Happy Valentine's Day!

At 1030pm last night, I realized that I hadn't made my hubby a card for today. So, I grabbed my leftovers from my That's Amore Level 2 Paper Packet (see I told you there was still paper left!). I had to use the Key To My Heart stamp set from the January promotion. Colors are Chocolate, Tulip, and Vanilla Cream. The key and heart are cut out and pop-dotted. A piece of Cocoa Grosgrain Ribbon is tied around the key. I sponged everything in Chocolate. To add a little something to the key, I inked it first in Chocolate, then sponged on Tulip (making sure to clean off my sponge in between so as not to muddy my Tulip ink). The card sketch is from Originals - Log Cabin. I LOVE this book for making cards.



I hope you have/had a great Valentine's Day, regardless of how you celebrate.

Until next time...

Stardust Workshop on the Go

I also managed to finish up the Stardust Workshop on the Go samples that I had started on Wednesday. Of course, I still need to find pictures, but I'm thrilled just to have the pages done!

These layouts are done with the Stardust Level 2 Paper Packet and My Stickease, Flexi-Labels (they're new and they're fun!), Chocolate ribbon, and the Wishing Star stamp set with Desert Sand and Moonstruck inks.

This layout is the one completed with the Basic Workshop, with enough paper, stickease, and labels left over to complete the other 2 layouts and the cards (and then some). This layout calls for an 8x10 landscape photo; however, if you're like me and don't do 8x10 landscape photos, you can also use 2 4x6 photos matted and spaced evenly on the left page.



This is one of the 2 bonus layouts that can be completed with the leftovers. The only thing added here were the White Daisy Brads and the Summer Carnival Sassy Strands. I love how the Sassy Strands have added a visual interest and texture.
This is the second bonus layout that can be completed with the leftovers. Again, the White Daisy Brads and Sassy Strands were added here. To get an almost perfect circle of brads, I placed my Coluzzle Circle template on top of my page and carefully pushed a brad through one of the channels in the template to create the starter holes. I use the VersaMat and flip it over to have the cushion side up so the brads will go through easier. You can also use the foam sheet that comes with a stamp set or the Coluzzle Cutting Mat.

These are the cards that are shown in the brochure. You have more than enough leftover paper to create these cards. These cards are 6x6, 3x3, and 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.

This will be my March Workshop on the Go. More details are available on my calendar.

Until next time...

That's Amore Workshop on the Go

I had fun yesterday working on my samples for the That's Amore Workshop in the Go. I really wasn't sure what I'd do with these pages, seeing as I have boys. As I kept working with these papers, I thought they would be great to showcase black and white pictures of my grandma and other heritage pictures.

These layouts are done with That's Amore Level 2 Paper Packet and the My Stickease, Reminisce stamp set, Chocolate and Tulip inks, Love Always Journaling Spots, and Heritage Edge Anchors. These two pages are the ones that are completed in the Basic Workshop, with enough paper, stickease, and journaling spots to complete the other 4 pages and cards.

This layout is one of the 2 bonus layouts that can be completed with the leftovers. The only thing added here were Antique Copper brads, both regular and Bitty Brads.

This layout is the second bonus layout that can be completed with the extra paper, stickease, and journaling spots. Again the only thing added here were the brads.

Here are the cards that are shown in the instruction brochure. These cards are 3x3 and 2 1/2 x 3 1/2. They can also be created with the extra paper. These cards feature the Reminisce stamp set.

This workshop will be my April Workshop on the Go and more details can be found on my calendar.

Until next time...

Emporium Workshop on the Go

I spent today working on my display boards for some of the upcoming Workshops on the Go. I managed to get Emporium almost done, as well as Stardust. I was actually pretty pleased with the amount of stuff I got done today (love when I have the house to myself!).


I somehow forgot to order the My Stickease to go with the Emporium WOTG, so will have to add that later, but I'm not 100% sure I'll use them anyway. I'm thinking pool pics of the kiddos from a summer or two ago.




This is the complete layout (well, minus the My Stickease that I forgot to order) that comes with the Basic Workshop. I could not find my brayer, (for those of you that know me - that's no suprise), so I improvised and sponged the edges in Sweet Leaf instead.



This is one of the other layouts that you can create with the extra paper from your Level 2 Paper Packet. It also calls for some My Stickease, which I will add later. I will also add the embellishments once I have the pictures in place.

This is the third layout that you can create with left over papers (and a few My Stickease). You can see samples of finished layouts on my website.

I also decided to create the cards shown in the instructional brochure. I've never done that before, as I don't generally mail cards (I know that's odd considering I make them). These cards are 4 3/4 x 3 and 3x3. They can also be made with the remainder of the Level 2 Paper Packet (and there is STILL paper left)!

For more information on this month's Workshop on the Go, please visit my website and check out the details on my calendar. You can also schedule your own WOTG - just shoot me an email or leave me a comment.

Until next time...

Emporium Cards - February Card Night

Tonight was my monthly card night workshop. As you've probably guessed by now, I'm not one for doing samples up too far ahead of time (I hope to change that while I'm off this week, but we'll see). We make 2 each of 5 designs, with nothing too complicated, perhaps a few subtle techniques. It's basically a fun evening of friends and stamps and paper.



I needed "Thank You" cards for customer orders and hostesses, but everyone attending gets to choose the greeting from a selection of stamps that will coordinate with the papers and main stamps used.

Tonights cards were done with Emporium Level 2 Paper Packet, Connections Stamp Set, Cocoa Organdy Ribbon, Twill Ribbon, and Pewter Brads. Colors are Crystal Blue, Sweet Leaf, Cocoa, Vineyard Berry, and Colonial White.

Due to too many commitments and conflicts during the first week of the month, Card Night is now on the second Wednesday of the month (most of the time). You can always check my calendar to be sure, as well as get an idea of what papers we'll be using.

Until next time...

Close To My Heart is Celebrating 25 Years!

Let The Good Times Roll! We’re celebrating an anniversary in 2009—but you get the gifts! That’s right—our founder and CEO Jeanette Lynton marks 25 years as a leader and innovator in the stamping business, and to celebrate, we’re giving all our stamp purchasers a fabulous gift! When you spend $25 US / $31.25 CAN in My Acrylix® stamps (K-size customized, Stamp of the Month, and any discounted retired sets excluded), you’ll receive a totally cool, custom-designed B-size stamp set, appropriately titled “Good Times.” It’s a celebration-themed set, with a variety of fun party icons and sentiments like “let’s party” and “hip hip hooray” that are oh, so versatile. Everyone will want one—or more! Available from February 3-28, 2009. Visit my website to get yours today!

Until next time...