Thursday, December 31, 2009

January 2010 SOTM Blog Hop!




Happy New Year everyone!! Thank You for stopping by to see my contributions to our Close to my Heart SOTM blog hop featuring the January Stamp of the Month - True Friends (D1406). I hope you enjoy my creations featuring our NEW for Spring - Caboodle Level 2 Paper Packet -X7121B (more details are coming soon)!

Now be sure to keep on hopping by visiting JODY'S BLOG next for more creativity and inspiration!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

My first two layouts with Studio J!!







Many of you know that I am really looking forward to the release of Studio J - NEW online design software for scrapbooking with Close to my Heart! Because I was one of the lucky consultants who attended the Leadership conference back in July, I was granted exclusive first access to try out the new system before other consultants and customers. I've already designed and received my first two layouts, and am excited that I've finally figured out how to share my first creations here on my blog! I have to add that the quality of these pages in person is so excellent! When you click on these pages you can see them up close, but please keep in mind that because they are digitalized (and copyrighted images) they are not an adequate display of the true quality of how my actual pages look in person. My Halloween pages feature our NEW "Boo" kit papers. "Boo" is a kit that will be available exclusively online through Studio J when it is released to customers in March 2010!! I hope you enjoy the first two Studio J pages I've created!

Monday, November 30, 2009

December Stamp of the Month BLOG HOP!!




  • Thanks for stopping by again to see my contribution to our December SOTM Blog Hop featuring our Notice the Details stamp set (D1378). I've created a simple 6x6 scrapbook page and a few cards. At first I wasn't sure how I would utilize this stamp set to make cards, but once I got going it was hard to stop - lol! All of my artwork uses the Twitterpated paper pack (X7118B) and features the following exclusive CTMH colors - Chocolate, Colonial White, Crystal Blue, Desert Sand, Sorbet, and Sweet Leaf.
  • The 6x6 scrapbook layout was inspired by Reflections - Bottom Border-Overlap (p. 34). The 3x3 card design was inspired by Originals - Center Focus (p. 111). The 2.5x3.5" card was inspired by Originals - Double Duty (p. 113). Finally, the 4.5" circle card was inspired by Wishes - Attention Getter (p. 46). I used Desert Sand ink with a sponge dauber to add the ink distressing to my cards and also used Black Staz-on ink to stamp the stars on two Chocolate bigger brads - so fun and easy to do!
Now HOP on over to TRACI'S BLOG to continue on and see more beautiful artwork using this fantastically fun "detailed" stamp set!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

November SOTM Blog Hop!!


  • THANK YOU for stopping by to see my contribution to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!! I had such fun building my own little houses with this stamp set - D1377 Around the Block - by using the paper piecing technique with our beautiful cardstock and B&T duos papers! I have used our Sweet Home paper packet (X7116B) to create all of my artwork featuring the following CTMH colors - Black ink, Buttercup, Chocolate, Crystal Blue, Desert Sand ink, Garnet, Indian Corn Blue, and White Daisy. I hope my creations will inspire you to give this stamp set a try too - there is so much you can do with this very versatile set!
  • First, I have posted a 6x6" scrapbook page inspired by Reflections - Triple Play-Tagline (p. 95). Next I have a 4.5" circle card inspired by Wishes-Simply Secure (p. 46). Third, I have a 2.5x3.5" card inspired by Wishes-Small Wonder (p. 101). Finally, I have shared a 3x3" card inspired by Wishes-Layered Look (p. 19). Remember, you can click on any of my photos to see the details up close if you want to!!
  • Now, HOP on over to WANDA'S BLOG to see her beautiful artwork next! If you get lost at any point along the way, I have a full list of all the blog hop participants in the posting right before this one that you can refer to anytime you might want or need to - now go enjoy the rest of the hop - you're very close to the end now!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!! (and a "Spellbound" POP-up card for you!)


