Best Friends Forever

Have you ever met someone and instantly become best friends? I had the pleasure of meeting three such ladies who have quickly become my BFF's. Barb Sinclair, Nancy Ball and Jackie Lupien are fellow Close to My Heart consultants, and fellow Canucks. We had arranged to meet all Canadian consultants just before registration at convention. Yep, that's how we met, simple, but after spending time together, quickly became friends. We laughed at the same things (however stupid) and enjoyed each other's company. We have become "Tweeker Sisters".

Jackie made each of us a decorated card box, card portfolio and cards. Now she added her own special flare by adding Edmonton Oiler mitts and chocolates. She used the paper packet Fanfare from CTMH and decorated with buttons, edge distressing and pop dots. Love everything (well except the Oiler mitts - ha ha ha )

Barb simply amazed me with her creative thinking. The hanging banner will go in my office at work. It is created with the tiles from the Memory Game, inked with Stazon, covered with Roxie paper packet and stamped with Live (Every moment) Love (simple pleasures) Laugh (until your heart overflows) The 5 tiles are strung with an organdy ribbon and tie with a bronze brad. I hope you can see all the details in this project. I think a workshop may be forthcoming on this project!!!

Nancy's project is on it's way and I'll post pictures as soon as it arrives.

I cannot wait to see these three ladies again in Dallas, site of Convention 2012. Dallas in July - - we must be crazy!!! I made each of the ladies a "Dallas" 6 X 6 quick pic album which they will be able to fill with pictures and treasures from convention.

Barb, Jackie & Nancy - my BFF's and lifelong friends.

Merry Christmas - Happy Holidays

To all my friends, fellow consultants and family, Merry Christmas. It's hard to believe another year has come and gone, but it has. In reflecting on 2011 I'm reminded of a few changes:

- a new job - I left the insurance industry after more years than I want to tell you (22 years at a large Canadian Insurer) and started at a small law firm. I am loving it and am energized by learning new things every day.

- a wedding - my eldest son, Matthew, married Jenna on May 14th. It was a beautiful day, very special, and full of special touches from them both.

- two new grandpuppies - Jenna & Matt bought Obi - a fawn Great Dane, which ironically was born on their wedding day. David & Jen bought Thor - a Bagel (Beagle/Bassett Hound cross) who was born in August.

- a new house - David & Jen bought their first house in December and are loving the pride of new home ownership. It's exciting to see my youngest purchase his first home, and share in that excitement.

- Disneyland - Convention 2011 for Close To My Heart was held at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. I met three amazing fellow Canadians at Convention who have become great friends. I treasure the friendship of Nancy, Jackie and Barb and feel like these ladies have been friends for years and years. I can't wait to see them again in Dallas - July 2012.

David & Jen accompanied me on the trip and we had such fun together. I think every Mom should have the chance to have time with their children on a trip like this. Jen and I had the opportunity to chat at the pool and I loved seeing her experience her first palm tree, I-Hop, and the joy of Disneyland.

- My mother-in-law celebrated her 80th birthday in April and said it was the best day of her life. It was such a joy to see her so happy and receive the good wishes of family and friends. This lady travelled to Canada from Holland following WWII to start a new life. She didn't know any English, didn't have a job, suffered terrible sea-sickness and married in a new Country as soon as she arrived. An amazing feat that I'm sure I'm not up to.

- My mom underwent major surgery to remove a tumor on her petuitary gland. She had been complaining of losing her peripheral vision, and with several nurses and an optomotrist in the family, we quickly scooped her to a hospital that my sister works at. She recovered remarkably well and we are looking forward to celebrating her 80th birthday in February 2012.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a very happy holiday season. I heard a great saying the other day and want to share it.

May you receive everything you ever wanted in your stocking this Christmas.

Cheers,

Jennifer

Rock the Block Promotion

Christmas Wishes

Our family Christmas party with all my brothers and sisters along with nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews was held last Sunday at my sister's house. We had so much fun with the little ones. Imagine my surprise when Santa took time out of his busy schedule to visit with us.

