CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for February - Friendship

Welcome to the Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for February - featuring the gorgeous stamp set "Friendship".

Along this month's Stamp of the Month hop you'll find dozens of fabulous creations using this stamp set - all brought to you by a very talented group of CTMH Consultants! If you've come here from Helen's Blog, you are on the right path. If this is your first stop on the hop, that will work too (just keep hopping till you get back here again)!

To continue along the hop, just follow the link at the end of each post to go to the next site. We hope that following the hop will give you lots of inspiration and ideas for using your "Friendship" stamp set, as well as the many other great CTMH products you'll see in each post.

I have two creations for you today!
My first offering is a 12" x 12" layout.  I used the stamp of the month set to stamp my background on the Heavenly Blue cardstock.  The rosettes were created by simply twisting grosgrain ribbon in circles onto a cardstock circle covered in adhesive.  And I added a fun border using our pearls adhesive gems - - I think the border draws attention to the pearls I am wearing in the photo!   The letters for my title were cut with my Cricut.   The layout design is from the Scrappiest Blog (Sketch #103).

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):
Friendship acrylic stamp set (February 2011 Stamp of the Month)
Sweet Home Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)
Pearls Opaques Adhesive Gems
Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon
Cardstock: Chocolate, Colonial White, Heavenly Blue
Ink: Chocolate

My second creation today is a quick card I created using the leftover stamped cardstock I had after creating the layout above.  (Love to use up those scraps!!).  The card design is from the Cardabilities Blog Sketch #23.

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):
Friendship acrylic stamp set (February 2011 Stamp of the Month)
Mocha Opaques Adhesive Gems
Foam Tape
Cardstock: Chocolate, Heavenly Blue
Ink: Chocolate

The "Friendship" stamp set is available from your consultant from February 1st to 28th!  You can earn this stamp set at a discount or even FREE with every CTMH order placed in the month of February!   

Thanks for stopping in!! To continue on the hop, visit KATY's BLOG to see what she has created for you!

You can also check out great artwork using the Friendship stamps by clicking on any of the thumbnails below! You can even join in the fun - add your link to something you've created using this great stamp set!

Bliss Butterfly Card . . . Another Sneak Peek!

Just a few more days until the new Spring/Summer CTMH Catalogue release!

This card was inspired by a few challenges:
- the sketch is from the Sketches in Thyme 'Tuesday Takes' for this week
- Heart 2 Heart challenge this week is to feature an animal of some kind

And of course . . . I was inspired by all the fantastic new products I have to play with!!

The sentiment reads "A true friend remembers your birthday . . .  but not your age."  Love that!

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

Kraft Cardstock

Bliss Level 2 Paper Pack

'Find Your Style' Stamp Set (January 2011 Stamp of the Month)

'Card Chatter - Birthday' Stamp Set

Chocolate Buttons

Crotcheted Ribbon from Colonial White Ribbon Rounds

Cardstock: Chocolate, Colonial White

Ink: Chocolate

Other: Foam Tape, Neutral Embroidery Floss

As this card features all new products, I'm linking it up to Erin's CTMH New Product Linky Party!  
Check out all of the gorgeous work & inspiration with the new goodies below!!

Sneak Peek at new Spring Product!!

Love the fabulous new Kraft borders you see on this card!!  Click HERE to watch a quick 2 minute video tuturial showing the versatility and VALUE of a package of these!  Just $6.50 Cdn for a package of 50 (25 different designs)!! WOW!!!

The new Spring/Summer Catalogue with these new borders and SO MUCH MORE goes live in just a few days!  Email me to find out how you can get your copy!!

Explore France Layout

This layout was inspired by a sketch at Twisted Sketches.  (The twist was "Map")!

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart, except as noted):

Passages Level 2 Paper Pack

Passages Stickease

Journey Journal Spots (retired)

Marks Passages Clips

Bold Color Ready Alphas

Ink: Cocoa

Compass Rub-On from My Mind's Eye

CTMH Regionals in Canada this year!

CTMH announced today that we'll be having TWO regional celebrations in Canada this year! Woohoo!!

The dates & locations are:
April 15 - 16, 2011 - Toronto
September 23 - 24, 2011 - Western Canada (location TBA)

I won't be able to make it to Toronto in April . . . but I will definitely plan to attend in September for sure! 
Hope to see all my fellow Canadian consultants there!  (If you haven't been to Regionals before - you don't want to miss it,  it is kind of like Convention on a smaller, more intimate scale!  Lots of creative time with brand new products, great classes from Corp, and lots of social time with the ladies who love CTMH as much as I do!)

Sound like fun but you're not a consultant?   Join my team and you can join the party!!  (Hey, and why not come to Anaheim with us in July too for Convention!!)
Email me anytime to find out more!

