Jen's Scrappy Pages

Mojo Monday 219....My Card

2011-12-15T07:49:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I have played along with the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge. SO yesterday when my friend Nicki stopped by to "play" for a bit, I thought it would be fun to check out the blog to see the current sketch and create a card using some new papers that I bought a few weeks ago.

The papers are NOT CMTH (GASP!!). I know! I was really needing some fresh papers and colors to play with a few weeks ago....SO I went to my local Archiver's on a mission to find some fun 6x6 paper packs. WELL let me tell you....I found a TON of cute 6x6 paper packs! I found so many that I had to limit myself and put some of them back! I ended up buying 6! Not to mention the 3 that I had purchased a few weeks before that......

ANYHOO....Onto the card.....

This card was created using the "Winter Park" 6x6 paper pad from "echo park paper co." The rest of the embellishments and stamping was from CTMH. The stamp set used is "Snowflakes", the ribbon is from the "Designer Ribbon Blue Collection" and the sparkles used are CTMH as well.

The background paper for this card was a bit too plain, SO I stamped snowflakes with White Daisy Pigment Ink from CTMH then I added a sparkle in the center of a few of the snowflakes for a bit more dimension. MUCH MORE BETTERER!! lol

That is going to do it for today.....

I hope that this has inspired you to check out the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge and create one of your own!!

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

January Scrapbook Group Pages - Wonderland

2011-12-08T06:51:00.000-08:00

Thought I would share the pages that my monthly scrapbook groups will be making in January. I just LOVED the way they turned out! The papers from Wonderland are SO winter.....with shades of Grey, Blue and Brown and the Stickease that coordinate come with those ADORABLE snowmen and kids playing in the snow. This paper pack is also extremely versatile as well. You can flip the snow printed papers for a completely different look and have pages/cards and whatnots that have nothing to do with Winter! LOVE IT!!

If you live in the Omaha area and would like to attend one of my scrapbook groups to create these 6 pages, check out my Meetup.com group at Scrappin' and Stampin' Made Easy but Beautiful.

The last 2 pages can be created by purchasing the Wonderland Workshop on the Go Kit. You can either purchase it from ME at www.lovinscrappin.myctmh.com under the shopping tab OR from your favorite CTMH rep in your area.

Thanks SO much for stopping by!

I hope that I have inspired you to create some pages, cards or paper projects using this GORGEOUS paper pack!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Bundled Buddies meets Wishes 16 Card Workshop

2011-11-27T08:28:00.000-08:00

Hey All!! Once again it has been a couple of months since I have posted here. I have been a bit busy with my Meetup.com group and posting my art there. I would LOVE to have you stop by the site and see what it is all about ... http://www.meetup.com/Scrapping-and-Stamping-with-Jennifer/ Feel free to browse the site and if you like what you see, to join is FREE!! When you join, you will receive updates on my upcoming crops, workshops and scrapbook groups.

On to my art for today..... I created these cards a couple of weeks ago using the 16 card workshop in Wishes. You use ONLY 3 sheets of B&T/Cardstock PLUS 16 pre-scored card bases. I used Close to my Heart's pre-scored cards for my cards. They come with 50 cards and 50 envelopes for just $14.95!

I absolutely LOVE the Bundled Buddies stamp set!!! I fell in love with this set the first time I laid eyes on it in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book! Of course, it only took me 3 months to use it.....lol. Not sure why I was so afraid of it. Once I started playing with it though, I just could not STOP!

The embellishments were kept to a minimum on these cards. I used sparkles from the Clear Sparkles assortment and the Blue and Green Sparkle assortment. The ribbon used is the Sweet Leaf bulk ribbon and Sweet Leaf ribbon from the Green Ribbon Assortment. Liquid Glass and Prisma Glitter were used on the trees, hat tops and anything else fuzzy! SO STINKIN' FUN to use!!

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

I hope that this has inspired you to use that Liquid Applique that you bought but have not used OR to go out and get some to add to your card making stash. Try adding different glitters to it.....maybe add some colored glitter to the Liquid Applique before you heat it. Think I will give it a try!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

A few more cards from Extravaganza!

2011-09-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

Here are the cards that I created for Extravaganza using the paper pack Dreamin'. This is such a fun and versatile paper pack!! SO sad that it has taken me 2 months to get these posted.......OH well, better late than NEVER! I will try to give a brief description of each card below it. My brain is a bit foggy today as I am trying to get ready to go out of town TOMORROW! SO, if for some reason I cannot remember the name of a stamp set......I will come back and correct it once I know it!

This first card uses a CTMH Clear Circle Card. The cute little owl is from Hot Diggity and has always been one of my FAVORITES!! I stamped him 2 times: Once in Chocolate and once in Goldrush. I cut out the top half of the owl in Goldrush, added Liquid Glass and Prisma Glitter then pop dotted it to the chocolate image.

This BLING on this card is using a button from the Bling Assortment. To color the button I took Liquid Glass and Goldrush Reinker and mixed them together on a non porous surface then dipped (or you can brush the mixture on) the button in the mixture and let it dry. It is hard to tell from this pic......but I spritzed a glimmer mist over the flowers using Rubbing Alcohol and Pearl Paint.

This SUPER CUTE bear comes from Beary Busy. I just LOVE this guy!! The sparkle on this card is hard to see, but you can click on the photo to make it larger and see it better. I used Black Staz-On and VersaMark with Clear Detail Embossing Powder to stamp the outlined image. I then used my CTMH Watercolor Pencils and Blending Pen to color him in. To give it a finishing touch, I used Liquid Glass and Prisma Glitter in the center of each flower.

This is a 3x3 card. The center BLING is from the Designer Rhinestone Brads collection. I used Liquid Glass and Crystal Blue Reinker to color the Rhinestone Brad. The flower was spritzed with Pearl Paint/rubbing alcohol for an extra bit of sparkle.

Another 3x3 card. The flowers were stamped in Goldrush first, then rolled in Chocolate ink for a two-tone look then spritzed with the Glimmer Mist solution mentioned above. The center of the flowers are Mocha Opaques, which are a MUST have in ANY embellishment collection! The ribbon bow is from the Honey Mini Medley Collection.

And yet 1 more 3x3 card using blue sparkles from the Blue/Green Sparkles package. Sparkles are such a fun and inexpensive embellishment to use on cards, scrapbook pages and paper projects. I swear I am always adding them to each order that I place for fear I will run out! The ribbon is from the Honey Mini Medley Collection.

I think this is the last 3x3 card in this group! The butterfly is from the Flutter Paper Shapes and was spritzed with the Glimmer Mist mentioned earlier. The body of the butterfly is made up of Opaques from the Mocha Opaques Gems.

The flowers are from the stamp set Unscripted. Again, the Bling was made by mixing Liquid Glass and Goldrush Ink then dipping the bling buttons in the mixture. The ribbon is a bulk Chocolate Stripe ribbon that is a bit over 1 inch wide. I used the brand new ruler from CTMH to create the zig zag stitching along the paper edges.

This card and the one above and below are all 6x6 cards. The resin flowers and hanging gem are from the Heirloom Assortment. I used liquid glass in the center of each flower to adhere a Mocha Opaque Gem. Stamp set used is Treasure Life and the ribbon is from the Colonial White Ribbon Collection. I used an edge distresser to the edges of the Colonial White CS to add a bit more dimension and distressing.

Last but NOT least.....In the center of each flower I used a Ribbon Slide from the Foundry Metal Accessories, Bling Buttons and White Hemp. Each of the flowers was dyed using Goldrush Reinker and Rubbing Alcohol. The blue flowers that are stamped under the sentiment have liquid glass and prisma glitter added to the center of each one. You can enlarge the photo to see them up close!

OK I need to run.....Hope that I have been able to inspire you to add a bit more BLING to your cards, pages and paper projects!

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

I will have more to share next week!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

Jen

WOW OH WOW!!!

2011-09-08T09:26:00.000-07:00

I have once again let this blog go WAY TOO long without a post! I really have NO good excuses that I can use.....SO I am just going to share a few more things that I created back in July for my Extravaganza Class that I taught. Each of these cards were created using the NEW paper kit Typeset from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book.

First card was created using the stamp set Love Birds. The Juniper Ribbon is from the Designer Ribbon Green Collection and the Pewter Buckle if from the Foundry Ribbon Slides.

The 2nd card uses the stamp set A Twinkle along with Licorice Opaques and ribbon from the Black Mini Medley collection. The sparkle on the star was made by using Liquid Glass and Prisma Glitter over the cut out part of the star.

This card was created using the September Stamp of the Month Limited Edition. The C is from the Dimensional Elements Monograms. Sparkles and Black Ribbon from the Mini Medley collection finish off the card. Simple, but sweet.

The base to this circle card is available in the Autumn/Winter Idea book to make creating Circle cards SO much easier! The Butterfly is from the Flutter Just Blooms and the antennae are pearl stick pins that are included in the Bling Collection. The pearls in the butterfly are the Pearl Opaques AND Ribbon slide is from the Pewter Mini Medley collection.

Last but not least.....Stamp set used for this card is Blue Ribbon. All embellishments have been mentioned above!

Thanks SO much for stopping by today!! I will TRY my hardest to NOT let 2 months go by without posting again! I still have a few more cards and projects just waiting for you to see......

Hope these cards have inspired you to purchase the paper pack Typeset from my website OR from YOUR favorite CTMH consultant!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

jen

As I PROMISED......A Sneak Peak!!

2011-07-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

Where OH where do I begin?? Convention was A-MAZING!!! OH MY GOODNESS......there is going to be SO much to share over the next several weeks! Close to my Heart is the BEST and I cannot imagine EVER being apart from this company.

I am patiently waiting for my convention bundles to arrive on my doorstep so I can start playing with the stuff that I did not have from Extravaganza. And I DO mean PATIENTLY........ In addition to the bundles that were PAID for with my Extravaganza convention credit, I just placed an order for 3 of the WOTG kits and the additional projects that are listed with them.......JUST WAIT till you get your hands on the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book!!! You are going to LOVE everything in it!

While I am waiting on my goodie box to arrive, I have been busy taking pictures of the art that I had on display inside my booth AND on the display boards outside my area. My topic was "Adding Brazzle Dazzle to Your Artwork. YEP you guessed it....BLING!! My favorite thing to add to my pages, cards and paper crafting projects.

Because I can be a bit mean at times.......I am going to drag this out for a bit and make you keep coming back to check for more.......lol

This first card is a 3x3 and it features Prisma Glitter and a button in our new Bling Assortment. To make the flower, I started with a Creme Brulee flower from the Spring Blossom Just Blooms Paper Shapes. I covered the paper flower with Liquid Glass then sprinkled (more like poured) Prisma Glitter over the entire flower. Shake or tap off the excess and let dry. The flower becomes a bit more sturdy as the Liquid Glass dries.

This second card is also a 3x3 card that features Prisma Glitter, Pins from the Bling Assortment and NEW Flutter Paper Shapes. Using the tip of my Liquid Glass container, I ran it around the edges and on the inside "embossed" areas of the butterfly. I sprinkled Prisma Glitter over it and tapped off the excess. It really does not take much time to dry. Set it aside for maybe 5 minutes and it should be ready to add to your project.

Another thing you can do using this technique is to either sponge color onto the edges and embossed lines in the center OR spray the whole butterfly using Rubbing Alcohol and Re-Inker. Then either use Liquid Glass and Prisma Glitter around the edges OR over the entire butterfly/flower.

The new products that were featured on these 2 cards will be available for purchase August 1st!! You can either order them from me at www.lovinscrappin.myctmh.com OR from your favorite Close to my Heart rep!

Want to get a discount on CTMH products or start your OWN business by teaching others how to use the AWESOME products that CTMH offers?? Join my team "Creativity in Motion" and join the Close to my Heart community. It truly is a MAGICAL company to be a part of!!

Hope this has inspired you to get out your Liquid Glass and Prisma Glitter and have a little fun "Adding Brazzle Dazzle to Your Artwork"!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

June Scrapbook Pages using Lucky

2011-07-05T10:36:00.000-07:00

Hey ALL!! I PROMISE I have a GREAT excuse for being MIA for the past 2 months. I was once again chosen to teach at Close to my Heart's annual convention! I have been busy getting ready for my class and have not had much time to do anything else. BUT I PROMISE that I will have TONS of art using NEW products that will be debuting in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book!! Maybe you will forgive me for being gone SO long once you start drooling over the pages and cards that I have to show you!

Until then.....thought I would share with you the pages that my scrapbook groups created LAST month. We used the ever so versatile papers, stamps and Stickease from the Lucky Kit. This kit was SO much fun to put together and both scrapbook groups LOVED their pages!

The first 2 pages were created exactly as they were shown in the Lucky Workshop on the Go Kit using the stamps and embellishments that are included in the kit.

These 4 pages were created using the Lucky Level 2 Assortment, Lucky Journaling Spots and Lucky Stickease. The Level 2 Assortment and Journaling Spots were add ons for group in June. I had SO many of the Level 2 Assortment, Journaling Spots and Buttons left over that I used them on my Jamaica album using Moon Doggie papers. They went PERFECT with the colors from that kit!!

Hoping to get photos on the pages once I return from convention! I have been SO bad the last several months with not putting photos on my pages before group. I THINK that I am SUPPOSED to set the example for my group girls by completing my pages!! LOL DON'T do as I DO, do as I SAY!!

Looking forward to next Thursday!!! I PROMISE to come home and post a few SNEAK PEEKS of new products that will debut in the Fall/Winter Idea Book! I KNOW that you ALL are just going to LOVE the new book!!!!!

Hope this has inspired you to get out your Lucky kit and create some pages/projects with it!!! You will LOVE it!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!!

Jen

May Scrapbook Group Pages using Mayberry.......

2011-05-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

I LOVE the Mayberry Workshop on the Go kit!!! The papers and stamps in this kit were SO much fun to play with!! Not to mention the coordinating My Stickease that go with the papers are SO stinkin' darling! I really had a blast putting these pages together. The first 2 pages are the pages that Close to my Heart created for the WOTG kit. The last 4 pages I created using LO's from Imagine.

