It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Well it may not be Christmas - but you wouldn't know it by the weather here in Calgary!   We were hit with a huge snowstorm Sunday and all signs of spring are now buried in several feet of snow!!  

In keeping with a wintery theme - I have a Christmas layout for you today.   We have a brand new sketch up at Let's Get Sketchy and a twist this week - - a colour combo challenge to go along with it!

Here is my layout:

Materials Used:
CTMH paper pack: Pear & Partridge (retired)
CTMH stickers: Mistletoe (retired)
Ink: New England Ivy
Marker: Creative Memories journal writer
Cardstock: CTMH Cashmere and White Daisy

The sketch by Jenessa Franco:

And the colour combo twist:

Join us at Let's Get Sketchy!  We'd love to have you play along this week.

Oh Christmas Tree

We have a new challenge for you at Scrap it With a Song today.   Create a project (layout, card or other) inspired by ANY Christmas carol! 

My choice was Oh Christmas Tree:

My card was inspired by one in the 2010 Autumn Winter CTMH Idea Book.   I just love the bright 'pear' green! 

Hope you'll be able to find a few minutes for crafting in this busy holiday season and play along with us at SIWAS!  We are offering a fantastic prize this month and you have until December 31st to link up your entry!



Christmas Card Extravaganza 2011!

Want to see what's been keeping me busy lately? (Other than getting ready for my retreat!!)  Here they are, my selection of Christmas Cards for this year. 

I picked my favourites from blogs, Pinterest, the Close to My Heart Idea Book and a few new creations of my own to bring you the 'best of the best'!  Lots of variety and techniques - something for everyone!

I know you will love them as much as I do!  A total of 20 different designs to choose from!
Four easy ways for you to send these cards to your friends & family this year:
- join me at my annual Christmas Card Extravaganza workshops to create your own
- host your own Christmas card party with your friends for a creative night out
- purchase pre-cut, pre-stamped kits to make on your own at home
- purchase completed ready-to-mail cards

Here are the close-ups of the cards (all materials used are Close to My Heart (CTMH) and all die-cut shapes are cut with the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge):

CASE'd from Susan Tomaino

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

Peace on Earth stamp set (sentiment - retired)

Art Philosophy stamp set (tree)

Believe Level 2 Paper Pack

Red Sparkles

Milepost Shapes

Cardstock: Desert Sand, White Daisy, Topiary

Ink: Topiary

CASE'd from Nancy Ball

Size 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

Universal Backgrounds stamp set (sheet music background)

Remarkable Wreath stamp set (image & sentiment)

Colonial White waxy flax

Red Glitter Gel

Cardstock: Tulip, Grey Flannel, Crystal Blue, Colonial White

Ink: Tulip, Cocoa, Crystal Blue, Grey Flannel

CASE'd from Vicki Wizniuk

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

Love Life stamp set (star)

Wonderland Workshop stamp set (mittens & sentiment)

Believe Level 2 Paper Pack

Sweet Leaf Grosgrain Ribbon

Holiday Red Buttons (retired)

Black Waxy Flax

Cardstock: Holiday Red, White Daisy

Ink: Sky, Sweet Leaf, Black

CASE'd from Vicki Wizniuk

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

Holiday Trinkets stamp set (sentiment) - retired

Believe Level 2 Paper Pack

Holiday Red button (retired)

Colonial White waxy flax

Cardstock: Sky, Holiday Red, Sweet Leaf, White Daisy

Ink: Black

CASE'd from Michelle Loncar

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

Holiday Magic stamp set (sentiment & image) - October 2011 stamp of the month

Roxie Level 2 Paper Pack

Red Glitter Gel

Licorice Opaques

Cardstock: Black, Colonial White

Ink: Desert Sand, Black

Inspired by the CTMH Idea Book

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

Holiday Cheer stamp set (sentiment & ornament)

Hemp

Cardstock: New England Ivy, Desert Sand, Colonial White, Chocolate

Ink: Barn Red

CASE'd from Cibele Glazer

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

Tannenbaum stamp set (sentiment & image)

Mistletoe Creative Basics Paper Pack (retired)

Bitty Sparkles

Cardstock: White Daisy, Cranberry

Ink: Black

Inspired by Connie Babbert

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

Card Chatter Christmas (sentiment)

Mistletoe Creative Basics paper pack (retired)

