January 2014 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the January 2014 Stamp of the Month blog hop featuring Cross-Stitch Wishes, a set of 13 stamps.  Whether you've arrived from {Michelle's blog} or your just starting here, simply click on the link at the end of each blog to follow the hop and see the creations of over 40 Close To My Heart consultants.

My card was made following the sketch at Mojo Monday and using the retired Magnifique paper pack.  It's been a while since I've done a Mojo Monday sketch early enough in the week to post it to their page.

Papers: CTMH Colonial White cardstock, CTMH Magnifique
Inks: CTMH Chocolate, Pacifica, and Sky
Tools and Techniques: CTMH Dark Chocolate and Colonial White ribbon, CTMH Pacifica brads, direct-to-paper ink distressing, cross-hatch edge distressing.

Remember, Cross-Stitch Wishes is only available January 1-31, 2014.  Contact your consultant, or click here to get it for yourself.

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

December 2013 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the December 2013 Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month blog hop featuring Special Care, a set of 6 stamps.  Whether you've just arrived from {Michelle's blog} or this is your starting point, just click on the link at the end of each post to go to the next blog in the hop.

This month's SOTM is a great set of tags that have potential for so many different projects:  gift tags, cards, layouts, or a wide variety of altered items.  I chose to make a small shadow box that would be perfect for a child's bathroom.  The image was cut out using the Art Philosophy cartridge, stamped in Pacifica, and mounted using several layers of 3D mounting foam to give it depth (the deep shadow box allows for lots of variation in layers).  The box was painted with Create-a-Shade paint in Pearl, and lightly brushed with Pacifica while the paint was still tacky.  Buttons and ribbon add a little bit of bling to the inside without detracting from the adorable kiddo or the overall project.

Remember, Special Care  is only available December 1-31, 2013.  Contact your consultant, or click here, to get this set for yourself.

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

If you find any broken links along the way, Melinda has the complete list here.

November 2013 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the November 2013 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop, featuring Illuminate, a set of 15 Stamps.  If you've just arrived here from {Jen'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.

**My apologies for technical difficulties preventing the upload of my card.  Check back for image.**

Now hop on over to to {Dawn's} blog to shed some light on her project!

October 2013 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

It's OCTOBER, and that means a Christmas-themed stamp set for the Close To My Heart stamp of the month!  Whether you arrived from {Krista's} blog or are just starting here, simply click on the link at the end of each post to go to the next blog in the hop.  This month we have over 50 consultants participating in the hop which features Scandinavian Wishes, a set of 12 stamps.

This stamp set has coordinating shapes that can be cut from the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, so I decided to make some ornaments or gift tags.

I used the Art Philosphy cartridge to cut out a few of the ornaments.  One great thing about the stamps that coordinate with the various Cricut cartridges is that the cartridge name, image size and page are listed on the stamp carrier right next to the image, making it virtually fool-proof.

I cut out the images, then stamped them with Versamark ink.  For two of them I used a colored embossing powder, but for two of them I used clear.  After allowing them to cool, I used a sponge to color the two that were heat embossed with clear powder (which allows the paper color to show through).  You could do a bunch of different things with these:  use ribbon or twine and hang them as ornaments or gift tags, add them as a dimensional element to a layout or card, put a bunch of them on a length of twine to create a garland (you could even use one alone to be a simple bookmark).

Remember, the October Stamp of the Month is only available from October 1st through 31st. Contact your Close To My Heart consultant, or click here to find out how to get this stamp set for yourself.

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

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

September 2013 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the September 2013 Stamp of the Month blog hop featuring Poster Tidings, a set of 2 stamps.   This month there are over 50 consultants participating in our hop.  Whether you've arrived here from {Sheila's} blog or are just getting started, simply click on the link at the end of each post to go to the next post in the hop.

This set has a lot of possibilities.  You could use the images to make bookmarks, gift tags, or on scrapbook pages.  I opted to use the Christmas stamp for a Christmas layout.

By stamping the image in several different colors, you can cut out the line that contains the word or words that you want to highlight.  I took it a step further by using Diamond Stickles on the highlighted words.  From this point you could mount the image on a card, mount it on another piece of cardstock and add a ribbon to make a tag or ornament, laminate it to make a bookmark...you get the idea.

Here I've added it to a Christmas layout that is ready to have photos added.

Remember, Poster Tidings is available September 1-30, 2013.  Contact your consultant, or click here, to get this stamp set for yourself.

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

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

August 2013 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the August (!) 2013 Stamp of the Month blog hop featuring A Chocolate Affair, a set of 16 stamps.  This month we have over 50 consultants participating in the hop.  Whether you've arrived here from {Gina's} blog or this is your starting point, simply click on the link at the end of each post to be taken to the next blog in the hop.

