“You say it's your birthday...”

I am so excited to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my 29th birthday today! (Go ahead. Try to figure out how old I am!) LOL!

Every year on my birthday, as soon as I wake up, the Beatles' Birthday song starts running through my head! I LOVE that song! Here's a little clip for you to enjoy... *Ü*




Even though it is my birthday, I would love to give YOU a gift today. Anyone who places an order on my website today will receive a little handmade gift from me. It will be shipped separately from your order. It is just my way of saying "Thank you for making my special day even better!” *Ü*

Tickled Pink Stationery Set

I just started working on some end-of-the-year gifts for my son's teachers. (Hopefully they will like them.) For this stationery set I used some of the left over pieces of patterned paper from my Tickled Pink Kit and the stamp set that matches. (I can't get enough of the cute stamp set!) I also used the June Stamp of the Month called Tender Tags. I can already tell that I will be using that one a lot!

The template for the stationery holder is from Papertrey Ink. Lauren Meader creates some WONDERFUL templates that can be purchased for only $5.
I included 6 cards with various sentiments from the Say it in Style stamp set, along with some stamped envelopes and 6 sheets of plain stationery that I stamped on the bottom. I also slipped a piece of patterned paper into the pen to match. The pink ribbon is from Papertrey Ink.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Stamps: Tickled Pink, Say it in Style, Tender Tags (available June 1st)
Inks: Blush, Baby Pink, Crystal Blue, Heavenly Blue, Sweet Leaf
Other: Papertrey Ink: Template & Sweet Blush Ribbon

Animal Cookies Scrapbooking Workshop

Join us on Saturday, June 13th from 1-4 pm for a fun scrapbooking workshop using the adorable Animal Cookies paper packet. (Email me if you are not local and I will be happy to mail you a kit!)

We will be making (3) double-page spreads and you will have enough product left over to make the cards below, and a lot more. Each person will need to bring a paper trimmer, a pair of scissors, and some adhesive. Everything else will be supplied.

(Click on the photos to make them larger.)

Below are the workshop options:

Basic Kit
Animal Cookies Level 2 Paper Packet
Animal Cookies Level 2 My Stickease® Assortment
Foam Die-Cuts Numbers Pack
48" White Daisy Ricrac Ribbon
Step by Step Animal Cookies Workshop Guide
Workshop Fee - $27 (or $20 with a $25+ order placed at the workshop)

Better = Basic Package + this product
My Acrylix® Sweet Baby Stamp Set
Workshop Fee - $49 (or $39 with a $25+ order placed at the workshop)

Best = Better Package + this product
Summer Craft Buttons
Embroidery Floss Neutral Assortment
Workshop Fee - $62 (or $49 with a $25+ order placed at the workshop)

R.S.V.P. by June 4th to make sure you reserve your spot. Space is limited and the class will fill quickly. *Ü*

Only a few more days to get your Tickled Pink Kit!

There are only a few days left to get your Tickled Pink Kit! You have until May 31st to get your kit. Below is another layout that I made using the kit. (Sorry about the horrible photos.) The layout is about some of the things that make me happy! One of the things I love about this kit is that everything is included, even the layout ideas and instructions! (That makes me happy!)

For more information on the Tickled Pink promotion click here. To see more Tickled Pink artwork, click here and here. Don't forget to visit this site and enter to win a FREE Tickled Pink Kit! There is also some great artwork on the site to inspire you!

Stampin' Up Projects

I went to my friend's Stampin' Up workshop last week and made some fun projects. I thought I would share them with you. This one was made using a scallop circle die. Isn't it cute?


This one was also made using a scallop circle punch.
(I was excited because I already own the punch. LOL!)

This was a quick and simple card that was just my style.

This is a criss cross card which I have made in the past, but it was fun to try it with new papers and stamp sets that I don't own.


This little purse use another SU! die. I have made these in the past as well, but it is kind of cute with the die cut shape.

Do you have a question for me?

I found this great chat box that I just installed on the bottom of the right hand column of my blog. Of course you are always welcome to email me at lisa@myctmh.com, but if you would like to ask me a question or just say "hello," you can also post a message using the chat box and I will try to answer you as soon as I can. I hope it works because it seems like a pretty cool concept! *Ü*

New Wishes Card Making Book

Close to my Heart just released the latest in their “how-to” book series with a fabulous new book called Wishes. This book has tons of great card templates and ideas. In fact, it even comes with a CD with many of the card and envelope templates on it! How great it that? Click here to order your own copy of this priceless new book.

