Time Together

I love this layout.  It's the new Grace paper kit with the workshop layout and exclusive stamp set.  The example in the workshop brochure is all about a wedding, but I found the colours in these photos of Arianna and Nathaniel fit really well.

 

Some details.

 

 

What you see here is what you will make if you purchase the basic workshop kit, there's nothing else added to it!  If you'd like to see this layout at a workshop, you will need to let me know.  Right now I don't have room for it, but I can shuffle some things around and make it work.

Products used: Grace Level 2 (included in kit), Beautiful Flourish stamp set (included in kit), Small Chocolate alpha stamp set, Rustic Edge Anchors (included in kit), Cocoa and Twilight ink.

Stay tuned to find out who wins a prize for the card part of the challenge.  The new Idea Book goes live tomorrow!  I'll try to get a new challenge up as soon as I can.

Happy Creating!

Scrapbooking For Me.

On Sunday I decided to do some scrapbooking just for me.  Helen Onulak runs a scrapbooking challenge layout each week and the new one posted on Sunday was perfect for me to use.  I did some switching around, but the layout is the same.

I'm trying to use up my older paper and Life Delights was perfect for these photos of my daughter "nursing" her baby Rachel.  I used Friendship Alphabet, but stamped them backwards, using the back of the stamp and then cut them out.  I also used the Butterfly Kiss stamp set, retired slide frames sponged with Chocolate ink, Chocolate grosgrain ribbon and Chocolate and Lilac Mist brads.  I printed the journaling on vellum so that the pattern on the paper would still show through.  Maybe I'll enter this layout in the Practical Scrappers Challenge.

Click on the photos to see them larger and to read the journaling.  It's a fun story.

Happy Creating!

You are definitely going to want this stamp set!

I absolutely love September's stamp-of-the-month. It's so fun to work with! It has beautiful sentiments and images. Did I say that I love it?

Here is the first card:

This card uses Sorbet cardstock and a Colonial White base with Chocolate ink and Ribbon Rounds. I got the inspiration for this card from Aaron Brown. The pattern is from Wishes, called Open Outline. It's a 6x6 card.

The next card uses Twitterpated paper and an awesome new technique to me. I clear embossed the top part and then sponged Crystal Blue ink over the images. Click on the image and you can see the detail. Again, Chocolate ink, with Sorbet as well as the Crystal Blue along with the same Ribbon Rounds. Both this card and the next are both inspired by Katrina Sikora.


I love this last one. It's got some colour in the main image. I also embossed some little fly-away guys and then put some Prisma Glitter on them. You can see those in the second photo. Again, there's a bit of Twitterpated paper. I added some Sorbet brads in the corner and Chocolate brads on the sentiment.

You ask, "How do I get this stamp set?" Great question! You can order it at the full retail value of $28.50, but why do that when you could get it for free! Depending on what else you order, you could get it for $21.38, $14.25, $7.13 or free. In fact an order of just $31.25 already gives you 25% off.
Now since this is September's SOTM, you won't be able to get it until September. But start making your wish list now and go online to see the new Idea Book on September 1st. Then call or email me with your order. Make sure you get a paper copy of the Idea Book. Let me know if you'd like one.

In the meantime, work on this month's challenge and you might win a prize. I haven't seen any layouts yet.

Happy Creating!

Drum roll, please...

Now, as promised, some artwork using brand new, not yet available products!

First up is a layout using a paper pack called Jingle. This pack is so perfect for Christmas, but it also useful for any kind of celebration, especially birthdays. CTMH is right on trend, adding pink to a Christmas paper. The stamp set I've used is only available in a workshop kit. If you're interested, I'll be teaching this layout at a workshop in December. The other great new product on this layout is the new Twinkle brads. I also added some cranberry grosgrain ribbon. The title is stamped with Rustic Alphabet. If you want to see the details better, just click on the photo to see it larger.

Next up are some cards made from my favourite new paper pack, Twitterpated. Yup, we're going back to the fun of Bambi. This pack is all about trees, acorns, leaves, with gorgeous colours! Again the stamp set is exclusive to the workshop kit. We'll be using this kit to make a 2-page layout at my workshop on September 26th. I'm waiting to get some photos printed before I post that layout. On to the cards. They also use some of the new Dimensional Elements in Colour, Organic Buttons. They are oh-so-cute! I cut one in half to create the mushroom and on the second card they're actually covered with paper. You'll be able to see them better on the layout. I've also used Chocolate Ribbon Rounds, a few brads and Liquid Glass to add to the pattern and hedgehog (Isn't he just adorable?) on the second card.

I have one more card made with this paper and stamp set. But I'm waiting for my new brads, totally repackaged into multi-size packages. You'll be able to get standard size, bigger brads and bitty brads all in the same package, in lots of amazing colours! They're coming on Monday and then I'll post a photo of that last card.

Next post: September Stamp-of-the-Month with Twitterpated paper.
In the meantime, Happy Creating!

Would you like to get these?

I know I've promised to post some artwork made with new paper and stamps. It's coming, honest! I did want to share these little cuties with you. These are two sets of hostess gifts I've made. They haven't been given out yet, so if you like these, book a gathering with me and they might become yours!

