A Christmas Gift For You!!!!

I have a great deal for YOU this holiday season! During the month of December, if you place a $20 order on my website for anything...you'll get a FREE D Size retired stamp set from Close To My Heart. Corporate will hand pick you a special set and include it with your order free of shipping, tax and handling...they'll just throw it in as a gift to you. You will not know the stamp you will receive until you open your package --- but it will be just like opening your gifts on Christmas -- a big surprise!! This is a great deal -- the D-size stamp sets usually cost $22.95 - and you will get one for free!!

Go to my website by clicking HERE before December 31 to participate in this wonderful offer. I am sure you will find something you will fall in love with while you are there!

Birthday cards

Here are two birthday cards I made recently - the yellow one for my dear friend, Bonnie and the other one for my son's girlfriend (which sounds weird to say still). I forgot to rotate the photos before I downloaded them. Sorry. The pattern is from one of the CTMH books, but I forgot to look and see which one. I do love this card though, and will probably use it again. The stems are hand-sewn. It's the first time I have done something like that -- but I love how it turned out.

Altered Picture Frame

I made this altered picture frame for a very good friend of mine's birthday. It started as unfinished wood. First I painted it with acrylic paint in a green color. Then I decided that I wanted it to have an 'antique' look so I used some Tim Holtz Crackle Paint. After that was dried, I used some distressing ink to go over the crackle paint and turn it a shade of green.




I cut the word "friends" out of some Tim Holtz grungeboard using my Cricut. Then I used distressing ink in Peeled Paint and then topped it off with some Peeled Paint Distress Stickles.



I used a CTMH stamp to make the sentiment. I added some Itty Bitty Sparkes to give it some bling. Then I made three rolled paper roses to give it more flair. I used the CTMH opaque pearls as the center of each flower.



And here is the finished product - minus the picture. I put a picture of my friend Bonnie, Amy and I at the Twins game earlier this year in the frame before I gave it to her.

Olivia Workshop on the Go

We had our club night tonight for the Olivia Workshop on the Go. It was a small group - we had an ice storm here in Minnesota today, and a couple of girls didn't make it here. I was also trying to include my sister-in-law in Memphis by using Skype, but I think I need a better laptop or a faster internet connection. I will have to work on that. Anyway, here are pictures of the layouts, girls, if you need this for reference. Call me if you have any questions on how to put these together.



This is the layout that was featured in the WOTG brochure. I am not sure my girls like the sanding, but I think it looks great.



This was our second layout. I used the Creative Team layout found in our Imagine book. I added a few extra embellishments, like the buttons threaded with hemp and the squares of leftover paper.



This is the first page of our third layout. I didn't put any embellishments, or a title, on this layout yet. I also found this layout in the Imagine book. It is called Understudy.


Here is page two from the third layout.



And here is both pages of the layout.

I made this card using the October Stamp of the Month. I should have posted this last month, but I just can't seem to get in a regular habit of posting things to my blog. I need to try much harder. Maybe it will be one of my New Years' resolutions.... Anyway, all products used were Close to my Heart. On the tree, I used some Twinkle Brads to add a little bling. The hat and scarf were colored with our markers. The B&T paper was from some leftover Jingle paper I had in my drawer.

I made this picture frame and card for a good friend at work. On the card, the stamps, buttons, ribbon and card base are Close to my Heart products, but the patterned paper is not. I don't recall right now which brand they were. I made the picture frame from a $1 frame at Michaels and painted it with brown acrylic paint. I then cut 1" squares from chipboard and distressed them with Ranger distressing ink. I then covered some of them with distress stickles, distress embossing powder or crackle paint. All were Tim Holtz products. I made another frame similar to this for a different friend previously. I have also made one for myself.

Time Flies!!

It always amazes me how fast time flies. I wish we could pick a day a month where we could control how fast the day goes and just have a r e a l l y slow day to enjoy everything we like to do. It seems like it was just July and October is already almost half over. I know someday I will be less busy and will be able to live at a slower pace, and I will probably not like it much then, but it sounds great now!

