Still Time to Get "Happy Forever"

Aren't you just loving this cute little hedgehog and his buddies?

I thought I'd share a few more pictures of some fun ideas using the July Stamp of the Month set. Remember, this set is only available through July. Order it today for only $22.95 OR see how you can earn it at a great discount or even FREE! Visit my CTMH website for all of the details!

This first card was created by my dear friend, Sue Laufer (check out her blog HERE). Sometimes I am amazed at how Sue and I can come up with designs that are so similar. In case you didn't see my Stamp of the Month card, you can see it HERE! I love Sue's use of the fun Zippidee papers and the different colored Bigger Brads - isn't this such a cheery card?

Have you tried out new Clear Cards yet? They are so fun, and really quite easy to use! Consultant Karen Barber created this adorable card using the Zippidee papers, the Clear Cards and the cool, new Fancy Fuzz Borders!

Buttons make the cutest balloons, don't they? Consultant Janice Hodgkin's pierced border on this card gives it a fun look. Simply use your piercing tool to make small holes, fairly evenly spaced, around the edge of your cardstock - a quick and easy border technique!

Don't forget, the Happy Forever stamp set is only available through July! Get your sweet hedgehogs today!

Zippidee makes me want to SING!

I don't think there has been a product from CTMH that makes me want to break out in song more than the fun new Zippidee My Reflections kit! My, oh, my what a wonderful kit! These papers will certainly help you create some of the "Happiest Pages on Earth!"

Make plans to join me in August for one of my fun scrapbook nights where we'll create this gorgeous two-page layout.

Your workshop kit will include everything you need to complete this layout - and so much more! You'll also a gorgeous full-color instruction brochure that will give you step-by-step instructions for this layout as well as 6 fun cards - and when you're done you'll still have more to keep creating!

Signing up is simple...just choose your date and then choose your Kit from the choices below. Space is limited, so RSVP today!

Zippidee Scrapbook Nights:
Monday, August 2nd, 7-9pm (RSVP by August 1st)
Tuesday, August 17th, 6:30-8:30pm (RSVP by August 10th to allow time to order your supplies)

Zippidee "Best" Kit: $40.15 (plus tax & shipping)
My Acrylix Ticket to Ride stamp set
Zippidee Level 2 Paper Packet
Dimensional Elements Stars
Holiday Craft Buttons
Black Hemp

Zippidee "Basic" Kit: $25.65 (plus tax & shipping)
Zippidde Level 2 Paper Packet
Dimensional Elements Stars
Holiday Craft Buttons

If cardmaking is more your thing, join me Monday, August 9th for a Zippidee Card Night! We'll make 3 fun cards using the Zippidee papers. Workshop is FREE with a $25 order placed that night! RSVP by Saturday, August 7th.

I hope to see YOU at a workshop SOON!

Gift of a Smile!

As most of you know, Close to My Heart is a big supporter of Operation Smile. This amazing organization brightens our world by literally creating smiles on the faces of children through corrective surgery. You can find out more about Operation Smile here.

Like last year, CTMH sponsored a Silent Auction to benefit Operation Smile and invited a number of CTMH Consultants to contribute. I was honored to be invited to participate, but honestly, a little stressed over what to create. Many, many ideas crossed my mind and were started at my crafting desk, but in the end I opted to create this fun home decor piece!

Using coasters (yes, the coasters you get at your favorite bar and grill!), our gorgeous Grace papers, Dimensional Elements Monogram letters and some fun accessories this "coaster frame" was born!

Unfortunately, I missed the very end of the Silent Auction, so I do not know the winning bidder, but I hope she will enjoy adding her family photos to it and displaying it in her home.

Thank you CTMH for giving my another opportunity to bring a smile to the face of a child!

Splendor Card Night!

CTMH's new Splendor My Reflections Kit just screams SUMMERTIME! The cheery colors and patterns are the perfect mix of nature and whimsy!

Join me Monday, July 26th at 6:30pm for a fun night of card-making using the Splendor papers! We will make 3 cards (one of the cards shown in the picture here and two others) and learn a couple new techniques!

The Splendor Card Workshop is FREE with a $25 order placed that night! All attendees will receive a complimentary Summer 2010 Idea Book and the opportunity to win a door prize.

Space is limited so call or email me today to reserve your spot. RSVPs must be received no later than Saturday, July 24th to allow time to prep your projects!

