January 2014 Stamp of the month Blog Hop- Cross Stitch Wishes

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop for January 2014- featuring Cross Stitch Wishes

If you have come here from Tamytha's blog you're on the right path. 
Cross Stitch Wishes is perfect for getting a jump start on your Valentines projects!  It coordinates with Cricut Artiste to cut the hearts out perfectly!  

Today I want to show you how I used this set on TWO different Calendar projects!  I will be showcasing both calendars in the next few days, but here's a peek!

EVENT CALENDAR
I just love these event calendars!  I created several of them for a crafty gift exchange party, and they were a huge hit.  

On the February page, I used Cross Stitch Wishes to stamp the heart and to add some stamped accents down the page.

I used the retiring For Always paper pack, black Shimmer Trim, Art Philosophy and Artiste to cut out the images.  

STUDIO J CALENDAR

This is one of my favorite projects of the year!  I can't wait to show you the whole thing :)

For my February page, I created the layout in Studio J, attached it to the 12x12 calendar, then stamped calendar portion.  I actually write in all the numbers, then stamp the month and accents.  I used Cross Stitch Wishes (xo) to add some accent to the page. 

 I used the For Always paper kit in Studio J, Love Life Stamps, Bohemian Alphabet (retired).

Products Used:

For Always Paper Packet

 Studio J^® Online Scrapbooking

Black Shimmer Trim

Love Life

Cricut® Artiste Collection

Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection

12" X 12" Monthly Calendar

4" X 18" Event Calendar
Z126 $8.50

 

Stop by this week to see both calendars in their entirety! 


The next amazing CTMH Consultant on our hop list is Judy Burger. Take a look at what she's created for us this month!

  

When you place an order of $50 or more during the month of Jaunary you’ll receive the Stamp of the Month set for only $5

Dates: Offer valid January 1-31 2014

PLUS- When you will also be eligible for the Cloud 9 card kit for $15

 Have a HAPPY SCRAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heart 2 Heart Challenges

I'm so excited to finally share with you that I have been selected to be on the 2014 Design Team with Heart 2 Heart Challenges :) 

This is a challenge blog that I have followed for some time :)

In 2014 there will be a monthly Scrapbook Challenge.  The January challenge is Sentimental January.

           * 12" x 12" page Layouts involving a sentimental moment with friends, family, or pets (past or present)

           * Must use a CTMH Exclusive Stamp Set featuring a sentiment and let's see some journaling. 

           * At least 1 photo required

Here is my layout for the challenge:
My family gathered to remember my granparents as their ashes were laid to rest together.    

The Sentiment from You Only Live Once- a Hostess Exclusive

Hidden Journaling

Products used:
Huntington Level Workshop on the Go
You Only LIve Once Stamps
Rosewood Mini Medley
Brown & Tan Sparkles
Bronze Glitter Tape

I hope you'll follow along with the Heart 2 Heart Challenges!

Flip Flap Photo Book & Pink Heals

Recently, my little cousin, who happens to be my daughters BFF, was diagnosed with Cancer.  She's 4.  Sweet Ariya Grace was diagnosed just before Thanksgiving with Rhabdomyosarcoma, after a mass quickly grew on her eye.  To date, she has been through 4 rounds of Chemotherapy and will go through Radiation in a few weeks.  She's a sweet, spunky little girl who is a fighter! 

For Christmas, I decided to make her a little flip flap album full of pictures of her and my daughter from the last few months :) 

I used the promotional packet- Dream Pop, Silver Glitter Paper, Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape, Pink Polka dot Washi Tape, sparkles & 4x6 Flip Flaps

The cover:

A few of the pages:




All I did was cut my papers to 4x6, add the photos and a few little embellishments and slid them into the 4x6 Flip Flaps.  I then cut strips of white cardstock to use as "spine expanders".  I adhered everything together and added some of the Pink Polka dot Washi Tape, wrapped around, as a "binding" to the album. 

This was a very quick and easy project! 

Back to Ariya Grace.... before Christmas, this amazing organization- Guardians of the Ribbon- came to visit Ariya, bringing Santa and showering her with gifts.  They also brought a Pink Fire Truck and Pink Police car.  It was a very special day.... here are some pics

The whole Guardians of the Ribbon Group

Ariya's family!

