January's Stamp of the Month

Welcome to the CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

January 2012's Stamp of the Month is called.....

****Little Reminder****

The blog hop makes a circle so if you are starting here just continue until you make your way back and you will have made it through them all.  If you have already started and are coming from Mary Eisen's blog, "mestamp2", then you are on the right track.

Before I started this project, I really wasn't sure what I was going to make, so I just stared at the stamp set (I seem to do that a lot). :)  After reading the sentiments and staring some more, it finally came to me to make a baby rattle out of the large circle stamp.  Once I developed the idea....the rest was just a process...not knowing where I was going with the card.  However, I am completely pleased with how the card turned out.  Now if only I knew someone who was having a baby...LOL.  (Yes..the date is completely made up.)

Don't you love the baby picture?  That's my baby girl...now 15. :(

After cutting out the center of the circle, I wrapped it with sweet leaf stitched grosgrain ribbon, leaving the month uncovered.  I didn't like the finish at the end of the ribbon, so I covered it with the button.  Happy accident, 'cause it added the perfect touch.  Also, I embossed the sweet leaf cardstock with an embossing folder and then sanded the raised portions to reveal the white core.

I adhered a piece of acetate to the back of the ribbon wrapped circle, applied foam tape and filled with beadazzles.  I then attached it to another circle that was stamped with the number background and date....so it really rattles. :)

 I stitched the ribbon to the card after piercing holes through the paper first, which makes it much easier to hand-stitch.  After putting the card together, I was unhappy with the right side of the card as there was too much empty white space for my taste (the card seemed off-balance), so I decided (after-the-fact) to stamp some flourishes there.  However, I hated how it turned out, and wanted to redo it, but I was too lazy to restitch the ribbon the paper again.  So I cheated and cut off the stitched bottom portion and added a restamped upper portion.  You can actually spy that in the photo above.  Finally, the scalloped edge was created by removing the guard on the corner rounder.  You just have to use the punch upside down, so you can line the scallops up correctly.

See the handle on the rattle?  It's actually the key shape from the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.  Cool, huh? 

 Wanna know why I love Close To My Heart's foam tape is the best foam adhesive?  Well, other than the fact that I like being able to cut the length that I want...rather than having to peel backing off a dozen lilttle pieces...and other than the fact that I like that there are two sizes in the package...narrow and wide), I like using foam tape for shaker boxes.  This card was no different...especially because of the round shape.

As you can see in the photos below, by simply cutting the tape every so often...but not all the way across...I could bend the tape to the shape.  And because I didn't cut the tape all the way to the edge, the inside edge is one continuous piece, which prevents glitter, tiny beads, sand, etc. from escaping the shaker box.

When cutting the last piece, I simply cut it a tad longer than needed, so that I could tuck/push the end against the beginning end so that there wouldn't be any space between the two pieces.  If you decide to try this, just be sure to add your filling BEFORE taking off the backing. ;)  

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper: Baby Pink CS, Sweet Leaf CS, White Daisy CS

Stamps Used: Little Reminder, Love Life, Circle of Love
Inks: Chocolate, Baby Pink, Blush
Embellishments: Button Pink Assortment, Designer Ribbon Pink Collection, Sweet Leaf Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Sweet Leaf Gingham Ribbon (Retired), Chocolate Embroidery Floss, White Embroidery Floss, Opaque Pearl Gems, Bitty Sparkles, Disco Ball Beadazzles (Ranger)
Other: Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Sanding Kit, Piercing Kit, 3D Foam Tape, Paper Trimmer, Corner Rounder, Glue Dots, Polka Dots Embossing Folder (ProvoCraft), Big Shot Die Cut Machine (Sizzix), Acetate (Gary M. Burlin & Co.), Tape Runner (3M - ATG)

Here's a look at the entire stamp set.

  

Remember, if you love what you've seen so far along your SOTM Blog Hop journey, and you want your own "Little Reminder" stamp set or want to get it for the amazingly low price of $5, be sure to contact your Close To My Heart Independent Consultant.  If you don't already have a consultant, I'd love to be yours.  You can find details on the "Stamp of the Month" here on my blog, or by clicking on the "Stamp of the Month" tab at the top of the page or by clicking on the "Shop with Me" link near the top right.  Of course, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

If you have time, take a moment or two to check out the rest of my blog.  If you enjoy your visit, then please consider "Following Me", signing up to receive blog updates, and/or leaving a comment (we all love comments...the nice ones anyway), then be sure to continue along on the hop by heading over to  Wendy Coffman's blog, "Stamping Rules!" and check out her creation.

If for some reason you get lost along the way, you can always find a list of all this month's CTMH SOTM Blog Hop participants on Helen's Onulak's blog.

Happy hopping!