July 4th, Another Hedgehog, and Tannon's Mission (Blog Candy)

Happy 4th of July! I am so grateful to live in this country. I love everything about the good ole' USA and am so proud to be an American. I'm so excited to leave for Washington DC tomorrow for the Close To My Heart national convention. What a great week to be in our nation's capitol.

Tannon finally got his papers submitted for his LDS mission and we should be finding out sometime in the next week or two where he is going. If you'd like to comment here with your guess, I will be sending a FREE scrapbook kit to whoever gets the closest guess. If more than one person gets it exactly right, I'll send each of them a kit. If no one gets it exactly right, I'll send a kit to the person who guesses the mission who is geographically the closest to where he is called. If you are not familiar with the whole LDS mission thing, here is how it works in a nutshell: when a young man turns 19 he is asked to spend 2 years serving the Lord on a mission away from his family (women 21 and older can also serve). Of course, it is their choice if they want to go but they have been asked by the prophet of our church to serve. My hubby served when he was 19, my oldest son, Easton went, Kori's hubby, Rick went when he turned 19 and then swept my daughter off her feet when he returned. I'm so proud of Tannon for continuing the tradition of serving the Lord on a mission! I have decided that not only do these young men go and serve others, but they go and learn what is really important in life and come home an even better version of the guy that left 2 years earlier.

There are over 300 LDS missions around the world. Click here to see them all. That might help you in making your guess where Tannon might go. I'm dying because he will probably get his call while I am out of town, either this week in DC or next week in Chicago. I will have to hear the news on the telephone! But, no worries. I will blog to you and announce the destination from DC or Chicago, wherever it may be.

On to artwork: as you know, I love this little hedgehog. The July Stamp of the Month is a keeper! Click here to find out how to get your own set. Here is one more card I made with him.

Close To My Heart's July Stamp of the Month and Artwork

Did you see the magic word in my post title today? You know, that "artwork" word? Well, I actually have some to share today and it is featuring the oh-so-cuter-than-cute July Stamp of the Month (D1423-Happy Forever). Those of you that know me know that I am not usually a 'cutesy stamper.' I tend to lean more to the shabby chic, or clean lines, or elegant kind of looks in my cards, but this little hedgehog has stolen my heart. I think he will probably steal yours as well!

I colored my little hedgie with watercolor pencils. The grass is torn to look kind of grassy, and the blue houndstooth paper complemented the look just right. Both papers came from the beautiful Splendor paper pack.

CTMH products used: White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Splendor Level 2 Paper Pack (X7124B), Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7115B), Black Stamp Pad (Z2105), Watercolor Pencils (3505), Tombow Blending Pen (3174), Corner Rounder (Z578), White Daisy Mini-Medley Accents (Z1136).

Speaking of artwork, I have several pieces to share over the next few days. You will find a new piece of art on my blog each day between now and Monday, when I leave for Washington, DC for the CTMH National Convention.

Have you noticed how hedgehogs have popped up all over the place the last 6 months or so? Well, of course CTMH did and created a stamp set that can't be beat! The creators at CTMH are always on top of the latest trends and styles. The actual size of the carrier sheet of the stamp set is 6" x 6". "Happy Forever" includes 4 different hedgehogs and 3 sentiments, and 2 small accent stamps.

This set can be yours in several different ways:

• earn it FREE when you spend $100 or more (before shipping and tax)
• earn it for 75% off ($5.74) when you spend $75 or more (before shipping and tax)
• earn it for 50% off ($11.74) when you spend $50 or more (before shipping and tax)
• earn it for 25% off ($17.21) when you spend $25 or more (before shipping and tax)
• purchase it for full retail price ($22.95)

Just hop on over to my website to begin shopping. And, have a WONDERFUL stampin' and scrappin' day!

You're Sweet

The sketch this week (#56) at Card Patterns is a really fun one! I used it to make this little 5" x 5" card.

I learned to make the paper flowers from my friend, Bren. Go here to see my post featuring them with a link to her blog and a video tutorial.

Sorry it has been several days since my last post. Does your life ever get so out of control that time passes and you can't figure out where it went? Well, that explains the last 5 days of my life in a nutshell.

I LOVE the Close To My Heart Hodge Podge alphabet. It is a great set with 3-4 different fonts of each letter. I used it to spell out "You're Sweet." Click on it in the product list below to see it!

Speaking of sweet, how's this for the perfect example? I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE me some Daci! Grandmotherhood ROCKS!

