Wednesday, July 31, 2013

When time is limited...

Sometimes, you just don't have much time to play but you REALLY want to. Lately, I have been in the mood to play ALL the time. Unfortunately with work, family and life, I just can't play all the time. But a couple of days ago I was bound and determined I was going to get something done, no matter how little time I had.

I went to my scrapbook room and did what I usually do when my time is limited. I drew a complete blank. No time for blanks on this day. I had to get something done! So I grabbed my layout stash. I have many beautiful scrapbook layouts WITHOUT pictures. Yes, my friends, often when I am making samples or prepping for my classes, I don't put pictures on my layouts. And thus, they go into my layout stash when I no longer need them as samples. So today, I wasn't wasting time. I pulled out one of my favorite layouts from last summer (this was inspired by my creative friend, Cindy Baker).


I flipped through my photo albums and found some photos needing to be scrapbooked.

And with a little tweaking of the layout to suit the orientation of the pictures I had....


WA LA! A finished scrapbook page! In about 15 minutes!

Creative needs satisfied in the little bit of time I had to do it in. I'm convinced I need to do this much more often. As I said, I have many layouts without photos and many many photos without layouts.

Don't forget the Big Picture Classes Pajama Party tonight! It's going to be fun!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Rediscover Close to My Heart/Rediscover Happy

Close to My Heart is inviting you to get to know the company and its products better. For example, if you are a digital scrapbooker or want to be, did you know that with Close to My Heart's Studio J, you have a fantastic, inexpensive digital option? (Check it out here--it's free, no download is needed, you only pay for what you want printed). To encourage you to learn more, Close to My Heart will be featuring free downloads that will change periodically on their site. To check out this month's, go here.

These tags are only available to download until July 31st. Download them today, they're free! Just print them on cardstock. Here they are, printed and trimmed.
I wanted to play with these so I did a little stamping. This fabulous stamp set, One-Way Borders, will be available to purchase from the new Autumn/Winter 2013 catalog on August 1st. 
I used slate cardstock, slate ink, honey ink, jupiter ink and smoothie ink.
Here's the plain version.
Here's the accessorized version. So cute either way. Lots of fun possibilities with these tags. I'd love to see what you come up with them.

Happy Stamping and Scrapping!



Saturday, July 27, 2013

It's Another Pajama Party!

Did you join us for the last Big Picture Classes Pajama Party? It was so much fun. So much fun in fact we're doing it again! Head on over to BigPictureClasses.com or click here. It's free to register! And this one is going to feature the new Cricut Artbooking cartridge that I gave you a sneak peek of a couple of days ago. Here is the supply list. Everything is available on my website or directly from me except for the Artbooking cartridge and the aqua dots which are available from the brand new catalog on August 1st. However, you can preorder them from me! 
I hope you'll join us! Big Picture Classes has some fun stuff planned besides the project and Close to My Heart will be giving product away as well.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

A Sneak Peek at the Cricut Artbooking Cartridge by Close to My Heart

Where has the month gone? It has flown by since I got home from convention. Just a reminder that the end of the month brings the end of two really great specials. Don't forget that the Courage and Home of the Brave stamps sets are only available until the end of the month and the purchase of each donates money to the USO to support our troops. And the Work Your Workshop special, featuring the Workshops on the Go Canvas Kit at half price is only available while supplies last or until July 31st. So take advantage of those today.

And with that reminder out of the way, how about a sneak peek at the upcoming Close to My Heart Cricut Artbooking Cartridge? I got a chance to play with this cartridge in preparation for my convention class and it is fabulous. First of all, this isn't your ordinary cartridge. While it has all sorts of wonderful images, as every Close to My Heart Cricut cartridge does, this one has all sorts of layout and mini book themes! By setting the Cricut machine to the suggested dial size, you can use one key (yes, one) to cut out accents, borders, titles, overlays and more, all in proportion, to create the perfect scrapbook or mini album page. It's so simple! And by using real dial size and a little creativity, you can manipulate those images and overlays for all sorts of additional fun stuff.

So let's take a look at a card I made with the cartridge.

