Shin Han Marker Blog Hop with CTMH

10 / 7 / 148 / 10 / 15

Welcome to a special Blog Hop featuring our New Shin Han Markers. If you came here from Haley Dyer’s Blog, you are on the right path! Close To My Heart is excited to introduce our new line of ShinHan™Touch Twin™ markers! ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ markers are one of the highest quality, dependable and trusted art-quality alcohol-based markers on the market today. These markers have been redesigned, refined, and perfected for over twenty years!

The ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Markers:

• Are ergonomic

• Won’t roll away!

• Are dual-tipped: one fine tip and one broad tip

• Are easy to blend

• Come in 24 dynamic colors

Project #1 Colored Chalk Art A1162 Joyful Wishes Stamp Set

I started out with stamping in White Daisy pigment ink. After making sure it was completely dry I added color by going over the white with markers. The color builds up so you can make it as deep and rich as you want. You can also mix colors. Always start with the light color first. The end result was a colored chalk look.

Supplies Used

I chose colors that would coordinate with our Confetti Wishes Paper.

I also used a small strip from the Seaside Polka Dot Paper as well.

Marker Colors: Z2458 Marine Blue Z2449 Cerulean Blue Light Z2466 Vivid Green Z2455 Light Orange Z2464 Tender Pink Z2462 Peony Purple

Project #2 I Think You’re Perfect Card

I made another card, but it is a more traditional coloring job. I LOVE the fine point end of the marker. It really comes in handy for those tight spaces, like the details of earrings, bracelets, etc.. The good thing is we also have a Colorless Blender that can remove color where needed. I made this card for a friend a few weeks ago. She was having a difficult time with gossip, so I wanted to set the record straight. This is an exclusive Hostess Stamp Set, “Better With a Friend” that I adore! I used the used the same paper and basic color palette, but added a few more colors: I also used the Colorless Blender Marker to add some interest to the blue jean pants. Pastel Peach Marker was perfect for the skin tone. I stamped on a shape from Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. With so much white showing I had to do something, so I grabbed a sponge dauber and filled in the background. The final touch was highlighting the word “Pefect” with the Peony Purple Marker. Be sure that you always stamp in pigment ink. Here I used our Black Archival Ink otherwise it will smear. I hope you enjoyed a small sampling of what you can do with these fun markers.

Now you are off to Kelly Jane’s Blog for more Marker Madness!

Until Next Time- Capture Life! Sarita

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop- Home for the Holidays

9 / 30 / 148 / 25 / 15

Welcome to our October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! If you came here from

Mary’s Blog then you are on the right path! Grab a cup of your favorite drink and get ready to be inspired! We have over 70 consultants sharing their artwork as they get you in the mood for the upcoming holiday season! If you want to see a complete list of hoppers, click here.

Home for the Holidays is a set of 7 stamps that lends itself well to the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge. The stamps that are outlined coordinate perfectly!

The Project: A Really Sweet Gift Tag/Decoration

I made a special gift tag that is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. Picture this wrapped around a gift, a candle, a mason jar. I can’t wait to do that!

List of Materials Used:

-White Daisy Cardstock

-Tag shape from the Art Philosophy Cartridge

(Tag function is perfect for these stamped images.There are so many choices.)

–Lagoon (Teal) and Silver shimmer tape -Base Ornament shape from AP and layered ornament shape. -Stamped in Archival Black, Glacier and Cranberry -Candy cane and candy to make a little embellishment. I also used the candy stamp to stamp the tag as well. –Snowhaven Paper Pack– used a strip of the Glacier and black paper in the middle. -Ruby Chevron Ribbon- (which you can get for FREE this month) CLICK HERE to find out how! Thanks for stopping by! Now you are off to DANA’S BLOG for some more holiday hoopla!! Don’t forget to add this stamp of the month to your club or party order this month for only $5 when you spend $50! Until Next Time-

Capture Life! Sarita

September Stamp of the Month, Family is Forever

9 / 1 / 148 / 25 / 15

Welcome to our September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! If you came here from

Maureen’s Blog then you are on the right path! Grab a cup of your favorite drink and get ready to be inspired! We have 80 consultants sharing their artwork. If you want to see a complete list, click here. Family is Forever is a set of 7 stamps that includes graphics and words that are perfect sized for scrapbooking, card making or any other crafty endeavor!

