Close TO My Heart Anniversary Party!

I can't believe it's been over a year already since I became a Consultant with CTMH! What a fun and creative blast! I have enjoyed every minute of being in the CTMH family and grateful for the new friends and connections I've made.

As a "thank you" to everyone, I am hosting an anniversary party. This Sunday, May 3rd from 2pm to 5pm. If you live in the greater Seattle/Everett area, please come! You can e-mail me or comment here if you'd like to come and have so fun.

Come to my house and play with new products from the Summer Idea Book that releases on May 1st. There will be make-and-takes, giveaways and a drawing for a cool bundle prize! Earn extra entries into the drawing by RSVP-ing within a week, bringing a friend, and showing up on time. I will also have purged product for sale at great discounts.

Enjoy crafting and learning new techniques!

Mary Kay bag toppers

My friend Kim that invited me to her "Team up for women" Mary Kay event a few weeks ago, asked me to come up with some ideas for bag toppers that would glam up her product. She gave me three different sizes of bags she uses to work with. Here are some of the things I came up with. I'm waiting for CTMH's May Stamp of the Month, "Be yourself" to make ones that are even more appropriate so stay tuned for those.

Materials: All CTMH. Watermelon and white daisy cs, Buttoned Together ss, Say it in Style ss, Endless Love ss. Watermelon, black, chocolate, white daisy, blush and hollyhock inks, sanding kit, liquid glass.

Other: Swiss dots embossing folder and large flower die-Cuttlebug. Scallop edge punch, circle punches and flower punch-EK. Plaid paper-DCWV.

More earthy cards

Here's some more tree cards I made. That's all I have to say. ;)

Materials: All CTMH. Treetop ss, Say it in style ss. Cocoa, twilight, sweet leaf, and crystal blue inks, cocoa grosgrain ribbon, copper brads, liquid glass, sanding kit, edge distresser.

Other: Green Stack pp-DCWV, Labels One-Nesties.

Happy birthday to my "Popsicle"!

Here's the first posting catch-up item....a fun birthday card for my Dad's birthday today. Ever since I made those Earth Day cards, I wanted to create more with this fun DCWV paper. I thought it'd be fun to cut out a squirrel and beaver from one of the papers and created this whimsical card. My Nestie kinda stuttered through my Cuttlebug with the larger label, but I think it was a happy accident. On the inside it says "....to a crazy 'lo nut!" Hee-hee! Enjoy!

Materials: Green Stack pp-DCWV, sweet leaf ribbon and hemp-CTMH, cocoa ink-CTMH, Labels One-Nesties, Say it in Style ss-CTMH, pop-dots.

My internet is back...

Sorry everyone. My internet went down Thursday morning and the cable company couldn't get anyone out until today. :( So I have quite a few things to post.

I'm going to post them one day at a time because I'm dealing with my kitty's probable kidney infection. Another :( Almost a year ago I changed my cat, Simon's crunchy food to a new brand high and protein and low in grains. After reading the label and seeing how many natural and pure ingredients were in it, I thought it would be a better choice for my cat. He's strictly indoors. About two weeks ago, Simon stopped eating his kibble. I thought maybe he just didn't like it anymore--finicky cat syndrome. So I changed his food. That worked for a few days, then he didn't eat again. Then one night I made tilapia for dinner and he jumped up on my lap and ate right off my plate! He has NEVER done that before. He didn't even ever want tuna from the can. I then tried some softer food seeing if that would work.

Long story a little shorter....the crunchy food I originally changed him too was too high in protein that his body couldn't process the extra protein fast enough and it messed up his kidneys. He has also lost enough weight that the Vet is worried he might get a fatty liver, which is very dangerous and potentially fatal. The doctor took some blood work yesterday, so hopefully Monday we'll know for sure what's going on in his poor little body. I have to try and shove an antibiotic pill down his throat and also force feed him special food through a syringe. My poor little buddy. :( I really, really hope and pray that he makes it through this since I feel so bad for waiting so long to take him to the vet.

Happy Earth Day!! ....with a little Mojo.

I truly hope that you are all having a terrific Earth Day and are doing something great for our planet. And not just today, but everyday. Plant, recycle, carpool, conserve, re-use and re-purpose. Being from the great Pacific Northwest, all of these things have been ingrained in my brain since birth. It amazes me to see how many people across the country don't have recycling programs in their cities and towns. When I visited my brother in TN everything went into the trash because they don't have recycling. I almost wanted to take items home with me just so I could recycle them when I got back. ....I know, crazy huh?

Try and change the Earth for the better on your own, little steps at a time. Every little bit counts!

In honor of this great day, I decided to make an earth inspired card using a stamp set from the Summer Idea Book that comes out on May 1st. One of the first sets that was a "have-to-have". The set is called "Treetop", and it works perfect with this paper. Love it! This is also my version of this weeks Mojo Monday sketch found here. It's a 4.25"x 4.25" in case you were wondering. I added a bit more dimension to the trees by shading them with a marker and popdotting the center tree.

Materials: All CTMH. Treetop ss, Say it in Style ss. Colonial white, juniper and cocoa cs. Sweet leaf, juniper and cocoa inks, sweet leaf marker, hemp, sweet leaf ribbon round, sanding kit, sponge, popdots.

