Check out these Crafty Places!

Good Morning...I've been spending far too much time surfing the World Wide Web aka. www.

But luckily for you and me, I have found some great sites for inspiration, challenges (don't we all need some of those to get the fires a burnin') and layout and card maps!

You might have noticed the two links on the right column that

 I'm a Member of: Big Red Scraps & Let's Scrap...

Big Red Scraps is a site created by fellow Close To My Heart Consultant, Leisa Hubley, for sharing your Close To My Heart creations.  Big Red Scraps, Paper Creations using CTMH products is a searchable CTMH gallery site for everyone to share their CTMH artwork.

Isn't she the greatest for setting up a gallery for all of us to use?...on there you will find Consultant Artwork and Artwork by other CTMH fans...I love this site because it allows me to see what other creative ladies have done with stamp sets, colour combinations and paper collections...usually products that I have and sometimes I find it challenging to use everything I have in a new and different way...looking to this site often provides me just the right amount of inspiration to get creatin'. 

Check out Big Red Scraps now to just look around or become a member too and you can share your creations and be inspired!

Big Red Blog Candy 

Leisa from Big Red Scraps is celebrating 200 followers! 

Congratulations Leisa! 

To celebrate she is giving away some yummy candy:

Drop by her personal blog, she is SO talented!

Now Let's Scrap!

I am also a new Member of Let's Scrap, it offers inspiration and support galore! Since joining two days ago, I've been IM'd by all of their DT ladies offering info and insight into this site...I think it just might be one of my newest favorite places to hang-out, share my Artwork and get inspired with all of their Weekly challenges...join as a member or just stop by to see what all the fuss is about...I hope you participate in the challenges and become a member so you can upload your Artwork for all of us to be inspired from too. 

When you are part of a scrapbooking community, no matter where you live, you are connecting with people that share the same interest as you...you'd be surprised with how great it is to talk to people you've never met before through some of these Scrapbooking Forums, sharing with others your common interests and tidbits of your lives is actually very rewarding. Whether you are meeting others in person, through Monthly Workshop Clubs (like mine :)) or through the World Wide Web...you're enriching your life through these connections and after all we are all Scrapin' Sisters and Brothers aren't we?

Let's talk about Swaps and Scraps!

Good Morning my fellow paper addicted pals :) 

I'm not sure sometimes what I'm thinking when I decide to do things...I am currently working away on a CTMH Swap with some lovely ladies in Canada...just spent last Saturday at a 12 hour School fundraising crop and two weeks before that I had another 12 hour School fundraising crop as well as a week of Workshops and a Card Class...phew...I am really enjoying myself of course, meeting some great people and showing off all of CTMH's fantastic products...but we always seem to forget the actual time it takes to prep for these events and Classes and Workshops and Swaps...don't we? Oh well, I'll get plenty of rest when I'm old...I'd add in there grey too, but alas...that part is here already!

So I'm prepping for my Swap right now and I don't know about you, but I can't seem to throw out my 1" strips of paper...it's a problem I know I have but I have room technically to keep it, so I do! My thought is that I just might need that 1" strip and I'm happy to say that I'M RIGHT!!! As you can see I've used up some of my 1" strips creating the title for my Swap...they are actually extremely handy for trimming them and I have decided to stamp extras just because I might use them with this paper later...these letters are going to be trimmed out, edges inked and added to my Swap pieces to be mailed out this week! I'll post pictures of the Swap layouts once they are in the mail to my Swappin' Gals...

Sometimes I just like to pull out my stamps and inks, grab some cardstock and play...this way I can sit at the table while the family is watching a movie, doing homework or just hanging out...I don't feel guilty leaving everyone like I would when I go down to my Workshop alone and I have the TV and family to keep me company. Some of my neatest embellishments have been made this way...there are times when I want to be creative but I don't really want to scrapbook and I find that this is a great way to get to know your stamp sets...play with colour combinations and be productive while spending time with your family.

