Album Allure - February Special

In the past year, Close To My Heart has remade all of their albums - all the way down to the basic structure!  The post bound albums no longer need a screwdriver!!  Check out this video from Close To My Heart to see more of the updates!

During the month of February*, when you purchase one of Close To My Heart’s alluring coated canvas albums you will be eligible to receive a second album of your choice at half price. That is a savings of over $17! These albums are available in a gorgeous variety of colors and patterns in both post-bound and D-ring styles—perfect to pair with traditional, Studio J^®, or pocket scrapbook layouts. This offer is only available while supplies last, so make certain to get your order in early to ensure you can choose the styles and colors you love. They’re going fast and are built to last; so don’t delay—place your order today!

View all of your options on my website.

*Offer valid while supplies last February 1, 2015 (9:00 am MST)–February 28, 2015 (11:59 pm MST). Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the discounted items ($34.95 USD ).

School Pictures - 2nd Grade!

Now that my daughter is halfway through her year in Third Grade, I decided I better get caught up on her school album.  At her school, they take pictures in the fall and spring.  For the first time, her outfits for both pictures coordinated (making it much easier to plan my layout)!  Both outfits had blue and turquoise, and I decided to pull out the orange from her dress in the fall picture to accent with.

I still had some Cloud Nine paper left from last January's National Papercrafting Month Promotion and thought the Lagoon and Sunset patterned paper would be perfect for my layout. I incorporated leftover pieces of the diagonal striped Lagoon paper, and topped it all off with CTMH's new blue shimmer trim!  I mixed and matched a lot of papers and stamp sets to make this layout, but I am so happy with how it turned out.

"Fabulous" and "Friends" (from the old Designed Decor Frame Stamp Set) were stamped to add a little fun to her class picture.  "This Year's" and "highlights" (from last month's National Papercrafting Month stamp set, Year >>Noted) were stamped next to the journal box showing some details from her year in second grade.

I am horrible at writing in straight lines, so I like to have lined journal boxes when I write.  These journal boxes were made using the notebook paper stamp that comes in the Cricut Artbooking Collection.  I just trimmed off the ends that made it look like notebook paper.  For the longer one, I actually stamped the image twice to make longer lines (so easy to do with the see-through stamps).  Each journal box was accented with an arrow (cut from the Artbooking cartridge) popped up on 3D Foam tape.

The title was stamped in Sunset ink using the Handwritten Print Stamp Set - such a fun and playful set! The sides were accented using an arrow stamp from last month's National Papercrafting Month stamp set, Year >>Noted. 

To mirror the gems on the neckline of her sweater, I added a few assorted sparkles. Some were colored using my turquoise ShinHan Touch Marker.

 "An original" (from All the Details stamp set) was stamped in Lagoon ink and cut out to mirror the words on the opposite page.  "Smile" (also from the Artbooking stamp set) was stamped in Sunset, punched out using the 1" circle punch and then popped up on 3D Foam tape.

I just LOVE this new blue shimmer trim.  The color is beautiful and it coordinates perfectly with my daughter's dress! 

Thanks for checking out my latest layout.  Here is a list of CTMH supplies used:
Z1906 Cricut Artbooking Collection
D1555 All the Details Stamp Set
Z3025 Blue Shimmer Trim
Z1151 3-D Foam Tape
Z2465 Turquoise Blue ShinHan Twin Touch Marker
Z1752 Sparkles, Clear Assortment
E1030 Handwritten Print Stamp Set
CTMH Cardstock - Lagoon, White Daisy and Sunset
CTMH Exclusive Inks - Sun
All Materials listed above can be purchased through my Close to my Heart website.

CTMH Materials No Longer Available:
Cloud Nine Paper Packet
Skylark Paper Packet
Designed Decor Frame Stamp Set

Doodled Designs Cards

The card Make & Take session we had at the Fundraising crop on January 10th was focused around the new Doodled Designs stamp set.  This set is in our Seasonal Expressions catalog (valid through the end of March).  I loved the samples that Close to my Heart created by using this stamp set, so I knew this would be my focus!  The set is $6.95 and includes the stamps shown below.  The sentiment stamps we used inside of the circle are only $2.95 each and are so adorable!!!

