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LESS THAN

to join my team - Hearts of Inspiration - and receive an amazing consultant kit valued at over $300 for ONLY $99, AND a FREE CTMH Cricut cartridge collection, valued at $116 (including tax & S&H).

That's over $400 of Close to My Heart products for only $99!!

THE SCOOP:

Join to support your habit or start a business - it's up to YOU!  I'm here to support you through your journey as well.  

You don't have to make a decision to stay active or meet the sales requirement until the 3rd quarter (July-Sept). That means, in order to continue as a consultant and receive 22% discount on products, you don't need to meet a quarterly sales quota of $300 until the end of Sept.  That's nearly 6 months from now!!  If you don't continue on, you will be dropped on October 1st, but have the option to rejoin at any time.  WHAT A DEAL!!

As a bonus, hit the first Straight to the Top level requirements ($1200 of commissionable sales within the first three months after enrolling), you're consultant kit fee ($99) will be refunded!  You'll have a month preview period of new products and promotions BEFORE everyone else.  And the best part, you're joining a family of talented, kind & fun crafters!!

LET'S TALK CRICUT:

Choose one of Close to My Heart's exclusive Cricut collections when you join this month ($116 value is yours FREE):

• Artiste (Z1790) - shapes, cards and 3D projects (i.e. boxes, etc.)
• Art Philosophy (Z1686) - basic shapes
• Artbooking (Z1906) - geared specific for layouts and mini-albums

Each cartridge is packed with 700 shapes, fonts, dimensional objects, and much more. Plus each collection includes three coordinating stamp sets and three sheets of chipboard shapes to make your projects pop! They provide countless variety and combining different cuts to projects add to the fun! 

View the Cricut Collection page on my blog to view the images for each cartridge. 

Visit my blog page on joining to read WHY i joined and some other info. 

For additional info & to sign up, visit my website.

Looking forward to having you join my team and the CTMH family!! Please contact me with any questions.

Inspired Stamping - Rock & Roll

Stamping Technique #7 - Rock & Roll

For this stamping technique page, I rocked and rolled the stamp to create the affect below:

I inked the stamp in Lagoon ink and then, before stamping it on my heart Cricut cut, I rocked & rolled the stamp's edges in Outdoor denim ink.  Then I stamped on my Cricut cut for the above look!

This is one of my favorite ways to spruce up a stamped image.

Happy Stamping!!

Featured Products:
- Sarita Paper Pack
- Laughing Lola Card WOTG Stamp Set (retired)
- Lagoon & Outdoor Denim Stamp Pads
- Flamingo Dots
- Pink Glitter Paper Pack
- Purple Shimmer Trim
- Artiste CTMH Cricut Cartridge
- Corner Rounder & Micro-Tip Scissors
- 3D foam tape & tombo adhesive

Want a FREE CTMH Cricut Cartridge??!

Check out my blog post on the April Awesome Promo for New Consultants.

NOTE: To see all the series of Inspired Stamping posts, click on the LABEL title 3D Project on the right hand side bar.

Inspired Stamping - Stamps Meet Markers

Stamping Technique #6 - Stamps Meet Markers

For this stamping technique page, I stamped the butterfly and flowers in Desert Sand Ink and then colored them in with our alcohol markers.  As you layer the same color over itself, the tone gets darker, adding a cool affect.

I used the lighter shades and the darker shades to create the look.  Topped each off with a little bling.  This is one of my favorites from this series.  

The CTMH alcohol markers are retiring; we will be transitioning to a different brand with the release of the new idea book in August.  {that's all I know!}  But stamping and coloring in with (any) markers, is a lot of fun, easy, and gives a unique, custom look.

Happy Stamping!!

Featured Products:
- Skylark Paper Pack
- Love This Stamp Set
- Desert Sand Stamp Pad
- Sparkles Clear Assortment
- Lagoon, Sweet Leaf, Desert Sand & Buttercup Alcohol Markers
- Teal Shimmer Trim
- Topiary Mini Chevron Ribbon
- 3D foam tape & tombo adhesive

Want a FREE CTMH Cricut Cartridge??!

Check out my blog post on the April Awesome Promo for New Consultants.

NOTE: To see all the series of Inspired Stamping posts, click on the LABEL title 3D Project on the right hand side bar.

Inspired Stamping - Tone On Tone

Stamping Technique #5

For this stamping technique page, I stamped the background in the same color as the cardstock {Honey}.

This is another easy but effective technique to replicate.  Tone-on-tone gives a subtle affect without overpowering your project. 

The chicken wire from the Distressed Backgrounds stamp set is a perfect addition to this county-fair themed paper pack.  I even stamped the same pattern on the back.

