Newsprint Alphabet Rub-Ons

Happy Rainy Friday...well if you live in Beautiful British Columbia...that's what you've got today...well in my town we do! I love the rain, one of the reasons I couldn't think of living anywhere else...four distinct seasons, lasting around 3-4 months each...well, maybe a little light on the winter months, no igloos here...but those rainy days that I love so much always get me into the Workshop for some guilt free scrapbooking time...after the laundry and the chauffeuring around is done of course!

Today, Close To My Heart is showing how great and easy the new Newsprint Rub-Ons are...they are super easy to remove from the packaging as they are in letter rows...with multiples of each letter and more of our frequently used letters to boot!

They are so smooth to apply and the perfect size for scrapbooking or cardmaking...whatever your pleasure, a pleasure they are to use and enjoy. Get yours and discover how great they are for yourself! Check out some of the ideas below by clicking on the play button!

Sunshine is all around this long weekend

I thought I'd take a minute to post a few layouts I created on my ultimate 'Ultimate Scrapbooking Retreat' retreat :) at the end of April...four glorious days and three nights to eat, drink, relax, sleep in, stay up all night and of course SCRAPBOOK!

I have to say that out of all the years I've been treating myself to this escape...I have been the most productive ever this past time in April...now I could easily say that it was because I was away for four days VS. the usual three days retreat...but that would simply NOT be the truth...honestly...this was the most organized I've EVER been...I could have been more organized, but wanted to leave some of the creativity for when I was actually there...

Firstly, I made a list of the events/pictures I wanted to scrapbook...seemed easy enough, but still took time.

Secondly, I looked through various Map/Idea Books...I went to my CTMH books, like Magic, Imagine and Cherish...as well as Page Maps and Scrapbooks Etc. Maps...once I found some maps that looked like they'd work for my event, I made reference to that on a sticky note...listed off what resource (MAP location), page or design title...this was stuck to my printed picture when I got them home from printing.

Thirdly, I sent my final cuts for photos to my Desktop, I find that clicking and dropping the pictures I want to print onto my Desktop, saves me loads of time later at the upload stage as I can then later grab and drop my chosen pictures into my Upload Photos page of the Costco online photo page (I like Costco's print quality for the price here where I live)

Fourth, when I was in the photo ordering page in Costco online photo site, I made sure to tag each photo with the actual crop size and location in the layout...I know this seems excessive or maybe a little OCD...I know, but when I got to my retreat...I knew exactly what my plans were with the photo as it was printed on the back of each picture where I wanted it to go in the layout as well as the layout Map...this saved me time.

Lastly, when I got to the retreat, the only thinking I needed to do was pick out paper...which, for those of you that know me...takes me some time :) Once I had some paper in hand...grabbed my photos which were seperated with my sticky notes with the layout design I was planning on working with and the printed photos/enlargements when needed...and...away I went!

The prep ahead of time saved me from 'creators-block'...just made that one up...and allowed me to whip the layouts up! In Kristine-time...probably much faster in your own-time...I am still reeling in the pleasure of how much I accomplished...maybe you have some great tips for making the mnost of your scrapbooking time...I'd love to hear them, just leave a comment below !

Here's a couple of layouts that I did on that retreat weekend...thanks for stopping by and enjoy your Long Weekend, hopefully the sun is shining where ever you call home :)

Birthday Beauty

Well yesterday my second baby girl had a birthday...15 years ago she was alot shorter  but just a beautiful as she is today :)

She is so lovely and the kindest soul...she has started her countdown now to driving, much like her older sister did at 15 years old...Happy Birthday baby!

Here's one of my creations from my last scrapbooking retreat at Loon Lake...she is the best cousin...she sure loves her little nieces and is a great sport with playing around, icecream and puzzles!

