March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop from Close To My Heart! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Welcome to our Close To my Heart March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  Did you hop over from Sarita's blog?  I hope you enjoyed her project!
This time we have over 70 consultants using the same stamp set - A Little Everthing.  This set of over twenty sentiments and images will be a staple in your collection. You'll want to play with all of them!  I've already used the scallop border on many personal projects.  So settle in and find some inspiration!

I've been dying to make something that was just a little vintage.  This doesn't go overboard nor does it hit the grunge stage, but it's close enough to give me a taste of it!  

Remember those little paper-sack-purses I've shared in the past?  Well, I pulled out another one, teamed it with some textured cardstock, Notebook paper (looooOOVVVE it!) and a few fun embellishments to make the perfect gift bag for a Mother's Day present! 

I suppose I could have done a little more distressing and sanding, but I didn't want to go overboard, thinking there might be too much contrast with the start white bag.  But I didn't want to cover up the bag so much either, ha.  So this is what I ended up with!

Here's a closeup of the sentiments I used from the March Stamp of the Month.  I inked the stamps with Hollyhock, then used a sponge dauber to apply Chocolate ink directly to the bottom of the stamp's letters before stamping.  Easy peasy!

Now hop on over to my girlfriend Carla's blog for more ideas!  Take it away, Carla!

p.s.  Thanks for all your well wishes on my new position on the Spellbinders(TM) Design Team.  I can't wait to share new products with you!

Deb

Any Birdy Home? AI Sunday Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

My friend Leslie has been making a lot of mini-file folder-notepad covers.  She uses file folders for her notepad covers, but I was too lazy to scrounge around for one.  But I still wanted to make one. 

I ended up using good old white cardstock for my base and Emporium paper from CTMH..  Loving the little birdhouses in Any Birdy Home (Artful Inkables) as much as I do, I decided to make a little covered notepad as a gift, since I already made the matching card....right?  So I colored up a relatively duplicate image (same colors anyway, tee hee) and cut it with my favorite Nestabilities(TM) die, Labels Five.  The scrunchy flower is made with five cardstock scallops, centered with one of our new colonial white brads (click on the image for a closeup).  Did you notice the birdie sitting on the birdhouse?  She's a little Martha punch that you've seen me use a few times this month.  So cute!!!!

See how simple the inside is?   The whole thing is held together with tiny magnets (see it on the back of the flower?), but you could use Velcro as well.  Again, the magnets were on my desk and I was too lazy to get up and pull the Velcro out of a drawer.  Good grief!

A funny story.  I called Alan the other night and he was making pizza.  Seriously....he was making homemade pizza dough!  This was a first for him.  The funny part is that he had to ask me "how much is a tablespoon?"!!!  HA!  Luckily he had a quarter cup measuring cup so he was able to use that (no measuring spoons in Gainesville, I reckon).  But here he has taken Advanced Calculus, Quantum Physics, Nuclear-mechanical-whatever....but didn't know how many tablespoons were in a cup!  I reckon his mama did not teach him.......tee hee!!!!  I wonder how the pizza turned out!  I'm afraid to ask - ha!  But just thinkin' about it is making me hungry.

Enjoy....

Deb

Exciting news from me and Spellbinders(TM)! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

I am soooo excited......OMG!!!!  I am honored to have been chosen as one of the members of the Spellbinders(TM) 2010 Design Team!  How cool is that!  wooooHOOO!!!!!

If you are not familiar with Spellbinders(TM) totally rockin' products....Nestbilities(TM), Shapeabilities(TM), Frameabilities(TM).....you get the idea....then get ready for the ride!  These products are extremely versatile, work with many machines that you probably own, and add such an elegant flair to your projects.

I can't show you my winning project just now, as it may be used for publication.  So let me say thanks to the owner and creator of Spellbinders(TM), Stacey Caron, for inviting me to join the team.  I'll be flying to Arizona to meet them....oh, I can't WAIT!  Surely they have no idea what they are in store for!  tee hee

Deb

Invite the girls for a night out! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Hey y'all!  I finally took the time to work out a Mojo sketch.  They are always fun, and this one was no exception!

You can choose between a round card or a square version.  This time I decided to try the square version.  Mostly because I was too lazy to find something to make a big ol' circle with.  HA!!!

