Scrapbooking Convention 2018

Now that I'm home, relaxed, and some what organized; I had a chance to preserve my memories from the exciting experience of Close To My Heart Convention. I just so happened to receive an exclusive stamp set as an attendee that was my motivator to scrapbooking this layout!

I chose some fun coordinating colors to match all the vivid colors from the presentation as well as some more chill pictures of me and my husband enjoying the resort. As I mentioned I used a stamp set that is only available to those that attended convention, however I did use a small heart from a stamp set that you can order still from the annual catalog.

It's called Happy Heart and is available in French and Spanish too!

Some other current stamps that are similar that I can recommend so that you can take advantage of Stampaganza Sale are~

Created to Create

We are Makers

Be sure to check out all the stamps that are Buy 2 Get 1 Free online here.

Convention Cards Received

So I recently shared some of my experiences from the Close To My Heart Convention 2018, including the cards I created to trade with other attendees. Today, I am sharing the cards/goodies I received in return.

This is what makes this swap so much fun! I received beautiful handmade cards with designs and different stamp sets that I would not think to use or simply do not own. I also got a couple of goodie boxes filled with chocolate and a bling ring as it was the Vegas wedding of Sticky Boy and Sticky Girl. {It's a CTMH thing!}

You may see a few stamps in there that are part of the Stampaganza sale!

Go online to shop this sale! Thanks for stopping by!

Convention 2018

I have just recently attended a most unforgettable event. As a consultant for over 11 years, I have never attended an annual corporate convention. This year it was held so close to home that I could not pass up the opportunity!

I knew that I was in for a treat, but still was caught up in such a whirlwind of excitement, entertainment, information, and inspiration! I think that now almost a week after completion I am finally digesting it all.

The opening entertainment was all set to a Greatest Showman theme, which happened to be my favorite movie of 2017! Our Founder and CEO Jeanette Lynton welcomed us all and boy what a fantastic kick off to this party it was! I can't quite share everything from this extraordinary event yet, you will have to wait unfortunately. I can, however share with you the cards I created to trade with other attendees. I made a total of 7 different designs.

For these first three cards I felt they were a good representation of who I am and where I'm from. The card on the left is a cricut cut of some mountains with a sun burst pattern of Fresh Air papers. This is to represent that convention was held at Red Rock Hotel and Casino. If attendees were lucky there hotel room had a view of the gorgeous Red Rock mountains in the distance. One of our favorite nearby places to hike. The cards in the center feature a succulent flower, some of my favorites and a chalkboard technique as my "normal" job is instructing in a classroom. There are two versions only because I ran out of ribbon! Finally, the card on the right is a darling bicycle. I enjoy riding my cruiser with the family on vacations or for a more grueling ride my husband and I venture out on various trails on our mountain bikes.

These next cards are all about my passion for Close To My Heart. I love creating with my own hands, making beautiful art and preserving my family memories. Some cards were just a standard card, some contained a bookmark, one of them was a holder for the bookmark and the last card at first look appears normal, but fold up like an easel to display the best sentiment ever! {Look for that stamp in August!}

The theme of this entire convention was CREATE! I love the meaning of it too, check it out~

C~ community
R~ renew
E~ elevate
A~ achieve
T~ tell your story
E~ empower

Good reminders of why I chose to represent this company 11 years ago and hope to continue for many more!

It's Stampaganza Time!

This is always a great sale and the perfect time to get those stamp sets that you've had your eye on!

 During July, buy any two My Acrylix^® stamp sets at the full retail price and get a third stamp set of equal or lesser value free! Choose from stamp sets in the current Annual Inspirations or Seasonal Expressions 2, plus the popular Solos number and letter stamp sets that we've brought back just for July! Solos stamp sets can also be purchased in two different bundles, one for letters and one for numbers, for even more savings! Log onto my website to browse all the stamp sets available for this promotion. Happy shopping!

Don't forget to add the Stamp of the Month to your order also! Highlight Reel will be available until the end of July. Once you spend $50 on qualifying products (which includes stamp sets) you can add this stamp for only $5!

Bushel and a Peck

Did you get the stamp of the month for June yet? Oh, she is a cutie and the pie is delicious! You will have so much fun using the images from this set and will find the perfect sentiment as well. Take a look at all the different uses I've found.

I mixed all sorts of the new papers with just a little bit of some old papers with cardstock. I found that the images looked wonderful using both alcohol markers and a waterbrush pen with ink pad. You could also use watercolor pencils, whatever you wish to experiment with. {Just remember to stamp in archival or memento black ink so there will be no bleeding.}

I used some Beautiful Friendship paper for this one. I stayed a little stronger on the pink side of it.

