A1124 A Tree Stamp Set $6.95
Z670 Black Embossing Powder$3.95
1764 Craft Tray clearance now for just $3.00 while supplies last
Z555 Craft Heater $29.95
Exclusive Inks Markers
A1119 A Garden Stamp Set $6.95
C1511 Love Blooms Stamp Set $13.95
E1014 Posterboard Alphabet Stamp Set $29.95
A1111 A Tulip Stamp Set $6.95

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This blog hop is a circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique.  So if you are starting here, just continue until you make your way back.  If you have already started, you should be coming from Amy Kaminski’s Blog.

Supplies used are all Close to My Heart unless otherwise stated: Die Cuts With a View paper, Twilight Marker Set, Clear Sparkles, Bitty Opaques Pearl, Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes, and DCWV alphabet stickers.

I took a different approach to the technique this month.  I am showing some of the things besides stamped images that you can color with the new Close to My Heart alcohol markers.  I used both colors that come in the Twilight set but for the most part I did not notice a difference in color. I did like the lighter color for the butterflies but I did one with each and you can see there is not much of a difference, if you can tell at all.  The sparkles are a very light color with they are finished.  My favorite coloring was on the pearls.  They took the color very well and are beautiful!  I would recommend either heat-setting the pearls and sparkles or letting them out to dry.  After 10 minutes, my pearls were still wet to touch but they were dry overnight.

Other items that would be good to color: Color-Ready Wooden Shapes, Color-Ready Alphabets, ribbon, any of the Just Blooms, cork, chipboard, etc.

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto Joy McHargue’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!

Here is a list of participants:

1. Judy Faye Garner
2. Michelle West
3. Rachel Ventura
4. Shirley Ross (no artwork)
5. Amy Kaminski
6. Wendy Kessler
7. Joy McHargue

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I pulled this out of my almost-finished layouts pile and added the Kaiser rhinestone title and the Best Occasions rhinestones in the corner.

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B1402 My Peeps

Supplies used are CTMH unless otherwise noted: Lucy Paper Packet, My Peeps stamp set, Sweet Leaf Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Sky/Outdoor Denim/Petal inks, Sweet Leaf/Cotton Candy/Sky/Petal/Creme Brulee Markers, and Kaiser Pearls.

I started with a sketch from Magic.  It was a fun one because of all the pictures that I was able to add.  I have a few more so I will be adding flip flaps over the bottom left photo.  This is a great stamp set for Easter.  I used all of the images.  The eggs were fun to color and added a lot of color to the layout.  This set also works great with the adhesive springs for an added playful element.  I didn’t use them on this layout but I have used them on a milk carton that I’m almost finished with and will share soon.

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This blog hop is a circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique.  If you are coming from Michelle Battatori’s Blog, you are on the right track!

Supplies used are all Close to My Heart: Miracle Paper Pack, Baby Pink cardstock, Love Life Stamp set, Crystal Blue Marker, Baby Pink Ink, Crystal Blue Ink, Sparkles, Bitty Sparkles, Miracle Irresistibles, Cricut Art Philosophy Collection, and Glitter Glitz – Stardust. August 2011 Page Maps Sketch.

Exclusive Inks markers make it easy to selectively ink parts of a stamp with different hues.  Just apply each ink color using the brush tip of the marker, then stamp on your project for multicolored images.  This is such a great technique to add more options to your stamp collection.

TIP: Once you have finished coloring your stamp, “huff” on it before you stamp.  This will moisten the ink if it has taken you some time to do the coloring.

It must be the lighting on the first photo because you can see the border of circles just fine in real life.  Here is a closeup that shows it better:

I created the circle border with one stamp (that had the multiple circles).  To save some time, I first inked the stamp in Baby Pink (my lighter color) then I added Crystal Blue to every other circle using my marker.  I used this same technique with the flourish, inking it in pink first and then adding the blue with a marker before stamping.  You could also create lighter and darker shades of the same color within a stamp by stamping off the color and then using the marker where you want darker spots before stamping your final image.

