Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and join us on a journey of amazing things you can do with this stamp set. There are over 60 CTMH Consultants joining in on the fun…that’s a LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this fun stamp set. If you arrived here from Kathleen’s blog you’re on the right path.

This card uses the Mojo Monday 226 sketch.

Materials:

• CTMH Thoughtful Tidings S1202, the February Stamp of the Month
• CTMH Florentine Level 2 Paper Pack X7153B
• CTMH Color-Ready Garden Wooden Shapes Z1718
• CTMH Paradise Paper Flowers Z1710
• CTMH Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon Z1732
• CTMH Inks in: Brown Bag Z2108 and Olive Z2137
• CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (from Cricut Art Philosophy Bundle Z1686)
• CTMH Mocha Opaques Adhesive Gems Z1333
• CTMH Texture Tools Z1298 – I used the Sea Sponge Tool and Foam Tool
• CTMH Liquid Glass Z679
• CTMH 3D Foam Tape Z1151
• Glue Dots 1772
• Goldrush cardstock

Tutorial follows…

For those that want to skip the tutorial “hop” on over to see what {Lisa} has created. 

If you get lost along the way…here’s the complete list of all hoppers.

***

Are you inspired by this blog? One of the ways you can help support this blog is by ordering your Close To My Heart products through me. You can order from me 24/7 at: http://heleno.myctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

When you place an order of $50 or more in CTMH products, you get the Stamp of the Month for only $5.00 plus applicable shipping & tax (regularly $17.95).

Dates: Offer valid February 1 – 29.

***

Five FREE Layouts – WOW!

Click here to read the flyer and get all the details.

***

Tutorial

Cut the following:

• 4 1/4″ x 8 1/2″ Vanilla Cream Cardstock – use as card base
• 4 1/16 x 4 1/16″ Goldrush Cardstock
• 1 3/4″ x 4″ Twilight Patterned Paper
• 4″ piece of one of the stripes.

Using the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, cut the following pieces (Note: Page numbers refer to the reference book.)

• Square – Vanilla Cream cardstock – cut using <Square 5> at 1 3/4″.  Page 63.
• Square – Twilight cardstock – cut using <Square 5> at 2″.  Page 63.

Using Brown Bag ink and the Sea Sponge Tool, distress the edges of all papers, two wooden butterflies (from the Color-Ready Garden Wooden Shapes) and two flowers (one Creme Brulee and the other Goldrush, from the Paradise Paper Flowers).  Tip: When inking the flower, to get the inner edges of the petals inked, fold the flower in half!  Then, ink the inner edges – so easy!

Using Brown Bag ink and the Sea Sponge Tool, lightly brush across the face of the Goldrush cardstock to give it texture.  Hard to see in the photo.  Attach the Goldrush cardstock centered on the card base.

Add the Twilight paper at the bottom of the Goldrush cardstock.

Add the paper ribbon that you’ve chosen.

Using Brown Bag ink, stamp the sentiment on the Cricut cut Vanilla Cream square.  Mount on the Twilight square.  Attach to the card front using 3D Foam Tape.

Add two butterflies towards the top of the card.  Add the bitty Mocha Opaques to the center of the butterflies.  Tip: Run a line of Liquid Glass down the center of the butterfly and place the opaques in the Liquid Glass.  Yes, the Opaques have glue dots, I found they didn’t stick very well to the wood.

Layer the Creme Brulee flower on top of the Goldrush flower.  Tip: Turn the flowers so that one peeks out from behind the other – gives more dimension that way.

Using Brown Bag ink and the Sea Sponge, distress the face of the small flower (from the Color-Ready Garden Wooden Shapes).  Tip:  Use a piercing tool to hold down the small shape while you ink it…or, apply a small dot of adhesive and glue to a scrap of paper.  Use Liquid Glass to secure to the middle of the flower.  Tip: Put a small glue dot on the center of the wooden flower, and Liquid Glass around the outer edges.  The glue dot will grab and hold the flower while the Liquid Glass dries.

Using Olive ink and the Foam Tool, ink the Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon.  Tip: Cut two small pieces of ribbon to just tuck under the flower petals.  

Add opaques to the middle of the flower and to the right of the sentiment.

Now “hop” on over to see what {Lisa} has created.

There are so many new products, it was hard to pick just a few to focus on.  This card is made using the new Pemberley Workshop on the Go Kit and the new Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon.

