Just a little imagination...

and creativity and you change a "baby" layout into senior celebration or even the beach! 

Yes, I am still playing with the Cut Above kits and today I am featuring the "Little One" kit. 

Remember, these kits are just $7.48 during the month of April.  

I just love the sea glass color scheme in this kit and found that it went perfectly with the colors in my younger daughter's senior photos. 

Stamping was added to change the title but I could have used the "Little One" as she is our youngest.  Not sure how she would feel about that. 

 I used the pocket pages that come with the kit for other photos.  And I dressed it up a bit with some Aqua Shimmer Trim. 

These kits will save you time, there is no cutting, work for multiple occasions, AND they make handmade easy.  Order yours today! 

Finally, here's one for the beach...still waiting to print the photos but you can imagine what your beach photos might look like on this layout. 

Happy Scrapbooking,
Michele

Scrapbook 15 minute solution

Is it really possible to create a scrapbook layout in 15 minutes?  Have you heard of Cut Above Layouts?

Cut Above layout kits make memory keeping easy, without sacrificing beauty.  Each kit comes with the materials to make a two page scrapbooking layout, including die-cuts, stickers, photo placeholders, Memory Protectors and instructions.  They also include 12 coordinating pocket cards and two pocket-style Memory Protectors for adding even more photos. 

What could be better?  They are half price this month!  

Here I started with the Forever and Always Kit and created two layouts celebrating my daughter's senior year.  (Time to get those photos in the scrapbook since she is a junior in college now!)

 

You can see in the top photo, what CTMH created as a wedding layout, with just a couple of changes because I had larger photos, I was able to create the same layout of my daughter. 

 Since I had a few more photos that were also 5 x 7, I pulled paper from the Rustic Home Fundamentals, used the 4 x 6 pocket cards and some scraps of cardstock to finish off the event. 

I will admit, that it did take me more than 15 minutes...because I had to alter a bit but I was finished with the two layouts in under an hour. 

You can purchase these kits on my website or by contacting me.  During the month of April, they are $7.48.  That's LOTS of photos and memory keeping for a steal of a deal! 

If you would like to see more ideas for these kits, visit the Close to My Heart Blog here.  

Michele

Blog Hop: Seasonal Expressions !

Seasonal Expression I is here and it is full of so many sweet products.

Throughout this hop, you are going to see fabulous artwork created by consultants who have had their hands on this new product since December 4th (one of the benefits of being a consultant!).  If you have arrived here from Alyson's Blog, you are on the right track.  After your visit here, you will hop on over to Tamytha's Blog to see what she has done with her new product. 


Today, I am going to feature the new paper packet called Sugar Rush.  Each month I do a scrapbook workshop and my customers like to use as much of the paper packet they can to create fun layouts. 

 

Remember, I said "sweet" products?  Well this is one of the sweetest!  I have two girls so pink is always an acceptable color but many of my customers have boys, like 3 or 4 boys, and no girls!  So I am often challenged to "hide" this pink and create layouts that can be used for different themes.  

The seaglass color was a hit for me.  You don't have to add flowers or hearts and the hand drawn heart could easliy be a circle and you have a layout suitable for any treasured memories. I will be featuring more of my Sugar Rush layouts on my blog over this month so make sure to sign up to receive it in your inbox.  

Here's a closer look at the Sugar Rush papers and complements.  

There's lots more to see on this blog hop but before you go, remember these products can be purchased on your consultants website and if you do not have a Close to My Heart consultant, or want to sign up to become one (so you can get new product early), you are welcome to contact me or visit my website.  Now from here, hop on over to Tamytha's Blog.  

Thanks for hopping by.

Michele

Swan Lake

Have you seen this new paper packet?  We went from flamingos in the summer to swans in the fall and they are truly beautiful.  But, you will notice, although there was plenty of opportunity, I didn't use the swans in the layouts I created for my scrapbook workshop but you can always add them.    The workshop will be Friday October 7th, 9:30 a.m.  If you are not local, purchase the workshop from my website, and I will send you both my cutting guide and you will have access to the CTMH cutting guides as well. 

