"Chairs to You" Blog Hop!

Hello! If you're stopping by for the Scrappy Birthday Blog Hop, please scroll down to the next post (because I'm participating in two different hops today)!
Welcome to our May Stamp of the Month blog hop featuring this month's new SOTM - Chairs to You D1456! If you've just joined me from Haley's blog then you are on the right path!

8 x 3.5 card (above) - a card for Father's Day!

Standard size card (above)

4.5" circle card with stamped cd-sleeve envelope (above)

More details about my projects are coming soon!
Now you can continue on the SOTM blog hop and see more creative ideas for using this stamp set by visiting Pamela's blog next! Enjoy!!

Hoppy Scrappy Birthday Blog Hop!

I’m so happy (or should I say "hoppy"?!!) that you are joining us for the very first Scrappy Birthday Blog Hop celebrating my friend April’s favorite color - GREEN!

If you are coming from Cherie's blog you’re on the right track. If you just joined us, you can go back to the beginning (April's blog HERE) to enjoy the entire hop along with us. We’ve had so much fun doing this hop, and we have a wonderful line up with some oh-so-talented creators. You will see some lovely projects and have a chance to win some blog candy along the way, including a fun grand prize for this hop from April.

This hop runs all day on April 30th, so you have plenty of time today to check out each project!

1. April Nourse http://curlsngrins.blogspot.com/
2. Mandie Wade http://mandiesscrappin.blogspot.com/
3. Jennifer Blue Hawkins http://scrapaholicjen.blogspot.com/
4. Emily Lahham http://www.createserendipity.net/
5. Deborah Foti http://www.scrappingmamma.net/
6. Corrine Paul http://celebratingordinarymoments.blogspot.com/
7. Lisa Tehonica Pontious http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/
8. Stephanie Jones http://missprissygraceann.blogspot.com/
9. Lucy Kelleher http://love2createitall.blogspot.com/
10. Theresa White http://treasures4lifeby-t.blogspot.com/
11. Martha Galvez http://pattisscrapingtime.blogspot.com/
12. Lisa Norris http://prettypaperprettyribbons.blogspot.com/
13. Cherie Pemberton http://www.gracefulcardmakers.blogspot.com/
14. Jen Rubio http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/
15. Lisa Peters http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/

What would a birthday be without gifts? This gift could be yours because there is also an overall grand prize just for hopping with us! The grand prize is sponsored by April from Curls & Grins Creations (the first blog on the hop). In order to be eligible for the grand prize you must leave a comment on every blog in the hop and become a follower of April’s blog.

Your next blog to visit on the hop is Lisa's blog at
http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/.
Happy hopping!

Finally, before you go, here are some details about my hand-stamped card (shown above): It's a 6x6 card that uses b&t paper from both the Sophia X7131 and Bliss X7132B paper packs. The stamp sets I used include A Little Everything D1408, Fun Times B1309, and Soul Mates D1254. As I came up with my design for this card, I was careful to also meet the requirements listed below so that I could also use this same card design for the "Humble Artists Swap" that I am a participant in. So I ended up duplicating this card 4 more times to mail them out to my HAS friends in February as well (I hope you enjoyed them ladies)! The challenge for the HAS this time was to create a card that meets all of these requirements:
Must be square and at least 5x5"
Must depict an animal
Must be LOVE themed
Must use only neutral colors with only one other color
(excluding all shades of red!)
Must have 7 layers of paper, stacked and countable, all in one place
Use at least 3 embellishments
And...just for the fun of it...let's add some liquid glass!

Two more Birthday Cards for 4/30 Spring Stamp Camp!

Standard size card (above) features

Fanfare WOTG stamp set B1377 and Sophia papers X7131B.
Remember, you can click on these photos to see them larger!

Standard size card (above) features
Fanfare WOTG stamp set B1377 and Miracle papers X7133B.
We will make two of each of these cards
(plus more for a total of 16 cards).

For more details about what else we're creating at Spring Stamp
Camp, scroll down to see more (and more posts are to come)!

Spring STAMP CAMP on 4/30 (please reserve your spot by 4/16)!!

Standard size card (above) featuring the Lucky papers X7137B and Paper Lantern stamps C1458. This is just one of 8 different card designs we'll be making at Stamp Camp
(we'll make 2 of each of the 8 designs for a total of 16 cards)!
I'll be posting more of the cards soon!!

Standard size cards (above) featuring the Lucky papers X7137B and X-treme stamps D1432. This is another one of the 8 different card designs we'll be making at Stamp Camp
(we'll make 2 of each of the 8 designs for a total of 16 cards).
I'll be posting more of the cards soon!!

One of the 12x12 layouts we'll be creating (above).
You can click on the layout to see all of the details up close!!

