Celebrating America 12x12 scrapbook home decor - CTMH American Celebration July SOTM

Welcome to the Close to my Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring July's SOTM called "American Celebration".  For those of you in Canada, there is a special Candian version for you that will be featured on Canadian consultant's sites called "Canadian Celebration".  If you have come here from Doreen's Blog, you are on the right path! There are over 60 Close to my Heart consultants participating this month and I'm excited to see all the wonderful projects my fellow consultants created with this fun stamp set!

I have a small chest of drawers in my front room to which I've been wanting to add some kind of display.  When I started playing around with this month's stamp, I got the idea to do a seasonal 12x12 layout and put it into one of the scrapbook page frames you can get at your local craft store.  This way I can change out my layout on a monthly or seasonal basis and have a fresh look throughout the year.  As I pull them out I can store the old pages in page protectors until the holiday comes back around!  At the end of this post I'll put photos of the individual squares if you are interested in making you own copy of this fun project.  The great thing about a project like this is that you can use just about any accessories you have on hand as long as they work with the color combination!

 Materials Used (all CTMH unless noted):
Paper:  Fanfare Level 2
Stamps:  American Celebration (July SOTM), Simple Stitches (retired)
Inks:  Versamark, Cranberry, Pacifica
Other:  White Daisy Embossing Powder, Gold Embossing Powder, White Daisy Brads, Zig Embossing Pen (to get the gold rim on the stars), White Daisy Grosgrain, Cranberry Grosgrain, Cranberry Brads, Blue Assortment Buttons, White Waxy Flax, Border Punch (EK Success), White Daisy Mini Medley, Holiday Mini Medley (retired), Star Nestability

Now "Hop" on over to Sarita'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 ideas! Remember, the July SOTM is only available until the 31st.  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!  Keep scrolling down for the close ups of each square if you'd like to make a copy of this project!

Hello card with Marker Blended flower and acetate window

On Tuesday we received an awesome video tutorial with instructions for creating an acetate window card with frame and also how to blend with dye markers.  This is the card I created with the two techniques so I could practice.  We're still using the same color combinations, this time I switched it up so the orange was the predominate color.  I had a really, really hard time getting a good photo of the acetate window - I think it was the differnce with the depth of field and how the light caught it so this was my best shot.

Here is a close up of the marker blended flowers and leaves.  The look reminds me of watercolors - so soft and pretty!

Thanks for stopping by!

Paige

Materials Used:

Paper:  Sunset CS, White Diasy CS

Stamps:  Heartfelt Treasures (flower images and vines), Gracious Greeting (retired)

Ink:  Versamark, Pear Marker, Topiary Marker, Sky Marker, Gypsy Marker, Cotton Candy Marker

Other:  White Diasy Embossing Powder, Red, Pink and Purple Sparkles, Nestabilites Labels, Acetate, Stazon Black

Birthday Party Scene Card with Pennants and Balloons

A couple of days ago I shared how I won a spot in the 2011 Summer Online Card Class being held by Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner.  This morning I received my first pdf file with the color combination for the week AND two superb sample cards by the card mavens themselves!  Here is the card I made this morning with the color combination and I'm just in LOVE with this combo!

I had so much fun putting together the little party pennants - here is a close up of the pennants and balloons.



Materials Used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Sky CS, Gypsy CS, Susnet CS, White Daisy CS

Stamps:  Over the Rainbow (cloud), Birthday Bash (retired, balloons), American Celebration (July SOTM, Celebrate tag), Fanfare WOTG stamp (Its Party Time tag), Party Pennants (pennants)

Inks:  Sunset, Cotton Candy, Gypsy, Versamark

Other:  White Daisy Embossing Powder, Hollyhock brads, Twine, Pink Ribbon (Michaels)

Thanks for stoppy by!  I hope you'll find some inspiration from the class materials I'm allowed to share and if so, please leave a comment so I can check it out!

Hugs,

Paige



Pretty in Pink and Polka Dots

I made this card to play along with Mojo Monday #196 this week and to play along with the Heart2Heart Challenge Blog!  This week's challenge was a Bingo challenge and the row I chose was doily, flower, lace.  This week was kind of crazy with the kids being off from school and my oldest coming down with a double ear infection so I'm just coming in under the wire on these two challenges - eek!

