September Blog Hop: Treasures

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring September's SOTM, which is "Treasures," a set of 13 stamps. If you have come here from Pam Klassen's blog, you are on the right path!

This month we have over 65 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. "Hopping" is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

Items used:

• September SOTM - Treasures
• Wishes Card Confidence Program
• Silhouette Level 2 Paper Packet
• Colonial White, Bamboo, and Black cardstock
• Black ink
• Designer Ribbon Rounds - Black Collection
• Basic Brad Assortment - Black Bitty Brads

The card front was made separately then attached to the card base after the front was completed. I started by stitching around the bamboo cardstock with a sewing machine. Lightly distress the edges of the B&T paper with ink; adhere. Cut the circle and stamp the dandelion, going slightly off the circle. Stamp the sentiment, then place a mask over the sentiment before stamping the stem. (I didn't do this and wish that I had!) Distress the edge of the circle with bamboo ink; attach to the card using 3-D foam tape. Randomly stamp the smallest dandelion seed image in the upper right corner of the card. Place black bitty brads in the center of each seed. For the final step, I used a fun technique to make the stem on the dandelion: gathered ribbon. This is very simple to do for a great effect!

1. Start with a ribbon with stitching down the center:


2. Using a sharp tool like the paper piercer, pull out a few stitches from the end of the ribbon.


3. Pull gently on the threads while holding the other end of the ribbon.



4. Continue gathering the ribbon until you have the desired length. Tie a knot in each end of the threads to prevent unraveling.


I tucked one end under the popped-up image and tucked the other end under the cardstock front before adhering it to the card base. Easy!

Tie a knot in a 3" piece of ribbon and attach where the gathered ribbon meets the circle. Attach the card front to the card base -- you're done!

Now "hop" on over to Kimberly Smith's blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the September SOTM is only available until September 30! Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

If you get lost on the hop or find links that aren't working, click HERE for a complete list of participating blogs.

Remember - September is National Stamping Month, and CTMH has a gorgeous card kit to celebrate! See my post here for details and photos of the cards!

September Blog Hop List

If you get lost on the blog hop, feel free to access the next name on the list:

Jena DeVries http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com
Nona Davenport http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com
Katy Donaldson http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com
Cibele Glazer http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com
Laura Dame http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com
Lori Leng http://www.pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com
Jamia Bankhead http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com
Melissa Laverty http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com
Pamela OConnor http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com
Sheila Bennett http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com
Adeline E. Brill http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com
Wendy Kessler http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com
Beth Naumann http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com
Barbra Otten http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
Terrie Dodd http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com
Judy Burger http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
Jessica Booth http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
Leisa Hubley http://www.bigredscraps.blogspot.com
Helen Onulak http://www.hookedonstamping.com
Debra Van Patten http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
Juli Clark http://www.thestampteacher.blogspot.com
Sarita Schraeder http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com
Michelle Robinson http://www.amaizenbluelady.typepad.com
Maricar Harris http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com
Antoinette Herrin http://www.GodblessyourART.blogspot.com
Kathleen Androlewicz http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com/
Cindy Leek http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com
Dawn Heuft http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com
Barbara Harris http://www.paper-creations117.blogspot.com
Alanna Moses http://www.damoses.blogspot.com
Laurie Levnik http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com
Tanya David http://www.scramperscorner.blogspot.com
Karen Norman http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com
Jan Moxey http://scrapandstamp4ever.blogspot.com/
Tammy Lea Pinchard http://mycreativeclubhouse.blogspot.com
Paige Dolecki http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com
Kelly Triggs http://www.stampinallday.blogspot.com
Sherry Thompson http://www.picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com
Deb Young http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com
Nancy Ball http://www.ballisticdesign.blogspot.com
Chris Shouse http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com
Dawn Ross http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com
Brae Montgomery http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com
Laurie R Newton http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
Haley Dyer http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com
Carol Taggio http://craftycarol55.blogspot.com
Amy McVey http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com
Carla Ironside http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com
Jennifer Royal http://www.craftroyalty.blogspot.com
Jen Rubio http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com
Kristie Horness-Herdener http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com
Jill Lucas http://scrapwench.blogspot.com
Wanda Riley http://www.creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com
Miranda Kurz http://www.scrampinwithmiranda.com
Jody Gustafson http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com
Susan Brooks http://www.stampingintheopen.blogspot.com
Kami Welter http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com
Jennifer Patrick http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com
Julia Menssen http://www.ralphandjulia.blogspot.com
Shannon Pelletier http://www.mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com
Linda Shewchuk http://www.awesomememories.blogspot.com
Brenda Harmless http://keepsakeswithheart.blogspot.com
Donni Alvarenga http://www.donniscreativetherapy.blogspot.com
Nancy Brown http://www.creativelyartsygallery.blogspot.com
Traci Godbee http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com
Pam Klassen http://eimmap.blogspot.com/
Lori Miller http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com
Kimberly Smith http://verykimberry.blogspot.com/
Caren Goldsein http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com

New Idea Book Sneak Peek

Would you like a sneak peek of some of the awesome new paper from the CTMH Autumn/Winter Idea Book? I love, love, LOVE the new "Jingle" paper! I made these pages for a page swap with my unit. I used the Creative Basics - Jingle as well as new Dimensional Elements (snowflakes). The cardstock used for the base really is White Daisy -- it looks kind of pink in these pictures. The cute little stocking is a new stamp set, hung by a piece of new Cranberry velvet ribbon. Be sure to contact me to get your new Idea Book!

