Thriller (September SOTM Blog Hop)

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop which features the Thriller stamp set from Close To My Heart.  Images in this fun Halloween set include skulls, hearts, cobwebs, and an adorable dracula.  
 

Instead of using traditional Halloween colors, this card uses papers from the new Magnifique paper packet.  The multi-hued blue background paper is actually peacock feathers, but using just a small piece gives a nice detail to the card without appearing to be peacock feathers.  The image is stamped using two new ink colors - Lagoon and Sky.  One of my favorite new embellishments are the Shimmer Designer Brads.  These large brads are beautiful and appear to have a coating of very fine glitter.  They really sparkle and shine, and you can buy 27 brads in bronze, gold, and silver (9 of each color) for only $4.95. 

If you have come here from Angela's 'Tutton's Treasures' blog, you are on the right path! With almost 70 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs, you should be able to find lots of great creative ideas to use for your own projects.  Blog Hopping is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! 

Now "Hop" on over to Misty's 'Creative Minds Are Rarely Tidy' blog to see her work!  Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas!  Remember, the Thriller stamp set is only available until the end of September.  Let me know if you would like to find out how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free.

If you get lost on the Blog Hop or find links that aren't working, there is a complete list of all participating blogs on Helen's 'Hooked on Stamping' blog.

Something Splendid is Irresistible

Participating in Creative University Online this weekend really got me into 'creative mode' and I finally finished a card using a paint "resist" technique that Nona Davenport shared at the CTMH Convention this summer.  

The large flower image from the Something Splendid (August SOTM) was embossed using clear powder onto a piece of patterned paper from the You Rock kit, and then white paint was brushed over the top.  The embossed image 'resisted' the paint so that the patterned paper is visible through the flower petals.  One of my favorite stamp sets available in the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book is Unity, and includes the small frame and cute sentiment used on the card. 


I wanted to add just a bit of shimmer to the edges of the Goldrush cardstock, so I used some of the Glitz Glimmer Gel and applied it with a small paintbrush to the very edges of the cardstock.  In real life, there is a nice little sparkle to the edge, but it is difficult to see in the scanned image.   Another interesting detail is the flower patterned paper on the right side of the card.  You may recognize it from the Sweet Home kit, but the paper is actually a tan color.  Since I wanted a Goldrush color to the pattern, I simply used the ink pad to apply some Goldrush ink directly to the patterned paper.

Pinwheel Cards from Creative University Online

These cards were created yesterday during my class for Creative University Online. If you joined us on ustream - THANK YOU!  It was fun to see so many people watching the live stream and participating in the chat room. And you can still watch the class, it was recorded and can be viewed on the Fabulously Artsy ustream channel.  When you go to the channel, there are two videos for the Pinwheel Technique, a Part 1 and a Part 2.  Evidently, when I tapped the back of a brad with a hammer, that caused the recording to malfunction a bit.  Sorry about that!  

Using beautiful papers from the new Magnifique kit, along with new colors Pacifica and Lagoon, this card took only 20 minutes to create.  The matching envelope is stamped using cute little peacock feathers from the Circle of Love stamp set.  There is a matching 'liner' inside the card of white cardstock stamped with the peacock feathers just like the envelope.  Stamping the inside of cards and coordinating the envelope are a nice 'finishing touch' for hand-stamped cards.

Since we had plenty of time remaining for the scheduled class, I was able to use papers from the new Olivia kit and quickly create another card.  As you can see, this is the same card design just using different papers.  During the class, I could not decide on a sentiment to include on the front.  After looking at the card, I have decided that the paper is pretty enough as it is and there is no reason to cover it up. Actually there is not any stamping on the card at all, but I will probably include a sentiment on the inside. 

This pinwheel technique was included in the August/September 2010 issue of Technique Junkies newsletter. It is a great resource for different techniques, and I have been a subscriber for several years. As a subscriber, you have online access to step-by-step picture tutorials for all of the techniques. Most of the techniques are much more complicated than this easy pinwheel.

As requested by the chat room participants, the cutting dimensions for the pinwheel are:

• 2 pieces of cardstock, each 2 - 5/8" square
• 4 pieces of 1st patterned paper, each 1 - 1/4" square
• 4 pieces of 2nd patterned paper, each 1 - 1/4"square

Boo to You! (New Product Blog Hop)

Welcome to our Close To My Heart New Product Blog Hop! Over 50 fabulous CTMH Consultants are celebrating the upcoming release of the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book by giving you a 'Sneak Peek' of some of the great products available in the new Idea Book as of September 1st.

