Circus SOTM Blog Hop...

Welcome to this month's SOTM Blog Hop featuring artwork from over 40 CTMH Consultants!

If you've come from Mary's Blog, you're on the right track...keep hopping around 'till you get back to where you started!

This stamp set is so versatile and CUTE...who doesn't love a good alphabet stamp set...and a doodle one at that!

I chose to make a card using the soon to be retired Ariana...it's MY FAVORITE!!!

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Here is a close-up of the flowers I cut from another piece of B&T...it just adds that extra dimension when you're working with floral B&T...

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Here is a peek at the bottom part and the scored frame...something as simple as scoring a square around your card can add extra dimension as well...

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Here's how I did the muted hearts...took a piece of hearts that I cut for a project I will be sharing next week and some White Daisy Ink and a sponge dauber and sponged away...

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Here's what the inside looks like...another flower cut from an extra piece of B&T...

Thanks for stopping by...don't forget to get your hands on this stamp set by the end of July!  And...don't forget that there are tons of products being discontinued!  You'll have 'till July 31st to get your hands on all your favorites then they are gone forever!

Now hop on over to my friend, Haley's Blog and see what she has to share!

Beach Fun in the Water - SOUS Challenge...

This week's SOUS Die-Cut Challenge is "In the Water"...which is PERFECT since Summer is upon us and beach vacations are under way!

I chose to use some files from Miss Kate Cuttables (sun and sand castle) and some waves from CTMH's Artbooking Cricut Collection

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Here are some dimensional views...

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And here's a peek at the inside...sentiment says "BEACH fun"

Don't forget to head on over to SOUS Challenge Blog and link up your water-inspired project!!!  You could win a fabulous prize from our sponsor this month, The Cutting Cafe

Products Used:

Z1906 - Cricut Artbooking Collection

Z1375 - Kraft Cardstock

Z1830 Brown & Tan Glitter Paper

X5668 Honey Cardstock

1388 - Colonial White Cardstock

Z1151 - 3-D Foam Tape

Free to be Me (retired)

Tommy Paper Packet (retired)

#tbt to January 2009 CTMH style...

This is a very SPECIAL #tbt because TODAY is a very special day to me...for a many reasons!!! 

It's my daddy's birthday today!!!  And...what better #tbt card to showcase than a Happy Birthday card...a masculine one at that!

Caprice was one of my favorite paper packets...

You can check out the original post {{{here}}}

And....a non-CTMH #tbt...Happy Anniversary, my QT!!!

Scrapping Everyday Miracles DT...

I'm so excited to announce I'm a member of another Design Team!!!

Scrapping Everyday Miracles

Please go check it out!!!  My first artwork post will be July 4th so make sure you come back and check out what I have to share!

The Great Outdoors with H2H...

This week over at H2H, we want you to get OUTDOORS and show us your projects!

I'm sharing some layouts I shared with my monthly scrapbook girls back in March.  I just LOVE Timberline paper...the masculine patterns and colors...and not too outdoorsy in case you want to use them for something else.

Now head on over to the H2H Blog and see what the other DT members have to share!

Don't forget to play along with us by linking up your projects before the end of the month!

Zippidee Do Da - Use Your Stash Blog Hop...

This month's UYSBH is all about the zip strip!!!

We don't have very many Consultants participating this month so it shouldn't take long for you to hop...

If you've come from Dana's Blog, you're on the right track...keep on hopping till you get back around to where you started!

Here's a true "use your stash" since this card is one I made quite a while ago...

Now...hop on over to Theresa's Blog. 

#tbt to Father's Day 2009 CTMH Style...

Welcome to another addition of #tbt CTMH Style...

This week I'm taking you back to Father's Day 2009...you know with Father's Day being last Sunday and all.

This one hits home since my daddy's health has been so bad the past couple of months!  I was such a daddy's girl growing up and in some ways, I still am!

Here's a close-up of the twine...I just poked holes along the fishing line stamp and thread through some hemp...it's adds such a natural feel which is perfect for guys!

I hope this inspires you to make something FUN for your daddy!

Check back often!

SeaWorld and Skylark...

I love Studio J...not only is it SUPER SIMPLE to import my photos, add embellishments and journalling BUT you can also upload a map of your favorite vacation spot!

I took a photo of the map we picked up at Sea World and then uploaded it along with my other photos.  Told Studio J to size it at 7" x 11-1/2" and voila!!!

Let me know if you'd like a tutorial in Studio J and we can set one up...it can even be done through FB or e-mail so no worries about not being local!

Studio J is ALWAYS free to play with...and printed layouts are super reasonable.  Or...you can buy the jpg and have them printed at your favorite local print shop!

Check out my other Studio J projects {{{here}}}...there are even tutorials!!

Summertime Wreath - Guest Post...

I'm so excited to be helping out Diane of Vintage Zest...her projects have inspired me and I hope I can do the same with this SUPER SIMPLE Summertime Wreath made from supplies you probably have at home.

You will need:

• 12" Styrofoam Wreath (preferably the kind that doesn't flake off)

• Ribbon or Tulle

• 4 sheets of 12x12 Scrapbook Paper (I doubled one of my patterns but you could use 4 different patterns if you want).  I used CTMH's Jubilee Paper Packet, White Daisy Cardstock and Jubilee Complements for the "Summertime" sign.

• 1" push pens

• 3-D Foam Squares

Wrap Wreath with Ribbon or Tulle until all the Styrofoam is covered.

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Cut scrapbook paper into shapes - I used stars and my Cricut Machine but you can hand-cut any shape you want.  I had one sheet of Scrapbook Paper cut into smaller stars for dimension. There are probably a total of 35 stars or so..

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Start pinning one color stars onto wreath using 1" pins.

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Pin another color/pattern of stars onto wreath overlapping slightly.  There should be a solid ring of stars at this point.  

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Adhere the rest of the stars onto the wreath using the 3-D Foam Squares and attach a sign or extra embellishments.

Here some close-ups so you can see the dimension of the stars...

Viola...a CUTE, SIMPLE wreath for any occasion!

Thanks for stopping by...don't forget to head on over to Vintage Zest to see more of Diane's beautiful creations and helpful tips and recipes!

SOUS Die-Cut Challenge - Animals...

I'm so excited that I finally get to show you guys what I've been working on for SOUS - Stuck on U Sketches...

This is my first post as a member of the Die-Cut Design Team...well, technically my second if you count this one {{{here}}}.

What this means is that all my SOUS projects will feature some form of die-cutting!  I am blown away by the talent on this DT as well as our other DTs...Project Life & Sketches!

This week's challenge is to use die-cut Animals...any animal!!!  I chose several, including an insect...lol

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Here's my trio of cards...you can click on any photo to view a larger version!

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***BEE happy***

I used CTMH's PML Cards from the Balloon Ride Collection...chopped it off at 4" and rounded the corners...what a SUPER SIMPLE way of adding some extra pizzazz without all the work!

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I used Brown & Tan Glitter Paper to cut the bee base and the "happy" from...it cuts like butta using my NEW Cricut Explore (I know at some time I'm gonna have to stop saying NEW...especially since I've had it since February...but it still makes me giddy because I'm amazed at how well it cuts!)  The cute little bee is from the many FREE cuts you get with Cricut's Design Space!!!

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Here's a peek at the finished off inside...I used the portion of the PML card I cut off and put it on the inside...never let anything go to waste!!!!

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**** SASSY FOX****

I used some of my FAVORITE paper packets from CTMH...it was a promotional thing a couple of years ago and is retired but I STOCKED UP!  This cute little fox one of the daily FREEBIES over at Miss Kate Cuttables!!!  I visit her site EVERY DAY and download all the freebies!  I've even purchased some...very reasonable!!!

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Again...I picked up my Brown Glitter Paper and cut away..love the shimmery effect it gives.

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Here's a side view so you can see the dimension of the fox...he has 4 layers so he was pretty thick to begin with then I pop-dotted him with some super thin pop-dots.  You can also get a peek at the inside from this view...

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This one is a true PML card...it'll go directly into an Album or I guess I could use it as a card-front...not sure which one I'll do yet.  I used Surf's Up PML Collection (love the little washi tape at the top!)  The duck came from Cricut's Design Space too!

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That cute little duck is layered and pop-dotted for dimension!

Our sponsor this month is Regina over at the Cutting Cafe...she is the NICEST person!  I purchased a few die-cuts from her and had to e-mail her to ask a question.  She held my hand the entire way and even when my questions turned out to be quite dumb, she took the time to walk me through and EVEN re-sent me the cut files so I could use them with Design Space!!!

She has 3 sets up for grabs this month so make sure you play along!  You do NOT want to miss out on this Blog Candy!

You can link up your Animal Die-Cut project here - all entries have to be submitted by the 27th.