TORN PAPER FLOWERS - AWESOME!

I have found the most AWESOME blog with tons of tutorials for making embellishments (and everything else you can think of!) for cards and scrapbook pages and all of our fun paper projects. It's called Little Birdie Secrets. I was looking for an easy way to make some flowers that don't take the use of a Cricut die cutting machine, as I don't have one (yet!). I just loved the Little Birdie Secrets torn paper flowers and I had SO MUCH FUN wadding up the paper as tiny as I could get it, and then laying it out flat, and sanding the surface and the edges. It was somehow kind of freeing to be able to wad up all those little circles! The instructions are on the how to make torn paper flowers tutorial at Little Birdie Secrets.

Here's the Little Birdie Secrets torn flower. I love the little ribbon flourish in the middle and the button.

Compliments of Little Birdie Secrets' blog. I think their card stock was not the solid core card stock like I used from CTMH.  She distressed the edges with darker ink which looks really neat!

 Here's a card I made with my own torn flower!

Here's my flower.  I don't think I wadded it up enough PLUS instead of tearing my circles, I cut the largest one with a punch, and then cut the two center circles free-hand, and then I sanded the surfaces and the edges.  I love this look too but next time I will WAD IT UP even more!  I used a little silver brad in the middle, but I think buttons would look neat too.

I used the CTMH Pemberly papers for this card. I love the blues and golds. I also used some of my old lace.

Happy tearing and wadding!

 

LITTLE REMINDER ON VIDEO VIEWING.

Hi all!
I posted a neat little video a couple of days ago on base and shade stamping.  Since I'm new to blogging, I didn't realize that when you've subscribed to my blog and get an email with a video in it, you must click on the post title in order to watch the video!  Live and learn right???  Your email will have the actual post, but the video won't show up unless you actually click on the post title which will take you to my blog.. and THEN you can watch the video.  Next time I post a video, I'll put a little reminder.

Just in case you didn't see it, here is the video again... on base and shade stamping.  Oh, and I didn't mention, but all of the My Acrylix stamp sets in the Spring/Summer 2012 catalog are still available so go to my website to view that Idea Book (under Products) and take a look at those stamps too!  The Heartfelt Treasures on page 68 would work great as would Rosy Regards on page 67. 

I may not be posting as much during the next 2-3 weeks as we are moving 250 miles away, to beautiful La Pine, Oregon and I have lots of packing to do!  Of course, all of my CTMH stuff will get packed last so I can "play" right up to the last minute!  ........... and they'll be the first things unpacked when we get to our new place!

REMINDER! NATIONAL STAMPING MONTH SPECIAL STARTS NOW!

I know I already posted this special, but I just wanted to remind you again! To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, CTMH is offering a new double stamp set (not in the current Idea Book)!! You can get this exclusive My Acrylix It's Your Day DOUBLE stamp set for just $5 when you place a minimum order of $35 in full retail products from August 15 through September 30, 2012. There are two D-size sets in one envelope with trendy images that capture your day-to-day activities. See the larger photo below of the stamp set. I didn't post this before.  Now you can see the images much more clearly.  I'm also posting the flyer again so you can see some samples of scrapbook pages. 

It looks like Buttercup, Sky and Whisper Cardstock was used for the scrapbook pages, with a hint of Sweet Leaf on the right page.  What yummy colors!

Here's a close-up of these awesome stamps! The stripes, zig zags, and polka dots can be stamped on little strips of paper with pointed ends to look like little arrows and banners, or stamped on long strips (see the scrapbook pages).

 This DOUBLE stamp set has a retail value of $35.90.  

"Life is Good" and this could be your "Best Day Ever" if you can get your hands on this "Awesome" stamp set! "Every Day is An Adventure", especially "This Day" and I sure "Love This" picture of the "Bicycle" so "Enjoy the Ride"!!!  P.S.  "Don't Quote Me on That"!!!  

And don't forget!  If you place a $35 order in August, I'll also send you a Fall/Winter 2012 Idea Book for FREE!! ($5 value).
 

CUTE LITTLE STAMPING VIDEO.

