Blog Hop: Thin Cuts

Woo Hoo!  Close to My Heart has a great sale going on right now!  All  thin cuts or stamp set, thin cut combos are 25% off! 

You are at a stop on a big circle of blogs that will feature amazing artwork using the CTMH thin cut products!  Now if you have arrived here from Krista's blog, then you have seen some fabulous artwork and are on the right track.  Next you will be traveling on to Gina's Blog to see her wonderful creations.  But first...take a look!

The set I chose to create with was the Dreamin' Big card making stamps and coordinating thin cuts. 

Bringing a playful childhood past time to mind, I captured these sweet little butterflies in a Mason jar. 

When working with the thin cuts, you can pre- cut your images and then stamp on them because the stamps and blocks are clear and you can align them perfectly.   OR you can stamp on your cardstock, place your thin cut over the image, adhere gently with a piece of washi tape (another great use for the stash of washi tape you have), and then cut them.  Good bye fussy cutting!  Perfect outlines every time. 

Now this is not the only set that is on sale this month.  To see the other sets that qualify for the 25% discount, visit your consultant's website or if you don't have a consultant, stop by my website here.  And remember when you make a purchase of $50, you can get the cutest tea cup stamp set for $5.  This all only in March. 

Remember to move along to Gina's Blog to see what she has created!  Thanks for stopping in. 

Michele

Blog Hop: Seasonal Expressions !

Seasonal Expression I is here and it is full of so many sweet products.

Throughout this hop, you are going to see fabulous artwork created by consultants who have had their hands on this new product since December 4th (one of the benefits of being a consultant!).  If you have arrived here from Alyson's Blog, you are on the right track.  After your visit here, you will hop on over to Tamytha's Blog to see what she has done with her new product. 


Today, I am going to feature the new paper packet called Sugar Rush.  Each month I do a scrapbook workshop and my customers like to use as much of the paper packet they can to create fun layouts. 

 

Remember, I said "sweet" products?  Well this is one of the sweetest!  I have two girls so pink is always an acceptable color but many of my customers have boys, like 3 or 4 boys, and no girls!  So I am often challenged to "hide" this pink and create layouts that can be used for different themes.  

The seaglass color was a hit for me.  You don't have to add flowers or hearts and the hand drawn heart could easliy be a circle and you have a layout suitable for any treasured memories. I will be featuring more of my Sugar Rush layouts on my blog over this month so make sure to sign up to receive it in your inbox.  

Here's a closer look at the Sugar Rush papers and complements.  

There's lots more to see on this blog hop but before you go, remember these products can be purchased on your consultants website and if you do not have a Close to My Heart consultant, or want to sign up to become one (so you can get new product early), you are welcome to contact me or visit my website.  Now from here, hop on over to Tamytha's Blog.  

Thanks for hopping by.

Michele

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Adore You

Happy New Year!  Here's to creative inspiration for you and your friends!  The new month also brings with it a new Stamp of the Month from Close to My Heart and beautiful as well.

Participating in a blog hop is an opportunity to see artwork from several consultants and be inspired.  If you have arrived here from Melissa' Blog, you are continuing through the circle.  After you have finished here, you will continue on to Melinda's Blog. 

"Adore You" is timed perfectly so you can start working on Valentine paper crafts.  I pulled out my watercolors and markers and started playing.  Here are two of the cards I created. 

Visit your consultant's website to purchase the stamp of the month or, if you do not have a consultant, you can shop on my website. 

And remember when you are ready to more artwork, you will be moving to Melinda's Blog.

Happy New Year,
Michele

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: New Year's Cheer

Welcome to November and the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

If you have arrived here from Krista's Blog, you are on the right track.  Remember this is one big circle.  When you have finished your time here, you will hop on over to Tracie's Blog and see what she has created using this stamp set.  Now what happens if you get lost on the way?  Well visit Melinda's Blog here for a complete list of consultants who are participating.  Find your place and continue on. 

Now for the good stuff.  The stamp of the month for November is called New Year's Cheer but has so many possibilities for celebrations.

I did a little Pinteresting to find some inspiration as I sat down to play with this set.  Bubbles, circles, and sparkles seemed to be a theme so here they are in three different cards.

To create the circle, I did have one small circle from the Emoji's stamp set but I wanted another medium sized so I remembered a trick...you can use the backside of a stamp image for a shape.  Take a look at the "gas pump" image on this old SOTM.

It was the perfect size so I turned it over on a block and stamped with the back of the stamp to get another circle.

I used a monochromatic theme and did second generation stamping to get softer "bubble" colors.  The inks I used were Sapphire, Juniper, Glacier and Slate.  Here is each card close up.

Three cheers!

Reminds me of Lawrence Welk.  

