Last Day for September Promotions!

   Today is the last day to take advantage of September's awesome promotions! You have until midnight to still get your hands on the September stamp-of-the-month, Poster Tidings:

   You also will want to make sure and take advantage of the National Stamping Month's Trio Stamp set promotion as well, You Are My Happy:

   Lastly, do not forget that Candid Captures has its own promotions for the month of September! If you place an order totaling $25-50, you may choose a My Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad for FREE! If you place an order totaling $51-100, you may choose a My Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad & a My Reflections Paper Pack for FREE! If you place an order totaling $101+, you may choose a stamp pad, a paper pack, and My Acrylix Mini Stamp for FREE! Once your order is placed, I will contact you via email to get your selections for your FREE items!

So don't delay! There are only a few short hours left in the day! Visit Candid Captures Online Shopping Site now to start stocking up on all your favorite goodies! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Holiday Preview Party!!!!

 It's here! It's here! The Holiday Gift Guide is available for viewing at the following link:

Close to My Heart's Holiday Gift Guide 2013

There is some adorable items in this guide including some sneak peeks at some Spring/Summer 2014 stamp sets and new items! There's also a new promotion with the release of this mini-catalog, too!

For every $100 you purchase of retail-priced products from either the Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide, the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book, and/or retail-priced items on Consultants’ Online Business Address (OBA), you qualify for one FREE “starred” item. The "starred" items are marked next to the product numbers and pricing so you can easily find these awesome items!

Several items in the Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide are only available while supplies last, so be sure to place orders for your favorites early! "While supplies last" (WSL) products include:

• Sparkle & Shine Assortment (Z1860)
• Sparkle & Shine Washi Tape 3-Pack (Z1907)
• Workshops on the Go® Sparkle & Shine Scrapbooking Kit (G1071)
• Season's Tweetings Gift Bag Kit (Z1913)
• Season's Tweetings Gift Bags (Z1914)
• Sparkle Holiday Shapes (Z1910)
• Party Washi Tape 3-Pack (Z1908)
• My Creations® Hip Pics Album Kit (Z1915)

These Holiday Gift Guide products are only available from October 15th-December 31st, or, in the case of the WSL products, until they are sold out! So act fast and come see them in person at the Holiday Gift Guide Preview Party, October 2nd, at my house from 12-2pm or from 6-8pm, and start planning your Holiday orders now! A sneak peek at the FREE make-n-take we will be making at the party is coming very soon! Keep checking back often for more updates! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Look what came today!

   Here's a little sneak peek at what came in the mail today! Any of you on the Idea Book & Catalog mailing list will be receiving your own copy at the end of the week! If you are not yet on the mailing list, you can sign up with your contact information under the "Contact Me" tab!

   If you would like to see more of these products in action, make sure an RSVP to the "Holiday Guide Preview Party" on October 2nd! You can RSVP for the 12-2pm workshop or the 6-8pm workshop! There will be a FREE make-in-take at the workshop, and you will get to see these awesome products before you can buy them! Seats will fill fast for this awesome class, so make sure and reserve yours today!

   I hope you all are having a great week! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Close to My Heart Updates

   Happy Wednesday, everyone! I have been busy this week preparing for the Product Party on Sunday, September 15th! I cannot wait to share these awesome projects and ideas with you all! It should be a ton of fun! I still have seats available if you want to stop in! This is FREE event, so definitely come on in and learn about some awesome products!

   I also updated the blog tabs to keep information more accessible. The "Events Calendars" tab now contains all the upcoming event information, times, costs (if any), and descriptions. The "Sneaks Peeks" tab is exactly what it means: previews of projects, upcoming deals, specials, CTMH promotions, projects, etc. Consider it creative eye candy! I will also be updating or adding another tab to feature CTMH videos and tutorials! So look for that coming very soon!

   There have been some exciting things going on this week online as well! Big Picture Classes just released the date of their upcoming "Pajama Party". "Pajama Party" is a free online event that you can participate in to make their featured project, win great prizes, learn about upcoming classes at Big Pictures Classes, and to get creative inspiration from all the talented ladies over at Big Picture Classes! In the past, Close to My Heart as been the main sponsor for "Pajama Party". This month the sponsor is Studio Calico, but it's still worth mentioning and registering for! It's coming up in a couple weeks, and they announced it will be a longer event this month (90 minutes instead of 60 minutes!!!). They are a lot of fun, and what's to lose? You could win FREE products!!! Here's the link to the Big Picture Classes Pajama Party site. I hope you check it out! It's always a lot of fun!

