Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - January: Happy Valentine's

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! This time we're featuring the January set Happy Valentine’s, a set of 7 stamps. If you have come here from Adeline Brill's blog, you’re in the right place! There are more than 50 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their artwork made using the Stamp of the Month and other great CTMH products. Hopping is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one. The Blog Hop is a great big circle. Start here and work your way around. If you get lost along the way, you’ll find a complete list of participating consultants here.

Here we go!

 

 

I was once again pleased with the paper pack I was assigned for this particular swap because the black, purple and cream in the Moonlight papers make such an elegant combination. I knew they’d make a pretty card for Valentine’s Day.

 

 

 

I took on the challenge of cutting my card base with a cut-out shape in the front and then measuring to figure out how to cut the same shape out of a piece of patterned paper and get it to line up correctly. I went through a few sheets of scrap paper until I got it right, but I was successful!

Supply list:

S1301 Happy Valentine’s stamp set

X7161B Moonlight Level 2 Paper Packet

1388 Colonial White cardstock

Z2105 Black Exclusive Inks stamp pad (for sponging)

44751 Archival Black Exclusive Inks

Z1393 Black Mini-Medley Accents Collection

Z1263 Bitty Sparkles

Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection

 

My last two swaps have had very similar color palettes but with very different results. I am always impressed with the true versatility of our papers as shown in the examples below:

 

 

Now "Hop" on over to Maria Meyers’ blog to see her work, and be sure to visit each consultant's blog to get some great

crafting inspiration and other fun ideas! Don't forget, this exclusive stamp set is only available thru January 31st! Contact me to get yours today!

Whooo's Your Valentine - National Papercrafting Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the Whooo’s Your Valentine Blog Hop! We are celebrating National Papercrafting Month with this exclusive kit that includes all you need to create personalized valentines that are perfect for classrooms and other group settings. If you have come here from Wendy Kessler’s blog, you’re in the right place! There are more than 30 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their artwork made using the Whooo’s Your Valentine kit. Hopping is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one. The Blog Hop is a great big circle. Start here and work your way around. If you get lost along the way, you’ll find a complete list of participating consultants here.

 

Let’s get started!

Not only does this kit feature an exclusive stamp set, it also offers a sneak peek at two new Spring/Summer 2013 products: treat tubes and the silver glitter paper!

I just love the owls in the stamp set and thought they'd make a cute Valentine for my hubby:

 

Supply list:

CC1022 Whooo’s Your Valentine kit

X5927 Ruby cardstock

Z2170 Ruby Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z2128 Hollyhock Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z2106 Blush Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z2163 White Daisy Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z1263 Bitty Sparkles

Z1790 Cricut® Artiste Collection

Z1686 Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection

 

I think those little owls will make a great anniversary card, too! The possibilities are endless!

Now "Hop" on over to Pamela Ellison’s blog to see her work, and be sure to visit each consultant's blog to get some great crafting inspiration and other fun ideas! Don't forget, this exclusive kit is only available thru January 31st*! Contact me to

get yours today!

*When you place an order of $35 or more in Close to My Heart products, you’ll receive the Whooo’s Your Valentine kit for only $10. Qualifying purchases must come from Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book product (or products live on any consultant’s online shopping site through January). Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book preview items are not eligible as qualifying retail purchases for this campaign. Campaign runs from December 13, 2012 – January 31, 2013. One per qualifying order.

 

 

Menu Board - I Finally Made a Pinterest Project!

Like seemingly everyone else, I am on Pinterest. While I have pinned many things, I am not completely consumed with spending hours upon hours a day finding new recipes and craft ideas that I'll never get around to trying. That being said, I have found some things that I really do want to make my own version of, and this menu board is one of them.

 

The project was originally posted on Heartland Paper quite some time ago. My first thought was to order a kit (mostly because I wanted to check out the magnetic board and get dimensions), but that's when I found out it was a fairly old post and the kits were no longer available. Therefore, I put my problem-solving skills to the test.

 

My hubby happens to be an iron worker and frequently brings home odds and ends from job sites. I called him one day to see if he had access to scrap sheet metal, and sure enough, he did. I made a guess as to the size I needed, and just like that he brought me home 12 pieces cut to size with nice clean edges. Magnetic board issue solved! (Many thanks to the "tinner" who did the cutting.)

