Idea Book Inspired

I have a layout for you today that was inspired by one seen in last season's CTMH Idea Book (Fall/Winter 2012).

How about you?  Do you create pages based on those you've seen in magazines & catalogues, etc.?  I find it is often the perfect thing to get me crafting when I'm in a mojo slump!  

Materials Used:
CTMH Avonlea paper pack
CTMH Cardstock: Slate, Colonial White
CTMH stamp set: Trinity Alpha, Love Life (flourish)
Title cut with CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge
CTMH Green Designer Ribbon collection (retired)
CTMH sparkles: Blue/Green collection
CTMH ink: Slate

Happy New Year & My Display Tray Project Kit

Hi everyone!
Happy 2013 to you.   Glad to be back!   I'm in the craft room today and hope to have some new creations to share with you soon!   The new Spring/Summer 2013 CTMH Idea Book has also landed on my desk & it is fantastic!    It goes live to the public on February 1st - - and I'll start sneaking you some peeks of the new products as soon as my order of the new goodies arrives!  

Thought I'd start out the new year by sharing a project I worked on before Christmas, but couldn't share here previously as it was a gift for my Mom & Dad and I didn't want them to see it before they actually opened it!

This is a home decor piece - the CTMH Display Tray:

Materials Used:
CTMH Display Tray
CTMH Paper Packs: Florentine, Cruisin', Dakota, Avonlea
Heart & Flourish cut with the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Black & Colonial White Waxy Flax
CTMH Buttons
Family Love stamp set
Love stamp set
Bitty Pearl Opaques
Ink: Archival Black & Black
DE Monograms Chipboard
Rosette Ribbon
Flutter Paper Shapes

Anyone who orders the Display Tray from me can also purchase a pre-cut, pre-stamped 'embellishment kit' to decorate their tray as shown.   (You choose your own monogram letter and add your own photos).   The embellishment kit is just $5 (mailed to you) with the purchase of the display tray.   Email me if you are interested.

Everyday Embellishing

It’s easy to incorporate chalk, metallics, and bling into your artwork with a few embellishments you can use on your everyday papercrafting projects. In the following fabulous artwork examples courtesy of the CTMH Art Department, I can show you how!


This Merry & Bright page uses dots created with the gold metallic marker to add extra sparkle around the edges of the page. Notice the scalloped accents with outlines in gold marker which adds dimension and draws your eye. Our metallics markers will make your artwork sparkle!  (Circles & title cut with the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge)


Add heart to your art with an extra touch of bling—cover your Dimensional Elements with silver Glitz™ glitter gel, a clear Sparkle or two, or a touch of silver from the metallics marker! Your heartfelt messages will bedazzle your loved ones.


The chalk marker and 12" × 12" chalkboard sheet are a perfect pair for creating a unique project. Journal and embellish your memories with the quaint look of a chalkboard—minus the dust—and a lot of freehand fun, perfect to display in your albums or on your walls!

If you haven’t had a chance to scrapbook your Halloween photos yet, here’s a great idea for a spooky page. The Haunted assortment with its cute skull brads, spider badge buttons, and more, is the perfect go-to for scary Halloween memories. It also coordinates nicely with the Moonlight paper packet and Moonlight Complements Dimensional Elements.


Tell your story with papers and accents that complement your unique tale. The Memo assortment’s little note tags are great for embellishing and journaling all in one, and the tiny epoxy numbers mimic old typewriter keys. Pair the Memo assortment with our Scholastic paper packet and My Stickease^® assortment for your school-themed memories and more!


This elegant layout is tied together by antique elements from the Brocade assortment, Avonlea Complements canvas shapes, and the beautiful Avonlea papers. Add a timeless quality to your memories with graceful keys, broaches, and buttons from the Brocade assortment.

Whatever your project, embellishing will bring your artwork to life.

You're Appreciated!

A card to share today!

Materials Used:
CTMH Avonlea paper pack
CTMH Dakota paper pack
CTMH Burlap Ribbon
CTMH Casual Expressions stamp set
CTMH Mocha Opaques
Ink: CTMH Juniper & Chocolate

Sanctuary with CTMH Avonlea

Love the sketch at Creative Scrappers this week!   I took this photo of my bedroom one day a few months back as part of a list of photo prompts in the Twelve class with Stacy Julian that I'm taking at Big Picture Classes.    I do like the idea of scrapbooking more of the 'things' in our everyday life as it will be neat to look back on this picture in the future to refresh our memories about the home we live(d) in!

