January SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to the January 2010 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.  If this is your first stop, then all you need to do is click on the name at the end of this post to go onto the next person and see their fantastic artwork. You will continue to do that until you return back to me. Then you'll know you have seen them all.

If by some chance, there is a broken link, I have the list of participants in the column to the right.

My card for today is combined with the January SOTM and the Constant Campaign for this month called Felicity.  Since they are both on special until January 31st, I've decided to present them both together.

The papers, birds and flowers are from the Felicity packet and the frame that the bird is around is from the "True Friends" Stamp of the Month. Don't they just go great together!

The stitching along the left and bottom is done by hand with matching embroidery floss.

I used a sketch from Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge.  I love to do some of the Internet Sketch Challenges in conjunction with the sketches in our new Wishes book. 

Now hop on over to Maricar Harris' Blog for more Eye Candy

Ornate Ornaments

I've had this stamp set for ages and finally decided to use it. The making of this card took a lot of thought and so much time to make, but I'm pleased with the finished product.

I used a sketch from Just Us Girls Challenge week 10. for inspiration. This is such a wonderful sketch and has so many possibilities. I know I'll come back to this one again.

Stamp set is from Close to my Heart and is called Ornate Ornaments. This set is also available in French and Spanish.

The colors of cardstock are Cranberry and New England Ivy.

I used Copic Markers to color the ornaments.

Gold red and green Glitter was added to the ornaments

Acetate Card

I loved making these cards last year and forgot about them until I ran into this challenge blog called Crafty Cardmakers. Their challenge was to use something clear. I think I liked last years cards better since I used snowmen, but this one is growing on me.

These cards are so much fun because you work your way back from the front. Each of my laters was 1/4" bigger the the one in front.

For this card I used Close to my Heart, Heartfelt Christmas Stamps for the front and the saying inside. And CTMH Snowflurries Stamps to stamp on the acetate using white StazOn.

  Order three stamp sets of your choice and the one of lesser or equal value will be FREE

If you like these stamps and would like to check out the other stamps in the sets, just click on the names of the sets above and it will take you right to my website to see them.  If you purchase both of these fantastic sets, you will qualify to get a free Stamp set of your choice, of equal or lesser value for FREE!!! And it can all be ordered right there on my website and have it in your home next week to start your Christmas cards. 

November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Well here we are again. Another month has passed us by so quickly and it's time again for another Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.

Today we are featuring a fantastic Stamp Set called Around the Block. You can make so many cool houses with this stamp set which consists of 26 individual stamps.

If you came here from Tammy's blog, you are on the right track. If you just happened across my blog first, you can either start at the beginning, or continue from here. This is a round robin so when you get back here, you know you've completed the round. If at any time there is a broken link or you get lost, the list is in my sidebar.

My card today is using a sketch from Delightful Sketches #10. I am totally addicted to sketch challenges.

The paper pack I used for my card is a retiring pack called Aspen. I just love this paper and thought it went really well with the stamps.

The house was stamped with VersaMark onto Twilight CS then white embossing powder was added and heated. I used liquid applique on the roof, window sills and on the ground. I then added prisma glitter to all of the snow and snowflakes. Don't you just love sparkle. Especially around this time of the year.

The ribbon is from the Outdoor Denim Ribbon Rounds and the center of the snowflakes are the connections club half pearls.

I did a bit of hand sewing with matching Creme Brule embroidery floss.

Starting November 3rd, you can purchase two stamp sets and get one FREE. Those two purchases can help you get this fabulous Stamp of the month discounted or FREE!!!  Email Me today with any questions or to place an order. If you don't have the newest Idea Book, you can check out ll of our products, right here on my website.

OK, it's time to move right along to Judy's Blog and see what fantastic eye candy she has waiting for you.

Beary Best - Mojo Sketch 108

Here is a card I made for my Son-In-Law for his birthday. Size is 5" x 7"

I used Sketch 108 from Mojo Monday.

Everything used is from Close to my Heart.

The stamp set is called Beary Best.

The paper pack is Back Country.

Outdoor Denim twill used across the bottom and Barn Red Embroidery Floss used for the Hand Stitching around the card.

Flourished Blessings, You're A Hoot - Tri Shutter Card

I just love making these cards. This is called a Tri Shutter Card and the instructions can be found HERE on SCS.

This card is for the Belli Challenge #76 over at Creative Belli Blog.

The Theme is Fall/Thanksgiving with a leaf.

                                    This is the card open.

This is the card almost closed.

SUPPLIES:

CTMH Twitterpated Paper Pack

Flourished Blessings Stamp set

You're A Hoot Stamp Set

I like this paper because the colors are not your traditional fall colors.

Colors are: Sweet Leaf, Sorbet, & Chocolate.