Cranberry Grosgrain ribbon

Shimmer Brads

Gold elastic cording (not CTMH - from my stash)

Cardstock: New England Ivy, Cocoa, Cranberry, Colonial White

Ink: New England Ivy

Inspired by Alissa

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

Snowflakes stamp set (snowflakes & sentiment)

Dreamin' Level 2 Paper Pack

Bling Button

Chocolate Waxy Flax

Cardstock: Chocolate, Colonial White, Crystal Blue

Ink: Pacifica, Chocolate

CASE'd from Vicki Wizniuk

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

Festive Frills stamp set (sentiment) - retired

A Sip stamp set (image)

Wonderland Level 2 Paper Pack

Pearl Opaques

Chocolate Stripe Grosgrain Ribbon

Cardstock: Chocolate, Colonial White

Ink: Twilight, Chocolate

Inspired by Susan Williams

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

I Believe stamp set (image)

Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)

Font cut with "Joys of the Season" Cricut cartridge

Bitty Sparkles

Cardstock: Chocolate, Colonial White

Ink: Chocolate

Designed by Carla Ironside

Size: 5" x 7"

Materials Used:

A Holiday stamp set (sentiment)

Mistletoe Creative Basics paper pack (retired)

Red Glitter Gel

Cardstock: Desert Sand, Cocoa

Ink: Cranberry

Inspired by Jen Sannes

Size: 5" x 7"

Materials Used:

Universal Backgrounds stamp set (star)

Everlasting Life stamp set (sentiment)

Roxie Level 2 Paper Pack

Clear Sparkles

Black Grosgrain ribbon (retired)

Cardstock: Desert Sand, Colonial White

Ink: Vineyard Berry, Bamboo

Designed by Carla Ironside

Size: 6" x 6"

Materials Used:

Snow Flurries stamp set

Silver Embossing Powder

Versamark Ink

Cardstock: White Daisy, Outdoor Denim

Inspired by: Homemade Gifts Made Easy

Size: 5" x 7"

Materials Used:

Christmas Love stamp set (sentiment)

Believe Level 2 Paper Pack

Bitty Sparkles

Cocoa Grosgrain ribbon

Cardstock: Cocoa, White Daisy

 Ink: Cocoa

CASE'd from Vicki Wizniuk

Size: 5" x 7"

Materials Used:

Christmas Love stamp set (images & sentiment)

Wonderland Level 2 Paper Pack

Liquid Applique

Cardstock: Twilight, Colonial White

Ink: Chocolate, Twilight, Heavenly Blue

Inspired by: Karen Day

Size: 6" x 6"

Materials Used:

St. Nick stamp set (image)

Stitched Together stamp set (stitching)

Holiday commentary stamp set (sentiment)

Kraft Die-Cut Cards

Cardstock: Black, Kraft, Colonial White

Ink: Black, Blush

Designed by Carla Ironside

Size: 6" x 6"

Materials Used:

I Believe stamp set (image & sentiment)

Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)

Cocoa Grosgrain

Pearl Opaques

Cardstock: New England Ivy, Colonial White

Ink: Cocoa

Inspired by the Close to My Heart Idea Book

Size: 5" x 7"

Materials Used:

Bundled Buddies stamp set (image & sentiment)

Hemp

Watercolor Pencils

Blending Pen

Cardstock: Barn Red, Crystal Blue, Olive, Chocolate, Colonial White

Ink: Chocolate, Olive

Designed by Carla Ironside

Size: 6" x 6"

Materials Used:

I Believe stamp set (image)

Holiday Commentary (sentiment)

Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)

Antiqued Copper Brads

Cardstock: Cocoa, Colonial White, Cranberry

Ink: Cranberry, Chocolate

Are you inspired?  Click HERE for more details & pricing of workshops and kits.

Cricut Christmas Gift Tags

My Cricut is working overtime this week!  Still prepping for my retreat this coming weekend in Canmore.

