Every Friday in April: Watch for Fab Faves Sales @ CTMH

Friends and Followers, I've got some good news to share!

On every Friday in April beginning TODAY, Close To My Heart will be holding FLASH SALES with 25% off your FAVORITE products. 

The sales are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Eastern, and are expected to last 24 hours or until items sell out. Be sure to visit my shopping site: www.cardmonkey.closetomyheart.com to check out these fantastic "Fab Faves" every Friday in April.

Thank you!

Ellen

Stampaganza Blog Hop!

Tina Sutton,
Scattered Hearts leader

It's my pleasure to be participating in this Stampaganza Blog Hop by the Scattered Hearts Team, hosted by Tina Sutton -- our fearless leader and one of the top Close To My Heart (CTMH) superstars. 

You should have arrived here from Heather's blog. If you have jumped here and just discovered our blog hop, feel free to check the participants' list at the starting point at Tina's blog at missgingerdots.com to find the complete list of blog hop participants.

On with the show!

Tina asked hop participants to show current CTMH products and stamp sets, and to offer a reminder that in July, Stampaganza is back!  

What's a Stampaganza?  This is where you can buy two of the current CTMH stamp sets and get a third of equal or lesser value FREE!!  That's right -- this includes any stamp set shown in the 2016-2017 Annual Inspirations or the Seasonal Expressions 2 catalogs. 

And here is another reminder: those catalogs and all of the paper in them (along with most of the current stamp sets) will retire on July 31, so get them now!

For my project, I made my favorite style of card (yes, again!) -- a pop-up box card -- but this time, I used the current "No Worries" line of CTMH papers with its beachy feel, along with the complementing "No Worries - Cardmaking" stamp set (C1679).  I made it with a retirement in mind, but for no one in particular ... and within a few minutes of showing it off on Facebook, my daughter Emily asked if she could claim it for a retiring nurse who is heading for the beach. 

To make it, I used my Pop Up template that you can find on my tutorials site, link here.  The finished card folds flat to 5.5" x 5.5". I cut the base of the card CTMH's using Sapphire cardstock.  I used a center strut to hold the embellishments, which were stamped using Sapphire Exclusive Inks by CTMH.  My favorite detail on the card is the braided twine tied around the box, holding two anchors. I cut the anchors from silver metallic paper, using my Cricut.  

(Shhhh... Want to hear a sneak about the upcoming new CTMH Annual Inspirations catalog?  CTMH will now be carrying gold and silver metallic papers, beginning August 1! And guess what?!  There will be a new Cricut cartridge available in both physical and digital models.  I can't wait!! Ooooh, and -- if you're in the market for a new Cricut Explore Air machine -- you'll want to know more about the new Hostess Rewards incentives that CTMH will be offering starting on August 1.  Ask me!) 

I make all sorts of Pop-Up Box Cards, and frankly, they are my biggest custom seller. 

Last week, I made this wedding Pop-Up Box Card on special order. 

The card uses current Ruby cardstock, and retired CTMH paper called "For Always." On the back of the card, I used a current stamp set called "Wedding Wishes" (B1547, $9.95) and send this reminder: you can get this stamp set and all other current stamp sets at B2GO pricing, through July 31. 

Also during "Stampaganza," you can also get a fantastic set of 12 month-specific D-sized stamps called "Word Puzzle" for the unbelievable bargain price of just $143.60. 

But wait!  Want to save THAT amount too?  

You can get the "Word Puzzle Bundle" for FREE (!!!) by either hosting a qualifying party OR enrolling to be a new CTMH Consultant this month, and achieving $300 in sales by August 31.  I'm telling you ... either will be easy-peasy when you see the new CTMH Annual Inspirations catalog. Contact your favorite CTMH Consultant for more information on how to join, or how to host a party either in person or virtually!

I'm sure you'll want to see more inspiration, so hop on over to the next blog stop with Jean McNulty.  And don't forget, shop now during Stampaganza, July 1-31 with your favorite CTMH Consultant. (Most of us will have a "Shop Now" button on the sidebar of our blogs ... look for them!)  

