Gina's Little Corner of StampinHeaven

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!   We will be featuring November's SOTM,  Cherish the Day,  a set of 44 stamps.  If you have come here from   TRACI GODBEE'S BLOG  you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.    If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants  here .   This month we have over   50 Close To My Heart Consultants  sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. Following the blog hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go! For a long time I wanted to create a Event Calendar. I've got so many birthday's to keep up with, I kept losing track of who's birthday was when!  I think I sent someone even got a Birthday card two months in a row!  Severa...

I'll be taking a few days off this week from posting. Yesterday, my Father In Law passed away.  Clark was an amazing man.  Although he was my husband's step-father he was more like a father to him.   He taught him to hunt and fish at a young age.  Even after my husband and I got married and moved away, Jeff would travel back to Kentucky to go hunting with him every year around Thanksgiving. When my girls were old enough, they would go spend a week in Kentucky with Nana and Daddy Clark (as all the grandchildren called him).  A trip to Red's Donuts during their stay was a highlight of their week.  Sometimes he would get them up early in the morning to take them fishing.   He would do just about anything for those girls. Clark was an avid Kentucky Basketball fan.  You rarely saw him wearing something other than Blue & White with Kentucky on it somewhere.    His favorite thing to do was tell jokes.  No one was a stran...

Here is a MUST ahve stamp for the holidays!  This stamp is an exclusive and can only be purchased now THROUGH November 30th!   Imagine all the beautiful cards you can make with this set! When you place a minimum order of $25 in My Acrylix ® stamp sets now through November, you can purchase a new D-size Holiday Wishes stamp set for only $5! That’s significant savings off the full retail value of $17.95. And here’s a bonus: many of the images in the set coordinate with our Cricut ® Art Philosophy cartridge for added cutting and stamping fun! I can't wait to get this set.  I placed my order first thing this morning so be watching - I'll be posting artwork with it as soon as I get it! Order on-line at my website:  https://www.closetomyheart.com/stampinheaven or call me to place your order!

My next scrapbooking workshop is coming up in November and I thought I would share what we'll be doing.   We'll be creating this 2 page layout from the Believe Workshop on the Go.   Look how young my girls are!   Wow does time ever fly by.   This kit INCLUDES a Believe Level 2 paper pack, Dimensional Element Stars, Olive Mini Medley Accents, Believe C-size stamp and a full color Instruction Guide.   I added a  Holiday Pocket to my layout for Journaling.  Isn't it cute!  I also used the new E-size alphabet stamp Trinity with this layout.   Trinity has 3 different sizes of Alphabet.   What a great deal for $29.95!  See the stamp set HERE . One of the FUN things we'll do is use the blending pen to color Santa and the present.  I've been using the blending pen quite often lately.   The great thing about the blending pen is you only need one!  You can use it and re-use with all you inks!   Just wipe the pen on...

Here is Card #3 in my Sonoma Card box series!  I used this week's sketch by Julee Tilman over at Mojo Monday . RECIPE: Sonoma Level 2 Paper Pack (X7143B) Bamboo and Cocoa Cardstock (Included with Sonoma Level 2) Sonoma WOTG My Acrylix Stamp (for flourish) Sweet Moments MyAcrylix Stamp (C1467) Cocoa Exclusive Ink (Z2114) Smokey Plum Exclusive Ink (Z2147) Hemp (Z280) Opaque Mocha Adhesive Gems (Z1333) Sentiment - Because Of You (Retired) Tag was made using the Art Philosophy Cartridge If you missed the other cards in this series, you can go to these posts: Sonoma Card Box Card #1 Card #2

Here's another card for my Grandma's card box! Rather than making the cards all in one sitting, I'm making them as I come across sketches that I like. This Sonoma paper is really pretty and I want each card to be special.   I came across this sketch over at cardabilities .   My card..... Card # 2 for my Sonoma Card Box I dug out some of my retired paper flowers for this card.  I thought the purple matched well with the Sonoma paper.   I used the <Rctngle7> image at 2 1/2"  and the <Rctngle7 Layer> at 2 1/4" from the Art Philosophy cartridge for my sentiment.  The 'ribbon' is actually the zip strip cut from the Sonoma Paper. Here is the sketch I used from cardabilties . Be sure to check out the other artwork there. If you missed Card #1 for Grandma's Card Box you can see it Here . To see my Sonoma Card Box, this  LINK  will take you there. I found another great sketch today so I'll be working on Card #3 tonigh...

This weekend I made two Sweet 16 Birthday cards.  Yesterday I posted the card I made for my niece.  Today, I'm posting the 2nd one which is for my nephew.   For this card I used Margaret Moody's sketch over at Pals Paper Arts .    This sketch was perfect for my plaid paper I chose.                                                        The paper is from the same kit as the card I made yesterday - Roxie (X7140B).  But this time I used the plaid with Black Textured Cardstock and Desert Sand Cardstock.  I added twill ribbon and wooden buttons (Z1387) for a masculine look.  The "16" was cut with the Art Philosophy cartridge.   I used the Say It With Style stamp set (D1283) for "Happy Birthday". If you missed my Sweet 16 card for my niece you can see it HERE . I hope my nephew doesn't mind ...

