Scrapbooking With Inspired Stamps

Inspired Stamps are not just for making cards or art journaling. I love to incorporate the adorable His Little Ones stamps into my scrapbook layouts, especially those of my grand daughter!

Today I used the HLO: Summer Girl stamp to embellish this LO of "K" having fun in the water. I heat embossed the stamp with black embossing powder to create "barrier lines" for watercolors. This allows me to quickly fill in the areas with water colors without them mixing.

Be sure to check out the other creations on the IS blog! 

Scrapbook Page with Inspired Stamps

I have been making scrapbook pages like crazy to have for display at this little guy's high school graduation. Yes, my cute little rocker dude, the youngest of our 3 sons will soon be on his way in this world! I have kept the pages fairly simple and for this one I used 2 Inspired Stamps stamp sets.  For the title, I used the versatile Colorable Alphabet stamps. For a bit of texture, I used pop dots to pop up the "y' and "o".   I created my own background on the Bazzil Card stock with the bubble wrap stamp from the fun Background Stamps set.

CTMH Spring/Summer Sneak Peek

 The 2013 Spring/Summer Idea Book from Close To My Heart will be released for customers on Friday, Feb 1.  Once again, the team at CTMH has created beautiful papers, embellishments, stamps and more!  This layout was made using the Chantilly Paper Pack and coordinating chipboard embellishments.  I dressed up the gorgeous chipboard pieces with a coat of Liquid Glass .  Be sure to check out my website on Friday for the awesome new Idea Book/Catalog!  www.belindak.myctmh.com. 

Inspired Stamps Sneaks!

For this week's great sneak peek I chose to create a layout with photos of my Dad's 87th birthday.  We had celebrated with the whole family over the weekend but on his actual birthday, he just wanted a shake so my sis and I took him to lunch at Chick-fil-a. 

For the layout, I used the new Inspired Stamps set called Amazing Grace. Be sure to click on the layout so you can see the stamps close up.  The side panel uses the handwritten lyrics stamp to the song Amazing Grace.  Isn't it wonderful?  I stamped it 3 times to fill the panel.

I didn't want to have my writing conflict with the stamp writing so I used an envelope for hidden journaling.  On the outside of the envelope, I used 2 more stamps.  One is a flourish and the other is the wonderful scripture.  Now, there's one more stamp from the set I used.  Do you see it?  It's the ink spot on the background!  Isn't that fabulous?!  This set just has so many artful elements to it-I just love it! I also used the flourish stamp on the chipboard musical symbols.

You'll be able to see and purchase all of the new stamps on Friday after noon at the Inspired Stamps on-line store!  In the meantime, go check out Anita's and Chere's posts and the wonderful sneak peeks they have!

Inspired by Color Layout

Do you remember the color inspiration I put up yesterday?  This is the layout I put together using  those fun colors.  I ended up using red as well for the apples.  I really like how it came together.  I originally planned to use only the blue and orange but the addition of the green and gold sparked my idea for the apple tree.  That change really tied everything together and gave the layout some extra pizazz.

What inspires you?  Color, shapes, a little of both or something else entirely?

Supplies:  Close To My Heart Elemental papers, CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cart,  Graphically Speaking cart, Copics and Stickles

Senior Photos-H2H School challenge

It's our 2nd son's Senior year!  Our 1st son graduated from HS in 2005 and college last year!  Because we are "old hats" at this, we decided we would NOT use a studio for his Senior pics but we requested the services of my brother to take his pictures.  We saved tons of money AND I think got superior photos.

I am entering these pages to the back to school challenge at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com.  Go check out the great projects featured there!

All papers are from Close to My Heart's new Typeset collection and Kraft paper.  The above layout is a variation on the one in the new Idea Book and the Senior one below is from the cover of the Idea Book.  I was amused when I saw his shirt is even very similar to the young man's on the cover!  If you want to see the details just click on a photo and it will become larger.
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On the Senior page, I used the Pair-a-Phrase stamp set that you can earn for FREE during August.  The pages below are my design and I utilized a Close to My Heart Flip-Flap to extend the page.  Love these! I also used several cuts from the Art Philosophy Cricut Collection.

