It's been quite a year!

It's been awhile since I've devoted any time to my scrapbooking, or anything creative really. It's been a wild ride this last year and my free time evaporated overnight.

I was able to sneak away for two weekends over the winter but all my tools & scrapbooks just sat where I left them when I came home. In fact, they're still there now.

But I do have plans to get back into my (brand new) scrap room soon and when I do I will share with you the layouts I created while I was at my weekend crops as well the as start up to my summer classes and workshops. I have some plans to start up a card class and scrapbooking workshops soon.

I wanted to share with you the June specials this month because they are super cute.

My Crush books are a quick and easy way to preserve your summer memories while you make them. Simply add your ticket stubs, park maps or memorbilia into the pages then add your photos when you get them developed. Easy!

The Stamp of the Month is perfect for all the ice cream parties, root beer floats and melted goodness that are sure to show up in your summer photos. They also make a super cute party invitation!

I am really excited because Convention is right around the corner! After the chaos of the last year, I am looking forward to spending some time with my sister consultants playing and learning together. This is also my first year I am able to attend the Leadership Day which is an extra free day from Corp where we learn some great business building information. 

The best part of convention this year is that it's in Disney Land - simply my favorite place to be! 

Check out the tabs above to see what's new. I'll talk to you again in a few days! 'Bye!

August Stamp of the Month

With the introduction of the new Annual Inspirations, CTMH has changed how they do the Stamp of the Month program, which mostly affects consultants but you the customer get to benefit from it too.

In the past, consultants could only purchase the stamp of the months ahead of time with a large prepaid order of Idea Books. Not always easy for the little guys (like me) to be able to work ahead. Used to be, we could order a SOTM one month prior but we'd have to pay full retail price for it. Still not something a little guy (like me) could do. These are the two reasons you rarely saw SOTM projects from me - because I was purchasing them, like you, with my orders, usually at the end of the month.

However, that is in the past!!! Did you see the first few pages of the Annual Inspirations? All 12 SOTM sets are shown!!!!! That's right - you can see what the next twelve special stamp sets are going to be and plan your purchases accordingly! And - they are only $5 with a qualifying order! Seriously - this is a game changer for me! And here's the proof:

An August Stamp of the Month Card!!

Chalk It Up paper pack with August SOTM & ShinHan alcohol markers

I used Chalk It Up paper pack for the background and mat then stamped the images on White Daisy cardstock using the Archival Black stamp pad and let it dry overnight. I used the new ShinHan alcohol markers in Marigold, Golden Yellow and Barely Beige on the belly of the owl and the pumpkin (top) and Carmine for the mask that was stamped in Ruby ink. The feathers of the owl, I used Warm Gray 7, Warm Gray 4 and Clay.

Chalk It Up paper pack with August SOTM & ShinHan alcohol markers

 I wanted to compare the new ShinHan alcohol markers to the water-based markers of the past and you can tell the difference in the photo above. I used the same marking technique on both pumpkins but you can tell how much better the alcohol markers blend together as you color.

Chalk It Up paper pack with August SOTM & ShinHan alcohol markers

 I wanted to see what else I could color with the new markers, so I did the white enamel stars and the puffy prints from the Chalk It Up accessories. Cute!

This was a super fun project as I was able to experiment (successfully) with new products to show you how cute the Stamp of the Month is and how versatile the Chalk It Up paper pack is.

Check back on August 10th as I will be participating in the Joyful Stars Blog Hop with another Chalk It Up scrapbook layout I created.

July Stamp of the Month

This is a fun stamp set that I had to share with you!

I don't usually go head-over-heels for a Stamp of the Month (though I regularly collect them!) but this one is special enough that I wanted to point it out - it's an alphabet!

I love alphabet sets - I own every one available since I became a consultant. They are so versatile and  easy to make any size title, phrase or just to personalize notecards, envelopes, etc. I even use them to make personalized labels for my kids (using Archival Ink).

This is a fun alphabet too, I imagine I will use this on a lot of home decor items for my daughter and niece, it just fits their personalities!

The stamp set includes both upper case and lower case letters and numbers!

Here's the deal: You will need to place a $50 order (before tax and shipping) then you will be able to add this stamp set for an additional $5. This is a great way to get your retiring items and anything you want that will have a price increase soon. (Check out my other post for more information on this)

Also, since it is my birthday, I will extend the party all weekend... Any orders this weekend (until 7/13/14 at midnight) will be entered to win an exclusive grab bag of brand new product! Any size order qualifies for this deal so hurry over to my website - but don't forget the stamp of the month, retired items or items that may be increasing in price.

January Stamp of the Month & a Valentine's Day card

It's not often that I get around to working with one of CTMH's Stamps of the Month during the month it's on sale but this stamp set has spoken to me on many levels. I originally bought it because of the sewing aspect - I know a lot of sewers and knew this would be a much-used set to send those lovely ladies happy tidings. Then I started seeing how other consultants were using the set - for Valentine's Day! - and I have to say, I honestly never saw that use in the stamp set, but I love it!

I had a team meeting yesterday afternoon and originally planned to make a card with the stamp set but since we talked too much (*cough, cough*) we didn't get around to it. So I'm posting it here so I'm going to share with you too.

I used Whisper cardstock to make the base, with the fold on the left. I used Sparkle & Shine B&T and Ruby cardstock. Accessories are: foundry pins, sparkle gems and baker's twine. I used Whisper ink on the edges of everything and Ruby ink on the sentiment.

