How Old Can You Go Challenge

With all the AMAZING product that Close to My Heart released this month in their Seasonal Expressions 2 book it is easy to get swept away and want it all (yep, I do!)  But what about the super cute papers and embellishments that you already have?  If you are like me you have lots of supplies that you really love but i\they are quickly forgotten because of all the pretty new items appearing.   I want to help you use your old supplies to help make room for all the new goodies you NEED.

So... Announcing our newest challenge. 

How Old Can You Go 

At least once a month from May to August I will post a challenge on my facebook page for you to create using as many old supplies as you can. During that month, upload and post your own creation using your older supplies to the ScrappinwithHeather facebook group.  On August 25th, each person that participated in the challenge all 4 months will receive $10 in product credit of papers, inks, or stamps towards their own $20 purchase made between August 25 and August 31st. 

To make it an even better, for each month that you include 3 or more retired/old items in your project, you will receive an additional entry into the Hostess Rewards pot.  I will hold the drawing on August 25th and the person chosen will receive an additional $25 in Hostess Rewards.  

Here are a couple layouts I created for May:

Here is what I used:
Cricut - Artbooking
Cricut - You are Here
Take Note Artbooking Stamp Set
This Happened Stamp of the Month - March 2019
Slate Cardstock - retired 2017
Basic Fundamentals - retired July 2017
Embossed Sapphire Cardstock - retired 2016

La Vie En Rose Paper Pack - retired 2015

Black Gems - retired 2015

Pictures from 2015

Here is what I used on this 2nd layout:

Cricut - Artbooking

Cricut - You are Here 

Game Day stamp D1829 - current

This Happened Stamp of the Month - March 2019

Basic Fundamentals - retired July 2017

Memo Fundamentals - retired July 2017

Slate Cardstock - retired August 2017

Embossed Sapphire Cardstock - retired 2016

Black Gems - retired 2015

Pictures from 2009

Whew - I was able to go back 10 years!

I used a series of layouts created by fellow consultant Kelly Baxter-Fitzgerald but changed the papers out to use what I already had in stock. Easy Peasy.

As a special bonus just for those people participating in this challenge, I have the cutting files for the above layouts plus 3 more layouts.  If you would like them, email me letting me know you will be participating in the challenge and that you would like the files. Once I see your May submissions in my facebook group I will email you the directions. 

I absolutely loved creating with my old supplies and feeling like it was money well spent. Now I don't feel bad at all when I purchase all the new papers and supplies!  I'm sure you will feel the same.  Will you join me?!

It's a Stampaganza Blog Hop!

Hello friends!

I can't believe how long it has been since I wrote to you all last.  This year has been one of many ups and downs with lots of crazy turns along the way but I am so excited to be back and stamping and scrapbooking again.

July is Stampaganza at Close to My Heart which means now is the perfect time to order all those stamp sets you fell in love with when you were looking through the catalog!  Only during July, purchase any two stamp sets and get the third set of equal or lesser value free!  That is an incredible deal!  Also, remember when you spend $50 you get our Storybook Alphabet set, our July Stamp of the Month, for only $5!

So... What stamp set is your favorite from our current catalogs?  Right now, mine is the No Worries - Scrapbooking set. My family was extremely blessed to be able to take a cruise in May.  This was our first family vacation in several years so to say that I took several photos would be an understatement.  As I begin to go through the photos, I am also beginning to create my layouts for those photos.  Here is the first of many layouts I will create to help document our wonderful journey.

This is a simple layout so that my photos can take center stage as they should.  I did pop-up several of the stamped images to add depth to the layout.

Items used to create the layout were:

No Worries Paper Packet - X7220B

No Worries - Scrapbooking stamp set - D1718

Lagoon Ink - Z2895

Whisper Ink - Z2872

Gold Shimmer Trim - Z1985

Cricut Artbooking Collection - Z3169

Bitty Sparkles - Z1263

To see more stamp sets and their beautiful artwork, click here to go to Ellen Jarvis's blog. or to start at the beginning go to Tina's blog. 

3 Layouts, 2 Hours

This weekend I was blessed to host a 2nd Seaside Workshop at my house.  We created 3 different layouts, one from the Workshop on the Go (WOTG) and 2 original layouts.  To help save everyone time and be able to enjoy each others company a little more, I pre-cut the papers for all the layouts before our workshop.

The colors from our Seaside papers are absolutely beautiful and absolutely help you feel the heat of summer.

 

I showed you the WOTG layout before but here are the other 2 we created:

I've Got to Brag on My Husband!