Remember you can always click on the photos to see them larger and better see the details. 

Enjoy the fall and bringing those summer memories to your scrapbooks.
Michele

Blog Hop: Fresh New Papercrafting Adventures Ahead

I love this time of year when Close to My Heart releases their new Annual Inspirations Idea book.  Along with the new product comes fun ideas, new tips and techniques and a refreshed color palette.

You are going to love the redressed fundamental paper packets.  They are on trend with designs and colors you will find in the market.  And oh, so much pretty gold.

Enough with the oohing and ahhing.  Lets get this blog hop started...or keep it going.  If you have arrived here from Kirsten's Blog welcome.  Enjoy what you see, leave a comment about what you are excited about, and then move on to Haley's Blog and see what new product she is featuring.

And now, here is what I have been playing with.  Actually, it was really difficult to decide what to share with you but I decided to start with the Adventure Fundamental Papers.  Updated with the colors lemon, raspberry, tangerine, willow, emerald, and pansy, these papers paired with their complements create a fun set of scrapbook pages. 

 Featuring Cranberry, Willow and Lemon

 Featuring Tangerine, Emerald and Lagoon with a little Pansy

 Featuring Pacifica, Willow, and Tangerine

 Featuring Lagoon, Tangerine and Pacifica

 Featuring Pacifica and Raspberry

 Featuring Cranberry and Lemon

This month, when you purchase all three set of the Fundamental papers, Adventure, Whimsy and Enchantment, you get to choose either the Rustic Home or Uptown Fundamentals for free.  Contact your consultant to take part in in this special or if you do not have a consultant, you can get this special from my website here.  When you purchase these paper packets, ask your consultant about how you can get the cutting guide to create scrapbook pages like those shown above. 

I hope this peek into the Adventure Fundamentals has inspired you to continue on in the blog hop and see what else is new!  Remember, you are heading to Haley's Blog next. 

Finally, supplies used created these layouts are shown below.  

Thanks for stopping by,
Michele

June SOTM Blog Hop: The Long Way Home

Thank you for visiting my blog!  We have a great tradition of sharing artwork each month through the consultant blog hop.  The variety of artwork and creativity of consultants is amazing.  If you have arrived here from Vickie's Blog welcome.  From here, you will travel on to Tamytha's Blog. 

Recently my husband and I traveled to the Daytona 500 in Florida.  This stamp set along with the Magical paper packet captured the color and fun we experienced.

I used the stamp set to create the detail embellishments for the layout.

How will you use this fun stamp set?  Father's Day?  Masculine birthday?  The only limit is your imagination.

Now just a reminder, you can purchase this stamp set from you CTMH consultant or if you do not have a consultant, you can purchase from my website.  With a minimum $50 purchase, this set is only $5.

Enjoy your summer travels and come home to this stamp set and document the memories and fun you had along the way.

Happy Summer,
Michele

Happy Times in Green!

When I first saw this paper packet, I saw pink.  But not everyone is a "pink" fan so I challenged myself to work a different color angle.

I love the ombre colored paper in the packet.  There is one green to blue and one in orange to red.  So pretty!  So I started with the green ombre paper, added the green floral print, and then some glacier blue from the Calypso paper packet.  (You can click on the photo to see it larger.)

Because the photos are of my girls, I did add a bit of the floral paper and of course some bling using the white shimmer trim.  I added a fun watercolor element using the clear resist cards and watercolored the blue over top.  When it was almost dry, I stamped their names and they "ran" a bit to add to the effect.  (Honestly, I thought they were dry enough but they need to be completely dry, like maybe a full day if you have the patience.  Clearly, I do not.)

Have your ordered your Happy Times paper pack yet?  Remember, it is free with a $60 order or $14.95.  You can order on my website and join the Happy Times Mystery Hostess Party and June 1st I will draw for some lucky person to receive the hostess rewards! 

Happy scrapping,
Michele

Baby I'm Worth It

This month I am celebrating two BIG events.  First, it is my 14th year as a consultant with Close to My Heart.  Second, the Baby I'm Worth It campaign.

