"Find Your Style" January 2011 SOTM

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! This month, featured is January 2011's SOTM, "Find Your Style", D1452. If you have come here from Angela's Blog, you are on the right path!

This month we have about 60 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this January's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! I made this wall plaque as a gift for my friend, Barbara. Happy viewing!!




Here are the products I used to create this special gift:

January 2011 SOTM " Find Your Style" D1452
"Picture This" D1448
5x7 Canvas Panel (available at JoAnn's or Michaels $3.99 for 3 canvases)
CTMH My Reflections Wings B&T Duos X7135B
CTMH Juniper Ink Z2165
CTMH Cocoa Ink Z2114
CTMH Embossing Powder Clear Z671
Versa Mark Z891
CTMH Stardust Glitz Z1313
CTMH Liquid Glass Z679
CTMH Pewter Mini-Medley Accents Z1243
Ranger Embossing Powder "Tinsel Bridal"
Martha Stewart Crystal Glitter
Ocean Tides ribbon from Papertrey Inks
Floral Beads
Prima Flowers

Now "Hop" on over to LeAnne's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, January's SOTM is only available until January 31, 2011! Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

Here are some more projects I've made using January's Stamp of the Month...Enjoy!

Sticky Boy

Sticky Boy Stowing Away in Random MyCTMH® Orders!

A few weeks ago Corporate office sent out this update about Sticky Boy....."Now that December is here and our Plenty for Twenty campaign is going, we have decided to up the ante—Sticky Boy may be coming to your house for the holidays! In random Plenty for Twenty-qualifying MyCTMH orders throughout December, we’ll be adding in a special stowaway absolutely FREE: Sticky Boy! He’ll be available in different sizes and in his own packaging, so check your box closely to see if you’ve won him as a bonus prize this December."

I WON a Sticky Boy....yippee......My first Sticky Boy! If you're not sure who Sticky Boy is, then check him out here and below.


Isn't he so, so cute, he's smaller than a nickle......

Everyone has been asking me what I got for Christmas, well, here is a peak of my Christmas present, my new craft room. Now, this room is not complete yet. My father-in-law is a cabinet maker and when my in-laws asked me what I wanted for Christmas I couldn't resist. This is my Birthday present too, which is in a few days. I wish I still had



the drawing from when I laid out the room plans. The lower and upper cabinets are in and they are already full. One large pantry cabinet will be installed along with the cabinet doors, 2 hinged tables, and paper drawers.


Here is the real surprise, I had mention to my parents about a month ago that I would love to have a miniature cabinet to store my wood stamps in and at Christmas, here was this amazing cabinet that my father had built for me. Totally LOVE IT!!!!!

As the room comes together the closet gets cleaner and cleaner, soon it will be empty and I can fill it with more stuff. So, if you haven't realized it by now I am stamping hoarder!!!!

Check back in a week or so and see whats been done next. And remember to check back on January 1 for the SOTM Blog Hop.

Christmas, an exciting time of year for all of us, but definitely for the children. This is my niece Emily, she turned 2 a few weeks ago and she was so excited about Christmas for the first time.



Now I'm not sure who was more excited me or her, when she opened her present from Uncle Todd and Aunt Tamra. Here is her first big girl bike. Since I don't have children, I was floored to find out that this bike in the big box it came in wasn't already together, so Uncle Todd spent the morning putting her bike together with Emily anxiously waiting for her first ride.



And here she is on her first ride. Before we know it she'll being driving...hehehehe



Now, we can't forget about our pets either, see Maggie wanting to play with Emily's birdie from Santa.

Happy Holidays to all and a Happy New Year.

Super quick post today. Can't believe Christmas is in 5 days.......OMG, are you ready???? Just when I thought I was done with Christmas, I realized I hadn't made a card for my mom and dad, so yesterday, it was crunch time. I just love this stamp from Stampin Up. There are so many possibilities, unfortunately, I didn't have much time, so I went pretty simple with this one. Enjoy.

Funny how when you do paper crafting people come up with the strangest ideas for things for you to decorate. This morning at breakfast with my parents, my mother asked me if I could put some ribbon on this Coca Cola Bottle that she bought for her friend for Christmas. A Coca Cola bottle, well I'm up for the challenge.



