May Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the May Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  The stamp set featured this month is D1456 Chairs to You.  This month we have 56 wonderful consultants participating and showing off their creations!

If you have come from Wanda's blog then you are on the right track!

This month was a bit of a challenge.  These chairs and sayings are adorable but I wasn't thinking they were the easiest to work with.  But then my dogs actually helped me out and the 2 page layout I created was born! They love to sit in the big chair and look out the window and I finally caught both of them on the chair at the same time - it was perfect!  I also created a 3.5 x 8 card as well.  I got all into the Kraft card stock with these projects - very fun and easy to work with.  Enjoy!

Products used (all CTMH):

Chairs to You stamp set

Bamboo, Desert Sand, Hollyhock, Outdoor Denim, and Indian Corn Blue Inks

Kraft, Hollyhock, Cranberry, Indian Corn Blue and Colonial White Cardstock

Lucky and Sohpia Level 2 paper packets

Color ready Kraft borders

Designer Wooden buttons

Lucky Level 2 assortment

Irresistables Eclectic Alphabet

Now "hop" on over to Cindy's Blog and check out her beautiful artwork for this month!

If you get lost along the way you can go to Helen's Blog to see the complete list of all the participants this month.

Be sure to visit all the consultants at their blogs to get some other great ideas! Remember, the May SOTM is only available until May 31st!  Contact me (GrigsterN at yahoo.com) or click here to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

Heart 2 Heart Bunny Hop!

Just for today - H2H challenges blog is hosting a Bunny Hop!

It is all about Easter and Spring over there so as I just had a card workshop yesterday afternoon and 2 of the cards fit the ticket I figured I'd join the hop!

This first card was made using Sophia paper and the A Tulip stamp set.  A piece of velcro holds the flap closed.

The second card features random stamping using the Sensational Season stamp set and Mayberry papers.  I love how this turned out!

Materials used:
Sophia Paper pack
A Tulip stamp set
Pear, Hollyhock, and Blush inks

Mayberry Paper pack
Sensational Season stamp set
Olive, Smoothie, Honey, and Cocoa inks
Blending pen
Sorbet stitched ribbon

Now go check out all the other great artwork on the "hop" and get hopping to create your own fun Easter/Spring Project!  And don't forget to use Close to my Heart products for your creation!  You have until 8pm EST to get your project up.

H2H Gets sketchy!

This week over at the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog we were given a sketch to work with. 

I like this kind of challenge because it takes some of the "work" out of the planning process.   As I was thinking about the sketch this week, I was sure I wanted to use CTMH's new kraft color ready borders.  I pulled out some stamp sets looking for ones with tall designs and this is what I came up with:

It is crisp, clean and colorful!  I got the inspiration for the color combo from some of the new paint charts I picked up at Lowe's the other night.  The purple should be a bit more like magenta but I like the color combo!

Materials Used (all CTMH):
Cardstock in White Daisy, Gypsy, and Pear
Kraft Color Ready Borders
Tag the Occasion stamp set
Star Power Stamp set
Black, Lagoon, Pear and Gypsy Ink
Blue and Green Sparkles
Red and Pink Sparkles

Thanks for checking this out and be sure to check out the rest of the artwork for this week over at the H2H Challenge Blog!

April Stamp of the month blog hop

Welcome to the April Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  The stamp set featured this month is D1455 Blessed.  This month we have over 50 wonderful consultants participating and showing off their creations!

If you have come from Sarita's Blog then you are on the right track!

This month I drew my inspiration from a color combination from an outfit that I love to wear.  The outfit consists of brown pants, a pink shirt and a cream colored sweater.  I felt that this combo was well suited for this months stamp set as well as the Bliss paper pack.  I created a 5 x 7 card and added some shimmer brads for some dimension.  Enjoy!

Products used (all CTMH):

Blessed stamp set

Chocolate, Hollyhock, Grey Wool Inks

Bamboo, Hollyhock, and Colonial White Cardstock

Bliss Level 2 paper packet

Shimmer Brads

Now "hop" on over to Haley's Blog and check out her beautiful artwork for this month!

If you get lost along the way you can go to Helen's Blog to see the complete list of all the participants this month.

Be sure to visit all the consultants at their blogs to get some other great ideas! Remember, the April SOTM is only available until April 30th!  Contact me (GrigsterN at yahoo.com) or click here to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

H2H challenge - Oh Baby!

