CTMH Product SPOTLIGHT Hop

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Product SPOTLIGHT Hop --- and Day 2 of my Christmas Cards week.

This month the featured item is not just one item but a category...
Christmas related stamps!

So sit on back and enjoy some fun Christmas Card or
gifty ideas as we rapidly approach the Christmas Holiday.

If you have arrived from Haley's Blog then you are on the right path.

Here is my Card I came up with for this Hop.

TUTORIAL: For the Cranberry Strip used under the ribbons, I simply cut a 1x12 inch strip of Cranberry Cardstock. I scored it at 3/4 inch then 1/4 inch then 3/4 inch then 1/4 inch and so on until I reached the end. Then I simply folded it back and forth. I lightly sanded the paper strip to bring out the "ruffles" just a little bit more.

SUPPLIES USED:
Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Packet
Magical Season (D1226) Stamp Set
Chocolate Ink (for Santa and Distressing)
Liquid Applique
Twill Ribbon
Chocolate Ribbon
Hemp
Cranberry My Accents (Retired)


Here is a close up of the Santa (on the left).

I did a little paper piecing on his hat also using the Mistletoe Papers.

The Liquid Applique is just applied on the image lines, heat with the heat gun and let it work it's magic. I wanted to keep the whimsical swirly lines of the image so I didn't fill in his entire beard with Liquid Applique.

His face is colored in with colored pencils. The image is pop dotted up over the ribbon.

If you are just beginning the hop here or jumped in mid loop, then your next stop on the hop is Wendy's Blog.

CTMH Stamp of the Month BLOG HOP

It's that time again for another round of the Close To My Heart Blog Hop!

If you have arrived from Kathleen's Blog then you are on the right track. IF this is your first stop on the hop, then just click on the link at the end of this post to head to the NEXT stop on the hop. It makes a full circle so you can jump in at any place.

November's Stamp Set is called A Little Thanks and features 16 "thank you" type sentiments.




I decided to pair up this sentiment stamp set with Nature's Vein stamp set. This has been one of my favorite sets since it was introduced! I'm so glad it's still around. :)



Here is a side view to show the added "texture" to the leaves.

I pop dotted a few leaves up but I also gently pinched and crinkled the leaves to give them more dimension.



Click here for my Stamp Rolling tutorial.

Supplies Used:

• Olivia Level 2 Paper Packet
• A Little Thanks Stamp Set
  
• Nature's Vein Stamp Set
• Sweet Leaf Ribbon
• Barn Red Stamp Pad
• Creme Brulee Stamp Pad
• Sunset Stamp Pad
• Pear Stamp Pad
• Distressing Tools (sponge, stipple brush)
  

Thanks for stopping by....or checking back in!



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

October's Stamp Of The Month HOP

Another month has flown on by! ALREADY!!
I am still in shock over this....but with the end of a month means the start of another
BLOG HOP... HOP... HOPPIN TIME!

If you have arrived from Adeline's Blog then you are on the right path...
If you have just begun, then just HOP right in and begin where you are...here on Kristie's Blog!

This month's Featured Stamp Set is called
SHARE THE MAGIC

This is a fun and whimsical set of 12 images available Oct 1-31st only!

Here is what I created using this stamp set:



I only used the Snowman Image on this card. I LOVE Snowmen and couldn't resist! I like how the background paper can resemble snowflakes if you use your imagination.



Techniques used:
Paper Pieced the Snowman's Scarf by stamping the scarf area of the image onto patterned paper of choice. Then cut out just the scarf. I stamped the full image onto my project piece. Glue the scarf in place...I used 3-D Foam Squares to make it stand out more. I also did this for the band on the snowman's hat. Liquid Applique on the snowy bottom of the image. Just squirt out the Liquid Applique where you'd like to see it. Heat until "fluffy" with the Embossing Gun.



