February 2012 - SOTM Blog Hop

zIt's here, it's here - the February Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. Whether you're starting here, or you came from Pam's blog, you're on the right track and you're sure to see a ton of great samples using February's Stamp of the Month - Thoughtful Tidings. I absolutely love this stamp set because I always need to share a little gratitude with the amazing people in my life.

We'll be making all three cards at this months workshop.  Kits are $5 each and include envelopes.  Reserve your kit right away!

Supplies Used:
X7147B Stella Paper Pack
Z1617 Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain
Z1705 Durable Studs
Z1702 Baker's Twine - Paradise Assortment
Z1710 Paradise Paper Flowers
Z1333 Opaques - Mocha Assortment


Next up on the hop is Debra

Glass Etching with CTMH Art Philosophy

This was so much fun!  I was completely addicted to it for a couple of weeks around Christmas, but I couldn't say anything because I didn't want to spoil the surprise.

The hardest part of the whole project was....finding etching cream!  I ended up having to order it online from walmart.com.



I'll try to write up a tutorial later, but here are a few little tips...

Supplies needed:
Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge (ok, you can use something else, but why?)
Vinyl or Contact Paper
Transfer Tape
Etching Cream
Pyrex Glass Dish (I bought these at walmart too)

Tips:
Pick images that are fairly simple with large open areas.
It's easier to work with a flat surface for your first piece.
You have to place each letter separately when working on a curved surface.
I used a wide popsicle stick to spread the cream.  You can also scrape the excess off and put it back in the jar.
Do not spread the cream too thick...it will drip!!
Do no get it on your hands!! It's acid!  Be careful!!!

Sorry my pictures are so bad.  It was really hard to photograph these.

This picture might spoil a surprise, but it shows how I placed the vinyl letters on the plate.  You might want to add some masking tape or more vinyl to the glass areas around the letters to give you more room when spreading the etching cream so that you don't accidentally etch the open areas.

I think I saw my Mojo!!

I don't want to keep making excuses, but I kind of feel like I owe some kind of explanation...especially since I have been helping so many people get their blogs rolling...and then suddenly I stopped blogging.

I've been a bit sidetracked with training for my first half-marathon.  In 13 days I'll be attempting the Tinkerbell Half-Marathon at Disneyland.  I'm super excited and I finally know that I can totally handle the miles.  My only problem is I'm still too slow.... I'm going to go for it and do the best I can, but I'm fully prepared to get pulled off the route.  It will be a happy little miracle if I get to finish!

Training and reading my new Kindle Fire (hubby spoiled me at Christmas) has done a great job of keeping me distracted from some other issues that have been weighing on my mind. I'm waiting to get some more definitive news before I figure out my plan of action.  Keeping busy distracts me, but for some reason I just couldn't get into the swing of things with stamping!

But, thanks to an amazing workshop with my wonderful customers...I think I see my mojo.  I'm starting to feel like stamping again.  The crazy thing is, I actually have a ton of projects to blog.  I have pictures on my camera and everything... so let's just get started and see if I can get my act together.

I got inspired to make a "Love" banner when I was helping Jennifer create hers at the crop.  I didn't have the same adorable paper she had, so I had to look through my stash to see what I had.  I used the Sweetheart Paper Pack and I kind of felt guilty using something that is retired...

But Guess What????

It's in the "While Supplies Last" section on my website for the amazing price of $3 - so hurry on over if you want to create some fun Valentine decorations and goodies!