Find Your Style - January Stamp of the Month 2011 Blog Hop

Pin It Happy New Year!  January brings all kinds of exciting things for Close to My Heart - The New January Inspirations book AND the January Stamp of the Month!  Be sure to check them out! 

Each month I participate in a Stamp of the Month Blog Hop that features the special stamp that is only available that month.  Using the links provided, you hop from blog to blog viewing over 50 ideas using that stamp set.  If you came here from Wanda Riley's Blog then you are on the right track. If you get lost along the way, you can view the list of Close to My Heart participants here.  You will find the next link at the end of this post.

Now onto the set and my card.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this set (can you tell I like it?)!  The butterfly is very condusive to SO many techniques and I'm excited about using a very special paper with the sewing form image that you'll see below.  Here is what the stamp set looks like:

And here is my card:

Recipe
D1452 Find Your Style January Stamp of the Month
Baby Pink Cardstock
White Daisy Cardstock
Black Cardstock
Bamboo Cardstock
Juniper Cardstock
Black Ink Pad
Bamboo Ink Pad
Basic Buttons
Black Waxy Flax
Sanding Block
White Grosgrain Ribbon 5/8"
Foam Tape
An old dress pattern from my mom's sewing table.  :o)
All products can be purchased on my website or on your consultant's website.

Notes

• The card is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", but is cut vertically so the fold is at the top and is tall rather than wide
• I sanded the Baby Pink and Juniper cardstock to give it an antique look
• The dress form and the word "Beautiful" are stamped with black cardstock onto Bamboo cardstock
• I made a tag out of the Bamboo cardstock and added a punched circle to the top to give it an authentic look
• The top edges of the tag are snipped with scissors to make it look more like an actual tag
• I scraped the edges of the tag with Bamboo ink to give it a worn feel
• Yes, the pleated paper IS an old dress pattern (thanks for digging through your sewing drawer Mom!).  I torn it slightly shorter than the white cardstock, added adhesive to the cardstock, and pleated the pattern paper and I stuck it to the cardstock

Let me know if you have any questions and I'd love to read your comments.  Thanks!

Now hop on over to Jody Gustafson's blog for more amazing ideas! Pin It

What is Your Favorite Thing to Do with Kids on New Year's Eve?

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Post your ideas here and I'll randomly select a winner who will receive a handmade card after New Year's Day!

And the winner is: Beth!  Congratulations!!  Just email me with your address and I'll send you a special card!

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Only a Few More Days to Shop!

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January is coming fast and there are only a few more days to grab many of the Close To My Heart products that are retiring on December 31. Most of our accessories will still be available, but ONLY the paper packets you see in the Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book will still be available.  If there are paper packets and stamps that you want previous to this book then now is the time to get them! 

You can view the retired list here, so don't miss out on something you've been putting off buying.  Also, don't forget about the Plenty for Twenty offer!  CTMH will send you a free stamp set with any order of $20 or more!

You can shop on my website anytime, so take a second to check it out.  Thank you!  I look forward to providing some wonderful and fun projects for you in 2011! Pin It

New Camera!

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What was your favorite Christmas gift this year?  One of mine was my new Nikon 3100 camera!  Now hopefully I can provide all of your with better quality photos.  Do you have any great tips with an dSLR camera?  Please share!

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16 Digital Photography Tips for the Holidays

Pin It There is a really interesting article on the Digital Photography School blog.  Check it out here.

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Cocoa Packet Gift Idea

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These were some of the gifts at my Customer Appreciation Day event and they were a big hit.  You can modify them for any occasion and even use a circular Happy Holidays stamp for the center instead of the Thank You.  The directions are below:

Supplies: (click on the item link to see what it looks like on my website)
Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack
New Fallen Snow Stamp Set
Thank You Stamp Set
Twill Ribbon
Foam Tape
Chocolate Ink Pad
Indian Corn Blue Ink Pad
Outdoor Denim 12x12 Cardstock
1 1/4" Circle Punch

Directions:

• Take a 4" x 11" Base cardstock and score at 4", 4 1/2", 9 1/2".  
• Fold as shown in photos.  (All folds go the same direction and the small end folds up for the bottom pocket.)
• Adhere your choice of papers and stamped images to the front.
• Add a little bit of adhesive to the back of a cocoa packet or on the inside of the cardstock.  Stick the packet to the cardstock as shown. 
• Fold the bottom/small end flap of the cardstock over the bottom of the cocoa packet and tie ribbon around it to help hold it up and create the pocket for the cocoa packet.
• Slide the front of the cardstock down over the packet and under the front flap. 