It is fun to stamp and play with my stamps and inks when I have them out and am creating...then I just tuck my creations into a zippy or my paper pack envelope, sometimes I've already trimmed them and sometimes I just sit on the couch while we're watching our favorite shows and cut them out then...next time I'm creating with that particular paper collection...I've already got some embellishments made to use...faster.simpler.easier....that's what it's all about with Close To My Heart.

Here I've stamped, embossed, punched and inked chipboard bits...some I was planning on using but didn't and some I just cut out and put in my sturdy CTMH storage envelopes...

And because I love to show you how messy I can get while scrapbooking...

  

I have to say I am lucky that I have a supportive husband...this is the main floor kitchen area, the island to be specific...I do have a very large scrapbooking Workshop just for me downstairs...but remember how I mentioned I like to be around my family...tee hee

Get Your Sketch On!

Good Morning :)  Thanks to a fellow CTMH Consultant, I have stumbled across a fantastic Sketch Blog! It's called 'Get Your Sketch On' and I am working on it right now! How about trying it too...add your link to your layout with the link below(first time I've used Mr.Linky in my own posts...so hopefully it all works :))...I'd love to see what you've done too with this sketch...it's super simple...just the way I like it, clean lines and you can use as many pictures as you'd like...that's the benefit of using sketches. You can start with the sketch design, follow it exactly, or you can use it as a starting point and then go your own way, adding your own special signature style to it...whatever gets the Mojo Goin'

New Scallop Punch!

I was working on a card for one of my daughter's best pals' 17th Birthday...she loves Blue so I had to dip into my stash of Magnifique papers...love this line...tried to keep it simple cause these girls are very sophisticated now...all the paper is CTMH, Lagoon CS and Magnifique PP, ribbon was from the wrappings of a pillow I bought from Homesense...beaded flower is from K & Co. the beauty opaques are CTMH and the stamp set I played with is Royal Birth (D1441)

 Also, I wanted to link up our newest tutorial video using our new Scallop Punch...It is a great companion to our 1 1/4 punch and can be used in so many different ways...contact me if you'd like to get your hands on one of your own :)

Pink Designer Ribbon...Oh My!

I wanted to post our latest tutorial with the gorgeous...let me repeat...GORGEOUS new pink ribbon collection...just when you thought you already knew how to use ribbon...take a look :

the items used in this tutorial are:

Designer Ribbon Pink Collection  Z1384

Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems  Z1336

Sweetheart Level 2 paper collection  X7134B

Glitz Glitter Gel  Z1313

Here's a layout I created using this fabulous new ribbon plus a few more of my new favorites...

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Sophia B&Ts; Hollyhock & Kraft CS

Inks:  Hollyhock, Pear, Sunset

Stamps:  January's SOTM 'Find your Style'

Embellishments:  Pink buttons, embroidery floss, Designer ribbon-Pink, Opaques Pearl gems, white daisy crochet flower, Irresistibles Eclectic alphabet chipboard

Other:  Sizzix - Birdcage die, Micro-tip scissors, glue dots, Liquid Glass

3x3 Wings Card Class

I wanted to dig into my new Card Chatter - Love (D1464) stamp set from CTMH and I really like it. I have used almost all of the sentiments inside over the past week, in this card and in the Wings 3x3 Card Class I held on Monday night...

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Sweetheart B&Ts; Black, Tulip & White Daisy CS

Inks:  Black & Tulip

Stamps:  Card Chatter- Love

Embellishments:  Pink buttons, Colonial White waxy flax, White Daisy organza ribbon

Other:  Doily Scallop border punch (EK), Heart punch (Marvy), Micro-tip scissors, glue dots

this is my sentiments inside the card...I swiped my stamp across the stamp pad to get the smeared effect on the heart image.

I thought I'd also post a picture of some of the cards we did on Monday at my Wings Card Class...we finally have some sunshine here to take some nice bright pictures naturally...

 Just working on some of the Mayberry paper collection...hope to have something to show you soon with it :) TFSB...

