H2H Challenge: Scraps!

This week the challenge over at H2H is to create something using scraps.  We all have them.  Actually, if you are a paper crafter, you probably hoard them.  I have been trying really hard to use them up lately.  It will take me years to do it, but I am trying, so this challenge was right up my alley.

Here is what I started with...

...a big pile of scraps left over from my Florentine paper pack.  I had already created about 5 layouts with this paper, and I still had lots left just sitting on my desk waiting for this challenge.

Here is what my scraps miraculously turned into...

I created two cards, rather than one.  Part of my strategy in using up my scraps is to make duplicates when I am creating cards with the remnants of my paper packs.  That way, I have lots of cards to use when I need them, and it takes about the same amount of time as making the first one.

CTMH Products used to create these cards include:
Papers: Florentine (X7153B), Chocolate cardstock
Stamps: Hooray Bouquet (D1491)
Inks: Chocolate
Embellishments: Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain (Z1617), Garden Wooden Shapes (Z1718)
Other: Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel (Z1483)

For more inspiration, head on over to H2H and check out the fabulous artwork created this week by my fellow Design Team B members, or click on their links here: Haley, Angel, Nancy, Dorothy and Dania.

If you want to play along, here is what you need to do...

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.  
2. Use up some scraps to create a great project.
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery. 
4. Link your blog post to this challenge at H2H.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to read your comments, so please let me know what you think.  Happy scrapping!

H2H Challenge: Water Fun!

The challenge this week over at H2H is perfect for summer!  The theme is water fun.  The guidelines are that your project must include swimming or beachy images.  I decided to create a layout with a pattern from Magic using the soon to be retired Footloose paper pack for this challenge, so here it is...

The photo is too small to read the journalling, but these are photos of my son who was terrified of the deep end only weeks before this trip!  Apparently he conquered his fear in Florida!

Here is a close up of the pockets.  Mine are decorative, but they could be used to hold hidden photos or journalling.

CTMH Products used to create this layout include:
Papers: Footloose (X7151B), White Daisy cardstock
Stamps: Footloose WOTG stampset (G1036)
Inks: Lagoon, Creme Brulee, and Chocolate
Embellishments: Lagoon Baker's Twine (Z1701), Wooden Badge Buttons (Z1703), Designer Ribbon Green Collection (Z1616), and Sweet Leaf Stitched Grosgrain (Z1383)
Other: Corner Rounder (Z578), Sanding Kit (Z1294), and Magic (9034)  

For more inspiration, head on over to H2H and check out the fabulous artwork created this week by Design Team A, or click on their links here: Mary, Kelly, Caroline, Erin, Madeline, and Shirley.

If you want to play along, here is what you need to do...

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.  
2. Create your project, making sure to include beachy or swimming images.
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery. 
4. Link your blog post to this challenge at H2H.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to read your comments, so please let me know what you think.  Happy scrapping!

Sports Day Layout: More Dotty for You

I am still using up my Dotty for You paper packet while I anxiously await the arrival of all of my NEW goodies from Close to my Heart.  I like how this layout turned out.  It's simple, but I think it highlights the fun pictures.

 To create the banner, I simply cut strips of paper in varying widths and cut the ends into pennants.  I tucked the edges underneath the photo mat.  I created an award-type ribbon using a couple of stamped images, and tucking pieces of sweetleaf grosgrain ribbon underneath after cutting the bottom into pennants.

For the title, I used the Pennant Alphabet stampset, and the colour-ready cork alphabet, which I distressed with Grey Wool ink.

CTMH Products used to create this card include:
Papers: Dotty for You (retired, Grey Flannel cardstock
Stamps: Victory WOTG stamp set (G1035), Superhero WOTG stampset (G1037), Pennant Alphabet (E1018)
Inks: Grey Wool and Lagoon
Embellishments: Sweetleaf Grosgrain Ribbon (Z1383), Colonial White Waxy Flax (Z1081), Dimensional Elements Numbers (Z1681)
Other: Edge Distresser (Z1297), Notebook Punch (Stampin' Up)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Happy Scrapping!

Cricut Artiste Collection Available August 1st!

The all-new Cricut Artiste Collection is available for purchase on August 1st!  Contact me today to pre-order yours!

Click here to view my post including a review of this cartridge by fellow CTMH Consultant Beverly Tiemann.  You will see the huge variety of shapes and cuts on this awesome cartridge! 

The collection is $99, plus shipping and taxes, and includes 3 coordinating D-sized stamp sets, and 3 sheets of dimensional elements chipboard in coordinating shapes as well.  The total retail value of this collection is $125. 

