September 2011 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Close To My Heart consultant Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring the September SOTM, which is Limited Edition, a set of 21 stamps. If you have come here from {Teresa's} blog, you are on the right path!  If this is your starting point, hop on in and enjoy the fun.  Just click the link at the end of the post to take you to the next blog in our hop.

This is one of many CTMH stamp sets that coordinates with the new Cricut© Art Philosophy Collection, which is exclusive to Close To My Heart and includes the Art Philosophy cartridge, 3 My Acrylix® D-sized stamp sets, and 3 9" X 12" Dimensional Elements (Item number for the collection is Z1686).  I look at this stamp set and had inspiration for book marks, gift tags, and the project that I made, magnets.

I stamped the images on cardstock, and used some of our (now retired) Window Charms.  I simply applied the Window Charms over the stamp image, cut out with my cutting knife and glued a magnet on the back (you can use magnetic sheets, which are usually self adhesive, as well).   Since my barracks room has a metal door, I now have a cute magnet to hang my "don't forget" list (so maybe I'll stop forgetting my coffee, or workout clothes, or mp3 player...) when I leave for work or school.  The other two will go to work for my board; the clock is for anything time-sensitive, and the hand is for my "to do" items.  I love when I get to have something cute and useful at work!

Remember, Limited Edition is only available September 1-30, 2011.  Contact your consultant, or click here, to find out how to get yours.

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

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

August 2011 CTMH Spotlight Blog Hop Featuring Circle Cards

Welcome to the CTMH Spotlight Blog Hop featuring Circle Cards.  If you've arrived from{Luisa's} blog, you are on the right path.  If you are just starting here, welcome to our circle hop.  Simply click on the link at the end of the post, and it will take you to the next blog in the hop.  Once you get back here, you've completed the hop!

Circle cards can be unique and lots of fun, but they can also be a hassle.  Trying to cut your circle just right, trying to find an envelope to fit it...ugh!  But, Close To My Heart has made it easier to make it from your heart with Circle Cards.  They are available in Colonial White (Z1352) or White Daisy (Z1353), and they come with matching envelopes.

I made this card using they Key To My Heart paper pack (a special from a few years back).  I matched the paper up to the card, and using the card as my template cut out a piece for the front and a piece for the inside.  After gluing on the paper and letting it dry, I added some Sorbet buttons, Juniper ribbon with Juniper Bigger Brad, and used 3-D Mounting Foam to mount the sentiment, which is from Salutation Seals and was stamped in Sorbet ink on Colonial White cardstock, and I used a Marvy Uchida punch for the circle.  The buttons were adhered with Liquid Glass, and my Circle Card is cute, coordinated, and quick!  

Circle Cards are a cute and fast way to make cards and their size makes them convenient to help you use up your scraps.

Now, hop on around to {Adeline's} blog to find more inspiration!

August 2011 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Close To My Heart consultant Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring the August SOTM, which is Wicked, a set of 9 stamps. If you have come here from {Georgia's} blog, you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you can hop right in and enjoy our round-robin hop.

I went a bit outside the box and used this set to make a birthday card for a friend.  I stamped the witch image, and then cut it out (cutting the bird away entirely).   I had the Eagles' Witchy Woman going through my head while making this card.  LOL.  I was pretty excited because I used a paper pack (Olivia) and two colors (Pear and Smoothie) that I had never used before (I haven't been scrapping much this year, owing to my work, school, and volunteer schedule).  The Today's Date image was stamped on Bamboo cardstock, and cut out using a Coluzzle circle.  I circled the "1" with Barn Red marker (my friend's birthday is the 1st), and the "Happy Birthday" sentiment was stamped in Chocolate ink.  I had pulled out all sorts of embellishments to use, but as I started assembling the card, embellishments just seemed like too much for this card.  I guess that's an advantage to using such busy (and I don't mean that in a bad way!) paper. 

Papers: CTMH Bamboo and Smoothie cardstock, CTMH Olivia
Inks: CTMH Barn Red, Chocolate,  and Olive, CTMH Barn Red Market

Tools and Techniques: Fiskars Threading Water punch, Coluzzle Circle,
Stamp Sets: CTMH Wicked, Card Chatter-Birthday, and Today's Date

Remember, Wicked is only available August 1-31, 2011.  Contact your consultant, or click here, to find out how to get yours.

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

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

July 2011 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the July 2011 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop featuring American Celebration, a set of 12 stamps.  If you have just arrived from {Terrie'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.

