50 Card Workshop: Christmas

Here are the five designs I created using CTMH's fabulous how-to guides for this year's 50-card workshop. It was supposed to be held on 12/5, but both my little one and hubby were very sick. (The all-occasion version will post in the next few days.) Instructions are available for this workshop for a small fee, and if you'd like to order the complete package of materials just let me know!

Since we can enter the Heart 2 Heart challenge more than once this week, I'm adding these cards too. Don't make me pick a favorite, although I'd love to know which one you prefer beest.

All of the cards use the Colonial White 50 cards and envelopes, the Mistletoe Creative Basics paper pack, and extra Colonial White cardstock. I used Cocoa, Cranberry, New England Ivy, and Garden Green inks.


I kept these simple so that 50 would be easy to make and easy to mail. In addition to direct-to-paper ink distressing, I am teaching workshop participants how to make faux brads. I wish you could see the shimmer and sparkle on them! I love the Santa sleigh and reindeer from the I Believe stamp set!

On card #2, I got a little carried away with the Glitz glue! I love this stuff, but a little obviously goes a l-o-n-g way.

The Evergreen stamp set is still one of my all-time holiday favorites. (Who am I kidding? I love ALL my holiday stamps!) Can you see the sparkle added to the trees with the Glitz glue?

This card was too plain until I added the pretty stamped border. All of the stamps on this card are from the Mistletoe Workshop on the Go. The exclusive stamp set in this collection is called Timeless.

Last but not least, this card uses the Nature's Gift stamp set. I really am a nature girl at heart, even if I don't get out in it too much. (I love looking at the beauty around us.)

Merry Christmas!

If you have any questions about any of the cards, or would like to ordering info to make your own, just shoot me an email at haleyd@myctmh.com.

Christmas Tea, Card, & Gift Bags

Hopefully as you read this, we're getting ready for school. We haven't been all week due to inclement weather (snow Sunday night that never melted followed by freezing rain Wed. night/Thurs. morning). I have missed my students and know they're disappointed not to be with their friends before Christmas.

Here's a little holiday cheer I made for the dear ladies with whom I work. Do you absolutely love that tea cup? With the adorable and afforadable A Sip stamp set, it could be a tea cup, a coffee cup, or even a cup of hot cocoa! (At only $7.95, you couldn't ask for a sweeter deal!)


The cards have two pockets inside that hold two tea bags.

Lisa Stenz totally inspired me (though I wish I had checked hers out again; I like her construction better!). I'm entering the card in the Heart 2 Heart challenge this week: holiday cards.

Finally, here are the gift bags the girls will be delivering to their teachers today. They are filled with all kinds of goodies and were simple to make. A few stamps from my "I Believe" stamp set in Cocoa, Cranberry, and New England Ivy on brown paper lunch sacks and tags... Easy peasy!

Supplies for card from Close To My Heart: A Sip and Christmas Melodies stamp set; Cranberry, New England Ivy, and Grey Wool inks; Mistletoe paper pack; random retired Cranberry & NEI paper

Other: circle punch for cut-out template; tea bags

Supplies for gift bags from Close To My Heart: I Believe and No Peeking stamp sets; Cranberry, New England Ivy, and Cocoa inks

Other: brown paper lunch sacks, manilla shipping tags, staples

Braces!

It's official! Our oldest got braces yesterday! Here's her before picture:

It took a little over an hour to get all the brackets and bands on. She chose pink and purple for her brackets. Go figure! She is looking forward to a new smile (one day). Having a friend over for the afternoon helped her not think about the pain, but she's hurting worse now. Said friend also ended up getting to spend the night because we are out of school for the fourth day due to snow. (I was surprised they called if off last night instead of waiting until this morning. The forecast was for icy mix turning to rain. Better safe than sorry!)

We're going to spend this day of "spring break" working on Christmas stuff. (Yes, I know it's not even Christmas yet, but we'll have to make these days up!)

CTMH Product Spotlight Blog Hop: Sparkles, Pearl Opaques, and Glitz, Oh My!

Welcome to the December edition of our Close To My Heart "Product Spotlight" blog hop! This month to help your holidays (and more) really shine, we're featuring our affordable Sparkles and Pearl Opaques. These self-stick gems are truly the finishing touch for any project!