Below is a card that I made using one of the templates in the book. It didn’t take me very long to make it because the cutting guide and instructions were very simple. (Close to my Heart strives to make things faster, simpler, and easier and this book does just that! I LOVE it!) I used a new paper packet called Moon Doggie and a matching stamp set called Extreme Happiness. Isn’t this a fun card? It kind of makes me want to get off the computer and head down to the beach right now. LOL!
I also used some new 3-D Foam Tape that CTMH just released. I love the versatility of it because you can make it any size you want and it is the perfect thickness to give your projects just a pop of dimension without being too thick.
Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Stamps: Extreme Happiness, February Word Puzzle (dots), Sensational Seals
Paper: Moon Doggie
Inks: Cranberry, Indian Corn Blue, Garden Green, Bamboo, Desert Sand
Other: Foam Tape, Wishes How-To Book, Holiday Buttons, Colonial White Waxy Flax, Micro-tip Scissors

June Club Projects - Sweet Treats!

We had our first Creative Club Class last week and it was a big hit! Everyone seemed to have a great time and really enjoyed making the stationery set. We even have a long distance member in our club. (Hi Pat!) Pat will be getting her class kit in the mail shortly. If you are interested in joining the club, whether you are local or not, feel free to email me and I will be happy to give you more information. (You can also click here for a little more info.)

June’s class will be a variety of “sweet treats.” We will be making a Candy Bar Slider, a Ghirardelli Chocolate Box, a Hershey's Nugget Mini Purse, and a Pop Up Treat Holder using the adorable new Animal Cookies Paper Packet.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Would you like to make all of these fun sweet treats for only $5? How about making them for FREE? Read on to find out more about joining my monthly (non-commit) Creative Club...

The club meets at my house the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. You may join the club at any time and there is no commitment to stay in the club for any length of time or to place an order. There will be a $5 fee for the supplies used for the projects we make which will range from cards to small gift items, to scrapbook pages, and more. Each person who signs up for this club will have their name added to the bottom of the hostess list. The person whose name is on the top of the list will get the hostess rewards that month. In order for your name to keep its “place” on the list, you must place a $25 minimum order whether you attend the class that month or not. If you do not place a $25+ order that month, then your name goes down to the bottom of the list. If you do place a $25+ order, then your name continues to move up the list AND you will not be required to pay the $5 supply fee for that class. It will be free!

Club members also receive:

• A free current Idea Book/Catalog
• Free Hostess Rewards during your hosting month
• $5 or free optional monthly classes
• Optional opportunity to hold a home workshop or party to boost your hostess benefits
• $5 discounts on all workshops while you are a member
• Lots of other freebies and surprises...

Email me at lisa@myctmh.com for more information on joining the club. Long distance members are also welcome! *Ü*

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Stamps: Thank You, Childhood, Fringed Phrases
Paper: Animal Cookies Paper Packet, Animal Cookies Creative Basics
Inks: Tulip, Sunflower, Dutch Blue, Clover Meadow
Other: Circle Coluzzle, White Daisy Mini Medley Collection, White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon

I am sooo honored!

My hubby took me out of town this weekend to celebrate my b-day a little early. (My actual b-day isn't until the end of the month.) Imagine my surprise when I got home and checked my email today to find that I had been awarded the “Lemonade Stand Award” by not one, not two, not even three people! But by FOUR different people! You guys are soooo sweet! A big thank you and a huge hug goes out to Melissa, Leslie, Kelly, and Christina! Be sure to check out each of their blogs. They are all amazingly talented!

The rules of this award are:
• comment on this blog
• cut and paste the award logo and use it on your own blog
• nominate 5 to 10 blogs you feel show great attitude and gratitude
• link to your nominees within your blog post
• comment on their blogs to let them know they received the award
• link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation

The funny thing is that many of the bloggers that I love, have already been nominated. LOL! In fact all of the gals who nominated me, would be on my list to nominate right back. *Ü* So, instead of nominating them, I plan to visit their blogs (again) and make a better effort to comment on the artwork that inspires me. I am really bad at that. I need to make a better effort to tell others how much I appreciate their work! Thanks again ladies! You are all wonderful!!!

Heartfelt Whimsy Flower Card

I recently got a package of CTMH’s new Heartfelt Whimsy Felt Die Cuts and was pleasantly surprised by how many die cuts were in the package. These are sooooo much fun to play with and I can't wait to create more projects with them. I made this card in only a few minutes using some of the flower shapes along with some Winter Bigger Brads and a couple of stamp sets. Isn’t it a fun card? It is another one of those quick, easy peasy cards that I love making! Check out the dimension of the felt...

You get three 12"x12" felt sheets with TONS of die cut images in the package. I can’t wait to use the large borders on some scrapbook pages.

Here is a closeup. You can click on the image to see it even larger.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Stamps: True Happiness, March Word Puzzle
Inks: Chocolate, Garden Green
Other: Heartfelt Whimsy Die Cuts, Winter Classic Bigger Brads

Open House Make and Take Projects

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! We had a great day at the park celebrating with my mom and her boyfriend. Both my Mom and my MIL loved their gifts. *Ü*

My Open House went well on Saturday. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Congratulations to Marina and Charli who won the door prizes! I thought I would share the make and take projects. I had a simple scrapbook page and a cute card card ready for anyone who wanted to make them.

