CTMH May SOTM Blog Hop & Tutorial

By Helen | April 30, 2012

Friendship Bouquet S1205 is the CTMH May Stamp of the Month.  This is a beautiful stamp set with sunflowers and sentiments.  I love coloring…so I can see using a variety of techniques on these stamps: watercolor pencils, blending pen, and masking & sponging.  I can also see embossing this for a very elegant look.  Mix this with different papers for a variety of looks.

I was running late on getting this card done…so, I headed on over to Mojo Monday for a dose of inspiration and used MOJO239.

Here’s what I came up …a card using papers from the Dotty For You collection that you can get for only $5.00!

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and be inspired by all the projects everyone has come up with.  Follow the hop to get LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this wonderful paper pack. If you arrived here from Kathleen’s blog you’re on the right path.

Materials:

• CTMH Dotty For You - special for National Scrapbook Month (available April 17 – May 31, 2012)
• CTMH Bling Assortment Z1466
• CTMH Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon Z1732
• CTMH Sparkles Z1104
• CTMH Black Waxy Flax Z1089
• CTMH Inks in Buttercup Z2110 and Black Z2105
• CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (from Cricut Art Philosophy Bundle Z1686)
• CTMH 3D Foam Tape Z1151

Tutorial follows…

For those that want to skip the tutorial “hop” on over to see what {Melinda} has created. 

If you get lost along the way…here’s the complete list of all hoppers.

***

Are you inspired by this blog? One of the ways you can help support this blog is by ordering your Close To My Heart products through me. You can order from me 24/7 at: http://heleno.ctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

Special…

The Dotty For You paper collection is a BIG hit…many have fallen in love with it and had to have this special pack of 24 sheets of double-sided paper.:

• Get it for $5.00 (a $19.95 retail value) when you place an order of $35 or more.  And…when you spend $50, you also qualify to get the Stamp of the Month (a $17.95 value) for only $5.00!
• Get it FREE – when you join CTMH in April or May.
• Get it FREE – host a party of $400 or more.

***

Tutorial

Cut the following:

• 6″ x 12″ Colonial White Cardstock for card base
• 5.25″ x 5.25″ piece of Buttercup/Grey Flannel/Colonial White Diagonal Stripe patterned paper from the Dotty For You collection.
• 5.25″ x 1.75″ Black Cardstock
• 5.25″ x 1.5″ Grey Dot – the back side of some of the Dotty For You papers.

Using the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge – cut the following pieces (Note: Page numbers refer to the reference book.)

• <Square2> at 5 3/4″ from Black Cardstock, page 33
• <Rctngle5> at 1 1/4″ from Colonial White Cardstock, page 35

Attach the Black scalloped square centered on the front of the card base.

Round the corners of the Buttercup/Grey Flannel/Colonial White Diagonal Stripe square and attach centered on the Black scalloped square.

Attach the 5.25″ x 1.5″ Grey Dot piece centered on the 5.25″ x 1.75″ Black Cardstock.

Using Black ink, stamp the large sunflower on a scrap of Colonial White cardstock.  Cut out.  Using Watercolor Pencils, add color to the flower.  Blend the color using the Blending Pen.  Tip: If you use gentle pressure on your Blending Pen…the tip will not get squished and hold up longer for detail coloring.  I used the standard Black ink on this project…and you can, if you are careful when coloring not to hit the ink.  Tip: Think of shadows and a light source when coloring.  For more info about that, see this post.

Attach the panel with the ribbon tied around it to the base, centered top to bottom.

Tie a bow around one end of the ribbon.

Attach the flower using 3D Foam Tape.

Using Black ink, stamp the sentiment on the <Rctngle5> Cricut cut-out.  Tip: When stamping on Cricut cut-outs, using a block LARGER than needed helps you to see the edges of the cut-out and makes lining up the image where you want it a breeze!

Place the <Rctngle5> to the right and tucked under the Black strip.  Mount the flower using 3D Foam Tape.

