February CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Home Sweet Home

February is such an exciting month at Close To My Heart!  We have a new Idea Book release (WOOHOO!), an awesome Studio J special ($5 two-page layouts), and the comfy, cozy, there's-no-place-like-home February stamp of the month, Home Sweet Home.  If you'd like to see more Home Sweet Home artwork, be sure to follow this blog hop.  After you visit here, go to Michelle's blog next.  (If you're already hopping, then you've probably arrived from Traci's blog.)

This stamp set couldn't come at a better time for me because we will be undertaking a huge home remodel in the coming months.  (Yikes!)  I've decided to document our journey with a simple photo album (not from CTMH) where I slip in the photos and some journaling rather than create an elaborate scrapbook.  I think the Avonlea paper collection will go nicely with the way-before pictures (from when it was built in 1984), to the current photos, and then of the demolition and remodel.  Here's the front of the album:

And my title frame (4"x6"):

All the fancy cuts, including the house, were made with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!  Before you leave, I'd like to invite you to my 13th CTMH Anniversary Open House on Saturday, Feb. 16.  Drop in any time from 1:00-5:30 for free make & takes, prizes, and more!

Also, be sure to come back Monday because I'll be featuring this stamp set again along with the first February challenge at Heart 2 Heart Challenges! ;)  Now, please click on her name to go see what Michelle has made!

Spring/Summer 2013 CTMH Idea Book Sneak Peek #7

Tomorrow's the big day!  Everything I've featured this past week- and so much more- will be available for purchase on my website!

 Isn't this new folding display tray cool?  This is the masculine, nautical Tommy paper collection.

Spring/Summer 2013 CTMH Idea Book Sneak Peek #6

Surf's Up is another cool one!

Spring/Summer 2013 CTMH Idea Book Sneak Peek #5

L8r Skater is pretty cool!

With Deepest Sympathy

Our neighbor, long-time friend, and builder for our upcoming remodel just lost her mother.  Unfortunately sympathy cards are necessary but not necessarily something I have on hand.  Using the same scrap pile from Sunday's scrap class and the January stamp of the month, Happy Valentine's (and the Card Chatter- Sympathy stamp set), I whipped up this card.

I used the "quick coloring" technique to sponge the roses with some Blush ink.  (It is basically creating a reverse mask or a stencil of your stamped image.)

The inside says "that you're in my thoughts and prayers."

Aaron Brown inspired this card idea and execution.  I really admire her work!

H2H Challenges: All That Glitters!

This week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge is so much fun, I had to play along even though it's my week "off."  The challenge is to show us your glitter!  Get your bling on, gals, and glam it up.

Would you believe that my card is made mostly of scraps?  After today's La Belle Vie and Pear & Partridge scrapbook class (as my sister said, "A BOGO scrap class!"), I grabbed some of my scraps and this gorgeous glitter snowflake (cut with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge) on the NEW silver glitter paper (available 2/1).  It took a few tries to get it right, but I promise you this card is sooo pretty in person!  Honestly, the camera does not do the new Black & Gray glitter buttons justice.

I tore the bottom edge of the front panel and then added the pink strip onto the card base.  The sentiment "Just because" is from the Card Word Puzzle stamp set, stamped in Slate.  I added a little gray sparkle to accent the saying.

Even though it's not glittery, the Slate polka dot ribbon has a lovely shimmer.

I am sad to see La Belle Vie retiring, but you still have a few days to get your own pack before it's gone.

Are you ready to get sparkly?  Join us at H2H!  This is the last January challenge, and you have until Saturday evening to play along with any of the January challenges.  I hope you'll join us!

Spring/Summer 2013 CTMH Idea Book Sneak Peek #4

FOR ALWAYS has to be the most beautiful and versatile of this Idea Book's offerings.  All of the B&T paper is black and white, but the paper pack includes Ruby, Honey, and Lagoon too.

