Blog Hop: "Mad About You!"

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! This month is the December stamp set called "Mad About You". This set is great for Valentines, Wedding, Anniversary, and other love themed paper crafts.

If you arrived here from my dear friend Casandra's Blog then you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and hop your way all around. If you get lost along the way you will find a complete list of the participating Consultants here on Helen's Blog.

This month we have more then 50 Close to my Heart Consultants who have all used the same stamp set to create one of a kind artwork. You are sure to be inspired and find more then a few projects you would like to make for yourself! So, to jump into the hop, just click on the link at the end of each blog post to move to the next blog. Ready? Here we go!

Today I have created a Love-themed card that could be used for Valentine's Day or an Anniversary. Let me know what you think!

I used a white card base, with Cranberry Red Card Stock. I cut the medallion shape with my Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge and then stamped it in Cranberry Red Ink. The shape used from the cartridge had two slots on it that were sized perfectly for the White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon, so I attached it like a "belt". I used some Heart shapes stamped with Cranberry Red ink ON Cranberry Red Card Stock to create a "watermark" look and accented the inside and back of the card. I also used my Close to My Heart signature stamp to leave me mark on my card.

Now hop on over to the next blog, Nikka's Blog, and see what this talented lady has created! Be sure to visit all of the blogs on this hop to see all of the inspiring projects the Consultants have created. But Remember, Mad About You stamp set is only available until December 31st. If you need it before Christmas you will want to order before December 12th. Click here to see my website and order your stamp set!

Saying goodbye to a best friend

A friend of mine at work has had a very special relationship with her German Shepard. They spent many memorable years together taking care of each other. I have always loved hearing stories about her and her beloved pooch. We would laugh at funny pictures of him wearing a towel around his head after a bath and looking very "fiddler on the roof". I have always adored his puppy photo which my friend has always kept on her desk. (I have been secretly jealous because I do not have a puppy photo of my Dog because he was full grown when we adopted him.)

When my friend had to say goodbye to her canine friend, after he turned ill, my heart was heavy imagining how she must feel. A whole chapter of her life was spent with him by her side. An unforgettable chapter. When another office friend suggested we get a card I jumped at the opportunity to create a special handmade version just for her.

I created this card to celebrate the very special relationship between a Dog and his loving owner. I kept it streamlined and simple. No fuss or fluff. Just summarizing. "Unforgettable". Sometimes with a sympathy card it is easy to go overboard and over do it, because there is so much you feel and so much you want to say. But what you really want to say is "I'm thinking of you".

I have entered this card in the call for submission at Moxie Fab World Blog, 365 Cards Week: The Celebrating Relationships Challenge. National Dog Day is Aug 26th.

The layout for this card is based on the CFC29 sketch at the "CAS-ual Fridays" Blog. A Weekly Challenge blog dedicated to CAS, Clean and Simple Designs.

"You got a new job" Card!

This is a very special card for my Sister-in-law, whom just got promoted to a NEW JOB! We are so excited for her that I had to make this card to share in the celebration. When I saw the Mojo Monday sketch challenge for this past week I knew that it would work for what I wanted to do on this card. I also see that it will fit a call for entry for "Encouragement" cards on Moxie Fab. (Links will be at the bottom of this post)

I used shades of Petal, Dusty Plum, and Lagoon for my color combinations on this card. For my circle accents the main accent is from the Lagoon Mini Medley pack from Close to my Heart. The other two circles are stamped and punched with a 3/4" circle punch from Stampin' Up. The words are from the You and Me stamp set from CTMH.

I can't wait to give her this card tonight before she leaves town from having visited for Thanksgiving!

Check out the Challenges that I entered this card in! Maybe you want to play along too?
Mojo Monday 216
Moxie Fab World, 365 Cards Week: Pay it Forward

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving 2011 is "in the books" now. I bet you took a few pictures and you are anxious to get your memories into YOUR books with a new Scrapbook page! I thought you might like to peek at a layout I created recently at my Dreamin' Workshop. If you would like to create it for yourself I have the recipe below.

My layout design is based on "Deck of Cards" (pg 30 of Magic Book). On the Left Hand page I cut the words from the zip strip to add to the scalloped edge of the featured photo. (The photo space is for a 5x7 vertical) I trimmed the words to fit inside the scalloped piece and cut a V in the ends. The word "Family" is from the stickease sticker set that coordinates. In the upper right hand area I added a quote from the stamp set "Treasure Life".

On the Right Hand page I created my title piece as a 3x12 so that the characters from the Thanksgiving set would have room to stand. The title piece has room for 4, 3x3 photos nested under it. The journaling detail is a large sticker from the stickease set.

1- Colonial White CS Base LH
1 - Goldrush Orange CS Base RH
LH Page: Goldrush 6x12, Brown Floral Paper 3 1/8x7 V and 2x7 for scallop, Geometric Pattern Paper 2x12 and 3 1/8x5
RH Page: 3x12 Colonial White CS, Geometric Pattern Paper 5x12

Tools: Scallop Punch for edge of feature photo accent and Sponge for color sponging the edge of the quote

Stamp Sets Used: C1426 Thanksgiving, D1306 Treasure Life
Ink: Goldrush, Chocolate

My Big Pre-Christmas Sale!

It starts NOW! My biggest sale of the year! Just in time for gift shopping! And you don't have to get up early and battle the traffic! You can even shop in your PJ's and no one will know! Place an order by email (heatherjanedesign@gmail.com) or phone from now to midnight on Cyber Monday (Nov 28th 2011). Now lets get to the great deals! Drum roll, please?