  • Well, it's been a long day, but a good one. Jose Jr. had a youth Football game this morning and Isabelle and Wendy also had Cheerleading this morning too. I really enjoy getting out and seeing my kids do so well with their activities - and I am so proud of each of them. Then around 2pm we came home, had a late lunch, and took short naps before getting ready for Halloween and the Trunk-or-Treating at our church parking lot! Emily and Jose Jr. did a fabulous job decorating our trunk and Em passed out candy while Jose and I took the younger kids around to get their treats. Then we stopped by to visit my Mammaw (the kids great-grandma) and Trick-or-Treat at her front door before stopping to get some Del Taco for a late dinner. We had a great day and I got some terrific photos of all the kids in costume and all the festivities - yaay!! I will post some of my best Halloween photos early this next week, but for now I just wanted to share a fun Halloween pop-up card I taught my CTMH consulant team to make last month at our monthly consultant team meeting!
  • I do want to say THANKS to fellow CTMH consultant Rachelle Funk! This free-standing Pop-Up card is totally inspired by one she created with the Treasure Life SOTM set from Sept 08, a card she had sent me over a year ago. I've had her card sitting on my display shelf in my stamp room all this time because it has always inspired me, and so I finally had a chance to try making a Pop-Up card of my own! I love how this card folds closed and is a standard size when flat so you can mail it in a standard-sized envelope also! I promise to come back to this post and share the directions with you sometime soon!
  • I hope you all had a Happy Halloween today too!!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Thanks a Bunch-My Humble Artists Swap Card!

I was really late getting my Humble Artists swap card done this time around. It was due to be mailed out to my fellow swap participants by the 10th of September, but I wasn't able to get mine done and in the mail until mid-October - yikes! - so sorry ladies!! I really had trouble finding my creative mojo this time around. I think it's mostly because I have been so overwhelmingly busy and then also really sick with a sore throat/cough for almost three weeks now. I think I am finally starting to beat this cough now though and I can't wait to feel like my normal self again soon.
The guidelines for the swap this time around were:
  • Choose card size/shape
  • Choose color combo
  • Random stamp CS and use 2 or more B&T's minimum
  • Use a minimum of 5 layers of paper
  • Use 3 brads, plus at least one other embellishment of your choice
  • Most importantly, let's have fun!
So this is my swap card - it is 6x6 in size and the card design is inspired by Originals - Button Trio (p. 90). I used mostly Bon Appetit stamps (D1367) and a tiny little circle stamp from the Endless Friendship stamp set (D1354) with B&T duos papers from the Bella pack (X7114B) and the Evensong pack (X7104B). The "Thanks a Bunch" sentiment stamp comes from the Thank You stamp set (D1361). Ink colors I used are Desert Sand, New England Ivy, Olive, and Smokey Plum (1st and 2nd generation). The big leaves were stamped in Olive, cut out, sponged around the edges with NE Ivy ink, and paper-pieced on top of the grapes. It may be hard to tell from this scan, but I also added lots of liquid glass. I hope you enjoy this card as much as I enjoyed designing it!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!!




  • THANK YOU for stopping by to see my contribution to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!! This has been a fun set of stamps to play with and a great way to start getting me into the Christmas spirit early this year! I have used our new Jingle papers (X7115B) to create all of my artwork featuring the following CTMH colors - Black, Creme Brulee, Juniper, Olive, Tulip, and White Daisy. I hope my creations will inspire you!
  • First, I have posted a 4.5" circle card inspired by Wishes-Simple Statement (p. 11). On this card the tree is colored in with Olive ink and our waterbrush. Next, I have a 2.5x3.5" card inspired by Wishes-Well Rounded (p. 27). I used the Creative Basics Jingle Collection (X5805) papers and ribbon on this card. Third, I have shared a 3x3" card inspired by Wishes-Middle Ground (p. 19) - gotta love that Twinkle Brad (z1220)! And finally, I have a 6x6" scrapbook page inspired by Reflections-Sidebar Triple (p. 42). Now I just need to choose a photo to add to complete my page! Remember, you can click on any of my photos to see the details up close!!
  • Now, HOP on over to HALEY'S BLOG to see her beautiful artwork! If you get lost at any point along the way of this hop, I have a full list of all the participants in a column on the right side of my blog for you to refer back to anytime this month - enjoy!!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Three very EASY fall cards!




These three cards are inspired by a card created by one of my CTMH downline team members, Katrina Sikora. I also used Wishes - Simple Expression for my inspiration (p. 40).

I needed a card design that would be quick and easy to create with a group of about 30 teenagers in about an hour and a half. I was asked to teach card-making to a group of 13-18 year-old girls (the teen mothers program at our continuation high school). The teacher of this program is one of my regular customers and this is the fifth time she has asked me to come to her class to stamp with her girls (I do it once or twice each school year). I'll be creating these cards with them this afternoon and I am so looking forward to it! Each girl will only make one card to start (and then maybe two each if there is time), but I altered my sample card designs each slightly to show them that they can change up their card layout a little if they want to.