Other: The Green Stack dp-DCWV, Labels One-nesties, scallop punch-EK.

Color Chef Challenge #3

Yeah! I love this color combo! Kelly Jo's color challenge this week was Watermelon/Sunflower/White/Black. I had a lot of fun creating this card. I also had the perfect accent that has been patiently waiting in my stash. Aren't those flowers cute?! The two square epoxy stickers have also been chillin in my stash for-ev-er.

The Originals book helped with the layout on this. I used the "stage right" sketch. The only Sunflower paper was the patterned paper from the Magic Moments kit so I used my Cuttlebug paisley folder to match. Then I used my Spot on Backgrounds to make the custom dp stamped in watermelon and black then inked the edges in sunflower.

Hope you enjoy!

Materials: All CTMH. Black, white daisy, and watermelon cs, Magic Moments L2pp, Spot on Backgrounds ss. Black, sunflower and watermelon inks, sanding kit.

Other: Paisley embossing folder--Cuttlebug, flowers-Sandylion, epoxy stickers--unknown, black grosgrain ribbon--JoAnn's.

Tickled Pink layouts

Here are the two layouts that are made using the workshop guide from the Tickled Pink National Scrapbooking Day kit. They were really fun. The flower die cuts that come with the kit make these much more dimensional and special. I absolutely love the glitter paper. I was a little sad to use it; I just wanted to horde it forever and just look at it. ;)

To get your hands on this kit, check out the previous post and e-mail me!

Materials: All CTMH. Tickled Pink scrapbook kit. Blush, hollyhock and crystal blue inks.

I'm "Tickled Pink"!!

It's FINALLY here!!

You’re gonna love our Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit designed exclusively for National Scrapbooking Month in May. Our newest scrapbooking kit puts you front and center in your pages—with everything you need to create two beautiful two-page layouts all about the things that you love and that make you shine. And speaking of shine, you’ll also be tickled by the kiss of glitter on these fabulous papers! Perfect for Mother's Day layouts!

To get your very own Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit:

• Place a minimum order of $60 in stamp sets (excluding K-size and Stamp of the Month) between April 15-May 31 to receive a Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit FREE! (limit one free kit per order.)

• Purchase the Tickled Pink kit at just $34.95—well below retail value!• Sign up as a new Consultant between May 1-May 31 and receive a kit FREE.

• Host a Home Gathering between April 15-May 31 with minimum sales of $400 and receive a kit FREE.

The Tickled Pink Scrapbooking Kit Includes:

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

Celebrate spring, bling, and everything you love—you’ll be so happy, you’ll be Tickled Pink!

The "Mojo-Chef"

I see why so many bloggers double up on their challenges.....no time! I was hoping to do both the Mojo Monday Week #82 and Kelly Jo's Color Chef Challenge #2 separately, but alas, I ran out of time. After going to a district meeting at one of my fav places, The Rock Woodfire pizza, and suffering through the resulting food coma, I was finally able to work on these challenges. The Color Chef Challenge is to use tulip, sorbet and white daisy. I thought the inspiration picture looked more like goldrush instead of sorbet so I went with that instead.

I also got to use my NEW items from the Summer Idea Book that the nice UPS man delivered today! Yeah! I used the new Buttoned Together ss and clear button assortment. See how I stamped one of the buttons on white cs in goldrush and then mounted it behind the clear button? Cool huh?! I <3>

Now I'm off to visit Mom. She's doing real well after her surgery yesterday and should be home tomorrow night at the earliest.

Materials: All CTMH. Goldrush, tulip and white daisy cs, Perfect Day L2pp, Western Flourishes ss, Say it in Style ss, Buttoned Together ss. Goldrush, tulip and pigment white daisy inks, white daisy ricrac, clear buttons, edge distresser.

Other: stickles, scallop punch-Fiskars

Color Chef Challenge #1

Kelly Jo over at KJ's Stamp Pad has started this awesome weekly color challenge. Last Monday was the first challenge, and thank goodness she keeps the link open since I just found out about it from Aaron's blog. What fun, vibrant colors! I decided to use Crystal Blue instead of Breeze since I didn't have any Breeze. I used my hole punch to create my faux brads and then covered them with liquid glass. This is based on the Originals sketch, Squares & Overlays. I'm going to try and work on this week's challenge tomorrow so stay tuned.

I made this for my Mom who just had gastric-bypass surgery this morning. This has been a long, life-changing decision for her that she did lots and lots of research on. After years of doing Weight Watchers for her health and to help curb the heart and diabetes problems that run in the family,she plateaued and couldn't loose any more weight. Our family is confidant that this is the best way to help with any current or future health threats. On my way to go visit her now.

Materials: All CTMH. White daisy and crystal blue cs, Emporium L2pp, Intrinsic Backgrounds ss, crystal blue ink, liquid glass.

Other: sticker-3Birds, swiss dots embossing folder-cuttlebug, pop-dots, hole punch.

Happy Easter!!

Hope you all are having a blessed day with your family.

