April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

It seems like just last week I was hopping through and checking out all the inspiring ideas using the March Stamp of the Month, but alas, it is time for the April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

If you've arrived here from Jessica's blog, you're on the right track. If this is your first stop, simply follow the link at the end of this post to hop on over to another CTMH Consultant's blog. Continue following the links until you get back here and you are sure to be filled with ideas and inspiration!

This month we are featuring the cute Flower Pot stamp set. This cheery set consisting of simple sentiments, sweet flowers and flower pots is sure to brighten anyone's day.

The following card is an 8' x 3 1/2" design straight from Jeanette Lynton's Wishes Card confidence Book. I used the fun Caboodle papers, Sorbet Ribbon Rounds, and the cute, cute, cute Bitty Sparkles!

I am not typically and "outside the box" thinker, but for some reason, when I looked at this set, I immediately noticed how the "Thanks" sentiment fit right inside the longer flower pot. As I looked at it some more, I realized if I rotated the flower pot, I had a fun tab element!

Time to keep hoppin'! Head on over to Jenifer's blog to see what she has to share with you. If at any you get lost along the way, click here to find a complete list of this month's Blog Hop participants! Happy Hopping!

A New Poll and a Congrats!

Thanks to those of you who repsonded to my latest blog poll! Looks like you LOVE Veranda - stay tuned as my May workshops will all feature that beautiful paper!

I've just added a new poll, so take a second to look over to the right and add your vote. :-)

And...and big THANK YOU and congratulations to Sue Laufer for responding to my Jingle All Year Long post and winning some Blog Candy. Watch your mailbox Sue - goodies are coming your way!

April Kit of the Month: You Rock

Join me at a workshop in April to create this cool and funky 2-page layout using the new You Rock papers!

Dates: Monday, April 5th @ 7pm or Tuesday, April 20th @ 6:30pm

Select your kit from the options below (prices do not include tax and shipping):

Best: $34.90 ($2.90 savings)
-My Acrylix Just Be You Stamp Set

-You Rock Level 2 Paper Pack
-Mini-Medley-Outdoor Denim
-Workshop Guide
PLUS
-Z1272 You Rock Top Coats

Basic: $23.85
-You Rock L2 Paper Pack $12.95
-Z1272 You Rock Top Coats $4.95
-Z1271 Mini-Medley (ODD) $4.95
-Misc Supplies $1.00

Optional Add-Ons:
-E10025 Rustic Alpha $34.95
-Z2123 Goldrush Exclusive Inks $5.25
-Z2140 Outdoor Denim Ink $5.25
-Z2150 Sunflower Ink $5.25
-Z1114 Piercing Tool $5.95

With either kit option, you will go home with plenty of supplies AND instructions for additional projects!

If cards are more your thing, make plans to join me on Monday, April 12 at 6:30om for my You Rock Card Night! We'll make three fun and funky cards using the You Rock papers. Card Night workshops are FREE with a $25 order placed the night of the workshop!

Space is limited at all workshops, so call or email me to RSVP today to reserve your spot!

Dare to Dream...about FREE and Discounted Scrapbooking Supplies!

Wouldn't you LOVE to get your scrapbooking or card making supplies at a great discount? How about getting some of them FREE?

This month, Close to My Heart is offering all new Consultants FOUR not-yet-released stamp sets for FREE! That's right, simply sign up to as a new Consultant before March 31st and along with your New Consultant Kit, Close to My Heart will throw in the 4 Stamp of the Month sets to be featured in the Summer 2010 Idea Book. Honestly, I can't even order these sets yet! The retail value of these sets is $91.80, which almost pays for the cost of your New Consultant Kit.

When you sign up, you will receive almost $400 in incredible stamping and scrapbooking products (the 4 free sets included) for only $99! Just look at all the amazing goodies you'll receive in your kit...Plus you have the option to purchase one or both of the two special Bonus Packs at an amazing 65% off retail.

The Scrapbooking Bonus Pack, shown below, is valued at over $160, but when you add it to your New Consultant kit, you get it for just $60.

The Cardmaking Bonus Pack is valued at over $150 and is yours with your New Consultant Kit for only $50.

And all this is just the beginning! Once you join my team and the CTMH family, you will enjoy so many fabulous perks...

1. A generous commission/discount on all CTMH products (from 22-34% off retail)

2. The opportunity to order products before they are released to the general public

3. Access to our Consultant Website with Bulletin Boards flowing with support and inspiration from other CTMH Consultants!