For another fun affect, I added some Liquid Glass to this page.  I accented pieces of the ribbon and ticket, the letters on the the FUN banner & Best In Show title, as well as the dots on the handkerchief paper.  You can see the shine and raised look in both pictures.

Haven't used liquid glass before??  OH MY!!  This is one of my top 3 most recommended products.  

It is an AMAZING permanent adhesive (I have even fixed a statue with it!) and it can be added to any item for additional affect, like I did.  It dries clear (in about 20-30 minutes) and will pick up any color from the paper or ink under it.  It is a MUST HAVE!!

Comment and LMK which stamp set you're going to create a tone-on-tone look with and I will draw a random winner one week from the date of this post - if you win, you'll receive your very own bottle of liquid glass. :)

Happy Stamping!!

Featured Products:
- Jubilee Paper Pack
- Distressed Backgrounds Stamp Set
- Honey Stamp Pad
- Corner Rounder
- Liquid Glass, 3D foam tape & tombo adhesive

Want a FREE CTMH Cricut Cartridge??!

Check out my blog post on the April Awesome Promo for New Consultants.

NOTE: To see all the series of Inspired Stamping posts, click on the LABEL title MyAcrylix Stamps on the right hand side bar.

Rediscover Creativity during April

You can download this quirky alphabet set to add some jazz to your projects - it's only available during April 2014!  Download it here:  http://inspired.ctmh.com/ctmh/promotions/rediscover-ctmh.aspx

note: do not download this picture - download the PDF for the best quality.

One-of-a-Kind Project Life Cards!!

I've talked about Studio J (CTMH's digital scrapbooking program) before - it's FREE to use and access; doesn't require anything to be downloaded; and CTMH prints them out for you on high quality photo paper.  

This program is SUPER flexible.  It not only allows you to create custom or pre-designed (express collections) 12x12 layouts, but also customize sized photos of your choice & customized Picture My Life (CTMH's version of Project Life) cards.  Yup, you read that right!  For more details, visit the Studio J page here on my blog.

I recently combined Studio J and Picture My Life (PML) together in beautiful harmony.  Here they are my custom designed PML Cards!

I utilized the paper packs, cardstock, MyStickease, and coordinating accessories.  Aren't they adorable?!  Cut them up and round those corners and woo-la, custom PML cards.

These sets are EXCLUSIVE through me only...unless you wanted to try to create your own.  If not, each of these sets are $15 each, which includes S&H.  TO ORDER: Click the Paypal icon at the top left side of my blog to order your original PML cards.

If you want original Disney PML cards or additional Christmas PML cards, check out my sideline Jen's blog for more options!  Roxybonds Scrappin

More Studio J info or to access Studio J, click here to visit my website.

Thanks for stopping by!

How to Create Your Own PML Cards:

1. Log In to Studio J
1. Same account info when purchasing from my website
2. Create a New Project (name it)
3. Click "Upload Photos Later"
4. Click "Create Your Own Custom Layout"
5. Select ANY of the papers and click "Continue" at the bottom right side
1. The paper you select is the one you will create with
6. Select the "No Limits" layout and click "Continue" again
7. Select any of the Kit Mixes and click "Continue" again
8. Click on the "Place Image Here" box to show the pop up box so you can change the size of the box
9. Click the T button at the top right to change the box to a dialog box
1. this will allow you to add papers and create your cards
10. Change the size of the text box to 6x4, 4x6, 3x4, or 4x3 - depending on where you want to start
1. you can get 17 PML cards per 2-page layout
11. Place & align each box up on the layout
12. Have fun creating!  Possibilities are endless!!

Inspired Stamping - Shadows

Stamping Technique #4

For this stamping technique page, I created a shadow affect to the sentiment.

This is also a SUPER EASY technique to replicate.  All you do is stamp the image in 1st generation (meaning ink up the stamp set and directly stamp the image on the piece of paper).  Then, WITHOUT re-inking the stamp, stamp the image slightly off center of the 1st generation image.  Since Close to My Heart's stamps and blocks are clear, you can see exactly where/how to place the stamp.  The shadow is considered a 2nd generation image.

Timberline is such a fun and outdoorsy paper pack. I combined it with a sheet from the Paper Fundamentals paper pack - you can see the shine the pattern has and it is slightly raised.  The back side of this paper pack is the same pattern, but a neutral pattern.  Two must-have paper packs!

I also combined a previous stamping technique in this page - do you remember what it is and/or recognize it in the picture??  Comment on this post with your answer and I will randomly draw a winner, from the correct answers, one week from the date of the post. The winner will win a set of the Artisan Durable Studs - one of my all time fav embellies!

Happy Stamping!!

