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

Christmas in September - Creations by AR Blog Hop

Yes, it's only September. Yes, we just got our kids sent back to school (hooray!). And I think now is a great time to look ahead and start planning for Christmas!

A quick peek at all three new files. Read on for details on each!

Adela is back with three fabulous cutting files for Christmas and Winter, and as usual, you could win the file of your choice just by hopping along with us.  Three random commenters will be chosen from the designers' blogs and the AR Facebook Page to win one of the three new files. Be sure to leave a comment on all of the blogs (listed at the bottom of this post) and the Facebook page for your best chance to win!  Comments will be accepted until Friday, Sept 12, 12:00 noon Eastern. Winners will be announced September 13 on the AR Facebook page and the AR website.

Now, who's ready to check out the new designs? I should mention that these are each for sale individually, as well as a money-saving Winter Bundle.  Let's start with the super cute Gingerbread Gift Bag:

This sweet gift bag is super easy to put together. You'll need two sheets of cardstock for the bag base, and mostly scraps for everything else.  For my bag, I used the heart design cardstock from CTMH's Paper Fundamentals Basic Assortment. I used the side with the ink resist pattern as my outside, and sponged it with darker ink to play up the pattern more. (You can see in the photo, the other side has the same design in white.)  I used white glitter cardstock from American Crafts for my snowy accents, a scrap of Graphic 45 for the wreath, and plain cardstock for everything else.  I glazed the round part of all of my lollipops with Liquid Glass to make them nice and shiny like the real thing. I added details on my "people" with a Uniball Signo white gel pen.

Now let's check out the super sweet set of Starry Trees:

These are even easier to put together than the gift bag! And you have two options: a plain design that looks great with busier patterned paper, and a cutout design that is perfect for cardstock or a simple pattern.  You'll need a piece of cardstock for each inner base (I used brown for my plain trees, and yellow for the cutout one), but you can get two of the covers on one sheet. I used Graphic 45 papers for my trees, so I didn't even bother with embellishments other than the banners that come in the file.

I think these would make great place favors for a dinner or party, and you could write each person's name on the banners. Or, if you have a more informal buffet-type gathering like my family, just use the included words or stamp them all with "Merry Christmas"!

Finally, let's take a closer look at this fun Stack a Snowman:

This fun little guy takes a little more effort, but still easy enough to whip up quickly.  I used textured cardstock for his body and patterned papers from CTMH's Snowhaven paper pack for his other parts.  I wanted to used a light blue patterned piece for the center box, but I only have the consultant sampler on hand which wasn't large enough so I let him white. (Guess what's going on my next order?!)

He's easy to embellish with a little ribbon and some adhesive gems and a pearl. I used brads for his coal buttons and mini brads for him eyes and mouth. I drew on his carrot nose with a Copic marker.

As a reminder, all of Adela's files come with a PDF version as well, for those of you cutting by hand. All three of these should cut by hand easily.

Now, don't forget to visit all the participating blogs and leave a comment for your chance to win:

Adela

Julia

Doris

Lori (YOU ARE HERE)

Lyn

Lisa E

Monica

Patti J

Tina

Lisa S

Sue K

I Love You To the Moon and Back

Today's card is a great use of scraps from various paper lines.  I submitted this for the May issue of Create magazine (it's on page 232) using their card sketch for the month.  When I saw the sketch, I instantly thought of one of the stamps in this month's stamp of the month, that says "I Love You To the Moon and Back".

Using the circle as a moon, I used paper from the Babycakes paper pack, and added layers of Lagoon cardstock and silver Glitter Paper from the Black & Grey pack. The background paper is the constellation pattern from the Timberline paper pack.  I added random assorted star embellishments, including buttons, chipboard, brads, washi tape, and paper scraps with the Epiphany Crafts star shape tool.

Remember, any $50 purchase gets you the stamp of the month for only $5. Here are all of the images included in this months stamp set:

Also, there are just a few days left for our National Scrapbooking Month promotion. That same $50 purchase also makes you eligible to purchase our Free To Be Me paper pack for only $5! It includes vellum, foil, UV-coated cardstock, and these great trendy patterns:

I have to tell you, I love these papers so much I had to place a second order this month so I could get a second pack! Be sure to come back here tomorrow to see more with these fun papers.

Luck of the Irish Blog Hop

Are you looking for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Well, you’re in luck at this blog hop! We’ve got great projects from very creative designers today! So if you started at Janet's Creative World, then you’re in the right place. If not, please make sure you stop at all the blogs and leave a comment. Janet is giving away a Close To My Heart Cloud Nine Cardmaking kit valued at $45.00. (See a picture at the end of my post or on Janet's blog.) How’s that for blog candy?!

And now, on to my project:

Now while this may look like a card (and does happen to be 5"x7" size), this is NOT A CARD - it's a decor item!  I like that it goes flat for storage because I have enough holiday stuff taking up storage space as it is!

I started by creating the main background panel. I cut white cardstock to 4.75"x6.75" and random stamped the entire piece.  I used the Multi Step Shamrocks & Clover stamp set from Kitchen Sink Stamps with Exclusive Inks stamp pads in Sweet Leaf, Topiary, and Ponderosa Pine from Close To My Heart.  After stamping, I used a Sponge Dauber and the Sweet Leaf ink to edge the entire piece. I then adhered it to a piece of Topiary cardstock and trimmed it to a 1/8" border all around using the new Perfect Layers Mini and an X-acto knife on the Perfect Cutting Mat.

