Wednesday, December 31, 2014

January SOTM Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our
January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop
featuring this month's SOTM:
This Moment S1501


If you've just arrived here from KATY's BLOG
then you are on the correct path.

 Here is a standard-size card I created using the
NEW Heartstrings Paper Packet (X7193B)
featured in Seasonal Expressions 1.
Ink colors I used include
Black, Hollyhock, Lagoon, and
Slate for sponge daubing some paper edges.
Embellished with Red Shimmer Trim Z1848
and Red Enamel Hearts Z2009.

Finally, here is a view of all of the stamp images

included in this set available now:

Now you can continue on with the hop
and be inspired by more creative ideas
using this stamp set by visiting 
LELA's BLOG next.
Enjoy the hop!!

Sunday, November 30, 2014

December SOTM Blog Hop!!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our
December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop
featuring this month's SOTM:
Cute Pie S1412


If you just arrived here from MICHELLE's BLOG
then you are on the correct path.

 This month I created this
5x7 Circle Spin Card (left)
and this standard-size card (right)
featuring our NEW Heartstrings paper packet
(X7193B) that is available for purchase
starting December 1st!

 Here's a view of the Circle Spin Card (Z1866) that shows
how the center circle piece spins when opened.
I used a 2" scalloped circle punch to cut the circle of
White Daisy cardstock that the cupcake image is stamped on.
(then sponge daubed it's edges with Slate ink 
before adhering it to the card base/spinning circle).

 Here's a view of the front of the card with inside of the Circle spun around
to the front to show you what I stamped on the other side of it.

Here's a closer view of the standard-size card (above).
The ShinHan Touch Twin marker colors I used are Cherry Pink,
Peacock Green, Turquoise Blue, Warm Grey 4, and Warm Grey 7.
The letters "U" and "R" come from a separate stamp set:
A Typeface (A1117) that is shown on page 135 of Annual Inspirations.

 Here's a quick tip:  To make it easier to curve this stamp
and stamp the image curved like I have done, I used my 
micro-tip scissors to cut the stamp apart
(just in between each of the frames, 
leaving the string at the top intact).

Finally, here is a view of what all of the images in this super "cute" stamp set look like:

Now you can continue on with the hop
and be inspired by more creative ideas
using this stamp set by visiting
Enjoy the hop!!

Monday, November 17, 2014

Cards we made at the November Card Class on 11/15

THANK YOU to all of the fun and talented ladies who attended the November Card Class on Saturday, November 15th! 
(Michelle, Terri, Libby, Sandra, Carolyn, Nancy, Jen, and Frankie!)

It was great to see you all and
I hope you enjoyed making these cards with me :)

Friday, October 31, 2014

November SOTM Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our
November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop
featuring this month's SOTM:
It's the Little Things S1411


If you've just arrived here from CAROL's BLOG,
then you are on the correct path.
If you get lost at any point along the way,
you can see a full listing of all of the blog hop
participants by visiting this link here:

First, I'm sharing a standard-size Christmas Card featuring the Snowhaven papers (X7188B). Ink colors I used for this card include Black, Cranberry, Olive, and 2nd generation Olive (to stamp the wreath).

Here's my best tip to show you how to stamp "evenly-spaced" leaves on your wreath.  The circle is 2.75", cut from Colonial White paper with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.
I used the inside of a roll of our washi tape to trace a circle in the center very lightly with a pencil. Then, as you stamp your leaves around the circle (with 1st and 2nd generation Olive ink), simply line up the first vein of each leaf with the pencil line as shown, overlapping each leaf slightly on top of the next leaf to space them just right. If you can get the end tips of each center-most vein to touch, then you will have near perfect spacing (then erase your pencil marks, of course).

Second, here is another Standard-size card featuring the Pathfinding papers (X7186B). Ink colors I used here include Barn Red, Cocoa (for the sentiment), Glacier, Goldrush, and Olive (1st and 2nd generations again). I used stamp-rolling technique on the largest flower (Goldrush rolled with Barn Red).

