Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

If you enjoy scrapbooking (and you probably do since you are visiting my blog), today is National Scrapbook Day.  It was started in 1994 and is celebrated on the first Saturday each May. I read somewhere that there are online groups petitioning the U.S. Government to make National Scrapbook Day a Federal holiday. If they moved it to Monday, it would be a Federal holiday I wish my employer gave us off from work. :-)

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, Close to My Heart has created a special paper packet that you can only purchase during the month of May: Dream Pop!

This paper packet includes 12 cardstock sheets as well as 12 B&T Duos^® papers that are exclusive to and specifically designed for this packet. By the way, these cardstock sheets are not simply cardstock. They each have a different clear embossed design on one side and are plain on the other.

By now you are asking yourself how you can get your own packet of Dream Pop. There are three ways: place an order for $35 or more in current, retail-priced items in May and when you check out you will be presented with the option to add Dream Pop to your order for only $10 plus applicable shipping and handling; the packet is valued at $19.95 retail, so this is a great price OR hostesses with a May Gathering that reach $400 or more in sales will receive one paper packet for free OR sign up to become a new Independent Consultant during May and you will receive Dream Pop with your New Consultant Kit.

Place your orders today because when supplies run out, Dream Pop will only be a memory.

When ordering Dream Pop, your order will only be $5 from reaching $50 which qualifies you to purchase the May Stamp of the Month: Pinwheel for $5. Please consider adding the SOTM to your order because I have a Dream Pop Workshop Guide to share and many of the ideas use the SOTM.

If you are not familiar with CTMH products, I would love the opportunity to meet with you so you have a chance to try them. If you know what you would like to purchase, click the Shop Now link below to place an order. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions about any CTMH product or promotion or to schedule a Home or Online Gathering.

Finally, a site that I have found much inspiration (and support) for my scrapbooking and cardmaking, Crop Chocolate, is hosting National Scrapbooking Challenges for the entire week. Stop by and check out the eight challenges. You will find them under Community > Contests. Joining is free and entries are due Friday, May 10 at 8am MDT. If you have trouble navigating the site or posting your entries just ask for help in "Box of Chocolates" as there is an abundance of people there that are helpful and supportive.

CTMH May 2013 Stamp of the Month: Pinwheel

The Close To My Heart May 2013 Stamp of the Month is Pinwheel.

This stamp set coordinates with the CTMH Exclusive Cricut® Artiste Cartridge.

When I look at this stamp set I think of a Spring garden or birthday party. You could make invitations, party decor, favors and thank you cards that coordinate. Using your Cricut^® to make them would save you time too. If any of the above ideas interest you, a list of products used to create them (and suggested techniques) can be found on the Stamp of the Month page (ideas for previous and past months can be found on the left side of that page).

Pinwheel is an exclusive D-size stamp set of 10 stamps that you can only purchase during the month of May 2013. The stamp set can by yours for $5 when you place an order of $50 or more in qualifying Close To My Heart Products (or you can purchase it for $17.95).

Recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks: 1" x 3 1/2" (Y1002), 2" x 2" (Y1003) and 3" x 3" (Y1006).

If you are not familiar with CTMH products, I would love the opportunity to meet with you so you have a chance to try them. If you know what you would like to purchase, click the Shop Now link below to place an order. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions about any CTMH product or promotion or to schedule a Home or Online Gathering.

More Creativity with Your Cricut®

I am thrilled that CTMH created the video Creatively Cricut®. I think they did a wonderful presentation and shared some fantastic tips and tricks. The video is a little over 12 minutes in length, but I think the ideas and tips in it are worth the time spent.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video is "Learn the tips and tricks for using die-cut pieces from Close To My Heart's Cricut® Artiste and Art Philosophy collections. Stamp on Cricut®-cut pieces, change the size using special features, and more!" Some of the products features in the video are:

• Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection (Z1686)
• Cricut®Artiste Collection (Z1790)
• My Acrylix® Perfect Fit—Frames 2 (D1536)
• My Acrylix® Frame Flair (D1546)
• My Acrylix® Happy Thoughts (C1536)
• My Acrylix® In Gear (B1415)

I especially like the tip to cut a full 12 inch border, but the mini book is great too. I don't have many young men in my life, but that mini is making me think I might need the In Gear stamp set.