 

When I chose the dimensions for the sheet metal I based them on the idea that I would actually put the sheet metal in a frame to make it easy to hang. I soon discovered the downside to doing that was that to get inexpensive 11x14" frames, you don't get the best quality, and the sheet metal didn't fit in the frames as nicely as the glass that came with them did. I thought about it some more.

 

I turned to my husband one more time asking him if he could drill holes in the sheet metal for me. All he needed to know was what size. He drilled the holes, ground off the rough edges around them, and I was officially ready to tackle the paper part of the project.

 

I love Close to My Heart's desk pads. I use one for nearly every project. I got out a new sheet, grabbed my ruler and my purple Sharpie, and set to figuring out paper dimensions. I quickly learned that my board was wider and shorter than the one from the original project. However, I knew I could make it work and adapted accordingly.

 

In the end I had a project I was really happy with and thoroughly enjoyed making. It was my first, but it won't be my last!

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: December - Year-Round Cheer

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! This time we're featuring the December set Year-Round Cheer, a set of 12 stamps.

 

 

If you have come here from Karen Fullam’s blog, you’re in the right place! There are more than 50 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their artwork made using the Stamp of the Month and other great CTMH products. Hopping is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one. The Blog Hop is a great big circle. Start here and work your way around. If you get lost along the way, you’ll find a complete list of participating consultants here.

Here we go!

 

I was really happy that my assigned paper pack for this swap was La Belle Vie. Why? Because I thought the purples and the black would make a great Halloween card. I knew immediately that I wanted to use the cat.

 

 

I cut the stamp set apart to make it easier to treat the image and the sentiment differently. The cat is heat embossed and the “trick-or-treat” is stamped in Slate ink. I also used Slate to sponge the edges of the Whisper card base and squares. All the other pieces are edge distressed with scissors.

Supply list:

S1212 Year Round Cheer stamp set

X7158B La Belle Vie Level 2 Paper Packet

X5929 Whisper cardstock

Z2173 Slate Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z2503 Exclusive Inks Mini Pigment Pad Set (Black)

Z821 Clear Detail Embossing Powder

Z1781 Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Z1799 Silver Shimmer Trim

Z1741 Haunted Assortment

I made this card a month ago, and as I sit here looking at it again, I realize how much I love the design. I’m inspired to make a whole set of cards with this stamp set!

 

Here are the rest of the cards from the swap. The Price of Paper Group:

 

 

The Monumental Moments Group:

 

 

 

Now "Hop" on over to Jean McNulty’s blog to see her work, and be sure to visit each consultant's blog to get some great crafting inspiration and other fun ideas! Don't forget, this exclusive stamp set is only available thru December 31st. Contact me to get yours today!

 

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - November: Capture the Date

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! This time around we're featuring the November set Capture the Date, a set of 72 stamps. If you have come here from Karen Fullam’s blog, you’re in the right place. The Blog Hop is a great big circle. Just start here and work your way around. If you get lost along the way, you’ll find a complete list of participating consultants here.

There are over 50 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their artwork using the November Stamp of the Month and other great CTMH products on their blogs. Hopping 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!

 

I love our great variety of embellishments. I definitely feel like I have to have one of everything, even if I don’t have a specific use in mind right away or at all. That being said, my goal for this swap was to use the Binder Clips after I was inspired by one of the cards shown in the artwork samples for the stamp set at the back of the Idea Book.

 

Stamp sets that include numbers and other calendar-type images can be challenging to use on a card. After playing around with a few ideas on what kind of card I wanted to make, I decided on Thanksgiving cards. I also wanted to find a way to use another stamp, so I used one of the number 2 stamps to create a pattern on the Sorbet strip (just above the blue arrow). You can't see much of it, but if you look closely, you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

Supply list:

S1211 Capture the Date stamp set

X7156B Clementine Level 2 Paper Packet

1388 Colonial White cardstock

D1444 A Little Thanks stamp set

Z2171 Saddle Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z2175 Cashmere Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z2164 Sorbet Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z2167 Crème Brulee Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z1336 Mocha Opaques Adhesive Gems

Z1711 Foundry Metal Accessories Binder Clips

Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

 

The other ladies in my group came up with some great ideas, too! I’m sure the recipients will enjoy getting one of these in the mail!

