Back in the Saddle

 Well I am trying to get back into Crafting.  I have moved back to the Wichita area.  I have had a rough 10 years getting back on my feet from my wonderful Scott passing away.  But I'm ok and so are my girls.

So I have a brand new new toy, an Xtool M1 laser engraving, cutter.  I am totally addicted.  I had a few months to play and get used to it.  I am hoping to get enough "product" finished by late September to be in the Valley Center fall festival.  

I'll show you some of the things I have been working on.

First try at using the Cricut and Iron on Medium

The more I play the more I fall in love.  

Ok here's my first try at using iron on to make a T-Shirt.  The hardest part was deciding what font to use in the Design Studio.  Cricut cut it perfect.  

Wooden Name Plate Using Cricut Air and CTMH Products

I am absolutely in LOVE with this new Cricut and Design Space..

Here's a project for my Granddaughter

I started with a simple wooden sign from Michael's..they had an ART Sale...yay !

I used CTMH Veranda Paper Pack and cut 2x2 squares and used Mod Podge

Using the Design Space and my Cricut I designed and cut these layers.  It was so easy

Here it is all layered down.  Next I covered with Mod Podge, multiple layers with a light sanding in between layers.

I used CTMH Ribbon and different jewels to spice it up.  I drilled a hole at the top to run the ribbon through and put an old retired conchs to clean up the hole.

Close up.


I would love to hear comments, good or bad.  Its been a really long time since I have crafted and creative juices are not flowing very good yet.

Canvas Scrap booking

Ok so I see since I've been so out of the craft loop, Canvas is "in".  So Michaels has this big Art blowout so I stocked up on Canvas.  I believe its time and much needed for me to do some projects with my husband.  If anything it will be good therapy.
SOOO, my granddaughter has been asking for photos of Grandpa to hang in her room.
Here's what I came up with:

• I used a sponge and painted the sides and front edges with a very light yellow gold craft paint. 

Using the CTMH Cricut Cartridge, Artfully Scrapping I found all the borders, choose my size and paper, ( Reflections Collections ), cut them out using the Cricut Air.

              

I then used Mod Podge and covered the picture and borders.

The writing on the tag, that I used Tags, Bags, Boxed and More Cricut cartridge to cut the tags and write the sayings.  Cool huh

 After all was dry I decided to use some of my old CTMH Bling. 



Buttons with Waxy Flax ran through them.

If you can tell from the photo, I got out liquid glass and put a dot on all the white dots on the background paper...fun...I love Liquid Glass from CTMH.

 Here the border cut with the Letters MY, I used brown ink to make them stand out. then of course a good thick layer of liquid glass to give the letters an epoxy look.
I also dug out my CTMH photo corner with brands, using a craft hammer after spreading the brad out, tapping it from the back to flatten the brad arms so it lays flat on the surface, glued them down.  Made another tag using Cricut to cut and to write the saying.

This one I use waxy flax run around the corners of brads and buttons and liquid glass.



Ok so I am very impressed with my new toy.  Just need more play time and my creativity to join back up with me.

Wish me luck.

Cricut Explore Air!!!!

YES!  I ordered it and it's here.  whoohooo. 
I haven't wanted to scrapbook or card make or any other crafting since my husband passed away.  I  boxed it all up and stored it away.  After nearly 2 years after his death and finally accepting I needed grief therapy, I have finally got the "craft bug" again.  So I spent 3 days cleaning up and getting my house all cleaned up and organized, then began the process of unpacking everything and setting it up in a much smaller place.  But I got it all done.  Yay me!



I got the Cricut Air, bear in mind I was still back on original Cricut (6x12).  I know hilaurious huh?
So I am learning to use this new one and the awesome things it can do.  Its really unbelievable.
I got a starter bundle, full of stuff to get started...on SALE!

Here's my first project.  It was a make it now card in the free stuff. 

I used CTMH colored cardstock, Breeze  Ocean and Colonial White.

I just picked out the Make It Now project, put the paper on the mat, it cut it, scored the fold line and also wrote the greeting using the Cooper Cricut Marker. 

Cool HUH?

I know I am behind times!  LOL

New Cards

Its been a really really long time since I've created anything.  But got my craft stuff back out of storage and am starting up again.  I've lost my creative juices so starting slow until my brain kicks back in.   Here's my first two cards.  let me know what ya think.

Getting Started again...

Well I did it...completed a scrapbook layout.  I know doesn't sound like much but I have not scrapbooked since moving and well haven't really wanted to.  My stress level has been too high.  I also feel guilty to go craft and leave Scott alone.  I know he's ok its just I don't want to miss any time I can spend with him.  Cancer really changes how you feel about every day and the time we have.    But that small part of me inside that loves it has been whispering to me.  I have to say I am having a hard time with creative juices which has upset me  and I would walk away and give up.  So yesterday I was determined not to walk away.  I had to realize i needed to start simple again. So my layout is simple but complete!!! yeah!  I would post a photo but I think its to simple and not really "post" worthy...but I got it done and will move on to the next layout and hopefully that one is better.

