Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and join us on a journey of amazing things you can do with this stamp set. There are almost 60 CTMH Consultants joining in on the fun…that’s a LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this fun stamp set. If you arrived here from Kathleen’s blog you’re on the right path.

For the blog hop, I created this card…one that wishes YOU a very Happy New Year!

Materials:

• CTMH Little Reminder S1201, the January Stamp of the Month
• CTMH Wonderland Level 2 Paper Pack X7146B
• CTMH Grey Wool Ink Pad Z2125
• CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (from Cricut Art Philosophy Bundle Z1686)
• CTMH Bitty Sparkles Z1263
• CTMH 3D Foam Tape Z1151
• CTMH Sanding Kit Z1294
• Amethyst cardstock

Tutorial follows…

For those that want to skip the tutorial “hop” on over to see what {Gina} has created. 

If you get lost along the way…here’s the complete list of all hoppers.

***

Are you inspired by this blog? One of the ways you can help support this blog is by ordering your Close To My Heart products through me. You can order from me 24/7 at: http://heleno.myctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

When you place an order of $50 or more in CTMH products, you get the Stamp of the Month for only $5.00 plus applicable shipping & tax (regularly $17.95).

Dates: Offer valid January 1 – 31, 2012.

***

Tutorial

Cut the following:

• 1 3/4″ x 4″ piece of Grey Snowflake pattern paper
• 3″ x 4″ piece of Twilight Plaid pattern paper
• 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ piece of Stripe pattern paper – note the direction of the stripes.
• 1 1/4″ x 5 1/4″ piece of Amethyst cardstock
• 5/8″ x 5″ piece of White Daisy cardstock

• Scalloped Circle – White Daisy cardstock – cut using <Circle2> at 2 1/4″.  Page 31.
• Inner Circle – Twilight Snowflake patterned paper – cut using <Circle1> at 1 3/4″.  Page 21.
• Star – not shown, only used to make the bottom of the Amethyst cardstock into a banner shape.  Cut using <Star5> at 3 1/2″.

Using Grey Wool ink and the Foam Tool, distress the edges of all patterned papers.

To make the bottom edge of the Amethyst cardstock have a banner look, I used the inside edge of the bottom of a 3″ star.  First, mark the center of the Amethyst cardstock (that’s 3/4″), then align the tips of the star with the bottom corners.  Mark, then cut by hand.  Tip: There are other banner shapes on the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge that could be used…and if you use the Cricut Craft Room, you can change the shape in one dimension such that it’s as long as you need it to be.

Using the roughest side of the Sanding Block, sand the edges of the Amethyst cardstock piece in a cross-hatch pattern.  Tip: Always start ON the cardstock and pull off…this will prevent the corners from getting damaged.  After sanding in one direction, sand in the opposite direction creating the cross-hatch pattern.

Using Grey Wool, stamp the Blanket Stitch looking border along both long edges of the 5/8″ x 5″ piece of White Daisy cardstock.  Tip: When putting this border on my block, I found it easiest to tap one end so it was stuck on the block, then…gently pull the other end taut and press…TEST it on scrap paper to make sure it’s lined up straight.  If not…adjust as needed.  It took me a few attempts to get it straight…and I love how it looks!

Using Grey Wool, stamp the “let’s celebrate” sentiment centered on the strip between the stamped borders.  Wrap this strip around the month scalloped circle, trimming as needed.  Note: Leave the center free to add the number.

Using Grey Wool, stamp the number “1″ on a scrap of the Twilight Snowflake paper and cut out.  Tip: Stretch the number by cutting it in half…so clever if I do say so myself…attach part of it above the strip and part below…aligning the number so it looks like a larger number.

Build the front of the card from the bottom up.  Add the Amethyst banner centered on the card.  Attach the month scalloped circle using 3D Foam Tape.  Add a few Bitty Sparkles.

Now “hop” on over to see what {Gina} has created.

• How to use buttons & bling to turn a card from charming to super-fantabulous.
• How to use a Cricut cut out image as a pattern for stitching.
• How to create an awesome pleated embellishment.

Tip: Think of other items you can use in place of the buttons – how about…Opaques, Filigree Charms, Sparkles, Rhinestone Brads…and so much more!

