H2H challenge #13...Olde Glory

Here is my patriotic offering in honor of Olde Glory...It's a grand old flag that represents our nation. My husband spent 5 years in the Marines, and I wanted to produce a card to honor that service and sacrifice by him and all those who have served in the military. Hope you enjoy, and God bless America!

H2H challenge #12 color challenge...Tulip, Black and Buttercup

This challenge was a little tricky because I didn't have much in the way of Buttercup around...my philosophy is to do what you can with what you've got where you are (Eleanor Roosevelt) so I grabbed what I could find and took it with us camping. I had the back of some B&T paper from Boom-Di-Ada that I used for the buttercup element. I'm very much in love with A Little Buzz stamp set <3. Looking forward to using this bookmark in my summer read LOL

Heart to Heart challenge #11 Father's Day

On my wedding day, I asked my dear Uncle Terry to walk me down the aisle; my real dad walked out on his wife and children about 10 years ago and never looked back. Not only was Uncle Terry honored to fill this roll, he even went the day before our Reno wedding and spoke to the minister, giving him some background information about our situation. Our wedding was beautiful, and I appreciate all my aunt and uncle did to make it even more special. He's getting this card for Father's Day :) I used scraps from the Everyday Celebrations kit.

Father's Day

And a couple other Father's Day cards...my daughter's requested I made one for both of their dads... Dane's is the piratical one, of course!

H2H challenge #10...get scrappy using CTMH products

Here's my layout for this challenge... scroll down for a slideshow with more closeups.

H2H challenge #10...get scrappy using CTMH products

Boy do I love this kind of challenge since I'm frequently doing this anyway LOL. The photos are not fabulous, but the memories are beautiful!!

Heart to Heart challenge #9

I really enjoyed making my own striped paper for my interpretation of this week's challenge. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else makes, too!

Here are a few more examples of stamped backgrounds

Not sure why this last one loaded sideways...strange things, computers LOL

Heart to Heart challenge #8: Stamp your own Background

Boy was this a tough one...tough to decide what to submit, because I love to stamp my own backgrounds. My husband wisely voted for the pirate paper used in our wedding album. If you click on "tips and techniques" in the left margin of my blog, you will see how I made this multi-step background used throughout our album.

Heart to Heart challenge #7

This week's challenge used a color combination of Desert Sand, Ocean and Topiary. I happened to be working on our Disneyland Honeymoon album, and this picture worked perfectly for this color scheme. Hope you like it, too!

Heart to Heart challenge #5

For this week's technique challenge, I choose sanding...I'm addicted! On this card, I dry embossed a pattern for the background then sanded over the top. I also sanded the back of some B&T paper to add more dimension. Scroll down to see one of my wedding album pages where I used three different versions of sanding...is there any help for this addiction? LOL

Page 1 of our wedding album

Can't stop sanding... three different kinds on this page LOL

Heart to Heart Mother's Day challenge

This was fun to make using Veranda papers and Spring Blossom paper flowers. Not sure if the judges will love it, but I know Nana will :)

Heart to Heart challenge #4

Here's my offering for this week's H2H challenge

Open House make and take project teaser!!

Heart to Heart challenge

Here are my offerings for the Heart to Heart challenge! Looking forward to each new week...

The summer 2010 Idea Book has arrived!

Make the most of your memories using the latest products from
Close To My Heart


Come see the new scrapbooking and stamping supplies to capture the most important moments of your life

OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday, May 5th...Cinco de Mayo!!
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

See some of the newest products, enjoy fun make-and-take projects, shop for handstamped cards and more!!

Merri Barber
Independent Consultant
1331 W. Great Basin Drive
Meridian, Idaho 83646
(208) 629-9762
stampmom@msn.com
order online at merri.myctmh.com

Birthday card

Three from one: Banner

Holiday Hoopla 5x7 cards

I found this pattern on the Close To My Heart consultant bulletin board... so many talented crafters to be inspired from! This pattern was a lot of fun to play with

Elyse's Locks of Love

3x3 Daydream card from Triple, Triple "Originals" pattern

That's Amore
Everlasting
Daydream

These adorable cards were made with from the same basic pattern called Triple, Triple from the "Originals" book. I will continue to post Three-from-One frequently to show you how versatile the patterns are in the wonderful how-to books from Close To My Heart. Let me know what you think!

joy card

Shadow boxes

I made each of the girls a shadowbox to document some of my favorite things about them. On those days when they drive me goofy, I go to their rooms and read them as a reminder!

A very fun winter bookmark

cluster stamping background paper.

Here's a fun way to make your own custom paper for stamping and scrapping projects. Let me show you how!



For this project, I used Vanilla Cream cardstock and the following inks: creme brulee, bamboo, and chocolate


Start by opening creme brulee, or your lightest color.

Now start making large swirling motions with light to medium pressure across the paper until desired intensity is achieved

Now just repeat the process with bamboo, or your next darkest ink. This ends up looking like parchment or leather.

To make the cluster, simply place images on block, starting with the largest and working it around until it makes you happy!

Time for the darkest color now to stamp the image...

Begin stamping in the corner. Rotate the paper and the stamp until the whole paper is filled

The entire paper is done... remember to stamp off the edge so the pattern apprears to go on forever, like my love for my own pirate, Dane!

Here's the finished product with my paper... love it!