Get Organized this Fall!

   The election is finally over. I'm not going to get into politics on here because this is not the platform to do so, but I will say that I am glad to not have the ads and phone calls any more this month. So back to the fun things at hand....papercrafting! Woohoo!

   Papercrafting is very therapeutic for me, but so is organizing! I mean who doesn't like to have a new system to store and display your fun supplies???

   Today I want to share with you another shot blog series I am going to do this Fall/Winter called "Get Organized". Today I have a video I did on how I am storing some products that I find difficult to store and/or take with me on crops and retreats. I think you're going to love this! Check it out on my YouTube channel or watch the video below:

   What do you think? Pretty fun, right? I love this Sea Glass Album, and what better way to store these tools than in a pretty album! Let me know your thoughts, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Happy Halloween!

   Happy Halloween, everyone! We love Halloween at my house, and this year we get to experience trick-or-treating with our little guy for the first time! We know he won't get it and most likely won't care, but we're excited to take him to a few of our neighbors' houses and say hello!

   Since it is Monday and Halloween, I thought I would share a couple quick and easy Halloween projects for you today. I know it might be a little late to make these now, but you can always have them in store for next year (or maybe that last minute card you wanted to make but now need it immediately)!!

   First up is a super cute paper box using CTMH Jeepers Creepers paper from the Holiday Expressions Idea Book. I made this 4x4 box using my WRMK 1-2-3 Punch Board (love this tool), and some adhesive! It was super fast and easy to do! The only difference I made was instead of using the flaps to close the box, I glued them to the sides so you could see the double-sided paper detail. I then cut the "Boo" from the CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge in Tangerine cardstock. This project is perfect for holding cards, treats, and other fun little gift items.

   Inside my Boo Box I had 3 Halloween cards I made. These little guys were inspired by projects I had pinned on Pinterest a while back. I don't know who to give credit to, though, since the pins took me to other re-pins or posts.

   These cards are super simple, too, and only require scissors and a couple circle punches! I used a 1 1/2" punch for the eyes and eyelids then added 1" circles as pupils, noses, etc. I even used a 2" circle to make Dracula's hairline! Pretty sneaky, right? These were so much fun to do, and I think kids would love making them, too, on paper bags or as a banner!

   Lastly, I made this super quick and easy Halloween garland for my house. I planned on using it as a countdown, but it was too cute and I wanted to leave it up! I used the new stamp set, "Monster Crossing", and Jeepers Creepers papers, both from the Holiday Expressions Idea Book, to make the rings of this garland. I stamped the images in lines across a 12x12 paper then cut them down to 6" strips and added adhesive and a mini staple to each one to help it hold. Super easy and fast, which is definitely up my alley!

 

   I hope you enjoyed my Halloween projects for you today! Check back later this week to see what else I have in store for you, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

New Products!!!

   Happy Friday! It's an exciting week for CTMH because quite a few new products were released this week! I am so excited to be able to tell you about all these! So without further ado, here's the low down:

1.) 2017 Planner

      Woohoo! If you recall from an email this summer, I mentioned that mid-October we would be seeing the 2017 Planner from CTMH. Well it's here, and it's amazing! These planner pages will fit in the old Black and Gold albums from last year or in the new Black and White stripe or Sea Glass albums!

      The planner has 12 monthly tabs each with a different design on it for you to color (if you choose). Then each week has a page spread with each day getting its own horizontal box to fill in or journal on. I love this type of layout because I can use Bullet Journaling to record my family memories, notes I want to remember, or ideas I had. I will be posting a video of my planner once I receive it in the mail next week!

      Want to get your 2017 planner?? There a few ways you can order. There are 2 planner bundles to choose from or you can get just the planner pages by themself. The planner bundles include
either the Everyday Life Sea Glass album or the Everyday Life stripes album, as well as
the planner pages. These planner pages come with monthly calendars (Sunday through
Saturday), weekly calendars (Monday through Sunday), 12 pages for notes and
journaling, a clear pencil bag, and three gold paperclips.