Materials Used:
CTMH Paper - Avonlea
AC Thickers alphabet
CTMH Olive Buttons 
Die-cuts (medallions, tag, banner) all cut with CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge
CTMH Comments stamp set (retired)
CTMH Black Embroidery Floss
CTMH Green/Blue Sparkles 
CTMH Black Ink
Cardstock: CTMH Black & Colonial White

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Avonlea "Create it Quick" Kit

I hear time & time again people saying that their biggest obstacles to scrapbooking their memories are 'time' and 'ideas'.   My family schedule this year has forced me to cut back on the number of classes & workshops I host, so I wanted to come up with another way to teach & help you overcome those obstacles!  And so, my "Create it Quick" Kits were born!!

Before I introduce my first kit, just a reminder that Close to My Heart also has predesigned workshop kits for purchase that make scrapbooking faster, simpler & easier.  You can see the 13 kits currently available HERE.  Also, be sure to check out my info on the ongoing Kit of the Month Club that I run!   Each of the CTMH designed "Workshop on the Go" kits creates absolutely beautiful projects - everything from scrapbook pages, to cards, to 3D gift items.  Each project features new techniques and stamping.  I highly recommend these kits & use them in my own papercrafting all the time.    I have heard from some of you, however, that you'd like to see some kits that are even QUICKER & EASIER!    So, the kits I have designed on my own will not incorporate stamping (unless I provide a pre-stamped piece) so that you can get your photos into your albums even sooner & with less fuss!

My first "Create it Quick" Kit features the new CTMH paper pack Avonlea.   The kit includes the materials and detailed instructions to create TWO 2-page layouts (with leftover materials for additional projects).  

The layout designs for all of my kits will come from the CTMH Make it From Your Heart publications.  The first time you purchase a kit, you'll need to add the Make it From Your Heart magazine to your order as it includes your cutting diagrams and sketches.  But you'll only need to purchase a sketch book at most once per Idea Book cycle as all my kit designs during that Idea Book cycle will be from the same magazine.  (Hope that makes sense!)

The Avonlea "Create it Quick" kit will create the following two layouts:

Layout 1 base

Layout 1 with photos & embellishments

Layout 2 Base

Layout 2 with Photos & Embellishments

Kit Shopping List:

Required (prices shown do not include tax/shipping):
Make it from your Heart Volume 1 sketch & design book (only if you don't already own it!) - $7.95
Avonlea paper pack - $9.95
Brocade Assortment - $5.95
Posh Journal Spots - $5.95
Pixie Glitter Alphabet - $5.95

Recommended Optional Extras:
Metallic Pens - $4.95 (includes one gold, one silver)
Chocolate Ink - $5.95 or Distressing Inks - $3.95 (for ink distressing the edges of your papers)
Avonlea Complements Stickers - $5.95 (not used on my examples - but great for creating additional projects with your leftover paper!)

What you'll get for FREE from me when you purchase the Required Items on the Kit Shopping List:
20" of Shimmer Trim
Pre-cut "Grateful for You" title (Layout 1) - cut with CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Pre-cut branches (Layout 1) - cut with CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge
Precut medallion shapes (Layout 2) - cut with CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge
Instruction sheet with detailed photos of the layouts, cutting guide & tips for putting it all together.

How it works:
Simply shop from my Website (Join the "Create it Quick Kits" Gathering) & order the "Required" items from the Kit Shopping List above or send me an Email & let me know you'd like the Avonlea "Create it Quick" kit & I can place the order for you.     If you are long distance and are shopping online or via email, your Kit products will ship to you direct from CTMH and I will mail you the FREE additional items and the instructions.   If you are in the Calgary area and are sending me your order by email for local pickup - your FREEBIES and instructions will be included with your order when it arrives.

I hope you are as excited about my new Create it Quick Kits as I am!!   Let's get more scrapbooking done together!!

Avonlea Bracket Frame Home Decor

I absolutely love the new home decor alterable items that CTMH is offering in the Fall/Winter Idea Book.

One example is this great bracket frame.  Made of a very sturdy chipboard - it is completely alterable and extremely affordable!    I finally had a chance to create one this past weekend when I attended the CTMH Regional event in Edmonton - this was one of our many make & take projects:

The accordian-fold rosettes were cut with the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge.   The cardstock bracket shape to overlay on top of the frame itself was also cut with the Artiste cartridge & fits perfectly!!