Summer LO

I created this LO for the challenge at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com.  The challenge is to create a project that says "hot" to us.  Well, it has been horribly hot and dry here in N. TX until today when we had about 30 minutes of a cool front blow through.  It got down to the 80s with strong winds but NO RAIN!  The weathermen are all disappointed that it broke our streak of 3 digit days and caused us to miss breaking the record of longest days in a row of 3 digits by TWO DAYS!  I tell you though that was one record I don't mind not breaking-the few moments of Fall felt fabulous!

Any Hoo, back to the layout.  This says hot to me because the colors are all we've been seeing during this hot summer-deep blue skies, hot orange sun and brown grass!  This photo was taken in the "cool" of a 90 degree morning and I wrote about the summer heat in the journaling.  It may not say "hot" when you look at it but it sure does to me!

I used all Close To My Heart products and all die cuts were cut out with the Cricut/CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge.  Papers: CTMH Dreamin', CTMH Rhinestones, CTMH Smoothie card stock, CTMH Kraft paper, CTMH Brown waxy Flax, CTMH July Word Puzzle stamps, CTMH Corner Rounder and CTMH Chocolate Marker and Ink.

Stay cool and come back to see me!

Sonoma Layout

 

I am submitting this layout to the challenge at www.hearttoheartchallenges.blogspot.com for the birthday challenge.  I started to add lots more to it but let it sit overnight before I did.  When I came back to it, I decided I liked it just like it was.  There's so much pattern going on and by the time I add my photos, I think it would be too much to have lots of bling.  

I used the new Close To My Heart Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge and stamps to create this  beauty; EVERY SHAPE was cut with the cartridge. All the stamping on the embellishments was done with the coordinating stamps and embossed in gold embossing powder. The squares were stamped using Dusty Plum ink and the Happy Journey stamp set. The papers are the gorgeous new Sonoma papers from CTMH.  I've been using these papers to make so many lovely projects and I plan to order more soon.

Hope you enjoy!

Dreamin' Layout with NEW CTMH Cricut Cart!

 

I have had my Cricut for about 4 years and have been a CTMH consultant for almost 2 years.  I've often thought how wonderful it would be to be able to combine CTMH's fabulous stamps with Cricut cuts that would fit those stamped images.  Well, I'm dreamin' no more!  As of August 1st, Close To My Heart will release the exclusive Art Philosophy  cartridge and stamp sets!

I have never been so excited for a Cricut OR CTMH release.  I received my order yesterday and have been playing with all the goodies every second I can.  This is my first project from the new collection but I promise there will be many more!

I began with the gorgeous new Dreamin' papers.  Another exciting addition to CTMH is that our new patterned papers are printed on a heavier weight paper than before.  Also, the price is lower on the patterned paper packs AND all of our stamps!  The papers cut beautifully in the Cricut.  Everything on the layour was cut with the new CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge, including the dimensional flowers!  After cutting the three banner pieces, I used the coordinating stamps to stamp the pieces with the border and words.  Since, I followed the guidelines on the stamp set, the images fit perfectly on the cutouts!

Be sure to click on the photo so you can see all the yummy details.  The "leaves" for the flowers are actually the pieces that were left after the large background "flower" was cut.  I also added a design to the background cardstock using the "star" stamp from the Art Philosophy stamps.

Are you ready to get your own Art Philosophy Set?  When you order it, you will receive the Cricut cartridge (it includes over 700 images and an alphabet), 3 coordinating large stamp sets and 3 sheets of coordinating chipboard shapes. All for $99.  Imagine all the gifts, home decor, cards and more you can make with this set!  You can pre-order by contacting me now or wait and order on August 1st from my website: https://belindak.myctmh.com.

Cricut Cut Sizes

Lg. Mat 7 3/4, Sm mat and frames 6 1/2, Background Flower 10", Butterfly 2 1/2", Banner pieces 3", 3D Flowers 2 to 3"

Simple LO-Sophia Paper

 

I have been into "simple layouts" this summer.  Could be the awful Texas heat or could be the mound of photos that stare at me every day! Anyway, this photo came together very quickly using the Sophia papers from Close To My Heart.  Anytime you buy a paper pack from CTMH, you know you can put together a beautiful layout in a matter of minutes because all the "matching" is done for you.  The scalloped circles were cut using CTMHs punch and the butterflies are a Martha Stewart punch.  The journal box was cut with the Cricut.  Rhinestones are from my stash.  Stay cool and keep it simple!

inspired stamps 4th of July LO

 

Our assignment for this first week of July at  inspired stamps was to make something patriotic.  Well, I don't think there's anything more patriotic or adorable than this cute little sailor from inspired stamps "His Little Ones" stamps so I gave him center stage!  If your loved one is in a different branch of service then you need to check out this little guy's buddies at inspired stamps.  The sentiment is also straight from inspired stamps.  