The cube (above) shown open before it is assembled with liquid glass. You can click on it also to see all the details up close!

The cube (above) shown assembled to be used as a tissue box cover
(so cute! - created by fellow consultant, Bren Yule)

You are invited to attend my first ever,
Spring Stamp Camp on Saturday, April 30th, 2011!

Create any ONE project for $25 each,
CUBE and 16 CARDS only for $50,
CUBE and LAYOUTS only for $43,
LAYOUTS and 16 CARDS only for $38,
OR create ALL THREE projects for $55 (best value!)

Pre-paid reservations are needed by April 16th to reserve your spot!

Please feel free to invite your friends! I will allow you to split/share your kits with a friend/child/teen when you attend together! You can expect to have a small variety of embellishments (lots of irresistible chipboard letters and pieces) left over for you to keep and use on other projects. You will need to bring your own adhesive (or purchase some from me to use when you attend - tape runners with dispenser are $5, refills are $3). I will also be providing a good variety of healthy foods, snacks, as well as desserts and beverages for you to enjoy!

My Creations CUBE (1pm to 2:30pm)
Kit supplies you will receive include:
Z1152 My Creations Cube - 5”x 5” assembled ($4.95)
Z1395 Irresistibles Eclectic Alphabet ($6.95)
Z1390 Irresistibles Villa ($4.95)
Z726 Sponge Daubers – 3 pack ($3.95)
Pre-cut cardstock and “Mayberry” patterned papers ($2.00)
($25 supply fee includes taxes & s/h on all products)
One of the attached photos shows what the cube looks like flat before it is assembled and another photo shows what it can look like assembled (turned into a tissue box cover...so cute!...OR you can use your cube as a "very special" gift box...think Mother's Day gift!...or just as a fun way to display a few treasured photos).

Scrapbook LAYOUTS (3pm to 4:30pm)
Kit supplies you will receive include:
Z1395 Irresistibles Eclectic Alphabet ($6.95)
Z1384 Pink Collection Designer Ribbon ($7.95)
Z1327 Blue & Green Sparkles ($2.95)
Z726 Sponge Dauber - 1 ($1.32)
Pre-cut cardstock and “Wings” and “Bliss” papers ($3.00)
($25 supply fee includes taxes & s/h on all products)
We will create the 12x12 layout shown in the photo,
PLUS an additional layout I am still working on designing (for a total of 4-12x12 pages)!

16 hand-stamped CARDS (5:30pm to 8:30pm)
Kit supplies you will receive include:
Z1384 Pink Collection Designer Ribbon ($7.95)
Z1327 Blue & Green Sparkles ($2.95)
Z726 Sponge Dauber - 1 ($1.32)
Pre-cut cardstock, patterned papers, assortment of brads, and envelopes ($12.00)
($25 supply fee includes taxes & s/h on all products)
The variety of cards we will make will include 2 each of 8 different card designs:
4 cards with “Lucky” papers,
4 with “Mayberry” papers,
4 with “Miracle” papers, and
4 with “Sophia” papers.
Some of the cards will be customizable so that you can choose from a variety of themes and sentiments for each card including: Celebrate, Congratulations (graduation/wedding), Happy Birthday, Happy Mother/Father’s Day, Thank You, Thinking of You, and Welcome Baby.

NEW stamp sets we will be using may include: Baby Love (p. 87), Blessed (April SOTM p. 131), Card Chatter-Birthday (p.100), Delight (p. 17), Fanfare workshop stamp set (p. 42), Paper Lantern (p. 37), Polka Dot Alphabet (p. 9), Salutation Seals (p. 98), Splendid Day (p. 29), X-treme (p. 80), and very possibly a few others!

I don't have photos of the all of the cards to show you yet, as I will be sharing the card designs on my blog as I design them (a few each week leading up to the event), so please come back to visit my blog each week if you want a sneak peek of all of the cards we'll be creating!

I can accept cash, checks, and debit/credit cards (by phone, e-mail, or in person) to reserve your spot now!

I hope you can join us for the fun!

"Blessed" Stamp of the Month blog hop!

Welcome to our April Stamp of the Month blog hop featuring this month's new SOTM - Blessed D1455! If you've just joined me from Haley's blog then you are on the right path!

One of the most fun things about this stamp set is that you get solid image stamps that you can stamp inside the outline images to add a pop of color inside the outlines (and save some time coloring in with markers). With our clear stamps it's easy to see exactly where to line them up so you can stamp one image perfectly inside another image each and every time (you can't do that so easily with wood stamps)! I used 2nd generation stamp-rolling technique with the solid images to achieve the shaded look I have on my flower, bird, and butterflies below. Then I colored the stems and leaves with a Sweet Leaf marker and even added a little bit of green to the swirl inside the butterfly wings as well.