Materials Used:

CTMH Bracket Frame

CTMH Houndstooth Chipboard Alphabet

CTMH Harvest Bakers Twine

CTMH Brown/Tan Sparkles

CTMH Foam Tape

CTMH Avonlea Paper Packet

CTMH Colonial White Cardstock

CTMH Chocolate Cardstock

CTMH Love Blooms Stamp Set

CTMH Inks: Chocolate & Juniper

CTMH Liquid Glass

CTMH Bonding Memories Glue

Mini Glue Dots

I'll be offering this project as a pre-cut kit to all of my local peeps!! Send me an EMAIL if you are interested in that!  

Avonlea Card Kit

CTMH introduced some new cardmaking kits in the current Fall/Winter Idea Book and I recently had a chance to play with the Avonlea kit.   The kit provides enough paper & embellies for 15 cards.   You can follow the instructions and guide to come up with 5 cards each of 3 different designs . . . or get a little creative as I did and change up your designs for a little more variety.   I didn't use anything on my cards other than what was provided in the kit, but I did do a few Cricut cuts, as you'll see.

All 15 cards I created

Design #1, with 2 different stamped sentiments

Design #2 with different orientation and 2 different stamped sentiments

Design #3, with different sentiments using my Cricut Artiste cartridge, and some variation in stamping & embellishing.

Materials Used:
Avonlea Cardmaking Kit
Cricut Artiste Cartridge
Inks: Slate, Chocolate, Smokey Plum

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Avonlea Workshop Kit Layouts

I love CTMH's Workshop Kits!  Everything you need in the kit, very little planning - just put it all together!   I just finished the Avonlea kit layouts and they turned out so great!

Love the green and grey tones in the Avonlea papers.

The Avonlea Workshop on the Go kit includes:
- a full Avonlea paper packet
- an exclusive Avonlea workshop stamp set (available only in the kit - not sold separately)
- 2 extra sheets of neutral cardstock (in addition to the 6 cardstock sheets included in the paper pack)
- 1 full package Parlor Velvet Rubons
- 1 full package Mocha Adhesive Gems
- 1 full colour instructional brochure

Additional products used on my layouts:
- Keepsake Alphabet stamp set
- olive, chocolate, and slate dye-based ink pads for stamping & distressing

If you are a fan of 'kit' scrapbooking - be sure to check out my Workshop Kit Club - - no obligation or commitment - - buy 6 kits - get the 7th for free!

I'm off today to the CTMH Regional Event being held in Edmonton this weekend!  I'll be back next week with new artwork :-)  Have a great weekend!

Five Fabulous Finds

Woohoo!! It's Friday and I have another edition of my Five Fabulous Finds for you:

1.  Airmiles collectors can now collect miles at Michaels craft stores!  As a special introductory offer - they are offering 2X the air miles on all purchases over $40 until September 1st!

2.  I'm a huge fan of Big Picture Classes & have taken several of their online workshops.   Their annual Big Idea Festival is coming up in September and it is completely FREE to register!!    Lots of great topics, inspiration and of course prizes & giveaways too.    And the presenters are an all-star line-up of big names in the industry.  I'm already registered - - hope you'll join me!

3.  With it being 'back to school' time for everyone - - I thought I'd share a cute printable I came across this week - - little lunch box jokes to include in your child's lunchbox!  How fun is that!?!?  

4.  One of my favourite new products in the CTMH Idea Book this fall is our very inexpensive Bracket Frame!!  You can decorate it any way you like & it makes a cute little home decor/display piece.   Love these two ideas I saw using the frame this week:  Patti's La Belle Vie Frame and Debi's Flirty Frame.

5.  Never again will I have to buy another gift bow!! Did you know our new CTMH Cricut Artiste cartridge creates bows for you at the touch of a button!  Check out this great Avonlea Bow by Gloria to see what I mean!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Remember with CTMH Avonlea

We have a great new sketch for you at Let's Get Sketchy today.

I used the beautiful new Avonlea collection from CTMH for my layout.  I thought this paper pack would be great for scrapbooking some heritage photos.  This is a photo of my grandparents on their wedding day 60 years ago.

Materials Used (all CTMH):

Avonlea paper pack

Avonlea Canvas stickers

Ink: Chocolate

Cardstock: Chocolate, Colonial White

Hope you'll join us this week & have some fun creating with Let's Get Sketchy - - this is a super versatile sketch to work with!  We always have a great prize to give away and also enjoy picking our 'faves' each week!!

See you there!