It's a Cloudburst

I have to admit it...today is a little bit of a sad day for me. In a few short hours January 2014 will be over and when that happens the retiring items in the Autumn/Winter 2013 will be gone for good. That is if they have not already sold out. In addition, the January 2014 Stamp of the Month: Cross-Stitch Wishes will also be gone. Finally, the awesome cardmaking promotion Cloud Nine will have come to an end. In case you need a refresher, here are a few photos to remind you:

Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit

January 2014 SOTM Cross-Stitch Wishes

If you will regret not purchasing any of these items when the stroke of midnight comes and February 1 is upon us, click the Shop Now button to place your order.

If you do not have a CTMH Independent Consultant yet, I would be happy to help you learn more about CTMH products.

Please contact me if you have questions about any CTMH product or promotion or to schedule a Home or Online Gathering.

Pajama Party Tonight!

I hope you will join me at the Big Picture Classes Pajama Party tonight at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific (I hope to join you after my meeting tonight). Close To My Heart teamed up with Big Picture Classes again for another fun event. One of the projects on tonight's agenda is this wonderful layout:

You will find my introduction to the Pajama Party and the supply list on my January 9th post. You will find the photo and cardstock measurements on my January 16th post. If you are using the stamp set from the Sarita Workshop on the Go™, my stamped images can be seen on my January 23rd post. Unfortunately I learned that the Sarita WOTG™ is no longer available, so on my January 24th post I offered some ideas for using different stamp sets to create a similar layout. Finally, on January 28th I told you about the giveaway that I am sponsoring and how you could get entered into the drawing.

I hope you see you online this evening. Until then...

Artbooking Made Easy: Crush on Artbooking

Artbooking Made Easy: Crush on Artbooking is the latest in the video series Artbooking Made Easy. Each week until April 2014 (except occasional breaks for holidays) Close To My Heart will release the next video in the series. Every video has tips, tricks and project inspiration for using the Artbooking collection.



The CTMH Corp. description of this week's video Artbooking Made Easy: Crush on Artbooking is "When you combine Close To My Heart's Cricut® Artbooking shapes with My Crush™ books, you'll take your on-the-go art to new heights. Watch the video to see how you can cohesively bring two different worlds together: Cricut® Artbooking shapes and My Crush books!"

A few points I want to be certain that you do not miss while watching the video:

• save your extra bits and pieces when cutting embellishments with Artbooking cartridge to use them in your My Crush™ books
• pages in the My Crush™ books are 7 inches wide by 10 inches tall so any cuts you make within those measurements using Real Dial Size will fit in the book
• use photo mats to create pockets to hold your memorabilia
• use mini book pages to create additional pages in the My Crush™ book; use twine, twist ties or similar to attach them to the spiral binding
• in Jeanette Lynton's post, Artbooking Made Easy: Crush on Artbooking, you will find even more detail, closeup photos and a list of supplies used for each album

If you have missed earlier videos in the Artbooking Made Easy series, I am maintaining a list so they are easier to find. Just look for CTMH Cricut® Artbooking Collection in the green bar above.

Contact me if you would like to learn how you would be able to purchase the Artbooking collection at 1/2 off by hosting a Gathering either in-home or on-line.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thanks for stopping by today.

Create a Layout & Your Name Gets Into My Drawing

The Big Pictures Classes Pajama Party is this Thursday, January 30 at 9:00pm Eastern. Details how to join the Pajama Party were posted on January 9.

The stamp set used on this layout is from the Sarita Scrapbooking Workshop on the Go® (which is no longer available for purchase), so I want you to think outside the box with me to create a layout similar to the layout (sketch) below. Last Friday, I told you the stamp sets I am going to use to create my interpretation of this layout, now I want you to think about (and more importantly create) a layout. If you create a one-page layout and share it, I will put you into a drawing for a new stamp set from my stash.

This layout is based on the Bottom Border—Title™ pattern from the Reflections™ Scrapbook Program (9037). Photo measurements and cardstock sizes are on my January 16 post.