Lost or need more info?  Check out the full list of hop participants at our host site, with Scattered Hearts' team leader, Tina Sutton. Click HERE. 

Long Time, No See!

Hello, Friends and Followers!

Gosh, I didn't realize how long it's been since I last posted on my blog. Let me catch you up a bit:

In January 2017, hubby John and I, along with daughter Emily and her husband Josh, boarded the Adventure of the Seas for a week-long Caribbean cruise that turned into a bit of a nightmare.

John apparently contracted Influenza A (despite a flu shot) and then had a post-flu inflammation of his quadriceps muscles (thighs) that caused him to be suddenly unable to walk. He spent 3 weeks in the hospital, followed by 3 weeks in rehab/nursing home; he came home February 27 and has been working to get his strength back. What a journey it has been, for both of us!

Necessarily, my crafting mojo has had to take a very back seat. I was able to get in just ONE cardmaking class in February, just before my beloved "Scatter Joy Center for the Arts" closed permanently at the end of February. I will always be grateful to Kathy Davis and Bill Lessa, for believing in me and giving me the venue to teach cardmaking to community residents.

Meanwhile, I made the difficult decision to step away from my Close To My Heart business and "Paper Jungle" team so that I could re-group under a new upline. Everyone's needs are different, and I found over the past four years that I needed to be part of a larger team (upline and above) that inspired me and recognized me and my team for our achievements.  CTMH requires that when a Consultant step down as I did, she must wait out 3 months before rejoining. UGH, it's the hardest part -- but the distractions of John's health made the timing bearable. 

I'll be rejoining CTMH on May 1, and will be happy to announce some new classes and challenges then. In the meantime, if you've ever considered joining, please come along with me on this VERY fun journey, and grow with us! Drop a line to me at cardmonkey@comcast.net for more info.  OH, and there's a terrific join-up special happening in May, whether you're a returning former Consultant, or if you're brand new.  Let me show you...

May 2017 is "National Papercrafting Month."  In celebration, CTMH has developed a brand new and VERY special paper pack called "Live Beautifully."  This layout kit (shown below) is FREE to everyone who joins or rejoins CTMH in May 2017. This is a $44.95 USD value!!  FREE!  

In addition to getting this beautiful layout kit, New Consultants receive a medium organizer chock-full of key supplies for crafting, catalogs to get your parties started, PLUS $50 of "Select Product Credit" to buy CTMH goodies of your choosing. All this for only $75 joiner fee. Seriously!  It's like being paid to join!  I can't wait to get back, as I love, love, love the papers being introduced on May 1 in the "Seasonal Expressions 2" catalog, and then there will be MORE goodies coming with the new annual catalog this summer.  (Yes, I am an addict. A craft hoarder. I need a 12"x12" step program!)

OH, and I'm just waiting for a new location to firm up before I announce a MONTHLY cardmaking class that will be local to me.  Stay tuned!

Birthday Card Mojo

Hi CardMonkey Fans!

Yes, I said spine surgery. I had a discectomy at C5-C6 with
a fusion (plate/screws). To access the spine, the orthopedic
surgeon made an incision in the front right of my neck with
just a few stitches necessary. "Minimally invasive" surgery
is so much safer (no spinal cord involvement) and it's easier
to recuperate. The redness around the Steri-Strips is from an
allergy to bandage adhesives.  I DO feel much better now!

I had a "wee bit" of spine surgery last week which has knocked me for a loop. It has taken a lot of determination to get up the steps to visit The Paper Jungle and try to find some creative mojo. I'm doing fine ... though I'm in the "sleepy and weepy" stage that makes me just want to sleep the day away.

Luckily, I have many resources and machines that make my cardmaking easy. I owed a few birthday cards to a Birthday Card Club I'm in.  I found this sweet cut on the Silhouette Online Studio; cut out of CTMH "Smoothie" cardstock, I coupled it with some light seafoam green in a cardstock pack from Kathy Davis Studios.

