Teaser Time - Day 4 & 5!

Well, it's with all good intentions to post each day ... but life just got in the way of blogging! So, welcome to the fourth & fifth day of Teaser Time for a preview of my FAVE products in the new Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book!  Wow, lots to chat about today ... let's get started!

Do you have a box of odds and ends that are sentimental to you but really don't know what to do with? I know I do! It's an old metal box with a few pictures from my childhood, foreign currency, ticket stubs and more.  It's all special things I really don't want to part with but really not anything I'd want to make as a layout.  Simply said , little memories matter! Well, CTMH knows most of us have a little box, envelope or drawer of these things and has come up with a way for us to preserve these small memories in one place: My Crush.

My Crush Modville & My Crush Bluebird

My Crush books give you a safe place to quickly hold the precious everyday memorabilia while life is happening. Grab a glue stick, some tape or a paperclip and attach your little things on the printed pages of these handy-size books. It's a way to capture your memories on the go.  It's a memory keeping system that's fast, easy and convenient. Find it. Crush it. LOVE it!

OK, moving on ... Are you ready to show off your creativity everywhere you go? Then, how about Base & Bling - wearable crafting projects? 

Base & Bling - Cuff, Hair Clips, Rings, Headband, Necklace or Fabric Necklace Kit

You will {love} dressing up these affordable, lightweight fashion accessories with our textiles and specially designed Base & Bling adhesive-backed jewels and accents - so simple and quick, you'll want to make several items in different colours. Make your fashion statement!

And, now the {BEST} for last! Take your papercrafting to never-before-seen levels with the new Cricut cartridge collection - Artbooking!

With oodles of images in each of 15 layout themes, you can create several coordinating pages for each theme using just two keys and one dial size.  No more guessing!  Images include accents, borders, titles, overlays, photo mats and more! And, you'll love creating 10 themed mini books.  Celebrate birthdays, new baby, vacations, friends, sports, Halloween, Christmas and more!  

Well, hope you've enjoyed all the sneak peeks over the last few days!  Be sure to check back tomorrow to join me and other CTMH consultants as we share layouts, cards and papercrafting projects with new products from the NEW Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book.  It's sure to inspire your creative mojo!

Teaser Time - Day 3!

Welcome to the third day of Teaser Time for a preview of my FAVE products in the new CTMH Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book! In keeping with Workshops on the Go .... today's focus is all about Home Décor.  

Our homes are filled with love, family, laughter, smiles, tears, friends, and most of all, comfort. And as the seasons progress, more memories are made with those we love. It’s pretty special, isn’t it? Our love of home may encourage us to make it even more special by adding our very own homemade touches, and with prolific lifestyle blogs and Pinterest, we are getting more and more ideas to do just that!

Based on the popularity of creating homemade paper crafted décor for the home, CTMH designers have provided us with Designed Décor - that's home décor with heart - in which crafters are encouraged to create artwork with substance. Are you ready to turn your crafting projects into enduring works of art with our NEW Designed Decor products! In addition to the Display Tray and the 5"x7" Hinged Display Tray seen in previous Idea Books, the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book introduces the Designed Décor Black Frame, Colonial White Frame and Flip Stand Album. And, since CTMH is all about simplicity, there's the Designed Décor Frame Kit too!

Designed Décor Black Frame, Frame Kit, Colonial White Frame

Another sneak peek ... one of these photos features the August Stamp of the Month.  Can you guess which one?  It’s sure to hit a sweet spot!

So, be sure to gather your paper crafting supplies and get ready to create seasonal home décor projects that are fit to bedeck your home throughout the year and for years to come!

Need more inspiration? Create any of the following home décor items: Banners, Baskets, Book ends, Bowls, Boxes, Bulletin Boards, Candle wraps, Calendars, Canisters, Chore Charts, Clocks, Clip, Clipboard, Coasters, Cork Board, Desk Set, Door Sign/Hanger, Embroidery Hoops, Frames, Growth Chart, Jars, Jewelry Boxes, Key Holders, Lamp shades, Lanterns, Light switch plates, Luminaries, Magazine holders, Magnets, Magnet Boards, Mantel décor, Menu Boards, Mirrors, Mobiles, Mouse pad, Napkin Rings, Ornaments, Photo displays/cubes, Place mats, Planters, Plaques, Printers trays,  Recipe boxes, Recipe holders, Refrigerator magnets, Remote holder, Shadowboxes, Signs, Table décor, Table settings, Tissue box holder, Trash can, Trays, Trivets, Vases, and Wreaths.

Teaser Time - Day 2!

Welcome to the second day of Teaser Time for a preview of my FAVE products in the new CTMH Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book!  Today, I am excited to showcase the NEW Workshops on the Go (WOTG).

