SOTM Blog Hop - Illuminate and Let your Light Shine Through

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring Novembers SOTM, which is Illuminate, a set of 15 stamps.  If you have come here from Pam's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants here. 

This month we have approximately 54 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

I started by stamping out the lamp-post and lantern.  To do the lantern, I actually started with the 2 tones of yellow for the light.  I used Buttercup and Honey.  I used a combination of stamping and shading with Alcohol Markers.  Then using Black Ink I stamped over the light.  I then fussy cut out the image.  Using my Art Philosophy cartridge, I cut out this oval, and using my Buttercup Alcohol Marker made these rays of light come shining out from behind the lantern. Using tombow, I adhered this oval onto a piece of Sarita,which I really like the effect as it looks like the light is breaking through the darkness.  This is all mounted on a Goldrush Cardstock.  The lamp-post and lantern are popped using 3D foam tape.  The sentiment fits perfectly and is stamped in Black Ink. 

Products Used:  

Illuminate SOTM (S1311)

Sarita Paper (X7171B)

Goldrush CS (1243)

White Daisy CS (1385)

Black Ink (Z2105)

Honey Ink (Z2162)

Buttercup Ink (Z2110)

Honey Alcohol Markers (Z2415)

Buttercup Alcohol Markers (Z2405)

Now "Hop" on over to Judy's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the Illuminate, November's SOTM is only available until the end of the month!  Contact your CTMH Consultant or click here to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

Color My Heart - Color Dare Guest Designer

I am so honoured to be asked to be a guest designer over at Color My Heart.  These ladies create amazing artwork each and every week, and schedule permitting, I try to enter as often as I can.

I was given the challenge to create a piece of artwork using Black, White and CTMH Green.  Well, CTMH has many greens, Sweet Leaf, Olive, New England Ivy, Pear, Ponderosa Pine and Topiary.  Which green would I choose?

Well, I decided to keep this a pretty Clean and Simple card.  I started with a Black cardbase measuring 5*7.  Next I ran some White Daisy through my cuttlebug.  I used some more Black to create a mat for my ribbon, and used the Scallop Border Punch to create the scallops on both top and bottom.  I coloured the Color-Ready Seam-Binding Ribbon using the Topiary Alcohol Markers.  Finally I used the Get Well sentiment from Sincere Expressions and stamped it in Topiary Ink.  It is matted on Black cardstock continuing the scalloped border on the mat.

Don't forget to visit Color My Heart to see the Design Team's work, and don't forget to get inky and link up to this challenge.

Peace & Joy Sketch #27

So Tuesday evenings are when I normally finish up my card and get all the posts done.  I'm actually writing this post minutes before it goes live as I was in so much pain and so sleepy after linking up, that I couldn't type.
I ended up rolling my ankle last night when picking my oldest up from girl guides.  After we got home and got the kids in bed,I iced it,(it's not broken, and thank goodness).  Enough of my woes,  here is the sketch for this week, #27:

Here is my card, and I deviated away from the placement of the sentiment once again.....but it really works with this layout.

I used the retired Mistletoe paper and  the stamp set from the Frosted Card WOTG.  I stamped the image in Olive in 1st and 2nd generation.  The sentiment is stamped in Cocoa.  I used the Cranberry Alcohol Marker to colour the ribbon....and this is my finished card.  

Don't forget to visit our Sketch Challenge Blog, Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge, so you can see all the wonderful creations created by our Design Team.  They really do great work.

Washi Tape meets Cupcake Card

I have an episode of Clearly the Best, featuring Monica and Kristine to share with you today.  In this episode you will see how quickly Kristine puts together this cute little card using some Kraft Cardstock and some Washi tape.




Here you will see the 3 pack Washi tape, Party Washi Tape(Z1908), that Kristine used to create this card, she also used the Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape(Z1850) and Slate Poka-Dot Washi Tape(Z1817).

  

Each roll in this 3 pack contains15 yards, and this 3 pack is only available until December 31.  However, these 3 patterns will be returning, in singles in the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book.  But don't wait, you can pick this 3 pack up now for a special purchase price of $14.95.

Polar Bear Christmas Swing Cards

Recently I had seen some cards made by my US adopted sister CardMonkey Jarvis whom I had the pleasure of meeting at CTMH Convention this past summer in Florida.  She had made a swing card using the Polar Bear Holiday Stamp Set, and it got me into the mood to cut some swing cards off the CTMH Artiste cartridge.

I tried 2 different cuts, and used the Frosted paper and the new Holiday paper Sparkle & Shine.

I really think they turned out really sweet.  If you would like to be able to make these cards, you can purchase all the supplies from my website here.