Quick Thank You Card Using "A Ton" Stamps

Happy Monday!

I've been spending an inordinate amount of time trying to clean my craft room, and I keep getting distracted by all of the fun stuff I have to use!  (Can you say: "Attention Deficit??")

One of the great new stamps I've gotten in the mail recently is a set by a "couture" stamp manufacturer called "The Ton".  They have some pretty layered floral stamps that I'd been eyeing up, and this "Wild Peonies" spoke to me. It stamped beautifully in CTMH Honey Exclusive Ink, with the leaves in CTMH Topiary.

Now I have never seen yellow peonies before so I kind of think I made them up, but I like the yellow and green for today. The "Thank You" stamp is from Heidi Swapp -- and frankly, no matter what ink I used or paper I used, the stamp was just plain ol' blurry.  I can't recommend it, though I think I got the mini-set for about $1.00 at Michael's so who am I to complain?  I went over the sentiment in a marker, of course, after I finished my stamping of the flowers, and naturally, it smudged. Oh well. We hand-crafters can't always be perfect, right? 

I matted it up with some CTMH Topiary and Black papers, and sandwiched between is a scrap that I discovered in my clean up/out.  Just a quickie card, and back to clean up. Phew, I just cannot believe how much STUFF ... I mean, crafty goodness ... I have up here in my Paper Jungle!

Anything Spring Blog Hop, featuring just scraps

Welcome to the Scrap to Treasures March Blog Hop, 

featuring ANYTHING SPRING!

  

We are independent bloggers who love to craft like crazy and show it all off, crafters from the sister group the “Krazy Crafting Crew.  Even more crafters have joined this group to bring you many ideas on what to do with those crazy scraps that keep piling up.  

Our goal is to inspire you to go through your stash and create!  If you would like to join this team you are welcome to share what you have too with new themes, swaps, challenges and more every month.  Just contact Robin or Lissa if you are interested in hoppin’ and scrappin’ with scraps too!

Here in Pennsylvania, the early harbinger of Spring can be seen on the buds on my lilac bush. Just yesterday, I saw that the pretty bush survived another winter and buds have formed!  I'm so excited to smell its pretty blossoms in just a few weeks' time. 

For my project today, I took the "Anything Spring" assignment quite literally with this fun SPRING card:

   

I printed out this cute ("hoppy") digi-stamp from my files (originally purchased from Hambo Stamps), and put it on a leftover scrap of EZ Blend paper by Copic Marker. I mounted it on several mats (pink, green) of scrap CTMH cardstock. I bet you don't see that the centers of those papers have been punched for another project!  The floral paper is cut from the center of a larger mat for a scrapbook page. And the little bow? It's a 4" scrap of Lovebug Creations' Rumple Ribbon!  

Now what makes this even more springy is the fact that I added an ADHESIVE SPRING behind a bunny that I duplicated, second from left.  The CTMH Adhesive Spring is a bit smaller than original Action Wobbles and it's on a true wire spring (not plastic like Action Wobbles), so it really moves and stands up about an inch off the card -- how fun!  These springs are available from Close To My Heart; you can find them HERE.   

 

BLOG CANDY ALERT!! 

 

Care to compare Action Wobbles to CTMH Adhesive Springs for yourself?  Here's your chance to win a packet of both types of springs, as well as a $10 gift certificate to my CTMH site.  Simply be a follower, and leave a comment; one who does will be randomly selected to win the springs and the GC!  

Our host, Pam, is also having a giveaway (shown at right) and a variety of blogs may be offering some blog candy as well, so be sure to check them out. 