The scallops on the first 2 pages were created using the pear stamp from the WOTG kit. I stamped the number of pears that I needed then using my 1 1/4 inch circle punch, I punched the bottom part of the pear out. Then I used my paper trimmer and cut each of the circles in half. I went ahead and inked my circle halves with Olive ink, just to finish it off then lined them up and adhered them to the page. SO CUTE!!

OH I forgot to add that the BLANK Colonial White circles will be filled in with letters from the Token Alphabet......I did not have the alphabet on hand when I created the pages as I had not ordered it yet. They will be available for group this Friday though.

The Canvas Badge Buttons are SO cool! They come plain, but you can stamp on them, sponge ink on the or even put stickers or bling on them to dress them up. I used all but 3 on all 6 pages and have already ordered another package so I can add them to other pages and projects.

As an added embellishment, I used a package of Sparkles to add just a bit of bling to the pages. Not that they weren't cute before I added the sparkles, but once I started adding them to the stickers, they just came to life! If you click on the middle pages and look at the basket of flowers on the bicycle, you will see a couple of sparkles in the center of the flowers. TOO MUCH FUN!! (insert singing here)

The pages that Close to my Heart created for the Workshop on the Go kit is just one more reason that I LOVE being a consultant. I would not have thought to use a stamp to create a pattern for a scalloped edge. The best part about it is that I get to turn around and teach my group girls how to add it to their pages and they get to show their friends their pages and possibly teach them how to create the same page. This is such a wonderful craft!

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!!!

I hope that this inspires you to find a patterned stamp to create your own scalloped border to use on either scrapbook pages or a card!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!!!

Jen

May is National Scrapbooking Month........

2011-05-02T07:05:00.000-07:00

...........And to CELEBRATE National Scrapbooking Month, Close to my Heart has OUT DONE themselves!! Not only do they have this GORGEOUS scrapbook page kit available this month, they are offering 1/2 off their consultant kit PLUS the scrapbook page kit for FREE!! Check out the details below!! Contact me OR your favorite CTMH consultant to either order the You & Me scrapbook kit or to find out how you can join this AMAZING company!

Join the National Scrapbooking Month celebration by getting the exclusive You & Me scrapbooking kit FREE* and your New Consultant Kit at 50% off when you sign up in May!

With this wonderful kit, you can make two fully embellished two-page layouts using the included instructions, papers, D-size stamp set, and accessories. The You & Me scrapbooking kit includes:

   1 – My Acrylix^® You & Me Stamp Set
   1 – 12” × 12” Colonial White Cardstock
   6 – 12” × 12” B&T Duos^® Papers
   1 – 6” × 9” You & Me Irresistibles™ Chipboard Die-Cut Sheet
   1 Yard – Chocolate Stripe Ribbon
   1 Package – Opaques Mocha Adhesive Gems
   1 – Instruction Guide

Become a Close To My Heart Consultant during May and you'll save 50% off on your New Consultant Kit and get one You & Me kit for free*!

*Shipping/handling may apply. Offer valid May 1–31, 2011 only.

If you’ve ever thought about owning your own home-based business and would love an exciting career in the booming scrapbooking and stamping industry, you owe it to yourself to take advantage of this opportunity. There’s never been a better time to join Close To My Heart!

Check out my website www.lovinscrappin.myctmh.com to see more about both offers!

Thanks for stopping by!!

I hope that this has inspired you to check out these 2 amazing offers that Close to my Heart has this month for you!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Monthly Unit Swap 3x6 Card using Mayberry

2011-04-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

Last month, I posted my monthly unit swap card the day of unit meeting. Boy did I get grief for it! lol SO this month, I thought I would wait until AFTER unit meeting to post this! I just LOVE participating in swap each month. The consultants in Shari's team that participate in the swap each month are SO stinkin' talented and I am NEVER disappointed with the cards, pages and 3D projects that I receive. As the swap items are being passed around the room, all you can hear is OOHHH's and AAAHH's and OH MY GOSH, THIS IS SO CUTE! It's like opening presents each time!

There are times that I am SO nervous that my swap item is not going to be good enough when compared to the items that I receive. I guess that is a good thing as it keeps me on my toes and makes me want to push myself to do the best that I can so that I don't disappoint the others that receive my items. I have to be honest here, it is a big confidence boost to hear the ooh's and aah's as your items are being passed around the room. Then you know that you have done a good job with your swap.

My swap card this month was inspired by the card that I created for the Mojo Monday #185 sketch. I really liked the way the scallops looked on the bottom of my card. SO I decided to go with the same idea on my swap card. I used a 1 1/4 in. circle punch and cut the circles in half with my paper trimmer, then lined them up with the edge of my strip of Olive CS.

I have to tell you what my daughter Rachael said to me when I showed her my swap card. She is always honest with me and I can tell immediately if she thinks it is cute or not. After she read the saying.....You're the apple of my eye......she asked why I put a pear on the card!!! LOL Gotta love her!!

All supplies used are CTMH
Paper: Mayberry Level 2 Paper Pack, Olive CS, Cocoa CS and Colonial White CS
Stamps: Mayberry Workshop on the Go stamp set
Inks: Olive, Smoothie and Cocoa
Embellishments: Colonial White Crocheted Ribbon (colonial white ribbon round collection)
Tools: 1 1/4 Circle Punch

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

I hope that this has inspired you to get out your circle punch and create a fun scalloped border on your cards, pages or paper projects!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!!

Jen

Mojo Monday #185 Challenge.......

2011-04-08T11:18:00.000-07:00

I REALLY liked the card sketch over at Mojo Monday this week, so could not wait to play along with this week's challenge. As an added bonus.....they are giving out a prize as it is the beginning of a new month. The prize is a stamp set from Verve Stamps! Who knows.....maybe I will win a set this week!! After all, one can NEVER have TOO many stamp sets.....RIGHT?? LOL

Take a look at the sweet ribbon "flower" (you can click the photo to enlarge the pic) that I have on this card. I came across a tutorial to create this flower on Paper Pleats and Ribbon Roses. Connie had created this flower by stitching and gathering the Colonial White Ribbon that CTMH sells. She also used retired CTMH colored organdy ribbon on another card that she had posted to the CTMH board.

I LOVED the way the colored organdy flowers looked, but I did not have any colored organdy ribbon to play with. SO I dyed my Colonial White Organdy Ribbon using Smoothie Reinker and Rubbing Alcohol. The awesome thing about dying my own ribbon is that the colors are only limited to the number of reinker's that I have in stock......which is not limited at all! lol

All supplies used are CTMH:

Paper: Mayberry Level 2 Paper Pack, Colonial White CS, Cocoa CS, Olive CS

Stamp set: Card Chatter: Sympathy

Ink: Cocoa

Embellishments: Smoothie Ribbon (Pinks ribbon collection), Colonial White Ribbon (colonial white collection), Mocha Opaques, Pinks Collection Buttons

Tools: CTMH 2" Scalloped Circle Punch

Thanks SO much for stopping by today!!

I hope that this has inspired you to check out Connie's tutorial on how to create this super sweet ribbon flower AND to possibly play along over at Mojo Monday and win a set of stamps from Verve Stamps!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

April Scrapbook Group Pages using Miracle

2011-04-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday All!! I thought I would share the 6 pages that my scrapbook groups will be making this month. All 6 pages are created using the sweet papers from "Miracle". I added Clear Buttons as an "extra" embellishment that group can purchase to add to their pages if they would like, but they are not necessary to complete the pages.

I was pretty happy with the way these turned out. One thing I love about this paper pack is it does not scream boy or girl or really anything too specific. But after the first 4 pages were done, I had a hard time coming up with the last 2, which ended up being my favorite pages of all 6! Funny how it all works out in the end. I will focus this week on finding pictures to put on these pages this week. I have a few ideas.....just need to search through the endless files of photos on my computer and if I can't find any there, I have plenty of albums to search through......lol

Is it just me or does this pic look smaller than usual? Must be that it is longer than my card pics. HHMMM If you would like to see it a bit larger, just click on it. These pages look a bit odd without the photos......but will look super cute when all the blanks are filled in! The Pinwheels were created using the stamp set that is included in the "Miracle" Workshop on the Go Kit. The Kraft Color Ready Borders are ALSO included in the WOTG kit.

This 2nd set of pages uses the coordinating "Miracle" Stickease. My scrapbook group kits always include the coordinating stickease. The first 2 pages that we create focus on stamping and a new technique. The last 4 pages that we create focus on using the coordinating stickease and an added embellishment that is not included in the WOTG kit.

The last 2 pages are my personal favorites! The LO's for all 6 pages were taken from the Magic Book. This is a LO that I have been wanting to make, but was not sure about all the punched circles. Since CTMH came out with the 1 1/4" circle punch, it made creating this page SO much easier!! Inside each punched circle is a Clear Button.

Supplies used:

Paper: Miracle WOTG Kit

Stamp set: Miracle Workshop on the Go stamp set

Inks: Heavenly Blue, Chocolate, Sweet Leaf, Desert Sand

Embellishments: Kraft Color Ready Borders, Miracle Level 2 Stickease, Clear Buttons

Tools: CTMH 1 1/4" Circle Punch

Thanks OH SO much for stopping by!! If you live in the Omaha area and would like to create these pages, our group meets each 3rd Friday of the month at 9am or 7pm. There is ALWAYS room for guests!! Contact me to reserve a spot for you and a friend!

Hope this has inspired you to visit one of my scrapbook groups OR find a local CTMH consultant to see what kind of classes they offer!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Owls are ALL the rage right now.......

2011-03-27T08:12:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed that owls are HUGE right now in fashion? While shopping for prom accessories with my daughter the past couple of weeks, I have seen quite a few owl rings, necklaces and earrings. I have even seen a few tops with cute owls on them. Reminds me of when I was little and my Aunt Barb had quite the collection of owls in her home decor. Having seen so many different owl accessories inspired me to bring out my owl stamp set You're a Hoot and play with it. I really like these whimsical owls. So fun and cute!

This owl was stamped in Pacifica on the white daisy image square first, then again on a scrap of White Daisy CS and Sky CS. The wings were cut out and adhered just at the top of the wing with the tips of each wing slightly curled up. The head was also cut out then pop dotted for dimension. The eyes were cut out from the Sky CS image with Red Sparkles added. The stripes of the owl were colored in with Sky and Cranberry markers.

This card was created once again using papers from the Fanfare Level 2 Paper Pack. The Pacifica patterned paper is actually the back side of the black patterned paper used in the card below this one.

Supplies used:

Paper used: Fanfare Level 2 Paper Pack, Sky CS, Cranberry CS and White Daisy CS

Stamp Set: You're a Hoot

Inks: Pacifica, Sky and Cranberry

Embellishments: Fanfare Level 2 Assortment (brads), Red Sparkles, White Daisy Grosgrain (bulk) and Pacifica Ribbon (from the Blue Ribbon Assortment)

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

What inspires you when you create your cards, scrapbook pages and paper crafting projects?

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Making time to create this week......

2011-03-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

Do you have time to create, but don't do it?? That is how I have been lately. I honestly have quite a bit of time to sit down an play with my paper crafting "stuff". BUT I find my time getting wasted on the internet, between blog hopping, searching for ideas and new techniques or just talking to my friends and family on Facebook. Then there is the laundry that calls out to me, or the dog that wants to get played with or those darn kids when they get home from school wanting me to help them with school stuff and what not.

This week I have had to force myself to create something each day. I chose to create cards. What I really need to be doing is working on a unit meeting project that I am having a hard time coming up with an idea for. I am running out of time to submit my idea and project dimensions......guess I should get to working on that next!

I am still working on papers from CTMH's Fanfare Level 2 Paper Pack and the coordinating embellishments. The colors Pacifica, Cranberry, Sunny Yellow and Sky with bits of Black are SO BRIGHT and CHEERY to work with and I am having the best time playing!

The guitar is from Star Power. I stamped it first in Black on the White Daisy background paper, then stamped it in Cranberry then cut and pop dotted just the guitar over the black. If you click on the photo you should be able to see the dimension a bit better. The brad in the center of the guitar is from the Fanfare Level 2 Assortment.

Supplies used:
Paper: Fanfare Level 2 Paper Pack, Black CS, Sunny Yellow CS and Cranberry CS
Stamp Sets: Star Power, Say it in Style
Inks: Black, Cranberry
Embellishments: Red Sparkles, Fanfare Level 2 Assortment (brad)
Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Sand Paper, Edge Distresser and Corner Rounder (to create scallops)

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

I hope that this has inspired you to make more time to create. Get off your computer and get your stamps, papers, embellishments and scissors out and PLAY!! As soon as I am done with this post, my computer is going off......at least for a while. LOL

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

Jen

Another Mojo Monday Sketch Card......#183

2011-03-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

I am so excited that I have been able to participate in the past 2 Mojo Monday Sketch Challenges! It gave me an excuse to pull out the new Fanfare Level 2 papers and play with them. It is pretty sad to me that I purchased these papers clear back in the consultant preview period in January, but have just now pulled them out of the bag to actually use them instead of just drooling over them. WOW Was that a run-on sentence or what?? LOL

Anyhoo......trying to find a stamp set that would not only work with these papers BUT also had to fit the area that I had to stamp in was quite a challenge for me. Which reminds me of something that I was talking to my friend Cindy about earlier this morning.........

............When you set out to create a card, what do you start with first? Do you have a specific stamp set in mind that you want to use? Do you have a certain paper that you just bought and can't wait to cut into? OR do you start with a sketch, like a sketch challenge and go from there?

Today, I started with the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge AND the Fanfare Level 2 Paper Pack. I knew that I wanted to play with the Fanfare papers, but also wanted to try out the new sketch. But when it came to the stamping......I had NO clue what I wanted to use with it. Which then created a challenge for me to come up with a set that spoke to me. As soon as I ran across this set in my boxes, I KNEW it was THE ONE! It yelled at me......USE ME, USE ME!! I know you know what I am talking about. lol

I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on this as I know everyone has a different way of creating that perfect card.......

