Striped Borders Technique Blog Hop

It's a new year and time for the first installment of the technique blog hop!  This month, we are focusing on striped borders.  (If you're already hopping, then you've probably arrived from Michelle's blog.  From here, you'll click on her name to visit Melissa's blog next.)  I decided to use the Happiness Lives Here- Cardmaking stamp set and Thin Cuts for all three of my cards.

For my first card, I wanted the stamped striped borders to mimic (but not exactly match) the Happiness Lives Here Blue Belle patterned paper.  My first attempt did not match the diagonal very well, so I ended up putting the patterned paper under my all purpose map (which is somewhat see-through) and my White Daisy panel on top so that I could more easily line up the first stamp with the diagonal stripes.  Then, I just lined up the rest of my stamped border images with the first one.  I also cut a thin (less than 1/4") strip of Blue Belle glitter paper to adhere as one of the striped borders.  I stamped Hello and then added a Blue Belle glitter gem and several flower sequins.  (You may have to look closely to see them.  In my opinion, they're a lovely subtle addition.)

My second card is a copy of the card on p. 8 but with a color twist.  (The original card is featured in the blog badge, below.)  I knew I wanted to use Lagoon (just because I love it, it makes me happy, AND I have turquoise gloss spray), so I grabbed my For the Love of Color guide and used Lagoon, Raspberry, Sage, and Charcoal.  After stamping the borders on the left, I covered them with a post-it note then sprayed the gloss spray on the right side of my White Daisy panel.  I added a few Lagoon small stars to the background, then popped the Hello sentiment (stamped in Raspberry and cut with the coordinating Thin Cut) with 3D squares.  I stamped a Lagoon star on the Thin Cut then two small stars directly on the main panel.  I used Liquid Glass and a toothpick to adhere some silver star confetti to the front.

When I first saw this set, I definitely got a patriotic vibe, so I decided to give that idea a try.  My card was inspired by the second card on page 8, which is also featured in the blog badge, below.  I love how much our Idea Books inspire me!  Mine might not have turned out identical to the CTMH Corp "stamples," but they always give me great inspiration.  For my card, I used Candy Apple, Sapphire, and Blue Belle inks.  Everything is stamped directly on the White Daisy panel except for the Sapphire striped star, which I popped with a 3D foam square.  I had thought I would add some silver mini star sequins but decided to keep this one simple.  I did scissor distress both the Sapphire and Candy Apple panels to give the card a bit of a rustic feel.

Thank you for visiting!  I'd love to know which card you prefer in the comments before you hop on over to Melissa's blog to continue the Striped Borders technique hop!  I hope you're inspired to add some striped borders to your next project!

August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Floral Celebration

Close To My Heart has a pretty floral set for August's stamp of the month, called Floral Celebrations.  Join me and fellow consultants on this hop featuring this set.  (If you're already hopping, you've probably arrived from Colleen's blog.  From here, you'll click on her name to go to Krista's blog next.)

Since we have eight colors retiring this month, I wanted to pair some of them with this fun stamp set.  (The retiring colors are the color of the year, Julep, and Ruby, Pixie, Thistle, Eggplant, Sweet Leaf, Saffron, and Goldrush.)  All of my cards use different sketches from Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 4.

My first card features retiring Pixie, paired with Sweet Leaf (also retiring) and Pewter (as suggested in the Love of Color guidebook).  I random stamped the White Daisy panel with Pixie and fussy cut the big Pixie flower.  I added Pink Taffeta stickles and white enamel dots to finish this card.

For my second card, I random stamped the background flower in retiring Saffron and the leaves in first and second generation Fern.  For the pretty central "sunflower", I stamped and fussy cut the flower in Saffron and then stamped the flower in Espresso and then fussy cut the center only.  The patterned paper is from the current Mix In paper pack.  I used New England Ivy for the stem and leaves on the banner and then added a simple white ribbon bow to finish this card.  Not only was the color comb inspired by Love of Color, but this same sketch is featured on the Saffron pages.

The third card is a fun, funky one!  I random stamped the background with retiring Thistle, Nectarine, Peacock, and Glacier (another Love of Color combo).  I used White Daisy & Thistle card stock, the Glacier gingham from the Mix In pack, and the Nectarine stripe from the Summer Vibes collection.  A few more white enamel dots finished this off.

My final card uses the Timber collection (retiring Ruby, Sapphire, and New England Ivy).  I knew that I wanted to use that big, fun outline stamp with some of our threads (gold and Sapphire).  To help the center mat pop off the plaid background, I scissor-distressed the edges.  I added gold stickles to the flower centers.

Isn't this a pretty set?  I used most but not all of the stamps on my cards.  I'm looking forward to making lots more this month with this great set.  I hope I've been able to inspire you with my cards.  Please leave a comment before hopping on to Krista's blog next!

{Click HERE for all the hop participants and their blogs.}

Love of Color (CTMH Technique Blog Hop)

Close To My Heart introduces an amazing publication called Love of Color.  It provides color combo suggestions for each current Close To My Heart color and gorgeous artwork to inspire your creativity.  We are featuring ideas from this how-to guide to show you what a great resource it is.
(If you're already hopping then you've probably arrived from Melissa's blog.  From here, you'll visit Debi next.)

Glacier was my starting color.  In Love of Color, one of the Glacier combos is Glacier, Peacock, Heather, and Linen.  I had this Glacier scrap from the Boutique collection and my Falling Flakes stamp set handy, so I random stamped the flakes in the three darkest colors.  (Stamping "stitching" stamps in Linen really doesn't show well.)  I mounted my snowy piece onto a standard-size piece of Linen paper, also from the Boutique collection.  For my sentiment panel, I inked up Merry Christmas in Glacier and then inked the bottom portion again in Peacock before stamping.  A little silver shimmer trim and sparkles finishes this off and still allows the card to be mailed easily.

My inspiration for this hop was actually this family photo (taken this summer).  I really wanted to make a layout or home decor piece with it, but I don't have time right now with all of the holiday hustle and bustle!  I am planning to use it with the following color combo: Glacier, Sugarplum, Ballerina, Sage, and Pewter (from Love of Color of course).  What do you think?  I see a lot of potential, so this project will "perk" until I have a great idea and time to implement.

If you haven't yet explored Love of Color, talk to your CTMH consultant or go ahead and order a copy for yourself.  I can't wait to see what color each consultant has selected to share along this hop.  I'd love a comment before you dash off to Debi's blog next.

May your holidays be merry, bright, and colorful!