Color Inspiration Challenge

Decided to try my hand at a color challenge this week. I used the CTMH colors Chocolate, Hollyhock, Goldrush and White Daisy. I had seen a card by Jean Johnson which I really liked but want to add to a little bit more color so this seemed the perfect time to do it.

The stamps sets I used are from the May Stamp of the Month from CTMH - Be Yourself and the stamps which come with the Tinkled Pink special which CTMH is offering for National Scrapbook Month. Finally the birthday comes from the August Stamp of the Month It's Your Day - but this could be replaced by any birthday you have.

Card Keeper with matching Cards - May Workshop

So I finally found time this week to pull together a workshop for May. I really thought I wasn't going to be able to do one as the clock has been ticking and didn't have anything designed. Luckily two ideas from other consultants came across my emails and I was able to adapt these and create a workshop.

A while back I did a workshop using the snapshot pages made by Close To My Heart (CTMH) to create cards. Since then CTMH has released new snapshots and they were begging to be used for a similar workshop. Thanks to Chris Green who provided the basic design idea I came up with 5 cards using the Perfect Day Snapshots (X8532) and the Botanical Fancy Cuts (X1405).

I had just completed this when Tresa Black shared on her blog a really cute card keeper. In a moment of inspiration, these are rare since I turned 40 so I have to mention it, I realised I could take the design she used to create a matching card keeper for my cards and I had my workshop.

The workshop will be held on Thursday May 28th at 10am at my house. One last fling before the kids finish for the summer. The cost will be $15 (tax and shipping included). For this you will get everything you need to create the card keeper plus five cards (with matching envelopes). You will have extra fancy cuts left over to make more cards at home. I'm sorry I can't do an evening class at the moment due to the cancellation of school events due to swine flu the back end of this month is crazy. I will offer the opportunity to purchase a workshop kit which will include everything you need plus detailed instructions. If you can't pick-up your kit there will be an additional mailing charge.

RSVPs required by May 14th to ensure we get the products in time. You will need to bring 12inch trimmer, scissors and adhesive of choice.

This card keeper would make an excellent end of year teacher gift - so if you want to order extra supplies to make more at home let me know. You can make one set out of 1/2 packet of snapshots.

Graduation Card

Its that time of year when we need graduation cards. As we usually give some money or gift card as well as a card I decided to make this a card which combined the card and the ability to hold money or gift card.

I used Good Times Level 2 paper packet, Chocolate Alphabet Large (E1010), Condfidential (D1347), Reach for the Stars (B1321), Chocolate Ink. (All Close To My Heart products).





Want to learn how to make this card. I have 4 classes this month when I will be teaching it. Check out my schedule on my ctmh blog at www.ronnie.myctmh.com - if there's a class you can make email me to check that I have a spot available at ronniecrowley@prodigy.net. Otherwise how about hosting a class at home where I can teach you and your guests how to make this card.

Samples from new sets from CTMH

Thought I'd share another set of swaps I was involved in with samples from a variety of new sets included in the new catalogs. The slide shows a whole variety of styles and items. You've already seen my sample but still I thought it was worth sharing.

I hoping the weather this afternoon arrives and keeps us home as I have more samples I need to make. I was working on a workshop based around snapshots last night and want to be able to share this soon. I wish I had more time and energy to create but the end of the school year is always a challenge for me even with out the swine flu!

Carol Harris
Nicole Simmons
Tammy Paulson
Emma Ault
Carrie Burdette
Starr Bartlett
Lisa Moore
Ginger Manning
Ronnie Crowley
Christina Cox
Jody Skinner
Heather Snow
Melissa Robinson
Teri Baxter

Heather Dennis

Stephanie Sickler

May Stamp of the Month Samples - Be Yourself

The May Stamp of the Month Be Yourself is one of my favorite for a long time. The ladies are so cute and I have so many ideas of how I can use them. As far as I'm concerned these are a must have purchase and you do that tomorrow May 1st - plus order from the new catalog.

The slide show below is a sample of some ideas made using the May Stamp of the Month from a variety of CTMH consultants across the USA - aren't they cute. I wonder if you can guess which is mine. The first to comment correctly on which is mine gets a prize!

Persons contributing to this artwork: Carla Testa, Carrie Burdette, Christina Cox, Christy Monteith, Heather Snow, Marianne Hancock, Melissa Robinson, Nickie Gill, Ronnie Crowley, Sharryl Hales, Sheila Wilkerson, Shirley Ross, Stacy Park, Tammy Paulson, Teri Baxter, Tina Patten, and Tonya Whitehurst.

Treetops and Buttons

So I'm stuck on my trees at the moment and decided to make another attempt at my tree card for the swap I'm in.

I think the buttons add so much dimension to the card its worth the effort. I thought about adding waxy flax through the holes but didn't have green so shelved that idea.

The design is based on one the designs from the originals card design book from CTMH.



CTMH has currently only the one card design book but in the new catalog we have our second one coming out Jeanette Lynton wrote on her blog - "It’s called “Wishes,” and it contains 109 brand-new patterns, which includes three complete “card workshops.” These “card workshops” are specifically designed to help you make bulk cards faster, simpler, easier. It also emphasizes unique ROUND card patterns and a template CD to make these circles spectacular. Imagine the fun of receiving a cool, round card! Even better, imagine the fun of creating one!"


These books really make your card designing easier. I get mine out all the time just to start off a design. Doesn't mean what I finish with looks anything like the design but it helps me get going. Other times I do a card exactly following the pattern. Never tried one of our patterns well now is the moment to try. Jeannette Lynton also shared one of the new patterns and you can check it out here - pattern. I'd love to see what you create!

Have a great day creating.

Treetops for my tree hugging friends - New for Summer 2009

My new stamps arrived this week from CTMH and I had a moment to play. Not my best card but Ok. I need to come-up with something more creative for this card for a swap but this was done in a few minutes I had to play. When I saw this set I fell in love. This is only one of the trees in the set and I'll be playing with the others thats for sure.