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September is National Stamping Month and here at Close To My Heart we are celebrating early! Woo Hoo! Beginning August 18 through September 30 (while supplies last) you can receive this gorgeous "Delight in the Everyday" 16 card kit (a value of $48.50 in products) in several different ways, including three ways that are FREE. How stinkin' cute is this kit, anyway? Before I address how to get the kit, let me share what you will receive in this kit:
1 - MyAcrylix Everyday Celebration Stamp Set (D Size, available only with this kit)
1 - 12" x 12" Dutch Blue Cardstock
1 - 12" x 12" Colonial White Cardstock
4 - 12" x 12" B&T Duos paper
16 - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Colonial White Shaped Card Bases
16 - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Colonial White Envelopes
1 - Chocolate Distressing Ink
1 - Dutch Blue Distressing Ink
1 - Mini-Medley Shades of Chocolate Collection
5' Chocolate Ribbon with White Stitch
50 - 3D Foam Squares
1 - Sponge
1 - Full Color Step-by-Step Instructional BrochureFeatured Colors in the kit: Chocolate, Colonial White, Dutch Blue, Sweet Leaf.Now that you can see what an amazing kit this is, I'm sure you're wondering how to get it. Well, believe it or not, there are 4 different ways! Here they are:.

1. You can purchase this kit for $39.95 (order #CC1006B). Remember, the kit value is $48.50! GREAT price point to get that much for $39.95, wouldn't you say?

2. You can get it FREE when you purchase $60 in stamp sets from the Idea Book. Just click on the green Idea Book icon on the left side of my blog to view it page by page. (order #CC1006A).

3. If you decide you want to collect orders from yourself and your friends and together they total $400 or more (before shipping and tax) then not only do you get this card kit FREE, but you also get a FREE Close To My Heart shopping spree starting at $60 FREE and one half off item (and these totals go up the higher your orders total).

4. To purchase this kit or to get it free with a $60 stamp purchase, click here to enter my website. If you are interested in being a hostess and collecting orders from your friends to total $400 or more to earn it FREE (if you live in Fox Lake or Dodge County area in WI,) I would LOVE to come to your home and do a home gathering for you and your friends. Just call or email me (920.382.8535, thestampteacher@myctmh.com) to set your date.

September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring September's SOTM, which is Treasures, a set of 13 stamps. If you have come here from Debra's Blog, you are on the right path!

This month we have over 70 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

The first two are made with the brayering technique. The images from the set were stamped in black ink to pop out from the background. We made these at our unit's stamping play day, and they were designed by Sharon Quella.

Treasures, Black, Creme Brulee, & Goldrush stamp pads, rubber brayer,
sponge, and post it notes.

This second one, we made just the main image panel, and we had to take it home to finish it, and this is what I came up with. I tore the top edge of the new england ivy cs to mimic the shape of the mountains.Treasures, Four Seasons, Indian Corn Blue, New England Ivy, & Black cs, rubber brayer, post it notes, sponge, Crystal Blue, Indian Corn Blue, New England Ivy, & Black stamp pads, blue ribbon, black Photo Clips

I really wanted to play with the large dandelion puff stamp. I kept remembering how my Mom would use hair spray to set the puffs and lightly colored the puffs with spray paint before we picked them. They were so pretty. I made this dandelion puff by stamping with white daisy stamp pad, and setting it with clear detail EP. Then I sponged in Twilight, starting in the middle darker, and edges lighter. The puff was cut out and it needed something, so I lightly sponged some chocolate ink around the edges, and mounted it onto the card with foam squares. This card pattern was based on Wishes, Medallion--the puff replaces the circle element. I hope you like what you have seen on my blog, and plan to come back to explore my blog more!Treasures, Grace L2 paper pack, Wishes, White Daisy, Chocolate, & Twilight stamp pads, Clear Detail EP, foam squares, round sponge

Now "Hop" on over to Sarita's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting and other fun ideas! Remember, the Sept SOTM is only available until September 30th! Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free! If you get lost on the hop or find links that aren't working, click HERE for a complete list of participating blogs.

Blog Hop List

Here is the complete list of all of September's SOTM Blog Hop:

Jena DeVries
http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/
Nona Davenport
http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/
Katy Donaldson
http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/
Cibele Glazer
http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com/
Laura Dame
http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com/
Lori Leng
http://www.pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com/
Jamia Bankhead
http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com/
Melissa Laverty
http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/
Pamela OConnor
http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
Sheila Bennett
http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com/
Adeline E. Brill
http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
Wendy Kessler
http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
Beth Naumann
http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com/
Barbra Otten
http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
Terrie Dodd
http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/
Judy Burger
http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
Jessica Booth
http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
Leisa Hubley
http://www.bigredscraps.blogspot.com/
Helen Onulak
http://www.hookedonstamping.com/
Debra Van Patten
http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
Juli Clark
http://www.thestampteacher.blogspot.com/
Sarita Schraeder
http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com/
Michelle Robinson
http://www.amaizenbluelady.typepad.com/
Maricar Harris
http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com/
Antoinette Herrin
http://www.godblessyourart.blogspot.com/
Kathleen Androlewicz
http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com/
Cindy Leek
http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/
Dawn Heuft
http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
Barbara Harris
http://www.paper-creations117.blogspot.com/
Alanna Moses
http://www.damoses.blogspot.com/
Laurie Levnik
http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com/
Tanya David
http://www.scramperscorner.blogspot.com/
Karen Norman
http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/
Jan Moxey
http://scrapandstamp4ever.blogspot.com/
Tammy Lea Pinchard
http://mycreativeclubhouse.blogspot.com/
Paige Dolecki
http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/
Kelly Triggs
http://www.stampinallday.blogspot.com/
Sherry Thompson
http://www.picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com/
Deb Young
http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/
Nancy Ball
http://www.ballisticdesign.blogspot.com/
Chris Shouse
http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/
Dawn Ross
http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
Brae Montgomery
http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
Laurie R Newton
http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
Haley Dyer
http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Carol Taggio
http://craftycarol55.blogspot.com/
Amy McVey
http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/
Carla Ironside
http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com/
Jen Rubio
http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/
Kristie Horness-Herdener
http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Jill Lucas
http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/
Wanda Riley
http://www.creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com/
Miranda Kurz
http://www.scrampinwithmiranda.com/
Jody Gustafson
http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com/
Susan Brooks
http://www.stampingintheopen.blogspot.com/
Kami Welter
http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Patrick
http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
Julia Menssen
http://www.ralphandjulia.blogspot.com/
Shannon Pelletier
http://www.mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com/
Linda Shewchuk
http://www.awesomememories.blogspot.com/
Brenda Harmless
http://keepsakeswithheart.blogspot.com/
Donni Alvarenga
http://www.donniscreativetherapy.blogspot.com/
Nancy Brown
http://www.creativelyartsygallery.blogspot.com/
Traci Godbee
http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/
Pam Klassen
http://eimmap.blogspot.com/
Lori Miller
http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
Kimberly Smith
http://verykimberry.blogspot.com/
Caren Goldsein
http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com/
Misty Jackson
http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/

Every Day Celebrations

I just had to try these cards out, but I wanted to get creative with them using our Free Spirit L2 paper pack. These shaped cards are so much fun, you just have to get a set (or two or three) for yourself! It includes a booklet with eight exclusive card sketches, as well as the diverse paper pack that is great for anyone in your life, fun accessories, and a celebrations set that isn't just another birthday set, it's about celebrating all of life's everyday moments. Visit my website or call me to place your order!

Citrus Color Card Sets

Here are a couple of card sets I made when I was thinking about starting an Etsy Store. I'm not sure if I want to start into that or not yet. I used some long retired B&T paper, and the Alpha Solos letter T set with the phrase, "you're so thoughtful." One set has glittery chipboard flowers, and the other set has glittery chipboard fruits. They are stickers from K & Company. What do you think, should I open up shop?

Well, I went back to work, and wow--it has been great. I must have been super stressed before my week off, because I thought I was going insane, and never wanted to go back. Ahhh (deep sigh), all better now. I started showing the older ones how to crochet a few weeks ago, and when I came back on Monday, I could see such a huge improvement. One of the girls has been working with her grandma learning to single crochet stitch, and today I showed her how to do a double crochet stitch. One of the things I remember about learning, and they are doing it too, is making the stitches so tight. Some of them love to finger crochet, and they made chains 15 and 20 feet long in just over an hour!

Get Free Paper! Hurry, Only August 3-17!!!

Floral Tapestry shown in photo.

As a special thank you, this August 3–17, 2009, all orders for $100 will receive a free My Acrylix® It’s Your Day August Stamp of the Month and a My Reflections® Level 2 paper packet. There is a limit of one free paper packet and Stamp of the Month per qualifying order. No shipping/handling or tax on free items, but shipping/handling and tax will still apply on the $100 qualifying purchase.

Below is the list of free paper packets that you may receive as a thank you for this campaign. Customers will not be able to select the paper packets they receive for free, but all will be popular, currently-available packets:

Vintage Travel, Rough ‘n Tumble, Route 66, Expedition,
Floral Tapestry, Everlasting, Caprice, Enchanted,
Free Spirit, Life Delights, Whoops-a-Daisy, or Perfect Day

Paper pack item numbers may be added or deleted at the discretion of Close To My Heart for this campaign.

Click here to place your order now!

Life Delights In Life

These cards were created from one of the pre-printed layouts designed for the Life Delights Memory Showcase. I will have another card or two to show you in the next couple of days and a picture of the page cut apart before I made them into anything. The kit comes with a 9x9 memory showcase accordian album, accessories, a stickease sheet, and several pre-printed layouts as well as paper and cs to complete it. This unassembled ensemble has been sitting around collecting dust, so I said, what the hay, I'll just make cards out of it. On the left card, I made the little flowers using Martha's punch. It has two different sized 4 petal flowers, and one of these days, I'll make a tutorial to show how I make these. I even impressed myself with the leaves--I will show that also. Anyway, they are attached with foam squares. The flower on the right card was easy enough, I stamped it onto the square, then again onto a scrap, and cut it out. I curled the petals so they pop up, and glued down, and added lots of sparkles. Can you see the itty bitty ones on the top of that square?

Well, vacation is over. I took a week off each month this summer, and now I have to get back into the a routine again, yuck! Too bad, I can't retire yet and just stamp all day, everday... I'll keep posting as much as I can, I had a blast with the daily postings. Juli