Scrapbook Supplies Sale!

New items have been added to the "While Supplies Last" section in the "Shop Online" portion of my website...some as low as .29! No kidding! Check it out! In case the "While Supplies Last" link didn't clue you in, they are only available while supplies last. Baaaa Haaaa Haaaa! I crack myself up!

Oh, and while you're shopping, don't forget that during March only, when you spend $25 or more (before shipping and tax) on stamp sets, you get to choose either a 3" x 3" or a 2" x 6 1/2" acrylic block FREE! After you enter the items you want to order and press the checkout button, you'll be prompted to choose which block you want. Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy!

Need a GREAT suggestion for a stamp set you'll LOVE to spend that $25 on? I suggest Bohemian Alphabet (E1019). It's a GORGEOUS alphabet, complete with numbers, a couple of flowers and leaves that coordinate beautifully, and even a couple of bracket and punctuation stamps. In fact, this set has 52 stamps in it!

Head to my website to take advantage of these awesome deals 24/7!

Little Video about Being a Close To My Heart Consultant

Take a few quick minutes (just a little over 3 and a half minutes) and watch me tell you a little bit about what I do and why I love it so much.



I would LOVE to help you get started as an Independent Consultant with Close To My Heart. It's only $129 to get started and you can easily make that and MORE back in your first month. I've been a Consultant with CTMH for over 18 years, so there is OBVIOUSLY something here worth being a part of for a long, long time! I love it!

To sign up, head to my website, click on "Your Opportunities", the scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link that says "To Sign Up To Become a Consultant, Click Here."

My suggestions on your 3 Kit "Choose Me" Options: Choose Me Kits #2, #3 or #4, and #5. I also strongly suggest you sign up for your own website. It's only $5.95 per month for your first year! With Studio J (CTMH's perfect answer to digital scrapbooking) taking the industry by storm, you'll want your own website so your customers can take advantage of this through YOU!

"Lyla" Banner by Kori

My daughter, Kori has been busy, busy, busy papercrafting the past few weeks, as evidenced by several of her layouts and projects I have been sharing on my blog lately. Today, I share another! Kori's friend's little girl (Lyla) just turned 1 and Kori made a banner and little scrapbook for her gift. Today I thought I'd share the banner. Lyla's room is done in pinks and black so Kori used those colors on the banner. That way they could hang it in her room after the birthday. Smart! How cute is it anyway?

By the way, you can click on any photo in this post and see it larger and in more detail.

I'm a proud mommy! In addition to papercrafting, Kori is great at making beautiful flowers and headbands for little girls' hair, grown up girls' hair, and even to pin on necklaces and lapels. You can check out her website here. Here's a cute little pic of my daughter and granddaughter. Daci is actually wearing one of Kori's gorgeous headband/flower creations.

Back to the banner: my favorite part is the black and white damask! Kori embossed the damask stamp in black on white cardstock for every banner piece. GORGEOUS! Here are some up-close pictures of each banner piece. The 1" pink satin ribbon is the only thing that is not a Close To My Heart product. I think Kori picked it up at Hobby Lobby.





Close To My Heart products used: My Creations Banner, Bohemian Alphabet Stamp Set, February Stamp of the Month, White Cardstock, Cotton Candy Cardstock, Baby Pink Cardstock, Black Cardstock, Clear Sparkles, 2" Scallop Circle Punch, Black Stamp Pad, Cotton Candy Stamp Pad, Versamark Pad, Black Embossing Powder, Embossing Gun, Finishing Files.

Order these and other great Close To My Heart products on my website, 24/7...especially on a 'banner day'!

More Studio J: a Layout and a Tutorial

Today I thought I'd share another pretty Studio J layout that my daughter, Kori made of Easton's wedding luncheon (you can click on the layout to see it larger and in more detail). And, I thought I'd share another GREAT Studio J tutorial from Amy Ulen on some GREAT matting techniques.

I learned so much from this tutorial. I think you'll love it too.

Studio J Layout and Tutorial

Thanks to two people who made this post possible: Kori (my daughter) who shared some of her newest Studio J layouts with me and allowed me to share with you, and Amy Ulen who is a Studio J genius!

The layout of Kori's that I have chosen to share today is called "Ornament Time" (you can click on the layout to see it much larger and in more detail). I love this layout for many reasons:

• It shows a fun family tradition that started with my mom and dad and that Dan and I have decided to carry on with our grandkiddos
• Daci's hat and monkey shirt are too cute for words
• The papers and embellishments that Kori was able to use digitally on this layout are the perfect compliment to the photos.
• I love that with Studio J, you get FREE .jpgs of all of your purchased layouts that you can share via email, Facebook, blogs, etc. with family members. So much fun!
  

Amy has made several YouTube Studio J tutorial videos and they are so worth the watch! In fact, if you check back over the next few weeks, I will be sharing many Studio J layouts and several of Amy's tutorials. You will LOVE them. Thanks to Amy for allowing me to post these, and even more thanks for taking the time to make them.

