CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

The last day of every month signals the time for a special event....the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  This month it is a stamp set that celebrates the summer season...I say that because here in the United States our set is called "Celebrate America" and the Canadian Consultants have a special set just for Canada.  You can see a picture of the set on my previous post along with the full list of participants.

So without further ado, I bring you my little portion of the blog hop.  If you've arrived here from Susan's blog, you're on the right track.  I wanted to do something fun this month so here is my first project.

I stamped two of the large star images and the fireworks.  Then I triple heat embossed them with clear embossing powder.  To do this, stamp your image.  After you are sure that the ink is dry, swipe your VersaMark pad over the image and cover with the clear embossing powder.  After it has cooled, repeat the process as many times as you like.  This process will make your image appear as if it has been enameled.  Each image was then cut out.  I set eyelets in the stars and attached a pipe cleaner to the fireworks.  The jar is an antique blue Mason Jar that I had in my garage.  I filled it with shredded paper and battery operated lights.  PLEASE if you try this, do not leave the jar unattended.  The lights might get hot and they are resting on paper.  Anyway, I tied the bow with "country" ribbon using my Bowdabra and added the stars and fireworks as I was making the bow.  I attached the bow to the jar and the project was done!  BTW - I tried several different ways to photograph the jar and this is the best I could do to get the lights to show.

My next project is a Christmas Card....yes a Christmas Card.  I wanted to show that just because the stamp set is for July, doesn't mean that you can't use it for other occasions!

The flourish and sentiment are from one of my all time favorite CTMH sets...Snow Flurries.  The star is from this month's stamp of the month!

It's now time to hop on over to Angel's Blog and see what she has created.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop List

Here is the list of all of the participants in the July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.







Helen Onulak      http://www.hookedonstamping.com/


Kathleen Androlewicz      http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com/

Judy Burger      http://www.makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/

Brae Montgomery      http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com

Angela Tutton      http://www.tuttonstreasures.blogspot.com/

Jen Patrick      http://roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/

LeAnne Dudley      http://www.dudleychickdesigns.blogspot.com/

Susan Brooks      http://stampingintheopen.blogspot.com/

Cindy Leek      http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com

Angel Sawyer      http://runningwithscissorsdesignco.blogspot.com/

Jen Rubio       http://jenrubio.blogspot.com/

Doreen Guilfoyle      http://whereisyourhappyplace.blogspot.com/

Paige Dolecki      http://paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/

Sarita Schraeder      http://www.blessedscrapper.com/

Teresa Scrivens      http://www.creatingwithinkypaw.com/

Wendy Fording      http://papercreationsbywendy.blogspot.com/

Kami Welter      http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/

Melissa Laverty      http://www.fancymelissa.com/

Haley Dyer      http://inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/

Shannon Beck      http://www.cardsfromthefarm.blogspot.com/

Traci Godbee      http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/

Tamytha Jenkins      http://www.paperheartist.com/

Sheila Bennett      http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com/

Traci Pasqualone      http://scrapitraci.blogspot.com/

Wanda Riley      http://Creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com

Adeline Brill      http://www.adeline-brill.blogspot.com/

Pamela O'Connor      http://cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/

Terrie Dodd      http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/

Jill Lucas      http://scrapwench.blogspot.com

Nicole Griggs       http://www.nicolescreativezone.blogspot.com/

Mary Eisen      http://mestamp2.blogspot.com

Carla Ironside      http://carlacreates.blogspot.com

Wendy Coffman      http://www.stampingrules.blogspot.com/

Lisa Sargent      http://lisa-sargent.blogspot.com/

Carol Harris      http://www.carol-harris.blogspot.com/

Debra Van Patten      http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com