Supplies used are:

Magnifique Level 2 Paper Packet
Pacifica Stamp Pad
Chocolate Stamp Pad
Colored Pencils
Liquid Applique (snow)
Licorice Opaques (buttons)
3-D Foam Squares

Your next stop on the HOP is LORI's BLOG.

September's SOTM Blog Hop

Here we are back to another round of Close To My Heart's
Stamp Of The Month Blog Hop!

Are you ready??

If you have arrived from Lori's Blog then you are on the RIGHT path!

September's special stamp set for the month is getting us ready for all of those
spooktacular Halloween Invitations/Cards/Layouts.
It is a 9 piece stamp set called THRILLER.



I think this set is creepy and fun! That big skull is a little girly looking to me and I think would make a fantastic image on a Pink Pirate Party Invitation!

The window looking image with Dracula in the center would be fun masked out and use that white space for the Invitation details or for something entirely different.

It is fun to manipulate the My Acrylix stamps and thing outside the box!

HERE IS WHAT I CAME UP WITH....I just love the new colors in the MAGNIFIQUE My Reflections paper packet, I couldn't resist using them. I know they are not your typical Halloweenish colors....And the new SPARKLES in Blue & Green were perfect on the crown from this stamp set.

Here is Creation #1:



I was trying to use my "outside the box" thinking on this one and was going for a non-Halloween card. I used cut out the crown leaving the spider webs behind. I added the new blue & green sparkles and the Glitter Glue to dazzle it up. I masked off the center of the "box" like image and masked off the crow and turned the "box" on it's side to create a Text Box. I didn't have any sentiment stamps with me to fill it in yet...





Close Up:



And Card #2...



I wanted the "pirate" image to look worn so I started off by just tearing the edges of the cardstock and inking them up with chocolate. Then I had this great idea to tear the B&T and roll back those edges and place the image so it appears to be burning a hole through.



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

SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome back to another round of the Stamp Of The Month blog hop! This month's stamp set is called "Something Splendid". Here is a photo sampling of the images in this set:

If you have come from Jody's site, then you are on the right path!

I chose to do my creating on the new SPLENDOR Paper Pack. I used Sunflower, Chocolate and Olive Inks. I used the Stamp Rolling technique on the flower petals. I used Autumn Terracotta colored buttons with hemp accents. I used the Edge Distresser on the side of the card. The flower is also pop dotted off of the page.

Here is the creation I have for you:

When the card is closed you can see a glimpse of the strip of pattern paper just inside the right edge of the card. I just couldn't get a clear photo of the card closed.


Now hop on over to ANNETTE'S SITE to see what she has created for you!

July's SPOTLIGHT BLOG HOP

This month's featured product is the My Acrylix stamp set,
CUPCAKE SPRINKLES D1336.
I LOVE this stamp set....it is a great staple for the stamp set collections.
Who gets tired of using cupcakes or receiving them? LOL.

If you have come from Adeline's blog, then you are on the right track.

What perfect timing to have this stamp set as our featured set.
Today is also my sweet friend Joy's birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOY JOY!
I made this card with you in mind....



I used the Whoops A Daisy papers on this card.
I've had these papers forever it seems and I've never used them!
The colors are perfect for my young friend so there you have it!

I used Liquid Applique on the "frosting".
I also sprinkled in some Prisma Glitter before heating the Liquid Applique.
I added sparkles to the cupcake wrapper and as a side embellishment.
The ribbon is not CTMH.

Now head on over to Tracey's blog to see what she created!

Are you ready?

It's time for ANOTHER round of HOPPIN'!

We are featuring JUNE's Stamp Of The Month this month....

"WONDERFUL FRIEND"


If you have arrived from Mary's site then you are on the right path!

This is a vintage type stamp set with 9 images, perfect for those manly or vintage cards!
The set includes a pocket watch, neck tie, frame, argyle pattern, a corner "splotch" and 3 wordy type stamps: "The Greatest Treasures Are Invisible to the Eye & Found with the Heart", "DAD", "You are some kind of wonderful", "My Hero My Friend" circle stamp with a fleur in the middle.

