Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop! This month there are 14 of us highlighting the "Multicolor Motifs” Technique as shown on page 110 in the Autumn/Winter 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!

I made this card using one of our Consultant-exclusive stamp sets which we can use for prizes and little goodies at our events.  I love this adorable stamp set - it is so versatile - and really allows for this technique.

The "Just a little somethin'" focal point on this card is one stamp set.  But...using this technique, I was able to color in different parts of this image using three different ink colors.  Here is a close-up.

Isn't it cool?  I inked the "Just a little somethin'" message in Chocolate ink, the heart in Pacifica, and the swirls in Sky.  What a fabulous technique to use so they all stand out separately!  I incorporated the gorgeous new paper packet, "Dreamin'"

Thanks for stopping by! 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!
 

Lovin' Roxy

One of our gorgeous new paper packs is called "Roxy".  It has some beautiful color combinations that I would have never considered.  (Gotta love when Close To My Heart designs beautiful paper packets that are out of the ordinary!)

I have had the pleasure of creating these cute cards (at least I think they are cute) using the new paper pack and some of our other newest products.

I hope you enjoy them!  Have a wonderful Wednesday!
 

Elementals Notepad & Matching Pen

I love making little inexpensive but CUTE gifts for people!  This decorated notepad and matching pen were made for one of my recent hostesses, Amanda!  (Hi, Amanda!)

Using a mini spiral notepad, I removed the coiling, lined up my new piece of B&T with the original front and repunched the holes.  I then reinserted the coiling and started decorating!

I used the adorable Hooray Bouquet stamp set, Lagoon and Pacifica ink pads, and a fuzzy brad out of the Mini Medley Sunset Collection.

I hope you're enjoying this short work week! 

Birthday Celebration with my Friends

My birthday was in mid-August and the time has flown by since then.  (I'm sure heading back to work helped push the time along.)  :0)  I was blessed to have enjoyed a yummy dinner, in great company, with several of my team members and other scrappin' friends.  We gathered at Red Robin for dessert and laughter on August 18th.

Amanda & Bertha

Teddi & Kimberly

Allison & Lily

Me, Xellina & Kristi

I was given this adorable card, made by Xellina, and signed by all the ladies in the pictures above.  It is in honor of Ricky the Raccoon who inhabited our patio during the cold winter months.  (I actually came close to one just over a month ago.  He was by my car in the parking lot when I went out to get something.  I figured they would be trying to stay cool in this warm weather.)  Isn't he cute?! 

I also received a WONDERFUL GIFT - that I am not going to share with you (lol).  It was thoughtful and unexpected and something much appreciated.  I still haven't used it.  I am saving it for something special.

There is not many things that are more important to me than my friends.  I love spending time with them. 

MUCH THANKS TO AMANDA, XELLINA, BERTHA, KRISTI, TEDDI, KIMBERLY, ALLISON AND LILY FOR HELPING ME CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY AND FOR GIVING ME SUCH A THOUGHTFUL GIFT.  I APPRECIATE IT AND AM THANKFUL TO KNOW EACH OF YOU. 

Big hugs!

September Stamp of the Month MINI Blog Hop

I love sharing artwork and providing inspiration with my Close To My Heart friends/Consultants.  I am blessed over the years to have met many women who share the same love for this company, the products we represent and this craft.

This month I am happy to be joined by eight Consultants who are sharing their artwork using the September Stamp of the Month, "Limited Edition", which has 21 images.  You can get this promotional stamp set during this month only for just $5 with a $50 purchase!  What a buy!

