Limited Edition!

This awesome Key to My Heart paper pack/stamp set is only available until February 5!

Thanks SARAH for sharing these pages! I LOVE them!

The colors are our new ones: Sorbet, Juniper, Tulip, and Creme Brulee. However, if you're seeing this AFTER 2/5/09, don't dismay! This color scheme (and close to it) is available in the Perfect Day paper pack and also some of it is available in the Unforgettable paper pack!

Layouts from Lisa

I love these layouts! The title tells it all and the pictures are great with it!.

I love the way Lisa distressed these papers. She first tore them and then edged them with a dark brown ink that matches the letters she used. She also got more than 10 pictures on her pages by using a flip stack on the bottom right of the pages. She used envelopes from Clearbags.com and cut her pictures to fit into the 4x4 spaces.

Layouts from Rhonda

Rhonda is just a proud grandma, and she got a LOT of pictures (13!) on this double layout for her daughter's baby shower.

Pages like this really focus on the pictures instead of the theme, but even with such full pages, there is still room for some incredibly cute accents! (Catch the pony on the bottom right corner!) I also love the way Rhonda tied the colors together, using two different base colors, but connecting them with accents that match the bases.

Layouts from Christy

These simple layouts were perfect for Christy when she was scrap-booking for a family event. She had a LOT of pictures and was able to get 11 of them on these pages. I love the lattice that is evident in all the pictures! It acts like a matte for the pictures and gives a unique connection between them all.

Ornaments - these can be used for all kinds of tags!

These are elegant and so simple to put together. Thanks KEVIN, for sharing them with us!

To create this, punch 20 identical circles using matching design paper mounted on cardstock (to get the desired thickness), and coordinating cardstock. For each circle, you will fold up 3 sides until they meet at the point, creating a little triangle in the center.

Once they all have their little tabs, you can begin attaching them. Five go together to create the top and another 5 make the bottom. On both of these sections, the points will go together and the side tabs are the ones that are attached. The middle section is made up of 10 circle/triangles. Half of them are sitting on bases and the other half are sitting on points (as shown in the picture). Again, the side tabs are the ones attached, but alternate the triangles with every other one pointed up and the others pointed down to make a full ring.

You can attach the middle ring to the top one by adhering the top 5 bases of the middle ring to the unattached bases (5 of them) of the top section. Then do the same to attach the bottom section to the rest of the ornament.

I suggest using a firm glue for this project - ideally, use Liquid Glass! The items that have been tried that DON'T work include Tombow Adhesive, hot glue gun, CM tape runner, and Elmer's glue. Alene's Sticky Glue might work, but the Liquid Glass from CTMH definitely does!

Layouts from Kym - Thanks!

This cute layout is contributed by a distressing queen. (She's a natural with embellishments, too; so much to learn - so little time!)

Did you catch how she burned the edges of her paper. The same type of effect can be achieved without the use of fire, btw. You have to use solid core cardstock (not white-core) and you can tear the edges then ink them with an ink that is a chocolate or a cocoa. Oh and the boot is from the "Way Out West" CTMH stamp set. She gave it some bling with Stickles.

Layouts from Lisa - THANKS!

The layouts for the next couple of weeks are from real people, they aren't artists or professionals, just gals who have a passion for their families and their scrap-books. If you use some of their ideas, please take a pic and send it in! I'd love to see your take on these designs!

Many of the layouts that were made at the retreat didn't actually use CTMH paper, although most of them used CTMH techniques and, as in this case, our wonderful scrap-booking program books. For this one, Lisa had made the layout on the right hand side and wanted to find one to go with it. She found the left had page in the Reflections book and it worked perfectly with the first page. I particularly like the way the colors work together so well, and of course Lisa's sweet baby is stinkin' cute!

Retreat Pictures

Just finished spending the weekend with an incredible group of talented ladies. The creativity was just oozing and I especially loved the way people were willing to share ideas and help each other out.

For the next several weeks, this blog will be inundated with layouts that were shared from the weekend. Some of them are CTMH layouts, some of them use CTMH products, some do both, some do neither. ALL of them served a particular purpose in the album of the creator and may end up being just what you need as you are working on your album!

