Close to My Heart Blog Hop

Welcome to our Close to my Heart Summer 2009 Idea Book Blog Hop! I am so excited to be a part of this. There are over 40 consultants participating.
I had so much fun making this card. I used the new "Animal Cookies" paper and "Treetops" Stamp Set. This card was very easy to make. There was no coloring involved. I stamped the tree twice. Once in Bamboo Ink and then again in Clover Meadow Ink. I then cut out the tree top and attached it to the Bamboo colored tree. I then added red buttons for apples, stamped the sentiment and sponged Heavenly Blue ink for the sky. The card design is from the CTMH Originals Card design book.

Originals Template: Lucky Three
Paper: Animal Crackers
My Acrylix Stamp Set: Tree Tops
Ink Colors:Bamboo, Clover Meadow and Heavenly Blue
Embellishments: Holiday Craft Buttons, Summer Craft Buttons, White Ric-Rack Ribbon

Now "Hop" on over to Amberlyn's Blog. Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas and see the great new Paper Packs and My Acrylix Stamp Sets! If you just came from Michelle's Blog, then you are heading in the right direction. If not go back to Erin's Blog to start at the beginning.
Remember, the Summer 2009 Idea Book goes LIVE on May 1st!

If you should encounter any problems along the way, there is a list of bloggers below this post that can help you get to the next link.

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Blog Hop List

>Erin Herring
>Penny Doucette
> Kathleen Rensel
> Jessica Moore
> Colleen Porter
> Sherry Thompson
> Jen Patrick
> Corey Acton
> Amy Edwards
> Amy Schultz
> Tresa Black
> Leslie Kolic
> Rebecca Garrison
> Miranda Kurz
> Terrie Dodd
> Traci Tanimura
> Debora Mcelhany
> Katie Paterson
> Michelle Robinson
> Lori Scott
> Amberlyn Gentry
> Wendy Kessler
> Meredith Burgess
> Vicky Sullivan
> Caren Goldstein
> Jena Devries
> Kami Welter
> Traci Godbee
> Julie Banzon
> Laurel Seabrook
> Alisan Smith
> Haley Dyer
> Dawn Heuft
> Ali Creel
> Helen Onulak
> Jean McNulty
> Aaron Brown
> Shannon
> Julie Lane
> Carrie Zrodlowski

More Tickled Pink Layouts

Here are a couple more Tickled Pink Layouts. I still have journaling to do. I have to wait for it to come to me to say the right words. The caption on the journaling block is "let me count the ways". So, I may have to ask the other two grandparents in the layouts to help me.

Tickled Pink Layouts

I am loving this Tickled Pink Paper Pack. It came with a little booklet that has sketches and directions on how to create 4 pages. It came with chipboard and a stamp set to make the adorable flowers, emblishments and other things to make the layouts. This layout is of Lexi when she was 9 months old. I miss those chubby little thighs. I was holding her on my lap Sunday, after I finished this layout and was looking at her long thin legs and remembering how little she once was and how big she has gotten.

Another Gorjuss Girl

Her name is "Just a Girl". I decided to give her brown hair. She kind of looks like me as a kid in her denim dress and white boots. I bought this paper last night from the local scrapbook store. It is called "Pop Fashion" from Pink Paislee. I was there for the monthly crop with some girls from work. We try to get together once a month. It's been a couple of monthes since we have been there so we had fun seeing all of the new things. One of the girls, Jennifer who scrapbooks with us had a baby and that kind of through us off of our monthly get together. Last night she showed up with her new baby "Lily". It was nice seeing her and holding sweet little Lily. The scrapbook store is next to a creamery. It is a treat for us because we go over there and bring back dinner. I had sliders with fries and a mocha fudge milk shake. It was so yummy.

Isn't she Gorjuss?

Vicki,
If you are reading this post SHUT YOUR COMPUTER OFF!!! Otherwise, guess what you are buying next?



I couldn't help myself. I fell in love with the "Gorjuss Girls" from Stamping Nellie. I tried to not look at the posts of these adorable little girls, but the next thing you know my finger's headed to "Funky Kits" from Scotland and hit the purchase button. This Gorguss girl is called "A Little Birdie Told Me." She is colored with Copic Markers and the paper used is from DCWV.

