Enjoy Every Minute...

It's hard for me to start to think about spring with snow still on the ground from two weeks ago, however, flowers are quite the rage right. Of course, Close To My Heart has a beautiful stamp set to meet the popular trend. This stamp is from the set "Enjoy Every Moment" C1395 and it has three different flower bouquets that are perfect to color in with your markers of choice. This set will be available starting tomorrow 1-1-10 in the brand new spring 2010 CTMH Spring Idea Book and believe it or not it's only $18.95. Feel free to click on the icon on the top right to start shopping on my website. You can also view the new Idea Book starting tomorrow on my website under products. If you would like a hard copy and have not received one from me, please feel free to contact me and we'll arrange for you to have one in hand.

Now onto more about the card. I did a double stamp of the flower image and colored both. I then cut the first one out in detail and pop dotted it to the base. This gives such a nice layer to the image and also is nice if someone were to catch a glimpse under the top image...the bottom is colored also, so it's completely finished looking. I also did some faux stitching which is one of my favorite things to do to add a little more to a card or layout. I also did some shading using one of our sponge daubers...you know I love daubers. The sketch is from Papertake Weekly Challenge, always nice to have a challenge to rise to the occasion for and finally I did some random stamping and shading on the base card...added a CTMH chipboard label (for the Whimsey Stamps Challege) that I stamped my sentiment on and added a little ribbon and buttons for The Pixie Cottage Challenge and BAM! the finished card.

I hope everyone has a very blessed 2010...A safe New Year's Eve and remember this year to Create and Inspire.

Copic Creations Challenge with Everlasting Paper

I've really enjoyed learning how to create with Copics. They are such a nice mix with my Close To My Heart Stamps and Papers. This is actually a stamp from Flourishes...and I just loved all the berries, greenery and flowers that it provided for me to color. Flowers certainly seem all the range right now and Close To My Heart does have a beautiful stamp set that is going to be perfect for coloring...so as soon as it comes, I'll color it for you. I used the Everlasting paper pack which is on the retiring list for Close To My Heart...I'm going to miss it, it's just beautiful. I did this card for the Copic Creations Challenge for coloring pine boughs and though I wished there had been a bit more pine in the stamp, it's overall just gorgeous. I love green and red together so I think this card as a whole just came together perfectly.

Nativity Challenge

I've had this wonderful stamp set all season and just haven't had a chance to use it. It's from Close To My Heart and to me expresses the true meaning of Christmas. When All That Scraps had a challenge to do a Nativity scene, of course I knew exactly what I wanted to use. One of the things I really love about this card is, it's simple, just as the baby Christ's birth. A miracle of all times, but it was so humble and simple. I didn't add a bunch of embellishments or add ons, it's just the stamped images and they truly carry the card all by themselves.

Be sure to check out all the other entries that All That Scraps had for this challenge and as always thank you for stopping by.

Happy 2010 Card

Yeap, it's another great day of scrapping with my sister Gini. We are both off this whole week so there will be some major crafting going on in our households. I did this card for a bunch of different challenges and it's really so much cuter in person, as the sparkles just aren't given justice in the photo. I used an adorable Greeting Farms digi and then colored with my beloved Copics to give that shaded coloring. I used Stickles for the glitter accents and border and then just some plain cardstock colors mixed with one sheet of Glitter paper...a girl can never have to much sparkle. I hope everyone has a blessed 2010 and go enter a challenge or two to spur your creative juices. Here is a listing of all the challenges this card met.

Everybody Art Challenge : New Year
Cute Card Thursday : New Year
Crafty Calendar Challenge : Winter Sparkle
Simon Says: Party
Corrosive: News Years Resolution
Stampin Sisters In Christ: New Years
Lilli of the Valley: New Years
The Pink Elephant : Sketch
Truly Scrumptios: Sketch
Roses On Paper :Colouring with your favorite Medium

Cute and Quick ATC

Here is my ATC for the challenge this week at Flourishes. I used a new stamp that I had from Alota stamps - I love the bees!

Twelve Days of Tags : Tim Holtz

I created this tag using the Tim Holtz distressed inks, distressed stickles and the reinkers. I really have a long way to go with his amazing products, but he has wonderful tutorials you can watch and learn so much. Right now Simon Says Stamps and Tim Holtz are hosting a challenge using his techniques and products to create a distressed tag and this is my entry.

