Celebrate military service and promote patriotism with our new patriotic stamp sets – available only from June 1 to July 31, 2013.  Three dollars from each B-size My Acrylix^®Courage stamp set and $5 from each D-size My Acrylix^® Home of the Brave stamp set will be donated to the USO, the leading, most recognized military-support and services organization in the country. $5 from each D-size My Acrylix^®Strong and Free stamp set will be donated to the Canadian Hero Fund which supports spouses and children of the fallen Canadian military troops by helping provide post-secondary education.  Show your support with your own patriotic stamp set!

These are available for a limited time…through July 31, 2013

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Make It a Banner Day

It’s going to be a “banner” day!  When you place a $25 order in June that includes one stamp set and receive a My Creations® Mini Banner for free!  The Mini Banner includes 10 chipboard pennants in 4 different shapes with 9 jump rings for hanging.  Decorate one side for the 4th of July, and the reverse side for Birthdays!  The Mini Banners are versatile and a great addition to your parties & get-togethers.

For more ideas, check out this video from CTMH.

Start Shopping Now

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I had an idea in my head of where I wanted this card to go…LOL…and as luck would have it, the designs just didn’t work the way I wanted.  So, I cut & played, and moved things around, and cut some more.  At one point, I had a card idea like this…

I think with some coloring of the stamped flower bunch and the addition of a few other embellishments, this would be a lovely card.  It still wasn’t quite what I had envisioned…so…I played some more and here’s my final version…

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and be inspired by all the projects everyone has come up with.  Follow the hop to get LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this wonderful stamp set. If you arrived here from Kathleen’s blog you’re on the right path.

Materials for Yellow & Blue Card:

• CTMH June Stamp of the Month: A Flowering Bunch S1306
• CTMH Claire Level 2 Paper Pack X7166B
• CTMH Sparkles Flourish Z1708
• CTMH Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon Z1808
• CTMH Colonial White Rosette Ribbon Z1800
• CTMH Mocha Opaques Z1333
• CTMH Exclusive Inks Markers in Olive Z2425 and Creme Brulee Z2406
• CTMH Alcohol Blending Marker Z1801
• CTMH 3D Foam Tape Z1151
• CTMH Inks in Sunset Z2191, Goldrush Z2123, Olive Z2137 and Outdoor Denim Z2140 (only on the first card).
• Scraps of CTMH Olive 1245 and Goldrush 1243 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.ctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

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June Stamp of the Month: A Flowering Bunch

Order the June Stamp of the Month at full price…or get it for only $5.00 with a qualifying purchase.  Create this collection of beautiful artwork – you’ll find the information on my website under Promotions.  The instructions will be available there through June 2014!

Start Shopping Now

***

Tutorial

Cut a 7″ x 10″ piece of Outdoor Denim cardstock for the side-fold card base.  Tip: If you hold the paper in the center on one finger, you’ll see which way the paper bends easily…and thus, the direction where it will fold easier too!

Using the Artiste Cricut Cartridge and the June SOTM stamp set carrier sheet, cut the following:

• 1 large flower using Sunset cardstock
• 1 small flower using Goldrush cardstock
• 4 leaves using Olive cardstock

Stamp the large flower in Sunset ink on the corresponding Cricut cut-out.  Tip: Use a larger block than you think you need so you can see the edges more clearly.  Tip: Place the cut-out on the Versamat…the contrast helps to align the stamp easier.

Stamp the small flower in Goldrush ink on the corresponding Cricut cut-out.  Tip: I found the flower isn’t quite symmetrical and you may find you get a better image by turning the stamp until it lines up.

Stamp the lined leaf in Olive ink on two of the corresponding Cricut cut-outs.  Use the other leaf and Olive ink for the remaining leaves.

Now…it’s time to add some more interest to the stamped images.  Using the Creme Brulee markers, highlight different parts of the stamped flowers.  Note: You get two markers in the set – one is the matching tone to the ink, the other may be a ligher or darker hue (this varies by colors).  With the Creme Brulee marker, the accompanying marker is a darker hue.

