Shabby Mommy Studio

I am back finally!

2011-11-09T11:15:00.002-05:00

Well that was a crazy couple of weeks! If the bug was out there I seemed to find it. After laryngitis, a cold and a weird 24 hour stomach thing I am finally feeling back to my old self! I missed out on a few challenges but I did manage to land in the Top 10 over at Heart 2 Heart! Yeah! I also received more Liebster Blog awards from 2 fellow CTMH bloggers Sharon - Oak Island Stamp Queen and Heather - Creative Coconut (be sure to check out their blogs). Thank you so much ladies...I am completely honoured! I haven't had the opportunity to pick 5 blogs so pass the award onto yet. But I will get to that in the next few days.

Until then I have posted a card that I made for my brother's birthday over the weekend. It was something a little different for me. It was a layered card. There were 3 levels of "frames" and each had an element of the picture on it. I used the Passage paper pack and the Beautiful Things stamp set (both retired) and I love the embossing in the center. I used clear embossing on the Cocoa cardstock and then took some Colonial White Ink and sponged it over the image to make it pop a little. It's not my favourite card that I've made because it is lacking something but I can't just put my finger on it. I am thinking I should have put some brads or buttons along the bottom left corner or something. Maybe it's because it doesn't have any embellishments...I am soooo used to have lots of embellishments on my projects. I don't know but it was fun to do something different!

Thanks for looking!

Hope to be back soon...

2011-10-25T09:26:00.000-04:00

Good morning everyone!
I just wanted to stop in and let you know I am not intentionally ignoring my little blog. In fact I am feeling under the weather and not feeling terribly bloggy as of late. I had viral laryngitis all last week and just as that was starting to go away, I got slammed with a nasty cold. It has completely drained me. I managed to get last week's H2H challenge done before I started feeling too bad but I haven't had the energy or drive to take and post pictures. I am hoping that another day or two and I'll get some of my mojo back and I'll maybe even get this week's challenge completed.

Thanks for checking in...things will be back to normal soon! :)

To Love, Honour and Cherish

2011-10-19T12:33:00.000-04:00

We had a wedding to go to a couple of weeks ago and this is the card I made for the happy new couple! It's been a while since I made a wedding card so this was a lot of fun for me. I really wanted a frame for behind my main embellishments and I didn't have one that was quite right. Then I remembered I had one of those Foundry Frames from a few years ago but it was the wrong colour. I really didn't want to paint it as I liked it the way it was so I got the idea to use it like an embossing folder. It worked like a charm! I embossed the circle around the sentiment and layered on the flowers, pearls and rhinestones. I stamped the two background papers at the bottom of the card as I didn't have what I wanted to match the Veranda paper that I had my mind set on. Pretty happy with how it all turned out.

So today's lesson...when you don't have what you need...CREATE it!! :)

Behind the Scenes - H2H Challenge

2011-10-13T17:40:00.002-04:00

This week's challenge at Heart 2 Heart is to do a layout that tells a story. I am not sure if there is enough journalling on this layout to really be storytelling but I had fun completing this one. I NEVER scrapbook myself so it was kind of weird but it felt really good to do something about me for a change. So here I am...sheesh. What was I thinking! ;)

*** Dang...I found a spelling mistake! Ugh! This is why so many of my layouts have yet to be journalled. There's too much pressure! ;)

Happy 40th Anniversary!

2011-10-13T11:23:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend my parents celebrated 40 fantastic years of marriage! Hard to believe! I was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful this very simple card turned out. It actually turned out better than I pictured it. It was quick and easy to do - it doesn't get better than that! Not too much to explain on this one as it's pretty straight forward.

Supplies (all CTMH):
Stamp set: Find Your Style
Paper: Verandah paper pack (discontinued), Passages paper pack, Colonial White cs, Twilight cs
Ribbon: Cocoa grosgrain (bulk)
Embellishments: Filigree Charms, Pewter Mini Medley, Mocha Opaques Adhesive Gems
Ink: Cocoa Exclusives Ink, Chocolate Distressing Ink

So sorry

2011-10-07T12:29:00.002-04:00

This card actually started out as a birthday card but due to some events that happened just before my friends birthday the card shifted gears to one of encouragement and understanding. The mood just needed to be different...I figure we'll just move her birthday to a later date when she feels more like celebrating.

This summer my friends 2 year old son noticed some random pink petunias growing in their flower garden that weren't planted there on purpose. Upon his discovery he said "Mommy...the pink flowers make me so happy! Do the pink flowers make you happy?" So it has become our little thing in our circle of friends that we need to think about pink flowers when we're feeling down. That is where the inspiration for this card came from. This card was a little bit different for me but I am very pleased with how it turned out. Inside the card I put a short letter of encouragment and dropped off the card today with some pink flowers waiting for her to come home from work.

So rememember...smile whenever you see pink flowers. :)

Give Thanks...

2011-10-03T13:14:00.000-04:00

This week's challenge has been posted over at Heart 2 Heart and I already have my entry completed...yeah me! The challenge that was given this week was a sketch and this is my interpretation.

Since next weekend is the Thanksgiving long weekend here in Canada and Fall seems to be setting in very quickly that inspired my seasonally appropriate theme. I used a real mish mash of supplies. Some old...some really old! I am gonna use it up I tell ya! :) I used the flourish paper from the now discontinued Perfect Day pack...love that pattern...for the background. The vertical stripes were cut from the patterned stripe paper in the Grace pack but I used the reverse side which is neutral. Love how that turned out. I cut out the two shapes behind the harvest veggies from the Art Philosophy cart and really like how they accent the stamped image and all three layers are popped off of one another making it really stand out. I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Let me know what you think!

Supplies (all CTMH):

Paper: Grace & Perfect Day paper packs (both now discontinued), Colonial white and Cocoa cardstock

Ribbon: Cocoa Designer Ribbon Rounds (discontinued)

Stamps: Give Thanks (discontinued) and Grateful Hearts

Inks: Chocolate Distress Ink and Cocoa Exclusive Ink

Other: CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge

Blogtoberfest and what I've been up to...

2011-10-03T10:51:00.001-04:00

Good Monday Morning Everyone!

~ If you want to skip my personal story...you can bypass this paragraph and head straight down to the part about Blogtoberfest. :)

We had a crazy weekend and it's hard to believe it's already Monday. We spent the weekend looking at houses and it was really bitter sweet. My husband was laid off back in the fall of 2008 and decided to return to school. He graduated at the top of his class this past spring and was hired immediately out of school into a secure and rewarding job that he truly loves. The problem is that the dream job is in a not so dreamy location (for us anyways). It's not that it's a bad place to live, it's just that we are small town people and our families all live here...all of them. No one has EVER moved away...not cousins, aunts or uncles, sisters or brothers. And we are very family orientated. Matt spent 2 years away at school and now has been commuting back and forth to work since May and is only home on weekends so he has missed out on a lot the last 3 years. Our girls are only 8 and 4 so they are at such wonderful ages and he misses them horribly and the girls miss him. So we have made the decision to move to be with him as we can't afford to live in two different places especially since where he works it is REALLY expensive). What would sell for $200,000 here would sell for $700,000 or more there. Yikes! But it is what we must do. It will be hard leaving our families, friends and farm life but it will be nice to be a family again. We will have to get used to urban living and living in a much smaller home in a more crowded neighbourhood but we will at least be a family again. We won't be actually making a move until summer of next year as I don't want to move the girls part way through the school year. That also gives me time to prepare the house and get it listed. The market is slower in our town so it will take a while I am sure but that also gives us time to prepare both physically and emotionally! Here's to a new adventure...

I know...blah, blah, blah...enough about my life! Let's get to the REAL reason you are here!

The fantastic and Fabulously Artsy Stamp Goddess formerly known as Tresa Black is hosting Blogtoberfest during the month of October. Tresa is a supremely talented CTMH consultant and has an amazing blog with a ton of Followers...that's why she's the Stamp Goddess! So if you've never visited her blog, hop on over and be sure to check out her fabulous video tutorials and stamped creations!

Ok...so what is Blogtoberfest you say?? Well it is a celebration of all things "bloggy". Tresa will post blogging tips, challenges, artwork, tutorials and giveaways all month long so if you have been wanting to ramp up your blog, now is the time to do it! So set a goal, get inspired and make yourself a better blog! Head over to her blog to sign up and get your own Blog Button to add to your sidebar just like I did.

Happy Blogtoberfest to ya!

BOO!

2011-09-28T15:29:00.001-04:00

It's not very often that I make a Halloween card because to be honest I don't "give out" Halloween cards! But I felt inspired to make something spooky and I am so delighted how this card turned out!! I used a multitude of bits and pieces to make up this card. It feels good to use up some scraps and play with a variety of stamps I don't use often. I just love how this card turned out!

