Contest!

Hey Everyone!  How would you like to win $80 to spend on your holiday shopping?!?!?

Check out the details below, and then be sure to view all the awesome bloggers participating!

You're bound to find some great inspiration and information!

Enter to WIN $80 CASH during the Black Friday Cash Giveaway, hosted by And Then There Were 4...!

Entry is super easy.  Just follow the instructions and you are entered to win! But please be honest.  I will check to make sure winner has not been cheating.  You may only enter on ONE blog.

Giveaway is open to anyone Worldwide and ends November 30th (MY BIRTHDAY!!!) at 11:59 EST.

Participating bloggers:

And Then There Were 4...

Diva Locks

The Pistachio Project

What Mama Wants

Being Frugal and Making It Work

First Time Mom

My PB&J

Nona's Pearls of Wisdom

Mommy 2 Nanny 3 Doggy 1

February SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for February!

All artwork on the hop will feature February's SOTM,"Piece of Cake", a set of 10 stamps! If you have come here from {Judy's blog}you are on the right track!  Click the link at the end of this post to continue on the hop and see more great artwork!  As an added bonus this month, I'll be randomly selecting one person to win BOTH of my blog hop cards! To be entered, just post a comment below. Receive a second entry if you sign up to be a follower of my blog! I'll draw a winner and post their name at 8 am, Feb 2.


Here is a photo of the stamp set, and some great artwork that can be seen here in the current Close To My Heart Idea Book!

Card 1: 4.25" x 5.5".  I used the *new* Topstitch paper, Togetherness stamps (for the faux stitching), Create a Shade Pearl Paint, and Spring Buttons.

Card 2: Size 4.25" x 5.5". This card is more simple than I usually do, but is part of my Valentine Workshop Fundraiser which you can read about here.  I used the That's Amore paper, and red stickles for the cherries.

I hope you enjoyed my cards! Don't forget to post a comment. One lucky poster will win both cards!!!

Now hop on over to {Kim's blog}! She is sure to inspire you with her incredible artwork!

January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop and Blog Candy!

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for January!

All artwork on the hop will feature January's SOTM, "True Friends"  a set of 11 stamps! If you have come here from {Maricar's blog} you are on the right path!  Click the link at the end of my post to hop to the next blog.  If you hop through them all, you'll see over 60 examples of great SOTM artwork!

Here's a look at some art that CTMH made with the SOTM "True Friends".   This artwork is also featured in our NEW Spring 2010 Idea Book - which you can view here: (link will go live at 8 am, Jan 1st)

As an added bonus this month, I'll be randomly selecting one person to win BOTH of my blog hop cards!  To be entered, just post a comment below.  Receive a second entry if you sign up to be a follower of my blog!  I'll draw a winner and post their name at 8 am, Jan 2.


This month my cards all feature the same basic products (besides the SOTM).  They are the *new* Veranda Paper Pack, Waterbrush, Cocoa and Tulip Inks, Brown Stayz On Ink, Sponge Daubers,  Antique Copper Mini Medleys, Filigree Charms and Just Bloom Spring Blossom Flowers.


Card 1: Size - 4.25" x 5.5".  For this card I used the waterbrush and tulip ink to lightly spread color on the tips of the new Just Bloom flowers.  I also used sponge daubers and brown Stayz On to turn the pewter colored Filigree Charm an antique copper color.  To get the look of a double mat on the frame, stamp it in cocoa ink on the patterned paper.  Then cut it out right on the brown line.  Glue it to colonial white paper, and cut around it leaving 1/8" border.

Card 2: Size 4.25" x 5.5".  All of the papers on this card were roughed up (distressed) using the scissor technique.  Take your microtip scissors and leaving the blades closed, rub them against the edges of your paper.  This is safer than opening the scissors and it produces the same look!  The Filigree charms were "antiqued" again with Stayz On as with the first card.  I also stamped the flowers from the new stamp set "So Sweet" in Stayz On so that I could use the waterbrush to watercolor the leaves and blossoms.  I picked the ink up from the lid of the ink pad after giving the pad a gentle squeeze..  This gives a very soft look.  For more vivid color use a drop of reinker in the lid of your stamp pad.  The corner element is from the Antique Copper mini medley pack.

I hope you enjoyed my cards!  Don't forget to post a comment.  One lucky poster will win both cards!!!

Now hop on over to {Laurie's blog}!  She is sure to inspire you with her incredible artwork!

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for November!

All artwork on the hop will feature November's SOTM, "Around the Block"  a set of 26 stamps! If you have come here from {Laurie's blog} you are on the right path!

This month we have over 60 CTMH Consultants sharing their SOTM creations, and other great CTMH artwork. Hopping along is fun and simple to do - just click the link at the end of each blogger's post to move to the next one! If you get lost or a link doesn't work just go back to {Jena's blog} and click on the links in her post. Here we go!

