Some sneak peeks at the NEW papers!

Hi all- as promised here are some sneak peeks at the new papers available in the Summer Idea Book.

Animal Cookies (my personal favorite!):

Bella:

Tinkerin' :

Back Country:

Moon Doggie: (love the name!)

To see all the papers that come in each pack, click on the Idea Book link and it will take you to my website where you can view the Idea Book online. Or, just let me know and I will be happy to send you an Idea Book in the mail!

Thanks for peeking!
Jean

BTW- just wanted to let you know that these are NOT my layouts, they are the ones available to all CTMH consultants to show the paper packs!

Tomorrow's The Day!

Hi all- just wanted to let you know that tomorrow is the first day that the new catalog is live! I will post some pics for you later of the new catty and the new paper packs- some really great ones!!

Also- I have the May layout ready to go but don't have a camera right now so will post it when I can.

I am looking forward to the card workshop Saturday night! We should have loads of fun!
BBL-
Jean

Cute Little Boxes

Good morning all- Happy Saturday!! We had a great time at my workshop last night! Thanks to all who attended!

I usually try to have some small Thank You you for all the attendees. Last night I made these little boxes and put two candles and a small list pad in them. I also put in some of the materials they needed to complete the layout. I got template from Papertrey Ink- a woman named Lauren Meader designs loads of templates for PI. Her blog is on the side- she does amazing stuff!

Here are the boxes-

Here is a view from the side-

If I had more time, I would have decorated the boxes more with ribbons or buttons and chipboard flowers.

Well- thanks for peeking- off to soccer and then to buy shoes for a wedding tomorrow!

Jean :)

Lily at the Beach!

Hi all- a quick post to let you know that I added a new Lily blinkie to the side of the blog. A new set called Lily at the Beach is going to be released on Friday April 23rd. I love the Lily stamps so I can't wait for this new set!

You can check out some sneak peeks if you click on the blinkie!

Thanks!
Jean :)

Thank You Beary Much!

Happy weekend- hopefully everyone got out and enjoyed this beautiful day! Dave did tons of work in the yard, Emily had a soccer game and then Emily, David and I went to see the new Hannah movie!

On Monday, my baby will be turning two! I can hardly believe it- where does the time go? Jack is one of those happy, friendly babies who loves to be outside and loves to laugh!! I wish there was some way to stop time and keep all three of my kids from growing up so fast! We're having a small family party for Jack tomorrow so I began work on his Thank You cards today. I used the stamp set called "The Best Way" which has some cute teddy bears on it. I colored in the bear and the flower using my Copics (love them!!) then I stippled blue around the edges.

Here's the card-

And just for fun, I stamped the back with this cute stamp from the set "Made for You"

Thanks for peeking- have a great day!

Jean

April Layout!

Good evening everyone!! It's been a busy day- here is my April layout for my workshop. I used Magic Moments to create this layout. I also used Simple Beauty stamp set, embossed it and then used the brayer to create the yellowish/orange color.

Here is the left side- I used Giggle Lowercase to stamp the words-

Here is the right side-

The pictures make it look more yellow than it really is- the color is much deeper.

Hope you like it!

Jean :)

Tickled Pink Layout!

So here is the layout I made today using all the supplies in the Tickled Pink kit. There is so much left over that I could make a second layout or a bunch of cards. I will probably use this to make birthday cards- will post them once I make them!

Left side-
Rigth side-

Gotta run- dance and soccer practice! I hope everyone likes the layout!

Thanks for peeking!

Jean

Wow! New CTMH Contest!!

Good afternoon!! I am so excited to let everyone know about a contest that CTMH has begun. It's called Scrapbook and Share and it celebrates National Scrapbooking Month! Here are the basic details:
Just submit a JPEG of a two page layout you have made in which you are the focus of the layout. It could be about your life, hobbies, passions or some event. You will send the layout to www.scrapbookandshare@closetomyheart.com . Why enter? Well, you could be a winner and you will receive $150.00 US retail in CTMH products. The contest ends on may 31st.

Of course I can't tell you all the details involved so CTMH has created a link for you to go and check out all the rules and directions! It sounds like so much fun and there are five catergories you can enter (and you can enter as many times as you like!!)

To find out more, click the link on the side of the page!

On a different note- I have received the Tickled Pink kit and will bbl to post some layouts and things I made with the kit! The colors are beautiful and I am loving the die-cuts! They really add some dimension to the layout!

Thanks for peeking!
Jean

Tickled Pink!!