Add a small Bling Button to the bow using Black Waxy Flax.  Push a couple of stick pins from the Bling Assortment into the 3D Foam Tape behind the flower.  Add Sparkles. 

Now “hop” on over to see what {Melinda} has created.

Topics: blog hop, Cards, Dotty For You, Friendship Bouquet S1205, Mojo Monday | 14 Comments »

CTMH May SOTM Blog Hop List

By Helen | April 30, 2012

Here’s the complete list of all the participants in the CTMH May Stamp of the Month (SOTM) Blog Hop. If you get lost along the way or want to refer to it over and over again – this is the place to come.

In the past, I’ve added a brief description of each project for you to be able to go back and recreate that artwork…now, I’m going to PIN them to Pinterest!  That’s right, I’ll pin these ideas PLUS more that I find so you can be inspired!

Topics: Blog Hop List | No Comments »

Product Highlight: CTMH Mini Banner

By Helen | April 19, 2012

Creating and hanging a colorful banner like this is easy, peasy!  Did you know the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge has delightful banner shapes that perfectly fit the new My Creations mini banner?  You’ll be hanging your own home decor banner in no time!

The My Creations Mini Banner comes 10 white chipboard pennants in 4 different shpaes with 9 jump rings.  The pennants are approximately 3″ x 4″.

 Products Featured in Video:

• CTMH My  Creations Mini Banner Z1736
• CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Collection Z1686
• CTMH Cardstock

Here’s another variation of the My Creations Mini Banner using the Lucy paper pack.

Topics: Art Philosophy, CTMH Product Highlight, My Creations Mini Banner Z1736, Videos | No Comments »

CTMH Dotty For You Blog Hop & Tutorial

By Helen | April 16, 2012

The oh so adorable Dotty For You paper pack is a special from CTMH for National Scrapbooking Month.  What’s really unique about these papers is they were all designed by hand – no computer.  You’ll find familiar stamped images along with woven paper and then a multitude of designs based on cut-outs from the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.  The back of all the papers is…dotty!  You’ll get 2 each of 12 different patterns of paper in luscious colors like Creme Brulee, Lagoon, Smoothie, Sunset, Sweet Leaf and Grey Wool.

Chevrons are all the rage…and I wanted to play with mixing the different patterns and creating my own chevron paper.

As I was creating this paper, I kept thinking of my mom.  Mom was always taking different yarns and putting them together in unique patterns to create wonderful afghans.  I decided to showcase photos of my boys with their Grandma…and here’s what I came up with.

I loved creating a variety of butterflies to accent this layout.  A mix of sparkles, buttons and baker’s twine give each butterfly their own personality…which reminds me of Mom.

By cutting the Sparkles Flourishes apart, I was able to spread them throughout the layout.

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and be inspired by all the projects everyone has come up with.  Follow the hop to get LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this wonderful paper pack. If you arrived here from Casandra’s blog you’re on the right path.

Materials:

• CTMH Dotty For You – special for National Scrapbook Month (available April 17 – May 31, 2012)
• CTMH Baker’s Twine Paradise Assortment Z1702
• CTMH Blue/Green Sparkle Assortment Z1327
• CTMH Sparkles Flourishes Z1708
• CTMH Pink Button Assortment Z1370
• CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (from Cricut Art Philosophy Bundle Z1686)
• CTMH 3D Foam Tape Z1151
• CTMH Bonding Memories Glue Pen 1512

Tutorial follows…

For those that want to skip the tutorial “hop” on over to see what {Kathleen} has created. 

If you get lost along the way…here’s the complete list of all hoppers.

***

Are you inspired by this blog? One of the ways you can help support this blog is by ordering your Close To My Heart products through me. You can order from me 24/7 at: http://heleno.ctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

Special…

Starting April 17, you can get the Dotty For You paper pack…here’s how:

• Get it for $5.00 (a $19.95 retail value) when you place an order of $35 or more.  And…when you spend $50, you also qualify to get the Stamp of the Month (a $17.95 value) for only $5.00!
• Get it FREE – when you join CTMH in April or May.
• Get it FREE – host a party of $400 or more.