Melinda Everitt     http://ifyoublingittheywillcome.blogspot.com/

Beth Naumann     http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com/

Nancy Brown      http://creativelyartsygallery.blogspot.com/

Georgia Hauglid      http://inkygeorgia.blogspot.com/

Melissa Robinson      http://www.mlisrobinson.blogspot.com/

Michelle Loncar      http://michelleloncar.blogspot.com/

Dawn Ross      http://iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/

Tammy Lea Pinchard      http://mycreativeclubhouse.blogspot.com/

Katy Donaldson      http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/

Dawn Heuft      http://stamptildawn.blogspot.com

Annette Green      http://annettescreativejourney.blogspot.com/

Vickie Tagatz       http://create-with-me-vickie.blogspot.com/

Krista Ritskes      http://kristaritskes-simplycreating.blogspot.com/

Shirley Ross      http://www.momnmescrap.blogspot.com/

Lori Brown      http://www.savingmine.blogspot.com/

Vicki Wizniuk      http://wizardshangout.blogspot.com/

Karen Fullam      http://www.enrichingmemories.com/

Sarah Harrington      http://scrapwithsarahm.blogspot.com

Tamra Pope       http://www.tamrascraftypapercreations.blogspot.com

Debbie Little      http://www.makinglittlememories.blogspot.com/

Gina Brandstetter      http://gmbscrapper.blogspot.com/

Lisa Schaefer      http://lisalynn00.blogspot.com/

Jean McNulty      http://stampinmaui.blogspot.com/

Tonya Whitehurst      http://heartandsoulscrappers.blogspot.com/

Amy McVey       http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/

Diana Soling      http://mystampingspot.blogspot.com

Judy Faye Garner      http://judyfaye.blogspot.com/

One Last Card About Texture....All In The Ocean!

In the last few posts, I have talked about adding texture to your cards.  Today, I have an example of another way to add texture.

If you look closely, you will see that dots and circles are repeated four times on elements of the project.  First, the pattern paper from CTMH Magnifique, has repeating small circles.  Next, the image (a great digi mermaid from Michelle Perkett...more about that later) has round pearls on her body and handle of her purse.  If you look closely, the Sky blue band has been embossed with circles using a Cuttlebug folder.  And, last but not least, I added a pearl in Eva's hair and three at the bottom to finish off the card.  Repeating the elements in your projects will help with the continuity of the finished item.

Anyway, let me tell you a little about Eva the Glam Mermaid.  I recently found this wonderful digi stamp studio.  All the images are beautifully hand drawn by Michelle Perkett.  Eva is just one of the many Mermaids, Fairies, Angels and you have to check out Woofie!  Here is a link to her inspiration and design challenge studio.  This card is made for her challenge this week...All in the Ocean.  By the way, the image is colored with my Copics.

For Now, Happy Crafting!

A Little More About Adding Texture To Your Projects

The last few days, I have been spending time working on ways to add texture to your projects.  The card that I'm going to share today features "repeating" texture. 

To repeat the texture elements on this card, I used my Swiss Dot Cuttlebug Embossing Folder to add the texture to the black layers.  This is the first repeat.  I then used the flower image from the Close To My Heart stamp set called "Spring Up" (B1365) to make the 3D flower.  This is a terrific stamp set.  The flower image has the dots.  Once stamped, you cut it out along the lines provided and wrap it slightly to form the flower.  I hold it together with either glue dots or Liquid Glass.  The "dots" in the flower image repeat the embossed texture on the black layers.  By the way, the cake image is from a set called "Precious Love" (C1444) and the flowers were colored with my Copics.

I really like how texture adds interest to a project.  What do you think?  For Now, Happy Crafting!

PPPC#6 - A Summer Theme

It's time for another challenge!  A special thanks to all who participated in the last challenge.  The layouts and cards were wonderful! 

This time, in honor of summer, we challenge you to make a card that features something of the season.  It can be a flower, a card for the 4th of July or perhaps a layout featuring a summer vacation.  The choice is yours.

Here is my card.  The image is from CTMH's set called Theme Park.  It's been colored with my Copics and  little bling has been added with a glitter pen and sparkles.  In a previous post, I talked about adding texture to your projects.  This is another example.  If you look closely, the sweet leaf mat has been run through my Cuttlebug like the previous card, but in this case, I turned the mat over for a totally different look.

Don't forget to add your summer themed projects.  This challenge you are playing for a CTMH Creative Basics paper packet!  For Now, Happy Crafting!

PPPC#5 Post Your Project Here!

Neglected Yellows...A Copic Coloring Challenge

This week's Copic challenge at Simply Scrapping Crafts is to color an image using "yellow."  Such a perfect color choice for summer.  It is also the perfect color choice for me.  For years now, I have collected pineapples.  I'm not quite sure how or why I started liking pineapples other than the fact that they are both the Colonial and Pennsylvania Dutch symbol of "welcome."  Here is my card for the challenge

The card is done on a 5 x 7 inch base of Cranberry card stock.  The large mat is Close To My Heart's new Kraft card stock.  I haven't used it before...what fun to have it in the stash.  This card also features a texture panel for movement on a card.  The outdoor denim panel is scored and then sanded.  By the way, the image was a Christmas gift from a friend a few years ago....love this stamp!

