True Fit Folios - Create a Layout That Holds Memorabilia

I have two children who have long since graduated from post-secondary school, however I have always wanted to create a 'School Years' scrapbook for each of them that could hold their report cards, certificates etc. Close To My Heart offers a product called a 'True Fit Folio' (you can find them on page 129 of the new Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book) that fits perfectly into a 12" x 12" memory protector and allows you to store items within it and out of sight.

Each month I offer a layout challenge to my customers. The layout sketch for January was 'Transfigure' from the How-To book 'Magic'. I completed my oldest daughter's Grade 9 layout using this sketch, CTMH's Typeset paper pack and a true fit folio. I completed the layout and then adhered the Left page to the front of the folder, trimming the layout as needed and adding some paper to the inside back of the folio folder for a seamless look. I am keeping these layouts fairly simple and flat since I will be adding things to the folders. The Typeset canvas shapes are fabulous and made this layout a snap to complete.

Here is a closer look at the left page to show how you can tuck reports etc. behind the layout.

For the sake of simplicity, I have decided to use this same layout sketch for both albums. Only 29 more layouts to go!

Supplies - All supplies are CTMH except where noted
Paper - Typeset B&T, Black, Colonial White and Creme Brulee cardstock
Ink - Black
Accessories - Typeset Canvas shapes, Mileposts Corrugated shapes, Pewter mini-medley, Black Waxy Flax, Black ribbon, pewter frame (unknown)
Other - Cricut Art Philoshophy, True Fit Folio, 3D foam

A Change of Direction

A year ago I started this blog and spent a good part of 2011 cardmaking and working on some specific skills. I spent a lot of time browsing blogs, admiring the work of some very talented women and entering card challenges. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed all of these things I have come to the realization that I have to return to my first passion which is creating scrapbook pages. I am looking forward to seeing what the year will bring.

Back In Business - Craft Room Redo Complete

So, I have spent the better part of the past 2 weeks taking everything out of my scrapbooking room except one dresser, organizing all my supplies, building Ikea furniture and putting everything back together again. I am so excited about my new work space, love everything about it.

This is how my week started:

And here is how it ended (still have a few minor things to attend to but the majority of the room is done)

Love this Expedit bookcase. Still have room to grow.

My work space (still have to buy a new chair) and a new home for my sewing machine and Cricut.

And a fabulous new dresser with tons of storage! I was originally going to get another Expedit bookshelf (just a single row of 5 cubbies)to put above the dresser, but the day we headed into the city to go to Ikea my husband's truck wouldn't start. By the time we got to the store they had just sold the last one. In the end it worked out, since I don't really need the storage, so now I have to decide what to put on the wall above the dresser.

Love my new room! (unfortunately it will probably never look the same again- good thing I took lots of pictures). Here are some closeups of some of the storage:

Stamp Sets - This didn't change. I have been storing my stamp sets in the drawers of this old dresser for a while. I sacrifice one Idea Book each release for cutting up. Each time I buy a new stamp set I cut out the picture of the set and put it into a three ring binder by categories (ie. Nature, Alhpabets etc). Then I store the stamp sets alphabetically by name in the dresser drawers. When I need an image I go through my binder, find the name of the stamp set and then find the set in the drawer. The stamp sets also fit in the new 'Hopen' dresser that I bought.

Ribbon - I bought a couple of Skubb drawer organizers from Ikea as well - great for storage

Cardstock - I have always stored my paper horizontally - however this takes up a lot of space so I thought I would try some vertical storage - 12" x 12" Cropper Hopper's work great. However, I did have to cut about 3/8" off the top of the Cropper Hopper to get it to fit in the Expedit bookcase.

CTMH Paper Packs - When I get a paper pack I always take out the cardstock. I keep the B&T paper and any scraps in the bag that it came in. They seem to be fitting into the Cropper Hoppers, but because of the bags they can't be stored in the bookcase, so they will live on the top of this dresser. I cut out a picture of each paper pack from the Idea books and will be attaching this picture to the top left corner of each bag so that I can see what papers are in each bag without having to take the bag out of the holder.

Can't wait to get back to scrapping - hope to post some art by next week. Have a great weekend everyone!