Featured Products in Video:

• CTMH Happy Clusters Stamp Set C1471
• CTMH Bling Assortment Z1466
• CTMH Buttons Clear Assortment Z1391
• CTMH Brads Metal Assortment Z1366
• CTMH Buttons Blue Assortment Z1371
• CTMH My Creations Card Box Z1647
• CTMH Dreamin’ Level 2 Paper Pack X7142B
• CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Collection Z1686 – includes Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, 3 stamp sets and 3 sets of chipboard embellishments

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and join us on a journey of amazing things you can do with this stamp set. There are almost 60 CTMH Consultants joining in on the fun…that’s a LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this fun stamp set. If you arrived here from Krista’s blog you’re on the right path.

For the blog hop, I created this card…

Materials:

• CTMH Mad About You S1112, the December Stamp of the Month
• CTMH Sonoma Level 2 Paper Pack X7143B
• CTMH Inks in Smokey Plum and Petal
• CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (from Cricut Art Philosophy Bundle Z1686)
• CTMH Green Designer Ribbon Collection Z1616
• CTMH Pewter Mini-Medley Accents Collection Z1487
• CTMH 3D Foam Tape Z1151
• Amethyst and Pansy Purple cardstock

Tutorial follows…

For those that want to skip the tutorial “hop” on over to my friend {Kathleen} to see what she’s created. 

If you get lost along the way…here’s the complete list of all hoppers.

***

Are you inspired by this blog? One of the ways you can help support this blog is by ordering your Close To My Heart products through me. You can order from me 24/7 at: http://heleno.myctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

When you place an order of $50 or more in CTMH products, you get the Stamp of the Month for only $5.00 plus applicable shipping & tax (regularly $17.95).

Dates: Offer valid December 1 – 31, 2011.

***

Tutorial

I started out with inspiration from Mojo Monday.  I used MOJO217.

When I saw the circle card, I grabbed my Cricut Art Philosophy reference book and flipped through, looking at the different shapes for cards.  Turned out there was a very similar scalloped card.  So…that’s what I ran with.  Here we go on how to recreate it.

Using the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, cut the following pieces (Note: Page numbers refer to the reference book.)

• Card Base – Amethyst cardstock – cut using <Circle2> with the Card creative function at 4 1/4″  (page 31)
• Card Front – Pansy Purple cardstock – cut using <Circle2> at 4 1/4″ (page 31)
• White Circle Band – White Daisy cardstock – cut using <Circle1> with the Layer creative function at 3.8″ (page 21) Tip: To get 1/10ths of an inch, adjust the settings on the Cricut Expression to measure in tenths.  You could cut this at 3 3/4″ if you have the baby Cricut.  Note: I used the band instead of a full circle to minimize the weight of the card.
• Center Panel – White Daisy cardstock – cut using <Circle1> at 3.6″ (page 21) Tip: I used this since I was going to pop up this panel.  If you’re attaching the patterned papers directly to the card, you won’t need this.
• Patterned Paper – cut using <Circle1> at 3.6″ (page 21).
• Heart – Amethyst cardstock – cut using <Heart1> at 2″ (page 26)
• Heart Mat – White Daisy cardstock – cut using <Heart1> at 2.1″ (page 26)

Write a note inside and mail to a special person

Now “hop” on over to my friend {Kathleen} to see what she’s created.

I will be offering this as one of my Create & Takes at upcoming crops in the new year!

This week’s Scrapbook Challenge is the Top Hat pattern on page 114 of the Magic How-To Book.

Tutorial:

Cut all pieces as indicated in the Imagine How-To Book, changing piece C to be 3/4″ wide.  Cut one of the zip strips off the top of the Plaid paper and use on top of piece C.

Using the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, cut the following using White Daisy. Note: The page numbers refer to the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge’s reference book.  Note: If you don’t have the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, stamp the images first, then cut out by hand.