That's all!  I made 12 of these in about an hour.  They make great gifts for co-workers, neighbors, and friends! Pin It

90% off Clearance Sale on My Website!

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You can get up to 90% off on my website right now!  There are a variety of retired products that are available at great discounted prices. Items will occasionally be added to this collection of products so keep checking back too.  These items are available while supplies last so once you see something you love, don't hesistate to buy it.  Just head over to my website - http://www.angelat.myctmh.com/ - and go to "Shop Online" and select "Discounted Products" at the bottom.  As an added bonus, they count the Plenty for $20 special in December.  Just purchase over $20 in products on my website and CTMH will send you a free D size stamp set! Pin It

Customer Appreciation #4: Gift Card Holder

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These are so fun and don't take very long either.

Recipe

Item #  Description  Page  Price

 

X7130B Mistletoe Level 2 Paper 22 12.95
Z1311 1¼ Circle Punch 97 12.95
A1110 A Timber 48 7.95
Z2135 New England Ivy Ink Pad 101 5.25
Z2116 Cranberry Ink Pad 101 5.25
Z1086 Cranberry Waxy Flax 96 3.95
Z1103 Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon 89 4.95
Z1151 Foam Tape 97 5.95
Z341 Mini Glue Dots 97 7.50
New England Ivy Ribbon retired

 

Directions from Customer Appreciation Day

1. Stamp present on New England Ivy cardstock using the same color ink
2. Stamp present on Colonial White circle cardstock
3. Add adhesive on the inside of the folded background paper just on the sides to create a pocket. Make sure the large cardstock will be able to slide in and out of the pocket
4. Glue skinny strip of cardstock to the center of the folded background paper with the fold at the bottom
5. Cut a piece of 2” foam tape in half lengthwise to create two skinny pieces
6. Open pre-folded cardstock
7. Add the two strips of foam tape on either side of the fold inside the folded cardstock
8. Glue small piece of background paper to the center of the rectangular piece of cardstock
9. Peel backing off of foam tape
10. Place rectangular cardstock in the crease of the folded piece of cardstock.
11. Slide the present topper/rectangular piece into the pocket
12. Punch a small hole in the circle tag
13. Tie a bow with grosgrain ribbon
14. Use waxy flax to tie the tag onto the bow
15. Use 2 Mini Glue Dots to adhere the bow to the top of the present

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Customer Appreciation Day #3: Washer Necklaces

Pin It I got this idea from Haley Dryer and I thought they were so much fun!  Can you believe it is made out of a metal washer?

Recipe
Item # - Description - Page - Price
X7127B Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack 10 12.95
Z1311 1¼ Circle Punch 97 12.95
Z1091 Finishing Files 5.95
Z679 Liquid Glass 99 6.95
Leather Cording
Large Hole Bead
1¼ Washer with 5/16 Center Hole

Directions

1. Choose a piece of background paper that you would like to for your necklace
2. Punch a circle using the 1 1/4" circle punch
3. Place a washer on the backside of circle paper and trace the center hole with a pencil
4. Use the regular hole punch to punch out the center
5. Use Tombow adhesive to adhere the paper on the front of the washer (Cover the entire back of paper with adhesive, especially the edges or else it will pull up with dry.)
6. Use the rounded finishing file to remove the excess paper from the inside of the hole
7. Add Liquid Glass over the top of the paper making sure you don't add too much so it spills into the center, but that it has nice even coverage.
8. Set aside washer to dry about 24 hours
9. Use the following instructions to turn your beautiful washer into a necklace. I added a silver bead with a large hole on top of my washer to really make it classy.

