Banners!

I love banners... I love them on cards, I love them on layouts and I love them on walls!
I love to make them, but I never seem to use them. I just make them to show off paper and embellishments, put them up at my open house's and then just hang them in my craft room, never to be seen again by anyone else but me and my family. Just once I would like to make one for a party, but I never seem to think about it until its too late to start on one!?!?
So here are a couple I have made...

This is my "WELCOME" banner. I made it for my Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book release party.
The banner is made from "My Creations Banner" and the paper is "Sweetheart".
I also used "Just Blooms" paper flowers and "Irresistibles Eclectic Alphabet"

This is my "BOO" banner!! I made this one for my Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book release party a couple weeks ago. The banner and the word BOO are both made with my "Art Philosophy" Cricut Cartridge.
I also used the new paper "Mischief" and the new coordinating product "Midnight Felt Shapes".

Make-a-wish

Have you ever seen incredible art work and wondered "Who comes up with this stuff?" or "Who is the person with that kind of creative mind?" 

Well... her name is Tresa Black and she has been the inspiration for alot of my projects, card clubs and most recently, starting my blog, yet I have never personally met her. 

At convention this year, Tresa entered an album in the album contest and it was amazing to see... but the video of the album that won 1st place is even more amazing and I would like to share it with you...

If you would like to see more of Tresa's creations, check out her blog at http://www.fabulouslyartsy.com/ and be ready to be amazed.

Studio J

I am a traditional scrapbooker!!! I love to touch my paper!!! I love to create!!!
Blah blah blah... we have all heard it and in my case, I have said it!! And yes, it is true!
But... there is a time and place for everything. My Studio J moment came in August 2009.
We went to Disneyland in October 2008... then in July 2009 we decided to go back in November.
Well... I have this rule (it's a rule I made up for myself, so I don't know why I can't change it, but rules are not meant to be broken, so I can't change it) the rule is I have to get my last trip scrapbooked before I go on another trip. So what's a girl to do???? Studio J

I thought I would give it a try... 32 layouts in 3 days!! I couldn't believe it!
It is also my thinnest Disney album :)
With Studio J you don't have to continue to buy programs, you just log on, create and if you like it, order it!!  You can also buy memberships if you want to order your pages at a lower price!
If you would like to give it a try, Click here!

Card Club Season

So with only a couple more weeks until September, it's time to start thinking of Card Clubs. I didn't run my card club this summer and the other card club I'm in, doesn't run during the summer months, so it has been a few months since I have had to put any thought into them.
I actually haven't planned my card club for September, but since it is closer to the end of the month, I still have a bit of time.
But... Brenda's SU card club, which I am also in, starts the 2nd week of Sept. and that one has a monthly card swap. Each month there is a different theme, but for the Sept. club we have to make a card using one of the creative techniques that we were taught in Brenda's club in the past.
I had to incorporate one of the techniques we were taught with my new Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge
(I just couldn't wait to make cards with my new cricut cartridge!!).
So here's what I came up with.... ((SWAP SPOILER))

The technique I used was the "shaving cream" technique... I love this effect!!!
You put your shaving cream in a paper plate and then you add a few drops of re-inker.
(I used "Twilight" and "Pacifica" re-inker on this card)
You mix it, slightly, and then put your white card stock face down. Take it out and wipe it off, let it dry and....

Isn't that cool!!
Thank you to my SU girl Brenda for showing me this wonderful technique!

Cluster Cards

Clus·ter  [kluhs-ter]
noun; A group of the same or similar elements gathered or occurring closely together; a bunch.

So a few months ago, my monthly Card Club theme was "cluster cards". I LOVE cluster cards, I love a "busy" card... You really have to be careful though, there is just such a fine line between "busy" and an "absolute mess", and I have crossed that line many times :)



There are 2 papers used in this card (I love to mix n' match), "Veranda" & "Perfect Day". The stamp set is "A Little Buzz". I love this stamp set! It has a bunch of random words that you can put together to make your sentiment and of course, the little bugs are so cute!

This next card is made with "Miracle" paper. The background stamp is from the stamp set "Live Inspired" and the sentiment stamp is from that cute little hedge hog stamp set "Happy Forever"

This next card is so fun! In this card, most of the "cluster" is just stamped images.
The paper used for this card is "Caboodle" and the stamp set is "Ticket to Ride".

Celebrate National Stamping Month

To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, CTMH is offering the 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 long. The double set has a retail value of  $39.90, which 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 would like to take advantage of this fantastic deal, contact me to place your order!
Remember... If you order before the end of August, you will receive the Stamp of the Month "Wicked" (for $5.50), PLUS an A sized alphabet stamp FREE!! (as well as the above stamp set "Pair-a-Phrase")
That's 3 bonus stamp sets for just $5.50!!

Elemental Ceramic Pot

I made this Ceramic Pot / Home Decor project for my Idea Book Release Party. My inspiration came from one of the Extravaganza teachers at convention. I wasn't actually in her class, so I don't know her name, but if someone out there was in her class or bought the convention DVD, could you please post her name and/or website so she can get the credit she deserves.

