CTMH Christmas Card

Well, forgive me for being absent for a few days.  Busy...so what else is new.  I've been preparing for an upcoming workshop and just had a terrific workshop last night.  In the midst of all of that, I was able to finish this card...

I made this card with one of my favorite new CTMH stamps called Classic Doily (B1424.)  To make it, I took a large piece of 140 pound cold press watercolor paper and made a wash.  I scribbled, yes scribbled all over the watercolor paper with different shades of blue and gray pencils.  Then, using my waterbrush, I wet the page to mix the scribbles.  When it was dry, I heat embossed the Doily image 3 times with gold powder.  I then cut out the layer, added some additional coloring with the pencils and a blending pencil and popped up the layers with 3D foam.  Last, but not least, "Joy" was heat embossed on a scrap piece of the water color paper.  :o)

The card also features the new Ruby Glitter tape.  A striking card, what do you think?  And, I just looked at the clock and I must head out to work!  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Joyful Stars Blog Hop

It's the Joyful Stars Blog Hop!  I am so happy to be participating in this hop for the second month.  This month, our goal is to share new anything new from Close To My Heart.  Oh my, with the new Fall/Winter Idea book now released, how does one decide?  :o)

If you've come here from Angelina's Blog you are on the right track.  And, here is what I have to share with you...

 

The paper is from one of the new paper packets called Huntington (X7174B.)  In the Idea Book, it is pictured with fall stamps, but as I studied it, I thought it would be perfect for heritage or vintage Layouts, too.  The Title, photo mats, flowers and leaves are all cut with the new Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  What makes this cartridge so special is that everything is cut on the same key!  Yep, all the goodies on this layout are from the "D" alpha key.  All I did was use different functions.  Artbooking makes it so simple.  Just a sidebar...the photos are primarily my maternal grandparents, my Mom is there, too...the young teenager.    I am so lucky to have these wonderful shots.  That is my Grandmom on the left in 1900.  The windmill in the lower right is the family sawmill somewhere near Cologne Germany...photo taken circa 1890.  Believe it or not, my relatives still own the business today.

 

We are all so busy that finding the time to preserve our memories is difficult.  Everyone needs a little help getting the task done...please meet my assistant, Bombay.

 

So, where or not you are lucky enough to have an assistant, the Artbooking cartridge makes preserving your memories so easy.  Well, I am the last person on the hop list, so thanks for joining us...or if you came the our fun in the middle, hop on up to Joyce's blog to see what she has created for us!  For Now, Happy Crafting!







CTMH Home Decor and Frosted

Hold onto your hat, but I actually had a little free time to create today!  I know, I can't believe it either.  :o)  When we were at our Post Convention Team Meeting the other week, one of our creative projects was to make the make one of the CTMH My Creations Stars along with Karen (the PaperDolls fearless leader) teaching us to may a rolled flower.  Well, I never had the chance to make my star at the meeting, but it is such a wonderful project that I was determined to make one. 

Why is it so difficult to get a decent picture of the best things?  I used the new "Frosted" paper packet (X7175B) to cover the chipboard star (Z1803).  A template is available to use to cut out the individual "legs."  What I learned from this is when using 2 different papers, you need to remember to have the template facing the same way for 5 of the points and the opposite way for the other 5.  Otherwise, you will wind up with miss matched papers.  Not a problem, you just need to remember this.

Now for the Polka Satin Ribbon (Z1802)) Flower in the center.  When Karen taught us how to make the flower, she used the burlap ribbon (Z1760).  I looked at the satin ribbon and wondered would it work.  Well, it did!  :o)  Cut two pieces of ribbon...one to measure 12 inches and the other measuring 24 inches.  When using burlap, you only need 12 inches for each length.  Fold the lengths in half and glue the edge using a hot glue gun (don't burn yourself.)  Begin to roll the 12 inch length tightly and hold together with the glue.  You want a tight roll so feel free to add glue from the selvage to the top.  This is the center of your flower.  Next take the 24 inch length, attach to the base (salvage) edge of the flower center.  Make sure that you only glue the bottom portion.  Begin to wrap around the flower center and randomly pleat the ribbon so that it fans out to look like a flower.  When you are close to the end, fold in the edge to keep the ribbon from fraying. If you are using burlap, you may fringe it to give the petal effect.  This is why you need less ribbon when you are using the burlap...the fringing forms the petal look.  Cut two shorter lengths of ribbon to attach to the bottom to form your "leaves."  Very easy and a great effect.  What do you think?

I love these stars and can see me making several for Holiday Gifts.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Fall Floral

This is just a quick post before I head off to work.  I think I've mentioned that I am the floral designer at my local Michaels.  Well, here are two items that I just made...what fall already?  :o)

Well, it's off to work.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Another CTMH Scrapbook Layout

It is soon time for me to head out to work, but before I do, I wanted to share another layout that I recently completed for my CTMH Convention Album.

