3rd Annual Christmas Card Workshop

Only a few more days until Halloween!  That means the holidays are right around the corner and it's time to start getting ready.  Join me for my 3rd Annual Holiday Card Making Workshop on Thursday, November 14 at 7PM.

This year you will have the choice of 6 different cards to create using two different papers.

The first 3 are created with CTMH's Sparkle and Shine Paper Pack.  These cards are clean, bright and cheery.

 Using the same designs, these next 3 cards were created using CTMH Frosted Paper Pack.  They are a little more muted using colonial white cards with classic holiday colors.

 Below are the following separate cards you can chose from.
Card 1.-

Card 2.

 Card 3.

 Card 4-

 Card 5-

 Card 6-

Create as many cards as you would like.  Create just one card multiple times or chose a variety of cards.  Whatever you desire.  Each card costs $1 and includes twine, sparkles and an envelope.  RSVP no later than Thursday, October 31st.  Make sure to include, which cards you would like to make and how many of each you would like.  For example; I would like to make 10 cards of Card 1 and 5 cards of Card.  Hope this makes sense.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Looking forward to a fun evening.  Can't wait to get into the holiday spirit.  

See you all soon!   

October's Scrappy Creations Class

 October's Scrappy Creation Class is right around the corner so don't delay and RSVP now to make two beautiful fall scrapbook pages.

We will be meeting, Thursday October 17th at 7PM.

Here is an example of one of the layouts we will be making.  

 When RSVP-ing chose one of these great kits to complete your project.  I will pre-cut the pages for you.  All you need to do is come and create.  Along with putting the pages together, I will also teach you several stamping techniques that will make your pages unique.

Kit 1:  Huntington Paper Pack $14.00

Kit 2: Add the Huntington Assortment to the Paper Pack $21.00

Kit 3: Add Sparkles (Brown and Tan Assortment) to the Paper Pack and the Assortment.  

Please RSVP to this class no later than Sunday, September 29th.  Hope to see you there!
~Amy

Scrappy Creation Classes for 2013-2014 School Year Starts Soon!

It is that time of year again!  Time for school to start and time to get back into a regular routine.  It is also time for my monthly Scrappy Creations Classes to start back up.  We will be meeting the 2nd Thursday of the month with a few extra or additional classes added in here and there.  

Our 1st Class of the school year will be 

Thursday, September 12 at 7PM.

We will start the year off by creating 2 sassy and very trendy scrapbook layouts using CTMH's Laughing Lola Paper Pack.  The bright purples, greens and blues really make this paper pop with the black.  Add some orange cardstock and these papers also make great Halloween layouts.   

Here are some of the supplies you may chose from to create your pages.  

Laughing Lola Paper Pack 

 Laughing Lola Assortment

Black Hemp

As always, you may choose from one of 3 kits to order for class.  Make your choice and RSVP to me no later than Tuesday, September 3rd.   

Kit 1.  Laughing Lola Paper Pack + 2 sheets of black and 2 sheets of whisper card stock  $14.00

Kit 2.   Laughing Lola Paper Pack + 2 sheets of black and 2 sheets of whisper card stock  + Laughing Lola Assortment $20.00

Kit 3.  Laughing Lola Paper Pack + 2 sheets of black and 2 sheets of whisper card stock  + Laughing Lola Assortment + Black Hemp

If you can't make it to the workshop you may want to order the Laughing Lola Workshop on the Go.  It comes with everything you need to create the layouts, including the coordinating stamp set.  Purchase this all included workshop on my website and I will send you a complete guide with a cutting guide and instructions to complete the 2nd layout.  You my also need CTMH Black and Lagoon ink pads.  Want a deeper black.  Use Archival Black Ink.  It's permanent and stains your stamps, but looks great.   

**Remember** RSVP for class no later than Tuesday, September 3th.  

Just a Few Reasons Love Studio J.....

Have I told you before that I love Studio J?!?   Okay, I know I have, but I do.  Close to My Heart's online scrapbook program Studio J is the best and so user friendly.   

Recently I created a series of layouts for our family reunion celebrating my Grandparent's 70th Wedding Anniversary. We created a scrapbook of memories, stories and pictures from everyone in the family.  Here are the layouts I created for our family with several reason why I chose Studio J over all other digital scrapbooking programs.  Please click on each photo if you wish to see the layout more closely.   

