CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Live Out Loud (July 2012)

Welcome to the July stamp of the month blog hop!  It is time to Live Out Loud!  If you'd like to be inspired to use this stamp set, join me and a large group of talented consultants.  Hopping is easy; just click on the link to the next blog.  (If you're already hopping, then you should have arrived here from Gina's blog.  You'll hop on over to Lori's blog next!)

Once I started creating with this stamp set, I couldn't stop!  All of these projects use the Stella paper pack and the coordinating inks: Cocoa, Tulip, Sunset, Olive, and Lagoon.  (On a few, I added in some Creme Brulee too.)  This layout actually began with the Soar stamp.  I knew which colors I wanted to use and then built my layout around this piece.  (I inked up the top half in Creme Brulee, then added a little Sunset toward the top and Tulip at the very top.  Then I inked under the Creme Brulee in Lagoon, Olive, and then Cocoa.  Finally, I "huffed" or breathed onto the stamp and then stamped it onto the Colonial White square.  This image took my breath away!)

My embellishments include Paradise baker's twine and Tulip embroidery floss plus wooden butterflies from the Garden collection.  I also used the Friendship Alphabet Small for my journaling and had my daughter sign her name to the page too.

 I used the same stamping techniques on this 8"x3.5" die cut card.  Can you see how I "rainbow" distressed the edges of the sentiment?

This next card was really fun to make.  I wanted something a bit funky, and I found a little rubbery plastic ring in my distressing kit that looks like a mini koosch ball.  I inked it up in Sunset and "stamped" it on my card base.  It wasn't enough color, so I did it some more with Lagoon ink.  Better, but not quite the look I wanted.  I tried it again with Cocoa and then had the fun funky look I wanted.  The card is completely made of scraps.  I highlighted "loud" with Bronze glitter glitz gel and added a few Mocha Opaques pearls.

For my last card for today, I was trying for a more masculine look.  What do you think?  The circle was actually one that I didn't use on a previous project, so I paired it up with the square card and the square mat. I grounded the sentiment with a piece of zip strip (you know, the piece with the CTMH logo and paper info?) and highlighted certain words with ink and my blending pen.  The circle Milestone cardboard piece seemed to fit the wordly theme.  I hope the Cocoa ribbon tag doesn't make the card too feminine; I like how it mimics the corrugated cardboard.

Before you head off to Lori's blog, I want to tell you, dear readers, how much I appreciate you!  Thank you for your kind and constructive comments.  I'd love to know what you think of my projects.  I have a few more ready to share over the next few days, so be sure to come back.  Live Out Loud is available during July 2012 only, so contact your CTMH consultant to get your own set this month.  Now go check out Lori's layout and the rest of the blog hop!

Summer Card Class Recap

Recently I taught a summer themed card class with eight lovely ladies in attendance.  (I'll have to get copies of Ann's photos of all of us!)  We were please to welcome a brand new stamper to the cult club. LOL

We kicked off our class with a celebratory Americana card using the Superhero paper pack.  Techniques included basic stamping, rock 'n roll inking/stamping, paper piecing, and direct-to-paper edge distressing.  The kraft star is from the Milestones cardboard accents collection.  This card sketch comes from the Originals book.

We kicked it into relaxation mode with this Just Chillin' card.  We misted the background with Sky reinker/alcohol in our cool little mist-its.  The "sand" is from the Footloose paper pack.  All the stamped images are from the Just Chillin' stamp set, and we practiced sponging and tearing plus more paper piecing.  The gals were excited to create a scene on their card.  The finishing touch was a bit of Stardust glitz glitter gel.  This card definitely makes me want to kick back and relax!  (Hubby wanted me to try to make a little drink to go on the arm of the chair.)

This little 3"x3" card is a sweet addition to a little gift or just a little thanks.  We used the June stamp of the month, Life Is Tweet, plus Sweet Leaf and Colonial White cardstock paired with the Roxie paper pack, Smoothie and Sweet Leaf inks, and Smoothie baker's twine.  Can you see how we paper pieced the center sentiment?