Supplies used:
Paper: Fanfare Level 2 Paper Pack, Black CS, Sky CS and Pacifica CS
Stamp set: Childhood
Inks: Pacifica, Sky, Cranberry and Black
Embellishments: Cranberry Ribbon, Fanfare Level 2 Assortment
Tools: CTMH 2" Scalloped Circle Punch, SU! 1 3/4 Circle Punch

Thanks SO much for stopping by today!!

I hope that this has inspired you to pull out those papers that you purchased months ago but have not touched since the day you brought them home!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!!

Jen

March Stamp of the Month: Sensational Season

2011-03-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

I am in love with these bunnies! They are SO precious and remind me of the bunnies in Peter Rabbit. I guess that is why I colored the boy bunny blue.

If you like these bunnies, they are only available until the end of the month! The stamp set is a D size stamp and is $22.95. You can purchase it for $22.95 OR get it at a discount OR even earn it for FREE, depending on your order total. For details on the SOTM program, visit my website by clicking on the Spring/Summer Idea Book on the side bar.

This first card is a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 and the pattern can be found in the Wishes book. The paper is again from the Creative Basics Wings Collection. For both cards, the images were inked in VersaMark and Brown StazOn then embossed with Clear Detail Embossing Powder. I used CTMH's Watercolor Pencils and Blending Pen to color them in. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you will be able to see the Liquid Applique that I used on the bunnies tails. Love that stuff!!

This second card uses the papers from Miracle. I just felt like these bunnies needed the green/blue tones with a darker brown as contrast. Maybe because they are more earthy tones......in nature. So tried to keep it softer and a bit more earthy.

Supplies used for top card:

Paper: Creative Basics Wings Collection, White Daisy CS, Juniper CS, Cocoa CS

Stamp set: Sensational Season March SOTM

Inks: Cocoa, Brown StazOn, VersaMark

Embellishments: Colonial White Ribbon, Mocha Opaques

Other supplies: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Watercolor Pencils, Blending Pen, Liquid Applique

Tools used: Edge Distresser, Heat Gun

Supplies used for bottom card:

Paper: Miracle, Chocolate CS, Bamboo CS, Colonial White CS

Tools: Marvy Scalloped Circle Punches (large and x-tra large), Paper Piercer

All other supplies on this card are the same as above and all are Close to my Heart!

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

I hope that this has inspired you to get out your favorite lined stamp and give the Watercolor Pencils and Blending Pen a try! It reminds me of coloring in a coloring book. Easy Peasy!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Mojo Monday Sketch #182

2011-03-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have participated in the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge. I try to check in each week to see the sketch, but don't always get around to creating a card. Well, this week I gave it a try. Can't say that I am in LOVE with this card.......love the sketch, just not so sure about the card I came up with.

The patterned paper that I used is from the "Wings" Creative Basics Collection. If you are not familiar with the Creative Basics Collections, it comes in a pack of 12 papers (6 each of 2 designs) and a coordinating ribbon. The "Wings" Creative Basics comes with a dainty Juniper ribbon, the patterned paper in this card along with a thin striped paper.

Supplies Used:

Paper: Creative Basics Wings Collection, New England Ivy CS, Colonial White CS

Inks: Juniper, New England Ivy

Stamps: Miracle and Childhood Portrait

Embellishments: Colonial White Ribbon, Sweet Leaf Ribbon, Pearl Opaques

Tools: 2" Scalloped Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

I hope that this inspires you to follow the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge sometime!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

Jen

Mix-n-Mingle Album with a twist......

2011-03-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

Do you remember a while back when coasters were the thing to play with in the paper crafting world? I bought a TON of them and made boxes, frames, and mini albums with them. Well......as I was trying to come up with a dimensional submission, I ran across the Mix-n-Mingle Album that Close to my Heart sells. It was featured in the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book and brought back in the Spring/Summer Idea book as well. If you look through the Idea Books, you will see that they use this cute little album for more than just an album. Which was my inspiration for this frame. A couple of years ago, I received instructions on creating a standing frame using 4x4 coasters and Close to my Heart's metal Hinges. That was my 2nd inspiration for this project.

The first one was the original one. My brother's wedding matched the colors to Sweetheart PERFECTLY!! This will be a gift to them as soon as I get it back from my submission.

This second one I created using Mayberry for a dimensional project for a unit meeting project that I was to teach. That is until I found out that the project for the meeting prior also used the Mix n Mingle album. Darn it!! OH WELL! I loved the way it turned out. Thinking I will find pics of the kids, Rod and myself and give it to my mom and dad.

All supplies are Close to my Heart. The flowers were created using a 2" circle punch then spiral cut to the center and rolled up. I have a tutorial on how to create these flowers starting with a square piece of paper. These are created in the same fashion. The leaves were created using a 1 1/4 inch punch by punching a circle then placing the circle back into the punch and punching a leaf shape. You can create 2 leaves from 1 punched circle. I then folded the leaf in half and inked the center and all around the edges.

Thank you SO much for stopping by today!!

I hope that this has inspired you to dust off those coasters that you purchased 4 years ago with good intentions! OR purchase a Mix-n-Mingle Album from your favorite CTMH consultant and get playing! You can create 2 tri-fold frames and have enough left over for a double frame.

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

jen

Fun Times with the Color Ready Kraft Borders

2011-03-04T16:08:00.000-08:00

This is one stamp set that I could just use OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. I love it because it is SO stinkin' cute! I have to be honest though.....it has been a while since I have pulled it out and used it. So, as I was putting this card together today, I was going through my stamp sets to find one that spoke to me and this was the set that not only spoke to me but screamed at me!

These Color Ready Kraft Borders are my favorite embellishment right now! Plus they just happen to come in the "Miracle" Workshop on the Go Kit. I added a 1/2 strip of Sweet Leaf CS behind the border to give it just a hint of color which I think was just enough to tie in the Sweet Leaf stripes and the Sweet Leaf border around the snail image.

The crochet ribbon is in the Colonial White Ribbon Round Collection, still one of my favorites! I also used the Pearl Opaques on top of the snail's shell along with a Mocha Opaque for his eye.

Supplies used:

Paper: Miracle Level 2 Paper Pack, Bamboo CS, Colonial White CS, Crystal Blue CS, Sweet Leaf CS

Stamp set: Fun Times

Inks: Chocolate (snail body), Desert Sand (distressing) Crystal Blue and Sweet Leaf

Embellishments: Pearl Opaques, Mocha Opaques, Colonial White Brads, Colonial White Crocheted Ribbon, Color Ready Kraft Borders

Tools used: Edge Distresser

Thanks SO much for stopping by today!!

I hope this has inspired you to pull out your oldie but goodie stamp set from years past and play with it!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

jen

OH Sophia, Sophia, OH how I love thee.......

2011-03-01T15:54:00.000-08:00

I know that I am totally misquoting! BUT I DO LOVE "SOPHIA", the new paper pack from Close to my Heart's Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book!!! I believe it is my favorite of all the new papers that were released in February. Love the color combo of Hollyhock, Pear, Blush and Goldrush! So bright, so cheery, so ME!

These cards are both created using the same pattern from Wishes. I don't know why, but I find myself liking the 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 card size lately. Do you ever find yourself finding a card size or even a scrapbook page size that you like and can't make enough of? That is me right now! I also like the 3x6 size as it can be made from 1/4 of a 12x12 piece of paper.

ANYHOO......Here are the cards that I created using Sophia. The first card uses the stamp set that comes in the Sophia Workshop on the Go kit, but the sentiment is from the set Baby Love. The second card uses the stamp set that comes in the Mayberry Workshop on the Go kit.

Don't forget that if you want to see any detail up close, all you need to do is click on the photo and it will enlarge it to a MUCH BIGGER SIZE.

Supplies used:

Paper: Sophia Level 2 Paper Pack

Stamps: Sophia Workshop on the Go stamp set, Mayberry Workshop on the Go stamp set, Baby Love (happy thoughts sentiment)

Inks: Hollyhock, Goldrush, Pear

Embellishments: Pear Ribbon (mini medley) Bitty Sparkles, Red/Pink Sparkles, White Daisy Grosgrain, Buttercup Ribbon Collection, Hollyhock Brad (Pink Brad Assortment)

As always, all products can be purchased on my website or from your favorite Close to my Heart consultant.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Hope this inspires you to get yourself some of this super sweet paper!! You will LOVE it too!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

jen

Video Tutorial Creating a Mini Purse from a Notebook

2011-03-01T05:26:00.000-08:00

Remember the little "Purse" that I made using a mini composition notebook? Well, I decided to make a video creating one and the flower that goes on it. The video is a bit long......like 17 minutes......guess I got to talking and did not realize how much time I spent on the project.

I also have to apologize for the angle. I was trying to aim for the mat only, but I ended up getting a nice shot of my boobs the whole time! LOL After recording, I was happy with the way it turned out in general so decided that I was just going to keep it as is.

The 17 minutes consists of the supplies that I used, cutting the notebook edges and putting together the scrunched flower on the front. I would love ANY feedback......good OR bad! I hope to try again and improve as I go. So, bare with me as I enter into the world of video tutorials......

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

I hope that this inspires you to go out and find one of these little notebooks and give this a try!

Supplies used:
Paper: Mayberry Level 2 Kit
Inks: Olive, Smoothie, Honey
Embellishments: Smoothie Brad, Smoothie Button, Smoothie Ribbon
Tools: Paper Piercer, 2" Scalloped Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Scissors

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

jen

How about some unfinished scrapbook pages??

2011-02-19T11:24:00.000-08:00

I say unfinished as they do not have any photos on them YET. These are the pages that my scrapbook groups made yesterday. It was SO much fun seeing the different ways that the "girls" used the papers from the "Wings" Level 2 Paper Pack!! We all cut for the same 6 pages, but because we did not use all the papers from the kit, some "girls" used different papers or flipped them over to use the back side creating completely different looking pages.

I will be looking for pics to go on these pages this week. I have SO fallen behind in making sure that I have photos on my pages BEFORE group night! And I was doing SO good for SO long. But the past several months I have been struggling to leave the house to do something other than go to the gym. Not that I need to even leave the house to scrapbook as it is ALL here for me to work on. Just been a GREAT FUNK and I am trying SO hard to get out of it........

ANYHOO......enough about ME! Let's move on to the pages! These first 2 pages are from the brochure that comes with the "Wings" Workshop on the Go kit. The only thing that I changed on the WOTG pages was I used VersaMark and Black Embossing Powder on the stamped images. If you click on the pages it should bring them up bigger and you can see the detail a bit better.

The second set of pages were shown in the "Inspirations" brochure that was released in January as a sneak peak into the new catalog. Since we use the coordinating My Stickease in each of my monthly group kits, I used those on these 2 pages instead of the stamping that CTMH had on their pages. The scalloped banner was created using the NEW 2" Scalloped Circle Punch that CTMH sells! The scalloped border at the bottom of the pages was made using a template from the "Magic" CD that comes with the book.

The last 2 pages were all my own! Well, not the actual LO because that is in the "Magic" book. But I guess all else was my ideas........Not much explanation for these 2 pages.....The scalloped edge on the right side was done using a corner rounder without the guard on.

Supplies Used:

Paper: Wings Level 2 Paper Pack

Stamps: Wings Workshop on the Go Stamp Set

Inks: Black Ink for edging, VersaMark for the Emossing

Embellishments: Wings My Stickease, Black Mini Medley, Black Folded Ribbon, Black Embossing Powder

Tools: Heat Gun, Paper Piercer

Thanks SO much for stopping by!

I hope that I have inspired you to either start your OWN scrapbook group, OR look for a Close to my Heart consultant that holds scrapbook groups each month. This is a GREAT way to get pages done and learn NEW techniques! NOT all CTMH consultants create 6 pages each month, but I am sure that you will be able to find someone that suits your scrapbooking needs!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

It's a MIRACLE.......

2011-02-17T07:28:00.000-08:00

Well, not really! But it IS a CARD made using the soft papers from the paper pack "Miracle". If this card looks familiar it is because it was the inspiration card for the one using "Sweetheart" up in the previous post.

Now these papers may look a bit familiar to those who know their Close to my Heart products. That is because it was a special last April/May 2010. CTMH brought out 2 patterned papers in a special pack that created 4 scrapbook pages. I LOVED the papers then and I LOVE them NOW!! The colors in this pack are SO soft and can be used for SO many different occasions. I put pictures of my Daughter Rachael the day that she took her driver's test and received her license. The colors that her and her cousin Mariah were wearing matched the papers PERFECTLY! If you have not seen the pages......I have posted them to my blog under "Miracle".

Onto the card......I wanted to point out one of CTMH's newest accents. I have to be honest, when I first saw the "Color Ready Kraft Borders" in the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book, I said YUCK!! BUT they come in the "Miracle" Workshop on the Go Kit. Seeing them in person and then playing with them made ALL the difference in the world! I LOVE THEM!!!!! Can't wait to use them for MANY more cards and pages and paper projects! SUPER COOL PRODUCT!

The butterfly is the same one as above from the "Sweetheart" Workshop on the Go Kit. The stitched swirls and words are from the stamp set that is included in the "Miracle" Workshop on the Go Kit. A little story about THIS butterfly. I had everything done on this card with the exception of the Butterfly in the center and was stumped as to what color I should make the butterfly. My friend Lori suggested that I use Twilight Ink and stamp it on the Sweet Leaf Patterned paper from the kit. So, I did and I LOVED it!! I just love scrapping with friends as there is nothing better than putting our creative heads together and coming up with something that I would have not come up with on my own! Thanks Lori!!!

The middle square has a background stamped image on it and is also pop dotted for dimension. Hard to see from this pic. The inside parts of the wings on the butterfly have Liquid Glass on them to also add dimension. The little flower buttons are NEW and in the Basic Button Collection. LOVE THEM!!

