CTMH October SOTM Blog Hop: Sharing The Magic

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! It's time for another whirlwind of inspiration from some very talented crafters. If you're coming from Wendy's blog, you're in the right place. If you've come to my Craft Closet by some other means, you can start the whole blog hop from the beginning at Kathleen's blog.


Ready? Grab some cocoa and we'll be off to the North Pole!

The October SOTM, Sharing the Magic, has 12 stamps in the set:



Doesn't it get you in the holiday spirit?


Let's go out in the snow covered fields and meet the local residents, shall we? Here we have Dasher and Dancer.

Hey there boys, gearing up for the big holiday season?



Yes we are! We're doing our early morning workouts with the rest of the team.

Got to keep fit to carry the Big Man around, you know!




Hey, here comes Frosty. You know, he's always such a jolly, happy soul.

Well, I heard he got some shiny new coal buttons down in the village the other day.




Hi there boys! Yup, shiny new coal buttons! The sales girl said they matched my eyes and I just had to have them. You guys should see the shops in the village! All decked out with lights and tinsel! It's a real winter wonderland. I picked up a couple of things for the kids while I was down there. Had them wrap them up for me, too!




I got a scooter for Jimmy and a dolly for Sue, the kind that will even say "How do you do?".




And this little guy, well, I might just have to keep him for myself!




Just make sure you get him water-proofed.

Look, here comes Santa Claus! Here comes Santa Claus!




Ho, ho, ho! Happy Blog Hop everyone! I hope you're enjoying all the crafty Christmas goodness! It's a lot healthier than a plate of Christmas cookies!




You better watch out, you better move your tail!
Your Christmas cards will soon need to be in the mail!
The holidays are coming real soon!




Okay, okay. That's why I deliver the toys, not write the Christmas carols.



Stamps: CTMH Share the Magic (October 2010 SOTM)
Inks: Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black
Papers: CTMH Dutch Blue, White Daisy

Happy Blog Hop to all, and to all a good night!


Just a little taste of the North Pole to get you guys in the mood for Christmas card season! Now if you'll head off to Jean's blog, you'll see more amazing creations from many more talented CTMH consultants.

And don't forget, Share The Magic will only be available until October 31, 2010! Contact me to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

The Present

Happy Monday everyone! I have just a couple of cards to share this morning. Yesterday and today are birthdays of some special ladies I know. I made them these cards to let them know how great I think they are.


Stamps: CTMH The Present
Inks: CTMH Chocolate, Juniper, Garden Green
Papers: CTMH Veranda Reflections Kit, Veranda Creative Basics


I cut my stamp apart to be able to use different inks with this sentiment...I think it makes the image more interesting! I also used a couple of Mocha Opaques as embellishments.
So Happy Birthday Kim and Cori!



And a big thank you for the Anniversary wishes. Would you like to see what Engineer got me? Can you Imagine what is was? Well, last Monday night...like so many other craftaholics in the country, I was watching the world launch of the new Cricut Imagine machine on HSN. Just to watch it in action...I swear! I casually said to Engineer, "You know, our anniversary is this weekend. That would be an awesome gift!" He watches the tv with me, then tells me to get his wallet.



Seriously?

But I was told this will also count for my Christmas present this year...and maybe my birthday, too.

You know what? Who cares! I'll even through in Mother's Day and Valentine's Day on top of that!

This lovely machine was delivered to my doorstep on Friday!



My family may have to fend for themselves for a couple of days!

H2H CHallenge: Sentimentally Yours

I made this card the other day after the two older boys left for school and Knock-Out was still asleep. I was sneaking around the house quietly because I didn't know how long he'd still be out.

But I thought I could quickly make this week's H2H Challenge and not wait until the last minute, as I have been doing lately.

Do you ever find yourself wishing kids came with countdown timers? So you knew when they were about to throw a tantrum, or wake from a nap, or spill something?

Or is that just me.

Anyway, back to my card. Since it is still 100°+ outside, I thought a Christmas card was in order. You know, to trick my brain into thinking it was cold outside. Didn't work.


