Tuesday, August 31, 2010

A Halloween Wall Hanging

It is so hard to believe that summer is almost over! As Labor Day approaches, I turn my thoughts to preparing for my Holiday Craft Fairs. As a trial, I made this fun wall/door hangwe out of chipboard hangers. It measures 5 1/4 inches by 3 inches. Each piece of chipboard was covered with a retired Halloween paper called Enchanced. I drilled the hole in the bottom with my craft drill so that the bottom chipboard could be flipped around. The letters on the top piece of chipboard are rub ons from a retired CTMH set and the larger letters on the bottom are from the Color Ready alphabet. I chalked and sponged the letters to add the color. Lastly, the witch is heat embossed in black and is from the brand new Fright Night My Acrylix Stamp Set....




I'm thinking that it would work well as an office door hanger. Anyone have a boss or friend they might light to buy this for? :o) For Now, Happy Crafting!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Close To My Heart New Product Blog Hop

I was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to attend the CTMH Convention in July. It was at the Convention that the New Idea Book was shared with attendees and I have been busting to share the wonderful new papers since then! I got a tad ambitious this hop....well, wait till you see all of the new goodies and you will be inspired too! :o) BTW - The hop is officially set to kick off at 9:00pm this evening but I had to post a little early because of my work schedule. If you visit me before 9:00 please don't try to hop....come back again at 9:00 for all of the fun!

As is the tradition, it is New Product Blog Hop time. There are over 50 Consultants showcasing their talent and highlighting new products in the Close To My Heart Idea Book that is set to be officially released on September 1st. If you arrived here from Jessica's Blog, you are on the right track. Without further ado, here are my projects....

Magnifique is one of the new Paper Packets. It features several of the new colors including Pacifica Lagoon and Sky. When I studied the paper, an Inspiration Book came to mind. CTMH has so many wonderful My Acrylix Stamps that include beautiful sentiments that I thought I would make a collection of them for all to glean encouragement and motivation. The book is completed on as a 6 x 6 Chipboard Album....

















I used many products to complete the book. Here is a list of the new products that are featured: Magnifique Paper Packet, Pacifica, Lagoon and Sky Card Stock and Ink, Cotton Candy Ink, Lagoon Brads and Ribbon, Circle of Love, Unity and The Present My Acrylix Stamp Sets.


What release of a Fall/Winter Idea Book would be complete without a Christmas Card? I have to say that there have been many CTMH Paper Packets, but I am really beginning to think that Mistletoe is my favorite!








If you look closely, you will see that the card is an A2 size card folded slightly off center. That's a trick I learned from my good friend from across the pond. :o) The images were stamped with the set included in the Mistletoe Workshop on the Go. I Love Them! This is a set that is only available in the WTOG kit. The pattern paper is, of course, Mistletoe and the green ornament is a new dimensional element from the Ornaments set.


Last but not least is a card made using Hooligans (the Halloween paper) and a stamp set called Fright Night. To make the "fall" night sky, I sponged Gypsy (another new color and Outdoor Denim on Colonial White card stock. The fence was heat embossed in black with Prisma Glitter mixed in with the powder.








One of the reasons I like the Fright Night Stamp Set is the black cat image that I have stamped on the fence. As you can see, I am partial to cats. As I was trying to take the picture of the card, Bombay, my year old kitty insisted on helping. I don't think she is quite as scary as the stamped cat, but that is a annoyed look on her face. What do you think?


It's time to hop on over to Haley's Blog. Thanks for hopping along. For Now, Happy Crafting!

New Product Blog Hop Participants

It has become a tradition that when a new Close To My Heart Idea Book is ready to be released, many Consultants get together and hold a Blog Hop to celebrate the occasion. This release is no different. The Blog Hop begins this evening at 9:00pm ET and I wanted to take a moment before the fun to acknowledge all who are participating. For Now, Happy Crafting!


