July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

Welcome to the July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  If you've hopped here from Wendy Coffman's Blog, welcome!


I can't believe it's July already.  How does this happen?  We've only had a few sunny days this summer in Seattle!  It doesn't seem like summer...  But it must be summer - the summer stamp sets are out!  This month's Stamp of the Month is called American Celebration (yes, Canadian stampers, there's a Canadian version, too).

It's so festive and 4th of July-ish...BUT it's still versatile for use throughout the year.  Check it out!


Here's the "natural" thing to do with a stamp set with stars and a flag on it...something for the 4th of July!

You could also stamp the same background, and change the sentiment to Happy Birthday or something.  It's perfect for boy cards.


At first I wanted to use an unusual color for the big "explosions," so I went with Topiary.  Then for the other colors, Sunflower, Moonstruck and Holiday Red.  But I didn't like the Topiary explosions and ended up switching to Moonstruck instead.

I don't know, I just liked the blue better as the dominant color.

I filled in the empty spaces with smaller stamps from the set - I did some 2nd generation stamping with the Sunflower falling stars.  Then edged the whole thing in Sunflower.  It looks kind of messy to me, though.  (but in a good way)

I wanted to use the "celebrate" from the set - stamped it and cut it out.  It gets kind of lost in the stars.  Better to set it apart:

I used Holiday Red as a mat.

ahhh, much better

Still, it looks kind of plain.  Need some bling!  I put some Twinkle Brads on the side.  I've had those things hanging around for over a year.  I stare at them and think how pretty they are, but have never used them. Now's my chance!  (They're retired, but you could always use the Blue-Green and/or Red-Pink-Purple Sparkles instead.)  Plus, you could scatter those all over your explosions.

Still, I think I need "something."  How about a mat?  I wanted to emphasize the Moonstruck more, so that's what I'm going with.  Love it!

I like it!

Supplies Used:
American Celebration (D1458, $22.95 (or less with your qualifying order)
Card Stocks:  Moonstruck, Holiday Red, White Daisy
Inks:  Moonstruck, Sunflower, Topiary, Holiday Red
Twinkle Brads (retired)


Here's my different-use-of-the-stamp-set-card.  I actually can't take credit for the blue ribbon idea - it was from my upline, Naomi.  But I like it!  The really great thing about this card, is that you can make lots of these cards.  Not much stamping!  


Using a Moonstruck stamp pad, I stamped the big exploding stars/fireworks stamp on Pacifica paper.  Then I punched it with CTMH's scallop punch.  It looks just like the head of an award ribbon.  So cool!


You can't tell in the picture, but I slightly curved the hanging ribbons so they weren't quite so flat.

These are the B&T papers I considered for the background.  Any of them would work.  Had to pick one...

Front of the paper - too busy?

I like the back side of this paper better...

I also couldn't decide what to put in the center of the ribbon.  My first instinct was to stamp something and punch it out with a circle.  Then I started digging around in my 'stash.'  Gotta remember to shop your stash!  I had these crazy badge buttons from the Tinkerin' paper pack (Clover Meadow, Sunflower, Sunny Yellow and Twilight).  One of them was a smiley.  My other idea was to use a Filigree Charm.  That would have worked with one of the less whimsical papers, I think.  Smileys win, hands down, every time.




I liked the "Thanks, You're the best" stamp for this card...get it?  Blue Ribbon...You're the best...

A nice blue mat...some random stamping (yellow falling stars) on the white...and then finished!

Supplies Used:
American Celebration (D1458, $22.95 (or less with your qualifying order)
Thank You (D1361, $22.95)
Paper Pack:  Fanfare (X7138B, $12.95)
Card Stocks:  Twilight, Tulip
Stamp Pads:  Moonstruck, Twilight, Sunny Yellow
CTMH 2" Scallop Punch
Badge Buttons (retired)


Thanks for stopping and looking at my creations!  If you like what you see, subscribe to my blog (upper right hand corner of this page).  If you want to make these cards - shop online!  If you want to learn more and live in the Seattle area, come to a card class.  I have them regularly...and I would love to see you!


Now hop on over to Debra's Blog to see what fun ideas she has for you!  Thanks for peeking at the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

Cupcake!

I love cupcakes, just ask anyone who knows me.  I think it's the cake-to-frosting ratio that I love...almost 1:1.  Yum.  My mouth is watering, just thinking about it.  My favorite cupcake place is New York Cupcakes in Bellevue.  Their frosting is so buttery, and the cake is so moist and DE-licous!


Anyway, I've been told (mostly by my daughter) that I'm obsessed with cupcakes.  So I made this card...

