Happy New Year 2011

As you read this my family and I are on the road to our celebration destination!

This year we are celebrating the new year in another "New" State.  Last year it was New York -- This year it's New Jersey.  (I'll be sure to post some pictures when we return.)

So, have you made your New Year's Resolutions?  Will you scrap more? Make more Cards?  Spend more time with family?

It's funny, as a child I made a lot more new year resolutions than I did as an adult.  Somehow time always seem to plow by so fast, resolutions were forgotten until the year was in progress.  In 2010, I said one thing I would do would be to make my resolutions earlier, LOL.  So, in an effort to do that, here they are:

1.  Scrapbook more -- somehow life has taken me farther away from my scrapbook pages.  I love scrapbooking because I enjoy looking back over the journaling and pictures, yet in the past few years I've done more "looking over" than "putting together".

2. Make more cards -- I have been making more cards than scrapbooks, yet sadly it's not nearly enough when I need to resort to using some store bought cards.  This year I plan to finish off the store bought cards and move to only handcrafted cards.

3. Get more organized -- I already have some organizational items in place, this year I plan to continue developing things that work and finding ways to change what doesn't into something that does work.

4.Try to remember to be on the other side of the camera more often -- as I look back over our pictures, I realize I'm missing, and it's not that I wasn't there (LOL) -- I was just always on the other side of the camera.  Time to figure out how to put me into my own scrapbooks so that one day my daughter and her children can "see" I was there too.  Don't forget to put you in your scrapbooks, it's something many of us often miss.  Your family will love seeing you!

Well, that sums up my list of four...but I always think of things the day of and as the week progresses -- this year will be no different, I will continue to come up with things I want to reinforce or change, it's all tradition!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful and prosperous year!

New Year - New Books - Disneyland and Convention 2011

What am I looking forward to most now that we are entering a new year?

The holidays are over and the house has slowly returned to the normal everyday decor...so, I am looking forward to getting the new Close to My Heart Idea Book early (a bonus of being a consultant).  It's had some amazing changes this year.  We will only have 2 Idea Books a year instead of 3, but they will be packed with more pages and goodies.  I love planning projects and choosing all the items I want to get as well as being able to check out all the new papers! Don't forget to check out our "bridge" to our new Idea books -- Inspirations brochure.  Ask me how to get your copy.

What else am I looking forward to in 2011?  I signed up for my first ever Close to My Heart convention, and it's at Disneyland in Anaheim, California (woo-hoo back in my home state).  If you're not a consultant yet, sign up so you too can join in on the fun!  Contact me for more information or go to my website: stampmyart.myctmh.com

17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 16: Circle Ornament Card

Advent Cards to College Day 16 - 2010

I wanted to create a card that looks like an ornament with ornaments on it so I used the CTMH Adron-able Stamp set (D1446) on a circle card (cut with my Cricut of course).

You can find the directions to this card in my Google Documents titled: Adornable Circle Ornament Card

17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 15: A row of Snow Friends

Advent Cards to College Day 15

Interesting thing about this card.  When I first made it -- I didn't have it colored in and I liked it that way, then I thought well maybe it's too plain, so I colored it in.....oh, no!  I rethought maybe I should have left them plain.  So, time being what it is this time of year, I put it off for a few days before I went back to the beginning and started all over and made the plain one.  Well, as it turns out -- I ended up liking the colored one better, LOL.  So, now I have another to color, hehehehe...

You can find the supplies and directions to this card in with my Google Documents: Snow Friends

Only two more days of cards.  See you tomorrow with a Circle Ornament card. :)

17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 14: Hidden pull-out Tag

Advent Cards to College Day 14 - 2010

Supplies

CTMH Stamp sets: Tannenbaum (B1361) pg 43 AW IB 2010; Bird Basics (D1338) pg 41 summer 2010 IB;Winter Wonder (D1241) NLA; Feathery Flakes (D1317) NLA; Solos “C” (B1227) NLA

CTMH Exclusive Inks: Sky (Z2194), Pacifica (Z2192), Cranberry (Z2116)

SU Boho Flowers punch

CTMH Piercing Tool set

Sponge

Stapler

CTMH Vineyard Berry Grosgrain Ribbon

CTMH Cardstock: Vineyard Berry, Grey wool, Moon Struck, Sky, Colonial White

CTMH Colonial White Brads

CTMH Paper Pack Magnifique

Fiskars Border embossing/punch: All-a-Fluer

Traditional A2 Card with opening at top

17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 13: Snow Days Shaker Card