You can get your name into the drawing more than once; here's how:

• you get two chances for creating a layout based on this sketch; either post your creation on your own blog, Facebook or on a photo sharing site by 11:59pm on Friday, February 14, 2014 and post a link in the comments of this post, or, if you do not have a blog or online space to share photos, feel free to email a photo of your layout to me by 11:59pm on February 14, 2014 (sending me your photo gives me permission to post it on my blog to share with others)
• you get one additional entry if you use a stamp set that was available for purchase in the Spring/Summer 2013 or Autumn/Winter 2013 or is available in the Spring/Summer 2014 Close to My Heart Idea Books (one additional entry maximum)
• you get one additional entry if you use an embellishment that was available for purchase in the Spring/Summer 2013 or Autumn/Winter 2013 or is available in the Spring/Summer 2014 Close to My Heart Idea Books (one additional entry maximum)
• you can get one additional entry if you are a current or new follower of this blog
• you can get one additional entry if you like my Facebook Page, Brenda's Paper Crafts aka Brenda Lapp - Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
• you can get one additional entry for every $25 (before tax and shipping) you spend on my OBA before 11:59pm on February 14, 2014
  

The fine print (sorry, but including these details could prevent a misunderstanding):

• this drawing is something I am doing on my own; it is not sponsored by Big Picture Classes, Close To My Heart, Blogspot or Facebook (or anyone else)
• this drawing is only open to mailing addresses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and U.S. military bases; as an Independent Consultant in the United States, I am only able to sell products in these areas
• no purchase is necessary (though a purchase could earn you additional entries)
• the winner's name will be posted on my blog on Monday, February 17, 2014
• the winner will have until noon on Thursday, February 20 to email me to claim their prize; if they do not contact me an alternate winner will be selected and their name posted Friday, February 21
• the winner will be able to select their winnings from a list of stamp sets I send them
• the stamp set will be mailed via USPS at my expense to the address you provide

If you do not have a CTMH Independent Consultant yet, I would be happy to help you learn more about CTMH products. If you are ready to place an order click the Shop Now button below to browse the products available.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

The Pajama Party Meets Cloud Nine (and other stamp sets)

Today I am going to tell you how I am "blending" Cloud Nine and other stamps with the Big Picture Classes Pajama Party layout I have been telling you about for the past two weeks.

I just learned that the Sarita Scrapbooking Workshop on the Go® is no longer available for purchase. The WOTG included this stamp set that was used on the above layout:

Since I first learned about the Pajama Party I have been thinking about different stamps that could be used to create a similar layout and if you recall my January 9 post, I had already suggested a different stamp set to use. Why? Because I know not everyone has the same tastes and might not want to have an identical layout (except for the photos of course) to the one shown above. I also think not everyone may want to purchase the WOTG just for the stamp set. In addition, I understand after the December holidays some people do not have extra funds to purchase non-essential (gasp, crafting is not essential?) purchases. Finally, in all honestly, shipping at the beginning of this month was a little delayed for several reasons: the weather, the end of the 4th quarter (where Consultants have to meet minimum sales to remain a Consultant) and January 1 was the start of the preview period for new CTMH products (this is when a Consultant can order new product from the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book). Consultants, including me, want to get those new products so we can show you the great new papers, embellishments and stamp sets we have to offer you. I did not want anyone to feel that they had to order this WOTG to create a similar layout; I also did not want anyone be disappointed in the unlikely event their items did no arrive prior to the Pajama Party.

That said, these are the stamp sets I shopped from my stash to use (I put a pinkish outline around the stamps I plan to use):



These stamp sets are:

• D1595 Cloud Nine (coordinates with the Artiste cartridge; only available until January 31 or while supplies last whichever comes first)
• D1559 Geometric Backgrounds
• D1586 Ivy Lane Cardmaking WOTG (coordinates with the Art Philosophy cartridge and available to order February 1)
• E1027 Framework Alphabet (to stamp "Lots" where "In Love" appears)

I hope to carve out some time this weekend to create my version of the layout. I hope you like my idea for shopping your stash.

If you want to think outside the box with me...I will be posting details in the next few days about a drawing for a stamp set that I will be sponsoring. Please stop back for additional information.