   Have you been on Candid Captures Online Shopping site lately? If not, you might want to! CTMH just added some new "While Supplies Last" items! These are clearance items that will no longer be offered in the Idea Books. Many of the items are deeply discounted, but once they sell out that's it! There are albums, paper packs, embellishments, home decor items, etc. Check out some of these items just added! You may purchase any of these items online to be shipped to your home at Candid Captures Online Shop. You may also contact me to purchase any of these items as well! Whatever works best for you! Check it out:

    I hope this finds all of you doing well and enjoying your week! Contact me if you have any questions about anything in this post or about upcoming Candid Captures Events! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Gift Guide Peeks, Album Value Pack, and other Awesomeness!!!

   As promised, here is your Saturday teaser read! There is SOOO much going on at Candid Captures right now, and it's so hard for me not to tell you all of the exciting news right away! BUT...I have to hold out just a little longer before spilling all the beans!

   However, spilling a couple beans might not be so bad, right? That's what I thought! ;) Have you signed up for the Candid Captures catalog mailing list yet? You're going to want to NOW because those of you on the mailing list will be receiving a copy of the NEW Holiday Gift Guide starting next week!!! This holiday supplement catalog is FREE to anyone on my mailing list, and they get to see it an ENTIRE MONTH BEFORE it is officially released to the public! I cannot wait for you all to see it, so that's why you need to get on the mailing list today! You can sign up by sending me your mailing address on the "Contact Me" tab! The official release is October 15th, so mark your calendars because that is when I can start sending in orders for all your holiday favorites! Many of the items are "While Supplies Last", so products are going to be limited! Start making your lists and checking them twice because this holiday guide is AWFULLY nice! ;)

   Do you want to see and play with the Holiday Gift Guide products before you can buy them? Sign up for my Holiday Preview Party on October 2nd for a full view of these awesome products! Did I mention there's a FREE make-n-take and prizes to give away? Check out all the details under the "Sneak Peeks" tab!

   Now I'm on a roll, and I can't leave you hanging!!!! So I'll share a couple more things coming up very very soon! Do you have a lot of photos in boxes, storage containers, folders, and cheap plastic albums? Yeah....me too! That's why I want to offer a Candid Captures special Close to My Heart My Legacy 12"x12" album VALUE PACK!!!! You will only be able to get this special value pack when you order through me, and it will only be available during the month of January! You will get everything you need to start putting pictures in these amazing and beautiful albums, and at a discount! Keep checking back for more details later on!

   If you would like to see a Close to My Heart My Legacy Album in person, sign up for my Product Party on September 15th where I will be showcasing "Flip Flaps" and how to use them in your albums and on your pages to get rid of "photo overload and overflow"! Check out the "Sneak Peeks" tab for more details.

   Okay here's the last little bit of sneaks! Within the next couple weeks I will be releasing more information on some NEW specials and promotions that Candid Captures will have going on continuously! Here's a taste of what to expect:

1.) Gift Certificate Promotion for the Holidays!!!

2.) FREE stamp sets???? Bring your friends and family to any event, workshop, class, or crop!

3.) Hosting a Close to My Heart gathering is always fun and rewarding! Choose what type of project we make, invite your friends and family, get to see awesome examples and projects using CTMH's amazing products, and get lots and lots of FREE and discounted stuff! Also, when you book a gathering through me, you also get to choose a FREE gift to receive the night of your party! If someone at your gathering books their OWN party, you also receive another FREE gift! That's a lot of free stuff! Get started today by contacting me for more information!

   I told you it was an awesome post! You might want to bookmark or follow this blog because there are a lot of announcements and new events being released all the time, and you DO NOT want to miss out on all the fun! I hope you're excited for what all is happening at Candid Captures as much as I am! If you have any questions, please contact me any time! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Time to Create!

    It has been a long time since I created something for myself! I have been working on projects and gifts for other people for over a year! I think my wedding invitations, decor, and honeymoon book were probably the last few things I did for myself, and really....that doesn't count! That was over a year ago! Can you believe that? My 1 year anniversary is this weekend! Time definitely flies!

   With all these new Close to My Heart products from the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book, I am feeling the itch to create! So that is exactly what I'm going to do; between today and tomorrow, I am going to work on fun projects for me! Of course, some of them I will be using as demonstration pieces at upcoming events, but they are still "me" projects, and I'm excited about it!

   One of the stamp sets I CANNOT wait to play with is one of the new hostess rewards stamp sets called "The Party Is On". It is so stinkin cute! I LOVE the font on it! Here's the full stamp set:

   This is only available to the hostess of a gathering or party if they reach $150 or more in total sales! The stamp set is only $8 for the hostess, too, so it's a steal!