Sneek Peak

This adorable little duck is from one of the stamp sets that Close to My Heart will be debuting in the Summer Catalog that comes out on May 1. This set comes with 5 little ducks...reminds me of a song that Lexi likes to sing. You know which one I'm talking about? In this set, each little duck is doing something cute. I had fun playing with it. I used my Cuttlebug to emboss the yellow cardstock and random stamped some bubbles on the blue cardstock using one of the stamps in the set. The name of this set is Makin' Waves.

Content to be a Bella

I made this card for the MOJO Monday Sketch Challenge. I used Content to be a Bella for my image. She is stamped in Memento ink and colored with Copic Markers. I used my Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Swiss Dots to create texture to the cardstock. The patterned paper is from DCWV.

Elzybells Coffee Friends

TGIF. I'm so glad the weekend is finally here. The weather is going to be in the high 70's. I'm not sure what we are going to do, but I am thinking that it would be fun to take our bikes to the beach and ride along the bike path that parallels the ocean, and then have a picnic lunch. Doesn't that sound like fun?
I made this card using Elzybells Coffee Friends. My Sister-in-law Vicki sent this adorable stamp set to me. I bought the paper at the Scrapbook Expo. I can't remember the brand. I used the Storybook Cartridge from Cricut to cut the label. I had wanted to buy the Label Nestabilities, but it looks like I won't need them now. The card design is from Split Coast Stampers. Have a great weekend :)

Is that a cupcake on your head?

Isn't she just adorable? Last night I had time to play with my unopened Bella stamps. Like a lot of you, I have become a "collector" and need to start finding the time to use my stamps. I made this one for a co-worker's birthday. I used this weeks Mojo sketch. It was just perfect for this size of stamp. The paper is from Making Memories. For the Scallops, I used my Fiskers Border Punch. To make the cupcake stand out, I cut out a seperate piece of the frosting and attached it with a pop dot. I then added Liquid Glass to make it shine.

Tickled Pink

Close To My Heart has a great promotion to celebrate National Scrapbook Month starting April 15. The Tickled Pink kit contains everything you need to create 2 beautiful 12x12 layouts.

Here is what you will get:

Tickled Pink Scrapbooking Kit
Featured Colors: Blush, Crystal Blue, Twilight, Hollyhock, Sweet Leaf
1 – My Acrylix® I Am Stamp Set (D-size)
2 – 12" × 12" Floral B&T Duos™ Paper (1 with glitter)
2 – 12" × 12" Stripe B&T Duos™ Paper (1 with glitter)
1 – 12" × 12" Blush Textured Cardstock
1 – 12" × 12" Crystal Blue Textured Cardstock
5 – 12" × 12" White Daisy Textured Cardstock (1 sheet with die-cut shapes)
1 – Mini-Medley Accents White Daisy Collection
1– Foam Texture Tool
1– Brochure

Here is how you can get it:

*Place a minimum order of $60 in MyAcrylix stamp sets (excluding K-size and Stamp of the Month sets) between April 15-May31 to receive this kit FREE!
*Purchase the kit outright for just $34.95 plus tax and shipping.
*Sign up as a new consultant between May 1-May31 and receive it FREE!
*Host a Home Gathering between April 15-May 31 with minimum sales of $400 and receive the kit FREE!
For more information and to order, please go to My CTMH Website

Hurry up soon. This special will go fast!

Butterfly Wings

Here is a card that I made for this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch. I used the March Stamp of the Month "Butterfly Wings" and "Intrinsic Backgrounds." The paper is "Paper Garden." For the scalloped border, I used a Fiskars Border Punch. I placed the ribbon up top instead of below, because I made a little goof on my card and didn't want to start over. I cut my patterned paper a half inch too short and had to add another piece. So, I covered it with ribbon.

Easter Cupcakes

Lexi and I had a fun morning. When she got up we made these adorable Easter Cupcakes. They were very easy to make. I started with a store bought white cake mix and butter cream frosting. I made the cupcakes following the package directions. When they were cool, I mixed green food coloring into the frosting and spread it on one of the cupcakes. Then I placed a Peep in the middle and candy eggs around the sides. While the frosting was still wet, I sprinkled on green flaked coconut that I had made by stiring in green food coloring. I continued this process with each of the cupcakes. Lexi loved making these, and she can't wait to share them with her cousins tomorrow.