Use the darker marker to add depth to areas.  Then, go in with the ligher marker to fill out additional sections.  Use the Alcohol Blending marker to soften the edges where the two meet – do this in feathering strokes.  Tip: Do not color in the full image – leave some of the base cardstock showing.

Repeat for the Goldrush flower, using the Creme Brulee markers.

Repeat for the Olive leaves, using the Olive markers.  Use only the lighter marker on the leaves.

Cut a 6.75″ x 4.75″ piece of the Cashmere Dot patterned paper.  Attach centered on the card base.

Using the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, cut the following:

• Using Colonial White cardstock, cut <Shape8>, page 47 at 3.25″.
• Using Outdoor Denim cardstock, cut <Shape 8>, page 47 at 3.4″.  Tip: Changing the setting to 1/10ths of an inch helps in getting a thinner mat.

Stamp the flower garden on the Colonial White shape using Olive ink.  Mat with the Outdoor Denim shape.  Position this roughly 0.75″ from the top and trim what hangs over the edge of the card.

Cut a 1″ x 5″ strip of Cashmere cardstock and mat with Outdoor Denim cardstock – this is roughly 1/8th of an inch larger.  Attach to card, positioning it just under the flower garden.

Using scraps of patterned paper and the Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon, make small banners and adhere (tucking the top under the band).  The paper banners are roughly 1.25″ and 1″ wide.

Using 3D Foam Tape, attach the flowers and two leaves.  The other leaves are attached directly to the card front.

Using Non-Stick Microtip Scissors, cut apart the largest Sparkle Flourish – adding one part to the bottom left and the remaining two pieces at the top left.

Add a small piece of the Colonial White Rosette Ribbon to the center of the Goldrush flower and accent with a Mocha Opaque.

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

I need a graduation card for my niece.  Since she’s brightly spirited, the Dream Pop papers fit her personality.

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and be inspired by all the projects everyone has come up with.  Follow the hop to get LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this wonderful stamp set. If you arrived here from Pam’s blog you’re on the right path.

Materials for Yellow & Blue Card:

• CTMH May Stamp of the Month: Pinwheel S1305
• CTMH Dream Pop Paper Pack – the special for May
• CTMH Pink Glitter Gems Z1807
• CTMH 3D Foam Tape Z1151
• CTMH White Daisy Value Pack Cards X254
• CTMH Inks in Hollyhock Z2128, Sunset Z2191, Honey Z2162, and Pear Z2197
• Scraps of CTMH White Daisy cardstock 1385

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.ctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

May Stamp of the Month: Pinwheel

Order the May Stamp of the Month at full price…or get it for only $5.00 with a qualifying purchase.  Create this collection of beautiful artwork – you’ll find the information on my website under Promotions.  The instructions will be available there through May 2014!

Start Shopping Now

***

Tutorial

Using the Artiste Cricut Cartridge, White Daisy cardstock, and the May SOTM: Pinwheel carrier sheet, cut the large pinwheel and small pinwheel (top two shown).

Using the large starred pinwheel and Pear ink, stamp the image on the Cricut cut-out.

Using the medium striped pinwheel and Honey ink, stamp the image on the Cricut cut-out.

Using the small dotted pinwheel and Hollyhock ink, stamp the image on a scrap of White Daisy cardstock and cut out.  Tip: When cutting curves, turn the paper instead of the scissors for a cleaner edge.

Using the small dotted pinwheel and Sunset ink, stamp the image on a scrap of White Daisy cardstock and cut out, trimming away the dark solid area.  Tip: When cutting in toward the point, leave a section so the pinwheel stays intact – this will be hidden later on.

Using 3D Foam Tape, attach the Honey pinwheel to the Pear pinwheel.

Using 3D Foam Tape, attach the Hollyhock pinwheel to the Honey pinwheel.

Apply adhesive to the center back of the Sunset pinwheel and to the tips of the spokes.  Using 3D Foam Tape under the center of each spoke, attach the Sunset pinwheel to the Hollyhock pinwheel.  Tip: If you find the spoke ends want to lift using regular adhesive…use Liquid Glass and hold briefly until set.