These four cute little holiday gift tags will be my make & take project this weekend for all of the retreat attendees:

TAG 1:

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

Cricut Art Philosophy - "Tag5" cut at 4.25" (black), Stocking "Shift, Tag" cut at 4" (desert sand), and "Tag5" cut at 4" (Roxie)

Roxie Level 2 Paper Pack

Just for the Holidays stamp set (retired)

Liquid Applique

Black Grosgrain (retired)

Black Ink

TAG 2:

Front:

 Back:

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

Cricut Art Philosophy - Tag 2 cut at 3.75" (Believe), Square 1 cut at 2" (2 times in white), Star 5 cut once at 1.5" and twice at 1" (crystal blue)

Believe Level 2 Paper Pack

December 25th stamp set

Liquid Glass

Holiday Red and Crystal Blue Ink

Ribbon - from my stash

Tag 3:

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

Cricut Art Philosophy - Tag 3 cut at 4" (colonial white), Rectangle 3 "Shift, Font" cut at 1/2" (new england ivy border strip)

Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)

Bundled Buddies stamp set

Share the Magic stamp set (retired)

Watercolor Pencils

Blending Pen

Desert Sand Ink

Cranberry Grosgrain

Tag 4:

Front:

 Back:

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

Cricut Art Philosophy - Circle 1 cut at 2.75" (2 times in white), Circle 1 cut at 3" (2 times in crystal blue), Circle 2 cut at 3.75" (tulip)

Just for the Holidays stamp set (retired)

Remarkable Wreath stamp set

Fill in the Blank - Holiday stamp set

White ricrac ribbon (retired)

Red Glitter Gel

Tulip ink, cocoa ink, crystal blue ink

I hope these tags inspire you to make YOUR own holiday gift tags this year!  Or  . . . I can make them for you -  contact me for pricing of a custom order of these little cuties!

SHOP MY Close to my Heart WEBSITE!

CTMH's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for July - Canadian Celebration

Welcome to the Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for July.  Here in Canada, we are featuring the stamp set "Canadian Celebration".

Along this month's Stamp of the Month hop you'll find dozens of fabulous creations using this stamp set, as well as the related American stamp set - all brought to you by a very talented group of CTMH Consultants! If you've come here from Mary's Blog, you are on the right path. If this is your first stop on the hop, that will work too (just keep hopping till you get back here again).
 
To continue along the hop, just follow the link at the end of each post to go to the next site. We hope that following the hop will give you lots of inspiration and ideas for using this month's patriotic stamp sets, along with the many other great CTMH products you'll see in each post!


My creation for you today is a layout.  Here in Canada we have our own version of the "American Girl" dolls . . . they are called Maplea girls.   My daughter has the one named Leoni who is from the Canadian province of Quebec.  Here they are in their matching Canada shirts - - which I'm sure they'll be wearing again tomorrow for Canada Day!!  Love how this layout turned out with the stamping directly on our Kraft cardstock!

Materials Used (all CTMH):
Kraft Cardstock
Canadian Celebration stamp set (July 2011 Stamp of the Month)
Comments stamp set (journalling lines)
Mistletoe Creative Basics paper
Simple Alphabet Dimensional Elements
Cardstock: White Daisy, Black
Ink: Cranberry, Black
 
The "Canadian Celebration" stamp set is available from your consultant from July 1st to 31st! You can earn this stamp set at a discount or even FREE with every CTMH order placed in the month of July!

Thanks for stopping in!! To continue on the hop, visit WENDY's BLOG to see what she has created for you!

For a complete list of this month's Hoppers - you can find a list HERE.

Mistletoe . . . a Little Late!

Here is a layout I did last fall that I somehow missed posting on my blog!!  Close to My Heart holds a contest for consultants with each new catalogue to create artwork with the new products - - this layout won for the Fall/Winter contest in the "Mistletoe Level 2" Category (Level 2 meaning there could be no stamping). 
If you are just getting around to scrapping your Christmas photos - hope this layout provides some inspiration :-)  (You can click on the photo to see a larger image).

The layout design is "Parlor Trick" from the CTMH How-to Book "MAGIC".

Materials Used (all CTMH):
Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Pack
Mistletoe Stickease
Cocoa Ribbon Rounds
Basic Buttons
Dimensional Elements Numbers  - retired
Dimensional Elements Booksmart
All Out Adventure Rubons - currently on Clearance for just $2.25CDN for a pack of 3 sheets!!!!
Colour Ready Alphabet (Bold) - retired

Happy Holidays!

Wishing all of my Blogger & Facebook friends a very Merry Christmas!!  Hope your holiday season is filled with love & laughter!!

Card CASE'd from Vicki Wizniuk.  (Not sure why my photo is blurry?!?!)

CTMH Christmas Card Extravaganza!