If you are curious about the Cricut® Artiste and Art Philosophy collections and would like more information or a demonstration, please do not hesitate to contact me and I'll do my best to answer your questions. If you would like to purchase any of the items to create your projects, just click the Shop Now button.

I would love to see the artwork you create. Thanks for visiting today.

Home Decor: Canvas Art

On Monday I shared the Creating with Canvas video that gave you some ideas for using the My Creations™ 6" x 6" Canvas Display which is available on page 126 of the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book. It is item Z1818.

Today's video shows you the projects you can make with the Workshops On The Go® Canvas Art Kit; item G1062 in the S/S 2013 Idea Book. The Workshop Kit includes a 12" x 12" printed canvas display, exclusive stamp set and coordinating elements for decorating the canvas. It can be found on page 23 of the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book.

Earlier this year CTMH released a video with ideas for using the canvas.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video Canvas Art is "Close To My Heart's Workshops on the Go® canvas art kit includes accessories in two color schemes so you can create a piece of home décor that is uniquely yours. Talk about versatile!"

In this video they state that you can use 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151) or Liquid Glass (Z679) to adhere the items to the canvas. You may remember they used decoupage glue to adhere the printed tissue paper on the My Creations™ 6" X 6" Canvas Display. You should be able to find decoupage glue at most craft stores and some larger retailers that have a craft department.

I am excited to try this project too.

If you would like more information about the canvas display or Canvas Art Kit WOTG, please do not hesitate to contact me and I'll do my best to answer your questions. If you would like to purchase any of the items to create your own home decor, just click the Shop Now button.

I would love to see the projects you create. Thanks for visiting today.

Canvas Home Decor

In the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book Close to My Heart introduced the My Creations™ 6" x 6" Canvas Display. It is item Z1818 and you will find it on page 126.

These canvas displays are a great way to be able to easily display your treasured photos. After all we spend a lot of time on our creations that they should be out where everyone that visits our home can see them. If you need ideas, there are decorated samples of the My Creations™ 6" X 6" Canvas Display on page 39 of the Idea Book.

CTMH recently released a video with ideas for using the canvas.



The CTMH Corp. description of the video Creating with Canvas is "Learn how to add photos to canvas by using Close To My Heart's My Creations™ canvas display, your favorite photos, tissue paper, and finishing glue."

In the video they state that any decoupage glue can be used for the "finishing glue". You should be able to find decoupage glue at most craft stores and some larger retailers that have a craft department.

Another product that might interest you is the Workshops On The Go® Canvas Art Kit. It is item G1062 and includes a 12" x 12" printed canvas display, exclusive stamp set and coordinating elements for decorating the canvas. It can be found on page 23 of the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book.

I am excited to try this technique. I hope you are too.

If you would like more information about the canvas display or Canvas Art Kit WOTG, please do not hesitate to contact me and I'll do my best to answer your questions. If you would like to purchase any of the items to create your own home decor, just click the Shop Now button.

I would love to see the projects you create. Thanks for visiting today.

My Sunshine - the CTMH April SOTM

I know I told you about the CTMH April SOTM - My Sunshine on April 1, but I wanted to remind you about this great stamp set and tell you that it was not an April Fool's Joke.

You can get the D-size stamp set of 8 stamps for only $5 when you purchase $50 or more in qualifying Close To My Heart Products. Alternatively you can purchase it for $17.95, but why would you do that when a $50 order also gives you two entries into my Happy Anniversary celebration?

In case you feel that on your own you would not come up with enough creative ideas to use the stamp set, you should CASE the projects I pinned on my April 2013 SOTM: My Sunshine board. Additional projects will be pinned as I find them. While you are there, please check out my other boards devoted to CTMH products.

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to visit my blog today.

Pie Charts are Trending

In a recent Two Peas in a Bucket Newsletter, we are told that pie charts are trending right now. Interesting. I have not used a pie chart since college when we had to write reports for business classes.

