Chatter from the Heart - Day 3 Adding some bling with embellishments!

Since today is HUMP day, who couldn't use a little more bling to spice up creativity? Close to My Heart knows how bling can make any project perfect...that's why there's over 125 products to embellish your creations and 30 of those are brand-spankin' new! What's your fetish? I bet there's an embellishment just for you and all less than $6!

Choose from this list of new products:

• (3) colors of ribbon - Blue, Pink, and Sweet Leaf
• (8) Button Assortments - Red, Pink, Green, Blue, Basic, Clear, Wooden & Canvas Badge (wait until you see the neat techniques you can do with these!)
• (5) Brad Assortments - Red, Pink, Green, Blue, Basic, & Metal
• (2) Bitty Brad Assortments - Basic & Metal
• Sophia Level 2 Journaling Spots
• Lucky Level 2 Assortment (die-cut chipboard shapes)
• Lucky Level 2 Journaling Spots
• Bliss Level 2 Assortment (mesh flowers & filigree butterflies)
• Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment (set of 32 epoxy stickers)
• Fanfare Level 2 Assortment (15 designer brads)
• Wings Level 2 Assortment (pleated ribbon in 3 colors) - these can be ordered NOW through the Inspirations Brochure
• (1) Mini-Medley Accents Collections - Black
• (1) Alphabet Rub-on - Newsprint
• (2) Irresistibles (resist pattern that shows through when covered with chalk, ink, markers or watercolors) - Eclectic Alphabet, Villa
• (1) Kraft Color-Ready Borders
  

Plus, the new SPRAY PEN! This fun tool is great to mist your projects with a mix of water, re-inker, and or pearl paint. You can get one NOW when you reserve your Wings Workshop on the Go kit available during National Papercrafting Month.

Have I wet your appetite to see for yourself what these embellishments look like? Did you know all of these embellishments range in price from $3.25 to $5.95?



Contact me today to get your copy of the 2011 Spring/Summer Idea Book (the only place you can see them before they go "live" on February 1) for only $2 or ask how you can one FREE!

Close to My Heart April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Flower Pot

This month's posting snuck up on me - well, sort of. I've actually had the projects completed, but haven't had the time to sit down and write about them. If you're blog hopping, you should have arrived from HELEN ONULAK's blog. If you plan to continue along the hop, JILL LUCAS's is your next stop.

I'll admit up front - I didn't like this stamp set when I first received it. BUT, it has definitely grown on me now that I've created with it. Truthfully, the reason I was turned off was because it's a line art stamp and I just don't want to take the time to "color" in the images. My challenge to myself was to create projects that required little coloring yet effectively showcased the stamp set. I certainly liked what I came up with and hope you do to!

I chose X7121B Caboodle for the My Reflections Paper Pack to create the projects. I also added Z2115 Sweet Leaf Collection Ribbon Rounds to each one and only used two colors of ink in all three projects: Z2117 Crystal Blue Exclusive Inks and Z2105 Black Exclusive Ink. Remember, all of these products are available to order on my website under "Shop Online". 

We'll start with the smallest creation and save the biggest for last. The first project is a 3x3 gift card. In addition to the supplies listed above, I used 1385 White Daisy Cardstock for the card base and 3505 Watercolor Pencils blended with 3174 Blending Pen to color the flower pot and flowers.

Next is a 4x4 Notecard. I didn't use any other product on this card other than what's been mentioned already. I did run the Sweet Leaf cardstock through my Cuttlebug for the embossed swirls. I have to say, this is one of my most favorite creations of all time!

The last creation I want to share is a Z1195 6x6 My Creations Memory Showcase album. In addition to the products listed above, I also used Z1217 Metal (Pewter 4mm) Brads, and Z1271 Tiny Tabs.

Front cover:

Back cover:

Inside pages, set 1:

Inside pages, set 2:

Inside pages, set 3:

I hope you've enjoyed this month's projects. As always, if there is anything I can do to help with your stamping and scrapbooking needs, don't hesitate to let me know! Just a reminder, your next stop on the hop is Jill Lucas's blog. Happy Easter to all!

Close to My Heart January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Happy New Year!

I'm so excited about the upcoming year and the blog hop! It is achieving two of my goals on my 101 List of Things I'd Like to Do in 1001 Days (blog coming soon - keep watching): write more and update my blog more often!

If you're following the CTMH Blog Hop you should have arrived from Shirley Ross's blog. Welcome! For those of you new to blog hopping, simply click on the link below to go to the next blog. If you started at Helen's blog, you've made it all the way through. Following each link will allow you to see over 60 different ways to use the January Stamp of the Month, True Friends (D1406). Below is my contribution to the hop (a total of 3 today!).

First is a Postcard Gift Pack. I purchased the vinyl cases from an online website for another workshop, but they are PERFECT for this project.

Inside the vinyl case is two slots. One is perfect for a decorated cover and the other is good for 4x6 postcards. To make the postcards, I simply random stamped one side of a sheet of 12x12 cardstock and trimmed it to the postcard size. You get 6 postcards from one sheet.

