April 21 & 22 - WEEKEND CROP!

The upcoming weekend crop in SW Florida may be sold out, but you can still come and enjoy the many Create & Take projects! Pictured below is just one of the layouts I'll be offering using exclusive Close to My Heart products.  Featuring the new Footloose paper pack, this layout can hold a number of photos and it's perfect for a variety of uses. 

Come by and see us Saturday April 21 beginning at 9 AM until Sunday 5 PM.
Embassy Suites Fort Myers-Estero
10450 Corkscrew Commons Drive
Estero, FL  33928. 

Email me for more information - JoeSusan@aol.com.

Super Powers. . . in a new way!

One of my favorite things about stamping, is being able to combine stamps in new ways.   After using a stamp set a million times, it's easy to think we can't come up with anything new, but often inspiration strikes, when it is combined with other sets.

Today I'd like to show you some creative projects with the Super Powers stamp set. Two cards that have NOTHING to do with superheroes. . .just to prove that you might need this stamp set, even if you don't have little boys scampering around in your house! 

Here is the stamp set:

And here is the first card I created with it.  I used some card stock, along with a strip of paper from the Cruisin' collection.  The skyline came from the Super Powers set.  I stamped it on Sweet Leaf card stock, and trimmed it. I also used the stamp set, Paper Lantern, with that great sentiment stamp. 

(Don't you just love the jewel stars? I think that's my favorite part!)

And next, I combined the word bubble, and sentiment from Super Powers. . . .along with a Fashionista chick. How fun would this card be for Mother's Day!? (Because moms really DO have super powers!!!!)

Have I convinced you???? Now go - RUN to your stamp stash, and see what fun and funky combinations you can come up with!!! :)

Have a terrific week!
xoxo
Laura,

You're a Star! (Typeset)

Typeset is a super cool graphic collection that lends itself especially to masculine projects, as well as school projects (but if you look at some of the samples online and in the catalog, you'll know it can be used for much more too!)  The coordinating canvas Typeset Complements are a lot of fun to use.  

I covered a plain old marble composition book and made a couple of coordinating cards using the Typeset collection. 

I think these projects pretty much speak for themselves! If you are creating a covered composition book, here's some advice: lay your paper on the front cover, and stick it on with some removable tape. Then OPEN the book and trace along the outline of the cover on the inside (which will trace it onto the back of your paper.)  Then take it off and trim it.  I have found that marble composition books RARELY have exact measurements, and they are rarely on completely straight.  You won't be able to tell . . . .unless you just say "This cover is 6x9, so I'll trim a 6x9 piece of paper on my trimmer and stick it on."  (Because it probably won't be exact!)  ;)

FREE CRICUT COLLECTION WHEN YOU JOIN CTMH in March!

Join my team during the month of March and receive the Close To My Heart Cricut Art Philosophy Collection FREE (value $99).  The new consultant kit is only $99 (value of kit is over $288 in product and business tools), and you will receive the Art Philosophy Collection for FREE - but you must join CTMH by March 31, 2012.

It's EASY to join CTMH.  Visit my website - Susan.myctmh.com - and click "Your Opportunities" followed by "to sign up click here".  It's that easy!

For more information email me!  JoeSusan@aol.com.  Ask about the other FREE product you can earn during the first three months!



Celebrate today!

Are you totally tired of me telling you about WHICH stamp set is my favorite? (Because I know I say it a little bit TOO OFTEN.) But this set, called Paper Lantern, was one of those sets that made me GASP when I first saw it! It was love at first sight. For REAL.

I have two cards for you today, that I did quite a while ago.  I had them saved to submit for publication, but enough time has gone by and they haven't felt the love. . . .so here they are, for YOU to hopefully love!  The patterned paper on this first card isn't CTMH (gasp!!!!!) but I love the layout, and it could be easily duplicated in a variety of colors and papers. . .so just pretend. Okay?

And this second card is a fun circle card, which you can get from CTMH! So fun!

And that's all I have for you today! But I have been BUSY creating the past few nights, specifically for this little old bloggity blog. . . .so get ready for more inspiration next week! (And the week after that, and the week after THAT!)
xoxo

March Stamp of the Month

The card on the left was designed by Julie Reyonlds. 

The only change I made was using Cocoa ink and our new Studs. 

The card on the right was stamped with Grey Wool ink and includes the Licoric gems

and our new Color-Ready Ribbon.

You can purchase the March SOM for $17.95 or

 purchase it for ONLY $5 with an order of $50.00 or more. 

Contact me for more information!

Hello!

A Garden is another wonderful A-size stamp set, priced at just $6.95, that can give a LOT of bang for your buck!  

You can cover Thank-you's, Get Well, Anniversary, Encouragement, Thinking of You, and I bet you could even make a baby, wedding or anniversary card with this set!

The lines are sweet and simple to color in with markers, chalk, or pencil, and they look equally adorable left uncolored, or even paper-pieced!

I colored my images with markers, and added some tiny jewels to the flowers' centers.  This is a quick and simple card (because that's the only kind I make!)  I hope you like it!!

xoxo

Love Who You Are

LOVE this new paper!!!! It's the Stella Paper Packet, along with the super cool stamp set, Fashionista!  I added a bit of ribbon from my stash too!! ;)

I have a child SCREAAAAMING on my lap, so I think I should go now! 

Have a wonderful weekend!!! :)

xoxo

A Rainbow

I've gotta say that I think these great little A size stamp sets are a great deal, at $6.95 each! I created this card using this stamp set called, A Rainbow.