CTMH October SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close to my Heart,  October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.

This is group #2.  When you are finished with this group, you can click on the first name of another group and view all of those fabulous works of art. The complete list is in the sidebar to your right.

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! Here we go!

This is a 5" x 7" card and I used the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #21  for the design of the card.

Paper and ribbon are from the Jingle Creative Basics paper pack.

The image was colored using Copic Markers.

I used the half pearls from the connections club and colored them tulip to match the paper.

The tree was stamped twice. One was cut out and layered for a 3D affect.

The stitching around the card was done by hand with embroidery floss.

Now "Hop" on over to Krista's Blog to see her gorgeous work!

If you get lost on the hop or find links that aren't working, you can find the complete list in the column to your right.

Childhood Portraits

Well, I've been dying to play with the set and sometimes with me, it take something to force me to get things done. My daughter and son-in-law celebrated their 7th wedding anniversary yesterday so I decided to use this stamp set for their card. I combined it with the Grace paper pack and I jusy love the two together.

I used our Connections Club Half Pearls in the corners. Everything is CTMH except for the ribbon and the embroidery floss I used for the hand stitching.

Treasures - Sept. Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the CTMH September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. If you hopped along with us last month, you already know what phenomenal artwork you are in store for today.

If you came here from Donni's blog, then you are on the right path. If you just happened to start with mine, then you will want to check out the list of participants in the right column of this blog and start from the beginning. You won't want to miss a single piece of ART!

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!

This month's Stamp Set, Treasures, is just such a fantastic set. You can get this stamp set for 25%, 50%, 75% off or FREE, with a qualifying purchase. You will find this set a "Must Have" by the times you check out the fantastic artwork of all 71 Consultants in this blog hop.

For my card, I used the new paper pack called Twitterpatted. The colors in this paper are, Crystal Blue, Sweetleaf, Sorbet, and Chocolate. This is a great paper pack for your fall scrapbook pages, cards, or any other type of paper craft you might want to do.

The inks I used are Chocolate and Sorbet. The small pearls in the center of the flowers are from the half pearls that you can earn FREE with your filled Connections Club Card. See ME or your CTMH consultant for details on how you can get yours. I colored them with my Copic Marker to match.

The stitching around the card is all done by hand in my unique design with embroidery floss. I thought it sort of resembles the little seeds flying around from the dandelion flower. I have a passion for hand sewing.

Thanks for checking out my artwork. Stop back again soon.
Now it's time to hop on over to Traci's Blog and see what great Eye Candy she has in store for you.

Christmas Card workshop - August09

Here are the four cards that I came up with for my Christmas in August card workshop.

Each person will be making 4 of each card for a total of 16 cards.

Paper used is from the Aspen Paper Pack.
Stamps are New Fallen Snow, Christmas Melodies, Snow Friends, Shining Star, & Wonderful Season.

New Fallen Snow

Here is one of the cards I was playing around with for my 16 card Christmas Card workshop.

I used New Fallen Snow stamp set along with Christmas Melodies for the word Noel and a sprig punch.

The paper is from the Aspen Paper Pack. I really like these colors for any "snow" cards.
This paper works great for "Any Occasion" cards during the winter season.

Treasures - Sept. SOTM - Circle Card

Why is it that the older we get the busier we are. Shouldn't it really be just the opposite!

I've just been spending so much time making cards for my etsy shop that I have been ignoring my smaller simple cards. Well, that's got to change and this new Fall/Winter catalog from Close to my Heart is just what I need to get me back in the groove.

Here is my first attempt at a circle card. This is from the new "Wishes" Card book from CTMH. I didn't use the template from the book, but rather just used my coluzzle to cut it out. I'm sure going to miss that tool when it is discontinued.
I'm not sure if I like circle cards. The jury's still out on that one. But it is different. I think I just like cards that I can sit up and admire and this one just rolls. Not to mention that it was hard to scan straight!!! Other then that, I think the round cards are cute.

So, here is my first card using the CTMH September Stamp of the Month (SOTM), Treasures, and the new Twitterpated paper. I also used three of our new flat pearls that are new for the connections club rewards. I LOVE those half pearls!!! I used chocolate ink and ribbon. The ribbon is tied around the fold of the card.

It's Your Day

This stamp set just wasn't my style and I almost didn't use it at all. However, while hopping through the blog hop on the 1st, I saw cards that were so cute. So, because I needed to make my granddaughter a birthday card today, I decided to play with it.
I actually had to make two cards so my daughter had one to give also.

Stamp set used is "It's Your Day" the August 2009 Stamp of the month.
I also used the Animal Cookies Paper Pack.
And on the second card, I used the Foam Die-Cut Numbers. I didn't want to heat it and impress a stamp into it, so I just used an embossing folder from my Cuttlebug to give it a little added dimension.
The cake and candles have glitter on them.