Its kind of hard to see on the first photo but after this card was all finished I put a little dollop of Glitz Glitter Gel on each of the embossed and sanded polka dots to give them some bling and extra dimension.

Materials Used (all supplies from CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Stamps:  Simple Memories

Paper:  Juniper and Blush CS

Ink:  Versamark, Juniper and Blush

Other:  Glitz Glitter Gel, White Embossing Powder, Colonial White Brads, Flower Punch (Marvy Uchida), Colonial White Ribbon Round, Cuttlebug Polka Dot Embossing Folder

I won, I won, I won!

I'm super-duper happy because I just found out I won a spot in the Summer Card Camp 2011 Online Card Class hosted by Jennifer McGuire, Kristina Werner and friends (click on this link to check out the class and signup) through Kathy at The Daily Marker blog.  Thanks for picking me Kathy!  Kathy is one of the friends who will be teaching this online inspiration class with a focus on COLOR.  I can't even tell you how excited I am to win a spot!  I'm really looking forward to the mega inspiration I'm sure to get from this class and very excited to share with you throughout the MONTH LONG class!  Class starts on June 27th and runs through July 25th so there is still time for you to sign up if you are interested - just follow the link above.
My in-laws will be out for some of the days but the class is completely online and at your own pace so I should be able to catch up after their visit.  We rarely have family visit this side of the country so I'll be taking about 11 days off from blogging while they are here.  But don't worry, I'll be doing ALL the challenges even if I'm a bit late on some - LOL!

I just love winning prizes!  Still doing a happy dance!

Paige

Spa Sock "Cupcake"

This is the final piece of the end-of-year teacher gifts - a spa sock cupcake!  I found these wonderful socks that are shea butter infused and vanilla scented and feel AMAZING on your feet.  They even have a pink toe to look like a cherry top top!

I made the cupcake holder by adhering patterned paper on top of a cardstock base and then edging the top.  The tag is a punch by Marvy Uchida and the little lion is embossed on some Oliva paper, cut out and mounted.  The back of the tag says "No Lion, You're the Best"

We're having a very RAINY day today.  I rained so hard last night that two of my deep purple giant stalks of Bearded Iris broke at the base.  My son went out to grab them for me so we could bring them inside and enjoy their wonderful perfume.  I hope summer weather arrives soon in the Seattle area - I'm getting really tired of gray and raining.

Thanks for stopping by!  Wishing you sunshine and summer fun!

Paige

Crocodile Smile Card Set

I made this card set as part of an end-of-the-year gift for my son's 3rd Grade teacher.  She was an absolute gem - very fun, quirky and a great sense of humor so I thought this card set would suit her perfectly. 

I embossed the crocodile and smile in black embossing powder and colored this guy in using Olive re-inker.  And this is what I packaged the cards in - a sweet little box perfect for 6 notecards and envelopes:

Supplies Used:

Paper:  White Daisy CS, Olive CS, Wings Level 2

Stamps:  Life's a Jungle (retired), Take a Picture, A Little Thanks

Inks:  Versamark

Other:  Black Embossing Powder, Olive Re-inker, Waterbrush, Sweet Leaf Stitched Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope your summer is off to a fabulous start!

Hugs,

Paige

Hay There! with CTMH Howdy and Sweet Home

I made two cards with last week's Sweet Sunday Sketch but only posted one as I was coming in minutes to the deadline - here is the sister card to the cow card.  I love the punny saying in the CTMH Howdy stamp set and had a lot of fun making the two cards.
Can you find my goof in this picture?

When I first sponged the sky around the animals I used a lighter shade of blue but then I really didn't like it up against the Indian Corn Blue of the patterned paper.  Well, you know how it goes when you "fix" something - when I was sponging on Indian Corn Blue sky to match I got a little too close to the horse so then I had to try to fix it with a White Daisy marker.  Long story short I decided to leave well enough alone and this one will go out the door slightly imperfect - LOL!