Thanks for looking!

So Honoured!

2011-09-23T16:11:00.001-04:00

Today, when I checked in on my blog I found a comment from a wonderful fellow blogger, Pam Trostle, who honoured me with a blog award...my very first one! Be sure to check out her blog as well and if you feel inspired make sure you become a Follower!

This is a different kind of blog award in the respect that it recognizes inspiring blogs with less than 200 followers. This way some very worthy, but often over looked blogs benefit from some extra exposure...which is something every blogger can use!

Liebster is the German word for "beloved" or "favourite". So it is now my turn to bestow this award to 5 of my most beloved blogs who have less than 200 followers. So be sure to check out the blogs listed below and congratulate them by leaving them some blog love in the form of a comment and becoming a Follower if you find them to be as inspiring as I do!

Crafting with Camille

Cre8tive Cookie

Simply Creating

Tamra's Crafty Paper Creations

Peace Love Scrap

Thanks Ladies! Now it's your turn to name 5 of your favourite blogs with less than 200 followers.

You Make Me Smile!

2011-09-21T13:36:00.001-04:00

I checked in on my blog this morning and found so many wonderful comments about my card that I entered in the Heart 2 Heart Challenge yesterday! You all have made me smile! Thank you so much for all of the kind words! I don't have a lot of action here on my little blog and rarely get feedback on my artwork so to hear so many nice things made me want to create more! So this one is for you...Thank you!

Materials List: (all CTMH)

Paper: That's Amore paper pack (discontinued) and Cocoa cardstock

Stamp Set: Hooray Bouquet

Embellishments: Neutral Button Assortment (old set), bulk Cranberry ribbon, Cocoa ink
Tags were cut using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge...so fast and easy!!

A Day of Thanks Card...Heart 2 Heart Challenge

2011-09-19T22:04:00.002-04:00

Okay, so this is my first challenge and of course I couldn't get my camera to cooperate (I have GOT to get that fixed!) but I am really happy with this card. I check in regularily over at the Heart 2 Heart CTMH Challenge Blog and this week's challenge was to use only cardstock (no patterned paper) with a minimum of three colours being used. I figured I could handle this one so I jumped in! The colours I used were Juniper, Olive, Cocoa and Kraft (does that count as a colour?). The stamped images are from the Pair-A-Phrase set with the exception of the background stamp I used on the colonial white paper which is from Noted Backgrounds. All of the elements got a good dosing of distressing and antiquing. I used the 1" circle punch for the scallop border and the button is from the wooden buttons set. Oh and I added a few Opaques for a little polish.

Let me know what you think...is this challenge worthy?

(and of course all supplies are CTMH) :)

Pair-a-Phrase Butterflies Card

2011-09-09T15:00:00.000-04:00

Isn't this card beautiful! I just love it. I seen it on the Close to My Heart Facebook page and wanted to share it with you. Isn't it awesome what you can create with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge! Not to mention this Pair-a-Phrase stamp set is quickly becoming a favourite of mine...and a go-to if I need an inspirational, fast card. Check out the other Pair-a-Phrase creations on the CTMH Facebook page if you haven't already!

Believe in Whoooo You Are!

2011-09-08T10:55:00.000-04:00

Okay so I REALLY need to get my camera fixed. It is not taking very good photos anymore. The colour is off and I have a heck of a time getting the images crisp and sharp like I used to. Ugh...what a pain. So I appologize for the not so great images as of late.

On a positive note, I absolutely love the new Pair-a-Phrase stamp set that I blogged about yesterday. Such easy to use images with uplifting sentiments...and there are a ton of them to choose from. What a versatile and fun set! I will try to post a few more projects with it in the new few days. I haven't had a lot of time to papercraft but I just had to do something last night after the girls went to bed and I whipped up this simple card in just a few minutes...gotta love simple projects like that!

You can get your own Pair-a-Phrase stamp set but only until September 30th! If you are interested click here to see all the images included in this double stamp set and check out the great artwork examples while you're there. Place a qualifying order with me directly by sending me a quick email or order directly on my website. You won't want to miss this one...get it before it's gone!!

National Stamping Month

2011-09-07T12:06:00.000-04:00

To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, we are offering our first-ever double stamp set! You can get the exclusive My Acrylix® Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set FREE when you place an order of $82 CAN from August 15 through September 30, 2011. You'll love this double set—two D-size sets in one envelope—which includes lots of clever phrases and coordinating images you'll use in your handmade cards all year long. The double set has a retail value of $39.90, which drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase! Have double the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with our new Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set!

Back to the daily grind.

2011-09-04T12:29:00.000-04:00

Well we are back from summer at the trailer and getting ready to get back to the daily school routine. It's a bittersweet feeling really. As much as I love having my girls home and having sleepy mornings with lots of cuddles and then whatever fun we can stir up for the remainder of the day with no worries about bedtimes, lunches or homework, I do really crave the structure that school time routines bring to my life as well. I have two in school this year so it's gonna be a bit different...whatever am I going to do with all of my extra time?? *wink* Oh the papercrafting I plan to do!!!

But while the dust settles around here and we get into the groove once again, check out the following Studio J video. And if you've not checked out all that Studio J has to offer yet, you can go to http://www.studioj.com/ for more info! Have a great long weekend everyone!

Thanks for checking in!

More hidden treasure...

2011-08-15T07:41:00.020-04:00

Okay, so since I am still waiting on my order of new goodies to arrive I figured I'd post another older card that I did. This is another hidden gem within the files of my very full Pictures folder. I loved this card. It was one of my favourites. I made it for my parent's anniversary last October. It used some scraps I had left over from the Aspen WOTG, some bling from a past Connections Club set and the Childhood Portrait and Card Commentary stamp sets. I even decorated up the homemade envelope! I was feeling particularily crafty that day! This was one of those cards that actually turned out better in real life than it did in my head. Usually it's the other way around and my vision far exceeds the finished product!!

(sorry the colour is off a bit...they are all Chocolate brown but for some reason these two look very warm)

Inside of card...

Envelope...

Thanks for stopping by!

Hidden deep in my computer

2011-08-10T11:11:00.000-04:00

So I have been mucking about on my computer and I keep stumbling upon projects that never got posted here on my blog. This card was one I made for a friend's baby shower (a year ago!) and I loved this card. The colours are so soothing and it has a real vintage, shabby chic feel to it which is what I am all about! I don't have all of the details about this card but one thing you will notice is I didn't use patterned paper. The whole card is cardstock, stamps and ink. It is actually a lot of fun making your own background paper! You always get the colours you want! :)

Some of the detail...

This is the inside of the card...

This is the back of the card...

Thanks for looking!

So Lisa...what's on it???

2011-08-02T22:48:00.000-04:00

I know, I know! I keep talking about the new Art Philosophy Cricut cart and all you want to know is what is actually ON this amazing cartridge I can't bare to live without...am I right? Well if you click HERE and then click on the blue book on the shelf to the left that says Art Philosophy you will be able to page through and see all of the many, many shapes on the new cartridge. At the very end you will even be able to see some project examples of what you can do with these beautiful new shapes!

All I can say is I am impressed and CAN'T WAIT to get my shabby little hands on it!! Let me know if you want me to order you one!! ;)

Extra! Extra! Free Bonus Stamp set in August!

2011-08-02T16:44:00.000-04:00

In celebration of our newly updated Stamp of the Month program, we’re throwing in a little something extra: a FREE* bonus stamp set! In August, when you place an order of $50 US/$55 CAN or more in products and purchase the August Stamp of the Month set, Wicked, for just $5.00/$5.50, you’ll receive the My Acrylix® A Typeface bonus A-size set FREE (retail value $6.95/$7.75)! Think of it as two promotions in one—qualify for and purchase the discounted August Stamp of the Month set, and we’ll throw in a second stamp set FREE! It’s Extra! Extra!

Planes, trains and automobiles...

2011-08-01T11:15:00.000-04:00

What do little boys love more than planes, trains and automobiles? I love the Birthday Boy stamp set for making little boy birthday cards. Paired up with the Miracle paper pack and Kraft cardstock and I think this card is perfect for any little boy. I used the cloud stamp from Over the Rainbow to make embossed clouds in the background and the cloud with the name ontop. The plane and sentiment are both from the Birthday Boy stamp set and the ink colours are Sweet Leaf and Crystal Blue. It was fun for me to make this card since I have two little girls and project like this are far and few between for me!

Thanks for visiting!

Cricut on the brain!

