Jan. SOTM Blog Hop

Hi, Stampers and Scrappers!  Welcome to the Close To My Heart
January Stamp of the Month blog hop! 
If you have come here from Sheila's blog, you are on the right path.  This month's featured stamp set is called "Find Your Style."  It is a set of 9 gorgeous girly stamps and is available NOW through Jan. 31st only!  Find out how to get yours at a discount or FREE on my website HERE.
For my card,  I chose the dress form and paired it with the stunning "Wings" paper pack.  Check it out:

Don't you just love these colors--black, sweet leaf, and vineyard berry.  I also used black embossing powder, a black button from our Mini-Medley Accents Collection, and black brads.  The flower is made with our beautiful double-sided B&T papers and it fluffs up to give this card an extra dose of amazing dimension.  Here's a shot of the fluffy flower:

To make the flower, just punch out five scalloped circles (yes, all the same size), fasten them together in the center with a brad, adhere a button on top of the brad if you wish, and crumple each layer tightly around the button/brad.  Then uncrumple carefully and voila!  A gorgeous blossom!  Now hop on over to Doreen's blog and check out her awesome creation!  But before you go, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!  Happy New Year!

Dec. SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  This month we are featuring the December SOTM "Amore."  If you have come here from Wanda's blog, you are on the right path.  This month we have more than fifty CTMH consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs.  This is simple to do--just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move on to the next one!  Here we go! 

Here is a shot of this fabulous set of 13 stamps:

And here's my 6x6 card using this set:

I used the new Close To My Heart paper packet "Olivia" with our new Mocha Opaques.  I also used cardstock in Smoothie, Bamboo, and Barn Red, as well as Barn Red ink.  Now hop on over to Beth's blog to see her work!  Be sure to visit all the consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas.  Remember, the December SOTM is only available until Dec. 31st!  Click HERE to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even FREE! 

November SOTM Blog Hop

Hi! Welcome to the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  If you have come here from Michelle's blog, you are on the right track!  This month we are featuring the November SOTM which is called "A Little Thanks."  It is a cute set of 16 stamps of friendship and thanks like the one I used here:

For this card, I used the new CTMH paper pack called Magnifique, cardstock in two of our new colors--Pacifica and Lagoon--as well as my old favorites Chocolate and Colonial White.  The stamping was done with Chocolate and Lagoon ink, and I added three bitty Sparkles from the blue and green assortment.  Remember, this stamp set is only available until Nov. 30th!  You can get it at a discount or even FREE with your purchase of Close To My Heart products.  Just click HERE to go to my website.  Now hop on over to Doreen's blog to check out her amazing artwork!  But before you go, please leave me a comment and let me know if you liked my card!

CTMH October SOTM Blog Hop

Hi!  Welcome to the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  This month we are featuring the October SOTM which is called "Share the Magic:"  It is a set of 12 stamps.  If you have come here from Wendy's blog, you are on the right path.  Just follow along, and I'll have a link at the bottom of my post to connect you to the next blog.  So here's the Christmas card that I made using this stamp set:

I used the Mistletoe Paper Packet, New England Ivy and Colonial White cardstock, New England Ivy and Black ink, CTMH markers in Cranberry, New England Ivy, and Chocolate, and Cranberry velvet ribbon.  The snowman's eyes and buttons are made with our new Opaques.  They are self-adhesive and come in 3 colors and 4 sizes each.  I used the black ones from the Licorice pack.  We also have Mocha Opaques which have shades of brown and Pearl Opaques.  The sentiment and flourish at the bottom are from one of our A-size stamp sets "A Timber."  These versatile sets are only $7.95!  The snowflakes were made with a Martha Stewart punch and the scalloped circle is a Marvy punch.  Here's a close-up of the snowman:

Now hop on over to Nicole's blog to see her artwork!  Remember, the October SOTM is only available until Oct. 31st!  Click HERE to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even FREE!

CTMH Spotlight Blog Hop--Dimensional Elements!

