Close To My Heart May Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

It is so amazing how time marches on. I can't believe that we are having another STOM Blog Hop! This is such an exciting time with the Idea Book release tomorrow, Studio J, Miracles....wow! If you got here from Nicole's Blog, you are on the right track.

May's STOM is called "Cherish the Moment." It is 8 stamps that are so versatile! Just stamp and alter for whatever occasion you need! Perfect for my Craft Fair work....

A new product in the Summer Idea Book is a set of clear cards....very trendy. I love CTMH's Ocean color. I wish that it was used more so I decided to give it a try with a clear card.

A did a few fun things with this card. Besides using the clear square card, I also gave the new A-doorables a shot. My selection from the pack was sponged with Ocean ink. I stamped the image that contained "cheers" in VersaMark on Ocean card stock and heat embossed with Cocoa Powder. I cut out the square that said "Cheers." I then heat embossed the champagne glasses from Ms. Sweetheart on another piece of Ocean card stock. I colored the ribbon on the glasses with my Ocean marker and added Glitz Glitter Glue. I lined up the door on the outside of the card and matched the champagne glasses on the inside so that they faced out through the "door.
I added Glitz Glitter Glue to the edge of the card and covered the back cover with more Ocean card stock.

I tried another project with this stamp set. I came up the the idea to make a party invitation organizer.

I made the cover using Moonstruck card stock and pattern paper from the new Splendor paper packet. The "Party" was stamped, cut out and attached. I punched a hole in the top so that a ring would fit though. I then stamped several blank file cards that fit inside the covers with a stamp from the set. I added Guest Name, Address, Phone, RSVP and Thank You sent. The Organizer is designed to hang on the fridge or a bulletin board to help keep things in order while planning for the big event.

It's time to hop on over to Dawn's Blog and check out what she did with the Stamp of the Month. Thanks for looking. For Now, Happy Crafting!

CLose To My Heart Summer Idea Book Blog Hop!

What an exciting time! Studio Online Scrapbooking has come to Close To My Heart and a New Idea Book is set to be released on May 1st. Wow...

Welcome to my post for the Summer Idea Book Sneak Peak Blog Hop. If you've arrived here from my friend Karen's Blog, you are on the right track.

There are sooooo many exciting things in the new book that I couldn't decide what to share. I have made so many goodies already. The first project I am sharing is a great accordion purse file I made highlighting the Cherry-O paper pack. I wish I could take credit for the template but I can't. I found the directions here on PaperCraft Planet.

The base is Chocolate card stock and as I mentioned the pattern paper is from the new to be released Cherry-O paper pack. The cherry stamps are from the Cherry-O Workshop on the Go set. I used 2nd generation stamping to shade the cherries and leaves. The box keeps it shape with the dividers adhered to the inside. I used Heavenly Blue and Tulip card stock.



I couldn't resist trying out another paper pack called Zippidee....It just screams Disney. What do you think?

I have to admit that I cut Mickey and the title with my Cricut, but I did use some really fun new products to complete the page. The title is colored with our new Glitz Glitter Glue. I love it! The stamped image is from the new set called Theme Park. I heat embossed it in black, colored it with my Copics, cut it out and added a touch more of the Glitter Glue.

Last but not least, I had to make a card. I used the Cherry-O Creative Basics pack. I love the Creative Basic sets. You receive 2 styles of pattern paper that coordinates wonderfully with the full paper pack. You also receive a long length of coordinating ribbon.

I took chocolate card stock and embossed and sanded it to give the effect of a barn wall. The image is from the new set called Howdy. It is a quirky fun set. I stamped the cow in chocolate on Colonial White, paper pieced the spots and tail in chocolate and water colored the body. Too much fun!

The new idea book has soooo many fun new items. I promise to have more projects posted soon. It's time to hop on over to Nancy's blog to check out her creative work. Thanks for stopping in. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Studio J is Here!!!

The day has finally arrived! Studio J is now available. What is Studio J you ask....Studio J is innovative online design software. Anyone with a computer and Internet access can complete scrapbook layouts "Faster, Simpler, Easier!" Studio J is NOT digital scrapbooking. No longer do you need to clog your computer with cumbersome programs that need constant updating. Studio J is housed entirely online. The software contains the same great paper packets and embellishments we use and love. Once you sign into Studio J, you upload your pictures and open a world of what is estimated to be over 192,000 combinations before you even personalize the layout.

