Layered Flowers Blog Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop! This month there are 12 of us highlighting the “Layered Flowers” Technique as shown on page 7 in the Spring/Summer 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 TIFFANY'S Blog, you are on the right track! This technique is highlighted with the Sophia paper packet in the Idea Book but you will find variations for its’ use through this hop. If you would like to see details on the technique or my supply list, please continue reading below. If not, please continue onto Amy'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! Supply List: Frienship Blessings Stamp Set (D1191) For Every Occassion Stamp Set (D1187) Sweetheart Level 2 MyReflections Kit (X7134B) Black Brads (Z1366) Cotton Candy Ink (Z2193) Tulip Ink (Z2166) Black Ink (Z2105) Sanding Kit (Z1294) Embossing Tool (Z608) Paper Piercer (Z1114) The Steps to Layered Flowers are: Stamp base image in one color and outline in another (if applicable to stamp selected). Repeat on another piece of cardstock. Trim first image around all outer images. Trim second image, cutting out portions of the flower (to create the layered effect). Curl ends of petals on second image and adhere on top of first image. Layer mixtures of stamped accent and embellishments to finish. Here you can see a visual demonstration of this technique:

April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - BLESSED

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring April's SOTM, which is Blessed, a set of 12 stamps. If you have come here from Kami'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 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 used the CTMH Level 2 Sweetheart paper pack to create this interactive slide card. You will notice that the Hollyhock bird has a black outline that was created using the 2-step outline stamping technique and was embossed using Black embossing powder.

After the slide has been pulled, the hidden flower bud was also created using the 2-step outline stamp, and the leaves were colored using the CTMH colored pencils.

Now "Hop" on over to Georgia'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 SOTM is only available until April 30th! Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

Contrast Embossing - Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to this group’s first attempt at a Technique Blog Hop! This month there are 11 of us highlighting the “Contrast Embossing” Technique as shown on page 31 in the Spring/Summer 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! You will find variations for this technique's use through this hop.

This 6x6 card was made using the Originals pattern "Background Bar" (pg 75). The larger heart was stamped at the "background" using Cotton Candy ink, and the smaller heart was stamped using Versamark and embossed with Baby Pink powder. This element was then cut out, leaving a small border of white, and then "popped" with foam tape to the center of the Tulip cardstock mat.

If you would like to see details on the technique or my supply list, please continue reading below. If not, please continue onto Heather'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!

Supply List:

Sweetheart MyReflections Level 2 Paper Pack (X7134B)

Black Bigger Brads (Metal Assortment Z1366)

Black Ribbon (Black Mini Medley Z1393)

Black Ink (Z2105)

Pink Assortment Buttons (Z1370)

Cotton Candy Ink (Z2193)

Versamark Ink (Z891)

Craft Heater (Z555)

Baby Pink Embossing Powder (Z648)

3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)

Love Language Stamp Set (D1343)

The steps to Contrast Embossing are:

1. Stamp background image on project.
2. Stamp additional images in Versamark ink. Sprinkle with contrasting color of embossing powder.
3. Tap off excess powder. Set with craft heater.

Here you can see a visual demonstration of this technique.

Thanks for stopping by! Continue onto Heather's Blog to continue the hop!

Creative Corner - Easter Banner

Happy Spring!

I love sitting as I work with my doors and windows open. The breeze is refreshing and I love to hear the sounds of birds chirping and singing. I feel inspired!

Lately, I have been hooked on the Sophia paper and also the MyCreations banner from CTMH. Hope you enjoy this new one I adapted from the Wings Workshop-on-the-Go. I added a couple of additions and created 3 special paper flowers. (Thanks to my good friends Debi and Fran for teaching a flower workshop at a team meeting...I am finally getting around to making some!)

Take a look and let me know what you think...more importantly...ENJOY a fresh new start - Spring is in the air!

Join me at Stamp Class this month, and create one of these ADORABLE banners.

March Stamp of the Month - Sensational Season

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! This month, we are featuring the March SOTM, Sensational Seasons, which is a set of 10 adorable stamps.






If you have come here from Debra's Blog, you are on the right path! The hop is one big circle, so you can start here and work your way around. If you get lost along the way, you can find a complete list of all participating consultants HERE.





There are several consultant's participating and showcasing some WONDERFUL artwork using the SOTM and CTMH product. This is simple to do, just click on the link at the end of each blog, and you will move to the next blog. Ready?! Here we go...

This standard size card was created using the new CTMH MyReflections Level 2 paper pack Sophia. It was embellished using the new pink buttons, with scissor distressing and inking the edges of the white cardstock, plus using the CTMH chalks to color the sweet bunny rabbit. The rabbit was adhered using 3-D foam tape giving a raised appearance.

Now, hop on over to Haley's blog! Be sure to visit all the consultant's websites to get some great crafting and fun ideas. Remember, the SOTM is only available until the end of March - don't miss your chance to add this cute stamp set to your collection. Visit your consultant's website, or visit HERE, to see how you can received this stamp set at a discount, or even for FREE.

Creative Corner

Good Morning Friends!

How are you today? Hope you are enjoying the good life and finding thankfulness in the little things of daily life. That is something I am challenging my heart to do each day - find the daily things that bring love and blessing to my life. I don't want to take if for granted.

Here's some creative inspiration for you today. I love this little box, and it offers so much in such a small space. On each side, there is room for two 3x3 greeting cards and envelope, then in the middle there are three YUMMY chocolate nuggets. It is all covered with a page protector that has been converted into a plastic slide cover, and then wrapped cutely with coordinating ribbon.

On this set, I used the Wings paper from the current CTMH catalog and filled it with simple Thinking of You cards. Such a WONDERFUL gift! I am giving mine to a friend that has helped me to co-teach a class this semester at our homeschool co-op.

Gather a few friends together for an evening or afternoon of fun, and I would be happy to come to you and teach this sweet project.

Hope you all have a blessed weekend - enjoy the small pleasures of life!

Creative Corner - YIKES!

* PLEASE know that you will have to turn your head sideways to see the pictures. :0) I uploaded and deleted and rotated pictures a hundred times, and EVERYTIME they came out sideways...not sure what happened...SORRY! :0)

Hello Friends!

It has been such a crazy couple of weeks - busy with school, church, and so much more. I was eating lunch with the kids this afternoon, and it hit me...it's been TWO weeks since I posted a Creative Corner!

So....let's correct that problem. Do you need some inspiration?

Here's a cute mini book I made recently. Let me share a little something about the book...

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Marcia called and wanted to ask a favor. She knows that I am always looking for some kind of community service to involve my kids in, so she told me a story about sweet young 5 year old girl named Oceana. Oceana was recently placed in the hospital where she has been diagnosed with cancer, for the SECOND time. The story moved my heart with compassion, and when Marcia asked if we could make a couple of Valentine cards for her - I couldn't help but say "YES!".

That started the creative process...we made Valentine cards, crocheted, a hat, blanket and bag, and picked out some yummy chocolate. The final touch to the goodies was this mini 6x6 album. I immediately went to my leftover Hooligans paper, it matched the purple and green that we used for her hat, blanket and bag. Such FUN colors! We made the book to be an ABC book of Oceana's favorite things. She can add a picture and journal about the item.

Hope you like it and feel inspired to not only be creative, but also to serve someone in your part of the world. Can I ask one other favor? When you kneel down to pray at night, please offer up a special petition for a sweet young girl named Oceana.

Happy Scrappin'...I will be back on Thursday to post another Creative Corner...hopefully, the pictures will be straight! :0)