January SOTM Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our

January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

featuring this month's SOTM:

This Moment S1501

If you've just arrived here from KATY's BLOG
then you are on the correct path.

 Here is a standard-size card I created using the
NEW Heartstrings Paper Packet (X7193B)
featured in Seasonal Expressions 1.
Ink colors I used include
Black, Hollyhock, Lagoon, and
Slate for sponge daubing some paper edges.
Embellished with Red Shimmer Trim Z1848
and Red Enamel Hearts Z2009.

Finally, here is a view of all of the stamp images
included in this set available now:

Now you can continue on with the hop
and be inspired by more creative ideas
using this stamp set by visiting 
LELA's BLOG next.
Enjoy the hop!!

December SOTM Blog Hop!!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our

December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

featuring this month's SOTM:

Cute Pie S1412

If you just arrived here from MICHELLE's BLOG

then you are on the correct path.

 This month I created this

5x7 Circle Spin Card (left)

and this standard-size card (right)

featuring our NEW Heartstrings paper packet

(X7193B) that is available for purchase

starting December 1st!

 Here's a view of the Circle Spin Card (Z1866) that shows
how the center circle piece spins when opened.

I used a 2" scalloped circle punch to cut the circle of
White Daisy cardstock that the cupcake image is stamped on.
(then sponge daubed it's edges with Slate ink 
before adhering it to the card base/spinning circle).

 Here's a view of the front of the card with inside of the Circle spun around
to the front to show you what I stamped on the other side of it.

Here's a closer view of the standard-size card (above).

The ShinHan Touch Twin marker colors I used are Cherry Pink,

Peacock Green, Turquoise Blue, Warm Grey 4, and Warm Grey 7.
The letters "U" and "R" come from a separate stamp set:
A Typeface (A1117) that is shown on page 135 of Annual Inspirations.

 Here's a quick tip:  To make it easier to curve this stamp

and stamp the image curved like I have done, I used my 

micro-tip scissors to cut the stamp apart

(just in between each of the frames, 

leaving the string at the top intact).

Finally, here is a view of what all of the images in this super "cute" stamp set look like:

Now you can continue on with the hop

and be inspired by more creative ideas

using this stamp set by visiting

DAWN's BLOG next!

Enjoy the hop!!

Cards we made at the November Card Class on 11/15

THANK YOU to all of the fun and talented ladies who attended the November Card Class on Saturday, November 15th! 

(Michelle, Terri, Libby, Sandra, Carolyn, Nancy, Jen, and Frankie!)

It was great to see you all and

I hope you enjoyed making these cards with me :)

November SOTM Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our

November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

featuring this month's SOTM:

It's the Little Things S1411

If you've just arrived here from CAROL's BLOG,

then you are on the correct path.

If you get lost at any point along the way,

you can see a full listing of all of the blog hop

participants by visiting this link here:

http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html

First, I'm sharing a standard-size Christmas Card featuring the Snowhaven papers (X7188B). Ink colors I used for this card include Black, Cranberry, Olive, and 2nd generation Olive (to stamp the wreath).

Here's my best tip to show you how to stamp "evenly-spaced" leaves on your wreath.  The circle is 2.75", cut from Colonial White paper with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.

I used the inside of a roll of our washi tape to trace a circle in the center very lightly with a pencil. Then, as you stamp your leaves around the circle (with 1st and 2nd generation Olive ink), simply line up the first vein of each leaf with the pencil line as shown, overlapping each leaf slightly on top of the next leaf to space them just right. If you can get the end tips of each center-most vein to touch, then you will have near perfect spacing (then erase your pencil marks, of course).

Second, here is another Standard-size card featuring the Pathfinding papers (X7186B). Ink colors I used here include Barn Red, Cocoa (for the sentiment), Glacier, Goldrush, and Olive (1st and 2nd generations again). I used stamp-rolling technique on the largest flower (Goldrush rolled with Barn Red).

Lastly, here is a view of what all of the images included in this stamp set look like:

Now you can continue on with the hop

and be inspired by more creative ideas

using this stamp set by visiting

TRACI's BLOG next!

Enjoy the hop!!

Two Cards from One design!!

I've been wanting to share this idea on my blog for a few weeks now, but life and other responsibilities kept getting in the way, lol. So finally...I am excited to share how one good card design can so easily result in another similar but different card.  On the left is a card I created using the September Stamp of the Month. I loved the simplicity of the design so much that a few weeks later, when I signed up to participate in a consultant team card swap, I decided to utilize the same design and even the same papers and color-scheme (Scaredy Cat) to make a birthday card instead

(as you can never have enough birthday cards, right?)!

Here is a view of the fantastic assortment of cards I received back from the swap with my team members (you will likely be able to spot my card here also):

Then, while enjoying the variety of swap cards I received, one particular card really stood out and inspired me and it is what led to the layout design I chose for another card (same design layout, but completely different colors/theme):

Thank you Nicole Peck for inspiring me with your lovely card!!

Isn't it fun to see how one thing can inspire another and then another? I tend to find inspiration from whatever is in front of me, even if I have to change it up or re-invent it just a little to serve another purpose...that's just how my mind works sometimes.