The Straw That Broke the Camel's Back

... is my new Cricut Expression. Happy New Year everyone, hope santa was good to you this year. I got my first Cricut for Christmas and was quite excited until I realized that there was no way that I could set it up in my craft room the way it is currently organized (which is not very well). Over the years I have spent most of my craft dollars on scrapbooking supplies, neglecting to purchase proper storage containers and furniture. It was becoming increasingly difficult to work effectively in the room and not being able to use my Cricut in there was the final straw.

So, I have spent the past couple of days organizing and clearing everything out of the room, to make way for some furniture. It's off to Ikea this weekend, and hopefully I will be crafting again in a couple of weeks.

Close To My Heart - Retiring List

For all of my Close To My Heart customers, here is a list of items that will be retiring as of January 31st, 2012. Be sure to check it carefully so that you don't miss out on something that you want or need.

Spring/Summer 20ll Idea Book
(All Stamp Sets, in order as they appear in the book. Pricing reflects the changes as of January 1, 2012)

Trellis – D1451 - $17.95
Backgrounds & Borders – D1463 - $17.95
Dreams Come True – D1470 - $17.95
Summer Days – B1375 - $9.95
Love Ya – D1460 - $17.95
From My Heart – C1443 - $13.95
A Love – A1103 - $6.95
So Lucky – C1390 - $13.95
Circle of Love – D1438 - $17.95
Soul Mates – D1254 - $17.95
Bless This Nest – C1445 - $13.95
A Little Buzz – B1353 - $9.95
Beautiful Butterflies – B1373 - $9.95
Ambiance – C1349 - $13.95
Springtime – D1415 - $17.95
*A Hop – A1112 - $6.95
Take Luck – B1364 - $9.95
Enjoy Every Moment – C1395 - $13.95
Beloved – B1343 - $9.95
Bunny Love – B1324 - $9.95
Carefree – C1447 - $13.95
A Paisley – A1105 - $6.95
Always In My Heart – A1101 - $6.95
Charmed – C1385 - $13.95
Togetherness – D1402 - $17.95
One Of A Kind – D1410 - $17.95
Blooming Layers – C1449 - $13.95
A Posy – A1102 - $6.95
Extreme Happiness – C1356 - $13.95
Friendship Blessings – D1191 - $17.95
Flower Pot – D1409 - $17.95
Smiles – C1397 - $13.95
Happy Moments – C1437 - $13.95
His and Hers – C1460 - $13.95
Tasty Treats – D1427 - $17.95
You’re Sweet – B1351 - $9.95
Recipe Box – D1364 - $17.95
Bon Apetit – D1367 - $17.95
Daydream – D1297 - $17.95
*Makin’ Waves – C1365 - $13.95
Cruisin’ – D1471 - $17.95
Down By The Sea – C1451 - $13.95
True Happiness – D1365 - $17.95
Summer Breeze – C1453 - $13.95
Treetops – C1368 - $13.95
Let’s Go Camping – C1355 - $13.95
Beautiful Things – D1298 - $17.95
Campin’ Fever – D1353 - $17.95
*Beary Best – C1363 - $13.95
*Beary Busy – C1409 - $13.95
Howdy – D1435 - $17.95
You’re Great – D1434 - $17.95
Hot Diggity – C1407 - $13.95
It’s A Zoo – C1360 - $13.95
Fun Times – B1309 - $9.95
Love Birds – C1396 - $13.95
*Over The Rainbow – D1426 - $17.95
Post Card – Travel Series – D1357 - $17.95
Horizon – C1454 - $13.95
Ciao – D1461 - $17.95
Thrill Ride – D1425 - $17.95
Retro Tech – C1446 - $13.95
Around The Block – D1377 - $17.95
Family Ties – C1346 - $13.95
Family Ties – Children – C1345 - $13.95
Family Ties – Pet – B1350 - $9.95
Family – C1305 - $13.95
Play Day (old set) – D1360 - $17.95
Believe In Your Dreams – B1322 - $9.95
Ms. Scrapbook – B1352 - $9.95
Ms. Chillin’ – D1404 - $17.95
You Rock – D1346 - $17.95
Catching Waves – D1466 - $17.95
X-Treme – D1432 - $17.95
Hero – D1474 - $17.95
Star Power – D1403 - $17.95
Tea Time – C1438 - $13.95
*Little Princess – C1414 - $13.95
Birthday Boy – C1411 - $13.95
*Birthday Blast – C1436 - $13.95
Shining Star – D1320 - $17.95
Royal Birth – D1441 - $17.95
Cupcakes Sprinkles – D1336 - $17.95
Piece of Cake – D1407 - $17.95
Paisley Praise – D1414 - $17.95
Sweet Baby – C1359 - $13.95
*Baby Love – B1368 - $9.95
You Did It – C1351 - $13.95
Adoption – A1098 - $6.95
Precious Love – C1444 - $13.95
Love Always – D1337 - $17.95
A Game – A1113 - $6.95
Magic Tabs – C1448 - $13.95
Circle Together – B1372 - $9.95
Just For Boys – C1338 - $13.95
Just For Girls – C1337 - $13.95
Cherished Flourishes – D1413 - $17.95
Unity – C1422 - $13.95
Two-Step Backgrounds – D1473 - $17.95
On The Edge – C1399 - $13.95
Circle Around – D1300 - $17.95
Connections – D1330 - $17.95
Adorning Corners – D1322 - $17.95
Fill In The Blank – D1465 - $17.95
Priceless Love Word Puzzle – D1348 - $17.95
Kanji Phrases – C1339 - $13.95
Boom! – B1354 - $9.95
Just The Ticket – B1323 - $9.95
Salutation Seals – C1461 - $13.95
A Little Everything – D1408 - $17.95
*For Every Occasion – D1187 - $17.95
Thank You – D1361 - $17.95
*TLC – C1364 - $13.95
In The Month Of February – C1403 - $13.95
In The Month Of March – C1404 - $13.95
In The Month Of April – C1405 - $13.95
In The Month Of May – C1415 - $13.95
In The Month Of June – C1416 - $13.95
In The Month Of July – C1417 - $13.95
Notice The Details – D1378 - $17.95
On This Day – D1468 - $17.95
Happy Holidays – D1431 - $17.95
Dream Big – D1399 - $17.95


Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book

Typeset WOTG Kit – G1024 - $29.95
Roxie WOTG Kit – G1025 - $29.95
Elemental WOTG Kit – G1026 - $29.95
Dreamin’ L2 Paper – X7142B - $9.95
Dreamin’ My Stickease – X7142C - $4.95
Dreamin’ WOTG Kit – G1027 - $29.95
Sonoma WOTG Kit – G1028 - $29.95
Mischief L2 Paper – X7144B - $9.95
Mischief My Stickease – X7144C - $4.95
Mischief WOTG Kit – G1029 - $29.95
Believe L2 Paper – X7145B - $9.95
Believe My Stickease – X7145C - $4.95
Believe WOTG Kit – G1030 - $29.95
*Wonderland L2 Paper – X7146B - $9.95
Wonderland My Stickease – X7146C - $4.95
Wonderland WOTG Kit – G1031 - $29.95
Sophia L2 Paper – X7131B - $12.95
Sophia My Stickease – X7131C - $4.95
Mayberry L2 Paper – X7136B - $12.95
Mayberry My Stickease – X7136C - $4.95
Lucky L2 Paper – X7137B - $12.95
Lucky My Stickease – X7137C - $4.95
Fanfare L2 Paper – X7138B - $12.95
Fanfare My Stickease – X7138C - $4.95

pg 124
Colonial White Ribbon collection - Z1126 - $7.95
Cranberry grosgrain ribbon - Z1103 - $6.95
Cocoa grosgrain ribbon - Z1100 - $6.95
Colonial White grosgrain ribbon - Z1102 - $6.95
White Daisy grosgrain ribbon - Z270 - $6.95
Wings Level 2 Assortment - Z1398 - $4.95

pg 125
Embroidery Floss - Red/Pink - Z1092 - $3.25
Embroidery Floss - Green - Z1094 - $3.25
Embroidery Floss - Blue/Purple - Z1093 - $3.25

