Recent Projects

   Good morning, paper crafting world! Did you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend? I was able to get outside and start working on my garden for the year as well as some much needed yardwork! I'm still not done, but at least I got some stuff started! We also pulled all our carpet and padding up out of the office, pulled all the carpet nails, and patched the holes in the walls! So now I just need to get up there and get painting! Hopefully today will allow me to get all the painting done without too many hiccups!

   I will be posting pictures of the office makeover soon, but first I wanted to share some of my recent projects that I have been working on this month! Have you seen the pictures of May's new layouts? I'm so excited for how these turned out! I decided to do something different than the usual LOTM. This month I wanted to show what all you could make for less than $10! During the month of May, if you purchase the Timberline paper pack, you will get all the cutting and assembly instructions to make all 3 layouts and all 3 cards! :) It's a new layout/month program! Instead of just 1 LOTM you get 3 plus cards! Plus, I still have a ton of scraps and papers leftover from my one Timberline kit! So I can still make more fun projects with this awesome paper pack! Check out May's LOTM kit:

   I told you these turned out awesome! I'm just sorry it took me so long to get them uploaded on here for you all! You still have time to get your own Timberline paper pack, though, and make these fun projects for yourself!

   I also have been working hard on the next couple workshops! I put up some sneak peeks of this week's Workshop Wednesday, WAH Club project, and June's Workshop Wednesday! You can check out the sneaks, and let me know if you would like to attend any of these upcoming workshops!

   Also, don't forget that June 11th is my last Workshop for the summer! I will not have another workshop until August, but I will have a preview party in July for the new Idea Book release! So make sure and check back here for all the information on that! I also will be updating you from the Annual CTMH Convention at the end of June, too! So you're going to want to follow my blog and Instagram accounts to get all the updates straight from the biggest CTMH party of the year!

   Now for more projects! Have you had a chance to see the new "Free to Be Me" papers in person yet? I love this promotion for the month of May! I received my May SOTM just a couple weeks ago, so I finished up my "Free to Be Me" cards that go along with the layouts I posted toward the beginning of the month! Remember, the "Free to Be Me" paper pack comes with a workshop that gives you cutting and assembly instructions for 2 layouts and 3 cards! Here are the cards:

   I altered the cards just a little to reflect my style, but I love this paper pack! You can get the "Free to Be Me" paper pack for only $5 with a qualifying purchase of $50 or more during the month of May! So get yours today!

   Would you like to see more? I have a lot more to share! :) I also want to share a project that I made for my mom and mother-in-law for Mother's Day this year! I used CTMH's Hip Pics album, Skylark papers, and My Crush Memories Assortment! I scraplifted the idea from CTMH's Rediscover Event that I went to in Bloomington at the end of April! I think you'll love this! It was so easy and fun to make! Here's how it turned out:

   I loved these so much that I'm going to make a replica for myself! If you have any questions on supplies used or products seen, please let me know!

   The last big project I have to share with you today is my recent "Crafting with Cricut" class project! A couple weeks ago I had my Cricut ladies over to start exploring Cricut Craft Room and CTMH's Artbooking Cricut Cartridge! It was a huge hit! Everyone had a great time, and loved making the fun mini album! I did not do a lot of embellishing or stamping on this mini album because I wanted to focus more on the Cricut die-cuts and using CCR during the class! Here's the project we made:

   What do you think? I've been busy, right? Yeah, but this was the fun stuff at least! I hope you all enjoyed my projects from May! I will have more to share with you after my workshops this week! Enjoy the rest of your week, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

More of May please!!

   I definitely need more days in May! I cannot believe that Memorial Day is this weekend already! My mom was up visiting for a belated Mother's Day weekend this last week! She was able to attend one of my workshops and then we enjoyed the beautiful weekend shopping, enjoying the weather, and playing with paper! It was really nice to have her up, but I wish we could have had a couple more days to get things done! She was helping me finalize some plans for my new craft room/office, plan out my garden area , and give me feedback on upcoming workshops and classes! However, I still have a bazillion things to do! Eeeek!

