Day 7: March SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to the March SOTM Blog Hop. This month we have over 60 consultants sharing their creative projects using the March SOTM. You should be arriving here from ANGELA'S BLOG. Let's get hopping!

This month I chose to paint a small 4x6 canvas to use with my favorite stamp in that set, the "Choose happy" sentiment. I painted the canvas silver, and added streaks of Silver glitter paint, sparkly pink nail polish, and Outdoor Denim ink, I embossed the scalloped border and frame onto pink cardstock and fussy cut the elements. You'll see a bit of one of the swirl stamps in there as well as some black sparkle flourishes. My colors were grey/silver, Outdoor Denim, and Blush pink. I'm linking up to the Heart 2 Heart Think Pink Challenge.

Here you can see the texture of the nail polish splatters. The flowers were colored with a blush marker and glittered. I love this flower shape because I don't have to cut leaves too - I can just trim out the individual petals and turn those into leaves.

Don't forget you can get this SOTM for as low as $5, but only through the month of March. Contact your consultant or click here to order yours today! Next up on the hop is ALYSON'S BLOG. I can't wait to see what she's done with this adorable stamp set.

Other Projects I've made with the March SOTM:

Choose Happy Embroidery Hoop Wall Art

Choose Happy Monochromatic Card

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Card

Day 6: Scrapping Our Stash Hop

Welcome to the February Scrapping Our Stash blog hop, where each month we create projects using only stuff from our stash! You might be arriving here still smiling from CATHY'S BLOG. 

This month I made a piece of "She" Art. CTMH did these on canvases at an event I didn't get to attend. Of course, I made mine in an embroidery hoop to add to my Hoop Art wall. I didn't have instructions, or a template for the doll figuring, but I figured I've got enough stuff, so I jumped right in. I found my Quote on Pinterest, and lettered it by hand.

I know there's cool stamps out there now to make these dolls, but I'm using my stash, so I just got some Colonial White CS and started cutting. When I found a face shape I liked, I outlined it with a black fine-tipped journaling pen. That went ok, so I tackled the hair, using scrap brown cardstock from my bin. I even added a glittery streak where I have a natural blonde streak in my own hair.Then I drew the neck and body in pencil. I cut that apart to use as a template to trim the Colonial White CS and patterned papers. I outlined everything after I pieced it together and I'm really happy with how it came out. The pants are a really old retried CTMH pattern, and the top (and the fussy cut butterfly on the top) came from a Simple Stories 6x6 pad. I colored the skin using my Spectrum Noir markers. I sprayed the background behind the doll with Krylon glitter spray using a sunburst template my sweet downline Karin gave me many moons ago.

For the background I mounted some pink CTMH retired patterned paper onto the inside hoop. Once that dried I cut notches all along the outer edge and glued the paper down before tightening the outer hoop. I sponged the paper with cream acrylic paint. Is tamped it with my 2015 CHOOSE HAPPY sentiment in Gypsy ink. I added sponging in Crystal Blue, and stamped on some blue hearts and recipe lines in a crosshatch pattern, too. I found some older rub-ons in my stash in cream and black and started applying them. Then I built the flower rainbow using up a cup of extra flower diecuts I've had forever. I colored the flowers and the sparkly embellies with Spectrum Noir markers. The frame was painted cream. Then I applied White daisy Reinker all around the edge and a line of Pink stickles and used a pin to mix it up.

Basically, I just grabbed anything within arms reach and kept on gluing and inking until I was happy. It was a super fun project - you should totally try it! 

The next blog bringing you stash goodness is SUZANNA'S BLOG. Enjoy!  

Here's the complete list of blogs in the hop, just in case!

Wendy C (That's me!)

Suzanna 

Lee-Anne 

Jennifer 

Charity

Sandy 

Bobbi 

Wendi 

Monica 

Kristy 

Majken  

Cheryl 

Kristina 

Brenda 

Ruth 

Alison 

Cathy 

Day 5: Picture My Life Mini Album

Today I'm sharing a fun project I've been cooking up for the CTMH Picture My Life cards. These sets of adorable cards are good for more than just fast and easy pocket scrapbooking.

I used the Babycakes PML collection to build this sweet flippy mini album and more than a dozen quick cards. 

The album would be an amazing shower card/gift, and has a little pocket plus lots of flips and flaps to hold your notes and pics.

How fun are these sweet cards? They look all layered and like lots of work, but the PML cards do all the work for you! I am in love with Picture My Life!

With any Picture My Life purchase through the end of March, I'll send you a pre-scored and folded PML mini album base in a color coordinated to your PML kit choice, ten white card bases, and full color instructions on how to make your own set of pocket scrapbooking goodies. I labored hard over these instructions to make sure they were easy to follow and still adaptable to whichever card kit you choose. I used just one roll of washi tape as my only embellishment, which is basically a minor miracle. You can add a matching roll to your order or just use some from your stash. While I kept my first album simple with just the cards and a roll of washi tape, I think the project would look great with some glitter gel or leftover embellies, so this would be a good stash busting project as well. 

