May Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Greetings, y'all!  Welcome to Close To My Heart's May "Stamp of the Month" Blog Hop!  Did you get here from Shirley's blog?  If not, just keep hoppin' and you'll come on back around!


The name of the May Stamp of the Month is Cherish the Moment, and it features eight different label/tag elements that are quite versatile!  I used the "Celebration" tag on my retreat bags.  I think this is my favorite stamp in the set!

This time I used a paper packet that's brand new - Cherry-O!  Oh, my, it's awesome!  I truly thought it was going to be a bit too 'cutesy' for me - but I love it!

I kept the layout very simple so as to showcase the stamp and the Cherry-O paper.  This card is for a dear friend who gifted me a gorgeous bonsai tree for my new office.  I'll try to remember to take a photo (don't hold your breath - ha!).

Contact your CTMH independent consultant to purchase this stamp set only in May, or get it free with purchase!  If you don't have a consultant, you can purchase it now on my site.  Now hop on over to my friend Misty's blog - tag, she's it!!!!

Look at all this loot! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Hey y'all!  I am up to my earlobes in paper, die templates, ribbon, glue dots......you name it!  As if I needed any more excitement in my life.....the new Summer Idea Book from Close To My Heart releases a week from today!  Here's a little peek at a card I made today with one of the new papers, Cherry-o.  I'll post the whole thing after the book goes live.

So back to all those goodies that are cluttering up my house....here's the proof:

Now.  I know that's a tiny photo.  But it's all I have.  (Edit:  Margie sent me a larger photo - woohoo!  Thanks, doll!)  Margie took this photo of her Spellbinders(TM) loot spread out on her bed at the hotel.  It does not include an entire box (ten inches high) of cardstock, a Copic airbrush system with markers and the Wizard die cutting and embossing machine.

Spellbinders was rolling out the product every 15 minutes!  This is Ashley having what she called an "Oprah moment".  ha!  Isn't she clever?   Sorry for the fuzzy photo - she couldn't be still!  tee hee!  That's Judy in the background.....they are both Spellbinders Design Team members!

Can you believe it?  I had an extra carry-on and half of my big (BIG) suitcase empty when I arrived, and I still had two boxes shipped home!  So I've been playing with my goodies all weekend instead of doing laundry or cleaning house.  Fun, fun, fun!

One of the products that I received from Spellbinders was the Impressablities(TM).  These are cool metal 'screens' that, when run through the Wizard or your other compatible machine, embosses your cardstock.  The super cool part is that you can use them for stenciling as well!  Check out StampTV this weekend
over at the Gina K. Designs blog for a tutorial.

So get ready for a few more sneak peeks.....you're gonna love it all!

Treat Bags! Yum, yum, yum...........Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Can you find the chocolate in this photo?  It's in the little glasine bag - and I didn't eat it!  ha. 

Well, I'll let you in on a little secret.  My last nine posts, including this one, were pre-scheduled and posted a couple of weeks ago.  I am actually on my way back from the Spellbinders(TM) 2010 Design Team retreat in Peoria, Arizona!!!!  I know by this time my brain must be exploding with all kinds of smart stuff - ha!!! And my luggage will be full of all kinds of Spellbinders(TM) goodness.  Oh, what fun!

We were all told to bring each other a little gift that reflected our hometown. 

Well, Melbourne, Florida is the hometown of Ocean Potion sunscreen products.  The little decorated jar is clear zinc oxide for your face, lips, nose...you get the idea.  And we are also the home of Grimaldi handmade chocolate, specializing in chocolate-covered potato chips.  That's what's in the little bag!  Also all wrapped up in the gift bag is one of CTMH's brand new clear acrylic cards with a clear plastic envelope!!  Scalloped and square - oh my!  I hope the girls liked them.  Will tell you tomorrow and spill all the beans!!!

Thanks for sticking with me!  OH!!!!   I just remembered that yesterday was my one-year blogaversary!!!!   Did we make it to 25,000 hits?   I still need to hunt up some blog candy.  Give me a day or two to unpack and I'll see what I can find! 

