Candlelight Garden - December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Hello, and welcome to the December stamp of the month blog hop! This month's stamp set is Candlelight Garden, 10 stamps just made for sharing. If you've arrived here from Lela Norris' blog, or if you're just starting out, you're in the right place. Just continue hopping along until you end up back where you started.

This stamp set totally lends itself to coloring. Since I finally got a set of our watercolors I decided to do two simple cards, and compare the differences between my tried-and-true alcohol markers and the watercolors.

It's strange, but I actually colored both images before I even thought about paper colors. I just used colors I thought I would see in nature, and Kaleidoscope papers look great!  The image on the left is colored with alcohol markers. (I used Copics, but you will get similar results with our Shin Han Twin Touch markers.) The image on the right was colored with watercolors on watercolor paper.

With the alcohol markers, you get a crisp, clean look to the image. The color goes exactly where you want it. (You have to ignore the brightness of the orange flower; I just don't have much to choose from in that color range.)

The watercolors give a much more "casual" look to your colors, especially if you work them very wet. They are a very value priced coloring option, and can achieve a wide range of values. A heat embossing gun makes quick work of drying the paints, but adding more water makes them workable again.

If you're ready to shop for the items I used, I have a picture list below. The links open in a new window so you don't lose your place in the hop. If you're ready to move along, let's head over to Brenda Lapp's blog and see what she created this month.

Supplies used in these projects:

December Stamp of the Month

Kaleidoscope paper pack

Mini Pigment Pads, Whimsy & Basics

Watercolor painting supplies

Shin Han Markers

Christmas Shadow Box

I've been seeing lots of neat shadow box ideas online lately, and I decided I wanted something just a little more. And I wanted to be able to use the same frame for multiple holidays, even though I'm starting with Christmas.

I love the way this turned out, and I can't wait to work on the next one. Here's what I used to make it:

• Hinged decor frame from Close To My Heart (Cyber Week special 25% off starting Monday 11/30 at 9AM Mountain - also available in black)
• Clear Scraps 12x12 sheet (30% off with code THANKFUL30 through 12/05)
• Cut file from Silhouette Design Store (currently on sale for $.50)
• Indoor vinyl in red & green (Expressions Vinyl is having a 20% off sale with code
  
  CYBERMONDAY2015)
• sheet of 12x12 scrapbook paper for the back of the shadowbox
• 16mm jingle bells
• 24"x36" DCWV Gold Glitzy Glitter Cardstock Sheet
  
  Note: Because the opening is the same size as the clear scraps sheet, I created a "mat" with the gold glitter sheet. Another option if you can't find something like this would be posterboard which you could cover with glitter tape or washi tape.
  
  
  

Cheers! To You

I really wish I had been able to play with the stamp of the month more this month! I did jump on in and create a New Year's layout with Cheers, 2016! as well as papers from the White Pines paper pack.

What I really love about both of these items is how versatile they are. Most of the stamps in this set are useful for things other than New Year's, and I don't think you can tell that these papers are from a "Christmas" set.

I love the fun fonts used in the stamp images (that 2016 is going to get all kinds of use this year!), and the little adhesive hearts add the perfect touch.

I love how combining a Cricut font in a larger size makes the stamps great for page titles too. The gold embossing powder (plus a little glitter paper) adds just the right amount of bling, whether my pictures ends up from a full-on party or the more likely quiet night at home.

If you're interested in the stamp of the month, it's only available until November 30, so be sure to order right away - remember, the price drops to $5 with any $50 purchase!

Hooray! It's National Cat Day - and a Blog Hop!

Welcome to the National Cat Day Blog Hop! If you came from Sarah's Blog you are in right spot. But you want to start the fun at Haidee's Blog if you happened to start out here.

I am excited to have you hop with us! Each blogger participating in this hop is featuring a crafty project having to do with "Cat". You'll find unique ideas that have to do with Cat. We hope you'll enjoy each and every project along the way.

Be sure to leave a comment at each hop to show some Bloggie Love and to qualify to win a Prize.

Now on to my project...
 

