Wednesday, November 30, 2011

December SOTM Blog Hop!

Welcome to our CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring December's SOTM, which is Mad About You, a Love themed set of 14 stamps! If you have come here from DOREEN'S BLOG, you are on the right path!  This month we have over 50 Close To My Heart 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 to the next one! If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants here.  Here we go!

This month I made this adorable little purse, just the right size to slip in a few chocolates or a gift card and deliver to your favorite girlfriend! I made a coordinating tag too, all using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge in conjunction with the December SOTM! I found my color combo from Julie Ebersole's Color Swatch Challenge. I chose Vineyard Berry, Lagoon, 2nd Generation Lagoon, Baby Pink, and Sweet Leaf to match the swatches.

And I knew I wanted to make the purse this week, but I was planning to use the new Rock the Block set...until I saw the Moxie Fab Get Inspired in the Kitchen Challenge. Suddenly my SOTM project gelled in my head and I was stamping my heart(s) out...literally!

I cut a bunch (like 20) of the small 1" hearts on White Daisy CS with my AP cartridge. I know I could have stamped them right onto the Cricut shape for the purse front...I did that on the back. See the difference? Just adding the hearts stamped onto White CS adds so much texture to my little purse! Would I have fussy cut them all to piece it by hand? Probably not...but now I don't have to think about the work, my cricut does it all for me!

Even the purse handle was cut on my Cricut. I loaded a fresh sheet into my Cricut, chose the correct image to cut (adorable double scalloped edge border) and hit the "Fit to Length" button. That lets the machine know that you want the strip to be a specific length (in this case, 7 inches). Then it automatically decides how wide to make the strip proportionally. That strip was actually a smidge wide for my taste, so I then trimmed it in half down the center with my paper trimmer and adhered the two sides separately to my 1/2" Cardstock to create my scalloped handle. Then I folded in the two end scallops on each side of my handle and adhered them to the inside of my Purse Lid with Liquid Glass (then covered up the inside of the Purse Lid with more Lagoon CS).

Finally, I stamped my Cricut flowers using the Big heart stamp in Baby Pink Ink. Each flower was then swiped on the edges and randomly stamped with the big swirl image in Vineyard Berry ink. I used the tip of my paper piercer to curl back the individual petals of the flower swirl, then rolled up the flower and filled it with Liquid Glass. After letting it dry on my table top for a few minutes (I like to rest a big block on top of it to help keep everything in place while it dries) I smooshed the flowers more with the same big block. You're thinking a nice, gentle press with the block, so sweet...but no. I grab the block and give each one a good SMACK and call it good - yea for distressed flowers!

I put the measurements and Cricut cuts for the purse below. Last note: how much do you LOVE those Rhinestone Brads?
Now "Hop" on over to PAIGE'S BLOG to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, this SOTM is only available until the end of December! Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set for just $5!
Here are the purse dimensions and Cricut Cuts used:
To make the inner "box" of the purse:
1 3/4" x 11" CS, scored at 1/2" along each long side and 3 1/2" from each short end. Fold on the score lines, snip just at the intersections (little 1/2" snips) and fold up, adhering the corners to create the purse frame.

Cricut cuts:
Purse Front/Back
(pg. 47) 4 1/2" White Daisy CS x 2
(pg. 47) 4 3/4" Lagoon CS x 2
Mat, embellish, then adhere to CS Box frame.

Purse Lid:
(pg. 31) 4"  White Daisy CS
(pg. 21) 3 3/4" Lagoon CS (I ran this through the Swiss Dot Cuttlebug embossing folder)
Adhere together, then score a 1" fold in the center to make it into a "U" shape. adhere one side to the back of the purse with strong adhesive. Close with a velcro dot on the front.

Embellishments:
(pg. 26) 1" x 20
(pg. 68) 1 1/2" and 1" <FlurDeLs>
(pg. 62) 1/2" x4

Handle:
(pg. 62)   Fit to Length at 7"

Monday, November 28, 2011

Here comes the Santa-tizer!

I have been working hard to get ready for our booth at Mooberry Elementary School's Holiday Bazaar on Friday and Saturday this week. One of the projects I made is this adorable Teacher gift - a bottle of Santa-tizer! I punched the scallop border across the bottom with the CTMH Corner Rounder. You pop the guard off and turn it upside down so you can line the scallops up to touch as you punch across your paper and it makes this sweet wide scallop border! A few buttons and some Gold Stickles and your hands have never been more merry...or cleaner!

Looking for something to do this weekend? Come see me at Mooberry and check out the fun!