Peace out,

My family - I was once a teenager! CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

I nearly lifted this layout directly from a fellow CTMH consultant, Lisa Stenz.  She is amazing!  Hers was so beautiful that I couldn't see much sense in changing it.  Of course, it's MY family photo - tee hee!  I think that we all coordinate well with the paper except for my mom and Jeannie. 

I am the huge one on the left.  I have always been the biggest!  Sigh.  Some things will never change, I suppose. 

Until later,

Passages - CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Okay, I just couldn't wait any longer.  I am in love with this new paper - Passages - that will be introduced in CTMH's Summer Idea Book on May 1.  The sentiment and little 'stitch' stamp are from a set available if you purchase the Workshop on the Go - which you will be able to do May 1.  The flower is from a kit that my sweet mom gave me for Christmas, and the cork button (YES!  Cork Button!!!) is from the Queen Bee line from Pink Paislee.

Clean and simple!  From me!  Go figure.

Smiles,

Rock Star! CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

How about this cute little rockin' girl?  I paper pieced her clothes using another pattern from "Rock Star", the same paper on the card base.  Did I show you the acrylic album I designed with this paper? 

Here's a layout of Alan on graduation day.  Doesn't he look happy?  My handsome young man.  Love him so much!  His next graduation will be this winter from University of Florida.  Who knows how many more he will go through before reaching his goals.  He studies so hard!

Here's one more card with the same paper.  Now, all of those little swirly circles on the top layer are actually stamps!  I love how easy it is to match and coordinate the inks with the papers....so nice!  And those little circles....don't they remind you of a Spirograph?

Okay, am I showing my age now, or are Spirographs still around?  Surely one of the greatest toys ever invented.  Good grief....we went through reams of paper playing with that thing.  Who would have known that just a few (ahem) years later (ha ha), I would be playing with acrylic stamps that mimicked those same spirally images?  Fun, fun, fun!

Did you enjoy your weekend?  Silly question......I wish my life away waiting for my weekends!

Peace out,

CPS161 - Caboodle CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Silly me.  I made this card for the Our Creative Corner challenge last week and forgot to post it on the challenge post.  tee hee.  And I was so excited about using my Tiny Tabs!

This was really quick to come together since I used a sketch.  The sentiment is from Verve, but everything else is Close To My Heart.  Even the ribbon is from a Colonial White Ribbon Round, but it's retired.  I still have some if you'd like....I'll share what I have left!  The paper (Caboodle) and the metal tabs (love them) are brand new so you can purchase them from me.  You can actually lift off the epoxy circles from the tabs and use them alone, decorating the tabs to coordinate with another project.  How cool is that!!

Cute Baby Layout CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Do you ever look at something in a catalog and think "Ehhh...maybe not so much.".   Well, that's what I thought when I first saw the Caboodle paper packet in the CTMH Idea Book.  Then I ordered it and saw it IRL - va va va VOOM!  Love it and use it...can't stop using it! 

I lifted this layout but it was worth coping, don't you think.  I wish I had a better photo, 'cause it looks better IRL also.....ha!  

The filigree charms are sponged with white pigment ink which is then rubbed off, leaving the charms with a subdued, vintage look. 

The little chipboard hearts come on a whole page, different sizes...some funky like these and some curvy, traditional Valentine hearts.  They're covered with some of the paper - easy peasy!

Of course, my favorite part of the layout is my baby!  Alan.  I am the luckiest mom in the world.  My 22-yo baby.  I loved that little outfit sooo much.....so soft and sweet.  He was the cutest baby I have ever seen!  So adorable.  Can't wait for this college semester to be over.  I miss him!

SFYTT Sympathy Card CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

I decided to give my mom a second option for her sympathy card.  Unfortunately, she needs it now as her friend's dear daughter has passed away.

I used Jen's SFYTT sketch  this time.  It certainly makes things go quicker when you have a sketch, although most of the time I like to play around with my supplies.  Lately, though, I've been on a mission to use up some supplies as well as post more often, so I've found the sketches are often a nice jumping-off point.

CTMH's wonderful Veranda paper packet includes all of these paper patterns.  What appears to be cocoa cardstock (for the mats) is actually the reverse side of the paper upon which the image is stamped.

