Monday, March 28, 2016

Love Your Selfie Workshop

I am so excited about this new workshop offering!!!!  When the Seasonal Expressions 1 catalog was released, I fell in love with the PML Love Your Selfie cards.  If you aren't familiar with PML (or Picture My Life), it is Close To My Heart's line of pocket scrapbooking cards.  Here is a glimpse of what they look like:
 
The colors, the patterns, the expressions - I loved it all!  I tend to prefer traditional scrapbooking over pocket scrapbooking, so wanted to find a way to use these cards in traditional layouts.  In the process, I created this 4 double-page layout workshop!
 


Here are a couple close-ups of some of the fun elements on these pages!  We will be using the Glacier Fundamentals assortment to embellish our layouts.  This includes the really cool wooden stickers, paper bows, plastic clips ad glitter stickers in 4 shapes.  We won't be using up the whole pack, so you'll be able to use these embellishments on other projects as well!
 
Please join me on April 22nd at 7pm to create these 4 layouts!  The cost is $28.  Light refreshments will be provided.  All you need to bring is your adhesive!  The deadline to register is April 10th. 

If you are not local to Gainesville, VA or are not able to attend, you can still make all of these layouts in the convenience of your home!  Just purchase the following materials from my website and they will ship directly to you.  I will e-mail you assembly directions for creating the layouts as shown (but as always, feel free to mix things up to make them work for you!). 
Item Z3194 - Picture My Life Love Your Selfie Scrapbooking Program
Item Z3102 - Glacier Fundamental Assortment
You will also need the following 12 x 12 Cardstock colors to use as bases for the pages: 4 sheets of White Daisy, 2 sheets of Peacock and 2 sheets of Lagoon

Feel free to contact me with any questions!

Friday, March 25, 2016

Penelope Workshop Your Way


Four layouts, 8 total pages - 1 KIT!
 
Close to My Heart's new Workshops Your Way are fabulous!  The kit itself comes with everything you need (including downloadable cutting and assembly directions) to create these first 3 double-page layouts. 


With the remaining pieces, the included instructions show you how to create a Picture My Life Layout as well as 8 spring-themed cards.  However, I wanted to maximize the traditional scrapbooking with my kit, so I've created this BONUS layout by adding only 2 sheets of 12 x 12 white daisy cardstock to the original kit.  Cutting and assembly instructions for the Bonus layout will be sent to anyone purchasing their Penelope kit through my website.
Here are some close-ups of these adorable embellishments!  With this kit, you get a mix of stickers in bright fun colors, vellum die-cuts (with silver foil accents), silver glitter puffy stickers and a 3-pack of fun spring colored washi tape!  Even after all 4 layouts are complete, you still have some of these goodies leftover to use on other projects.
 A glimpse of what is included in G1106 - Workshops Your Way Penelope Scrapbooking Kit:
Also, don't forget that March is Stampaganza month!  That means for every 2 stamp sets your purchase, you are eligible to receive a FREE stamp set (of equal or lesser value).  There are only 6 days left to take advantage of this special!!!

Please contact me with any questions!

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Regatta Workshop Your Way

In the latest seasonal mini catalog, Close to My Heart has released a new type of scrapbooking workshop - Workshops Your Way.  Each workshop comes with 12 sheets of double-sided paper, extra cardstock as needed, a pack of complements (stickers and die-cuts that coordinate with the paper), and either a roll of ribbon or washi tape. 

There are 3 different lines: Charlotte, Penelope & Regatta.  On Friday, April 1st, you'll have a chance to come create the scrapbooking layouts from the Regatta Workshop Your Way (WYW).  This image shows everything that is included in the Regatta WYW!
CTMH provides instructions to complete 3 double page layouts (that is 6 pages total). The first layout is a fun "Adventure" themed layout.
 Below is my version of the Layout - I mostly tried to stay true to the original.
This is a close-up of some of the fun embellishments (and that cute seagull paper).  The white ribbon with the gold stripe is beautiful!!! 
I sometimes have a hard time narrowing down my pictures to the required amount.  Flip-flaps (not included in the workshop kit) are a great way to add more pictures without taking up more space!!  This page went from holding 3 photos to holding 7!!
The second layout is a bright and playful one featuring an explore theme.
 My take on the layout - I slightly adjusted the left layout to provide room for one more picture. 
Close-up of the title card with a few of the embellishments!

