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.

My Sweet Valentines!!

So the story of my life is that I am late for everything!!!! Here are pictures of what I made for my loved ones on Valentines Day.

This was for my 16 yo son who loves chocolate and gum!! I think he didn't even noticed how it was packaged as long as he got to the chocolate!!

(OK use your imagination here!! I know I uploaded the pictures, but they aren't there -- and I already deleted them from my camera. I'd take them again, but the cover to the mailbox is already missing!!)

This was for my 12 yo daughter, who loves candy, period!! She did give it up for lent, so I didn't put so much in her mailbox. Many hears ago, I started the tradition of giving her a stuffed frog on Valentine's Day. I think she looks forward to seeing what kind of frog I can find each year more than what 'treats' she is getting..... I forgot to take a picture of the frog, though.



And this is the card I made for my hubby. Of course I finished all of these right before dinner that night when I handed them out. Someday I will learn how to get things done sooner so it isn't so stressful!!

Another Picure Frame

I am a little late in posting this, but here is another frame that I made for my mom for Christmas from my kids. I started with an unfinished frame from Michaels and then glued a sheet of patterned paper onto it. Then I stamped some images using some of my CTMH stamps and then glued smaller pictures of the kids on there as well. My niece took these pictures for me last fall. She is a really awesome budding photographer.
I think I need to have her help me learn how to take better pictures!! Sorry for the poor quality in my pictures. I will figure out how to take better ones sooner or later!!

Picture Frame

Hey all. I think this may be the coolest thing I have ever made!!!! I took a class at my LSS (local Scrapbooking Store) last fall using several distress methods using Tim Holtz products. The store owner had taken a class using his distress inks, distress embossing powders and distress stickles. They embellished the frame around a small mirror. Well, I remembered this when I was thinking of something to give my very bestest friend when she turned 40 in December. I had a really great picture of 4 of our close friends, and thought I would make a picture frame instead of the mirror. I bought a $1.00 unfinished frame at Michaels. I painted it dark brown with some acrylic paint. Then I cut 1" square pieces in chipboard to cover the entire outer surface. I inked each square using one of 5 colors. Then some I used the embossing powder on, some the stickles and some I stamped. Then I glued them all on the frame (a very long process!) and then added some dimensional embellishments. When it was done, I was SO proud of myself. It was very hard to give it away!! So hard, that I am going to make one for myself just like it. This project did take me a long time --- and I wasn't able to give it to her until last week! But I wanted to make it just right, so I took my time -- and I'm glad I did.

Here is the picture of the frame......


and here it is with our perfect picture in it.......

I would love to hear your comments on this. The pictures here really don't do it justice. I have never been more proud of anything that I have made!

Paper Bag Album

Here is a paper bag album I made for one of my daughter's friends. She is moving to a different state at the end of the school year, so I thought for her birthday my daughter could give her this album so she can have a place to remember all of her FL friends after she moves. This was my first paper bag album and I learned a lot on what to different for my next one! But I still think it turned out cute and Eva LOVED it!

I used the cover from a 'premade' photo album and glued my paper bag album inside. I learned this technique from Kathy at Paper Phenomenon. If you haven't checked out her blog, you need hop on over there. She is amazing! Anyway, I used just your regular paper bags from the grocery store that you would use for a lunch. I will not be doing that again. The folds didn't really match up. I would definitely use the ones from Michaels on my next project. Here are the rest of the pictures. I hope you enjoy them.

In addition to the tags in the pockets made in the flaps of the bags, I also put a big tag in the larger side of the page. She can put a couple of pictures or do some journaling on these tags. I forgot to take a picture of the bigger tags. We literally finished the album, took a few pictures and then ran out the door to get to the party. That is why the quality of the pictures isn't very good, either. I wish I wasn't such a procrastinator.....


This was my favorite page. The saying was something that referenced friends and I loved the little heart charm.

Christmas Mini Album

I am planning to host a workshop in February to make this adorable Christmas Mini Album, using all CTMH products. I did not create this album myself. Leanna Ott created and shared this beautiful album. I have changed just a couple of things to add my own personal touch. This album will hold 12-27 photos. If you are interested in participating in this workshop, please let me know. I am planning on holding the workshop on Sunday, February 21. The basic cost will be $25. Please send me an e-mail if you are interested, and I will send you the registration form. If you have any questions, please let me know.

New Spring Catalog

Hello everyone,

I can't believe (well, actually I can!) that it has been over a month since I've updated my blog. I know I have said this before, but life has just really gotten in the way of my keeping up with my blog. My daughter played both school and traveling basketball and with the holidays and all, it was just way too hard to fit this in to our schedules. The holidays will be over after this weekend and school ball finished up right before Christmas, so I am hoping to have some time back again to devote to scrapbooking and my blog.

My CTMH business went well for the first 6 months. I am hoping it will continue into 2010. There is a new spring catalog that goes live tomorrow, January 1, 2010. I will update my blog in the morning with the link. There are some really great new paper kits available, as well as some new stamp sets. You can see the new catalog by clicking on the picture in the right column of my blog.

Also, CTMH has lowered the price of their A-size stamps to $7.95. This is a great bargain!

