November SOTM

Thanks for coming from the talented Amy's McVey's blog, Clearly Stamping.

Welcome to November's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  This month, over 60 consultants will be featuring artwork using the stamp set, Capture the Date.  You can get this practical stamp set (with 72 images!) for only $5 with your order of $50 or more.  AND, to sweeten the deal even more, when you qualify for and purchase Capture the Date, you'll get another stamp set (of your choice) for 50% off!  This includes all of our A-E sized stamp sets!  Visit my website to start shopping now (well, after you finish the blog hop!).

Using Make It from Your Heart, Volume 1, Pattern 25, I created this Christmas card:

I used first and second generation stamping to stamp december as a background.  Then, it's hard to see, but I stamped the 25 first in Cocoa Ink (Z2114) then, I embossed it in clear.  The paper is all from Pear & Partridge (X7162B), the ribbon is from Cocoa Collection (Z1316), the pearls are from the Mocha Opaques Adhesive Gems (Z1333).  Inside I stamped "Merry Christmas."

The wind is really gusting now (thanks to Sandy!) so I hope this post goes live as scheduled.  I wish you and your loved ones a safe and healthy Halloween!

Now, head on over to see what creative artwork DiAnn Denson has come up with at Di's Stamping Room.

Like my Facebook Page before midnight on Halloween to earn a chance to win a Hooligans Halloween mini album!

Simply Stunning Silver Pendant

Loretta Stem, a very talented friend and artist, created this custom pendant just for lil' ole me.  I couldn't love it more!

 

Can you believe that she used a stamp to create the image?  In my pendant, she used an image from Cricut Artiste Collection Kudos (D1530) that came with the Cricut Artiste Cartridge.  Then, she found a font I loved to write "Scrappy Hour" in the middle.  Isn't this just gorgeous?!

 

To check out more of Loretta's work, visit her website, Simply Stunning Silver Jewelry.

Six Weeks of Halloween - Week Six, Moonlight Layouts

Halloween is just one week away and these layouts are ready for photos!  I love having a project done before the event.  These two layouts are straight from Close To My Heart's Moonlight Workshop on the Go Kit.  So detailed and gorgeous, but with easy-to-follow directions, they were a breeze to put together.

 

 

 

 

Look at the details on the BOO title.  Per CTMH directions, I used a Blending Pen to pick up just a bit of Smokey Plum Ink to add dimension to the mummy.  I used the same Blending Pen to add a little Goldrush Ink to the lantern above.  I'd totally forgotten about that technique!  Other favorites from this workshop: edge distressing the black bases and putting Bitty Sparkles in the skull eyes (from the Haunted Assortment).

 

It's not too late to do your Halloween scrapbooking.  Order your Moonlight WOTG kit today!

Christmas Advent Calendar

There are just nine short weeks until Christmas Eve.  Nine week from TODAY.  I'm not saying that to stress anyone out, this is my favorite time of year.  I'm letting you know because this is the time to start working on your Christmas decorations and gifts.  And, I'd love to help you with them!

For starters, check out this beautiful Advent Calendar from Close To My Heart:

After Career Day at my sons' elementary school last week, I got emails, phone calls and facebook messages from moms whose children LOVED this Advent Calendar.  It's so easy to make! Everything is pre-cut for you; just stamp, embellish and assemble to complete your gorgeous Advent Calendar in about three hours.  I currently have workshops scheduled for November 2nd at 9 AM and November 7th at 7 PM.  Need another date?  Contact me today to check my availability!

And, if just one Advent Calendar isn't enough, add the one below for just $40 (includes shipping and tax).  This one is exclusive to my customers and can only be purchased through yours truly!

Still in the Halloween spirit?  That's okay, there are still nine days to like my facebook page to win this adorable mini Halloween album!

Six Weeks of Halloween, Week 5: Jane-o-lantern Plate

Thanks to Fancy Melissa for the inspiration for this decorative plate using Chalkboard Vinyl and the CTMH Cricut Artrist Cartridge!

I've been wanting an excuse to use my CTMH Chalkboard Vinyl ever since I bought it in August.  I tend to hoard products and just hadn't figured out the best way to use it.  After I found this bright orange charger at my local craft store and saw Melissa's awesome post a few weeks ago, I knew I'd found my excuse!

Why do pumpkins usually look masculine?  Living with three males (husband and two sons, just to clarify!), I wanted some girl power in the house.  While the pumpkin's face is gender neutral (I cut out the Chalkboard Vinyl with Artiste, Accent 2 Boo at 6 3/4 inches), adding a Black Tulle Ribbon bow and a paper flower (left over from the witch's hat I'd made last week) added a feminine touch.

Who says Halloween has to be scary?  I think this pumpkin is rather sweet!

It would be sweet if you'd head over to my facebook page and like it.  And, you can even when a fangtastic prize!

Seasons' Bounty Favors

Fall is such a beautiful, colorful time of year.  Here in Northern Virginia, the leaves are turning beautiful shades of yellow, orange, red and brown.  I made these fall favors for the teachers who will visit my "Career Day" presentation this Thursday at my sons' school.  I wanted to share the beauty of Fall with these caring professionals!

 

The sentiment reads, "May the bounty of the season fill your heart and your home" from Quick Cards-Bountiful Season Stamp Set (A1130). 

