Monday, February 28, 2011

March Stamp of the Month Bloghop

I can't believe it's March already!  The weeks just seem to be flying by.  I'm excited to again be participating in the  Stamp of the Month Blog Hop.  This month's stamp set is called Sensational Season, and is perfect for Easter, baby cards or spring thinking-of-you-cards, or for anyone who loves rabbits or Beatrix Potter (that would be me).


Thanks for stopping by for a peek.  If you came here from Shannon's blog, you've arrived at the right place.

On my card I used the new paper pack, Sweetheart.  I didn't want to color in  the entire rabbit, so I made a stencil for the dress.  It was not too bad to cut out.  Also, I like the softness of the look of the sponging. 


I LOVE Waxy Flax.  I always use it in my buttons.  (One of my team members says "No naked buttons.")  I like how it stays put when you thread it through a button (no need to tie knots). and they come in a bunch of different colors.  My favorite is Colonial White, because the white thread goes with almost everything.


I also tried coloring the apron in.  I added polkadots by hand.


On this one I stamped the bunny on a piece of patterned paper and cut it out.
Decisions, decisions...  I like the stenciling idea because you can easily make multiples of the card.  Have fun experimenting!





Supplies Used:
Sweetheart paper pack (X7134B, $12.95) 
Sensational Season (D1454, $22.95) - Stamp of the Month
Crystal Blue Card Stock (1292, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
White Daisy Card Stock (1385, $9.50 for 24 sheets)
Cotton Candy Stamp Pad (Z2193, $5.25)
Crystal Blue Marker (Z2317, $2.95) 
Desert Sand Marker (Z2318, $2.95)
Bamboo Marker (Z2303, $2.95)
Baby Pink Marker (Z2302, $2.95)
Creme Brulee Marker (Z2367, $2.95)
Sponge Daubers (Z726, $3.95 for 3)
Colonial White Mini-Medley Accents (Z1276, $4.95)
Waxy Flax - Crystal Blue (Z1247, $3.95) 
Glue Dots
White Gel Pen (for the trim on the apron)


 Now, hope on over to Wendy's blog to see what she has in store for you.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Ribbon Accents

Check out this great new video from Close To My Heart on how to use the new ribbon accents as more than just ribbon!  You can use this fun technique to embellish your cards and scrapbook pages or make a brooch or other accessories.  I like how they dress it up with glitter!


I plan on buying this ribbon this week - so check back later to see what I've come up with!





February is Free, Free and Fabulous Month!
WHEN YOU BECOME A CLOSE TO MY HEART CONSULTANT DURING February and achieve Straight To The Top, you will receive a rebate of $129 on your New Consultant Kit, plus $100 in select product credit rewards. That’s a total retail value of up to $491 in products and business supplies for FREE!   Plus, you'll also get extra goodies from me.

Your kit’s free, your select products are free—how fabulous! Ask me how you can join my fabulous team in February and earn the Free, Free, & Fabulous rewards!


Thursday, February 17, 2011

EASY Scrapbooking Workshop with a Level 1 Kit

I'm so excited to share this project with you.  I love making little scrapbooks, because there is a definite stopping point for the project.  In this project, you take a 6x6 My Creations Memory Showcase (it's a little fan-fold scrapbook), a Level 1 Scrapbooking Kit and a stamp set (optional, if you want to make the cards) and you get these great projects!

The inside of the scrapbook, plus the 5 cards I made

The front/back and back side of the album.

A closer look at the cards.




The Level 1 Kit has everything you need to make four 12x12 pages (more than that, if you're careful).  It comes with pre-made pages, stickers, coordinating card stock and coordinating background & texture (B&T) paper.  All for just $9.95!  I took the Level 1 kit and cut it into pieces to decorate the 6x6 scrapbook pages.  After I made the scrapbook, I cut up the remaining pieces and made cards.  SO easy!  This project was designed by Chris Green.

