January Stamp of the Month & a Valentine's Day card

It's not often that I get around to working with one of CTMH's Stamps of the Month during the month it's on sale but this stamp set has spoken to me on many levels. I originally bought it because of the sewing aspect - I know a lot of sewers and knew this would be a much-used set to send those lovely ladies happy tidings. Then I started seeing how other consultants were using the set - for Valentine's Day! - and I have to say, I honestly never saw that use in the stamp set, but I love it!

I had a team meeting yesterday afternoon and originally planned to make a card with the stamp set but since we talked too much (*cough, cough*) we didn't get around to it. So I'm posting it here so I'm going to share with you too.

I used Whisper cardstock to make the base, with the fold on the left. I used Sparkle & Shine B&T and Ruby cardstock. Accessories are: foundry pins, sparkle gems and baker's twine. I used Whisper ink on the edges of everything and Ruby ink on the sentiment.

The second card I'm going to share today is an elegant Valentine's Day card using Whisper cardstock and Sparkle & Shine B&T.

 I used Whisper Ink on the edges and the sentiment and pearl pins stuck in foam tape between the layers. I used Artiste to cut the fancy shape in Whisper and White Daisy. The sentiment is from "4 My Friend".

Stay tuned because I have been really busy working on projects from the new Idea Book. I'm toying around with having another virtual Open House. Would you be interested??? I just love this Idea Book and all the lovely goodies inside - and I know you will too! Please comment on this post and let me know if you'd like to see my Online Open House on February 1 & 2.  Thanks!!!

Joyful Stars January Blog Hop

Hi All! Welcome back to January's version of the Joyful Stars Blog Hop!! If you're coming from Krista's blog then you're on the right track. If you're picking up here, then you'll find the link for the next blog in the hop at the bottom of this post. All blogs are posted on Joyce's blog if you get lost. Let's get started!

This month is a wrap up of the holiday paper pack "Sparkle & Shine". I bought the WOTG (Workshop on the Go) so that I could take advantage of the all the goodies that come along with the papers and get the exclusive stamp set. After making the first layout from the WOTG I decided to venture out on my own to use up the paper pack (only because I put more pictures on a layout then the second one uses). I used the Make It From Your Heart vol 1 # 6 (pgs 16 & 17) to make this layout:

I used the Sparkles flair and pin banner from the Sparkle and Shine assortment to jazz up the left bottom corner.

I combined two images from stamp set to make a pretty corner decoration for the top right corner.

On the second layout, I used Pattern #2 from the MIFYH vol. 1

I used the Ruby (light) alcohol marker to brighten up the sparkles to create a contrast from the houndstooth pattern paper.

Using the Cricut, I cut a full page of  the stars for this stamp set out of White Daisy paper. I stored the left over stars in the stamp envelope for the next time I want to use the stamp set.

I also cut extras of each of the Cricut compatible stamp shapes to store in the stamp envelope.

Now you're off to Helen's blog. Have a crafty new year!!

One Last Christmas post...

For the most part, Christmas is over in our house. But just because the paper is torn off and the toys are scattered through the house and cries of "I'm bored!" are now shouted almost to the minute, my job of putting the decorations away are just beginning. As I was pulling garlands off the doorways, I realized I never showed you my favorite decoration!

Over the summer, CTMH was selling out of the chipboard banner pennants (If you don't stalk the While Supplies Last section of my website weekly, you are missing out on GREAT deals from CTMH!). I bought a few packs to make a fun way to display Christmas cards.

I pulled B&T papers in all shades of green from my stash and cut the pennants using Art Philosophy. Using hemp, I tied the pennants together in the shape of a large triangle.

I added a gift bow as a topper.

I hung the tree on the door leading to my attic (only because it's in the very center of my house) and clipped photo cards to the edges as I received them.

 Viola! Instant gratification!

Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!