They are all made with the same pattern from Wishes, and the same stamp set, Treetops, which is one of my favourites! I used Life Delights Level 2 along with some hemp, eyelets and craft buttons. They're all tied up with some White Daisy organdy ribbon. All products are from CTMH. Both sets have a combination of both buttons and eyelets.

Contact me today to book your gathering and get your hands on these! I've only made two like this, so it's first come, first dibs!

I'll be posting some new artwork later today. Stay tuned!

Thank you to these challenge participants!

If you haven't participated in my monthly challenge yet, here is some inspiration. If you're not aware, the challenge is to use just the card or layout base and stamped images, nothing else, to create your project. These are the people who have already posted their projects; no layouts yet but some pretty fabulous cards!

Sarah
Grace
Carla
Laura
Leisa
Nellie

Ladies, your work is beautiful. Remember that there's prizes being handed out. I'll randomly choose one card and one layout, and I'll post a link to your blog like I did here.

So what are you waiting for? I want to see your's!

Happy Creating!

PS. I'll be posting some artwork with the new paper pack in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book very soon. Stay tuned!

Something fabulous is coming...

You have got to go to www.studioj.com and check out what Close To My Heart is going to be selling in the spring! To give you an idea, Studio J is a FREE online software that allows you to create digital scrapbook layouts with CTMH's fabulous products! I'm looking forward to playing with it to help me plan my classic (paper) layouts and also to create beautiful layouts in a short amount of time. You only pay if you want to print them out. And they'll be printed on our amazing cardstock. There are lots of options using our exclusive 2-page patterns from Cherish and Imagine. Curious? Want to know more? Go to studioj.com and watch an introductory video!

Check out Alanna's Blog Candy!

Just click here to join her in celebrating her 300th post!

Challenge samples.

I know some of you have been waiting to see some examples from me. I've been busy getting ready for gatherings and learning about the new products and programs at Close To My Heart, so I apologize that it's taken me a few days. Here are a couple of cards.

This first one was made using our current stamp-of-the-month, It's Your Day, and Boutique Borders. This was my second try and I'm still not completely happy with it. I may just try another one, without that cute cake. I used the masking technique on the gifts and 2nd and 3rd generation stamping on the border. The colours were taken from Jeanette Lynton's Colour Me Monday challenge, although I had to switch up the Moonstruck for Dutch Blue. That's one ink colour I don't have yet. If you'd like to know more about the masking technique, let me know and I'll do a tutorial for it.


I love this second card! I love how it turned out. I started with a picture in my head, actually it's been there ever since I decided on this challenge and I finally got to make it last night. I used a cloud mask to sponge Heavenly Blue on the top of the card. The cloud is actually from the Childhood stamp set. Then, using another of Jeanette's colour challenges and September's stamp-of-the-month, Treasures, I stamped the images. I even got creative with the inside, which is something I don't do too often. I love those little fly away guys.


So now you've got a sneak peak at next month's SOTM set. I'll post some more artwork with both of these when I get a chance. I'm going to try a layout, too! Don't forget, I'll be awarding prizes this time around, one for a card and one for a layout.

Happy Creating!

Thanks-a-bration!

I've got a few minutes to chat about this great promotion that Close To My Heart has on right now.
Spend just $124.95 and get not only the Stamp-of-the-Month, a fabulous celebration stamp set, but CTMH will also treat you to a free Level 2 paper pack.
















Your free pack could be one of the following:

• Vintage Travel
• Rough ‘n Tumble
• Route 66
• Expedition
• Floral Tapestry
• Everlasting
• Caprice
• Enchanted
• Free Spirit
• Life Delight
• Whoops-a-Daisy
• Perfect Day

Which one you get will be a surprise!
So you'll want to get your order in to me by the 15th to take advantage of this promotion.

What a fabulous day...mostly.

I took my two kiddos to the Peterborough Zoo today. We went with some of our Blast friends. Blast is the name of the play group we've been going to since Arianna was a baby. It's great fun and hosted at our church every week. If you're in the Oshawa area, and are interested in going to the park with us next week. Let me know!
It was a bit of a crazy day. Nathaniel decided to be a bit ornery and very determined a couple of times, throwing a few fits while we waited to take a train ride and during lunch. But I loved taking photos of my daughter with her friend, Emilee-Jayne. She says they're best friends. It makes me smile, my daughter's first real friend!



What made the day even more fabulous, despite my dear son's tantrums, was that the new Autumn/Winter Idea Books had arrived on my doorstep while I was gone! I've pored over it and boy does it have some amazing new products! I'll be letting you in on some over this next month. If you want a copy of this new book when September rolls around, be sure to let me know.

On to August's challenge. Are you ready for it?
I challenge you to make a card with a card base and stamped images only, no additional paper. If you're a scrapbooker, only stamps and your photos. That would be amazing to see! Maybe I can do both. Can you do it? To sweeten it this time, I'll be awarding prizes for both a card and a layout! Make sure you leave a comment with a link to a photo of your project. I'll post an example for you in the next day or two.

Happy Creating!