Saturday, February 6, 2016

2016 Spring Retreat

Join us for another fantastic weekend getaway in Canmore, Alberta! Scrapbook and papercraft to your hearts' content for 3 glorious days! We'll be staying at the Best Western Pocaterra - a fantastic location with great amenities and service! 

The dates are Friday, April 29th to Sunday, May 1st, 2016


Registration is $235 (based on double occupancy, $345 for single occupancy) and includes: 
- TIME FOR YOU!!- a fantastic goody bag
- prizes
- access to 'tool table' (including punches, Cricut, Big Shot, Cuttlebug) (Note: use of the Cricut will require your own cutting mat OR a $2 fee for use of our mats for the weekend). 
- deluxe continental breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings
- catered lunches on Saturday and Sunday
- coffee, tea and water
- some snacks & soft drinks
- standard guest room 
- access to hotel amenities including pool, waterslide and hot tub
- high speed internet access
- unlimited access to our fantastic, well-lit crop space (4pm Friday to 4pm Sunday)
- consultants from Close to My Heart & Creative Memories on site for assistance.   We will also carry a small inventory of product for your shopping convenience.

$100 deposit required to register - you will be contacted for payment once your registration is confirmed. Remaining balance is due on March 29th.

Cancellations & refunds available until March 29th.

TO REGISTER: Email me csironside@shaw.ca on Saturday February 20th at 9pm (emails before this time will be disregarded).

IMPORTANT NOTES: 
Registrations (and waiting list) will be taken in the order that emails are received. Note: Maximum of FOUR registrants per email. Please indicate in your email who you'd like to room with (if anyone).

Single occupancy means ONE person in the room - - if you are planning on bringing family/non-scrapbookers, they must book an additional room directly with the hotel.   Please email me with any questions!

Friday, March 20, 2015

Canmore Spring Retreat - Spots remaining!

Join me for another fantastic weekend getaway in Canmore, Alberta! Scrapbook and papercraft to your hearts' content for 3 glorious days! We'll be staying at the Best Western Pocaterra - a fantastic location with great amenities and service! 

The dates are Friday, April 24th to Sunday, April 26th, 2015.

Registration is $235 (based on double occupancy, $335 for single occupancy) and includes: 

- a fantastic goody bag
- prizes
- access to 'tool table' (including punches, Cricut, Big Shot, Cuttlebug) (Note: use of the Cricut will require your own cutting mat OR a $2 fee for use of our mats for the weekend). 
- deluxe continental breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings
- catered lunches on Saturday and Sunday
- coffee, tea and water
- some snacks & soft drinks
- standard guest room 
- access to hotel amenities including pool, waterslide and hot tub
- high speed internet access
- unlimited access to our fantastic, well-lit crop space 
- consultants from Close to My Heart on site for assistance.   We will also carry a small inventory of product for your shopping convenience.


Only a few spots remaining - EMAIL me to register ASAP!!



Monday, February 9, 2015

Clearance items - going fast!

Hey peeps!  My recent garage sale was a huge success and I cleared out tons of stuff - but my hoarding problem is bigger than I thought - - I still have stuff left!   I've been posting on the items on Facebook as I have time to photograph & upload them - so be sure to check that out.   Check in my photo albums - the albums called "Clearance Sale - Batches #1, 2 & 3"!!    Everything from stamps to paper to embellishments, tools and more!

https://www.facebook.com/carlacreates




Thursday, January 15, 2015

GARAGE SALE - CALGARY


DON’T MISS IT!   WE ARE CLEARING OUT OUR INVENTORIES!   TONS OF GREAT PRODUCT AT ROCK-BOTTOM CLEARANCE PRICES!   IT ALL HAS TO GO!!

Including new & retired:  Creative Memories, Close to My Heart, Lia Sophia, Partylite, Epicure, and tons of other crafty & creative stuff from various brand-name manufacturers, and even some handmade stuff too!

Come pick up some great deals – buyers will be entered to win some great prizes & giveaways!


Sale attendees will also be given first chance to register for the next Calgary Crops weekend retreat in Canmore being held April 24 – 26th.   (Online registration will begin February 1stemail me for details).

Monday, December 1, 2014

December CTMH Specials - Cyber Monday & More!

Happy December!! CTMH is having a great one-day only Cyber Monday deal -- all of our amazing Cricut collections are 20% off!! Don't miss out - each of these cartridges (Art Philosophy, Artbooking, Artiste, and Artfully Sent) will provide you with endless creative possibilities. If there is one or more that you've had your eye on - now is the time to get it (sale available by ordering online today by midnight PST or sending me an email by 11pm PST so that I have time to get your order in!) 








Not only that - here's what else is happening today that you will want to know about:


1) Our brand new Seasonal Expressions (mini catalogue) debuts today - some great new paper packs, stamps, embellies & kits. All available for a limited time only. Be sure to check it out - fully viewable/printable PDF on my website. 


2) The Deal of the Decade starts today - with every $50 order you qualify to buy C or D sized stamp sets from the Annual Inspirations book for just $10 each - no limit on quantity!! 


3) Our stamp of the month for December is "Cutie Pie" - an adorable cupcake themed set for just $5 with every $50 purchase. 


So how's that for a great way to start the month - - great Christmas shopping for the crafty girls in your life - - or maybe a little early present for yourself 

Let me know if you have any questions!!


SHOP HERE


Thursday, November 20, 2014

DIY Christmas Cards

Here we are at mid-November . . . you know what that means - time to start thinking about Christmas cards!    I know not everyone mails cards anymore for the holidays - but I still do!   Despite the outrageous cost of postage - I just love the tradition of it and look forward to the weeks before the Christmas when we open the mailbox each day to find news from our friends and family afar!   Even if you don't send out mass quantities of holiday cards - I encourage you to send handwritten greetings to at least a few very special people - it means so much more than an email!!

So with that in mind, I wanted to give you some great options for beautiful & easy holiday cards.   I know some of you design your own cards & that is great - but I get tons of queries every year about 'kits' as a lot of people just don't have the time during this busy season to create multiple cards from scratch.   So here are my top recommendations this year:

1)   CTMH's Cut Above Holiday Card Kits:



Pair either kit above with the Merriest Christmas Stamp Set (B1468) - $10.95Cdn to complete the greetings on your cards (I recommend stamping in red (ruby or cranberry) or black ink):


One of my finished Cut Above cards & pre-printed envelope:

Each Cut Above card kit contains the materials for you to make 10 cards (5"x7" size!!).   Embellishments include glitter trims and papers, twine, die-cut shapes, foam tape, etc.    I love these cards and they literally come together in MINUTES!!!!  So easy & so cute!   One stamp set gives you four different holiday greetings to choose from in gorgeous, trendy font styles.     As the cards are 5"x7" size you can easily fit a photo inside your card/envelope to send with your greetings.      Buy the one stamp set & then as many multiples of the card kit as you need depending on how many cards you plan to send out this year.  

2)  CTMH's Snowhaven Cardmaking Workshop on the Go:


The Snowhaven Cardmaking Workshop on the Go kit (G1085) - $27.50 Cdn, is the perfect option if you'd like to spend a little more time & effort creating your Christmas works-of-art because you enjoy the process & want to learn new techniques.    Each kit contains the materials & accessories, as well as the stamp set needed to create 15 beautiful cards (5 each of the 3 designs shown above).     You will also need red, blue and grey inks to complete your cards (Cranberry, Glacier, and Slate are recommended to complete the cards exactly as shown).    Completed cards are standard 4.25" x 5.5" size.    Kit includes a full-colour workshop instructional guide!!   Easy to complete at home on your own in just a few hours!

3)   Go digital this year with CTMH's Studio J!!   

(See my post HERE on how-to with step-by-step instructions and photos!!)

Here are the cute cards I did last year:

Each Studio J layout is two 12x12 sheets (high quality photo printing!).   My cards were 5"x7" size - so I was able to fit four per sheet or 8 cards per 'layout'.    If your cards were smaller - you could obviously fit more.  

