My Christmas Manifesto

This is day one of my December Daily/Journal Your Christmas scrapbook album. I plan on doing some of my journalling here to make sure I get it all down. Today I am writing about why I chose to scrapbook our December. I love the Christmas season. Pretty much everything about it. I love planning and shopping and visiting and being busy and buying gifts that people will love. I love making gifts and cards. I have decided to do this project again this year because I really enjoyed doing it last year and I love showing it to people. I also LOVE that I was able to scrapbook a whole month of activites that I probably would not have gotten around to. My goal this year is to record more little details about our everyday lives too and to write more. I have already completed my first page! Let's see what tomorrow will bring.

6 x6 December Daily Mini Album

To accompany my 25 Days of Christmas online class I have created not only the 12 x 12 version of the December Daily album but also a 6 x 6 mini album. I really liked using the CTMH all sorts mini album for this project because I could easily add more pages to have one page for each of the 25 days. I also used 6 x 6 envelopes as pages so I could have a pocket to slip extra pictures/memoribilia/journalling in. All the products used are Close to my Heart unless stated otherwise.

Supplies:
CTMH all sorts 6 x 6 mini album
paper: Believe Workshop on the Go kit, various retired paper packs
various CTMH ribbon
Ali Edwards Holiday Word Art Vol 2 from Designer Digitals
CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge to cut the tags
stamps: Magic Tabs (C1448), Tiny Typewriter Alphabet (D1222)
bling: red, pink & purple sparkle assortment Z1326, clear sparkles Z1104

Here are some pictures of the completed album. I took pictures of the covered chipboard pages that come with the mini album.

 title page using the Ali Edwards digital stamp and Believe WOTG Santa stamp

6 x 6 envelope used as a page with a tag inside

tage pulled out of envelope

 

This mini album would be perfect for a younger scrapbooker to decorate themselves and use to recrod their 25 days of Christmas.

Contact me if you would like to join my 25 Days of Christmas online class.

25 Days of Christmas Project

A 25-day album project intended to encourage and inspire you to celebrate the Christmas season by engaging your creative spirit on a daily basis.

Do you have lots of activities going on in December? Do you take tons of pictures? Have you ever thought that it would be nice to have a really beautiful place to put all those pictures, prepared in advance, along with the little stories and memorabilia that go with them? I have found the solution! Last year I took part in the most amazing scrapbooking project and I wanted to share it with you. This year, Valerie Martin and I have developed our own class called “25 Days of Christmas.” The purpose of the class is to create a 25-page scrapbook in November (no pictures in it) in order to be ready to add pictures and journaling to the completed pages daily, starting December 1^st and ending on Christmas Day. Each day class participants will receive an email from us full of layout and photo inspirations, Christmas craft ideas, cool websites, blogs and giveaways.

The goal of this project is to get your base album completed before December 1^st, so you can sit back and enjoy all the activities, documenting them while your memories are still fresh. All you will have to do is print a few pictures and write a bit of journaling. Don’t think you can find time to do this daily? Don’t! As long as you snap your photos everyday and jot down a few points about the activities or feelings of the day you can always print your pictures weekly, biweekly or even at the end of the 25 days and add them in all at once. As for me, I will have my album ready for pictures on December 1^st and will print my pictures every day, completing the page the next morning in time to send to you in your daily email (okay maybe not Christmas Eve, but you never know!)

This class would also be perfect to do with your kids. You could do one album together or each child could decorate their own and even take their own pictures.

This class can also be completed by digital scrapbookers too! Simply use the daily emails to inspire your picture taking, make your digital pages when you have time and print them out at the end of the month. It really couldn’t be easier.

Here are some pictures of my album from last year:

Class includes:

· 25 daily inspirational emails

· coaching from Valerie Martin (digital and traditional) and Cyndy Recker (traditional and hybrid scrapbooking)

· Facebook group to connect with others taking the class

· colour pictures and assembly instructions for Cyndy’s 2010 and 2011 albums.

· Option to album assembly workshop on November 19 or 20th

· A goodie bag filled with FREE embellishments to use in your album

· Random prizes throughout the month

· A month of FUN that I promise you will want to do again year after year

· A 10% discount on CTMH products!

· A special gift from Creative Memories when you use the digital software to complete your pages

Can you believe all of this fun for only $1 per day?
Sign up today for only $25 and start a new tradition you will carry on with year after year.

Supply List

This is a STASH BUSTING project! We strongly encourage you to gather all of your Christmas paper, stickers, embellishments, etc. together and work from that. If you are like us you have been collecting all things Christmas for as long as you have been scrapbooking and now you have found the project that is going to help you use it! Of course we totally understand the desire to also use some of the new and fun Christmas paper that is out there so here is a list of supplies that I used in my book this year with links to the place you can buy it if possible.

