Queen of the Castle

We have a great new sketch for you to play with this week at Let's Get Sketchy - hope you'll join us!

Here is my layout:

And here is the fabulous sketch:

Materials Used:
CTMH Animal Cookies paper (retired)
CTMH Red Buttons
CTMH Black Waxy Flax
AC Thickers
Making Memories Tiny Alphas
Cardstock: CTMH Black & White Daisy
Journal Tag from my stash

Have a great week!

Publication!!

Had to share!! The Summer 2012 issue of Canadian Scrapbooker just came out & one of my layouts was picked up this issue!! YAY!!

This is my second publication - which was big for me because it means the first time wasn't a fluke!  Ha ha!  My layout shares a page with the artwork of Cari Locken, Jill Sarginson, and Kelly Klapstein - - all amazing Canadian scrappers!!  So exciting!

My layout

My name in print - that will never get old!

A close up of the layout - - riding the tractor with Grampa is a favourite summer past-time of both my kids.   The left side of the page was stamped using the CTMH stamp set "Two-Step Backgrounds".  The sketch is from Page Maps book.  Paper packs used were CTMH Splendour and Animal Cookies (both retired).  Circles and scalloped circles cut with CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  Buttons & floss, alphabet stickers all CTMH.

Thanks for sharing my excitement!!  Be sure to pick up the summer issue of Canadian Scrapbooker - lots of great inspiration to be had!

Wild Thing . . . You Make My Heart Sing

***I'M GIVING AWAY A $100 CTMH SHOPPING SPREE TO A LUCKY CANADIAN!!  CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN ENTER!***

This is a layout I created eons ago, but I'm just finally getting around to putting photos on it!  The layout design is from either Imagine or Cherish (two of the CTMH Scrapbooking layout sketch books which are FULL of great 2 page sketches), but I don't recall which!   These pics were perfect for the title - photos of my little guy being his wild little self while we were on vacation in Hawaii. 

All materials CTMH:

Paper & Stickers - Animal Cookies (retired in paper format, still available in Studio J for digi-scrappin')

Buttons

Embroidery Floss

Cardstock: Desert Sand, Dutch Blue

Be sure to check back tomorrow - I'll have a brand new layout for my first Scrap it With a Song post of the year!

I Hope You Know

*** HAVE YOU ENTERED MY CANADIAN GIVEAWAY YET?  I'M GIVING AWAY A $100 CTMH SHOPPING SPREE!!  CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN ENTER!***

A new layout to share today.  I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my goodies from the new CTMH Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book (consultants can order a month early!) and in the meantime I am determined to put a dent in my current stash (which has become quite ridiculous, frankly!!).  So the next few layouts I'm sharing - you are likely to see some older product and a mish mash of different lines, companies, etc.   I'm enjoying the challenge of using up the old!  Hope you'll be inspired to do the same (I know every scrapbooker has a STASH!) 

Here is my layout - the sketch is from "Once Upon a Sketch - Aug 15/11". 

In the main journal box, I've quoted the lyrics from a Beach Boys song called "All I Wanna Do".  The photos are of me with each of my babies when I met them.  There are stories behind each of the photos - - the first photo is me & my daughter the first time I held her.  She was about 12 hours old but had been born severely premature so I had to wait that long before I could hold her in my arms.  The second photo is me & my son the first time I held him.  We were called to the hospital a few hours after his birth to come & meet him (and we subsequently took him home the next day & proceeded to adopt him).   My journalling around the scalloped circle talks about the joy I felt in each of those moments.  The hidden journalling in the yellow pocket talks more about the things "I hope they know"  - thus the title for the layout.

Materials Used:
CTMH patterned paper - Animal Cookies (retired in paper form - available in Studio J for digi-scrapping)
CTMH cardstock - Black, White Daisy
CTMH felt embellishments - Heartfelt Whimsy collection (retired)
CTMH Black embroidery floss - Neutral assortment
CTMH Decor Journal Pocket/Tag
AC Thickers
Scalloped circle cut with CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

Happy Monday everyone - have a great week!

Convention Swap Items Part #1

This week I'm going to be featuring some of the great swap items I received at Convention.
Swapping items (usually cards) at Convention is a bit of a tradition, completely optional of course, but a great way to meet lots of different consultants & also to get some great artwork ideas.

Here is a fabulous little notepad that my blogging friend Cibele Glazer at Flower Foot Designs gave to me featuring the Cherry-O paper pack: 

And this is a card I received featuring the now retired Daydream paper pack, from one of my roommates & fellow Canadian consultant, Wendy Dodds:

This next card was made by another one of my roommates & Canadian consultant - Brandy Lees, using the Animal Cookies Creative Basics pack:

And this pretty card was made by my Great-Grandma Upline with CTMH, Pam Klassen:

Welcome Baby Card!

And the baby boom continues amongst our family & friends!  A boy this time, though!

