Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Ice Cream Dream

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?  You will surely love the flavor that CTMH offers this month!

This adorable stamp set, Ice Cream Dream, sets up a fun summer mood with sweet treats and happy statements.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog.  If you have come here from Lillian's Blog, you are hopping right along.  When you have finished your visit here, move on to Michelle's Blog to view her work with this sweet set. 

These ice cream cones look scrumptious, if I say so myself!  For both cards, I stamped the images in Black Archival ink and colored them with Shin Han markers.  I also used the Paper Fundamentals Whimsy assortment paper packet.  These packets feature 20 double sided sheets, one with a color and white design, and the other side with a same glossy pattern. 

Here's a tip with the markers:  you can color sparkles, sequins, shimmer trim and other embellishments to get the coordinating color you want!  You can see the heart in the second card is colored with the same marker that I used to outline the ice cream scoop with.

You can order this set from your consultant for $5 with a $50 order or for $17.95.  If you do not have a CTMH consultant, you can order from my website here.  

Now continue hopping along to see more creations.   Michelle's Blog 

Here's to a sweet summer!
Michele

Operation Smile!

Close to My Heart has been supporting this amazing non profit program for several years!  In the recent past, Monica Wihongi, one of the corporate executives was invited to go on a mission with Operation Smile and accompanying her group was Kate Walsh.  It was an experience that changed many lives!  You can see a video of their experience here.   

Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families. Together we create smiles, change lives, and heal humanity.

Did you know that you can support Operation Smile through a super fun stamp set purchase from Close to My Heart?

With every stamp set purchased, CTMH donates $3 of the proceeds to Operation Smile.  It takes $240  to make a smile.  I figured if my team sold 80 sets in the month of June, we would could change a life.

Will you participate with us?  You can shop on my website or contact me to make your Happy Everything purchase.  Share this with your friends so together, we can make a difference in the life of a child.

To follow our team progress on this challenge, visit my Facebook page and watch the stamp set count as it goes through the roof! 

And don't forget to watch this blog and my Facebook page for artwork featuring this fun set.

Here's to smiles around the world,
Michele

And then this happened!

On May 1st, Close to My Heart came to town!  I love Close to My Heart events.  They inspire and energize me AND I get to share CTMH with some of my closest friends who also happen to be my team members. 

Prior to the CTMH event, my upline, Naomi had a meeting.  Part of the meetings are rewards and I was the happy recipient of three awards...and I owe two of them to my team! 

First of all, the Evergreen Memories team placed second in team sales for the first quarter!  Way to go ladies. 

Second, my team grew by 8 members in the first quarter!  I love sharing this wonderful company and all the benefits with people!  I am so happy that 8 new people joined us!  Welcome to Lorene, Mary, Cat, Jen, Jennifer, Cheryl, Mindi, and Nicole. 

Finally, I got first place in the artwork contest.  Many consultants participated with absolutely beautiful artwork.  What an honor to be chosen. 

Here's the card I made for the contest. 

Aren't the awards Naomi made just gorgeous and multipurpose?  Yes, they are great inspiration for cards and they fit in the Picture My Life page protectors so my keepsakes are ready to safely store in my album.  Thanks again to my team for all the support!

Now if you want to join this fast growing, award winning, fun loving group, you are welcome here! 
For the most recent information on becoming a consultant, visit my website here.  If you have questions about other details, please feel free to contact me. 

Have a great day!
Michele

Seasonal Sampler: July USA

I am thrilled to share my July Seasonal Sampler with you.  I am a lover of the Americana style so I couldn't resist with this sampler.  I also just love the bicycle...it reminds me of the kids parade that we have locally where they decorate their bikes and ride through Main Street. 

What about a bit of "I Spy" game?  Can you see the Taste of Summer in this project? 

I will be having a local workshop to create this sampler on

• June 5th, 9:30 a.m.
• June 7th 7 p.m.
• June 8th 7 p.m.

Or you can order this kit "to go."  This will be easy to create at home with the supplies pre-cut and stamped. 

Workshop Fee:  $15
Kit to Go:  $15 plus shipping if needed.

Order your kit by May 20th for early June workshops or kit deliveries.  Orders after May 20th will be available two weeks following. 

Happy Stamping,
Michele

Jackson Seasonal Sampler

Each month I create and hold a workshop called the Seasonal Sampler.  You may have seen these throughout the year.  I say this each month, but I truly think this is one of my favorite!

