Operation Smile Stamp Set Blog Hop

If you are coming from Wendy's Blog, you are headed in the right direction!  You can find a complete list of participants by clicking HERE.

We are highlighting the "Happy Everything" stamp set which is totally fun and an exclusive set offered for purchase where a portion of the proceeds benefit Operation Smile.  Operation Smile is a worthwhile organization we proceed that benefits young children.  Click on the link to read more about it.

This card did not take long to create.  I love the simplicity of it and was able to produce it quickly for a friend who needed a birthday card.  The design came from a sketch found at Freshly Made Sketches.

Gotta love the minimal amount of paper used to create this card.  I used two pieces of cardstock - Canary and Lagoon - from the Paper Fundamentals paper pack and the diagonal striped item is a piece of the Smoothie Striped Washi Tape.  I stamped the sentiment multiple times on White Daisy cardstock using Black, Canary, Smoothie and Lagoon inks.  The letters were cut out and layered on the image stamped in Black ink so I was able to get the different colors.  The balloon was also masked, using the Paper Fundamentals paper, and three Coral Reef Sequins made the card complete.  I hope you agree!

As always, I appreciate you taking the moment to stop by and hope you enjoy my artwork.  Comments are always appreciated.  Now head on over to Melinda's Blog and check out her fun artwork!  She is always sure to impress!

Happy hoppin'!

H2H Challenge: Life is a Picnic

No better way to celebrate July than celebrating "life"!  I love the title of this week's challenge at Heart to Heart Challenges and have definitely put a little spin on my artwork.  While these photos do not reflect an actual picnic, they do contain photos of things that make me happy and allow me to enjoy life on a daily basis...the reason I consider my "life is a picnic"!

These photos were scrapbooked in Close To My Heart's In The Pink My Crush product line (these items are only available while supplies last).  It contains 7" x 10" pages and I selected photos from the Great American Scrapbook Convention I attended with some fabulous ladies in Arlington, TX a couple of weeks ago.

On this left-hand page, I only included the photos with White Daisy mattes, some stickers included with the Assortment to note the year, and three Gold Sequins.  The Washi Tape you see on the left...yep, part of the page pattern, as are the flourishes.

I added a little bit more to this right page, including the "Ice-Cold Summer" stamp set images seen in the bottom right.  The stamp set is so fun; I love being able to piece together the lemonade glass with all the extras.  I cut out the envelope from the Artfully Sent cartridge at 2 1/4".  I did cut off the flap of the envelope because I did not want it to extend into the photo.  I added the Gold Polka Dot Washi Tape as a tab to the journaling card, also from the Assortment.  (I did journal on the backside of the card.)  The ladies' names were added on small strips of Cotton Candy cardstock and then dovetailed.  Three Gold Sequins finished off this page.  Oh!  And the tag where the sentiment and lemonade glass is on...another printed piece in this gorgeous book!

Here is where you can see the details of the embellishments on this page.

Check out the other artwork provided by the Design Team Members and those who have participated in the challenge by clicking HERE!  Thanks for stopping by and I would love for you to leave of a comment. 

Life IS a Picnic,

Jump On It July Stamp Sets

As promised yesterday, I am providing photos of the stamp sets that you can get this month for just $5, with every $25 qualifying purchase.  Click here to be directed to complete details regarding this campaign.

Should you want to know, here are my favorite three stamp sets that are being offered to you at this phenomenal price!

#1 - This is my absolute favorite!  I love the girls and the sentiment!  You cannot pass this one up!  Search "Better with a Friend" in the search window on my blog and you will see some fun cards I have made with it.

#2 - I have made several tags with this stamp set.  The tags coordinate with our Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, making it easy to cut, stamp and design.  And...aren't the sayings too fun?!  Search "Tagged with Love" on my blog and you will find cards made with this stamp set too.

#3 - I used these sentiments on my Christmas cards and will do the same again this year.  I love the fun and whimsical look of them.  They would look great on our handmade Christmas cards too!  ;)  You guessed it!  Search "Be Jolly" and see what cards I am referring to!

Here are the stamp sets that are available through this fabulous offer:

Click on image for an enlarged view.

There are some fabulous stamp sets you just cannot pass up with this fabulous offer!  Place your order now by clicking HERE!

Be sure to start your holiday weekend off right today by doing something fun!  I plan on creating all day!  How will you spend your day  Post your answer below!

I'm Excited to Share...

I have been selected to serve on the Design Team for Heart 2 Heart Challenges from July to December!  I am honored to have been selected and look forward to helping celebrate the Close To My Heart love shared by so many papercrafters!

I encourage you to visit the Heart 2 Heart Blog and see what it is all about.  Consider sharing your artwork created with Close To My Heart products.  It always wonderful to see what others have been inspired to create with some of the products you might already possess...or need to order!  ;)

I join these fabulous ladies on the team:
Haley Dyer
Lauren Moore
Brandi Robinson
Angela White
Laurie Levorson
Nikka Geers
Allison Kostiuk
Cynthia McCloud
Alyson Mayo
Paige Dolecki
Heather Jane Schmuckal

Blessed,

Jump On It July - July Campaign

This month Close To  My Heart is hosting a fun campaign highlighting several of my favorite stamp sets that are typically not available to all customers.  Here are the details:

When you purchase $25 in current, retail priced stamps, you qualify to receive either the July Stamp of the Month, "Life is Wonderful", FREE or any one of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets featured in Annual Inspirations 2014-2015 or Seasonal Expressions 2 for only $5!  That is a savings of up to $17.95!

The July Stamp of the Month is a lovely, very versatile stamp set that is a great match for your cards and layouts that celebrate all the wonderful things - big and small - that life has to offer.  Additionally, the Hostess Rewards stamp sets have previously only been available as part of the Hostess Rewards program, which means now is the perfect opportunity to get those special stamp sets you've had your eye on!  Want more than one of the stamp sets available?  You get a choice of one for EACH $25 you spend.  That's right!  Spend $100 and you can get the Stamp of the Month FREE and buy the other three for just $5!  (That's a savings of $56.80!)

Here is a list of the Hostess Reward Stamps that you can get for just $5 each:
C1614 My Acrylix® Tagged with Love
C1613 My Acrylix® Paper Bird
B1477 My Acrylix® Exotic Flower
D1615 My Acrylix® Sweet As Sugar
B1454 My Acrylix® Thanksgiving Wreath
C1596 My Acrylix® Happy Hexagons
C1587 My Acrylix® Sing Glory
B1455 My Acrylix® Be Jolly
C1593 My Acrylix® Hats Off
A1169 My Acrylix® Well Wishes
D1608 My Acrylix® Better with a Friend
B1458 My Acrylix® Cuddly Salutations
A1163 My Acrylix® Practical Planning

To view these online, click on the links below and turn to the pages indicated to view these fabulous stamp sets:
Annual Inspirations - pages 5-10
Seasonal Expression 2 - pages 4-5

Photos of the stamp sets will be posted here tomorrow.

To get your FREE stamp set or your $5 Hostess Rewards stamp set, simply place an order of $25 or any current, retail priced stamps on my website.  This offer is available only during the month of July and applies only to the July Stamp of the Month and current Hostess Rewards stamp sets so spring into action and jump on this deal before it's gone!

Have a wonderful July!

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,