• 4 Holly Leaves at 2 1/4″ – use <Leaf3> on page 46
• 4 Holly Leaves at 1 3/4″ – use <Leaf3> on page 46
• 3 Berries at 1 3/4″ – use the Layer creative function and the shift key with <Leaf3> on page 46  Tip: If you have your Cricut connected to the Cricut Craft Room, then I’d weld two small circles together to create the double Berries.
• 1 Title Block at 1 1/2″ – use <Shape3> on page 46

Stamping:

• Using the A1115 A Holiday stamp set, stamp the following:

• Using Topiary, stamp the Holly Leaves.
• Using Holiday Red, stamp the Berries.
• Using Topiary, stamp the sentiment for the Title.

Here are some close-ups…

Materials:

• CTMH A Holiday Stamp Set A1115
• CTMH Believe Level 2 Paper Pack X7145B
• CTMH Inks in: Topiary and Holiday Red
• CTMH Silver Glitz Glitter Gel Z1482
• CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Bundle Z1686 – not required…but makes it so much easier!

Do you like using page maps or page sketches…email me for free sample PDFs of the CTMH How-To Books to try. And…if you’re big into card making, there are how-to books for that too!

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and join us on a journey of amazing things you can do with this stamp set. There are over 60 CTMH Consultants joining in on the fun…that’s a LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this fun stamp set. If you arrived here from Kathleen’s blog you’re on the right path.

There’s someone I know who is getting married…shhh…it’s a secret (no, no, no, it’s not one of my boys LOL) …and…we’re going to need invitations to the bachelor’s party.  I thought this would be a FUN way to invite everyone.  I thought it was funny that my boys rarely say they like anything; however, as they all saw the layout on the front of the Idea Book they said something.  From “Wow, that’s nice.” to “I really like that paper.”  Say what?!?  So I thought it only fitting to use those papers for these invitations.

I have to tell you…using the new Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge will make putting together a large number of these invitations quick and easy.  I could not imagine cutting out all the tickets and starburst shapes by hand!

Materials:

• CTMH Limited Edition – September Stamp of the Month S1109
• CTMH Blue Ribbon stamp set C1464
• CTMH Typeset Level 2 Paper Pack X7139B
• CTMH Inks in Creme Brulee Z2167, Juniper Z2165, Vineyard Berry Z2157 and Black Z2105
• CTMH Pewter Mini-Medley Accent Collection NEW Z1487 – Contains the small round pewter ribbon slides and so much more – very pretty collection
• CTMH Milepost Shapes Z1464 – these are an assortment of corrugated cardboard shapes that can be inked, glitzed, sponged, or even used as stamps, as shown in the Idea Book
• CTMH Black Designer Ribbon Collection Z1034 – currently in the while supplies last section…great price!
• CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Collection Z1686
• CTMH Edge Distresser Z1297
• CTMH Texture Tools Z1298
• CTMH 3D Foam Tape Z1151
• CTMH Colonial White 4.25″ x 5.5″ Cards & Envelopes Value Pack X1410

Tutorial follows…

For those that want to skip the tutorial “hop” on over to my friend {Jen} to see what she’s created.

If you get lost along the way…here’s the complete list of all hoppers.

***

Are you inspired by this blog? One of the ways you can help support this blog is by ordering your Close To My Heart products through me. You can order from me 24/7 at: http://heleno.myctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

Tutorial

Cut a 3″ x 4.25″ piece of the ledger paper.

Cut a 0.5″ x 4.25″ piece of the green graph paper.

Cut a 2″ x 4.25″ piece of the letter paper.

Using the Sea Sponge Texture Tool and Black ink, distress the edges of all pieces.  Attach to the card front as shown.

Using the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, cut the following pieces:

• Tag – Vanilla Cream cardstock, image is <Tag4> page 60.  Note: The image info and page number refer to the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge reference book.
• Starburst – Vineyard Berry cardstock, image is <Circle5> page 61.
• Ticket – Juniper cardstock, image is <Rctngle4> page 25.

Tip: When you have stamps with open middles, sometimes when you put them on the block they can be distorted.  Since we want this to match up with the Cricut cutout, place the stamp, stamp image down on the Versamat or another surface that’s gridded.  Now, make sure the stamp is straight.  Then…thwonk the block to pick up the stamp.

Using Creme Brulee, stamp the large tag image on the tag.  Tip: I find that if you use a block larger than needed, it gives you better visibility for lining up the stamp with the Cricut cutouts.

Using Vineyard Berry, stamp the sentiment on an angle.

Using Juniper, stamp the corner images.