This is really a 4x4 card with a 3" circle punched and stuck on the top.  Makes it interesting...Plus, it will still fit in a "standard" envelope.


I made the top of the cupcake with Close To My Heart's Scallop Punch, then I trimmed the bottom off.  The cupcake liner is made with a crimper.  Very easy!


The most interesting part of the card is the glass beads that I stuck on top of the "frosting."  First I put Liquid Glass all over the "frosting," as an adhesive and smeared it around with my finger.  Then I sprinkled the small size glass beads on top of that. It's a little slow drying, but I love the look!

I used Martha Stewart Glass Beads.

You should try making some cupcakes today!  These are non-fattening.


TIP:  To stick the button on top - I made a little adhesive 'sandwich.'  I wanted to pop the button up, so it wouldn't be below the frosting, but I knew the foam mounting tape wouldn't properly hold the button.  So I made a Glue Dot - Foam Mounting Tape - Glue Dot 'sandwich' below the button.  Worked perfectly!

And Kitty says:

"Don't bother me, Can't you see I'm trying to get some rest!?"  
Why do they always have to sleep on your stuff? -- like computer bags, gym bags, pillows...  


Supplies Used:
Sweetheart Paper Pack (X7134B, $12.95)
Piece of Cake (D1407, $22.95) - the sentiment
Blooming Layers (C1449, $18.95) - the little tan circles on the circle
Black Card Stock (included in Sweetheart Paper Pack)
Cotton Candy Card Stock (included in Sweetheart Paper Pack)
Buttercup Card Stock (1271, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
Black Stamp Pad (Z2105, $5.25)
Sponge Dauber (Z726, $3.95)
Liquid Glass (Z679, $6.95)
Glass Beads (Martha Stewart Brand)
2" Scallop Punch (Z1392, $14.95)
Paper Crimper
Desert Sand Stamp Pad (Z2118, $5.25)
White Daisy Ricrac
Basic Assortment Buttons (Z1358, $5.95)
Blush Waxy Flax (retired)
Foam Mounting Tape

Neverending Card - cool!

I got this great card idea from my upline.  It's so interesting...  Instead of 2 places where there's a card message, there are 3 (6 panels)!  Front/Back, Inside and Inside back.  Weird.  The trick to assembly, is doing just one step at a time.  No trying to be efficient and skipping ahead!


This is the neverending card we are making in card class this month:  (It's never ending, because you can keep flipping it over and getting a new message...)  Hard to explain....


Front:

Back:

Oops, a little bit crooked!

Inside:

Flip it over and you'll see the Inside-back:

Also, I liked that the stamp set (Card Chatter - Birthday) has a ton of birthday messages in the set - so I only needed the one stamp set to make the card.  I did use another stamp set for the little Presents, Happy Birthday and Stars, but you could use anything for those...or leave them out.


The really nice thing about this card is it uses just one (double-sided) piece of 8 1/2" x 11" piece of patterned paper.  Here's the instructions, lifted straight from my upline...  







Here's some pictures to help you assemble:


After you've folded the paper (like the first picture above, with the 16 squares), cut out the center 4 panels.  (I used an Exacto knife, metal ruler and cutting mat, but you could use a paper trimmer, or scissors.)


Folding your paper up from the bottom, glue the "A" box to "A" other box (and ONLY the "A" boxes).  Then, folding your paper down, glue the "B" box to the other "B" box:

After you've glued the "A"s together and the "B"s together, it looks like this (below).  Folding side to side, glue the "D" box to the "D" box and the "C" box to the "C" box.

Now it looks like this:

Fold the lower half up to meet the upper half:

Yay!  You are done.  This is your card (front).  Now you can decorate it.

I hope you are brave enough to try this on your own!  :)  If not, come to one of my card classes this month and we can do it together.


Lisa


Supplies Used:
Fanfare Paper Pack (X7138B, $12.95)
Card Chatter - Birthday (D1475, $22.95)
Tag the Occasion (B1362, $13.95)
Pacifica Stamp Pad (Z2192, $5.25)
Tulip Stamp Pad (Z2166 , $5.25)
Bitty Sparkles (Z1263 , $2.95)
Jelly Roll Brand Sparkly Gel Pen (clear)

June Specials - Free Stuff & Doing Good

Everyone loves, free, right?  Well, here's your chance to get a free Studio J (digital scrapbooking) layout from Close To My Heart!  

During the STUDIO J FREE FOR ALL in June, Close To My Heart is giving everyone a FREE Studio J JPG file -- no purchase required!  Simply log on to Studio J on my website, create a layout, then order one JPG file of your layout.  It’s as easy as that!  Download and save your file so you can post your layout online, email it to family and friends, or print them. 

