October Blog Hop - Make It From Your Heart

Welcome to our October Blog Hop.  If you arrived here from Andrea's blog, you are on the right path.  I encourage you to follow along til you end up back here.  You will no doubt come across some wonderful projects and get some great ideas to try on your own.

We have decided to feature a layout and a card each month from the new Make It From Your Heart, How To Book.  If you have not had a chance to check this book out, you must do so right away!  It is filled with inspiration!  We will start with the first pattern for the layouts and cards and work our way through the book, so I hope you will stop back each month to see what we come up with!

This how to book is a new item in the Fall/Winter Idea Book, released in August.  The pattern above is #1.  I decided to incorporate the October Stamp Of The Month, Very Merry Christmas (only $5 with a qualifying $50 order).  I have tried to include links to all the items used on this 2 page layout and on the card in the event you would like a closer view or if you are interested in getting your hands on some of these wonderful products.  I used the Pear and Partridge Paper Pack because it matched the October Stamp of the Month and I just love this paper. The middle ornament and the "do not open until Dec 25th" tag were cut using the Cricut Artiste Cartridge.

I used the "artful turnabout" suggestion in the book for the left side of the layout.  Basically it suggested turning one or both of the pages in the layout for a neat alternative to the vertical columns shown in the cutting pattern.

I left the right side of the layout vertical as shown in the pattern.  I love how well the photos fit into this layout and left tons of room to embellish!!

Speaking of embellishments... I am in love with all of the coordinating products that are available for the holiday themed Pear and Partridge paper pattern.  I used the Red Festive Velvet Rub-Ons, the Pear and Partridge Complements Glittery Rub-Ons, and the Dimensional Elements, In Color Holiday embellishments.  I love the way everything coordinates perfectly.  

Now a new fun tool I just picked up and had to try was the Fiskars Crimper.  I bought it for another project, but I was on a crimping rampage... the photo above includes a small strip of the striped pattern from the paper pack that was crimped and I love that it looks like some expensive coordinating ribbon, when it's really just a strip of paper.  I also used the crimper again (did I mention I'm addicted) on the small piece of Cranberry Cardstock in the photo below.  Love it!

Now on to the card.  This is the first card pattern in the book.  There are 12 card patterns total in the book.  This card was so fun and very easy to make.  The cut sizes are provided and there is a sample card next to the pattern.  I fed off the sample and added my own twist!

I cut a piece of the Zip Strip and made my card "Time For Sharing"... perfect for the holidays.  The Cranberry Cardstock under each letter in "TIME" was crimped.  It added a nice quick dimensional pattern to the paper.

Some other embellishments/additions that are featured on this layout and card are as follows:

• Sparkles Clear Assortment
• Cranberry Baker's Twine (found in the Harvest Assortment)
• Sparkles, Red, Purple and Pink Assortment
• Cranberry Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
• Holiday Buttons from the retired Holiday collection

I hope you enjoyed my projects... I can't wait until next month!!!

I encourage you to hop on over to Nicole's Blog to see what wonderful projects she came up with this month.  Since we will be doing a blog hop the first of every month, don't forget to sign up to follow my blog so you can come back and visit again soon or bookmark any of the blogs along the hop and check back each month for more great ideas!