Saturday, March 31, 2012

YOU ARE FUN, AMAZING, COOL & ORIGINAL

 Another month gone.....and here we are again for the SOTM Blog Hop.  Some how I did make it to the list of hoppers this month, but here I am, ready to go.  My friend and fellow consultant Tamytha Jenkins again is doing me a huge favor, by putting an extra link on her sight.  Glad you'll get a chance to visit with me tonight. 
This month's featured stamp set is "You Are" S1204.  You can always see everyone on the hop by going to Helen's Blog  if you get lost along the way.
 I love to stamp on candles, its super easy and super fast to whip out a great gift in less than 30 minutes.  I've never stamped on candles using embossing powder, and thought I'd give it a try.  I fell in love with how the white jumps out at you on the red candle.
Products used are CTMH unless otherwise noted......
  • White Embossing Powder Z673
  • April SOTM "You Are" S1204
  • Black Embossing Powder Z670
  • You and Me D1495
Other supplies used were a strand of black beads and painter's canvas.
 For best results use a rough candle, not a smooth one.  The texture of the rougher finished candles hides any blemishes you might get when heating the candle.
 Check out how easy this is.... Stamp or emboss the images on tissue paper, it works best if the tissue paper is the same color as the candle.  Cut images closely and lay on candle.  You can use wax paper if you want, but there is really no need.  When you heat the candle with a heat gun it will melt the wax a bit and adhere your image right to the candle.  Continue heating until the desired effect is done.  If you mess up or if it's crooked, stop heating and lift your image right off the candle (gently) and start over.  It's that easy.  Try one for yourself. 
Have a great evening and happy hopping!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Tutorial Tuesday, a day late

So I realize it's Wednesday, but I had every intention of posting this yesterday.  If all goes well I plan on posting at least once a month, a tutorial on how to create some extra extraordinary creations you can use with CTMH products.  This time I was playing around in my craft room with a challenge for an upcoming project, using some techniques I've learned along the way I came up with these wonderful flowers using the Pemberly paper pack X7148B and thought I'd share it with you.
Flowers are a passion of mine.  In life and when I create projects and cards and I like to incorporate them into everything I make, if I can.   First, I selected the paper from the Pemberly paper packet, then I cut the pieces out with the AP Cartridge.  I used Image One from page 21 of the AP book.  Cutting the Decorative Layer Flower out in Butter Cup cardstock at 2.5 inches and 1.5 inches. 
Next, cutting the Layered Flower with patterned paper from the packet at 2.5, 2.25 and 1.25 inches.
Then comes the dimension.....step one....emboss the cut pieces in an embossing folder.
Check it out....cool, isn't it!
and for more dimension stamp the cut pieces with the word stamp from the set Universal backgrounds D1477....awesome, but wait you're just getting started.
lovin' it!
and for even more of an effect.......
emboss each piece with clear embossing powder Z821.  Use the back of a stamp from the same set, it works great!
Can you see the before and after?  Check out that shine....it also gives you the ability to shape the pedals even better.
Now, I'm making 4 flowers so you would only need one of each to make one flower.


Isn't this amazing how the embossing pops out the color of the paper?
Now you're ready to curl under and over each pedal.....notice how I cut between each pedal here for more effect?
Layer the pieces, remembering to curl the layers.
Fluff each flower when done........and
the flowers are complete....
Have a great week and thank you for stopping by :)

Monday, March 19, 2012

I Won.....a free flight to Convention

 Ok, I know I really haven't posted much lately....just been trying to catch up with life as it speeds past me.    A little over a week ago I got a call from corporate with Close to My Heart.  Why is corporate calling me?  I had no idea.  Like I said I've been catching up with everything going on in my life.  Now, I do remember an email coming through about a drawing, where 4 lucky consultants will win FREE airfare to Convention in Dallas, Texas this July, and I tucked it way back in my mind.  As I carried on a conversation with corporate, the voice on the other end asked, well I guess you are wondering why I'm calling and I said "yes"....oh my, was I shocked when she told me that I won free airfare to Dallas.....you could of picked me up off the floor.  Below is the corporate announcement.  See you all in Dallas!!!!!!!

New Flight’s On Us! Contest Winner
We are excited to announce our next winner for the Flight’s On Us! Contest. Drum roll please… it’s Tamra Pope, a Consultant from Melbourne, Florida. Congratulations Tamra!

Poor little Reese Piece


Ever had your dog bitten by ants?  Well poor little Miss Reese got into some ants and I'm not sure where, none in our back yard and that's her play place. 

This morning, she started whining and crying and wouldn't stop.  I ended up having to take a sick day.  I wasn't sure what was wrong with her, she seemed fine except for the whining.  After about an hour, I pick her up, flipped her over to give her a hug and to my surprise she was covered with these little bits, well over a 100 it seems :(

I made her a bath of warm water and baking soda.  Seemed to help, now she's all curled up on the couch and hasn't left my side all morning.

Back from the Vet and no ant bites......she has hives.  She'll be better in a day or so with some old fashioned benadryl pills.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Twenty-Five for Twenty-Five

 I've been a consultant a little over 2 years now and  I've never held a card workshop, even though its been on my mind for quite sometime.  Tamytha Jenkins one of my newest and becoming my best gal pal recently told me about a card workshop she was having where she created 5 cards that would be duplicated 5 times by all attendees.  And it hit me, a card received is the best thing that can happen to a person to brighten a person's day and the fact that the cards are handmade makes them even more special.  For about a week I've been designing these cards.  All of the cards are clean in design, simple and thoughtful in nature.  Promoting this workshop was easy, quality, quantity and  fast.  All the cards made for this workshop are products from the current Close To My Heart Idea Book (Spring/Summer 2012).
 Card 1:  Using Florentine Paper Packet; Quick Cards-Butterfly stamp and cocoa ink.
          
 Card 2:  Using Lucy Paper Packet, Hooray Bouquet stamp set, Cotton Candy, Tulip, Cream Brulee and Black Ink, and the Cricut Art Philosophy.  Oh, and waxy flax and assortment pink buttons.
 Card 3:  Stella Paper Packet, Just for You stamp set and cocoa, olive and lagoon ink.
 Card 4:  Pemberley Paper Packet, Word Puzzle stamp set, Card Shatter Stamp Set, and moonstruck ink.
Card 5:  Using Buttercup and White Daisy cardstock, Bee Happy stamp set, black and cotton candy ink, buttercup, parchment, blush, bubble gum and brown bag markers.  Now, this is an older stamp which is still featured in the idea book and is perfect for a classic quick card idea.

Now, here's the best part of the workshop.....I'll have a sentiment station, that's right, each card was designed so you can stamp your own sentiment, either inside or outside.  PLUS.....I'm opening my craft room to the public to use all my super fun, fun stuff.  If you're interested, contact me today.  Workshop will held on Saturday, March 17 at 11:00 a.m.
Thanks for stopping by.