Next, I cut this white center panel to 3"x4" and stamped my sentiment in Topiary ink. The sentiment is a discontinued stamp from River City Rubber Works called May the Road Rise. If you can't find a similar stamp, you could always print the saying from your computer.  I again used the Sponge Dauber with Sweet Leaf ink along all of the edges. Using Liquid Glass, I adhered this panel to a scrap of Tan Glitter Paper from Close To My Heart (looks gold to me!). Once dry, I again used the Perfect Layers Mini to mat it at 3/16" on all sides. I then adhered that to a scrap of Ponderosa Pine cardstock and trimmed that at 1/16" on all sides. I adhered this entire piece to the main panel, centering it side to side and about the same distance from the top.

The next step was to create an easel so my piece would stand easily.  I cut this using the Fancy Frames cartridge with my Cricut, set at 6.5".  I still trimmed a tiny bit from one side, as it cut slightly wider than my piece and I did not want to make the backing any shorter. I adhered it to the back of my piece with adhesive on the top and both sides only.

Finally, I got to the fun part: adding all the "stuff"! First I made a double bow with a Bow Easy tool.  I adhered a length of ribbon across the front of the card using Scor Tape, and adhered the bow to the ribbon with a Glue Dot. Next, I pulled out my Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tool Heart 25 and Bubble Caps.  I created a shamrock shape by making 3 hearts from a scrap of paper from the Jubilee paper pack from Close To My Heart. I adhered that slightly behind the bow, using 3-D foam tape to pop it up.  Then I pulled out a big pile of small paper and plastic flowers from my stash of neutral colored flat flowers and assembled these using some mini and small green brads from my stash. I adhered them all around the shamrock and bow using some more Glue Dots. Finally, I stuck in a few Making Memories stick pins in green and I was done!

I really love the way this project turned out, and I hope you do too! I'm also linking this project up to the "Feeling Lucky" challenge over at Heart 2 Heart Challenges - be sure to check it out.

Now do an Irish jig over to Alicia's blog and see what she has in store for us - I can't wait to see!

Here’s the line-up should you get distracted by other Leprechaun trying to trick you! Thanks for joining us today and be sure to wear green March 17th so you don’t get pinched!!

Line-up

Janet Royer- http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/

Denise Soffa - http://www.craftconfectionery.com/

Beth~http://thecraftyscrapyard.blogspot.com/

Jessica http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com

Gina http://californiascrappin-gcinderella21.blogspot.com/

Deb-http://debspaperpalooza.blogspot.com/

Lucy ~ http://love2createitall.com

Lori ~ http://scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/

Lori - http://savingmine.blogspot.com/

Alicia http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com

Sarah ~ www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com

Debbie ~ http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com

Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com/

Tricia - http://mysticalcardcreations.blogspot.com/

Kathy - http://kathyand3kids.blogspot.com

Don't forget to visit and comment on ALL the blogs for a chance to win this great prize from Janet. Now there’s some gold you’ll want to have a chance on!

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.

Harvest Pumpkins - Creations by AR October Release Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the October New Release blog hop for Creations by AR! This month we have an adorable Harvest Pumpkin Set that contains files for both a card and a pumpkin shaped box. You can win your very own copy of these files by following the rules later in my post.

I was going to make a grouping of pumpkin boxes, including trying one in a larger size, to have them as a centerpiece on the table. I thought they would make a great place to keep little treats under wraps and be a pretty tablescape at the same time! However, I had some difficulty with my Silhouette Studio software, so I reverted to using Make The Cut with my Cricut and just made one for now. I hope to find time to figure everything out and make more later this week!

Here's the one that I did make, and I LOVE it!!

 

(Pardon the linty look of my background. I'm in the process of moving my craft room and some things are getting messy!)

I used the Glitter Paper from Close To My Heart because it's my favorite right now. It combines the nice bold color of the American Crafts glitter cardstock, but with a thinner weight, making it MUCH easier to work with without it creasing where you don't want it to. Not quite as smooth as the the Pow! glitter paper from AC, but the colors of that are more muted than I like.

I just love the details that Adela included in this file. The leaves are a great shape, and that vine is the perfect finishing touch!

I creased the leaves down the center and curled the sides back with the back end of the same quilling tool I used to roll up the stem. I sponged on some coordinating ink with a sponge dauber to add more depth and dimension.

If you'd like to try to win your own copy of the Harvest Pumpkin Set, here's what you need to do:
• 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 Oct 20 (12:00 noon EST)
One random winner will be announced Oct 21:
AR FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Creations-by-AR/154314751303824
AR PCP Group: http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/creationsbyar
AR Blog:  http://cbyar.blogspot.com

So, if you're ready to check out all of the other awesome inspiration from the Design Team, here's where you need to go:

Adela:  http://cbyar.blogspot.com/2013/10/october-release-harvest-pumpkin-set.html

Jak: http://www.jakheath.com/2013/10/new-release-blog-hop-creations-by.html

Julia: http://createwithjulia.blogspot.com/2013/10/creations-by-ar-october-release.html

Lisa: http://www.lisasomerville.com/2013/10/creations-by-ar-october-release-hop.html

Lori: <<<<<>>>>>

Lyn:  http://www.lynspaperpetunia.com/2013/10/creations-by-ar-new-release-hop.html

Patti J: http://cherisheachpreciousday.blogspot.com/2013/10/creations-by-ar-harvest-pumpkin.html

Sue K: http://suesstampingstuff.blogspot.com/2013/10/creations-by-ar-blog-hop-harvest.html

Thanks so much for stopping by and checking us out! Be sure to come back later to see more of these fabulous pumpkin boxes.