Allison & Ariya 

Santa with Ariya, Allison & Tyler 

Showered with gifts

Ariya & her mom signing the Pink Fire Truck

Feel free to follow Ariya's page and support her and the family as she fights cancer!
https://www.facebook.com/Ariyagrace

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

It has been one wild and crazy holiday season here!  Christmas is my most favorite holiday and I love everything about the season!  This year, though, it's been wild! 

I have created a ton of projects, I have finally inputed ALL the orders from the 12 days of Christmas sale, I have worked boutiques, done custom orders.  I have created for a crafty party swap, I have made some fun gifts.  I have worked full time, and had a sick daughter (and hubs too).  With 3 short weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it's been wild! 


Here is my most favorite layout I created recently!

I used Sparkle & Shine paper pack, Assortment & Compliments as well as Artbooking for this layout. I cannot wait to print a picture of each of my kids for this layout :)





Remember that Sparkle & Shine retires at the end of the month, so pick it up this week so that you can get your Christmas photos scrapbooked NOW! 

I will be posting more of my creations, as well as peeks of the NEW Spring Idea Book in the upcoming days! 

Have a very Merry Christmas!!!

And a SCRAPPY New Year!

2013 Retiring Items List

Going Going Gone.....  Once again it's time for CTMH to retire some items.  They've got to make room for the AMAZING new Spring/Summer products!

Here is a list of the products that will not be available after January 31, 2014 OR while supplies last. Don't miss out on getting more of your favorites or the things you've been holding out on ordering!  Shop now at: http://roxybonds.ctmh.com/retail/category.aspx

To view the CURRENT list, with pictures of ALL available items, click here: http://roxybonds.ctmh.com/Retail/Products.aspx?CatalogID=2159

Here's a quick glance:



RETIRING LIST:

• SJ5P2 US/CN Studio J 5-pack
• Z1778 Treat Cups
• Z1788 Chalkboard Shapes, Adhesive-backed
• Z1777 Color-Ready Canvas Alphabet
• Z1682 Dimensional Elements Alphabet                  
• Z1735 Dimensional Elements Hearts
• Z1654-79 Dimensional Elements Monograms "A-Z"
• Z1680 Dimensional Elements Stars          
• Z1779 Irresistibles™ Houndstooth Alphabet
• X7165C For Always MyStickease® Assortment   
• X7168C Surf's Up MyStickease® Assortment       
• X7175C Frosted MyStickease® Assortment          
• X7174C Huntington MyStickease® Assortment  
• X7163C Chantilly Complements Dimensional Elements
• X7169C Tommy Complements Canvas Shapes
• Z1883 Base & Bling Floral Accents
• Z1882 Base & Bling Word Accents
• Z1707 Bitty Opaques Pearl Adhesive Gems
• Z1706 Durables Round Studs
• Z1705 Durables Square Studs
• Z1775 Glamour  Glitter Alphabet
• Z1744 Opaques Flourishes Pearl
• Z1335 Opaques- Licorice
• Z1333 Opaques- Mocha
• Z1336 Opaques- Pearl
• Z1776 Pixie Glitter Alphabet
• Z1764 Just Blooms® Floret Paper Shapes              
• Z1463 Just Blooms® Flutter Pape Shapes
• Z1269 Filigree Brads
• Z1905 Base & Bling Necklace Kit
• Z1814 Chantilly Assortment
• Z1811 For Always Assortment   
• Z1890 Frosted Assortment
• Z1881 Huntington Assortment
• Z1841 Surf"s Up Assortment      
• Z1824 Tommy Assortment
• Z1786 Mini-Medley Accents Antiqued Gold Collection
• Z1787 Mini-Medley Accents Slate Collection
• Z1701 Baker's Twine Neutral Assortment
• Z1781 Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
• Z1800 Colonial White Rosette Ribbon
• Z1732 Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon
• Z1617 Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
• Z282 HempBlack
• Z280 HempTan
• Z281 HempWhite
• Z1802 Slate Satin Polkadot Ribbon
• Z1804 MyCreations® Cubby
• Z1322 MyCreations Recipe Box                 
• Z1746 MyCreations® Block
• Z1737 MyCreations® Collage Cubes
• Z1803 MyCreations® Star
• Z1819 Chantilly  Textiles
• Z1884 Sparkle & Shine Textiles
• Z891 VersamarkInkPad
• Z892 VersamarkReinker
• Z1845 MyOriginals® Matchbook Card Kit
• X8627 MyOriginals® Polar Pals Kit
• Z1738 Colonial White Die-Cut Cards
• X7163B Chantilly Paper Packet
• X7165B For Always Paper Packet
• X7175B Frosted Paper Packet
• X7174B Huntington Paper Packet
• X7168B Surf's Up Paper Packet
• X7169B Tommy Paper Packet
• Z1483 Bronze Glitz™ Glitter Gel
• Z821 EmbPowderClearDetail
• Z668 EmbPowderGold
• Z669 EmbPowderSilver
• Z1313 Glitz Glue Stardust                                                                             
• Z308 LiquidAppliqueWhite
• Z134 PrismaGlitter
• Z1484 Red Glitz™ Glitter Gel
• Z1482 Silver Glitz™ Glitter Gel
• Z534 MicroTipScissors
• Z555 CraftHeater
• Z1091 FinishingFiles
• Z1796 Rub-On Tool
• Z1298 TextureTools
• Z1769 Almond Glitz™ Glitter Gel               
• Z1771 Green Glitz™ Glitter Gel  
• Z1770 Pink Glitz™ Glitter Gel
• G1053 Workshop on the Go (WOTG)® Chantilly Scrapbooking Kit
• G1055 Workshop on the Go (WOTG)®For Always Scrapbooking Kit
• G1058 Workshop on the Go (WOTG)® Tommy Scrapbooking Kit
• G1059 Workshop on the Go (WOTG)® Surf's Up Scrapbooking Kit
• G1064 Workshop on the Go (WOTG)® Laughing Lola Cardmaking Kit
• G1063 Workshop on the Go (WOTG)® Frosted Cardmaking Kit
• G1068 Workshop on the Go (WOTG)® Babycakes Scrapbooking Kit
• G1070 Workshop on the Go (WOTG)® Frosted Scrapbooking Kit
• G1069 Workshop on the Go (WOTG)® Huntington Scrapbooking Kit
• G1065 Workshop on the Go (WOTG)® Laughing Lola Scrapbooking Kit
• G1067 Workshop on the Go (WOTG)® ProPlayer Scrapbooking Kit
• G1066 Workshop on the Go (WOTG)® Sarita Scrapbooking Kit

