End of Summer Blog Hop

Wait, WHAT!?!?!  Didn't summer just start about a week ago?

I promise I won't start whining (even though I WANT to) because you probably came over from Stephanie's Blog looking for something crafty, lol, NOT to join in on a pity party.  Soooo, before my tantrum starts, here you go!

Last week was the start of another school year for me (so long, summer, sniff), and I saw a FANTASTIC piece of art shared on a friend's Facebook wall that featured a teacher's prayer that I had never heard.  By the end of the looooong first week, I NEEDED to create it for daily inspiration.  Here's my take on it and the link to the original piece of art.

original artwork doodle by Stephanie Ackerman

You might recognize the retired Close to My Heart Chalk It Up paper I used in this artwork...it's really perfect for "teacher stuff."  I used the Marker Alphabet set to stamp the title in Ruby, Tangerine, Lemon, Willow, Lagoon, Pacifica, Pansy, and Blossom.  I also used Jennifer's Hand for the word "prayer" and the Handwritten Print Alpha for the "a."

Now, my original vision of this project involved me stamping most of the prayer, but I quickly came to my senses and designed the rest of the prayer on Design Space for the Cricut Explore.  I used a few different cartridge fonts including Artistry, A Child's Year, and two Creative Memories fonts. 

I changed all of the fonts to "write" and duplicated the words I wanted to cut so I could also cut them by setting them to cut lines again.  I was quite ecstatic to find that the cricut pen was alright with me using my ShinHan markers to fill in some of the words--it didn't bleed at all.

The images and dies from the School Kids set were PERFECT for this project!

Well, of COURSE I used some red glitter paper!  ;)

I added a few other tidbits from various Fundamentals line products like the Adventure Ribbons  and two retired complements packs.

I hope you found some inspiration here, but for now you are off to Kelly's Blog to see what she's been up to this summer!

Here's the entire lineup for our little blog hop in case you get lost as you drown in your summer's end tears...

Katy

Stephanie

Amie (that's me!)

Kelly

Wendy

Jayma

Becca

One week left! 

Get 'em while you can!

Makeover Monday with Typed Note and Mini Calendar

Yes!  It is time for another one of my favorite days to post--Makeover Monday!

This week, I have a real treat for you.  I used the April Stamp of the Month, Typed Note, AND the size M Mini Calendar stamp to makeover one of the Picture My Life pocket cards.

Before...

This card is found in the Chalk it Up Picture My Life Kit.

...and after!

Isn't it a great little way to document the dates in your scrapbook?  I used White Daisy and Slate CS to stamp the images in Black ink, then trimmed them out.  SUPER easy!

I used this as a little make and take at my crop this weekend, and they loved it!  I have a few more to show you later.   :)

Pick up this adorable set in April before the month is over!  :)

Pick up the stamp of the month for just $5 on my website with qualifying purchase!  :)

Pi

Paper Addicts UNITE: Time to Clean Out the Scraps!

Are YOU a paper addict?  Don't worry, you can say it--what happens on my blog, stays on my blog, lol.   I just LOVE my friend Becca's layout using her "scraps!"  Brilliant.  Enjoy her post today!


Hello, my name is Becca Whitham and I'm a paper addict.  I save itsy, bitsy, teensy, weensy pieces because I think I'll use them all--someday!  Well, with an "overseas" move looming in my future, it's time to start purging scraps.

For design team duties over at Amie Kiger's blog, I decided to cut hexagons using the Artbooking cartridge until I had used up several scraps.  But then I went and trimmed out even more pieces with scissors using the Cricut cut hexagons as guides.  Here's what I had when I was done:

Then I pieced them together to make this scrapbook page:

Here's the supply list (with links for your shopping convenience):

• Paper: Seaside, Snowhaven, Wanderful, Chalk It Up, Brushed
• Accessories: Thick Twine in Pixie, Flaxen, and Glacier
• Tools: Artbooking Cricut Cartridge

Don't be intimidated by the number of paper packs used on this example.  One of the great things about CTMH patterned paper is that they are printed on both sides.  You can cut your hexagons, flip some of them over, and you'd achieve the same effect.