In addition to the January SOTM, I used the Grace Level II Paper Pack (X711B) and Copper Brads (Z1217).

(Vinyl case open)

(Postcards with open case)

The second project is a 4x4 Gift Card. The sayings on this stamp set was perfect for gift giving.

I like to try and use paper and color combinations that differ from the company suggested combinations. This card uses paper from the Tinkerin' Level II Paper Pack (X7113B) and the Designer Ribbon Rounds Sorbet (Z1123). I also added Just Blooms Paper Flowers White Daisy Variety Pack (Z1300) and Twinkle Brads Jolly Assortment (Z1220).

Finally, I altered a 2010 Planner that I picked up at my local Dollar General store for $1. The paper pack is retired now (Free Spirit Level II Paper Pack), but I loved the colors. I also used the Playful Flourishes set (D1212) and some brown ric rac I purchased when a fabric store was closing.

 

All of these current items are available to view on my Close to My Heart website. Click here and then choose the "Shop Online" button. You can search by item number for quick location of the products.

Be sure to join me again in February for the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. A listing of classes, workshops and crops will be available on my website shortly after the first of the year. Subscribe to my blog to receive updates when I post.

If you're continuing in the blog hop, your next stop is Helen Onulak's blog.

Here is a complete list of blog participants if you prefer the jump around method:

Helen Onulak http://www.hookedonstamping.com
Jena DeVries http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com
Jessica Booth http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
Carla Ironside http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com
Lori Miller http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com
Misty Jackson http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com
Jen Patrick http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com
Susan Brooks http://www.stampingintheopen.blogspot.com
Kathleen Androlewicz http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com/
Dawn Ross http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com
Amy McVey http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com
Antoinette Herrin http://www.GodblessyourART.blogspot.com
Jill Lucas http://scrapwench.blogspot.com
Barbra Otten http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
Lori Brown http://www.savingmine.blogspot.com
Brae Montgomery http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com
Wanda Riley http://www.creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com
Adeline E. Brill http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com
Kami Welter http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com
Judy Burger http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
Pamela O'Connor http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com
Cindy Leek http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com
Mary Eisen www.mestamp2.blogspot.com
Sylvia Jacquot http://stampinsylvia.blogspot.com/
Laura Dame http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com
Melissa Laverty http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com
Haley Dyer http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com
Terrie Dodd http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com
Katy Donaldson http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com
Chris Shouse http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com
Tammy Lea Pinchard http://mycreativeclubhouse.blogspot.com
Krista Ritskes http://kristaritskes-simplycreating.blogspot.com/
Shannon Pelletier http://www.mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com
Deb Young http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com
Amy Edwards http://PaisleysPlayhouse.blogspot.com
Sheila Bennett http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com
Kristie Herdener http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com
Jen Rubio http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com
Jody Gustafson http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com
Sarita Schraeder http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com
Laurie Levnik http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com
Debra Van Patten http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
Kimberly Smith http://verykimberry.blogspot.com/
Michelle Nist http://Michellenist.blogspot.com
Karen Norman http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com
Traci Godbee http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com
Nancy Brown http://www.creativelyartsygallery.blogspot.com
Maricar Harris http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com
Nona Davenport http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com
Laurie Newton http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
Dawn Heuft http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com
Melissa Burch http://melissaburch.blogspot.com
Kim O'Rear http://kimorear.blogspot.com
Michelle Bourlet http://michellescreativeconnections.blogspot.com/
Angela Tutton http://www.tuttonstreasures.blogspot.com/
Jenifer Benner http://www.jensmessystudio.com
Shirley Ross http://www.momnmescrap.blogspot.com
Latisha Haag http://domestichomefrontcoordinator.blogspot.com

30 Cards for $30 - Assembly Instructions

Whew! It's good to be back online. I've lots to tell, but most importantly, need to post the directions on how to assemble the cards in my 30 Cards for $30 workshop. For those of you who need to assemble, best of luck. I hope you enjoy them!

Some words of note:
1. I've tried to list helpful hints in assembling the cards - use them or don't; just things I've discovered in putting them together.

2. Some pieces are slightly altered; I've tried to note that on the descriptions.

3. You should be able to click on the picture and a new window with a larger view should open so you can read the directions attached to each picture.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Caught by the 'BUG

You read correctly. I've been caught by a bug - the cuttlebug that is. I'm not one for jumping on big ticket scrapbooking items. In fact, I consider myself pretty cheap and rarely give into spending a lot of money at one time on something. But, I just couldn't resist this one. I gave in and bought one and some dies and embossing folders.

See, this nifty little machine will work with any dies (like sizzix or quick cuts), and not that I have any of those, but I might find a good deal!

Anyway, here's my first project using my cuttlebug. The entire cupcake is free hand. I used my cutter and scoring blade to make the lines in the cupcake wrapper and then sent the "frosting" through the cuttlebug in the swirl embossing folder. Then I used glitter on the swirls to make it stand out a little more.