I very rarely buy the Level 1 Kits, but I'm excited about this!  I've scheduled a workshop to complete the projects (My Creations scrapbook and 5 cards) - Sunday, March 27 at 2:00.  The workshop costs only $20.  RSVP and pay before March 15 and get an extra prize!  This would be a fun Mother's Day gift or birthday gift for a special friend.   Won't you come join us?

If you want to bring some pictures so you can finish your scrapbook, feel free!  I printed my pics out in a 3x5 size.


Supplies Used:
My Creations Memory Showcase (Z1197, $3.95)
Sophia (love it!) Level 1 Scrapbook Kit (X7131A, $9.95)
For Every Occasion (D1187, $22.95)
Hollyhock Stamp Pad (Z2128, $5.25)
Pear Stamp Pad (Z2197, $5.25)
Clear Sparkles (Z1104, $2.95)
Round Sponge (Z697, $1.25)


WORKSHOP DETAILS:
RSVP and pay by March 15 and get an extra goody. (space is limited, so don't wait too long.)
Sunday, March 27 at 2:00pm
Cost of the Workshop:  $20.
Things to Bring:  Paper trimmer, your favorite adhesive
(If you don't have your own paper trimmer or adhesive, you can use mine for a $1 (each item) donation to Operation Smile)
To RSVP:  My Phone #:  425.255.3731          My Email:  lisasargent@myctmh.com  

We'd love to have you join us!  Invite a friend!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

More New (Splendid) Stamps & Papers!

As soon as I saw this stamp set, Splendid Day, I knew I had to buy it.  (I hate that when that happens!)  (smile)



I like the little banner that comes with it.  When I was telling my dad about these stamps, he reminded me of the signs they used to pull that said "Will you marry me?"  He's such a romantic.  That would be fun for a card -- if guys ever made cards. ha!


What I really liked about this card is the wavy sign...it's sticking up off the card.  I bent the paper up and down so it would be more "bannerish."  Is that a word?  It made the card not so flat, and shows movement.  Can't you just see it flapping in the wind?  I was inspired by a card I got from Tarina Holloway.  I mounted it with foam mounting tape on the "down" parts of the sign.

I bet you could have lots of fun with this stamp set, too!  The tree and sunshine have lots of potential...might have to play around with them later...

Supplies Used:
Splendid Day (D1462)
Hit the Spot (C1406)
Mayberry Paper Pack (X7136B) - new!
Sky Card Stock (X5761)
Hollyhock Card Stock (1246)
White Daisy Card Stock (1385)
Desert Sand Stamp Pad (Z2118)
Hollyhock Stamp Pad (Z2128)
Sky Stamp Pad (Z2194)
Bitty Brads - Metal Assortment (Z1368)
Waxy Flax - Colonial White (Z1081)
Edge Distresser (Z1297)
Corner Rounder (Z578)
Micro-Tip Scissors (Z534)
Foam Mounting Tape

Friday, February 11, 2011

Blooming Layers - making your own patterned paper with stamps

I LOVE Close To My Heart's new Spring/Summer Idea Book!  The Spring book is always my favorite, though, because I love flower stamps.  :)

I made this card with the new stamp set Blooming Layers for a new stamp set swap I participate in.  We'll be making this card in this month's card classes.


First I stamped the little yellow flowers all over the paper, then I stamped the larger, pink flowers (make sure some of them go off the page -- it just looks more random).  Then I filled in the empty spaces with leaves and small flowers.  It's a great way to make your own patterned paper, if you don't have something that suits your project.  

The other kind of fun thing is the ribbon.  I used the Sweet Leaf Designer Ribbon, but instead of tying the ribbon in a knot, I tied it with a piece of Waxy Flax.  I love Waxy Flax because it stays put.  It's like really big dental floss.


I added a few Bitty Sparkles on the tag and on one of the big pink flowers.  My daughter really liked this card.  (She didn't even have anything to add...you know, like glitter...)  


