April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - My Sunshine

Welcome to the April Stamp of the Month blog hop!  Thanks for visiting from Susan Brooks' blog.

There are over 60 Close To My Heart Independent Consultants on this month's hop featuring the My Sunshine stamp set.  Don't forget, with any $50 order of Close To My Heart products in April, you can get this stamp set for just $5!  Most of the images coordinate with the Artiste Cricut cartridge.  The plastic sheet that each image rests on tells you the size of the image to cut on your Cricut!

I chose the Chantilly Paper Packet to use the bird and sun images from My Sunshine.  I popped them up using some 3-D Foam Tape and added a Bitty Sparkle for the bird's eye.

I just had to use that hot air balloon image on my second card!  I stamped the balloon twice, once on the Cricut cut hot air balloon image in Outdoor Denim ink and again in Sweet Leaf on a scrap piece of cardstock.  I trimmed the Sweet Leaf balloon strips and popped them up with 3-D Foam Tape.  I used the Tiny Type Epoxy Alphabet (a new favorite!) to write "lets take off" and "TOGETHER" on the inside of the card.

I was inspired to create the dimensional clouds from Amy Koenders. To create the clouds on the Twilight cardstock, I cut out several sizes of clouds from the Artist cartridge.  I used a little adhesive to keep them in place and then used my Paper Piercer to poke holes around the clouds.  When I flipped over my cardstock, voila, little cloud shapes!

Now, hop on over to Krista Hershberger's blog to see how she's used My Sunshine.

Claire Scrapbook Layout

I just finished teaching a six-session scrapbooking class to the most amazing girls.  They were in second-fifth grade and not only were they creative and artistically talented, they were just the sweetest, most fun group of girls, too!  What a blessing to get to share my passion for scrapbooking with them.  Here we are on our last day:

Each week, I created a different themed layout, using CTMH papers and accessories, naturally!  For the last class, I used the Claire Paper Packet and the Girls Rock stamp set.  I just love the flowers and border stamps in this cute set!  I also used the Chocoate Alphabet Stamp to create the "epic" title.  Did you know that "epic" is the new "awesome" or "cool?"  I didn't until a former scrapbooking student let me in on "what the kids are saying these days!"  Ha!

Using my Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, I was able to cut out shapes that perfectly matched the flower shapes.  This awesome cartridge easily cuts out flower shapes from our new Glitter Paper, too.  Then, a little of the Silver Shimmer Trim (LOVE that it's self-adhesive!), a few buttons from the Buttons Pink Assortment and voila...one cute layout!

I focus on a different technique or two each week with my Scrappy Gals.  This week, we did border stamping, rock'n'roll stamping and second generation stamping.  Check it out:

It was amazing to me that each girl put her own spin on the layout.  Almost nobody ever copied my layout design exactly.  It just shows the artistic flair inside each one of us when we're encouraged to let our creativity shine!

My Happy Life Mini Album

Admit it ladies, you hold on to all of those little scraps and shapes you cut from your Cricut Artiste, I know you do.  Well, I know I do and that several of my workshop gals do, too (you know who you are!).  If you want a super cute and creative way to use those scraps, CTMH has the answer for you...a mini album!  Check out the great step by step video by CTMH VP, Christine Whitfeld:

March SOTM Blog Hop - Floral Happiness

Thanks for joining me on the awesome hop this month.  I love this stamp set, Floral Happiness, and envision myself using it a lot.  If you've come from Elizabeth's blog, you're on the right path.

This set of 16 images contains a thoughtful set of sentiments to choose from and layers of beautiful roses.  You can choose to layer the roses or to just stamp the petals.  As you can see from my example below, the small petaled rose is used to accent the scallop on the left page.  On the right page, I second generation stamped the large rose base in Honey, then used first generation stamping for the petals.  I used that same technique for the leaves, using Lagoon ink.  This layout is featured in the For Always WOTG.  I hadn't ordered the WOTG, but was anxious to complete this layout and Floral Happiness filled in beautifully!

Now, hop on over to Nancy's blog to see how she's used Floral Happiness.

Studio J Special

I am so psyched about this Studio J promotion from CTMH.  In the month of February, get your two-page Studio J layouts for $5 each.  That's almost $2 off the regular price!

February is sure to be a month of digital delights because you can purchase any Studio J^® layout for only $5—that’s a savings of $1.95 per layout! This is a great opportunity to try Studio J for the first time. Create adorable baby layouts with the Wishes and Fishes kit (shown), or use the new Express Collections with collections of 10 ready-made layouts plus a front and back cover that are easy to use and professionally designed. Preserve your memories at a low price for a truly digital delight!

 

*Shipping/handling applies. Studio J credits must be redeemed before this promotion can be applied. Offer valid February 1–28, 2013.

February SOTM Blog Hop - Home Sweet Home

Welcome to the first blog hop of CTMH's Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book!  I can't wait to show you all of the new artwork I've been working on with these gorgeous papers, stamps and embellies.  Don't have an Idea Book yet?  Leave me a comment below and I'll be happy to send you one, just for the cost of shipping.

Thanks for visiting from my dear friend, Scrapi Traci's blog.  She always comes up with the cutest artwork; I can't tell you how many things I've "scraplifted" from her!

Home Sweet Home is the featured Stamp of the Month for February.  It's a set of four stamps that stamp so clear and crisp, you'll just love them.

I've been doing a lot of thinking of this concept of home, and really got to thinking about how grateful I am to call the good 'ole USA my home.  I decided to take an "old" layout...a Studio J layout (more on that below) and add the "Home Sweet Home" sentiment to my layout.  What do you think?

I've been looking for an excuse to cover an "oopsie" on this Studio J layout.  I had added a button, then removed it, but forgot to remove the stitching on it!  So, I layered some Outdoor Denim, Cranberry and Champagne Cardstock and stamped Home Sweet Home in Outdoor Denim.  Then, I used my Piercing Tool Kit and my CTMH Ruler with guide holes for perfect stitching to add a little Natural Hemp to the paper.  I feel like it tied it in so nicely with the stitches in my Studio J layout.  

Speaking of Studio J...did you know that layouts are just $5 this month!?  What a steal!  Head over here to try Studio J out for yourself for free.  If you need a little direction, leave me a comment below and I'll send you a two-page tutorial to get you started on Studio J today!

Thanks to all of our brave men and women who dedicate their blood, sweat and tears to protect my family's freedom.  You are the reason I can call the USA my Home Sweet Home!

Now, it's time to hop on over to Kami Welter's blog to see how she's used this great stamp set!

For Always Scrapbooking Workshop

Do you have a copy of Close To My Heart's Spring/Summer Idea Book yet?  You can start ordering from it on Friday and it's so chock full of eye candy that you'll probably get a sugar high from just looking at it.  Seriously!

The first scrapbooking workshop I'm doing is For Always.  Check out the three layouts below that we'll be completing on February 19th from 9 to noon or 7 to 10 PM.

The cost is just $28 and includes a For Always paper pack, For Always My Stickease, For Always Assortment (those little resin flowers), extra cardstock, Silver Shimmer Trim and Black Adhesive Gems to complete the layouts.

RSVP by February 4th so I can order your products in time for the workshop.  You're going to love how quickly these layouts come together!