Stamptacular's Sunday Folded Card Challenge

My sweet sister gave me a whole baggie full of various stamps and

accessories for Christmas.. It was so much fun to open it all. This adorable ducky stamp is from Crafty Secrets and I thought it would be perfect for the folded card challenge with Stamptacular's Sunday Challenge. I used the Caprice Paper Pack from Close To My Heart. I hope everyone had as blessed a Christmas as I did and I hope you get to use the rest of your holiday vacation to create something that for yourself or a loved one.

Felicity Kit Now Available

Have you been buying for everyone else. Preparing for the holiday for your family and friends, well now
it's time for a Christmas gift for you from Close To My Heart. So get ready for the awesome Felicity Scrapbook Kit, that is offered for National Papercrafting Month......

This collection features beautiful decorative die-cut papers , patterned paper and cardstock and a D-size stamp set that includes a WHOLE alphabet, flowers, flourishes, bird and more! This is a must have for your stamp collection and one that will be used all the time! There are three ways to get the Felicity collection right now: Purchase it at full retail price for $34.95.• Place an order of $60 or more in full-retail priced stamp sets & receive 1collection FREE!• Place an order of $125 or more in full-retail priced CTMH products and receive one collection FREE!

As of January 1st the campaign expands to hostesses and new consultants. Hostesses get the collection FREE with Home Gathering sales total of $400 or more, or new Consultants who join Close To My Heart between January 1–31 will receive the collection FREE in their New Consultant Kit. You would receive over $300 in product, plus the Felicity kit and a bonus from me all for just $99. WOW! Felicity is pretty enough when you view it online, but I promise it delivers so much more in person, so let me help you have it arrive at your doorstep. You can place your order on my Shop Online page at lorileng.myctmh.com or if you would like to host a gathering local or long distance please contact me lorileng@bellsouth.net, or if you are interested in starting a wonderful journey of becoming a consultant and getting the kit FREE please contact me with questions...and don't forget I always give an extra bonus for new team members...so you could really rack up during the month of January.

This is a limited time offer and is available while supplies last , so don't delay...let's talk and be sure to get yours today.

One Year With Close To My Heart

Jan 1st of 2009, I got on my computer and filled out the application to become a consultant with Close To My Heart. I really thought I would do it as a hobbyist, get a great discount on my products and maybe take an order or two from my family. Well as soon as I got my confirmation that I had been approved in less than an hour, I was on the website soaking up everything they had to teach me. Now I'm coming up on one year later and look at everything I've been able to accomplish with this awesome company: Straight To the Top Level One, Straight To The Top Level Two, CTMH Bachelors Degree ,CTMH Masters Degree, CTMH PhD ,Annual Rising Star Award ,Top Nineth Recruiter, Director, Carribean Cruise Earner, Top Internet Sales (Regionals MN) ,Top Recruiter (Regionals MN) ,Top Three Team Sales ( Regionals MN) . All of these accomplishments are great but more important than any of them are the wonderful friendships I've formed with my customers and my Close To My Consultant friends. I also have truly been able to contribute extra money to my household in an economy that is really hard right now. How amazing to work for a company that really does take care of their consultants, to earn money for something I love doing, to meet wonderful people that have the same interest and to have a creative outlet, which is something I really need for my sanity. LOL If you are looking for something to help add to your life friends income great products discounted learning tools creative inspiration think about joining my team Pinkcloudscrappers and just see where you might be in a year. The skies the limit. Click here if you would like to review the consultants contract. The new consultants kit is from the unreleased 2010 spring idea book so you'll have the newest products available and it's over a $300 value for just $99...(email me for pictures lorileng@bellsouth.net) with the option of add ons for even more savings. I would love to answer any of your questions you might have, share more information about our stable family oriented business, and I'd love to welcome you to my team (PINKCLOUDSCRAPPERS) where I always give an extra signing prize... Merry Christmas to all and I hope you are all blessed in this coming year as much as I have been.

Merry Mice Christmas

I generally don't like most of my artwork when I first finish it. It takes a couple days to grow on me. But I have to say, I love the final results of this cutie. The sketch that I did was from Friday Sketchers..have to say fun layout. I also used blue, green and brown colors plus the cute Greeting Farms image for their Farm Fresh Friday Challenge. Lastly the little flower charm I colored with copics ( yes you can color on metal with them) looks like a little dangle of candy waiting to be eaten by little mice. This was for the Simon Say Challenge, use a charm. The paper that I used is one of Close To My Heart's all time top sellers "Emporium". It's such a beautiful line. The Emporium is still available so be sure to contact me to stock up on some.