If you do not have a CTMH Independent Consultant yet, I would be happy to help you learn more about CTMH products. If you are ready to place an order click the Shop Now button below to browse the products available.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

The Pajama Party Is Next Week

Last night I cut images from the Artiste cartridge to prepare for next week's Big Picture Classes Pajama Party. You may recall two weeks ago I posted that Big Picture Classes and Close To My Heart were teaming up for another Pajama Party. This is the layout that we will be doing next Thursday, January 30 at 9pm Eastern.

You will find all of the details about the Pajama Party in my previous posts, Mark Your Calendars for the Pajama Party on January 30, where you will find a link to join the party and a supply list, and Pajama Party Preparation, where you will find the dimensions to cut the cardstock layers. The layout is the Bottom Border—Title™ pattern from the Reflections™ Scrapbook Program (9037).

Here are my die cuts stamped and ready to go. Both cuts are from the Cricut® Close To My Heart® Cartridge Artiste. "Lucky" is cut at 2 inches. It appears on page 51 of the handbook and is Accent 4. The flower is also cut at 2 inches. It appears on page 44 of the handbook and is Accent 2.

I am completing the tasks I can prior to the Pajama Party because unfortunately I have a meeting that night. I am hoping to get home in time to participate right from 9pm Eastern, but my have to join you late. Keep your fingers crossed that my meeting ends within a reasonable amount of time and the weather cooperates so I can take a shortcut home. I hope to see you next week.

If you do not have a CTMH Independent Consultant yet, I would be happy to help you learn more about CTMH products. If you are ready to place an order click the Shop Now button below to browse the products available.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Artbooking Made Easy: Love Mini Albums

The latest in the video series Artbooking Made Easy is Artbooking Made Easy: Love, Love, Love. Each week until April 2014 (except occasional breaks for holidays) Close To My Heart will release the next video in the series. Each video has tips, tricks and project inspiration for using the Artbooking collection to create beautiful mini albums or layouts.



This week's video is Artbooking Made Easy: Love, Love, Love. The CTMH Corp. description of it is "Love making mini albums? Love Close To My Heart's Cricut® Artbooking cartridge? Love learning chic techniques for papercrafting? You will love this episode of Artbooking Made Easy where we show you how to create two trendy looks using re-inker, sponge daubers, and mini album pages cut from the Artbooking cartridge."

A few points I want to be certain that you do not miss while watching the video:

• there are two love-themed mini album keys on the Artbooking cartridge
• you will find the keys on pages 48 and 49 of the Artbooking booklet
• both mini albums are created as they were designed at 8" by 3 1/2"
• in the first mini album, the Valentine's version, some of the flowers we cut using Real Dial Size, that is, they were not cut in proportion to the page (only the "medium" sized flower in the upper left of the flower cluster was cut in proportion to the page with real dial size off)
• for the second mini album, Love You, there is an ombré theme throughout the album
• the ombré cover was created by mixing about 10 drops of re-inker with about 2 tablespoons of water, but don't dilute too much or your paper will wrinkle and buckle even more; use a spong dauber to "paint" the color from top to bottom; go over areas more than one time to achieve a darker color; your paper may "pill" as you do this - just wipe it away; take a break to allow the paper to dry between applications; heat set to speed the drying; cover the wrinkles and buckles with photos or embellishments or leave them exposed to give more "character" to your pages
• to create the paint splatter, saturate your sponge dauber and tap the page; too soft a tap and you may just get an outline of the sponge dauber; the harder you tap and the more saturated your dauber the larger the splat; after splatting, move the dauber around a little to "fill in" where the dauber hit the paper
• in Jeanette Lynton's post, Artbooking Made Easy: Love Mini Albums, you will find even more detail, closeup photos and a list of supplies used for each album

If you have missed earlier videos in the Artbooking Made Easy series, I am maintaining a list so they are easier to find. Just look for CTMH Cricut® Artbooking Collection in the green bar above.

Contact me if you would like to learn how you would be able to purchase the Artbooking collection at 1/2 off by hosting a Gathering either in-home or on-line.