Hope you all had a GREAT Father's Day!

Hugs,

Paige

Cow are you doing?

This card was made with the Sweet Sunday Sketch #121.  I just loved the card she made for the sketch so I went with the same kind of theme and used a cow on mine as well.

If you'd like to make this card, get these supplies:

Paper:  Sweet Home Level 2 (retired)

Stamps:  Howdy

Ink:  Cocoa, Indian Corn Blue, Olive, Versamark

Other:  Wooden Buttons, Cocoa Embossing Powder, Watercolor Pencils

Tri-shutter Father's Day Card

This Father's Day card was inspired by the current Heart2Heart Challenge which called for projects with random stamped backgrounds.  I started with the images from our "Star Struck" stamp set and then filled in with words from "Checklist".  After I made a 12x12 sheet, I cut two card bases for a pair of tri-shutter cards (one went to my Dad already for Father's Day and the other I'll give as an option to my kids when they are card shopping in my craft room for Father's Day cards for my husband).

I used a chipboard dimensional element for the front of the card - I simply embossed the saying with White Daisy powder, inked over it and then put a thick layer of Liquid Glass on top and let it dry.  I untwisted a couple of spiral clips and added some velvet ribbon for texture.

The thing I like the most about this card is that when it is folded flat, the arrow on top points to "World's Best Dad" but when you open the card up, the arrow points to "Happy Father's Day".  I thought that was a fun touch!

Thanks for stopping by!

U R My Hero Father's Day Card with CTMH Jubilation and Token Alphabet

I made this card to play along with Card Pattern Sketch #119 this week and since I need a couple of Father's Day cards this fit the bill!  I really wanted to use the small "My Hero" stamp from our June SOTM "Jubilation" set on the Father's Day card for my hubby this year.  My sweet CTMH sister Caron Barnard gave me the idea to frame it up and layer it in order to make it a focal point.

This card makes liberal use of Liquid Glass - its on all the polka dots and it coats the letters and "my hero" emblem as well.  Here is a close up of the center image...

If you'd like to make this card, get these supplies:

Paper:  Good Times (retired)

Stamps:  Token Alphabet (love that one!), Jubilation (June 2011 SOTM)

Inks:  Buttercup, Chocolate, Versamark

Other:  Cocoa Embossing Powder, Irresistables Chipboard shapes (this set is retired but we have new ones this Idea Book), 1.25" CTMH Circle Punch, 1.5" Circle Punch, Liquid Glass

Teacher Thank You Card with CTMH Life's A Jungle, School Rules and Sweetheart

I used the Mojo Monday #195 sketch created by my awesomely talented fellow CTMH sister Debbie Carriere as the sketch basis for this card.  The other inspiration was an adorable card done by Nicole Heady with an elephant writing thank you with a pencil.  As soon as I saw it I knew I had just the stamps to make a CTMH version of the card.

Isn't that elephant just the cutest little thing ever?!?  Makes me want to hug somebody!

My favorite part was making these awesome buttons using a tip from Jeanette Lynton's blog (read it here).  She had a tip about embossing on buttons and I just loved the idea.  I've put rub ons on buttons before but never done embossing.  I embossed clear buttons with Baby Pink polka dots and then used a Sharpie to color the back of the button in black.  A little black hemp through the holes and viola! a fun and funky embellishment for this card!

If you'd like to make this card, get these supplies:

Paper:  Sweetheart Level 2

Stamps:  Life's a Jungle, School Rules, Spot on Backgrounds, Thank You

Ink:  Versamark, Bamboo

Other:  Black Embossing Powder, Baby Pink Embossing Powder, Licorice Opaques, Hollyhock ribbon, Watercolor Pencils (to color in pencil image), Black Sharpie, Gray Satin Ribbon, 3" Circle Punch, Scalloped Nestabilites, Black Hemp 

Congratulations Wedding Card with CTMH Bliss and Salutation Seals

I made this card for two challenges,  Mojo Monday #194 and Heart2Heart Challenges Here Comes the Bride.

