I am celebrating my 4th anniversary as a consultant with Close To My Heart this year. That means, four years ago, I had a really Bright Idea (joining CTMH) and have found an entire untapped portion of my life as a result.

Would you believe it if I told you that I joined CTMH and had never scrapbooked or stamped prior to signing up? That is the truth! Before CTMH, my artistic drive went into drawing cartoon figures. I signed up for CTMH completely because I wanted to learn how to color in my drawings with the skill that stampers do. Well, four years later, and sadly- I've drawn very little, but wonderfully- I have scrapbooking and card making (and papercrafting) in my life.

I LOVE everything that CTMH has brought to my life. I have made many good friends (fellow consultants and customers alike!), have become much more creative, and artistically talented (if I don't say so myself) and have found a true hobby- just for me! Well, I do share this love with my daughters, but that's wonderful too- we share creative time together!

Since becoming a consultant, I think I have also become a better friend. I'm not one to go out much and socialize with friends outside of my work day. So, my connection with my friends is infrequent face to face, but I've done a much better job of telling them they are on my mind by sending them cards and handmade gifts. I always have a card list in a journal I keep in my purse. This helps me to remember, and then follow thru, on sending a good old fashioned note to someone, via U.S. Mail! What a treat!

The latest recepient of a handmade gift from me is a co-worker, Tasha, who is a proud mother for the second time to a daughter, Kenlee. I made announcements for Kenlee's big sister just a year or two back, and I got to make some for her now. I decided to do something different than big sister had- which was more traditional baby pink colors. I thought Kenlee, being the second sister, would like to have announcement that were classy and sophisticated. :) I wonder if she will like them! Here they are:

This card was made using the "Keyhole" layout from Wishes (9033)(template book from CTMH) and Veranda paper collection (X7119B) (with the addition of some Cocoa Cardstock). I used my cuttlebug to emboss the circle, and then cut the flower from one of the stamps in Endless Love (D1260) stamp. I cut out the middle of the flower too (I really enjoyed cutting that out 20 times!) so the embossing would show thru. Add some organdy ribbon for a final touch. I used our Posterboard Alphabet (E1014) for the "K", and then embelished it with Playful Flourishes (D1212) and Bitty Sparkles (LOVE THEM!) (Z1263). The ink color is Barn Red.

It gives me a lot of pride to share a handmade gift like this with my friends. I hope that it brings them as much joy as it brings me!

Look at what joy joining CTMH on a whim brought me in four short years! Pure Bliss! Email me if you have questions about joining yourself, want information on making the card above, or if I can help you in purchasing some CTMH products for your "hobby"!

Bloggin' A Bright Idea,

Holly

I Can't Stop Making Cards!

Our lives are busy, and sometimes, I just can't come up with the time I want to do my favorite thing- scrapbook and make cards. This weekend, I decided my card making materials were coming to the cabin with me!! I knew I could find some time there, away from all of my obligations!

As a result, I have card mania!! I was excited to try out some new products, including new Stamps of the Month. Take a peek:

This stamp set is a customer favorite, "Cupcake Sprinkles" D1336. I like it because I very easily assembled a cute cupcake and message, with minimal embellishments (one red brad) and it is still cute as can be! I stamped the bottom on Indian corn blue card stock (in the same color ink) and then cut it out. That adds a tiny bit of dimension to the card. Also, the original stamp had 'hey there cupcake' all connected. Using masking, I was able to separate the words to work on my card. Ask me, I'll show you how!

Upcoming Stamp of the month alert!!! This super cute stamp is the new July stamp of the month. It is called 'Happy Forever' and is available only in July. This cute little guy was great to color. I used my watercolor pencils and a blending pen for a great appearance. I didn't even use any embellishments on this card, and it is still cute!

Okay, let's make this interesting. See if you can figure out what stamp set I used here. If you email me the name of the stamp set and the product number for it, I will send you a CTMH reward! It is a very versatile set and it made a big impact here!

These papers were left over from an old project where I quilted the paper. You heard right! I sewed together two pieces of paper with batting in between them, and stitched randomly. I used left over pieces to make this interesting (and comfortable!) card!

A weekend at the cabin, scraps and left overs from partially used paper packets, a few new stamps for inspiration and wala- CARD MANIA AT THE CABIN!

You can make amazing paper craft projects too, using CTMH products. Ask me how!!

Now I'm off to mail out some of these cards. Maybe you will be someone that receives one!

Bloggin a bright idea,

Holly