We followed one general design, but altered the colors and sentiments to create two different cards!  The "Make a Wish" card used a Pacifica, Topiary and Honey color scheme to make a fun Birthday card.  The "Hugs and Kisses" card used a Lagoon, Cotton Candy and Gypsy color scheme to make a fun Valentine's Day or Love card.

For both cards, we used a combination of cardstock, Patterned Paper, and a strip from CTMH's Paper Fundamentals line.  The paper in this line is double-sided.  One side has a pattern in white on color (see the Gypsy heart paper on the Hugs and Kisses card).  The second side has a glossy tone-on-tone color (see the Topiary lattice paper on the Make a Wish card).  Both sides are so fun and I love having the option to mix it up!

The cards were accessorized with a bit of bling.  For the Hugs and Kisses card, we used the purple glitter gems.  For the Make a Wish bling, we took the clear sparkles and colored them using the Vivid Green ShinHan Touch Marker (an alcohol-based marker with many uses).  When I learned about the possibility of coloring embellishments to match my designs, I was super excited!  I have also heard these markers work fantastic to color shimmer trim!

My 8 year old daughter has become a regular attendee at my crops, and always participates in the Make & Takes.  I encourage everyone to use my samples as a guide, but to make their design however they want.  Brooke ALWAYS thinks out of the box and goes her own way with her creations.  I LOVE IT!!!!  Here is her take on the Hugs and Kisses card (next to my original).

I took the general design of my card from a sample in the Seasonal Expressions catalog.  I changed it a bit to make it my own, but some elements are the same.  Comment below if you know what page the original came from!!

Here is a list of CTMH suppplies I used to create these cards:
A1170 - Doodled Designs Stamp Set
M1051 - Wish Stamp
M1054 - XOXO Stamp
Z2466 - Vivid Green ShinHan Touch Twin Marker
Z2032 - Paper Fundamentals - Adventure Assortment
Z1936 - Glitter Gems - Purple
Z1752 - Sparkles - Clear Assortment
X7189B - Confetti Wishes Paper Packet
X254 - While Value Pack, Cards and Envelopes
CTMH Ink Pads - Lagoon, Cotton Candy, Honey, Pacifica
CTMH Cardstock - Lagoon, Pacifica
Lollydoodle Paper Packet - Retired

Snow Much Fun!!!!

Last week, I posted a few pictures from the all day Fundraiser Crop I organized.  One of the pictures was a group of lovely ladies working hard on a scrapbooking layout Make & Take.  We were working with the Snowhaven paper packet to create a "Snow Much Fun" page.  I adore the color combination in these papers - the Whisper, Glacier, Cranberry and Black colors create a visually appealing palette!

 

Close to my Heart's Artbooking Cricut Cartridge was used to cut out the "Snow" title from black glitter paper.  I love incorporating a little bit of sparkle on my pages! We stamped a little snowflake in the center of the "O" to add some fun!  "Much" was stamped with the Keyboard Uppercase set, and "Fun" was stamped with the Handwritten Print set.

The snowflakes were all cut at various sizes from CTMH Cricut cartidges.  A few silver sequins were mixed in for some extra dazzle! 

Thanks for checking out my creation!  We've had some snow here this year, but not enough to have as much fun as we did this day last year! 

Here is a list of CTMH supplies I used:
B1416 - Keyboard Uppercase Stamp Set
E1030 - Handwritten Print Stamp Set
G1085 - Workshops on the Go Snowhaven Cardmaking Kit (used the stamp set from this package)
C1506 - Flakey Friends Stamp Set
X7188B - Snowhaven Paper Packet
Z2013 - Sequins - Silver Assortment
Z1829 - Glitter Paper - Black & Grey
Z1906 - Cricut Artbooking Collection
Z1790 - Cricut Artiste Collection
Z1686 - Cricut Art Philosphy Collection
CTMH ink pads - black and glacier
Retired baker's twine

February Workshop - Valentine's Day Album and Card

Want to give your Valentine a personalized gift on February 14th this year?  Join me to create your own personalized album full of memories of you and your sweetheart over the past year.  You will also make an adorable card to complete your gift!