Spring Things

Happy Friday Everyone. This little cutie is from my new Gingersnaps stamps called "Spring Things". I bought them from All That Scraps. I stamped the fence on white cardstock and then colored the background with Copic Markers. I then stamped the little girl and bunny on a seperate piece of paper, colored them and attached them to the fence. The patterned paper is from DCWV. Sorry the picture is a little blurry. I took the picture this morning before going to work so that I could get it in the mail for my Dad and didn't have time to see how well it came out.

So what are your plans for Easter? We will be going over to my niece, Yvette's, house for Easter. I have lots of nieces and nephews so Lexi will have a lot of fun. Tomorrow I am going to make Easter cupcakes to bring over. I will show you the pictures of them when they are made.

Queen Bee

My Stampingbella Stamps are missing me. It's been a while since I have used any of them. I decided to show Queen Bee a little love. I followed Split Coast Stampers Sketch SC223 for the layout. She is stamped in Memento Ink and colored with Copic Markers. I used Angel Shimmers on the crown and wings. On her cape, to give the look of fur, I applied Liquid Applique. Once applied, I let it sit over night to set. It didn't need to be heat set. The paper is from an unopened Minds Eye paper pack called Smitten that I bought around Valentines Day.

My Newest Purchase

I am so excited. I finally did it!!!! I have been tempted to buy one, since I tried it at a SU party. But, since I already had the Cuttlebug and the Cricut, I just couldn't justify spending the money for another gadget. Well, I saw an online advertisement for the Sizzix at Ritz Camera for $66. I thought hard and then said no. Well, today, someone on one of the boards that I read, wanted information on a machine that would cut chipboard. I told her about the Sizzix and the online special. Which then stired up the envy in me. And, got me to thinking again about the $66 special and how I won't get that deal again if I don't jump on it now!!! So, I did and am happy that I did. I really like this Sizzix Machine. Especially the pink and black one. Not that it makes a difference in the way it cuts, but that it is sooooo cute.

Tilda with her Bunny

I created this card using the Mojo Monday Sketch. This is Tilda with her Bunny. She is colored with Copic Markers and her wings have Shimmers on them. The paper is from SU and the Buttons are from CTMH.

Green Eggs and Ham

These are some layouts that I did of Lexi from St.Patricks Day. On that day, we were having Corn Beef and Cabbage for dinner. Bill asked Lexi if she knew what Irish food was and she excitedly said "Green Eggs and Ham", so that is what Bill made her for dinner.
All supplies used for this layout are from CTMH. The paper used is Magic Moments. The shammrock are from the March Word Puzzle Stamp Set. The buttons are Autumn Craft Buttons. The layout is from the Imagine Book and is called Powerful Trio.

Sweetheart Tilda with Love Muffin

I know it's not Valentine day anymore, but I just wanted to use my "Love Muffin" stamp to make a birthday card. I used "Sweetheart Tilda" and my favorite Basic Grey paper "Bitter Sweet". The sketch is from the Magnolia Sketch Challenge for April.

Mom vs Dad

A fellow CTMH Consultant just shared this on the CTMH Board. Thought I would pass it along.

A story I received....
"I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up something
> off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item
> away from her and I asked her not to do that. 'Why?' my daughter
> asked.
> 'Because it's been on the ground and you don't know where it's been,
> it's dirty and probably has germs' I replied. At this point, my
> daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, 'Mummy, how do
> you know all this stuff? You are so smart.' I was thinking quickly.
> 'All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mommy Test. You have to know
> it, or they don't let you be a Mommy.' We walked along in silence for
> 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information.
> 'OH... I get it!' she beamed, 'So if you don't pass the test you have
> to be the daddy.' 'Exactly,' I replied back with a big smile on my
> face."

> When you're finished laughing send this to a Mom

Daydream and Happy Endings

I just love this stamp set. The princess and the frog are just too cute. There are so many cute images that go with this set that I still have lots of cards to make. Because of Lexi, I like to collect Princess Stamps. She has so many birthdays to go to and every little girl loves a princess card. I used Mojo Sketch 80 for the layout. The stamp set is called "Happy Endings" and the paper pack is "Daydream". I am going to get a lot of use out of these.