Christmas Tags

How is your Christmas shopping going?  Are you at the wrapping stage? 

I love wrapping presents.. the beautiful paper, bows and ribbon curled and twirled just right and to top it off you need the perfect tag.  

 Aren't these cute?  Santa in his handsome red suit - don't open until December 25, and a glittery sparkly tree waiting with presents.

The Artiste cricut cartridge makes it easy to create multiples of your tag shape quickly.  All three of these tags can be found on the Artiste cartridge.

   

The stamp set used is a retired SOTM called A very Merry Christmas.  The tree is glittered everywhere with red, gold, and green glitz glitter gel (retiring in January '14) so it sparkles and shines.  I also added some bitty sparkle brads to create some extra bling.


I hope you enjoy and create some tags this Christmas to top your beautifully wrapped gifts.

Jennifer
  

Ta Da!!! Did you Guess?

I know it's not Christmas yet, but my family celebrated yesterday.  It was so fun to get together with all my brothers and sisters and laugh when a baby cried and a niece or nephew said, "uh that's mine."  We were remembering when it was our little ones and we would say the exact same thing.  Coming from a big family, it is so much fun when we all get together - I believe the final count was 38 - it's noisy, hectic, and slightly crazy but we love it.

So, the gift I was creating was an Event Calendar for each of my sisters and sister-in-laws.  I had so much fun making these.  The key when doing bulk is assembly line style - it goes really quickly.

Wow did I put my stamps to good use.  There are too many to remember the names, some are retired, some are well loved and some are brand new.

It was great to come up with a mini scene for each month.

I also was able to use some of my hoarded paper packages.  I'm sure you can see some retired papers I used.

 Of course, I also used my favourite foam tape to "pop" the images off the page.  Each of these months has an image that pops off the page.

The only item in the entire event calendar that is not CTMH are the little pink flip flops which are brads that were in my stash.  

My mom is a quilter so I had to include a pinwheel for her.  Fun little design to add some charm. 



These are great to plan your cards a month, couple of months or a year in advance.  Wouldn't it be a great gift complete with the cards to go with each important date in your family?




I hope you enjoy my version of the event calendar and maybe inspired to create your own.

Jennifer

What are you crafting?

As Christmas approaches (quickly) I am busy creating fun gifts for family & friends.  I always seem to take on waaaay too many projects and then try to get them all finished in time!!! 

Here is a sneak peak at what I'm doing.

12 neat piles of 160 plus cut pieces of paper.  Hmmm what would I create with that?  I'm creating multiples and find it easier to do one step at a time - this paper is for 5 of the same project. 
 

 Pretty pink squares with stamped flowers each one coloured and waiting for add ons.

 Are you starting to get any ideas?  Embossing, ribbons tied in bows, sparkles, stamping and colouring.... what could that be?

 Beautiful sand and sun pics starting to take shape.  I love the retired Footloose paper.  I still have some in my stash!!!

Polar bear goes for a downhill sled ride and wishes everyone a very merry Christmas.  The background paper is from the beautiful paper package, Frosted.  There is still glitter all over my work space and floor. 






I'd love to tell you what I'm making, but they are for Christmas gifts, so will have to share with you after the holidays.

I hope everyone is getting their craft on for Christmas!!!

Enjoy,

Jennifer
 

As a consultant for Close to My Heart, one of the questions routinely asked of me is, "Why did I become a consultant?"

It's a question I ask others when they inquire about CTMH.  Why do you scrapbook?  Why do you want to become a consultant?  What do you expect of  yourself & of CTMH? 

This is a beautiful card created by my downline, Muriel, for a bridal shower she is attending.  It is stunning in the detail of the bride's dress, the blingy necklace, and beautiful umbrella.  She is so talented and I am such a fan of her work.   

Muriel began as a customer finding me online.  She lives not far from me, and her previous consultant had retired.  We met, and she introduced me to a few other ladies, began attending my classes, and then she became a downline. 

 

More than being a customer, or downline, all perks of being a CTMH consultant, Muriel has become my friend.  I truly love this woman for all she is, and has become to me. 

As much as you might plan what you're going to do at a crop, there is always something you want to see, touch, or learn that someone else might be doing.

I was thrilled when the student became the teacher.  Muriel was teaching Lydia how to make decorative boxes and the ins and outs of cutters.   She also taught many how to make bows using the fork technique.







My "why" is simple.  I treasure the very special friendships that I have made which were only made possible as a consultant with CTMH, the smiles and laughter, the sharing of stories, the caring hugs and greetings always exchanged and the opportunity to look forward to doing it all again in the New Year.

