The Inky Scrapper

More Rock the Block: Card & Layout

2012-01-28T15:45:00.007-05:00

Here are two more project I've made with the fun January Rock the Block special. (It's only available for a few more days!

This card will especially make my family smile. On our cruise last month, the maitre d' would always say, "Have fun! Fun, fun, fun!" (After all, Carnival is the fun ships, right?) I used Olive, Lagoon, and Cocoa ink plus Olive and Cocoa cardstock. (I sanded the Cocoa cardstock before stamping in Cocoa to make that pattern pop a bit.) A button and some bling finish it off. Fun, fun, fun!

My second project is the layout that I taught at my recent scrapbook class. I was really happy to put together some photos of my hubby and me! Most (all?) of our layouts are about the girls or us as a family and not the two of us.

This layout is from Magic and uses the Roxie paper pack and various stamp sets, including the Rock the Block special and the Bohemian alphabet. The hearts are from December's stamp of the month, Mad About You.

Don't forget that you too can Rock the Block this month, getting a cool E-size stamp set and a set of nine blocks and tray.

Rock on!

Love Who You Are Card

2012-01-26T06:43:00.003-05:00

Here's a quick & easy card that I made for our older daughter using scraps from the new Stella paper pack and the new Fashionista stamp set. I love the sentiment, "Love who you are," included in this stamp set!

It doesn't show up well in the photo, but I paper pierced the edges of the Cocoa cardstock mat next to the Colonial White images piece and then tore the outside edges for some texture. The "ribbon" running behind the stamped images is actually scrap Cocoa cardstock (but the bow is really ribbon).

Because the CTMH B&T Duos are cardstock weight with patterns on both sides, I lined the inside message area with Colonial White cardstock.

At 13 (or any age!), it is sometimes hard to love who you are,

so hopefully this card will be a reminder to our daughter of how special she is!

Scrap Our Stash January Challenge: Something NEW

2012-01-22T09:21:00.004-05:00

This month the Scrap Our Stash challenge is something NEW. I had so much fun with this one! First, my daughters got NEW clothes thanks to Christmas gift cards from their uncle (to the extremely cool Abercrombie & Fitch store, no less). We hit the Dec. 26 50% off online sale (yay!), so the girls had an impromptu fashion show when their clothes came in.

The second NEW part is that my layout uses the NEW Close To My Heart Stella paper pack, the NEW Fashionista stamp set, and the NEW glitter buttons (all available 2/1).

The layout sketch is from the Stella workshop on the go and is featured on the back cover of the CTMH Spring/Summer idea book. (If you do not already have a Close To My Heart consultant and would like your own copy of the NEW idea book, let me know.) Of course I had to make the layout my own by using a few different patterns from the gorgeous Stella paper pack. I did use up some old buttons and stamped the title with the Bohemian Alphabet.

Here are a few close-ups of the details...

And the left page...

You've still got time to take the Scrap Our Stash NEW challenge for January. All products are welcome and all skill levels are encouraged to play. Visit the blog to browse the January NEW submissions and for complete details and how to submit your entry. Scrap YOUR stash!

Studio J Special Offer!

2012-01-21T09:09:00.002-05:00

Only 10 days left for the Studio J buy 9/get 1 scrapbook layout FREE! Get YOUR photos and memories preserved. It's so easy!

Be Yourself Card

2012-01-20T05:12:00.001-05:00

Even though this stamp set is no longer available, I love its message and the cool girly silhouettes in the set. I made it for a very special young lady, our younger daughter. She hasn't had the best week, so I wanted to give her a little something to cheer her up.

I started with a card base from my stash. (It is a top-fold card and the front is shorter than the back.) The Wonderland paper pack is perfect for this blue-loving girl! The argyle patterned paper is on the inside of the card. Can you see the silver glitz gel? Thank you, fellow H2H design team member, Allisa, for the idea! I glammed up the gal's dress with more silver glitz.

On the inside, I wrote her a message about how much we love her and how she should be herself, because "herself" is just wonderful! She was so surprised and pleased to find it on her pillow tonight as she went to bed.

Here's a picture of our sweet gal (along with our loveable mutt and the laundry basket)! She LOVES her North Face jacket. If you've read this far, then you won't mind reading the story behind it. She really, really wanted a North Face jacket for Christmas, and we kept telling her no way because they are way too expensive. Well, her terrific daddy found this one on eBay at a reasonable price after Christmas, so she got a North Face jacket after all.

Happy 2012 Cards

2012-01-18T06:48:00.001-05:00

With our wonderful family cruise right before Christmas, I did NOT get my Christmas cards finished! (The pieces will still be good for next year though, so in a way, I'm early. LOL) Instead, I mailed out New Year's cards. ;)

The first one uses the Believe paper pack, but to make it less Christmas-y, I focused on the Sky & Holiday Red combo. I am loving light blue and red together!

Both cards use the January stamp of the month, but the second set uses a mix of winter stamps (some current, some retired) and the colors Heavenly Blue, Crystal Blue, Twilight, and Grey Wool.

Happy 2012!

H2H Challenges: Color Challenge Plus

2012-01-16T05:28:00.005-05:00

We have a new challenge for you this week at Heart 2 Heart challenges: use the Close To My Heart colors Crystal Blue and Amethyst! Aren't they perfect for winter photos? The "plus" part of the challenge (should you choose to accept it) is to use glitter on your project too. Be sure to visit the H2H blog to see our talented Team B's creations. (This week is my first to host the H2H blog too. Yippee!!)

For my project, I used the Wonderland papers plus Amethyst card stock to make a 6"x6" layout for a My Creations display album. I used the Snow Flurries stamp set across the bottom in Crystal Blue, plus the Party Pennants set in Crystal Blue and Amethyst for the banner (with some silver Glitz Gel in between the pennants). "Snow Days" was stamped in Grey Wool with the A Typeface stamp set. I used the faux stitching technique on the Amethyst photo mat. That cute argyle strip is one of the "zip strips" on the top of CTMH's patterned paper. You've probably already noticed the NEW glitter buttons and the NEW Grey Wool baker's twine that will be available to customers beginning 2/1! How fun!

Bust out your Crystal Blue and Amethyst inks, card stock, etc., and get crafting! Step it up to the next level with some glittery bling too, and then link up to the H2H blog. You have all month to play!

CTMH Product Spotlight Blog Hop: ScRaPs!

2012-01-15T02:16:00.008-05:00

For our January edition of the CTMH Product Spotlight blog hop, we are showing off ways to use your scraps! We all have them, so let's put them to good use. (If you're already hopping, then you should have arrived from Carol Horton's blog. Your next stop will be Nikka's blog.

A gorgeous card at Pamela's World of Scraps, which I saved to my Pinterest account, inspired my design. I loved the idea of using strips of paper as a banner, bunting, or pennants (whatever you want to call them)! For this baby boy card, I used the Wonderland paper pack and the January stamp of the month, Little Reminders. Each paper strip was cut down to be a little shorter and a little narrower than the one before it (I started with a 4"x1" piece). The strips were glued down, and then I attached my faux stitching strip- another scrap- across the top.

I hope that my card gives you some ideas of your own. Use up those scraps! Now, hop on over to Nikka's blog to see how she uses her scraps!

All supplies from CTMH: Wonderland paper pack; Little Reminders stamp set (only available Jan. 2012!); Heavenly Blue, Crystal Blue, and Twilight inks; Twilight marker; buttons; bone folder; sanding block; piercing tool

12 for 2011

2012-01-12T05:13:00.014-05:00

Back in November, I started creating monthly highlight layouts of 2011 (which has inpsired me to get started much sooner this year and create the monthly highlight layout within the next month this year). I made them all in Studio J to save time, and I was able to finish them all before the end of 2011. They just arrived in the mail and look even better in person!

This weekend, I will be able to slip them all in an album. The title page is already made, so all I have to do to finish this album is create a closing page. Yippee!

If you'd like to learn more about my "12 for '12" project for this year, click on the tab up above.

H2H Challenges: Something NEW!

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

For 2012, we're shaking things up at Heart 2 Heart Challenges! First, we have not one, but TWO design teams! Each team will play every other week, but we're also welcome to play on our "off" weeks. My team starts next week, but I couldn't resist playing along with this week's SOMETHING NEW challenge! Be sure to go check out all of our new DT members and their great NEW creations.

My "something new" is the new Close To My Heart "Rock the Block" special offer (available until the end of the month). You get the cool HUGE (E-size) stamp set featured here plus an awesome tray with nine 3-D cubes. (See my sidebar for more info.) I also used a NEW color combo from the NEW CTMH Spring/Summer Idea Book (available to customers 2/1/12): Lagoon, Sunset, Tulip, Olive, and Cocoa.

I first made a square (4.25") card using the flowers from the stamp set. Those square sparkles are definitely hip!

Here's another square card to "rock the block." I used the two different background pattern stamps for the four blocks. For the center sentiment, I first stamped it in Cocoa on Colonial White and then on Lagoon. I cut out the center panel of the Lagoon piece and adhered it to the Colonial White one. Again, gotta love those square Sparkles!

For the third card, no, your eyes aren't deceiving you. The focal stamp (originally) says "Love," but I cut it out and reworked it to spell "Velo" which is French for bicycle. I made this card in honor of my brother, who has a "velo" t-shirt, and gave it to him to send to one of his cycling friends.

Now, it's your turn to break out something NEW and get crafting! Link up your project to the H2H Challenge blog so that we can all enjoy. Try something new!

Begin Anywhere

2012-01-06T18:34:00.001-05:00

"It doesn't matter who you are, or what you do, it's never too late to start documenting the beauty of everyday life."

This Month's CTMH Specials

2012-01-06T05:19:00.000-05:00

Close To My Heart has three great offers for you this month! First, be sure to check out the "Rock the Block" special offer. (I've got some fun "stamples" coming soon!) For only $15, you get the cool Rock the Block E-size stamp set (retail value $34.95) plus a tray filled with nine 3-D chipboard cubes. To be eligible for this special offer, you need to make a minimum $25 purchase.

Next up is the January stamp of the month, Little Reminders. This stamp set gives you 25 ways to start the new year (and can carry you throughout). You can purchase this set for $17.95, or for only $5 with a $50 minimum purchase. Yes, your Rock the Block purchase can help you reach that $50 goal too!

Finally, for you Studio J fans, purchase nine layouts this month and get the 10th free! This offer is available in any multiples of 9 & 10: Buy 18 and get two free, etc. I am so loving Studio J to get more scrapping done. Give it a try if you haven't already!

For any of these offers, go straight to my CTMH website. I will be posting my January class info soo!

Project 12: Monthly Ideas and More

2012-01-05T06:37:00.000-05:00

Here are some ideas that might inspire you as you begin this year's "12 for 2012" project (scrapbooking each month's highlights).

Weekly Challenge #52 (from Memory Minder for 2011 Memory Logbook from Log Your Memory)
Reflection Challenge: Reflect on the past year.
Summarize the past year by choosing a central theme and then documenting month-to-month how that theme played out in your life.

Ideas to Explore...
What were you thankful for each month?
What was your biggest challenge each month?
What did you accomplish each month?
What did you learn?
What were the highlights?
Who were the important people in your life?
What are your regrets?
Consider creating a similar layout sharing your monthly hopes, plans, dreams or goals for the upcoming year.

Here's another (similar) idea:
This idea comes via the Write. Click. Scrapbook blog, quoting Tina Aszmus, who does something on her blog called, "Currents." She blogs the following things (with a bit of creative license and variation) every week or so:
•enjoying
•thinking
•eating
•drinking
•wearing
•listening to
•wanting
•weather
•feeling
•wondering

Other links to check out:
Marcy P.'s DIY "Project Life"
2011 Year-in-Review layout
Printable end-of-year time capsule (PDF to fill out)

Out with the Old (To Bring in the New)!

2012-01-03T19:32:00.002-05:00

Out with the old and in with the new! January is the last month that the current Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book is available, and here is a list of the items that will be retiring and no longer available as of 1/31/12. (Some items may sell out early, so if you see something you can't live without, grab them from my website!) You can find the complete list on the linked tab, above.

This announcement also means that a NEW- and of course EVEN BETTER- Idea Book will be available next month! I can't wait to share it with you on 2/1!

Happy New Year! CTMH January 2012 Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

2011-12-31T20:58:00.005-05:00

Happy 2012! Let's ring in the new year with a Close To My Heart January stamp of the month blog hop! Check out all the great artwork with this versatile set, Little Reminders. (If you're hopping already, you should have arrived from Scrapi Traci's blog. Your next stop will be the talented Sarita Schraeder's blog.)

I'm really excited about what 2012 will be bringing, so be sure to come back often or even consider following my blog.

I have two projects for the Little Reminders stamp set. The first is a New Year's card using the Believe paper pack. I think Sky & Holiday Red look great together! (The "Happy" sentiment is from the stamp set.) Everything else is from the January stamp of the month. I created the little pinwheel with a 3/4"x12" scrap and then adhered the rhinestone button to the center with Liquid Glass. Of course I had to use some Red Glitter Glitz on this festive card!

