Heart Ornament

I am going to preface this post by saying that I wish I had better pictures of this ornament!  I had a Gathering last evening, and I made this for my Hostess.  She loves hearts, and I knew I had to do something with hearts for her.

To make this, I cut twelve 4" hearts with the Art Philosophy cartridge.  I folded six of the hearts with the blush pattern out and the other six with the floral pattern out.  I simply kept adhering them together until I had the heart ornament.  With a needle, I weaved the blush ribbon through the center and knotted the end.  I added a little grey wool baker's twine, a couple of doilies from the Bohemian Assortment, and some pink sparkles.  She loved it, and I'm so glad!

I have to share that I think CTMH has the best Hostess program and specials around!  Last night I was putting the orders in for this Gathering, and realized all the free products that were being given away!  With this Stampaganza special, CTMH gave away $158 in stamps, my hostess received $80 in rewards, and with our half-price program, she was able to get the Cricut Collection half-price!  I love that about CTMH.  They certainly make sure that the Hostess and her guests are rewarded generously!

I hope you've all had a crafty and blessed week!

Final Days of Stampaganza!

I just wanted to give one final reminder about Stampaganza!  It's such a great special, and I've got my Customer Appreciation special running along with it.  I don't want you to miss this opportunity to grab those favorite stamps!

• When you purchase two e-sized (value $29.95) or d-sized stamp sets (value $17.95), you will get a FREE STAMP SET from Close To My Heart, and I am going to give you a FREE PAPER PACKET of your choice!  That's an additional value of $9.95!
• When you purchase two c-sized stamp sets (value $13.95) or b-sized stamp sets (value $9.95), you will get a FREE STAMP SET from Close To My Heart, and I am going to give you aFREE STAMP PAD of your choice!  That's an additional value of $5.25!

Whether you are a seasoned Close To My Heart customer or venturing into trying Close To My Heart product for the very first time, this is a great way to get a lot of product at a very reasonable price!

Don't have an Idea Book?  That's okay - you can look at a beautiful copy online on my website.

In order to get this sale from me, you will have to send me an e-mail (girlygirlrose43@msn.com) or call me (763-227-0583) with your order.  I'll quickly get you your total with shipping and tax, and you can either send me a check or I can send you an online invoice.

Life is a Journey

I feel like I've been a very spoiled leader of the Rose Blossom team this week.  I showed you the banner that Sara gave me on Sunday, and now I have a card to show you that Marg gave me.  ( I took this lovely photo right from Marg's blog.)  She is fabulous blogger, so please stop by and visit her!  You will learn a lot from her awesome posts!

Isn't this so wonderful?  She cut the card base and tag using the Art Philosophy cartridge, and then she stamped with A Journey stamp set.  I love the simplicity and design of this card.  It is a keeper for my card box!!  Thank you so much, Marg!!

July Card Kit

I can't believe I am typing "July."  Wow, is this year going fast!  I've got a set of four 4"x4" cards for your July Card Kit.  The details are easy!  The card kit comes with full instructions (that include a photo of each card), and all the pieces are pre-stamped, pre-cut and tucked inside their perspective envelopes.  I've been told that it's super easy to grab a card and go.  You receive the pieces for 4 cards for $6.00.

Here is a link so that you can order directly.  I will be taking orders for the July card kit through July 15th, and all kits will be mailed out on the 16th.  Let me know if you have any questions (girlygirlrose43@msn.com).

July Card Kit

Card Kit Shipped$6.00 USD Card Kit ( Pick-Up at My Home)$4.00 USD

Make and Take

I have two Gatherings this week, so I decided to make the same make and take for both.  I used the Art Philosophy cartridge to show off what it can do!

Such a great box and so easy to decorate any way you'd like!  I can hardly wait to share all the fun things about the Cricut collection!

Banner

I have a friend named Sara who is one of the sweetest and most creative people I know.  Last night she came to my watercolor class (which was treat enough!), but then she brought me this banner.

I was so surprised!  A present for no good reason, and I love it!  It immediately went up on my wall in my craft room, and the beautiful colors made me smile right away when I walked in this morning.  Sara used a combination of a couple of retired papers - Good Times and More to Adore to make this banner.  I LOVE that she didn't spare embellishment, but used those wooden shapes and resin flowers from the Bouquet Assortment freely.

This is a treasure - truly I will think of Sara every time I look at this banner!  I am very, very blessed!

