Operation Smile donation

Close To My Heart is proud to partner with Operation Smile, an organization that provides free, life-changing surgery that repairs smiles and reshapes lives, one child at a time.  

At each CTMH event, a silent auction is held to raise money to provide facial surgeries for children.  For the Regional Celebration held last weekend in St Louis, I was honored to be asked to donate some artwork for the Operation Smile Silent Auction. 

Using papers from the Stella kit, I created a dry erase board, a clock, and a nightlight.  The sentiment and flowers on the clock are from the stamp set which is included in the Scroll Album WOTG kit.  Remember, the stamp sets included in the WOTG kits can be used for many different projects.  

When I decided to create a clock, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Artiste cartridge includes two different clock faces.  Using the Cricut machine to cut the clock face with the roman numerals was great, as I did not have to worry about getting the numbers lined up correctly and I love the way the face looks layered on a patterned piece of paper from the Stella kit.  The sign post and sign were also cut using the Artiste cartridge, and the flourishes on the dry erase board were cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge.  

In total, over $800 was raised in St Louis - that is more than enough to pay for three complete surgeries with Operation Smile. 

A Sweet Cameo

Finally felt creative enough to participate in the Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog.  This week, the challenge is to use the CTMH colors Lagoon, Pear and Sunset.

The cameo images in the Sweet Moments stamp set are some of my favorites.  For this card, the cameo and frame are stamped using Lagoon and Sunset ink, and the patterned paper is from the Stella kit.  To incorporate the Pear color for the challenge, the ink was used to sponge the edges of the papers as well as to dye the Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon.  A small touch of green glitter is used on a flower on the cameo and there are green Sparkles on the card.  

Dry Erase Board

This is a fun, quick project.  Find a nice picture frame with glass and create a simple design to place inside.  Reassemble the frame and use a dry erase marker to write on the glass.  Simply wipe clean with a soft cloth and re-use.  Using CTMH papers and inks, you can create a dry erase board to go with the decor in any room. 

This 8"x8" frame is a great size.  Stella paper is used for the background and some flourishes and tags were cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge for the Cricut.  The sentiment is from the Treasure Life stamp set and the bit of sparkle that you see on the flourishes is Bronze Glitter Gel.

Getting a good photo was difficult.  The first image has a glare on it, and you cannot see the top border on the second image.  Between both images, you get a good idea of what the completed board looks like.  


All stamp images and papers used are from Close To My Heart (CTMH). 

Friendship Bouquet (May SOTM Blog Hop)

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop which features the Friendship Bouquet stamp set from Close To My Heart.  This SOTM sets is one of my favorites.  The sunflowers are so detailed and have a nice 'vintage' look.   

If you have come here from Jen's 'Roxybonds' blog, you are on the right path!  With almost 60 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations, there will be a nice variety of different colors, papers, and creative ideas.  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!

For this 6"x6" card, papers are used from the Stella paper packet along with the Friendship Bouquet stamp set.  The flower was stamped on Parchment paper using Cocoa ink.  Then color was added using a small sponge tip to apply Sunset, Tulip, Olive, and Honey ink.   

Now "Hop" on over to Georgia's 'Trust Your Crazy Ideas' 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, the Friendship Bouquet stamp set is only available during the month of May 2012.  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.

Just A Number – Birthday Card workshop

Do you need to replenish your stock of birthday cards?  If so, this workshop is for you.  You will create four cards each of three different designs.  The cost of the workshop is only $10, and you will have a stack of twelve birthday cards to give to someone special.  All of the cards for this workshop use sentiments from the Just A Number stamp set,  which will be available from Close To My Heart beginning February 1.

A “fashion forward” gal from the Fashionista stamp set is used along with papers from the Stella kit.  A notched image cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge is perfectly sized for a sentiment from the February stamp-of-the-month, Thoughtful Tidings.  Inside of the card is complete with a ‘happy birthday’ sentiment and a row of shops stamped along the bottom.     

For a more masculine look, an argyle print from the Cruisin paper is used with a sentiment from Just A Number and frame from 10 Things.  A piece of Juniper cardstock was embossed using the Cuttlebug Argyle folder to coordinate with the printed paper.   

Actually very little stamping on this card.  The bird and the frame are cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge.  Some Bitty Opaques and a Bitty Sparkle are added for a finishing touch.  The flourish is from The Present stamp set and this card also uses a sentiment from Just A Number.  Thanks to CTMH consultant Christine David for the inspiration for this card.      

February’s “Just A Number” Birthday Card workshop will be offered on two weekends - February 3 & 4 and also February 10 & 11.  The Friday evening classes will start at 7 pm, and there will be two sessions on each Saturday.  One starting at 9 in the morning and the second one at 1 in the afternoon.  You will create four of each of the three projects (total 12 cards and envelopes) for a workshop fee of $10.  Allow approximately two hours to complete your projects.  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 also receive a FREE copy of the brand-new Close To My Heart Spring/Summer Idea Book.  As an added bonus, if you place a $50+ order, your workshop fee is waived. 

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