***

Tutorial

Cut the following:

(2) 1″ x 12″ pieces from 8 different patterns.  These will be used to create the Chevron paper.  I used the following:

• Butterfies
• Sunset all over pattern
• Woven Paper look
• Creme Brulee & Grey Wool stripe
• Clouds
• Flower – stamped look
• All over stamped look
• Large Circles

Using the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, or any circle punch or cutter – cut the following pieces (Note: Page numbers refer to the reference book.)

After making the first cut, turn the paper around.  Now, align the first cut with the 2″ mark on the paper trimmer.  Tip: If you find the paper is slipping as you try to cut it, just apply a little bit of adhesive to the back.  With the Tombow Adhesive, you can easily remove it by rubbing with your finger or using the Rub & Remove Eraser.  Repeat so you have two identical pieces.

I tried a few different angles, here you can see how two different ones look.

When I picked the one I wanted, I marked it!  Tip: Keep your samples – these are templates for anytime you want to make chevrons!

Attach the template to your paper trimmer – this will be the guide for making all cuts.

Align a piece of paper along the template.  Trim the end.

Now, rotate the strip 180 degrees and align with the 2″ mark on the trimmer.  Cut.  Repeat until you’ve cut the entire strip.  When you cut the 2nd piece of the same paper, FLIP IT OVER and cut with the DOT side showing.  By doing this, you’ll have mirror image pieces so you’ll be able to make the chevrons.

You’ll end up with pieces like these…the top is the strip in the process of being cut, and the bottom shows two pieces that have been cut (one with the dot side up, the other the print side up).

Now, assemble the chevron paper.  Start with one piece in the corner, aligning the cut side with the right side of the base cardstock – I used Grey Wool.  Then…just keep adding pieces.  Tip: Lay out all the pieces first and see if you like it…easier to adjust before they are glued down.  Use Bonding Memories glue and go out to the edges…this way, when you cut the paper apart later, it all holds together.

Space the next row, 1/8″ from the first.  Continue in this fashion until all the pieces are secured.  I had a “happy accident”…when I got to the end, the part of the paper that was hanging over the edge was the perfect size for filling in the space at the bottom.  Tip: Use the paper trimmer to easily trim off any overhanging papers…and keep them in the order they are so you can use them to fill in any holes at the bottom.  Tip: You DON’T have to fill in the bottom…just trim that away and work from there!

After creating the chevron paper…cut it apart!  Yikes…I know – scary!  I cut it so I had 3 complete sections along one edge.  This ended up being just over 3″.

Place 1/2″ x 12″ strip of Smoothie Cardstock 1/2″ up from the bottom edge.  Add strips of Chevron paper.  Photos are 3.5″ tall and as wide as needed.  Position the 11″ scalloped edge circle so it overlaps the photos.  Attach on one half of the layout & trim flush with the edge of the paper.  Add Sunset rectangle spanning center.

Now “hop” on over to see what {Kathleen} has created.

Topics: CTMH Product Highlight, CTMH Specials/Campaigns, Dotty For You | 19 Comments »

CTMH Dotty For You Blog Hop List

By Helen | April 16, 2012

Here’s the complete list of all the participants in the CTMH Dotty For You Blog Hop. If you get lost along the way or want to refer to it over and over again – this is the place to come.

In the past, I’ve added a brief description of each project for you to be able to go back and recreate that artwork…now, I’m going to PIN them to Pinterest!  That’s right, I’ll pin these ideas PLUS more that I find so you can be inspired!

Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »

CTMH April SOTM Blog Hop & Tutorial

By Helen | March 31, 2012

You Are…Original, Fun, Cool and Amazing!  With the CTMH April Stamp of the Month: You Are… S1204, you can tell your family & friends just that and more!  This stamp set has backgrounds, which can be used anywhere.  The fun starbursts and banners share inspirational messages.  I can see this stamp set used on baseball layouts, for a new job at work and to celebrate someone’s success.  I came up with a card for my son, Robert, who has worked hard, graduated early and with honors!

Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back and join us on a journey of amazing things you can do with this stamp set. There are over 50 CTMH Consultants joining in on the fun…that’s a LOT of ideas that YOU can take and duplicate with this fun stamp set. If you arrived here from Kathleen’s blog you’re on the right path.

Materials:

• CTMH You Are… S1204, the April Stamp of the Month
• CTMH Under the Sea Stamp Set C1500
• CTMH Footloose Level 2 Paper Pack X7151B
• CTMH Baker’s Twine Paradise Assortment Z1702
• CTMH Blue/Green Sparkle Assortment Z1327
• CTMH Inks in Bamboo Z2103, Creme Brulee Z2167, Sweet Leaf Z2153 and Lagoon Z2195
• StazOn Ink in Brown Z1142
• CTMH Blending Pen 3174
• CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (from Cricut Art Philosophy Bundle Z1686)
• CTMH Texture Tools Z1298 – I used the Foam Tool
• CTMH 3D Foam Tape Z1151

Tutorial follows…

For those that want to skip the tutorial “hop” on over to see what {Georgia} has created. 

If you get lost along the way…here’s the complete list of all hoppers.

***

Are you inspired by this blog? One of the ways you can help support this blog is by ordering your Close To My Heart products through me. You can order from me 24/7 at: http://heleno.ctmh.com or email me at helen@hookedonstamping.com.

***

Tutorial

This card is based on the MOJO234 sketch.

Cut the following:

• 6″ x 12″ Lagoon Cardstock (for card base)
• 5 3/4″ x 5 3/4″ Creme Brulee Cardstock
• Cut two – 1 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ Sweet Leaf Cardstock
• 2 1/4″ x 5 1/4″ Bamboo Sand print (from Footloose)
• 4″ x 4″ Lagoon Cardstock
• 3 3/4″ x 3 3/4″ White Daisy Cardstock

Using the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, or any circle punch or cutter – cut the following pieces (Note: Page numbers refer to the reference book.)

• Creme Brulee Cardstock – 2″ <Circle1>, page 21.
• White Daisy Cardstock – 1 3/4″ <Circle 1>, page 21.

Using a Foam Tool and Bamboo ink, distress the edges of all pieces.

Stamp the diamond stamp using Creme Brulee ink in a continuous pattern to make your own patterned paper on the 5 3/4″ x 5 3/4″ Creme Brulee Cardstock.  Tip: To align the stamp images more easily, place the diamond stamp on a larger block…this helps with seeing the edges.  Tip:  Play and practice with aligning the diamond pattern on scrap paper.  I found I had to have it over more than I thought.  After playing for a bit…worked like a charm!

Stamp the lines using Sweet Leaf to make a continuous pattern on the two 1 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ Sweet Leaf Cardstock pieces.  Then, repeat using Lagoon and staggering so the lines are in between the Sweet Leaf lines.  Tip: Using paper that has graph lines made lining up the stamp image easy, so the two pieces on the front of the card would look similar.  Stamp one piece first, overlapping onto the graph paper…then, move that piece to the side, and place the new one in the same place.  In this case, I aligned the paper at the bottom edge of the graph.  Then, match up the lines on the graph paper when you stamp the second piece.  Note:  I showed this on White Daisy Cardstock so it would show up easier in the photo.