Soar

I was supposed to spend the day at 12-hour crop today, but something came up in our house and I wasn't able to leave.  Cars can be very frustrating when they end up in the shop!  So I decided that I would still spend that much time in my craft room, and I've been doing just that.  I've got piles of layouts that need to go into albums so I started sorting for that project.  But I also wanted to make my team Stamp of the Month cards for July.  Those that are participating in a challenge will be receiving this card form me next week.

I wish I could tell you where to find this pattern.  I received a card with these cuts several years ago, and I made a pattern from the card and have been using the pattern periodically.  So let me tell you what I did.

• Start with a 5-1/2x11 piece of cardstock
• Measuring 1" from the long edge and make a cut from the 1" mark to the 6-1/2" mark.  Do that on both long edges.  I will tell you that the handiest tool on the block for measuring this way is the CTMH clear ruler. Do you see the + sign on the ruler?  Those are 1" marks, so it was easy to line up the ruler to the edge of the paper and use my craft knife to make the cut while still being able to use the ruler.

  

• Next score from the edge to cut at 1", 2", and 6-1/2" on both sides.  Score in the center of the cuts at 5-1/2".

From there, you can decorate as you'd like!  This card looks very different from the original, so the sky is the  limit.   I've used Lucy paper with matching embellishments.  I cut the butterfly and layer using the Art Philosophy cartridge.  To make it form, I gave it a thin layer of clear paint and then shaped the wings with a pencil.  Now, it's time to get back to creating in this very messy craft room of mine!

Frosted Designs is having a challenge to create your own embellishments, and that is just what I did with the butterfly, so I will enter this in that challenge.

A Bow Wow

There is a very cute little stamp in the Idea Book called A BowWow.

My goal was to use each of the stamps in this set on one card.   I thought this would make a cute little card for my July card kit!

The first thing I did was stamp Vanilla Cream paper with the grid pattern from Universal Backgrounds.  Then I stamped the dog on top of the grid pattern - kind of fun right?  My friend Karen has really taught me a lot about using stamps to make your patterned paper, and I love it!  I stamped the dog two more times - once on Sorbet (for the collar) and once on Vanilla Cream (for the nose and tongue).  That made it easy to cut and paper piece the dog.  I also popped a second cloud on Sky paper holding the sentiment.  This was a fun and easy card, but one that is sure to make the recipient smile!

Happy as a Clam

I haven't had the opportunity to play with the challenges at The Kraft Journal in a long time!  So today I put together a card for their Good Ole' Summertime challenge.

I decided to pull out some Footloose along with the exclusive stamp set that is in the Footloose workshop on the go kit.  Those are just the best sea creatures in that set!  I inked each piece in Creme Brulee and then sponged with Lagoon and New England Ivy before stamping on white daisy paper.  Very fun!  A little Paradise Twine (creme brulee and lagoon) and a few bitty sparkles finished this card.

I hope you are happy as a clam today!

Special Pre-Fourth of July Sale in Honor of You!

I am so appreciative of you - my blog readers and customers!  Without you, and your love of Close To My Heart products, I would not have a business.  I am blessed to be able to share Close To My Heart in your homes, in my classes, and through this place in blogland.   It is truly a joy to read your messages, e-mails and to hear your enthusiasm for Close To My Heart product!  I feel very honored to be able to do what I love and to continually bring ideas that fit into your paper crafting life!

So with that being said, I am having a sale that starts today and goes through the end of the month - June 30th.  I've told you already that it's STAMPAGANZA month (buy any two stamp sets, get one free!).

I have a special offer for you that coincides with STAMPAGANZA!  So listen carfeully!

• When you purchase two e-sized (value $29.95) or d-sized stamp sets (value $17.95), you will get a FREE STAMP SET from Close To My Heart, and I am going to give you a FREE PAPER PACKET of your choice!  That's an additional value of $9.95!
• When you purchase two c-sized stamp sets (value $13.95) or b-sized stamp sets (value $9.95), you will get a FREE STAMP SET from Close To My Heart, and I am going to give you a FREE STAMP PAD of your choice!  That's an additional value of $5.25!

Whether you are a seasoned Close To My Heart customer or venturing into trying Close To My Heart product for the very first time, this is a great way to get a lot of product at a very reasonable price!

Don't have an Idea Book?  That's okay - you can look at a beautiful copy online on my website.

