CTMH's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for May - Chairs to You

Welcome to the Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for May - featuring the stamp set "Chairs to You".

Along this month's Stamp of the Month hop you'll find dozens of fabulous creations using this stamp set - all brought to you by a very talented group of CTMH Consultants! If you've come here from Lori's Blog, you are on the right path. If this is your first stop on the hop, that will work too (just keep hopping till you get back here again)!

To continue along the hop, just follow the link at the end of each post to go to the next site. We hope that following the hop will give you lots of inspiration and ideas for using your "Chairs to You" stamp set, along with the many other great CTMH products you'll see in each post!

My creation for you today is a card measuring 8" x 3 1/2".  This stamp set is suited very well to the paper piecing technique for adding colour and pattern to your stamped images.  To do this, you simply stamp your image on patterned paper, cut out portions and add them to another of the same stamped image. 
 

Card design was inspired by the pattern "Simply Stated" in the CTMH Wishes Card Program book.

Materials Used (all CTMH):
Olivia Level 2 Paper Pack
Chairs to You - May 2011 Stamp of the Month
Cocoa Grosgrain Ribbon
Cocoa Edge Anchors
Ink: Barn Red
Cardstock:  Olive, Smoothie, Vanilla Cream

The "Chairs to You" stamp set is available from your consultant from May 1st to 31st! You can earn this stamp set at a discount or even FREE with every CTMH order placed in the month of May!

Thanks for stopping in!! To continue on the hop, visit Angel's BLOG to see what she has created for you!

Sophia Workshop Cards

Here are the cards you can create with the Sophia Workshop guide (so pretty!!).  Six different designs in all:

Love the florals in the Sophia line!!  And the colour combo is great too!!

Bonus Layout from the Sophia Workshop Kit

Using my 'leftover' Sophia Workshop kit supplies - a "bonus" layout using the Disappearing Act page design from the Magic CTMH How-To Program book.

Materials Used (CTMH):
Sophia Workshop Kit
Friendship Large Alphabet Stamp Set (for title)
Comments Stamp Set (for journalling lines) - Retired

Sophia Workshop Projects - Feminine & Masculine Versions!

The ladies attending my next workshop this Friday will be playing with the Sophia Workshop Kit.

Here is the main layout featured in the workshop guide:

I did TWO takes on this layout  -  one following the guide and a second one with a few changes to create a masculine version (click on photos to see larger image):

A few simple modifications and this 'girly' kit can work just as well with your 'boy' pics!!  I swapped out a piece of the pink cardstock for a blue piece and used a pack of blue buttons instead of pink ones.  I changed the stamp set I used to one that was a little less 'floral' and flipped some of my patterned papers to the monochromatic back sides and VOILA!  Love how it turned out!

Not attending my workshop Friday but love the look of this kit?  The Sophia workshop kit is available for you to purchase and create on your own at home!! Available to order until August 31st! 

Materials Used:
Sophia Workshop Kit (includes package of pink buttons, package of colonial white waxy flax, full package of Sophia paper, workshop guide, and Sophia stamp set)
Bohemian Alphabet stamp set (for title)
Comments stamp set (for journalling lines) - retired
Inks: Goldrush, Tulip, Pear

additional items added to complete 2nd layout:
Blue Buttons
Dutch Blue cardstock
Cocktail Alphabet stamp set (for title)
Connections stamp set
Inks: Dutch Blue, Pear

Fanfare - Clean & Simple Style!

A quick birthday card for you today using this week's fabulous card layout at the Clean & Simple Stamping blog!

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

Fanfare Level 2 Paper Pack

Fill in the Blank Stamp Set (MY NEW FAVE STAMP SET!!)

Party Pennants Stamp Set

Cranberry Button - from the Holiday Button Collection (retired)

White Daisy Card Base

Black Cardstock

Black Ink

Black Waxy Flax

Unforgettable Birthday

Another great sketch this week over at Random Acts of Creativity:

Here is my take on it:

I incorporated a few blog challenges into this one:
Birthday Sundaes - Anything Goes Birthday Card
Paper Sundaes - Texture (I used textured cardstock, a textured button, and of course that big blossom!)
Paper Cutz - Buttons & Bows
Scrap Tiffany - Stamp, Stamp, Stamp!

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):
Unforgettable Paper Pack (retired)
Happy Birthday Stamp Set (retired)
Blessed Stamp Set (April 2011 stamp of the month)
Big Pinks paper blossoms
Basic Buttons
Colonial White Waxy Flax
Kraft Color Ready Borders
Ink: Juniper, Cocoa
Cardstock: Kraft, Textured Cocoa

Bathing Beauty

One of my fave sketch sites - Sketches in Thyme - is having a DT call! 
If you love creating from sketches as much as I do - - be sure to check out the details of the call!

Here is the DT application sketch:

And the layout I created with the sketch:

Materials Used (CTMH, except as noted):

Daydream Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)

Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Pack

Crocheted Flowers - White Daisy Mini Medley

Cotton Candy Bigger Brads

Nutmeg Thickers - American Crafts

Cardstock Pennant Border - Bazzill Basics

Chipboard Heart - from my stash - source unknown

My Legacy Writers journalling pen

Good luck to all!