Please be sure to check out my fellow Design Team members' patriotic designs throughout the week on their blogs as well.  Their blog addy's are on the side of my blog or all projects will be on inspired stamps blog on Thursday.

inspired stamps used

His Little Ones Sailor 

More Perfect Sentiments

Other supplies
Copic Markers
Close To My Heart cardstock

The Girls Paperie Rosette
Star Rhinestones-Michaels
Maya Road flowers
4th of July cardstock-purchased at The Crafty Scrapper

Wedding Layout

This layout was a long time coming!  The bride (my niece) just had her 3rd baby girl, the flower girl (also my niece) is learning to drive and the ring bearer (my son) is 17!  But, I finally got it done and that's all that matters in the world of scrapbooking!

I used the beautiful Bliss papers from Close To My Heart.  The design is actually a variation on one in our Idea Book/catalog.  Guess what?  We are about to release our new Idea Book in a couple of months with fabulous new papers and stamps!


I made the rosettes using our scalloped round punch-this is such a versatile tool.  The butterfly and flat flower were just cut out of a piece of the Bliss paper.  Brads and ribbon are CTMH.  The brass charms are from my broken jewelry stash.

This lo is being entered in www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com new wedding challenge.

Smokin' w/You & Me

During the month of June, order a You & Me kit for only $15 (a retail value of $34.95), and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross 2011 Floods and Tornadoes relief operations. Contact me today to place your order for this sensational kit and help those in need at the same time. The You & Me: Stronger Together campaign will continue until June 30 at 11:59 pm (MDT) or while supplies last.

The placement of the donations is prioritized by the American Red Cross, with all money earmarked for disaster relief from the tornadoes and flooding in the midwestern and southeastern United States.

This is 1 layout I've made with this trendy and versatile kit. I used the sketch from the challenge at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com..  All patterned paper and stamps are from the You & Me Kit.  The lettering was cut with our Kraft paper using the Cricut Old West Cartridge.  Ink used is Chocolate. 
The cloth house strip was from my stash but all other supplies are Close To My Heart.  To distress the center strip, I rubbed a baby wipe down the edges of the strip to moisten it.  Using a distressing block and my fingers, I sanded and rolled to get the look I wanted.

Toadally Frogs Blog Hop

Welcome to the Toadally Frogs Blog Hop!  We have un-frog-gettable crafters hopping along! If you came here from marvelous Michelle Petrovich at Peanut Butter and Jelly Designs, then you are in the right spot!  If you just happened to find us, and want to join in the fun, hop on back to Karelj's Blog at www.kareljcreations.com to begin at the beginning.  I want to say thank you so much to Karel for allowing me to join in this fun hop!

I chose to use the fab frog from the Create-A-Critter cartridge.  This is such a fabulously fun cart!  I used papers from Close To My Heart's Miracle pack.  The musical paper for the crown was from my leftover drawer.  I had to add the googly eyes from my stash-they add the right whimsical touch. The title was stamped with CTMH Moonlight ink and our wonderful Bohemian stamps. The gorgeous flowers, butterflies and jewels are from the folks at Creative Charms.  I inked all the edges in CTMH Indian Corn Blue ink and in my journaling added  the stamp "un-frog-gettable" from My Pink Stampers "More Puny-licious" stamps.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.   Leave me some love and get in a drawing for a free CTMH stamp set.  Now, jump on over to the very talented Calie at Calie’s Creative Corner

1. Karelj at One By One The Flamingos Are Stealing My Sanity http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2rbxT1d7die9aVPiTP_d94g/karelj.blogspot.com/ ME!

