July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Life Is Wonderful

If you are coming from Melinda's Blog, you are on the right track.  You can also find a complete list of participants on her blog.

This month we are featuring the July Stamp of the Month called, "Life is Wonderful".  Life is wonderful, indeed, and I thank God for that!  Remember, these exclusive stamp sets, which are only available during their unique month, are just $5 with a $50 purchase.  I am looking forward to seeing all the creative projects made using this stamp set so...shall we get started?

I used the stamp set to decorate the front of this inexpensive notebook I bought at Michael's.  I needed a new one for making notes for my Close To My Heart business.

I used our Paper Fundamentals for the circle I placed behind the "Wonderful" sentiment.  Smoothie Striped Washi Tape was used to make the banner and I used Archival Black ink to stamp the sentiment on top, using the heat gun to set it.  Some Smoothie ink, Outdoor Denim cardstock, Coral Reef Sequins and Clear sparkles finished off the fun cover!  I am excited to be able to use it.  (This color combination of Smoothie and Outdoor Denim was inspired by two tops I recently purchased.  I kinda love them together!)

Don't you think it looks a lot better than how it started?!  I hope you say 'yes'!

Here is a close-up of the embellishments.

Thank you for taking a moment to stop by.  Feel free to leave a comment and then head on over to Sheila's Blog and check out her fun artwork using this stamp set.

Wishing you a July filled with fun!

You are the Best!

You might think I have been MIA but the fact is...I have been enjoying life, in various ways!  My dad came to visit for a few days, my hubby whisked me away on a surprise trip for our 17th Anniversary, and I have been busily preparing for our Close To My Heart Convention which is a little over a week away.  The crazy thing is that I won't be able to share any of those creations until I have given the goodies to my roommates and team members.  But don't worry...I have and will be creating other artwork for some other fun stuff going on here on my blog for several days in July!

I attempted to make a more manly card with this stamp set and I don't know how well I succeeded but I am pleased with the color combination; Outdoor Denim and Lagoon.  Always hard to photograph, I used the Paper Fundamentals - love this paper - for the Lagoon pieces, using both sides.  I love the texture it provides.  The ice cream cone was colored in with the Shin Han Markers and the sentiment and banner it is stamped in came from the "Finding the Words" stamp set.  It offers a lot of versatility for a needed sentiment.

Tomorrow is the last day to purchase the "Ice Cream Dream" stamp set that is the stamp of the month for June.  I have used it and used it and used it...and I still love it!  It is super fun and I will be incorporating it into a future layout!  Remember, you can purchase it for just $5 when you place a $50 order!  I would love your business so let me know if you have any questions.  You can place your order by clicking HERE.

Have a blessed week!

CTMH Technique Blog Hop - Call for Backup

If you are coming from Debi's Blog you are on the right track.  In fact, she happens to be the start of this hop so if you get lost and need to see a list of the bloggers, that is where you will find them.

This month we are highlighting the "Call for Back-Up" Technique found on page 80 of the Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  This technique allows for a lot of creativity because you can use one of our punches or our Cricut cartridges to get this "back-up" look.  I am sure you will find some fun twists on this technique so be sure to keep hopping.

I love how this card turned out and was so proud of myself.  I have been saying that a lot lately on my posts but it is only because it means that I feel I am stepping outside of my comfort zone and being successful.  I hope you agree.  :)

Using the Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge, I cut the enjoy pocket card that measures 3" x 4".  That was the basis for the card and I just started building around it.  I used Sunset Paper Fundamentals for the card front, added some black cardstock behind the sentiment and as a strip, including some Black Shimmer Trim.  I stamped the sentiment and floral image from the stamp set that is included with the Blossom Card Workshop on the Go and added on a Clear Sparkle.

Thank you for stopping by and please consider leaving a comment before moving onto Sheila's Blog to check out her fun creation!

Happy hoppin'!

Stampers with an Attitude June Blog Hop - Masculine Artwork

This month some team members from the Stamper's with an Attitude team, within Close To My Heart, are showcasing some masculine artwork. It is perfect timing since Father's Day is just around the corner so thank you for joining us.