Waxy Flax - Cranberry - Z1086 - $3.95
Waxy Flax - Sorbet - Z1249 - $3.95
Waxy Flax - Juniper - Z1248 - $3.95
Waxy Flax - Crystal Blue - Z1247 - $3.95

pg 126
Designer Brads - Colonial White - Z1274 - $3.95
Designer Brads - Pewter - Z1146 - $3.95

pg 127
Mini Medley - Antiqued Copper - Z1275 - $4.95
Mini Medley - Colonial White - Z1276 - $4.95
Foundry Metal - Bookplates - Z1147 - $3.50
Soft Set Eyelets - Black and White Daisy - Z1228 - $3.95
Soft Set Eyelets - Chocolate and Colonial White - Z1229 - $3.95

pg 128
Midnight Felt Shapes - Z1462 - $3.95
Harvest Charms - Z1633 - $4.95
Holiday Packets - Z1486 - $4.95
Top Coats Icing Overlays - Z1468 - $4.95
Lucky Level 2 Assortment - Z1356 - $4.95
Lucky Level 2 Journaling Spots - Z1359 - $3.95
Bliss Level 2 Assortment - Z1355 - $5.95
Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment - Z1386 - $4.95
Fanfare Level 2 Assortment - Z1400 - $4.95
Spring Blossom - Z1266 - $7.95
White Daisy Variety Pack - Z1300 - $5.95

pg 129
Cardstock - Black 8-1/2 x 11 - X1412 - $5.50
Cardstock - Colonial White 8-1/2 x 11 - X1411 - $6.75
Cardstock - White Daisy 8-1/2 x 11 - 1320 - $6.75
Color Ready Alphabets - Oxford - X5749 - $3.95
Color Ready Alphabets - Hodge Podge - X1406 - $3.95

pg 130
Dimensional Elements - On Target - Z1226 - $5.95
Dimensional Elements - Flurry - Z1225 - $4.95

pg 131
My Creations - Board Book - Z1310 - $6.95
My Creations - Journal - Z1268 - $7.95
My Creations - Memory Showcase 9x9 - Z1198 - $5.95

pg 132
Rubber Brayer - Z616 - $12.95

pg 133
Soft Set Eyelet Tool - Z1208 - $14.95
Eyelet Tool Replacement Punches - Z1245 - $2.95

I would like to send a huge 'Thank You' to fellow consultant Cassandra for compiling this list.

Elf Christmas Card - Inspired By #2

I love Laurel Seabrook's new challenge blog "Inspired By". The inspiration photo for this week brought to mind, Red curves, Elves and Whimsy. As soon as I saw this photo I thought of Santa's bag of toys and the great little stamp set 'Merry Pursuits' (which is unfortunately retired).

This card is in a different style than I usually make, but I did have fun making it. I cut a piece of red cardstock 4 1/4" x 10 1/2", scored it at 5 1/4" and folded it to make the card base (the card base is 1/4" shorter than the finished card so that the presents at the top can extend beyond the top fold and cover it). I free handed a toy bag on a sheet of copy paper 4 1/4" x 5 1/4", cut it out and traced it onto the front of my card base. I cut out the shape (cutting through both back and front layers of the card and then using my pattern as a mask I inked the edges and folds of the bag using first Tulip then Grey Wool ink. (see below)

Here is the inspiration photo:

Here is the pattern that I drew. You can see where I cut the pattern in order to ink the image.

Supplies - All Materials are CTMH except where noted - Card size is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Paper - Animal Cookies (retired), White Daisy, Tulip & Dutch Blue cardstock, Solar White cardstock for images (Neena)
Stamps - Merry Pursuits (retired), Beary Much (retired), Tiny Typewriter Alpha
Ink - Tulip, Dutch Blue, Grey Wool, Sunflower, Clover Meadow, Tuxedo Black (Memento), Copics
Accessories - Color Ready Alphabet - Bold, Sparkles - Clear, Blue, Green, Red, Assorted Ribbon Scraps, two way glue, glitter, Black Waxy Flax, 3D foam tape

Joy Christmas Card - Inspired By #1

Laurel Seabrook has started an new challenge blog called "Inspired By". The muted tones, the word 'Joy' and the punch of green is what jumped out at me in the inspiration picture. Here is the card that I created.

Here is the inspiration photo:

I based my card on the Card Patterns sketch #144

Supplies - All products are CTMH except where noted - Card size is 5 1/2 x 5 1/2
Paper - Designer Paper - Mistletoe (retired), Bamboo, Heavenly Blue & Colonial White cardstock
Ink - Bamboo
Accessories - Dimensional Elements Monograms, Clear Sparkles, Green 1/2" seam binding (May Arts), bakers twine (May Arts), Snowflake buttons (unknown)
Other - Edge Distresser, 3D foam tape, Labels 18 (Spellbinders)

Gift Idea - 3D Frame

I created this framed photo as a Christmas gift for my mother-in-law. It features a picture of her as a young girl of 17 on a date with her future husband at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto in 1955. I love the Roxie paper with this photo, not sure why but it just says retro to me. The shadow box frames were bought in a pack of three from Michaels for about $12.