All products used in the cards can be found on my website. Click here to see the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book. Click here to place an order with me!

Thanks SO much for stopping by today and not giving up on me! Thanks also for the MUCH APPRECIATED comments that you all leave for me! It is always such a nice surprise when I open my emails and see that someone else has enjoyed my creations!

I hope that this has inspired you to check out the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book to see ALL of the GORGEOUS new paper packs, stamp sets and embellishments that Close to my Heart has come out with!

Supplies Used:

Paper: Miracle Level 2 Paper Pack, Bamboo CS

Stamps: Sweetheart Workshop on the Go Stamp Set, Miracle Workshop on the Go Stamp set, Universal Backgrounds

Inks: Bamboo, Chocolate, Twilight

Embellishments: Kraft Color Ready Borders, Basic Button Assortment, Liquid Glass, Mocha Pearl Opaques, Chocolate Waxy Flax.

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!!!!

Jen

OH MY GOODNESS IT"S BEEN TWO MONTHS......

2011-02-14T10:53:00.000-08:00

Since my last post! I had NO idea it had been that long! SO sorry......I have been in a funk lately, but I am finally coming out of it and ready to get creating again.

I created these 2 cards at a crop a couple of weeks ago. SO, I will start with these 2 for today. These are both made with papers from the NEW paper pack "Sweetheart". I am LOVING this paper pack right now!!

This first card was created for the monthly unit swap that I participate in. The stamp set used is sold with the "Sweetheart" Workshop on the Go kit. The kit is $29.95 and you can find the contents of the kit here.

To make the butterfly, I inked first in Blush Ink then rolled the edges in Tulip Ink, stamped and cut out. I inked a second butterfly in Black and just cut out the center of it. The head is a Black Pearl Opaque and the antenna's are made from waxy flax. I adhered the waxy flax to the back of the head with Liquid Glass then used my piercing tool to curl the ends.

I adhered the butterfly with Liquid Glass in the center of the butterfly only so I could bring the wings up and curl them a bit downward for dimension. The black buttons are brads that are included in the Black Mini Medley package.

This second card was actually created BEFORE the first card and is what inspired the first card for my swap. The only difference on this butterfly from the other one is I stamped another butterfly in Tulip only and cut out the hearts and other inside parts of the wings. The black ribbon is also from the Black Mini Medley collection! For just $4.95 the Black Mini Medley Collection is a PERFECT compliment to this paper pack!!

Supplies used:

Papers: Sweetheart Level 2 Papers, Blush CS, Black CS, Baby Pink CS

Stamp Set used: Sweetheart Workshop on the Go Stamp Set

Inks: Black, Tulip, Blush

Embellishments: Black Mini Medley Collection

Card sizes: Top Card 3x6 Bottom Card 4 1/2 x 4 1/2

Thanks SO much for stopping by!

I hope this has inspired you to do a little rockin' and rollin' with your favorite stamps!!

I promise I will post a few more cards this week! Maybe even get a few scrapbook pages in there too!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

jen

CTMH Love Birds meets Basic Grey's Max and Whiskers

2010-12-17T12:16:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have one of those cards that you REALLY like the way it turned out and want to recreate it using completely different papers, stamp sets, and embellies? Well I do and I sat down today to re-create it using the SUPER CUTE papers from Max and Whiskers by Basic Grey.

Because I kept the sketch and the placement of the embellies the same as my other card, this card took me NO time at all to put together. I just LOVE it when that happens! Without further ado......

As you can tell from the picture, I used Clear Detail Embossing Powder with Versa Mark over the image stamped in Cocoa. I just like the subtle dimension that using the embossing powder gives the image. Another thing I did to create dimension was to stamp the birdies on Creme Brulee CS, cut them out and pop dot them to the cage.

Supplies used:

Paper: Basic Grey Max and Whiskers, CTMH Cocoa CS, Colonial White CS and Sunset CS

Stamp Set: CTMH Love Birds

Inks: Cocoa for distressing and stamping, Sunset marker for coloring in.

Embellishments: Lagoon Ribbon and Brads from the Mini Medley, and Just Blooms Spring Blossom

My card base came from the CTMH 50 Cards and Envelopes for just $14.95 (awesome deal!)

Thanks SO much for stopping by today!!

I hope that this has inspired you to re-create some of YOUR favorite cards from the past!! Don't forget that if you want to see any of the images up close all you have to do is click on it and it SUPER SIZES it for you for FREE!! lol

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

I forgot how much I LOVE Basic Grey paper!

2010-12-06T09:07:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday All!!! A few weeks ago I was over at Archiver's checking out all the fun new papers and embellishments that are out right now. I don't remember the last time I bought anything other than CTMH products to "play" with. So when I saw these SUPER cute papers from Basic Grey, I just HAD to have them!

I don't know about you all.......BUT sometimes a card will take ME a few days to complete. You know......choosing the paper......deciding on just the right embellishments........picking out the perfect stamp set that speaks to you and the paper that you choose........THEN finding a sketch to follow. Once I have all that down, I start playing. There are times that I cut, then re-cut a different color of CS or a different pattern of paper.....adhere paper then immediately take it off, trying to reposition it and NOT to tear the paper below! lol I have had to walk away from a card and go back to it the next day with a fresh outlook........

BUT this card took me NO time at all to create! That is not saying that I did not have to stamp and color the image 2 times or change out one patterned paper for another........take time to find JUST the right button size and color. It just took LESS time doing all of that than normal.

The bear is stamped in Cocoa then stamped again in VersaMark and embossed with Clear Detail Embossing Powder. I stamped him on Watercolor Paper that I purchased from Hobby Lobby a while back. I then used my Blending Pen and CTMH markers to color him in and found that the blending pen worked a bit better using the watercolor paper versus cardstock. The cardstock started to break down when I used the blending pen where the watercolor paper is meant for just that.....getting it wet. Clear as mud?? LOL

Supplies Used: CTMH (unless noted)

Paper: Basic Grey Pyrus 6x6 paper pad, Colonial White CS, Cocoa CS and Watercolor Paper

Stamp Set: Beary Busy

Inks: VersaMark, Cocoa Ink (distressing and stamping) and Autumn Terracotta, Goldrush, Twilight, Garden Green Markers

Embellishments: Cocoa Buttons, White Hemp, Clear Detail Embossing Powder

Tools: Wishes Card Program, Heat Gun

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

I hope that this has inspired you to break out of your paper rut and try something new!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

SUPER CUTE Gingerbread Man and Snowman Boxes!

2010-12-02T07:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Thursday All!! One more day till the weekend!! WOOT WOOT Yes, I have finished my first cup of coffee for the day and starting on my 2nd.......lol Life would not be as much fun if my morning coffee was taken away from me.

I, like many of you, am always on the hunt for fun paper projects and techniques. Well, Vicki W. posted this SUPER CUTE snowman box that she found Lisa Young's blog. After seeing Vicki's snowman, I hopped on over the the blog that she found her inspiration and found a few MORE SUPER CUTE boxes! Lisa created a Gingerbread Man, Santa, Penguin, Reindeer and a Snowman made from punches and the Fancy Favor Box die cut.

So, after seeing Lisa's and Vicki's boxes, I decided to scraplift and make the 2 that I had the supplies for! As soon as my SU! order comes, I will be making one of those super cute Penguin's too. But for now, here are my Snowman and my Gingerbread Man.......

For my snowman nose, I cut apart a paper flower and sponged it with Sunset Ink. I adhered it with a pop dot in the round end of the nose for dimension.

The gingerbread man uses Brown Bag CS and is inked with Chocolate Ink. I think it gives a great contrast and makes it look like the Gingerbread Man was cooked just right with nicely browned edges.

If you do not have the Fancy Favor Box die from SU!, Vicki W. as SO VERY KINDLY posted dimensions to create the box without having to purchase the die. The box is super easy to put together.....I know, I created 10 snowmen and 10 gingerbread men!

The directions for each of these little guys can be found in the links above on Lisa's blog.

Supplies used:
Paper: White Daisy CS, Brown Bag CS, Baby Pink CS, Colonial White CS, Black CS and Cranberry CS
Inks: Chocolate, Baby Pink, Black and Cranberry. Black Marker was used for smile and White Gel Pen used for eyes.
Enbellishments: Cranberry Ribbon, Colonial White Ric Rac, Outdoor Denim Ribbon, Colonial White Bigger Brads, Cranberry Buttons, Big Pinks Just Blooms and White Hemp.
Tools: 1/2 in. punch, 1 inch punch, Circle Nestabilities

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

I hope that this has inspired you to make a few of these super cute boxes! I plan on putting some candy in bags to put inside the boxes and giving them to my son's teachers and the office staff at the school.

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Covered Notebooks Using Mistletoe

2010-11-26T19:11:00.000-08:00

Hello My Fellow Scrappers, Stampers and Paper Crafters!! I hope that you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a safe productive Black Friday! Although my family and I do not celebrate the holidays, we did have a nice day off together. We just hung out, went to go see "Unstoppable" and ate homemade Chicken and Noodles with Mashed Potatoes. YUMMM!! I am NOT a shopper, so Black Friday is the LAST day of the year that you will find me at ANY store. LOL

So, instead of spending the day shopping, I spent my day trying to catch up with a few items that I need to make before the craft fair that my friend Val and I are a vendor at. We are just going to have a few handmade items such as decorated nugget tins, gift card holders, the snowmen tic-tac holders, covered notebooks, and some yummy food that Val is making.

I thought I would share with you a few of the covered notebooks that I have made. I dug out some of our older paper packs like "Aspen", "Jingle", and "Just Chillin'" to decorate my other notebooks. For these, I of course used "Mistletoe".

If you LOVE these little covered pads, you can find them at Papertrey Ink . All other accessories, inks and papers can be found on my website www.lovinscrappin.myctmh.com !

Supplies Used:

Paper: "Mistletoe" Level 2 Paper Pack

Stamps: All the Best (Mistletoe WOTG), A Sip

Inks: Cocoa, New England Ivy, Cranberry

Embellishments: Red Sparkles, Clear Sparkles, "Mistletoe" Level 2 Assortment, Cranberry Ribbon, Colonial White Ribbon, Pearl Opaques,

Tools: Stardust Pen (non ctmh) Notepads from Papertrey Ink

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit!

I hope that this has inspired you to check out these super cute Notepads and whip yourselves up a few.

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

Jen

Gift Card Holder Inspired by Tresa Black......

2010-11-23T14:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday!! I wanted to share with you all the SUPER CUTE gift card holder that Tresa Black made on one of her live you stream shows a few weeks back. I LOVED everything about it, so used the same stamp set "A Timber" as she did to create the dimensional tree.

This is a GREAT project for ANY occasion! I am patiently waiting for CTMH's Spring/Summer Idea Book to come out so I can make a few more of these using the brand spanking new products!

Until then.....I have pulled out a couple of retired paper packs to create my holder. If you LOVE the papers, you might be able to find them on ebay...... The stamp set is current and available as are the sparkles that I used on each tree.

If you would like the dimensions and to watch a how-to video, check out Tresa's blog!

Supplies used:

Paper: "Aspen" and "Just Chillin' "

Stamps: A Timber

Inks: Outdoor Denim, Lagoon and Vineyard Berry

Embellishments: Creme Brulee Ribbon and Sparkles

Tools: Soft Set Eyelet Tool, SU! Border Punch, Martha Stewart Border Punch, 1 1/4 SU! Circle Punch, Trimmer with Scoring Blade

Thanks for stopping by!!

I hope that this has inspired you to make a few of these for any occasion!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

Jen

16 Card Mistletoe Workshop

2010-11-09T06:31:00.000-08:00

Back in September, I attended a craft fair as a vendor to showcase Close to my Heart products. Well, we had a pretty good crowd in the morning, but in the afternoon the Huskers had a football game that was not only televised BUT was also playing at home. That meant that everyone started heading either home or to Lincoln around noon.

The reason I am telling you all this is because I had brought with me the supplies to put together 16 cards using a cutting guide that came with the Everyday Celebration Card Kit that was a special about a year or more ago. So, I cut and assembled all 16 cards that day and finished them 2 weeks ago at a crop that I attended.

I just LOVED the way they turned out! The photos really do not do them justice as in person they sparkle. Again, if you would like to see it up close and personal, just click on the picture!

The card above uses the Star Dust Glitter Pen for the steam coming up from the cup. I used Cocoa Ink 2nd generation and then the glitter pen over the top of it.

If you click on the card above to view it larger, you will see there are bitty Pearl Opaques dotted on the tree. Kind of hard to see the little details from these photos.

The card above uses the November Stamp of the Month "A Little Thanks". I am LOVING this set!!

The ornaments are from the Mistletoe Workshop on the Go Kit on page 25 of the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book. The stamp set is only available for purchase with the WOTG kit until January 31st 2011.

Supplies used: All CTMH and available!

Paper: Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Pack

Stamps: A Timber, Jingle Borders, A Sip, Stamp set from Mistletoe WOTG Kit, A Little Thanks (November Stamp of the Month)

Inks: New England Ivy, Cranberry and Cocoa

Embellishments: Colonial White Ribbon Collection, Cranberry Ribbon Collection, Bitty Sparkles, Sparkles, Pearl Opaques, Pink/Red Sparkles

Tools: Star Dust Glitter Pen, Pop Dots and Glue Dots

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!'

I hope that this has inspired you in one way or another. Maybe it will inspire you to get your Christmas cards done if you have not already. Maybe it will inspire you to get out your Sparkles and Pearl Opaques and USE them! LOL OR Maybe it will inspire you to get out your stamps and just play......

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Buttons on Side Bar Have Changed...... NEW LINKS ADDED

2010-11-08T08:06:00.000-08:00

I wanted to let you all know that I have made a few changes to the icons on my side bar. A few of you have let me know that you were not sure where to go to find my website to do a little shopping with me. SO, I have changed all of my side bar photos to link directly to various parts of my website.

The Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book links directly to shop on my site. If you would like to see the actual Idea Book, you can go to the Products section of my website and it will direct you to all current Idea Books.

