Clearly from the Heart

Studio J Saturday: Love Your Layout with Sonoma

2012-01-28T06:00:00.001-06:00

Studio J Saturday - Step-by-Step Basics

2012-01-21T16:24:00.002-06:00

I'm crazy about Studio J, especially as my life gets busier and busier! Each Saturday, I'm going to be sharing videos from Close to My Heart that show you how to use Studio J. I'll be sharing some of my Studio J creations, too! Remember that you can get a free Studio J layout with the purchase of 9 during the month of January! Enjoy ~

A Perfect 10 in January

2012-01-06T15:53:00.000-06:00

Get off to a great start with your scrapbooking in 2012 by using Studio J for fast, simple, beautiful layouts! When you purchase 9 layouts, the 10th one is FREE! You'll see the discount reflected in your order totally. Take advantage of the promotion by ordering in multiples of 10: buy 9, get 1 free; buy 18, get 2 free; buy 27, get 3 free! When we had this promotion last year, I got so many pages done, and it felt great to get a few of them free!

Not a Studio J member? Now is a great time to get started because of the fantastic benefits to members:

Discounted pricing on each layout
Special members-only kits and patterns
Free shipping (4 - 20 layouts) once per month
Free page protectors with each layout

Memberships are available in 3-months and 12-months. The 3-month membership is $30 and automatically renews at $10 per month after the initial 3 months. The 12-month membership is $99 and automatically renews for a 12-month term at the end of each year. Click here to sign up today!

Rock the Block in January!

2012-01-06T15:34:00.002-06:00

January is a great month with CTMH! You can Rock the Block by placing a minimum $25 order from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book and get two fabulous products for just $15: the My Creations Collage Cubes (a sneak peek at a new product from the Spring/Summer Idea Book!) and an exclusive E-size stamp set - Rock the Block. You can view a video here for ideas on using the collage blocks.

Feel free to contact me if you'd like to take advantage of this great offer! You can also place an order directly on my website. Since the qualifying purchase must be from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book, you may want to take a peek at it online before placing your order.

January Clubs

2012-01-05T14:44:00.002-06:00

I'm slightly revamping my clubs for 2012. You can read all the details on the Club Information tab. I'm so excited about the cards and scrapbook pages we'll be making this month! Details are below. The clubs will be held at my house. If you need the address, please contact me by phone or e-mail.

January Card Club - Thursday, January 19 - 6:30 p.m.
$5 supply fee
RSVP to 309-826-6705 or clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com by 1/10 so I can prepare enough card kits
Please bring your basic tool kit: Paper trimmer, scissors, and adhesive

We will be making four cards using the fun Roxie & Elemental papers and glitzing the cards up with Glitz Glitter Gel and sparkles!

Magic Scrapbook Club - Saturday, January 21 - 10:00 a.m.
$25 initial fee; $10 supply fee
RSVP to 309-826-6705 or clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com by 1/10 so I can prepare enough scrapbook kits
Please bring your basic tool kit: Paper trimmer, scissors, and adhesive
*The $25 initial club fee is to purchase the Magic how-to book. If you already own the book, you can substitute an album.

Love is in the air, and we will be celebrating it with two sweet scrapbook layouts to kick off our year of Magic! The scrapbook layouts include all materials to make the pages shown, except for the "bling." If you would like to add some sparkle to your pages like I did, you may order the Bling Assortment for $4.95.

Wonderland - Studio J

2011-12-12T12:45:00.000-06:00

I can hardly wait to make this darling Studio J layout! I've been wondering how to scrapbook my pictures from last year's "Snowmageddon." This will definitely be one of the layouts!

Wonderland Stocking Card

2011-12-08T19:55:00.000-06:00

I love it when a card just kind of makes itself. This one came together so easily! I was inspired by this post found on Pinterest. My bff (also known as the Art Philosophy cartridge) helped out, too, by cutting the stocking (3 1/2") and the snowflake (1 1/4").

Here's a peek at the inside:

You can find the items to make the card on my website.

Items used:
Paper: Wonderland Level 2 Paper Packet; Kraft cardstock; Twilight cardstock
Ink: Chocolate
Embellishments: Neutral Embroidery Floss; Chocolate Waxy Flax; Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon; Bling Assortment
Other: Ruler; Paper Piercing Kit; Stardust Glitz Glitter Glue; 3-D Foam Tape; Liquid Glass; Art Philosophy

Believe Christmas Card

2011-12-07T22:44:00.001-06:00

I'm so excited to be able to make some new cards and projects! This card is for two challenges - Mojo Monday (sketch) and Heart 2 Heart (inspiration photo). The oval image was cut using Art Philosophy. I love that cartridge! So many of our stamp images are designed to coordinate with the images on the Cricut cartridge. Super easy!

Items Used:
Believe Level 2 Paper Packet
Art Philosophy
Cardstock/Ink: White Daisy, Holiday Red, Topiary, Sweet Leaf, Gray Wool
D1492 - Christmas Love
C1469 - December 25th
S1110 - Holiday Magic
Sweet Leaf Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Designer Brads - Rhinestone
Bitty Sparkles
3-D Foam Tape

Here is the sketch and inspiration photo for the card:

O Christmas Tree

2011-12-07T01:36:00.002-06:00

Have you joined the Pinterest craze yet? I find so many ideas on there! The project I worked on today was inspired by this idea that I saw on Pinterest. She used nesting templates and a die cut machine; I decided to use the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to cut my images. I thought it was much easier!

To start, I selected six different papers (2 pieces of each) in Christmas colors. (See the last of my stash of Cocoa Cafe papers?) I think all my papers are retired from previous catalogs. This is a great project to use them up!

I cut the scalloped circle 11 times on each paper, starting with 1" and increasing to 6" by 1/2-inch increments. I ended up with enough to make two trees.

When I had all my pieces cut, I sorted them by size and inked the edges with Cocoa ink.

The base of the tree is pretty simple - a 12" dowel rod and a cardboard base. I used part of a CTMH mailing box for my base. It didn't seem sturdy enough, so I reinforced it with some, let's say, creative items.

Hey - it worked!

Next came the fun part - making the tree! Starting with the largest (6") circle, I stacked three of each size all the way to the top of the dowel rod. To give the pieces a little separation, I tied a piece of grosgrain ribbon between each of the larger pieces (3" - 6"), then I switched to organdy ribbon for the smaller pieces since they could be a little closer together.

I topped my tree off with a 2" two-sided star, also cut on the Cricut. Be sure to check out the other Art Philosophy Cricut creations on the linky party hosted by Lisa Stenz! You can find complete directions for the linky party {here}.

On the road to recovery ...

2011-12-07T00:51:00.001-06:00

You might have noticed fewer posts lately. I've been a little out of commission for a few months due to some health issues. I'm doing better, though, following surgery last week. For the last several days, this is where I've been hanging out.

Cozy, right? It is a pretty comfortable recliner, and it's just a few steps away from the bathroom and the tv. The kids and my husband are within shouting distance, and they've been taking good care of me. I also have everything I need right next to me - dvds, the latest John Grisham novel on my Kindle, pain meds, and a caffeine free Diet Pepsi. I'm starting to feel better, so hopefully I'll be able to get some paper crafting and blogging done while I'm still off work. Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Stock up on cardstock!

2011-12-05T21:54:00.000-06:00

I was very excited to see many more items added to the "While Supplies Last" section of my website, including cardstock packs! Now is definitely the time to stock up on these discounted cardstock packs - 8 1/2 x 11 and 12 x 12 paper packs. There are many more items, too - how about a Wings Level 2 paper packet for $5? I have a feelings these items will not last long, so shop soon for the best selection!

Christmas Tags

2011-12-01T10:36:00.001-06:00

Making tags is so quick and easy with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge! The video below shows you how --

Elemental 6x6 Kraft Card

2011-11-06T22:05:00.004-06:00

A few weeks ago, I was priveleged to attend the CTMH Regional Celebration near Detroit. One of the fun activities was a swap. The swap items had to be made using the 6 x 6 Kraft Cards, one of my very favorite items in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book! The cards all come with a matching envelope, and each card has a sweet scalloped flap, which I decided to fold down on my card. The card pictured here is my contribution to the swap. The envelope was so easy to line. I cut a piece of coordinating B&T 1/2" smaller than the envelope. I traced the slope of the envelope flap and trimmed it off, then slid the liner inside. Tip: Only adhere the flap of the liner, allowing the bottom part to "slide" a little as the flap opens and closes.

Here's a peek at the inside:

Items used:

Art Philosophy
Elemental Level 2 Paper Packet
C1473 - Remarkable Wreath
Kraft Cards & Envelopes
Inks: Cocoa, Sorbet, Creme Brulee, Cranberry, Desert Sand
Cardstock: Pacifica, Colonial White
Embellishments: Embroidery Floss - Neutral; Chocolate Striped Ribbon; Wooden Designer Buttons; Chocolate Waxy Flax; Opaques - Mocha
Tools: Scissors; Piercing Tool; Distressing Kit
Other: Alene's Quick Dry Glue

Win a Studio J 5-pack!

2011-11-03T20:34:00.005-05:00

Check out the give-away on the Nat the Fat Rat blog! A lucky winner will receive a Studio J 5-pack (which includes Memory Protectors) - FREE! It's easy to enter - just leave a comment on the post. You can receive an additional entry by liking the Studio J Facebook Page, then going back to Nat the Fat Rat's blog post and leaving an additional comment to say you've done so. Good luck!

$5 Stamp Set in November!

2011-10-23T18:36:00.000-05:00

I'm very excited about this special offer in November! When you make a qualifying purchase of at least $25 in My Acrylix stamp sets from November 1 - 30, 2011, you can purchase the Holiday Wishes stamp set for just $5! You can get one Holiday Wishes stamp set for every $25 in stamp sets purchased, so if you spend $50 - 74.99, you can purchase two Holiday Wishes sets. How cool is that?

Note: Stamp of the Month, K-size customized name stamps, Cricut^® Art Philosophy collection, and Workshops on the Go™ kits do not count toward a qualifying purchase.

You may order directly from my website, or you can contact me to place your order (309-826-6705 or clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com).

Elemental Layout - Bookworms in Love

2011-10-18T19:00:00.000-05:00

This layout just makes me go {ahhhh}. My daughter - my firstborn - engaged. They are every bit as happy as they look, and we're very blessed to be gaining an awesome son-in-law. One of many things they have in common is a love of reading, so the public library was a logical choice for the engagement photo shoot. The picture of them peeking over the book edges? Books about marriage and weddings. Love it! The large photo is one of my favorites. I adore the look on Kristin's face! It was really easy to achieve this. I enlarged the photo to about 200% and dragged it into each photo well. I could then arrange each photo to fit by lining up the "ghost" image in the adjoining photo well. I'll use this technique again and again in Studio J.