Thanks for visiting today.

Still On Cloud Nine

I have been on Cloud Nine since I learned about the National Papercrafting Month Cardmaking Kit. While I enjoy designing unique cards for family and friends, sometimes it is hard to find the time to be creative. It can be nice to have a kit to help me quickly get a card ready to send to someone.

The card I am sharing with you today is one that I created using paper from the Ariana Paper Packet (X7179B) and Sparkles Black Florishes—Small (Z1916). Both will be available for you to order on February 1, 2014. Other products used were 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151), Colonial White Value Pack Cards and Envelopes (X1410), Colonial White cardstock (1388), Artiste cartridge (Z1790), Outdoor Denim (Z2140) and Crystal Blue (Z2117) Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pads and the stamp set from the Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit. Other supplies used: Sponge Daubers (Z726/Z1938) and Spray Pen (Z1380). I wish the photo did this card justice as the green paper strip is not crooked like it appears in the photograph.

Here is a close of of the stamped image:

I cut the speech bubble out of the front of the card/Ariana paper at 1/4 inch larger than you would cut the image to fit the stamp. I used a dauber to apply Outdoor Denim to the words and Crystal Blue to the border then I used a spray pen filled with water to mist the stamp. I sprayed from about 12 inches away so I did not "wash away" the color, then I stamped on the Colonial White die-cut. I really like the watercolor-like look to the image. I used foam tape to pop the stamped image.

In case you are wondering what I meant when I mentioned the die-cut carrier sheet last week, here's a photo:

This is what remains after you punch out the die-cuts that come in the kit. Save this and you can trace the shapes onto your cardstock and cut them out to use on your other projects.

This photo shows what remains after I cut as many images as I can that will create more Cloud Nine cards:

After pulling off the unusable cardstock, I am left will all of these die-cuts to remove from the cutting mat:

I hope you like the card I shared today and am interested in reading your comments. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that the Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit is only available until January 31 or while supplies last, whichever comes first.

If you are new to Close To My Heart products, I would be pleased to help you learn more about them. If you not have a CTMH Independent Consultant, I would be happy to be your Consultant. If you are ready to order, click the Shop Now link below.

Contact me if you have questions about CTMH products or promotions or to schedule a Home or Online Gathering. I would be happy to answer any questions you have. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great day!

Pajama Party Preparation

On my January 9 blog post, I shared the news that Close To My Heart and Big Picture Classes are teaming up for another Pajama Party. It is two weeks from today on January 30, 2014 at 9pm Eastern. On that post you fill find a link to join the party and a list of supplies. Once again, here is the layout we will be creating:

The layout is the Bottom Border—Title™ pattern from the Reflections™ Scrapbook Program (9037).

Based on the supply list, studying the photo and conversations with other CTMH consultants, I believe the cardstock colors used on this layout are: Cranberry (2 sheets), Hollyhock, Cotton Candy and White Daisy (if you want to capture this layout exactly as pictured, please wait to cut any paper until the night of the Pajama Party just in case I misread the colors in the photo).

The photos are 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" (3).

You will use one 12" x 12" [Cranberry] cardstock for your base.

You will need the following pieces of cardstock (the labels in blue on the photo above correspond to these letters):
A  2 1/2" x 12" [White Daisy]
B  9" x 6" [Cranberry]
C  7" x 12" [Hollyhock]
D 5" x 12" [Cotton Candy]

One piece of washi tape covers a scrap of White Daisy (upper left and above the photo on the left). A scrap of Hollyhock is stamped and used in the lower left. "Lucky" and the flower are stamped on White Daisy; the cardstock was cut using the Artiste cartridge.

I am very much hoping to join you during the Pajama Party. Unfortunately I have a meeting that night and do not know if I will be home on time; I may have to join you late, but I hope to see you there.

