Celebrate the New Year!

A new year means looking ahead and setting goals for future accomplishments. But it's also a good thing to be like Janus--the god who lends his name to January--and take a look back at the past year and take a moment to recognise and celebrate what you have accomplished.

Did you set goals and meet them? Did you make  2013 the best it could be?

Take some time today to look through your scrapbooks and remember what you've been up to the past few years. Celebrate those moments with family and friends you've so lovingly documented.

Birthdays are a celebration that always make their way into my scrapbooks. And I'm celebrating the creation of this page, because in it, I see the influence of my scrapping goal last year: to think outside the box and stretch my skills and supplies.

How did I do it on this page? Here are four ways:

1. Use more stamps: Though I did use four different stamp sets on this page, what I mean by "use more stamps" is to get the most out of each stamp set. To look at what can be done with the stamps beyond just the obvious. In this layout, I took the small "Let's Celebrate" stamp from the May 2013 Stamp of the Month set and stamped it several times to create a large title.

Dimensional Elements Heart stamped
with Washi Wonder

2. Mix and match: It's really easy for me to fall into the habit of using the coordinated papers and embellishments by themselves--Close To My Heart takes all the fuss out! But by adding a little more fuss in, such as by using the Gold Polka Dot Washi Tape from the upcoming Idea Book and dressing up Dimensional Elements Hearts with stamping, the visual interest skyrockets!

3. Use non-themed or off-themed papers: For this layout, I wanted to use the vibrant colours of the Sarita papers even though this is essentially a masculine page. The bright colours are temped by the Dark Denim which acts as a neutral on the page. By broadening beyond traditionally themed papers, my scrapbooks take on a unique, eclectic edge.

Dress up embellishments with
a little bling!

4. Bling it up: More and more in the past year I have embraced my inner sparkle and have been using shiny things on my pages. This is a big leap for me, but after much trial and error, I think I'm striking a balance between beautifying my pages and bedazzling them. And certainly for celebration pages, a little sparkle is just the thing!

My scrapping goal this year is to complete my 2011 yearly album. (I know...I'm so far behind!). Whatever your goals are, I wish you the best in achieving them! And remember, CTMH has lots of amazing scrapping products to help you reach your scrapping goals. Let me show you how!

Sneak Peek Day 9

Earning Hostess Rewards at your Gathering is a great way to shop! With as little as $150 in sales, as the Hostess you'll receive $25 in free product credit to spend on stamps, papers, inks, Studio J and much more. 

Did you know CTMH has come out with a new series of exclusive stamps available only to Hostesses? Read my Sneak Peek Day 1 blog for all the details.

Exclusive Hostess Stamp: Friend

Hostess Rewards also  include deep discounts on product. With  only $250 in sales, you earn $40 in free product credit PLUS 50% off any one item in the Idea Book. You can use your 50% off on accessories, tools, organisation--ANYTHING in the book.

But even better, you can use your 50% off to purchase a Hostess Collection. These Collections are only available to Gathering Hostesses and contain selected products and supplies--think of it as an exclusive kit club! The collections feature new products and include everything you need to create multiple pages, cards and more.

Collection One: Laughing Lola

Collection One includes a My Reflections Laughing Lola paper packet, Laughing Lola Complements Dimensional Elements, Laughing Lola Assortment, Mini Medley Accents Rosewood Collection, Scallop Border Punch, My Acrylix Citsyscape Stamp Set, My Acrylix Paisley Perfect Stamp Set, My Acrylix Framework Alphabet Stamp Set and a Gypsy Exclusive Inks pad. Combined, the retail price is $107.85, but with the 50% discount, Collection One only costs $53.93!

Collection Two: Sarita

Collection Two includes a My Reflections Sarita Paper Packet, Sarita My Stickease Assortment, Sarita Assortment, Sarita Textiles, My Creations Burlap Drawstring Bags, Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape, My Acrylix In the Moment Stamp Set, Color-Ready Midtown Cork Shapes, Lagoon Exclusive Inks Pad, Goldrush Exclusive Inks Pad and a Stitch Guide. The retail value for this Collection is $96. After the 50% Hostess Discount, the price is only $48!

Collection Three: Pro Player

Collection Three includes a My Reflections Pro Player Paper Packet, Pro Player My Stickease Assortment, Pro Player Assortment, Designed Decor Flip Stand Album, Mini-Medley Accents Ruby Collection, Ruby Chevron Ribbon, My Acrylix All the Details Stamp Set, My Acrylix Tech Speak Stamp Set, Pacifica Exclusive Inks Pad and a Ruby Exclusive Inks pad. The retail value for this Collection is $89.10. With the 50% discount, it's only $44.55!

Collection Four includes a My Reflections Huntington Paper Packet, Huntington My Stickease Assortment, Huntington Assortment, My Creations Kraft Pocket Album, Jute Ribbon, Bronze Shimmer Trim, My Acrylix Happy Autumn Stamp Set, My Acrylix Swirls Around Stamp Set, Olive Exclusive Inks Pad and a Champagne Exclusive Inks Pad. The retail value for this Collection is $87.19, but with the 50% discount, the price is only $43.55.

Collection Four: Huntington

CTMH offers great free products and discounts for Gathering Hostesses. The more you sell at your Gathering, the more Rewards you can earn! Book your Gathering today!

Sneak Peek: Day 1

Welcome to the Sneak Peek for the upcoming Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book! Visit my blog daily over the next 10 days for a sneak peek at my favourite new products. On August 1st, The Big Reveal, you'll be able to browse the new Idea Book online.

Can't wait? Receive a FREE Idea Book with your July order! Remember, this is the last month to order many of the amazing products in the current Idea Book--they'll be gone as of July 31st. Place your order ASAP! (Just visit my website and join the Last Chance Gathering for a chance to win the Mystery Hostess Rewards!)

Washi Wonder $10 (D-size)

The Party Is On $8 (C-size)

Family Photo $6 (B-size)

Speaking of Hostess Rewards, the exclusive new Hostess Stamp Sets are one of my favourite new products!

When you host your own Gathering (online or in person) and earn Hostess Rewards (starting with only $150 in sales), in addition to the Hostess Bundles you've seen before, you can chose to use your Rewards to purchase exclusive Hostess Stamp Sets. These beautiful stamp sets are offered at reduced price and start at only $4!

 

Bright All Night $4 (A-size)

Whether you want to make quick cards or create fabulous pages, the Hostess Stamp Sets offer you a range of designs for a great

price.

And you don't have to wait until the new Idea Book comes out to book your Gathering! Contact me right away to book your summer or fall Gathering!