CTMH Teacher Gifts - School Days

These were the gifts we gave our boys teachers for Christmas. Trey & Caden both have the same Pre-K teachers (Trey in the morning and Caden in the afternoon). Short of handing them large stacks of money to show them our appreciation...I wanted to be able to give them something to express to them how very much we appreciate their patience with our boys (who are lovely angels in pictures...but 3D can be a bit much at times).

I used the retired Close to My Heart School Days levels 1 and 2 paper packs for these projects. The 9x9 accordian album fits nicely in the Memory Keeper box, and the bucket (especially with all the fun ribbons) and post-it note holder all complement each other.

I enjoyed working with this paper pack...was so excited to receive them in some of my goody boxes that were offered last year...expecially with the boys just starting school!!!

CTMH Studio J - California Beaches

The beaches in California are so pretty...however, coming from the Texas heat in June...we were not quite prepared for the "chilly" weather when we got to California! I always picture the sun and beaches when I think of California...so was surprised when we found that we needed sweaters...and ooooooh, was the water cold! But did that stop us...heck no, we didn't drive all that way for a family vacation to not enjoy the beaches! As you can see...the kids were a bit braver about the water than I was (I just don't do cold!) ;0)

These are also Studio J layouts...I was able to create them as one of the beta testers for the software, so I played with a lot of the different paper packs so I could test them out! What a great job to have! It was such fun creating these layouts and I loved being among the first people to check out Studio J! You won't want to miss it...it's going live in March for our customers (and Consultants have access now!!)

CTMH Studio J - More California Adventures

I'm almost done with our California Album...just some final layouts I need to sit down and finish up...it was such a fun trip and as we normally do on vacations, we crammed tons of stuff and zillions of photos into that week. Here are some additional layouts created in Studio J. Once this album is done, it'll be time to organize all our New Zealand photos and start working on that album! I can't wait for all my friends and family to have access to Studio J...it makes scrapbooking so fast and easy...even for those who've never considered themselves a "Scrapbooker"! Stay tuned...it's tentatively scheduled to be released to customers at the end of March! It was just released this week to ALL Close to My Heart Consultants...yeah!

Legoland was AWESOME!!! The boys so want to go back again...we only had time to explore one small area of the "cities" built from legos...so of course we spent our time in Las Vegas! ;0)

I love this layout...the boys were so super excited about all the Cactus on our drive...so when we stopped to get gas and they saw this big cactus, they ran right up and touched it...ouch!! So funny...some lessons must be learned first-hand! ;0)

CTMH Studio J - Disneyland

Last June we enjoyed a fabulous family vacation to Disneyland! We all had a great time and the boys were at a great age to truly have a blast and enjoy the excitement of the characters, rides, and snacks (I guess we are all at the right age for that!)

I love that I was able to create these layouts so quickly in Close to My Hearts Studio J online studio! It was so quick, easy and fun!

Veranda, Close to My Hearts NEW Spring Paper

Oh this new paper pack is so beautiful! I was delighted at the Close to My Heart Advisory Board retreat in September to be able to play with this collection "ahead of schedule"...and am so happy to be able to share it with all of you...isn't it gorgeous!

Featuring Creme Brulee, Cocoa, Garden Green and Juniper, this paper collection has a spring feel but with the versatility to use in so many projects, cards and scrapbook pages!

To embellish this collection, add some of our new Just Blooms Spring Blossom Paper Flowers (Z1266) and our new Filigree Charms (Z1269).

Happy New Year!!

Welcome 2010!!! It's so exciting to be starting a new year...so full of possibilities and opportunities! I'm not big on New Years resolutions...but I am big on Goals! So it's time to map out my goals for 2010...and always at the top of my list is to GET ORGANIZED!!!

So I'll be spending the next few days organizing my crafting supplies, business papers, and family calendar! Oh...and then it's time for taxes! ;0) But this post is about the fun and excitement of the new year!

High on my list is the release of our BRAND NEW Spring 2010 Idea Book and all the fabulous new products released by Close to My Heart.

In just about a week, we'll be boarding a plane to New Zealand, courtesy of Close to My Heart and the support of all my fabulous customers! I'm looking forward to using our new Studio J online scrapbooking to complete my New Zealand album...can't wait to share.

Then there's the excitement (and nailbiting) that goes with my daughter turning 16 and getting her drivers license!

And all those things are just in the first few months of 2010...yup, it's looking to be one EXCITING New Year! I hope it's absolutely a fabulous year for you!!