To all my ladies at CRCC a very special thank-you for all the memories of 2013 and the biggest of hugs to each and every one of you.  Looking forward to seeing everyone in 2014. 

Enjoy,

Jennifer                     

 

         

Clearly The Best: Crafts for Your Curls (S02E06)

Not a papercrafter or scrapbooker?  If not, then the fabulous jewellery line from CTMH is for you!!  Create wonderful wearable art like hair clips, headbands, rings, bracelets, necklaces - the possibilities are endless.  CTMH makes it easy for you to have fun making statement pieces to add that pop to any outfit.

Watch how...

Is it Christmas???

Did Christmas come early?  Free giveaways???  Details, we need details!! 

I don't know about you but I love discounts, sales, and best of all free items!!!  I love to support other direct sellers and as much as I enjoy giving my customers free items, I also love to receive them!!!  What better way to do some Christmas shopping when you get things free right?

Today's post is all about discounts, and savings and free!!!  So let's get to it...1, 2, 3....  

1.  Free - You can choose one "star" product FREE for every $100.00 of retail priced items in the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book, or Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide.  (Available October 15-December 31,2013 or while supplies last)   

 2.  Free - Join the CTMH family from November 1 - December 15, 2013 and submit qualifying personal sales and you'll receive your choice of a Picture Your Life scrapbooking program FREE!!!  This is a new product line available February 1, 2014 and you can be first in line.   

3.  SOTM - Always discounted, the stamp of the month is only $5.00 with a qualifying $50.00 order.  This is a great stamp set available only for the month featured discounted to you each and every month!!! 








November is a great time to Rediscover CTMH.

Enjoy,


Jennifer
  

Canada EH!

It's always fun to create something different.  A friend wanted something "Canadian" for a gift exchange she was involved in during her cruise.  We came up with a gift bag & card design that screamed Canada.

I love the finished product - the front of the bag Proud to be Canadian was cut with Go Canada cricut cartridge as was the little leaf and bubble with Canada Eh!.

The card couldn't be more Canadian with an RCMP saluting under the Canadian Flag.




I'm thrilled with how this turned out.  This was the first time she had used CTMH but I don't think it will be the last.  I had her cutting, and colouring, foam dots, double stamping, metallic inks - phew - she handled it like a pro.  I think she was glad she only had 4 sets to put together though.  The bags were going to be stuffed with all things Canadian - ketchup chips, smarties, and whatever else she could think of - topped off with red & white tissue paper and ribbon.

I hope you enjoy.

Jennifer
   

Fall Favorites

I pulled out some older retired stamp sets for this card.  I was in the mood to colour, and what better stamp set than "Fall Favorites" (CTMH SOTM) (or Favourites if you're Canadian) to use all the wonderful rich colours of fall.

This little scarecrow is standing guard over the sunflowers and field crops ready to be harvested.  I used my copics B93,B95, B97 for the overalls and R05 and R09 for the shirt.

Cardstock is Autumn Terracotta and Honey along with patterned paper from Sarita collection (CTMH).

The organdy ribbon is from my stash.

Sentiment is from For Every Occasion (CTMH retired).


I decided to have some fun with the envelope and stamped a wee pumpkin from Harvest Home (CTMH retired) and coloured with CTMH autumn terracotta markers.

For my Canadian followers, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving in just a couple of weeks.  I really look forward to this time of year - leaves are changing colours, the air is crisp, and the ground crunches under your feet.  Did I mention the food at this time of year.... all the wonderful varieties of fresh apples.  Oh, and pumpkin pie, and great vegetables.  Yes fall is a time for eating for sure.  I wish you all a wonderful festive fun filled  HappyThanksgiving!!!

For my American followers, I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving with you all in sunny Myrtle Beach.  We'll be having our traditional turkey with all the trimmings on the beach!!! 

Until next time,  enjoy


Jennifer

    

Anniversary Card

I had the pleasure to create an anniversary card this week for my sister and her husband who celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary on September 21st!!!

I sponged the background with CTMH sky, indian corn blue and outdoor denim inks.  The images are stamped with Memento black ink with the stamp set Childhood Portrait.  I love this little pair on the bench under the moonlight, sneaking a little smooch.

The card is dark so I wanted to pop with a buttercup cardstock mat.

No embellishments, just my inky fingers!!!



I hope you enjoy this card.