If you have come here from LaJeania's 'Scrap 'Til You Drop!' blog, you are on the right path! It is simple to 'blog hop' - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one.

This 5"x7" card was made using fun, bright colors in the new Hooligans paper, The Boo Crew stamp set, and all eight inks from the newly-introduced colors in the Summer palette - Gypsy, Pacifica, Sunset, Cotton Candy, Lagoon, Pear, Sky, and Smoothie.  Another great new product is the Opaques, which are the shiny black embellishments.  These 'pearl' style flat-back gems are self-adhesive and are available in three color versions - Licorice (black, grey, light grey), Mocha (brown, tan, light tan), and Pearl (cream).  Each package contains 108 gems in 4 sizes, and the price is only $2.95. 

Now "Hop" on over to Traci's 'Creativetraci' blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great ideas for using the new products available from Close To My Heart!

If you get lost on the Blog Hop or find links that aren't working, there is a complete list of participating blogs on Erin's 'Tazzygirl2000' blog.

CU-OL is Cool

In preparation for Saturday's Creative University - Online, I created a video telling you a little bit about what to expect.  If you cannot view the embedded video, please visit Sheila's Stamping Stuff channel on Ustream and watch the CU-OL Teaser.  Just a warning, there will be an advertisement with some loud music when you first start watching the video.  It only lasts about 10 seconds and is how Ustream keeps their site free for their users.       

Hope you'll be able to join us Saturday for nine hours of creative classes starting at noon Eastern, 11 Central, 10 Mountain, 9 Pacific time.   There will be a new teacher and new project at the beginning of every hour.  Watch for me at 5 o'clock Central time (6 Eastern, 4 Mountain, 3 Pacific).  All classes will be broadcast on the Fabulously Artsy Ustream channel. 

Wordless Wednesday (Staircase at CTMH Convention)

Creative University - Online

Mark your calendars, it's less than a week away! The first Creative University - ONLINE!

Nine hours of free classes, presented by Close to My Heart consultants to kick off the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book and Catalog.  The "Fabulously Artsy" Tresa Black has assembled a top-notch team of co-hosts for this event, with a variety of demonstrations to showcase new products from Close to My Heart.

9am-6pm pacific

10am-7pm mountain

11am-8pm central

12pm-9pm eastern

Classes begin on the hour

You can join in at any time throughout the day. Classes will be continuous for the nine hours, with teachers and projects changing at the beginning of each hour. 

Teachers:

Tresa Black

Bobie Glassette

Denise Anderson-Turley

Haley Dyer

Aaron Brown

Sheila Bennett (that's me!)

Christine David

The event is on Tresa's Fabulously Artsy ustream channel. Sign up (it's free!) to chat live with teachers and other viewers.  Ustream account is not necessary to view the classes, but if you'd like to chat, you need to sign up.

Help Promote This Event, Grab a Badge from the Sidebar!

Improve Your Technique card workshop

Using different stamping techniques adds nice variety to your creations, and most are surprisingly easy to do once you have been shown how to do it.   At this month's Improve Your Technique card making workshop, you will learn four techniques and go home with some fun projects.   Classes will be offered on Friday evening, August 27 at 7:00 and also Saturday afternoon, August 28 at 1:00.  

Technique #1 - Paper Piecing:  Using the Be Yourself stamp set and fun You Rock papers, this card is simple to create by stamping the skirt in a bright color, cutting it out, and adhering it to the top of the image stamped in black. The layers of the skirt have been enhanced using the new Glitz Glitter Gel.  It is very easy to apply, and adds a nice shimmer to a project.

Technique #2 - Painting With Bleach:  The August stamp-of-the-month, Something Splendid, is the perfect image to use with this technique.  The basics are that you apply ink to cardstock, emboss an image, and then use regular household bleach to remove the ink inside the embossed image.  It is a surprisingly easy technique and is very fun to watch as the Barn Red ink first changes to a bright, vivid green before the bleach dries.  Thanks to fellow CTMH consultant Tresa Black for sharing her "fabulously artsy" technique and to Michelle Loncar for helping to design the card during a creative 13-hour marathon stamping day.  Paper from the Passages My Reflections kit is used for the subdued color scheme.  

