... I am always sad to see Summer go, but travelling usually makes up for the 10+ months of winter we normally have here. Onto cheerier things, a few things to tell you about in the month of September!!
First up is the September Constant Campaign - it's National Scrapbooking Month!
This means that with a qualifying purchase of $50, you can pick up this awesome trio of stamp sets for only $10 more:
You get one alphabet set, a bunch of super cute images (did I mention I was a sucker for butterflies?) and a bunch of useful sayings for scrapbooking and cards alike.
And of course the best for last two powerful stamps that can be used in many different ways - September's SOTM: Poster Tidings.
It could be tags, it's just asking for the masking technique and there's a cool Subway Print video on the many different ways you could use it.
I originally found the cupcake tutorial at Fabulously Artsy. She's an amazing crafter and will take her glue gun to just about anything to come out with amazing results. And I'm telling you this thing was not easy to make; I think it took me four tries to get the base right alone and I won't talk about how many tries it took for the rest of this thing to look decent.
I couldn't totally hide the little metal "handles" that clip on to the Lululemon gift card that was hidden inside the cupcake, but if I did I don't think she would have realized there was more to this than just a cupcake. You see, she loves cupcakes, and she's an amazing cook/baker. So I saw this and just had to make it.
The only alterations I would make to the instructions was to cut the strip for the paper "frosting" 1/2" x 1", get it wet, and then first accordion fold, then pinch and manipulate. 1" was too large and looked silly, and 1/4" was too short. But the tip regarding the "glue" strings was fantastic, and I added the blue bowtie for emphasis.
Just in case anyone wanted to see how the whole thing looks, here's a second photo. I'm trying to get the mojo up to make a second one but I think I'll need a long break from my glue gun first.
Michaels, etc:
* Patterned cardstock for cup - Costco
* Foam ball, Reflections blue flowers, blue ribbon and red wooden bead - Michaels
The only thing I don't like about transitioning into Fall and then Winter, is the ensuing sicknesses that always go around every year. I'm still unfortunately sniffling and exhausted and haven't done any new Christmas cards for a while. However, I am moving forward on Mom's Christmas present.
I have another Halloween cube decoration for show! I always have pictures to post, don't worry; and I will take some photos of the calendar when I get a chance. I'm waiting for the oven to warm up so that I can get my chocolate chip cookies in there.
This one required some fancy decoration. I was running out of ideas to use just Wicked (August 2011 SOTM) for the decor. So, Cherished Flourishes gave this one a fancy flourish which was finished off with three little rhinestones. I used Fiskar edger scissors for the "Have a Wicked Halloween" piece, and then distressed it with Chocolate ink. Did I mention how much I love inking up edges with sponges? The witch is also popped up with foam tape.
I also received spray pens, reinker and Pearl Paint in my latest order, and I can't wait to find a good use for them! This is my first time using them, so I thought I'd do a little research and lengthen hopefully the lifetime of the pens. The following video from CTMH is an excellent how-to video for this tool.
I'll be spraying up one of my Christmas cards up really soon! Keep an eye out for it - and in the meantime enjoy the cube decorations.
I have actually been sick as well as in all day training this week, so I have come home and straight to bed. Thus, no new cards to post about today, but I need to get started on Mom's calendar.
However, I did promise to slowly put up the cube decorations, so today's post is another one of them! The ribbon was actually sourced off a bag of Christmas goodies from last year. So let this be a tip to you - if you're feeling frugal, all those ribbons and bows off gifts can go to good use!
Strangely enough this reminds me of the Wizard of Oz, but I have no idea why. My favorite part about this one, other than the stockings sticking out is that I created a lattice with the border stamp that turned out really well! And finally, thanks to Carla for sourcing this amazing tip for stamping (from fancyMelissa) - so amazing that I just had to repost it here too.
Michaels:
* Cardstock from "Gems" set
* Cardstock from "Primary" set
* Gold Brads
I know I haven't posted any artwork in a while but I've got my eye on a layout from Sketches in Thyme that I'm planning to use for my never-ending wedding album.
I wanted to take a quick moment to bring you some highlights that are coming in August!
a) Cricut Partnership!! CTMH and Cricut have teamed up to provide you a cartridge with shapes that correspond to several stamp sets in the new catalogue, fonts, 3D items and tons more!! Here is a video of how fantastic this is - I admit I am not a Cricut owner but I'm seriously thinking about adding it to my Xmas wishlist.
b) Price changes! If you thought CTMH was fairly priced before, you'll find this even better. There are now even lower prices on stamp sets:
A size = $7.75 B size = $10.95 C size = $15.50 D size = $19.95 E size = $33.50
c) Stamp of the Month can either be acquired for the low price of $19.95, or $5.50 with an order of at least $55 and up.
d) You can earn Hostess rewards on any order you put through! Hostess Rewards start at orders of $165 (that's 30$ worth of freebies). The more you spend the more free stuff you get - see your catalogue for details.
e) 6x6 Quick Pick albums - for those of you with no time to scrapbook and tons of photos of your kids, pets, or family this is the ideal for you
f) New paper packs!
g) and last but not least, new embellishments and accessories.
Contact me for your copy of the new catalogue today!
