Close To My Heart october Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

I just refuse to accept that it is already October! And, as is tradition, the start of a new month signals the time for a Close To My Heart Blog Hop. This month, the stamp is called "Sharing The Magic" and it is right on time for inspiration to start those Holiday projects.

If your arrived here from Lori's blog, you are on the right track. There were so many possibilities of projects to make with this stamp that my mind went numb. But, as I studied the set, Gift Tags just screamed out at me.
This first tag was completed on an acrylic hanger. While it doesn't show well in the photo, you will have to trust me that it is painted with a mixture of blue and silver alcohol inks. The blue strip of paper (Sky) was randomly stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed in Silver Pearl. The package image was stamped using Pacifica and very lightly shaded with Cranberry. The little tags on the packages were colored with Cranberry. For a little bling, Prisma Glitter was added.

This next tag was cut from textured Bamboo Card Stock using my Cricut. The layers are Cranberry and Colonial White. The little reindeer was stamped in Cocoa and colored using my Prisma Pencils and Gamsol. I attached the Holiday Craft Button using Liquid Glass.

Last but not least, is a quick and simple card I completed using the set.

The card also features Mistletoe. The focal point image was stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed using Cranberry Embossing Powder.

By the way, I just wanted to say that I am not cracking up and have already put my Christmas Tree up. This is a small tree that I use in my Craft Fair Display. Since I have a Craft Fair to attend on Saturday, I have pulled it out already. I thought it would make a nice backdrop for the cards. It is now time to hop on over to Michelle's blog to check out her creations. Thanks for hopping by and For Now, Happy Crafting!

October STOM Participants

Here is the list of all participants in the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop...

Kathleen Androlewicz http://BowlOfStamps.blogspot.com
Helen Onulak http://www.hookedonstamping.com
Shannon Buck http://www.stampinbuds.com
Teri Baxter http://www.themidnightartist.blogspot.com
Nancy Brown http://creativelyartsygallery.blogspot.com/
Cindy Appleman http://applescrapsbycindy.blogspot.com
Katy Donaldson http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com
Jen Patrick http://roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com
Angela Tutton http://www.tuttonstreasures.blogspot.com
Kimberly Smith http://verykimberry.blogspot.com
Lori Miller http://clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com
Terrie Dodd http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com
Tammy Lea Pinchard http://mycreativeclubhouse.blogspot.com
Mary Eisen http://mestamp2.blogspot.com
Krista Ritskes http://kristaritskes-simplycreating.blogspot.com
Antoinette Herrin http://www.GodblessyourART.blogspot.com
Haley Dyer http://inkyscrapper.blogspot.com
Shirley Ross http://www.momnmescrap.blogspot.com
Dawn Ross http://iamahappystamper.blogspot.com
Amy Edwards http://paisleysplayhouse.blogspot.com/
Melissa Laverty http://www.fancymelissa.com
Susan Brooks http://stampingintheopen.blogspot.com
Chris Shouse http://houseostamps.wordpress.com
Wanda Riley http://Creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com
Georgia Hauglid http://inkygeorgia.blogspot.com/
Jill Lucas http://scrapwench.blogspot.com
Dawn Heuft http://stamptildawn.blogspot.com
Misty Jackson http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com
Carol Horton http://carol-scrappininparadise.blogspot.com
Laurie Newton http://www.scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com
Sheila Bennett http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com
Traci Godbee http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com
Sarita Schraeder http://www.blessedscrapper.com
Carol Loftus http://www.carolloftus.blogspot.com/
Judy Burger http://www.makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com
Jody Gustafson http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com
Shannon Pelletier http://mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com
Lori Brown http://www.savingmine.blogspot.com
Melinda Everitt http://ifyoublingittheywillcome.blogspot.com/
Adeline Brill http://www.adeline-brill.blogspot.com
Kristie Herdener http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com
Danielle Chapman http://cupcake-stamper.blogspot.com
Lori Leng http://pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com
Cindy Leek http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com
Michelle Loncar http://michelleloncar.blogspot.com
Debra Van Patten http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com
Sylvia Jacquot http://stampinsylvia.blogspot.com/
Brae Montgomery http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com
Annette Green http://AnnettesCreativeJourney.blogspot.com
Melissa Burch http://melissaburch.blogspot.com
Carla Ironside http://carlacreates.blogspot.com
Jamia Bankhead http://papermadnessinc.blogspot.com
Michelle Nist http://www.michellenist.blogspot.com
Beth Naumann http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com
Kim O'Rear http://kimorear.blogspot.com
Jen Rubio http://JenRubio.blogspot.com
Alison Mullen http://www.stickygirlstamps.com
Pamela O'Connor http://cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com
Kami Welter http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
Wendy Kessler http://www.MyScrapbookingBlog.com
Angela Garcia http://angelascraftcloset.blogspot.com
Jean McNulty http://stampinmaui.blogspot.com/
Wendy Coffman http://stampingrules.blogspot.com/
Toni Hinchcliffe http://whollycrafts.blogspot.com
Nicole Griggs http://nicolescreativezone.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lickenbrock http://scrapinkathy.blogspot.com
Doreen Guilfoyle http://whereisyourhappyplace.blogspot.com
Carol Harris http://www.carol-harris.blogspot.com/
Wendy Fording http://papercreationsbywendy.blogspot.com
Melissa Sanchez-Robinson http://www.mlisrobinson.blogspot.com/