2. Celeste at Touched By a Butterfly http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2nOB9emLSTPLRuvkHb1oVkw/www.touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com/

3. Michelle Petrovich at Peanut Butter and Jelly Designs http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2s8gFeN6HVJiyKL-6bfqd7Q/peanutbutterandjellydesigns.blogspot.com/

4. Belinda Kersey at Queen Bee’s Musings at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2AmJcIZY1B4y84HFt5WKJJQ/www.queenbeesmusings.blogspot.com/

5. Cali Romero at Calie’s Creative Corner at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f24BfS8QuxbW-jjQCcQ_rTNQ/www.caliescreativecorner.blogspot.com/

6. Nicolette Simpson at Beyond Scrapping http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2GXmG2j9OIU1KeKbkrdLNGw/www.beyondscrapin.blogspot.com/

7. Bonnie Cantu at A Scrap Above at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2mJwhhudPlczddTcAdqCPTw/ascrapabove.blogspot.com/

8. Lisa Gorlewski at Lisa’s Paper Butterflies at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2MuxzxRK6muuCNeZJDb6EXg/lisaspaperbutterflies.blogspot.com/

9. Jamie at Glitter, Paper, Stamps, Oh My! http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2UxlWnt451pGgqqst7pVKhw/jamieisacraftymomma.blogspot.com/

10. Diane Davison at Crafting This Moment at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2oFPKxRbq6TuT1EN0BIaLvw/craftingthismoment.blogspot.com/

11. Krista at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f29tbN2EcZ-X1PDEDg7fIQLA/www.scrapaleupagus.blogspot.com/

12. Gina at Gina Thornton Stamping http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f27QoRo7dxqtu09SzedGsZxw/ginathorntonstamping.blogspot.com/

13. Stephenie at SS Crafter at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2x4WRcKSyamjWUrvoh_qYIw/www.sscrafter.blogspot.com/

14. Rebecca Maddux at Creations With Becka at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2_Q90NQsS0msgI1mfTBDkLg/www.creationswithbecka.blogspot.com/

15. Kathryn at Creations By Kathryn at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2-Lu5Ou7Xu-okXPDdVIlgbw/wamfamily.blogspot.com/

16. Summer and Jennifer at The Cricut Diaries at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f24bny7VqRnSNgqeKtqeiiEA/www.cricutdiaries.blogspot.com/

17. Mistyrose at Sweet Magnolia Rose at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2dW6TH75UI0cPxvU22JYJAg/sweetmagnoliarose.blogspot.com/

18. Melissa Allore at Disney Dreamer Designs at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2WlvfJDuDoq4BEmWkK0q5DQ/www.disneydreamerdesigns.blogspot.com/

19. Patti Hurlburt at Short ‘N Scrappy at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2dYWdhlIH84Z1pcQmbNzgnw/www.shortnscrappy.com/

20. Colleen McCauley at Col’s Creative Corner at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2vwKLIFVRLKPd1zeuTpVjrA/scrappycol.blogspot.com/

21. Janice Anello at Cricut Confessions at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2FSC0Urofwe71nIh318DmhQ/www.cricutconfessions.com/

22. Leah Pagliaroli at Leah’s Card Designs at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2vq6n93HQWgPjD-qZstO9Yw/leahscarddesigns.blogspot.com/

23. Audrey Roseman at Life Is Beautiful at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2ENiuhi2oXYzSlcsnJcaRmg/audreyscardsbydesign.blogspot.com/

24. Ellen Jarvis at Card Monkey at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2RRZfcNemjGJMyKEPRieRgA/www.cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/

25. Mallika Kejriwal at Miss Not So Good With Words at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2kymF7lu79Zk9S_0-Sb9zGw/www.missnotsogoodwithwords.blogspot.com/

26. Inga Klaus at Momma Hobbit Creations at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2SsKpPVZjnNhKomd8X4z_zg/mommahobbit.blogspot.com/

27. Brynn Thornburgh at Flair and Frills Creativity http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2x3ehE9sMCZ-0QxBqCT2uIQ/www.flairandfrillscreativity.blogspot.com/

28. Kristal Andrews at Getting at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2L3bM3wrIS3CXMEEECprInQ/www.gettingcricky.com/

29. Monica Edwards at Scraps To Treasures at http://www.facebook.com/l/5c2f2naejIuDOrxPzd-Ci8VoMLQ/www.http//scraps2treasure.blogspot.com

Sophia Paper LO

 

These layouts are of the MS Walk we participated in on April 2nd.  It was a gorgeous day and we had lots of fun!  The LO is actually from the Miracle Workshop on the Go but I chose to use the Sophia Pack of paper from CTMH because the colors went with our shirts so well.  The stamp sets I used were Chocolate Alpha,  Take a Picture and Miracle WOTG.  The adorable pinwheels were made using the perfect pinwheel stamps from the Miracle set.  The stamps make it sooo easy to create these.  To accent the cuteness I used ric rac ribbon from CTMH as well as our fabulous Kraft color ready borders.  I sprayed one of the borders using our spray bottles with a mix of Perfect Pearls Paint, Reinker and water. The pink panel of cardstock on the bottom page was random stamped by lil' ol' me.   Ink colors used were Chocolate, Pear and Hollyhock.

