CTMH Later Sk8r Studio J Flip Flaps

Can you believe that within 2 weeks of returning from my Close to My Heart Puerto Rico Incentive Trip, I completed the entire trip album?!!  Yes, it's true and with over 35 layouts!!

How is it possible?  With Studio J, of course!  I love how quick and easy Studio J enables me to capture my memories in beautiful layouts in record time!

If you're like me, when I go on trips I tend to take zillions of pictures in an attempt to capture the beauty of all I see!  So it's very difficult to get home and narrow those photos down to a select few, especially all the scenery!  

I've found that Close to My Hearts Flip Flaps make that task quite a bit simpler...mostly in that I don't have to eliminate as many!  I can use more photos and still keep them down to a "single layout", just one that is a bit more interactive!

Here are 2 layouts I created in Studio J for our exploration of Fort San Felipe del Morro in San Juan.  However, in my album, this is a single layout that I've put together using the Flip Flap 12" Assortment (Z1325).

The layout below is the Studio J Magic pattern: Ta Da

This layout can be cut at 6" across the center and placed into our 12" x 6" flip flaps.

The next layout is Studio J Magic Pattern: Card Trick

Both layouts feature our Later Sk8r collection.  I'm really loving the color combinations: Outdoor Denim, Slate, Pear, Whisper and Lagoon making this collection versatile for so many of my photos and events!

Here is the layout as it looks in my album.  The TaDa layout is cut and placed in the 12" flip flaps over the right side of the Card Trick Layout.

Here is the right page with the flip flaps expanded.  A great way to create a "single layout" but truly using 4 - 12" pages!

CTMH Later Sk8r Scrapbook Layout

Super quick and easy layout featuring Close to My Hearts Later Sk8r Paper Pack (X7167B) and My Stickease Assortment (X7167C) featured on page 46 in the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book!  

This paper pack has quickly become one of my new favorites...the colors have complemented my pool and beach layouts and it really worked for this layout of my boys breaking in the new park in our neighborhood, with the greens and turquoise-ish playground equipment...spot-on!

I modified stickease placement slightly from the layout in the Idea Book to work with the photos and also to enable me to create this layout twice with one set of Stickease so I have layouts for each of my boys albums.

A touch of bling with our new Green & Blue Epoxy Bubbles (Z1806) and the Later Sk8r Assortment (Z1810) rubber shapes help pull it all together and still give me the variety of "textures" I like in my projects!

 I used foam tape (Z1151) to pop up a couple of the stickease to add more dimension to the layout.

CTMH Chantilly Card Workshop

The Close to My Heart pattern books are a fabulous resource for creating beautiful cards and scrapbook layouts.  Two of the previously retired books (Reflections 9036 and Originals 9037) have come back in a less expensive spiral-bound format.  PLUS we have our Make It From Your Heart Volume 1 (9035) pattern book that has a combination of layout and card patterns in one inexpensive book!

I used the 12 card patterns in the Make It From Your Heart Volume 1 book to create the 24 cards shown below!  Using one paper pack, and adding either 6 sheets of cardstock or 12 card bases, I was able to create 24 cards!

The Chantilly Paper Pack (X7163B) is perfect for cards since one of the zip strips has sentiments and the Dimensional Elements Complements (X7163C) include plenty of shapes adding dimension and imagery to these cards!  Additionally, with the different color schemes provided by the reverse sides of the paper, you can create 24 cards from the 12 patterns and they'll look completely different!  If you're so inclined, you can add stamped images or additional sentiments to the workshop, but I think it works quite well as-is, making for a quick, simple and inexpensive workshop!

Visit my website to download the cutting guide, the workshop guide and the complete shopping list!

Be sure to Join a gathering and help a Hostess earn free products...your order still ships directly to you! 

CTMH Clementine Mini Album Accordion

Close to My Heart Clementine Paper Pack is still available in our new Idea Book, but don't delay, it will definitely retire in July.  

 My favorite is the complements are canvas stickers, which adds a different texture with adorable images!  These worked perfectly with pictures of our Texas Scrapbook Cabin Retreat Center and the country theme!  

 This is all put together on the CTMH My Creations Memory Showcase mini-album (Z1195).  I love the 6x6 size, which makes it super easy to create with minimal waste, especially with our double-sided patterned papers!!

 Love the Clementine Assortment, already layered with buttons, stitches and self-adhesive!  What more could you ask for?!

