January SOTM Blog Hop - Cross-Stitch Wishes

Welcome to the first stamp of the month blog hop of the New Year! Thanks for hopping over from Brae Montgomery's Blog. There are over 50 participants this month, so if you get lost along the way, you can find a complete list at Adeline's blog.

January's Stamp of the Month from Close To My Heart features 13 stamps that look like cross stitching. Now, it's been a long time since I've done any cross stitching, so I had to reach a bit with the stamp set. But, the more I worked with it, the more I liked it. This may end up being my husband's Valentine's Day card. I cut out a little window for the LOVE stamp and sanded all of the edges to clean it up a bit. Inside, I also added some stamping for a little something extra.

Thanks for taking a peak at my creation. It's time to head over to Jill Lucas' blog to see what fabulous art she's ready to share. And, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Holiday Photo Card Display Album

Don't you just love looking through Christmas cards? It makes me feel so warm and fuzzy receiving cards from new and old friends, sharing what's happening in their lives today. I especially love to see photos of them and their children.

The phenomenally talented Melissa Laverty has designed a couple of these adorable Holiday Photo Card Display Binders. I scraplifted her first design and have enjoyed using it all season!

Washi Wonderland

I am OBSESSED with washi tape this season. Here's a great little tutorial on how to use washi tape with your Cricut machine. Fabulous!

Countdown to Christmas Blocks

"How many days until Christmas, Mom?" If you hear that a lot during the month of December, have I got a solution for you! Countdown to Christmas Blocks using the CTMH Sparkle & Shine paper, a little bling and the My Creations Block (retiring...get them while they last!) and your kids can answer the question themselves!

I simply distressed the edges with Slate ink, covered each side of the blocks with a piece of 3x3 Sparkle & Shine Paper and embellished using Washi Tape, Sparkles, Shimmer Trim and various stamping. It was really quite simple and adds such a nice homemade touch to my Christmas decor! 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Clearly The Best: Swirlin' Shapes (S02E10)

Okay, so this is a time consuming technique, but it's stunning and has such a wow factor! Let me know if you try it and how it turns out.

December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Special Care

Welcome to the December SOTM Blog Hop, featuring the punny set, Special Care, from Close To My Heart. Thanks for hopping over from Wendy's Stamping Rules blog. There are 55 artists sharing their treasures, so be sure to check them all out. If you get lost along the way, visit Melinda's blog.

Special Care is a set of six stamps that are perfect for those baby and kid events.

To be honest, I hadn't planned ahead and printed photos of my two handsome boys to create a layout with these stamps. But, I'm helping with an upcoming baby shower and thought these sentiments would look adorable making "Baby's Instruction Manual."

 

The idea is to have all who attend the baby shower give some words of advice to the new mommy. I used my Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge from Close To My Heart and cut out <Tag 5> at 5.5". Then, I stamped the images on the bottom or sides to leave room for writing. Quick, simple, cute and thoughtful!

 

Supplies Used:

• Special Care SOTM, S1312 *available only in December 2013, $17.95 or just $5 with a $50 purchase!
• Framework Alphabet, E1027
• Hodgepodge Alphabet, D1301
• Chocolate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad, Z2111
• Bronze Shimmer Trim, Z1849
• Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain, Z1617
• Colonial White Cardstock, 1388
• Sweet Leaf Cardstock, X5639
• Buttercup Cardstock, 1271
• Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, Z1686



Now, head on over to Jill's Scrap Wench blog to see what creativity she's ready to share!

Huntington Scrapbooking Layouts

The Huntington Paper Pack is one of my favorite of CTMH's fall paper packs ever! It's just a beautiful complement of colors. The papers are so versatile with unassuming patterns.. The stamp set that came with the Workshop on the Go is awesome! These first two layouts are from the WOTG and feature Rock and Roll stamping. First, dip a leaf in Goldrush ink, then roll the outside of the stamp in a darker color (Olive, Saddle or Barn Red). Tada, you've just Rock and Rolled your stamp!

Once again, I went to my CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge for the title on this bonus layout. And, using the CTMH "How To" books makes designing the layout so easy!