4. Incredible online training opportunities through our Training Academy

5. The opportunity to earn amazing incentive trips

6. Business support from me through in-person or telephone training and email newsletters

And so much MORE!

Make your dream come true and join Close to My Heart today! One more week left to take advantage of this amazing special. Email me for more details or visit my website for more information or to sign up!

A Little (more) Everything!

If you are a card-maker you MUST get this month's Stamp of the Month, A Little Everything! This stamp set has sentiments for just about any occasion and phrases that you can combine to say just what you need to say. If you haven't checked out the SOTM Blog Hop, click here or scroll down to see my post and then follow the hop through to get tons of great ideas!

As I hopped through the blogs this month, I was inspired to sit down and create MORE (Hmmm...didn't that happen to me last month too?). Each of the cards I'm sharing today were inspired by other consultants and then made my own with a few different touches. I can always count on my fellow CTMH consultants to give me the inspiration I need! Thank you!!

The first card, posted above, appeared in the Blog Hop using the new Veranda papers. I tried it with the Caboodle papers. I stamped and cut out an extra sorbet blossom and popped it up for a little added dimension. Sparkles in the middle of the flowers add just the finishing touch I was looking for. The flowers are found in one of my very favorite new stamp sets, One of a Kind (D1410).

This next card, an 8"x 3 1/2" design, is so simple - one of my favorite designs I go back to time and again! The word Happy is stamped using a technique I'll teach next month at my scrapbook workshops (see the dates over to the right and RSVP today!). I added a little random stamping using the This Way stamp set only available in the Caboodle Workshop Kit (shoot me an email for more details!).

This last card also uses the This Way stamp set. I LOVE that big arrow - so fun!

As I was teaching these cards to my fun card group, they commented on how versatile the Caboodle papers are. They are pretty and springy for a feminine touch, but everyone agreed the last two cards especially, could very well be given to a boy.

Have you entered my Blog candy drawing? Be sure to scroll down to my Jingle All Year long post or click here to find out how to get your chance to WIN!

Happy Mail!

Last week I opened my mailbox to find a little Happy Mail inside! Of course, Happy Mail is any little (or big) piece of unexpected mail that makes me smile. As soon as I saw the return address, I knew it would be something fabulous.

My upline and friend, Sue Laufer sent me this adorable card using Caboodle papers and the new A Posy stamp set. I always love Sue's attention to detail! Thanks, Sue - Love ya!

Did you notice that is the Spring Idea Book, the price of our A-sized stamp sets went DOWN?!?! That's right, A Posy (A1102) is only $7.95. Head on over to my CTMH website to order your set today!

If you haven't entered the Blog Candy drawing, be sure to check out my post below...Jingle All Year Long. Leave your comment for a chance to win!

Jingle All Year Long...and Blog Candy!!

From the moment I saw it, I just adored Jingle, the Christmas-themed My Reflections kit Close to My Heart introduced in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book! Fun colors, whimsical designs...just my style...and perfect for all our Christmas memories! However, one of my very favorite features of CTMH's My Reflections kits, and this one in particular, is that while having a hint of a theme in its designs, it can be used for so much more than Christmas.

As many of you know, each Fall I get the opportunity to travel to beautiful Lake Tahoe for a few days of scrapping with other CTMH consultants (who are all pretty cool chicks, too!). We catch up on each others' lives, we laugh (A LOT), we eat (probably too much), we CREATE (some more than others), and somewhere in there we sleep (a little - VERY little)! It is always one of the highlights of my year.

Each year, our fearless leader, Sue, chooses a theme based on one of the new kits featured in the idea book and plans several amazing create and takes for us to complete during the course of the retreat, one of which is always a layout for our retreat pictures. With a little nudging from Sue (Thanks Sue! I needed that nudging), I finally got my Tahoe layout complete and wanted to share it with you.

Last years' theme was "Jingle All the Way to Tahoe" Yes, we created several fun holiday themed projects, but I love how Sue was able to use the exact same kit to create layout with no holiday-feel to it at all! And yes, before you ask, we DO bring shirts to match our theme for the day we take group photos! :-)

So I encourage YOU, next time you look at a kit and see a theme, look again and see what you might be able to do that isn't so theme-oriented. Leave me a comment and let me know how you've used one of our kits for something completely different than the original theme and you'll be entered into a drawing for a little goody from me! Drawing will take place on Tuesday, March 16th, so leave your comment today!