Find Your Style - January Stamp of the Month

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome to the January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! Can you believe it's 2011 already!

If you've gome here from Krista's blog, then you're on the right track. But, if youn just happened upon my blog, have no fear. You can follow the hop right from here because this hop is actually a round robin. You can start here and end here. The entire list can be found on Helen's Blog.

For my card today, I used the New Wings Paper Pack along with the "Find Your Style" SOTM.

The Hand Stitching was done with matching Sweetleaf Embroidery Floss and some sweetleaf embellishments and Juniper Grosgrain ribbon.

Now, hop on over to Haley's Blog and see her fabulous artwork.

CTMH December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

I'm sorry but you won't be seeing a card from me today. I'm out of town with family and didn't make it back home yet.

But you can definately enjoy the blog hop without my card so please hop on over to Kimberley's blog to see her amazing artwork.

This is a round robin hop so even if you start here, by going to the next person at the end of each post, you will see them all.

A Little Thanks - CTMH November Stamp of the Month

Welcome to the November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. This is a fabulous stamp set of 16 stamps and a perfect way to say Thank You in so many different ways.

If you came here from Jenifer's Blog then you’re on the right path. If you’d like to start from the very beginning, or you need to see the entire list, then go to Helen’s Blog. This hop is a round robin so no matter where you start, you will end up back there again.

My card today is made with the Olivia Paper Pack from Close to my Heart.
I also used The stamp set called Harvest Home. I thought this set was very appropriate to use with this Stamp of the Month.

The Hand Stitching was done with matching Embroidery Floss and the white pearls were colored with Copic Markers.

Thanks for taking time to visit our blogs. We'd love it if you'd leave us a sweet comment.

You now want to hop on over to Sarita's Blog and see what fabulous eye candy she has for you

You're Great - Two Birthday Cards - PCP Sketch Challenge

Sorry this is such a quick and short post. So much to do and so little time.
I have two grandson's who are having a Birthday next week. They are brothers and one will turn 1 and the other 2. So, we're leaving Saturday for a long trip to our Son's home for a Birthday Party. To speed things up a little I made both cards using the same stamp set and papers and even the sketch.

The cards were inspired by the Sketch Challenge at Paper Craft Planet Saturday Sketch Challenge. I normally post all of my challenges on my other blog, but because everything is CTMH, I put it here.

The papers are Twitterpated and the Stamp set is You're Great.

I used The Works Alphabet set for the names.
Hand Stitching was done with Matching Embroidery Floss.

I also made these cards for the Creative Inspiration Challenge Blog with a Birthday Theme.

Share The Magic - October SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close to my Heart October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop It’s really hard for me to adjust to the fact that it’s October already. Especially since the temperature today was 80° here in PA.

If you came here from Teri’s Blog then you’re on the right path. If you’d like to start from the very beginning, or you need to see the entire list, then go to Kathleen’s Blog. This hop is a round robin so no matter where you start, you will end up back there again.

Today we are featuring the Stamp Set called “Share the Magic”. This is a very cute Christmas Set and just perfect for making your own gift tags. Wish I’d have made some to show.

My card today is made with the snowman and tree. I glued B&T  from the Mistletoe Collection onto cardstock. Then I stamped the Tree in New England Ivy Ink and cut out. Then I applied Red Sparkles where the ornaments are stamped. Then I added white liquid  appliqué to the bands on the tree. Since it's an outside scene, I wanted it to look l,ike snow. If you use the tree as an indoor scene, you can treat those bands as garland.
After coloring the snowman, I coated the white part with liquid glass then sprinkled on Diamond Dust. I attached three black pearls for his buttons.

For the snow under the snowman, I also coated with Liquid Glass then sprinkled on Faux Flower Soft that I made by rubbing two pieces of Styrofoam together and using the dust that was left behind. This makes wonderful snow.

The three snowflakes at the bottom were coated with Bonding Memories glue then Prisma Glitter. I attached a white pearl to the center of each.

I used white Embroidery Floss for the Hand stitching around the card. I wanted it to look like snow flakes!

If you like our cards, please leave us all a sweet comment. We love hearing from you and love to know how we;re doing!!!

Now hop on over to Cindy's Blog and see the wonderful artwork she has to share with you.

Thriller - CTMH September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring September's SOTM, which is D1442 - Thriller, a set of 9 stamps.

If you have come here from Brae's Blog, you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you may want to go back to Helen's Blog and start from the beginning! Or, you can continue right from here and when you eventually get here again, you know you've visited them all. Just click on the name at the bottom of this post to continue on.