Now, if your like me I just can't stop at ribbon. I had a vision for this bottle and the more stuff added to it the merrier..... It was like I was possessed or something. First the liquid applique around the Santa image, I was so nervous that I was going to destroy the bottle when I added the heat, I called my mom to ask where she had bought the thing from. Walmart, ok I'm safe. Amazingly, the heat gun didn't even affect this bottle, big relief. Then the ribbon and lots of frabri-tac. I didn't have a nice red ribbon so I recycled a ribbon my friend used on a canister of rum balls I got for Christmas. Thanks, DiAnn, you're a life saver. Next the tag, lots of glitter, stickles and Diamond Dust and of course some influence from Tim Holtz. The final result a decorated Coca Cola Bottle, and now, I'm wondering if my mom's friend will even be able to drink it. Good luck.



One more thing, do you see what I see? Maybe something or maybe nothing, its all up to you.

Ok, so I was looking through some old photos of cards and projects I have done, to find something to post. I have been so busy preparing for next year, and I can't show off all this fun and exciting stuff until January 1!!! And I found this picture holder I made for my sister's bridal shower a while back. I love to alter things.



Especially items made of wood. Its so easy.



I'll tell you when Rose opened this gift she started crying. The picture quality does this project no justice. Since I took this picture before I learned about proper lighting. I was new, what can you say.

I'll dig deep to find more stuff to show for the rest of the year and maybe, just maybe you'll catch a bit of a sneak peak in the process. I just have to figure out a way of doing it without revealing anything/everything. I know your getting excited by now aren't you......

Another sad day has fallen upon our family. A while back Chuncky Money our 14 year old sugar glider passed away and tonight one of our 5 year old twin sugar gliders, Ms. Pitter passed away. The cold has been really bad here lately, at least for tropical animals. Each night we bring them in the house and put heat on them... In the past few days Ms. Pitter lost a substantial amount of weight. I was unsure what was wrong with her,and I gave her more and more attention, heat and food and tonight, Todd found her clutched in the paws of her brother Mr. Patter. She will be truly missed by our family and Mr. Patter. Sugar Gliders are very affectionate animals who need constant attention, companionship and love. They are animals that should not be adopted by those who can not give them their undivided attention. I admit that having 3 made it a little bit easier with the attention part, but now that we are down to one, Mr. Patter will have my undivided attention again. We will miss Ms. Pitter, she was one of the most affectionate loving gliders I have ever owned.

Drum roll please.......my new camera is here.....Many of you have never seem where I work, so I thought that my first picture with my camera would be of my desk. See how clean it is......well if you scroll down you actually see the real first picture......messy, messy, messy, but functionable.

Woohoo.....my new camera is on the FedEx truck and out for delivery. If, you have been wondering why I haven't posted any pictures of any cards lately, well there are a couple of reasons.

1. I need my new camera!!!!!

2. I've been making cards with the new products available in the January "Inspirations" catalog and I'm not really allowed to show that stuff off,but sneak peaks are ok....So when my camera gets here today I will take some pictures to tease you. AND

3. I have decided to join the SOTM Blog Hop and I can't post my favorite creation with January's stamp of the month set until January 1.....

Now, on to the next important news.....this weekend I will pick the blog posting dates and put the names in a hat so my husband can pick the 2 lucky winners for the blog candy I offered. Keep your fingers crossed you could be the winner. Don't forget to check back on Monday for the results. AND....

A special thanks goes out to DiAnn, Josephine, and Marty. You three ladies were the ones to push me over my Quarterly sales goal. I'll be busy this weekend picking out some really special goodies to go into your goody bags as promised.

Have a great day.......

Close To My Heart Clearance Sale

If the Plenty for Twenty wasn't enough, CTMH put the icing on the cake! Check it out, everyday for the rest of the month CTMH will be having select products at closeout clearance sale prices. Just look at what you get for your dollar today.