You'll notice that I wasn't trying to be fussy about lining up the hexagons symmetrically.  The scraps which were only small bits required me to use a random approach. 

Using multiple colors in little bits like this is great for two types of scrapbook pages: 1) where the photo itself doesn't have many colors (like this one), and 2) when there are lots of different colors in your pictures (like maybe a birthday party where your' guests weren't kind enough to wear color coordinated outfits).

I actually used up six scraps to the point of having to throw out what was left over.  I'm so proud of myself!

Until next time,
Becca --

Week One 2015 Wrap Up Goals Vs. Reality #jrlcreativechallenge

Hi everyone!  I wanted to be making this post over a week ago, but as far as best laid plans go, mine aren't really cooperating.  I had some MAJOR goals for 2015 in the scrapbooking department.  They kind of got derailed by a non-functional (but BRAND NEW by the way) Canon Selphy printer.  I cannot at the moment give it a glowing recommendation, but I do hope to have another one in my hands soooooooooon so I can catch up yet again.

I DID decide to show you the layout I finally got put together without the actual pics I had planned, however.  Do you hear me, Canon, I will NOT be deterred!  As far as my scrapbooking resolution goes, gettin' 'er done is the name of the game and I intend to!  Just in time for the #jrlcreativechallenge HERE is my layout.  ;)  I added the Shine ON card in the upper left until I can get the right pics...

I have just three pics printed for 2015...because they each ended up with a white stripe down the middle...ugh.  I didn't want to waste any more paper or ink, so I stopped at three.  I can show you the PML cards I used for the layout though!  The first one uses a great little stamp for you bling lovers like me!  It is found in the Glitter Glam My Acrylix, and I stamped it onto the PML card from the Chalk It Up Picture My Life A la Carte Cards...

See more of this stamp set HERE on the Close to My Heart Blog! 

You are NOT dreaming!  You can now purchase JUST the 122 PML cards for $14.95 without the page protectors!  That way you are free to choose the style of page pockets you want to use (IF any at all!) You can also still purchase them as a kit for $24.95 as well to make it super simple and quick, or to just try all of the styles out.

Used my glitter pen to add the sparkle!

This awesome shiny gold foil star is in the National Papercrafting Kit, Year Noted.

SO, my saga continues as far as my weekly goals go this year, but I am determined to make this work!  Stay tuned, and NEVER let ANYONE (or thing) dull your sparkle!  :)

This little bit of sparkle mojo happened across my screen recently and helped me in my current mess, so I wanted to share it in case it helps you out whatever your "mess" might be!

Happy Little Life 2015 Title Page

Well, I am out of "firsts" for 2015, lol...so I had to make one up!

Here is my first layout for the year...and it just happens to be the title page for my PML or PL or Project Life type album for 2015.  :)

I didn't design this original layout--some brilliant designer at Close to My Heart Corporate put it together for last year's convention...but I have procrastinated long enough to finally make it now, lol!  It happens to be just PERFECT for what I needed, and I just added the little 2015 banner at the bottom to customize it.  :)

There are three My Acrylix Stamp sets used for this page:

Handwritten Print Alphabet
Glitter Glam
Happy Birds

The papers are from the Chalk It Up and Wanderful Paper Packets.  I also used the ShinHan Touch Twin Alcohol Markers in Light Orange and Peacock Green to add some accent color to the flowers.

The Gold Sequins and Shimmer Trim add just the right amount of sparkle.

Here is the Lagoon Chevron D-Ring Album that I am using...

The Chalk It Up Picture My Life Kit coordinates well with both the papers and the album, so I plan to use it throughout the album.  :)

Chalk It Up Picture My Life Cards

I hope you guys have a great week!  We are all off to school today again and getting back into the routine...I HOPE!  ;)

Chalk It Up for Freshly Made Sketches

There is something about suddenly going from being a work-from-home-mom to a work-out-of-the-home mom that wreaks havoc on your schedule.  Haven't put my finger on it yet, but when the weekend hits, I am learning to get in some crafty time! 

