March Stamp of the Month - Choose Happy

This month we are highlighting the March Stamp of the Month, Choose Happy.  It has some beautiful frames, cute sayings, and a fun border and it can be yours for just $5 with a qualifying purchase!

If you are coming from Melinda's Blog, you are on the right track.  You can find a complete listing of participants at Adeline's Blog, should you get lost along the way.

I used a pattern from the Make It From Your Heart Volume 1 book to create my card.  I wanted something simple that would not detract from the beautiful frame.  I stamped it in black ink and used the ShinHan colors to make it coordinate with the Zip Strip (the chevron piece of paper) that came from the Brushed paper packet.  The Gold Shimmer Trim just added a little sparkle as did the Clear Sparkles.

I random-stamped the background with an exclusive stamp set called Budding Springtime (shown below).  You can only get one of these exclusives from a Consultant.  (Contact me to find out how you can get one of your own as they are only available through March 31st.)

This is the exclusive stamp set used for the background, stamped tone on tone to the Pixie cardstock with Pixie ink.

Hop on over to Sheila's Blog and see what fun creation she has in store for you.

Happy hoppin'!

Have a Lovely Day!

Yeah...so you can tell I have moved past the winter colors real fast and am ready for Spring!  LOL  Unfortunately, or fortunately (as long as I can stay inside to enjoy the snow and ice), the weather is not aligning with me!  Oh well...these kind of cold weather days give me a good excuse to stay inside and papercraft!  That is what I plan on doing this weekend!

I used the Confetti Wishes paper packet - the colors are just fun and cheery - and this stamp, "Lovely Birthday", to create this card.  I used a pattern from the Make It From Your Heart How-to Program for the design.

The flowers and leaves were colored with the ShinHan markers and 3-D on the front of the card.  Some clear sparkles added the perfect finishing touch to the card.

I hope you like it and...have a lovely day!  (Happy Friday!)

Everything is Better with a Friend

I seldom come up with any card or scrapbook designs from scratch so am thankful there are various resources from which to be inspired.  Today I used this sketch from CASE(S) this Sketch #111 to create my card.

I made this card for my Secret Sister for this past weekend's retreat.  Her favorite paper packet is Heartstrings so I decided to incorporate it, totally leaning away from it being Valentine related.  I think I was successful!  ;)

I used our Dot Embossing Folder, on Hollyhock cardstock, and then distressed it to expose some of the white core.  I layered it onto a slightly larger piece of White Daisy cardstock to allow for the border, needing to set it off a bit from the patterned B&T.  

It is kind of hard to tell but I did paper piece several things in the stamped shopping girl image.  The dress, polka dot and animal print gift bags were all paper pieced.  The remaining items were colored in with our ShinHan markers.  Doesn't it look great?!  (I am a little proud of myself as the paper piecing truly seems almost seamless unless you were to run your finger over it.)

This stamp set, "Everything is Better with a Friend" is only available through March 31, 2015 and is only exclusive to hostesses.  You can get it by hosting a physical or online Gathering or by placing a $150 order.  (Contact me with questions.)  It is definitely one of my favorites!

If you are "off" today because of cold weather in your area, it is a great excuse to get out your papercrafting products!  :)  Have a blessed day!

Why You Should Join CTMH and My Team...

As posted yesterday, there is a fabulous recruiting offer that will take place during March.  I have been a Close To My Heart Consultant for over 16 years and still love it as much (and maybe more) than I did then.

There are so many great things to love about this company as a Consultant, including the fabulous products, getting a discount on your purchases, and being the first to know about the newest product releases and campaigns.  But more importantly, I LOVE the many people I have met over the years who have helped make this a fun journey!

I am finishing up a team retreat this weekend.  We get together various times throughout the year be it at trainings, retreats or conventions.  There is always sure to be fun and creativity whenever we get together.  It is one of the things I live for.

Debi won Left Center Right, collecting on some fun paper!

Terry winning Left Center Right Game.  Check out all the fun embellishments!

My She Art creation.

Having lived far away from my upline's, I am sure to include my long distance team members in our fun events - even from afar.

If you have any questions about joining this fun journey, let me know!  You will love the fun!

Stay warm today!