My second project is one I've already shown, but for those who missed it, here is the title page for my 2011 highlights album. I am so excited about this project that I have created a "12 for 2012" tab at the top of my blog and a Facebook group by the same name to get scrapping in 2012! (Please check it out if you'd like to learn more!) My 2011 title page uses the Sophia paper pack and My Stickease. The center year date is from the Little Reminders stamp set. I just love these numbers!

My family and I wish you the very best in 2012. Feel free to leave a comment about any of my projects, etc., before hopping along to Sarita's blog. Happy 2012!

Visits with Santa

2011-12-30T05:57:00.016-05:00

Do you have those annual photos of your child (or yourself!) visiting with Santa? I always thought that I wanted to make a mini album of my girls' photos with Santa, but I never seemed to find the time. Last year, I placed all the photos (most of which came in a handy cardboard display holder) in our dining room on display, and they were a HUGE hit!

This year, I've worked to create a table top display of all those darling Santa photos. (Wasn't our older daughter just the sweetest? She was only 6 months old her first Christmas!)

(Isn't this one-year-old photo funny? Too cute!)

I began with two My Creations All Sorts Mini Albums, but rather use them as albums, I turned them so that (for the most part) the edges with the holes were on the bottom. I created a layout for each year on one of the pages using the (retired) Mistletoe and Evergreen paper packs, plus assorted favorite Christmas stamps.

In kindergarten, the students took a field trip to see Santa, and they got this pretty card with their photo on the front. See her sweet message on the inside?

I used pieces of ribbon adhered with Liquid Glass to hold all the pieces together to make an accordian side table display. Here is the finished product:

Everyone who has visited has loved ot look at this, and I sure love reliving my baby's special moments! (How in the world did she get to be 13 already?!?)

Our younger daughter has already forgiven me for not getting her photos finished in the same manner before Christmas. They WILL be done by next Christmas! Until then, happy scrapbooking! ;)

2011 Gift Layouts

2011-12-29T01:02:00.000-05:00

These layouts were so much fun to make and suprise my mom with (as part of her Christmas present)! I had the whole family involved without her knowing it. My Dad sent his favorite pictures of the year, as did my sister and me. (I'm still waiting on my brother's, but he's had computer trouble. His will get done!)

All the layouts were made in Studio J (which is going to be easy to make a copy of my sister's family's layout to give to her for her birthday).

12 for 2012

2011-12-28T02:35:00.009-05:00

Have you heard of Project 12? Basically, you scrapbook the highlights of each month to create a yearly scrapbook. There is actually a website dedicated to Project 12, complete with sketches to try each month.

I decided in November that this was exactly what I needed for random photos from 2011 that didn't necessarily fit on a scrapbook page all their own. Since most of my photos are on my computer rather than printed, I decided to create my 2011 layouts in Studio J and have worked on them off and on for the last few weeks as time allows (and I am almost done!).

For 2012, rather than playing catch up at the end of the year (and losing some of those precious memories in the process), my sister and I are committed to creating our own project: "12 for '12." We are not going to follow any strict sketches but do plan to get together each month to scrapbook the preceding month.

We are really excited to get started! Won't you join us? I'll be posting updates and reminders right here and on Facebook to keep us going and motivated. There is absolutely no cost to participate! You can be a digital or classic scrapper, or like me, somewhere in between. CTMH products are not required. Of course, if you need materials, I'll be happy to help! Leave a comment to let me know if you're "in," and we'll be sure to include you too! (If you're local, I'm working on a convenient location for a get-together crop each month.) The important thing is to get motivated and to follow through each month. Together, we can do it!

{All artwork courtsey of the CTMH Art Studio.}

Calling All CTMH Fanatics! (H2H Design Team Call!)

2011-12-26T21:23:00.005-05:00

Do you love creating with Close To My Heart products? If so, why don't you help share and spread that love? Right now, at Heart 2 Heart Challenges, we're looking for new Design Team members for January-June 2012! We're also changing up our format a bit, so you only have to participate every other week. It is a very doable- and fun- commitment!
Here are all the details (from our fearless leader, Mary):
* Email Mary (address at the bottom) with your Name, Address, Blog Address, Email Address and a little bio about you. Be sure to tell me how long you have been a consultant (you MUST be a CTMH consultant to be considered for the team but you can be in Junior status) and why you want to be a part of the team.
* You MUST know how to write and publish a post on Blogger. Each DT member will have a couple of weeks in which they will be responsible for creating the Monday challenge post. Don't worry - I (and another team leader) will be around to help out with this as well but please only apply if you are comfortable blogging.
* You must send photos of three of your pieces of artwork. DO NOT send me a link to your blog to look at your artwork there - I want you to pick what you consider three of your best and include them with the application.
ALL applications must be received by December 30th. I will make the selection of the new team members by January 1st and the new team will start on January 9th.
Here are some more things to keep in mind about a position on the DT:
* You must be willing to join a Yahoo Group set up specifically for team members.
* You must be able to participate in every challenge for your team's week (posted by 6:00 am on Monday mornings) and have your artwork for each challenge posted to the DT Yahoo Group the Saturday before the challenge begins.
* You must be willing to post your artwork on any other boards/galleries you belong to and advertise our challenge blog whenever and where ever you can so we can continually grow in numbers of participants. We currently have a group at Paper Craft Planet and on Facebook that I would like DT members to join but this is optional.
* You will be expected to participate in any extra programs that we may decide upon as a team. You are also expected to weigh in on your choices of winners in monthly awards (Top Ten).
* You will be expected to visit the blogs of the challenge participants and leave comments.
What you get in return:
* Committment to producing artwork once every 2 weeks gives you an opportunity to create on a regular basis!
* Increased blog traffic which will hopefully lead to an increase in your business!
* Fun and fellowship with the entire team and a chance to meet new consultants and CTMH fans!
What are you waiting for? Send in your application today!! (Any questions can be directed to me at mbryt1@bex.net).

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T05:13:00.000-05:00

From my family to yours, have a very merry Christmas! Wishing you all the best in 2012!

Union County Courthouse (Layout Share)

2011-12-22T01:26:00.002-05:00

We celebrated my Mom's birthday in style yesterday!!! {More on that later!}

Now, onto my post:

Here's another Studio J layout that was in the works for a while and that I finally finished. These photos of our "old" county courthouse span several years- and angles.

A feature of Studio J that I love is that it makes gift-giving so easy! I am able to order multiple copies of a layout, OR copy the layout, personalize it, and order individualized copies. I ordered one of these for myself and one for my parents' scrapbook. (Last year I started the tradition of giving them finished layouts for Christmas. They don't necessarily need more "stuff," and this way we can all enjoy our family's photos and memories.)
Merry birthday and happy Christmas, Mom!

{Layout 2011 #90-91}

Scrap Our Stash December "Anything Goes" Challenge: Our New England Adventure {Album Share}

2011-12-21T01:33:00.002-05:00

The Scrap Our Stash challenge blog's December challenge is "anything goes," so I thought this would be the perfect time to share my family's trip to New England this summer. (If you stopped by from SOS, thank you! If you haven't checked out all the fun layouts there, please do so.)

Also, with the cold weather outside, you might enjoy a bit of warmth right now too!

My entire album was created in Close To My Heart's online studio scrapbooking, Studio J. I just uploaded my photos and created away! I love that my photos are automatically adjusted to fit the photo wells on the layout sketches- no need to print funny sizes (or print them at all)!
For consistency, I used the versatile Elemental paper pack throughout. It really matches and accents my photos beautifully!

Now it's your turn to scrap YOUR stash, and join us at the Scrap Our Stash blog. Remember, anything goes this month!

{Layouts 2011 #81-89}

New Hampshire Wedding {Layout Share}

2011-12-18T01:58:00.003-05:00

Here is the main reason for our trip to New England this summer: my cousin's wedding! Don't they make a beautiful family? I am so happy for them! It was such a blessing to be able to share their special day with them and some our (long distance) extended family.

Here are the deets about the layout itself (if you're interested: created in Studio J (which also made it easy to copy and give as a gift to someone special) using the romantic Bliss paper pack. This layout will go in our Family & Friends album instead of in our New England trip album. (Photos of our New England trip layouts coming soon!)

{Layout 2011 #80}

CTMH Product Spotlight Blog Hop: My Stickease

2011-12-15T00:00:00.004-05:00

Welcome to this month's Close To My Hart Product Spotlight blog hop! We're featuring CTMH's fabulous "My Stickease" preprinted, self-adhesive artwork. If you've ever needed some artwork fast, My Stickease can come to the rescue!
If you're already hopping, you should have arrived from Wendy K.'s blog, and you'll head to Terry's blog next. (This hop is a circle, with each blog linking to the next, so you can start here or anywhere on the list.)

My layout is the title page for our 2011 album. (I have decided to follow a Project 12 format to highlight each month of the year. More news on this concept for 2012 coming after Christmas!) I used the Quartet Pinwheel layout sketch from the Reflections how-to guide using the Sophia paper pack. For the flower My Stickease, I layered them onto Just Blooms paper flowers and then stuck a pretty Pearl Opaque in the center. I also accented my top left and bottom right photos with pieces of two My Stickease borders.

In case you're curious, 2011 was stamped with the upcoming January stamp of the month (so enjoy this "sneak peek!")

Thanks for hopping by! Now head on over to Terry's blog to see more My Stickease artwork and ideas.

{Layout 2011 #79}

13th Birthday {Layout Share}

2011-12-14T01:51:00.003-05:00

Our older daughter turned 13 exactly six months ago, and I was able to get her birthday pictures scrapbooked quickly and easily in Studio J, Close To my Heart's online scrapbooking studio. (Now, six months later, you might not think that's quick, but I'm pretty happy about that! She is, too.)

The girls had a great time swimming (and falling off the tube); eating dinner, cake, and ice cream; and sleeping over. Nothing like a gaggle of giggle girls to make life complete!

I used the festive Jingle paper pack (designed for Christmas but also lovely for a girl's birthday) and the coordinating presents My Stickease artwork. It is fun to see how you can use the kits beyond their obvious, original intentions.

{Layout 2011 #78}

H2H Challenges: Virtual Holiday Card Exchange

2011-12-12T04:29:00.005-05:00

Merry Christmas from the Heart to Heart Challenges blog Design Team! For our final challenge of 2011, we'd like for you to share a holiday card with us and all of the H2H players.

My wishes for all of you are that you remember the true reason for the season, and like my card says, that you have everything you want before you open the gifts. Wishing you peace, joy, and love this holiday season!

(Please share your holiday cards made with some Close To My Heart projects on the H2H blog. Linking up is easy! We're also looking for new Design Team members for Jan.-June 2012. Head on over there to apply!)

My card is a 5"x7" card using retired papers, the October stamp of the month, Nature's Blessings, and Card Chatter- Christmas stamp sets. The ink colors are New England Ivy, Olive, Cocoa, and Cranberry with touches of Sky. I had a bit of fun with my Stardust, Red, and Bronze Glitz Glitter Gels!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Halloween 2011 (Layout Share)

2011-12-07T01:10:00.001-05:00

Have you scrapbooked your Halloween memories already? If not, why not give Studio J online scrapbooking a try? (It's free to try with no obligation to buy.) I was able to create this layout within days of our Fright Night festivities. Some of the things that I love about Studio J are that I can upload my photos and then work on them anywhere I have an internet connection. Also, it automatically sizes your photos to fit the photo wells, so I don't have to pay a lot of money for enlargements.

I am able to scrapbook so many of my family's photos and memories thanks to Studio J!

{Layout 2011 #77}

H2H Challenges: Photo Inspiration

2011-12-05T05:28:00.005-05:00

This week Heart 2 Heart Challenges is asking you to use this gorgeous holiday photo to inspire your creation! (You can check out all the Design Team's interpretations at the H2H blog.)

I decided to use the photo's colors, polka dots, and ribbon to inspire this layout of Christmas 2008. At first, I tried to place my photos in a circle like the wreath, but it just didn't work. When I'm stumped while scrapbooking, I always reach for one of my handy-dandy Close To My Heart how-to books, and Imagine had the perfect sketch for these nine photos. (This sketch is called "Rhapsody.")

I did rotate the left page to fit the orientation of my photos. To create the polk dots, I got out my 1-1/4" circle punch and my small circle punch to add white "polka dots" to the Cranberry and Pear cardstock pieces. Some ribbon, sparkles, and opaques later, I had completed my layout! (Oh, I also used red glitz gel to add a little sparkle to the holly border.) Can you see Rudolph's nose so bright? Love those red sparkles!

Now it's your turn! Create a project with some CTMH products based on this inspiration photo, and then upload it to the H2H Challenges blog. Happy crafting this holiday season!

{Layout 2011 #76}

CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Mad About You {December 2011}

2011-11-30T21:00:00.015-05:00

Is it December already? That means that it's time for the Close To My Heart stamp of the month blog hop! This month is an adorable "Mad About You" stamp set that is sweet and loving without being too schmaltzy cute. (If you're already hopping, then you've arrived from Dawn Heuft's blog and will head to Sarita Schraeder's next.)