Hi!  Welcome to the Close To My Heart Spotlight Blog Hop!  If you just arrived from Karen's blog, you are on the right path.  This month we are featuring Dimensional Elements.  Dimensional Elements are CTMH's fabulous white chipboard accents.  They come in many shapes--from A (alphabet) to Z (zigzag borders)!  And they can be stamped, painted, papered, chalked, and more!  Just take a look:

I used the Stars Dimensional Elements to make this rockin' easel card.  The large star at the top is covered with CTMH paper from the You Rock paper pack.  Looks practically perfect, doesn't it?  Do you ever wonder how people get their paper-covered chipboard shapes to look so perfect?  It's really simple:  First, trace your shape and cut it out.  Next, put adhesive on the dimensional element and stick it to the wrong side of the paper shape so that the right side will be showing.  (I was really sleepy the first time I tried this, and I glued my star to the right side of the paper, flipped it over and saw the wrong side, and went "AAUGH!"  LOL!)  Note to self:  do not try this when overtired!  Also, if you're tracing elements that are not symmetrical, flip them over and trace them on the wrong side of the paper.  That way they will be correct on the right side of the paper AND your pencil marks won't show.  Ok, where was I?  Back to the next step.  After adhering your paper to the dimensional element, use Finishing Files (Z1091) to file off the extra paper and smooth the edges.  These tools are what make the difference between okay and perfect!  When your edges are smooth, distress them with your favorite ink color so they will really pop!  Here's a shot of my easel card closed up.  When it's closed like this, it will fit in a standard size envelope.

For the blue star, I stamped directly on the white dimensional element with Indian Corn Blue ink on a stamp from the Just Be You stamp set (B1341).  Then I inked the edges and the points of the star with the same color ink on a sponge dauber.  The dotted orange star was made with a stamp from Spot On Backgrounds (D1280) and Goldrush ink.  Other products used were the You Rock stamp set (D1346), the Star Power stamp set (D1403), Outdoor Denim ink, and Goldrush cardstock.  All patterned papers are from the You Rock paper pack (X7122B).  All products used are from Close To My Heart--just click to purchase them for yourself!  Here's a shot of my easel card from the side.  See how it will stand up by itself?  Also, don't miss the 3 small stars on the flat piece on the bottom.  Those are also dimensional elements which I colored by rubbing them directly on the ink pads and then decorated with Love Letters Rub-ons (Z1312). 

So, what do you think of Dimensional Elements?  Fun, huh?!!!  You can cover them, stamp them, ink them, and rub on them!  (Sorry, just couldn't resist that pun).  Now hop on over to Melinda's blog and take a look at her creation!  But before you go, let me know what you think of mine--did you like my card?  Was my information helpful?  Have a great day and keep on craftin'!

September SOTM Blog Hop--It's a Thriller!

Welcome to our Close To My Heart  Stamp of the Month  Blog Hop! 
If you have come here from Wendy's blog, you are on the right track! 

This month we are featuring the September SOTM which is called Thriller!  It's an awesome set of 9 stamps including this great vampire that I used on my Halloween card:

Cute, isn't he!  LOL!  For this card, I used the new Close To My Heart paper pack called Hooligans, cardstock in two of our new colors--pear and sunset, black ink and cardstock, black brads, and some of our new bling embellishments--Licorice Opaques! 

If you want to join me in learning the techniques to make this card, as well as 6 more cards OR a Halloween layout, check out my  Events Calendar Here  for my September workshops! 

Remember, this stamp set is only available until September 30th!  You can get it at a discount or even FREE with your purchase of  Close To My Heart products HERE.

Now hop on over to Angela's blog to check out her amazing artwork!  We have almost 70 consultants participating in the blog hop this month, so you're sure to get some great ideas if you keep on hopping!  And, hey--leave me a comment and let me know if you liked my card!

CTMH New Product Blog Hop--It's Magnifique!

Welcome to our Close To My Heart New Product Blog Hop!
More than 50 fabulous CTMH consultants are celebrating the upcoming release of the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book by giving you a sneak peek of some of the great products available in the new Idea Book starting September 1st.  If you have come here from Lori's blog, you are on the right path!  You can also find a complete list of blog hop participants at http://www.tazzygirl2000.blogspot.com/.  This is simple to do--just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one.  Here we go! 

I made this card using the new CTMH paper pack Magnifique and the new stamp set Circle of Love.  I am IN LOVE with this paper and the peacock stamp--aren't they gorgeous?!!!

This card is based on the template "Puzzle Backdrop" on page 91 of Originals.  I used some of our new ink colors--pear, lagoon, and pacifica--with lagoon, chocolate, and colonial white cardstock.  I also used a new favorite embellishment**Sparkles** in blue and green.  Love my bling!

If you would like to learn the technique to make this card as well as six more cards OR a scrapbook layout, check out my Events Calendar Here for my September workshops.

Now hop on over to Jean's blog to see her amazing artwork!  Be sure to visit all the consultants' blogs to get some great crafting ideas for all of the fabulous new products in the new Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book!  And remember it goes LIVE on September 1st!