My next retreat is in May. If you are interested in joining us, there are seats available at this point, but don't wait. Contact me right away!

Notebook Calendar

Okay, I spotted this in a paper crafting magazine and just had to try it! It took some time, but it ended up being fairly easy! First, I purchased an 80-page notebook that measured about 5 x 7. I taped together each 6 pages until I had 12 sections before I did any stamping or cutting.

Next, I did all the background stamping. I made a point to measure where each of the large stars were on the pages so I could put them in the same place on each sheet. That way, when I flipped the months, for instance, the large star would continue to line up even if it was in a different color. (BTW, I used Breeze, Ocean, Creme Brulee', and Sorbet ink for the background.)

After I stamped all the backgrounds (12 sheets), I cut the sections. On mine, I cut the two left sections at 1 1/2 inches wide and the two right sections at 2 inches wide. I had originally intended for the day and month to be on the left, but when I drew my cutting lines on the back of the pad, I inverted the measurements. (Ooops!)

Finally, I stamped the first section with a 1, a 2, and a 3, and left one other section blank. I tore out the remaining sections and extra pages. In the second section, I stamped 1-0 and tore out the remaining 2 sections and the extra pages. In the third sections, there were no extra sections, but I removed the extra pages and stamped the sections with the month names. In the last section, I stamped the abbreviations of the days and tore out the last 5 sections and extra papers.

I stapled a 1 x 4 inch strip to both covers of the notebook while it was inverted so it wouldn't accidentally flatten out.

"That's Amore'" Acrylic Album and Valentines

I'm holding a workshop for the hot Acrylic Albums by Close to My Heart!

This workshops uses the elegant new CTMH paper pack called "That's Amore'," along with the matching stickease, and the "Love Story" Rub-ons.

The workshop will be held on February 8 beginning at 5PM and
we'll also include 10 Valentines to use up the rest of the paper pack and stickease.

This workshop is $45 plus tax and shipping and pre-payment is due on January 23rd.

Monogram Embellishment

I started with the Dimensional Element Monogram M and cut out the a square around one of the letters. First, I inked up the chipboard top. Then, I adhered the negative image to my design paper and then I filled the empty space where the letter had been with a light coating of Liquid Glass. It takes a couple of hours to allow the Liquid Glass to dry, but it makes a great embellishment went it is through.

This paper is from the new Key to My Heart paper pack exclusively available this month (January 09). It is sold with a GIANT stamp set offering beautiful coordinating designs. You can view the whole set and even order it by clicking the link at the pictures.

Disney Layout

This Disney double (thanks Alissa!) shows how a simple layout can be terrific with just a few extra embellishments. When you're visiting different places this holiday season, make sure you pick up a brochure and save tickets as well. Pieces of these can make great decorations on your page and are totally safe as long as they don't overlap your pictures at all. (Make sure you use acid-free and lignin-free paper and make sure it's buffered so that no acid can spread from any of your embellishments.)

Double Flap Card

This card is set up sort of wierd. I cut the base 4 1/4 inches wide, but only 9 inches wide. The fold is 3 1/4 in from the left edge of the front. You can barely make out the edge of the card in this first picture. I cut a piece of the Everlasting B&T 6 x 3 and folded it in half to make the second flap of the card. I adhered that folded card on the inside of the base so that the 3 x 3 "mat" would be in the center of the card and the fold was on the right.

The artwork is on a 2 inch square card, mounted on Cranberry 1/4 inch larger (square), on White 1/2 inch larger, and Cranberry again 3/4 inch larger. So the measurements are, respectively, 2 1/4 square, 2 1/2 square, and 2 3/4 square.

The main artwork is a montage of stamps on a 2 x 2 block. I used Christmas Scripts, December Word Puzzle, Ho Ho Ho, Holiday Jubilee, and Shining Star and my final of this card actually had a much fuller look to the main artwork as I kept adding stamps. The sentiment inside is from Peace On Earth. If I had it to do again, I think I would put the first part of the sentiment on the white flap under the artwork flap and then add the rest of it, as is, on the inside of the second flap.