Angels We Have Heard On High

This is another one of Michelle Perkett's beautiful digi images that I colored with copics. I love the angel looking up into the heavens, raising a prayer and if singing to our Lord, how beautiful. The layout is from a sketch challenge fro Michelle Perkett Studios. I also used my cuddlebug folder to emboss the frame and cut it out after I embossed. The bling was added by coloring with my Gelly Roll/Sakura glitter pen (which I love) and also used my Clear Sparkles from Close To My Heart. So with all the bling and the embossing, I qualified to put this in the Cuddlebug Challenge. Here is a listing of all the other challenges that this card meets.

Cupcake Crafts : Sing a Christmas Carol

Michelle Perkett Studios : Sketch

CuddleBug Challenge : Sparkle

Digital Tuesday : Christmas Sparkle

Whimsy Challenge : Use a Die Cut ( used my nesties on the image)

A Cup of Blessings

I did this card/ cocoa holder this afternoon on what is becoming my weekly scrap with my sister, Gini. I used a flourishes stamp set that I just adore with a beautiful poinsettia on the cups. The challenge for Flourishes is your favorite flower and granted I think they were wanting more of a spring garden look...this is truly one of my favorites. Who wouldn't adore red.. The cocoa holder is for the Double Dutch Challenge. I also did the color selection on this card to meet the cupcakecraft challenge. and also Corrosive Challenge. Lastly the poinsettia's are for the Saturday Spotlight Challenge using holiday flowers. This is a fairly simple card, but I was pleased with the outcome. I hope you enjoy.

A Christmas Wish Blog Hop

I'm thrilled to be able to participate in Michelle Perkett's first blog hop. She was so kind to provide this awesome digi called "Wishing Star Angel" and it's always so fun on blogs to see all the various ideas and creations that people come up with using the same core element. If you are in the middle of the hop you would have just come from Ellen's Blog and once you've viewed my blog, continue hopping on over to Jennifer's and see her beautiful card.



I'm amazed as I learn to use Copics how long it takes me to actually color a picture. This one took me quite a while, but I really loved the finished result. I also got my sewing machine out that I bought a year ago and really haven't even used yet so I was pleased with all the new things I tried on this card. I used random stamping on the green back ground paper...a technique I always love, you can just create any patterned paper you want with a little ink, paper and stamp. The button and a little waxy flax topped off the whole card and really pulled it all together.

The second part of the blog hop is to add what I would want my Christmas Wish to be.... My life is so blessed in so many ways. My supportive family, my boys, my friendship I share with my Mom and sister (Gini) , my career, the beautiful mountains that I live in and so much more...so saying all this it's hard to think of something else that the Lord could possibly bless me with, but if I could wish for one thing it would be for my two boys, to reach their full potential and use all the gifts that God has given them. Now this is very different for both of my boys. My youngest son is so full of energy and is a real little spitfire. He holds the world by the tail. My oldest son Will is disabled and though he may not run and jump like his little brother he can reach someone soul with his sweet smile and pure spirit. I hope that you are blessed enough in your life to be touched by someone as special as either of my two boys.

Finally I'm pleased to share all the other challenges that my card qualifies for and thank you so much for stopping by.

Everybody Art Challenge: Stitching

Stamp Scrap and Doodle Christmas Card

Cute Card Thursday/ Whirly Girly

Stamp with Fun Christmas Card

Stamp Something Glitz

AllSorts Challenge : Buttons

Kaboodle Doodles: Snowflakes

Creative Card Crew: Christmas

Pink Elephant: Color Something

Spoon Full of Sugar : Non traditional Christmas Colors

SophistiCat : Snowflakes and Sparkle

Pixie Cottage: Stitching

PollyCraft

And the winner is.......

Well December 1st has come and gone, so it's time to choose the lucky winner of my blog candy. The random number generator picked number 14....so Hollyk....you win. Please email me lorileng@bellsouth.net with your contact information and I'll get your prize out in the mail to you.

Thank you so much for playing along and I hope you had fun. Next, I'm going to do a card challenge. So stayed tuned for more details on that and please pass the word along...the more the merrier.

