CTMH January SOTM Blog Hop: Find Your Style

Happy New Year! 2011 has come a lot faster than I anticipated, but I'm looking forward to the fresh start the new year always brings.

It's once again time for the Close To My Heart Blog Hop featuring the Stamp of the Month. If you're coming from Deanne's Blog, you're right on track.

This month's stamp set is b-e-a-utiful! I've just been creating away and had to think twice about sharing everything...wouldn't want you to be overwhelmed or anything!

Here is the stamp set, all 9 gorgeous images:

I know right?! Just stunning! I love the vintaginess (totally made up that word!) of the images.


Take a look at a couple of things I made with it.


Stamps: CTMH Find Your Style (January 2011 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Blush, Cocoa
Papers: CTMH Blush, Colonial White
Accessories: CTMH Opaques Pearls, Cocoa Ribbon

I'm not really a fashionista type of girl, couldn't tell a fashion show from a costume contest,

but loved the dress form anyway!


But I do know movies...and when I saw the shoe from the set I could only think of one thing...can you guess?


Stamps: CTMH Find Your Style (January 2011 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Sunny Yellow, Sky, Versamark
Papers: CTMH Sunkissed Yellow, Black, White Daisy, Magnifique Reflections Kit
Accessories: CTMH Opaques Pearls, Clear Embossing Powder

Cinderella!


Okay, I thought of two movies...can you guess this one?


Stamps: CTMH Find Your Style (January 2011 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Pear, Honey, Cranberry, Versamark
Papers: CTMH Cranberry, Black, White Daisy, Grace Reflections Kit, Olivia Reflections Kit
Accessories: CTMH Sparkles Red, Clear Embossing Powder

The Wizard of Oz!


This next card is a little more elegant. Not something I usually do, but this one was easy.


Stamps: CTMH Find Your Style (January 2011 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Bamboo, Barn Red, Cocoa, Versamark
Papers: CTMH Bamboo, Colonial White, Olivia Reflections Kit
Accessories: CTMH Antiqued Copper Mini-Medley Accents, Colonial White Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder


And finally, this last card. This one took the longest just because of all the cutting. But well worth it I think.


Stamps: CTMH Find Your Style (January 2011 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Black, Sweet Leaf, Juniper, Vineyard Berry, Versamark
Papers: CTMH Black, Colonial White, Wings Reflections Kit
Accessories: CTMH Black Mini-Medley Accents, Wings Level 2 Assortment


So thank you for stopping at my portion of the Blog Hop! Next up is Tamra's Blog, be sure to check out the rest of the participants' artwork...it's all beautiful!

And remember, you can get this amazing stamp set only this month! I'll tell you how you can get it and some new sneak peek items at incredible savings in tomorrow's post!

I Believe

The year is almost over and I believe I am done. It was a year of trials and sadness, but also one of joy and excitement. I choose to believe I will be a better person for experiencing each and every moment from this year. And hopefully I can carry that over into the next year.

I also believe Santa needs to rent me a storage unit for all the gifts he left this year! Or at least find me a bigger house...with my own craft room...and a pool.

Then I can forgive him for all the Legos that appeared under the tree. The boys are in heaven. But I have already told them tomorrow is my day with the kitchen table because I'm having crafting withdrawls.


I believe that is fair.


Stamps: CTMH I Believe
Inks: CTMH Cocoa, Versamark
Papers: CTMH Mistletoe Reflections Kit
Accessories: CTMH Mistletoe Assortment, Cranberry Grosgrain ribbon

I made this card but completely ran out of time and energy to post it before Christmas. I'm sure you can relate, but I still wanted to share it because I liked how it turned out so much. I embossed everything with Cocoa embossing powder so it's nice and shiny!

Well, the boys are wanting to watch some of the movies we got this year, so I must say good night.

I believe I smell popcorn.

H2H Challenge: Gift Week

Hi everyone! Anyone still visit my neck of the blogs? I've been out of commision for about a month with computer issues but they have now been solved it seems with the help of a new computer. And just in time to get an entry into the latest H2H Challenge! So I'll make this quick so I don't miss the deadline.

This week was Gift Week over there...meaning no cards! Perfect for my Mistletoe Stocking Gift Bag:


Inks: CTMH Cocoa, Garden Green
Papers: CTMH Mistletoe Reflections Kit
Accessories: CTMH DE Ornaments, Mistletoe Assortments


I used Lauren Meader's Stocking Stuffer template from PaperTreyink. It came together really quickly, only the handstitching took time.

I'm so glad to be able to commune with the web world again! Have a great week!

Saying Thank You With Close To My Heart

This month is full of wonderful opportunities to be grateful; the upcoming holidays, the weather finally getting cooler, and the birth of a brand new niece...any day now......soon, right Sis?


Well, Close To My Heart wants to show their gratitude for you as well with a great way to add a lot of value to your purchases while increasing your stamp collection!



This month, when you place a qualifying order of $100 or more, you will not only receive the November Stamp of the Month set, A Little Thanks (valued at $22.95) free, but you can also select another stamp set of your choice (size A through D) for free! This means you can add up to $45.90 worth of stamps to your purchase...almost 50% more in value!


But wait...there's more!

Would you like $100 in free select product from Close To My Heart?
How about a collection of wonderful Close To My Heart products for 50% off?

The first 10 people that contact me with their $100* order will be placed in a drawing to win ONE of the following:

• $100 in select product credit**
• $60 in select product credit**
• $40 in select product credit**
• 4 individuals will be awarded a half price item or collection**
• 3 individuals will be sent a FREE stamp set**

*Order total BEFORE shipping and tax is added
**Customer pays shipping and tax of free items.

