January 31, 2015

Feb SOTM Blog Hop: A Happy Hello


Welcome to the stamp of the month blog hop.  Once again, you will be treated to a gallery of artwork presented by a talented group of Close to My Heart Consultants.  If you are coming from Krista's blog, you are right on track to complete this loop of artwork.  After visiting my blog, you will travel on to Shalana's blog.  Don't forget to leave a little comment here and there along the way.  We love to hear what you think!

Now, lets get started.



This month I tried a "water color" technique.  I stamped the images in the ink and then, holding the stamp with the ink facing up,  I used the water spritzer to spray a light mist of water into the air and "caught it" on the stamp.  Then I stamped it on the paper.  Clear as mud?  to see a larger image, click on the photo.

I was looking for a bit more of a water color look but I do like how it turned out.  Although this stamp set has a variety of floral images, I was drawn to the smaller, more willowy look of wildflowers.  After looking at my completed card, I can't wait to re-create it in blues like bachelor buttons.  What flowers does this set remind you of?

And finally, I added a couple of June Bug puffies.  I just can't get enough of these cute little embellishments.  So sweet. 


 Now, don't forget to hop on over to Shalana's and see her artwork.

If you would like to purchase the stamp of the month, contact your CTMH consultant or me!  This set will be available through Feb 28th so make sure you don't delay.

The products I used to create my card are shown below.  If you would like more information about my water color technique or would like to see my bachelor buttons, contact me.



Happy stamping,
Michele

January 29, 2015

What are your game day plans?

I must admit, I do tend to be a fair weather fan.  I can get into a sport, especially when it is an exciting season...because I enjoy being around the happy, pumped up people!  And it gives me an opportunity to celebrate which leads to an opportunity to create!

It took a team of CTMH cartridges and products to get the celebration started!



Game day colors are Lagoon Designer Paper Bags, Pear cardstock, and Outdoor Denim B&T patterned paper.

And what would you put in these bags?

If you are rooting for the Seahawks on Sunday, of course, it would be Skittles!


And of course some creative tips for you.  I cut the 12's and left them on the Cricut mat with the full sheet.  I used the Chalk marker to outline the 12's.  Be patient, it takes a few layers of ink with chalk marker to get the solid white.  And then I used the Silver Metallic marker to add a detail tracing between the white and green.  A fun little detail.



Happy game day to you all!  Go Hawks!
Michele

January 28, 2015

Artfully Sent: The "B" Key

Perfect for upcoming Valentine's, weddings and anniversaries too!  The Artfully Sent Cartridge makes creating handmade cards so much fun! 

Come and let me show you how!

February 7th, Saturday 10 a.m.   RSVP by February 1st.  

Using the "B" key and the Heartstrings paper packet, we will create cards for Valentine's Day, wedding and anniversaries. Bring your Cricut, cartridge, score board and adhesive and cutting mat to cut your cards. 




You will learn how to use the different feature keys, use the negative cuts as embellishments, turn your Cricut size to 10ths of an inch for more precise sizing, orienting your paper on the mat to use patterned paper and so much more. 

We will create a total of 8 cards.

Supply fee: $10

Don't have a Cricut and or the Artfully Sent cartridge?
I will pre-cut your supplies. Bring your own adhesive. Workshop fee: $15


Here's a couple of cards we will create!



Looking forward to the chirp of the Cricuts.
Michele

January 17, 2015

Time to say good-bye

Close to My Heart will be retiring some stamp sets at the end of the month.  If one of these are on your wish list, now is the time to order.  To see larger images, you can click on the photo below or view on my website here

Let me know if you have any questions.  Happy Stamping!
Michele



January 15, 2015

Easy Valentine's to create

Looking for a fun and easy way to create Valentine's?  Close to My Heart has made it simple! Card bases + Heartstrings Picture My Life Cards + Puffies + Washi Tape= super cute Valentine's.




And then I made this little tote to hold the cards...or to deliver a special gift. 
Want to create cards like these?  If you are local, join me for a workshop on Friday Feb 6th, 7 p.m.  Not local, you can purchase the supplies on my website and I can email you the directions for the tote.  Supplies are shown below.

Enjoy creating,
Michele


January 06, 2015

National Paper Crafting Month Blog Hop

Welcome to 2015 and the month of National Paper  Crafting Celebration!  Close to My Heart has a wonderful special for you this month and this blog hop will show you lots of different ways you can create with this product.  And you can get this kit for just $5 with a qualifying order. 

If you have come from Peachy's blog, you are hopping right along.  After you have viewed my artwork, you will continue on to visit Jenny and see her creative work.

After making a mini album like the one shown above, I decided to play with the paper and create cards.  I had enough paper to make 8 cards and plenty of gold stickers to use as accents.  I changed it up a bit and used the "Have a Happy Day" stamp set and the Creative Insider from the Seaside kit as my starting inspiration.






Products and inks I used are shown below.  
 Now remember to hop on over to Jenny's to see her artwork. 

If you are interested in purchasing this special, contact your Close to My Heart consultant or me.  Have a great start to your new year!
Michele




January 05, 2015

What if....

you could scrapbook all your holiday photos in just a couple of hours with no mess.  Just imagine how it would feel to wrap up your holiday memories and share them in the new year! 

A new limited-time Express Collection is available in Studio J® beginning January 1. The new collection has been designed by our studio artists using the Yuletide Carol paper packet, which is perfect for preserving your memories from this festive time of year. Like our other Express Collections, this limited edition collection will offer you 10 pre-designed layouts, plus a layout designed to give you a first and last page for your album. With a grand total of 65 photo wells, this collection has plenty of room for your favorite photos from the holidays.

 I started mine and completed the first pages in just 20 minutes.  I chose the "home for the holidays" layout, uploaded my photos, dropped them in the photo wells, resizing them just a bit, added my journaling and it was done!  If you click on the photo, you can see a larger image.



Now I know that it is fast, simple and easy but of course, I did a little bit of "editing" to make it my own.  I changed the background paper from Flaxen to Desert Sand, the brads from White to Ruby, and I added the "distressed embellishment" of sanding.  I also changed the lettering to Colonial White in the title and Cocoa in the journaling.  See the difference?  Really, this only took me about an additional 5 minutes.



The collection will only be available through February 28, so be sure to make time in the first part of the year to add your photos and order your layouts to keep the memories fresh for years to come!

FAQ's:

How do I access Studio J?   Visit my website and click on"Products>Studio J Online Scrapbooking>Enter Now".  If you don't have an account, create one so you can save your work. 

How do I learn to use Studio J?  Close to My Heart has provided several videos for beginners.  You can access these on my website here.  Or, I am happy to give you a 30 minute tutorial in person or over the phone. 

Here's to a new year of scrapping,
Michele