 

Technique #3 - Window Card:  The papers for this card are from the Zippidee kit and the stamps are the Love This stamp set that is included with the Triple Play mini-album special, and is only available August 15 through September 30.  The flower is actually on the inside of the card and a window is cut through the front of the card so the flower is seen 'through the window' when the card is closed.  

Technique #4 - Gift Card Holder & Masking:  This clever gift card holder also uses Zippidee papers and the Love This stamp set.  A Masking technique is used to create the illusion that the large flower is in front of the smaller flowers.  

The "Improve Your Technique" workshop will be offered on Friday evening, August 27 (starting at 7 pm), and also on  Saturday, August 28 at 1:00 pm.  Allow two or three hours to complete your projects.  Since these technique cards are a bit more involved than normal, you will create 2 cards using each of the 4 different techniques - a total of 8 cards and matching envelopes for a workshop fee of $10.  Please be sure to bring your favorite adhesive.  All other supplies are provided with the workshop fee.

As an added bonus, place a $50+ order from the Close To My Heart  Spring or Summer Idea Book - and your workshop fee is waived.  Depending on total orders received, there will be a drawing for Hostess Rewards - so you could earn $25 or more in FREE product from CTMH.

Please let me know if you would like to attend one of the "Improve Your Technique" card workshops.  Feel free to leave me a comment on this blog, send an email to sheilabennett@comcast.net, or call 913-485-4355.

Triple Play mini albums

Celebrate Stamping with a Triple Play!

Celebrate your love of stamping by using stamps to embellish the three mini albums in Close To My Heart's exclusive National Stamping Month kit, Triple Play.  With inks, stamps, albums, and pre-cut accents for stamping, you'll complete all three albums in a jiffy.  Since each album has its own color scheme, all three are unique and ready for many different kinds of photos.

These are the three albums that I assembled using the kit.  Each cardstock page is pre-printed with beautiful colors, and the coordinating inks are included in the kit.  The images in Love This stamp set (included with kit) fit perfectly within the die-cut shapes.  So, you simply stamp and then 'pop' them off the sheet and adhere them to the album pages.

Here are five ways to get this outstanding mini album kit:

1. Buy the Triple Play kit for $29.95
2. Purchase $25 in My Acrylix stamps and get the Triple Play kit for just $15
3. Spend $40 on My Acrylix stamps and get the Triple Play for only $5 (best value!)
4. Host a Gathering with sales of $300 or more and get Triple Play FREE
5. Join Close To My Heart as a Consultant and get the kit FREE 

Triple Play kit contents:

• 1 - My Acrylix Love This stamp set
• 4 - Exclusive Inks Minis (Desert Sand, Hollyhock, Indian Corn Blue, and Sunset)
• 9 - 4"x12" panels (3 each of 3 colors)
• 3 - 6"x12" die-cut sheets
• 1 - 72" length Colonial White grosgrain ribbon
• 3 - hook and loop fasteners
• 1 - brochure with instructions

National Stamping Month is always fun, but this year you'll get three times the excitement with Triple Play!  Offer valid August 15 - September 30, 2010, while supplies last.

Wordless Wednesday (At the Lincoln Memorial)

$2, $4, $6, for 8 Days - Customer Appreciation Sale

One week only - Wednesday, August 4 through Wednesday, August 11 - A huge variety of Close To My Heart My Stickease assortments, My Reflections Level 1 kits, and My Reflections Level 2 paper packets are being offered at great discounts of 50% off or more.  You can choose paper from over 50 My Reflections kits!  UPDATE: There was a tremendous response to the first day of the sale and many of the items already SOLD OUT!  See detailed list below.  There are still many great paper kits available, but don't wait too long to place your order! 

 

The My Stickease assortments are available for sale for only $2. The My Reflections Level 1 kits are available for $4, and the My Reflections Level 2 paper packets are available for $6!


During the sale week, these items are available only by ordering through a MyCTMH website.  All sale items are available only while supplies last.  So, visit the special $2, $4, $6, for 8...It's YOU We Appreciate section to order at this special low pricing.  Your purchases will count towards Stamp of the Month special pricing so you will be able to order the August SOTM Something Splendid at a discount, or even for free.  


