Rock The Block with CTMH!

Well, well, well. Look who has finally made it back to her blog!

Yup, I bet you guys thought I had fallen off the face of the world or something. Well, not quite.

So let's see what's going on today. How about an awesome Blog Hop with some equally awesome CTMH consultants? You got it! And how about we throw in a special sneak peek item from the upcoming Spring/Summer Idea Book into that Blog Hop?
Well let's get started then, shall we?

You've most likely just come from Amy's blog Clearly Stamping. If so, you'll know all about this fantastic special from CTMH that is running from now until the end of January 2012.




If I'm your first stop on the Hop, then let me fill you in quickly on what you can expect from this great campaign. First, you'll get this amazing E-size (that's 8" x 10" ladies!) stamp set, exclusive to this special. You can see it here:



You'll also receive the sneak peek item My Creations Collage Cubes. It is nine 2" x 2" x 2" chipboard cubes in a chipboard display tray.

So just how do you get this awesome deal? Simple. Just place a $25 order anytime between December 19th, 2011 and January 31st, 2012 and you can purchase this special Rock The Block bundle for only $15!


And the offer is good for every $25 you spend in your order!


Would you like to see what I've done with my first set? ('Cause I just know I'll be getting more!)
I've made a seasonal/holiday set for display in my home. Six sides means six decorations in one!

Valentine's Day made with Roxie papers:




St. Patrick's Day made with Sonoma papers:




Independence Day made with Elemental papers:




Halloween made with Mischief papers:




Thanksgiving made with Dreamin' paper:




Christmas made with Believe papers:




Here is a shot of the set in the display tray covered with Typeset paper:



I had so much fun making this! I started by sponging Black ink on every side of each cube and the tray. I also inked each of the base papers for each side as well as each element. That's a lot of inking! To make it safe for hands to touch, I sprayed several layers of sealent on each side. I may go back and Modge Podge the whole thing. (The sealant makes sure none of the ink will run with the MP!) And by the way, I used the Art Philosophy cartridge to make all the font and shape cuts. Such a versitile cartridge!

Ready to get your own set? Head over to my website and start your shopping fun!

Anyway, I must send you on your way to Wendy's blog over at Stamping Rules!. Enjoy the rest of the Hop!

As You Gather Together This Holiday...

Thanksgiving Squash Book

It is almost Thanksgiving here and I wanted to share a gift I made for my most recent Gathering Hostess.

I love the new Remarkable Wreath stamp set in the Idea Book and how very versitile it is. It has something for every season!

I used it to create a squash book for her to keep pictures and journaling about her family's holiday this year.



Stamps: CTMH Remarkable Wreath, Cricut Bundle exclusive stamp set
Inks: CTMH Olive, Honey, Goldrush, Chocolate, Autumn Terracotta, Pacifica, Bamboo
Papers: CTMH Dreamin' My Reflection Kit
Accessories: Colonial White button, Mocha Opaques, Natural Hemp, Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge


Here it is opened up:



She has spots for photos and journaling. Or maybe her family will all leave thoughts on what they are grateful for this year. So many ideas!

If you'd like to make your own, I got the instructions here.

If you'd like to get your own Remarkable Wreath set, please visit me here and get your own! While you're there, be sure to check out the special Close To My Heart is offering this month.




This November only stamp set comes with these images to help you get a quick start on your holiday crafting Just plug in your Art Philosophy cartridge and off you go!



I'll be back after Thanksgiving to show you the super easy, super cute Christmas card we made at her party!

A Night With Roxie

I have a party later tonight and I wanted to...wait, what? No...you haven't stumbled into the Twilight Zone...

I really am writing another blog post within 10 days of my last one. I don't know what happened...maybe I got sucked into the Twilight Zone. No, I remember. I had a party scheduled so I had to put my foot down and say, "Boys, I have just got to play work with my paper and inks now. Run along." That was it.

So as I was saying...I have this party tonight and the hostess chose to use the Roxie Reflections Kit for the project. I am so glad she did because I absolutely love this paper! Want to see everyting I made with it?
Okay, you twisted my arm...


Stamps: CTMH Love Life, Holiday Magic (October 2011 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Smoothie, Bamboo, Black
Papers: CTMH Roxie Reflections Kit
Accessories: CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Sparkles, Rhinestone Designer Brads, Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes, Black Satin ribbon

A beautiful bunch of paper goodies if I do say so myself!

This is my thank you gift to my hostess, Amber...