This month we have 68 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! Here we go!


My card today is called a Spring Card. The reason for the name is that is lays flat for mailing but springs up when taken out of the envelope.

The paper for this card is from the Hooligan's Level II paper pack - X7129B. I also added some Sunset and Gypsy CS. However, you can use the reverse side of the B&T for those colors.

I stamped two of the images onto the Gypsy CS using Black Ink. I cleaned my stamps then went over the same stamps with the Bonding Memories wide tip glue pen (1512) stamped right over the original image lining up as perfect as possible,  then covered with Black Glitter. Make sure to clean your stamp immediately after stamping.  
I used a sizzix die for the spider and bats. I added glue to them and then black glitter.
I added 3 of the NEW purple sparkles to two of the corners.

I also edged the edges nof the black square with Bonding Memories Glue and added Black Glitter to the edges.  Unfortunately, the photos don't really show all the sparkle from the glitter.
Now "Hop" on over to Sylvia'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! We'd all love if you left us som Lovin comments!

Remember, the September SOTM is only available until September 30, 2010. Contact your CTMH Consultant or click here to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

Here is a side view.

Here is a back view.

Something Splendid

Here is a card I made with my clubs this week. It uses the small fvlowers in the Close to my Heart Stamp of the Month called Something Splendid. I posted a card using the big flower on August 1st, but so many people only use the large flower and over look the small ones.

I got my inspiration for this card from a sketch over at The Glitterbabe's Challenge Blog.

The papers used are from the Cherry-O collection from Close to my Heart.I used Island Blossom dew Drops on three of the flower centers and in the corners.

Treasure Life - Faux Flower Soft

I've admired projects made with flower soft for so long now but I just couldn't get myself to purchase any of it. It's such a hard choice to make because there are so many color to choose from and it's a little pricey.

So, I discovered that I could make my own.

I did this project for my one club on Friday and for my team at our unit meeting on Saturday and they all loved it.

It's very easy. Get two Styrofoam balls and rub them together over your craft try. You will get lots of fine little partials of Styrofoam. Now, carefully store this in a container. I use the empty tubes that our ribbon rounds come in. Now, when you want a certain color to match your project, just take any type of container and add about 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol and about 5 drops of re-inker. Then add the Styrofoam shavings and stir. The amount of drops of re-inker may vary depending on the intensity of the color you are looking for. Dump it out on something to let dry. I used aluminum foil. Spread it out in a thin layer. It will dry lighter. When dry, put it in a container. I use baby jars that I had been saving.

That’s all that’s to it.

I used the liquid glass as my adhesive. Just color in your image with liquid glass and pile on your faux flower soft. Press down then shake off excess. You can use your dry emboss tool or paper piercer to move any back that might spread out for you. I then added some prisma glitter on top . This works down into all the nooks and crannies where your flower soft may leave. Let this dry several hours then brush off the excess.

My picture does not do this justice. It really is gorgeous!!! All of the edges are distressed with matching ink.

Try it and let me know what you think!!!

The inspiration for this card came from a sketch over at StampInsanity..

The challenge this week over at TheCorrosive Challenge is to use Faux Techniques.

Fruitful Delight - Spring Card

Here is a card that I LOVE making. It's called a Spring Card. That's because when you take it out of the envelope, it springs up.  How cleaver!!!
I've been wanting to try my hands at this card for months now and finally decided Ito do this for my class and clubs. For it, I used the Fruitful Delights Clear stamp set from Close to my Heart. I may try and do a tutorial on this design sometime soon. I normally color with my Copic Markers, however, since I'm doing this for classes, I chose to usae a different method. I stamped the strawberries on the white CS, then again two more times on Holiday Red CS. I cut out the bunch of three then one single berry. Shadded with a cranberry marker, and highlighted with a white gel pen. Then mounted the berries with foam tape. The leaves were colored with a Topiary Marker. The striped paper is from the Cherry-O Paper Pack. The Cranberry CS was cuttlebugged with the swiss dots folder. The stamps used on the tag are from a Stamp set called Fringed Phrases

This card was also submitted to Just Scraps Challenge Blog. - Anything Goes.

Something Splendid - August Stamp of the Month

Welcome to our Stamp of the Mopnth Blog Hop.  We will be featuring August's Stamp of the month, which is D1424, Something Splendid., a set of 13 stamps.

This month we have a fabulous stamp set called Something Splendid. This stamp set contains 13 individual clear stamps.

This month we have about 70 Close to my Heart Consultants sharing their artwork with this stamp set. So grap your favorite drink, sit back & relax and enjoy the show!

