Jubilation Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring the June Stamp of the Month (SOTM), "Jubilation", a set of 24 images.

If you have come here from Paige's Blog you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around. If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants here.

This month we have approximately 53 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

This month I made two samples incorporating the Mayberry paper packet and Canvas Badge Buttons.

This is the fun 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 pattern from Wishes called "Folded Focus", page 56.

This card pattern was fun to try and looked great with this stamp set and paper packet!  To texturize the Hollyhock carstock - to make it appear "leathery" - I simply rubbed my Hollyhock inkpad over the cardstock.  It's that easy!  I stamped the sun image on the button and then restamped it again on Honey cardstock.  I cut out the sun and made it 3-D on the button.

This card is from Wishes.  The pattern is called Center Circles from page 117.

I LOVE our white core cardstock which allows for some fun techniques!  Using a stylus and my paper trimmer, I scored my paper in both directions every 1/4 of an inch and then sanded over it to create the textured circle.  To create some dimension on the tree, I first stamped the circle image, which includes the tree, in Hollyhock ink on Colonial White cardstock.  Then I stamped the image again on Olive cardstock and cut it out, making it 3-D with some Foam Tape.  I did stamp directly onto the button with Cocoa ink but because of the small print in the stamp, it was not easily read.  I restamped the "holiday cheer" image in Sky ink on Colonial White cardstock and cut it out and layered it on the button.

Now "Hop" on over to Dawn's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the SOTM is only available until the end of April, 2011! Click here to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free! I have additional samples viewable on my website! Click here to view them!

Supply list: Jubilation stamp set, Mayberry paper packet, Hollyhock ink,  Honey ink, Sky ink, Olive ink, Pewter brads, Stylus, Paper trimmer.

HAPPY HOPPIN'!

Bridal Shower meets Magnifique

My friend (and downline) Xellina and her husband are renewing their vows and I am honored to be one of her bridesmaids.  She never had the wedding that every little girl dreams of so on June 11th she'll have her chance.

This Sunday we hosted her bridal shower.  Her colors are the Magnifique colors and Pear.  I made all of the shower guests these party favors - filled with chocolate, of course.  This stamp image comes from the "In the Month of February" stamp set and I used the Scallop Punch, in Pacifica, for the background.

 I also decided to make her a homemade and paper-crafted corsage.  I stamped the flourishes from the "Circle of Love" stamp set on a BIG bloom, incorporated some of the peacock feathers of the same set and topped it off with a smaller bloom, Pear button, and Pear, Lagoon, and Colonial White ribbon.

Both were a big hit and I was pleased with the results.

2011 NBA Playoffs

I posted a little over a week ago about my hubby and I going to see the Lakers vs. Mavs series...although it didn't end up being much of a series.  LOL  The Lakers went down in four games - that was unheard of before this
year!

I had to face a little scrutiny from my hubby and friends for them being non-competitive but I enjoyed the playoff atmosphere all the same.

My hubby had to rub the "sweep" in!

The first night, game 3, we were joined by our friends Jason and Lisa.  (The second night, although we didn't take pictures then, we were joined by Xellina and Daniel.)  Both nights we were in great company and had a fabulous time!

Now it's down to the semi-finals with the Mavs vs. Thunder and Heat vs. Bulls.  I am hoping the Mavs make it to the finals.  It will create a fun atmosphere in Dallas!

National Scrapbooking Day 2011

I had a great time celebrating National Scrapbooking Day with 4 other host Consultants and 10 of our guests!  We joined at Stacy Furniture in Grapevine, TX for a fun day!  There were door prizes, yummy food, and lots of creativity throughout the day!

I made these CUTE treat boxes from an 8 1/2 x 11" paper!  I incorporated the CUTE stamp set from the You & Me kit (exclusive this month only) - love the ticket!  I filled them with Laffy Taffy and gave them to each of our attendees!  (I provided a velcro closure.)

My friend and fellow Consultant host, Karen Grafford, made these CUTE covers for microwave popcorn.



Here are a few photos from the day:

After the event, the 5 hostesses went out for a celebratory dinner.

Danyelle, Francene and Debi

Having a yummy dinner at La Hacienda Ranch in Grapevine, TX. 
Left to Right: Debi, Danyelle, Francene, Xellina, Karen and Me (Melissa).  My hubby joined us and took the photo.

Wherever you are, I hope you've been finding/taking time to papercraft!  It's my therapy and I love doing so in the presence of good company!

Paper Piecing Blog Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month there are 13 of us highlighting the “Paper Piecing” Technique as shown on page 27 in the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book!  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique.  If you would like to start from the beginning, please visit this link.  While there you will also find a listing of all participants and their blog addresses if you should get lost or want to reference a blog along the way.  Let’s get started!

If you are coming from Kelly's Blog, you are on the right track!  This technique is highlighted with the Mayberry paper packet in the Idea Book but you will find variations for its’ use through this hop.  

I received a surprise graduation announcement in my mailbox the other day - one from (now) a young man who refers to me as "his first crush" (lol) - a little boy I used to entertain when his grandparents visited my family a long time ago...  I was honored to be thought of and his grandpa's note, with the card, made me smile.  I decided to use this opportunity to make him a card incorporating this month's technique.

I have had this stamp set, "You did it", for awhile but had yet to make a card with it until now.  It totally screamed "paper piecing" to me!  I stamped the cap and diploma first in Pacifica cardstock and then again in Cranberry.  I cut out just the accent parts from the Cranberry images and glued them in the appropriate spots.  I stamped the "Top of the Class" sentiment in black ink on White cardstock and then did so again on Pacifica.  I cut out the "ribbon" portion of the image, from Pacifica, and glued it on the white image.  