Because I am donating all the supplies we use (I consider it a community service thing and a small tax write-off as a bonus), I wanted to use up some of the bulk "Free Spirit" papers and bulk Outdoor Denim designer ribbon I've had tons of and have not used for ages. I don't expect any sales to come from the class, but it is a great way of spreading the word about what I do (I'm always hoping the girls will share what they made with their parents and generate some interest there - lol). I know shades of blue really aren't very traditional fall colors, but I wanted to make it work so I could use up what I have and I think I really like how they turned out. Who says you can't use blue to create fall-themed cards?!! Colors I used are Colonial White, Desert Sand, Indian Corn Blue, and Outdoor Denim. Hope you enjoy seeing them!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

2nd day of school!





The kids rode the bus today - yaay!
and here are a few more photos I took of the kids
in their new classrooms yesterday on the first day of school!
Poor Jose Jr, I think he was embarrassed to have Mom
still taking pictures of him at his desk in the 5th grade.
I promised I won't make him do it again next year as
I guess it's time for me to let him grow up a little - lol.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

First day back to school!

Wendy, Belle, and Jose (below) Wendy - age 6.5 - 1st grade
Belle - age 9 - 4th grade
Jose Jr. - age 11- 5th grade
Emily - age 12.5 - 8th grade

Today was a very good day. It was the first day of school and we had a great morning. The kids were up extra early and I didn't even have to wake any of them up - they were so excited they woke me up instead - lol. The kids showered, dressed, and fed themselves without any nudging or nagging from me - it was amazing! I just love when they are this self-motivated and I wish every morning could be like this. We had plenty of time to take a few photos of each of them in the front yard before we left for school and I was so proud of how nice they all looked in their new school clothes. We took Emily to school first as her school starts very early now (7:21am - yawn!). Em is at the Junior High and she is really happy with her class schedule and all of her teachers (7 class periods). Her last class of the day is marching band. She plays the flute and was recently awarded the first chair/section leader position of which we are so proud! Then I took the other three kids over to Henderson Elementary school around 8am (they start at 8:30). Jose Jr. is in 5th grade with Mr. Dale, Isabelle is in 4th grade with Mrs. Bravo, and cute little Wendy is in 1st grade with Mrs. Britt. Juan Steven and I had plenty of time to walk each kid to class and take a few more photos of them even. Then baby Juan and I went to Del Taco for an egg burrito with green sauce, french fries, and a cherry coke (my favorite!) Starting tomorrow the kids will begin riding the bus to school each day so I won't be in the car and can avoid the temptation to have Del Taco every morning - lol!

I expected Juan to be a little fussy and missing the kids throughout the day, but we still had a great day together. We read a few books, went for a walk in the desert, he rode around on his tricycle a little, and then we watched the baby channel of course (baby first TV is all he wants to watch all the time now). I even got him to take a nap around noon. I didn't get much housework done as I had hoped, but I can always try again on that tomorrow - lol. Then after Jose Jr's football practice this evening we sat together at the table for dinner (Chicken Fajitas) while each kid told us about the highlights of their day. Everyone had a great first day back to school. The kids were exhausted and went to bed around 9pm. Now I'm starting to feel really tired so it's about time Juan Steven and I turn in also. But first we have to go wake up Jose Sr. who was so tired he fell asleep on the couch - lol. Let's just hope tomorrow will go just a smoothly - good night!

Monday, August 31, 2009

September Stamp of the Month BLOG HOP!!




  • THANK YOU for stopping by to see my contribution to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!! This is truly a beautiful set of stamps that I have really enjoyed getting creative with! I have used our NEW Grace papers (X7117B) to create all of my artwork featuring the following lovely CTMH colors - Barn Red, Cocoa, Colonial White, Honey, and Twilight. I hope you enjoy viewing these items as much as I enjoyed making them!
  • First, I have created a 4.5" circle card inspired by Wishes - Ricochet (p. 127). Next, I made a 3.5x8" tall card inspired by Wishes - Roundabout (p. 61). Then, I have a 6x6" scrapbook page inspired by Reflections - Bottom Border-Diagonal Accent (p. 27). And finally, I have posted a 3x4.75" card inspired by Wishes - Noteworthy (p. 109). If you're wondering how I made the scalloped edging on many of my items, it is simply the small circle stamp with the hollow heart inside stamped along each side (half of the image is stamped off the edge). Please remember that you can click on each item if you would like to see a larger view of it up close also.
  • Now, HOP on over to Kristie's blog to see more creativity with this "Treasure" of a stamp set!! I look forward to seeing you here again for next month's blog hop! (although I really am going to start posting more frequently from now on, so I hope you can stop by sooner than that if you'd like to see more from me coming very soon!)