Here's a cute little invite for a girl's night out with your BFF.  I used my new "Mariposa" paper pack from DCWV for this one.  I so loooove the papers in this stack!  This fleur de lis pattern in one of the more sedate ones....most of them have birdies and birdcages, which is why I bought the stack...ha!

The brown paper is CTMH's Desert Sand textured cardstock, sanded down a bit to show the white core.  I used Julee's Express Yourself and Delightful and Delicious with Black Versafine ink, paper-piecing one of the coffee mugs using the Desert Sand cardstock.  The flower is from a scrapbooking collection my Mom bought me for Christmas.  What a match, right?  Then....look at the little fleur de lis beads (click on the image to enlarge it) in the center of the flower!  How righteous is that!!!  It's from Prima.  I bought a couple of sets of these a while back and of course, forgot that I had them.  While scrunging around for a black button...........voila!!!!!  A perfect match!  wooHOOOO!!!!  Happy happy, fun, FUN!

Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday!  I have been looking forward to this day for about a month now.........you may ask why.  Well, I'll be back later either with good news or bad news.....ugh....my tummy is in knots.  Check back in Saturday for an update!

Deb

Beach Bunny! CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Here's a pretty picture of a pretty girl!  This is Emma, the daughter of my ex-husband's niece.  So I guess that makes her Alan's second cousin?  Who knows.....I just know that she is sweet and funny and absolutely beautiful.  Her parents are insanely incredible...what a lucky family!

I have to apologize for just being too darned sleepy to go back in there and take a better photo.  Aren't these Topstitch papers the best?  They flip to blue and brown, so they're great for boys too.  I also used these papers on the two cards here.

Are you watching the Olympics?  My boyfriend Apolo Anton Ohno is soooo cute, isn't he.  He wishes I was there....but alas, I must stay here and bring home the proverbial bacon.  I know that he understands.

Sigh.

Deb

Think Ink Tuesday Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Just a reminder - this week's Artful INKables Think INK Challenge is to create something that is either Naughty or Nice!  Have you completed your submission?  Head on over to the Artful INKables Blog for all the little details and be sure to play along, it is sure to be a great time! Here are a few more details:

* You are not required to use AI stamps, but if you have them, we'd love to see you use them**If you use AI stamps we will give you TWO entries for your creation! Just link your card to Mr.Linky Twice!

* You have until Monday, March 1st, 2010, midnight Pacific Standard Time to link your creation to this post. A winner will be chosen Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 to win a GRAB BAG of AI STAMPS!

* When posting your link, please post the link directly to your creation- so if it's on your blog, please link it directly to the specific post with your creation.

* If uploading to SCS or PCP, please add the keyword AIC14.


Here's my 'Naughty' creation ..... now let's see yours!
 
Deb

Naughty or Nice? This one's just a little naughty.... Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

You are going to get this stamp set....you know you are!  "If love is blind,why is lingerie so popular?"

Indeed!  This week's challenge on the AI blog is to make either a naughty card or a nice card!  I used Artful Inkables' brand new release Sexy and Sweet to make this cute card that's just a little naughty. 

Isn't this corset image GREAT?  It's just one of several great images, along with several nice 'n naughty sentiments.  The paper is CTMH's Daydream; CTMH diecuts; and a Martha birdie punch (love him!)

So whip up your own card....naughty or nice....and you might win a big ol' bag of AI goodies!  Now, my design team term is about to end, but you can apply to be an INKgirl!    All of the details are here....so hurry up!

Good luck!

Deb

Baby card and Love card CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Happy Hump Day!

I thought you might like to see a couple of cards that I made for my Open House display boards.  The layout of the top card is pretty self-explanatory.  Both cards use the super-cute "Topstitch" paper packet.  With the combination of pinks, blues and browns, it's perfect for baby albums!  The pink papers reverse to brown, so you can use the paper packet for traditional boy/girl items.

The top card also uses a great new stamp set "Togetherness" which has several images of stitches and a sentiment to match.  The images (flowers and flourishes) as well as the sentiment on the second card are from a stamp set available exclusively in  the Topstitch Workshop On The Go.

I hope you're having a good week.  I woke up with a killer sore throat, nasty chills....the works.  I literally slept most of the day.  It helped, but just getting up to shower kicked my butt tonight!  And I have a 9:00 a.m. meeting......ugghhh.....at least we don't have snow outside; I'm thankful for that!

