~^~ Handmade Halloween Cards using CTMH Hooligans Paper Pack ~^~

I have been busy making cards .... some to sell and some to give away. Here are a few of the cards I've made for a CTMH workshop. I used the workshop package put together by Close To My Heart for us consultants to share and teach our customers just how easy it is to create beautiful cards.

 ~ All products used are CTMH products ~
click HERE to see all "Workshops On The Go"

Close To My Heart "Workshop to Go" Summer Wishes Cards

At my last workshop, everyone created 6 cards. All of the cards turned out so beautiful...thanks to Close To My Heart. The "Workshops on the Go" are already packaged with a Level 2 paper pack called Splendor, an acrylic stamp set, chipboard embellishments, AND....a full color step-by-step instruction sheet!! How easy is that?!!
AND.....it's only $29.95!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you AGAIN to Close To My Heart!!!!!!!
Here are the cards we created. There were 3 different styles and we made 2 of each, a total of 6 cards.....

~*~ Thank you for dropping in at My Scrappin' & Stampin' Den ~*~

I hope that you've enjoyed looking around and that one of my creations may have inspired you in some way.  I have a project to finish so I better get busy again down in My Den. Please come back soon....

A Birthday Gift ~ Handcrafted 9x9 Accordian Scrapbook Album

Here's a handcrafted accordian album that I made for someone's birthday. It's so fun making these little albums & they make such wonderful gifts....it's always such a favorite gift! People love them! ...it's exciting for them to showcase their cherished pictures.
All products used to make this project are from Close To My Heart. Just CLICK HERE to visit the online site to look at all of the amazing products available, including the 9x9 accordian album. There is also a link on that site to watch the creating of projects and to learn different techniques....it's called CTMH TV. If you have 10 minutes, you will enjoy what you see. I promise!  ;-)  I always learn something new! :-)

A close up so you are able to see the
stamped images & embellishments.
This area is for journaling.

The front cover with chipboard embellishing.
I also stamped the same tiny star images here also.

This is the whole album expanded out. The tiny tags are for dates,
names, or any short journaling.

It's my pleasure to share these creations with you and I want to say "Thank you" for stopping in to visit My Stampin' & Scrappin' Den. You would put such a big smile on my face and in my heart if you could let me know that you were here by leaving me a brief comment or inspiring thought.

Again.....thanks for dropping in.....oops! It's time for me to get more ink and glue on my fingers. Got to get busy creating something else.

~ Wedding Guest Gift Bags with Photo Memory Albums ~

I made a gift bag for each friend & family member that joined us for our daughter's destination wedding at Sandals in Nassau this past June.

Each gift bag contained:

• 6" x 6" handmade accordian album (posted previously in detail earlier this month)
• an information sheet with all kinds of interesting tidbits about the Bahamas
• a beautiful silk fan to keep the ladies cool during the beach wedding ceremony
• cute jar of colorful candies
• and a special letter from me and my husband thanking everyone for making the arrangements they had to make to enable them to witness our daughter, Rachel, and Mike exchange their marriage vows on Cable Beach.

Everyone absolutely LOVED their gift bag....they really turned out to be very cute. The letter I wrote and placed in each gift bag was very appreciated. Writing that letter was an emotional sharing of feelings straight from my heart for the wonderful people that spent their time with us for the destination wedding and the Bahama vacation days that followed. We had such a wonderful time with each other; it was such a beautiful beach wedding.
This is the first gift bag I ever put together....so I would love to read your comments....let me know what you think....

Thank you so much for visiting my blog....My Scrappin' & Stampin' Den. Hope you enjoyed visiting and maybe even found some inspiring ideas.

Look what I found ~~An AWESOME Cricut Gypsy Tutorial Site!!

If you have the ProvoCraft Cricut Gypsy....you really, really have to visit this blog that I just found today! Here is a link to a SUPER CUTE card (or should I say...udderly cute?!!). If you don't already have a Gypsy, be fore warned because this YouTUBE demo might make you want to add this amazing gadget to your collection! ;-)
http://www.creativetimeforme.com/
I just had to share this with all of you....ENJOY!!!

~ Handmade All-Occasion Note Cards ~

I created these note cards last night. I love the little music notes......

