Monday, October 31, 2011

November Stamp of the Month Bloghop!

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Bloghop!  This is where 50+ Close To My Heart consultants all use the same stamp set (Cherish the Day, S1111), they post their creations, and you get to see a grand circle of creativity, as you hop to and from blog to blog.  It's fun!  If you've arrived here from {Debra's blog}, you've come to the right place!

In case you haven't seen it yet, here's the stamp set, Cherish the Day (you can click on it to see it larger):



The first project I had was in an inspiration I had last night to make Shrinky Dink earrings.  I know, it's a little weird, but, hey, why not!?









What I Used:
Cherish the Day (S1111, $17.95 or $5.00 with your $50 CTMH purchase)
Shrink plastic (available at your local craft store)
Permanent Ink (I used Staz On Purple)
Sanding Kit (Z1294, $3.50) I used the fine grit sand paper
A Fine Tip Sharpie (I wrote the date by hand, but you could stamp it, too)
Heirloom Assortment (Z1635, $5.95) 
Earring thingys (yes, I don't know what these are really called)

So first, I gently sanded one side of the shrink plastic.  I sanded diagonally both ways, then across, to make sure that I did a good job "roughing up" the plastic.  (I'm not sure you really need to do this if you are using permanent ink.  I do know if you're using regular CTMH markers you need to rough up the surface so the water-based ink has somewhere to go, instead of just sitting on top the plastic, where it will rub off.)

Before and after shrinking

After decorating the plastic, you put it in the oven to heat up (you can also use a heat gun).  The shrink plastic gets super small, like 1/2 the size...and the plastic gets thicker.  So fun!  Be sure to punch any holes you want BEFORE shrinking.

I decorated with the Heirloom Assortment.  I have to get copper colored earring thingys to put in the top.  I only had silver, so that's what I took a picture of.

 I also made this card with the Elemental paper pack.  I stamped each month on a 1 1/2" x 4" strip in a color that seemed to "go" with the month.  On each strip I am going to write funny memories from over the months (years) and/or what I love about her.  I was inspired to make this card because one of my best friends (since 2nd grade) was here last weekend.  Every time we see each other, it's like no time has passed, even though it may have been years.  I love that!  Everyone needs a friend like her.  :)


Supplies Used:
Elemental paper pack (X7141B, $9.95)
Card Stock:  Sunflower, Colonial White
November Stamp of the Month (S1111, $17.95 or $5.00 with your $50 order)
Harvest Happiness (C1463, $13.95)
Mocha Opaques (Z1333, $2.95)
Stamp Pads:  Autumn Terracotta, Sweet Leaf, Chocolate (leaves)
Stamp Pads:  Sweet Leaf, Sky, Holiday Red, Cotton Candy, Sunset, Pear, Topiary, Dutch Blue, Spring Iris, Cranberry, Sunflower, Chocolate (months)
I just typed the words "You're a friend for all season" on my computer

Hope you had fun looking!

Now HOP on over to {Melinda's Blog} to see what kind of fun she has for you!


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Remarkable Wreath

I LOVE the stamp set Remarkable Wreath.  It's so simple.  We're making this card this month at card class.  It also uses the Cricut cartridge, which makes is super easy.  But if you don't have a Cricut, you can just use a square or circle around the wreath, that would be pretty, too.  OR if you love to cut, you could cut closely around the entire wreath.  (I am definitely not that person.)


Inspired by Lisa Combs




I embellished the flowers with the Stardust Glitz Gitter Gel (it's hard to see, but adds a lot) and embellished the card with Mocha Opaques.  You could easily make lots of these for Christmas or holiday cards...or even every day cards (minus the Christmas sentiment).  (Be careful with the Mocha Opaques if you are mailing these cards - they stick up quite a ways...your post office might not like them too much.  Using a bitty brad might hold up better in the mail system.)


The tricky part about the wreath stamp set is that the "sticks" on the wreath are in the circle shape, but the flowers (or berries or leaves) are only a 1/2 circle.  Before stamping on your project, I would practice on a piece of scratch paper, to make sure you know how your flowers (or whatever) are going to come together.  And ALWAYS stamp first, glue last.  Then, if you mess up, you can just throw away (or turn over) the one piece of paper, not an entire card that you just spent time assembling.


