A Flowering Bunch (June SOTM Blog Hop)

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop which features A Flowering Bunch stamp set from Close To My Heart.   The fun, detailed images in this stamp set are perfect for coloring with our alcohol markers.  Some of the shapes can be cut using the Artiste cartridge for the Cricut.   For the images with a red outline, the stamp set has information printed on it regarding the correct page number to find the image and the correct size to cut it to coordinate with that particular stamp image.   

If you have come here from Haley's 'The Inky Scrapper' blog, you are on the right path!  We have now grown to over 60 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their 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!

A fun card to create.  The image of wildflowers from A Flowering Bunch was stamped using Sweet Leaf ink and the flowers colored using a variety of CTMH markers.  Brightly-colored papers from the Chantilly packet were used for the background of the card, with some ribbon to add texture.

Now "Hop" on over to 'The Brae-er' blog to see her work!  Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting inspiration and other fun ideas!  Remember, A Flowering Bunch stamp set is only available during the month of June 2013.  The regular price is $17.95, or you can purchase it for only $5 with a minimum order of $50 in other CTMH products.  

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.

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

Be-you-tiful Bird

A combination of two challenges inspired this card.  For the Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog, this is Creature Feature week.  Any sort of creature, so I chose a bird from the Happy Thoughts stamp set.  Combined with paper from the For Always packet and the 'clean & simple' sketch #29 this week at CAS(E) this Sketch!, this card has an elegant feel.  The bird was embossed using Lagoon pigment ink and the sentiment is embossed using Black pigment ink.  The resin 3D flowers are from the For Always Assortment.

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

Primary Colors ~ Pennants

For this week's Color Dare #43 on the Color My Heart blog, the challenge is to use the primary colors of Cranberry, Outdoor Denim, and Honey.

Patterned Pennants has some fabulous texture stamps, and the way that the stamps are arranged in their packaging inspired me to use them to create a background.  The sentiment is from Card Chatter-Sympathy.  This versatile stamp set has some nice sympathy sentiments, and also other sentiments which can be used for many occasions.  The blue polka-dotted fabric flower adds a touch of whimsy and is from the Claire Assortment. 

Normally I like to 'finish' the inside of my cards with some stamping, but I do not always share the completed look.  This is not fancy, but does show the second part of the sentiment along with a repetition of one of the pennants from the front of the card.

UPDATE:  This card was chosen as the winner for Color Dare #43, so I earned the Diamond blog badge.  

Please let me know if you would like your own copy of the Close To My Heart Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog.  You can contact me via phone at 913-485-4355 or email at sheilabennett@comcast.net.

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

Three Challenges ... One Card

Decided to combine THREE challenges in one card!

This week, the Heart 2 Heart Challenge is "Let's See Those May Flowers" that came from all those April showers.  For the color choice, Color My Heart was my inspiration.  Unfortunately, entries had already closed for the week by the time my card was completed, but my inspiration was the combination of Hollyhock, Blush and Cotton Candy in Color Dare #42.   Finally, the sketch for the card is CAS(E) this sketch #28.   Each week the blog features a clean and simple card challenge.  

The base of this card uses a nice patterned paper from the For Always packet.  The flower is created using the three colors of cardstock from the Color Dare.  Each color was cut in a different size using images from the Artiste cartridge that are actually buttons (found on the 'y' key).  For a unique look, I layered the different button shapes to create a flower.  Embellishments for the card include Pink Glitter Gems scattered to mimic the sketch, along with a flower from the Claire Assortment and another from the For Always Assortment.

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

Pajama Party ~ Big Picture Classes

Close To My Heart is teaming up with Big Picture Classes to bring you a live webcast with step-by-step instructions for making this 'Creativity Starter.'  This "Think Happy Thoughts" project features a sturdy kraft tube, bright papers, an inspiring stamped sentiment, and darling accessories from Close To My Heart—plus 52 awesome downloadable creativity starters to go inside.

The FREE webcast will air Thursday, May 30 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm (CDT). During the presentation, you’ll learn to make several projects from a variety of sponsors, including Close To My Heart’s Happy Thoughts kraft container, as the presenter walks you through the steps. Watch the Pajama Party by yourself, or with your friends for a fun crafting pajama party. Anyone with an Internet connection can watch, so be sure to order your project supplies in advance and then tune in!

