This is my first CTMH SOTM Blog Hop, and only my second blog hop ever!  I am so excited to have you visit my blog and I truly hope you enjoy my creations.

You know some stamp sets call to you as soon as you see them.  Some stamps you have to see them used before you think, “Now, I’ve got to have that stamp!”  Some stamps surprise you in that they don’t call to you and, you either haven’t seen them used in a way that inspires you, or maybe you’ve never seen them used at all, but once you get to playing with them, the creative juices get to flowing and there in lies the surprise.
The latter is how I would describe this stamp set for me.  It didn’t call to me right away and I stared at it for a good 10 minutes or so before I actually took an image off the sheet and started playing.  I embossed my first few images and then soon trashed them.
But here’s the key…don’t stop playing!  Sometimes when you get a creative block, it helps to walk away and return later.  Sometimes it helps to check your idea books or favorite blogs and web sites for inspiration.  However, sometimes all you really need to do is just dive in and keep playing.
My goal was to make one card.  After all, that’s all the hop requires me to do.  However, once I kept playing, the creative juices started flowing and I ended up making three different cards and I mean “different”. 
I hope you enjoy them and are able to find inspiration from them. 🙂

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Tulip CS, Chocolate CS 
Inks: Tulip, White Daisy Pigment, VersaMark
Embellishments:  Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems, White Organdy 5/8″ Ribbon
Other items:  Gold & White Ultra-thick Embossing Enamels (Ranger), UTEE Flex (Ranger), Melting Pot (Ranger), Non-stick Craft Sheet (?), Silver Pearl Embossing Powder, Gold Embossing Powder, Craft Heater, Red Russet & Sparkle Gold Pearl Ex (Jacquard), Score Board (Martha Stewart), Sanding Block, Edge Distresser, Micro-tip scissors, Sponge, Craft Tray, Bone Folder, Tweezers, Euro Personal Trimmer

CARD 2: “AMORE”:  My lack of enthusiasm for the last project, led me to create this next card. I really enjoy scouring over blogs for inspiration.  In my cyber travels, I’m always taken with the cards that are so clean and simple, yet have so much power.  So, especially after the time put into the last card, I wanted to try my hand at a clean and simple design.  I have to say…I just LOVE how this card came out.  Sometimes less is definitely more. 

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: White Daisy CS
Inks: Hollyhock, Grey Wool
Embellishments:  Bitty Sparkles, Mulberry Paper Ribbon (?)
Other items:  “Diamond in the Rough” Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Big Shot (Sizzix), Prisma Glitter, Craft Tray, Water Brush, Glue Pen (Sakura), Bone Folder, Euro Personal Trimmer

CARD 3: I LOVE YOU:  This card is pretty straight forward and simple to make.  The colors are taken from this week’s Color Me Monday Inspiration Challenge on Jeanette Lynton’s blog. 

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Desert Sand CS, Cocoa CS, Juniper CS
Inks: Cocoa, Juniper, Tulip

Remember, if you love what you’ve seen so far along your SOTM Blog Hop journey, and you want your own “Amore” stamp set at a discount or for FREE, 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 “Shop with Me” link near the top of this page.  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” and/or leave a comment (we all love comments…the nice ones anyway), then be sure to continue along on the hop by heading over to  Angel Sawyer’s blog, “Running with Scissors Design Co.” and check out her beautiful creation….