Kit: Elemental
Pattern: Sidebar - Original/Sampler - Photo Checkerboard
Kit Mix: 5

Mischief Layout - War Eagle!

2011-10-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

My husband had a milestone birthday this summer. That's right. The Big 5 - 0. He had company, though - his twin brother, oddly enough, turned 50 as well! To celebrate, the Miller boys met in Alabama (where they grew up) for a few days of fun. Auburn fans through and through, part of the fun included a visit to the campus (War Eagle!). They had a great time (although their dad probably would have skipped the Auburn visit - he's a 'Bama fan. If you're from Alabama, you get it.) and took some great pictures. I plan to order multiple copies of this layout so they can each have one. Thanks, Studio J, for making it easy to make duplicate layouts!

Kit: Mischief
Pattern: Front and Center - In the Middle/Sidebar - Main Frame
Kit Mix: 1

Do you like the argyle pattern at the bottom? It's super simple. Make a text box and clear the journaling. Size it into a square and change the background to Sunset. Turn the box 45 degrees then add the stitching. Select the text box and each line of stitching by holding down the shift key and clicking on each; copy and paste as many times as needed to fill the area.

Wonderland Layout - Sweet Baby

2011-10-14T19:00:00.000-05:00

This sweet li'l pumpkin is also the beautiful bride-to-be in a previous layout! Don't the years fly by too quickly? I looked forward to being a mom for years before actually becoming one. It has been such a great journey, and I'm glad I took lots and lots of pictures. Babies change so fast, and before you know it - they're all grown up. I love looking back as I scrapbook ~ almost as much as I love looking at the finished scrapbooks! Studio J is really helping me complete the scrapbooks.

Kit: Wonderland
Pattern: Monologue
Kit Mix: 2

I changed the striped B&T to Grey Flannel, and the polka dot B&T to Baby Pink. The Stickease are layered and even dragged across two pages. Pretty sweet! One of my favorite techniques is with the ribbon. Do you see how it looks pleated? It's a super easy effect to achieve. Just add a ribbon, then layer a series of ribbon tabs right next to each other. To make them look more authentic, don't make them too perfect. I like to adjust them a little up or down (alternating).

Typeset Layout - Mission Accomplished!

2011-10-12T19:00:00.000-05:00

A year and a half ago, I achieved a dream - I graduated from college. The big day came 28 years after high school graduation and 25 years after the last semester of my junior year in college - and my marriage! It was a proud day for all of us - me, my husband, my parents, and my children. My husband, parents, and I traveled from Illinois to Virginia so I could walk in the commencement ceremony. It was such a great day!

Kit: Typeset
Pattern: Up the Tempo
Kit Mix: 4

Did you know that when you purchase a Studio J layout, you also receive free JPGs so you can share your work? I'm planning to load the large layouts (single pages) onto a digital photo frame so I can enjoy the layouts at work. It would make a great gift, too!

Love Your Layout - Episode 6

2011-10-11T20:15:00.000-05:00

Here's another source of inspiration for you - how to make a beautiful layout in Studio J!

Sonoma Layout - Forever Love

2011-10-10T21:35:00.000-05:00

Between working full-time, planning a wedding, and running a household, there is limited time left over for crafting. I turn to Studio J more and more often to make progress on my scrapbooking. Still love playing with paper, but this is a great alternative!

The featured layout showcases my daughter's engagement pictures. She and her fiance' love to read, so many of their pictures are centered around books.

To make the layout, I used the Sonoma kit; pattern: Abstract; and kit mix 6. Some fun things that were added are the stitching (found under "Embellishments"), layered stickease, and changing the colors of the cardstock. It's so easy - just drag the new color onto the one you want to replace. Are you interested in trying out Studio J? Just click {here} to try out the free software!

Add on for free!

2011-10-02T22:28:00.000-05:00

Almost 9 years ago, I made a decision that ranks in the top ten best decisions I ever made by becoming a Close To My Heart consultant. I have made amazing friends, expanded my creativity, and learned valuable business skills along the way.

If you join me in the CTMH journey during October, you will receive a gorgeous New Consultant Kit for the regular price of $99 (packed with business essentials and new products valued at over $280), plus you will receive one of the three optional add-on collections FREE to enhance your kit! The add-ons regularly cost $40 and have a retail value of up to $130. You can also add on one or both of the remaining two add-on collections for $40 each. Talk about a great value!

Here is what you receive in the New Consultant Kit:

The Add-On Collections:

It's so easy to sign up: just visit my website {click here} and complete the enrollment form. Then wait for the big white CTMH box to be delivered to your door! If you have questions, please feel free to contact me:

309-826-6705

clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com

Celebrate Blogtoberfest!

2011-10-02T22:03:00.000-05:00

Got your attention, didn't I! Join me this month as I celebrate the fun of blogging. I'm taking the challenge put out by Fabulously Artsy Tresa Black to make my blog better and more fun. I hope you enjoy the more frequent posts and the artwork ideas I'll be sharing with you. Check in often to see what's new!

There's still time . . .

2011-09-28T20:09:00.000-05:00

to take advantage of the Pair-A-Phrase special offer! Place a $75+ order no later than September 30 and receive TWO D-size stamp sets free! These darling stamp sets are chock-full of cute images and sentiments.

You can call me to place an order (309-826-6705), or you can order online through my website {click here}. Here's a "plus" when you order on my website - You can take advantage of the "While Supplies Last" section to stock up on awesome products at greatly reduced prices! You will also qualify to receive the September Stamp of the Month, "Limited Edition," for only $5!

Typeset Level 2 Layout - It's a Winner!!

2011-09-18T20:31:00.000-05:00

I was going to wait until this was posted on the CTMH Make It From the Heart Art Gallery, but I can't wait! All the winning entries will be posted later this week, but for now -- here's my winning layout! The category is Typeset - Level 2 Layout. No stamping was allowed, just paper, cardstock, ink and embellishments. I realized that these pictures of my boys on an airplane were exactly right for this paper.

sThe layout is from Magic (Out of the Hat, p. 82 - 83). On the left page, I saved some paper by piecing the top and bottom pieces rather than using an entire 11 x 11 sheet of B&T. The banner is cut using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, including the letters! (Remember - no stamping allowed!) The 1/2" x 11" strips on either side are the zip strips from the top of the B&T paper. I used the brand-new ruler to evenly space pierced holes for stitching.

Here is a closer view of the left page. The main picture is given some dimension using foam tape. The Milepost Shapes were distressed using the stipple brush and Cocoa re-inker as were the edges of the cardstock and B&T. Isn't the paper airplane cute? It is one of the new Complements (Typeset Canvas Complements).

And a closer view of the right page:

The journaling block is also from the Typeset Canvas Complements. I wrote directly on it using a My Legacy writer, and it worked really well. To make things more fun, I decided to make my page interactive. The arrows swing away so the Flip Flaps can open to reveal the photos on the other side.

I had so much fun making this layout and am so excited to have won! If you'd like to make a similar layout, the recipe is below. All items are available on my website (lorimiller.myctmh.com) or www.ctmh.com/lorimiller (after October 1). Thanks for sharing my excitement!

Items used:

Magic - Out of the Hat (p. 82 - 83)

Paper - Typeset Level 2 Paper Packet

Ink - Cocoa Re-inker

Embellishments - Milepost Shapes; Wooden Designer Buttons; Typeset Complements Canvas Shapes; Neutral Assortment Embroidery Floss; Natural Hemp; Metal Assortment Brads

Other - Cricut Art Philosophy; Flip Flaps; My Legacy Writers; Ruler; Piercing Tool Kit; Distressing Kit; 3-D Foam Tape

A Wicked Card

2011-09-18T11:05:00.000-05:00

With the release of every new Idea Book, CTMH holds a contest for consultants to create cards, scrapbook pages, and altered items using new products in the Idea Book. The winners have their artwork posted on the Corporate Make It From Your Heart Art Gallery. I submitted a card featuring the August Stamp of the Month, "Wicked." It didn't win, but I'm still pretty proud of it and want to share it with you. My hope is that this will inspire you to pull out your "Wicked" stamp set and start creating! :)

I used one of my favorite products - a clear card. Clear cards are easy to use but require a bit of planning to hide the adhesive. Think of the layers as a sandwich with the acrylic piece in the middle. For instance, on the front of my card, I attached the Colonial White half-circle (with the hat) to the top of the card, then I opened the card and put adhesive on the back of the acrylic (back side of the card front). Then I carefully lined up the black half-circle and pressed it together. I did the same with the back piece -- the smaller circle was attached to the top of the back (clear as mud, right?!), then the larger circle was attached to the back, hiding the adhesive.

I'm including some close-ups of the rose on the front, made using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. I {heart} those roses!

Items used:

Stamps: Wicked

Paper: Mischief; Colonial White cardstock; Black cardstock; Sunset cardstock

Ink: Black; Sunset

Accessories: Cricut Art Philosophy; 4 1/2" Assortment Clear Cards; Licorice Opaques Adhesive Gems

While Supplies Last - Great Deals!

2011-09-15T18:55:00.000-05:00

Close To My Heart has added some awesome items to the "While Supplies Last" section of my website! Looking for some mini ink pads? How about 25 cents! Are you missing the Level 1 kits? There are some of them on there, too - for $7! Or one of my favorites - the Pivot Stapler. These items will go quickly, so be sure to pick your favorites up today!

September Creative Club - SPOOKY Banner

2011-09-05T10:01:00.000-05:00

Join me for the September Creative Club to make this darling Halloween banner! To see detailed information about the no-obligation monthly club, please click on the link "Creative Club" at the top of the blog page. You will receive all materials needed to make the banner, including a full package of Midnight Felt Shapes (take home the extras!). We had a great time at the August Creative Club - you won't want to miss this month!

Dates: Wednesday, September 21 - 7:00 p.m.

Where: My house - Contact me for the address

RSVP: By 9/9 to 309-826-6705 or clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

Love Your Layout - Episode 2

2011-09-02T18:26:00.000-05:00

I really enjoy viewing the "Love Your Layout" videos from CTMH. I learn something new about how to use Studio J every time I watch! Enjoy --

Typeset Workshop on the Go

2011-09-01T18:37:00.001-05:00

I have really come to love the Workshops on the Go. My time to scrapbook and stamp is pretty limited, so I love that I can pick up the WOTG and get busy! I recently attended a crop at The Keepsake Element, so I just grabbed two WOTGs and was set for the evening. So easy!

With my "baby" in his senior year of high school, I have been focusing on getting his pictures scrapbooked for the graduation open house. Typeset is perfect for school photos! The color combination works for photos of older kids or younger kids. Love, love, love how the pages turned out! The shaped images were cut using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.