Visit my CTMH website to place your order - sheila.myctmh.com.  All orders will be shipped from Close To My Heart, directly to your home.  If you have not purchased online through my website before, click the link at the top of the page to create an account for your name and shipping information.  

$2, $4, $6 for 8 days only!
Item Number	Name	Price
X7045A	My Reflections Vintage Travel Level 1	$4.00
X7045C	VintageTravel My Stickease	$2.00
X7056A	My Reflections Discovery Level 1	$4.00
X7060A	My Reflections Heirloom Level 1	$4.00
X7060B	My Reflections Heirloom Paper Packet	$6.00
X7061A	My Reflections Floral Impressions Level 1	$4.00
X7061B	My Reflections Floral Impressions Paper Packet	$6.00
X7061C	Floral Impressions My Stickease	$2.00
X7062A	My Reflections Laid Back Level 1	$4.00
X7069A	My Reflections Just Chillin Level 1	$4.00
X7069C	Just Chillin My Stickease	$2.00
X7070A	My Reflections Simple Pleasure Level 1	$4.00
X7070B	My Reflections Simple Pleasure Paper Packet	$6.00
X7070C	Simple Pleasure My Stickease	$2.00
X7071A	My Reflections Best Friends Forever Level 1	$4.00
X7072A	My Reflections School Zone Level 1	$4.00
X7072C	School Zone My Stickease	$2.00
X7073A	My Reflections Abundance Level 1	$4.00
X7073B	My Reflections Abundance Paper Packet	$6.00
X7073C	Abundance My Stickease	$2.00
X7075A	My Reflections More To Adore Level 1	$4.00
X7075B	My Reflections More To Adore Paper Packet	$6.00
X7075C	More To Adore My Stickease	$2.00
X7076A	My Reflections Sonata Level 1	$6.00
X7076C	Sonata My Stickease	$2.00
X7077C	Sweet Harmony My Stickease	$2.00
X7078A	My Reflections Cutie Pie Level 1	$6.00
X7078C	Cutie Pie My Stickease	$2.00
X7079B	My Reflections Rough n Tumble Paper Packet	$6.00
X7079C	Rough n Tumble My Stickease	$2.00
X7080A	My Reflections Route 66 Level 1	$6.00
X7080C	Route 66 My Stickease	$2.00
X7081A	My Reflections Majestic Blue Level 1	$4.00
X7081B	My Reflections Majestic Blue Paper Packet	$6.00
X7081C	Majestic Blue My Stickease	$2.00
X7082A	My Reflections Expedition Level 1	$6.00
X7082C	Expedition My Stickease	$2.00
X7083A	My Reflections Let's Get Together Level 1	$6.00
X7084A	My Reflections Floral Tapestry Level 1	$6.00
X7085A	My Reflections Everlasting Level 1	$6.00
X7085B	My Reflections Everlasting Paper Packet	$6.00
X7085C	Everlasting My Stickease	$2.00
X7086A	My Reflections Caprice Level 1	$6.00
X7086B	My Reflections Caprice Paper Packet	$6.00
X7086C	Caprice My Stickease	$2.00
X7087A	My Reflections Enchanted Level 1	$6.00
X7087B	My Reflections Enchanted Paper Packet	$6.00
X7087C	Enchanted My Stickease	$2.00
X7088A	My Reflections Free Spirit Level 1	$4.00
X7088B	My Reflections Free Spirit Paper Packet	$6.00
X7088C	Free Spirit My Stickease	$2.00
X7089A	My Reflections Lifes Delights Level 1	$4.00
X7089C	Life Delights My Stickease	$2.00
X7090A	My Reflections Silhouette Level 1	$4.00
X7090B	My Reflections Silhouette Paper Packet	$6.00
X7090C	Silhouette My Stickease	$2.00
X7091A	My Reflections it’s a Guy Thing Level 1	$4.00
X7091B	My Reflections it’s a Guy Thing Paper Packet	$6.00
X7091C	It’s a Guy Thing My Stickease	$2.00
X7092A	My Reflections Good Times Level 1	$4.00
X7092B	My Reflections Good Times Paper Packet	$6.00
X7092C	Good Times My Stickease	$2.00
X7093A	My Reflections Sweet Pea Level 1	$4.00
X7093C	Sweet Pea My Stickease	$2.00