For my project, I had to scrapbook the ones I'm especially mad about, my family! These photos were taken at Easter this year, Easter '08, and summer '06. I love seeing how the girls have grown and how we've changed. One thing that remains the same of course is our love for each other!

My layout is based on the Roxie workshop on the go, but I had to "mix it up" with my crazy color scheme of Sorbet (Roxie), Lagoon (Elemental) and Sweet Leaf. I think they match my photos well.

To create the backround, I stamped the frame repeatedly across the two pages, and then went back and filled in a few of them with sentiments from the set. Everything that is stamped is from this set! I curved the swirl a bit to stamp around the circle. You've GOT to love My Acrylix for that!

To embellish the layout, I used the "zip strip" from the Roxie paper, Colonial White ribbon, various blue and green buttons, and a variety of sparkles. I simply used a Lagoon marker for my journaling.

My second project (for now) is a simple scripture message. I have created a box of uplifing scripture using a My Creations Memory Game box set. (The stamped scripture is from Verve, but everything else is CTMH.) I have found that too many embellies can make these hard to get out of the box, so I kept mine simple. That also makes it easier (for me at least) to focus on the message.

Thanks for stopping by! The "Mad About You" December stamp of the month is only available this month, so be sure to get yours in time for your Valentine's projects- and more! Now, head over to see what the Blessed Scrapper Sarita> has made for you!

{Layout 2011 #75}

H2H Challenges: Sketch to Try

2011-11-28T05:48:00.001-05:00

Even though the calendar says November, we're introducing the first Heart 2 Heart challenge of December, and Mary created this great sketch for you to try!

Of course I had to be different and turn the sketch 90 degrees. It couldn't have come at a better time since I am making a table top display of my daughters' visits with Santa. (I'm taking the entire series of photos and using them on little layouts made with a My Creations All-Sorts mini album, turned so that the "spine" (with the holes) are at the bottom to make a table top display instead of a book. I will post the completed display as soon as it's, well, completed!) This entire project is using the retired Mistletoe and Evergreen papers (still available in Studio J!) because they match the Santa photos so well.

I also made a really quick card with this sketch using the Believe paper pack and my "I Believe" stamp set. To create the two-toned message, I stamped the sentiment in Sky ink onto the scalloped circle. Then, on scrap paper, I stamped the message again in Holiday Red ink, cutting out Believe very carefully to adhere it to the focal sentiment. A few sparkles finished it off.

Now, it's your turn to try this sketch. Be sure to check out all the H2H designers for tons of great inspiration, then get crafty, post your creation online, and link it up to the H2H blog. We love seeing your work, so bust out your CTMH products and get to work. (If you use a Christmas theme, you can get some holiday cards made in a flash!) See you over at H2H!

Scrap Our Stash November Recipe Challenge

2011-11-26T08:14:00.000-05:00

This month's Scrap Our Stash challenge is a recipe challenge to either incorporate a recipe on your layout or use this recipe: 5 embellishments, 4 words in title, 3 photos, 2 patterned papers, and 1 solid cardstock. Whew! It was a challenge, but I managed to do it on the right page of this layout.
We were so surprised this summer when a pair of deer walked right through our campground. We have camped on Hunting Island State Park (SC) for many years, but this was the first time deer visited us.
Instead of using five embellishments, I used five different embellishments on my layout. It may look like I used three patterned papers instead of the required two, but the Crystal Blue frame around my title is the back of the striped paper. All of my supplies are from Close To My Heart except for this tiny blue flowers (source unknown), although this paper line is now retired.

If you'd like to give this month's recipe challenge a try, you've got a little time left. Be sure to head over to the SOS blog for inspiration! All skill levels are invited to play, and any products can be used. Scrap your stash!
{Layout 2011 #74}

Gratitude Word Art (Printable Freebie) & Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T19:31:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends and family!

You can download this beautiful word art by Jill Paulsen at A Matter of Memories in either 5"x7" or 8"x10" for instant holiday decor.

Today was a furlough day for me instead of a teacher workday, so I worked around the house, did the grocery shopping, etc., to get ready for the big turkey day. We are eating with my in-laws Thursday evening and with my family Saturday evening. Life is good and bountiful. Count your blessings and remember an attitude of gratitude!

Wishing you the best always!

Girl Scout Craft: Squash Books

2011-11-22T20:32:00.006-05:00

Recently, a (fairly) local Girl Scout troop leader asked me to teach a craft to her girls. I was delighted (and I must say that the girls were delightful!). The project I chose was a "squash book." (You can google the term to find directions if you don't already know how to make these fun books.)

We used the girly Sophia paper pack for our books. Unfortunately, the girls did not have time to stamp their albums, but I still think that they were pleased with the results. (Note to self: do the big project first and then the small one if time allows.)

[This 2nd photo shows the "belly band" pulled off.]

Here is the entire book opened up. How fun is that?

I'll leave you with the book my younger daughter made (in her favorite color, blue) to help me gauge the time and difficulty level. Isn't hers adorable?

H2H Challenges: Time

2011-11-21T04:55:00.000-05:00

This week's Heart 2 Heart challenge is to incorporate TIME into your project! I chose to create a layout showing the TIMElessness of sisters and their love. Be sure to visit the H2H blog to see how the Design Team interpreted this theme and of course to link up your own TIMEly project. (You still have time to participate in all of this month's H2H challenges! Remember to use some CTMH products in your creations.)

I flipped through my picture drawers to find several random- and favorite- photos of my daughters together through the years. Then, I browsed through the Magic how-to guide until I found the perfect layout sketch. At first, I was afraid this sketch wouldn't work because I had more photos than recommended. Adding a flip flap to extend my page was the perfect way to add those extra photos!

The Typeset paper pack was a great color palette for my photos. I used the lovely Key Moments stamp set (with its clock, keys, and lock), the Chocolate alphabet stamp sets (Large & Small), plus a sneek at the December stamp of the month. ;)

Here are close-ups of the right page first closed and then open.

These girls sure make my heart melt!

Now it's your turn: get your craft on and let us see your TIMEless creations! Check out the H2H Challenges blog for inspiration and to link up.

{Layout 2011 #73}

CTMH Product Spotlight Blog Hop: Embossing

2011-11-15T02:00:00.006-05:00

This month the CTMH Product Spotlight group is featuring EMBOSSING, either dry embossing or heat embossing. We have nine consultants sharing their talents with you, so be sure to move from one blog to the next by clicking on the link in each post. (If you're already hopping, then you should have arrived from Carol Horton's blog. You'll visit Tamytha's blog from here.)

My card uses the "Neutral Shadows" heat embossing technique. You can see my original, similar card with this technique HERE. The technique is pretty simple to do. Basically, you heat embossing your images in the same light color as your background (in this case white on white). My flowers are from the Treasure Life stamp set. Then, stipple ink over and around the embossed images. I used Smoky Plum to match my cardstock card base. Finally, buff off the excess ink with a kleenex or paper towel and your white images pop.

To finish my card, I wrapped sheer organdy white ribbon around the front panel, and then attached the sentiment (from the Salutation Seals stamp set, stamed in Smoky Plum ink) over the ribbon and offset. I think this card is very simple yet elegant. I hope that you like it too!

Thanks for leaving me a comment! Now head on over to Tamytha's blog.

H2H Challenges (From Your Heart to Ours): Gratitude

2011-11-14T04:34:00.009-05:00

This week's Heart 2 Heart challenge is "from your heart to ours," where we ask you to share something special with us. This week's theme is gratitude, and you have all month to play. I created a collection of goodies, and I'll share each of them with you, below. All of my projects use the Sonoma Workshop on the Go kit (paper pack and stamp set). (If you'd like to see the rest of the H2H Design Team's creations, head right on over to H2H. Thanks!)

My first project is a bottle tag (which I am also linking up to CAS-ual Friday's "Tag, You're It" challenge.) Don't you think this would make a lovely hostess gift to show your thanks? It was really simple to create, and I had a scrap of Sonoma paper that was the perfect size! I just used the scalloped circle punch to cut out a whole in the top center to make this piece hang onto the bottle. The back includes a piece of Colonial White cardstock on which to write a personal message. Then I decorated the front similar to my card, below.

This card's decorations were inspired by the Sonoma Workshop on the Go instructions, but I didn't want to make a 6"x6" card. Instead, I used the "Sentiment Secured" pattern from the Wishes how-to book.
Here's a peek at the inside, stamped with the "ribbon" from the Sonoma Workshop on the Go stamp set and punched with a Martha Stewart lovely.

Finally, my last three cards are actually what started this whole project! Since the H2H theme was to create something for someone to whom or for which you're grateful, and of course my family came to mind. I created these three little 2.5"x3.5" cards (also from Wishes patterns) for the loves of my life (from left to right in card order). my husband, my younger daughter, and my older daughter. (I think they were pleasantly surprised to find them last night!)

Thanks for stopping by! I'd love for you to leave a comment, especially sharing what you're grateful for, before heading on. Thank you, dear readers and visitors! I am grateful for YOU.

Sonoma Workshop on the Go "Medallion" Card

2011-11-11T05:46:00.000-05:00

Are you familiar with Close To My Heart's Workshop on the Go kits? They are a great value and even include instructions for a scrapbook layout! You get a paper pack, and exclusive C-size stamp set, and at least two other goodies (embellishments and/or tools) to create tons of wonderful projects!

My card uses the paisley stamp from the Sonoma Workshop on the Go kit in a fun way: as a medallion!

First, I stamped the paisley once, and then I started stamping the paisley again and again as I moved around the first image in a circular shape.

It took a little practice to get them fairly evenly spaced, but I think I succeeded.

Finally, I cut the entire piece out as one medallion. A pretty sparkly button in the center finishes it off.

I also used a little silver glitz glue for the other decoration on this 5"x7" card (pattern from Wishes).

This Year or Through the Years 6"x6" Album Workshop

2011-11-10T00:51:00.000-05:00

You are absolutely going to love the keepsake that you will make at my "This Year"/"Through the Years" 6"x6" album workshop! If you've ever wanted to start scrapbooking, now is the time! This project is for all skill levels. We are going to use the November stamp of the month, Cherish the Day, to create a month-by-month twelve-page 6"x6" album to hold this year's (or any year's) highlight photos! (Think about what a great gift this will make! You are going to want to order at least two kits; one to keep and one to give away!) This workshop would also make a fabulous "baby's first year" album, no matter how old your "baby" is. Each month will be highlighted with a seasonal layout. You will also learn different stamping/paper crafting techniques.

You can choose to keep your treasured pages in either the 6"x6" My Creations Display album (such a lovely end table display!), or theOlive or Pansy Purple Quick Pic 6"x6" album (for a more traditional scrapbook).

We will create a 6"x6" one-page

themed layout for each month of the year. Your papers will be precut, but please bring your scissors, your favorite adhesive, and glue dots. (If you don't have these already, I can help!) We will be embellishing our pages with a variety of fun products, plus stamping as we go.

You are going to love creating this keepsake to show off your favorite photos. If you know which 12 photos you'd like to use, please bring them with you; otherwise you can add your photos later. The $20 workshop fee includes everything you need except scissors and adhesive (see above). If you'd like to purchase your own November stamp of the month, add on $17.95 plus S&H/tax. (Workshop participants will be using my stamp set, inks, and blocks.) You might also want to take advantage of the November “Holiday Magic” stamp set special with your order.

The workshop will be held on Saturday, December 3, at 1:00. If this date/time is not convenient, let me know and we hopefully can work something out. Please pre-order your kit and reserve your spot no later than November 21. Remember, when signing up, choose either the 6x6 display album, the Olive album, or the Pansy Purple album. Class size is limited to allow participants the time and space to create their album, so sign up today!

H2H Challenges: Metal Mania!

2011-11-07T01:40:00.018-05:00

Heart 2 Heart Challenges is issuing another great challenge this week: use metal on your project. I have been wanting to make myself some new jewelry, so this challenge was the motivation I needed to get going. At right, you'll see the necklace and bracelet set that I made.

If you'd like to read through my tutorial, continue on; otherwise, head to H2H challenges to see how our fabulous design team members interpreted the challenge and to link up your project. Remember, you must use some Close To My Heart products for this challenge blog.

I'm also linking this project up to You Had Me at Craft: Make It Yourself Mondays.

First, gather your supplies. Of course mine are all from CTMH except for the Offray 1/4" black ribbon and the cereal box tab. I used:

the "zebra" patterned paper from the Roxie paper pack

Z1487 Mini-Medley Pewter (frame, brad, and charms/slides)

Z1612 Foundry Pin Clips

Z1635 Heirloom Assortment (ivory flower)

Liquid Glass
1.

Begin by measuring the frame opening and then
cut your base from an empty cereal box. (Mine is slightly larger than 1"x1.5".) Cut two pieces of patterned paper to cover each side of the cardboard and adhere with your favorite adhesive.

2.

After lining your work space with waxed paper, apply Liquid Glass (slowly and carefully) to the front of your cardboard piece. Be sure the LG goes all the way to the edges. Then, place the frame on top of this piece. Push the edges down to adhere firmly, and then move this piece so that it doesn't stick to the waxed paper (in case some of the LG oozed out).