The second layout (still searching for just the right pictures):

These darling cards are the alternate project in the Workshop on the Go. I just added a couple of extra items, cut the cards on the Cricut (love that Art Philosophy!), and have these super-cute cards to send to someone special! Do you love the distressing technique? It's so easy to do: Dip the stipple brush into re-inker. Drag the brush from just off the edge of the card inward onto the card.

Feel free to contact me if you'd like to find out how to purchase your own WOTG - or earn it free as a hostess!

Art Philosophy Images

2011-08-14T17:30:00.000-05:00

I knew the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge would be pretty amazing, but I had no idea how much fun I would actually have with it! There is a lot of variety packed into one awesome cartridge. The photos below will show you exactly how many images you can cut using Art Philosophy. Then multiply it by all the incremental sizes on your Cricut - wow!

Remember, too, that many of the stamp images in the Idea Book coordinate with an Art Philosophy image, making it easier than every to add stamped images to your cards and scrapbook pages. Look for the images outlined in red throughout the Idea Book.

Ali Edwards video

2011-08-10T21:31:00.000-05:00

I enjoyed the ideas in this Ali Edwards video. She is one creative lady! I also love that she uses CTMH products in some of her work - our ink, in this case. She might also be using one of our acrylic blocks, but I'm not sure. Anyway - enjoy!

Ali Edwards | August Studio AE for Technique Tuesday from Ali Edwards on Vimeo.

Creative Club reminder

2011-08-09T20:34:00.001-05:00

Just a quick reminder to let me know if you plan to attend the August Creative Club on Wednesday, August 24 (7:00 pm) or Saturday, August 27 (9:00 am). We'll be making the darling card set pictured here. The $10 fee can be paid on the day of the Creative Club, but I need to know how many are attending so there are plenty of supplies!

Give me a call (309-826-6705) or send me an e-mail by 8/11: clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com. We're going to have a great time, so you won't want to miss it! See you there.

Cricut fun!

2011-08-04T19:38:00.001-05:00

Watch this fun video from CTMH to get some great ideas for using the Art Philosophy cartridge in your scrapbooking and stamping!

August SOTM - Wicked

2011-08-01T22:16:00.002-05:00

The August Stamp of the Month, Wicked, is available starting today. I'm not usually a Halloween person, but this stamp set is just so classy and fun that I've had a great time using it. That is a witch with attitude!

We've made it even easier to get the D-size Stamp of the Month (available only in the featured month): place an order for $50 or more, and you get the SOTM for $5. You may also purchase the SOTM for full retail price ($17.95). That's it! Couldn't be easier! To make it even sweeter, if you purchase the SOTM for $5, you will get this cute additional stamp set free (Typeface Alphabet)!

Here are a few items made using Wicked. (I love the name - My daughter and I are going to see "Wicked" in a couple of months!)

This cute pillow box and the bracket were cut using the new Cricut® Art Philosophy cartridge. My Cricut hummed and chirped all weekend while I used the new cartridge!

The card is 5 1/2" square, also cut using Art Philosophy. (I told you - that's all I used this weekend!) The papers are "Mischief."

One last card (for now!) - also cut on (guess what) Art Philosophy. The flower was also from Art Philosophy. This makes the popular paper flowers SO easy to make! This card really demonstrates our fantastic new B&T paper. It has a different pattern on each side and is a light cardstock-weight paper.

Contact me to get your very own Wicked stamp set!

August Creative Club

2011-07-24T17:07:00.000-05:00

Help me kick off my brand-new Monthly Creative Club in August! We will be making the project pictured above using new products from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book. The project fee is $10, and you may choose one of two times to attend: Wednesday, August 24 at 7:00 p.m. or Saturday, August 27 at 9:00 a.m. Please RSVP to me by 8/10 (309-826-6705 or clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com) to let me know if you are attending.

Here are the club details, also available on the Creative Club tab at the top of the page:

You may join the club at any time and there is no commitment to stay in the club for any length of time or to place an order.
There will be a small fee each month, depending on the project, for the supplies used for the projects we are making.
Projects will range from cards to small gift items to scrapbook pages - and more!
Each person who signs up for the club will have their name added to the hostess list. (For the first month, we will draw names to select the order. After August, new members' names will be placed at the bottom of the list.)
You may participate even if you are not local. All members will receive an E-Z Invite by e-mail. If you are unable to attend, you may still place your monthly order so the hostess for that month will receive hostess rewards.
You do not have to pre-pay, but please RSVP to me by the 10th of each month to reserve your spot.
The person whose name is at the top of the list will receive the hostess rewards for that month.
In order for your name to keep its "place" on the list, you must place a $25 minimum order whether you attend the class or not.
If you do not place a $25+ order that month, your name will go to the bottom of the list.
If you do place a $25+ order, your name continues to move up the list AND you will get $5 off your kit for the monthly class. (For example, if the class is $10 that month, your kit will be only $5. If the class is $5 that month, your kit will be FREE!)
Long distance members pay an additional $5 per month to have their kits mailed to them.

Club members will also receive

A free current Idea Book
Free Hostess Rewards during your hosting month
Opportunity to hold a home workshop, gathering, or catalog party to boost your hostess rewards
$5 on all other workshops and classes while you are a member
Lots of other freebies and surprises!

Contact me at clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com for more information, to sign up for next month's class, or to order your club kit(s).

Check my blog calendar for dates and information about upcoming workshops, events, and special offers!

Doing the happy dance!

2011-07-23T12:56:00.003-05:00

The Fed Ex man is one of my favorite persons in the whole world today! He brought me this lovely white box, filled with brand-new CTMH Autumn/Winter products! (My other favorite person - husband Mark - brought me a big Diet Mt. Dew, so he's right up there with the Fed Ex guy.) Want to dig in to see what's in the box? Prepare to be impressed. I was!

Of course, the item I was most eager to get my crafty little hands on was the brand-new, exclusive CTMH® Cricut® Art Philosophy cartridge package. I was not disappointed - in fact, I was so excited that I was speechless!

Here are just a few of the 700 images included on this cartridge. By the way, the package includes the three stamp sets pictured above as well as three sheets of chipboard Dimensional Elements. The stamps have the size to cut noted on the carrier sheet - how cool is that?! This will be available for purchase on my website August 1.

One more peek, then I need to go play with my new stuff. Some of the new paper packets come with the traditional My Stickease®, but some have new My Complements® to coordinate with the gorgeous papers. This is the set that goes with Typeset. These are canvas adhesive elements. The color and texture are so exciting! I can hardly wait to get started!

See the texture? GORgeous! If you need me, I'll be in my scrap room.

Retiring Items

2011-07-22T21:00:00.004-05:00

The following items will be retiring on August 1, once the new Idea Book is released. Please note that no colors of cardstock are retiring but will be repackaged. You can view the items on my website and can order from there, or you may also contact me at 309-826-6705 to place an order.

CTMH Items Retiring 8/1/11 -

Check out Kelly's work!

2011-07-22T18:03:00.001-05:00

Kelly English-Triggs is giving away some gorgeous blog candy, and you'll definitely want to check it out! She is one talented lady - I promise that you'll be inspired. :) Hers is also a blog I have listed in "Some of my favorite blogs" on the right side of my page.

Stampin' All Day

Here comes Cricut!

2011-07-19T20:23:00.001-05:00

One of the biggest, most exciting announcements made at the recent CTMH Convention was about the collaboration between Close To My Heart and Cricut for a brand-new, exclusive Art Philosophy cartridge! I am so excited about this amazing new product! The Cricut Art Philosophy Collection includes

1 - Cartridge (700 images: Font, Shapes, and 3-D Items)
3 - Coordinating My Acrylix D-size stamp sets
3 - Coordinating 9" x 12" Dimensional Elements Sheets (Tags, Mixed Shapes, Banners - also sold separately)

That's not all! (Do I sound like the guy on the infomercial?) Many My Acrylix Stamp Sets in the new Idea Book pair beautifully with images on the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. Those images are marked with a red line around them in the Idea Book, and the exact cutting size is listed on the stamp carrier sheet. No guessing! Do you love the paper flowers that are currently so popular? This cartridge cuts the spirals to make several different flowers. I'm stalking the Fed-Ex guy, waiting for my order (with the cartridge!) to arrive. :)

If you're interested in this cool product, I'm now accepting pre-orders. This video shows many of the great features of the Art Philosophy cartridge:

Excited . . .

2011-07-16T16:24:00.000-05:00

I've been pretty much glued to the computer over the past few days (except for when I was at work, of course!), checking Twitter, Facebook, and the CTMH Consultant Bulletin Board for updates happening at the annual CTMH Convention. It's always such an exciting time, and I have been priveleged to attend twice -- just not this year.

There are many exciting things happening and lots of updates (plus a ROCKIN' new Idea Book!), so I will be posting over a few days with the information.

One thing I'm really excited about is how easy it is to become a consultant. I made that decision almost nine years ago and have never regretted it. I took a short sabbatical while I was in college, but I didn't even last a year before I had to join again. I have made such great friends and gained so much. When I look back at how my scrapbooks and stamping have changed and improved, it's really exciting to think that I get paid to do what I love!

If you love to scrapbook, stamp, or both, this might be a great opportunity for you, too. You can check out the page on my blog called Join My Team! to see pictures of the newest consultant kit, or you can contact me through my Facebook page or by e-mail: clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com if you have questions and would like to learn more.

July Blog Hop

2011-07-14T05:00:00.005-05:00

Welcome to the July Blog Hop! Be sure to hop all the way around back to my blog to see all the beautiful projects by CTMH consultants. The hop is easy - after you've finished on one blog, look for the link to the next. If you came from Lela Norris' blog, you're on the right path.

I used the July SOTM, American Celebration, to create this page of my daughter and her fiancee at the fireworks this year on July 4th. I love this stamp set! The fireworks were jazzed up with sparkles.

Now you can hop on over to Michelle Powell's blog to see what she has made. Enjoy!

I'm in the Top Ten!

2011-07-10T01:09:00.000-05:00

I'm pretty excited to have my Father's Day card selected as part of the Top Ten entries for June on the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog! Check out the blog every Monday for a new challenge. It's very fun to play along!

Scrapbook Saturday: Fanfare WOTG

2011-07-09T06:00:00.007-05:00

Kids grow up so fast, don't they? It seems like just a few years ago that these photos were taken, but the little guy in the pictures is now a 6-foot-tall 20 year old. He was our first son and had a fixation on trains. So we bought lots and lots of train "stuff." The overalls and jacket were a perfect fit for Michael! I get nostalgic when I scrapbook older photos, but it's so fun to remember how sweet he was when he was one.