Traditional Scrapbooking

I used a wide variety of paper in my album this year including the new CTMH Christmas line called Believe. We are also carrying a new winter themed line called Wonderland . The amount of paper you need will depend on the size of album you are doing. I have 20 page layouts and 5 photo storage pages that I plan on using as one day each. I can easily add more if needed on a particular day. I can help you decide how much paper you need and will have single pages available for purchase.

I used the November stamp of the Month “Cherish the Day” and the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to make my daily number tag.

I will also be using the October Stamp of the Month “Holiday Magic” to embellish my pages but it is only available until October 31^st.

Close To My Heart also carries a large variety of Christmas and Winter themed stamps

Scrapbook album any size. Last year I used a 3 ring 9x9 binder so this year I decided to do something different and am using a CTMH 12 x 12 Quick Pic Album. I chose the cranberry colour but they also come in brown and dark blue. You can do this project with any size or type of album even a photo album if you want it even easier. All you need is a place to slip in photos and a journaling block for 25 days. It really all depends on how many photos you want on a page. Michael’s carry a variety of scrapbook albums in various sizes as well.

Memory Protector Photo Storage Pages. I love these for super quick pages on those days when you have lots of photos or you find you need to add a page to your album while you are working on it. I also plan on using the CTMH flip flap pages to add more photos and/or memorabilia.

Digital Scrapbooking

Creative Memories Project Centre

Valerie Martin’s Creative Memories website

Pixels to Pages: Creative Memories Storybook Creator 4 pages, tips and how to’s.

Creative Memories Facebook Page

So join us today for only $25! You can pay by credit card, cheque, cash or even Paypal.

Dreamin' Workshop Layouts

Here are the layouts we will be completing at the September 24th 12 hour crop.

Magic: Showtime

Cherish: Creative Rhythm

Magic: Parlour Trick

A New Day

Well the day has finally arrived. Both of my children are in school full time and a part of my job is completed. I am not sad but I am not happy either. As I sit here writing this I am just not sure what the feeling is. A little over nine years (can't believe its been that long!) I went on maternity leave for Justin. At the time I didn't know that I wouldn't be returning to work in the traditonal sense. I assumed that I would return to work outside my home after a year like most of my friends had done or were planning on doing. I was okay with that until I actually went out and had an interview and got offerred a job. It was then that I fully realized that I did not want to send Justin to daycare. That I wanted to spend everyday with him watching him grow and learn. I have never once regretted our decision. That does not mean that I loved every minute of my time with the kids because that is certainly not the case. Some days were extremely hard dealing with constant whining, crying, fighting, huge messes and little patience. But I knew the next morning would start out fine and that all I had to do was make it until dinner when Brad would come home to take over so I could get my sanity back. I have also been secure in the knowledge that I was doing the right thing for my kids even if I never receive any praise or acknowledgement for it. Let's face it, kids are never going to pat you on the back and say "good job today mom, you really gave it your all!" I have never been given a raise or a promotion (unless you count mom of two instead of one?) to prove to me I am being successful. All I have is what I see before me. Two happy, healthy kids who love us and each other (most of the time). Neither entered JK knowing their alphabet or how to write their names but they do now. They went without tears and wanted to go back the next day. To me that is a success. So today I am starting a new chapter in my life. I am excited at the prospects ahead and a little nervous that my primary job description has changed forever. As I walked the kids to school today and stood waiting in the playground for class to start I felt this overwhelming sense of monumental change happening and tried to capture it with my camera but of course could not. I couldn't make the kids stand there while I tried to compose the perfect shot that would convey all of feelings. Sometime a picture is not worth a thousand words which is why I felt I needed to write it down today. I have always struggled with writing my thoughts, preferring the more newsy approach of who, what, when, where, why of the story and not much else. But over the past year I have been doing alot of scrapbooking and learning about scrapbooking and journalling and I am trying to make more of an effort to capture more of my feelings on paper, for me and for my kids to read in the future. I plan on using my blog more to do this.

So this is my first entry on this new day. Now I am going to pat myself on the back and say "Good Job Mom."

Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge Images

Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge Images

As promised here are all 700 of the images on Close to my Heart’s Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. Did you know that on a 12" x 12" mat on the Cricut Expression, you can cut almost every image in 47 different sizes? That’s almost 33,000 options! (And even more on a 12" x 24" mat.) Can you imagine how much 33,000 punches would cost not to mention the storage space you’d need? Wow! When I figured that out, I realized what a great deal this was!

Check out all of these great shapes including boxes, bags, tags, banners, borders, a font, cards, envelopes, flowers (3-D and flat), and all of the incredible images that coordinate with CTMH stamp sets!

Click on the images to enlarge.