Sketch #26 and a Birthday card for my Nan

Killing 2 birds with one stone this week.  My nan's birthday is coming up next week, actually it falls on Halloween....and if that isn't cool enough, she has s twin sister....

Anyway, I have chosen to make a birthday card using the Frosted paper and I really like how it turned out.

Here is the sketch:

I actually didn't follow my own sketch right to a tee this time......I didn't like the sentiment below the ribbon, so I placed it above and liked how it looked much better.  Here is my finished project.

 I really like the look of Twilight and Crystal Blue with the frosted paper, and blue just happens to be my favourite colour.

Here are a few close-ups of the flowers and ribbons....just so you can see the dimension of the flowers.  

Supplies:

Card Chatter- Birthday (D1475)

You Only Live Once (B1434)

Love This (B1432)

Swirls Around (D1551)

Twilight Ink and Alcohol Marker

Crystal Blue Ink and Alcohol Marker

Buttercup Alcohol Marker
Frosted Paper Packet

Colour Ready Seam Binding Ribbon(Died Twilight using Alcohol Marker)

If you like my creation, why not pop on over to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge and grab some inspiration from our Design Team.

If you want to purchase any of the supplies you seen in this creation, listed above, you can shop on my website here.

I've also entered this card into the Color My Heart Color Dare for this week.

Sparkle & Shine Advent Calendar/Blog Hop

I'm entering this Advent Calendar in the Holiday Gift Guide Blog Hop, you can find my first entry here.


Last year I bought the advent calendar workshop from CTMH.  Life got in the way and I never got around to making it.  I kept promising myself that I would do it and have it ready for this year with plenty of time left.

Well, I did make an advent calendar, but I didn't use the workshop....I used the new Sparkle & Shine Paper(X7176B) and the Magical Days Stamp set(D1552). I used the coordinating colours for my inks, Juniper, Ruby and Slate to stamp my images, and with lots of fussy cutting and foam tape assembled my boxes.

You can see from the above photo that I spent many hours making the boxes, and assembling them. Here you will see some close ups of some boxes.

So finally here is my finished Advent Calendar, I hope you enjoyed seeing the process I went through in the making of my Family Advent Calendar.

If you like my Advent Calendar and would like to make one of your own, please contact me to join my Advent Calendar Workshop, or if you would like to make one on your own, you can purchase the supplies needed from my website.

Here is a list of my supplies to help you shop:

Sparkle & Shine Paper Packet (X7176B)

White Daisy Cardstock 1 sheet needed (1385 24 per package)

Magical Days Stamp set  (D1552)

My Creations Cubby (Z1804)

Artiste Cartridge (Z1790)

Non-stick Micro-tip Scissors (Z1836)

3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)

Juniper Ink (Z2155)

Ruby Ink (Z2170)

Slate Ink (Z2173)

2*2 Block (Y1003)

Spritz Cleaner (1778)

Stamp Scrubber (Z1782)

What Friends are For...

This week Anna-Carin has provided us with an awesome sketch.  I hope you will take the time to join us and play along.  Here is her sketch:

This sketch had me perplexed for a bit, but then a vision popped into my head as I spotted the retired Designer Red Ribbon.

Here is what I came up with:

I started with Sorbet Cardstock, and stamped in Sorbet Ink the little flower from the Words of Comfort Stamp Set (C1524) in a random pattern.  Using the same stamp set and ink, I choose the sentiment and stamped it on a piece of White Daisy Cardstock and matted it on a piece of Chocolate Cardstock.  Then I cut some flowers using the Art Philosophy Cartridge which matches the stamp from the Lucy Workshop Stamp Set.  I stamped the outline in Chocolate Ink, and then the solid image in Sorbet and added some highlight colours in Hollyhock, Cranberry and Ruby using the Alcohol Markers.

I hope you like my card, and take the time to hop over to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Blog to see what the design team has some up with.  Don't forget to leave some love, I enjoy reading your comments.

Mini Holiday From the Heart Blog Hop

Today is the first day that our customers get to view the new Mini Holiday with Heart Gift Guide.  There are some fabulous new items that are only availble until December 31/13.

There is an awesome promotion that CTMH is offering that runs from October 15/13 until December 31/13.  When you have an order reach $100,  you qualify for a FREE Star item(items that are marked with a star in the Gift Guide).  So if you spend $200 you will receive 2 FREE items. 

For my project I decided to make a card using the new paper packet found in the gift guide, Sparkle & Shine (X7176B).  I started with a piece of Slate CS for my mat, and then added a piece of the Ruby Pattern paper.  

