Blog Candy Winner

Drum roll please........................


The winner of the blog candy from post New Projects & blog candy is

Congratulations Corrie! Please send me an email with your mailing address.


Thank you to everyone that stopped by and left a comment. It is on my "To Do" list to take more photos of the backpack and share them with you.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of two things:

1. There are other opportunities to win blog candy. See the Sweet Surprises post on my other blog. Comments close on that post at midnight EDT on Wednesday, June 6.
2. Two Close To My Heart promotions end today. The Dotty For You and May 2012 Stamp of the Month Friendship Bouquet promotions end at midnight tonight. Do not forget that you can double-dip on these CTMH promotions - if you qualify for the SOTM for $5 you also qualify for the Dotty paper pack for $5. Click on the links to get more information.

If you would like to schedule a CTMH Home or Online Gathering do not hesitate to contact me.

Ribbon Flowers

I was asked how I made the ribbon flower that was on the card in my last post. Here's a quick tutorial.

Choose your ribbon. The last two flowers I made happened to have scallops on one side, but you could use ribbon that has straight edges on both sides. Then find thread in the same shade (I used contrasting thread in my example so you could see the stitches). Then get a sewing needle with a sharp point and as small an eye as you can thread. Use a small needle so you do not end up with visible holes in your ribbon. You might want to double the thread so it does not break if you have to pull hard (though that has not been necessary for any ribbon I have used).

Stitch a running stitch along one edge as seen here:

You can gather (pull the thread/push the ribbon down the thread so the ribbon puckers) as you stitch so you can estimate if you have stitched enough or not. You can gather a little (larger, looser flower; you will need a larger brad or button) like this

or as much (smaller, tighter flower; can use a smaller brad or button) like this

as you would like. Take a couple of stitches on the back so the flower and tie off so the flower will hold its shape. You can gather a longer length of ribbon and "coil it" to make an even larger flower (I "coiled" the ribbon for the flower on my card two times).

I used CTMH Liquid Glass on the underside of the cut edges to prevent fraying but you could turn your ribbon under and take some stitches.

Use a large enough brad or button so that it covers the inside edges of the ribbon. If you make a large flower the brad or button will help give the "petals" dimension by "pulling in" the center of the flower.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope this gives you some ideas for making ribbon flowers. I would love to see the ribbon flowers that you create. Please paste a link to your blog or photo in the comments to inspire me and others.

CC Challenge #15 - Homemade

The details for CropChocolate Challenge #15 - Homemade read "From BethD488 and LilMissCrafter: Create a project using something that you've made yourself, rather than buying from a store (ie: Twine, Washi Tape). Make sure to include 3 different colors in the project." [Find details for current CropChocolate challenge here.]

The rules read "Post a picture of your design. 50% of the product used must be from CropChocolate.com. Please include items used in the description of your entry. Contest ends on May 30th, 2012 at 08:00:00am Mountain. Please submit your entry before then. $10 CropCredit in a random drawing."

I just received an order on Saturday so I had some great goodies to play with. I started by using the Tradition Velvet Ribbon by Fancy Pants, needle and thread. I sewed a running stitch along the bottom edge of the ribbon then pulled the thread to gather the ribbon. I used CTMH Liquid Glass on the underside of the cut edges to prevent fraying.

I then grabbed one of the sheets of cardstock from the 12x12 Cardstock Assortment 4.0 by Bazzill and similar colored ink (mine happened to be CTMH Exclusive Inks in Olive) and a flower stamp (CTMH My Acrylix^® Card Word Puzzle (C1494)) and created a tone-on-tone patterned paper.

I then assembled my card like this:

I'm very pleased with how my flower turned out. I used my QuicKutz Squeeze and a QuicKutz die for my leaves cut from the same green I stamped on. Here's another photo of it:

Products used:
12x12 Cardstock Assortment 4.0 by Bazzill (CC item 1812), Tradition Velvet Ribbon by Fancy Pants (CC item 1846), 12x12 Giving Thanks Black Damask by Teresa Collins (CC item 1773), Making Memories Crystal brad value pack - circle clear and Snake Tape (I think I got these from CC), CTMH Exclusive Inks - Olive, CTMH My Acrylix^® Card Word Puzzle (C1494), CTHM Liquid Glass, QuicKutz Squeeze and leaves die, the card base was from my stash.

I would love to know what you think of my card.

Different sizes of these photos can be found here.

Blooming Flourishes

My Acrylix® stamps are very versatile. Discover how to combine several stamp images to create a cute border design. The My Acrylix® The Best Things stamp set was used to make a border on a mini album (it can also be seen on page 98 of the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book). Later in the video, see how the My Acrylix® Just For You stamp set was used to create a border that looks like lace.

