What I've been up to....

Happy New Year!!! Can't believe it's another new year! New beginnings come along with that, and hopefully more postings from me.

I thought I'd share with you all one of the creations I made for Christmas. I made two of these shadowbox pages for my two girlfriends, Josie and Becky. Becky was recently married last October, and these were her colors: Fuscia, Black, Creme, and Lime Green. Josie is her best friend and her Maid of Honor and I thought it would be cool if they had something to put a special picture from the wedding in.

I used some random dp I had for the background page (isn't it beautiful?!) and CTMH cardstock and buttons for the accent colors. These Primas I've been holding onto forever worked perfect as well as the Thickers and AC rub-ons that have been gathering some dust. They finally found their purpose!

This is a close up of the accents. I combined Primas and CTMH flowers. I used the AC rub-ons on one of the flowers. Black rhinestones made the perfect centers, and Thickers made excellent leaf accents.

Here is a nice shot of the beautiful layers of the dp. Love the metallic sheen that worked great with the Thickers and contributed to the overall elegance.

Hope you all had a spectacular and safe New Year's Eve!

Materials:

Misc. dp, CTMH cs, buttons, and Big Pink flowers, Prima flowers, black rhinestones, MM definitions stickers, Thickers, Nestie die, AC rub-ons

Getting "Sentimental"

It's another Farm Fresh Friday challenge! Today, we're getting "sentimental"! This time create a scrapbook page with a phrase, quote, or poem that reminds you of someone you love. Be sure to use a TGF image!

For my SB page, I decided to scrap pictures from Leavenworth, WA. It's this cute Bavarian town in the Cascade Mountains that plays host to a beautiful tree-lighting ceremony. The trees and all the buildings in town have lights EVERYWHERE!

My friends and I go every year on a chartered bus trip through my job at Safeway. That way we can shop (and drink German beers) til we drop, and have a safe ride home! In fact, We're going again this Sunday! Can't wait!

I thought pairing Toby and his snowboard with this was perfect. This Emerson quote was also the perfect one for the "friend" theme of this page. Emerson is my favorite.

So head on over to the TGF blog for all the challenge details and some great DT inspiration! The prize will be the *NEW* "Because of You" sentiment set from TGF!!

Materials: TGF Toby Snowboard digi image. CTMH Magic Moments L1 scrapbook kit, Cocoa and Indian Corn Blue inks, buttons, brad, hemp. Copics, quote stamp (from somewhere...)

Farm Fresh Scrappin'

Hello all! Back today with another Farm Fresh Friday. This week is a scrapbook sketch challenge. Our wonderful Miss Melyssa designed a fun sketch for us all to play with.

Here's what I did with the sketch:
I don't do much scrapbooking anymore, so these challenges are a challenge for me too! But, I actually ended up having a lot of fun creating it! I knew I really wanted to us this Bo Bunny Petal Pushers paper I've been sitting on for awhile now. I thought Laurie would be the perfect image to pair with this paper. Now she's sitting all pretty on the Prima!

So head on over to the TGF blog for Melyssa's sketch and have some fun! This challenge is only open for a week, and you could have a chance to win a *NEW* "I heart sweaters"!!

Materials

Stamps: TGF Laurie digi stamp

Paper: Bo Bunny Petal Pushers dp, CTMH cs

Other: Copics, foam tape, Primas, rhinestones, gel pen, EK punch

FFF-Scrapbook Challenge!

Hello everyone! Welcome to another Farm Fresh Friday! This week we're doing a scrapbook challenge. When I learned I had to do a scrapbook page, I was like "Ugh!". I procrastinated as long as I could. I started out as a scrapbooker, but through the years have evolved into a card maker. (If you couldn't tell from my blog! Lol!)

So this week's Scrapbook Challenge is to create a "Fall Themed" layout. You can do just a one-page layout. I'm a two-page kinda person. I think a single page looks kinda weird when you put it all in a book. Thank goodness for my CTMH layout books! Imagine helped me easily create this layout in just an hour! I used the cute new Timmy Candycorn image to help add some whimsy to the page. I also random stamped the cardstock with the same leaves I used for accent images.


