Like A Boss!

Welcome to my blog and the Like A Boss Blog Hop!  You are in for a SUPER treat today!  This hop is all about embossing...in all forms!

Our short (but bossy) hop runs in a circle, so just keep reading and clicking on the next blogger's link and you will be heading in the right direction.  :)

My project involves both dry AND heat embossing.  I really don't know which one I prefer!

Just in case you aren't the bossy type...this is an example of dry embossing supplies...creating a texture on cardstock when you run a plastic embossing folder through a machine such as the Sizzix Big Shot...

Scallop Embossing Folder

AND this is an example of heat embossing supplies...creating a shiny raised image by stamping with Versamark Ink, sprinkling with embossing powder, and then heating with a heating tool until it changes...

Ranger Clear Embossing Powder

VersaMark Ink

Craft Heater

You can see the heat embossing on the blue swirls in this snippet of my adult coloring book page in this close-up.  I used a fine line glue pen to outline them and then sprinkled with a mixture of clear embossing powder and prisma glitter (a retired CTMH super-fine glitter.)  I dry embossed a piece of White Daisy CS with the Floral Embossing Folder for the panel behind it...

Let's not forget all that SWEET Shimmer Trim I managed to use--the colors just matched all the coloring with my ShinHan markers SO WELL!  I used Coral, Aqua, and Green...along with a beautiful sentiment from the Happy to Be Friends My Acrylix stamp set and the Florence Sequins.

Which kind of embossing do YOU enjoy most?

Which kind of embossing did KELLY use?  Check it out over on her blog by clicking on her name!!!


Here is the entire creative lineup for Blog Hops with Heart this month!  Happy Hopping!

Amie (that's ME!)

Kelly

Becca

Shelly

Stephanie

Wendy

Guess what items have been a part of the FLASH SALE this month???  EMBOSSING FOLDERS!!!  They just might be back so be sure to check in on Friday!!!

Flash SALE!!!!

CTMH Perpetual Calendar: December

Happy Friday!!!

Today is just a half day at school, and it sure is a good thing because the kiddos are bouncing off the walls!!!  It is also crunch day for me and the fam as we get ready for our own Christmas celebrations!

I showed you the Perpetual calendar I was making for my sis last month HERE, so let's move on to the next month, December....

It sure is amazing what a little heat embossing can do!

I used several Close to My Heart products for this one, so here is a complete list:

White Pines Paper Packet
Peacock and White Daisy CS
Cricut Artistry Collection
Holly Jolly Christmas My Acrylix Stamp Set
Juniper Exclusive Ink (Dye)
Red Sparkle Gems
Silver Sequins
Silver Shimmer Trim
Ranger Silver Super Fine Embossing Powder 

Non-CTMH:
MCT Snowflake Die

Thanks for stopping in today, and come back again soon!  :)

December Stamp of the Month--THIS month ONLY!

Get the Planner Bundle on sale HERE!

Freshly Made Sparkle and Shine!

Oh my goodness, where did the weekend go?  I had an amazing time with my friends at the Crafty Souls all day event...and then caught up with a tiny bit of housework before I stole away to play along with a couple of my favorite challenges.

I used sketch 206 from Freshly Made Sketches along with the inspiration photo from the Sparkle and Shine Challenge to create a wonderfully whimsical watercolor card!

I knew I was going to be giving my card a hefty sprinkling of my new sequins from Pretty Pink Posh, so I grabbed an equally sparkly sentiment from the Close to My Heart Diamonds Are Forever My Acrylix stamp set.

I ALSO experimented for the first time with a little bit of watercolor paint splatter on special watercolor paper...

This is my slogan!  I stamped it in Versamark Ink and heat embossed with Ranger Super Fine Silver Powder BEFORE I painted...and then matted the watercolor paper on a piece of White Daisy CS trimmed with Silver Foil Tape after the paper was completely dry.  I used my heating tool to dry it a bit faster.  I adore how the two silver features complement each other!

I love how the yellow splatter ran the blob of color!

It was super fun to get my feet wet again (oh yes, I did!) and play with my new watercolors.  I have to work on my splatter technique and play some more!  Thank for stopping in!  :)

Grab the Twinkle Stamp of the Month while you can and get a free gift from me!

Close to My Heart October Stamp of the Month Layout

Welcome to October!!!

