Blog Hop! January Stamp of the Month!

Introducing, "Little Reminder", the Stamp of the Month for January! (From Close to my Heart, CTMH) This is a blog hop where you will be able to click from link to link and see what Consultants have created with this stamp set. It is pretty exciting to see all of the things you can create with this stamp set. You are sure to be inspired!

First, take a look at this fabulous stamp set! Cute numbers! Days of the week! Months! Journal lines! Great phrases!

 

I used my stamp set to create a Valentine! I put Feb 14th on my circle. I cut the round scallop card with the Art Philosophy cricut cartridge. I set it to 5 1/2 inches. This will fit in our square white envelopes that are 6x6. (Just remember there is a little bit of extra postage to mail square cards). You might recognize the tiny polka dot heart from the December Stamp of the Month!

Mojo221 Sketch Challenge

I created the layout for this card based on the sketch challenge from Mojo Monday. Check it out, maybe you want to play along too!

Now, back to the Hop! If you arrived here from my good friend Casandra's blog then you are on the right track. Now go to Nikka's blog to see what she created!

If you would like to own the January stamp of the month just visit my online website! You can purchase it at the full price of $17.95... OR if you make a $50 purchase you can receive it for just $5.00! Also keep in mind that $25 purchases quality you for the Rock the Block promotion for just $15.00! (A set of decorative blocks in a tray with an E sized stamp set, a great deal!)

Rock the Block Blog Hop!

Starting December 19th, when you order $25 worth of CTMH products, you are able to purchase this AWESOME Rock the Block special for only $15....you get this stamp set PLUS the My Creations Collage Cubes. This is an item that will be featured in the new Idea Book that will be avialable to shop in February. But, this item is available now, so consider it a "Sneak Peak"! Here's what the E-size stamp set looks like (retail is $29.95 US)

We have over 30 Consultants participating so you should see a lot of different takes on this stamp set as well as the cubes (made of heavy weight white chipboard-like material).

I would like to share my strategy for decorating the blocks. I have a nice area where I can decorate for each season and Holiday. These blocks fit in that space perfectly! So my take on the project was to use the blocks to spell out words. Here are the words I am creating.

-Christmas

-Schmuckal (my last name, exactly 9 letters!)

-Valentine

-EasterEgg

-Birthday (last block is a balloon)

-Halloween

If you've come from Katy's Blog, you're on the right track...

You'll hop on over to Nikka's Blog now and see what she's done with it...

Remember...you can order these starting today (December 19th) through January 31st with a qualifying $25 order!

Tuesday Trigger Card

I have created this card to add to a pack of cards a customer of mine ordered as a Christmas gift for her friend. I was inspired for this project by the "Tuesday Trigger" Challenge on the Moxie Fab World blog. Below is a picture of the inspiration photo.

A partridge in a pear tree was the theme. I focused on the "pear". I used the color pallet of soft grey, blue, white, and ivory. I used tiny crystals to mimic the look of the beading on the pillow. I used emboss resist technique to mimic the embroidered branch from the inspiration item.

What do you think?

Polka Dot and Flower Card

I have been working on creating a pack of cards that a family member ordered from me as a gift for her friends. I used this week's Mojo Monday Sketch as inspiration for one of the cards. It is fun to have a pattern to go buy when I create cards. I can get right to work, but I can still add my own ideas and style. Let me know what you think of this one!

I used papers from the You and Me kit on a Kraft colored card. I used a sponge and chocolate ink to add depth to the edges of the layers. I used wide striped ribbon as my vertical element. When I layered the circles on top of the scallop it started to look like a flower.

Wonderland Layout H2H

 

I created this two page scrapbook page layout based upon the sketch Cheryl created for the Heart 2 Heart scrapbooking challenge.  I couldn't wait to cut into my "Wonderland" Kit with this! I was excited to use the zip strips for the two parallel details in the middle. They are just the right scale. There is still room to stamp a title after I find the photos that I want to use on this. I was able to work this layout to be ready to feature 2 horizontal 4x6 photos and 4 vertical 3x5 photos.

I made the edges of my photo mat cardstock pieces look snowed on or frosted with the use of the sanding technique. I used a nail file and sanded down the edges so that the white core would shine through along the sides. I was also excited to use my Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to cut out snowflakes for embellishments. When I added the round sparkles to the middle of them it really made them pop.



Let me know what you think! Keep an eye on the sketch challenges on the Heart 2 Heart challenge Blog, maybe you will want to play along!

I will be hosting a Scrapbooking workshop in the new year using the Wonderland Kit. Let me know if you would like to attend! Just email me and I can give you more details.

New Stamp Technique: "Embossed Resist"

 There are always new and clever ways to use the same supplies we already have on hand. Have you tried "Emboss Resist" before in your stamping? This is so much fun!

Here is what you need:
- A Stamp
- Versa Mark Ink
- Clear Embossing Powder
- Heat Gun
- Card Stock
- Ink
- Sponge, Facial Sponge, or Paper Towel

Steps:
- Stamp image on card stock in Versa Mark Ink
- Cover in clear embossing powder and tap off extra
- Heat with heat gun, let cool
- Dab with colored ink until desired coverage is achieved
- Tada! Your image shows through the ink!

Watch this video from Close To My Heart to see these steps in action!

Fancy Christmas Card

An inspirational photo and a sketch challenge is all I need to get right to work! That is why I created this fancy Christmas Card.

 The layout was created based on the Mojo-Monday Card Sketch Challenge. I was excited to work on this sketch because I rarely think to use an oval. I used the scallop oval chipboard piece from my Art Philosophy Cricut Bundle. I used Pear ink to sponge the edges.

The colors and textures I used were based on the Inspiration photo from the Heart 2 Heart Challenge. I used papers and stamps from the "Believe" Kit. The pieces were left over after I created my Scrap Book Layouts. I added some sparkle with the large and small glittery red and pear brads from the "Jolly Twinkle Brads" I found in the While Supplies Last section of my website. The black ribbon with white polka-dots is from Michaels.

Let me know what you think! These challenges are so much fun and they help me to keep my card pile stocked! Maybe you want to play along too!

Pretty Birthday Card

I love to create handmade Birthday cards for friends! I love the modern and trendy look of the polka dot paper from the "You and Me" Kit from Close to my Heart. When I paired it with the satin cream ribbon I loved how it looked.

I created the layout of this card based on the Mojo Monday Card Sketch Challenge. Follow the link to see what others have created with the same design in mind. Maybe you will want to play along!

Wonderland Card H2H84

I was playing around with my "Wonderland" kit and decided to create a card with the leftover scraps from creating my Scrap Book Layouts. I really am in love with the mitten from the stamp set that comes with the kit. It is adorable!

I added some prisma glitter to it with the glue pen and cut in between the mittens and up under the string so that I could loop it over the "closeline". I glued the background mitten to the card base and then used the 3D foam tape to pop the foreground mitten. I love how it makes it appear to actually be hanging on the clothesline!

I followed the layout from the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog for the design. Follow my link to the H2H Blog to see what others have created with the same layout challenge. Maybe you want to play along too?

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