Sunday, September 29, 2013

September Swaps - So much fun!!!

I had a very trying week at my full time job.  Thankfully I signed up to do two swaps which forced my hand at creativity and in return provided a nice peaceful activity to combat my stress.  I hope you enjoy the items I made, I will post pics of the items I received soon!

First up is the card I made for the Consultant Stamp Camp I attended Saturday.  A full day of creativity with a fantastic bunch of ladies.  It was just what the doctor ordered... really, I work with a bunch of doctors and they told me to do something I really enjoy this weekend... so I did!

FROSTED HAPPY HOLIDAYS CARD


I made this Frosted Happy Holidays Card and have provided the recipe below:
X1410 Colonial White Card 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
X71758 Frosted Paper Packet (blue/cream snowflakes paper used-first pattern in packet)
1272 Cranberry Cardstock
Z2116 Crankberry Ink
Z2173 Slate Ink
Z2419 Cranberry Marker
Z1751 Cranberry Baker's Twine
Z1752 Sparkles Clear Assortment

Stamps Used:
B1412 Perfect Fit Holiday (see Circle Punch Below)
B1424 Classy Doily (see Cricut Cut below)

Z1790 Artist Cricut Collection (pg 56, Accent 1 H @ 3 1/2" - Doily
Z1686 Art Philosophy Collection (pg 31 @ 2" -Scallop Circle

Z1311 1 1/4" Circle Punch (Small Circle for Perfect Fit Holiday Stamp)

AUTUMN ARTIST TRADING CARD


This next little piece of art was a lot of fun.  I have never made an Artist Trading Card, I didn't even know what it was.  I admit I had to google it to see.  One of my fellow CTMH Consultants posted this swap and I thought it would be fun to try something I have not done before.

This is what I learned while doing my first ATC (Artist Trading Card)...

  • Anything goes - this allows you to just create freehand and see what happens.  Fun Fun Fun!
  • It is not as easy as you would think to make all that art fit on a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece of paper!  That was probably the toughest part about creating this card!
  • You actually sign the back with your information and the theme of the card. Pretty cool!
I decided to take pics of the process and the creative steps that led me to this cute little card so you can follow along on the creation of my very first ATC.

Stamp Set Used: Petit Perks - A Touch Of Fall
(Note: Consultant Stamp Only - if you want one, contact me to find out how you can get one)

 
   Step 1: I cut a piece of Colonial White Carstock just under 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", to fit on the actual size piece of Goldrush Cardstock I cut as the base of the card and sponged the background to add some Fall color.  I sponged the blank piece of paper using a piece of sponge and Cashmere Ink (first pic), followed by Goldrush Ink on another piece of sponge.

  

Step 2: I chose the acorn from the stamp set to use with Cashmere Ink to add a pattern to the sponged background.  I stamped the acorn in random patterns.  I made 9 of these and each one is unique! 

Step 3: I added a small piece of Burlap Ribbon... nothing says Fall/Autumn like natural Burlap!  I adhered it with Liquid Glass to make sure it stays in place.

  

Step 4: I added some Bronze Shimmer Trim at the top.  I wanted to create a nice base that would show behind the title once I added it.  I cut the strips in half as I only wanted a small accent.

Step 5: I dug into my stash of stamps knowing I wanted to use the small Autumn words from last year's Stamp Of The Month Fall Favorite!!!  I love this stamp set, too bad it's retired!  It was perfect for this tiny card front. 

  

Step 6: I added some Sparkles - Brown and Tan Assortment so I could make the words look like little bullet points.  

Step 7: I stamped the word "fall" in Cocoa Ink onto Goldrush Cardstock and cut it out to make the title.  Again, this retired Stamp Of The Month was perfect as the title fit perfectly on this little card.

  

Step 8: I took the remaining stamps from the Petit Perks and used each image with a different color of Pigment Ink from the Whimsy Collection.  I used Sweet Leaf for the green leaf, Creme Brulee for the Wheat/Corn, and Sorbet for the Pumpkin!  I combined the Pigment Ink with the Clear Detail Embossing Powder  and heated it with a heat gun.  You can't tell very well, but there is a glossy effect to these pieces.


Step 9: I adhered the top card I created to the piece of Goldrush Cardstock, added my Artist Trading Card information to the back and it's all done!  I hope you enjoyed following this little gem from plain paper to work of art!



Thursday, September 26, 2013

Congratulations to the September Mystery Hostess Rewards Winner!!!


Congrats to Lynn... winner of September's $25 Mystery Hostess Rewards!

If you want a chance to win $25 in Hostess Rewards in October, simply place your order of $25 or more by joining October's online gathering or contact me to submit your order by 10/25/13 to be entered into a drawing for $25 in Hostess Rewards! NOTE: You MUST click JOIN if submitting an online order.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

You Are My Happy - Let's Celebrate National Stamping Month

THREE TIMES THE FUN, THREE TIMES THE HAPPY!

Get an exclusive You Are My Happy stamp set trio in celebration of National Stamping Month! During the month of September, when you make a purchase of $50 or more, you qualify for this whimsical stamp set trio for only $10. You'll love the whimsical alphabet, light-hearted sentiments, and fanciful images for a variety of occasions to give a cheerful touch to your projects, with a full retail value of $47.90.

***Don't forget you still qualify for the September Stamp of the Month too!  See the Stamp Of the Month Tab for more details!  Take advantage of both deals for just $15 (plus shipping and handling).  That's a retail value of $65.90 and a savings of $50.90!  If you would like a chance at even more savings, place your order by joining September's online gathering or contact me to submit your order by 9/25/13 to be entered into a drawing for $25 in Hostess Rewards!


Here is a close up of what is included in this stamp set!

Check out the video below for some great ideas on how to use this adorable stamp set!


*Offer valid September 1-30, 2013. Placing a minimum order of $50 is required for qualification. One stamp set trio for every $50 spent. Tax and shipping/handling apply. The stamp set trio arrives on 3 D-size carrier sheets in 2 stamp envelopes: one carrier sheet in one envelope (like a D-size stamp) and two carrier sheets in one envelope (like an E-size stamp).