Lastly, here is a view of what all of the images included in this stamp set look like:

Now you can continue on with the hop
and be inspired by more creative ideas
using this stamp set by visiting
Enjoy the hop!!

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Two Cards from One design!!

I've been wanting to share this idea on my blog for a few weeks now, but life and other responsibilities kept getting in the way, lol. So finally...I am excited to share how one good card design can so easily result in another similar but different card.  On the left is a card I created using the September Stamp of the Month. I loved the simplicity of the design so much that a few weeks later, when I signed up to participate in a consultant team card swap, I decided to utilize the same design and even the same papers and color-scheme (Scaredy Cat) to make a birthday card instead
(as you can never have enough birthday cards, right?)!

Here is a view of the fantastic assortment of cards I received back from the swap with my team members (you will likely be able to spot my card here also):

Then, while enjoying the variety of swap cards I received, one particular card really stood out and inspired me and it is what led to the layout design I chose for another card (same design layout, but completely different colors/theme):

Thank you Nicole Peck for inspiring me with your lovely card!!
Isn't it fun to see how one thing can inspire another and then another? I tend to find inspiration from whatever is in front of me, even if I have to change it up or re-invent it just a little to serve another purpose...that's just how my mind works sometimes.
I hope you enjoyed this little peek into how my creativity is inspired and evolves.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Cards made at the October Card Class on 10/18


THANK YOU to all of the fun and talented ladies who attended the October Card Class on Saturday, October 18th! It was so nice to see you all 
and I hope you enjoyed making these cards with me :)

The 5x7 swing-card in the top right corner was made
with our brand new "Artfully Sent" Cricut Cartridge...
here's a closer look to give you a better understanding of how it swings open:



Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Frame It Up! Class this Saturday 10/18 (2-5pm)

I would like to give credit to my fellow consultant friend Joanie Stanclift,
who designed this oh-so-cute and spooky page!
THANK YOU Joanie for sharing this amazing class idea with us!

Come join us to create this "frightfully cute"
one-page layout, the perfect home décor!
Saturday, October 18th (2pm-5pm)
For $35 your kit will include one of our NEW "Designed Décor" Shadow Box frames (choose Black or Colonial White) to show off your artwork. The high-quality wooden shadow box frame has a hinged back (magnetic closure) that opens for easy loading, so you can change the décor inside as often as you wish! The theme this month is "HALLOWEEN", and the page can be customized to fit your favorite 5x7 photo (tall or wide). Next month, we'll create another single page (FALL-themed) that you can make with me for just $8 each and/or $35 IF you want your kit to include another frame. In December, I'll offer a CHRISTMAS-themed page for $8 each and/or $35 with the frame. The frames are an incredible value because you can change the 12x12 page/theme inside a single frame every month/season. They make great gift items also, so you may want to make more than one! Space is limited to just 6 guests this time, but if there is enough interest, I will offer one more class date on Friday 10/24. I already have the materials in stock, so please RSVP by Thursday 10/16 and you can pay for your kit at the event. Cash, Check, and PayPal online payments accepted to: StampwithJen@ymail.com
  

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our
October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop
featuring this month's SOTM:
Home for the Holiday S1410


If you've just arrived here from GINA's BLOG,
then you are on the correct path.
If you get lost at any point along the way,
you can see a full listing of all of the blog hop

 Here is a simple standard-size card I created
featuring the Yuletide Carol paper pack (X7187B)
with Desert Sand, New England Ivy, and Ruby ink pads.
Embellished with Red Shimmer Trim (Z1848),
Topiary Mini Chevron Ribbon (Z1929), and Green Epoxy Bubbles (Z1806).
I also used our black journaling pen (Z1979) to outline and add a few doodles
to the parts of the ornament that I wanted to highlight.

Don't you just LOVE how so many stamps
in this set are Cricut-cut-compatible?
It makes it so easy to stamp these images
on pre-cut cardstock shapes (shown in red).