The Project: My Crush Pages

I made a quick couple of My Crush pages of one of the most special moments my family celebrated this summer! We were all baptized together. It was a renewed commitment and statement as to where our family stands. This stamp set could not have been more perfect! I stamped directly on to the already pre-printed pages. I also stamped directly on to the journaling box, which was already printed with “THE STORY GOES.” I also stamped and trimmed a few of the images and used them as embellishments in my book.

List of Materials Used:

My Crush Book Best Day Ever Assortment Pathfinding Paper Pack

Seaside Paper Pack

Now you are off to

Katy’s Blog

for much more inspiration.

Until Next Time- Capture Life! Sarita

CTMH New Annual Inspirations Fall Product Blog Hop

8 / 6 / 148 / 10 / 15

Welcome to our CTMH New Product Blog Hop! If you have come here from Krista’s Blog you are on the right path! We have over 50 consultants eager to show you their artwork. So make sure you keep hopping!

The release of our new Annual Inspirations Catalog has brought us 250 NEW Products! It’s hard to pick just one. So, I will be showcasing a few things that I have already fallen in love with.

Just in time for back to school, I made a pencil holder. This is also one of the projects I offer at my “Craft Happy Birthday Parties” for kids!

I covered the My Creations Kraft Container, which is not new but it is sticking around in the new Annual Inspirations Catalog. I used the Chalk it Up paper pack cut in strips and had fun layering it. Wait till you see all the cute doodles and sayings on it! plus, you can’t go wrong when it all coordinates right? The owl’s eyes were made using hearts from the adorable Chalk It Up Assortment, which is an 8” x 4” sheet of puffy stickers. I LOVED puffy stickers when I was a kid. I also used the “zip strip” border of sorbet swirls. The owl is from the August Stamp of the Month. I honestly can’t stop paper piecing that owl. It is so fun! I stamped the LOL and the speech bubble from “LOL” a set of 18 stamps that go perfectly with this paper. It’s only $6.95! Love it!! I used pigment inks, Lagoon and Sorbet to color the rim of the container and on the lid. There is so much for you to see! So, keep on hopping over to Lauren’s Blog for much more inspiration and fun! Until Next Time- Capture Life! Sarita

One of a Kind Birthday Party Crafts for Tweens

8 / 3 / 149 / 11 / 15

Over the past several years I have conducted birthday parties for my friend’s children. I did my very first one for a girl who is a SENIOR in high school now! While I have only done a few and they came by referral, it has been a highlight of my business. I have really enjoyed making a special birthday experience for each child. I have received such positive feedback from the parents and kids themselves, that I have decided to expand this service to the public! It is pretty simple! You choose which project your guests will make and I supply the materials needed, all pre cut and measured. Here are a few we have done. Front and back of a 6×6 accordion album her guests made. Projects are based on season and materials available. There is always a chance to embellish, bling out or stamp yourself silly!! Each guest also participates in creating a special album for the birthday child! From what I have observed, it is the quietest birthday party around! That is until we start playing the music and they get going. They get to visit the stamping station and learn different techniques and use fun tools. It is such a special way to celebrate your child’s special day. These are memories that they won’t soon forget!

After the projects are complete, we move on to opening presents and eating birthday cake that you provide. You can put together little party favor bags or order them from me. I can provide all those details when we schedule your child’s party!

Add Ons are Available!

For an additional charge you can order handmade invitations. Or a handmade personalized banner, like this one. It was great to see the look of surprise on the the birthday girl’s face when she saw it. Parties are typically held on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon and last for 2 hours. For more information, contact me.

Until Next Time-

Be Blessed!