2011-07-28T15:06:00.000-04:00

Okay...so my Cricut Expression is here and I have been playing with the cartridges that came with it but I really can't wait to get my hands on CTMH's Art Philosophy cartridge soon! I am placing an order on the first and this will top the list for me and for many of my customers. If you are interested, drop me a line and I'll add one to my order for you too! Or click on the Shop Online tab at the top of my blog to go order it for yourself and have it shipped directly to your door (remember it won't be available until after August 1st).

Until then, I am stocking up on ideas and inspiration. Check out the CTMH video above for some tips on amping up your projects using the Art Philosophy cartridge.

Happy Creating!

Use it up!

2011-07-27T21:34:00.000-04:00

I have decided that I need to use up some of my old stash so that I can load up on all of the amazing new product that will be available soon! I seriously need to make room (you have NO idea)! I used some paper from the Sweet Home pack (blue) and the More to Adore pack (floral) along with Cocoa and Daisy white cardstock for the card base and mats. The sentiment is from the Wings Workshop on the Go and was stamped in Indian Corn Blue. The vertical ribbon is a combo of the wide ribbon from Cocoa Ribbon Rounds and some natural hemp. The little flower is made using Blush ric rac and I think it turned out really cute...I've never made a ribbon flower that small before! I don't know if I'd say it's one of my favourite cards but I successfully managed to use up some old stock and create something new and that makes me happy! :)

CTMH & Cricut Art Philosophy!!!

2011-07-21T20:32:00.000-04:00

I am so incredibly excited to get my hands on this new product created by two great companies teaming up -Cricut and CTMH!! The Art Philosophy Collection is a Cricut bundle available only through CTMH! With over 700 images (fonts, shapes and 3D elements) that coordinate with a ton of CTMH products including stamps and diecuts! In the bundle you will receive 3 exclusive stamp sets and chipboard diecuts to get you started and the bundle also coordinates with many other stamps through the new Autumn/Winter 2011 catalogue! Stamps outlined throughout the catty with a thin red line have coordinating shapes on the Art Philosophy cartridge. How cool is that! Watch the video below for just a taste of what you will be able to accomplish. You can also check out more on page 12-13 of the new Autumn/Winter 2011 catty available online starting August 1st OR get your IRL copy from me now! Drop me a line if you are interested!

CTMH rocks!

2011-07-15T01:19:00.000-04:00

Twitter has been buzzing from all of the CTMH consultants at convention in Disney Land this weekend! I haven't seen all of what is new but I have been following the tweets and let me tell you...it's gonna knock your socks off! Stay tuned for some amazing updates regarding new products and company changes...what a great time to be with Close to My Heart!

Vintage Rose Birthday Card

2011-07-05T13:58:00.005-04:00

Where have I been? I'll spare you the details...let's just say my life has been as crazy as usual.! ;)

I created this card for my mother for her birthday and I was really happy with how it turned out. It's so what I am into right now and it has a nice vintage feel to it. I will hopefully be posting a tutorial in the near future showing how to make those flowers...they are so pretty and easy to make too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Winter Wreath

2011-02-03T11:40:00.008-05:00

Hello all!

After having our basement flooded back in November, we are finally back to normal! I have been without all of my crafting supplies since then and let me tell you...it was killing me! It made me to sad to even come to my blog! We had to have our entire basement packed up and completely gutted and renovated. It was quite the job but luckily insurance covered the whole thing and now I have a nice new rec room, scrap studio and laundry room!

I still haven't gotten my scrap area set up completely as I am re-organizing EVERYTHING!! So it might be a while before I get back to creating and posting like I'd like to but yesterday was a snow day here in Ontario and the girls and I decided our door needed some sprucing up. My front door always looks so bare when the Christmas wreath comes down so we decided to make a winter one to replace it! I am really happy with how it turned out. My girls (Emalyn 7 and Grace 3) helped by sponge daubing the CTMH chipboard snow flakes and stars in Petal and Sky. We then added some prisma glitter and hot glued them to a spare wreath I had kicking around. Some ribbon and Pearls were the finishing touch to what I think is a very successful craft project on a dreary snow day!

Thanks for checkin' in! Leave me a note to let me know you've stopped by and that I still have an audience to post for!

Pure Magic!!!

2010-09-10T23:57:00.008-04:00

So I got my box of new CTMH goodies yesterday and was so excited to look through the newest how to book in the CTMH collection and all I have to say is WOW!! I love it! Everyone needs to check this book out. I am so inspired by all of the fresh, fun ideas and the DVD has great videos to help visualize the interactive elements in the books layouts as well as tons of printable templates to help complete them. I can't wait to get into my studio today and play!

If you are interested in purchasing this book click on the image above to go direct or click on the shopping cart in my sidebar.

I am off to go play!! Have a great saturday!

New Idea Book is LIVE!

2010-09-01T12:06:00.006-04:00

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to touch base and let you know that the new Fall & Winter Idea book is now live on my website! You will definitely want to go take a look at all the great new things for the upcoming seasons! Click on the picture above or in my sidebar under catalogues. If you would like to have a hard copy, send me an email and I can mail one out to you. They are only $3 plus shipping so let me know! But for now...go check it out online!

So go grab a coffee and enjoy!!

Baby Boy Card

2010-08-29T10:35:00.008-04:00

Okay...two posts in less than 24 hours! I am on a roll! :)

Anyways, here is a card that I made for some friends who just had a baby. I was really happy with how this one turned out. I made a little pocket to slide a gift card into and even finished the backside of the card. I love these colours and it was a real treat doing something boyish for a change!!

Thanks for looking!

Front of Card

Inside Top of Card

Gift Card Pocket

Back of Card

All Supplies are CTMH unless otherwise noted

Stamps: Post Marked, Baby Love (I'll get back to you on the others)

Paper: Twitterpated

Ink: Cocoa, Crystal Blue

Miscellaneous: Buttons, Hemp

Are you still there?

2010-08-28T22:16:00.004-04:00

*chirp* *chirp* *chirp*

Anyone still there??

Okay...I am still tweaking the blog but I am pretty happy with how it looks. I have a few more pages to finish up and it will be finished. In the meantime I have picked up a temporary full time job until the end of September so my blogging time might be stretched a little thin but I'll try to keep some posts coming your way. I have a couple of baby cards I've made the last week or so and a couple of projects on the go. So I will have some things to share with you really soon!

Thanks for sticking with me...if you are still here that is! :)

2010-08-11T16:23:00.000-04:00

Testing the new blog divider...

Under Construction!

2010-08-10T11:04:00.003-04:00

I will hopefully have my blog up and running in the next couple of days...hopefully even sooner! After a long hiatus due to a crazy life, I am looking forward to getting back to the blogging world. So stay tuned...I hope my blog will be better than ever! Drop me a line and let me know what you think!

I am here...really I am!

2010-02-24T10:38:00.001-05:00

Sorry to be MIA. We've all been very sick around here since Christmas...yes since CHRISTMAS! It has really been brutal. I will have some new stuff to post within the next couple of days...I promise. Until then...

This is one of the projects featured in this months webisode of Art & Soul.

Image copywrite Close to My Heart.

Check out this months webisode of Art & Soul called Oh Baby! if haven't already. Yet another inspiring video brought to you by Jeanette and crew. Speaking about Jeanette, have you been checking out her blog? If you love CTMH like I do, then you'll love checking out her blog for great inspiration with the great CTMH products we all love!

Hopefully this ties you over until I can post again! ;) Thanks for hanging in there!

Teacher's Gift

2009-12-18T17:00:00.004-05:00

I was in a panick last night when I realized that today is the last day of school and I had NOTHING for Emalyn's teacher. I scoured my favourite blogs and found this idea over on Nichole Heady's blog. Her blog is one of my absolute favourites...especially if I am looking for a project idea. I was VERY pleased with how this all came together and for hardly no money at all! It didn't take very long to make, I loved the colours and the ribbon made the whole thing come together so nicely. And the hand dipped chocolate covered marshmallows were a breeze to make but added such a gourmet feel to this gift.

You can check out Nichole's entire project post here. You'll have to scroll down a ways to find it.

All wrapped up and ready to give...complete with a tag signed by Emalyn.

Off Road Birthday Card

2009-12-14T15:04:00.003-05:00

This is a card I made for my brother's birthday. I struggle with masculine cards as I LOVE bling and flowers and all things shiny! My brother is definitely NOT a blingy guy so I had to come up with something that suited him and this stamp from CTMH's Off Road set was perfect. I am happy with how it turned out. I think I am getting the hang of the watercolouring technique...it looks really great with these type of stamps.

Hopefully I have some more posted for you soon! Thanks for hanging in there with me!

HUGE sale on CTMH...50-80% off!!!

2009-12-02T10:22:00.004-05:00

Are you ready to do some Christmas Shopping? Because the best deals start in December! You can buy everyone on your list a gift and stock up on much-needed supplies for yourself, leaving you time to enjoy the festivities!

