Stamping Techniques Blog Hop

Welcome to the CTMH Focus on Stamping Techniques Blog Hop. Thanks for coming from Catherine Nowak's blog.

We have 22 Independent Consultants participating in today's blog hop. I can't wait to hop through and learn a few new things myself! If you get lost along the way, you can find the entire blog hop list here.

Some people are trendsetters and others are late to the party. I'm showing you the Bokeh Effect today. In photography, it's the blurry photo quality that highlights out of focus points of light. If you're a trendsetter, you're going to say, "Oh, Michelle, bokeh is so last year!" But, I think it's a really unique stamping technique that's actually pretty easy to accomplish, but looks impressive.

To accomplish this effect, first emboss a sentiment on a card with a contrasting powder from the colors you want to ink. I used the Ranger White Super Fine embossing powder. Then, randomly sponge ink over the card (I used Peacock and Pomegranate). Next, cut out circles with using your Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge in various sizes (see below). Finally, dab White Daisy ink in circles over the card, layering some. 

I attached the card to another piece of White Daisy cardstock and that on a 5" x 7" Peacock cardstock card base. The final touch was adding a few silver sequins.

 Supplies used:

• Ranger White Super Fine Embossing Powder, Z2068, $5.95
• VersaMark Ink Pad Tsukineko, Z891, $9.95
• Craft Heater, Z555, $34.95
• All Purpose Mat, Z2045, $19.95
• White Daisy Cardstock, 1385, $9.50
• Peacock Cardstock, X5776, $14.50
• White Daisy Pigment Ink Stamp Pad, Z2163, $8.50
• Peacock Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad, Z2649, $6.95
• Pomegranate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad, Z2653
• Sponge, Z697, $1.25
• Cricut Art Philosophy Collection, Z3171, $99
• Silver Sequins Assortment, Z2013. $2.95

My card was inspired by Stampinantics.

Now, head over to Jennifer Dykstra's blog.

Cheers Layout

Cheers! It's the time of year for celebrating!

I created this stunning layout for a crop I was a vendor at in October. And, I'm treating my best customers to it this coming week when we meet to to enjoy the season by crafting together.

Using La Vie En Rose paper, a bit of Paper Fundamentals Glacier paper (from the Whimsy pack) and some cardstock, I was able to create a layout with tons of texture and interest. One of my favorite things about the Fundamentals is that they're embossed on one side. With just a bit of Peacock Ink sponging, that embossed quatrefoil pattern really pops!

I used the CTMH Cricut Artistry cartridge to cut out the Cheers and Pop Fizz Clink sentiments (p. 50 of the Artistry booklet). Those dots are from the Packages, Bows, & Tags Stamp Set, D1664, which is one of my favorites from the 2015 Annual Inspirations. Gold Glitter Paper, Gold Foil Tape and Gold Bling Gems as accents, and we're done!

Hope this season brings you lots of moments to Pop, Fizz and Clink!