My sister-in-law is so excited to have recently become an aunt!  Her sister just had an adorable baby boy.  I knew that I had some Caboodle paper left so I decided to make a book for the baby.  It just so happens that baby is the theme over at the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog this week!  And here I was thinking I had no reason to make anything baby.  Some of the pictures are blurry and for that I apologize and I have no idea why.  I would retake them but the book is now packed to go to a crop with me this weekend!

Front

Inside pages 2 and 3

Inside pages 4 and 5

Back

Inside pages 6 and 7

These books are so easy to put together and make great gifts - just like this one is!

Materials (all CTMH unless noted):
Caboodle Level 2 paper pack
9x9 accordion album
Caboodle Stickease
other EK Success stickers I found at Walmart that match perfectly

Head over to the H2H Challenges Blog to see what other Baby artwork has been created and happy crafting.
Also - if you want to make your own book, see my post right below this one!

Hope for Japan

Like many organizations, Close to my Heart has hopped on board to help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.  They have created a very pretty A-size stamp set that has 100% of the profits going to the American Red Cross for relief efforts.  Ordering information has not been provided yet but I can make a list of pre-orders for anyone who would like one of these.  

Typically, our A-sized sets retail for $7.95/$8.95 CAN, but the "Hope for Japan" set will be available through April 30 for just $5--and Close To My Heart will be donating 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross to benefit relief efforts in Japan.

If we all do a little, together we can do a lot. Let's show our support and together, provide real HOPE for Japan!

Post a comment here on my blog or contact me via email (GrigsterN at yahoo.com) if you would like to order one.  Lets all come together for a good cause!

9x9 Accordion Album workshop

I am once again offering the 9x9 Accordion Album workshop at ScrapThat2! in the Burlington Center Mall.  It was a huge hit the end of last summer so I thought spring would be a great time to bring it back for anyone who missed out the first time.  Details and pictures are below.  You can choose any paper pack from the 12 that are currently available.  Click HERE to see the current papers. (Note: the cherry paper I have used for my sample is no longer available)  These books make great gifts for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter, vacation or birthday!

Saturday,  April 16th from 6 - 9pm

Supplies for Single Kit*:             Supplies for Double Kit**:
(1) 9 x 9 Accordion Album                (2) 9 x 9 Accordion Albums
(1) Level 2 Paper Packet of choice     (1) Level 2 Paper Packet
                                                              of choice to split
(1) Coordinating My Stickease           (2) Coordinating My Stickease
Total with s & h: $28             Total w/ s & h: $40 (split-$20 ea.)

*Makes 1 book, when you are done with this project you will still have half of your paper left over for other projects.
**Makes 2 books, if you want to partner up with a friend and share a paper pack, or do 2 books the same (no leftover paper) you can.

 I will be supplying the use of my inks and a personalized cutting guide to follow, please bring the following supplies with you:
~paper trimmer
~adhesive
~scissors
~sponge (if you have one)

Payment may be in the form of cash, credit card, or check/money order and must be to me by Saturday April 2^nd in order to ensure the supplies arrive in time. Please comment here or email (GrigsterN at yahoo.com)/call me to reserve a spot or catch me at ScrapThat on April 2nd.  If you can't make it to ScrapThat but are interested in this project, please contact me to work out alternate arrangements!

Happy Scrappin!  Hope to see you at ScrapThat soon!

Lucky ScrapThat Preview

I know that some of you have probably been waiting for this.  The infamous preview of Saturdays Make and Take class at ScrapThat!    This weekend I will be featuring a layout using Lucky papers - great for guy pictures!  Also, I will have the Miracle clear cards again, they have been a huge hit!  As always, you can email me (GrigsterN at yahoo.com) or post a comment here if you want to secure your spot on the list!

Layout as it will be made in class (title may be different)

Layout with Lucky Level 2 chipboard assortment added (not included)

Hope to see you Saturday!!!

H2H Color Challenge and other cards

I love when the Heart 2 Heart challenge for the week is colors!  I love playing with different color combos and while most say the colors aren't always easy to work with, I love being limited to only certain colors, makes decision making easy!  This weeks colors are pretty awesome in my opinion.  Gypsy, Creme Brulee and Black.  Wild, right?

So I thought these would be great for a birthday card with some cupcakes on it so I checked out the Fanfare workshop guide for some cupcake inspiration.  That was how this card came to be!   It took me several tries to get it just the way I liked it, but I'm happy with it now!