I had to modify the right side page a little to make it work with my photos. The original layout called for the border to run across the bottom of the page, but my photos were a portrait orientation, so I rotated the page a quarter turn. That's one of the great things about the layouts from CTMH design books or workshops - they are very versatile! I also used the Foam Die-Cut Numbers rather than a stamped image since I wasn't going for a party feel to the page. I'm very happy with how the pages turned out!

To make these pages, you will need:
Fanfare Workshop on the Go
Cocktail Alphabet
Ink: Pacifica and Tulip
Foam Die-Cut Numbers (while supplies last)
2" Scalloped Circle Punch

More Bang for Your Buck

2011-07-08T16:45:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you, but I'm trying to stretch every dollar these days. With everything from gas to food getting more expensive every day, it's wonderful to come across a great deal! So, in July if you spend just $50 in CTMH products, you get to choose a bonus item for just $1. Yep - more bang for your buck! Who doesn't love that!

Eligible $1 Bonus Items:
• Creative Basics® Mistletoe Collection (original retail: $8.95)
• Creative Basics® Animal Cookies Collection (original retail: $8.95)
• My Originals® Bits & Pieces Card Kit (original retail: $12.95)
• My Originals® It’s Your Day Card Kit (original retail: $12.95)
• My Originals® Around the Holidays Card Kit (original retail: $14.95)

Contact me to get more bang for YOUR buck! Or just visit my website.

Happy July 4th!

2011-07-04T16:03:00.001-05:00

I hope you're having a fun, safe Fourth of July as we celebrate America's freedom! Here's a patriotic banner to add to the festivities.

To make this banner, you will need the following CTMH items:

Paper: Fanfare Level 2 Paper Packet
Stamps: July SOTM - American Celebration
My Creations banner
Embellishments: Kraft Color-Ready Borders; Blue Assortment buttons; Red Assortment buttons; Blue Assortment ribbon; White Daisy grosgrain ribbon; White Waxy Flax; Dimensional Elements Solos (U, S, A); Dimensional Elements Stars
Ink colors: Pacifica; Cranberry

Let Freedom Ring!

Scrapbook Saturday: Mayberry WOTG

2011-07-02T06:00:00.004-05:00

The stamp set that comes with the Mayberry Workshop on the Go is so stinkin' cute - I just love it! These pages were so fun to make, and the paper and stamps go perfectly with the photos from a field trip to the orchard.

The workshop kit comes with a newer embellishment from CTMH - Canvas Badge Buttons. The little canvas-covered discs are self-adhesive. You just stamp an image or a pattern on them and stick it on the page. Easy and oh, so cute! I also used the E-size alphabet, Token Alphabet, which is one of my new favorites! Our 1 1/4" circle punch works perfectly with the alphabet, almost like they were made for each other. :)

To make these pages, you will need:

Mayberry Workshop on the Go

Token Alphabet

Inks: Olive and Sorbet

1 1/4" circle punch

Studio J - Girls Day Out

2011-07-01T18:09:00.001-05:00

I took advantage of the free JPG offered from CTMH during June to make this layout of my mom, my daughter, and me having a "Girls Day Out"! A fun new feature of Studio J is the stitching embellishment option. You can add all kinds of stitches along the edges, and there are also stitched shapes and banners. Super fun!

My little Jare-Bear

2011-06-28T14:55:00.002-05:00

When my kids were little, scrapbooking options were rather limited. I didn't really get into the whole scrapping thing until they were grade school age, so there are still lots of photos to scrap. I'm more of a "scrap what I'm feeling" kind of scrapper rather than a chronological scrapper. The realization that I didn't have to scrap events in order was very freeing for me, so it's not unusual for me to be creating pages like this of my (now) 17-year-old youngest son. Sometimes I feel like my delay (certainly not procrastination!) with scrapping certain pictures pays off when I find EXACTLY the right paper years later.

Wasn't he a cutie pie? Those big brown eyes and gorgeous dimples were all he had going for him on some days, because he was a wee bit ornery! He was affectionately known as "Jare-Bear" at this age. I can't believe how fast the time has gone! He'll be graduating from high school in May - my BABY!

This is another great Workshop on the Go using the Fanfare papers, which I absolutely adore! The papers are great for party pages, boy pages, and even Disney pages. Everything you need to make the layout (except for inks and the E-size alphabet set "Cocktail") is included. Super easy!

To make these pages, you will need:

Fanfare Workshop on the Go
Inks: Pacifica
Stamp set: Cocktail Alphabet
Accessories: 2" Scallop Circle Punch, Foam Die-Cut Numbers (while supplies last), 1" punch (EK Success)

Sophia Scrapbook Pages

2011-06-27T22:21:00.001-05:00

I got to go scrapbooking this weekend, something I haven't done for a few months. It was so great to be with good friends - too much food, too little sleep! I have been so busy at work that I didn't have a lot of time to plan what I was taking to work on for the weekend, so I grabbed a few Workshops on the Go. It made things so easy!

The first one I'll share is the Sophia Workshop on the Go scrapbook pages. Let me just say that I LOVE the Sophia papers! They're so bright and cheerful. They also happened to almost exactly match the floral print on the girls' outfits in these pictures:

The darling children in these photos are two of my three children, two nieces, and one nephew - five of 'em born within a 2 1/2 year time span! Two more would be born within another year. :) We had these photos taken for their grandfather, and my sister-in-law and I coordinated the kids' outfits. Such sweet memories! Now two of the young ladies are each engaged to be married, another one will graduate college in the next year, and the boys are hard-working young men. Time goes so quickly! That is why preserving these memories is so important to me.

I made a few modifications to the design of the WOTG. The layout called for two 5 x 7's and 6 2x2 photos. I didn't have those sizes, so I improvised with two smaller photos in the place of one 5 x 7, and a strip of 2 x 12 B&T paper in place of the 2 x 2 photos. Make it your own!

Try a Workshop on the Go to see how quickly you can put together at least two gorgeous scrapbook layouts!

Birthday card - Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 122

2011-06-22T19:00:00.003-05:00

This sketch was calling out for a fun birthday card. My husband and his twin brother are turning 50 next month, so I wanted to make a special card for my dh. Since Mark is a huge NASCAR fan, the (retired) CTMH stamp set "Finish Line" seemed to be a perfect fit. I had to do some creative stamping, cutting, and adjusting to make the car number a "50." This is my first time to play along with the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge, and I will definitely play again!

To make this card, you will need the following items (all CTMH):

Stamp sets: Finish Line (retired), Vroom Caps (retired), D1408 - A Little Everything
Paper Packet: Fanfare Level 2
Emellishments: Black Bigger Brads
Inks: Archival Black, Pacifica, Holiday Red
Other: Cricut, foam adhesive tape

Congrats Card - Card Patterns Sketch 120

2011-06-21T22:43:00.002-05:00

I have been finding all these great card challenge blogs, and they have inspired me to keep creating! This "Congratulations" card was very fun to make. I decided to make the front lift up rather than open like a traditional card. I'll write a congratulatory message under the flap.

You can play along, too. Check out the blog here.

To make this card, you will need the following items:

Stamp sets: B1362 - Tag the Occasion
Paper Packet: Miracle
Embellishments: Bliss Level 2 Assortment, Colonial White ribbon, Color Ready Kraft Borders, Green Assortment Buttons

A Little Mojo for Father's Day

2011-06-13T16:21:00.002-05:00

I'm combining challenges again (I love it when that happens!). This 5" x 7" Father's Day card follows the Mojo Monday 195 sketch. The other challenge is for Heart 2 Heart Challenges: create a background using ink to make a Father's Day card. Done! I used one of CTMH's wonderful background stamp sets to make the "wood paneling." Super easy!

Items used:

Stamp sets: Universal Backgrounds (D1477); Enjoy Life (C1439); A Little Everything (D1408); Chairs to You (May SOTM)
Paper: Lucky Level 2 Paper Packet
Cardstock: Olive, Outdoor Denim, Kraft
Inks: Cocoa, Outdoor Denim
Embellishments: Kraft Color-Ready Borders; Wooden Buttons; Hemp; Twill; Metal Bitty Brads; distressing kit (sanding block); sponge; 3-D foam tape
Other: Nestabilities Labels One

To give the cardstock an aged look, I sanded it with the sanding block then sponged on Cocoa ink. The chair was stamped directly onto B&T paper and cut out. I used Bitty Brads as the tufting buttons on the chair. Looks comfortable enough for Dad, right?

Update - My card was in the Top Ten for Heart 2 Heart Challenges! Thanks, ladies!

Bliss Wedding Card

2011-06-12T19:53:00.001-05:00

"Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam... And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva...So tweasure your wuv." - from The Princess Bride. (Any other fans of The Princess Bride?)

We have weddings on the brain around my house. My daughter is engaged, and the wedding is just about a year away. I'll be making her wedding invitations, but for now, I'm settling for making a wedding card. The card is for two different challenges: Mojo Monday 194 and Heart 2 Heart Challenges - Wedding.

Bliss Wedding Card - Front

Bliss Wedding Card - Inside

To make the card, I used the following materials (all from Close To My Heart):

Stamp sets: C1444 - Precious Love; B1371 - Bliss; Gracious Greetings (retired)
Cardstock: Sorbet, Chocolate, Vanilla Cream
B&T Paper: Bliss (Workshop on the Go)
Ink: Gray Wool, Sorbet
Embellishments: Colonial White Mini Medley, Bliss Level 2 Assortment, Pearl Opaques Adhesive Gems, Sorbet Ribbon Rounds (retired)

The card follows the Mojo Monday 194 sketch:

Studio J - True Love using Magnifique

2011-06-09T21:38:00.002-05:00

Here's another Studio J layout I made recently. I used the Magnifique papers and had fun with the Stickease! This layout features my daughter and her fiance.

Some of the fun techniques I used:

Layering Stickease
Sending Stickease "back" behind the paper
Dragging Stickease across two pages
Distressing

Remember that you can try Studio J any time, and you can get a free JPG during June!

Studio J Love Your Layout - Episode 2

2011-06-07T19:36:00.000-05:00

Here's another new webisode of Love Your Layout. Make a darling layout using "Miracle," and learn how to make a super-cute ribbon pinwheel flower!

Studio J Love Your Layout

2011-06-04T11:23:00.001-05:00

I just watched the first video in a series by CTMH: Studio J Love Your Layout. The video walks you through creating a layout in Studio J. You can recreate it exactly or add your own look, but it's a great way to learn new techniques! You can create this layout yourself and use your FREE JPG in June. Click here to go to Studio J to create this darling layout! Once you've received your free JPG, send it to me in an e-mail (clearlyfromtheheart@gmail.com) and I'll post it here on my blog. It will be fun to see the variety and new ideas! Stay tuned for future Love Your Layout videos!

