World Card Making Day TODAY (and a Blog Hop Too)

Happy World Card Making Day!

I challenge each and every one of you to send someone a card today (or at the very latest get it in the mail by Monday). Make it yourself if you're up to the challenge! It doesn't have to be elaborate: a few simple words is all it takes. There's nothing like a heartfelt greeting in the mailbox, is there? Make someone's day today!

Several fellow Close To My Heart consultants and I decided to form a blog hop, so check out some amazing cards created by some very talented ladies. You can start here at mine and hop on through. (The link to the next person is near the end.)

The instructions for my accordian card (which would also make a great mini album!) can be found at Splitcoast Stampers (click on the name for a direct link to the instructions if you're interested in learning more).

I am loving the Dimensional Elements- Organic chipboard accents that coordinate with the Twitterpated paper. (These pieces are actually "leftovers" from the upcoming Twitterpated workshop!)

Isn't that felt acorn darling? I can't wait to show off more of the Heartfelt Whimsy felt collection!

You may be wondering where that little blue bird came from, but everyone needs a little bluebird of happiness, and Crystal Blue is a color in this paper pack, even if I didn't use it anywhere else in this project.

Now hop on over to Jena's blog to get this party started! Thanks for stopping by. Happy World Card Making Day!

Materials from Close To My Heart:

Twitterpated paper pack

November Word Puzzle, Whooo Loves You? and Flourished Blessings stamp sets

Sweet Leaf, Sorbet, Chocolate, and Crystal Blue inks

Chocolate marker

Coluzzle cutting system

Sorbet Designer Ribbon Rounds

Basic Brads Collection

Dimensional Elements- Organic

Heartfelt Whimsy Felt Die Cuts

Natural Hemp

Other: two chipboard coasters

World Card Making Day CTMH Blog Hop Participants

Please tell me that you aren't sick of these blog hops yet! I think that they are so much fun.

Here are our participants for this special edition blog hop:
Yours truly http://inkyscrapper.blogspot.com
Jena DeVries http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com
Antoinette Herrin http://www.GodblessyourART.blogspot.com
Tresa Black www.fabulouslyartsy.blogspot.com
Debra Van Patten http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
Wendy Kessler www.myscrapbookingblog.com
Kathleen Androlewicz http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com/
Shirley Ross www.momnmescrap.blogspot.com
Teri Baxter www.themidnightartist.blogspot.com/
Camy Eisentrager www.camyscorner.blogspot.com
Jessica Booth http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com
Jamia Bankhead http://papermadnessinc.blogspot.com
Kristina Baldwin http://sunnydaymemories.blogspot.com
Debora Quigley http://livingbetterforless.blogspot.com
Laurie Flannery http://westmanscrapbooks.blogspot.com
Penny Kentosh http://cardmakinginparadise.blogspot.com
Deb Young www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com

If you go through the hop, please leave the ladies a comment. I'm sure they would appreciate your feedback as much as I do. Thanks!

October Workshop: Twitterpated

This month's workshop is so perfect for fall! You'll be Twitterpated for sure.

[If you're looking for the blog hop, it's below.]

The great thing about my new workshops is that they are perfect for scrapbookers, card makers, or both. Here's how it works:

1. Preorder your kit (see options below).

2. Join me at 2:00 on Sunday, October 25, to create two two-page layouts. (One of the two layouts is featured at left.)

3. Stay or arrive at 4:00 to make a set of 6 cards (more if time allows). (The set of six cards are showcased at right.)


Can't attend on the 25th? You can still order a kit! The instruction guide will walk you through the projects, and I am always only a phone call or email away if you need help.

Pre-order any option below by 10/8 to maximize your workshop (and creative) options. With the Basic and Best options, you'll get a full-color, six-page workshop guide for both scrapbooking and card-making! If you can't attend the workshop, these guides will walk you through many of the projects.

