It's in the Bag in October!!

I have this bag because it's an exclusive bag we received at Convention.  I LOVE it!  The strap adjusts so that it's a wonderful cross body bag that holds a ton of paper!  

When you join Close To My Heart in October, you are going to receive this bag FREE with your Consultant Kit. Oh my goodness!  That means the value of your kit will be right around $500!!

CLICK HERE FOR NEW CONSULTANT INFORMATION!

I would love to have you join this fabulous team, the Rose Blossoms!!

I love this kit because it is workshop ready.  You can open this kit and sit down with your friends to create.  What a wonderful way to share Close To My Heart!!  

All during the month of October, I will share artwork using the products in the Consultant Kit and all the reasons why I love Close To My Heart.  

Thanks for visiting today!  I always appreciate when you stop by!!

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Place an Order for Your Chance to Win the Hostess Rewards!

WOWIE!!!! 

The Hostess Rewards are up to $120 free product and 3 half-price items!!! You still have 2 days to place an order to receive tickets in the drawing!! 

I will name the happy winner on Thursday, October 1st!  

http://brendarose.ctmh.com

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October Cultivating Creativity Workshop - White Pines

I am really, really excited to share my October Cultivating Creativity Workshop using White Pines!  I love the idea of helping you get ready for December in mid-October!  And I just know you are going to LOVE all the elements of this workshop!

2-Page Layout

4 Christmas Cards

Kraft Mini Folio

(This mini album can hold up to 10 photos!  What a great gift!!)

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Birthday Boy, Recipes, and a Card Buffet

Today I want to show you how easy it is to copy a card from the Idea Book.  Did you know that there are recipes for each piece of artwork right on my website?

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ONLINE IDEA BOOKS AND RECIPES

There is a super cute boy's card on page 28 using the Loads of Fun stamp set.  Using the recipe, I was able to put this card together easily!

The recipe tells me the which How-To book it is in and what the pattern is called.  I also learn the inks, paper, stamps, and embellishments.  If there are Cricut cuts, it will also tell you the cartridge and sizes!  So, YES, that means you can create the beautiful wreath on the cover of the Annual Inspirations Book, too!  This is one of the cards we will make on at my card buffet on Sunday.

CARD BUFFET

If you are local, come on over to my Card Buffet on Sunday, September 27th.  It will be at the Andover Senior Center (1685 Crosstown Blvd NW, Andover).

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Make as many cards as you'd like for just $1.50 each!  Are you wondering what my Card Buffets are like?  Head over to my Youtube channel for a video!

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Hello Life! and Watercolors

I am teaching Beginner Watercolor classes this week, and I am sharing the most basic of techniques.  My students will be able to practice first and then put that practice to use on three cards.

Thick random colored brushtrokes is one of my favorite basic techniques.  The card I am showing you will be taught, and then I've brought the same idea to a scrapbook page!

If you are local, I still have one spot left in my Tuesday night class!  You can see the information for my class HERE.

Due to overwhelming response, I will be teaching this class via video as well.  However, that class won't be ready until next week.  The cost and materials will be the same, and there will be an additional $6 added for shipping.  Thank you for loving my classes!!

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Sangria Goes to Paradise

Have you taken a look at the Sangria Paper in the Annual Inspirations Book?  It is kind of a fall paper, but when I looked at the colors and textures of the paper, I saw something completely different.  Don't you think it worked well with our Luau photos?

I loved Hawaii (thank you, Close To My Heart!) and I thought the dancers dresses were perfect for Sangria!  I used Arbooking cuts for the tree and flowers, and you can find the Design Space file HERE.  There are a lot of Sangria Complements tucked in here and there, and those resin flowers are from the Sangria Assortment.   Don't you love the purple hearts?  Here's a little bit of a close-up:

(If you are a Consultant, you can find the ul workshop for Sangria in the Online Office under Gatherings & Workshops on the Go.)

Thanks for stopping in today!

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Rose Blossom Featured Artwork

I met Morgan through my friend Regina in the fall of 2012 at a Close To My Heart event.  I didn't know at the time that Regina was introducing her three team members to me in hopes of them joining my team.  Regina had to leave Close To My Heart shortly after that due to severe health issues, and she wanted to make sure that her team members had a family of consultants to join.  I was speechless when I learned this some time later, and I feel privileged that Morgan (and Margot) joined my team.

Morgan is a fabulous artist, and I want to share some of her artwork with you.  You will find her links and the many ways to connect with her following the photos.

When you visit Morgan (and you will want to!), please her some love!

Blog

Website

YouTube 

Facebook Page

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Hello Life! Video

I've been talking about the Hello Life! stamp set this month, and now I'd like you to see it a little more up close and personal.  My video also showcases artwork using each of the sets.

P.S.  If you like my Youtube channel, be sure to subscribe to catch my videos as I post them!

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Rose Blossom Blog Hop - Hello Life!

Welcome to the Rose Blossom Blog Hop!  We are so happy to show you a closer look at the September Special, Hello Life!  This is a circle of 6 blogs this time around, so it won't take long to hop, but WOW! will you be inspired!!  I've seen little peeks of what these gals have created, and their work is awesome!!  I so enjoy the talent on the Rose Blossom team!!