     
      Order yours today because these planners are while supplies last only, and won't stick around for long! Let me know if I can help you get your planner today!


2.) New Thin Cuts

      Also released this week are 4 new Thin Cut sets that coordinate with stamps from the Annual Inspirations Idea Book! These are also while supplies last for the rest of the duration of the Annual Idea Book, and are:

CC1155—Swirly Seashells ($18.95; coordinates with C1664 Swirly Seashells)
CC1156—Sweet Birthday ($9.95; coordinates with B1532 Sweet Birthday)
CC1157—Wreath ($10.95; coordinates with A1193 Wreath)
CC1158—School Kids ($15.95 USD; coordinates with D1706 School Kids)

3.) New Tombow Tape Runner

      Starting this week, CTMH has decided to add Tombow's latest tape runner to the CTMH adhesive line! This new tape runner has a better design,  permanent adhesive, and the ability to place tape in the smallest corners for more even coverage. You can get the runner and refill now on my Online Shop!

                      

4.) New Hostess Rewards Items

      Starting November 1st, Hostesses will have new options to purchase with their qualifying 50% off item! You will be able to get exclusive CTMH gear that has only been available to consultants this year! You can get the Whimsy craft apron, the 2015 Convention messenger bag, or the 2016 Rolling Bag!

          So what are you waiting for?? Host a workshop with me today to earn these items for yourself!  

Availability Update:

      Workspace Wonder items will start to become available by the end of the month, but in limited quantities. If you have your heart set on any of these items, make sure and place your order immediately to ensure availability. I will keep you all updated as soon as I find out that this awesome new organizing system is out!

      Shimmer Brushes have been out of stock for a couple weeks now. They are a hot commodity this fall, and new shipments have sold out fast when available. The next big shipment should be here by the end of the month.

    That's it! I know there was a lot of info, but you can contact me with any questions you might have or if you need help placing an order! Happy Shopping this weekend, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Tuesday Tidbit: Technique Overhaul

   Welcome to another Tuesday Tidbit this month! Today I wanted to point out an awesome resource for stamping and crafting techniques. Are you ready for it?? It's super easy to access, and I promise you're going to love all the inspiration! It's CTMH's corporate Instagram account! Have you been following along this month?

   The last couple weeks CTMH corporate has been sharing different techniques on their Instagram account for stamping, distressing, inking, and so much more! There have been some old and new techniques (new to me at least), and I always love seeing comparisons of techniques on the same page.

Different types of coloring techniques: 1.) ShinHan Alcohol markers 2.) Paper piecing by stamping the image on several pattern papers and fussy cutting them out 3.) Watercolor pencils and water brush 4.) Blending Pens and ink pads

Sanding Kit techniques: 1.) Dry Embossing using the scoreboard and sand to expose the white core 2.) Circular sanding with sanding block 3.) Embossing Folder used and sanded to expose the white core 4.) Sanded Edges using the file

Inking techniques: 1.) Swipe stamping at a diagonal 2.) Spritz stamping by inking your stamp and spritzing it with water 3.) Watercolor blending done by putting ink colors on the All-Purpose mat, spritzing with water, applying the ink to your stamp, and stamping 4.) Ghost stamping done by stamping image in White Daisy ink on dark cardstock then re-stamping with a color slightly off-set from the original

   These are just a couple images that were shared last week. Make sure and get on Instagram and start following CTMH at @ctmhofficial to see all the fun techniques they have been sharing. Enjoy the rest of your week, and happy crafting! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

  

Tuesday Tidbit: Many Ways to Distress

   Welcome to the first Tuesday Tidbit for June! Today I thought I would share a video from CTMH about the different tools and techniques you can use to distress your paper projects! I know that this might be a "review" tip for a lot of you, but I like to revisit classic techniques now and then because it's good to be reminded of the simple things we can do to spruce up our everyday projects!

   I love the look of distressed paper, but there are a lot of ways to achieve this look. You can use ink, sandpaper, or a sharp edge! It all depends on the style or look that you are going for! Check out the awesome video demonstrating some of my favorite ways to distress paper projects:

   Heads up, though, CTMH is retiring the Distress Inks this year! So if you are interested in scoring this set of inks (in Black and Chocolate, 1"x1" pads for only $3.95/set), make sure and shop my Online Site today because these amazing inks will sell out fast!