If you do not have a CTMH Independent Consultant yet, I would be happy to help you learn more about CTMH products. If you are ready to place an order click the Shop Now button below to browse the products available.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Artbooking Made Easy: Love Is In The Air

Artbooking Made Easy (S01E18): Love Is in the Air is the latest Artbooking Made Easy video. Close To My Heart releases a new Artbooking Made Easy video each week (except occasional breaks for holidays). Stop by weekly until April 2014 to find the next video in the series. Each video has tips, tricks and project inspiration for using the Artbooking collection.



The CTMH Corp. description of Artbooking Made Easy: Love Is in the Air is "Use Close To My Heart's Cricut® Artbooking cartridge to create striking scrapbook pages for your loved ones, from happy couples to loving families to cherub-like babies and so much more! Plus, learn how to create dramatic backgrounds to perfectly complement your love-struck photos."

A few points I want to be certain that you do not miss while watching the video:

• there are two You & Me-themed keys on the Artbooking cartridge
• you will find the keys on pages 58 and 59 of the Artbooking booklet
• the zebra print background on the You + Me Page was created using the overlay on page 58 and misted with Cotton Candy re-inker (Z2293) mixed with rubbing alcohol; using rubbing alcohol gives the misting a more concentrated and softer look - you do not get a lot of droplets from the spray pen (Z1380) like you may when using water
• except for the overlay, all of the Cricut® cuts were completed using real dial size (this means that whatever you are cutting is cut at the size you enter, not the size that is proportional to the finished layout)
• using real dial size the photo mat was cut at 4 inches, the My Valentine title was cut at 1 1/2 inches so it is an accent rather than a main title and the paper doll and heart were cut at 2 1/2 inches; the size for the You & Me title was not given (or I missed it)
• create the color on the Hello Couple Page by using a pigment ink pad; start in the middle and pull the color to the edge for the color block you are creating; repeat to the other half; when dragging your ink page, lift up toward the end of the color block to create the wispy edges; change colors as you work down the "block" to get an ombré effect
• the Hello Baby Page shows the same keys can be used for more than couples pages, the keys are very versatile
• in Jeanette Lynton's post, Artbooking Made Easy: Love Is In The Air, you will find even more detail, closeup photos and a list of supplies used for each layout

If you have missed earlier videos in the Artbooking Made Easy series, I am maintaining a list so they are easier to find. Just look for CTMH Cricut® Artbooking Collection in the green bar above.

Contact me if you would like to learn how you would be able to purchase the Artbooking collection at 1/2 off by hosting a Gathering either in-home or on-line.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thanks for visiting today.

Embellished Burlap Bags

Embellished Burlap Bags is a short video that gives us several ideas for using the My Creations™ Burlap Drawstring Bags. They can be gift bags, hold party favors, used for place cards at a special dinner and more.



Today's video Embellished Burlap Bags has the CTMH Corp. description "Easy to embellish and super useful, the burlap drawstring bags from Close To My Heart are the perfect packaging for small gifts, fun party favors, and fancy place cards at the dinner table. Watch the video for ideas on how to stitch them, stuff them, and show them off."

Products used in the video:

• My Creations™ Burlap Drawstring Bags (Z1872)
• Liquid Glass (Z679)
• Color-Ready Trinkets Wooden Shapes (Z1844)
• Outdoor Denim Chevron Ribbon (Z1808)

Some of the tips mentioned in the video:

• place a piece of cardstock inside the muslin bag so the Liquid Glass does not soak through and adhere your bag shut; the cardstock will also prevent the ink from the Alcohol markers from bleeding through onto the "back" side of the bag
• when coloring, use a strip of cardstock to keep your lines straight and move the pen slowly to saturate the fibers - you may have to go over the bag more than one time to achieve the color you want
• the ink may lighten some as it drys

I hope today's video inspired you to try create something with the My Creations™ Burlap Drawstring Bags. If you are ready to place an order the Show Now button will take you to my Online Business Address.

Do not hesitate to email me if you have any questions about this or any other CTMH product.

I Am On Cloud Nine

Why am I on Cloud Nine? Because of the wonderful National Papercrafting Month Cardmaking Kit that Close To My Heart is offering for $15 with a $35 purchase. This offer is only good until January 31, 2014 — that is three weeks from today.