X7094A	My Reflections Paper Garden Level 1	$4.00
X7094C	Paper Garden My Stickease	$2.00
X7095A	My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Level 1	$4.00
X7095B	My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Paper Packet	$6.00
X7095C	Boom-Di-Ada My Stickease	$2.00
X7096A	My Reflections Blue Ribbon Level 1	$4.00
X7096B	My Reflections Blue Ribbon Paper Packet	$6.00
X7096C	Blue Ribbon My Stickease	$2.00
X7097A	My Reflections Game On Level 1 Kit	$4.00
X7097B	My Reflections Game On Paper Packet	$6.00
X7097C	Game On My Stickease	$2.00
X7098A	My Reflections Sarsaparilla Level 1 Kit	$4.00
X7098B	My Reflections Sarsaparilla Paper Packet	$6.00
X7098C	Sarsaparilla My Stickease	$2.00
X7100A	My Reflections Perfect Day Level 1	$4.00
X7100B	My Reflections Perfect Day Paper Packet	$6.00
X7100C	Perfect Day My Stickease	$2.00
X7101A	My Reflections Magic Moments Level 1	$4.00
X7101B	My Reflections Magic Moments Paper Packet	$6.00
X7101C	Magic Moments My Stickease	$2.00
X7102A	My Reflections Notebook Level 1	$4.00
X7102B	My Reflections Notebook Paper Packet	$6.00
X7102C	Notebook My Stickease	$2.00
X7103A	My Reflections Aspen Level 1	$4.00
X7103B	My Reflections Aspen Paper Packet	$6.00
X7103C	Aspen My Stickease	$2.00
X7104A	My Reflections Evensong Level 1	$4.00
X7104B	My Reflections Evensong Paper Packet	$6.00
X7104C	Evensong My Stickease	$2.00
X7105A	My Reflections Emporium Level 1	$4.00
X7105B	My Reflections Emporium Paper Packet	$6.00
X7105C	Emporium My Stickease	$2.00
X7106A	My Reflections Unforgettable Level 1	$4.00
X7106B	My Reflections Unforgettable Paper Packet	$6.00
X7106C	Unforgettable My Stickease	$2.00
X7107A	My Reflections That’s Amore Level 1	$4.00
X7107B	My Reflections That’s Amore Paper Packet	$6.00
X7107C	That’s Amore My Stickease	$2.00
X7108A	My Reflections Daydream Level 1	$4.00
X7108B	My Reflections Daydream Paper Packet	$6.00
X7108C	Daydream My Stickease	$2.00
X7109A	My Reflections Stardust Level 1	$4.00
X7109B	My Reflections Stardust Paper Packet	$6.00
X7109C	Stardust My Stickease	$2.00
X7110A	My Reflections Back Country Level 1	$4.00
X7110B	My Reflections Back Country Paper Packet	$6.00
X7110C	Back Country My Stickease	$2.00
X7111A	My Reflections Moon Doggie Level 1	$4.00
X7111B	My Reflections Moon Doggie Paper Packet	$6.00
X7111C	Moon Doggie My Stickease	$2.00
X7112A	My Reflections Animal Cookies Level 1	$4.00
X7112B	My Reflections Animal Cookies Paper Packet	$6.00
X7112C	Animal Cookies My Stickease	$2.00
X7113A	My Reflections Tinkerin Level 1	$4.00
X7113B	My Reflections Tinkerin Paper Packet	$6.00
X7113C	Tinkerin My Stickease	$2.00
X7114A	My Reflections Bella Level 1	$4.00
X7114B	My Reflections Bella Paper Packet	$6.00
X7114C	Bella My Stickease	$2.00
X7115A	My Reflections Jingle Level 1	$4.00
X7115B	My Reflections Jingle Paper Packet	$6.00
X7115C	Jingle My Stickease	$2.00
X7116A	My Reflections Sweet Home Level 1	$4.00
X7116B	My Reflections Sweet Home Paper Packet	$6.00
X7116C	Sweet Home My Stickease	$2.00
X7117A	My Reflections Grace Level 1	$4.00
X7117B	My Reflections Grace Paper Packet	$6.00
X7117C	Grace My Stickease	$2.00
X7118A	My Reflections Twitterpated Level 1	$4.00
X7118B	My Reflections Twitterpated Paper Packet	$6.00
X7118C	Twitterpated My Stickease	$2.00
	*Available August 4-11, 2010; while supplies last