"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.  

Hurry! Only a Few Hours Left.....

There are only a few more hours left to get your Studio J layouts for only $5.00.  That is only $2.50 per page.  This offer is good until 12PM mountain time today, March 15th.  Get started now and order your layouts today.   Here are a few of my favorites I created.   

Click on the Studio J link here to get started!

Don't Waste the Chantilly Elements

I had a great time creating several Clean and Simple Cards for this weeks Heart 2 Heart Challenge.  For the following two cards I decided to use the remaining Chantilly Dimensional Elements I had left over from my Scrappy Creations Class.  It was fun to play around and see what I could create with out a stamped image.  Remember, the zip strip with phrases on them make great card sentiments.    

This 2nd card turned out pretty.  I love how clean and crisp it looks.  It just goes to show that a stamped sentiment and a few chipboard elements are all you need with this pretty Chantilly paper.  

Beauty, Love, Home

Close to my Heart's February Stamp of the Month was just what I needed to make this clean and simple card for this weeks Heart 2 Heart Challenge.  Think it will make the perfect anniversary card.  Don't you just love the new Chantilly papers?   They are so light and airy, plus all the patterns go so well together.    

 Remember, only a few days to get this cute stamp set.  Purchase it for only $5 when you spend $50 or more on Close to My Heart Products.  Or get it for full retail price of $17.95.  This stamp set is only available until the end of February.  Shop Now!

Just in Time for Spring

March's Scrappy Creations Class is just around the corner.  We will be creating these two cute springy layouts using CTMH's New Chantilly Paper Pack and Dimensional Elements on Thursday, March 14th at 7PM.  

Chose from the following kits;

Kit 1: Chantilly Paper Pack-$12.00

Kit 2: Chantilly Paper Pack, plus the Chantilly Dimensional Elements-$17.50

you may also choose to add Clear Sparkles or Pink/Red/Purple Sparkles for an additional $3.50

or

the New Pink Glitter Gems for $4.50

RSVP for class no later than Friday, March 1st. 

***Prices will vary when ordering directly from my website.  For above kit prices, RSVP and order directly from me. 

Mamma Mia!

Another birthday has come and gone and our children seem to keep growing faster and faster.  

This party was a fun Mario Kart Racing Theme Party.  The cake table turned out cute with a Mario Cupcake Cake,  racing flags and "brick" wrapped juice boxes.  The house was decorated with racing flags, gold coins (yellow paper plates), green paper pipes, paper stars, paper mushrooms, and paper brick squares to look like a "Super Mario Brothers World."

  About 150 mini-cupcakes created this fun Pinterest inspired Mario cake.

 I was worried I would go a little crazy making so many cupcakes.  Thanks to my William and Sonoma pancake "squirter" making the cupcakes was a cinch and not too messy.

 As the party started the kids need to prepare for the big race.  First they had to earn their mustaches like Mario by trying their best to pin the mustache on Mario.  

Everyone did a good job!

Second the kids practiced racing jumps with a hot wheel ramp.

 Unfortunately the racing track was infested with Goombas.  The kids had to kick, pop and get rid of them, so the track would be ready for the race.

 Lastly before the big race the kids had to break open the "Chain Dog"  so he wouldn't get them during the race.  Luckily there was candy in him.  

 We finally made it the big race.  Using "hippity hoppities"  the kids race around an indoor obstacle course.  It was a great race and a great party.  

 

Hugs and Kisses

CTMH's "Whoo's Your Valentine" stamp set was perfect for my Valentine's Cards this year.  Three stamped images, some random stamped hearts and a few flags using Close to my Heart's new silver glitter paper, helped to create this super cute card.

 In addition to the card the kids helped me make some "hugs" and "kisses" to put into the cards we are sending to the grandparents.  They were fun to make, especially the kisses.  What little girl doesn't love putting on bright red lipstick making kiss marks?  Even I got in on the fun.

This card is perfect for this week's Heart to Heart Challenge.  Make sure you stop by and see all the great love inspired artwork.