Happy Fall!

Fall is here and the days are sunny and cool, and the nights are even cooler.  This time of year is one of my favorites and brings about lots of happpy memories.  Its the beginning of changing leaves, pretty mums, pumpkins, apples, baking,  halloween and the start of the holiday season. 

I love baking and giving fall treats to family and friends.  This "You are Sweet" card is simple and sweet and perfect to add to a freshly baked loaf of pumpkin bread or plate Halloween cookies.  I used reverse paper piecing to add a punch of colors beneath the stars.   

 The cute stamped images are from the "Pair-a-Phrase"  Double Stamp Set from Close to My Heart, only available until the end of September.  Purchase $75 dollars of CTMH product on my CTMH website and recieve this adorable stamp set for free.  Check out all the possibilities below.  Great for every season!  
More great Cardstock only creations on the Heart to Heart Challenge, here.

~Amy

My Brush with Fame

In the CTMH scrapbooking world, Jeanette Lynton is the founder and creator of all things beautiful and Close to My Heart.  Her Blog, http://www.jeanettelynton.com is something I check and follow on a regular basis.  I love her tips and ideas.  She is wonderful.

At the end of August, she had a simple question and answer contest, in which she was going to pick 10 of her favorite questions to answer.  Because she got so many, she decided to make September Q & A month.  For each question she chose, the questioner would receive a free stamp set of their choice. 

Guess what!?!?!   My question was featured on today's blog post.  I was giddy and honored that Jeannette would choose to answer my question.  Now, lucky me,  I get the chance to pick any CTMH stamp set.  I am leaning toward the Rustic Alphabet, but am not quite sure.   Any suggestions?  Which stamp set would you choose? 

~Amy 

Layout in 30 Minutes or Less

Great tips and ideas from this month's Love Your Layout with Studio J.  Use the tips and techniques to create a layout in less than 30 minutes.  Make sure you check it out!  I love the way the creator used the blank space on the large photo.  What inspired you? 

~Amy

Summer Moments with Studio J.

Just wanted to share a few new layouts I created with Studio J, using the new paper packs from Close to My Hearst 2011 Autumn/Winter Idea Book.  These layouts were so easy to create and only took me a few minutes to create (well maybe a little longer, but just an hour or so while the kids napped).  I was able to capture special memories from this summer almost immediately.  

The layout below was created using Sonoma papers and the pre made Picture Perfect Kit from Studio J.  I used the Stickease Embellishments within Studio J to create the title, flower and button embellishments. 

This layout was created using the Elemential paper and the Studio J premade kit called Close Up.  I love how the blue buttons and letters add a bright splash of color to this layout.  The word PIZZA was created using an individual title square for each letter. 

Try out the new papers and see just how fun creating scrapbook layouts online can be.  Click here to start now!

~Amy

P.S. Click on the image to make it larger. 

September "Scrappy Creations" Class

The next "Scrappy Creations" Class will be Thursday, September, 15th at 7PM

Please RSVP No later then Monday, September 5th.

We will be using the very Autumn looking paper pack "Dreamin," to complete at least 5 different cards.

Dreamin Level 2 Paper Pack (X7142B-$9.95) 

The cost for this class ranges from $15 to $25 dollars depending on which kit you would like.

Basic Kit:  $15.00

Create 5 cards-(Supplies include)

3 Dreamin’ B&T Papers

5 Kraft Cards and Envelopes (6x6 cards with die cut scalloped flap)

1 yard Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Scalloped Kraft Card and Envelope (Z1474-$6.95)

 Better than Basic Kit $25

Create 10 Cards-(Supplies include)

6 Dreamin’ B&T Papers

10 Kraft Cards and Envelopes

2 yards of Stripe Grosgrain Ribbon

Harvest Charm Embellishment Pack

Harvest Charm Embellishment Pack (Z1633-4.95) 

**Don’t want the Harvest Charm Embellishment Pack?  For $20 you can get the Better than Basic Kit without the the charms.) 

Buy Supplies Individually (Can be used toward total purchase for rewards)

X7142B Dreamin’Level 2 Paper Pack  $9.95

Z1474 10 Kraft Cards and Envelopes $6.95

Z1617 5 yards of Grosgrain Ribbon $6.95

Z1633 Harvest Charms Embellishment Pack $4.95

C1465 Stamp Set “Unscripted”  $13.95

Z1483 Bronze Glitz Gel $2.75

RSVP as soon as you are able.  The last day to sign up for this class is Monday, September 5th. 

~Amy

Freshly Sharpened Pencils

Call me weird, but I love the smell of freshly sharpened pencils almost as much as I love the smell of a new of paper pack from CTMH.  Am I the only one out there that does?   Okay maybe I am, but nothing reminds me more of Back to School than a row a freshly sharpened pencils.  For this week's Back to School Challenge at Heart 2 Heart, I paper pieced a row of pencils, using Sunflower, Creme Brulee, Grey Wool and Blush Card Stock.  I added Outdoor Denim B&T Paper, Cranberry Cardstock and added accent apples to give it some color. 

The cover and sketch from Card Ideas for Paper Crafters  that I ran across at http://www.moxiefabworld.com/ inspired me to create my "pencil" card. 

Happy Back to School!!!

