ScrapFIT Design Team Call

I wanted to share the ScrapFIT design team call with you.  It's just such a well-organized team to create for that I think you'd really like it!  Here's the information:

ScrapFIT Design Team Call

August 2012 - January 2013

Submission Deadline –June 25th 

ScrapFIT (www.scrapfit.blogspot.com) is a growing scrapbook challenge blog that will give you a real workout!  We have 2 workouts (challenges) per month and they are sure to push you out of your comfort zone and inspire you to try something new! We are looking for fun and creative designers (aka -FITgirls!) for our next term! 

FITgirl Requirements:

*You must have an active blog
*You must be commit to 2 layouts/cards/paper projects per month based on our challenges
*A person who enjoys inspiring others
*Someone who is committed and turns in projects on time
*Someone with enthusiasm about ScrapFIT and their challenges and the dedication to help promote ScrapFIT  through their own blog and other site they participate in.

What To Expect From ScrapFIT

*Although this is not a paying gig we can help spread the word about your scrapbooking awesomeness! 

*A special FITgirl blinki for your blog

*Your photo, name and link to your personal blog on the main ScrapFIT webpage!

*A great addition to your scrapbook resume

*All of the challenges will be giving to you at the start of your term so that you have plenty of time to work on them when you have the chance.

*A fun and relaxed group to work with.

To apply please send the fallowing information to scrapfit@twcny.rr.com by June 25th:

Please put ScrapFIT DT Call in the subject line

1) Name
2) Address
3)Email Address
4) Link to your blog and/or online gallery
5)List of other Design Teams past and current
6) 3 examples of your best work. Let us see your style!
7)Tell us why you would be a good fit for our team!

8)A little bio about your –if you are chosen this would be your introduction bio.

Winners will be announced on July 1st. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

Publication - Cricut Magazine

I was so honored to have one of my banner published in the July issue of Cricut magazine!!

This banner uses the following items that can be found on my website:

• Elemental Paper
• Elemental Dimensional Elements
• Art Philosophy Cartridge (banners, flowers)
• Pacifica Mini Medley
• Blue Sparkles
• Colonial White Waxy Flax

I also used a few polymer buttons from Charlene's Button Box.

It's so much fun to be published.  I think the best thing is seeing your work in print.  It always amazes me that my work was chosen!

First Communion

Welcome to ScrapFIT Workout #69!  For this workout, we have a sketch by Diana:

Here is my interpretation ~

This was Shane's First Communion.  It was unique because he took instruction two years before he supposed to in our Lutheran Church.  Oh, how we all loved that church!  It was Easter sunrise service, and the congregation created a huge circle within the sanctuary to pass the bread and wine.  Of course, children were always blessed, but that particular day it wasn't enough for Shane.  He wanted to know why, if everyone was welcome at the table, why did Communion bypass him?  When I shared that with our pastor, she said right away that he was ready for instruction and would teach him herself.  Six months later, he was taking his first Communion.  What a blessed day!  Our youth pastor sang "How Beautiful" by Twyla Paris, and it was very, very moving.  I think our little Shane really did testify that day just by his desire to be closer to Jesus.

For such a beautiful memory, I could only turn to Florentine paper.  I think that Close To My Heart created this paper just for me.  It is my very favorite go-to paper for memories such as these.  I did some stamping with Family Love, Trinity Alphabet, and He is Risen.  The embellishments are the Cocoa Ribbon, Garden Wooden Shapes and Mocha Opaque Gems.

I hope that you'll play along with this sketch at ScrapFIT!  The other design team members have created some beautiful work for your inspiration, so be sure to pop in and visit.  Our sponsor for this sketch is Holly Craft Originals, and the winner will receive a $20 gift certificate to her store!

June Specials and Classes - It's Stampaganza Time!!

JUNE SPECIALS

I am so stinkin' excited that I can hardly stand it!!  The June Special is Stampaganza!  Buy two stamp sets and get one free!  I love when this special comes around because it helps all of you that have been pining over stamp sets purchase them even more affordably.    You know, I have to say that our stamp sets are already at an amazing price point.  But when you get one free, that's like adding whipped cream and a cherry to your pile of frosted cake and ice cream - it's just all the sweeter!