And, hey--leave me a comment and let me know what you think of my peacock card!

CTMH Spotlight Blog Hop--Background Stamping!

Hi!  Welcome to the CTMH Spotlight Blog Hop!  If you have just come from Haley's blog, you are on the right track.  Didn't you just love her artwork?!!!  This month we are spotlighting Background Stamping, and for my project, I chose the CTMH "Star Power" stamp set to make a Rock Star card for one of my favorite teenagers.  I absolutely love the CTMH "You Rock" paper pack with its wild colors of Goldrush, Indian Corn Blue, Olive, and Outdoor Denim!  But what if your rock star is more of a pink and sparkly rock star?  With background stamping, you can create your own paper and make it whatever colors you want:

All products used are from Close To My Heart unless otherwise noted.  For this card I used White Daisy, Watermelon, and Black cardstock and ink.  I used the CTMH "Star Power" stamp set.  I stamped the star flourish diagonally on the White Daisy cardstock in black ink and colored those stars with a CTMH Watermelon marker.  Then I stamped various sizes of stars and flourishes with Black and Watermelon ink.  I stamped the guitar and sentiment with Versamark ink on Watermelon cardstock and heat embossed them with black embossing powder.  The pink, white, and black stacked star was made using punches but could also have been made by cutting out additional stamped stars from this set.  I "blinged" it up with CTMH sparkles.  The only non-CTMH product used was black diamond Stickles on the guitar and star. Here's a close-up:

As you can see, I also popped up the star with some 3-D foam tape.  Don't you just love it?  I hope my rock star does too!  Leave me a comment, and let me know what you think.  Then hop on over to Karen's blog and check out her work of art!  Thanks for stopping by!

TPE77--The Pink Elephant Sketch Challenge

I used this sketch from The Pink Elephant:

to make this birthday card for a teenager:

All products used are from Close To My Heart.  I used the You Rock paper, Star Power and Spot On Backgrounds stamp sets,  cardstock and ink in Goldrush and Smokey Plum, and gold embossing powder.  I think it's totally awesome!  What do you think?

Design Dollies Trifecta!

The Design Dollies Trifecta consists of (1)--a color challenge.  This week it was light green, dark green, kraft, and pink.  Pink?  Oh, I'm all over that!

(2)--An element challenge:  Use two or more ribbons (I have 20 shoeboxes of ribbon--yes, really!)
and/or use ribbon in an unexpected way (Me?  Unexpected?  Please!)

(3)--And a sketch:

How cute is that?!!!
So here's my combination of all three--the Design Dollies Trifecta:

Here's what I did:  My base is Close To My Heart cardstock in Desert Sand.  I sprayed it with Meadow Green Glimmer Mist using the large flourish glimmer screen from the Tattered Angels Blossom pack.  The patterned paper is Cherry-O from CTMH.  I used Martha Stewart punch around the page border punches with CTMH Baby Pink cardstock for the doily-ish pieces and Blush cardstock and ink with Marvy punches for the title and distressing.  The bling is also CTMH Cherry-O Opaques.  Other CTMH cardstock used is Colonial White, Topiary, and Sweet Leaf.  The ribbon for the ice cream cone is from my stash (probably from the dollar bin at Michael's).  What do you think?  Oh, and I'm also entering this in the Fun with Shapes and More Challenge because they too are doing the colors of pink, green, and brown.

Cupcake Craft Challenge 97

Just finishing up my last cards for the gift set I'm making for a 13-year-old boy.  Today I used the sketch by Liza Caurruthers from Cupcake Craft Challenge 97.  Here's the sketch:

And here's my version:

I'm using the Max and Whiskers paper from Basic Grey with the Miller stamp from Simply Betty Stamps.  Colored with Copics, of course!

Two Cards for Connor

When I saw this fabulous character from Simply Betty Stamps, I just knew I had to have him!  His name is Miller, but he reminds me of my BFF's 13-year-old son Connor.  PLUS--the Miller stamp comes with a lizard stamp AND the real Connor has a bearded dragon lizard for a pet, so it was meant to be!  And BTW--Simply Betty Stamps is having an amazing sale this week, so check them out!

 My first card uses a sketch from Card Positioning Systems--CPS 172.  Here's the sketch:

And here's my card:

I'm also entering this card in another challenge--Fun with Shapes and More.  Their challenge was to use anything punched--my circles--and distressing.  I scissor distressed the white cardstock and the patterned paper.  Then I used a sponge dauber and black ink to distress the edges of the brown and white cardstock.  I really like scissor distressing on cards for boys--it just adds that extra "messiness"--lol!