Art Attack from CTMH Corporate

My Acrylix^® Dreams Come True Stamp Set

Categories: ART ATTACK, NEW & NOW

Featuring the My Acrylix^® Dreams Come True stamp set, this video is packed with inspiring artwork and creative techniques. Discover how to create a beautiful banner using the My Creations^® Mix & Mingle album, learn how to use the embossed resist technique for gorgeous lettering, clip away part of a stamped sentence for a whole new meaning, build a card sentiment like a puzzle, and more!

Remember that the Emboss Resist Technique can be used anywhere! Do you have some plain chipboard bits and pieces at home in your scrap storage? Next time you are creating, pull some product out and alter is with this great technique...or try tracing out some chipboard letters like they did in this project and create your own unique Emboss Resist designed title using ink, paper and scissors. If you don't have any embossing ink like Versmark or clear embossing powder...I can hook you up, just send me some mail

Studio J ~ Focus on the Photos

Studio J has just published a fantastic tutorial where they are focussing on the photos. They are showing you some of the FAQ's you might have after playing with the online software. I found it very helpful for myself as I am new to playing in Studio J...remember that Studio J is available online FREE...purchase only those layouts that YOU want...otherwise, maybe think of using this online software when you are sharing the couch with your family...at the same time creating some scrapbooking layouts...

Maybe you don't like the look digital scrapbooking? 

If that's the case with you, I encourage you to play with the software and use it like a 'dry-run' before you go and play with paper and scissors...create some layouts, save them and then the next time you are ready to sit down and play with paper...pull up your pre-done designs on the computer and copy them using your actual product...this way you have some fast and easy layouts to produce...you've only printed out the photos you need for the layout and  you've just saved yourself money and TIME.

Cosmo Cricket and Crate Paper together...lookin' good

My little girl is growing up...makes me sad to think back at all the memories and know that in a few short years this little baby is going to be on her own...my only consolation is in knowing that we raised an independent, strong and wonderful little girl into the young lady that she is today...we had a special little escape to Fort Langley for her 16th birthday in November...right after stopping into the Motor Vehicle office so she could write her Learner's Test...she passed of course...then drove us to Fort Langley!!! One of the charms with Fort Langley is all of the little Antique stores and little specialty shops like this fantastic hat shop...

Does this layout look similar to the one above...same Close To My Heart design...just completely different looking theme's and paper...why re-invent the wheel when the layout works and looks great...just make another one...might just speed up your create-time and challenge you to take the same layout and add touches to each of them to make them appear different...it'll even give you extra time to maybe add or try some different techniques like ribbon flowers or hand stitched stars...?

Remember to keep some of your layouts clean and simple...some photos tell their own story...journalling is important, but not always required...I'm planning on leaving these layouts the way they are right now...perhaps I'll add a few words later...maybe

Time Saving Scrapbooking

Well there are many different styles of Scrapbooking and I am definately a Classic scrapbooker...I love the look and feel of paper, cardstock, chatchki's (AKA. Embellishments) but sometimes I don't actually feel like making a mess and I lack the creative juices or TIME to dream up my own 'original' design...sound like any of you?

Digital scrapbooking has always been 'interesting' to me, but honestly, I don't want to sit infront of a computer for hours on end creating a layout, especially as I'd be re-learning scrapbooking through Photoshop or having to purchase software...

Studio J online scrapbooking has been the answer for me lately...I have been busy working on photos of my daughter's Spring Break trip to PARIS! Playing in the pre-designed layout patterns and choosing my paper...dragging and dropping pictures into the photo wells...easy peasy lemon squeezy!

So needless to say, I am starting to cross over for some projects, I have created some layouts on my account in Studio J, I'm waiting to send in my order as I want them to come together...and I'm tweeking them a little here and there. I have also created 'Classic' layouts with scissors and paper :) I plan to mix them together in her travel Paris album.

Here's a YouTube video created from CTMH's Corporate office, showing you how you can honestly create a fantastic layout for yourself in 5 minutes...I know this as I did one myself with my son...