If you have arrived from Sheila's Blog, you are on the right track.  You can find a complete list of participants on Melinda's Blog should you get lost along the way.

This "Camper Crazy" stamp set has had my attention since it was released, but I had not found the right purpose...until now.  I thought it was a great compliment to the Jackson paper pack that screams "manly" to me.  :)

I used our ShinHan markers to color in the image and sentiments and used the Colorless Blender to remove some color and aid in the shading.  I think I am getting a little better at it.  The sentiment was fun, allowing me to color in and shade a few of the words.  I did add some Durables Triangle Studs and Glacier Thick Twine for the finishing touches.

I was really pleased when I was finished and hope you like it too!  In fact, let me know what you think of this.  (I think it will be a fun card to give to my hubby but shhhh...don't tell him!)

Please head on over to Belinda's Blog.  I am sure she has something fun to share with you!

Happy hoppin'!

Life is Sweet

Hoping this fun card helps you cool off on this warm, summer day.  

I random-stamped the popsicles on the card front with Hollyhock ink on Hollyhock cardstock.  The banner came from the Wanderful paper pack (love this pattern) and I stamped one of the popsicles on patterned paper from the Blossom paper pack.  The other was stamped on colonial white paper and colored with a purple marker.  The "Life is Sweet" sentiment is from the "Documenting Moments stamp set.  Some 3-D Foam Tape and some Bitty Sparkles and I was finished.

No better time than today to remember how sweet and precious life is.  Sometimes we (I) take it for granted.  Unfortunately, at times it is put in perspective when a loss of life happens suddenly as is true for an unfortunate boating accident my friend experienced on Saturday.  I would love for you to pray for my friend, Ben Mesa's family, if you feel led.

Treasure every moment,

What is a Birthday Without Ice Cream?

You guessed it!  The June Stamp of the Month has made another appearance!  (I already told you I am addicted.)

I absolutely love the clean look of this card but despite the "simple", it is so yummy!  Some Smoothie cardstock, some of our Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape, a strip of Canary cardstock and a scallop circle out of Black Cardstock...  Yep, that's it!  Oh yeah...a little bit of doodling and Gold Sequins did help with the finishing touch!  I truly love it!

This card design was totally CASED by a sweet lady, and fellow Consultant, Karen Pedersen.

Make it a SAAAAAAWEEET Monday!

My Crush Constant Campaign Blog Hop

Welcome to our Blog Hop where we are featuring the My Crush Constant Campaign that takes place all this month, while supplies last.  I am totally excited to see what everyone has come up with using this product line!  Complete details regarding the campaign can be found by clicking HERE.

I am the start of this hop and there are over 30 of us showcasing all that you can do with these products!  If you are coming from Wendy's Blog, you are on the right track!   You can find a complete list of participants on Melinda's Blog.

To confess, I have had this book for awhile and have pulled it out a few times but just never could get going on it.  I think it was because I could not get past the fact it was not 12" x 12".  But...I have been transformed (LOL) and I am loving it!  I am proud of these two pages I designed in the My Crush Modville Book and will be creating more throughout the month and from now on.  In fact, I just ordered the In the Pink line and cannot wait for it to arrive this coming week!  (This month's campaign is awesome!)  Please click on the images for an enlarged view, if you desire.

Here is a close-up of the left page.  The Happiness Here image came from the Carnival Washi Tape backed in White Daisy cardstock and then trimmed.  The alphabet and Oh Happy Day Stickers came from the assortments (I have mixed them).  I included some Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape (retired) and Teal Shimmer Trim for the ribbons.  (The journaling and an additional photo are hidden and shown in the next photo.)

In this photo you can see the hidden journaling, written on a card from the Assortment and tucked under the photo.  A flap was made on the square photo, using Washi Tape, with an additional photo placed underneath.  (Yes, that is my husband having a conversation with Colonel Sanders and he did say, "So tell me...is it finger-lickin' good?"  LOL)

 This is an angled view of this page, providing greater detail.

This page incorporates similar product from the left page but I also added the "You Make Me Happy When Skies Are Grey" sentiment from the Boardwalk Washi Tape roll and used the "Documenting Moments" stamp set.

