CTMH September SOTM Blog Hop: Thriller

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! I was so excited to be a part of this group, and equally excited about September's SOTM, Thriller!

If you are coming here from Toni's blog, you're in the right place. If you stumbled upon my Craft Closet and would like to start the blog hop at the beginning, head over to Helen's blog and get ready for an inspiration overload!

The September SOTM, Thriller, has 9 stamps in the set:



Oooooh! Doesn't it just give you goosebumps?!

I love the creepy factor this set has, right down to the delicate cobwebs...even though I really, really hate spiders. But the eye-patch wearing skull just screams pirate to me and that's the direction I went.


Stamps: CTMH Thriller (September 2010 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Bamboo, Desert Sand, Barn Red, Versamark
Papers: CTMH Bamboo, Desert Sand, Barn Red, Vanilla Cream

The Barn Red cardstock was quilted using a folded tissue as batting and spritzing the top with water. Then I attached the brads and hammered them in as tight as they would go. When the water dried, it left a puckered look around the brads...like the back of some luxurious arm chair. The skull image and sentiment were embossed with clear detail powder, then brayered over with Bamboo ink and the whole piece was edged with Barn Red ink. I also stitched around the two pieces with Chocolate and Colonial White (which I ran across my Bamboo ink pad several times) embroidery floss.

I created a ruffle...

...excuse me, a very manly looking ruffle using Vanilla cardstock. I soaked it in water, then proceeded to create pleats and shape it as I went. I placed it under one of my acrylic blocks until it was dry.

I did take me a couple of days to get it all complete. The boys were demanding things like food and clean clothes. All I wanted to do was make them walk the plank!



Well, now it's time to move on to Jean's blog! There are 68 very talented CTMH Consultants in this month's blog hop...be sure to visit them all to get your fill of crafting ideas and inspiration.

And remember, Thriller will only be available until September 30, 2010! Contact me to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

H2H Challenge: Just In The Stitch Of Time!

Well here it is, late Sunday evening. The boys are just getting to bed and I was ready to retire for the day.

And then I suddenly remembered I hadn't posted my challenge piece for H2H yet this week! Talk about waiting until the last minute...or hours...whatever.

I can't believe I almost let this slip by, especially since I've had it finished since last week. I'm just lucky this week's challenge involved stitching or I probably wouldn't have had anything to show. I created this layout using parts of the new Triple Play kit available through September. I saw another CTMH consultant create the same layout using the pink album pieces, but I knew the blue one would suit my subject better.

This is titled "10 Things I learned from my Mother"


Stamps: Love This (exclusive to Triple Play), Chocolate Alphabet Small
Inks: Bamboo, Indian Corn Blue, Desert Sand
Papers: Triple Play, Indian Corn Blue, Bamboo, Colonial White



I gathered some of my favorite pictures of my Mom to do this.




Notice the ribbon and buckle? It's made from photo hangers and hides a mini album of it's own.




More favorite pictures, and more life lessons from her.


I lost my Mom just a couple of months ago to Ovarian cancer, so making this was both hard and special at the same time. And anyone that knew my Mom would know I couldn't do this without stitching something somewhere on it...even if it is just a simple border.

Well it looks like I still made it before the challenge deadline. Hopefully I'll be able to get an earlier start on next week's!

H2H Challenge: Back To School

Ah, the three most beautiful words a mother can hear.

Well, besides "Thanks for dinner!" and "You're the greatest!" and "What? You want me to clean my room? Sure Mom. You've worked hard enough today, why don't the other boys and I go out with Dad and give you an evening to yourself."

Okay, that last one may be a bit longer than three words.

This week over at H2H Challenge, the theme is Back To School. And even though we've been back to school for 4 weeks already, I couldn't quite figure out what to create. But with all this newly found freedom during the day, I have ample time to peruse the blogosphere for ideas.

And this morning I hit the jackpot over at The Crafting Chicks! They just did a whole 2 weeks worth of ideas. But you know what really caught my eye? Their banner for their back to school brainstorm.

It was the perfect inspiration for me to whip up a quick card.


Stamps: CTMH Good Work, Tiny Typewriter Alphabet
Inks: CTMH Cranberry, Sweet Leaf, Indian Corn Blue, Brown Bag, White Daisy, Creme Brulee
Papers: CTMH Cranberry, Sweet Leaf, Indian Corn Blue, Brown Bag, White Daisy, Creme Brulee, Black

It's getting late in the day and you know what? I just thought of three more words any mother would love to hear..."Let's eat out!"

A Triple Play

I hardly know anything about sports. I'll just put that out there right now. I've never been the athletic type, always opting for a good book over any activity that would cause me to look...well, less coordinated than I already was.

But I do understand that a triple play in baseball is a good thing and that happens to be the name of the next great customer campaign from CTMH!




ONE mini-album is good, TWO is great but getting THREE is best of all!

Celebrate your love of stamping by using stamps to embellish the three mini albums in our exclusive National Stamping Month kit, Triple Play. With inks, stamps, albums, and pre-cut accents for stamping, you’ll complete all three albums in a jiffy. Since each album has its own color scheme, all three are unique and ready for many different kinds of photos. Make one for yourself and two to give away—if you can bear to part with them! In honor of National Stamping Month, you can get huge discounts on the Triple Play kit when you purchase My Acrylix® stamps from your wish list, or get it free when you host a qualifying Gathering or become a Close To My Heart Consultant.