Beginning December 2 (today) at 11am, you can start shopping the amazing deals from Close to My Heart like My Acrylix® stamp sets from only $2.50 and My Reflections® paper packets from only $6.25. But that’s not all—there are “grab bags” for $37.50, each filled with over $100 in retail products! These products are only available while supplies last, so be the first to fill your shopping cart!

So go check it out...you won't be disappointed!

Click HERE to start shopping!

Copics, Spellbinders and Blog Candy...oh my!!

2009-11-11T14:06:00.003-05:00

Over on Debbie's blog Passion for Crafts she has some AMAZING blog candy!! Oh my! I'd be in my 7th heaven if I won that package. Head on over for your chance to win!!

New Art & Soul Webisode: The Sparkle of the Season

2009-11-10T15:31:00.004-05:00

Artwork & Image courtesy of Close to My Heart.

If you like to bling up your artwork than the latest Art & Soul Webisode is a must see. Click below to watch now!

The Sparkle of the Season

It’s dress-up time! Take artistic credit for a hand-drawn image that is actually a stamp, glam up your layouts with glitter rub-ons, and create custom envelopes that are just as pretty as the cards they hold! It’s all here on this episode of Art & Soul®!

Grace Happy Birthday

2009-11-05T15:23:00.000-05:00

I made this card for my mother's birthday and I was really happy with how it turned out. The picture is not the best as it looks very golden and it doesn' t show the dimension of the card but the flower layers are all individual and popped off of one another along with the other layers of cardstock underneath. Originally I wasn't crazy about the background floral from the Grace paper pack but it was perfect for this card and now I really like it! It just goes to show you that you shouldn't judge something until you try working with it first.

Supplies are all CTMH unless otherwised noted.
Stamp Sets: Tickled Pink; For Every Occassion
Patterned Paper: Grace Level 2 Paper Pack
Cardstock: Colonial White; Desert Sand
Ink: Cocoa Exclusives Ink
Ribbon: Creme Brulee Ribbon Rounds
Other: Button and Natural Hemp

Stampaganza is Back!!!

2009-11-04T23:46:00.000-05:00

Stampaganza is BACK!! Yippee! What does that mean to you? Well my stampy friends, that means that during the month of November for every 2 stamps sets you purchase you will receive a stamp set FREE!! So if you buy 4 you get 2 free...you buy 6 you get 3 free...you get the idea! And the free stamp sets are you choice as long as they are of equal or lesser value. What a great promo! It was a huge success in 2008 and we're so happy to offer to you again!

So go get your list made so that come November 3rd you are ready to place your order.

Remember you can do this through me directly or over at my website.

If you are thinking about signing up as a consultant, now is the perfect time to do it. With a promotion like this you will have no trouble making sales during November. Check out Your Opportunities page on my website to read more about becoming a consultant or if you know that this is something you want to do then click on the linked picture below to get signed up right away.

Consultant Kit Contents

Jolly Jingle 25 Card Workshop

2009-10-27T18:00:00.014-04:00

In November I will be offering up a new workshop and I want you all to be a part of it! It's called the Jolly Jingle 25 card workshop. You will receive all the supplies needs to complete five each of the five cards shown above including envelopes for only $15.00!! It's hard to tell from the picture (so click on it for more detail) each card has some bling and glitter and they are absolutely adorable! All 25 cards will be completed in 2-3 hours depending on your experience level. How awesome will it be to give handmade cards to family and friends this year AND save a lot of money at the same time!!

If you are interested in this workshop check out my calendar for scheduled dates or contact me directly to schedule your own Jolly Jingle Gathering and earn free product too!

Speedy Halloween Goodie Bags

2009-10-27T12:57:00.003-04:00

We've been really sick around here since the middle of last week so nothing too productive has occured...that is until I realized that I needed goodie bags for my daughter for her Sparks Halloween meeting. When did I realize this you ask...oh about 45 minutes before she needed them!

I threw these together really quickly and was actually amazed that they turned out as well as they did considering my mind was in a complete flu induced fog. :) You can't tell by this picture (I took that in a hurry too and it shows!) but the bat is on a pop dot.

Supplies (all CTMH unless otherwise noted)

Cardstock: White Daisy

Exclusives Inks: Autumn Terracotta, Black

Stamp Sets: Dream Wishes, Happy Haunting

Great News!

2009-10-19T14:07:00.004-04:00

You can now order from me ONLINE!
I finally made the leap and got myself a Close to My Heart website. I haven't updated all of the featured areas yet but you can now go to my website and order product and have it delivered directly to your door!

Click on the icon below to go directly to my website.

Childhood Portrait card

2009-09-16T14:42:00.006-04:00

I have to say that I am completely in love with this new stamp set from CTMH! It is so pretty and it was the first thing I ordered from the new catalogue. I had a chance to sit down and play a little today and this is the card I came up with. I love the colours.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Everything is from CTMH unless otherwise noted...

Childhood Portrait stamp set, TLC stamp set, Desert Sand ink, Baby Pink pearl button, Chocolate polka dot organdy ribbon, hemp, Colonial White cardstock, DCWV pre-printed card base.

New CMTH fall catty is LIVE!

2009-09-01T10:03:00.005-04:00

If you haven't been lucky enough to get a look at the new Close to My Heart Fall catty in person, now you can check it out online. There are so many new beautiful things...I can't say I dislike any of the new paper packs...or stamps for that matter! They are all fantastic! They've changed up the catalogue layout a bit to make it a little more user friendly so things may not be exactly where you expect if you are used to the old cattys. It didn't take me long to get used it and I love the clean, simple design of it.

I know, I know...enough babble from me. Click the image below to go take a look for yourself!

*** This is a link to the Canadian catty. If you want the US version click HERE.

Creamy Tex Mex Noodle Bake

2009-08-18T10:28:00.007-04:00

I love finding new recipes...especially kid friendly ones that mine will actually eat!! So I thought I would share this one with you just incase you have picky children at home. If your kids (or husband like spaghetti or lasagna than this is a nice variation on those traditional italian dishes. If you aren't crazy about Tex Mex you can substitute 1 tsp of Italian seasoning (I find you need a lot less of the italian seasoning) in this recipe and it works just as well. I just find this is a nice change from the regular pasta dishes we usually have.

This is super yummy! If you decide to make it for your family, leave me a comment and let me know how it went! :)

Creamy Tex Mex Noodle Bake
Serves 4-6
537 calories per serving
18.1 g of fat per serving

Ingredients:

1 lb of extra lean ground beef
1 can tomato soup
1 tbsp tex mex seasoning (or vary to taste) **
1/3 cup of water
170 g broad egg noodles
1 can low sodium cream of mushroom soup
1/2 soup can filled with 1% milk
1/2 cup of light cheddar cheese
1/2 cup of part-skim mozzarella cheese

** you could substitute 1 package of low sodium taco seasoning in place of the Tex Mex seasoning if you prefer more of a taco flavor instead of a chili type flavour.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 F

Fill a large stove top pot with water and bring to a boil for the pasta.

Meanwhile brown ground beef in a large non-stick fying pan over med-high heat. When meat is no longer pink drain fat from pan. Stir in tomato sup, spice and water.

Add noodles to boiling water. Set timer for 3 minutes.

Whisk mushroom soup and milk together in a large 2 cup measuring cup or medium bowl.

When timer rings for noodles, drain in a colander and rinse with water to prevent noodles from sticking together.

In a lasagna or casserole dish, layer in this order... 1/2 of the meat mixture, 1/2 of the cooked noodles, 1/2 of the soup mixture, then the cheddar cheese. Repeat layers again ending with the mozzarella cheese.

Bake in preheated oven, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Broil for a few minutes to brown up the cheese a little if desired.

Serve with your favourite salad and this makes a perfect family friendly meal.

Colour Me Monday - CTMH colour combo

2009-08-17T14:22:00.002-04:00

Each monday Jeanette Lynton, CEO and founder of Close to My Heart, posts a combination of CTMH colours. I am always impressed and inspired by her choices.

***One thing I'd like to note is that the image to the right doesn't show Creme Brulee in it's true colour...it's more yellow than shown in the example. The other colours look pretty good though.

I thought I would share them here to inspire you and to challenge you to use them today in any of your creative projects. I highly suggest you visit Jeanette's blog ( if you don't regularily visit it already!) and check out her amazing examples...she is truly one of the most inspiring scrapbookers/cardmakers I know. Her blog is full of amazing inspiration & artwork that she updates regularily and she posts new colour combinations each and every Monday. So go...check out her blog! You won't be disappointed!

Jeanette Lynton - Make it from your heart.