 Below is the scrapbooking Workshop on the Go...

 ...and the cardmaking Workshop on the Go too.

You will definitely be seeing lots of this one!

Spring/Summer 2013 CTMH Idea Book Sneak Peek #3

CLAIRE is another beautiful new CTMH paper pack!  Check out this amazing home decor!  (Hint, hint: we have 6"x6" canvas squares PLUS a 12"x12" canvas workshop available 2/1!)

 Below is the Claire Workshop on the Go.

Let me know if you don't already have a CTMH consultant and you need a new Idea Book!

Play Date Cafe 166 Color Splash & Happy Valentine's

When I saw the Play Date Cafe 166 Retro Color Splash, I knew I had to play along with the Close To My Heart January stamp of the month, Happy Valentine's.  Isn't this a gorgeous color story?  I'm sure you know by now that Emerald is the 2013 color of the year. 

For my card I, I stamped the roses in Black on a White Daisy panel.  I ran a 1" strip of Topiary cardstock across the front.  I folded our Black Tulle ribbon into quarters so that it would fit through the slits in the sentiment panel (cut with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge) which I then adhered over the Topiary strip.

For the Happy Valentine's Day sentiment, I first inked it up in Topiary and then rolled the scrolled top and bottom in Black before adhering to the Topiary piece.  If you look closely, I used a Black marker to outline the Topiary edge.

Putting the butterfly onto the foundry pin clip was a little harder than I anticipated, but I LOVE how it accents the card!  I couldn't resist a pair of sparkles, even though Hubby may not appreciate them as much as I do. ;)  I hope that he likes his card!

You only have a few more days to get your own January stamp of the month.  Order yours HERE!

All supplies from Close To My Heart: Happy Valentine's Day (January stamp of the month) White Daisy and Topiary cardstock; Black and Topiary inks; Black marker; Black tulle ribbon; Black sparkles; Just Blooms Flutter shapes; Foundry pin clip

Spring/Summer 2013 CTMH Idea Book Sneak Peek #2

OK, with two daughters, I must admit that CHANTILLY is probably my favorite of all seven of the new CTMH paper packs!  You will be seeing a lot of this one on my blog in the upcoming months...



 We even have FABRIC that coordinates with Chantilly (and another paper pack coming soon).

 The stamp set featured on this layout is only available in the Chantilly Scrapbooking Workshop on the Go, while you can see the beautiful card Chantilly WOTG below.

Chantilly lace, and a pretty face...

 

Speaking of lace, wait until you see the new Hollyhock ZIPPER LACE! ;)  Wowzas!

Spring/Summer 2013 CTMH Idea Book Sneak Peek #1

On February 1, the new Close To My Heart Spring/Summer Idea Book will go "live!"  I've had a sneak peek all this month, and I can't wait to share it with you!  (If you don't already have a CTMH consultant, please contact me to get your complimentary copy.)  I decided to share our new paper packs in alphabetical order because I really can't pick a better way to share them with you.  I already have four of the seven in my possession!

 

Up first is Buzz and Bumble! 

The stamp set featured with the above layout is only availabe in the Buzz & Bumble Workshop on the Go.

H2H Challenges: Fancy Folds

We're getting fancy this week on the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog!  Fancy folds, that is!  Create a project with any type of fancy fold and then share it on the H2H blog.  Sorry crafters, folding your cardstock to make a card isn't fancy enough for this challenge. ;)  You'll have to admit, though, that folding paper is way more fun than folding laundry!

My "fancy fold" is the fun (and easy) double pocket card.  You start with a piece of 8.5"x11" cardstock or B&T papers.  (I used Clementine for mine.)  If you need instructions, try this great tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers. 

One of my daughter's friends has a birthday party coming up, so she can write her message on the tag (just one from the office supply store from my stash) and then then front pocket can either hold a gift card or some cash.  Can you see how I folded a strip of cardstock into a ruffle on the front too?

