January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring January's SOTM, which is Find Your Style, a set of 9 stamps.

If you have come here from Pamela's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around. If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants here.

This month we have over 50 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

This month I used the stamp set to create my own pattern paper and then used it jazz up a gift bag.  On one side I used the bird, Beautiful and Friend stamps.  I randomly stamped and second generation stamped.

On the other side, I used the butterfly and Beautiful stamp to random stamp and second generation stamp.  I embossed the Friend stamp and the saying stamp.  I also embossed some of the Beautiful stamped images on this side.

 

Supplies Used:
Cardstock - Black, Colonial White
Ink - Black, Gypsy, Pear
Stamp Set - Find Your Style
Techniques - Embossing, Random Stamping, Second Generation Stamping
Embellishments - Black Opaques

Now "Hop" on over to Kristie's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas!

Remember, the January SOTM is only available until the 31st! Visit my website or contact me to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

Happy Hopping!
Wendy

Christmas Gifts

My grandparents are always difficult to shop for during the holidays - they go out and buy whatever they need when they need it. My mother-in-law is another one that is super difficult to buy for.  All of them like to stop at yard sales and at second hand stores and have houses that are full of "stuff". 

This year I thought I would be a little more creative with the gifts that we give them.  About a month ago, I told my husband that I was going to make two albums (one for the grandparents and one for the mother-in-law).  The plan was to include photos that I've taken during the last year - starting with last Christmas.  I know they will all love it and hopefully it will start a tradition for years to come. 

I've gone through our pictures and selected just the right ones.  I've chosen some patterns from the fabulous Close To My Heart How-To books.  Now, I need to get busy and get some scrapping done and put the albums together!  We're celebrating with my grandparents next Saturday!

As I am trying to get inspiration for the next pages, I thought I'd share my just completed Easter layout.  We have Easter at our house every year and invite both sides of our families.  This year, my cousin Heather was visiting from Las Vegas.  This layout is for my grandparents book.

Supplies Used:
Paper - Colonial White CS, Garden Green CS, Veranda B&T
Stamp Set - Baroque Alphabet, The Present
Ink - Cocoa
Other - Mocha Opaques, Designer's Calendar Cricut Cartridge, Cherish - Fab Fifteen

Stay tuned for more layouts to come!
Wendy

December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring December's SOTM, which is Amore, a set of 13 stamps.

If you have come here from Wendy's Blog, you are on the right path!   The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you'll find a complete list of participating consultants on Helen's Blog.

This month we have over 60 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using the SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs.  This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of each post on each blog to move to the next one.  Here we go!

My card for this stamp set was inspired by the Heart 2 Heart Challenge for this week.  The challenge for this week is this sketch:

If you haven't checked out the H2H Challenges, you should do so!  They offer a different challenge each week and sometimes offer goodies for a lucky participant!

Here is my card:

I used Sky ink and did some random stamping with the Love stamp.  The large heart was stamped in Pacifica ink and then cut out.  I also inked the edges of all the Colonial White pieces with Cocoa ink.

Products used:
Paper - Cocoa CS, Colonial White CS, Magnifique
Stamp Set - Amore
Ink - Cocoa, Pacifica, Sky
Embellishment - Mocha Opaques

Now "Hop" on over to Kathleen's Blog to see her work!  Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas!  Remember, the December SOTM is only available until December 31.  Visit my website to see how you can get this stamp set for FREE!

Happy Hopping!
Wendy

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Pretty Pretty Princess

Last week Heart 2 Heart Challenges had a Pretty Pretty Princess challenge - this challenge was all about being girly!  Well, believe me, I can do girly! 

These photos were taken of my daughter last year.  She loves to put on my shoes and walk around the house.  I was shocked that she was able to stay upright in these boots! 

The bling makes it a little difficult to get a good photo - I'll keep trying and repost them if I get a better shot.

 The top photo says "Kickin It Mommy Style" and the bottom has her nickname "Teagie Sue".

Supply List:
B&T: Hooligans, Daydream
Cardstock: Black Gypsy
Embellishments: Clear Sparkles, Pink & Purple Sparkles, Paper Studio Flowers, Crystal Letters

Have a great day!
Wendy

December Workshop - 20 Pages & 12 Cards

Join me on Sunday, December 5 to get ahead on your scrapbook pages.  We'll use one Level 2 paper pack (along with some bases) to create 20 scrapbook pages and 12 cards.  All you will need to do after the workshop is add your pictures.  Do you want to know the best part?  I will do the cutting for you!!!

Here are some sample pages:

If you are not local but would like the workshop kit, it can be mailed to you (I will still do all the cutting for you!).  Please email me for more details.  Space is limited so sign up soon!

Wendy

November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring November's SOTM, which is A Little Thanks, a set of 16 stamps.