On this card, I used Sky card stock, along with Watermelon, Pear, and Sunny Yellow ink.  It's a fresh Springy look for the changing of seasons! (Especially the GREEN, because everrrrrything here in crazy-weather-Florida is covered in green pollen already! In FEBRUARY! Achoooo!)

There are lots of great possibilities with this stamp set, and I bet you have lots of sentiment stamps in your stash to easily turn these images into a birthday card, a baby card, or just about any card you need!  The included sentiment would be perfect for a get well or encouragement card.

Easter Milk Carton by Vicki Richardson

At a recent weekend crop I gave Vicki a challenge - create something with the new CTMH milk cartons.  Vicki jumped to the challenge and here is one of her incredible creations!!!!  I am posting two pictures so you can see both sides.  The top is slightly different.  The stamp set is Peeps.  Pretty cute don't you think?

THANKS VICKI !!!

Super Powers!

 

Brand new goodies for you again today! This is the Superhero paper packet, and the coordinating Super Powers stamp set. I am in LOVE with this stamp set. It is the combination of all great things: retro, funky, fun, and pop-arty.

Everything I used is just paper and cardstock - the only stamped image is the word bubble and sentiment - how quick and easy is THAT!? And oh-so-fun for a boy's (or man's) birthday, or perhaps even Father's Day!

just chillin'!

a card using BRAND NEW STAMPS, from the new catalog! I tore strips of Bamboo card stock, and trimmed a strip of Sky card stock, and adhered it all to a Desert Sand base to create this beachy card.  This cute new stamp set is called, Just Chillin' (C1495) and will sell for $13.95 in the new catalog. It also has flip flops, and a pail and shovel.  The sun actually has fun dotted swirls coming off of it, but for this card, I trimmed them off, because I thought it fit a little better!

Sneak Peek #6

From the new UPCOMING Spring/Summer Close To My Heart Idea Book

available February 1

The Best Things

C1503, Page 98

This set has so many uses, and the "follow your heart" fits one of the CTMH Cricut AP Cartridge cut outs.  The swirls add something to so many projects, and I love having three sizes in this set!

Sneak Peek #5

Look What's Coming soon from the Spring/Summer 2012 Close To My Heart Idea Book!

Available February 1.

Look Who's.....

D1502, Page 91

Imagine all the projects you can create with this set! 

The scalloped oval and the banner images can be cut using your CTMH AP Cricut Cartridge. 

What a time saver!!!

A Little Thanks

Using a sentiment from A Little Thanks, and a cutout from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, I whipped up this card for you!

Have you seen the new Paper Crafts Magazine's Cool Tools for Paper Crafters yet?  It is filled with lots of great inspiration, and there just might be two cards inside, featuring Close To My Heart stamps, created by little old me! (Plus there's a card of mine on the cover!!!! Eeek!)

I was also happy to see a CTMH stamp set featured in Paper Crafts Magazine's Stamp It! 3 Ways.  On each page of this magazine, three designers worked with one stamp set, and each created totally different projects.  It's very cool to see the different styles and ideas, all coming from the same product.  {And oh look, I have a card on THAT cover too!!! Giggle giggle giggle!!!!}

So now that this post has pretty much been me rambling on, in order to avoid doing the dishes, or dealing with my wild children, I suppose I'll get back to the real world, and get some WORK done (so that I can play and have inky fingers tonight!)

xoxo

Vacation Book created from NEW Product - Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book

This is one of the projects that will be offered at the Scraptique Weekend Crop January 28 & 29 in Estero, Florida.  If you love the book, come to our Weekend Crop!!

The paper is a new design called Crusin.  The stamps used are new stamp sets in the Close To My Heart Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book. 

Remarkable Wreath

I know. . .I know. . .I told you last week that I had just ONE more holiday card to sneak in.  But I guess I have another.  Although, this could totally be a . . .um. . .New Years card. Yes. Or a Happy Winter card. Certainly. So there you go.  A New Year's wreath, using the Remarkable Wreath stamp set.  As I look at this card now, I sort of wish I had added some more bling. (We can always use MORE BLING!)

The Remarkable Wreath set is another great basic set to fulfill so many purposes.  You can make cards for all seasons and occasions.  And the little banners that come with it look terrific with AND without the wreath! It's very versatile! Love that!

And now, I promise, I am done showing you holiday cards.  (I don't know about you, but I am totally sick of them!) Hopefully by the time you read this, I will have my Christmas tree down, and be fully ready to move on from the Christmas season!  HAPPY JANUARY! :)
xoxo
Laura,

Sneak Peek #4

My Peeps

B1402, Page 72

From the new Close To My Heart Spring/Summer Idea Book 2012

Available February 1

Who doesn't just LOVE Peeps?

Sneak Peek #3

From our new Spring/Summer 2012 Close To My Heart Idea Book

A Tree

A1124, Page 73

Our new book includes many new "A" size sets, this is just one! 

At a cost of only $6.95, this is an easy way to add to your stamp collection!

sneaking in one more. . .

Can I sneak in one more holiday card before I call the Christmas season officially closed? :)

I have  a few cards to share this month that I made while I was at my parents house, and had full reign of the craft room! It's just a few quick cards that I made in between the boys tearing apart the craft room, or dragging me off to do other fun stuff! 

I was thinking that this could be a fun design to create as a bag-topper for some yummy Christmas goodies.  But I think it can stand alone as a card too.  It features the stamp set, December 25.   This stamp set coordinates with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, and every single stamp in this set is adorable! I love the clean lines and festive fonts it uses!

Happy 2012! Here's to lots more craft goodness! And in a few weeks I'll have goodies from the NEW CATALOG to share with you! Eeek! I can't wait! :)
xoxox
Laura,