The possibilities are endless with Studio J. You attend your niece's wedding, come home, complete layouts and have it ready to give her before she is even home from the honeymoon! Think about it, how many pictures do you have that have developed and sitting around for years? Studio J is "Real Life, Real Scrapbooks, Real Time." And, the more layouts you order, the better the rewards...You can earn free Memory Protectors for ordering layouts in bulk!

Studio J is so much fun....These are layouts I completed...

It is easy to try Studio J. Head over to my website and click on "Studio J" on the left side of the page. Enjoy your venture into the world of Studio Scrapbooking. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Craft Fair Pictures

Wow, am I tired! I haven't been around for a few days because I was busy working on items for the Craft Fair I participated in yesterday. Because of my work schedule, I have to find any event I can that is scheduled on a Sunday. When I signed up for this one, I didn't realize that it was outside. Visually, yesterday was a very pretty day in Philadelphia. BUT, it was cold and very windy. As you know, wind and paper don't mix. :o) I spent the day drinking hot coffee and chasing bows and cards around the parking lot....I finally gave up and but my goodies in bins. So much for a pretty display and a Make and Take. Ah, but I was able to sell many cards and other goodies. I even managed Custom Orders for Party Favors! After my teeth quit chattering, it was a good day!

For Now, Happy Crafting!

National Scrapbooking Month

Tomorrow is a special day....no, I don't mean "Tax Day, " but rather the kick off of Close To My Heart's special kit designed to commemorate National Scrapbooking Month. The kit is called "Miracles" and it really is a special kit. It contains 2 sheets of specially designed pattern paper, card stock, a sheet of Stick-Ease, Irresistibles Die-Cuts, Colonial White Flip Flaps and full instructions.

I really love the papers. The main colors are Crystal Blue, Sweet Leaf, Bamboo and Colonial White. So pretty. I was also happy to play with some embellishments that I probably would not have tried had I not gotten the set. The Irresistible Die Cuts are great. The shapes are very useful but what makes them most fun is the added "resist" material that is embedded in each piece. You sponge the chipboard with ink and some how, some way, the ink is resisted to produce additional texture. Even more fun are the Stick-Ease that match the die cuts for even more texture. Sweet Leaf and Crystal Blue are very versatile colors. You can color the die cuts to match the colors in your photos to tie the project together. The instructions include two separate layouts. Here is the layout I completed with my brand new kit.

Don't you just love the details?!? For the title "My Garden" I used Color Ready Letters. These are available in the Idea Book, but are not included in the kit. I didn't want a great deal of journaling on the pages.

The kit has enough supplies to even make a couple cards once you have completed the layouts! Here is a card that I completed after my layout was complete. By the way, the stamp is a sneak peak of a new My Acrylix stamp set in the soon to be released Summer Idea Book. It is called "A Flutter." I have another sneak peak of a new product called Glitz....a very easy to work with Glitter Glue!

If you look closely at the butterfly, I initially loaded my stamp with Sweet Leaf. I then took a dauber and lightly touched the stamp with Crystal Blue.

Miracle is a great kit. It is only available April 15th through May 31st (or while supplies last.) The kit costs $20. It can be purchased for $10 if you place a $40 order or even better $5 if you spend $60. You can even earn the kit for free if you host a gathering with over $300 in orders or sign up to be a Consultant during the time period. Visit my website for your chance to get the great kit.

It was nice to take a break from my Craft Fair projects and create such great projects. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Packages To Go

It's Craft Fair season and I have been busy working on new ideas. I mentioned the other day that I had purchased a bow maker. Well, I came up with the idea of making "Packages To Go." Think about it, how much do we spend on wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons, cards etc, etc etc??? I think I may have the answer. :o)

Packages To Go include a handmade card, a hand tied bow and a matching gift bag. Everything coordinates and it is so convenient.