You know how you have these items on your to-do list that you REALLY want to tackle but they seem enormous and you just aren't sure if you have the know how or creativity to do it?!?  Well, my downstairs entry wall was that thing for me.  I had on my to-do list to decorate the entry wall (pretty much for the last 6 years) by the end of the summer. I knew I wanted it to be a wall of photos but not a grandma wall, if you know what I mean. I had all the picture frames and most of the pictures (even though I wasn't sure which would go where).  Yesterday morning, my husband's first day back from being out of town, we are sitting on the couch facing the wall and I nonchalantly say how I don't know how I will ever tackle it.  I want it to be nice but not sure how to pull it together.   We talk some more and somehow I start pulling my frames out and setting it out on the floor like I think I want it.  We talk, I rearrange, we talk some more.  I finally get it like I think I want it and then he went to work hanging the frames on the wall.  It may not be the most professional wall but I love it and am so glad it is off my to-do list.  Woo-ooh!!!!  Thank you, sweetheart!

Another reason I love my Cricut: I was able to cut out the words using my Cricut and the CTMH Artbooking Cartridge. 

Girls Weekend Layout

I'm sitting here tonight remembering what I did just two weeks ago.  It seems like forever ago with the way my life goes but the memories are so good and peaceful that I keep trying to take myself back there.   Two weeks ago I was relaxing outside by the fire at the beautiful Grand Oak Retreat in Scottsboro, AL.  This place has become our #1 scrapbook retreat as Cindy knows how to take care of us pampered girls.  The food, the atmosphere, the time to get away and scrapbook is all amazing. Oh to be back there right now..... Well, I may not be able to be back there right now but I look forward to our November retreat and then again in May.  It is official, we were able to get the first weekend of May as our groups weekend as well as our November weekend.  YEAH!!!  I already have a full list but if you would like to join us then let me know and I will add you to the waiting list.  I promise you will not be disappointed.

Here is the layout that we created during our weekend stay to help us remember the fun and beauty of the weekend.  Hope you like it.

 Layout was created using the beautiful Skylark papers

Gifts, Clearance and another Great Retreat

It's hard to believe we have been back from our retreat for a couple weeks already.  I feel like I am living life in the fast lane - the Indy 500 fast lane and am ready for a pit stop.  Praise the Lord for our pit stop at Grand Oaks - it was wonderful.  I'm ready for another.  :)  Speaking of another, we have been invited to return May 1st - 4th for another fabulous scrapbook and craft filled weekend.  The cost is $300 and includes logging, all meals, a workshop each day and crafting galore!  If you are interested in joining me, please let me know asap.  I am offering those who did not attend in November first dibs to give everyone a change but will open it up to everyone January 1st so if you want to go, you need to let me know.

In my last post I showed you our weekend commemorative layout we created.  As you could see, our theme paper was the Laughing Lola papers. To continue to the with our theme, we created these beautiful canvas albums.  They were a little different then what we normally create during our weekend but were a big hit.  I just love it!  They make a great Christmas gift too!

 Supplies used were:  Canvas album (retired), Laughing Lola paper pack (X7170B), black shimmer trim (Z1809), black tulle (retired), Cricut Artbooking cartridge (Z1906)for the cut paper, Sparkle and Shine Washy tape (Z1907), Sparkle Flourishes (Z1745) Love Life Acrylix Stamp Set (D1482), Crystal Blue ink (Z2117) and Black Pigment ink (44751).  Orders your supplies here.

While your there, check out our recently clearance and retired products.  Don't wait - they are going fast.

Retreating with Laughing Lola

Having such a great time scrapbooking this weekend with a bunch of fabulous ladies.   Each year I try to use a paper pack to be the theme of the weekend.  This year it was Laughing Lola.  I absolutely love this paper. The purples, the blues, the swirls- Augh, how could you not love this paper.!!!!

So using Laughing Lola as my main paper pack, I created this layout to teach here at the retreat and to commemorate the weekend.   

I also used paper from the Scholastic paper pack and used or new Artbooking Cricut cartridge.  I love being able to use multiple paper packs in a layout and to use multiple Cricut catridges in a layout too!

Watch this video here that Close to My Heart created to help you learn to create amazing art work by using all of our amazing Cricut cartriges. 

To get your any of the Cricut Catridges shown or the beautiful Laughing Lola paper pack go to my website now!

Artbooking Everyday layouts

I told you in my last post how I was organizing my office and I thought I would give you a quick peak in to see what my table looks like.

 
Now I'm not proud that all these layouts are still not in albums but I am pleased that they are at least completed :).  Actually the only reason they weren't in albums was because I don't scrapbook chronologically but just as the pictures fit the paper I have.   I have been scrapbooking so much these last few years, I couldn't keep up with putting them in my albums.  I'm hoping that is no more.  These layouts are in semi-stacks (o.k. messy stacks) showing at least 7 albums worth of layouts.  The kids have been having a blast coming in my office and going through them this last week.

While I have been cleaning my office, corporate has created another video showing you how to use the Cricut cartridge Artbooking to create everyday layouts.  I love how she points out the overlays used from the mini album pages and tells you how to create them for your 12x12 layouts. 

