April Classes

***Should you lose track of this post, you will find all of this information under my Classes tab***

I always think bright and colorful when I think of April!  I love watching the flowers pop up and the trees bud.  In fact, we're a little ahead of schedule in Minnesota.  My forsythia was in full bloom on March 23rd, and it didn't bloom until May 5th last year!

April Card Class - At-Home Kit Only ($7.00)

This kit consists of 5 clean and simple cards.  The pieces are pre-cut, stamped, and will be mailed directly to your home with full instructions.  Your last day to order the kit is Sunday, April 15th, and all kits will be mailed on the 16^th.    You can either send me a check by April 15th or I can send you a PayPal invoice.

April Technique Class - Lucy Card Box  ($12)

• Monday, April 23rd at 6:30 pm (4 spots open)
• Tuesday, April 24th at 6:30 pm (5 spots open)

In this class you will create a card box using the Lucy Paper Packet.  The inside and outside will be decorated!  All materials are included in the class fee.  You just need to bring yourself!  

Florentine Club Pages ($20)

Come to a scrapbook evening where you will create two 2-page layouts with pre-cut materials and all the supplies you need.  Come to club 15 minutes early (or stay 15 minutes late) and create a FREE Stamp of the Month card!

• Monday, April 9th at 6:30 pm (1 opening)
• Tuesday, April 10th at 6:30 pm (full)
• Monday, April 16th at 6:30 pm (1 opening)

Included in Kit:

• Pre-cut Florentine paper for layouts
• Garden Wooden Shapes - full package
• (6) Durable Studs - Round
• 2 feet Color-Ready Seam Binding
• 1/5 package of Bitty Pearls
• 2 Designer Rhinestone Brads 
• 6 Medium Pearl Opaque Gems

Supplies needed for Class:

• Scissors (micro-tip is best)
• Ruler (you'll need it to line up letters)
• Tape Runner
• Glue Dots
• Pop Dots
• Corner Rounder
• Paper Piercer or QuikStix Tool for gems
• Xyron or Glue Pen (for adhering letters and vines)

Please let me know if have any questions about any of the April classes.  All of them are able to be long distance classes and come with full directions.  I hope to hear from you in April!

God Bless You

Wow!  Two posts in one day!  As long as I was making cards with this paper, I thought I'd use it up.  It was fun working with the chocolate and creme brulee of this paper packet.  I was inspired by a sketch over at Deconstructed Sketches for this one.

I particularly like this dark chocolate grosgrain ribbon.  Isn't it pretty?  It is 1-1/4" wide, and makes a really nice bow.  The sentiment is from Card Chatter - Sympathy, and really, it's quite useful for many occasions.

Now, I've had my play time so it's back to work.  It's great that as my own boss, I can take the time for some random creativity in a day.  What's even better is that my "work" means creating some more!!  I LOVE my job!

Thank You

I have been a bad, bad blogger this week.  I am so sorry that I haven't brought you new artwork to see!  I truly have been crafting, but all of that will be revealed during a big National Scrapbooking Day special for April and May.  This morning, I put everything aside, made a mocha latte, and decided just to look through a few challenges.  I found a sketch at Clean and Simple that I just loved.  I took the sketch very literally, and I had a great time!

I have been hoarding some of the discontinued textured cardstock that CTMH carried for some time.  I am really working on using up what supplies I have, and it's felt very good!  So I made a card base with textured chocolate cardstock and ran it through the cuttlebug with my swiss dots folder.  Because of the beautiful white core in CTMH paper, I lightly sanded the raised dots to get this print.  I cut four 3/4" strips of paper and used my corner rounder to make scallops.  That is a quick and easy technique - have you tried it?  It's as simple as taking the guard off of your little green corner rounder!  I always have extra die cuts in a bin, so I pulled out some matching flowers and a banner to finish this card off.

That was so much fun, that I am going back to make some more cards!  If you are interested in my April Classes, I have those posted along with Summer Club details on my "Classes" tab.  I'll make a formal announcement in the next few days, but feel free to contact me if anything interests you!

4 You

I needed to sit down and make a batch of cards today so I pulled out some discontinued paper.  I have been on a mission to use up the stray sheets that I have in my supply.  Cards are the perfect way to do that!

