Happy New Year

As we say goodbye to 2014 & look forward to 2015 I wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

I have a confession to make and that is I'm not a big New Year's Eve fan.  I tend to want to stay home, watch TV (usually the World Junior Championship game), and enjoy time with my husband and family.  I find I'm almost melancholy; often reminiscing on the happenings of the previous year.
I'm not a goal setter (yikes - imagine that) and I don't make resolutions - - but I do look forward to the adventures of 2015.

So... what happened in 2014?? hmmmm...

In January we traveled to  Mexico with a group of 60 to celebrate the marriage of our niece, Amy to Brent.  It was a wonderful week of fabulous weather, great times with family and new friends and a perfect setting for them to begin their new life together.

Met with the father of one of Canada's hockey heroes!!!  Turns out Walter Gretzky is a bit of a flirt!!!

June brought me to Disneyland, California for the annual Close to My Heart Convention.  It was spectacular as usual and I loved meeting up with friends to catch up on the happenings of our lives.  It was a thrill for me to meet and chat with some of the guru consultants of CTMH - Lisa, Brenda, and Pam - gorgeous ladies inside & out.

My besties Barb and Nancy.  Can't wait to see them again in July 2015 when we meet up again.


















The summer flew by in a whirlwind of activity - family parties, sea-dooing...

September brought a new/old adventure when Matthew decided to return to the University of Ottawa to finish his degree in Civil Engineering.  We couldn't be more proud of him!!!

We celebrated another wedding...

Michelle was a beautiful bride - nervous as she walked to her waiting groom, Brian.  This beautiful young lady was my flower girl many, many years ago!!!

We celebrated the wonders of a wee one meeting Santa for the first time and learning the fine intricacies of the perfect "stink face" - I still have to master that!!!

Happy 2015!!!

Come fly with me, come fly away

Come fly with me, come fly, lets fly away....

Yes the first official snowfall of the year means it's time to plan our winter vacation.  While I'm waiting for that winter vacation to fly away to warmer climates, I'll have to settle for getting my layouts ready.

 Wanderful is a fabulous paper package for your travel photos.  It could be a weekend getaway, summer camping trip, or winter vacation to the sunny south, but it is also very versatile.

I have used only the paper package,complements and stickease, along with a journaling pen on these layouts.  There is no stamping at all.  

After I created my two 2 page layouts there were more than enough supplies to create a couple of birthday cards.

I wanted to pop up the image with foam tape so backed the stickease on paper and cut out.  I added a flamingo pink dot to add some bling to the card.  I love this image of the lady on the scooter and had the perfect stamp set (retired CTMH) to add the sentiment.  

This is the same card pattern as the card above, turned horizontally, and no paper distressing around the frames.  I did rip the paper to add the downhill slope and again had the perfect stamp set for the sentiment.






All these projects come together quickly using the CTMH How - To books which have easy to follow colour illustrations and instructions to cut your paper and complete your layouts and cards.  Special thanks to Brae Montgomery for her inspiration on the layouts.

Enjoy,

Jennifer

Mamas & Chicks Show

Come & visit me at the Mamas & Chicks Show - November 28th, 2014 @ The Quality Hotel, Oshawa.  

Ribbon Revelry

Welcome to October - let's fall into savings this month with two great promotions from Close to My Heart.

As always, the Stamp of the Month program is a great way to add to your stamp collection.  Home for the Holidays is a cute set of 7 images perfect for creating tags, cards or adding that little extra to your layouts.  I just love the little polar bear with his precious grin.  You can receive the SOTM for only $5.00 (value $19.75) with a purchase of $50.00 during the month of October.

But wait, there's more.  When you spend $55.00  in the month of October, you'll receive a FREE chevron ribbon of cranberry or denim (value $7.75) 

The SOTM purchase counts towards your $55.00 qualifying requirement.

As I've said before I love a deal, and my math calculates you'll get $77.50 value in product for only $55.00 (saving $22.50)!!!!!

Enjoy!!!