• Budget Kit: Twitterpated Level 2 paper pack and Chocolate Designer Ribbon Rounds $20.90*
• Basic Kit: Twitterpated Level 2 paper pack, exclusive Journey B-size stamp set (only available with this kit!), Chocolate Designer Ribbon Rounds, and the workshop guide for the discounted price of $29.95*
• Best Kit: All the contents of the basic kit, plus Dimensional Elements- Organic, Natural Hemp, and Basic Brads for $40.65*

If you miss the deadline to preorder a kit, you can still attend the class for a $5 fee and make either a scrapbook layout or a set of cards (or both for $10). Artwork coming soon!
*All prices are before S/H & tax.

October Stamp of the Month BLOG HOP

It's THAT time of the month! Time for another Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop, that is! We're doing our monthly hop a little bit differently this time, with three different rounds or loops of hoppers (see my previous post for the complete deets), so be sure to check them all out over the next few days. (Of course I guess they'll be here in cyberspace basically forever!) If you came from Jen's blog then you're hopping right along.

The October stamp of the month is called Holiday Warmth, and it will bring you just that! I created this circle card following the "Ricochet" sketch from Wishes. The Jingle paper pack is so festive! Although the October stamp of the month has some adorable images, I chose to let the Jingle papers shine through. The vellum really did the trick to add a layer but still let you see those cute packages.

Speaking of shine, what do you think of the bling? I traced a border on the rectangle and square pieces with my Liquid Glass and then sprinkled Prisma Glitter on it before it could dry. It kind of reminds me of sugar crystals on a sugar cookie! I had to dot the "i" in shines with a tiny clear sparkle too.

Enjoy a little warmth on this hop to jump start your holiday creations! Now hop on over to Michelle's blog and see her cute creation! Thanks for visiting. Be sure to pop back in because I'll be posting more artwork with this stamp set (and others). If you'd like to purchase this stamp set (or anything else from Close To My Heart), you can click right HERE. Did you know that you can earn the stamp of the month at a discount or even free?

Also, come back Saturday for a blog hop to celebrate World Card Making Day!

October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop Participants

We're shaking things up a bit this month, and offering THREE DIFFERENT blog hops for you showcasing the adorable Close To My Heart October stamp of the month, Holiday Warmth.


Here are all the participants of all three blog hops. Be sure to visit them all, and if you do, leave them a little comment.

ROUND 1
Jena DeVries - http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/
Helen Onulak - http://www.hookedonstamping.com/
Linda Shewchuk - http://www.awesomememories.blogspot.com/
Kristie Herdener - http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Sheila Bennett - http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com/
Cibele Glazer - http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com/
Barbra Otten - http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
Melissa Laverty - http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/
Carla Ironside - http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com/
Nona Davenport - http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/
Deb Young - http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/
Terrie Dodd - http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/
Alanna Moses - http://www.damoses.blogspot.com/
Antoinette Herrin - http://www.godblessyourart.blogspot.com/
Jamia Bankhead - http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com/
Karen Norman - http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/
Beth Naumann - http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com/
Brae Montgomery - http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
Kathleen Androlewicz - http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com/
Tanya David - http://www.scramperscorner.blogspot.com/
Tammy Lea Pinchard - http://mycreativeclubhouse.blogspot.com/
Chris Shouse - http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/

ROUND 2
Debra Van Patten - http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
Lori Leng - http://www.pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com/
Nancy Brown - http://www.creativelyartsygallery.blogspot.com/
Krista Ritskes - http://kristaritskes-simplycreating.blogspot.com/
Katy Donaldson - http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/
Pamela OConnor - http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
Jen Rubio - http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/
Haley Dyer - http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Michelle Nist - http://michellenist.blogspot.com/
Jen Patrick - http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
Kimberly Smith - http://verykimberry.blogspot.com/
Sylvia Jacquot - http://stampinsylvia.blogspot.com/
Sarita Schraeder - http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com/
Dawn Ross - http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
Laurie Newton - http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
Kami Welter - http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
Wendy Kessler - http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
Jessica Booth - http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
Lori Brown - http://www.savingmine.blogspot.com/
Barbara Harris - http://www.paper-creations117.blogspot.com/