And a little bit of shaking going on.  

I used a 2 x 2 flip flap to create a shaker element for the front of this card.  Because I was going for silver, I used the back side of the All About Gold Fundamental overlays.

All of these cards have the addition of the shimmer pen to add a bit more sparkle to the celebration.

The stamp of the month is available through November and is $5 with a qualifying purchase.  Ask your consultant for details.  If you do not have a Close to My Heart consultant, you are welcome to contact me or visit my website to shop.

Now don't forget to move on to Tracie's Blog for more inspiration using this stamp set.

Cheers to you!
Michele

June SOTM Blog Hop: The Long Way Home

Thank you for visiting my blog!  We have a great tradition of sharing artwork each month through the consultant blog hop.  The variety of artwork and creativity of consultants is amazing.  If you have arrived here from Vickie's Blog welcome.  From here, you will travel on to Tamytha's Blog. 

Recently my husband and I traveled to the Daytona 500 in Florida.  This stamp set along with the Magical paper packet captured the color and fun we experienced.

I used the stamp set to create the detail embellishments for the layout.

How will you use this fun stamp set?  Father's Day?  Masculine birthday?  The only limit is your imagination.

Now just a reminder, you can purchase this stamp set from you CTMH consultant or if you do not have a consultant, you can purchase from my website.  With a minimum $50 purchase, this set is only $5.

Enjoy your summer travels and come home to this stamp set and document the memories and fun you had along the way.

Happy Summer,
Michele

March Stamp of the Month and Stampaganza

March brings us some peeks at Spring and a special offer you don't want to miss.  Make sure you read to the bottom of this post to get the scoop.

Sunshine birdies is a whimsical stamp set that you can use many different ways!  

Are you into the adult coloring book trend?  Stamp these birds and butterfly in a random fashion all over a white sheet of cardstock, color in with your favorite medium, then cut them apart into sections that you can use to create handmade cards. 

What is your favorite coloring medium?  We have a selection of options you can use. 

• Watercolor pencils
• Shin Han Markers
• Blending pen and ink pad
• Watercolors paints

Although I was not able to participate in the blog hop this month, you can start at Melinda's blog and hop through to see what the consultants have created with this set. 

STAMPAGANZA is BACK!  

One of your all time favorite Close to My Heart Specials is here for March.  Buy 2 stamp sets and get 1 free.  You can save up to $29.95, you can order as many sets of three as you like and you will get the lowest priced stamp set(s) for FREE. 

Here is how it works.  

• Read the details here. 
• You can shop on my website  (shipping is $4.95) or contact me personally.   
• You can see all the new stamp sets HERE.  
• Don't forget we still have deep discounts of products in the clearance section, only available with website order.  
• One last reminder.  All the stamp sets in the Spring Seasonal Expressions will retire on April 30th.  You can see the catalog here.  Don't miss out on your favorite.  

I look forward to sharing inspiration and tips with you this month.
Michele

Not An April Fool's Joke: Huge Sale On CTMH products

April begins with lots of fun jokes, but this is not one of them.  Enjoy great savings on CTMH products on my website in the "while supplies last" section, you can also still get the "Hope for Japan" stamp set to benefit Japan quake recovery and a with a total order of $100, you can get a free Level 1 Kit with our Lovin' Level 1 special.  Oh & there's more, Blessed is the April Stamp of the Month.  Receive it at a discount or for free.  Nothing but good stuff!

Artwork blog hop starts here. 

Sensational!

The March stamp of the month features these sweet little bunnies, Easter eggs and basket.  You can earn is at a discount with your order or even for FREE!  Take a look at the artwork created using this set on the blog hop and wait for a couple of hours and you will see some artwork right here on my blog, using the set to create a fun Easter surprise.

January Stamp of the Month: Find Your Style

I love, love, love this set, especially with the Wings paper packet but I can't wait to use it with other paper as well.  And this month, you have two different ways to earn it free.

1.  Place an order of $100 in product from the current idea book or Inspirations Brochure (Don't have one?  Email me and I can send you one or you can see it HERE.)

    OR

2.  Purchase the WingsWorkshop On the Go from the Inspirations brochure and plus 4 different items from the brochure and get if for free.  You can see the "best deal" HERE. 

Inspired by Vicki Wizniuk.

You can shop on my website HERE or contact me to place an order. 

October Stamp of the Month: Sharing the Magic

Every month Close To My Heart offers you an exclusive My Acrylix® D-size stamp set FREE or at a large discount. The stamp set is available to qualifying customers for that month only. It’s our way of saying thank you, and your way of getting fantastic deals on our amazing stamps!  To view more artwork, grab your favorite beverage and enjoy this blog hop!

