Close to My Heart's August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to another installment of Close to My Heart's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! Hope your getting some great ideas from this bunch of talented CTMH Consultants! If you've arrived here from Wendy's blog, welcome! If you've happened to arrive here in the middle, you'll definitely want to go back to Kathleen's blog and see all the greatness along the way! I'm always amazed at the creativity that is showcased on these blog hops. What a wealth of ideas! Here's my take on this gorgeous stamp set:






I stamped my flower image in both Cranberry and Baby Pink to highlight the beautiful pink hues. I then added some Star Dust Stickles to the petals for a little bling. The leaves were stamped in Garden Green and cut out. A few other adornments and easy peasy done! Here are just a few more sample of "Something Splendid" that I've used on some other cards/projects:





You'll now want to check out more splendiferousness at Shelly's blog. (I made that word up, I really like the way it sounds ;D ).

Make sure to come back and visit! Have a great day!



Stamps: Something Splendid (CTMH)
Paper: Boom-di-Ada dp, Daisy White, (CTMH)
Ink: Garden Green, Baby Pink, Cranberry (CTMH)
Accessories: Organdy Ribbon White, Ranger Petal Pink Liquid Pearls, Circle & Scalloped Nestabilities, Star Dust Stickles, Colonial White brad, dimensionals, Mini Medley Antique Copper Accents, Clear Card square base

Splash of Green

Green is absolutely my favorite color. When I went over to Play Date Cafe last night and saw black and white with a splash of green color challenge I was all over it. There is nothing more elegant to me than a black and white card. Add my favorite color to it and it's a match made in heaven.

I used Jen's Sketch for You to Try this week for my outline. This was a really easy to use sketch (thankfully):



Over at the Play Date Cafe, Julie and the gals are challenging us to use this color palette...one of my favs of all time:


Although this card looks complicated, it's really just some layering upon layering. There are 3 square panels with just the corners punched. I started with a 3 & 3/4" square as the largest white panel underneath. The next black panel is 3 & 1/4" and the smallest white panel is 3". I then adhered the Labels Ten with an Oval Nestie on top of that and popped both layers up with some dimensionals.

While I was checking out the Cafe I saw that I had won Cup of the Week with this card! I was so excited to see my card showcased! A big thank you to the Play Date Cafe team and also to my blog buddy Colleen for the heads up!


Stamps: Just Believe (SU)
Paper: La Crème dp (DCWV), Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, White craft ink
Accessories: Martha Stewart Layered Arches corner punch, Labels Ten & Oval Nestabilities, Organza ribbon Whisper White (SU), K & Co. gems & pearls, Brights Collection buttons (SU), dimensionals, white embossing powder, SU Label punch
Size: 4 1/2" X 5 1/2"

Mojo Monday 149

Short and sweet...Mojo Monday...shadowbox design...new SU papers...Color throwdown challenge...good night :D

Colors:



Sketch (square this month):


Nighty night.

Stamps: Just Believe (SU)
Paper: Love Letter dp, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla (SU), Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Scalloped Squares, Oval & Labels One Nestabilities, Victoria Crochet trim (SU), Reflections pearls, Crystal Stickles, C & G Burgundy Satin ribbon, Ranger White Opal liquid pearls, dimensionals
Size: 5 1/2" square

Viva La Verve July Week 4 Challenge

Do you believe that it's the last week in July already? Where has the time gone? This has been one of the hottest summers I can remember. The good part of that is that it's too hot to go outside and that's a great excuse to sit in my craft room and do some major brainstorming. Today I finished my last card for July's Viva La Verve challenge over at Splitcoast. This is the result of my storming:



I followed this sketch:

And this is the color scheme I used which I found at Bed Bath & Beyond online:



I noticed (after I took the picture) that I mixed cream and white cardstock on the same card {gasp!} Well, I like the way it looks, so it's stayin'.

Thanks for visiting and hope you'll stop back again soon!

Stamps: Blue Skies (Verve)
Paper: Passages dp (CTMH), Parisian Breeze dp, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip (SU)
Ink: Baja Breeze, Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, SU Valet Ribbon Originals, Ranger Baby Blue Liquid Pearls, Silver Cord (SU), button (unk.), Ranger Super fine Clear embossing powder, Star Dust Stickles, dimensionals, dauber, sewing machine
Size: 4 1/4" X 5 1/2"

Medallion Tutorial

I've been asked by several people to do a tutorial on my medallion technique that I've used on quite a few cards like this one and this one and even this one. My first medallion card I made was for a challenge at Splitcoast and the originator of that medallion was Becca Feeken. You can view her tutorial here. However, my medallion is different because I do not punch on the inside of the circle, I punch on the outside of the circle. This card here shows the inward punch.