HUGE CTMH SALE 50-80% OFF

I've just learned from corporate that we are having one more big BLOW-OUT sale starting December 2nd, 9am MT time. I can't believe how cheap we're selling things...stamp sets starting at $2, paper packs $5, Sassy Strands $1...WOW, can you believe it. There is a five page list I'm happy to email you over if you would like showing everything that will be available until supplies run out. For orders $100 and over, shipping will be a flat $5 rate and orders below that will be based on actual weight, plus tax will only be charged on the sale price, not retail....my goodness how sweet is this holiday delight.

Please email me ( lorileng@bellsouth.net) if you would like to get a copy of the list of items available.. If you have your list made out you really should be able to breeze through the order entry on Wednesday just by putting in your item number. You can purchase these goodies through my website only http://lorileng.myctmh.com/ and either click the picture of the sale to take you straight to it or you can click on Shop Online and then the clearance.

Please note you will not be able to combine regular priced merchandise with the sale items and the sale will not count towards a hostess event or a Stamp of the Month.

Please let me know any questions you have and I hope you enjoy this HOLIDAY HEY DAY SALE.

CTMH " Notice the Details" Blog Hop

Welcome to December's Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. If you just joined us from Shelia's Blog....Welcome. The featured Stamp set for this month is " Notice the Details " and you'll be able to see over sixty different Close To My Heart consultants ideas for this great stamp set throughout the blog hop. So take a few minutes for yourself to get inspired with some beautiful artwork.

This month I did a post it note holder. A sweet friend of my Denise did one of these for me when we were at leadership and when I saw this stamp set, I knew exactly what I wanted to use it for. How perfect is this. I used a 5 x 7 acrylic frame from Walmart that cost only a $1. The decorations for the most part are enclosed in the slide in frame so you're able to use a dry eraser maker to fill in the days for each month and have a handy calendar, that will erase for the next month. The post it notes are attached to the top of the frame with a little glue and can easily be replaced, once these are used up. I also used my all time favorite paper pack...Perfect Day. This is going to make a great gift for the holidays and I hope I have inspired you to create that perfect holiday gift for someone you know.

Remember you can only get this stamp set throughout the month of December. You can go to my website and order yours today. Remember, retail is $22.95, or you can get it discounted or for free with a qualifying purchase. $25 = $25% off, $50 = 50% off, $75 = 75% off and a $100 order will get you this for free...what a value. Just think you could do some Christmas shopping and also get a little something for you FREE!.

Now hop on over to Susan's blog and enjoy some more creative ideas.

Kaboodle Doodle Bows, Buttons and Bling Challenge

I did this card for the Kaboodle Doodle Challege to use Bows, Buttons and Bling. This is actually a glitter shaker card I created using one of Michelle Perkett's beautiful fairies and paper from Close To My Heart's Notebook paper pack. I stamped the images with Staz-on ink on top of a page protector that has glitter sandwiched in between the two layers, so as you shake the card glitter moves around. I really love the colors on this card and the way it's a non-traditional Christmas Card

Welcome Christmas!

This is a sweet little Christmas card I did with my sister Gini again to meet several challenges. I've found it really fun to start participating in various challenges, more than anything to make me think outside of my comfort zone. New sketches, new stamp images, colors I never would have mixed and other areas that push me creativly. I think in the long run this will make me have a broader experience that I'll be able to share with all of my great customers. I think this little Magnolia stamped girl is just precious with the mistletoe dangling over her head wating for the Christmas kiss. Here is a list of all the different challenges this card was created for:
RoP- Romance
Simon Says- Winter Love
Magnolia Down Under- Christmas
Creative Belli- Chipboard
Magnolialicious- sketch
La-La- recipe: 3 patterned papers, 2 cardstocks,1 embellishment

Stamptacular's Sunday Challenge

Stamptacular's Sunday Challenge this week was to stamp something, and use only colors that remind you of the fall. I always think of Fall as having crisp, clear blue skies, with the lovely browns, greens and yellows thoughout the landscape. Living in the Western NC Mountains I'm so blessed every fall to see the spectacular show that nature has to offer. This card displays some of those rich fall colors I just adore. I used the beautiful Close To My Heart Paper pack Caprice. This is one that is set to retired this December and I'll miss it. I just think it's beautiful. The stamp set is also from Close To My Heart "Grown with Love" and for whatever reason this tree reminds me of one of my favorite books "To Kill a Mockingbird ". This weekend has continued to be such a blessing to me spending it snuggled in with my boys and my paper. I wish the same happiness to you.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

I did my card this afternoon with my sister, and thought it would be fun to see how many challenges I could enter with this one card. Why don't you see if you can enter some challenges on this nice, long Thanksgiving weekend.