Well, I have finally created some note cards using the cutest Close To My Heart acrylic stamp set, C1396 Love Birds. It has 18 sentements & stamp images in the set....and it is truly adorable!! I still have some ideas for cards AND scrapbook pages....
All of the supplies used in this project are from my Close To My Heart catalog EXCEPT the yellow Stickles on the birdie.
You can shop online 24/7 for these products by clicking HERE.
     X7121B     Caboodle Level 2 paper pack
     C1396        Love Birds acrylic stamp set
     Z826          Creative Clips (discontinued)
     Z1052        ZigZag Ribbon Rounds (discontinued)
     Z2119        Ink Pad - Dutch Blue
     Z2105        Ink Pad - Black
Please let me know that you stopped in by leaving a short message....it's always nice to hear from creative souls....AND I just like to know that you visited My Scrappin' & Stampin' Den...
Now, I think I will go get some more ink on  my fingers, I have a few other projects I need to finish.
Thank you so much for looking at my note cards.....  :-)

An AMAZING Handmade Pine Cone Christmas Ornament

I found this amazing "how-to" for an adorable ribbon Christmas ornament...I haven't made it yet but as soon as I do, I will share a picture with all of you.
I'm also going to try using my Close To My Heart paper in place of the ribbon; I really think it would look beautiful and shouldn't be difficult to make. When I finish that project, I will also share a picture...so please come back to see my finished holiday ornaments. :-)

Offray Ribbon: How To: Ribbon Pine Cone
Offray Ribbon: How To: Ribbon Pine Cone

Hope you enjoy this "how-to" template as much as I do...the creator of this little gem is terrific...thanks for sharing!

~ Wedding Favor Accordian Memory Albums ~ for Destination Wedding Guests

My daughter decided she wanted to have a destination wedding at Sandals in Nassau. It was AMAZING, to say the least. Twenty-four guests witnessed Rachel & Mike's beautiful beach wedding; it was an event of a lifetime....
I thought it would be a great idea to make a 6 x 6 accordian album for each of the attending couples. That way all of their beautiful pictures wouldn't stay on a data chip or in a box somewhere...moments in time displayed & able to revisit the gorgeous Bahama wedding event for years to come. There's even enough area for journaling special thoughts & memories. ENJOY......

All supplies used to make this project are Close To My Heart items except for the thin blue ribbon & the green/white flowers.

6x6 Accordian Album

Caboodle level 2 paper pack

My Acrylics Clear Stamp Set - State of Mind (set of 9 stamp images)

Waxy Flax - crystal blue & sorbet

Chocolate white core cardstock

Designer Brads - colonial white

Ribbon - White Daisy Organdy

Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads - Cocoa & Sweet Leaf

~*~ Shop online 24/7 for all of the items listed above ---> CLICK HERE ~*~

Hope you enjoy my creations ~ I hope that they inspire you with some creative ideas for your next project. I look forward to reading your thoughts......
Let me know that you visited....put a big ole smile on my face....I would love a comment left here by you! :)

Cake Decorator's Dream Machine ~ The Red Cricut Cake Tutorial

I have been hearing a lot about the Cricut Cake and I am truly fascinated! Wow! A Cricut that can actually help me decorate a cake!! Really?! I could not fathom how it could possibly work!
Well, today I found a YOUtube video tutorial showing a short, simple demonstration of how it works...curiousity had a tight grip and I just had to watch it....
Here is the tutorial, if you're a "Curious George" like I am...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqRpEeLBqUE

This is not my video, it's from another scrapbooker that loves her Cricut and is happy to show us all...I love my Cricut Expression and all of the paper creations it helps me design so I know a cake decorator would get tons of use out of this Cricut Cake....and it's red!!! Too cute!!

6x6 Close To My Heart accordian album for Dog Lovers - You Rock paper pak

When I sit down to start creating 'something' I never know where my imagination will take me. I started out with a plan to make a frilly, girly card using all blue hues with flowers and florishes...but this 6x6 dog-lover's accordian album is what I ended up making! CTMH's goldrush and outdoor denim is a far cry from what I mentally started out to make..too funny...does anyone else do that? I really would love to know.

Anyways.....
Here are some pictures of my most recent creation. Thanks for taking a look and thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments left for me....I like knowing that you've stopped in so I can visit your blog. :-)

I did the scissor distressing technique on the edges of most of the white core cardstock. I love Close To My Heart's cardstock...LOVE IT!!
The paper tearing technique was used on most of the patterned CTMH B&T papers.

 

I hope you enjoyed your visit to My Scrappin' & Stampin' Den and maybe I even inspired an idea or two. Thanks for looking. I would love to read a comment left by you...comments actually charge my creative battery and motivates me to create more for you to see.
Again....thanks for dropping in here and taking a look around.
I need to get busy cutting paper and get some ink on my fingers....time for me to create!!

~ Nichole Heady & PaperTrey's GORGEOUS Hawaiian Shores torquoise ~

I just found this gorgeous new collection of items on Nichole Heady's blog site. It is sooooo pretty! I know, I know...I do love the color blue and all of the blue hues, but this is beautiful; it caught my eye in a big way! LOL
Here is the LINK just in case you'd like to feast your eyes on the beauty of blue. Not that I need any other additional cardmaking or scrapbooking supplies, but.......    ;-)
I am now inspired to create some cards using blues...it IS spring and I need to get something light, fresh, and delicate created and posted here on my blog......please drop back in at My Scrappin' & Stampin' Den in a couple days to see what Nichole's beautiful Hawaiian Shores has inspired me to make.
OK....Time to get some ink on my fingers....down into my Den I go.......create, create, create then share!

