Thursday, March 31, 2011

April Stamp of the Month - Blessed

Welcome to the April Stamp of the Month Bloghop!  This is where over 50 Close To My Heart consultants show you their creations using one stamp set - the Stamp of the Month.  It happens every month, and you can click from blog to blog until you go around in a big circle.  It's wonderful to see everyone's ideas.  I hope you are inspired today!

This month's stamp set is called Blessed (D1455) and you can only get it during the month of April.  You can buy it ($22.95) or get a discount on it (25%, 50% or 75%) or even get it for FREE with your qualifying order!  Yippee!


If you've arrived here from Melissa's Blog, you've come to the right place!  Here's what the set looks like, in case you haven't seen it yet.


It's a lovely stamp set - perfect for weddings and other joyful occasions.  I wanted to use the small flowers as a background stamp.  Here's my "tries" :

First I tried white embossing powder on white card stock, sponged with Chocolate ink.  I like it, but it's kind of dark.


Then I tried white embossing powder on Spring Iris card stock.  I like this better.

Then I tried Silver embossing powder on Spring Iris card stock.  I really like the look of this, but my flowers are too close together.  (I love CTMH's silver embossing powder.  It melts so nicely!)

Spring Iris stamp pad on Spring Iris paper.  I like the look of this.
I added glittery gel pen to the stems of the flowers.  It adds a subtle sparkle.
Now that I've decided on the background, onto the "main subject."  I like the flying dove.  With Grey Wool ink, I stamped the dove on two separate pieces of White Daisy card stock.  I prefer not to use Black ink most of the time for outline stamps.  I usually use a coordinating dark color - in this case, Grey Wool.  It's not as intense as Black.  Then I cut out the bird with the swirlies.  On the second stamped bird, I stamped the "inside" of the bird with Lilac Mist, and cut it out.  I also went over all the Grey Wool lines on the white papers with the glitter gel pen, so they sparkle a bit.  I cut the wing, so I could bend it up, like so:


Now, to put it together.  I used a square sparkle to add a little more shine...  Here's the finished card:


It's simple, but elegant in a way.  My daughter loved it.  I hope you like it, too.

Supplies Used:
Blessed (April Stamp of the Month) (D1455, $22.95)
Spring Iris Card Stock (1296, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
Spring Iris Stamp Pad (Z2148, $5.25)
Grey Wool Stamp Pad (Z2125, $5.25)
Lilac Mist Stamp Pad (Z2133, $5.25)
Clear Sparkle Gel Pen (I like Gelly Roll Brand)
Clear Sparkles (Z1104, $2.95)

I also tried the stamp set with the new Miracle paper pack.  To color the flower, I stamped the flower head on a scratch paper, cut a stencil, and used Baby Pink and a Sponge Dauber.  (I didn't feel like coloring it in.)  It's hard to see in the picture, though.


Supplies Used:
Blessed (D1455, $22.95)
Miracle Paper Pack (X7133B, $12.95)
Crystal Blue Card Stock (1292, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
Sweet Leaf Card Stock (in Miracle Pack)
Sweet Leaf Stamp Pad (Z2153, $5.25)
Twilight Stamp Pad (Z2160, $5.25)
Baby Pink Stamp Pad (Z2102, $5.25)
Blending Pen (3174, $3.95)
Clear Sparkles (Z1104, $2.95)

This is a great stamp set for weddings or other joyous occasions.  Let me know if you'd like to get a set for your very own.  lisasargent@myctmh.com

 Now hop on over to Katy's Blog to see what she has in store for you!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

More March Stamp of the Month - Simple Bunny Card

I love the bunnies in the March Stamp of the Month.  For a gathering, I designed a simple card using the little bunny in the set using a 1 1/2" wide strip (actually left over from another project).  