Materials:

• CTMH Pemberley Workshop on the Go Kit G1033
• CTMH Inks in Vanilla Cream, Outdoor Denim, Indian Corn Blue and Olive
• CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (from Cricut Art Philosophy Bundle Z1686)
• CTMH Bitty Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems Z1707 – these come in the Pemberley Workshop on the Go Kit or can be purchased separately.
• CTMH Colonial White Cards & Envelopes X1410
• CTMH 3D Foam Tape Z1151
• CTMH Sponge Daubers Z726
• CTMH Blending Pen 3174
• Vanilla Cream Cardstock

Tutorial follows…

For those that want to skip the tutorial “hop” on over to see what {Kathleen} has created. 

If you get lost along the way…here’s the complete list of all hoppers.

***

Are you inspired by this blog? One of the ways you can help support this blog is by ordering your Close To My Heart products through me. You can order from me 24/7 at: http://heleno.myctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

When you place an order of $30 or more in CTMH products…I’ll mail you a New Idea Book.  Or, get yours for just $5.00 to cover the cost of Priority Mail shipping to you!

***

Tutorial

Cut the following:

• 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ piece of Outdoor Denim cardstock
• 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece of the Soft Honey Small Flower pattern paper

• Image Panel – Vanilla Cream cardstock – cut using <Shape7> at 3 1/4″.  Page 37.
• Image Panel Mat – Indian Corn Blue cardstock – cut using <Shape 7> at 3 1/2″.  Page 37.
• Scalloped Strip – Outdoor Denim Cardstock – cut using <Oval 5> Font layer at 1″.  Page 62.

Using Desert Sand ink and the Foam Tool, distress the edges of all pieces of paper.

Attach the 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ piece of Outdoor Denim cardstock to a Colonial White card base.  Attach the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Soft Honey Small Flower patterned paper centered.

Using a Sponge Dauber and Vanilla Cream, Indian Corn Blue and Olive inks, create an ombre pattern on the Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon.  This ribbon is AWESOME!!!  You can color it any color you want, desire or need…and, you can create a varitey of different effects.  Here you see the ribbon before (right) and after (left).  Tip:  The ribbon dries really quick…I was surprised how fast & easy this is to do.  Tip: Ink enough ribbon for the card front and the bow at the same time.  I tied a bow lightly to figure out how much ribbon I’d need, then undid the bow to color it.

Attach a strip of ribbon over the center of the scalloped strip and wrap to the back.  Tip: If you really want to conserve ribbon…you could leave a “space” behind where the Image Panel is going to go…a great way to STRETCH the ribbon further!  Attach centered on the card front.

Using Outdoor Denim ink, stamp the large flower on the Image Panel.  Using the Blending Pen, pick up and move the Outdoor Denim ink to color in the outer edge of the flower, the inner part by the stem and the bottom edge of the leaf.  Allow to dry.

Using Olive ink and the Blending Pen, pick up ink and use to color in the middle part of the flower and add green to the top edge of the leaf and the tiny leaf.  Tip: With the ink pad closed, squeeze the lid so it touches the top of the ink pad, then open the ink pad part way and use the lid as a paint palette!  This also works with the Waterbrush.  Attach to the center of the mat.  Attach to the card front using 3D Foam Tape.

Tie a bow and attach to the right of the Image Panel using Glue Dots or Liquid Glass.

Using Outdoor Denim Ink, stamp the sentiment in the lower left corner.

Add Bitty Opaques to either side of the sentiment and along the stem of the flower.

Now “hop” on over to see what {Kathleen} has created.

Once the hop is live, I’ll come back and add a brief description of each project, such that you’ll be able to visit them again after you have your new products in hand and are ready to recreate artwork you’ve seen.

This week’s layout is the Illusion pattern on page 94 of the Magic how-to book.

Tutorial:

Cut the following using the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.  Note: Page numbers refer to the reference guide.

• Large Snowflake – Cut 2 – <snwflke1> – page 22 – White Daisy Cardstock at 3 1/4″.
• Small Snowflake – Cut 4 – <snwflke2> – page 27 – White Daisy Cardstock at 1 3/4″

Here are some close ups…you can see the Chocolate snowflakes stamped on the Grey Flannel Snowflake patterned paper better in these photos.

