My Summer Memory Keeping Project

I started this week on a HUGE undertaking!!
My grandparents will be celebrating their 60th Anniversary this summer.   Truly amazing!

At their wedding - 1952

At their 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2002

Well when we started planning the celebratory events for this momentous occasion, it seemed to make sense to me that I volunteer to create a slide show for the reception and an album to give my grandparents as a gift.   I do 'memory keeping' pretty much full time, right?!?!

Well - - let me tell you - - 60 years of marriage, 4 kids, 13 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren create a whole LOT of photos & memories.     This is going to be a really big job that is going to consume a big chunk of my time over the next 6 or so weeks - - but I think it is going to be sooooo worth it.

Here is my plan - I have been collecting photos from cousins, aunts, uncles, and other family & friends for the project.  (I'm talking a whole big box of photos people!!!)  Some are on CD but most are originals requiring scanning for my project (yikes - the scanning takes a lot of time!)   I recently purchased a Mac (which I love!) so I'm creating a slideshow using my IMovie software on my computer.  I have begun this phase of the project & it is going pretty well so far.  I still have some photos to add that I'm waiting for from people & lots of captions/dates, etc., but the general framework of the slideshow is in place.    I basically set up the slideshow as a timeline of their lives.   I'm quite excited about how it is all coming together.  The biggest challenge with the slideshow is keeping it to a reasonable length!  As I said - 60 years = lots of photos.  Our family is large & I want to make sure everyone has their special photos of & with grandma & grandpa included in the presentation.  But I may have to work on paring it down a little when I'm done adding all the content.

The second phase of the project will be to complete a Studio J album to give my grandparents as a gift at the Anniversary celebration.  I can't possibly include all of the photos that I have collected in the slideshow presentation - we'd be watching it all night - so I'm hoping by doing the album I can add more photos and memories and more written details.   Also - by creating a Studio J album, I'll be able to provide extra copies of the layouts for anyone in the family who would like to have this collection of our family photos and stories in their own homes.    For myself, I plan to have a copy printed for my family & am so excited that my kids will have this record of our extended family's history and heritage.

(On a sidenote - for those that don't know, Studio J is CTMH's digital scrapbooking program!  One tip I've already learned - if you are scanning photos to include in your digital scrapbooking & plan on printing the layouts - be sure you set your resolution on your scanner high enough for 'print quality'!!)

So . . . if the blog is quiet in the next several weeks - - you now know why!!  I'm not absent - just working away on this gigantic memory keeping project.   I hope to share some of the finished product here once I'm done - so stay tuned for that.

Wish me luck . . . 49 days to go until the party!

Inspired by Pinterest Extravaganza

I've spent the last few days putting together a wide selection of cards for my Spring All Occasion card workshop.  My biggest source of inspiration was, of course, Pinterest.   So many great ideas, so little time!  Attendees at my workshop will be able to choose which of the following cards they'd like to make & how many of each - flexible so that you go home with the cards you need & will use. 

Here is the full card selection:

Designed by Carla Ironside from Less is More sketch

Size: 6" x 6"

Materials Used:

CTMH May 2012 Stamp of the Month - "Friendship Bouquet"

CTMH White Daisy cardstock

CTMH Black ink

CTMH Watercolor Pencils

Inspired by Paige Dolecki

Size: 5" x 7"

Materials Used:

CTMH Footloose paper

CTMH Wings paper (retired)

CTMH Cardstock: Smoothie, White Daisy

CTMH Glitter Buttons from Bohemian Assortment

Card Word Puzzle stamp set

CTMH Ink: Cocoa

Flowers, stems, vase cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

Inspired by Nancy Ball

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Lucy paper

CTMH cardstock: Colonial White, Sweet Leaf, Cotton Candy, Grey Wool

CTMH grey bakers twine

CTMH Say it in Style stamp set

CTMH ink: Grey Wool

Inspired by: Close to My Heart Idea Book

Size: 5.5" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Stella paper

CTMH cardstock: Desert Sand, Pear, Colonial White

CTMH Thanks stamp set

CTMH ink: Chocolate

All die-cut pieces (including card base) cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