In order to get this sale from me, you will have to send me an e-mail (girlygirlrose43@msn.com) or call me (763-227-0583) with your order.  I'll quickly get you your total with shipping and tax, and you can either send me a check or I can send you an online invoice.

I want you to have that little "extra" to thank you for the big amount of "extra" that you add to my life!  Thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy the sale!!

Superhero

My June scrapbook club is on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week.  But in my effort to stay ahead, I finished the July club layouts today.  I was super excited to create with Superhero paper!  When people see the cartoon sheet in this paper packet, they sometimes shy away from it.

So I wanted to show that it could be a great summer paper!

The first of these two layouts was inspired by Allison Davis from Scrapbook Generation.  I simply loved the way she used the banners, and I thought my club members would like that, too!  I am looking forward to teaching these two layouts in July!

Items used along with Superhero are Dimensional Element Stars, Black Mini Medleys, and Licorice Gems.  Stamps used are the July Stamp of the Month (which you'll see plenty more of!) and American Celebration.

ScrapFIT Workout #70 - Develop Your Own Polaroid

Do you remember when Polaroid photos were the hot new way to take photos?  Well this workout is a tribute to the Polaroid.  At ScrapFIT we want to see a layout with a Polaroid photo. Don't have a Polaroid photo? Don't worry!  You can create a fake Polaroid!  I created mine using PicMonkey before I realized that Sara has a lovely tutorial right here.  Either way will work, and we'd like to see your work!  

Here's my example:

I have a scrapbook for Jerry down in his man cave (formerly known as our family room...) that's all about his fishing experiences.  He loves when I make a page to commemorate his catches! All Victory paper on this page combined with the Victory Stickease and matching embellishments.  

The winner of this Workout will receive a $25.00 Gift Certificate from 

 My Favorite Things.

 

Rubber Ducky

I have been spending some time working on a Studio J learning assignment for the Close To My Heart Convention.  I think this is a fabulous perk of attending a Corporate function.  There are things that Studio J can do that I would never have guessed!

What a cute pair these two are!  This is my nephew and his girlfriend - and their cardboard boat.  This was an assignment at the end of the year.  This is a great way to make learning fun, don't you think?

Kind of like my learning experience in Studio J the past few days - very fun!  Do you have questions about Studio J and how this online software can work for you?  Please contact me if you do!

As Time Goes By

This layout on page 66 of the Idea Book captured my attention immediately when I saw it way back in January:

I love the way the stamps from Simple Memories are used to create the background for this paper.

So I finally sat down this morning to create something using this idea.

The colors in this card are Bamboo, Colonial White, and a touch of Heavenly Blue ribbon.  I used Bamboo ink on Bamboo cardstock to create the partial background in the same patters as the layout.  I embossed the medallion to give it a little more pop, and the Designer Rhinestone Brad finished it off.

I think it's wonderful to sit down with a stamp set and create the background with just ink and cardstock.  So often the result is so wonderful, and in this case, very elegant.  

Don't forget that it's STAMPAGANZA month!  During the month of June, when you buy one stamp set, you get one free.  You can go here to start shopping!

Last Day to Order June Card Kit!

Today is the last day to order your June Card Kit!  You can just click on the "Buy Now" button to conveniently pay for your kit with debit or credit card.  All kits will be mailed on Tuesday, June 12th!

The Best Thing About Life

I love to take out my Florentine paper.  It's so pretty, soft, and vintage-y feeling.  So when I feel like creating for absolutely no other reason than to feed my crafting soul, I pull out Florentine.  This is a 7" piece cut from the Art Philosophy cartridge.  In my "extras" basket, I found all the pieces necessary so it came together relatively quickly.  Everything used can be found on my website.

I hope you are having a fabulous Sunday!  Jerry and I just returned from a week of vacation, and we are still so relaxed!  We were on a lake in northern MN, and there is nothing quite like falling asleep to the gentle waves and call of the loons.  Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day!

Life is Tweet...June Stamp of the Month

What do you think of this little gift box?  I can't get enough of this little bird in the June Stamp of the Month!

I made this box and flowers using the Art Philosophy cartridge.  The paper is Lucy, and I've used Blush and Grey Wool ink.  If you love this paper, it is retiring as of July 31st.    You can get the June Stamp of the Month for just $5 with a $50 purchase.  Have you been making your wish list for Stampaganza?  What a deal - buy two stamps and get one free!!

