Technique Blog Hop - MARCH

This technique had me a little thrown initially until I realized I have used it more than I realize.  Some B&T papers lend themselves better to creating our own embellishments - for cards or layouts - but with a little creativity...

This month we were asked to highlight the technique on page 21 in the 2012 Spring/Summer Idea Book called, "B&T Duos Designs as Embellishments".  (We get twice as many choices since our B&T paper has a different pattern on each side.)  There are 14 of us participating in this hop so if you have come from Tonya's Blog you are on the right track.  You can view a list of the participants and begin the start of the hop by visiting Michelle's Blog.  In any case I hope you enjoy the blog and be sure to join us in highlighting this technique and having the opportunity to win some CTMH goodies.  You can find complete details by clicking HERE.

Using a Twilight B&T pattern for the base of this circle card, I then selected two images from the beautiful striped sheet of paper shown below (left).  Directions for this technique state to select portions of the B&T to use, trim the pieces, and adhere to project. I did just that, incorporating our new Florentine paper packet. I also took a piece of one of the stripes to create the heart stripe at the top of the card.

I made the dimensions 3-D by placing 3-D Foam Tape under each image and added some of our Mocha Opaques. 

I am pleased with the results and hope you agree!  Now, hop on over to Shirley's Blog where you will find another variation for this technique.

Be sure to check out our Techniquely Terrific Blog and participate in a fun challenge using this technique.  YOU COULD WIN SOME CTMH PRODUCTS!  Click here for more details.

Happy hoppin'!





What's up, Peeps?!

I absolutely love this darling "Peeps" stamp set.  It definitely makes me happy in that it reminds me of Spring and I can taste the delicious, sugary treets on the tip of my tongue!  They have always been, and still are, my favorite Easter treat.  I just cannot bring myself to eat them at any other time during the year.  It just isn't the same!

So I took out this stamp set to create a card as a sample for a challenge I issued to my team.  Their challenge was to use one of our scrapbook how-to books, like Imagine, to instead create a 6x6 card by cutting the dimensions in half.  It was a fun challenge with several participants.  (By the way, before I go on...  These how-to books are only available while supplies last and it is anticipated that could happen as soon as the end of the month.  So if you don't have them in your collection, I highly recommend them.  You can order them directly from my website and have them sent to your home.  Click here to view the others.)

This is the card I created and I was so thrilled when it was finished!

 I used a layout from Imagine and incorporated our beautiful new paper flowers.

I love Spring and especially, Spring Break (lol) and all the beautiful weather that comes with it.

Until later, Peeps...

Happily Ever After with Mickey & Minnie

I knew these photos would go great with our retired Giggles & Grins paper packet and finally had the time this weekend, while joining some Consultants and friends at a Saturday crop, to put them together.

 These photos of my dear niece Alyzae and I were taken at Disneyland this past summer after our National CTMH Convention concluded.  I stayed back to play with my family at the parks and we had a great time.

I love the darling pictures of Alyzae and Mickey & Minnie.  Aren't they just precious?  Better yet, isn't she precious?!

Now...on to some more scrappin' for my first day of Spring Break!

More Retreat Fun!

Gotta love the many smiles from the retreat held a few weeks ago.  It's hard to believe it's already been three weeks!  I miss my team members/scrappin' friends!

Here are just some fun photos of some of the ladies who joined me, at their croppin' spots!  These memories...PRICELESS!

Tawna Payton

Peggy Lawrence

Mary Collins

Joy Milligan, Lisa Lawson, Melissa David

Melissa showing off our NEW Idea Book

Glenda Bentley

Terry Morrow, Joy McHargue

Windy Leal

If you'd ever like to join us at a retreat, please contact me directly.  We would love to have you!

Make Jewelry with CTMH Products!

One of the fun things I enjoy about having friends who share in my love for papercrafting, is the inspiration I receive from them!  It's too fun to get an idea and either copy it exactly (lol) or put a minor twist on it to get a different variation.