BUBBLEGUM EXCLUSIVE INKS® MARKER
$2.95 $1.50 49 % off Z2309
HYDRANGEA EXCLUSIVE INKS® MARKER
$2.95 $1.50 49 % off Z2329
ORANGE EXCLUSIVE INKS® MARKER
$2.95 $1.50 49 % off Z2338
CLOVER MEADOW EXCLUSIVE INKS® MARKER
$2.95 $1.50 49 % off Z2313
OCEAN EXCLUSIVE INKS® MARKER
$2.95 $1.50 49 % off Z2336
E-Z SPONGE APPLICATORS
$1.95 $0.50 74 % off Z727
SOFT CHALKS ERASER
$1.25 $0.50 60 % off Z728
12" x 12" WHITE DAISY TEXTURED CARDSTOCK
$7.95 $4.95 38 % off X5671
12" x 12" TEXTURED CARDSTOCK COMBO PACK, SPRING HARMONY PALETTE
$9.95 $7.95 20 % off X5681
12" x 12" TEXTURED CARDSTOCK COMBO PACKS
$9.95 $7.95 20 % off X5745
9" x 9" MEMORY PROTECTORS® (10)
$3.95 $1.50 62 % off Z4118
9" x 9" WEEKLY CALENDAR
$12.95 $7.95 39 % off X301
FOUR-POCKET PHOTO STORAGE PAGES 12" x 12"
$8.95 $2.50 72 % off Z4117
9" x 9" SPINE EXPANDERS
$2.95 $1.50 49 % off Z4130
FOAM DIE-CUTS NUMBERS
$3.95 $1.50 62 % off Z1162
FANCY CUTS® BOTANICALS
$3.95 $1.50 62 % off X1405

Don't miss out on this super sale.

Its not too late to make that special Christmas gift for someone you love. Here are some great gift ideas and remember with your qualifying purchase you can get December's SOTM at a discounted price or FREE.

A quick blog this morning to show everyone the status of my new craft room. Sorry about the picture quality, my temp camera is on its way out as soon as my new one arrives via priority mail. Santa is coming early this year. Last Friday night when I got home from work, my father-in-law/private cabinet maker called me with the exciting news that he was on his way with the lower cabinets. Woohoo!!! I was doing the happy dance around my house.


I had placed a temporary folding table in my room for my everyday supplies which had to be moved to the center of the room during installation.



Just love the cabinets....Now, the cabinets aren't completely done, but they are here!!!!!That night I quickly stashed my goodies on the shelves and moved some stuff around so I could get rid of the folding table. Especially since I needed it for the dinner party I was planning for Saturday.



Look at all this room...As I started filling up the shelves I began to wonder, "Will you have enough room for all your stuff?" I will definitely have to do some consolidating.



Next to be installed is the pantry style cabinet and the upper cabinet, then the doors. Have a great day.

Last weekend I stopped by my friend DiAnn's house and she was making these really cute easel card gift tags. While I sat and talked I watched closely to what she was doing. The easel card is really simple, I've done this before to make 5x5 cards, but what I learned was this new ribbon technique to dress up your cards. The tags shown here are for the gifts posted on yesterday's blog. One for the Chinese gift exchange game and one for my Uncle's wedding present. It took about 20 minutes to whip out each of these tags. For the tags, I cut CTMH Colonial White card stock in 2x4 pieces, another piece 2x2, a piece of coordinating paper was cut 4x2, 2 were cut 2x2 and 1 was cut 1x2. Distress your edges, adhere coordinating paper to card stock. Score the 4x2 piece at 1 inch, adhere the 2x2 piece to the 4x2 at the 1 inch scored mark to make an easel. Then decorate and don't forget to use stickles....


For the ribbon, I cut different types of ribbon about 5 inches long, piled all the ribbon on top of each other, fold in half and then folded in half the other way, punched a hole in the tag and pushed the ribbon about an inch through the front of the easel tag. Then taking a pencil I made a hole through the middle of the ribbon and slid a thin piece of ribbon through and tided the ribbon behind the card. Hope that made since to everyone......I'm sure I will be using this technique at one of my upcoming classes.

Have a great day.....