*** This card was chosen as Heart 2 Heart's TOP TEN in October!*** I've got SEVERAL birthday's in my family next month.  My daughter turns 17, but right behind her is my niece and my nephew who are both turning 16!  It has been fun seeing them grow up together.  It's hard to believe they are teenagers now. Each year at Thanksgiving, when our families gather together, we celebrate their birthdays. My niece's birthday is actually on Thanksgiving Day this year. Two challenges this week helped me get my niece's birthday card made early!  First, the Heart 2 Heart (H2H) Challenge was to create a card using numbers. Then I found a great sketch over at  Tuesday Morning Sketches  by Theresa Winslow that I used for the card. Here's the sketch: Here's my card! The paper is from the new Roxie Level 2 Paper pack (X7140B) .  Don't you just LOVE the Zebra stripe? And girls love it too so this was the perfect paper to use for this card. ...

This week's Mojo Monday sketch by Julee Tilman is perfect for Close To My Heart's Sonoma paper.  I needed to start my set of cards for my Sonoma Card Box I made and I used this sketch for card #1!   If you missed my post about my card box which won the Sonoma Cricut Category for Make If From The Heart you can see it here . I added Petal Ink to the large paper butterfly and the darker Smokey Plum to the small butterfly.  I used the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge to cut the frame for the sentiment. And, because it was handy, I cut the circle frame with my 2" scallop punch.  To add a little texture to the Bamboo sentiment piece I used the black texture tool to daub a bit of cocoa specks to it.   See below for entire Recipe. Here is the Mojo Monday Sketch #211                                                     RECIPE:...

Hi all!  I haven't had a chance to create anything to share since I got home from my trip on Sunday.   So, I thought I would share this CTMH video that shows you how to create several Christmas Cards with our Die-Cut Cards and Envelopes.  These cards are beautiful! Watch this short video for details! RECIPE : A1115 My Acrylix  A Holiday B1381 My Acrylix Holiday Cheer 1272 Cranberry Cardstock X5926 Neutral Cardstock Combo Pack X5924 Autumn Cardstock Combo Pack Z2116 Cranberry Exclusive Inks  Pad Z2137 Olive Exclusive Inks Pad Z2211 Chocolate Exclusive Inks Re-inker Z1473 4W" * 5V" White Daisy Die-Cut Cards & Envelopes Z1263 Bitty Sparkles Z1615 Designer Ribbon Red Collection Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection Z1298 Texture Tools Everything can be ordered on my website!  Just go to www.closetomyheart.com/stampinheaven

I wanted to share my cards that we will be doing in my Annual Christmas Card Workshop in November.   Usually I send out an email letting all my customers know about the workshop and provide them an opportunity to sign up.    I offer 2 different dates in November for the workshop.   This year, I had my cards displayed at my Open House in August along with a sign up sheet.     To my surprise, the workshop nearly filled up at my Open House.  After that, within a few weeks every slot was taken. We will be making 8 cards - each card a different design.  I chose the Wonderland paper with Crystal Blue Cardstock.  We will be using the new Top Coats Icing Overlays.   Each overlay has a unique design with foil accents.  To add extra sparkle, we will be adding bling buttons!  Many of the sentiments will be silver embossed.  This may be a new technique for many of the class participants.   I think they will really like t...

Recently, it was announced that my 2nd Upline, Tina Sutton, was promoted to Presidential Director with Close To My Heart.  This is the highest honor you can achieve.  Tina along with 3 other ladies are the first ever to achieve this title.   Tina is so inspiring.  I've never met anyone with so much energy.  She loves to share her ideas and strives to help those that want to grow their business too!  I got to know Tina a few years ago when I attended a Seaside Retreat she held.  She told me then that her goal was to achieve the Presidential Director Level.  AND SHE DID IT!  I am so proud to be a part of Tina's team.  Here is the card that I made for Tina to send my Congrats! Recipe: Elemental Level 2 Paper (X7141B) Pacifica and Desert Sand Cardstock (Included in Elemental Level 2 Paper pack) Inks:  Desert Sand and Sorbet Pewter Brads All products are Close To My Heart

My sister recently celebrated her 26th wedding anniversary.  Shame on me, I totally let the very important 25th Anniversary slip by last year.    Well.... at least I wasn't the only one - my 2 other sisters forgot too!  When you have three sisters it can be a little hard to keep up with when they all got married!   So, we are making up for our forgetfulness by giving her a gift when we meet up for our annual MAD trip this week. Of course, being the cardmaker in the family I was assigned the task of creating a card.   It's not too often that I get to make anniversary cards so I was excited for the change.   I pulled out my Bliss paper pack and one of the stamps from the Art Philosophy collection. I cut out the coordinating Banner and Heart from the Art Philosophy cartridge and stamped with versa mark ink and then silver embossed the image.   The mesh flower behind the heart is from the Bliss Level 2 Assortment (Z1355).   ...