Have fun!  Lisa


Supplies Used:
Cricut Art Philosophy Collection (Z1686, $99 - includes 700 images, 3 coordinating stamp sets and 3 Dimensional Elements sets)
Colonial White and Cocoa Card Stock
Roxie Paper pack (X7140B, $9.95)
Remarkable Wreath (C1473, $13.95)
Card Chatter - Christmas (D1388, $17.95
Smoothie Stamp Pad (Z2196, $5.25)
Cocoa Stamp Pad (Z2114, $5.25)
Mocha Opaques (Z1333, $2.95)
Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel (Z1313, $2.75)
Sponge (Z697, $1.25)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

A flurry of Snowflakes

I LOVE the Wonderland paper pack (X7146B).  It uses Twilight, Crystal Blue, Grey Flannel and Chocolate...with hints of Amethyst and White Daisy.  It's very peaceful...and perfect for snowflake cards.

Created by Linda Caler

The Snowflake stamp set (D1480) is a great stamp set...partly because it goes with the Cricut cartridge...but mostly (in my opinion) because it has the "inside" and "outside" of the snowflake (see below).  I especially like the card above, because the big snowflake is "glittered up."  (What card isn't improved by a little (a lot??) of glitter?!?)




The card below is fun, not only because it's on a circle card, but the snowflake is heat embossed with Versamark and Detail Clear embossing powder.  After that, you take Heavenly Blue ink and a Sponge Dauber.  Ink up the dauber and then rub it over the embossed snowflake in a circular motion.  The embossed part will resist the ink, staying white.  Pretty cool, huh!   For extra sparkle - dot the snowflake with Silver Glitz.  Embellish further with a clear button and Waxy Flax.  For even more bling on your own cards, consider Designer Brads (new- Z1360 $5.95), Bling Assortment (new-Z1466 $4.95), Clear Sparkles (Z1104 $2.95), or Bitty Sparkles (Z1263 $2.95)...

Created by Lalia H

This card is simple, but I like it!  Plus, it's got a different Cricut snowflake on it (which I hadn't even noticed before).  There are several snowflakes...which I also hadn't noticed.  I guess with 700 images, it's easy to miss something!

Created by Jennifer Burress

I did a gathering this weekend.  We made the card (below).  I borrowed elements from the circle card above, and the first card.  One of the ladies at the gathering pointed out that real snowflakes don't have 8 points.  I didn't know they have only 6 points.  Obviously, I don't have much experience with real snow...(because I am from California...)...but you'd think the designers at Close To My Heart (in Utah) would know that! 

Created by me, Lisa Sargent!
I hope you've gotten a couple of fun ideas to make your own snowflake cards!






Friday, October 7, 2011

Halloween cards...already?

I'm sorry I've been kind of absent, lately.  I've been getting ready for my Christmas/Holiday card workshop this weekend.  (Let me know if you want to come.)  It's always a mad rush to make sure I have everything I need for the workshop, cutting, prepping, and everything else.  It's really fun - I love helping my customers get ahead of the holiday rush.

But that's not what we're here for today...today is Halloween card day!  (just 23 days away...)

I love getting the Halloween card swaps during this time of year.  These 3 cards have a creative spark, that I hope inspires you!

Created by Kandi Gallegos-Garcia
This card, by Kandi, uses the Mischief Workshop on the Go Kit (G1029, $29.95).  I like creepy non-symmetrical eye sockets in the skull, for some reason.  It's hard to tell from the picture, but there's two different sized sparkles in the eye holes, too.  You could also use googly eyes, but that would make it more whimsical.

Created by Jennifer Gilson
This card, by Jennifer, uses the Backdrop - Charmed (D1490, $17.95) stamp set.  What I really like about this card is that the background (the lighter parts) are stamped in (regular) black ink and the Happy Halloween are heat embossed..  I also like the glitter around the edges.  

I know, this one is not a Halloween card, but I saw this stamp set used similarly as a Halloween card...


Instead of kisses in the jar, it was a bunch of googly eyes, which made it really creepy...like a jar of eyeballs.  hmmmmmmm.  Just change out the background paper and sentiment.

I do actually have a Halloween card that I made ...  we made this card last month in my class!

It's on a clear card!
The white and black pieces of paper are on the front of the card; the orange (Sunset card stock) is on the back piece (inside) of the card.  Not much space for writing (I like that!)  This is the August Stamp of the Month, Wicked.

Hope you're inspired today!