Monday, January 28, 2013

January SOTM: Valentine Card

4 1/4" × 5 1/2" Happy Valentine’s Day Card

Helpful Hints


To create the techniques featured in this artwork, follow the helpful hints outlined below. Then use the pattern (Wishes: Lucky Layers™) found on page 27 of our how-to publication Wishes™ for inspiration.
  • Create your own subtle pattern paper by randomly stamping the flower in Saddle ink on Saddle cardstock.
  • Add visual interest to the sentiment by masking the sentiment and stamping the flourishes in Saddle ink. Then, mask the flourishes and stamp the sentiment in Cranberry ink.
  • Embellish with stamped accents, paper accents, and accessories, adding dimension with 3-D foam tape as desired.

Monday, January 21, 2013

January SOTM: Card

4 1/2" × 4 1/2" Smitten Card

Helpful Hints


To create the techniques featured in this artwork, follow the helpful hints outlined below. Then use the pattern (Wishes: Just Right™) found on page 39 of our how-to publication Wishes™ for inspiration.
  • Add a little glam to the Dimensional Elements heart by first sponging the heart in Champagne ink and then sponging glitter gel over it. Set it aside to dry and then repeat the process until you achieve the look you want.
  • Create your own subtle pattern paper by randomly stamping the sentiment in Champagne ink on the card base.
  • Embellish with stamped accents, paper accents, and accessories, adding dimension with 3-D foam tape as desired.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

The Everything ABC's Blog Hop Letter B


Welcome to the Everything ABC's Blog Hop!

For this hop we will be featuring the letter B. This may be the name of a paper, a stamp set or an embellishment. Whatever the crafter has chosen as their B element will be featured in their post.



My project features the "B"at from the Cricut Artiste cartridge.

It was a little strange to be working on Halloween projects in January but a customer requested that I make some cards for her and here they are.

I used an older paper pack called "Hooligans" from Close to my Heart.  I cut out the bats on black card stock and used the <fit to page> function.  It cut them out at 5 1/2" each and I got two out of a 12x12 sheet.  I then cut out the bats on patterned paper at the same dimensions.  I cut the wings off of each patterned paper bat and flipped the paper on the other side to show the complementary pattern.   That is what I love about Close to my Heart products, they all complement each other!

I scores the bats along the pre-cut score marks done by the Cricut!

I then cut out the "Boo" sentiment on green card stock from the same paper pack using the Artiste cartridge at 1 1/2".  I then used adhesive to attach all the pieces.  The card folds closed to sit inside a standard card envelope.

Your next stop on our Everything ABC'S blog Hop is Lucy Kelleher of Love 2 Create.

Here is the complete lineup in case you get lost along the way:

1. Amber La Mons ~ Scrapper's Therapy (YOU ARE HERE NOW)
2. Lucy Kelleher ~ Love 2 Create
3. Theodora~ Celebrate Crafts
4. Linda ~ Scrappy Therapy
5. Shalana Glass ~ Scrappin' With Shalana
6. Joanne Barnes ~ Josie's Joy 
7. Kathy Johnson ~ Kathy's Creative Corner  
8. Alicia Olson ~ Love Stamping
9. Kelly Lane ~ Paper Petal Memories
10. Jen Patrick ~ Roxybonds Scrappin
11. Shelly Nemitz ~ Just One Piece 

Thanks for stopping by and please leave me a comment to let me know you were here.  Happy hopping!


Monday, January 14, 2013

January SOTM: 3D Milk Carton

With All My Heart Milk Carton

Helpful Hints


To create the techniques featured in this artwork, follow the helpful hints outlined below.
  • To carry the embellishment design across multiple sides of the carton, choose accessories that bend easily, like the Opaques Pearl flourishes. Then gently help the accessory adhere where you want it by guiding it with your finger.
  • Embellish with stamped accents, paper accents, and accessories, adding dimension with 3-D foam tape as desired.

Monday, January 7, 2013

January SOTM: 12x12 Layout

12" × 12" Smitten with You Page

Helpful Hints


To create the techniques featured in this artwork, follow the helpful hints outlined below. Then use the pattern (Make It from Your Heart®: Pattern 15—Left) found on page 34 of our how-to publication Make It from Your Heart® for inspiration.
  • Make your own glitter paper by creating a small puddle of glitter gel on a scrap piece of paper and then tap your sponge in the puddle. Spread the sponge over your paper as much or as little as desired. Set aside to dry.
  • Create your own subtle pattern paper by randomly stamping the flower in Champagne ink on Champagne cardstock.
  • Embellish with stamped accents, paper accents, and accessories, adding dimension with 3-D foam tape as desired.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

The Everything ABC's Blog Hop Letter A


Welcome to our very first Everything ABC's Blog Hop! This will be the first of many throughout the year so make sure to check out what we have new for you about every two weeks. Happy New Year and Happy Hopping!