The Studio J will direct you to the Studio J site, via my website. Give it a try for FREE......like what you create? You have the choice of purchasing the Layouts in several different ways. Check it out to find out how COOL Studio J is!

The How To Books will link you directly to purchase the books. Cherish, Imagine, Reflections and Magic are AWESOME books that show you step by step how to create timeless Layouts for your scrapbook pages! Magic goes a step further by showing you how to create INTERACTIVE pages in addition to traditional pages.

The Wishes book will link you to purchase that book. If you are a card maker then I HIGHLY recommend either Wishes OR Originals Card Programs. Wishes is a great book for multi-card cutting dimensions. It has 3 in all. Originals has classic card sketches and ideas that are perfect for any occasion.

The PH. D. Certified Badge will direct you to more info on joining my team "Creativity in Motion". If you LOVE the products as I do, then you might want to consider becoming a consultant for Close to my Heart!! I signed up 4 1/2 years ago and LOVE the opportunities that I have had with this business. Close to my Heart is truly an AMAZING company and I am PROUD to be a part of it, even if it is a small part!

LASTLY....the Book a Party with ME directs you to the same pages as the Badge. If you would like to host a Home Party or a Book Party, contact me to find out more details. My home parties are SO much fun! You have the choice for you and your guests to create a card OR a scrapbook page. I have fun games and great prizes too. The best part is you can host at YOUR house or MINE!

I hope that this has helped those of you who would like to shop with me, party with me or join my team!

Thanks SO much for stopping by!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

jen

3 Ring Binder Mini Album using Mistletoe

2010-11-03T13:05:00.000-07:00

I found the instructions to create this Mini Album on Tresa Black's Blog, then followed all 5 you tube videos to make the interactive pages including instructions on how to make the super cool "ruffled ribbon". This is the link to her first video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuk-h8NUzuY

I was SO excited to find that I still had my 3 Ring Binder that I purchased when they first became available through Close to my Heart!! I knew that it was a cool mini album, just did not realize the potential that it had! Thanks to Tresa for seeing the potential and MORE, I have a super cute gift!

Thanks SO much Tresa for your videos and the detailed instructions to make this! I LOVE the way it turned out and can't wait to make more!

If you want to see any of these photos closer, all you need to do is click on it and you will have a LARGE and DETAILED view of each page.......

Front Cover

Up close of the trees.....

Front Inside and Page 1

Pages 2 and 3

Page 2 insert......

Pages 4 and 5

Page 5 insert....

Pages 6 (insert) and 7

Pages 8 and 9

Pages 10 and 11

Page 11 Flip Flap (please excuse the ribbon showing through...)

Page 12 and back inside.....

Back Cover

If you would also like to make one of these, check out Tresa's videos on her Youtube account! I can see this made into SO many different events....baby shower/new baby, brag book, vacation book, graduation book, and yes of course, Christmas book.......

Supplies used:

Paper: Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Pack (I used 1/2 pack for this album)

Stamps: A Timber and Snow Flurries

Inks: Cocoa, New England Ivy, Cranberry

Embellishments: Mistletoe Level 2 Assortment, Sparkles, Colonial White Ric Rac, Colonial White Ribbon and Cranberry Ribbon

Tools: Soft Set Eyelet Tool, Sandpaper, Sponges, Scoring Blade or stylus.

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

Hope this has inspired you to get out your supplies, or purchase the needed ones and create one of these albums for yourself or a friend!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

jen

Cute little tic-tac holder......

2010-10-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago I came across the directions for this cute little tic-tac holder. A CTMH consultant had posted hers using this darling snowman with his belly punched out to see the inside of the tic-tacs. Each year around this time, I get out the current "winter" papers and re-make it. This year I discovered that I could use a SU! 3/4 inch punch instead of cutting it out by hand.

To make this you will need the following:

1) 3 x 4 1/2 CS
1) 3 x 4 1/2 Patterned Paper
1) 1 3/4 x 2 3/4 CS (image front)
Score at 2 and 2 1/2
Ribbon is adhered between the CS and the Patterned Paper.

Supplies used:

Paper: Mistletoe, Magnifique, Cranberry CS, Sky CS, Colonial White CS and White Daisy CS

Stamp Set: Snow Friends

Inks: Sky, Cranberry, Black and coordinating CTMH markers

Embellishments: Colonial White Ribbon, White Daisy Ribbon, Glue Pen and Prisma Glitter

Tools: Corner Rounder and SU! 3/4 inch punch

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

Hope this inspires you to make a few of these for your friends and family! What a fun way to tell a friend they have bad breath! LOL

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

jen

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge, Heart 2 Heart,Papercraft Star and Color Me Monday

2010-10-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I have played with any of the sketch challenges lately. So, I sat down this afternoon and checked out the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge and Color Me Monday on Jeanette Lynton's blog. Heart 2 Heart Challenges and Papercraft Star are also holding challenges and my card fit in to BOTH of those as well. Heart 2 Heart Challenges is having an embossing challenge while Papercraft Star is accepting Thank You submissions. So what the heck? I entered this little owl in the 3 that I could!

I REALLY liked the sketch and loved the colors that Jeanette picked for this week. I have yet to get out all of the NEW colors that were introduced in the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book and thought it would be fun to play with them.

If you would like to play along with the sketch challenge, click on the Mojo Monday banner on my sideline. The colors for the Color Me Monday were Gypsy, Pear, Lagoon and Cotton Candy. I ended up using just the Pear and Lagoon on my card, so may end up playing a bit more with the other colors in the challenge.

Supplies used:
Paper: ALL CARDSTOCK Lagoon, Pear, Black and White Daisy (no wonder it is so heavy!)
Stamps: Say it in Style, Hot Diggity
Inks: Black, Pear and Lagoon
Embellishments: Lagoon Sparkles (blue and green sparkles assortment) Black Ribbon, Lagoon Mini Medley Accents and Black Hemp.
Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder and Nestabilities, 3/4 Circle SU! Punch

Thanks for stopping by!!

Hope this has inspired you to play along with some of the challenges out there! It is a lot of fun and helps stretch your creativity a bit!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

Jen

Product Highlight: Foundry Flourishes

2010-10-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

I have to be honest with you, I was not a huge fan of the metal embellishments that CTMH has come out with in the past. I LOVED all the ideas in the Idea Books that the art dept. created to showcase the embellishments. BUT when it came time for ME to use them in my art, I just could not get creative enough.

But there is something different and super cool about these Foundry Flourishes in the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book. I love the flowers with the leaves and the frame that comes with it can be used as an accent on a scrapbook page, card or a paper project.

Here is a card that I had actually created for our last unit meeting. I volunteered to come up with projects using the stamp set In the Month of November. This card was created to showcase the stamps in the set.

I think that a lot of times, the embellishments in the Idea Books get overlooked. This is one embellishment that should NOT be overlooked! They are SO reasonable too. You get a package for only $4.95. You get 13 pieces for that price too! Make sure that you check out the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book online. You will find them featured with the Olivia paper pack and also on page 92.

Supplies used:

Paper: Olivia Level 2 Paper Pack ($12.95)

Stamp Set: In the Month of November ($22.95)

Inks Used: Cocoa and Barn Red ($5.25 each)

Embellishments: Natural Hemp ($2.25) Cocoa Grosgrain Ribbon (bulk $6.95) Foundry Flourishes ($4.95) Mocha Opaques ($2.95)

Tools used: Sandpaper ($3.50), Originals Card Program ($21.95)

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Hope this has inspired you to head to the back of the Idea Book and check out all the AWESOME embellishments that Close to my Heart makes to match PERFECTLY with your papers, inks and stamps!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

jen

October Group Pages Using Hooligans

2010-10-16T06:37:00.000-07:00

Hey ALL! I wanted to share the pages that we created this month using the Hooligans paper pack. I was pretty thrilled with the way these turned out! I just need to add journaling, somehow, somewhere, and they will be complete.

The first 2 pages came from the Hooligans Workshop on the Go Kit brochure. The 2nd set of pages came from the optional 2 pages that CTMH chose to go along with the WOTG kit. The final pages were created by little 'ol me using the Magic Scrapbook Program. LOVE it!!

The letters for the word MUSEUM are all Monogram Dimensional Elements. Each letter comes in a pack of 9 different styles of the same letter and is only $3.95. At convention this last summer, CTMH had all of the art from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book and the Magic Book on display. On a few of the LO's they showed heat embossing on the Dimensional Elements Shapes and Letters. So, I gave it a try with Black Embossing Powder on these letters and I LOVED the way they turned out!

Supplies Used:

Hooligans Workshop on the Go Kit $29.95

Hooligans My Stickease $4.95

Hooligans Level 2 Assortment (felt monsters) $4.95

Black Ink (for distressing and stamping) $5.25

Sunset Ink $5.25

Pear Ink $5.25

Gypsy Ink $5.25

Lagoon Ink $5.25

If you would like to create the above pages, contact me to find out how! If you would like to join one of my monthly groups, either in person OR remote, contact me! Group is a GREAT way to get 6 pages done each month and not spend a lot of time doing so!

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope that I have inspired you to get out those Hooligans papers and have some fun!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

Jen

STUDIO J.....Have you played with it yet?????

2010-09-28T09:40:00.000-07:00

When Studio J was announced to consultants last year, I LOVED the idea of it and could not wait to be able to create pages right on my computer from ANY WHERE I had access to internet. Especially when we were told that there would be exclusive papers and LO's that could ONLY be found on Studio J!

Well, since then I have joined the Studio J membership program and have been playing away with the awesome features and super cool LO's that are available. With the membership when you purchase your LO's you are given jpeg files of each of your LO's. With these I am going to be able to share my pages online! PLUS I have downloaded a Studio J app to my iTouch so I can have the pages with me at all times to share with my friends and family!

NOW this won't replace my traditional scrapbooking/stamping and cardmaking. BUT it will certainly supplement it. NOT to mention that I will be able to create albums for my parents and in-laws at the SAME time! Once I have created one 2 page LO, I can have multiples printed! How cool is that?

With the Studio J membership I will save on the cost of each LO (50%), save on shipping (FREE one shipment per month) AND get FREE page protectors with my order! CTMH really has made this affordable for everyone and I am SO excited to share it with you all!

Here are a few pages that I have created with my membership so far........Click on the picture to make it larger if you want to see more detail.

I have to tell you that my daughter Rachael (in the all black dress) created the above pages! She just had her homecoming dance this last weekend and as she was showing me her pics from that night I thought about Studio J. So, I asked if she would be interested in creating some pages using her homecoming photos and she of course said YES! With just a bit of direction from me walking her through the process, Rachael chose her own paper, colors, and pictures. Her favorite part of all was the black distressing on the edges of the Twilight paper. All in all it took her less than 30 minutes to create these pages once her pictures downloaded to the server.

The above 3 pages were from a visit to the Lincoln zoo with my cousins. This was a treat as I don't see these cousins but every 4-5 years, if we are lucky. I LOVED the way they turned out!

Last but not least.....this was our first time eating Falafel sandwiches. My nephew loves them and wanted the kids and I to try them too. I LOVED them, the kids.....not so much! I have been dying to go back and take my hubby to give it a try too.

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

I hope that this has inspired you to give Studio J a try! It is FREE to sign up and create your account! You can even create pages at no cost! If you would like to purchase the pages that you create, you can purchase them with or without a membership. Details are on the Studio J button on my sideline. Check it out!! Any questions? Feel free to contact me!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

MORE pics taken with my macro lens........

2010-09-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

Each time I go outside right now is like a mini adventure. I now take my camera with me when I take my sweet Sadie out to potty. I am looking at spiders and their webs in a whole different light......I am looking at flowers and mushrooms and bees in a way that I have never seen them before.

In my mini adventures the past couple of days, I have discovered SO many cool things! Who knew a green tomato could be SO interesting......especially when it has rain drops still on it from the downpour this morning.

I am thinking maybe I need to start a photography blog......hhhmmm until I completely figure it out, I will post both of my passions on this one. I hope you enjoy getting a peek at the little things in my yard! Tell me what you think...... I have entered one of my photos into an online outdoor photo contest. Not holding my breath, but I figured nothing ventured, nothing gained!

A mushroom in the front yard.

See the bee in mid flight? Totally by accident!

A green tomato that is maybe 1 inch in diameter.

A spider eating his breakfast yesterday morning.

Look closely at the dragonfly in the mulch........

Yeah, I think that I am going to go ahead and start a 2nd blog to feature my pics. Will let you all know when it is up and running and where to find it!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope that this has inspired you to look at your outside world a bit differently too!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

jen

Wishes 20 Card Workshop using Game On

2010-09-20T01:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday ALL!!! I hope that you all had a great weekend! I had a very busy Friday and Saturday with my 2 Scrapbook Groups on Friday and the craft fair that I was a vendor at on Saturday. Sunday, I vacuumed the house and worked on laundry all day. My hubby was so sweet and picked up the house on Saturday, otherwise I would have had that to do as well.

Well, I completed another set of cards using the Game On papers and added Cranberry CS for a pop of color! While I was not as thrilled over how they turned out at first, I have to say that they have grown on me. The stamps and embellishments are similar to my other 20 card workshops, just to keep things easy!

Here they are:

Supplies Used:

Paper: Game On Level 2, Cranberry CS

Stamps: Childhood Portrait, Thank You, A Little Everything, Thoughtful Seasons, Dainty Thoughts, A Twinkle.

Inks: Black, Cranberry, Grey Flannel and Desert Sand

Embellishments: HolidayButtons, Basic Buttons, Basic Brads, Cranberry Brads, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Colonial White Ribbon, Cranberry Ribbon, Black Hemp, Black Waxy Flax, Black Glitter (non CTMH) Prisma Glitter

Tools: Wishes 20 Card Workshop

Thanks again for stopping by!

I hope that this has inspired you once again to try out one of these fun workshops in the Wishes Book.