3. While this is drying, measure 1 yard of ribbon. Run it through the two slides. To keep them from sliding, loop the ribbon back through each one again. Set aside.

4. Once the front is dry (or nearly dry), arrange the embellishments and

adhere with LG. Please remember that it dries clear and shiny, so if you get

some where you don't want it, try to scrape it off quickly.

5. Once everything is completely dry, turn the pendant over. (I added a brad to fill in the top hole of the frame; the bottom hole was covered by my charms.) This brad also helped to secure my ribbon. Apply LG to the back, especially including the ribbon to attach the pendant to the necklace.

6. Once the back is completely dry, attach the final slide to serve as the fastener. Make a loop in the other end. Trim ribbon. Apply LG to the knots so that the ribbon doesn't slip. Let dry.

7. Once dry, your necklace is ready to wear!

If you'd like to make a matching bracelet, cut two pieces of the same ribbon at least 1' long. String them through the slides and knot in place. Use the final washer as a fastener and make a loop of ribbon at the other end. Again, trim and use LG to keep the ribbon from slipping or fraying.

Thanks for sticking with me! Let me know if you have any questions. I'd love for you to give this a try! If you leave a link to your finished jewelry, I'd love to stop by and look at it.

Happy crafting! Don't forget to visit the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog if you haven't already.

Remember...

2011-11-05T18:10:00.001-04:00

to fall back an hour tonight! Just a little public service message from yours truly...

image source: Pinterest

November CTMH Special Offers: Holiday Wishes and Cherish the Day

2011-11-01T01:27:00.005-04:00

{Scroll down for the November stamp of the month blog hop!}

Close To My Heart is offering two special stamp sets for November only! You can read all about the Holiday Wishes special stamp set offer HERE (PDF file for you).

We also have a great stamp of the month, Cherish the Day, for November. Remember, scroll down if you're looking for the November stamp of the month blog hop!

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Cherish the Day (November 2011)

2011-10-31T21:00:00.007-04:00

Welcome to the November 2011 edition of the Close To My Heart stamp of the month blog hop! If you've already started the hop, you should have arrived here from Kami Welter's blog. From here, you will hop to Michelle Loncar's blog next.

My project is the first (and second) in a series of 6"x6" layouts for my upcoming "This Year"/"Through the Years" workshop (details coming soon). For the workshop, we will create a one-page 6"x6" layout for each month of the year using the November stamp of the month, Cherish the Day, plus other seasonal stamps. You'll notice that I chose this Thanksgiving's date to add to my November tag. I paired the November stamp of the month with the Treasure Life stamp set and the Dreamin' paper pack. (Come back for complete details about this fabulous workshop!)

Next is the October version, complete with pictures from this year's Hometown Halloween trick-or-treating on our local square from Saturday night. I used the fabulous Mischief paper pack paired with Cherish the Day.

Here is what the stamp set images look like to help you see how we'll use this stamp set at the workshop:
Thanks for stopping by! Visit Michelle Loncar's blog now.

{Layouts 2011 #71 & 72}

H2H Challenges: Color Challenge

2011-10-31T00:30:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween from the Heart 2 Heart Challenges Design Team! Today's color challenge actually kicks off our November challenges, so let's get going! Try your hand at the lovely fall color combo of Autumn Terracotta, Juniper, and Bamboo.

These colors stumped me at first until I pulled out my trusty Treasure Life stamp set. I decided to create another Double Z-fold card for this challenge. (If you'd like to see another card with this fold, click HERE.)

Before you check out the H2H Design Team's work (and our Guest Designer Allisa's), here are detail shots of my card (open, from left to right). Give this H2H Color Challenge and try, and link up your work at H2H Challenges!

More Holiday Magic

2011-10-30T12:25:00.005-04:00

Time is running out to get your October stamp of the month, Holiday Magic! These cards all feature the same basic card design which mimics the Split Negative embossing technique that you see on the stocking (at right). If you're not familiar with this technique, just google it or let me know and I can help.

The second card used the lovely tree and a little Stardust glitz glitter gel to add a little sparkle. (In my experience, sometimes the rhinestones don't travel too well in the mail, so consider a liner to protect your card. Scrap paper inserted into the envelope will do.)

It's not too early to be thinking about handmade Christmas cards! You can save money while doing something you love! Let me show you how!

Pilot Mountain State Park (Layout Share)

2011-10-26T05:51:00.001-04:00

Here's another Studio J layout that I recently ordered. The photos are from our trip to Winson-Salem back in the spring. (I ordered the other layouts from our trip earlier this year.) Isn't the Dreamin' paper collection beautiful? Like classic (paper, scissors, and glue) scrapbooking, I can work (and order) in Studio J in any order that I like. I can purchase layouts as I go, and as a member, I save by ordering up to 20 layouts on one order a month (free shipping and free page protectors).

Studio J tip: Clustering

You can layer and cluster the My Stickease artwork to create something unique. See how the right page has that gorgeous wildflower "bouquet?" Just keep adding the My Stickease flowers, adjusting their placement and size until you like the cluster. Many of the stems poked down onto the photo below the cluster, so once I was finished, I clicked on the photo and then "bring to front." Those pesky stems were conveniently hidden behind the photo.

Also, you may notice how I added brads as flower centers and a ribbon to the heart. It is so easy to select these from the Studio J menu and drag them where you want them. (You may want to zoom in to the area where you're working for more precision.)

If you haven't given Studio J a try, what are you waiting for? Upload some photos and play around with it. It doesn't cost a thing unless you order your JPEGs and/or layouts. (As a Studio J member, you get a 50% discount on your orders. Ask me how!)

{Layout 2011 #69}

H2H Challenges: Fall or Halloween

2011-10-24T01:06:00.005-04:00

Happy fall, y'all, from the Heart 2 Heart Challenges Design Team! This week we're challenging you to share your fall or Halloween creations with us. Easy peasy, right? Just remember to use some wonderful Close To My Heart products in your creations and then link them up to the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog.

You may recall the "Wicked" shoes that I posted a month or so ago (click HERE to check them- and the shoe templates- out). I used a different template to make this witchy version (which now sit in my living room). You could easily tuck a small bag of candy or a few candy bars into them for a delicious treat.

I printed the shoe template onto black cardstock, cut out, scored, folded and glued. The shoe liner template was printed onto the lovely Pear polka dot paper from the Sophia paper pack following the same procedure. I had to embellish them with these wicked scalloped circles and gorgeous rhinestone brads. Finally, a bow on the back of each finished them off beautifully.

If you'd like some more Halloween inspiration, check out my paper pumpkin, my Boo banner, and my spooky bottles and coffin boxes.

Now, step on over to the H2H blog to see our fabulous fall design team creations. Get your craft on and link up your fall or Halloween project too! Bwah ha ha ha ha!

Hunting Island 2011 (Layout Share)

2011-10-22T05:47:00.001-04:00

Who would have thought that a winter kit (Wonderland) would work for beach pictures? I love the blues and browns, so I just went for it! I have used this paper pack in real life, so I already knew how well Lagoon accents this paper pack, which helps to add to the beach theme instead of the winter wonderland. You'll notice that I did not use very many My Stickease artwork because, well, most of them scream winter. With all the photos on this layout (11 total), artwork was rather unnecessary anyway.

Studio J tip: Want to add other colors to the color palette? Just click on the color tool and select away! (Sometimes, especially for the embellishments, you will have to select it in one of the assigned colors, but once you place it on your layout and click the tiny color palette, all 60 CTMH colors will be available and you can change your color then.)

{Layout 2011 #68}

Fall Card Class This Saturday!

2011-10-20T20:13:00.007-04:00

It's time to get creative for fall! Join me to make four or five fall-themed cards for many occasions (with a peek at the upcoming holidays too) this Saturday from 2-4:30. We will learn how to make a Double Z-Fold card, shown here, plus some fun new stamping techniques (different ways to use the supplies you already have), like the Neutral Shadows technique on the second card (below).

We'll also play with one of my favorite new embellishments: Glitz Glitter Gel (in red, bronze, silver, and stardust)! You'll love the paper packs we'll be playing with too: Dreamin', Sonoma, Mischief, and Believe. (Believe me, you'll be dreamin' of many uses for these!)

Class will begin at 2:00 in my home. (Please let me know if you need directions.) The $5 class materials fee will be waived with a minimum $25 order. Please bring any or all of the following tools: your paper trimmer, scoring blade or bone folder, adhesive, and scissors.

Also, please RSVP no later than Friday, 10/21. As always, your cards can be customized to specific events, like thanks, birthday, thinking of you, etc.

Studio J Giveaway!

2011-10-20T15:42:00.000-04:00

You know how much I love Studio J, and the Crafting Chicks are giving away a 5 Studio J layouts and an album! Go check it out and enter for a chance to win yourself. Good luck!

4th Grade Field Trip (Layout Share)

2011-10-19T05:41:00.000-04:00

Can you tell how much I love Studio J online scrapbooking? It has truly given me creative freedom and allows me to scrapbook in minutes, not hours (unless I want to take hours).

When I uploaded my photos from chaperoning our younger daughter's field trip to Atlanta this past spring (Daddy went with #1 daughter when she was in 4th grade), the red, blue, and brown shades popped out to me. This Independence kit seemed like a perfect match to go along with the theme of visiting the Georgia State Capitol.

Here are a few fun Studio J techniques I used on this layout:

My Stickease "doily" artwork behind photos: I loved the old fashioned doily, and ended up using them as photo mattes. Place them where you want them, then click "send behind" or "send to back" to place them behind the picture.

Stitching: Studio J has added a "stitching" feature and there are several shapes to choose from. I stitched several stars on my layout to enhance the vintage, patriotic feel of the layout.

{Layout 2011 #67}

H2H Challenges: Numbers

2011-10-17T04:57:00.002-04:00

This week's Heart 2 Heart challenge is to use NUMBERS (at least one) on your project. This layout was so much fun for me to make! Although this paper pack wasn't one of my all-time faves, it works so well with an American travel theme. I gathered pictures spanning three years of camping/travel photos to include on one layout. It truly shows "the way we roll!"

My use of NUMBERS helps to tell my story by labeling my photos.

Studio J tip: Use the number My Stickease to number your photos, then include a legend. You can resize the number Stickease to fit your journaling block. It may take a little patience, but the results are totally worth it.

Even though I didn't include it in my journaling, do you see the Barbies along for the ride? That is a family tradition that I will be sad to see go by the wayside.

On the left page, you can see how much our little traveler has grown from picture #1 (bottom right) to picture #3 (top left). Time flies when you're having fun!

Now, we'd like to see how you use NUMBERS in your project. Be sure to upload your creation to the H2H blog before the month's over. We have lots of treats (but no tricks) up our sleeve!

{Layout 2011 #70}

Reinker Techniques

2011-10-15T10:00:00.000-04:00

Somehow I missed the sign up for this month's Close To My Heart Product Spotlight blog hop! The gals who actually are hopping are focusing on reinker techniques. Here's the card I made for my part of the hop. (If you'd like to check out the hop, go straight to Wendy's blog HERE.)

The piece across the bottom of this fall card uses the "cottoned color" reinker technique. Basically, you dab up some reinker with a cotton ball and then pounce it on your project. I used Desert Sand reinker and (non-CTMH) gold. It is very shimmery and pretty IRL.

This card starts with an A2 Desert Sand base with a matte of Sunset B&T. I used three different stamp sets (Love Birds and the retired Grown with Love and Flourished Blessings) and four different colors of ink (Desert Sand, Cranberry, Sunset, and Goldrush).

We are off to our local fall festival today! It has been really great having my cousin in town for a few days, and we hate to see her go. Hope you have a wonderful day no matter what you're doing!

Cute Cupcake Idea

2011-10-13T04:35:00.001-04:00

One of the teachers' moms made these cupcakes for her daughter's class. (Do moms EVER get to outgrow doing things for their kids? LOL) Isn't it the cutest?!? A cupcake, chow mein noodles, melted icing poured over the top, pretzel sticks, red hots, mini marshmallows, and a little more frosting... Yummy-ness and adorable-ness all wrapped up in one!

The First Day of School (Layout Share)

2011-10-12T08:40:00.001-04:00

We are home this week from school (Fall Break) so I am cleaning, cleaning, CLEANING. There's a reward for my hard work, though, because my cousin (who now lives in Wisconsin) is coming for a visit. I am really excited about it!

This layout is from the first day of school, over eight weeks ago. I actually worked on it the weekend following and then dabbled a bit here and there until I liked the results. (Of course, I saved up ordering until I had several layouts ready. As a Studio J member, I get free shipping once a month on up to 20 layouts.)

STUDIO J TIP: See the banner at the top of the page? They're made of the "tails" of the winner's ribbon My Stickease (that you can see on the lower left side of the right page). It was easy to copy and paste them where I wanted them. Whatever hangs off the page doesn't get printed (just like how you can stamp off the edge of your project). I also "stapled" the top of each one. I didn't not use the precision tool to line them up perfectly exactly, because life just doesn't work that way for me!

