Rescued Layout with Special Care - SOTM Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to another fabulous (I'm sure) stamp of the month blog hop! If you've arrived here from Sheila Bennett's blog, or if you are just starting out, you are in the right place. When you're done here, we'll head over to Wendy Coffman's Stamping Rules blog. And if you get lost anywhere along the way, just check this list for the next stop! Our stamp set this month is Special Care, a set of  6 large stamps with all sorts of applications - even one for mailing special packages, lol.

I have a bit of a sad story to go along with my post today.  At some point, one of my kids took a drink into the family room and set it on the sofa table. The same table where most of our scrapbooks live on the lower shelf.  I think we all know what happened next, but unfortunately, I did not know about it for quite some time.  By the time I discovered what had happened, I had about half a dozen layouts with mold growing on them. I know, big frowny face, right?  This is one of the examples right here:

This was a 2-page layout and the other page was not affected. But, since I no longer have anything remotely resembling the paper, stickers, etc., I recreated the whole thing.  Since the pictures were all fine, I just removed them from this layout to use them in the new one. The only thing I was really sad about was all the time it took me to create the background pattern on 2 pages - those "bubbles" are Mrs. Grossman's vellum stickers, you guys! (I know, I am totally dating myself...) BUT, enough crying over spilled whatever.

Here is the long-awaited NEW take on these pictures:

Just click to make it bigger!

Well, my style hasn't changed much has it? I totally "cheat" with sketches All. The. Time. now! This one is from Make It from Your Heart volume 2, and I just switched it up a bit for my pictures. There is no current paper line that matched all of the colors I wanted, so I really mixed things up.

• The tone-on-tone background is from the former Dream Pop promotion (I do have a couple of these packs left if you're interested, or Lagoon CS would be close.)
• The yellow pattern is from Babycakes
• The pinkish-purple pattern is from Laughing Lola
• And the darker blue is Pacifica CS

Now, some details for you:

 This grouping uses the stamp of the month, Small Sparkles Flourishes, the Babycakes Assortment, a Blue Epoxy Bubble, button from my stash, Baker's Twine Paradise Assortment, and Party Washi Tape. I cut out the stamped image and popped it up using foam tape.

This grouping uses all of the same items listed above, with a different image from the stamp of the month. (I can totally see stamping this on some of my mail!) This image, and 2 others, coordinate with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge for a little time savings.

More of the same embellishments for the title area.  I cut the title using a phrase from the Create A Critter Cricut cartridge.

So, that's all for today. I'd love for you to leave me a comment, then let's hop on over to Wendy's Stamping Rules blog and see what she created to inspire us this month!

Design Team Day with Amber

Yes, it's time for another Design Team Day! Today, Amber has two projects for us, both using Huntington papers along with some older stamps. Another great example of mixing new and old products together with beautiful results!

 (And have I mentioned how much I love the stitching that Amber always seems to incorporate in her projects?!) Let's head over to her Sew-Ink blog and see her projects in her entirety. Remember, if Amber inspires you to shop with me, be sure to click on the link that says "Amber from Sew-Ink sent me!"

Design Team Day with Lisa

Hello and welcome to another Design Team Day! Today Lisa has a beautiful looking project for us, using Huntington papers.

Let's head over to Lisa's My Creative Endeavors blog to see the whole thing! And remember, if Lisa inspires you to go shopping with me, be sure to click on the link that says "Lisa's My Creative Endeavors sent me!"

Design Team Day with Mandie

Hello and welcome to another Design Team Day! Today Mandie from Mandie's Scrappin' is sharing a card using the Happy Autumn stamp set and a variety of papers.

Head on over to Mandie's Scrappin' to see the entire project! And remember, if Mandie inspires you to shop with me, be sure to click on the link that says "Mandie's Scrappin' invited me!"

Design Team Day with Amber

Welcome to another Design Team Day! Today Amber has a layout for us using Laughing Lola. Here's a sneak peek:

Head on over to Amber's blog to see the entire project. And remember, if she inspires you to go shopping be sure to click the link telling me that "Amber fro Sew-Ink sent me!"

Creations by AR November Release Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the blog hop for November's new releases from Creations by AR. This month we have two great new project files for you, and they both come with a free gift until November 30!

First up, a lovely Stuffed Stocking, and the bonus Holiday Wreath.

 

I used the bonus Holiday Wreath file to decorate the stocking, monogramming it with a stamp from CTMH and adding holly berries with Stickles. I conveniently used my initial, and informed my hubby that he could use this box for a little something for me!

