CTMH Stampaganza is ending soon

The It’s Stampaganza Time! and June 2012 Stamp of the Month is Life is Tweet promotions are ending in about 36 hours. If you are a procrastinator (like me) I want to warn you that I recently read that the Corporate Office has scheduled website maintenance starting at 12:00am MDT on Sunday, July 1 to 4:00am MDT on Sunday, July 1. I would hate it if you were mid-order when the maintenance is scheduled to start (yes, I hate to admit it, but I have been up that late trying to finish a project before a coupon expired). I bet you would be disappointed too. If you plan to take advantage of either promotion, please get your orders in a little earlier in the evening.

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

"For Those Left Behind" blog hop - Haf2scrap/Lucy

Welcome to the "For Those Left Behind" blog hop, an unofficial hop organized by clayton528/Kathy on Crop Chocolate and hosted by other shoppers who could not attend The Spring Fling crafting retreat in Utah going on now.

This hop will begin Thursday June 28 at 10am MDT. All challenge entries and/or comments should be submitted by Thursday July 5 at 9am MDT. Please note that one project can count towards up to 3 challenges, as long as all of the challenge criteria are met for each challenge. There will be blog hop prizes to be awarded for general participation. These include $10 Crop Credit, "Homemade" EP mini Theme paper, "Blue Jeans" paper pack by Doodlebug and some Distress Inks.

Individual blog candy may also be awarded for project submission and commenting.

The order of the blog hop is:

Clayton528 http://www.upinthenightwithkat.blogspot.com/
Scrappy Canuck http://scrappycanuck.wordpress.com/
Karey2005 http://www.karey2005.blogspot.com/
by belle http://stuffbybelle.blogspot.com/
bethd488 http://engineeringmemories.blogspot.com/
scrapaddict-laura http://scrapaddict4life.blogspot.com/
mom2tayandbay http://www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com/
raebae http://kitchentablescrapper.blogspot.com/
NinaN http://ninastimeout.blogspot.ca/
Christina http://www.thriftysisters-chris.blogspot.com/
Haf2scrap (guest of centralnyscrapper) http://centralnyscrapper.blogspot.com/  You are here
NanCDru-Char http://craftychicchar.blogspot.com/2012/06/for-those-who-are-left-behind-blog-hop.html

If you arrived here from somewhere else, or if you were just on central's blog, please hop along with us. You need to begin at the first blog and follow the order. In order to qualify to win blog candy, you must make a comment on each blog (keep them nice, please) and you can also post a challenge project.

I want to thank Brenda (aka centralnyscrapper on Crop Chocolate) for hosting my blog hop challenge. Let's use up some of the supplies we have all been hoarding! My challenge is to use 3 different types of alphas on your project. 50% of your supplies (not necessarily the alphas) needs to have been purchased from CropChocolate.com. Please leave comments on either my project or the challenge idea and you will qualify for some blog candy.

Enter a project for this challenge and you will qualify for more blog candy!

Here is my project:

CC products-TH Distress Ink: Wild Honey, Pumice Stone and Shabby Shutters, 6x6 Splash printed cs by EP, Grab bag cs, Stella & Rose Mabel "Little lady" trims, WeRMK Glitter brads, Happy Days brad and printed cs, MM Green Felt Alpha, MM Silver Glitter bling Alphas, MM Pitter Patter Epoxy Shimmer alpha brads,
other products- Close to My Heart "You Are" Stamps, CTMH Sparkles, card base
(Close to My Heart products were won from centralnyscrapper's blog-Yippee!)

Here's the link to add your completed project:


Thanks for hopping!

Update: The winner of the blog candy that Haf2scrap is giving away will be announced on this blog in a few days. Check back after Thursday, July 5 for the post.

Another update on June 29, 2012: Photos of blog candy...

Unofficial "For Those Left Behind" Challenge Blog Hop preview

The final details are still being worked out, but tomorrow guest blogger Lucy (Haf2scrap on CC) will be posting her challenge for the Unofficial "For Those Left Behind" Challenge Blog Hop. "Those Left Behind" are the folks that, for various reasons, could not travel to Utah to participate in Crop Chocolate's first retreat "Spring Fling".