My second card uses Sketch 62 from The Sweet Stop: 

And here's my take on this one:

Both cards are made with the Max and Whiskers paper from Basic Grey--I LOVE the colors of this paper, and even though I'm not crazy about the pet theme, I bought it with these stamps in mind.  I thought it would work well for masculine cards AND for beach layouts.  Miller is colored with Copic markers except for his hair.  I had to use Tombow watercolor markers for his hair because I am just beginning to collect Copics, and none of my browns were dark enough!  I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Sew Many Cards--Anything Goes!

Charisma Cardz Challenge #25--For the Boys

Pixie Dust Studio Challenge #28--Seeing 2

Fish Face: June Week 1 Sketchy Saturday and The Pink Elephant Ella's Pink Scrapbook Challenge #10

Here's my newest summer layout starring my favorite two year old--Sam!

The left side is based on a sketch by Lori Boyd from The Pink Elephant for Ella's Pink Scrapbook Challenge #10.

And here's my take on her sketch:

The right side is based on a sketch from Simply Scrapping Crafts for their Sketchy Saturday Challenge.

And here's my version of that sketch:

All the paper is from Anna Griffin.  The little "fishy" embellishments are from K&Company.  (Can you believe they actually match?!!!)  I cut out the title with my Cuttlebug using the "Olivia" font dies.

ESCAPE

I just completed a layout using this sketch from Aphra Bolyer for Creative Scrappers:

And here's my layout:

This is a photo taken of good friends at the beach last summer.  I used Anna Griffin paper and embellishments.  The hibiscus blossom is a Close To My Heart stamp that I used strategically to cover up someone's rear end in the background of the photo--lol!  I also used CTMH cardstock and ink in Moonstruck for the photo mat and the random stamped blue pieces at the bottom.  The hibiscus match the print in Rex's shirt.  Here's a close up of the flower embellishment:

The leaves are cut from more of the Anna Griffin paper--actually this is the reverse side of the orange pattern.  This paper pack is gorgeous!  The CTMH stamp sets that I used are C1356 Extreme Happiness and C1358 Surf's Up.  Check them out on my website HERE!
I am also using this layout in the following challenges:
Order of the Opus Gluei--Challenge #58--Life's a Beach
Crafty Hos--6/6--Anything Goes
Stampin' for the Weekend--Challenge #40--Summer/Travel Theme
Raise the Bar--Challenge # 21--Celebrate Summer

Final Leg of the Relay!

So here's my final card for the Sassy Studio Designs relay this weekend:

I hadn't done anything patriotic all weekend, so I decided to make her a Patriotic Hatter.  The sketch is #115 from Taylored Expressions.  Here's the sketch:

Cute, huh?  LMK what you think of my Patriotic Hatter--the image is from Sassy Studio Designs.  Paper and ink from Close To My Heart.  I used the Blue Ribbon paper pack, Honey and Outdoor Denim cardstock, and the stamps are the (retired) July Word Puzzle.  She's colored with Copic markers.

Bewitched

I am having so much fun with the Sassy Studio Designs relay challenge this weekend!  Here's my card for the third part of the relay.  This cute little witch is called Bewitched.

I had to color her green because Mark and I saw Wicked earlier this year!  Besides the Copic markers that I used to color her, all the other products are from Close To My Heart.  I used the Enchanted paper pack, the Hallow-scream stamp set (B1281), and Sunflower and Smokey Plum cardstock.  The edges are distressed with Smokey Plum ink.  Oops--the ribbon is from the dollar bin at Michaels and is really dark purple although it looks black in the photo, and I glammed up her "make-up" with Stickles.  Not sure I like that, but too late now!  I used my Coluzzle to cut out the big circles and left her broom hanging over the edge.  I punched out the little circles.  (I think I have every size circle punch that they make)!  The sketch is #104 from Tanya at Friday Sketchers.  Here it is:

I used a circle instead of an oval because I wanted it to be like a moon.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

Sassy Princess

So here's my second Sassy project.  Isn't she a beautiful princess?

I haven't decided what I'm going to do with her yet, but I had fun coloring her with my new Copic markers.  Then I had to add some bling--I mean she is a princess, right?!!!  So I added bitty sparkles from Close To My Heart on her dress, necklace, and even one on her shoe!  Check it out:

The flowery sparkles on her dress are from ??? somewhere in the clearance bin, I'm sure!  LOL!
Oh, here's her shoe:

The shoe got a square sparkle from CTMH!  Ok, off to post this on the Sassy blog.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!  I know I am!