I took a closer look at the Two Peas post and I have to say I love so many of the projects shared in their Gallery. Two Peas also has a  Pinterest board: Trends: Pie Charts.

This inspired me to quickly flip through the Spring/Summer 2013 Close to My Heart Idea Book to find some products that will help me make pie charts and I found a few items:

• Workshops On The Go® Chantilly Scrapbooking Kit - the Chantilly stamp set only available with this kit (G1053)
• My Acrylix® Just for You (B1398) - if you do not mind having scalloped edges on your pie chart, you could trim off the scallops if you want a more traditional pie chart look
• My Acrylix® Wheel of Life (D1545) - creatively ink your stamp to make the pie pieces different sizes (actually this goes for several of the stamps suggested)
• My Acrylix® Pennant Alphabet (E1018)
• Spinner (Z1832) - this would be perfect for highlighting a piece of your pie chart
• 1¼" Circle Punch (Z1311) - punch several colors and then cut the pie pieces the size you need

And I have to admit that some these items might be a bit of a stretch to some people especially when you are talking "traditional" pie charts, but art allows us some latitude:

• My Acrylix® Patterned Pennants (D1534) - these could make fun and funky pie charts; you could use the edge of a plate or drinking glass or maybe the Corner Rounder (Z578) to make the outside edges rounded if that is the look you want
• My Acrylix® Girls Rock (C1538) - the larger filled-in flower on the right side of page 41; stamp it in several colors and then cut the pie pieces as large as you need
• My Acrylix® Sail Away (C1530) - the inner part of the ship's wheel for a smaller pie chart
• My Acrylix® Pirouette (B1409) - again, you could just use the inner part of the stamp if you do not want a decorative edge on your pie chart

I think there are other stamps that you could use to make a pie chart, but those ideas might be too far out there and I have not had a chance to actually try them yet. I hope I have inspired you to look at some of the CTMH products in a different way. I know I love to find different ways to use my tools so I can get more use from my investment.

If you create your own pie charts on card, scrapbooks or other crafty projects I would love it if you shared the link here.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

My First Anniversary with CTMH

I am sorry, but this event has been postponed. New dates to be determined.

I was reading a fellow Close To My Heart Independent Consultant's blog and one of her promotions gave me this idea. (Thank you to Debbie.)

March 30 was my one year anniversary with CTMH. It is the actual date I signed up to be a CTMH Independent Consultant. Since my consultant kit arrived in April and in honor of my anniversary I would like to offer you the opportunity to receive $25 in free CTMH products; items that qualify as hostess rewards, ink pads, paper, etc., for example. Here is how the prize drawing will work:

Go to my website, http://brendalapp.ctmh.com/, Join the Anniversary Party Gathering (if you miss it you will get another chance when you view your cart) and place an order of at least $25 before shipping and tax. For each $25 of product you order your name will be put into a drawing.

If you order $150 or more, you will automatically receive hostess rewards at the "hostess" level you qualify for AND your name will be put into the drawing for each $25 you spend. For example, if you make a purchase of $150 you will receive $25 of select hostess products from the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book and get six entries into the drawing for more free products.

To be included in the drawing, all orders must be completed by midnight on April 30, 2013. On May 1 I will put the names that qualify for the drawing into a hat and choose one name to win $25.

Orders placed via my website typically ship within two to four business days after the order is placed so you will not be waiting until after the drawing for your items to ship (unless you procrastinate).

As my fellow consultant (and friend) encouraged her customers - ask your friends if they would like you to order something for them to help you reach additional $25 increments. The fact that you might win something will be our little secret. :-)

If you have any questions about this promotion, please send me an email.

Click the Shop with me link below to place an order or contact me if you have questions about any CTMH product or promotion or to schedule a Home or Online Gathering.

Thanks for stopping by today.

CTMH April 2013 Stamp of the Month: My Sunshine

The Close To My Heart April 2013 Stamp of the Month is My Sunshine.

This stamp set coordinates with the CTMH Exclusive Cricut® Artiste Cartridge.