First up to visit Santa was Rylan (my great-nephew). I am sure he asked for something related to Cars. He is a big Lightning McQueen fan and taught me a lot at supper. Oh and he taught me his new phrase. "Hey baby, how you doin'" He kept me entertained all through supper

Abby (my great-niece) chatted with Santa telling him what a good girl she had been all year. I'm not sure what she asked for, but I know she is shoe girl, and very girly so maybe something for her closet.

Haidee (my great-niece) was so sweet with Santa. She wanted a Barbie jet. Now when I played with Barbie's all she had was an RV, so I guess Barbie has moved up in the world. Santa told her he was sure she was such a good little girl he thought it may be under her tree.

It seems not everyone is a fan of Santa. Peyton (my great-niece) had to be rescued by her mom. No way was she sitting on Santa's knee. She didn't want anything to do with him.

As part of the Christmas party, we also had a bridal shower for my nephew, Ryan, and his fiance Tiffany. I can't wait for their wedding this June. It will be so much fun to get together with family again. We live all over the province so don't get together very often.

And lastly, I wanted to share a card I made called Christmas Wishes. The card follows the Mojo Monday 219 sketch. I used retired Mistletoe CTMH paper, cranberry, black and new england ivy cardstock, 2" scalloped punch, all CTMH and 1 3/4" circle punch from Stampin Up. The image is from father time stamp set, from CTMH, and coloured with Copic markers. I hope you enjoy.

I want to wish everyone a very happy holiday season, Merry Christmas from me and my family to you and yours.

Jennifer

Holiday Season

I promise I have been very busy in my craft room, and I would love to show you what I've been up to, but.... they are Christmas gifts, so the pictures will have to wait.

The holiday season is very busy, but I hope you are all able to take some time to relax and get into your crafting.

The cowboy card was a big hit with my nephew and his fiance. He kept checking the back to see where it was from, despite reassurances it was handmade. Too cute for words. My daughter-in-law Jenna made the cake - a cowboy stetson which was as good to eat as it was to look at. I'll post a picture of it soon.

I had such fun at our family Christmas party. Santa made an appearance and despite a few cries was a huge hit!!! The wish lists were put in again and all the kids assured Santa they had been very good all year long.

I will post pictures of artwork and the Christmas party soon, so be sure to pop back in to check. Until then, everyone have a safe, happy, and joyous holiday season.

Jennifer

Congratulations Card

My nephew is getting married this Spring. The extended family lives across Ontario and so his Bridal Shower is this weekend. He and his fiance are horse lovers, and Ryan is a steer wrestler in the rodeo.

I couldn't resist a cowboy themed congratulations card for them. This card uses two of my favourite paper folding techniques to make the shirt and the skirt. Of course, no cowboy would be complete without his silver belt buckle so I had to add this cute silver embossed buckle to my cowboy outfit.





All supplies used are CTMH.
Stamp Set - From Me to You
Lovely Buckles (retired)

Paper packet - Sarsparilla (retired)

Misc. - licorice opaques, silver embossing powder, black ink.

I hope you enjoy this cute card as much as I enjoyed making it for the happy couple to be.

Jennifer

Holiday Tags

Do you need some Holiday Tags? Let me show you how easy it is with our new Art Philosphy Cricut Cartridge and co-ordinating stamp sets. Watch this video. Last date to order for Christmas - December 6, 2011!!!




Isn't that great.

Marley - Ducks Unlimited

My husband & I are dog crazy. We have two labs, an 8 year old, yellow, named Ozzy, and a 7 year old, black, named Marley. The dogs are spoiled to the max. Basically our life revolves around the dogs. They sleep on the couches, eat when we do, require our undivided attention, and in return they give us their unconditional love.

Ed & I were out shopping and passed by this picture, or should I say stopped at this picture, which was on display for auction through Ducks Unlimited.

So, yep we bid and found out last night, the picture is ours and is on the way to us to hang in our family room.