{Layout 2011 #66}

H2H Challenge: Storytime! (AKA Journaling on Your Layout)

2011-10-10T03:15:00.002-04:00

This week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge is to tell a story on a scrapbook layout (AKA to use journaling on your layout). (And I have to say that if you're NOT journaling on your layout, why are you scrapbooking? If you have to narrate your layouts as someone looks through your albums, what will happen when you're gone?) Okay, maybe I digress, but I guess you could say that I'm pretty passionate about journaling! That doesn't mean, however, that I feel like I am good at it.

For this particular layout, I actually wrote my journaling before I even took the pictures! Our older daughter was leaving for a school trip to Washington DC (10 hours from home) so I posted my thoughts on my family blog. From there, it was easy to incorporate the text with the photos I took of her departure. (She will be home this morning and has had a great time!) Feel free to click on any of the layout photos to enlarge them in your browser.

JOURNALING TIP: Begin each paragraph with the same phrase (in this case, "It's hard for me to believe that..."). Now, of course, your scrapbook would get boring if you always wrote in this style, but it's a fun tip/trick to use sometimes.

If you're interested in the deets of this particular layout (artistically speaking), I made it in Studio J. (She left Thursday evening, I worked on the layout online Thursday night, ordered several Studio J layouts Friday evening, and had my JPEGs delivered to my inbox Saturday! The actual printed layouts will be printed early next week and mailed directly to my door, complete with page protectors.) I used the Discovery kit but changed it up to match my photos better with the addition of the Grey Flannel background and the Vineyard Berry cardstock (both of which I toned down a bit with some virtual sanding). This layout sketch is the members-only "Through the Lens" pattern. Instead of using six photos, I deleted two of them to then create a larger journaling box.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, just leave me a comment. Now, head to the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog to see what all of our design team members have created and to enter your layout. We have two terrific prizes this month! You can find all the design team members and this month's sponsors on my sidebar. Thanks for stopping by!

{Layout 2011 #65}

Scrap Our Stash Challenge Blog

2011-10-08T09:31:00.004-04:00

You've probably already heard me mention how much I enjoy the Scrap Our Stash Challenge Blog, because they literally encourage you to use up whatever you've got with some fun challenges each month. This month's challenge is to use a quote on your project.

I was super thrilled when I was invited to join the Design Team! You can see my October challenge project over there today, but be sure to visit often to see all the great projects. You can email your project or project link (details at SOS) and your work will be featured too. Won't you join us?

Today, Little Bit and I are headed to our local Sorghum Festival parade. If you live in the South, then you probably already know what sorghum is, but for the rest of you, sorghum is a cane similar to sugar, and it is used to make syrup (which I do NOT like) that many sop up with a biscuit. The Sorghum Festival is going on this weekend and next if you'd like to join us (but the parade is only for today)! Many of my students (past and present) and friends will be in the parade, so we'll enjoy some hometown goodness on this beautiful fall day.

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes! (August Stamp of the Month)

2011-10-05T17:18:00.002-04:00

Though August has come and is (long) gone, I had to wait to share this project with you because I entered it into a Close To My Heart consultant contest (but didn't win), so I'm sharing it here and linking it up to the Make It Monday blog too. Once again, I wanted to use the August stamp of the month set, Wicked, beyond its obvious Halloween intentions.

I searched online for shoe templates, and found several, like THIS ONE from Creating Keepsakes (click to download a copy for yourself). I used this slightly different version from Stacey Cohen, for my paper shoes. If you're in a shoe mood, what about these witch shoes from Skip To My Lou? They would be perfect for this time of year! Finally, why not create a pair of baby shoes?

As they say, if the shoe fits, buy a pair in every color! My pink-loving daughter has claimed these for herself, and my blue-loving daughter is hinting at the need for her own pair...

H2H Challenges: Sketch for You to Try

2011-10-03T02:31:00.002-04:00

It's time for a sketch challenge this week at Heart 2 Heart Challenges! Mary has created this one for us to try, so why don't you give it a go? It's easy to play along each week: just interpret the challenge we've thrown down, using some Close To My Heart products, post your project online, and then link it up to the H2H Challenge blog. You have all month to play any of this month's challenges, and we've got another set of fabulous prizes this month, thanks to our two new sponsors!

I was feeling a bit festive for this sketch challenge, so I pulled out the new October stamp of the month, Holiday Magic, and the Believe paper pack. I ended up rotating the sketch to accommodate that adorable stocking stamp. The horizontal stripes are from the "zip strip" (located at the top of each sheet of B&T paper).

I used a Holiday Red button to "hang" my stocking and then had to glitz it up a bit with the addition of Red Glitter Glitz Gel on rows of the polka dots on the top of the stocking. I also added a dot to serve as a "bullet" to highlight the word, celebrate at the bottom right.

If you're up to the sketch challenge, give it a try, and link up your creation to the H2H Challenge blog. The Design Team loves checking out your creations each week. YOU inspire US, so keep the crafty goodness coming our way!

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Holiday Magic (October 2011)

2011-09-30T20:55:00.011-04:00

It's time for the October edition of the Close To My Heart consultants' Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We're spreading a little Holiday Magic (and cheer) with the October stamp of the month. If you've already started the hop, then you should have arrived from Melinda Everitt's blog and you will heading to Jen Rubio's blog next.

You may be wondering where the Holiday Magic is with my first card, but those beautiful tree stamps turned upside down look like pennants to me! I had scraps from the Typset paper pack out on my table, so I got to work on this card (which I think fits the Play Date Cafe Challenge 101, Wine, Smudge, Leather, and Parchment, pretty well). The letters are from The Works stamp set.

My second card definitely fits the Holiday Magic theme. You can see the two trees as they were intended, along with the sleigh, snowflakes, and sentiment. Again, I used the Typset paper pack and color scheme, so the trees and snowflakes are Juniper and the sleigh is Vineyard Berry and Black.

Can you see how I tore a piece of Colonial White cardstock to make the "ground." I accent the "snow" with Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel to make everything sparkle.

Thanks for hopping by! Go check out Jen's pretty cards!

The Present 5"x7" Home Decor

2011-09-27T20:41:00.000-04:00

This project was originally meant for the current Heart 2 Heart Challenge (Sentiments Only), but then I found out that I couldn't use it for the challenge. Why, you ask? My project is based on a beautiful sketch I found on the Got Sketch? blog (#129). I'm glad I went to the blog itself instead of just reading it my Google Reader (you do use Google Reader, don't you?), because you are NOT allowed to use their sketches in any design team work. Oops! So I whipped out a quick card for my DT project instead and saved this one to show you today.

This frame starts with a 5"x7" base (all of the paper is from the Typeset paper pack). I then embellished to my heart's content, maybe going a little overboard with those yummy Licorice Opaques.

I'm not sure where this little project will sit, but I'm sure it will find a good place in my home. I certainly need a reminder to slow down and enjoy TODAY. It's the only guarantee that we have!

H2H Challenges: Sentiment {Only}

2011-09-26T03:20:00.000-04:00

At Heart 2 Heart Challenges, we're getting sentiment-al this week! You have to use a sentiment as your focal image, but no other stamps. For you stampers out there, this week will certainly be a challenge. You definitely need to go see what our talented Design Team and Guest Designers have come up with this week to inspire you!

My card uses the sentiment from The Present stamp set and the Sonoma paper pack. I made nested rectangles to frame my sentiment easily. Since those rectangles seemed a little lost on the Smokey Plum card, I added the strip of B&T to the left side to anchor it and then added one of my leftover "zip strips" (the top of the B&T paper). The floral element is my current fave thing to add to my projects: crumple up several scalloped circles, pierce a hole in the middle, attach them together with a brad, and then smoosh and fluff until you like it. To finish off my card, I added some purple sparkles. The large one completely hides the pewter brad! The metals came from the Pewter Mini Medley accents.

Be sure to visit the H2H blog for some inspiration, then get sentiment-al yourself! You have until the end of the month (Friday!) to link up any of this month's challenges, so there's still time- of you hurry.

Autumn/Winter CTMH Swap: Slideshow

2011-09-23T04:50:00.000-04:00

Happy Fall! Here is a slideshow of artwork created by some amazingly talented Close To My Heart consultants! Here are my two cards from the swap:

The first uses the A Holiday stamp set (only $6.95!), the Believe paper pack, and some red Glitz Glitter Gel.

You probably remember this card, but just in case you missed it, here it is again. It features the Key Moments stamp set, Dreamin' paper pack, Just Blooms butterflies, and bronze Glitz Glitter Gel.

Pink Owl Cards

2011-09-21T05:44:00.000-04:00

Who says owls can't be pink? At last month's card class, we used this card design, but everyone chose the stamp of their choice from the National Stamping Month special Pair-A-Phrase stamp set. I thought that a pink owl might be cute, and I think that I was right!

My friend Joy embellished her focal image with the tiny flourish stamp and the sentiment with the flourish and stars stamp. Wish I'd thought of that!

(This stamp set is only available through the end of this month. If you haven't gotten yours yet, contact me ASAP! There are so many cute things that you can do with it.)

H2H Challenges: Cardstock

2011-09-19T04:52:00.001-04:00

This week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge is to use Close To My Heart's fabulous cardstock- only- on your creation. You can stamp it, emboss it, distress it, tear it, wrinkle it, or anything else that you can think of, but you can't use any patterned paper! (I am recycling a card that I made in the recent past, so if it looks familiar, you're not hallucinating.)

I began with a 4"x6" White Daisy card base. (You can get three cards out of a 12"x12" sheet of cardstock. Cha-ching!) Using a Smoothie cardstock layer, I stamped/heat embossed the images from the Treasure Life stamp set with white embossing powder. I then stamped a sentimet from the same stamp set on White Daisy with Smoothie ink and inked the edges in black to match the black stripe of cardstock across the right side of the card. An adorable Just Blooms butterfly finishes off this cardstock-only card nicely!

Don't forget to stamp the inside of your card too. That little touch is easy to do and adds so much to your cards.

Now, won't you challenge yourself to use cardstock ONLY on your next creation? Link it up to the H2H Challenges blog, and you could be one of this month's featured artists or prize winner! Hope you'll join us! Be sure to visit the blog to check out what the Design Team, guest designer, and sponsors have to share with you.

World Card Making Day FREE Card Crop

2011-09-17T10:39:00.004-04:00

SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, October 1, 2011, is World Card Making Day, and what better way to celebrate than a FREE card crop? I will be hosting this free card crop at a convenient Blairsville location (TBA) on Saturday, 10/1, in the afternoon. Bring your supplies and your paper crafting projects for a little fun and fellowship! Get started on your holiday cards, make a few seasonal cards, or work on whatever projects that you’d like. You’ll be provided plenty of table space to spread out and create to your heart’s content. Also, I will be teaching a few card ideas throughout the crop to help inspire you, so be sure to bring some extra materials to participate.

This free crop will benefit our servicemen and women through donations to Operation Write Home, should you choose to participate. (Crop participants are not required to help OWH.) I will be collecting card donations for our servicemen and women. (If you’d like to help, you can make your cards at the crop or bring some that you’ve already made to donate.) The purpose of OWH is to provide handmade cards for our troops to use to send to their loved ones. There are a few simple card rules to follow for OWH:•A2 size (4.25”x5.5”)
•Handmade, not store bought
•NO GLITTER
•Dark cards need to have a liner on the inside
•Envelopes are preferred but not required
•Please write or stamp “Operation Write Home” on the back (a limited number labels will be provided at the crop)

In addition to a card drive, “Any Hero mail” is welcome. These are cards or letters of gratitude and encouragement for our servicemen and women. Often, these cards and letters begin with “Dear Hero.” For more information, visit http://operationwritehome.org/anyhero.html.

If you plan to attend the card crop, please RSVP by 9/30. I hope you’ll just me for an afternoon of fun, fellowship, and craftiness! Happy World Card Making Day!

Product Spotlight Blog Hop: Cricut Creations

2011-09-15T02:00:00.008-04:00

Earlier this week I shared a Cricut card for this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge, and now I'm back with two new Cricut cards to share! (You have heard that Close To My Heart released an exclusive Cricut cartridge called Art Philosophy, right?) I've joined a lovely group of a dozen CTMH consultants for this month's Cricut Creations Product Spotlight Blog Hop. If you've arrived from Jena's blog, welcome! If you're starting here, you won't miss a thing because the blog hop makes a loop all the way around, one blog to the next. From here, you'll want to head on over to the blog of my wonderful upline and friend, Chris, to see her project.

My first card was my first attempt at one of the fun card bases. I set the Cricut to cut at 4", and that ended up being the width of the finished card (much smaller than I anticipated)! I think that it turned out pretty cute. The flourish is actually scraps from this Cricut card! I used the Mishchief paper pack in a non-Halloween way. The key and watch/clock hand stamp are from the Key Moments stamp set.

My next card also uses the Key Moments stamp set. I was trying to make a more masculine card with the Dreamin' paper pack. I'm not entirely sure that I was successful, but it sure was fun playing with the different shapes you can cut with the CTMH/Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge! (This sentiment is from the Deepest Sympathy stamp set.)

Thanks for hopping by! Now go see what amazing project Chris has in store (and ask her about the Cricut dust covers she makes)!