Felicity, Another Look at CTMHs Papercrafting Collection

In this layout, I used the Imagine pattern Monologue...which calls for these circles at the corner of the pattern...I replaced them with pieces from one of the die cut papers...and I LOVE the look...what do you think?

My little men are so cute...and the Felicity collection beautifully highlights these photos.

Studio J - Mediterranean Cruise

We had an absolutely fabulous vacation last year on our Mediterranean Cruise...unfortunately, it took me a year to finish the album. I wish I could claim a valid excuse...but since I participated in a swap with 15 consultants who each created 2 layouts...I finished my vacation with 30 completed layouts.

It took me a year to pick my pictures. I will clarify that I took over 2,000 pictures on that trip...so many beautiful sights...I didn't want to miss anything...so my camera just kept snapping...but trying to narrow that down...way too hard! ;0) Then I had to select the pictures for the layout, get the sizes, order them, then figure out what pictures I had ordered for which layouts...then the easy part, putting them on the page.

Fortunately for me, during this process I was beta testing Studio J...and WOW!!! It was so nice to pick a picture, drop it on the page, swap if needed, rotate, adjust...whatever with just a click of a mouse! These 6 layouts were created on Studio J...1 of them by my daughter!

What do you think? I'm so excited and can't wait for everyone to experience Studio J!!!! (Don't forget, if you wanna have early access...just join CTMH and you can access Studio J as early as January and at a discounted rate!!!)

Felicity, Close to My Heart's National Papercrafting Month Collection

The Felicity collection features decorative die-cut paper, three gorgeous color schemes, and a D-size stamp set that include flowers, flourishes, argyle patterns, birds, and an entire alphabet! Your papercrafting possibilities are endless.

I love playing with this collection, it is so versatile and fun! I especially enjoy the die cut papers that work so beautifully as accents, full pages and on cards! Here's one of my Felicity layouts using our new family pictures!
In this layout, I used cocoa ribbon (Z1100), Basic Craft Buttons (Z1206), White Hemp (Z281), and pewter brads from the Metal Brad Assortment (Z1217) to complement the beautiful papers and add that extra little something. The flourishes are part of the beautiful stamp set included in the collection!
There are three ways to get the Felicity collection:
• Purchase it at full retail price for $34.95.
• Place an order of $60 or more in full-retail priced stamp sets & receive it FREE!
• Place an order of $125 or more in full-retail priced CTMH products and receive the collection FREE!The campaign also has wonderful opportunities for hostesses to receive it FREE when they host a Home Gathering with sales of $400 or more.
And new Consultants who join between January 1–31 will receive the collection FREE in their New Consultant Kit!

Around the Holidays Banner

Close to My Heart, My Originals Around the Holidays Card Kit (X8623)

This adorable card kit is a quick and easy way to wish a warm holiday season to your friends and family...or work a little outside the box (or circle) and create a lovely banner to decorate your fireplace, entry way, or any wonderful place you'd like to express yourself this holiday season!

Posterboard Alphabet (E1014) (One of my NEW Favorite stamp sets...so versatile!!!)

Clear Sparkles (Z1104)

Vintage Edge Anchors (Z1286)

Another wonderful project available at our Jingle Jamboree on November 28th....contact me for details.

Jingle Flip Flap Mini-Album

This adorable mini-album is so quick and ez to put together! Take advantage of our new Memory Protectors Flip Flaps (Z4114), Jingle Paper Pack (X7115B), Twinkle Brads (Z1220), Just Blooms Big Pinks (Z1033), Create A Shade Paint (z1039), and Holiday Trinkets Stamp Set (D1366).

Take advantage of Close to My Hearts Stampaganza and Buy 2 Get 1 FREE on stamp sets. Great way to buy a gift for 3 of your dear friends!! Visit noreen.myctmh.com to shop online and check out our retiring stamp sets before they're gone!

Flip Flap Mini-album4 ½ x 7 ½ Chipboard
¾ x 4 ½ chipboard
4x6 Juniper C/S
2x6 Tulip C/S
1 ½ x 6 Presents B&T
¾ x 4 ½ Dots B&T
4 ½ x 7 ½ Dots B&T
4 ½ x 7 ½ Tulip C/S
Shimmer Mist
2 Big Pinks White

Cover the top of both pieces of chipboard with the Dots B&T paper (don't cover the back until the end). Punch holes through the chipboard and flip flaps to make it easier to pin the Twinkle Brads through, holding the mini-album together. Once the brads are pierced through, the final step is to cover the back side of the chipboard with the Tulip C/S to cover the Brad ends.