Need a gift idea for that cat lover in your life? (Or want something a little special for yourself?) These mugs are SO easy, and sure to be unique.  Here's what you need to make these:

• plain mug(s) in your choice of color - I bought these at Dollar Tree
• Contact paper for a stencil
• Non-toxic paint pen (or Sharpie marker, especially if you use white mugs)
• Cricut cartridge with your favorite cat image - I used CTMH Artistry

There are just a few steps to make these, and they are super quick! First, choose your Cricut image and decide on size. I cut my cat at 2.5".  Cut from Contact paper using the settings you use for vinyl, but with less pressure so you don't cut through the backing paper.  Peel off your cat and position it on your mug as desired. Next, use your paint pen or marker around your image as desired to create the negative image.  Because my paint pen had a brush nib type tip, I chose to show these two options - the left uses a flicking motion out from the center and the right uses a splotchy dot effect. I colored the heart cutout solidly on both.

When you're done with your image, carefully peel off the contact paper. I used the pointed hook Cricut tool to carefully peel it up while my paint was still wet.  After drying, follow the curing directions for your paint/marker to make it permanent. (Mine baked at 325 degrees for 30 minute.) Remember that these should now be hand washed, even if the original mugs are dishwasher safe!

Your next blog stop is Nana's Scrap Spot.

Here is a list of the line up, just in case you get lost:
Haidee- http://created2bunique.blogspot.com
Kim - http://katydidcards.com
Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
Sarah- http://www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com

Lori- http://savingmine.blogspot.com
Nana- http://www.nanasscrapspot.com
Gina - http://www.californiascrappin.com
Jearise - http://www.lorbysworld.blogspot.com
Barbara-http://barbarab3.blogspot.com/
Lisa - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com

Come back to Haidee's (http://created2bunique.blogspot.com/) Blog Friday October 30th to see IF you are the WINNER.

HAVE A SUPER FANTASTIC HOP!!!

Christmas Love - October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to October's stamp of the month blog hop! I know it's not even Halloween, but we all know that it's never too early to start crafting for Christmas. If you've arrived here from Angela White's blog, or if you're just starting out, you're in the right place. Just hop along to all the blogs until you make your way back to where you started.

This month's stamp set, Twinkle, has 15 stamps ready to help you create Christmas projects - and even some non-Christmas projects. I chose to focus on Christmas, and paired it up with White Pines paper for a 2-page layout.

I used a sketch from Make It From Your Heart volume 1 for this layout.  I'm determined to get some family pictures taken this year, so I'm planning ahead with this simple, cozy looking layout.

I added some layered Cricut cuts to my stamped title for a little extra impact. I added 3-D Foam tape between the red & blue layers for added dimension, and some Red Enamel Hearts to reinforce the theme.

In the opposite corner, I added some ornaments using the stamp image, popping one up with 3-D Foam Tape, more Red Enamel Hearts, and a stamped circle I will use for some brief journaling. I used tone-on-tone stamping here to keep the color light enough that I can write over it if I need to.

Here you can see the strips of pattern paper up close - I inked the edges of everything for a more finished look. I also added another small cluster of hearts to complete a visual triangle of design elements.

If you're ready to shop, I have a clickable list below. Links open in a new window so you can remain right here in the hop and not lose your place. When you're ready to move on, be sure to leave me a comment then let's head over to Tammy Lubick's blog and see what she made for us this month.

Supplies used in this project:

October Stamp of the Month

White Pines Paper Packet

Red Enamel Hearts

3-D Foam Tape

Sponge Daubers

Stamp Pads in Cranberry, Fern, Glacier, Chocolate, and Champagne

Cricut Artiste collection

Hello, Life - National Stamping Month

Happy National Stamping Month! We're here today with a special blog hop to share three different stamp sets available for this month only. If you've arrived here from Nikka Geers'  blog, or if you're just starting out, you're in the right place, so let's get started.

I really wanted to show the versatility of these stamp sets. So, even though the three Hello, Life stamp sets are each labeled for cardmaking, pocket scrapbooking, and scrapbooking, they can be used together on all of those items.

Using a single sheet of white cardstock (plus some scraps for Cricut Artistry cuts) and stamp pads from the Adventure family and Black, I made some seasonal pocket scrapbooking cards. You could also use these on traditional scrapbook pages, or change the words on some and they would be great additions to card fronts.

6 x 4

3 x 4

These were my Spring cards. The first could really be anytime, but the rainbow of colors reminds me of Spring.  I used second generation stamping on all of the colored parts of all of my cards, for an even greater contrast with the crisp black stamping. I used Hollyhock, Sunset, Honey, Pear, Lagoon, Pacifica, and Gypsy.

