Snowman Brick

Every December and at the end of the school year, we have the children at preschool present a gift to their parents which the children have worked on (I still have the projects my daughter made when she attended preschool here!). These gifts often tend to be items that showcase some sort of growth element or else they are something solid and long lasting (sometimes both). This year the teachers picked something solid and long lasting! Yes, we had the kids make bricks! I am lucky and have the smallest class in the school so I only had to transport 7 cement bricks back and forth. But some of the teachers at school had to deal with up to 16! My own children came with me to Home Depot to buy the bricks and they asked for their own bricks to turn into snowmen. I also bought an extra in case of breakage. None of the bricks for class broke so I just decided to have some fun with my extra brick and make my own snowman. Even though it's not a typical scrapbook or card posting, I thought I would share anyway since I did happen to use some scrapbooking supplies on it. I used some of my old CTMH buttons (which I miss!) for the eyes, as an accent on the scarf, and for the snowman's buttons. I used a pencil tip painted in orange for his nose. I sometimes have issues with my skinny wrists and repetitive motion so hammering eyelets has never been my favorite thing to do. Now with CTMH's Soft Set eyelet system, I am just getting rid of my traditional eyelets. I am overjoyed to find a use for my eyelets! Check out that smile!

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Season's Greetings

The following card was based on a sketch I came across while looking at different blogs. I can't find the original sketch but some sites I use often for sketches are http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/ and http://cleanandsimplestamping.blogspot.com/. Aside from the paper piecing, this card came together pretty easily.

Supplies Used: (D1380) Just for the Holidays stamp set, (X7130B) Mistletoe Level 2 paper pack, (Z2137) Olive stamp pad, (Z2116) Cranberry stamp pad, (Z578) Corner Rounder, Red ribbon, Nestabilities

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Gingerbread House Thank You

I had seen many great examples by other CTMH consultants of using the Around the Block stamp set as a gingerbread house when this stamp set was first released, but I never tried it out until now. What a fun look! The striped paper from Mistletoe reminded me of peppermint so that's what I decided to use. At preschool, we've been reading Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett and the kids had an enormous cardboard box decorated as a gingerbread house that they could play in. When they would go inside, they said that they were gingerbread babies! So cute! My students gave me a tote bag with their handprints and names on it, so naturally, I thought gingerbread house thank you cards would be perfect to send out to them.

Supplies Used: (D1377) Around the Block stamp set, (D1361) Thank You stamp set, (X7130B) Mistletoe Level 2 paper pack, (X5644) Brown Bag cardstock, (Z1336) Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems, (Z1326) Sparkles Red, Pink, & Purple Assortment, (Z673) White Daisy embossing powder, (Z891) Versamark Ink Pad, Nestabilities

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Studio J Layouts

I think I am addicted! I've been playing around with Studio J, CTMH's digital scrapbooking software, for awhile now because it's so easy and fun. And when I'm not scrapbooking with it, I'm thinking about scrapbooking with it!

I try not to think about "catching up" with my scrapbooking because I want to enjoy the process. It's my creative outlet afterall. But sometimes the guilt piles on. I have birthday albums for each of my children and my daughter's is all "caught up" whereas my son's is definitely NOT. I have all sorts of excuses...my daughter has less birthdays for me to scrapbook, when she was a baby I had to put a lot of scrapbooking on hold which means my son's birthdays didn't get scrapbooked during those years, it's fun for me to use the more stereotypical "girl" paper than boy paper (I just had to scrapbook her tea party birthday right away whereas my son's water themed birthday---third year in a row, but so perfect for a summertime birthday---could wait!) , etc., etc. Well, when I started playing around with Studio J and was able to scrapbook while the kids were getting ready for bed, the first thing that popped into my head was, "Now I can catch up with that birthday album!" My next thought was, "and with all of our summer photos...and our fall photos...and," well you get the picture!

I took the plunge and just bought 10 double page 12" x12" layouts. Since I have a membership, I get the jpegs for free so I can share some of them here. You can click on each thumbnail to get a larger image.

