Thin Cuts to make your own Stamps

 

So of course The cactus stamp came with great outline images that I have showed you already, but what if you don't have time to color? How about making your own stamps. Below you can see that I used some thick craft foam with adhisive backing and ran it through the my diecut machine using the Thin Cuts-

I just peeled the backing and stuck the foam to my block. 

I used regular dye base ink and stamped my image. After I wiped down the foam, I saved it in the storage envelope with my stamps so I can use it again.

 

Remember YOU get FREE product this month-- so go order some new product!
  Place an order of $50 or more on my website all month long using the February Mystery Hostess Link and I will send you a FREE Sorbet Stamp Pad. (Sent Separately)
Also any size order in using the February Mystery Hostess Link will be entered to win the Hostess rewards for February.

Prickly Hugs and Thin Cuts

 

This week I want to show you all the fun things you can do with CTMH's new Thin Cuts die cut system. These little guys are so great! I love my cricut, but pulling out the big machine, flipping through the book to find them image I want can be time consuming. Also cutting something in the middle of a project can be tricky even with the center point feature. Take a look at this card and see how I did it.  I placed the thin cuts right in the middle of the water color paper where I wanted the cactus to be. 

After I cut them I used light water color around the openings.

 Next up I laid the cut out watercolor paper over the top of the card base and made some pencil marks at where the opening would be. Then I stamped the cactus images inside the the pencil marks (I erased them after I stamped.)

 I needed this card to dry quickly, I made lots of them to go to my downline, so I decided to pull out my green shades of watercolor pencils. I colored the cactus and blended with a damp paint brush. I added the watercolor paper over the top with foam tape and stamped a sentiment. You can see the card below with the gifts I sent my downline this QTR.

Remember YOU get FREE product this month-- so go order some new product!
  Place an order of $50 or more on my website all month long using the February Mystery Hostess Link and I will send you a FREE Sorbet Stamp Pad. (Sent Separately)
Also any size order in using the February Mystery Hostess Link will be entered to win the Hostess rewards for February.

Watercolor Roses- No fuss Watercolor!

This card was so easy! To create this card you don't need any special watercolor skills- In fact the start of the project looks a lot like when you see an elephant with a paint brush. All you need to do is swipe some color on the watercolor paper- Messy is the key!

1. Paint some random messy spots on your watercolor paper. 

2. Stamp over the top of your paint spots with a matching ink color.

Remember YOU get FREE product this month-- so go order some new product!
 I am changing things up a bit for January- Place an order of $50 or more on my website all month long using the January Mystery Hostess Link and I will send you a FREE Pack of La Vie En Rose Badge Buttons. (Sent Separately)
Also any size order in using the January Mystery Hostess Link will be entered to win the Hostess rewards for January.

Jar Shaker Card Tutorial

The first thing I wanted to make when I got my hands on the December SOTM was a shaker card. I thought that jar would be fun filled with sequins!! All I did to make the shaker was use a piece of a page protector. I filled it with sequins and beads then taped it closed and stapled it to a pieced of cardstock.
I cut the inside of the jar away with my craft knife and the adhered it over the shaker part of the card. There are lots of tutorials on you-tube on how to make one of these shaker cards.

Faux Embroidery Letter Pendant

 I am calling this Faux, because I don't know how to do embroidery. All I did was back stitch, so I don't think it really qualifies?
When I was thinking about different ideas for the Base & Bling line I thought about a necklace my grandmother wore all the time. It was much more detailed than what I made. It was oval and had flowers that were ribbon knots and leaves. It also has very tiny gold thread in it.
Here is a very simple idea for the pendants. I think these little initial pendants would make great bridesmaids gifts or how about a for a teenage girls slumber party?
 Step 1. Stamp a letter on your fabric using a light colored ink (just dark enough to see)
Step 2.  Using Embroidery thread back stitch over your letter and tie off in the back.
Step 3. Cut a piece of scrap cardstock and quilt batting the same size as your pendant. Sandwich the batting between the fabric and the cardstock.
Step 4. Glue (I used fabric glue) the fabric piece by wrapping it around the cardstock and batting. This part is tricky. Getting the letter in the center is a challenge, but I figure it looks homemade if it's off just a bit, right?
Step 5. Glue your puffy letter to the pendant. I used liquid glass on 2 and Hot glue on one. The liquid glass worked fine, it just took a lot because the fabric was soaking up some of it.

Tips: After you wrap around, glue and dry trim off any excess fabric from the back so that it's not too bulky.
Use a popscicle stick to help fit the puffy letter into the pendant, this way you don't tear the fabric.

BE SURE TO ENTER THIS WEEK'S GIVE AWAY- ALL THE INFO IS TUESDAY'S POST.

Multi Color Leaves

 Earlier this week I showed you a couple of projects using the pattern books. Two of those projects- a card and the scrapbook pages had leaves on them. With Fall making it's official arrival I love the color of leaves. Here in Texas we are cooler, but the leaves are not turning yet. I do have many friends in the north and they have been sharing their photos on facebook of the leaves. WOW!
To create a multi colored leaf follow these steps.
1. Stamp your stem in a dark color (I used cocoa) as seen in the photo.
2. Ink your stamp in the lightest color first. (I used poppy)
3. Use a sponge dauber to add shading to the stamp- use a darker c complimenting color. (I used eggplant)
4. Stamp over your stem.
5. Repeat for each side.

Don't FORGET about the Give AWAY! Be Sure to look at the post from November 10 for all the details.

Dream Big and Cheers Cards

 Dream Big! This card will be great for anyone working on goals. I am thinking it will be great for someone in my workout group. I workout with all ladies and we have the best friendship, everyone is encouraging and supportive. I also think a card like this would be good for graduation.  I really like the vellum leaves with the kraft die cuts, the contrast of the two gives such a pop!

 The Cheers card is pretty traditional, but I am in love with the look of twine or thread as a background accent right now. Below you can see how I made the gold accent behind the glasses on this card.
Do you have some of this baker's twine still? I have a stash of bakers twine, but this kind with the gold accent wasn't my favorite. It really didn't stay together when working with it so it really just annoyed me. I used some on another project, but I removed the gold and left it on my work table-- all of a sudden the idea to use it popped in my head and this is what I got. It is really easy to separate, but I do know you can buy simular stuff in the craft stores.
Alright, thats it for this week!
Next week I have a whole new set of projects and ideas for you so come back!!!
DONT FOR GET TO ENTER TO WIN THE SANGRIA PAPER PACK, ALL THE INFO IS ON THE POST FROM NOVEMBER 3RD.

Get creative with stamps for borders

Today I want to show you how to get creative with the November Stamp of the Month. See the fun multicolored boarder on this card? I used the top half of the #2 to create it. Look at the picture below. I used the back side of the pattern paper to create a mask and I stamped the 2 all the way across. It's simple but it adds just the right detail. The cute little cupcake was cut with the Artiste Cartridge.

 Now here is a deal for you! 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.
 In celebration of our Stamp of the Month program, we’re throwing in a little something extra: a 50% off stamp set! In November, when you place an order of $50 or more in full retail products and purchase the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, for just $5, you can pick any stamp set* at 50% off

Help those affected by Hurricane Sandy

To show our support of Red Cross relief efforts for those areas of the US severely affected by Hurricane Sandy, Close To My Heart will donate $1 for every Stamp of the Month set sold as a part of this promotion during November.