So, on with the Blog Hop.
If you're following the blog from the beginning and you came here from Dawn's Blog, you're on the right path.

If you're starting with my blog, then you will click on the link at the bottom of my post and each person's after mine. When you arrive back at mine again, you know you have seen them all.

If you get lost along the way, or come across a broken link, then go to Kathleen's blog for the entire list. You can also start the hop there.

Just a little tip. If you  prefer to hop from the list, just hold the "Control" key down while clicking on each person's link, it will open their blog up in a new window. That way, you just close each window and you are always on the blog with the list.

Now, hop on over to Lori Miller's Blog and see what awesone Eye Candy she has for you!

You're Great - Easel Card - Sweet Sketch Wednesday + Tutorial

I made this card for my grandson's 1st Birthday. This is the baby and his sister that I take care of during the week while his mommy and daddy work. My daughter thinks she is so lucky to have me, BUT, what she doesn't realize is that I'M the lucky one to be able to do so.

Here's my little Birth day Boy.

I got the inspiration for this card from another great sketch over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. The sketch is the front, but I made it into an easel card.

The papers are from the Magic Moments Paper pack from Close to my Heart.
The stamp is from a set of clear stamps from CTMH called "You're Great."
The Hand Stitching is done with Matching Embroidery Floss.
The Happy Birthday is from a stamp set called It's Your Day.
The Dark Blue Sparkles are so new that they won't be available for purchase until September 1st.

PRODUCT TUTORIAL
The name "jeffrey" was made by using the Lots of Dots letter stickers. The are white and the dots on them are a residt. So, I colored the letters with the matching ink pads and a sponge dauber. The easiest way I found of coloring the letters is to remove them from the alphabet sheet and stick them to the plastic bad they come in. I use a spong dauber to color each one, then wipe over them with a tissue to remove any excess ink from the dots and also from the plastic bag. I then just remove each letterfrom the plastic and place it where you want it.

If you like this card, papers, embroidery floss, and stampset, you can just follow the links above to order them directly from my website.

Happy Forever - Truly Scrumptios Sketch Challenge

Well, Convention was fabulous again this year. As a matter of fact, I believe it was the best one ever.  But then I've been saying that for the past 13 years. So may great new product to play with and I get my bundles on Tuesday. Can't wait to make some Christmas Cards!!! I love doing Christmas In July and didn't get around to planning anything for this year.

This is my first creation since being home. Well, it actually was on of my cards for my club yesterday.
It's a set called Happy Forever. There are four hedgehogs and three sentimernts.  
Isn't he the cutest!!! And if you look closely, you will notice that I used some of the NEW colored pearls that will be available in the Fall/Winter Catalog. Check out hi Belly Button!!!

This card was inspired by by a sketch from Truly Scrumptious Sketch Blog.
I used the flip side of the Splendor paper with flowers. I wanted it to be more masculine since I forgot to make a card for my son for his birthday and have no time if I want to get it in the mail today. What do you think???  Is it masculine enough???

The hedgehog was colored in using the stencil technique. This is the first stamp set since the Teddy Bears years ago that I used this technique for. The may have been one in between, but I'm having a Senior Moment and can't remember what the image was. 

Live Inspired - CTMH Convention Swap Card

I hope you all enjoyed the July SOTM Blog Hop yesterday. If you haven't had a chance to do so, the information for it and my card is in the post before this one.

Well, I finally did it. I got 35 swap cards made and THREE days left to make more. Yeah right!!!

I told my team months ago that because of the chronic pain I've had for more then a year, that I was not making swap cards this year. Well, they sort of talked me into it and said how much fun I'd miss. But honestly, after 13 years of convention swap cards, it seemed like more of a chore then fun. The pain did not allow me to make them anyway so I gave up on the idea. Then a wonderful thing happened to me last Wednesday. I went to the Hospital for an Epidural. Well, they shot steroids into my spine and 95% of my chronic pain is gone. So, last night after the kids went home I started on some cards. I expect to have 35 of them done by this evening. I have to send the grandbabies home first because having a 1 year old and a 3 yr. old with me all day does not make a very productive card making day.


This card was inspired by a sketch from Card Patterns Sketch #70

The paper pack used is called Top Stitch.

The Main Stamp set is "Live Inspired" - C1408.
I also used the little butterflies from "A Flitter" - A1108


Other challenges using this card:
Incy Wincy - Things with Wings
If the Shoe Fits Scrap It - Wings

CTMH July SOTM Blog Hop - Happy Forever

Well, here we are again for another Stamp of the Month (SOTM) Blog Hop.

