Monday, December 31, 2012

January 2013 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the January 2013 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.  If you just arrived from {Sarita's} blog, you are on the right path.  This month there are nearly 50 Close To My Heart consultants participating in our blog hop.  We are featuring the January 2013 Stamp of the Month Happy Valentine's, a set of 7 stamps.  

For my project, I broke out my Cricut and the Artiste cartridge.  The little square box measures 2.5" on each side, and has a cutout window on the top.  I cut the box body from Sweet Leaf cardstock, and the lid from La Belle Vie.  I stamped the rose on the reverse side of the window cutout from the box lid in StazOn black ink.  I cut out the rose and then used Liquid Glass to attach it to the underside of a 2.5" square of acetate (I just use those overhead transparency sheets you can buy at the office supply store).  I also used Liquid Glass to attach the acetate to the underside of the lid.  Once the LG was dry, I attached black Opaques from the Licorice package, and made a bow from black grosgrain ribbon which was attached with Zots glue dots.  For the box body, I mixed black Re-inker with Create-a-Shade Pearl Paint and dry-brushed it over the box, allowing some of the cardstock color to show through.  If you wanted to make the  box sturdier, you could coat it with a product like Mod Podge.  Now you have a cute box that you can put a small gift or treasure into.  



Remember, Happy Valentine's is only available January 1-31, 2013.  Contact your consultant or click here to find out how to get your own.

Now hop on over to {Michelle's} blog to see what she's created.

If you find any broken links along the way, Helen has the complete list of hoppers listed on her blog.

Friday, November 30, 2012

December 2012 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the December 2012 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop, featuring Year-Round Cheer, a set of 12 Stamps.  If you've just arrived here from{Dawn's} blog, you are on the right path.  If you are just starting here, just jump in and enjoy our circular hop, which has over 50 participants this month.  When you reach the end of a post, click on the link to go "round" to the next post in the hop to see lots of "cheer".    

I love stamp sets like this that give you a bunch of stamps that are nearly the same size but a variety of subjects.  They are perfect for creating card sets (which make great gifts) or for building up your stash of cards.  They also work well for added sentiments to pre-made cards without sentiments (sort of "fill-in-the-blanks" card).    I decided to make some small cards using scraps from some favorite paper packs.  These square cards were made in 3" and 3.5" sizes.  I simply cut the bases, cut some scraps, and then stamped and mounted the images.  The 3" size make great gift cards to put on gift bags or bottles of your favorite adult beverages.  Use a hole punch in the corner and then tie it on using your favorite ribbon, string, tinsel...whatever you can think of.  







Remember, Year-Round Cheer is only available 1-31 December 2012.  Contact your Close To My Heart consultant, or click here, to find out how to order your own.  

Now hop on over to {Elizabeth's} blog to see her creation.


If you find any broken links along the way, Helen has the complete list on her blog.  

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

November 2012 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the November 2012 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop, featuring Capture the Date, a set of 72 Stamps.  This month we have over 60 Close To My Heart consultants participating in our hop.  If you've just arrived here from {DiAnn's} blog, you are on the right track.  If you are just starting here, our round-robin hop can still be enjoyed in it's entirety.  Just follow the links at the end of each post, and eventually you'll end up right back here!

This stamp set seems as though it is meant for creating some great journaling blocks, date tags, and even invitations.  But I wanted to do something a little different.  Using our wonderful Cricut Artiste cartridge, I cut out this cute two piece card from Olive cardstock for the card base and Juniper cardstock for the wrapper, at the 4" size.  I then cut two squares of patterned paper (from the retired CTMH Jingle paper pack) and cardstock, rounded the corners, and mounted on the card front.  I cut a second wrapper from patterned paper, this one at 3.75".  The scalloped circle was cut and then sponged with Olive ink.  A little bit of ink, a few Twinkle Brads (sadly, also retired), and some Zots mounting dots equal a cute Christmas card.  This would also be great for any important date.  Don't you LOVE a versatile stamp set?



Papers: CTMH cardstock inCreme Brulee, Juniper, and Olive, CTMH Jingle
Inks: CTMH Olive and Tulip
Tools and Techniques: Cricut Artiste Cartridge, Marvy Uchida punch, corner rounder, CTMH Twinkle Brads, Zots glue dots, sponging
Stamp Sets: CTMH Capture the Date


Remember, Capture the Date is only available during the month of November 2012.  Ask your consultant, or click here, to find out how to "capture" your own.

Now hop on over to {Maria's} blog to find some more inspiration. 

