January 2013 SOTM Blog Hop

Happy New Year and welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop......I really can't believe another year has gone by and so fast.  I've posted this hop a bit early so that I'm not late.....it is New Year's Eve.......

So let's get started.....

 If you are coming here from Michelle Loncar's Blog you're on the right path.....and if you get lost along the way, its easy to get back on track, just go to Helen Onulak's Blog for a full list of hoppers.

I've loved this stamp set from the moment I saw it and I've been using it ever since.

 This is a card I made with the set.....I love the bunch of rose and it goes well with many other sets in the Current Idea Book.

 This is one of my favorite cards ever......the purple ribbon I had on hand and covered it with our
black tulle ribbon cut to size, then layered it on this cut shape from page 75 from the Artiste Cartridge (shift Accent 1) and the butterfly was even stamped with the bundle of roses.

 

 Inside of card.....this card was left blank because it was used for a swap group that I'm in and I like to give cards that can be used with any sentiment as needed.  All the recipient has to do is stamp a sentiment on a piece of card stock and add it to the card.  How about this awesome shape from the Artiste Cartridge on page 32
.

Luv, luv, luv the zip strip.....the black tulle cuts easily to any size for the perfect filler or bows.

Products used:

January 2013 SOTM "Happy Valentine's" S1301
"Jardin" D1528
CTMH La Bella Vie Paper Packet X7158B
CTMH Smokey Plum Ink Z2147
CTMH Gypsy Ink Z2190

CTMH Black Ink Z2105
CTMH Black Tulle Ribbon Z1798
CTMH Sparkles (Clear) Z1752
CTMH Liquid Glass Z679
Non CTMH Product used:  Black/White polka dot ribbon,white sheer ribbon and purple ribbon.

Now....here's a present for my mom for her birthday.....don't worry she won't see it, she loves my work but barely uses a computer except for her nook to read books :).  A tutorial is below the picture for a technique that I stumbled upon.....or you can hop on over to the next blogger Angela Tutton's Blog here and at the end of this post.
There are a lot of pics here, no natural light today with the overcast, so it was really hard to get the right shots in my craft room. 


It's an altered picture frame....with Avonlea paper packet...

First.....select your paper packet, stamp image for background and ink color.  What a neat and clean work space, lol, wait until I'm done!

 Next cover the paper with mod podge, a very light layer.  Make sure you apply it in one direction.

When done, let dry....when dry it turns into a silky canvas like material....pretty cool.

 Now your are ready to stamp....when stamping use a dark color, be careful, the stamps may slide because of the the mod podge.
 
Wait about a minute and wipe off the wet ink with a smooth barely damp cloth.  Make sure you don't rub hard when doing this process or you can actually remove your stamped image.
 Next, add an additional coat of mod podge, very thin.....

While this dries, I cut swirls with the Artiste Crtridge, stamped them with the rose bundle with twilight, flipped them, and added score lines throughout the cut pieces.

Next, add olive ink to pieces.





 Pretty cool......

Accent 3 (shift) for swirls

 Accent 1 (shift) for flowers.

 Accent 2 (shift) for banner.

Decorative Layer for banner.
 
Accent 4 (shift) for butterfly.

 More pics below....

Contact me and ask me how you can get your stamp set for just $5.00

Now "Hop" on over to Angela Tutton's Blog and see her amazing work!

Thanks for stopping by :) and...stay inking my friends.

What I loved the most about this Christmas

So I'm getting back into the blogging world and thought I'd share some of my favorite Christmas memories from this year. 

 

Homemade Apple Pie!  That's all I have to say about that :)

 Watching my little girl Reese taking a peek in her stocking.

 Kimber playing with her sister's favorite toy from Grandma.

 Reese waiting for me to throw her new ball.

Spending time with my niece on Christmas morning. Emily turned 4 this month and she is the only child in our family, so its so much fun being with her and she loves to play with Aunt Tamra....we blew bubbles, took pictures with her new leap pad, watched her ride her bike from Santa and then I drew her this picture of her and her bike on this sketch toy. Now, who is the real kid....hum?  It might be me :)

 The lights.

and my trees and collection of ornaments.

AND THEN....PLAYING WITH MY GIRLS.

Besides all these wonderful gifts in my life, the best gift of all was a gift I gave myself.  I quit smoking almost 2 months ago. They say every cigarette you turn down you add a day to your life, which gives me more time with my husband, family and friends. 

Have a blessed New Year.