If I find the time to create something today I will do my best to post the results of this colour inspiration.

Christmas Joy card

2009-08-16T00:00:00.001-04:00

I was playing around with some old product...this is all CM stuff. I haven't used anything from them in years. I have a bunch of stuff laying around from when I was a CM consultant and I decided it is time to use it up. So I slapped this card together real quick and was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out. I used some an old vellum diecut pieces (the blocks and the tree) from a Done With One kit (can't remember the name of it) and some of their black lined cardstock. Since the lines on the cs where silver I decided to emboss the word Joy in silver e.p. and I think it turned out nicely. I had some silver cording laying around too and that just jazzed it up a bit.

It really is amazing what you can come up with when you don't put a lot of planning into a project. I get things done quicker and I always seem to surprise myself with the results!

:)

Emporium Keepsake Cube

2009-08-15T17:18:00.006-04:00

I held two different workshops at my SWON retreat a couple of weekends ago and this one the one project that we completed. I was so happy with how it turned out. It uses all CTMH product and one of my favourite paper packs of all time...Emporium. I love the colours and they are so easy to work with. I also used the Foundry Bookplate and Designer Brads which I also love. I used some photos from one of my photography class photo shoots...the subjects of course were my beautiful family! I was really please with how they turned out. I especially love the photo of Matt with the girls...and the one of Gracie looking at the dandelion is too cute...well and of course Emalyn is so beautiful and grown up. *sigh*

I hope you like it!

New CTMH!!

2009-08-11T21:33:00.005-04:00

Finally! A new post from me. I know...where have I been? I've been busy planning for all of the crazy changes coming to our family this fall. I am going to try to keep in touch more over the next few weeks. I have some things fom the workshops I did at my scrapbook retreat last weekend so I'll do my best to get those posted soon.

For today, I thought I would stop by and let you know that I have the new CTMH catty in hand and it is wonderful! I love so many of the new things...who am I kidding...I love it ALL!! If you are local to me, drop me a line and I'll get a catalogue to you. The catalogue goes live online September 1st so mark your calendar!

But for now, to get your CTMH fix go check out the new Art & Soul webisode.

Card Cache

Bad Blogger...

2009-06-16T10:56:00.002-04:00

I am so sorry for not posting anything in the past month. My life has been CRAZY! My husband has been laid off since November and has decided to go back to college in the fall. He'll be attending the University of Guelph at Ridgetown and will be taking the Environmental Management program. Since we have decided to go through the Second Career program there is a lot of "homework" and research to complete in order to qualify. Then because he is going to have to live on campus through the week and we won't have any income coming in, I've decided to run a daycare out of my home so that I am still able to stay home with our girls and make the necessary money to pay the bills. This has also been quite a process. I have had to move my large studio into a small corner of our storage area. It's not exactly a "dream" space but it will do for now so that I have the space to run my daycare. It's been a lot of work setting all of this up and I'm still not quite finished. So all of this along with soccer games, Sparks meeting, homework, photography class twice a week and helping out on the farm we haven't found a lot of extra time for our hobbies. Oh and trying to prepare for my annual summer scrapbook retreat at Elm Hurst Inn...I feel like I haven't put as much of my heart into it this year. It just seems we have SOOO much on our plates right now. I do hope to get things back to normal soon so please bear with me and I promise I will be posting more again soon.

Creative Level 1 Workshop

2009-05-15T14:42:00.003-04:00

MY UPCOMING CLASSES & EVENTS

Create with Level 1 Workshop

This month we are going to change it up a bit and you get to choose! Pick out your favourite Level 1 Kit from the new Summer 2009 Idea Book...any kit you like and I'm going to teach you how to get creative with it! Decide whether you want to stick with the Basic workshop kit or upgrade to Beter or Best with the option of buying the BONUS. If you choose to upgrade, all of the product is found within the same "theme" of your Level 1 choice. For example if you choose Animal Cookies as your Level 1 choice shown on page 24 and you decide to go with the Best kit you would receive the Level 2 Paper Packet and Level 2 My Stickease shown on page 25 along with your choice of either "It's a Zoo" or "Sweet Baby" stamp sets shown on page 26. If it's any older kit the items will be all on the same page. You will receive coordinating embellishments in your kit and we will learn what you can do with this things to take your basic Level 1 kit to new heights!

Saturday May 30, 2009 10am - 4pm

Basic Kit

Level 1 Paper Pack of your choice $12.50
25 Coordinating buttons $2.50
5 yds of Coordinating Ribbon $1.50
25 Coordinating Brads $1.25
_______________________________
Workshop Supply Fee (per guest)
*$20.00

Better Kit = Basic Package + Your Choice
Coordinating Stamp Set ($23.50 value)
OR Coordinating Level 2 Paper Pack & Level 2 My Stickease $22.00
________________________________
Workshop Supply Fee (per guest)
*$42.00

Best Kit = Both Better Kit Options
Stamp Set ($23.50 value) AND Level 2 Paper Pack & Level 2 My Stickease $42.00
_________________________________
Workshop Supply Fee (per Guest)
*$75.30

BONUS add-on

If you order the Best Kit option you are eligible to purchase the REFLECTIONS book at the consultant price!!! You will pay only $22.00**! We will be using this book for this workshop so it is a great time to purchase this valuable tool. This is a one time only offer.

*plus shipping and applicable taxes
** shipping and taxes will be charged on the full retail value of $27.50

So pick out your favourite Level I kit and sign up now! If you don't have a catalogue to make your decision, click here to view the online catalogue.

Email me to register no later than May 18, 2009.

Space is limited so don't wait!!

Art & Soul:Mementos for the Man in Your Life

2009-05-13T16:25:00.003-04:00

The newest webisode of Art & Soul is up on CTMH TV. It's called Mementos for the Man in Your Life. Follow the CTMH TV or Art & Soul links to view this webisode or view any from the archives. As usual there is lots of inspiration and ideas...this time with a masculine feel.

Artwork courtesy of CTMH.

Under Construction!

2009-05-07T21:48:00.001-04:00

Please excuse the mess as I am playing around with my blog...AGAIN! What can I say...I like change! Hopefully I will have everything sorted out in the next few days but in the meantime I'd love to hear what you think of the changes so far! :)

Tickled Pink stamp set

2009-04-28T15:02:00.003-04:00

This is a card I made for my mother inlaw for her birthday this past weekend. I used the stamp set from the Tinkled Pink kit. I am really happy with the flowers from this set...really pretty! I used a DCWV premade card base and CTMH cardstock along with some ribbon from Walmart. The ink I used was all CTMH and the colours were Hollyhock, Blush, Sweet Leaf and Crystal Blue.

Beautifully Imperfect...

2009-04-24T08:00:00.001-04:00

This is a video I stumbled on and it touched me in a very profound way.

Watch it and you will understand completely.

This video is from a Singapore website based on building a resilient family structure...Think Family.

More amazing BLOG candy!!

2009-04-23T19:11:00.002-04:00

WOW!! I am impressed at this blog candy! I what I would do to get my hands on this prize package!! Great blog too...lots of inspiration. It amazes me everyday just how many wonderfully talented people are out there...and how many of them blog!!

Anyway...go check out Debbie's blog and all of the wonderful blog candy!! And don't forget to wish her a Happy Blogoversary!!

Passion for Crafts

Amazing blog candy!!

2009-04-23T17:13:00.001-04:00

If you love fantastic inspiration and amazing blog candy than check out this blog...YUMMY!!

All the Things I Love

Scrapbook & Share

2009-04-17T14:48:00.002-04:00

Okay...so I went to the Scrapbook & Share blog to see what was new expecting one or two new layouts at the most. Oh my gosh the blog is LOADED with inspiration. WOW! There are 14 more layouts there and they are all beautiful!! I can't wait to check this out everyday...I'll have to so that I can keep up with it all! ;)

So if you haven't checked it out yet...what are you waiting for? GO! :)

CTMH National Scrapbook Month Website

2009-04-15T12:54:00.003-04:00

I blogged about the Tickled Pink Promotion the other day and now CTMH has started a blog targeted at celebrating National Scrapbook Month (NSM). The blog is called Scrapbook and Share and it is going to be full of inspiration and a contest to be won by a lucky customer! You could win $150.00 US to spend on any CTMH product you want!! Woo Hoo! Now that's a nice prize!! Jeanette Lynton has already posted a fabulous layout and there will be more to come as the NSM progresses. So go check it out now by clicking the link above or the CTMH Flower widget at the top of my sidebar.

Expressions of Love for Mom: Art & Soul

2009-04-14T14:56:00.006-04:00

Close to My Heart's newest Art & Soul webisode is online today! It's all about Mom and has some fun new techniques to try. As usual it's fantastic...so go check it out! Click on the picture below to take you to the CTMH TV page.