CTMH Pearl Opaques

Inspired by: Christina Eisenhour

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Florentine paper

CTMH cardstock: Cocoa, Colonial White, Olive, Creme Brulee

CTMH ink: Twilight, Creme Brulee, Cocoa

CTMH Card Chatter- Birthday stamp set

CTMH Antiqued Copper Brad

Flower & leaves cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

Inspired by: Betsy Veldman

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Typeset paper

CTMH Cruisin' paper

CTMH cardstock: Colonial White, Black, Vineyard Berry

CTMH Ink: Black

CTMH Wooden Button

CTMH Black Waxy Flax

Star and Alphas cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

CTMH Blue Ribbon stamp set

Inspired by: Tina Lovell

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Elemental paper

CTMH cardstock: Desert Sand, Pacifica, Colonial White

CTMH ink: Pacifica

CTMH Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon

Square and Scalloped Square cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

Inspired by: Tina Lovell

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Elemental paper

CTMH cardstock: Desert Sand, Pacifica, Colonial White

CTMH ink: Pacifica

CTMH Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon
Square and scalloped square cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

 

Inspired by: Amy Sheffer

Size: 5" x 7"

Materials Used:

CTMH Victory paper

CTMH cardstock: Bamboo, New England Ivy, Chocolate, Sunset, White Daisy

CTMH ink: Bamboo, Chocolate

CTMH Clear Buttons

CTMH Sunset Bakers Twine

CTMH Love Life stamp set

CTMH Card Chatter - Birthday stamp set

Stars & tag cut with Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

Inspired by: Carol Labuski

Size: 5" x 7"

Materials Used:

CTMH Sonoma paper

CTMH Seam Binding Ribbon

CTMH Cardstock: Cocoa, Colonial White

CTMH Inks: Petal, Smokey Plum

CTMH 4 My Friend stamp set

CTMH Soul Mates stamp set (retired)

CTMH Art Philosophy stamp set

Hearts cut with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

Inspired by: CTMH art department

Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Materials Used:

CTMH Cruisin' paper

CTMH Cardstock: Black, Colonial White, Desert Sand, Cranberry, Honey

CTMH ink: Black

CTMH Classmate Alpha stamp set

CTMH Thank You stamp set (retired)

CTMH Typeset stamp set (retired)

CTMH black bakers twine

Pencil cut with A Child's Year Cricut cartridge

If you are in the Calgary area and are interested in attending or hosting a Spring All-Occasion Card Workshop - Click HERE for more details & pricing.

For the Bride & Groom with Florentine

It has been a while since we've had a family wedding . . .so I'm very much looking forward to my younger cousin's wedding this coming Saturday!  This is a girl I used to babysit when she was just a newborn - so it makes me feel pretty old! But I'm very happy for her & her hubby to be!

Here is the card I made for the occasion:

I used Sketch #53 from Cardabilities.

Materials Used:

CTMH patterned paper: Florentine

Leaves & oval cut with CTMH Art Philosophy cricut cartridge

CTMH Love Always stamp set (retired)

CTMH cardstock: cocoa & colonial white

CTMH ink: cocoa

CTMH paper flowers (retired)

CTMH pearl opaques



Valentine Card & Treat Box & a Sneak Peek!

***Click Here for my CTMH Giveaway***

My goodies from the Spring/Summer 2012 CTMH Idea Book have arrived (did you know that as a consultant you can order a month before the catalogue is 'live'?!)  I had some time to play tonight so I created a cute little Valentine Card and Treat Box that will be my make & take project for the ladies attending my all-day scrapbooking crop this Saturday in Calgary!

The card was inspired by artwork in the new Idea Book.  The treat box is just one of the great 3-D items you can cut with the CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.