The 8x3.5 card design (above) is inspired by Wishes - Right Design (p. 42) and features the Miracle papers (X7133B). I absolutely LOVE our new 1" wide Sweet Leaf Stitched Grosgrain ribbon (Z1383), so I just couldn't resist adding that wide bow (wide ribbon is very in-trend right now)! Finally, this 4.5" circle card (above) is inspired by Wishes - Simple Statement (p. 11) and it also features our Miracle papers (X7133B). Peeking out from behind the card is a white cd sleeve envelope that I stamped to match and put the card in when I give it away. When the card is inside the envelope, the center of it will peek through the clear window in front - too fun! I also used our paper edge distresser (Z1297) to scrape and rough up the edges of the colonial white cardstock that is then sponged with bamboo ink and a sponge dauber. For just $2.50, our little edge distresser tool is an easy and affordable way to add even more interesting details to our creations! You can click on my photos for a more close-up view of this distressing if you'd like. Now you can continue on the SOTM blog hop and see many other creative ideas for using this stamp set by visiting Kristie's blog next! Enjoy!!

$5 Creative Class projects for 4/2!

Here's a sneak peek at what we're making at my $5 Creative Class coming up this Saturday evening April 2nd (starting at 6pm and/or 7pm)! It's only $5 per person to attend and learn how to create one of each of these 3 projects with me (or make two of each item for $10 - still such a deal)! I have 12 spots open for this class but I expect it to fill quickly now that I have shared what we're creating, so please RSVP ASAP! You will need to bring your own adhesive (or IF this is your first time attending I will provide adhesive for you). For further details you can click here to visit my myctmh website calendar for more information!

This nugget box (filled with hershey's chocolate nuggets) features the Mayberry papers (X7136B) and Tag the Occasion stamp set (B1362). This stamp set includes a variety of sentiments to choose from so you can make this box for Mother's Day as shown here or for any other occasion you may wish to use it for! An instructional tutorial including the cutting/scoring measurements to create this nugget box can be found online here at Splitcoast Stampers. This standard size card features the Bliss papers (X7132B) and Miracle papers (X7133B). The stamped sentiment comes from the March Stamp of the Month - Sensational Season (D1454) and the heart stamp comes from the Miracle WOTG stamp set (exclusive b-size set only available with the G1023 Miracle WOTG kit). I will teach you at our 4/2 Creative Class how to make this fun dimensional paper carnation with leaves using our new 2" scallop circle punch and spray pen! This 4.5" circle card with coordinating stamped cd sleeve envelope uses the Miracle papers (X7133B) and features our April Stamp of the Month - Blessed (D1455). As we create this card together you will learn the stamp-rolling technique, coloring with markers, as well as how to use our paper edge distresser tool (Z1297).

Easy online scrapbooking with Studio J!!

Hello creative Friends! Today I am excited to share this totally AWESOME YouTube video made by one of my fellow CTMH consultant friends - Tresa Black, the fabulously artsy "Stamp Goddess!" Her story just touched my heart so much that I couldn't wait to share it with you all here on my blog (and be sure to have some tissues on hand when you watch this, lol). I feel so inspired by the sweet story Tresa shares in her video and it reminds me once again why I LOVE CTMH so very much!

Studio J really can help you get more of your scrapbooking done faster, simpler, and easier! Studio J is not meant to be a replacement for the classic scrapbooking we so enjoy (you all know I could never give that up!), but rather it is just one more easy and fun way to help us get even more scrapbooking done. By the way, this video came about because Close To My Heart is currently having a video contest for consultants. We have been challenged to create a video sharing the reasons "why" we love Studio J. The YouTube submissions with the most views will receive up to $300 in new product from CTMH. So, not only do you just HAVE to see this wonderful video clip, when you watch this video you are also supporting Tresa in her endeavor to win - go Tresa - yaaaaay! Watching this clip will only take 2.5 minutes of your time, and I know you will enjoy its heartwarming message and want to give Studio J a try. Enjoy the show (and if you're as inspired by it as I am, you may want to watch it more than once)!!

Hope for Japan (available now)!

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan caused untold devastation and heartache. Like so many of you, we’re eager to help. Help us raise money for the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami fund by purchasing the "Hope for Japan" stamp set. From now until April 30th, you can purchase the exclusive, non-commissionable “Hope for Japan” A-size stamp set for the special price of only $5 (retail value $7.95), and Close To My Heart will donate 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross efforts in Japan. This beautifully designed stamp set reminds us of how our hearts are hopeful for those who are in need. My next order is going in late Saturday night (3/26) so if you'd like me to add on one of these stamp sets for you, just let me know right away OR add it on to your next order (online or in person) anytime before April 30th. Thank you for supporting this important cause with me!