First of all, I cut the photo mat on the N key from Honey cardstock. I stuck with the recommended dial size on this one which is actually 11". Notice the photo mat is not 11" but rather in proportion with the overall 12x12 layout. This has a photo mat box for a 4x4 photo. It is a great size for a card as well.
Next, I cut the border shown here in various colors (Pacifica, Ruby, Slate and Black) because I wanted to use, not the border, but the arrows left over from the border. I also cut the larger arrow in Ruby and Slate.
I layered the arrows, including the arrow cut from the photo mat, randomly on a piece of white cardstock cut at 4 1/4 x 4 1/4", just a tiny bit larger than the opening of the photo mat.
I used the little arrow from the new "All the Details" stamp set and...
...I stamped it in Ruby ink to fill in any leftover white space on my white cardstock.  I then layered the honey photo mat over the white cardstock and mounted that on black cardstock on a card base.
There was a teeny bit of left over glue after gluing down the arrows so I used my handy dandy Rub and Remove Eraser to clean it up. 
After adding the Real Life from All My Details stamped in Pacifica ink I'm all done! I really like how this card turned out. Now I'm trying to think of a clever saying to put in the middle. Something inspiring to do with real life and directions... Any suggestions?

Happy Stamping and Scrapping!

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Close to My Heart Convention

Those of you who know me know I love Close to My Heart. And those of you who know me also know I love anything Disney. Well, then what could be better than the annual Close to My Heart Convention in Walt Disney World?!

I taught at this year's convention so I had a hectic few weeks of creating. My patient family didn't see much of me for about three weeks. But oh, the glorious new stuff that is coming out! And I got a sneak peek at some of it because of my class. Yep, there is a new catalog that will be effective August 1st and with it a NEW CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge. Uh huh. It's a good one. It's geared towards mini-albums, big albums, cards, photo mats, and other wonderfulness.

And there are beautiful new papers and stamps and accessories! I was assigned the ProPlayer packet. If you have gamers in your family, this paper is for you. But even if you don't, it's pretty darn versatile so you really must try it. All of these samples utilize the new Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.

 


 My fabulous friend, Colette, took the wonderful pictures I used for these. Isn't it good to have fabulous friends?


  

This is my new favorite stamp set. 


Or maybe it's this one?



I haven't even played with many of the others yet so there is still time to establish a favorite.

I have so much more creative goodness to share but I think I will spread it out over a few days and keep you coming back for more. Besides, I just spent several hours cleaning up my craft room after those three weeks of creating and I can't quite bring myself to bury it again just yet.

But lest you forget that I was in Disney World and I do so love Disney, here's a few pics of that fun.



And did I fail to mention I love Harry Potter too? I got to visit him too at Universal Studios Orlando. Broom flying is not for me though as I discovered on the Forbidden Journey ride. But oh, the Butter Beer was yummy (thankfully, I drank this after the Forbidden Journey ride).




You know, next year's Close to My Heart Convention is in Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. Ever thought about being a consultant? If so, let's chat. Some of my best friends have come through my associations with this company. And that is even better than any Disney or Harry Potter ride.


Monday, July 1, 2013

Retiring Product


I just got home from the Close to My Heart Annual Convention at Walt Disney World in Florida. I had so much fun and I am so sleep deprived! But it's all good. There are fabulous new things coming (can you say "new Cricut cartridge?") and I'll start giving you a sneak peek over the next few days. But in the meantime, this month is your last month to load up on the discontinuing product. So with that in mind, here is the list. Remember, you can go to my website, blythe.ctmh.com to order or check anything out or contact me directly. Any $150 order will qualify you for $25.00 in free product so take advantage of that as well. Remember, these are only while supplies last so they may not last until July 31st. If there is something you love, don't wait.