Inside view of the card.

Close-up view of the treat box. 

I used a Valentine sentiment in the card, but you could change up the sentiment and easily use this as a wedding or anniversary card as well!  The treat box is the perfect size for a few little sweet treats - your favourite chocolate or some cinnamon hearts perhaps?

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):
Patterned Paper - Stella (coming February 1st in the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book)
Cardstock: Cocoa, Colonial White, Tulip
Stamp Sets: Card Chatter Love, Love Clusters (coming February 1st in the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book)
Ink: Tulip, Cocoa
Ribbon:  Cocoa Grosgrain
Embellishments: Clear Sparkles
CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy: Heart cut at 3", Scalloped border cut at 1.25", Treat box cut at 6"
Other: Foam Tape

CTMH's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for December

Welcome to the Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for December. This month we are featuring the stamp set "Mad About You".

Along this month's Stamp of the Month hop you'll find dozens of fabulous creations using this stamp set - all brought to you by a very talented group of CTMH Consultants! If you've come here from Fancy Melissa'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 stamp set, along with the many other great CTMH products you'll see in each post!
 
My creation for you today is a Valentine card measuring 5" by 7".  My creation was inspired by a card I saw HERE on Splitcoast Stampers.  This card could easily be adapted to a wedding or anniversary card by simply changing the sentiment.
 



 Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):
Roxie Level 2 Paper Pack
Made for You stamp set (December 2011 Stamp of the Month)
Colonial White Designer Ribbon
Hearts & circles cut with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge
Vanilla Cream cardstock, Black Cardstock
Tulip Ink, Black Ink
Foam Tape
 
The "Made for You" stamp set is available from your consultant from December 1st to 31st! You can purchase it for the great low price of $19.95 or get it for just $5.50Cdn with every CTMH order of $55 or more placed in the month of December!

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

A Toast

Canadian Scrapbooker magazine recently introduced a monthly Sketchy Challenge on their website.

I created this layout for their October sketch, but sadly did not get it photographed & submitted on time . . . I always feel a step behind on everything this time of year!  So much to do, so little time!!

In any case - thought I would share it here with you:

Another layout for the wedding album . . . slowly chippin' away at it, LOL!

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):
Wings Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)
Eclectic Chipboard Alpha
Black ink for distressing
Vineyard Berry ink to colour alphas
Black Mini Medley accessories
All shapes cut with the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge

The November sketch looks like a great one too -- hopefully I'll be a little more timely with that one!

Have a great week,

Mojo Monday Congratulations

It has been forever since I played along with Mojo Monday.  Mainly because I've been doing more scrapbooking than cardmaking lately.  But this week I was in need of a card to congratulate friends of ours who just became engaged . . . and Mojo Monday's sketch provided me with the needed inspiration!

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):
Wings Level 2 paper pack (retired)
Veranda Creative Basics paper pack (retired)
For Every Occasion acrylic stamp set  (best EVER stamp set for cardmakers!!)
Soul Mates acrylic stamp set
Spray Pen (with Pearl Paint, Vineyard Berry Re-inker, and water)
Licorice Opaque Gems
Colonial White Waxy Flax
Black Ink
Cardstock: Black, Juniper, Colonial White, Vineyard Berry
Foam Tape

Have a great weekend!

Soul Mates

Challenges:
Heart 2 Heart - Weddings
Clean & Simple Stamping - Sketch 144
CAS-ual Fridays - Tic-Tac-Toe (Gems, Flowers & a Punch)

Materials Used:
Bliss Level 2 Paper Pack
Soul Mates stamp set
Hollyhock paper flowers (retired)
Licorice Opaques Gems
Ink: Chocolate
Cardstock: Gray Flannel & Chocolate

Winning Contest Entries!!