Now you can continue on with the hop
and be inspired by more creative ideas
using the stamp set by visiting
VICKI's BLOG next!
Enjoy the hop!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Scaredy Cat PML Scrapbooking Class this Saturday 9/27!

Did you take a lot of photos last Halloween?
Or...perhaps you plan to take a lot of pictures this coming Halloween?

Then you may be interested in this month's scrapbooking class
featuring the SCAREDY CAT papers and complements
(Two - 6 x 12" coordinating Kraft sticker sheets, shown here).

We're using these products PML style...
(PML = Picture My Life!)
I've pre-cut all of the cards shown on the sample pages
I've created (below), and all you have to do is
add the stickers and embellishments
to the 4x6 and 3x4 cards, then add your photos
(and a little bit of journaling) to the pockets!
It's so easy peasy!!
This really is the fastest, simplest,
and most affordable way
that I can help you get more pages
done, done, and done :)

For just $12 per kit, you can create
these 6 fun pages with me!!
I've used a total of 31 photos here, 
but this system is so flexible,
you can include more or less
pictures on your pages.
Let me show you how!

 Page 1 (above)

Page 2 (above)

 Page 2 (again) showing the 4x6 flip flap lifted up

 Page 3 (above)

 Page 4 (above)

  Page 4 (again) showing the 4x6 flip flap lifted up

 Page 5 (above)

Page 6 (above)

 Page 6 (again) showing the 4x12 flip flap opened on the side!

This class will be held this Saturday 9/27
(2-5pm and/or 6-9pm)
Contact me now to reserve the time slot you
prefer and reserve your kit while I still have a few left!
I currently have just 4 KITS available...
but I am able to order more supplies to prep additional kits
if you'd like to make these pages with me
on a different date in the near future.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Picture My Life Wall Hangings

How sweet are these?!!
I simply turned a few Picture My Life memory protectors on their sides so the holes lined up at the top, then filled them with photos and pre-printed PML cards. I added a bow with a glue dot to the top center of the page to cover the hole, then tied a piece of ribbon from the remaining holes to create these fun wall hangings.
So simple and very affordable to create!
(approxiately $2 each)

 This wall hanging (above) features the Avonlea PML collection (Z1942)

This wall hanging (above) features the For Always PML collection (Z2022).

Saturday, September 6, 2014

September 6th Card Class! (6-9pm)

These are the cards I'm teaching tonight!

Let me show you how to create
8 hand-made greeting cards
(2 each of 4 designs!) on the 
first Saturday evening of
every month for $12.00
(that's only $1.50 per card!)
...OR
get your class for just $5
with any $24.95 or more
product purchase.
This month's cards feature
the brand new
SCAREDY CAT
and SNOWHAVEN
paper packs!

Sunday, August 31, 2014

September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our
September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop
featuring this month's SOTM:
Family is Forever S1409

If you've just arrived here from WENDY's BLOG,
then you are on the correct path.
If you get lost at any point along the way,
you can see a full listing of all of the blog hop
participants by visiting this link here:
http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html


Here is a sweet and simple standard-size card I created
featuring the Scaredy Cat paper pack (X7185B)
with Black, Pear, Slate, and Thistle ink pads.
Embellished with Silver Shimmer Trim (Z1799),
Silver Sequins (Z2013), and Clear Sparkles (Z1752).

Lastly, here are all of the stamp images included in this set:

Now you can continue on with the hop
and be inspired by more creative ideas
using the stamp set by visiting
LALIA's BLOG next!
Enjoy the hop!

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Mojo Monday 359 (Halloween Greetings Card)!

