December Blog Hop

It's time to hop again.  This month's stamp will get you all ready for Valentine's Day and all other celebrations of life with those you love.  Take a look at this amazing stamp set.

If you have come from Judy's blog you are in the right place.  So let's get to it.

This card seems to be such an obvious use of this stamp.  I think purple and red look really nice together, so I made a Valentine using Smokey Plum (X5916 - purple shade pack) and Cranberry Red Cardstock (X5908- bright red & pink shade pack).  Images were stamped using inks of the same colors (Z2147 and Z2116) on Colonial White cardstock (1388) shapes cut with the Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686).  The hearts are adhered using 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151).  The corners of lower section are embellished with Purple Sparkles (Z1326)

Thanks for taking the time to see my newest creation.  This amazing stamp set (S1112A) can be yours for only $5 when you place a $50 order.  Use the link in the top right corner to shop 24/7.

Now it's time to head on over to Cherri's Blog to see another beautiful use of this month's stamp.

November Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop highlighting this month's stamp set, "Cherish the Day".




This stamp set allows for great versatility. With a stamp image for every month of the year and a place (see the small circle) to add in the day, what a nice new way to date those wonderful pages you make. Now come hop with us and see what creativity we have to share with you!

If one of our links doesn’t work, go to Melissa’s blog to find a list of the participants so you can get back in the loop.     

If you have arrived here from Neely’s Blog, you are on the right track! So... let's get started!

I used one of my pages that I had made from the Believe Workshop on the Go Kit. The green strip is for journaling after I pick out my pictures. I thought the top corner would be the perfect place for a tag with the Stamp of the Month December image. The tag was cut using the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. The base is cut on Colonial White with the edges inked in Holiday Red. The image is stamped on a tag cut from the Sweet Leaf cardstock included in the Kit and the edges are inked with New England Ivy.


Thank you for taking the time to stop by. If you find this stamp is a must have for your collection, click on my link in the top right corner to shop anytime. The stamp set is $17.95 OR, if you place an order of $50 in other amazing products, the stamp is only $5.

Now hop on over to Michelle’s Blog where you will find another inspirational use of this stamp set!

work of art (curtesy of Close to My Heart)

SONOMA

I wish I could take credit for these beautiful pages but all I did was follow directions. That's how simple the workshop on the go kits are.  Simply cut the paper as directed, place the pieces on the base cardstock, add emblishments as desired and there you go.  It really can't get any easier to make pages that you can be so proud of.  This is probably my favorite paper pack in the current idea book.  



Christmas is coming

It really won't be long now.  And in an effort to help everyone get into the holiday spirit, my workshop for November will be the Close to My Heart "Believe" paper pack.  Look at these amazing pages and cards that can be made with the coordinated paper pack

 These projects take advantage of the Art Philosophy Cricuit Cartridge which is use to cut the paper for the starts.  It is a perfect fit. 

The current date for this workshop will be Saturday, November 19th from 9:00 -11:00 am.  Please email before November 5th if you would like to reserve a spot.  If necessary, I will add a night class that same week. 

October's Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop highlighing this month's stamp set, Holiday Magic. We are thrilled to showcase some fun uses for this gorgeous stamp set!

This hop is one big circle so feel free to start here and move through the entire loop. You can also find a complete listing of all 13 participants by visiting Melissa's blog  If you have arrived here from  Neely's,  you are on the right track! So... let's get started!

  


Supplies used:
Beautiful B & T paper from the Wonderland Paper Pack
Of course the October Stamp of the Month
Twilight cardstock and Ink
Clear Sparkles

Thank you for taking the time to stop by. I would appreciate a comment or two, if you so feel led. Now hop on over to Michelle's  where you will find another inspirational use of this stamp set!



Happy hoppin'!