Erin http://tazzygirl2000.blogspot.com
Wendy http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
Meredith http://Meredithburgess.blogspot.com
Carla http://carlacreates.blogspot.com
Georgia http://inkygeorgia.blogspot.com
Helen http://www.hookedonstamping.com
Beth http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com/
LaJeania http://www.scraptilyoudrop.blogspot.com/
Sheila http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com
Traci http://www.creativetraci.blogspot.com/
Lisa http://www.lisascreativecorner.blogspot.com
Heather http://www.creativecoconut08.blogspot.com/
Lori http://scrapinglori.blogspot.com
Kimberly http://www.verykimberry.blogspot.com/
Jessica http://jessicaspaperpetals.blogspot.com
Cindy http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/
Haley http://inkyscrapper.blogspot.com
Wendy http://papercreationsbywendy.blogspot.com
Antoinette http://www.godblessyourart.blogspot.com/
Jennifer http://whatchadoin-jennifer.blogspot.com
Laurie http://www.scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com
Kathleen http://scrapbookaddictkath.blogspot.com
Adeline http://www.adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
Melinda http://ifyoublingittheywillcome.blogspot.com
Teri http://www.themidnightartist.blogspot.com/
Leisa http://bigredscraps.blogspot.com
Brae http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com
Tresa http://www.fabulouslyartsy.blogspot.com/
Jennifer http://www.aglitterymess.blogspot.com
Karen http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com
Dawn http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
Lori http://scrapbookingandbling.blogspot.com
Toni http://whollycrafts.blogspot.com
Jean http://stampinmaui.blogspot.com
Dawn http://iamahappystamper.blogspot.com
Janelle http://stampandthecity.blogspot.com
Cristin http://www.scrappinwithcristin.blogspot.com/
Cheryl http://evenmorescrapping.blogspot.com
Tracey Jean http://traceyjean.blogspot.com
Rochelle http://delightfulstamper.blogspot.com
Debbie http://scrapmyheartout.blogspot.com
Brandy http://canadianscrappers.blogspot.com
Amy http://www.paisleysplayhouse.blogspot.com/
Michelle http://www.michelleloncar.blogspot.com
Terrie http://my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/
Amy http://amylizschultz.com
Janice http://janscrapsandbits.blogspot.com
Carol http://carol-scrappininparadise.blogspot.com
Carrie www.bizzymom.us
Lori http://clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com
Amy http://amyslifeandcreations.blogspot.com
Nancy http://brujahrose.blogspot.com
Sheila http://cre8yourjoy.blogspot.com

Scrapbook Design and You Class

I recently mentioned that I was working on layouts to use as samples for my upcoming Scrapbook Design and You class. I completed my Scrapbook Design Certification! Yippiee! I have on finished that I want to share. The classes are being held at the Michaels in Collegeville PA. I am teaching 2 sessions....one in the evening and one in the morning. Evening classes will begin on Wednesday September 8th and will run 4 consecutive Wednesdays and the morning classes begin Thursday September 9th and also will be held 4 consecutive Thursdays.


I learned so much while taking the certification and can't wait to share the information. The course covers everything from the basics of what really is a scrapbook to design theory and color management. It even covers how to journal more effectively and the use of all kinds of wild and wonderful tools!



This layout uses pictures I took in 1998 while on a 3 week trek through Europe. Oh was I lucky to have had the opportunity to take that trip. Anyway, the papers and embellishments (except for "Tuscany") are from the Close To My Heart paper packet called Notebook. Unfortunately, Notebook is no longer available but it was perfect for these photos. The LO incorporates a number of the techniques and principles that I will be covering in the class. So, if you live in the Philadelphia PA area, consider taking the course....it is truly a great learning experience.