Now.  I left my cuttlebug and folders at my friend Amelia's house a couple of weeks ago.  Which is why I have not used any of my loving Spellbinders dies lately.  Expect that to be remedied soon!  The reason I bring this up is to tell you my little trick for the sentiment panel.  Without my Spellbinders dies, I was at a loss for what to do.  So I pulled out a sentiment panel that is part of the Queen Bee kit, flipped it over and used the outer edge as a template on my Veranda paper!  Cut it out, then taped it to the cocoa side and trimmed out a little mat that way.  I thought the Verve sentiment might be comforting, and the CTMH flower and charm finish it off simply.

Enjoy your evening!

Hey, girlfriend! CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Just a quick post today!  While I had those vintage Crafty Secrets panels out yesterday, I used this one to make a card for the Splitcoaststampers Ways to Use It challenge.  All you had to do was use a diagonal element on your card.  How easy is that with the Topstitch paper, which is already on the diagonal? 

I used a scallop punch, several layers, a pretty flower and button.  I couldn't find my chocolate waxy flax to thread the button, so I threaded it with a skinny little strip of chocolate cardstock.

Off to do a bit of cleaning (groan.........)

Men are such animals!!! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

I was perusing the blogs (blurfing - blog surfing - don't you love that?  tee hee) and found a challenge that was right up my alley - use a bow on your card.  Well, hellOOOOO!!!  A bow implies ribbon.....and goodness knows I have enough ribbon to tie up central Florida! 

Now what does the title of my post have to do with a bow?  No.....nothing about a man all tied up.....get your mind out of the gutter!  "Men are such animals....Yes dear, but some make good pets!"  It's the sentiment on this cute little panel that I used on the card.  Funny, huh?  It's from one of those pages of vintage images from Crafty Secrets.  I love them!!

I ended up with this card in such a roundabout way.  It started with the bow concept.  I knew that I wanted to make a fluffy bow with May Arts' silk ribbon, but I only had green (no - not what I wanted) and this buttercup yellow.  Then I thought vintage...oh, those Crafty Secrets panels!  So I pulled them out and found this one - the gal's apron matched the ribbon, and I thought the sentiment was a hoot!  And pink is vintage, right?  So then I thought pink - let's look at the new CTMH Topstitch paper packet.  The vanilla cream flowers go nicely with the ribbon!  I used grey wool cardstock and ink for matting and stamping.  Seriously, it took less than 15 minutes, which is miraculous for me.  I stuck a Pretty Pin in the bow and called it done! Can't wait to mail it to a friend!

Thanks again, y'all, for visiting my blog.  Do you like my new header and sidebars???  My friend Amelia paid her friend Tamera to do the logo (header).  Then I paid Tamera to do the sidebar headers, signature and a watermark.  So now I'll be able to add the watermark when I get Photoshop Elements.

Phew!  So if you're still here, leave me a comment about the new look.  Anything I should change?

Back to work tomorrow (boohoo)....

Mojo Monday 133 and another Sympathy Card Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

I can't stop using this Queen Bee paper!  Thanks, Amy.  tee hee.

Well, my sweet mom is going to need a sympathy card really soon, so I decided to make one at a time.  I hate to tempt fate and make three like I did the last time. 

Today I used the Mojo Monday sketch.  I wish you could see this card IRO (in real life) - my photo skills just don't do it justice.  The black cardstock is CTMH, and all the rest is the Queen Bee line from Pink Paislee.  The Verve sentiment is stamped on a 'flip note', which is one of several little die cut papers tucked into a little pad.  Of course, they all coordinate perfectly with the Queen bee line; some even have little flourishes, crowns (heart!) and sentiments on them.

Remember that trip to JoAnn's last week?  The key that I purchased and used on the Veranda card?  Well, that's when I bought the fleur de lis embellishment that I used on this card.   LOOOOOOVE it!!!!  There are about nine of them (gold, silver, copper colored) in the package....I'd better get more...ha!

What are you up to this weekend?  Creating just a little bit, I hope.  Me....watching my Dodger boys beat the Marlins, I hope!

Peace out,

Happy Spring! CTMH Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Happy Spring, indeed!  We are already burning up here in Florida.  ha....remember all that complaining about the cold weather?  I knew it would come around to bite me in the behind!

