New Product Blog Hop

I am delighted to say that I participated in an Annual Inspirations new product swap.  Although I have only seen peeks of some of the artwork I will be receiving, I am excited to share what I created with you AND you will get to see the artwork right along with me as you hop through.

So, if you have arrived from Gail's Blog, you are on the right track.  This will go in a big circle as you hop through seven different blogs.  After you have seen my artwork, you will then hop on over to Cindy's blog. 

My "assignment" for the swap was to use the Picture My Life scrapbooking program in a non-traditional way.  I think I got the easy end of the deal because it is super easy to create with PML cards.

First I did a 12 x 12 layout and used the cards as a title and then again as mats for photos.

 I used the Chalk It Up paper packet with the Chalk It Up PML kit.  Since there are 3 of each small card, I cut one up and raised the elements with foam tape to highlight the details.  So easy, so awesome!

Second, I used the Seaside PML kit and created a set of cards.  I did stamp one image, the same for all cards.  Adding foam tape and a couple of embellishments was all I needed to finish the cards.  I absolutely love how they turned out.

Finally, I used the Chantilly cards and a stamp set to create a set of tags.  These too were super easy to make!

You will be seeing more PML projects in the future and just a reminder about the special this month, when you purchase a PML kit, you can choose a set of page protectors for $3.  A great deal!


Michele

Summer Sweetness

I love the fresh summer fruit.  My daughter is enjoying the peaches, local and fresh from the fruit stand.  The Sweet Life is a celebration of the taste of summer and is the stamp of the month for July. 
Available through the end of July, you can get it for $5 with a $50 order or for $17.95. 
This card was created by Carla, a downline of mine.  We stamped the apple branch 3 times.  First on the square, the twice on scrap paper.  After coloring with watercolor pencils and blending pen, we cut out the different layers and raised them with foam tape to accentuate the dimension.  I love how this looks. 
If you want to see more ideas using this stamp set, follow this blog hop of creative consultants from across the US and Canada. 

Enjoy the sweetness of summer. 

Pear & Partridge Birthday

The stamp set from the Chantilly Card Workshop on the Go can be used with a variety of paper packets.  Here, I had a few left-over card bases cut from the holiday paper pack, Pear & Partridge.  I added Juniper to the Sorbet and created this birthday card.  I love how it turned out. 

You can see the Chantilly Workshop on the Go here.  When you purchase this kit, you get everything you need to cut and create 5 of 3 different designed cards.  You add your inks and your blocks.  Then, you can use the stamp set with other papers and color combinations for more birthday wishes. 

It’s a Pajama Party

Close To My Heart is teaming up with Big Picture Classes to bring you a live webcast with step-by-step instructions for making this Happy Thoughts kraft container. The FREE webcast will air Thursday, May 30 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm (PDT). During the presentation, you’ll learn to make several projects from a variety of sponsors, including Close To My Heart’s Happy Thoughts kraft container, as the presenter walks you through the steps. Watch the Pajama Party by yourself or invite a few friends over.  Anyone with an Internet connection can watch!

Need the supplies for the class?  Order yours for $3 by May 20th by emailing me at michele@therowleys.us.  Local orders can be picked up between May 27th-30th and out of town orders will be shipped at actual shipping cost. 

The Pajama Party class will be available for FREE at BigPictureClasses.com on May 30. If you would like to interact on the message board, participate in live chat, post to the gallery, download handouts, or enter any contests, you will need to log in to the Pajama Party “classroom” by creating a free account on the Big Picture Classes website.

What's in a Pajama Party? Six fun-filled, inspiration-filled, and prize-filled segments:

• Popcorn Bowl + Popcorn Poll
• Teachers' Tip Trio
• Partner Project
• Guest Pajamas
• Under the Covers
• Partner Project Finale

I am looking forward to getting in my pajamas by 6 p.m. on May 30!  How about you?

Chantilly Zipper and Ruffle Page

More Chantilly and zipper lace.  Cheryl also added the Chantilly textiles to create a ruffle under the zipper.  Take a look below at the layout I created using the Hollyhock zipper lace. 

These layouts were inspired by the Close to My Heart Idea book and Karen Pederson.  I have since added photos from our Japan trip during the cherry blossom season.  The pages are so nice.  Need to get some photos of those and post them soon!

