Convention Swaps

I love going to the annual Close To My Heart convention.  There's always tons of announcements from the corporate office.  I love hearing it "from the horse's mouth."  This year's big announcement was the addition of a Close To My Heart/Cricut Cartridge.  We're all extremely excited about it.  I can't wait to get my cartridge (and my Cricut, since I don't have one yet) and start playing!  August 1, you can have one, too!  The stamps and the die cuts will coordinate, as will some of the Dimensional Elements.  It's fun to have a new toy to play with -- especially one with 700 images (and in various sizes)!  Thousands of combinations!!


But aside from the corporate announcements, my favorite part of the convention experience is the swaps that I get from the consultants who attend the event.  I always make sure I bring at least 50 swaps.  (This year I brought 82.)  I LOVE tapping into and seeing the creativity of the other consultants!


Here's a few of my favorites:

Created by Betsy Gully

I like how two of the pieces are the same, but on opposite sides of the card.  I've always liked the birdhouse stamp set, but didn't buy it, because I didn't know what to do with it.  It's a nice, interesting card.  [Bless This Nest (C1445, $18.95); Mayberry Paper Pack (X7136B, $12.95)]

Created by Jude Chie

I never bought this paper pack (above), Bliss.  It looked too washed out in the catalog.  But after seeing the papers in real life, it's really quite elegant.  I like the technique with the squares.  Interesting!  [Bliss Paper Pack (X7132B, $12.95); not sure about the sentiment]

Created by Terri Anderson

I love the teapot stamp set...and I love random stamping.  I like the use of the Kraft Color Ready Borders as an accent.  They are self-adhesive.  BONUS!  The little teacup on the left is a nice touch, too. [Tea Time, (C1438, $18.95), Thank You (D1361, $22.95); Craft Card Stock, Cranberry, Buttercup, Chocolate; Color Ready Borders (Z1377); waxy flax.]


I hope you've gotten some inspiration from these cards, too!   More to follow!