While you are out blog hopping, would you do me a favor and stop by my friend's Marg's blog? Marg is also one of my Rose Blossom team members, and she did a lovely thing!  I put out a challenge to my team members every month, and last month we had a card swap.  I randomly drew names, and let each participant know where they had to send a card.  As they received their cards, they posted them on our Facebook group.  I am in awe of the talent on my team!  Marg posted all of them on her blog, and I thought that was just great.  What a nice way to honor your team members!

Don't you think it sounds like fun to be a part of this team?  They are just the best group, and I would love for you to join in the fun!  If being a part of a friendly and fun team that really supports each other, please let me know, and I would be happy to share more with you!

Retiring Stamp Sets

I thought I should share a list of retiring stamp sets.  During Stampaganza, it's a great time to pick up some of those that won't be around much longer!  Besides being able to find these in the Autumn Winter Idea Book, you can find them on my website.  These will officially be retired as of July 31st:

Item #

Description

Autumn-Winter Idea Book Page #

Retail

C1466	Instant Memories	23		$13.95
B1391	Zoology	30		$9.95
C1463	Harvest Happiness	35		$13.95
C1465	Unscripted	36		$13.95
C1467	Sweet Moments	41		$13.95
B1392	Key Moments	42		$9.95
C1462	All Hallows Eve	48		$13.95
D1494	Christmas Cheer	53		$17.95
B1390	Countdown	54		$9.95
D1480	Snowflake	59		$17.95
C1468	Winter Joy	60		$13.95
C1419	Harvest Home	65		$13.95
C1426	Thanksgiving	65		$13.95
B1395	So Grateful	66		$9.95
C1423	Captured Moments	67		$13.95
B1359	Fright Night	68		$9.95
D1437	Party Animal	69		$17.95
A1109	A Sip	71		$6.95
C1424	Nature's Gift	71		$13.95
C1420	Snow Days	72		$13.95
C1472	Bundled Buddies	73		$13.95
D1384	Snow Flurries	74		$17.95
D1308	All Decked Out	75		$17.95
A1115	A Holiday	76		$6.95
B1381	Holiday  Cheer	76		$9.95
D1446	Adorn-able	77		$17.95
A1107	A Twinkle	78		$6.95
B1361	Tannenbaum	78		$9.95
D1493	Fill in the Blank--Holiday	79		$17.95
C1427	I Believe	80		$13.95
D1449	Father Christmas	81		$17.95
A1110	A Timber	82		$6.95
B1356	St. Nick	82		$9.95
D1483	Glory to God	83		$17.95
A1099	Angel Sent	84		$6.95
B1394	John 3:16	84		$9.95
D1436	The Present	87		$17.95
A1108	A Flitter	88		$6.95
D1306	Treasure Life	89		$17.95
C1429	Party Pennants	91		$13.95
A1095	Always Remember	92		$6.95
B1362	Tag the Occasion	92		$9.95
C1471	Happy Clusters	93		$13.95
B1393	Joyful Jar	94		$9.95
C1425	Month by Month	95		$13.95
C1470	Gnome Garden	96		$13.95
A1113	A Game	97		$6.95
B1396	School Rocks	97		$9.95
C1408	Live Inspired	98		$13.95
D1373	Childhood Portrait	99		$17.95
D1492	Christmas Love	101		$17.95
C1469	December 25th	102		$13.95
D1388	Card Chatter--Christmas	103		$17.95
D1440	Everlasting Life	104		$17.95
C1379	Holiday Commentary	105		$13.95
C1382	Holiday Commentary--Spanish	105		$13.95
C1383	Holiday Commentary--French	105		$13.95
D1283	Say It in Style	106		$17.95
D1444	A Little Thanks	107		$17.95
D1401	Authentic	108		$17.95
D1387	Made with Love	109		$17.95
D1499	Live Your Style	110		$17.95
D1386	Save the Date	111		$17.95
D1397	Save the Date--French	111		$17.95
D1398	Save the Date--Spanish	111		$17.95
E1006	Baroque Alphabet	113		$29.95
C1401	Friendship Alphabet Small	114		$13.95
E1013	Field Trip Alphabet	114		$29.95
E1016	Friendship Alphabet Large	114		$29.95
D1136	Giggle Caps	115		$17.95
D1137	Giggle Lowercase	115		$17.95
D1267	Rustic Numbers	117		$17.95
E1002	Rustic Alphabet	117		$29.95

Memory Miser Design Reveal

Today I am bringing you some artwork using Joy's Life Stamps for Memory Miser.   The first stamp set I used is called Joyful Hearts.  Don't you love the vertical wording?