Good morning!! We had a wonderful day yesterday visiting with family and having our egg hunt! The drive home was a little ong- lots of traffic but all in all a great day!

As promised, here are the details of this amazing promotion called Tickled Pink!

Tickled Pink is a new scrapbooking kit which contains some fabulous papers and extras you'll love! Here is what is included:

1- Stamp set- D-size

2- Floral B&T duos (1 with glitter)

2 stripe B&T duos (1 with glitter)

1 blush textured cardstock

1 crystal blue textured cardstock

5 white daisy textured cardstock (1 with diecuts!)

1 mini medleys accent collection (white daisy)

1 foam tool

1 brochure with directions to create a two page layout (with plenty of supplies left over for more)

Whew- sounds great doesn't it? The diecuts and the stamp set work together so you can stamp images right into the diecuts and reverything fits perfectly! The colors in this kit are blush, crystal blue,twilight, hollyhock and sweet leaf!

To get the kit:

You can earn this kit for FREE between April 15th and May 31 by placing an order of $60.00 in stamp sets (think new catalog coming!!) or...

You can purchase the kit for just $34.95 (the stamp set alone is worth 22.95!)

You can host a gathering with minimum sales of $400.00 and receive a kit for free!

I hope to be getting my kit in the next day or two and I will be posting some projects so you can have a better idea of how fabulous this paper is! Also- checkout the link to see the stamp set, papers and die-cuts!

Please let me know if you are interested in finding out more or purchasing this amazing kit!

Thanks for peeking-

Jean

Happy Easter!

HI everyone- I just wanted to pop on in and wish everyone a very Happy Easter (and a belated Happy Passover)! We are getting ready to go to my Aunt's and see the whole family.
Check back tomorrow for a special announcement about CTMH's new promotion called Tickled Pink!! It's got some great paper (think glitter!), stamp set and die cuts (which perfectly match the stamp set!) plus some instructions for a layout! It is a wonderful way to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month (May)!
Have a great day!
Jean

My elephant and alligator

So, I've been itching to get back to practicing with the Copics and the shading. I did go and buy the Memento ink. So here are the two I worked on today- no cards, just the images.

Both of these cuties are from the stamp set called Life's a Jungle from CTMH. I stuck with same color families but may have to branch out a little when I try the monkeys!

Thanks for looking-

Jean :)

Copic Class- what I learned!

Good morning! I had a great time at the Copic class and learned a number of things I didn't know before!

Here's what I learned:

1. Color in circles, not straight lines.

2. The color should saturate the paper so when you turn it over, it looks like it bled through. Use a few sheets of scrap paper under to protect your surface.

3. The main purpose of the Copics is for creating shading and light and dark spaces. You can use two or three colrs in the same family to create shadows and shading.

4. The blender is NOT a blender. It actually acts like a bleach, taking out color instead of blending together two colors.

5. The best ink to use to stamp your image in Memento ink. Not only was this the one recommended in the class but also on SCS. You should also use a very "tight" paper. PTI is the one recommended on SCS. I tried to use my CTMH ink but - well- you'll see. Do NOT use Staz-On or Archival ink, they will bleed and run.

I'm sure there was more but then I had fun practicing my shading with this cute little mouse. We made this project last night. It's actually a 4X4 small box, perfect for putting in gift cards for teachers- hmmm- a class maybe????

I think he came out pretty cute. We used the warm grays to color and shade and actually used pink for the ears and feet and then colored over the pink with the lightest gray to achieve that soft look.

So, then I came home and thought I would try it out with some flowers. However, I didn't realize that there really IS a difference in the inks and this is what happened with CTMH black ink-

The pink one came out OK but the blue one ran and the orange started to run when I played with it too long. So you know where I'm going today right? To buy the Memento ink and play some more!!

Thanks for looking everyone- as of this post I am up to 999 views!!! Hopefully I'll make 1,000 today!!

Jean:)

Quick hello!!

Hi all- I am having so much fun reading everyone's comments! Thanks for taking the time to leave them! I am so excited because I am almost up to 1,000 views!! Yeah!

So, with the kids on vacation, I haven't had too much time to create this week but I have some ideas that I'm working on. I'm also very excited to be taking my first Copics class tonight. I really like these markers and can't wait to learn all the creative ways to use them!

Anyone who is interested in participating in my Challenge should have their layout done by Saturday. I realize people are busy and may not find the time so if it seems like I'm the only one making the layouts, then I'll try something different! I have found a bunch of very inspriring pics that I'll be creating some layouts for!