Materials:

• CTMH Wonderland Workshop Kit G1031 – stamp set
• CTMH Snowflakes stamp set D1480
• CTMH Inks in Chocolate and Twilight
• CTMH Clear Sparkles Z1104
• CTMH Texture Tools Z1298
• CTMH Corner Rounder Z578
• CTMH 3D Foam Tape Z1151
• CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Bundle Z1686 – not required…but makes it so much easier!

Do you like using page maps or page sketches…email me for free sample PDFs of the CTMH How-To Books to try. And…if you’re big into card making, there are how-to books for that too!

Create this as a Scrapbook Kit TO GO!  Place an order on my website for the items you’ll need to recreate the artwork.  You’ll find a comprehensive shopping list at the bottom.  All products ship direct from CTMH to you.  I’ll send you my signature cutting guide and written instructions via email.

Sophia is a gorgeous paper pack!  I love the fresh, springy colors.  Yes, it may be girly…and…I can see it used for photos of my girls (my Beagle furbabies), the yard, picnics, a dance or prom, and so much more!

Layout 1 – this is the pattern from the Sophia Workshop Kit. It features stamping using the stamp set from the Sophia Workshop Kit.  Learn how to use the Corner Rounder to create the scalloped pieces.  The Pink Buttons are amazing!  They come in a variety of colors and with different designs.

Here’s what the layout looks like with the Photos, Title and Journaling.

Layout 2 – this layout features the Sophia My Stickease, the Pearl Opaques, the Pink Designer Ribbon Collection and the Pink Buttons.  The Sophia My Stickease assortment includes the wonderful title “giggle” – and it fits perfectly in this layout!  The Pearl Opaques add a lovely touch.  I love the new pom-pom ribbon from the Pink Designer Ribbon Collection.  This is a beautiful layout to showcase a large feature photo, or take any of the photo spaces and you can divide them into smaller areas.

Layout 3 –  This layout features the Sophia My Stickease, the Pink Designer Ribbon Collection and the Pearl Opaques.  On the right page, four 3″ x 3″ photo sit right about the ribbon.

Fun Tip: It would be fun to turn the 4″ x 6″ Pear Cardstock into a “flipable” area by using a 4″ x 6″ Flip Flap!

Shopping List

I provide you with a list of everything I used. I give you the ultimate flexibility to pick & choose what works for your style of scrapbooking or card making. Paper & Stickers only or…all the bells and whistles – the choice is yours! Any order will include Helen’s signature cutting guide.

Basics for Workshop

For all my workshops, the first layout is done using the Workshop Basic Kit.  The other two layouts are done using the remaining papers, My Stickease and there may be added embellishments.

G1019 Sophia Workshop Basic Kit – Note: Please contact me directly if you want the Sophia Workshop Kit, I have a few on hand .

Included in the Workshop Kit:

• Sophia Level 2 Paper Pack
• Sophia Stamp Set – exclusive to this kit
• Pink Button Assortment
• Colonial White Waxy Flax
• Full-color brochure with instructions for layout AND cards! You’ll also get Helen’s signature cutting guide and full written instructions for the other layouts.

X7131C Sophia My Stickease – not included in the Workshop Basic Kit

Ala Carte – Pick & Choose the Pieces You Want…

X7131B Sophia Level 2 Paper Pack

X7131C Sophia My Stickease

Z1370 Pink Button Assortment

Z1081 Colonial White Waxy Flax

Other Accessories Used (Note: Some of these you may already have.)

Z1336 Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems

Other Tools or ProductsUsed (Note: Some of these you may already have.)

Z1151 3D Foam Tape

Z578 Corner Rounder

Z1392 2″ Scallop Punch

Z1114 Piercing Tool Set

1772 Memory Book Glue Dots OR Z679 Liquid Glass

Inks

Z2166 Tulip

Z2123 Goldrush

Z2197 Pear

How To Book used to create the artwork

9034 Magic Interactive Scrapbook Program

Making cards? The full-color brochure has you cutting your 12″ x 12″ cardstock for bases…I recommend that you use these card bases instead – you’ll get MORE from your kit that way PLUS you get the envelopes to mail your cards!

X254 5.5″ x 4.25″ Value Pack White Cards & Envelopes

For MORE ideas that you can create using the patterned papers left after creating the above artwork, visit by blog: http://www.hookedonstamping.com.

***

Rock the Block

All the items on the shopping list (except the Sophia Workshop on the Go Kit) are from the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book and will count toward getting the Rock the Block promotion – how exciting!