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Bryan High School Craft Fair 9AM-4PM

2010-09-18T04:53:00.000-07:00

Hey ALL!! If you are in the Omaha area and are looking for something other than watching the Nebraska Football game today, stop by Bryan High between 9AM and 4PM to say HELLO to me! There are sure to be some pretty cool craft items for sale!

I wanted to share a few photos that I took with my newly purchased Macro Lens. I am LOVING this lens and cannot wait to use it in it's full potential, once I take a class or two on how to. For now, I am amazed at without really knowing what I am doing, I can still get pretty cool pics with it!

These are just messing around in my yard.......

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope that I have inspired you to get out there and look at your yard in a whole different way......on the MACRO level.

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Another set of cards using Wishes 20 Card Workshop

2010-09-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend while the guys were all watching the Nebraska football game, I sat at my craft table and cut 2 sets of 20 cards using the Wishes 20 Card Workshop. I assembled them that night, but did not stamp or embellish until this weekend. I have only finished this set using Jingle and have 1 set left using Game On.

Again, I kept them fairly simple, some I did not even ink the edges! GASP!!! I know.....at first they looked a bit plain to me, but once I started adding the stamped images and added a bit of glitter and ribbon and a few other embellishments they started looking better and better. I did add a bit of inking to the edges, but not to every piece of paper as I usually do......

Enjoy! As soon as I finish the Game On cards I will post them as well.....

Supplies used:

Paper-Jingle Level 2 Paper, Creme Brulee CS, Juniper CS, White Daisy CS

Stamp Sets: Thoughtful Seasons, Thank You, Somethin' Special (Jingle WOTG Kit) Dainty Thoughts, A Twinkle, A Little Everything

Inks: Olive, Tulip, Creme Brulee, Juniper

Embellishments: Cranberry Ribbon, Twinkle Brads, White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon, White Daisy Brads, Juniper Brads, Prisma Glitter, Glue Pen

Tools: Wishes Card Confidence Book

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

Once again, I hope that I have inspired you to try this 20 Card Workshop from the Wishes Book!! I think I am addicted to making them. I LOVE choosing the papers, cutting them, assembling the cards and then the best part is stamping and embellishing on them!! Just like putting a puzzle together. The stamping and embellishing is like putting that last piece of the puzzle in place......it all comes together!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!!

jen

August Newsletter Sketch Challenge Winner.....

2010-09-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

My brain is not functioning this morning. Not sure what the problem is, I have had my 2 cups of coffee and am working on the 3rd. My head feels heavy.....maybe allergies or something. I wanted to share a couple of LO's that were submitted for a sketch challenge I had in my monthly newsletter. I just am having a heck of a time forming the thoughts in my head to be able to type out and explain what I am going to post. I feel like I am just babbling at this point. LOL

So, instead of chatting in this post.....I am just going to get to the point and share Val's pages and the sketch that she followed. I had posted this sketch on a previous post and the pages that I had created with the sketch. If it looks familiar, that is why!

If you would like to see the sketch and more like it, check out Cheryl's blog.

And here are the pages that Val submitted for the sketch challenge! The top 2 pages used left over scraps from the Magic Kit that was featured back in May in honor of National Scrapbooking Month.

The next 2 pages use papers from Topstitch.....still one of my most favorite paper packs ever! Again, this LO worked SO well with using scraps. I like how many photos were used on the pages as well.

I LOVE the way both of Val's pages turned out! I am also SO proud of her for journaling BY HAND! That is one thing that I need to be better at. I can get so much more journaling done by typing it out on the computer and printing it than I can writing it out by hand.

Thanks SO much, Val, for participating in the sketch challenge! I hope to see more pages created with the NEW sketch sent out in this months Newsletter!

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope that this has inspired you to play along with the sketch challenge this month that has been sent out in my September Newsletter!!

Happy Scrapping and stamping!!

Jen

Another Couple of Cards using Triple Play

2010-09-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

I decided that I liked the Triple Play as cards SO much that I took apart the mini album that I had already put together for my display and cut it up to use it as cards too. I LOVE these papers.....did I already mention that?? I can't decide if I like the little Hollyhock flowers, the little Sunset flowers OR the little Indian Corn Blue flowers better. I do know that my sis loves little blue flowers, so I know where one of my cards will end up!

I pulled out a sheet each of Outdoor Denim and Indian Corn Blue along with my Colonial White CS to create these cards. I also used Outdoor Denim ribbon from the Ribbon Round AND from the Mini Medley. The buttons were from the Autumn Button Collection which will be retiring at the end of the year.

This has been a fun little kit to play with! But like most paper packs, I have grown tired of this little stamp set and the papers......my brain needs a break. NOT saying that I am done using these stamps and the rest of the scraps.....just that I need to move on to something else for a bit. Is that called ADD?? Sometimes I wonder if I have just a touch......

Here are the 2 cards.....I had a 3rd in the making, so maybe will have another one posted a bit later on.

Supplies used:

Paper: Triple Play, Outdoor Denim CS, Indian Corn Blue CS, Colonial White CS

Stamps: Triple Play

Inks: Outdoor Denim, Indian Corn Blue (ICB is included in the Triple Play)

Accessories: Outdoor Denim Ribbon, Outdoor Denim Mini Medley, Colonial White Ribbon, Autumn Button Collection, White Hemp, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Die Cut flowers and leaves from Triple Play

If you would like to see the mini albums and the papers from Triple Play, make sure to click on the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book on my side bar. It will take you to my website where you can see the Triple Play contents and details on how to purchase it. Triple Play is available until the end of September or while supplies last.

Thanks for stopping by again and again!! I just LOVE to see all the different cities and states that pop up. I also am always SO tickled when I see comments that are left! It always makes my day to see you take a few minutes of your day to leave me a sweet message! Thanks for all the support and I hope that I inspire you in some fashion each time you stop by.......

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

Jen

Triple Play as Cards......

2010-09-08T17:48:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the special that Close to my Heart is holding for National Stamping Month? It is pretty darn cute! But I have to be honest, I am really not in to mini albums. Well, I like mini albums.....just not 4 inch mini albums. I like them a bit larger like 6 inches or larger.

So, when I got my Triple play last month, I put together one of the albums but left the other 2 unfinished while I thought of something else that I could make using the SUPER CUTE papers. I LOVE the little bitty patterns and stripes. They SCREAMED cards to me. So I cut them into 3 3/4 inch squares and looked for square card patterns in both the Originals and Wishes card books. All 4 cards are 4 1/2 x 4 1/2.

These 4 cards are what I have come up with so far......

Since there was not any cardstock that came wtih the Triple Play I had to use what I had on hand. I used Colonial White, Desert Sand, Bamboo, Hollyhock and Sunset. The accessories are from the Sunset Mini Medley Accents that are new to the Autumn/Winter Idea Book.

The stripe paper in the above card is actually precut. I just cut it down a bit and stuck it to the top of the card to make it look like an envelope. The Flowers on each of the cards are stamped from the included stamp set onto the included precut flower die cuts.

I was really excited to be able to get out my Hollyhock ribbon and buttons! Wierd, I know! But there was a time when I was actually SICK of Hollyhock because it was used in quite a few paper packs for a while. But when I saw they used it in the Triple Play kit, I looked forward to using it again and forgot how much I actually like the color.......

This last card uses the new Mocha Opaques that are in the Autumn/Winter Idea book. LOVE these!! The Opaques come in Shades of Mocha, Shades of Grey/Black AND in Pearl. Want to see them? Click on the picture of the Autumn/Winter Idea Book and you can see them all in the back where the accessories are. OR just browse through all the beautiful art in the idea book and see how CTMH has used them.

Supplies used:

Paper: Triple Play, Desert Sand CS, Hollyhock CS, Bamboo CS, Sunset CS and Colonial White CS

Stamps: Triple Play

Inks: Desert Sand, Hollyhock, and Sunset. Ink spots are included in the Triple Play

Accessories: Die Cut flowers and leaves from Triple Play, Mocha Opaques, Sunset Mini Medley Accents, Hollyhock Buttons, Hollyhock Ribbon, Colonial White Ribbon, White Hemp

Thanks for stopping by!!

I hope this has inspired you.....in any way, shape or form! LOL

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Just CAN'T get enough Prisma Glitter lately......

2010-09-05T16:57:00.000-07:00

Here is another card using Hooligans! I made one last week that I can't wait to share with you all, but I submitted it for a contest with Close to my Heart. SOOOO until I hear back, I guess this card will have to do!

This card is for the monthly unit swap that I participate in. I used a card pattern from the Wishes book for a 5x7 card. This is NOT my favorite size card to make.....I believe that I have said that before! LOL But I am always surprised at how cute they turn out, this one being no exception.

If the stamp set and placement of the stamps look familiar to you, it is because I posted a card using Splendor and Over the Rainbow a couple of months ago using this same placement. The only thing that bothers me is I think that I should have put the hot air balloon a bit lower in the circle......maybe the next 10 that I need to make for my swap will look better.....

ANYHOO.....on to the card! The balloon is stamped in Pear, then again in Gypsy and cut out. I added glue with my fine point glue pen and sprinkled Prisma Glitter over it. I did the same with the dots around the circle on the black cs.

Supplies used:

Paper: Hooligans Level 2 Kit

Stamp set: Over the Rainbow

Inks: Gypsy, Lagoon, Pear and Black

Embellishments: Black Brads, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Prisma Glitter

Tools: Glue Pen

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

Hope that this has inspired you once again to get out all things shiny and just get messy!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

3x3 card using Hooligans and Party Animal......

2010-08-31T16:50:00.000-07:00

Soooo, did any of you get to watch the marathon of classes this weekend over at Tresa Black's ustream?? I have to admit that as excited as I was about watching it all day......I was SWAMPED this weekend. Between spending time with the kids and hubby on Saturday to waking up at 6am on Sunday to finish getting ready for my Idea Book Release Party, I had NO time to get on the computer. But I did see a few of the projects and I was really bummed that I did not see them created live! Tresa will be holding another live project tomorrow night......have set my alarm so I can remember to sign on and watch!

ANY HOO......I wanted to share these little cards that I created today. As I mentioned I had my Idea Book Release Party on Sunday. Well, I had several make-n-takes for my guests to make and ended up with extras. SO, I decided to redo the treat pouch and just make 3x3 cards from the left over papers.

These turned out pretty cute, but simple. I just cannot get enough of the prisma glitter on these little monsters! If you have a chance to look at the Hooligans Workshop on the Go kit, check out how CTMH created the little monsters that come in the kit. After stamping/coloring the monsters in, you take a glue pen to which ever parts of the monster you want to cover in prisma glitter.....then glitter away! CUTE CUTE

OH and I almost forgot....I used Liquid Glass to fill in his eyeballs! LOVE IT!!!

These papers and this stamp set will be available for sale starting tomorrow!!! Stop by my website for a look at the online Autumn/Winter Idea Book! You WON'T be disappointed in all the brand new products!! Just click on the photo of the Autumn/Winter Idea Book on my side banner......

Supplies Used:
Paper: Hooligans, Black CS, White Daisy CS
Stamp set: Party Animal
Inks: Black Stamp Pad, Sunset Marker, Gypsy Marker, Lagoon Marker and Pear Marker
Embellishments: Prisma Glitter, Liquid Glass and Lagoon Medley, Sunset Medley and Pear Medley

Thanks SO much for checking back to see my latest posts!

Hope this has inspired you to get out your sparkly glitter and make a mess! LOL

Happy scrapping and stamping!

Jen

Tresa Black's Online Creative University

2010-08-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

I wanted to make sure that I passed this on to you all! I am SO excited about this and can't wait for Saturday!

Mark your calendars, it's just 3 days away! The first Creative University - ONLINE!

Nine hours of free classes, presented by Close to My Heart consultants to kick off the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book and Catalog. Tresa Black has assembled a top-notch team of co-hosts for this event, with a variety of demonstrations to showcase new products from the Close to My Heart Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book.

9am-6pm pacific

10am-7pm mountain

11am-8pm central

12pm-9pm eastern

Classes begin on the hour

Teachers:

Tresa Black

Bobie Glassette

Denise Anderson-Turley

The event is on Tresa's ustream channel. Sign up (it's free!) to chat live with teachers and other viewers. Ustream account is not necessary to view the classes, but if you'd like to chat, you need to sign up.

Help Promote This Event, Grab a Badge from the Sidebar of Tresa's blog!

I will be watching! I can't wait to see what all these fabulous Close to my Heart consultants have come up with!! You won't want to miss this!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope this has inspired you to check out Tresa's ustream channel!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Sneak Peek Card.....

2010-08-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

This was a card that I created for my Extravaganza booth at convention. I used an A-Door-Able to create the little doors and the shaker window in the center. The shaker window uses a CTMH clear card that I cut up to fit inside the A-Door-Able. The paper used is called Mistletoe and will be available September 1st in the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book!

I have had this card for a couple of months now and have been dying to share with you all! So, because I don't have anything else photographed at the moment, I will share this! LOL

Enjoy!!

Supplies used:

Paper: Mistletoe (Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea book)

Stamp set: A little Buzz

Embellishments: Cocoa Ribbon, Spring Blossom Blooms, A-Door-Ables, Red Sparkles, Chocolate Bitty Brads

Technique: Embossing and Glitter Shaker

Thanks for stopping by!!

I hope that this has you ALL excited about the upcoming paper pack!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

Jen

Back from Yellowstone and finishing some projects!

2010-08-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

How about a few cards?? I started this 16 Card Workshop from Wishes a few weeks ago but could not finish until I purchased another package of Cherry-O opaques. I used 1 package per 8 cards and actually had a couple left over that I cut apart and used just the pearls for accents.

I am really loving these multi-card workshops lately. For one, I am killing several birds with 1 stone, so to speak. I am keeping a few cards for myself to send out. I am bundling 4 cards and envelopes to use as giveaways in my prize drawings. PLUS I am using single cards to put into my customers bags with their orders. OH and 1 more thing......in the process of it all I am using what I have in my stash and showing off the gorgeous papers and embellishments that CTMH offers!!!