I have been raring to go this month for a couple of different reasons.  But MOSTLY, because I simply ADORE the Stamp of the Month from Close to My Heart this month.  I mean, the set is called, TWINKLE, so how would I NOT love it?  :)

You will notice that it coordinates with the Close to My Heart Cricut Artiste Cartridge!

Anyhow, I wanted to re-create the layout shown with the Stamp of the Month, so I did just that--and added my own little twist of course!

These ornaments can be stamped in any color to match any layout!  I used my Versamark Ink and the Ranger Super-Fine Silver Embossing Powder to make this one really pop!  Then I topped it with a bow from the NEW Fundamentals Assortment Cranberry Embellishments.

This little cluster includes images from Twinkle, Glitter Paper, and one of the White Pines Complements vellum pieces...and behind it is not only a length of Silver Shimmer Trim, but also a piece of Crystal Blue Fundamentals Paper from the Whimsy Assortment...

These lights are soooooo cute!  I added a candy cane border also cut from Artiste at .75 inches, and some leftover letters from a cut found on the NEW Cricut Artistry Cartridge!  You never know when those extra letters will come in handy!  :)

You have all month to get your hands on this super Christmas themed stamp set!  It is regularly priced at $17.95, but you can also get it for just $5 with a $50 purchase on my website!  Just fill your shopping cart with $50 worth of crafty goodness, and the checkout will prompt you to add the Stamp of the Month for the discounted price.

Here is a little video I made that shows you how the ordering system prompts you to add specials like the $5 Stamp of the Month from Close to My Heart...I made the video in July, so the special is different--but the way you add specials to your order is the same!  :)  Thanks for stopping in!

Watercolor Wednesday!

Well, I have to say, as much as I wish we still had some washi to play with from the new Close to My Heart Idea Books, at least we have NEW Watercolor Paints to ease the transition!  :)

Today I finally get to show you one of my FAVORITE new My Acrylix Stamp set from Annual Inspirations...Diamonds are Forever!  I played around with it for the first time a while ago and have been pretty excited to share it...

Did you notice the sentiment ^^^^^ at the bottom of the set?  It is totally MY MOTTO!!!!  :)

This adorable light bulb is cut from acetate packaging (most likely from my crafty supplies like Cricut cartridges, lol.)  The filament inside is glitter paper, of course! This light bulb image is found on the brand NEW Cricut Artistry Cartridge from Close to My Heart!  :)

You can't even see the glue dots I used to hold this together!

For the sentiment, I stamped in Versamark Ink on uncolored Watercolor Paper, sprinkled with  Ranger Superfine White Embossing Powder, and hit it with my craft heater...that way, when I painted over the sentiment, it stayed white!

What do you think of the trendy Watercolor technique?  I am really loving it!  :)

September Stamp of the Month

Celebrate National Stamping Month!

Call the Orthodontist!!!

Oh, my goodness, I know, what a strange title for a blog post about crafting!  I HAD to remind myself to call today though so I don't forget AGAIN, and my post will show up in my emails in the morning, lol!  Hope this tactic works!  ;)

On to the crafts!

OK, so really this is my post for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge this week!

When I saw this perfect little sketch by Narelle, I IMMEDIATELY thought of a donut for that circle image.  WHY?  I have no idea--it just took over my senses from there and I was stamping a pink frosted donut using the Treats of Friendship My Acrylix in no time flat...that's what I get for creating during coffee hour!  ;)  (AND I seriously had no idea yet that it was National Donut Day yesterday!)

The pink frosting isn't real.  I KNOW it looks real, but it is really Pixie CS from Close to My Heart!  Uncanny, isn't it?  ;)

This time, I created a tag for some extra fun.  I started with a tag shape from the oldie but goodie, CTMH Art Philosophy Collection for the Cricut Machine.

I LOVE vellum, and this sketch was PERFECT for it...along with the Silver Embossing Powder of course!  The Ranger Super Fine Embossing Powder is a DREAM!  Melts like BUTTAH on Versamark Ink!

What better way to attach the vellum than with the new(ish) CTMH Mini Stapler!

Sequins are all from Studio Calico, Topiary Chevron Ribbon and Dots Embossing Folder from CTMH, and sparkle sprinkles by Wink of Stella!

TWO FMS sketches in a row for me!  Now that's what I call, SUMMER!  ;)

Only in June!

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!  :)