The first step is to cut out a circle (I use the largest Nestability Standard Circle) which measures 3 3/4" diameter:

Next I align the top of the punch (which is facing down) with the bottom edge of the circle. I can just barely see the edge of the paper. I try to make sure that the punch is in pretty evenly:

As you can see here, there is a space at the top of the punch (which is at the bottom here). All of those outer pieces will fall away as you punch through. If they don't, which you'll see at the end, they can be easily trimmed:

This is the hard part. Very carefully, align the bottom edge of the punch with the bottom edge of the paper. While doing this, you need to line up the last punch with the next one. In other words, there will be just a slight space showing from the last punch. This is also where things can go awry. Too much space between and you won't have enough room for all the punches equally. Too little room and the punches start to overlap:

Don't give up! When photographing this tutorial I had to make 3 circles! PRACTICE, PRACTICE! It's worth it ;)

Here are those stubborn edges. Just carefully snip them off:

You'll notice that not all of the arches in between are equal. That's fine, that is what helps me to deterimine where to put my pearls or other adornments:

I have used other punches, but this one works well and is just so pretty!

Hope this helps, sorry there is no mathematical equation to get this right, just good ole practice!
Most importantly, though, is to have FUN!

Card Patterns Guest Designer

I'm so lucky to have been chosen as Guest Designer of the Week at Card Patterns Sketch blog!



This is the sketch I modeled:




When I initially saw this sketch, I was thinking that my card had to be really big to fit the two sets of three elements. Then I realized that they didn't have to be to scale; this sketch is just a guide. I do have a habit of taking things literally, but I'm working on it. My card is standard A2 size and I'm pretty happy with the how I was able to fit in all of the elements. The panel behind the sentiment is a Fancy Tag Nestability die and of course my MS Layered Arches border punch underneath.
Thanks for checking in and a BIG thank you to the gals at Card Patterns for giving me such a great opportunity to showcase my work on their blog!
Have a great day and happy stamping!



Stamps: Accent Notes (Verve)
Paper: Cappella (Basic Grey), Mistletoe (Memory Box), Kraft & White (PTI), Chocolate Chip (SU)
Ink: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip (SU)
Accessories: MS Layered Arches corner & border punch, Labels Eight & Fancy Tags Nestabilities, K & Co. pearls, Hemp twine, Natural twill, dimensionals, dauber, sewing machine
Size: 4 1/4" X 5 1/2"

You are My Sunshine

This is kind of an odd card. I initially was going to make a circle card, however, the Scalloped Circle Nestability I have is just not big enough to add everything that I want to add. So I went looking for another round shape and saw the Labels Ten. Cool, I'll use that. Not so easy. The way that I wanted the colors to line up meant that I had to put some kind of border behind the original card. So I cut out some Blossom Nestabilities and lined them up on the back, after cutting each one in half. Not really good luck in making a cohesive background design, but it served it's purpose to outline the card.



I saw a challenge at ColourQ blog and decided to use their scheme which is pictured here:



I attempted to use Our Creative Corner Sketch Blog for the template, but I just contorted it a little:




That's the thing about experimenting. Some times it works great, some times it doesn't. I think this one falls in the middle somewhere. Not going to stop me though from trying again!
Have a great day!


Stamps: Let It Shine (Verve)
Paper: Fly a Kite (October Afternoon), Real Red, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip (SU), Tapioca (Bazzil)
Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: MS White Dove Craft Binding Seam & Floral Band border punch, Labels Ten, Oval, Scalloped & Blossom Nestabilities, Prima flowers, Superior Stick pins, dimensionals, dauber, heart button (unknown)
Size: Irregular 6 1/2" X 4 1/2"

Verve July Challenge Week 3

I've finally gotten around to Verve's week 3 challenge over at Splitcoast. I have a really hard time with fours. I like threes better, don't ask me why. Why? you say? Ha, I knew you'd ask anyway. My mind/eyes like 3 better, it's more visually appealing to me. My husband says the same; every time I go to plant something in the yard it's either one or a group of three he tells me. So when I saw this sketch, I have to admit that I cringed a little. But, I just happened to have a discarded punched out panel sitting on my craft table and inspiration struck.



I knew that I had to have four panels. I made one punched out one panel, added the dp and pearls and then tried to visualize 3 more of the same on this layout:



I have noticed also, funny that I realize it, that I tend to follow the colors on the sketch, even though I can use any colors I want. I guess I'm being led in that direction, so I'm just going to go with it. It's working so far...



This palette also happens to coincide with this week's challenge at the Play Date Cafe:



I didn't know initially where I was going to put the sentiment and decided a small one in the middle would be ok, and not cover much of the panels.
So I think I've overcome my 'four' avoidance, but I do hope there aren't many more coming down the pike.
Have a great day and stamp happy!



Stamps: Blessings (Verve)
Paper: LifeStories (Webster's Pages), Basic Black, Kraft (PTI)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: MS Layered Arches corner punch & pearls, hemp twine, Oval punch (SU)
Size: 5 1/2" square

Mojo Monday 148 Throwdown

I have so much going on right now, my head is spinning. I have my niece and nephew visiting from North Carolina so that means I'm trying to entertain 4 kids all day long. For those of you out there that have more than 2 kids I have a new found respect for you. It's more work than being at work. I did manage to sneak this card creation into my day. I used Mojo's sketch and Color Throwdown's palette:

Last week this card won at Mojo Monday. I received some great stamps from Julee who so generously provides prizes for all of the winners.