Because these are items made to sell at a Craft Fair, I wanted to do make items that worked up quickly but still had a "splashy" impact. All of the papercraft items are made with CTMH products (some are retired). I added glitter and Liquid Applique for extra bling. To make the bow match the card, I punched out scallop and plain circles and stamped a matching image. I affixed them to a pipe cleaner and added it in with the ribbon as I was making the bow.

I will be displaying them at the Craft Fair on Sunday. I am hoping that my customers like the Packages To Go. What do you think? For Now, Happy Crafting!

Ribbon and Paper

The last few days, I have been very busy at work. If you will remember, I am the Classroom Coordinator at a Big Box Craft store. One of my responsibilities is to make and then demo items and tools as they become available in the store. This week, the product I was given to work with is called a "Bowdabra." What a handy and easy to use gizmo! Whenever I have a tool to demo, I try to come up with an unusual use to show the customers....hummmmm....When most people think of bows, they think wreaths and packages. How can I combine paper with the bow.....hummmmm. I then thought of the PaperCraft Planet 3D Challenge from a week or so ago. The challenge was to make "Poofy" flowers. These are great flowers and the link to PCP is here.

The floral designer in the store is a good friend so I didn't want to "step on her toes" and make a wreath using silk flowers. So, I made a wreath using paper poofy flowers! I cut the flowers using the Cricut. I also cut a second pattern of petals and assembled to add interest to the wreath.

Really simple and different. I attached all of the flowers, leaves (also cut on the Cricut, sponged with ink and glittered) and the bow with a hot glue gun.

As luck would have it, I needed a bow for a Bridal Shower package. So, I might as well knock of 2 birds with one stone, right? :o) The Bowdabra is made so that you can add embellishments into the bow before you tie it off. I used my scallop and circle punch and stamped an umbrella. I made two of these and affixed them to either side of amatching pipe cleaner. That way there was a stamped image regardless of which way you looked at the bow. I worked the pipe cleaner into the design of the bow.

The umbrella is stamped in Moonstruck and is from Thoughtful Seasons. The pink color is Watermelon card stock. The flowers on the wreath are not CTMH as I had to use what was available to me at the store.

I am really liking this Bowdarbra and have many more ideas on how to coordinate ribbon and paper! For Now, Happy Crafting!

A Sketch Challenge

I love doing challenges and especially sketch challenges. This sketch is the most recent posted on Paper Craft Planet.

I didn't have the exact shape of the focal point, but I thought I would give it a shot anyway. I'm still working on cards for the next Craft Fair and am in need of Mother's Day cards.

The card is done on an A2 White Daisy base. I combined pattern paper from Sweet Home and Grace Paper Packs. The oval mats were cut with Nesties in Buttercup, Indian Corn Blue and Garnet. The flower images are from this month's Stamp of the Month, Flower Pot. The sketch called for a sentiment on the main image. I decided to use "Thank You" on the Mother's Day card because so often we forget to say "Thank You" to our Mom's. :o) "Mother's Day" is from last month's STOM. A little sponging and a ribbon was added and the card was done.

This is a great sketch that will be so useful on so many cards. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge #73

I'm having a quiet Easter Sunday. Actually, I have been very busy making cards! I checked out the Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge this week and jumped right in making a card. The challenge this week is to make a Clean and Simple card inspired by the movie Sense and Sensibility.

I had so many ideas and finally settled on this design...

I started with an A2 card base of Colonial White. Next, using my Cuttlebug, I embossed a 4 x 5 1/4 inch piece of Garden Green. The small strip of pattern paper is from the CTMH's Veranda Creative Basics paper pack. I added a slightly larger piece of Cocoa card stock for some depth. The image was stamped with Cocoa ink on a piece of 36 pound Vellum. It was colored on the reverse using my LePlume pens. I had to dig them out as I hadn't used them in ions (heehee.) I punched a piece of Colonial White to match the Vellum for a background. It was popped up when attached.

I really wanted to make something that fit with the time period and color tones of the movie. The ribbon (Creme Brulee) folding came to me as I watched the movie trailer. I just love those frilly shirts the men wear! :o)

Don't forget to check out the Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge. It is a fun challenge with many many creative participants. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Enjoy your day....Some Easter Flowers from my Garden. For Now, Happy Crafting!