Butterfly Birthday

I love this week's sketch at Clean & Simple Stamping!
Here is my take on it:

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):
That's Amore Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)
Happy Birthday acrylic stamp set
Heartfelt Whimsy Die Cuts
Opaques Pearls
Licorice Opaques
Ink: Cocoa
Cardstock: Vanilla Creme

Another Wings Creation

This week's sketch from Card Patterns:

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):
Wings Level 2 Paper Pack
Licorice Opaques Gems
Rosy Regards Stamp Set
Find Your Style Stamp Set - January 2011 Stamp of the Month
Foam Tape
Inks: Vineyard Berry, New England Ivy, Black
Cardstock: Vineyard Berry, Black, Colonial White
Other - the image center piece has been spritzed with the Spray Pen (currently available as part of Wings Workshop Kit), using a mixture of water, pearl paint, and Vineyard Berry re-inker.

Wings Workshop Kit - My Completed Projects

Don't miss out on the Wings Workshop Kit this month!  Purchase it in January and you unlock some great discounts on new Spring/Summer product, as well as the January Stamp of the Month.  You can find all of the details in the Inspirations Brochure.

Here is the workshop feature layout and cards:

I had a chance to play with my kit this week - the new Spray Pen is so fun (check out the great video tutorial on the sidebar of my blog to the right)!!  Here are my completed projects:

As always, the Close to My Heart Workshop Kits are available for you to order and complete on your own at home.  But if you are in the Calgary area - I would love for you to join me at my Wings Workshop night this month! 

Where:  My Place
When:  Saturday January 29th at 7:30pm (newsletter recipients - please note the change of date!)

I offer three kit options.  Click HERE for all the details and then email me at csironside@shaw.ca to place your order!  Please RSVP and order by January 10th to attend the workshop!    (Your order will also qualify for this month's draw for Hostess Rewards on the workshop order!)

Soar with Wings

January is all about Inspirations at Close to My Heart, and features the new paper pack Wings!  I am absolutely loving this new kit!!  There is some absolutely stunning artwork being created by my fellow consultants!  I'd like to give you a peek at some of that artwork today by joining in on Tresa Black's "Inspirations" Linky Party.  Check out Tresa's blog when you get a chance - she is truly so so talented!! 
You can check out some fabulous Inspirations and Wings artwork by clicking on the thumbnails at the bottom of this post!

My card was created using CPS Sketch 199.

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):
Wings Level 2 Paper Pack
Find your Style Stamp Set (January 2011 Stamp of the Month - available now!!)
Wings Level 2 Pleated Ribbon Assortment
Opaques pearl gems
Cardstock: Sweet Leaf, Vineyard Berry, Colonial White
Ink: Black

I used the new Spray Pen, available in the Wings Workshop on the Go Kit, to add some texture to my image background and sentiment background!  You simply add the re-inker colour of your choice (in this case Vineyard Berry), along with a couple drops of Pearl Paint, and some water to the pen & voila - your own glimmer mist!   Love it!
A little difficult to see in the photo, but the bird is adhered with foam tape & appears to be flying right off the page!

You'll find all of the great Inspirations products, including the paper and accessories in the Inspirations Catalogue.
Check out these great Inspirations Special Offers for January only:
When you purchase the new Wings Workshops on the Go™ kit (G1016) for only $33.50 CAN, it opens the door for you to participate in our exciting promotions. With the purchase of the Wings Workshops on the Go kit you can choose any or all of the following:

1.  Purchase the following new Spring/Summer Idea Book My Acrylix® stamp sets at a super discount:
A Game (A1113) stamp set, Retail Value $8.75 Cdn -- YOU PAY just $5.50 Cdn
Rosy Regards (B1369) stamp set, Retail Value $15.50 Cdn - - YOU PAY just $10.95 Cdn
Take a Picture (C1440) stamp set, Retail Value $20.95 Cdn - - YOU PAY just $16.50 Cdn
Dreams Come True (D1470) stamp set, Retail Value $25.50 Cdn - - YOU PAY just $19.95 Cdn
Bohemian Alphabet (E1019) stamp set, Retail Value $38.95 Cdn - - YOU PAY just $27.95 Cdn

2.  Get the January Stamp of the Month set, Find Your Style, at a discount or free by purchasing new Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book products found in the Inspirations brochure as follows:

• Purchase a Wings Workshops on the Go™ kit AND 1 additional item from the Inspirations brochure - get the Stamp of the Month at 25% off!
• Purchase a Wings Workshops on the Go kit and 2 different items from the Inspirations brochure - get the Stamp of the Month at 50% off!
• Purchase a Wings Workshops on the Go kit and 3 different items from the Inspirations brochure - get the Stamp of the Month at 75% off!
• Purchase a Wings Workshops on the Go kit and 4+ different items from the Inspirations brochure - get the Stamp of the Month for FREE!