This stamp set is perfect for making tags for sweet little gifts (or should that be little sweet gifts) that you might give to someone.  I had planned to put my tags on little cellophane-wrapped packages of gluten-free cookies, but I haven't been able to get off of work before the bakery closes (sidebar:  WHY does the bakery have to close so early?  WHY do I have to work so late?).  Since I didn't make it to the bakery, NO COOKIES FOR YOU!!!

My tags were made using a 2 inch circle punch and a 2 1/2 inch scalloped circle punch.  The images were inked first with Versamark and then with the colored ink, then stamped on the cardstock.  I used clear embossing powder and my heat gun to get a bit of texture and sheen to the images.  Inking the stamp with Versamark and then the colored ink allows the colored ink to be applied to the paper and the Versamark ink over top in one step.  You could add a hole with a hole punch and use ribbon or twine to wrap around a bundle, or you could adhere these to something flat (like a giant dark chocolate bar).  What a stamp set to use when there is NO chocolate in the house!

The heat embossing is a bit more evident in the second picture.

Remember, A Chocolate Affair is only available August 1-31, 2013.  Contact your consultant, or click here, to find out how to get one for yourself.

Now hop on over to {Wendy's} blog to see her sweet project!

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

July 2013 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the July 2013 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop featuring Sweet Life, a set of 9 stamps.  Whether you've already been hopping and arrived via {Angel's blog} or you're just starting here, click on the link at the end of each post to go to the next blog in the hop.

My card is inspired by Mojo Monday sketch 299.  I originally wanted to make a recipe box with the peach stamp, but my coloring skills left a lot to be desired for the peaches.  Instead, I pulled out my Cherry-O papers to make this card.

Besides using a bunch of colors, I got to use some pretty velvet-y ribbon, several items from my distressing kit, watercolor pencils with a water brush, and of course 3-D mounting foam.  And I took the picture using my new lens.

Remember, Sweet Life is only available July 1-31st 2013.  Contact your consultant, or click here, to get one for yourself.

Now hop on over to {Wendy's blog} to check out her sweet project.

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

June 2013 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the CTMH Stamp of the Month blog hop.  If you just arrived from {Shirley's} blog, you are on the right path.  This month there are over 50 Close To My Heart consultants participating in our round-robin blog hop.  This month we are featuring A Flowering Bunch, a set of 10 stamps.

Summer means a new class for me, which means new books, which means NEW BOOKMARKS!!  Which is perfect, because when I looked at this stamp set, the big flower just screamed "bookmark" to me.  I chose colors from the Later Sk8r paper pack.

The first step was to cut out the shape from the Cricut Artiste cartridge, once in White Daisy and once in Pear.  Then the image was stamped on the White Daisy cardstock, sprinkled with black embossing powder and heated with the heat gun.  To do the watercolor, squeeze the lid of your stamp pad.  When you open the pad, there will be a bit of ink on the underside of the lid, which you will run the waterbrush through to load with color.  After coloring, the magnet disks were attached to the inside of each piece and then they were laminated.  Laminating after attaching the magnet disks gives an extra layer of protection to keep the magnets attached to the bookmark.  The bad thing about lamination is that regular adhesives don't adhere to it very well.

A few years ago I learned about Terrifically Tacky tape, which is AMAZING when you are working with surfaces that don't take adhesive well.  I applied the Terrifically Tacky tape to the underside of the front piece and trimmed to fit, then attached the two pieces of the bookmark together.  I squeezed them together, then decided to give the bond a little extra holding power by using my heat gun to warm the bookmark and squeezing some more.  And here is the final product in action.

Papers: CTMH Pear and White Daisy cardstock
Inks: CTMH Lagoon, Outdoor Denim, and Pear; Versamark
Tools and Techniques: CTMH Black Embossing Powder, Waterbrush, Cricut Artiste cartridge, Basic Grey magnets, Xyron lamination, Terrifically Tacky Tape  

Remember, A Flowering Bunch is only available June 1-30, 2013.  Ask your consultant, or click here, to find out how to get this stamp for yourself!

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

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

May 2013 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the May 2013 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop, featuring Pinwheel, a set of 10 Stamps.  This month we have over 60 Close To My Heart consultants participating in our hop.  If you've just arrived here from {Lucy'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!

I made my card following the Mojo Monday sketch 291 and using the CTMH Sophia papers.   The bright colors would make this card appropriate for a variety of occasions, so I opted to not use a sentiment until I decide who will be the recipient.  I stamped the pinwheel image twice (once in Hollyhock and once in Pear), then cut out and layered the pieces.  The Bigger Brad was used to allow the pinwheel to spin, and the pinwheel was mounted with 3-D Mounting Foam.  