You may have seen my earlier posts about this kit (on Jan 1 and Jan 2), but in case you have not, you should know that the kit includes a D-size stamp set that coordinates with the included die-cuts —  enough to make two cards of each design. You will also receive two sheets of cardstock and one of an exclusive B&T Duo™. There are also three full-sized products from the new Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book: Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape, Teal Shimmer Trim and Durables Triangle Studs.

The D-size stamp set coordinates with the Cricut® Artiste cartridge. If you have the Artiste cartridge, you have the ability to cut an unlimited number of additional die-cuts for future projects. If you do not have have the cartridge, I would suggest keeping the die-cut carrier sheet so you can trace the shapes and cut more in the future. In my opinion, the shapes are not too intricate for cutting by hand.

If you are still "on the fence" about the Cloud Nine Cardmaking kit, please check out the projects that I have pinned on my CTMH Cloud Nine Pinterest Board. Aren't they wonderful? The project I created for the Cloud Nine Blog Hop is there as well as all of the other hop stops (Cloud Nine Blog Hop list).

As an added incentive, when you purchase the Cloud Nine kit from my OBA, I will send you a 12" x 12" sheet's worth of additional die-cuts from White Daisy cardstock. This includes enough die-cuts to create three additional "Thanks", "Love You" and "Hip Hop Hooray" cards, four "Just Because" cards and six "Happy Birthday" cards. There are some extra hearts and stars too - I fit as many cuts on a 12" x 12" sheet of White Daisy cardstock as I could in Cricut® Craft Room. Just add your own cards and envelopes (a 5 1/2" X 4 1/4" White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack would be perfect for this), B&T Duos™ Paper, cardstock and embellishments. Please note the extra die-cuts are only available through me when you purchase from my OBA. After you complete your purchase, send me an email with your order number and mailing address (US addresses only) and I will send you your die-cuts via First Class USPS mail within three business days.

Finally, when you qualify for and purchase the Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit you are eligible to purchase the January SOTM for $5.  Being able to take advantage of two promotions is a great way to stretch your crafting dollar.

Thank you for visiting today. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Mark Your Calendars for the Pajama Party on January 30

Close To My Heart is doing it again. They are teaming up with Big Picture Classes to bring us another Pajama Party. It will be on Thursday, January 30, 2014 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Pacific Time (that's 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm Eastern Time) — that's three weeks from today.

The event is free, but if you want to participate in the chat, complete challenges, download files or enter to win prizes, you must log on that night. If you are not registered at Big Picture Classes (registration is free and you will not receive any unwanted mail), you will find a link to register at the Pajama Party page. You can register today and just sign in that night.

This will be the layout that we will be creating on January 30.

If you would like to create this layout exactly as pictured above while watching the Pajama Party, the supplies you will need are:

• G1066 Workshops on the Go™ Sarita Scrapbooking Kit — for the stamp set
• X5935 Adventure Cardstock Combo Pack
• 1385 White Daisy Cardstock
• Z2106 Blush Exclusive Inks™ Pad
• Z2170 Ruby Exclusive Inks™ Pad
• Z1826 Hollyhock Zipper Lace
• Z1807 Pink Glitter Gems
• Z1850 Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape
• Z1294 Sanding Kit
• Z1151 3-D Foam Tape

Of course, you can make this layout uniquely your own by substituting other colors or stamp sets using supplies you have on hand at home. One stamp set that comes to mind is D1559 Geometric Backgrounds.

I hope you will be able to join us over at Big Picture Classes. Their Pajama Parties are always a fun evening. If you do not have a CTMH Independent Consultant yet, I would be happy to help you learn more about CTMH products. If you are ready to place an order, click any of the links above to be taken directly to that item or click the Shop Now button below to browse the products available.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Artbooking Made Easy: Inspiration Mini Albums

The latest in the video series Artbooking Made Easy is Artbooking Made Easy (S01E17): Inspiration Mini Albums. Each week until April 2014 (except occasional breaks for holidays) Close To My Heart will release the next video in the series. Each video has tips, tricks and project inspiration for using the Artbooking collection.