Advent Cards to College Day 13 - 2010

Supplies

CTMH Stamp Sets: Snow Days (C1420) pg 23 AW Idea Book, Snow Flurries (D1384) pg 41 AW Idea Book

CTMH Exclusive Inks: Spring Iris & Black

CTMH Card Stock: Spring Iris & White Daisy

CTMH White Daisy Grosgrain ribbon

Fine Sandpaper 220 grit

Martha Steward Mica

Chunky Glitter (mix with the mica to create the snow)

Foam strips to create the pocket area for the shaker part of the card

Terrifically Tacky Tape

Piece of plastic to create window area

Cuttlebug embossing folder

17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 12: Pull Out Tag

Advent Cards to College Day 12 – 2010

Supplies
CTMH paper pack Magnifique, Colonial White CS, Sky CS, Vineyard Berry CS, Grey Wool CS, (scrap) Moonstruck CS,
CTMH Vineyard Berry grosgrain ribbon
CTMH Exclusive Inks: Vineyard Berry, Sky, & Pacifica
CTMH Stamp sets: Bird Basics (D1338, page 41, Summer 2010 IB), Feathery Flakes (D1317, NLA), Tannenbaum (B1361, pg 43 Autumn/Winter 2010), Winter Wonder (D1241, NLA), Solos “C” (B1227, NLA)
Fiskars border punch/emboss: All a-fleur
Stapler: color your staples with a sharpie to blend in with the project
Piercing tool and pad
Sponge
Cricut Cartridge: Accent Essentials, page 79
Boho Flowers SU punch
Colonial White Brads
A post it or some other sticky to create a mask


For printable complete supplies and directions you can get them at my Google Documents: Pull Out Tag Card

See you tomorrow for Card 13!

17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 11: Jingle Tree

Advent Cards to College Day 11 - 2010

Today is another card that had caught my eye from the CTMH website.  Although the decorative papers are no longer available for purchase, I love the pretty blue hues in the Jingle paper packet.  …And it was sitting here in my stash just waiting for some love.

Other supplies used were the chocolate grosgrain ribbon, pewter brads, and gems.  I used a white Gel pen to create faux stitching and a Stampin’ Up punch for the ornament.  Since it was the picture that caught my attention I didn’t go looking for the directions or supplies, I just created the card with a 6”x6” card base and went from there.

I can’t believe we are doing day 11 already!

17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 10: All the Best Wishes

Advent Cards to College Day 10 - 2010

Today is another card created by CTMH consultant Jean.  I love the way she brought all the greens together.  Normally I'm not a real big "green" fan -- but this card is just gorgeous in person. :)  This is again using the CTMH Level 2 Mistletoe Paper pack.  What a great way to combine the green side of the snowflake papers from the pack with the cuttlebug dry embossing folder!  It looks so sharp -- what you don't see well from the picture though is the tiny little sparkles to add just a touch of glitz to this card in the lower corner of the sentiment and on the ornament.  Cardstock used: Colonial White and Olive.

Tomorrow -- back to self-created cards with recipes. :)  see you then!

17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 9: Dahlia Fold

Advent Cards to College Day 9 - 2010

Today's card is also designed by another CTMH Consultant (Jean) at the Christmas Card Extravaganza we had back in September.  Isn't it fantastic how a few circles can turn into such a beautiful flower!

This card uses the CTMH Mistletoe Level 2 paper pack (Fall 2010) and Colonial White CS.  My favorite papers in this pack are the red snowflakes, used here in this Dahlia fold card, and the green musical notes.  Card base is 5.5"x4.25"

17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 8: Snowflakes

Advent Cards to College Day 8 - 2010

Today is another card from a workshop -- the Christmas Extravaganza we had back in September.

I cannot take credit for the design -- that was Crystal, but it was a fun card to make.  I love the Sky Blue used on this card (new color this season).  Another new thing this season is the stamp set used -- C1428, Ice Cyrstals: I just love snowflakes!  This is such a cool stamp set -- the snowflake over to the far right is a built it yourself snowflake.  ...and what a great sentiment to add for that someone special!  Supplies are simple besides the inks and stampset -- just some White Daisy cardstock to create a 5.5"x4.25" base and the one inch squares for the 3 snowflakes.  Add some gems and you have a simple card with a lot of sparkle and pizazz!