You & Me Scrapbooking kit

This fabulous kit is only available for May...let me know if you'd like me to order one for you before they are all gone! This kit is available while supplies last...here's the current flyer showing exactly what is included in this gorgeous kit...cardstock weight patterned paper, a full package of Mocha Opaques, an exclusive D-size stamp set designed specifically for this kit, a sheet of Irresistibles die-cuts in chipboard, ribbon and a complete guide to show you how to create these two beautiful pages!

A 'You and Me' Scrapbook Class will be held on May 31st in the Workshop starting at 7:00PM for those of you that would like to do this kit in a classroom setting at no additional cost. 

May's Chairs to You stamp set of the month

Here's a better look at the featured May Stamp of the Month set named 'Chairs to You'

If you like to colour and create original artwork with stamps then this one's for you! Stamp these little chairs on some of your patterned paper and you have an instant upholstered chair :)

contact me for more information on how you can earn this stamp for FREE or purchase it at a discount!

It's National Scrapbooking Month!

It's National Scrapbooking Month...well for me every month is Scrapbooking month :)   Close To My heart has created another beautiful kit to celebrate this treasured month with our new You & Me scrapbooking kit.

During our May celebration, you can get the exclusive You & Me scrapbooking kit at a fabulous discount or even FREE*!

When you place a minimum order of $55 CAN in Close To My Heart products* in May, you can get the exclusive You & Me scrapbooking kit for the discount price of just $16.50—that’s more than half off the retail value! You’ll create two fully embellished two-page layouts using the new cardstock-weight B&T Duos^® papers, D-size stamp set, accessories, and instructions. You can also purchase the kit at full retail for $38.95 with no minimum purchase required. Become a Close To My Heart Consultant during May and we’ll include a You & Me kit for free* as part of your New Consultant Kit. 

To sweeten the deal, if you join my team as an Independant Consultant this month, not only will they give you this kit for free (a $38.95 value) BUT they will also give you 50% OFF of your New Consultant Kit...for $70.00 you will receive the basic business essentials and 3 'choose me' kits to personalize to your own business building needs...a value of over $300.00!!! Amazing...wish I had those deals when I signed up :)

Besides being paid for doing what you love, Consultants are your own boss—setting your own hours, work around your priorities, and share revolutionary new products unparalleled in the industry. You’ll also receive discounts on the products you love and have the amazing opportunity to touch hearts and change lives through the joy of scrapbooking and stamping!


If you are looking to support your scrapbooking with discounts, specials and like our low quarterly sales...then you'll want to join my team...cause I haven't seen a better time yet than now :) Just sayin'

BC Scrapbooking Crop for Kids!!!

I am going through my many lists of things to do and among them is to remind all of you of the upcoming online registration for our fabulous BC Scrapbooking Crop for Kids weekend Scrapbooking fundraiser...if you are not familiar with this event CLICK HERE...

Online registration starts at 9:00AM on May 8th...set your iPod's, iPhone's, iPad's, computer calendar alarms, home alarms, watches, Blackberry's...you get the idea!

This event sells out in minutes...each year we place side bets as to how many minutes...last year it was 15 minutes!!! So make sure if you want to attend this worthwhile cause that you are sitting at your computer, ready to type fast, with the page open at 8:50AM...then keep hitting 'refresh' to get the new screen...just saying :)

I have been asked by Sandra and Mary if I would teach a class sponsored by the Memory Workshop...I am so excited to get my supplies and get to work on this class...can't wait to play and teach at the event. Hint: going to be using some Christmas themed goodies by Daisy Bucket :)

I have been attending the Crop for Kids for the past four years and it never ceases to amaze me at how much money we are able to raise for our Children's Hospital...a group of like-minded crafters being able to come together, create, have fun and support such a worthy cause is so inspiring...I hope you can attend...remember that you can also get 'Class Passes' to this event even if you aren't staying and cropping all day, you can still attend through classes...and the best part about the classes is that 100% of the class fee goes directly to the BC Children's Hospital. All classes are sponsored by various Companies and/0r individuals, and they are taught by volunteer teachers...

Click this link to BC Scrapbooking Crop for Kids to get to the registration page and the website