September SOTM blog hop participants!

It's that time again! It's time for the next Stamp of the Month blog hop and we have more CTMH consultants joining us this time than ever before - yaay!! I decided to add the blog roll here first as a separate post this time to save you from having to scroll through a ton of wording when you stop by to check out my blog hop artwork. Then if you get lost on the hop or find links that aren't working, you can refer to the complete list of participating blogs (below) for the September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop:
Jena DeVries http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com
Nona Davenport http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com
Katy Donaldson http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com
Cibele Glazer http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com
Laura Dame http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com
Lori Leng http://www.pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com
Jamia Bankhead http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com
Melissa Laverty http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com
Pamela OConnor http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com
Sheila Bennett http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com
Adeline E. Brill http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com
Wendy Kessler http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com
Beth Naumann http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com
Barbra Otten http://barbraotten.blogspot.com
Terrie Dodd http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com
Judy Burger http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com
Jessica Booth http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com
Leisa Hubley http://www.bigredscraps.blogspot.com
Helen Onulak http://www.hookedonstamping.com
Debra Van Patten http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com
Juli Clark http://www.thestampteacher.blogspot.com
Sarita Schraeder http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com
Michelle Robinson http://www.amaizenbluelady.typepad.com
Maricar Harris http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com
Antoinette Herrin http://www.GodblessyourART.blogspot.com
Kathleen Androlewicz http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com
Cindy Leek http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com
Dawn Heuft http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com
Barbara Harris http://www.paper-creations117.blogspot.com
Alanna Moses http://www.damoses.blogspot.com
Laurie Levnik http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com
Tanya David http://www.scramperscorner.blogspot.com
Karen Norman http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com
Jan Moxey http://scrapandstamp4ever.blogspot.com
Tammy Lea Pinchard http://mycreativeclubhouse.blogspot.com
Paige Dolecki http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com
Kelly Triggs http://www.stampinallday.blogspot.com
Sherry Thompson http://www.picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com
Deb Young http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com
Nancy Ball http://www.ballisticdesign.blogspot.com
Chris Shouse http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com
Dawn Ross http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com
Brae Montgomery http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com
Laurie R Newton http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com
Haley Dyer http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com
Carol Taggio http://craftycarol55.blogspot.com
Amy McVey http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com
Carla Ironside http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com
Jen Rubio http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com
Kristie Horness-Herdener http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com
Jill Lucas http://scrapwench.blogspot.com
Wanda Riley http://www.creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com
Miranda Kurz http://www.scrampinwithmiranda.com
Jody Gustafson http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com
Susan Brooks http://www.stampingintheopen.blogspot.com
Kami Welter http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com
Jennifer Patrick http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com
Julia Menssen http://www.ralphandjulia.blogspot.com
Shannon Pelletier http://www.mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com
Linda Shewchuk http://www.awesomememories.blogspot.com
Brenda Harmless http://keepsakeswithheart.blogspot.com
Donni Alvarenga http://www.donniscreativetherapy.blogspot.com
Nancy Brown http://www.creativelyartsygallery.blogspot.com
Traci Godbee http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com
Pam Klassen http://eimmap.blogspot.com
Lori Miller http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com
Kimberly Smith http://verykimberry.blogspot.com
Caren Goldsein http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com
Misty Jackson http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com

Friday, July 31, 2009

August SOTM Blog Hop!!






Welcome to this month's blog hop - featuring the August Stamp of the Month - It's Your Day! I just love these fun and festive bold stamp designs - perfect to create cards, gifts, gift wrapping, decorations, and scrapbook pages for any birthday party or celebration!

I have had so much fun creating a few things with this stamp set recently - The first two cards are featuring our Animal Cookies papers (X7112B). I think the bright basic colors of this paper packet work perfectly with this stamp set. The first card is a standard size (4.25 x 5.5") inspired by Wishes - Stay Left (p. 55) and the next card is a 3x6 card inspired by Wishes - Long Layers (p. 81).