You can also mix and match new products from the Inspirations Brochure and products from the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book, and we will automatically calculate the greatest savings between the standard program and this promotion for you to get the best deal possible!

Enjoy checking out all of the fabulous projects in the Inspirations Linky Party below.  And if you missed it, you'll find some other great Wings artwork on the January Stamp of the Month Blog Hop HERE. 

I'm Giving Away a Studio J 5-Pack!!!

I have a Studio J 5 Pack up for grabs (retail value $73 Cdn) - 5 Free Studio J two page printed digital layouts, complete with page protectors and including shipping & handling!  This is the perfect chance for you to give Studio J a try if you've been on the fence!!  Studio J is ALWAYS free to play with and create - but this will give you a chance to get some printed layouts at no cost to you to see just how great the quality is and how well these layouts will blend into your traditional scrapbook albums!!


To be entered in the draw:

- every $30 spent with me this month earns you an entry (order via email at csironside@shaw.ca or online at http://carlaironside.myctmh.com/ )
- attend my January Wings workshop on the 31st at my place and earn 5 entries (email me at csironside@shaw.ca to register)
- host a home workshop for your friends and earn 10 entries (email me at csironside@shaw.ca to book your date with me!)

Contest ends January 31st - - I'll announce the winner in next month's newsletter! GOOD LUCK!!

CTMH Canadian New Consultant Kit for Spring/Summer 2011 Now Available!

Do you love scrapbooking or stamping? Have you thought about becoming a Close To My Heart Consultant? Well now is the perfect time.... if you Join Close To My Heart in January you'll receive all the NEW products from the upcoming 2011 Spring/Summer Idea Book that will be released in February. For only $140 Cdn you receive a package of business basics and can pick 3 "Choose Me" collections {see below} and you'll have everything you need to get started as a consultant with Close To My Heart. What's great about our new consultant kit - is that it is completely customizable - you pick the products that most interest you, whether you are joining as a hobbyist, business builder, etc. Please let me know if you have any questions or if you'd like suggestions on which kits would be best for you.  

Choose Me Option #1 - MyCTMH website subscription.  Enhance your new business with an all-important web prescence.  Your website is complete with online shopping, event calendars, an art gallery and more!  EDIT May 2011 - -  "MyCTMH" websites are now available to consultants on a month-to-month basis with no subscription required - thus this Option is no longer available as part of the New Consultant Kit. 

Choose Me Option #2 - 12 month Studio J Membership (Retail value $110 Cdn).  Use exclusive patterns and papers to create beautiful Studio J layouts at deeply discounted prices!

Choose Me Option #3 - Mayberry Workshop on the Go Kit, Summer Days Stamp Set, Smoothie & Olive Inks, Pink Brad Assortment, and a 2" x 3.5" Block (Retail Value $74.25 Cdn).  The lively paper, sunny ink colours, and cheery stamp sets in this collection will make your heart sing and your artwork shine!

Choose Me Option #4 - Lucky Workshop on the Go Kit, Lucky Level 2 Embellishment Assortment, Enjoy Life Stamp Set, Outdoor Denim Ink, Desert Sand Ink, Kraft Borders Pack, Sponge, Edge Distresser, 2.5" x 2.5" Block (Retail Value $87.45).  Cardmakers & scrapbookers alike will cherish this collection of vintage-themed products & versatile tools.

 Choose Me Option #5 - 12x12 Faux Leather Album, 12x12 Quick Pic Album, Ciao Stamp Set, Chocolate Ink, 4" x 4" Block (Retail Value $81.20).  Beauty meets practicality with this collection that includes two types of albums, ink, stamps and a block.

 Choose Me Option #6 - Double Scrubber, Spritz Cleaner, A Tulip Stamp Set, Spring Up Stamp Set, Bless this Nest Stamp Set, Tulip Ink, Garden Green Ink, 3" x 3" Block (Retail Value $82.90 Cdn).  Get ready to create with three adorable stamp sets, two beautiful ink colours, and supplies to clean and maintain them. 

Depending on which options you choose - you can receive over $300 in products for just $140CDN!  And if you really want to take advantage of these deep discounts, you can purchase additional Choose Me Kits (on top of the three that are included with your base package) for just $40 each.

Have more questions about becoming a consultant? 
- You can read my story and the benefits of being a consultant HERE
- Read and watch stories of other CTMH consultants HERE
- Email me anytime at csironside@shaw.ca with your questions!

When you're ready to JOIN MY TEAM - you can complete the easy online application HERE!  I'd love for you to be part of my Creative Canadians group!