September Stamp of the Month

Here is a card I made from September's Stamp of the Month-Thriller. I stamped the image in black and then embossed it with clear embossing powder. Then I used the new Sunset ink and sponged it on the bottom of the image and then blended in sunflower on the top half of the image. I got this idea from my upline, Lori Leng The card is 5x7 black CTMH cardstock. I sanded it to give it a worn look. I then used some scraps from the Hooligans Kit of the Month on the bottom of the card. I used some black grosgrain ribbon and a couple of the black opaques. The sentiment is from the Thriller stamp set as well. I hope you like it.

Hooligans Kit of the Month

My kit of the month club starts this month!! Be one of the first five to sign up and receive a special free D-size stamp from me. Here are the benefits to joining my Kit of the Month Club:
* Complete at least 30 layouts at the end of the 5 months!!
* During hostess month receive at least $25.00 in free products
* During hostess month receive free Stamp of the Month
* Learn new scrapbooking techniques
* Have fun!!

This does require a 5-month commitment. You must place a $30.00 minimum order each month. You can complete the layouts at my home on the specified date, or you can do them on your own if you are not able to attend the club meeting date.

As I indicated, as added bonus, the first 5 people to sign up will receive a special, free D-size stamp from me. You must sign up by September 17 to participate. Please e-mail me (dforbord@frontiernet.net) to sign up today.

Here are the layouts we will be doing this month:






I didn't embellish the last page yet - but wanted to show how even though these are Halloween papers, you could use them for non-Halloween layouts

Birthday Card

Here is a birthday card I made for my bosses daughter. The flower stamp and sentiment are CTMH. The flower patterned paper is from a DCWV stack (I think) and the green polka dot paper is Bo Bunny.

National Stamping Month

September is National Stamping month. To celebrate, Close to My Heart has created a great kit to give you three times the fun! Included in this Triple Play mini album kit is an exclusive stamp set, mini inks and enough paper and embellishments to make 3 cute mini albums. You can get this cute little kit in a variety of ways:
1) Purchase the kit outright for $29.95 (CC1010).
2) Place a minimum order of $25 in My Acrylix stamps (excluding Stamp of the Month sets, Workshops on the Go exclusive stamp sets, and K-size custom stamps) and purchase the kit for only $15 (CC1010A).
3) Place a minimum order of $40 in My Acrylix stamps (excluding Stamp of the Month sets, Workshops on the Go exclusive stamp sets, and K-size custom stamps) and purchase the kit for only $5/$5 (CC1010B).
4) Host a home gathering and get the Triple Play mini album kit free with party sales of $300 or more.
5) Sign up under me to become a CTMH consultant and the Triple Play mini album kit will be included free of charge in your consultant kit.

The Triple Play mini album kit is available through September 30, 2010, while supplies last. Be sure to get yours today.

Graduation Card

We had a late graduation party to go to a couple of weeks ago. Here is the card I made. Hope you like it.

$2, $4, $6 for 8, It's YOU We Appreciate!!

In honor of our wonderful customers, Close To My Heart and I want to show our appreciation. So for 8 days only, there is going to be a BLOW OUT sale on my website for select Stickease Stickers ($2), Level One Paper Packs ($4) and Level Two Paper Packs ($6). This sale will start on August 4, 9am MST (11am Central) and will run through midnight (MST) on August 11.

The items in this sale will all be 'while supplies last' so make sure to order your favorites early for best selection. This is a great bargain and a great way to stock up on your favorites. Also, most of these items will be retired at the end of the year, so now is definitely the time to stock up.

You can only get these great deals from my website. Because this is such a great sale, sometimes CTMH servers will get bogged down due to the high traffic. One way to avoid some of this is to set up an account on my website ahead of time, if you haven't already done so. This will help when you check out. I have included a list of the items that will be on sale at the bottom of this message. Another time-saver may be to make your wish list ahead of time. Many of these items will sell out quickly, so be sure to order as early as you can.

Any purchase you make will also go toward our adorable Stamp of the Month "Something Splendid". You can also order all regular priced items at the same time so this is the time to stock up online and save big.