Be sure to check back tomorrow to access the new catalog. I know you won't be disappointed!

New Felicity Kits Available

Get ready for the awesome Felicity Scrapbook Kit, that is being offered for National Papercrafting Month......This collection features beautiful decorative die-cut papers , patterned paper and cardstock and a D-size stamp set that includes a WHOLE alphabet, flowers, flourishes, bird and more! This is a must have for your stamp collection and one that will be used all the time! There are three ways to get the Felicity collection right now: Purchase it at full retail price for $34.95.• Place an order of $60 or more in full-retail priced stamp sets & receive 1collection FREE!• Place an order of $125 or more in full-retail priced CTMH products and receive one collection FREE!

As of January 1st the campaign expands to hostesses and new consultants. Hostesses get the collection FREE with Home Gathering sales total of $400 or more, or new Consultants who join Close To My Heart between January 1–31 will receive the collection FREE in their New Consultant Kit. You would receive over $300 in product, plus the Felicity kit all for just $99. WOW! Felicity is pretty enough when you view it online, but I know you will love it so much more in person, so let me help you have it arrive at your doorstep. You can place your order on my Shop Online page at dotforbord.myCTMH.com or if you would like to host a gathering please contact me at dforbord@frontiernet.net, or if you are interested in starting a wonderful journey of becoming a consultant and getting the kit FREE please contact me with questions. This is a limited time offer and is available while supplies last , so don't delay...I know you won't want to miss this beautiful new kit.

even more cards.....

Here are a few more cards that we made at Regionals.

More Cards

Here is another favorite card of mine from Regionals. This is actually my daughter's favorite card that I made. I really did have a great time there. I learned some really cool things and met some awesome consultants, including my upline, Lori Leng.

STAMPAGANZA!!

What a great deal we have for you in November! From now through November 30, order any two of our stamp sets, and you will get a third stamp set (excluding our E size stamps) for free! You will have to pay shipping, but no tax on the free set. Also, the free set will be of equal value to the least expense set you purchase. Click on my link to the right to shop on my website. If you have any questions, please leave a comment here or e-mail from my website.

Cards

Back in October, I went to the Regional Celebration for Close to My Heart here in Minneapolis. We did a lot of artwork, which was a lot of fun for me! Over the next several days, I will post some of the cards/layouts we made, along with some of the cards I received in the swap I participated in. This is my favorite card from the ones we made while there. The color didn't show too well in this picture; it's much more vibrant in person.

Apology

This post goes out to anyone that has been following my blog or that has looked at my blog within the last couple of months. I have not been posting anything on a regular basis and I apologize. Life has had a way of getting in the way for me.

In July, I decided to become a consultant for Close to my Heart. I was drawn in by their wonderful acrylic stamps, and have now become a huge fan of all of their products. I only just recently started to get my 'business' moving along. I needed to decide how much time I wanted to, and was physically able to, put into this. I think I have figured this all out now, so I can move forward.

Right now I am off to work out at the gym (that is another area of my life I kind of let slip this summer, and SERIOUSLY need to get back in the routine of doing), and then after dinner I will be updating my blog with some great deals from CTMH for the month of November. I will also be posting some projects I have done. Hopefully the next time you check my blog, you will be impressed with what you see!

Above Rubies Studio

If you are a Cricut fan, there's a new website that has some awesome resources/ideas. You should check it out. It's called Above Rubies Studio, and she made a cutting guide of over 450 items for your Cricut so that you can get all of the dials (pressure, speed, ect.) right before you make your cuts. They are having a grand opening celebration right now. You should go check it out here!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GYPSY

If you're a Cricut fan, you won't want to miss out on this deal. HSN is celebrating the birth of the Gypsy! They have an amazing deal with free shipping. But hurry fast before it's gone! Come and get yours now...check it out Here

Cricut's 100th Cart!!!

Check out the contest ProvoCraft is having on the Cricut messageboard to celebrate the release fo their 100th cartridge, Winter Wonderland. Click HERE for all the details.

Malisa's Blog Candy

Malisa is offering some blog candy over at Ya Buggin Me. Click here to check it out.

Unbelievable Blog Candy!!!

Steph over at 'Where'd All My Money Go' has some awesome blog candy up for grabs this month in honor of having over 100 followers on her blog. Go check it out here, you won't be disappointed!!

Coupon Holder

My LSS had a bunch of books and other creative things she had made in a basket. I saw a coupon holder that was very adorable and knew I had to make one! Mine is made similar to hers, but I changed it here and there. The biggest change I made was that I used the smaller envelopes instead of the letter size ones that she used. I figured the smaller one would fit in my purse better. I saw this paper in her store and knew that's what I wanted to use. It's from My Minds Eye. The inside pages are just Bazzill (I think) cardstock in coordinating colors.

I cut the sheets of cardstock for my inside pages just a little bit bigger than my envelopes. I taped them all together and then taped the envelopes on. I cut the bottom strip, then punched it with my MS border punch (forgot the actual name) and then scored it so the pages had room to expand with coupons in the envelopes. Then I attached velcro to use on the tab to keep it closed.