I made the polkadots with the eraser that's on the top of a pencil.  (A new eraser works best, because it is flat.)  I love it when you can use things hanging around your house for stamping!  Just make sure some of your dots hang off the edge of the page - and try not to make your dots in a row.  It just looks more random. 

Inside the card it says Happy Spring or Easter Wishes, from the Springtime set (the one with the umbrella and funny ducks).  I also stamped some of the eggs from the bunny set and colored them in with the markers.

Supplies Used:
Sensational Season (March Stamp of the Month, D1454, $22.95 or you can get a discount on it)
Springtime stamp set, inside the card, (D1415, $22.95)
Miracle Paper Pack (X7133B, $12.95)
Sweet Leaf Card Stock (included in Miracle pack)
Colonial White Brads (included in Basic Brad Assortment, Z1365, $4.95 for 160 brads)
Cocoa Stamp Pad (Z2114, $5.25)
Sweet Leaf Stamp Pad (Z2153, $5.25)
Crystal Blue Marker  (Z2317, $2.95)
Sweet Leaf Marker (Z2353, $2.95)
Baby Pink Marker (Z2302, $2.95)
Bamboo Marker (Z2303, $2.95)
Sunkiss Yellow Marker (Z2151, $2.95)
Pencil (eraser)
2 1/2" circle punch
Also, you can't really see it, but I sponged (Z697, $1.25) Heavenly Blue (Z2126, $5.25) around the edges of the circle.

Easter is still a month away!  There's still time to make those cards.  Plus, don't forget, if you buy $25 in stamp sets, you can get a free block AND 25% off this Stamp of the Month!.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Free Block Special During March Only



AT CLOSE TO MY HEART, WE KNOW WE’VE GOT THE BEST CLEAR stamps and blocks—and we’ll prove it! Throughout March, when you buy your favorite My Acrylix stamps, you'll get a free My Acrylix block. Not only will you have the best stamps on the block, you’ll have the best block, too! 

Just purchase $25 in stamps and you can choose from two of our most versatile block sizes: 3" × 3" (Y1006) or 2" × 6½" (Y1010). 

I love it when I can help you save money - now is the perfect time!  Start shopping now, or call (425.255.3731) or email me if you have questions.  I'm here to help!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Fan Fold Flowers



I am always looking for new ways to embellish my cards.  This little fan-folded flower is fun and easy.  For the larger flower shown, take a 1/2" x 6" strip and accordion fold it.  The smaller one is 1/4" x 6".  When you get to the end, adhere the two ends together to form a circle.  (You could use a dab of Liquid Glass and hold the ends together with a binder clip.)  You can then glue the finished fan folded flower onto a small circle/base for stability.  The complete instructions are here on SplitCoastStampers.com

Designed by Gennette Feagan
Have fun decorating!  You could use these little flowers on anything...lamp shades, hair clips...

Supplies Used:
Sweetheart Paper Pack (   $12.95)
Cotton Candy Card Stock (X5760, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
Black Stamp Pad (Z2105, $5.25)
Licorice Opaques (Z1335, $2.95)
Bitty Sparkles (Z1263, $2.95)
Black Mini-Medley Accents (Z1393, $4.95)
Liquid Glass (Z679, $6.95) - used as an adhesive on the fan flowers

Monday, March 21, 2011

Shadow Box Card


Oops, I just realized that I only posted once last week.  So sorry!  I HAVE been creating, just haven't been taking pictures and posting. 

I got this card in a swap.  I love the 3-D'ness of it.  

Designed by Linda Black




I also thought the finishing touches of having the shark bite the sign and using Waxy Flax as the jellyfish tentacles was inspired!

If you want to make your own shadow box card, the instructions are here, at SplitCoastStampers.com

I have wanted to make this type of card for a long time.  (I printed out the directions over four years ago.)  For my own card, I thought the Stamp of the Month would work perfectly.  


Top view of the card
We are making this card in class this month.  I love how it is easily mailed, but can still be cute and different.