 

I actually completed it in May and didn't want to post it until after Convention which is why you see my old blog address.  Anyway, it is a combination of two paper packets...Clementine and Dakota.  That is one of the many great things about CTMH, it is so easy to create because everything coordinates so well together.  I don't know how well it shows in the picture, but the rainbow actually pops up as you turn the page.  Click on the picture and it will show better.  I took all three of those pictures...just in the right spot at the right time.

 

Scrapbooking with CTMH is just the best.  I love combining stamping, the Cricut Cartridges and Stickease on one layout.  And, with the terrific embellishments you can spice up your pages even more.  All while creating "faster, simpler, easier."  :o)  Well, off to work.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

The New CTMH Idea Book is Here with a Give Away!

It is finally the day to release the new Idea Book!!!!!!!  Party Hardy everyone because this IB is probably the best one in ages!  I love everything in it.  There is a new Cricut Cartridge that is ground breaking.  Literally, you no longer have to waste paper cutting images that don't fit on your project.  Just set the Cricut on the size of your layout the the title, embellishments, overlays and photo mats cut perfectly.  There are new wonderful papers, embellishments and stamps.  I hardly know where to begin.  Convention was a blast this year because of all of the excitement around the new products.

One of the special treats in the IB is in celebration of the upcoming anniversary.  Hard to believe, but CTMH has been in business for almost 30 years and remains as solid and innovative as ever.  One special treat are stamps from Jeannette Lynton's archive.  They are stamps favorites from years past that are being brought back for a limited time only.  So very special...

This adorable ragdoll is just one of those archived stamps.  It is from a set called "Stitched With Love" (B1425.)  There are soooo many fun things packed into this little card.  The pattern paper is from a new set called Laughing Lola (X7170B.)  The sentiment is actually from one of the stamp sets that come with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge...the first CTMH Cricut Cartridge.  And, that buttercup zigzag... is from an Artbooking Cricut Cartridge cut.  Ah...don't let those cuts from the overlays go to waste.  I am working on a project that I will be posting in a week or so...

Anyway, to celebrate the new Fall/Winter Idea Book, I'm doing a give away.  Leave a comment on this or any future post through August 18th and you be entered into a random drawing to receive this wonderful retro stamp.  Place an order on my website by joining in on the online party called Fall Winter Idea Book Party between today and August 18th and I'll send you a special treat along with two entries into the random drawing.  Comment on my Facebook Page during the same dates and I'll also enter you into the drawing.

Come party with me and celebrate the new Close To My Heart Fall Winter Idea Book.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

Close To My Heart Scrapbooking

I started scrapbooking many many years ago.  I, like so many others, was invited to a "home party" and was told to bring 3 pictures and be ready to be hooked for life.  So, off I tootled to that party, pictures in hand and guess what...I was hooked for life!  It was a Creative Memories party hosted by a teacher where DH works and the consultant was a fellow teacher.  I spent a small fortune!  Cover sets, papers, tools...those border and circle/oval cutters, that corner rounder that I STILL use.  Even my current CTMH students know that if you want the best corner rounder use the 2 color blue one.  :o)

But things change.  I made several albums and then I discovered card making.  I was introduced to Close To My Heart via a friend and another home gathering.  Oh wow... what terrific goodies.  Beautiful, high quality papers, white core card stock that I can distress and age, STAMPS and inks that feed both my scrapbooking and card making addiction.  I spent yet another fortune on stamps, inks and those terrific acrylic blocks.  I thought, wonderful...now I don't have to worry about storing those bulky wood blocks anymore. 

When it came time to make the decision to start my own paper crafting business, the decision was easy.  I went with Close To My Heart.  They had everything.  Card making and scrapbooking supplies, all kinds of tools, ultra high quality products and those stamps.  :o)  The compensation plan was great, the discount was great and even better was the solid foundation that Jeanette Lynton had built for CTMH.  Faster, Simpler, Easier...Let me show you how... were all mantras that soon began to roll off my tongue. 

 

This is a scrapbook layout that I recently did as the opening page of my Convention 2013 Album Contest entry.  There are so many goodies packed into this layout...items from the Cricut Cartridges, color coordinated papers, embellishments, stamping and the all important journaling.  Close To My Heart truly does help you to create beautiful scrapbook albums.

I've been on my scrapbooking journey for at least 15 years and a Close To My Heart Consultant for five.  I have never looked back.  I have never regretted either a CM or a CTMH purchase.  Times change.  The gals that initially got me started all those years ago have both left DH's school, but would you believe we still remain in communication!  Close To My Heart has given me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people.  CTMH has helped me grow as an artist and has helped me grow as a person.  Don't be afraid of change.  Give CTMH a try.  Let me help you meet new people and expand your horizons.  Visit my website for more information.  For Now, Happy Crafting!