If you find any broken links along the way, Helen has the complete list of participants {here}. 

Sunday, September 30, 2012

October 2012 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the October 2012 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop featuring Very Merry Christmas, a set of 11 stamps.  If you've just arrived from {Melinda's} blog, you're on the right path.  If this is your starting point, simply click on the link at the end of each post to hop to the next and see what more than 60 Close To My Heart consultants created with this holiday set.

I felt compelled to use some non-traditional colors in my card today.  Rather than the traditional red and green, I used Creme Brulee, Grey Wool, Kraft, Outdoor Denim, and Twilight.  I followed this week's Mojo Monday sketch, and the patterned papers are from the retired CTMH Aspen paper package.  The colors are much more vibrant in person.  Hopefully Santa will bring me a DSLR camera for Christmas.

Cardstock: CTMH Grey Wool, Kraft, and Twilight
Patterned Paper: CTMH Aspen
Ribbon: CTMH Creme Brulee
Stamps: CTMH Very Merry Christmas
Ink: CTMH Twilight
Other: CTMH Ribbon, Cuttlebug Snow Dots embossing folder, Nestabilities Scalloped Square, dry brushing, direct-to-paper distressing, glue dots.

Remember, Very Merry Christmas is only available October 1-31, 2012.  Contact your CTMH consultant, or click here, to find out how to get your own.

Now hop on over to {Sheila's} blog to see her very merry project!

If you find any broken links along the way, {Helen} has the complete list of hoppers on her blog.

Friday, August 31, 2012

September 2012 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the September Stamp of the Month blog hop featuring Fall Favorites, a set of 11 stamps.  If you have just arrived from {Georgia's} blog, you are on the right path.  Just starting here?  Simply click on the link at the end of each post to go to the next post in the hop.

When I saw this stamp set, it immediately made me think of an autumn table setting.  I thought the scarecrow would make a perfect place card holder.  The image was stamped on White Daisy cardstock, colored with watercolor pencils, and then cut out with a border using scissors.



I cut rectangles of Creme Brulee cardstock, and hand-wrote the names in Dutch Blue marker, adding a few accent doodles.


To make my scarecrows stand, I cut a strip of cardstock, and scored it in three places to make a triangle to attach to the back.  Vary the angles of the triangle to vary how far back it leans.




Remember, Fall Favorites is only available September 1-30, 2012.  Contact your consultant, or click {here}, to find out how to get your own.

Now hop on over to {Melinda's} blog to find some more favorites.

If you find any broken links along the way, Helen has the complete list of hoppers {here}.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

August 2012 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

If you've just arrived from {Nikka's} blog, my apologies.  A computer error (not mine) caused my Idea Books and stamps to be shipped to Okinawa instead of to my stateside address (which I updated before I even left Okinawa).  I may have to wait to play, but you don't have to wait to enjoy the rest of the hop.  Head over to {Brae's} blog to see her creation.

If you find any broken links along the way, Helen has the complete list of hoppers here.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

July 2012 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the July 2012 SOTM blog hop featuring Live Out Loud, a set of 8 stamps.  If you have come here from {Nancy's} blog, you are on the right path!  If this is your first stop, we have made it simple to see all of the fabulous artwork - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one!

My card was made following this week's Mojo Monday sketch.   The scalloped circle and rectangle were cut using my Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  The "Soar" image was stamped on Creme Brulee cardstock in Tulip ink, and then cut out.  A sorbet button, with Colonial White Waxy Flax tied through the holes, was attached using Liquid Glass.  Creme Brulee grosgrain ribbon was attached with adhesive, and the circle was attached using 3-D Mounting Foam.

Cardstock: CTMH Colonial White, Creme Brulee, Juniper, Tulip, and White Daisy
Patterned Paper: CTMH Key To My Heart
Ribbon: CTMH Creme Brulee
Stamps: CTMH Live Out Loud
Ink: CTMH Tulip
Other: CTMH Buttons, CTMH Waxy Flax, CTMH Liquid Glass, Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge

Remember, Live Out Loud is only available July 1-31, 2012.  Contact your CTMH consultant, or click here, to find out how to get your own.

Now hop on over to {Dawn's} blog to see her creation!

If you find any broken links along the way, {Helen} has the complete list of hoppers on her blog.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

June 2012 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the June 2012 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop, featuring Life is Tweet, a set of 15 Stamps.  If you've just arrived here from {Gina's} blog, you are on the right path.  If you are just starting here, just jump in and enjoy our circular hop, which has over 50 participants this month.  When you reach the end of a post, click on the link at the end to go to the next post in the hop.