The Pajama Party class will be available for FREE at BigPictureClasses.com on May 30. If you would like to interact on the message board, participate in live chat, post to the gallery, download handouts, or enter any contests, you will need to log in to the Pajama Party “classroom” by creating a free account on the Big Picture Classes website.

What's in a Pajama Party?Six fun-filled, inspiration-filled, and prize-filled segments: Popcorn Bowl + Popcorn Poll Teachers' Tip Trio Partner Project Guest Pajamas Under the Covers Partner Project Finale

 

During the Pajama Party, Close to My Heart is providing an exclusive project taught by Stacy Julian along with amazing prizes and giveaways offered throughout the evening.  To make our 'Creativity Starter' Happy Thoughts kraft container, you will want to have the following items—or similar products—on hand:

• 
  Get your own blank kraft tube today and gather the rest of the supply list now so you can join the party prepared to make your own!
• My Acrylix® Frame Flair (D1546)
• My Acrylix® Happy Thoughts (C1536)
• 2" x 3 1/2" My Acrylix® block (Y1009)
• 4" x 5" My Acrylix® block (Y1012)
• My Acrylix® spritz cleaner (1778)
• My Acrylix® stamp scrubber (Z1782)
• Cricut® Art Philosophy collection (Z1790)
• Whisper Exclusive Inks® pad (Z2172)
• Lagoon Exclusive Inks® pad (Z2195)
• micro-tip scissors (Z534)
• corner rounder (Z578)
• paper trimmer
• My Creations® kraft container (Z1833) 
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Crème Brulee cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5754)
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Lagoon cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5762)
• one sheet of 12" x 12" White Daisy cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, 1385)
• one sheet of 12" x 12" Whisper cardstock (comes with 24 sheets, X5929)
• one sheet Pink B&T Duos® paper from Chantilly paper packet (comes with 6 sheets, X7163B)
• two yards Grey Wool baker's twine from neutral assortment (comes with ten yards, Z1701)
• three butterflies from Color-Ready Trinkets wooden shapes (comes with 57 shapes, Z1844)
• three grey Sparkles from Sparkles black & grey assortment (comes with 108, Z1754)
• 3-D foam tape

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355

Dream Pop ~ Pinwheel (Card Workshop)

Springtime is here and so are bright colors.  Attend the Dream Pop ~ Pinwheel Card Workshop this month to create three fun cards using the special Dream Pop paper packet and Pinwheel, the May stamp-of-the-month set.  Workshops will be held on Friday, May 17 at 7 pm and Saturday, May 18 at 1 pm.  

All three cards use the May SOTM set, Pinwheel, along with papers from the Dream Pop pack and the Tommy paper packet..       

The embossed diamond pattern on the Mint cardstock from the Dream Pop papers creates a very fun card combined with the diagonal pattern of the Raspberry cardstock and some of the multi-colored patterned paper.  A bit of Silver Shimmer Trim, Washi Tape, and white Baker's Twine completes the card which uses a sentiment from the Pinwheel stamp set.

This bright, cheery 4"x4" card is sure to brighten anyone's day.  The background uses Tangerine cardstock from Dream Pop along with some brightly-colored patterned paper.  A Pinwheel is stamped and cut out, then adhered with foam tape to give it some dimension.       

A familiar card, as it was featured in my SOTM Blog Hop post.  This one uses multiple sizes and layers of pinwheels from the Pinwheel stamp set along with a nice diagonal stripe paper from the Tommy paper packet.  The pinwheel shapes can be cut using the Artiste cartridge for the Cricut, making this a quick and easy card to create.     

The Dream Pop ~ Pinwheel Card Workshop will be offered on Friday, May 17 at 7 pm, and on Saturday, May 18 at 1 pm.  You will create three of each of the three cards for a workshop fee of $10.  Allow approximately two hours to complete your project.  Please be sure to bring your favorite adhesive.  All other supplies are provided with the workshop fee.  All stamps and papers used are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

Everyone who attends will receive a FREE copy of the Close To My Heart Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog.  As an added bonus, if you place a $30+ order, your workshop fee is waived.  With a $35+ order, you can purchase the Dream Pop paper packet for only $10 (a $19.95 retail value).  And with a $50+ order, you can purchase the Pinwheel SOTM for just $5 (a $17.95 retail value).  It is a month full of great deals!

All papers and stamps are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).

	Sheila Bennett Close To My Heart Independent Consultant (913) 485-4355