I'll bbl to tell you all about a new Color Challenge sponsered by a fellow CTMH consulant- it looks like a lot of fun and I'll post all the links for you!
Off to the gym and then to get Emily and David hamsters- heaven help us!!!
Jean

Inspiration Sunday! #1

Hi all- hope you are having a great weekend! It's time to introduce a new feature called Inspiration Sunday. If you are anything like me, it can be difficult to come up with ideas for layouts, color combinations and titles. One of the things I started doing was to start looking around in magazines and pictures for ideas. It's amazing how differently you look at ads and pics when you are looking through a scrapbooker's eye.

So here's the deal: Every Sunday (early this week so I can tell you all about it!) , I will post a picture from a magazine that I found inspiring for some reason. Then I will post a sample layout that I made using the picture as a starting point.

So, what's in it for you? Well, every person who creates a layout based loosely on the picture will be entered to win that week's Challenge. Prizes will vary from a "B" sized stamp set to the SOTM to some great tools or inks/markers. All you have to do to enter is to leave a post in the comments section directing me to your blog where you have posted your picture with the title: Jean's Sunday Inspiration Challenge. If you don't have a blog, simply e-mail me your picture to jabe6126@optonline.net.

Every person who submits a layout is entered to win. As an extra opportunity to be entered, if you send someone to my blog either by telling them about it or through your own blog, and they leave me a comment telling me you sent them, your name will be entered again!

So, this week's inspiration is from the Living Magazine by Martha Stewart-

Here is the layout I came up with:
Here they are side by side:
Remember, your layout doesn't have to be the same as the picture, it is really just a starting point. I liked this picture because I liked the color blocking. You can always change the color scheme or the layout to make it your own!

I'd love some feedback about this Challenge, the magazine picture or my layout!!

Thanks for taking the time to read and peek at my blog!

Jean

Card Contest Winner!!

So I put everyone's name in a hat and let Emily pick out the paper. The winner is... drum roll please... Denise R. Congratulations Denise and thanks for participating in my Card Contest and voting! I'll get in touch with you about sending the cards to you!
Thanks to everyone who voted and keeps peeking at my blog!
Jean

Zindorf inspired Lily card

So, I love, love, love the cards that Michelle Zindorf makes using the brayer. If you check out my bloglist on the side, you'll see the link to her blog where you can view her amazing cards.

I decided that I needed to try this technique out (again- since I've tried it a few times and the results were pretty dismal! LOL!)

So- here is my first attempt:

AHHH! What happened to this? Well, I didn't realize that I had to Versamark the entire image and heat embooss, so some of the ink from the brayer seeped into the image itself. It just didn't go well!

Here is my second attempt:

So, I think the second one is better than the first but I still need to work on choosing the colors and blending them better. Any suggestions or comments would be more than welcome!
Check back tomorrow for the winner of our Card Contest!
Thanks for checking in-
Jean

April Stamp of the Month!

Welcome to April!! Hopefully the weather will warm up and we can get outside more.

Speaking of getting outside, April's Stamp of the Month is perfect for all those who love being outside and especially love fishing! When you click on the April SOTM artwork, it will take you right to my website where you can view the stamp set itself!

We have another vote- the poll is almost closed! Get your vote in and be entered to win a set of the cards!

Thanks everyone-
Jean

Enchanted Lily Card

Hi all! I finally got a chance today to play with my new Enchanted Lily stamps from Pink Cat Studio. This is the first time in a long time that I have used rubber stamps and it took a few monutes of practice to place it where I wanted it! I had forgatten the "fun" of having to cut out the rubber stamps and mount them on E-Z mount.

Here is my Lily with the adorable frog- I colored them in using my Copics and some CTMH markers. I don't know if you can tell the difference but I sure can. The Copics are so much smoother and give a more even coverage! (Although I probably shouldn't tell you that sonce I am a CTMH rep- but I figure I have to be honset!)

Here is close up of Lily - I of course had to glitter her wings! I am a glitter girl after all!

And a little bit o' news- I had my big variance meeting last night for the extension we are putting on for my in-laws and much to our relief- everything was approved!!!!! We are so grateful and can finally get ready to start having all the construction begin.

Blog candy contest update- thanks to everyone who voted in my card contest. The voting will close on Friday and I will announce the winner on Saturday!! There is still time to check it out!

Have a great day- off to get the kids!

Jean