February's Workshops

It's been a busy few days...I had a great time and met some really great gals at the Ranch Park Scrapbook fundraiser this past Saturday...it was my first experience as a vendor at one of these events and I'm thankful that Heather invited me to represent Close to My Heart...this evening was my Wings Card Class and we had a great time making our cards, stamping with a few different techniques and having constructed a fantastic little box to house them all in! Slight technical difficulties with the measurement of the box lid (too small) oops! Sorry ladies, luckily I could get that straightened out :)  

Now, it's time for February's WOTG Hostess Clubs, this month we are working on the Lucky paper collection and the Sweetheart paper collection...

Lucky Workshop on the Go, main brochure project

These wooden buttons are gorgeous

  

the next two are additional layouts featuring some of the Lucky myStickease stickers, Lucky Chipboard shapes and Lucky Journaling Spots...worked great for this Father and Son trip to LA...

I've used the Colour-Ready alphabets for my title...

Sweetheart Workshop on the Go, main brochure project...

used the new Banner stamp set for the title...

This next layout is featuring the myStickease stickers and the Sweetheart Asst. embellishments...

You might recognize this next one from the new catalog...I lifted the left page right outta the catalog...added the border punch and hearts as I didn't have the stamp set and then created the right page to coordinate with the left...added some more of the Sweetheart embellishment...played with CTMH's newest spray pen mixed with Tulip ink...love how it turned out!

here's a close up of the misting...I masked out the circle with a piece of cardstock that I cut and sized for my preference...then 1, 2, 3 sprayed away!

The title is the Lots of Dots Irresistables...love those too! 

February's Friendship Stamp of the Month

I've been playing with loads of new stamp sets, paper packs and embellishments in preparation  for Saturday...Ranch Park Elementary Craft Day & Vendor Fair...I will be attending and I'm trying to get as much created before then...burning the midnight oil so to speak...nothing like some last minute challenges to keep the blood a'pumping...

This months SOTM is called Friendship (D1453)...I couldn't wait to play with this one since seeing the preview. If you like the backdrop...I stamped it in Black ink onto White Daisy CS...the new stamp set Universal Backgrounds (D1477) is going to be one of my newest favorites :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Sweetheart B&Ts; Hollyhock, White Daisy, Black CS
Inks:  Black, Hollyhock, 
Stamps:  Friendship (FEB. SOTM)
Embellishments:  Bitty Sparkles, Sparkles
Other:  Spellbinders (Label One), 3D foam tape

February 1st marks the start of our Spring/Summer 2011 catalog! 

Click on over to myCTMH site to flip through the online catalog for more detailed artwork and some of our newest product additions...all the artwork below has been created by some very talented Close To My Heart Consultants...I have listed the paper collection names...enjoy..