The second card I'm going to share today is an elegant Valentine's Day card using Whisper cardstock and Sparkle & Shine B&T.

 I used Whisper Ink on the edges and the sentiment and pearl pins stuck in foam tape between the layers. I used Artiste to cut the fancy shape in Whisper and White Daisy. The sentiment is from "4 My Friend".

Stay tuned because I have been really busy working on projects from the new Idea Book. I'm toying around with having another virtual Open House. Would you be interested??? I just love this Idea Book and all the lovely goodies inside - and I know you will too! Please comment on this post and let me know if you'd like to see my Online Open House on February 1 & 2.  Thanks!!!

Easter Treat Bags, part 2

This is another treat bag I made up for the benefit sale this weekend though it's not really specific to Easter. I used the February 2011 Stamp of the Month, Thoughtful Tidings, for the bag header since it went so well with Hershey Hugs (yes, I have a serious thing for Hershey's chocolate!)

I used Gray Twine to embellish the header but I also used a small star stamped in Desert Sand ink on the Chocolate card stock to provide a little visual texture. This would make a great teacher's gift or a thank you gift for a friend - who doesn't like chocolate?

When Creativity Flows

Sometimes creativity just flows. When it does, it can be hard to keep up! Here are a few cards I made recently. First, you'll recognize this one from my last post:

I really liked the flourish (February 2011 Stamp of the Month) so I decided to see what else I could do. Here's what I came up with:

This is a very simple card with just chocolate ink to decorate the card. Simple and straight forward.

This is a fast card to welcome a little girl. The sentiment is from Card Word Puzzle and the little feet are from a retired set from many years ago.

Same stamp, different cards and still very fast and impressive. What's easier?

Here is another card my upline, Krista Hershberger, designed for a team meeting back in November. It uses the November stamp of the month and Dreaming paper pack. I love how the bronze Glitz gel sparkles up the ribbon. Make sure to check out her blog!

Christmas Gift Tags

I am loving how easy the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge is making my holiday gift giving this year! I am able to make some really easy gifts that look like a million bucks! Below are some of the gift tags I made to attach to the kids' gifts. I went a little more dramatic for the tags that will go on the adult gifts but for the kids' I kept it simple.

I cut 14 of the tag from the Art Philosophy cartridge in Olive cardstock and 14 of the rectangle from White Daisy cardstock. Using the December 25th stamp set, I used Cranberry ink to stamp the image onto the white cardstock. Super easy!

This the tag I am using for the adults' tags. I cut Barn Red cardstock to 4"x 6", White Daisy cardstock to 3.5" x 5.5". I used Olive ink with an image from the June Stamp of the Month stamp set and some of the gingham ribbon from the red collection. Since the adults actually care who the gift is from, I made it bigger to accommodate all the extra sentiments adults like.

August Specials

Close to My Heart is celebration National Scrapbooking Month (September) and it's spilling over into August! Starting August 15th, celebrate our new Stamp of the Month (SOTM) program with an extra stamp set with your SOTM purchase. You can now get the SOTM for $5 with a $50 order -- so from August 15 - the end of September you get two stamp sets for $5! That's an Extra! Extra! deal!

Extra! Extra! stamp set with SOTM purchase

Also during August 15 - the end of September, you get our first ever double-sized stamp set for free with a $75 order. Combine the two deals and get 4 stamp sets for $5 with a $75 order -- that's a savings of over $65!!

Jubilation: June Stamp of the Month

The June Stamp of the Month is extremely versatile - I love using this set for calendars, gift tags, 3 x 3 cards and more! I will be posting pictures as I make stuff (check out Wednesday's post) but make sure to check out the details on my website (stephaniehuber.myctmh.com) or email me for more information.

These are some bookmarks I made with the leftover pieces I cut from my January Gatherings. The paper is from Wings paper pack. Stamps are listed below each photo.

Soul Mates Word Puzzle

Soul Mates Word Puzzle

Dreams Come True & Treasures

Mayberry & Friendship

Here are some quick cards I made using Mayberry papers and Friendship stamp set (February's SOTM). I kept it simple but I think it's too simple. What do you think?

Sophia Gift Basket

I was asked to donate a gift basket to a fundraiser for a program I volunteer for and I wanted to share with you what I did. Most of it was handmade (cards, bookmarks, etc) but there was some product too. I chose to use the "Sophia" paper pack because of the bright, spring colors.

WOW!!! 

I just checked out my CTMH website and I had to SHARE the news! CTMH has done it again! 

LOOK at the “While Supplies Last” under the Shop Online section!!!

 Check out theseAMAZING PRICES!!!

GUESS what one of our specialsis during the month of April?

…during the month of April when you purchase $100 from my website you will receive

1.   a FREE Level 1 kit

          and


2. the April Stamp of the Month for FREE!!!



WAHOO!!! Love those bargains!  So, call up afriend or two and put an order in together to benefit from these DISCOUNTED ITEMS and the FREE items!!!

Click HERE to start shopping for those GREAT bargains!

I’m here to answer any questions you mayhave!  Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

March Specials

There are some great specials this month! Check them out below to see how easy it is to earn FREE and DISCOUNTED products by hosting your own gathering. Contact me if you would like to learn more.

Get the March Stamp of the Month for a discount or even for Free!

This special is awesome! When you purchase $25 in My Acrylix Stamps (Stamp of the Month purchases count!) then you get a My Acrylix block for FREE! You need a block anyway, so why not get one free?! Please email me for more information on either of these specials or check out my website to start shopping!