A Winter Luminaria using ProPlayer

LAST CALL...  

If you haven't taken advantage of the National Stamping Month exclusive stamp set trio, 

You are My Happy, time is running out fast! HURRY...this special ends TODAY!!!

***Click here for all the details!***

When you make a purchase of $50 or more, you qualify to get the entire "You Are My Happy" stamp set trio (retail value $47.90) for only $10!  This exclusive trio includes a playful alphabet, light-hearted sentiments, and a variety of fun images to use for countless occasions.  

The same $50 order also qualifies you to get the September Stamp of the Month for only $5.  

JOIN my Mystery Hostess party on my website to take advantage of this amazing special when placing your qualifying order.

Now...are you ready for more Artbooking artwork?

When I first got my hands on the CTMH Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book, the first artwork that REALLY caught my eye were the luminaries on page 17.  I knew I would have to make one for myself...and sooner than later!

I made these for my 3-D item for our Board Swap. 

I used the overlay on page 50 of the Artbooking booklet, cut at 5".  I was able to get 6 of the overlays on one sheet of 12x12 paper (each luminary takes 4 overlays, one for each side).  Each corner is made up of a strip of cardstock 1" wide and 5" tall, scored down the center at 1/2", and the overlays are attached using Bonding Memories glue.  Then decorate to your personal taste.  I wanted to show the versatility of the ProPlayer papers, so I embellished my luminary using snowflakes with some bling to reflect the light of the candle inside (it goes without saying...use extreme caution when using a flame next to paper!).  A flameless candle (battery) would be ideal to use, however, I do have a small candle in a jar inside.  

I used snowflakes from the Artbooking cartridge, cut from Slate and White Daisy cardstock in different sizes.  Experiment with different shapes.  The sentiments are from one of the stamp sets from the Art Philosophy Cricut Collection.

Artbooking Made Easy - Getting Started

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Close To My Heart's revolutionary Cricut® Artbooking collection will take your papercrafting to a new level! Learn how to use the new collection to turn your themed layouts and mini scrapbooks into beautiful works of art.

Join me each week for the ARTBOOKING MADE EASY series!

Here is my first layout I created using Artbooking, 
it was for the CTMH Pajama Party on Big Picture Classes back in August.  

The overlays give the pages so much more dimension and texture.  The images on each key are linked, so all the guess work is done for you!  No need to wonder what size to cut photo mats, accents, or titles...simple, fast and easy!!!
All the Cricut images on this layout can be found on page 78 of the Artbooking booklet.  Just set the size dial at 11" and start cutting!  The most difficult aspect is determining which color cardstock to use for each piece.

Saturday YouTube Video: You Are My Happy

There is still time for you to get the

You Are My Happy stamp set TRIO!

 HURRY...offer valid only until September 30th!

See the playful alphabet, light-hearted sentiments, and fun images of Close To My Heart's You Are My Happy stamp set trio—exclusive for National Stamping Month! Use this set for a variety of occasions to give a cheerful touch to your projects!

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Enjoy!

Poster Tidings - September SOM with video!

I finally had a chance to create artwork using the September Stamp of the Month set, Poster Tidings.  I was inspired by the beautiful artwork other team members shared at our team training last week.

Fall is my favorite time of year!  I love the change in weather (yes, even Colorado's hurricane/monsoon season!), to the colors associated with fall.

I stamped this image in 3 colors, beginning with the lightest color first, as to not contaminate my ink pads.  In this case, I used Goldrush ink on the upper 1/3, Autumn Terracotta ink on the middle 1/3, and finished with Barn Red ink on the lower 1/3.  I stamped the image on a 2-1/2" x 5" piece of Colonial White cardstock, backed with Barn Red cardstock.  The patterned paper comes from the Huntington paper pack.  The leaves were cut using the Artbooking Cricut cartridge...and layered.  I used New England Ivy cardstock layered with Olive cardstock for the green leaf, and Autumn Terracotta cardstock layered with Goldrush cardstock.  The "orange" leaves were cut at 1-3/4" from page 72, using the Icon function key. The "green" leaves were cut at 1-1/4".  I also cut a piece of Burlap Ribbon, bunched it up with Natural Bakers twine from the Wooden Mini Medley, tied in a bow.  I used the largest brown sparkles as embellishment.  The card measures 3-1/2" x 8".

Oh...and the Poster Tidings set also has a Holiday image for December or Winter artwork too!  Check out this video on the trendy subway art technique.  I figured I owed you one, since I've been missing for a couple weeks...with a good excuse, we were under construction in my studio!

Enjoy!

Saturday YouTube Video: CTMH Convention 2013 Highlights

 Want to see what all the excitement is about when I attend the CTMH Convention? 

Here we are in Orlando, FL at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort:

See if you can spot me...I'm in there twice!  It's quick...

Does it look like something you would like to share with me?  Join my team!!!

I am already registered to attend Convention 2014 at the DisneyLand Hotel in Anaheim, California.  I've been to 13 Conventions, and the one at DisneyLAND several years ago, was the BEST...
perfect wether, variety of restaurants, walking distance to the parks!  Fun, Fun, FUN!!! 

I can't wait to go back!

I also want to show you the layouts we created during our Creative Sessions.
These papers were exclusive to Convention attendees.
We also received an exclusive stamp set to preserve our memories shared in Orlando.
I have pictures for my layouts coming soon!

Each year, during Convention, the corporate staff hides our company mascot, StickyBoy (I will have to post Sticky Boy's video too).  I have found only 3 StickyBoy's in 13 years.  In Orlando, I found this tiny little guy hanging out on a metal door frame in the Art Gallery room. 

 I love that he is decked out in his sombrero, and maraca's.  VIVA!!!

To learn more about the testing that went into the My Acrylix stamps before we made the switch from wood & rubber nearly a decade ago...watch Sticky Boy's video.
I love the sense of humor our corporate staff has!

Fun and Games with ProPlayer WOTG

In the month of September, I'm hosting the ProPlayer WOTG scrapbooking layouts.  

These papers are so fun to work with...great for those ever challenging masculine layouts.  

These pages will allow you to highlight life's fun moments!

(click on any image to enlarge)

By purchasing the WOTG kit, you receive the exclusive ProPlayer stamp set (now D-size!), 3 extra sheets of cardstock, and all the embellishments (the ProPlayer Assortment and the Slate Twist Ties) used to create both of these layouts!  In addition, you SAVE $11.34...and only pay the low price of $29.95 even though the kits have more product, and larger stamp sets than last years kits.

Thank you CTMH!  

Thoughts from the Heart

Do you enjoy scrapbooking or cardmaking more?  I'm not sure I could give you a definitive answer to that question.  I enjoy it all!  Most importantly, I think I enjoy the "people" that I create with.  I love the friendships that I have developed because of Close To My Heart.  I have friends all over the country that I wouldn't have otherwise met.

I'm beginning the workshops from the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book with the Laughing Lola Cardmaking WOTG kit.  These cards the perfect "pick me up" for a friend.

View the Laughing Lola Cardmaking WOTG flyer here

The cardmaking kit includes the papers (both cardstock and B&T Duo papers), kit-exclusive accessories, cards with envelopes and instructions to create 15 beautiful cards (5 each of 3 designs) inspired by our own Jeanette Lynton.  Even if you're unable to attend the live event, you can create this workshop on your own time with the full color step-by-step instruction guide...order yours today.   This is my therapy!