Valentine's Day Card with CTMH Top Stitch, Love Struck

This card is based on the Topstitch Card Workshop design (the basic kit comes with a cardmaking and scrapbooking workshop plus a stamp set for $29.95).  I'm loving this pattern and used it on the Veranda paper back flower card posted previously as well.  I saw a card done by a fellow talented CTMH consultant, Annette Green, on our Consultant BB and wanted to do something similar.  Isn't that little cupid just too cute? 

Materials Used:

Paper:  Topstitch Basic Workshop Kit

Stamps:  Struck by Love, Argyle Backgrounds (retired but Spot On Background is close)

Ink:  Cocoa, Blush

CTMH Sweet Pea Cherish Workshop for Baby Gift

A very dear friend and customer is having baby #5 very soon.  To give her a head start on her chronological scrapping I've created 9 double layouts (18 pages total) using one Level 2 Sweet Pea kit plus some additional cardstock.  As she knows its a boy I switched out the pink cardstock that comes in this kit for some neutral yellow.

She is a very scrappy lady and a great stamper so I wanted to give her a blank canvas she could then quickly and easily customize for however she wants to use the layouts (I figured 9 full sets should at least take her through the first couple of months).  For embellishing I'm including a full set of Level 2 stickease, a bunch of punched border strips, all the extra cardstock from my cutting (for stamping images and journaling) along with a TON of punched items for embellishment.  I've done buttons, tags, scallop squares, hearts, photo corners, circles, flowers, etc.  Basically I just kept punching any scraps I had left of the B&T and a bunch of the cardstock until all the B&T was gone.  There are probably a good 250+ punched items in the little pizza box I made to go along with the gift.

If she wasn't scrappy I would have done the embellishing for her but I think she'll like it better this way.  I'll let you know what she thinks!

Manicure and Pedicure CTMH Style!

One of the jokes I always tell my kids is that they can have anything they want in the world as long as all the materials to make it are already in my craft room.  Last night my DD had an awesome testing night at DMW Martial Arts and I wanted to do something special for her to show her how proud I am to be her Mom.  Today I dug through my craft stash and treated her to a manicure and pedicure CTMH style!

We painted her finger nails dark blue and then added some White Daisy rub ons from a connection club reward package I had on hand.  Do they look cool or what?!?  Totally funky and totally HER.

For her toes we painted them with a light blue and then added GLITTER RUB ONS - these things look SOOOO cool in real life.  After I applied the star and rubbed the Olive Green glitter in we decided it needed some definition because the background color was kind of light.  I used an extra fine tip sharpie to outline the star and then added three of our Bitty Sparkles to each of the big toes.  When I added a top coat the sharpie ran just a little so next time I'll try and have a paint pen on hand for outlining but the sharpie did work pretty darn good.  All the nails were coated with a nice top coat to seal everything in.  For the price of one trip to the salon for JUST a paint job and ONE flower I can purchase a huge 3 pack of our rub ons AND a whole package of bitty sparkles to do this LOTS of times! So go dig into your rub on and sparkle stash and see what YOU can do for an extra fun and extra cheap manicure/pedicure. If you give this a try let me know - I'd love to see a picture of what you do!

Matierals Used:
Rub ons:  Winter Cheer Glitter Rub-ons (for stars - we used the Olive glitter), Connection Club White Daisy flower rub-ons
Bitty Sparkles

Valentine's Day Card featuring CTMH So Lucky, Irresistables Lots of Dots and Jingle Paper

I saw a card a couple of weeks ago by another talented Close to my Heart consultant that was the basis for this card.  I loved how she used the brand new Irresistables Lots of Dots letter stickers.  These things are seriously fun to play with!  When you color them in (markers, sponge on ink, chalks - whatever!) the white polka dot resist on the letters pops right out.  Its like a magic trick!

This was the first time I tried the new ribbon ruffling technique shown in the Felicity National Papercrafting blog (going on through January) by CTMH.  I used some Tombow Powerbond and simply applied the ribbon doing the ruffling by hand.  No sewing required!  I also added a little bow with one of the sweet Pretty Pins (I don't use these enough!) with the end stuck down under the other ribbon to keep little fingers safe!  The hearts and the kissy lips are from our new So Lucky set - perfect for both Valentine's Day AND St. Patricks Day and its a C size so its only $18.95 - LOVE THAT! 