The blog hop will start at Up In The Night With Kat (clayton528 on CC; she is organizing this hop). The challenges go live Thursday, June 28 at 10:00am MDT.

Lucy and I hope that you will hop back here tomorrow. :-)

Close To My Heart - new Idea Book coming

The new Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book will ship to Close To My Heart Independent Consultants on Thursday, July 12 and some of the current paper packs will no longer be available. So you can plan your upcoming Close To My Heart purchases this blog post is about the new Idea Book.

The Stella, Pemberley, Victory and Florentine Paper Packs will continue to be available in the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book. However the Workshops On The Go Kits for these 4 paper packs will only be available for 30 days (or until they sell out) after the new Idea Book "goes live". If you want the WOTG Kits for these paper packs you need to get them ordered soon.

Both the Paper Packs and WOTG Kits end for the following collections when the new Idea Book "goes live": Lucy, Footloose, Superhero and Cruisin'.

The June 2012 It's Stampaganza Time! Campaign will end June 30 (11:59 pm MDT). It is a perfect time to stock up on the stamp sets that have been on your wish list since it is buy two get one. Please click on the link for complete details.

Do not forget that the June 2012 Stamp of the Month is the adorable Life is Tweet stamp set. Please click on the link for details about the June 2012 SOTM.

If you would like to place an order, please click the Shop With Me link below. Please contact me if you would like to schedule a Home or Online Gathering. Thank you for stopping by.

CC Challenge #19 - Paint or Gloss

The details for CropChocolate Challenge #19 - Paint or Gloss read: "From LMissCrafter and Moon:
Create a project containing paint or a glossy (liquid) product. (ie glossy accents, clear rock candy.) Stickles and Liquid Pearls can be used as paint." [Find details for the current CropChocolate Challenge here.]
The rules read "Post a picture of your project. 50% of the product used must be from CropChocolate.com. Please include items used in the description of your entry.
Contest ends on June 27th, 2012 at 08:00:00am Mountain. Please submit your entry before then.
$10 CropCredit in a random drawing. $25 CropCredit for monthly random winner."

The card I ended up with is not the card I had in my mind's eye but I am happy with this card regardless and I needed a card for my niece Elisabeth. She graduated on Saturday, June 23.



First I inked the iridescent paper from the 12x12 Specialty Paper Multi Pack by Slice with Close To My Heart Exclusive Inks - Moonstruck. I used tissue paper to wipe the excess ink from the iridescent raised embossed area. Then I cut a piece slightly smaller than the white card base.



I cut the cap and tassel (cut at two inches) and the numbers (cut at one inch) from the Slice Design Card - Greetings (using the Design Cutter, Hands Free Kit and Brayer) and 12x12 Cardstock Assortment 5.0 by Bazzill. I cut the yellow label using the Spellbinders Grand Calibur and Spellbinders Nestabilities Large Labels (S4-168). The yellow cardstock was in the 12x12 Cardstock Assortment 7.0 by Bazzill. I applied Glossy Accents to the cap and tassel to make them stand out a bit.


I stamped congratulations from the Inkadinkado Holiday Seasons Clear Stamp Set using Close To My Heart Exclusive Inks - Moonstruck and used the Spellbinders and Bazzill blue and yellow cardstock again to "dress up" the sentiment.


I stamped handmade from the Inkadinkado stamp set again Close To My Heart Exclusive Inks - Honey on the back of the card and I cut another cap and tassel (at one inch) and attached it to the back of the card.



The above collage is what I used to submit my contest entry (thanks to http://www.picmonkey.com). I hope you enjoyed the card I made for my niece. Thank you for stopping by to see my recent projects.

CC Challenge #17 - 3D

The details for CropChocolate Challenge #17 - 3D read "(thanks Michele M. and Cricutica for this week's challenge!!) Create a project containing a 3D element. Use a mix of masculine and feminine product (paper, embellies, etc)." [Find details for current CropChocolate challenge here.]