In that last layout of our visit to the zoo, can you imagine how long it would have taken me to trim all those animal photos in the upper right side to the correct sized squares? Now I have done it before on other layouts and if I had a large enough square punch, it would certainly help, but all I had to do for this layout was drag the photo I wanted into the photo well I wanted and it resized automatically. If I didn't like it there, I just dragged it to a different one. I was able to enlarge and shift photos right, left, up, or down as well...all while the kids were getting ready for bed! I'm not going to give up traditional scrapbooking anytime soon, but this is really nice!

Studio J is free to experiment with. The only costs are for your actual layout purchase and memberships if you choose to buy one (worth it for me for the free shipping, free jpegs, and discounted price on the layouts). So even if you don't think digital scrapbooking is for you, you can still play around with it and even use it as a planning tool. See how your photos will look in a certain layout with certain paper before you trim them or your paper. For more information about Studio J, please contact me or click here.

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Little More Thanks Campaign

Is it November already? I started as a lead teacher at preschool in September and my son started middle school (which means we wake up at 5:30am now - no more late night scrapbooking or stamping for me) and the first two months of school have just flown by! So finally here is some CTMH news...


Little More Thanks Campaign

In November, you can add a lot of value to your purchase while increasing your stamp collection with our "Little More Thanks" campaign. Simply place a qualifying order of $100 or more and you will receive the November Stamp of the Month set, A Little Thanks, valued at $22.95, for free, plus you can select another stamp set of your choice, size A through D, for free. This means you can increase the value of your purchase by up to $45.90—that's almost 50 percent more in value!

(Stamps excludesWorkshops on the Go™, Stamp of the Month retail, E-size, and K-size custom stamps. Your qualifying order can include any Close To My Heart products currently for sale except Studio J).

Workshops on the Go

Did you know that the Workshops on the Go are now listed in the Idea Book? Check pages 24-25 to see the selection of kits. Each kit includes a level 2 paper pack, an exclusive stamp set only available in the kit, coordinating accesories, and a full color workshop guide which gives complete instructions on how to create the featured layout and cards. The Mistletoe Workshop kit would be perfect for creating Christmas cards or layouts. Each kit contains more than enough material to complete these projects and much more. Click here to view the kits online.

Card Maker Alert

My friend Elizabeth collects cards for the local Veterans' Hospital. Many of the veterans have no opportunity or means to go and purchase cards for their loved ones, so it is great when they can receive donations of cards and envelopes (either homemade or purchased) which they can use. If you are interested in donating some cards, please let me know.

Getting Together to Crop

Some of us in the Fairfax area had been getting together to work on cards and scrapbook pages every now and then. Let me know if you are still interested in doing this and I'll get a few dates down. Thanks!Pin It

Welcome to School Cards

I made up a set of "Welcome to School," cards to mail out to my preschoolers. These are very simple: one layer except for the popped up apple from the Good Work stamp set. I cut my paper to a smaller size (3" x 6") than a standard card because I wanted to fit them into regular (#6 3/4) envelopes. 

Supplies used: (D1385) Good Work stamp set, (C1345) Family Ties Children stamp set, (D1303) Classmate Alphabet stamp set, (Z2105) Black stamp pad, (Z2134) Moonstruck stamp pad, (Z2125) Grey Wool stamp pad, (Z2116) Cranberry stamp pad, Variety of CTMH markers, (1385) White Daisy cardstockPin It

Olivia Fall Themed My Creations All Sorts Mini Album

The 2010 Autumn/Winter Idea Book is here! Click on the link at the right to take a look!

I used one of my favorite new paper packs, Olivia, and the All Sorts Mini Album, to make a little fall themed scrapbook. The pictures will be added later but most pages will easily fit a vertically oriented 4" x 6" photo. I can crop horizontally oriented ones or just print them in a smaller size.  I used a lot of our new Mocha Opaques (look at the middles of the little paper flowers, the Filigree Charms, and the edges of some of the scalloped pages). I used a tape runner to hold the paper to the album but added Liquid Glass in a lot of places such as some of the edges and to hold the Filigree Charms in place. I colored the Dimensional Elements which spell out "Fall" on the front cover with a Bamboo marker and then sponged Sunset and Chocolate ink onto it. Most of the edges of the papers were distressed with Chocolate ink.