If you are not already a Studio J (Close To My Heart's perfect answer to digital scrapbooking) member, you ought to be! It's easy to join. Just go to my website: http://leavealegacy.myctmh.com, click on "Studio J" and sign up. Before joining, you can create as many layouts as you want and play for free. There is only a charge when you want to be come a member (3 month or 12 month membership available) and when you order layouts. There is no fee for each individual paper pack, embellishment, etc. In fact, there is never any need to buy anything but your layout. CTMH stores all the things you need right on the Studio J site and you can use any embellishment, paper, pattern, etc. without having to pay for them! COOL BEANS!

Beginning Studio J Tutorials (or even if you are a seasoned Studio J user, you can learn something from these. You'll also LOVE the more advanced tutorials that I will be sharing over the next couple of weeks!):

How to create a layout, part #1


How to create a layout, part #2

Another Stamp of the Month Card (5" x 5")

This is a simple little card. I decided not to add any embellishments other than this yummy Sweet Leaf Stitched Ribbon (which, by the way, is a great bargain!). I ran my Heavenly Blue Cardstock through my Cuttlebug machine with one of the damask plates and then lightly sponged the edges of it with cocoa ink. I wanted this card to be simple so little Peter Rabbit from Close To My Heart's March Stamp of the Month (Sensational Season) was the focal point. I just love him and his mischieviousness! Find out how to get your own stamp set FREE by clicking HERE.

You can also get a few watercolor pencil coloring tips in the post just below this one.

CTMH products used: March Stamp of the Month, Colonial White Cardstock, Heavenly Blue Cardstock, Sweet Leaf Cardstock, Sweet Leaf Stitched Ribbon, Cocoa Stamp Pad, Watercolor Pencils, 3D Foam Tape, Round Sponge.

Head to my website to shop for these and other quality CTMH products 24/7.

March Stamp of the Month 5" x 7" Card (Sensational Season)

I fell in love with the March Stamp of the Month at Close To My Heart the minute I saw it. It's Beatrix Potter flavor along with the images that are just perfect for my favorite coloring technique (watercolor pencils) just float my boat!

You can see several cards I made with this set and also find out how to get the set FREE by going here.

I colored the images in this card with my watercolor pencils but didn't use any water. I love watercolor pencils just for coloring. Because they are made to blend with water, they are soft and oh-so-easy to blend and shade with. I also love the effect using a blending pen or waterbrush, but I decided just to color with them plain for these cards.

Watercolor Pencil Coloring tip: Don't use a sharp point to color with. Color a little bit on scratch piece of paper until you get a nice flat angle on your pencil. Color with this flat edge and you will be able to blend and color seamlessly! I hope you can see what you mean in this photo. Can you see how I've made a flat edge on my pencil by scribbling on a piece of scratch paper? That flat edge is the edge you want against your paper as you color. When shading, just start in the place you want darkest and press harder and press lighter as you move in. Also, color in the shape of the edge. The edge of the basket is curved, so I started along the edge I wanted darkest and went in a curve up and down the inside edge and continued inward as I lightened my pressure. Clear as mud? I hope clear as a bell!

The middle basket, I think you can see, is popped with 3D Foam Tape. I still stamped the image below it so that it shows underneath. I love that look! The little flowers come in our new pink button collection (72 buttons included!) and the centers are our mocha opaques (108 gems per pack!); two products that I am currently infatuated with.

CTMH products used: March Stamp of the Month (Sensational Season), Sophia Level 2 Paper Pack, Kraft Color Ready Borders, Cocoa Stamp Pad, Round Sponge, Watercolor Pencils, Pink Button Collection, Mocha Opaques, 3D Foam Tape.

You can order these and other wonderful products on my website, 24/7...especially on a lazy Saturday when you have no make-up on and are in sweats and stripey slipper socks (I wonder who might look like that today....hmmmmm).

April Play Group Layouts (Sophia)

Layout #1 - "Pals":-------------------------

Layout #2 - "Sweet" (inspired greatly by the FABULOUS Lisa Stenz):

----------------

Layout #3 - "All Girl"

As you know by much of the artwork I have been posting over the past month or two, I have fallen in love with the "Sophia" kit in Close To My Heart's Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book. Because of that, I have chosen it as the kit we will be using in my Play Group classes in April. I think you'll love them!

We will be making all three of the two-page 12" x 12" layouts you see here (feel free to click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail). Aren't they darling? I have always been a BIG fan of pink and green together...well ever since my obsessions with 'all things preppy' in junior high. I got over the preppy, but the pink and green found its way into my heart forever.

If you are not sure what Play Group is, just scroll down on the left side of my blog until you see the heading "Play Group Information" and all the details are there about how my classes work.

April Play Group Dates and Times

• Tuesday, April 19, 10 am - 1 pm
• Tuesday, April 19, 7-10 pm
• Wednesday, April 20, 10 am - 1 pm
• Wednesday, April 21, 7-10 pm
  

Remember, in order to attend, you only need to purchase the Basic Kit. Anything above and beyond that is totally optional. This month, in addition to the Basic Kit, I suggest you at least add the first 2 items in the Better Kit. Those 2 little items make a huge difference! If you do that, your subtotal would be $45.85 and your total with shipping and tax would be $52.59.