Sonoma Scrapbooking Class

2011-09-13T17:25:00.001-04:00

This Sunday at 2 PM, you can create your own personalized version of this layout using the Sonoma paper pack, Workshop on the Go stamp set, September stamp of the month, and Bohemian Alphabet. Too girly for you? I've got some options for making it more manly too! You'll learn the art of clustering along with basic stamping, plus how to create a fun interactive element on your layout. I'll teach you how to make the flowers shown on this layout, plus the ones made from old book pages (like you can see HERE or HERE).

Please contact me if you'd like to attend or are interested in purchasing a class kit. Space is limited, but I'd love to have you!

This layout uses a sketch from the Magic how-to guide. Come to class to learn more!

{Layout 2011 #64}

H2H Challenges: Cricut or Die-Cut Creations

2011-09-12T04:10:00.008-04:00

In honor of the new partnership between Close To My Heart and Cricut and the unveiling of the exclusive CTMH Cricut cartridge, Art Philosophy, this week's Heart 2 Heart challenge is to use a die cut, Cricut, etc., in this week's creation. (You do have all month to play!)

I don't own a Cricut yet (in large part because I have a Pazzles), but my friend Debora let me come over and play with hers. Using the CTMH Art Philosphy cartridge, I cut this card base from Colonial White cardstock and the black & gray B&T nested piece from the Mishchief paper pack. The Cricut even cut out the fabulous scrollwork design on that piece! Rather than pair this piece with other papers from the Mischief collection, I chose to accent my card with Smoothie cardstock and ink.

The "with gratitude" sentiment fit perfectly on the oval shapes I had cut, so I inked it up with Smoothie and black. Then I added a little black ink to the edge to make it pop. As I lined up the pieces, I decided that scrollwork didn't "pop," so some Smoothie scraps came to the rescue! They are sandwiched between the Mischief B&T and the Colonial White base to give this card some serious pizzaz.

The flower embellishment is three 2" scalloped circles punched out of an old children's book. I inked the edges with Smoothie, pierced that gorgeous rhinestone brad through the center, then crumpled and fluffed the flower until I was satisfied with the results.

It's probably hard to believe that I thought the card needed a little more bling. Silver glitz gel (around the sentiment), a rhinestone button, and a new stick pin to the rescue! Va-va-va-voom!

Now it's your turn to grab a cutting or die cut machine and create to your heart's content. Be sure to use some CTMH products in your creation and then link up your project to the H2H Challenge blog. You'll also want to check out all of the Design Team's fabulous projects. I can't wait to see what your creations!

Supplies from Close To My Heart: Colonial White and Smoothie cardstock; Mischief paper pack; Many Thanks stamp set; Smoothie and Black ink; Bling assorment; Silver Glitz Gel; Rhinestone Designer Brads
Other: Cricut machine, old children's book

Always Remember & Operation Write Home

2011-09-11T07:48:00.003-04:00

Today is a day that no American should forget, even those who weren't alive or who were babies (like my girls) on that horrific day 10 years ago.

On that patriotic note, are you familiar with Operation Write Home? This fantastic organization collects cards and Any Hero cards/letters to share with our servicemen and women. I have participated in one OWH event and plan to start my own in the near future. Visit their website HERE or find them on Facebook to learn more. What a great service project for your crafters, club, or organization! (If you're in the local area and would like to get started, learn more, or help, please let me know!) I'm also going to start a "collection box" at my home for my crafty friends, so feel free to bring extra cards when you come to class, etc.

OWH requests A2 size cards (4.25"x5.5") for ease in shipping. NO GLITTER is allowed. Cards MUST include "Operation Write Home" on the back (OWH abbreviation is not OK). Again, visit their website for complete info. We can show how crafters care and support our troops at the same time.

God bless the USA!

Close To My Heart New Paper Pack & Products: Dreamin'

2011-09-10T04:51:00.004-04:00

Isn't the Dreamin' paper pack gorgeous? And perfect for Fall?

These "stamples" were made by the Close To My Heart Art Department.

Here's a little 3"x3" card that I made, and next is my creation for the new catalog swap.

This card by Stephanie Pederslie uses the adorable Gnome Garden stamp set. Isn't it funny? Syliva Jacquot used the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge and coordinating Tags stampset on her pretty little pillow box.

I couldn't resist sharing a closeup of the gnome and squirrel. Gnomeo, anyone?
Next up is set of beautiful cards. The long card by Alona Peters uses the Dreamin' Workshop on the Go paper pack and stamp set. The small square card by Sylvia Jaquot began with a Cricut Art Philosophy base and is beautiful stamped with the Unscripted stamp set. Finally, the gorgeous fall card by Carrie Hammond uses the Backdrop- Charmed stamp set. Aren't they all lovely?

Close To My Heart New Paper Pack & Products: Elemental

2011-09-09T04:40:00.000-04:00

With every new Close To My Heart Idea Book (published twice a year), a slew of great new papers, products, and stamps are released. I've been fortunate to participate in a fabulous "new catalog" swap featuring all new CTMH items. Today I'm showcasing the Elemental paper pack. (At right is CTMH Corporate Art Studio artwork.)

Here is a little 3"x3" card that I made with scraps.

Clockwise from the top: CTMH Art Philosphy Cricut party favor box by Alona Peters, waterfall card by Carrie Hammond, and 3"x6" card by Louisa Morgan

Close up of ,the card, stamped with the Blue Ribbon stamp set

Inside of favor box, stamped with the Elemental Workshop on the Go stamp set (with decorated Starbursts candies inside!)

Waterfall card (Zoology stamp set):

New Blog Feature!

2011-09-07T05:57:00.003-04:00

Starting right now, each month I am offering a free project idea, complete with instructions, here on my blog, up in the tabs at the top. (It is creatively named "This Month's Project.") If you'd like to join along, give the project a shot! There's also a place to link up your creation if you'd like to share it with me (and believe me, I'd love to see it!). I expect to have a new project uploaded within the first few days of the month for your crafting pleasure. I hope you'll give it a try! Thanks!

You may have seen this card already, but I am featuring it as this month's project with instructions for the pattern or sketch, called the "Top Band" from the Wishes how-to guide. Give it a try! You can go wild with embellishments or leave it clean and simple. It's totally up to you!

Black, White, and Red

2011-09-06T05:33:00.011-04:00

When I saw both of these challenges, I couldn't resist combining them into one card! First, the Play Date Cafe challenge #97 is to use black and white with a splash of red. I may have gone overboard with my Tulip patterened paper, card stock, and ink, but I like it. (Isn't the inspiration photo gorgeous?)

When I read challenge #18 over at CAS-ual Fridays, I knew that I was hooked! I love to read, so the hardest part was deciding which book to use for inspiration! While it may not be my favorite book of all time, I recently read The Help (and saw the movie). I really liked them both, and I encourage you to read the book and/or see the movie! (The movie isn't one you have to see on the big screen, so if it's already passed in your area, definitely rent the DVD when it comes out. Even my Dad enjoyed the movie!)

If you've read the book or seen the movie, then you probably understand my inspiration. The main character Skeeter decides to write a book (anonymously) from the perspective of the black maids in her town, circa 1960 in the throes of the Civil Rights Movement. I chose to print the "Thank You" sentiment from my computer using a font that (to me at least) resembles a typewriter. Skeeter certainly owes her thanks and gratitude to the maids (and vice versa). I couldn't resist making a flower out of an old, worn out children's book. Inking the edges in Tulip made the flower much prettiers. Finally, I added some flourishes from the CTMH Bohemian Alphabet stamp set.

Thank YOU for stopping by and checking out my inspired card! Here's a close-up peek at the flower (made from a children's book that had fallen apart).

H2H Challenges (From Your Heart to Ours): Favorite Color Combo

2011-09-05T05:55:00.009-04:00

What's your favorite color combo? We'd love for you to share it with us at Heart 2 Heart Challenges! To get you started, the Design Team is sharing their favorite color combos with you. Be sure to visit the H2H blog to see the variety (and this month's prize packages)!

This challenge actually turned out to be a hard one for me, because I love color, especially on the cooler side of the color wheel. I finally selected one of my favorite color combos: Lagoon and Chocolate. (Scroll down for another project featuring similar colors.)

To create the flower on the left, I punched a 2" scalloped circle of both Lagoon cardstock and (retired) Magnifique B&T paper. I edged the cardstock with Lagoon ink and then scrunched up the B&T circle. I was able to push it in on itself a bit as a smooshed it, so that it is why it looks smaller than the base circle.

I totally stole the button wheel idea from the talented Amy Moore, an active H2H participant, and then repeated the element in the flower. Hopefully the polka dots and circles aren't too much for you!

Now, click, walk, run, or wheel on over to the H2H Challenge blog to check out our Design Team's favorite color combos, meet this month's Guest Designer Jane Haas, and find out this month's fabulous prizes from Heather Hunt and Kelly Jo Ratcliff. Thanks to everyone who participates in H2H in any way. We couldn't do it without you!

Happy Labor Day!

Supplies from CTMH: Pair-A-Phrase stamp set; Wonderland and Magnifique (retired) paper packs; Lagoon and Chocolate ink; blending pen; 2" scalloped circle punch; blue sparkles; wooden buttons; Chocolate ribbon

Scrap Our Stash Guest Designer (& More)

2011-09-04T02:10:00.001-04:00

Scrap Our Stash is a fun challenge blog that encourages you to use your stash and offers several challenges each month. I was recently selected as a Guest Designer for my Red, White, & Blue project submission. This month's challenge is "grids," which you can interpret many different ways. The first thing that I thought of was my A Game stamp set with its cute tic-tac-toe board and images, which led to thoughts of my favorite tic-tac-toe player. Here she is in her spring school portrait. (The corresponding page includes all her classmates and their names, so I am not going to post it online. I used the same grid running down the left side with the big 8"x10" class portrait across the middle.)

This light blue, turquoise, and neutral color scheme from CR84FN (#37) was the perfect palette for this photo! I used Close To My Heart's Heavenly Blue, Lagoon, Chocolate, and White Daisy as my colors, along with paper from the new Wonderland paper pack and the retired Hooligans paper pack.

In the back of my mind, this fantastic layout sketch from Sassy Lil' Sketches inspired me! the different blocks definitely reminded me of the grid challenge theme.

Be sure to go visit the Scrap Our Stash challenge blog and get in on the fun!
All supplies from Close To My Heart: Wonderland and Hooligans (retired) paper packs; White Daisy card stock; Friendship Alphabet Large, Bohemian Alphabet, and A Game stamp sets; Lagoon, Heavenly Blue, and Chocolate inks; Lagoon marker; White Daisy Just Blooms; Blue & Green Sparkles

{Layout 2011 #63}

Photography Share

2011-09-03T08:54:00.003-04:00

For your weekend reading pleasure, here's an interesting article about The Rule of Thirds.

Also, Snapfish is offering one-cent prints (up to 500) until 9/10 using the code PENNY094U.

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Limited Edition (September 2011)

2011-08-31T20:49:00.015-04:00

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month blog hop featuring September's Limited Edition stamp set! (If you've already started the hop, then you should be coming from my friend Pamela O'Connor's blog and heading next to Judy Burger's blog, after you stay here a moment or two.) This set of 21 stamps is only available for a limited time, so be sure to contact your CTMH consultant to get yours!

The vintage images inspired me to create two different cards with the Sonoma paper pack. The first (8"x3.5") uses a glove template that you can find HERE (and that I modified for my card). I used up some of my stash of retired Passages paper for the Cocoa "leather." Isn't that Heirloom Assortment "button" divine? I can just picture a fancy lady in her fancy gloves!

The addition of the Colonial White "lace" (from a Martha Steward punch) also added a lovely finishing touch.

For my second card, I wanted to try a masculine look using the same papers and stamp set. I chose the "Far-Sided Focus" 6"x6" card sketch from Wishes because I really like the tag element. The only "bad" think about this sketch was that the tag needed to be much longer than the actual stamp. Never fear, CTMH clear stamps are here! I inked up the entire stamp except the end (or bottom) of the tag. I stamped it on the strip of Colonial White card stock, cleaned the stamp, and inked up the end and sides of the stamp (not inking the triangle end). Then I lined up the stamp and stamped it again, making a long tag.

Even though the Foundry Pin Clips can be jazzed up, leaving it plain with a wooden button seemed pretty manly to me.

Thanks for hopping by! If you have any questions about my creations, leave me a comment and I'll get back to you ASAP. Now, be sure to visit Judy's blog next!

Guest Design Team Member

2011-08-31T19:04:00.001-04:00

This month, I'm a guest design team member over at Scrap Our Stash. You can find me there today!:)

H2H Color Challenge: Pear, Sorbet, and Cocoa

2011-08-29T04:39:00.008-04:00

This week's H2H challenge is a great color combo for you! We can't wait to see how you use Pear, Sorbet, and Cocoa. (Don't these colors sound yummy?)

Are you starting to feel a touch of fall in the weather where you are? It's still hot during the day here, but we're starting to feel a nip of fall in the mornings and evenings. This delicious color combo made me think fall too. For my card, I followed the "pint-quart-gallon rule" of color theory: use a little bit of one color (Cocoa), a bit more of the second color (Pear) and lots of the main color (Sorbet). Using the "Done Right" sketch from Wishes and the National Stamping Month Pair-A-Phrase stamp set, this card came together quickly.