   Before I can start posting recent projects and layouts, though (which will happen this week....I know I know...I always say that), I wanted to update you all on some important announcements from CTMH! As of today, the only Faux Leather Album in stock and ready to order is the Hollyhock Album. CTMH is completely sold out of the Faux Leather Dark Cranberry Album, the Faux Leather Black Album, and the Work-in-Progress Album. However, the Outdoor Denim and Dark Chocolate Albums are backordered until June 4th! So you can still get the Outdoor Denim and Dark Chocolate colors, but there is a waiting list until then!

   Other products that are sold out or backordered are the following:

• Exclusive Inks Markers: Honey is completely sold out
• 12 x 12 Flip Flap Assortment is on backorder until June 9th
• Watercolor pencils are temporarily unavailable until further notice
• Spring/Summer Idea Book 2013 is on backorder through corporate, but you can still get a book through your CTMH Consultant

   Now for some heartbreaking news......I received an email yesterday from CTMH Corporate that the brand new Canvas D-ring Albums are on temporarily unavailable again. There have been some issues with the ring mechanism not closing tightly during the quality control checks. CTMH is working very closely with manufacturing to remedy this slight set back in order to provide you and I with the best products possible! I am so sorry to have to deliver this information to you. I am just has bummed as you all are! I cannot wait to get one of these new albums in my hands, but I will just have to anxiously await a little longer!

   CTMH has not said too much more about the official release of the post bound albums, but last I knew they were hoping to have the Canvas Post Bound Albums ready for ordering at the beginning of June. I will keep you all updated as I learn more!

   I have a busy day ahead trying to catch up on everything I wanted to get done in May! I will be working in my yard, running errands, starting to paint the craft room/office, finalize some upcoming projects, take pictures, and post them for you all to view, and get some housework done (the usual...laundry, dishes, cleaning, organizing, etc.).

   If you have any questions or need to place an order for any of the amazing deals that CTMH has in May, though, I am around to help you out! You can shop my online site any time or contact me when you're ready to get your awesome goodies!

   I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday, and I will talk to you soon! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

New Product Bundles!!!

    I have exciting news to share with you all today! In the last two days, CTMH released information and launched exclusive, discounted product bundles! These bundles are available immediately and can be ordered through me or my online site at your convenience! These bundles are the perfect way to stock up on your favorite products, get a package deal for a gift, or as a great starter set for a beginner papercrafter! Have fun perusing these awesome deals:

Z9980  Stamping Basics

Z2140    Outdoor Denim Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2135    New England Ivy Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2170    Ruby Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2162    Honey Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2147    Smokey Plum Exclusive Inks™ Pad
A1155    My Acrylix™ Quick Cards—Japanese Blossom
A1157    My Acrylix™ Quick Cards—Island Greetings
1778      My Acrylix™ Spritz Cleaner
Z1782    My Acrylix™ Stamp Scrubber
Z1038    My Acrylix™ Organizer

Z9981  Cardmaker’s Quick Start 

Z2193    Cotton Candy Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2195    Lagoon Exclusive Inks™ Pad
B1442    My Acrylix™ Belated Birthday
D1584    My Acrylix™ Big Hug
Y1003    2" × 2" My Acrylix™ Block
Y1009    2" × 3 ½" My Acrylix™ Block
X254      White Card and Envelopes Value Pack
Z1922    Pink Glitter Paper
Z1702    Baker’s Twine Paradise Assortment

Z9982  Stamping Scrapbooker’s Delight

Z2173    Slate Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2118    Desert Sand Exclusive Inks™ Pad
C1574    My Acrylix™ Believe in Yourself
E1028    My Acrylix™ Hopscotch Alphabet
A1159    My Acrylix™ LOL
Y1006    3" x 3" My Acrylix™ Block
1512      Bonding Memories™ Glue
Z679      Liquid Glass
Z1279    VersaMat™
Z1977    Memory Protectors™ Side Load Value Pack
Z4114    Memory Protectors™ 4" x 6" Flip Flaps™
Z1939    Paper Fundamentals Basics Assortment

Z9983  Memory Keeping Fundamentals

X7182B  Timberline Paper Packet
X7182C  Timberline Complements
Z3005    Timberline Assortment
X7177B  Skylark Paper Packet
X7177C  Skylark Complements
Z3000    Skylark Assortment
1512      Bonding Memories™ Glue
Z1977    Memory Protectors™ Side Load Value Pack
9038      Cherish™ Scrapbook Program
Z1151    3-D Foam Tape
Z1851    Scallop Border Punch
Z1912    Corner Rounder
Z1979    Marvy^® Uchida^® LePen™ Journaling Pen
Z1768    Metallics Markers
Z1708    Sparkles Flourishes
Z1918    Teal Shimmer Trim
Z1930    Chocolate Woodgrain Washi Tape
Z1825    Keyboard Kraft Alphabet