This week's video is Artbooking Made Easy: Inspiration Mini Albums and the CTMH Corp. description of the video is "With the inspiration-themed keys of the Cricut® Artbooking cartridge from Close To My Heart, your scrapbook pages will say the things you can't put into words yourself. Watch the video for ideas on combining your most treasured memories with borders, overlays, and other complementary shapes from the cartridge to make inspiring artwork of your own."

A few points I want to be certain that you do not miss while watching the video:

• there are two Inspiration-themed mini album keys on the Artbooking cartridge
• you will find the keys on pages 44 and 45 of the Artbooking booklet
• the first mini album, 1 of a Kind Vacation, in the video is presented in the My Creations® Kraft 3-Ring Album (Z1871) which is the perfect size for the Artbooking 8x8 inch pages
• real dial size was used on many of the shapes in the album so they could be used as accents
• on the fourth page the overlay was cut at 2 1/2 inches and used to cover the area under the photo
• on the sixth page a pocket was cut to hold photos; using real dial size allows you to cut pockets to fit various pages (and the mementos you want to tuck inside)
• use a photo mat as a half size page
• use an entire page in the album to "journal" using cuts from Artbooking
• for the second mini album, "You Inspire Me", the dial size was set at 6 inches and real dial size was not selected
• on the "Live Out Loud" word balloon page the overlay was cut at 7 inches, adhered to the word balloon and the excess was trimmed away
• Flip Flaps were used in the pocket for journaling
• in Jeanette Lynton's post, Artbooking Made Easy: Family-Inspired Mini Albums, you will find even more detail, closeup photos and a list of supplies used for each album

If you have missed earlier videos in the Artbooking Made Easy series, I am maintaining a list so they are easier to find. Just look for CTMH Cricut® Artbooking Collection in the green bar above.

Contact me if you would like to learn how you would be able to purchase the Artbooking collection at 1/2 off by hosting a Gathering either in-home or on-line.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thanks for visiting today.

Cloud Nine Blog Hop

Happy New Year everyone! Almost everyone makes resolutions to start the New Year and mine is to build up my assortment of cards. The Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit is a perfect way to kick start my goal.

There are many talented consultants participating in the hop; I think I follow all of their blogs there is so much inspiration on them. If you have been hopping with us, then you have come from Melinda Everitt's blog, If You Bling It. I find many wonderful projects on Melinda's blog to CASE, don't you?

I created one of each of the cards exactly as described in the workshop brochure (you will find a photo of those cards below). Then I decided to create variations for a few of the cards. The cards created following the instructions are on the left and on the right I made a minor change - how I inked the stamp. I used daubers to ink the stamps, one color on the inside and another for the edge, then I "huffed" the stamps to re-moisten the ink. The end result is the color is a little softer and the image looks a little more distressed, but I am quite happy with all of the cards. (Clicking on any of the photos will open my Flickr page in a new tab where you can see larger images; just close that window/tab so you can easily visit the next stop on the Cloud Nine Blog Hop.)

When I finished using the die-cuts in the kit, I cut some more with my Cricut® and the Artiste cartridge. While I still had some of the Cloud Nine B&T Duos™ Paper remaining, I decided to save that piece and create my own paper from cardstock using a stamp from Geometric Backgrounds (D1559) and Lagoon ink. I used Honey ink rather than Sunset to color my hearts. I rubbed the stamp pad directly on the small hearts to get a deep color and used a sponge on the larger heart for a softer effect. When I stamped the image I used the swipe technique to create more texture.

Here's a closeup of the image and paper I created with the background stamp.

This is the photo I mentioned that shows the cards I created following the instructions as they appear in the brochure.



I am sorry to say that is it time for you to head to your next stop, Joy McHargue's blog. I am certain that you will find much inspiration along the way. If you get lost at any point Melinda keeps a list of all of the stops here.

Thank you for visiting.

Celebrate National Papercrafting Month With Cloud Nine

As I posted yesterday, the CTMH promotion for the month of January 2014 celebrates National Papercrafting Month with the Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit. Here are the five different cards you will make with the kit:



One of the fantastic things about this kit (besides making 2 each of 5 wonderful cards) is you will receive three full-sized products from the new Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book (customers can begin purchasing from this book on February 1, 2014): Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape, Teal Shimmer Trim and Durables Triangle Studs.

