Everything ABC's blog hop - letter Z

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop

 

For this hop we will be featuring the letter "Z".  This may be the name of a paper, a stamp set or an embellishment.  Whatever the crafter has chosen as their "Z" element will be featured in their post.  If you came from  Catherine Nowak of CatScrapbooking 

you are on the right track.   She also has the entire hop list in case you get lost. 

 For my Z, I've created a card using the Zip Strip.  I love that our papers have a complimentary strip that matches the paper and can be used as trim on a layout or card.  I've used the White Pines paper and created a Christmas tree with strips of paper.  I saw the idea on Pinterest.  I also used our Z elements such as gold glitter trim Z1799, Red Enamel Gems Z3090,and the Flaxen Extra Thick Twin Z3036  

.The next stop on the Everything ABC's Blog Hop is  Lauren Moore of CTMH Craftings

  Be sure to leave comments. We really do read them all. 

I hope you enjoy the inspiration!  

CTMH Focus on Stamping Techniques Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamping Techniques Blog Hop! 

 For this blog hop we are featuring a variety of stamping techniques using our amazing CTMH products. If you have come here from Michele Rowley's blog  you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog:  http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html.

This month we have 18 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using various stamping techniques along with a variety of our great CTMH products. To enjoy this hop is quite 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!
For my stamping technique, I've chosen both "Random Stamping" and "Second Generation Stamping" techniques.  I first took the sentiments from "Christ is Born" C1628 and using cocoa ink, randomly stamped them on a 4" by 5.25" rectangle of colonial white paper.  When random stamping, try to create triangles.  The sentiments were stamped 2-3 times without reinking, creating the second and third generation stamped images.  The focal sentiment was stamped on a Cricut cut tag using the new Artistry cartridge (pg. 26) cut at 2.25" and the cranberry layer was cut at 2.5".  Three red enamel gems were placed on each side of the sentiment.  The inside of the card has the second part of the Luke 2:14 verse.

Now "Hop" on over to Lela' 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 projects!  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get some of the products you've seen on this hop!

Everything ABC's blog hop - letter Y

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop

 

For this hop we will be featuring the letter "Y".  This may be the name of a paper, a stamp set or an embellishment.  Whatever the crafter has chosen as their "Y" element will be featured in their post.  

If you came from Lauren Moore of CTMH Crafting

you are on the right track.  Linda Norman of Scrappy Therapy  has the entire hop list in case you get lost. 

 I decided my letter Y would use the Yuletide retired paper and the letter Y from the Artiste Cricut Cartridge  pg.46 to create milk carton treat boxes for stocking stuffers.  This one is filled with M&M's.  Using the Cricut, they can be cut at any size.  This one was cut at 4.25 inches.  The JOY is found on the Artistry Cartridge pg. 48 and was cut at 2 inches with the black 2.25 inches.

The next stop on the Everything ABC's Blog Hop 

is  Donna Long - Hints of Happiness with Donna

  Be sure to leave comments. We really do read them all. 

I hope you enjoy the inspiration!  

December SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

We will be featuring December's SOTM

which is  Candlelight Garden a set of 10 stamps.

If you have come here from Priscilla Gotham you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog:  http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html.

This month we have approximately 32 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using the December SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This 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!  

Card #1 was inspired by the CTMH White Pines Card Workshop.  

The candle, flame and lid were colored with CTMH watercolors. 

Card #2 was Pinterest inspired.

Now "Hop" on over to Dana Kessler to see her work! Be sure to visit all the consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other creative inspiration! Comments are appreciated to encourage our creative endeavors.  We really do read them.

 Remember, the December SOTM (S1512) is only available until December 31!  Contact your CTMH consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount! Each month you can purchase a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5—that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing.

Everything ABC's blog hop - letter X

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop

 

For this hop we will be featuring the letter "X".  This may be the name of a paper, a stamp set or an embellishment.  Whatever the crafter has chosen as their "X" element will be featured in their post.  

If you came from Donna Long of Hints of Happiness with Donna 

you are on the right track.  Linda Norman of Scrappy Therapy has the entire hop list in case you get lost. 

Sp VERY sorry for the mix-up. I've had some distractions and somehow lost an entire week - way too busy!!  I'm going to make this money card and get it posted tonight. 11/21/15

Some time ago, I stumbled on a You Tube video by Stephanie Davis  how to make a Polariod Money Card.  I love the idea and have been wanting to do this card and just discovered the cricut cuts just happens to be the letter X of the Artistry Cricut Cartridge pg. 32.

Here is Stephanie's blog post for the money card.  She also shares her Design Space file (free).

