CTMH October Blog Hop!

Wow, where did September go???  As I was preparing for this blog hop, I realized that I haven't posted since the last hop...ahhhh....I have been really busy working on samples, crops, workshops and teaching.  I really must do a better job...  forgive me?  :o)

Just in time for those Holiday Cards, CTMH has created a great Stamp of the Month.  It is called Holiday Magic and contains just about every stamp you could need for terrific Christmas Cards.  What I really like is it has a "split" sentiment.  That is, a set of sentiments that works together for stamping on both the front and inside of your card.  If you've come here from Judy's blog, you are on the right track.  So, without further ado, on to my project.

One of the hottest trends right now in paper crafting is the "Smash Book."  What is a Smash Book you ask?  It is a shabby chic book that is intended to be used!  It contains pockets and placed to immediately attach your fun memorabilia.  For this month's hop, I have created a Smash Book, CTMH style. 

The book is made from white lunch bags!  The bottoms of the bags form the flaps and the tops are left open to store tickets, cards, carry a pen and glue stick.  The book is covered using Winter Wonderland along with Chocolate, Spring Iris, Crystal Blue, Twilight and White Daisy card stock.  The same colors were used for inks and the Trees were stamped using Topiary.  There are several fun techniques included in this book such as sanding, dry embossing, sponging, glittering, paper piecing, repeat stamping and using Liquid Glass to cover the tree on the front cover.  And, of course, I used that wonderful Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  Remember, a Smash Book is made so that you can glue cards and trinkets immediately into the book and then journal about them.  That is why there are so many open areas in my book.

It's time to hop on over to Michelle's Blog to see what she has done with this fun stamp set.  For Now, Happy Crafting!