I chose to use Back Country Level 1 Papers, Chocolate Ribbon, Chocolate Ink and Chocolate Brads on my card.



Your next stop on the HOP is Melissa's site.


If you get lost on the hop, here is a full list of all HOPPERS.

It's Hop Hop Hoppin time....

Welcome to another round of blog hoppin!

You have found yourself at your next stop on the Close To My Heart Stamp Of The Month Blog Hop. If you have come from Carol's blog then you are on the right path!


CHERISH THE MOMENT

Well you can cherish this moment if you'd like but I'm referring the stamp set for May! This is a set of 8 and perfect for invitations, birthday, congrat's, cherish, thank you or happy anything... Use this fun set as your focal image or tags. They'll also make great quick little journal entries on your scrapbook page.

I just love this stamp set! Each image is like a check box system to say your message -- too fun! I've enjoyed placing a decorative brad, sparkle or eyelet as my "check" mark next to what I'd like to say.

I chose to combine this set with the Bella papers and the Endless Friendship stamp set -- I am finding myself going back to this stamp set over and over again lately. I love those flowers!!


I ran with the WISHES card pattern DESIGNER TAB and added my own twist. First off, it's supposed to be a 6x6 card but I made it a 4.25 x 5.5 card. So I really just used the pattern as my inspiration and ran with it from there.

I used the Bella papers and Colonial White Cardstock.

I used my Euro Trimmer's track and measurements and a ball point pen (retracted) to create the lines -- it is embossed the old fashioned way.

• Just place your paper or cardstock into the trimmer. We are NOT using the blade! I put the top of my project face down.
  
• Decide where you'd like your lines to be, I did them at about 1/2 inch intervals.
• Using the ball point pen, with the ink part retracted (no ink on my project), I pressed the ball point pen into the cutting track back and forth to create a raised line on the front of the project.
• I did the horizontal lines at 1/2 inch but the vertical lines are about 1/2 inch and not full lines.

I did a little stamp rolling again on this card, I love that technique with this flower! I cut out the flower and pinched each petal to give it dimension.

There are square sparkles for my embellishments.

I used the Edge Distresser and a little Cocoa ink on the cards edges.


When you are through browsing around, be sure to hop on over to Allison's blog to see what she came up with.

Product SPOTLIGHT Hop

Are you having fun hopping along with us?

If you have come from MELISSA's site then you are on the right path. When you are done browsing here, hop on over to your next stop at HELEN's site.

Our featured product for this month's hop are the newest released My Reflections Level 2 Paper Packets found in the front of the catalog. There are 4 new paper packs released with each catalog PLUS one bonus CREATIVE BASICS packet. The Creative Basics packet coordinates with one of the other new packs but it comes with just 2 patterns and a spool of ribbon for creating some bulk projects.

My PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT is on the Creative Basics Veranda Packet. I chose to also use one of the workshop cutting guides out of WISHES Card Confidence Program. The cutting diagram will create 20 cards, 2 of each design. I have pictured here just 4 of the designs with more to come.

I added in Vineyard Berry and Cocoa Cardstock to complement the VERANDA Creative Basics Packet.

I did my stamping with the Endless Friendship stamp set -- it debuted with the Bella Paper Packet last year but is also in the 2010 Spring Catalog on page 46. I accented some with the Creme Brulee Ribbon that came with the Creative Basics paper Packet and the others with Colonial White Mini-Medley Accents.

I used a few techniques --

• 2 step stamping with stamp rolling -- Stamp 2nd generation image onto project, Roll the stamp in the same ink and stamp over first image.
• I stamped my flowers, cut them out, then pinched the petals to give them dimension.
• Liquid Glass accent on the "daisy" like flower
  

Don't forget to hop on over to HELEN's site to see what she has in store for you!