I'm looking forward to visiting my in-laws over Thanksgiving to get some great photos of my boys with their grandparents and cousins to complete these layouts. What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Sarita Scrapbooking Layouts

Sarita is one of those paper packs that required me to work with it before I really liked it. Thanks to the fabulous CTMH Art Department and our Founder and CEO, Jeanette Lynton, the top two layouts were designed with the Sarita Paper Pack and Sarita My Stickease Assortment. I love stamping, but sometimes it's nice to just complete a super quick couple of layouts with My Stickease! The Sarita Assortment adds a little dimension and texture to the papers. Finally, the Art Department added in little bits of Silver Shimmer Trim to add a little glitz! I think they turned out beautifully!

 

Designing this final layout was so simple using the Cricut Artbooking cartridge and the leftover My Stickease and Assortment pieces.  What do you think?

 

Babycakes - Fall Edition

Babycakes is a sweet paper pack from CTMH that is perfect for baby layouts, cards and décor. But, most of my friends (and myself) are out of the "baby" phase...so what's a gal to do? Make Autumn layouts, of course!

This first layout I found on Pinterest, courtesy of the fabulously talented Brae Montgomery:

 

For the second and third layouts, I used Close To My Heart's awesome Make It From Your Heart books. The layout below, Autumn Harvest, is from Volume 2: Pattern 8.

 

This last layout is Volume 1: Pattern 9.

 

 

Here are the Cricut cuts for the first layout, use the CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge, set the dial size at 11" for all cuts (it cuts it all perfectly proportioned!):

Chocolate Cardstock, Overlay <b> p. 72 (keep the leaves)

Chocolate Cardstock, Border <b> p. 72 (cut the leaf flourishes off)

Sunset Cardstock, Photo Mat 1 <b> p. 72, cut 2

Sunset Cardstock, Photo Mat 1 <B> p. 72



Then, you're going to cover the leaves with Bronze Shimmer Trim before adhering them.

Layout 2, set at 11":
Chocolate Cardstock, Title <n> p. 73
Chocolate Cardstock, Title <N> p. 73

Layout 3, using the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge:
Striped B&T, set dial to 9", <Square 4>
Striped B&T, set dial to 3.5", <Square 4>
Colonial White Cardstock, set dial to 3", <Square 4>

Other supplies used:
Babycakes Paper Pack, X7173B
Babycakes Assortment, X7173C
Bronze Shimmer Trim, Z1849
Color-Ready Midtown Cork Shapes, Z1863
Sunset Cardstock, X5758
Desert Sand Cardstock, 1273
Bulk Babycakes Paper, BULK304 (for consultants only)
Poster Tidings: September Stamp of the Month

November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Illuminate

Thanks for joining me from Shirley Ross's blog and welcome to the November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! You'll visit over 50 artists' blogs featuring artwork using Illuminate, a brilliant stamp set of 15 stamps available only from your CTMH Consultant through November 30th. If you get lost along the way, you can see a full list of hoppers at Melinda Everitt's blog.

I chose to create a simple card using CTMH's exclusive Sparkle & Shine paper pack. Faith, light and sparkles all make me think of Christmas and I know you'll love this Christmasy paper pack!

Sentiment inside the card.

If you'd like your own Illuminate set, contact me today or click on my Shop Now link! With any $50 order, Illuminate is only $5 (regular retail price of $17.95). Now, head on over to Beth Naumann's blog to see what she created!

Artbooking Made Easy: Festive Mini Albums (S01E09)

I can't wait to make this! Let me know what kind of mini album you would like to make with your Artbooking cartridge!

Holiday Guide Blog Hop

Welcome to the Holiday Guide Blog Hop! Here, you'll be taken on a holiday journey through Close To My Heart's Winter 2013 Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide.  If you get lost along the way, you'll find a full list of consultants participating in this blog hop on Melinda Everitt's blog, If You Bling It.

Thanks for coming from Maria Myers' Stamp Momma's blog.