~ Hand Made 'All-Occasion Greeting Cards' ~

I didn't start off with any idea in mind other than to make some cards. I knew I wanted to use some sort of red hue since it's February and at work we celebrate it as "Heart Healthy Month." I made 9 cards with a little variance in the flower embellishments that I created by layering different flowers & then stamping on them.

All of the products that I used are Close To My Heart items. The tulip-colored side of one of the "Creative Basics Animal Cookies Collection" papers for the red accent. The card is made with Bamboo white-core cardstock.

The Close To My Heart supplies used:

x5807  Creative Basics Animal Cookies Collection

1301  Bamboo Cardstock

Z1300  White Daisy Variety Pack

Z1266  Just Blooms Paper Flowers

Z209  White Daisy Organdy Ribbon

Z2120  Garden Green Ink Pad

Z2103  Bamboo Ink Pad

CTMH Limited Edition Stamp Set

Thanks for visiting My Stampin' & Scrappin' Den.

I hope that I have inspired you with an idea or two. Please drop in again soon....and if you leave a comment for me, thank you very much. Your thoughts & comments are my inspiration.

January Close To My Heart Blog Hop ~ IMAGINE Scrapbook Lay Out Recipes

Thanks for visiting my blog...and hope you enjoy my creation for our group's first Close To My Heart Blog Hop. This month we are featuring our Imagine Scrapbook Recipe Book. This is a wonderful book FULL of scrapbook "recipes" and the one that I chose to make and picture hear is called "IN THE GROOVE" ; page layout recipe & a color sample of the lay out can be found on pages 20 & 21.
I made the scrapbook pages 9" x 9" (instead of 12 x 12). The scrapbook pages will be placed in a MyLegacy Linen Album for my son-in-law for his birthday in April. He's tired of digital pictures that he can't look at and share with visiting friends & family .....Makes totally good sense to me...and is right up my alley! Smart man.

All products used are Close To My Heart products:
X7111A   - Moon Doggie Level 1 paper pack
X7111C   - Moon Doggie MyStickEase embellishment stickers
Z2118   - Desert Sand ink pad
C1236   - Hook, Line and Sinker - My Acrylics stamp set
C1213   - Hunting - My Acrylics stamp set
D1342   - World's Best Dad - My Acrylics stamp set
Z1243   - Mini-Medley Accents Pewter Collection

Don't miss any of the wonderful scrapbook lay outs made by very creative & talented consultants. Thanks again for stopping in to see what I made...now hop on over to Jenifer's blog to see something beautiful and inspiring! ;-)

Oh...and please stop in again soon....I'm always making something and LOVE to share my love of scrapbooking, cardmaking, & papercrafting..... 

Here is a list of the bloggers participating in the blog hop:
Wendy   http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
Kristie Herdener   http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Laurie Flannery  http://www.westmanscrapbooks.blogspot.com/
Tracy Oleksak   http://www.mamaolie.blogspot.com/
Cindy Leek   http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/
mestamp2   http://www.mestamp2.blogspot.com/
Barbara   http://www.paper-creations117.blogspot.com/
Jenifer Benner   http://www.jensmessystudio.com/
Melissa   http://melissaburch.blogspot.com/
Haley   http://inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Carol Loftus   http://www.carolloftus.blogspot.com/
Sylvia   http://stampinsylvia.blogspot.com/
SweetAline   http://www.adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
Kim   http://kimorear.blogspot.com/

My "Veranda" Greeting Card Workshop ~ Create Some Beautiful Cards

This has become one of my favorite paper paks!! It's called Veranda.
Close To My Heart put together a Workshop-on-the-Go which is what I used to make the cards you see pictured here. The only changes I made were to use a butterfly in place of the hummingbird and I also applied prisma glitter to the flowers on one of the "thank you" cards since my rock-and-roll technique didn't satisfy me visually.

The Workshop-on-the-Go makes it easy to have the supplies you need to make these gorgeous cards. I was actually able to make 8 cards AND 2 scrapbook page layouts AND still had paper left!! That's a sure way to get a huge bang for the buck and have fun too.

Handmade Cards using Close To My Heart acrylic stamps & Creative Basics paper paks

Here are 3 very different cards that I made on a rainy day when I was trying out different techniques. As you can probably see, I really like the tearing technique. I also love to use ribbon on my cards.The paper paks used are Paper Garden, Silhouette, and More To Adore.

~ Thank you for visiting My Scrappin' & Stampin' Den. I cherish your thoughts, suggestions, and any comments you could leave for me. Please drop in again soon. Make it a terrific day!

It's time for me to get busy working on some scrapbook pages that one of my customers custom ordered for a bridal shower...more beautiful ink on my fingers. ;-)