This is an AMAZING promotion…you’ll get an E-size stamp set (regularly $29.95) and the new sneak-peek product for Spring 2012..the My Creations Collage Cubes (will retail for $14.95) for only $15!  Just order $25 in products from the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book and get this amazing set.  

Dates: Offer valid December 19, 2011 – January 31, 2012.

In order to make room for the new, some of our old favorites have to retire.  Thank you to fellow CTMH Consultants Bernie Bolton and Cassandra Bennett who put together an “unofficial” retired list.  I’ve gone through and sorted these by the paper theme they were associated with or type of item it is…AND… I’ve added the page numbers of where you’d find these, PLUS…I’ve put links direct to my website where you can purchase these items.  All page numbers refer to the CTMH Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book.

Workshop on the Go Kits

These are the kits that include a full level 2 paper pack, exclusive stamp set an embellishment (or two) and a full-color brochure.

• Typeset Workshop on the Go Kit G1024, page 19
• Roxie Workshop on the Go Kit G1025, page 25
• Elemental Workshop on the Go Kit G1026, page 31
• Dreamin’ Workshop on the Go Kit G1027, page 37
• Sonoma Workshop on the Go Kit G1028, page 43
• Mischief Workshop on the Go Kit G1029, page 49
• Believe Workshop on the Go Kit G1030, page 55
• Wonderland Workshop on the Go Kit G1031, page 61

Level 2 Paper Packs and Coordinating Items

I’ve bundled the items that go together – Level 2 Paper Packs, My Stickease (or Complements) and also coordinating embellishments…things that I would have used in my Scrapbook Kit of the Month.

Dreamin’ page 34

• Dreamin’ Level 2 Paper Pack X7142B
• Dreamin’ My Stickease X7142C
• Harvest Charms Z1633 page 128

Mischief page 46

• Mischief Level 2 Paper Pack X7144B
• Mischief Complements Rub-Ons X7144C
• Midnight Felt Shapes Z1462 page 128

Believe page 52

• Believe Level 2 Paper Pack X7145B
• Believe My Stickease X7145C
• Holiday Pockets Z1486 page 128

Wonderland page 58

• Wonderland Level 2 Paper Pack X7146B
• Wonderland My Stickease X7146C
• Top Coats Icing Overlays Z1468 page 128

Sophia page 62

• Sophia Level 2 Paper Pack X7131B
• Sophia My Stickease X7131C

Mayberry page 62

• Mayberry Level 2 Paper Pack X7136B
• Mayberry My Stickease X7136C

Lucky page 63

• Lucky Level 2 Paper Pack X7137B
• Lucky My Stickease X7137C
• Lucky Level 2 Assortment Z1356 page 128
• Lucky Level 2 Journaling Spots Z1359 page 128

Fanfare page 63

• Fanfare Level 2 Paper Pack X7138B
• Fanfare My Stickease X7138C
• Fanfare Level 2 Assortment Z1400 page 128

All Other Items

These are grouped into similar items.

• Colonial White Ribbon Collection Z1126 page 124
• Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon 3/8″ Z1103 page 124
• Cocoa Grosgrain Ribbon 3/8″ page 124
• Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon 3/8″ page 124
• White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon 3/8″ page 124
• Wings Level 2 Assortment Z1398 – pleated ribbon page 124

• Colonial White Designer Brads Z1274 page 126
• Pewter Designer Brads Z1146 page 126
• Antiqued Copper Mini-Medley Z1275 page 127
• Colonial White Mini-Medley Z1276 page 127

• Red & Pink Embroidery Floss Assortment Z1092 page 125
• Green Embroidery Floss Assortment Z1094 page 125
• Blue & Purple Embroidery Floss Assortment Z1093 page 125

• Cranberry Waxy Flax Z1086 page 125
• Sorbet Waxy Flax Z1249 page 125
• Juniper Waxy Flax Z1248 page 125
• Crystal Blue Waxy Flax Z1247 page 125

• Bookplates – Foundry Metals Z1147 page 127

• Black & White Daisy Soft Set Eyelets Z1228 page 127
• Chocolate & Colonial White Soft Set Eyelets Z1229 page 127

• Bliss Level 2 Assortment Z1355 page 128
• Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment Z1386 page 128
• Just Blooms Spring Blossom Paper Flowers Z1266 page 128
• Just Blooms White Daisy Variety Pack Z1300 page 128