I really tried to use up some of my embellishments (which is difficult for my hoarding sensibilities!). I even used up some of my Just Blooms Leaves which were retired awhile back but I've been holding onto for some special occasion! I will be ordering some of the new mini medley packs and will probably add more items (perhaps some plain cardstock pages or Flip Flaps) and even some rub ons later on, maybe after adding my pictures, but I wanted to post this now so you could see the pretty Olivia paper.

Supplies used: (Z1224) My Creations All Sorts Mini Album, (Z1269) Filigree Charms, (Z1333) Mocha Opaques, (X7128B) Olivia Level 2 paper pack, (D1371) Many Thanks stamp set, (Z2104) Barn Red stamp pad, (Z2191) Sunset stamp pad, (Z2155) Topiary stamp pad, (Z2111) Chocolate stamp pad, (Z2114) Cocoa stamp pad, (Z2303) Bamboo marker, (Z1048) Dimensional Elements Simple Alphabet (Lowercase), (Z1047) Dimensional Elements Simple Alphabet (Uppercase), (Z280) Natural Hemp, (Z679) Liquid glassPin It

Thank You Hedgehogs

Here are some 4" x 4" cards made with the Splendor paper pack and July's cute stamp of the month. I love the cloud paper in this paper pack. I needed to make 14 of these fun little cards. The weather was so pleasant on Wednesday evening that I took my little hedgehogs to my son's soccer practice and sat in the bleachers coloring them. My daughter had her own stash of hedgehogs to color too! She loves it when I stamp extras of some of our open stamps for her to decorate and it keeps her busy. We used our clipboards (decorated, of course!) for support with some scrap paper clipped on to catch our stray marks around the edges of the hedgehogs.

Here's a closeup. The butterfly is paper pieced (stamped on the back of the green "grass" paper which is the same pattern but in Goldrush) . The little hedgehog is colored with a Desert Sand marker for his quills, a bit of Blush in the ears, and a light brown colored pencil for his body. The hedgehog piece is also lifted up a bit on foam tape (originally stamped on Colonial White cardstock and cut out). The green piece in the background is sponged on the edges with Cocoa ink.

Supplies used: (July SOTM) Happy Forever stamp set,  (D1361) Thank You stamp set, (Z2114) Cocoa stamp pad, (Z2318) Desert Sand marker, (Z2306) Blush marker, (X7124B) Splendor level 2 paper pack

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Autumn/Winter Idea Book Sneak Peek #4 - Studio J

Close To My Heart's digital scrapbooking has gotten even better! Beginning September 8th, you can purchase Studio J memberships which offer discounts and special bonuses.

I admit, I have been slow to get started with digital scrapbooking. I really love being able to create a piece of art with my photos with paper, stamps, and various other embellishments. However, I also want to get more layouts done in a timely manner and I'd like to do still be able to do it in an artistic way. So I finally started playing around with Studio J and I am hooked! I love being able to choose different layouts and paper kits. If I don't like how it looks, it's so easy to delete and try something else! It's also great to be able to use any of the stickers that coordinate with the kits and other embellishments without having to buy them. What was really super was being able to use a layout with lots of little areas for pictures and just being able to drag and drop -- not having to crop all of those little pictures! I know that I will never totally give up traditional paper scrapbooking, but I see Studio J as a great addition to my scrapbooking!

With Studio J, you never need to purchase software. All you need is an internet connection! Try Studio J out for free. Your only cost is if you decide to print out your layouts.

Here are the details:
Studio J two-page layouts are $13 ($6.50 per page) without a membership. With a Studio J Membership, you receive prints at 50% off.

Membership Costs:
12-Month Membership $99
3-Month Membership $30
5 Pack $55

AS A MEMBER YOU ARE ENTITLED TO... 