Close To My Heart products* used: Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7115B), Silhouette Level 2 Paper Pack (X7090B), Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Pack (X7095B), Daydream Level 2 Paper Pack (X7018B), Silhouette Creative Basics Paper Pack (retired), Bamboo Waxy Flax (Z906), Versamark Pad (Z891), Black Embossing Powder (Z670), Hodge Podge Alphabet Stamp Set (D1301), Noteworthy Stamp Set (D1329), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Just Blooms White Daisy Variety Pack (Z1300). *I have included links to my website for almost all products above so that you can see a photo of that product and it's price and easily order on my site. Just click on the product name to see.

Non- CTMH Products used: Marvy scalloped circle punches (various sizes), ribbon (unknown), Black Buttons (unknown).

Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially when "You're sweet."

Creative Basics ROCK!

This is my 2nd post today. Be sure to scroll down for a fun star card.

Have I ever told you about an AWESOME, ROCKIN' product that Close To My Heart carries called Creative Basics? Well, then it's about time I did!

Creative Basics is GREAT for someone who wants to make a lot of cards out of the same papers or even a whole themed scrapbook that coordinates. They include 12 sheets of B&T duos (patterned paper with a backside that is printed also), 6 each of two designs, and a bolt of ribbon (4 yds). The cost is soooooo reasonable ($7.95). Each Idea Book there are 4 new scrapbook kits/paper packs released. There is also a Creative Basics pack released each catalog, and it always coordinates with one of the kits in the catalog. This time (Spring 2010 Idea Book) the Creative Basics (X5809) coordinates with the Veranda kit (X7119A, B and C). I will be showing you a DARLING Mother's Day workshop that I created with the Veranda Creative Basics (X5809) pack and will be holding in April in a few days.

Until then, I thought I'd tide you over by showing you this card. I created it with another of our Creative Basics packs (Emporium - X5806). How cute is this paper and coordinating ribbon? I also used the wonderful sketch from Kazan this week at 2Sketches4You. Thanks, Kazan!

Creative Basics packs are only available while supplies last. There are currently four Creative Basics packs in stock: Emporium, Jingle, Animal Cookies and Veranda.

Click here to order from my website 24/7...because I know you are 'basically creative.'

Four Trees and a Snowflake

I just can't get enough of this stamp set! Holiday Trinkets has got to be my fave stamp set of the season this year. Click here to see it.

Anyhoo, this card was made with this week's Mojo Monday sketch (#113, turned on it's side) and more of my favorite paper pack of the season, "Jingle." I just love these fun and funky patterns and colors!

Close To My Heart products used: Holiday Trinkets Stamp Set (D1366), Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7115B), Black Stamp Pad (Z2105), Tulip Stamp Pad (Z2166), Olive Stamp Pad (Z2137), Juniper Stamp Pad (Z2165), Creme Brulee Stamp Pad (Z2167), Watercolor Pencils (3505), Blending Pen (3174), Black My Legacy Writers (4275), Round Sponge (Z697), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Cranberry Gingham Ribbon (retired), Snowflake Button (retired).

Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially when you're feeling fun and funky!

Three Ornaments

I had fun going REALLY non-traditional on this Christmas card. I used this week's Card Patterns Sketch (#41) as my inspiration and went from there. Thanks, Card Patterns for a never ending supply of fun sketches that challenge my creativity!

Close To My Heart products used: Holiday Trinkets Stamp Set (D1366), Notebook Level 2 Paper Pack (X7102B) , Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7115B), Black Stamp Pad (Z2105), Crystal Blue Stamp Pad (Z2117), Tulip Stamp Pad (Z2166), Black Legacy Writers (4275), Watercolor Pencils (3505), Blending Pen (3174), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Round Sponge (Z697).

For some GREAT ideas using the watercolor pencils and the blending pen, you've got to check out this month's webside of Art and Soul (The Sparkle of the Season). Click here to watch it.

Click here to order from my website 24/7...even when you're feeling a bit non-traditional.

Jingle All The Way

If you've been following my blog over the past few months, you know that I am in LOVE with the Christmas papers that Close To My Heart added to their collection in the latest Idea Book (click here or on the book on the left side of my blog to view it page by page).

These cards are made using papers from the Jingle Creative Basics collection as well as the Jingle Level 2 paper pack. I guess you could say they are 'Jingle all the way'. Oh dear! I crack myself up. It's a good thing because I am guessing I am not cracking anyone else up. A-hem. Okay, let's get serious.

Now to tell you about each card...

The first card ("All is Bright") was created using the Mojo Monday sketch for this week (#111) the Jingle Creative Basics paper pack and ribbon (X5808), Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7115B), Flurry Dimensional Elements (Z1225), Clear Sparkles (Z1104), Snowflake Buttons (retired), Clear Buttons (Z1155), Colonial White Waxy Flax (Z1081), December Word Puzzle Stamp Set (D1313), Versamark Pad (Z891), White Daisy Embossing Powder (Z673). These products are available to order on my website.