 The third layout uses the Flaxen patterned paper as a base for the "Happy Place" theme. 
I swapped out a few of the picture sizes to incorporate more pictures, but otherwise stayed true to the original.
 Another close-up of the embellishments - and isn't that wave paper so cool!!
I threw in another flip-flap here to increase my picture total even more!  Here you can see the before and after!
I challenged myself to come up with a 4th layout using the leftover supplies.  By adding only one sheet of daisy white cardstock, this is the layout I created.
 Close-up of the embellishments and title for this layout!
Even after that, I still have all of this leftover!  These may find their way into either another layout or a few cards!
If you're interested in making 8 scrapbooking pages featuring the Regatta suite, order yours now!  The cost of the Regatta WYW is $26.95 - and this includes everything you need (minus one 12 x12 white cardstock) to create these 4 double page layouts! 

If you aren't able to attend the April 1st workshop in Gainesville, VA, you can order your Regatta Workshop Your Way here and have it shipped directly to you.  All you will need is a 12 x 12 piece of white cardstock, and basic scrapbooking supplies (paper trimmer, adhesive, scissors).  You will receive digital directions on how to cut and assemble all 4 layouts.

If you're interested in attending the workshop in person on April 1st at 7pm in Gainesville, VA, please register below.  The total to register for the April 1st workshop (including tax and shipping) is $30.  All materials (including a free sheet of white cardstock) and instructions will be waiting as you arrive.  Light refreshments will be provided as well.  All you need to bring is your paper trimmer, adhesive and scissors.  The registration deadline is March 20th.

If you're interested in adding more photos to your layouts, individual flip-flaps will be available for purchase at the workshop.

E-mail me with any questions!

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

So Many Reasons to be Happy!




The back portion of our property is wooded, so we have a good amount of leaves scattered around the yard every fall.  My husband got them all into a large pile, and the kids spent the next hour spreading the leaves all around again - but, they had a blast doing it!  This layout was created for a make & take at a local fundraising crop back in November.  However, I haven't gotten around to sharing it until now.
I just love this Sangria paper!!!  The colors and the designs are beautiful together! 
The "Best Ever" and "So Many Reasons to be Happy" stamps are both from the CTMH Cricut Artistry Collection.  Little knots of thick poppy twine were scattered about to add dimension to the layout.
Here is a list of Close To My Heart Products used to create this layout:
Z3094 - Poppy Thick Twine
X7199B - Sangria Paper Packet
Z3167 - Cricut Artistry Collection
Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape
CTMH Exclusive inks stamp pad in Black, Sorbet and New England Ivy
CTMH Cardstock in Colonial White, Sorbet & Eggplant

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Watercolor Blog Hop

Welcome to our Watercolor Blog Hop!  This month, 30 consultants will be showcasing some of the many ways to use watercolors in your projects. 
If you have come here from Gina's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.  The hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

This hop really pushed me out of my comfort zone.  I love seeing projects using watercolors, but I have only used them myself a few times.  I created two cards using a technique were you paint directly on the acrylic block, then push the block onto your paper
The first card was inspired by a layout on page 20 of the CTMH Seasonal Expressions mini catalog.  Three different watercolors were applied to a piece of watercolor paper using the technique above.  Once they were dry, I used the fun Dizzy Circles stamp set to create the various shapes.  This stamp set reminds me of my childhood at my grandmother's house.  She had a Spirograph set and I created countless designs using those different circles! 
The enamel dots added a fun little element to the card!  Those purple looking glitter ones are actually from the Blue Enamel & Glitter Duo set!
The second card started with a rainbow of 1" x 1" squares applied using the same technique as above.  The 1" x 1" acrylic block was covered entirely with watercolor paint!
The card overlay was cut from the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge. 
The little birdie and the sentiment are both from March's Stamp of the Month, Sunshine Birdies.  Shinhan markers were used make the images bright and vibrant.  The card was finished off with a little bit of white and gold ribbon, as well as clear sparkles.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my watercolor cards!  They were a little messy, but lots of fun!
 
