April 2012 CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!!!

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!

This month we are featuring the April SOTM from the NEW 2012 Spring/Summer Idea Book, which is S1204 You Are…, a set of 15 My Acrylix Stamps! 

 

If you have come here from Tamytha Jenkins' 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.

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. To join in the fun just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one!

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I’m sharing ANOTHER scrapbook layout this month! I think I’ve decided to challenge myself the rest of this year to create scrapbook layouts for each Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. Gives me an incentive to get more scrappin’ done!

I’m also sharing a sneak peek from CTMH’s National Scrapbook Month promotion, which begins April 17th! Here goes…

I absolutely LOVE the colors in this new paper packet! I used three of the colors, Sweet Leaf, Sunset & Lagoon along with Crème Brulee & Chocolate.

The paper packet is called ‘Dotty for You’, thus the dotted paper. On the reverse side of each dotted paper are fabulous patterns such as plaids, butterflies, circles, stamped images & more. I can’t wait to share more with  you in the next couple of weeks!

Here are a few close-ups of the page elements…

You see I used some of our yummy baker’s twine…which just so happens to have THREE of the colors in the ‘Dotty for You’ kit, so it works perfectly.

I created the banner with the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge & My Acrylix Pennant Alphabet

I used the April Stamp of the Month ‘You Are…’ with Chocolate ink for the title and some accent borders.

Here’s a photo of a photo of a cupcake pick I made using the April Stamp of the Month too.

I love using little banner strips of different sizes right now to add accents where needed. I hear banners are a really ‘HOT’ trend right now…along with more of that yummy baker’s twine!

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That’s it for now…I hope you enjoyed your visit!

Now "Hop" on over to Sheila Bennett's blog to see her fabulous works of art! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas using this month’s stamp of the month!

To purchase your April Stamp of the Month (only available Apr 1-30, 2012) and other CTMH products like the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection…

Visit My Website to shop now!

or click here to contact me to place your order.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

Getting Ready for Load 211

Only 1 week until the big challenge, LOAD 211, begins! I’m starting to prepare myself for all the fun memories I will be scrapbooking in the month of February!

My plan is to use some of the scrapbook layout kits I’ve put together previously for crops/retreats and I will also be using past workshop layouts I’ve already created that just need photos & journaling to finish them off. Oh, and I will definitely be throwing in a few other projects here and there using all the new paper packets from the Close To My Heart Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book which will be revealed February 1st! As a consultant with Close To My Heart, I have already had the chance to order all the new paper packets, so I can not wait to create with them and share them with you.

If I have peeked your interest with this challenge, I would love for you to join me in this month long challenge! Click on the picture below to learn more and let’s get some scrappin’ done in February!

Makin’ Plans for 2011…Keeps Me Awake at Night

It’s 4 am as I type up this blog post…on Christmas Eve morning….I can’t sleep because I have so many wonderful things floating around in my head. So, I thought I’d blog about them so I wouldn’t forget about them and who knows…something may inspire you as well. :)

Here are a few things I can’t get my mind off of…

2011 Close To My Heart Spring/Summer Idea Book

If all goes according to my email notification, tracking  & FedEx’s reliable deliver, my new 2011 Close To My Heart Spring/Summer Idea Books will be arriving TODAY!!! Merry Christmas to me!!! I still get so excited when a new idea book arrives, even after 12 wonderful years with Close To My Heart! I don’t have a picture to share yet of the new idea book, but I can give you a little teaser to what will be coming in January…

Sneak a peek at great Spring/Summer 2011 Idea book products in the Inspirations Brochure coming January 1, 2011—including amazing deals on new stamp sets and the January Stamp of the Month when you buy the new Wings Workshops on the Go™ kit, all to help YOU start off the new year right.

Dates:
Customer Availability Dates: January 1, 2011 at 9 am (MST) – January 31, 2011 at 11: 59 pm (MST)

You are going to love this newest Workshops on The Go™ Kit, along with all the new accessories, tools, and stamps! I can’t wait to share more about it on January 1, 2011…along with the Mystery Hostess winner of Pamela’s MyCTMH Website Party (click here for more information)!

Next on my mind…

2011 ABC Scripture Challenge

I’m making plans to participate in the 2011 ABC Scripture Challenge over at the Triple the Scraps blog.

I have decided that I will be using Close To My Heart’s MY CREATIONS™ BOARD BOOK

Perfect for creating a child's activity book or their own personal scrapbook. Sturdy material holds up through many uses. (10 pages plus covers of white chipboard, pre-bound, 6" x 6")

I saw this super cool idea at the Close To My Heart Convention Silent Auction…to cut the book down to 6” x 4” so that it will fit inside Close To My Heart’s MY CREATIONS™ RECIPE/PHOTO BOX

I will be able to fit a total of 6  MY CREATIONS™ BOARD BOOKS inside the MY CREATIONS™ RECIPE/PHOTO BOX when the books are cut down! That will also give me plenty of pages to do a two-page spread for each letter of the alphabet with a two-page introduction layout and a two-page closing layout.