Here are the challenges I have entered:
Pink Persimmon (sketch)
A Spoon Full of Sugar - brown/blue
Cuttlebug Challenges - Sparkle
Sparkle Creations- Christmas
Pollycraft - Christmas
Whimsy Stamps - Christmas
Everybody Art- Christmas
Flourishes- Christmas
Papertake Weekly - Christmas
Whiff of Joy - Christmas
Charisma Cardz- Christmas
Creative Card Crew - Favorite things (snowmen)
Pixie Cottage - stitching
Pink Elephant - Plaid, brads, no ribbon

Wizard of Oz Card

I did this card for my husband for our fifth wedding anniversary and was also able to enter it in several challenges...Always fun. Simon Say Stamps Challenge this week is animal antics and I certainly think Toto fits that bill. I stamped the yellow brick road with one of the brick stamps from this months Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month...I've really used that stamp a ton. The challenge at Corrosive Challenges was to be inspired byLet's go to the Movies - obviously, this would be the Wizard of Oz. The adorable Dorothy/Toto image is from Michelle Perkett and if you haven't looked her up yet, you should. I just love her images, they're wonderful to color. The sketch came from the Get Sketchy Challenge this week. It was a sketch that really challenged me, so thanks for making me think outside the box. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving Holiday.

Give Thanks, Baby!

This time of the year, it really is the season to pause and reflect on everything we have to be thankful for. Our families, our country, our lives and the love that truly is around us. I'm thankful first and foremost for family, they are my heart and this evening I was blessed to be able to hang out with the worlds greatest sister. My son calls her EE, I've always called her Ninny but the rest of the world knows her as Gini. She has always been more than just my sister and I love her so much, so whenever we get to be together and just be ourselves is such a joy. She is the queen of card challenges so with her guidance towards the challenges, I did this "Thankful" card this evening for Lala Land Crafts challenge creating a card that shows thankfulness. They are giving some amazing blog candy - but you need to enter by midnight, Monday 23rd. I thought this image from Sassy Studio Designs was just adorable and really wanted to add BABY to it but just didn't want to overdo it...so even though the baby didn't make it on, the name of the card is Give Thanks Baby. I used the sketch from Pixie Cottage, simple but just perfect. Lastly I used the cuddle bug embossing folder to add the wonderful detail and texture of the circle to the side of the card, The Cuttlebug spot is also having a challenge for a card using a turkey...so boy did this card fit a lot of bills. I hope you enjoy the artwork, but more than anything I hope you will take a few minutes to think about what exactly it is you have to be thankful for and may your blessings abound!

Who wants some Close To My Heart Blog Candy?

I adore Close To My Heart products, that's why I sell them, but I'm amazed at how many people have never tried CTMH. It's a company that has been around for 25 years and it is absolutely the top of the line in scrapbooking and stamping products. So here's your chance to win some Close To My Heart goodies for free and see what I think all the fuss is about. Up for grabs is this awesome Everyday Card Kit...it includes paper, cards and envelopes, embellishments including brads, ribbon slides and more, a sponge, 2 mini ink distressers, a complete color guide showing you the cuts and layouts for the the cards, ribbon, pop dots, a full D size stamp set and I've even thrown in a sweet leaf ink pad for additional stamping. That is over $40 in pure fun. Now here's all you have to do to be eligible for the drawing.

1. Sign up to Follow my blog

2. Post a message about my blog candy on your blog linking back to this post...if you don't have a blog you can link from a message board.

3. Lastly come on back...and leave me a comment showing where I can find the link.

IT'S THAT EASY

If you would like to sign up for my newsletter that has personal specials, workshops and information than please do so, but that is not a requirement to be entered. I'll keep this up until December 1st at which time I'll use a random number picker to choose who the lucky winner is. Thanks for stopping by, noq go create and inspire!