This is a fun stamp set - Remarkable Wreath - and can be used in so many way!  Take a look at how you can use it for many occasions and seasons.

 It's just one of my favorites, and I liked using using this heavenly blue ribbon (discontinued) and goldrush ink with it.  Fun day in the craft room!

What Would You Create With All of This?

If that weren't enough, let's add this, too!

When you join Close To My Heart this month for $99, you will receive the Cricut Art Philosophy collection free!  I would love to have you join my Rose Blossom team!  This special ends on Saturday, March 31st, so I wanted to be able to tell you about it one more time.  If you would like more information, please feel free to contact me (763-227-0583 or girlygirlrose43@msn.com).  You can also click on the tab at the top of my blog that says "Join My Team."  So instead of talking, I'm just going to show you some of the things that I've made with the items in the Consultant Kit and with the Art Philosophy collection.

Nephews

I had a couple of awesome pictures of my nephews, and I could hardly wait to scrap them.  I had to find some sports-type paper to use with all of my CTMH goodies, so I went with Bella Blvd's Making the Team.  I thought that all of my embellishments complimented it beautifully!

I love these two boys.  They are both so kind and caring - truly great teenagers!

Items that can be found on my website:
Pennant Alphabet
Honey Mini Medleys
Black Baker's Twine
Milepost Shapes (Banners)
Lagoon Mini Medleys (retired)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Potential

I am just popping in with a short post today to share another card using the March Stamp of the Month - Potential.  It's such a pretty set, and it really is very versatile!

 I used Florentine paper along with Twilight and Cocoa ink for this card.  Such a good reminder - anything is possible!  This would be a good encouragement or graduation card.

As always, the supplies I used on this card can be found on my spiffy new website under the "Shop" tab.  As long as you are looking there, check out the While Supplies Last section.  You will find some awesome deals!

You're Special

About once a month, I sit down and make bulk cards for mailing.  I like to try and make about two dozen, and I stamp then generically or else leave them blank.  That way, if I need a card for a customer, friend, or family member they are already to go!  I think all of you seasoned card makers will agree that once you get in the rhythm, it's almost easier to make them in bulk.  So I pulled out the set called A Tulip along with some Heavenly Blue and Crystal Blue cardstock.  This is the cutest stamp for spring and has 7 stamps for just $6.95!

Are you surprised?  These are not likely colors on my blog, are they?  I scored the Heavenly Blue mat every 1/4" and then sanded it in order to get this look.  That is the beauty of our solid white core!  The stem is stamped in Sweet Leaf, and the tulip head in Crystal blue.  All of the stamps on the card - including the stitch stamp - are on the A Tulip stamp set!  A little grey wool twine finished off this card perfectly!

Thanks for stopping by!  I always enjoy your visit and comments!!

Dots and More Dots!

A friend gifted me with some lovely paper from Echo Park, so I put together a couple of cards.  Of course, I put my Art Philosophy cartridge to work!

I love flowers, and I so love making flowers with the AP cartridge!  If I could, I would roll flowers for every single project - LOL!!  Let me give you a little tip.  When you sit down to roll these flowers, have a bottle of Liquid Glass handy.

This is such an affordable product and has so many uses!  It gives "glassy" dimension to your images, makes beautiful water splashes, raindrops, and dew drops, and it is the best adhesive I've ever used.  When people look over the projects I've made, they can't believe how firm the rolled are.  That is Liquid Glass!

Okie-dokie, I cut the card bases, layers, and flowers from the AP cartridge.  On the yellow card, I've used Honey Mini Medleys (does this card remind you of sunshine?!)  On the pink card, I used some discounted pink blush ribbon that I've been hoarding (do my CTMH friends remember this?) and a blush ribbon slide.  For both cards, I've used some rub-ons for sentiments and I created a scalloped border using my corner rounder.  You can cut a scalloped border with your Art Philosophy cartridge, too!