New Beginnings

Well it has been quite a long time since I have posted.  Life took a turn this summer, but it is now time to get back on track.  I have since had my first workshop where the ladies made the pages and cards from the Miracle Workshop on the Go kit from the Spring/Summer 2011 book.  I will post pictures soon.  Everyone had a wonderful time.  The Close to My Heart process of making scrapbook pages is new to my group so it is a great learning experience.  Our next workshop will be on Saturday September 17.  We will be using the Sonoma Workshop out of the new catalog.  I am so excited.  I think this is my favorite new paper pack. 

COMING SOON
I will be participating in the SOTM Blog Hop in October.  Look for more information in the coming days.  This is going to be great.

Workshops

I have now scheduled my first workshop(s).  The same project will be offered on Saturday July 23 from 9:30-11:30 am and on Tuesday July 26 from 6-8 pm.  These workshops will use one of the kits from Close to My Heart and we will either make 6 greeting cards or 4 scrapbook pages.  Supplies have to be ordered in advance, so I will need to know before July 14th for anyone wishing to attend.  The cost will be $18 and I will provide everything needed.  We can also use this time to work on new techiques or anything else scrapbooking/cardmaking you have interest in.  The all new Fall/Winter Close to My Heart Idea Book will also be available for preview at this time. 

Party Time

Friday night I had my first Home Gathering as an Independent Close to My Heart consultant.  I have to admit I was a little bit on the nervous side.  There are just so many wonderful things to demonstrate and talk about.  I wasn't sure how to choose what I should focus on, and then I just decided to let all of the guests play with the items that come in the Distressing Kit.  They used 4 different types of sponges and brushes to apply ink to cardstock.  I love using this technique to soften the edges of pages and photo mats.  It can also be used to create sublte background images on pages.  They also tried their hand at using sandpaper to remove the top layer of cardstock to expose the white core of the paper.  The number of designs using sandpaper is only limited by ones imagination.  Then it was time for all of them to show off their stamping skills as they made the Celebrate Today greeting card shown on the right. Everyone did a great job and had lots of fun.  My Hostess for the night received a few free gifts from me for having the Gathering in her home, and will also be receiving $60 worth of free products and any one product in the idea book for 50% off.  Close to My Heart had a very generous Hostess Rewards program.  Please contact me if you are interested in having a wonderful time with a group of your friends all while earning free products.

Perfect Paper Pinwheels

This video is a great example of the Workshop on the Go kits.  These kits come packed full of papers and the emblishments you need to make amazing pages.  The kit also includes a stamp set that can only be purchased through the kit.  There are currently 6 Workshop on the Go Kits available.  Go to my website to order yours today.

I did it!!!

Ok, the learning curve on any new activity is an amazing thing.  I have to admit, it took much longer to make my very first card than expected.  But I did it!  It was so great to finally take that plunge and do something different.  I have been scrapbooking for so many years, but had never thought about making handmade cards until now.  I am so glad I branched out.  I think cards that are handmade mean so much more.  Not only did someone care enough to send a card, but they also took the time to make it with their own hands.  Close to My Heart has so many card designs to choose from.  I will be setting up card making workshops in coming month.  It will meet one day a month for about 2 hours (length of workshop is pretty flexible).  During the workshop I will be teaching techniques to make your cards even more special.  You will make 6 cards and have a great time.  The cost of the workshop will be approximately $18.00.  Go ahead and do the math.  That is only $3.00 per card!!!!  Not to mention just having some get-a-way time doing something that is lots of fun.  I will post more as I finalize the details. 

Jump first, then look

"Go big or go home".  This seems to be my new motto.  After dabbling in the products made by Close to My Heart for a couple of years now, I have finally decided to become an independent consultant.  I am so excited to introduce all of my scrapbooking friends to the wonderful products available with this company.  The papers are out of this world beautiful and the layouts in the How to Books are so easy to follow.  The end result is a layout that you will admire for years to come. 

I will be posting layouts and cards that I have made out of these products very soon.  In the mean time, visit my Close to My Heart web page (kimmcconnell.myctmh.com) and look around the idea book of products.  If you see anything you like, you can order online or contact me directly. 

Welcome aboard my new adventure.  This is going to be great!!!