I need 10 people to play for this to work, but everyone who enters a $100 order will win! Not to mention you will already be getting a great deal on all the products you love!

And...you'll be helping me earn an Hawaiian cruise! (Don't worry, I won't be doing the hula or anything.)

You have until November 23 to get your order together...don't wait or you might miss out!

CTMH November SOTM Blog Hop: A Little Thanks

It's time once again to share Close To My Heart's wonderful Stamp of the Month! November brings to mind a time for giving thanks and this stamp set will certainly make it easy for you to express that. If you're coming from Jean's blog, congratulations on making it through the whole hop! Did you get lots of wonderful ideas? I'm the last in line this month, but if you've stopped here first, you can keep the hop going by continuing on to Helen's blog for the beginning.


The November SOTM, A Little Thanks, has a lot to offer...16 stamps to be exact!




Makes creating those much needed thank you cards a snap...well, if you can decide on which stamps to use, that is. I couldn't decide on just one card, so I made a couple of things to share.

The first card is very simple, just a little dry embossing and sanding to give interest.


Inks: CTMH Vineyard Berry, Outdoor Denim
Papers: CTMH Vineyard Berry, Outdoor Denim, Brown Bag, Colonial White


This next card uses one of the sentiment stamps to create a subtle background...they aren't just for focal points!


Inks: CTMH Barn Red, Chocolate
Papers: CTMH Olivia Reflections Kit, Chocolate

I used ribbon from the new Sunset Mini-Medley Collection, a couple of edge anchors from the Heritage Collection, and created a scallop with our 1¼ Circle Punch to finish the look.


A couple of weeks ago I hosted my Tricks and Treats workshop. As a thank you to my guests, I created these candy tubes filled with M&M's.
(A big thank you to Angela Tutton for her wonderful tutorial!)


Inks: CTMH Cocoa, Barn Red, Honey
Papers: CTMH Barn Red, Honey, Colonial White


And now for something completely different, take a look at my final card:


Inks: CTMH Olive, New England Ivy, Cocoa, Cranberry
Papers: CTMH New England Ivy, Cocoa, Colonial White

How about a Christmas tree? It's filled with Red Sparkles, though Knock-Out insists I find a star to put on top. The Gratitude sentiment is stamped in Cranberry and cut out. I then flipped the stamp over and stamped the backside in Cocoa and cut it out to create the border piece. I love that we can do that with our My Acrylix stamps!


Well that's all I have for this Blog Hop. If this was your first stop, be sure to continue on to Helen's blog for the beginning of the hop and you'll find inspirations galore with the other participants!

If you're interested in purchasing "A Little Thanks" or even want to earn it for FREE contact me!





P.S. Thank you for all the comments on the Christmas tree card! To answer a question, yes Sheila, it is made with the little "weed" stamp.

CTMH October SOTM: Share The Magic...With Gift Cards

The end of the month is near and that means you only have a few more days to get your hands on the exclusive Share The Magic stamp set. Before that happened, I wanted to share one last card with you...one that might prove useful in the upcoming months.

How many of you have started your Christmas shopping? If you've raised your hand, go sit in the corner...no one wants to speak to you right now. If you're like the rest of us and are barely getting your Halloween candy...listen up, this might save your sanity one day soon.

The simplest gifts to give are...everyone together now...Gift Cards! But they are kind of plain and not very fun to unwrap. Unless you like to do the whole box in a box in a box thing. Then you just might have too much time on your hands.

But I'm getting off track here.
With a little crafty ingenuity, you can really dress up a gift card. And October's SOTM can help you do just that.


Stamps: Share The Magic (October 2010 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Garden Green, New England Ivy, Cranberry, Staz-On Jet Black
Papers: CTMH Mistletoe Creative Basics, Garden Green, New England Ivy, Colonial White


I used a waterbrush to color in the presents on the band. Gives it a nice subtle color. You slip off the band to open the card. Inside is the card holder:



You can write or stamp a message behind where the card will be as a little surprise for the recipient.

So what kind of gift cards are you going to give this year? You know what I think would make the best card to give away to a loved one?



How about a Studio J membership or 5-pack? The scrapbooker in your life would certainly thank you...it's like giving them the gift of time! And who would say no to that?


Well now...I'm off to "pre-sort" the trunk or treat candy. You know, get it ready to pass around after I take a couple of choice pieces out.


Have a safe Halloween weekend!

Studio J Birthday Layout

Today is my Dad's birthday.

Hi Dad!

I have this wonderful tradition of getting his birthday card made/sent late. I think it may have to do with the fact that his birthday is so close to Halloween and by the time the end of the month comes around, the boys have me on candy/costume/decoration/school festival overload and it slips my mind. And I know he knows I don't mean to be late...but why mess with tradition? This way, he gets to celebrate his special day just a little bit longer!

So while I don't have the card ready to share, I can share a Studio J layout I did of a special birthday party we threw him several years ago.


Studio J: Stardust Reflections Kit

You see, my dear father has a slight appreciation for all things Stargate. This particular year, he received a Stargate DVD season set, a soundtrack, a book, a boardgame, and yes, even a Stargate shaped cake...complete with DHD cupcake. My brother put together a Teal'c from spare G.I. Joe parts to finish off the look. We all wore standard Stargate wear: black and olive.

He was quite surprised when he walked in the door and saw us all!

So Dad, even though the card will most likely get to you just before Thanksgiving (just being real here), you know I love you and hope your day is full of wonderful surprises.






PS: I know the journaling looks wonky when you click on the picture to enlarge it...but it doesn't look that way in real life!