It's so simple, but let me give you the specifics.  For every two stamp sets (A, B, C, D, or E) that you purchase at regular price, you will receive one of equal or lesser value FREE!  This is a savings of up to $29.95!  I know a lot of you that have been looking at the E-Sized Alphabets (pages 29, 36, 48, and 113-118) for your page titles and monogram cards.  I also know that a lot of you have been wishing to get some sentiments sets for your card making.  There is no better time than June to buy your stamps!

You know, when your order totals $50 or more, you can also buy this CUTE stamp of the month, Life is Tweet, for just $5.00! 

June Classes

June Card Kit ($6) 
Last Day to Order - June 11th

This kit consists of 4  masculine cards.  The last day to order this kit is Monday, June 11th, and cards will mailed on June 12th.  I want to have them to in time for you to use for Father's Day, so the deadline for ordering is a bit earlier this month.  You can pay via PayPal or check, and the cost is $6 delivered to you.  If you pick the cards up, the cost is $4 per kit.   All cards come pre-stamped, pre-stamped with instructions and envelopes.

June Card Kit

June Card Kit - Pickup$4.00 USD June Card Kit with Shipping$6.00 USD

Watercolor & Ink Blending Class - $10

Sunday, June 24 - 6:30 pm

Monday, June 25 -  1:00 pm or 6:30 pm
Tuesday, June 26 - 6:30 pm

In this class, we will be using ink pads, watercolor pencils, waterbrushes, and a blending pen to create 4 beautiful cards.  I know that you are going to love using these techniques!  This class includes 4 cards, all the pre-cut papers and supplies, and you will take your blending pen home with you.    These are two of the cards we are making, and the other two will be shown in class.  I will also have a special sale on one of the stamp sets that we use in class.  These classes will fill up very, very fast, so reserve your spot early!

Cruisin' Scrapbook Club ($20)

Wednesday, June 20th (3 openings)

Club Ingredients

• Cruisin Paper (pre-cut)
• Cruisin Foil Images (full package)
• Color Ready Cork Shapes (full package)
• Black Baker's Twine (1 yard)

Stamps & Ink Provided in Class:

• Pennant Alphabet
• Adventure USA
• Black, Honey, Juniper, and Cranberry Ink

You are also able to purchase this kit long distance at the cost of $25.  It will come to you pre-cut, sorted, and stamped along with a photo of the layouts.  Please order by June 10th so that I can prepare for you! 

June is GREAT time to invite your friends in for a Gathering!  It's a casual afternoon or evening of fun where everyone gets to leave with a free creative project, and you earn Hostess Rewards. I have a few dates left and would love to share this special with your friends!  Are you long distance?   No problem!  We can do a Party in the Box where you will get everything you need to have a home or book party.   In addition to Close To My Heart's generous Hostess Rewards, all of my June hostesses receive a FREE stamp of the month, a handmade gift, and a free paper packet! Please contact me today for more information.  You can call or text me at (763) 227-0583 or e-mail me at girlygirlrose43@msn.com.  I would love to hear from you!

Notes

There are just two more days to get your Dotty for You paper packet!  Place a $35 order and get your Dotty for just $5!  I have been working with this paper since the middle of April in order to show you all the wonderful things that can be done with it.  Today, I am bringing you a clipboard that I made ~

I can't remember where I got this clipboard.  I just know that it was super cheap, and I knew that it would make a fun decoration.  The mats, letters, scalloped borders, and flowers were all cut with the Art Philosophy cartridge.  Boy does that make projects fun and easy!  I added a little embellishment, and it was done in less than an hour.  I love it!

I'll be putting this in the Dots & Stripes challenge over at Heart 2 Heart.

Treasured Friend

Here is the second of four cards that I will be teaching in my Watercolor & Ink Blending class at the end of June.  The details will go out this week!

I used the May Stamp of the Month, Friendship Bouquet, in a very different color.  (There is still time for you to get your set!)  I love Smokey Plum and Olive together, and I think they were a perfect fit for this card!

Life is Good

I love it when I get to spend so much time in my room crafting.  Yesterday it was rainy, and today it is well into the 90's and humid.  So I am taking advantage of this time and getting some much needed crafting done!