MARCH BLOG HOP

Here we are again, at the first of the month which means it's time for another fabulous stamp of the month BLOG HOP!

This month's stamp set is called A LITTLE EVERYTHING which features several sayings stamps... Thanks, Happy, Celebrate then words to follow them such as...for your kindness; for all you do; for everything....or Birthday, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.

I chose to use the THANKS stamp on one of my Workshop On The Go cards which worked out perfectly.


SUPPLIES USED:
Topstitch Workshop On The Go Kit which includes papers, stamps and embellishments
Chocolate Embroidery Floss for a little handstitching
Colonial White brads
Sparkles

If you have come from Laura's Blog you are on the right path.

Click HERE to get to Carol's blog which is NEXT on the hop.

If you get lost on the way, visit Helen's blog which has all of the hoppers in order.

February's FEATURED Stamp Set

Is it February already? Time is really flying by.....

It is BLOG HOPPIN time again and this month is a
PIECE OF CAKE -- the stamp set anyways.

If you have come from Kim O'Rear's blog then you are on the right track.




I used the TOPSTITCH My Reflections Paper Packet
Chocolate & Cocoa Inks

TECHNIQUES:
The Cake is paper pieced together -- I stamped on pink paper and cut out the image and glued it to the stamped image on the blue paper.

LIQUID APPLIQUE -- squirt out a little liquid applique onto the desired surface, heat with your embossing gun and you have a fun fluffy raised image!

Now hop on over to Karen Norman's blog to see what's next!

If you should get lost at any point in the hop, you may refer back to Helen's Blog for the full participant list. Helen has also gone over and above the "call of duty" and provided a full list of the participants and links PLUS she included a brief description about the artwork or technique!

CTMH Product Spotlight

I've joined in the fun with another Close To My Heart product hop. This one will feature a specific CTMH product each month which we'll refer to as:

CTMH Product Spotlight

To begin the year, we will be featuring one of CTMH's fabulous HOW-TO programs -- IMAGINE. Imagine is designed to make scrapbooking - faster, simpler, easier. I LOVE it! All of the CTMH "HOW-TO" guides have a completed color sample layout, a sketch design and cutting diagrams to complete the 2 pages.

Each participating "hopper" will be posting artwork created using IMAGINE as our guide. So come along and join us on the "hop" to view some fabulous scrapbook pages.

This hop is a continuous loop so if this is your first stop, just click HERE to get to Laurie's site next.

If you have arrived from Wendy's site then you are on the right track as I am your 2nd stop of the hop.

I used the IMAGINE book to create my Wall Calendar. I stuck primarily with cardstocks in shades to match my home. I added stamping or B&T papers to personalize each month a little bit. Here is Jan-Sept that is completed anyways.
I have labeled each photo's name with the corresponding Imagine Layout.

Don't forget to hop on over to your NEXT STOP, Laurie's blog....

After you've gone through the hop, be sure to check out Kimberly's blog for another artwork sample featuring IMAGINE. She used CTMH's fun BELLA papers for her pages, very fun! She has also included a link to Wendy's page back at the start of the hop.

Here is a list of all the sites on our hop, just in case you get lost or find a link not working!

Wendy K. - My Scrapbooking Blog - http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
Kristie Herdener - http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Laurie Flannery - http://www.westmanscrapbooks.blogspot.com/
Tracy Oleksak - http://www.mamaolie.blogspot.com/
Cindy Leek - http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/
mestamp2 - http://www.mestamp2.blogspot.com/
Barbara - http://www.paper-creations117.blogspot.com/
Jenifer Benner - http://www.jensmessystudio.com/
Melissa - http://melissaburch.blogspot.com
Haley - http://inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Carol Loftus - http://www.CarolLoftus.blogspot.com
Sylvia - http://stampinsylvia.blogspot.com
SweetAline - http://www.adeline-brill.blogspot.com
Kim - http://kimorear.blogspot.com/

Hop HOP Hoppin Time Again....