  

You may already know, Workshops on the Go kits allow you to create a beautiful project — either a two-page scrapbook layout, a set of cards, or a trendy 3-D item — using the materials in just one Workshops on the Go kit, which includes papers, coordinating embellishments, an exclusive My Acrylix C-size stamp set, and an instructional guide. Fabulous for any skill level of papercrafter, right?

A new selection of WOTG kits are released twice each year in conjunction with new Idea Book debuts, and each kit is available at a discounted price! And, who doesn't {love} a FAB deal!  As there will be six NEW paper packs for the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book, there are six NEW WOTG kits as well! Plus instead of a C-size stamp set, you'll now get a D-size one! Here's a sneak peek:

Laughing Lola, Sarita, Pro Player ...

... Babycakes, Huntington & Frosted

Close to my Heart will again be offering two NEW Card Workshops On The Go kits! These are beautifully designed cards that are simple and fun to make!

Laughing Lola & Frosted

I simply {heart} all of them!  How about you?

Did you know? You can view the current Spring/Summer 2013 and the past Autumn/Winter 2012 WOTG complete recipes, full-color photos, and helpful hints for the additional projects on my website! Be sure to take a peek!

Teaser Time Begins!

Aren't you a little curious about the NEW Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book? Then, welcome to Teaser Time!  I am so thrilled for you to join me over the next few days as I preview a few of my favourite new products! And, be sure to visit my website for the {The Big Reveal} on August 1st where you'll be able to browse the new Idea Book online.

Can't wait? Receive a FREE Idea Book with your July order! Remember, this is the last month to order many of the amazing products in the current Idea Book before they are be gone as of July 31st. Visit my website and join the Last Chance Gathering to place your order ASAP! And, your order may qualify for a chance to win Mystery Hostess Rewards!

Speaking of Hostess Rewards, these exclusive new Hostess Stamp Sets are one of my favourite new products! Whether you want to make quick cards or create FABULOUS pages, these Hostess Stamp Sets offer you a range of designs!

Family Photo                                            Bright All Night

Washi Wonder                                           The Party Is On 

Remember when you host your own Online or Home Gathering, you can earn Hostess Rewards, starting with only $150 in sales! In addition to Hostess Bundles like you've seen before, you will now be able to chose to use your {rewards} to purchase these exclusive Hostess Stamp Sets. And, these beautiful stamp sets are offered at reduced price! That's awesome, right?

ANOTHER PAJAMA PARTY!

Close To My Heart is teaming up with Big Picture Classes AGAIN to bring you a live webcast with step-by-step instructions for making this layout using the Cricut^® Artbooking collection. Purchase the collection beginning August 1, 2013 and revolutionize the way you scrapbook!

The FREE webcast will air Wednesday, July 31 at 7:00 pm (MDT). During the presentation, you’ll learn to make several projects from a variety of sponsors, including Close To My Heart’s Artbooking layout, as our very own Kristine Widtfeldt walks you through the steps—and sneaks the Artbooking collection!

The Pajama Party class will be available for FREE at BigPictureClasses.com on July 31, and will be archived after the event for future viewing. If you would like to interact on the message board, participate in live chat, post to the gallery, download handouts, or enter any contests, you will need to log in to the Pajama Party “classroom” by creating a free account on the Big Picture Classes website. If you have already created an account or if you registered for the first Pajama Party in May, you are all set! You will not need to create another account or register again.

I hope you enjoy this sneak peek of the new Artbooking collection as Kristine Widtfeldt, Stacy Julian, and the rest of the Big Picture Classes crew make the featured project and share their tips and tricks for using the collection. You will be chomping at the bit to make the Artbooking layout, so take this opportunity to sit back, relax, and drool over the items, then be ready to spring into action August 1 when you can buy the collection with the rest of the supplies. Then, you can tune in to the archived event for step-by-step details on how to make the project. 

To make the project, you will want to have the following items—or similar products—on hand:

• Z1906 Cricut^® Artbooking Collection*
• 1301 Bamboo Cardstock
• 1388 Colonial White Cardstock
• X5668 Honey Cardstock
• X5762 Lagoon Cardstock
• X5930 Slate Cardstock
• X5639 Sweet Leaf Cardstock
• X5666 Twilight Cardstock
• Z2160 Twilight Exclusive Inks^® Pad
• Z2173 Slate Exclusive Inks^® Pad
• Z1853 Aqua Dots*
• Z1799 Silver Shimmer Trim
• Z1151 3-D Foam Tape
• Z1294 Sanding Kit

*These products will be available to purchase beginning August 1, 2013.

Watch the Pajama Party by yourself or with friends for a fun crafting experience! Contact me with any questions or visit my website to place your order.