I'm in the midst of planning and teaching several kids' classes right now. They are just loving washi tape (okay, so am I), so I decided to use the new Sparkle & Shine Washi Tape 3-Pack (Z1907) and simply cover ornaments cut out from my Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge (Z1686) in various sizes. Then, I stamped images from the My Acrlyix Santa Clause Stamp Set (C1567) and popped them up with a bit of 3-D Foam Tape. This is an easy project that my youngest crafters can do as there's no right or wrong way to add washi tape!

Since my Christmas tree isn't up yet, I decided to showcase my ornaments on the Designed Decor Black Frame (Z1880) and attached them using the ruby mini painted clothes pins from the Mini-Medley Accents Ruby Collection (Z1861).

If you don't have your own copy of the Holiday Guide, contact your local consultant, request a FREE one from me here or visit my Close To My Heart website to view it online.

Now, it's time to head to Karen Fullam's Enriching Memories blog to see what amazing artwork she's created for you!

Clearly the Best: A Burst of Creativity (S02E01)

It's a chilly 52 degrees here in Northern Virginia, and I swear I just saw animals lining up two by two to avoid these torrential downpours! So, I thought this video by CTMH execs was perfect. Check it out to see how to make a burst of sunshine on your cards.



What do you do to cheer yourself up on a rainy day?

October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Scandanavian Wishes

Welcome to the October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop featuring Scandanavian Wishes. If you've come from the talented (and hilarious) Brae Montgomery's blog, you're on the right path!

This set of 12 stamps reminds me of my sons' favorite books by Jan Brett, Gingerbread Baby and Gingerbread Friends. While I used the set to make a simple Christmas card, I can see myself making tags attached to freshly baked gingerbread cookies this December! Mmmmmmmmm!

With Close To My Heart's new Stitch Guide and Foam Mat, adding the rows of stitching has never been easier.  Now, head on over to see what fabulous creations Sheila Bennett has for you!

Laughing Lola

Laughing Lola is a fun, bold and inspiring paper pack from Close To My Heart. That snakeskin print is just my favorite, love it!!!

I did a Workshop On the Go class Monday night this week with some of my favorite gals and we definitely did lots of laughing while putting together the layouts below!

Make It From Your Heart, Volume 2, Pattern 15.

ProPlayer Scrapbooking

Two active boys means lots of red, blue and black colors zipping around my house. I'd love to scrapbook pink, frilly things, but that's just not my life, and I'm pretty lucky so I'll deal!

ProPlayer is Close To My Heart's answer to my needs for boy paper. While these photos don't do the paper justice (my good camera's in the shop!), you can see how boy oriented, gamer, and fun these patterned papers are!

The first two layouts are part of the ProPlayer Workshop on the Go. The third layout is one I put together using the Make It From Your Heart Volume 2 pattern book inspired by Jeanette Lynton. I used Pattern 02. I just love CTMH's "How To" series of layouts and card patterns!

September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Poster Tidings

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring September's SOTM, which is Poster Tidings, a set of two large stamps.  If you have come here from Helen's blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants here.

I recently renovated the top two levels of my house and have really been enjoying using my favorite CTMH products to decorate my house. I have this plate on a stand that I often write bible verses that I want to commit to memory. This month, I decided to add the Autumn sentiment and some burlap ribbon to dress up my plate.

I used CTMH pigment inks in Autumn Terracotta and Cocoa to stamp the sentiment onto a piece of Colonial White cardstock. I used a piece of B&T paper from the Huntington Paper Pack and 3-D foam tape to highlight the word art.

Now "Hop" on over to Tamra's blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting and other fun ideas! Remember, the September SOTM is only available until September 30th!  Contact your CTMH Consultant to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

New Product Blog Hop - Designed Decor Colonial White Frame Featuring Huntington and Cricut Artbooking

There is so much new product to love in Close To My Heart's Fall/Winter 2013 Idea Book that I had a hard time picking just one project to focus on. And, that new Cricut Artbooking cartridge is simply to die for! I can't wait for you to play with it.

I know the other consultants participating in this blog hop feel the same way, so make sure you complete the circle and visit all 32 blogs! Thanks for hopping over from Wendy's blog.