• Have access to all digital kits and embellishments PLUS some exclusive members only kits
• Reduced prices -- two-page layouts are $6.50 (or $3.25 per page)
• One free shipment per month (minimum of 4 double layouts, maximum of  10 double layouts)  
• Hi-res, printable JPG files available separately for $3.00 without print purchase
• Free Hi-res JPG files for every custom-printed layout purchased  
• Free low resolution jpg files for E-mailing and online sharing  
• Free memory protectors with every layout  
• Exclusive campaigns and deals throughout your membership

Hostesses get credit for membership sales.
Customers earn campaign rewards too.
12 month membership auto-renews for your convenience.
3 month membership converts to $10 per month billed automatically after initial period.
5 packs are ideal for trying out Studio J, using for a one time project, or for giving as a giftPin It

Autumn/Winter Idea Book Sneak Peek #3 -- New Sparkles

I've really enjoyed using the clear sparkles CTMH carries to embellish my cards and layouts and now there will be more colors! One pack will feature reds, pinks, and purples, while the other pack will feature blues and greens. How about using the red and green ones as "apples" in a tree or adding the blue ones to snowflakes?

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Autumn/Winter Idea Book Sneak Peek #2 -- New Albums

Are you ready for another sneak peek?

Close to My Heart has changed their 12" x12" album offerings: no more Linen, no more Leather, and a different type of Faux Leather. Although I am disappointed that there aren't going to be any 6"x 6" or 9" x 9" sized albums in the new catalog (Feel free to send a suggestion to Close To My Heart if you like these sizes as much as I do! Just go to this link here!) and I know that many people have been using a particular color and/or type of album for their scrapbooking (myself included!), which will no longer be available, I have to say that I do love the new albums. I was able to see them during convention and I've already gotten two to use!

They come in Black, Dark Chocolate, Dark Cranberry, Dark New England Ivy, Hollyhock and Outdoor Denim. I think these albums will stand up better to little and not so little fingers pouring over albums. Best of all, they are less expensive than our linen ones! Check them out starting on September 1st in the new catalog on page 87.

Here's my Dark Chocolate album.

Here's a closer look.

This is the Dark New Englad Ivy which is a really beautiful color.

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Autumn/Winter Idea Book Sneak Peek #1 -- New Colors

The Autumn/Winter Idea Book and Catalog goes "live" on September 1st. I thought I'd give you a few sneak peeks of what you will find in there.

One big change (as you might have guessed from looking at the retired list) is that eight colors are being retired. These colors are Clover Meadow, Star Spangled Blue, Bubblegum, Orange, Citrus Leaf, Ocean, Watermelon, Hydrangea. The "Summer" palette is being refreshed with eight new colors and although I will miss my greens (Clover Meadow and Citrus Leaf), I think the new colors are a big improvement -- a bit more subtle and contemporary.

Here they are!

Stay tuned for more sneak peeks!

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National Stamping Month

Celebrate National Stamping Month with the special Triple Play Kit from Close To My Heart

Triple Play Kit Contents:

1 – My Acrylix® Love This Stamp Set

4 – Exclusive Inks® Mini Stamp Pads (Desert Sand, Hollyhock, Indian Corn Blue, and Sunset)
9 – 4" x 12" Panels (3 each of 3 color schemes)
3 – 6" x 12" Die-Cut Sheets
1 – 72" Length Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon
3 – Hook and Loop Fasteners
1 –Brochure

Colors: Bamboo, Blush, Desert Sand, Garden Green, Hollyhock, Indian Corn Blue, Outdoor Denim, and Sunset

From now until September 30th, there are five ways you can get this special kit:

1. Buy the Triple Play kit for $29.95.

2. Purchase $25 in My Acrylix® stamps and get the Triple Play kit for just $15.

3. Spend $40 on My Acrylix stamps and get Triple Play for only $5!

4. Host a Gathering with sales of $300 or more and get Triple Play FREE!

5. Join Close To My Heart as a Consultant and get the kit FREE!

National Stamping Month is always fun, but this year you’ll get three times the excitement with Triple Play!Pin It

Thinking of You

I based my card on this card from the Clean and Simple blog. As I've mentioned before, I love simple cards but it takes me awhile to get them right, so they turn out not to be too simple for me. I do like how this turned out...after three tries! This stamp set (Treasure Life) is one of my favorites. I used a corner rounder with the guide removed to make the scalloped edge.

Supplies used: Colonial White cardstock (1388), Textured cardstock, Bamboo stamp pad (Z2103), Chocolate stamp pad (Z2111), Colonial White ribbon (Z1126), Treasure Life stamp set (D1306), Say it in Style stamp set (D1283), Corner Rounder (Z578)

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Remember, CTMH's Customer Appreciation Sale Begins Today!

