August CTMH Stamp Of The Month Blog Hop!!

Yeah!! Welcome to my contribution to the Close To My Heart August SOTM Blog Hop!! I'm thankful that you've stuck with it this long. This is my FIRST blog hop too, so I hope you enjoy it.



This month we are featuring August's Stamp of the Month which is "It's Your Day", a 26 piece stamp set. If you've just come from Pam's blog, then you're still on the right path. If this is your first stop, you might want to start at the beginning at Jena's blog. If you get lost, I have the list at the bottom of this post.


There are an AMAZING 64 Close To My Heart Consultants participating in this month's SOTM blog hop! All the artwork uses the August SOTM as well as all the other fantastic CTMH products you can get from any of us.....hopefully through me! Ha ha! Remember that the SOTM is only available through the end of August, and you can even earn it for FREE!! Ask me how!



Here we go......

I obviously wanted this card to be fun and bright. You can't really tell to well from the picture, but I used clear embossing power on top of the three cake pieces. I also didn't have any Hydrangea cs for my main sentiment, so I just inked up my circle until I got the desired color.

Stamps I used differently:

1. I used the dotted line from the "for" stamp as a dot border around my main image. This would normally be used as a line to write what the event is for.

2. I used the "birthday list" stamp by inking each saying separately with my marker and using it for the candle stems. This would probably by used as just a check list on a Bday page.

3. I then used the super small "candle" stem stamp multiple times to get the length of candle I needed to include my entire sentiment.

4. Lastly, I used REVERSE side of one of the "candle flame" stamps to create my dotted background.

Materials: All CTMH. "It's Your Day" August SOTM, "Fringed Phrases" ss (main sentiment), "Connections" ss, Whoops-A-Daisy L2pp, Key Lime and White Daisy cs, watermelon, crystal blue, hydrangea, key lime, and black inks, black marker, white daisy ric-rac Coluzzle circle cutter, clear embossing powder, sparkles, window charms, 3D pop dots.

Now hop on over to Shannon's blog to keep the party going!

If you've gotten lost along the way......

Jena DeVries
http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/
Kristie Horness-Herdener
http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Carla Ironside
http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com/
Deb Young
http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/
Alanna Moses
http://www.damoses.blogspot.com/
Paige Dolecki
http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/
Wendy Kessler
http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
Heather Painchaud
http://www.twindragonflydesigns.blogspot.com/
Helen Onulak
http://www.hookedonstamping.com/
Barbra Otten
http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
Haley Dyer
http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Nona Davenport
http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/
Michelle Robinson
http://www.amaizenbluelady.typepad.com/
Cindy Leek
http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/
Melissa Laverty
http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/
Katy Donaldson
http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/
Amy McVey
http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/
Tammy Lea Pinchard
http://www.creativeimpressions-pinchme.blogspot.com/
Leslie Markland
http://pandascrapper.blogspot.com/
Judy Burger
http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
Laurie R Newton
http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
Kami Welter
http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
Tracy Oleksak
http://www.mamaolie.blogspot.com/
Karen Norman
http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/
Chris Shouse
http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/
Cibele Glazer
http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com/
Debra Van Patten
http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
Terrie Dodd
http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/
Jamia Bankhead
http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com/
Anne Beck
http://www.anniemuses.blogspot.com
Jennifer Patrick
http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
Laurie Levnik
http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com/
Lori Miller
http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
Brae Montgomery
http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
Dawn Ross
http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
Dawn Slipcevic
http://dawnscrapsalot.blogspot.com/
Barbara Harris
http://www.paper-creations117.blogspot.com/
Carol Taggio
http://craftycarol55.blogspot.com/
Jill Lucas
http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/
Chris Green
http://www.createwithchris.blogspot.com/
Nancy Ball
http://www.ballisticdesign.blogspot.com/
Dawn Heuft
http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
Kelly Triggs
http://www.stampinallday.blogspot.com/
Beth Naumann
http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com/
Antoinette Herrin
http://www.godblessyourart.blogspot.com/
Jessica Booth
http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
Jen Rubio
http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/
Misty Jackson
http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/
Adeline E. Brill
http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
Lori Leng
http://www.pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com/
Pam Klassen
http://eimmap.blogspot.com/
Pamela OConnor
http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Royal
http://www.craftroyalty.blogspot.com/
Caren Goldsein
http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com/
Shannon Pelletier
http://www.shannonmvt.blogspot.com/
Sherry Thompson
http://www.picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com/
Maricar Harris
http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com/
Traci Godbee
http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/
Laura Dame
http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com/
Miranda Kurz
http://www.scrampinwithmiranda.com/
Leisa Hubley
http://www.bigredscraps.blogspot.com/
Julia Menssen
http://www.ralphandjulia.blogspot.com/
Jan Moxey
http://scrapandstamp4ever.blogspot.com/
Jody Gustafson
http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com/