You & Me - Stronger Together

2011-06-02T20:39:00.000-05:00

Close To My Heart is offering a campaign called You & Me: Stronger Together, to raise funds for the survivors of the severe storms that have pummeled the Midwest and Southern states. The campaign is an extension of the May National Scrapbooking Kit offer.

During the month of June, order a You & Me kit for only $15 (a retail value of $34.95), and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross 2011 Floods and Tornadoes relief operations. Simply use item number CC1012B to place your order for this sensational kit and help those in need at the same time. The You & Me: Stronger Together campaign will continue until June 30 at 11:59 pm (MDT) or while supplies last. Be aware that there is a limited quantity of this beautiful kit, so order quickly to take advantage of this great opportunity to help others AND receive a beautiful scrapbooking kit!

Offer valid June 2–30, 2011, or while supplies last. No qualifying purchase required. Tax and shipping/handling charges apply. The placement of the donations is prioritized by the American Red Cross, with all money earmarked for disaster relief from the tornadoes and flooding in the midwestern and southeastern United States.

Why use Studio J?

2011-06-02T19:00:00.005-05:00

I really enjoyed the following article by Kristine Widtfeldt on the Creating Keepsakes Blog:

Weekly Warm-Up: Time Saving Solution for Your Scrapbooks

If you're on the fence about trying Studio J, Kristine shares some great insight into why it's worth giving a try! Remember that you receive a FREE JPG during the month of June, just for trying out Studio J.

Studio J Free-for-All!

2011-06-01T20:14:00.004-05:00

During June, give Studio J a try - absolutely FREE! Everyone who creates a layout on Studio J in June will receive a free JPG (one per customer). Here's what you can do with the JPG:

Print the layout using a wide-format printer.
Save the JPG to a flash drive and take it to be printed.
Share the beautiful layout you create by e-mail, on Facebook, or on a blog.

It's so easy to get started. If you already have a Studio J or MyCTMH account, just log in and start creating! If you don't have an account, creating one is easy. Click here to create your free account. There is never a cost to use the Studio J software. You only pay when you're ready to purchase a layout or a JPG (except for your free one in June!).

Give it a try -- it's so quick and easy, and the results are beautiful! I will be posting videos about using Studio J throughout the month, so check back often. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about Studio J.

Check out this post to view a step-by-step Studio J video, then watch the following video to learn how to personalize your Studio J layouts.

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-05-30T14:17:00.000-05:00

My heartfelt thanks goes to those who have sacrificed everything to preserve our freedoms and to those who continue to serve. God bless you, and God Bless the USA!

Graduation Cards

2011-05-30T00:09:00.001-05:00

We have several graduations this spring among our family and friends, so I sat down this afternoon and made some graduation cards, using a pattern from Wishes. The card is made using Textured Cardstock (now retired) and the stamp set C1351 - You Did It! Since most of these cards will be mailed, I didn't use any embellishments but had fun with the stamps!

You & Me - Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month

2011-05-08T11:37:00.001-05:00

During the Close to my Heart May celebration, you can get the exclusive You & Me scrapbooking kit at a fabulous discount or even FREE!

WHEN YOU PLACE A MINIMUM ORDER OF $50 IN CLOSE TO MY HEART PRODUCTS* in May, you can get the exclusive You & Me scrapbooking kit for the discount price of just $15 — that’s more than half off the retail value! You’ll create two fully embellished two-page layouts using the new cardstock-weight B&T Duos® papers, D-size stamp set, accessories, and instructions. You can also purchase the kit at full retail for $34.95 with no minimum purchase required. Become a Close To My Heart Consultant during May and we’ll include a You & Me kit for free* as part of your New Consultant Kit. Contact me today to get the celebration started.

* Shipping/handling and tax apply to purchased kits but not free kits. Offer valid May 1–31, 2011 only. Products or memberships purchased on a Studio J® website, even if Studio J is entered via a MyCTMH® site, do not count toward a qualifying order. While supplies last.

On This Day - Inspiration & Tutorial

2011-04-09T15:25:00.001-05:00

I just got this stamp set, so I'm eager to try some of the ideas in this video!

Studio J Step-by-Step

2011-04-02T12:51:00.001-05:00

Have you wondered how to use Studio J? Watch this video for a step-by-step tutorial!

Hope for Japan

2011-04-02T12:14:00.000-05:00

Our hearts have all gone out to the survivors of the tragedies in Japan. Through Apri 30, you can partner with Close To My Heart to offer assistance by purchasing this exclusive stamp set for only $5. 100% of the proceeds are being donated by CTMH to the American Red Cross, designated for relief for Japan.

Sparkle with Studio J

2011-04-02T12:10:00.000-05:00

I LOVE scrapping with Studio J! It is so fast and easy, and the result is fabulous! Go to my website to check it out - you can use the software for free and pay only when you're ready to order the pages.

When you order 10 Studio J layouts in one order during April, you will get a bonus - FREE Sparkles and FREE Opaques Pearl adhesive gems to add a little something extra to the already beautiful Studio J layouts!

Lovin' Level 1

2011-04-02T12:05:00.000-05:00

Visit my website and check out the great deals on discounted scrapbooking supplies. Some are as much as 78% off! These great deals are only while supplies last, so shop now for the best selection. The best part - you can earn a FREE Level 1 kit when you spend $100 or more on my website! You will also qualify to earn the April Stamp of the Month, "Blessed," for FREE!

Valentine's Day Countdown - Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T02:01:00.004-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day! We made it through the Countdown! Or maybe I should say the CountUP. lol! I hope you have enjoyed the hop process and will join Paige and me for future holiday hops.

This is my final project, and I really love it. It is inspired by a banner made by Lisa Stenz {here}. I used one of the new My Creations banners from CTMH. There are 8 alterable pennants in each set, so you could easily make two of these banners - one for you to keep, one to give away.

I chose to use the new spray pen on the top part, filling the pen to the 2nd line with Blush re-inker and to the 8th line with water. Remember to spray your item in a box to catch the spray-over.

The accordian flowers were easy to make. Each one uses 2 pieces of 1/2" x 12" B&T paper, scored every 1/2" and accordian folded. (The pieces are attached on the short end.) Attach the ends to make a circle, then gently push the inside toward the table until it lies flat. Using a strong adhesive, attach the accordian flower to a punched circle (smaller than the flower) and hold for a few seconds until it is well adhered. Decorate as desired.

The banners come with jump rings, but I chose to put mine together with ribbon.

Items used:
Paper: Sweetheart (light pink polka dots & accordian flowers); Sophia (darker pink); Cotton Candy cs; White Daisy cs
Stamps: Bohemian alphabet
Embellishments: Designer Ribbon Collection - Pink; Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems; White Daisy grosgrain ribbon
Inks: Blush re-inker; Blush; Hollyhock
Other: Spray pen; corner rounder; My Creations Banner

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Thirteen - Sweetheart WOTG

2011-02-13T02:01:00.001-06:00

I love the Workshops on the Go from CTMH. For $29.95, everything I need to make at least 4 scrapbook pages and at least 6 cards is included! That includes detailed cutting guides and instructions as well as embellishments. There are always plenty of leftovers to make other projects, too. The Workshops on the Go are available in the Idea Book (ask me how to get your own copy!) or on my website.

I made the featured 2-page layout and 6 cards. There is also an additional layout pictured, using one of the how-to books, and 6 more cards.

There is always a new technique featured in each WOTG. This month's technique is using Liquid Applique. This fun, inexpensive embellishment is so fun to use! It comes in a little tube, and you just squeeze it on the page or card, let it dry for 10 minutes or so, then use the heat tool to make it "puff." I used it around the banner letters. So fun!

Items used:
Paper: Sweetheart Workshop on the Go
Stamp set: Exclusive WOTG stamp set, Pennant alphabet
Ink: Cotton Candy, Black
Embellishments: Sweetheart Level 2 Epoxy Stickers
Other: Liquid Applique, heat tool

Check out the projects from other consultants:

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Twelve - Recipe/Photo Box

2011-02-12T02:01:00.001-06:00

Wow! Our Valentine's Day Countdown hop is winding down. Hasn't this been fun?

Today's project is an item that will sit on my desk every day. I used the My Creations Recipe/Photo Box that has been sitting on my shelf every since they came out. I guess it was about time for me to actually use it! I made a box that will keep customer information cards. I love the cheerful Sophia papers.

Pleated cardstock - I used two 12" lengths of cardstock cut 1 1/4" wide. The cardstock is scored every 1/2" to make it easier to pleat. You can also mist the cardstock lightly with water to make it easier to work with. I adhered it to the back of the flap and trimmed it at the ends.

The ribbon rose is from some of the new Pink Collection ribbon. The length of ribbon is 12" long, and you can use it all together or cut a rose off like I did. Isn't it beautiful? I used ribbon from the Pear Mini-Medleys to make leaves.

The inside - I put cardstock on the flap but not on the inside. I figured that once I get it filled with cards, I won't see much of the inside. But you could certainly line yours with paper or cardstock.

Items used (all items CTMH unless noted):
Paper: Sophia Level 2 Paper Packet
Stamps: Our Mission (not available); Polka Dot Alphabet
Ink: Hollyhock; Blush; Pear
Embellishments: Button Collections - Pink and Green; Sophia Level 2 Journaling Spots; Designer Ribbon - Pink; Pear Mini-Medleys; Dimensional Elements Hearts
Other: My Creations Recipe/Photo Box

Please visit the other Consultants' blogs to see what they have made today!

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Eleven - Sock Cupcake

2011-02-11T02:01:00.001-06:00

You may have seen these little goodies on other blogs. This is another quick, inexpensive gift for someone special!

Start with a pair of spa socks -- the fuzzier, the better! I found mine at Old Navy. Lay the pair out, one sock on top of the other (like they come from the store). Starting at the toe end, roll the socks up, keeping the bottom edge even. Place a rubber band around the bottom of the socks. Place a "cupcake liner" around the sock cupcake. You might have to work with the top a little to make it look more cupcake-like. I tucked a Tulip button into the top for a cherry. I measured the cardstock against the socks and just made it the height that looked good. Then I ran the piece through the crimper after stamping it. This would be a nice little gift, along with some lotion, to tuck into yesterday's gift box.

Items used (all items CTMH unless noted):
Cardstock: White Daisy
Stamps: Love Ya!
Ink: Hollyhock; Cotton Candy; Blush
Embellishments: Tulip Mini-Medleys
Other: Spa socks (Old Navy)

Now, more hopping!

