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!

One More Piece of Cake!

We've always got room for one more Piece of Cake, right? And even better, this is the calorie-free, fat-free kind!

Yes, I've been playing with my February Stamp of the Month set AGAIN!

By now you probably know that simple, simple, simple is my style, and this fun card is just that!

Once again, I used the Topstitch papers (and I PROMISE, I will play with other papers soon - I just LOVE Topstitch - oh, think I've said that before!). The cake is stamped using Versamark ink and heat embossed with Baby Pink Embossing powder. I love the way the Baby Pink embossing powder just pops on the Chocolate cardstock! Add a little Colonial White ribbon and a Baby Pink button with some Hemp tied through and, as Emeril would say...BAM! A quick and easy card!

There are just a couple more days left to get your own Piece of Cake set. Head on over to my Close to My Heart website and orders yours today!

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!

More Sweet Treats

I am having so much fun creating with the February SOTM set, Piece of Cake. I've already shared my card made with the fun and funky You Rock papers, but this time I've used my very favorite papers from the Spring 2010 Idea Book - Topstitch!

This first card was heavily inspired by fellow consultant Amy McGrew. I added a little distressing to the edges, some color to the cupcakes and cake plate and a touch of Liquid Applique to create frosting good enough to eat!

The 2nd card was inspired by consultant Melissa Laverty - you may have seen her version if you went through the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. I fell in love with this simple card design as soon as I saw it and had to create my own version! The cake and sentiment are embossed with Baby Pink embossing powder to make them more vibrant against the Chocolate card base.

Thanks Amy & Melissa for being such amazing creative inspirations!!

I hope you haven't seen enough of the February SOTM set as I have more to share in the coming days. Check back soon, but in the meantime, be sure to head over to my website - http://beth.MyCTMH.com to order your very own Piece of Cake set!

Idea Book Superstars!

Okay...I have a confession to make about Close to My Heart Idea Books! The day my supply of idea books arrive is a much anticipated day at my house. Of course, one would think I simply can't wait to see the new goodies CTMH has designed and the amazingly inspiring artwork that graces the pages of each book. However, if I am being perfectly honest, my first look through the idea book isn't focused on the incredible new products! No, my first look is always focused on the artwork, specifically the pictures used in the artwork. Yes, I look eagerly for my pictures in each Close to My Heart Idea Book!!!

Close to My Heart encourages consultants to submit photos for their Art Dept. to be used in sample artwork. Well, who doesn't love sharing their photos?!?! I faithfully oblige and send them my favorites and lo and behold occasionally I will flip through a new Idea Book and see the precious face of one or both of my children smiling back at me.

My kids have learned to anticipate the new books too, and always ask, 'Mommy, am I in the catalog this time?" More often than not, the answer is "Not this time, sweetie!", but it sure is fun when I can open my copy and show them "their page"! Thank you CTMH for making my kids feel like superstars!!!

The picture above is page 80 of the Spring 2010 Idea Book. I wish I could claim the amazing artwork, but I CAN claim the adorable little girl who was using a wrench to put her training wheels back ON her bike all on her own!

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!