Wait for it......

Sorry, nothing new to share, BUT.... I am participating in not one, but TWO blog hops tomorrow!

The first one is the Close To My Heart "Stamp of the Month" August bloghop that goes live at 12 midnight tonight (MST).

The second is Club Anya/The Greeting Farm's "Happy ANYAversary" blog hop that goes live tomorrow at 9am (CST).

I can't wait to show you my fun creations I made for both hops. Remember that if you come visit my blog tomorrow to look at BOTH posts! Comments are always welcome! I truly hope you enjoy them and that you continue looking at all the other participant's blog-hop posts. It will be a fun and exciting craft-filled day!

Color Chef Challenge #16

Here's my entry for Kelly Jo's CCC#16. The colors are Moonstruck, Crytal Blue, Grey Wool, and White Daisy. I don't have any Moonstruck paper, so I found this piece of shimmer cs in my stash. I really wanted to use one of my Thickers, so I thought framing the stamped image with one was perfect and it also added the Grey Wool look I needed.

This is another birthday card I can add to Josie's request for a mixed set of Bday cards. She hired me to make 5 so far for her upcoming birthdays. Including this card, it actually makes 6 that I've completed for her. Yippee! Hope whoever gets them loves them!

Materials: All CTMH. White Daisy cs, Caprice L2pp, Moonstruck and Crystal Blue inks, Treasure Life ss, Say it in Style ss, crystal blue organdy ribbon.

Other: Thicker--AC, swiss dot folder--CB, unknown shimmer paper, Stickles.

Mojo Monday #97

This week's Mojo Monday was a little bit of a challenge for me. I knew I wanted to use this flower, but coming up with the right combination took me over an hour. I hate it when I become stalled on a card. I'm not particularly happy with the end result either. Maybe I'll try my luck at making a scrapbook layout with this sketch.

Materials: CS, inks, Say it in Style ss, Playful Flourishes ss, and metal token--CTMH,

unknown DP and flower, Swiss Dot folder--CB, Thicker corner sticker--AC, buttons--Walmart, gem--Michael's, scallop punch--EK

Even though the temperature reached 97 degrees today, my condo stays a lovely 25 degrees cooler. I get about 5 hours of morning sun. So that means that I can still enjoy cooking on my stove. I had some mascarpone cheese to use up and found this recipe by Giada De Laurentis. Orechiette pasta, spicy sausage, cannellini beans, onions, oregano, and the mascarpone. VERY simple to make, and ohh sooo delicious! A little on the heavy side, so I will definitely be making this come fall and winter.

Farm Fresh Friday "Fluttery Floral"

This week's challenge over at The Greeting Farm is "Fluttery Floral". The requirements are to include flowers and butterflies in you creation. Super fun, and super easy! Who doesn't use flowers and butterflies in almost every card? Seriously! Notice that I put Liquid Glass on her shoes to make them look like patent leather. Also, the light highlights in her hair were simply created by coloring them with my pencils, then I used an eraser to erase some of the color away making it look like light shimmering off her hair. So much for fancy Copics huh?!