My project is a set of place cards for your Independence Day picnic table.  Simply cut cardstock to your desired width by two times your desired height, then score and fold.  Stamp the images in shades of red and blue (I used Cranberry, Pacifica, and Sky), and stamp or write in the guests' names.  I also made slightly larger cards that you can use to label the tables (really useful if you are having a potluck, so like dishes are put together).  I used the rock and roll technique on the "dessert" card, first inking the stamp in Sky, then rolling the Cranberry stamp pad around the edges to get the two colors blended.  Names were stamped using Friendship Alphabet Small.

Remember, American Celebration is only available July 1-31, 2011.  Contact your consultant or click here to find out how to get your own.

Now hop on over to {Nicole's} blog to celebrate her project.

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

June 2011 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Time for the June Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.  If you just arrived from {Lisa'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.  We are featuring the June 2011 Stamp of the Month Jubilation, a set of 24 stamps.

It is PCS season (that means "Permanent Change of Station", or moving season for all of you non-military types), so that means several of my friends will be moving in the next few weeks.  I used the stamp of the month to make a few "good luck" cards.  These cards were made using the pattern for card 1 of the greetings card workshop in the book Wishes by Jeanette Lynton.  Two sheets of cardstock and one sheet of B&T paper give you all the pieces you need to make 16 cards.   This stamp set is perfect with the greetings card workshop, because you can make a bunch of cards for a variety of occasions faster, simpler, and easier.  Three pieces of paper and one stamp set!  I LOVE easy!

Papers: CTMH Sweet Leaf and Juniper cardstock, CTMH Creative Basics Wings
Inks: CTMH Cocoa, Juniper, and Sweet Leaf

Tools and Techniques: Wishes, Direct-to-paper ink distressing, sponging, 3-D Mounting Foam
Stamp Set: Piece of Cake

Remember, Jubilation is only available June 1-30, 2011.  Contact your Close To My Heart consultant, or click here, to order one for yourself.

Now hop on over to {Georgia's} blog to experience her Jubilation!

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

CTMH Spotlight Blog Hop Featuring Buttons

Welcome to the May 2011 CTMH Spotlight Blog Hop featuring buttons.  If you've just arrive from {Luisa's} blog, you're on the right path.  If you are just starting here, you can still enjoy the whole hop.  Our hop is a circular hop, so just click on the link at the end of each post to take you to the next stop on the hop.
 

One thing I love about CTMH is that the accessories and embellishments match the inks and papers perfectly.  However, sometimes you want to do something a little different.  I wanted to incorporate a patterned button into my card, so I made my very own designer buttons using a patterned paper, Liquid Glass, and a few clear buttons.

 To do this, simply cover the back of your button with Liquid Glass, then place it on the paper.  Press it down to ensure no air bubbles, and every few minutes press down again to ensure it stays even (notice the one on the paper is raised up on one side, you don't want your final product like that).  Once it is dry, cut around the button, sand the edges if necessary, use your Piercing Tool or Embossing Stylus to poke through the holes, and then attach to your project.

I made my card following Mojo Monday Sketch 190, and the H2H Challenge (All Buttoned Up).   

 Now hop on over to {Nikka's} blog to see what she's put together!  If you find any broken links along the way, Wendy has the complete list of hoppers here.

May 2011 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the May 2011 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop, featuring Chairs to You, a set of 14 Stamps.  This month we have over 50 Close To My Heart consultants participating in our hop.  If you've just arrived here from {Sheila'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 this card following the sketch for Mojo Monday 188 and the OCC Challenge (easel cards).  Rather than make a round or square card, I opted to use my Nestabilities Labels One die to make my card.  This card actually had quite a monochromatic feel until I colored the flowers of the chair Vineyard Berry.   After that addition, I figured a bit more color would look good, so I used a Cocoa button and Antiqued Copper brads as the centers of the flowers, which were colored using homemade glimmer-y mist.  The scalloped circle was sponged with ink in the same color (Juniper), and mounted with 3-D Mounting Foam.  Decorate the inside, and a cute housewarming card for a friend who is about to move (of course, knowing my "postal failure" history, only time will tell if this card actually makes it to the intended recipient).

Papers: CTMH cardstock in Cocoa, Juniper, and Sweet Leaf, CTMH Wings Creative Basics
Inks: CTMH Cocoa, CTMH Markers in New England Ivy and Vineyard Berry
Tools and Techniques: Nestabilities Labels One, Cuttlebug, CTMH flowers, CTMH ribbon (included in Wings Creative Basics, CTMH Buttons, CTMH brads, Marvy Uchida punch, 3-D Mounting Foam
Stamp Sets: CTMH Chairs to You


Remember, Chairs to You is only available during the month of May 2011.  Ask your consultant, or click here, to find out how to get this stamp for a discount or possibly even FREE!


Now hop on over to {Brae'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.