Featured Products:
- Timberline Paper Pack
- Paper Fundamentals Paper Pack
- Sightseer Stamp Set
- Reel Life Stamp Set
- Chocolate, Lagoon and Goldrush Stamp Pads
- Durables Artisan Studs
- Artiste Cricut Cartridge Collection
- 3D foam tape & tombo adhesive

Want the Artiste Cricut Cartridge??!

Check out my blog post on the April Awesome Promo for New Consultants.

NOTE: To see all the series of Inspired Stamping posts, click on the LABEL title MyAcrylix Stamps on the right hand side bar.

Join CTMH & My Team in April

Joins my team - Hearts of Inspiration - by April 30, 2014 to receive an amazing consultant kit valued at over $300 for ONLY $99, AND a FREE CTMH Cricut cartridge collection, valued at $116 (including tax & S&H).  

That's over $400 of Close to My Heart products for only $99!!

THE SCOOP:

Join to support your habit or start a business - it's up to YOU!  I'm here to support you through your journey as well.  

You don't have to make a decision to stay active or meet the sales requirement until the 3rd quarter (July-Sept). That means, in order to continue as a consultant and receive 22% discount on products, you don't need to meet a quarterly sales quota of $300 until the end of Sept.  That's nearly 6 months from now!!  If you don't continue on, you will be dropped on October 1st, but have the option to rejoin at any time.  WHAT A DEAL!!

As a bonus, hit the first Straight to the Top level requirements ($1200 of commissionable sales within the first three months after enrolling), you're consultant kit fee ($99) will be refunded!  You'll have a month preview period of new products and promotions BEFORE everyone else.  And the best part, you're joining a family of talented, kind & fun crafters!!

LET'S TALK CRICUT:

Choose one of Close to My Heart's exclusive Cricut collections when you join this month ($116 value is yours FREE):

• Artiste (Z1790) - shapes, cards and 3D projects (i.e. boxes, etc.)
• Art Philosophy (Z1686) - basic shapes
• Artbooking (Z1906) - geared specific for layouts and mini-albums

Each cartridge is packed with 700 shapes, fonts, dimensional objects, and much more. Plus each collection includes three coordinating stamp sets and three sheets of chipboard shapes to make your projects pop! They provide countless variety and combining different cuts to projects add to the fun! 

View the Cricut Collection page on my blog to view the images for each cartridge. 

Visit my blog page on joining to read WHY i joined and some other info. 

For additional info & to sign up, visit my website.

Looking forward to having you join my team and the CTMH family!! Please contact me with any questions.

Inspired Stamping - Layering Stamp Images

Stamping Technique #3

For this stamping technique page, I created a layered affect with one single stamped image.

I stamped the Laughing Lola flower in Gypsy, then in Black and then in Lagoon ink.  I cut out the entire Gypsy flower; then I cut out the Black flower, but cut off the outside pedals.  To finish the look, I cut the center of the Lagoon flower.  I then layers each of them on top of each other using 3D foam tape.

Most of the stamp sets can be layered like this, depending on the dimension and color you are looking for.  Just have patience cutting each of them out. ;0) 

Happy Stamping!!

Featured Products:
- Laughing Lola Paper Pack
- Love This Stamp Set
- Laughing Lola WOTG Stamp Set (retired)
- Gypsy, Lagoon, & Black Stamp Pads
- Purple Glitter Gems
- Sparkle Black Flourishes
- Corner Rounder
- 3D foam tape & tombo adhesive

NOTE: To see all the series of Inspired Stamping posts, click on the LABEL title MyAcrylix Stamps on the right hand side bar.

Art With Attitude Blog Hop - Ariana

The Stampers with an Attitude team is doing a blog hop, themed {Art with an Attitude}!!  "Who are we?" you might ask?  We are Close to My Heart (CTMH) consultants, who are passionate and talented crafters!

You are in the right place if you just came from
{Hilary Reynold's blog}

For this blog hop, we are showing off the new Ariana paper pack.  I made this card for a dear friend of mine's birthday.

After distressing all the pieces and assembling, I stamped the floral border (from the Love This stamp set) in Outdoor Denim ink on the Ariana Coral cardstock. The bow is adhesive-backed and from the Ariana Assortment.  The tag (stamped in Outdoor Denim ink) and sentiment (stamped in Crystal Blue) are from the Holiday Tags stamp set.

Here is another card I created with this paper pack - similar to one I posted previously, but I changed the location of the sentiment:

I must admit, this paper pack did not impress me in the Idea Book; however in person, it's STUNNING and the Ariana Grey is one of my all time fav limited edition colors.  So give it a chance!!

