Sweet and Simple

If you're like me, in the autumn you like decorating with pumpkins, cornstalks, chrysanthemums and sunflowers. Take your usual seasonal displays up a notch with simple embellishments from your stash.

Dress up pumpkins with some Burlap Ribbon. Add a stamped tag with Baker's Twine. This pumpkin looks adorable sitting on a mantle or as part of a table centrepiece.

Create a spooky pumpkin with Moonlight Felt Shapes and Bitty Sparkles. A little bit of Black Tulle Ribbon and pins from the Bling Assortment finish off this pumpkin. For a little more ambiance, display with a chipboard sentiment.

Most of these items are no longer available, but if they're not in your stash, stock up on some current items to create the same look. Try Opaque Licorice Gems, Black Shimmer Trim, Black Striped Grossgrain Ribbon, Mini-Medley Accents Black Collection, or Base & Bling elements like Base & Bling Floral Accents and Base & Bling Black Jewels.

These mini pumpkin projects only take minutes to make and add a lot of impact to your display!

If you have a little more time, get out your My Creations Mini-Banner (you know, the one you received for free a few months ago and haven't gotten around to using yet), the new Huntington Workshops on the Go kit and some more of your favourite stamps and embellishments to create a Give Thanks banner.

To create this banner, I began by inking the entire surface of the mini-banners with Cashmere ink then stamping with the chicken wire stamp from the Distressed Backgrounds Stamp set in Cocoa ink. Next, I added a scalloped circle punched from Huntington papers to each banner. I dressed up each circle with assorted stamps, rub ons and corrugated shapes from my stash. The sentiment, Give Thanks, was stamped in Goldrush, Autumn Terracotta and Cocoa inks with the Token Alphabet stamp set. To make the letters look like epoxy buttons, I covered each with a thick layer of Liquid Glass. I tied the banners together with White Hemp Twine and Burlap Ribbon.

This easy project only took a couple of hours to make and I'll have this beautiful banner on display for Thanksgiving for many years to come.

Visit my website for more ideas on Home Decor and project items you can create easily and quickly. The Project Inspiration area has videos to inspire you to create special, personal projects for yourself.

A Joyful Noise

Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas? Probably not.

I usually find myself scrapping Christmas photos in the fall, but this year, thanks to Studio J and more time for scrapping, I'm a little early.

This page presented a bit of a challenge. It's about my son's class trip to a seniors' residence to sing carols. I didn't have many good photos to use and the few that I did had lots of children crowded around.

To tell the story, I decided to focus on the best photo which shows my son holding the music and singing. The background (other kids and an ugly wall) was too distracting, so I just trimmed tightly around the image of my son and matted it on a 6" x 4" piece of cardstock.

To drive home the singing theme, I stamped sheet music (Universal Backgrounds) on the mat. It think the effect is great! The photo takes up the same visual space it should as per the sketch, without any of the clutter in the original photo.

Speaking of the sketch, this layout is based on the sketch for the Purple Pumpkin August Sketch Challenge. I really like the sketch and can see how it would be great for cards and other layouts as well. I think this is one I'll be visiting more than once.

This layout is also a good example of how CTMH products mesh well with product from other companies. This layout includes products from S.E.I., Stampin' Up, American Crafts and Colorbok as well as Close To My Heart. Does that seem like a lot for such a simple layout? Would you be surprised to learn SIX different Close To My Heart products were used on this page? Yes there were!

Just for fun, here's a little challenge: Name at least four CTMH products used on this page. The first person to correctly post four products will win a little prize! You have until September 3rd to figure it out. Good luck!!

Circle Journal: Mandy and Heather

Here are the next two pages for the Circle Journal project.

Based on a sketch from Make It From Your Heart Volume 2

Mandy's scrapbook centres on her children's school days. I had the honour of making her daughter's Grade 1 page. This was a real treat for me as I don't often have the opportunity to do girl pages!

This page is an example of how you can use off-theme products on a page. I did use a stamp set from the Scholastic Workshops on the Go kit and Varsity Alphabet stamps, which are both school themed. But the paper line is La Belle Vie and I also  used additional off theme stamps: the chicken wire stamp from the Distressed Backgrounds set and a sentiment from Sweet Moments.

The lined paper from La Belle Vie gives the page a notebook feel and provides a spot for journaling.

Instead of using primary colours, which are a mainstay on pages I make about school days, I made La Belle Vie Pink, Outdoor Denim the stars against the neutral backdrop of Saddle cardstock.

With the help of a little bling, because it is a girly page after all, and Tiny Type Epoxy alphabet, the page was finished off with those small details that bring memories to life.

Sketch from Even More Scrapping!

The theme for Heather's book is places to visit in Durham. She asked for a page about an interesting place with spots for photos to be added later. Her intention is to visit all the places and add her own photos. What a great idea for this project!