Another modification to this technique is to ink only the portion of the stamp that you want (instead of masking!).  I did this for the words on my layout and used ink pads instead of markers.  I inked the middle word with Baby Pink ink.  Some of the pink got on the other words but I didn’t worry about that since it was a lighter color.  Then I inked the outer words with the edge of my Crystal Blue ink pad, this time making sure I didn’t get any blue on the word Laugh.

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue on to Bethaney Harlan’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!

For a list of all the blog hop participants, scroll down to the previous post.

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I split the last layout for 2 one-page layouts.  This kit has great variety in that you can use any color ink on the Irresistibles to coordinate with your pictures.

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Layout Challenge: #93 of 210.

I created faux stitching with markers around the square and the letters of the title.  I also used a marker to add a hint of color to the larger flower – I really like how this turned out!

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The blog hop makes a circle so if you are starting here just continue until you make your way back and you will have made it through them all.  If you have already started and are coming from Vicki’s blog then you are on the right track.

Products used are all CTMH: Dimensional Elements – Ornaments, Cranberry Ink, New England Ivy Ink, Vanilla Cream Ink, Finishing Files, New England Ivy Marker, Liquid Glass, Mistletoe Level 2 Assortment, Opaques – Pearl, Sparkles – Blue & Green Assortment, Sparkles – Red, Pink, & Purple Assortment, Ribbon Rounds – Holiday Collection, Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon, Ribbon Rounds – Buttercup Collection, Peace on Earth stamp set, and Festive Thoughts stamp set.

These ornaments were a lot of fun to decorate.  You can keep them together as a set or divide them up, keep them for yourself or give them as gifts.  You can use them as decorations, not just ornaments and they can be used to embellish cards or layouts too!  I added sentiments to the center of some of mine but you could also put a picture in the middle.  I like to use Liquid Glass as my adhesive when working with Dimensional Elements (chipboard).  It also works well to add a bit to ribbon ends to prevent fraying.

Now hop on over to Nikka’s blog!

See the previous post for a list of all participants.

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Welcome to the Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop featuring the October Stamp of the Month: Share the Magic.  If this is your first stop, just continue through the hop until you make it back here.  If you have already started hopping and came from Kami’s blog then you are on the right track.  See the previous post for a complete blog list.

(click on image for a larger view)

Supplies used are all CTMH: Share the Magic Stamp Set (October SOTM), White Daisy Cardstock, Prisma Glitter, Liquid Glass, Black Bitty Brads, Bonding Memories Glue Pen, Red Sparkles, Watercolor Pencils, Blending Pen, Markers (Holiday Red, New England Ivy, Sunny Yellow, Clover Meadow, Baby Pink, Pacifica, Tulip, Heavenly Blue, Sunkiss Yellow, Key Lime, Taffy, Amethyst, Pear, Desert Sand, Lagoon, and Sunset) and Inks (Black, Outdoor Denim, New England Ivy, Sky, Cranberry, Chocolate, and Brown Bag).

This stamp set is great for making tags.  I just grabbed my pile of scraps and stamped away!  I used markers, watercolor pencils, and a blending pen with inks to color the images.  To add some glitz and dimension I added sparkles to the Christmas tree, glitter to the snowmen, liquid glass to the Christmas lights, and bitty brads to the second snowman.  These would also make a fun and simple craft for your kids or a group.  The presents image works great for any occassion – Birthday, Christmas, or Baby!

Your next stop is Angela’s Blog.  Enjoy the hop!

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Products used: Staz-On ink, CTMH Simple Beauty stamp set, CTMH Simple Stitches stamp set, and Copic Sketch markers.

Challenges:
Stamp Something – Color Combo Challenge

This is my first use of my Copic markers.  I don’t have a lot of colors to play with so the blue challenges fit well.  I didn’t realize that Staz On ink needed time to dry but lesson learned.  I refrained from added any extra embellishments because I thought it was pretty as is.  So surprisingly there is no bling on this card!  I can’t decide if I want to add a sentiment so I’m just leaving it blank for now.  It was fun crafting the day away.  I’m not sure if I will continue or take a break.  I’m running out of daylight so I probably won’t share any more today unless I end up doing a time-sensitive challenge.