• Black 8.5″ x 11″ Cardstock X1412 page 129
• Colonial White 8.5″ x 11″ Cardstock X1411 page 129
• White Daisy 8.5″ x 11″ Cardstock 1320 page 129

• Oxford Color-Ready Alphabets X5749 page 129
• Hodge Podge Color-Ready Alphabets X1406 page 129

• Flurry Dimensional Elements Z1225 page 130
• On Target Dimensional Elements Z1226 page 130

• Board Book, My Creations Z1310 page 131
• Journal, My Creations Z1268 page 131
• 9″ x 9″ Accordion Album (Memory Showcase) Z1198 page 131

• Rubber Brayer Z616 page 132
• Soft Set Eyelet Tool Z1208 page 133
• Eyelet Tool Replacement Punches Z1246 page 133

Stamp Sets

• A Hop
• A Little Buzz
• A Little Everything
• A Love
• A Paisley
• A Posey
• Adoption
• Adorning Corners
• Always In My Heart
• Ambiance
• Around The Block
• Baby Love
• Backgrounds & Borders
• Beary Best
• Beary Busy
• Beautiful Butterflies
• Beautiful Things
• Believe In Your Dreams
• Beloved
• Birthday Blast
• Birthday Boy
• Bless This Nest
• Blooming Layers
• Bon Appetit
• Boom!
• Bunny Love
• Campin’ Fever
• Carefree
• Catching Waves
• Charmed
• Cherished Flourishes
• Ciao
• Circle Around
• Circle of Love
• Circle Together
• Connections
• Cruisin’
• Cupcake Sprinkles
• Daydream
• Down By The Sea
• Dream Big
• Dreams Come True
• Enjoy Every Moment
• Extreme Happiness
• Family
• Family Ties – Adult
• Family Ties – Children
• Family Ties – Pet
• Fill In The Blank
• Flower Pot
• For Every Occasion
• Friendship Blessings
• From My Heart
• Fun Times
• Happy Holidays
• Happy Moments
• Hero
• His and Hers
• Horizon
• Hot Diggity
• Howdy
• In The Month Of April
• In The Month Of February
• In The Month Of July
• In The Month Of June
• In The Month Of March
• In The Month Of May
• It’s A Zoo
• Just For Boys
• Just For Girls
• Just The Ticket
• Kanji Phrases
• Let’s Go Camping
• Little Princess
• Love Always
• Love Birds
• Love Ya
• Magic Tabs
• Makin’ Waves
• Ms. Chillin’
• Ms. Scrapbook
• Notice The Details
• One Of A Kind
• On The Edge
• On This Day
• Over The Rainbow
• Paisley Praise
• Piece of Cake
• Play Day
• Post Card – Travel Series
• Precious Love
• Priceless Love 
• Recipe Box
• Retro Tech
• Royal Birth
• Salutation Seals
• Shining Star
• Smiles
• So Lucky
• Soul Mates
• Springtime
• Star Power
• Summer Breeze
• Summer Days
• Sweet Baby
• Take Luck
• Tasty Treats
• Tea Time
• Thank You
• Thrill Ride
• T.L.C.
• Togetherness
• Treetops
• Trellis
• Two-Step Backgrounds
• Unity
• X-Treme
• You Did It
• You Rock
• You’re Great
• You’re Sweet

***

New Idea Book Preorder

The new Idea Book goes live on February 1st – how cool would it be to have it in your hands before then?!?  There are several ways to get your NEW CTMH 2012 Spring/Summer Idea Book…FREE!

1. Become a Get More Done Club Member
2. Order the Rock the Block special in January
3. Place an order of $30 or more (product total)
4. Host a Home or Online Gathering
5. Ask about joining my team

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and join us on a journey of amazing things you can do with this stamp set. There are almost 60 CTMH Consultants joining in on the fun…that’s a LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this fun stamp set. If you arrived here from Kathleen’s blog you’re on the right path.

For the blog hop, I created this card…one that wishes YOU a very Happy New Year!

Materials:

• CTMH Little Reminder S1201, the January Stamp of the Month
• CTMH Wonderland Level 2 Paper Pack X7146B
• CTMH Grey Wool Ink Pad Z2125
• CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (from Cricut Art Philosophy Bundle Z1686)
• CTMH Bitty Sparkles Z1263
• CTMH 3D Foam Tape Z1151
• CTMH Sanding Kit Z1294
• Amethyst cardstock

Tutorial follows…

For those that want to skip the tutorial “hop” on over to see what {Gina} has created. 