It's Sunday, and it's going to be 80 degrees again here in the Twin Cities of Minnesota!  It is unseasonably warm, and it's just beautiful!  I've got lilies, yarrow, and catmint (does it surprise you that I have this?  Sassy and the neighbor cats LOVE this!) popping out of the ground, so I will be tending to them a little today.  I don't cut my flowers down in the fall rather choosing to leave the dried for protection.  Then I'll be back in my craft room creating more cards and designing some classes.  Originally, I was going to take a day off with Jerry, but he's got a terrible spring cold.  So I am steering clear of my hubby, spraying a lot of Lysol, and letting him get the rest he needs!  I spent a greater portion of the day running errands with Shane yesterday, but he is working today, so I have plenty of time to get some of my own things done.  I planned our summer vacation last night, and I am thrilled as to where we are going!  We will be heading up to Bemidji (northern Minnesota) in June.  We've stayed at this resort before, and we've chosen the same little cottage that is about 6 steps from the lake.  Bemidji State Park has the most beautiful bog walk, and if we are lucky we'll catch a glimpse of the elusive Lady Slipper (Minnesota's state flower).  We'll also visit Itasca State Park again.  This park is so rich with Minnesota heritage!  And of course, we'll head to Forestedge Winery where they make wine with the fruits of Minnesota.  In between, Jerry will get a lot of fishing in, and I'll get to spend some time sun bathing in the boat.  Sounds like an ideal vacation to me!

Off to catch up on a little blog reading to see what's up in your lives!

Our Thoughts and Prayers

I have wanted to play with Laurel's Inspired By challenge for a long time.  I had some plans change today, so I was able to spend some time in my craft room.  I hopped over to see the photo this week (Laurel bases her challenges on Pinterest photos), and my very first thought was a discontinued paper pack that I love called Miracle.  The light blue vase with the white flower are so peaceful and subtle, and that is what I was inspired by.

This paper is so soft and pretty!  I look forward to playing with a lot more of Laurel's challenges!

Items used that can be found on my website:

Z1686 Art Philosophy Cartridge (card base)

A1121 A Blossom stamp set (sentiment)

Z1336 Pearl Opaque Gems

Dallas Convention! Come and Join the Fun!

One of the "sweet spots" in my job is being able to attend Close To My Heart's annual Convention.  It's always filled with tons of creative time, lots of ideas for business, great laughs, loads of new product, and well, very little sleep!  But it's worth it because it's just so much fun!!  Keep reading after the video, so I can tell you a little more about how you can go to Dallas, too!



I LOVED this video, and I LOVE how hard Close To My Heart works to make things fun for us!  How can this not be contagious?!  I learned today that Stacy Julian is going to be our Keynote Speaker - WOWZA!!  You know her from Big Picture Scrapbooking.  I am over-the-top THRILLED that I am going to hear her speak and have the opportunity to meet her!

Would you like to join me at Convention this year?  I would love that!!  This is the month to join Close To My Heart.  When you become a Consultant before March 31st, you will receive a FREE Art Philosophy Collection! (And if you already have that, you can get $100 in Select Product Credit!)  For the cost of the kit ($99), you will receive over $450 in product!!  What a good start for a business!!  I would love to talk to you about the opportunity.  There is a place for everyone - no matter what you want to do - at Close To My Heart!

If you are ready to take the plunge, just head over to my website and fill out the Online Application.  I am looking forward to hearing from you!!

ScrapFIT Workout #64

We have a special Workout for you today! ScrapFIT has teamed up with The Paper Variety to offer you 2 challenges in one!  ScrapFIT has offered up a jounaling challenge and The Paper Variety has created a sketch challenge. Put them together and you will get an awesome layout and a chance to WIN a prize from both places! 

Workout #64- Its Easy as 1, 2, 3... 

The 'Its Easy as 1, 2, 3..' Workout is here and all you have to do is list out numerically your journaling on your layout!  Show us your numbered list! Be sure to incorporate this journaling workout with the Sketch below from The Paper Variety so you can enter you layout at both places!  

This is what I did for the sketch:

Close To My Heart products used on this layout than can be found on my website:

• Z1705 Square Durable Studs
• Z1612 Foundry Pin Clips
• Z1450 Cork Alphabet
• Z1464 Milepost Shapes

ScrapFIT Sponor for Workout #64 is Paper Quirk 

 This is a special kind of workout and we want to offer up a second prize! 