Teacher Gifts

Here's a craft I did with my friend Dana...it was her idea she got from a friend. These are keychains to give out to teachers as thank you's for the end of the year. What a cool and easy idea. Keychains were fairly cheap at Michaels...I used cricut to cut out the letters, the paper is retired CTMH set Veranda, the stamp set on the back is retired set Coffee Stain..the saying is " you leave an impression on me". 

Chantilly Workshop On The Go

 

Here's my take on the Chantilly Workshop.  I don't have summer photos right now...I'll em later.  Since I'm just getting started again with CTMH I don't have all the new colors.  I substituted Sweet Leaf  and Garden Green in this layout. I did use the Cotton Candy.  Lovin it!  You can see all the Workshops on the Go and order any of them from my website.

Help the Oklahoma tornado victums

Here's a chance to help out the people impacted by the tornado last week in Oklahoma.  An adorable "Thank You" stamp set!

Set of 1

This stamp set in the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book is available for early purchase. One hundred percent of profits from sales of this stamp set from May 23 to June 30 will be donated to the American Red Cross to aid tornado victims in Oklahoma. Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks:
2" × 2" (Y1003)

 

You can purchase this set from my website right now!  Thank you for helping out and my prayers and thoughts go out to all those affected by this horrible storm.



I am back!

I had to leave CTMH in 2010.  I moved from Wichita to Bluffton SC.  Things didn't go as planned.  After living here for 6 months my husband was diagnosed with cancer.  Well life has be a roller coaster and I put crafting and myself on the back burner, no I turned off crafting all together.  But I still love to craft so with some helpful pushes by a beloved friend and now my upline I have rejoined the CTMH team, yeah!  We are still in the battle against cancer, he is stage 4 but we are hopeful and live life to the fullest everyday!  I just really need to craft again for me.  So check back I will be posting as soon as I get my first project done!

 

 

2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate? It’s YOU, of course! We are shouting from the rooftops how much we love and appreciate you! It only makes sense to pass along our appreciation with amazing deals. So for 8 days, August 4 through August 11 (while supplies last), you can purchase select My Stickease® Assortments for only $2 US/CAN, My Reflections® Level 1 kits for only $4, and My Reflections® Level 2 paper packets for only $6 online. Click here for a list of sales items.  Visit my CTMH  website today to see these amazing deals for yourself. You’ll want to shout for joy, too!

Studio J™

Studio J is a free online design software for scrapbooking and its almost ready for release.  There is no software to buy or even download to your computer.  All you will have to do is go to my website and create an account and log in and start designing.  You can create and immediately purchase your layouts or save them for later.  The software is extremely intuitive and easy to use. The software walks a user through five simple steps that include:

1. uploading photos;
2. choosing the desired themed kit;
3. selecting an exclusive layout pattern;
4. adding photos, embellishments, title, and journaling;
5. and purchasing custom-printed layouts ready for a cherished album.

All Studio J patterns are two-page layouts, chosen from Cherish™ and Imagine™, with additional combinations forthcoming from Reflections^®. The initial launch of Studio J will include 25 layout patterns that can be swapped and rotated for even more variety.

There will be many kits available on Studio J when it launches and more added with each new Idea Book release.  Additionally, many retired, favorite classic kits will be available on Studio J.  There will also be one new, themed kit available only on Studio J per Idea Book cycle.  All the same B&T Duos papers and cardstocks found in a classic My Reflections paper packet are available within a selected kit in Studio J. 

The same favorite My Stickease assortments that you have come to love with the My Reflections^® Level 1 and Level 2 kits are available for you to use with your studio artwork. Even better, you can change the size of My Stickease in Studio J to suit the style of your projects. 

Studio J will include many embellishments you can choose from to add pizzazz to your artwork, including coordinating My Stickease^® artwork that you can place yourself. There are also a number of pre-placed embellishments on each pattern called “toggle accents” that include ribbon, buttons, and metal embellishments from brads to photo hangers. For maximum flexibility, you can “toggle” the accents on or off as desired. You can also colorize these embellishments to suit your style in colors that coordinate with the kit’s palette.  The software also allows you add distressing such as inked edges, scissor distressing, torn edges, and more. You can distress as much or as little as you’d like—using your computer!

Studio J  software will include basic photo editing and manipulation such as changing a photo to black and white or sepia tone, cropping, and photo sizing with a zoom feature.

We are excited to announce the official customer launch of Studio J™ on Tuesday, April 27 at 8:00 am.    With this launch, we're offering you  a special introductory promotion. You may purchase each two-page layout for just $12.95 US / $14.95 CAN. Also, when you place a single order for 5–9 layouts, you'll receive a pack of 5 Memory Protectors FREE! For placing an order for 10 or more layouts, you'll receive FREE shipping/handling plus a FREE pack of 5 Memory Protectors for every 5 layouts in the single order.

