Sassy Sketches eBook Giveaway (Link Fixed) at Rose Blossom Legacies!

My friend, Brenda, is hosting a Sassy Lil' Sketches eBook Giveaway. Who wouldn't want one of these?

Brenda's Giveaway

Wicked Artwork

I figured before this month was over, I better post the art I created using Wicked, the August Stamp of the Month. I'm not much for Halloween, but I enjoyed stretching myself to come up with some "spooky" things.

This layout is by far, my favorite. I copied the idea from the Idea Book. Why re-invent the wheel when someone has already done the work?

The cat was stamped with Versamark, then embossed with white embossing powder. Do you see the Licorice Opaques on his/her eyes? This card also uses another Halloween stamp, All Hallow's Eve, on the Barn Red Cardstock.

I used a technique on the feet to create motion. I  stamped them and immediately used swiped my thumb over the top of them. It created the look of movement. You can click on the photo to see it larger.

Take Advantage!

If you spend $75 before August 31st, you can get over $40 FREE, plus the opportunity to get the Stamp of the Month for only $5! Read the details below:

1. When you purchase $50 in products before shipping and tax, you'll get the August Stamp of the Month for only $5! (This $55 amount also counts towards #3 below.

2. When you spend the $50 AND get the $5 Stamp of the Month, you also get this "A Typeface" stamp set FREE!

3. If you add another $20 to your order (totaling $75), you get the first-ever Double Stamp set called "Pair-a-phrase" for FREE! That value is $35.90!

In a nutshell, when you spend $75 (including the $5 stamp of the month), you get over $55.80 in FREE stamp sets!

Dreamin' and School Calendar

Look at these cute circle cards! The bottom two are from the Dreamin' Workshop Kit. The top left one is right from the Idea Book....yes, even consultants copy the Idea Book artwork! Why come up with your own ideas, when it's already in front of you?

Papers Used: Dreamin'
Stamps Used: Workshop Kit stamp set, Harvest Happiness, and So Grateful
Embellishments: Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel and Shimmer Brads (came with the workshop kit), Honey Mini Medleys, Antique Copper Brads, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon.

I finally got a Cricut and have used it a few times. I'm busy creating some artwork and haven't really had the chance to play around with it.

However, as some of you know, our family is homeschooling this year. So, with my Cricut, I created an interchangeable calendar for my first grader to use in the morning. I cut out the month letters and then a shape for each day of the month. August is suns. September is apples and so on. I slid the calendar into a CTMH page protector and am attaching the sun days with glue dots to the page protector. Works like a charm! For now, I just attached the month to the top of the protector, but I would like to create a cute page topper using the month header, but haven't had the time lately.

And homeschooling is great so far! I love it and the kids are liking it for the most part.

Art Philosophy Cricut Images--Holy Moly!!

I could not believe it when I saw this....I didn't realize there were so many different things to make with the Art Philosophy cartridge. You all will LOVE it! I can't wait to try to make some of the card bases with it. It's only $99 AND you can also get it as a half-price item when you host a party with $250 in sales!!

Click on any photo to see it up close.

 

Making Cricut Flowers CTMH-style!

Here's a quick video of one of CTMH's Vice Presidents, Kristine, creating Cricut flowers. She has a great tip to add some dimension to your flowers when adding them to your project.

NEW Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book is Live!

It's here! The newest Close To My Heart Idea Book! I polled several of my regular customers about the paper packs in this idea book. Many of them said they had a hard time choosing which paper packs they didn't like! I agree completely! From Halloween to a funky zebra striped-print--CTMH has outdone themselves with this one!

Some highlights of this idea book are:
1. The partnership with Cricut  introduces a new product called the Cricut Art Philosophy collection. I can't wait to get my hands on this product. I just got my Cricut in the mail last week and haven't had much time to play yet! If you visit Jeanette Lynton's blog, you will see some artwork using this cartridge. Jeanette is the founder of CTMH.

2. Level 2 paper packs now have thicker patterned paper. Each sheet also has the zip strip that tells what colors are used in the particular pack. Plus, the backside is created to look like a coordinating border to use on your own projects.

3. Cardstock "Shade Packs" are new this time around. These packs have 24 sheets total, consisting of 3 harmonious colors. See page 9 of the online Idea Book.

And so on, and so on!

Plus, now through August 31st, you can get a FREE alphabet stamp set when you place a qualifying order! Read more about this special.