Jennifer

Door Card

Wow - I'm squeaking in two posts in one week!!!  This is the 2nd card we'll be doing in September card classes.  I have been wanting to make this "door" card for some time and this was the perfect time to do so. 

Again, a simple card that highlights the stamped image.  These beautiful images are from Remarkable Wreath stamp set.

The door handle is a durable stud - cute right?

The inside sentiment reads:  May the bounty of the season fill your hearts and home.

Cardstock is champagne - ink distressed with saddle.  I love the combination.


I hope you enjoy this card.

Jennifer

 

Always Grateful

Sometimes, when browsing a new CTMH Idea Book one item will jump out at you.  Now calling something your favourite is impossible, but we all have favourite stamp sets, colours, bling, or embellishment that just call to us.

In the Autumn/Winter Idea Book 2013 the stamp set Always Grateful did that for me.  It's a very simple set of 3 single trees, 4 sentiments - nothing spectacular - or is there?  Maybe the simplicity of the images spoke to me, or the thoughts the sentiments evoked, but this set was a must have.

   
I wanted to keep my card clean & simple - let the image and sentiment speak for themselves.  I added black tulle ribbon to bring in some texture and angled my image (kinda like the tilt in my head when I'm thinking) to add some visual interest.







Enjoy,


Jennifer   

National Stamping Month: September 2013

Wow !!!  Seriously three stamp sets for only $10.00 with a qualifying purchase of $50.00.  This deal can't be beat.  A sentiment stamp, alphabet stamp and cute image stamp sets all in one great deal.

Remember also with your $50.00 qualifying order you can purchase the September SOTM for only $5.00 more.

 

Hello All

Yikes, I can't believe summer is almost over.  I don't know but time seems to have flown by.  I hope you all have lots of great summer pics and are ready to get at your scrapbooking layouts.  The Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book has great paper choices for all!!! 

I haven't posted artwork lately because I've been (gasp!!!) working on Christmas presents.  I love to create special gifts for my family and friends that are unique to anything else.  Unfortunately, that means you can't see what I've been doing!!!

Let's just say my Cricut has been busy chirping away, my fingers are inky, glitter is spread around the house, and paper pieces could turn up anywhere.

I am also working on projects for fall/winter workshops, and card classes.  I will post those in the next few days. 


Jennifer

What else is new?

What else is new for Autumn/Winter 2013?  How about 2 new cardmaking kits.  The lovely Laughing Lola and fabulous Frosted will be sure to please.  Both are a great value at only $24.95!!

 Frosted cardmaking kit comes with everything you need to make 15 fabulous cards ready to send to all your friends and family.  The exclusive stamp set sentiments and images will highlight your cards. 

 Laughing Lola will cheer up anyone with great colours of Pear, Slate, Outdoor Denim and Laughling Lola purple.  It also comes with an exclusive to the kit stamp set to offer hugs, cheering up, thinking of you and you can never have too much happy sentiments.

.... drum roll please - for the biggie - a new exclusive to CTMH Cricut cartridge - Artbooking.  this is a great cartridge to compliment Art Philosophy and Artiste.  Your projucts will be faster and simpler with these great overlays, photo mats, and co-ordinating dimensionals and stamp sets.  A must have for sure!!!





With so many new products available it's hard to choose a few to highlight.  You can view the entire Idea Book online at www.jenniferkelly.ctmh.com to pick out your favourites.

Enjoy,

Jennifer

It's Here - Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book

It's here - it's here - and it is absolutely amazing.  I know I say it every time a new Idea Book is launched but seriously this is jam packed with something for everyone.

What's new?  How about jewellery - you can make great pieces for gift giving or for yourself and customize for that unique one of a kind look.

This is the base & bling kit - only $14.95 and comes with everything you need to create this piece. 

Crush it - a new and simple way to scrapbook your keepsakes.  Add your pictures, ticket stubs, favourite recipes, whatever you want to crush.

Wow - this is a great way to display pictures, an advent calendar, or mementos. 








These are just a few of the new items, but there are also new paper packages, my acrylix stamp sets, embellishments, and more.  You can view the idea book on my website or contact me for your free copy.

Enjoy!!

CTMH Convention 2013 Highlights

Now this is a Convention !!!  Looking forward to seeing everyone in 2014 at Disneyland, Anaheim, California. 

You Are Welcome Here

In uncertain economic times, a secure company offering great products can be hard to find. Close To My Heart offers that stability to its Consultants, who also enjoy being able to do what they love: create and preserve memories! Watch the video to learn why now—more than ever—is a great time to celebrate creativity, preserve memories, and share the Close To My Heart opportunity!