The album is spiral-bound, has a sturdy, black chipboard cover and measures 4 1/4" x 7 1/2".  There are 10 pages inside with slots for your pictures and cards.  There are slots for 10 - 4"x6" pictures/cards and 20 - 4"x3" pictures/cards.  We will decorate the front of the album, then you will have free reign to organize and decorate your cards and pictures however you'd like.

As part of your kit, you will receive 28 double-sided cards (both sides shown below) to use throughout your album.  There is a good mix of quotes, decorative images, and writing prompts. 

 

In my album, I chose to do some pages horizontal....  

.....and others vertical.

I also used glitter stickers, shimmer tape and stamps to accent my pages.  You will have access to all of these materials as well.  I encourage you to make your album a unique and personalized reflection of you!

This workshop will be held on Friday, February 6th at 7:30 PM.   All materials will be pre-cut and ready to assemble.  All you need to bring is your selection of pictures - a good mix of 3"x4" and 4"x6"!  Light refreshments will be provided. 

Space is limited, so purchase your kit today to reserve your spot!  The RSVP and payment deadline is Monday, January 26th.  You will receive a confirmation e-mail within 48 hours of your payment.  The cost to create this album and card set is $20.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone!  My family had a wonderful holiday season.  The four of us rang in 2015 at a local ski resort.  It was just amazing to watch my 5 and 8 year old develop a passion for skiing!  We are hoping for many more family ski trips in the future!

2015 started off with a bang on my business side as well.  This past Saturday, Jan 10th, I hosted a Scrapbooking Fundraiser Crop for Discovery Junction Children's Museum.  We were able to raise almost $700 to help DJCM open its doors for the residents of our community!

The day was filled with friends, fun and craftiness!  Here is a partial view of the room with everyone hard at work (and the Firehall still decorated for Christmas).

Throughout the day, I hosted two Make & Take Sessions.  I will highlight those creations on my blog later in the week. The first session was making 2 cards.  These ladies are always excited to try out some new products and techniques!

After dinner, we created a two-page scrapbook layout - a fun winter theme to go with the frigid outside temperatures. 

The event itself lasted from 10am-10pm.  My 8 year old daughter (who has developed her own passion for scrapbooking and crafting) rode it out until the bitter end.  As I was cleaning up the room at 10:15, with everyone gone but the two of us, she was back at her little table pleading to scrapbook "just one more page!"  

Check back later in the week to see a closer look at what we created during the Make & Take sessions!

December Workshop - Holiday Crafts

I have created two holiday crafts for December's workshop.  I loved both so much, I couldn't pick just one!

Every year, we receive so many beautiful photo cards around the Holidays from our family and friends.  I always put them in a ziploc bag and pack them away with our decorations.  When I start decorating the following year, I rediscover the cards and love looking through them.  Via Pinterest, I've seen several ideas of how to display these cards.  I decided to create my own version of a "coffee table" photo card display book.

The book is made from sturdy chipboard and measures 6" x 8".  The front cover has the year embossed in either silver or gold on a chipboard label.  The back cover mimics the front, but does not have the year label.  The inside portion of the cover is also decorated in matching paper. There are 8 different options available, but you are free to use the paper you select to create your own version!  Ribbon selection and label shape may vary slightly.

  Snowhaven Paper Selections

Frosted Paper Selections

Yuletide Carol Paper Selections

The book fits most standard sized photo cards.

The second craft is these adorable decorated treat containers.  The containers are 6" tall and have an approximate diameter of 3".  They are great for gifting candies or homemade goodies!

The workshop will take place on Sunday, December 14th from 1-4pm.  The Treat Container Session will begin at 1:00 and costs $6 per container.  The Photo Card Display Book Session will begin at 2:30 and costs $6 per book.  Feel free to make books to display cards from previous (or future) years!

You may attend one or both sessions.  Light refreshments and drinks will be provided.  Please write in your comments which canister and/or photo book design(s) you wish to make.  Registration deadline is December 1st.

Number of Crafts

One Treat Container/Display Book $6.00 USD Two Treat Containers/Display Books $12.00 USD Three Treat Containers/Display Books $18.00 USD Four Treat Containers/Display Books $24.00 USD Five Treat Containers/Display Books $30.00 USD Six Treat Containers/Display Books $36.00 USD