Posted to the Paper Issues Holiday Madness Linky Party! Check out the Holiday crafty goodness!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Mojo Monday 216

Oops! Two posts in one night...but I forgot to post my Mojo Monday sketch 216 card! I finished them this weekend, but posting got away from me. I really love this card sketch, too!

I started with the color combo from the Heart 2 Heart color challenge earlier this month: Juniper, Autumn Terracotta, and Bamboo. I only used White Cardstock on this card. Each piece is stamped with textures and images from the new Rock the Block special stamp set, then distressed and sponges with inks in those three colors to create the different textures. I LOVE that stitched wide ribbon from the new Green Ribbon Rounds!

The large flowers were fun to make. I took a large solid flower image, inked it in Autumn Terracotta, them pressed the inked stamp to the Polka dot background image to add a light polka dot texture to my flower base. Then I added a second layer of flower petals with pop dots. There wasn't a five petal flower in the set, so I cut out individual petals from an eight petal flower image that I had inked, stamped off, then rolled in the same Autumn Terracotta ink color for more depth.

A few Mocha Opaque pearls and a sweet Friendly sentiment, and my card was complete...completely ready for the Moxie Fab Celebrating Relationships Challenge!  National Girlfriends' Day isn't until August 1st, but I think I need to send this one off sooner! Only a girlfriend can appreciate such a girlie flowery card!

Ok - meetcha back here tomorrow for a Crafty Holiday gifty!

Moxie Fab Team Meeting Card

How was your Thanksgiving? We had a wonderful feast, followed by lots of stamping fun this weekend at the Black Friday Holiday Hoopla! One of the projects I whipped up over the weekend is this fun 8 x 3 1/2 card using the new Rock the Block special stamp set. It's so adorable, with the paisley and the fab flowers! I have a lot more Rock the Block projects coming, plus a Rock the Block blog hop coming soon...See the blank blocks there in the background? Check back on the 20th to see what I'm doing with them!

I made this card for my team to make at our meeting Monday night. I wanted to make something for the Moxie Fab Pay It Forward Challenge, to make a card for World Hello Day, Sweetest Day, or National Day of Encouragement. It's not too late to play too - it's open until December 12th, and there are some cute projects to peruse out on their site! I used the Sketch #143 from Card Patterns blog.

The card is done in Tulip and Grey Wool Ink. I stamped paisley and flower images on Tulip cardstock tone on tone in Tulip ink. Then I used the Polka Dot background image on the Grey Wool cardstock, also tone on tone. I masked the card base to stamp the circle border down the side in Grey Wool ink. The LOVE sentiment is three layers of stamping, popped up with 3-D Foam tape for lots of dimension.

I also made some faux baker's twine using my Waxy Flax. I separated a strand of Cranberry Waxy Flax and twisted it with a full strand of White Waxy Flax. Then I tied my Red buttons on with the remaining strands of Cranberry Waxy Flax. I just love the new patterns in the button assortments.

I have more to share this week, as I've been busily working to get ready for our Holiday Bazaar booth at Mooberry Elementary School - see ya back here tomorrow!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Believe Workshop for December

Woo - I have been stamping the midnight oil getting ready for the Black friday holiday Hoopla this week...but in the mean time I did find some time to get the Believe pages together for December! I already have the perfect pictures in mind for the first Layout, which is my take on the CTMH Believe WOTG layout (added some dry embossing, StickEase, extra metal/bling, and GLITTER!). We just had the goofiest Santa pics taken with the munchkins (Go see them!) and as soon as I get to Costco those pics will have a cozy new home!

Workshop details below - RSVP by December 9th to reserve your kit. Bring a new friend with you and get FREE Glitter Glitz gel!








Believe Workshop: Tuesday, December 27th
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
6 PRECUT pages - bring your pics and finish your Holiday scrapping, easy peasy!
Basic Kit: $25
I Want It All: $35 (includes a C sized stamp set!)



Saturday, November 19, 2011

December Club pages!

This Wonderland paper is just so yummy; I can't get enough! Here are the six pages for Club in December.


 



 

Now back to prepping for Black Friday Holiday Hoopla - see you there!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Remember when we became friends?

I am loving the Facebook posts folks are doing about things they are grateful for every day this month. I wish I was that organized about posting to my wall, but I tend to lean more to silly pictures of the boys and random stories about their misadventures than actual deep thoughts. Not to say that I'm not grateful...I've got a lot to be thankful for, starting with all those silly stories about my crazy little boys. And luckily, lots of friends with whom I can share those stories! 