ROUND 3
Judy Burger - http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
Paige Dolecki - http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/
Nancy Ball - http://www.ballisticdesign.blogspot.com/
Adeline E. Brill - http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
Cindy Leek - http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/
Carol Taggio - http://craftycarol55.blogspot.com/
Jody Gustafson - http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com/
Wanda Riley - http://www.creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com/
Jill Lucas - http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/
Susan Brooks - http://www.stampingintheopen.blogspot.com/
Dawn Heuft - http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
Shannon Pelletier - http://www.mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com/
Laurie Levnik - http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com/
Caren Goldsein - http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com/
Brenda Harmless - http://keepsakeswithheart.blogspot.com/
Amy McVey - http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/
Traci Godbee - http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/
Maricar Harris - http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com/
Pam Klassen - http://eimmap.blogspot.com/
Misty Jackson - http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/

Sunday's Gathering & Last Day for September Specials

Sunday I had the privilege of hosting some lovely ladies from the next town north at my home for a Close To My Heart gathering. They were very excited to come to my house instead of me going to theirs, and I loved that I could show them more things since I didn't have to travel!

We began our class with the card at right which uses the Everyday Celebration card kit. Today is the last day you can purchase this kit or earn it for free!!! We used the Grace paper pack, with Honey, Cocoa, Twilight, and Barn Red inks. A little Colonial White crocheted ribbon and gold brads finished it off. This card is based on the Wishes "All Squared Up" sketch.

Our second card showcases the September stamp of the month, Treasures. Today is also the last day to purchase this stamp set or earn it at a discount or even free.

We used the Emporium paper pack and practiced the Rock 'N Roll technique with Buttercup and Vineyard Berry inks. This card is loosely based on the "Medallion" sketch from Wishes. Laurie Flannery also greatly inspired this card. Go check out her lovely work when you have a chance.

Our final card was many of the ladies' favorite due to its elegant simplicity. It also features Treasures, the September stamp of the month, but this time we paired it with the Sweet Home paper pack in White Daisy, Garnety, Heavenly Blue, and Indian Corn Blue. Can you see the Heavenly Blue sponged on the edges of the White Daisy cardstock? We tried two new techniques to glam this card up, both using Liquid Glass and Prisma Glitter (You'll see more of that tomorrow so stop back by!). First, we dotted Liquid Glass on the dandelion seed the sprinkled the Prisma Glitter on it. Hopefully ou can see it in the close up picture below.

Now, check out that Bigger Brad on the B&T patterned paper strip. Does it sparkle or what? I held the brad with tweezers, poured some Liquid Glass onto its head, then dipped it into the jar of Prisma Glitter. It is oh-so-pretty in person! (To let the brads dry, I turned a styrofoam egg carton upside and pierced the brads into the cups. Note to self if you try this one at home: pierce the egg carton before you "bling" the brads because it is hard to push the wet, tacky brad into the carton unless you've prepunched the hole! And by tacky I mean wet glue, not gaudy! These little babies are purty!!!) You may have to click on that full-card picture above to see the brad better. Once again, I have to thank another incredibly talented CTMH consultant, Jody Gustafson, for the inspiration for this card.

So, here's a big thank you to my crafting muses and to the ladies who made the trek down for a little stamping time.

Tuesday Tutorial: Faux Edge Anchors

Saturday, a few friends and I created the Grace workshop I had advertised earlier in the month. (My last two posts were the layouts from the workshop.) We had a great time chatting, stamping, scrapping, and card making! We got sooooo much done!

Joy was so clever! She created this adorable faux edge anchor by using a small rectangle of Barn Red card stock (AKA scrap destined for the trash), added two brads, and created a cute embellishment. I love it!

If you give this new technique a try, be sure to leave a comment linking your creation so we can check it out. Very cool use of scraps! Thanks, Joy!

Anniversaries 2009 (Layout #42)

This is the 2nd layout we created at the Grace workshop yesterday. My parents' anniversary is 7/6 and ours is 7/8 (yes, I planned it that way) so here are our celebrations this year: two luncheons within two days at the same yummy place!

The first one was with my family for my parents' anniversary, and the second was with DH's family for ours.

My Peaceful Place (Layout #41)

You may remember this layout from my post about my Grace workshop (which is being held this afternoon, by the way). I got my pictures developed and put on the layout so I thought that you might like to see the finished project.

If you'd like to read more about the materials, etc., just click right here.

My Car is Fixed and It's FRIDAY!!!!