Here is a list of Close To My Heart Products used to create these cards:
C1610 - Dizzy Circles Stamp Set
S1603 - Sunshine Birdies Stamp Set
Z3132 - Watercolor Paints
Z2188 - Paintbrush Set
Z3122 - Blue Dots Enamel & Glitter Duos
Z1934 - Flamingo Dots
Z1853 - Aqua Dots
Z1752 - Clear Sparkles
Z3189 - White & Gold Ribbon
Z3168 - Cricut Artfully Sent Collection
Z2060 - Thin 3-D Foam Tape
Shinhan Touch Twin Markers - R140, Y49, G46, GY235, BG61, R11, & P83
CTMH Cardstock in White Daisy and Black

All items can be purchased through my CTMH website.


Now "Hop" on over to Alyson's Blog to see her creation! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas!

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop - Sunshine Birdies

Welcome to our March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  This month, 38 consultants will be showcasing the Sunshine Birdies stamp set.  This set is only available during the month of March.  It can be purchased for $17.95, or only $5 with a $50 purchase
If you have come here from Jennifer's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog.  The hop is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

This stamp immediately made me think of these rainbow pictures from last summer.  We had a horrible storm pass through, complete with a tornado warning.  But after the storm, we had to most beautiful double rainbow up in the sky!  I used the Kaleidoscope paper pack and pattern 9 from the Make It from Your Heart: Volume 1 book, to create this layout.
 
A pink Fundamentals sticker, Faceted Gem from the Kaleidoscope line, Silver edged vellum heart from the Penelope line, and assorted clear sparkles combine to accent the upper left corner of the layout.  Though I've admired sewing on layouts for some time, I've never tried it myself....until this layout!  I love how it turned out!
The sunshine stamp from this SOTM set was perfect to peek out from the vellum clouds (from the Penelope complements).  The little butterfly (also from the Sunshine Birdies SOTM set) was stamped and colored in using ShinHan markers.
The lower right hand side was embellished using another Kaleidoscope faceted gem, along with Playful Puffies and clear sparkles.  The "Be You" sentiment was just perfect to place near this picture of my son being his silly self!
For the title, I stamped the "You are my Sunshine" sentiment, along with butterflies from the SOTM set.  They were colored in using the ShinHan markers, and the area was embellished with more Playful Puppies and Clear sparkles. 
Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my layout. Remember, this stamp can be purchased for only $5 with any $50 purchase!  Check out the adorable birds and butterflies that come in the set - great for this new coloring trend!!!

Here is a list of Close To My Heart Products used to create this layout:
S1603 - Sunshine Birdies, March SOTM set
X7202B - Kaleidoscope Paper Packet
Z3085 - Kaleidoscope Assortment
Z3165 - Fundamental Sticker Pack, Whimsy
X7207C - Penelope Complements
Z3025 - Playful Puffies
Z1752 - Clear Sparkles
Z2460 - Pastel Peach ShinHan Touch Twin Marker
Z2455 - Light Orange ShinHan Touch Twin Marker
Z2459 - Pastel Green ShinHan Touch Twin Marker
Z2453 - Lavender ShinHan Touch Twin Marker
Z2464 - Tender Pink ShinHan Touch Twin Marker
CTMH Exclusive Inks in Canary
CTMH Cardstock in White Daisy and Crystal Blue
 
All items can be purchased through my CTMH website.

Now "Hop" on over to Paige's Blog to see her creation! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to view beautiful artwork and get some great crafting ideas!

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Balloon Animals on Parade!

Just a little over a week left in February means only a little over a week to get your own Balloon Animals stamp set!  Here's another quick one showcasing a colorful Dog Balloon parade mixed with with the La Vie En Rose striped paper.
This was such a simple card to make!  The color combination and stripes make me think carnival!!  Black shimmer trim and bitty sparkles add a little bling to finish off the card!


Remember, this stamp set is only available during the month of February.  It can be purchased for $17.95, or ONLY $5 with any $50 purchase.  Contact me to order yours today!

Close To My Heart Materials used to create this card:
S1602 - Balloon Animals Stamp Set
X7201B - La Vie En Rose Paper Packet
Z3125 - Paper Fundamentals, Adventure
Z1151 - 3-D Foam Tape
Z1263 - Bitty Sparkles
Z1809 - Black Shimmer Trim
Z3167 - Cricut Artistry Collection
X254 - Cards and Envelopes, White Value Pack
CTMH Cardstock in White Daisy
CTMH Exclusive Inks in Black, Honey, Cranberry & Pacifica

All items can be purchased through my CTMH website.