Ring In the New Year!

Hello and welcome to another fun blog hop! Today I'm ringing in the new year with a great group of crafters - the entire lineup is posted below, so be sure to visit everyone for some inspiration.

If you've been here before, you may know that I mostly scrapbook in two-page layouts, which sometimes leaves me struggling for leading and end pages for each year's album. So this hop inspired me to plan ahead for a change, and I made this layout for New Year's Eve before I even took the pictures.

I went with a simple layout, using a sketch pattern from Make It From Your Heart Vol. 2 from Close To My Heart. The three spaces will each hold a 3x3 photo. I used that size so I can add more than 3 photos if I need to using some Flip Flaps

I cut the champagne flutes from vellum using the Cricut Artistry cartridge, and the champagne is cut from the same pattern paper I used for the photo mats. I added a gold puffy sticker for the "clink".

For my title, I used a coordinating sticker from the kit for Celebrate. Then I cut New Year's Eve with Artistry, again using that same pattern paper to tie everything together.

I cut a journaling card from one of the sheets in the kit and rounded the top corners so it would match the chipboard phrase I wanted to use. I adhered it right at the bottom edge of the page to ground it, then added the chipboard and a gold puffy sticker.

Thanks so much for checking out my project! If you're interested in any of the products I used, I have a photo shopping list at the bottom of the post linking to my website. But be sure to continue the hop and visit all of these inspiring blogs today!

1. Lisa ~ http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com
2. Kim ~ http://katydidcards.com
3. Holli~ http://Sunflowerholli.blogspot.com
4. Miranda ~ www.nanasscrapspot.com
5. Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
6. Barbara-http://barbarab3.blogspot.com
7. Lori - http://savingmine.blogspot.com/  <<<<>>>>
8. Lisa F ~ http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com
9. Sarah ~ www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com
10. Rhonda ~ http://craftingwithblue.blogspot.com


Products used in this project:

Charlotte Paper Pack

Charlotte Complements

Treasured Puffies

Artistry Cricut Cartridge Collection

Beloved Bouquet Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to our first blog hop of 2016! If you've arrived here from Maureen O'Sullivan's Something To Scrap About blog, or if you're just starting out, you're in the right place.

This month's gorgeous stamp of the month set is Beloved Bouquet, a set of 14 image and phrase stamps. Now, I know a couple of the phrases are Valentine-y, but don't limit yourself because of that. Here's what I did:

Click on the pic to make it bigger!

I combined this stamp set with items from the La Vie En Rose collection - perfect for a more formal look for my concert pictures. I added kraft pieces and plastic die-cuts from the Complements pack, some gold foil tape, and a few white Enamel Gems from the Grey pack. I used a sketch pattern from Make It From Your Heart Volume 1 to create my layout.

You may notice that my flowers do not look flat like you might expect from a stamped image. I have an easy technique I use to give flowers dimension, so I thought I would share it with you.

 Start with a cut out image and the foam pad that comes in the stamp set.

Place the image face down on the foam pad.

Use an embossing tool to rub in a circular motion over the image, starting large and moving in to the center. Start with a lighter touch and gradually add pressure to create a domed shape, being careful not to press so hard that you tear the cardstock.

A completed flower! Adhere them to your project using 3-D Foam Tape to keep the shape.

Thanks for checking out my project! If you'd like to shop, the photo list below contains links that open in a new window so you don't lose your place in the hop. When you're ready to move along, we'll hop over to Jen Rubio's blog to see her inspiration for us this month. 

January Stamp of the Month

La Vie En Rose Paper Pack

La Vie En Rose Complements

Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors

Piercing & Embossing Tool Kit

3-D Foam Tape

Gold Foil Tape

Grey Enamel Gems

Make It From Your Heart Vol. 1

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