 This last card is probably my favorite.  We started with a die-cut 8"x3.5" card base (sold in packs of 10 with envelopes) and dressed it up with the Life Is Tweet (June SOM) stamp set and the Stella paper pack.  Again, we paper pieced the birdie.  Here's a little close up:

If you life in the north Georgia/western Carolina/eastern Tennessee area and are interested in stamping, card making, scrapbooking, or paper crafting in general, look me up!  Life is definitely "tweet!"

Family Love Layout and Home Decor

At my recent scrapbooking class, we made a family layout that I have been dying to "copy" from the current CTMH Idea Book.  As soon as I saw this layout, I knew that I wanted to make it for myself!  I think that my ladies loved it as much as I do!

Here is the "original":

 And my page:

Here is the completed companion page that I created: 

Finally, both pages together as they will appear in our scrapbook:

The last thing that I did was create a layout to fit into an old 11"x14" frame that I had (literally) laying around.  The only "bad" thing about this project is that I have no where to hang it!  I am going to have to figure out what to rearrange so that I can show it off.

All of the metal ebellishments (Timeless Charms and Durables Studs) are stuck to the front of the glass, not on the inside.  These projects use the Florentine paper pack and the Family Love and Rustic Alphabet stamp sets.

Fort Pulaski Layout Share

It's been a few summers since we visited Fort Pulaski (near Savannah), but I have (finally) gotten our photos scrapbooked.  Since the shots are so architectural and historical, I kept the patterned paper to a minimum.  I actually used scraps from the (retired) Halloween-themed Mischief paper pack (still available in Studio J).

The top of the left page will open up with a 4"x12" self-adhesive flip flap to reveal the four photos you see at the top of this next photo.  I love how the flip flaps can extend your pages, especially since they are soooo easy to use!

 Here's a close up of the title piece.  Don't be afraid to mix & match your alphabet stamps or fonts.  Staggering the Rustic Alphabet and overlapping them a bit helped me squish the letters into the space that I had (and I love the way it turned out!).  "Fort" was stamped in Barn Red with the Old World alphabet set.

 Here is the right side page.  (I took the photo of the lighthouse while on a "dolphin cruise."  I wish I could remember how old it is, but it is very old and pretty short.  You can only reach it by boat.)

The only embellishments I used were the Durables Studs.  I think they added a handsome, somewhat rustic touch to my photos from Fort Pulaski.  I kept my journaling to a minimum because this layout is really all about the photos (to me at least).

Thanks for looking!

H2H Challenges: Ribbon

This week's Heart 2 Heart challenge is to use ribbon on your project.  Boy, did I have fun with this one!  All of my supplies were things that I had on hand, and (I think) it came together nicely.

I began with a blank, plain wooden frame that I think I got for $1 long ago.  I cut the ribbon to fit across the frame, making stripes.  Then, I spread the tacky glue all over the frame, washed my hands, and quickly hurried back to lay down the strips of ribbon, one at a time, to adhere to the frame.

After it all dried, I trimmed the edges a bit.  The pennants were cut with the Cricut cartridge, and I stamped my daughter's name in Hollyhock and sponged the edges in Cocoa.  (The Sweet Leaf ribbon at the beginning and end of the name pennant is retired.)  I added the mini Sweet Leaf sparkles between each pennant, and then larger pink sparkles in the flower centers.

We decided that we liked the addition of the wooden butterfly, so I embellished it with more sparkles and Bronze Glitter Glitz Gel.

This week's challenge is somewhat bittersweet for me because (a) it marks the last challenge for my great H2H Team B and (b) my daughter was a third grader in this picture and she's now 14!

Now it's your turn.  Go grab some ribbon and get crafty!  Be sure to use some Close To My Heart products and link up your work at the H2H blog before the end of the month.  Happy crafting!

Before I sign off for today, remember that Heart 2 Heart challenges is looking for new design team members (July-Dec.).  If you love CTMH as much as we do and would be interested in creating and posting every other week, please consider applying!  You can read all the details HERE.
Supplies from Close To My Heart: Z1384 Pink Designer Ribbon Collection, Z1316 Cocoa Designer Ribbon Collection,  Z1383 Sweet Leaf Stitched grosgrain ribbon;  C1401 Friendship Alphabet Small stamp set; Cocoa and Hollyhock inks; Z1327 Blue & Green and Z1326 Red, Pink, & Purple sparkles assortment; Z1483 Bronze Glitz glitter gel
Other: frame and Aleene's Tacky Glue

Happy Father's Day!