Too Good to Be True? (Recruiting Special!!!!!)

This may seem too good to be true but it is totally real and has never happened before (and may never happen again)!  ;)  If you join my team  and Close To My Heart in March, for just $99 (plus shipping and tax), you will get this gorgeous chevron tote for FREE!  (It is selling for $26.95)  Yep!  It's true - totally FREE just for joining the CTMH fun!  There are no strings attached.  BUT...be sure to read all the way to the end of this post because believe it or not, it does get even better!!!!!

Here is another view of this shoulder tote.  I own one.  I love it.  :)  It's spacious, stylish and does hold 12 x 12 paper.  Click here for complete details.

These photos are snapshots of the SAMPLE Consultant Kits you get to choose from when you sign up. I say SAMPLE because come March 1st, the NEW kit will be released and contain BRAND NEW product that we have not seen before!  One of them has a scrapbooking focus and other, cardmaking.  Both are a fabulous offer with over $370 in value - for just $99!

Cardmaking Consultant Kit

Scrapbooking Consultant Kit

So...are you ready for even more excitement?!?!  You CAN get this newly-released Rolling Tote - retail value of $149.95 - for FREE, too!  Okay...so there is one little catch on this one but it is totally doable and well worth a little effort on your part.  Plus, once you take this fun plunge in the fabulous world of CTMH, you will love staying here.  ;)

Details:  Remit $300 worth of commissionable sales in your first 40 days after your New Consultant Kit ships and you will receive the rolling tote as a FREE bonus (not including shipping/handling)!  Beyond that, no strings attached!

 So check this out...  Are you ready for this?!  That is $545+ CTMH product for just $99!  If anything ever sounded too good to be true this is it but it's completely true!  YOU ARE NOT DREAMING!  This offer is only available March 1-31, 2015.

I will share benefits of joining my team in tomorrow's post which includes joining all the team fun.  We are having a team retreat this weekend and you would be invited to join us at all future events.  We are never too short of fun!

Please contact me if you have any questions or are considering this fabulous opportunity.  I would totally love to have you and am just short of my recruiting goal!  Enjoy this fabulous Saturday wherever you are!

Cut Above Thank You Card Kit - with a Twist

The Cut Above Thank You Card kit, designed to create cards that look like these, come pre-cut and ready for assembly.  How awesome is that?!  You get 10 card kits for just $10.95.

These are how the pieces come in the kit with you adhering them with your choice of adhesive, adding dimension with the foam squares, and cutting twine to tie on the sentiment.

I used our White Daisy Exclusive Ink Pad to stamp the sentiment and made sure to allow it ample time to dry before assembling the card.  To add some color, I decided to incorporate Lagoon and Smoothie cardstock, and some Pixie Twine for a twist.  Do you like it?

 I totally love these card kits; perfect for quick assembly, with an added twist.  

Happy Friday!

CTMH Technique Blog Hop - Music to the Eyes

If you are coming from Michelle's Blog, you are on the right track.  There are 15 of us participating in this hop and you can find a complete list of participants by visiting Sheila's Blog.

Thank you for joining us this month as we highlight a technique, which is both simple and fun, that jazzes up your artwork creations with the little help of a Journaling Pen.  I love to use a journaling pen to add a little "extra" to my projects when it needs just a bit more.  This is how the technique reads as found on page 34 in our Annual Inspirations Idea Book:  "Jazz up your pages with a journaling pen and your creative hand!  Outline individual letters and other accents with the pen to better contrast them with the background, making them bolder and easier to read."

On this card, made with two Hopscotch Picture My Life cards, I used the journaling pen to doodle around two pieces of paper (one B&T and the other cardstock) and around the small sentiment.

With the sentiment, I kept things very simple and just drew lines around the banner.  With the other two pieces where this technique was applied, I simply allowed my hand to move freely and wanted the lines to appear curvy.  Then I went back across the same area, still allowing for free movement, while working to make the two lines intertwine.  There really is no way to do this "wrong" so why not give it a try?  I find that if my artwork is needing just a little more, some doodling with the Journaling Pen will probably to the trick! (It is just $3.25!)

Now, head on over to Debi's Blog where you are sure to find something ingenious and fun!

Happy hoppin'!