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Products used: Autumn Leaves Rhonna Farrer heart and starts stamp set, Fiskars border punch, Colorbok glitter paper, Target Dollar Spot pattern paper, Ranger Stickles (cotton candy), Doodlebug Design sugar coating glitter, CTMH bubblegum marker, CTMH ink (ocean & bubblegum) and unknown ribbon.

Challenges:
Inspired Blueprints Card Sketch #39
Simon Says – Punch It!
Belli Challenge #83 – Hearts
Crafty Creations #51 – Valentines or Hearts
Pretty Pink Papertake
Creative Card Crew – Punch It
Inky Impressions Challenge #28

I found this stamp set in my stash (twice!) so I thought it was a good starting point.  I outlined the inside of the small hearts with a marker before adding the stickles.  This seemed to change the color a bit for more contrast which turned out better.  Since you can’t have too much glitter I added more to the top of the stickles.  I had fun making this glittery card!

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Products used: CTMH Stardust paper, CTMH Stardust Stickease, Lyrical Letters Cricut cartridge, Accents Essentials Cricut cartridge, Queen & Co. felt fusion, and Kaisercraft rhinestones.

2010 Layout Challenge: #14 of 210

Products used: DCWV Luxury Stack, Disney Jolee’s boutique by EK Success, Cricut Mini Monograms cartridge, Sandylion vellum Disney stickers, Kaisercraft Pearl Strips (pink), and unknown 3D butterflies/flowers and organdy ribbon.

I am very pleased with this layout.  I used the Diecuts with a View paper from a stack that I bought online and I didn’t like it as well when I got it so it became buried in my stash.  It was the perfect colors for these layouts and I don’t think I noticed before that it had a sheen shine that is very pretty.  The pearls I used come in strips and I used them to create my own flourishes and used the remaining pearls as centers for the flowers.  I’ll have a layout tomorrow using ScrapSketch #3.

Challenges:
Flutter by Wednesday – any butterfly, fairy, or angel
Cupcake Craft Challenge #73 – Going Girly
SSDS Week 23 – Girly
Raise the Bar – Debut Day!

2010 Layout Challenge: #15 of 210

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Product used: CTMH cardstock and markers, All My Memories sticker, CTMH ribbon, and unknown stamp and brads.

Challenges:
Stamps & Smiles – sketch
My Time to Craft – Blue & Brown

I liked my Grandma owl that I made the other day on this card that I decided to use the same colors for a Grandpa owl. I didn’t have any patterned paper that I wanted to use (or cared to try matching since I wasn’t thinking and colored first). So I just used cardstock. I needed something more than plain cardstock though so I embossed lines on the blue paper and then inked them in brown with a sponge. I just did this free style with my trimmer and stylus and eyeballed the measurements.  I used my marker for the faux stitching.  I typically don’t do color challenges but the timing of the My Time to Craft post fit with my plans to make this card and the direction I wanted to go with it.

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Products used: KI Memories paper, The Paper Loft paper, stamped image from a friend, Cotton Candy Stickles by Ranger, Darice rhinestones, and CTMH inks, markers, and blending pen.

Challenges:
Flutter by Wednesday #90 - anything goes (butterfly/fairy/angel)
Crafty Creations – glitter & bling!
Papertake Weekly Challenge – sketch #31
Corrosive Challenge – favorite things