The place I selected was the Bowmanville Valley. It's one of my favourite places in the autumn when the salmon are running.

The first think you'll likely notice about this page is that it doesn't feature CTMH papers. The papers are from Crate Paper and the cardstock for the photo mats is Bazzil. But the background cardstock is Desert Sand and the yellow cardstock is Crème Brulee. This is a perfect example of how CTMH colours coordinate with paper lines from other companies.

I've been waiting for a special page to use my Arbour Wooden Shapes and was so happy to finally open the package. I found the wooden shapes took the inks very easily--I just swiped them with my ink pads (Barn Red and Autumn Terracotta)--and dried fairly quickly. To create a two-tone effect on the maple leaf, I first swiped the entire leaf with Autumn Terracotta and while it was still wet, swiped the edges with Barn Red. The red bled into the orange a bit and gave a nice look to the leaf. I finished it off by colouring the stem with a New England Ivy marker.

Here's a tip: When adhering wooden shapes to each other or to your layout, use a strong adhesive like Liquid Glass.

Keyboard Uppercase is one of my favourite letter stamps and is excellent for creating subtitles, like the one on the edge of the small journaling spot. The main title was created with Old World Alphabet.

Again a little bling and a Canvas Badge Button (stamped with an image from the Honeycomb stamp set) finish off the page.

My scrapbook club is about halfway done the Circle Journal project and we're having so much fun with it, we're already looking ahead to the next one!

Watch for the next Circle Journal blog post--it will be on Scrapbooking Tips and Techniques!

THE BIG REVEAL!!

The wait is over! Go to my website to view the new Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book online. Of course, you want your own hard copy, so contact me to get one!

The Idea Book is chock full of great products. If you've been following my blog over the past ten days, you've seen a few of them. Here are my Top Ten Must Have items from the new Idea Book.

Make It From Your Heart Volume 2

10. Make It From Your Heart Volume 2
Includes 16 two-page layout patterns, two single-page patterns, and 12 different card patterns. $7.95

9. Pigment Inks Foam Insert
Fits inside the small organiser to snugly hold 40 pigment ink pads. $14.95

8. Punches
Scallop Border Punch creates 3/8" scallops quickly and easily. $17.95
1 1/4" Circle Punch $12.95

7. My Creations Kraft Pocket Album
A mini-album with eight pages plus front and back covers. 18 pockets total. $6.95

6. Ribbons and Trims

Stitch Guide

Jute Ribbon $7.95
Ruby Chevron Ribbon $6.95
Shimmer Trim in Red and Bronze $4.95 each
Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape $4.95

5. Stitch Guide and Foam Mat
Use the Stitch Guide with the piercing tool for creating various stitch patterns, border, and shapes. $12.95
Use the Foam Mat with the Stitch Guide and Ruler to protect your tabletop. $4.95

Pick a Posey (Archive Stamp Set)

4. Archive Stamps
These stamps, hand drawn by Jeanette herself, were originally offered in rubber on wood blocks but are now available in clear My Acrylix polymer for a limited time. $6.96-$9.95.

3. Minis
Eight single 2" stamps that are cute and perfect for creating cards, tags and embellishments. $2.95 each.

2. Stamps of the Month
I want every single one of them! With seasonal and general themes, you'll want them all too! $17.95 or $5 with qualifying purchase.

Framework Alphabet

1. Framework Alphabet
One of two new E-size alphabets. $29.95

Sweeten The Deal!

A delicious treat is in store for you! Place an order of $50 or more during August and 

receive the August Stamp of the Month set, A Chocolate Affair (S1308A), FREE! This 

D-size stamp set with a retail value of $17.95 includes 16 images and sentiments that 

will have your friends salivating over your chocolatey layouts and cards. Make every 

project a delight with this must-have set!

Visit my website, or contact me to place your order!

Sneak Peek Day 10

Quite possibly my favourite CTMH product is the Workshop on the Go Kit. WOTG comes with everything you need to create two double-page layouts: a paper packet, cardstock, D-size stamp set, embellishments and instructions.There are always lots of leftovers for cards, mini-albums and other projects. Best of all, buying the kit saves you about $10 compared to buying the products individually.

WOTG stamps sets are exclusive--only available with the kit. And they are some pretty awesome stamps!

Here's a look at the WOTG in the upcoming Idea Book:

Laughing Lola

.

Sarita

Pro Player

Babycakes

Huntington

Frosted

For a more detailed look at the papers, check out the Days 6 & 7 blog.

And remember, any of these kits is a great choice for your Home Gathering. Select your favourite kit and I'll provide the additional supplies (like inks and stamps) to bring these pages to life! Your guests will love completing one or two double-page layouts to go straight into their scrapbooks. Just contact me to set you your Gathering!

Come back to my blog tomorrow for THE BIG REVEAL! You'll see my Top Ten Must Have Products and will be able to browse the Idea Book online.

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!