Jennifer

Mojo Monday #217

If it's Monday it must be time for Mojo Monday #217. Today's sketch is a choice of round or square. I decided to do the square in a 6 X 6.

This card uses the paper packet "Typeset" from Close to My Heart. The colours in the paper are juniper, desert sand, black, creme brulee and vineyard berry. I have used both sides of the numbered paper to create my card, with a creme brulee mat. The other feature of this card is that there is absolutely no stamping. I used the Typeset Complements Canvas Shapes to embellish. The ribbon affect is created using Kraft borders which are unfortunately retired. (You can still get some on the "while supplies last" online through my website)

The inside of the card complements with the vineyard berry side of the background & texture paper, with a creme brulee centre. The numbers are cut from the numbers on the background & texture paper.

The base of my card is the Kraft 6 X 6 Die Cut Cards and Envelopes.

A great birthday card anyone would love to receive.

Typeset Paper Packet $10.95
Typeset Complements Canvas Shapes $6.50
Kraft 6 X 6 Die cut cards & envelopes $7.75

Enjoy!!!

Colouring with Copics

I admit it. I like colouring. There is something about the art of colouring that brings me joy. I spent a few hours the past week watching TV and colouring with my Copics. Mo Manning is one of my favourite rubber stamp artists (next to Close to My Heart as my #1 fave). His images speak to me, and no one more than "Jack & Ginger" I hope my hubby & I are holding hands and kissing when we get to be Jack & Ginger's age!!

I have two boys who are no longer little guys, but boy does this little Mo Manning image speak to me. It's called "Who Me?" How appropriate. I found a sentiment stamp which seemed to go perfectly with this image. It says, "You make me smile all over my face."

And lastly, this stamp set from CTMH called "Gnome Garden" makes me smile all over my face. It is such a sweet stamp set. The gnome, house and grass are all separate images that created my scene.

Other than the COPIC markers which I used to colour the images and the Mo Manning images, all paper, ribbon, bling used is CTMH.

I hope these cards make you smile all over your face too.

Jennifer

Mojo Monday #216

Another week has flown by. Where is the time going? It's time for another Mojo Monday sketch and card.

I love this sketch.

For my card, I used "Elemental" paper packet and the stamp set "Love Life", along with sparkly gold brads from the "Shimmer" brad pack. I really like the versatility of "Elemental" papers. The colours I used were sorbet,and desert sand set on a white card base. I distressed the edges of all paper in "Cocoa" ink and stamped the images Live. Laugh. Love. also in "Cocoa" ink.

I hope you enjoy my take on the Mojo Monday #216 card sketch.

Jennifer

Dreamin Workshop on the Go

As our neighbours to the south prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, I wanted to share some more pictures from our family photo shoot taken on a beautiful Thanksgiving Sunday.

The Dreamin Workshop on the Go Kit fit my pictures perfectly.

The kit includes Dreamin Level 2 Paper Packet, Shimmer Designer Brads, Bronze Glitz Glitter Gel, Dreamin Workshop Stamp set and instructional brochure. All this for $33.50.

I wanted to show you a close up of the cute cluster image of flowers, leaves, shimmer brads and brong glitz glitter gel. This just adds a wonderful pop to the layout. Do you see the cute little dandelion stamps with the glitz glitter gel added to the centre? Isn't that a darling accent.

There is still enough paper left for me to complete another 2 page layout, and even a little bit more for the circle cards.

I love the ease and simplicity of the Workshop on the Go kits. If you are interested in completing this workshop, email me for available dates.

To all my American CTMH sisters and friends, I wish you an early Happy Thanksgiving.

Jennifer

Dry Erase Board

In July 2011 my son, David, his girlfriend, Jen and I were at the Close to My Heart Convention in beautiful Disneyland California. Of course, living with a scrapbooker they knew about CTMH, or did they? They had no idea how much fun a grown woman can have with thousands of other "like minded crazy for convention women." They were so caught up in the excitement and always wanted to know what we had done that day, what had we made, what was new. They toured the silent auction room with me (incognito) and commented on a few pieces - which made me bid on them - and the art room. It was so refreshing to hear how amazingly talented the artists are who are consultants with CTMH. This is not just scrapbooking for sure.