 

To create the favor "box," I inserted my Artiste Cartridge (Z1790) into my Cricut and used the Card feature, Thanksgiving button and cut it at 3 1/2 inches.  I was able to get three to each piece of Goldrush Cardstock (1243). I used Desert Sand Ink (Z2118), then used Sponge Daubers (Z726) to add Ruby (Z2170) and Olive (Z2137) Inks to the leaf and swirls.  When they open the favor, this is what they find inside:

 

 

Who doesn't love Tic Tacs?  I combined "Cherry Passion" and "Apple" Tic Tac packs to create this fun fall mix.  But, what about the kids?  Thanks to my pal and Let's Get Fancy teammate, Chrissy Curtis, for the moustache on a stick suggestion!

 

 

I made 180 of these little moustaches using my Cricut Artiste Cartridge, Accent 2, Shift at 1 inch.  Using Auto Fill, 30 moustaches were cut on each piece of Black Cardstock.  Both favors are cute and inexpensive crafts.

 

Wish me luck on Thursday!  I'll try to post a photo of the event on my blog on Friday.  And, enjoy the beauty and bounty of Fall! 

 

Save with Studio J

Are you in photo overload?  Do you need to RESCUE your pictures?  Then you, my friend, need Studio J!  Studio J is Close To My Heart's answer to digital scrapbooking.  And, not only did they answer they got an A+ on this one! 

This month ONLY, they're giving you a free layout when you buy 9!  Or, you'll get two free layouts when you buy 18, three when you buy 27, you get it.

I love Studio J to catch up on my scrapbooking.  Life is busy, and I will NEVER give up my traditional scrapbooking, but sometimes I just need to get pages done quickly.  And, my Studio J pages are beautiful!

Try it out yourself for free today.  Visit my website to play with Studio J.  I also offer free one-on-one tutorials on making the most out of your Studio J experience.  You're going to love it!

Six Weeks of Halloween, Week Four: Witch's Hat

What screams (or howls, cackles or growls) Halloween like a WITCH'S HAT?  To create this trendy hat this witch wouldn't mind wearing, I covered a premade craft paper witch's hat with Close To My Heart's Moonlight paper, added some Tulle Ribbon and a sparkly Cricut Art Philosophy flower.

 

 

I used the black and purple B&T Duo from the Moonlight Paper Packet (X7161B) and cut it into a circle using the Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686), at 10 1/4 inches.  I then cut out the interior of the circle by centering my Cricut blade over the middle of the circle and cut again at 4 3/4 inches.  Voila!  I had the perfect bottom of my witch's hat, which I adhered using Bonding Memories Glue (1512).  Then, I took another piece of the same paper and trimmed and swirled it around the cone of the hat.  There was a little bit of a gap between the two pieces, but that's what Tulle Ribbon is for!

Here's the messy part that I still haven't quite figured out.  The Black Tulle Ribbon (Z1798) kept slipping up the cone of the hat.  I tried Liquid Glass, Glue Dots and finally settled on hot glue to keep the tulle in place.  However, I held it too tightly while it dried in a few places, leaving a messy white glue mark (but it's in the back so you'd never know if I hadn't told you!).

Finally, I used the CAP Cartridge again to cut out that fabulous flower.  I think my all time favorite piece of paper is that black and white stripe from the Moonlight Paper Packet!  I used the Font key and cut out at 7 inches.  Then, I used another new favorite, the Quilling Tool (Z1795).  If you don't have one of these, they're a must! That flower took seconds to create!  A spray of adhesive (I used 3M) and then a sprinkle of Prisma Glitter (Z134) blinged it out!  A little Liquid Glass (Z679) held it perfectly in place.

If you like this project, join me next Wednesday for another Halloween creation!  And, I'd love to have you like my page on facebook. Everyone who likes my Scrappy Hour page before October 31st will be entered into a drawing for this Halloween mini album!

Avonlea Thanks

One of my closest friends (and biggest supporter!), Jorie, asked me to make thank you cards for her.  Here's what I came up with:

They are sweet and simple.  I love the on-trend colors of Avonlea and know she will, too.

List of supplies used:
Colonial White Value Pack Cards (X1410)
Avonlea Bulk Paper (BULK255 for Consultants)
Chocolate Cardstock (X5643)
Colonial White Cardstock (1388)
Cricut Artiste, for shapes, (Z1790)
Chocolate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad (Z2111)
Bulk Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

Happy Columbus Day, everyone!

Six Weeks of Halloween - Week Three

Just 28 more days until Halloween (so say my Halloween Countdown Blocks), and today is the first day of my after school program, Halloween Scrapbooking.

I'm excited to teach nine elementary students (I have two boys in my class this time, hooray!) how to cut, stamp and embellish their way into the art of scrapbooking.  And, with this sweet little Halloween Mini Album, they'll enjoy their work for years to come.

I used Close To My Heart's Quick Pic Album (Z1407) for perfect 6x6 layouts.  I also used some retired products that I gobbled up last year from the Hooligans paper pack.  Each student will get a Hooligans Level 1 Scrapbooking Kit that includes four preprinted pages, two B&T Duos, two Cardstock Sheets and two My Stickease Adhesive Sheets.  They'll also get the My Stickease Hooligans Assortment, Boutiques Monster Mash (those adorable felt monsters with googly eyes) and a package of Mini-Medley in Pear.  Check out their stash below:

 

                               

 

I can't wait to see what they come up with!  And, I can't wait to see what YOU come up with, either.  I have four of these kits (album in olive green or pansy purple, the paper, stickease, and all the embellishments) available for just $30!!!  Leave me a comment or email me here if you're interested!

 

Want one of these albums for yourself?  Like my facebook page and on October 31st I'll pick one lucky winner to receive a completed Halloween Mini-Album, sent to them FREE!  Head over to my facebook page and Like it now!