CTMH May SOTM Blog Hop - Friendship Bouquet

Welcome to the May Stamp of the Month (SOTM) blog hop!  You may be starting here...or hopping over from Traci's Blog.  Either way works!  Once you're done, click the link at end of my post to continue your journey through inspiration.

This month we are featuring Friendship Bouquet (set of 8).  I absolutely loved sitting down to create with this set.  Only one problem.. all I wanted to do was color the images!!  I stamped up several sunflowers and then kept coloring them with different color combinations.  It was very relaxing...until I thought... "Oh no!  I have to have a completed project to post!" LOL

Since we're still running our amazing Dotty For You Special, I thought I'd experiment with some non-traditional colors.  If they can dye flowers to go with prom dresses and weddings, why not make them match our paper?

Design Tips:

• Instead of stamping your image in the middle of your paper, try moving it over to a corner, leaving room for a saying, to add visual interest.
• Add depth to your image by outlining it with a soft grey marker (Grey Flannel)
• Use a blending marker to pick up ink and create a lighter shade (center of flower)

This one is a little bit more traditional....

Now it's time to hop on over to Krista's Blog for more ideas!

**Combine the Stamp of the Month with Dotty for You for double your fun!**
I am working hard to sell 100 Dotty for You/May Stamp of the Month's (any combination of the two to equal 100 or  more) so that I can qualify for a drawing for a FREE workshop for 20 people from Close To My Heart.  Help me with my goal and earn free gifts!  Everyone who places a qualifying order will be entered into a drawing.  Throughout the month I will be including extra little goodies with orders, giving away fun samples and much more... so head on over to my website and order right away!

The Color Run was SO MUCH FUN!

Several months ago Stacy Julian posted a link about The Color Run.  I followed the link and instantly knew I had to do this run.  I decided it was going to be a pre-birthday treat.  A silly run full of fun.  I posted it on facebook and within minutes I had a team ready to sign-up.  Luckily 6 of us were able to register before it sold out.

I am soooo glad I did it.  It was the MOST fun event I have ever participated in.

We started out in our bright white t-shirts (part of our group had a different start time so they aren't pictured here.)

Action shot of my buddies running through the Purple color station

Of course Pink was my favorite station!

Lovin Yvette's braid!  (FYI the color completely washed out of my hair, but rumor has it, Yvette was still sporting some pink the day after the race.  They give you tips about wearing leave-in conditioner etc. So you can avoid it)

Yvette's decided we weren't quite colorful enough and we needed a little more yellow....

The ground was pretty colorful too!

Love this photo!!!  I was able to pull it off a video I shot.  At the end of the run they have an area where they do Color Blasts every 15 minutes.  They count it down and every one throws color in the air.  The girls that are posing asked Valeri to take their picture.  I bet they are going to love that picture!!!  I know I'm planning to make sure we get one just like it next time.

Oh my!  We were pretty dirty!!

Thankfully they had some blowers around and it easily blew off all the excess color...and your hats!

 See...most of it came right off...except for the part that stuck to the sunscreen and um...glistening body parts. LOL

I'm loving my shoes.  I don't think I want to wash them.  Sadly they are a bit worn out and they are headed to the trash soon so I won't be able to enjoy the color much longer.  Good thing I'm doing another color run in San Diego on November 3rd! (Team name Stamptildawn - feel free to join us!)

Art Philosophy featured on Let's Learn Cricut

Stamp Til Dawn wants to welcome everyone from Let's Learn Cricut.  Cara and I are both excited to show you all the fun you can have with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.

 The cartridge is sold in a bundle, so not only do you get the amazing Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, but you also receive three coordinating stamp sets and three packages of Dimensional Elements (chipboard pieces).  It's a $124.69 value for only $99.  Read on for ordering tips and specials we are running this month.

The timing of this special could not be better!!  CTMH is also celebrating National Scrapbooking Month with our Dotty For You Special.  For every $35 your order from our current Idea Book, you can purchase this adorable pack of 24 sheets of paper ($19.95 value) for just $5.

You can order your own Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge here.  Click on the Join button next to Let's Learn Cricut and add your order to that party.  Once we reach $150 in sales, I'll put all the names in a drawing and start giving away fun prizes to go with your Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge!!

Cara does an amazing job explaining fun features of all the Cricut Cartridges that she highlights, but if you want even more info, be sure to check out the projects and videos I have have done.

Click here for blog posts that feature artwork using the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.

