NEW BLOG...please join me...

I have been MEANING to restart this blog - update, etc - but have found that it's a LOT of work!  Instead, I've partnered with another representative and friend to do a combined blog.  Two people means half the work!

PLEASE FOLLOW US...

http://www.craftingwithkindredhearts.blogspot.com  

I have a giveaway going there RIGHT NOW, information on the 9-to-9 crop and more will be shared shortly.  Hope to see you there! 

YES, I still live...

I have been woefully neglecting my blog (no posts since JUNE 22??? Can it be true?) but I am going to fix that situation VERY SOON!  I graduate with my Bachelor's in Marketing on Monday, February 3rd.  With graduation completing 4 1/2 years of online education, I will be filling up my free time with getting my two work-from-home businesses online!  Close to my Heart has just started the new catalog and AVON has much coming up that will be SOOO fun and I will be adding a little of that in here, too...when it applies.  Join me as I ramp back up my creative juices and share some of the tips and tricks I've learned since we've visited last.  I'm also looking to update the blog design and start entering some of the challenges soon, as well.  Me thinks February will be a busy month for me! :) 

See you all soon!

"Independence Day" Blog Hop

What ?!?!?  Hope you weren't expecting to see Will Smith fighting the aliens here!  We are actually featuring crafty creations showcasing "Independence Day" ... the holiday!


Not only are all of our creations going to be about Independence Day ... the holiday ... but they will also be using the Artiste and/or Art Philosophy Cricut cartridges available exclusively through a Close to My Heart consultant.  If you don't already have a Consultant that you are currently working with, please contact one of the Consultants in our hop with any questions you have!


In this hop, you will see projects featuring this versatile cartridges from many talented crafty ladies!  Enjoy our blog hop!

If you have just hopped onto my blog, please start at the beginning at Lucy's blog – Love 2 Create.   If you came from Traci's blog - Paper Crafting 101 then you are in the right place!


My project is a fun "fireworks card" that I will be offering in my card class tomorrow.  I used the Art Philosophy Cartridge exclusively on this one (my Gypsy was being a brat).  I used different sizes of the starburst shape for the fireworks and the font to embellish the card with a fun onimonipea "BOOM!".  

The background paper is retired superhero paper that has a great blue background with light stars.  I've added some blue foil paper and some prismatic to add reflection.  Finally, I added some red gems in the second "O" and exclamation point.  

Overall, a very "Red, White, and Blue" ending to a fun card.  It was fast and so easy to do with the cricut...literally seconds to layout and assemble.  Hope everyone will like it tomorrow! ;)

I'm the last stop for the Independence Day hop but if you haven't already, head over to the beginning with Lucy's blog-Love 2 Create and see what everyone else came up with.

Here is the complete lineup in case you get lost along the way:

1. Lucy ~ Love 2Create 
2. Theodora ~ Celebrate Crafts 
3. Michelle ~ My Flights of Fancy 
4. Jennifer ~ 4 Hearts Scrapbooking 
5. Traci ~ Paper Crafting 101  
6. Penny ~ It Makes Total Cents <<<YOU ARE HERE

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you.

"Resist" Technique Blog Hop

Yes, I still exist.  I apologize for the silence coming from my blog recently.  Life kinda overwhelmed me but I'm back and determined to be more consistent in my posting.  Starting with this awesome blog hop showing the "resist" technique.

When I hear "resist," I think of embossing powder.  For this card, I used manila cardstock, versamark, and colonial white CTMH embossing powder to emboss the small flowers from a retired stamp set.  The flowers created a backdrop for my Japanese stamped sentiment (another retired set).  Although I used retired sets, this technique could EASILY be adjusted to fit virtually any theme, style, or occasion.

I chose the direct to paper technique to add color layering gypsy and spring iris by dragging the paper over the pads.  I then used the edge of the gypsy pad to add some vertical lines for texture.  The background still seemed a little boring so I added black hash lines on the diagonals with my black distressing ink pad. 

Once I stamped the kanji and words in black in the blank area I left, I realized I could have made the background a little lighter.  But there are NO mistakes in cardmaking, only opportunities to embelish.

I chose to add gold to the project, stamping not only the sentiment (using the black as a shadow) but also adding gold to the center of the flowers with a gel pen.  To bring in a little more gold, I used the edge of my acrylic block to mimic the black small hash marks.  Finally, a little sheer and shimmery ribbon, a decorative edge cut, some distressing and inking, and a black background layer and the card was done.


I love how the inks fade away from the embossed flowers.  The purple tinted them slightly but I think the color looks great.  I chose the card color last as I wasn't sure what the final background color would be. 

Here is the blog hp line up in case you get lost.  Be sure to check out all the blogs for even more resist ideas!