My creation was inspired by CTMH Consultant Karen Pedersen's fantastic gingerbread cards and knew I had to follow suit.  I made my card a little more simple, because I'll be teaching it to my customers at November card classes.  Be sure to come back tomorrow to see the other 2 cards I'll be teaching in November.  :)

Anyway - back to my card...  I embossed the house image with white embossing powder on brown bag cardstock.  To be honest, that was the first time in 5 years I've used brown bag paper!  The sentiment was stamped in black ink and comes from the set Festive Thoughts (now retired) and it says "...from our home to yours" inside the card.  I swiped the edges of the sentiments in crystal blue ink.  I embellished the card with paper from the Jingle Paper Packet,  fun new Twinkle Brads, and colonial white organdy ribbon.  The card measures 3.5" x 8" and fits perfectly in a business sized envelope.

I hope you enjoyed my preview of the November Stamp of the Month!  Remember, the SOTM is only available until Nov. 30th (my birthday!), so contact your CTMH Consultant (or Me!) to order this stamp set for $22.95, or get it at a discount with qualifying orders, or for FREE with a $100 order!

Thanks for stopping by! Now "hop" on over to {Tanya's blog} to check out her SOTM creations and continue the hop.

October SOTM Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for October!

All artwork on the hop will feature October's SOTM, "Holiday Warmth" a set of 13 stamps! If you have come here from {Carla's blog} you are on the right path!

This month we have over 60 CTMH Consultants sharing their SOTM creations, and other great CTMH artwork. Hopping along is fun and simple to do - just click the link at the end of each blogger's post to move to the next one! If you get lost or a link doesn't work just go back to {Jena's blog} and click on the links in her post. Here we go!

My creation was inspired by a FABULOUSLY ARTSY tutorial by CTMH's own Tresa Black!  She's an amazing artist, a savvy business woman,  and I'm proud to call her my friend.  You can see this tutorial {here} on youtube.  I plan to use these treat holders as one of my card class cards this month.  You can see my other two cards from my class by checking back in tomorrow.

Treat Holder:

back side of the treat holder:

Treat holder partially open:

Treat holder all the way open - the tab inside pulls the candy up! 

 These can hold fun size chocolate bars too!  :)

I used the snowflake stamps from "Holiday Warmth" and the sentiment.  Papers are from Twitterpated and CTMH Moonstruck cardstock.  I used Moonstruck and Heavenly blue ink.  Blue CTMH grosgrain ribbon is now retired.

To do the awesome outline stamp for each of my snowflakes, I just used the BACK SIDE of each of the snowflake stamps.  I stamped those in heavenly blue, and then cleaned the stamp, flipped it over to use it normally and stamped in moonstruck.

Here is a second treat holder I made using the new "Beware" Halloween stamps.  My class members will get to choose which holder they want to make, as not everyone celebrates Halloween.

I hope you enjoyed my preview of the October Stamp of the Month!   Remember, the SOTM is only available until October 31st, so contact your CTMH Consultant (or Me!) to order this stamp set for $22.95, or get it at a discount with qualifying orders, or for FREE with a $100 order!

Thanks for stopping by! Now "hop" on over to {Deb's blog} to check out her SOTM creations and continue the hop.

July CTMH Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

All artwork on the hop will feature July's SOTM, "You've Got Flair" a set of 8 stamps! If you have come here from Jamia's blog you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you may want to go back to Jena's Blog and start from the beginning.

This month we have 46 CTMH Consultants sharing their SOTM creations, and other great CTMH artwork. Joining the hop is fun and simple to do - just click the link at the end of each blogger's post to move to the next one! If you get lost or a link doesn't work just click on links in the list below... Here we go!

I designed this card for my July Card Class and besides featuring the July SOTM, I used embossing (both dry and wet), cutting with scalloped scissors and layering with foam tape. The template is from SCS and can be found here. Other CTMH supplies include: Chocolate Textured CS, White Daisy, Garden Green, and Tulip CS, white embossing powder, twill ribbon, sparkles, and a red button. The card measures approximately 4.25"x5.5"at it's widest/tallest points.

I've also made these two cards featuring "You've Got Flair" - the July SOTM. I used a waterbrush and Cocoa, Desert Sand, and Bamboo ink to color the randomly stamped images (for the card backgrounds). The finished cards also use Love Story rub-ons, twill ribbons, TLC stamps, edge anchors, just blooms paper flowers, and chocolate mini medley embellishments.