Another chance to use my Miss Anya stamps. Can't wait for the NEW RELEASE of their "Miss Anya Dressy" collection! Good thing that this is the prize for this weeks winner. Wish me luck!

Materials: All CTMH. Bella L2pp, pansy purple cs, black and desert sand ink, Say it in Style ss, liquid glass, chocolate dot ribbon, sponge.

Other: Miss Anya ss--TGF, MS butterfly punch, EK scallop punch, Crayola colored pencils, pearls--Michael's, hole punch.

Since I had this paper out and cut already, I thought I'd make a second one for my friend Josie. She hired me to make her cards for the year for birthdays of her friends and family. I decided to color Anya with blonde hair this time. I put some Stickles on the edges of the felt flower.

Materials: All CTMH. Bella L2pp, pansy purple and colonial white cs, black and desert sand inks, Fringed Phrases ss, liquid glass, sponge.

Other: Miss Anya ss--TGF, pink felt flower--Heidi Swapp, Crayola colored pencils, misc. button, Stickles, EK scallop punch, hole punch.

I now have an ETSY store!!

Well I finally did it. I've been himming and hawwing over whether to start an Etsy store. After finally getting off my booty and creating a site, I have items up for sale! Don't know why it took me so long; it's such a no-brainer.

So, if you have seen something on my blog that you really would like to have, just e-mail me and I'll post it on my Etsy. I am willing to re-create ones that I've sold (if I have the supplies). Hopefully I'll get some scrapbook layouts on there soon. Until I have an Angel Policy set from The Greeting Farm and Stamping Bella, I will not sell those items made with their products.

If you have your own Etsy store, let me know and I'll add you to my favs. Also, if you check mine out and have any suggestions for this newbie please share!

I'll be playing today, so stay tuned for some more fun creations!

My take on the Double Scrapling set

Remeber last week when I showed you this card using a card LO from Vicki at Wizard's Hangout? Well, remember I shared that the LO also included a very special "bonus"? This is my take on Vicki's double scrapling template which you can find on her blog here. Isn't this the cutest set?! This set includes 8 double scrapling cards with the matching box. She is always thinking up way cool templates. They are super easy to make, and I'll definitely be making more. What a great gift idea! Thanks again Vicki! You're awesome!

Materials: All CTMH. Colonial white cs, Bella L2pp, smokey plum and desert sand ink, Intrinsic Backgrounds ss, colonial white ricrac, holly hock ribbon round, sparkles, sanding kit.

Other: Butterfly punch--MS, circle punches--EK

Color Chef Challenge #15

The color inspiration for Kelly Jo's Color Chef Challenge #15 came from a pretty rad curtain from Anthropologie. We have a store here in the University Village near the University of Washington. I fact, my pal Josie and I were just there on Monday! Lots of fun stuff.

The colors for this challenge are pink, white, and yellow. I recently bought some Thickers for only $2 at Big Lots. Yep $2. Whoo-hoo! I love a deal! I've been waiting for a good project to use them on. I think that I'll use the majority of them on scrapbook pages just because they're so big. This swirl worked great for this card. Didn't really have a bright yellow paper, so I used my Buttercup cs and RS the design in Honey to add more yellowness. There's liquid glass over the stamped flourishes and the white dots to kinda mirror the shine of the Thicker.

Materials: All CTMH. Buttercup and watermelon cs, honey and watermelon ink, buttercup button, white daisy ribbon collection, Fringed Phrases ss, Playful Flourishes ss, liquid glass, edge distresser.

Other: Flower--Prima, Thicker--American Crafts, white Galaxy marker.

Color Me Mojo

Yippee! I love when I can do two challenges in one project! This is my first try at Jeanette Lynton's Color Me Monday challenge. The colors are Cranberry, Sorbet, Creme Brulee, and Desert Sand. The layout is from this weeks Mojo Monday challenge. Love the circle focus!

