Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

Time for another Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

You should be arriving from April's Blog!  If not, this hop is actually one big circle, so just keep on hopping.  You can find the entire line-up of Close to My Heart Consultants participating this month on Melinda's Blog.

I hope you are ready for some serious inspiration!

The September 2014 SOTM, Family is Forever, has an awesome tree image that perfectly fills a standard size A2 card front.  I combined it with a teeny, tiny stamp from the National Stamping Month #30yearsofhappy My Acrylix (also from Close to My Heart) to make a lovely little note for my sweetie.  ;)

I used a little technique that is super easy in order to get both the Cocoa and New England Ivy Inks onto my stamp.  First, I completely inked the main center trunk and branches using the Cocoa Exclusive Ink Pad.  Then I used a sponge wedge to dab off the brown ink on most of the leaves.  Finally, I inked up around the leaves with my New England Ivy Exclusive Ink Pad.  I really like the gradual transition in colors it produced.  Also, the time it took to add the second ink gave the solid trunk a bit of a worn texture as the ink separated...love it!

Now, I didn't want to cut out the little hearts from my stamp--YET.  There is no doubt in my mind that I will now, though.  ;)  That is one of the benefits of Close to My Heart's clear acrylic stamps--you can always alter them with our Micro-Tip Scissors! 

Anyhow, this time, I decided to add some pops of red with the Grey and Black Epoxy Bubbles. 

No, I haven't lost my mind--YET!  ;)  I simply colored the lightest color bubbles with my Carmine ShinHan Alcohol Marker! 

On the base of the tree, someone left a little sign from #30yearsofhappy stamped in Desert Sand Ink...

...certainly nicer than carving initials in the tree!  ;)

That is all I have for you today, and I have to run and stick this note in my hubby's lunchbox, so hop on over to Terry Ann's Blog to see some more inspiring artwork!  Thanks for stopping by!

Get Yours HERE!

Damask Divas Scaredy Cat Blog Hop!

Welcome to my blog!  It is finally time for the next Damask Divas Blog Hop, and we are planning ahead for Halloween with the NEW Scaredy Cat Paper Packet from Close to My Heart, so come on in and enjoy the treats, but hopefully not any tricks!  (This Blog Hop officially begins on September 1st, so the links will be good to go then.)

You should have arrived from Kelly's Blog.  If not, just keep on hopping since this hop runs in a circle.  In case you get lost, the entire line up can be found over on the Damask Divas Blog.

My project is one that I have been wanting to do for quite a while now, but keeps getting put on hold when Halloween disappears so quickly.  Since we are showcasing this great Halloween themed paper a month ahead of time for you, I was able to get a huge jump on things this year!

These spooky cricut cuts are found on the Artbooking Cartridge exclusively available from Close to My Heart.  I love how easy it was to line the back of the haunted house with the orange pattern...

This adorable little fellow is found on the Frightfully Fun My Acrylix.  I just stamped him in Black Exclusive Ink and trimmed him out.

Notice that sparkle?  The NEW Purple Glitter Paper is perfect with Scaredy Cat!  This adorable quote is found in one of the pattern papers, and it happened to go PERFECTLY with my theme, so I just trimmed it out.  (Yep, that little candy corn was already there!)

The wonderful new White Enamel Stars are great on so many projects! 

If you happen to be a bit of a perfectionist (like me!) then just trim out the stars while they are on the clear backing and arrange them how you like before attaching them permanently.  That way you can get them all just right the first time!  ;)

I am so glad you are hopping with us today.  Now head off to Michele's Blog to see what she cooked up.  Have a great time soaking in the inspiration!  :)

Get yours HERE!

Check it out on my website HERE!

Alcohol Markers Are Some Kind of Wonderful!

Alright, raise your hands if you have played with Alcohol Markers.  Any kind/brand/whatever...have you tried any?  Close to My Heart was able to partner with ShinHan to make their Touch Twin Alcohol Markers available to you in the NEW Annual Inspirations Idea Book, and I just adore coloring again! 

Well, that isn't all...they also brought back some completely amazing embossing powders by Ranger that are super fine to say the least.  ;)

I played around with these over the past few days and love what happened with this 3x3 notecard that features the Scaredy Cat Paper Packet!

This butterfly image is one of several found on the NEW Your Own Kind of Wonderful My Acrylix from Close to My Heart.  I stamped it in Versamark Ink and used the Ranger White Embossing powder to set the image.  Then it was time for some FUN...trying out some different color combos with the ShinHan Markers.  I used the Marigold and Golden Yellow for this guy.

The tiny little sentiment stamped in Black is from the adorable size M stamp, Timely Tidings, and that shiny bit of AWESOME is Gold Shimmer Trim, of course! 

REMEMBER!!!  Just one more day to pick up this super-cute Stamp of the Month from my website!

AND if you haven't had a chance to try out the Picture My Life Kits, you really need to take advantage of this fantastic offer before August is over!  :)

Washi Wednesday--Where's the Washi?

Welcome, welcome!  I have a GREAT little double page layout for you today, so come on in! 

If you are here for the first time, you picked the PERFECT day to drop in.  If you came from Katy's Blog, YOU are sooooo welcome here!  My fellow blogger and CTMH consultant friend nominated me for a very special Creative Blogger Blog Hop (read more about it on her blog.)  Katy, can you feel my hugs!?  Ooops, not so tight?  ;)

The idea for this one popped RIGHT into my inbox, believe it or not!  The link to this blog post over on Doodlebug Designs was JUST what I needed for a two page layout class coming up...I showed my Facebook followers just a sneak peek last week, so here is the entire thing!