Here's another Polariod card tutorial that I'm pinning.  This one's a Polariod Shaker Card by Pam Watson of Stellar Crafts by Pam

The next stop on the Everything ABC's Blog Hop 

is  Lauren Moore of CTMH Craftings

  Be sure to leave comments. We really do read them all. 

I hope you enjoy the inspiration!  

Get Back to the Fundamentals - Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to our Get Back to the Fundamentals - Technique Blog Hop!  For this blog hop we are featuring the CTMH amazing color coordinated Fundamental paper packs, stickers and assortments.  If you came here from 

Melissa Robinson's Blog

you are on the right path! The blog hop is a complete circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, Melissa has the list of participants at the end of her blog.

This month we have 11 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using the Fundamental papers and assortments  and other great CTMH products.  This 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!

For my Fundamental Project, I like to show both sides of the papers so decided to create the Double Z fold card. 

I also have two other posts that show the Fundamental Papers, stickers and Assortments.

1.  The Simply Fundamentals Blog Hop

2. The Everything ABC's Blog Hop

Now "Hop" on over to Priscilla Gotham'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 projects!  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get these versatile papers, stickers, and accessories!

Everything ABC's blog hop - letter W

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop

 

For this hop we will be featuring the letter "W".  This may be the name of a paper, a stamp set or an embellishment.  Whatever the crafter has chosen as their "W" element will be featured in their post.  

If you came from  Catherine Nowak of CatScrapbooking 

you are on the right track.  Lauren Moore of CTMH Craftings has the entire hop list in case you get lost. 

.

Since I'm drawing a blank and need something really FAST! I thought of the One Sheet WONDER 8 Pocket Mini Album.  It actually makes a W when it's cut before gluing

" Why? do I need something fast? 

The What -- It's the CTMH Album Retreat!  

Where?  Salt Lake City.  

Who will be there?  

Your's truly with so many CTMH friends! 

When? Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  

This is why I love being a CTMH consultant, 

it just doesn't get any better.

The album isn't only a Wonder... When it's cut correctly it makes a "W"

It's scored at 3,6, & 9, turn and scored again at 3,6, & 9. So you have horizontal and vertical scores creating a three inch grid.

Cut on the left top on the 3 inch score line towards the bottom up to the 3 inch score, the middle cut is up the paper on the 6 inch score line to the 9 inch score and the right side cut was cut down the 9 inch score line up to the 3 inch score line.

This album would make a great "new baby brag book".

I'm having trouble posting photos that look ok on my desktop and when I upload them they flip up-side down.  Any one have that problem?  

To embellish the inside, I used Picture My Life Cards, and some Fundamental Assortment (Peacock).

Traci's web site also has picture instructions.  However, I discovered they have an error that she points out in the video.  It's easiest to follow the video though it's lengthy.  I actually like Naomi Smith's One page Wonder better and will look for a link.

The next stop on the Everything ABC's Blog Hop 

is  Wendy Kessler of "My Scrapbooking Blog". 

  Be sure to leave comments. We really do read them all. 

I hope you enjoy the inspiration!  

Simply Fundamental Blog Hop

Welcome to our Simply Fundamental Blog Hop!  For this blog hop we are featuring the CTMH amazing color coordinated Fundamental paper packs, stickers and assortments.  If you have come here from 

Jennifer Dykstra's Blog, 

you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog:  http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html.

This month we have 27 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using the Fundamental papers and assortments  and other great CTMH products.  This 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!

For my Fundamental Project, I decided to use the Fundamental papers for my roomie gifts at the CTMH Album Retreat.  The treat box is made with a full 12 X 12 paper, using the Adventure colors, Lagoon, Gypsy, and Hollyhock.  The topper is the reverse side, cut at 6 X 4, folded in half and the two long edges scalloped using a corner rounder.  The flowers are made from 3 or 4 unevenly cut "circles" cut into different sizes. Each "circle" is spritzed with water and wrinkled into a "spit-wad", opened and finger shaped into petals.  The center fo the flower is a small gold glitter dot from the Fundamental Assortment Gold.  After the treat bag is filled, it is tied shut with Whisper Thick Twine.

Now "Hop" on over to Jessica Hill'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 projects!  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get these versatile papers and accessories!

November SOTM Blog Hop Cheers

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

We will be featuring November's SOTM

which is Cheers, 2016! a set of 17 stamps.

If you have come here from Michele Rowley you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog:  http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html.

This month we have approximately 37 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using the November SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This 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!  

Urban with Cheers, 2016!

Details coming when I get my computer fixed.

Now "Hop" on over to Dana Kessler to see her work! Be sure to visit all the consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other creative inspiration! Comments are appreciated to encourage our creative endeavors.  We really do read them.