How do YOU print your photos??

Studio J got an upgrade!

PHOTO PRINTING MADE EASY!!!!
Do you put off printing those larger photos,because they cost more?  Do you wish you could print ONE wallet sized picture?  What about those odd size pictrues like 6x8, 1.25x 1.25??

What I told you, you could print a BUNCH of photos, at one time, in the larger sizes, in smaller sizes, your way? Interested? Take a look!

Here is a set of photos that I had printed:

Let me explain how this works:

This is the no boundries layout in Studio J. It starts as a blank canvas.

First, make the full 12x12 pages into text wells, then add some paper behind it (you can use any paper kit). You don't have to do this, but it gives a difference in background, to see what you're doing. The cool thing is, if you have some of that pattern showing after you're done adding your photos, you can actually use that AS paper in your projects!!!
Then add whatever photo sizes you want.  Here there are 4 5×7 photo spots on the left page. On the right page- 1 8×10 photo, 4 wallet sized photos (2.5 x 3.5), and even four 2×2 spots!

Here's a quick price comparison for you (courtesy of Michele Johns). She pulled up some popular places to get your photos printed, just to compare.
Prices are listed for each in the top group. Note that one store doesn’t offer the Wallet sized prints. All of the other stores offer the prints, however, you have to have them printed in sets of 2 or 4. That means a LOT of extra photos for you to store.

In the second group, prices are listed in each group for the sizes of photos shown in the Studio J layout. They're totaled for you :)
Now, if you wanted the 2×2 photos (which, you can see, no one actually offers), you would either have to cut up a 4×6 photo, or get some wallet sized photos, and have even more photos to store.

So, as you can see, the Studio J layout offers so much savings, it’s kind of silly to NOT use it!



Check out this video from CTMH to see how to use Studio J for PHOTO PRINTING!!!!!



Give it a try today!!!  CLICK HERE