Jennifer

Goldie Golfer Happy Birthday

Does something ever just catch your eye and you have to have it?  It might be that perfect purse, scarf or pair of shoes or it might be a stamp set.  That's the way I felt when I first spied Goldie Golfer from Art Impressions.  She is just so saucy and I knew the perfect person to create a card for using Goldie.
This is what I came up with,

 I like to stamp the image a couple of times and then colour a couple of different ways.  Same stamped image but with different patterned paper and colours it looks like a different card.

This is the Goldie Golfer card that I gave a co-worker.  She is an avid golfer and has a saucy, no nonsense approach to life.

I used the sentiment "wanna play a round?" on the front and then stamped a big "Happy Birthday" on the inside.

Goldie, the sentiment and the golf ball are all popped up with foam tape to give some added dimension.




So keep your eyes open you never know ....

Enjoy,

Jennifer

Beautiful Brushed

Today, I wanted to share with you some artwork using the Brushed Workshop on the Go (WOTG).  Brushed is a beautiful paper package with wonderful large flower prints, graphics and watercolour prints to match cardstock colours of pixie, canary and juniper.

The WOTG  includes a complete Brushed paper package, 4 additional sheets of colour co-ordinated cardstock, a complete package of metal flowers (8 pcs.) , an exclusive D-size stamp set, and full colour instructional brochure for you to complete 2 - 2 page layouts.  

 

This project is wonderful for the beginner scrapbooker or the more advanced.  You'll have your project done in a snap - just add photos and pop in your album.  The cardstock, patterned paper and accessories are all co-ordinated for you to finish your project in a few hours.  You will even have leftover cardstock and patterned paper to create a card or two - using the exclusive stamp set.   The full colour instructional brochure provides a layout for Cricut users and an alternate project for those who chose not to use their Cricut.

The Brushed WOTG will be the featured November WOTG club kit.  Contact me today to get your kit ordered and ready for November.

Enjoy,

Jennifer

Pathfinding card WOTG

Welcome to September - back to school, autumn breezes, trees starting to change colour and best of all routine.  I love the summer months, but they are a bit chaotic and boy does routine go out the window.    I confess I'm not really into spontaneity or spur of the moment.  

But.. I do like to throw caution to the wind when I'm crafting.   This is why I love the Workshops on the Go by CTMH.  It allows you to follow the directions exactly and create beautiful projects, but it also allows you to throw caution to the wind and put your own spin on it.

The Pathfinding WOTG provides 15 cards and envelopes, an exclusive stamp set, cardstock, sequins, shimmer trim, and cardstock to complete five of three different cards.

 These are the 3 cards following the instructions exactly.

I love the woodgrain stamped image and the pops of colour with Glacier (new) and Goldrush.




But....

What if we changed it up a bit.

These three cards follow the same pattern as the originals, with a twist.

I replaced the woodgrain stamp with the woodgrain embossing folder, and flipped the patterned paper to the opposite side.  I chose different images from the same stamp set to use and voila...

I did add Bamboo cardstock not included in the kit.


The Pathfinding card WOTG is a fun project to get ready for your season of thanks.

Enjoy,

Jennifer

Love this Paper

Ask any scrapbooker/paper crafter and I bet 99.9% will say they love their paper!!!  I am guilty of maybe being a paper hoarder - it takes nerve to cut into a new sheet.  I am absolutely in love with every single one of the new paper packages ready for you in the Annual Inspirations CTMH Idea Book 2014-2015.  There are 9 new packages to choose from - but why choose just one?

 Chalk It Up - features a colour palette of lagoon, sorbet, flaxen (new colour), champagne, black and white.  Rich patterns including chalkboard, geometric and arrows highlight this package.

Confetti Wishes - this paper is cute, cute, cute.  Happy Birthday wishes, canary yellow geometrics and stripes and polka dots are featured on this paper package.  Colour palette is canary yellow (new colour), crystal blue, lagoon, pacifica, pear, thistle (new colour), whisper and white daisy.

 Pathfinding features autumn terracotta, barn red, champagne, chocolate, colonial white, glacier (new colour), goldrush, lagoon and olive in the colour palette.