I actually have some sad news about Simply Scrapping Crafts.  Judy, the owner, has decided to close the site effective the end of the month.  What a loss to the paper crafting community as SSC was one of the most friendly websites I've ever been involved with.  Well, the good news, we have one more week to enjoy. 

Thanks to everyone playing along with PPPC.  I'll be back a little later with the next challenge!  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Trying a New Technique

Gosh, I didn't realize that it has been so long since I posted.  But, that doesn't mean that I haven't been busy.  Friday evening I attended a crop and met a new group of lovely ladies.  I worked on a project that I can't post yet...heeheehee...Saturday I had my Card Workshop.  What fun, we colored all day.  You know, whether it be water colors, pencils or Copics, nothing helps you recapture your youth like coloring a stamped image!  The rest of the time, I have been working on some new techniques to share and to teach at my classes.

Here is a new technique that I played with....adding texture to your focal image.  Texture is so important on your cards and scrapbook layouts.  It helps add movement and interest.  Texture can be added in many different ways.  You can add bling, 3D Flowers, multiple layers, dry embossing and in this case, I actually used my Cuttlebug to emboss my focal image.

This card is actually made for the Simply Scrapping Crafts weekly Copic challenge that will be posted later today.  The challenge this week is to complete a card that uses Yellows in your image.  Believe it or not, the image (from Flower Pot) is actually colored in all yellow or yellow-red shades.  That is the beauty of Copics....with over 300 shades to choose from, your coloring possibilities are endless.  Flower Pot is a current Close To My Heart stamp set that is just perfect for all kinds of coloring.  I have used water color techniques, colored pencils and water based markers to color the image, too.

Don't be afraid to try different techniques.  Sometimes you lose, but more often you'll find something new and interesting.  Remember, our projects are ART!  Art is an expression of our souls.  As paper crafters, we express ourselves on paper!  :o)  For Now, Happy Crafting!

A Day of Creativity!

I was stuck at home today while I got my car inspected so I had plenty of time to create.  The first card I made was for the upcoming Thursday Copic Challenge at Simply Scrapping Crafts.  I can't post that card yet, but I promise I will later in the week.

The other day I treated myself to a Copic Air Brush system.  We learned how to use it at the Copic Certification class last week.  I bought the beginner system (ABS-2) because I wanted to see if I liked air brushing before I spent more money.  With this system, the air grip handle screws directly onto a can of "air."  It is a very simple and easy to use air brush.  You merely slid the pens into the air grip and away you go!

To make this card, I used my Nesties to cut the oval.  I randomly stamped a twig image from the CTMH "Something Splendid" stamp set.  When the ink was dry, I grabbed my new air gun.  First I sprayed the upper portion of the oval with BG15 using a swiping motion.  Then I changed the pen color to B21 and sprayed another stripe.  I continued the process with Y38, YG95 and YG99.  When the area was dry, I stamped "dreams" in the upper left hand corner.  The card stock colors include Cocoa, Olive and Honey and the pattern paper is from Mayberry.  The "dots" are Liquid Pearls.  Stay tuned, because as time goes on, I'll explain what the color numbers mean.

Another card I made today is for the current SSC Clean and Simple challenge.  The challenge was to complete a card using buttons...

This is a fun and simple card using images from You and Me, Smiles and Baby Love.  The colors include White Daisy, Hollyhock and Pear.

I hope that everyone had a creative day.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Papers Pads and Pictures Challenge #5

It's time for another challenge everyone!  What is your favorite color?  Seventy-five percent of all people say that their favorite color is a cool color....blues, greens, purples....colors that create a sense of calm.  The warm colors often evoke strong emotions.  Colors like red, yellow and orange remind us of warmth and fire.  It's human nature to seek peace which accounts for the overwhelming response of color preference. 

This challenge is for you to create a card using your favorite color combination.  What appeals to you?  What colors together bring you your personal peace?  Create a project that expresses your feelings...

My favorite color combination is "blue and green."  And, I just love turquoise or aqua with darker blue.  This cute little guy is colored with my Copics and matted with CTMH Pacific and Lagoon.  The pattern paper is from the Magnifique Paper Packet.

Nancy will be adding her card as soon as physically possible.  Physically literally....she is down for the count with a hurt knee.  We wish her well and hope that she will be back creating soon!