After using both markers and my waterbrush to color the adorable owl (with a touch of Desert Sand ink thrown in to lighten her up a bit), I decided that she needed a little something. I stamped the swirl stamp around the edges in Pear, which reminded me a bit of leaves in the trees. Finally, I distressed all of my papers with Cocoa ink to age them a bit. Not only does this distressing define each piece, but I think it helps tie them all together. I purposely did not stamp a sentiment onto this card. When I decide how I want to use it, it will be easy to stamp an appropriate sentiment on the Pear portion of the front.

The finishing touches were the piece of Colonial White grosgrain ribbon across the bottom (that also helps draw attention to the tone-on-tone Sorbet stamped swirls across the bottom), and scrunched up piece of Sorbet ribbon, and Mocha Opaques to accent the owl's eyes.

Now, you have to go visit the H2H Challenge blog to see all the fabulous creations the Design Team members came up with! You are going to love all the variety you'll find, from over-the-top amazing to clean-and-simple creations. We at H2H welcome all skill levels to play along! This week we're playing for fun, but prizes will begin with our first September challenge next month. At the end of the month, not only will we recognize our Top 10 and a Guest Designer, but we'll also recognize the crafters who complete every challenge. Won't you join us? All you need is a little Close To My Heart products to get you going. Happy crafting!

Another Wicked Card

2011-08-26T05:30:00.002-04:00

Rather than make the hat card from my open house earlier this month, my sister created this pretty card instead. I love how sweet and stylish it is. She can use it for most anything girly!

The stamped flourished stripe is from Wicked, the August stamp of the month, and the papers are from the Sophia paper pack. The Tulip and White Just Blooms are such a pretty centerpiece!

Embossed Card

2011-08-24T05:43:00.009-04:00

This card design is a CASE of the card that I made HERE (that was also a CASE), and I taught it at my recent card class. We heat embossed images from the Treasure Life stamp set and white embossing powder. Each of the ladies had a different color background, and they all turned out so beautifully (IMHO). My card uses a Smoothie background, while my friend Joy's card has a Sky base. Both colors look great on white with a pop of black. Which do you prefer? (I can't decide! I really like them both.)

Don't you love those paper butterflies? You get 68 in the package of Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes for only $5.95. They are all dry embossed, and some are plain while others have a pattern, a script, or music printed on them.

This card fits the CAS-ual Friday challenge, embossing. Go check out all the great creations over there!

Back to School with H2H!

2011-08-22T04:37:00.016-04:00

This week at Heart 2 Heart challenges, it's back to school! (I've been back to school for almost two weeks, so that's ALL I've got on the brain right now!)

I thought that I would create something quick, easy, and cute (my crafty motto?). These items will probably go to my student teacher at the end of her term, although my DD is already telling me that I need to make some for her teachers.

Can you guess which *new* paper pack I used? I'll share at the end of the post!

The first item is a simple paper lunch sack. While you can definitely stamp on these, I took the easy way out and basically created a card front that I glued to the bag. Fill it with goodies (think chapstick, Advil, paper clips, pens, pencils, etc.). Fold the top down, punch two holes, and thread in some pretty ribbon (or jute or hemp or leather strips...). Tie in a bow or knot and voila! Instant gift bag.

The next project is a 4"x4" card that can be tucked into the gift bag. You may be able to tell on the B&T paper that I added Sunny Yellow stripes with a marker since this is actually Christmas paper and not back-to-school paper. Believe me when I say that it's Christmas paper transformed! I used my "In the Month of August" stamp set, which is now retired. One image per color was an easy way to make sure that my card was well balanced. Do you see the hint of glitter on the A+? It's our new RED Glitter Glitz Gel!

Finally, the note pad: it is a simple mini legal pad that measures approximately 5"x8". I cut amd stamped paper to decorate the ugly factory strip at the top and then stamped on random pages throughout the notepad. Easy peasy!

So, have you guessed which paper pack it is? The colors are Sweet Leaf, Holiday Red, and Sky with a touch of Topiary. To keep the BELIEVE paper pack from looking so Christmas-y, I added Sunny Yellow. Perfect school colors now!

Let's see your back-to-school colors! Join us at H2H- it's easy to play along. You'll move to the head of the class if you join us before AUGUST 27! (That is the deadline for ALL of the August challenges.) We're giving away prizes and ten talented participants will be chosen as our Top 10 of the month. Go check out our fabulous guests this week and all the Design Team's creations, then link your back-to-school projects up at H2H.

It's About Time!

2011-08-19T06:43:00.009-04:00

The release of the new CTMH Idea Book always brings fabulous new papers and stamp sets. One of my favorites is the new Key Moments, which I paired with the gorgeous new Dreamin' paper pack. (You can see another card with this combo right HERE.)

An older Mojo Monday sketch (#189) seemed like the perfect design for this stamp set.

Since I am participating in a new idea book swap with other consultants, I made 24 of these babies! I think my favorite part is actually the little butterfly. Each one was originally white, but I sponged them all with Bamboo ink and then sponged the edges with Pacifica ink. I think they turned out so pretty, and really represent to me how time flies!

Don't you think this card is perfect for the Frosted Design's Friday Challenge, to use clocks or time? I do too!

TGIF! Today's our 7th day of school, so I think we have survived (and possibly even thrived) this week!

H2H Challenges: From Our Heart to Yours CASE Challenge

2011-08-15T04:52:00.008-04:00

This week's Heart 2 Heart challenge is a monthly feature we like to call "From Our Heart to Yours." This week, we're sharing our style for you to CASE. What's a CASE? Why, copy and steal exactly, of course! (Usually, however, it's a CASE with a twist of your own style.)

So, which H2H Design Team Member's style is most like yours? We'd love to see who inspires you. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?

As for "my" style, I really struggled with this challenge! Since I love to use sketches, I decided to make a card using the Wishes "Top Band" pattern. You can find a PDF with instructions for this card sketch right HERE if you'd like to use this sketch too.

It is probably easier for me to define who I'm not as a crafter rather than who I am. I think that I'm generally a simple gal, but that doesn't mean that I won't glam it up when the occasion calls for it. I like to stamp, but I don't like to color. I love to get inky with a little distressing or stamp rolling. Tearing is another fun, simple technique that I like.

While this card is probably busier than my usual style, it's thanks to this gorgeous CTMH Dreamin' paper. All those beautiful flowers on the front are part of the paper, not anything that I did! (The butterfly was white with the black text, but I colored it by sponging first with Bamboo to antique the white and then with a bit of Pacifica to give it dimension and to match the project better.) The Dreamin' paper pack may not be my first choice of colors (I'm not much of a yellow girl unless it's 14 karat.) but there's just something that I love about this paper. Maybe it's the hints of cool that we're starting to feel underneath all this hot Southern heat.

We hope that you'll join us once again this week at H2H for another fun challenge! You have until the end of the month to play along with any of August's challenges and to be eligible for our Top 10 and/or the prize packs. Get your game on and CASE away!

National Stamping Month "Pair-A-Phrase" Special Offer (& a Blog Hop)

2011-08-14T20:31:00.002-04:00

Close To My Heart has two special offers this month! You've probably already heard about the Extra! Extra! free stamp set with an August stamp of the month purchase, but have you heard about the Pair-A-Phrase double stamp set offer? (You can find a link below for complete details, but with a minimum $75 purchase, you get this amazing double stamp set free!)

Several of my consultant friends decided to create a blog hop for this great stamp set. You may have arrived here from Angie's blog, and to continue the hop, head to Shannon's blog next. Continue along the blog hop if you'd like to see some creative uses with this cool double stamp set.

I have created two very different cards using the same bicycle image. The first is "pretty in pink" with the Sophia paper pack and colored pencils to fill in the lined image. Of course no girly card would be complete without a little bling! (This sketch is the "Lucky Layers" pattern from Wishes. If you come back in a few days, you'll see another card with this same set and design.)

This second card is what I made to celebrate my brother's recent birthday. He's a cyclist and certainly isn't into frou-frou and flowers, so I masked off the basket of posies to create a more masculine card. (I'm sharing a quick photo tutorial below if you'd like to learn how.) I used my circle punch to cut a window into the front that shows a peek to the inside with the decorative strip of presents. All of the images on this card are from the Pair-A-Phrase set except for the Happy Birthday sentiment (from Party Pennants).

I have some other fun Pair-a-Phrase cards to share with you, so come back often or even become a follower.

If you'd like to skip the masking tutorial, hop along to Shannon's blog!

To remove the flowers from the bicycle, grab some clear tape and tape over the parts you don't want on your final project.

Then, ink up your image.

Next, carefully remove the (inky) tape and set it aside. (You can reuse this tape a few times if you want to stamp this same image more than once, but be careful!) "Huff" (blow gently to reactivate the ink) on your inked image and then stamp it onto your project.

Finish your project as you desire.

Click HERE for a PDF with complete details on CTMH's National Stamping Month special offer, available 8/15-9/30, while supplies last.

Now, ride or hop on over to Shannon's blog for more Pair-A-Phrase ideas!

Disney Layouts

2011-08-10T05:51:00.000-04:00

We love Disney World! It truly is one of the happiest places on Earth! While there last summer, we were also able to visit family in the area (and then toodle up to St. Augustine to vist more family).

I made these layouts using highlight photos of our trip. Some are from the (retired) Workshop on the Go, some are from the (retired) Level 1 kit, and some are from the Imagine how-to guide.

You'll have to scroll down to see what I did with the other pictures from our trip (and a few previous ones to Disney).

Did we wear the girls out or what?

Here is what I did with the extra photos:

I think I found this photo cube at Hobby Lobby, but I'm not sure. I filled the outside with photos from various Disney trips. (Can you see our little one in the stroller?!?) One panel I used for a title. I couldn't add any layers or frou-frou because it was a really tight fit! That's okay though!

The inside has four mini albums. Three are filled with photos from our three trips with the girls. It is fun to be able to relieve some of the memories in our scrapbook or by pulling out the mini albums that now reside in our living room.

May you make magical memories and preserve them creatively!

{Layouts 2011 #58-62}

The Most Amazing Scrapbook EVER!

2011-08-08T13:39:00.002-04:00

My CTMH friend/fellow consultant Tresa Black has posted the absolutely, most amazing album that she created on her Fabulously Artsy blog. Please click on the link to read her post and watch her amazing You Tube video of her "Make a Wish" album. You will love it!

H2H Challenge: Hot!

2011-08-08T02:18:00.009-04:00

Is it HOT enough for you?!? I'm (almost) looking forward to starting work tomorrow (as a teacher) to be in the AC! This week's Heart 2 Heart challenge is to interpret the theme "HOT!" Whatever that might mean to you, show us what you've got. As always, there are two fabulous prizes being offered this month to two lucky participants. The only requirements are that you link your creations to H2H by the end of the month and that you use some wonderful Close To My Heart products.

Every time I think of the word "HOT," I can't help but think of ways to cool down. Our camping trip to the beach a few weeks ago was HOT, so I began looking at my photos from our trip for some inspiration. Our younger daughter really wanted to see a sunrise over the ocean, so she and I got up (way) early on the last day of our vacation and witnessed a gorgeous sunrise. It was definitely HOT, but the water and the breeze helped cool us off.

I took my color scheme right from nature: Smoothie (pretty sunrise pink), Sunset (could be Sunrise too), Tulip (for a punch of deep heat), and Sky (to cool things off a bit). I eneded up mirroring my layout on the two pages, and I kept it very simple to let the photos speak for themselves.

Now it's your turn to turn up the heat and show us what "HOT" means to you. Join us at H2H during the "HOT" month of August! We've got some HOT prize packs to offer, thanks to our two generous sponsors.

All supplies from CTMH: Old World Alphabet and Post Card- Travel Series stamp sets; Sunset, Sunrise, Sky, and Colonial White card stock; Perfect Day paper pack (Tulip pattern, retired); Sunset, Sunrise, Tulip, and Sky inks; Shimmer Brads; journaling pens

{Layout 2011 #57}

CASE Study Challenge

2011-08-07T06:38:00.002-04:00

The CASE Study Challenge Blog is hosting their First Anniversary Blog Hop and are inviting everyone in the blogsphere to play along. The challenge is simple: select something one of the Design Team has created, create your re-creation with your twist, and then link it up to the CASE Study Challenge Blog. (You have until midnight Tuesday to link up.)

This card by Debby Hughes blew me away with its beautiful simplicity. White embossing on a square panel with a layer of white behind it. Isn't it gorgeous?

Here is my version:

NEW Supplies from Close To My Heart: Dimensional Elements Mixed Shapes, Foundry Ribbon Slides, Bronze Glitter Gel

Other CTMH Supplies: Treasure Life stamp set; Pacifica, White Daisy, and Chocolate card stock; Pacifica, Chocolate, and Versamark (clear) ink; white embossing powder

Journaling Tips

2011-08-06T07:31:00.005-04:00

While getting my morning online craft fix, I ran across these journaling tips and free journaling cards. Journaling can be difficult when you scrapbook, but I believe that it is so, so , so important. Long ago, I sat with a lady looking at her scrapbook, and she told me about all of her pages. None of her stories were written down! It made me sad to think of what would happen to these wonderful stories when she won't be there to tell them. Will her children know them? Will theirs? I'm sure her album will be around for a long, long time.