If you have a Studio J or a MyCTMH account, just log in and start creating.  If you don’t have an account, creating one is easy!  You can access Studio J through my website or at STUDIOJ.COM    Discover how quick and simple scrapbooking can be with Studio J—and get your FREE JPG layout in Free-for-All June!

Think of it as a free sample.  :)  It's that "Try It, You'll Like It!!" thinking.  I like it -- so much that everyone who creates and gets their free JPG this month through my website will be entered into a drawing to get either a 12x12 faux leather album (a $24.95 value) OR a 3-month STUDIO J membership (a $30 value)!!!  (Your choice!)  Woo-hoo!

Start creating today - here.  Good luck on the prize drawing!  (PS - tell all your friends!  The prize drawing is only for those who create their layout through my website.  But hey, it's free, so tell a friend!)

Severe flooding, tornadoes and storms have affected the lives of thousands across the United States, but together we can make a difference.
 

During the month of June, purchase the You & Me scrapbooking kit for only $15 (a retail value of $34.95), and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross Spring 2011 Floods and Tornadoes relief operations. With the You & Me kit, you’ll create two fully embellished two-page layouts using the included instructions, papers, D-size stamp set, and accessories.  Click here and here to see some of the fun things you can make with this kit!

At only $15, this kit is more than 50% off the retail price. You’ll win by getting the kit at a phenomenal price, and those in the weather-devastated regions will benefit from your charitable contribution. Together we can make a difference; together we are stronger!

You can get the super cute You & Me kit on my website (if you do, click on Stronger Together -- also be sure to check out the While Supplies Last section for great deals) OR come to an upcoming card class!  The next ones are June 17, 23 and 24.  Click here to see the times and dates.  Email me if you want to come!  :)

Stamp Kissing

I love showing you new ways to use your existing stamp sets. You may have already seen this technique, but it's a good one!


Stamp Kissing is where you take one stamp and stamp on another stamp so that when you stamp on your project, the result is an image which shows both stamps in a new and interesting way.


Hard to explain - better to show you:

Created by Georgia Hauglid

See the dotted flower?  It's actually a solid flower, and Georgia stamped the Spot On Background stamp on top of the tulip.


Here's how it goes:
1.  Ink up the tulip (from A Tulip stamp set) with Bamboo Ink
2.  Ink up the polkadots (from Spot On Backgrounds) with Sunset Ink 
3.  Stamp the polkdots directly onto the tulip stamp (which makes Sunset polkadots onto the flower head)
4.  Stamp the tulip on to your paper
5.  Cut out the tulip


She did the same thing with the stem - but instead of adding a color to the stem, she stamped with a clean (uninked) stamp to remove some of the color.  


Like this:
1.  Ink up the stem with Pear Ink
2.  Stamp the CLEAN polkadot stamp onto the stem stamp (which removes some of the Pear ink from the stem)
3.  Stamp the stem onto your paper
4.  Cut out the stem
It's important to clean the polkadotted stamp each time before doing step #2 again (if you're making a bunch of stems), because the polkadots will now have Pear Ink on them.)  You need a clean stamp to make this work right....It might be a good idea to clean the Sunset Ink off (above, on the flower head, so you don't mess up your Sunset stamp pad.)


Pretty cool, huh!  It works best with solid stamps (for the basic stamp).  You know, like solid hearts, flowers, solid alphabets...


If you're too lazy to do this fun (and easy) technique, or don't want to deal with it - try the stamp set - Bohemian Alphabet.  The work is already done for you (as far as I'm concerned).  Put me into the 'too lazy' category.  :)

Created by Rose Mary Steel

I like how the Bohemian Alphabet has the design already into the letters.  Muuuuuuch easier!


Tulip Card:
A Tulip (A1111, $7.95)
Spot On Backgrounds (D1280, $22.95)
Olivia Paper Pack (X7128B)
Sunset Ink (Z2191, $5.25)
Pear Ink (Z2197, $5.25)
Bamboo Ink (Z2103, $5.25)
Natural Hemp (Z280, $2.95)
Basic Buttons (retired)
Foam Mounting Tape


"Thanks" Card:
Bohemian Alphabet (E1019, $29.95)
Wings Paper Pack (X7135B, $12.95) 
Sweet Leaf, Vineyard Berry Card Stocks (In Wings Paper Pack)
Black Stamp Pad (Z2105, $5.25)
Vineyard Berry Stamp Pad (Z2157, $5.25)
Black Marker (Z2305, $2.95)
Black Mini-Medleys (Z1393, $4.95)
Bitty Sparkles (Z1263, $2.95)
Vineyard Berry Ribbon (retired)
Butterfly Punch