Close To My Heart December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

Welcome to Close to My Heart's monthly Stamp of the Month (SOTM) Blog Hop! Woohoo!!! This time there are over 60 gals participating with dozens and dozens of great ideas to use December's Stamp of the Month, "Notice the Details".  

Did you hop over here from Amy's blog?  Then you're on the right track!

Think of all the cute things you can create with this stamp set.  41 stamps!!!  I have seen some sites selling one phrase stamp for $7 - good grief!!  

In today's blog hop alone, we have over 60 ideas to get you started!  So grab some chocolate, a big pillow and a pen to record some of these ultra fab ideas.

This would be super for a teacher....or to make cute little memory albums as gifts...the possibilities are endless!

I have been anxious to try this accordion file purse designed by Maria Bell.  LOVE it!  And it really didn't take that long to make.  You would be surprised!  Remember, you can click on any of the photos to view them larger.

I used CTMH's "Unforgettable" papers for the entire project, with a few "Notebook" paper scraps.

The purse opens up to reveal an interior and contents much like a large accordion file used to file bills, tax forms, etc.  This one, at just six inches wide, is perfect for holding cards or photos.....recipes....you get the idea.  I had a brainstorm - my hairdresser keeps her client info on index cards in a boring metal file box.  How CUTE would this be in her shop!   Hmmmmm....a holiday gift is on its way!!!

Now, I used a dual-magnet enclosure to keep my purse closed tight, but velcro works just as well.  I usually use the self-adhesive velcro dots for my papercrafting projects.

Here are some of the cards that I have created to go inside the purse.  And here's where you'll see the December SOTM!  I stamped the 'holey' paper edge on the left side of a piece of Notebook B&T, then punched the holes - it looks like I pulled it out of a spiral notebook!

The tabs at the top of each card have the date stamp so I can go back and fill in the date.  I used the words "silly" and "little moments" directly on the photo!  That is my silly son.  Gotta love him!  These cards will be "a week in the life" of me and Alan.

These are photos from a week in San Diego.  Here I stamped the words on the card, and again directly on the photo, using one of the two arrow stamps provided in this SOTM.  How about a cute little mini-album for Grandma with a week in the life of her grandbabies?  Quick and easy!

Finally, here's a closeup of the super cool flower.  This was sooooo easy to make.  A couple of girls on the boards shared their purses and flowers, and I am happy to share with you!

Come back here tomorrow night for details on CTMH's big clearance sale, which starts Wednesday!  You'll be able to order online from me or your favorite CTMH independent consultant!

Need this Stamp of the Month?  Purchase it outright or earn it free!  Ask your consultant how, or e-mail me for details!

Now, hop on over to my friend Judy's blog for some more ideas on using December's Stamp of the Month - "Notice the Details"!

See you tomorrow night,

Deb

Mojo Monday 105 with a cute little skirt! CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

It's Mojo Thursday for me...tee hee! I think I'm finally getting back into the swing of things. When I saw this Mojo Monday (105) sketch, I wanted to give it a frilly feel. So my first thought was some type of lace or scallops for the bottom layer.

Then I had what my mom would call a brainstorm....which turned out to be more of a drizzle, ha!

Remember when we were kids...we used to make those paper snowflakes by folding white "typewriter" paper, cutting little notches, then unfolding to find an amazing, one-of-a-kind wonder? Well. Apparently the wonder is in a child's eyes, because when I tried it last night - ugh.......no. Not so amazing. Now, that's not to say that I might not try it again - tis the season, right?

So I did the next best thing. I found these 4" doilies which I thought would be perfect! When I brought them home, however, I realized they were too wide (four 4" doilies, 5" wide card....hell-OOO!!!!).So I snipped them in half and proceeded to pleat them to make a cute little skirt! I love how it turned out! There are four half-doiles to make the four scallops on the bottom.

I also wanted to do a monochromatic card with creams and whites, but needed to add chocolate for a little pop. Gotta love a little chocolate, right?

RECIPE:

Stamp: Treasure (CTMH)

Ink: Chocolate (CTMH), Versamark

Paper: Unforgettable, Vanilla Cream CS, Chocolate CS, White Daisy CS

Other: Kaiser Pears, Fleur di lis Pendant and Oval Nestibilities (Spellbinders), Just Blooms (CTMH), Colonial White Ribbon Round (CTMH), Doilies (Wilton)

I hope you enjoy it!

Deb

When did this happen? Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Wow! This bloggin' has a life of its own, doesn't it? I've been posting for less than a month and have over a thousand hits....you guys rock!

So who are you viewers out in blog world? In my fantasy life, Bruce Springsteen is a faithful viewer and logs on every night before his concert. He doesn't comment so that he can maintain his anonymity. But he is secretly making his own scrapbook with clipping of all his favorite posts. *sigh* Yeah, right. tee hee.

Seriously, though, I appreciate each and every one of you who muddles through my musings to get to the scrapbooking. Now I am inspired to try to do a better job.

So here's a creation inspired by my amazing upline, Annette. She used the Emporium paper pack to cover CTMH's My Creations(TM) Artboard. I 'lifted' her idea of making a pull-out photo mat that slides into the frame.

You may be able to tell (by viewing the top of the frame) that I used our Pearl Paint, mixed with Sorbet reinker, on the chipboard dimensional frame. It is so smooth and shiny. I just LOVE this Unforgettable paper pack. It's simply perfect!

I'm holding a class for this project on July 18. Or if you are not near Melbourne, Florida, I'd be glad to sell you a pre-cut kit.

Do you have plans for Memorial Day weekend? It's never too early to plan for the weekend, even if it's only Monday! As long as you don't wish your life away longing for the weekend, as I have been known to do. I've come to realize that each moment is precious. It sounds a bit trite, I know, but I'm finally 'allowing' myself to spend my time how I want to, not how I think I should. I've had that 'disease to please' all my life and I'm afraid I've passed it on to my son. There are pros and cons to this, of course.....I'm trying to embrace the pros *smile*.

Enjoy the rest of your evening!