July 26, 2015

Blog Hop: Picture My Life Cards created using Artfully Sent


 On this blog hop, we are featuring pocket cards created with the Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge. 

Did you know that you can use the Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge and create your own pocket scrapbooking cards?  Yes, easy as pushing a couple of buttons and you can personalize your pocket scrapbooking!  If you came here from Mary Brooks' Blog, you are on the right track.  When you are finished here, hop on over to see the pocket cards created by Tina Lovell

I used the Blossom Paper packet and the July Stamp of the month to create these two cards.

 4x3 Pocket card

 4x6 Pocket Card

 Although these cards are great for pocket scrapbooking, you can also use them on your classic layouts.  You can see here, I added the top card to the left hand page.  I then stamped the "Wonderful" from the July stamp of the month on the right hand page to complete the title. 


 I did make a third 4x6 pocket card but it didn't fit on the layout so I paired it down a bit to make it work.  You can compare the layout with it here.


If you want to learn more about creating your own pocket cards or the Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge, then contact your CTMH consultant or if you don't have a consultant, I would love to help you out!  Not all the cards swapped will be represented in this hop, but I will be posting those I received over the next few days as well.  Enjoy this hop and remember to head over to Tina's next! 

Happy stamping,
Michele

July 15, 2015

Blog Hop: Jump on it July!

During the month of July, when you purchase $25 in current, retail priced stamps, you qualify to receive either the July Stamp of the Month,  Life Is Wonderful, FREE or any one of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets featured in Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 or Seasonal Expressions 2 for only $5! That is a savings of up to $17.95!



To celebrate this great special, several talented consultants have put together this artwork blog hop to share ideas with the different Hostess Reward stamp sets.

If you have come here from Melinda's Blog, you are on the right path.  After you have read my blog post, you will be traveling on to Brenda's Blog

I knew I had to have it when I first saw it...yes it was the Paper Bird Hostess reward set.  I am really drawn to designs, paper and embellishments that include "newspaper" or "dictionary" type text as part of the design. 



This stamp set features on image that is cut using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge but I also wanted to use a butterfly cut as well.  So I looked through the book and with a little trial and error, I found that Butterfly 2 found on page 55 of the handbook, cut at 1 1/2 inches, although not a perfect match, works well to for the stamp image to capture the "text".  I cut a large butterfly in our silver glitter paper as an accent and then used smaller butterfly cuts to embellish. 


Here's is a card create by the corporate artists using the Art Philosophy Cricut heart cut. 

I have had fun playing with this set and you can too!  Contact your consultant about the Jump on it July special or visit my website and click on the Promotion tab. 

Hope your day is filled with smiles. 
Michele

July 13, 2015

Retiring Colors: Order your favorites now!

Close to My Heart is great about keeping on trend with new styles and colors...but some of our favorites are the oldies.  If this is true for you, you will want to order before they are gone...which will be soon.  Also, if you have the ink pads for these colors, you may want to get the reinkers...to keep your pads fresh for years to come.  Here is what is retiring and the links to the cardstock, stamp pads and reinkers. 

 Olive Green
Reinker (sold out)
Indian Corn Blue
 Autumn Terracotta
Outdoor Denim
Ponderosa Pine
Smokey Plum
Barn Red

 Have a colorful day!

Michele

July 08, 2015

Gifts Galore: Base and Bling


I love creating special gifts and as I was preparing for convention, I decided to make these easy but adorable Minnie Mouse purse charms for my roomies.  

 
The CTMH base and bling products made this a fast, simple and easy project.  I cut the Minnie silhouette and bow on my Cricut and then a one inch square of glitter paper for the background.  I layer all the pieces, inserted them into the pendant, added liquid glass and then the glass cover.  I was done!  When it dried, I added the charms and alligator clip to finish it off.  So fun!

Every gift needs “wrapping” so I cut the image from the Artiste Cricut cartridge, added some patterned paper for a splash of color, and tied the purse charm on the inside.  I closed it securely with a bit of waxy flax (an older CTMH product that I miss) and it was ready to include in my gift bag. 


In addition to the key charm, I found some fun Minnie notebooks that I dressed up with a band and the initial of each of my roomies.  I added a glow stick and a few little goodies…and I am ready to go. 

Beginning this fall, I will be offering a month workshop and kit to go featuring “gifts galore.”  I find it nice to have small gifts on hand that I can choose from when I am on the go but want to surprise someone with a little something.  As convention unfolds this week and new products are released, my busy little brain will be looking for ideas on special gifts.  Watch my upcoming calendar, Facebook posts and right here for these new workshops. 

Happy gifting!
Michele

July 06, 2015

Blog Hop: Happy Everything for Operation Smile

Welcome to another hop around the internet to see fabulous artwork.  This week we are featuring a very special stamp set called "Happy Everything".  The best part about this set, beside the fact that it is stinkin' cute, is that with every sale, CTMH donates $3 to Operation Smile.  It takes $240 to change a smile...and change a life.  If you would like to learn more about Operation Smile, take a little trip over to my website



If you have arrived here from Krista's Blog and see her creative talents, you are hopping right along.  When you are done here...move on over to Lauren's corner and see what she has in store. 

Now, onto some really happy artwork. 

  This set is so fun and flexible and can be used with a variety of papers!  I chose to use the "joy" fold card to create a fun birthday card!  I just love this little bee and I popped him up with foam tape to create a little tab to keep the card closed.


 When you open the two different folds of the card, you get to the special greeting inside. 



Now, if you want to keep the creative process FAST, this stamp set pairs very well with our Cut Above card kits.  All the paper is cut and it is easy to stamp your sentiment, adhere the pieces, personalize it with your signature and then send it off to family or a friend for a special greeting. 


This stamp set is available through August 31st and also counts toward the $25 stamp purchase needed for the Jump on It July.  Ask your consultant for details about this over visit my website and click on Promotions. 

Now it is time to visit Lauren's Blog!  

Happy Everything to you!
Michele


July 02, 2015

Sticky Boy! Convention! Jump in July!

What do those three things have in common?  CTMH acrylic stamps!  I am adding the video about Sticky Boy and how the new Acrylix stamps were tested when CTMH first introduced them. 



Convention is July 9-11th. 
Guess what?  I will be previewing an entire new catalog featuring 100's of new Acrylix stamp designs.  I can't wait!



Finally, what is in this for you? 
The July Special! 

When you purchase $25 in current, retail priced stamps, you qualify to receive either the July Stamp of the Month, My Acrylix® Life Is Wonderful, FREE or any one of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets featured in Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 (page 7-12) or Seasonal Expressions 2 (page 6-7) for only $5!  This is a perfect time to browse the retiring list here and pick up those stamps sets that will be gone forever...and get a few discounted stamps that have only been available to hostesses. 

Here are photos of the Hostess Reward stamp sets.













 Here's to Sticky Boy!  Happy stamping,
Michele