   Did you know you can get hostess rewards with your own order? If you place an order of $150 or more on your own, you can still qualify for FREE Hostess Rewards!!!! Contact me today to find out how and to place your order! ($150-$249 in sales receives $25 in free product credit. Plus, in September, you still qualify for Stamp-of-the-Month, National Stamping Month Trio Stamp set promotion, and for Candid Captures "Celebrate Fall" promotions!....you can't beat it!)

Okay....I have to go play with paper! I'm all excited and feeling inspired to make pretty things now! I hope this inspired you as well! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

P.S. Check back on the blog tomorrow for some exciting news and an inside sneak peek at an upcoming special or two!!!!

Hurry Before It's Gone!!!

   I only have 3 kits left for Workshop Wednesday on the 4th! If you have not RSVP-d with me yet (or ordered your kit to be mailed), you better hurry before you miss out on this fun card and stamping workshop! Only $5 to make 3 cards, but you get enough paper supplies to make 15 total cards! It's a great deal, so get yours today! You can RSVP or order your kit through the "Contact Me" tab up top!



   Coming soon.....more details about the home decor project that we will be making in October for the Halloween Decor Class!

   Also, mark your calendars for September 25th to check this blog for special sneak peeks concerning October's Workshop Wednesday! Peeks and clues will be given for the FREE Make-N-Take project and featured products that we will be enjoying during the Holiday Preview Party on October 2nd! Make sure and RSVP for October's Workshop Wednesday because seats fill fast, and these products will only available for a limited time (only through December!!)! Contact me today for more details!

New Paper packs, stamps, washi tape, and very trendy designs! Check back often for more information on this limited-time collection!!

Quick News!

The "Contact Me" tab was not working properly. However, I fixed it last night and it is now transmitting messages to me properly! 

If anyone tried contacting me through this page, please re-send your message. I have not been receiving anything from this page until last night! I'm so sorry for the inconvenience! I am glad that I was able to straighten it out though! 

Hope you all are having a great Tuesday! 

Workshop Wednesday Preview!

    Here are the three cards we will be making during Workshop Wednesday's Holiday Cards on September 4th! These cards are made using the new "Workshop on the Go: Frosted Card Kit" by Close to My Heart. They also use CTMH's Exclusive Inks, sparkle gems, card bases, and colored cardstock papers! It's only $5 to make all three cards, but you'll receive enough papers to complete 5 cards of each design! That's 15 cards worth of paper products! It's an awesome deal! Make sure and RSVP today for a seat!

   Your kit will also include Grey Baker's Twine, Clear Sparkle Gems, and Glitter Sparkle Gems to complete the 3 cards. Additional supplies (cards, twine, gems, paper, etc.) may be purchased through me separately! Prices will be posted on additional supplies the day of the workshop. If you would like to get the stamp set that is used to make these cards, visit my Online Business Store either by clicking the "CTMH Store" picture on the left or by clicking on the "Get More" Store tab up top! Once visiting my online store, click "Shop" and then "Workshops on the Go Kits". The stamp set is ONLY sold in the "WOG: Frosted Cardmaking Kit". You can get the whole kit (to make ANOTHER 15 cards) for only $24.95!!!! That's a savings of $11.83!!!

   Unable to make it, but still would LOVE to make these cards? Not a problem! Go to the "Contact Me" page to request a "Card Kit" to be shipped to you! The price is $5 + S&H, and can be shipped right away! If you have any questions, use the "Contact Me" form, and I will get back to you right away!

Here's some close up shots of each card:

CTMH Products Used:  Olive, Colonial White, and Kraft cardstock. Frosted B&T Duos paper. WOG: Frosted Card Kit Stamp set. Colonial White Card and Envelope set. Bamboo, Olive, Cocoa, and Twilight Exclusive Ink Stamp Pads. Clear Sparkle Gems (4mm).

CTMH Products Used:   Ruby, Olive, Kraft, and Colonial White cardstock. Frosted B&T Duos papers. WOG: Frosted Card Kit Stamp Set. Colonial White Card and Envelope set. Cocoa, Twilight, and Ruby Exclusive Ink Stamp Pads. Silver Glitter Gems from the WOG: Frosted Card Kit.

CTMH Products Used:   Ruby, Olive, Kraft, and Colonial White cardstock. WOG: Frosted Card Kit Stamp set. Colonial White Card and Envelope set. Twilight, Ruby, Olive, Bamboo, and Cocoa Exclusive Ink Stamp Pads. Clear Sparkle Gems (4mm).