This card was also inspired by some I saw on a bulletin board, but there were several that looked the same so I couldn't pinpoint just one person as the originator. Frankly, I think it is an Originals design. Have you used that? They make directions easier to follow than mine and offer diagrams so you can see exactly what you are cutting and what you're going to do with it!

For this card, I used Aspen paper (LOVE IT!) along with some words from the "December Word Puzzle" (stamped in Outdoor Denim with the cards distressed in the same.) The background for it was stamped using one of the "Jingle Borders" in Juniper and I love the way those colors go together!

This card goes together quick and easy!

Stinkin' Cute Snowman Card!

This card was inspired by one created by CTMH consultant Laurel Seabrook, but mine turned out totally different from hers by the time I was through. First I started with the Christmas Memories snow man which is a "two-step" or "base-n-shade" stamp set. First I stamped the shadow of the image, then I added his scarf and hat fill-in. No I didn't match up the gaps perfectly, but it didn't end up mattering. Once I have the shadow and the fill in, (in Juniper and Moonstruck, respectively) I stamped the outline of the snowman in Outdoor Denim. I also stamped the "White Christmas" from the Holiday Jubilee Stamp Set in Juniper. After I finished this stamping, I cut out the snowman (making his arms a little thicker than the single lines that they are) and cut the "White Christmas" in a square.

Once I finished the main artwork, I began working on the background. I stamped the trees on a white 3 1/4 x 2 3/4 card, using the 3 trees from the December Word Puzzle stamp set. On my block, I put 2 together and 1 off to the side. I stamped them all in Juniper.

I used the same basic idea with the snowflake background on the Twilight paper. I put the snowflakes on the block in a non-patterned manner and turned it with every impression (in Juniper) to give it a fully random look. Since I'm covering the center, there was no need to stamp there.

The Twilight 5 x 3 3/4 cardstock covers the 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 base. I layered a 1 x 3 3/4 Outdoor Denim strip across the Twilight.

I stacked a 3 3/4 x 3 1/4 piece of Moonstruck Cardstock and then put the white tree stamped card centered on that. I mounted my sentiment on a Twilight piece just a little bigger than the sentiment, and adhered my snowman using 3d foam squares. Once he was set where I wanted him, I trimmed off the extra bit of him at the bottom, but some of the gals at my workshop left him whole. I used a snowflake punch from the Martha Stewart collection at Walmart and some glitter foam paint that I found at Hobby Lobby for the final embellishments.

Unique Christmas Tree Card

This card looks so elegant, but it was SO simple to make. I can't take credit for it as I found the exact design on a CTMH consultant board, but I don't have the name of the consultant in my file. That's not like me and I'll try to update this posting with the proper credit if I can.

Just a note here: I love the way the consultants in this company are so willing to share their ideas and inspiration with each other. I've gotten SO much from my CTMH sisters, especially in my often non-creative times. I find I can brainstorm variations, but can seldom dream up a design from scratch. The best way to thank those who have inspired me is to give them full credit for their creations. Sort of like virtual applause! So even though this card is mine, the brainchild belonged to someone else and I'll tell you who as soon as I can!


Evensong is the paper pack I used. The green mat for the artwork is actually the Evensong Creative Basics, but since that is no longer available, the green print from the regular Evensong pack works just as well. This card starts out as paper punches. I used a circle punch from the Martha Stewart collection. (Walmart) I punched 5 from the red along with one of the stars, and 3 from the green print. I used them all upside down except for 3 of the greens and the star on top. I only used one stamp set with this card - the December Word Puzzle. LOVE THAT SET! I stamped the Noel in Chocolate. I stacked the circles above the Noel on a 3 x 4 card which I stacked on a Creative Basics green paper measuring 3 1/4 x 4 1/4. I covered the entire cardbase with a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 piece of the red print. Then I embellished with a few sparkles, a Holiday red bigger brad, and the circles (also from the December Word Puzzle) stamped in Tulip.

