Happy "Cherry" Birthday

The Heart 2 Heart Challenge this week is a simple one - create a birthday card.  Using the Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO159) for the week, I was able to create this card very quickly to combine the two blog challenges.  

Instead of stamping on the large center piece, I chose to use a patterned paper from the Cherry-O paper packet.  The sentiment is from the Happy Birthday stamp set, which is probably my most used set.  It has 14 different birthday sentiments in a variety of sizes and fonts.  

These sketch challenges are fun to complete.  This card only took about 20 minutes to complete - and that included the time deciding what stamp, ink colors, and papers to use.  All stamps and papers used are from Close To My Heart (CTMH).  

CU-OL - Projects from Classes

Decided to create a couple of the projects that were taught during Creative University - Online.  During the live broadcasts, I was not able to watch very much of the classes.  So later, I visited the Fabulously Artsy ustream channel and used the classes as a tutorial to create two of the projects.  It was nice to watch the recorded video since it could be stopped at any time while I completed a specific step of the project, and then re-started to continue. 

Bobie taught how to make a cute Sticky Note Holder that is very quick and easy to create.  The ribbon is threaded through a round hole in the end flap, and then the ink pen slides through the loop to hold the flaps closed.  There is no stamping on this project, just papers from the Cherry-O kit and some ribbon.

Tresa demonstrated the Joseph's Coat Technique and made an absolutely adorable Composition Book.  My book is almost an exact duplicate of Tresa's.  There are a few very minor changes, and I decided not to add the flowers as I wanted the finished book to be able to be stored flat.  The technique was very easy to duplicate.  The super cute skeleton stamp is from Thriller (September SOTM) and the corner stamp is from Delightful Things.  Paper from the Hooligans kit is used along with some of the great new colored Sparkles which add such a nice finishing touch to a project.   

Christmas in July card

Even though it is still July, this is a great time to get started on creating your Christmas cards this year.  Using new papers from the Cherry-O packet along with stocking stamps from Holiday Joy, this card also features a 'sneak peek' at a new product that will be available on September 1st.  The smaller Sparkles on the lower left of the card are actually a light blue color, even though it is difficult to see the color in the scanned image of the card. 

Inside of the card completes the sentiment from the Peace On Earth stamp set.

Just a reminder for the "Christmas in July" card workshop on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.  The cost is only $10 to complete 12 cards - and the fee is waived with a $50+ order from the Close To My Heart  Spring or Summer Idea Book    

"Christmas in July" card workshop

Join us for a Christmas in July card making workshop,and get a head-start on this year's Holiday cards.   Classes will be offered on Friday evening, July 23 at 7:00 and also Saturday afternoon, July 24 at 1:00. Each workshop should take two to three hours to complete. 

Traditional holiday card using the Holiday Trinkets stamp set along with Cherry-O papers introduced in the Close To My Heart Summer Idea Book. Some Bitty Sparkles are used to add some 'bling' to the sentiment and to the ornament.   

Using the same Holiday Trinkets stamp set again along with the Gracious Greetings sentiment stamp creates an elegant card in traditional Christmas colors. The stars on the tops of the trees and the detail on one of threes has been enhanced using the new Glitz Stardust Glitter Glue.  It is very easy to apply, and adds a nice shimmer to a project.

Use the All Decked Out stamp set to create a cute little snowman.  The 'flurries' are added using Snow Flurries stamp set.  The background is Taffy cardstock, which is a color that I do not use very often.  It is a nice non-traditional Christmas color scheme. 

 

The "Christmas in July" workshop will be offered on Friday evening, July 23 (starting at 7 pm), and also on  Saturday (July 24) at 1:00 pm.  You will create 4 cards each of 3 different designs - a total of 12 cards and matching envelopes for a reduced price of $10.  All supplies are included and pre-cut for you. You just need to bring your own favorite adhesive, stamp your images, and assemble your cards.

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 "Christmas in July" card workshops.  Feel free to leave me a comment on this blog, send an email to sheilabennett@comcast.net, or call 913-485-4355.

Celebrate Summer - card workshop

The new Summer Idea Book from Close To My Heart has really fun new stamp images and papers.  You can view the entire book online at MyCTMH website, or let me know if you would like a 'hard copy' for yourself.  

This month's "Celebrate Summer" card workshop will be offered on May 21 and 22, and you will be able to create some fun cards to celebrate different occasions.   