For my card, I broke out my CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to cut the card shape.  I cut it out twice (once in cardstock, once in patterned paper), cut the patterned card at the fold, and glued them together.  The sentiment was stamped on the reverse side of the patterned paper, and the image was stamped on cardstock and trimmed.  A cute bow for the front, a couple flowers stamped inside, and I have a "tweet" birthday card for a friend.

Papers: CTMH cardstock in Sweet Leaf, CTMH Dotty for You
Inks: CTMH Lagoon and Sorbet
Tools and Techniques: CTMH ribbon,Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, Liquid Glass
Stamp Sets: CTMH Life is Tweet


Remember, Life is Tweet is only available 1-30 June 2012.  Contact your Close To My Heart consultant, or click here, to find out how to get your own.

Now hop on over to {Amy's} blog to see her tweet creation.

If you find any broken links along the way, Helen has the complete list of hoppers posted here.  

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

May 2012 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the May 2012 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop featuring Friendship Bouquet, a set of 8 stamps.  If you have just arrived from {Lori's} blog, you are on the right path.  If you are just starting here, you can join in our circular hop by simply clicking the link to the next blog at the end of each post.

Well, this was definitely cutting it close.  My shipment from Okinawa took the full 60 days to get here (technically, they didn't call me until the 61st day), which has NEVER happened to me before.  So, two short days ago the movers were here.  This was my scrap room Friday afternoon, before the movers were finished.


And this is what it looked like Sunday night.


 And I still have scrap stuff in two other rooms.  Luckily, I was able to "dig up" the supplies I needed to make this cute gift, which would be perfect for introducing yourself to a new neighbor.  I took some seed packets and tied them together with Tan Hemp.  Using a Dimensional Element from the Art Philosophy Collection, I stamped the sentiment in Hollyhock and the leaf in Bamboo.  Had I been able to locate my hole punch, I would have tied on the Dimensional Element, but I just used adhesive to attach it to the seed packet.  The hemp was threaded through the buttons and tied off, leaving the flower-shaped buttons to dangle.

Papers: CTMH Dimensional Elements
Inks: CTMH Bamboo and Hollyhock
Tools and Techniques: CTMH Hemp, CTMH Pink Assortment Buttons, CTMH Blue Assortment Buttons
Stamp Sets: CTMH Friendship Bouqet


Remember, Friendship Bouquet is only available May 1-31, 2012.  Contact your consultant or click {here} to find out how to get your own.

Now hop on over to {Nancy's} blog to see what she's created.

If you find any broken links along the way, Helen has the complete list of hoppers listed on her blog.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

April 2012 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the April 2012 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop featuring You Are, a set of 15 Stamps.  Whether you have arrived here from {Angel's} blog or this is just your starting point, just click on the link at the end of each post to enjoy our round-robin hop.

Sticking with last month's theme (working with the extremely limited supplies I have on-hand) and the fact that we are nearing the end of the school year, I thought I'd make a gift card holder.  Whether a gift card for your children's hardworking teachers or for a favorite grad, a handmade gift card holder adds the personalization that may otherwise be lacking.  For this simple holder, I cut a sheet of cardstock 3 inches by 11 inches, and scored it at 4.5 inches and 9 inches.  Crease and fold at the score lines, and then use adhesive on the top and bottom of the short (2 inch) side to create a pocket in which to slide your card.  I stamped the background pattern and trimmed it to make a panel for the front of the gift card holder, then stamped the sentiment in a coordinating color.  At that point, I decided to trim about 1/2 inch from the right edge of the front in order to add a little bit of interest.  I mounted the panel to the card front, and voila!  You can embellish these card holders in many ways, either by adding actual embellishments, ribbons, etc. or by making them in decorative shapes (by using corner cutters, die-cut systems, or digital cutting systems.  The possibilities are limitless!


Papers: CTMH Colonial White cardstock, Scribble Scrabble Sweet & Sour Fruit Medley
Inks: CTMH Desert Sand and Tulip
Stamp Sets: CTMH You Are

Remember, You Are is only available April 1st-30th 2012.  Contact your CTMH consultant, or click here, to get one for yourself.

Now hop on over to {Elizabeth's} blog to see her creation.

If you find any broken links along the way, Helen has the complete list of hoppers posted here.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

March 2012 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

It's time for the March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.  This month there are over 50 Close To My Heart consultants participating in our hop, featuring the March Stamp of the Month Potential, a set of 8 stamps.  If you arrived from {Angela's} blog, you are on the right path.  If not, no worries.  Our hop is a round-robin, so you can jump in anywhere and enjoy the artwork.