Where Have I Been???

I am so sorry that I have been away so long. Sparing you the gory details, I have dealt with hours of work, teaching and the prep that goes along with it, working on items for my upcoming Craft Fair and major computer problems. To show you that I haven't been slacking off, here is a card I made for the Craft Fair.
The card uses a new Christmas Stamp Set called "Snow Days". The image was stamped in Cocoa. The wreaths were colored with markers and a little Prisma Glitter was added to the tree and roof line. The pattern paper is from the also new paper packed called Mistletoe.

Later today, the October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop is set to kick off. It features a very special My Acrylix Stamp Set called Sharing the memories and promises to give us all inspiration to get begin our Holiday Crafting. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Monochromatic Scrapbook Layout

I have been really busy (so what else is new) working on samples, class content and Layouts for the SDU class I will be teaching beginning September 8th. This is a sample that I made that uses a number of great design elements.

I took inspiration for the layout from the Close To My Heart sketch book called Cherish. If you have never seen these books, you must check them out. The sketches, tips and ideas are invaluable. This layout is done in a monochromatic color scheme. What that means is all the colors used are in the same color family. I selected a variety of shades and tints of the same color to complete the page. I purposely selected colors in the "red-pink" range because the story told on the layout is that of a cruise I took on the "Love Boat." The Pacific Princess or "Love Boat" was the setting for the Sit Com "The Love Boat." The cruise sailed to Bermuda. I wanted to focus on the ship but did not want the viewer to forget that destination of the cruise. Bermuda just screams "pink," hence the color scheme. The colors used are all CTMH and include Baby Pink, Blush, Barn Red and featured is the new shade Smoothie.

To add texture and depth to the layout, I scored the Smoothee sheets on the 1/2 mark and sanded the paper as a highlight. I repeated the "heart" embellishment three times. Repeating elements in threes is a basic design technique. I also added the flower borders to once again remind that the cruise sailed to Bermuda.

This is my favorite element of the page. I found an anchor on my computer, printed and cut it out. The "chain" is chain stitched hemp and I added the heart just as the heart was positioned on the anchor in the opening credits of the TV show. Cute? :o) What do you think?

I'll be highlighting more samples and techniques that will be covered in the SDU class as time goes on. I hope to eventually get a card done too! For Now, Happy Crafting!

The New Idea Book is Here!

Finally, the new Close To My Heart Idea Book is available for all to oh an ah over! I have been so excited to share it with everyone. There are 8 new colors....Pacifica, Lagoon, Sky, Cotton Candy, Gypsy, Smoothie, Sunset...4 new Paper Packets...Magnifique, Hooligans, Olivia, Mistletoe and piles of new stamp sets and embellishments. Everything aimed at helping you make wonderful papercraft projects "faster, simpler, easier." The new Idea Book is available for you to view on my website.

I have been busy working on samples for my SDU class at the Michaels in Collegeville PA. I always have enjoyed scrapbooking but while preparing for the class, realize that I just don't do enough. CTMH makes scrapbooking so easy. The paper packets are designed in 2 levels. Level 1 packs contain pre-designed pattern papers, 2 matching B&T Duos pattern papers, coordinating card stock and Stickease. "Stickease" are card stock stickers that coordinate perfectly with the papers. The Level 1 set that is included with the paper packet even contains an alphabet. There are also Level 2 Stickease, sold separately, that allow you to add even more embellishments to your layouts.

Here is a Level 1 Layout using Mistletoe...

To complete this layout, I only used supplies included in the Level 1 paper packet! To make the circle mats for the letters and holly berries in the upper corner, I did use my 1 1/4 inch punch....that is a tool not a supply (wink.) The layout includes many of the theories and techniques that I will be teaching at the SDU class. BTW - the photos were taken during the Christmas 2009 blizzard.

Take a look at the new Fall/Winter Idea Book to see all of the wonderful new Close To My Heart Products. For Now, Happy Crafting!