Yes I'm Royalty!

Haven't blogged in a few days because I am swamped getting ready for the start of a new school year. My first day with the students is September 6, but there is a lot to do in my classroom before that day. I'm hoping to finish up tomorrow or Wednesday so I can have an extended Labor Day weekend to relax. I did get a chance to put this layout together. It was part of the Joyful Stars swap. This layout was put together by Stephanie. You can see her post here. The lighting is poor for these pictures but you can still see the awesome embellishments Stephanie provided like the darling Heirloom jewel on the crown. I also think the "Halloween" Mischief paper was cleverly used for a non Halloween layout! I'm loving the combination of purple, gray, and black too.

Swap Time!

My upline, Joyce organizes a swap with her team every few months. This is one of the things I like about being a consultant - the exchange of creative ideas! Each participant had to choose a paper packet and either cards or a two page layout to complete. We were to incorporate new stamps and accessories too. My choice was the new paper packet Wonderland, the stamp set Snowflakes, and the super cool Rhinestone Designer Brads. I used the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge to cut all those beautiful snowflakes before I stamped and embellished them. I can't wait to see what my Close To My Heart friends created!   

Pair-a-Phrase

My newest project I started today uses the special double stamp set, Pair-a-Phrase, that is available today. I intend to make a set of 12 note cards, one inspired by each month of the year. I want to decorate one of the new My Creations Card Box to store them. I may be using this as a door prize for an upcoming event. I decided to keep the cards simple (not much paper layering or embellishments). I want the cards to be easy for the recipient to use and mail. Plus Close To My Heart's new pattern paper is to pretty to cover up! I worked with Believe and Wonderland today. Here are the three I finished.

Teacher Survival Kit

I am teacher at Brookeside Montessori School and in a few weeks it is back to school time! This coming week is a staff meeting. I'm going to be surprising my coworkers with these Teacher Survival Kits!

I've been working on these the last couple of days. I started with the My Creations Recipe / Photo box and decorated it with the new Typeset Paper Packet. Then I added their names with the Color-Ready Cork Alphabets and finished it off by adding a Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon handle. I still need a few items for the kit. This is the contents label that I will be printing:

Brookeside Montessori Teacher Survival Kit...to help you survive the 2011-2012 school year!

Contents: 100 Grand Candy Bar so you will be paid what you are worth, Matches for those days when you feel you need to light a fire under your students, Wiggly eyes for when you wish you really did have eyes in the back of your head, Toothpicks to help you pick out the good qualities in everyone, Rubber bands to remind you to be flexible, A binder clip to hold it all together, An eraser to remind you everyone makes mistakes, Band-Aids to heal hurt feelings, Tissues to remind you to dry some one's tears, Clothespin to help you hang in there, Marbles to replace the ones you lose, and A snowflake ornament for when all else fails, pray for a snow day!

Deepest Sympathy

Card Pattern: Button Trio from the How-To Book Originals

My dear friend and side-line Close To My Heart Consultant, Stephanie recently lost her grandfather. She made a lovely tribute album you can see here. I made this card using the new Kraft cards and envelopes.  I used the same paper that Stephanie used for her album, Sonoma and the since I will be mailing this I used the Sonoma Stickease buttons instead of real ones. The stamped image is from the set Treasure Life. I used the chalkboard technique. The inside of the card uses a sentiment from the stamp set Card Chatter - Sympathy.

August Stamp of the Month

Balance It Out from the How-To Book Originals

I'm just not in the Halloween mood so I haven't felt like creating with August's Stamp of the Month. However, recently I was inspired by other Close To My Heart consultants that were really thinking outside of the box. "Put Your Best Foot Forward" is the perfect card to give encouragement to my niece as she starts college in a few weeks.

August 2011 Stamp of the Month: Wicked



 

The Stamp of the Month is available until August 31, 2011 for $17.95 or with a $50.00 purchase you can earn it at an amazing price of $5.00. Also, the monthly special for August is a free stamp set when you qualify and order the Stamp of the Month at the $5.00 price. Visit my web site to take advantage of this deal.

Power to the Lawn Gnome People

Here is a 3 x 3 card featuring the new stamp set Gnome Garden. OK, this is one of those jokes where you had to be there. Several years ago I attended a youth group event / Christian concert. In between sets a comedian doing improve took stage. When he asked for ideas from the audience someone yelled lawn gnomes. I can't remember exactly how the comedian worked it in, all I remember is laughing hysterically every time he said "Power to the Lawn Gnome People". So that is why I think gnomes are funny (not creepy like some may think)! However after I colored this one in I'm thinking leprechaun. So this might wait to handed out until St. Patrick's Day. My favorite part of this project was grabbing the liquid applique to use for his eyebrows, beard, and moustache.

A Cricut Card

I used Close To My Heart's Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge to make this card. The card base and decorative layer were cut at 4 inches. The spiral flowers are 2 inches and 2 3/4 inches. The paper is from the Mayberry Level 2 Paper Packet. The embellishments are Opaques Mocha Adhesive Gems for the flower centers and the new  Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel to create the detail of a stem. This card is going to Jean, a fellow Close To My Heart Consultant, and her husband as a thank you for driving us to the airport to catch the plane for convention!  Close To My Heart Corporation filmed a short video outlining the new Cricut cartridge. Check it out: