Every month, Close to My Heart releases a special stamp of the month (SOTM). It is only available for that particular month in the calendar year, and is a great addition to your crafting stash. I always look forward to see what will be featured in this special, and rarely am I disappointed.
This month’s SOTM, Doodled Borders, features a variety of stamps (36 in total) that you can use to create borders and backgrounds in your projects.
This kind of set is right up my alley as it allows for a lot of creativity. I challenged myself to use these stamps in two different ways – one as a subtle background with just enough colour to add interest; the second as the main feature of the card to showcase the doodles.
Today, I will share the first card and techniques I used to create it.
Card #1: The Subtle Background
The main features of this card, the lined stitched bracket and snowflakes, were my inspiration for this winter-themed card. I wanted them to be front and centre, so my goal was to keep the Doodle Borders from stealing the show.
I used our CTMH Exclusive Ink in Mint and a blending brush with Post-It tape to create the lines on the stitched bracket die cut. The biggest challenge here was keeping the lines straight, and ensuring I was inking the correct portion of the paper. Though Ranger Distress Oxide inks (also carried by CTMH) work beautifully for blending, I highly recommend starting with these inks if you’re a beginner blender like me – they are easier to manage in terms of messiness. They do require a few more layers to get as vibrant a result, but I personally prefer to be able to build the colour until I get the shade I want.
Of course, they also help me #lovemystash by using crafting materials I already have on hand, since these inks are what I use for regular stamping.
Next, I stamped the sentiment in VersaMark ink and heat embossed it using silver embossing powder. The snowflakes were cut using the Winter Flurries Thin Cut. I used Pearl Paper for them, as well as for the second stitched bracket (behind the lined one), and for the left side of the card. The shine on this paper definitely adds to the winter feel of this card.
While building this card, I realized that the Mint cardstock behind the brackets and snowflakes was a little plain, and that is where I used the Doodled Borders set. Using tone-on-tone stamping (same coloured ink and card stock), I used the scattered dots stamp to create an effect of falling snow.
Lastly, I added a strip of Silver Shimmer Trim to play off the silver embossed sentiment.
I am so pleased with how this card turned out, and love how the stamps in our February SOTM can be used to add a subtle little something to a project.
Supplies (all CTMH unless stated otherwise):
- Inks: Mint Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad, VersaMark Ink
- Stamp Sets: Doodled Borders (February SOTM), Craft with Heart (Jan-Apr subscription box)
- Paper: Mint Cardstock, Pearl Paper
- Thin Cuts: Stitched Fancy Brackets, Winter Flurries
- Embellishment: Silver Shimmer Trim
- Other: Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Blending Brushes (amazon.ca), Post-It tape (amazon.ca)
About CTMH Stamp of the Month Special:
- Regularly priced at $25.75, customers can get it for $6.75 with a qualifying order of $60 (before tax)
- VIP customers can add the SOTM for free to their qualifying order of $60 (before tax) – click here to learn more about becoming a VIP customer to take advantage of this special offer.
Interested in purchasing this card or similar ones? Head on over to the Handmade Cards section of this website.
In my next post, I will share how I used the Doodle Borders stamps to create a card that features them as the stars of the show.
Thanks for joining me!
Aggie – Arrows of Hope Designs 💘
arrowsofhopedesigns.ca 