Come join us this month at card class!

Supplies Used:
Blooming Layers (C1449) - new!
Wings Paper Pack (X7135B) - new!
Sorbet Stamp Pad (Z2164)
Blush Stamp Pad (Z2106)
Gypsy Stamp Pad (Z2190)
Sunkiss Yellow Stamp Pad (Z2151)
Hollyhock Stamp Pad (Z2128)
Sweet Leaf Stamp Pad (Z2153)
Bitty Sparkles (Z2163)
Sweet Leaf Designer Ribbon (Z1125)
Round Sponge (Z697)
Waxy Flax - Colonial White (Z1081)
Piercing Tool Kit (Z1114) - for picking up and placing the Bitty Sparkles
1/4" hole punch
Foam Mounting Tape (for under the tag)

Monday, February 7, 2011

Flag from a Banner

I really like the new My Creations Banner that Close To My Heart introduced in the new Idea Book.  It's 7chipboard pennants (with jump rings) that you can decorate and string together.  I saw a really cute picture of where someone had taken just one of the flags and decorated it and stuck it on a stick.  Cute Idea (that I had to try!)



I was trying hard to "Shop My Stash."  I made this to give to a friend to make her smile.  Fortunately for me, but not so much for you, almost everything I used was retired.  Of course, you can shop your own stash to make one of these.

I used the Bonding Memories Glue all over the pennant and back side of the background paper.  Then I stuck them together.  (I picked Bonding Memories Glue because I wanted to make sure to get glue all around the punched out circles on the pennant.  I did it on both sides of the flag.  Then I used the Finishing Files (love 'em!) to scrape (I mean file) off the extra paper.  The Finshing Files make life SO much easier!

On the back side I used a Dimensional Element (sponged with Creme Brulee Ink). I also stamped the sentiment with Juniper ink using the Unity Stamp set.




To attach the pennant to the dowel, I used the Finishing Files to make a notch in the dowel, then I used a hot glue gun to glue the ribbon to the dowel.  Then I tied the pennant and dowel together, securing it all with more hot glue.

I hope my friend likes it.  :)


Supplies Used:
My Creations Banner (NEW!) (Z1378, $5.95 for 7 chipboard pennants)
Unforgettable Paper Pack (retired)
Fancy Cuts Die-Cuts - Botanicals (retired)
Bonding Memories Glue (1512, $6.95)
Finishing Files (Z1091, $5.95)
Sorbet Collection Ribbon Rounds (retired)
Buttons - Basic Assortment (Z1358, $5.95)
Waxy Flax - Sorbet (Z1249, $3.95)
Irresistibles Pizzaz (retired)
Creme Brulee Stamp Pad (Z2167, $5.25)
Juniper Stamp Pad (Z2165, $5.25)
Unity (C1422, $18.95)
Sponge Daubers (Z726, $3.95 for 3)
Glue Dots
Small Wooden Dowel

Friday, February 4, 2011

New Sophia Paper & Stamps

The new Spring-Summer Idea Book is out!  I love-love-love the new Sophia paper pack.  It's gorgeous!  As soon as I got mine, I had to make a card with it.  We did this at our last team meeting.  It's the same gift card holder that we did in December, but with the new papers.  LOVE it!  And this one's a lot easier, because I just cut out the one flower, not three Christmas trees!


Supplies Used:
Sophia Paper Pack (X7131B, $12.95)
Carefree Stamp Set (C1447, $18.95)
Blush Card Stock (in Sophia paper pack)
Pear Card Stock (in Sophia paper pack)
White Daisy Card Stock (in Sophia paper pack)
Pear Stamp Pad (Z2197, $5.25)
Hollyhock Stamp Pad (Z2128, $5.25)
Desert Sand Stamp Pad (Z2118, $5.25)
3/8" Organdy Ribbon (retired)
Round Sponge (Z697, $1.25)
Glue Dots
Foam Mounting Tape (I like 3M brand)