I've been super busy planning and creating in preparation for this year's Christmas Card workshops!
Here are the results:

A great selection of holiday cards!  Some are cased from fellow CTMH consultants, some are inspired by CTMH Idea Book artwork, others are designed by me!  Lots of variety, something for everyone!  Different techniques on every card!

I will be running a series of "Christmas Card Extravaganza" workshops at my home in Calgary in late November and early December!  Work at your own pace - make as many cards as you want, and you pick the designs you want! 
Not in the Calgary area or unable to attend?  I'm also offering these cards in take-home workshop kits - precut and prestamped! 

Details of cost, registration, dates and times of these workshops and take-home workshop kits can be found HERE.

Here are the close-ups of the cards (all materials used are Close to My Heart (CTMH)):

CASE'd from Carol Labuski

Materials Used:

Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Pack

St. Nick acrylic stamp set

Peace on Earth acrylic stamp set

Cranberry Grosgrain

Colonial White Brad

Cardstock: New England Ivy, Colonial White

CASE'd from Corinna McGregor

Materials Used:

Festive Frills acrylic stamp set

Glimmer ribbon from the Mistletoe Creative Basics

Opaques Pearls

Cardstock: Ponderosa Pine, Desert Sand, Colonial White

CASE'd from Susan Daniels

Materials Used:

Share the Magic acrylic stamp set (October 2010 Stamp of the Month)

Christmas Melodies acrylic stamp set

Black Grosgrain ribbon

Cardstock: Black, White Daisy

CASE'd from Corinna McGregor

Materials Used:

Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Pack

Snow Days acrylic stamp set

Glitz Glitter Gel

Licorice opaques

Cardstock: Colonial White, Cranberry

Designed by Carla Ironside

Materials Used:

Aspen Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)

Father Christmas acrylic stamp set

Clear Sparkle

Cardstock: Creme Brulee, Outdoor Denim

CASE'd from Lisa Stenz

Materials Used:

Jingle Borders acrylic stamp set

Peace on Earth acrylic stamp set

Holiday Trinkets acrylic stamp set

Foam Tape

Liquid Glass

Cardstock: White Daisy, Chocolate, Baby Pink

Designed by Carla Ironside

Materials Used:

Share the Magic acrylic stamp set (October 2010 Stamp of the Month)

5/8" White Daisy Organdy Ribbon

Clear Sparkle

White Embossing Powder

Cardstock: Crystal Blue, White Daisy, Petal, Sweet Leaf

 Inspired by the CTMH Idea Book

Materials Used:

Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack

Holiday Trinkets acrylic stamp set

Holiday Buttons

Cardstock: Olive, Smokey Plum, Colonial White

Ribbon (from my stash - not CTMH)

Inspired by the CTMH Idea Book

Materials Used:

Aspen Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)

Evergreen acrylic stamp set

Red Sparkles

Dimensional Elements Stars in DE Flurry

Cardstock: Juniper, Colonial White, Creme Brulee

Designed by Carla Ironside

Materials Used:

Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack

Jingle Creative Basics (retired)

Just for the Holidays acrylic stamp set

Peace on Earth acrylic stamp set

White Daisy Grosgrain

Bitty Sparkles

Black Eyelets

Cardstock: Black, White Daisy

Designed by Carla Ironside

Materials Used:

Passages Level 2 Paper Pack

I Believe acrylic stamp set

Peace on Earth acrylic stamp set

Red Sparkle

Cocoa Grosgrain

Cardstock: Cocoa, Colonial White

Designed by Carla Ironside

Materials Used:

Colonial White Circle Card Base

Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack

Share the Magic acrylic stamp set (October 2010 Stamp of the Month)

A Timber acrylic stamp set

Chocolate Brads

Glitz Glitter Gel

Cardstock: Chocolate, Colonial White

CASE'd from Kelly English Triggs

Materials Used:

Tannenbaum acrylic stamp set

Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon

Cranberry Brads

Cardstock: Cranberry, New England Ivy, Colonial White

CASE'd from Kelly English Triggs

Materials Used:

Mistletoe Creative Basics (paper and ribbon)

Adornable acrylic stamp set

Holiday Trinkets acrylic stamp set

Cardstock: Cranberry, Colonial White

Fabulous, right?!?!  Which ones are your favourites?  Or do you want to make one of each? If you are in the Calgary area - I hope you'll join me to make Christmas cards this year!!  Bring a friend for a fun ladies night out!   Get all the workshop details HERE and contact me today to register - spaces are limited!!