Z9984  Essentials Toolkit

Medium Organizer (Z4139)
Craft Boxes (Z4137)
Dot Embossing Folder (Z1924)
Chevron Embossing Folder (Z1925)
Stitch Guide (Z1852)
Piercing Tool Kit (Z1114)
Sanding Kit (Z1294)
Bone Folder (Z1204)
Spray Pens (Z1380)
Create-a-Shade™ Pearl Paint (Z1039)


    Didn't CTMH do an awesome job putting these kits together? I love all the variety! These are available now until July 31, 2014! So there is plenty of time to stock up on these amazing products! Wondering about the price differences? Here's a break down of the collection prices versus full retail prices:

Product Collection	Collection Price:	Retail Price:
Stamping Basics (Z9980)	$65.30	$70.30
Cardmaker’s Quick Start (Z9981)	$73.25	$78.25
Stamping Scrapbooker’s Delight (Z9982)	$132.10	$142.10
Memory Keeping Fundamentals (Z9983)	$133.40	$143.40
Essentials Toolkit (Z9984)	$71.05	$76.05

     If you have any questions or are ready to order some of these fun kits for yourself, contact me and I would love to help you!

     Also, I have a quick update on our brand new canvas albums! These albums are being stocked and ordered as we speak! Unfortunately, this also means that they are selling quickly! The D-ring styles of both the Slate circles and Cocoa Damask were available for ordering this week. However, the D-ring Slate circles album has already sold out!!! Right now the Cocoa Damask D-ring album is still available, but I do not expect that they will stay stocked very long! You can get yours today by ordering through me or through my online shopping site any time! 

    The post-bound canvas albums are projected to be available by the end of May, but it all depends on quality control checks, manufacturing shipments, and back ordering (because of demand). I will keep you all posted as I find out more, though! :) If you have any questions, please let me know!

    Hope you all have a great weekend! I am going to try and get the rest of my projects updated on here this weekend for all of you! Sorry about the delay this month! We are trying to get our office space remodeled, and it's taking more time than I thought (always happens that way!!)! I'll keep you updated on our progress, though, and hope you all get to see the finished project soon! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

National Scrapbooking Day is tomorrow!!!

    Tomorrow is the official National Scrapbooking Day for the month of May! Are you going to be doing any scrapbooking to celebrate? Why not play with paper and have a chance to win amazing product??!?!?!? Check out the event that Big Picture Classes is putting on all day tomorrow:

    Did you see that Close to My Heart is one of the sponsors for prizes? I don't know what they'll be giving away, but I'm sure it will be good! This is a FREE event, so register tonight and check in tomorrow to play along with all the festivities! Have a great weekend, everyone, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Happy May Day!!!

    Happy May Day, everyone! I hope this finds you all doing well and having a great week so far! May is going to be an amazing month! May usually brings more sunshine, longer days, and, of course, National Scrapbooking Month! I told you it was going to be a good month! I have a lot to share, so I better not delay!

     Let's start with all the new specials and promotions during the month of May! A new month means a new stamp-of-the-month! May's SOTM is a very fun one called "You've Got a Friend"! I love the font style on this stamp set! It reminds me of cafe or bistro writing, so I cannot wait to try these images out using chalkboard paper and white daisy ink! Check out these fun phrases for yourself:

    You can get this awesome stamp set for $17.95 or, during this month only, you can get this set for $5 with any qualifying purchase of $50 or more! So make sure and get yours this month! You do not want to miss out on this cute set!

     A new month also means a new featured paper pack-of-the-month! During the month of May I will be featuring Timberline during my workshops, classes, and on my artwork this month! If you remember my post from February, I mentioned Timberline as one of my favorite products that caught my eye when the Idea Book was first released! The colors of this paper pack are amazing! Plus I love that these papers can be used for outdoor themed projects, masculine projects, or rustic themed projects! It's so versatile and fun, and believe me when I say that the pictures in the Idea Book do not do this paper justice! It's much more vibrant in person!