Sarita

CTMH August Stamp of the Month- What a Hoot! Mini Purse

7 / 31 / 148 / 27 / 15

For this project, “Birthday Party Mini Purse” I used the Cricut and cut out a mini purse. Then I embellished it with stamps and stickers.

I stamped the owl on White Daisy Cardstock as well as the striped piece of paper. I cut out a few pieces and layered them to add dimension and FUN to the owl itself and her birthday hat. I also cut out the “Happy Birthday” from another piece of paper from Confetti Wishes that is bold and whimsical.

You of course could use any paper you have for any occasion. But who doesn’t love owls??

Until Next Time-

Be Blessed

Sarita

July Stamp of the Month Blog Hop- Circus Alphabet

7 / 1 / 148 / 10 / 15

Welcome to the cutest blog hop on the block! If you came here from

WENDY’S BLOG you are on the right path! This month’s set is called “Circus” but don’t let that kid you! It is 2 sets of fun and whimsy for any occasion, reason or season! So, for $5 (when you spend $50) you’re getting 68 stamps!

They are so fun and versatile! Our family just welcomed in a new little baby girl. So, I knew this would be the prefect opportunity to try out some chalkboard subway art! I will add baby K’s photo later and give this as a gift to her grandma who is my cousin!

I worked with the white pigment ink as my base for the stamped letters and numbers. When it was dried or almost dry I went back over with colored pigment inks:

Smoothie

Cotton Candy

Juniper

I love the way it smudged a bit to make it look like real chalk.

I also raised some of the words with foam tape. I LOVE that I can have that fun look with added dimension.

The patterned paper is Lollydoodle, which is on it’s way out with the other retiring items. So grab those and don’t forget your $5 stamp of the month!

Now you are on your way to Kathleen’s Blog for some more inspiration!!

Until Next Time-

Capture Life!

Sarita

June Stamp of the Month Blog Hop- KABOOM!

6 / 11 / 148 / 10 / 15

Welcome to our CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. If you came from my crafty sister, Wendy’s Blog then you are on the right path! This month’s stamp, “KABOOM” is a set of 16 stamps that can be used in the background or be the focal point of your project. These graphics are perfect way to add ‘POP’ to all your summer celebrations and beyond!

Now, I could not even compete with the artwork department created so why try right? LOL! Actually the little girl on this layout is my bestie, Fancy Melissa’s daughter. So cute right? You can click here to see all of the projects up close.

Let’s take a closer look at this fun “Freedom” layout created by CTMH Art Department. It’s a combination of Skylark paper and stamped images from the June SOTM. The fireworks add a nice subtle design to the background. Click on the photo to see all the details and instructions so you can make your own

Remember, this stamp set is only available for a limited time. Get yours for $5 when you spend $50, and THEN you can ALSO choose a gift collection for only $30!

Now keep hopping! Your next stop is Maureen’s Blog for some more inspiration.

Until Next Time-

Capture Life!

Sarita

Month of “May”hem in Rewind

6 / 3 / 147 / 29 / 15

Sometimes life just flies by so fast that I swear if I didn’t take pictures I would forget it happened. Maybe I dreamt it. Have you ever felt like that?? Well, that is how my month of May was. I say that in the most loving and positive way possible!

Actually it started in April when I went on a little trip to NEW YORK CITY with Savana and the music department at Waterford HS. What a trip it was! Here are just a few pics of some of the great moments we shared!

My most treasured moment was seeing Wicked on Broadway with my girl right next to me. Best Mother/ Daughter moment ever!!

We had a great time and many stories will be shared in the scrapbooks. As soon as I stop having flashbacks! LOL! A few short days after we returned, we were off to State Competition for Solo and Ensemble.

Savana also did a solo and received a rating of 1 which is the best you can get! She sang a classical song in Italian.

Then we were off to my cousin’s wedding dinner/reception in Oshkosh. It was so beautiful and was a fun break.

We stayed over night and left early in the morning so we could get back in time for Savana’s 2 Spring Concert performances. She sang a great Broadway piece, “100 Easy Ways to Lose a Man.”

