May Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the May SOTM Blog Hop! 

I think this month's stamp set will be a very popular one, especially paired with the Close to My Heart National Scrapbooking Month paper pack "Free to Be Me"!  If you have been hopping with us, then you have arrived from Jamie's blog here.

There are 54 consultants participating in this month's hop, but not to worry, if you get lost along the way, you can always hop over to Melinda's blog here and find all of the links for the SOTM participants.

The stamp set S1405 You've Got a Friend includes 5 fun images that are ideal for a card or a scrapbook page!

I try to feature the next month's stamp set in my workshop - "Mini Book Magic", which is always the last Friday of the month!  That is the reason you see so many of my mini books using the stamp set.  This month is no exception!  This month's paper pack is X 7179B Ariana and we again used a previous project from CTMH as a springboard!

This is the second album that I cut with my new Cricut Explore.  I am getting the hang of the software and I have included the file for the cuts at the end of this post.  Check it out!

Here is the cover to the book...

Included in this workshop was the X7179C Ariana My Complements.  A little faux stitching adding some punch to the Outdoor Denim paper cut.

On the inside of the cover, I used the SOTM set to accent the two photo mats. I used the pen feature on the Explore to outline the shape.  Here is a close-up!

I was able to create the tag shape using the Contour feature of the shape and eliminate the inside of the cut.  Look for a post coming soon in how to do this! The stamp set I used is A1158 Doodle Signs and can be purchased here along with the NEW Z1961 White Marquee Enamel Shapes.

"Front of the Chat Bubble"

"Back of the Chat Bubble"

"Postage Stamp Page"

This is the file that I used in the tag - I just shrunk it down and took out the photo opening!

Inside of the Postage Stamp Page

This is my favorite page!

Next page...

Back Cover...

Lots of pages and embellishments BUT my ladies finished it in 1 1/2  hours!  They are getting good at this!

Here is a picture of the Explore file...

Here is the link for the file...

Thanks for hanging in with me through this LONG post but I think you now have a clear picture of how versatile this stamp set is!

Now it is time to hop on over to Melinda's blog here! and check out her fabulous artwork.