If you get lost along the way…here’s the complete list of all hoppers.

***

Are you inspired by this blog? One of the ways you can help support this blog is by ordering your Close To My Heart products through me. You can order from me 24/7 at: http://heleno.myctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

When you place an order of $50 or more in CTMH products, you get the Stamp of the Month for only $5.00 plus applicable shipping & tax (regularly $17.95).

Dates: Offer valid January 1 – 31, 2012.

***

Tutorial

Cut the following:

• 1 3/4″ x 4″ piece of Grey Snowflake pattern paper
• 3″ x 4″ piece of Twilight Plaid pattern paper
• 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ piece of Stripe pattern paper – note the direction of the stripes.
• 1 1/4″ x 5 1/4″ piece of Amethyst cardstock
• 5/8″ x 5″ piece of White Daisy cardstock

• Scalloped Circle – White Daisy cardstock – cut using <Circle2> at 2 1/4″.  Page 31.
• Inner Circle – Twilight Snowflake patterned paper – cut using <Circle1> at 1 3/4″.  Page 21.
• Star – not shown, only used to make the bottom of the Amethyst cardstock into a banner shape.  Cut using <Star5> at 3 1/2″.

Using Grey Wool ink and the Foam Tool, distress the edges of all patterned papers.

To make the bottom edge of the Amethyst cardstock have a banner look, I used the inside edge of the bottom of a 3″ star.  First, mark the center of the Amethyst cardstock (that’s 3/4″), then align the tips of the star with the bottom corners.  Mark, then cut by hand.  Tip: There are other banner shapes on the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge that could be used…and if you use the Cricut Craft Room, you can change the shape in one dimension such that it’s as long as you need it to be.

Using the roughest side of the Sanding Block, sand the edges of the Amethyst cardstock piece in a cross-hatch pattern.  Tip: Always start ON the cardstock and pull off…this will prevent the corners from getting damaged.  After sanding in one direction, sand in the opposite direction creating the cross-hatch pattern.

Using Grey Wool, stamp the Blanket Stitch looking border along both long edges of the 5/8″ x 5″ piece of White Daisy cardstock.  Tip: When putting this border on my block, I found it easiest to tap one end so it was stuck on the block, then…gently pull the other end taut and press…TEST it on scrap paper to make sure it’s lined up straight.  If not…adjust as needed.  It took me a few attempts to get it straight…and I love how it looks!

Using Grey Wool, stamp the “let’s celebrate” sentiment centered on the strip between the stamped borders.  Wrap this strip around the month scalloped circle, trimming as needed.  Note: Leave the center free to add the number.

Using Grey Wool, stamp the number “1″ on a scrap of the Twilight Snowflake paper and cut out.  Tip: Stretch the number by cutting it in half…so clever if I do say so myself…attach part of it above the strip and part below…aligning the number so it looks like a larger number.

Build the front of the card from the bottom up.  Add the Amethyst banner centered on the card.  Attach the month scalloped circle using 3D Foam Tape.  Add a few Bitty Sparkles.

Now “hop” on over to see what {Gina} has created.

Once the hop is live, I’ll come back and add a brief description of each project, such that you’ll be able to visit them again after you have your stamp set in hand and are ready to recreate artwork you’ve seen.

Take a look at this stamp set…it’s an E-size stamp set (retail value $29.95)…so many uses – yes, it works with the cubes…and it would be fabulous for cards, scrapbook pages and more!  This is an exclusive stamp set to this promotion…and worth the price alone!

And…the cubes…here they are straight out of the package.  These are a sneak-peek item, coming in the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book.  These will retail for $14.95.

Watch CTMH’s video of the Rock the Block set.

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and get ready to Rock the Block!  There are over 30 CTMH Consultants joining in on the fun…that’s a LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this fun set. If you arrived here from Shirley’s blog you’re on the right path.

I came up with an idea to use this as a photo calendar.

There are so many possibilities as to how the cubes are arranged.  Taking the cubes from above, and flipping them, gives me this…

Or…this…

Materials:

• CTMH Rock the Block stamp set
• CTMH My Creations Collage Cubes – included in the Rock the Block special
• CTMH Trinity Alphabet stamp set E1021
• CTMH Field Trip Alphabet stamp set E1013
• CTMH Cardstock in: Taffy, Sorbet, Smoothie, Sweet Leaf, Juniper and Parchment
• CTMH Inks in: Taffy, Sorbet, Smoothie, Sweet Leaf and Juniper
• CTMH Sorbet Ribbon

Tutorial follows…

For those that want to skip the tutorial “hop” on over to my friend {Kathleen} to see what she’s created. 

