. Adding a Christmas sentiment with sparkles and silver glitter trim keeps things festive.

Pastel Christmas Trend #ctmh #closetomyheart #pastel #Christmas #trend #bashful #silver #glitter #pink #lightblue #juniper #December #wonderful #Christmas #card #cardmaking #thincuts #dies #diecuts #vellum #treeline #border #trees

If you prefer a softer, vintage feel, you can combine pink or blue with silver, like the card above. This card features an embossed sentiment and some simple silver embellishments. We’ve created extra dimension by using our Tree Line Border Thin Cuts and both sides of our two-toned Linen cardstock.

Pastel Christmas Trend #ctmh #closetomyheart #pastel #Christmas #trend #bashful #silver #glitter #pink #lightblue #juniper #December #card #cardmaking #thincuts #dies #treelineborder #tree #border #vellum

As you get your holiday crafting underway, don’t foget to try this trend out with your gift tags, too!Pastel Christmas Trend #ctmh #closetomyheart #pastel #Christmas #trend #bashful #silver #glitter #pink #lightblue #juniper #December #gift #tags #diy

Maybe holiday reds and greens aren’t your thing, or maybe you’re looking for something new this year. Pastel color schemes can help you create Christmas projects that are subtle and elegant or fresh and classy. Give it a try! Tell us how you’re using this color trend in your projects in the comments.


Recipes

Merry Christmas Page
X7225B Beary Christmas Paper Packet, X7226B Silver & Gold Paper Packet, Z3350 Whimsy Fundamental Paper Packet, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, X5941 Bashful Cardstock, X5979 Juniper Cardstock, Z3367 Vellum Paper, X7226C Silver & Gold Complements, Z4038 Beary Christmas Dots, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape

 4¼” x 5½” ‘Tis the Season Card
C1689 My Acrylix® Silver & Gold—Cardmaking Stamp Set, X7225B Beary Christmas Paper Packet, X7226B Silver & Gold Paper Packet, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, X5941 Bashful Cardstock, Z3367 Vellum Paper, Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, X7226C Silver & Gold Complements, Z3274 Clear Sparkles, Z1263 Bitty Sparkles, Z1799 Silver Shimmer Trim, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape, Z3167 Cricut® Artistry Collection, Sewing Machine

Cricut® Shape:
Artistry
2½” Icon-1 <Travel> (p. 30, #M41036A)

4¼” x 5½” Have a Wonderful Christmas Card
C1689 My Acrylix® Silver & Gold—Scrapbooking Stamp Set, X7225B Beary Christmas Paper Packet, Z3350 Whimsy Fundamental Paper Packet, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, X5946 Linen Cardstock, X5941 Bashful Cardstock, Z3367 Vellum Paper, Z891 VersaMark™ Ink Pad, Z4038 Beary Christmas Dots, Z1799 Silver Shimmer Trim, Z2067 Ranger™ Silver Super Fine Embossing Powder, Z555 Craft Heater, Z4037 Thin Cuts—Tree Line Border, Die-cutting Machine

Gift Tags
C1692 My Acrylix® The Thought that Counts Stamp Set, X7225B Beary Christmas Paper Packet, Z3350 Whimsy Fundamental Paper Packet, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, X5941 Bashful Cardstock, Z2896 Smoothie Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2865 Juniper Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z2819 Bashful Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4038 Beary Christmas Dots, Z3274 Clear Sparkles, Z1263 Bitty Sparkles, Z3216 White Twine, Z1979 Marvy® Uchida® LePen™ Journaling Pen, Z3344 Thin Cuts—Basic Tags, Die-cutting Machine

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