Using an Edge Distresser, rough up the edges of the tag.

Using the Sea Sponge Texture Tool and Black ink, lightly pounce the tool along the edge to give it an aged, distressed look.  I wanted this card to have a more masculine feel and roughing up the edges really helped.

Using Black, stamp the starburst from the Blue Ribbon stamp set.  Note: It shows up better in person than in this photo.

Using Black, stamp the ticket.

Using the Sea Sponge Texture Tool and Black ink, distress the edges of both pieces.  Tip: Part of the ticket will be tucked underneath…you really only need to sponge the visible portions…and for me, making a bunch of these, that’s a time saver!

Using Juniper, stamp the note block on the inside of the card at an angle.

Using Creme Brulee, stamp the flourish corner on opposing corners.

Using Vineyard Berry, stamp the sentiment at the top middle.

Using a sticky note, place it over the left edge of the note block.  Then, using Vineyard Berry, stamp the what, where, date, when.  Tip: Using a duplicate note block image stamped on copy paper, line up the individual small stamps (stamp image side down) such that the checkboxes are all at the same point on the line.  I used the left edge of the checkbox and lined it up with the dotted inner line on the note block.  Twonk the block to pick up all the stamps at one time.   TEST by stamping on the copy paper.  This way, you can repeat this over and over on many cards instead of stamping each one individually.

Here’s the inside of the card:

To finish off the front of the card…

Tip: Get the positioning of all the elements BEFORE you begin to adhere things down.

Attach the ticket, then starburst.

Add the tag using 3D Foam Tape.

Using the Sea Sponge Texture Tool and Black ink, distress a star from the Milepost Shapes.  Attach using 3D Foam Tape.

Tie the ribbon through the Pewter ribbon slide.  Tip: Cut the ribbon on a sharp angle to make it easier to thread through the ribbon slide.  Don’t cut the ribbon from the spool until you have the knot tied and positioned…this will help you SAVE ribbon. Attach with a Glue Dot or Liquid Glass.

Now “hop” on over to my friend {Jen} to see what she’s created.

Products featured in the video:

• Cricut Art Philosophy Collection Z1686
• Dreamin’ Workshop on the Go Kit G1027

You can see LOTS of other videos that CTMH has created on the CTMHcorp YouTube Channel.

Simply plug the cartridge into your Cricut®* Personal Electronic Cutter machine and you’re ready to cut any of the 700 shapes, ranging from elegant rosettes and lace to trendy gift boxes and banners! You’ll also receive three My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets as well as three sets of 9″ × 12″ Dimensional Elements that work in tandem with the cartridge.

On top of that…in the Idea Book, stamp images that have a red outline mean those shapes are on the cartridge.  Then, as if that’s not enough, CTMH has included the SIZE to cut the image right on the stamp set carrier sheet – totally Faster, Simpler & Easier.

Take a look at this video CTMH put together…

Ok, ok…I know, you want to know – HOW do I get it?!?

1. You can pre-order it now. Email me (helen@hookedonstamping.com) or give me a call 908-910-9246. Include your shipping address and I’ll mail you out a new Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book. BONUS: Starting August 1st, any order of $150 will also receive Hostess Rewards! So add on a few other items and you’ll get $25 in FREE products! Note: Ships beginning August 1st.
2. Get it at 50% Off! Host a home gathering where we’ll play with cut Cricut shapes and when your party reaches $250 or more, you’ll be able to select the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection as your 1/2 price item – so you’ll get it for less than $50!!! And…you’ll get an additional $40 in Hostess Rewards!
3. Share the Passion…if you are excited about this and are sharing it with others, reap the benefits of being a CTMH Consultant.  Get this amazing kit for $99 (scroll down to see kit) and then order the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection at a great discount.  I’d love to have you join my team.

I look forward to sharing artwork you can create using this new tool!  I’m super excited about it & hope you are too!

I love 3D stars.  I’ve seen these as wall decorations and I thought they’d be fun to make for decorations for the Fourth of July.

I found a template for making 3D paper stars.  Now…if you’re wanting to make a lot of these, I would recommend using a cutting machine.  For my star, I opted to use my Cricut and the Cricut Design Studio (CDS) software.  I used the Plantin Schoolbook Cartridge.