New Idea Book Has Arrived

Like clockwork each year a day or so after Christmas the upcoming Spring/Summer catalogs arrive.  Like a kid at Christmas I can hardly wait to open the box.  As I rip off the tape, I can see a glimpse of this wonderfully bright, cheerful and amazing book.  I spent most of the day thumbing through and putting together my order lists for upcoming events.

 

The new Idea Book goes live February 1st, but you can pre-order yours FREE today, right here.  Its easy, sign up for an upcoming event in January, RSVP for my Open House February 1st from 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. or if you are unable to attend I can ship one to you for $5.  Postage rates have increased, just click on the paypal button and your catalog will be shipped to you. 

 Its a New Year and to celebrate I am offering new clubs, classes, workshops and more...RSVP today to reserve your spot and to receive your FREE Idea Book.

January 13:  Cards Plus Club 12-3. 
Club fee:  $25 minimum CTMH purchase.
January 18:  Event Calendar Workshop 6-9. 
Workshop fee:  $20
January 18:  Bella Via Scrapbook Class 1-5 and  6-9. 
Class fee, pre-payment of the WOTG kit.
January 19:  Valentine Workshop 11-3. 
Workshop fee:  $35
February 1:  Spring/Summer Idea Book Open House 1-7 p.m.
February 2:  Mom and Me Valentine Workshop II 11-3 p.m., Workshop Fee $15

Quick overview: 

Cards Plus: Create 2 cards and 1 altered project.
Scrapbook Class:  Create 3 two page layouts.
Event Calendar Workshop:  Create an Event Calendar that you can use over and over again, year after year.
Valentine's Day Workshop:  Create 10 cards, 5 tags, 5 treat holders and 1 altered project.
Mom and Me Valentine Workshop:  Create enough cards for your family and a special altered project.

Please RSVP no later than January 5th to reserve your spot. 
I hope you have a Happy New Year and stay inky my friends.

Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas.  From my family to yours, may all your wishes come true.

Taking a Break for the Holidays

I wanted to let all my fellow bloging friends know that I am taking a wee little break until after Christmas.  I will be updating my blog the last week of December and adding some new and fun events.  And don't forget to grab your favorite glass of sparkling champaign and check back on December 31st for the SOTM Blog Hop and get ready for some new and exciting projects, clubs, workshops and more in the new year.  Happy Holiday!

Operation Smile Auction

Did you know it only costs $240 to help a child?   Operation smile’s volunteer medical professionals travel around the world to treat children suffering from facial deformities.  Their efforts mean new smiles for thousands of children.  Operation Smile® volunteers also build public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families.  You can learn more about Operation Smile on their website at operationsmile.org.   As a Supervisor for Close To My Heart my goal is to help one child at a time.  Close To My Heart donates a portion of all stamp sales to Operation Smile.   So between buying My Acrylix® stamp sets and rounding up, we all can make a difference!

 

href="http://www.abcfundraising.com/thermometer/">Free Fundraising
Thermometers
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My personal goal is to make a difference for one child each year....and the push is on.  I will be auctioning this Advent Calendar to the highest bidder.  This Auction will continue until midnight December 15, 2012.  Starting bid is $40.00.  

Either place a bid by leaving a comment or emailing me your bid today.  Auction ends at midnight on  December 15, 2012.  Winner will be announced on Monday, December 17, 2o12.

Operation Smile Info:  Operation Smile was founded in 1982 by Dr. William P. Magee Jr., a plastic surgeon, and his wife Kathleen Magee, a nurse and clinical social worker. Since then Operation Smile volunteers have medically treated more than 100,000 children and young adults around the world and in the United States. Operation Smile coordinates more than 30 Medical Mission sites in 25 countries annually.

Close To My Heart is an industry leader in innovative scrapbooking and stamping products, including the My Acrylix^® line of clear stamps, My Reflections^® scrapbooking kits, and several top-selling how-to programs, including the newest cardmaking volume, Make it from the Heart^™, available now. Headquartered in Pleasant Grove, Utah, the company distributes its products at home gatherings through thousands of independent consultants across the U.S. and Canada. For more information about the scrapbooking event, ordering exclusive Close To My Heart products, or becoming a consultant, visit my CTMH website, or email me today.

If you are interested in donating to Operation Smile you can right here.

Together we create smiles, change lives, and heal humanity. 

Disclaimer:  Winner of auction will additionally be responsibly for shipping charges.  Charges will be determined based upon the region of the winning bidder.   This auction is independent of Close To My Heart and solely hosted by Tamra Pope.