My first "Workshop on the Go"

Being a Close To My Heart rep, I thought it would be helpful to try a little of everything.  I had the opportunity to use a full WOTG (for free :) ) to make the cards.  I must say, CTMH has something here...everything you need, directions, and just enough ability to be creative but not enough to run out of ideas.

Here is what it came with . . . everything pictures and only (4) 12" X 12" pieces of paper to make all of the cards below - AMAZING!

 

And here is what it all made . . . with a lot of scraps left over! :)

It was easier than I thought in some ways (the directions were easy to follow and clear) and a little harder (I wanted to adjust each card instead of follwoing the directions).  The cards were cute but I wanted to make each unique.  The B&T double-sided paper made for a quick change though with one of the two cards having the front (blue polka dot or colored diamond) and the other would be the opposite (green and brown dots and shades of brown diamond).  I also had a few mis-cuts but there was enough overage to correct that quickly.  Each card also had additions of ribbon, brads, flowers, or even buckles (or a combination).  I will be displaying this for the next few classes to show the versatility and SIZE of these workshops.  A full "D" size stamp set, the cards with envelopes, and even two small distressing inks (dutch blue and chocolate in this case) were included with this set.  I really think they would be GREAT for the first time stamper or for quick cards for the more seasoned card-makers.  Thanks for stopping.

Don't forget about my giveaway - 10 more days until a winner is chosen! 

Paisleys Playhouse DT Call (Sketch & Scrap Layout)

This is a two fold post.  I am taking part in a Design Team Call for Paisleys Playhouse as well as submitting a layout for Sketch~N~Scrap: Guest Designer Contest.  I have not tried a layout sketch yet or had to make one for a DT Application so this is all new. 

First, here is the inspiration sketch.

I've used a textured dark base for the layout and added a more structured vertical strip of a retired CTMH paper.

Most of the floral chipboard and rub-ons are new (to me) Basic Grey brand.  I've added a few black and white pictures (some of my favorites) of me and my husband, a few sparkly copper flourishes.

My favorite addition though is the black sheer ribbon that hold a brass heart. 

Overall, I love the monochromatic feel and all I need to add is some journaling to make it scrapbook ready.  I hope you enjoyed it!

August CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

Welcome to our August CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! Each month we will showcase the Stamp of the Month which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.

We're so excited to be doing this hop and we have a fabulous lineup with some very talented ladies. There will be lots of fun projects.

This month we will be showcasing the August Stamp of the Month "Baroque Borders". This stamp can be used in so many different ways and we hope to inspire you with our creations!

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog - http://www.love2createitall.com.

My project is ... Personalized Stamped Stationary

As this is my second SOTM hop, I had to stretch my imagination to come up with a new product using the same stamp set.  With this amazing set it was easy.  There are so many possibilities from backgrounds, vines, damask prints, and more.

I have to admit this hop killed two birds with one stone for me.  I needed to make a sample for my next craft night where we will be making Personalized Stamped Stationary as gifts.  The Baroque Boarders were used for all but the letters and are stamped in a tone on tone color to allow for the note writer to write over those areas if needed.  The color turned out a little more orange than I would like but I made it work.

I also made a "box" to hold the cardstock and used triangles of cardstock to lift the top edge (to make it easier to get them out.  This box was made by hand but there is a Cricut version that I will be using for the workshop. I finished this project with some CTMH bakers twine in cocoa and a brown cardstock tag with matching orange eyelet and a small matching stamped square for a gift tag.

 In case you missed it, here is the card a made for my other hop and in my card workshop (see full post with video here).

Thanks for stopping!  Don't forget about the giveaway I have going on for the July Stamp 

of the Month - see my post here for details. 

The next stop on your blog hop fun is Julia.

Here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this months blog hop:

1. Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com
2. Darla ~ http://www.stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com/
3. Judith ~ www.grammiejudys.blogspot.com 
4. Carolyn Heniges http://www.nuts4scrappin.blogspot.com/
5. Amie Kiger ~  http://www.mimimyselfandibykigz.blogspot.com
6. Ryan  www.pieceandpaper.blogspot.com
7. Joanne http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com
8. Pam Stewart - http://i-candy-scraps.blogspot.com
9. Kindred Hearts - http://itmakestotalcents.blogspot.com
10. Julia Hammond  http://youcancreatectmh.blogspot.com/

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - August

Welcome to our monthly Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! On the 15th of each month we will be showcasing the current SOTM set with various projects created by talented Close to my Heart consultants. If you are visiting from Joanne Barnes then you are on the right track, if not please start at the beginning with our hostess Pam!

The possibilities are endless with this August set!  Create borders, backgrounds and so much more! I have seen some amazing examples with this set . . . like using the corner stamp for vines by adding 3D flowers.

This is my creation!  I am on an embossing kick lately (although I will need more practice getting the powder to stay only on the embossing ink and not everywhere else ... especially on black! LOL).  I've embossed the full corner Baroque Borders stamp and then another section kitty-corner from it using lavendar Zing embossing powder. 

The card design is unique as it "flips" as you open the card.  Here is a stand up view so you can see the cuts.

Here is a video showing the card in action.

Directions for the card (as I will be using for my card class tonight).  The cut outs in the corners are to allow the card makers to mark the cut lines using pencil to be erased later.  It worked better than I imagined.

I hope you enjoyed my card - I really like how it turned out.  Here is a short list of what I used:

• CTMH Stamp Sets - Fashionista, August SOTM Baroque Borders
• Black Cardstock
• Versamark & ZING embossing powder - lavendar
• Gypsy stamp pad (center of off white squares are stamped with another from the set using the stamp off method to allow for the sentiment to show clearly)

Now if the goblins of cyber space have gotten you lost along away here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this month’s blog hop!
 