The arrow below shows the section of the paper I wanted – it has a nice stem with branches that would make my pinwheel look more like a flower.  The red lines indicate approximate cut lines.

• Cut the paper along the yellow line.
• Using the white half with the branch that we want, cut a strip 4″ x 12″.
• Cut the 4″ x 12″ strip to get:

• 4″ x 4.5″ piece with the branches on it – the white side will be showing.
• 4″ x 5.25″ piece – this we’ll flip over & use the pink side – oooo look….elephants!
• From the yellow piece, cut a 3/4″ x 4″ strip.

Cut a 4.25″ x 5.5″ piece  and a 3/8″ x 4.25″ piece of the Tangerine glossy cardstock.  Attach the larger piece to the front of a card base.

Attach the 4″ x 5.25″ piece of Pink Elephant patterned paper to the center.

Trim roughly 1/8″ off the edges of the White patterned paper and the Yellow paper such that the Pink Elephant paper will be revealed along the edges.

Add the pinwheel, placing it so it looks like it’s a flower on the branch.

Using the pinwheel stick and Sunset ink, stamp the image on the smooth side of the 3/8″ x 4.25″ piece of Tangerine glossy cardstock.  Attach centered over the Yellow strip.

Using the masking technique, stamp the “Celebrate” in Hollyhock ink in the open area.  Tip: Stamp on scrap paper, then trim around the word Celebrate.  Position the cut-out portion so you can see where the word Celebrate would be, then put the mask around it.  This helps with getting the positioning correct.

Add the glitter gems as desired…and there you have it!

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

Since it is National Scrapbook Month…I had to go with a Scrapbook Layout.  This is Pattern 3 from the Make It From Your Heart book.

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and be inspired by all the projects everyone has come up with.  Follow the hop to get LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this wonderful stamp set. If you arrived here from Kathleen’s blog you’re on the right path.

Materials for Yellow & Blue Card:

• CTMH Dream Pop special
• CTMH White Daisy Cardstock 1385
• CTMH Pink Glitter Gems Z1807
• CTMH Inks in Sorbet Z2164, Sunset Z2191, Honey Z2162 and Slate Z2135
• CTMH Make It From Your Heart, Volume 1 9035

Tutorial follows…

For those that want to skip the tutorial “hop” on over to see what {Michelle} 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.ctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

Dream Pop – a CTMH Special for May

There are a few different ways to get the Dream Pop paper pack – the choice is yours…

• Get the Dream Pop paper pack for only $10 when you place a $35 order in May (valued at $19.95).  
• Get the Dream Pop paper pack FREE as a Hostess when your May Gathering totals $400 or more (excludes shipping & tax).  Yes…you can do this as a Book Party or Online Gathering
• Get the Dream Pop paper pack FREE as a New Consultant.  When you enroll in May, you’ll get the Dream Pop paper pack as part of your kit.

Start Shopping Now

***

Tutorial

This Scrapbook page uses Pattern 3, on page 10 of the Make It From Your Heart, Volume 1 how-to book.

I LOVE the OWL and wanted to feature it on a layout.  My friend, Dianne, absolutely loves owls and is moving  So…I decided this would be a friendship page about the two of us.

I strategically cut the OWL paper as follows:

• 1st piece cut at 7″ wide, with the Owl on it.
• Then…turn that piece and trim 1″ off the end without the Owl.
• I then cut a 2″ wide section from the middle of the remaining piece, such that the side of the Wise Ideas journaling space was left intact, with the frame around the edge.  I figure this can be used for a quote, bullets, or a verse.

The Banana wood-grain cardstock was a little bright for me…and the Slate zig-zag pattern a bit too dark…so I opted to INK the Banana wood-grain cardstock with Slate ink to help make the wood pattern POP.  I first tried rubbing the ink pad directly against the paper.  That’s the smaller piece in the photo.  That was a bit too dark still.  So, I grabbed the Foam Tool and used that instead – it was the perfect amount of ink.  Tip: To get the MOST ink on the Foam Tool – SWIPE it across the surface instead of pouncing.  Tip: To prevent SPOTS, start the Foam Tool at the outside edge and rub in circles…it takes patience and time…the results are worth it.