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Ten - Photo Cube Gift Box

2011-02-10T02:01:00.001-06:00

Today's project is another practical/decorative item. I used the My Creations Cube to make a gift box that can later be used as a photo cube. The idea came from the amazing mind of CTMH Consultant Christine David. You can see her box here.

If you'd like to see a tutorial on putting the cube together, click here to go to an earlier post on my blog.

The ribbon roses were really easy to make. Start by punching a circle the size you want your flower to be. Using a glue dot (you'll use a lot of them!), attach one end of the ribbon to the center of the cardstock circle. Start twisting the ribbon, attaching it to the cardstock every little bit with a glue dot. Keep going until the flower is the size you want it to be. I ended my flowers by attaching the end to the back of the cardstock circle. A Pearl Opaques in the center is the finishing touch. I have a lot of retired ribbon, so this is a great way to use it up!

I apologize for the quality of the photos. I'm struggling with the white balance on my camera.

Items used (all items CTMH unless noted):
Paper: Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Packet
Stamps: Love Ya!
Ink: Baby Pink; Cotton Candy
Embellishments: Button Collections - Pink; Colonial White Waxy Flax; Pearl Opaques; Blush ribbon (retired); White organdy ribbon (retired)
Other: My Creations Cube

Enjoy the following projects:

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Nine - Lollipop Covers

2011-02-09T02:01:00.001-06:00

Here's another quick and easy project -- lollipop covers! These hardly take any time at all to put together, and they are suh-weet, if I say so myself! (Sorry -- couldn't pass that one up!)

To make the covers, I cut pieces of cardstock 2.75" x 7". You may have to adjust yours a little depending on the size of the lollipop. Score at 3", 3.25", 6.25" and 6.5". I used the Soft Set Eyelet Tool to punch a small hole in the center of the bottom scored piece (for the stick). Drop the lollipop stick through the hole, and fold the cover over the top. Close it like a matchbook. I ended up using a little adhesive to hold the flap in place.

The stamp set is one of our A-size sets at the amazing price of $7.95. Isn't it cute?

Items used (all items CTMH unless noted):
Cardstock: Tulip; Cotton Candy; White Daisy
Stamps: A Game
Ink: Black; Tulip; Cotton Candy
Embellishments: White ric-rac (retired)

Make some of these sweet treats for yourself, then check out the rest of the blog hop:

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Eight - Masculine Card

2011-02-08T02:01:00.001-06:00

Isn't it challenging to make a nice Valentine's Day card for a male? I have to resist my urge to add ribbons and buttons. I created this simple card that I think fills the bill.

Items used (all items CTMH unless noted):
Cardstock: White Daisy; Black; Tulip
Ink: Black; Tulip
Stamps: Card Chatter - Love

That's it. Short and sweet.

Enjoy the projects from these CTMH Consultants:

Spray Pen Unplugged

2011-02-07T02:02:00.001-06:00

Enjoy the video from Close To My Heart on using the new spray pen:

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Seven - LOVE Wall Hanging

2011-02-07T02:01:00.001-06:00

Scrapbooking products aren't just for scrapping. You can make lovely gifts and home decor items, too! I made this fun wall hanging using the CTMH Mix & Mingle Album. The album is a mix of white chipboard and acrylic pages in different shapes.

To add color to the chipboard elements and one of the pages, I used our brand-new spray pens. The pens come 3 to a package for just $3.95. Each pen holds 10 ml of liquid. It is super easy to make homemade glimmer sprays using CTMH re-inker, a few drops of Create-A-Shade Pearl Paint, and water. It's hard to see in the pictures, but it adds not only color but a nice shimmer, too. You can also use just reinker and water for a totally different effect.

I recommend placing the item to be sprayed in a box or some other container to prevent splatters from getting everywhere. Yes, I learned this the hard way. I use a CTMH shipping box with several layers of paper towels:

The finished product (sorry that the shimmer is hard to see):

Our ribbon is now offered in color families rather than all the same color. I used the Pink Collection for the Cotton Candy Pom-Pom Ribbon around the large heart.

Items used (all items CTMH unless noted):

Paper: Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Packet

Stamps: Universal Backgrounds

Ink: Black; Tulip re-inker

Embellishments: Dimensional Elements Monogram (L, V, E); Dimensional Elements Hearts; Sweetheart Epoxy Stickers; Black Mini-Medleys; Designer Ribbon - Pink Collection; Sparkles - Red, Pink & Purple Assortment; Tulip Mini-Medleys

Other: Mix & Mingle Album; spray pen

Visit the blogs listed below for other ideas:

Lucky - Mojo Monday 176

2011-02-06T17:32:00.001-06:00

It has been quite a while since I entered a card for Mojo Monday, but I really liked this sketch! I have been busy making lots of Valentine's Day stuff, so I was ready for a break from pink, red and black. The new Lucky papers were calling my name, and they seemed a perfect fit for this sketch. I really enjoyed using some of the brand-new, updated buttons from Close To My Heart, including the fabulous Canvas Button Badges (self-adhesive). You can stamp on them as I did or ink them. The new embellishments are just yummy! I can't get enough of them!

Lucky - The front

The inside

The sketch

Items used (all items CTMH unless noted):
Paper: Lucky Level 2 Paper Packet; Kraft cardstock
Stamps: It's Your Day; Enjoy Life; Lucky (WOTG); Say It In Style (retired)
Embellishments: Wooden Designer Buttons; Canvas Badge Buttons; Button Assortments - Blue & Green; Lucky Level 2 Assortment; Lucky Level 2 Journaling Spots; Hemp - Natural
Inks: Outdoor Denim; Olive; Desert Sand

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Six - Clear Card

2011-02-06T02:01:00.001-06:00

Ohhh, clear cards -- I {heart} you! These cards are so fun to make. Don't be intimidated -- they are not difficult. They just take a little planning to hide the adhesive. I do suggest "dry fitting" the card before you adhere anything, because the material is not very forgiving once adhesive has touched it.

I know this will be shocking to you, but I used the Sweetheart Level 2 papers for this card. ;) (I have definitely filled my pink quota for this month!) I am wild about the new Sweetheart Epoxy Stickers -- so fun! I backed a large heart with B&T paper for a different look and added a little heart to the center of a black frame.

Items used (all items CTMH unless noted):
Paper: Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Packet; Black cs
Stamps: In the Month of February
Embellishments: Black Mini-Medleys; Sweetheart Epoxy Stickers
Other: Clear Cards - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Assortment

Now check out the artwork provided by other CTMH Consultants:

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?

2011-02-05T14:12:00.002-06:00

Join me for my Super Bowl Party! Call, text, or e-mail me with a CTMH order during the Super Bowl. You will receive a 10% discount on your order and a chance to earn FREE products and Hostess Rewards*! Whether you'll be watching the game at home or away (or not at all!), put my number in your cell phone so you'll be ready to play! My contact information is listed at the end of this message.

Rules of Play

Call, text, or e-mail me on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 6) with your order, and you will earn tickets. On Monday, February 7, I'll draw a ticket to see who will be the Hostess for the gathering. (*$150 in total orders is required to qualify as a gathering.) As the Hostess, you can earn CTMH products for FREE or at a 50% discount! I will contact the Hostess on Monday to discuss finalizing her order.

Earning Tickets

Place an order of any size - 1 ticket
Place a $25 order - 1 ticket (in addition to the "any order" ticket)
Place a $50 order - 2 tickets
Place a $75 order - 3 tickets
Place a $100 order - 4 tickets (plus FREE February Stamp of the Month)

FREE Bonus

Be the first to call, text, or e-mail during the game and earn an additional ticket and a Petite Perks Stamp Set (pictured here) FREE! One set will be awarded for each category - phone, text, and e-mail).

Remember - the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book went live February 1! Use this opportunity to get some of the fantastic new products available.

To view the Idea Book online, click here.

My cell phone number: (309) 826-6705
My e-mail: lorimiller@myctmh.com
My website

Good luck. Enjoy the Super Bowl!

CTMH Clearance Sale - While Supplies Last!

2011-02-05T13:06:00.000-06:00

Visit my website to check out the newly discounted items! There are some amazing deals that you won't want to miss like rub-ons for $2, tons of Ribbon Rounds for $4, and the great Ribbon Rounds Organizer for only $5! (That one won't last long.)

Here's one of the best bargains -- the Perfect Day Level 2 Paper Packet for only $5. That's 24 sheets of cardstock and B&T paper for less than 21 cents per sheet!

There is so much more . . . hurry, because supplies are limited and won't last long! Click {here} to visit the sale page of my website!

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Five - Sweetheart Stickease Pages

2011-02-05T02:01:00.004-06:00

Did you know that the My Stickease sheets have suggested page ideas printed on the back? I really enjoy using the ideas for quick, easy pages. It's inexpensive, too -- My Stickease are only $4.95. The pages shown here are for my newly-engaged daughter's engagement scrapbook. Both 2-page layouts are on the back of the Stickease sheets and use layouts from the how-to book, "Magic."

Magic: Spellbound - Left

Magic: Spellbound - Right

Magic: Now You See It - Left

Magic: Now You See It - Right

I even had some Stickease left over for another project!

I'd encourage you to try the Stickease pages. They're quick, easy, and pretty!

Items used:

Paper: Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Packet; Sweetheart My Stickease

Ink: Black (for distressing)

Embellishments: Dimensional Elements Monograms (T, W, O); Dimensional Elements Hearts (Note - The suggested pages use the Sweetheart Epoxy Stickers, but I had used mine on other projects, so I just used additional Stickease.)

Check out the lovely projects from other CTMH Consultants:

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Four - X's and O's Standard Card

2011-02-04T02:01:00.001-06:00

What would Valentine's Day be without Valentine's Day cards? This little card was inspired by a Mojo Monday sketch from a few weeks ago.

I used some different stamping techniques on this card. For the background on the smaller rectangle, I inked the "X O" stamp in Baby Pink then rolled the edges in Black (Technique #1 - stamp rolling). I stamped the image on a piece of scrap paper then directly on the White Daisy cardstock (Technique #2 - second generation stamping). I did that for each image, cleaning my stamp between inkings. I also used the large plaid heart stamp to create a textured look on the Dimensional Elements hearts. I don't know if that counts as a technique, but I like the effect!

Items used (all items CTMH unless noted):
Paper: Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Packet; White Daisy cs; Black cs; Cotton Candy cs
Ink: Baby Pink; Black
Stamps: Love Ya!
Embellishments: Dimensional Elements Hearts; Brads - Metal Assortment; Black grosgrain ribbon (retired)
Other: Nestabilities - Classic Ovals Small; Classic Ovals Large

Check out the projects from other CTMH consultants:

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Three - Love Journal

2011-02-03T02:01:00.001-06:00

This idea is one I came across a long time ago in a parenting magazine: create a "love journal" for you and your child (or spouse). Sometimes it is easier to write thoughts and feelings instead of talk about them. The journal passes back and forth between you and your child. You write something in it and leave it with your child. He or she writes something back to you and gives it back to you. And so on. You could also create a journal about things you love. Or creative ideas. Or whatever you'd like! Since the pages of the journal are completely blank, you can be as creative as you want. The decorated cover page just slides in to the clear cover and is easy to take out and change if you'd like.