This project will work with any one of the fabulous PML kit choices, so just hop on over to my website to choose your favorite. Place your order for any Picture My Life card set (feel free to join the Monthly Memories gathering already open), and I'll ship out your extra kit goodies within three days. If your order is $40 or more, I'll double the PML goodies, so two album bases and 20 cards, since most of the PML kits could easily do two sets of everything. 

Consultant Friends you'll find instructions only Consultant Kits here.

Next week I'll show you how this instructional set would with both CTMH's PML cards and the popular Project Life card kits as well. I love this mini album project, and I know you will too!  

Day 4: Happy Day Card

So the current linky party over at Paper Issues is Hip to Be Square. And the March SOTM (available next week) has this adorable square woodgrain frame. Coincidence? Maybe...but a happy one for sure. BTW - if you aren't following Paper Issues, you should be.  Ah-maz-ing. Seriously. But I digress...

Anyhoo, I was toying with the new Mojo Monday tall and skinny sketch, when I realized I could use my favorite (and easy to fussy cut) little woodgrain frame. I stamped the furthest background with lots of the "choose happy" sentiment. Then I stamped around the edges of the front background layer with the swirly border image. I added in a bit of kraft CS to keep the color scheme in the neutrals. The woodgrain paper came from an Simple Stories Story of Us 6x6 pad.

The only ink color I used was Champagne. I used Shin Han alcohol markers in Bronze and Clay plus the blender. The flowers were spritzed with Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Mustard, to go along with the Gold Dot washi tape. The dot spray and sentiment came from the Have a Happy Day stamp set. Which is what I'm doing today. 

See ya back here tomorrow with some Picture My Life goodness I've been stewing for a while. Hope you're having a happy day too!

Day 3: Paper Flower Frame

So as part of my Choose Happy Campaign, I excused myself from some responsibilities I had taken on that were keeping me from activities that would make me happier. 

One bonus of not choosing those things is that I can share some artwork I've been holding back for advertisements for classes that will not be happening. Like this adorable little plastic frame. They carry these inexpensive frames in a lot of stores. I decorated this one with handmade torn paper flowers and Teresa Collins Rub-ons.  

These little flowers are so quick and easy. Just tear out four circles of similar size. A scallop circle punch works too. Stack the circles and attach in the center with a brad. Then scrunch up the circles around the brad and fluff to make adorable little flowers! I dropped some glitter gel int he center of the black flowers, too.

I've got good news, too - I thought that the stamp sets from the Seasonal Expressions book were retiring at the end of March, but most of them are carrying on. That's good news for my Hello Sunshine card workshop! If you've ordered already, I'm cutting as fast as I can - this week's orders should ship by Friday. Stamp sets are ordered too!  See ya back here tomorrow for another project!

Day 2: Choose Happy

Hello, Stampin' Friends! I'm back with another fresh Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge card. I was so glad to find this springy color combo over at Color Throwdown to go along with my floral inspiration today.

I chose Sweet Leaf, Topiary, Canary, and White accents to go along with the Color Throwdown palette. I embossed the Sweet Leaf background with the Dot Embossing folder, then sanded it heavily to bring out the dots. The stamp set is the March SOTM, which will be available to order next week. I love that it just happens to have my motto for this year as a cute, scripty little sentiment. I think I'm gonna keep that out on a block all year so it'll always be handy. 

This flower was fun to make. I started with a Colonial White flower cut from Art Philosophy. I stamped it and inked with with Canary ink, then I edged the petals with an alcohol marker. I rolled the flower, smashed it up with an empty acrylic block, and piled on some simple flower shaped that I spritzed with Mustard Heidi Swapp Color Shine and inked with the same alcohol marker. That gem in the center was originally pale pink, but I used the yellow marker to bring it to a darker orange color. And now I'm happy...see ya tomorrow!

Day 1: Hello Sunshine Workshop

Today is the day I joined CTMH...thirteen years ago. I've been feeling overwhelmed with ALL THE THINGS a lot lately, and it's been really cutting into my creative mojo. Like an I can't bring myself to go down and get stamping because all I wanna do after all the boys are in bed is chill and watch Gilmore Girls even though I've seen every episode like 8 times (and still, thank you, Netflix!) kind of funk. And that's not sitting well with my glitter lovin' heart. 

I've vowed that in 2015 I'm gonna "Choose Happy", so I've decided to get back to my inky roots and make blogging fun again (at least for me) by posting every day for my 13th year as part of CTMH. I'm taking back my stamp mojo, or at least sitting down every day to renew my soul with a bit of art and a bloggy chat with you, Stampin' Friends. I'm so glad you're here - let's celebrate together!