 
If you have come here from Chris's Blog, you are on the right path!  The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you'll find the complete list of participating consultants on Helen's Blog.

This month we have over 60 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs.  This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one!  Here we go!

I used the stamp set to create some thank you cards and a holder for my hostess at her Gathering.  The outside of the holder has her initial.

 

 The inside holds three cards on one side and three envelopes on the other.  

 

Products Used:

B&T Paper - Olivia

Cardstock - Barn Red, Colonial White

Stamp Sets - Baroque Alphabet, A Little Thanks

Ink - Barn Red, Cocoa

Embellishments - Cocoa Grosgrain Ribbon, Mocha Opaques

Now "Hop" on over to Wendy's Blog to see her work!  Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas!  Remember, the November SOTM is only available until November 30!  Visit my website to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even for FREE!

Happy Hopping!
Wendy

Hooligans Workshop on the Go

The Hooligans paper pack has turned out to be one of my favorites this year.  Here is the Workshop on the Go kit that I put together.  I did two 2-page layouts and six cards.  I had plenty of paper left over that I used to cover the Board Book.  The stamp set that comes with the kit has little monsters.  They are even more adorable if you do like the instructions say and cover them in glitter!  I was covered in glitter for days afterwards but my monsters were adorable when they were finished!

For the featured layout, I used pictures from the first time my daughter went trick or treating.  The first house that we stopped at had another little girl in the same costume!  Teagan caught on quickly and even though her candy bucket got heavy, she was determined to carry it herself.

Left page

Right Page

The additional layout is the Levitate pattern from Magic.  I used photos from a Memorial Day cookout that we attended.  This is my niece with her daughter.  Hayley will play with anyone except for my husband.  To this day she still wants nothing to do with him!

Left Page

Right Page

Here are the featured cards:

The additional cards are made using the pattern Balance It Out from Originals.  Of course, all the monsters are glittered on the cards too!

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween!  Make sure you take plenty of photos of your little ghouls or, like in our case, princesses.

Wendy

Gathering Invitations

Instead of using our standard postcard style invitations for an upcoming Home Gathering for a friend, I decided to mix things up a little bit.  After looking through our How-To books for a layout, I settled on the Balance It Out template from Originals to get me started.  I ran Pear and Lagoon cardstock through my Big Shot with an embossing folder.  After embossing, I used our sanding kit on the raised dots.  For the brad-like look on the corners, I stamped the dot from the Heart to Heart stamp set and then used Liquid Glass to make it shiny.

The end product looks like this:

 

The Gathering information was printed on a separate sheet of cardstock and tucked inside the card.  The recipient can use the card themselves!

Cardstock: Pear, Lagoon

B and T Paper: Hooligans

Stamp Sets: The Present, Heart to Heart

Ink: Gypsy, Lagoon, Pear

Other: Liquid Glass, Sanding Kit

Mojo Monday Challenge

Every week there is a sketch challenge posted on the Mojo Monday blog.  This week I decided to play along.  Here is the sketch:

 

Since I have been working on Christmas cards, I decided to use the challenge to come up with something new.  My border punch selection is very limited so I used my circle punch and cut the circles in half for my bottom border. I second generation stamped the ornaments and then rolled the edges.  All items used are Close To My Heart.

Cardstock - Cranberry

B and T Paper - Mistletoe

Stamp Sets - Adorn-able, All the Best

Embellishments - Cranberry Ribbon, Mocha Opaques, Chocolate Waxy Flax

Happy Birthday Teagan!

My baby girl is turning 3 today!  I'm not sure where the time has gone!  I shouldn't be surprised that it has gone by so fast - after all, my baby boy will be 18 in the summer.  They never stop being our "babies", do they?

Unfortunately, mommy doesn't get to celebrate with her today (I'm off to Michigan for training for Relay for Life).  I'll be back Saturday evening (hopefully in time to see her big brother off to the homecoming dance with his girlfriend).  On Sunday, the family is going to celebrate by going to the Pumpkin Patch and then next week we'll have her party with the rest of our family and our friends.

Now for some pictures!

Here is the invitation to her party:

I ran the Hydrangea Cardstock through my Big Shot with an embossing folder.  The flowers were stamped in Gypsy, Lagoon and Pear - the stamp set is called Summer Wishes.  The Party Pennants stamps were used on the Bubblegum Cardstock.  I added a little ricrac and some pink bling and we were good to go - very girlie!

Here is a fun photo I took of her this week:

Happy Birthday Teagan!

Wendy

October Stamp of the Month Hop

Welcome to our October Stamp of the Month blog hop.  We will be featuring October's SOTM, which is Share the Magic, a set of 12 stamps.  If you have come here from Carol's blog, you are on the right path!  If you get lost along the way, you can return to Helen's blog for a complete list.