 Remember, the November SOTM is only available until November 30!  Contact your CTMH consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount! Each month you can purchase a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5—that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing.

Everything ABC's blog hop - letter V

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop

  

For this hop we will be featuring the letter "V".  This may be the name of a paper, a stamp set or an embellishment.  Whatever the crafter has chosen as their "V" element will be featured in their post.  

If you came from  Donna Long of Hints Of Happiness with Donna  you are on the right track.  

Linda Norman of Scrappy Therapy has the entire hop list in case you get lost. 

My "V" is vinyl.  I've never cut any vinyl, ever! though have had a cricut for years and have been wanting to cut vinyl for some time.  On Wednesday, I was asked to cut some letters for labeling the Prayer Room at church and I immediately realized that the vinyl I had won at a scrapping retreat at the Firs a couple weeks ago would be perfect.  I just need to figure out how to cut the vinyl using the cricut machine and our amazing cartridges.  Which alphabet would be best?  I used Art Philosophy

I love our Cricut Collections, they are pretty much all I use anymore, though the praying images are from "Inspired Hearts".

Here's what I cut out, just waiting to adhere it to the wall.  I'm at church, I'm the coordinator for our GEMS girls' club(Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior) and we are having our annual Sleep over - can you imagine 20 girls - grades 1-8.  I abandoned "ship" to make my Cricut cuts, and found that it was much easier than anticipated.  I did a double cut thinking it would be needed, but could have just done the single cut.  I'm not sure why the right side of the vinyl was "chewed-up" but it seems that was caused by the Circuit rollers as it moved the mat up and down.  I'm wondering if anyone else has had that happened?  It's just along the edge so doesn't effect the images.  I am so happy with the results.  I know I now have two more Vinyl Projects!

Cutouts ready to adhere to the wall

As soon as I get these adhered to the wall, I'll upload a photo.

I'm the last stop on the blog hop, since it's a big circle the next stop on the Everything ABC's Blog Hop is the beginning of the blog Linda Norman of Scrappy Therapy  She also has the entire list in case you get

 lost along the way.  Hope you enjoyed the tour.

Diffuse Your Artwork - Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to the CTMH October 

Technique Blog Hop 

This month we will be showcasing our two new Diffusers, Circle or Square, found in the Close to My Heart Annual Inspirations Idea Book on page 123.

If you have arrived from Melissa Robinson's blog, then you are in the right place.  If you want to start at the beginning, visit Melissa's blog, but if you want to keep hopping, be assured you'll see it all since it's a big circle.  You can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique.

This challenge had me absolutely stumped!

I tried to emboss and actually cracked the edge of the circle diffuser, and dented/cracked  the embossing folder.  I impulsively tried this without instructions.  

Not too smart!  Here's a tutorial.

 

FAST and so EASY!

For my card base I used Smoothie card stock cut at 8 1/2 and 5 1/2.  I also use smoothie on the chevron embellishment.  I sponged the embossed white daisy (cut at 4 x 5 1/4) with  smoothie, Pomegranate, Canary, and Saffron. The "Blessed" stamp is from "Harvest Wreath Holiday" and stamped using the new Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  The edges of the white daisy were distressed with a scissors.  To add some finishing touches, I added a strip of the red glitter paper and red Enamel Gems,

Now hop over to Priscilla Gotham and see what amazing art she has created.  Thanks for stopping by.  Please, be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my inspiration.

Everything ABC's blog hop - letter U

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop

  

For this hop we will be featuring the letter "U".  This may be the name of a paper, a stamp set or an embellishment.  Whatever the crafter has chosen as their "U" element will be featured in their post.  

If you came from Linda Norman of Scrappy Therapy you are on the right track.  

Linda also has the entire hop list in case you get lost. 

For this hop my "U" are those Unfinished projects like the CTMH  convention layout "UP".  I also have other unfinished projects that I'm working on up at The Firs Chalet Mt. Baker and will share what I've completed.  The Firs Conference Center in Bellingham offers 2 weekend retreats early October, I usually go the first weekend, but I'm "retired" so signed up for both weekends. I'm so glad I was there last weekend, the weather was perfect and I was able to get some amazing photos.  Today, it's raining, so I just might not even see the mountain.

I always have Unfinished projects but lately life has been extra busy.   Not only am I still working full- time, Don and I have taken on the role of temporary foster parents for a teenager.  Due to confidentiality, I cannot say more than that we are happy to be able to provide a home and love for this delightful child. 