1. First of all, Studio J has a huge selection of current and retired CTMH papers to choose from.  As well as exclusive papers you can only find on Studio J.  I used the retired Mayberry papers to create our pages.  

2. Studio J is not just for current photos taken with digital cameras.  It accepted and printed beautifully all the old photos I had.  I love how nice the old picture of my Grandparents on the 1st pages looks.  In addition to old photos, you could also scan children's drawings/artwork and add jpegs from the internet. 

 3.  I love the additional "Stickese" embellishments Studio J has to spruce up any layout.  How about that simple stitch around the boarder as well?   

 4.  It was easy to make sure each page coordinates with next using Studio J.  When creating an album with the same paper, Studio J allows you to have several layouts in a file where you can view individual thumbnails at the bottom of the screen.  Try it out to see what I mean.  

 5. Studio J now allows to you to add additional photo wells to your layouts.  That way you can add all the photos you need and personalize your layout just the way you want.  I added an extra photo to the layout below to make it just right.  Can you tell which one was added?  

 6.  I love the "Quick Title Tool"  that allows me to create titles specific to each layout.  I used the quick title tool to write Grandma and combined it with some journaling to create the perfect title.  

 7.  As well as photos, Studio J also allows you to add as many jounaling boxes as you need.  When trying to incorporate 70 memories, this came in very handy.

 8.  I love using the toggle embellishments that are automatically added to each layout you create.  You can turn them off, or use them.  I like to see them as use them as a guide for my stickease and embellishments.  

 9. Have I told you about the stickease stickers?  I know I talk about them a lot, but they are great and can easily be edited and manipulated.  See the balloon in the layout below.  I made it using the bottom of a pear and added some banners to make it look realistic. 

 10.  As you can see you can create beautiful pages using Studio J, but what makes it even better is that you can make more than one copy of each layout.  If I would have made these pages traditionally, my Grandparents would have gotten the only copy.  Using Studio J, each one my siblings can now have a copy of the layouts and the snippet of memories we put together to honor our grandparents.  Recreating these pages traditionally would take hours, with Studio J it takes just a few clicks of the mouse to order more copies.    

Studio J is every bit as rewarding as traditional scrapbooking.  Give it a try here.  

~Amy

Scrappy Creations Run Down

 As many of you know, the CTMH 2013-2014 Autumn/Winter Idea Book came out yesterday.  I have been busy thumbing through the catalog to make preparations for our upcoming Scrappy Creations class starting back up in September.  Here is a sneak peak of what we will be up to this fall.  Mark your calendars today to ensure that you can attend the class you want.  

Thursday, Sept. 12.-Lolita Workshop on the Go

Thursday, October 17- Huntington Workshop on the Go

Thursday, November 14-Christmas Card Workshop on the Go (May also provide weekend class if there is enough interest.)

Thursday, December 12-Fabric Necklace (Don't usually offer a class in December, but thought this might be a fun project to try.)  

Thursday, January 9-Frosted Workshop on the Go  

Looking forward to playing with all the products in the new Idea Book.  What is your favorite new item now available?  I like the Design Decor Colonial White Frame.    

~Amy

Last Class Until September

AHOY-Thursday, June 20 at 7PM will be our last Scrappy Creations Class of the school year until September.  Don't miss out on creating these nautical themed layouts using CTMH's Tommy Paper Pack.  These layouts would be perfect for summer picnic, summer outings or 4th of July photos.  

 What a fun cluster of embellishments!  Love these cute pinwheels and banners created using CTMH's Compliment Canvas Shapes and Baker's Twine.

 Simple, yet striking!

RSVP to attend class no later than Wednesday, June 12th. 
Choose from one of the following kits;
Kit 1- Tommy Paper Pack ($12.00)
Kit 2- Tommy Paper Pack plus Compliment Canvas Shapes ($19.00)
Kit 3- Tommy Paper Pack, Compliment Canvas Shapes and Harvest Assortments Bakers Twine ($22.50) 

**Want to save an extra $1.75, order Kit 2 and get 1/2 of the Baker's Twine for a total of $20.75.

~Amy

***Prices may vary if ordering directly from my website.   Place an order with the Tommy Paper Pack from my website and receive a free cutting guide to create these two layouts.