Glitter and bling are among my favorite things!  Well, among them and high on the list – really how do I pick just two!!  I have seen many cards done where the papers are all matted but this is the first time I have done it and I have to say I like mine just as much as I like everyone else’s!  I think I will be doing more of this.  I’m not too worried about running out of paper.    As I was making this I started wondering – does coloring get hard as you get older??  I don’t have many stamps to color in but I really like the look of them.  Apparantly, I don’t know how to color!  I guess that’s something for me to work on this year.  I just never thought of it as a hard thing to do and now I’m starting to think that it is.  I just love this fairy that was sent to me.  I might have to start buying more stamps to color because I don’t have any detailed ones.  I tend to stick to the simple stamps or two-step stamping because it’s faster.  It is faster but I really am liking the colored look.  This could be a good idea for my Christmas money.  Well, enough rambling.  It’s taken me long enough to make this card without prolonging it any further.  I hope you enjoy it!  Oh – just one more thing – the stamped image was sent to me and I wanted it cut smaller but I could not get it cut straight for anything – therefore I distressed the edges!  It’s a great technique to fool the eye!

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Products used: KI Memories paper, CTMH Say It In Style stamp set, CTMH markers, CTMH Blending Pen, Darice rhinestones, stamped image from an online friend (Thanks Mary!), CTMH Distressing Tool, and fabric strip.

Challenges:
Sunday Sketch & Stamp – Challenge #18
C.R.A.F.T Challenge – Week 31
Creative Inspirations – Challenge 41
Crazy 4 Challenges – Polka Dot Fun

I came home tonight and needed some down time so for my relaxation I made this card.  I used the distressing tool to rough up the edges of the stamped image and I really like the look in combination with the frayed fabric strips.

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Products used are all CTMH: Evensong B&T Duo Paper, Colonial White Cardstock, Cranberry Cardstock, Holiday Warmth Stamp Set, VersaMark ink, Gold Embossing Powder, Colonial White Ricrac, New England Ivy & Cranberry Markers, and Wishes Card Confindence Program.

Now go check out Jessica‘s Blog and see the layout she made with this stamp set!

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It’s a gloomy day here in the midwest so we are inside making cards.  My daughter said “watermelon” so I used that as inspiration for this card (watermelon colors) and it worked!  Patterned paper is KI Memories, all other products were out of my scrap box.

Challenges:
Card Patterns Sketch #24
Simon Says: Summer Fruits

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Products used: K&Company chipboard, CTMH Heart of Winter Project Pack, CTMH organdy ribbon, K&Company pearls.  I added details to the flower with markers and ink.  (challenge=sketch)

Products used: CTMH Heart of Winter Project Pack, CTMH Chocolate grosgrain ribbon, Cricut Accent Essentials, and button (unknown).  I added details on the flower with a marker and I used a piercing tool to add details around the scallop border. (challenge=paper piercing)

Products used: CTMH Heart of Winter Project Pack, CTMH White Daisy Just Blooms, Making Memories Chocolate paint.  I used the paint as the centers of the flowers – a great technique! (challenge=paint)

Products used: CTMH Heart of Winter Project Pack, clip and hemp (unknown).  I poked a hole through the flower to attach the clip to it with the hemp. (challenge=binding)

Products used: CTMH Heart of Winter Project Pack, CTMH White Daisy Just Blooms, DCWV vellum quote, CTMH Chocolate grosgrain ribbon, K&Company pearls. (challenge=quote)

Products used: DCWV textured cardstock and pattern paper, Stampin’ Up black grosgrain ribbon, CTMH Sparkles and Cranberry cardstock, button and flowers unknown. (challenge=red/black/white)

Products used: CTMH Boom-Di-Ada Creative Basics papers, flowers from CTMH Heart of Winter Project Pack, CTMH Hollyhock ricrac, acrylic frame by Fancy Pants, CTMH Say It In Style stamp set, and Hampton Art glitter glue.  The acrylic frame is actually two pieces.  I used the glitter glue to stick them together and then I attached it to my project with Liquid Glass.  Glitter glue was also used for the center of the flowers. (challenge=clear window)

These projects were all done for challenges at 365 Cards.

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Products used: CTMH Tinkerin’ Paper Packet, Making Memory brads, and CTMH Enjoy the Journey stamp set.  Additional details to the train were added with CTMH Sparkles, teenie-tiny eyelets (unknown), and Marvy’s Liquid Applique.

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