Tonight's card inspiration came from a few sources: a sketch from Mojo Monday, the Metals challenge from Heart 2 Heart (where you'll find two of my projects in last month's top ten!), and the Tuesday Trigger from Moxie Fab World. I was planning to take the evening off, as the boys have been taking it in turns to disturb my sleep rather thoroughly lately, but when that Trigger showed up in my in box, the card I'd been planning for Mojo just came together in my head and I had to get it down on paper, so to speak!

I used my favorite paper pack lately, Wonderland. I can't get enough of that lovely blue and brown polka dot! The diagonals on the purse reminded me of my fav new print, and I had already made the basic Honey colored Cricut Art Philosophy Roses. So I gave up my comfy spot on the couch and got my fingers inky!

I took my basic roses and started distressing them by pounding them flatter with a stamping block. Then I using my piercing tool tip to spread a combo of Liquid Glass tinted with Sunset reinker along the edges of the flower petals to create my variegated flowers. I used the same reinker tinted Liquid Glass to shade my cream colored Pearl Opaques for the centers of my flowers and the check box on my sentiment. I've been itching to use this set - it's one of THREE adorable coordinating sets that are included in the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection. I love being able to cut the exact shape out of my paper so easily with the measurements for the Cricut cut printed right on the stamp set liners - sweet!

I used my WIDE striped ribbon as one of the background layers for the card sketch, and trimmed some scraps in half to create the folded ribbon leaves for my flower cluster. Finally, I stamped the stitch border (using my fav stitch from the Elemental scrapbook kit) and added a row of bitty brads down the right side.

Don't forget to sign up to follow my blog via email on the side bar, Stampin' Friends!

With my ink addiction now satiated, I'm off to bed. Sweet Dreams!

This Post is linked to:
Mojo Monday Sketch 215
Heart 2 Heart Metals Challenge
Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger

Monday, November 14, 2011

Give Thanks!

Thanksgiving is coming up quicker than quick, and I've been buried in prep for the Black Friday Holiday Hoopla. I have a lot to be thankful for this year, so this was a fun project to reflect on while I was crafting; a little happiness therapy if you will.

I used the Card Patterns Sketch 141 as the jumping off point for my project tonight. I loved the idea of the little banner across the top, and I knew I wanted to make it something special. Then I saw the Championing Award Medallions Challenge in the Moxie Fab World and I knew what I wanted to do: a Thanksgiving Card I could use in my Holiday Mantel Display!
I used the polka dot print from the Wonderland Paper packet for my background print, mounted on some of my hoard of Textured Cocoa CS which I sanded. I trimmed the zip strip from the top of my B&T to use for the medallions. I scored that 1/2" x 12" strip every 1/4 inch, folded it up, then adhered the ends together to make a zigzag circle. I like to apply monoadhesive to a backing circle of CS then press the medallion onto the sticky circle to hold it in place. then I fill the center with Liquid Glass and then I pop a block on top to hold everything down while the Liquid Glass dries in the center for a more permanent bond. I added a link at the bottom of this post to a video tutorial by one of my favorite CTMH Artist that makes in in a (sort of) similar way to me, at least the squishing motion which is hard to explain in words.

I made five of these medallions, topped with Neutral craft buttons and Waxy Flax stitches or bows. I draped my medallion banner across the top of the card. Then I cut a 2" length of the super wide Striped Ribbon into 4 long skinny strips to make the banner ties, which are just glued on with Liquid Glass.

I added letters cut on my Art Philosophy Cartridge at 3/4", which I then flooded with Bronze Glitter Glitz for more of a holiday feel. I do this in two layers to get the raised effect with less drying time. A bit of that gorgeous wide striped ribbon and some faux stitching around the edges and I was feeling very thankful indeed.

This Post is linked up 4 times:
Moxie Fab Championing Award Medallions Challenge
Card Patterns Sketch 141
Heart 2 Heart Challenges Gratitude
Paper Issues Thankful for Fall


And, as promised, in case you need a visual on making the medallions:

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Black Friday Holiday Hoopla!

It's that time of year...time for crafty chicks to think about handmade, from the heart holiday gifting and cards! Not sure you have the time? Come to the annual Black Friday Holiday Hoopla and let me show you how!
What is a Black Friday Holiday Hoopla? It's a fabulous holiday themed day of projects - instead of fighting the crazy crowds, you could be sipping cocoa and stamping the day away! All the projects are precut and ready to stamp/assemble for stress free crafting time. You'll have the whole day to spread out and create your projects. Light lunch and snacks are provided. Plus there will be goodie bags, prize drawings, and lots of giggling!