The remaining pieces are used to create the 4x6 layout that will be the "cover" of the mini-album. You may find it easier to fill the Flip Flaps with photos/pages prior to final assembly.

Use the Create A Shade Paint, mix with a little rubbing alcohol or water and using small spritzer bottle, spray on the Big Pinks flowers to add a shimmer to them. You can add reinker to give the shimmer mist a different color.

Super Cute! Be sure to sign up for my Jingle Jamboree workshop to create all the little gift ideas that have been posted here over the past month. It's scheduled for Saturday, November 28th from 9am - 9pm...stop by anytime during those 12 hours to create your holiday gifts! Please RSVP and let me know when you'll be attending and which projects you'd like to create (and how many of each).

Purse Pals

PURSE PALS:
Cute and Sassy to carry around your checkbooks and have on hand to jot notes. Great gift ideas for co-workers, teachers and friends!

Checkbook Cover (the plastic covers are from clearbags.com)
3 x 5 7/8 Crème Brulee C/S
5 5/8 x 2 ¾ B&T Dots
1 ½ x 2 White C/S
1 ¾ x 2 ¾ Crème Brulee C/S

Notepad (sizes will differ based on notepad size you use)
3 5/8 x 10 ½ Crème Brulee C/S (score at 5 1/8 & 5 3/8)
3x4 Dots B&T
1 5/8 x 1 5/8 White C/S
¼ x 6 Dots B&T Crimped
1 ½ x 2 Crème Brulee C/S

CTMH Jingle Gift Ideas - Purse Bag

Now for a traditional gift bag...but without the $$$ tag!

Using a regular "sack lunch" bag, and some paper, we've created a cute bag to showcase any of our other gift ideas or to WOW that special person!

1 - Regular size "lunch sack" paper bag
2 – 5 ½ x 5 ½ Presents B&T
2 – 6 x 6 Juniper C/S
2 – ¾ x 12 Juniper C/S
2 – ½ x 12 Presents B&T
4 White Bigger Brads
Piercing Tool


Cut the paper bag to just under 6”. Adhere the Patterned Paper to the corresponding Juniper Cardstocks. Adhere the 6x6 Juniper pieces to the front and back sides of the bag (be sure to either open the bag for gluing to ensure the "bottom" of the bag isn't sealed; or fold the bottom of the bag down to avoid gluing it). Using the piercing tool, pierce the top of the bag with the 12" strips of Juniper and secure with a brad. TIP: don't glue the handles in place, instead secure with the brad to allow flexibility in movement on the handles and avoid ripping/tearing.
To add an extra accent, cut two 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" tulip cardstock pieces in half diagonally to create triangles, then corner round the tip and place at the top left and right corners of the bag front/back, use these as the placements for the brads to provide that extra accent and additional durability for the brads.

CTMH Jingle Gift Ideas - Gift Tube

So I've been using all this ribbon and accents...and have a good little collection of Close to My Heart Designer Ribbon Tubes and Accent Tubes just waiting to be put to use...they just seemed so handy, I couldn't bring myself to throw them away!

Now with a little paper and ribbon sprucing, these little tubes make adorable gift wraps for Reeses Peanut Butter cups or other small treats or gifts!


5 x 6 Stripe patterned paper
11” Ribbon
2” B&T (cut w/ Coluzzle at 2nd circle)

Adhere paper tightly around tube and secure ribbon around. Cover Lid/top with 2" circle...and fill container! Super cute, super EZ and wonderful way to recycle and reuse!! ;0)

CTMH Jingle Gift Ideas - Matchbook

Super simple...but super cute! These little matchbooks are a quick way to share a treat or special message (can even replace the candies with little post-it notes or scraps of paper to make a handy little notebook).

3x6 Tulip C/S - Scored across 6" side at 2 ¼, 2 ½, 5 ¼ (or ¾ on other side)
2 ¾ x 1 ¾ B&T
Stapler
2 ½ x 1 ¼ White C/S
2 Lifesavers

Stamp image on white cardstock and adhere to patterned paper; then adhere to matchbook cover. Fold bottom 3/4 piece of cardstock up, capture ends of 2 lifesavers in fold and staple in place.

CTMH Jingle Gift Ideas - Tic Tac Pack

What an adorable way to use our Snow Friends stamp set...and gift a little pack of tic tacs...or snowman kisses!