This card fits right in with the Friday Mashup Challenge (FM#28) .  The challenge is to create a project featuring snowflakes or create an Easel Card.... or both!  I created a card featuring snowflakes. I picked up my issue of Paper & Crafts Holiday Cards & More special edition last Friday.   I spent the weekend looking at all the inspiring cards - more than once!  I have SEVERAL post its tabbed all through this issue of the cards that inspire me.  Hopefully I'll get to try each one I've marked putting my CTMH spin on it. This card was inspired by the "Miss You Snow Much" card by Trinh Arrieta.  (Page 59) I had been cutting Snowflakes for an upcoming card workshop.  When I saw this card I realized I already had the snowflakes cut out! I used the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge to cut the snowflakes.  I pulled out the snowflakes leaving the 'opposite' for my card.  I used Snowflakes (D1480) stamp and silver embossing for ...

I love this week's Mojo Monday sketch by Julee Tilman.   I spotted it early this morning before I started my workday so I had time to ponder what I wanted to do.   By the time I got home I immediately went to my Believe  paper and pulled out the December 25th stamp set.   I just love it when a plan comes together!   And I think it came together nicely if I do say so myself!                                                   Here is my card: I decided to step away from traditional Christmas green and red and go with Sky blue using Holiday Red more for accent.  I love this December 25th stamp!  I remember when I was perusing the Idea Book for the 1st time at convention, this was one I spotted early on and immediately liked.   I used the Art Philosophy cricut cartridge to cut an exact match for the Happy Holidays ...

Here's a Holiday Cheer card using the sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping Challenge blog.  Once again, I took the sketch and turned it.... this time upside down!  It just seemed to work better for me. The sketch:                                  Since I've been in a Holiday card making mode I decided to use ornaments in place of the flowers.   Hence, the reason I needed to turn the sketch around!  I used the stamp Holiday Cheer (B1381).   This 5x7 card was quick and easy.   Just the way I like them! #161 I used Black Hemp for the ornament string and actually used the Black marker to add the bow.  And of course - the Art Philosophy cricut cartridge to cut out my banner for "Happy Holiday".  Perfect cut for the stamp!   Final touch - sparkles! Colors used:  Holiday Red and Topiary.   (All products are Close To My Heart) I'm hopin...

I believe that Close To My Heart has the BEST deal on starter kits for New Consultants.     For a very low price of $99 you get a choice of two starter kits!   Both of these kits are valued at over $280.  You get everything you need to start your business! To make this deal even sweeter, in OCTOBER when you sign up as a CTMH Consultant, you can choose an ADD-ON Option for FREE!    More on this option in a moment.   TYPESET SONOMA But first, why should YOU become a Consultant with Close To My Heart?   I became a CTMH consultant for TWO reasons. I wanted a way to pay for my Hobby.   (It not only pays for my hobby, it has helped pay for other things such as Christmas gifts, trips and more) I thought by being a consultant, I would scrapbook more.   (I love the products so much I can't wait to hit my scraproom every chance I get!) When I joined, it thought, I'd try it out for a year.  I could always get out if ...

I took a break from my Believe paper the other night to create this card using the colors from the ColourQ Challenge .    My 'purple' is Lilac Mist and looks a little more blue in this picture than the color shown below.    My sketch is from Mojo Monday .   I think it was a great combination of challenges!                                             My card: I created a 'background' on the Lilac Mist cardstock using the new Happy Clusters (C1471) stamp.  You can see this stamp HERE.    I used the star stamp and Lilac Mist ink.  I used some of the smaller stamp and black ink to stamp on top of some of the Lilac Mist circles.  Of course - I had to use the Art Philosophy cricut cartridge for the scallop edge and circle.   I think the warm rich colors make this a great card for a guy's birthday. If you'd li...

NOTE:  If you are looking for the  October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop  -  Please click  HERE  to take you to that post. This week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge is a sketch and I decided to use one of the stamps and dimensional elements that came with the Art Philosophy Collection .  One of the 3 sets of stamps included with the collection has a Christmas Tree image so this was perfect.    My 'go to' paper this week has been Believe .   I made a vertical version of this sketch:                                        I added Silver Glitz Glitter Gel to the tree and silver embossed the "Joy" on the ornament.  The tree, ornament, and the paper for the dimensional element were all cut with the Arts Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.    This has to be the BEST cricut cartridge ever!  I'm not just saying that be...