If you would like to join me on my 2011 ABC Scripture Challenge journey, you can place your order for the above items at Pamela’s MyCTMH Website (hint: click on the links above to be taken right to each product).

As a reminder, now through December 31, 2010, I’m hosting Pamela’s MyCTMH Website Party in celebration of my 12th Anniversary with Close To My Heart and when you place an order of $20 or more on Pamela’s MyCTMH Website, you will be entered into a drawing for the Mystery Hostess Rewards that I will be awarding on January 1, 2011…AND, you get one entry for EVERY $20 in products you purchase!

One other pressing thing on my mind at the moment…

I have got to get the cover of my new 2011 Memory Logbook by Log Your Memory finishes so I can go have it spiral bound at Office Depot before the 1st of January!

If you’d like to know more about this amazing new planner I’m creating, please see THIS POST or visit…

This is going to make a world of difference in how I manage my family time, personal time and my scrapbooking time!

Well, those are just a few of the things that are keeping me up, not to mention that it’s Christmas Eve morning! :)

Now where is my FedEx man???

Making Plans for the Year Ahead

I took the plunge last night…made a decision and purchased the 2011 Memory Logbook by Log Your Memory!

The 2011 Memory Logbook is your all-in-one memory-keeping calendar, journal, planner and idea book designed to help you capture your everyday, real life memories! Completely updated and revised for 2011 ...

I decided to purchase the downloadable version so I could print what I want, bind it how I want and decorate it how I want.

Here is a description of what is included in the download…

A downloadable print-it-yourself edition of our all-in-one memory-keeping calendar, journal, planner and idea book designed to help scrapbookers of all types, as well as non-scrapbookers, capture your everyday, real life memories!

Includes 52 Weekly Challenges based on this year's theme: This Is My Life. Purchase includes both 5.5x8.5 and 8.5x11 page sizes, as well as versions with and without American holidays.

Features include...

Getting Started Introductory Section - Helpful tips for getting started, plus a Story List for jotting down stories you’d like to get documented in the coming year.

Monthly Calendars - Two-page monthly calendar spreads , plus 2011 at-a-glance and a list of 2012 US holidays.

Weekly Calendars - A six-page section for each week with room for notes, journaling or a personal schedule.

Questionnaires - A set of five repeated questionnaires for every month - monthly check-up, holiday wrap-up, celebration re-cap and birthday memories - plus a two-page worksheet to capture once-a-year information.

Weekly Challenges - A question, journaling prompt or other story-starter for every week of the year geared toward helping you capture the parts of your life you most want to document for future reference. Each week includes a sample scrapbook layout for added inspiration.Completely updated and revised for 2011.

Annual & Monthly Themes - This year’s theme - This Is My Life - has an “all about me” focus. Monthly themes include Find Your Focus; Loves of My Life; Feeding the Spirit; Life is So Daily; Time to Work, Time to Play; Relationships; Life is An Adventure; Personal Inventory; Personal Growth; In My Experience; Appreciate Life; and Celebrate Life.

52 Brand New Weekly Challenges - A theme-related challenge for every week in 2011 in one of six formats: Journaling Challenge, Copycat Challenge, One Word Challenge, Real Life Challenge, Picture Perfect Challenge, or Reflection Challenge.

52 Sample Layouts - A sample scrapbook layout to coordinate with every Weekly Challenge, featuring the work of 29 contributing artists.

Inspirational Quotes - A theme-related quote on each monthly calendar.

Updated Photo Ideas - A list of photo prompts in conjunction with each monthly theme.

Weekly Memory Minder Emails - All 2011 Memory Logbook owners receive a free email subscription to Memory Minders for the period of time covered in their book, designed to support, encourage, educate and inspire you to use your Logbook to its fullest potential. Weekly emails will include challenge reminders, helpful tips, chat & event information, advance product news, sale notices, how-to articles and more. (A paid subscription to this email is also available for those who do not wish to purchase a Logbook.)

Cleaner, More Streamlined Design - Improved modular design with a more simple, modern look. The modular design allows for greater compatibility with existing planners, making it easier for you to pick and choose your favorite sections from the Memory Logbook and incorporate them into your favorite planning system.

To purchase your own today, visit…

I’ll be back soon with my decorated 2011 Memory Logbook. I’ll be using Close To My Heart’s January Inspiration Kit, Wings!

Hooked on Stamping Scrapbook Challenge #77 (HOSSC77)

I’m so excited to be participating in the Hooked on Stamping Scrapbook Challenge this week! I thought, how cool would it be to do my own weekly challenge along with a few others that are out there (as time permits). What I love best about this challenge is that Helen is a fellow Close To My Heart consultant, so she uses our scrapbook programs as well.