 

 

Now, using the 3 3/4″ x 3 3/4″ White Daisy Cardstock, create the image panel as follows:

• Using Sweet Leaf ink, stamp “Amazing” at the top left.
• Using Lagoon ink, stamp “Cool!” below and to the right of Amazing.
• Using Lagoon ink, stamp the waves from the Under the Sea stamp set across the bottom.
• Using a Sponge Dauber and Lagoon ink, add color to the area below the waves.  Tip: Use light pressure and add ink slowly…it is easier to add more ink than to try to remove ink.  Tip: If you press too hard on the Sponge Dauber, you’ll get a circle of ink or a ring…if you find this happens often, then put the Sponge Dauber on your ring finger - it’s hard to get too much pressure that way.
• While you have the Sponge Dauber inked…lightly ink the 1 3/4″ White Daisy Circle.
• Wrap a piece of Creme Brulee Baker’s Twine behind the edges of the panel, securing on the back.  Tip: Save twine by only wrapping just to the back and securing 1/2″ behind edges.  I like to cut a small piece of scrap cardstock to cover the twine and hold it on the back.
• Attach centered on 4″ x 4″ Lagoon Cardstock piece.

Create the fish!

• Stamp the fish of your choice using StazOn Brown ink.  Tip: If you are working in a humid environment, allow the StazOn to dry completely before coloring.
• Using a Foam Tool and Creme Brulee ink, lightly add color to the entire fish.
• Using a Blending Pen, pick up ink off of the ink pad and add color where desired.  Tip: Start by coloring in the lightest color first, then switch to the darker, then darkest.  When changing colors, gently rub the Blending Pen tip on scrap paper until it leaves no color.  Tip: Keep the Blending Pen tip fresh by applying light pressure.  Applying too much pressure will make the tip squishy.  My fish are colored as follows:

• Large Fish – Sweet Leaf green stripes, Creme Brulee stripes and Creme Brulee added to highligh face, fins and tail.
• Small Fish – Lagoon scales and Creme Brulee added to highlight face and tail.
• Cut out the fish.

Now…let’s assemble the whole card…

• Fold the 6″ x 12″ Lagoon Cardstock to make the card base – your choice, side or top fold.  Mine is a top fold card.
• Attach the Creme Brulee stamped piece centered on the card front.
• Attach the center strips placing them 1/4″ in from the edges.
• Attach the pre-made image panel using Foam Tape, centered on the card front.
• Attach the matted circle, letting part of it overhang the edge.
• Attach the small fish directly to the circle and the large fish with Foam Tape.
• Add sparkles as bubbles and on the lower right front of the card…and voila!

Now “hop” on over to see what {Georgia} has created.

Topics: blog hop, Cards, Footloose, You Are... S1204 | 15 Comments »

CTMH April SOTM Blog Hop List

By Helen | March 31, 2012

Here’s the complete list of all the participants in the CTMH April Blog Hop. If you get lost along the way or want to refer to it over and over again – this is the place to come.

Once the hop is live, I’ll come back and add a brief description of each project, such that you’ll be able to visit them again after you have your stamp set in hand and are ready to recreate artwork you’ve seen.

Topics: Blog Hop List | 1 Comment »

Sharing My CTMH Story & Starting Yours

By Helen | March 20, 2012

Today I thought I’d share my story of how I got started with Close To My Heart and all the benefits it’s brought me.

In 1999, I joined CTMH as a way to get a discount on all my purchases.  I held small workshops teaching stamping and card-making.  I did this while working a full-time job and having three boys under the age of 10.

In 2003, life changed dramatically.  I was laid off from the corporate world.  After searching for a 9-5 job for months, getting frustrated that I was “over-qualified”, a “flight risk” and so much more, my darling hubby asked me, “Can you make money doing that thing you do with paper?”  LOL.  He commented that I seemed the most happy when I’d come home from a workshop or home gathering.  I was the bubbly, happy person he had married.  He was fully supportive.  He knew I loved teaching and sharing my passion for scrapbooking & stamping.  I went to the annual CTMH Convention to find out.

At Convention, I learned so much!  There were many Directors and achievers who were willing to coach me.  They shared their tips for success.  I came home and applied them.  I went from being a hobbyist (getting the discount), to being a Super Seller and then a Cruise Achiever!  Since then, I’ve gone on 3 amazing Incentive Trips to the Mediterranean, Western Caribbean and most recently Hawaii.  I’m now working on earning a Southern Caribbean Cruise.