In addition, the stamps in the included D-size stamp set (a $17.95 value) coordinate with cuts from the Cricut® Artiste cartridge. The smaller die-cut embellishments can be cut with the Artiste cartridge as well. If you do not have this cartridge, contact me to learn how you can purchase it for one-half off. Alternatively you could save the sheet that you punch the die-cuts from, trace the shapes and cut them out by hand. Either way, this is one stamp set that you will definitely be able to use on future projects.

I hope I have an additional reason for you to purchase the Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit by January 31: when you purchase the Cloud Nine kit from my OBA and send me an email with your order number and mailing address (US addresses only), I will send you die-cuts to create at least three more of each card (four "Just Because and six "Happy Birthday") with extra hearts and stars - I fit as many cuts on a 12" x 12" sheet of White Daisy cardstock as I could in Cricut® Craft Room. Just add your own cards and envelopes (a 5 1/2" X 4 1/4" White Cards & Envelopes, Value Pack would be perfect for this), B&T Duos™ Paper, cardstock and embellishments. Please note the extra die-cuts are only available through me and a purchase from my OBA.

Please stop back tomorrow evening for the Cloud Nine Blog Hop.

Contact me if you have any questions about the Cloud Nine kit or promotion.

CTMH January 2014 Stamp of the Month: Cross-stitch Wishes

Happy New Year! The Close To My Heart January 2014 Stamp of the Month is Cross-stitch Wishes.

I think this stamp set is so cute. You really need to see a close-up view of the samples in the photo above to appreciate this stamp set. You will find larger images, a list of the products used and some hints for recreating the samples above on my OBA's Stamp of the Month page. Another place to look for ideas using this stamp set is my Pinterest Board CTMH 2014 01 Jan SOTM Cross-stitch Wishes.

Cross-stitch Wishes is an exclusive D-size stamp set of 13 stamps that you can only purchase during the month of January 2014. The stamp set can be yours for $5 when you place an order of $50 or more in qualifying Close To My Heart Products. Alternatively you can purchase it for $17.95.

Recommended CTMH My Acrylix® Blocks: 2" x 2" (Y1003), 3" x 3" (Y1006), 2" x 3 1/2" (Y1009) and 2" x 6 1/2" (Y1010).

National Papercrafting Month brings us the Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit. Here are the cards I created following the brochure.



Please stop back on Friday evening. I am participating in a National Papercrafting Cloud Nine Blog Hop where I will share some card variations; based on the sneak peeks I have seen there will be many wonderful ideas for using the kit. As I hop, I will be adding the ideas to my board CTMH Promo Cloud Nine. In fact, you will find some pins there already.

The Corporate Office created this video for the National Papercrafting Month Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit.



You may purchase the exclusive Cloud Nine cardmaking kit for only $15 (the regular retail is $46) when you make a purchase of $35 or more during the month of January. The kit makes 10 cards (2 each of 5 designs). The kit gives you an opportunity to try three new full size products from the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book, Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape, Teal Shimmer Trim and Durables Triangle Studs, and you will have a D-size stamp set that you will be able to use on future projects. D-size stamps sets typically retail for $17.95 on their own!

And when you qualify for and purchase the Cloud Nine Cardmaking Kit you are eligible to purchase the January SOTM for $5. If you purchase the cardmaking kit and SOTM you order total would be approximately $55 before tax and shipping - depending on the purchases you make to reach or exceed $35, but the value of your purchase would be almost $100 ($98.85). That is a wonderful example of maximizing your crafting dollar.

I would like to remind you that our current Idea Book (A/W 2013) is only valid until the end of January. You will find the Retiring Items on my OBA. Do not wait - retiring items are only available while supplies last.

If you are ready to place an order, Click the Shop with me image below to be taken to my OBA. If you have questions about any CTMH product or promotion or to schedule a Home or Online Gathering do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for visiting today.