Tuesday, March 29, 2011

In the Woods!



Remember making these at my new catalog Open House a couple of years ago? I just got pictures on them! That was one of the fastest sets of pages I did!! I'm pretty sure the paper is retired now but for those of you who did the pages & don't have photo's on them yet here's some inspiration for you!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

"HOPE" for Japan


I cannot believe the damage & destruction the tsunami in Japan has created. We've all been reeling with the images of tragedy and devastation in Japan. If you're looking for an easy, real, practical way to help relief efforts, then please view my website & see the stamp set "Hope for for Japan."

Typically, our A-sized sets retail for $7.95, but the "Hope for Japan" set will be available through April 30 for just $5--and Close To My Heart will be donating 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross to benefit relief efforts in Japan. We as consultants are also waving our commission on this set to help raise money to help those in need. If you order this set from my website it will prompt you at the end of your order. I can not wait to get this set! Look at all the flourishes! Beautifully designed. I love working for such a great company.

If we all do a little, together we can do a lot. Let's show our support and together, provide real HOPE for Japan!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Open Your "Wings" & Soar!

Look at what we found! While we were packing our camper to go away for the weekend a bird kept flying out of the tree at us every time we walked by with another load for the camper. After a while I thought she must have a nest in there & look what we found. How sweet is that! Two newborn chicks & two eggs unhatched.
New chipboard...Yippie! You have to check out the "Irresistibles" Dimensionals elements. The pattern is clear embossed on the letters and all you need to do is add ink! They are awesome! (This is one of my favorite items in the new catty) When our new catalog came out & I saw the "Wings WOTG" kit I new just the pictures to use with this paper. The "My Stickease" were a perfect match for my photos. Some of you know that I usually have a hard time with stickers, but...these were perfect. I did add some ink to them, I know what you are going to say..."She's got to cover the white space!" Yup that's me! I always seem to alter them in some way & just have to use my stencil brushes or sponges! The bird is a stamp rolled in several colors of ink & cut out. I only adhered the body to the sticker tag to leave movement in his wings. When stamp rolling aways start with your lightest color (sweat leaf) & then roll other colors (blush, & vineyardberry) onto the edges of the stamp. Very pretty effect when using leaves & flowers.

The flowers are from our "Just Blooms Spring Blossom" pack & "White Daisy" Variety Pack. Just sponge a little ink in the middle & around the edges & wala you have a beautiful flower to match your layout or card. The White Daisy flowers are on sale right now on my website. Be sure to check the "While Supplies Last" clearance center as there are even more goodies (lots of great ribbon & flower packs) marked down to 75% off!! Whoo Hoo! The gorgeous centers of the flowers are our "Filigree Charms." Aren't they amazing. They come in a package of eight and are pewter charms with brads. I rubbed them across brown StazOn ink & set them aside to dry. It creates a vibrant coppery color. You have to use a permanent ink (like StazOn) as it will work on all nonporous materials such as; metal, plastic, glass, coated paper and more.


Look at the flourishes in these letters! I love it! (Imagine that!) Yes, this stamp set, "Bohemian Alphabet" is something I had to have. With clear blocks & clear stamps our alpha sets are so easy to use. Just stick all the letters you need to make your word on the block & you can easily stamp them right where you want them every time! No more lopsided letters or place a stamp tool. Once again our My Acrylix stamps are "Faster, Simpler & Easier!"


The card below is one of my favorites. When I get started making tag backgrounds I generally make a bunch of them. You never know how the colors are going to blend until they dry. Once I get started & see how pretty they are, I think "What will these three colors look like together" & before you know it I have 50 tags in different colors! I'm actually at a point were I need to make more. I've used almost all of them up! This one had just the perfect colors for the Wings paper. If you would like to have a workshop on how to make these tags let me know & I will put something together.
The butterfly & sentiment are embossed with "Black Embossing Powder. It really is a striking effect. This Stamp set has a place in my heart as it is just my type of design! It was the January SOTM (Stamp of the Month) "Find Your Style" I hope they add it to our inventory in the next catalog.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

March SOTM Sensational Season

Look at how great the Mayberry papers go with the Beatrix Potter inspired March Stamp of the Month. The adorable bunnies in the stamp set with the fresh colors of the paper make me long for spring. Warm weather? Yes, please!

The stamped image is brought to life with the use of our wonderful Watercolor Pencils. They really create a fluid look by blending with water, yet giving you the control of a pencil. See how the dress of the Mother Rabbit has a pattern toBold it? This effect is created with a great technique called paper piecing. To recreate this idea start by stamping your image on a piece of cardstock( this is your base). Stamp the same image again on patterned paper, and cut out the parts you want your image to have with that particular pattern. Repeat with other patterned papers until you have all the pieces you want. Then simply glue your pieces to the base image to create a singular, striking focal point.
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CTMH products used: March Stamp of the Month, Colonial White Cardstock, Mayberry Level 2 Paper Packet, Black ink, Watercolor Pencils, and Micro-Tip Scissors

Learn how you can earn the March SOTM: Sensational Season D1415 at a discount, or even for FREE by clicking here or on the "CTMH Specials" tab located at the top of my blog. Don't forget Hop on over to My Website to grab your own supplies to recreate this card and other amazing products from Close to My Heart.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Buy $25. in Stamps, Get a FREE Block!