Chantilly Card

Cheryl created this card with the Hollyhock zipper lace.  It is a fun embellishment that adds interest to any craft project. 

Kitnapping and a Chantilly Cricut Card

Using the Cricut is a great way to create thoughtful cards.  Cheryl Tingley created this lovely card using the Chantilly paper packet and made her own background paper on the yellow with the Happy Thoughts paper packet. 

The Chantilly paper packet is featured in our $49 starter kit.  In April, you can get an additional 4 stamps sets with this kit making the total retail value of the kit over $220.  Ask me how you can “kitnap” the the starter kit and join my consultant club! 

Birthday Bow

Another swing card.  I don’t think I can ever get tired of these cards.  They are cut using the Artiste Cricut cartridge.  This one is created from the Chantilly paper packet and the bow is also cut using the same cartridge. 

This is one of the cards that you can create in my workshop when you take advantage of the April special starter kit.  The kit is $49 and the total product is over $220 retail value.  The workshop is FREE! 

Contact me to get more details. 

Hello Sk8r

This spring, Close to My Heart debuted their line of textiles that coordinate with the Chantilly and For Always paper packs.  I love that Karen combined the Chantilly fabric with the Later Sk8r paper for a nice “Hello”.  The new Chevron ribbon goes with several of the spring/summer paper packets including Tommy, Claire and Later Sk8r. 

Hoppy Easter

Hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter last weekend.  We sure enjoyed the wonderful weather in the Pacific Northwest.  This card was created by Cheryl Tingley using the Chantilly paper kit and coloring with the water color marker or blending brush to get the soft pastel colors. 

Happy Birthday Sk8r

Paper quilted square and ribbon from the Chantilly Textile collection make a masculine paper packet into a feminine birthday card.  The Happy Birthday is from the Perfect Fit Birthday stamp set. 

Welcome to the Easter Hop

Act like a bunny and hop through this blog hop to see  Easter artwork using Close to My Heart products.  If you have arrived from Cindy’s blog, welcome!  Leave a comment to let us know you stopped by! 

Two things spoke Easter to me this year.  The first was the “Spring” key on the Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  I love how one key can feature a variety of projects that surround a specific holiday or season.  The basket shown here was made using the Cricut and the “spring” key.
The second was the Chantilly paper packet.  Bright colors with a hint of pastels fit perfectly into the spring and Easter season.  The egg card was created using the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. 
After enjoying this artwork, hop on over to Tracie’s Blog and see what she has created. 
If you love the Chantilly paper packet, then you might love the April Close to My Heart Special.  When you purchase the starter kit for Close to My Heart, it includes the Chantilly workshop on the go along with $150 worth of coordinating products.  And, in April, Close to My Heart is adding the April, May, June and July stamps of the month to the kit.  Over $200 in product for just $49.  I am looking for friends who are interested in a great deal and a workshop to be scheduled in late May to use the products in the starter kit to make beautiful artwork! 

And wait there is more!  When you purchase the starter kit in May, you can get this beautiful packet of paper at a 22% discount! 

So many good things to look forward to this spring!

March First Friday Drawing

Welcome to March…and the first Friday. 
And because it is also the first day of the month, I want to introduce the Stamp of the Month  Happiness Is.


The technique highlighted with this stamp is Two Step stamping.  Sounds like a dance right?  But it is even easier than dancing.  You stamp the solid image in a light color and then you stamp the lined image over top in a darker color.  Voila!  Then you have a beautifully detailed image.  In the card above, I have used the smaller rose solid and lined image to create a background for the top of the card.  This is a card we will make at my Stamp Camp on Sunday March 3rd.  I still have a couple of spots available if you want to join at the last minute.   See more stamp of the month artwork beginning here at the blog hop. 
And now for the drawing…drumroll please!
I have given out 50 of the Spring/Summer idea books in the last two months.  If you have an idea book from me, then you should have a catalog number on the back! 
This month I am giving away a free stamp set of your choice, any size!  And the winner is

#36! 

If this matches your number, contact me by 9 p.m. Sunday evening, March 3rd with your selection and I will have it shipped directly to you!
What is my catalog number?  Find it on the back of your book as shown here.