So Many Fabulous Options With Dimensional Elements Ornaments

I really LOVE CTMH's Dimensional Element Ornaments.  Here are three fun ones that one of my fabulous clients made at my special December Tag & Ornament class. So fabulous!  

Level One Layouts Not Just For Beginners

I had my first class at "It's Bazaar on 21st Street", a "Scrapbook 101" class, and we put together three layouts (6 pages) of the Mistletoe Level 1 Kit.  Not only did I meet some wonderful new ladies, but I have a new love of Level 1 kits.  So beautiful and so easy. You'd never guess the pages are pre-printed. With just a couple additional embellishments (ribbon and sparkles), we put all three layouts together in under two hours.  Perfect for beginners and kids, but also perfect for everyone to use to catch up on their albums and crank out some gorgeous layouts!

It's A "Scrapi" Scrapbook Party

Scrapi's First Birthday Party for 10 year old Riley.  I had so much fun doing a scrapbook party for Riley and her eight guests.  The girls all seemed to have such a good time crafting the holiday projects that Riley chose to do for her December party. Each guest made a "3-D Tree" holiday tag, a bedazzled tree card and a shimmery ornament. It was so special to be part of it! Happy Birthday Riley!



My friend and neighbor Pam made the cake. We used a picture I had of Riley from Scrapi's Summer 2010 Camp. It turned out perfectly. Riley LOVED it!





















A Little "Joy"

Here's something to bring a little "JOY" to this crazy holiday season!!  I had fun making this project and even did two at the same time. Yes, I'm a wild girl!

I used CTMH's Mix and Mingle book, scraps from my "Mistletoe" paper packet, "Snow Days" Stamp set, Cranberry and New England inks and cardstock, Colonial White ribbon, Pearl & Mocha opaques, Liquid Applique for embossing the snow, colonial white waxy flax, and Cricut cut letters!

It's Not Hype . . . I'm A New Studio J Fan

I'll admit that I'm not a big fan of sitting in front of the computer even picking my pictures from Snapfish to put on my beautifully crafted Close To My Heart scrapbook layouts.  But on Thanksgiving this year, while the family was sitting around watching football, I pulled out the laptop and finally tried my first Studio J layouts.  The result - I just received six gorgeous layouts (12 new pages) to add to my albums.  I'm hooked.  Not only do I love the final result, but for even someone as technically challenged and easily frustrated as I am, this Studio J rocks. It took me no time at all to use Studio J.  I'm really digging the idea of mixing hand-crafted and Studio J layouts. LOVE it!  Here's another one that I did:

Creating Fabulous Holiday Tags

Here is just one of the fun holiday tags that I'm making for my December Ornament and Tag Workshop on Thurs., Dec. 9th!   Making tags is so much fun and gives you instant gratification. I don't think I'll ever buy store bought tags again now that I know how quick and easy it is. This one is made using leftover Mistletoe papers and stamps from two of my favorite stamps sets this year - A Timber and St. Nick.  The tree is just two triangles layered. The base is adhered down and the top is folded in half to create the 3 D tree.  A star and CTMH Opaque finishes it off perfectly.  I cut the tag on my handy Cricut.  It just screams "Happy Holidays".

A Scrapi Thanksgiving

One of my clients ordered five of the 3 x 3 Jute Mini Albums to recreate the "Thanksgiving Recipes" book from page 39 of the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book.  She inspired me to do the same, and I'm so glad I did. It took no time at all to put together my own version of this book. I found the "Passages" papers and the adaptly titled stamp set "Thanksgiving" perfect!  I colored the turkey using my CTMH blending pen with varying shades of stamp sets (honey and goldrush for the wings, bamboo, desert sand and brown bag for the body and barn red for the title).    I plan to do a family title page, then will type up our favorite family recipes to add a layout for each dish. Adorable!



My first venture with Studio J and all I can say is . . .  I can't believe I waited so long.  It took me no time at all to put this Thanksgiving layout together.  Not only do I love the colors and style, but I especially love that I already have one of my 2010 Thanksgiving layouts completed and on it's way to me.  As someone who is extremely technically challenged and easily frustrated, I am a new fan of Studio J! So cool.



Dimensional Elements Ornaments Are Super Fun & Easy

I finally sat down and made my first Dimensional Elements Ornaments.  I'm totally hooked.  They are so fun and easy - I am addicted. There are so many style choices that the options are endless.  Here is the first set I made and there are more to come.  I was showing them off and already had a friend order two sets. Awesome. 

It's A Bazaar Grand Opening for Scrapi

I am so excited that the all-new It's Bazaar on 21st Street in downtown Purcellville, VA, is now open.  It's been a blast setting up a Close To My Heart display in INSIDE ART's Store, as one of over thirty vendors in this Artisan Mall & Coffee House. 

I feel so fortunate that INSIDE ART's Jill Perla has teamed up with me and let me feature Close To My Heart's entire product line in the "Inside Craft" section of the store.  Customers are able to touch and feel the products and order on the spot at INSIDE ART.

 In addition, Jill and I are offering classes - scrapbooking, painting and combination classes for both kids and adults at the Bazaar.  How perfect - scrapbooking with delicious coffee right at hand. My dream.  And it gets better, coming in January, we'll also be able to have wine tasting nights as well!  My three favorite things - coffee, wine and scrapbooking!  Oh-la-la!!

Jill and I in front of INSIDE ART's Store. Super fun!

During the Grand Opening, kids stopped by the craft table to scrapbook and paint.  It was a great turnout as over 30 kids got the opportunity to make this "Happy Fall" card.

Jill and I also offered free kids activities at the Bazaar during Purcellville's first ever First Friday event.  Over 35 kids made this fun Hooligan's bookmark. The kids kept me super busy but it was great fun!  I'm looking forward to doing this every month at all future First Friday events!!

Kids "Brag Book" - Perfect for Holiday Present

I just love the Magnifique papers. It looks adorable with the 3" x 3" Cream with Organdy Mini Album, and works great with wallet pictures (which I just learned are available at Costco). I had fun making this using CTMH's Opaques, Sparkles, Paper Flowers, Colonial White Brads and coordinating inks like Sky, Pacifica, Chocolate.   It's perfect not only for a kids birthday party activity, or to make to give grandparents for Christmas! 

Magnifique Recipe or Card Holder Box

Here's another fun My Creation project. I really love crafting CTMH Recipe Boxes. They are not only perfect for recipes, but work great holding cards or trinkets for kids.  I made this one using the Magnifique Level 2 papers, Pacifica ink and chocolate ribbon.

Younger Kids Board Book - CTMH Hooligans Papers are Perfect!

Here's my Kids Board Board for my Sunday afternoon Mother/Daughter Classes in Oct and Nov 2010.  This is my younger child version. A older one is coming with fun "Bella" papers . . .

Special Board Book for "Mothers"

Here is a special "Mothers" Board Book using the gorgeous "Magnifique" papers, stickers and coordinating stamps and accessories for my Mother/Daughter class scheduled Sun., October 17, 2 - 5 p.m . or Sun., November 14, 2 - 5 p.m.   I'm getting lots of sign ups so get your name on the list today!!!

I'll be posting the daughter's version tomorrow . . .