Featured items used in the video:
My Acrylix® The Best Things stamp set (Y1012
My Creations® Bookmark Album (Z1740)

Click on any of the links above to learn more about the products or to place an order. If you need My Acrylix® Blocks, you will find the entire selection here. The recommended block size for each stamp set is listed just below the item description.

If you would like to schedule a Home or Online Gathering, do not hesitate to contact me.

I completed the last two courses I needed to meet the requirements for the "Master's of Close To My Heart Business" in The Training Academy last night. My next goal is to complete all of the courses for Close To My Heart Training Academy Ph.D. by the end of June 2012. Thanks for the encouragement.

New Projects & blog candy

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you are visiting as much to see the new projects I have to share as you are for the blog candy. :-)

Today I am sharing a card I made using my new Sizzix Framelits Die Set 7PK w/Stamp - Chandeliers that just arrived in the mail yesterday. I wanted to create something quick and easy to try out the product so I would know if I wanted to purchase more when I found them on sale. I will definitely purchase more sets of these. FYI, I used painters tape to hold the die over the paper while running it through the die cutting machine. Do not press the tape too hard to the paper as it does not remove from all types of paper as easy as it removes from walls after painting. Here is how my finished card looks:





The card is based on Scappy Canuck's blog post Supporting OWH (and a tutorial so you can too)! If you have not visited her blog, you really should as she is one of the many talented people I have met online.

I used Sizzix Framelits Die Set 7PK w/Stamp - Chandeliers, Making Memories Cosmopolitan Collection and Magnetic Stapler & Color Staples, Sassafras Sweet Marmalade cardstock, Spellbinders labels and Grand Calibur cutting machine, CTMH Exclusive Inks Moonstruck then and Cocoa, yellow cardstock, ribbon and a "Thinking of You" stamp from my stash.

My other project was started for the NSD Online Challenge #8 - The Honeymoon at CropChocolate, but I could not wrap it up in time to meet the deadline. The challenge was to "Create a mini album for a honeymoon or vacation that you’ve taken or are getting ready to take."

Here is how it turned out:

I first saw the Backpack Mini Album Using CTMH Superhero Papers at Tutton's Treasures. A friend of hers told her about the Mini Backup Album Tutorial at Scrapbook-Crazy.

I used Echo Park Paper Co.'s Life Is Good collection and Fancy Pants Designs' Memo Notebook, We R Memory Keepers brads and Crop-a-Dile, pink brads and mini-magnets I had in my stash. I "borrowed" some gardener's twine from my mother's gardening supplies (I hope will be able to stake her dahlias without it).

I hope you enjoyed the projects I shared today.

How to win blog candy...leave a comment on this post (one comment per person please) by Wednesday, May 30 at noon EDT. If you find time zone conversion confusing, please see my post that contains a Time Zone "Cheat Sheet". Also, if you are not already a follower of my blog, become a follower. Just those two steps. It is that easy. [Updated 5/28/2012 - if you would rather, you can choose to subscribe to my monthly CTMH newsletter; send me an email to sign up.]

Now the fine print: You do not need to make any purchase. The blog candy is not sponsored by any manufacturer, retail or social media outlet. Winning blog candy is open to anyone in the USA or Canada. I will ship to any address in the USA or Canada that the USPS or Canada Post will deliver to. I am not going to tell you what the blog candy is as I want you to be surprised. Hopefully pleasantly.

By the way, I want to share with everyone that I am a relatively new Close To My Heart Independent Consultant. I became a consultant in March 2012. I finished the "Bachelor's of Close To My Heart Business" in The Training Academy on April 23, 2012 and I am two classes away from finishing the Master's. More on my CTMH activities (and more chances to win blog candy) over at my other blog.

Coming in June 2012 - It’s Stampaganza Time!

June 2012 is Stampaganza Time!

Purchase any two stamp sets (sizes A, B, C, D, or E) at full retail price and receive a third stamp set of your choice FREE* (of equal or lesser value)—a savings of up to $29.95!

Click the Shop with me link below to place an order or contact me to schedule a Home or Online Gathering.

*Stamp sets that count toward the qualifying purchase include full-priced A, B, C, D, and E sets only. Stamps that do not count toward a qualifying purchase include customizable (K), Workshops on the Go™, Cricut^® collection, and Stamp of the Month (both discounted and full-priced) sets. Promotion valid June 1 (9:00 am MDT) to June 30 (11:59 pm MDT).

A Single Stamp and You’re Done!

Need to complete a quick card? Or perhaps you are looking for simple yet beautiful title for a scrapbook page? Today's video shows the new Close To My Heart series of single-image A-size My Acrylix^® stamp sets on layouts and cards. Each one is designed to complete your project with a single stamp. At just $6.95 each, these stamps are very affordable.

