Springtime Showers

When I heard on the news this morning that we are expecting a spring shower, I immediately thought of one of my favorite stamp sets from the Spring 2010 Idea Book...Springtime. This adorable set is filled with umbrellas, rain boots, and three sweet little chicks! Check it out here or see the picture at the end of this post!

I recently created this fun little card as part of my application to teach at CTMH's annual Convention coming up this summer in Washington, DC. I am thrilled to have been selected as one of 32 consultants teaching at this year's Extravaganza!!!

But back to the fun card...instead of using the Happy Spring or Happy Easter sentiment from the stamp set, I chose to create a Get Well card. The sentiment and the umbrella handle are heat embossed using Baby Pink embossing powder. I stamped the umbrella on the cute, cute striped B&T paper from the Topstitch kit and then matted it on Baby Pink cardstock to make it pop a bit.

And speaking of making it pop...a couple popped up layers give this card dimension. Hopefully, the picture below shows the layers.




Turns out, my friend Sue, loves this set too! Recently I received this adorable card in the mail from Sue! Isn't it so cheery? Sue added Liquid Glass "raindrops" on the umbrella. Great touch! Be sure to check out Sue's blog here! Thanks, Sue! You know I always love your Happy Mail!!! :-)

As promised, here's the complete stamp set (and another super cute card)! Isn't it FUN?!? I can't wait to use it again for some pictures of the kids playing in the rain!

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 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!

March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

It's that time again! Time for another fabulous Stamp of the Month Blog Hop with over 60 talented CTMH consultants!

If you've come here from Susan's blog, you're on the right track. For those of you checking out the blog hop for the first time, it's really quite simple - and fun. After you've checked out my contribution below, click on the link I will provide to the next blog. Continue to follow the links until you end up right back here and you are sure to be filled with creative inspiration!

This month we are featuring A Little Everything (D1408), and it is exactly that! Filled with sentiments for just about every occassion, this set is a must-have for cardmakers, but I think scrapbookers will find plenty of uses for it as well!

I chose to create with the new Caboodle My Reflections paper packet. The fun spring-y colors in this set are perfect for Easter, little boys OR little girls and anything else Spring!

My simple 8" x 3 1/2" thank you card uses the "Top it Off" concept from Jeanette Lynton's Wishes Card Confidence Program. Add a little Direct-to-Paper Edge Distressing and some Sorbet Ribbon and this card is done in a jiffy!

The A Little Everything set is only available through March. Visit my website to see how you can get your set at a great discount, or even FREE!

Now it's time to head on over to Tanya's Blog - I'm sure she'll have something fabulous to share with you! If at anytime you get stuck along the blog, hop on over to Helen's blog where you'll find a complete list of this month's hoppers!


Happy Hopping! :-)

Did you get YOUR Piece of Cake?

I am still loving the February Stamp of the Month, Piece of Cake - and so are so many of YOU! If you haven't ordered your set yet, there is still time! Piece of Cake is available through February, so head on over to my website - http://www.beth.myctmh.com/ and order yours today! Don't forget, you can earn the set at a generous discount, or even FREE!

As promised, I have some more fun Piece of Cake cards to share with you.

The first card, shown above, was created by CTMH Consultant, Linda Taylor. Linda used the Topstitch papers (have I told you those are my FAVORITE papers from the Spring Idea Book?!?!). I love her use of ribbons and sparkles!

My good friend and talented upline, Sue Laufer created this next gorgeous card using the Caboodle papers - so fun! Do you see the fun Clear Inspirations circle tag hanging from the Sorbet ribbon. CUTE!

Rebecca Cross also opted for the Caboodle papers for her sweet card. More bling - LOVE it!

Karen Barber sure knows how to think outside the box! She used the flowers on the very top of one of the cake images to stamp the fun floral border on her focal piece! Clever! A little Prisma glitter on the candles and cake stand add just the perfect finishing touch!

My friend Gayle Luker created this last card using the beautiful Veranda papers! Gayle proves you don't have to color in all of those detailed line image stamps - they are gorgeous just as they are! I love her use of ribbon as well!
I can hardly believe February is almost over! Get your Piece of Cake set before it's to late, and then visit my blog again on March 1st for a brand new Stamp of the Month Blog Hop featuring a FABULOUS new set!

Spring 2010 Idea Book is HERE!

You won't want to miss the brand new Spring 2010 Idea book from Close to My Heart! It is filled with the latest and greatest goodies for scrapbooking and stamping - 4 gorgeous, new My Reflections Scrapbooking kits, over 35 exclusive My Acrylix stamp sets, and more incredible new accessories - not to mention the inspiring artwork that fills the pages! This Idea Book is one of the best yet!!!

This beautiful new book is available NOW! You can view it online by visiting my website - http://beth.myctmh.com/. Or shoot me an email at beth@MyCTMH.com to get your very own copy delivered to your door.

Since I know you're all dying to see the 4 new My Reflections Kits, I thought I'd share them here. Enjoy!!!!

If you like the gorgeous layout on the cover of the Spring Idea Book, you'll love the soft, muted, earthy colors of Veranda (Creme Brulee, Cocoa, Garden Green & Juniper). These papers have such an elegant look!
I think Topstitch is quite possibly my favorite new kit!! The fun color combination of Baby Pink, Chocolate, Heavenly Blue, and Vineyard Berry give these papers a bit of a retro feel. Check back soon to see the fun Easter layout I created with Topstitch!

This next kit is oh so playful and downright FUN! Caboodle is perfect for those little boys in your life and all sorts of springtime fun. Caboodle features Buttercup, Crystal Blue, Sorbet and Sweet Leaf.
For all you aspiring Guitar Heros and Rock Band members out there, this kit is for you! I simply love the psychadelic look of You Rock which combines Goldrush, Indian Corn Blue, Olive and Outdoor Denim with some great patterns for a totally groovy look!

So there's a peek at the new kits! Are your creative juices flowing yet? I hope so - I know mine are! If you LOVE one of these kits (or ALL of them), be sure to check out my workshop schedule on the right hand side as each of these new kits will be featured for a month at my workshops this spring.

Happy Scrapping! Happy Stamping!