Today I'm sharing my newest  card workshop, using the Rain or Shine Stamp Set that is only available through the end of March. From the moment I saw this sweet set I knew I wanted to bust out a bunch of cards with it.  The sentiments warm my heart, and the cloud has three cute patterns. Plus that sun. Yes, please! This Stamping Rules workshop makes 10 adorable cards, pre-cut and pre-stamped for $25 or you can add the stamp set as well for just $5 more.

 Just add adhesive - and glitter, of course! 

Consultant kits available if you want to teach this workshop yourself, CTMH sister consultants!

Share the sunshine with your loved ones with a Stamping Rules Kit shipped right to your home. Available only through March 2015!

(1) Hello Sunshine Pre-cut Cards Kit $25.00 USD (1) Hello Sunshine Card Kit Plus Stamp Set $30.00 USD Add Dot Embossing Folder $10.00 USD (1) Hello Sunshine Consultant Kit (Instructions only) $10.00 USD

Comments

Thanks for taking a peek, Sunshine - hope I'll see ya tomorrow!

Wishing You a Bright Day!

When it rains, it pours. One after anther my boys have been so sick all week last week...and then Monday I finally succumbed. I needed to get crafty and cheer up, because there's nothing like glitter and stamping to make your day better.

Luckily, I had this adorable sketch from Atlantic Hearts sketch challenge for inspiration! I hopped over to the Runway Inspired Challenge for an awesome color cue, and this card practically made itself. I loved the wispy, whimsical lines of the print on the Jenny Packham gown, so I stamped the background of my card base with yellow stitch lines. Then I swiped the background with Sky ink direct to paper and brushed on black ink using a handy fan brush.

I had some cork stickers on my tabletop, including this super cute camera icon. I've wanted to use it for a while, but the cork wasn't working with my colors, so I coated it in Turquoise Stickles with a few silver glitter gel accents. I added a flash using the sunshine from Rain or Shine and topped it with a Sorbet Puffy heart sticker that I colored with a black alcohol marker.

I hope this brings a little sunshine to your day, just like making it did for me! 

My Name is Wendy

This week the CTMH blog challenged us to write about the origin of our names. I really didn't have a clue where my name came from, so I called my mom to ask.

She told me how she'd had a best friend when she was little with the name Wendy. Not Gwendolyn or anything, but just Wendy and she'd always liked that name so she named me Wendy. My middle name is the same as my Mom's middle name. there were four of us, and she just named us all names that she liked.  I had a different sketch for this layout, but then I saw the Sketchy Saturday Challenge post at Paper Issues and I fell in LOVE! I was originally planning to do a baby pink thing with a baby pic, but then I decided that the sketch needed something bolder, so I grabbed the awesome pink plus orange color combo from ColourQ, and everything from my stash that was Baby Pink, Hollyhock, or Sorbet/pale orange. 

I used my Shin Han markers in pink, red, and pale orange to alter my stash of cork arrows, sparkles, and these cute Irresistibles chipboard letters. I gave the letters a wash of orange, then a second coat of pink, and finally an edging with the red marker. I built the striped background out of White Daisy Cardstock layered with extra strips of White Daisy CS edged with Baby Pink ink.

I did my journaling with a sharpie onto sanded Hollyhock cardstock mounted onto leftover scraps of HeartStrings B&T paper, and popped up with foam tape. I love the look of this journaling technique! I also added some pink glitter gel to some of the cork arrows I had colored...because it wouldn't be me without glitter. I'm so glad that CTMH challenged us to learn about our names for the #jrlcreativechallenge - I want to do a companion page for my scrapbook with the story of John's name, too.  

Makers Gonna Make

I've been trying to get this project posted all week. How does the time fly so?

This is my latest hoop art in the series that I'm making for the inspiration wall in my scrap room. I used a teensy tiny apron that my sweet upline Ginni gave me for the fabric base. I save the ruffly bottom half of the apron to hem across the top so it can finally be worn - but the top was not big enough to stretch across the girls very well. I still loved the polka dots and hot pink embroidery, so I rescued it for this project instead of letting it linger in a drawer anymore. I was totally humming that Taylor Swift song the whole time I was adhering my sentiment in sparkly silver glitter stickers. I had to build some lowercase e stickers out of other letters, but a dab of silver stickles on the joints made them look like new!

Then I dug into my stash of all things sparkly and started gluing. How pretty is this big vintage-y rhinestone charm? I feel so much better now that it gets to be part of something fun instead of living in a box unused!

I ran a line of medium sparkles all around the edge of the hoop. That took some time and patience. I altered a few of the metal bits with older rub-ons. I cut apart the black sparkly flourishes to spread out the leftovers around the hoop. I'm linking up to the Paper Issues Perfect Pairing challenge, as I tried to bring continuity to my masses of random sparkles by using two of anything I could - the silver glitter disks, clear flowers, rhinestone buttons, and I added that LAUGH arrow too.

I'm off to finish typing scrapbook kit instructions, in the hopes that I'll be able to get around to making a scrapbook page that's floating around in my brain. I probably should take a nap with my sick kiddo, but... 

Makers gonna make, make, make, make, make!