   I hope this has inspired you to get crafty this week! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Tuesday Tidbit: Flip Flaps

   Good Morning, everyone! I hope you're all staying warm on this chilly Tuesday! Today I wanted to bring a classic product back in the spotlight for the Tuesday Tidbit!

   Today I want to talk more about Flip Flaps! If you have not seen these or used these yet, you're in for a treat! These amazing memory protectors are perfect for expanding your layouts, adding more pictures to your pages, adding ephemera and memorabilia to your projects, and so much more!

   Here is a quick video that CTMH made about using Flip Flaps:

   Another amazing consultant from CTMH made an awesome video about using Flip Flaps on her layouts! Lynn Como is the Flip Flap master, and I love how her projects turn out with these awesome added details:

   Aren't these the most amazing products ever??? I love them! Flip Flaps come in a variety of sizes and packs, and you're going to want all of them! You can get a small assortment, 3x4 pack, 4x6 pack, 6x6 pack, and large assortment! Plus they are super reasonable: each pack is anywhere from $3.95-$4.95 each!

 

   Some of you have seen flip flaps on my projects, but just in case you haven't......here are a couple examples of flip flaps in a My Crush book I made about our 2011 summer travels:

4x6 Flip Flaps connected together to make an accordion of photos on my page!

The back side of the accordion Flip Flaps! I was able to fit 9 pictures on this one page! Woohoo!

   Are you ready to try Flip Flaps?? You can get yours today on my Online Shop! Otherwise, if you'll be at one of my upcoming workshops, I have a bunch of Flip Flaps in my Cash-n-Carry stash that you can get in your hands right away! Just let me know, and I'll set some aside for you!

   I hope you all enjoyed this Tuesday Tidbit! Have a wonderful rest of your day, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Fun Card Technique

   Good Morning, everyone! I have had a fun creative week so far! I had the second installation of the Christmas Card Buffet yesterday at my house, and it was a huge hit yet again! Everyone loved the new cards that I added, and all of them walked away with a decent handful of finished and fun greeting cards of all types! Thank you to all the fabulous ladies that came yesterday! I love having creative time with all of you!

   I also have been working on getting my projects finished for the craft fair next weekend! I'm nervous that I won't have enough stuff done, but hopefully I can buckle down these next few days and crank out a bunch of projects! If you need me I will be in the my craft room with a coffee! If you're around the Hastings, MN area, you should stop by and see me next weekend at Regina Hospital-Chapel Lobby! I would love the feedback on my booth and projects!

   Today, though, I wanted to share with all of you a super fun technique that CTMH put on their blog yesterday! Some of you might have seen this already, but it is just too fabulous not to share! I also love that they broke the technique down for us and showed every step in creating this amazing card!

   Check out how to make this card and others like it on the CTMH blog! You definitely can have a ton of fun creating with this style!

   If you would like to order the supplies needed to make your own color splat cards, make sure and visit my Online Shopping Site! You can get all the tools, inks, embellishments, and stamp sets that you'll need to recreate this perfect fall art!

What Tools You’ll Need:
D1604 My Acrylix® Season of Thanks
C1589 My Acrylix® Lifetime of Happiness
Z2123 Goldrush Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2118 Desert Sand Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2137 Olive Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2191 Sunset Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2101 Autumn Terracotta Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2162 Honey Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2643 Canary Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2172 Whisper Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2642 Flaxen Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2641 Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z1380 Spray Pen
1778 My Acrylix® Spritz Cleaner
Z697 Round Sponge
Z2045 All-Purpose Mat

   If you have any questions, please let me know! I would love to help you get crafty this week! Have a wonderful Thursday, everyone, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Tuesday Tidbit: Border Punches

    After too long of a hiatus, I am back with Tuesday Tidbit! Today we're heading back to "Tool School" to explore a super handy tool: border punches! I love CTMH's border punches! They're easy to use, add cute accents to any project, and have trendy and fun patterns!