Scroll to the August 1st post for more details or go straight to my website to see the products on sale! Happy shopping!

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Thank You Cards with Family Ties - Children

We always seem to need Thank You cards! I created two versions of this card stamping the thank you sentiment on twill ribbon for the second. The backgrounds of the White Daisy pieces of cardstock that the "kids" are stamped on was made by masking and then sponging ink.

Supplies used: Family Ties - Children stamp set (C1345), Thank You stamp set (D1361), White Daisy cardstock (1385), Cocoa cardstock (X5642), Topiary stamp pad, Black stamp pad (Z2105), Heavenly Blue stamp pad (Z2126), Splendor Level 2 paper pack (X7124B), Twill ribbon (Z1099), Heavenly Blue marker (Z2326), Sunflower marker (Z2350), Topiary marker (Z2355), Moonstruck marker (Z2334), Bamboo marker (Z2303), Parchment marker (Z2342)

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$2, $4, $6, for 8...It’s YOU We Appreciate!

Close To My Heart's August Constant Campaign

From August 4th at 9 am (MDT) - August 11, 2010, while supplies last, you can purchase selected My Stickease® assortments for only $2, My Reflections® Level 1 kits for only $4, and My Reflections® Level 2 paper packets for only $6 on my website. The deals are amazing and only available online so be sure to check it out ( lubna.myctmh.com).

See below for a full list of what will be on sale! All of these items are either already retired or will be retiring at the end of this year (sniff!) so this sale will be the best (and maybe last, if they sell out) time to buy them!


X7045A My Reflections Vintage Travel Level 1 $ 4.00

X7045C VintageTravel My Stickease $ 2.00

X7056A My Reflections Discovery Level 1 $ 4.00

X7060A My Reflections Heirloom Level 1 $ 4.00

X7060B My Reflections Heirloom Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7061A My Reflections Floral Impressions Level 1 $ 4.00

X7061B My Reflections Floral Impressions Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7061C Floral Impressions My Stickease $ 2.00

X7062A My Reflections Laid Back Level 1 $ 4.00

X7069A My Reflections Just Chillin Level 1 $ 4.00

X7069C Just Chillin My Stickease $ 2.00

X7070A My Reflections Simple Pleasure Level 1 $ 4.00

X7070B My Reflections Simple Pleasure Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7070C Simple Pleasure My Stickease $ 2.00

X7071A My Reflections Best Friends Forever Level 1 $ 4.00

X7072A My Reflections School Zone Level 1 $ 4.00

X7072C School Zone My Stickease $ 2.00

X7073A My Reflections Abundance Level 1 $ 4.00

X7073B My Reflections Abundance Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7073C Abundance My Stickease $ 2.00

X7075A My Reflections More To Adore Level 1 $ 4.00

X7075B My Reflections More To Adore Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7075C More To Adore My Stickease $ 2.00

X7076A My Reflections Sonata Level 1 $ 4.00

X7076C Sonata My Stickease $ 2.00

X7077C Sweet Harmony My Stickease $ 2.00

X7078A My Reflections Cutie Pie Level 1 $ 4.00

X7078C Cutie Pie My Stickease $ 2.00

X7079B My Reflections Rough n Tumble Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7079C Rough n Tumble My Stickease $ 2.00

X7080A My Reflections Route 66 Level 1 $ 4.00

X7080C Route 66 My Stickease $ 2.00

X7081A My Reflections Majestic Blue Level 1 $ 4.00

X7081B My Reflections Majestic Blue Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7081C Majestic Blue My Stickease $ 2.00

X7082A My Reflections Expedition Level 1 $ 4.00

X7082C Expedition My Stickease $ 2.00

X7083A My Reflections Let's Get Together Level 1 $ 4.00

X7084A My Reflections Floral Tapestry Level 1 $ 4.00

X7085A My Reflections Everlasting Level 1 $ 4.00

X7085B My Reflections Everlasting Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7085C Everlasting My Stickease $ 2.00

X7086A My Reflections Caprice Level 1 $ 4.00

X7086B My Reflections Caprice Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7086C Caprice My Stickease $ 2.00

