December CTMH Festive Friday Blog Hop

Welcome to our December CTMH Festive Friday Blog Hop. You should have arrived here from The Sassy Scrapper - Theresa Miller. If so, you are on the right path, however this is a circular hop so you can start anywhere and just work your way around to where you started (you will find a list of all of the stops at the bottom of this post).

I am a little sad since this is the last of our Festive Friday Blog Hops. I hope you have enjoyed hopping with us since August. If you missed any of the previous hops, the permalinks can be found in the green bar above under Festive Friday Blog Hop.

Today I am sharing an ornament based on some I pinned in years past. I was reminded of those pins when I saw PageMaps 12 Days of Ornaments. You will find the ornaments I have pinned (and many others) on my Christmas Crafts Board.

Here's how the ornament started. I purchased it at a craft and hobby store. This is the smallest single-purchase ornament this store carried. The did have smaller ornaments but they were in a multi-pack. [Click on any image for a larger photo.]

Below is how the ornament looks from one side. Unfortunately I could not take photos with the ornament on a tree because we are not putting up a Christmas tree this year. We have a few young cats we rescued and we are fairly certain would love to climb (and perhaps destroy) the tree. We will probably compensate for no inside tree by putting a "Charlie Brown" style tree on our front porch. We are set far enough from the road that most people will not realize the tree is not inside.

I used all three of the Sparkle & Shine B&T Duos™ paper (X7176B). I cut the strips of paper 1/8" x 12". I then cut the strips to 6" in length. I used approximately 10 1/8" by 6" strips from each paper. I used a pencil to roll some of the papers, but I switched to the Quilling Tool (Z1795) then used my fingers to loosen and shape the coils. I used a Zip Strip from one of the papers for each side of the banner. A poinsettia and button (below) from the Mini-Medley Accents Ruby Collection (Z1861) and cranberry twine from the Baker's Twine Harvest Assortment (Z1751) finish the embellishing.

Here is a closeup of one side of the banner and embellishments.

Before you head off to the next stop, Scrappin' with Ash - Ashley Denny, here is a sneak peek of the NEW embellishments that are included in the January 2014 promotion "Cloud Nine".

In addition to being included in the "Cloud Nine" kit, they will be available for individual purchase on February 1 when the Spring/Summer 2014 CTMH Idea Book is released. Be sure to check with your CTMH Independent Consultant later this month or the beginning of January to learn more about "Cloud Nine". If you do not have a consultant yet, I would be happy to assist you.

The hop is organized by Diane Tuggle and starts at her blog The Happy Scrapbooker. Here are all of the stops on the Festive Friday Blog Hop:

• The Happy Scrapbooker - Diane Tuggle
• Carol Loftus
• Blue Sky Scrapping - Linda Pekrul
• Scrapping with Elsa and Sophie ~ Dachshund Paper Pixies - Jamie Barney
• Stampologist - Paige Dolecki
• Cr8ive ME - Mary Ellen Driggs
• Imagine The Possibilities Studio - April Grigson
• The Sassy Scrapper - Theresa Miller
• centralNYscrapper - Brenda Lapp ------- You Are Here
• Scrappin' with Ash - Ashley Denny
• Ida's Attic - Mary Schwimer 

Thank you for stopping by today. And many thanks to Diane for organizing this hop.

An Oldie, but a Goodie

You are probably familiar enough with YouTube to know when you view a video that you will be offered other videos to view based on what you just viewed. Recently YouTube suggested Autumn Projects to Fall For (S02E10). This video was posted a little over 3 years ago so some of the products and pricing have changed, but there are still some great tips and ideas presented.



The video I am sharing today is Autumn Projects to Fall For (S02E10) and the CTMH Corp. description is "You'll fall head over heels for the techniques featured in this episode! Add subtle texture and a variety of colors with tissue stamping; create layouts, cards, mini albums, and home décor with Flip Flaps™; and learn how to cluster embellishments and move or resize them in Studio J®. With all this inspiration, you'll be unstoppable in all your autumn artwork, so tune in now!"

The video shows tissue stamping (yes, stamping using facial tissues) and a variety of ways to use Flip Flaps™. The Memory Protectors® Flip Flaps™ 12" Assortment (Z1325) was released shortly before the video was recorded. The video also has suggestions for clustering embellishments in Studio J® but the idea is relevant to scrapbooking with paper too.

I hope today's video inspires you to try a new stamping technique, a new product or to try creating layouts with Studio J®.

If you are ready to place an order the Show Now button will take you to my Online Business Address (OBA). Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Artbooking Made Easy: Wintertime Layouts

Today's video, Artbooking Made Easy (S01E14): Wintertime Layouts, is the latest (fourteenth) in the video series Artbooking Made Easy. Please stop back each week until April 2014 to view the next video in the series. Each has tips and tricks for using the Artbooking collection.



