Retreat!

That's right . . . I've retreated with my Stamp Studio treasures to the mountains of Big Bear Lake, California. It's beautiful up here . . . mountains and trees and critters galore. I've looked. I've seen. I've photographed for more scrapbooking. LOL

Even with the distraction of the beautiful scenery, I've managed to get a lot done. One of the big accomplishments yesterday -- I completed the Workshops on the Go Frosted cardmaking kit. This kit was a breeze -- or should I say a blizzard -- to put together and the results were stunning.

The Frosted cardmaking kit is on page 69 of the new Idea Book and includes everything you need to create 15 stunning cards, even pre-cut cards and envelopes. The only things you need to add are stamp pads and acrylic blocks and some basic tools, like adhesive. Presto, bam . . . 15 cards!

If you'd like to order the kit to complete your Christmas or Holiday cards, just send me an email or leave me a comment and I'll get it to you asap. You'll love the ease and fun of this awesome kit. And that's not all! Laughing Lola (p. 68) is another cardmaking kit, plus you'll discover numerous scrapbooking kits throughout the catalog.

Enjoy! I'm off to make some more cards!

Words, words, words!

The Stamp of the Month for this month, Poster Tidings, was a little hard for me to get used to, I'm not going to lie. Then a friend, Michele P., showed me how to do the different colored words, fast and easy. Here's the card we made while spending a fun day in her Stamp  Studio:

First we stamped the whole autumn stamp in Indian Corn Blue. Then on another piece of Colonial White we stamped the stamp again, concentrating on, "Fall" in Honey, "Family" in Olive, and "Blessed" in Barn Red. Next we cut out only those words. Using a piece of pop up tape, we attached the words over the original Indian Corn Blue words. Presto, the card is stamped in different colors.

Another cool thing about this card is it is made using Baby Cakes, which makes you think Baby, right? Not so! Look how adorable the dots make this card stand out? Love it! Thank you Michele P.

While we were in Michelle P.'s Stamp Studio, we also made these cards:

Fun day of stamping and chatting! Thank you, Michele!

Stamp & Chats are back!

Yes, it's true. The kids are returning to school and I'm planning some fun Stamp & Chats for the moms. :-)

Mark your calendar, the first one is Wednesday, September 11th. from 10:00 to noon. If you are new to Stamp and Chats, you are in for a treat.

Just bring your project over to my Stamp Studio or I can help you get started on a project and while we "work" we sip coffee/tea/hot chocolate. The cost is FREE and the fun is guaranteed. All you have to do is send me a quick email and rsvp so I have enough tables set up.

Happy Stamping!
Elaine

Another Cricut Cartridge!!!

Yes, it's true . . . Close To My Heart debuts a new exclusive Cricut Cartridge! I can't wait to get a chance to play with it. The cartridge is called Artbooking and the only place you can purchase it is from a CTMH Consultant like me! I have this huge list of what a want from the catalog. I'm going to have to make a list and order a few things at a time. Don't you just love a budget? Ugh.

New Artbooking Cricut Cartridge

I had a chance to really sit down and play with my Cricut over the weekend and one of the most exciting things I discovered is the Cricut Craft Room.

I now have all my cartridges loaded on the program and I don't even have to get the cartridge out. I just choose the images I want and place them on the virtual mat that's in the program. It safes SO much paper. Check the program out when you get a chance. It's FREE!

I'm off to create some more projects. It's addicting!

Happy Stamping/Scrapbooking/Cricutting,

Elaine

Thinking of those in need.

Just a note to let everyone know about a special for this month. Close To My Heart has designed the stamp set, A True Thank You. CTMH will donate 100% of the profits from sales of this set to the American Red Cross to aid the Oklahoma victims. Purchase this fun set for just $2.95 and help the victims of this horrific natural disaster.

To order the special set, send me an email and you can help too.

It's only available until June 30th.

Have a great summer stamping day!

Elaine

Bunco with a Scrapbook Twist!

This month we played bunco with a twist. The prizes were the winner's choice of items from the Close To My Heart catalog. Those dice were rolling big time . . . the beginners will tell you that it takes absolutely no skill to play this very fun game. The only issue I have with bunco is I can't roll, talk, and keep score. LOL

I made all attendees a cute card using A Bowwow as a thank you for coming to my house and being the guinea pigs since I've never played Scrapbook Bunco. LOL As far as I know, it came off without a hitch. The only problem the winners have (everyone won something) is choosing something out of the Close To My Heart idea book. So many things to choose from -- it's not easy.

Hope you are all enjoying the warm weather . . . make sure you take your camera with you so you can scrapbook all the fun summertime activities.

Your scrapbooking friend,
Elaine

I love the Stamp of the Month

This month's whimsical Stamp of the Month, A Flowering Bunch, is so much fun! I know I say that every month but seriously, this one is going to get lots of use. The flowers are so much fun . . . I just love the detailing in the flowers and leaves.


Here's a sample I made a few days ago:

 I don't know why my camera is not taking better pictures. This one is too dark and the ones I took yesterday were all washed out. I guess I need to get the manual out and change some settings. LOL
At least you get the idea . . . I made some other samples but I'll get my camera figured out first. :-)

Have a happy stamping day!