The last two cards were inspired by my friend and downline consultant Starr Nelson. Starr and her teaching partner, Sharryl Hales, taught an Art of Business class for consultants at the CTMH Convention last Summer (July 2008). Starr's class was titled "From Kit to Cash" and she shared some easy ways new consultants can be profitable utilizing just the items in their new consultant kit. So if you are a consultant who attended Convention you may have been lucky enough to attend this class or if you purchased the Convention CD, you can look up her class notes and handouts there also. The 3x6 and 4x4 cards I've shared (above) using the Bella papers were created using the simple sketch and pattern Starr taught as part of her Convention class. I'm even including a copy of the card sketches and cutting diagrams here in case it inspires you also (you can click on it to see a larger view if you need to). The cool thing about this pattern is that it allows you to create 8 cards of two different designs from just a few sheets of 12x12 paper which can really help a new consultant utilize limited supplies in a cost-effective way. I'm thinking that these are the cards I will be creating with my customers at all of my home gatherings in August, and if they inspire you, you are welcome to use them too! They are simple to create but do use a few basic techniques that I always enjoy teaching new stampers - 2nd generation stamping, distressing with a sponge dauber and desert sand ink, and distressing our cardstock with sandpaper - so fun!

To continue on in the hop and see even more excellent artwork using this must-have stamp set, please enjoy visiting Misty's blog next!

Here is a list of all of the participating CTMH consultants, so if a link doesn't work or you get lost along the way, you can always return here and click on any of these names to continue on in the hop! Now please go enjoy all of these wonderful blogs and more August SOTM ideas!!
Jena DeVries

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Another little July SOTM card!


Here's another little card I made using the July Stamp of the Month - You've Got Flair - and our colorful and fun Tinkerin' papers again! I created this 4x4 criss-cross card as a swap item to fill in for my consultant friend Penny who participates in the standing SOTM swap I host each month for CTMH consultants. I had to make 14 of these little cards for the swap. The paisley design is stamped with Twilight ink and then I colored it in with a waterbrush and Clover Meadow, Sunflower, and Twillight exclusive inks. It was a simple and fun little goodie to make - hope you like it!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

July SOTM Blog Hop!



Welcome to stop #11 on our July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!! I am excited to be participating with 42 other Close to my Heart Independent Consultants this time around! This blog hop is our way of sharing with you a large variety of different artwork ideas using this month's SOTM - You've Got Flair!

I'm sharing a 6x6 card (bottom) and it's miniature companion version - a 3 x 4.75" card (top). The card designs are inspired by Wishes - Keyhole (p. 12) and Wishes - Pieced Together (p. 34). I created both cards using our bold and bright Tinkerin' papers (the colors used include Black, Clover Meadow, Holiday Red, Sunflower, Sunny Yellow, Twilight, and White Daisy). The daisy-looking stamp was stamped with archival black ink and colored in with our exclusive inks markers, then I cut out the designs, embellished them with Holiday Red Sparkles and a button, and adhered them to the cards with 3-D mounting tape. I especially like the added detail the background stamping with White Daisy ink on Twilight cardstock adds to my creations - such a simple touch - but a little white detailing seems to add a more finished look. I hope my creations have inspired you at least a little!

Now continue on in the hop by visiting Cibele's fabulous blog next! If you get lost at any point along the way here is a full list of all of our participating consultant's and their blogs for you to refer back to:

Jena Devries
http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/
Wendy Kessler
http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
Sherry Thompson
http://www.picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com/
Dawn Heuft
http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
Brae Montgomery
http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
Melissa Laverty
http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/
Karen Norman
http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/
Deb Young
http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/
Adeline E. Brill
http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
Tammy Lea Pinchard
http://www.creativeimpressions-pinchme.blogspot.com/
Jen Rubio
http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/
Cibele Glazer
http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com/
Laurie R Newton
http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
Kami Welter
http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
Helen Onulak
http://www.hookedonstamping.com/
Sarita Schraeder
http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com/
Chris Shouse
http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/
Paige Dolecki
http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/
Dawn Ross
http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
Jamia Bankhead
http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com/
Nona Davenport
http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/
Haley Dyer
http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Misty Jackson
http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Patrick
http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
Carla Ironside
http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com/
Jody Gustafson
http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com/
Heather Painchaud
http://www.twindragonflydesigns.blogspot.com/
Julia Menssen
http://www.ralphandjulia.blogspot.com/
Lori Miller
http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
Pamela OConnor
http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
Reba Poquette
http://www.thedirtyscramper.blogspot.com/
Anne Beck
http://www.anniemuses.blogspot.com/
Shannon Pelletier
http://www.shannonmvt.blogspot.com/
Caren Goldsein
http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com/
Jan Moxey
http://scrapandstamp4ever.blogspot.com/
Kristie Horness-Herdener
http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Alanna Moses
http://www.damoses.blogspot.com/
Leslie Markland
http://pandascrapper.blogspot.com/
Barbra Otten
http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
Traci Godbee
http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/
Jill Lucas
http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/
Amy McVey
http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/
Laurie Levnik
http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com/

THANK YOU for hopping with us and please enjoy your journey!!!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

June SOTM Blog Hop!!