This hop is one big circle.  Just click and follow the links or feel free to refer back here.  Here is a list of the Consultants and their blog addresses:

1. Melissa Robinson - http://mlisrobinson.blogspot.com/
2. Michelle Battitori - http://michelleshandmadeworld.blogspot.com/
3. Neely Dean - http://neelydean.blogspot.com/
4. Cherri Hardcastle - http://craftwithfeeling.blogspot.com/
5. Lorus - http://becauseofourchildren.blogspot.com/
6. Sheila Wilkerson - http://ezscrapbooks.blogspot.com/
7. Lisa Lawson - http://somescrapstuff.blogspot.com/
8. Tawnya Patton - http://paytonsprettypaper.blogspot.com/
9. Marianne Hancock - http://thescrapbookchick.blogspot.com/

If you have arrived here from Marianne's blog, you are on the right track!   It's time to begin/continue hopping! 

Initially I was not sure what I wanted to create with this set, being that it's a little more limited in the images, but then I thought...oooooh...CRICUT...  How awesome is it that I can so easily incorporate our NEW Cricut Art Philosophy catridge, exclusive to us?! 

  

 I cut the main template out as well as the decorate circles for the flaps, the Christmas tree, the tag (to stamp on) and the CUTE flower (poinsettia-like) for the inside of the card! It was so easy to assemble! While I created this first item with a Christmas-theme in mind - to nicely include a gift card inside - out of the Elemental paper packet, I am anxious to try out and experiment with other possibilities.
 
Thanks for stopping by.  Please visit Michelle's blog to see what cute creation she has designed with this stamp set!

As an incentive for providing some feedback and your ideas for other "uses" for this "box template"...simply provide a suggestion in the comment section below.  I will randomly draw a name based on the order the comment was submitted and announce the winner and the goodies they can look forward to receiving from me next week.

Happy hoppin'!



September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We are featuring the September Stamp of the Month (SOTM), "Limited Edition", a set of 21 images.

 

If you have come here from Brae'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 61 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!

I created this 6x6 card using our NEW Kraft Die Cut Cards & Envelopes.  I incorporated the Elemental paper pack and Zip Strip (yellow border) as well as our NEW Milepost Shapes and Stars Dimensional Elements.  The tag itself was cut using our NEW Cricut Art Philosophy catridge. 

I had fun making this cheery card and hope you like it as well!

Thanks for stopping by. "Hop" on over to Mary'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 this month!

Supplies used : X7141B, Level 2 Elemental Paper Packet, Z1474 Kraft Die-Cut Cards & Envelopes, Z1464 Milepost Shapes,  Z21680 Stars Dimensional Elements, Pewter Brads, Inks: Pacifica, Sorbet, Desert Sand, Cranberry, 3-D Foam Tape.

 Happy Hoppin',

Technique Blog Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month there are 13 of us highlighting the "Glossy Dimensions” Technique as shown on page 23 in the Autumn/Winter 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 Marianne's Blog, you are on the right track!  

I have been wanting to make a Recipe Box since they were released and never have.  In starting a new school year next Monday, I thought the box, decorated with the NEW Elementals paper pack which coordinates with our school colors, would be perfect for maintaining student and parent contact records.  And what better way to bling up the Alphabet Dimensional Elements than using this technique?

I was a little intimidate by the technique initially.  While I loved how it looked in the Idea Book, I was a little hesitant on mixing Liquid Glass and Reinker!  YIKES!  But it worked out just fine and I'll look forward to using this technique again on future projects.  (I was sure to rinse out the Craft Jar and my Embossing Tool immediately after use and wiped it dry with a paper towel.  It is ready to use next time!)

Supply List: Z1322 My Creations Recipe/Photo Box, X7141B Elementals Paper Packet, C1464 Blue Ribbon stamp set, D1491 Hooray Bouquet stamp set, Z1680 Stars Dimensional Elements, Z679 Liquid Glass, Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection (CTMH Exclusive), Pacifica ink, Creme Brulee ink, Sponge Daubers, 3-D Foam Tape.

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto Kelly'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!  

 

Open House - THIS Saturday, August 13th

Open House - S. Arlington, TX
Cost:  FREE
When:  Saturday, August 13th - 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Where:  Angie's Scrapbooking Shop, 5720 Forest Bend Drive Suite 101, Arlington, TX 76017
No RSVP is needed but it is greatly appreciated.  If you RSVP by Thursday, August 11th, I will have an extra "goodie" for you as appreciation for your thoughtfulness. 