Papers: CTMH cardstock in Colonial White and Goldrush,  CTMH Sophia 

Inks: CTMH Goldrush, Hollyhock and Pear 
Tools and Techniques: CTMH Bigger Brads in Hollyhock, CTMH ricrac ribbon in Hollyhock, 3-D Mounting Foam
Stamp Sets: CTMH Pinwheel 

Remember, Pinwheel is only available during the month of May 2013.  Ask your consultant, or click here, to find out how to get this stamp for yourself!

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

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

April 2013 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the April 2013 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop, featuring My Sunshine, a set of 8 stamps.  This month we have over 50 Close To My Heart consultants participating in our hop.  If you've just arrived here from {Wendy'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!  

I made my card following the Mojo Monday sketch 286, and I went for the round option.  Since I wanted to use the bird stamp, I figured using the Magnifique papers was a good plan.  I cut out the scalloped circle card using the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, and the bird image was cut out from the Artiste cartridge.  I wanted to use clear embossing powder to make the bird shine.  The trick to embossing in any color is to ink your stamp with Versamark and then with the color of your choice, and then stamp your image.  Sprinkle with clear embossing powder and use your heat gun to melt the powder to give a nice shiny surface.

Papers: CTMH cardstock in Chocolate, Colonial White, and Lagoon; CTMH Magnifique 
Inks: CTMH Pacific, Versamark
Tools and Techniques: CTMH ribbon, CTMH Bitty Brads in Antiqued Copper, 3-D Mounting Foam, CTMH Clear embossing powder, Cricut CTMH Artiste cartridge, Cricut CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge
Stamp Sets: CTMH My Sunshine

Remember, My Sunshine is only available April 1-30, 2013.  Contact your consultant, or click {here}, to find out how to get your own.

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

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

March 2013 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 Floral Happiness, a set of 16 stamps.  If you arrived from {Mary's} blog, you are on the right path.  If not,  you can jump in anywhere and enjoy the creations!

I created my card using the Avonlea paper pack and following the Mojo Monday 282 sketch.  The dimension comes from the Parlor Velvet Rub-Ons and buttons from the Green Assortment.  The sentiment was stamped on Slate cardstock in Slate ink.  I like how stamping on the cardstock with the same color ink lets the image stand out yet be somewhat subdued at the same time.

Papers: CTMH cardstock in Slate and Colonial White, and CTMH Avonlea 
Inks: CTMH Olive and Slate
Tools and Techniques: CTMH Parlor Velvet Rub-ons, CTMH Buttons, Zots glue dots, direct-to-paper distressing
Stamp Sets: CTMH Floral Happiness

Remember, Floral Happiness is only available 1-31 March 2013.  Contact your Close To My Heart consultant, or click here, to find out how to order your own.

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

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

February 2013 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the February 2013 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop featuring Home Sweet Home, a set of 4 stamps.  If you've just arrived here from{Laurie's} blog, you are on the right path.   But, if you're just starting here you won't miss a thing.  Our hop is one big circle, so jump right on in and enjoy the artwork!

It's a funny coincidence that this month's Stamp of the Month is called Home Sweet Home and this month I will celebrate one year back from being stationed in Okinawa.  I'd had a project idea in mind for this set, but once I sat at my craft table I changed my mind and decided to play with my Cricut.

Papers: CTMH cardstock in Kraft, 
Inks: CTMH Pacifica
Tools and Techniques: Cricut, Cricut Artiste Cartridge, CTMH Buttons, Glue Dots
Stamp Sets: CTMH Home Sweet Home

Remember, Home Sweet Home is only available February 1-28, 2013.  Contact your consultant, or click here, to find out how to get one for yourself.

Now hop on over to {Sarita'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.

My 2012 Crafting Count

Well, 2012 was not a very productive year for me craft-wise, but that is because of how busy I was with work and school.  I moved back to the States from Okinawa, took a bunch of college classes, made the Dean's List, was inducted into TWO honor societies, got an AWESOME back injury at work, completed extra professional education and reading for work, and planned and executed the biggest-deal project of my military career.  Unfortunately, that means my expenditures on crafting supplies FAR exceeded my production for the year.  These are my totals:

Pages complete: 0

Cards complete: 13

Altered Items: 3

Digital Pages complete: 0

Sewing Items: 0

Crochet Items: 0

Miscellaneous Items: 2

I actually did work on some digital layouts on Studio J, but I don't count them until I place the order (so that will mean a boost in my 2013 numbers).  

I think my school schedule this year will be such that I will be able to have at least a little bit of crafting time each month (well, until the fall anyway).  Maybe I'll set a goal this year of scheduling crafting time into my weeks.  That sounds like a good goal.  What are YOUR crafting goals for 2013?