I used some of our brand-new products on this journal cover, as well as some old favorites. The Kraft paper is new (yay!), and I also love our new scalloped punch. And did I mention the fabulous new Kraft Color-Ready Borders? LOVE them! The Salutations stamp set is one every scrapbooker and card maker needs to have in the stamp library. It is so versatile!

Items used (all CTMH unless noted):
Paper: Kraft paper; Cherry-O Creative Basics (retired); Tulip cs
Stamp sets: Salutations
Ink: Tulip; Brown Bag (for distressing)
Embellishments: Irresistibles Lots of Dots alphabet; Kraft Color-Ready Borders; Buttons - Pink; Dimensional Elements Hearts; Colonial White Waxy Flax; assorted ribbon (retired)
Other: My Creations Journal; 1 1/4" circle punch; 2" scalloped punch; 1 1/2" circle punch - EK Success

Check out the great projects from other CTMH consultants:

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day Two - 5 x 7 Card with Sophia

2011-02-02T02:01:00.003-06:00

This card serves a dual purpose: my entry for the Valentine's Day Countdown Blog Hop, and my entry for the Heart 2 Heart sketch challenge! I've also included a tutorial on how to make the flowers.

The card uses one of my new favorite paper packets, Sophia. I love the bright, cheerful colors! The butterfly was a happy accident. I was making the flowers and laid two of the striped pieces across from each other. I looked down and realized it looked like a butterfly. Inspiration comes in all kinds of places!

Items used:
Paper: Sophia Level 2 Paper Packet; White Daisy cs; Hollyhock cs
Ink: Hollyhock
Stamps: In the Month of February
Embellishments: Brads - Pink; Brads - Metal; Black Waxy Flax
Other: 1 1/4" punch; 2" scalloped punch

To make the flower, start by punching four scalloped circles using the 2" scalloped punch by CTMH.

Fold the circle in half, lining up the scallops.

Fold the circle in half again, also lining up the scallops.

Unfold the circle.

This part takes a little practice. You will bring two of the folded edges together, bowing the middle in. I have found it works best if I try to bring the points together.

Do the same thing with the other side.

This is what your "petal" will look like:

Punch a circle out of cardstock. I used the 1 1/4" circle punch by CTMH. Lightly mark the circle into quarters. It makes it easier to put the petals on evenly. Cover the circle with adhesive.

Here's what it looks like with one petal on the flower:

The finished product! It's really easy once you get the hang of it. You can also do this with a regular circle (with no scallops) for an entirely different look.

I hope you enjoyed learning how to make these cute flowers! Now check out what the other consultants have been up to on the blog hop:

Valentine's Day Countdown - Day One - February Event Calendar

2011-01-31T19:59:00.003-06:00

Welcome to the first day of the Valentine's Day Countdown Blog Hop! To start the month off, I've made my monthly Event Calendar topper.

This went together really quickly with the brand-new Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Packet and the stamp set Love Ya! The plaid heart is stamped directly on the cardstock, and the other heart is stamped on a scrap piece of cardstock, cut out, and mounted with 3D foam tape. Top it with a little ribbon knot, and you're done!

I always like to do a little random stamping on the calendar, too, almost always in second or third generation stamping. First generation stamping is using a fully inked stamp; second generation is when you stamp once on a scrap piece of paper then stamp on the cardstock without reinking.

Items used:
Paper: Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Packet
Stamp sets: Love Ya!; In the Month of February
Ink: Hollyhock; Blush
Embellishments: Black Mini-Medleys
Other: Event Calendar

All items listed are available on my website.

Check out the great artwork from other CTMH Consultants:

Free, Free, & Fabulous!

2011-01-30T08:00:00.008-06:00

Do you like FREE? I love "free" and would have been thrilled to have this opportunity when I became a consultant. When you join my team in February and achieve Straight to the Top, you will receive a rebate of $129 on New Consultant Kit, plus $100 in in select product credit rewards. That's right -- FREE kit, FREE select products (retail value up to $491 in products and business supplies)! I'd say that's pretty FABULOUS!

To achieve Straight to the Top:

Submit sales of $300 or more in your first month, and

Submit total sales of $1,200 or more during your first three months.

Then redeem your $100 in select product credit for My Acrylix stamps, blocks, Exclusive Inks, cardstock, paper packets, and more! This picture is just one of six options to choose from as you put together a kit custom-designed for you! Contact me for more information, or click on "Join My Team" at the top of this page for additional information.

New Product Blog Hop - Fanfare Layout

2011-01-27T22:28:00.002-06:00

In just a few days, the new Spring/Summer Idea Book will be available! Do you need a copy? Contact me to find out how to receive your own copy! For now, enjoy the blog hop with new product projects by CTMH consultants.

I just received my HUGE order of photos from our trip to Disney at Christmas, so I had to make a scrapbook layout using the brand-new Fanfare paper pack. It was perfect for this layout! Because the paper has quite a bit going on, I held back on the embellishments (hard for me to do!). I used the cute little black button brads in the black circles on the paper and also used brand-new Blue Collection buttons. I felt like the layout still needed something, so I added the new Sweetheart epoxy stickers and am really happy with the effect! This layout is from Imagine and is called Small Packages. The layout went together in about an hour, start to finish. I love our how-to books, and I'm also a big believer in planning my pages and ordering the right size of photos from scrapbookpictures.com.

Items used:

Paper: Fanfare Level 2 Paper Packet
Embellishments: Black Mini-Medleys, Blue Assortment Buttons; Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment
Stamp set: Giggle Upper Case Alphabet; Giggle Lower Case Alphabet
Ink: Black, Pacifica
How-to book: Imagine

A Perfect 10 for Studio J

2011-01-26T08:00:00.006-06:00

If you haven't tried Studio J, February is the perfect time to dive in! During February, for every 9 custom-printed Studio J layouts that you purchase, you'll receive the 10th FREE! To receive the discount, just add 10 or more layouts to your cart. You'll see a discount reflected in your order total. You can even take advantage of this promotion by ordering in multiples of ten -- Buy 9, get 1 free. Buy 18, get 2 free. Buy 27, get 3 free. And so on!

If you're not a Studio J member yet, now is a great time to join. To take advantage of the February special, you can purchase a membership at two different levels:

3-month membership - $30, then renews monthly at $10 per month after the initial 3 months
12-month membership - $99, then automatically renews for a 12-month term at the end of the year

With a membership, you receive the following benfits:

Best pricing per 2-page layout
Exclusive, members-only layouts
Free high-res JPG files of all custom-printed projects
Free low-res web-ready JPG files of all custom-printed projects

For more information, go to my website and try out Studio J for free! There is no cost to create a layout; you only pay if you purchase a printed layout or the JPG to print your own. Want a membership for 50% off? Host a home gathering and earn it as a hostess benefit! Ask me how.

While I love traditional scrapbooking, there is a place in my scrapbooks for Studio J layouts, too. I'm working on some gift albums that will all be the same, so Studio J is filling that need perfectly because I can create one layout and order multiple prints of the same layout. So easy! Here's a peek at one of the layouts:

Valentine's Day Ideas

2011-01-25T23:00:00.000-06:00

It's almost that time again -- the 2nd Annual Valentine's Day Countdown Blog Hop! (How's that for a title!?) Starting February 1, visit my blog every day through February 14 to see a new project specifically for Valentine's Day. And it won't just be my blog -- there are dozens of CTMH consultants who will be participating. You can play along, too. Every day, there will be a "Mr. Linky" at the bottom of my post. You can grab it and put it on your own blog post. The hop participants will automatically populate on your post. Couldn't be easier!

To give you an idea of what to expect, here is a post from last year's Valentine's Day Countdown Blog Hop: Valentine's Day Countdown 2010 - Day 2. Take a peek and play along!

Krafty, Kool, and Kolorful!

2011-01-25T20:06:00.001-06:00

The new Spring/Summer Idea Book unveils on February 1, and one of my favorite new products are the Color-ready Kraft Borders. You get 50 self-adhesive 12" borders (2 each of 25 designs) for only $5.95! Enjoy the video created by the CTMH Corporate Office to see what you can do with the Kraft Borders.

Miracle card

2011-01-24T16:09:00.002-06:00

This is a sneak peek at brand-new product available in the Spring/Summer 2010 Idea Book on February 1. The paper is called "Miracle," and the bird is from the January Stamp of the Month, "Find Your Style." I stamped the bird with brown Staz-On ink and sponged on some Crystal Blue ink, then cut the bird out and attached it with 3-D Foam Tape.

The stamp set and sketch worked perfectly for two challenges -- Mojo Monday and Heart 2 Heart. Enjoy!

Items used:
Paper: Miracle Level 2 Paper Packet
Stamp set: Find Your Style
Ink: Brown Staz-On; Crystal Blue
Embellishments: Sweet Leaf Designer Ribbon (retired); Colonial White Designer Ribbon
Other: Bulk Colonial White card bases; 3-D Foam Tape

Mistletoe Album

2011-01-23T23:06:00.003-06:00

My dad and stepmom spend the winter in the Orlando area, so this year they flew all of us down to spend the holidays with them. What a great gift! We had a wonderful time (in spite of chilly weather), and I wanted to share some of the pictures with them as a little thank-you. I made this album for them using the My Creations 3-ring Binder, Flip-Flaps, and a Level 1 kit. It went together very quickly! It will go in the mail to them tomorrow.

The cover

The My Creations 3-ring Binder comes with five tabbed pages. I cut the tabs off and made my own. I also used a Flip-Flap on each page, so I was able to get a total of 3 photos on each page, leaving the facing page for journaling. I cut the Level 1 kit pages into 5 x 7 inch pieces (3 per page). The page is actually 7 1/2 inches wide, so I added a strip of colored cardstock on the edge of each page like a binding. I only had to add one sheet of New England ivy cardstock for the front and back inside covers. The rest all came from the kit!

Flip-Flap open

My sweet nephew Duncan

Flip-Flap open - My daughter and my youngest nephew Gavin

Items used:
Paper: Mistletoe Level 1 kit
My Creations 3-ring Binder
Stamp sets: Just for the Holidays, Picture Perfect
Accessories: Flip-Flaps, Mistletoe Level 2 Assortment (retired), New England Ivy Designer Ribbon (retired), Cranberry bulk ribbon, Essential and Autumn Harvest brads (retired)
Ink: New England Ivy, Cranberry

While Supplies Last - Up to 90 Percent Off!