Supplies Used:
March Stamp of the Month - Sensational Season (D1454, $22.95 (or get it at a discount!))
Cocoa Stamp Pad (Z2114, $5.25)
Sweet Leaf Stamp Pad (Z2153, $5.25)
Sweet Leaf Card Stock (ZX5639. $9.50 for 24 pieces)
Colonial White Card Stock (1388, $9.50 for 24 pieces)
2 1/2" Circle Punch
Paper Trimmer with Scoring Capability or Bone Folder
Markers:  Bamboo (Z2203, $2.95)
Baby Pink (Z2302, $2.95)
Sweet Leaf (Z2353, $2.95)
Sunflower (Z2350, $2.95)
Sky (Z2394, $2.95)
White Gel Pen (I like Gelly Roll brand) - for the rabbits' ears, tails and paws
I used Terrifically Tacky Tape to hold my two larger pieces of card stock together.  You could also use brads, staples, eyelets, Waxy Flax, embroidery floss...

Monday, March 14, 2011

Project of the Week

I was inspired by a wallet I saw at the store.  I thought, "I can make that with paper!"  So I did.  I thought it worked out.  Tell me what you think.


It opens like a wallet, and I will close it with a Velcro dot.  I learned how to make flowers from Christine David.  I used a circle 4"x4" piece of card stock and cut it into a rough circle.  Then I cut swirls in it (like a snail).  Don't make your strips too narrow, or it will take forever to make your flower.

Trim off the little tail at the end.

I trimmed the little tail off of the circle, so I had a flat piece to start.  Take your tweezers and wind the paper around the end of the tweezers.


Keep winding!

Until you get to the end/inside of the circle.

Then put some Liquid Glass on the bottom of the circle and push the flower "petals" into the Liquid Glass, until it dries a little/sticks.







Here's a close-up of the flowers.  I used Cotton Candy, Hollyhock and White Daisy for my flowers.  The white flower was made from a 3 1/2"x3 1/2" square that I cut into a "circle."  The other two were 4x4.  I also used the new Spray Pen on the white flower.  I also used some Glitz Gitter Gel on the edges of the flowers.  This was really fun to make, and a lot easier than it looks.

Supplies Used:
Sweetheart Paper Pack (X7134B, $12.95)
Hollyhock Card Stock
Cotton Candy Card Stock
White Daisy Card Stock
Pear Card Stock
Giltz Glitter Gel
Spray Pen
Liquid Glass
Cotton Candy Reinker
Pearls (white) - for inside the flowers
Narrow tipped tweezers
Rubbing Alchohol

For the inside the "wallet" I put a 3 1/2" piece of a small paper bag.  (I actually cut the piece off the TOP of the bag, not the bottom.)

Isn't this a fun one!  We'll be making this in card class this month.  Can't wait to show you.






Friday, March 11, 2011

Digital Layouts I made last night....SO easy!

I haven't played much with Close To My Heart's online scrapbooking program - Studio J - too much.  But when I do, it's so much fun!  You can get layouts done so quickly and easily.  You pick the layout style, paper and pictures to create your page.  My favorite part is that you can drag and drop photos into the photo wells, and easily swap them out.  The hard part about "real" scrapbooking for me, is knowing what size to print my photos, and how small/large to crop my pictures down to (because I am cheap and don't want to print, and reprint the photos to different sizes).  This is no longer an issue with Studio J!  Check it out --


I plan on adding a few "real" embellishments when the layouts arrive on my doorstep next week.  

I also made these last night.  :)  More pictures of the girls.  They're so fun to shoot, because they're really photogenic.


These wonderful people are on my Close To My Heart team!  I typically take off a bunch of the "suggested" embellishments on the digital layout (which is super easy).  I like the way they've made the virtual embellishments - they even have the little shadow behind them, so they look 3-D. 