If you get lost along the way…here’s the complete list of all hoppers.

***

Are you inspired by this blog? One of the ways you can help support this blog is by ordering your Close To My Heart products through me. You can order from me 24/7 at: http://heleno.myctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

Tutorial

Using Taffy and a Foam Tool, distress the edges of all cubes and the tray.  Tip: To pick up more ink, swipe the Foam Tool across the ink pad instead of pouncing it on the ink pad.  Tip: I found it faster to ink by going across the edge and in an up/down motion, hitting the block on each pass.  In other words, inking two sides at the same time

Month Panels:

• Cut a total of twelve 2″ x 2″ squares (4 each of Sorbet, Smoothie and Juniper).  Stamp these tone-on-tone with the cross-hatch stamp.
• Using the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, cut a total of twelve 2″ x 2″ scalloped squares <square2> on page 33 at 1 3/4″.  (6 each in Taffy and Sweet Leaf).

• On the Taffy scalloped squares,

• stamp the month names in Sorbet.  Note: I used the medium font from the Trinity Alphabet stamp set.
• stamp the background image in Taffy.
• On the Sweet Leaf scalloped squares,

• stamp the month names in Juniper.
• stamp the background image in Sweet Leaf.
• Decorate each month’s panel as desired.  For mine…here are the details on what ink colors and cardstock.  Each item is individually cut out.

• All leaves are stamped using Juniper on Sweet Leaf cardstock.
• Small Flower – stamp using Smoothie on Smoothie cardstock (feb, aug & dec).
• Paisley – stamp using Juniper on Sweet Leaf cardstock.
• Teenie tiny flowers – stamp using the corner border stamp and then find the little flowers within the image and cut out.  Taffy on Taffy cardstock (apr & jun).  Smoothie on Smoothie cardstock (jul and sep).
• Attach these panels to cubes as follows:

• Cube 1 – gets four months (I used jan, feb, mar & apr).
• Cube 2 – four months (I used may, jun, jul & aug).
• Cube 3 – the remaining four months (I used sep, oct, nov & dec).

Decorative Panels:

Tip: Another option is to use photos for these sides…or decorate with a panel and a strip.

Tip: While it might be tempting to add pop dots…keep the cube decorations flat, this way you can flip the blocks and not have them interfere with each other, and they’ll sit flat in the tray.

• Cut a total of six 2″ x 2″ squares (2 each of Sorbet, Smoothie and Juniper).  Stamp these tone-on-tone with the cross-hatch stamp.
• Out-of-The-Box Thinker – stamp in Smoothie on Parchment cardstock; cut out.  Add a leaf as before.  Attach to Sweet Leaf base.
• Flower – stamp the It’s Hip to Be Square sentiment in Juniper on Parchment cardstock; cut out.  Stamp small flower in Sorbet on Parchment; cut out.  Leaves as before.  Attach to Sorbet base.  Tip: By positioning the flower & leaves…just so…you can hide the sentiment.  Wouldn’t this panel be pretty on a card or gift tag?  
• It’s Hip to be Square – stamp sentiment in Sorbet on Parchment cardstock; cut out.  Add two small leaves as before.  Attach to Smoothie base.
• Familes… – stamp sentiment in Smoothie on Parchment cardstock; cut out.  Add tiny flower in Smoothie on Smoothie and leaves as before.  Attach to Sweet Leaf base.
• Chip… – stamp sentiment in Juniper on Parchment cardstock; cut out.  Add tiny leaves in Sorbet on Sorbet cardstock.  Attach to Sorbet base.
• Flower – stamp Chip… sentiment in Sorbet on Parchment cardstock; cut out.  Add small flower stamped in Smoothie on Smoothie cardstock and leaves as before.  Attach to Smoothie base.  Tip: Flip the sentiment over when adding the flowers and leaves…makes it easier to hide the sentiment.
• Add two decorative panels to each of the remaining sides on Cube 1, 2 and 3.

Once the hop is live, I’ll come back and add a brief description of each project, such that you’ll be able to visit them again after you have your Rock the Block special in hand and are ready to recreate artwork you’ve seen.