1. debi - http://debiistheothersister.blogspot.com/
2. Shirley - http://www.momnmescrap.blogspot.com/
3. Joy: www.studiowowjoy.com
4 Penny - www.itmakestotalcents.blogspot.com  <<<YOU ARE HERE
5 Melinda Everitt - www.ifyoublingit.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by! :)

"BINGO" Art Philosophy Blog Hop

Welcome to our March Art Philosophy/Artiste Blog Hop!   As you know, both the Artiste and the Art Philosophy cartridges are available exclusively through a Close to My Heart consultant.  If you don't already have a Consultant that you are currently working with, please contact one the Consultants in our hop with any questions you have!

If you have just hopped onto my blog, please start at the beginning at Lucy's blog – Love 2 Create .   If you came from Theodora of Celebrate Crafts then you are in the right place!

Our challenge this month features not only one of these amazing cartridges but also a "BINGO" card!
Here is the BINGO card that our Consultants were given:

The Consultants were told they could  make anything they wanted using the Artiste OR Art Philosophy cartridge AND you work off the BINGO card posted above. Basically, you make a "BINGO" by going across, down, or diagonally and you have to use everything in that bingo line.
I chose the top horizontal row but may have "bent" the rules a little.  I made two cuts using the Art Philosophy cartridge and came up with two cards.  Between the two cards, I have included the ribbon, metal (ish), and bling elements from above.

There are a few versions of Fleur-de-Lis in both cartridges (they are classic after all).  I cut the inside and then used the negative with another rounded rectangle to make the second card.

The first card contains CTMH gold embossing powder on the black cut out (popped up) and white embossing on craft paper with buffed ink accents for the background.

 

The second card uses the negative, a few pearls for bling, some non-CTMH "Wedding Ribbon" in black with wired edges, and finally - MY FAVORITE - for always paper.  A little black ink finishes the edge of the paper while everything is rounded to match the cut as well.

 

I used these cards for a gathering last weekend and they were a big hit!  They can be used for any occasion and for either women or men. 

Your next stop on our "BINGO" hop is Michelle of My Flights of Fancy.
Here is the complete lineup in case you get lost along the way:

1. Lucy ~ Love 2 Create
2.  Theodora ~ Celebrate Crafts <<<< You came from here...
3. Penny ~ It Makes Total Cents <<< YOU ARE HERE!
4. Michelle ~ My Flights of Fancy <<<GO HERE NEXT!
5. Melissa L- My Watermelon Moon
6. Jennifer ~ 4 Hearts Scrapbooking 
7. Michelle ~ My Creations with Michelle 
8. Traci ~ Paper Crafting 101 
9. Stephanie ~  The Quilted Scrapper  
   
   
    Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you.

Soooo Exciting! A chance to be part of Jeanette Lynton's Blog? blog?

Jeanette Lynton, CEO of Close To My Heart, is giving all CTMH consultants AND FANS a chance to be featured on HER BLOG!  Here is an excerpt:

My Favorite Stamp Set Submissions 

This year on my blog, I am sharing artwork featuring one of my favorite product lines—My Acrylix stamps. I will be sharing artwork created by the talented artists in the Close To My Heart Art Studio, but I want to extend the opportunity to my fabulous blog readers as well—that’s right, I’m talking to YOU! Whether you are a Close To My Heart Consultant, a long-time blog follower, or a first time visitor, I invite you to share your best work with me for your chance to be featured here. Here's what to do:

This is so fun.  All you have to do is follow the directions from her blog post.  I'm so excited that I'd also like to show your project here on my blog and through my Facebook page (if you'd like).  If you submit a project, let me know or include me on the email and I'll get it on here too. 

I'm already thinking of items to send. 

Thanks for stopping by!

It's the MIDDLE OF MAY ALREADY?

Where did the month go?  It's the 16th already and I haven't even posted my special.  I've been a little under the weather and crazy busy but that's no excuse - so the following special (also on my specials page) will be good until April 15th.

Colors of the Rainbow SPECIAL

From now until April 15th

All items, including cardstock, ink pads, reinkers, pigment inks, and even our new marker sets on page 9 of the Idea Book are 10% off.  There is virtually a rainbow of colors to choose from.

Speaking of rainbow - here is a quick card that I am including in my Saturday card class if anyone is interested.  I have a few more cards to share this week as well.

NOTE:  This special is exclusive to ItMakesTotalCents and will not be honored by CTMH Corporate.  Orders must be place with me and NOT through my website to receive the discount.

I am also submitting the above card for the 

 Fabulous Friday Challenge - Up, Up & Away! at Frosted Designs. 

JUMP FOR JOY

Runs through March 31, 2013

Close To My Heart is giving a great reason to have a Home Gathering as well... the Jump for Joy promotion allows hostesses (online or in person) to jump up a level for rewards after the $250 mark. 

 

Contact me for further details.  I still have a few weekends open this month.  

Next month will be a special month with a few chances to win, get great deals, and celebrate a special occasion with me.  I hope you will join me.

Thanks for stopping by.