Then using the Santa Claus Stamp Set (C1567) I stamped this cute Santa Claus on White Daisy Cardstock in Black Ink and then In Ruby Ink.  I then cut out all of Santa's suit and paper pieced it onto the Santa stamped in Black.  Then using my Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel(Z1313) I added that to Santa's suit.  After I finished Santa, I used 3D foam tape to pop that and the sentiment, which is stamped in Slate Ink and matted on Juniper Cardstock.    The second patterned paper you see, is one I made myself using the border stamp found in this set.  I stamped it in Slate, Juniper and Ruby Ink, then matted it on Juniper Cardstock.

                       

So, if you would like to get your crafty hands on this paper and stamp set, and your own copy of the Mini Holiday Gift Guide you can contact me, if you can't wait to get your own copy of the gift guide, you can find it here.

This blog hop is open for members of the CTMH Blog Boosters. Please do not enter if you are not a member of the group.

October Cross Canada Blog Hop - Base and Bling

Welcome to our October Blog Hop featuring the NEW Base and Bling line. You will see creations from our participants that will include necklaces, rings, bracelets, headbands and so much more.  To purchase any of the items seen in our blog hop today, contact your local consultant to place an order.

We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our viewers....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see. Thank you… now on to our hop! 

If you have just hopped onto my blog, then you've found the first stop on our Cross Canada Hop.

For my project I made the headband (Z1878).  I used the Juniper Vine pattern from the Sparkle & Shine Textiles (Z1884) and the Lagoon Houndstooh Washi Tape (Z1850).  I wrapped the Washi Tape around the headband to cover the band itself.  Then cutting a piece of textile about 2"x 14" I folded the cut edges in and adhered it to a large Adhesive dot (Z1903).  Then beginning to twist the fabric tightly, I wound it into a rosette.  Once I had covered the adhesive dot, I then peeled it off the carrier sheet, and adhered it to a second adhesive dot and placed it on the metal plate on the headband.  You can see how to make the rosette here in this video for the Base and Bling Necklace Kit.

Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is Krista of " Simply Creating Together.  If you get lost along the way, you can head back here, as I have provided a full list of our hoppers.

Here is the complete Blog Hop List:

• Michelle ~My Creations With Michelle   YOU ARE HERE
• Krista ~Simply Creating Together  Next Stop
• Sheri  ~ Sheri's Crafty Classroom
• Brae ~The Brae-er
• Cheryl ~ Scrapbooking with Cheryl
• Brandy ~Canadian Scrappers
• Janet ~ Jan's Works of Heart
• Nancy ~ Nancy Klein

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to get creative using some of the designs, products and techniques seen along the way. Join us again in November when we will be featuring the projects from the new Mini Holiday Gift Guide.  We hope you will join us again on Novmeber 15th.

Love & Joy Cardinal

I'm entering the Color My Heart Color Dare challenge for this week.  The challenge is to use Cranberry and 1 other colour.  I choose Olive, and used the To You and Yours stamp set (B1403) as well as some patterned paper from the retired Pear & Partridge paper line from last season.

I hope you like my card, and will pop on over to check out the other creations on their site.

Sparkles, Shimmer and Snowflakes equals Happy

So, I've been in a Christmas card mode this past week.  Making cards for the markets I'll be working over the upcoming months....I've been using up my Wonderland paper, and since it was sitting out, I decided to make a card using that paper line.

The sketch this week is by one of our design team members, Anna-Carin.  I think it is a fabulous sketch, and was definitely a challenge for me.  Here is Anna's sketch.

Here is what I came up with, I really hope you like it.

Supplies used:

Wonderland paper (retired)

Festive Thoughts Stamp set (retired)

New Fallen Snow Stamp set (retired)

Snowflakes (D1480)

Silver Shimmer Trim(Z1799)

Sparkles Flourishes (Z1708)

Black Ink (Z2105)

Crystal Blue Ink (Z2117)

Twilight Ink (Z2160)

Twilight CS (X5666)

White Dasiy CS (1385)

Don't forget to pop over to the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge to check out the design team's creations, as well as the entries we have so far.  The challenge is open until 11:59 pm Sunday evening AST.

With Sympathy

I've made a sympathy card, and I'm not exactly as happy with it as I was my first card....but my cat got sick on it before I got a photo taken, so back down to the craft room I went last night to create another card. The photo is not the greatest, but I've taken it without natural light.

Here is the sketch:

Here is my card:

I used Black Cardstock for the mats and the main piece.  The main piece was run through my cuttlebug, then then I sanded down the embossed pattern so that the white core would show.  I used For Always as my patterned paper, and used the sentiment from Sincere Expressions(A1146), which I stamped all over in 2nd generation stamping, and then once more in 1st generation.  The flower is For Always textile rolled into a rosette, and I added a wisp of Black Tulle under.

I hope you will take the time to hop on over to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge to see the design teams creations, as they have worked really hard on this sketch