    CTMH has three awesome border punches in their tool selection! The triangle, chevron, and scallop border punches!

    Each one has an easy to push punch handle, and a storage container for all the scrap pieces! I love this part of these punches! It keeps the mess off my work table, makes for easy clean up, and is an easy to flip open storage section!

Closed storage container on the bottom of the punch. This holds all the little punched out pieces for easy clean up!

The storage container opens in a breeze for easy discard of debris!

    Plus I love that these awesome punches are trendy and perfect for all types of projects! Here are a few of my recent projects using these fantastic border punches:

Scallop border punch on Smokey Plum cardstock

Scallop border punch on washi tape

Triangle border punch on Colonial White cardstock to form a border!

    Do you use border punches on your projects? If not, there's always time to start! :) You can see these and more fun tools on my online site! Hope you enjoyed this "tool school" tidbit! Have a great Tuesday, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Tuesday Tidbit: Back to Basics

   Hi, everyone! Sorry I have not been updating as much I wanted to these last couple days! I have been working on finishing the office/craft room this week! It's really starting to come together, and I'm excited to create in this new space! Hopefully I will have a video tour of the craft room uploaded for you all by the end of the month! Here's hoping!

   Today, though, I wanted to go back-to-basics and share a quick video I made this week for a virtual workshop I hosted online!

   This video is all about getting that perfect stamped image, and all my little tips that help me achieve the perfect image almost every time! I hope you enjoy my video! Let me know if there's other videos you would like to see in the future!

  

   Everyone needs a quick reminder of the basics every now and then! I hope this inspires you to get crafty this week! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Tuesday Tidbit: Versamat

    Hello from Grand Marais, MN! Sorry I have not been able to post much these last few days because we have not had any connection service! However, we found a coffee house in town today to get some late breakfast and caffeine! So I'm back!

    Today I wanted to talk about one of my favorite tools ever: the Versamat (Z1279)! I only recently started to use the Versamat, and now wonder why it took me so long to get one!

    Now most of you know that one of my first tips when we start stamping projects is to make sure you have the foam insert under your project! If you have ever tried stamping without the foam mat underneath, you know that the impression does not always turn out.

   Well the Versamat is a double-sided, 13x13 mat! One side has a hard, self-healing, work surface  containing a 12x12 ruler grid, and on the other side is a large form mat!!! So now you can stamp multiple projects at one time without losing the foam insert to your stamps! I love it!

This amazing double-sided mat is only $14.50!!!

    This mat is also a STEAL at only $14.50 through CTMH! If you don't have one already, you are going to want one! Believe me! I waited way too long to get one, and now I have no idea how I would craft without it! Get yours today on my online shopping site, and start crafting with ease in no time!

    Hope you all are having a great start to the week! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

End of Another Month Already!

   The last day of February! What an awesome month it has been! The new Idea Book release has been spectacular, and the products even more amazing! Do you have any favorites yet? What did you have on top of your wish list?

   It was hard to choose, but here are my top 5 product picks for February and why I chose them:

5.) Embossing folders!

• I love our brand new Embossing folders! The designs are fantastic and trendy, and the slit top style is so practical and makes it easy to have a seamless embossed image on a 12" piece of paper. Plus, it was even more wonderful that you could get these cute Embossing Folders for FREE this month!

4.) Paper Fundamentals Basics Assortment Paper Pack!

• I cannot get enough of this paper pack! The colors are perfect, and the patterns stunning! I also love the double-sided patterns: the resist glossy side and a patterned matte finish side! I cannot make myself cut these papers up yet because I love looking at them, but I do have great plans to use them very soon on some fun layouts and projects!

3.) Timberline Paper Pack and coordinating My Stickease Complements!

• This paper pack and the coordinating complements caught my eye as soon as I flipped through the Idea Book! The color combo is gorgeous, and the patterns rich and smashing! I also love that this paper pack is perfect for masculine cards and layouts! The colors and complements are even more beautiful in person! You must see it!