At Close To My Heart, we know we've got the best clear stamps and blocks —and we'll prove it! Throughout March, when you buy My Acrylix® stamps, we'll give you a free My Acrylix® block. Not only will you have the best stamps on the block, you'll have the best block, too!
March Best Stamps on the “BLOCK” Promotion! Clearly an Awesome Special!
Do you love our clear Stamps & Blocks?!! Well then this Special Promotion is just for You! Purchase $25 in stamps and you can choose from two of our most versatile block sizes: 3x3 or 2 x 61/2. & receive it FREE?!! Yes…That’s it! Save almost $10 when you spend $25. That's almost 40% back! Can I get a big WhooHoo!!

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So, if you love to stamp or have been thinking about giving it a try, now is a great time. Call or email me for more details. This offer is also valid on purchases through my website.

Here are the details:
•Purchase $25 in My Acrylix stamp sets(Size A, B, C, D, or E) and receive your choice of a 3" x 3" or 2.5" x 6" block FREE
•Each person can receive one block per qualifying order
•The full savings for the 3" x 3" block is $8.50 and $9.95 for the 2.5" x 6" block
•Tax is not charged on the free block, but shipping will be calculated by weight for online orders or full retain value on gatherings and individual orders placed through me.
•The $25 purchase is before shipping and tax are calculated
•K-size stamp sets, Stamp of the Months earned for free, and Workshops on the Go do not count towards the $25 minimum purchase
•Although they stock tons of these block sizes, CTMH has the right to substitute a block with one of similar size or price. This only happens if the campaign is popular enough to deplete their resources.
Dates: Offer valid March 1–31, 2011.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Wings WOTG Pages

You have click on the picture & get a close up view of the butterflies! They are very detailed. The stamp itself is a abstract of words & shading, it's very striking. When stamping I started with the lightest color, Pear and next I rolled it in Juniper, then Twilight & lastly & very lightly black. They are also edged with black sparkle stickles to add richness. Our Licorice Opaque Pearls make the body of the butterfly elegant. I cannot take credit for this beautiful layout as one of my CTMH sista's created it. I was checking out our CTMH Consultant Art Bulletin Board and saw these incredible pages. Everyone was asking her if it was ok if we shared them with our customers & she encouraged it! I just love my CTMH sista's!
This is the "Wings WOTG" kit. The papers are so versatile. Bold rich pattern adorn one side & when you flip them over there is the soft green of "Sweet Leaf & very pretty & subtle "Juniper." The chipboard circle is from the "On Target" Color-Ready Dimensional Elements. I Cut it in half & sponged it with Juniper ink for this layout. This layout also came from another very talented CTMH Sista! It's so much fun to share our cards & pages on our Consultant Bulletin Board (often referred to as the BB). It is amazing how someone can take the same papers & inks and create something totally different. I love it! Check out my artwork with this kit in a post a little further down. The right side is stamped with the Wings WOTG exclusive stamp set. The damask stamp set will compliment any photos & pages. I really like the bold Black & Cream look. Learn to make these accordion flowers & more paper ruffling at my class on March 18th at 7:00. Email or call me with any questions.

WOTG Scrapbook pages with "Sophia"

Ok soo...I have to say it again..."I love this paper!" It's so pretty. (I have to apologize for the bright picture. I had trouble getting the colors correct, they are much softer than this pic shows.)
A little stamping & some buttons & wa-lah, a beautiful corner & journalling spot.


Notice the paper ruffle, almost looks like ribbon. It's the perfect finish between the title area & photos giving an awesome accent on your title. Learn how to do this at my class on
We will be making both sets of Sophia scrapbook pages.
Love, Love, Love this flower ribbon. It comes in our new Pink Collection of Designer Ribbon. It's so easy to cut apart and glam up any project. The images stamped on the pages come on the Stamp set that is included in the "Sophia WOTG Kit." So cute with the bird, flowers & flourishes. The WOTG kit also includes Colonial White Waxy Flax & our new Pink Assortment of Buttons. I used the waxy flax on some of the buttons. It is much easier to run through the button holes than floss, because it is stiffer & ties in a nice tight knot too.

Adding stamping to your pages can give you such unique possibilities. I used frames, tags & borders (sorry retired now but, you can use mine at the class!) to create this one of a kind journaling area. Placing the vines & ribbon roses on the journaling block stepped it up a notch & added instant charm.
Corner pieces are an easy way to add accent your photo & balance colors without overpowering the photo itself. I ran this "Pear green" photo corner through an embossing folder & then sanded the design with our sanding block to let the "white core" of our paper show through.

This has got to be the cutest bird! He has flourishes in him...I had to get him! He is included in the stamp set in the Sophia WOTG Kit. The stamp sets are exclusive to the kits & can not be purchased any other way.


Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Krafty, Kool & Kolorful!


Discover new "kraft" possibilities with this inspiring video showing you limitless ideas for our new "Kraft Color-Ready Borders." Stay tuned as I will be adding more artwork soon with tips & techniques showing you even more ways to use the "Kraft Borders" on your pages & cards.