Extreme Happiness-CTMH - MMSC11

I Loved this sketch #11 on Midnight Madness and wanted to play along. This card worked out great in my mind, however, now that I have it on paper, I'm not crazy about it. But, I spent way too much time on it so it will just have to grow on me.

I used paper from the Moon Doggie paper pack from CTMH.

Also used the stamp set Extreme Happiness , also from CTMH.
I used a Martha Stewart Border Punch.

The stitching around the three sides was done by hand using embroidery floss. I make up my own stitch designs. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. I got lucky with this one.

The yellow part of the flowers has stickles on them for a little added glitz.

Tee Time-CTMH; MMSC12

I needed a card today for my husband's birthday so I used this fantastic sketch from this weeks Midnight Madness Sketch #12. This is one time I can actually say I love this card. That's sometimes not the easiest thing for me to do. I'm my worst critic. It looks much better in person though. I couldn't lighten it up enough to look natural. I normally take a picture rather then scan it but I like using natural light and it was dark when I finished it.

Anyway, I followed this sketch to the "TEE". A little late night humor there. I must be overly tired.

All products are CTMH. I used a paper pack called "It's A Guy Thing", and stamp sets called "Tee Time" & "For Every Occasion."

Also used grosgrain ribbon and Big Decorative Brad.

The stitching is done by hand using embroidery floss.

Inside of card
This is my first card for the Sweet Spot Sketch Challenge.

Everything used on this card is Close to my Heart except for the ribbon and Dew Drops.

Blue Ribbon Paper Pack.
Whimsical Wings and Fringed Phrases Stamp Sets.

This card is 5.5" x 5.5".

Stitching is done by hand with embroidery floss.

It's hard to tell in the scan, but there is clear glitter on the butterfly.

Endless Friendship

It's been a while since I last posted. There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. Not to mention that I found sketch challenges to participate in. This blog hopping can be bad news. All I want to do now is create during my granddaughter's nap times. So much for house work!!!

This card uses all CTMH products. The colors are from Jeanette's Color Me Monday Challenge

Colors are Pansy Purple, Petal, New England Ivy and White.

Stamp Set is D1354-Endless Friendship.

The stitching was done by hand with Embroidery Floss.

There was a lot of work to this but sometimes I just love to express my creativity for something other then my clubs and gatherings.

Be Yourself

It's been so long since I last posted any artwork. I just haven't been in the creative mood lately.

Here is a 5"x7" card using the May09 SOTM, Be Yourself.
Colors are black, white and Watermelon.

I also used the big flower from the Constant Campaign for this month.

Butterfly Wings

This is a 5x7 Sympathy card made for my niece Barbara whose husband lost his 21 yr. old son.

Papers are from the Unforgettable paper pack.

Colors are Sorbet, Juniper and Desert Sand.

The flowers are from the Aspirations Stamp Set.

Butterfly Wings

This is another 8 x 3.5 card.

Colors are Desert Sand & Sorbet CS.

Juniper & Sorbet Inks.

B&T is from Unforgettable.

The flowers are from the Aspiration Stamp set and the stamp kissing is using the Intrinsic Backgrounds stamp set.

Butterfly Wings

This is an 8 x 3.5 size card.

Unforgettable paper pack used along with Aspiration Stamp Set.

Cocoa ink for the wording and VersaMark Pad and white Embossing powder for the butterfly.

The inspiration for this card came from a similar card made by Bren Yule.

Butterfly Wings

Here is another 5.25 x 5.25 card.

Paper is Creative Basics Emporium Collection.

Ink colors are Twilight and Sweetleaf.

Butterflies are cut out and Prisma Glitter added to wings.

Butterfly Wings

Here is a card that I made for a Workshop/Gathering.

The size is 5.25 x 5.25. I wanted it to be 5.5 x 5.5, but I bought the wrong size envelopes.

Anyway, the paper is "Creative Basics Emporium Collection". The sweetleaf paper is from Emporium Level II paper Pack.

I first inked the butterfly with VersaMark ink, then Sweetleaf ink and tamped on the green B&T. I then covered with clear Embossing powder and heat set.

I stamped the wording with twilight ink and heat embossed.

This is a card from a technique challenge from SCS last Monday. It took me a whole week to get around to trying it. I thought my club members would enjoy making it.

The directions are on my technique page.

Stamps used are Easter Eggs (Feb.09 SOTM), Bunny Love & March Word Puzzle.

Colors used are Tulip, Sorbet, Juniper and Desert Sand. also used a cotton ball to apply blue chalk to the background to look like the sky.

