Sunday, February 26, 2012

Mojo 229

It has been a busy week and I was concerned that I wouldn't have time to do this weeks Mojo Monday sketch, but I was able to get it done last minute. It came together so fast by using Close To My Heart's Lucy Paper Packet and Glittery Rub on's, in place of stamps...fast and easy for sure! This is the first time I have used the new color-ready seam binding ribbon and I just LOVE it! It lays so nicely and moves wherever you need it. I can't wait to try some color on it. I added a  flower (from the Bitty Buds asst.) to the middle of the ribbon. Finally, I added a sentiment from the Card Chatter Sympathy stamp set.

*All products Close To My Heart.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Mojo Monday 228



 I was so excited to win last week's Mojo Monday contest! Thank you for all your wonderful comments...it is greatly appreciated. 

This weeks sketch was a lot of fun. Right away I knew I wanted to use the stamp set called Under the Sea from the newest CTMH Idea Book. There are so many cute sea life images so it was difficult to pick which one to use. I also used the Footloose paper packet that is also featured in the Spring/Summer catty. I layered the B&T c.s. and solid colored c.s. from the packet and followed the sketch pretty closely as far as layers and shapes. I stamped the image on the circle so the saying would be in place, then I stamped the fish again on a piece of B&T c.s., then cut it out and popped it up using foam tape (best invention since sliced bread). I colored part of the fish in by dipping a blending pen into the ink. Next I added pearls to look like bubbles. I stamped the phrase "best fishes" using another image from the stamp set. Lastly, I used the stitching ruler as a guide to do the sewing on the layers. I used the white floss from the naturals embroidery floss to sew the edge.

Below is a close up of the stamped images...

Below is the sketch:

*All products are Close To My Heart and have a link embedded so you can just click on the item and it will show you a picture and give you more info. on the product.



Sunday, February 12, 2012

Mojo Monday 227

I have been participating in the Mojo Monday sketches for quite some time and had always hoped to win one of the Verve stamp sets during a contest week, but haven't been lucky enough. Believe me, the competition is fierce...but in a good way because that just means there is so much incredible talent out there. For awhile now I have had my eye on a set called Better With You, so I finally decided to get my own Verve set and I just ♥ it! It has all coffee & tea phrases and images. It was so difficult to choose which phrase to use first! I stamped the coffee-ring stain with Close To My Heart Chocolate ink on Chocolate cs. I layered that on a Bamboo base and tied Dark Choc. Striped Grosgrain Ribbon around where the layers met. Next I used the java phrase stamp from the Verve set and made a background paper by stamping it in Choc. ink on Colonial White c.s. I layered that with Choc. c.s. and cut out the latte cup on the Cricut cartridge Love You A Latte. I topped the cup with a swirl of pearls to mimic steam. Finally I cut out the label on the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge and stamped it with a saying from the Verve Better With You set.

Here is the Mojo Sketch...in the end, I was pleased with my interpretation a latte. LOL.


Sunday, February 5, 2012

Mojo Monday 226 - February Stamp of the Month


I couldn't wait to try some new product on this week's Mojo Monday. As soon as I saw that the sketch had a flower on it, I knew exactly which stamp set to use. I was inspired by the front cover of Close To My Heart's newest Idea Book, but I did change the flower somewhat. I used just one of the petals from the Just For You stamp set, throughout the whole flower. I cut out the base on the Cricut, using the CTMH Art Philosophy (a must-have) and added all the petals that I had stamped and cut. I did add a piece of foam tape to the outer edges of the petals (see below) to add some dimension. Next I added a Sorbet button from the Red Button Assortment, to which I had threaded with Chocolate Waxy Flax. I placed this on a 6X6 square card base, that I had layered with patterned cardstock from the Stella paper pack. Initially it was difficult to decide which card shape to use based on the sketch. I love the round card, but thought with the size of the flower, I better go with the square base. Julie Tilman (the sketch designer) had suggested 4.25 as the base size, but that wasn't going to work with the size of the flower. Now, back to the paper pack...I LOVE the B&T Duo that looks like a clothing pattern! My head is swirling with ideas on how to use that paper along with some sewing stamps that CTMH has. I also used the zip strip from the paper packet to create the "ribbon" that divides the two patterns of B&T cardstock. I made the leaves using the kissing technique. First I stamped the leaves in Olive and then "kissed" them on one of the petal stamps in the set to give the leaf a patterned look. Next I added a swirl from the Stella Complements Canvas Shapes. It really added a lot of texture to the card. I stamped the message using the February Stamp of the Month (SOTM), titled Thoughtful Tidings. For more details and a picture of this versatile stamp set, see the sidebar. When I was all done, I realized that the card needed to be stitched, so I did a straight stitch around the outside, using my sewing machine. By the looks at the top, I think I need to be more careful at how straight I am sewing!

*All products Close To My Heart. Just For You Acrylic Stamp Set, Stella paper pack, Stella Complements Canvas Shapes, Colonial White, Sunset, Olive C.S., Chocolate & Olive Ink, Red Button Assortment, Chocolate Waxy Flax.

 Here is the sketch:


Wednesday, February 1, 2012

It's HERE!

The Close To My Heart 2012 Spring/Summer Idea Book goes live today! You can view it online at www.closetomyheart.com or contact me for a copy today. It is 145 pages full of amazing creativity and fabulous products!