Here’s how to get a fabulous deal on your very own Stamp of the Month!

You spend          You save You pay only

$25 order          25% off $17.21

$50 order          50% off $11.48
$75 order          75% off $5.74
$100 order        100% off FREE!

August is here!

Wow, we are in the middle of summer already.  We have had so many adventures that I need to share about.  I have also been doing a lot of creating and enjoying some new product from CTMH Fall Winter Idea book.  So much fun.

But, let's go back and start with August.  The stamp of the month is a gorgeous large daisy like flower.  It is fun to stamp in several different color schemes.  I chose the color scheme of the Cherry - O paper and used the cards shown by CTMH for my inspiration. 

To see other color schemes for this floral set, visit the consultant blog hop beginning here. 

You can order Somethig Splendid stamp set between now and August 31st by shopping on my website or emailing me.  Get it FREE or at a discount. 

One more July Stamp of the Month

This little guy...girl...is so cute!  I feel that because of the timing of her arrival and my vacations, she has been a bit neglected.  But I do have one more card to show you.  Just a reminder that you can still get the stamp of the month, at a reduced price or even for FREE!  Take a look here for the details. 

I used the Zippidee paper packet, Pizzazz Irresistibles, For every occasion stamp set, Cherry Opaques, Cranberry Grosgrain, and Blending pen. 

Where is Michele now?

Well, I am still on the East Coast and attending the CTMH convention which was the catalyst for this entire trip.  The family trip has been great but the energy from convention is amazing.  I will have so many new and exciting things to share, I will be bursting...as will this blog.

But, since tomorrow is the create and take time, you will have to wait, as patientily as, possible for artwork.  So take some time to do a blog hop starting here and enjoy the July SOTM creations made by many of the consultants who are here with me!  If you want to play with this cute hedgehog guy, then you will want to attend my workshops July 30th and 31st. 

Welcome Summer!

We have had some sunshine in the Great Northwest!  I am loving it and continue to get some of my "sun" from the Splendor paper packet.  Here's one card we are making for my workshop this weekend.  The little hedgehog is from the July stamp of the month.  Enjoy the sneak preview and I still have room in my Friday workshop if you want to join me. 

More artwork for May Stamp of the Month

If you are interested in seeing more artwork for the May stamp of the month, Cherish, you can follow this blog hop and see what other consultants have created using this set. 

To see more details of the stamp set, go here.  To order your set, you can visit my website or contact me. 

Where has the time gone this week?

1.    Two day crop on Friday and Saturday, and a gathering on Sunday.  Lots of stamping and scrapping time with a great group of gals. 

2.  A new Summer Idea Book with lots of new product to try.  Planning for summer workshops and events that will knock your socks off!

2.    Orders and more orders for the Miracle kit special.  This is a fabulous offer and I am doing a workshop Friday June 4th to create 14 cards from this kit.  Beautiful cards, inspired by Becky Lehman.  Still time to join us.

3.    Two days to the barn for horseback riding, one track meet, one PTA meeting, a Pampered Chef party and a Girl Scout service project sewing to make "ditty" bags for a homeless shelter.  Did I mention 50 of them? 

4.    A 30 minute hail storm with pellets the size of Kix cereal.  Just had to sit and watch it, it was amazing.  And it was in MAY!

5.    Caterpillars that have turned into chrysalis, transforming into butterflies.  This was a gift for Marissa's birthday and it is amazing to just sit and watch!

Hopefully the flash didn't do them in!  We haven't had much direct sunlight!

6.   Studying for social studies test about the first colonies.  Much more interesting as an adult and hopefully helping my fifth grader to understand it better than I did as a fifth grader!

7.   Finally, a little creative time squeezed in between for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge, using the May stamp of the month, and making Mother's day cards.  (Now I just need to get them in the mail)!

For last weeks H2H Challenge, two ribbons, and for this week, a Mother's Day card.  Take a look at the challenge and participate each week!  It keeps creativity fresh! 

And a thank you card to all of you for continuing to read and comment on my blog!

Fell off the Blog Log

My intent was to up my blogging this month and share loads of artwork with you.  Well, intentions were good but I have fallen off and am just getting back to it.  So, with nothing more to say, here's some new art and items I have been playing with. 

April Stamp of the Month Flower Pot set.  I used Bella paper packet and Helen Onulak's technique she shared for coloring the shutters and window box.  I used a blending pen and marker for coloring the flowers.  The background was random stamped with the smallest flower bunch to add more interest to this paper.  I am looking forward to sharing these techniques when we make this card in Sultan at the Senior Center today. 

Just a reminder, you can get this stamp of the month until April 30th and with a minimum purchase, you can earn it at a discount or even for FREE.  Visit my website to shop or contact me for more information.