Enjoy a short and sassy performance of Broadway’s “100 Easy Ways To Lose a Man”

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In between performances was the Awards Banquet.

I was also named Choir Parents Association President. Oh boy!

THEN…. the very next day Savana turned 16 and it was Cinco De Mayo. What a fun day to celebrate! Since everyone else was. We went to El Beso’s for Mexican food of course.

We were also having fun watching Sofie playing soccer with the Yellow Pirates of the Waterford Recreation Department. The coaches have been great with her. One year ago at her IEP we all decided a group sport like this would be almost impossible for her. Guess she proved us all wrong! She always does!!

Next it was Mother’s Day! I got a big girl camera and enjoyed a wonderful homemade breakfast. Eggs Benedict tradition lives on! Then it was on to my Mom’s. Scott cooked a wonderful meal on the grill and we got to see my grandma, “Ma”, in the yellow. Can you believe she is 94 years old???

Oh! and I made a really fun pop up card for my Mom. She loved it! I am hoping to teach a class on it this summer. It was simply too much fun to make (once I figured it out of course)!

Then is was Sofie’s turn to perform! Concert day and night at Evergreen!

Later that week I hosted a group of fifth graders for a special birthday party at my Cottage. It was so fun. It happens so fast I rarely get pictures. Weird I know. Here is the banner the birthday girl’s mother ordered.

On the same day Savana went to prom for her first time. A friend of hers who is a Senior invited her to go and they had a blast.

Next Day was my Godson’s Mommy’s Baby Shower.

The best part of the shower is when I was interrogated on why I didn’t plan a birthday party for Savana’s Sweet 16. So, we did. Right then and there we planned a surprise party that would happen in one week from the day! I Thank GOD my best friend, Trudy, was coming to visit that weekend. She was a HUGE help and gave me lots of moral support too We went with a Luau theme. I will post more about that in the near future. So Fun!!!

Then the final weekend of May we ended up going to Minnesota to see our good friends. It was such a nice break and we had a great time! More on that to come as well. Now it’s on to the end of school and bring on SUMMER! I hope you had a great May. I really do welcome and embrace these busier times. I know they won’t last forever. Well, they will once I get them in a scrapbook.

Until Next Time-

Capture Life!

Sarita

May CTMH Stamp of the Month “You’ve Got a Friend” and a Mini Gift Bag

5 / 1 / 148 / 10 / 15

Welcome to our CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. If you came from my crafty sister, Michelle’s Blog then you are on the right path! This month’s stamp, “You’ve Got a Friend” is a set of 5 bold fun and whimsy stamps! These graphics are perfect for all sorts of reasons and seasons!

I am so incredibly blessed when it comes to Sofie’s Support Family! She has had one of her teachers since she was in kindergarten. So, I am looking forward to teacher appreciation week to spoil her! I decorated a simple mini lunch bag that I plan on putting brownie bites in.

I used the exclusive and funky paper, Free to be Me that is our May promotion for National Scrapbook Month. I also used the card pattern from the Free to be Me Workshop. I simply scaled it down for a mini lunch bag. I added a few extra touches like covering a mini clothespin with coordinating paper and aqua dots. If you haven’t played with those yet, you have to! They are so fun and pack a decorative punch!

The ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Markers:

• Are ergonomic

• Won’t roll away!

• Are dual-tipped: one fine tip and one broad tip

• Are easy to blend

• Come in 24 dynamic colors

Supplies Used

I chose colors that would coordinate with our Confetti Wishes Paper.

I also used a small strip from the Seaside Polka Dot Paper as well.

Project #2 I Think You’re Perfect Card

Now you are off to Kelly Jane’s Blog for more Marker Madness!

Welcome to our October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! If you came here from

Mary’s Blog then you are on the right path! Grab a cup of your favorite drink and get ready to be inspired! We have over 70 consultants sharing their artwork as they get you in the mood for the upcoming holiday season! If you want to see a complete list of hoppers, click here.