Plus, remember, when you purchase the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, you’ll also receive three exclusive D-size stamp sets and three sets of Dimensional Elements (chipboard) designed to perfectly coordinate with images on the cartridge. That’s a retail value of over $140 for just for $109.95! Stamp on your Cricut shapes, cover your Dimensional Elements with a Cricut shape, or cut, stamp, and then cover!

Plus, when you order a minimum of $55 this month, and get the cute August Stamp of the Month for only $5.50, you will also get a FREE A sized alphabet stamp set called A Typeface.

If you’d like to order your own Art Philosophy Bundle, click here.

Stay tuned for more artwork using this fun new product

New Autumn/Winter Idea Book is Here!

The New Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book is here!  It is larger, has more artwork, has the stamp sets shown at 100%, has TONS of fabulous new products, and is available for you to get your very own copy right now!

You can view the Idea Book online here, or you can pick one up at my house.

I can't wait to share all of the amazing new products with you. Of course there are EIGHT new paper collections and new stamp sets, along with lots of wonderful new embellishments, but I must share the biggest news of all. CTMH has teamed up with Provocraft to bring you our very own EXCLUSIVE Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. This is the most all-inclusive cartridge that I have ever seen! It has EVERYTHING including boxes, bags, tags, tons of different card shapes, envelopes, banners, a font, flowers (flat and 3D), and TONS of images that coordinate with our stamp sets! Yes, you don't have to cut out those intricate shapes anymore with scissors! Just select the size of the shape that is shown on the stamp set carrier sheet and your Cricut will cut as may as you like. Then just stamp your image directly on the die cut image. Soooooo much faster, simpler, and easier

It is such a great deal too because not only do you get the cartridge, but you also get THREE coordinating stamp sets and THREE sheets of new Dimensional Elements (chipboard) die cuts—all for only $109.95! It is an incredible deal. Plus, as a hostess with a gathering total of at least $300, you could even get the bundle for 1/2 price! Now, that is a steal!

  

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 $55 or more in products and purchase the August Stamp of the Month set, Wicked, for just $5.50, you’ll receive the My Acrylix® A Typeface bonus A-size set FREE (retail value $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!

*Offer valid August 1–31, 2011. This offer is limited to one per qualifying order. Tax and shipping/ handling apply. Studio J® purchases are not eligible for this offer.

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 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. And with a retail value of $39.90, this set 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!

If you place a $82 order from August 15 - August 31st, you can DOUBLE DIP and take advantage of BOTH promotions and get both the Pair-a-Phrase double set and the A Typeface stamp sets for free and the SOTM for only $5.50! Now that, is a great deal!

With a minimum qualifying purchase of $55, get your Stamp of the Month set for only $5.50!

Recommended Blocks:
1" × 3 1/2" (Y1002), 2" × 3 1/2" (Y1009), 2" x 6-1/2" (Y1010), 4" x 5" (Y1012)
Click here to start a blog hop where you can see TONS of great artwork using this stamp set.
Click here or contact me to order your own August stamp of the month.
Available August 1–31, 2011 only.



Happy National Scrapbooking Month!

Hooray its May!! May is my one if my favorite months, not only because it is my daughter's birthday month and Croptopia, but also because it is National Scrapbooking Month! It’s the perfect time to celebrate the reasons why we scrapbook. Preserving our memories is so important and I am thankful that Close to my Heart has made it faster, simpler, and easier!

I am so excited to announce that during the month of May, the Close to my Heart New Consultant Kit will be 50% off! PLUS it gets even better! (I know. You are probably thinking, “There’s more?”) Yes, there’s more! In addition to the 1/2 price kit, when you sign up in May, you will also get the beautiful National Scrapbooking Month Kit called You & Me (valued at $38.95) for FREE! That’s over $370 worth of goodies for only $70, plus tax and shipping! In addition to all of your basic business supplies, the New Consultant Kit includes three of the following “Choose Me” Options. (If you can’t decide on just 3, you can choose the extra 2 options as well for an additional $40 each.)

Choose Me Kit #2 – Includes a 12-month Studio J Membership.

Choose Me Kit #3 – Includes a Workshops on the Go™ Mayberry Kit (G1022), My Acrylix® Summer Days Stamp Set (B1375), Smoothie Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2196), Olive Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2137), Brads Pink Assortment (Z1362), and a 2" x 3-1/2" My Acrylix® Block (Y1009)

Choose Me Kit #4 – Includes a Workshops on the Go™ Lucky Kit (G1018), Lucky Level 2 Assortment (Z1356), My Acrylix® Enjoy Life Stamp Set (C1439), Outdoor Denim Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2140), Desert Sand Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2118), Kraft Color-Ready Borders (Z1377), Sponge (Z697), Edge Distresser (Z1297), and a 2-1/2" x 2=1/2" My Acrylix® Block (Y1004)

Choose Me Kit #5 - Includes a 12"x12" Dark Chocolate My Legacy® Faux Leather Album (Z1342), Outdoor Denim Quick Pic™ Album (Z1404), My Acrylix® Ciao Stamp Set (D1461), Chocolate Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2111), and a 4" x 4" My Acrylix® Block (Y1008).