Materials Used:
Paper:  Jingle Level 2, White Daisy Cardstock
Stamps:  So Lucky
Inks:  Blush, Tulip, Tulip Marker
Other:  Irresistables Lots of Dots, Pretty Pins, White Daisy Grosgrain (from the Animal Cookies Creative Basics set)

Paperback Novel Flower Card with CTMH Veranda, True Friends and Heartfelt Diecuts

Here are two versions of one card - I just changed up the embellishments for two different looks.  The pattern came from our Topstitch Kit of the Month.  The brochure that comes with the kit (just $29.95 for a huge set - love it!) comes with a 2 page layout cutting and assembly diagram as well as a card workshop cutting diagram and assembly instructions (makes 6 cards).  I enjoy making all of the workshops but this particular pattern really stuck with me and I've found myself going back to it several times now!  I think its going into my permanent "go to" list of patterns that just seem to flow really well for me.

The large flower is made from the pages of a paper back book!  I punched five 3" scalloped circles from the pages, inked them up in two colors of ink, put a brad through the center and SCRUNCHED the layers up one at a time to creat a flower.  VERY FUN technique to use!  One word of caution - use an appropriate book!  It would be kind of funny to create a flower for your hubby using a racy scene from a book to see if he ever caught on - but maybe not so funny if its going to your Mom and Dad! 

For the heart, I used the negative space (what is left after you pop out the chipboard element) from a sheet of our new Hearts Dimensional Elements to trace the pattern on to the Chocolate patterned paper (on the revers side) and then simply cut it out.

Materials Used:
Paper:  Veranda Level 2, Garden Green Cardstock and Colonial White Cardstock
Stamps:  True Friends (Jan. Stamp of the Month for sentiment)
Inks:  Juniper, Creme Brulee, Chocolate
Others:  Hearts Dimensional Elements, HeartFelt Whimsy (top card green felt buttons and leaves), Neutral Embroidery Floss (stitching on the felt), Mini Sparkles, Bigger Chocolate Brads, Liquid Glass, Martha Stewart Loop Punch (I punched both sides of a strip to get the decorative line) and an old (appropriate! LOL) paperback book

New Episode of Art & Soul is live - check it out for Valentine's Day CTMH style ideas!

If you are looking for some fun ideas for Valentine's Day then check out the latest episode of Art & Soul -Close to my Heart's corporate produced video tutorials!  To view the episode you can go directly to my site by clicking the link below or simply visit my website at paige.myctmh.com to view this and many other Art and Soul tutorial productions!  Enjoy!

Art & Soul: Lots of Love Episode

Display Birthday Card for a teen with CTMH You Rock, Numbers Solos, True Friends and Happy Birthday

It just doesn't seem possible that my little baby girl is now 14 years old.  Truly the time has just flown by.  It seems like such a short time ago I was sitting on the hospital bed with this wonderous tiny pink bundle with dark hair and huge dark eyes.  I remember softly crying and thanking God for giving me a little baby girl to love.  I still remember and still feel that intense emotion of pure gratitude and love - she is mine and I am hers forever.  She looked beautiful and I looked like something out of a horror movie - I was induced and had 19 hours of straight, hard full-out labor.  I pushed so hard to get her out (her left arm came out with her head so I almost had to have her pushed BACK in and have an emergency c-section) that I had popped just about every blood vessel in my eyes and face.  Yeah, no glow of new motherhood for a while from me that time!

On to the card!  Have I mentioned how much I LOVE our new You Rock paper pack?!?  This set is just perfect for doing cards and layouts for those teen girls and boys!  How perfect to make this absolutely rockin' display card.  It fits into a business envelope all folded up but then you open it up - POW - you get this awesome display card!  Darling Daughter loved it and she can display it on her desk while that glow of "newly 14" is still with her.  My birthday wishes (ever so sappy and loving) are written on the back and stay private from view when she has friends over.

