Happy Little Life Giveaway: Win a FREE paper pack!

It's my "Happy Little Life" Giveaway!

I love this sweet layout I made at CTMH Convention in June. My favorite thing about it is all of the different elements and products used. What NEW stamp sets, paper or embellishments can you identify? Leave your guess/guesses in the comments section below for a chance to win your choice of one of the nine new CTMH paper packs, delivered right to your door (US residents only). I will select one lucky winner on Monday, August 11, 2014.

Timberline Scouting Layouts

My two Cub Scouts have just crossed over to Bear and Webelo II. We have an endless supply of photos from camping, Blue & Gold Banquets, Crossover events and multiple other Cub Scout activities to scrap. Yes, the photos are mostly still on my computer, but I hope to get them printed and added to these layouts soon, per the Cub Scout motto: Do Your Best.

I wish I could easily list all of the stamp sets I used, but I used about seven old CTMH ones that are now retired (but still favorites to this mom of two outdoorsy boys!). Current stamps and supplies I used include:

• Do Your Best, C1573
• Hopscotch Alphabet, E1028
• Flight of the Arrows, D1578
• Timberline Paper Packet, X7182B
• Timberline Complements, X7182C
• Timberline Assortment, Z3005
• Cricut Artiste, Z1790

Timberline Workshop on the Go

Every once in a while, I complete a workshop and love it so much I squeal like a little girl. Turning 40 in May proves that I'm no longer a little girl, but this Timberline Workshop made me SQUEAL! Close To My Heart rocked the first two layouts below. I created the third, using the fabulous CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge. Love, love love these layouts and can't wait to find the perfect pics to add to them.

Close To My Heart Workshop on the Go Layout One

Close To My Heart Workshop on the Go Layout Two

Scrappy Hour Workshop Layout Three, Make It From Your Heart, Volume 2, Layout 4

Want to create these layouts and have all of the pieces pre-cut for you? Join me on April 7th for my workshop at 9 am or 7 pm. Comment or send me an email to RSVP by April 1st.

Emboss It Blog Hop

Welcome to the "Emboss IT!" Blog Hop, featuring one of Close To My Heart's latest additions...embossing folders!  Thanks for visiting from Pamela's blog.

CTMH now offers embossing folders in five designs: Dot, Chevron, Quatrefoil, Damask and Stripe. At only $8.95, these are high quality embossing folders you'll use again and again!

I used the Quatrefoil Embossing Folder to teach my "Scrappy Gals" (a group of 13 amazing Second-Fifth graders I teach scrapbooking to at my sons' elementary school) about embossing. The layout was inspired by this one created by Melissa Laverty, my amazing Director at CTMH.

A little sanding really made the Quatrefoil Embossing really jump off of the page!

One of my students designed her own layout using embossed papers.

Now, head on over to Lalia's blog to see what creative embossing she's done! If you got lost along the way, Melinda has a complete list of hoppers here. Happy embossing!

Lollydoodle Workshop

Spring is just around the corner, supposedly. Whether the weather (hee hee), this Lollydoodle Workshop will make you feel like Spring is sprung!

Layout One

Layout Two

Layout Three with Spray Technique

The first two layouts follow the Lollydoodle Workshop on the Go designs. Since some of my crafters don't have girls, I wanted to make the layouts a little more Spring/family friendly by using the Lollydoodle Complements (My Stickease). They make the layouts come together so quickly!

I'm holding the Lollydoodle Workshop on Monday, March 24th at 9 am and again at 7 pm. For $30, you'll get:

• Lollydoodle Paper Pack, X7183B
• Lollydoodle Complements, X7183C
• Lollydoodle Assortment, Z3006
• Flamingo Dots, Z1934
• Additional Cardstock and Accessories to complete the layouts

RSVP as soon as possible to reserve your spot today!

Skylark Workshop

Close To My Heart's new Spring/Summer Idea Book will launch online in two days! You are going to love all of the new paper packs, stamp sets and embellishments. And, I'm super excited about the new Picture My Life Scrapbooking Program. But, more on that later. 

Today, I'm going to give you a sneak peek of the Skylark Workshop I'm teaching in February.

Pattern from the WOTG

Reflections: Front & Center -In the Middle and -Focal (pp. 71 and 76)

Make It From Your Heart Volume 2, Pattern 11 (pp. 26-27)

To complete these layouts, you'll need:

Skylark Paper Pack, X7177B

Skylark Complements, X7177C

Slate Striped Twist Ties, Z1864

Additional Cardstock: Whisper (2), Chocolate (2), Desert Sand (1), Colonial White (2) and White Daisy (1)

Additional Supplies Used:

Sanding Kit, Z1294

3-D Foam Tape, Z1151

Will you join me? I have spots open on February 18th from 7-9:30 pm. Drinks and light snacks will be served, along with lots of laughs! RSVP by February 6th, please.