Pattern papers offer a variety of acorns & leaves, geometrics and leaf pattern.  Although it is certainly focused on fall the double sided patterned paper allows for a variety of uses.

Scaredy Cat is just cute not spooky.  This paper is great for a variety of projects.  The paper has stripes, geometrics, line and dots and spooky patterns.  With a colour palette including black, colonial white, pear, slate, sunset and thistle your layouts and cards will pop.

Snowhaven is quite simply a darling paper package with colours including black, white, cranberry, glacier and whisper.  This paper is focused towards your winter layouts and cards but again the double sided paper provides for other uses.  The patterns are polka dot, snowflakes, geometrics, stripes and shadowed print.

Wanderful is great for your travel layouts and cards, with patterned travel patterns, maps, geometrics and polka dots.  The colour palette is black, colonial white, crystal blue, flaxen (new colour), gypsy, honey and smoothie.

Brushed - such a sweet flowery paper package with canary, cranberry, flaxen (new colour), hollyhock, juniper, pear, pixie (new colour), white daisy and black as the featured colours.

The patterned paper has a water colour effect, polka dots, large flower pattern, geometric, small flower pattern and leaves.

Seaside just makes me want to go on vacation.  It is such a great paper package with muted colours of desert sand, glacier (new colour), lagoon, hollyhock, pear, sorbet and white daisy.  It has polka dot, stripe, sea pattern and geometric patterned paper.





 



Last, but certainly not least is the beautiful Yuletide Carol.  This patterned paper is simply too good to describe.  It is very retro - old fashioned Christmas with wonderful paper.  It must be seen to be appreciated.

The colours of champagne, colonial white, desert sand, new england ivy, ruby and black are featured in this paper package.





All of the new 9 paper packages have coordinating complements and assortments to enhance and complete your projects.

Enjoy,


Jennifer

Annual Inspirations - Are you Ready?

The new Annual Inspirations 2014-2015 Idea Book does not disappoint.   Jeanette Lynton, CEO and founder of CTMH is celebrating 30 years in business and this book is simply fabulous.  This idea book is BIG - 193 pages of big with wonderful new paper packages, new colours in the 42 colour pallette, great workshops on the go, card kits, base and bling jewellery creations, home decor, Shinhan Touch Twin Markers... the list goes on and on.

So, in my next few posts I'll highlight some of my "must haves" I was able to purchase early during the consultant preview period.

Hostess Rewards Stamp Sets - Wow - these are a fantastic deal available to hostesses only, discounted from retail price.  There are 10 sets to choose from.

I loved them all but my "must have" was Better with a Friend #D1608 a set of 5 images for only $10.00.

Aren't these sassy classy lady images great?

ShinHan Touch Twin Markers - These are alcohol markers with a broad and fine tip and come in 24 colours.  These markers can also be purchased with hostess rewards.

I paired my first two favourites in these great cards.



You might notice I also paired my new favourites with some old favourites, including Ariana paper package, organdy ribbon, adhesive pearls, and dimensional elements.

Enjoy,

Jennifer

Because I'm Happy....

Do you have a bucket list?  Whether it is written down or not, we all have things we want to do before we "kick the bucket".  One of the fabulous consultants for CTMH, Tressa Black (Fabulously Artsy) wanted to do a flash mob.  So... she made her dream happen by enlisting the entire consultant team of CTMH to dance a choreographed routine to "Happy" from Despicable Me 2.  She put a tremendous amount of work into this, video taping herself doing the steps for us to practice for months ahead of time, grouped the participants, and had us ready to go on the day.



Oh my what fun this was - I was a participant in this surprise flash mob for the founder and CEO of Close to My Heart, Jeanette Lynton and the VP's, Monica, Brian and Kristine.  I actually am on the video at 1:24 - briefly but I'm dancin'.

Of course we will have to scrapbook the highlights of this and what better way than to create some fun little dudes called "minions".  Many thanks to Crafting with Christina and her great you tube video for the directions for the cards.

