December Stamp of the Month Artwork

Yea! You get a peek at the Close To My Heart December Stamp of the Month a day early! Lucky you! The artwork I created with it is the same artwork pictured in the CTMH flyer (why re-invent the wheel, right?), though with my own tweeks, since I didn't have some of the supplies needed to re-create them exactly. That's what I love about our designs - you can take them and interpret them any way you'd like, and with the supplies you have on hand. These items were also displayed at my Open House back in September - so if you were there, you really got a sneak peek! Here's just a sampling of what you can create using "Mad About You":

The "Mad About You" stamp set is Valentine's themed, however, you can use this set for anniversaries, weddings, or any occasion to tell someone what they mean to you. This card uses the "Typeset" paper pack, along with "Just Blooms Paper Shapes - Flutter" (butterfly). The heart image was stamped directly onto it's corresponding "Art Philosophy" Cricut-cut shape.

This card uses the "Typeset" paper again, along with the "Bling Assortment" (stick pins). I didn't actually think I would use the stick pins (they come packaged with really cool bling buttons), but once I did, I really loved them! They make a fun and elegant addition to your artwork.

I love this card. I really like the "ticket" look. Any card using tickets or ticket shapes & images, I am drawn to. And these "Over The Moon" images remind me of that. These shapes were cut from the Cricut "Art Philosophy" cartridge before being stamped on. So quick & easy! I inked one of the Flutter Paper Shapes with red and inked the edges with black.

Pillow boxes are always fun - and an easy gift box to create! Again, these images were all cut, including the box, from "Art Philosophy". You may not be able to tell, but there are tiny "Sparkles" in the swirl of each heart - just to bling it up a little!

I know you will have as much fun with this set as I did. And don't forget, each Stamp of the Month set comes with a Project Sheet which will direct you to the corporate website where you can find a list of materials and instructions for creating all of the artwork I have shown you today! The Exclusive SOTM set, "Mad About You" is available through December 2001 ONLY - for $17.95 OR for only $5 with a $50 purchase. Now that's something to love!

Open House Artwork - Part 6

Hello everyone!

I have just returned from the most wonderful birthday weekend ever - a Disney Cruise aboard the Disney Dream! After a rocky start (literally), it really was an incredible weekend.

So, now, back to the artwork! Yes, there's still more to see! So let's get right to it!

This first card was the Make & Take at my Open House. It uses this month's Stamp of the Month, "Cherish The Day", along with the star images from "Love Life" and the "thank you" sentiment from the "Thank You" set (available only through my online store at http://funforyou.myctmh.com). The stars and "ticket" pieces were cut from the "Art Philosophy" Cricut Cartridge.

This gorgeous layout was created using the Mayberry Paper Pack, Color-Ready Alphabets Cork, the "Love Life" stamp set, Designer Ribbon Cocoa Collection, and the Brad Assortment - Pink. The original layout (featured on page 29 of the Autumn-Winter 2011 Idea Book) used the Elemental Paper Pack and our new Decor Journaling Spots, but since i didn't have either of those products, I improvised - again! I made my own cute envelopes for the tags, and the starts were nice and easy - cut from the Cricut!

This very pretty card utilizes the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge once again. I just LOVE how the images from the "Hooray Bouquet" stamp set coordinate perfectly with the Cricut cuts. The flowers and sentiment stamped in the rectangle are from "The Present" stamp set. A Chocolate brad, along with Opaques - Mocha, were also used.

That "Hooray Bouquet" stamp set is so much fun to use - I just had to use it again on this layout of my beautiful daughter. This layout can also be found on page 86 of the Autumn-Winter 2011 Idea Book using different colors and papers. The flowers are perfect for layering! And I am really loving the new Cork Alphabet - it's really cork! The flowers and borders were cut with the Cricut!

These last three cards were all done using the "Remarkable Wreath" stamp set. This is a great set in that you can create three completely different looks for three different seasons. All you have to do is switch up the papers and colors, and voila! These cards were all cut using "Art Philosophy". This one is the autumn card.

This one is the winter card.

And this one is the spring card. Fun!

Well, I hope you have enjoyed this week's inspiration! The holidays are FAST approaching, so be sure you make that special someone a handmade greeting to show how much you really care. Until next time, happy stamping!

November Stamp of the Month and Artwork!

Wow! November already! Well, with a new month, comes a new Stamp of the Month from Close To My Heart - and coincidentally, the next installment of Open House Artwork was done with the November SOTM! The Stamp of the Month is available for this month only, and is called "Cherish the Day". It is a set of 44 (yes, forty-four!) images that also, incidentally, coordinate beautifully with several different cuts on the CTMH exclusive "Art Philosophy" Cricut Cartridge! Here is a picture of the images you'll get:

I created (or re-created) the featured artwork that comes with the stamp set. With every SOTM, you will receive a project sheet that will direct you to the CTMH website for a product list and instructions for creating several different items with that stamp set. They are a lot of fun! And this stamp set was easy and versatile. Check out the artwork:

The patterned paper used is from the "Dreamin'" paper pack. What's cool about these cards is that they originally call for the use of "Milepost Shapes" (item #Z1464), which are corrugated chipboard shapes. I, however, did not have those, so I used Desert Sand cardstock, cut the shapes from the Cricut "Art Philosophy" cartridge, ran them through my corrugator, then inked the ridges with Desert Sand ink (the only exception is the blue stars which were Pacifica CS and ink). So feel free to use what you have to create these fun projects!

Everything on this cute take-out box (including the box!) was cut from the "Art Philosophy" cartridge. I tell you, I had so much fun using that cartridge!

And you will have so much fun with this stamp set! Use it to mark any occasion! It's only $17.95 or $5.00 with a $50.00 purchase! Have fun!