Until November 30th - you can order Studio J layouts for $5 (plus tax & shipping).   That's only $0.63 for each 5"x7" photo card!    (After November 30th - regular pricing applies - $7.75 Cdn per each 2 page layout or $0.97 per card).

Need envelopes for your photo cards!?!?  You can order those HERE.

Hope that gives you some ideas!!   Not too late to add a little 'handmade' to your holidays this year!!  With every order placed either online at my WEBSITE or via email by November 30th - you'll be entered into my draw for a $25 CTMH gift certificate.    One entry for every $25 spent.   Good luck!


Friday, November 14, 2014

Custom Holiday Photo Cards

Make your own custom photo greeting cards (perfect for Christmas!) in CTMH's Studio J!

Here are the cards I made last year:

Here is how-to make your own:
Each Studio J layout is two 12x12 sheets (high quality photo printing!).   My cards are 5"x7" size - so I was able to fit four per sheet or 8 cards per 'layout'.    If your cards were smaller - you could obviously fit more.  

1)   Go to my website carlaironside.ctmh.com & click on "Products" then "Studio J Online Scrapbooking".  

2)  Click "Enter Now" and either login or create a new account if your are a new user.

3)  On the welcome screen, click "Create a New Project" & then name your project when prompted.

4)  Click the uploading button to select the photo(s) you want to add to your holiday cards.

5)  Then select "Create your own Custom Layout".

6)  You'll now be asked to select your paper kit.   At the top you can choose to filter the kits - select "Holiday".   Then select which paper collection you'd like to use on your cards.    The one I used above is called "Sparkle & Shine".   Others I would recommend are Snowhaven, Pear & Partridge, Mistletoe, Jingle, Believe, Evensong, Frosted . . .  so many great choices.  (To select it, either double click on it or click once on it and then click "Continue" at the bottom).

7)  You'll now be asked to choose the layout pattern - select the "NO LIMITS" pattern.

8)   Select a Kit Mix - - these are blank for the "No Limits" pattern - so it doesn't matter here whether you choose 1,2, or 3.  Just pick one and continue.

9)  Now you have a blank canvas to start creating your cards.   On the left select "Text & Photo Areas".   Then drag the "Journaling Area" box onto your blank layout.   An editing box will appear.   In the editing box - size your card (my cards are 5"x7" - so that is the size I input in the boxes).  


Click on the text in the journaling box to highlight it and press your space bar to delete it.
Drag the journaling box to place it flush with one of the corners of your layout.   Click on the "Copy" and "Paste" buttons at the top.  This will create another identical journaling box.   Drag it to another corner of the layout to place it.    Repeat for all of your horizontally placed cards (see above - there are 4 horizontal & 4 vertical).   To create the vertical ones - click Copy & Paste again then use the rotation tool (round arrow on corner of box) to turn the box sideways & place as needed.  

When you have all 8 journaling boxes (cards) created -  your layout will look like this - with two small unused squares of space in the centre of each layout.

10)   Next click on the paper tab on the left.   Select any of the papers shown and drag and drop to fill the background of your cards.


11)  Now is time to add your photo boxes.   On the left click on "Text & Photo Areas".  For each card, drag the "Photo Area" box wherever you want to place your photo.    You can use the editing box as needed to size the photo area, add a photo mat, choose photo mat colour, etc.    I used 3.5" x 5" photo areas with 1/8" photo mats.   (Once you've done the first photo area - you can copy and paste using the top buttons to create your remaining photo areas and just drag/rotate onto the cards as needed).


12)  Now select "Photos" on the left and drag and drop your photos onto the photo areas on each card.

13)  Now is time to decorate your cards.    Select either embellishments (buttons, ribbons, etc.) or My Stickease on the left.   Use the drop down menu to select the type of embellishment.  You can drag/drop, resize, rotate all embellishments as needed to customize your cards.   You can also find holiday quotes and tags in the Stickease section that you may wish to use to add greetings to your cards.


14)   To add a custom greeting or your family name, etc. to the cards.   Select "Text & Photo Areas" on the left.  Then drag the "Journaling Area" box onto your first card.    Size your journal box as needed (mine is 1" x 2.5").  You can edit the text, change the background, add a mat, change the font, etc. as needed.   Make sure that the 'scale font' box is checked so that your text fits inside the box.   Once you have your journal box completed - use the Copy & Paste feature to add the same journal box to the rest of your cards.