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into how my creativity is inspired and evolves.

Cards made at the October Card Class on 10/18

THANK YOU to all of the fun and talented ladies who attended the October Card Class on Saturday, October 18th! It was so nice to see you all 

and I hope you enjoyed making these cards with me :)

The 5x7 swing-card in the top right corner was made

with our brand new "Artfully Sent" Cricut Cartridge...

here's a closer look to give you a better understanding of how it swings open:

Frame It Up! Class this Saturday 10/18 (2-5pm)

I would like to give credit to my fellow consultant friend Joanie Stanclift,

who designed this oh-so-cute and spooky page!

THANK YOU Joanie for sharing this amazing class idea with us!

Come join us to create this "frightfully cute"

one-page layout, the perfect home décor!

Saturday, October 18th (2pm-5pm)

For $35 your kit will include one of our NEW "Designed Décor" Shadow Box frames (choose Black or Colonial White) to show off your artwork. The high-quality wooden shadow box frame has a hinged back (magnetic closure) that opens for easy loading, so you can change the décor inside as often as you wish! The theme this month is "HALLOWEEN", and the page can be customized to fit your favorite 5x7 photo (tall or wide). Next month, we'll create another single page (FALL-themed) that you can make with me for just $8 each and/or $35 IF you want your kit to include another frame. In December, I'll offer a CHRISTMAS-themed page for $8 each and/or $35 with the frame. The frames are an incredible value because you can change the 12x12 page/theme inside a single frame every month/season. They make great gift items also, so you may want to make more than one! Space is limited to just 6 guests this time, but if there is enough interest, I will offer one more class date on Friday 10/24. I already have the materials in stock, so please RSVP by Thursday 10/16 and you can pay for your kit at the event. Cash, Check, and PayPal online payments accepted to: StampwithJen@ymail.com
  

October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our

October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

featuring this month's SOTM:

Home for the Holiday S1410

If you've just arrived here from GINA's BLOG,

then you are on the correct path.

If you get lost at any point along the way,

you can see a full listing of all of the blog hop

participants by visiting this link here:
http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html

 Here is a simple standard-size card I created

featuring the Yuletide Carol paper pack (X7187B)

with Desert Sand, New England Ivy, and Ruby ink pads.

Embellished with Red Shimmer Trim (Z1848),

Topiary Mini Chevron Ribbon (Z1929), and Green Epoxy Bubbles (Z1806).

I also used our black journaling pen (Z1979) to outline and add a few doodles

to the parts of the ornament that I wanted to highlight.

Don't you just LOVE how so many stamps

in this set are Cricut-cut-compatible?

It makes it so easy to stamp these images

on pre-cut cardstock shapes (shown in red).

Now you can continue on with the hop
and be inspired by more creative ideas
using the stamp set by visiting
VICKI's BLOG next!
Enjoy the hop!

Scaredy Cat PML Scrapbooking Class this Saturday 9/27!

Did you take a lot of photos last Halloween?

Or...perhaps you plan to take a lot of pictures this coming Halloween?

Then you may be interested in this month's scrapbooking class

featuring the SCAREDY CAT papers and complements

(Two - 6 x 12" coordinating Kraft sticker sheets, shown here).

We're using these products PML style...

(PML = Picture My Life!)

I've pre-cut all of the cards shown on the sample pages

I've created (below), and all you have to do is

add the stickers and embellishments

to the 4x6 and 3x4 cards, then add your photos

(and a little bit of journaling) to the pockets!

It's so easy peasy!!

This really is the fastest, simplest,

and most affordable way

that I can help you get more pages

done, done, and done :)

For just $12 per kit, you can create

these 6 fun pages with me!!

I've used a total of 31 photos here, 

but this system is so flexible,

you can include more or less

pictures on your pages.

Let me show you how!

 Page 1 (above)

Page 2 (above)

 Page 2 (again) showing the 4x6 flip flap lifted up

 Page 3 (above)

 Page 4 (above)

  Page 4 (again) showing the 4x6 flip flap lifted up

 Page 5 (above)

Page 6 (above)

 Page 6 (again) showing the 4x12 flip flap opened on the side!

This class will be held this Saturday 9/27

(2-5pm and/or 6-9pm)

Contact me now to reserve the time slot you

prefer and reserve your kit while I still have a few left!

I currently have just 4 KITS available...

but I am able to order more supplies to prep additional kits

if you'd like to make these pages with me

on a different date in the near future.

Picture My Life Wall Hangings

How sweet are these?!!

I simply turned a few Picture My Life memory protectors on their sides so the holes lined up at the top, then filled them with photos and pre-printed PML cards. I added a bow with a glue dot to the top center of the page to cover the hole, then tied a piece of ribbon from the remaining holes to create these fun wall hangings.

So simple and very affordable to create!

(approxiately $2 each)

 This wall hanging (above) features the Avonlea PML collection (Z1942)

This wall hanging (above) features the For Always PML collection (Z2022).

September 6th Card Class! (6-9pm)

These are the cards I'm teaching tonight!

