You caught me...I did color all day long

So my good friend Teresa knows me...and yes she was right, I continued to color all day long with all the snow on the ground. Yes, I had other things that really could and should have been done, but how fun is laundry or packing children's clothes...so I COLORED and CRAFTED and it's was so much more fun. I also took a few hours to watch a movie with the boys and then proceeded to fall asleep for a little nap. Anyhoo...on to the cards

I've discovered a new digi artist, Isabella's Sketchbook. Her images are so retro and they just have such a classic look to them. So knowing that I'll be sailing in just a few days, all my cards are beach themed. I didn't really even realize it, until I looked, DUH. Be sure to go check out Isabella's work and she also just started a group on Paper Craft Planet you can participate in.

Sassy Cheryl's First Card Challenge

Yes, I know I'm suppose to be packing for my cruise....well it started snowing this morning, so SNOW DAY which in my house equals craft day. This morning was the premiere challenge for Sassy Cheryl's and you guys know I love her images, so I thought, I think I'll just carve out a few minutes and make a card...so this is what i came up with. The challenge was to use green ...I'll be honest St. Patrick's Day green is not my top choice, but it challenged me to think out of my comfort zone and create. So this may not go down in the history books I thought it turned out pretty cute. I like my coloring, which my copic class has helped me a lot there...and really the image stands for itself, so it didn't need a ton of embellishments and add on. Now I really should go start getting ready for my trip........but do you think I will or will I craft more? I'll never tell :)

CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop...Sew Many Layers

Welcome to Close To My Heart's Monthly Consultants Blog Hop. If you just hopped over from Carol's Blog your on the right path. Every month we have over 60 consultants who share their inspirations and ideas for the CTMH Stamp of the Month. This is full of beautiful artwork, so be sure to check out all the blogs during the course of the month.

This months stamp is so versatile and you'll find yourself using it on so many different projects.

A LITTLE EVERYTHING D1408 has a phrase for almost every occasion. Be sure to take advantage of this set while you can as it's only available through the month of March. You can even get it for FREE with a qualifying purchase. Click over to my website to find out more.... SHOP ONLINE NOW.

Now onto my project. I have really started loving sewing on cards and building my cards up with layers and layers of foam tape. On this simple card I used the Veranda paper pack. Overall there are seven layers on this card, so it really does have nice dimension. Each level has been stitched on the sewing machine. When I stamped the THANKS...I used my Juniper ink pad for half of the stamp and the other is Creme Brulee....I love this technique and it sure is simple with our clear stamp sets. One of my favorite new stamp sets is SMILES C1397 and the flower that is on the right corner of the Thanks is from this set. I stamped it in Juniper ink and colored in with a blending pen and ink for a lighter softer fill in. I finished up the card with a flower from our Just Blooms Z1266 folded in half and ink on the edges. It's a simple card, but one that is sure to make a lasting impression.

Now it's time to go get inspired by another great project....so hop on over to CHRIS'S BLOG. Thanks so much for stopping in and looking and be sure to leave a little love with a comment. HAPPY HOPPING!

Thank you to Everyone...Can you Believe it I won!!!!!

I was so excited last night when I got an email announcing the winners of the Close To My Heart Clearly the Best Video contest......I actually won! There were so many great entries from many of my fellow CTMH consultant friends, I was amazed to be picked. The top views went to Tresa Black who won $500 cash/or product. Then the three top picks from Corporate were Tresa Black with Stamp Wow, Melanie Harmsma with Stamp Olympics (it's hilarious) and then mine ...Clear Stamp Fairy Tale. We all won $500 in product.

Once again I'm reminded how much I love this company...not because I won, but because they challenge me to be creative and to think outside of the box. They are such a fun company to work with and always offer me so many opportunities to make myself and my business well rounded.

Thank you so much to all my friends that watched my video everyday ...you are all troopers and I promise you don't ever have to watch it again...LOL.

I'd love to share more about how wonderful Close To My Heart is for so many reasons and would be happy to help you either start your own adventure or try out our clearly the best stamps....just contact me lorileng@bellsouth.net and the journey can begin.

Now is your Close To My Heart Time

I never cease to be amazed at the wonderful opportunities Close To My Heart offers...and their March Promotion is no exception. During the month of March when you sign up to become a consultant you will receive FREE with your consultant's kit ALL FOUR of the not yet released Summer 2010 Stamp of the Months...that's almost a $100 value....FREE! It's already a wonderful deal to get the consultants basic kit, it's over $300 in value for only $99, but now adding the special on you will get over $400 for only $99. Wow you can believe it!