Picture This! Convention 2010

Picture This! Over 1,000 Close to My Heart consultants converged on the gorgeous Gaylord National in National Harbor, MD - just outside Washington DC. We laughed with friends old and new. We cheered (and yes, occasionally even squealed) over the announcement of new products and programs. We even cried at hearing the story of one man whose life was changed forever by the good work of Operation Smile. Over the course of 4 days, we were entertained by our incredible corporate staff, inspired by amazing artwork, and motivated by the successes of fellow consultants. Convention 2010 was an event none of us will soon forget!

The "main event" so to speak, of Convention is the unveiling of the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book! On Thursday morning, we headed to the beautiful Potomac Ballroom where we eagerly found our seats, danced to the music and awaited the BIG announcements! An energy filled the air like nothing I've ever experience - this is like Christmas morning for a CTMH Consultant!
Our corporate staff always does their best (without fail) to entertain us and this year was no excpetion. They used spoofs of some of our favorite TV shows to introduce new products and programs. We were treated to spoofs of The Brady Bunch ("The Gathering Bunch"), The Apprentice, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and the Sham-Wow infomercial; but I think everyone's favorite was our very own Beyonce and The Scrappin' Ladies! Click here to watch a You Tube video of these fun women in action!

The rest of Convention was just as fun and entertaining with unforgettable performances from pianist Jon Schmidt and comedienne Anita Renfroe and of course, more products and programs!

So, I am home now and still glowing from the excitement in DC! I have so much to share with all of you, but alas, the Autumn/Winter Idea Book goes live on September 1st! Mark your calendars for my Annual Idea Book Sneak Peek and Open House on Thursday, August 26th - more details to follow!

But I DID want to share just a snippet of new goodies with you! As many of you already know, I was honored to be selected, along with 31 other amazingly talented consultants, to teach a class at Convention. I was treated to a box of new goodies back in May and got to work creating 6 display boards for my class! Here are two of those display boards...

This first one features the adorable new Hooligans My Reflections kit. I am absolutely CRAZY over this kit and know you will love it too! If you like the layout shown on this board be sure to watch my upcoming workshop announcements as we will complete this layout in one of my monthly workshops!
Isn't this kit gorgeous? It is the new Olivia My Reflections kit - absolutely gorgeous Fall colors, but VERY versatile at the same time. Wait until you see what else I was able to do with this kit!

You might have noticed a few new colors in these two boards, and if you did your eyes did not deceive you! Our Summer color palette has been revamped and we are introducing 8 beautiful new colors in September! Stay tuned for more info.

There is so much more to share, so keep an eye out for more announcements right here on my blog! And of course, you won't want to miss the Sneak Peek on August 26th - come join the fun!

July SOTM Blog Hop

It's that time again! Time for an all new Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. If you have arrived here from Dawn's blog, you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, I hope you'll follow the links and get some great ideas from my fellow CTMH Consultants!

This month we are featuring the sweet little critters found in the Happy Forever stamp set!

With their balloons, kites and butterflies, these cute little guys are ready for a fun summer day. And nothing says summer like our new Splendor papers! This 6"x6" card is a slightly modified version of the 'On the Side" pattern from Originals - such a simple, yet eye-catching pattern!

The hedgehog was stamped in Chocolate ink and softened with the use of a Blending Pen. His body is colored with a Bamboo marker. To create the balloons, simply stamp the image on three different B&T papers from the Splendor set. Cut them out and adhere them over the images stamped on the Colonial White cardstock. For a little dimension, the center balloon is adhered with a 3-D Foam Square. While it doesn't show so well in this picture, the balloons are covered in Liquid Glass giving them a subtle sheen.

Are you ready for more Happy Forever inspiration? Follow Hedgehog's adventures and head on over to Mary's Blog to see what she has created to share with us - I can't wait to see it!

Remember, the Happy Forever stamp set is only available in July. Order it for $22.95 or earn a great discount on it - you can even get it FREE! Visit my website for all the details!

More June SOTM

There are just a couple days left to get the June Stamp of the Month set, Wonderful Friend! This great stamp set, while perfect for Father's Day has so many uses year-round. If you love the vintage, antiqued look this one is a must have! Here are a few more ideas using the Wonderful Friend set and the new Passages paper packet.

Check out this fun card created by fellow CTMH Consultant, Karen. I LOVE that Cocoa ribbon!

And isn't Amy's card great too? Amy stamped the tie in Barn Red ink and heat embossed using Clear Embossing powder. So cool!

Sue's cards are always fabulous, and this one is no exception! I love the tag with the pocket watch.

Don't miss out on this one! Click on over to my website to order your Wonderful Friend set today!