I really had to dig for some photos to go with a fall theme, and I came across these adorable pictures of my Little Buddy Tyler's first Halloween. Isn't he stickin' cute?! He's my bestest friend's child and he's like my pseudo-child! Hee hee! I'm his "Auntie Jenn". He's now 2 1/2 and I'm told he has a super cool costume ready for this Halloween, but I have to wait to see it. Since he loves Cars and Toy Story, I'm sure it has to do with one of those!

Head on over to the TGF blog for all the challenge details and inspiration from the Design Teams. This is a month long challenge, so you have until November 10th to upload your photos into the Gallery. Have fun! can't wait to see what you create!

Materials
Stamps: TGF Candycorn Timmy digi, CTMH Frienship Alpha large and small ss, CTMH Flourished Blessings ss, Hampton Art Journal It ss
Paper: CTMH Grace, Splendor, and Emporium L2pp and cardstock, PTI cs
Other: Copics, CTMH inks, buttons and hemp, misc. brown buttons

Felicity CASE

On the 15th, a cool promotion started with Close To My Heart for January's National Paper Crafting Month. This kit comes with awesome double-sided designer paper, large die-cut paper, and a super cute D-size stamp set that even includes a FULL alphabet! This kit is so fun. It's what I used when I created this card last week.

Hopefully I'll have time soon to play with it some more and show you how versitile this kit is. I did make this Layout below. It was super easy! If you want to know how to get your hands on it, let me know!

Layout from Regionals

Too cute right?! Twitterpated is my favorite paper pack from this Idea Book. Using the matching My Stickease made this layout fun and a breeze! A few buttons, sparkles, and liquid glass and easy-peasy! Done! I totally flew through this layout and was just chilling while the rest of the group finished. Hee hee!

Notice the cool embossed scalloped edge on the cocoa cardstock? That was made with the negative space left over from the title sticker. Such a neat trick! I also learned how to "leather" cardstock with and ink pad. Used that technique in my card class last night.

More fun things to share later!

Scrapbooking? What's that? ;)

Yeah, I still know how to scrapbook and I was actually inspired by the *NEW* Twitterpatted dp to create this layout. Don't you just "heart" the new chipboard buttons and felt die-cuts?!

This is from my friend Jimmy's birthday (so long ago that I don't know which birthday!) when we took him to The Cheesecake Factory in Bellevue. Jim absolutely LOVES cheesecake. He requests me to make him one any time he can con me into it. It's actually my favorite thing to make. Everyone that come to Jimmy's birthday were Mariner HS c/o'97. Yeah baby! We're all still pretty tight.

Materials: Twitterpated L2pp and Organic dimensional elements, Heartfelt Die-Cuts (Wonder), Boutique Alpha ss, Friendship Alpha ss, Simple Stitches ss, colonial white ink, chocolate ink, hemp.

Scrapbooking Class

Here are the layouts I created as examples for the Jobies' scrapbooking class this weekend. I pre-cut everything for them. The single layout using the Animal Cookies B/T is an easy one for the first day. All they have to do is follow the Reflections guide to put it together, and then use stamps to decorate it some more.

The two-page layout is for the second day, but they're only going to make one or the other. This follows a LO design from Imagine. With these LOs I wanted to show them how to incorporate more pictures and memorabilia. There are picture tags along the bottom, and the right page shows how I used CTMH's flip-flops to add even more pictures. If you notice the ribbon at the top of the left page, this is to show them how to "hide" larger keepsakes like programs and what-not in between their pages.

I think they'll have a lot of fun and learn that scrapbooking is not as scary as they might think. Maybe I'll get a few orders out of it too!....even though I can't advertise it...but you bet I'll have catalogs, order forms, and business cards available! ;)

Materials of single LO: All CTMH. Animal Cookies L2PP, Sweet Baby ss, Friendship Alpha small ss. Clover, Indian corn blue, and tulip inks.

Materials of 2-page LO: All CTMH. Bella L2PP, Buttoned Together ss, Friendship Alpha small ss, hollyhock stitched ribbon, pansy purple and hollyhock inks, flip-flops.