The rules read "Post a picture of your project. 50% of the product used must be from CropChocolate.com. Please include items used in the description of your entry. Contest ends on June 13th, 2012 at 08:00:00am Mountain. Please submit your entry before then. $10 CropCredit in a random drawing. $25 CropCredit for monthly random winner."

When I read this challenge, I immediately thought snowman. I have no idea why. My next thought was the new [I am not sure what it is called or who manufacturers it] product I saw on an display in the Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts in Rochester (the 3333 W Henrietta Road location is currently undergoing some remodeling and I am excited to visit again when it is complete). The product reminds me of a holiday decoration we had when I was a child. It was a bell that stored flat and when you wanted to display it you swung the cardboard open almost 360 degrees and secured them with clips. I guess you might describe it as waffle paper.

Anyway, I did not have any paper that expanded like that so I tried to make something that looked like it. I also decided it is too soon for snowmen, so I decided to go floral. I don't have anything pinned exactly like what I did, but I remember something that was for sale, I think out of Australia or New Zealand, that used hearts stitched down the middle that is sort of reminds me of this.



I started by cutting eight circles from Water Color Paper by Making Memories (CC item 000231) with my QuicKutz Squeeze and the circle die from the Essentials Set that was sold on QVC (a total of 24 circles; eight of three different colors). Then I folded the circles so the printed side was facing in (I tried it both ways and was most happy with the results when the printed side faced in). I used a bone folder to get a nice crisp fold. I ran a bead of CTMH Liquid Glass along the folded edge and stacked the circles. I let it dry for a minute or two. Then I ran a bead of CTMH Liquid Glass along the "spine". Then I applied CTMH Bonding Memories glue to a scrap of paper and applied it to the back to give more support when the circles are opened. Let dry for a few minutes.



After your adhesive is dry and you stand your creation right side up it is a little deformed. Gently open the pages like a book. I would have stopped when I reached the result in the upper right photo but my mother suggested snipping the paper edges to give it a more floral look. I snipped each layer except the base on either side using Precision Scissors by Making Memories (CC item 001769).

It was only at this point that I tried to find a piece of paper or cardstock to be a background for my flowers, but the cardstock that I liked the most had a decorative border (Fancy Pants Baby Mine item #1244 Bracket Die Cut - CC cardstock grab bag). I decided to use it anyway and somehow ink the area on my card that would not be covered by paper. I used a stencil brush and CTMH Exclusive Inks - Olive to cover the area missed by the cardstock.



Then I needed leaves and stems for my "flowers" and I did not have any ribbon that matched my cardstock. I used a QuicKutz Squeeze and a leaf die to cut three leaves from one of the sheets that came in the 12x12 Cardstock Assortment 4.0 by Bazzill (CC item 001812). I thought about using some seam binding and trying to ink it, but I did not want to wait for it to dry. Then I thought I would try to make my paper pliable enough to use it like ribbon. I cut thin strips from the same sheet used for the leaves then wrapped and re-wrapped it around a pencil. Then I used the dull flat edge (in my case the covered end of my craft knife - perhaps not the best choice) and "scraped" the paper (sort of like using the blade of scissors on curling ribbon). I then re-wrapped it as tight as I could - I quilling tool would have been helpful for this. On the slightly wider strip of paper I pinched the edges toward the middle. I am happy with how the stems turned out. I used CTMH Bonding Memories Glue to attach the leaves, stems and flowers to my card.




I used CTMH Exclusive Inks - Black and CTMH My Acrylix® Delight stamp set to create the sentiment. Here is how the entire card came together.





I hope you like my card and the technique I used to create the flowers. I would love to know what you think of it. Thanks for stopping by today.

CC Challenge #16 - Let's get INKY!

The details for CropChocolate Challenge #16 - Let's get INKY! read "From Scrappy Canuck and BethD488: Do some spraying, misting or flicking of paint, ink, stain! Let's get messy!! It can be with commercial or homemade products as long as it is applied in a spray or mist, or by flicking it on with something like a watercolour brush. Can be any project. :)" [Find details for current CropChocolate challenge here.]