By the way, the Close To My Heart New Product Blog Hop begins later today. Don't forget to check back for not only my contributions, but also, the work of my CTMH Consultants as we kick off the brand new Idea Book set to be released on September 1st. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Mojo Monday 153

Finally, something created that I can post! :o) I have been so busy getting ready for the upcoming Close To My Heart New Product Blog Hop, the Make It From The Heart Contest and samples for the class that I will be teaching in September that I haven't had a chance to create anything for my blog. Today, I finally decided to take a break and do something I could post.

I immediately went to Mojo Monday to check out this week's challenge. And, it was a good one...
Today the temperature is a bit below normal and when I looked at the sketch, I immediately thought of falling leaves. Here is my take on the sketch...

The card is made on a Colonial White A2 Base and the first layer is from Back Country. The solid mat is Goldrush cardstock that has been edge distressed and tone on tone stamped with images from Playful Flourishes (D1212). The leaves and sentiment are from the upcoming Petite Perks My Acrylix set called Leaves and Things. Petite Perks are only available through your CTMH Consultant. This set will be available when the new Idea Book is released September 1st. I used Barn Red, Goldrush and Olive inks along with my blender pen to color the leaves.

I promise that I will post some of the samples and the details on my Scrapbook class soon. Also, the Close To My Heart New Product Blog Hop kicks off on August 27th so don't forget to hop along and check out all of the wonderful new products in the Fall Idea Book. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Craft Fair/Flea Market

Where have I been? Busy of course...when the Open Crop was postponed, I decided not to waste a day off to I found a Flea Market to participate in and began to feverishly make items to sell. Since it is "Back to School" time, I chose to make items with that in mind....sorry to all of my teacher friends about the reminder that September is rapidly approaching. Anyway, new items created included: Bookmarks with matching binder clips, magnetic bookmarks and Card Kits. Robin (one of my DL) came along and contributed greatly to the success of the day.










Sorry for the quality of the photos....they were taken from my iPhone. Remember Bombay, my now year old not so tiny kitten??? Well, she had to get into the Flea Market fun when I got home and began to unpack...

What else have I been doing since my last post? I became a Certified Scrapbook Design and You instructor...more about that later and when and where the classes will be taught. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Friday, August 6, 2010

All Day Crop

Just wanted to let everyone know that the All Day Crop scheduled for August 14th has been postponed until October 16th. I'll supply more details soon. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

CTMH Appreciation Sale

Starting today (11:00am EDT), CTMH is holding an unbelievable sale! Level 2 paper packets for $6 (12 sheets of pattern paper and 10 sheets of card stock), Level 1 paper packets for $4 and Stickease for $2! The list includes some of our all time favorites like Evensong, Jingle (Christmas) and Animal Cookies and Perfect Day! These papers will be retiring so once they sell out, they're gone forever. Check out my website for the full list and get the papers you need to complete those projects! As always, you can contact me with any questions. For Now, Happy Crafting!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Fancy Fold Card Class and All Day Crop!

If you live in the Philadelphia PA area, mark your calendar for August 14th. I am helping with a great all day crop to be held in Upper Darby. Details are on my sidebar. I will be teaching a Fancy Fold card class at the crop and I thought I would share pictures of the cards that we will be making.

This is an easel fold card that will fit perfectly into an A2 envelope! We will be using Caboodle B/T Duos, Colonial White, Chocolate and Sweet Leaf card stock. The My Acrylix stamp set is called Smiles.




This card is on a Tulip card base and will also fit perfectly into an A2 envelope. It also uses Cherry-O Creative Basics, Crystal Blue and Colonial White. The My Acrylix Stamp Set is called Love Birds.

Throughout the class I will be covering techniques such as scoring and folding, sponging, edge distressing, use of clear stamps, tips on measuring card stock and adding a touch of bling to your projects. The cost of the class is $6 if you attend the All Day Crop and $16 if you come just for my class. The fee covers all materials to walk away with 2 completed cards. Please bring your favorite adhesive.

Contact me for more details or to sign up for the Crop and my Fancy Fold Card Class. Hope to see you. For Now, Happy Crafting!