CTMH: January Stamp-of-the-Month Blog Hop

I'm back!  I feel like it's been a while since I participated in the SOTM Blog Hop and I was so excited to work with this month's set, Cross-Stitch Wishes.  Here's what it looks like:

If you arrived from Katy's blog, you're on the right track.  If you're starting here at my blog then just keep clicking to each blog until you get back here.

Here is the project I created:

I had fun with this layout.  It goes back to my days in university and theatre and tells the story of how I got into cross stitching as a hobby.  I still do it today, working while snuggled on the couch watching TV.  Back then I stitched while house managing different shows at Redeemer University College.  My roommate, Amy, taught me and I haven't ever really stopped.

I used a full page from the Dream Pop promotion pack.  I just laid out my photos in a way I liked, attached them and then stamped the arrows and title.  I used my embroidery floss, DMC #3813 matching the Juniper on the page, to stitch one of the arrows and the heart.  Here are some close ups:

I also used our Stitch Guide to stitch a circle around Amy and I in the cast and crew photo of the play during which Amy taught me. A tip for those who might want to do this sort of treatement with this set.  Use your piercer to poke holes where you will stitch before you try to run the needle and floss through.  It really makes things easier!

Then I just added some Aqua Dots and I was finished!  I love this layout.  I've challenged myself to scrapbook some of my university stories as well as others from highschool and younger.  This is the first of many, I hope.

Now, it's time to hop on over to my friend Alyson's blog.  I'm sure she'll knock your socks off with her talent. 

Happy Creating!

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #36: Thank You

Hello everyone!  Welcome to another Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  What a wonderful week I've had, celebrating Christmas with family and enjoying my kids being home all day!  That hasn't left me much time for crafting, but I got some in yesterday.  :)

Here's the sketch:

And here is my 5"x5" card:

I decided to go back to a past promotion, Dream Pop, and use up some of the fabulous patterned paper and embossed cardstock.  I love the bright colours, especially when everything is white outside.  I also used some Glitter Paper on the base.  The grey satin ribbon is from Michaels and it's tied with some Black waxy flax.  Here's a close up of the Cricut-cut sentiment and the layers.  

It was a pretty quick card, once I decided on the papers.  No stamping on this cutie!

Now, get creating and be sure to link your card here.  You may be chosen for the top three!  And, we're looking for some more design team members, so be sure to follow the instructions if you'd like to be considered.

Happy Creating!

Atlantic Hearts Sketch #34: Let There Be Peace

I have to apologize for not posting on my blog in TWO weeks!  When life gets crazy and something has to give, it's usually my blog.  :(
Anyway, I'm here again with another fabulous Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  It's a super simple one, with lots of flexibility.  Here's the sketch:

I love that the sentiment is front and centre.  Here's my take on it:

I'm right in the midst of making Christmas cards to mail and hand out.  Yup, right down to the wire.  I used the Sparkle and Shine paper, Ruby Shimmer Trim and cardstock, Pink Glitter Gems, and Sparkle and Shine Complements Dimensional Elements for the main piece.  

Now it's your turn.  Create something, could be a card or a layout (or any kind of crafting) using the sketch and link it up at Atlantic Hearts.

Happy Creating!

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #32: Happy Birthday!

Welcome to another sketch challenge at Atlantic Hearts!  This week's sketch is so incredibly verstile.  I couldn't wait to play with it.  Here it is:

Can you just imagine the possibilities with this one?  Here's my take on it:

This is one of the cards for my upcoming Cricut Birthday Cards workshop.  Want to see more?  Like my Facebook page for more information.  It'll be posted soon.

Here's what I used for this card: 

Artbooking and Art Philosophy Cricut Collections

Whisper, Slate, White Daisy, Juniper, Honey, and Sunset cardstock

Black Mini-Medley

3-D Foam Tape

Now, get creating and make sure to link up to Atlantic Hearts.  You may be chosen top three!

Happy Creating!

CTMH Stamp-of-the-Month Blog Hop: Special Care

Welcome to another SOTM Blog Hop.  If you arrived here from Teresa's blog, you're in the right place.  If you're starting here, just keep hopping until you get back to my blog.

This is the stamp set for December.

These are the perfect images to go with photos of your kids or use them as tags for a special gift.  Unfortunately, I've been knocked down by a nasty cold for over a week and haven't had the time or energy to create anything with this stamp set.  It makes me sad to let you down in this way.  Sorry about that.  But I can share what the Close To My Heart art department created with this set.

They do such an amazing job and are so creative!  I hope I'll be back to creating very soon.  In the meantime, hop on over to Gina's blog to see what she has created.  

Don't forget that this stamp set is only available for the month of December, so be sure to contact me or your own CTMH consultant to put it on your order.

Happy Creating!

Creative Christmas Cards with Sparkle and Shine: Brae-er Team Blog Hop

Welcome to our November Team Brae-er Blog Hop that focuses on "Holidays" in anticipation of the Christmas holiday. (My first time to participate and I'm super excited!)  You will see creations from our team that may include stamp sets, patterned paper, inks, embellishments and more from the Close To My Heart Autumn Idea book and new mini Holiday Guide. To purchase any of the items seen in our blog hop today, kindly contact your local consultant to place an order.
We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we really love feedback from our blog 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, you can start here as this is a circular hop, but if you want to follow our team's blogs, then please start at the beginning at Brae's blog.  If you came from Michelle's blog then you are in the right place!

I have a card club that meets every month and this month we made some beautiful Christmas cards using the Sparkle & Shine Workshop on the Go kit, as well as Black, Whisper, Ruby and a bit of Honey ink.

This one was inspired by Katy Taylor.  You can check out her original here.

This tree card was designed by Diana Veenendaal.  I only made a few changes.  She's also got a fabulous tutorial on how to create the tree.  Check it out here.

And this last one was inspired by Wendy Coffman.  You can check out her original here.

It was a good challenge for me to use only the items in the WOTG to complete these five cards, and a lot of fun.  Interested in making 5 cards each month, from a set group of products?  Click here to find out more.

Your next stop on the Team Brae-er Hop is Crafty Carol.

If you get lost along the way, you can head to Brae's blog.  She has the complete blog list.

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 December when we will be featuring ideas to make for Valentines/family day etc.

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #30: Happy Anniversary

I'm back for another Atlantic Hearts Challenge!  I missed my turn last time because we were out of the country, and I'm happy to be designing again.  This week's sketch is definitely a challenge.  It suggests a different size and shape of card than I usually work with, but I was up for the challenge.  In fact, I was on a bit of a deadline to create for this challenge and the inspiration just came to me!  Love it when that happens.

Here is this week's sketch:

I went with a 3 1/2x 7" card.  Here is what I created:

The lines in the middle are just embossed with my score board and bone folder.  The flourishes in the corner are stamped with Whisper ink, in second generation and the sentiment in first generation, both directly on the card base.  The flourishes are from the set Instant Memories and the sentiment from Party Pennants.  I think both are retired.  I am drawn to the "smattering" of bling look, so I separated the 3 sparkles instead of keeping them together.  Here's a close up of the embossing:

Now, it's your turn to create with this week's sketch.  Link it up here and make sure to mention that I sent you. :)

Happy Creating!