Stamps: CTMH Everlasting Life
Inks: CTMH Cocoa
Papers: CTMH Mistletoe Reflections Kit

I used the new Mistletoe Level 2 Assortment to embellish...I didn't want it too plain and simple. This was so quick and easy to make, I might even create more for the upcoming holidays.

Have a great weekend! I know I will...today is my 11th wedding anniversary with Engineer. Wait until you see what he got me!

Close To My Heart Studio J: Craft Critique Review

Happy Friday everyone!


As a crafter who wants the best for my money, I use the CraftCritique.com as a guide before I invest in a lot of my major tool purchases. A couple of days ago, they posted a review on Studio J. So if you are still on the fence about using this amazing online program, I suggest you read the review, create a couple of layouts for yourself, then let me know what you think!

I also wanted to share another one of my Studio J layouts with you. This is one I created a couple of months ago to help me remember Convention from this Summer and all the fun and excitement we had there.


Studio J: Veranda Reflections Kit

You can see some of the decor put up at the Gaylord National that matched this year's theme Picture This. We were there several days before Convention started and got to watch the progress of it all. You can see pictures of the entertainers we had: Anita Renfroe, Jon Schmidt & Steven Sharp Nelson, and the fast painting talents of Michael Ostaski as he completes a surprise portrait of Jeanette Lynton. The ladies from the head office preformed a very memorable dance number called "Scrappin Ladies".

These are just some of the fun memories I have of attending my first CTMH Convention. But one of the greatest moments for me happened when I learned my album placed in the Top 10 of the Album Contest! With all the very talented ladies in CTMH, that was a great honor for me. I might even be persuaded to share it here...if you'd like to see it!

Tricks & Treats Workshop

It's starting to cool down here a little (a very little) and that gets me in the mood for the upcoming holidays and workshops at The Craft Closet!

Next month I will be hosting my Tricks & Treats workshop on Saturday, October 16 from 10am to 2pm. We'll be making one of each of the following projects:



This includes 3 different treat bags you can fill with sweet surprises for others,


2 cards with tricks of their own to surprise everyone,

and decorating 1 wooden gift box for yourself.
I'll let you decided if you want to share that or not.


Here are some close ups of each project:


















The cost of the workshop is $20, due by September 24, and you'll need to bring only your favorite adhesive. A light lunch will also be provided. If you are my neck of the...desert and want to attend, contact me to RSVP or for more information.

H2H Challenge: Color Challenge

Good evening! Another last ditch effort to make the H2H deadline again this week. My family is having dinner on a tiny folding table because I have card material all over our dining table. What a bunch of great guys they are for sacrificing their comfort for my creativity!

So, since I'm short on time again...and pretty hungry for my own dinner...I'll keep this brief.

The H2H Challenge this week was another color challenge using these CTMH colors:



I went straight to my Autumn/Winter Idea Book and found my inspiration on page 37.



Stamps: CTMH Grown With Love
Inks: CTMH Autumn Terracotta, New England Ivy, Honey
Papers: CTMH Colonial White, Autumn Terracotta, New England Ivy, Honey

Well, now that I've shared my card...with minutes to spare I think...I'm off to dinner.

Provided the boys left me any.

Studio J Memberships

Studio J Memberships are now available for you to purchase!

I know what you're thinking...
"Wait, what? I thought Studio J was free to use?"

You're right! Studio J is still available to use for free online. But now when you want to purchase your custom made prints, there is a more affordable way for you to do it. And it comes with extra benefits!

♥ 50% off retail price on custom-printed layouts. Minimum/maximum quantities apply.
♥ High-res printable JPG files and web-ready low-res files, free with print purchase
♥ Exclusive kits and patterns
♥ Free Memory Protectors®
♥ Free shipping and handling on your monthly order

You may purchase a 1 year membership for $99, or a 3 month membership for $30.


For those of you not quite sure yet if Studio J is for you, you may purchase a 5-pack for $55. This includes:

♥ 5 two-page scrapbook layouts you create online
♥ Custom printing
♥ 5 Memory Protectors
♥ Free shipping and handling

Studio J really is a fantastic way to keep you up to date on your scrapbook!

The Scrap Pack

This is just a reminder to my friends and customers that Opening Night for The Scrap Pack will be this Friday! If you know someone that would be interested in scrapping with us, bring them along!