4 x 6

4 x 3

My Summer cards are inspired by Independence Day. The stamp sets only had the word "friend", but since there was also "thanks", I separated the s because I am likely to combine "thank" and "you".  I used Cranberry, Honey, and Pacifica inks.

6 x 4

3 x 4

For my Autumn cards, I was inspired by the Autumn leaves. I used Cranberry, Sunset, Honey, and Topiary for my favorite season.

4 x 6

4 x 3

For my Winter cards, I thought of crisp snowy days, and New Year's Eve. I love the color combo of Pear, Lagoon, and Gypsy for Winter.

Here is what is included in each $13.95 stamp set:

Pocket Scrapbooking

Card Making

Scrapbooking

Now, if the photos of the stamp sets alone don't convince you that you need all three (of course at a reduced rate of $34.95), here is a list of all the words included, as well as some of the phrases you can make with them!

& autumn birthday day family friend good happy hello hey life(x2) love(x2) memories oh, our(x2) spring story summer sunshine thank(s) this(x2) times today us welcome winter you

• happy birthday
• good times
• our family
• our story
• welcome friends
• welcome (season)
• hello (season)
• hello friend
• oh, happy day
• hello sunshine
• sunshine day
• love you
• love you friend
• happy memories
• thank you
• thanks
• oh, hey
• love life
• love today
• life story
• this day
• (season) day
• love this
• family & friends
• love & life
• AND MORE...

See the potential now? What a fabulous group of stamps for $34.95! I am looking forward to pairing them with even more of my stamp sets to come up with more phrases for all of my projects. Be sure to leave me a comment - especially if you have a clever phrase I missed - then let's move along to Chris Robertson's blog and see what she has up her sleeve this time.

Paper Garden - September Stamp Of The Month

Hello and welcome to this month's stamp of the month blog hop! I am super excited to share my project with you this month, and practically all you need to make it is cardstock and ink.

First, a little housekeeping: if you've arrived here from Michelle's Handmade World  blog, or if you're just starting out, you're in the right place. Just keep hopping along until you end up back where you started!  This month's stamp set has 10 floral images, perfect for everything from sympathy to celebrations. You can get yours for only $5 with any $50 purchase this month.

I decided to make a two-page layout for this month's project, and I must say that I am in love with the results:

I used colors perfect for a country Fall, and I'm really looking forward to getting some pictures taken for this layout.  I designed this from scratch, so I thought I'd share my process with you. I started by choosing colors, which can be a challenge when you don't have specific pictures in mind. Since the first thing I thought of with these stamps was a country evening, I decided to use Sapphire for the night sky and Ruby for a red barn. I added Fern for the darkening evening's grass, and Safflower for a harvest moon.

One of my favorite things is a big circle crossing both pages of a layout, and strips across the pages to ground everything. I embossed the Ruby strips with the Woodgrain embossing folder, and I stamped the flower silhouette stamps on the Fern strips.  I added a few well-placed stems on the Sapphire base pages, and I random stamped the Safflower circle with individual images from the set.  I added a Peacock banner strip and a thin banner strip of the lightest Brown & Tan Glitter Paper.

Next I cut out several photo mats, and played around with the arrangement until I found what I liked. I ended up covering more of the circle than I planned, but I liked this layout the best.

I cut several flowers and leaves using the coordinating Artiste Cricut cartridge, and also decided to cut some of the leaves from more of the Glitter Paper.

 I added some natural looking dimension to the flowers and stamped leaves by rolling an embossing stylus around the center, then each petal.

I embossed a couple of the leaves from the back side so they curled the other way. I added some 3-D Foam Tape under those, to keep their shape in the protectors.

For the flower centers, I used Durables Artisan Studs for the large flowers, and the Bling Gems Gold Assortment for the smaller flowers.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to make your own layout now?  If you need to shop, a clickable photo list is below. Links open in a new tab so you can continue the hop from here without getting lost.  When you're done here, let's head over to Jacquelin Green's Paper Goodness blog to check out her project this month. I can't wait to see it!

Products used in this project:

September SOTM

Enchantment CS Combo (or individual colors)

Stamp Pads in coordinating colors

Stamping Blocks

Woodgrain Embossing Folder

Artiste Cricut cartridge

Brown & Tan Glitter Paper

Piercing & Embossing Tool Kit

Bling Gems Gold Assortment

Durables Artisan Studs

3-D Foam Tape