Baby card

I've shown you the baby album I created, now the card that goes with it.  I again pulled out some goodies from my stash & mixed with new for baby love.

I love the simplicity of this card.  It went together just like I had in my head, which doesn't always happen.

The animals are stamped in buttercup and sorbet inks, cut out and popped up with foam tape.  Houndstooth resist alphabet is inked with sweet leaf, as is the sentiment.  The stamps are Zoology and Card Sentiments (retired).  I used some textured white cardstock and sassy strands spring along with Olive pin from my stash.

 Ha ha ha - and this is my real "baby"  - Marley.  Even though she's 8 1/2 years old and grey she's still my baby!!!  Pretty girl.  This is her favourite spot in the house - sitting on the deck watching the happenings around her. 

She chooses her moments, but can still move like the wind, especially for chipmunks, squirrels and geese. 












Enjoy!!

Jennifer
     

More Caboodle

As promised, this is the rest of the baby album for my nephew and his wife.

 Page 6 & 7 - Giggles is a layout from Cherish - Elegant Contessa.  I love the cute little stickease, and ribbon on this layout.   

 I wanted to show a highlight of the bunny.  I covered the chipboard piece in liquid glass and then covered in some brown fun flock I had (not CTMH) - it really added some texture to the page.  The hearts are popped with foam tape.

 Page 8 & 9 - Cuddles - I'm sure this is from one of the How To books but I forgot to bookmark it. 

 I wanted to show you the cute little deer with the sweet leaf ribbon in her hair.

 A fun hedgehog sniffs a mushroom under a heart tree. 

Stickease can be a fun, and effective way to quickly embellish your layouts.

 Page 10 & 11 - Unforgettable - Cherish Interesting Variation is the template for this layout.  I just love the little sunflower babies - they remind me of Anne Geddes dolls.

Page 12 & 13 -Happy Baby - Cherish Treasure Tags.  I pulled out a cartridge from Cricut to help me with the embellishments on this layout.   The flowers on the bib, and bottle are tulips which I thought were great considering the momma is Dutch as is my hubby.     

 The gramma to be (my sister-in-law) gave me the Robert Munch book I'll Love You Forever when I had my first baby.  Oh my I still can't read that book without tears in my eyes.  I was thrilled to be able to add the quote to the final page of the book.


As always, the baby books I make are a labour of love.  Each is different, with some special elements for the mommy & daddy to let them know when they look at their book, we are sharing with them the joy of a new baby.

So far, I've made more than I care to count, but will be glad to continue this paper tradition with many more great nieces and nephews to come.

Enjoy,

Jennifer
  

Caboodle Baby Album

I'm thrilled that my eldest nephew and his wife are expecting their first baby this fall.  As is my tradition with all my nieces and nephews, I've created a baby album for them.  I don't know the sex of the baby so tried to keepneutral, albeit with a bit of blue, since I have my suspicions!!!

Some of you may recognize this paper package, but it's an oldie and long retired.  Caboodle featured the beautiful colours of sorbet, sweet leaf, and crystal blue with highlights of buttercup and vanilla.   I also used My Stickease from another retired paper pack called Twitterpated which had the cutest images and again were perfect for this baby book.


Cover Page - I love our how to books and I'm thrilled to say they will be back in spiral bound form in the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book CTMH.  They are great resources and I often find myself turning to them.  This is from Reflections, Main Frame - Quilt Blocks. 

Baby's Great-Grandmother is a quilter, so I thought it was a great layout to choose.  The stickease and ribbon are highlighted in a cluster on the bottom left corner.

       

Page 2 & 3 - Yep you guessed it - straight from CTMH Magic - another great how to book.     

This is a close up of the cluster. 

I love the momma bird feeding her baby in this image.  A little fancy cutting, some colouring then popped up with foam tape and you have a great cluster accent. 





Page 4 & 5 - It's a Wide World is from Cherish - Balanced Blocks.

I love the two little bunnies sitting with the mushrooms.  The metal embellishments are sweet leaf retired.    



I have a few more pages to the album to show you over the next week.  I've been trying to use up my stash to get ready for new products (I know I never will but I like to say that I am) available August 1st, 2013 from CTMH. 

I've seen sneak peaks of the products and the Idea Book and you're going to love all that CTMH has to offer for all your crafting fun!!!

Ribbons and Trims

Ribbons & trims add wonderful texture to your scrapbook layouts and cards.  Texture brings the eye in and makes the hand want to touch.  This is a great video to highlight some of the CTMH ribbons and trims that you can add to your project to make them pop.