It is one of the boxes from the AP cartridge, cut at 8". The flowers were cut at 3" and 2.5". Inside is a Petite Perks set for her.


This gift is for Carrie, who held the party that Amber attended and booked her party from. I wanted to give her a little something as a thank you as well...and I got to play some more with the AP cartridge!



The Pillow Box was cut at 6.5", I think. And the stocking image was cut at 3.5". It's pretty nice that it fits the SOTM this month, don't you think? I used a Rhinestone Brad to decorate the stocking...then put a set of the brads in the box for Carrie. See, I can't think of her without thinking of bling.


This is the card project we'll make. I love the Love Life stamp set, it's very versatile! I used the Zip-Strip top of the paper to add the scallop to the card. I also touched each of the printed rhinestones with small drop of Liquid Glass to add some shine.




Next, I have these great boxes made with...again, the AP cartridge. I put a piece of chocolate in them as favors for all the guests for the party. It is cut at 6.5" and makes very quick boxes that look great!



And last, but not least...this is the prize for our game tonight. And I must admit I totally copied it from Vicki Wizniuk, a fellow CTMH Consultant from Canada. She created such a cute bag, I could not not make one myself!


Stamps: CTMH Mischief WOTG exclusive set
Inks: CTMH Black
Papers: CTMH Mischief Reflections Kit
Accessories: CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Silver Glitz Glitter Gel, Sparkles

It has a Bling Assortment and chocolate waiting for the winner!


Okay, that's all the time I have for. I've got to get packed up for the party!!

CTMH Holiday Magic Shadowbox Card

My friend shared the following cartoon on her facebook page:


And I have to say, she looks like I feel! All three boys have been home from school for 2 weeks during their Fall Break. And there is still one more week to go! I think I may lose it before then.

Only two things saved them today from being permanent residents of their bedrooms:
1. The weather took a turn today. Instead of being hot and miserable outside, we opened the doors and windows to enjoy the suddenly cooler tempuratures.
Okay, so its not exactly scarf weather yet, but I'll take what I can get!

2. They let me have some crafting time today. It was much needed and much appreciated! I went from to over the course of the afternoon.


Would you like to see what I made? This idea is from Dawn a fellow CTMH Consultant over at Stamp Till Dawn. After seeing her video, I created my own shadowbox card using this month's Stamp of the Month, Holiday Magic.



Stamps: Holiday Magic (October 2011 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Desert Sand, New England Ivy, Tulip
Papers: CTMH Believe Reflection Kit, Kraft Cardstock
Accessories: CTMH Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel, Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge




I had fun making this and I'm sure the ladies in my monthly project classes will, too! Thank you Dawn, for such an inpiring project!

If you're in the area and would like to join us, it will be held October 26 at my home. You can attend the 9-11 am class or the 7-9 pm class. The cost is $15 or free with a $25 order. You'll need to RSVP by October 17 to save your spot!


I know it has been forever since I've blogged. We are still working on the house and I find all the boxes and tools and chaos a little distracting for my creativity. The good news is we've made the first step towards working on my own craft room...we took all the boxes out of it and I have decided on colors and furniture. Now, I just have to rob a bank so it can all come true as quickly as I'd like!

A Wicked Cute Halloween Banner

I know, I know. I have been gone from my blog for over a month! What on earth could keep me away from crafting and blogging for so long?

Life.

And I know everyone of you understand that. At least, I hope you all understand!

We are slowly making our new house our own. We've got some painting done, tiling work finished and starting to replace the baseboards in the house. My Dad was here for a visit at the end of last month and said to me, "You know, 8 out of 10 people would have just left this perfectly good house alone and lived in it the way it was. You are one of the 2 people that has to change everything about it."

And he's right. The house was just fine when we moved in...except it was all white. I cannot live with white walls. I mean, look what I do for a living...color and texture and photos!

So that is what has been taking up my life right now. Hard to craft when all your stuff is still packed up, right? I have a feeling my new craft room will be the last room in the house to get finished.


However...

I did get to play a little bit with the new Mischief papers and the Wicked Stamp of the Month earlier this month. I created this banner for a class that is being held tomorrow. It's simple, but fun to put together.

Here it is:


Stamps: Wicked (August 2011 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Sunset, Black
Papers: CTMH Mischief Reflection Kit
Accessories: CTMH Licorice Opaques, Black Ribbon (retired), My Creations Banner, Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge


(And I apologize for the condition of the photo...I am really missing my computer and Photoshop right now!)