Well, the Christmas Workshop went very well. This being my first workshop, I put the girls to the challenge with 5 full hours of paper crafting and I'd say they did a great job. The girls completed all the projects except for 2 Christmas cards and a thank you card. No problem, I will stamp and set up the kits later this week and deliver them too. This is the cutest Thank you card. I borrowed this stamp set and die made by Papertray from my friend DiAnn. Can't wait to get it back from her again to make more cards.



WOW, did I have fun wrapping these presents.

This Saturday, I'm having a Christmas Dinner Party and we are going to play the Chinese Gift Exchange game. Never done it before, but it sounds fun. Each couple or single guest will bring a gift very nicely wrapped to entice people to choose their gift for the game. Oh, I so want to pick mine.

The smaller of the 2 gifts is for the party and the other is a wedding present for my uncle and his soon to be bride.

I so wish I had a new camera, maybe Santa will bring one......

Back in the swing of things....

Good morning fellow bloggers, I'm back....I was out of commission for the past few days but, I'm here now. Totally blonde I must say, I left my camera and breakfast at home this morning. So just a quick post to let you know to check back later today for the final pictures from the Christmas Workshop and more. P.S. keep your fingers crossed part of my new craft room (the lower cabinets) are suppose to be put in this week.......Yippee I can't wait.....

Just about ready

Well, I'm just about ready for the First Annual Christmas Workshop. Here are some more sneak peaks.

These cute gift card holders are really easy and quick to make.

Now tonight, it's crunch time.....I still have one more alter project ( a Christmas gift bag) and two more cards to make and then I'm done. But, just around the corner will be my order from Close to My Heart from the new Inspirations Catalog for January...and I will begin making the new Wings Workshop on the Go and some really great cards. If you are wondering whats exactly in the new Inspirations Catalog don't worry, I placed my order for those too and I will be delivering them next week. So when you get your's you'll understand why I bought everything in the catalog.......Woohoo can't wait!!!! One of the things I love most about CTMH is, its like Christmas every month when my orders come in.....

Just a quick post this morning......I have to order my exclusive preview of the new products from CTMH this morning....so, so, so, excited.... but as promised here are pictures of my up and running temporary room.

Todd hung the shelves so I could place all my goodies out where I could see them. It took me 4 hours to clean and organize all this stuff. Look at these new ribbon holders I got. JoAnn's had them on sale for $7.99 each, reduced from $24.99 last Saturday at 7:00 a.m. Todd and I got up early and stood in a line of about 40 people at 6:30 a.m., just to get these. I had gone the day before and they had about 30 of them for the sale, so with a plan of action we concurred. Todd went straight for the shopping cart and I went for the holders, funny thing was no one else in line went for them, just me......


WOW, look at this really clean desk in front of my window. I have such a nice view of my blooming butterfly tree when I open the blinds.


I put these cube holders in the closet to hold items that I don't use everyday, like holiday stuff. The first project that I've made in my new room was these really cute treat holders for my Christmas Workshop gals. Have a great day.

THE BIG DOUBLE BOO!!!!

Well my camera finally took the big one, which was very upsetting for me this holiday weekend. I had every intention of walking everyone through my 2 day cooking adventure, including posting some recipes. First, I made 2 turkeys and a country ham.




Just look at this beautiful Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake, recipe will be posted by the end of the week.


AND the step by step transformation of my new craft room and Todd's new MAN CAVE.
Not sure if you can even see what this picture is suppose to be, but its my living room with a king size bedroom set in the middle of the floor, and stuff everywhere. The weekend before, I had packed everything in the front bedroom of my home with exception to Todd's man stuff in the closet. So before we could start the room we had to take out the furniture and stuff. Then Todd needed to move the shelves and cabinets I had in my craft room first. Well I didn't think about packing any of that stuff up, since I use the room everyday, what a disaster. Just look at all the stuff that was in the cabinets all over the counter tops.

Since my good camera bit the big one, I was forced to use a spare camera that just doesn't work very well. No flash or auto focus that works properly, so some pictures turn out and some not at all. Now, if you are wondering where the furniture is going, well I'm storing it at my mom's house, probably for the next 20 years. Hope you enjoy. I have so much more to show you, so check back and see the projects underway and I promise to have a new camera soon.