I hope you enjoyed the video. Happy creating and remember to e-mail or post your creations for us all to see.  Happy creating!

P.S. If you still don't have your own Artbooking cartridge and you know you need it - click here.

Flip books with Artbooking

I'm sure if you have watched any of the previous videos I have posted, you are falling in love with Close to My Heart's New Artbooking Cricut Cartridge like I did.  There is so much to do with it - the options are absolutely endless.

I hope you enjoyed the video I posted a couple days ago showing off the Halloween mini-album that Close to My Heart created. Here is another video showcasing our new Designed Decor Flip Album.  It is so easy to create a stunning album for any occasion using the Artbooking cartridge and Designed Decor Flip Stand.

Take a look here:
Order your stand and Artbooking cartridge today.

Artbooking Mini Albums

I can't tell you how happy I am that Fall is here.  I love pumpkins, the cooler weather and most importantly I love Fall Break!!!  That's one of the many benefits of homeschooling - fall break!  I'm using my break to move my school room - again, clean and organize my office and catch up on showing off our new cricut cartridge - Artbooking.

This summer while in FL for our annual convention we created and decorated a cute mini album with the new Artbooking cartridge and Laughing Lola embellishments.  Take a look:

Isn't it adorable!?!  And this is just a small sampling of all that the cartridge can do.  All these pieces can be enlarged for a 12x12 layout or made smaller for cards.  Got to love the flexibility of this cartridge!!!

Here is a video Close to My Heart created to show off a Halloween themed mini album.



 If you are in love with this cartridge as much as I am - order yours now.

Our New Cricut Cartridge - Artbooking Broken Down and Explained

Have you played with Close to My Heart's newest cricut cartridge yet - Artbooking?  If not, you are in for a BIG treat! This cartridge is phenomenal with so many options and fun overlays that you will be scrapbooking non stop all year and still never create the same layout or card twice.  It is a revolutionary new cartridge that changes the way you have to stop and think about the size of each piece to your layout before you can even begin.

Because there are so many options with this cartridge - again unlike any other cartridge you have seen before - you are going to want to watch this video as it breaks down and explains the new cartridge so you can get started crafting and never look back.

To get your own Artbooking Cricut cartridge, stamps and Dimentional Element, click here

Having fun Playing with ProPlayer

Last night was my monthly workshop and it so much fun catching up with friends and creating.  I look forward to my workshops to do just that -  Laugh, chat and scrap!  During this month, our first month of the new Fall/Winter Catalog, we played with the new Proplayer paper pack.

Using the Workshop on the Go Proplayer Pack here are the layouts we created:

Though this paper definitely has an electronic theme to it, the double sided paper gives it so many options - sports, outdoor and family fun activities.

This last layout was my original creation using the new Cricut Artbooking cartridge.   This new cartridge is so much fun and has SO MANY options!  The best option is how it has 10 layouts pre-programmed to be cut at the exact measurements needed for a perfectly balanced layout.  Love that!  No more measuring and adjusting the pieces to fit - perfect every time!  Oh yeah!!!

It's a Pajama Party

Join Stacey Julian as she creates this beautiful layout using Close to My Heart's newest cricut cartridge - Artbooking. 

This is a free scrapbooking class that starts in about 20 minutes.  Don't worry if you can't make it tonight - you can always look back on later but it's always more fun with friends!

Click here now to register and participate!

Convention is Rockin’!!!

WOW!!! What an amazing day in Florida and at the Close to My Heart Convention!!!  Today was the big reveal  for the new Fall and Winter catalog and products and all I can say is WOW!!! 
We started our day with some fun friends and a comical play on Downtown Abbey (CTMH version being Downtown Shabby), Slate Grey’s Anatomy and our own Project Runway.

The reveal was amazing and I will be sure to share all the information – in bite size pieces of course or your head might spin (just like mine ).
Here is the fun bag that was given to us with our wonderful catalog inside.

And for a sneak peak at the cover of our new catalog:

The new catalog introduces gorgeous new papers, including a fun baby paper that can be used for either a boy or girl (but trust me it is not boring or bland), new Crush Books, Designer Décor Frames for amazing home decorating, brand new Base and Bling jewelry kits and even more organizational items.
Here is a peak at the Follow Your Heart Mini Album we created today – so fun!

This album was created with our BRAND NEW CRICUT CARTRIDGE – ARTBOOKING!!!
You are going to love this cartridge.  It is packed and I mean packed with images like nothing you have seen before.  15 different themes, 10 themed mini books, a new alphabet and LOTS, LOTS more.
SO – start planning, and get ready for an amazing new book.  Now this book doesn’t go active until August first but that gives you plenty of time to get your friends together and plan a party or workshop helping you get lots of new products – FREE!!!  E-mail me now to schedule your own event.