This CTMH Corp. description of this week's video, Artbooking Made Easy: Wintertime Layouts is "The wintery images from Close To My Heart's Cricut® Artbooking cartridge will melt your heart! Watch for inspiration on how to make the frosty shapes, titles, borders, and overlays fall into place on your layouts to give them a little sparkle!"

A few points I want to be certain that you do not miss while watching the video:

• the wintertime themed-keys are on pages 76 and 77 of the Artbooking Handbook
• there are 28 wintertime images to choose from
• the Frosty Fun layout includes Cricut® cut and stamped snowflakes on the left page; the cluster of Cricut® cut snowflakes on the right page is the overlay from page 76, to get this look cut the overlay at 11 inches using Colonial White cardstock and place an 11 inch square of patterned paper behind it, use the stitch guide or a sewing machine to stitch them together, the overlay in the video was sponged with Crystal Blue ink
• the Juniper cardstock in the background is stamped randomly in tone-on-tone; the key to random stamping is to stamp the images in a triangle pattern and let some of the images go off the page
• the Just Chillin' layout uses images from both keys; the blotch of color on the left page is created with a pigment ink pad that is swiped on the page - the technique is demonstrated in the video
• more details about the third layout along with some close-up photos and a supply list are posted on Jeanette Lyntons' blog

If you have missed earlier videos in the Artbooking Made Easy series, I am maintaining a list so they are easier to find. Just look for CTMH Cricut® Artbooking Collection in the green bar above.

Contact me if you would like to learn how you would be able to purchase the Artbooking collection at 1/2 off by hosting a Gathering either in-home or on-line.

Scallops Made Simple

I do not know about you, but I never was really thrilled with the scalloped border I created with the corner rounder. CTMH solved that problem by introducing a new scallop border punch. The video Simple Scallops shows us just how easy it is to create scallop borders with the punch.



Today's video is Simple Scallops. The CTMH Corp. description is "Adding clean, handmade borders to your papers is a cinch with the new scallop border punch from Close To My Heart! Check out the video for a peek at how simple and stunning it really is."

The Scallop Border Punch is item number Z1851.

If you would like to schedule a Gathering so you and your friends can try the Scallop Border Punch, do not hesitate to contact me. If you are ready to place an order the Show Now button will take you to my Online Business Address.

Thank you for visiting today.

Subway Tiles

Subway Speak is the latest video in the series Clearly the Best Crafting with Close To My Heart. The video inspires us to create home décor pieces using a few products (listed below).



Today's video is Clearly The Best: Subway Speak (S02E09). The CTMH Corp. description is "Say it with subway art! Make a tile using this fun technique and the My Creations™ 6" x 6" canvas display from Close To My Heart."

Products used in the video:

• My Creations™ 6" X 6" Canvas Display (Z1818)
• Create-A-Shade™ Pearl Paint (Z1039)
• Exclusive Inks® Re-Inker in the color(s) of your choice
  
• B&T Duos® Paper(s) of your choice
• Bone Folder (Z1204) - for mixing; see tip below
• Archival Black Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad (44751)
  
• Sponge Daubers (Z726)
  
• Modge Podge - available at craft stores
  

Some of the tips mentioned in the video:

• this project needs time to dry between the steps - sometimes it is best to let it dry overnight
• make sure you mix enough paint and re-inker to cover your canvas from the start as it may be difficult to match the color if you run out
• mix the paint and re-inker with something solid like a bone folder - not your paintbrush - because the color may get unevenly distributed in the brush during mixing
• for your masks use repositionable adhesive and make sure it adheres well all the way to the edges so paint does not seep under the mask; this will give you crisp edges
• distress the edges with Archival Black ink

I hope today's video inspired you to try create your own subway tiles. If you are ready to place an order the Show Now button will take you to my Online Business Address.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Artbooking Made Easy: Friendship Layouts

Today's video, Artbooking Made Easy (S01E13): Friendship Layouts, is the latest (thirteenth) in the video series Artbooking Made Easy. Please stop back each week until April 2014 to view the next video in the series. Each has tips and tricks for using the Artbooking collection.



This week's video is Artbooking Made Easy (S01E13): Friendship Layouts. The CTMH Corp. description of the video is "Here's a friendly tip: try the friendship-themed keys of the Cricut® Atbooking cartridge from Close To My Heart for layouts that shout in celebration of your cherished relationships! See the video for more friendly inspiration then contact your friendly Independent Consultant to learn more."

A few points I want to be certain that you do not miss while watching the video:

• the Friendship keys are on pages 78 and 79 of the Artbooking handbook
• cut the overlay in the same color as the background cardstock so you can create depth without drawing the attention away from your photos
• create entirely different layouts while using the same Artbooking die-cuts by rotating the cuts, swapping the the left and right pages and using different color papers
• for some close-up and still photos of the layouts, visit Jeanette Lynton's Artbooking Made Easy: Friendship Layouts blog post

If you have missed earlier videos in the Artbooking Made Easy series, I am maintaining a list so they are easier to find. Just look for CTMH Cricut® Artbooking Collection in the green bar above.