Although I am not officially part of the blog hop this evening, I wanted to share my story with you and get you connected to the blog hop so you can see how inspiring and fun it is to be a part of the Close to My Heart family. 

For me, there are so many reasons!  This layout lists just a few:  Family, Creativity, Travel, Challenge and Friends.  

Being a consultant means that I can make creativity (which is therapeutic) a priority. Having access to all the goods at a discount makes me even happier!  At first, I was just a hobbyist but then I realized I could make a bit more money if I was willing to step out of my comfort zone just a bit and share what I have learned with others.  Then, there was an opportunity to earn a Mediterranean Cruise in 2008.  I took the challenge and made it happen.  Since then I have earned a trip to Costa Rica and am working on a trip to Puerta Vallarta.  Whether you want a discount, a little extra income or an all inclusive FREE vacation, CTMH has a place for you!

What about you?  What is your story?  Who do you enjoy sitting down with for creative time?  What are your favorite products?  Are you a patterned paper lover?  Do acrylic stamps make you smile?  Would a few extra dollars help your family budget?  Have you ever been curious about Close to My Heart?

Close to My Heart is offering webinars just for you!  Wait til you meet Kristina and she shares all the great information with you.  She will put a spark in you!  You can't be helped to be inspired.  And after the webinars, I am available to chat with you, either online or by phone to answer your specific questions.

Thursday, April 14, 7:00 pm MDT
Saturday, April 23, 9:00 am MDT
Wednesday, April 27, 7:00 pm MDT

Join the Opportunity calls via phone by calling 1-201-479-4595. To join online, go to http://fuze.me/32464058 a few minutes before the scheduled webinar time. You can also simply go to www.fuze.com or open the Fuze app and enter the meeting ID: 32464058. If you wish to participate online, we encourage you to download the Fuze application beforehand so you can be all set up to enjoy the webinar when it’s time to join.

Now if you want to see the journeys of other sister consultants, move on over to this blog hop starting with Melinda's Blog.  Then hop through the other 15 who are sharing.

When you are done, schedule out some time for you to be creative or give me a call and we can create together.  

Blessings

Michele

Regatta Scrapbook Workshop and More

The blues fading into red, the anchors, the bows, the flowers.  So much potential to capture your memories and and celebrations.

 I used the Regatta Workshops Your Way, G1105, the super cute stamp set Beach Days D1684 and thanks to Tina Lovell for the sketches, I created four double page layouts! 

 Adventure

 Explore

 Happy Place

Nothing Better

Which memories would you scrapbook on these pages?  Join me for a workshop or crop time to create these layouts.  Dates are listed in my calendar of events.  Or, you and your friends can gather together and I would love to walk you through, creating these pages for your scrapbooks.  

Happy Scrapping,

Michele

Scrapbooking Retreat Recap!

Several times a year I host a scrapbooking retreat for my customers and downline.  Sometimes, we just crop the weekend away, other times we add a little party atmosphere or theme.  Well this weekend was one of those fun crazy parties with a theme.

First of all, Cindy headed up a secret elf exchange.  Everyone who wanted to participate got to be a secret elf to someone.  It was so fun to have small gifts appear on my desk throughout the weekend.  Thanks Gail.  If was even more fun to sneak small gifts to the desk of my elf...Gail.  Yes, we were each others secret elf!

Second, we had a Grease themed party day on Saturday.  We had a costume contest and some great characters came out of the woodwork!  We had a photo booth set up so we could capture the hilarity of the fun time!

Our winners were the nerds...who not only dressed the part but acted it too!

Third was the layout contest.  Given two sheets of paper and a Cricut cut jukebox embellishment, they were charged with creating a layout.  Wow!  Talent was abound as these ladies created their best celebrating the Grease/50's theme.

Our winner was Traci with this wonderfully detailed layout.

Finally there was Skittles who brought out the laughter until we cried...and that is all I can say about that.

Looking forward to the next retreat in the spring.  If you are interested in scrapbooking day crops or retreats in the Pacific Northwest, contact me to see when the next one is scheduled.

Cropping away!

Michele