At the Santa's Workshop I co-hosted in November with some Consultant friends (Karen Grafford, Debi Barber and Francene Ferrante), I learned how to make a pin or pendant (whichever we chose) out of some of our exclusive products!  Francene and Debi came up with this unique creation and I fell in love with it! (You can view Debi's block by clicking here.)  I created my initial one out of Sonoma but as soon as the new products came out, I decided to make one with Lucy!  In turn it became another project I shared/taught at my retreat!  It was a HUGE hit, too!

We used the Bookplates (now retired - but you can use the Pewter Mini-Medley frames as a replacement), used a piece of the Acrylic from our Clear Cards over the "image", and cut out the monogram letter from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  We "blinged" it up by adding some bitty sparkles (I used the Red, Pink, & Purple Sparkles Assortment) and the NEW Bitty Buds Assortment for the two florals.

We attached a pin back and there you go... a beautiful pendant or pin for you or a gift recipient!  If you have questions on how to create one for yourself, please contact me and I am happy to provide further details.  ENJOY!

Cricut Butterfly Card

I absolutely love Lisa Stenz; both for the person she is and for her absolute phenomenal creativity.  She never seizes to amaze me!

I was inspired to duplicate this creation she shared through her blog a short time ago and later taught it to guests at my team retreat.  It was a HUGE hit with no surprise!

We cut out two solid butterflies and created a 1/4" score line on the bottom one, adhering them together to create the fold seen here. 

Then we cut out several of these intricate butterflies, using our exclusive Art Philosophy cartridge, of course.  One of them was cut out of the coordinating cardstock used for the bases.  Then we cut out 3 additional images out of "scrap" paper and layered them on top of another to create the depth seen in the first picture.

 That allowed to create this beautiful card that we topped off with a fitting sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Join my team in March! (Get Cricut Bundle FREE!)

Embrace the Philosophy of Fun

Now is a great time to join Close To My Heart because when you sign up as a new Consultant between March 1–31, you’ll receive a FREE Cricut® Art Philosophy collection! The collection’s retail price of $99 adds incredible value to your New Consultant Kit and will give you hours of creative fun with the included exclusive Cricut® cartridge, three coordinating My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets, and three sheets of matching Dimensional Elements shapes. Already own the collection? You can always give your free one as a gift or choose to receive $100 in select product credit** instead. Now is the time to embrace the philosophy of fun—Consultant and Cricut® fun!

*Offer available March 1—31, 2012. No additional tax is charged on the Cricut® collection when ordered during enrollment.

**Additional requirements and limitations regarding the redemption and shipping of Select Product Credit apply. Select Product Credit is added to new Consultant account following approval of enrollment.
 
CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY TEAM or contact me with any questions you may have.  I'd love to have you!

Happy March 1st! (Stamp of the Month)

Isn't it hard to believe that March 2012 has already arrived?!  Where does the time go?  I am blessed to enjoy every day, although the time passes way too fast - especially when you are doing something you truly enjoy.

This month's Stamp of the Month, "Potential", has just that - potential.  :0)  It is very versatile, yet elegant, for any occasion.  It is a set of 8 images and available only during the month of March.  It can be yours for just $5 with a $50 purchase or you can purchase it outright for $17.95.

This month I used the Victory paper packet to create my card. I loved the pattern on one of the B&T papers that coordinated perfectly with the image and the checkered pattern also complimented the image.

I topped it off with some of our Foundry Pins (retired), Chocolate Ribbon, our Wooden Buttons and Hemp.

I like the masculine appeal this card took on as I typically make "girly" items. 

Here are some other creative variations you can enjoy using the same stamp set.  Some of my fellow Consultant friends were willing to share photos of their creations with me.



Created by Tonya Whitehurst - Click here to visit her blog

Created by Judy Faye Garner - Click here to visit her blog

Created by Cherri Hardcastle - Click here to visit her blog

Thanks for stopping by and watch for many artwork ideas coming to you this month!  Have a blessed month!