Don't let that happen to your memories! Journaling can be as simple as the 5Ws. You know, you remember them: who, what, when, where, and why. All five aren't always important, but at least some of them always are.

Open House TODAY!

2011-08-05T08:39:00.003-04:00

This evening, I'm hosting an Open House/Idea Book Unveiling! See the sidebar for complete details, and contact me ASAP if you need directions. It is going to be fun!

For those who can't attend, you might be interested in my list of Idea Book highlights at the top of the page. Just click to read about my faves and some wonderful improvements CTMH has made.

Finally, since you're reading this online you obviously have a vested interest in computers or some type of techie device. You might like to read my review of Carbonite, an online back up service, HERE, at my friend Mary's "Are You on the Fence?" blog.

Have a fabulous Friday, y'all!

New (& Improved) CTMH Mission Statement

2011-08-03T08:08:00.000-04:00

We show you how to celebrate relationships through discovering your creativity, to preserve and share the moments that matter most.

Lasting Memories Winner

2011-08-02T21:15:00.001-04:00

Sorry to hog my own blog, but I was excited to see that I was chosen to be in the Top 3 at Lasting Memories for my "all about the title" Dance layouts. Thank you!

Scrap Our Stash July Winner

2011-08-02T21:14:00.001-04:00

While recently stalking, I mean, browsing at Scrap Our Stash, I was so surprised and honored to find that I have been chosen as one of the two July Red, White, and Blue challenge winners for my telescoping card! Thank you so much! I am going to be a Guest Designer in September, so I will let you know about that next month.

Heart 2 Heart Challenge: Birthday Fun

2011-08-01T01:09:00.023-04:00

First, I have to wish happy birthday to a kid at heart (in a good way), my brother Brian! (You'll get to see his birthday card later this week.)

{If you're looking for the August stamp of the month Blog Hop, then scroll on down!}

For our first August Heart 2 Heart challenge, we are sharing ideas for kids' birthdays. I decided to share my favorite kid idea, the "birthday number candle." (When I was a kid, I so wanted those big huge number candles on my cake, but alas, I never do remember them appearing. I did, however, have a big huge column candle that you were supposed to burn down to the next year. Anyone else remember those? I think at one point we cut a big chunk of years off of it and then burned it down to the correct year.)
Anyway, back to stamping, the real reason you're here! As I said, this focal image is one of my favorites to make for a kid's birthday. Begin with the Rustic Numbers and Friendship Blessings stamp sets and the colors of your choice. (When I made my card, I had no idea that the Friendship Blessings stamp set was being retired! I'm sure you can find a similar small leaf type of stamp in your stash.) I also decided to do a little "stamp kissing" for this one. (It's okay for kids; it's a G-rated technique! You'll find a quick tutorial below.)

This card is also a matchbook-style card so that you can slip a little gifty inside, such as cold hard cash or a gift card. Who doesn't love that? (By the way, I decided to make this card for my nephew who will be five in October. He loves the color yellow, so I had to incorporate some sunshine on his card.)

If you already know how to kiss- stampingly speaking of course- then go check out the H2H blog to see what our fabulous Design Team and our Guest Designer, Melinda, has in store for you. There is definitely a party going on over there! Otherwise, here's a little tutorial for you.

For stamp kissing, you can either add color to a stamp or you can take away color to the stamp. I chose to add color to my number candle because the take-away version was too washed out.

1. Begin with two images, your main, base image, and a smaller image for the kissing. (My main image is the number, my smaller detail is the polka dots.)

2. Ink up the large stamp in the color of your choice and place it face up on your work space.

2b. If you are ADDING color to the stamp, ink up the smaller stamp now.

3. Press the smaller stamp onto the larger stamp. It will be slippery! Pull straight up. (Stamp kissing with a Twist would have you twisting the stamps at this point, but that's not today's technique!).

4. Clean the smaller stamp and repeat as needed to fill in the entire larger image. Remember to clean between kisses each time!

5. It's a good idea to "huff" (breathe) onto your main stamp to reactivate any drying ink. Then press your main image onto your project piece. (Sorry I forgot to take a photo of the 5 without the flame first.) That's it! You've just done some serious kissing with a little heavy breathing thrown in for good measure. ;)

Make your Monday a great one! Since this is our first challenge of August, you have the entire month to play along. Make something for a kid's birthday, post it online, and then link it up to H2H. We've got some great prizes again this month! Happy crafty birthdays!

Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Wicked (August 2011)

2011-07-31T20:57:00.042-04:00

Welcome to the "Wicked" Close To My Heart August Stamp of the Month blog hop! If you're already hoppping, then you should have arrived from Tammy Lea's blog. Why don't you kick back, stay awhile (I have lots to share!), and then hop on to Tamytha's blog?

As much as I love Halloween and this amazing stamp set, I wanted to see how I could use it beyond its obvious intention. (You'll have to come back later this month to see me pull out the stops for Halloween and more! I promise something Wicked-ly good is coming!)

I love the two sentiments with this set, "Put your best foot forward" and "Hats off to you," so I decided to create the following cards with the feminine Sophia paper pack. I searched online until I found a shoe image that I liked, then I traced it on the back of Hollyhock card stock. A piece of B&T paper works as the toe strap, pinned down with a few pink sparkles. White seemed like the best backdrop for the gorgeous shoe. Do you think the sentiment medallion looks kind of like a buckle for the shoe? I cut it freehand after stamping the sentiment.

Guests at my card class on Sunday, 8/7, will be making this next shoe card for themselves. (Contact me if you'd like to attend or would like to order a kit.)

Next, I moved on to creating a hat card. It was so much fun that I made two different versions! (Guests at my Open House/Idea Book Unveiling on 8/5 will be making one of these cards.) In case you're interested in trying one yourself, the hat brim measures 3/4"x5-1/2", the top of the hat measures 1-3/4"x3-1/2", and the band measures 3/4"x3-1/2". I think the possibilities for trimming the hat are endless, don't you? I'd love to know which card you like best.

If you've already heard about the great NEW stamp of the month program, then hop on over to Tamytha's blog. First, the prices on ALL stamp sets have DROPPED! Isn't that fabulous, especially in this day and age? You can purchase any D-size stamp set, including the stamp of the month, for only $17.95. With the new stamp of the month program, when you spend $50 (before S&H/tax), you are eligibile to purchase the Stamp of the Month for only $5! Isn't that great?!?

Did you also know that Close To My Heart is offering an EXTRA! EXTRA! Special this month when you purchase the August stamp of the month? Check out this image!
Click HERE for the PDF file with the complete info. Contact me or your CTMH consultant to take advantage of this great offer!

If you'd like to come to my Open House on 8/5 or my card class on 8/7, just let me know. If you'd like to get your own Wicked stamp set (and possibly the A Type stamp set FREE), contact me ASAP!

Thanks for visiting! Now hop on over to see Tamytha's "Wicked" creation!

Beautiful Ballerina Layout

2011-07-30T04:35:00.005-04:00

Again, while I had my friend's Aspire dance set, I went to town creating dance layouts! Because I couldn't find a minty color that matched my older daughter's costume, I focused on the pink instead. I think that really makes her pictures pop!

This layout, celebrating her 5th year of dance, is based on the "Grand Finale" sketch from the Imagine how-to guide. The curve on the right page looks much more difficult to make than it really is! (I found a baking stone in my kitchen that gave me the perfect curve to trace and then cut out!)

You may notice the paper with the swirls and green stars from the retired Daydream collection. Even though the greens don't match, I think it is a sweet touch to these layouts!

Again, I made a 6"x6" layout for my little album of professional photos. I've enjoyed walking down memory lane this week!

{Layout 2011 #55 & 56}

Dance Layouts

2011-07-28T04:48:00.016-04:00

My friend and customer Nancy loaned me her Aspire dance set, and I was on a roll making dance layouts! (I would say that I'm many years behind, but like Stacy Julian, I don't believe in being behind. I scrap what I want, when I want, and even "age" my photos too.) If it weren't for Stacy and her Photo Freedom book and class at Big Picture Classes, I would never have thought to combine three different years of dance photos onto one layout.

The idea struck me as I was rearranging this summer and noticed that our younger daughter had several years of pink dance costume photos. Ta da! Inspiration struck! Why not combine them all to show some of her progression? The Sweetheart paper pack (which will be retiring 7/31) was the perfect unifying factor. I used the "Out of the Hat" sketch from the Magic how-to guide but rotated both pages to fit my pictures. (The price of Magic will drop on 8/1! Yay, CTMH!)

I have to share an "awww" moment with you. For the journaling (tucked in behind the white square but in front of the black page base), I wrote about Macey following in her big sister's dance shoes. When she saw it, she said, "Mom, I wasn't following her, I was following you!" (Say "aww" with me now!) I made her journal that sentiment on the back of what I had written.

In addition, while my supplies were out, I made a 6"x6" layout for my little album of family professional photos.

The next set of dance layouts also went really well with the Sweetheart paper pack, but I focused more on the Tulip shade to coordinate with our older daughter's red and black costume. (I also included some retired Tulip heart paper from the Animal Cookies collection.) This layout sketch is called "Card Trick" from the Magic how-to guide.

In In case you were wondering, yes, that is me in my first dance recital after about a 20-year hiatus!

I think this layout qualifies for this week's Lasting Memories challenge, "all about the title." I stamped the first part of the phrase, "all she wants to do is..." in Tulip on the left page with the Chocolate Alphabet (Small). Then I stamped "dance!" with the Chocolate Alphabet (Large) on the right page. To create the shadow effect, I first stamped a letter in Tulip, then inked the stamp up in Black and stamped again, slightly offset.

As always, if you have any questions about anything shown here, leave me a comment and I will get back to you! (My laptop is still on the fritz, though, so please be patient with me. Thanks!)

{Layout 2011 #52-54}

H2H Sketch Challenge

2011-07-25T01:24:00.004-04:00

This week's Heart 2 Heart challenge is to try this sketch! I love using sketches since the design work is already done for you, and I couldn't resist playing with the soon-to-be-retired (as of 7/31) Magnifique papers.

I started with a Sky 4"x6" top-fold card base and then layered on that gorgeous striped Magnifique paper. To me, this sketch cried out for using ribbon for the strips, and though my first thought was Colonial White, the Chocolate ribbon looked better. I pulled some Sky buttons out of my stash to enhance the ribbon and then glammed them up with Mocha Opaques and Blue Sparkles.

After stamping the sentiment from the Sensational Seals stamp set in Sky (with the edges rolled in Pacifica), I cut out the image, then layered it (with 3-D foam tape) onto a Sky scallop-punched circle. Finally, I alternated the tiny Blue Sparkles and Mocha Opaques to finish off this card.

If you want to give H2H challenges a try, this sketch is a great place to start. You have until the end of the month to upload your project based on this sketch (and to eligible for some great prizes!). Please remember to use some wonderful Close To My Heart products on your project. Be sure to visit the H2H blog to see what the other Design Team members and our guest designer have to share with you. I think some of them used some NEW products, available beginning 8/1!

Yankee Doodlebugs (Layout Share)

2011-07-22T11:49:00.005-04:00

{Please pardon the poor quality of these photos; I am unable to work with my usual equipment right now!}

One of the things that I love about teaching scrapbooking is that it encourages me to get layouts made! This layout is based on the "Transfigure" sketch from the CTMH Magic how-to guide, and I taught it at my recent scrapbook club/class. We used the Fanfare paper pack and the July stamp of the month, American Celebration. In addition to basic stamping, we also learned how to paper piece an image (American flag), how to cut out stamped images as accents, how to use a punch, and how to make a pocket to hide journaling or extra photos.

I really have to thank Stacy Julian and her Library of Memories/Photo Freedom philosophy and classes for this layout idea! She encourages her followers and students NOT to worry about scrapbooking chronologically but rather based on more important connections. If it weren't for her, I probably never would have thought to combine patriotic baby photos from my girls (in 1998 and 2001) with an adorable photo of my nephews (from 2008). Doesn't they work well together though? The visible journaling on the far right of the right page reads "Doesn't Uncle Sam have the cutest nieces and nephews?"

For my hidden journaling, I wrote about how fast the kids are growing and that I hope they will grow up to be patriotic Americans. The title came last and is a play on my older nephew's nickname, Doodlebug. That led to the skinnier journaling tag where I share each of the kids' baby/childhood nicknames (Pooh, Piglet, Doodlebug, and Scooter). I am so glad that I am able to scrapbook non-chronologically and even share an extra little tidbit about these sweet babies (who are now 13, 10, 4, and 3!).

God bless the USA and scrapbooking! (If you have any questions about anything here, leave it in the comments, and I'll get back to you.)

Thank you to Scrap Our Stash for featuring my layout in their "red, white, & blue" challenge!

{Layout 2011 #51}