CTMH: August Stamp-of-the-Month Blog Hop

Welcome to another Stamp-of-the-Month blog hop!  If you came from Helen's blog, you are on the right track.  Just keep hopping until you get back to where you started.  I'm excited to share my two projects with you.  


Here is what the stamp set looks like:

Aren't those flourishes beautiful?  I'm sure you'll be seeing a LOT of brand new products on the hop, so I decided to dive into my old paper to try using it up. I also decided to make the images blend into the background instead of standing out.  I like the subtle texture and interest they give.

For my first card, I stamped one of the big corner images with Topiary ink using the second generation technique.  I love the way the ink didn't come off evenly!  Then I pulled out my Wings Stickese, powdered the back of one, sponged the edges in Black and popped it up.  Then it was a quick sponge around the edges of the card, a stamp from the Card Word Puzzle set, 3 black Opaques, and I was done.

And a close up to see that gorgeous stamp a little better.

For my second card, I branched out a bit, using up more Wings paper and Stickese, but also some of my other newer non-CTMH product.  The inspiration for this card comes from one I found on Pinterest, from Poetic Artistry:

Here is my card:

I used some scraps of paper, arranged them in a grid then removed the Juniper pieces.  I then stamped the small flourish, in second generation, in a random pattern, getting just little bits of the squares.  I added some more of those Wings Stickese and lace from October Afternoon along with a burlap flower from Prima.  Everything has been sponged with Black ink as well.  Here's a close up so you can see the stamped images better and all the layers.

And now it's time to keep on hopping and enjoy the artwork that Adeline has for you.

Happy Creating!

CTMH Convention: Even more Fun!

Time for some more fun updates!  There's just so much to show.  Like what the new Idea Book looks like!

Isn't it gorgeous?  I love the layout on the cover, so pretty!  Want to make sure you get one?  Let me know and I'll get one in your hands as soon as I can.  On to more great news!

Markers!  You probably knew that our markers are retiring.  I've mentioned it before at gatherings and at our club.  They are being replaced with alcohol markers!  I got to play with them at convention and boy, are they fun to colour with.  I've said here before that I don't really like to colour stamped images.  That may be changing with these new markers.  Each colour is now a 2-marker set, sold for just $5.95.  Are these like Copics?  Well, in the way that they are alcohol markers.  These markers are cheaper, they are not refillable, and well, if you get tired of a colour, you don't feel bad about not using them any more.  Let me explain the sets.  One colour is the colour name, so if you order Hollyhock, you'll get a Hollyhock marker, but you'll also get a lighter or darker shade to go with it.  Perfect for blending.  So much fun!

You can now join our Simply Creating team for just $49, all the time!  Take a look at the Essentials kit below:

That's the Avonlea paper packet you see (Stunning!) along with a few essentials to get you off to a good start.  Now if you think that you really want to build a business and think you'd like to try to get as many customers as you can, you'll want to get the Master Kit which includes the items below as well as the Essentials kit. This kit costs just $99.

And, join in August and you'll get this super cute tote bag/back pack for free, even free shipping!  If it looks familiar that's because it's the bag we all got at convention!

This bag is only available while supplies last, so if you really want it, don't wait too long.  Contact me and we'll get everything set up and ready for August 1st.  Not only do you get all this, but when you make the decision to become a Close To My Heart consultant, you'll have access to all sorts of training and support from the corporate office, but also from me. I'll be there to help you as you begin this adventure.  You'll also get support from your fellow consultants in our Simply Creating team.  They're a great bunch!

Retired list is now posted.  Just click on the link at the top of my blog, below the header.  Check out the items that will no longer be available after the end of this month.  Then, either call/email me with your order (order will qualify for tickets for the Mystery Hostess draw), or go to my website, and click the Join button beside my Mystery Hostess party and shop to your heart's content.  Your online order will qualify for tickets in the draw and will be shipped directly to you.

CTMH Convention: Wow, what a week!

I'm home! What an amazing week!  I had an incredible time with 4 of my team members. Here they are just before we went in for General Session on Thursday morning:

These ladies were a hoot!  Joanne, Arlene, Tara and Lynn, I know you're going places!  You rock.

If you follow any other blogs by Close To My Heart consultants you've probably already heard about all sorts of new products and programs.  If you follow me on Facebook, you've heard some, too!  I'll try my best to just highlight some of the most exciting and important ones.

1.  Our colour palette is changing quite a bit.  We are down to 42 colours, which includes 6 new ones, so quite a few are retiring.  I have to tell you, I'm excited about this change. It means our colours are following trends and I know you're going to love the new neutrals and a gorgeous "Ruby" red!

2.  We have a new Cricut Cartridge collection, called Artiste!  I was able to look through the 2 booklets included and it's amazing.  We were told that Jeanette, our CEO, hand-picked every image and asked Provocraft to do things they had never done before with a cartridge.  I've ordered it and can't wait to play.  You can still get Art Philosophy and new stamp sets will coordinate with either one or the other.

3.  The Idea Book has a new Home Decor focus.  You can purchase Workshop-on-the-Go's to create a scroll album, advent calendar and more, as well as some fun new My Creations products!  There's a gorgeous bracket frame I am looking forward to creating with.

4.  Studio J has already had some major changes.  Memberships will all be gone by October 1 and all patterns and kits are already available to everyone!  There's also some great new Express Collections, where all you have to do is drag and drop your photos, add your journaling and you're finished.  Gorgeous layouts with almost no work.  You'll be caught up in no time, and so will I!  Click here to take a look.

I think that's enough to post today.  Stay tuned because there's more coming!  If you want to have a sneak peek at all this as well as make sure you get the retiring items you really want, come join me at my Banana Split Mystery Hostess Party on Tuesday, July 24, at 7pm.  You bring a banana (Dressed up to enter a contest!) and I'll provide the ice cream and all the fixin's.  We'll create, we'll chat, we'll snatch up the items we need, we'll earn tickets, we'll split the hostess rewards between people who's tickets are drawn.  Contact me to get more info and to RSVP.

I'm also working on a retiring list, which will be posted soon.  Stay tuned for more info and artwork!

Happy Creating!