BUT!!!  I sure didn't use washi, lol!  I used one of my most FAVORITE new products in the Annual Inspirations Idea Book from Close to My Heart--the Paper Fundamentals in both Whimsy and Basic Assortments.  The paper comes in a range of colors in each pack with a super pattern on one side and an embossed shiny pattern on the other...

I paired them up with the Confetti Wishes Complements and Silver Sequins for a super birthday layout!

I think the little strips of paper look just like a bunch of candles...

I will be teaching this layout and all the little tricks and tips at Scrappin' with Grace on September 27th.  Message me for more details at mimimyselfandi@outlook.com!  :)

Tag, You're It, Tuesday!

Welcome back to my blog! 

I wanted to share this easy-peasy tag we put together at Close to My Heart convention this year.  The very talented Lisa Stenz showed off the gorgeous Pathfinding Paper Packet, and this was her make and take activity for us. 

We were able to have a sneak peek of the Lifetime of Happiness My Acrylix stamps, which I really love as a builder set.  We used Glacier, Flaxen, and Cocoa Inks. I am ready for an Autumn color palette, how about you?

Of course, the GOLD Shimmer Trim accent ALONE makes this one shine!

The Pathfinding Papers are just right to partner with this month's adorable Stamp of the Month,What A Hoot!  They are used in the following layout created by the amazing CTMH designers!

Here is a super-cute treat bag made with the Scaredy Cat Paper Packet...

And a set of seasonal cards I made with this versatile set...(read more HERE.)

 This is the last week to order it, so don't wait!

Get it HERE!

Makeover Monday: My Repurposed Die Cut Organization System

Welcome back to my blog!  It is Makeover Monday, and I am here to admit that I am NOT terribly organized in EVERY way usually, lol.

But, I AM totally patting myself on the back for this super idea to re-purpose my old Creative Memories sticker binder to use as my die cutting storage.  I think I see some glitter paper that snuck into my pic, lol!  Go figure!

The plastic sleeves were just the right size for the various sizes of dies that I have...

I was even able to use the studio sticker strip protectors, I guess I just got tired of editing the pics since I can't seem to find them!  ;)

This binder makes it super easy to flip through the dies to see what I have to choose from.  This is WAY easier than my old method of thumbing through them while standing up in a divided tray!  Can you believe I was trying to sell this entire binder when I thought of the idea?  Not anymore, that is for sure.

Do you have any great storage ideas?  Please share them!  

Get it HERE!

Check out all the Picture My Life kits HERE!

Lawnscaping Challenge #88: Texture

I just can't help it.  I see the word TEXTURE and immediately grab an embossing folder.  I just LOVE them!   This time was no different as I joined in for the Lawnscaping Challenge this week.  I even grabbed a sketch from my friends over at Freshly Made Sketches for this one!

This time, my trusty embossing folder didn't quite cut it though.  I had stamped the birch trees in Saddle Ink using my new Season of Thanks My Acrylix stamps from Close to My Heart.  I then ran the paper through with the falling snow embossing folder, sanding it down for the snow to show in front of the trees.  Brilliant, right?  Eh.  Not so much as it totally lost dimension AND the ink sort of left a brownish tinge due to my haste.  Stickles to the rescue!

See the difference they made?

You can REALLY see the texture with the lighting at this angle...

Even if it is 90 degrees in the shade outside, it is snowing in here!  :)

Thanks for popping in!  :)

Get it HERE!

Get the details HERE!

 

What Time Is It? Challenge Time!

Hey everyone!  What better way to get over hump day than with a challenge!

I happened upon this one over at CAS(E) this Sketch, and inspiration struck.  PLUS, I was totally excited to use my new colors of re-inker!  Here is the sketch:

And here is my take on it!  :)

I think this card is actually pretty fitting for me since I can't seem to type a status or blog post without adding a smiley face, lol!  ;)  (see what I mean!)

You can see a bit of the awesome visual texture created by using the Spray Pens from Close to My Heart right behind this joyful little size M sentiment called My Happy...

All I did to make the colors blend was mix several drops of Glacier, Thistle, and Gypsy re-inker with isopropyl alcohol in separate Spray Pens. Then I used removable adhesive to place three circles on the front of my card base.  A few sprays from the pens with a box placed carefully behind it, and WALLA!  I removed the circles to find a gorgeous background for my Peachy Smiley Faces.  :)

I think it really makes the sketch HAPPY!  Don't you?  :)  All you need to create this look yourself are these fabulous Close to My Heart supplies...

See it HERE!

Back for the First Day of School Blues

It feels sooooo good to be back at my keyboard again!  I know I kind of disappeared all of a sudden this past week, but life always comes before blogging, and mine certainly needed some attention.  We lost a dear Uncle unexpectedly, so had to take an unplanned trip as soon as we returned from taking my girl to college.  It has been an emotional week to say the least, but it sure hasn't slowed down the pace.

I jumped right back into my craft room as soon as I could to make another baby name frame for my Etsy shop.  I will share it with you later on, but today I want to show you the labels I stamped for my orders.

I used two new ink colors from Close to My Heart:  Glacier and Thistle.  The butterfly images are from the Your Own Kind of Wonderful My Acrylix set in the new Annual Inspirations Idea Book.

I really love how they turned out, and they sure dress up my packages nicely.  :)

Well, today is the first day of school for rest of my clan, so I will have my hands full for sure getting back into the groove this morning.  I miss my big college girl to pieces right now, so thank goodness for things like Facebook and Instagram.  I snagged this great pic of hers just last night.  Wonder where her textbooks are???