Peachy Keen Stamp Challenge

Hi all, I hope you have had a wonderful weekend. Believe it or not, Christmas has already arrived at our house...yes I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet! We love to decorate and howdy, so we jump on the holidays extra early. The trees (yes plural, we put up four) have started going up, lights dangling down, stockings hung and little touches of Christmas are tucked all around. This is my favorite time of year. I love all the decorations and food, but more than anything I love the twinkle in my little ones eyes and the love that my whole family shares being together. So in honor of the wonderful season that is approaching I decided to make my Peachy Keen stamp challenge a wonderful winter snowman. Yes, I'm still loving the Jingle paper and have used it on this card, along with All Decked Out stamp set...I fell in love with this stamp set from the get go and have been dying to use it...YEAH! Thanks for stopping by and be sure to go to Peachy Keens sight and see some of the adorable stamp sets they have to offer and also the challenges.

I Love the Jingle Kit!

This weekend is my local workshop using the Close To My Heart Jingle kit and I just have to tell you, in preparing for it, I have fallen in LOVE! I was able to make both of these adorable layouts and six cards....with one kit. Now granted I did have some base white cardstock that helped stretch things, but that's it...and I actually have paper still left over from my Jingle Paperpack. The base kits are only $29.95 (plus tax and shipping) and that includes the paper pack, twinkle brad accessory, color guide and a stamp set...yes, I said a stamp set. The value is close to $35 so it's a steal. You can also add on some On Target Dimensional Elements and some Cranberry ribbon and you can have the complete look I've created with all the projects above. The ink colors used are Tulip and Creme Brulee and I used the Posterboard Font Stamp set, but you can certainly use any that you like. I always am amazed at how certain kits, just aren't my favorite at first and then I really get in and use them and fall in love... Yes, I know I'm fickle from one Close To My Heart collection to the next...but they are all so beautiful so this is the one time cheating is OK! Oh and I just have to tell you I have the perfect pictures in mind for these layouts, but my old computer crashed some time ago and I had my youngest son's first Christmas on there, so I lost the photos. My husband has all of the originals and I've asked him to get me copies, but instead of you waiting for him to pull them out for as long as I might wait...I figured you would rather just see the artwork. If you would be interested in get this kit by mail, please contact me via email lorileng@bellsouth.net as this can only be ordered direct from me...not on my website.

Cute Card Thursday...Glitter Me Silly

Cute Card Thursday's challenge this week is Glitter Me Silly and since I've been on a real roll with the Jingle CTMH Paperpack...I chose to use it for this card also. I have to admit I also really love CTMH's prisma glitter...I use that over the whole card but it's amazing how in spots it looks white and on other backgrounds it's green...sometimes it's even pink...really cool how that works. I hope you enjoy this card and be sure to check out all the other awesome artwork with Cute Card Thursday's challenge.

Layers Of Color...Interpretations

I did this card for the Layers Of Color Design Challenge. This card reminded me of the game I use to play as a child where one child would whisper something in the person's ear beside them and then it would repeat until it came to the end of the circle and then by the end of the game you would see what the first thing whispered turned into, something silly that's for sure. It's all in interpretations. I saw this digi at Layers Of Color and thought I would make this card...not until after it was completely finished and I showed my sister did she tell me it was a ribbon buckle...NEVER SAW IT THAT WAY!. Now of course, everytime I see this digi I see a ribbon bucket but before I saw it as some type of Vegas neon sign flashing with bright colors....go figure. Anyhow I used copics to create the shading on the digi and of course my beloved stamps from Close To My Heart from the L Solos stamp set. I hope you enjoy and go check out all the fun that Layers of Color is having this week.

My Favorite Things

There is a challenge going on right now with Flourishes that's to create something that is inspired by the song " My Favorite Things" from the Sound Of Music. I had so many ideas on what to do for this and perhaps I'll do a couple more, but for now I settled on snowflakes that stay on my nose and my lashes. I used Close To My Heart Perfect Day Paper pack, fun flock and liquid glass to add the snowflakes, a couple of small snowflake stamps from the All Decked Out Stamp Set , a stamp I had from Pre-CTMH days and my copics to shade in the girl and created this card. I've enjoyed having a challenge to do and thank you to Flourishes for giving me the opportunity. If you would like to see this challenge from Flourishes, Click Here and thank you for stopping by.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

My husband (Greg) is a wonderful father, photographer, writer, businessman, friend, loving husband, movie addict, music lover, ebay computer guru, german chocolate cake eater, silly, wonderful older man as of today...that's right today is his birthday! I hope you will help me wish him wonderful wishes and good things for the year to come. Happy Birthday Sweetheart, I love you!