Spotlight on Seasonal Expressions

We are highlighting some of the fabulous products that were released in December and included in the Seasonal Expressions supplement.  

If you are coming from Hilary's Blog you are on the right track.  There are nine of us sharing our artwork so I hope you enjoy what you see!

I decided to incorporate a Hopscotch Picture My Life Card for the focal point on this handmade card.  For right now, this Picture My Life card set is my favorite.  I love the fun colors!

I layered the 3" x 4" card onto some White Daisy cardstock, deciding I did not want to corner round the corners and then made it 3-D with our THIN 3-D Foam Tape (yeah...another new-found love)!  I used our Gold Sequins, Gold Shimmer Trim, a Junebug Puffie (soon to retire), and some Flaxen Extra Thick Twine (also soon to retire).  I separated the twine to have the doubling on the bow.

While this card was super fun and easy to make, I hope the recipient (whoever that may be...) loves it!

Feel free to leave a comment and then head on over to Wendy's Blog.

Here is a list of the items that will be retiring March 31st.  Be sure to check them out before you can no longer order them!

• C1606 A Thing Well Done (only available to Hostesses)
• B1471 Variety of Thanks (only available to Hostesses)
• B1472 Love This Story (only available to Hostesses)
• X7193B Heartstrings Paper Packet
• X71934C Heartstrings Complements
• Z3015 Heartstrings Assortment
• G1090 Workshop on the Go Heartstrings Cardmaking Kit
• X7194B Hopscotch Paper Packet
• X7194C Hopscotch Complements
• Z3016 Hopscotch Assortment
• G1091 Workshops on the Go Hopscotch Scrapbooking Kit
• Z3045 Picture My Life Hopscotch Scrapbooking Program
• Z3046 Picture My Life Heartstrings Scrapbooking Program
• Z2056 Cut Above Valentine Treat Bag Kit
• Z2059 Cut Above Birthday Treat Bag Kit
• Z3028 Lovestruck Mini Clothespins
• Z3029 Happy Day Mini Clothespins
• Z3037 Stuck on You Puffies
• Z3038 Junebug Puffies
• C1617 You're the Bomb

Have a blessed week and happy hoppin'!

You're The Bomb Blog Hop

This fabulous stamp set, "You're the Bomb", is showcased on the back of Seasonal Expressions 1 and is only available through March 31st.  I will tell you that while I really liked the stamp set, I fell in love with it when I got it in my hands.  The images are much bigger than I expected and I am thrilled that I have it to create with.  And what makes it even better is when you purchase this stamp set, $3 will be donated to Operation Smile, a foundation we support which has a tremendous impact in the lives of children.  (Check out the link to find out more about this worthwhile organization.)

If you are coming from Michele's Blog, you are on the right track.  There are 20 Consultants showcasing this stamp set.  I am the start of the hop.  A complete list of participants is located at the end of my post.

I created two cards for this month's hop - just could not get enough of it.

This first card was created using Thistle and Pixie cardstock and our Dot Embossing Folder.  I stamped the "Your are" image in our White Daisy ink, on Black cardstock, and allowed it ample time to dry before fussy cutting the image and adhering it to my card front.  (Love stamping in white on black or dark cardstock.)

A few Silver Sequins and Thistle Diagonal Stripped Ribbon and I was finished!

For this card I used Kraft Cardstock, the Heartstrings paper packet, Lagoon cardstock, and coordinating inks.  

I kept it pretty simple by adding two strips of Silver Shimmer Trim and Red Enamel Hearts.  This stamp set really is too fun!

Thank you for stopping by!  I hope you have fallen in love with this stamp set!  Now head on over to Melinda's Blog.  She always has something fun!

Happy hoppin'!





List of participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE
2. Melinda Everitt
3. Michelle Stewart
4. Sheila Bennett
5. Priscilla Gotham
6. Pam E.
7. Brenda Lapp
8. Angela White
9. Paige Dolecki
10. Traci Godbee
11. Donna Digby
12. Tracey Pierce
13. Gina Brandstetter
14. Katy Taylor
15. Jenny Gilbert
16. Michelle Loncar
17. Lauren Moore
18. Lela N.
19. Catherine Nowak
20. Michele Rowley