Order #
Description
Z1347
12 x 12 Post Bound Album- New England Ivy
Z1366
Brads Metal Assortment
Z1410
Antiqued Copper Designer Brads
G1060
Workshops on the Go® For Always Cardmaking Kit
G1061
Workshops on the Go® Chantilly Cardmaking Kit
Z1412
10-Things Pocket
Z1474
6" x 6" Kraft Die-Cut Cards & Envelopes
Z1721
3” x 3” Kraft Envelopes
Z1722
4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Kraft Envelopes
Z1723
5” x 7” Kraft Envelopes
Z1724
6” x 6” Kraft Envelopes
Z1450
Cork Color-Ready Alphabet
Z1718
Color-Ready Garden Wooden Shapes
Z1719
Color-Ready Evergreen Cork Shapes
Z1773
Color-Ready Noted Canvas Shapes
1771
WaterbrushMedium
Z1246
EmbPowderCocoa
Z1350
embossing powder topiary
Z1351
embossing powder dutch blue
Z655
EmbPowderOlive
Z656
EmbPowderOutdoorDenim
Z659
EmbPowderCranberry
Z670
EmbPowderBlack
Z672
EmbPowderRed
Z673
EmbPowderWhite
Z724
EmbossingPen
X7155C
Avonlea Complements Canvas Shapes
X7156C
Clementine Complements Canvas Shapes
X7157C
Dakota Complements Silver Foil Images
X7159C
Scholastic My Stickease® Assortment
X7164C
Buzz and Bumble My Stickease® Assortment
X7166C
Claire Complements Canvas Shapes
X7167C
Later Sk8r My Stickease® Assortment
Z1392
2" Scallop Circle Punch
Z578
Corner Rounder
Z1326
Sparkles Red, Pink & Purple Assortment
Z1327
Sparkles Blue & Green Assortment
Z1710
Just Blooms® Paradise Paper Flowers
BULK233
Just Blooms® Flutter Paper Shapes (1" with script)
Z1612
Paper Clip Pins
Z1827
My Creations™ Paper Pouch - Small
Z1828
My Creations™ Paper Pouch - Large
G1062
Workshops on the Go® Canvas Art Kit
Z1734
Irresistibles™ Persnickety Journaling Spots
Z1755
Posh Journaling Spots
G1053
Workshops on the Go® Chantilly Scrapbooking Kit
G1054
Workshops on the Go® Buzz and Bumble Scrapbooking Kit
G1055
Workshops on the Go® For Always Scrapbooking Kit
G1056
Workshops on the Go® Claire Scrapbooking Kit
G1057
Workshops on the Go® Later Sk8r Scrapbooking Kit
G1058
Workshops on the Go® Tommy Scrapbooking Kit
G1059
Workshops on the Go® Surf's Up Scrapbooking Kit
Z1748
Brocade Assortment
Z1766
Memo Assortment
Z1780
Wrangler Assortment
Z1794
Cottage Assortment
Z1810
Later Sk8r Assortment
Z1813
Claire Assortment
Z1831
Buzz and Bumble Assortment
X7155B
Avonlea Paper Packet
X7156B
Clementine Paper Packet
X7157B
Dakota Paper Packet
X7159B
Scholastic Paper Packet
X7164B
Buzz and Bumble Paper Packet
X7166B
Claire Paper Packet
X7167B
Later Sk8r Paper Packet
Z1487
Mini Medley Accents Pewter Collection
Z1489
Mini Medley Accents Olive Collection
Z1697
Mini-Medley Accents Smoothie Collection
Z1740
My Creations® Bookmark Album
Z1774
My Creations® Canvas Journal
Z1081
ColonialWhiteWaxyFlax
Z1088
ChocolateWaxyFlax
Z1089
BlackWaxyFlax
Z1096
EmbroideryFlossNeutralAssortment
Z1798
Black Tulle Ribbon
Z906
BambooWaxyFlax
W1123
Spring Summer 2013 B&T Duo Sampler
Z1267
Paper/StampOrganizer8.5x11(3)
Z4134
Handle and Swivel Base
Z4136
ExclusiveInksOrganizerCarryingCase
Z4200
AccessoriesOrganizer
Z608
EmbossingStylusMedium






Stamps
A1132
Family
A1133
Festival of Lights
B1372
Circle Together
B1395
So Grateful
B1396
School Rocks
B1405
Rugged Dude
B1406
Blessings of Peace
B1410
A Friend Like You
B1414
Bonjour
C1438
Tea Time
C1461
Salutation Seals
C1466
Instant Memories
C1505
Pun Fun
C1507
Angelic Blessings
C1508
Paisley Flair
C1511
Love Blooms
C1520
Christmas Joy
D1187
For Every Occasion
D1388
Card Chatter - Christmas
D1399
Dream Big
D1440
Everlasting Life
D1444
A Little Thanks
D1492
Christmas Love
D1517
Game On
D1519
Abundance
D1521
Powder Heaven
D1523
Sweet Music
D1528
Jardin
E1010
Chocolate Alphabet Large
E1014
Posterboard Alphabet
E1015
Cocktail Alphabet
E1017
Old World Alphabet
E1018
Pennant Alphabet
E1019
Bohemian Alphabet
E1020
Token Alphabet
E1021
Trinity Alphabet
E1022
Hero Alphabet
E1023
Varsity Alphabet
E1024
Keepsake Alphabet
K900
Single Name Stamp
K9012
Address Stamp w/o Icon 2 Lines
K9013
Address Stamp w/o Icon 3 Lines
K9014
Address Stamp w/o Icon 4 Lines
K9022
Address Stamp with Icon 2 Lines
K9023
Address Stamp with Icon 3 Lines
K9024
Address Stamp with Icon 4 Lines
W1600
Customized Set