I hope that you were all able to take advantage of the AWESOME 2, 4, 6, 8 sale that CTMH has had going for the past 8 days! I can honestly say that I have never seen this great of a sale since I have been a customer or a consultant. WAY TO GO CTMH!!! Thanks for giving us such awesome products at such a great discount!!

Well, on to 8 of the 16 cards that I created with this workshop. I did not follow exactly the cutting dimensions for my cards. I added 16 pieces of 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 Sweet Leaf CS to use as my card base. The cards that are shown in the Wishes book are all built on the card base itself which looked a bit plain to me using the Cherry-O Creative Basics papers. So, I built everything on the Sweet Leaf bases and then adhered to my pre-scored CTMH cards.

Supplies used:

Paper: Cherry-O Creative Basics, Sweet Leaf CS, Tulip Cs and Colonial White CS

Stamps: Thank You, Dainty Thoughts, Bowl of Cherries, SOTM (can't remember the name off hand)

Ink: Chocolate, Tulip, Sweet Leaf and Blush

Embellishments: Blush Ric Rac, Cherry-O Opaques, Basic Buttons and Chocolate Brads

Wishes Card Confidence Book: 16 card workshop

Bulk Card and Envelops from CTMH (50 pre-scored card bases and 50 envelopes)

Thanks for stopping by!!

I hope that this has inspired you to give one of these workshops a try from the Wishes Book. They are a ton of fun to create and super cute too!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

jen

2, 4, 6, 8 It's U Close to my Heart Appreciates!!

2010-08-02T07:03:00.000-07:00

I wanted to let you all know about the AWESOME clearance that Close to my Heart is holding. Starting on Wednesday, August 4th through the 11th, Close to my Heart will be selling Level 2 kits for $6, Level 1 kits for $4 and coordinating Stickease for just $2.

This offer is ONLY through consultants websites. Log on to www.lovinscrappin.myctmh.com starting Wednesday morning to take advantage of these BLOW OUT prices!

Here are the paper packs that will be offered at those prices:

X7112A My Reflections Animal Cookies Level 1 $4.00

X7112B   My Reflections Animal Cookies Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7112C   Animal Cookies My Stickease   $2.00
X7113A   My Reflections Tinkerin Level 1   $4.00
X7113B   My Reflections Tinkerin Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7113C   Tinkerin My Stickease   $2.00
X7114A   My Reflections Bella Level 1   $4.00
X7114B   My Reflections Bella Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7114C   Bella My Stickease   $2.00
X7115A   My Reflections Jingle Level 1   $4.00
X7115B   My Reflections Jingle Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7115C   Jingle My Stickease   $2.00
X7116A   My Reflections Sweet Home Level 1   $4.00
X7116B   My Reflections Sweet Home Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7116C   Sweet Home My Stickease   $2.00
X7117A   My Reflections Grace Level 1   $4.00
X7117B   My Reflections Grace Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7117C   Grace My Stickease   $2.00
X7118A   My Reflections Twitterpated Level 1     $4.00
X7118B   My Reflections Twitterpated Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7118C   Twitterpated My Stickease     $2.00
X7045A   My Reflections Vintage Travel Level 1   $4.00
X7045C   VintageTravel My Stickease   $2.00
X7056A   My Reflections Discovery Level 1   $4.00
X7060A   My Reflections Heirloom Level 1   $4.00
X7060B   My Reflections Heirloom Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7061A   My Reflections Floral Impressions Level 1   $       4.00
X7061B   My Reflections Floral Impressions Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7061C   Floral Impressions My Stickease   $2.00
X7062A   My Reflections Laid Back Level 1   $4.00
X7069A   My Reflections Just Chillin Level 1   $4.00
X7069C   Just Chillin My Stickease   $2.00
X7070A   My Reflections Simple Pleasure Level 1   $4.00
X7070B   My Reflections Simple Pleasure Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7070C   Simple Pleasure My Stickease   $2.00
X7071A   My Reflections Best Friends Forever Level 1   $4.00
X7072A   My Reflections School Zone Level 1   $4.00
X7072C   School Zone My Stickease   $2.00
X7073A   My Reflections Abundance Level 1   $4.00
X7073B   My Reflections Abundance Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7073C   Abundance My Stickease   $2.00
X7075A   My Reflections More To Adore Level 1   $4.00
X7075B   My Reflections More To Adore Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7075C   More To Adore My Stickease   $2.00
X7076A   My Reflections Sonata Level 1   $4.00
X7076C   Sonata My Stickease   $2.00
X7077C   Sweet Harmony My Stickease   $2.00
X7078A   My Reflections Cutie Pie Level 1   $4.00
X7078C   Cutie Pie My Stickease   $2.00
X7079B   My Reflections Rough n Tumble Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7079C   Rough n Tumble My Stickease   $2.00
X7080A   My Reflections Route 66 Level 1   $4.00
X7080C   Route 66 My Stickease   $2.00
X7081A   My Reflections Majestic Blue Level 1   $4.00
X7081B   My Reflections Majestic Blue Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00

X7081C   Majestic Blue My Stickease   $2.00
X7082A   My Reflections Expedition Level 1   $4.00
X7082C   Expedition My Stickease   $2.00
X7083A   My Reflections Let's Get Together Level 1   $4.00
X7084A   My Reflections Floral Tapestry Level 1   $4.00
X7085A   My Reflections Everlasting Level 1      $4.00
X7085B   My Reflections Everlasting Paper Packet   $6.00
X7085C   Everlasting My Stickease   $2.00
X7086A   My Reflections Caprice Level 1   $4.00
X7086B   My Reflections Caprice Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7086C   Caprice My Stickease   $2.00
X7087A   My Reflections Enchanted Level 1   $4.00
X7087B   My Reflections Enchanted Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7087C   Enchanted My Stickease   $2.00
X7088A   My Reflections Free Spirit Level 1   $4.00
X7088B   My Reflections Free Spirit Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7088C   Free Spirit My Stickease   $2.00
X7089A   My Reflections Lifes Delights Level 1   $4.00
X7089C   Life Delights My Stickease   $2.00
X7090A   My Reflections Silhouette Level 1   $4.00
X7090B   My Reflections Silhouette Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7090C   Silhouette My Stickease   $2.00
X7091A   My Reflections it's a Guy Thing Level 1   $4.00
X7091B   My Reflections it's a Guy Thing Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7091C   it's a Guy Thing My Stickease   $2.00
X7092A   My Reflections Good Times Level 1   $4.00
X7092B   My Reflections Good Times Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7092C   Good Times My Stickease   $2.00
X7093A   My Reflections Sweet Pea Level 1   $4.00
X7093C   Sweet Pea My Stickease   $2.00
X7094A   My Reflections Paper Garden Level 1   $4.00
X7094C   Paper Garden My Stickease   $2.00
X7095A   My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Level 1   $4.00
X7095B   My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7095C   Boom-Di-Ada My Stickease   $2.00
X7096A   My Reflections Blue Ribbon Level 1   $4.00
X7096B   My Reflections Blue Ribbon Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7096C   Blue Ribbon My Stickease   $2.00
X7097A   My Reflections Game On Level 1 Kit   $4.00
X7097B   My Reflections Game On Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00

X7097C   Game On My Stickease   $2.00
X7098A   My Reflections Sarsaparilla Level 1 Kit   $4.00
X7098B   My Reflections Sarsaparilla Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7098C   Sarsaparilla My Stickease   $2.00
X7100A   My Reflections Perfect Day Level 1   $4.00
X7100B   My Reflections Perfect Day Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7100C   Perfect Day My Stickease   $2.00
X7101A   My Reflections Magic Moments Level 1   $4.00
X7101B   My Reflections Magic Moments Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7101C   Magic Moments My Stickease   $2.00
X7102A   My Reflections Notebook Level 1   $4.00
X7102B   My Reflections Notebook Paper Packet   $6.00
X7102C   Notebook My Stickease   $2.00
X7103A   My Reflections Aspen Level 1   $4.00
X7103B   My Reflections Aspen Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7103C   Aspen My Stickease   $2.00
X7104A   My Reflections Evensong Level 1   $4.00
X7104B   My Reflections Evensong Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7104C   Evensong My Stickease   $2.00
X7105A   My Reflection sEmporium Level 1   $4.00
X7105B   My Reflections Emporium Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7105C   Emporium My Stickease   $2.00
X7106A   My Reflections Unforgettable Level 1   $4.00
X7106B   My Reflections Unforgettable Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7106C   Unforgettable My Stickease   $2.00
X7107A   My Reflections That's Amore Level 1   $4.00
X7107B   My Reflections That's Amore Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7107C   That's Amore My Stickease   $2.00
X7108A   My Reflections Daydream Level 1   $4.00
X7108B   My Reflections Daydream Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7108C   Daydream My Stickease   $2.00
X7109A   My Reflections Stardust Level 1   $4.00
X7109B   My Reflections Stardust Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7109C   Stardust My Stickease   $2.00
X7110A   My Reflections Back Country Level 1   $4.00
X7110B   My Reflections Back Country Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7110C   Back Country My Stickease   $2.00
X7111A   My Reflections Moon Doggie Level 1   $4.00
X7111B   My Reflections Moon Doggie Level 2 Paper Packet   $6.00
X7111C   Moon Doggie My Stickease      $2.00

Happy Shopping!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope this inspires you to SHOP TILL YOU DROP and take advantage of these GREAT deals!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

Jen

A Blast From the CTMH Past.....

2010-07-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

As I was going through my scrap closet I ran across this card that I created with my first stamp set purchased from CTMH. This was way before the My Acrylix stamp sets were around too. Just a great old woodie set. Some of you may even recognize these images!

Don't you just LOVE all the sparkle on the front of the card??? I DO!! I used a double sided adhesive "paper" on top of the images so my very sparkly Prisma Glitter would stick to it. Cool huh?

I would give you a supply list for this card, but everything on it is retired! Darn.....

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hope this has inspired you to pull out some of your "old" art and display it proudly!

Happy Stamping and Scrapping!!

Jen

Zippidee Workshop Pages

2010-07-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

These are the 6 pages that we will be creating in August. They use the Close to my Heart papers from "Zippidee" along with the matching Stickease and Fancy Fuzz Zippidee Borders.

If you would like to attend the workshop, check out my Calendar for more details. If you do not live in my area but would like to create these 6 pages, I do have kits available for $22.78 plus the shipping costs to send to you.

I LOVE these papers!! They can be used for SO many different occasions! I will be putting our Disney photos on these pages. BUT you can use these for School pics, 4th of July, or any event that has these colors.

Thanks for stopping by!!

I hope this has inspired you to come to one of my workshops! We have a GREAT time and get SO much done. Come to make 6 pages, stay to work on your own projects and pages!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

EMS Sketch Challenge #14.....

2010-07-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

As I was browsing CTMH consultant's blogs one day I ran across Cheryl Even's blog and her AWESOME LO sketches. This is the 2nd sketch that I have tried.....the first one is still waiting on some finishing touches. I really like the way this turned out and thought I would share it!

This LO calls for 3 1/2 x 5 pictures, for the most part. Remember when ALL we had to print was this size? I thought, SWEET, this is a PERFECT chance to use these pics. The photos are actually from 1998, but I had a brain fart and put 1997 cuz I was looking at similar pics from the year before. OH WELL....

Here is the sketch that I followed. If you like it and want to see her other sketches, check out Cheryl's blog.

My LO using Splendor......

Supplies used:

Paper: Splendor and matching Stickease

Stamp set: Friendship Alphabet

Embellishments: Splendor Designer Brads and Bitty Sparkles

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope that I have inspired you to check out Cheryl's blog and create a LO using one of her AWESOME sketches!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Scraplifted LO's from the CTMH Idea Books

2010-07-25T19:42:00.000-07:00

I am re-posting these pics as I had deleted the other post thinking that the Photobucket thing on my blog was from my last post.....but I am thinking that it is NOT me at all, but rather The Cutest Blog on the Block. So, I am going to delete my background to see if that is the problem.

Until then......Here are the photos that I had posted earlier......Unfortunately I also deleted the comments that were on the previous post. Thanks for the comments! So sorry I had to delete them......

As I mentioned on the previous post, I was scrapping this weekend while my hubby is out of town. I am still on the kick of using what I have so I started looking through past CTMH Idea Books for LO's that I have always liked and wanted to re-create.

Here are 3 of them. The first one is a sneak peek of some paper and a LO from the upcoming Autumn/Winter Idea Book. The paper pack is called Mistletoe. The tree stamp is not new and available NOW for purchase if you like it!!

The next 2 LO's come from the Autumn/Winter 2009 Idea Book and use Emporium and Twitterpated papers. The twigs, leaves and stars are also CTMH....too cute!!

What I liked most about these LO's was that I used stamps and products that I purchased 2 years ago but had not used yet. The Felt embellishments being one of those things!

The little flowers used on this LO are from the Shades of Chocolate embellishment pack and the ribbon is from the Chocolate Ribbon Round. Getting stuff used so I can make room for more stuff! LOL

Thanks SO much for stopping by!!

I hope that I have inspired you to get out your "old" CTMH Idea Books, search out your favorite LO's and re-create them using what you have!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Close to my Heart 2010 Convention in DC

2010-07-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

So, I just returned Sunday night from the most AWESOME convention EVER!! I knew from the first convention that I attended that this would be awesome from the beginning. BUT I was BLOWN AWAY at how much time, energy and finances were put into this 3 day (for me, 4 day for leadership) convention. We were dazzled, entertained and educated all at the same time!

Speaking of entertainment.....On Friday during the Awards Gala, we had the privilege of listening to the amazing sounds of Jon Schmidt on his piano accompanied by Steven Sharp Nelson on the cello/percussion. I had chills listening to them play. Then on Saturday we laughed till we cried while Anita Renfroe entertained us all with her comedy. That woman is crazy! LOL

I will share a few of my favorite photos that I took over the 5 days that I spent in Washington, DC. I will have a few more once the group of us shares online. I have one that was taken of a few of us with Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson right after they signed our CD's!