Cherries are so bright and cheerful, and the patterned paper from the Cherry-O paper pack will make anyone smile.  And with this card, you will even be able to SMELL the cherries when you make this 'scratch & sniff' card using a mixture of embossing powder and cherry Kool-Aid.  Thanks to fellow CTMH consultant Michelle Loncar for the card design.

It is graduation month, and this card using the new Over The Rainbow stamp set along with the Animal Cookies paper pack is a bright and cheerful way to send your congratulations to a recent graduate.  Thanks to fellow CTMH consultant Jennifer Bennett for the inspiration for this card.  

 

CTMH now sells clear, acrylic cards in a 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" size - both square and round shapes.  The clear card bases make a really unique card that is difficult to capture in a photograph because the paper is layered on both sides of the clear acrylic.  

For an elegant, or even masculine birthday card, use the Cherry-O Creative Basics paper to create this card which I featured in the Cherish the Moment SOTM Blog Hop for May.  

The "Celebrate Summer" workshop will be offered on Friday evening, May 21 (starting at 7 pm), and also on  Saturday (May 22) at either 9:00 am or 1:00 pm.  You will create 4 cards each of 3 different designs - a total of 12 cards and matching envelopes for $15.  All supplies are included and pre-cut for you. You just need to bring your own favorite adhesive, stamp your images, and assemble your cards.

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

CTMH Workshop-on-the-Go kits for Summer

The new Summer Idea Book from Close To My Heart was released on May 1 and there are some really fun new stamp sets along with four new My Reflections scrapbook paper kits.  Each of the four is also available as a Workshop-on-the-Go (WOTG) package that can be used to create scrapbook pages and cards - and each one contains an exclusive stamp set that is only available with purchase of the kit. There are four new WOTG kits included with each Idea Book.  These kits are available ONLY during the 4-month cycle of the Summer Idea Book which is May, June, July, and August. 

Each kit contains a complete paper packet, an exclusive stamp set, a Workshop Guide, and a coordinating embellishment. Each item in the WOTG - except the exclusive stamp set and the Workshop Guide - can be purchased separately. However, if you purchase the basic kit for $29.95, you will be saving between 10% and 15% off the retail value. The Workshop Guide is a full-color 6-page brochure which has complete cutting and assembly instructions for 2 scrapbook pages and 6 cards (2 each of 3 designs). Also included are pictures of 2 additional scrapbook pages and 3 additional cards. More information about the additional projects is available in the Workshops On The Go section of MyCTMH website.

A very charming kit is Cherry-O.  It includes cheerful images and the Bowl of Cherries stamp set has stamps for cherries, stems, leaves, and bowls.  The three card designs for this WOTG are shown above.

Zippidee includes a fun color combo that can be used for more 'boyish' items.  The Ticket to Ride stamp set has some great images to use with vacation photos, or to create masculine cards.

This Passages kit and Lifetime stamp set have a very 'vintage' feel.  The papers are just beautiful and would make wonderful scrapbook pages for a European vacation.

The Splendor kit comes with the whimsical Summer Wishes stamp set which will brighten up any project.

You can think of the WOTG kits as a "project in a bag" since the papers, stamp sets, embellishments, and instructions are all included - the only extras you need are adhesive, inks, and blocks to use the stamps. Chances are you already have these extras at home just waiting for a new project to work on!  Contact me to order your WOTG project - or order through the MyCTMH website.  All of the papers available in each kit can be viewed on the website.

Cherish the Moment (May SOTM Blog Hop)

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop which features the Cherish the Moment stamp set from Close To My Heart.  The set includes 8 tags that are perfect to use as a quick way to document scrapbook pages.   

This 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"  card uses a gorgeous paper from the Creative Basics Cherry-O collection.   In the Creative Basics collection, there are 6 pieces of this plaid paper, 6 pieces of a coordinating dotted paper, and 4 yards of the Cranberry Velvet ribbon that is used on the card - all for only $7.95.   Following the "Corner Shop" card template in the Wishes Card Confidence Program made this a very quick and easy card to create.

If you have come here from Debra's 'Memories of the Heart' blog, you are on the right path! There are more than 60 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs.  So 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 Kim's 'Imagine the Possibilities' 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 Cherish the Moment stamp set is only available until the end of May.  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.