Spend $25: Choose any item $3.95 or less for FREE (Example: Embellishments!)

IF the $25 you spend is on stamp sets you can ALSO receive for only $5 the D-size stamp set called "Holiday Wishes". This stamp set has great images for Christmas AND it coordinates with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge! As an EXTRA BONUS with this promotion I will provide 3 contour cut card stock pieces of each shape.

Spend $50: Choose any item $5.25 or less for FREE (Example: Ink Pads!)

 In addition you will qualify for the November Stamp of the Month, "Cherish the Day", for $5. IF $25 of what you spend is on stamp sets you can ALSO receive "Holiday Wishes" for $5.

 

Spend $75: Choose any item $6.95 or less for FREE (Example: Size A stamp sets, ribbons...)

AND the November Stamp of the Month, "Cherish the Day", for $5. PLUS, IF $25 of what you spend is on stamp sets you can ALSO receive "Holiday Wishes" for $5.

Spend $100 OR purchase the Art Philosophy Cartridge:

Choose any item $9.95 or less for FREE (Example: Size B stamp sets, Level 2 Paper Packets, 12x12 quick pic albums, Micro-Tip Scissors...)

AND the November Stamp of the Month, "Cherish the Day", for $5. IF $25 of what you spend is on stamp sets you can ALSO receive "Holiday Wishes" for $5.

Spend $150: Choose $35.00 worth of product for FREE (Example: Alphabet stamp sets, Heat Gun, Organizers, How To Programs, Faux Leather Albums...)

ALSO receive "Holiday Wishes" for $5. AND the November Stamp of the Month, "Cherish the Day", for $5.

 Details:
- Orders must be emailed or called in to me. (leave a message if I cannot answer) Do not enter your own order online, email or call instead.
- Main order may ship separately from your Sale prizes

View the online catalog HERE.
Browse my website HERE.

Happy Birthday Baby!

I have waited till the last day to post this card because my good friend from High School is expecting her third and is now overdue... I was thinking the baby might have been here before my entry into the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge was due, but it has not worked out that way. So Kate, if you are reading this, no need to act surprised when you see it in person later. :)

 
I created this card as a "Happy Birthday Baby Girl" card.

I created the layout based upon the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge 215. I added buttons because I wanted to play along in the Random Fun Moxie Fab Challenge. There is still time if you want to play along too, the Random Fun items are due Dec 12th.

Recipe:
X7131B Sophia Paper Pack (CTMH) (Contour cut the green leaves to place under the buttons)
Z2166 Tulip Ink (CTMH) (Sponge on the edges of papers)
Z1370 Pink Button Pack (CTMH)
Stamp Set is one from the "Art Philosophy" Cricut Cartridge Set
Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon (Stampin' UP)

Card: Metal Accents

Metal accents and embellishments give a special card or scrapbook page extra pizazz! I often hoard my collection waiting for the perfect excuse to use them. When I came across some recent card making challenges it was time to dust my metal stash off! About the same time I heard of a family member that had surgery and was staying in the hospital. Thus, my creation is a "Get Well" card. Take a look and let me know what you think!

I created the design layout of my card based on the sketch from the Mojo Monday Challenge number 214. I was inspired to add metal through the suggestion of the Metal Mania Challenge from Heart 2 Heart.

This is the Card I created!

For the Flower embellishment I cut two different sized flowers on my Cricut with the Art Philosophy Cartridge. One was cut in sold Hollyhock card stock and the other in Daisy White card stock. I added ink color to the larger white one by dragging my stamp pad across it, which also created a textured look. I did the same in green for the leaves, the large circle accent, and the chipboard banner shape. I added a flower embossed large metal brad as the center of the flower.

I also used Metal in the hinge accent on the top of the chipboard banner. The hinge sandwiches the chipboard in its grip. The holes lined up just right for me to add small brads to hold it together. These items seemed destined to work together as their measurements lined up exactly as I wanted them to!

List of items used: (All items used are CTMH unless noted otherwise)

- 1385: White Card Stock as card base and shapes
- Z1686: Art Philosophy Cricut Bundle (shapes, chipboard, and coordinating stamps)
- Z2114: Ink: Cocoa
- Z2118: Ink: Desert Sand
- Z2128: Ink: HollyHock
- Paper: You and Me Kit (Retired)
- Z1243: Metal Embellishments: Pewter Mini-Medley
- Get Well Stamp: Unknown Brand ?

Multi- Photo Layout

Ever find yourself with a pile of photos you LOVE and want to fit into one layout? I went in search of some inspiration and I found a great scrapbooking layout sketch on the Heart 2 Heart Blog, Scrapbooking Challenge. This sketch lets you fit in multiple photos without looking too cluttered or jumbled, plus there is still room for a title and journaling. This is the sketch that was created by Cheryl.

I created my interpretation of this sketch with my Dreamin' Workshop Kit. I had a series of photos of my son just waiting for the right pages. This was a perfect fit. I used the blue papers from the kit to create a monochromatic color scheme. Instead of scallops I used the border strips, and I added then to the inside side of the columns also. I used Colonial White as a base and Pacifica Blue card stock on the columns. I added the top title "Steer Arrival" with the Pennant Alphabet set. The 2nd heading, "Farm Boy", was created with the Friendship Alphabet set. I used the library card stamp from the set "Limited Edition" to add some journaling.

 

 Let me know what you think!

I will be teaching this layout with my scrapbooking workshop with the Dreamin' Kit on Nov. 19th!