Tomorrow is the Big Day!

Tomorrow is the big day - the Autumn/Winter Idea Book is available to customers!  If you were at my party, you've already got your copy and know how fabulous it is.  Just take a peak at the new colors...

Fabulous aren't they!  I just love them all.  Especially the new Pear, Sky, Lagoon and Pacifica...then again, those are all the blues and greens which are my favorite colors.  Good thing I have a little boy!  :)

I've been creating like a mad woman with all of the beautiful new products, but as I mentioned in the last post, they are all going into the contest so I can't share yet.  When I find out if I won or not, I'll start posting things. Cross your fingers and wish me luck!  I've got a few entries that I think are pretty cool.  Hopefully, corporate thinks the same. 

On a personal note, I've had an ocular migraine the last 3 days (so not fun!) and am a little behind with my upcoming projects.  I may not be able to post them until next week.  I'm still around, just trying to recover from my head splitting in half and not being able to see.

Have a good one,

Crafting in Contest Land

August is a big month for CTMH consultants.  We get to preview all of the wonderful new products that are going to be released on September 1 with the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book.  However, it also means that it's consultant contest month.  Consultants can submit their creations to CTMH and have the opportunity to win some product credit and the awesome honor of having your art featured on the official CTMH website.  So cool!  So, of course I'm entering in a number of different categories.  Unfortunately, this means that while I'm creating like a mad scientist (as my husband calls me when I'm holding more tools and supplies then I have fingers) I can't share a thing with you until after they announce the winners in each category.  Ugh!  So stressful.

The submission deadlines are the end of the month.  So, I promise that when September is here, you'll get to see new creations again.  Until then, I can be found under the stacks of new paper, embellishments, adhesive, ink....and even though I'm buried, it's a gorgeous pile that I'm under.  No worries, I'll still post again before the month is out.  It just won't be as often as I'd like and will most likely be more about life and less about paper.

Triple Play - My Last Idea

I'm almost done with my Triple Play alternate project ideas.  This is the last thing I came up with, and as a fellow consultant mentioned, completes the triple theme.  If you get, or earn, the Triple Play kit, good for you!  But what do you do with the stamp set after you complete the projects?  Besides the obvious of stamping the images, how about create a random stamped piece of cardstock to use on a project?

Here's what I started with:

And this is what it became:

In case you were on the fence about this kit...Yes, you need it!  Haul out your wish list, pick $40.00 in stamps to purchase and snag this awesome special for only $5.00.  Believe me, you'll be glad you did.  If you don't have $40.00 in stamps on your wish list, email me and ask how you can purchase this kit or even get it for free!

If you'd like to see the other projects I made with this kit, just click HERE and you'll be redirected to the Triple Play page of my tutorial blog showing the full instructions to turn it into a card gift set or a layout.

Have an awesome day,

Version 2.0...ish

A few weeks ago I decided to create a blog separate from this one that is just tutorials.  You can find it at http://hsstutorials.blogspot.com/.  What was I thinking?  Let me tell you.  :)

Yes, I do know that I could just label all the tutorial posts on this blog and that you could just click the label to see them all, but isn't that just a pain when you want to find just one of them?  Then you have to wade through them to find the exact one you are looking for.  Plus, when some of them are 28 steps long with over 30 pictures, that's a lot of wading!

When I got to thinking about it, I realized that sometimes I'm just in the mood to get some quick inspiration which is what this blog (my main posting spot) is for.  Then, there are other times when I've got some time and want to create a specific type of project.  Sometimes it's hard to find a good location for new projects that I haven't seen before so I wind up coming up with a lot of my own ideas and adapting projects from others to fit my needs.  I figure that as long as I'm at it, I should share!  I can't be the only one out there searching for new ideas.

After a little consideration, and now that blogger allows 10 pages plus a main page, I decided to have two blogs.  This one will still be my main blog where I will post most often and the other will hold all my project tutorials.  You can follow either one or the other or both or sign up to receive email updates on both blogs.  FYI, I'll be putting up a quick post with pic each time I post a tutorial on the tutorial blog.  So, if you just stick with this one, you'll still get the updates on the other.