~Amy

Crop Night and Other Info

Crop Night

Thursday, August 25 at 7PM

Bring your own projects and enjoy an evening of crafting and fun.

Gets lots accomplished and use any of my stamp sets, inks and/or Cricut supplies. 

Please bring a friend.  

Message me if you would like to come so I can make sure I have enough table space for you 

 Scrappy Creations Club will be meeting on Thursday, September 15 at 7PM.  

Will be creating beautiful cards and/or a layout using the new Dreamin' Paper Pack seen below. 

Class prices range from $15 (Basic Kit)-$25 (Basic Plus Kit)  

Let me know by Friday, August 26 if you would like to attend this class.  I will send you more info via email.  You will need you to prepay for the the class by the beginning of September.   

 Don't have time to attend the crop or the class, Shop Online.  The new catalog is available to order online and has a great selection of new papers and embellishments, including the new Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge.  Plus there are some amazing deals to take advantage of.  Purchase August's "Witchy" Stamp of the Month for only $5 when making of a purchase of $50 dollars or more. 

 In addition receive a Free Bonus Alphabet Stamp Set when you purchase the Stamp of the month. 

 Spend $20 more for a total of $75 and receive this cute "Double" Stamp Set....FREE.  That is and exceptional value in which you will  receive $40 plus dollars in Close to My Heart Exclusive Acrylix Stamp Sets, Free.  Don't Miss Out! 

Online ordering is now more affordable than ever.  Shipping rates are now equivalent to when ordering directly from me.  Hostess Rewards may now be collected on orders from one person.  Hostess rewards cannot be collected from online orders, so let me know if you plan to order $150 or more so I can help you earn FREE hostess rewards.  

Hope so see you this coming Thursday.  Love Crop Nights! Love to see everyones' projects!
~Amy

Scrappin' it Old School

Remember this old CTMH paper pack, "Birthday Bash"?   Last week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge entailed creating a card, layout etc. centered around a child's birthday.  I immediately thought of this paper pack I purchased ages ago and never used.  The colors went right along with my son's Construction Birthday Party, so I was inspired to finally create a birthday layout for him. 

I wanted to add a dump truck on the first page, but didn't have any stickease, cricut cartridges or anything simple to use that had a dump truck.  I was tempted to just put a picture of his birthday cake in the corner  (see picture here), but was up for a challenge, so decided to try to make one myself.  I was very pleased with how it turned out.  I found a simple line drawing of dump truck at http://www.crayola.com/ and simply paper pieced it together.  I also used some simple stickease stickers to add some more dimension on the wheels and cut small strips to add to the truck.  Not too shabby!

  I also used colorful paper clips to add some ribbon embellishments.

Flags cut out of stickease labels.  Did you know cornstarch works perfectly to remove the "sticky" off the back of stickease stickers? 

Glad to have used one more paper pack in my stash!  I am on the road to recovery.  No longer am I a "hoarder", but a "user" of my supplies!  Thanks Heart 2 Heart for giving me the inspiration....even though I am a week late.  ;o)

~Amy

"Racoons"

Wanted to share one of my recent Studio J layouts and a fun idea for a summer science experiment.  Earlier this summer, the kids and I "grew" butterflies.  It was a great experiment and so fun for the kids to watch them grow from tiny caterpillars to butterflies.  It happened so quickly that the kids didn't loose interest and were so excited when the butterflies finally emerged from their chrysalis'. 

 Unfortunately, my camera broke mid-butterfly growing and I had to make due with a cheap disposable camera.  You can definitely tell the difference between the "good" digital pictures and those taken on the disposable camera.  Even though my pictures weren't perfect, I still wanted to make a layout to document this fun experiment and to remember the fun we had studying them.  The point being, even with bad pictures, the layout still looks good and will be fun to look back on regardless.  I have enjoyed Studio J, because it has allowed me to scrap and document memories immediately.  My journaling has more detail and contains fun antidotes that I might not remember if I waited.   

~Amy

Fun with Flowers

I have had a fun time this week using the bright and flowery Sophia paper pack from CTMH.  It is funny how inspiration hits you and this week it seemed that each project led me to the next project.    

First I made this 3-D "R" for my daughter's room.  I found this cute "R" at Hobby Lobby several months ago and have been wanting to embellish it using the Sophia papers.  I love the fluffy flowers and although you can't really see it I added some "bling" to give it a little sparkle.   

 Next I saw this sketch on this weeks Heart to Heart Challenge.  Makes sure to go to the link and check out all the other awesome artwork inspired by this sketch. 

 I liked those flowers from the "R" so much I thought one would make a nice anchor for those 3 stripes. 

 The flower is a nice 3-D embellishment, but not too bulky that it can't be flattened and mailed in a card.  I used this tutorial by Fancy Melissa to create this flower.  The tutorial is for a carnation.  I decided to just use the first layer of the carnation and add a button for the center.   

After creating that card, I then had the idea to make the stripes stems of flowers and flip the card.  At first I was going to use the "fluffy" flower, but that was a little too much so I create simple circle and button flowers.  The hand stitching really helped to finish this card.   

I am always happy when inspiration hits and like how my cards and "R" turned out.  It was a good day for crafting!  

~Amy