Contact me if you would like to learn how you would be able to purchase the Artbooking collection at 1/2 off by hosting a Gathering either in-home or on-line.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thanks for visiting today.

Curtains Sew Easy

Clearly the Best: Curtains Sew Easy (S02E08) shows us how easy it is to create bistro style curtains using any of the Close To My Heart textiles and some simple items you can find a the craft store. Does this video inspire you to create  curtains for a window in your home? My niece was just saying she needs some curtains for her new apartment so I will be sending her a link to this video.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video Clearly the Best: Curtains Sew Easy (S02E08) is "Let Close To My Heart show you how to hand craft your own set of bistro curtains with our terrific textiles, NO sewing involved! Curtains so simple you'll come unstitched!"

Some of the tips mentioned in the video:

• use Hook Clips (Z1899) and heavy gauge twine to hang the curtains
• use Heat and Bond on a roll with an iron set to a low temperature without steam to create the hem and sides where you want the edge to look "finished"
• in the video they used something I believe they called carpet thread to gather the ruffle, but I have successfully used two strands of regular thread to gather; you pull the thread, but to do not pull it very hard like you would be if you were creating yo-yos

I hope today's video inspired you to try create a home décor item. If you are ready to place an order the Show Now button will take you to my Online Business Address.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

CTMH Fall Album Retreat - Today Is A Good Day

This is the sixth layout in my album from the CTMH Fall Album Retreat in Salt Lake City, UT which took place the weekend of October 17-19, 2013.

Here is the Today Is A Good Day layout for my 12" x 12" album:



Here is a closeup of the left page:



And the right page:



Here are closeups of the some of the embellishments:



Here are what the background cardstock pieces looked like before I started adding layers:



Supplies used: Desert Sand, Colonial White, Honey, Goldrush and Outdoor Denim cardstock, Sartia Outdoor Denim Dots B&T Duos® Paper; D1550 My Acrylix® Happy Autumn; C1561 My Acrylix® One-Way Borders; Desert Sand, Goldrush and Outdoor Denim Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pads; Cricut® Artbooking cartridge; Bronze Shimmer Trim (Z1849), Color-Ready Midtown Cork Shapes (Z1868) and Baker's Twine Neutral Assortment (Z1701).

I hope you like my version of the Today Is A Good Day layout. Thanks for visiting tonight.

CTMH Fall Album Retreat - Just Chillin'

This is the fifth layout in my album from the CTMH Fall Album Retreat in Salt Lake City, UT which took place the weekend of October 17-19, 2013.

Here is the Just Chillin' layout for my 12" x 12" album:



Here is a closeup of the left page:



And the right page:



Here are closeups of the some of the embellishments:



Supplies used: White Daisy, Whisper, Smoothie and  Lagoon cardstock, Sparkle & Shine Dots B&T Duos® Paper; M1031 My Acrylix® Single Snowflake; C1561 My Acrylix® One-Way Boarders; Whisper and Ruby Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pads; Cricut® Artbooking cartridge, Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape (Z1850), Ruby Chevron Ribbon (Z1846), My Crush™ Best Day Ever Assortment (Z1887), Sparkles Clear Assortment (Z1752) and Baker's Twine Neutral Assortment (Z1701).

You cannot see this in the photo, but I painted Stardust Glitz™ Glitter Gel (Z1313) on the White Daisy cardstock that is layered behind the Lagoon cardstock that has "snow" cut into it. What I did was wet a foam brush so the gel would not absorb into the brush too much. Then I squirted a little gel onto a palette and painted the gel on like I would any other paint. The paper did curl a little, but not too much - little enough that adhesive will keep it flat on my layout.

I hope you like my version of the Just Chillin' layout. Thanks for visiting today.

CTMH December 2013 Stamp of the Month: Special Care

The Close To My Heart December 2013 Stamp of the Month is Special Care.

I think this stamp set is so cute. You really need to get a close-up view of the samples in the photo above to appreciate this stamp set. You will find larger images, a list of the products used and some hints for recreating the samples above on the Stamp of the Month page. Another place to look for ideas using this stamp set is my Pinterest Board CTMH 2013 12 Dec SOTM Special Care. I will continue to add new ideas for using Special Care as I find them.

Special Care is an exclusive D-size stamp set of 15 stamps that you can only purchase during the month of December 2013. The stamp set can be yours for $5 when you place an order of $50 or more in qualifying Close To My Heart Products. Alternatively you can purchase it for $17.95.

Recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks: 1" x 3 1/2" (Y1002), 3" x 3" (Y1006), 2" x 3 1/2" (Y1009).

I would like to remind you that you can order from the Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide until December 31, 2013 and that when you spend $100 in retail-priced products (from the guide, the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book or at my OBA), you can choose of the the starred items for free.

If you are ready to place an order, Click the Shop with me image below to be taken to my OBA. If you have questions about any CTMH product or promotion or to schedule a Home or Online Gathering do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today.