I started out looking at scrapbook layout sketches for inspiration and ended up using a card layout sketch. Since the actual working space available is about 6" x 7 1/2", card sketches actually work well. This layout was inspired by a past Mojo Monday sketch #155.

I wanted to do a video tutorial for this, but don't have the time right now. So here are the measurements for anyone interested.

Cardstock Background - 10" x 8"
Designer Paper Background - 10" x 8"
Left DP strip - 6" x 1-3/4"
Center DP strip - 6" x 1-1/2"
Right DP strip - 6" x 2-1/2"
I used my Spellbinders to cut a shape for across the bottom, but you could put a rectangular piece across the bottom at 1-1/2" x 6"
Photo Mat - 5" x 4"
Photo - 4-3/4" x 3-3/4"

I don't own a Cricut yet, but if I did I would have made some 3-D flowers using the Art Philosophy cartridge instead of the prima roses. I distressed the edges of the paper with Desert Sand ink and an edge distresser. I coloured the center rhinestone on each of the rhinestone brads with a Copic marker so that there would be a touch of Juniper on the right side. I changed the colour of the top of the pins using liquid glass mixed with black re-inker and popped the photo with a double layer of 3-D foam tape to pop it up higher.

Supplies: (all CTMH except where noted)

Paper - Roxie designer paper, Black & Juniper cardstock
Stamps - Circle of Love (D1438), Because I Love You (C1259 - retired)
Ink - Black, Smoothie, Desert Sand, Juniper, Black re-inker, Copic marker BG72
Accessories - Paper roses (Prima), Rhinestone Designer Brads, pins and rhinestone button - Bling Assortment, Bamboo Waxy Flax, Bitty Sparkles, 3D foam tape, Liquid Glass, 1/2" Black seam binding (May Arts), window charm (unknown)
Other - Edge distresser, leaf punch (Martha Stewart), Labels 18 (Spellbinders)

Close To My Heart Sneak Peek - Rock the Block Campaign

Check out the video below for a sneak peek at one of the new products that will be available in the Spring/Summer Idea Book for 2012. These My Creations Collage Cubes will be available in a special promotion that starts December 19th and runs through to January 31st. The Rock the Block campaign also includes and exclusive E sized stamp set.

It's Been a While - A Couple of Photo Frames Today

Hello everyone. I can't believe it has been over a month since I posted to this blog. I have been very busy with other priorities so haven't spent much time in my crafting room.

I do have a couple of photo frames to show you today, that I donated to a craft sale earlier this month. I picked up these wood frames at Michaels for $1 each. They suited the purpose, but I wasn't very happy with the stand (a small dowel to be placed in a small hole at the back), so I didn't make as many as I had originally intended. These would make a great gift, but I would invest in a better quality frame if I was to make them again.

The first two frames are the same, just different shades of steel blue cardstock were used.

I painted the backs and sides of the frame first with black acrylic paint. I traced the inside opening of the frame unto my cardstock and marked the outer edges of the frame on the cardstock with pencil. I cut out the inside opening (I found it easier to do this before gluing to the frame rather than after) and stamped the image 'Live, Laugh, Love' from the stamp set "Love Life" around the outside. Then I covered the front of the wood frame with 2 way glue, glued the cardstock to the front of the frame making sure to center the opening on the cardstock with the opening of the frame and then trimming the outside of the frame using a craft knife. I then sprayed the whole thing with a matt finish spray sealer.

The frame below is a result of:
a) not cutting out the center opening before gluing the cardstock to the frame. I trimmed the center opening after the paper was already glued to the frame and had a difficult time getting a clean cut (hence I had to add the additional black paper cardstock frame to cover the rough edges)
b) touching the front of the frame with paint on my fingers. I had a couple of spots to touch up with the black paint on the back of the frame and accidentally got paint on the front of the cardstock. This frame was suppposed to be the same as the blue frames above, but I had to change it to cover the unwanted paint. The stamp set used was a retired set called 'Make It Count'

For this final frame I used paper from the retired paper pack 'Miracle' to cover the frame and paper from the retired paper pack 'Perfect Day' for the rose. The letter stickers are from retired 'Silhouette' My Stickease.