Till next time,

Deb

Think Ink - Naughty or Nice? Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

It's time for another Artful INKables Think INK challenge! This time our Think INK Challenge is to create something that is either Naughty or Nice!

You'll have two weeks to complete the challenge and add your link to the main post over on the Artful INKables Blog to have your entry counted! Head on over to the Artful INKables Blog for all the little details and be sure to play along, it is sure to be a great time! Here are a few more details:

* You are not required to use AI stamps, but if you have them, we'd love to see you use them**If you use AI stamps we will give you TWO entries for your creation! Just link your card to Mr.Linky Twice!

* You have until Monday, March 1st, 2010, midnight Pacific Standard Time to link your creation to this post. A winner will be chosen Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 to win a GRAB BAG of AI STAMPS!

* When posting your link, please post the link directly to your creation- so if it's on your blog, please link it directly to the specific post with your creation.

* If uploading to SCS or PCP, please add the keyword AIC14.

Be sure to stop by here on Sunday to see my 'Naughty' creation for the current Think INK Challenge! 

Deb

AI New Release Blog Hop! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Welcome to Artful Inkables’ new stamps blog hop!   All of our creations are made with brand new Artful Inkables stamp sets released today!

So if you arrived here from Holly's blog, you're right on track!  If not, hop back to the beginning (Kristin’s Blog - Artful Inkables), so that you can get the full show.

There will be a prize giveaway at the end of the hop, so be sure to leave a comment on all of the blogs along the way in order to be entered into the random.org drawing.

I used Artful Inkables' adorable new stamp set, "Any Birdy Home?"  You know how I loooove my birdies!    There are a few different birdhouse images and other good stuff to select from.  I colored!  Yes, I used my Copics.  So cheery, right?

The little fences are done with a Martha punch.  And of course I had to use my favorite Nesties label to cut and mat the image.  CTMH cardstock, paper and flowers.  Fun, fun, fun!

So are you ready for more new stamp reveals?  Then hop on over to my girlfriend Joy's blog - her inspiration is the set "Sweet and Sexy" - you'll love it!

Remember to leave a comment on each blog for a chance to win.  Win what?  Well, you'll find out at the end of the hop!

Good luck!

Deb

Got your goat? Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Happy Valentine's Day!  And since I don't have a sweetie, that's about all I'm going to say about it ;-)

Here's a little treat bag that I made with Artful Inkables' set "Down on the Farm".  I just love all of the images in this set, and Kristin included a cute little sentiment to use with each little guy.  I used "Kick up your heels" to stamp on the background, since that is just what this cutie is doing!

I tried my hand at using my Copic markers again.  One of these days I'm going to get the hang of it.  It would be nice to take one of those certification courses.  I might have to look in to that.

Here's the inside of the bag.  These are really, really quick to whip up.  As you can see, I put a bag of buttons in here as my special treat.  Instead of the scalloped edge treatment, you could make it more tailored for a young man, or girly-girl it up for a young princess!

Now.....how would you like to become an INKgirl?  Our design team terms are just about over, so we're looking for a few good wo-men to take over!  Being an INKgirl has been a blast!  This is my first design team, and I've made wonderful friends while getting a little behind-the-scenes peek at the business side!

Do you have what it takes?  Check out the requirements on the AI Blog.  You have till midnight February 27 to apply. Go for it!

Good luck,

Deb

Mini Album for a Rock Star! CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Happy hump day!  Remember saying that when you were a kid?  Oh, we thought we were so clever.  TGIF - how cool was it to rattle off that one?  KISS - keep it simple, stupid.  I don't imagine teachers can use that one nowadays without getting sued.  Good grief!

Off my soapbox now and on to this little acrylic album I made.   I made the images small since there are so many - click on the images to enlarge them and you'll notice the clear stars and flourishes along the right and bottom borders.    Here I've flipped the cover open so you can see right through - how cool is that! These are CTMH's new Rockin' Top Coats - just $4.95 for 14 really cool colorful clear images.  How cool is that winged heart!

This is the same acrylic album that I used in this post with the "Sweet Home" paper.  These can be challenging to do, as you want your project to look good "through and through/   You'll be able to see some pages all the way through to the back, if you do it right!

