I'm a new Heart 2 Heart (H2H) Challenge Blog Design Team Member!!

A few weeks ago, I applied for my very first ever "Design Team" and was accepted! For the next couple of months, I will be a designer for the H2H Challenge Blog! I am so excited for this new challenge and adventure!

If you are not aware of the H2H Challenge Blog - go there and check it out!! It is a great site where weekly challenges are extended (using EXCLUSIVELY Close to my Heart product) and EVERYONE is invited to play! Take the challenge, play along and you could be picked as one of the top 5 for the week...or even better...be invited to to a Guest Designer!

My first design team challenge starts this Monday, August 2nd! So make sure to check out the blog, become and follower and play along!!

More 'Boo-tiful' Extravaganza Art!!

Happy Sunday fellow bloggers!! I have the next installment of the art I created for Extravaganza.

For this creation (made with pages from our new Mix & Mingle mini album) I have used the three acrylic pages which come in the 8 page mini album. I distressed all the edges of the acrylic with black Stazon ink (unfortunately since the sign is mounted on black it is harder to see how the black ink helps 'pop' the shapes of the acrylic pieces.) Attached the three pages together at the corners with bigger brads and used photo hangers on the ends for easy hanging!

I also used our fabulouse Monograms Dimensional Elements for the large letters. I covered each of the letters with black cardstock and then painted our new glitter glue over the letters for that extra glittery pop!

In order to have black and orange coordinating ribbon, here I just took some of the black and white gingham ribbon from our Designer Ribbon rounds and sponged Aututmn Terracotta Ink on it!

Last, but certainly not least...here you can get a 'sneak peek' as some of the images in the new "Fright Night" stamp set which we be available this September 1st!

All supplies used are Close to my Heart:
*NEW* My Creations Mix & Mingle Mini Album
STAMPS: Fright Night (set of 10) B1359, Beware (Set of 8) D1381
PAPER: You Rock Level 2 Paper Pack
INKS: Sunflower Exclusive Ink, Archival Black Exclusive Ink, Black Stazon, Black Marker
DOODLES: Designer Ribbon Rounds Black Collection, Licorice Opaques, Basic Brad Assortment, Photo Hangers, Monograms and Stars Dimensional Elements, Rockin' Top Coats, Autumn Buttons, Glitz Stardust Glitter Glue, Black Waxy Flax

"My Boo Crew"

As promised, here is the next installment of sharing artwork I created for teaching at Extravaganza!

Of course you already know I was given the Mix & Mingle mini album to teach. My goal in creating artwork was to try and come up with some creative ways to use this 'little gem', rather than just creating the standard mini album. Along in my supplies for teaching I rec'd the new Halloween stamp set Fright Night (B1359). I am not able to show you a picture of the actual stamp set - so you will just have to see if you can pick out the stamped images from my artwork! But it is a "Frightfully Delightful" 10 piece stamp set with the perfect images to put the finishing touches on all your 'Spooky' creations!

Here is the two page layout on my first board. At this time, Close to my Heart does not have a specific Halloween themed paper pack. However, not to worry! There are several paper packs in our collection which are perfect for this event! Here I have used the very versatile "You Rock" Level 2 Paper Pack with its 'perfect for Halloween' colors of Sunflower, Pansy Purple and Garden Green.

For incorporating the use of the Mix & Mingle album on my layout - Here I have used one of the bracket shaped acrylic pages to create a unique 'dimensional' embellishment for my layout. First, I distressed the acrylic page with black Stazon Ink - in order to really make the shape of my acrylic piece 'pop'. Then I mounted it to the layout by using brads, attached directly to the layout, as spacers and covering the pre-drilled holes with our new Licorice Opaques (new black pearls!!). By placing some of my stamped and cut-out elements on top and behind the acrylic enabled me to make my witch appear as though she was flying over the moon. I was really delighted with the way this technique turned out!

All supplies used are Close to my Heart:
*NEW* My Creations Mix & Mingle Mini Album
STAMPS: Fright Night (set of 10) B1359, Beware (Set of 8) D1381
PAPER: You Rock Level 2 Paper Pack, Autumn Harvest Textured Cardstock (retired)
INKS: Sunflower Exclusive Ink, Archival Black Exclusive Ink, Black Stazon, Black Marker
DOODLES: Designer Ribbon Rounds Black Collection, Licorice Opaques, Basic Brad Assortment, Fresh Shapes Dimensional Elements, Monograms Dimensional Elements, Color Ready Alphabets - Bold
TOOLS: Corner Rounder, Cutting Knife, Piercing Tool Kit and Sanding Kit

First sneak peek at new Autumn/Winter Products

Over the next few weeks, I look forward to giving to tid-bits and sneak peeks at the new products that will be available in Close to my Heart's new 2010 Autumn/Winter Idea book. It will be available to you and for ordering September 1st. However, I was priviledged to get some new product early to create and play around with to share with other consulants at convention. It was just too much fun!!

