Liquid Applique and Christmas

One thing I have not used much of is Liquid Applique (Z308) in the catalogue. I was introduced to this stuff during my first Christmas card workshop and it is fun to play with. It goes on a lot like a white gel, then you let it sit for a number of moments to dry. Lastly take your embossing gun to it and it poofs up just like snow.

I find this to be a neat texture addition to Christmas cards, but don't let your imagination stop there. :)

Today's inspiration comes again from Mojo Monday: MOJO205



Another technique I wanted to point out is how to stick those ribbons on the cardstock. Instead of using a ton of ribbon and tying all the way around, you can just easily tape the ends of the ribbon on the back of the cardstock, saving you some lengths of it :) As well, to attach the silver bow I used a tiny brad to anchor everything.

Cardstock:
* CM
* Local craft stores

Embellishments
* Dollar store finds

CTMH
* Festive Thoughts
* Snow Flurries
* Merry Pursuits
* You and Me
* Spring Iris Ink
* Moonstruck Ink

Haircut leads to more good news

My hairdresser, which I found after several years of failed haircuts (dry, damaged, and generally looked awful) has been making me absolutely gorgeous for the last 5 years. I see him once every four to six months, and although he has total creative license over my hair he always listens to what I have to say.

The man is a genius with scissors.

He told me today, while his scissors was doing it's thing, that he was expecting a little one! Well I just couldn't resist - and out came the stamps. Playing in Mojo Monday's latest challenge, MOJO204 this was the end result:



Thanks Mojo Monday for coming up with such fantastic layouts!

Cardstock:
* Michaels Craft Store

CTMH
* Baby Love
* You And Me set (June fundraiser, retired)
* Chocolate Ink
* Smokey Plum Ink
* Ponderosa Pine Ink
* Itty Bitty Sparkles Rhinestones

It's National Stamping Month!!

Didn't we have one of these already? Nope... well, we celebrated National Scrapbooking Month recently but it definetly was not the same as National Stamping Month - and with it of course we have to celebrate with stamps. Right?



To celebrate, you could get the following cute-as-a-button and totally versatile double-stamp set. The first of it's kind from CTMH.



All you have to do is spend $82 CAD on your order anywhere from August 15th to Sept. 30th and this double set is yours free which is valued at $39.90! Just think only $55.00 qualifies you for a $5.50 D size stamp and if you get your order in before the end of August you can end up with two more sets for the price of $5.50 - Wicked and Typeface Letters! What an amazing deal!

Decoration #2

In the spirit of Wicked, August's stamp of the month I came up with another cube decoration square. This time I decided to use two new elements of the set - the hat, and the kitty.



Pardon the poor lighting; the orange is the same as the first square.

I also love embossing things, and this time I thought I would try out the new embossing powders (black for Halloween) that I just picked up from CTMH. I have resisted it for a long time, because I own some silver, gold, and clear sparkly stuff from when my grandma was still alive. She was the most amazing crafter I have ever met, and I miss her - and she was always willing to indulge me in whatever craft obsession I had.

Amazing stuff, I tell you. The photo doesn't show it but I embossed the curly background on the bottom and the top left square with the black powder.

Cardstock
* Michael's Craft Store

Embossing ink from my own stash

CTMH
* Black embossing powder
* Corner Rounder
* Bohemian alphabet set
* You and Me set (June fundraiser)
* Wicked set
* Outdoor Denim Ink
* Cranberry Ink

Cube decorations

The girl behind me loves to decorate her cube, and encouraged me to do the same. Since I don't tend to do halloween cards, I thought that I had to use this set for something and what better than halloween decorations?!?

Here is the first of possibly 9 squares I will be decorating my cube with come All Hallows' Eve.



As you can see I borrowed an idea from Carla and popped out a honeycomb or two.

Cardstock:
* Michael's Craft Store

CTMH:
* Wicked
* Black Ink
* Buttercup Ink

With hail in August comes thoughts of Christmas.

Last friday, the north end of my city was hit by a crazy hailstorm and corresponding flash flood. Streets were washed out and it looked like it had snowed in August. C'mon, Mother Nature, we only get three good months of summer...

Thankfully by about today it's all gone and life is back to normal. I saw this gorgeous card Butterfly Blues from Teneale Williams CAS'ed by Random Acts of Creativity. I just had to put my own Christmas spin on it.



The inside is just so equally pretty that I had to do something about that too, so here is the inside of the card. Now, to just find that special someone to give this card away to, or I may just have to keep it for myself ;)



Cardstock:
* Michaels' Arts & Crafts

CTMH:
* Snow Flurries set
* Festive Thoughts set
* Bundled Buddies set **August 2011 new!!
* Olive Ink
* Cranberry Ink
* Bamboo Ink

Extra, Extra! August Campaign alongside Wicked!!

There is now a new way to earn the stamp of the month even easier! All you have to do is find a way to spend $55 and this awesome set is yours for an extra $5.50, or if this is all you want; the stamp set is only $19.95 CAD.



I don't normally do any halloween cards, but I just may have to dream up a halloween something to use this amazing stamp set! Stay tuned for the end result.

On the tail end of this gorgeous stamp set, they decided to give us a hint of Christmas early. When you qualify and buy Wicked, August's 2011 Stamp Set of the Month CTMH is playing Santa and will throw in the Typeface Letter set (size A) for free.



It is the perfect complement to the Typeset Kit or any other layout/card where you're aiming for the concept of 'less is better'. I dearly love a simplified card. And the best part is about letter stamps, you can use them on anything from your standard cards to even stamping on t-shirts if you're so inclined.

Congratulations Winners!!

There were two winners from July's little giveaway :)

Congratulations to:
- Kelsey F.
- JustYolie.com

Stay tuned for August's special and campaign - it will be coming tomorrow! Thanks ladies for your orders/following my blog.