I'm finally home and able to upload the photo! Happy Dance.  At the retreat, I had posted the photo to FB hoping to get around the phone problem, but wasn't able to use that photo either. Thanks Denise, for the comment that for this layout to be really done.... it needs a photo.   Hmmmm, novel thought.

 I'm more a card maker and all my layouts are accumulating in an album and very few have photos. I love the hops because they challenge me to get work done and I love the challenge to get a photo in this still Unfinished Up layout; then I'll be able to say, "Done and Done!" 

The other two Unfinished projects I'm completing were not able to be completed because: (1) I was missing some paper - the CTMH order that was arriving Friday is now not arriving until Monday, (2) Cricut Craft Room isn't working since I uploaded Design Space.  Not sure why!  (3) so I moved on to making jewelry and now that's Unfinished because I didn't have the covers.  I still had a great time at the retreat and all partially Undone projects will eventually be officially DONE!  

Up without Photos

Your next stop on our Everything ABC's Blog Hop is Catherine Nowak of CatScrapbooking.  If you get lost along the way... go to Scrappy Therapy.

Spotlight on Holiday Expressions Blog Hop

 Spotlight on the Holiday Expressions Catalog

If you have come here from  Priscilla Gotham's blog  you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.

For this blog hop we have approximately 30 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using elements from the new Holiday Expressions and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This 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!

For my inspiration from the New Holiday Expressions, I created a card from the White Pines paperpack.

not available

Now hop over to Wendy Coffman and see what amazing art she has created.

Thanks for stopping by. Please, be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my inspiration.

October SOTM Blog Hop - Twinkle

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! 

We will be featuring October's SOTM

which is Twinkle, a set of 15 stamps.

If you have come here from Paige Dolecki, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog:  http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html.

This month we have approximately 44 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using the October SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This 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!  
I love the new Sangria paper and thought it had a Christmas, festive appeal so used it for this Christmas card.   I also noticed that the stamped ornament resembled the ornament in the CTMH Cricut cartridge "Artbooking" Christmas overlay.  I used one sheet of the Sangria Bulk B&T paper and made 7 cards.  I cut the layout at 10 inches and then simply used 3-4 ornaments on each card.  Some of them have cut out centers and backed with red glitter trim.  I like the glitter and will be adding more circles and oval trim to the cards for the ornaments that have no glitter.

Now "Hop" on over to Michelle Loncar  to see her work! Be sure to visit all the consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other creative inspiration! Comments are appreciated to encourage our creative endeavors.  We really do read them.

 Remember, the October SOTM is only available until October 31!  Contact your CTMH consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount! Each month you can purchase a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5—that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing.

Everything ABC's blog hop - letter T

Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop

  

For this hop we will be featuring the letter "T".  This may be the name of a paper, a stamp set or an embellishment.  Whatever the crafter has chosen as their "T" element will be featured in their post.  If you came from Lauren Moore of CTMH Crafting you are on the right track.

For this hop my "T" is the Technique to create a Tile card.

I first stamped a 4 x 5 Colonial White cardstock (1388) using the new stamp set from the Sangria Workshop on the Go (G1097)

I used the following inks: fern (Z2650), saffron (Z2651), and peacock (Z2649).  I then cut the card into one inch squares.  WARNING: keep the pieces organized or you might end up putting together the pieces of a puzzle.  Please do not ask how  I might know about this possibility.  I glued the pieces of "tiles" on black cardstock (1386) leaving a space between the tiles for the "tile grout".  The black cardstock was layered with saffron (X5778) cardstock and then adhered to a 5x7 colonial white card.  The bottom sentiment was cut using the new cricut cartridge Artistry (Z3190digital/Z3167cartridge).  The sentiment was cut at 1 1/2 in. Saffron layer cut at 1 3/4 and the black layer was cut at 2 in. Two short banner tags on each side of the sentiment were cut at 3/4 in.

 (saffron) and 7/8 in. (black).

Glazed Tile Card

After posting the first tile card, I added liquid glass and let it dry.  If you get bubbles make sure you pierce them - I see a few I missed.  The ink is water based so bleeds a bit.  I've also seen glazing the tiles with clear embossing powder.  Another tile technique is to dry emboss the grid and then stamp the image.  I've started a "Tile Cards" file on pinterest.  I found some great ideas. 

OK, now I'm on a "T" roll, found a gift bag AKA Treat Bag

I don't have Halloween paper, (at a retreat) but you can use your imagination... I would also use the Pixie Extra Thick Twine (Z3035)  I found a tutorial so click here for the "how to".

Your next stop on our Everything ABC's Blog Hop is Dominique Groulx of fun2cre8.  If you get lost along the way... go to Scrappy Therapy.