The set would make wonderful cards and scrapbook pages. Or, as shown in the photo above, you could make favor bags for your Home Gathering (hint, hint), house warming, open house or other events where you have guests. To obtain a list of products used to create the above items and suggested techniques, please see the current Stamp of the Month page (ideas for previous months can be found on the left side of that page).

My Sunshine is an exclusive D-size stamp set of 8 stamps that you can only purchase during the month of April 2013. The stamp set can by yours for $5 when you place an order of $50 or more in qualifying Close To My Heart Products (or you can purchase it for $17.95).

Recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks: 1" x 3 1/2" (Y1002), 2" x 2" (Y1003), 3" x 3" (Y1006) and 4" x 5" (Y1012).

In addition, April is a great month to sign up to become a Close To My Heart Independent Consultant. When you join the CTMH family during the month of April, you will receive the April, May, June and July Stamp of the Month stamp sets for FREE! That is a reason to celebrate (and it is more than a $71.80 value since no additional shipping, handling or tax will be added to your enrollment kit).

If you have questions about becoming a CTMH Independent Consultant, please contact me and I will answer them.

If you do not have a CTMH Independent Consultant, I would be delighted if you make a purchase from me. Click the Shop with me link below to place an order or contact me if you have questions about any CTMH product or promotion or to schedule a Home or Online Gathering.

Another Easter 2013 Card

Today I am sharing another card that I made for this Easter. The above image is the greeting from the card.

I used the same new-to-me technique (that I mentioned in my Friday, March 29 post) to color in the stamped image. In case you need a quick refresher, I used old "plain" colored pencils (not watercolor), odorless mineral spirits and tortillons (some people call them stumps) to color in the stamped image. I posted more information below.

Here is a closeup of the stamped image:

Materials used: Eggcellent Stamps by Jillibean Soup, Holiday Seasons Clear Stamp Set by Inkadinkado, generic white card base from my stash, DCWV green cardstock, pink cardstock from by stash, CTMH Colonial White Cardstock, CTMH Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pads (Archival Black and Sweet Leaf), Jillibean Soup Baker's Twine (green and purple), Anna Griffin/Cuttlebug embossing folder.

In case you would like a little more information about the coloring technique I used, I used the suggestions in a product review on Amazon. The product is called Stampers Anonymous Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits Kit by Stampers Anonymous and it was the review "Good beginner or travel kit by S. Conway". I am reprinting part of the review here because I am afraid when the item sells out (as of this post there are only 7 remaining) the product information and review will no longer be available.

Reprinted from link above:

How I use with stamps:
Stamp a design with a permanent ink. Make sure it is dry before beginning technique.
Draw around the void spaces of the stamp with colored pencil basically leaving a line of colored wax around the space, leaving the center of the void area unmarked.
With screw top on Gamsol, tip upside down to wet the sponge tip. Touch a blending stump to the wet sponge and soak up fluid to moisten tip. Put cap on bottle to limit evaporation.
Take the moist tip and run it in tiny circles from the waxy line to the unmarked area. The Gamsol break down the colored pencil line and will allow the stump to pick up some of the color. drawing tiny circles causes the color to slowly blend inward toward the unmarked center. Can add more color, or second color, etc while continuing to make tiny circles all around your colored space, bringing the color from the outer edge into the center in smooth blended tones. Lots of videos online showing how.

Tips:
- Be patient. Better to go slower, add color to get the desired effect.
- Start with lightest tones first, then blend in darker tones.
- If you have dark color on stump and try to blend into a lighter area, the darker color will transfer. Clean stump by rubbing on sandpaper, or use one end for light, one end for dark.
- Paper needs to be thick enough to handle the solvent breaking down. Use good quality card stock.
- If you use the wrong ink, it will be picked up on your blending stump. Test before your actual project.
- Do not use this with watercolor pencils.
- This technique works with inexpensive crayola brand colored pencils quite satisfactory, but better pencils like Prismacolor, Mona Lisa and others will give smoother blending results.
This technique is relaxing. Enjoy.

[end of review]

Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you to visit tomorrow for a special announcement.