Basic Kit

• Sophia Level 2 Paper Pack
• Pink Buttons Collection
• Colonial White Waxy Flax
• Workshop Stamp Set
• 1 extra sheet of White Daisy Cardstock
• 1 extra sheet of Hollyhock Cardstock
• Cutting Guide

Subtotal: $30.95*
Total with shipping and tax: $33.50

Better Kit = Basic Kit + the following products

• Irresistibles Eclectic Dimensional Elements Alphabet
• Pink Ribbon Collection
• Hollyhock Stamp Pad
• Pear Stamp Pad
• Goldrush Stamp Pad
• Round Sponge

Subtotal: 62.85**
Total with shipping and tax: $72.10

Best Kit = Basic and Better Kits + the following products

• Friendship Alphabet

Subtotal: $97.80***
Total with shipping and tax: $112.19

*at this purchase level, you qualify for the Stamp of the Month**** ($22.95 value) at 25% off ($17.21)
**at this purchase level, you qualify for the Stamp of the Month**** ($22.95 value) at 50% off ($11.48)
***at this purchase level, you qualify for the Stamp of the Month****($22.95 value) at 75% off ($5.74)

****I have linked you to the March Stamp of the Month above. If you happen to purchase your kit in April, you will get the April Stamp of the Month instead.

Call or email me to sign up for a class and to place your kit order no later than Monday, April 11 at 9 am (801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com) OR, order some of these items yourself on my website 24/7.

4" x 6" Love Book

Last Saturday, while croppin' with two of my friends (Hi, Carma and Trisha!), I was able to complete this little book. I have had the stuff set aside for weeks to do it but never just decided to sit down and actually "get 'er done." There is something about spending a day croppin' with friends that gets those creative juices flowing! Thanks, Carma and Trisha for a fun day. I loved having you here!

This little 4 "x 6" photo book is filled with photos of Easton and Daysha's wedding day. I showed photos of the front cover and side view at the top of this post. Here is each individual spread. As always, you can click on any photo in this post to see it larger and in more detail.

Inside front cover and page 1:-----------------

pages 2 and 3:----------------

pages 4 and 5:-----------------

pages 6 and 7:--------------

page 8 and inside back cover:

As I mentioned earlier, I completed it while having a fun day with two of my Close To My Heart downline, Carma and Trisha. We had such a fun day scrappin, eating yummy treats that Carma brought from Kneaders, and going out to lunch at one of my favorite 'girly places' here in Highland, Dear Lizzie. Here are a few photos of our day:

Carma and I working away...

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Trisha having some scrappin' fun:--------------

Carma and Trisha enjoying our girly lunch:-------------

Carma and I at lunch:

CTMH products used: My Creations 3-Ring Binder, Bliss Level 2 Paper Pack, Bliss Level 2 Assortment, Mocha Opaques, Irresistibles Eclectic Alphabet, On Target Dimensional Elements, Chocolate Stamp Pad, Cocoa Stamp Pad, Round Sponge.

Click here to order these, and other wonderful products from my website, 24/7.

March Close To My Heart Awesome Specials

March brings another great special and Stamp of the Month with Close To My Heart. Read on...

1. "Best Stamps on the BLOCK" special: During the month of March only, if you purchase $25 in stamp sets (before shipping and tax) you will receive your choice of one of two very popular acrylic blocks: the 3" x 3" block or the 2.5" x 6" block. WOO HOO! That's a value of about $10 FREE when you spend $25 in stamps. That's about 40% back to you! Call or email me for more details (801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com). This special is also valid when ordering through my website. You will be prompted before you close your order out to add your block of choice.

2. March Stamp of the Month (D1454-"Sensational Season") is so darn cute. In fact, when I saw it for the first time I even got a little misty-eyed. It brought back such memories of my childhood and the illustrations in my Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit book. Every time I read that book I got so worried about Peter in his little blue coat almost getting caught as he fled from the farmer in the garden! I still remember that little blue coat caught in the brambles.

You can see what the stamp set looks like in the image I have provided here. The actual size of this carrier sheet is 6" x 6", so that will help you judge the size of each stamp.

I have made several cards with this set that are pictured at the beginning of this post and I will be featuring each of them individually throughout the month. I started today with a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card. I'll share the products I used at the end of this post, but before I do that I wanted to tell you how you can get this set at a discounted price...or even for FREE!

* 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)

Click here to enter my website and order it and so many other wonderful products.

CTMH products used: March Stamp of the Month-Sensational Season, Sweet Leaf Cardstock, Blush Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock, Cocoa Stamp Pad, Round Sponge, Watercolor Pencils, Opaque Pearls, Pretty Pins (retired), Bulk Sweet Leaf Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, 3D Foam Tape.

Non-CTMH products used: Cuttlebug