CTMH: New Product Blog Hop!

We are super excited around Close To My Heart right now.  All the amazing new products we've been playing with, drooling over, and jumping up and down about are now available to you, our customers!  If you're coming from Kim's blog, you're on the right track.  If you're just starting here, this works the same as the SOTM hops, just keep going until you're back here.

I just got back yesterday from a week at Trent River Cottages, a beautiful little place right on the Trent River.  If you live in Ontario, Canada (and even if you don't) you need to consider visiting this little place. Yes, I'm doing some blatant advertising, and no, I'm not getting paid to say these things.  ;)  I created this layout while at the cottage and the beauty of it is that the photos that I will put on it I took just an hour before.  Perfect!  Here's my layout:

I had so much fun looking through the few supplies I had with me to create this layout, and to match it to my photos.  I knew it would be a challenge, only a few Workshop-on-the-Go kits and that yummy new Burlap ribbon to work with.  Here is a close up of each page and then I'll explain what I all used.

I went through a couple paper packets and chose papers that were all in the "brown" family, adding a pop of red. I know the neutral shades will really make my photos shine.  The top almost flowery piece is from Clementine and the others are from Scholastic. I also pulled cardstock from the paper packets as well.  The bases are our new Cashmere, the dark cardstock strips are Saddle and the title and journaling squares are Champagne.  The red cardstock is our new Ruby.

I followed a pattern from the new publication Make It From Your Heart to cut the paper.  Then I sanded the life out of every piece.  Those Colonial White pieces will be removed and replaced by my photos.  Haven't had a chance to get them printed yet since, as I said, we just got home yesterday.  I used the Clementine WOTG stamp set to stamp the 3 sentiments in Cocoa, and I think they work perfectly for my layout.  The title is stamped in Cocoa with the Trinity alphabet.

Here are a couple close ups of how I used the burlap ribbon.

I have to admit, this ribbon is one of my absolute favourite new products!  You might think that's a bit strange given things like the new Cricut cartridge and amazing paper and stamps, but it's true.  I've been looking at burlap ribbon for a while and thinking I needed to purchase some and just before I do, bam, there it is in our new line up!  I almost jumped out of my chair!  For this layout, I glued some to cardstock and then cut the three banner pieces.  For the ruffle, I actually cut it in half lengthwise because I just didn't have enough space at the bottom, especially since I didn't have my photos yet.  Initially, I had folded it in half and then attached it, but it was just too bulky, so I cut it instead.  I absolutely love how it looks and I can't wait to play with it some more!  I popped on some square Durables and I was done.

You can hop on over to Julia's blog to enjoy more new product artwork, but if you'd like to hang around and take a peek at the photos I'll be adding to this layout, just scroll down.  I love showing off my kids, after all.  :)

Thanks for sticking around to take a look.  Hop on over to Julia's blog and enjoy.

Happy Creating!

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!

CTMH Blog Hop: Live Out Loud

Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians!!



Welcome to another Stamp-of-the-Month Blog Hop!  If you arrived here from my friend, Carla's blog, you're on the right track.  If you're starting here, settle in with your favourite ice cold beverage (at least if you're in Ontario where it's pretty hot today) and hop along with us as we create with Live Out Loud.  Here's the stamp set:

Isn't this stamp set just so much fun!  I love all the different fonts and sentiments.  I decided to delve into some old paper.  I'll be getting some brand new product very soon, so I gotta make room!

Here is my first card: 

I pulled out my Wings paper pack to create this card.  I pleated the paper strip, but if I laid it flat it wasn't long enough, so I used some floss to thread it and laid it lightly on my adhesive.  Perfect!  I also went into my little bin of already cut flowers that I hadn't used on other projects.  3 roses were waiting for me to use, cut from a very old paper pack, Silhouette.  I rolled 'em up, stuck a big sparkle inside, added them and some more sparkles to the card front and I LOVE it!

I wanted to try a different look with my next card:

For this card, I used a Retro Sketch.  Of course, I'm too late to link up, but it sure was fun to work with.  Again, I used Wings, but I went for a pop of pink.  The dancing girl is from an old Stamp-of-the-Month, Be Yourself.  I stamped the image a second time in Hollyhock and pieced the dress on her.  I'm happy with how it turned out!

Materials used:

Wings Level 2 (retired)

Silhouette Level 2 (retired)

Sparkles

Be Yourself (retired)

Hollyhock Ribbon Rounds (retired)

Buttons Red/Pink Assortment

Black ink

Now it's time to hop on over to Tamra's blog and see what wonderfully creative project she's prepared for you.

Pinterest Inspiration: Dotty For You

I'm sorry for being so MIA lately!  I just realized that my last post was weeks ago.  I've been so busy this month, that something had to go.
I thought I'd post a photo of a card I made completely inspired by Pinterest. I adore the fact that I can save my favourite projects online and not have to take up space on my computer hard drive.

Here is the card I was inspired by:



And here is my card:

I apologize for the photo quality, took it quickly with my phone.  All the flowers and leaves were cut with the Cricut.  I also used the word pattern paper from Lucy.

Materials used:

Colonial White Card Base

Dotty For You

Lucy Level 2

Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge

Black ink

Card Chatter - Birthday

Sparkles

Pearl Opaques

Happy Creating!

Time to Organize, Dates That Is

Join me for my next workshop, on Friday, June 22, at 7 pm.  We'll be creating an event calendar that will not only look fabulous on your wall, but will help you keep track of all the important events that happen each year in your family.  You won't forget birthdays or anniversaries again.  I have to sheepishly admit that I'm terrible with remembering my extended family birthdays.  I really need this to be hanging in my house!

Here are the details before I show you photos.

Cost: $15, includes the cost of the calendar and all pre-cut papers and embellishments.
RSVP: Sign up no later than Saturday, June 9.
Kits: Will be available, for a cost of $20.  You must sign up for a kit by Saturday as well.

The calendar itself is 4" x 18".  And here are the first half of the pages:

I will not be offering this a second time, so snatch your spot asap!