My inspiration for this card:
Design Dollies Colour Challenge (Blue, Yellow with optional Black/White)
Papertake Weekly Sketch #45

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

Animal Cookies Level 2 Paper Pack

Magic Moments Level 2 Paper Pack

Welcome Baby Acrylic Stamp Set

Black Bitty Brad from Brads Basic Assortment

Dutch Blue Buttons from the Summer Craft Button Collection

White Grosgrain Ribbon - from the Animal Cookies Creative Basics Kit

Ink: Dutch Blue, Black

Cardstock: White Daisy and Textured Black

CTMH Animal Cookies - What's for Breakfast?

Something I'm trying to do more of is to scrapbook the 'everyday' things in our family life - not just the typical photo occasions like birthdays or trips to the zoo. 

This layout is an example of that.  My kids are BIG on routine - so I did this layout to document some of their funny eating habits. 
The layout design is from a sketch on Page 34 of the May/June issue of Creating Keepsakes.   If you scrapbook primarily 4x6 photos and like multiple photo layouts - CK is a good source for sketches!

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

Animal Cookies Level 2 Paper Pack

Cardstock: Dutch Blue, Tulip, White Daisy

Title - Cricut, Alphalicious cartridge

Die-cut image - Cricut, A Child's Year cartridge

CTMH Animal Cookies - Call me Auntie!

A fun layout using this week's Inspired Blueprints sketch.

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart, except as noted):

• Animal Cookies Level 2 Paper Pack
• Dimensional Elements Chipboard Hearts
• Sticker from the Animal Cookies Level 1 Scrapbooking Kit
• Dimensional Elements Chipboard Borders
• Cardstock: White Daisy
• Inks: Blush, Tulip, Black
• Making Memories Tiny Alphas
• Thickers Alphabet stickers

CTMH Animal Cookies Laugh Layout

This layout featuring me & my sister when we were young meets two challenges this week:
1) The Practical Scrappers challenge this week is to use vellum!! I have to admit, other than quote stacks, I have never used vellum before!! So I was excited to try this. I actually had a few fun pieces of vellum that I had picked up in the store probably 5 years ago or more & then never used it. So I pulled it out for this layout! I thought it matched perfectly with our Animal Cookies paper!

2) The layout design is from a sketch blog I recently discovered called "The Scrappiest". This is The Scrappiest Sketch #27.

My Layout (click to enlarge):

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart except as noted):

• Animal Cookies Level 2 Paper Packet
• Love Letters Rub Ons
• Dimensional Elements Monogram "L" (chipboard)
• Dimensional Elements Simple Alphabet Lowercase (chipboard)
• Brads: White Daisy & Tulip
• Cardstock: White Daisy & Tulip
• Ink: Tulip
• Polka Dot Vellum from Michaels

CTMH Animal Cookies & Using up my Stickers!

The challenge at Practical Scrappers this week is to use up your stickers - specifically 3 or more (and letter stickers don't count).

I'm a little late on this challenge - I see they have already posted this week's winner - - but thought I'd post my layout anyway! This one was super easy - - I used our Level 1 kit - - so things came together quickly!! Which is what I need when I'm scrapbooking!! I simply don't have the time to spend hours on a layout!! Our page kits (both the Level 1 & Level 2's) & our How-To books are a necessity for a busy mom like me!!

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

• Animal Cookies Level 1 Kit
• Tulip brads, White Daisy Brads, Hemp, Tulip Marker
• Chipboard Heart and White Daisy Die-Cut Tag from "Dazzling Die-Cuts" promotional kit
• Additional cardstock for photo matting: Sunflower & Desert Sand

P.S. Did you know that all of the layouts on the Close to My Heart Level 1 Kit pre-printed base pages are based on the layout designs in our Reflections Scrapbook Program book?!?! The first page of this layout is "Title Topper - Subtle" and the second page is "Main Frame - Tied Together".

CTMH August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! We will be featuring the August SOTM, which is "It's Your Day", a set of 26 stamps. If you have come here from Kristie's Blog, you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you may want to go back to Jena's Blog and start from the beginning!

***

This month we have over 60 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

***

My first project is a super cute box card. The template is from Deb Duz Scrappin and I got my inspiration from Deneen at A Path of Paper.

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

• Patterned paper and ribbon from Animal Cookies Creative Basics Collection
• August Stamp of the Month Set "It's Your Day"
• Red button from Holiday Craft Button Collection
• Inks: Clover Meadow, Tulip, Dutch Blue, Sunflower
• Cardstock: White Daisy
• Other: Foam Squares, Liquid Glass

And my second project is a cute little gift bag & matching card - it is so easy to create your own inexpensive gift wraps and bags just using a few stamps and some ink!