Home for the Holidays is a set of 7 stamps that lends itself well to the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge. The stamps that are outlined coordinate perfectly!

The Project: A Really Sweet Gift Tag/Decoration

List of Materials Used:

-White Daisy Cardstock

-Tag shape from the Art Philosophy Cartridge

(Tag function is perfect for these stamped images.There are so many choices.)

Welcome to our September Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! If you came here from

The Project: My Crush Pages

List of Materials Used:

Now you are off to

for much more inspiration.

Welcome to our CTMH New Product Blog Hop! If you have come here from Krista’s Blog you are on the right path! We have over 50 consultants eager to show you their artwork. So make sure you keep hopping!

Just in time for back to school, I made a pencil holder. This is also one of the projects I offer at my “Craft Happy Birthday Parties” for kids!

Add Ons are Available!

For this project, “Birthday Party Mini Purse” I used the Cricut and cut out a mini purse. Then I embellished it with stamps and stickers.

Welcome to the cutest blog hop on the block! If you came here from

WENDY’S BLOG you are on the right path! This month’s set is called “Circus” but don’t let that kid you! It is 2 sets of fun and whimsy for any occasion, reason or season! So, for $5 (when you spend $50) you’re getting 68 stamps!

They are so fun and versatile! Our family just welcomed in a new little baby girl. So, I knew this would be the prefect opportunity to try out some chalkboard subway art! I will add baby K’s photo later and give this as a gift to her grandma who is my cousin!

I worked with the white pigment ink as my base for the stamped letters and numbers. When it was dried or almost dry I went back over with colored pigment inks:

Smoothie

Cotton Candy

Juniper

I love the way it smudged a bit to make it look like real chalk.

I also raised some of the words with foam tape. I LOVE that I can have that fun look with added dimension.

The patterned paper is Lollydoodle, which is on it’s way out with the other retiring items. So grab those and don’t forget your $5 stamp of the month!

Now you are on your way to Kathleen’s Blog for some more inspiration!!

Until Next Time-

Capture Life!

Sarita

Remember, this stamp set is only available for a limited time. Get yours for $5 when you spend $50, and THEN you can ALSO choose a gift collection for only $30!

Now keep hopping! Your next stop is Maureen’s Blog for some more inspiration.

Until Next Time-

Capture Life!

Sarita

Sometimes life just flies by so fast that I swear if I didn’t take pictures I would forget it happened. Maybe I dreamt it. Have you ever felt like that?? Well, that is how my month of May was. I say that in the most loving and positive way possible!

My most treasured moment was seeing Wicked on Broadway with my girl right next to me. Best Mother/ Daughter moment ever!!

We had a great time and many stories will be shared in the scrapbooks. As soon as I stop having flashbacks! LOL! A few short days after we returned, we were off to State Competition for Solo and Ensemble.

I was also named Choir Parents Association President. Oh boy!

Oh! and I made a really fun pop up card for my Mom. She loved it! I am hoping to teach a class on it this summer. It was simply too much fun to make (once I figured it out of course)!

Then is was Sofie’s turn to perform! Concert day and night at Evergreen!

Next Day was my Godson’s Mommy’s Baby Shower.

Until Next Time-

Capture Life!

Welcome to our CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. If you came from my crafty sister, Michelle’s Blog then you are on the right path! This month’s stamp, “You’ve Got a Friend” is a set of 5 bold fun and whimsy stamps! These graphics are perfect for all sorts of reasons and seasons!

I am so incredibly blessed when it comes to Sofie’s Support Family! She has had one of her teachers since she was in kindergarten. So, I am looking forward to teacher appreciation week to spoil her! I decorated a simple mini lunch bag that I plan on putting brownie bites in.

Remember, this stamp set is only available for a limited time. Get yours for $5 when you spend $50, plus the paper pack at a special price as well!

Now keep hopping! Your next stop is Dawn Ross’ Blog for some more inspiration.

Until Next Time-

Capture Life

Sarita