This month we have approximately 70 Close To My Heart consultants sharing their creations using the October Stamp of the Month and other great products on their blogs.  This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of each post on each blog and move to the next one!  Here we go!

I used this stamp set on a Christmas layout.  I'm usually not one to spend a lot of time coloring my stamped images but this turned out to be kind of fun!  While I was on a roll of coloring, I also blew the dust off of my Blending Pen.  I used the blending pen on the areas I colored black on Santa and on used it to color the Christmas tree.  I used the layout, On with the Show, from our newest how to book, Magic.  I plan to put some hidden journaling behind where the title Santa is stamped.  The photos are from my daughter's first time sitting on Santa's lap.  The photos are a little hard to see because I wasn't supposed to be taking them at all, but that's a story for another time (and the reason for the HIDDEN journaling)!

Magic How-To Book - On with the Show template
Cardstock - Colonial White, Cocoa
B&T paper - Mistletoe, Creative Basics Mistletoe Collection
Ink / Markers - Black, Clover Meadow, Cranberry, Honey, New England Ivy, Sunflower, Tulip, Vanilla Cream, White Daisy
Stamp Sets - Giggle Caps, Giggle Lowercase, Sans Alphabet, Share the Magic
Embellishments - Green Sparkles, Red Sparkles, Mocha Opaques, Ribbon from Creative Basics Mistletoe Collection, Colonial White Eyelets, Glitz Glitter Gel
Other - Blending Pen

Now, "hop" on over to Melissa's blog to see her work!  Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! 

Remember, this set is only available until October 31st.  Contact me for more information on how you can earn this set for FREE!!!

Happy Hopping!
Wendy

September Stamp of the Month - Thriller

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring September's SOTM, which is Thriller, a set of 9 stamps.

If you have come here from Caren's blog you are on the right path!  You can also find a complete list of Blog Hop participants at Helen's blog.

This month we have 68 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

When I saw this set, I knew it was perfect for Halloween bags! 

I got the instructions for the bag here.  I randomly stamped a piece of Cotton Candy cardstock after I scored my paper.  I stamped the skull on a piece of white cardstock and then sponged Cotton Candy ink all over.  I used some Stardust Glitter Glue on the eye patch to make it stand out some.  Finally, I closed the bag with some ribbon.  I think I'll be using these as goodie bags for my upcoming crop!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Black, Cotton Candy, White Daisy
Stamp Set: Thriller
Ink: Cotton Candy
Embellishments: Black Ribbon, Stardust Glitter Glue

Now, "hop" on over to Toni's blog to see her work.  Be sure to make your way through all of the consultant blogs to see the fun ideas.  Remember, this stamp set is only available thru the month of September!  Visit my website or contact me to see how you can get this set for a discount or even FREE!

Wendy

New Product Blog Hop - A Sneak Peek at the Autumn/Winter Idea Book

Wow, it's that time again!  Close To My Heart has a new Idea Book being released on September 1.  In celebration of the new Idea Book, over 50 Fabulous Close to my Heart Consultants are participating in this blog hop.  Everyone has been busy with their new products creating fantastic items to give you a Sneak Peak of some of the great new products that will be available in the new Idea Book!

If you have come here from Haley's blog, you are on the right path!  You can also find a complete list of Blog Hop participants at http://tazzygirl2000.blogspot.com/2010/08/autumnwinter-2010-new-product-blog-hop.html.

This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one.  Here we go!

Hooligans - what a fun word!  As soon as I saw this paper and the stickers, I knew what I wanted to do.  I created a board book for Halloween pictures.  After Halloween, all I need to do is get my pictures printed and insert them in the book.  This would probably make a good gift for Grandma but I have a feeling I'll be keeping it for myself.

Supplies Used:

My Creations Board Book (Z1310)

Paper Pack - Hooligans (X7129B)

Cardstock - Black, Lagoon, Pear, White Daisy

Stamp Sets: Chocolate Alphabet Small (D1296), Troublemaker (WOTG Set)

Ink - Black, Gypsy, Lagoon, Sunset

Embellishments - Blue & Green Assortment Sparkles (Z1327), Hooligans Stickers (Z1332), Licorice Opques (Z1335), Pear Mini-Medley Accents (Z1339)

Now, hop on over to Antoinette's blog to see her wonderful creation.  Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and see the new Paper Packs and My Acrylix Stamp Sets!

Remember, the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book goes live on September 1.  If you haven't received your copy and would like to do some shopping, visit my website.

Wendy

August Stamp of the Month - Something Splendid

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring August's SOTM, which is Something Splendid, a set of 13 stamps.

If you have come here from Melissa's Blog, you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you may want to go back to Helen's Blog and start from the beginning!