Sweetheart

Bliss

Mayberry

Fanfare

Sophia

Lucky

Miracle

Wings

~~~~~~~

And with this being a new month, there is a new Stamp of the Month that you can get at a discount or even FREE!

February SOTM - D1453 Friendship

February's Stamp Of the Month

Hello February first!!!

Wow, how could we possibly be into our second month of 2011...I don't know about you but I've been busy with Weekend Retreats, Workshops and prep for more of the same over the next week...happy to be busy and enjoying all of it!

Make sure you check out my 'Classes' tab if you are looking for a little 'you' time to create...also, I've added an 'Around Town' tab as I seem to be booking up the next couple months with School Fundraising Day-Crops, Weekend Retreats and last but not least the Tradex!

Here's a look at the February Stamp of the Month 'Friendship' that is available now until the 28th of February...have a look online on myCTMH website for more artwork and details and of course to check out the NEW CATALOG !!!

...stay tuned for some artwork using this great set...have a great day!

Be My Valentine

Does absence make the heart grow fonder? I realize I've been rather absent lately...I had a fabulous time once again at the Ultimate Scrapbooking retreat Jan. 14-16th...from there on in I've been organizing my products and getting some display grid to have at my upcoming School Crops...check out the side column for where I'll be and when...so needless to say, I'm not sure where the past week and a half has gone...but I am back!

I thought I'd post a picture of my mini-card class that I'm having next Monday...short notice I know...but adorable, just the same...you can click on my classes tab above to pre-pay if you'd like to attend...unfortunatley I am only offering 8 spots for this class, so act fast if you are wanting to come!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper:  Wings B&Ts; Sweet Leaf, Colonial White CS
Inks:  Black, Vineyard Berry, Sweet Leaf & Juniper, Pear
Embellishments:  Adhesive gems, pleated Vineyard Berry ribbon
Other:  Micro-tip scissors, 3D foam tape, glue dots, green craft wire (Michaels)


Happy Monday!

CTMH Spray Pens...Yippee

I first tried spray pens a couple years ago and I love the effect they have on projects...Glimmer Mists, Maya Roads and now Close To My Heart...only difference is that with Close To My Heart you can make your own! 

All you'll need to use these cool spray pens is some water, a re-inker and some create-a-shade pearl paint from Close To My Heart. You just simply mix them together and watch the magic happen as it beautifies your scrapbook layouts and cards. This is a fun, unique way to spruce up your projects and get a different look every time you use it.

Check out this video below from Close To My Heart to se how to use these fab new spray pens....  

Recipe:

Fill Spray pen with water to the seventh line (from the bottom) ADD the re-inker colour of your choice to the ninth line and then add a good three blobs of the Create-A-Shade paint...shake it really well...it will seem like forever to get it mixed together...but keep on shaking...then hold about 8" away from your project and 'spray' ...you might want to give a demom spray on some scratch paper for the first time you spray...make sure you cover your work space so you don't make a huge mess...and enjoy

In Stitches...

There's being in stitches, like last night in the Hospital ER, when you are laughing...no really...I was finally getting around to making supper for my family...decided to try out the brand new *sharp* Henkill knife my mother gave me for Christmas...and didn't she always tell me to hold the knife just so, and keep your hands just so...needless to say, had I actually retained anything that was said to me many a times...I wouldn't have carved my thumb instead of the Ham for supper...so I was in 'Stitches' laughing, holding my DD's hand so I wouldn't cry :( and after was 'in stitches' literally! 

Luckily, my darling daughter has started driving...well she has her 'L' and can legally drive with me in the car...so off we go to the ER...one hour 10 minutes later (really great time I might say)...I'm back home, on the couch and getting dinner prepared, served and cleaned up by my fabulous three children...so my plans to pack up Christmas will have to wait till I get help later on tonight...here's what it looks like around here today...

But this couch time today is not a total loss as I have caught up on some emails, browsed some Scrapbooking Magazine's and cuddled with my four-legged babies (they live on the couch too)

Here's a (poorly lite) photo of our Wings Workshop layout for next week...

the stamp set that comes with this Wings WOTG kit (G1016) is really great...I love the way we've used it to create a patterned paper effect, the little embellies I've stamped and cut out using some 1st & 2nd generation stamping, and the great new Black Mini-Medley collection adds the perfect final touches.

I have to say that this beautiful 'Bohemian' E-size stamp set (E1019) is now my new favourite...last catalog it was the 'Posterboard' and the time before that was the 'Rustic'...they are all my favourites, all different and function differently...but all my favourite nevertheless!

Need A Smile?

Have you heard of Operation Smile? I have been an Independant Consultant for Close to my Heart for 18 months now and have just come to grasp the effect that my Business has had on many children around the world.

When we take the time to think about all the causes and organizations there are that need help, it's wonderful to realize that without even knowing it, you and I have helped change the lives of children with cleft lip and cleft palate around the world.