This week’s HOS Scrapbook Challenge uses our Imagine How-To Program and a pattern called Perfect Prelude found on page 26. To find out more about Helen’s challenge, visit her blog at Hooked on Stamping.

Here is my HOS Scrapbook Challenge 77 creation using Imagine – Perfect Prelude

I used our new Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Packet but substituted Chocolate for the Cocoa that comes in the packet. This layout is of our church’s women’s Christmas dinner last December. In this layout, I wanted to share our theme for the evening along with our decorations and one of our favorite traditions, an ornament exchange!

I broke out the prisma glitter again for this layout and covered the chipboard snowflakes, dots, and stars in it. Suffice it to say, glitter is everywhere again. My husband even noticed and asked why I had glitter on my face last night while we were chatting. :0)

For the title, I used our new E-size stamp set called Old World Alphabet. It fit perfectly for the theme, Light of the World. I also did some ‘antiquing’ around all the edges of the paper with my Chocolate ink pad and stipple brush. It helped to give the layout that ‘old world’ feeling.

Well, thanks for stopping by and I hope you will jump over to Helen’s blog to give this fabulous challenge a try!

Have a blessed weekend and see you Monday for week 2 of my Monday Magic Creations challenge. Don’t forget, you have ‘til this Sunday evening at 11:59 p.m. to submit your week 1 creations…submit them HERE!

Another Layout to Add to the Challenge!

I was able to fit 14 photos onto this layout using Close To My Heart's Imagine Scrapbook Program, Supporting Cast concept found on pages 98-99. So cool! I also used the new CTMH Photo Marker for my journaling and to put the girl's names on their individual focal point photos. Love it!

'nough said!

I really like this new technique I learned of lightly inking your stamp and then rolling it on the ink pad to get ink around the edges of the stamp. To create a more subtle look, I stamped off once on scratch paper and then stamped onto White Daisy cardstock...that's called 2nd generation stamping.

Thanks for looking and I wish you a blessed day! Pamela

Recipe: All products Close To My Heart

Paper: My Reflections Whoops-A-Daisy Paper Packet

Stamps: Rustic Alphabet; June Stamp of the Month, With Love

Inks: Hydrangea, Watermelon

Accents: Clear Buttons, Texture Tools, White Daisy Bigger Brads,  Imagine Scrapbook Program - Supporting Cast concept

Scrappin' Challenge is On!

Alright...it's official! My bff, Cindy, has challenged me to a Scrappin' Challenge through the end of the year. We all have the best of intentions to get lots of scrappin' done, especially during the summer. However, I think we all find some excuse...usually "I just can't find the time". Well, you won't find the time unless you schedule it in! So grab your day planner/calendar and schedule some personal scrappin' time in!!! Come on...I want you to join us in this challenge. You can do it!

Here are the details...

*Complete 10 two-page layouts each month through December 31, 2008...that's a total of 60 two-page layouts...12o total pages!

That's about 2-3 two-page layouts each week...very doable...especially if you make your pages faster, simpler, easier with CTMH products like Level 1 Kits, Level 2 Paper Packets and My Stickease, just to mention a few. One of my goals is to use more of these fabulous products mentioned to get more of my pictures into scrapbooks!

Here is my 1st two-page layout for July...

I created these layouts by following CTMH's June Workshop on the Go (Whoops-A-Daisy Layouts Workshop). The layout concept comes from CTMH's Imagine Scrapbook Program and it's called, Stars Above, featured on pages 92-93. Email me if you'd like more information about this awesome scrapbook program and the other two programs also available...Cherish and Reflections. They are a must have to make your scrappin' time faster, simpler, easier!

The title was a lot of fun to create using my E size stamps, Rustic (my favorite stamp set) and Creative Clips for the 'I'.

A scrapbook layout isn't complete until you do your journaling. :O) Now that wasn't so hard!

Another creative clip used to accent this 'happy' photo of Caitlyn. Aren't the colors of these papers just perfect for your pool/beach pictures! I'll share another layout shortly using the same papers but with a totally different theme.

Something Stacey Julian has taught me...don't fret over using pictures during different times of the year or even over several years. I actually included pictures from Easter and Memorial Day weekend on this layout. I didn't worry about including an exact date. I mentioned it was summer in my journaling and only included the year on the layout. From this info, I know about how old the kids are...that was 5 years ago! Wow! My now 13 year old and 10 year old were 8 and 5....goodness...how time flies.

Have a blessed day and until my next scrappin' challenge post...

Pamela

Recipe: All products Close To My Heart

Paper: My Reflections Whoops-A-Daisy Paper Packet

Stamps: Rustic Alphabet; June Stamp of the Month, With Love

Inks: Hydrangea, Watermelon

Accents: Creative Clips, Clear Buttons, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Texture Tools, White Daisy Bigger Brads, Dimensional Elements Fresh Shapes