Today, I'd like to wish a happy Father's Day to all dads, especially to those who take the time and effort to be a true father to their children and to those who "step in" to make a difference in the life of a child (blood relative or not). I have been truly blessed with a terrific father of my own and a great father to my children! (Here they are at Easter.)

Now, here is the card that I made for my DH to thank him on this day for all that he does for his girls.  If you're interested in the card details, it's a sketch from Originals (no longer available) using the Florentine paper pack with the Family Love and Tag the Occasion stamp sets.  Color-ready cork shapes and Durables Studs accent the card.  (It is really easy- and fun- to stamp on the cork.  I love how well the color goes with the Florentine paper pack.)

If you've created a Father's Day project with any Close To My Heart products, consider linking it up to the Heart 2 Heart challenges blog.  We'd love to see your work too!

Happy Father's Day!

CTMH Product Spotlight Blog Hop: Stamp Your Own Designer Paper

For this month's Close To My Heart product spotlight, we're showing you how to stamp your own designer paper!  These ideas couldn't have come at a better time with the Stampaganza Buy 2, Get One Free stamp sale going on right now and the retiring stamps list also announced.  If you're starting here at my blog, hopping is easy: just click on the link to the next blog to hop around.  If you're already hopping, then you should be arriving from Lori's blog, and you'll visit Wendy next.  We have about a half doze consultants showcasing stamping techniques, so you'll enjoy hopping along.

My first card uses the Family Love stamp set.  (You'll be seeing more of this great stamp set if you'd like to stop back soon.)  I used some of the smaller stamps to stamp the Twilight strip and the Cocoa bottom portion.  Here's a hint that helped me with the Cocoa piece: starting at the top with the rectangular tile stamp, stamp it in the center and then stamp to the left and to the right to make the first stripe.  For the next row, stamp to the left and right of center.  For the next, row, begin in the center.  Continue with this pattern so that your piece is balanced.

To make the sentiment frame, I first inked up the stamp in Twilight and then rolled it in Cocoa ink.  I quickly stamped it onto a piece of Colonial White cardstock that I cut with the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.  (I also cut the mat from a piece of Florentine B&T.)  The flower was also cut with the Cricut on the same B&T.  (I used my fingers to bend the petals to give the flower some dimension.)  A Mocha Opaques adhesive pearl finished it off.

This next card has a rustic feel to it thanks to the A Journey and Universal Backgrounds stamp sets.  I started with a Colonial White card base.  I stamped the wood grain stamp from Universal Backgrounds with Chocolate ink to completely cover the card front.  On the Olive piece, I stamped the trees in New England Ivy in first and second generation.  Tearing that piece also added to the rustic feel.  On the Outdoor Denim piece, I used the same color ink to "walk" the shoe tread stamps across that piece.  Again, the sentiment piece was cut out using the Cricut.  It's actually a square base, but I tucked the rest of it behind the Olive strip.  I am loving the Durables Studs as fun, hardy, masculine embellishments!

Both of my card sketches are from the Originals how-to guide.  (Unfortunately, this guide is no longer available, but I am expecting some exciting how-to programs in September!  We'll see then if my prediction is correct.)

Now, it's time to go check out Wendy's stamped background on her beautiful layout next!  I'd love to know what you think of my cards before you leave.  Thanks!

Father's Day Card #1

Are you ready for Father's Day this Sunday?  I've gotten started on my cards and gifts by modifying the Retro Sketches sketch #15 and using the Close To My Heart Adventure USA stamp set as the starting point for this Father's Day card for my dad.  He and my mom love to travel!  (Mom, don't show him this post, okay?  He'll have to wait until Sunday.)

I'm also linking it up to this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenges and Use It Tuesday's Father's Day challenges.  I think this also fits the Charisma Cardz challenge #22, travel.  From my stash, I used scraps from the CTMH Cruisin' paper pack and finally inked up my Adventure USA stamp set.  I can't wait to play more with this stamp set!  (I've got some fun projects in mind, plus a great travel scrapbook class in late July planned.)  I also used Grey Wool, Black, and Cranberry inks, plus the cool new CTMH cork shapes and baker's twine.  The "Happy Father's Day" sentiments came from the Tag the Occasion stamp set, which will be retiring at the end of July.