Materials:
Fanfare WOTG stamp set
Happy Birthday stamp set
Creme Brulee ribbon
Black brads
Inks: Black, Creme Brulee, Gypsy
Paper from Hooligans Paper pack (Gypsy)
Paper from Veranda (Creme Brulee)
Black and white daisy cardstock

I also made some other cards the other night and thought that you might enjoy those as well.  These use the Sweetheart and Wings paper packs and some inspiration I got from a piece of home decor of a friend.

Notice a theme??

Now go check out all the other "colorful" artwork this week and maybe make some of your own!

March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  The stamp set featured this month is D1454 Sensational Season.  This month we have almost 60 wonderful consultants participating and showing off their creations!

If you have come from Teresa's blog then you are on the right track!

This month I thought it would be cute to create elements for an Easter dinner.  I made a little name card, a napkin ring, and an egg holder.  This set is great for Easter decor!  I had so much fun coloring these adorable bunnies!

Products used (all CTMH):

Sensational Season stamp set

Friendship Alphabet small stamp set

Dutch Blue Ink

Brown Staz-on Ink

Watercolor pencils

Water brush

Colonial White Cardstock

Now "hop" on over to Paige's Blog and check out her beautiful artwork for this month!

If you get lost along the way you can go to Helen's Blog to see the complete list of all the participants this month.

Be sure to visit all the consultants at their blogs to get some other great ideas! Remember, the March SOTM is only available until March 31st!  Contact me (GrigsterN at yahoo.com) or click here to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

H2H Cold challenge!

The Heart 2 Heart Challenge for this week has to do with "cold."  Well, we sure have had our fair share of cold and snow here in NJ this winter!  And my dogs could not be happier - they love the white stuff!!   It's a good thing someone does, because I have sure had enough of it.  Anyway, I thought I would share some Studio J layouts that I have done using the pictures of my dogs playing and having a good old time in the snow!

Materials Used:  Studio J, retired Aspen paper pack

Just a reminder....Close to my Heart is having a great Studio J special this month for its members - buy 9 layouts get the 10th free!!  Check it out - and remember, it's completely free until you decide to either purchase your layouts or commit to a membership!  Once you try it, you'll be hooked, just like I am!

Be sure to head over to the H2H challenge blog to check out the other entries and submit your own "cold" creation!

Sweetheart Layout at ScrapThat on Saturday!

I apologize for the lapse in creative inspiration, as they say, life got in the way!  Anywho, I am back and I have a little something to share with you.  Once again, I will be at ScrapThat2! at the Burlington Center Mall this Saturday with a great new mini-class for all of you!   This project is a layout that features our new Sweetheart papers.  I must say, the clear cards using Sweetheart were a huge, sell-out hit and I have a feeling this layout will be going, going, gone!   If you would like to hold a kit, feel free to comment here or email me (GrigsterN at yahoo.com) and I will set one aside for you.  Without futher ado.....

without pictures

with pictures, title and journaling

Also, I never did preview the second set of clear cards; we did those at the President's Day crop.  I took the same card patterns and simply switched up the paper and the images...Miracle was the chosen paper and butterflies and flowers replaced the hearts.  If you like these, I will be offering them again in the near future, just waiting for my supplies to arrive!

card 1 closed

card 1 open

card 2 closed

card 2 open

Hope to see you Saturday - happy scrappin'!

ScrapThat2! preview and Happy Valentine's Day!

As the week is progressing, I almost forgot I promised to post a sneak peak of the $5 make and take class projects that I will be offering at ScrapThat this Saturday!    There are a couple of options this time around...First is the 2nd of 2 different layouts featuring Wings and the new spray pen.

The second is for all of you who waited until the last minute and still need Valentine's Day cards for someone.  2 round cards featuring our new paper packet Sweetheart.

 

Hope to see you on Saturday and have a Happy Valentine's Day!

I love Close to my Heart, let me tell you why....

Hi all!  The founder of Close to my Heart, the wonderful, Jeanette Lynton, is hosting a little Q & A session on her blog.  I decided to ask her a question and today, I check out her blog and......She answered my question!!!  Just another reason I love "working" for Close to my Heart!  And now is a great time for you to sign up too!!  We have a great sign-up incentive going on right now!

Join Close To My Heart in February and earn a FREE kit and FREE products!

When you become a Close To My Heart Consultant during February and achieve Straight To The Top, you will receive a rebate of $129 US/$140 CAN on your New Consultant Kit, plus $100/$110 in select product credit rewards. That’s a total retail value of up to $491/$544 in products and business supplies for FREE! Your kit’s free, your select products are free—how fabulous!

Go to my website to see how you can join my Team in February and earn the Free, Free, & Fabulous rewards.