ScrapFIT is offering up this prize to a random person that leaves a comment THIS POST!

You're Special

I saw sketch over at Frosted Designs, and I had to stop everything and create a card for the challenge.  I so love circle cards!

This card was made almost entirely with the Close To My Heart's exclusive Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. (Don't forget - this is the month you can get the collection free when you join Close To My Heart!  Read about it HERE.)  The circle card base, circle layer, banner, flowers, and flourishes are all die-cuts.  I added some cocoa embellishments and twine, and this card was done in under 30 minutes.  I love that about the AP cartridge!  It makes crafting quick and easy.  With 700 more images, I'd better head back and see what else I can create!!

Items used that can be found on my website:
Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection
X7153B Florentine Paper Packet
A1111 A Tulip Stamp Set
Z1702 Creme Brulee Baker's Twine
Z1358 Basic Buttons
Z1333 Mocha Opaque Gems

Winter Wonderland

Do have blogger friends that inspire you?  I count myself so blessed because I have many, many people in blogland that not only inspire me, but who I look forward to "visiting" and "talking" with.  Many of you don't even know how much you inspire me day after day, and how much I admire your work!

One of my blog friends, Jamie, is one of the many people that I love to visit.  Her blog is A Happy Scrappy Place, and I promise that you will love her work!  One of the several reasons I love her work is because she creates with clean lines.  She designs for Teresa Collins, and I've been watching over the months on how she combines paper from the different lines.  I took some of that inspiration and combined it with a sketch from Liz Qualman.  Liz is another person that amazes me, so for me to combine all this into one page was really a true joy!

These pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago when we had our first true snowfall for the winter.  Kind of late in the season, but it was a beautiful day for picture taking!  It had rained right before the snowfall, so the trees ended up with ice on the branches under the snow.  I used a couple of sheets of Teresa Collins Christmas Home for this page because the black/grey/white mix was perfect the photos.

Close To My Heart products used that can be found on my website:
5571 Grey Wool Cardstock
1386 Black Cardstock
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge
D1480 Snowflakes Stamp Set (winter wonderland sentiment)
A1111 A Tulip Stamp Set (stitch)
Z1335 Licorice Gems

March Embossing Class & Card Kit

I wanted to share the cards I will be teaching at my Embossing Class on Saturday morning.  I have only five spots left for this class, so if you are interested, please let me know!  The cost is $10 for five cards, and everything is included.  You just need to bring yourself!

There is still time to sign up for my March Card Kit, too!  All the kits are pre-cut, pre-stamped, and they come packaged with envelopes and instructions.  Payment of $7.00 is due to me by Thursday, March 15th.  You can either send a check (473-195th Ave NE; East Bethel, MN 55011) or I can send you a PayPal invoice.  Card kits will go out on Friday, March 16th.  

March Stamp of the Month - Potential

I wanted to take a minute to show you another example of the March Stamp of the Month.  It's just so pretty and elegant!

Along with black and white daisy cardstock, I used an argyle scrap from the Cruisin' paper packet.  Those stamps are so bold and beautiful!  Let me tell you about the ribbon.  I've used the color ready seam binding ribbon that starts out like this:

I simply sponged it with black ink to give it that beautiful deep black color.  It's so easy to use this ribbon!

The stamp of the month is such a fabulous on-going special!  When you place an order of $50, you get the stamp of the month for $5.  What a great deal!

Milk Cartons

We have the cutest My Creations Milk Carton set in the Idea Book.  When I had a few minutes on Saturday, I put this together as a little hostess gift.

What a fun item to make!  To give you an idea of what it will hold, I was able to pour a 14 oz bag of jelly beans in there with room to spare.  So it really holds a lot!  As I was playing with it, I thought of all the other possibilities for these little cartons.

They come in a set of two for $4.95.  So I think this is a great price point, too!  Other items used on this project are Stella paper, Sweet Leaf Grosgrain, Flutter Shapes, Blue Gems, Basic Buttons, and the Art Philosophy Cartridge to make the flowers.

