Holiday Magic - CTMH October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close to my Heart October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. This month features a fantastic Christmas set with so many possibilities.

 If you've come here from Dawn's Blog, then you're on the right path. If you just happened upon my blog then you can continue the hop from here. When you get back to my blog again, you know you've seen them all.

I have two cards to share with you today. The first card was made with the sleigh. The packages were made using the tops of the stockings. The packages and the ovals were all cut with the Art Philosophy cartridge.

This second card was made at a play date with my convention roomies, Joyce and Debbie.  We all put our heads together and came up with this card. The stocking was first cut with the New Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge exclusively through Closed to my Heart. If you want to know more about this amazing cricut cartridge with 700 images on it, Contact me here for more information.

Now, hop on over to Wanda's Blog to see what fabulous artwork she has to share with you.

I'd like to submit the Stocking Card into these challenges:
Crafty Creations - Clean & Simple
Stampin Royalty - K.I.S.S.
Truly Scrumptious - Clean & Simple
Less is more - Color of your eyes

"Pair-a-Phrase"_ National Stamping Month Blog Hop

Here we are Mid-August already and ready to begin the fabulous Close to my Heart National Stamping Month Special called Pair-a-Phrase. This special runs from August 15th through September 30, 2011. More information on how to get BOTH of these "D" size stamp sets FREE after I tell you about my card and the hop.

If you've come here from Laura's Blog, you're on the right path. If you just happened upon my blog and would like to see what all of the other participating consultans have to show, just click on the link at the bottom of each blog post and when you get back to mine again, you know you've seen them all. And, while you're at it, PLEASE leave a little lovin for each of us in the comment section.

I am going on my 15th year with Close to my Heart and the last time I made a one layer card was probably
14 years ago. It's just not my style.
A One layer card is one where you stamp only on the card with NO additional layers. There are so many challenges out there laterly to make just clean and simple or one layer cards. So, I went out of my comfort zone and took the challenge. My card today is stamped right on the card with no additional layers. I made it monochromatic using only Twilight and Sky ink pads. The snowman and phrase is from the Pair-a-Phrase set but I did add the snowflakes from the stamp set called "Snowflakes".
I did add a little liquid applique to the snow and snowman's cap and heated it, along with some prisma glitter.

Now, more about National Stamping Month and the Pair-a-Phrase stamp sets.
You get both of these "D" sized stamp sets in one envelope. They include lots of Phrases and coordinating images you'll use in your cards all year long.
All you need to do is make a $75 purchase and you get these two sets absolutely FREE. And, while you're at it, why not purchase the August Stamp of the Month called "Wicked", a gorgoeus Halloween set, for ONLY $5.00.  With our new Stamp of the Month (SOTM) program, you can purchase the SOTM for only $5.00 with a $50 purchase.
To take advantage of these specials, feel free to order them from my website if you don't have your own CTMH consultant. You can also click on one of the links above to take you directly to the item I used.

Now, hop on over to Angie's Blog to see her beautiful creation.

A few challenges for this card.
Challenge Up Your Life - No DP
Crafty Hazelnut- Christmas & One Layer card
Crazy 4 Challenges - Monochromatic
Less is More - One Layer
Secret Crafter - Christmas

Wicked - CTMH August Stamp of the Mnth Blog Hop

Welcome to Close To My Hearts's August Stamp of the Month (SOTM) Blog Hop. This is the first SOTM from the new Fall/Winter Catalog/Idea Book. What a fabulous stamp set this is too.

Here are the stamps in the set.

If you've come her from Tamytha's Blog, you are on the right path. If you've just wondered upon my blog and want to see all of the fabulous artwork throughout this blog, then just continue by clicking on the link to the next person at the bottom of each post. When you get back to this blog, you know you've seen them all.

My card is an easel card made from the NEW Mischief Paper Pack. The colors I used are Sunset, Black & Red Barn.

The Hand stitching was done with Black Embroidery Floss. I thought this stitch pattern looked similar to a witches hat. It's funny how you sometimes start out with one stitch and then see something totally different and run with it. 

The Buttons are from the Sunset Mini Medley's

Now hop on over to Traci's Blog and see what great creation she has for you.

Studio J - Jeffrey's 2nd Birthday

Well, Tomorrow is Jeffrey's 2nd Birthday. Since I'm leaving for Convention and they are going on vacation, we celebrated his birthday early.
I'm going to be posting four layouts today because they all go together.



Studio J - Day 4 - Swim Lessons

Well, today is Day 4 of posing my Studio J Layouts.

These two are a continuation of the two from yesterday.



Studio J - Day 3

Here is Day 3 of my Studio J Projects.

This is my daughter Andrea and her two babies.



Studio J - more fun layouts

Here is day 2 of posting my Studio J Layouts.
Jeffrey & Mya playing in their pool at my house.

Studio J - Mya and Jeffrey

I hope you all had a safe and wonderful

4th of July weekend.

Last week I took some time to work on my Studio J Layouts. If you're strapped for time like I am, this is the absolute best way to tell the story of your life.
I haven't been creating lately. Too many things I'm trying to get finished before leaving On Sunday Fot the CTMH Convention at Disney Land. So, I'll be posting some of my layouts instead of cards.

I take care of my two fabulous grandchildren while their Mommy & Daddy work and what a pleasure this is for me. To make it even better, I can sit outside with them while they play, my camera always ready to snap the greatest pictures, and at the same time, I was working on these layouts. You can click on the pictures to capture all the details of the embellishments.

American Celebration - CTMH July SOTM

Front closed

Inside, 1st flap open

 Inside, 2nd flap open

Happy 4th of July Weekend. This month Close to my Heart has another fabulous Stamp of the Month to do all of your Holiday Scrapblooking with, or to make cards to send our troops. There are so many ideas to use these 12 clear stamps for, I'm sure you'll think of lots of occasions. I think this would make a fantastic Summer Birthday card.

This is our monthly Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. If you're hoping along from the beginning, you would have come here from Beth's Blog. If you just happened upon my blog, then you can continue with the hop from here. Just click on the next person's name at the end of this post.
If you lo0se your way or find a broken link, you can find the entire list of hoppers at Helen's Blog.

My card is a 5 X 7 flip flap card. I wanted to show off as many stamps from the set as possible and I used all but one. I don't know how I missed that one.

I used lots of red, blue and clear sparkles through out and glitter glirz on the star of the flag. My coloring was done using the baby wipe technique. I just folded up a baby wipe and placed it on a clear block for support. I then stamped the streamer stars on the wipe with desert sand ink. Then I applied re-inker in holiday red, star spangled blue, honey and pear. I put one color on each star.  I then used that same pad to ink up all the other multi colored images.
My papers and solid colors are Cranberry and Pacifica.

If you're looking to purchase this stamp set, you can find it on my website, or you can just email me about it. Youn may even want to get it FREE!!! All it takes to get it discounted or FREE is a qualifying order.

Now hop on over to Georgia's Blog and see what fabulous eye candy she has for you.

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Beautiful Butterflies

I was playing around with the Beautiful Butterflies Clear Stamp Set from Close to my Heart. I colored the stamps using the baby wipe technique where you just add reinker to a baby wipe and use it as an ink pad.
 I used the CTMH Miracle Paper Pack. I love the Sweetleaf and Sky colors together.  It may be hard to see in the photo, but I used the light blue and light green sparkles plus some of the tiny clear sparkles on the butterflies.
The ribbon was Heavenly blue and I sprayed it with the sky reinker and water in the spray pen.


The Hand Stitching was done with my own unique design and matching Embroidery Floss.