The page layout is from Imagine - Memoirs Complete (pgs. 66 - 67):



I painted the snowflake with Create-a-Shade Pearl Paint. It gives it a nice shimmer!

Sympathy Card: That's Amore

I made this card for my unit's monthly card swap. This month, we decided to stick to a theme (sympathy cards) rather than a certain paper packet or stamp set. This is another wonderful card pattern from the Wishes Card Confidence Program. The card is 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" and uses the paper packet That's Amore. Stamp sets used are TLC and Fringed Phrases. I added a little extra "something" on the card - self-adhesive pearls. A package of the pearls will be sent to anyone placing an order on my website in September.

My Scrapping and Stamping Space

I LOVE looking at pictures of scrapbook rooms! Some look like studios; others are a closet or little nooks. I remember viewing pictures of one room that had a jaw-dropping amount of stamp sets and other products. I wondered how she could find anything to use it! That was definitely one I showed my husband -- See, honey, I don't really have THAT much stuff!

My space isn't a studio, but it's not a closet, either. I have an area in the basement that I share with the kids' rec room (air hockey table, foosball table, video games) and my oldest son's bedroom. My son and I actually just flip-flopped ends of the basement to where I am now. I love it -- it's cozy, and I can work after he goes to bed at night without disturbing him. Sadly, it's also close to the laundry room, so I have no excuses for not getting the clothes washed. ;)

Ready to tour? Let's go!

This is the wide view:


It's really easy to arrange the tables end-to-end if a group wants to come over to scrap, like this past weekend!

This is the view when I'm sitting in my chair, facing the stairs. The three-tiered baskets are from Target. I found them around Easter and think they're perfect for holding my punches!


Moving around the room, I have set up an area for my Cricut and Cuttlebug. I covered the drawer units from Ikea last year while I was recovering from surgery. The drawers hold my chipboard, acrylic, and metal letters: one drawer per letter. Sorry for all the hanging cables and cords -- it's still a work in progress! (As well as the paint job -- definitely needs some help!)



This cabinet holds cardstock aranged by color families, retired B&T and non-CTMH patterned paper, idea books, how-to books, and many other supplies.









The right cabinet holds clear drawers from the Container Store. They're designed to hold shoes but work well for smaller items like Connection Club rewards.







Base pages and non-CTMH cardstock are in the paper rack. The bookcases hold an assortment of items, including photo albums arranged loosely on Stacy Julian's "Photo Freedom" system.


Altered items on top of the bookcases:


I keep my stamp sets in cd baskets purchased at Target:


I have found that I think by color when I am scrapping and stamping, so my embellishments are organized that way in the CTMH accessory cases. They fit perfectly in a metal file basket found -- where else -- at Target!


These magnetic white boards are awesome for displaying artwork! My most recent card swap is posted on this board, and I have another one for magnets from places we have visited and one for business stuff.


Hope you enjoyed the peek at my scrapping space!

Delight in the Everyday: National Stamping Month Card Kit

Close to My Heart has outdone itself with this absolutely gorgeous card kit to celebrate National Stamping Month! It is so easy to get: simply purchase a minimum of $60 in A, B, C, D, or E-size stamps and receive this kit FREE! You may also purchase the kit by itself for $39.95. Place any order between September 1 - 30, and you'll be entered in a daily drawing for a free kit!

If you place a qualifying order on my website, be sure you remember to check the box to add the card kit at the end of your order.



There is an amazing amount of product in this kit! You will receive a full-color brochure with step-by-step instructions. Also included are 16 shaped card bases (LOVE the bracket shape on the edge of the cards!) and envelopes, 4 sheets of B&T Duos, 2 sheets of cardstock, Chocolate Mini Medleys, Chocolate stitched ribbon, mini ink pads in Chocolate and Dutch Blue, a gorgeous D-size stamp set that you will use over and over, and 3-D foam squares! I only needed my paper cutter, paper piercer, and adhesive.



I plan to make additional cards using different colors and papers to show the versatility of this set. I will post the cards here soon! My favorite stamp image is the dotted bracket shape: it will make it so easy to make new cards with the shaped edge.


Card 1:


Card 2:

Card 3:


Card 4:

Card 5:

Card 6:


Card 7:

Card 8:


There are enough materials to make two of each card design. These cards are so versatile -- they can be used for men or women and for a variety of occasions!

New Art & Soul episode: Card Cache

Check out the new episode of Art and Soul on my website: Art & Soul: Card Cache. This episode will show you how to use the same B&T Duos paper to achieve completely different looks. There is also a focus on masculine cards and layouts, My Stickease, and multi-card workshops in Wishes.

Thanks-a-bration starts today!

To say thanks for being a great customer, CTMH is offering you some special perks during the first two weeks in August. If you place an order of $100 or more from August 3 - 17, you will not only earn the darling August Stamp of the Month (It's Your Day) FREE, CTMH will also throw in a free Level 2 paper packet! The paper packet is a random selection from the following stamp sets: Vintage Travel, Rough 'N Tumble, Route 66, Expedition, Floral Tapestry, Everlasting, Caprice, Enchanted, Free Spirit, Life Delights, Whoops-a-Daisy, and Perfect Day. To make the deal even sweeter, CTMH will pick up the tax, shipping and handling on the free items!

If you haven't checked out the artwork for the August Stamp of the Month, be sure to go through the blog hop. The August SOTM (It's Your Day) is a wonderful basic birthday set, one you will use over and over! Add it to your collection today!