October Mini Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop highlighting this month's stamp set, Holiday Magic.  We are thrilled to showcase some fun uses for this gorgeous stamp set!

Below you will find a list of the participating Consultants involved in this hop.  Feel free to move freely through the hop or follow the links and make one big circle.

1.  Melissa Robinson - http://mlisrobinson.blogspot.com/
2.  Sheila Wilkerson - http://ezscrapbooks.blogspot.com/
3.  Neely Dean - http://neelydean.blogspot.com/
4.  Kim McConnell - http://kimsnewcreations.blogspot.com/
5.  Judy Faye Garner - http://judyfaye.blogspot.com/
6.  Michelle Battitori - http://michelleshandmadeworld.blogspot.com/
7.  Etta Langford - http://ettalangford.blogspot.com/
8.  Tawnya Payton - http://paytonsprettypaper.blogspot.com/
9.  Cherri Hardcastle - http://craftwithfeeling.blogspot.com/
10. Tonya Whitehurst - http://heartandsoulscrappers.blogspot.com/
11. Lisa Lawson - http://somescrapstuff.blogspot.com/
12. Lorus - http://becauseofourchildren.blogspot.com/
13. Missy Kosena - http://scrappingplace.blogspot.com/

If you have arrived here from Missy's Blog, you are on the right track!  So... let's get started!

Of course this stamp set screams Christmas!  I love the cute and various images contained in this stamp set and look forward to creating additional projects with it.

My favorite image is of course, the stocking!  The different "tops" you can put on it are adorable and stamp so nicely!

I used the Elemental paper packet to highlight this stamp set.  It is specifically designed to be Christmas, but I think it works with these colors - Cranberry and Pacifica - and others contained in this paper packet (Olive and Sorbet or any combination of these colors).  I used our exclusive CTMH Cricut Cartridge to cut out the tag.  Gotta love how easy that makes for cutting out images!  

Supply List:  X7141B Elemental Level 2 Paper Packet, Z1103 Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon, Z1361 Red Brad Assortment, Inks:  Olive, Pacifica, Cranberry.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by.  I have seen some gorgeous artwork using this stamp set so be sure to make your way around the hop.  I would appreciate a comment or two, if you so feel led.  :0)  It's always fun to see what people think about what I create.

Now hop on over to Sheila's Blog where you will find another inspirational use of this stamp set!

Happy hoppin'!

Typeset Layouts

I wasn't really sure of this paper packet initially, even being an Educator.  I think my mind went directly to the assumption I needed to have school age kids in order to use it.  :0)  I have since changed my mind.

A couple of weeks ago I held a workshop and taught these two layouts incorporating the Typeset paper packet, coordinating embellishments and the Typeset Complements Canvas shapes (aka Stickease).  We had a great time creating them and I am looking forward to putting some photos on them this week.

My husband and I both have earned our Masters degrees over the last 5 years but have no pictures to commemorate our achievements or the hard work it took us to earn them.  I told him we are going to dress up one day and take some photos, for this achievement. 

I hope you are enjoying a fabulous week!  Happy Friday eve!  :0)

Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop! This month there are 14 of us highlighting the "Multicolor Motifs” Technique as shown on page 110 in the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book! This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique. If you would like to start from the beginning, please visit this link. While there, you will also find a listing of all participants and their blog addresses if you should get lost or want to reference a blog along the way. Let’s get started!

If you are coming from Kelly's Blog, you are on the right track!

I made this card using one of our Consultant-exclusive stamp sets which we can use for prizes and little goodies at our events.  I love this adorable stamp set - it is so versatile - and really allows for this technique.

The "Just a little somethin'" focal point on this card is one stamp set.  But...using this technique, I was able to color in different parts of this image using three different ink colors.  Here is a close-up.

Isn't it cool?  I inked the "Just a little somethin'" message in Chocolate ink, the heart in Pacifica, and the swirls in Sky.  What a fabulous technique to use so they all stand out separately!  I incorporated the gorgeous new paper packet, "Dreamin'"

Thanks for stopping by! Please continue onto Rebecca's Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique! Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation and happy hopping!
 

Lovin' Roxy

One of our gorgeous new paper packs is called "Roxy".  It has some beautiful color combinations that I would have never considered.  (Gotta love when Close To My Heart designs beautiful paper packets that are out of the ordinary!)