For this hop we will be featuring the letter A. This may be the name of a paper, a stamp set or an embellishment. Whatever the crafter has chosen as their A element will be featured in their post.






 For this card you will need:


  • Avonlea paper pack (X7155B)
  • Silver shimmer trim (Z1799)
  • A sentiment/image stamp
  • Pacifica ink pad (Z2192)
  • Slate ink pad (Z2173)


I created a simple New Year's card using the Avonlea paper pack.  I started out with a card base of Avonlea teal cut at the standard 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" dimensions.  I then used one of the gorgrous B&T papers to cut a 3 x 4 1/4" piece.  I used two strips of our Silver shimmer Trim cut at 4 1/4" each and adhered to the top and bottom.  I then cut a piece of 2x2" Slate cardstock and using the December Stamp of the Month, stamped the sentiment in Pacifica ink.  I distressed the edges with Slate ink.  That's it!

Your next stop on our Everything ABC'S blog Hop is Theodora of Celebrate Crafts

Here is the complete lineup in case you get lost along the way:

    1. Amber La Mons ~  Scrapper's Therapy 
    2. Theodora ~ Celebrate Crafts 
    3. Lucy ~ Love 2 Create 
    4. Linda Norman - Scrappy Therapy
    5. Shalana Glass - Scrappin With Shalana
    6. Kathy Johnson ~ Kathy's Creative Corner 
    7. Joanne Barnes ~ Josie's Joy 
    8. Kelly Lane ~ Paper Petal Memories
    9. Jen Patrick- Roxybonds
    10. Alicia Olson - Love Stamping
    11. Shelly Nemitz ~ Just One Piece 



      Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you.

      Friday, January 4, 2013

      One Little Word

      Have you heard of the One Little Word challenge from Ali Edwards?  Apparently it has been around for a few years and I have been sleeping under a rock! 

      I have decided to participate in the One Little Word challenge this year.  After going g back and forth between "passion" and "purpose" I made a decision. Well I don't know if it was really a decision because I wrote the two words on slips of paper and then drew from them.  I didn't like that "passion" came up the first two times so I had my kids pick.  I finally settled on "purpose" because that is what I think I originally wanted anyway, lol and passion drives purpose, right?

      I used a retired paper pack from Close to my Heart called Life's Delights for the cover page as well as the Friendship Alphabets large and Trinity alphabets.  On each of the squares at the top I rambled on about something either professionally, family, or personally related to what i want to find a purpose for.

      What would your word be this year?  Are you participating in this challenge this year?  Comment below so we can follow along on your journey as well.



      Tuesday, January 1, 2013

      January SOTM: Happy Valentine's

      January 2013 Happy Valentine's

      fpo
      Happy Valentine’s, set of 7
      Recommended Blocks:
      2" × 2" (Y1003)
      2" × 3 1/2" (Y1009)
      2" × 6 1/2" (Y1010)
      4" × 5" (Y1012)

      Beautiful Stamps, Amazing Discounts

      Each month you can enjoy a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5—that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing.

      January 2012: Happy Valentine’s (S1301A)

      Spend $50 and get this Stamp of the Month set for just $5.


      Incredibly Cool Crafts

      In love with the artwork we created with this stamp set? Get ready to make it yourself! Purchase the materials listed here along with your deeply discounted Stamp of the Month set to get started!
      Materials Needed
      1. My Acrylix® Happy Valentine’s
      2. Clementine Paper Packet
      3. Cranberry Cardstock
      4. Champagne Exclusive Inks® Marker Set
      5. Almond Glitz™ Glitter Gel
      6. Mini-Medley Accents Antiqued Gold Collection
      7. Opaques Pearl Flourishes

      Required Tools
      1. My Acrylix® A Typeface
      2. My Acrylix® Trinity Alphabet
      3. Colonial White Cardstock
      4. Black Exclusive Inks® Pad
      5. Champagne Exclusive Inks® Pad
      6. Cranberry Exclusive Inks® Pad
      7. Saddle Exclusive Inks® Pad
      8. Sorbet Exclusive Inks® Pad
      9. Olive Exclusive Inks® Marker Set
      10. Sorbet Exclusive Inks® Marker Set
      11. Color-Ready Garden Wooden Shapes
      12. Dimensional Elements Heart
      13. Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems
      14. My Creations® Milk Carton
      15. Sanding Kit
      16. Sponge
      17. Memory Book Mini Glue Dots®
      18. 3-D Foam Tape
      19. Adhesive