Close To My Heart Convention 2012...Join the Fun!

I am still recuperating from Convention 2012.  Whew, there was so much to learn, do and see!  The opportunity to spend time with fellow Consultants is invaluable.  In between preparing for my workshop this coming Saturday and doing my Floral work, I found time to make a card for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge.  This week, the challenge is a sketch challenge and I had the perfect stamp!

Let me introduce you to Sticky Boy.  Sticky Boy is CTMH's prototype clear stamp.  As I understand the story, when CTMH was making the decision to switch to clear stamps, Sticky Boy was produced as a test sample.  Check out this cute YouTube video.  Anyway, over the years, it has become a tradition for the CTMH Corporate staff to hide "sticky boys" around the venue.  Consultants scramble and search high and low to find this prized treasure.  I found one this year!

As I mentioned earlier, Convention is about learning about new products, growing your business and sharing fun with fellow Consultants.

This is Thursday morning just before the opening General Session began.

Here I am getting "arrested" during our tour of Cowboys Stadium,  Only I would wear a Philadelphia Eagles shirt in Dallas!  :o)

This is my "Mom" and "Sister" or should I say upline and side line...Karen and Lora.  This was taken Wednesday evening at the Scattered Hearts Team Meeting.

One of CTMH's mantras is "Celebrating Relationships."  You can see just how much fun we had.  I will post more pictures as the days go on.  CTMH as given me the opportunity to become good friends with so many people from both the US and Canada that I would have never met. 

Beginning August 1st only while supplies last, sign up to be a CTMH Consultant and receive this great bag as a thank you.  It is a terrific bag...we got one for attending Convention.  There are also great new prices for signing up to be a Consultant, too.  Contact me for more information and join in the fun with the Papers Pads and Pictures team.  For Now, Happy Crafting!





CTMH Cricut Cartridge and Sonoma Papers

Can I tell you how excited I am about the new CTMH Cricut Cartridge called Art Philosophy?  I know, I've mentioned it several times, but it is just so amazing.  Couple it was the new paper packet called Sonoma and lookie what you can do!

Sonoma is perfect for heritage photos!  I am very fortunate to have many pictures of my Grandmother.  She was born in 1889 and passed away in 1976.  The large photo, I estimate was taken around 1902.  I have dates for the other two...1892 and 1907 (her high school Graduation portrait.)  Just a note about scrapping with old photos...There has been a great deal of chatter about whether to use the original photos or copies.  Many people assert that you should scrap the originals.  If scrapbooking is about preservation of memories, use the originals.  I tend to disagree.  I  scan my originals and print copies.  Here is my thought process....I want the originals to be preserved, so after they are scanned, I store them in a photo safe box and then in a metal box.  You never know if someone else in the family would want a copy of the treasure that you have.  Having had my house hit by a micro burst and severely damaged a number of years ago, I know the importance of preserving special treasures.  When you scrap the copy of an older photo, you don't have the fear of it being damaged or lost.  You also are able to share your with so many more people without concern.  There is no right or wrong answer, this is just my humble opinion.

Anyway, back the the details of the layout.  I used the Art Philosophy cartridge for many of the details.  All of the 3D flowers, and the butterflies were cut using it.  The word "Nana" was cut using the font.  Don't you love the pearl opaque details?  :o)  The cameo is from the new stamp set called "Sweet Memories" but I did use the cartridge to cut the scallop and oval with which it is stamped.  "Remember" and "Sweet Moments" are also from the set.  The flourish is an image contained in a new set called "Love Life." 

I also love the new Heirloom Assortment.  The hanging charm is included in that set along with 3D resin flowers.  Another new embellishment in the Idea Book are Foundry Pins.  See how I have the butterfly attached close to the cameo?  Love it....by the way, I did the hand stitching using Olive embroidery floss.

Two things I need to mention, I've not forgotten the Papers Pads and Pictures Challenge....been so busy playing with the new cartridge that I haven't caught up.  There will be a new challenge coming shortly...thanks for your patience.  Also, I will return to my talk about color theory.  Try to remember this layout in future posts as the Olive and Smokey Plum are a perfect color combo.  If I can answer any questions about the Cricut Cartridge but contact me.  For Now, Happy Crafting!

CTMH Cricut Cartridge

Well, it is official.  Today is the release date of the new Close To My Heart Idea Book.  And, all I can say is wow!  There are so many exciting things in the new book....8 new paper packets, reduced prices on stamp sets and most importantly, CTMH has partnered with Provo Craft and we now have a Cricut Cartridge!  I posted a sample card yesterday but wait until you see what I've done today!

There have been a pile of questions about what size Cricut you need.  While I agree, to maximize the new cartridge called "Art Philosophy" an Expression is best, look what I completed today with my "Baby Bug!"

This card features one of the new paper packets called "Sonoma."  The card is a standard A2 size card in Bamboo.  The pattern paper is from Sonoma.  The focal sentiment image and frame have been cut with the new Cricut Cartride, the flourish has been cut with the Cartridge, the 3D flowers have been cut with the Cartridge along with the frame and oval that I stamped with the matching stamp set called "Sweet Moments."  Wow....I love it!

This fun treat bag was cut using the Cricut.  It is done in Holiday Red.  The pattern paper (scallops cut on the Cricut)  is from a new paper packets called "Believe."  Take a close look....that is a ribbon slide, cut on the cricut along with the star attached to the new pin embellishment.  One of the great things that sets this Cricut Cartridge apart from any other I have ever seen is the MATCHING stamp sets!  Cut the image out and stamp it!

So "Let The Party" begin!  This card base is cut using the card function on the cartridge.  The mats (using a new pack called Roxie) were also cut using the cartridge.  Check out that cut cupcake....yup, cut on the Cricut and stamped with one of the images included on one of the 3 "D" sized stamp sets included in the Cricut Bundle.  I just LOVE the bundle...I know that I am yelling and excited, but I can't help myself.  This is a terrific cartridge....I have had my Cricut since the beginning and this is the best cartridge I have ever seen!

Every project I have posted has been completed with a "Baby Cricut."  Don't fret if you don't own one of the larger machines.  While you won't be able to do everything, these are some of the few projects you can complete.  Don't hesitate....Expressions or Personal Cricut, there are plenty of projects to complete!  For Now, Happy Crafting!