The rules read "Post a picture of your project. 50% of the product used must be from CropChocolate.com. Please include items used in the description of your entry. Contest ends on June 6th, 2012 at 08:00:00am Mountain. Please submit your entry before then. $10 CropCredit in a random drawing."

I was working on my first attempt at this challenge and realized only the embossing folder I used was offered on CropChocolate so I had to start over. I'll finish that card and post it in a few days. Here is a sample of how it started:

So I started over again on Monday night by spraying Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Cranberry Zing and Red-Nosed Reindeer, Tattered Angels Chalkboard Banana Pudding and Cornflower and Tim Holtz Adirondack Color Wash Denim on my the flatter side of my Sizzix Reading, Writing & Arithmetic numbers embossing folder (I got the idea of using the flatter side from the post Technique Thursday: Embossing Folders over at Frantic Stamper, Inc.'s blog). Then I inserted Bo Bunny Chiffon Dot Double Dot paper into the folder and ran the sandwich through my Cuttlebug. I like how the colors softened and became more watercolor-like during the embossing.

I cut the numbers from QuicKutz No. 73 Number set. The paper was plain white cardstock that I had tested a homemade mist on (see below to learn how I created the mist). I cut blue cardstock to mat my embossed paper. I used the same blue cardstock with my Spellbinders Nestabilities Small Labels (S4-169) to frame my numbers. I used pop-dots to attach the frame to my card. I used a white gel pen to write "And counting!" on the outside of my card and stamped Happy Birthday on the inside.

Here are a couple of close-ups.

My homemade mist was made with these Close To My Heart products: Pansy Purple Exclusive Inks® Re-Inker (Z2241), Create-A-Shade™ Pearl Paint (Z1039) and Spray Pen (Z1380) [includes 3 pens, 10 ml each]. This video, Spray Pen & Misting Technique, will tell you how to make your own mists using these products:

If you would like to order any of the Close To My Heart products I used on this project, just click on the product name above.

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

Thanks for visiting today.

CTMH Ph.D. from Training Academy

Yesterday I finished all of the online classes for my Close To My Heart Ph.D. from the Training Academy. The Creative Courses are very inspirational and, in my opinion, the Business, Professional Development and Leadership classes will help in many aspects of life outside Close To My Heart activities. If you can make the time, I encourage all Independent Consultants to take the classes. Now I just need to find more time to be creative and put what I learned to good use. The Creative Courses makes me long to work with my scrapbooking and cardmaking supplies. Wish me luck with finding the time.

If you find you need some Close To My Heart products, I would be delighted if you would consider ordering from me. If you order from my OpenHouse before midnight tonight (June 6), you will be entered into a drawing for blog candy. See my Sweet Surprises post for more information (there is also an opportunity to win blog candy just by leaving a comment on that post).

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

Thanks for stopping by today.

CTMH Project Inspiration: Front and Center

Learn how you can use stamps that were designed for the back of your project - those that you stamp to show the project was handcrafted with love - on the front of your project. Create these beautiful cards and gifts with the My Acrylix® Crafted with Love Stamp Set.

Since June is Stampaganza Time! it is the perfect time to pick up this stamp set to make your own gifts and cards with the My Acrylix® Crafted with Love Stamp Set.

Featured items used:
My Acrylix® Crafted With Love Stamp Set (item B1399)

Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks:
1" × 1" (Y1000), 1" × 3½" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003)

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

It’s Stampaganza Time!

Stampaganza Time is finally here!

It is time to purchase those stamps that you want and love, but had to push down your wish list. Now you can 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). That is 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).

June 2012 Stamp of the Month: Life is Tweet

The June 2012 Stamp of the Month is Life is Tweet.

It is a set of 15 D-size stamp set that you can purchase only during the month of June. 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: 2" × 2" (Y1003), 3" × 3" (Y1006), 1" × 6 1/2" (Y1010)

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