In my blog hopping this morning, I happened to notice that Simple Stories is having a challenge to use their elements to create a project.

I actually used bits and pieces from 5 different elements to create this card.  It was so much fun to cut banners from here, a ticket from there, and so on.  This is one of their older lines, Life Documented, but I really like this one for distressing.  What a different card from the one I posted this morning, right?  I love that different papers can take us in different directions!

4 U

I saw some scraps of Pear cardstock sitting in my bin, and I realized that I hadn't worked with that color in a long time.  So I put together a simple card mixing it with Gypsy and White Daisy.

I love making 4x4 cards.  I can get four cards from a 12x12 sheet, and they fit in a standard envelope, so I can usually get by with one stamp.  It was fun to make a card completely using cardstock and stamping as I don't do that very often.  I also like clean lines, so the white daisy is very crisp.  I used only two stamp sets - Universal Background (to make the grid pattern) and Happy Clusters (star and sentiment).

I saw a couple of challenges where I will enter this challenge.  The first is Lily Pad Cards as they are looking for stars.  The second is CR84FN Color Challenge, and this is the palette:

June Card Kit

This kit consists of 4  masculine cards.  We need those cards for the men in our lives, and I wanted to make it a little easier for you!  The last day to order this kit is Monday, June 11th, and cards will mailed on June 12th.  I want to have them to in time for you to use for Father's Day, so the deadline for ordering is a bit earlier this month.  You can pay via PayPal or check, and the cost is $6 delivered to you.  If you pick the cards up, the cost is $4 per kit.   All cards come pre-cut and  pre-stamped with instructions and envelopes.  I've added a PayPal link to this post to make it easier for you!

June Card Kit                                            ( Select Your Option from the Drop Down Box)

Card Kit - Pick-Up at My Home$4.00 USD Card Kit - Mailed Directly to You$6.00 USD

May Stamp of the Month

You know, I have really grown to love the May Stamp of the Month - Friendship Bouquet.

I love the font and tenderness of the sentiments, but I have never been much for coloring.  I knew I would have to learn a little more.  And that was the key word - LEARN.  One of the things I love about being a paper crafter is the continual learning process.  So that is what I have been doing this month with this stamp, and I have really, really enjoyed it!  So much so, that I am going to be sharing what I've learned in a Color & Ink Blending Class at the end of June.  So watch for more details soon!

This is one of the cards we will be making in the class.  I don't use this color combination nearly enough, and I so love it!  The card base and matting are grey flannel, and I used a little grey Dotty for You as a layer.  I used ink, my watercolor pencils, waterbrush, and blending tool to color.  But I can't tell you how I did this because I want you to come and learn!

I'm off to close a couple of Gatherings and do a little Convention dress shopping today.  What a great day!  I hope you have plans for a good one!

Color Ready Seam Binding and a Gift Bag

I have been wanting to put together a little picture tutorial of how to use our Color Ready Seam Binding.  It is such a nice product.  I love it because it is one ribbon that easily be 60 colors!  Let me show you how...

Start out with ink, a sponge applicator, and the color ready ribbon.  You can use any kind of sponge you would like.  I have been using the Tim Holtz applicator for many years and have grown accustomed to it.

In this next photo, you will see that I am pushing the applicator tool quite firmly into the ink pad.  It's all right to do that because both the tool and the ink pad can take it!

Now it's just a matter of transferring the ink to the ribbon.  You can make your ribbon as dark or as light as you wish.

I wanted to take this next photo to show you the ribbon up close and to show you that my fingers are clean.  When using this process to color the ribbon, it dries right away, and it can be picked up and used.

Now I'd like to show you why I needed the ribbon.

This is a gift bag from the Art Philosophy cartridge.  I cut it "fit to page" so that I could have the largest bag possible.  I've used Sonoma paper for this project - one of my favorites!  I fussy cut the scalloped border, and used my finishing files to distress all the edges on the bag with those and smikey plum ink.  I cut a tag with the AP cartridge and the sentiment is one of the matching stickease.  I finished this little birthday bag with a little bling by adding purple sparkles and a couple foundry pin clips.

I made this card for the distressing challenge at Heart 2 Heart and the birthday gift bag challenge at Papercraft Star.