New Idea Books Coming Soon

That's right, in another month you'll be able to see the new Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book! It is full of wonderful new papers, stamps, embellishments and ideas. But unfortunately, it also means room has to be made for all these great new products. As so, with sadness we'll be saying good-bye to the following CTMH items.

But do not fret.

You still have until January 31, 2012 to purchase anything you see that you just can't live without! Visit my website to help you cure your retirement blues and as a thank you, I'll send you a copy of the brand new Spring/Summer 2012!
Now, don't you feel better?




The Slideshow was provided by a very generous CTMH Consultant Tammy Jenkins from PaperHeartist

A Great Time To Become A Studio J Member

Okay, I know you have all heard me before saying how much I love using Studio J to get caught up in my scrapbook albums.


And how easy it is to use...and fun...and quick...and slightly addicting.

That's only because I think it's one of the greatest things to ever come into the scrapping world since, well...since Close To My Heart introduced My Acrylix stamps!

And I always love to share a good thing, so let me share this month's special for Studio J Members:




A free Studio J layout? How great is that! Why not get those holiday photos scrapped while the memories are still fresh in your mind.

It's got to be healthier than sitting around eating all the leftover candy and cookies...right?


If you have a membership already, great! Get started on those pages! If you don't yet have a membership, head over to my website and get started here. It's free to try, but you'll see how fast and fun it is and wonder why it took you so long to do it!


Happy New Year everyone!

Rock The Block with CTMH!

Well, well, well. Look who has finally made it back to her blog!

Yup, I bet you guys thought I had fallen off the face of the world or something. Well, not quite.

So let's see what's going on today. How about an awesome Blog Hop with some equally awesome CTMH consultants? You got it! And how about we throw in a special sneak peek item from the upcoming Spring/Summer Idea Book into that Blog Hop?
Well let's get started then, shall we?

You've most likely just come from Amy's blog Clearly Stamping. If so, you'll know all about this fantastic special from CTMH that is running from now until the end of January 2012.




If I'm your first stop on the Hop, then let me fill you in quickly on what you can expect from this great campaign. First, you'll get this amazing E-size (that's 8" x 10" ladies!) stamp set, exclusive to this special. You can see it here:



You'll also receive the sneak peek item My Creations Collage Cubes. It is nine 2" x 2" x 2" chipboard cubes in a chipboard display tray.

So just how do you get this awesome deal? Simple. Just place a $25 order anytime between December 19th, 2011 and January 31st, 2012 and you can purchase this special Rock The Block bundle for only $15!


And the offer is good for every $25 you spend in your order!


Would you like to see what I've done with my first set? ('Cause I just know I'll be getting more!)
I've made a seasonal/holiday set for display in my home. Six sides means six decorations in one!

Valentine's Day made with Roxie papers:




St. Patrick's Day made with Sonoma papers:




Independence Day made with Elemental papers:




Halloween made with Mischief papers:




Thanksgiving made with Dreamin' paper:




Christmas made with Believe papers:




Here is a shot of the set in the display tray covered with Typeset paper:



I had so much fun making this! I started by sponging Black ink on every side of each cube and the tray. I also inked each of the base papers for each side as well as each element. That's a lot of inking! To make it safe for hands to touch, I sprayed several layers of sealent on each side. I may go back and Modge Podge the whole thing. (The sealant makes sure none of the ink will run with the MP!) And by the way, I used the Art Philosophy cartridge to make all the font and shape cuts. Such a versitile cartridge!

Ready to get your own set? Head over to my website and start your shopping fun!

Anyway, I must send you on your way to Wendy's blog over at Stamping Rules!. Enjoy the rest of the Hop!

As You Gather Together This Holiday...

Thanksgiving Squash Book

It is almost Thanksgiving here and I wanted to share a gift I made for my most recent Gathering Hostess.

I love the new Remarkable Wreath stamp set in the Idea Book and how very versitile it is. It has something for every season!

I used it to create a squash book for her to keep pictures and journaling about her family's holiday this year.



Stamps: CTMH Remarkable Wreath, Cricut Bundle exclusive stamp set
Inks: CTMH Olive, Honey, Goldrush, Chocolate, Autumn Terracotta, Pacifica, Bamboo
Papers: CTMH Dreamin' My Reflection Kit
Accessories: Colonial White button, Mocha Opaques, Natural Hemp, Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge


Here it is opened up:



She has spots for photos and journaling. Or maybe her family will all leave thoughts on what they are grateful for this year. So many ideas!

If you'd like to make your own, I got the instructions here.

If you'd like to get your own Remarkable Wreath set, please visit me here and get your own! While you're there, be sure to check out the special Close To My Heart is offering this month.




This November only stamp set comes with these images to help you get a quick start on your holiday crafting Just plug in your Art Philosophy cartridge and off you go!



I'll be back after Thanksgiving to show you the super easy, super cute Christmas card we made at her party!

A Night With Roxie

I have a party later tonight and I wanted to...wait, what? No...you haven't stumbled into the Twilight Zone...

I really am writing another blog post within 10 days of my last one. I don't know what happened...maybe I got sucked into the Twilight Zone. No, I remember. I had a party scheduled so I had to put my foot down and say, "Boys, I have just got to play work with my paper and inks now. Run along." That was it.

So as I was saying...I have this party tonight and the hostess chose to use the Roxie Reflections Kit for the project. I am so glad she did because I absolutely love this paper! Want to see everyting I made with it?
Okay, you twisted my arm...


Stamps: CTMH Love Life, Holiday Magic (October 2011 SOTM)
Inks: CTMH Smoothie, Bamboo, Black
Papers: CTMH Roxie Reflections Kit
Accessories: CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Sparkles, Rhinestone Designer Brads, Just Blooms Flutter Paper Shapes, Black Satin ribbon

A beautiful bunch of paper goodies if I do say so myself!

This is my thank you gift to my hostess, Amber...




It is one of the boxes from the AP cartridge, cut at 8". The flowers were cut at 3" and 2.5". Inside is a Petite Perks set for her.


This gift is for Carrie, who held the party that Amber attended and booked her party from. I wanted to give her a little something as a thank you as well...and I got to play some more with the AP cartridge!



The Pillow Box was cut at 6.5", I think. And the stocking image was cut at 3.5". It's pretty nice that it fits the SOTM this month, don't you think? I used a Rhinestone Brad to decorate the stocking...then put a set of the brads in the box for Carrie. See, I can't think of her without thinking of bling.


This is the card project we'll make. I love the Love Life stamp set, it's very versatile! I used the Zip-Strip top of the paper to add the scallop to the card. I also touched each of the printed rhinestones with small drop of Liquid Glass to add some shine.




Next, I have these great boxes made with...again, the AP cartridge. I put a piece of chocolate in them as favors for all the guests for the party. It is cut at 6.5" and makes very quick boxes that look great!



And last, but not least...this is the prize for our game tonight. And I must admit I totally copied it from Vicki Wizniuk, a fellow CTMH Consultant from Canada. She created such a cute bag, I could not not make one myself!


Stamps: CTMH Mischief WOTG exclusive set
Inks: CTMH Black
Papers: CTMH Mischief Reflections Kit
Accessories: CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Silver Glitz Glitter Gel, Sparkles

It has a Bling Assortment and chocolate waiting for the winner!


Okay, that's all the time I have for. I've got to get packed up for the party!!