I am going to share a layout today using the Hello Life! scrapbooking set.

One of my downline took this shot of me while I was teaching an Extravaganza class at Convention.  I had so much fun!!  I don't do layouts of just me very often, but I had to scrapbook this event!   Along with the stamp set, I used a combination of Adventure Paper Fundamentals, Pear Fundamentals Assortment (those are the glittery pieces you see), Adventure Fundamentals Stickers, and the Cricut Artistry Cartridge. 

You'll want to head over to Lynn's blog now!  I know she has something wonderful waiting for you!  Here is the list of all the blogs in case you get lost:

Brenda - YOU ARE HERE

Lynn

Marg

Kim Hill

Cathy

Kim Sparks

Hello Life! Special - buy one set for $13.95 or all for $34.95

And don't forget!!

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September Stamp of the Month Video

I created a video for my YouTube channel using the September Stamp of the Month.

You'll find other tidbits and tips in the video as well, so I hope it is helpful for you!  Here are the cards I promised from the stamped images.

Paper Garden is so versatile, and as you can see, it can be quite elegant.  

The Stamp of the Month is always just $5 with your $50 purchase!

Thanks for stopping in today!

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Urban Baseball Mini Album (Design Space Files Included)

I want to tell you right away that this is a long post, but one that will hopefully be very useful to you!

If you were at my Extravaganza class at Convention, you were able to see this mini album, and I know several of you are waiting for the instructions and files that I promised.  At the end of the post, I will share the product I used as well as the two Design Space files you will need to create this.

I made this mini album for my sister.  She has seen it, but I still have it so that I could take pictures and make sure the Design Space files are correct.  However, her youngest just went to college last Friday, and she is now an empty nester.  I need to get this in the mail for her to hold.  

Pages 1 & 2

I used an Artbooking pocket page for page 2, and it holds photos of both Trevor and Riley.  I used a heart for my journaling spot because you might prefer another shape or even a photo.

Pages 3 & 4

I took the shot on the left, but I grabbed the other two from Facebook. 

Pages 5 & 6

I love this set of pages just for the photos.  You will have to click on it to make it larger to see them, but the photo on the left page, bottom right, is one of my favorites of them.

Pages 7 & 8

This set of pages is about Trevor.  I printed a newspaper article about him and put it in two flip flaps.  If you do that, always remember to credit the newspaper and writer.  This article was written sometime after he was named the Saints' Rookie of the Year and UMAC Player of the Year, and it talked about how his journey started at another college. Underneath the flip flaps, I shared my feelings about Trev.

Pages 9 & 10

These two pages are about Riley.  I especially like the photo of Riley pitching because he won't be pitching anymore. When we got to see him play, I love watching him put his whole entire body into throwing that ball!  But equally, he is an amazing catcher, and he was just selected last night as the Saints' Fall League #1 draft pick as a catcher.  And just think - he is a brand new Freshman!  Again, I used an article that was written after Riley was named Prep Newsmaker and shared my thoughts under the flip flaps.

Pages 11 &12

I grabbed these photos from a newspaper article that was written about Trevor & Riley.  The boys have a baseball field and batting cage in the yard, so the newspaper did an article about their "field of dreams".  It was a fabulous article!

I absolutely LOVED creating this book for my sister, and it was an honoring to teach with it at Extravaganza!

Here's what you will need to know to create this mini album:

I scored all of the pages on the left side at 3/4", and I adhered them together with Liquid Glass.  I wanted this to be more of a book, but you can leave the pages loose.

Design Space Files (I created two because this book is really made from all Artbooking cuts.) I have tried to color code as much as possible for you.

• https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/31170013
• https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/29089540

Product used that can be purchased on my website:

• x7204b  Urban Paper Packet
• x5930  Slate Cardstock
• 1385  White Daisy Cardstock
• x5778  Saffron Cardstock
• d1644  The Authentic Life Stamp Set
• d1652  Team Player Stamp Set
• d1648  Snapshot Memories
• b1484  Jennifer's Hand Stamp Set
• x7204c  Urban Complements
• z2649  Peacock Ink
• z3169  Artbooking Collection
• z3095  Whisper Twine
• z3122  Blue Enamel Dots
• z4114  4" x 6" Flip Flaps
• z679  Liquid Glass

Have so much fun making this album!  I enjoyed my time with it so much, and it is with a glad heart that I pass it on to my sister!

Consultants:  If you re-make this album and teach this as a class, I would be most honored!!  I would just ask that you share the story of why I made it for my sister (stories are the best part of memory making) and send people to visit me when they have a chance.  Thank you!

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Birthday Cheer

There is nothing I love more than when my paper craft supplies match, and that's one of the reasons I truly love Close To My Heart.  Take a look at this card.

I've used Enchantment Paper Fundamentals for this card.  The colors are Saffron, Pomegranate, and Fern.  Do you see how the Saffron background matches the stamp from the Little Presents stamp set?  Well how awesome is that!  I've cut the flowers and leaves with Cricut Artistry.