2.) Picture My Life: Babycakes Scrapbooking Program!

•  Ever since CTMH released the sneak peeks of the Picture My Life Scrapbooking Programs in January, I could not wait to see the Babycakes kit in person! The designs, patterns, cute little animals, and colors are so becoming! I love that this kit also is very versatile! It may seem like it is very "baby" themed, but many of the cards are neutral and perfect for everyday events and pictures! I also love that you get so many cards for the price, and it comes with 10 page protectors to start an album! It's a fantastic deal, and I have enjoyed playing with this set ever since it was delivered a couple weeks ago!

1.) Workshop-on-the-Go: Skylark Scrapbooking Kit!

•  The Skylark papers had me swooning when I saw them released in the new Consultant kit in January, and I could not wait to see more of the collection! Once I received my new Idea Book, I turned straight to the Skylark collection to peruse the beauty more thoroughly! The very first thing I put on my wish list was the WOTG: Skylark Kit because of the Skylark paper pack and the adorable and versatile stamp set that comes exclusively with this kit! I am absolutely in love with the Skylark color combo, and am obsessed with the patterned papers in this kit! I have used these papers on multiple recent projects, and I will probably be using it some more throughout the duration of this Idea Book!

   There are my top picks of the month! It was hard to choose, though, because I have enjoyed so many of the new products from this new Idea Book! Hopefully this list helps you decide on your next "must haves"!

   Today is the last day of February, though, so do not forget that all the amazing promotions and specials expire at midnight tonight! Here's a quick recap of what not to miss in February:

February SOTM: Wild Love

 

   Do not forget to get this adorable stamp set for only $5 with a qualifying purchase of $50 or more this month!

I used Ivy Lane papers, the hexagon patterned paper from the Paper Fundamentals paper pack, and the Feb SOTM: Wild Love! This card was scrap-lifted from Dana Kessler's card on her blog: http://www.danakessler.com/2014/01/31/february-ctmh-sotm-blog-hop-wild-about-love/

I used papers from the Ivy Lane paper pack, the Quatrefoil Embossing folder, bronze glitter trim, and the Feb SOTM: Wild Love.

Embossing is Boss! Promotion

 

   During the month of February you can get the new embossing folders for FREE with a qualifying purchase of 2 bulk cardstock paper packs of your choice!** You save $8.95 just buy stocking up on your favorite colors of cardstock! You cannot beat that!

**Offer valid February 1-28th, 2014. Exclusions apply: Paper Fundamentals, Colonial White, White Daisy, and Kraft Cardstock do not count toward the qualifying purchase. Shipping & Handling is calculated based on the full retail price of $8.95.

Rediscover Love Free Download

 

   This month's FREE download features Valentine cards to use as prompts on your scrapbook pages, in coordination with with the Project Life Scrapbooking Program, or as decorations on your Valentine cards! You can download these FREE, printable Valentines on my online shopping site, Candid Captures Shop! Make sure you get yours downloaded before it expires at midnight, though!

February's Layout-of-the-month: Ivy Lane

   The featured paper pack in February has been Ivy Lane, and the layout-of-the-month (LOTM) uses these beautiful papers and colors to make a stunning scrapbook page for any occasion. Here is what February's LOTM looks like again:

   Would you like to make the LOTM for yourself? Here's how:  If you purchase the paper pack-of-the-month, Ivy Lane, you will receive FREE cutting and assembling instructions as well as FREE die-cuts and stamped images needed to make this layout! You will have plenty of full sized and scrap pieces of paper left over to make other layouts using this stunning paper as well, so it's a fantastic deal to help you jumpstart your 2014 scrapbook albums! Contact Me today with any questions about the LOTM or to place your order of the Ivy Lane Paper Pack!

   That's it for February! It went fast, but it was an exciting month for CTMH goodies! If you would like to see more of the new products and get a chance to use these products on your projects, Contact Me to sign up for the upcoming Workshop Wednesday on March 5th or stop by Candid Captures' Online Shopping site to start perusing for yourself! Check back here tomorrow for all new specials and promotions going on in March, and until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!