Huntington Scrapbooking Layouts

The Huntington Paper Pack is one of my favorite of CTMH's fall paper packs ever! It's just a beautiful complement of colors. The papers are so versatile with unassuming patterns.. The stamp set that came with the Workshop on the Go is awesome! These first two layouts are from the WOTG and feature Rock and Roll stamping. First, dip a leaf in Goldrush ink, then roll the outside of the stamp in a darker color (Olive, Saddle or Barn Red). Tada, you've just Rock and Rolled your stamp!

Once again, I went to my CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge for the title on this bonus layout. And, using the CTMH "How To" books makes designing the layout so easy!

I'm looking forward to visiting my in-laws over Thanksgiving to get some great photos of my boys with their grandparents and cousins to complete these layouts. What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Sarita Scrapbooking Layouts

Sarita is one of those paper packs that required me to work with it before I really liked it. Thanks to the fabulous CTMH Art Department and our Founder and CEO, Jeanette Lynton, the top two layouts were designed with the Sarita Paper Pack and Sarita My Stickease Assortment. I love stamping, but sometimes it's nice to just complete a super quick couple of layouts with My Stickease! The Sarita Assortment adds a little dimension and texture to the papers. Finally, the Art Department added in little bits of Silver Shimmer Trim to add a little glitz! I think they turned out beautifully!

 

Designing this final layout was so simple using the Cricut Artbooking cartridge and the leftover My Stickease and Assortment pieces.  What do you think?

 

ProPlayer Scrapbooking

Two active boys means lots of red, blue and black colors zipping around my house. I'd love to scrapbook pink, frilly things, but that's just not my life, and I'm pretty lucky so I'll deal!

ProPlayer is Close To My Heart's answer to my needs for boy paper. While these photos don't do the paper justice (my good camera's in the shop!), you can see how boy oriented, gamer, and fun these patterned papers are!

The first two layouts are part of the ProPlayer Workshop on the Go. The third layout is one I put together using the Make It From Your Heart Volume 2 pattern book inspired by Jeanette Lynton. I used Pattern 02. I just love CTMH's "How To" series of layouts and card patterns!

Chantilly Workshop

Chantilly...the paper packet everyone is talking about!  You are going to love this workshop that features not two, not three, but FOUR layouts!

Here's what you'll create when you come to my house on April 25th:

Layout 1

Layout 2

Layout 3

Layout 4

The first two layouts are directly from the Workshop on the Go and feature the cutest stamp set with adorable phrases (Every Day is a Play Day and Live a Happy Life among others) and that great "pie" set to make interesting circles.

Kit options and pricing (all prices include tax and shipping)

Basic Kit, $24, complete Layout 1 and Layout 2, includes:
Chantilly Paper Packet, X7163B
Chantilly Assortment, Z1814
Pink Glitter Gems, Z1807
Pre-cut circles and extra cardstock

Workshop on the Go, $34, complete Layout 1 and Layout 2, includes:
All of the above, plus:
Chantilly WOTG Stamp Set (retail value of $13.95 but only available with the WOTG)
Instructional Brochure

Four for $34, complete all four Layouts but don't get the stamp set or brochure
Everything in the Basic Kit, plus:
Chantilly Complements Dimensional Elements, X7163C
Seven sheets of additional cardstock (in Twilight, Buttercup, Champagne and White Daisy)

Deluxe Kit, $44, complete all four layouts, as shown above!  Includes:
All of the above
Chantilly Complements Dimensional Elements, X7163C
Seven sheets of additional cardstock (in Twilight, Buttercup, Champagne and White Daisy)

Email me to let me know which time you're coming (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 7-10 p.m.) and which kit you want.  You are going to love these layouts!!!

Claire Scrapbook Layout

I just finished teaching a six-session scrapbooking class to the most amazing girls.  They were in second-fifth grade and not only were they creative and artistically talented, they were just the sweetest, most fun group of girls, too!  What a blessing to get to share my passion for scrapbooking with them.  Here we are on our last day:

Each week, I created a different themed layout, using CTMH papers and accessories, naturally!  For the last class, I used the Claire Paper Packet and the Girls Rock stamp set.  I just love the flowers and border stamps in this cute set!  I also used the Chocoate Alphabet Stamp to create the "epic" title.  Did you know that "epic" is the new "awesome" or "cool?"  I didn't until a former scrapbooking student let me in on "what the kids are saying these days!"  Ha!

Using my Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, I was able to cut out shapes that perfectly matched the flower shapes.  This awesome cartridge easily cuts out flower shapes from our new Glitter Paper, too.  Then, a little of the Silver Shimmer Trim (LOVE that it's self-adhesive!), a few buttons from the Buttons Pink Assortment and voila...one cute layout!

I focus on a different technique or two each week with my Scrappy Gals.  This week, we did border stamping, rock'n'roll stamping and second generation stamping.  Check it out:

It was amazing to me that each girl put her own spin on the layout.  Almost nobody ever copied my layout design exactly.  It just shows the artistic flair inside each one of us when we're encouraged to let our creativity shine!