Introducing the 2015 April Stamp of the Month from Close to My Heart

I loved this set from the moment I laid eyes on it!  Unfortunately I had to wait nine whole months before it was released, lol!  Here is an easy, but beautiful way to use the Stamp of the Month for April.

I used the papers from both the Seaside Paper Packet and the Snowhaven Paper Packet--opposing seasons that came together flawlessly!  :)

The Black Striped Twill Ribbon is easy to trim and stays tied nicely.  The Oceanside Sequins Assortment include two blue hues as well as a gray and off-white.  They worked PERFECTLY with the Whisper CS and twill ribbon!  :)

Here is a look at all the sentiments included in this set...

Just like always, the Stamp of the Month is available for JUST one month.  You can pick it up at the regular price of $17.95, OR you can get it for just $5 with a $50 purchase!

Don't wait to pick this one up, because my March Madness Mystery Hostess gathering is STILL going on!  Head over to my website, place an order, and you could win the hostess rewards!  :)

Bring the Bling! :)

I'm taking a week off from creating on spring break, but take a peek at the latest creation from my awesome guest designer and fellow creative blogger, Becca!

When you design for someone else, it's important to take into account the things that make them happy.  Anyone who's ever visited Amie Kiger's blog knows well that she loves her bling.  If something doesn't sparkle, it isn't finished.

Using inspiration from finalist #9 in the Top 20 of the 2014 Gallery Idol Competition, I created a card using lots of Washi tape and a blingy (blingey? blingish?) strip of gold trim.

Here's the supply list with embedded links for your shopping ease:

• Stamps:  World Traveler (same as last week's card.)
• Ink: Black
• Paper: Black
• Accessories: Gold Shimmer Trim, Smoothie Striped Washi Tape, Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape, Topiary Striped Washi Tape (no link available at this time), Honey Triangle Washi Tape, Black Arrow Washi Tape
• Tools: Paper Trimmer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Foam Tape

To create the Washi covered wedge, I started by cutting the wedge shape from white cardstock and then tore small strips of various colors of tape and wrapped them around the edges if they were too long.  My only attempt at doing anything design-like was to try not to put two pieces of the same Washi too close together.  I ended with long strips of Black Arrow Washi Tape to highlight the idea of going somewhere.

To get my shimmer trim to line up with my Washi covered wedge, I glued the black wedge onto my top card panel, laid down the Washi wedge without gluing, laid a ruler along the bottom edge, removed the Washi wedge, and drew a faint pencil line. I cut the shimmer trim longer than I'd need and line up the edges with the pencil line to affix.

The card is for my niece who will be taking a "gap year" after she graduates from high school to visit three different countries for missions.  Could the sentiment be any more perfect?  I don't think so.

Until next time,
Becca --

Does she know me, or what?  ;)  I LOVE this card, Becca, THANKS!

Just FOUR MORE DAYS to get your orders in on my website to qualify for my March Madness Mystery Hostess giveaway!  Someone is going to be getting some new CTMH goodies!  :)

Back to the Seaside

Here are some more pics I scrapped using Close to My Heart's subtle Seaside colors.  I used the Seaside Workshop on the Go Scrapbooking Kit for this one.

Aqua Dots are a great bubbly addition to beachy layouts.

The Seaside Assortment metal shapes are beautiful.

LOVE the fence zip strip that comes on the patterned papers!

You can pick this kit up NOW and enter my March Madness Mystery Hostess giveaway until April 7th!  Don't miss your chance to win $25 or MORE of FREE Close to My Heart products without even having a party!  :)  Click HERE for all the details and links!  :)

No Fooling, Seasonal Expressions 2 is LIVE!

Happy Washi Wednesday!

April FOOLS!!!!

It isn't Washi Wednesday today, well, because April 1st is here at LAST!  Along with the new month comes new Close to My Heart goodies to use for all your crafty projects!  From scrapbook pages to cardmaking, you will find something you love in the new Seasonal Expressions 2 supplemental catalog from Close to My Heart.  Check it out on my website today! 

