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

Something Splendid (August SOTM Blog Hop)

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop which features the Something Splendid stamp set from Close To My Heart.  The stamp set includes a wonderfully detailed, large flower with 2-step stamping.  There are also nice leaf and twig stamps along with a small flower and some sentiments.  
 

When creating this card, I was not at home and did not have any Hydrangea or Sunny Yellow cardstock with me.  So, I simply used the ink pad to 'smear' the colored ink onto white cardstock to create the colored cardstock that I needed.  Even though the gingham squares on the ribbon do not 'match' the flower, I really like the way the gingham coordinates with the bright colors and the 'feel' of the flower.  It is difficult to see in the scan, there are three Sparkles on the lower portion of the ribbon. 

The Hydrangea ink used on this card is retiring this year.  Just announced at the annual Convention, CTMH will be introducing eight fabulous new colors in the Summer palette on September 1.  To make room for these additions, eight current Summer colors will be retiring.  These retiring colors - Clover Meadow, Hydrangea, Orange, Star Spangled Blue, Bubblegum, Citrus Leaf, Ocean, Watermelon - are currently available, but only while supplies last.  So, now is the time to stock up on ink pads, re-inkers, markers, and cardstock in these retiring colors.

If you have come here from Antoinette's 'God Bless Your ART!' blog, you are on the right path! With over 60 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 Jamia's 'Paper Madness Inc' 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 Something Splendid stamp set is only available until the end of August.  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.

Wordless Wednesday (Knit Whimsies M.J. Slippers)