I still have some random purchased red texture paper to use for the Cranberry since I don't have the actual paper. I random stamped on the Sorbet cs and used my paper piercer around the circle mat. Little butterflies with pearl centers added the little bit of flair it needed.

Materials: All CTMH. Desert sand, sorbet, and white daisy cs, desert sand and sorbet inks, Intrinsic Backgrounds ss, Treasure Life ss, creme brulee ribbon, sanding kit, circle Coluzzle.

Other: Butterfly punch--MS, pearls--Michael's, Swiss Dot folder--Cuttlebug.

My first Farm Fresh Friday challenge!

Now that I have a fair amount of stamps from The Greeting Farm, I can participate in their Farm Fresh Friday challenge. This week's challenge is a sketch from Jessica. It looked like it would be fun. It gave me a reason to use my brand new Basic Grey Lemonade DP and embellies. I also hadn't used my latest Anya stamps either. Yeah! Two new fun things in one!

I chose this particular Anya because lately I feel like I've been spending too much money....."Confessions of a Shopaholic" style shopping. Been spending money I know I shouldn't be spending. Oh well, all in good fun and I totally NEEDED everything I bought. *wink*wink* ;)

Materials: DP and buttons-Basic Grey Lemonade, stamps-"Miss Anya Collection" TGF, CS and ink-CTMH, ribbon-Lil' Davis Designs, colored pencils-Crayola.

Tell your friends, tell your neighbors!!

THIS BLOG CANDY DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED! DRAWING TOMORROW.

It's my Bloggaversary!!! And I'm giving out CANDY!!

I can't believe it's been a whole year already! Wow has it been fun! I've loved all the cool things I've seen on others' blogs and the great new blog friends I've made. I truly hope you have enjoyed my creations over the last 365 days.

And to celebrate? Why BLOG CANDY of course!!.....

The rules for entry of my blog candy:

**FIRST OFF--I'm not going to be one of those who forces you to become a follower. What I'd like is for you to genuinely take a look at my blog, and if you like it I'd LOVE for you to follow.

1. Post a comment here. Only one per person please. I'd like to know what your lastest cool thrifty find was.

2. Post a link on your blog.

**DEADLINE is August 31st. I will use random.org to pick the winner and post the results on September 1st. Good luck!

What you get:

*CTMH Dazziling Die Cuts in Summer Celebration

*Two CTMH Idea Books

*CTMH "Be Yourself" stamp set

* CTMH Pretty Pins

*CTMH Clear Acrylic Shapes

*DCWV "All Dressed Up" ribbon collection

*Studio 18 metal word stickers

*Heidi Swapp journaling spots

*Heidi Swapp chipboard words

*Two Heidi Swapp photo corners

*Heidi Swapp girly index tabs

*Handmade cards by me!

Tell everyone you know! I want to spread the love! For those that stop by often and leave comments, thank you for your continued support. If you're new to my blog, welcome. Enjoy what you see and come back because there will be loads more of my creations to see and get inspired from!

A treat from Vicki

I received this beautiful card in the mail the other day from Vicki at Wizard's Hangout. It was one I bought from her and included was the card layout instructions along with an AWESOME bonus. For more info on that, click here.

I took Vicki's card layout and ran with it today. I liked the versatility of using it vertically or horizontally. I really needed to add to my more masculine cards. I was also able to finish off some more scraps! I'm lovin' using up all those extras! You can obviously tell I tried to use it all up by the paper pieced card. Hopefully the one who gets that one won't notice....or is half blind! Lol!

Materials: dp and ribbon--unknown, chipboard buttons--Clorbok ($1 bin @ Michaels), cs and ink and sentiment--CTMH.

Color Chef Challenge #14

GOING TO SEE HARRY POTTER TONIGHT!!

