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'!