Using the Art Philosophy Cartridge, cut the following using White Daisy cardstock (Note: With the new stamp sets, the size and page number is included on the carrier sheet!  These images are stamped using the Girls Rock stamp set C1538):

• 2 large flowers
• 2 medium flowers

Now hop on over to see what {Michelle} has created. 

• Upper Left – it says “Artiste” – so you know what Cricut Cartridge it works with.
• Sizes – that’s the size to CUT the shape to stamp on it.
• Page Numbers!  Yep – that’s right…p. 51 for example, means you’ll find that shape on page 51 of the Reference Book – super simple to find & cut.

My friend, Kathy, went to the Albuquerque Balloon Festival.  When I saw the Hot Air Balloons, I immediately thought of her and wanted to make a page that could be used as the title page in her album for her trip.  I kept trying to come up with a Title…and this morning in Church, it hit me – RISE UP!  It will have double meaning…as a title that ties in with Hot Air Balloons & a tie into our faith.  I’m sure she’ll love it.

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and be inspired by all the projects everyone has come up with.  Follow the hop to get LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this wonderful stamp set. If you arrived here from Pam’s blog you’re on the right path.

Materials for Yellow & Blue Card:

• CTMH April Stamp of the Month: My Sunshine S1304
• CTMH Surf’s Up Level 2 Paper Pack X7168B
• CTMH Color-Ready Trinkets Wooden Shapes Z1844
• CTMH Color-Ready Alphabets Cork Z1450
• CTMH Hollyhock Zipper Lace Z1826
• CTMH Versamat Z1279
• CTMH Ruler Z1471
• CTMH Sanding Kit Z1294
• CTMH Texture Tools Z1298
• CTMH Inks in Sorbet Z2164, Hollyhock Z2128, Sunset Z2191, Honey Z2162, Crystal Blue Z2117 and Chocolate Z2111

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.ctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

April Stamp of the Month: My Sunshine

Order the April Stamp of the Month at full price…or get it for only $5.00 with a qualifying purchase.  Create this collection of beautiful artwork – you’ll find the information on my website under Promotions.  The instructions will be available there through April 2014!

Start Shopping Now

***

Tutorial

This Scrapbook page uses Pattern 18, on page 40 of the Make It From Your Heart, Volume 1 how-to book.

Cut (4) 1/2″ x 12″ strips from the burlap patterned paper.  To make mitered corners, align the short end with the center of the Versamat.  Then, use the diagonal line as a guide for the ruler.  Cut using a Craft Knife.  Tip: I stacked all four pieces and cut them all at once.  Tip: When you cut the other end…BE CAREFUL to have the orientation correct.

Using the ROUGH edge of the Sanding Block, sand the edges of all pieces of paper.  Here you can see the difference between the piece that’s been sanded & one that hasn’t.

Using the Artiste Cartridge and White Daisy cardstock, cut the following:

• 3 Balloons
• 1 Sentiment
• 1 Cloud at 2 3/4″ and 1 Cloud at 2″ (page 70, the Happy Birthday Key, Accent 2)

Using Crystal Blue ink and the Foam Tool, sponge the top half of the White Daisy Cardstock base with ink to create a sky look.

Using Crystal Blue ink and the Foam Tool, distress the edges of both clouds.

Stamp the Balloons, 1 each in Hollyhock, Honey and Sorbet.

Stamp the Sentiment using Honey, with the edges of the stamp rolled in Sunset.

Attach the 1/2″ x 12″ strips of Burlap patterned paper around the outer edge, with the mitered corners.

Attach the 10″ x 5 1/2″ piece of Lagoon cardstock.