Wednesday: In order to get this photo, I stopped a worker nearby to see if he would take our photo. While not exactly excited about the opportunity to take a picture of the 4 of us, he did! Thanks!! OH and it was done in 100 degree + weather.......ick!!

Josie, Debbie, Jennifer, Joyce, Martin and myself in front of the capitol. After nearly passing out from the heat, we decided it would be better if we took an evening tour. It really was not much better, just no sun beating down on us. A breeze would have been nice......lol

This was taken during the first class that I taught during Extravaganza. I taught 8 different groups of consultants for 20 minutes at a time and taught for 4 hours! My first class was a disaster......but by the 3rd I was getting into the swing of things.

This was on the outside of my booth. I got to take the banner home that has my name on it!! My class was Art to Flip For. The top display boards were created by the CTMH art dept. The bottom boards were all my creations! I will be posting directions to the 3 mini albums here in the next week or so.

The steps were SUPER COOL!! As were the other decorations that CTMH put up in the convention hall where we attended all of our classes.

Now to decide which papers will go best with this trip.......

Thanks for stopping by!!

I hope that I have inspired you to follow your dreams and if sharing this awesome craft with everyone you meet is one of them, Close to my Heart is the BEST company to be a part of!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!

Jen

Don't know what you got til it's gone......

2010-07-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

UUGGGHHH......I just deleted all that I had typed out. Well, here we go again and THIS time I won't delete it all.....LOL

What I was trying to say earlier, before I deleted it all, was that I did not know what I had till it was gone and no longer available. I get so caught up in all the NEW and CURRENT products that I completely forget about all the super cool papers and stamp sets that make their debut for a short time only.

Such as the paper pack and stamp set that I have used to create these cards. The papers are from a CTMH campaign that came out a while back called "Serendipity" and ONE of the stamp sets that I used came from a card kit campaign called "Just Because". While I LOVED both of the specials, I grew tired of them during the month that they debuted and had not thought of them since......

WHEW almost deleted it all again.....I really need to stop typing and go do some laundry.....LOL

Even though the cards are fairly simple, I thought they turned out pretty sweet!

Supplies used are:
Paper: Serendipity, Chocolate, Bamboo and Colonial White Textured CS
Stamps: Thank You, Just Because, Boutique Borders, Childhood Portrait
Embellishments: Chocolate and Colonial White Ribbon, Bitty Sparkles, Basic Buttons, Chocolate and Colonial White Waxy Flax, and White Hemp
Tools: Wishes card program for the cutting dimensions and directions for the workshop

Thanks SO much for taking the time to stop by and check out my latest creations!

I hope that I have inspired you to dig through your craft supplies and pull out those long forgotten papers, embellishments and stamp sets and use them! You might be surprised at the treasures that you will find!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping! Stay safe this holiday weekend too.......

Jen

8 MORE cards using Everyday Celebration cutting dimensions.....

2010-06-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

I am still on a kick of getting things done and using what I have! These cards were created back before Christmas and I am just now getting them finished with stamping and embellishments. As I have mentioned a few times over the past several weeks, my upline Shari encourages us to use what we have and by doing so she showed us how to take the cutting dimensions for the Everyday Celebration Card Kit that was a special in the fall and create completely different cards with it. I chose to use the papers from Emporium that I had left over along with some Colonial White Textured CS that I purchased and was not using.

So, last night I went to my friend, Val's house to crop with the "girls" and had a BLAST!! After finishing up the last set of cards I brought out this set and stamped away. I chose to stick with only 2 stamp sets and make them all Thank You cards. These cards will go to my mom as she loves to send out cards. Who knows, maybe I will get one back in the future! LOL

Onto the cards and the reason you all stopped by! LOL For all 8 cards I used Treetops and Thank You.

Supplies used:

Paper: Emporium, Cocoa CS, Colonial White Textured CS

Stamps: Treetops, Thank You

Inks: Cocoa, Sweet Leaf, Garden Green, Cocoa, Vineyard Berry

Embellishments: Sweet Leaf Ribbon, Colonial White Ric Rac, Basic Buttons, Colonial White and Crystal Blue Waxy Flax, White Hemp, Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope that I have inspired you to get out your unfinished projects and start working on them! I feel SO much better now that these cards are complete and can be put to use by someone who will LOVE sending them out!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Wishes 20 Card Workshop

2010-06-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

So, I created these cards a while back and just now got around to finishing them. I LOVED the way that they turned out and thought I would offer this as a workshop! If you would like to attend the workshop, check out my Calendar on my website for the date and times offered!

For those who are unable to attend the workshop, you can purchase the Wishes Card Program and create your own 20 cards. I will give a list of all supplies used at the end of this post! I will warn you, there are quite a few stamp sets used as I originally created these for my own use.....sorry! lol BUT you could easily trim it down to just a couple of sets.....

Supplies used:

Paper: Magic Moments

Stamp Sets: Thank You, Thoughtful Seasons, Over the Rainbow, A Posy, Dainty Thoughts, Backwoods, Hot Diggity, Whimsical Wings, Treetops, Thrill Ride and Childhood Portrait

Embellishments: Clear Buttons, Cocoa, Colonial White and Hollyhock Buttons, Colonial White Ric Rac, Cocoa, Sweet Leaf and Colonial White Ribbon, Colonial White Waxy Flax and White Hemp

Tools: Scalloped Punches from Marvy

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope that I have inspired you to sign up for my workshop! LOL I also hope that this has inspired you to give this Wishes workshop a try on your own too! Get that book out OR order it and get creating!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

CPS Sketch Challenge with a JULY SOTM Sneek Peak

2010-06-24T22:57:00.000-07:00

I am very tired and probably should not be posting this tonight....or this morning....or whatever it is! BUT I finished this card a bit ago and wanted to share it with you! This was created using the CPS Sketch challenge. It has been a while since I have been over there to check out the sketch's and I really liked this one.

So, here it is. The colors that I chose came from a CTMH Idea Book. Off hand, I don't remember which one. But the colors are Barn Red, Creme' Brulee, Cocoa and Sorbet. I used liquid glass on the balloons in which I paper pieced with various patterned papers. OH and the center balloon is pop dotted for a bit more dimension.

Isn't this little hedgehog just the cutest thing?? I think so!! She is from the July Stamp of the Month called Happy Forever. I used my CTMH water color pencil Desert Sand and gamsol to color him in. Thanks to Melissa (a ctmh consultant) for creating this little creature and sharing how she colored it in!! I did not have a waterbrush to blend the watercolor pencil, so I just used my gamsol and paper pencil thingy that I already had.

Supplies used:
Paper: Boom-Di-Ada, Aspen, Caboodle and Cocoa, Sorbet, Creme Brulee CS
Stamps: Happy Forever (July SOTM) and TLC
Ink: Cocoa, Deser Sand Water Color pencil
Embellishments: Sorbet Ribbon, Cocoa Ribbon, Liquid Glass

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope that I have inspired you to head on over to CPS and try out this sketch too!!

Happy Scrappining and Stamping!!

Jen

Mojo Monday Sketch using Color me Monday color combo

2010-06-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

WOO HOO!! I am SO excited that not only have I created a card for the Mojo Monday sketch challenge, but I used the color combo from Jeanette Lynton's Color Me Monday color combo!!! Not to mention that I used what I have and pulled out some B&T from the Free Spirit paper pack, which is no longer a current product. That was actually a HUGE step for me. I usually don't break out the retired papers to use on my current projects. Guess I just like to showcase the current products that CTMH has to offer......

SO here it is...... The colors used are Outdoor Denim, Indian Corn Blue, Cranberry and Creme Brulee. I cheated a bit and used a bit of Honey Ink on the Creme Brulee CS to ink the embossed lines AND the B&T paper uses Honey too.

Supplies used are all CTMH

Paper: Free Spirit, Outdoor Denim CS, Creme Brulee CS, Indian Corn Blue CS

Stamp Set: Childhood Portrait

Inks used: Creme Brulee, Outdoor Denim, Indian Corn Blue, Honey

Embellishments: Cranberry Ribbon, Outdoor Denim Brads and Outdoor Denim Ribbon

Tools used: Paper Trimmer with scoring blade to create lines on CS

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

I hope that I have inspired you to participate in a challenge or two! This was a fun one for me and I look forward to the next one......

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Use What You Have......

2010-06-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

Did I mention that my upline has me on a kick of USING WHAT I HAVE?? She has been on a roll lately and as I mentioned in my earlier post....I HAVE WAY TOO MUCH STUFF!! I am a collector....I get such a rush when I receive that beautiful Close to my Heart box being delivered to my doorstep! It truly has become a sickness/addiction for me lately....THERAPY is what I like to call it.

Speaking of therapy....I am completely serious! I am in a place in my life/faith that I NEVER thought I would be in. Who da thunk that one night of bowling with friends would have turned out the way it did (no one died, nothing as serious as that). BUT I won't bore you with the details. Just that my life has not been the same. Although I will say that I believe that things happen for a reason..... To deal with what has happened, I have turned to my passion. Scrapbooking and Stamping. This is my saving grace and when I am in my beautiful scraproom I am at peace.

One more note, I have the MOST AMAZING group of friends that attend my monthly Friday scrapbook group, and they have been such a HUGE support system for me. I am truly blessed to have them in my life! Thank you guys!!

OK Enough of the mushy stuff and let's get onto the card that I created this morning. I was visiting Becky Roberts blog Inking Idaho and saw this super sweet card that she had created. I LOVED the simplicity of it and knew that I needed to recreate it using WHAT I HAVE!

Here is an upclose shot of the flower. I used the Fancy Cuts Botanicals that I had purchased when they first came out, which I had NOT used until just NOW! I LOVED the way it turned out once I distressed the edges with scissors and ink and then curled the edges with the wooden stick that comes with the Rub-Ons.

Supplies used:

Paper: Colonial White CS, Juniper CS

Stamp Set: Thanks

Ink: Creme Brulee, Juniper, Spring Iris

Embellishments: Creme Brulee Ribbon, Spring Iris Brads, Fancy Cuts Botanicals

Tools: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, SU! Border Punch, Scissors for distressing

Thanks for stopping by!!

I hope that I have once again inspired you to USE WHAT YOU HAVE!!

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

Can you say AWESOME???

2010-06-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

I just had to say that......last night at group that was the word of the night! LOL Really.....This stamp set that is new to the Summer Idea Book IS AWESOME!! It is called You're Great and it is SUPER CUTE!! I am a sucker for a stamp set that has animals on it.....especially when it has the cutest sayings that go along with each animal......

I have not embossed in a while and this stamp set SCREAMED embossing!! Maybe a bit of layering too. Which animal do I start with?? The Gator of course! Well, only because I wanted to use the papers and colors from the Creative Basics Cherry-O Collection and I thought that the gator would be cute stamped on the back of the dots paper.

I have SO much Close to my Heart stuff, that I am trying to use what I have....and it is A LOT!! LOL So, I pulled out my Winter Cozy Mini Medley and used a Sweet Leaf spiral and created a small tag to attach it to with my sentiment. I also discovered that I still had some Chocolate ric rac left from the Ric Rac Collection. What you see on the card is what I had left! YAY Now to use the rest of the colors......hhmmm

Here is an up close shot of Mr. Gator. One other thing that I have not used in a while was my White Gel Pen. So, using that I gave Mr. Gator some pearly whites and a bit of sparkle in his eyes! I am always amazed at how the smallest of details make such a HUGE difference!

Well, Thanks SO much for stopping by and checking out my latest creation! I LOVE it when I have visitors!!

I hope that I have inspired you to USE WHAT YOU HAVE! You would be surprised at what you will find in the depths of your paper crafting stash........

Supplies used for this card are:

Paper: Creative Basics Cherry-O Collection

Stamp: You're Great

Ink: Black Staz-on, Chocolate and White Gel Pen

Embellishments: Winter Cozy Mini Medley, Ric Rac Collection

Tools: Pokey Tool for the paper piercing, Fine Detail Embossing Powder and Craft Heater

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

June Scrapbook Group Pages-Splendor

2010-06-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

So, for those who are attending group this month, these are the 6 pages that you will be creating!! I am SO excited for this month for a couple of reasons......1) Splendor is the CUTEST paper pack ever! OK SO I may have said that about a few other CTMH paper packs, but this one is right up there with the cutest EVER!! 2) We will be creating a 2 page LO that has 15 photos on it!! YEP 15 photos! It is from the Cherish Book called Fab 15.

For those who are NOT attending group this month, WHY NOT?? I understand if you are a group member and you have things that come up that prevent you from attending.....BUT for those who are NOT group members.....WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??

The last 2 pages have the matching Stickease on them, but they are not included in the June kit. I had to choose, Pizzazz Dimensional Elements, OR Stickease......so I chose the Dimensional Elements. TOO MUCH FUN!!

Group is $20 a month and you create 6 scrapbook pages EACH AND EVERY MONTH!! So, if you join group for 10 months, you have 60 scrapbook pages to put into albums!! OR maybe you don't want to commit to a group.....THAT'S OK.....attend as a guest when you can!

There are SO many benefits to attending a monthly scrapbook group......1) You get a FREE Idea Book for as long as you attend group. 2) You create 6 pages EACH month. 3) You get a night out with the girls each month. 4) You learn a new technique or use a new product that will help you grow in your scrapbooking and papercrafting. What more could you want?? LOL Don't answer that!

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope that I have inspire you to want to check out my monthly scrapbook group!! We have a TON of fun AND we get work done too...... If you don't live close by...that's ok too! You can still create pages using the Splendor Papers, just by ordering them from my website OR from your favorite CTMH consultant!

Supplies used:
Papers: Splendor
Stamps used: Summer Wishes, Field Trip Alphabet, Friendship Alphabet
Inks: Goldrush, Topiary, Moonstruck and Chocolate
Embellishments: Pizzazz Dimensional Elements, My Reflections Splendor Stickease
Tools: Cherish

Happy Scrapping and Stamping!!

Jen

(did I mention that I have a LOT of coffee in my system right now??) ROFL!!