I decided to use the new Designed Decor Colonial White Frame, the Huntington Paper Pack and the CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge to create this piece of home decor:

Here's the list of supplies I used (all NEW) product from CTMH:
Designed Decor Colonial White Frame, Z1865, $26.95
Huntington Paper Packet, X7174B, $9.95
Huntington Assortment, Z1881, $5.95
Bronze Shimmer Trim, Z1849, $4.95
Jute Ribbon, Z1867, $7.95
Mini-Medley Accents Rosewood Collection, Z1857, $5.95
Mini Clothes Pins, Z1815, $3.95
Cricut Artbooking Collection, Z1906, $99

Here are the cuts I used from Artbooking:
1) To cut the mat underneath JONES, I set my Cricut to Real Dial Size, selected Photo Mat 2 and chose to cut at 3". 
2) JONES and the Colonial White shadow were also cut using the Real Dial Size, I pressed Shift and cut each letter in capitals at 1 1/2". 
3) The pinecones were cut using the flower pattern, rolled up then shaken out to be loose. I cut them at Real Dial, selected Icon, pressed and cut them at 4" and 3". Thanks Laura Petruso for telling me my wonky flowers looked like pinecones!
4) To create the honeycomb overlay, I turned OFF the Real Dial Size, selected Overlay, pressed <4> and cut it at 8". 
5) For the overlay on top of the photo of my husband and I, I turned the Real Dial Size OFF, pressed Photo Mat 1, Shift and cut at 11" using the button.
6) For the mat under my boys' photo, I turned the Real Dial Size ON, selected Photo Mat 2, and cut at 5".

Continue the hop by visiting Helen's blog next! She always shares the best tutorials so make sure you read to the bottom!

August 2013 SOTM Blog Hop - A Chocolate Affair

Thanks from visiting from the super talented Helen's blog!

Who doesn't love chocolate?  There may be a few out there, but no one loves it more than one of my BFFs, Jenny. She eats it after every meal and stays thin by lots of activity and portion control.  I haven't mastered either of those, but I do share her love for chocolate!

Here's a peek at the super cute Stamp of the Month for August, A Chocolate Affair:

Jenny blessed me with her two oldest kids this week.  They came to "Auntie Shell" camp for three days and we had a blast at a local farm today, are headed to the Turkey Hill Experience tomorrow and the free movies in my town the next day.  My kids are in heaven playing with their best friends and I'm enjoying the sounds of giggles and outdoor fun that I'm not directing.  Anyhow, I think I'll send this card to Jenny when her kids go home...it only seems appropriate!

I combined a few of the sentiments for the inside of the card and masked the sentiment on the front of the card to just include the top portion of the "DEATH BY CHOCOLATE" sentiment.  The Babycakes Paper Pack (X7173B) worked great with the Chocolate colors as did the Babycakes Assortment (Z1869).  I added a little of the Prisma Glitter (Z134) to the top of the chocolate cake for some added bling!

I hope you enjoyed my card.  Now, head over to Sheila's blog to see more creative uses of A Chocolate Affair!

Artbooking - Star Happy Birthday Card

The new Artbooking cartridge from Close To My Heart is going to be my new go-to Cricut cartridge this fall.  I can't wait to try some of the amazing layouts they have ALREADY PROGRAMMED in for me (yes, they did is just for moi).

With major renovations going on in my house, it's been hard to find time for crafting.  But, with my dad's birthday a week in the past and a visit coming this weekend, I grabbed my Artbooking cartridge and spent five minutes (that's it, promise) cutting out a few things from the "happy" key to create this cute and simple card:

Scraps and a little Chevron ribbon (it comes in Cranberry now, too!), voila!  Card complete!

Sweet Life - July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Thanks for coming over from Wendy's blog.

Sweet Life features three beautiful fruit images and six scripted verses.  It can be yours this month for just $5 with a qualifying purchase of $50 or more.

I gave my "secret sister" a bracelet for Convention and wanted a pretty bag to put it in.  I stamped the apple on one of the CTMH Muslin Drawstring Bags using Chocolate Pigment Ink. Then, using the Ruby and Sweet Leaf alcohol-based markers, I added a bit of color to the apple and leaves.  Finally, I used my fingertip to dab a little pigment ink, in Ruby and Olive, to fill the color.

Now, take a look at what Michelle Johns has to show you.