If you are looking for more Close to my Heart Stamp of the Month ideas then you have come to right place! Welcome to my blog and THANK YOU for joining us on our June SOTM Blog Hop!! This month we have 43 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. The blog hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move on to the next blog for more artwork and creative ideas!

I am sharing three cards with you - each of them created with Tender Tags (the June SOTM), also featuring the Moon Doggie papers! All of these cards were created using the NEW Wishes card confidence program by Jeanette Lynton that I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE! The first card above is a 4.5x4.5" square card design inspired by Wishes - Fancy Four (p. 76). Next I have a standard size card design (4.25x5.5") inspired by Wishes - Down The Middle (p. 35). My last card posted is a 5x7" card design inspired by Wishes - On The Ball (p. 47). You can click on each card above if you want to see the details up close also!

I hope you like my cards and that they will inspire you to enjoy using this fun stamp set as soon as you can also! Now "Hop" on over to Kami's Blog to see her beautiful work! Be sure to visit all of the Consultants at their Blogs to get more fun ideas when you want! Remember, the June SOTM is only available until June 30th! Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free! Don't forget about our fabulous DEAL-A-DAY promotion available from your consultants MyCTMH website throughout the month of June also - there will be a new deal offered each day this month! You are welcome to visit my MyCTMH site for more information or to order online and take advantage of this special http://StampwithJen.myctmh.com.

If you get lost on the hop or find links that aren't working, here is a complete list of all of the participating Close to my Heart consultants and their blogs:

Thursday, May 14, 2009

My Humble Artists swap card for May!


Some of you know that I participate in a card swapping group known as the Humble Artists. The 9 members of this group take turns coming up with the challenge guidelines and then we all create our cards to mail to each other every other month. This time around Jamia Bankhead came up with our swap requirements and the cards were due to be mailed out by May 10th. Jamia did a great job coming up with some challenging guidelines. Here is what was required of everyone:

1. Create a tall card 4 X 9 1/4, must fit in a legal size envelope
2. Stitch or sew on the card
3. Use 3 different ribbons
4. Use buttons as an accent, may use floss, hemp or twine with buttons
5. Use at least 4-5 layers
6. incorporate a tag somewhere on the card
7. Make something on your card 3D
8. Have FUN!!

As you can see, I think I managed to meet all of the requirements! This was a great challenge for me, and after a few unsuccessful drafts that I decided to scrap, I am very pleased with the final result.

My card design is inspired by our new Wishes (card confidence program) - Top Band (p. 100). I stamped the clouds with white daisy ink on vellum and layered that over outdoor denim cardstock. I used our new Back Country Level 2 paper packet and two new stamp sets - C1368 Treetops and D1365 True Happiness. I liked my card design enough that I even mailed one to CTMH for the Make It from Your Heart contest (monthly consultant artwork contest), which is something that I used to enter all the time, but haven't been able to make time for more recently. I am really excited about this card and the fact that I finally came up with something I like enough to enter in a contest. I hope you like it too!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

May Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!!


  • Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!
  • Today we are featuring May's SOTM, which is Be Yourself, a set of 14 stamps. If you have come here from Dawn's Blog, you are on the right path - you've reached the eighth stop of the hop! This month we have 18 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!
  • The first piece of artwork I'm sharing here for our hop is a standard size card (4.25x5.5") that I created with the May SOTM and our new Bella paper packet. This card design is inspired by Originals - On Your Left (p. 21). The girl's dress was created using the "paper piecing" technique. I simply stamped the girl with smokey plum ink on a scrap of smokey plum B&T duos paper, then cut out just the ruffled dress part, and adhered it exactly over the image stamped with desert sand ink. This is such a striking but simple way to add a fun pop of color to your stamping!
  • I host a monthly Stamp of the Month swap that includes 24 very talented CTMH consultants who participate by mailing their SOTM creations to me each month. Because of this collaborative sharing of artwork and ideas that we do, I have collected A LOT of beautiful SOTM artwork from them that I can share here also - so I hope you will check back here often for MORE May SOTM artwork - coming soon!!
  • Now "Hop" on over to Shannon's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all of the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! (If you get lost along the way a complete list of participants can be found below.) Remember, the May SOTM is only available until May 31st! Contact your CTMH Consultant to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!
List of Participants