Family is Forever: CTMH September Stamp of the Month Australasian Blog Hop

Hello and welcome aboard our CTMH September Stamp of the Month Australasian Blog Hop. If you have arrived here from Shaunna's Passionate About Pages, then you are in the right place. If you landed here by accident, no problem, please join in by following the link at the end of this post. 

Today I would like to share with you this "Love" Greeting Card which features the September Stamp of the Month, 'Family is Forever' available exclusively throughout September 2014 for $27, or for just $5 when you spend $75. This stamp set is the second of 12 glorious, exclusive Stamp of the Month stamp sets featured in our brand new CTMH 2014- 2015 Annual Inspirations Idea Book!

I fell in love with the Family is Forever stamp set on sight and I wanted to use the gorgeous tree to create a card that had a vintage feel to it.  I chose colours from the Enchantment colour family, specifically Olive, Smokey Plum and Ruby, as together they have a rich, old-world feel.  I also ink-distressed the edges of all of the cardstock layers, including the card base with Desert Sand ink (my favourite colour for creating a distressed, vintage feel on cards and page layouts).  

With a stamp as big as the tree, it is important to condition the stamp well and stamp it a number of times on scrap paper first so that it is ready to create a perfect stamped image.  When using large stamps, I prefer to leave the stamp upright on the table and turn the stamp pad upside down, pressing it down on top of the stamp to create an even, well-inked surface.  This way I always achieve a much better, richer stamped image.

I cut out the letters of the love sentiment after stamping it in Ruby ink on Colonial White Cardstock and then used Thin 3D Foam Tape to layer the letters on the card.  I have used a Ruby heart and a Base & Bling Faux Antiqued Charm to add texture and interest to the tree.  I used 3D Foam Tape to adhere the heart and Liquid Glass to stick on the charm.

This card would make a perfect Anniversary, Engagement, Wedding, Mother's Day or Valentine's Day card, although you could certainly play around with the colours and change the sentiment and this same design would work well for a gorgeous birthday, thank you or friendship card. 

CTMH products used to create this card:

·      5 1/2" X 4 1/4" Colonial White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack

·      September 2014 Stamp of the Month, Family is Forever

·      Olive Cardstock

·      Colonial White Cardstock

·      Ruby Cardstock

·      Desert Sand Exclusive Inks™ Pad

·      Smokey Plum Exclusive Inks™ Pad

·      Ruby Exclusive Inks™ Pad

·      Sponge Dauber

·      3L® E-Z Dots® Adhesive

·      Thin 3D Foam Tape

·      3D Foam Tape

·      Base & Bling Charm (Optional)

The September Stamp of the Month 'Family is Forever' is only available until 30 September 2014 from your CTMH Consultant.  

Thanks so much for dropping by.  I'd love you to leave a comment before heading off to the next stop,  Lauren Moore's CTMH Craftings.  

Happy crafting,

Denise :)