Sassy Cassie

You have to check out the Sassy Studio Design Challenge blog this weekend!  They're giving away a free digital image each day IF you play along.  Today's freebie was Sassy Cassie.  Isn't she cute?

I colored her with Copic markers and added a bit of bling with Stickles on her boots, belt, hat, and of course eyeshadow!  The paper, cardstock, and sentiment stamps are all from Close To My Heart.  The flower is cut out from the CTMH paper (Bella) and glammed up with more Stickles--I spread it around with my finger on the petals to make that part flat, then used it from the tube on the middle part for dimension.  Here are some close-ups so you can see her make-up (lol):

her boots and flower:

and the dimensional effect:

If you like her, head on over to the Sassy Studio blog and grab one for yourself!  But you better hurry if you want to get in on the whole challenge because this part ends at 9:00 am Sunday morning.  Yes, that's TOMORROW!!!

Coloring with Copics

Well, I have finally caught the fever--the Copic marker fever!  Just bought my first batch of these amazing markers that everyone is using,  and I must admit that they are wonderful--and addictive!  And expensive!  I want them all, but that is only going to happen gradually, I'm afraid.  Anyhoo, here's my first completed card done with Copics.  (It was not my first attempt at using them--that effort went directly into the trash can--lol)!  But this one I do like even though the shading doesn't show up very well in the photos.

I made this card using all Close To My Heart products which doesn't actually happen very often even though I am a CTMH consultant!  This is a terrific stamp set to use with Copic markers!  It is called Flower Child and you can purchase it directly from my website.  Just click HERE then go to "Products."    Click on the Spring Idea Book and go to pages 54-55.  There you will find this cute stamp set as well as several other "baby" sets, several of which are great for coloring with Copics.  Check back here again soon--I have another card in mind using this set which I will post as soon as I make it.  I am entering this card in three challenges.  The first one was a sketch from Tina at Stamp With Fun.  Here's the sketch:

Isn't that a great sketch?!!!  This blog actually originates in Germany, but they have all the text in both German and English, so everyone can play!  I just love the way blogs unite the world!
The other challenges are "Going Round and Round" at Pixie Dust Studio and "Going Round in Circles" at Charisma Cardz both of which just called for something round on the submission.  And now, back to coloring with Copics!
 

Easel Card for Graduation

Made this card for my niece's high school graduation:

I wanted it to be really shiny and sparkly to go with the sentiments.  Here's a close-up of the bottom one:

So all the sentiments and stars are embossed.  To get that extra bit of glitter, I mixed regular gold embossing powder with an equal amount of Gold Tinsel (Stamp N Stuff) embossing powder.  It really makes it sparkle!  The sentiment stamps are from Studio G (probably from the dollar bin at Michael's--LOL), and the other stamps and cardstock are from Close To My Heart.  I used Ponderosa Pine and Desert Sand cardstock.  (My niece's school colors are green and gold).  I love the way the Desert Sand matches the gold embossing!  It's one of my favorite CTMH colors--very versatile!  Stamp sets used were Shining Star and You Did It.  Here you can see that it is an easel card so it will stand up by itself:

I tried to angle the sentiment on the bottom part by stacking two thick pieces of foam tape under the top half and then just using one thinner piece on the bottom.  The ribbon on the diploma is also from the dollar bin.  It's really a piece of a wide ribbon.  I literally have 24 shoeboxes of ribbon and the only one that came close to matching this green paper was almost two inches wide!  So I had to trim it down a bit!  I'm entering this card into two easel card challenges.  One is Paper Sundaes and the other is Rosie D's.  I'm also entering a "new beginnings" challenge at Sentimental Sundays.  My card is NOTHING LIKE most of the cards entered into these challenges.  So let me know what you think!

H2H Challenge #4

Here's another card for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge #4 to use at least two different kinds of ribbon.  Here I used Creme Brulee and Outdoor Denim Designer Ribbon Rounds, cardstock, and ink with the Springtime stamp set.

Ok, that isn't really my card--it's my cat Spenser!  But I can't get the stupid card photo to load on Blogger so I thought I'd try another photo.  And he's just too cute to delete, right?  As you can see, he loves CTMH too!  Seriously, he loves to play with paper more than anything which I think is a perfectly appropriate trait for the cat of a papercrafter!  And he must be magic too because now my card photo will upload too.  Here it is: