Blog Hop / CTMH's February Stamp of the Month

Welcome to February's  Close To My Heart, Stamp of the Month, Blog Hop!. If you just joined us from Pamela's  blog then you're hopping on the right path.

This month's stamp set "Friendship" is one you'll be sure to use over and over again.  It's simply beautiful.  The largest Fleur De Lis is a perfect square and just lent itself so well to the technique I used for this card.  I used my new favorite stamp set " Universal Backgrounds and stamped plain cardstock with Twilight ink and the musical sheet music.  I then stamped the Fleur De lis in versa mark over the top of the music and embossed with cocoa embossing powder.  Then I cut the image into 2 x 2 inch squares.  Layered them up a bit and placed on my base card using some of our awesome foam tape.  Lastly to finish out the main motif I stamped on more smaller Fleur De Lis and layered over the top.  The background paper is from the new paper collection Bliss and it's so elegant...I love it and know you will to. Remember you can get all of these new products starting February 1st as the fresh idea book premieres.   









If you would like to pick up your Friendship stamp set for a discounted price or even free...feel free to check it out on my website http://www.lorileng.myctmh.com/ or email me lorileng@bellsouth.net for more information

Now it's time to hop on over to Shirly's Blog and see what stunning creation she has come up this month. 

This card also qualifies for the following challenges:

Beary Scraps: Friendship

Soul Scrappers: Tag/ Card using the word HAND

If Only Time Stood Still Layout

This is a layout I did of my oldest son Will.  He was only two in this picture and had just learned how to sit up by himself.  We were so thrilled and got some great shots of him on the dunes at the beach.  Will is going to be 10 this April and he is one of the greatest blessings of my life.  Will can't sit up anymore by himself as he suffers from a neurological condition, so I look back on these photos with such fond memories and am so grateful he was able to sit up if only for a while. He continues to be my miracle everyday. 

Here are some of the products I used for complete this 12 x 12 layout:

Flower Soft (on the photo...really makes it look like sand)

Spellbinders Dies

Unity / Iron Orchid Co Brand Stamp

Prima Flowers

Opaque Pearls from Close To My Heart

Photoshop Elements

Tattered Angels Apple Mist

Tim Hotlz Distress Inks

Spellbinders Shout Out

I am so thrilled to let you all know I have moved on to the third and final round of the Spellbinders 2011 Design Team Competition.  They actually announced early which just thrilled me beyond belief.  Some of you may think this is crazy, but I've actually been praying where God wants to take my gift/scrapbooking skills for 2011.  I realize there are so many important things to pray for in the world, but the more I thought about it the more I realized...how BIG my God is, big enough for it all, even things that are important to me, but so small in the scope of the world.  To have made it this far is amazing and such a blessing...I'm in the company of some of the top designers in the world...MIND BLOWING!!!   I've already started planning the next assignment and started work on my 500 word essay about me and I really feel the artwork and the essay both truly reflect who I am as a person and a designer.  Thanks to everyone that has sent sweet wishes and prayers my way, as you all know this is a very lofty goal I've set for myself. 

I still can't share any of my projects with you until the competition is over, but I can't wait to show you all....I know you're going to love them...

Oh and be sure to click the spellbinders picture at the top to visit their blog and get some great inspirations and see their new line that is just being released...it really is to die for.

I Wanna Hold Your Hand

This is a layout I did for the Soul Scrappers Beatles Song Challenge.   I chose " I want to hold your hand" as my song and I thought the pictures of my youngest son Cole skating or shall I say falling down was perfect for the title.  I wanted the page to have a classic rock type feel to it and to achieve this I altered the colors of my photos and cut them so they look 70ish.  I also stamped the musical sheet paper using one of Close To My Heart's new background stamp set.  I can tell this is going to be one of my favorite new stamps for a while.  The color scheme was a stretch for me, not my norm...but I loved the end result. Here are some of the supplies I used for this 12 x 12 layout:

Close To My Heart Stamp Sets : Universal Backgrounds Stamp Set #D1477, On this day #D1468, and The Works Alphabet #D1195
My Minds Eye Paper
Mulberry Paper Flowers
Tim Holtz Buttons
Close To My Heart Ribbon
Teresa Collins Transparency Sheet
Rub Ons
Photoshop Elements 9

Clubbing Made Fun, JOIN TODAY!

I've loved running my Close To My Heart clubs for over two years now and I want YOU to discover why Pinkcloudscrappers Clubs are famous in the scrapping community.  We've all heard stories about all the FREE products hostesses have earned for having a jewelry, Tupperware or some other type of party, but honestly all the work that goes into home parties is just exhausting to even think about.  Not to mention you probably lose money by the time you've purchased all the snacks and food to go along with the event...all for a little bit of free product.   Wouldn't it be nice to earn all that free product without having to open your doors or clean your house?  I think one of my monthly Close To My Heart Clubs would be the perfect solution for you.  Just think every month you would be able to build your scrapbooking/cardmaking supplies little by little, have a fun package to open every month and get TONS OF PERKS. 

Here's how it works.  There are two terms available six and ten months.  The six month club only requires you spend $30 min each month (plus shipping and tax) and the ten month is only $20 (+shipping and tax).   Every month you'll have an exclusive email that goes out only to club members that includes information on the kit of the month and also the stamp of the month.  Plus I run private specials and club challenges on various months.  So you'll have chances to earn prizes and take advantage of great private sales.  Also during your club membership you'll be the star for a month and received free select product.  The guaranteed amount you'll earn is $25 but majority of my hostess earn more $40, $60 or more in product.  During your  membership you'll receive all of the following:

* Petite stamp set

* A Pinkcloud Pick D size stamp set value $22.95

* All current CTMH idea books including shipping direct to you door

* Scrapbooking/ Card making Kit valued between (19.95- $39.95, kits vary)

* Pinkcloud Private Sales

* Pinkcloud Club Challenges with Prizes

That's $80-$100 minimum you'll be getting plus all your wonderful products to use for all your papercrafting projects.  I also am PhD certified with CTMH so I'm here to answer all your scrapbooking questions and needs.

Come be a part of the fun, give yourself something to look forward to each month and grow in your artistic endeavors.  Please contact me via email lorileng@bellsouth.net to reserve your spot today.  This is a first come first serve and spaces are limited. 

Questions Regarding Compatibility of Spellbinders Dies

Good Morning All,

I've had some questions about Spellbinders Dies and if they work in other machines..Cuddlebug / Big Shots / etc.  The answer is for the most part yes...when I say that, Spellbinders released their new Grand Dies several months ago that work with their Grand Caliber machine...they are wonderful and big dies...which is great for all of us scrapbookers, however I don't know of any machines that would be compatible with them unless you have a professional type like maybe the accu-cut and still I'm not sure it would work as I've never used those.  The Grand Caliber is certainly affordable if that's an option you are looking at.  If you are just looking at Spellbinders regular size dies, edges and nesties...then you can make them compatible with a cuddle bug or other machines.  Below is a recipe that shows the sandwich method that you can use with the Cuddlebug and Spellbinders:

Using a Spellbinders Die in the Cuttlebug Machine



Cutting Sandwich

1. A plate
2. C plate
3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock
5. B plate
6. Roll through Cuttlebug™

Embossing Sandwich

1. A plate
2. 2 sheets cardstock to act as shim. Can add extra if needed.
3. B plate
4. Spellbinders die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock
6. Spellbinders Tan Emboss Mat ( can also use a sheet of thick rubber than can be purchased at your   
    local hardware store...doesn't work as well, but does the job)
7. B plate
8. Roll through Cuttlebug

Using Spellbinders with the Big Shot
Cutting Sandwich
1. Multipurpose Platform
2. Acrylic mat
3. Spellbinder die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock
5. Acrylic mat
6. Roll through Big Shot

Embossing Sandwich

1. Multipurpose Platform
2. Acrylic mat
3. Spellbinder die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock
5. Spellbinders Tan Emboss Pad
6. Acrylic mat
7. Roll through Big Shot

I actually don't use these recipes as I do have the spellbinders system but I hope this helps for those who are wanting to try out spellbinders but not sure how.  I know you'll be hooked once you give them a whirl. There are so many creative things you can do with their dies so do try them out. 

Cosmo Cricket Design Team Contest

I told everyone my goal for this year is to get on some Design Teams that I admired  in 2011...and here's one that I would LOVE to serve on, but need a little help from YOU!!!!  Cosmo Cricket is having a call but it works a bit different...I need you to nominate me on their site...here's the LINK or click their logo and all you have to do is leave comment saying you'd like to nominate me for the design team / Lori Leng http://www.pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com/    So help me out and I'll keep you posted on how I do.

Spellbinders & Unity Stamp together

I've decided my work is a neat collage style...I really have so much detail going on, but my layouts still have a clean feel to them.  This 12 x 12 layout is of my son Cole as he bellied up to a tractor on the  Biltmore Estate one day.  I first altered the photo with PSE 9...giving a vintage worn look. The paper I used for the layout is from the Steampunk line of Graphic 45 and coredinations color cardstock.

I used Spellbinders galore on this layout...it was one I worked on and thought about using it for my entry but another one is winning out so far....Anyhoo...I used one of their edge dies to create the ornate rosette that is in the bottom left corner.  I also used numerous other dies, oval scallops, large ovals, labels, scalloped circle and even the bits and pieces that came from cutting one of the borders...they are the small heartish shaped pieces that border the frame. I also used the stamp set from Unity Stamps and Cricket Cosmo / Garden Variety to create the ribbon/rosette and the plaque in the top left.  As I said there is a lot of little details and layers to this layout.

Be sure to leave some love and let me know what you think?

Websters Handmade Flowers Layout

 I'm in love with Webster's Pages Paper ...it so vintage and fun with my style of crafting.  This is a layout I did " You make my heart sing" .  I made the flowers by hand and adore how they turned out.  That little bit of water distressing on them really gave them an aged look. 

Hope all are surviving the cold weather and are able to get some crafting done.  Have a great weekend.

Snow, Snow Go AWAY!!! I can't even craft today.

This winter looks like it could be a repeat of last year, lots of snow and lots of lots of snow days from work and school.  My husband always sends the boys and I down the mountain to my parents house during snow/ice storms as they have a generator...just in case the power goes out.  As much as I love being with my parents and hanging with my Mom...I can't craft. So I'm having a bit of withdrawals...I need to stamp something and distress some paper, LOL.

This is a box I made several months ago I realized I had never shared...and what a perfect project for the day.  I used a lot of Tattered Angels Mist on this box...the crepe paper, chipboard, silk ribbon and even the designer paper.  Spray, spray, spray...  I love snowmen so I really loved this box.  Now I just need to make some circle cards to go inside.

I hope you are all staying warm if you're snowed in like me...sit back drink a warm cup of cocoa, turn up the fire and just relax.