17 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 7: Mittens

 Advent Cards to College Day 7 - 2010

Wow, I thought I had posted this card and then I see I never actually finished the post.  oooops!

So, anyway today's card is one I made with hmmmmm....supplies I'm not sure, I made it at a workshop, so I don't actually know the sizes or papers used today.  Sorry.  I can say that the mittens were made using an oval punch and the bird punch set from Stampin' Up.  You could probably do two ovals on the Cricut for similar results though.  It's such a cute wintery card you can use it for Christmas or just winter. :)  The card is your basic 5.5"x4.25 card base.

17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 6: Heartfelt Christmas Tree

Advent Card to College Day 6

(Sorry about the picture -- I had already mailed off the card before I realize there was glare on the right side there.)


Supplies & Cutting Directions
BASE 5" x 7" - CTMH New England Ivy (I used older CTMH paper that was textured and each side a different shade of the same color.  It matches with the New England Ivy on one side, but the other side is a much lighter color of green -- I miss those papers, I've been saving them in my stash for a special occasion -- what's more special than my daughter! :) )  You will have to cut a lighter shade of green to 2" x 7"
Barn Red CS - 2.25" x 4"
Colonial White CS - 2.25" x 4"
CTMH  Stamp Set: Heartfelt Christmas (C1378 from Fall 2009)
CTMH Exclusive Inks: New England Ivy & Vanilla Cream
CTMH Exclusive Inks Marker: Watermelon
Zig-Zag Corner trimmer by EK Success
CTMH Glitz (Stardust) Liquid Glitter
6 eyelets
Paper trimmer with scoring blade or some type of scoring system
Pop Dots -- the extra tall version

Crop-a-dile or some way to set your eyelets.

Assembly Directions
1. Stamp sentiment in lower left corner of card base with the Vanilla Cream.
2. Using your scoring blade or bone folder, score every 1/4" on the 2" x 7" piece (see picture for direction of score marks) - sponge lightly with the New England Ivy across the ridges created from scoring.  Attach to card base with the 6 eyelets and your Crop-a-dile (or eyelet setter).
3. Stamp tree using New England Ivy on both the Barn Red and the Colonial White pieces.  Cut out the tree from the Colonial White piece (cut off the dots, only leave the tree).  Color in hearts.
4. Use corner rounder on the Barn Red piece, then attach to slightly off center towards right on card base.
5. Now apply Glitz to color in the dots on the Barn Red Piece.
6. Put tall pop dots on cut out tree and attach direction over the barn red piece, then apply Glitz to all the dots on the tree as well.

17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 5: Oh, Tannenbaum

Advent Cards to College Day 5 - 2010

You can't really see it well from the picture (you have to look very close) but the entire tree is pierced with the paper piercing tool -- it looks cool in person, especially since it's raised off the surface to help the light shine through.  However, today's card is not my own creation.


Today's card is actually from the CTMH website video -- Art & Soul^®: Stencil, Sparkle, and Shine and can be found at:  http://stampmyart.myctmh.com/MyCTMH/CTMHTV.aspx  -- once there, you can watch the video, it's a little later on in the program, and just below that there is a link to see the materials used (including the Wishes Card Confidence Program).

If you need any supplies to create your card be sure to check my CTMH site where you can shop on line any time, and remember this month is Plenty for $20 special.  Make any $20 purchase on my website and get a FREE stamp set -- yes, you read that correctly -- a FREE stamp set.  Here are the details:

Place an order of $20 or more* on your Consultant’s MyCTMH website from December 1–31, 2010, and we’ll reward you with a popular, retired D-size stamp set for FREE! Talk about getting more for your money—the free stamp set is valued at $22.95 US / $26.95 CAN! We’re sure you’ll be thrilled with the set we pick out for you. We’re also giving you FREE shipping/handling and tax on your free stamp set. That’s a lot of Plenty for your Twenty! Grab Plenty for Twenty in December by visiting your Consultant’s MyCTMH website and making a qualifying purchase today!

See you tomorrow with a new card for Advent Cards to College Day 6!