We have been a one-vehicle family for the past several weeks, and though we've enjoyed some family bonding ("Are we there yet?" "Don't forget to pick me up at..." "What time do you need to be there?"), my car is now fixed. Hallelujah! I should have blogged about it stranding me on the hill going up to school/work. Read on if you want to hear THAT story!

A couple of weeks ago, my vehicle just quit going. It didn't die; it just wouldn't go. When I pressed the gas, nothing. Of course I'm going uphill in my behemoth-bus-of-an-SUV (the photo is not my actual SUV but one like it but in a different color that I found online to post here). By the time I realize there's a problem (I was rockin' to the radio and getting near the stop), I have very little forward momentum (remember the hill?) to get off the road. (I did get partly off the road before I quit coasting.) I decide that since I couldn't go forward but my power steering/brakes seem to be working (no fun when they're out!!!), I will have to back down the steep hill. First the cars behind me have to get out of the way, but they can hardly see me waving them on because of the angle my car is pulled off the road and the big behemoth behind in the road (the car's not mine, thank you very much!). I finally get a break and start coasting downhill but then have to stop for the cars coming up the hill (who I'm sure think that a lunatic is on the loose). I managed to back into the parking lot of the restaurant at the bottom of the hill and call hubby. He thinks it's probably a fuse (similar problem w/his truck once) so he will finish getting the girls ready and be right along. (He takes the girls to school anyway and has to drive right by where I am parked.) I let my co-teacher know that I'm running a bit late. She offers to come get me but I just knew DH would be there soon (yeah, right) and I have too much stuff to carry to hike up the hill. (Now if you know where I'm talking about then you know the wisdom in not hiking up the hill fully loaded with school gear sans hiking boots.)

It turns out it's not a fuse but the accelerator pedal. The entire thing. That's why I had power but couldn't "rev" the engine. Turns out this is an electronic sensor problem and the entire pedal system will need to be replaced. The better news? Ford will *maybe* release about 500 of these things from the factory on 9/9. I might be customer #501 and seriously out of luck.

Fortunately, you already know this tale has a happy ending. The part arrived yesterday (only two weeks after it was "released") and $300 later I have a shiny new accelerator pedal. Too bad the brake pedal is looking so shabby... I guess I'll drive it some more anyway.

Jet Skiing (Layout #40)

Fortunately we (really I mean DH) pulled the jet ski out of the water before we got all the torrential rain!

These pictures are actually from the summer of 2005 when we first bought our jet ski. Before then we enjoyed Grumps' and Uncle Reid's and finally decided it would be a great investment in our family.

This layout is another one I pulled out of my stash (also made at the Atlanta Regionals in '08) and matched up with a selection of photos. Generally when I scrapbook I start with the pictures, but sometimes the layout gets created first and I find pictures to match. (I am amazed sometimes at how well I can "make" photos work with layouts from classes, etc. Get 'er done!!!) It's going in the "Things We Do" album, which has taken away my guilt about trying to make sure that the girls' albums get filled. I still do layouts for them, but some things have to go in the family albums. They can fight over them when I'm gone!

Supplies used:
It's a Guy Thing paper pack
New England Ivy, Cocoa, and Barn Red inks and markers
H2O stamp set (retired)
Dimensional Elements Fresh Shapes

Chocolate Mini-Medley Accents
hemp

A Thing of Beauty (Layout #39)

We are so thankful for the rain that we've received but were thrilled to get some sunshine yesterday! The news coming out of Atlanta is so sad but we're fortunately up in the mountains on higher ground.

Now on to the layout: I've actually had this one for a long time. We created it at the Close To My Heart Atlanta Regional Celebration in '08, and I'm finally getting around to putting some pictures on it. I'm using it as the title page of my "teaching album."

This layout is based on the Reflections sketch, "Bottom Border- Title." I love how we accented the Silhouette paper pack, which is very neutral in Colonial White, White Daisy, Bamboo, and Black, with a Desert Sand background and Blush accents. We did a ton of direct-to-paper distressing and used the stamp set Joy Forever for the flowers and sentiment. Finally, the accents include Colonial White twill and a trio of black buttons.

The flower photos are from my yard. I love flowers!