Featured items in the video:
My Acrylix^® Thanks Stamp Set (A1125)
My Acrylix^® Bravo Stamp Set (A1122)
My Acrylix^® Quick Cards - Shell Stamp Set (A1128)
My Acrylix^® Quick Cards - Butterfly Stamp Set (A1120)
Cricut^® Art Philosophy Collection (Z1686)

Click on any of the links above to learn more about the products or to place an order. If you need My Acrylix® Blocks, you will find the entire selection here. The recommended block size for each stamp set is listed just below the stamp images.


If you would like to schedule a Home or Online Gathering, do not hesitate to contact me.

CC Challenge #14 - Blue and Brown

The details for CropChocolate Challenge #14 read "D2 and Moon came up with this week's challenge:
Create a project (LO, card, home decor - anything goes!) using blue and brown as your main colors." [Find details for current CropChocolate challenge here.]

The rules read "Post a picture of your design. 50% of the product used must be from CropChocolate.com. Please include items used in the description of your entry. Contest ends on May 23rd, 2012 at 08:00:00am Mountain. Please submit your entry before then. $10 CropCredit in a random drawing."

I have not been feeling crafty lately so it was hard to pull this together, but I finally got a card done. It was after dark and I have not finished a photo box yet so I am sorry about the quality of the photos.

And here is a close up of the butterfly.

Products used were Making Memories Cosmopolitan Collection, Viper Snake Tape, Close To My Heart (CTMH) Exclusive Inks in Moonstruck and Cocoa, CTMH Stamp of the Month (SOTM) April 2012 You Are..., CTMH Irresistibles™ Miracle Chipboard Die-Cuts, Fiskars Just Between Friends Clear Stamps and pop dots.

I used both sides of the Cosmopolitan paper. I used a stamp from the CTMH April 2012 SOTM to create a background on a light blue side of paper. I first stamped in CTMH Exclusive Inks Moonstruck then slightly offset the stamp inked with Cocoa. I used Moonstruck to ink the butterfly die-cut then rubbed the excess off so the white embossed area stood out more. If you would like to try the CTMH Irresistibles™ Miracle Chipboard Die-Cuts (item Z1354), hurry as they are currently in the "While Supplies Last" section of the site.


Thanks for stopping by to take a closer look of my entry for CC Challenge #14.

May 2012 Stamp of the Month: Friendship Bouquet

The May 2012 Stamp of the Month is Friendship Bouquet.

It is a set of 8 D-size stamp set that you can purchase only during the month of May. The stamp set can be yours for $5 (that is over 70% off retail) when you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products.

Recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks: 1" × 3 1/2" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 4" × 5" (Y1012)

Don't forget you can double-dip on CTMH promotions. If you qualify for the SOTM at $5 you also qualify for the National Scrapbooking Month - Dotty for You promotion.

Click the Shop with me link below to place an order or contact me to schedule a Home or Online Gathering.

National Scrapbooking Month—Dotty for You

Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with the Dotty for You paper pack.

When you place an order of $35 or more from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book by May 31, 2012 you may add the Dotty for You paper packet for just $5. Dotty for You includes 24 specially designed, coordinating B&T Duos^® sheets (2 each of 12 patterns) and an artwork idea insert to get your creative juices flowing.

If you host a $400 Home or Online Gathering or become a new consultant before May 31, you can get this paper pack for FREE.

This video shows some great project ideas for using the Dotty for You paper packet.

Click the Shop with me link below to place an order or contact me to schedule a Home or Online Gathering.

Sliding Pop-Up Element Thank You Cards

I found myself needing to send thank you cards recently and I thought the sliding pop-up element card that Scrappy Canuck shared on her blog might be a good choice. They are the same style I used for an Easter card.

Products used: MME Lime Twist Happy Go Lucky "Hello" Bubbles Paper, Pebbles Rub-On Thanks, Martha Stewart Crafts Scoring Board, Close to My Heart Thanks 4 Everything Stamp, Close to My Heart Lagoon Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad, Viper by SnakeTape, MME Lime Twist Twine

Products used: MME So Sophie "Anything For You" Reliable Red Paper, green cardstock from stash, Pebbles Rub-On Thank You, Martha Stewart Crafts Scoring Board, Making Memories Paper Reverie Gems & Glitter Tapes Noir, Making Memories Paper Reverie Butterflies Brun, Viper by SnakeTape, mists from stash

I hope you like the cards I created. Comments are welcome.

I like ACherryOnTop.com

Head over to the Facebook page of A Cherry On Top to enter their 10,000 Likes Giveaway. Good luck to those that enter. (I'm sorry, but the rules state "Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the United States." - I wish I could change that for my Canadian friends).