National Scrapbooking Month

May is NSM and Close To My Heart is celebrating with a cute paper kit called, “Miracle”.  This kit includes:  
5 – Colonial White Cardstock
1 – Bamboo Cardstock
1 – Floral B&T Duos® Paper
1 – Stripe B&T Duos® Paper
1 – Crystal Blue Circle B&T Duos® Die-Cut
1 – Sweet Leaf Bracket B&T Duos® Die-Cut
1 – 6" × 12" My Stickease® Assortment
1 – 6" × 9" Irresistibles™ Chipboard Die-Cuts
1 – Mini-Medley Accents Colonial White Collection
12" Colonial White Waxy Flax
3 – 4" × 6" Memory Protectors® Flip Flaps™
2 – Sponges
1 –Brochure
Colors: Sweet Leaf, Olive, Crystal Blue, Bamboo

These papers are spring inspired and will had beauty to any spring photos.

There are several ways to snatch this fashionable Miracle kit at a
great discount or even FREE*:
• Purchase the kit outright for $19.95
• Place a minimum order of $40.00  and purchase the kit for only
$10.00
• Place a minimum order of $60.00  and purchase the kit for only
$5.00
• Sign up as a new Consultant between May 1–31 and receive
a kit FREE!
• Host a Home Gathering between April 15–May 31 with minimum
sales of $300 and receive a kit FREE!
Amaze yourself and your friends during National Scrapbooking
Month in May with gorgeous layouts you create using our Miracle
kit.

Call or email me today for more information.  On May first you can also go to my website and shop from your home to get your kit.

Workshop On The Go

 

 

This workshop will be the March 16, here at my home.  Please call or email me to order you kit today.  Click on above photo to see a larger flyer.

Sneak Peek!

Its almost January of the 2010, can you believe it!!!  Well the the new Spring Idea Book is out and will be available to order from starting Friday. I though I’d give you a sneak peek of the papers.

 

This paper pack is called “Caboodle”. The level 3 stamps to accompany the paper are shown as well.

 

 

 

 

This paper pack is “Topstitch” and the level 3 stamps are also shown.  I love the “windmill” set.

 

 

This set is called, “Vernanda”  I love the softness of this paper.  The hummingbird set with honey suckle flowers is so darn cute!

 

 

This one is probably my favorite.  I love the vibrant colors and whim cycle swirls.  You know I must have the guitar stamp set.

 

I have plenty of Idea Books, just call or email me or stop on by to get your FREE Spring 2010 Idea Book.

National Paper Crafting Month

Why not start the year off with a fresh beautiful paper pack? The Felicity Collection is decorative die cut papers, three different stunning color combinations, and a lovely D sized stamp set, which include the alphabet, an adorable bird & a flourish.

Here’s how you can get your collection:

• Purchase at full retail price of $34.95
• Purchase $60.00 in Close To My Heart stamps (A,B, C, D or E sized ) to receive the collection FREE!
• Purchase $125.00 in Close To My Heart products to receive the collection FREE!
• Host a gathering that totals $400.00 or more and receive one FREE or Sign up as a consultant in my team and I’ll give you one FREE!

Go here to see a full detailed flyer.

Contact me with any questions, to place an order, schedule a gathering or to discuss signing up on my team.

Its Back! Stampaganza

Its time to get excited about stamping!  We are making it easy to build your stamp collection! Whether you heart lies with card making or scrap booking, or both like me, you  will love this opportunity to earn free stamps during our November campaign.

From November 3–30, 2009, customers who purchase any two stamp sets (sizes A, B, C, D, and/or E only) at full retail price will receive a third stamp set of their choice FREE (of equal or lesser value for your entire order)—a savings of up to $22.95!

Dates:
The campaign runs November 3–30, 2009.
Details:
Shipping/handling apply. Stamp sets available for FREE include: A, B, C, and D-size sets only. E-size, customizable (K), Stamp of the Month, and Art & Soul® sets are not available as the free set. Stamp sets that count toward the qualifying purchase include full-priced A, B, C, D, and E-size sets only. Stamps that do not qualify toward a qualifying purchase include Stamp of the Month, Art & Soul, Workshops on the Go™, and customized (K) stamps.

You can go here to view the full color flyer and here to my website where you can shop!  Make sure you check out the area under “shop online” to view a complete list of stamp sets that are retiring this December 31st.  Go there now!

Grace Workshop

Here’s this month’s workshop using the new Grace Papers from the 2009 Autumn Idea Book.  I love the colors and pattern of this paper.  It can be elegant or everyday like I’ve used here.

 

Here are the special card template designed especially for this workshop.   This is one template changed to be used in three different ways. 

This workshop features the colors Twilight, Cocoa, Honey & Barn Red.  There is enough paper to create these projects and much more.

Christmas Card Workshop

 

View Full Album

Here are my recent Christmas Cards that I will be teaching tonight.  I used the new Jingle Creative Basics Paper Pack.  Colors I used are Juniper, Tulip, and White Daisy. Several of these cards were inspired from fellow consultants.  Almost all card templates are from the Wishes how to card making book.