1. Pamela Stewart - http://i-candy-scraps.blogspot.com
2. Joanne Barnes -http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com
3. Kindred Hearts - http://itmakestotalcents.blogspot.com  <<<You are here!
4. Alicia Olson - Love Stamping - www.lovestamping.com


Don't forget about the giveaway I have going on for the July Stamp of the Month - see my post here for details.

GIVEAWAYS and DEALS!!!

Just a reminder about my giveaway - follow this link to see how to enter:

My CTMH Sister, Robin at Cut One Designs is also having a giveaway - visit her here and show her some love!

*WHILE SUPPLIES LAST* - check out the deals on the CTMH Website . . . but they won't last long. 12"X12" albums for TWO DOLLARS? I think I need to stock up! http://itmakestotalcents.ctmh.com/Retail/Products.aspx?CatalogID=1702
 
Have a great Tuesday - another blog hop is in the works shortly! :)

August Art Philosophy Blog Hop (and giveaway reminder)

Well, I made it to my second blog hop.  Here we go!

Welcome to our August Art Philosophy Blog Hop! Each month we will showcase a feature of the amazing Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.

We're so excited to be doing this hop and we have a fabulous lineup with some very talented ladies. There will be lots of fun projects.

This month we will be showcasing the "Decorative Layer" (shift or no shift) feature of the cartridge.

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog - http://www.love2createitall.co
My project is ...

Adore-able

This was a project off the top of my head but I think it turned out well.  The "inside" of the card uses the Decorative Layer (no shift) from page 50 of my most used Cricut Cartidge, the Art Philosophy cartridge from CTMH.  I liked the simple look of this shape but saw it as more horizontal than vertical.  For this card I used a retired paper (unsure of the name) and some plain cardstock, embossing powder, versamark embossing ink, my ZAP embossing gun, Garnet ink, my dauber and a little sparkle.

I used the Cricut Craft Room (as always) to lay out the card on my brand new Cricut Expression.  I had to do a little measuring and math to make sure the window fit where I needed it (by the butterfly and centered).

Once they were cut, I found I had more of the textured paper than I needed but also accidentally made an easel with the overlap.  I decided to make the card stand as well.  Using my new Adore stamp set from CTMH I stamped the heart in the window and used the textured outside of the heart to decorate the edge of the inside.  The sleeve received the garnet "i adore you".  I left the inside blank to add sentiments by hand.

What do you think? :)  I think my niece will love it.

The next stop on your blog hop fun is Pam Stewart.

Here's the entire blog hop lineup in case you get lost along the way:

1. Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com
2. Darla ~ http://www.stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com/
3. Diana ~ http://dianasfreemoments.blogspot.com/ )
4. Wendy Kessler ~ http://myscrapbookingblog.com
5. Eva~ http://loveofcreating.blogspot.com
6. Carolyn ~ http://www.nuts4scrappin.blogspot.com
7. Stephanie- http://www.quiltedscrapper.blogspot.com
8. Joanne - http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com
9. Laura W.  http://scrappinsweetiesescape.blogspot.com 
10. Kindred Hearts - http://itmakestotalcents.blogspot.com  <<< You are here!
11. Pam Stewart - http://i-candy-scraps.blogspot.com
12. Carolyn Mendoza ~ http://www.craftingwithcarolyn.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for stopping by! We hope you have enjoyed all of our projects!

DON'T FORGET - I'm also doing a giveaway . . . details can be found here. 

NEW IDEA BOOK LIVE PLUS A GIVEAWAY!!!!

I have a LOT of irons in the fire at this point so this will be a quick post (with another to come hopefully this weekend!).

#1 - The *NEW* 2012 Autumn/Winter Catalog is finally LIVE!  

Check out the new products, colors, and more . . .

#2 - Schedule (for local yokels! :) )

Monday, August 6th @ 6:30 - Craft Night - The Recap 

We will be working on any or all of the last four craft items (butterfly jar, stamped candle, coloring book, pennant frame) plus have a new craft (endless card).

TENTATIVELY:  Wednesday, August 15th @ 6:30 - August Card Class #1

This is tentatively set at this point but I do know we will be creating non-standard cards and I have a few tricks up my sleeve.  (Blog followers, I'll be featuring these cards shortly!)

TENTATIVELY:  Saturday, August 25th @ 2:00 - August Card Class #2

This is tentatively set as well with all of the Class #1 cards available plus a few extra to try.

 

#3 - AUGUST SPECIAL

This was a hard one for me to choose but I've decided.  For every interaction with me (blog, Facebook, orders, card and craft classes), I would give an entry for a giveaway drawing to win one of my current favorite stamp sets, "Friendship Bouquet".

 

Friendship Bouquet S1205 (no longer available)

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This drawing will be held August 31st.  Here are the rules:

• New Facebook fans = 1 entry
• Share of this giveaway (FB only) = 1 entry
• Posts on my wall = 1 entry (only 1 entry for this per person)
• New Followers to my blog = 1 entry
• Posts on THIS blog post = 1 entry (only 1 entry for this per person)
• Every CARD made in August = 1 entry
• Every CRAFT made = 1 entry
• Every $10 in any August PURCHASE = 1 entry   
  ($50 purchase = 5 entries; in person or through my CTMH site)

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I might even throw in a small prize for the individual with the most entries!  (Note: If your "follower"/email name and Facebook name DO NOT match, please post that information below so that I can track this information correctly.)  That wasn't as short as I thought it would be.  The giveaway starts now . . . hop over to my Facebook Page, click Follow (on the right), and post below to get entered.