 You can see the hidden journaling tucked inside this polka-dot patterned paper included in the Assortment.  I made a pocket out of it.

These two pages make me happy.  I totally love them and am so proud of myself.  It took a little push from my friend, Katy Taylor, to jump over to the My Crush side and I am so glad I have arrived.  LOL  You will be too!

Please consider leaving a comment - I would love to know what you think about what I did here - and then head on over to Michelle Stewart's Blog.

Thanks for stopping by and happy hoppin!

Happy Day + Ice Cream = A Great Day!

Yep!  I do give you permission to get yourself a yummy ice cream today or all weekend, if you choose!  Still in love with this super cute stamp set (June Stamp of the Month), and it's only June 6th (LOL), I had fun making this card!

This bus images reminds me of the ice cream truck that used to frequent our neighborhood while growing up.  It was great when we got to buy a treat on a hot, summer afternoon.  This card is super cheery and you know I love the fun colors!  I used the Seaside Paper Pack for the main background and then stamped the sentiment in Hollyhock Ink on Cotton Candy Cardstock.

ShinHan Markers were used to color in the images and the Happy Day banner came from the Carnival Washi Tape (lovin' this stuff too)!  I added Liquid Glass to my ice cream cone and topped it off with a cherry; a Flamingo Dot colored with the Carmine ShinHan Marker.  Flaxen Extra Thick Twine was tied in a knot for the finishing touch.

I hope you love this card as much as I do and wish you a fabulous start to your weekend.  Get started as soon as you can...with an ice cream!

Smile! It's a Triple Decker!

I told you I love this June Stamp of the Month.  Maybe now you will start to believe me!  LOL  Here is another fun and simple card I made using it.

I did cut out the sugar cone (it is my favorite cone and the one I always choose when I have a choice) and three of the scoops so I could layer them as I did.  The "Smile" sentiment came from the Carnival Washi Tape (it is another one of my favorite new products).  I placed it on White Daisy Cardstock and cut around it.  Then I added some of our fun Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape and a Clear Sparkle, colored with the Carmine Marker.  The main card is paper from the Blossom Paper Pack.

You can order this stamp set for just $5 this month!  Check out my website for complete details or let me know how I may help you!

Hope You Have a Day Full of Fun!

This card was fun and simple to make, using this month's Stamp of the Month (and my favorite - you'll see many more posts this month that include it) "Ice Cream Dream".

I used our Spray Pen, with some water and several drops of Pear Re-Inker, to spritz the background for some added texture.  Lagoon ink was used to stamp the brushstroke, an image from a stamp set called "Brushstrokes".  The sentiment was stamped in Black ink and is from the set included with the Brushed Workshop on the Go Scrapbooking Kit (I love this stamp set too).

Of course I used some our ShinHan Markers to color in the image and included a few Oceanside Sequins.  The edge of the card front is distressed, using a Sponge Dauber, and Lagoon ink.

I truly do wish you a day full of fun!

I'm Crushin' for My Crush

Our My Crush books and their coordinating assortments are all the rage and they are the focus of the June Constant Campaign (which began yesterday)!  Read below for complete details!  (I have provided photos of the books, the assortments and the coordinating stamp sets.)

During the month of June, when you purchase any My Crush® book and its accompanying assortment, you will receive the coordinating stamp set FREE! That is a savings of at least $9.95!

Choose from five lovely My Crush book offerings that will provide a swoon-worthy background for your favorite memories. From family reunions to camping adventures to holiday countdowns—and much more—you will be crushing on all these books and the possibilities they provide.  Here are the details regarding the campaign:

Here are samplings of the books and their assortments.  You can click on them for an enlarged view.  

 

Here are the stamp sets for each grouping:

There are also embellishments available to coordinate with each of these books so be sure to check those out too!  You'll want everything to coordinate when you start crushin' your memories and fun times!  I placed my order yesterday and cannot wait for it to arrive.  I think I am going to use this newest one for my bible journaling and cannot wait to get started!  (My friend, Katy Taylor, suggested that and I am going for it!)

This offer is only available while supplies last this month and once they’re gone, these books are gone for good, so put your orders in early to get your summer romance rolling today!

Happy June!