On the scrapbook page, we used the Endless Friendship stamp set along with some Circle Window Charms and a Corner Rounder. Easy Peasy!

(The photo I used on my sample layout is of my son with my best friend's daughter. What is so funny is that they live in another state so we don't get to see them very often, but whenever we do, the kids always run up and give each other a big hug right away. If you have a copy of the 2008 Autumn/Winter Idea Book, check out the bottom of page 83. You will see the two of them hugging each other just like this on a totally different occasion about a year before. *Ü*)

Click on photos to enlarge.

The card was a total lift of Aaron Booth's adorable card here. (Thanks for the never-ending inspiration Aaron!) We used the new You're a Hoot stamp set along with my favorite staple set Say it in Style. The patterned paper is from the Magic Moments Paper Packet. We also used some ribbon from the Hollyhock Ribbon Rounds, some Black Bitty Brads, a Sweet Leaf and Sunflower Marker, and the new Foam Tape.

Open House Today!

Don’t forget to come by my Open House today. Feel free to stop by anytime between 1-4 p.m. Click here for more details. Hope to see all you local gals (and guys) this afternoon! *Ü*

MIL Gift - Tin with Circle Cards and Voice Recorder

I made this little stationery set for my Mother-in-Law. It is a circle tin filled with monogrammed cards. I added a My Pages Talk Recorder to the inside of the tin like I did on my mom's box below. My kids recorded a message to their grandma on it. I used CTMH's Emporium Creative Basics Pack along with some Vineyard Berry Cardstock. Before CK retired some of their fonts earlier this week, I bought one called Fancy Caps and used it for the monogram. I used my Nestabilities and my Large Coluzzle Circle to cut the circle cards and to make the envelopes. Hopefully my MIL will enjoy it and not think it is too cheesy. *Ü* The tins came from Specialty Bottle.

Outside of the tin:

Opened tin:

Card inside envelope:

Mother's Day Gift Box

Last month I taught a workshop where we made a card box and matching cards out of an Emporium Level 1 Kit. You can see the project here. I had one box left that I used to demo the project in class, but I hadn't decorated it yet so I thought it might be fun to use it as a Mother's Day gift for my mom from my kids. The basics of the box are the same, however I added a My Pages Talk Voice Recorder. I recorded my kids talking to my mom and every time I listen to it, it melts my heart. Hopefully my mom will enjoy it too.

I love the recorders because they can record up to 30 seconds, which is actually a pretty long time. They are acid free and fairly thin so you can use them in your scrapbooks. I covered mine with patterned paper from the Emporium Level 1 Kit and then sanded and inked the edges. I poked the holes with my embossing stylus. I plan to fill the box with my kid's drawings and a few other little treasures from the kiddos.

Woo-Hoo! I am a big time NSD Winner!

I am so excited! I won two amazing prizes on National Scrapbooking Day! My fun little CK Cover below won a prize from Creaking Keepsakes. Check this out...
I won everything in the photo above including the complete (and beautiful) Lovebirds collection from SEI; a copy of Snippets: Mostly True Tales from the Lighter Side of Scrapbooking and an autographed Snippets bookplate (signed by author Lain Ehmann); and a copy of Stacy Julian’s super popular book, Photo Freedom! Thanks Creating Keepsakes! *Ü*

As if that wasn't enough, I also won a prize from Scrapbook Update! If you have never visited the Scrapbook Update website, be sure to check it out! There is a wealth of information on the latest happenings in the world of scrapbooking. On Saturday I won a copy of Brandi Dickerson’s video-enhanced ebook Learning the Cricut DS. Now I just need to buy a Cricut! I think that will be going on my Mother's Day wish list along with my birthday wish list! (Both of which are coming up this month!) Too bad my hubby doesn’t read my blog. LOL!

Bella Friendship Card

Here's a quick little card using my favorite new Bella Paper Packet. I scored some lines on the bottom of the Créme Brulee cardstock and then sanded it with my sanding block. I used some Just Blooms paper flowers with a button in the center. I didn't have anymore green ric rac so I dyed some white ric rac with my Garden Green re-inker. I think I should have added a little more re-inker though because it is kind of light.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Bella Paper Packet
Stamps: Buttoned Together, Cottage Floral
Inks: Hollyhock, Garden Green
Other: Sanding Block, Autumn Buttons, Ric Rac, Hollyhock Ribbon Rounds

Creating Keepsakes celebrates NSD!

Creating Keepsakes is celebrating National Scrapbooking Day by giving away a lot of fun free goodies!

To be eligible for the first giveaway, you have to download one of the magazine covers and insert your scrapbook page, post a link in the comments and let others know about the contest on your own blog. Here is a layout of my daughter making silly faces, although it is a bit squished since the opening on the CK cover was meant for an 8-1/2x11 layout and mine is 12x12. LOL!