Journaling is not my strong suit - I'm more of a caption kind of person.  I think it's because I don't like sharing my inner feelings with everyone who's flipping through my scrapbook.  I have to work on that, because those inner feelings are the things that people cherish down the road.  Another way to "solve" that problem is to have hidden journaling, so that only the people who know where to look will find your innermost thoughts.  :)


Who are all those blonde people, and how can they be related to me?  Just kidding, this is my husband's wonderful extended family.  We spend every Christmas (and most major holidays) with them.  I recently started snapping pictures of everyone at every gathering.  They're pretty good-natured about it, especially since they know what I do for a living. 

Did you know you can play with STUDIO J for free?  Just click here, create a login, upload some photos and start playing!  I love that you can try it for free.  If you like it, you can buy your creation(s).  If you really like it and think you'll buy often - get a 1-year membership* ($99) and get half-price off your layouts, free shipping once a month, free page protectors, and special members-only papers and layouts.  I bought SIX (2-page) layouts last night - they were only $6.50 per layout (retail) - that's $3.25 per page!!!  (It was even cheaper, because of my consultant discount.)  Can't always do that with "real" scrapbooking!

* You can even buy your membership at a gathering and have it count towards your sales totals!  Call or email me if you are interested and have questions about Studio J.



Monday, March 7, 2011

BINGO!

I participate in a couple of card swaps.  I love the inspiration!  I especially like cards that don't use flowers, since I am a habitual flower-user.  This card was made with the new BINGO alphabet set and the new Lucky paper pack.

Designed by Joy McHargue
Notice the "29"s on the card?  I didn't "get it" at first, but it's for your 29th birthday (again!).  I might have to buy this stamp set.  Hope you are inspired, too!

Supplies Used:
Bingo Alphabet (D1478, $22.95)
Lucky Paper Pack (X7137B, $12.95)
Outdoor Denim Card Stock
Sunset Card Stock
Colonial White Card Stock
Kraft Card Stock (new!) (Z1375, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
Olive Stamp Pad
Sunset Stamp Pad
Outdoor Denim Stamp Pad
Desert Sand Stamp Pad
Kraft Color-Ready Borders (new!) (Z1377, $5.95 for 50 self-adhesive, 12" borders)
Twill Ribbon
Buttons Basic Assortment (new!) (Z1358, $5.95 for 72 buttons)
Waxy Flax - Colonial White
Corner Rounder
Glue Dots
(Pretty sure the butterfly is not from CTMH)
 

Friday, March 4, 2011

Sophia Workshop Card

I love the new Sophia paper pack.  It's my favorite (or maybe I already mentioned that?)

This stamp set is from the Sophia Workshop Kit - which has everything you need to make these beautiful cards and scrapbook pages (including instructions!).  (Blocks and ink sold separately.)  (Kits include a full, paper pack, exclusive stamp set, instructions and accessories (in this case, Pink Button Assortment and Colonial White Waxy Flax), all for just $29.95



I did my own thing with this stamp set and paper pack - of course, because I can't leave well enough alone.  I did really like the cards, but I didn't want to have everyone at card class have to cut out the bird.



Inside it says "I'm just extending the celebration."

I also love the new Pink Assortment button collection.  There's so many cute buttons in there, in different shades of pink.  There's also a green, blue, red, basic and clear assortment.  OH, and there's wooden buttons, too.  Fun!  I used 3 different button types on my card (trying to use up some of my stash...again.)

Supplies Used:
Sophia Workshop Kit (G1019, $29.95)
Card Chatter - Birthday (D1475, $22.95)
Goldrush Stamp Pad (Z2123, $5.25)
Pear Stamp Pad (Z2197, $5.25)
Tulip Stamp Pad (Z2166, $5.25)
Winter Buttons (retired)
Pink Assortment Buttons (new!) (Z1370, $5.95)
Pear Mini-Medley Accents (Z1339, $4.95)
Colonial White Waxy Flax (Z1081, $3.95)
Hollyhock Ribbon Rounds (retired)