If you need more inspiration, then you have got to go check out what the fabulous H2H DT has folded up for you this week!  I am going to have to give some of their fancy folds a try too.  Hope to see you soon on the H2H blog!  You have all month to play along with any of the January challenges.  Just remember to use some CTMH products.

Supplies from CTMH: Clementine paper pack; 4 My Friend and (retired) Fringed Phrases stamp sets; Saddle and Twilight inks; Cottage Flower button assortment
Other: office supply tag

More January Stamp of the Month Cards

The January stamp of the month, Happy Valentine's, is such a beautiful set that can actually be used year-round.  My first cards were made with Cranberry (click HERE to see them), and since the #2 style was very popular, I decided to recreate it in other colors.  I also decide to try turning the card from a top- to side-fold.

Clockwise from top left: Creme Brulee, Sorbet, Cotton Candy, and Hollyhock (with Black for the sentiment, from the Card Chatter- Sympathy set)

Here are both orientations of the Sky and Smoky Plum versions.

If you'd like your own Happy Valentine's set, just click HERE to order!  Don't forget about this month's Whoo's Your Valentine special and my two-for-one scrapbook class on 1/27.

Which color do you prefer?  I really like all of them, but I lean toward the pinks and reds.

H2H Challenges: Snow Much Fun

It's time for the first Heart 2 Heart challenge of the new year, and our theme is "snow much fun!"  I am so excited to be heading up the H2H blog, and I look forward to getting to know so many of you faithful readers and challenge participants better.

 We've only had a light dusting of snow so far this year, so I decided to make a festive card using our NEW glitter paper!  (It will be available beginning 2/1 in two packs: one black, gray, and silver, and the other in brown, gold, and bronze.)  These snowflakes were cut with the Cricut CTMH Art Philosphy cartridge.

My card design came straight from the Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 1 how-to guide.  The Crystal Blue and White Daisy panels were spritzed with a mixture of Crystal Blue reinker, Create-A-Shade Pearl Paint, and water.  The Slate piece was spritzed with a pearl paint/water mixture.  I'm not sure how well you can see it here, but it adds a lovely subtle shimmer to the card pieces.  I also random stamped snowflakes onto the Crystal Blue panel and the Greeting sentiment in Slate (all from the 2011 October stamp of the month).

I decided to paint the edges of the two largest panels with more pearl paint for more "snow."  Do you see how I used the Slate polka dot ribbon?  It has a really nice satin sheen.  Finally,  I used a glitter button and a rhinestone button to add more glitz to the card.

Now it's your turn to show off your snowy projects!  Just link up to the H2H blog by the end of the month!  Hope to see you there!

Scrap Our Stash January Challenge: Tag, You're It!

This month's challenge at Scrap Our Stash is to use a tag on your scrapbook layout.  Easy peasy, right?  We're also challenging you to put YOU in your layout too, so that might make this month a little more challenging.  You can do it!  Who better to tell your story than you, right?

This year's school picture was the starting point for my layout.  I pulled paper from my stash that I thought matched my shirt pretty well.  That turned out to be more challenging than I anticipated!  Since I'm a teacher, I thought the background (from Scholastic) was a nice fit.  Instead of cutting off the zip strip at the top (the part that looks like spiral notebook paper), I cut off a half-inch off the bottom of the paper and left the strip attached.
The roses on the bottom right corner and stamped lightly on the tag are from the Close To My Heart January stamp of the month, Happy Valentine's.  I stamped my title from the Old World Alphabet (which is retiring soon).  The Colonial White rosette ribbon and purple sparkles are also current, but I think everything else is retired.
The dark blue stickers are from a collection I won several years ago, so it fell really good to actually use some of my stash!
Now it's your turn to scrap your stash!  Create a layout with a tag, and then join us over at SOS.  I hope to see your creations this month too!  Come on!  I showed you mine!  Now you can show me yours. ;)