Enjoy.

Jennifer

Easy Rider

 

I have another card with an image from High Hopes that just tickled my funny bone.  Doesn't he just look like an "easy rider".  My brother-in-law is a motorcycle rider so I think I'll add a Happy Birthday sentiment for him.  I love the chrome detail on the bike and the eagle emblem on his jacket. 

 

 

 

 

Paper is from CTMH Dakota, Copics colouring and embellishment from my stash. 

 

Enjoy,

 

Jennifer

 

I wanna drive your Tractor

 

I love this image of an old tractor from High Hopes.  It just speaks to me.  I think the headlights look like eyes and the grill looks like a mouth.  Isn't it cute.  

 

The paper is from the Victory paper package from CTMH with barn red cardstock.  The image is coloured with my copics, and I again forgot to write the numbers down as I was colouring - sorry.  

The metal embellishment is from my stash but is from CTMH.

 

 

I'm going to add a birthday sentiment and send to my big brother for his birthday next month.  I know he will get a kick out of the old tractor as much as I did.

 

Enjoy,

 

Jennifer

 

 

Better Blending

This is another great instructional video from CTMH, to colour and blend with the alcohol markers.  You can create beautiful cards or highlight those special images on your layouts. 

The markers are a fantastic deal at only $5.95.  You will receive 2 markers for this price - one lighter or darker than the other to allow for optimal blending.  Use the blending pen to add even more deptch to your colouring.

Let's Get Patriotic!

With Canada Day just around the corner, you will want this set for your scrapbooking layouts.  The fireworks are bursting off the page, and the proud Mountie is standing at attention.  I can see the flag waving in the breeze....
 
 








Isn't this a great stamp set!!!  It is exclusive to the month of June and a portion of the sales from these patriotic sets will go towards Canadian Hero Fund. 

As a proud Canadian and proud Aunt to a nephew serving in the Canadian Military, I have ordered my set.

Enjoy,

Jennifer  

     

Fishing card

I've said before I love colouring images with my Copics.  It takes me back to hours spent with crayons and colouring books.  I think that's why I love the smell of a new stamp set or paper - reminds me of opening up a new box of crayons. 

We haven't had great Spring weather here yet, but this image reminds me of fun, lazy summer days, and I'm a sucker for an image with a little guy and his dog.  I wanted to practice my yellow lab colouring and I'm getting there.

The paper is retired Footloose and Heavenly Blue with sweat leaf ribbon.  I like how the layers turned out.  It's the perfect guy birthday card.

 



I hope you enjoy,


Jennifer
 

YEE HAW!!!

While we were at the Stockyards in Ft. Worth, we had lunch at Billy Bob's.  It was so much fun.  The girls were a bit grossed out when I "held" hands with Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, but hey we had hand sanitizer - I was good.  I wished we could have been there at night to watch the entertainment and experience the true Billy Bob's in full swing. 
  

 This is the two page spread - sorry for the glare from the page protectors.  Yep, I did the tourist thing and posed for my bull riding picture.  It was worth the $5.00.  

 A close up of the pages.  I love my hand shake with Johnny & Willie despite everyone else getting the heebie geebies (yes that's a word).  There were also pictures of country music stars around the club, and neat memorabilia.  I'm not sure why in the hundreds of pics we took that was missed!



This was such a fun day with such wonderful ladies.  I miss them so much and am really sad to not be going to Convention to see them this year.

So my tweeker sistahs, until 2014.... hugs

Enjoy


Jennifer

Convention 2012 with Clementine

I've almost finished my layouts from Convention 2012 - Dallas, TX.  We had such a great time exploring Dallas/Ft. Worth and tried to fit in as much as we could.  We had an absolute blast.  I'm so sad to be missing convention this year in Orlando, Florida. 

I wanted to share with you a couple of layouts using flip flaps.  These are the greatest for your layouts, especially if you like taking as many photos as I do.

 One of our favourite places was the Stockyards in Ft. Worth.  My girlfriends, Nancy, Jackie & Barb wanted to see the "steer" drive.  Only problem was we kept asking when the bulls ran.  The exasperated cowboy in his Texas accent said, "They're not bulls, they're steers."  Well, this struck our funny bone, and we laughed about it for hours.  When I was putting this layout together, the only title that came to mind was "They're steers".

This layout is with the flip flaps closed.  The next layout shows the flaps open and the extra photos that you can include in your layouts.
    




All I know those steers were big!! (and looked mean). 

Enjoy,

Jennifer