Part of my moving adventure has been the mail.  I mailed some items that I had planned to use for this month's project to my stateside address before leaving Okinawa.  I waited as long as I possibly could before conceding that the package wasn't going to arrive on time.  Luckily, I'd brought the stamp and inks in  my luggage, and had some other paper at home.  I don't want to have to move again for a VERY long time.  But anyway, about my card.  It was inspired by this week's sketch at Mojo Monday (but as I'm lacking all of my supplies while they make there way back on the slow boat from China Japan, I wasn't able to do the scallop or the flower.  I was just glad to have papers that matched the three inkpads I brought back with me).   The card went together simply, I did second-generation stamping for the flourish (ink your stamp, stamp once on scrap paper then without re-inking stamp it on your project), and direct-to-paper and crosshatch edge distressing.   The sentiment was stamped over the flourish, and then the card was ready to assemble.

Papers: CTMH White Daisy cardstock, Scribble Scrabble Sweet & Sour Fruit Medley
Inks: CTMH Desert Sand and Tulip
Tools and Techniques: Second-generation stamping, direct-to-paper edge distressing, crosshatching
Stamp Sets: CTMH Potential


 Remember, Potential is only available March 1-31, 2012.  Contact your consultant or click {here} to find out how to get your own.

Now hop on over to {Dawn's} blog to see what she's created.

If you find any broken links along the way, Kathleen has the complete list of hoppers listed on her blog.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

February 2012 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the February 2012 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop, featuring Thoughtful Tidings, a set of 11 Stamps.  If you've just arrived here from {Katy's} blog, you are on the right track.  If you are just starting here, just jump in and enjoy our circular hop, which has 60 participants this month.  When you reach the end of a post, click on the link at the end to hop to the next post.

I'll be leaving Okinawa in a few weeks, so planning ahead is even more important yhan usual (because once the movers pick up my stuff, I won't see it again for probably two months).  This June, two of my Dragons cheerleaders will be graduating from high school, so I wanted to make cards for them.   The graduation cap card was cut with my Silhouette (I know, what's wrong with me???  I received a Cricut for Christmas and here I am using my Silhouette!).  Some paper piecing, heat embossing, and a sentiment from this month's SOTM, and I have a couple of cute graduation cards.  (Forgive the quality of the photos, my battery charger remains MIA)



Papers: CTMH Black, Topiary, and White Daisy
Inks: CTMH Black, Versamark

Tools and Techniques: Silhouette machine, CTMH Gold Embossing Powder, heat embossing
Stamp Sets: CTMH Thoughtful Tidings and Friendship Small Alphabet


Remember, Thoughtful Tidings is only available February 1-29, 2012.  Contact your consultant, or click here, to find out how to get your own.

Now hop on over to {Shirley's} blog to see what she's created.

If you find any broken links along the way, {Helen} has the complete list of hoppers listed on her blog.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Free Studio J Layouts in January

Are you a Studio J® member?  If not, now is the perfect time to join!  In addition to the great member benefits (50% off retail price, JPG files available free with each purchased layout or for standalone purchase, free Memory Protectors® with every order, free shipping*, and exclusive kits and patterns), until January 31st for every 9 custom-printed Studio J layouts you buy, you’ll receive the 10th layout free.  The best part is that there is NO LIMIT to the number of free layouts you can receive.  Buying 90 layouts?  You'll get 10 for free.  What's that you say??  You aren't a Studio J® member?  Well, head on over to my website and create your account today!

Here are a few of my recent Studio J® creations.



 

Don't forget to download the Studio J® app for your iPhone so you can keep all of your layouts right at your fingertips!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

2011 Scrappin' Totals

Well, I came nowhere near accomplishing my scrapping goals for the year.  However, I did manage to take as many college classes as a full-time student (and earned a 4.0 GPA), volunteered as a cheerleading coach for a good portion of the year, completed some professional education training for work, and managed to put in TONS of hours at work (too bad I don't get paid overtime).

Pages complete: 2
Cards complete: 11
Altered Items: 15
Digital Pages complete: 24
Sewing Items: 7
Crochet Items: 1

My 2012 goals will be mostly a repeat of my 2011 goals:  100 pages (including digital), 200 cards, use my Silhouette and Cricut more often, get cards done the month before they are needed AND actually get them in the mail (I'm a notorious postal failure), and try to get some of that old scrapping caught up. What are your scrapping goals for 2012???