FREE CTMH STAMPS! START TODAY

I was so thrilled to see the promotion that we are going to be doing for the month of November and I know you're going to be excited also. Buy two stamp sets and get a third one (equal or less value) for FREE! This is an offer that you won't see often as the last time we offered it was almost a year and half ago...so take advantage quickly. The offer will start November 3rd and will run through the end of the month.

I can't imagine a better time to stock up on Christmas gifts or heck, gifts through out the whole year. I always have a gift closet in my house where I stock up on good deals throughout the year and then when I need a little something I can run to my closet and grab a thoughtful gift. This would also be a perfect time to slip your loved one your wish list and let them save. Don't forget about those retiring stamp sets either, as their available with this wonderful deal also. What better time to get those word puzzle stamps or complete you Solos collection.

Please feel free to either email me your order lorileng@bellsouth.net or you can go directly to my website to order CLICK HERE TO SHOP ONLINE. I know you will get some stamp sets you'll be sure to treasure for a lifetime.

November's CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to this month's Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. If you've just come from Amy's blog your on the right path. We have lots of consultants who get together every month to provide you with inspiration and ideas on the current stamp of the month. So enjoy my project and I look forward to seeing you next month.

This month's stamp of the month is called "Around the Block" and it has 26 stamps ready to complete a cute project just for you. I wanted to stick with a holiday theme so I used the house stamp to make this adorable card. Once the card was stamped and colored in, I used the liquid applique to add the three dimensional snow to the edges of the home. I just love the brick stamps on this set, and I used them on my bakery shop window card also that you can view if you CLICK HERE .

Remember this stamp set is only available through the month of November so don't miss your chance to get it, especially with the Stampaganza that is going on through the whole month of November . Buy two stamp sets get one free of equal or lesser value....some exclusions apply so contact me for more information. You can get this stamp set for either free or discounted depending on your purchase total. If you spend $25 you'll get it for 25% off, $50=50%, $75=75%, and $100 = FREE. Want to hurry and get this stamp set...visit my website and shop for it today...SHOP ONLINE NOW.

Thank you so much for joining in on this hop and now you can go on over to Kristie's Blog and enjoy her artwork. Oh and don't forget to sign up for my new monthly newsletter where you'll be first to get information about up coming sales, events and my personal specials.

First Newsletter Sent

I have been working on my first newsletter and I just sent it out just this afternoon.....The Pinkcloud Pulse! I'm so excited as I've wanted to start a newsletter for some time, but just wasn't exactly sure how to go about it. There are specials that are offered only to my newsletter subscribers so if you haven't signed up, don't miss your chance. Please let me know some feedback as to what you think and what you would want to see if future issues. Thanks to all my followers and I'll see you on the PULSE!

Happy Hallo-Anniversary

LaToya and her boyfriend on celebrating their lucky number three year anniversary this Halloween and in honor of their relationship I created this Wimsey "Batty For You" Card using the Beware stamp set, black waxy flax, Enchanted Paper Pack and black brads. I hope they have many years of love, screams and romance. Congrats!

New Monthly CTMH Club Opening....Hurry limited spaces.

One of my clubs is coming to an end I'm sorry to say, but the great news is that opens up spots for a new club. My clubs are the buzz and everyone has really loved being in it, plus it a wonderful way to stock up on Close To My Heart products, learn about specials and deals first and get LOTS OF FREE PRODUCT!.

The club will start as of December 1st and will run for 10 months. Each month you will need to email me a minimum $20 order (not including tax and shipping) and during one of the 10 months you'll get to be hostess. You'll earn at least $25 in free select products, but most of my hostesses earn more, I've had hostesses earn as much as $100 in free products. You'll also be able to take advantage of the kits of the month that Close To My Heart is now offering where you get close to $35 in product for only $29.95 and it includes a full size paper pack, accessory and an exclusive stamp set. Plus, you will also be able to scoop up the limited time Stamp of the Months that we offer. You can either purchase these, get them discounted or even qualify to get them free with your total monthly purchase.

At the end of the club I always give lots of free goodies and if you email me lorileng@bellsouth.net I'm happy to give you a list of all the additional items you'll receive, but I can say you'll get all the new idea books as they come out shipped right to your door...that 3.95 for each book right there and you'll receive 3, plus you'll get the adorable connect club reward that varies but it's always wonderful and I'll send you the petite stamp set just for joining in the fun...but there is a lot more so email me to find out.

This is limited to 10 so please let me know as spots in my clubs do fill up fast...there just so darn fun.

