Wedding Bells Ringing

My hubby and I actually celebrated 18 years of marriage last week.  I can't believe how much time has flown or the adventures we have been through.  All fun, of course!

In honor of this special day I wanted to create a one of a kind card for David.  So I went "shopping" in my stash and found some fun leftovers like this fun guitar design from my CTMH Rockin' Top Coat collection.  The design is printed on a transparency and it was so easy to glue on top of the card with a few dots of Liquid Glass applied behind the guitar so the glue wouldn't show.  The paper is leftovers from a past paper pack (I'm sorry to say I can't even remember which one!)  I cut out the wedding rings from the Love Always stamp set.  I even glittered the diamond!  You can't make a wedding card without some bling!

The best part about creating your own cards is the personalization . . . it's all about making the card just the way you want!

Happy Anniversary to David and Elaine, the Mr. and Mrs.!

Chalk isn't just for kids, you know!

Why should kids be the only ones to play with chalk?  Have you ever admired (secretly coveted) those fun sidewalk decorating chalks that come in a rainbow of colors?  Chalks are not just for sidewalks and boring chalk boards!  Try Close To My Heart chalks to color your stamped images! Close to My Heart currently carries 4 different chalk sets (p. 98 of the current catalog) that feature our fun exclusive color palette.  The sets are each just $9.95 and include 9 little 1"x1" blocks of colorful chalk.

I used my chalks to create this pretty bird card.  The background image on the colonial white square is used using the Chalk Popping technique discussed below. I then stamped the bird image and cut it out before applying to the top of the white piece. I used the Passages paper kit and C1408 Live Inspired stamps. 

This is such a fun technique . . . but I know sometimes it can be scary to try something that normally colors the sidewalk!  Never fear, grab your pixie or pudgy (the little makeup applicators that come with the chalk) or just a qtip or cottonball and swab some chalk.  Apply it to your image . . . it's easier to start light and then add more color.  A little chalk goes a long way.  After the desired hue is achieved, gently blow the rest off and use your finger to gently rub the excess off.  That's it.  No need to set with anything . . . the color will not rub off or transfer to your other artwork.  It's acid free and completely safe to use on your scrapbook pages.

Ready for an advanced chalking technique?  Try some Chalk Popping -- the look is very, very fun!  First, stamp your desired image with your VersaMark stamp pad.  The image will be clear, so it may be hard to see.  Brush chalk over your image, making the stamped image pop, or appear like magic!  See page 21 of the current catalog.  I took a picture of my tools, but if this makes no sense, give me a call or email and let me know you are having chalk issues.    It's fast and easy!  Try it today!

Something Splendid FREE

Pretty Card made by Judy.

Summer is winding down which makes me sad and happy, all at the same time.  The weather hasn't been very warm . . . hopefully we'll have some more warm summer days, it feels like Fall already.

This month's Stamp of the Month is very pretty and so versatile.  The card exchange members this month chose to use Passages for the colors and the flowers were decidedly Fall with sunflower colors.  However, the last page of the catalog shows the set in pretty pinks!  I love sets that can be used for many different looks and styles.  Don't wait though . . . this stunning set is only available through August 31st.  Click here for details: Stamp of the Month.

Adorable Hedgehogs!

I have no idea why I love hedgehogs as much as I do . . . but this month's Stamp of the Month set is just SO stinkin' cute!

Here are two cards I made yesterday using the Happy Forever stamp set and the Splendor paper pack.  I chalked in the hedgehogs and then used pencils for some shading.  SO sweet.

This is a 5"x7" card I created using one of the Mojo Monday sketches, shown below.  And look, the little hedgehog has a belly button!  :-)

This 5.25"x5.25" card is really a little mini album!  Untie the little ribbon and open the inside to 4 pages of places to decorate with pictures, writing, and decoration.  So much fun!

The picture is hard to see (my camera went Boy Scout camping) but the white space is a 10" x 5" Colonial White paper, folded in half.  Then I glued the back of the "card" to the middle of the white space.  The left panel is 4"x5.25" and the right panel is 2.5"x5.25".  Let me know if you have any questions.  Enjoy!
Thanks for looking.