Choose Me Kit #6 - Includes a Double Scrubber (Z1163), My Acrylix® Spritz Cleaner (1778), My Acrylix® A Tulip Stamp Set (A1111), My Acrylix® Spring Up Stamp Set (B1365), My Acrylix® Bless This Nest Stamp Set (C1445), Tulip Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2166), Garden Green Exclusive Inks® Pad (Z2120), and a 3" x 3" My Acrylix® Block (Y1006)

Plus you will also get this super cute You & Me Scrapbooking Kit for FREE in your New Consultant Kit when you sign up in May!

You & Me Scrapbooking Kit Includes:
1 – My Acrylix® You & Me Stamp Set (D-size)
1 – 12" × 12" Colonial White Cardstock
6 – 12" × 12" B&T Duos® Papers (New! Cardstock-weight)
1 – 6" × 9" You & Me Irresistibles™ Chipboard Die-Cut Sheet
1 Yard – Chocolate Stripe Ribbon
1 Package – Opaques Mocha Adhesive Gems
1 – Instruction Guide
Featured Colors: Chocolate, Crème Brulee, Olive, Smoothie

Watch the video to see all about this wonderful scrapbooking kit.

~

If you have ever wanted to turn your hobby into a lucrative business...

or

If you have ever wanted to get a great discount on all of your stamping & scrapbooking supplies for you and your friends...

or

If you have ever thought about getting a Studio J Membership...

or

If you'd just like to get a great deal on a TON of fabulous products found in the New Consultant Kit...

Contact me if you have any questions.

You can also click here to sign up.

Sophia Workshop - April 30

Join me at the April 30th 12 hour crop where we will be creating this beautiful 2 page layout perfect for spring or summer pictures. Remeber that the pink cardstock can always be substituted with green for a more boyish look to the layout.

Sophia Workshops on the Go™ Kit Contents
Sophia Level 2 Paper Packet
My Acrylix® Sophia Workshop B-size Stamp Set
Buttons Pink Assortment
Colonial White Waxy Flax
Workshop Guide

Follow the included step-by-step instructions to create the two workshop projects featured in the workshop guide: a two-page layout and six cards (2 each of 3 designs). Layout and card patterns are Jeanette Lynton originals created exclusively for this workshop.

The cost of the workshop kit is $33.50*. Order yours today!

Do You Like Free Products?

With every order of $115 or more on my website, not only will you receive the Stamp of the Month for Free ($25.50Cdn value), but you will also receive your choice of a FREE Level 1 Scrapbooking Kit ($10.95Cdn value)!! Shop from fabulous clearance deals as well as all of our current catalogue items! Offer valid April 1 - 30th.

April Hostess Club Project

Since April is Easter Bunny month we will be making a really cute basket out of paper and cardstock to hold some of those chocolates and jelly beans. Some of you have already seen the basket at last month's project night but I have made 2 more with the two different paper sets that will be available for you. 

The pink one is made from the Sophia paper.

The blue and green one is made from the Miracle paper pack.

These boxes are big enough to hold alot of goodies!

Date: Tuesday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 13th (if necessary)

Time: 6:30pm

Place: 83 Russell St N (my house)

RSVP: April 8th

Cost: $7.00 or FREE with a $30 order

As always, space and paper is limited so book your seat today!

Supplies Used

(all CTMH unless otherwise stated)

pattern paper: Sophia paper pack (stripe and small flower), Miracle paper pack (stripe and small flower

cardstock: white daisy, pear, hollyhock, goldrush, colonial white, sweet leaf, heavenly blue, bamboo

stamps: Sensational Season (march stamp of the month)

markers: hollyhock, pear, desert sand,blush, sweet leaf

watercolour pencils: desert sand, crystal blue, orange, bubblegum

tools: waterbrush, crop-o-dile, large paper trimmer, glue pen, glue stick, scoring blade

Sweetheart Workshop - March 19th

My Version

This is the layout workshop we will be doing at the March 19th 12 hour crop in Arnprior.

Click here to view the contents of the full workshop kit.

Options

1. Buy the whole kit for $33.50*
2. Buy Sweetheart Level 2 $14.50*, Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment $5.50*
3. Buy half of Sweetheart Level 2 $7.25*

I also used Hodge Podge Colour Ready Alphabet $4.50* on my layout.

* price does not include tax and shipping.

Please RSVP by March 6th so I can order the papers in time for the crop.