This next card ("White Christmas") uses many of the same products: Jingle Creative Basics paper pack and ribbon (X5808), Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7115B), Flurry Dimensional Elements (Z1225), Create a Shade Pearl Paint (Z1039), Clear Buttons (Z1155), Colonial White Waxy Flax (Z1081), Christmas Melodies Stamp Set (D1324), Versamark Pad (Z891), White Daisy Embossing Powder (Z673), Corner Rounder (Z578). You can order any of these products from my website.

The small white paper snowflakes were made using the Martha Stewart Snowflake punch.









And, last but not least is the "Holly Jolly" card. Have you ever needed just the right color of bling but just didn't have it? Well, this should be a problem for you NO MORE! Just take a Close To My Heart Clear Sparkle and color it with a Sharpie marker. That's what I did on the holly berries on this card. Pretty cool, huh? Products used on this card: Jingle Creative Basics paper pack and ribbon (X5808), White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Blush Cardstock (X5640), Colonial White Waxy Flax (Z1081), Christmas Melodies Stamp Set (D1324), Versamark Pad (Z891), White Daisy Embossing Powder (Z673), Corner Rounder (Z578), Clear Buttons (Z1155), Designer Ribbon Rounds Hollyhock Collection (Z1122), Clear Sparkles (Z1104).

Click here to order from my website 24/7...when all is bright, when you're dreaming of a white Christmas, or even when you're having a holly jolly Christmas!

Stampaganza and Around the Block...2 Awesome Announcements!

NOVEMBER ROCKS with Close To My Heart. There are TWO, not one... but TWO awesome things going on this month. And, yes, I'm excited to tell you about both of them. This post is a tad bit long but I promise it is worth reading. There is lots of artwork and GREAT details on how you can get lots of FREE stuff this month. Keep reading...

1. STAMPAGANZA (yes, I'm yelling! I can't help myself! This is just too darn exciting!): Okay. I'll stop yelling now and nicely tell you what this is all about. All of you stamp lovers out there, it's time to REJOICE (there I go again. Sorry! Like I said, I just can't stinkin' help myself!). During the month of November, when you buy 2 stamp sets, you get the third one absolutely FREE (Oops...yelling again). Customers who purchase any 2 stamp sets (A, B, C, D and/or E sizes) at full retail price will receive a third stamp set of your choice* FREE (or equal or lesser value to the least expensive stamp set you purchased. *E size stamp sets, the Stamp of the Month, and customizable stamps cannot be chosen free, ). This offer is available through November 30 and can be taken advantage of by ordering through me (email: pedermom@aol.com, call 1-801-360-9896), or through my website (http://leavealegacy.myctmh.com).

Are you wondering how many FREE stamp sets you can get? I mean, really, I know that is what I wondered the second I heard about this AWESOME special. The answer is as many as you want! If you purchase 4 stamp sets, you can get 2 free. If you purchase 10 sets, you get 5 free. Are those numbers adding up? I hope so! Like I said, this is a time for stamp lovers to REJOICE!

2. AROUND THE BLOCK (D1377) is the darling Stamp of the Month for November. I have been having so much fun playing with this stamp set. Here is what the stamp set looks like. The actual size of this carrier sheet is 6" x 6".

As always, there are several ways for you to get the Stamp of the Month ($22.95 value). They are as follows:

*Spend $100 (before shipping & tax) and get the Stamp of the Month for FREE! (gosh I love that word!)
*Spend $75 (before shipping & tax) and get the Stamp of the Month 75% off ($5.74)
*Spend $50 (before shipping and tax) and get the Stamp of the Month for 50% off ($11.48)
*Spend $25 (before shipping and tax) and get the Stamp of the Month for 25% off ($17.21)
*Or, you can just purchase the Stamp of the Month at it's full retail price ($22.95)

Here are a few artwork examples that I have made using the DARLING Around the Block set. Feel free to click on any photo to see it larger. You might have seen a couple of these examples here on my blog before because I just loved this set so much I couldn't quite wait until November to show you all of my examples. But, there are some new ones too.

3.5" x 8" card using the Sweet Home papers and watercolor pencils

6" x 6" card using the Sweet Home papers

5" x 7" card using the Sweet Home papers and paper piecing
Two standard size (4.25" x 5.5") cards and a 6" x 6" card using the Jingle papers and embossed in White Daisy.