Let me show you how to create

8 hand-made greeting cards

(2 each of 4 designs!) on the 

first Saturday evening of

every month for $12.00

(that's only $1.50 per card!)

...OR

get your class for just $5

with any $24.95 or more

product purchase.

This month's cards feature

the brand new

SCAREDY CAT

and SNOWHAVEN

paper packs!

September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our

September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

featuring this month's SOTM:

Family is Forever S1409

If you've just arrived here from WENDY's BLOG,

then you are on the correct path.

If you get lost at any point along the way,

you can see a full listing of all of the blog hop

participants by visiting this link here:
http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html

Here is a sweet and simple standard-size card I created
featuring the Scaredy Cat paper pack (X7185B)
with Black, Pear, Slate, and Thistle ink pads.
Embellished with Silver Shimmer Trim (Z1799),
Silver Sequins (Z2013), and Clear Sparkles (Z1752).

Lastly, here are all of the stamp images included in this set:

Now you can continue on with the hop
and be inspired by more creative ideas
using the stamp set by visiting
LALIA's BLOG next!
Enjoy the hop!

Mojo Monday 359 (Halloween Greetings Card)!

 I'm so happy to have finally been able to find a little time to participate in the Mojo Monday Card Sketch Challenge this week!! Here is my standard size card inspired by Mojo Monday 359.

All of the products I used are from Close to my Heart.

D1605 Halloween Greetings stamp set

X7185B Scaredy Cat paper packet

Z3011 Scaredy Cat assortment (enamel stars)

Archival Black and Slate ink pads

ShinHan Touch Twin Markers:

Barely Beige (YR29)

Peony Purple (P282)

Warm Grey (WG4)

Scrapbooking Buffet, Class, and Crop is today 8/16!

Join us the 3rd Saturday of every month

from 2-5pm and/or 6-9pm!!

Come in the afternoon or evening or BOTH!

(we're taking a one hour break for dinner).

Beginners and friends are always welcome!

We will be creating albums together

one page at a time. Bring your own

supplies to use and/or purchase only

what you need as you USE it up...

No more collecting/hoarding for us!!

This event is FREE, but I also offer a

"buffet" of products for you to shop from

if and when you need anything!

I offer single sheets of paper, cricut

cutting services, memory protectors,

adhesives, and a selection of individual

"Picture My Life" cards and accessories.

Plus, you also get free use of my

stamps, blocks, and inks.

If you wish to purchase the

monthly "Class Kit," you can create

one 12x12 layout (2 pages total)

featuring one of our lovely NEW paper

kits in less than 1-2 hours of your time.

(I pre-cut the materials for you!)

Materials fee is $12 per kit, OR

just $5 with any $24.95 or more 

product purchase.

Kits are limited and while my supply lasts,

so please RSVP early if you want me to

reserve and guarantee a kit for you!

The August 16th kit will feature our

NEW "Chalk It Up" papers and

complements as shown here (below):

The NEW Annual Inspirations Catalog is Revealed!!

"Annual inspirations" is the name of our NEW yearly Catalog...192 pages of beautiful artwork samples and lots of tips and ideas to help you make the most of Close to My Heart’s products! Shop for Stamps, Papers, Scrapbooking and Cardmaking kits,
exclusive CTMH Cricut Cartridges and more!

You can also look forward to two shorter supplemental catalogs called "Seasonal Expressions" available starting December 1st and April 1st. These 40 page beauties will feature all-new seasonally inspired products!

You can view the entire NEW "Annual Inspirations" Catalog online here now:

http://stampwithjen.ctmh.com/ctmh/products/online-idea-book.aspx

If you’re like me and want to have the book in-hand to browse, add post-it notes to, and make notes in, you can get your own copy from me now for just

$4 each (local in-person delivery)

or $9 (for non-locals to cover the cost of mailing).

As a bonus, when you purchase a Catalog from me, I'll include a coupon for $5 off any purchase of $24.95 or more (made exclusively with me).

Please contact me to get your copy now!

August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our
August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

featuring this month's SOTM: 

What A Hoot S1408

If you've just arrived here from ALYSON's BLOG,
then you are on the correct path.
If you get lost at any point along the way,
you can see a full listing of all of the blog hop
participants by visiting this link here:
 http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html

First, I'm sharing this fun Halloween Treat Bag I made (above) using our
NEW Designer Creations Slate Paper Bags (Z2036)
shown on page of 176 of the new Annual Inspirations Catalog.
Images are stamped with Black ink and colored/blended with our
NEW ShinHan Twin Touch Markers (Clay, Mahogany, Golden Yellow, and Marigold).

Next, is a standard size card (above) featuring the New CHALK IT UP paper pack (X7184B).

Card design is inspired by Make It From Your Heart, Volume 2 - Pattern 20 (p. 42).

Images are also stamped with Black ink and colored/blended with our
NEW ShinHan Twin Touch Markers (Clay, Mahogany, Peacock Green, and Turquoise Blue).

Lastly, here are all of the stamp images included in this set:

Now you can continue on with the hop 
and be inspired by more creative ideas
using this stamp set by visiting
SHEILA's BLOG next!
Enjoy the hop!!