Place the star onto a soft surface so you can use a stylus to create score lines.  I use the soft side of my Versamat.  Tip: when scoring, press lightly – otherwise, you can go right through the paper. 

I like to use my quilting ruler for paper crafting.  You can use any straight edge.  Line up the ruler from the tip of one star point to the inner point on the opposite side of the star.  Score a line.

After scoring all the lines, crease them.  The crease from the tip of the star point to the center where all the lines cross will be a mountain fold (it comes forward).  The crease from the inner point to the center where all the lines cross will be a valley fold (it goes backward).  If the star looks crooked…it is – there is a distinct top to this star shape and I happened to take the photo with the top point to the right.

To make it easier for decorating, I created templates for each of the star sections.  I cut out another identical star.  Then, I numbered each of the star sections and also the center and tip.  This will come in handy later.

I scored the template, then using the score lines as guides, cut the star apart into the individual star sections.

I wanted to alternate the patterned paper I was using.  All odd number pieces will be one pattern and the even number pieces a coordinating pattern.

If I were to use these pieces as cut, they would completely cover the star base.  I wanted some of the white of the star base to show, so I cut roughly 1/8″ off the long edge of each piece. 

To make it easy to assembly, I kept the template with the pieces I cut.

Now, start adhering the patterned pieces to the star base.  I started with piece 1 and worked my way around clockwise.

And…voila!  Here you have a finished 3D paper star.

I found what would be the natural top (lower right point in photo above) and punced two holes for adding a piece of hemp to hang the star.  These make great decorations.  Hang one in a gazebo…

On a door…

Or on a deck railing…

Have a very Happy 4th of July!

Accents 1 - this is the larger flourish (cuts 8 on one sheet)

Accents 2 - this is the smaller flourish (cuts 18 on one sheet)

I love the new Creative Basics collections Close To My Heart (CTMH) is making.  These are packages of two designs of patterned papers and come with coordinating ribbons!  This layout is the Understudy scrapbook layout from CTMH’s Imagine how-to book.

Complete list of materials:

• CTMH Creative Basics – Silhouette Collection
• CTMH Bamboo Cardstock
• CTMH Black Cardstock
• CMTH Colonial White Cardstock
• CTMH White Daisy Cardstock (used for bases)
• CTMH Make It Count stamp set and acrylix blocks
• CTMH Bamboo Ink Pad
• CTMH Black Ink Pad
• CTMH Edge Distresser
• CTMH Texture Tools
• Cricut Accent Essentials Shape Cartridge
• Cricut Expression Machine
• Coluzzle Circle Template
• Coluzzle Cutting Mat
• Coluzzle Swivel Knife
• Tombow Adhesive
• Bonding Memories Glue Pen
• Piercing Tool

Directions:

• All of the lace papers are “aged” using the Sea Sponge Tool and Bamboo ink. 
• The photo mats are all distressed using the Edge Distresser and then the white edges are aged with the Bamboo ink.
• Stamp the large clock face with Roman numerals in Black ink on Colonial White cardstock.  Cut out using the Coluzzle Circle Template.  Stamp the hands onto the clock in Black ink.  This is fun – you can choose whatever time you want!  I want to use this layout for New Year’s Eve, thus, I chose to put the time as just before midnight.
• Stamp the clock outer frame in Bamboo on Colonial White cardstock.  Cut out using the Coluzzle Circle Template.  Stamp the sentiment “You only live once.  Make it count” using Black ink.
• Stamp the numbers in Bamboo ink onto a 1 1/2″ x 6″ strip of Bamboo cardstock.  Center the numbers between the top & bottom edges of the strip.  You’ll need to stamp it multiple times.  Stamp the sentiment “magic moments” over the numbers using Black ink.  Using the Black Stubble Tool and Black ink, “age” the edges of the title.
• Stamp the sentiment “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. ~ Ecclesiastes” in Black ink on a scrap of Bamboo cardstock.  Trim as desired.  Using the Black Stubble Tool and Black ink, “age” the edges of the sentiment.
• Assemble the page as shown.

While I’m planning on putting photos from New Year’s Eve on my layout, this works for heritage photos as well as family, birthday, or elegant events.