The stamp set is from Close to My Heart; it's called Card Sentiments.

Scrapbook on a Canvas

The latest project for Hostess Club is Scrapbooking on Canvas. This fun and simple project is a great way to take your altered art to the next level while creating a unique way to display "pages".










Supplies needed for this project include:Mod PodgeAcrylic Paint to match papersCardstock, Background/Texture PaperStampsInks matching papersFoam Brushes for paint and mod podgeEmbellishments














Step 1: Paint your canvas. For this canvas, I wanted some of the original canvas to show. You can cover the entire canvas, however. (Please note that painting the canvas is not necessary; using the canvas is fine as well.)















Step 2: After first coat of paint dries, add second coat if you're using more than one color. Additional coats may be needed if you are coating the canvas in a solid color all over.

Step 3: Stamp images on the canvas. Keep in mind what pictures will be covering the images so you can use stamps that will read best and be seen. Another helpful tip is to place something solid below the canvas so when you press the stamp into it, it does not sag (leaving a partial stamp). Remember, if you're using acrylic stamps, you'll need to place a piece of foam between the solid item and the canvas. Allow ink to dry thoroughly before mod podge is applied.

Step 4: Distress with ink. This step is optional, but added to the theme of my canvas. Again, allow ink to dry thoroughly.

Step 5: Plan the layout of your pictures on the canvas.

Step 6: Apply mod podge for first layer. I only applied mod podge to a section so it wouldn't dry before I had all the pieces in place. Make sure mod podge completely covers the area your placing an item.

Step 7: Apply mod podge over each layer to smooth onto canvas. Make sure both the top and bottom of the piece is thoroughly covered in mod podge. Smooth any air bubbles from paper or they will wrinkle on your project. An old credit card works great for this task.

Step 8: Continue placing items on your canvas, building the "page". Work in sections and layers.

Step 9: Modge podge each time an item is placed on the canvas. Again, be sure to cover both sides of an item with mod podge and smooth wrinkles.

Step 10: Allow mod podge to dry thoroughly and then recoat. Once second coat is dry, add embellishments such as ribbon or brads. Use a piercing tool to poke through the canvas (be mindful of the frame).

A neat distressing techniqu I discovered in this project is using a touch (and I do mean a SMALL touch) as I swiped the second coat of mod podge. It gave the canvas an additional aged look.

All products used to make this piece were from Close to My Heart.

X7086B Caprice Level 2 Paper Packet

Z2111 Chocolate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2105 Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Z2103 Bamboo Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

X5760 Winter Cozy Textured Cardstock Combo (Crystal Blue used)

Z1301 Chocolate Collection Ribbon Rounds

Z291 Hinges (Copper used)

Z299 Basic Collection Bigger Brads (Copper used)

Pictures were taken at the Brick Barn Inn, Topeka, KS

And now, the rest of the story...

(The continuation of "About Me" since I'm only allowed 1200 characters.)

The question I get most often about my e-mail signature tag is "What is a Domestic Homefront Coordinator?" Nevermind that I have my website for my direct sales business on there nor my information about how I'm an Independent Consultant for Close to My Heart.
So here's an answer to that question: A few years ago, I think even before I became a mom, I received an e-mail about how this lady went to get her driver's license. When she got to the section about occupation, she wasn't sure what to write since she was a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. Neither of these titles seemed to fit all she really did, plus society's connotation of the terms left a mindset that she really didn't work. So on the line for occupation, she squeezed in all the titles that fall under the previous mentioned. Chef, taxi driver, school classroom volunteer, daycare provider, teacher, nurse, doctor, mediator...the list went on.
While I appreciated the e-mail when it came, I did not fully understand the magnitude of what a woman does when she stays home to raise her children. Being in the "politically correct" era in America, I couldn't help but create my own title to describe just what it is I do. While there are many facets to the job, it isn't one I'd trade any time soon. I saw on someone's signature line once the following quote: "Stay-at-home mom is the hardest, most rewarding job I don't get paid to do." Enough said.
Oh, and a little more about me other than I'm a Domestic Homefront Coordinator. I am a scrapbooker/stamper and an Independent Consultant for Close to My Heart. I am also the web coordinator for Engravingshop.com as well as the VP of Membership for MOMS Club of Hays, Ellis Public Library Board of Trustees member, Children's Time teacher at Ogallah Christian Church, and teacher/designer for Scrapbook Frenzy. I have a Fantasy Football team...well, two actually; I like to attend auctions and garage sales because a good deal is too hard to pass up; I'm not afraid of a power tool; love to cook and bake; am thinking about taking up knitting even though I already have too much on my plate; value friendships; and have a secret desire to become a writer (partly why I created this blog). I have a million thoughts in my head that I'd love to share, just need an outlet. In my previous career I was a teacher, most recently at a Catholic high school. I taught English and Journalism and found both parallel with my love for scrapbooking and writing.
Well, that's about it. What I've missed here, I'll add in my daily blogs.