Learn How to tie a slip, slide and lark's head knot for jewelry. For more Jewelry How-To Videos & Articles, visit WonderHowTo.

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Customer Appreciation Day 2: Circle of Love Card

Pin It Here is my favorite project from the day.  The peacock is beautiful in person with the glitter and sparkle!

Recipe
Item#  Description  Page  Price

D1438 Circle of Love Stamp Set 11 22.95

D1361 Thank You Stamp Set 75 22.95

X7127B Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack 10 12.95

X1410 Colonial White Cards & Envelopes 88 14.95

Z891 Versamark Ink Pad 96 9.95

Z673 White Daisy Embossing Powder 96 3.95

Z2140 Outdoor Denim Ink Pad 101 5.25

Z134 Prisma Glitter 98 4.25

Z553 Glue Pen 97 4.50

Z555 Craft Heater 96 29.95

Z1327 Blue & Green Sparkles 90 2.95

  Directions 

1. Using Versamark Ink, stamp the peacock on the long piece of background paper
2. Pour White embossing powder over the paper catching the excess with a scratch piece of paper
3. Funnel the embossing powder back into jar
4. Place that piece onto the small clipboard and use the heat tool to melt the embossing powder
5. Set aside for a minute while you finish the rest of the card
6. Use Chocolate ink to scrape the edges of all papers
7. Stamp Thank You So Much in Outdoor Denim ink onto the small Colonial White piece
8. Adhere blue cardstock to the bottom of the card
9. Adhere background paper to the top of the card
10. Adhere peacock piece to the rectangular Colonial White cardstock and add to card
11. Adhere Thank You So Much piece to Chocolate cardstock and add to card
12. Rub an anti-static bag over front of card
13. Use glue pen to add glue to areas of interest on peacock
14. Spoon Prisma Glitter over glued areas
15. Tap off extra glitter back into container
16. Add one sparkle to the peacock’s eye

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Customer Appreciation Day 1: Quick & Easy Valentine's Day Card

Pin It I always like to add a quick and easy card at my workshops and this one fit the bill.  One tip to make a CUTE quick card is to always add a little "glam" to it.  It will do the trick, every time!  Please forgive the photography-challenged picture.  My camera died recently, so I had to take this with my phone.  I promise the rest of the pictures turned out better.  Remember, be a "Follower" and leave a comment for the next 4 days and you could win a bag of handmade cards!

Recipe
D1445 Dec SOTM: Amore 109 0-22.95
1320 8½ x 11 White CS 96 6.75
Z2166 Tulip Ink Pad 101 5.25
Z2105 Black Ink Pad 100 5.25
Z1263 Bitty Sparkles 90 2.95
 
Directions

1. Fold card in half
2. Stamp heart in Tulip ink
3. Add 3 Tiny Sparkles below heart—Use Piercing Tool to pick up sparkles and place them on card
4. Stamp “I Love You” in Black Ink below the sparkles

Simple - Done! Pin It

Customer Appreciation Projects

Pin It As you know, I held a Customer Appreciation Day on Sunday and it was a huge hit!  People came and made 4 free projects and the also received a packet of free cards as a thank you for being my customer.  There was also some lunch, apple cider, cash and carry items, and a special gift for ordering.  Even if you weren't able to attend, I still want to honor you!  For the next several days I will post the items we made with the recipes and directions.  Please let me know if you have any questions and feel free to make a comment.  Thanks! Pin It

Jeanette's Blog

Pin It If you haven't had a chance to check out the blog for our wonderful founder and CEO, Jeanette Lynton, then you should definitely put it on your list to follow.  She has so many wonderful ideas!  Yesterday she included a terrific color combination as well as great card and Studio J ideas.  Did you know you can change the color of the Studio J background papers?  So cool!  The patterns are endless and you can truly match the colors to your photos that way!  Check out her blog here:  Jeanette Lynton Pin It

Photography - Fibonaccis Ratio Rule of Thirds

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If you like photography, then this article is a must-read!  Here is the link:
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/divine-composition-with-fibonaccis-ratio-the-rule-of-thirds-on-steroids Pin It