Magic!

Convention is SO much fun, but one of the parts I love best is the opportunity to make fun new scrapbook pages and cards, with the new stamp sets and papers.  The layouts we made this time were extra magical because we made it with the all new FLIP FLAPS and we used a pattern from the NEW idea instruction book called Magic.

I took some pictures of my finished pages . . . of course the pictures do not do the pages justice!  The paper is the all new Magnifique paper.  So much fun!

This is the left hand page with all the flaps closed.

This is the page with the flaps open.

This is the right hand page, with the flaps closed.

This is the right hand side with the flaps open!

These flaps are SO cool!  I didn't count how many photos I included on the pages, but for those occasions when just a few pictures just won't tell the story . . . add some flip flaps.  Coming soon: in 12" x 8", 12" x 6", and 12"x4".  The flip flaps easily adhere to your existing page protectors.  Couldn't be easier!  Happy Scrapbooking!

Convention Fun

I’m back!  My Stamp Studio missed me so very much, as did my critters and, I’m sure my family.  This year’s Convention, in our beautiful country’s Capitol, celebrated Close To My Heart’s 25th anniversary and was filled with SO many surprises and fun activities, as well as important business information.  The theme, “Picture This” was perfect as I found myself first picturing myself with all of the fun new stamp sets, papers, and fun accessories.  I promise you, you will LOVE the new Fall catalog (available to order from beginning September 1, 2010.

I also loved learning all about very creative scrapbooking techniques like using flip flaps on our photo pages and creating cards using our very cool clear, acrylic cards.  Talk about WOW!  I have SO many things to show and tell. In the next few weeks I am going to be organizing and creating my future class schedule and workshop ideas.  I would love to start teaching these fun new ideas . . . so stay tuned.

Convention wasn’t just about learning about stamping and scrapbooking though.  My most treasured memory of this convention, as well as past conventions is all about the friendships and networking with the most dynamic women (as well as Dr. Phil, our first male Director) who call home all across the United States (and Canada too).  I found myself sitting next to women from all walks of life and at all levels in the company.  Their stories are different, but their reasons for loving Close To My Heart and the annual Convention are nearly all the same.  We all love gathering as an entire team and sharing our passion for this wonderful papercraft.

Next year’s Convention is scheduled for July, 2011 in beautiful Anaheim, California.  I hope that everyone on the California Dreamin’ team (and maybe some new team members) ALL decide to join me, as I celebrate my 14th year as a Close To My Heart Consultant!  It’s sure to be worth every penny.  I consider it an investment in myself personally, as well as an opportunity to learn all the important elements of building a successful business.

Picture yourself in Anaheim with me, my friends!

Top 5 Reasons to Attend Convention!

There are SO many wonderful surprises at the annual Close To My Heart Convention . . . but these are 5 of my favorite reasons!

First: an adventure to new and different places!  This year we are in beautiful Washington DC at the Gaylord Resort.  This 5 star hotel has everything you need in one convenient location . . . the service is exceptional, the location is right on the Potomac River, and besides the fact it is SO big I have a blister on my right heel, it's perfect!

The second thing I love about Convention . . . the friendships of old friends and the new friends I meet.  There are late night chats with room mates, picture opportunities with friends old and new, and the fun stamping times as we learn new techniques and business news from around the country!  I love my team!

The third thing I love about a fun Close To My Heart event . . . the amazing artwork!  My brain is full of all the new things we can do with our papers and stamps and fun accessories.  I can't wait to get back to my Stamp Studio to try it all out!

Another reason for Convention time?  Tomorrow we have our Creative Sessions . . . hours of Make and Takes with the all NEW products!  I can't wait to get my fingers all inky! Definitely a GREAT reason for coming to play.

Okay, my number one reason for attending a Close To My Heart Convention?  It's the surest bet to energize my business and excite the creative and business juices.  I can't wait to get home and start sharing all the things I've learned!  Stay tuned for more soon!!!