Close TO My Heart Anniversary Party!

I can't believe it's been over a year already since I became a Consultant with CTMH! What a fun and creative blast! I have enjoyed every minute of being in the CTMH family and grateful for the new friends and connections I've made.

As a "thank you" to everyone, I am hosting an anniversary party. This Sunday, May 3rd from 2pm to 5pm. If you live in the greater Seattle/Everett area, please come! You can e-mail me or comment here if you'd like to come and have so fun.

Come to my house and play with new products from the Summer Idea Book that releases on May 1st. There will be make-and-takes, giveaways and a drawing for a cool bundle prize! Earn extra entries into the drawing by RSVP-ing within a week, bringing a friend, and showing up on time. I will also have purged product for sale at great discounts.

Enjoy crafting and learning new techniques!

Tickled Pink layouts

Here are the two layouts that are made using the workshop guide from the Tickled Pink National Scrapbooking Day kit. They were really fun. The flower die cuts that come with the kit make these much more dimensional and special. I absolutely love the glitter paper. I was a little sad to use it; I just wanted to horde it forever and just look at it. ;)

To get your hands on this kit, check out the previous post and e-mail me!

Materials: All CTMH. Tickled Pink scrapbook kit. Blush, hollyhock and crystal blue inks.

I'm "Tickled Pink"!!

It's FINALLY here!!

You’re gonna love our Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit designed exclusively for National Scrapbooking Month in May. Our newest scrapbooking kit puts you front and center in your pages—with everything you need to create two beautiful two-page layouts all about the things that you love and that make you shine. And speaking of shine, you’ll also be tickled by the kiss of glitter on these fabulous papers! Perfect for Mother's Day layouts!

To get your very own Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit:

• Place a minimum order of $60 in stamp sets (excluding K-size and Stamp of the Month) between April 15-May 31 to receive a Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit FREE! (limit one free kit per order.)

• Purchase the Tickled Pink kit at just $34.95—well below retail value!• Sign up as a new Consultant between May 1-May 31 and receive a kit FREE.

• Host a Home Gathering between April 15-May 31 with minimum sales of $400 and receive a kit FREE.

The Tickled Pink Scrapbooking Kit Includes:

1 – My Acrylix® I Am Stamp Set (D-size)
2 – 12" × 12" Floral B&T Duos™ Paper (1 with glitter)

2 – 12" × 12" Stripe B&T Duos™ Paper (1 with glitter)

1 – 12" × 12" Blush Textured Cardstock

1 – 12" × 12" Crystal Blue Textured Cardstock

5 – 12" × 12" White Daisy Textured Cardstock (1 sheet with die-cut shapes)

1 – Mini-Medley Accents White Daisy Collection

1– Foam Texture Tool

1– Brochure

Celebrate spring, bling, and everything you love—you’ll be so happy, you’ll be Tickled Pink!

Card holders

I made these to go with my flyer for my business event from yesterday. This is another fabby idea from my blogger friend Rachel. They're made from pre-fab blocks available at "M's". I just covered them with paper and embellishments then painted the top to match. So fun!

Materials: All CTMH. Key To My Heart pp, fancy cuts botanicals, sorbet ribbon round, spring blossom brad assortment, white daisy just blooms.

Other: Acrylic paint.

My business flyer

Here it is....my flyer I made for my for my event tonight. Kim is a Mary Kay lady and they are having some kind of business builder event an they were told they can invite guest. Lucky me! It's a chance to showcase to them what I can do to help their business. My flyer includes examples of bag-toppers, small cards, and gift tags. I will also have standard card examples on display with loads of business cards. Hopefully all goes well and I network some new customers!

Materials: All CTMH. Key To My Heart pp, KTMH ss, Doodle Alpha ss, western flourishes ss, le chic ss, summer sweetness ss, Sept WP ss, huge thanks consultant ss, Perfect Day L2pp, blush and colonial white cs. Juniper, tulip, blush, black, cocoa, and garden green inks. Sorbet ric-rac ribbon, hollyhock twill ribbon, clear sparkles.

Other: Stickles, pink sparkles.