Vintage Travel Level 1 X7045A , Stickease X7045C

Discovery Level 1 X7056A

Heirloom Level 1 X7060A, Level 2 X7060B

Floral Impressions Level 1 X7061A,Level 2 X7061B, Stickease X7061B

Laid Back Level 1

Just Chillin Level 1 X7069A ,Stickease X7069C

Simple Pleasure Level 1 X7070A Level 2 X7070B, Stickease X7070C

Best Friends Forever Level 1 X7071A

School Zone Level 1 X7072A, Stickease X7072C

Abundance Level 1 X7073A, Level 2 X7073B, Stickease X7073C

More To Adore Level 1 X7075A, Level 2 X7075B, Stickease X7075C

Sonata Level 1 X7076A,Stickease X7076C

Sweet Harmony Stickease X7077C

Cutie Pie Level 1 X7078A, Stickease X7078C

Rough n Tumble Level 2 X7079B, Stickease X7079C

Route 66 Level 1 X7080A, Stickease X7080C

Majestic Blue Level 1 X7081A,Level 2 X7081B, Stickease X7081C

Expedition Level 1 X7082A, Stickease X7082C

Let's Get Together Level 1 X7083A

Floral Tapestry Level 1X7084A

Everlasting Level 1 X7085A,Level 2 X7085B, Stickease X7085C

Caprice Level 1 X7086A, Level 2 X7086B, Stickease X7086b

Enchanted Level 1 X7087A, Level 2 X7087B, Stickease X7087C

Free Spirit Level 1 X7088A, Level 2 X7088B, Stickease X7088C

Lifes Delights Level 1 X7089A, Stickease X7089C

Silhouette Level 1 X7090A, Level 2 X7090B, Stickease X7090C

it’s a Guy Thing Level 1 X7091A, Level 2 X7091B, Stickease X7091C

Good Times Level 1 X7092A, Level 2 X7092B, Stickease X7092C

Sweet Pea Level 1 X7093A, Stickease X7093C

Paper Garden Level 1 X7094A, Stickease X7094C

Boom-Di-Ada Level 1 7095A, Level 2 X7095B, Stickease X7095C

Blue Ribbon Level 1 X7096A, Level 2 X7096B, Stickease X7096C

Game On Level X7097A , Level 2 X7097B, Stickease X7097C

Sarsaparilla Level 1 X7098A , Level 2 X7098B, Stickease X7098C

Perfect Day Level 1 X7100A, Level 2 X7100B, Stickease X7100C

Magic Moments Level 1 X7101A, Level 2 X7101B, Stickease X7101C

Notebook Level 1 X7102A, Level 2 X7102B, Stickease X7102C

Aspen Level 1 X7103A, Level 2 X7103B, Stickease X7103C

Evensong Level 1 X7104A, Level 2 X7104B, Stickease X7104C

Emporium Level 1 X7105A, Level 2 X7105B, Stickease X7105C

Unforgettable Level 1 X7106A, Level 2 X7106B, Stickease X7106C

That’s Amore Level 1 X7107A, Level 2 X7107B, Stickease X7107C

Daydream Level 1 X7108A, Level 2 X7108B, Stickease X7108C

Stardust Level 1 X7109A, Level 2 X7109B, Stickease X7109C

Back Country Level 1 X7110A, Level 2 X7110B, Stickease X7110C

Moon Doggie Level 1 X7111A, Level 2 X7111B, Stickease X7111C

Animal Cookies Level 1 X7112A, Level 2 X7112B, Stickease X7112C

Tinkerin Level 1 X7113A, Level 2 X7113B, Stickease X7113C

Bella Level 1 X7114A, Level 2 X7114B, Stickease X7114C

Jingle Level 2 X7115B, Level 2 X7115B, Stickease X7115C

Sweet Home Level 2 X7116A, Level 2 X7116B, Stickease X7116C

Grace Level 1 X7117A, Level 2 X7117B, Stickease X7116C

Twitterpated Level 1 X7118A, Level 2 X7118B, Stickease X7118C

Make Your Own Background Paper

I watched a class from Tresa Black (LOVE HER!!) She teaches the most amazing techniques. Check out her blog here. She taught a class where she made all of her own background paper using stamps and inks. I thought I'd give it a shot.