MEMORY KEEPING MATTERS

You may be wondering how Close to my Heart is doing, especially with all the change happening in the industry these days.  In uncertain economic times, a secure company offering great products can be hard to find.  Close to my Heart offers that stability to its Consultants, who also enjoy being able to do what they {love}: create and preserve memories!  I {heart} CTMH and so happy to be a part of this amazing company!

Take a peek at this video to learn why now - more than ever - is a great time to celebrate creativity, preserve memories, and share the Close to my Heart opportunity!  No matter if you are a customer, hobbyist or consultant, it's comforting to know that there is a place for you at CTMH.  Be certain, {you are welcome here}!

For more information on CTMH products or joining my team contact me or visit my website HERE.  

CAMP. FOR ME.

Hello!  It's time for camp.  For me that is, not the little ones!

I've heard so much about Online Card Classes and wanting to take a class or two but have not had the time. But, a few weeks ago, I was the lucky Summer Card Camp 2 (SCC) Giveaway winner from Mariana Grigsby's blog. The class is taught by Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire and special Guest Designers. I am so very giddy to start this class and know I’ll be inspired by the many cards they have planned for us.  

Here's a bit about how the class works...

It's a three-week class that will be bursting at the seams with ideas! Each week will follow the same format; yet, each week will bring us a fresh spin on the day’s theme:

• Mondays – Sketches & Weekly Color Combo
• Tuesdays – Techniques, Tips & Tricks
• Wednesdays – Inspiration Using the Weekly Color Combo
• Thursdays – Design & Card Challenge
• Fridays – Student Spotlight & More Inspiration

Class officially started last Monday, but life was busy! Let's hope this week is different! I did however manage to find time on the weekend for homework. Today's cards are made from last week's sketches and color combo.

Here is my first card ...

Just {love} the texture of the background layer.  It is embossed with a geometric circles embossing folder, which is very trendy right now!

And, here is my second card ...

This one is inspired by a fellow SCC participant, Angela McQ.  It's a spin on one of the sketches and I {heart} all the layered banners!

Well, the first week of class was really exciting! I learned some FAB techniques and can't wait to see what's happening this week!  Sill time to sign up! Click HERE to see all about it.  

SUPPLIES

Papers: CTMH White Daisy, Hollyhock, Sorbet, Honey, & Sky Cardstock, CTMH Patterned Paper (scraps)

Stamps: Just a Number (D1514), Pun Fun (C1505)

Ink: CTMH Black 

Embellishments: CTMH Clear Sparkles, CTMH Grey Wool Baker's Twine

REDISCOVER YOUR {HAPPY}

These days, we tend to live hectic lives and often forget to take time for ourselves.  For me, I am a mother of two busy little boys, Jett who's five and Mavryk who's four, whom I {love} with all my heart!  I am also a Close to my Heart (CTMH) Independent Consultant nearing my five year anniversary.  WOW, where has the time gone?  Anyways, have you recently seen CTMH ads in your FAVE papercraft magazines?  Take a peek at print copies of Creating Keepsakes™, Paper Crafts, and Scrapbook & Cards Today.  Noticed CTMH's new profile/cover photo? 

It's all about REDISCOVER Close to my Heart.  What a FAB idea, don't you think?  Lots has changed in almost 30 years with this amazing company.  To celebrate their heritage and future, CTMH has introduced the Rediscover campaign.  I know and love Close To My Heart, and now it’s time for you to discover or rediscover their innovative products and wonderful business opportunity.  Each ad tells you where to find a free artwork download, including specially designed, colorful gift tags, notepaper, home décor, and more!

This month we are going to focus on REDISCOVER HAPPY.  What makes you happy?  You've guessed it, I'm the happiest when I'm tucked away in my craft studio.  Simply said, gotta {love} the ME time!  And as a promise to me, I am going to try to stamp everyday, ok well maybe most days, and get caught up on cards & scrapbook pages.  A papercrafter's dream, right?  Make sure to rediscover your {happy}, whether it be family, friends, hobbies, and yes even papercrafting ... do those things that bring you joy & live for the now! Everyday is another chance to live life to the fullest, so LIVE it, don't just survive it!

BLOGGING, OH MY!

Hello, I'd like to welcome you to my first blog post ever! I've always wanted to write a blog, but for lack of time, I never did, until now. Today, I decided to start and found myself with quite an interesting challenge ~ what to write about? So, even with all of this indecision madness going on, let's give it a go.  

Why not blog, right? There are many talented papercrafters out there with {fabulous} blogs who have inspired me to babble too!  And, the more I think about blogging about my papercrafting, the more excited I become about keeping an on-going collection of what a day in the life of {me} looks like. Not only is this blog an incredible creative outlet that will share my {love} of pretty paper, but I hope to provoke and inspire each of you by fearlessly putting on display what these two eyes and hands combined create {pretty paperie sweets}. No matter what the reason, ENJOY!