(If you're coming from Sweet Aline's fabulous blog then you're hopping along. Head to Vicki's world of wicked craftiness next for some amazing creations!)

My project began with our plain white chipboard Dimensional Elements Ornaments. On each of the bases, I adhered different patterns of the Jingle Creative Basics paper collection. Then I glued on the girls' picture.

To decorate the front panel, I mixed Juniper reinker with Create-A-Shade pearlescent paint.

For the Juniper border around the date, I applied Liquid Glass and then sprinkled on Prisma Glitter. Did you notice the Glitz Glue border around the edge of the ornament?

Have you ever added a Sparkle to a brad? Give it a try for some pizzaz!

Clustering the sparkles made this ornmanet really shine. Can you see the Glitz Glue inside the open holes along the bottom border of the ornament?

Here are close ups of both ornaments. I'll be keeping one, but the other is a gift. :)

Before you head out to Vicki's blog, be sure to check out peeks at another project I've finished and will be posting soon.

Longaberger "Sisters" HUGE SALE!

Click HERE to take advantage of this huge sale!

Snow Day!

Here in the "North Georgia Alps" we get a few snow falls each year. We're home from school today with at 2"-3" of snow on EVERYTHING! It is beautiful this morning but so far the dog hasn't wanted out so no pictures of today. (Fine by me!)

Here he is enjoying his walk yesterday afternoon. It snowed all day, even though the Weather Channel radar didn't show anything in our area.

Finally, here is one of our lamposts in its nighttime beauty (I have no idea why it wasn't on!).

Easy Ornament Idea

Here's a very simple ornament idea. (I wish I could remember the website where I first saw it, but I can't. Sorry!) All you do is cut or punch 7 circles. Fold them each in half. Then, carefully adhere the circles together. Add embroidery floss or some type of string through the middle (with a bead or in my case, a bell, at the bottom) as you assemble. (I decided to tie a knot at the top of mine, but of course a bead or some other doodad would look great here. I thought about adding a button but it seemed a bit much with the bell.)

Do you think you could make these with pumpkins for Halloween? What about egg shapes for Easter? What other ideas do you see? Ooh, stars would be fun too!

Finally, a quick picture of my two cutie pies at the tree lighting ceremony in the nearby town where they dance. Macey's hip hop dance class, along with a few others from the studio, were invited to dance. It was a fun (but cold) evening!

Washington DC Trip Layout: 17 (Baltimore)

In the middle of our trip to DC, we took a day off to go to Baltimore, MD. It was a delightful day by the water. We would actually love to go back sometime and explore more of the city. It has tons to offer!

This layout is my final Studio J layout (for now; not forever!). I love how quickly I can preserve my family's memories and photos while still being creative too.

{Layout 2010 #64}

Log Your Memory 12/10

Today's Story Starter #10: The last time I saw a movie that I really enjoyed was …

the Sunday after Thanksgiving when my sister and I took our kids (her boys and my girls) to see Tangled!

Longaberger Specials This Weekend Only

Here's another great "shop-ortunity" for you! Click to go to my Longaberger website for these savings, beginning today at noon and running through the weekend.

CTMH Discounted Products SALE

Close To My Heart just keeps giving and giving and giving! Beginning today, Thursday, December 9, 2010, at my CTMH website, you can access a variety of retired products that are available at discounted prices- some up to 90% off! CTMH is cleaning out their closets to make room for all the goodies in the new Spring/Summer Idea Book, which will launch February 1, and you will save! Can you believe these amazing deals, just in time to stuff some stockings?

CTMH will occasionally add to this collection of products when we have retired items left in inventory that we know you will love. Because inventory can fluctuate, check my site often to take advantage of these products that are offered while supplies last! These items are available on my website at Shop Online > Discounted Products (at the bottom of the list). If you see something you like, get it before it's gone!

'Tis the season to SAVE!

Log Your Memory 12/9

Today's Story Starter #9: Lately most of the reading I’ve done has been …


...blogs and emails, but I've managed to find a little time for some David Baldacci. Christmas cards are starting to come in too! :)

I would love to know what you're reading because I am always looking for new authors!