This sampler was inspired by the layout in the Seasonal Expressions 2 and is a perfect theme for the summer in the Pacific Northwest. 

I used the Campfire Lifestyle stamp set, Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Artbooking Cartridge and pigment inks for lasting stamp images. 

If you are interested in creating this, you can attend one of my workshops (contact me for dates) or to order a kit. The kit is $15 plus shipping.   Order by May 20th for June workshops. 

Happy Stamping,
Michele

College Finals Care Package

My daughter and I have a special "greeting" to say hello via text when she is away at college.  "woof"  When I saw the Friendly Pets stamp set, well, it was perfect.  As she heads into finals this week, she will have special little stress-relieving gifts to open each day.  The dollar store had this cute paper and the stamp set was perfect for my tags. 

I used my Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge to cut the Saddle Brown heart tag and then I hid the contour on the same tag and cut it in Pear cardstock.  I even cut the white square on my Cricut and stamped the tags with our little greeting!  So simple yet personal. 

You can purchase the Friendly Pets stamp set and Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge on my website. 

"Woof"
Michele

Scrapbook Workshop: Jackson

The Jackson paper packet was revealed in the Seasonal Expressions 2 mini idea book.  Have you seen it?  I am loving it.  So perfect for outdoor and masculine themes.  But oh so much more as well.

Today I want to share my Jackson Scrapbook Workshop with you! Have I told you before how much I love flip flaps? You can see different ways to use them and add more photos to you layout without creating more pages. 

 The top photo shows my first layout as you would see it when you open the album.  The second photo shows the left hand page with the 12" x 8" flip flap open.  Using the flip flaps I was able to add two larger photos that would have required an additional layout in my book.  The right hand page will also have a 12" x 4" flip flap on the far right hand side.  By working with 4" vertical dimensions, I was able to create the continuity and flow of the layout.  I used the CTMH Magic "how to" book, Abracadabra pattern as an inspiration. 

Here's my second layout of the set.  I used a 4 x 6 flip flap on the left hand page so I could add additional photos to capture our visit to Buena Vista. 

The final two layouts in my workshop do not have flip flaps as I didn't need the room for extra photos.  I did use the Seasonal Expressions 2 idea book for my inspiration of the final layout, left hand page.  It was so fun to create!  CTMH offers so many different sources of inspiration making paper crafting faster, simpler and easier! 

Listed below are the products I used for this workshop.   If you are interested in creating these pages, you can purchase the items from my website or contact me for workshop information and cutting guide. 

Happy Scrapping!
Michele

A Taste of Summer! National Scrapbooking Month Blog Hop

The sweet taste of summer is here!  Celebrate with Close to My Heart and join us for a tour of wonderfully sweet artwork.

If you have arrived here from Cat's Blog, welcome!  After enjoying the art I have created, you will continue your hop on over to Nikka's Blog.

One of my dear friend's is turning 50 this May and we are having a special celebration for her.  When I saw this paper set I knew that I would be using it for the decor for the party!   I love the bright, fresh summer look!  I of course headed to pinterest first to get some ideas and then started creating!  And then ordered some more paper to make some more.  Here's what I made!

I started with a banner, cutting the triangle piece using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  Then I cut some strawberries from the Artiste Cricut cartridge and assembled them.  I love how the flower on the leaves look like strawberry flowers.  Then I headed to the store and bought some strawberry plants, wrapped them in burlap and use the strawberry zip strip as a "ribbon".  All together this makes a fun centerpiece!  Fun, sweet and summery!

I am sure you have seen these yummy strawberries on the from of the Seasonal Expressions II.  To make the strawberries, you can find the tutorial on the CTMH blog here. 
Although I didn't use it in this artwork, there is a sweet stamp set created to go along with this paper.

CC1039   Taste of Summer:

This special set has images that coordinate with the Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  

 B1478 Ice Cold Summer

This set is featured in the Seasonal Expressions II and is another great stamp set to pair with the paper.

Here's the deal:  the Taste of Summer paper is $8.95 during the month of May.  No qualifying purchase necessary...just buy as much paper as you want...until it's gone.  Ask your consultant about the scrapbook and card workshops CTMH and other consultants have created to go with this paper.  You can get the instructions for FREE!  Remember, the paper is available while supplies last so don't wait.  You can order by contacting your consultant or on my website.  

Ready to move on?  Head on over to Nikka's Blog and see what summery creation she has made.

Here's to summer creativity!
Michele