Wow, where has the time gone! It's been a week since I posted my hummingbird pictures and still haven't gotten my card done yet! We are finally having nice weather here so have been outside alot getting caught up on yard work, and here it is, the middle of August already! yikes.... most people will be raking leaves soon and I'm still planting flowers!  I DID start on my hummingbird photo card but it's not done yet, so thought I'd post this cute little video from Close to My Heart that shows some stamping called "base and shade" stamping.  It's really neat!

You can find the stamp set the gal is working with here on my website. Even though she mentions that it's from the Fall/Winter 2011 Idea Book, this So Grateful stamp set is also in the current Idea Book.  There are also some other stamps sets in the current Idea Book (and I'm sure there are some in the Spring/Summer Idea Book that are still available) that would be great for base and shade stamping, such as Love Blooms which are pretty flowers and petals, and Rugged Dude which is a cool denim pocket with some other "rugged" words!  I can see using this method of stamping for all sorts of stamp sets!

Here is the video:

Have fun!  and I'll be back soon with my hummingbird photo card!
 

HUMS OF THE BIRDS.

I just HAD to take a break today and go outside to take in our gorgeous weather. It has been a long time coming here in SW Washington! My husband and I were looking out the window and saw three hummingbirds fighting over my beautiful, vibrant Freesias! they LOVE those flowers! so..... I grabbed my camera and snuck out and sat down quietly under the flowers for abit.. .and then....... voila! they finally came back! Boy is it hard getting a picture of one (and I've never tried it before!) as for one thing, the sun was right in my eyes, and for another thing, they flit around so fast that if you take a second to try to focus, they are gone! Here are a couple that I managed to catch and naturally, I am already wondering what kind of pretty photo card I can make!

 Stay tuned for a photo card using one of these photos in the next few days!  Hum.m.m. what papers should I use??? What sentiment? Any ideas?????

 

NATIONAL STAMPING MONTH SPECIAL!

Hi all!  

I am just so excited about this special that I want to give you all a sneak peek at the August special campaign, which will run through the end of September. This will help you decide when you want to place your next order! 

To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, CTMH is offering a DOUBLE stamp set! yes two! I can hardly wait! It's called "It's Your Day" and you receive the set when you place your minimum order of $35.00 from August 15 through September 30th. These are two D-sized sets in one envelope (each D set is normally $17.95) with trendy images that capture the flavor of your day-to-day activities, errands and musings. And I am learning, through being a consultant with Close to My Heart, that scrapbooking does not have to be exacting or chronological. It can be fast, quick, fun, and done in small steps.  You will understand what I'm talking about on my next post which features Stacy Julian, a very well-known and popular crafter!  But first, this awesome double stamp set:

Available August 15 through September 30 with minimum $35.00 order!  Wow!

 HAPPY STAMPING!

FALL/WINTER 2012 IDEA BOOK IS NOW ONLINE!

Ok, go ahead... you can now peruse and look and ooh and aah to your heart's content! The new Fall/Winter 2012 Idea Book is now online and ready for your viewing pleasure! IF YOU ORDER FROM ME IN AUGUST, I WILL SEND YOU A FREE IDEA BOOK (either via a home gathering, class or online order). What can I say? just that I'm so excited and hope you will all enjoy the next 6 months' worth of crafting, scrapbooking and card making pleasure as much as I will! 

Of course I want it all right now, but I'm going to try to pace myself. I DEFINITELY want to have some classes in some of the new home decor projects which really excite me! I saw one project at my team meeting in Salem last weekend which is the Display Tray Z1750.    It doesn't look real exciting in the catalog but I saw one all done up at the team meeting (below) using the Flirty X7160B papers and I am so excited to make one either using Fall colors or for Christmas or Thanksgiving! 

Cute, cute, cute!  Love the Flirty colors and new Love Blooms C1511 stamp set!

I'm also SUPER HAPPY to see that CTMH now has TWO NEW cardmaking kits, Workshop on the Go Avonlea (pg. 22 G1041) and Workshop on the Go Pear & Partridge (pg. 66 G1043). I will more than likely be lining up some classes for both of these WOTG kits.

HAPPY BROWSING!