How about a pop of light glacier blue with some brick pattern from the Documented collection! Cute!

Here are some more documented papers, but what's that? Did I sneak in a stamp for the August Stamp of the Month! {I love crafting}

This background paper looks like watercolor which I could have done myself, but the older Chelsea Gardens paper is already done for me. So soft and pretty with those vibrant green apples and leaves!

I love the pop of red on the subtle blue and green, plus that lacy ribbon gives it a vintage vibe.
{papers: Fresh Air, Documented & Postcard Perfect}

Here is the Beautiful Friendship paper again, but it really comes to life when popped with the canary yellow!

An old wood grain paper really makes these red apples pop, but all together it is a nice simple thank you card!

Lastly, when paired with the Fresh Air papers she is ready for Fall! I hope I remember to get this stamp out again when creating some autumn inspired cards. That means if you don't get it now, you won't have it at all for your fall projects either!

Shop online here. Be sure to check out all the specials being offered this month so that you can reach your total to get this stamp set for only $5.

Rainbow of Ice Cream

Have you ordered a rainbow of crafting goodness yet? May I tempt you with some ice cream?

I used some older papers and stamps to create these delicious cards, but you can easily create these cards with an array of colorful cardstocks. Paper bundles are all on sale this month.

I had a lot of fun coloring these images with the Shinhan Touch markers. Why not add a ton of color to all of your summer projects!

See all of the sale offers online here. Happy crafting!

5 for the Fellas

Everyone knows that Father's Day is in June, just a few days away now! I think its important to let those guys in your life know how important they are all year long. I created 5 cards with a range of themes for various celebrations. My card workshop is called "5 for the Fellas" and there is something for all the men from the great outdoors to the beer connoisseur!

I guarantee that you will find a few cards in this collection that will fit some man you know perfectly. Each card is truly unique whether its the stamped image, cricut cut image, colors or creative opening including an impossible card! This will be a fun class! I hope you are inspired to make some cards for fellas too!

June Specials

This June you will find a rainbow of savings on your crafting supplies. Plus, get an adorable stamp of the month and make Dad {or any Fella} feel special!

To celebrate the dads in your life, the Dad Is Rad exclusive product offering features the limited Rad Dad stamp set, and discounted Dad Is Rad Workshop Bundle. The products in this workshop include the stamp set and other items to create one 12" × 12" layout, one 12" × 12" page, and four cards that can be used both for Father’s Day, or to share with all the “rad” people you love!  Find more details on my website, plus stay tuned for more information on a guy card class I am hosting at the end of this week!

Need an adorable Stamp set? This is the one! A Bushel and a Peck is the name of June's Stamp of the Month.

 Each month you can purchase a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5. When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing.You can reach the qualifying amount easily when you see the colorful sale this month.

Create the Rainbow

See a Rainbow of Possibilities!

During the month of June, you can get 25% off custom cardstock bundles, individual spools of ribbon, and select accessories! We also have an exclusive stamp set available, D1813 My Acrylix^® Be a Rainbow! This set of 23 stamps comes with sentiments, quotes, and images that will coordinate perfectly with all your beautiful artwork!

You can see all of the wonderful, colorful products that are discounted during this promotion on my website.

Thanks for stopping by! Come back soon to see my 5 for the Fellas card workshop!

Classic Summer Bash

The Stamp of the Month for May is a super cute set featuring a ball/mason jar and some lemonade images. At first I was challenged with how exactly to use it and which techniques would work the best. As I started to play with it I realized that several techniques will work and I haven't even stamped all the images yet. Take a look at some of the creations~

This first card is a festive way to greet the summer season. I used a patterned paper to represent the pink lemonade in the jar. The lemons and ice were separately stamped, cut out, then added. You could just stamp the banner pieces which is included in the set, but I chose to cut them out from colored cardstock to make them stand out.

How about a sign posted near your jar of refreshing lemonade at your next summer bash. That is the name of the stamp after all!

For this jar I did lots of masking and watercoloring. It gives a much more mellow effect than the first card.

Finally, I stamped the jar image on a piece of paper with an ombre blue color. All three the exact same, then cut them out. Then I created 3 totally different cards with them.

I think its awesome to find so many uses for one stamp set or even one image alone! You can get this stamp set this month at a discounted price. Go to my website to find out more!