Created using our Jingle Creative Basics Paper Pack (X5808), D1244, Snow Friends stamp set, Cranberry Designer Ribbon Rounds (Z1209) and our new Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7115B).



4 5/8 x 3 Juniper C/S (score @ 2” & 2 5/8”)
4 5/8 x 2 7/8 Circle B&T (score @ 2” & 2 5/8”)
15” Ribbon (place no lower than 1 ¼” from top, sandwiched between C/S & B&T)
2 ¾ x 1 ¾ White c/s stamped with a snowman
1 pkg Tic Tacs

Adhere the 15" ribbon centered across the top of the Juniper Cardstock, going no lower than 1 1/4" from the top, then glue the patterned paper to the Juniper Cardstock (sandwiching the ribbon in between). By placing the ribbon in the top portion, you'll have room to cut the circle out of the bottom portion without the ribbon getting in the way.

Adhere the White snowman stamped cardstock to the ribboned piece. Cut a 1" circle from the Snowman to "expose" his belly.

Use liquid glass or glue dots to secure the Tic Tacs to the inside of the "card" being sure to line up the "snowman kisses" with the Snowmans belly.

CTMH Jingle Gift Ideas - Hershey Bar

Decorative approach to everyone's FAVORITE...chocolate! What a fun way to "gift" a Hershey bar!


6x7 Patterned Paper
STRIP:
1 x 6 Tulip C/S
½ x 6 B&T
TAG:
2 x 1 ¾ Tulip C/S
1 ¾ x 1 ½ White C/S
6” Ribbon

Wrap the short end of the 6x7 paper around the Hershey bar sealing the bottom piece. Use the crimper to give it a decorative edge. Adhere ½ x 6 B&T to 1x6 C/S together to make the strip, then wrap around Hershey bar.

Create the tag by adhering 1 ¾ x 1 ½ white C/S to 2 x 1 ¾ Tulip C/S, then hole punch at top of Hershey bar and tie ribbon through to "seal".

Another Option is to glue both ends and use the crimper to give both ends a decorate closure and tie a ribbon around the Hershey bar with a tag.

CTMH Jingle Gift Ideas - Sour Cream Container

Using our new Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7115B) and White Organdy Ribbon (Z209)

Todays project...an fun container for little treats, great for those kids parties this time of year!

4x6 Patterned paper (Presents)
5” Organdy Ribbon
Hole punch
TAG:
1 ½ x 1 ½ Tulip C/S
1 ¼ x 1 ¼ White C/S

Place glue in a U shape on the outer edges of the 4x6 paper, leaving one 6" side unglued. Adhere the 4" sides together to make a "tube", then press down the bottom glued piece to close the bottom of the container. Add treats, then pinch closed in the opposite direction as the bottom edge (giving more of a sour cream container look to it).

Create tag, then punch hole at top of Sour Cream Container and tag and run ribbon through to secure closed. (Optional: you can also glue this top piece as well to ensure smaller "treats" don't fall out of the top.)

CTMH Jingle Gift Ideas - Collection

This is the complete collection of Jingle Gift Ideas...stay tuned for directions and measurements for each of them!!!

CTMH Jingle Gift Ideas - Envelope Giftcard Holder

I've put together a workshop of inexpensive gift giving ideas for the holidays, using D1244, Snow Friends stamp set, Cranberry Designer Ribbon Rounds (Z1209) and our new Jingle Level 2 Paper Pack (X7115B) and Creative Basics Paper Pack (X5808) to create this collection of CTMH Jingle Gifts.

Todays project...an adorable, inexpensive giftcard holder to use for the holidays...or any time of year!

Small Envelope GiftCard Holder
4 1/2 x 5 3/4 Envelope
2 ½ x 3 ½ Juniper C/S
7 x ¼ Tulip C/S
2 ½ x 1 ½ Tulip C/S
2 ½ x 1 White C/S
2 ½ x 1 MASKING piece
9” Ribbon

Random stamp both sides of the envelope
HINT: I used a 2nd "scrap" envelope and placed it inside the 1st envelope to act as a mask so I didn't have stamping on the "inside" of the envelope.



Open envelope and fold Left & Right ends to meet in center (as shown above) and crease with bone folder; then fold envelope flap down and adhere 2 ½ x 3 ½ Juniper C/S

Tie Ribbon around to hold "flap" down. To open, slide ribbon off, open envelope and place gift card inside.