Here's another view:

Since the main part of the box has square corners, it's super easy to put together! I used my trusty Liquid Glass to adhere all of the seams on this project, and I used a Quickie Glue Pen to adhere the wreath. It will look great in any of your favorite papers. I used Fa La La papers from Making Memories that I still had in my stash.

Look, here's a cute little "secret bonus section" - a second box in the toe of the stocking.

Next up, this awesome Pop Up Frosty card with wrap envelope and bonus Snowflake Set.

Isn't that cute?! Another project that's super easy to put together - just follow the directions in the included PDF file.

The file includes circle cuts for the eyes and buttons, but if you're a bit all-thumbs like me, some black brads are the perfect substitute! I used some silver glitter paper for the trim on his hat - I love how it sparkles!

Surprise! It has a built in slot to hold a gift card or a picture. Handy if you're like my family and we finally pass out school portraits at Christmas time!

I decorated the outside of the card to match the inside, using the same pattern paper and some silver glitter tape. I cut all of the snowflakes in the file at 3/4" from white adhesive vinyl.  I find that smaller sizes cut super cleanly and easily from the vinyl, and they are easier to adhere than cardstock.

I love this awesome wrap envelope! Frosty's chin tucks right in behind his scarf to close it. I made a green base to give it a more Christmas-y feel, but it would look awesome with a blue base as well. I used black brads again to make his eyes.

So, how much do you want these project files?! You might even be lucky enough to get one of them (plus its bonus file) for free!  This month we will have two winners: the first for the Stuffed Stocking and Holiday Wreath files, and the second for the Pop Up Frosty and Snowflake Set files. And how do you enter to win? Just like this:
• Leave comments on each blog
• AR FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Creations-by-AR/154314751303824
• AR PCP Group: http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/creationsbyar

Comments accepted until Nov 17 (12:00 noon EST)
Two random winners will be announced Nov 18 on the AR Blog:  http://cbyar.blogspot.com

Make sure you stop by ALL of the clogs in this hop. Here's the list:

• Adela
• Jak
• Julia
• Lisa
• Lori ---------YOU ARE HERE!!!-----------
• Lyn
• Patti J
• Sue

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed my take on these great projects.

Sharpen Your Skills With Challenges

I love to work with challenges! They always give me new ideas, and many times get me using things together that I would not have thought of.  Combining 2-3 challenges helps me stretch my skills even further and gets me thinking outside the box. This morning, I finished just such a project and I am so pleased with the results!

I really loved this week's Mojo Monday sketch, and I am hoping to find time to use it multiple times this week for some different types of cards. Then I saw the current Color Dare challenge to use black & white with green and I knew my first project would be a birthday card for my green loving hubby. His birthday is next month & now I am all done ahead of time - yay me!  Here's the example sketch from Mojo Monday:

The black & white of the challenge made me instantly think of the For Always paper pack. The pattern is more subtle than the picture shows; I had to sharpen it up a it to get the green to look better.

Of course a party needs glitter, and these sparkly balloons from the Artiste Cricut cartridge were just what I wanted.  I used the Green Glitter Paper from CTMH, and the black is Glitter Cardstock from American Crafts. Cutting both materials really made me appreciate the CTMH product even more, and I will be ordering the Black & Gray pack the next time I place an order! It cut so smoothly, in a single pass, where I had to use multi-cut with the chipboard then ink the sides to cover the gray chipboard. And better than the Pow! option from AC, the colors of the green glitter papers are nice and bright. Since this is a heavier material, I adhered the balloons with my trusty Liquid Glass so they will stay put.

I stamped on the tag with a Hostess Exclusive* stamp set, The Party Is On, in Black and Topiary ink. I used Black Distress Ink on the edges of the tag (and on the sides of the black balloon, and the edges of the background paper), and finished it off with a Baker's Twine bow.

The wide green ribbon on my card is from my stash - it was part of packaging on something we bought. Keep your eyes open when you are buying things like blankets, pajamas, and more, especially at Christmas time!

*Hostess Exclusive stamp sets are sets that can be bought at a reduced price using Hostess Rewards. You don't have to host an actual gathering at your home to get Hostess Rewards; you can use the EZinvite system like an online "book party", or contact me to place an individual qualifying order that earns Rewards. You can see all of the Hostess Exclusive stamp sets in the online catalog located here.