CTMH Clementine Scrapbook Layout

The Close to My Heart Clementine paper packet (X7156B) is an adorable combination of neutral colors with a little Sorbet and Twilight thrown in!  It worked beautifully for my "country western" layout from our Close to My Heart Directors Dinner last July.  It's wonderful being able to connect with all my gal friends and so fun to use the great settings for these cute pictures!

We were entertained with a live band, then a dance lesson!  No pictures of that...not very flattering for me!  LOL

 Below are some fun projects created using the CTMH Cricut Artiste cartridge, the Clementine Complements Canvas Shapes (X7156C) and the Clementine Assortment (Z1794).  Also, some of our Brown & Tan Sparkles Assortment (Z1753) to add a little bling, but in keeping with the neutral tones...love it!

25 Days of Gift Ideas: Note Frame

This clear easel style frame can quickly become an adorable gift project!  Decorate an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper and insert into the frame.  Then add a little paper to the top of a 5x7 notepad and a black binder clip.  Adhere a loop of ribbon to the bottom backside of the notepad and clip to the top of the frame.  Slide a pen into the loop and you've got a quick and easy notepad frame!

For this frame, I used the CTMH La Belle Vie paper pack (x7158B) and La Belle Vie Stickease (X7158C).

25 Days of Gift Ideas: Composition Book

Another of my favorites!  So simple, so easy and you can truly personalize to match the recipient!

Take a composition book, cover with paper (front and back) and embellish as desired.  I'm forever writing notes and carrying notebooks around...but I love it when my notebooks are mine and these are the perfect!!

Keep an eye out at the beginning of school years, sometimes you can find a sale on composition books for only $.25 each (or even less!)  I snap up a collection knowing I'll have reason to decorate and gift some throughout the year!!

For this composition book, I used the CTMH Scholastic Paper Pack (X7159B) and Scholastic Stickease (X7159C).

25 Days of Gift Ideas: Magazine Card Holder

Any collection of cards can be beautifully gifted using the CTMH Cricut Artiste Cartridge and this adorable "magazine rack" holder!  

This collection was created using the Avonlea Cardmaking Kit Workshop on the Go (G1041).  The holder was embellished with the CTMH Slate Satin Polka-Dot Ribbon (Z1802).

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25 Days of Gift Ideas: Emergency Card Kit

If you're like me, you have plenty of greeting cards made from all the "scraps" of your papercrafting!  For a cute gift idea, bag up a collection of cards (birthday, thank you, congratulations, thinking of you, etc.)  Add a quick bag topper and some instructions on back and you have an incredibly useful and fun gift idea!

Be sure to include envelopes!  Staple the topper to the bag (making sure to avoid stapling the cards).  Then adhere the instructions to the back!

25 Days of Gift Ideas: Snowman Soup

An oldie, but a goodie!!  Especially nice for co-workers this time of year!  Grab a holiday mug, a packet of cocoa mix, a baggie of marshmallows, a small candy cane and a little tinsel to bling it up!

Create a quick tag and add this little poem:

Snowman Soup

Was told you've been

real good this year.

Always glad to hear it!

With colder weather

drawing near

you'll need to warm the spirit.

So here's a little

Snowman Soup

complete with stirring stick.

Add hot water, sip it slow,

It's sure to do the trick!

The mug can be an added touch, but not necessary!  Just bag it up, add a bow, and you've created a quick last minute gift!

25 Days of Gift Ideas: Journal

The Close to My Heart My Creations Canvas Journal (Z1774) is a wonderful gift idea for just about everyone!  The Journal is hardbound with stampable canvas and 80 lined pages!  Embellish to personalize it for that special someone!

I used the La Belle Vie Paper Pack (X7158B), the Smokey Plum pigment ink (Z2502), Quick Cards - Butterfly (A1120) stamp set and the Sparkles Black Flourishes (Z1745).

25 Days of Gift Ideas: Cupcake Treat

Enjoy baking and giving out treats?  This is a nice way to dress-up a cupcake, and make them easier to transport!  The Close to My Heart Cricut Artiste Cupcake Box!  

 Cut the box, lid and stabilizer at 2.75" (page 69):

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To cover the lid opening, I cut a piece of our 4x6 Flip Flap (Z4114) and adhered to the inside of the lid.

 You can also select an appropriately themed cupcake wrapper from the Artiste collection and cut at 2" to give your treat an extra level of decoration!