Next time you place an order with me or your Close To My Heart Consultant, consider 'topping up' your order with a donation to Operation Smile...at the bottom of each Customer Order form is a spot where you can simply top-up your order to the nearest dollar, or even more....think about the smiles you'll have had a hand in making.

Please take the time to check out the Operaton Smile website and our CTMH link as well.


Close To My Heart is partnered with Operation Smile^®, an organization that provides life-changing surgery that repairs smiles and reshapes lives, one child at a time. A portion of the proceeds from every My Acrylix^® stamp set sold is donated to Operation Smile. Buy with pride. Your business with Close To My Heart makes a big difference in the life of a child.

  

Something Old is New Again...

I have always felt the greatest personal temptation with being a Consultant with Close To My Heart is wanting everything that is new, the minute a new catalog is released....this one is no exception...a late add-on to my New Year's resolutions needs to be #4 - be happy with what you've got!

Sure, sure, I say to myself, easier said than done....and for any of you out there that know me....they know that 'If they build it...I will come' ...well I'll probably buy it anyways :)

Luckily for me, I am seeing some of my favorite stamp sets in the newest Spring/Summer 2011 catalog...and with that being said...I have made something new, with something old...I have had the 'Shining Star' stamp set (D1320) for several years...since it's first release back in the Autumn/Winter 2008 catalog!!!

Yesterday, Matthew was heading out to a pals 12th birthday party and I quickly...let me emphasize quickly...made a card for him to give. I snapped the picture just before my son snapped it outta my hands...hence the poor quality...

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Colonial White, Black, Cranberry CS

Stamps:  Shining Star (D1320)

Inks:  Archival Black

Embellishments:  Grey and White twine (unknown), Sizzix embossing template

Hello January!!!

I have to say that after seeing our newest promotion in the Inspirations Brochure, that I was beyond excited about what was coming next with the Company...now that I have flipped through the *new* Spring/Summer 2011 catalog I can't wait to start sharing some bits with all of you...but not just yet...let's start you all off slowly with CTMH's newest addition to 2011 

and this beautiful 'Wings' paper collection.

It is available to purchase right now, one month prior to the release 

of our Spring/Summer 2011 catalog. 

G1016 Wings Workshop on the Go

 






 Wings Workshop on the Go™ Kit contains:
Wings Level 2 Paper Packet
My Acrylix Wings Workshop B-size Stamp set
Mini-Medley Accents Black Collection
Spray Pen (1)
Workshop Guide


Follow the included step-by-step instructions to create the two workshop projects featured in the workshop guide: a two-page layout and six cards (2 each of 3 designs). Layout and card patterns are Jeanette Lynton originals created exclusively for this workshop.

Here's a look at some more artwork created by some talented CTMH consultants

Happy New Year!!!

Wow! Another year has come and gone...where does the time go? Time for resolutions, cleaning and getting into the Workshop...

Resolution #1 - take more time to care for me

Resolution #2 - make more home-cooked meals!

Resolution #3 - try to be more organized with my time

Resolution #4 - update my Blog at least twice weekly!

Resolution #5 - be more productive with my business

Well we all know how New Years Resolutions tend to be great in theory, but not always in practice...it is always good to set goals...even if that is all we are doing...I hope that by writing it down, these goals for the coming year may become a new reality for me.

I hope that 2011 brings us all health and prosperity and creativity.

11 more shopping days till Christmas...

I guess I should get busy and start! Sure, I have the odd present here at home...but haven't seen the need to enter the malls yet...I must enjoy the thrill of deadlines...who am I kidding...I live for them!

I have been too busy re-organizing closets and playing with paper for any silly 'ole shopping...nobody really needs anything nowadays...do they?

Last weeks Workshops were fun, we worked on some cards and crafts that I pre-cut for my gals...we had some appetizers and goodies, listened to Christmas music and enjoyed each others company...what a great group of ladies, I am really lucky to be able to spend time with fellow crafty ladies that share my LOVE of all thing paper...and everything else that matches paper!!!

Close to my Heart has just shipped me one little 'ole sneak peek of their newest paper line 'Wings'...and it is BEAUTIFUL!!! I might have also picked up all the accessories, stamps and additional papers to go with it...just sayin'...

So needless to say, I've been playin' around...luckly for me, it's my job! Stay tuned for some photos of next months Workshop projects and maybe a card or two...

BIG NEWS...I have been asked if I would like a booth to be the CTMH Rep at the Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnival...this April 1st and 2nd, 2011 at the Abbotsford Tradex!!!

I am sooo excited to showcase some of the new products Close To My Heart has...I'm not even sure what they are yet as I haven't received my Spring/Summer 2011 catalog yet and there are BIG changes involved in the new 6 month catalog...can't wait to see them myself and pass on the excitement.

Have a great day!