Timberline layout featured in the Idea Book

Timberline Level 2 layout using the Timberline Complements set

Another Timberline Level 2 layout featuring the Timberline complements set

     This also means that the new layout-of-the-month features the Timberline paper pack and the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge, too! I hope you all enjoy this LOTM as much as I loved making it! 

**Picture of the May LOTM will be uploaded later today**

    You can make this LOTM for yourself as well! All you have to do is purchase the Timberline Paper Pack or Timberline WOTG from Candid Captures during the month of May. Then you will receive the die-cuts, stamped images, and assembly instructions for FREE! It's a fantastic deal, and a great way to kick start your scrapbooking pages!

    If you have been following along with my LOTM promotions, this is already layout #4 for the year! We're a third of the way to a year's worth of layouts complete! So make sure and get your paper pack today so you can craft along with me to get your layouts completed!

    A new month also means that CTMH has released a new Rediscover download! This month the theme is "Rediscover Beauty", and the FREE download features watercolor, brush-font cards! These are so cute and trendy! The brush-font has been showing up everywhere in the papercrafting world, so I love that CTMH is offering these card versions for free!!! I cannot wait to print these out and use them on my Picture My Life pages, as title cards on my scrapbook layouts, and on the front of some greeting cards! Check them out:

  
    You can download this FREE, printable card set on my online shopping site, Candid Captures Shop! Make sure you get yours downloaded and saved before it expires at the end of the month, though!


    Now for the brand new promotion you all have been waiting for! It's that time of year again! May is National Scrapbooking Month, and CTMH is celebrating by offering a brand new paper pack called "Free to Be Me" for only $5 with a qualifying purchase of $50 or more during the entire month of May!

    This paper pack is amazing! It comes with:

• 6 sheets of B&T Duos Paper (2 of each design)
• 6 sheets of coordinating UV-coated cardstock papers (2 of each color)
• 2 printed vellum sheets

     That's not all either! This amazing paper pack comes with a workshop guide and assembly instructions for 2 double-page layouts and 3 cards that also utilize the May SOTM, You've Got a Friend! This is what my two layouts looked like when I put my kit together:

"Free to Be Me" workshop layout #1 featuring the "Feathers" and "True to Life" stamp sets!

Close up of page 1 of the main layout. The teal cardstock is UV-coated to give a resist sheen to it! You can see the gold polka dot vellum paper, too!

Here is a close up of page 2 from the main layout! I love these colors together! It's so fun and vibrant!

"Free to Be Me" layout #2 from the workshop guide! This layout features the "Feathers" and "True to Life" stamp sets as well!

Here is a close up of page 1 from the 2nd layout. You can see a little bit of the feather printed vellum toward the bottom of the picture!

Here's a close up of page 2 from the 2nd layout! In this picture you can see the UV-coated sheen on the green cardstock, as well as the sheen dots on the red cardstock (matting in this picture)!

    Don't you just LOVE this paper pack? These colors, the patterns on the papers, and the printed vellum......oh goodness! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! I will be posting pictures of the cards from the workshop guide as soon as I receive my May SOTM!

    Here's another awesome thing about this paper pack promotion! If you spend $50 or more in the month of May, you can get the May SOTM and the "Free to Be Me" paper pack for only $10 more! That's a 67% savings (retail total of $29.90)! If you spend $100 or more in the month of May, you have the opportunity to get 2 packs of the "Free to Be Me" paper packs and 2 May SOTM sets for only $20 more! It's the perfect deal to stock up on these amazing products!

    A new month also means new workshops and classes with Candid Captures! The new Crafting with Cricut class is coming up on May 16th from 6:30-8:30pm at my house in Hastings, MN! We will be exploring Cricut Craft Room online and CTMH's Artbooking Cricut Cartridge! We will be making a mini album using Timberline papers, Timberline Complements, and Artbooking die-cuts! More information and pictures will be posted under the Events Calendars and Sneak Peeks tabs!

    The next Workshop Wednesday will be May 28th at my house in Hastings, MN from 12-2pm and again from 6-8pm! Soon you will find more information about this amazing, new workshop under the Events Calendars tab on this blog!

    If you have any questions about any of these new promotions, specials, or workshops, please let me know! I would love to assist you with what you need! I hope to see you all at one of my upcoming events, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!