I have had the pleasure of creating these cute cards (at least I think they are cute) using the new paper pack and some of our other newest products.

I hope you enjoy them!  Have a wonderful Wednesday!
 

Elementals Notepad & Matching Pen

I love making little inexpensive but CUTE gifts for people!  This decorated notepad and matching pen were made for one of my recent hostesses, Amanda!  (Hi, Amanda!)

Using a mini spiral notepad, I removed the coiling, lined up my new piece of B&T with the original front and repunched the holes.  I then reinserted the coiling and started decorating!

I used the adorable Hooray Bouquet stamp set, Lagoon and Pacifica ink pads, and a fuzzy brad out of the Mini Medley Sunset Collection.

I hope you're enjoying this short work week! 

Birthday Celebration with my Friends

My birthday was in mid-August and the time has flown by since then.  (I'm sure heading back to work helped push the time along.)  :0)  I was blessed to have enjoyed a yummy dinner, in great company, with several of my team members and other scrappin' friends.  We gathered at Red Robin for dessert and laughter on August 18th.

Amanda & Bertha

Teddi & Kimberly

Allison & Lily

Me, Xellina & Kristi

I was given this adorable card, made by Xellina, and signed by all the ladies in the pictures above.  It is in honor of Ricky the Raccoon who inhabited our patio during the cold winter months.  (I actually came close to one just over a month ago.  He was by my car in the parking lot when I went out to get something.  I figured they would be trying to stay cool in this warm weather.)  Isn't he cute?! 

I also received a WONDERFUL GIFT - that I am not going to share with you (lol).  It was thoughtful and unexpected and something much appreciated.  I still haven't used it.  I am saving it for something special.

There is not many things that are more important to me than my friends.  I love spending time with them. 

MUCH THANKS TO AMANDA, XELLINA, BERTHA, KRISTI, TEDDI, KIMBERLY, ALLISON AND LILY FOR HELPING ME CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY AND FOR GIVING ME SUCH A THOUGHTFUL GIFT.  I APPRECIATE IT AND AM THANKFUL TO KNOW EACH OF YOU. 

Big hugs!

September Stamp of the Month MINI Blog Hop

I love sharing artwork and providing inspiration with my Close To My Heart friends/Consultants.  I am blessed over the years to have met many women who share the same love for this company, the products we represent and this craft.

This month I am happy to be joined by eight Consultants who are sharing their artwork using the September Stamp of the Month, "Limited Edition", which has 21 images.  You can get this promotional stamp set during this month only for just $5 with a $50 purchase!  What a buy!

This hop is one big circle.  Just click and follow the links or feel free to refer back here.  Here is a list of the Consultants and their blog addresses:

1. Melissa Robinson - http://mlisrobinson.blogspot.com/
2. Michelle Battitori - http://michelleshandmadeworld.blogspot.com/
3. Neely Dean - http://neelydean.blogspot.com/
4. Cherri Hardcastle - http://craftwithfeeling.blogspot.com/
5. Lorus - http://becauseofourchildren.blogspot.com/
6. Sheila Wilkerson - http://ezscrapbooks.blogspot.com/
7. Lisa Lawson - http://somescrapstuff.blogspot.com/
8. Tawnya Patton - http://paytonsprettypaper.blogspot.com/
9. Marianne Hancock - http://thescrapbookchick.blogspot.com/

If you have arrived here from Marianne's blog, you are on the right track!   It's time to begin/continue hopping! 

Initially I was not sure what I wanted to create with this set, being that it's a little more limited in the images, but then I thought...oooooh...CRICUT...  How awesome is it that I can so easily incorporate our NEW Cricut Art Philosophy catridge, exclusive to us?! 

  

 I cut the main template out as well as the decorate circles for the flaps, the Christmas tree, the tag (to stamp on) and the CUTE flower (poinsettia-like) for the inside of the card! It was so easy to assemble! While I created this first item with a Christmas-theme in mind - to nicely include a gift card inside - out of the Elemental paper packet, I am anxious to try out and experiment with other possibilities.
 
Thanks for stopping by.  Please visit Michelle's blog to see what cute creation she has designed with this stamp set!

As an incentive for providing some feedback and your ideas for other "uses" for this "box template"...simply provide a suggestion in the comment section below.  I will randomly draw a name based on the order the comment was submitted and announce the winner and the goodies they can look forward to receiving from me next week.

Happy hoppin'!