Best Friends Furever Blog Hop

Close To My Heart has a purr-fectly wonderful pet collection on sale right now, and I've joined some of my favorite CTMH consultants to share ideas with this special with you!  (If you're already hopping, then you've probably arrived from the talented Katy Taylor's blog.  From here, you'll visit Darlys's blog next.)  You can learn more about the Best Friends Furever special if you don't already have a consultant.

In June, my husband found and rescued this tiny kitten who was literally on the brink of death (it was laying by its deceased sibling with no mama and no water in sight!).  While I did not want another dependent, this kitty sure has helped to fill a void in our new empty nest.

I let my pictures dictate my layout sketch, and I used the Best Friends Furever paper pack, the Kitty Cuddles stamp set, and even the Eat Play Love (dog) stamp set!

I embellished my layout with black enamel dots and black and white striped bows from the Cedar and Pine collection.

Feel free to comment on how adorable Jelly Bean was (and still is!) and even my layout before heading on to visit Darlys's blog next!

{Click HERE for all the hop participants and their blogs.}

November Technique Blog Hop: Paper Layering

Welcome to the November Technique Blog Hop featuring paper layering!  You'll get lots of great ideas just by clicking from one blog to the next.  (If you're already hopping then you've probably arrived from the talented Michelle Loncar's blog.  From here, you'll visit Arty Maz next.)

I knew that I wanted to make a fancy fold card to incorporate multiple layers, and I decided to create an easy double gate fold card using the Cedar and Pines collection and the November stamp of the month, Family Time.

To create the card base, I started with a piece of 5.5"x12" Cedar and Pine patterned paper.  I scored the paper at 2", 4", 8", and 10", then folded to create the gate fold.  Finally, on the top outside corners, cut off triangles from the fold to 2.75".  Attach the cut off triangles to the bottom of the front card flap.

Both the circles (cut with Thin Cuts) and the inside panels use Candy Apple and White Daisy card stock.  I intentionally left the inside blank but will probably stamp a Christmas sentiment before I send this card to a dear friend.

On the White Daisy circle, I stamped the leafy spray in Toffee and then added leaves (1st and 2nd generation stamping) in Evergreen.  I used 3D foam tape to attach the flower (stamped in Peach, Candy Apple, and Black).  I think it should have been a little lower, but it was stuck very well so I left it!  I added in Gold & White ribbon and gold glitter gems to finish off the card.

The flower is the 8th paper layer on this card, so I think I met the technique challenge.  I'd love for you to leave a comment before you click on her name to hop on over to see Arty Maz's blog!  (Also, let me know in the comments if you have any questions.)

New Product Blog Hop: November and December CTMH Catalog

Have you already been drooling over perusing the brand new November/December Close To My Heart Idea Book?  It offers so many cute products just in time for your holiday crafting!  You're going to get lots of inspiration on this new product blog hop!  (If you're already hopping, then you've probably arrived from Miss Carrie's blog.  From here, you'll visit Kristine's blog next.)

I did not go the traditional holiday route with my featured project.  The greens (Clover and NEW Candy Apple) of the new Holly Jolly collection were perfect with these amazing photos from our younger daughter's high school graduation photo shoot this spring.  I paired Pebble, black, and gold to match the photos.

To create my banners, I used the Artistry CTMH/Cricut collection, and then stamped my title in Black with the Simply Said stamp set from Story by Stacy (available in the 2019-20 Core Catalog).

The pretty black & white striped bows are from the Cedar & Pines collection, and they are perfectly tied and self-adhesive (Swoon!)!

Because the photo shoot turned out so well (Thank you, Alex Collins!), I am using a flip flap to add another photo (this smirk cracks me up) and will add journaling before adding this layout to her senior year album.

I used Holly Jolly dots, gold glitter gems, gold shimmer trim, and NEW gold stickles to accent this layout.

Because my photos of my layout don't do the actual photos justice, here's her graduation announcement photo.  (Thank you for letting me share my beautiful girl!)  Note that our holiday papers don't have to be used for a holiday project!

Thank you for hopping by!  Please leave a comment before you hop on over to Kristine's blog!

{Click HERE for all the hop participants and their blogs.}

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Family Time

Welcome to the November Close To My Heart stamp of the month blog hop featuring Family Time!  (If you're already hopping, then you've probably arrived from the creative Miss Carrie's blog.  From here, you'll visit Kristine next.)

For my card, I was challenged to use the Holly Jolly collection, but I'm not quite ready for Christmas!  I decided to focus on the blues and greens, so I stamped "Grateful" in new Green Apple ink, "for you" in Clover, and the flower and arrows in Glacier.  Adding the neutral Toffee lined petals and spray plus the Espresso flower center helped ground the entire card.  (I'd like to try this card again using Clover for "Grateful" and Candy Apple for the "for you" sentiment.  I'll post if I do!)

Adding the gold and white ribbon, gold shimmer gems, and Holly Jolly Dots finished off the card nicely (in my opinion).  I'm really glad that I added the ribbon.

This stamp set provides so many opportunities for crafting projects!  Please leave a comment before continuing the hop at Kristine's blog for more great ideas.

{Click HERE for all the hop participants and their blogs.}