Fun colors for this weeks Color Chef Challenge over at Kelly Jo's Stamp Pad. Brown, Turquoise and Orange. I've had this crazy paisley ribbon for a while and this was just the reason to use it. I was also able to use up some more of my scraps. Paired perfectly with the paisley CB folder and an old MM flexi label I've had ...... for a while, and viola! A birthday card for my dear friend Jann.

Materials: CS and ink-CTMH, dp--unknown, ribbon--$1 bin at Target, flexi label--Making Memories, skittles--Robin's Nest, dimensional foam.

Use that Scrap!!

After yesterday's card, I really wanted to use up the last of the scrap pieces I still had. (which after finding some of the matching tags, that I used here, are KI brand not Chatterbox) Here are all the things I made using them. I was going to work on my Color Chef Challenge, but seeing the few pieces of scrap still on my table was bugging me. Don't really like the Jolee's flowers on the third one now, but oh well. Hope these inspire others to use up their scraps. So, without further ado.....

GOING TO SEE HARRY POTTER TOMORROW!!!

Materials: Stamps, cs, inks, markers, ribbon, hemp, button, brad, liquid glass, paper piercer--CTMH, dp and tags--KI Memories and DCWV, punches--EK, fern punch--MS, skittles--Robin's Nest, red flowers--Jolee's, green dot ribbon--unknown, staples.

Mojo Monday #95

It's Monday and that means it's Mojo time! I can't believe that I'm actually posting this on a Monday. Small miracles. ;)

This card uses the sketch from this week's Mojo Monday sketch and is inspired by the colors from this card by Sparkle. I think it's funny that I used a Ketto too. I love orange and I think the Ketto stamps just scream bright colors, and I was able to use more of my scraps. Yeah! You can't tell, but the yellow strip is shimmer paper. It's yet another image that Nona let me ink. They're just sooo fun! Thanks again Nona!

Materials: Stamp--Stamping Bella, dp--Chatterbox (I think) along with other misc. scraps, Crayola colored pencils, ribbon, brad, Stickles, tag charm--Doodlebug Designs, cs and sparkles--CTMH, punches--EK.

Mojo Monday #94

Gotta get back in the groove of challenges! Here's my Mojo Monday 94 entrance for this week. All the paper is from my scrap stash. I love using it up! This stamp is super cute. It's one of Nona's that she kindly let me ink up. The image is colored with my Crayolas again. Even did the grey shadow technique that others use with their Copics. Still not in my budget yet.

Hope you all have a great week and weekend! I'm going to go see Coldplay with some friends at the Gorge in George!! Yippee!!

Materials: dp-unknown scrap, stamp-Stampin Bella, Crayola color pencils, punches-EK. Window charm, solid cs, ink and ribbon-CTMH

I'm baaaack!!!

Yippee!! I finally had some time to play!

Last night I went over to Nona's and made these too cute cards using her Rockstar Anya. This will definitely be on my next TGF purchase. I also was able to try using Copics for the first time. I have been very apprehensive of using these since I knew I'd probably like them a lot (which I do) and because they're so dang expensive (which is a prob right now). But aren't these Anyas just so stinkin' cute?! Loved it so much I made 3 pink and 3 purple. Hee hee!

The pink theme Anya is my first attempt at the copics and my misunderstanding of the "blending" pen. Oops! The purple theme Anya is towards the end of the night when I got a little bit more comfy with them. I didn't want to put a sentiment on this one yet. I always seem to need a card for something specific and all my cards say the wrong thing. How do I have so many "thank you" and "just because" cards?

Going camping this weekend after work tomorrow, so I'll be back to crafting the first part of next week. Bro goes back to TN on Tuesday. :( It's been a blast while he's been home and it feels like he never left in the first place.

Yada-yada....I'm rambling. Sorry. Hope you all have a fun and safe Independence Day!!

Materials: Anya stamp-TGF, You Rock ss-CTMH, dp-MAMBI, cs and inks-CTMH, bazzil, copics, stickles, gems.