Here are five ways to get this outstanding mini album kit: (Note: I’ve saved the best for last, so be sure to read all five!)

1. Buy the Triple Play kit for $29.95.
2. Purchase $25 in My Acrylix® stamps and get the Triple Play kit for just $15.
3. Spend $40 on My Acrylix stamps and get Triple Play for only $5!
4. Host a Gathering with sales of $300 or more and get Triple Play FREE!
5. Join Close To My Heart as a Consultant and get the kit FREE!

National Stamping Month is always fun, but this year you’ll get three times the excitement with Triple Play!

*Qualifying stamp set purchases exclude Stamp of the Month sets, K-size custom stamps, and Workshops on the Go™ stamp sets. Tax and shipping/handling may apply. Offer valid for customers and hostesses August 15–September 30, 2010. Offer valid for new Consultant enrollees September 1–30, 2010. Limit one discount priced Triple Play kit per order per customer. Offer valid while supplies last


What a grad slam of a deal, right? I've already recieved mine and will have some creations posted really soon. But in the meantime, visit my website and get your own kit and make a couple of crafty home runs of your own!

H2H Challenge: Time For S'more Sketches

This week I was more on the ball with the H2H Challenge...it's only Tuesday! They have provided a fun sketch for us to use:



Now I actually had a card in mind yesterday, but wanted to wait until today to share it. Why? Do you know what today is?

No?

Then let me enlighten you with a quote from the great Ham Porter of The Sandlot:

"Alrite now pay attention. First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham. Then you roast the 'mallow. When the 'mallows flaming...you stick in on the chocolate. Then cover with the other end. Then you scarf. Kind of messy, but good!"


Yes, it is National S'mores Day!

Did you even know that existed?

Me either, until a couple of days ago. But I had wanted to try something in honor of the gooey treat and after I flipped it, this sketch was just right.


Stamps: CTMH Beary Best, Tiny Typewriter Alphabet
Inks: CTMH Brown Bag, Chocolate (of course!), VersaMark, Memento Tuxedo Black
Papers: CTMH Brown Bag, Chocolate (mmmm!), White Daisy

Doesn't it just look good enough to eat?

Oops, got to be careful not to wrinkle the cardstock.


Take a closer look at that chocolate piece:



I got this effect by clear embossing the entire piece then scoring it to look like a chocolate bar.

Then I got out the Liquid Applique. First, I made the 'mallow. And then sponged on some Brown Bag ink.




Then I sponged the Liquid Applique on the edges of the White Daisy cardstock. After heating it, I sponged a little Brown Bag ink, followed by some Chocolate ink just on the edges.



Mmmmm! Looks nice and toasty doesn't it? Okay, now I'm totally hungry for s'mores. Guess what we're having for dessert tonight!

Don't forget to create something of your own and share it over at the H2H blog!

A Grateful Thanks

So many of you have taken advantage of the amazing sale from CTMH! I'm grateful to you and for your support as your CTMH Consultant...or dealer as Engineer has called me in the past.

As an added thank you (on top of the 50%-60% off prices!), I'm sending everyone that has ordered a little something in the mail...


Stamps: CTMH Unity, For Every Occasion, Just A Reminder (Consultant only set)
Inks: CTMH Cocoa, Juniper
Papers: CTMH Perfect Day Reflections Kit

Yes, it's your very own handmade thank you card from yours truly! And just look what is inside!




I know! You get your own copy of the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book...FREE! I'll be accepting these coupons at an upcoming Open House at the end of the month. If you're in the Tucson area and would like to attend, let me know! I'll be posting more information as it gets nearer.

H2H Challenge: Tag! You're It!

Since last week was my last H2H Challenge as a DT member, I guess I've gotten a bit lazy!
Here it is, already Wednesday and I'm just getting my piece finished.

The challenge this week is to create a piece of artwork that includes a tag. Well, that sounds easy enough, right? My inspiration didn't come until Monday night, however. That's when, after dinner, Engineer looked at all the peaches we've he's been harvesting from our tree and said,

"These aren't going to last very long. We should can them...tonight." To which I replied, "Do you have any idea how long it will take to can 20 lbs of peaches?" And then I believe I made a face...like this

But we headed to the store to get the one item we didn't have for canning peaches, plus everything else that somehow found it's way into the cart. We finally got started at 8:oo. Engineer said I didn't have to help him, but I don't think I could have lived with that pleading face.

After assuring the boys we were in fact not making dessert and getting them off to bed, we worked quietly in the kitchen...and surprisingly didn't make too much of a mess!

And even though everything was done and put away by 11:00, I was awake enough to wonder how I could use those jars in my tag challenge somehow.


With nothing on the calendar for today (except that awesome sale going on right now), I gathered my supplies and got to work! First thing I did was pull out my Wishes book. And what do you know, a card with a tag...right on the cover!




I just had to pick my papers and stamp set and I was good to go!



Stamps: CTMH Bowl Of Cherries (exclusive to Cherry-O Workshop On The Go)
Inks: CTMH Chocolate, Sweet Leaf, Indian Corn Blue, Creme Brulee, Taffy, Sorbet
Papers: CTMH Magic Moments Reflections Kit, Perfect Day Reflections Kit




And to answer your question, yes I did all the stitching by hand.



Which is why I took so many pictures of it!