Now Hop on Over To

{Melissa Robinson's blog}

LMK if you have questions. 
Thanks for visiting - now go get inspired!!

SHOP at:

www.inspired.CTMH.com

LIKE MY PAGE at:

www.facebook.com/Inspired.by.D

Featured Products:

• Ariana Paper Pack
• Ariana Assortment
• Outdoor Denim, Crystal Blue, Black & Grey Wool* Stamp Pads
• Holiday Tags MyAcrylix Stamp Set
• Love This MyAcrylix Stamp Set
• White Daisy Cards & Envelope Value Pack
• Artiste Cricut Cartridge:
• pg 33 - Accent 2 <shift> @ 1"
• 3D Foam Tape & Tombo Adhesive

* = retired item

Want the Artiste Cricut Cartridge??!

Check out my blog post on the April Awesome Promo for New Consultants.

April 2014 Stampers With an Attitude Blog Hop List:

1. Shelia's Stamping Stuff: Sheila Bennett ~ http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com
2. Catscrapbooking: Catherine Nowak~ http://catscrapbooking.com
3. Roxybonds: Jen Patrick- http://roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com
4. Reflections of My Art & Soul: Pamela O'Connor ~ http://reflectionsofmyartandsoul.com/blog
5. Scrap with Di: Di Crawford ~ http://scrapwithdi.blogspot.com
6. Judy Faye: Judy Faye Garner ~ http://judyfaye.blogspot.com
7. Hilary's Crafts: Hilary Reynolds ~ http://stampcraftyreader.blogspot.com
8. Inspired by D: Denise Elliott ~ www.inspiredbyd.blogspot.com -- you're here!!
9. My Heart Felt Sentiments: Melissa Robinson - http://mlisrobinson.blogspot.com
10. Deb Stamps From the Heart: Debbie Andrews = http://debstampsfromtheheart.com/
11. If You Bling It: Melinda Everitt ~ http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com

Inspired Stamping - Random Stamping

Stamping Technique #2

For this stamping technique page, I created my own B&T (Base & Texture aka "background") paper to coordinate with the Babycakes paper pack.  

By randomly stamping two different stamps in two different inks, I created a custom paper.  Isn't it cute?!

This is a SUPER EASY technique and can be done with any combination of stamps.  You can even place multiple stamps on one block and stamp in one color.

Happy Stamping!!

Featured Products:
- Babycakes Paper Pack
- Silver Geometric Washi Tape
- Silver Shimmer Trim
- Cityscape Stamp Set
- Happy Thoughts Stamp Set (retired)
- Laughing Lola Card WOTG Stamp Set (retired)
- Sunset, Whisper, and Buttercup Stamp Pads
- Scallop Border Punch
- 3D foam tape & tombo adhesive

NOTE: To see all the series of Inspired Stamping posts, click on the LABEL title MyAcrylix Stamps on the right hand side bar.

Inspired Stamping - Bend It

Stamping Technique #1 - Bend It

Last month I created an amazing project, inspired by a consultant-only video from Close to My Heart.  It features different stamping techniques on mini pages, compiled on the Designed Décor Flip Stand Album.  To inspire your stamping, I'm going to be blogging about 11 different stamping techniques. As a bonus, I have used all of the current paper packs and some extra embellishments and products.

If you're new to CTMH's MyAcrylix Stamps, you're in for a treat! Here's a little background about them: 

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CTMH's premium-quality decorative stamps are offered at a fraction of the cost of rubber, yet deliver all the benefits and beauty of every Close To My Heart product you've come to know and love. They’re easy to use, simple to store, and most importantly, offer creative control and artistic precision every time you use them.

Our exclusive clear blocks allow you to see exactly where the stamp is placed and whether there is even coverage of the ink. My Acrylix™ stamps are made of a softer substance than rubber and don’t require as much pressure when in use. My Acrylix stamps provide the same results when used with embossing products, markers, watercolors, and more. 

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First up is what I call the "Bend It" technique - which means, you got it, bending the stamp!!  You can manipulate the stamp images on a block to create curves or waves. Stamps have a “memory” and will always go back to their original shape.

This page features the new Balloon Ride paper pack, the Balloon Ride Picture My Life collection and the Love This stamp set.  As you can see in the image of the stamp set below, the floral border stamp is wavy but generally straight in form.

I stamped it at the bottom of my page.  However, I curved it and then stamped the image on the top corners.  Here is a picture of what the stamp looks like curved on the block:

Please let me know of any questions and happy stamping!

Featured Products:

- Balloon Ride paper pack

- Balloon Ride Picture My Life collection

- Love This Stamp Set

- Sorbet Stamp Pad

- Scallop Border Punch

- 3D foam tape & tombo adhesive