15)  When you are happy with your cards - click "Buy Project" at the bottom and follow the prompts to complete your purchase.   (At the bottom, click on Approve Layouts, then when approved, click on Checkout).   You can order your printed copies (in whatever quantity you choose) and your cards will arrive in approximately a week.


Studio J layouts are on sale for just $5 each until November 30th - that's $0.63 for each 5" x 7" card.
(After November 30th - pricing returns to the regular price of $7.75 Cdn per 2 page layout).

Start creating your Studio J Holiday Photo Cards HERE.


Friday, October 17, 2014

Time for some FREE stuff!!

Hello friends!! 
Time for some FREE stuff! 


It has been so long!! I saw a great promo today that a friend of mine is offering to her customers and loved the idea (thanks Sus!). Maybe this will give me the push I need to get back to business, lol! As I'm sure you've noticed I've taken a bit of hiatus - - no reason in particular, just life! I do miss you all and I miss getting crafty! So - this weekend I'm making some time for you & making some time in my craft room. 

So here's the promo - - with any order placed on my website this weekend (up until midnight MST on Sunday) - receive a FREE mystery stamp set (valued at $15.25 to $19.75 each)! (Free stamp set will mail separately from your order). I've got LOADS of new stamp sets sitting here ready to go! This is in addition to the Free roll of ribbon or trim you'll receive from CTMH this month with every order over $50 and the chance to purchase the Stamp of the Month for just $5 with every order over $50! That's a lot of free & discounted goodies & a lot of bang for your crafty buck!   
Note:  offer only open to Canadian customers.

Tons of great stuff to choose from in Annual Inspirations catalogue - if you haven't checked it out - now's a great time!

SHOP ONLINE HERE!

Have a great weekend!

Sunday, August 31, 2014

CTMH Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for September

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for September.   This month we are featuring the stamp set "Family is Forever".   

Hope you'll join us this month - we have CTMH consultants from across the US and Canada who have created some great projects for you featuring this month's stamp set.    The variety of ideas are sure to leave you feeling creatively inspired!

If you've come here from GINA's BLOG, then you are on the right path.  If my blog is your first stop, that will work too! Just keep hopping until you get back here again!   You'll find a link at the end of each post to move to the next site.  Enjoy :-)

My creation for this month is a 12x12 layout:
  
Materials Used:
CTMH Pathfinding Paper Collection
CTMH Bronze Shimmer Tape
CTMH September 2014 Stamp of the Month - Family is Forever
CTMH ink: Chocolate & Glacier
CTMH cardstock
CTMH Foam Tape

The September stamp of the month is available from your consultant (or from me!) for just $17.95 during the month September OR -  get it for just $5 with any CTMH purchase of $50 or more between September 1st & 30th.



To see more great artwork using this stamp set - keep hopping!   Next stop is KRISTA's BLOG!

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Family Vacation

Trying to do more two page layouts these days.    And grid layouts like this one are so visually pleasing to me!!  


Materials Used:
CTMH Free to Be Me paper collection (retired)
CTMH Wanderful Picture my Life Journalling Card
Wood embellishments - Prima
Alphabet Stickers - American Crafts Thickers
CTMH Corner Rounder


Saturday, August 23, 2014

Take Me Somewhere

CTMH's Picture My Life line is this company's answer to the 'pocket scrapbooking, aka. Project Life' trend.   I love that using these great cards (4x6 and 3x4) - I'm getting way more pictures into my albums faster.   I combine my traditional scrapbook pages with my 'pocket pages' in the same albums (all of my albums are organized by theme).    On this page - I used a pocket scrapbooking concept, but made a traditional page (i.e. I'm not using a divided page protector - but a regular old 12x12 page).    I used the Wanderful Picture My Life kit from CTMH (one 4x6 card and one 3x4 card) and then accented the page using a strip of paper from the Wanderful 12x12 paper collection.

Quick & easy and another story captured :-)


Products Used (all available HERE):



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