If you want a chance to purchase the Cricut Artiste collection for half-price (or any other item in the Idea Book!), simply host a party with sales of $250 or more!  You will receive the item of your choice for half-price, along with at least $25 in FREE product!  Parties can be in person, or online. Contact me today to book your date or for more information!

Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Scrapping!

CTMH Retiring Items

With the release of the brand new Autumn/Winter Idea Book just around the corner on August 1st, there are several CTMH products retiring.  Fellow Close to my Heart consultant Tamytha Jenkins
created a fantastic slideshow of all of these products, which you can view here on Photobucket.  Thanks Tamytha for sharing this!  Contact me today to place your order before these items are gone! 

Items from the new Idea Book are available to order starting August 1st!  I will post as soon as I have received them, and you can contact me to pick up your copy, FREE, with a purchase.

Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Scrapping!

H2H Challenge: It's a Sketch!

This week, Mary, the fearless leader of Design Team A at H2H came up with a great sketch to inspire us all.  I love sketch challenges, and this one seemed to come together really quickly.

I decided to make a birthday card, since you can never have too many of those ready to go.  Here is what I came up with...

CTMH Products used to create this card include:
Papers: Cruisin (X7154B), Grey Wool and Juniper cardstock
Stamps: Cruisin WOTG stamp set (G1039), Say it in Style (D1283)
Inks: Black and Cranberry
Embellishments: Grey Wool Baker's Twine (Z1701)
Other: Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686)

For more inspiration, head on over to H2H and check out the fabulous artwork created this week by my fellow Design Team B members, or click on their links here: Haley, Angel, Nancy, Dorothy and Dania.

If you want to play along, here is what you need to do...

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.  
2. Use the sketch to inspire your project.
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery. 
4. Link your blog post to this challenge at H2H.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to read your comments, so please let me know what you think.  Happy scrapping!

CTMH Retiring Colours

With the release of the new Autumn/Winter 2012 coming on August 1st, I wanted to let you know about the colours retiring from the palette.  CTMH is moving to a palette of 42 colours, rather than 60 and will be stocking 24 packs of cardstock in every colour!  That means there are a number of retiring colours.  If you want to buy them before they are gone, or purchase re-inkers for colours you already own, now is the time to do it.  Shade packs of cardstock will also be retiring, so if there are any on your wishlist, get them before they are gone.

Here is the list of retiring colours:

Grey Wool
Grey Flannel
Vanilla Cream
Parchment
Brown Bag
Baby Pink
Taffy
Sunkiss Yellow
Key Lime
Heavenly Blue
Lilac Mist
Amethyst
Holiday Red
Sunflower
Sunny Yellow
Dutch Blue
Moonstruck
Vineyard Berry
Tulip
Garden Green
Spring Iris
Petal
Garnet
Pansy Purple

Contact me today to place your order!  I know I have a few re-inkers to order!  Once these colours are officially retired, they may no longer be available.  As of now, they will be while supplies last. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy scrapping!

CTMH Cricut Artiste Collection!!!

Yes, that's right!  When the Close to my Heart Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book goes live on August 1st, you will be able to order a BRAND NEW Cricut Cartridge Collection!  If you, like me, were blown away by the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection, just wait until you see this new one!  It's amazing!  It has 700 different images, a huge variety of 3D items, party and decor items, and a new font!  It's incredible and I can't wait to get mine.

A fellow CTMH consultant, Beverly Tiemann, who was lucky enough to receive her Cricut Artiste Collection already, has created this awesome video for you to get a peek at the huge variety of shapes and items that you can create with this fabulous cartridge.   Along with the cartridge, for $99 you receive 3 D-sized stamp sets exclusive to the collection that coordinate perfectly with shapes on the cartridge, and 3 sets of chipboard dimensional elements that also coordinate with the cartridge.  Watch this video to see for yourself...

Beverly has already been hard at work (or play!) making some great artwork with this cartridge, so be sure to check out her blog here!  Thanks Beverly for so generously sharing your video!

I will be sharing more news and sneak previews in the coming days, but the news that CTMH will have another Cricut cartridge was just too good not to share right away.  Contact me today to place your order, or to find out how you can earn FREE Close to my Heart products!

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Scrapping!

H2H Scrapbooking: Sketch 17

This month, Cheryl at H2H Scrapbooking gave us a great sketch to play along with.  She even added dimensions, so it was easier to create the layout.  Here is the sketch...

Of course, I made a 2 page layout!  The right hand page is the one based on the sketch, and I just mirrored some of the elements on the left hand page.  Here is what I came up with...

Here are a couple of close ups of the embellishments I created...