If you'd like to check out and/or purchase the products I used, be sure to visit my website. ;)  Happy stamping and paper crafting those Father's Day projects!  I've got some more up my sleeve, so be sure to come back.  Thanks!

CTMH Retiring List: Stamps

With Stampaganza here this month (buy 2, get 1 free), it's a great time to pick up some of these retiring stamp sets that won't be around much longer! Besides being able to find these in the Autumn Winter Idea Book, you can find them on my website. These will officially be retired as of July 31st:

Item #

Description

Autumn-Winter Idea Book Page #

Retail

C1466	Instant Memories	23		$13.95
B1391	Zoology	30		$9.95
C1463	Harvest Happiness	35		$13.95
C1465	Unscripted	36		$13.95
C1467	Sweet Moments	41		$13.95
B1392	Key Moments	42		$9.95
C1462	All Hallows Eve	48		$13.95
D1494	Christmas Cheer	53		$17.95
B1390	Countdown	54		$9.95
D1480	Snowflake	59		$17.95
C1468	Winter Joy	60		$13.95
C1419	Harvest Home	65		$13.95
C1426	Thanksgiving	65		$13.95
B1395	So Grateful	66		$9.95
C1423	Captured Moments	67		$13.95
B1359	Fright Night	68		$9.95
D1437	Party Animal	69		$17.95
A1109	A Sip	71		$6.95
C1424	Nature's Gift	71		$13.95
C1420	Snow Days	72		$13.95
C1472	Bundled Buddies	73		$13.95
D1384	Snow Flurries	74		$17.95
D1308	All Decked Out	75		$17.95
A1115	A Holiday	76		$6.95
B1381	Holiday Cheer	76		$9.95
D1446	Adorn-able	77		$17.95
A1107	A Twinkle	78		$6.95
B1361	Tannenbaum	78		$9.95
D1493	Fill in the Blank--Holiday	79		$17.95
C1427	I Believe	80		$13.95
D1449	Father Christmas	81		$17.95
A1110	A Timber	82		$6.95
B1356	St. Nick	82		$9.95
D1483	Glory to God	83		$17.95
A1099	Angel Sent	84		$6.95
B1394	John 3:16	84		$9.95
D1436	The Present	87		$17.95
A1108	A Flitter	88		$6.95
D1306	Treasure Life	89		$17.95
C1429	Party Pennants	91		$13.95
A1095	Always Remember	92		$6.95
B1362	Tag the Occasion	92		$9.95
C1471	Happy Clusters	93		$13.95
B1393	Joyful Jar	94		$9.95
C1425	Month by Month	95		$13.95
C1470	Gnome Garden	96		$13.95
A1113	A Game	97		$6.95
B1396	School Rocks	97		$9.95
C1408	Live Inspired	98		$13.95
D1373	Childhood Portrait	99		$17.95
D1492	Christmas Love	101		$17.95
C1469	December 25th	102		$13.95
D1388	Card Chatter--Christmas	103		$17.95
D1440	Everlasting Life	104		$17.95
C1379	Holiday Commentary	105		$13.95
C1382	Holiday Commentary--Spanish	105		$13.95
C1383	Holiday Commentary--French	105		$13.95
D1283	Say It in Style	106		$17.95
D1444	A Little Thanks	107		$17.95
D1401	Authentic	108		$17.95
D1387	Made with Love	109		$17.95
D1499	Live Your Style	110		$17.95
D1386	Save the Date	111		$17.95
D1397	Save the Date--French	111		$17.95
D1398	Save the Date--Spanish	111		$17.95
E1006	Baroque Alphabet	113		$29.95
C1401	Friendship Alphabet Small	114		$13.95
E1013	Field Trip Alphabet	114		$29.95
E1016	Friendship Alphabet Large	114		$29.95
D1136	Giggle Caps	115		$17.95
D1137	Giggle Lowercase	115		$17.95
D1267	Rustic Numbers	117		$17.95
E1002	Rustic Alphabet	117		$29.95