 Ha ha ha - they just make me giggle - and sing "Happy" and watch vidoes of minions dancing to "Happy".

I don't have little ones at home any more, but I sure know who theses little dudes are.  A co-workers grand-daughter has trouble saying Despicable Me 2 so she says "Pickle Me 2".

I can use these as cards - I lined the inside with the yellow and can use for a get well, feel better or birthday cards.






I'm sure you're all now singing "Happy" and your feet are tapping.

Enjoy,

Jennifer

Masculine Birthday Cards

July is a crazy busy time in my family.  I think everyone I am related to or know has a birthday or anniversary in July.  So first up in July are my two brothers - both born on July 4th - 5 years apart (my poor mother) - who also share an April wedding anniversary - 5 years apart.  I posted earlier the anniversary cards that I sent to them.

Masculine cards are difficult for me and I'm always searching for ideas. These two cards are not my original ideas but I loved them, and thank other artists for sharing their creativity.

Isn't this cute!!  This features the Catch You Later stamp set from CTMH which co-ordinates with Cricut cuts found on Artiste cartridge.  I used Autumn Terracotta and Indian Corn Blue inks and paper and popped up the sentiment with foam tape.

Voila - one birthday card done.

This card is a modified side step card to resemble a tool box.  I had some of the aluminum type paper in my stash and it worked great for the drawer pulls.

The stamp set is You're the Best from CTMH - The peg board I hole punched using the CTMH stitch guide.  Cardstock is cranberry and bamboo from CTMH.

The drawers are popped up with foam tape to give them some depth and the happy birthday sentiment is tucked in one of the drawers.


Voila - second birthday card done.




Stay tuned - more July birthdays coming up!!!

Enjoy.

Jennifer

Why?

This is a question consultants ask of themselves often.  Why?  Why did I start to scrapbook?  Why did I become a consultant?  Why did I go to Convention?  The answers are often the same if you ask any of us, but the answer may also change over the years.

What's my why?

Memory Keeping - I love creating beautiful scrapbook layouts for myself, family and friends to preserve their memories.  CTMH has wonderful products to work with and 4 exclusive Cricut cartridges.

I'm working on our family vacation album for 2014 - Mexico-  to celebrate the marriage of my niece Amy to Brent.  It was a wonderful week with family & friends -  tons of fun in the sun - much needed in January!

 I love to create hand made cards.

 Discount - You know me - I love a discount and as a consultant I do receive a discount on my supplies.  I also am able to enjoy special consultant only deals.  Hostesses are always special and are treated with rewards and special gifts just for them.  I love watching my hostesses shop and fill their wish list with FREE products.

Choose your kit - whether you're a card maker or a scrapbooker the choice is yours.  Consultant kits are full of everything you'll need to get started on your journey.  Value packed with products and business supplies.

Trips - Yep, CTMH offers incentive trips for its' consultants - from Hawaii, to Costa Rica to cruises - all are available to everyone at every level to earn.  One of the wonderful trips I attend annually is to Convention - I've been to Washington, D.C., Dallas, TX, California (twice) all with discounted hotel rates and park tickets.

 My roomies & I sharing the Canuck love!!!
We have become lifelong friends and look forward to meeting up each year at Convention.

 My fellow Canucks and CTMH VP's in Dallax, TX, 2012

Fabulous Disneyland 2014 with my roomies for 2014.








People - Absolutely - I love the fellow consultants I have met over the years and treasure the time I get to spend with them.  My customers are my friends and it is very special to share something you love with others.

 Wow!!  One of the highlights of convention was being able to meet and chat with some of the CTMH gurus of crafting.  Pamela O'Connor, Lisa Stenz and Brenda Rose.

These ladies are such talented artists who shared their creativity with us this year.

The beautiful and talented Alyson Mayo.  Always amazed at what she creates.







So that's some of my why - but what always remains a constant why is the people I have met along this journey, from the hobby crafter to the guru of CTMH to the VP's of CTMH - all share the passion of scrapbooking and paper crafting.  We are a unique bunch and you are always welcome at CTMH.

Jennifer