And in a wonderful twist of fate, I entered a contest at Color Throwdown's 100th challenge celebration and I won Verve'e entire new release! So of course I had to use a Verve stamp on this Mojo card. I don't have Stampin' Up's new colors so I improvised a bit to get close to this color palette:



I used my super special medallion technique with my Martha Stewart corner punches to make the main centerpiece. I then cut out some circle Nestabilites and built the center up. There is a curved rectangle Nestie underneath also, but just a hint is peeking out. I used my Ranger liquid pearls to dot the edges for a nice bordering effect.
Thanks for stopping by!


Stamps: Always on My Mind (Verve)
Paper: 365° Degrees (pink paislee), Not Quite Navy (SU), White CS (PTI)
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Circle & Curvy Rectangle Nestabilities, MS Deco Fan corner punch, Ranger Baby Blue Liquid Pearls, Ribbon Originals Seaside (SU), Cuttlebug Victoria Embossing Folder, dimensionals, EK Success gems
Size: 4 1/4" X 5 1/2"

I'm Back!

I had a little hiatus there for a few days. Not because I wanted to, I worked the past 5 days at our island store which is crazy busy this time of year. When I got home all I wanted to do was say hello to my pillow...which I did. But...my buddy NoraAnne at Robinson's Nest sent me a nice little e-mail telling me that I had won Card Patterns sketch of the week contest! How exciting! I followed this week's sketch pattern for this little cutie here:




For the corners I cut out a Vintage corner die and split it in half, one for each side. I raised up the center panel to give it some dimension, also.
So, my pillow has to wait for me tonight because I've gotten some mojo back!


Stamps: Accent Notes, Feel the Sun (Verve)
Paper: Life Stories (Webster's Pages), Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Baja Breeze (SU)
Accessories: Martha Stewart Layered Arches corner punch, Labels One Nestabilities, Star Dust Stickles, Bride's Flower confetti, Robin's Nest Mowed Grass dew drops, sewing machine, dimensionals, dauber
Size: 4 1/4" X 5 1/2"

Stamping Priorities

I thought (mistakenly) that I wouldn't get any stamping done this week, since I'm working extra. Wrong. Priorities, you know? My daughter is taking sailing lessons every day and my son is in charge of his own social calender, sleepovers here, play dates there, going to grandma's when Mom puts the brakes on fun (!) So, I had some time to put this little beauty together for Our Creative Corner Sketch challenge blog:



I turned the template 90° because I couldn't wrap my brain around the sketch the way it appears. My logical mind (my husband would disagree that I have a logical mind) saw this sketch differently:

I had made the sentiment panel last week for my Sunny Days card, but it just wouldn't work, so I shelved it only to find some good use for it! I used a Fancy Tag Nestability and attached two together. Then I layered the Labels Three and 2 Circle Nestabilities on top.
Well, have a great, sunshiny day!

Stamps: Let it Shine (Verve)
Paper: Origins dp (Basic Grey), Basic Black, Garden Green, Whisper White (SU), Tapioca (Bazzil)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Barely Banana
Accessories: Labels Three, Circle & Fancy Tags Nestabilities, Martha Stewart Lattice border punch, American Crafts yellow ribbon, Reflections gems, button (CTMH), Hemp twine, dimensionals
Size: 4 1/4" X 5 1/2"

It's a Play Date!

I linked this card up at Play Date Cafe last week and I made the Fab 4! I'm so flattered that the designers chose my card! I received an e-mail last night from the talented Senior Designer Julie Ranae telling me that she included me on the side bar of her blog under "Newer blogs you have to see". I'm so grateful to Julie for giving me this great exposure!



I used Play Date Cafe's color inspiration challenge as my theme for this card. I really don't use purple or lime green that often, but I think my card comes pretty close to EwenStyle :D


I stamped the butterfly three times, colored each image with Copics and cut out two of them. I stacked them while slightly bending the wings upward for a nice 3-D look. I simply dotted some Star Dust Stickles on the wings and added some gems for the body. True to my punching style, I used a Layered Arches corner punch, just measured the width of the punch and cut a strip of paper that wide (1 & 1/8" for whoever's interested.) I punched each end, the purple slightly longer than the white, then added my sentiment and popped it up.

Going to a Copics class today, I'm thinking I'm going to have to buy more image stamps...oh, darn ;)


Stamps: Embrace Life (CTMH), Feel the Sun (Verve)
Paper: Enchanted (Memory Box), Lovely Lilac, Lavender Lace, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Labels Two Nestabilities, Martha Stewart Layered Arches corner punch & Garden Trellis border punch, Star Dust Stickles, Offray White Satin Saddle ribbon, EK Success gems, dimensionals, sewing machine
Size: 4 1/4" X 5 1/2"