One Concept...Two Looks!

Those of you who know me well, know I LOVE simplicity! Whether it be a simple card or a simple scrapbook page, I value the beauty of simplicity (of course, if you know me REALLY well, you might be wondering why that only applies to the crafty side of me and not the organizational side of me. Well...me too!!!)!

One thing I love to do to simplify my creating is to take one design concept, be it a card concept from Jeanette Lynton's Originals or Wishes books or a scrapbook layout design from one of our other amazing how-to books, and create it using different papers and embellishments!

I recently did this with my kids' school and class portraits from the last school year. I always like to keep these pages simple with just the 5"x7" portrait and the class photo (which, by the time I trim the somewhat obnoxious border the photographer adds on I am left with another 5"x7" photo). For these two layouts I used the "Charmed" concept from the new Magic Interactive Scrapbook Program (if you don't have Magic yet, you need to get it)!

For Joey's page, I opted for the cool and trendy You Rock papers and My Stickease! I created the fun tye-dye technique on the "3" Dimensional Element with sponge daubers and ink - so simple!
For Jenna's page I chose the Emporium papers to match her outfit (why, of course!). I added some fun elements from our rub-on collections and a Dimensional Element "K" inked to match the papers.
Ironically, as I was typing up this post, my daughter brought me THIS year's school pictures, so I guess I have another adventure in One Concept...Two Looks ahead of me!

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!

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!

February SOTM Blog Hop

After taking a month off from the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop, I'm BACK! I missed it so much last month, December was just so hectic for our family, I realized it was one of those times when I just had to let something go. Needless to say, I am so excited to be back!


Many of you are already familiar with the format of the hop, but for those of you just checking it out for the first time, here's a little about how it works. After you are finished browsing my post, click on the link I will provide at the bottom. That will take you to another consultant who is sure to have another fabulous piece of artwork to share, she will also post another link. Continue to follow the links until you get back her to mine. You are sure to be inspired by the creativity of my fellow CTMH consultants!


I simply LOVE the images in this month's Stamp of the Month set, Piece of Cake. Filled with whimsical images of cakes and cupcakes, this set is almost good enough to eat!!





These fun images will work great in ANY color scheme, but I decided to go a little outside the box and pair it with our funky new My Reflections kit, You Rock. Since the paper had a bit of a tye-dyed look to it, I figured my stamped image should too. Yes, it was time to pull out my re-inkers and create my own "puddle pad". To create your own puddle pad, you will need the following supplies:

*3-4 Re-inkers in coordinating colors (I used Goldrush, Indian Corn Blue, Outdoor Denim and Olive)

*1 paper plate

*1 small piece of felt (I used pink as it was the only color I had laying around - using white would allow you to see your colors much better)

With the felt on the paper plate, start with your lightest color and drop a few drops of re-inker onto the felt.

Add the remaining colors around the edge of the first color allowing the colors to run together.

Be sure your puddle pad is large enough to accommodate your stamp - I had to make mine large enough for a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" stamp.

Place your stamp onto the puddle pad as you would if you were using a traditional ink pad.

Stamp onto your paper as usual.

I LOVE this technique for adding several colors to my stamped images!

I dressed up the cake with a touch of Liquid Glass and some Sparkles - after all, everything is better with a little bling!

Don't forget, the February Stamp of the Month, Piece of Cake is only available through February 28th! Head on over to my website (or check with your own consultant) to see how you can earn yours at an amazing discount, or even FREE!

Be sure to check back later in the week - I have more fun artwork using the February SOTM set to share with you!

Now onto the next stop...I'm sure the fabulously talented Brenda has something wonderful to share with you! Head to her blog by clicking on her name above. If at anytime you get lost along the way or come across links that are not working, Jena's blog has a complete list of this month's "hoppers"! Happy Hopping!

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!