If you came here from Chris Shouse's Blog, then you are on the right path.
It's quite all right if you are starting here with me. Just continue from here to the next person linked at the bottom of each post. When you get back to me again, you know you have completed the round with everyone.
If you'd like to start at the very beginning or are looking for the entire list, then Go to Helen's Blog. 

This wonderful stamp set consists of nine stamps with four of the cutest Hedgehogs. 

I love to use Red, White & Blue for my Summer cards between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I just think these colors are just so fitting for any occasion.
My colors are Moonstruck and Cranberry. The B&T is from Cherry-O.

The image was colored with Copic Markers. However, when I teach my class with this set, I'm going to make a stencil and use it to color with chalks. Just didn't have time to make stencil yet.

The Hand Stitching was done with matching Embroidery Floss!

The inspiration for this card came from a sketch at Sketch Saturday.
Now hop on over to Kim's Blog for more Eye Candy!!!

June SOTM - Wonderful Friend

Well, here is it, June 1st already. and time for another fabulous

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.

If you’re not familiar with how a blog hop works, you just click on the name at the end of this post to go to the next person, and so on. However, before you do, I’d love it if you’d leave a comment at the end so I know how you liked my cards.

If you want to start from the very beginning,  start here with Kathleen.
If you are following in order from the beginning, you would have come here from Kim’s Blog.

I have four cards to share with you today.  All using the Stamp Set called "Wonderful Friends"

The first one is a 5”x7” card and has my signature Hand Stitching done with matching Embroidery Floss on it. This one was made for my DH.

I used the Cherry-O Creative Basics for the background.
I used a Spellbinders Fancy Tags Die for the sentiment. I colored the Colonial White Designer Brads with a Copic Markers

The next three cards were made for my clubs and workshops this month. I was determined to use every stamp in the set.

This first one is a standard A2 card and is similar to my larger hand stitched card. This one is workshop friendly.

This card is also a standard A2 card. I used the puddle pad technique and stamped my background.

The third card is 4” x 8.5 and sized to fit in a business envelope.
All materials are CTMH except for this ribbon. It just matched perfectly.

I hope you liked my cards. It’s now time to hop on over to Alison’s Blog and see what great Eye Candy she has in store for you.

Love You Forever - HAS April swap card

I forgot to post this card a while back. This was made for the Humble Artists Swap which we have every two months. We have very specific guidelines. Here they are.

-Use at least one alphabet stamp set
-Have at least three stamped images (can be featured or background)
-Use at least one colour cardstock, from each of 3 different colour palettes
-Use embossing wet or dry (you may use cuttlebug; sizzix; nestabilities or other means for dry embossing)
-There must be at least 7 layers (this means in one spot, I should be able to count 7 layers....make sense?)
-There must be at least 3 different embellishments (can be ribbon; waxy flax; buttons; brads; flowers.......)
-Use only paper featured in the Spring catalogue
-Card must be no smaller than 4 1/4 x 5 1/2
-Use only CTMH products"

My card is 5.5”x5.5” and was made into an easel card because I’m addicted to them.
The papers I used are from the Caboodle paper pack.
I used “The Works” alphabet set for BABY.
All of my images were embossed with Clear Detail EP.

The hand stitching was done with matching embroidery floss.

CTMH May SOTM Blog Hop

Well, here we are, another month into the year and it's time for another Close to my Heart Blog Hop.
Not only does this kick off a new month, but also a NEW CATALOG!!! 

If you have been following the blog hop from the beginning, then you should have come here from  Kathleen's Blog . If you just came across this hop by chance, then you can continue from here and just click on the person listed at the end of this post.  When you get back to me you know you've seen them all.
If you'd like to start from the beginning, please go to Helen's Blog and start there.

My card today uses the May Stamp of the Month, Cherish the Moment. This set comes with a total of 8 stamps.

I used the one that say Happy Birthday. I stamped it in Chocolate ink and then used clear detail embossing powder on top to make it stand out more. I also colored a small half pearl with my brown Copic Marker and placed it on the image to mark the box that says "Young at heart".

The papers used are form the NEW Cherry-O, Creative basics pack. It even comes with a roll of this yummy velvet ribbon.

The hand stitching around the card was done with Blush Embroidery Floss.

The flowers and ferns were punched from various punches and the border punch is MS.
The sketch Challenge #16 is from The Pixie Cottage.

Now, hop on over to Katy Donaldson's Blog for more fabulous eye candy!

