Chantilly Workshop on the Go

I love the Workshop on the Go kits! I've had a play with the Laughing Lola kit, and then last night I tried out the Chantilly. I was able to incorporate Heart 2 Heart Challenge's "Alphabet Soup" task by using my two sets of lettering.
I managed to get a few shots of Emma at dance class last week that are passable... this is a challenge when she's moving about in very changeable lighting! But still, being the doting parent that I am, I'm very happy with the finished page.

Christmas Stamp Sets

I love Christmas. At the start of October I begin to think about my Christmas cards, and what I will make for my friends and family - yes, it may seem extremely early, but I often make my own stamped images, and this is something that takes a lot of time and organisation! Here are a couple of the stamps I've made in the past:

This year I really have no need to create my own stamps - I have found my perfect set, and it is called Glory to God. As you may have realised, I love the traditional nativity scene on a Christmas card... but there are many more Christmas stamp sets available in my online shop for you to browse. Prices range from $5 to $29. Head on over to my website to browse through these and other acrylic stamp sets.

 

Glory to God (set of 10) $29

 

Yuletide Greetings (set of 9) $29

 

Merry & Bright (set of 12) $23

Candyland (set of 8) $29

 

Santa's Greeting (set of 1) $5

 

Tree Delights (set of 1) $5

 

Christmas Village (set of 10) $29

 

Polar Bear Holiday (set of 8) $23

Autumn Leaves

I used the sketch at Atlantic Hearts Challenge this week and the colour scheme from Heart 2 Heart Challenges to come up with this Autumnal card. The colours are Gypsy, Cashmere, Barn Red and Sunset. The stamp comes from one of the sets which co-ordinate with the Art Philosophy cartridge, with the leaf insignia cut at 2".
I've used the pigment inks today because I am trying to practise using them a bit more and become more proficient at getting a good image from them.

 

Favourite things...

A few of my favourite things include the Cricut and Christmas, so this project wasn't too difficult to set up. I saw a beautiful picture on the Artfull Crafts blog of a twisted easel Christmas card, and have adapted it to include most elements cut using the Artiste cartridge for the Cricut. The face, ribbon, matchbox, flower, and leaf sprig are just a few of the 700 shapes which the Artiste has loaded on it; you just select the size which you want it to cut and push the button... yes it really IS that easy!
This beautiful card is for another of Heart 2 Heart's September challenges.

Tied up with string...

One of the September challenges at Heart 2 Heart is to be inspired by "Brown paper packages tied up with string..." so I imitated this adorable project from the Product Launch Guide.
I am starting to get organised for Christmas workshops and Christmas card making here, so all my projects are starting to have a decidedly Christmassy feel!
I didn't really think that I would need to look outside the Artiste cartridge for other shapes, but having cracked open the Art Philosophy this morning, I found these lovely boxes. I cut them at 8", 7.5" and 7". I also love the look of the pillow box and the door hanger... a project for another day!
My supplies include CTMH Topiary cardstock and ink, SU Cranberry cardstock and ink, and Kaisercraft paper. The stamps are SU (Noel) and Kaisercraft (the stars).

I'm a Top Pick at Heart 2 Heart!

Yay! Two of my projects were selected in the Top Ten for August over at Heart 2 Heart Challenges! I'm stoked. I love this challenge site, and have really enjoyed getting inspiration from the challenges and from the other ladies' lovely projects.
My card and gift duo was selected for the "Bon Voyage" challenge and my Mr and Mrs card for the "Sentimentally Yours" challenge. I also proudly gain the "Addict" title, since I entered all the August challenges.

Workshops on the Go

Brilliant news for Creative Memories fans

I have wonderful news this morning for those ladies who have worked with me for many years. I love my Creative Memories albums and I know I'm not alone in having a few empty or unfinished ones sitting around. Close to My Heart's current sleeves can be adapted to go through the straps of a CM album, but we have heard more news this week from corporate which is even better: we are going to be able to supply CM users not only with sleeves that have been custom made to fit the CM strapping system, but also sleeves that are side opening rather than top. You'll be able to get them both for your old CM albums and for your new CTMH post albums. I am truly looking forward to sharing these new products with you! Read below for the news from Home office:

Side-Loading Page Protectors Forthcoming
As announced at the Creative Kickoff, Close To My Heart is developing two different side-loading Memory Protector products for 12”x12” scrapbook pages. These products will be formulated with our same quality PVC-free materials and are anticipated to be available with the release of the Season 1 product catalogue (preview period begins 1 January 2014). The first product is intended to be compatible with Creative Memories-style strap albums without requiring modification to the album or protector. The protectors have seams on the top, bottom and exterior side, with an open side for sliding in pages near the gutter seam. “Refill pages” are not required to use this product.
The second product is intended for use in post-bound or three-ring albums. Protectors are very similar to Close To My Heart’s existing Memory Protectors style, but instead of having an opening at the top for top loading, these will have the opening at the interior side near the gutter. We anticipate that these two additional formats of Memory Protectors will give your customers additional options in organizing their pages in albums.

Who Needs Milk?

The Chocolate Affair stamp set continues to inspire me. I found a new challenge site this morning, the Atlantic Hearts one, and their sketch this week is sweet and simple - right up my alley!
The background burst is from the "Kudos" stamp set which is part of the Artiste bundle. I actually use this quite a lot - I like adding texture to a background, and I love the affect that this one gives. I used a Post-It note to give me a masked square (I used the negative space made from punching a 1" square) so that the edges of the burst were defined.