Image & Artwork from Close to My Heart

Tickled Pink!

2009-04-09T14:46:00.007-04:00

Tickled Pink!

This is the National Scrapbook Day Kit for this year. It's a great new set that you can earn for FREE!!!

I know, I know...HOW DO I GET IT right?

Anytime between April 15–May 31, 2009
Purchase the kit outright for the price of $43.50

(The kit has a retail value of $49.95)
Earn the Tickled Pink kit for FREE with a purchase that includes a minimum of $75 in stamp sets (excluding K-size/customized and Stamp of the Month) or purchase it outright for $43.50

What's in the kit?

The Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit includes:
1 – My Acrylix® I Am Stamp Set (D-size)
2 – 12” x 12” Floral B&T Duos™ Paper (1 with glitter)
2 – 12” x 12” Stripe B&T Duos™ Paper (1 with glitter)
1 – 12” x 12” Blush Textured Cardstock
1 – 12” x 12” Crystal Blue Textured Cardstock
5 – 12” x 12” White Daisy Textured Cardstock (1 sheet with die-cut shapes)
1 –Mini-Medley Accents White Daisy Collection
1– Foam Texture Tool
1– Brochure (instructions for 2 two-page layouts from brand-new patterns)

Featured Colors: Blush, Crystal Blue, Twilight, Hollyhock, Sweet Leaf.

This kit is available while supplies last!!

Contact me today if you want to get yourself one of these beautiful kits!

Happy Birthday card

2009-04-07T14:13:00.004-04:00

This is a card I made for my friends birthday and I wasn't going to post it until I gave it to her but it seems that we can't find a time to get together. So I decided to go ahead and post it anyway. I don't THINK she visits my blog but if you do Becky...this card isn't for you. ;)

I was really happy with the way it turned out. The inspiration came from another card I had seen somewhere but I can't remember where I seen it. I actually think it was a SU design but if it was your card I seen...please notify me so I can give you credit!

Supplies - All CTMH unless noted
Stamp Sets: Birthday Script, With Love
Ink: Garden Green
Cardstock: White Daisy
Accessories: New Enland Ivy Ribbon, Liquid Applique, pink chalk, Just Blooms paper flowers, Hollyhock Corduroy Brad, piercing tool, Pop Dots, edge distresser

My Farm birthday card

2009-03-25T10:37:00.005-04:00

I have used this stamp set for most of the men in my family. Being a farm family, CTMHs "My Farm" stamp set has been very useful! I made this card for my father in law's birthday and I was very pleased with how it turned out. It's my favourite card with this SS yet.

Supplies are all from Close To My Heart

Stamp Set: My Farm, Happy Birthday

Paper: stripe from "It's A Guy Thing", Colonial White cardstock, Barn Red cardstock

Ribbon: Cocoa Designer Ribbon Rounds

Ink Colours: Cocoa, Indian Corn Blue

Other: chalks, blending pen

iGoogle

2009-03-24T10:51:00.003-04:00

Have you seen this new homepage option from Google? A friend of mine introduced me to iGoogle and it's really neat because it's totally customizable. You can add whatever things you want on your page like weather, clock, address book, to do list, news, currency converter, Facebook, your favourite blogs and all kinds of things. You can even pick a skin to jazz it up to suit your personality...as you can see from above mine is a country road...how fitting!

Just thought I would pass along this fun little tidbit since I don't have any scrap related projects to share today. I am uploading some pictures for developing so there are some things in the works. I'll keep you posted when I get them finished!

Have a happy scrappy day!

She Is...

2009-03-20T11:22:00.000-04:00

My baby girl is turning 2 tomorrow...where did the time go!? So I thought it was appropriate to post a project featuring my birthday girl.Below is an acrylic album from Close To My Heart that I created for my daughter Gracie. For some reason everytime I tried to put text in the post with the slideshow it wouldn't work properly so I am putting them in separate posts.

I am really happy with the finished product and it was so much fun to make. All product is from CTMH. The paper pack I used was "Key to My Heart" and it is a beautiful pack. I used various other products throughout (I won't list them all but if you have a question about something just ask and I'll be sure to let you know!)

Thanks for looking!

2009-03-20T11:20:00.001-04:00

Running in Circles Webisode

2009-03-15T10:13:00.003-04:00

Circles, rings, scalloped edges, arched stamps—the papercrafting world turns topsy-curvy in this episode of Art & Soul. Discover how easy it is to create darling circular accents and images using My Acrylix® stamps, the Coluzzle® circle template, and a little ingenuity. Your head will be spinning with fresh ideas after watching this enjoyable and informative episode! It's all about circles and as usual has some fantastic techniques and lots of inspiration!

So go check it out... Running in Circles and let me know what you think!

So Sweet Layout

2009-03-04T13:40:00.003-05:00

I made this layout using the Boom Di Ada paper pack and I love these colours together. Barn Red, Terracotta, Garden Green and Hollyhock....what an awesome combination. Although this collection is actually from last years new releases it still remains one of my favourites.

I appologize for the bad colour in this photo...still learning how to use my new camera. It's really dark down in my scrap studio and I haven't quite mastered low light photography yet!

Butterfly Card

2009-02-28T10:56:00.004-05:00

Hi all!

I took some pictures of a few of my recent projects today so hopefully over the course of the next week or so I will be able to get them all posted. For today here is a card I made that I thought turned out really cute. The butterfly was stamped twice with the wings of the second image raised off of the first image. I added glitter to it as well to make it sparkle!

The sun is shining and my family is finally getting healthy...could spring be getting closer???
Have a great weekend everyone! I am off to scrap!! :)

All Supplies are Close To My Heart.

Garden Green & Barn Red Cardstock
Boom Di Ada paper pack (Hollyhock starburst design)
Celebrate Life and Simply Flourishes Stamp Sets
Barn Red, Autumn Terracotta and Garden Green Ink
Autumn Terracotta Organdy Ribbon
Prisma Glitter

Baby Card

2009-02-25T19:22:00.003-05:00

Okay so I haven't blogged much but I have a good reason. I got a new camera and have been playing around with it. I bought a Canon DSLR Rebel Xsi and I am in love!! I am taking a photography course and my intention is to start a small photography business on the side. My husband has been laid off from work since November 1st so we are trying to come up with new ways to bring in some income. This is something family and friends have been telling me to pursue for years and I just never got around to doing anything about it. So I finally decided now was the perfect time!

While playing around today, I took a picture of this card I made a while back for one of my open house displays. I really love how this card turned out. I used the blending pen with CTMH ink to watercolour the image and I really like it. I also found I really liked stamping the image in brown ink instead of black. It's a really nice effect. Anyways...here it is. I hope you like it!

All supplies are CTMH.

Crafting with Kids

2009-02-12T15:37:00.006-05:00

CTMH's newest webisode aired this past Tuesday titled "Crafting with Kids". It showcases a few of our kid friendly products and shows how fun it is to include them in what we do. Kids love to scrapbook! One of the stamp sets that they use in this webisode is one that is on it's way to me as we speak! CTMH's Family Ties - Children stamp set is so cute and I can't wait to get my hands on it. I was so happy to seem them use this set and give me some added inspiration.

So go check it out...and tell me what you think!

Art & Soul: Crafting with Kids

NEW!! My video debut!

2009-02-10T22:07:00.005-05:00

Okay...so be gentle! I have decided to jump into the world of video tutorials. This is my first attempt and it wasn't as hard as I thought...once I got a few things figured out. I know where I need to improve but I think it's pretty good for my first try!

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Let the Good Times Roll!

2009-02-02T16:17:00.006-05:00

It’s Our Anniversary!
Celebrate our birthday and get a free* stamp set.
So…let’s celebrate! Here’s to the next 25 years of happy stamping and Good Times!
YOU’VE PROBABLY NEVER SEEN AN ANNIVERSARY LIKE THIS ONE! To kick off our 25th anniversary as a leader and
innovator in the stamping business, Close To My Heart is giving all of our stamp purchasers a fabulous gift! When you spend
$31.25 in stamps (Customized Name and Stamp of the Month excluded), you’ll receive a custom-designed B-size My Acrylix®
Good Times stamp set (retail value $17.50), packed with fun and versatile party-inspired images, for FREE!* This beautifully
crafted set will be a perfect addition to your stamp collection.

So…let’s celebrate! Here’s to the next 25 years of happy stamping and Good Times!

*Offer good February 3–28, 2009. Tax and shipping/handling may apply.

Jeanette's blog

2009-01-31T10:23:00.003-05:00

I have been missing in action again and for that I am sorry. I have been crazy busy with workshops and a few gift projects on the go. The girls have been sick and that has been taking up some time as well.