Joining CTMH was one of the best decisions I ever made.  It was something I could do alongside my family & all the activities associated with three young boys.  I never missed a single sporting or band event.  I could be a chaperone on all the trips.  I could plan my work around our lives.

Here are some of the incredible perks I’ve had and you’d get too when you join CTMH in March:

• A big box of incredible goodies worth $400!
• Sneak peeks and early access to all new products
• An ongoing discount on everything you purchase
• A humungous network of women who nurture, share & support you
• Exclusive access to the behind the scenes CTMH Online Office:

• Consultant Bulletin Boards – it’s a constant source of inspiration, new artwork, patterns, ideas, and so much more!
• Training Academy – earn a PhD by taking classes via the Internet, even in your jammies (creative, business, leadership & personal development classes)
• Listening Library – a wealth of information you can put on an MP3 player and take anywhere
• Business Support – everything you need to succeed

Join My Team and CTMH

Your Choice of $99 CTMH Cricut Bundle or $100 in Product Credit!

Close To My Heart has a place for everyone.  With the incredible special, the only thing you have to lose, is passing up on this offer.  Seriously.  If you give it a try and it’s not for you, no harm, no foul.  That never means that you can’t try it again in the future.  And…you’d win big with an incredible box of goodies and the freebies too.  Let’s take a look at them…

Get these goodies…in the Basic New Consultant Kit

and this…the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Bundle,
or…your choice of $100 in product credit.

for only $99*!

* Special ends March 31, 2012.  Plus applicable shipping & tax.

Ready to sign up?  Fill out this easy online application.

Have questions?  Need help?  That’s what I’m here for!  Email me or give me a call 908-910-9246.

Let’s start your story…it all begins today!

Topics: Art Philosophy, CTMH Consultant Perks, CTMH Specials/Campaigns, Notes from Helen | 1 Comment »

CTMH Consultant NEW Website!

By Helen | March 19, 2012

CTMH has redesigned our websites.  Now, every single Close To My Heart Consultant gets their own FREE e-commerce website!  And the best part, you get this website as soon as you’re accepted as a CTMH Consultant!  As soon as you get the email confirmation from CTMH, you can start sharing and collecting orders!  Easy as 1, 2, 3!

This is what my new website looks like.

One of the coolest things about our new websites…you can have anyone JOIN a party!  When you go to my website, in the lower right corner, you’ll find Helen’s NEW Website Launch Gathering.  Click here to JOIN in on the fun.

For every $10 you spend in product, your name will get entered into a drawing to be the Mystery Hostess of this fun party.  This party closes on April 1st, no kidding.  On April 2nd, I’ll put the entries into a Randomizer’s drawing and select the winner!

Share the fun!  Let your crafty friends know…or collect their orders and submit them with yours to save on shipping.  Speaking of shipping, when you place an order using one of my open gatherings, the shipping is only $4.95 or 4.95% whichever is greater.

Make sure you check out the While Supplies Last section for great savings.

***

On Jeanette Lynton’s blog (CTMH Founder & CEO), you’ll find MORE Level 2 Artwork – that’s artwork created using a Level 2 Paper Pack and the coordinating My Stickease.  One of the sticker sheets is featured in the Idea Book, and the other can be found on Jeanette’s blog – so cool.  Here’s one of my favorites, Victory!  With 3 boys, I’m always looking for masculine ideas.

Topics: CTMH Specials/Campaigns, Notes from Helen | No Comments »

CTMH: Adhesive Springs

By Helen | March 17, 2012

Spring is just around the corner…or, it’s in your mailbox!  Fill someone’s day with laughter as an element SPRINGS off the card when they open it.  This is by far the easiest way to make something pop up on a card or scrapbook page.

You get 6 Adhesive Springs in the package for only $2.95!

Watch this video to see some other fun ways to use the Adhesive Springs.

Topics: CTMH Product Highlight, CTMH Video Tutorials, Videos | No Comments »