Add photos…(in my case, placeholders for the photos), then add the Hollyhock Zipper Lace.  Tip: Cut the Hollyhock Zipper Lace between the zipper teeth.  I used mini Glue Dots to hold the Hollyhock Zipper Lace.  You could also use Liquid Glass behind the zipper teeth.

Using 3D Foam Tape, add the clouds and two Balloons, plus the Sentiment.

Using Chocolate ink and the Foam Tool, ink 3 small arrows from the Color-Ready Trinkets.  Tip:  Put a glue dot behind each piece and attach to a piece of waxed paper.  Makes it easy to color and prevents them from moving around…then just peel off the waxed paper & position on the page!

Add title of your choice.  Tip:  I use my ruler to keep the letters straight…and for the UP – start with the P…for the RISE…start with the R – makes spacing easier!

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

I wasn’t really sure how I was going to use this stamp set…then inspiration struck & I used the Buzz & Bumble scrapbook layout as a starting point.  I love the addition of the Glitter Paper.

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and be inspired by all the projects everyone has come up with.  Follow the hop to get LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this wonderful stamp set. If you arrived here from Kathleen’s blog you’re on the right path.

Materials for Yellow & Blue Card:

• CTMH March Stamp of the Month: Floral Happiness S1303
• CTMH Buzz & Bumble Level 2 Paper Pack X7164B
• CTMH Glitter Paper, Brown & Tan Z1830
• CTMH Sparkles, Brown & Tan Assortment Z1753
• CTMH Versamat Z1279
• CTMH Ruler Z1471
• CTMH Texture Tools Z1298
• CTMH Piercing Tool Set Z1114
• CTMH Inks in Cocoa Z2114, Sunset Z2191 and Sweet Leaf Z2153

Tutorial follows…

For those that want to skip the tutorial “hop” on over to see what {Jen} 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.ctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

March Stamp of the Month: Floral Happiness

Order the March Stamp of the Month at full price…or get it for only $5.00 with a qualifying purchase.  Create this collection of beautiful artwork – you’ll find the information on my website under Promotions.  The instructions will be available there through March 2014!

Start Shopping Now

***

March SPECIALS

Whooo Hoooo – YOU as a Hostess earns MORE rewards in March.  With a $250 party or more, you’ll jump up to the next higher level in Hostess Rewards and Hostess Plus levels!  Call me to pick your date!

Are you caught up on your scrapbooking?  If not, then give Studio J a try and SAVE now through March 15, 2013.  A 2-page layout is only $5.00!  Add some bling or embellishments and have a hybrid look.

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Tutorial

Cut the following:

• 4 1/4″ x 5″ Champagne Cardstock
• 1 1/2″ x 5″ Honeycomb Patterned Paper
• 3/4″ x 4 1/4″ Stripe Patterned Paper
• 1/4″ x 4 3/4″ Sunset Cardstock
• 1 3/4″ x 3″ Glitter Paper (I used the darkest one)

Using Sweet Leaf ink and the Leaf of your choice, use the same process to stamp 3 leaves.

Cut out flowers & leaves.

I think flowers & leaves look best when they have dimension & movement…this must come from my years of being a florist.  To give paper flowers dimension, use the handle of the Micro-Tip Scissors and gently curl the paper, up, down, up – it’s flexible, you can shape it as you desire.  Same for the leaves.

To cut the pennant ends, I find it’s easiest to use the CTMH Versamat.

• Divide the width in half.  In our case, this strip is 1 1/2″ wide.  Half of that is 3/4″.
• Place the bottom edge of the strip 3/4″ down from the center line (horizontal yellow arrow) and centered side to side.  Remember, the 3/4″ was half of the width.

• Align a ruler with the angled lines.

Assembly:

1. Cover card front with 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ Champagne Cardstock
2. Honeycomb pennant placed 1/2″ from left edge.
3. Stripe pennant placed 1/4″ from left edge.
4. Sunset pennant touches edge of Stripe pennant.
5. Glitter paper, 1/2″ down from top & 1/2″ in from right edge.
6. Attach flowers using a combination of 3D Foam Tape (to keep areas raised) and regular adhesive (to secure low spots).

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