I promise to post some new artwork soon but in the meantime have you checked out CTMH's founder, Jeanette Lynton's blog?? She really is a super talented, intelligent and inspirational women. Go check out her blog for some wonderful inspiration and everything CTMH!

Also I didn't post a link to the most recent episode of Art & Soul. It's called Love, Simply...go check it out!

I'll be back as soon as I can to post some new artwork!

Happy Birthday Tag Card

2009-01-12T19:28:00.003-05:00

I made this card tonight for a friend. Her birthday is tomorrow and we are having a girls luncheon to celebrate her birthday. I found the inspiration on Nichole Heady's blog and I think this turned out really nicely. As usual the photography does little for the card but I am really happy with it.

Supplies:

CM cardstock (unsure of colours); CTMH Colonial White Cardstock; CM Vellum; ribbon was a clearout from Michaels - manufacturer unknown; CTMH Adorable Backgrounds, Agyle Backgrounds & Birthday Script Stamp Sets; CTMH Pansy Purple ink (second generation); CTMH Daisy White Pigment Ink; Cuttlebug scalloped squares dies.

I haven't forgotten you!

2009-01-12T14:45:00.003-05:00

I am wrapping up some loose ends around here today and I hope to be able to sit and post some of the projects I have been working on recently. I promise...I haven't forgotten my little blog corner of cyberspace!

In the meantime...are you participating in Project 365?? It's a great idea and I plan to give it my best shot! You can read about it here....Ikea Goddess or here Becky Higgins or google it and check out the amazing amount of blogs and websites dedicated to this year long project.

Oh...and today is National De-Lurking Day! Come on out of the shadows and leave me a comment! I'd love to hear what you have to say about my blog, what you would like to see or leave me a link to your blog! I can never have too many to check out everyday!! So go ahead and introduce yourself...I'd love to get to know YOU!

Go check it out!!

2009-01-01T10:00:00.001-05:00

A quick post to remind you that the Spring 2009 Idea Book went live today!!

Yeah! I'd make you a list of all of the great new products but honestly, you'd be bored reading the list...it's way too long! CTMH has really outdone themselves!

Now go...check it out! ;)

Here's the cover...isn't this just the sweetest layout!

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

I don't know that I will be around much in the coming week as I am preparing for my CTMH Open House on January 9th & 10th. I can't wait to kick off the new year with my new business! I am busy getting displays ready and prepping my make & takes. If you are in the area and want to join me...please do! Email me for details!

Don't forget to check out the new Art & Soul webisode "Resolve to Have a Great Year" that aired last week...I loved the calendar ideas!!

Have a great New Year everyone and remember the CTMH Spring 2009 Idea Book goes live tomorrow!

Wishing you all the best in 2009!

Life Delights Memory Keeper Box

2008-12-29T15:15:00.000-05:00

Here is the gift I made for my MIL for Christmas. It is a Memory Keeper Box from CTMH and I loved making this! It was fun and easy! I included a 9x9 CTMH accordian album inside. She loved it and I think it made a fantastic gift!

The 9x9 accordian album inside...

A few closeups...

All products used are from Close to My Heart.

Life Delights Level II paper pack; Life Delights 9x9 accordian album kit; Celebrate Life and Frame of Mind stamp sets; Dimensional Elements Framed Fun chipboard set; Just Blooms Big Pinks paper flowers; buttons; Sparkles; Prisma Glitter; Chocolate, Lilac Mist & Blush inks; black hemp; Designer Chocolate Ribbon Rounds; Liquid Glass

Celebrating National Papercrafting Month!

2008-12-17T14:49:00.009-05:00

The Key to My Heart kit includes:
12—12" × 12" B&T Duos™ (2 each of 6 patterns)
10—12" × 12" Cardstock Sheets (2 each of 3 colors, 4 neutrals)
1—My Acrylix® Key to My Heart E-size Stamp Set

CLOSE TO MY HEART IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE NATIONAL PAPERCRAFTING MONTH!
This January CTMH is introducing a new sensational month long event that celebrates all the amazing things you can create with paper and a little creativity! And to make it even more fun, we’re offering a fantastic kit that will enhance every one of your projects. The gorgeous new Key to My Heart Level 2 paper packet features all of our luscious new exclusive colors: Tulip, Juniper, Sorbet, and Crème Brulee.

The packet is accompanied by the awesome new E-size My Acrylix® Key to My Heart stamp set brimming with elegant, charming designs. It’s a great combo with a retail value of
$59.95—and from December 16 through January 31 it can be yours at substantial
savings, or even FREE!

Three Great Ways to get the new Key to My Heart pack:
• When you spend $160, you’ll get the Key to My Heart kit FREE
• When you spend $90, you can purchase the kit for just $25
• Buy it outright for only $59.95

What’s more, hostesses can get the kit FREE with a Home Gathering sales total
of $500 or more. And if you join Close To My Heart between January 1–31, you’ll
receive the kit FREE in your New Consultant Kit.

National Papercrafting Month promises something for everyone!

Happiness is Homemade

2008-12-10T14:15:00.001-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

New Catalogue!!!

2008-11-28T10:33:00.005-05:00

I have the new Spring 2009 Close to My Heart catalogue in my hot little hands and let me tell you...it is the most amazing catalogue yet!! Oh my word! I am going to go broke! Good thing I am a consultant. ;)

If you're interested in a catalogue, you'll want to swing by my Open House in January (Friday the 9th or Saturday the 10th). I will have catalogues as well as many new products for you to view, touch and drool over. If you are out of my area and would like to purchase a catalogue please drop me an email. The catalogues are $3 CDN. And if that option doesn't work for you, you'll be able to look at the catalogue online. No matter how you do it...your gonna want to see this stuff!

My newest venture...

2008-11-25T13:56:00.005-05:00

Beginning in January 2009, I will be teaching scrapbooking and stamping techniques with Close To My Heart—a premiere scrapbooking and stamping company. I’m confident you will love their products as much as I do! I have been a hobbyist with this company for over a year and have decided to step it up and actually make it my business. Once upon a time I was a Creative Memories consultant...and a very unhappy one. One day I stumbled upon Close to my Heart and understood just how unhappy I was. I was leary at first to work the business as I had been down that road before with unsuccessful results. Over the last year I started to learn more about both the product and the company and I started to realize how amazing it was to be apart of this remarkable company.

And it really is a remarkable company. On top of having many of the best products on the market, they have an amazing attitude. They are motivating, inspiring and hardworking. They care about their customer and consultants alike. They stay on the cutting edge and are truly innovative with new products and designs. Who wouldn't want to be a part of this?

I am very proud to represent this company! If you are interested in checking out Close to my Heart for yourself please let me know. I don't yet have a CTMH website for shopping but you can contact me directly via lhouse@execulink.com and I'd be more than happy to place an order for you. If it's the business you are interested, drop me a line and I'd be more than happy to answer some of your questions.

This is a link to their online catalogue the Idea Book. You can choose from different current issues. The newest Idea Book will be released January 1st...so keep your eyes open for it!

And this is a link to the new CTMH TV show Art & Soul...a fantastic new 15 minute webisode is available every other Tuesday. They show new projects and techniques...it's a great instructional resource. A new webisode airs today...go check it out! You can can check out previously aired Art & Soul webisodes and also check out the archive sections for PBS webisodes as well. Lots of resources available!!

80th Birthday Card

2008-11-21T07:58:00.000-05:00

My husband's Great Uncle Tom just celebrated his 80th birthday and this is the card I made to celebrate the day. It was inspired by a card in CTMH's Originals card book. I was really happy with it.

I used Colonial White and made the the card base a standard 5 1/2 x 4 1/4. I stamped the corner flourishes (Legendary Moments SS) in Bamboo and then stamped the words in each corner (Happy Birthday SS) in Juniper. I distressed the edges of the card with a sponge and Chocolate ink (it is far more distressed looking in real life). I used K&Co. cardstock number sticker for the 80 and mounted it on Colonial White cardstock with edges distressed the same as the base. I mounted this using Pop Dots onto a mat which I stamped using the paisley background stamp (Adorable Backgrounds SS) on Barn Red CS using Chocolate ink. It was really simple and rustic looking and I was really pleased with how it turned out. In real life the distressing shows more...it looks very vintage...my photos never quite show the detail. But I disgress. I wanted something a bit more masculine and I think I acheived that.

All products used were by Close to my Heart unless otherwise noted.

Real Mothers

2008-11-20T10:50:00.002-05:00

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;

They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils

Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,

Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough

Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what

The vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'

And get their answer when a little voice says,

'Because I love you best..'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth

is not measured by height or years or grade...