Let's do the math (I'll use $22.95 stamp sets [D size sets] in my examples):

• If you were to purchase two $22.95 stamp sets, your order subtotal (before shipping and tax) would be $44.90. This would qualify you for a $22.95 or less stamp set and the Stamp of the Month at 25% off ($17.21). That's getting $22.95 free and a $5.74 discount. So, by spending $62.11 you are getting $28.69 back. That's 47%! Not bad! But, it gets better!
• If you were to purchase four $22.95 stamp sets your order subtotal (before shipping and tax) would be $91.80. This would qualify you for TWO $22.95 or less stamp sets and the Stamp of the Month at 75% off ($5.74). That's getting $44.90 free and a $17.21 discount. So, by spending $91.80 you are getting $62.11 back. That's 68%! Pretty GREAT! But, it gets better!
• If you were to purchase six $22.95 stamp sets your order subtotal (before shipping and tax) would be $137.70. This would qualify you for FOUR $22.95 or less stamp sets and the Stamp of the Month FREE ($0.00). That's getting $114.75 FREE! So, by spending $137.70 you are getting $114.75 back. That's 84% FREE! That's AMAZING!

These are just 3 examples of how you can 'do the math' this month and make the most out of the promotions that Close To My Heart is offering. There are so many other ways you can do the math with this promotion. I just thought I'd share 3 ways. Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially during Stampganza!

Joy

This is sketch #36 from Card Patterns this week. I had fun using the MyStickease from the Jingle Collection from Close To My Heart and some of the papers from the Everlasting Collection. The color combo that I ended up with after combining the two is unique and I'm still trying to decide if I love it. It's growing on me.

Close To My Heart products used: Everlasting Level 2 Paper Pack (X7085B), Jingle Level 1 Scrapbook Kit (X7115A), Jingle Level 2 MyStickease (X7115C), Cranberry Exclusive Inks Marker (Z2316), New England Ivy Exclusive Inks Marker (Z2335), Spring Blossom Brad Assortment (Z1213), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151).

Non-CTMH products used: Offray ribbon

Click here to order from my website 24/7...especially when full of JOY!

C(reate) & P(rosper) R(etreat)

I'm home! What a week it was last week. It was beyond crazy but it was all so much fun and so worth it. That said, there is no place like home!

One of the many things I did last week was co-host a retreat (CPR) for my Close To My Heart team with my buddy, Lynette (see Thursday's post called "I'll Be Back"). CPR stood for "Create and Prosper Retreat" and boy did we create! Hopefully after all of the classes, sharing and discussions we had we will all be able to use that information to help us prosper even more in our businesses. The first two photos on this post are our group picture (minus Carey C who had to leave early. You are in the photo in my heart, Carey!) and one of Lynette and I (of course Lynette had her Mt. Dew in hand. Otherwise, how could she have stayed up until 2:30 am scrappin' on Friday night?). You can kind of get a glimpse of our DARLING CPR shirt in the photo of Lynette and I. We got black scrubs for everyone with a cute heart and stethoscope and our Create and Prosper Retreat theme. So darn cute!

Here is a photo of Lynette teaching a photography class. As you can see in the photo, we did not run short on treats and munchies at the retreat in any way, shape or form! Lynette and I split up the teaching responsibilities. We each taught 2 creative classes and 2-3 business classes.
I wanted to share some photos of artwork with you from the retreat. I thought you'd enjoy being there vicariously.

First I thought I'd share a few cards that were brought for a swap at the retreat. They are all awesome! You can click on any photo to see it larger.

Carma H's card (front and inside view):

Maria V's card:

Susann E's card

Heather J's card
Carey C's card

All of their creations were made using Close To My Heart products.

Next I'd like to share two beautiful layouts that were made by my partner in crime, Lynette. She taught these layouts as a class at the retreat and everyone loved them. They both feature the new "Grace" kit in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book (pgs. 16-19)as well as the matching MyStickease and the On Target Dimensional Elements (Z1226, pg94) which happen to be one of my favorite new accessory items. Woo Hoo, Lynette! Beeeee-autiful work, my dear! Both layouts were made using patterns from Close To My Heart's awesome how-to scrapbooking books, Cherish and Imagine (both on page 6).
Lynette also generously provided a packet for each attendee to make this darling 'heart beat' layout to fill with pictures of our retreat. It went perfectly with the CPR theme.

I also taught 2 creative classes. One was the Christmas Card Workshop that I will also be doing with my customers on October 20. You can see photos of that by clicking here. The other is a workshop for our All Sorts Mini-Album (Z1224, pg. 96) and using my fave; the "Jingle" kit (X7115A, X7115B, and X7115C, pages 8-11). I am offering this workshop to my customers on November 17 at either 10 am or 7 pm.

Page one (front cover):

Pages two and three:

Pages four and five:

Pages six and seven:

Pages eight and nine:

Pages ten and eleven:

Page twelve (back cover):

There is so much more I could share, but I think I'll stop here. I hope you had fun hearing and seeing about our CPR! It was wonderful but I am happy to be home.