Head on over to the next stop on the ANYTHING SPRING blog hop, and that's 
CAMILLE.  The full line up is posted below to help you navigate to all the stops:

Pam L. ~ http://mzlavr2.blogspot.com/
Robin S. - http://scrapandchat.blogspot.com/
Lissa Marie - www.somanycrafts.com 
Robin C -http://cutonedesignsbyrobin.blogspot.com/
Paula - http://preciouspagesbypaula.blogspot.com/
Cicily - www.pinkdalmationscrapper.blogspot.com
Ellen - http://cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com/
Camille - http://shortonideasaz.blogspot.com/
Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com
Kathryn - http://www.creationswithkathryn.com

Love messages -- All Month long!

February is the Month of L♥VE!

 

I hope you are having a month full of sweetness, no matter whether you have a love interest, a partner, a significant other, or not ... get in on the LOVE. May your ♥ be full!

 

Thursday is my day to take over the Lovebug Creations Creative Team blog, and this week, we're previewing some of the new delicious colors available in Rumple Ribbons beginning February 24th in the Lovebug Creations Shop.

Here is a charming card that would be appropriate for anyone, from your Mom to your bestie, or a special friend:

 

This card features the new Icy Blue Rumple Ribbon on the lower edge of the card and tied into a bow onto a colonial white card by Close To My Heart. The sentiment, flowers and bird chipboard elements are called My Reflections Chantilly Complements by CTMH (#X7163C), and are shown in the Spring-Summer Idea Book.  They have been applied using foam dots in a variety of thicknesses. The bottom edge of the card has been punched using a Martha Stewart lace punch.

Now remember, if you're looking to stock up on the wonderful new colors of Rumple Ribbon, they're going to be available beginning on February 24. You'll get to see all of the new colors and sets this weekend (Feb 23 - 24) when the terrific gals of the Lovebug Creations Creative Team hop together to celebrate March Holidays, featuring all of the new colors of the Lovebug rainbow.

Speaking of the Lovebug Creations Creative Team ... YES, the fantastic new team! ... Have you had a chance to stop by each of their blogs this week to see the other Sneak Peeks of the new Rumple Ribbon colors??  Here is whose blog is featured when this week, with ACTIVE LINKS on where to visit!!  Be sure you do because there are PRIZES available! (More on that later...)

Sunday, February 17:

Stephanie Eaken

 

Monday, February 18:

Dawn Carlyle

Pamela Lash

 

Tuesday, February 19:

Zeni Pradel

Tanya Stilwell

 

Wednesday, February 20:

Dorcas Troche

Dawn Mercedes

 

Thursday, February 21:

Ellen (CardMonkey) -- You're here, silly!

Kimi Cremar

 

Friday, February 22:

Christine Barker

Martha Pineda

Now, about those prizes! YES, there are PRIZES available! ONE lucky person who comments on each LBC Creative Team's sneak peek post (this week) will win his/her choice of 2 sets of the new Rumple Ribbon colors ... and another lucky crafter will win his/her choice of two new color sets, if chosen at random from the comments made during the LBC March Holidays Blog Hop! 

One more thing .... If you are interested in purchasing the adorable Chantilly Complements (and/or their matching papers!) that I featured on the card I show here, I'd be happy to be your Close To My Heart consultant. You can link to my CTMH shop by going to http://cardmonkey.ctmh.com or feel free to contact me directly to place your order and ask any questions.  There is a link to my CTMH shop at the upper right hand side of my blog. Thank you!

... hey, ya know? We need to keep our monkeys in bananas!

 



DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Valentine's heart crocheted embellishment

Have you ever tried something just completely different with your craft supply to see where it would take you?

That's what I did recently with some Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon -- I created a 3-D embellishment with the ribbon itself.

To make this sweet heart, I "crocheted" a chain of single stitches using the ribbon as my "yarn."  I tied it off in a bow, then laid down a line of white glue in a heart shape, onto a black piece of cardstock.

I fussy-cut an arrow that I threaded into the heart, and glued the shape onto the card. I then filled the center of the heart with CTMH Liquid Glass.  I finished the card by adhering the black card onto a CTMH Colonial White card, added faux stitching in white gel pen, and added four CTMH glitter gems.

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,