Okay, now that I've finished the instructions, I searched through the CTMH bulletin board and found the consultant who created the design. She is Lisa Aquino, a Canadian CTMH consultant.

Snow Guy Double-Flap Card

This cute little card is worth the effort! I had never thought of stamping on design paper, but it turned out great! Use the "All Decked Out" Stamp Set. To make this, you will need to stamp all of these parts onto white paper, except the hat and scarf. Stamp the medium circle about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom of a 3 x 4 card. You'll stamp the swirly stamp along the bottom of the medium circle, all the way across to either side of the snowguy bottom. Fill in with the swirly, but make sure you turn the stamp from time to time so all the swirls won't look exactly the same.


When you stamp the scarf and hat on the design paper, cut it out, removing all the extra swirly stuff. (I don't want to spend all that extra time cutting, do you?) Stamp the smallest circle on an edge of the white paper and add the face in black. Cut it out completely. Cut the medium circle out, too, only cut the circle up to the swirlys and then along the top of them. (See the card for the full look.) I started the card with a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card base, and centered it with a 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 plaid piece. I cut a white cardstock piece that measured 6 x 4 and folded it in half to make it 3 x 4. This piece I centered on the plaid, closer to the top edge. I covered it with a Twilight cardstock piece that measured 3 x 4. The cut snowman bottom and swirlys go at the bottom of this Twilight piece. The snowman head will go above the body, with about 1/4 inch of margin between the two circles. Put the scarf and hat in good positions over the head.

At this point you will want to add your sentiments. I used the "Peace on Earth" stamps. I actually cut the sentiment into pieces to make it fit this way. I stamped this section inside the 3 x 4 card that is sitting on top of the plaid paper. The second part of the sentiment was left in tact and I stamped it on the inside of the cardbase.

I finished the card off with a Autumn Terracotta photoclip that holds the 3 x 4 flap closed.

A Moment of Your Time - Please expand this list!

Okay, business aside, have you taken a break today? I know, I live it too! Transporting kids, work, errands, shopping, grocery stores, cooking, cleaning, family needs, friends . . . shall I continue? As women, we get the lion's share of the details of the season and it can really be a load on our heads. I don't need to tell you that it's not how it should be. You already know that, but you're still a mom/wife/daughter/sister/aunt/neighbor/friend!
Still, it's hard to really experience the joy of this blessed season when you're stressed, hurried, and trying desperately to keep all your "ends" tied together. May I make a suggestion?

Please, make a priority of taking some time every day (even if it is just 5 minutes) and do something to bring you joy.
Look through your scrapbook.
Watch part of a Christmas movie.
Sing some carols with your kids.
Read the Christmas story in Luke 2.
Read a chapter of a good book.
Take a lovely smelling bath.
Build a fire and enjoy it with a cup of cocoa.
Sit and gaze at your beautiful tree.
Write a note about a special ornament and what it means to you.

I put these here for a reason. I'd like to expand this list! Would you all (yes, I actually asking you to do something else - LOL) leave an idea of your own in the comment or email it to me? I want to include as many other ideas for "a moment of your time" as I can!

What a simple card. Special thanks to consultant Tiffani Hughson for sharing this design! The red is stamped using White Daisy with the "Jingle Borders" stamp set. The green and red cardstock start out as 5 1/2 x 3 1/4. I created a template with another scrap of cardstock and then cut both the red and green at the same time with one stacked on top of the other. That way, even if my curve wasn't perfect, it would still have a parallel look to it. I used the two ornaments from the December Word Puzzle stamp set and embellished them with chocolate Waxy Flax and free-hand black lines. Would love to see your take on this card! Please post it in the comments!

Star Challenge Layout - Christy

This layout was contributed by Christy Land. [[Thanks!]]

This turned out so great! We used some of the Game On paper pack along with the "Shining Star" stamp set. The colors for the Game On pack are black, colonial white, bamboo and desert sand. I challenged the gals to add another color or two depending on the photos they wanted to put with it. Here, Christy added the school color of Sunny Yellow with mat paper as well as stamping accents.