 

 

Now "Hop" on over to Jean McNulty’s blog to see her work, and be sure to visit each consultant's blog to get some great crafting inspiration and other fun ideas! Don't forget, this exclusive stamp set is only available thru November 30th! Contact me to get yours today!*

 

*This month there is an even better reason to purchase the Stamp of the Month. To show our support of Red Cross relief efforts for those areas of the US severely affected by Hurricane Sandy, Close To My Heart will donate $1 for every Stamp of the Month set sold as a part of this promotion during November.
 

In November, you’ll get something extra when you buy the Stamp of the Month—50% off another stamp set! When you qualify for and buy the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, you’ll receive another stamp set* of your choice for 50% off—it’s like two promotions in one! The versatile Capture the Date stamp set is great for any layout, card, invitation, or calendar, and now you can choose another stamp set at half-off for more wonderful papercrafting. Get Capture the Date and then capture the savings today!
 

*Offer valid for A-E and M size stamp sets only; K-size, Workshops on the Go®, Cricut® collection, and Stamp of the Month stamp sets are not eligible for this promotion. Maximum of one 50% off stamp set per order.

Dates: Offer valid November 1–30, 2012

October Stamp of the Month - Very Merry Christmas

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! This time around we're featuring the October set Very Merry Christmas, a set of 11 stamps. If you have come here from Karen Fullam’s blog, you are on the right path. The Blog Hop is a great big circle so you can start here and work your way around. If you get lost along the way, you’ll find a complete list of participating consultants here.

We have another great group of over 50 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creativity using the October Stamp of the Month and other great CTMH products on their blogs. Hopping 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!

 

 

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m in a monthly Stamp of the Month swap group, and each member is assigned a paper pack. I got the luck of the draw this month because I was given Pear & Partridge to use. Such beautiful paper! Here is my card:

 

 

Supply list:

S1210 Very Merry Christmas stamp set

X7162B Pear & Partridge Level 2 Paper Packet

1388 Colonial White cardstock (base)

Z2137 Olive Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z2116 Cranberry Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z2111 Chocolate Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z1615 Designer Ribbon Red Collection

Z1487 Mini-Medley Accents Pewter Collection

Z1361 Red Brad Assortment

Z1769 Glitz Glitter Gel Almond

Z1770 Glitz Glitter Gel Pink

Z1771 Glitz Glitter Gel Pear

Z1484 Glitz Glitter Gel Red

Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

I’m not one who likes to use much glitter, but every now and again I find it comes in handy and adds that special touch a project needs. We have so many great colors now that they were perfect for decorating the tree and gifts in the stamped image.

Price of Paper group swap cards:

 

 

Monumental Moments group swap cards:

 

 

Now "Hop" on over to Jean McNulty’s blog to see her work, and be sure to visit each consultant's blog to get some great crafting inspiration and other fun ideas! Don't forget, this exclusive stamp set is only available thru October 31st! Contact me to get yours today!

Back-to-School 2012

It's that time again for our family - school is once again in session! Ever since my son was in his second year of preschool I have made back-to-school cards for him and his friends and teachers. I think it's a simple little thing to do to help make something that many dread a bit sweeter.

The moment I saw our new Scholastic paper I knew I had to use it for this year's cards. (I also had to have it because my son and I are book lovers.) With a little inspiration from the new Idea Book and input from fellow papercrafters, this is what I came up with:

I love the "sketchy-ness" of the "back to school" phrase and thought pairing it with the pencil stamp made perfect sense. To get the blue tip on the pencil I first inked the stamp in Cashmere ink, and then I used an Outdoor Denim marker to color the tip. I used the same marker to sketch out my own "th" next to the 4 and "grade" just below it. I used both of our Cricut cartridges (Art Philosophy and Artiste) to cut some shapes, including the notebook paper which happens to be the reverse side of the paper with the numbers and letters all over it.

Feel free to contact me if you need a more detailed supply list or instructions on how to replicate this card.

National Stamping Month Blog Hop

For many of us the kids are returning to school, and some of us want to celebrate! What better way to do that than with National Stamping Month and a blog hop!

If you have come here from  Laila Harris' blog, you are on the right path.

