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!

Joyful Stars December Blog Hop

Welcome to the Joyful Star Blog Hop for December! If you're coming from Krista's blog you're on the right track. It's a circular hop so if you're just starting here then you can just go 'round till you end up here or you can check out the whole list on Joyce's blog.

My projects for this month's hop are the table decorations I made with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.

For Thanksgiving, I used the cartridge to make little turkeys for each plate. Darling, huh? And so simple!!!

I cut leaves at 2 1/2" from 3 colors of cardstock and the center image from CCR to get it to the right size (sorry, I don't know what it ended up being because I didn't save it, darn!)

For my church's Women's Christmas Coffeehouse, I used the Art Philosophy cartridge and cut ornaments out of black cardstock. 

I then used white pigment ink to messily sponge the edges to resemble the chalkboard effect so popular right now. 

I used some baker's twine to tie off the tops and the Chalk Marker to write the dishes the ladies brought to share so we could tell the onion dip from the spinach dip (which look eerily similar sitting next to each other on the table...).

Thanks for stopping by! Now you're off to Helen's blog.

Truth in the Tinsel: Days 3 - 8

Not that we're a little behind or anything, but here are the last five days of projects from our Truth in the Tinsel project:

Day 3: Zechariah

Little Man wanted to color his own ornament so he used white crayon on brown construction paper because he wanted Zechariah to be white "like he'd seen a ghost because that's how I'd be if I saw an angel!" I tried to give him a marshmallow to put on but he ate it.

Day 4: Gabriel

Again, Little Man wanted to do his own thing so after rummaging through the craft bin, he found feathers and a white, sparkly pom pom for the angels head "to help him glow". I love his imagination!

Day 5: Mary

This is the best picture I got of his ornament today, Missy had a hard time keeping this one on the tree for some reason. Little Man used a round clothes pin and wrapped a fabric square around and colored in her hair and face with a marker, because "if God thinks she's beautiful, then she was."

Day 6: Mary & Elizabeth

This was a fun day even though Little Man kept asking if I was going to have another baby. I asked him if he wanted another sibling and that got him quiet again... :)

Day 7: Song

This day's project is MIA. I don't know if I should blame Missy or the dog.... Basically, he drew a music note on paper, cut it out and colored it in with a marker. I tried to encourage more creativity (or use of supplies) but I think he was tired and ready for bed.

Day 8: Sun

I got a little more conversation out of him during this project. He actually remembered that one of Jesus' names from earlier in the project was Light of the World and he remembered doing this craft last year. Oh my! The memories do stick!!

Missy wanted to be more involved in this project so I peeled the backs off some foam shapes for her to play with. Unfortunately, once she sucked on them she couldn't make them stick. Hmm, wonder why? :)

We've really enjoyed the new printable ornaments this year, it's been a lifesaver with Missy seeing what Little Man is doing and wanted to be a part of it. I strap her in the chair beside me and can surpervise both of them at once. She ends up coloring more on herself than the paper but if I remember correctly, last year wasn't smooth sailing in the the mess-free department either. Oh well! The point is that they are having fun and even looking forward to it. Now when I say it's craft time, Little Man fetches the Bible before the craft supplies - and that is worth every ounce of energy I put into it!

Truth in the Tinsel, Days 1 & 2

A little behind schedule but here are the first two of our projects with our Truth in the Tinsel project ...

Little Man insisted on using glitter glue because it's shiny and will look better for a King. It's hard to argue with his logic sometimes, so we modified our crafts a little bit to accomodate his preferences. 

After last year's experiences I was a little apprehensive but plugged along through it and was pleasantly surprised! Little Man listened patiently through the first few verses then asked if he could work on his craft while I read. I got him started then kept reading. When I was done, I asked him a few questions and he gave me the right answers! Wahoo!!

Day one with Truth in the Tinsel

 For Day Two, Little Man wanted to switch glitter glues and chose one with gold flakes in it "because kings like gold". He also wanted to cut the crown himself because I was making it too small - "a good king has a tall crown". But again, he wowed me with his listening skills and was able to tell me some other names for Jesus.

Day two with Truth in the Tinsel

 Missy had her markers to color her ornaments but was more interested in coloring her belly! I am glad I had the foresight to strip her down first. Her contribution to the project was a wet, soggy mess so I may just use pictures for remembering the process instead of the ornaments.... but oh, how cute!!!

I will be posting our completed projects on my blog during the month, so stop back to see more of our creations! If you would like to follow along, it's not too late! Use the link below and LAVENDERSAGE in the check out section for a 20% discount on the book.

Truth in the Tinsel starts today - and a coupon code!

Today is December 1st and we'll be starting our "Truth in the Tinsel" Advent adventure today. If you haven't gotten your copy to do it with your family and you want to, you're in luck! Amanda has graciously offered 20% off the ebook with code LAVENDERSAGE. Use the link below and add the code during check out.

I am affiliate of Truth in the Tinsel. Thank you for your purchase!

I'll be posting pics of the ornaments my kids make as we go through the book. So stay tuned!!