Whoops-A-Daisy Layout

This layout was contributed by Alissa Shirah. [[Thanks!]]

Alissa has become a great fan of "Clear Bags" envelopes! She used Whoops-a-Daisy paper to create this simple layout, but gave it a real pop with her stack of pictures on the edge of the layout.

The Clear Bags envelopes are acid and lignin free and work great when you have more pictures than you can fit on one double layout. Using these, you can stack the envelopes, adhering them to each other and the page itself; cover the adhesive flaps with some decoration and insert 2 pictures into each envelope.

Once you slip your page into your page protector, you cut a slit in the protector just large enough to pull the photo flaps through.

These are generally called interactive pages and there are all sorts of variations on it. If you've never tried one, now is a great time and I'd love to see your take on it!

Rustic Trails Layout (2nd)

Lynn Maternowski contributed this layout. [[Thanks!]]

I LOVE how Lynn used the Rustic Trails gingham design paper on this layout. (The blue plaid on the left-hand side.) She cut it into (3) 12x1 strips and (7) 3x1 strips and wove them together. Addind a couple of brads here and there made a great compliment to the torn and distressed matting cardstocks that she used on this layout.

Rustic Trails Layout

This layout was contributed by Lynn Maternowski. [[Thanks!]]

Lynn used the Rustic Trails paper to highlight her photos and it workded perfectly! Don't lose your chance to get this great paper! It is retiring as of January 1!

She added brads and chocolate Waxy Flax over the title as light, manly touches to complete the look.

Life Delights Layouts

This double layout was contributed by Lisa Navarre. [[Thanks!]]

I LOVE how the design paper was used as the actual background paper instead of using cardstock. It isn't as thick, but since the pages go into page protectors, it works just great! Also, don't miss the Just Blooms "Pinks" that embellish this page. Lisa used one large white and one smaller pink flower. She cut each in half, stacked them, and put a sparkle as the center. This paper was just MADE for this type of layout!

Halloween Artwork

Special thanks to Juanelle Mendez for these great spooky cards and layouts. The layout is highlighted by the CTMH stamp set, "Creepy Cobwebs."

10-from-1 Cards

While this is a fun way to get kids involved in stamping, there really is a right way to do it in order to get a balanced, well-designed page. Star with the largest stamp you plan to use. Stamp them in triangles around the page. Look at the first picture. Notice how the maple leaves in the top right quadrant form a triangle? The bottom three form another triangle, but they aren't exactly the same. If you stamp them all just alike (with equa-distance and similar angles between them) you'll end up with a page that is TOO designed. It will look too patterned and not random enough. Make sure to stamp right off the edge of the paper as well (have scratch paper underneath) to give your paper a look of continuity.

Once you add your large items, fill in with smaller images and tighter triangles. Be sure to rotate your stamp when you make the impressions so they don't all look alike. If you don't have markedly large stamps, you can still get a great look with the smaller stamps. You can stop at this point, and have a loosely stamped page. Just make sure you have enough of the paper stamped so that every small section you will cut (not less than 1x1 inches) has at least part of 1 or 2 images. If you have too much blank space on the paper, it will not work for this project.

In my opinion, the more the merrier! I love the way the paper looks when I fill it entirely with different images. The less white paper that shows through, the better I like it. It also means I don't have to worry about how or where I cut my paper since all of it is designed.

Once I decorate my paper, I cut it along with 2 coordinating cardstocks to design the cards. I used the CTMH Originals Card Confidence program to design the cards and I change them everytime I make them. Often by the time I get to the 9th or 10th card, I have to get a little creative and adapt the design I want to whatever paper I have left. All of the blank places that you see on these cards were filled with sentiment stamps or artwork (mostly sentiments). I also added brads, ribbon, and some "Just Blooms" leaves to the final cards. Usually I use Cranberry, Autumn Terra Cotta, Garden Green, and Desert Sand with my Autumn cards, but I thought it might be fun to try them with some non-traditional colors. I like the way they turned out, but I do prefer the richer colors that I normally use.