Our Thoughts

I spent the day yesterday at a 12-hour MS crop.  The organizers of this crop are just marvelous women - a mother and two daughters - and it was a perfect day!  I was able to spend time with old friends and new friends, and I even managed to get a couple of projects done!  I thought I would share them with during the next couple of days.

The first is a card that was inspired by the shaped card challenge at Creative Cutter Room and Mojo Monday's sketch.

As you can see, I chose the square option.  Well, kind of!  I used the bracket square card from the Art Philosophy cartridge.  (Don't forget, you can get the Art Philosophy collection FREE this month from Close To My Heart!  Read the details HERE!) In fact, the border and flowers were also cut with the cartridge.  I love that there are just so many things that can be done with this versatile cartridge!  I also used Pemberley paper, A Blossom stamp set, Wooden Garden Shapes, Crocheted Colonial White ribbon, and a round stud for the center of the flower.

I'll be back tomorrow with a fun Easter project!

Spring is in the Air

This short little video is filled with so much inspiration!  Many of you have purchased the My Peeps stamp set and Adhesive Springs from me.  This is going to give you even more ideas!!

New Clearance Items!

Oh my goodness - run to my website to get some amazing deals!!  I can't believe all the items that were added today!!  Here's a little idea of what you will find:

$1.00 will get you Colonial White Mini Medleys!

It's only $3.00 for the 9x9 Memory Showcase Albums!  (I see a class in the near future with these!)

With the brand new shipping option of 4.95% or $4.95, it more affordable than ever to shop on my website.  Happy shopping!!

March Newsletter and Specials

I am so excited for you this month!  There is an amazing special and Stamp of the Month during March at Close To My Heart!

Embrace the Philosophy of Fun!  

If you sign up to be a Close To My Heart Consultant in March, you get the $99 Art Philosophy Close To My Heart/Cricut Collection FREE No kidding. Becoming an Independent Consultant with Close To My Heart is one of the smartest decisions I've ever made.  Our $99 New Consultant Kit is full of about $300 worth of product, add that to the FREE Art Philosophy Collection (valued at almost $150), and you get over $450 worth of outstanding product for only $99 when you sign up to be a Consultant during March.

This collection includes:

• 1-Cartridge (over 700 images: font, shapes and 3-D items. A cartridge this quality would normally retail for about $60)
• 3 - My Acrylix D-size Stamp Sets (all of which coordinate with the shapes on the cartridge!  This is about a $55 value.)
• 3 - 9" x 12" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes that all coordinate with the shapes on the cartridge!  This is over a $15 value.)

If you already have the Art Philosophy Collection, no worries. You'll get $100 in product credit instead!  


"So," you're asking, "How do I do that?  It's too amazing to pass up!!"

1. Go to my website at www.ctmh.com/brendarose and click on "Your Opportunities" and go from there.
2. You will need to purchase the basic "New Consultant" kit for $99 (which is about a $300 value).  The website will walk you through this step-by-step
3. After you sign up, I'll contact you and help you get going.

Here is a photo of what is included in the New Consultant Kit:

There are also some add-on kits you can choose to purchase to help you get started if you wish, but they are not required.  Yep, that's the truth. For only $99 you can become a Close To My Heart Consultant in March and get over $450 in product back.  It makes  me want to sign up all over again.  There are times that I cannot believe how  generous Close To My Heart is.  This special speaks volumes to me and tells me that they want all new consultants to have an amazing start!

March Stamp of the Month - Potential

This is such a beautiful and elegant set.  I've included an image below.  As I show the art I've made throughout the month, you'll be able to see how sophisticated this stamp set can be. 

If you spend $50, this set is yours for only $5 (a $17.95 value). You also have the option to purchase it for $17.95. Either way, it's only available during the month of March.  You can order it through me (girlygirlrose43@msn.com) or through my website. Once your spend $50, you will be prompted to add it, or if you are purchasing it for the $17.95 price, enter item #S1202.

To learn about my classes for the month, please click on my CLASSES tab at the top of the page.  There's always a lot going on in my craft room!  Should you need to find this information again, you can easily find it by going to the MARCH NEWSLETTER tab.  As always, please feel free to call or e-mail with any questions!