April? Really?

This is what we woke up to yesterday morning here in Calgary:

The only thing I'm thankful for about this is that it is not also 20 degrees below. 
But still, ENOUGH ALREADY!!

Happy Spring

Calgary had a glimpse of spring this past weekend - - and then a big cold front blew in yesterday and we are back to below normal temperatures and a forecast of snow.  Enough already!!
So while we wait for winter to end - - I'll just think spring in my craft room to keep my spirits up!
Love these fun 3D flowers from the "Spring Up" stamp set!

Linking up to a few challenges:
Papertake Weekly - Truly Dimensional
If the Shoe Fits  . . . Scrap It - Spring

Materials Used:
Spring Up Stamp Set
Blessed stamp set (April 2011 Stamp of the Month)
Red/Pink/Purple Sparkle Assortment
Pearl Opaques
Cardstock: Juniper, Colonial White, Creme Brulee
Paper: Aspen (retired)
Ink: Juniper, Tulip, Creme Brulee

A Slice of Real Life

I recently started following two really great blogs.  The first I discovered via Facebook as the blogger is an old highschool friend of mine - Jo-Anna blogs about "A Pretty Life in the Suburbs".  And then, through Jo-Anna's blog - I then discovered "I Heart Organizing".
These blogs are right up my alley - - every scrapbooker loves all things 'pretty', right?   And my Type "A" Accountant personality most definitely does Heart organizing!!  

Well in the last few weeks these bloggers have been posting about spring cleaning, organizing, and purging and I must say I am inspired!!
I've had a whole lot on my plate this past year - by my own doing - I always take on too many projects!   And I have to admit - I've been letting things around the house 'slide' quite a bit!  As things have deteriorated around here - it has been weighing on my mind - but I felt overwhelmed about where to start to get things back in shape!   So - my new plan as of this week - tackle at least ONE 'project' per week.  No need to do it all at once.   But by doing at least one thing per week - - I'll feel like I'm getting somewhere and it won't be so overwhelming!   
So I started today with project #1 -  the upstairs linen closet!  
Here is my before (so embarrassing to share this pic!!):

And - 'ta-da'  . . . . here is my 'after':

It feels soooo good to even have that one little thing done! 
Now I can spend the evening in my craft room absolutely GUILT FREE!!  Look for a crafty post to come tomorrow!!

The Sweetest Gift

I absolutely LOVE this sketch from Random Acts of Creativity this week.  I can see myself using this one again and again.

Here is my card:

I also incorporated the following challenges:
Hand Stamped Sentiments - Pinkalicious
Creative Inspirations - Punches & Dies
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart, except as noted):
Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Pack
Baby Love Acrylic Stamp set
White Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)
Cotton Candy Cardstock
White Cardstock
Puffies Sticker from KI Memories

Winning Contest Entries!!

Woohoo!  Close to My Heart has just posted the winning contest entries from their "Make it From Your Heart" contest for consultants.  This round of the contest features artwork using the Spring/Summer 2011 Paper Packs and Stamps of the Month. 

I was lucky enough to win THREE categories this time around - very exciting!! 
Here is one of my winning layouts (click on image to see it larger):

This layout won the "Sweetheart Level 2" Category (Level 2 meaning no stamping). 
You can find the list of materials posted along side the picture of my layout on the CTMH website. 

Hope you'll take a few minutes to check out the gallery of artwork at the MAKE IT FROM YOUR HEART ART GALLERY!  Lots of inspiration to be found using all of the great new products from the Spring/Summer Idea Book!  And be sure to watch for my other layouts as well, when you are there (Hint:  you'll find them in the Bliss and Lucky sections of the gallery)! 

Sympathy with Wings

A sympathy card for you today.

Linking my card up to the following challenges:
Heart 2 Heart Challenges - April Showers bring May Flowers
Paper Sundaes - Spring Blossoms

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):
Wings Level 2 Paper Pack
Rosy Regards acrylic stamp set
Pearl Gems
Cardstock: Black, Vineyard Berry, Colonial White
Ink: Vineyard Berry, Black, Olive

Lovin' Level 1's

I've posted many times on my blog about how much I LOVE the CTMH Level 1 Scrapbooking Kits!
They are great for beginners as the layout design work is done for you.  But they are also great for people who scrapbook a TON (like me!!) too!  They are a great way to get a lot of pages done quickly! 
So, if you love Level 1's as much as I do - - you will love this month's promo!

CTMH is giving away FREE Level 1 kits with every order over $115 Cdn.  (And of course - with an order of $115, you'll also receive this month's Stamp of the Month for Free (retail value $26.95Cdn) as well). 

With your order - you can choose any of the following Level 1 kits:

Offer available until April 30th (while supplies last).
You can send me your order by Email, or order ONLINE anytime!   (This is a great time to take advantage of some great clearance merchandise!!  And don't forget to add HOPE FOR JAPAN to your order!)
Have a great weekend!