Here is one of my Easter cards that I had to make in a hurry to get them in the post on time. Not "egg-sactly" the style I wanted to make, but it uses the super-adorable stamp that I forgot I had. Isn't he cute?!! (How do I manage to buy more stamps than I can use? LOL!) Hope you enjoy!

Materials: All CTMH. Paper Garden L2pp, Easter Eggs SOTM, just blooms. Blush, petal, sweet leaf, and honey inks, sponge.

Other: Holiday Chick stamps-Stampendous, circle and scallop punch-EK, skittles, colored pencils-EK.

Card holders

I made these to go with my flyer for my business event from yesterday. This is another fabby idea from my blogger friend Rachel. They're made from pre-fab blocks available at "M's". I just covered them with paper and embellishments then painted the top to match. So fun!

Materials: All CTMH. Key To My Heart pp, fancy cuts botanicals, sorbet ribbon round, spring blossom brad assortment, white daisy just blooms.

Other: Acrylic paint.

My business flyer

Here it is....my flyer I made for my for my event tonight. Kim is a Mary Kay lady and they are having some kind of business builder event an they were told they can invite guest. Lucky me! It's a chance to showcase to them what I can do to help their business. My flyer includes examples of bag-toppers, small cards, and gift tags. I will also have standard card examples on display with loads of business cards. Hopefully all goes well and I network some new customers!

Materials: All CTMH. Key To My Heart pp, KTMH ss, Doodle Alpha ss, western flourishes ss, le chic ss, summer sweetness ss, Sept WP ss, huge thanks consultant ss, Perfect Day L2pp, blush and colonial white cs. Juniper, tulip, blush, black, cocoa, and garden green inks. Sorbet ric-rac ribbon, hollyhock twill ribbon, clear sparkles.

Other: Stickles, pink sparkles.

Mojo Monday Week 81 challenge

It's Monday again, and that means a new sketch challenge from the Verve girls at Mojo Monday!! I love Mondays! Bonus that it's also my day off. I haven't been able to participate for a while *sigh*, so I am so excited I had time today. I had this pretty damask type ribbon I bought from "M's" dollar bin and wanted to use it. The Juniper ink matched it perfectly. I also used prisma glitter on the word "flutter", and after I made a total mess kicked myself for not using stickles. Those are so much easier. Oh well, it's still looks good.

I am also excited for a great business opportunity I have for tomorrow. One of my co-workers is going to a business builders event and invited me to go to showcase my crafts and possibly network some new business connections! Yeah! Kinda exciting and scary at the same time. I'm going to be busy making samples and creating a flyer. Wish me luck!

Materials: All CTMH. Emporium L2pp, Butterfly Kisses SOTM, Intrinsic Backgrounds ss. Sweet leaf, juniper, and cocoa inks, copper brads, prisma glitter, sponge, pop-dot, sponge dauber.

Other: Making Memories brad, silk flowers, ribbon.

Nurse card

My friend Kim at work asked me to make her a special card for her daughter who was just accepted into nursing school. This is my first real request for a card to sell. Wow! I really want to start making cards for sale and have my own site on Etsy (an awesome site that has ONLY handmade items for sale). Hopefully by the end of the month I will have a site and let you all know.

.....back to the card. First off, horrible picture, sorry. Still want a new camera. It took me FOREVER to figure out the exact shape I wanted the nursing hat to be. After many hours surfing pictures and clip art....and (maybe) some other sites ;).....I came up with this shape. A cross made from cardstock and b/t to coordinate helped pull it all together. Kim really loved it and I hope that this helps to kick-start personal sales! Yeah!

Materials: All CTMH. Blue Ribbon L2pp, white daisy cs, Say It In Style ss, colonial white grosgrain ribbon, Indian corn blue ink, cranberry brads, sanding kit.

Other: Hole punch, EK scallop border punch, circle scallop Nesties.

Josie's pressie

Here's the fun gift I made Josie for her birthday. This great divided card box is yet another great idea from Rachel. To view her full detailed and easy instructions, visit her blog here. This was truly easy to make. You do have to have a very intimate relationship with your trimmer.

Josie loves my cards and sometimes asks me to make her one for this occasion or that, so I thought it would be a great idea to make her this box to house a bunch of handmade cards for her to give away. The large section hold standard 5.5"x4.25" cards and envelopes. The bottom left holds 3.5"x3.5" cards to either hand out or attach to a gift. The bottom right hold simple gift tags. All are stamped with various sentiments. I love the "Aspiration" ss to make beautiful yet simple projects.

The box itself I made and then covered the top lid with b/t paper. the fun center piece is made with Fancy Cuts botanicals...which I absolutely LOVE! They are so fun and great to use. You get 3 sheets of die-cuts in three different color shades. I love that you can use them plain, or distress them, or stamp on them to add more detail. Here I decided to sand them and use pop-dots to add dimension.

Hope you enjoy! And Happy Birthday Josie!!

Materials: All CTMH. Unforgettable L2pp, Aspiration ss, Say It In Style ss, Card Commentary ss. Sorbet, tulip and chocolate inks, Fancy Cuts botanicals, sorbet ribbon rounds, sanding kit, pop-dots, corner rounder.