One of the pieces caught David's eye. It was a dry erase picture frame with a "what's for dinner" theme. He asked right then if I would make him something like that. One day was my response.

Well, David & Jen have purchased their first house, and I thought it was a perfect opportunity for "one day"

This is what I came up with.

I hope they are pleased. The fun part about this project is you can change the layout under the picture frame from season to season or just if you feel like a change.


Materials - Picture frame - 11 X 17 Michaels
Paper & Stickease - CTMH Spendor (retired)
Embellishments (ribbon/brads/pins) - CTMH

Mojo Monday - Feel Better Soon

If it's Tuesday, it must be time for Mojo Monday.

My niece has been fighting a throat infection and cold and while on antibiotics ended up with pnemonia. Poor thing has not been feeling well at all. I made this card for her to hopefully cheer her up. I hope it brings a smile to her face and makes her feel better!!!

For the inside of the card it is a simple saying with a wee flower and bitty brad for the centre.

This is the sketch from Mojo Monday. I just turned it to the side to get my vertical look.

Supplies Used:
Inks - Close to My Heart - Black & Grey Flannel
Copic Markers
Paper - Close to My Heart
Flowers - unknown
Leaves - Close to My Heart
Embellishments - Close to My Heart - brads & pink bling
Stamp - Stamping Bella - Grumpy Bella

Christmas Card Workshop

I had so much fun teaching this Christmas card workshop, hosted by my sister, Kathy. My great-niece Abby participated in her first card making workshop, and I had the opportunity to meet two wonderful ladies, new to Close To My Heart.

Everyone made 6 different card designs. Abby showed everyone how you could have your own style and make the card completely your own.

If you would like to host your own workshop or gathering, please email me for available dates.

Happy Creating,

Jennifer

Remembrance Day

Very proud of my nephew, Geoff, currently serving in the Canadian Armed
Forces.

May we all pause today to remember the veterans who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Wear your poppy proudly.

My Morning View

This was my view from my bedroom window this morning. It made me want to play hookey from work. We have been experiencing crazy warmer than normal temperatures this November. Not being a winter fan, I'm not complaining.

Mojo Monday - The Sketch

Mojo Monday - Believe

This is my first time playing along with Mojo Monday. I think I did pretty good for a first try. What do you think?

All products used are Close to My Heart, including Wonderland paper packet, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, Icing Overlays, Licorice opaques and sparkle bling. The two circles were cut using the Art Philosophy cricut cartridge available only through Close to My Heart.

Happy Holiday Card Set: Project Inspiration Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book

Thanksgiving October 2011

Thanksgiving Sunday this year was an exceptionally warm day full of sunshine and semi-colourful leaves. My birthday present this year was a family photo shoot at our home.
A big thank you to my brother-in-law, Tom, who took over 100 photos that day. With 7 people and 3 dogs, we were just happy we had everyone in one place. A perfect picture taken in the easement beside our house was a fluke choice and one I absolutely love!!!

Thanksgiving October 2011

Here We Go!!

With the encouragement of my fellow Close to My Heart consultants, I've taken the plunge, or fall as it may be to start my blog.

The name of the blog - Paper Traditions - was an obvious choice.  I love to preserve family memories and traditions on paper.  I am the one at gatherings with the camera ever present.  I may not be the best photographer, but the memories of a particular picture are perfect.   

Family traditions are  wonderful memory to cherish, and to scrapbook. Is it a particular photo album that makes an appearance at a bridal shower, a goofy angel that sits atop the Christmas tree, or a particular song played at a wedding (Crystal Chandalier -crazy I know) that brings an instant smile to your face, an instant memory.   

It is these memories that are captured on a photograph, and preserved in a scrapbook that make

 "Paper Traditions"


Jennifer