When you sign up you can also take advantage of two other great offers...the scrapbook add on kit only $60 with a retail value of $180 and /or the cardmaking kit that is $50 with a retail value of $150. So you can really start your business off with a bang!

Plus email me lorileng@bellsouth.net and I can share another bonus you'll get for joining the winning team of PINKCLOUDSCRAPPERS.

I also have a great top 10 questions flyer about becoming a consultant that I would love to share with you. It answers many popular questions about our program so email me and I can forward that out to you. Joining Close To My Heart has truly changed my life and I would love to share that passion with you. Want to read more information on becoming a consultant or join up...CLICK HERE . Remember to wait until March to sign up and take advantage of this awesome promotion and I look forward to welcoming you aboard.

Veranda, March's Kit of the Month

Veranda is for sure my favorite new paper pack and I adore this kit. So welcome March and the idea of spring along with the adorable kit.

The kit ( G1007) includes the Level Two Veranda Paper Pack, an exclusive stamp set only available with this kit, Filigree Charms (which are beautiful if you haven't already seen them and of course you'll get the color brochure with detailed instructions on completing both cards and layouts. The kit is offered at the discounted price of $29.95 and remember these are only available until the new idea book comes out and then they will be retired forever.

There are several add-ons you can also purchase and boy do they make your artwork pop. The Just Blooms Z1266 $7.95 and the Mini Medley Accents Z1275 $4.95 can really take your projects up a notch. I suggest getting the Just Blooms if nothing else as they really do draw the page together. I'll post a bit later my layout I did with this set...it's beautiful and I know you would all love to see it.

Here is a list of some other items they can be used with this set, but remember you can always use any font stamp you have ...this is just what has been used in the examples.

E1010 My Acrylix® Chocolate Alphabet-Large $34.95
Z2167 Creme Brulee Exclusive Inks® Pad $5.25
Z2120 Garden Green Exclusive Inks® Pad $5.25
Z2166 Tulip Exclusive Inks® Pad $5.25
Z1142 Brown StazOn® Ink $9.95
Z726 Sponge Daubers $3.95 ( You all know how much I love these little guys)

Please email me lorileng@bellsouth.net if you would like to hop on this kit while it's available or you can order direct from my website, just click the link to the right (order 24/7).

I really know you will be so pleased with the finished results from this kit and have extras to make more adorable projects.

Don't forget...

I'm on the last leg of the race and only two more days to go... PLEASE WATCH my video. The CTMH clearly the best video contest ends on Thursday evening 11PM MST...so I need all the votes I can get. I am behind right now but heck I'll push to the end and I know I could actually pull it off if everyone watched and shared with your friends. The contest winner will be announced on Friday so I'll let everyone know...

Here is the link to take a peek and thanks so everyone who have watched everyday...I know, you're probably sick of the fairy godmother clip by now...but I really do appreciate it.

Also just a few more days left on the Hope For Haiti CTMH Relief fund project....This month you can order the combo textured cardstock by one get one free and two dollars of the proceeds will go to the Haiti Relief fund. It's such a win / win for everyone. The basic and the cozy collections are sold out but there is still a bunch of beautiful paper left...Spring Harmony, Autumn Harvest and Summer Celebration. So either email me lorileng@bellsouth.net or go to my website http://lorileng.myctmh.com/ and stock up today. There is no limit...and you would really be helping the people of Haiti.

Sassy Cheryl Easel Card

I have been wanting to do an easel card for a while now and finally last night I sat down and completed this little cutie. The adorable image is from Sassy Cheryl's. I know I told you about her images the other day, but have you checked her out. Well I have the place for you to go. You can join up at Paper Craft Planet, join Sassy Cheryl's group and right now for a limited time you can get a free image that is just adorable. Plus you'll connect with a group of women that are very talented and you can chat with others and see artwork that they have created with Cheryl's images. Paper Craft Planet is a great resource so I really encourage you all to end on over...oh and its the thing you all love the most FREE! Here is a link to PCP....Click Here.

Now onto my card. I used the Veranda Paper Pack (told you it was on my top favorites). I've really started using various levels of foam tape to add layers and dimensions. The top circle has two layers of foam tape, right corner circle one and then the circle on the base card is attached with tombo...so it's flat. When the easel card is standing up it really pops off the card. I really like the way the clear button that holds the easel card up almost looks like part of the tidal pool that the little girl is discovering.

Now head on over to Paper Craft Planet, and when you join up be sure to say hi to me.

