CTMH Holiday Expression mini book BLOG HOP

Welcome to this 
Special Blog Hop!

We will be featuring items that are shown in our BEAUTIFUL, NEW Holiday Expressions mini-book! 

This mini book will be current until Dec 31, 2015 OR While Supplies last! 

 It's the PERFECT Holiday addition to our already FABULOUS 2015-2016 Annual Inspirations book!  

If you have come here from Michelle Stewart's  Blog, you are on the right path!

The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around. If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants by clicking HERE…

  

This month we have over 30 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing items they created using items from this mini book.

 This hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Wahoo!! 

Here we go!

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Today, I chose to create with one of my favorite Christmas stamp sets in this Holiday Expressions mini-book.  

I know it's not Christmas yet J...the leaves are just starting to turn here in PA....but last week, my team & I held our annual Christmas Cardmaking Day, and that allowed us to start "getting in the mood" for the Christmas season.  

(If you'd like to see the Christmas cards we made last week feel free to CLICK HERE. ) 

Take a look at the stamp set called Festive Trees. 

This stamp set has SO MANY possibilities!!  

I probably SHOULD have taken pictures of all the different stamped images I have laying on my "to create later" pile.J 

  I did some background designs created with the words in this set, and created some fun trees...and even flowers - the ideas are ENDLESS!! 

OK...so back to today's creation... 

This stamp set has an  added bonus.... it COORDINATES with our "Art Philosophy" Cricut cartridge!!  Wahoo!!! That makes it even EASIER to create, quick but BEAUTIFUL creations!! 

Let's take a look at the two cards I created today...

Stamp set used - Festive Trees from CTMH

You'll see a list of all the items I used to create these cards at the end of this post....but for now, let's take a close up look of both of these cards. 

I love how the Confetti Embossing Folder, can look like snow falling!!!

Take a look at Card #1...

I cut the 3 trees out with the Art Philosophy Cricut collection & then stamped them in Fern & NE Ivy ink colors.  

Notice the circle area that is NOT EMBOSSED in the middle of the card.  I used our NEW Embossing Diffuser to create this "empty" space of no embossing!!!  

We have a circle & square diffuser that are NEW to CTMH this fall, and I'm finding out how FUN a tool it is to have!! 

I also pulled out my edge distresser & sandpaper and sanded off some of the circles & edges of the card to show our BEAUTIFUL white-cored cardstock.  I LOVE the option that all CTMH paper has - it's all white-cored!!!   

Next, let's take a look at Card #2....

This card uses the White Pines paper collection & some Paper Fundamentals too. 

This card, was quick & easy...I LOVE the added "texture" that the paper fundamentals brings to the card.  

For the  stamping of the trees- this time I stamped directly onto the square of cardstock & didn't use the Cricut machine.  

So...how did I fill in the large tree with color?  J 

Don't forget that you can TURN THE STAMP OVER & use the "back side" of your acrylic stamps!! When doing this, it will give you a solid shape, and often will be perfect to give the stamped image some color!!  

I inked up the back side of the stamp in NE Ivy ink....and stamped off onto scrap paper, and THEN stamped the lighter shade of this color over top of the tree to fill it in with color. 

To get the red dots on the tree, I used my ShinHan alcohol marker...I love how quick & easy I can add color to any image!

Something else you should know about this SPECIAL stamp set...J

...this stamp set is a HOSTESS EXCLUSIVE stamp set.

What does that mean you may wonder???  Let me share with you!! 

This stamp set is ONLY available to Close To My Heart hostesses.  I love all the EXTRA goodies that CTMH gives to their hostess!!

You can have your own Close To My Heart "party" many different ways!!!  You can host a book party, an online party or have an in- home gathering!!  Any of these "party" options QUALIFY you to get this hostess stamp set when your sales reach $150 or higher!!!  

THEN - you (as a hostess) can purchase this Hostess Exclusive (there are other Hostess exclusives too)  with your Hostess credits at the DISCOUNTED price of ONLY $6 instead of the retail value of $9.95!!  J 

Make sure to contact your own CTMH consultant & they will help you get your OWN copy of this ADORABLE Christmas set, in time for your holiday needs!  J 

Items used to create this card.... 

B1493 Festive Trees stamp set (Hostess Exclusive stamp)
Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge

X7200B White Pines Paper pack

Z3125 Paper Fundamentals- Adventure combo

Z3188 Confetti & Striped Embossing Folder
Z3096 Circle Diffuser 
Carmine - ShinHan alcohol marker
Silver & Black Shimmer Trim
Bitty Sparkles
Red Enamel Hearts

Inks used: Black, Fern, New England Ivy, Cranberry

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Now "Hop" on over to Haley Dyer's Blogto see her amazing work!

Be sure to visit ALL the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas!   We LOVE to hear any feedback you’d like to share as well, so feel free to take a moment & leave a comment. J

Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here if you need a consultant J) 

so that you can get in on the FUN and get your OWN copy of the Holiday Expressions mini-book!! 

 It's FREE with any first time order placed this fall on your consultant's website!!  ! 

Blessings to you for a WONDERFUL day!!!

Krista J