Round and Round We Go!

There's just something about circles that's pleasing to the eye. Maybe it's because they are never-ending. Maybe it's because they are more whimsical and energetic that squares or rectangles. Maybe they just remind us of fun things like beach balls and bubbles. Whatever the reason, circles are fun, which is why I chose to make all circle cards at my workshop this month. Each & every design came from Close To My Heart's Card Confidence Program, Wishes. At this point, I will share them with you!

This was the first card we did. We stamped an image from the "Miracle" stamp set in order to create the mini pinwheels. The patterned paper is from the "Miracle" paper pack. ("Way To Go" came from a stamp set that is no longer available.)

This card used the "Mayberry" paper pack along with the "You & Me" stamp set (available THIS MONTH for a very limited time! "Happy Father's Day" came from a stamp set that is no longer available).

I just love the colors in the "Magnifique" paper pack! We used that along with the "Salutation Seals" stamp set to create this cute card. (There is a "Window Charm" over the sentiment circle, making it look glass-like. CTMH no longer sells the Window Charms, but they are readily available at craft stores & scrapbooking stores.)

How pretty is this card?! The background was stamped using the "Universal Backgrounds" stamp set (love it!), the main sentiment square was stamped using the "Thank You" stamp set, and the small circle image is from the "Circle Together" stamp set. The paper is from the "Sweetheart" paper pack.

We had such fun creating our circle cards! Next time you sit down to create a card of your own, think outside the "box", and go round!

More Artwork to Inspire!

Nothing inspires me more than seeing gorgeous handmade, hand-stamped cards. And I was truly inspired at the last all-day crop I attended. Judi Dugas, a Stampin' Up Consultant who had brought lots of gorgeous cards to sell, was the source of my inspiration. More specifically, a card that she had done with a floral embossing folder, a die-cut/embossed butterfly, and a stamped sentiment. So classically simple, yet so gorgeous and fun!

From that moment on, I spend the bulk of my time re-creating this one card - in twelve different colors, each with a different sentiment. My goal was to create an everyday-greetings gift set to give to my mother for Mother's Day (she loved it, by the way!). So without further ado, here is my complete set of butterfly cards:

Gorgeous, right? Here's one close-up so you can see the detail:

I had so much fun making these cards! I then made a coordinating bird card as the Mother's Day card that I gave to my mom:

Oh, yeah - I was inspired alright! I made a few other cards while I was there as well:

This card uses an embossing folder also (Swiss Dots), as well as Close To My Heart's "Salutation Seals" stamp set.

Here's a card using the "Enjoy the Moments" stamp set from CTMH.

And this card was the Stampin' Up Make & Take that we did - it's so much prettier in person! Thank you, Judi!

Well, that's all I have to share from that day. What inspires you? I hope these cards inspired you to have fun & start creating! I would absolutely LOVE to see your creations!

Workshop Cards

If you've ever wondered what we do at the Close To My Heart Card-Making Workshops I hold every month, here are pics of the cards we made this month:

This card was made using the Mayberry Workshop on the Go. I followed the instructions that are included in the kit in order to make this card.

This card uses the "Hooligans" paper pack along with the "Pennant Alphabet", "Piece of Cake", and "Miracle" stamp sets. Fun, huh?!

This was a fun card to do - we stamped the cake image from the "Piece of Cake" stamp set onto the white cardstock. Then we stamped the image again three times on the back of three different pieces of patterned paper from the "Sweetheart" paper pack. After trimming out a different layer of cake from each paper, we adhered them to the original stamped image, then colored in the base & flowers with markers.

It may be hard to see from the picture, but this is a clear card. We started with a clear card base, then adhered a nice patterned paper from the "Miracle" Paper Pack, along with some ribbon and stamped images from the "Star Power" stamp set.

We had a lot of fun making these cards! And, of course, everyone's looked different from mine and each others! Next time, I'll show you the really cool cards I made at the last all-day crop I went to! I was so inspired!

New Studio J Video Posted!

If you're like me, and love Close To My Heart's online scrapbooking tool Studio J, then you will want to watch their newest series of videos called "Love Your Layout". The first video has just been released, and you can view it by clicking HERE.

Even if you don't love Studio J, or have no idea what it is, check out the video - you might find yourself intrigued enough to head on over to Studio J and start playing! I have done so many layouts using this program, and I have LOVED every single one. It's a GREAT way to catch up on your everyday scrapbooking! Have fun!

National Scrapbooking Month!

Were you aware that May is National Scrapbooking Month? The first Saturday in May is National Scrapbooking Day (May 7th this year), when scrapbookers everywhere rejoice and celebrate this rewarding craft. I will be at an all-day crop to benefit the Uxbridge Elementary PTO on May 7th - I can't wait! And as a Close To My Heart Consultant, I will have a make & take for the crop attendees to do as well. I will also be displaying this month's exclusive National Scrapbooking Month Kit - "You & Me". If you were at my card workshop yesterday, you got the first glimpse at this incredibly beautiful kit. Here now are the pages that you will create with the kit:

Aren't they awesome? The kit comes with all the paper you'll need to complete these two, 2-page layouts (with new cardstock-weight B&T Duos!), as well as a package of Opaques Mocha Adhesive Gems, Chocolate-striped ribbon, a sheet of "You & Me" chipboard Irresistibles, and a D-sized Stamp Set created exclusively for this kit! The kit is $34.95 - BUT you can purchase it for only $15 with a $50 purchase!


I hope you will join me in celebrating National Scrapbooking Month by getting some of those photos and memories preserved! Future generations will thank you for it!

"Simply Scallops"

Have a 2" scallop punch and want some new ideas on what to do with it? Watch this cool video from Close To My Heart and get punching!! Click on this link & enjoy: http://youtu.be/2dd_hr2pSfQ

Close To My Heart Specials for April!

Wow - April is FULL of specials and promotions to make your winter blues a little brighter! Take a look at these:

Spend $100 on my website (http://funforyou.myctmh.com), and get a My Reflections Level 1 Kit of your choice* for FREE!  (* - Choose from "Passages", "Perfect Day", "Splendor", "Sweet Home", "Topstitch", "Veranda", and "Zippidee")

From now until April 30th, when you purchase this exclusive A-size stamp set for the special price of $5 (retail $7.95), Close To My Heart will donate 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross' efforts in Japan. In addition, if TEN people contact me to order this stamp set, I will pay everyone's shipping & handling costs (for this stamp set only)!

SNEAK PEEK!!

If you are familiar at all with Close To My Heart, you know that every May, for National Scrapbooking Month, they offer a terrific, EXCLUSIVE kit that's a must have! Well, this year is no different, and I just happen to have a link to a video that will show you this spectacular new kit! So mark your calendars for May 1st to get your orders in - because these kits are WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!! Here's the link:
http://youtu.be/myK0CzfXL70

Be sure to contact me if you have any questions about or would like to take advantage of any of this month's promotions! Happy April!