So, don't delay, go check it out!  Tutorials have their own pages and can be found by clicking the links under the blog title.  My rolling tote is up there as well as alternative ideas for Triple Play.  In a few weeks, if I can find my computer under the paper scraps and adhesive, I'll be posting another project.

Have a great day,

Triple Play & Alternate Ideas

I'm a few days behind on posting this...I've been a busy little lady!  You'll see what I mean when you read this.  :)

Triple Play is an awesome new special from CTMH.  It's a complete mini album kit times three.  Check it out:

This kit includes everything you need to create all three albums.  All the albums are precut and ready to assemble using the included instructions.  Pre-cut accent pages to stamp on using the 4 (yep, four!) included mini inks and full stamp set.  Plus, there's ribbon to bind them all together and velcro to keep them closed.  It's all included.  All you'll need to add is adhesive and photos!

Of course, when this came out I knew that not everyone would love the mini-album idea.  So, I got busy with my preview kit and created options for everyone!  I made one kit as a mini-album just like the instructions tell you.  Then, I went off on my creative tangent and used one to make an adorable 6 card gift set as seen here.

I used my last mini-album to create a one page layout, but I've seen other consultants make one "album" into a two pager.  How sweet is that?!

Full instructions for the card set and layout are on my brand new tutorial blog: HSS Tutorials  Click that link and head on over.  When you get there (and after you've followed or subscribed to updates via email :) hehe) click "Triple Play" under the blog title to see the projects and instructions.  (More info about my new site tomorrow)

I almost forgot!  How much does it cost, right?  With a qualifying purchase, it's only $5.00!  Can you believe it?!  That's three albums, 3 card gift sets (18 cards) or 3 two page layouts for only $5.00.  Plus inks and a stamp set!!  Here's the details:

1. Buy the Triple Play kit for $29.95 US / $34.95 CAN. 
2. Purchase $25 / $30 in My Acrylix® stamps and get the Triple Play kit for just $15. 
3. Spend $40 /$47 on My Acrylix stamps and get Triple Play for only $5! 
4. Host a Gathering with sales of $300 / $350 or more and get Triple Play FREE! 
5. Join Close To My Heart as a Consultant and get the kit FREE! 

You can also come see my creations in person at my Katalog Kickoff Party on August 28th at 1pm.  If you're in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, send me an email and I'll give you directions.

Have a great day!

Katalog Kickoff Party Project

I can't resist sharing.  So, here's a quick photo of a project we'll be making at my Katalog Kickoff Party.  It's August 28th at 1pm.  We will be creating 2 projects and I'll be giving you all the latest CTMH inside scoop.  There are a lot of awesome changes a'coming!  Then you'll get your very own, brand spanking new, not even released to the public yet Autumn/Winter Idea Book to check out, drool over and take with you!  If you'd like, you can also place an order while you're there.  I sure hope you can join me!  Remember to RSVP so I will have projects ready for you.

Nope, it's not a bookmark.  Here's a hint: It is everything you'll need to create a Scraptabulous Shopping List while you peruse the new book at the party.

Triple Play Sneak Peak #2

Triple Play is coming soon!  Here's another little something I came up with using this kit.

Be sure to come to my Katalog Kickoff party on August 28th (RSVP requested) to place an order for this kit (or earn it) and see everything I've created with it in person.

Have a great day!

PS. Come back tomorrow to see a sneak of one of the projects we'll create at the party.  :)

October Crop

I'm hosting an all day crop on October 16 from 10 am to 9 pm.  We are cropping all day and I'll be providing both lunch and dinner for all attendees.  It's at Grand River Park in the picnic building.  There's only enough space for 16, so get your spot secured now.  The cost for all day plus lunch and dinner is only $20.00.  If you're in the Grand Rapids, MI area, I'd love to have you join us!

Can't have a post w/o artwork, right?  Here tis...(warning - it's "contraband")  No title or journaling either - it's a work in progress.  :)

Thanks for looking and I hope you can join me on the 16th of October!

Triple Play Sneak Peak

CTMH has a great new campaign coming up called Triple Play.  I got a preview pack as a consultant and started messing around with the kit yesterday.  Here's a sneak peek at this awesome new kit.  You're going to love it!

Have a fabulous day,