"Grandma hugs better than a dinosaur!"-Mother's Day Mini

 Mother's Day is tomorrow and like most years, I try to encourage the kids to make a special project for their Grandmas.  Usually we do some pinterest inspired hand print art or crafty thing.  This year is not too different, still inspired by a post on pinterest, I decided to make cute mini albums.

The first step was to cut and score a 12 x 12 sheet of card stock.  When folded together, the album will have the dimension of 4"x 5" with a 2" flap.        

 Thanks to CTMH's bright Dream Pop paper and floral B&T I able to make a fun little album.  Get this exclusive paper pack during the month of May for only $10, with your purchase of $35 or more.  Shop my website here.  

Glitter paper tabs and baker's twine was a simple touch to close the back of the album. 

I added some fun embellishments and of course cute pictures of the kids.  I love how the right flaps glued together make a fun pouch/envelope for an additional photo or journaling.  

On the two flaps that fold out, I added a fun questionnaire that each of the kids answered about their Grandma.  I mean, who doesn't love that Grandma "hugs better than a dinosaur" or that she likes it when "Grandpa gives her money."  Some the answers my kids came up with are priceless.  Hopefully Grandma will think so too.    

 Completed project with some kid created embellishments.  Make sure to also have your child add their signature to their questionnaire.  

I hope all you Moms out there have a very Happy Mother's Day!  My goal for this weekend is to take some time for myself and get some crafting finished.  I hope you are able to take some time to do something you love this weekend.   

~Amy

Cake Pops Made Simple

I have always thought cake pops were super cute and fun, but have always been kind of grossed out by the thought of smashing cake into little balls.  I know most cakes now are made in cake pop pans, but for some reason can't get over the thought.  

I wanted to make easy cake pops for my daughter's birthday, but didn't want to buy a pan, roll the cake into balls (YUCK!) or spend a ton of time making them.  Here is a quick idea to create fun cake pops in 2 simple steps using simple "Ding Dong" like cakes.

1. After placing your cakes on your choice of wax paper or a cooling rack, drizzle them with your choice of colored chocolate.  I melted the chocolate in plastic bags and simply cut a corner off.  It was so easy with very little mess.  

 2.  Next give your cake a stick and you are ready to serve them however you choose.  

I wrapped them individually for my daughter to pass out for her birthday treat at school.  They were a huge hit!   

Happy May Day!

Did April showers bring May flowers?  We are still waiting for our tulips to bloom here.  Regardless, the newest Close to My Heart paper pack "Dream Pop" is perfect to brighten any day.  Get this exclusive paper pack during the month of May for only $10 when you spend at least $35 with Close to My Heart.     

Get 12 sheets of CTMH exclusive cards stock (each sheet features a glossy resist pattern on one side) plus 2 of each 6 specially designed B&T patterned paper.  The options for creativity are endless.  You won't want to miss this great deal!    

Shop today at www.mnmscrapbooking.ctmh.com.   This offer is only good through May 31, 2013.  

May Scrappy Creations Class

 It's time to start thinking about May's Scrappy Creation class. Only two more classes before a short summer break.  Our next class will be Thursday, May 16 at 7PM.  Here are the two layouts we will be creating using the super cute and bright "Surf's Up" Workshop on the Go.  They are perfect for any summer vacation photos and give you a head start on some summer scrapping.

Surf's Up Workshop on the Go-$29.95 (Complete package with paper pack, all embellishments, stamp set and directions to complete the first layout-I will provide directions for the the 2nd layout if purchased from my website.)

Surf's Up Paper Pack-$9.95

Surf's Up Assortment-$5.95

Clear Sparkles-$2.95

Please RSVP for class, no later than Sunday, April 28th.  Be sure to include your kit choice from below, so I can have all supplies ordered in time.  Kit prices include shipping and handling, plus tax.    

Kit 1: Workshop on the Go- $35.50

Kit 2: Surf's Up Paper Pack- $12.00

Kit 3: Surf's Up Paper Pack and Assortment-$19.00

Kit 4: Surf's Up Paper Pack and Clear Sparkles-$15.00

Kit 5: Surf's Up Paper Pack, Assortment and Clear Sparkles- $22.50

***Please note prices will be different when ordering directly from my Online Business Website.