The eggs are stamped and then clear EP is applied and heated, then cut out. If I make another, I think will also heat emboss the tulips on the front of the card also.

This picture is my original sample so please excuse any flaws.

Here is the fourth Bunny from the stamp set "Bunny Love".

This one I used as a Valentine. The bunny is actually blowing bubbles, but I used the punched out hearts from my heart border as the bubbles.

The Heart with "Some Bunny Loves You" is actually two solid eggs from the "Easter Eggs" stamp set, stamped together to make a heart.

The paper is from "That's Amore" paper pack.
Colors are Chocolate, Tulip and Blush.
I used Liquid glass on all the punched out hears and liquid applique heated for the bunny's tail. I used card sketch 214 from SCS.

Easter Eggs/Card Commentary

Here is another card using the fantastic February SOTM, Easter Eggs.

I just love this stamp set so much because it is such a versatile set. It can be used for any occasion.

Here the flower is made using one of the eggs and the masking technique. The center is one of the flowers cut out of a scrap piece of the B&T.

• The word "dream" is from the Card Commentary set and the background for it was stamped with another one of the eggs with a crackle finish in second generatio
  
• Ink used were Sorbet & Cocoa.


• Paper is from the Unforgettable paper pack.


• Ribbon is from the Sorbet ribbon collection.


• Colonial white & Juniper brads.


• Chocolate embroidery floss from the Neutral Assortment.

Bunny Love & Easter Eggs

Here is the third Bunny in the series.

• Stamp sets used are Bunny Love, Easter Eggs-Feb0 SOTM, and March Word Puzzle.
• Paper Pack is Unforgettable.
• Ink used are Juniper, Tulip & Cocoa.
• Bunny was colored with the Fall Color Pallet of chalks. The egg and ribbon are Juniper and Tulip and a water brush.
• Liquid applique was used & Heated for the bunny's tail.
• Sorbet Brads are in the egg border.
• Nestabilities were used for the scallop circles.

Bunny Love

Here is another card using the February SOTM and Bunny Love.

I used the same SC213 Card sketch as the first one. I just turned this one as a top fold.

I also used the March Word puzzle for the Happy Easter and the grass under the eggs.

Colors of ink are Cocoa, Juniper and Tulip.

Paper pack is Unforgettable.

I used markers for the bunny egg and chalk for the bunny.

The lace borders is the lace egg stamed in a row and cut out. Then I cut the border in hald and used each half on either side of the big panel.

Bunny Love

This is such a fantastic stamp set and I finally took some time to play with it.

I also used the stamp sets Bunny Love and Adorning Corners, along with paper from the Unforgettable Paper pack.

Ink color are Sorbet and Cocoa along with various markers and a blending pen.

Andrea's Pregnancy Journal

Here is a Pregnancy Journal that I made for my daughter Andrea. This is her second child, and unfortunately, I never made her one for her first.

I used the January 2009 Stamp of the Month, Moments in Time throughout this journal as well as the March SOTM, Butterfly Wings and Boutique Borders.

The purpose behind this journal is for her to have something to show her daughter when she has her first baby. I wish I had anything at all to remember all of the details when I was pregnant with Andrea that I could have share with her.

I could have just altered a composition book for her, but I wanted to do more then just a written journal. I wanted to make something so she could see pictures of herself during those nine months.
So, I decided it was about time I finally used my Bind-It-All Machine to make a combination photo and written journal.
This will be updated each month as that page is completed.

For the journal pages, I bought some white legal pads and cut them in half. I couldn't find lined paper without holes on the left so this was my best choice. So, this determined the size of the book. I think it's about 5.5" x 8.75".

The outside covers have a Matt page protector around them. The 12x12 protector was just cut in half and then cut down to size.

The pages inside have the clear page protectors around them the same as the cover.

The pictures are in order from the bottom up. That's so I can continue to add photos of the pages as they are completed and they will be in order.

I didn't get all Artsy Fartsy with this book because I needed to get it DONE!

Dream Wishes

Here's a card I made for thew Humble Artists Card Swap.

Stamp sets used: Dream Wishes & Boutique Borders.

Paper Pack is Emporium Creative Basics which also comes with Vineyard Berry Grosgrain Ribbon.

I used two paper flowers from the "Big Pinks". I inked one with Sweet Leaf Ink and the other with Twilight Ink. I them lightly applied Glue to the petals and then Prisma Glitter. I cut each petal apart and alternated them, applied them to the back of Dimensional Elements Perennials chipboard flower.

I know it's hard to tell, but Sparkles are used in the four corners of the mat and stickles used on the small flowers.

All edges are sponged with Cocoa Ink.

Faux stitching is used around the outer layer of the card.