 I'm so happy to have finally been able to find a little time to participate in the Mojo Monday Card Sketch Challenge this week!! Here is my standard size card inspired by Mojo Monday 359.
All of the products I used are from Close to my Heart.
D1605 Halloween Greetings stamp set
X7185B Scaredy Cat paper packet
Z3011 Scaredy Cat assortment (enamel stars)
Archival Black and Slate ink pads
ShinHan Touch Twin Markers:
Barely Beige (YR29)
Peony Purple (P282)
Warm Grey (WG4)


Saturday, August 16, 2014

Scrapbooking Buffet, Class, and Crop is today 8/16!

Join us the 3rd Saturday of every month
from 2-5pm and/or 6-9pm!!
Come in the afternoon or evening or BOTH!
(we're taking a one hour break for dinner).
Beginners and friends are always welcome!

We will be creating albums together
one page at a time. Bring your own
supplies to use and/or purchase only
what you need as you USE it up...
No more collecting/hoarding for us!!

This event is FREE, but I also offer a
"buffet" of products for you to shop from
if and when you need anything!
I offer single sheets of paper, cricut
cutting services, memory protectors,
adhesives, and a selection of individual
"Picture My Life" cards and accessories.
Plus, you also get free use of my
stamps, blocks, and inks.

If you wish to purchase the
monthly "Class Kit," you can create
one 12x12 layout (2 pages total)
featuring one of our lovely NEW paper
kits in less than 1-2 hours of your time.
(I pre-cut the materials for you!)
Materials fee is $12 per kit, OR
just $5 with any $24.95 or more 
product purchase.
Kits are limited and while my supply lasts,
so please RSVP early if you want me to
reserve and guarantee a kit for you!

The August 16th kit will feature our
NEW "Chalk It Up" papers and
complements as shown here (below):




Saturday, August 2, 2014

The NEW Annual Inspirations Catalog is Revealed!!


"Annual inspirations" is the name of our NEW yearly Catalog...192 pages of beautiful artwork samples and lots of tips and ideas to help you make the most of Close to My Heart’s products! Shop for Stamps, Papers, Scrapbooking and Cardmaking kits,
exclusive CTMH Cricut Cartridges and more!

You can also look forward to two shorter supplemental catalogs called "Seasonal Expressions" available starting December 1st and April 1st. These 40 page beauties will feature all-new seasonally inspired products!

You can view the entire NEW "Annual Inspirations" Catalog online here now:
http://stampwithjen.ctmh.com/ctmh/products/online-idea-book.aspx

If you’re like me and want to have the book in-hand to browse, add post-it notes to, and make notes in, you can get your own copy from me now for just
$4 each (local in-person delivery)
or $9 (for non-locals to cover the cost of mailing).
As a bonus, when you purchase a Catalog from me, I'll include a coupon for $5 off any purchase of $24.95 or more (made exclusively with me).

Please contact me to get your copy now!

Thursday, July 31, 2014

August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!!


THANK YOU for stopping by to enjoy our
August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop
featuring this month's SOTM: 
What A Hoot S1408

If you've just arrived here from ALYSON's BLOG,
then you are on the correct path.

If you get lost at any point along the way,
you can see a full listing of all of the blog hop
participants by visiting this link here:
 http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html

First, I'm sharing this fun Halloween Treat Bag I made (above) using our
NEW Designer Creations Slate Paper Bags (Z2036)
shown on page of 176 of the new Annual Inspirations Catalog.
Images are stamped with Black ink and colored/blended with our
NEW ShinHan Twin Touch Markers (Clay, Mahogany, Golden Yellow, and Marigold).

Next, is a standard size card (above) featuring the New CHALK IT UP paper pack (X7184B).
Card design is inspired by Make It From Your Heart, Volume 2 - Pattern 20 (p. 42).
Images are also stamped with Black ink and colored/blended with our
NEW ShinHan Twin Touch Markers (Clay, Mahogany, Peacock Green, and Turquoise Blue).

Lastly, here are all of the stamp images included in this set:

Now you can continue on with the hop 

and be inspired by more creative ideas
using this stamp set by visiting
SHEILA's BLOG next!
Enjoy the hop!!