I used the Elemental paper (cut into strips and curled) and the Elemental Complements Dimensional Elements (attached to wooden skewers). The ceramic pot is finished off with Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.

August Stamp Of The Month and Constant Campaign!

Starting in August, CTMH has changed the Stamp of the Month program. This new program makes it easier to take these wonderful stamps home with you!
When you make a purchase of $55.00 or more, you can take home the SOTM for only $5.50. (as opposed to the last program were you had to spend $117.00 to get it free)

The August stamp of the month is "Wicked"... and literally, it is wicked! It is such a cute halloween themed stamp, but is so versitile, you will use it for more than just your halloween pages or cards with the background and border stamps.

 BUT THATS NOT ALL.... When you spend $55.00 or more and you order the SOTM for $5.50, you will recieve this cute A sized alphabet stamp set for FREE!!

This is such a great deal! and it is for the month of August ONLY!!

If you would like to put in an order and take advantage of this great deal contact me!

Brendas Card Club

Because Im not busy enough with my own clubs and crops, I am also in a monthly card club which is run by my friend Brenda who is a SU Consultant.

I love going to this card club... Brenda is so inspiring and I love creating her cards and projects without having to do any prep work.

Part of Brendas card club includes a monthly card swap, so I thought I would show you a few cards I made for past card swaps.

The first 2 cards are made with "Wings" paper and the stamp set "Find Your Style".

It amazes me how 2 cards with the same paper and stamp set can look so different.

This next card is really out of the archives... I cant even remeber the name of this paper off the top of my head. I really went through a "tri-fold card" phase about a year and a half ago, lol.

This one is one of my favorites and is with one of my favorite papers, "Twitterpatted", which I think goes with any theme... and I still have lots left (just to prepare you!)
I also used that super cute owl punch from SU, but in my defense, until a few weeks ago, I had to go elsewhere for a cutting system.
The sticks are from my Grandma's tree :)

Idea Book Release Party

So tonight was my Idea Book Release Party, which is probably why I am on my second post of the night. I always have a hard time sleeping when I do anything scrapbook related (must be the adrenaline).
I had a great time with 15 wonderful ladies and I finally got to share the new Idea Book!!
We did a couple of card Make & Takes, so I thought I would share them with you...

I’m sure, for those of you who already have the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, this card looks familiar.

I took it out of the booklet that comes with the cartridge. I wanted all my guests to see how wonderful the new Cricut cartridge is and this card does it!! Every single piece of this card is cut from the cartridge including the card base and the "Happy Birthday" sentiment comes from one of the stamp sets included with the Art Philosophy package.

 This card is made from the new "white daisy die-cut cards". I love these cards!! The paper is "Sonoma". I wanted to show how versatile this paper is by making a card that was a little more masculine. The stamp set is one of my favorite new stamps, "Key Moments"... and of course, I used the Cricut Art Philosophy to cut out the tag the sentiment is stamped on!

Portfolio Card Workshop

So Im going back quite a few months, but since I just started this blog, I am really behind on my sharing!
In January, our card club project was a "Portfolio Stationary/Card Kit".
This was one of my favorite projects that we have done, so I thought it would be a good start to sharing.
I was inspired by someone... I just dont remember who and Im sorry for that. (I really believe in giving credit where credit is due, but way back when I first saw this idea, I didnt think to write down who it was)

These make great as gifts or just to have some extra cards around the house. They were made with "Twitterpated" paper (which is probably in my top 5 all time favorite papers!), "Kanji phrases" and "Wisdom" stamp sets.

The new Fall/Winter Idea Book

On August 1st the new CTMH Idea Book was released... and WOW! I am so excited about this book!
My favorite product.... "The Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge". It comes with 3 coordinating stamp sets and 3 sheets or Dimensional Elements chip board shapes.
The cartridge itself has fonts 3D projects and 3D flowers. It is awsome!
Besides the new Cricut cartridge....
All stamp prices have been reduced!
The price of paper packs are lower and the new B&T paper is all cardstock weight.
There is also a new Stamp of the Month program which makes it easier to get those great stamp sets!
I am so happy with the changes in this book, and also with all the great new products, paper packs and stamp sets. If you haven't seen the new book yet, go online and take a peak... You will LOVE it!!!

Well, I did it!

Here it is, my first blog post. I have thought about this for a long time and now, at 1:00 am, I am finally doing it!
I just came back from The CTMH Convention in Disneyland a couple weeks ago and this is where the fire was lit to just get this blog done!
I also follow some great blogs and alot of my inspiration to do this has come from them. I would say my biggest inspiration has been from Tresa Black. She is so creative (some would say Fabulously Artsy).
Once I learn how to post pictures, I will post some of my creations (In my defense, I have only been blogging for 20 minutes).
Well, time for bed. I will play some more tomorrow and hopefully (with the help of my teenage daughter) get this whole blog thing figured out.
Good night :)