The giant numbers on the front are from our Numbers Solos  - some of my very favorites for making number birthday cards, hats and party goods.  I've used liquid glass over the tops after I adhered them to the card fronts as well as a bit on the birthday sentiment.  There is actually fairly little in the way of stamping on this card - the POP and POW is all from the fun paper and the funky fold.  The card is 6" high and opens all the way out to 12" long (shorter when the folds are in place for display).

Materials Used:
Paper:  You Rock Level 2

Stamps:  Solos Number 1, Solos Number 4, Happy Birthday, True Friends (Jan 10 Stamp of the Month)

Inks:  Indian Corn Blue, Outdoor Denim

Other:  Bitty Sparkles on the frame, Star brads from Gold My Accents (retired)

Hot Mulled Cider Recipe

Mmmmm.....I'm sharing this recipe because my kids all asked WHY I haven't made it in the last couple of years.  You know, with kind of a look that said "hey, Mom's been holding out on us!"  The night of my open house was a dark and windy with a very cold hard rain - the kind of night just perfect for something hot and spiced to sip on like this recipe!

Hot Mulled Cider

Apple Juice or Apple Cider (I used bottled pasturized cider as there was a sale at the store)

Oranges

Whole Cloves

Cinnamon Sticks

Crock Pot

This one needs a bit of time to steep so start it up about 2-4 hours prior to the time you want to serve it.  Put the cider in the crock pot.  Add one cinnamon stick for each quart of cider.  Put whole cloves into the orange (I had clementines at home so used those) and float it on top of the cider.  Let steep for a couple of hours and serve.  Its also delicious cold!

Friendship Card with CTMH Veranda Creative Basics Paper and So Sweet

This sweet card features our Veranda Creative Basics Collection (12 sheets of patterned paper - 6 each of 2 styles with 4 yards of Creme Brulee ribbon not shown).  The front uses one of our awesome base and shade stamps.

What is a base and shade stamp?  The flower portion is stamped on a piece of paper (all the Juniper blue stamping) and then another stamp has JUST the pink flowers - you line up the flower heads where they go and stamp in the color.  It is so fast, easy and impressive but you HAVE to be able to see through the stamps (gotta love our acrylix) in order to be able to do it!

I've used our new Togetherness stamp set to stamp Garden Green stitching around the image (just love that I don't have to actually sew on paper if I don't want to!) and then colored in the leaves with an Olive green watercolor pencil.  The inside of the card has the nicest of friendship sentiments "We are never alone when friends fill our lives."  from the So Sweet stamp set.

Materials Used:
Paper:  Veranda Creative Basics Collection, Colonial White Cardstock
Stamps:  So Sweet, Togetherness
Inks:  Juniper, Garden Green, Blush
Other:  Watercolor Pencils

Gift Tag using CTMH January Felicity Special

Have you seen Close to my Heart's gorgeous National Scrapbooking Month special - Felicity?

I used left overs from the 8 layouts I made to create another free make-and-take for my Open House party.  It was sooo hard to share (but I made the sacrifice for my ladies) as this paper is so great you just want to hoard it and use every last scrap!  This set comes with 12 sheets of patterened paper (6 papers, 2 each) 6 full size die cuts (10x10 or so in size) and a full D size stamp set (fills a 6x6 envelope) with full alphabet, swirls, argyle, flowers and two adorable birds.  LOVE IT!

You can get Felicity for FREE - yep - you read that right - FREE by ordering just $60 in MyAcrylix stamps or $125 in anything.  You will love playing with this set (tip - pick up some Sparkles or Bitty Sparkles to go with it) and it only lasts through Jan 31 or WHILE SUPPLIES LAST (and our kits tend to sell out before the end of a rockin' promotion like this.

Gift Tag Materials Used:
Paper:  Felicity Kit, Colonial White Cardstock
Stamp:  Felicity Kit
Ink:  Sorbet, Desert Sand
Other:  Sorbet Ribbon, Colonial White Ribbon, Bitty Sparkles, Sponge Duabers

Quadruple Rockin' Bookmark with CTMH You Rock, Star Power, Rock Star and Irresistables Lots of Dots Alphabet Stickers

I am totally in love with the new Close to my Heart "You Rock" paper pack!  This paper is SOOO up my alley - I have a guitar playing hubby (he can really rock the house out) and three kids who are all serious music fans.  We even have "new music Saturdays" where my hubby pulls out music the kids have never heard before and exposes them to new bands and new genres of music. 