You Tube Videos

CTMH Dotty For You

Welcome to the Dotty For You blog hop!  Whether you came here from Sheila's Blog or you're starting the hop right here with me, you are on the right track.  Just keep following the links and getting inspiration for our amazing National Scrapbooking Month Special!

Here's just a sampling of what I have created so far!  I will continue to post samples over the next 6 weeks so that you will have plenty of items to inspire you.

There are three ways to get this exclusive Dotty for You paper packet, valued at $19.95:

• Place an order of $35 or more in products from the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book between April 17 and May 31, and add the Dotty for You paper packet for just $5.
• Host a Gathering with a sales total of $400 or more (excluding tax, shipping/handling, and Operation smile donations) between Apil 17 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.
• Join Close To My Heart as a new Consultant between April 1 and May 31 and receive a Dotty for You paper packet FREE.

Need help coming up with your $35 order.  Here are some items that coordinate well with the Dotty For You Paper.
Z1702 Baker's Twine $4.95
Z1697 Smoothie Mini-Medley Collection $4.95
Z1710 Paradise Paper Flowers $5.95
A1121 A Blossom Stamp Set $6.95
Z2195 Lagoon Stamp Pad $5.25
Z2153 Sweat Leaf Stamp Pad $5.25
Z2196 Smoothie Stamp Pad $5.25
Total before tax and shipping $38.55


Add on these items to help you hit $50 and get the Stamp of the Month for $5 too!
Z1696 Keepsake Felt Alphabet $5.95
Z1736 Mini Banner or Z1378 Banner - $5.95

Now it's time to hop on over to Traci's blog to see what she created.

Easter Treats

When I got an invitation to a little Easter Dinner last night, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to create a little Easter treat for everyone AND enter the H2H Challenge for this week, so I ran to the store, picked up some little treats and whipped up 12 of these cute little treat bags.  I was able to use some scraps leftover from my workshops.  I love it when I'm able to use some of the bits and pieces I have left to make something fun.

The saying says "Happy Easter to My Peeps."

Supplies Used:
B7149B Lucy Paper Pack
B1402 My Peeps
Inks: Grey Wool, Cotton Candy, Desert Sand (for sponging)

CTMH Pemberley Card Workshop

I am so excited to finally share the details on my Pemberley Card Workshop!  Not only did I have a blast creating these cards, but I finally worked out all the details for my long-distance buddies.  Now you can participate too!!

There are three options:

1) RSVP for my workshop (4/14/12) and reserve a kit for $10
2) Purchase a kit and pick it up at my house in Lakeside, CA $10
3) Purchase a Kit to be mailed to a US Address $13

*Please note, workshop attendees are welcome to pay at the workshop or via the paypal button below, but you MUST reserve your kit!! 

Kit Includes:

• All papers and embellishments to create 6 cards (includes envelopes)
• Link to My video with tips for assembling
• Stamped flower image for 6x6 card

You can customize your cards by using stamped phrases from your own collection or order the ones I featured on my website.

I will start mailing kits on Friday, April 13, 2012.

Pemberley Card Workshop

Pick-Up $10.00 USD Mailed to US Address $13.00 USD

Flashback Friday #1 - Plates

I have been a consultant with Close To My Heart (DOTS) since 1995 and I have watched styles come and go.  It's fun to see something we did 10-15 years ago, resurface with a new spin on them.  Sometimes I'll see projects on a blog and I'll think....hey we used to make those, why didn't I think to do them again? LOL

And then...I ran across some oldies, but goodies, in my stamp room so I thought it would be fun to start a new feature called

Flashback Friday

I'll post some old samples of projects I've done in the past, or I'll remake something I did years ago.

This week I decided to post a plate I made.  I did a ton of these plate workshops and they were so fun.  I think I might have to see if the company is still in business so we can do them again.

Basically you stamp your design on tissue, send it to the company and they make it into a plate.

Here's one I still have in my cupboard - Don't you just love those old D.O.T.S. designs?

CTMH Easter Banner

I used the My Creations Mini Banner to create this fun Easter Banner for my March workshop (I forgot to post it here...oops).  My customers had the choice of putting the word Easter or Spring on their banners.

I had fun playing with this mini banner and I'm sure I'll have to make a few more. =)

Supplies Used:
G1034 Lucy Workshop on the Go Kit (paper and stamp set)
Z1736 My Creations Mini Banner
Y1010 - My Peeps
Z1392 - 2" Scallop Punch