Right away, I thought that the wording would be great between scoring lines:

This is a sweet little card to give "just because" to someone you love.  I've used one of the phrases along with a heart from the stamps set in a color that made this card very vintage-feeling.  The patterned paper  I used is Simple Stories Generations and can also be found in the Memory Miser store.  I also used this stamp set and paper for a layout:

I used the various heart stamps to create flowers for the page.  Very easy, and they make a nice element on the page!

The next Joy's Life set I used is Tag You're It - Set One.  This one has a coffee saying in it, so I was all over that one!  

First, a little gift to bring a hostess or when visiting a friend:

This mini pail is perfect for holding coffee beans, and I love that I could take the handle off to slide the tag through it.  The pail would be cute enough, but you have to agree that the stamped bunch tag adds a whole bunch to this gift!   If you been a CTMH shopper for awhile, you might recognize this paper as one of our Heart of Winter specials - and I think it was from 2007!  Perfect colors for coffee beans!

And as long as I was thinking coffee...

I don't need many Cricut cartridges as the Art Philosophy cartridge rarely comes out of the machine, but I had to have  Love You a Latte.  It's perfect for someone like me, and I can imagine I will be using some vinyl for my walls!  What fun little sentiments to pair for a coffee card!  I can envision using this card along with a coffee shop gift card for one of my coffee-loving friends!  I used CTMH Sonoma paper, kraft paper, mocha gems (what else?), and chocolate twine.  Cute, huh?

Clearly the Best!

My Acrylix^® stamps are clearly the best in the stamping industry, giving you incredible creative freedom loaded with possibilities. Now is a great time for a refresher on our stamps with the beginning of June’s Stampaganza campaign—it’s buy two stamps, get one free. 

Did you know?

• My Acrylix stamps are ready to use right out of the package—no cutting out, mounting, or applying stickers required. Just place the stamp on your block, apply ink, and you’re set!
• My Acrylix stamps and blocks are clear, making it easy to stamp in exactly the right spot.

• My Acrylix stamps can be used to create a variety of popular looks, including:
  • base and shade stamping
    
    
    
    
  • creating your own patterned paper

• • sponging on multiple inks for single-impression, multi-color images
• Many My Acrylix stamps coordinate with Cricut^® Art Philosophy cartridge shapes, giving you lots of creative possibilities. Cut the shape on your Cricut^® machine, stamp the image on the shape, and attach to your project! In the Idea Book, the images outlined in red coordinate with Cricut^®shapes.
  
  
• My Acrylix stamps are super easy to maintain, store, and transport.

Nifty Gifts

I thought you might enjoy this video on making little gifts!

Memory Miser Design Reveal - Joy's Life

Today I am bringing you some examples using Joy's Life stamp sets.  It's fun being a part of the Memory Miser team working with product I may not otherwise see!  I had fun playing with these sets, and I think you're going to agree that these are fun stamps!

First up is Sweet Popsicle Puns:

I couldn't resist the "that bites" sentiment.  Sometimes those two little words are the best way to express your feelings over a situation! 

I scrapbook all things - even if they are not always pretty.  So I made a 3x3 card, and I plan to use as a journaling spot on a scrapbook page in the future.  Perfect for skinned knees, broken bones, chicken pox.  All of those things "bite"!  CTMH items used are Hooligans paper, black and gypsy ink, and black twine.

Repeating a small phrase is a great way to make a larger sentiment focal point on a card.  You'll see what I mean in my next card:

CTMH items used in this card are Mayberry paper and stickease, Smoothie Twine, and clear sparkles.

The second set I am using today is Tag You're It - Set Two:

First I've got a sweet little note card for a friend.  There is nothing better than getting a "just because" card like this in the mail! The sentiment I chose was perfect for stamping directly on one of my cloud stickers from the CTMH Mayberry collection.

And here was another sentiment that I just couldn't resist!  

I cut the wine glass, utensils, and pasta pot from the Slice cartridge, Bon Appetit.  The cardstock, ribbon, slide, and gems are CTMH.

I hope you've found some inspiration in today's post and that your creative juices are  flowing!