It's obvious I'm working on jazzing up my blog and that I need to resize some things...tee hee....bear with me, as I thing the final product will be delightful!  I am excited!!

In the meantime, I wanted to share with you a card that I did for the JUGS challenge.  My friend Lisa from Artful Inkables DT is on the design team, as is my soon-to-be-friend Mona from Spellbinders DT. They have a different 'type' of challenge each week - this week it's a sketch challenge.

The paper is all from CTMH's "Topstitch" paper packet.  Cute, right?  It's reversible so you can use pink or blue for a baby album.  I love that!  I also love the little stamp set - it has several umbrella options, as well as little duckies to paper piece!  How precious!

Let me get back to 'fixin' my blog.......later, friends!

SFYTT with Veranda and a big ol key! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

So I've been trying to do more of these sketch challenges.  This weekend I made this card for Jen's SFYTT (sketch for you to try).

As I mentioned, the paper is from CTMH's luscious Veranda collection.  You've seen me use it many times....just a few days ago in the Chipboard Mother's Day Album.  The sentiment is from last year's Heart of Winter promotion, and the flourish is from this year's Heart of Winter promotion!

For the three little heart elements on the sketch, I used two pewter brads and one of CTMH's filigree charms (LOVE them!!!).

Now.  About that big ol' key.  My good friend Amelia decided that I needed more scrapbook supplies, so she called me with the 'heads up' that JoAnns had some rockin' cool vintage elements - from Jolee's, no less!!!!  So I mosied on over there (Friday post, remember???) and picked up a package of four different keys and a whole bunch of fleur de lis, which I am sure will show up very soon on a project or two- tee hee.  So what do you think?  Purty?

Did I tell y'all how awesome you are??? I believe I might actually make it to 25K hits before my first blogaversary on April 21!  You guys ROCK!!!!  You can bet I'll be digging out some blog candy to post this weekend.  Thanks for your loyalty!  It's much appreciated, though I may not mention it often enough.

Cheers!

Spellbinders(TM) International Guest Blogger Call! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

Good morning, all!  Or good evening, good night, ciao to our international Spellbinders users....it's your time to shine!

We are excited to announce the Spellbinders International Guest Blogger Contest. wooHOOO!  Spellbinders is looking for one fabulous International Guest Blogger to appear on the Spellbinders Paper Arts Blog during the month of June! This contest is for Spellbinders Paper Arts enthusiasts currently living outside of the United States. We will select one International Guest Blogger to create four projects with instructions, for publication on the Spellbinders Paper Arts Blog.


How cool is that!  This is a fab opportunity for our international fans, who were not eligible for the DT call, to showcase their talents! 

The contest is open to submissions from April 6, 2010, until 11:59 MST, April 20, 2010. The Winner will be announced on April 29, 2010, and completed blog posts with images are due by May 24, 2010.


Contest details and prizes are posted on the Spellbinders Paper Arts Blog.

Good luck to all!

Nothing is so beautiful as Spring! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

I hope you like this Queen Bee paper...if not, you might want to stay off my blog for a while - ha!

This time I used a few other supplies as well.  The sketch is from a Splitcoast Stampers' challenge last Wednesday - SC274.  The little label that holds the sentiment - "nothing is so beautiful as spring" - is just one of a couple of dozen that coordinate with the paper line.  I bought some other goodies that 'go' with it, so I'm in Queen Bee heaven!

I really like the yellow, black, grey and white.  ou can see that I used three of the patterns here on the card, all matted with CTMH black cardstock and mounted on a white daisy card base.

And look at how sweet the CTMH felt flower and filigree charm are!  Of course, the yellow coordinates better in real life.  Thankfully, we will be getting some photo tips at our Spellbinders retreat, so I hope to be stepping up my photo skills.

I hope you had a wonderful Easter.  Were you hangin' with your PEEPS?  ha ha ha.............  I know, I know.....but I just couldn't resist!  tee hee

I'll be back tomorrow with a special announcement....plus a card using CTMH's gorgeous Veranda papers!

Till then,

Deb

Spring-y Duck-y card Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

So here's the second card I made with my FREE loot from Emma's Paperie that I showed you Thursday night.  Yum!  This time I used the Mojo Monday 132 sketch - the square version - and it came together in a snap! 