Remember, the June SOTM is only available until June 30th, so contact your CTMH Consultant (or Me!) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

Thanks for stopping by! Now "hop" on over to Haley's blog to see her work! Or... click on the links below for ALL the bloggers participating in the hop:

Jena Devries (http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/)
Wendy Kessler (http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/)
Sherry Thompson (http://www.picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com/)
Dawn Heuft (http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/)
Brae Montgomery (http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/)
Melissa Laverty (http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/)
Karen Norman (http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/)
Deb Young (http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/)
Adeline E. Brill (http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/)
Tammy Lea Pinchard (http://www.creativeimpressions-pinchme.blogspot.com/)
Jen Rubio (http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/)
Cibele Glazer (http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com/)
Laurie R Newton (http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/)
Kami Welter (http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/)
Helen Onulak (http://www.hookedonstamping.com/)
Sarita Schraeder (http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com/)
Chris Shouse (http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/)
Paige Dolecki (http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/)
Dawn Ross (http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/)
Jamia Bankhead (http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com/)
Nona Davenport (http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/)
Haley Dyer (http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/)
Misty Jackson (http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/)
Jennifer Patrick (http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/)
Carla Ironside (http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com/)
Jody Gustafson (http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com/)
Heather Painchaud (http://www.twindragonflydesigns.blogspot.com/)
Julia Menssen (http://www.ralphandjulia.blogspot.com/)
Lori Miller (http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/)
Pamela OConnor (http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/)
Reba Poquette (http://www.thedirtyscramper.blogspot.com/)
Anne Beck (http://www.anniemuses.blogspot.com/)
Shannon Pelletier (http://www.shannonmvt.blogspot.com/)
Caren Goldsein (http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com/)
Jan Moxey (http://scrapandstamp4ever.blogspot.com/)
Kristie Horness-Herdener (http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/)
Alanna Moses (http://www.damoses.blogspot.com/)
Leslie Markland (http://pandascrapper.blogspot.com/)
Barbra Otten (http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/)
Traci Godbee (http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/)
Jill Lucas (http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/)
Amy McVey (http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/)
Laurie Levnik (http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com/)

June CTMH Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! All artwork on the hop will feature June's SOTM, "Tender Tags" a set of 15 stamps!

If you have come here from Reba's Blog you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you may want to go back to Jena's Blog and start from the beginning.

This month we have 42 CTMH Consultants sharing their SOTM creations, and other great CTMH artwork. Joining the hop is fun and simple to do - just click the link at the end of each blogger's post to move to the next one! If you get lost or a link doesn't work just click on links in the list below... Here we go!

I designed this card for my June Card Class and besides featuring the June SOTM, it uses faux stitching, paper flowers and brads for extra eye embellishment, and 3d foam for popping up the tags. Other supplies include Emporium papers, Pansy Purple and Petal cardstock, Pansy Purple, White Daisy, and Twilight ink, and white brads. The card measures 4"x5.5".

I used the same cute owl and a few of the scrolly stamps from the June SOTM in this card! Remember, the June SOTM is only available until June 30th, so contact your CTMH Consultant (or Me!) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

Thanks for stopping by! Now "hop" on over to Misty's blog to see her work! Or... click on the links below for ALL the bloggers participating in the hop:

Jena Devries
http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/
Adeline E. Brill
http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
Deb Young
http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/
Chris Green
http://www.createwithchris.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Patrick
http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
Chris Shouse
http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/
Alanna Moses
http://www.damoses.blogspot.com/
Haley Dyer
http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Jen Rubio
http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/
Kami Welter
http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
Caren Goldsein
http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com/
Laurie R Newton
http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
Reba Poquette
http://www.thedirtyscramper.blogspot.com/
Nona Davenport
http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/
Misty Jackson
http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/
Julia Menssen
http://www.ralphandjulia.blogspot.com/
Anne Beck
http://www.anniemuses.blogspot.com
Jamia Bankhead
http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com/
Dawn Ross
http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
Sherry Thompson
http://www.picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com/
Laura Dame
http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com/
Lucia Grabb
http://www.luciasscrappinandstampin.blogspot.com/
Nancy Ball
http://www.ballisticdesign.blogspot.com/
Shannon Laux
http://www.rockinstamps.blogspot.com/
Melissa Laverty
http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/
Terrie Dodd
http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/
Mindy Eggen
http://www.creativevalleycreations.blogspot.com/
Helen Onulak
http://www.hookedonstamping.com/
Ronnie Crowley
http://www.ronniecreates.blogspot.com/
Karen Strous
http://karensctmh.blogspot.com/
Jaime Benavides
http://www.scrapcrazydiva.blogspot.com/
Kelly Triggs
http://www.stampinallday.blogspot.com/
Lori Miller
http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
Brae Montgomery
http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
Shannon Pelletier
http://www.shannonmvt.blogspot.com/
Wendy Kessler
http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
Paige Dolecki
http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/
Pamela OConnor
http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
Shari Odut
http://stampinshari.blogspot.com/
Tammy Lea Pinchard
http://www.creativeimpressions-pinchme.blogspot.com/
Dawn Heuft
http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
Cibele Glazer
http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com/
Sarita Schraeder
http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com/