Woohoo!  Close to My Heart has just posted the winning contest entries from their "Make it From Your Heart" contest for consultants.  This round of the contest features artwork using the Spring/Summer 2011 Paper Packs and Stamps of the Month. 

I was lucky enough to win THREE categories this time around - very exciting!! 
Here is one of my winning layouts (click on image to see it larger):

This layout won the "Sweetheart Level 2" Category (Level 2 meaning no stamping). 
You can find the list of materials posted along side the picture of my layout on the CTMH website. 

Hope you'll take a few minutes to check out the gallery of artwork at the MAKE IT FROM YOUR HEART ART GALLERY!  Lots of inspiration to be found using all of the great new products from the Spring/Summer Idea Book!  And be sure to watch for my other layouts as well, when you are there (Hint:  you'll find them in the Bliss and Lucky sections of the gallery)! 

Picture Perfect

A quick layout with no stamping  - - I used the Wings "Level 1" Kit - just paper and stickers.  (I've been married 10 years this year - - the wedding album needs progress - sometimes quick & easy is the way to go!)  Click on the image to see in larger detail.

Materials Used (CTMH):
Wings Level 1 Scrapbooking Kit

Even more CTMH Bliss & New Clearance Items!

My Bliss paper pack is getting lots of use.
Another wedding/anniversary card - this time with a classic colour combo:

Materials Used:

Bliss Level 2 Paper Pack

Bliss acrylic stamp set available as part of the Bliss Workshop Kit)

Licorice Opaques Gems

Ribbon from the Black Designer Ribbon Rounds (retired)

Foam Tape

Ink: Black, Bamboo

Cardstock: Colonial White, Black

Also wanted to let you know today that a few new items have been added to the "While Supplies Last" Section of my Website, including these cute chipboard accents, priced now at just $1.25 CDN for a pack of 27 accents:

Or these great Summer Posies paper flowers - on now for $4.50 Cdn for a tube of 100 flowers and leaves!!

Check it out!!  And remember - you can combine clearance items on an order with regular priced merchandise to make the shipping worthwhile :-)
While you are shopping, be sure to take advantage of our March special!
Spend $30 or more on ANY stamp sets and you'll get a bonus FREE acrylic block (you choose 3x3 or 2.5x6 size)!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Together - Hand in Hand

More inspiration using the new Bliss paper pack.  Here I combined it with some great Sorbet paper from the retired Twitterpated pack for a pop of colour.

Linking up to the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Trio-tastic

Wee Memories #47 - Spring Theme

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

Bliss Level 2 Paper Pack

Twitterpated Level 2 Paper Pack (retired)

Bliss acrylic stamp set (available as part of the Bliss Workshop Kit)

Aspiration acrylic stamp set

Chocolate Designer Ribbon (retired)

Chocolate Bitty Brads

Ink: Chocolate, Sorbet

Cardstock: Chocolate, Vanilla Cream

Magnifique and the New Flip Flaps!!

The new Flip Flaps are my FAVE new product in the Fall/Winter CTMH Idea Book!! I'm always looking to get more photos on my layouts - these flip flaps are the perfect way to do that!  AND - they are so much fun!! Interactive elements such as these are like little surprises for anyone browsing through  your scrapbooks!

Page 1 (with flaps closed) - some favourite snapshots taken at my wedding:

Page 1 (with flaps open - these are 2 Flip Flaps added to a regular page protector at the top and the bottom.  Both are 6" width and adhere to the page protector using a self-adhesive strip on the Flip Flap):

Grand total for this first layout: 18 PHOTOS!!!  Awesome!

And here is the 2nd layout - this time featuring some of the professional photos from our big day!

Page 2 (with flaps closed):

And page 2 (with the flaps open- this time I used a 4" flip flap paired with an 8" flip flap and they are adhered on the left and right sides of the page protector):

Aren't those fun!?! 
(Note: these are CTMH designed layouts!  We did these during our Create & Take sessions at Convention this past summer . . . I just recently added my photos & journalling to them and I'm so happy with the results!)