I love the Crafty Secrets cardstock images, and this little ducky/chicky is one of several that I ordered from Emma's.  Don't you just love her?  The felt coaster is a dollar bin find from Michaels.  I purchased four different colors and will figure out something to do with them - I have an idea for a layout. 

I have lots of ideas - just need to put them down on paper - literally!  Oh, to be able to do this for a living - what a dream that is!  Until then, I'll keep squeezing in some projects on the weekends......I know most of y'all are feeling my pain and are in the same boat! 

BTW, my first year blog anniversary is April 21!!!!  wooHOOO!!!  I was hoping to reach 25,000 hits by then, but I don't think it's going to happen.  So I'll try to post often if you would stop by just as often - maybe together we can make it happen!  Would the promise of BLOG CANDY entice you???  hmmmmm....let me dig through my stuff and see what I can find!  Mwaahhh ha haaa!!!!

Tee hee!

Deb

Queen Bee! Love it!!!!! Scrabooking in Melbourne, Florida

TGIF - wooHOOO!!!  My boss let me come home early today.  Happy dance!  I stopped at JoAnn's and bought stuff I 'needed' - seriously, I did!  tee hee.  Then went to another place I cannot reveal to buy something I cannot reveal for the Spellbinders(TM) DT retreat.  Will reveal at a later date (mwahh ha haaaa!!!).  Then I came home and played with my new Queen Bee goodies that I told you about last night!

Here's the first card I made today with my Queen Bee collection.  The sketch is from Jen's SFYTT.  I used a felt 'crown' from CTMH, and a little 'throne' that I picked up in the jewelry dept. at JoAnn's today.  See, I told you I needed to go to JoAnn's!  I wanted to do some sewing on my card - and you can see what a horrible job I did.  I have this little Pixie craft machine (or something like that) by Singer that I picked up for less than $30 at Wally World last year.  Since it came threaded with yellow thread, I was able to sew on this card.  You would think I had never sewn, right? Not!  I even made a little denim jacket for Alan when he was a tiny critter.  Home ec classes and all.  By the way, did we really learn any economics in home ec, or just sewing and cooking?  I hope it's different nowadays than it was back in the stone ages.  tee hee.

Will be back tomorrow with my Mojo Monday sketch card using some of that freebie loot I showed you yesterday.  Yes, I'm trying to entertain you with daily cards in the hopes that you'll visit often and boost my counter up to 25K before my first blogaversary.  Enjoy!

Peace out,

Deb

Happy Easter! Well, almost....ha! Scrapbooking in Melbourne, Florida

So, did you play any April Fools tricks on anyone today?  My friend Annette sent out her newsletter stating that she broke her arm yesterday.....then she admitted it was a gag further down in the text.  Naughty girl!  tee hee.  Maybe next year I'll come up with something good.  Until then....

I am so excited!  I had been seeing the "Queen Bee" paper line from Pink Paislee here and there, and of course I just had to have it.  Hey, it has crowns in it!  ha.  So I went over to Emma's Paperie and lo and behold....I bought the Queen Bee line and more!  My package arrived last night and look at how pretty everything is!  All wrapped up in sunny yellow tissue.  With jelly beans!!!!

And with a $50 purchase, you get a free project kit.  Well, you know I spen $50....need you even ask?  tee hee.   So here's a photo of my FREE project kit!  6x6 double-sided papers, alpha stickers, little clear stamps (a birdy!!!), two ribbons, flowers, glitter and buttons!  wooHOOO!

I was so inspired that I went straight to my studio and created this adorable Easter card!!!! Can you believe it? Yum, yum, yum!  All of these papers are from the free loot,except I added the white card base and a little yellow and blue from CTMH.  Plus "Easter" from March's SOTM, and a little bit o' Stickles. 

You know, I believe this is the first Easter card I've ever made.  Good grief!  I need to get with the program!

Tomorrow I'll  post yet another card I made with my freebies, this time using the Mojo Monday 132 sketch.

In the meantime....there's still a little time to sneak in an April Fools' Day prank!  Leave a comment and let us know what you did!

Deb