100 Facebook likes

My business page on Facebook has reached 100 likes. This means I have decided to put together a game! The prize will be a basket of goodies from me! The rules are simple.
      -You have 24 hours to complete the questions.
      -once finished pm me on my Facebook business page with the answers.
You will then be entered in a drawing for the basket of goodies!
I have also put together a bonus question and if you get that correct you will automatically earn a mini stamp set! Let's play!

Question 1: What is this month's special? (there are 3 just name 1)

Question 2: Go into an idea book or my website and get the item numbers for these 4 items:
                             a. Marker roll up
                             b. Zoe Workshop on the Go
                             c. Camper Crazy stamp set
                             d. Treats of friendship stamp set

Bonus: Name the 7 colors that are retiring as of August 31st.

Happy hunting and good luck!

My Facebook business page

My website

Jump on it July

I can't believe there is only 1 more week in July! Get these stamp sets while you can!
During the month of July, when you purchase $25 in current, retail priced stamps, you qualify to receive either the July Stamp of the month Life is Wonderful, FREE or any one of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets for only $5!

So what are you waiting for! Jump on it while you still can!

-Megan-
Close to my Heart Independent Consultant
www.MDean7761.ctmh.com

Bokeh Butterflies

Back to blogging! Somehow I could not figure out my log in for this account! But I have it all sorted out and can get back to sharing the things I love. Crafting!

Last month my team did a card swap. We each picked a stamp set to make a card out of. I chose the stamp set Paper Bird which is a hostess reward stamp set.

Here is a list of what I used for this card:

Paper Birds stamp set C1613
White Daisy ink z2163
Sky ink (retired) I would suggest glacier ink instead z2641
Sweet Leaf ink z2153
Black ink z2105
Sponge z697
Scissors z1836
Clear blocks
stamp scrubber and spray z1782 and 1778
card base
3d adhesive squares
Heidi Swapp butterfly stencil

Here is my set up. I always put something underneath my work space to catch any ink or glue. I love using the Close to my Heart desk pad. It has measurements on it and a place for lists ans things. I like using it to jot down things as I make a card or scrapbook page so I can reproduce it.

Another thing I always have on hand is a little scrap bin. Something to put my trash and scraps in. I have these little blue bins in 2 different sizes I got from Michaels that work perfectly!

So lets start making our card! The first thing you want to do is take your sponge and scissors and cut the sponge into quarters.

I do this because it makes the sponge go farther. Now I have 4 pieces to use and can use 4 different colors without blending them together and muddying up my inks.

Next you want to take your first color, I used sky, and using the sponge add the color to the card. You can do this in a sweeping motion or in a circular motion depending on what you like. I used a circular motion on mine.

Cover the whole face of the card with the first color.

Next add in a little accent color. I used Sweet leaf. I liked the blue and the green together for use with the stamp set that I chose.

Now in most Bokeh technique you see someone coming back in making circles or bubbles out of white ink. I decided to branch out from that and do butterflies in the white ink. I used a butterfly stencil by Heidi Swapp which you can find at Michaels.

Place the stencil on top of the card where you want it and then using the white ink apply ink over the stencil.

I then let it dry and took a look at it. If you don't think your butterflies are white enough then apply a second coat just repeating the previous step.

After the card is all dry it is time to grab the stamp set, black ink, and clear block.

I picked "greetings" from this stamp set to put on the front of the card. I stamped it in black ink directly onto the card.

After stamping it is always good to clean your stamps so they are ready to use again next time!

Next I stamped the butterfly in black ink. This stamp does not have a cricut cut that goes with it so to get the butterfly shape I needed to fussy cut it.

The last step is to put 3d adhesive squares to the back of the butterfly to make him pop off the card.

And there you have my take on the Bokeh technique! I hope you enjoyed and stay tuned for more!

-Megan
Close to my Heart independent Consultant
www.mdean7761.ctmh.com

Team meeting

Today I got together with my wonderful Upline Ellen as well as some other ladies on our team. We got to take a good look at the new Annual Inspirations book and see some of the new products. It is always nice to meet with other independent consultants and pick each others brains for tips and tricks to a successful business.

My goodies from the meeting. We did a little stamping and a little gluing and a lot of talking! lol. She had some great informational worksheets for us as well.

My favorite thing was that she used all of our embossing folders to make us a little sampler. I have been wanting a sampler to show people however I have not gotten even half of our embossing folders yet. I love that I now have samples of them now to not only show others but to have on hand for reference for my own crafting! The 2 colored ones on the far right show what our paper does when embossed and then distressed. Also I learned that when using the woodgrain embossing folder do not use a tape runner to adhere it to things. It is very easily ripped so I would suggest a liquid glue to adhere paper that has been embossed with woodgrain. I do believe that woodgrain is my favorite out of them all and has moved up on my must have list!

So pretty!

We also got to play with this cute stamp and our Shin Han Touch markers. This is one of our M size stamps called Blooming heart (M1049) I love these stamps. They are the perfect size and it is only $2.95 for just one stamp! They are especially great for card making.

I had a great time today meeting new people and crafting the afternoon away. I can't wait till next time!

Happy Crafting!
-Megan-

Back to school

It is getting to be that time of year again. Time to go back to school! Need to get the shopping done. New clothes, new shoes, and school supplies. How about something for the new teacher? I have the thing just right for you!

A cute little post it note holder! I used Close to my hearts Chalk it up paper pack (x7184b),glacier card stock, (x5770), and the Teacher appreciation stamp set (d1612). I picked up a frame from Michaels and voila! Cute little gift fit for a teacher!

I love the cute little owl and the heart shaped apple. Such a cute stamp set! I also used our new Shin Han touch markers to color in the owl.

I used the Artbooking cricut cartridge to cut the notes paper piece. Want to make this fun little craft!?! Come and join me on Sunday August 31st at 2pm to make this for the teacher in your life. Cost is just $6 per kit. Sign up on my facebook business page today!
Teacher gift

Happy Crafting!
-Megan-

Chalk it up workshop

I am having my first workshop for the new annual inspirations book. It is with the new Chalk it up paper pack. I am in love with this paper pack! It is so cute! We will be doing 3, 2 page layouts. We are also using the Artbooking cricut cartridge which I also love.

Here is the first layout. I just love the colors and the stamps. The Chalk it up assortment (z3009) just gives it that added touch.

Here is the second layout. The black striped twill ribbon (z1988) is such a great accent.

This one I made as the easiest one of the 3 layouts with very minimal stamping. I just love the Artbooking cartridge! (z1906)

Come join me on August 22nd to make these cute layouts! Cost is $30 without the stamp set (you will use mine for the workshop) or $40 with the stamp set. Please let me know by August 15th so I can order everything. The kits come pre-cut and ready to assemble!

Happy Crafting!
-Megan-

August Stamp of the Month

This month's stamp of the month is so cute! If you love owls you will love this stamp set. You can mix and match and make all sorts of unique things with it!

This is What a hoot. It can be used for Halloween or everyday your choice! This awesome stamp set is just $5 with a $50 order on my website or you can order it by itself for just $17.95. What are you waiting for!?! Get yours today!

Visit my website today.
www.mdean7761.ctmh.com

Happy Crafting!
-Megan-