Let me tell you words cannot describe how excited I was to learn I was going to be teaching about our new mini-album - the Mix & Mingle Album at Close to my Heart's annual Convention! I had so much fun coming up with some 'unique' and 'creative' ways to use this the very versatile product!

The first little peek I am going to share with you is the darling 'pocket calendar' I created with this mini-album. I immediately knew the 8 page (5 chipboard and 3 acrylic) album would create a great calendar with cute little pockets which could hold a little card to list reoccuring dates I needed to remember...that I could pop in my purse. However, I am a girl who LOVES my embellishments...so by the time I finished my creation process it was pretty clear this not-so-little guy will now be sitting on my desk. :)

All supplies used are Close to my Heart:
*NEW* My Creations Mix & Mingle Mini Album
STAMPS: Retired Number
FONT: Tall Pen Font from Expressive Font #1
PAPER: Bella Level 2 Paper Pack and My Stickease
INKS: Hollyhock and Desert Sand
DOODLES: Just Blooms Paper Flowers, Pewter Designer Brads, Basic and Autumn Brad Assortment, Hollyhock and Creme Brule Ribbon Rounds, Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon, Foundry Tabs and Basic Buttons

'Splendid Summer' Mini Album Workshop

Splendid Summer Mini-Album Workshop

Saturday, August 7th 1-5pm

My home in Surprise, AZ

With my 'mojo bank' still in the 'red' from the past few months of events...I was overjoyed when the 'fabulously artsy' Tresa Black recently displayed some of her fantastic artwork in the form of altering Close to my Heart's My Creations 3-Ring Mini Album! Of course....I jumped right on the bandwagon of 'stamplifting' this little gem from her and this is my version of her 'twist' on this album. It will be my August 7th workshop and if you live in the area (even if you are a consultant) and would like to attend...please contact me! Otherwise, enjoy checking out what I did with Tresa's fantastic design!

Christmas in July....

My oh-so-favorite MIB (man in brown) brought me the best present today!! As compensation for teaching at Close to my Heart's National Convention in Washington, D.C. last week...I rec'd one of each of the new product bundles. This is about $800 in new toys!! WHOA!!

I am having so much fun just looking at it all! (As my husband just sat and laughed at me as I oohed and ahhed as I pulled it all out - arranged it - and then took photos of it!) I can't wait to actually PLAY with it!!

Plus...I still have my prize (one of every new accessory in the Fall/Winter Idea Book) for winning 3rd place in the Album Contest still due to arrive.....oh happy, happy day!!

Patience is a virtue...

Yes, yes...my faithful blogger readers...I know, I know...I have now been home for a few days from convention and I know you are fervently searching for all those posts I promised! However, if you will remember in my previous post where I talked about the months of preparations I did for this convention? Well, upon my return - the home and family I also neglected for those few months have now demanded that I actually do some of my 'first job' of taking care of our home, (the size and quantitiy of dust bunnies under my son's bed are going to begin to give him nighmares!) paying attention to them, serving them a meal (that didn't get delievered to the door - come in a paper sack - come in a wrapper or with a side of fries) and actually laundering some of their clothes. (Yea...I know - the nerve, right??) They just don't seem to understand I have returned will all these new toys and ideas bursting at the seams that I am just dying to use?? Sigh...

So while I spend some time satisfying my family's 'selfish needs' here are a few convention highlights to enjoy in the meantime....I promise your patience will be rewarded very soon!

We stayed at the beautiful Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center in D.C.

Here are the posh beds....I got to sleep in but didn't have to make! Oh, and you should have heard the 'evil' little giggle I let out and the delight I felt when I threw my towel on the floor and knew I wasn't the one who was going to have to pick it up!

Here are a couple thousand of my fellow CTMH consultant sisters waiting to go in for the first general session - who all have the same 'addiction' I do!
Here I am visiting with one of my swappin' buddies Lisa Stenz. She claims it's a honor to swap with me....but let me tell you the pleasure is all mine!! I stalk her blog and 'stamplift' from her often!! So go check out her blog...and I assure you that you will now end up surfin' her blog more often than you do mine!

And last, but certianly not least - I was thrilled and delighted to take 3rd place in the Album Contest. (I promise pictures of my album to come soon...I need to have CTMH return my album to me so I can actually take photos of it to post! Let's just say I am a girl who works best in the 11th hour...I didn't quite leave myself enough time to photo it before absolutely haveing to put it in the mail.) Here I am with Tracy Mason, the Grand Prize winner in a picture I stole from her facebook post - sorry for the size! She is also someone who I have admired from afar and was so honored to be able to celebrate our victories with her and her fantastic friends that evening. She is one ridiculously talented lady....and hysterical to boot! I hesitate to even give you the link to her blog....'cause now I will never get you back!

Well, that just about wraps it up for now. I know I have asked this of you before...but hang in there with me folks! Tons of great stuff to be coming your way very soon!