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart except as noted):

• August Stamp of the Month "It's Your Day"
• Cardstock: White Daisy, Grey Wool, Cranberry, Ocean and Sunflower
• Inks: Grey Wool, Cranberry, Ocean and Sunflower
• Cranberry Brads
• Foam Squares
• Other: Gift bag & tissue paper from Michaels

***

Now, hop on over to Deb's Blog to see some more great CTMH Artwork! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs (and don't forget to leave Comments as you go!!!) to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the August SOTM is only available until August 31st! Contact your CTMH Consultant or Click Here to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

If you get lost along the way or come across missing links - feel free to reference this complete list of the CTMH August Stamp of the Month Blog Hoppers:

• Jena DeVries http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/
• Kristie Horness-Herdener http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
• Carla Ironside http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com/
• Deb Young http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/
• Alanna Moses http://www.damoses.blogspot.com/
• Paige Dolecki http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/
• Wendy Kessler http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
• Heather Painchaud http://www.twindragonflydesigns.blogspot.com/
• Helen Onulak http://www.hookedonstamping.com/
• Barbra Otten http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
• Haley Dyer http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
• Nona Davenport http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/
• Michelle Robinson http://www.amaizenbluelady.typepad.com/
• Cindy Leek http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/
• Melissa Laverty http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/
• Katy Donaldson http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/
• Amy McVey http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/
• Tammy Lea Pinchard http://www.creativeimpressions-pinchme.blogspot.com/
• Leslie Markland http://pandascrapper.blogspot.com/
• Judy Burger http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
• Laurie R Newton http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
• Kami Welter http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
• Tracy Oleksak http://www.mamaolie.blogspot.com/
• Karen Norman http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/
• Chris Shouse http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/
• Cibele Glazer http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com/
• Debra Van Patten http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
• Terrie Dodd http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/
• Jamia Bankhead http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com/
• Anne Beck http://www.anniemuses.blogspot.com/
• Jennifer Patrick http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
• Laurie Levnik http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com/
• Lori Miller http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
• Brae Montgomery http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
• Dawn Ross http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
• Dawn Slipcevic http://dawnscrapsalot.blogspot.com/
• Barbara Harris http://www.paper-creations117.blogspot.com/
• Carol Taggio http://craftycarol55.blogspot.com/
• Jill Lucas http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/
• Chris Green http://www.createwithchris.blogspot.com/
• Nancy Ball http://www.ballisticdesign.blogspot.com/
• Dawn Heuft http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
• Kelly Triggs http://www.stampinallday.blogspot.com/
• Beth Naumann http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com/
• Antoinette Herrin http://www.godblessyourart.blogspot.com/
• Jessica Booth http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
• Jen Rubio http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/
• Misty Jackson http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/
• Adeline E. Brill http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
• Lori Leng http://www.pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com/
• Pam Klassen http://eimmap.blogspot.com/
• Pamela OConnor http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
• Jennifer Royal http://www.craftroyalty.blogspot.com/
• Caren Goldsein http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com/
• Shannon Pelletier http://www.shannonmvt.blogspot.com/
• Sherry Thompson http://www.picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com/
• Maricar Harris http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com/
• Traci Godbee http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/
• Laura Dame http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com/
• Miranda Kurz http://www.scrampinwithmiranda.com/
• Leisa Hubley http://www.bigredscraps.blogspot.com/
• Julia Menssen http://www.ralphandjulia.blogspot.com/
• Jan Moxey http://scrapandstamp4ever.blogspot.com/
• Jody Gustafson http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com/

CTMH Animal Cookies & Mojo Monday #95

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you had a great weekend!
As always - had to start my creativity going this week with the Mojo Monday sketch!

Here is my take on Sketch #95:

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

• Creative Basics Animal Cookies Collection
• In the Wild Acrylic Stamp Set
• Classmate Alphabet Acrylic Stamp Set
• White Grosgrain Ribbon from the Creative Basics Animal Cookies Collection
• Foam Die-Cuts Numbers
• Cardstock: Tulip, Dutch Blue, White Daisy
• Inks: Sunflower, Desert Sand, Clover Meadow, Dutch Blue, Tulip

CTMH Animal Cookies Level 1 Layout

Just a quick post to share a Level 1 Layout I recently did with the fantastic Animal Cookies papers! With the Level 1 pre-printed layout pages - you can acheive fantastic results in minutes!

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

• Animal Cookies Level 1 Scrapbooking Kit
• Giggle Caps Acrylic Stamp Set
• Giggle Lowercase Acrylic Stamp Set
• Sunshine image from the August Word Puzzle Acrylic Stamp Set
• Cloud images from the Childhood Acrylic Stamp Set
• (Kite image is from the Stickease included in the Level 1 Kit)
• Sunflower brads from the Autumn Harvest Brad Assortment
• Inks: Dutch Blue, Desert Sand
• Additional Cardstock not included in Level 1 Kit: Desert Sand