The medalion was made using Cocoa Embossing powder with our CTMH Salutation Seals stamp set.  After I heat set the powder, I punched the image out with our 2" scallop punch.  When the card was complete I put the medallion on and coated the embossed part of the image with Liquid Glass.  It took some time to dry but I love the glossy epoxy element look to the image.

If you'd like to make this card, get these supplies:

Paper:  Bliss Level 2

Stamps:  Salutation Seals

Ink:  Versamark

Other:  Cocoa Embossing Powder, Cocoa Designer Ribbon Rounds, 2" Scallop Punch, Liquid Glass, 1" Punch, Edge Distressor

Here's To You bicycle card with CTMH Mayberry, Splendid Day, Enjoy Life

I made this card to play along with Card Pattern Sketch #118.  When I saw the sketch I thought of hills and knew I had a good sketch to use the fun bike image in our CTMH Enjoy Life set.  First I stamped the bike in Cocoa ink and then I colored in the open sections of the image with my Orange watercolor pencil.  Then I went over the bike image with Liquid Glass to give it some shine.

This card is going to my youngest to congratulate him on successfully completing Grade 3.  He loves it when I use liquid applique (hey, the stuff looks like marshmallow foam - how can you not like it?) so I used it on the leaves of the tree to give it dimension.  Here is a little better picture of that...

If you'd like to make this card, get these supplies:

Paper:  Mayberry Level 2, Honey Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock

Stamps:  Enjoy Life (bike), Splendid Day (tree and sentiment)

Ink:  Cocoa, Olive, Sky

Other:  Kraft Color Ready Borders, Neutral Buttons, Liquid Applique, Liquid Glass, Watercolor Pencils, Baker's Twine (Martha Stewart)

Pearfect Card with CTMH Mayberry, Simple Memories

This card was made for "The Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #120".  I love the lace doily images from our CTMH Simple Memories stamp set and found that punching them out with my 3" scallop punch was a perfect compliment to the image!

If you'd like to make this card, get these supplies:

Paper:  Mayberry Level 2, Kraft Cardstock

Stamps:  Mayberry Workshop Stamp Set, Simple Memories (doily)

Inks:  Olive, Hollyhock, Cocoa Marker (to color stem)

Other:  Opaques, Kraft Color Ready Borders, Yellow paper flowers (retired), yellow grosgrain (I think this one was from Michael's), 3" Scallop Punch

Friend card with CTMH Sophia and Dreams Come True, Library Cards, Friendship Word Puzzle

I made this card to play along with the "Just Us Girls" Challenge #87 Sketch.  One of the things I've decided is to start playing along with more sketch challenges partly to help use some of my stash and partly to work on techniques so this week I've made 4 sketch challenge cards - yipee!

If you'd like to make this card, get these materials:

Paper:  Sophia Level 2, Wings Level 2 (green leaves), White Daisy Cardstock

Stamps:  Dreams Come True, Library Cards (retired), Friendship Word Puzzle (retired)

Inks:  Sunset, Honey, Smoothie, Desert Sand, Black

Other:  Licorice Opaques, Liquid Glass, small butterfly punch, CTMH 2" Scallop Punch (used to make leaves by punching just a small strip folded in half)

Too, too funny...

Just had to share this funny from the mouth of my 9 year old babe today.  We spent Saturday doing some outdoor jobs - mowing, weeding a couple of beds, power washing the back porch and putting up our shade gazebo.  So Sunday after breakfast my husband and I start getting ready for the next round of jobs and we start assigning things to the kids and my grumpy 9 year old (who at this point has ideas of sitting on his bum all day playing video games) chimes in saying we no longer have weekends we only have WORKENDS.

I laughed and laughed!  And then I told him to get cracking on his jobs - LOL!

Sorry to not have any artwork - we've been very busy getting jobs done outside while the sun is finally shining plus I've been sorting, getting rid of things and organizing all the bedrooms in the house and my dreaded overstuffed craft room!  My husband took another huge carload of stuff to Goodwill today and I already have two more big boxes to go next weekend.

I am working on a small gift album right now for a dear friend who is moving soon.  I'll share that soon!  Hope you all had a great weekend or "workend"!

Hugs,

Paige