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart)
Magnifique Level 2 Paper Packet
Flip Flaps 12" Assortment
Foundry Flourishes Assortment
Mocha Opaques
Circle Of Love Acrylic Stamp Set

CTMH That's Amore Wedding Dance Layout

This layout features me & my hubby dancing our 'first dance' at our wedding.
I worked a few challenges into this page.  I used Stickles on the flower centers and pearls for photo corners which meets the Humble Pie Challenge of using 2 different types of bling.  This also works for this week's challenge over at Sketches by Tamara which is to use rub-ons, flowers and bling!

Layout design is "Bottom Border - Title" from the CTMH Reflections Book.

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

• That's Amore Level 2 Paper Pack
• Love Letters Rub-Ons
• Just Blooms Big Pinks paper flowers
• Chocolate 'Bigger' Brads
• Chocolate Organdy Ribbon (retired)
• Dimensional Elements - Simple Alphabet (lowercase)
• Dimensional Elements - Mini Monograms "A"
• Dimensional Elements - Mini Monograms "E"
• Dimensional Elements - Mini Monograms "D"
• Self Adhesive Pearls (promo item from 2009 -not available to order)
• Stickles
• Brown Chipboard Letters - Thickers
• Ink: Chocolate (for distressing), Vanilla Cream to cover chipboard letters, Tulip to distress chipboard letters
• Cardstock: Blush, Tulip, and Textured Chocolate

CTMH Silhouette Best Wishes

My card for this week's sketch over at Clean & Simple Stamping.

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

• Silhouette Level 2 Paper Pack
• Silhouette My Stickease Assortment
• For Every Occasion Acrylic Stamp Set
• Just Blooms Big Pinks paper flowers
• Designer Ribbon Rounds Black Collection
• Cardstock: Colonial White, Black
• Inks: Black
• Other: Black Bigger Brad

CTMH Grace Workshop Kit

I am loving the new Close to My Heart "Workshop Kits". Each kit comes with a full level 2 Paper Pack, a full retail package of a coordinating accessory, an exclusive stamp set, and a full-colour workshop guide with complete instructions for a 2 page layout and 6 cards. And when you buy the complete kit - you get the products at a 10 - 15% discount!

This is the featured layout for the Grace Workshop Kit. The warm, rich colours in this paper worked beautifully with these wedding photos, which we had taken on my family farm.

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

• Grace Workshop Kit which includes the Grace Level 2 Paper Pack, the Edge Anchors - Rustic Collection, the "Beautiful Flourish" Acrylic Stamp Set (available only as part of this workshop kit), and a Full-Colour Instructional Workshop Guide.
• Chocolate Alphabet - Small Acrylic Stamp Set
• Buttoned Together Acrylic Stamp Set
• Simple Stitches Acrylic Stamp Set
• Inks: Cocoa & Twilight

CTMH Grace & Mojo Monday #107

Here is my card for this week's sketch over at Mojo Monday.

Materials Used (all Close to My Heart):

• Grace Level 2 Paper Pack
• Childhood Portrait Acrylic Stamp Set
• Cardstock: Twilight, Cocoa, Bamboo, Textured Twilight
• Inks: Cocoa
• Brads - Autumn Harvest Assortment

CTMH That's Amore & Mojo Monday #96

Here is my card for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch.

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

• That's Amore Level 2 Paper Pack
• Love Always Acrylic Stamp Set
• Ink: Chocolate
• Cardstock: Vanilla Creme, Chocolate, and Blush (all included in the That's Amore Level 2 pack) and Tulip
• Blush Ribbon Slide from the Mini-Medley Accents Winter Cozy Collection
• Foam Squares
• Brown velvet ribbon from Michaels

I usually leave the inside of my cards blank, but for this one I stamped a simple sentiment.

Hope you enjoyed my take on this week's Mojo, thanks for stopping by!!