There's still time . . .

to take advantage of the Pair-A-Phrase special offer! Place a $75+ order no later than September 30 and receive TWO D-size stamp sets free! These darling stamp sets are chock-full of cute images and sentiments.

You can call me to place an order (309-826-6705), or you can order online through my website {click here}. Here's a "plus" when you order on my website - You can take advantage of the "While Supplies Last" section to stock up on awesome products at greatly reduced prices! You will also qualify to receive the September Stamp of the Month, "Limited Edition," for only $5!

Typeset Level 2 Layout - It's a Winner!!

I was going to wait until this was posted on the CTMH Make It From the Heart Art Gallery, but I can't wait! All the winning entries will be posted later this week, but for now -- here's my winning layout! The category is Typeset - Level 2 Layout. No stamping was allowed, just paper, cardstock, ink and embellishments. I realized that these pictures of my boys on an airplane were exactly right for this paper.

sThe layout is from Magic (Out of the Hat, p. 82 - 83). On the left page, I saved some paper by piecing the top and bottom pieces rather than using an entire 11 x 11 sheet of B&T. The banner is cut using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, including the letters! (Remember - no stamping allowed!) The 1/2" x 11" strips on either side are the zip strips from the top of the B&T paper. I used the brand-new ruler to evenly space pierced holes for stitching.


Here is a closer view of the left page. The main picture is given some dimension using foam tape. The Milepost Shapes were distressed using the stipple brush and Cocoa re-inker as were the edges of the cardstock and B&T. Isn't the paper airplane cute? It is one of the new Complements (Typeset Canvas Complements).

And a closer view of the right page:

The journaling block is also from the Typeset Canvas Complements. I wrote directly on it using a My Legacy writer, and it worked really well. To make things more fun, I decided to make my page interactive. The arrows swing away so the Flip Flaps can open to reveal the photos on the other side.

I had so much fun making this layout and am so excited to have won! If you'd like to make a similar layout, the recipe is below. All items are available on my website (lorimiller.myctmh.com) or www.ctmh.com/lorimiller (after October 1). Thanks for sharing my excitement!

Items used:

• Magic - Out of the Hat (p. 82 - 83)
• Paper - Typeset Level 2 Paper Packet
• Ink - Cocoa Re-inker
• Embellishments - Milepost Shapes; Wooden Designer Buttons; Typeset Complements Canvas Shapes; Neutral Assortment Embroidery Floss; Natural Hemp; Metal Assortment Brads
• Other - Cricut Art Philosophy; Flip Flaps; My Legacy Writers; Ruler; Piercing Tool Kit; Distressing Kit; 3-D Foam Tape

A Wicked Card

With the release of every new Idea Book, CTMH holds a contest for consultants to create cards, scrapbook pages, and altered items using new products in the Idea Book. The winners have their artwork posted on the Corporate Make It From Your Heart Art Gallery. I submitted a card featuring the August Stamp of the Month, "Wicked." It didn't win, but I'm still pretty proud of it and want to share it with you. My hope is that this will inspire you to pull out your "Wicked" stamp set and start creating! :)

I used one of my favorite products - a clear card. Clear cards are easy to use but require a bit of planning to hide the adhesive. Think of the layers as a sandwich with the acrylic piece in the middle. For instance, on the front of my card, I attached the Colonial White half-circle (with the hat) to the top of the card, then I opened the card and put adhesive on the back of the acrylic (back side of the card front). Then I carefully lined up the black half-circle and pressed it together. I did the same with the back piece -- the smaller circle was attached to the top of the back (clear as mud, right?!), then the larger circle was attached to the back, hiding the adhesive.

I'm including some close-ups of the rose on the front, made using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. I {heart} those roses!

Items used:

Stamps: Wicked 

Paper: Mischief; Colonial White cardstock; Black cardstock; Sunset cardstock

Ink: Black; Sunset

Accessories: Cricut Art Philosophy; 4 1/2" Assortment Clear Cards; Licorice Opaques Adhesive Gems

While Supplies Last - Great Deals!

Close To My Heart has added some awesome items to the "While Supplies Last" section of my website! Looking for some mini ink pads? How about 25 cents! Are you missing the Level 1 kits? There are some of them on there, too - for $7! Or one of my favorites - the Pivot Stapler. These items will go quickly, so be sure to pick your favorites up today!

September Creative Club - SPOOKY Banner

Join me for the September Creative Club to make this darling Halloween banner! To see detailed information about the no-obligation monthly club, please click on the link "Creative Club" at the top of the blog page. You will receive all materials needed to make the banner, including a full package of Midnight Felt Shapes (take home the extras!). We had a great time at the August Creative Club - you won't want to miss this month!

Dates: Wednesday, September 21 - 7:00 p.m.
          

Where: My house - Contact me for the address

RSVP: By 9/9 to 309-826-6705 or clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

Love Your Layout - Episode 2

I really enjoy viewing the "Love Your Layout" videos from CTMH. I learn something new about how to use Studio J every time I watch! Enjoy --

Typeset Workshop on the Go

I have really come to love the Workshops on the Go. My time to scrapbook and stamp is pretty limited, so I love that I can pick up the WOTG and get busy! I recently attended a crop at The Keepsake Element, so I just grabbed two WOTGs and was set for the evening. So easy!

With my "baby" in his senior year of high school, I have been focusing on getting his pictures scrapbooked for the graduation open house. Typeset is perfect for school photos! The color combination works for photos of older kids or younger kids. Love, love, love how the pages turned out! The shaped images were cut using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.

The second layout (still searching for just the right pictures):

These darling cards are the alternate project in the Workshop on the Go. I just added a couple of extra items, cut the cards on the Cricut (love that Art Philosophy!), and have these super-cute cards to send to someone special! Do you love the distressing technique? It's so easy to do: Dip the stipple brush into re-inker. Drag the brush from just off the edge of the card inward onto the card.

Feel free to contact me if you'd like to find out how to purchase your own WOTG - or earn it free as a hostess!