I've flipped through a couple of the inside pages so you can see more of the Top Coats.  The coordinate with this paper, which is "You Rock".    I've worked up a little workshop that includes a partial paper packet, the acrylic album, Rockin' Top Coats, buttons, ribbon and instructions.  Drop me an e-mail if you're interested.

For those of you in the frozen tundra, enjoy your snow days!

Deb

Sympathy Card for Amelia Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

My good friend Amelia lost her father-in-law this week.  He had a rapid decline over the last few weeks, but it is never expected, is it.  I wanted to make a special card for her, Tom and the girls.  I opted for this week's Mojo Monday sketch. 

I paired this spring's Creative Basics collection from CTMH  with some Juniper and Garden Green cardstock.  A few of the new Spring Flowers and a great brad are my accents. 

The sentiment, as well as the birds and leaves, are all from one of Verve's stamp sets.  Julee does such a wonderful job with her images, sentiments and fonts.  This set has several stamps that are appropriate for sympathy cards.  I consider it a must-have set for such occasions.  There are a couple of other images included as well.

Here's a closeup of the sentiment (click on the image for a larger view.

Enjoy what is left of the weekend.  Oh, why do we have to go back to work on Monday?  Oh, to be able to create all day, every day.....what a life that would be!

Deb

My beautiful niece - AI Sketch Challenge! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Brrrr! It's a cold-stay-inside-and-play-with-paper kind of day!

Yes, I know....it's Super Bowl Sunday....whatever!  ha!  Now, you know I love my Dodgers, and I love my Gators, but it pretty much ends there.  But for Uncle Jimmy and Cousin Greg.......gooooo COLTS!

Join us in this week's sketch challenge over on the Artful Inkables blog for a chance to win a goody bag of AI goodies!  Here's Kristin's sketch for you to use.

This time I took the sketch, flipped it on its side and instead of a card....made a layout!

(You can click on the image to enlarge it and view the details)

This is my beautiful, precious niece Stephanie.  She and Alan (my baby) are the only grandkids on our side of the family.  That could have been different - 25 years ago today.

Yes, today is my sweet baby Jessica Lynn's birthday.  I have no doubt that she would have looked just like Stephanie looks in this layout.  Today,  25 years later, I imagine she would be a concert pianist......a governor......a physician.....maybe even a mom.  Who knows?  Que sera sera.


Most years I am the only one that thinks about this birthday.  Or perhaps others remember but just don't say anything to spare my feelings.  That's more likely....

So are you ready to try your hand at this fun sketch?  Distress it up like I did....or keep it clean and simple.

* You are not required to use AI stamps, but if you have them, we'd love to see you use them! **IF YOU USE AI STAMPS, YOU GET 2 ENTRIES FOR YOUR CREATION! JUST ENTER YOUR NAME/LINK TWICE ON MR. LINKY!!!

* You have until Monday, February 15, 2010, midnight Pacific Standard Time to link your creation to this post. A winner will be chosen Tuesday, February16, 2010 to win a GRAB BAG of AI STAMPS!

* When posting your link, please post the link directly to your creation- so if it's on your blog, please link it directly to the specific post with your creation.

* If uploading to SCS or PCP, please add the keyword AIC13.

Good luck!

Deb

Sweet Valentine for Susan's Party CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Happy Friday....woooHOOOO!

My sweet friend Susan is hosting a Close To My Heart party next weekend.  So of course we have to make a valentine...right?

Right!  The large heart element, popped up on foam tape, is from the beautiful stamp set "Love Language".  I bought it for the fabulous bird stamp (not used here), and I'm glad I did!  The little lace border is from the set "Lovely Lace".  Ink is Vineyard Berry; paper is "That's Amore".

And what's a valentine without a little chocolate?  See the strip of brown cardstock?  That's a piece of textured cardstock, sanded to show the white core.

And this month, we are donating some of the proceeds from the sale of CTMH's textured cardstock to medical care in Haiti.  Buy any set of textured cardstock and get another set, any color, free!  It's the perfect time to stock up.  Click on the icon on the top of the right column of this blog for information on how you can save and help others at the same time.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Deb

Think Ink Tuesday Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

It's challenge time over on the Artful Inkables Blog!  Every other Tuesday we give you a new challenge, then you have a couple of weeks to work it up for a chance to win AI goodies!  This week our leader Kristin is offering up a sketch challenge.  Read the details over on the blog....come back Sunday to see my take on it....and link up your own for your chance to win!