Today I got to play with Freshly Made Sketches #152.  When I saw the sketch for the first time, I knew EXACTLY what to use for the shape!  Any other CTMH enthusiasts want to take a guess what I was thinking before you scroll any further?

It is one of the Picture My Life pocket cards from the Chalk It Up Kit! 

 This is one of the few times I have actually used the same shape as in the sketch...

Oh my gosh, this card literally came together all by itself.  I was going to add the Chalk It Up Assortment puffy sticker with glasses, but remembered there was a STAMP with glasses on the School Years My Acrylix that would fit the cookie PERFECTLY!

I had a little fun with the horizontal portion of the sketch to make up for my stuffiness, lol.  The Triangle Border Punch made the perfect little windows to show a bit of sparkle through the chalkboard B&T paper from the Chalk It Up Paper Packet.  Black Shimmer Trim is just too fun NOT to add!  :)

Now, I used the same little trick on this card that I did on my Halloween Shadow Box to place the white and black enamel stars.  Just cut the transparency they are on so you can place them on your project BEFORE you attach them.  Can all the perfectionists in the house say "I" with me?  ;)

My daughter will LOVE this card as a surprise in her lunch this week!  :)

Get it HERE!

Get your FREE #30yearsofhappy stamps HERE!!!

Picture My Life: Not Just for Pocket Pages!

SOOOOOO, how many of you have seen the new Picture My Life Kits from Close to My Heart?  I know you have seen some on my blog, but here is one you HAVEN'T seen since it is brand new!

Chalk It Up Picture My Life Kit

This is the fabulous Chalk It Up Picture My Life Kit found in the Annual Inspirations Idea Book that went live to customers on August 1st.  Well, back at convention, we were able to play with these cards to make a mini-album--you heard me right!  No page protectors needed for this adorable little gift-sized album!  We received the cover page as a special just for convention attendees, but the rest of the pages are in the kit!  Take a peek!

I didn't have to add a whole lot to it since the pages are nicely decorated already, but the little puffy stickers in the Chalk It Up Assortment sure go nicely!

I also added some matted Black and White Daisy CS for my pics!

Here I added some images from a great new My Acrylix set called Here We Go...

It was really easy to use my Crop-A-Dile hole punch to go right through all the pages at once to line up the holes...and I tied them with the new Black Striped Twill Ribbon.

If you want to give the Picture My Life Kits a try, now is the PERFECT time thanks to the Picture Perfection Campaign in August!  Here is the information in the newsletter about this fantastic opportunity!

"We know that, as a crafter, your chief mission is to preserve and protect the images and memories from your life that you hold most dear. To aid you in this quest, we’re providing you with a hot summer deal! During the month of August, when you purchase any of the 13 available Picture My Life™ scrapbooking programs featured in the Annual Inspirations idea book at their full retail price of $24.95 USD / $27.50 CAD, you are eligible to add your choice of 1 of 8 qualifying Memory Protectors™ 10-packs for just $3 (USD & CAD)! Each Picture My Life scrapbooking program already includes a coordinating 10-pack of Memory Protectors, so when you add your additional 10-pack for only $3, you will be well on your way to your own picture-perfect pocket scrapbooking adventure. You’ll be able to preserve double the memories in half the time! Check out our 5 new Picture My Life scrapbooking programs in the new idea book, or choose from the 8 existing programs. There’s a theme for every season of life—find yours!"

As if this deal isn't sweet enough, I am going to sweeten it even MORE!  Everyone who orders one of these Picture My Life Kits in August along with a set of protectors for just $3 from my website or from me personally, will get a free sampler of the 13 kits!  This is not a special from Close to My Heart, JUST from me!  You will be able to see what each of the kits is like up close and personal.  I will send them out at the end of the month!