Close to My Heart kicks off the party with another fun double stamp set called It's Your Day*. That's right, you get two D-size stamp sets in one envelope! It includes nearly 50 trendy images and sayings so you can add fun and flair to all your cards, layouts and other projects.

I made a couple different cards with this stamp set. Here is the first one:

Supply List:

CC1020 It's Your Day stamp set

X7156B Clementine paper packet

X5754 Creme Brulee cardstock

1388 Colonial White cardstock

Z2111 Chocolate Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z1701 Baker's Twine Neutral Assortment

Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection

Z1790 Cricut Artiste Collection

And here is the second one:

Supply List:

CC1020 It's Your Day stamp set

X7159B Scholastic paper packet

X5932 Cashmere cardstock

1388 Colonial White cardstock

Z2114 Cocoa Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z2171 Saddle Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z1706 Round Durables Studs

Z1297 Edge Distresser

Z1151 3-D Foam Tape

Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection

Now hop on over to Shirley Ross' blog to see what she has created, and then continue on through the hop to see a wide variety of projects to inspire your own creativity!

*To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, we are offering a new double stamp set! You can get the exclusive My Acrylix® It’s Your Day double stamp set for just $5 when you place a minimum order of $35 in full retail products from August 15 through September 30. You’ll love this double set—two D-size sets in one envelope—with trendy images that capture the flavor of your day-to-day activities, errands, and musings—the little things that make up who you are and are worth remembering and sharing! With a retail value of $35.90, this set drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase. Have twice the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with our new It’s Your Day double stamp set!

Fall/Winter 2012 New Product Hop

It’s August and that means Close to My Heart has introduced a new Idea Book with page-after-page of fun new products. It features designs for back-to-school, Halloween, fall, Christmas, and everything in between. If you have come here from Jen Rubio's blog, you're in the right place. The Blog Hop is a great big circle so you can start here and work your way around.

There are over 50 consultants participating in the hop, and you’ll want to see what each of them has created to share on their blogs. Hopping 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!

One of my favorite new paper packets is La Belle Vie. It features Black and Bamboo, as well as the exclusive colors La Belle Vie Mauve and La Belle Vie Pink which are only available in this kit. These colors combine to make some very beautiful patterned papers. Here is my card:

Supply list:

X7158B La Belle Vie paper packet

D15258 Jardin stamp set (set of 7)

X5646 Colonial White cardstock (base)

Z2118 Desert Sand Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z1781 Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Z1463 Flutter Paper Shapes

Z1466 Bling Assortment

Z1612 Pin Clips

Z1089 Black Waxy Flax

Z1096 Embroidery Floss Neutral Assortment (black)

Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

Now "hop" on over to Wendy Kessler's blog to see her work, and be sure to visit each consultant's blog to get some great crafting inspiration and other fun ideas! If you’d like your own copy of the new Idea Book, contact me today!

August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Baroque Borders

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! This time around we're featuring the August set Baroque Borders, a set of 5 stamps. If you have come here from Susan Brooks’ blog, you are on the right path.

There are over 50 Close To My Heart Consultants who have made artwork using the August Stamp of the Month and other great CTMH products to share on their blogs. Hopping 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!

I love the Baroque Borders set, but because the stamps are on the larger side, it was a bit more challenging to use them on a card. I decided making a 6x6” would be the way to go:

Supply list:

S1208 Baroque Borders stamp set

Z1474 Kraft Die-Cut Cards & Envelopes

X7147B Stella Level 2 Paper Packet

Z2114 Cocoa Exclusive Inks stamp pad

Z1372 Buttons Olive Assortment

Z1358 Buttons Basic Assortment

Z1081 Colonial White Waxy Flax

Z1151 3-D Foam Tape

Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge

In creating the cluster in the lower right corner of the card I wanted to attach a piece of it to the card flap to help fill the blank space and not crowd the stamped image in the opposite corner. I chose the flower and the scalloped circle because they repeated the shape of the scalloped edge on the flap. I also stamped part of one of the images on the flap to create unity in the design.

Now "Hop" on over to Kim Schnoor’s blog to see her work, and be sure to visit each consultant's blog to get some great crafting inspiration and other fun ideas! Don't forget, this exclusive stamp set is only available thru August 31st! Contact me to get yours today!