Close To My Heart has released their new catalog and since we can’t contain ourselves, I am co-hosting an Open House at Angie’s Scrapbooking Shop on Saturday August 13^th from 1 – 5 pm. Be one of the first people to come see, touch and feel many of the new products!

We are offering the following:

• New Catalog introduction, review of new products & FREE Make & Take – on the hour! 
• Demos of the new Cricut Cartridge – on the half-hour! The Cricut Art Philosophy Collection bundle has stamps and chipboard shapes to coordinate, not to mention the fabulous flowers that you can make!
• Door prizes - every half hour!
• First 10 guests to arrive receive a free gift!
• Grand Prize to the person who brings the most guests and crops for the day!  (Just $15 to crop! CROP SPACE IS LIMITED SO PLEASE RSVP IMMEDIATELY FOR THIS.)

I look forward to seeing you there!

Mini Stamp of the Blog Hop

Welcome to our inspirational blog hop, where we are sharing creative ideas with you showcasing this month's Stamp of the Month.  This month's Stamp of the Month is called "Wicked".  It contains 9 images and is available for just $5 with a $50 purchase!   

I have some wonderful Consultants joining me in this hop which works as a circle.  So begin "hopping" and feel free to leave comments along the way.  Here is a list of the participants and their blogs:

1. Melissa Robinson - http://mlisrobinson.blogspot.com  
2. Neely Dean - http://neelydean.blogspot.com
3. Cherri Hardcastle - http://craftwithfeeling.blogspot.com
   
4. Lorus - http://becauseofmychildren.blogspot.com
5. Sheila Wilkerson - http://ezscrapbooks.blogspot.com
6. Marianne Hancock - http://thescrapbookchick.blogspot.com  
7. Lisa Lawson - http://somescrapstuff.blogspot.com

You may have started here or may have come from Lisa's Blog.  Let's get started!

One of the images I mentioned previously that I like most from this stamp set is the "honeycomb" image.  It definitely makes for a fun background and will be very versatile.  The "hats off to you" saying does is as well.

To add a little more texture to the card, I created the "stripe" on the Black cardstock using my Embossing Tool/Stylus (Z608) and the sanding block from our Sanding Kit (Z1294).  Using my paper trimmer, I created the 1/4" stripes and then sanded them, exposing the white core in our cardstock.  Too fun!

I decided to incorporate the "ghosting" technique, as highlighted on page 45 in the current Idea Book, with the "hat" image.  Using the Versamark ink pad (Z891), I stamped the image on Desert Sand cardstock and then sponged on some green chalk to the image.  It magically "exposed" the hat for this soft look.  Then I stamped the stamp in black, over the chalked image to create a "watermark".  To finish off the card I added a photo clip and some buttons.   

This card was made based on the "Center Accent" pattern in Originals, page 13. 

Thank you for stopping by.  Now hop on over to Neely's Blog where she will show you her creative use of this stamp set!  Happy hoppin'!

Me and the characters

No, I'm not talking about my team members this time!  LOL  Just kidding, girls!  

This was the first time visiting Disneyland, Disney World, California Adventure or Universal Studios that I had the opportunity for a photo op with so many characters!  I loved every minute of it and can't wait to scrapbook these photos.

Goofy

 

My Mom and I take a moment to pose with the Mickey statue in front of the Disneyland Hotel.

Awww...my niece and I with Mickey himself!

The girls with Hop!

Minnie Mouse

Curious George

Scooby Doobie Doobie Doo!

Fievel, from An American Tail, takes an adorable photo with my niece.

Dora with the kids!

Uh...I forget his name.  Someone help!  LOL

The girls take a picture with Woody Woodpecker and his better half.

You know I don't have kids when I had to check on the names of a couple of the characters.  LOL  What fun memories to scrapbook!