What a Hoot! LO from a Sketch

 

This layout started with a sketch by Mary at www.heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com. I'm getting my son's album done page by page!   I used the great papers from the CTMH Mayberry Pack.  So versatile!  I used a border and stitched flower stamp from the Togetherness stamp set.  The cute lil owl on the branch was cut with Create a Critter from Cricut-yes, I have made a bunch of these critters lately!  The little owl is just an image from my stash.  The alpha stickease are from an old CTMH set that I just changed with markers.  The small scallop circles are made with our Scallop Punch and the large ones were cut on the Cricut.  Remember, you can click on the photo for a larger image.

Update:  I am SIX followers away from 100!  Sign up to be a follower and get in a drawing for a prize package when I hit 100!!

Snips and Snails Layout

My middle son will graduate next year so I need to get his album ready from birth to graduation. I sure miss this happy little guy but the 17 yo version ain't half bad either!

I am from the scrapbook school of scrapping current pages and doing the past as I can so I have never done his baby pages.  The Lucky paper pack from Close To My Heart is perfect for boy pages.  I used the Lucky journaling spot as well.  I have used practically the whole pack of these little cards-love them!.  The snail and puppy are from the Create A Critter cartridge from Cricut.  I just love all these cute little animals.  I cut the letters from the Cuttin' Up cartridge.  The swirl on the snail is baker's twine.  I also had to add googly eyes for fun!  The edges of the page needed something so I pulled out my CTMH Moonlight ink pad and a stamp from the Togetherness stamp set to add a little faux stitching!  Let me know your thoughts!

Love

This is a simple 3x6 card that my guests will be making at a Gathering on Saturday.  All supplies are Close To My Heart.   I used the lovely papers from the Wings paper pack as well as the beautiful Bohemian Alphabet stamps.  I used my Cricut to cut out the squares and a decorative trimmer for the edge of the light paper.  To get the two tone lettering, I simply inked the top with Vineyard Berry and the bottom with Black.  With our clear stamps it is almost foolproof to do this. I inked the edges of the squares with Vineyard Berry and a sponge.

Wings Canvas and Candle

I had so much fun creating these 2 items for my bathroom!  I absolutely love the way they turned out.  The candle was not my idea.  I can not remember whose video I  watched to learn how to do this technique-I apologize!  Anyway, the candle is one I picked up cheap on clearance.  I cut the CTMH cardstock from the Cricut cartridge "Cindy Loo".  I then wrapped it around the candle and started on one edge with a heat gun and shot the candle with heat for a few seconds and then pressed the paper in to the softened wax.  I went all the way around until it was secured.  I decorated it further with pearls, ribbon and pearled hat pins.  I finished it off with a butterfly stamped with the "Find Your Style" stamp set from CTMH (only available through the end of the month).  I wrapped the middle of the butterfly with embroidery floss.

The canvas started out white.  I sprayed  on a mixture of Vineyard Berry re-inker, Pearl Paint and water mixed in our Spray Pen.  I then adhered a strip of paper from CTMH's "Wings" paper pack.  I printed the quote on a piece of vellum and adhered it with our cute little button brads.  The shoe and corner butterfly were stamped and embossed in black-both from the January "Find Your Style" stamps.  I sponged various colors in the blank spots and then added sparkle with our Glitz glitter glue.  The center embellishments are from our Wings Stickease.  I finished off the canvas with our ruffled ribbon and black lace from Michael's.  Let me know whatcha think!  I have plans to make 2 more small canvases and a large one to coordinate with this one.

First Video-Wings LO

OK, so I know this isn't the greatest but it is my FIRST ever and so please be kind:-)  I will work on a "real" video soon!  Constructive criticism welcome here:-)