2011-01-20T20:46:00.000-06:00

If you haven't visited my website in a while, you will definitely want to browse the discounted products section. There are some fantastic bargains to be found, some discounted up to 90 percent off the retail price! You can find everything from card kits to paper to ribbon. Click here to go directly to my website. Check back often, because new products are being added. I've pictured some of the available products here:

Organized

2011-01-19T20:22:00.002-06:00

There are few things I enjoy doing more than organizing things. I know -- it's a sickness. Next to a scrapbook store, one of my favorite places to go is the office supply store. Or Organizer Heaven, otherwise known as The Container Store! When I read that the challenge on Heart 2 Heart this week was all about organizing, I knew I had to post!

My scrapbook room was my daughter's bedroom until she moved into her own apartment a year ago. I lost no time in staking my claim and was all set up before the weekend ended. I love my cozy little space.

This is the view from the doorway.

And the view from the opposite corner:

Now for some close-ups of my favorite organizational items:

Let's start with paper. I organize my cardstock by color families because that works for me. I am slowly getting each color in a zip-top bag so I can keep the scraps in the bag with the color. I tend to use them up that way. I used to throw them in 12x12 plastic drawers, sorted by color but accumulated WAY too many. To overcome that, I went through all the scraps while recovering from surgery a few years ago and cut the pieces first into a standard card size if it was big enough, then a standard size card front, then 4 x 6 pieces, all the way down to 3 x 3. I didn't keep smaller pieces, and those card bases and fronts have really come in handy! I'm in the process of sorting my retired B&T into color families, too, once I get down to a few smaller pieces. Until then, the retired paper packets are kept alphabetically in a plastic crate.

My current paper packets are kept on this wire paper tower I bought from a going-out-of-business scrapbook store. One slot has the Level 2 Paper Packet, and the next one has the Level 1 kit. The paper packs are kept alphabetically so I can find them easily.

There are a few extra slots for pages in progress.

I found these cute little pink containers at Wal Mart. I bought them in several sizes and have several items sorted into them, labeled with my handy label maker. The deeper ones hold Petite Perks stamp sets and white self-stick notes; the shallow ones hold things like tape runners.

I love using this larger container for my blocks. The handles latch to the lid, so it's easy to take the blocks to crops. It fits on one of the shallow shelves in my black desk from Target for easy access.

Let's talk stamps. I have tried every way I can think of to organize my stamps, and I always come back to my reliable old cd baskets that I bought several years ago at Target. I keep them organized alpha numerically. Ignore the numbers written in the corners -- it was from a different system I tried. Fail.

What I ran into with keeping them organized this way was how to find what I needed and how to remember what I have. I finally decided to create a topical index of each stamp set. I wrote down every category I could think of and printed a label for each one. I also created pages for A - Z (words and sentiments), specific common phrases like "Happy Birthday" and "Thank You," and alphabets. I used old non-CTMH cardstock and just 3-hole punched it. I spent a weekend stamping and only got about halfway through. So now, if I use a stamp set that hasn't been entered in the index, I make myself stamp each image in the book before I use it. I also take the tiny stamp number and stamp it right next to the image. Makes it so easy to find what I'm looking for! Here's an example using the "Frames/Tags" page:

Another organizing item I'm proud of is the way I keep my Nesties and embossing folders. One day I looked at the My Acrylix stamp box and thought, "Perfect!" I dug out some self-adhesive magnet strips, cut down the Nestabilities cardboard insert and attached the magnets right to the insert. You have to use several strips to catch all the small inner dies. I can just flip through to see what I have! Plus it's very portable.

I like to use things that are pretty as well as practical, like the 3-tier wire basket (Target) and buttons by color families in glass jars:

I love my Ikea drawers, covered in Basic Grey paper. These hold my chipboard alphabet letters and numbers.

And last, but not least, is my beloved labeler. I couldn't organize without it! Well, I guess I could organize - I just couldn't find anything.

Thanks for visiting my scrapbook room! I hope you took away an idea or two to use in your own organizing. Have fun!

Wooden Photo Frame Tray - Find Your Style

2011-01-07T22:58:00.001-06:00

I was in Hobby Lobby one day with some friends and came across this frame. My 40% coupon was burning a hole in my pocket, so I bought it with a vague idea that I would make it "perty" some day. The Wings paper seemed just right for this project!

What really got me thinking was the Bohemian alphabet. I could see the word "CREATE" in my mind -- crazy, huh!

I used the January Stamp of the Month. The dress form is in the "frame." For the butterfly and the shoe (don't you LOVE the shoe?!?), I stamped them in black ink and ~ because I inexplicably don't have black embossing powder ~ stamped over the image with VersaMark and embossed it in clear embossing powder. I then sponged ink over the images. The butterfly in the pewter frame is covered with Liquid Glass. I was too impatient to post the picture to let it dry completely, so it's still a tad cloudy. But tomorrow -- it will be bright and shiny!

This is my favorite part -- my sweet grandma and me on her 90th birthday a couple of years ago. She is one of my favorite people in the whole world and is a fabulous quilter. She is also the person who taught me to crochet. I love that we share the "crafty" gene.

And, yes, I have heard (once or twice or twenty) that I look very much like her. :)

Find Your Style in January

2011-01-03T07:00:00.001-06:00

Have I ever had a good time playing with the January Stamp of the Month, "Find Your Style"! This 8" x 3 1/2" card uses a pattern from Wishes, "Roundabout." The new Wings paper is a perfect complement to the style of the stamps.

I did a few different things with this card. The scalloped edge was made using the corner rounder (Z578). Take the corner guard off, flip it over, and scallop away!

The dress form was stamped on the cardstock then stamped again on a separate piece of cardstock. I cut out just the "form" from the second piece and placed it over the stamped image using foam tape to give it some dimension.

I did some masking with the sentiment stamp. I wanted to use the bulk of the saying but use a different "Friend" stamp, so I inked up the entire stamp then placed a small piece of scotch tape over the portion I did not want to stamp. Then I was able to go back and fill in that section with the larger "Friend" stamp in a different colored ink (Vineyard Berry).

The paper medallion was fun and easy to make. I cut a piece of B&T paper 1/2" x 12" and accordian-folded it every 1/4". When it was entirely folded, I used the paper piercer to make a hole all the way through one end. I threaded a large needle with embroidery floss, stuck it through the holes created with the paper piercer, and loosely tied it together. Then I fanned it out into the medallion shape and adhered the edges together. Super easy! You can make them bigger by making the paper wider.

Check out some other great ideas from other consultants!

Event Calendar: January

2011-01-02T07:00:00.002-06:00

I thought it would be fun to have a quick monthly project this year. Toward the beginning of each month, I'll be posting a topper for the event calendar, a blank perpetual calendar. These make great gifts and are handy for keeping track of birthdays and other special events. I've even made them for "Baby's First Year" calendars -- a great way to track the special events of a little one's first year! Here is what the event calendar looks like:

My own event calendars seem to have gone AWOL, so I had to borrow October from an already-completed calendar to show January's topper. By next month, I'll have the real deal! I just covered up "October."

The top is a square about 3 1/2 inches. I painted the Dimensional Element snowflake with Creat-A-Shade Pearl paint then added Glitz Glitter Gel to really give it some sparkle. The bottom of the calendar has a space between 3/4" and 1 1/4", depending on the month. I just added a little paper for some color:

I usually do some random stamping on the calendar pages, too. Join me every month to create your own event calendar. At the end of the year, you'll have a wonderful keepsake to use for years to come!

Products used:

Event calendar (Z126)
Magnifique Level 2 Paper Packet (X7127B)
Dimensional Elements Flurry (Z1225)
Create-A-Shade Pearl Paint (Z1039)
Glitz Glitter Gel (Z1313)
Sparkle Blue & Green Assortment (Z1327)

Inspirations - January 1 - 31, 2011

2011-01-01T12:19:00.000-06:00

I am so excited about the January offer - a sneak peek of new spring/summer products AND the opportunity to purchase stamp sets at a deep discount! The lovely new paper packet, Wings, is available a month early (before the February 1 launch date of the 2011 Spring/Summer Idea Book). Here are the details of the offer:

Customer Availability Dates: January 1, 2011, 9:00 am (MST) – January 31, 2011, 11: 59 pm (MST)

Featured Products: Wings Workshops on the Go™ Kit, new My Acrylix® stamp sets, new accessories, and the January 2011 Stamp of the Month

When you purchase a new Wings Workshops on the Go kit for $29.95 US / $33.50 CAN, it opens the door for you to participate in three exciting promotions. With the purchase of the Wings Workshops on the Go kit you can choose any or all of the following:

1. Purchase new Spring/Summer Idea Book My Acrylix® stamp sets at a super discount:

My Acrylix® Stamp Set - Discount Price - Full Retail

A Game (A1113) $5 / $7.95
Rosy Regards (B1369) $10.00 / $13.95
Take a Picture (C1440) $15.00 / $18.95
Dreams Come True (D1470) $18.00 / $22.95
Bohemian Alphabet (E1019) $25.00 / $34.95

2. Get the January Stamp of the Month set, Find Your Style, at a discount or free by purchasing new Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book products as follows:

Purchase a Wings Workshops on the Go™ kit and... Get the Stamp of the Month for

1 item from the Inspiration brochure 25% off
2 different items from the Inspiration brochure 50% off
3 different items from the Inspiration brochure 75% off
4+ different items from the Inspiration brochure FREE!

You can also earn the January Stamp of the Month with your purchases from the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book following the standard Stamp of the Month program based on dollar totals rather than item totals. Mix and match new products from the Inspirations brochure and products from the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book, and we will automatically calculate the greatest savings between the standard program and this promotion for you to get the best deal possible!

3. Celebrate National Papercrafting Month in January with a My Creations® banner project. Simply purchase a My Creations® Banner (Z1378) and you will be able to make the project with the remaining supplies from the Wings Workshops on the Go™ kit and the E-size Bohemian Alphabet stamp set. The how-to instructions are included with the Wings Workshop kit exclusively through the month of January.

I'm so excited about this offer! As a consultant, I was able to purchase these items early, so be watching for artwork to come in the next few days and weeks!

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about how to order this amazing kit for yourself!

Christmas Vacation

2010-12-29T22:16:00.000-06:00

Here's a peek at what I've been up to instead of crafting -- for Christmas, we visited Disney for the first time! Now I'm gearing up for some fun projects in the weeks to come. Stay tuned!

My family on Christmas Eve

My daughter and me with Ariel

At Hollywood Studios on December 26 -- It was COLD once the sun went down!

My daughter and me with our Minnie ears :)