August SOTM Blog Hop - Something Splendid

Welcome to the August Stamp of the Month blog hop, featuring "Something Splendid," a set of 13 stamps. If you have come from Nancy Brown's blog, you're on the right path! This is a circular hop, so you can begin on any blog and "hop" your way around.

This month's stamp set truly is splendid: I couldn't stop playing with it! As a result, there are many, many pictures on this post. The stamp set is incredibly versatile. I used the Grace Paper Packet, but the stamp set will go with so many papers and colors. You can see another example I made here. I used a variety of techniques on my cards and scrapbook page. Check back through the month to see how I made the cards! You can purchase the stamp set at full price, earn it at a discount, or even get it FREE during August 1 - 31. See my website for details.

All the projects using Something Splendid:

Clear card

Inside of the clear card - Attach the blue circle first, then add the background paper to the back, hiding the adhesive.

3 x 3 - Originals All in a Row

5 x 7 - Originals Colors & Cubes - Paint resist

Magic - Backstage (hidden journaling)

Hidden journaling

5 1/2 x 4 1/4 - Originals Lucky Three - dry embossing

8 x 3 1/2 - Originals Oval Cameo

Your next stop on the hop is at Barbra Otten's blog. Hop on over to see her lovely artwork!

Change . . . It's a Good Thing

I love my routine. Let me do things the usual way, and I'm happy. But change can be awesome, too, and can breathe new life into what we've gotten used to -- shake things up! In 2011, Close To My Heart will change the way the Idea Books have been published and will begin offering two Idea Books per year -- one in February, and one in August. Each Idea Book will have a six-month life cycle, and exciting new products will be featured in each one! To make way for the new products, the old products must move on. Some of it makes me a little nostalgic and sad, because there are paper packets and stamp sets on this list that I have really enjoyed using. But I know even better things are coming! (Like the Autumn/Winter Idea Book -- available on September 1!)

The following products have been approved to retire at the end of 2010. There is a possibility that they may make it to a new Idea Book, but in all likelihood, this is a last chance to get these products! They are available while supplies last, so if there is something you must have, please go to my website to place your order. Coming August 4 -- a special sale! Details coming soon...
 
Copy of RetiredList2011

Heart 2 Heart Color Challenge & Mojo Monday 149

Ahhh, challenges! I love 'em! I have been busy making cards and scrapbook pages for the upcoming Stamp of the Month blog hop (August 1!), so I'm giving you a sneak peek at the August Stamp of the Month on this card. Don't you love the beautiful flower? I can't get enough of it!

I have tied together two challenges again this week -- the Heart 2 Heart color challenge using Vineyard Berry, Blush, and Creme Brulee (quite a challenging little color combo!) and the Mojo Monday sketch. Hope you enjoy!

My new blog layout

Welcome to my updated blog! I hope you like the changes. The host site for the previous background  had some issues, so my background disappeared on Friday. The hunt was on for a new background and layout that said, "Lori"! I think I've found it and appreciate your patience as I continue to tweek the blog to look better and communicate effectively.

Something new I've added are the links at the very top of the page that will take you directly to my website for online shopping, Studio J, and my calendar. If you have ideas about how I can further improve the blog, feel free to let me know!

My Grandma's art

When I read the Heart 2 Heart challenge to incorporate a recipe into a project, I thought of the recipe card I have in my grandma's handwriting. It's not a recipe I make, but I treasure it because she wrote it out for me years ago. A page idea began to develop as I thought about how my humble little grandma showed her creativity in her cooking, sewing, and quilting. She passed away on July 4, 1994, and I miss her so much! This page is a tribute to how much she loved us and how she showed it.

The layout is based on the following Mojo Monday sketch:

Love the Big Brown Truck!

Guess who came to my house -- the man in the Big Brown Truck! He left this beautiful big box filled with new Autumn/Winter CTMH goodies! I was at work when it arrived, and it was not fun to wait until I could come home to open the box and check out all the new fall products. Have I mentioned that I {heart} the Big Brown Truck?!

Here's a peek at the new colors. I'll be hard at work during July and August, planning fun workshops and making beautiful artwork to share with you! Now where did I put that "Magic" book?

How many cards in a Level 2 Paper Packet?

In my "other" job, I coordinate training for new sales reps in the call center in which I work. With up to 100 new hires each year, I'm always trying to find creative ways to make them feel welcomed. Last year, I purchased a Level 2 Paper Packet (Emporium) and a value pack of card bases and envelopes and decided to see how many cards I could make from one paper pack.

Would you believe that I got 86 cards with this paper pack and only needed to add three extra sheets of Colonial White cardstock and a few envelopes? After I used up the card bases, I cut the solid cardstock into card bases. The cards are pretty simple, but the new hires love them and seem to appreciate the thought that goes into making them. Our entire "welcome team" signs the cards, then the cards get tucked into a first-day welcome folder. The price comes to around 35 cents per card (including an envelope!). See how far you can get your paper pack to stretch!

Heart 2 Heart - Anything but a Card!

I'm squeaking in under the wire with this week's Heart 2 Heart challenge. It has been a busy week since getting back from vacation and convention, so I decided to share what I made for my convention roommates. I wanted something they could use to remember the trip. These cute frames were plain to start with and were just crying out for some of the darling Cherry-O papers.

I tinted some of our white Ceramcoat paint with chocolate reinker to paint the edges. When the paint dried, I distressed it further with ink directly applied to the edges. Using Mod Podge, I applied the paper (after flipping the frame over and tracing the outline on the back of the paper). After it dried a little, I distressed the edges of the paper with ink and applied another coat of Mod Podge to seal the paper.  After tying ribbon around a few places and adding the "Convention 2010" flower embellishment, I was done! The center of the flower is a Designer Brad put through the holes of a button. A little cherry stamped in the corner of the gift bag tied it all together.