Here is the paper that I made. I started with a piece of colonial white cardstock.


Here is the layout that I made from that paper. I also stamped a background onto the green and pink cardstock.

Splendor WOTG

Here are a couple of layouts I made from the Splendor Workshop on the Go. Instead of doing the second layout that was featured in the kit, I decided to make the Dialogue one from the Imagine book. I do need to put one more picture in the layout, but I had to wait to get it from someone else. It was a picture of everyone that attended our fish fry.

CTMH Splendor Mini-Album

Check out these pictures from a mini album I made after being inspired by Teresa Black/The Stamp Goddess! Check out her website here. She is awesome! I followed the video series she did and it was really simple. Let me know what you think.

May Is a Very Exciting Month!!!

Close To My Heart's Spring/Summer 2010 Idea Book will be going live May 1!! And I know you guys are going to absolutely LOVE everything in this book. From the fresh, new paper kits, to the useful new products, I think everyone will find something they can't do without! I have scoured the new book and made some purchases and I am in the process of creating some BEAUTIFUL things I will share with you very soon.

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, CTMH designed this very pretty paper kit that you can buy or even get free!! The 'Miracle' kit is available now through the month of May. The kit includes everything you'll need to create two fabulous double page layouts. You'll be able to get your kit multiple ways:

* Host a gathering during the month of May and have sales of $300 or more = Get if FREE

* Become a consultant on my team for only $99 during the month of May = Get it FREE in your consultant kit

* Purchase $60 in retail product April 15- May 31st = Pay only $5

* Purchase $40 in retail product April 15 - May 31st= Pay only $10

* Purchase the kit for $19.99 plus shipping and tax

There are two really cool "tools" that you will get with your kit that help to make it a 'miracle'. First are FLIP FLAPS. What are Flip Flaps you ask? They are clear 'pockets' to put your photos in that will attach to your layout so that you can include multiple pictures without losing your design. The other neat thing that comes in the kit are IRRISTIBLES. They are chipboard pieces that have an ink resist marking on them that you can color any way you like that will complement your photos. They are almost like magic!! Like I said, I am completing my kit and will share it with you later in the week so you can see how amazing this kit is.The other really cool thing that CTMH is premiering is Studio J, which is actually available starting today! This is a digital scrapbooking feature, that is oh so much more than just digital scrapbooking. All you'll need to do is go to my website http://dotforbord.myctmh.com/ and you will find a link that will connect you to the STUDIO J program. You can choose from some of our most loved paper packs and even some STUDIO J exclusives. There are many designer layouts to choose from and you can add our exclusive mini medleys accents, distress your pages, even add our stickease stickers and more. The best part is you can do all of this FOR FREE!!!!! We do not charge for our software like some other companies. You can upload your pictures and create your layouts free of charge. When you're ready to make an album you can purchase your layouts for an introductory price of only $12.95 for a double layout. For a better deal, order 5-9 layouts and get five free memory protectors. The best deal is to order 10 layouts and get 10 page protectors FREE and FREE SHIPPING. So go to my website here and check it out. If you have any questions, please e-mail or call me.

mini album

Here is a mini album that I made for a friend at work for her birthday. I did give her another give, too, but this was just something I added to it. I found the directions to this on a blog or You Tube or something. I wrote down the directions on a piece of paper, but I forgot to write down the author of the blog. So if you see this and it was you that made the tutorial, or you know who did, please let me know so I can give proper credit.

This is made with just one sheet of 12x12 paper. You cut and fold it a certain way and then emboss to your liking. If you would like the actual instructions let me know and I will gladly share them -- just remember that I didn't 'create" them.



Here is the birthday card I made for her to go with her gift. You can't really tell from this picture (again, it's a good thing I'm not a professional photographer), but the flower is made from decreasing sized circles I cut with George, then crumpled them up and assembled them with the button holding them together.