Layered Flowers Blog Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month there are 12 of us highlighting the “Layered Flowers” Technique as shown on page 7 in the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book!  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique.  If you would like to start from the beginning, please hop on over to Debi's Blog.  While there, you will also find a listing of all participants and their blog addresses if you should get lost or want to reference a blog along the way.  Let’s get started!

If you are coming from Amy's Blog, you are on the right track!  This technique is highlighted with the Sophia paper packet in the Idea Book but you will find variations for its’ use through this hop.  

Here is my card:

I used one of the flowers in the Dreams Come True stamp set.  I stamped the image once in Vineyard Berry ink and once in Creme Brulee ink.  I then cut out both images, omitting a few of the smaller petals on the Creme Brulee flower.  I placed the Creme Brulee flower on top of the Vineyard Berry flower and rotated it just a bit so that the Vineyard Berry petals peek through.  I then finished it off by stamping some leaves and attaching them to the flower.

If you would like to see details on the technique or my supply list, please continue reading below.  If not, please continue on to Melissa's Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation and happy hopping! :o)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper: Black, Colonial White, Juniper cardstock; Wings B&T

Ink: Black, Creme Brulee, Sweet Leaf, Vineyard Berry

Stamps: Dreams Come True (D1470)

Other: Sweet Leaf ribbon (Z1125), Sweet Leaf brad (Z1364), Sweet Leaf corduroy brad (retired)

The steps to Layered Flowers are:

1. Stamp base image in one color and outline in another (if applicable to stamp selected).  Repeat on another piece of cardstock.
2. Trim first image around all outer images.  Trim second image, cutting out portions of the flower (to create the layered effect).
3. Curl ends of petals on second image and adhere on top of first image.  Layer mixtures of stamped accent and embellishments to finish.

Here is a visual demonstration of this technique:

Thanks for stopping by!  Continue on to Melissa's Blog to continue the hop!

Contrast Embossing Blog Hop

Welcome to this group's first attempt at a Technique Blog Hop!  This month there are 11 of us highlighting the "Contrast Embossing" technique on page 31 in the new Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book!  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique.  If you would like to start at the beginning, head on over to Debi's Blog.  While there, you will also find a listing of all participants and their blog addresses if you should get lost or want to reference a blog along the way.  Let's get started!

If you are coming from Carol's Blog, you are on the right track!  This technique is highlighted with the Lucky paper packet in the Idea Book, but you will find variations for its use through this hop.

My card uses a more subtle variation of contrast embossing.  The background behind my couple is 2nd generation stamped (meaning I inked up my stamp and then stamped on a scrap piece of paper before stamping on my project) so that it is a lighter color.  I didn't want the background to overtake my embossed couple.  Here's a close-up so maybe you can see a little better:

My background is 2nd generation stamped in New England Ivy ink and the couple is embossed in Cocoa embossing powder.  I used our fabulous Kraft cardstock along with the Wings Creative Basics paper pack.

If you would like to see details on the technique or my supply list, please continue reading below.  If not,  please continue on to Melissa's Blog where you will find more gorgeous artwork highlighting this technique!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think of my variation and happy hopping! :o)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper: Cocoa, Colonial White, Kraft cardstock; Wings Creative Basics B&T (X5812)

Ink: Cocoa, New England Ivy; Versamark

Stamps: Bliss (B1317) **Available EXCLUSIVELY with the Bliss WOTG (G1020)**

Other: Cocoa embossing powder (Z1246), craft heater (Z555); Labels One, Labels Eight dies (Spellbinders); Cappuccino baker's twine (The Twinery)

The steps to Contrast Embossing are:

1. Stamp background image on project.

2. Stamp additional images in Versamark ink.  Sprinkle contrasting color of embossing powder.

3. Tap off excess powder.  Set with craft heater.

Here is a visual representation of the technique: (click image to view larger)

Thanks for stopping by!  Head on over to Melissa's Blog to continue the hop!

New Idea Book Blog Hop!

Welcome to our Blog Hop!  We will be featuring products currently offered in our new Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book.  If you have come here from Rachel's Blog, you are on the right path!  The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you'll find the complete list of participating Consultants here.

We have 11 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using products from the new Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book and other great CTMH products on their blogs.  Hopping along is simple - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one!  Here we go!

This fun nugget box (named for the Hershey's Nuggets in the middle) features our beautiful new Sophia paper packet.  With it's girly pink and green theme, I think it's my favorite of the new book!  The "Thinking of you" stamp is from the new must-have set Salutation Seals.  The box contains four 3 x 3 cards with envelopes and three Hershey's Nuggets chocolates.  So cute!

This little cutie belongs to some friends of ours and the clipboard photo frame is a birthday gift for her mommy!  The beautiful grey toile background paper is from the new Bliss paper pack.  When I first saw this pack it screamed wedding, but after playing with it I can see many uses for it!

Now, "Hop" on over to Debi's blog to see her work!  Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting and other fun ideas!  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to get these, and all the beautiful new products in the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Nugget Box:

Paper: White Daisy, Hollyhock, Pear cardstock; Sophia B&T

Ink: Blush, Pear

Stamps: Salutation Seals (C1461)

Other: Just Blooms White Daisy (Z1300), Craft Buttons Pink Assortment (Z1370)

"Sweet" Clipboard:

Paper: Black, Grey Wool, White Daisy cardstock; Bliss B&T

Ink: Baby Pink

Other: White Daisy ric-rac, Black grosgrain ribbon, Baby Pink organdy ribbon (retired); buttons (from stash); chipboard letters (from stash)

Inspirations Blog Hop!

Welcome to our Inspirations Blog Hop! We will be featuring products currently offered in our January Inspirations Brochure. If you have come here from Rachel's Blog, you are on the right path! The Blog Hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around. If you get lost along the way, you'll find the complete list of participating Consultants here.

We have 13 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's brochure and other great CTMH products on their blogs.  This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one!  Here we go!

When I first saw this Wings paper, it was love at first sight!  Butterflies are my FAVORITE and this paper is GORGEOUS!  I decided to use it to make this banner for my sweet Esnart (to meet my sweet Esnart, click here).  Click any image for a larger view.

Those fun ribbon flowers were made with the awesome new pleated ribbon in the Wings Level 2 Assortment.  Here's a close-up:

The letters are sprayed with a mixture of Vineyard Berry re-inker, Create-a-Shade Pearl Paint, and rubbing alcohol using the new Spray Pen that, for the month of January, is only available in the Wings Workshop on the Go.  I just had to use my Martha Stewart butterfly punch and added some Prisma Glitter for some sparkle.

Now "Hop" on over to Judy's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, these products are only available at a discount in the month of January!  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get these products!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper: Black, Vineyard Berry, Juniper, Sweet Leaf, Olive CS; Wings B&T

Ink: Black; Vineyard berry re-inker

Stamps: Take a Picture (C1440)

Other: Simple Alphabet Uppercase DE (retired), Wings Level 2 Assortment (Z1398), Black Mini-Medley (Z1393), Opaques Pearl (Z1336), Prisma Glitter (Z134), Scallop border punch (Fiskars), Butterfly punches (Martha Stewart)