CTMH Products used to create this layout include:
Papers: Elemental (X7141B), Typeset (X7139B), Kraft, Creme Brulee and Colonial White cardstock
Stamps: Blue Ribbon (C1464), Classmate Alphabet (D1303), Varsity Alphabet (E1023)
Inks: Desert Sand, Creme Brulee, and Black
Embellishments: Creme Brulee Baker's Twine (Z1702), Typeset Canvas Shapes (X7139C), Twill ribbon (retired)
Other: Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686)

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you like it!  And thanks to H2H for the continued inspiration!  Happy scrapping!

H2H Challenge: Line, Line, Circle, Square

What a fun challenge this week over at H2H!  The guidelines are that your project must include at least two lines, one circle and one square.  These elements can be embellishments, or images, or whatever else you can dream up.  I decided to create a layout for this challenge, so here it is...

My first element including two lines, a circle and a square is the top left corner.  Here is a better view.  I cut the pointed circle using my Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.  I only got my Cricut about a year ago, but I just don't think I could craft without it anymore!

I worked two lines, a circle and a square into the bottom right corner of the layout as well.  Here is a better view of that.

And finally, a close up of the title in one of my favourite and most versatile alphabet, Varsity Alphabet, paired with Vintage Type...

CTMH Products used to create this layout include:
Papers: Victory (X7150B), Outdoor Denim cardstock
Stamps: Victory WOTG stampset (G1035), Vintage Type (D1481), Varsity Alphabet (E1023)
Inks: Olive, Chocolate, and Outdoor Denim
Embellishments: Chocolate Baker's Twine (Z1701), Durables Square Studs (Z1705)
Other: Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686), Notebook Punch (Stampin' Up!) 

For more inspiration, head on over to H2H and check out the fabulous artwork created this week by Design Team A, or click on their links here: Mary, Kelly, Caroline, Erin, Madeline, and Shirley.

If you want to play along, here is what you need to do...

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.  
2. Create your project, making sure to include two lines, a circle, and a square.
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery. 
4. Link your blog post to this challenge at H2H.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I love to read your comments, so please let me know what you think.  Happy scrapping!

Mojo Monday 248: Victory Card

This week the ladies at Mojo Monday have come up with yet another inspiring sketch to get our mojo going!  Here is the sketch...

I decided to create a masculine card, because I always seem to be short of these.  Here is what I came up with using up my scraps of Victory paper...

I added some Kraft cardstock to the inside of the card as well, and stamped "Wishing you the best of times" in the inside.  The picture of the inside didn't turn out for some reason, so it isn't posted here.

CTMH products used to create this card include:
Victory paper pack (X7150B)
Kraft cardstock (Z1375)
Outdoor Denim and Chocolate inks
Victory WOTG stamp set (G1035)
Tough Tags (Z1692)
Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686)
Baker's twine - unknown brand

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Happy scrapping!

H2H Challenge: Patriotism

Welcome to my first post as a member of the Design Team at H2H!  I am so excited about this opportunity and all of the craftiness it will inspire, for me, and hopefully for you too!

The theme of this week’s challenge is patriotism, a fitting way to wish you all a Happy Canada Day or Happy Independence Day, depending on which holiday you celebrate!  Being Canadian, we of course celebrate Canada Day.  We live close to the border and have lots of friends in Washington state, so we will also be celebrating Independence Day with our American friends.  I decided to create layouts for both events since layouts are my absolute favourite to create, and now I have my pages ready to just add photos!  I hope you enjoy them, and I am looking forward to seeing all of your creations too!

This is my Oh Canada layout for our Canada Day Celebrations....

CTMH Products used to create this layout include:

Kraft, White Daisy, Black and Cranberry cardstock
Black and Cranberry inks
Canadian Celebration (D1459)
Varsity Alphabet (E1023)
Red Ribbon Collection (Z1615)
Dimensional Elements Stars (Z1680)

And here is my Freedom layout to celebrate Independence Day on the 4th...

CTMH Products used to create this layout include:

Magic: Juggling Act (9034)

Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686)

Superhero paper pack (X7152B)

White Daisy, Black and Cranberry cardstock

Black, Cranberry and Moonstruck inks

Canadian Celebration (D1459)

Varsity Alphabet (E1023)

Red Ribbon Collection (Z1615)

White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

Durables Square Studs (Z1705)

If you want to play along, here is what you need to do...

1. Use mostly Close To My Heart products, though it doesn't have to be 100%.  
2. Create your patriotic project.
3. Post your project to your blog or other online gallery. 
4. Link your blog post to this challenge at H2H.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you liked my layouts!  Please check out all of the fabulous artwork created by me fellow Design Team members as well.  You can find all of their links listed to the right.  I look forward to seeing what you create along with us!

Happy Canada Day and Happy Independence Day!  And of course, Happy Scrapping!