X7087A My Reflections Enchanted Level 1 $ 4.00

X7087B My Reflections Enchanted Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7087C Enchanted My Stickease $ 2.00

X7088A My Reflections Free Spirit Level 1 $ 4.00

X7088B My Reflections Free Spirit Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7088C Free Spirit My Stickease $ 2.00

X7089A My Reflections Lifes Delights Level 1 $ 4.00

X7089C Life Delights My Stickease $ 2.00

X7090A My Reflections Silhouette Level 1 $ 4.00

X7090B My Reflections Silhouette Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7090C Silhouette My Stickease $ 2.00

X7091A My Reflections it’s a Guy Thing Level 1 $ 4.00

X7091B My Reflections it’s a Guy Thing Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7091C it’s a Guy Thing My Stickease $ 2.00

X7092A My Reflections Good Times Level 1 $ 4.00

X7092B My Reflections Good Times Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7092C Good Times My Stickease $ 2.00

X7093A My Reflections Sweet Pea Level 1 $ 4.00

X7093C Sweet Pea My Stickease $ 2.00

X7094A My Reflections Paper Garden Level 1 $ 4.00

X7094C Paper Garden My Stickease $ 2.00

X7095A My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Level 1 $ 4.00

X7095B My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7095C Boom-Di-Ada My Stickease $ 2.00

X7096A My Reflections Blue Ribbon Level 1 $ 4.00

X7096B My Reflections Blue Ribbon Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7096C Blue Ribbon My Stickease $ 2.00

X7097A My Reflections Game On Level 1 Kit $ 4.00

X7097B My Reflections Game On Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7097C Game On My Stickease $ 2.00

X7098A My Reflections Sarsaparilla Level 1 Kit $ 4.00

X7098B My Reflections Sarsaparilla Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7098C Sarsaparilla My Stickease $ 2.00

X7100A My Reflections Perfect Day Level 1 $ 4.00

X7100B My Reflections Perfect Day Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7100C Perfect Day My Stickease $ 2.00

X7101A My Reflections Magic Moments Level 1 $ 4.00

X7101B My Reflections Magic Moments Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7101C Magic Moments My Stickease $ 2.00

X7102A My Reflections Notebook Level 1 $ 4.00

X7102B My Reflections Notebook Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7102C Notebook My Stickease $ 2.00

X7103A My Reflections Aspen Level 1 $ 4.00

X7103B My Reflections Aspen Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7103C Aspen My Stickease $ 2.00

X7104A My Reflections Evensong Level 1 $ 4.00

X7104B My Reflections Evensong Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7104C Evensong My Stickease $ 2.00

X7105A My Reflections Emporium Level 1 $ 4.00

X7105B My Reflections Emporium Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7105C Emporium My Stickease $ 2.00

X7106A My Reflections Unforgettable Level 1 $ 4.00

X7106B My Reflections Unforgettable Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7106C Unforgettable My Stickease $ 2.00

X7107A My Reflections That’s Amore Level 1 $ 4.00

X7107B My Reflections That’s Amore Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7107C That’s Amore My Stickease $ 2.00

X7108A My Reflections Daydream Level 1 $ 4.00

X7108B My Reflections Daydream Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7108C Daydream My Stickease $ 2.00

X7109A My Reflections Stardust Level 1 $ 4.00

X7109B My Reflections Stardust Level 2 Paper Packet $ 6.00

X7109C Stardust My Stickease $ 2.00

X7110A My Reflections Back Country Level 1 $ 4.00Pin It

Cherry-O Card Workshop

Whew! We had a marathon session today using the Cherry-O Workshops on the Go Kit. Instead of just completing 6 cards we doubled the amount we cut to create 12 cards plus we added the 3 cards as described in the additional projects section for a total of 15 cards! I changed the cutting directions only slightly to allow for more card bases by using Colonial White instead of Sweet Leaf for card number 1. There was still a ton of paper left over. You could create 4 more cards using the pieces of Chocolate cardstock leftover as card bases or many more if you added your own blank cards or cardstock.  Congratulations to my workshop attendees! You were real troopers!

Don't the cards look so pretty all together?