Along with each new month comes a new Stamp of the Month.  This month's set features an old-fashioned typewriter theme with 17 different sentiments to choose from!  I can't wait to show you what I made with mine!

Love a great deal? How about 30 days of great deals? During the month of April, you have the opportunity to score a deal every day with Close To My Heart! What deals am I talking about? Each day during April, while supplies last, my website will feature a random grab bag filled with current and retired Close To My Heart products available for purchase at a major discount. To grab your bag, simply place any current, full-priced item in your online shopping cart, and you will be eligible to purchase as many grab bags as you wish (while supplies last)! Grab bags will be featured at five different price points throughout the month, ranging from $35 to $150. Some grab bags will contain product with more than DOUBLE the retail value of the price you pay! Grab bags will be available for 24 hours starting at 3 pm MDT each day and only while supplies last—so visit often and early! Remember that grab bag tiers will be featured on a random schedule throughout the month, so seize the opportunity to purchase from the grab bag tier you’re interested in when it becomes available because it might not come around again!

Talk to you soon!  :)

Sticky Boy Framed!

So, I pulled out my March 2015 Stamp of the Month to have one more go-round before the month ended.  AM I GLAD I DID!!!

As I took a second look at the cute frame images in this set, I couldn't help but think of my Sticky Boy in a frame!  Love how it ended up when I popped it up on the thin foam tape...

LOVE the look of the soon to be released Extra Thick Twine in Thistle at the top.

His round balloon looked GREAT in the different patterns of the Confetti Wishes Paper Packet...and again I used the twirly strings from the SOTM on them...

The Happy Birthday sentiment is from the Joyful Birthday My Acrylix.

Be sure to pick up your Stamp of the Month before March is over...because just like the name implies, once the month disappears, so does the stamp!  :)

You could even win the March Madness Mystery Hostess giveaway I am having RIGHT NOW!!!
Read all about it here!

Seaside for Spring Break!

Greetings from spring break!  I used the Seaside Paper Packet from Close to My Heart to scrap some pics from spring breaks past...don't judge, I have LOTS of years to catch up on!  ;)

The Brown and Tan Glitter Paper sure looks GREAT with this color combo...and the zip strips from the pattern papers make FANTASTIC journaling strips!

That's my shadow at the bottom, not a smudge, lol...

I used Desert Sand CS and Ink to create this complementary layout.  The seashell images are found on the Treasured Friendship My Acrylix stamp set, and the little antiqued gold shapes are in the Seaside Assortment.  

LOVE this paper for my beach pics...stick around all week for more!  :)

Shop my Mystery Hostess Giveaway and win FREE CTMH products!!!

Jamberry Nail Cardmaking Inspiration!

Yep, you totally read that right!  Take a peek at my inspiration for this next card creation...

My awesome Jamberry Nails for St. Patrick's Day!

How's THAT for unexpected?  :)  I was in the car when this one popped into my head and had to wait until later to create this card for my baby sister's birthday today...

This was almost too easy for words.  I used the Distressed Backgrounds My Acrylix Stamp set to make the black houndstooth background.  Then I just added layers of the Blossom Complements stickers!  The simple circle sentiment is an image from the Blossom Workshop on the Go Cardmaking Kit.  I LOVE THE IMAGES ON THE STAMP SET IN THIS KIT!!!

Check out the inside sentiment I chose that is also in the Kit...including the little burst shape I added around the "O."

I added some glitter pen to the center of the word, "YOU."

I easily added the same distressed houndstooth pattern to the flap of the envelope to coordinate them.  I just wish I had cut a white border around the flower element to better match the rest of the flowers.

ALL of the Blossom line of My Reflections products are going to be available starting in April!  :)

Happy Birthday, Brena JOY, you talented thing, you!!!!!