It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEAR S OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,

the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,

Because that is the doorway to her heart,

The place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,

but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives,

the passion that she shows,

and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Thanks Thanks Thanks Card

2008-11-10T19:05:00.005-05:00

This is a card I made on the weekend. I pretty much copied the entire thing from CTMH's Originals book (page 100).

All products used were CTMH. I used the Rustic Flowers stamp set for the background (stamped in Bamboo) and the flower which was stamped on vellum using Versamark and then heat embossed with white embossing powder. I stamped the sentiment from the For Every Occasion stamp set in Chocolate on Colonial White CS and then I used green chalk over every other word to make them stand out. The CS matting the background is New England Ivy and the the CS card base is Cocoa textured cardstock. The stitches around the background and down the border (the colonial white pieces) are from the Simply Stitches set and were stamped in Bamboo.

Thanks for looking!

Papercraft Planet...new community for papercrafters!

2008-11-06T23:13:00.005-05:00

I love to check in on Kim at her blog Clearly Inspired. She recently shared about this brand new papercrafting community for which she has become a design team member - Papercraft Planet. Way to go Kim!! How cool to be a design team member! Here is her post about her news and about this brand new community for papercrafters of all kinds! You can post artwork to the galleries and see what others are up to as well. There are challenges and all kinds of idea sharing going on...I can never get enough inspiration...can you?? And there's blog candy too...what could be better!! :)

Now go scrap something!! :)

Happy Birthday Mom!

2008-10-30T14:40:00.003-04:00

I made this card this morning for my Mom's birthday - which is today...Happy Birthday Mom!! The "template" came from CTMH's Original card program (page 109).

Thanks for looking!

Supplies...CM embossed cardstock (cardbase), CK Media polka dot paper, CK Media pink cardstock, the following are CTMH supplies - September SOTM Treasure Life, Birthday Script stamp set, creme brulee ink, colonial white ribbon, garden green brads

Evan's First Year - Custom Scrapbook

2008-10-25T12:46:00.015-04:00

This is the project that I have been working on the last few months. It's my first big custom job and I am really happy with how it turned out. My cousin hired me to do this for her little boy and I was nervous at first but once I got going it was fun...especially to work on boy layouts for a change!
The following pictures are shown in the order they are in the album. There were so many supplies used I couldn't remember so I didn't list them all. If you have any questions just ask and I will do my best to let you know what was used.

I am not the best at taking pictures of my layouts so I appologize if they are a bit wonky or not square looking...I assure you that in real life they are fine. It's just my photography!!

Click on the photos for a larger image.

Thanks for looking!

The mini file folder in the above layout has a pull out inside with all of the ultrasound pictures...boy did she have a lot!!

The above layout has a pull out page pocket for Mom to journal all about the labour details.

This 2 page spread has two envelopes for letters from Mommy & Daddy.

The "Dedication" page has a pocket on the LHS to hold cards and additonal momentos from the day.

The above pocket has a library card with all of Evan's favourite foods.

Gram's Album

2008-10-22T11:08:00.006-04:00

*chirp* *chirp* *chirp*

Are you still there??

I know I haven't posted in a while and that's because I have been busy working on a few different projects that I will post about soon! For now I thought I would share the album that I made for Matt's grandma last Christmas. It hightlights the events of 2007. Click on the pictures for larger images.

Thanks for staying with me!!

Happy Turkey Day!!

2008-10-13T10:39:00.003-04:00

I am off to spend a wonderful day with my family at the farm eating turkey with all the fixings, going for an after dinner hike in the woods and eating my birthday cake as the sun sets. I LOVE Thanksgiving! It's my absolute favourite day of the year!

So to all of my Canadian friends...Happy Thanksgiving!

(and I promise to try and blog something more interesting this week!!)

Count your blessings and hug the ones you love!!

(and be thankful you're not a turkey! ;) lol! )

Anniversary card...

2008-10-12T16:33:00.007-04:00

This time of year is a very busy time for our family. One of the reasonings being that my Mom and Dad celebrate their anniversary on the 9th. They have been married for 37 years...something I am tremendously proud of! I made the following card for them for their special day.

Thanks for looking!

CTMH Products...
Make it Count stamp set, Girly Girl stamp set, Playful Flourishes stamp set, Cranberry ink, Black ink, white embossing powder, white bitty brad, bitty sparkles
Other Products...
Versamark ink pad, MM heart brad, DCWV black card base, CM cranberry cardstock, CM white cardstock

Fun Times Card

2008-10-01T22:37:00.003-04:00

Sorry for being a bad blogger. It's been crazy busy around here and on top of that everyone has been sick. I have been taking care of everyone while trying to dodge the bug myself! Here is a card I made while "playing" tonight. Very simple but I thought it turned out cute. It is inspired by a previous CTMH workshop project.

Thanks for looking!

Supply List

Card base (stripes) - DCWV

Friendship Word Puzzle stamp set - CTMH

Blush ink - CTMH

Ribbon - Michaels (unsure of manufacturer)

Cocoa Bitty Brad - CTMH

Brown cardstock - Creative Memories

White cardstock - CTMH

Sponge dauber blending technique...

2008-09-23T23:25:00.004-04:00

Okay...I don't know that this is an ACTUAL technique but I didn't know what else to call it. I used sponge daubers to blend different coloured inks to get the desired effect. This was my first time doing something like this and I think it turned out pretty well. It was fairly quick to make and I love the effect. It's a really different effect for me but I think I might have to try it more often.

All products by Close to My Heart...

White Daisy cardstock
Twilight Ink
Olive Ink
Cocoa Ink
Pansy Purple Ink
Treasure Life stamp set (September SOTM)

Sorry to be away...

2008-09-18T11:36:00.003-04:00

I have been tending to Emalyn all this week. She is a very sick little girl and she needs me with her most of the time. We had to cancel her birthday party on the weekend...she didn't have a real great 5th birthday. I was hoping to make it up to her this weekend by rescheduling her party but I don't know if that will be happening either. Poor little thing.

I'll hopefully be back blogging soon!

Happy Birthday Honey!

2008-09-11T21:44:00.002-04:00

Today is my husband Matt's 32nd birthday. I made him this card and I was pretty pleased how it turned out. The card base is from a set of pre-printed set that includes envelopes (awesome time saver). The ribbon is 1'' grosgrain from Walmart. All other supplies are CTMH including the heart stamp (Heartfelt set), sentiment (Happy Birthday set), Indian Corn Blue & Sweet Leaf ink, White Daisy cardstock and CTMH Sweet Leaf button.

Thanks for looking!

On a personal note...

2008-09-04T22:58:00.002-04:00

It seems recently I have lost my "mojo" - for the lack of a better term. Mojo for scrapbooking is part of it but I feel really lost in my life as a whole. Over the years I have neglected to put me first like many mothers do. I feel yucky, tired and have no drive for anything...least of all scrapbooking. I hate this feeling. It may be because I am not sleeping well (no more than 4 hours a night on average) or it may be because of my weight. It may be that I feel like my life has no direction. It may be that sometimes I think I am married to the world's most insensitive clod. It may be because I feel like I don't deserve my husband. One thing I know for sure is...I am overwhelmed. And that feels really strange to type out. I just feel like I have so much to do...so many things I want to accomplish...and so little time to do it in. And since I have no drive or motivation it just becomes a compounding situation. I was going to type a list of all the things I want to accomplish but I am afraid to see it all typed out. That would probably overwhelm me more.

Looking back over the years I do wish that I spent more time taking care of me - physically, mentally and emotionally. Surrounding myself with more people that make me happy and inspire me. I have made many online relationships in the past few years and I cherish each one but I do wish I had put as much energy into making real life relationships too. I miss having "real" friends. The ones that stop in uninvited to have a cup of coffee. The ones that don't care that I haven't showered or that my floor needs mopping (that's the perk of online friends! ;) ) I am so tired of feeling like I need to be "perfect" to be accepted or loved. I've worn myself out and now I am a mess - physically, mentally and emotionally. It feels kind of lonely here. I just don't know quite where I belong right now.

Somehow, someway I need to regroup. I am lost deep within myself and I need to dig down to my core to uncover my happiness again and start enjoying my very blessed life. I have 2 beautiful little girls. A handsome husband who loves me unconditionally - extra pounds and all. A wonderful home and loving parents that would do anything for their "little girl". I really am blessed.

Emalyn's first day of Kindergarten!

2008-09-04T14:47:00.004-04:00

Well, my "big girl" is on her 3rd day of Kindergarten and loving it! I knew she would. She's talking the teacher's ear off and making friends all over the place! It's just so hard to believe that my "baby" is in school! How on earth could she be old enough!! ;)

Anyways, here are a few pictures from her first day of school...

Click on the pictures below for a larger (less blurry) image. :)