Welcome to the January Blog Hop!

If you are arriving from Sheila's Site then you are on the right path.

Your next stop will be at Jen's Site.

If this is your first stop then just follow the links all the way around the loop until you end up here again.


January brings so many fun things....NEW Spring Idea Book and with that a NEW series of stamp of the months! January starts us off with a fun set of 11 images to be used as focal points, frames, accents, journal boxes......

I made up a card using new SPRING papers, VERANDA.
My card design is taken from the WISHES Card Program Book and is called GEOMETRIC.
Stamps used are TRUE FRIENDS and FOR EVERY OCCASION.
Additional supplies used were: Sparkles, Clear Buttons, Cocoa Grossgrain Ribbon, Dangles, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Cocoa and Black Exclusive Inks.

Now don't forget that your next stop is at Jen's Site.

Birthday Cards

Today is my father in law's birthday so I of course I needed to make up a card for him, today. Yes I am always the day of kind of gal when it comes to making a card for someone! Luckily I do plan it that way, I didn't forget, that's just how I do it! LOL.

I made up 2 different cards for my hubby to choose from....

I made one with my Father In Law in mind and thought I'd make another one similar while I had the supplies out. They came out completely different really. I wonder if hubby will pick the same one I had intended!?

After I made the cards I remembered that I do have a whole stash of birthday cards from the last workshop I did using the CTMH Card Kit special. Oh well -- I like to be "original" with families cards....there are none out there just like it and made entirely with them in mind!

Supplies Used: CTMH Good Times Level 2 papers & Stickease; Everyday Celebration stamp set; Chocolate Ink Distressing, Chocolate and Twilight Stamp Pads; Colonial White Brads; non-CTMH handmade papers, hemp.

November Stamp Of The Month

It is time for ANOTHER Stamp Of The Month BLOG HOP!

Are you ready to get started?

To see the full list of "hoppers" visit JENA's site.

If you have come from LORI's site, then you are on the right track.

If you are just beginning, then just start from here and follow the "path" until you get back to me.
Click on the image to see it bigger.
When I received this stamp set, the first thing I thought of was MONSTERS, INC. I had some photos still from California Adventure that hadn't been scrapbooked that were calling my name just itching to be used with this stamp of the month!

I stamped the 2 different front door images from the set randomly to create my background paper. White Daisy pigment ink onto black cardstock.



Now "hop" on over to JILL's site to continue on with the "hop".

Are you falling behind on your scrapbooking because you have fallen into a creative rut? Maybe you’d just like a little extra encouragement to get going on those precious pages again? Come create 2- 12x12 scrapbook layouts with embellishments. There are a few fun techniques to be taught as well!

Or maybe you would prefer to stock up on your card stash so you have a variety on hand to give to that special someone when the need arises. Come create 6 fun cards with embellishments. We will be making 2 of each of the 3 designs.

I’m inviting you to join me for a...

Take your pick workshop!

I will be conducting 2 workshops with 2 different buying options on

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30

This month’s workshop will feature CTMH’s TWITTERPATTED Level 2 Paper Packet and coordinating accessories.

Pricing depends on which “kit” you choose:

Summer Projects

I don't know about you, buy my summer was sunny and bright ALL SUMMER! Very unusual for Oregon to have next to no rain during the summer months. No rain means we are all outside enjoying the weather and NOT inside creating.

I did however create a few things for my dear friend's baby shower. I snagged up some of the fabric from the table cloths we used and added it to a few layouts to coordinate with her photos.

I also made all of the food labels with this cute little baby face punch art which was completely inspired by a scrappin' buddy of mine, Julie Anderson.

I have made all of my friends a 6x6 photo album to include with their shower gifts. I used CTMH's accordian album for this one and CTMH's beautiful Emporium papers. I just LOVE this paper packet!

To end, I made this simple little card inspired by the cover photo on CTMH's Wishes Card Program.