The glittery hearts, circle and bow are from the Pomegranate Fundamentals Assortment.

Thanks for stopping in today!  I love your visits!

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Basic Watercolor Class

Basic Watercolor Class - $25

Monday, September 21st or Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:30 pm

Class Includes:

Watercolor Paints (set of 36 colors)

Paintbrushes (set of 5)

Everything you need to make these three cards

I want to focus on very basic techniques that you can integrate into all of your paper crafting projects.

You will also be working with four new colors - Sapphire, Pomegranate, Peacock, and Saffron.

This class will be held at my home, and I am only taking four people per class so that I can give the individual attention necessary for everyone to learn!

I've chosen to create these cards using the September Stamp of the Month and the National Stamping Month special, Hello Life!

(Because of the hands-on teaching element of this class, this is not being offered long distance.)

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Sangria Wall Decor

I felt so honored to be asked to teach at our Convention Extravaganza, but even more, I am humbled when asked to share one of my pieces of artwork for our Operation Smile auction.  This year I created a shadowbox frame using Sangria.

This paper is beautiful.  The gradient and chevron patterns mixed with the flowers and complements make this a very elegant piece or your home.  I used a combination of Sangria paper, Sangria complements, and the Sangria assortment.

Just for fun, I thought I'd share the photo of Monica Wihongi, our Chief Communications Officer, holding it up for auction.  She was dressed perfectly for it, don't you think?

I am overjoyed that this piece sold at a high enough bid to pay for one cleft palate surgery!  Are you familiar with Operation Smile?  I invite you to visit their website to learn all about the way they heal children's smiles all over the world!

Close To My Heart offers three ways for you to help Operation Smile, too!

• Round-Up:  You can round up your order any time to contribute to Operation Smile.
• Animal Greetings Stamp Set:  $7.00 of the purchase this ADORABLE set will be donated to Operation Smile.
• Operation Smile T-Shirt:  $10.00 of the purchase of this t-shirt will be donated to Operation Smile.

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A Layout with Brand New Colors!

I am super excited to tell you about the brand new colors in the Enchantment palette.  These colors are so rich and combine so well together that it is a true pleasure to work with them!

Saffron seems to be my favorite color right now, but that could change any minute!  Saffron is very close to my kitchen color, and I find it so peaceful in there.  Maybe that's why I like it!

You can also purchase these in a Fundamentals package, and you are going to LOVE the subtle prints.  It makes them so easy to work with!

Now I want to share a layout I made using the Fundamentals and every single one of the seven new colors.

Isn't this colorful and fun?  Considering that our Convention them was the movie Up, this paper was more than perfect for some of my favorite stage photos.

Now I want to share the best part about the new Fundamentals.  They come with their own matching embellishments!!  How fast, simple, and easy!!

There are four stickers sheets that match each assortment as well accessory packages that include clips, wooden elements, bows, and glitter stickers.  WOW, wow, WOW!  This is a crazy good idea to help you make easy layouts or projects with the Paper Fundamentals!!  This is a new product that I love, and I know you will, too!!

Click on this link to see all the Fundamentals.

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Hello Life! Pocket Scrapbooking

I loved using the Hello Life! Pocket Scrapbooking set!

I grabbed a couple of cards from the new Picture My Life set, Going Places, and I used the stamps to journal.  I ended up using so many of them!!

I'll show you more ways to use this stamp set that doesn't involve pocket pages, but I really wanted you to see how easy it is to use them for those pocket pages!

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September is National Stamping Month - Hello Life!

September is National Stamping Month, and this year Close To My Heart has something to help every kind of papercrafter say a big “hello” to life! Available only during the month of September, these exclusive C-size My Acrylix^® Hello, Life! stamp sets can be purchased for $13.95 each! Or, for an even better deal, you can purchase all three for only $34.95—a savings of $6.90! 


Hello, Life!  Scrapbooking


Hello Life! Pocket Scrapbooking



Hello Life!  Cardmaking

Each stamp set is designed to fit with a specific type of papercrafting, however, all the stamp sets coordinate with each other and can be used together to create fabulous artwork!  These stamp sets also coordinate with shapes from the new Cricut^® Artistry to give you even  more options!

Watch my blog all this month for examples using these stamp sets!

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Rose Blossom Featured Artwork

During the second half of August, I challenged my team to work with the Cricut Artistry cartridge.  The next featured artist shared so much artwork to inspire her Rose Blossom sisters!  It was fun to look at each piece!

I met Lynn through blogging during 2010, and I am so glad that I did!  She made he decision to join the Rose Blossoms in March of 2012.  Lynn is an art teacher, so how lucky are we to have her talent on our team!  I will share her links after I share a couple photos of her artwork.

Lynn has a great style, and I love the freedom with which she creates!  To visit Lynn, click on the links, and be sure to leave her some love!

Lynn's Artwork Blog

Lynn's Close To My Heart Website

Look for another featured Rose Blossom on September 17th!

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