So, what do you think my favorite color is???  Would you believe that my favorite single color is red!  But, when I create and combine colors, I automatically reach for blue and green.  Your mission is to create a card using your favorite colors together and don't forget to leave a comment about your favorite colors.  Add your card to the link above.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

More Copic Marker Fun!

I'm busy practicing my Copic coloring!  What fun...Here is one of yesterday's cards I completed for the Simply Scraping Crafts Copic challenge...."Pink it Up."

This is just a quick post this morning as I must go to My Studio and do a little cleaning before my next workshop.  We have such fun at our workshops....Here are two of the gals busy working on their projects at a recent class.

Later today, I shall post the next PPPC challenge!  Don't forget to stop by SSC...it really is a great crafting website.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

PPPC #4 A "Z" Fold Card

I'm a Copic Certified Designer!

I had a great day on Tuesday!  I took the Copic Certification Class.  What a fun day and I think my coloring is improving already!  These are the first cards I completed since the class...

Both of these cards were done for challenges over at Simply Scrapping Crafts.  The first card is the design card I did for the Thursday Copic Challenge and the second card is for the Tuesday Color Challenge.

By the way, here I am (looking a little hot and tired) receiving my Certification for Lori, the instructor of the class.

For Now, Happy Crafting!

I'm Getting Ready for Copic Class!

I'm just about ready to head off for my Copic Certification class!  I've been waiting to take this class for about 2 years and had to wait until Copic brought a class to the Philadelphia area.  I'm so excited...can ya tell?  :o)

I hope that I'll have some wonderful techniques and new ideas to share with you after class.  One thing that I've been doing is looking closely at everything I see.  I want to get "natural" shading in my head so I'll be able to replicate it in my work.  I always teach that nature is not perfect and the world is not flat.  We need to add depth and texture to our work.  One of the easiest things to study are flowers and my garden is a great classroom.

These are recent photos taken in my garden...wish studying was like this umpteen years ago when I was in school!  For Now, Happy Crafting!

It's Never Too Early To Start...Heart 2 Heart Challenge

I was surfing the internet today looking for an interesting challenge to participate in and I remembered the Heart 2 Heart Challenge.  The current challenge is a sketch so it was perfect to make this afternoon.

Now, I realize that it is only June, but it is never to early to start making Holiday Cards especially with my Artfire Studio. 

The challenge features Mistletoe and Bliss Pattern Papers.  An interesting combination, what do you think?  Both the sentiment and image are from a CTMH set called "Snow Days."  I colored the image with the following Copics:  C0, C1, C5, W2, BG10, BG70, B000, B21, Y000, YG95.  I added Prisma Glitter for a little bling on both the image and the sentiment but try as I might (10 photos later) the glitter hardly shows. 

It's never to early to start working on those Holiday Cards...don't make too many thought because the new CTMH Idea Book with new Holiday papers will be released later this summer.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Simply Scrapping Crafts Copic Challenge

Don't know if you remember or not, but I am on a design team over at Simply Scrapping Crafts.  It is a terrific site that includes a daily challenge...and you all know how I like challenges!  Thursday is the Copic Challenge.  This weeks challenge was to make a card where the focal point was colored with Copics and the card is embellished with buttons and bows.

One of the things I always try to remember (that I think this challenge emphases) is when you have a "fancy" focal point, do not clutter the rest of the card with embellishments that could distract from the main image.

This cute little A2 card is made using papers from CTMH's Mayberry paper packet and Colonial White, Smoothie and Olive card stock.  The focal image and sentiment are from "Love You Forever" (C1398) and the faux stitching is from "Stitched Together"  (C1459.) 

I colored the image using a number of Copics...
Chicks - Y000, Y13, Y17

Tree Branch - E00, E13, E71, E77
Nest - E00, E25, E77
Flower and Leaves - R02, R20, R29, YG01, YG05, YG95
Next week I'll "officially" be able to share with you how I colored as I am taking the Copic Certification class on Tuesday!  Can't wait!!!

So, after you've finished the Papers Pads and Pictures Challenge (hehehe) stop on over at the Simply Scrapping Crafts site to check out their fun challenges.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

PPPC #3 Challenge Random Winner

Oh My...I just realized that I didn't post the winner from PPPC#3....I am so sorry!  So, using a random number generator, Annette's Name came up!  Congrats Annette and I will get your package in the mail to you!  Thanks to Jenny, too, for playing along.  Don't forget the fun Z Fold card that has been designed by Nancy.  For Now, Happy Crafting!