My Top CTMH Picks

One of my club members (Julee) asked me a really great question this morning...What was on my must have list? Why have I never posted that before! I have to admit there really isn't anything I don't love with Close To My Heart, their products are just so darn superior, but of course I have some favorites. So drum roll please.....here are my top picks and they're not in any type of order.

1. 3-D Foam Tape - Z1151 $5.95 it's the best I've ever used...so easy and is just great to add dimension to layouts or cards.

2. Edge Distresser - Z1297 $2.50 who wouldn't love this inexpensive little tool of gold.

3. Micro Tip Scissors - Z534 $9.95 - now shipping in the adorable Spring Iris Color. I use to think the Cutter Bee scissors were the best...we beat those hands down. Slices through ribbon like butter.....LOVE THEM!

4. Emporium Level 2 Paper Pack - X7105B - $12.95 - this pattern is so darn versatile...great for girls or guys. It's the number paper pack with CTMH and I see why. I use it all the time.

5. Wishes Card Confidence Program - 9033 $29.95 You'll never be stumped for ideas again...and it even comes with a CD filled will all sorts of templates...AWESOME!

6. Liquid Glass Z679 $6.95 - Number one selling item from CTMH and if you've ever used it you would so understand why.

7. Piercing Tool Kit - Z1114 - $5.95 - Heck I'm about to order another one of these just so I'll have two and can always lay my hand on one...they are so great!

8. Dry Embossing/ Scoring Stylus - Z608 - $3.25 - with our cardstock being white core this is a great tool to dry emboss and then sand to really make your projects POP!

9. Cupcake Sprinkles Stamp Set - D1336 - $22.95 - This is the most popular stamp set from CTMH and it's adorable. It was the stamp set I did my first make and take with...so it's dear to my heart.

10. Veranda Level Two Paper Pack - X7119B - $12.95 - E-L-E-G-A-N-T enough said.

11. Perfect Day Level Two Paper Pack - X7100B - $12.95 This paper pack is the reason I joined CTMH to become a consultant and it's truly the collection that changed my life.

12. Cranberry Ink Pad - Z1116 - $5.25 The richest color of red you'll find and who doesn't crave a deep bold red.

13. and finally.....Coming Soon! STUDIO J -$Priceless...this is going to revolutionize the world of scrapbooking with a computer. I've been blessed to get to use it and it so totally ROCKS! Our software is going to be FREE, yes I said FREE and you'll be able to create layouts that will blend with your Classic layouts perfectly...so now you can have the best of both worlds and be able to scrap ALL of your pictures...yes 1,309, 001 pictures that you snapped while at Disney Land, LOL.

I hope this list helps you be able to determine some must haves for you collect and if you have a favorite, please leave a comment and let others know what you adore.

Sassy Cheryl's + Creativity = Beautiful

I stumbled on these great digi's thanks to my sister, Gini. She is always my number one enabler. Sassy Cheryl's digi's are so darn adorable. I've bought my first lot, but trust me I'm looking at so many more...they are all just to die for. Cheryl has been creating graphics for years but has just ventured into the land of digi's recently and let me tell you she is going to be a raving success. Her digi's are also the most reasonably priced artwork I've ever seen so you can stock up and still have some money left over. I would tell you to put in the bank...but heck we're crafters so we all know it will go for some other craft goodie..hehehe. Here are some cards I've completed using Cheryl's digis and I know you'll agree with me...they're fabulous (the digi's that is :) .

The first card I did is one of my favorites. I don't think this picture does it justice as there are a ton of layers and dimension that are going on with it. Love that foam tape from CTMH. I also stitched around the card and the oval on the main image. I'm getting a little more friendly with my sewing machine thanks to papercrafting. It's a clean look but really sets of the cute image of the little girl kissing her prince.


This next card is just so darn adorable... I used the all time favorite paper pack from Close To My Heart...Emporium. I foam tapped the circles at different levels, so again a lot of dimension. The side view shows a bit more detail.

This next card, I love the digi/image. Of course I adore little boys, since I have two, but is this not the sweetest thing you have ever seen. I used the 'You Rock" paper pack from CTMH...wanted to show you that funky fun paper could really be used in all different ways. I also faux stitched on this one. This one is a bit more simple in the design, but heck the digi alone speaks for itself.

My last card are the adorable bunnies having a good time. I think that is one of the things I also love so about Sassy Cheryl's ...she has so much variety to offer. Her snowmen and bunnies are just as cute as can be. I know you will want to cruise on over to her site now and get some of these cuties for yourself and let me know what you get...I would love to see your artwork.