17 Days of CTMH Christmas Cards - Day 4: Snow Friends

Advent Cards to College Day 4 - 2010

Sending a Christmas card each day my daughter is away at PSU.  We are up to day 4.  She'll be coming home on the 17th, so follow me through each day as I make a new card.  At the end I have a special surprise that I've made for my daughter (so she has somewhere to keep all the cards).  You'll have to wait since I don't want to spoil her surprise. :)

Today's card was inspired by Jeanette Lynton.  I saw this lovely card on the CTMH website and just had to make it for my daughter (well something very similar since I couldn't find the measurements and directions; it's not saying they're not out there somewhere, I was just in a hurry to beat the postal carrier to the mailbox, LOL).

Supplies
CTMH Stamp Sets: Snow Friends (D1244), January Word Puzzle (D1268), & Spot On Backgrounds (D1280)
CTMH CS: White Daisy, Cocoa, Desert Sand, Juniper
CTMH Exclusive Inks: Juniper, Cocoa

CTMH Ribbon: White (Grosgrain) & Hollyhock
CTMH sanding kit
CTMH Brads: Pewter & Basic Collections
CTMH Glitz Stardust Liquid Glitter
Cricut Cartridge: When it's Cold Outside (2009-2010)
Cuttle Bug Embossing Folder: Ice Crystals

From Base up
Card base is 5.5" x 5.5"
Juniper layer is 5.25" x 5.25" and is embossed with the Ice Crystals, then sanded
Desert Sand layer is 5.25" x 3.5"
White Daisy is 5.25" x 1 5/8"
Juniper is 5.25" x 1.25" and is stamped with Juniper using the Spot On Backgrounds
Cocoa Layer is 2.75" x 2.75"
Daisy White Layer is 2.5" x 2.5 and is stamped in Cocoa with the Snow Friends and sponged with Coca, color as desired.
Use Cricut to cut snowflakes.  Attach snowflakes with the brads and put two brads on the snowman's belly for his buttons, then assemble card as shown.  Finally, apply Glitz to the brads (except the snowman).

17 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 3

Advent Cards to College Day 3 - 2010

Day three and time for a new card to send off to my daughter.  Today's card uses "A Sip" stamp set (just released this season) and B&T papers from the Magnifique Paper Packet.  It's a 3-fold card but the top part doesn't meet the bottom, instead there is a small overlay that creates the balance needed to finish off the card.

You could even enclose a hot chocolate packet or tea bag to top off the great saying.

Supplies
CTMH Colonial White CS 5.5” x 8.5” score at 2.5” from one end and 2” from other end
CTMH Colonial White CS 3.25” x 3.25” & 1” x 2.5”
CTMH Pacifica CS 5.5” x 1.5”
CTMH Magnifique B&T duo Paper 3” x 3” & 2.5” x 5.5”
Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon 6.5”
Fiskars Threading Water border punch
CTMH (New Fall 2010) A Sip stamp set (A1109)
CTMH Exclusive Inks: Moonstruck & Chocolate
Sponge
CTMH piercing tool and mat
CTMH 4mm Brads from Metal Collection (Z1217)
1 sticky note to create a mask
Adhesive

You can find and print the complete directions (including a different picture angle) at Modified Top Flap in my Google Documents.

17 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 2

Advent Cards to College Day 2 - 2010

It's day two of the Advent Card adventure! Today's card uses Close to My Heart's October Stamp of the Month Magic Moments and B & T papers from the Mistletoe Paper Packet.

Supplies
CTMH: Mistletoe Paper pack (level 2), ribbon – I used Hollyhock Twill, Liquid Glass, Brown Bag
and Tulip Exclusive Inks, Share the Magic Stamp Set – D1443 (SOTM – October)
Others: Martha Stewart Pine Branch Punch, Chalks, Adhesive, Glue Dots

The directions and supplies can be found in printable form at Window to Rudolph Cards Google Document.

17 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 1

Advent Cards to College Day 1 - 2010

Time to start a new school year of Advent Cards.  Those of you following me last year might remember it was my daughter's first year of being away at college.  This, then led my daughter to the realization that she would not be able to participate in the yearly Advent Calendar.  Life changes and you have to find ways to change with it.  So began our new plan:  I decided I would make cards and send them to her every day.  For the entire time she is at college during the month of December I send a card for each day. ...and so started the new custom of Advent Cards.

Today I sent off the first card, it's one I actually posted earlier -- you can find it at this link: Old World Santa. 

I will post a new card tomorrow.  Today's picture is of my beautiful daughter from her 19th birthday back in September when we went up to visit her for the weekend.