Let me know if you have any questions and I can't wait to meet our new club members...Will it be YOU?

CTMH Snowman Christmas Cards

I just think these are so darn cute! One of my creative customers Sheena created these whimsical cards using the Jingle Paper Pack and the Wonderful Season ( C1293 ) and Feathery Flakes ( D1317) stamp sets. I can't believe she's already got her Christmas Cards done...she my hero. I'm still in Halloween...always behind. Thank you Sheena for allowing me to share your wonderful creations and be sure to check out Sheena's blog as she has more detailed pictures there and more beautiful artwork.

CTMH Halloween Fun !

My sweet aunt's birthday is the week before Halloween, so I always throw her a big Halloween Birthday Party and that Party is coming up this weekend. My family is so funny, they really get into my theme parties. I fix a huge pot of chili and some creepy appetizers like a taco spider web dip or some spider eggs (nothing to scary, I do have a three year old). We play games like the pumpkin ring toss, pass the apple and scavenger hunts and let me tell you, you had better have prizes for my family, even though we are all adults and some of them cheat :). We have such a blast and I'll be sharing some of the party favors I've made for the party with you this week and maybe even some pictures of the party if you would like. Now onto the card, this is the invite I mailed out...late, but mailed to everyone. I should have taken a picture of the inside, as I stamped some bats and the invite said "Be there or die", it actually was really cute. I used the Tinkerin Paper Pack for this card and the Spellbound Stamp set and then enameled over the Boo and part of the crow and the tree...I wanted it to fade out so it's not solid on purpose. I loved the overall effect of the color combo and the stamping and I hope you enjoy it also. Stay tuned for more spooky treats and pictures this week.

CTMH Newsletter Starting

I have wanted for some time to start a newsletter for my awesome customers. Something they could receive special from me that would have creative ideas, special kits that would be available, company promotions, designs and of course some private sales and discounts. Thanks to my wonderful friend and computer mentor Melissa I was able to set that up this afternoon. So hurry and sign up in the tool bar as my newsletter will be premiering in the next week and I don't want any of you to miss a single thing.

CTMH THANKSGIVING CARD VIDEO

I realize it's been a couple weeks since my last video, sorry for the delay. I have gotten my craft area all set up and now have my camera suspended on shelves above me, so the filming process is much better. I hope you will enjoy watching this video where I use the new Soft Set Tool, Watercolor Pencils, blender pen, Grace Paper pack and Liquid Glass...so sit back, grab a warm cup of coffee and enjoy.

Lone Forgotten Card

I just realized this poor little guy got left off the other day when I was posting my cards from Close To My Heart MN Regionals. The funny part is this is my all time favorite paper pack...Perfect Day. I also really loved inking the edges of our buttons...the ink does not come off. How cool is that? Enjoy this sweet card and enjoy your day.

CTMH Color Challenge Card

This is a card I did this evening killing two birds with one card....I have wanted to participate in Jeanette Lynton's weekly color challenge and this week is the week. I'm not sure I'm crazy about this card yet, but it might be growing on me. I also wanted to enter The Flamingo's Are Stealing My Sanity skittle challenge...so one card, two challenges. This card took a lot longer than it looks...I stamped pumpkins faces on the back of the black card stock and then cut them out with my utility knife and versa mat. Then I put citrus green, orange and sunny yellow card stock on foam tape and adhered to the back so it has a raised effect showing some spooky shadows. Lastly I punched some circles of color out using my 1/4 inch punch and layerd skittles over the top...the effect is almost like a candy treat just waiting to be gobbled up. Be sure to vote for me in the card challenge starting October 15th and check out The Flamingo's Are Stealing My Sanity's blog and take Jeanette's color challenge with me.

CTMH Cards and More Cards

This weekend was a busy one for me. I worked all weekend long getting my scrapbooking / card /craft area all organized and cleaned. Granted it's a really small space, but you would not believe how much I have gotten in it and neatly I might add. I'm so happy to say, it's all ready to go and taping of new videos will be begin this week...so be sure to stay tuned for those. Now onto these beautiful cards I completed at Regionals in MN. We used the Thank You stamp set on the first card along with the popular Emporium paper. The beautiful flower card was created with the Amore Paper Pack and the Delightful Things Stamp and lastly the Star Card was from the Star Dust Paper Pack. Don't forget to distress those edges to add the detailed layering that will set your cards apart. Enjoy these card samples and keep watching for new videos.