I love how the card came out - cute but still appropriate for a graduating, male senior.  I know it will be a surprise for Matthew to receive this card from me.  To add the sentiment of "You did it!", I first distressed the Black cardstock - exposing some of the white core.  I'm pleased with the card and hope he enjoys it!

If you would like to see details on the technique or my supply list, please continue reading below.  If not, please continue onto Rebecca's Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation and...happy hopping!

Supply List:  C1351 You Did It, Fanfare Level 2 paper packet, Black Ink, Black Cardstock.

This is an image of the stamp set provided with a sample included on my website.

Thanks for stopping by!  Continue onto Rebecca's Blog to continue the hop!

It's a great time to join my team!

This month Close To My Heart is offering 50% off the Consultant kit price - now just $64.50 -  A FABULOUS OFFER AND AND A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS (or to support your addiction)!  :0)

The campaign reads:  Join the National Scrapbooking Month celebration by getting the exclusive You & Me scrapbooking kit FREE* and your New Consultant Kit at 50% off when you sign up in May!  With this wonderful kit, you can make two fully embellished two-page layouts using the included instructions, papers, D-size stamp set, and accessories. The You & Me scrapbooking kit includes:

1 – My Acrylix® You & Me Stamp Set, 1 – 12” × 12” Colonial White Cardstock, 6 – 12” × 12” B&T Duos® Papers, 1 – 6” × 9” You & Me Irresistibles™ Chipboard Die-Cut Sheet, 1 Yard – Chocolate Stripe Ribbon, 1 Package – Opaques Mocha Adhesive Gems, 1 – Instruction Guide.

Your New Consultant Kit will be just $64.50 and includes Business Essentials plus 3 "choose me" product collections of your choice, with a retail value of up to $155 each!  THAT'S PHENOMENAL!  WHAT A SAVINGS!  Click here and scroll towards the bottom of the page to see the collection options.

And...as a thank you for joining my team before May 14th (and helping me reach a goal), the first two people to sign up will also receive this gorgeous Shoulder Tote FREE!  (Retail value $29.95!)

If you are considering becoming a part of the Close To My Heart family and a member of my Heartfelt Sentiments Team, keep reading...  I LOVE my team and enjoy rewarding business and creative challenges, conducting team trainings across the country, and sharing in some fun and fellowship!  It's never a dull moment when we get together!

On Saturday, April 30th, I was able to gather with team members near and afar for our quarterly team training.  This is one of the things I love most about being apart of CTMH and having a team - getting together to share in our love of our products and this craft!  We had a good time being silly and creating some fun products which have already been shared on here.  :0)

While I have team members spread throughout the country, I extend the team training to all team members.  It's something fun that my friend Teri and I have begun and will continue!  So...even if you don't live close to me, I will still provide training, incentives, and fun projects for you to enjoy!

Amanda and Cyndi - busy at work.

Karen and Amanda making sure everything is JUST RIGHT!

Kimberly and Xellina working on the projects.

Xellina's husband grilled us some yummy and healthy food for lunch including shrimp, chicken and veggies.  Our lunch was absolutely delicious - and healthy.  Gotta love that combination!

We were able to enjoy our lunch outdoors - on a beautiful spring afternoon in Grapevine, TX.
From left to right:  Cyndi, Kimberly, Xellina, Karen, and Amanda.

If you would like to join in the fun, while getting a discount on the best scrapbooking products around, contact me or SIGN UP HERE!  I would love to have you!  In 13 years I haven't regretted my decision and I'm sure you won't either!  :0)

Fanfare meets simplicity...

I LOVE the simplicity of this style of cards and this stinkin' cute notebox! (The note box was first seen on Lisa Stenz' blog.)  I used the Fanfare Workshop on the Go and adorable stamp set that comes along with it to design them.

I first saw this "style" of cards on Lisa Stenz blog.  I LOVED the way they were clean, simple, but attractive.  The hand-drawn lines, with the use of a ruler (lol), seemed to finish them off nicely. 

The design for these cards in particular came from Katy Donaldson's blog.  This stamp set caught my attention as soon as I saw it in the Idea Book and it is even cuter in person! 

This was the second project we created at my team training last weekend.  They were a great hit and are something easily duplicated for gifts or fun treats!  I love all the inspiration that comes from blogs!  Thanks for stopping by. 

Happy National Scrapbook Day 2011!

Today I am enjoying good food, fellowship and fun with fellow Consultants - Debi Barber, Francene Ferrante, Karen Grafford and Xellina Wieland - and our guests at our NSD crop!  It's a fun day complete with goodies, door prizes, and some awesome artwork!

I hope wherever you are you are enjoying a beautiful day full of scrapbooking or something enjoyable.  And...if you weren't able to scrapbook today, May is National Scrapbooking Month - so you still have 24 days to play!  Be blessed!

Lakers vs. Mavs TONIGHT!

I am an avid Lakers fan - always have been - not just a bus-jumping fan when they are winning (or losing - lol). 

My hubby spent a couple of hours last Saturday standing in line for tickets for the second-round of the playoffs. (Gotta love him!)  With them doing the ticket sales lottery-style, he was 4th in line to get to 8 ticket booths!  God was definitely on his/our side!

While the Lakers are down 0-2 (which is unheard of), I am still excited about seeing games 3 and 4 here in Dallas tonight and Sunday afternoon.  Some friends are joining us for both games and I'm looking forward to it!  (Hi, Xellina!) 

Wishing you all a fabulous start to your weekend!