This bookmark was created for my youngest son and I liked it so much it became one of the free make-and-takes at my open house which was a hilariously fun evening!

Okay, so why do I call this a Quadruple Rockin' Bookmark?  Beacuse there are 4 Rock and Rolls on this card!
1.  You Rock Level 2 Paper Pack
2.  Rock Star MyAcrylix stamp set for the sentiment
3.  Star Power My Acrylix for the large cut-out star and
4. Rock-and-roll stamping technique on the awesome star flourish from Star Power!

If there was a 5th star of the show it would have to be the new Irresistables alphabet stickers.  Man, oh man, are these fun to play with!  Each person chose a letter and colored it in with a marker.  When you wipe a tissue over the surface of the letter the white "resist" (hence the name) polka dots pop out.  I don't usually buy alphabet stickers as I have several alphabet stamps but these WILL be on my buy-again list as they are just too, too fun to play with!  I can't wait to try chalking, watercoloring and making color graduated letters with these!

A HUGE THANKS to everyone who braved the winds and rain to come to my open house last Friday!  I know I was absent from posting for several days as I busily finished up my displays, created the make and takes and prepped materials but the Spring Fling Auction and Idea Book Celebration was well worth it!  We all had so much fun and the auction was so hilarious we will DEFINITELY be doing that again!  A big WELCOME going out to all my new Playgroup members - can't wait to start playing with paper with you girls!

Materials Used:
Paper:  You Rock Level 2
Stamps:  Star Power, Rock Star
Inks:  Goldrush, Indian Corn Blue, Outdoor Denim, Orange Marker
Other:  Irresistables Lots of Dots, Pewter Rectangle Photo Clip

Happy New Year CTMH Style!

To all you wonderful people who take the time to visit my blog I'm sending out the very best in New Year's Wishes!  I hope 2010 brings you all good health, happiness and prosperity!

My favorite part of rining in a New Year is that wonderful feeling of new beginnings.  This year is even more special as we are ringing in a whole new decade!  I'm bursting with the possibilities of what I can do, what I can become and what I can learn over the next year.  In reflecting over the past year I am amazed at myself in what I have already accomplished and am energized to charge ahead with my plans for 2010!

What's NEW to Share with YOU!

- The Spring 2010 Idea Book is now LIVE!  Click HERE to page through the online version NOW! I love the thrill of opening up a brand new Idea Book and seeing all the amazing new papers, stamps and embellishments not to mention all the awesome artwork!

- The Felicity Kit - Click HERE to see it NOW!  You can get this $34.95 kit full of D size stamp set and awesome die cut and patterned papers for FREE with a $60 stamp order OR $125 in anything order!  Available through Jan 31 or while supplies last.  Check out the new Felicity Blog at the top right corner of my page for a chance at a FREE Daily Felicity Kit giveaway!

- New Workshops - Whether you are into scrapbooking, cardmaking or BOTH these discounted kits are such a great deal!  You'll get a Level 2 paper pack, coordinating exclusive stamp set, a coordinating full size embellishment AND full instructions on how to create amazing artwork for all four of our new paper packs!  These discounted kits are only available through April 30th!  To see all the workshop options view the left side of my blog - click on any picture for more details!

- New Petite Perks - Host a party with me to get this bee-utiful set for FREE along with Close to my Heart's generous and NEWLY EXPANDED Hostess Rewards! 

- New Consultant Kit - Click HERE to see it NOW (on p.106 of Idea Book)! Each Idea Book brings a fresh New Consultant Kit - For just $99 you can start your own business with $300 in supplies! During January you'll also get a BONUS FREE Felicity Kit ($34.95)! To join my team NOW and start YOUR new beginning, click HERE!

- Studio J - Our exculsive online digital scrapbook Studio J online software goes live in early Spring!  The software will be COMPLETELY FREE to use!  You can design your layouts to your hearts content with all the accessories and options and one flat print out fee!  No hidden costs for extras AND you'll get discounts on multiple prints!

I am just so excited to share all these NEW things with you on this NEW YEAR'S DAY!  Happy 2010!!!

Paige