April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close to my Heart, April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.
If you're starting here for the hop, just click on the next person at the end of this post. When you get back to me, you know you've seen them all.


If you want to start at the very begining, then you want to start here at Helen's Blog. There you will also find a complete list of Bloggers in case you get lost or a link doesn' t work.

The inspiration for my card came from  Skipping Stones Tuesday Sketch. I'm addicted to sketches. I just can't get enough.

My card uses the new April Stamp of the Month, called "Flower Pot".  Flowers are one of my favorite things to use in card making.

The B&T is from the Caboodles Collection and the ribbon is Sorbet.

I used stickles on the flowers for just a little glitz!

Now, hop on over to Barbara's blog and see what great artwork she has to share.

Bunny Love - Papertake Weekly Challenge

Here are two more cards using the CTMH stamp set called Bunny Love.

The inspiration for this first card came from a sketch challenge over at the Papertake Weekly Challenge Blog.
The paper is retired Precious Paisley's from CTMH.




This card was inspired by a sketch from the Peachy Keen Blog.

Bunny Love - ICSketches $57

I thought I lost this stamp set but fortunatley I found it. I think these bunnies are just the cutest.
My card today was inspired by sketch #57 from ICSketches. I decided to make a regular A2 size card rather than a long skinny one.
The paper I used is called Precious Paisleys from Close to my Heart. This paper is discontinued, but I love it for spring cards.

The CTMH stamp set is called Bunny Love. The Bunny was stamped and colored twice. Then one was cut out and layered with foam tape for dimension.

I used a variety of punches to make the flower and leaves and a Fiskars's border punch.

A Little Everything SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to the March Stamp of the Month (SOTM) Blog Hop.

This is a Round Robin blog hop, so no matter who's blog you start with, when you return to that same blog, you know you've been through them all. Just click on the person's name at the end of this post to take you to the next one.

Today we are featuring the set "A Little Everything". And as the name implies, it does have a little for every occasion. It has a variety of words that can be combined for various sentiments.

Although this set can be used alone, for my card today, I've teamed it up with the Stamp Set "Enjoy Every Moment".

Since I love flowers, this has been one of my favorite sets from the Spring Catalog. and thought the two worked perfect together.

The paper pack is from the Veranda Collection.

The Hand Stitching around the card was done with matching Embroidery Floss.

Now, hop on over to Dawn's Blog to see her fantastic Artwork and please leave each of us a little love along the way.

Enjoy Every Moment

The details of this card is posted here.
This is on my Challenge blog but since it is CTMH products, I needed it here too.

Piece of Cake - Truly Scrumptious Sketch Challenge

Even thought I'm a CTMH consultant, I'm not always thrilled over some of the Stamp of the Month's (SOTM) that I'm more or less forced to use. The February SOTM, however, is quite an exception. I didn't realize how much fun this set could be until I started playing with it.

Here I used a sketch from the Truly Scrumptious Sketch Challenge blog. What a cool sketch. Anyway, The card was fun to make and now, here I am ready to post it here as well as link it to the Truly Scrumptios blog and realized that I did not write down the extra challenge with the sketch of using buttons and bows, How could I have forgotten this? Well, it's too late to change it because it's been sold and out the door already.

The paper I used is from CTMH called Daydreaem and is  actually retired, but it went so perfectly with the birthday theme.
The stamp set, from CTMH, is called Piece of Cake and is the February Stamp of the Month.  If you scroll down or click here, you'll see the gift tags I made with this set.

The paper flower and leaves was made with punches and the Hand Stitching around the card was done with matching embroidery floss. 
Stickles was used on the cakes for sparkle.

Enjoy Every Moment - Mojo Monday 124

I normally post my sketch challenges on my other blog, but I'm the New DT Coordinator of the Sugar Babies over at The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge Blog, and needed to post that card over there this morning. Since this is a CTMH image, thought it best to post this here.

This card is using the Mojo Monday Sketch 124. Another GREAT sketch this week. And, as you know, I am addicted to sketches.

I think I'm also addicted to this stamp set from CTMH called Enjoy Every Moment. However, I really need to start creating with the other two images in the set. Maybe tomorrow!!!

The paper is from the Caboodle Paper Pack.
The embellishment below the pearls is one of the Tiny Tabs. They are metal, but I managed to cut off the bottom part so it looks like a flower on top of an image from the NEW stamp set called Cherished Flourishes.
It's probably hard to see, but there two of the larger flowers were stamped, colored and cut out then pop dotted for a 3D affect.

The Hand Stitching was done with matching Embroidery Floss