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Confessions of a Paper Hoarder

It's true...I hoard paper...especially pretty patterned paper. Sometimes it's just difficult for me to dive in and cut that beautiful paper up and actually create. I worry that I might ruin it or that if I do get around to using it, that I might find a better use for it down the line (you know, like the perfect pictures that match it or something). Sad but true! Well, I've been trying to improve. So, I finally dove into my, "Everyday Celebration," card kit from last September! In my defense, I had made two of the cards from the kit right when I got it (but then I wanted to wait because I loved the paper so much). But, I am proud of myself. I just say down today and cranked out 6 cards from the kit. I changed up the designs a teeny bit from the directions and I love them.

The first cards are mostly identical (I only changed the brads) and I made them for my my son to send out as thank you cards for birthday gifts.

I thought I might make up a bunch of cards with this next design to give to my preschoolers on their birthdays.

It was nice to finally have had some time to craft. I think today was my first real, "lazy day of summer," without having any appointments, places to go (aside from soccer practice -- but that was in the evening so it doesn't count), or things to get ready for art camp, an upcoming trip, or convention! I love having a free morning. We did do a lot of organizing in the basement. We're trying to find toys, games, and other things that we can try to sell or donate, but just not having anything specific to have to go to or have to do this morning was a treat!

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The 2010 Close To My Heart Convention

I was lucky enough to attend the CTMH Convention this year since it was only about half an hour away from where I live! The convention was at the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor in Maryland. It was just a beautiful setting, right off of the Potomac. The hotel itself was HUGE! The bottom floor had an area which was set up like a little town center with pathways, stores, restaurants, a fountain, sand sculptures, and beautiful gardens.

As most of you know, I am mostly a hobbyist who like to teach. So I wasn't entirely sure about attending convention considering the expense. But I'm so glad I did. Aside from meeting some wonderful consultants, getting a preview of the 2010 Autumn/Winter Idea book, getting new ideas, and being able to hear Jeanette Lynton speak in person, I got to see and actually take classes from people whose blogs I follow! Laugh at me if you want, but they are almost like celebrities to me! People like Melissa Laverty from http://fancymelissa.blogspot.com/. She's nice in person too! When you go to her blog, you'll see some of the projects she taught and showcased, including how to make beautiful paper flowers. When I was walking around that huge hotel and would spot someone familiar, it would take me a while and then I would realize..."oh, I follow her blog!" And yes, I did restrain myself from asking for autographs! Here are some photos from convention.

Look at the cool stairs at the Gaylord Hotel and Convention center (Me and my scrapbooker-in-training).

Here's a glimpse of the indoor gardens at the Gaylord

...and a glimpse of the outdoor gardens.

A view of the Potomac

A sand sculpture of the Iwo Jima Memorial

...and another of the Washington Monument with the Jefferson Monument.

The hotel even had a couple of wax figures...here are the kids with Abraham Lincoln.

There are some wonderful new changes and additions coming to CTMH with the Autumn/Winter catalog. I can't divulge much yet but I will say that we will be getting some gorgeous new colors!

Well, I'll give you one little blurry sneak peek because I'm so excited about this stamp set (I love teacups!).

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Kids' Scramping Art Camp

I held a week long Kids' Summer Camp earlier on this summer and we did a number of fun projects. Although the girls in the camp were young (all about seven years old), they did a wonderful job. I did underestimate how much adhesive they would use though! Next time I would triple the amount that I allowed for!

I think two of my favorite projects we did during this week were decorating the My Creations Artboard (Z1291) and making an All About Me album using the 9" x 9" My Creations Accordian Album (Z1198), the You Rock Simply Snapshots pages (X8536), and the About Me Journaling Prompts stickers (X5746). We also added the Color Ready Oxford Alphabet stickers (X5749) so that the girls could use them to put their names on the front covers. I was very pleased with how well the you Rock pages went with such a variety of pictures! Here are some pictures of these projects.

My Creations Artboards

All About Me Albums

My daughter's album unfolded

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Simple Layouts

Here's a very simple double layout I made, using the Animal Cookies paper, about our trip to the Crayola Factory. The circles in the patterned paper reminded me of crayons on their sides.

Supplies used: White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Animal Cookies Level 2 Paper Pack (X7112B), Expressives Font CD Volume I (Z1280)

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