This month we have 65 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

This month's stamp set was perfect for this layout.  My grandma is very into flower gardens and so is my daughter.  While we were visiting, Teagan helped grandma put out her yard decorations.

For the larger flowers, I stamped and second generation stamped with the flower base then used a darker color for the top portion of the flower.  I cut many of the flowers out and attached them to the layout with glue dots.  I also used the smaller flower around the the title.  Most of those flowers were also attached using glue dots.  To make the centers pop on the smaller flowers, I used liquid glass on them. 

Paper and Cardstock: Bella, Desert Sand, Olive, Smokey Plum, Vanilla Cream
Inks: Blush, Creme Brulee, Desert Sand, Hollyhock, Smokey Plum
Stamp Set: Something Splendid
Embellishments: Foundry Tabs, Liquid Glass

Now "Hop" on over to Andrea's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the August SOTM is only available until the 31st! Visit my website to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

Happing hopping!
Wendy

$2, $4, $6, for 8...It's You We Appreciate!

Close To My Heart is doing it again!  On August 4 beginning at 11:00 a.m. (EDT) thru August 11 (or while supplies last), Close To My Heart is offering lots of items at discounted prices! 

Here's a list of items that will be available at the discounted prices:

My Stickease - $2.00/each
Abundance / Animal Cookies / Aspen / Back Country / Bella / Blue Ribbon / Boom-Di-Ada / Caprice / Cutie Pie / Daydream / Emporium / Enchanted / Evensong / Everlasting / Expedition / Floral Impressions / Free Spirit / Game On / Good Times / Grace / It’s a Guy Thing / Jingle / Just Chillin / Life Delights / Magic Moments / Majestic Blue / Moon Doggie / More To Adore / Notebook / Paper Garden / Perfect Day / Rough n Tumble / Route 66 / Sarsaparilla / School Zone / Silhouette / Simple Pleasure / Sonata / Stardust / Sweet Harmony / Sweet Home / Sweet Pea / That’s Amore / Tinkerin / Twitterpated / Unforgettable / Vintage Travel

My Reflections Level 1 Kits - $4.00/each
Abundance / Animal Cookies / Aspen / Back Country / Bella / Best Friends Forever / Blue Ribbon / Boom-Di-Ada / Caprice / Cutie Pie / Daydream / Discovery / Emporium / Enchanted / Evensong / Everlasting / Expedition / Floral Impressions / Floral Tapestry / Free Spirit / Game On / Good Times / Grace / Heirloom / It’s a Guy Thing / Jingle / Just Chillin / Laid Back / Let's Get Together / Lifes Delights / Magic Moments / Majestic Blue / Moon Doggie / More To Adore / Notebook / Paper Garden / Perfect Day / Route 66 / Sarsaparilla / School Zone / Silhouette / Simple Pleasure / Sonata / Stardust / Sweet Home / Sweet Pea / That’s Amore / Tinkerin / Twitterpated / Unforgettable / Vintage Travel

My Reflections Levels 2 Paper Packet - $6.00/each
Abundance / Animal Cookies / Aspen / Back Country / Bella / Blue Ribbon / Boom-Di-Ada / Caprice / Daydream / Emporium / Enchanted / Evensong / Everlasting / Floral Impressions / Free Spirit / Game On / Good Times / Heirloom / It’s a Guy Thing / Jingle / Magic Moments / Majestic Blue / Moon Doggie / More To Adore / Notebook / Perfect Day / Rough n Tumble / Sarsaparilla / Silhouette / Simple Pleasure / Stardust / Sweet Home / That’s Amore / Tinkerin / Twitterpated / Unforgettable

Spend this weekend making up your wish list and head to my website on August 4 to place your order.  These items will only be available online at these prices for a limited time.

Have a great weekend!
Wendy

July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring July's SOTM, which is Happy Forever, a set of 9 stamps.

If you have come here from Melinda's Blog, you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you may want to go back to Helen's Blog and start from the beginning!

This month we have almost 70 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

The porcupines in the set are adorable and it was difficult to choose my favorite!  I went with the porcupine holding the ballons and made a birthday card.  This will be perfect to attach to a child's birthday gift.

I started out using the Tied Frame pattern from Originals.  I reworked the pattern a bit and made the card 4x4 instead of 6x6.  I used Animal Cookies paper and colored the balloons to match the paper.

Cardstock: Desert Sand, Dutch Blue, Tulip, White Daisy
B&T Paper: Animal Cookies
Markers/Inks: Clover Meadow, Desert Sand, Dutch Blue, Sunflower, Tulip
Embellishments: Clover Meadow Brads

Now "Hop" on over to Janelle's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the July SOTM is only available until July 31st!  Visit my website to see how to get this stamp at a discount or even FREE!!!

Wendy