Choose one project, multiple kits of a single project (in case you need to gift to lots of family/friends), or take one of everything - the choice is yours. You can bring outside projects as well - all are welcome (well, at least up to 20 for seats!). The first ten stampers who pre-order the I Want It All package will get the Holiday Brag Book project pictured above for FREE (retail value $20)! The Bonus project has ten adorably decorated pages inside for adding 4x6 photos and journaling, and will not be made available to purchase separately.

Holiday Hoopla!

Black Friday, November 25th From as early as you feel like arriving to 5 p.m.
Super Saturday, November 26th Bonus Crop/Class time, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.


Lunch and snacks provided on both days.
Can't attend? To Go kits available IF ordered by the RSVP date, to be mailed directly to you!
RSVP by Monday, November 14th!


Class Choices:
Awesome Advent Activity Box ($20): Create this box chock full of ideas for daily holiday activities through the month of December. Add a picture to the back of each activity card to easily transform your activity box into a memory keeper your family will cherish and enjoy!







Terrific Tree Decor ($15): Craft this sparkly set of two paper trees for your mantle this holiday season. They coordinate nicely with the Advent box for display, too!








Pretty Picture Calendar ($15): Designed by my talented friend Ginni, this perpetual calendar will brighten anyone's day! Add 12 of your 4x6 photos for a wonderful (and easy) year in review. CLICK HERE to see a sample of an inner page layout!








Charming Card Tree ($25):  I can't wait to hang this gorgeous holiday Card tree (designed by Ginni) up in my entry way! The "ornaments" on the tree, made with Cricut and our new Icings Clear overlays, are on clips so you can add your holiday greetings to the display as they arrive bringing cheer and love to your home.







Stamp-A-Stack ($1 per card): It's back - the most popular card workshop of the year! Choose from 4 pretty holiday card designs and order the exact number of cards you need at just $1 per card! CLICK HERE to see my post with pictures of all the choices. For each order of 25 cards you'll get FREE glitter glitz gel in the color of your choice!







The I Want It All Option!
Can't decide which projects to choose? Take the full day of classes! For $100 you'll get one of each project including your choice of 25 Stamp A Stack Cards, PLUS the Free Glitz Gel AND (the 1st ten who RSVP with payment) will receive the bonus Holiday Brag Book project. Not to mention bonus tickets for the drawings that day. Some substitutions available - contact me for details!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger + Card Patterns!

So I was working away at my final cards for Tina Lovell's cute card swap this week when I was blessed with a bit of kismet. The Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger popped into my inbox, bringing this gorgeous charm bracelet photo...that made me want to bling out my entire swap card, which I based on the sketch from Card Patterns Sketch 139. My colors were already similar, I already had a cascade of swirls with a flower or two on it...and I had a whole couple of the new Rhinestone brads that had been ever so quietly calling my name.... So I grabbed my sample card from the wall and started adding the bling. Well, first I grabbed my Liquid Glass and tinted a glob in a small cup with a few drops of Sky Reinker. The brads were calling my name, but once I saw the Trigger I knew that they needed to be the touch of blue in my card. So I painted them with the tinted Liquid Glass to change the color!

Here's my completed card, with rolled 3-D Cricut flowers, fussy cut 3-D layered flowers with the centers popped up on bitty brads, Glitter Glitz, Pearl Opaques, Sparkles, and the now blue hued Rhinestone Brads. I covered the black CS swirl die cut (Cricut AP cartridge) with a couple layers of Bronze Glitter Glitz. Plus I edge distressed the focal point with black ink and Bronze glitz. The papers are from the Roxie packet - I need like a million sheets of that big damask rose on canvas pattern!

It's so sparkly in person! I couldn't capture the full glory of the bling, but I love it almost as much as I love that whole jar of bling buttons you see there. No, I'm not hoarding them, I'm getting ready for my  Stamp A Stack workshop! Still, a little big grin spreads over my face every time I  glimpse the bling button jar as I'm working.

Speaking of Bling, I've got 3 more projects to post tomorrow to wrap up the Black Friday Holiday Hoopla peeks. Glitter is drying, and I'm putting finishing touches on the final project, the cherry on top if you will. Had to take a break tonight to hang with my scrapbook club gals - to scrap or not to scrap...is it even a question? See ya back here soon, and in the meanwhile, take a peek at the fun challenges on Moxie Fab and Card Patterns.

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