For Maria

the front
the back (color's off in this pic)

For those of you that read my blog often, you might have read my posts on my first ever sewing project. My awesome friend Maria let me borrow her sewing machine so that I could take my time and complete my project on my own.

Maria's favorite word is "Believe", so as a thank you to her I made her this "I Believe" quote box. I discovered this on Rachel's blog here. Rachel always has great ideas and takes most of the guess work out for you. Thanks Rachel! .....so anyways, back to Maria....I wanted to make this for Maria's birthday in October, but since it was sooo far away and I really wanted to make this box I decided to make it for a thank you gift. There's quotes/sentiments on both sides of each card with a special hand-written "I Believe" from me. I really hope she loves it. If you notice...I'm still addicted to the "Unforgettable"pp. Can't help it!

Hope you enjoy and try one for yourself!

Materials: All CTMH. Unforgettable L2pp, Unforgettable MyStickease, cocoa ink, cocoa marker, sorbet and chocolate ribbon rounds, cocoa grosgrain ribbon, designer brads, Fancy Cuts botanicals, sanding kit, sponge.

Other: Labels 1 Nestie, printer paper.

February Club pages and cards

Here it is ladies.....the pages for our February Club. These use the new Emporium PP and the new pewter decorative brads. Love this paper! It goes well with my pictures from my wine trip to Chelan. I also made the cards that they feature in the guides. So cute!

Materials for pages: All CTMH. Emporium PP and MyStickease, Connections SS, sweet leaf and cocoa inks, pewter decorative brads, colonial ricrac ribbon, sanding kit.

Materials for cards: All CTMH. Emporium PP and MyStickease, Connections SS, Easter Eggs (Feb SOTM). Sweet leaf, twilight, and cocoa inks. Colonial white grosgrain ribbon, sponge, edge distresser.

Special FREE stamp set!!

Close To My Heart is celebrating 25 years of business and they're giving YOU a gift! For the month of February only, when you spend $25 in My Acrylix stamps (Customized Name and Stamp of the Month excluded), you'll receive this adorable B-size My Acrylix "Good Times" stamp set (retail value $13.95), packed with fun and versatile party-inspired images, for FREE! What was that.....FREE, FREE, FREE!

This is a great time to book a party and earn additional FREE product for yourself. With how easy it is for your guest to earn this FREE promotional stamp set, just think how quickly your party total can reach great heights! I am free most work nights and some weekends this month, so book quickly! Just e-mail me and I can set it up for you. I do all of the work for you, you just host the place and invite all your friends.

If you'd like to make a qualifying purchase just on your own, let me know via e-mail. I've seen this set and it's super cute and very versatile as you can see from the examples above.

"So.....let's celebrate! Here's to the next 25 years of happy stamping and Good Times!"

Pre-made layout USED!!

FINALLY!! I used this pre-made layout from a post I shared back in August of 2008! The pictures I had from my good friend Sara's wedding matched perfectly. Sara and Cory were married at the Canal at the Ballard Locks last February. It was such a beautiful day and the sunset perfectly accentuated the ceremony. Her colors were cream, gold and red. I did change the large embellishment to better suit the occasion. The Silhouette paper is always a great choice for wedding photos. For the first time ever, I used alpha stickers!

Materials: please reference Aug. '08 blog. Changed embellishment uses cranberry grosgrain ribbon and Silhouette MyStickease.

For the coordinating layout, I chose another guide from Imagine called "Ensemble Piece". I love how easy these books make it to simply create a layout! I needed a six-picture LO and used the quick guide in the front of the book to find one that would work with the pictures and coordinate well with the other LO. Definitely must-have tools! I also used the Key To My Heart SS to create my own patterned paper. It helped to incorporate some more red into the LO. Made the title real easy as well. I created a pocket in both LOs to hold their wedding invitation and thank you card.

Materials: All CTMH. Colonial White, Black, and Desert Sand CS. Silhouette L2 PP, Silhouette MyStickease, Key To My Heart SS. Desert Sand, Black, Chocolate and Cranberry exclusive inks. Cranberry exclusive marker, Black ribbon round, sanding kit.