   I hope you enjoyed perusing these fun holiday cards! Enjoy the rest of your week, and I hope to see you next week for Workshop Wednesday!

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Meet Your New Close to My Heart Consultant!!!

 

Time to CELEBRATE!!!! 

    Starting this past week I became a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant! I am very excited about this new adventure! I will be selling CTMH products, hosting home gatherings, organizing classes and workshops, and having a blast doing all this!

   For those of you that don't know, CTMH is a company that specializes in paper crafting supplies and tools (right up my alley!). It's a great company and the products are amazing to work with! Even though I made the decision to not go back to school this year, I really wanted to still do something I loved and be able to do it while still being "home". So here I am!

   Another reason I wanted to become a consultant is because I wanted to start card and scrapbooking workshops for us to enjoy together! Even those of you that do not paper craft like I do; this is a way to learn fun techniques and spend some time together making creative stuff! Plus we can throw in some wine, food, and conversation! What could be better than that?

   With that said, I am starting to plan an Idea Book preview party and Christmas card workshop at my house! I know fall is a busy time of year, but what better time to get together for a couple hours and de-stress by creating! Looking at the calendar, here is what's coming up:

* September is National Stamping Month! 

1.)  I am hosting "Workshop Wednesday" at my house on September 4th from 12-2pm and again at 6-8pm. Please RSVP to this event so I can have enough product for everyone!

Workshop Wednesday will run the first Wednesday of every month* and will feature a make-n-take project that you can do while there! The theme and projects will vary month-to-month, so make sure and mark the calendar! Anyone unable to make the workshop that month, but would still like to make the project can purchase a "kit" from me ahead of time to be shipped to their home address!

2.)  There is a new stamp promotion for the month of September ON TOP of the stamp-of-the-month promotion. It's a 3-in-1 set for $10! Ask me for more details!

3.)  I am also having a "Product Party" at my house on September 15th from 2-5pm**. We will be looking at the featured product of the month, "flip flaps", and there will be special prize 

drawings! Please RSVP to this event so I can have enough product for everyone!

    Do NOT be intimidated to come to a workshop! You do not need to be a "creative" person to do this! The workshops lay it all out for you so it's painless and easy to follow! I also will have lots of promotions, giveaways, and fun prizes at each event! So make sure you check my social media pages often! I cannot wait to help you create something wonderful!

   I am really excited to be doing this, and I cannot wait to share my techniques and crafting knowledge with all of you! If you have any questions about CTMH or would like to see a Fall/Winter Idea Book & Catalog before the workshop, please just contact me! I would love to help you!

   I can't wait to hear back from you all! I hope this finds you all doing well and enjoying your week! I will stay in touch as things progress! Thanks for supporting and helping me as I get started on this new adventure in my life, and please contact me with any questions you may have! I am always here to help!

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

                                                                                                                  Karina McQuistan

http://candidcaptures.ctmh.com

* If the first Wednesday falls on a holiday or vacation day for me, everyone will be notified ahead of time, and a new date will be shared!

**Date and time may change depending on people's availability! I will keep everyone informed of these changes in advance!

A Much Needed Update!!!

   I have been neglecting this blog for far too long! We have still been busy settling into the house, painting, starting some home decor projects, etc. However, I have also been trying to do a lot of crafting! I submitted a couple things to Paper Crafts magazine, but did not get a call back on those projects. I am hoping to submit to Cards and Scrapbook Trends magazines for their 2014 issues later next month, too. Hopefully I can hear something back on at least one of my projects for them! It's a super competitive industry, though, with very amazing and talented people involved! Here is a sneak peek at a couple of the projects I submitted this last month:

Happy Birthday Confetti Card:
Heidi Swapp 6x6 Confetti Stencil, Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber in Gold, CTMH Acrylix Celebrations Stamp Set, My Mind's Eye assorted papers, EK Success Mini Banner Punch, and CTMH Exclusive Ink in Bamboo

Congrats Card with Hexagons:
CTMH Acrylix Honeycomb Stamp set, CTMH Exclusive inks in Bamboo, Sweet Leaf, and Twilight, Congrats stamp from TPC Studios Whimsy Greetings Set, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, and Liquid Pearls in Onyx

   I am also getting ready (and SUPER excited) for Archiver's Scrapfest 2013! The workshop schedules were released last week , and I registered for the ones I wanted this AM! I won't have any scrapping buddies with me this year, though, but that's not stopping me from going! I have been waiting to go back since the end of Scrapfest 2011! It's so much fun! If you want to check it out to see what I'm talking about, go to www.archiversonline.com and click on the "Scrapfest" tab for more information!

   July is flying by all too quickly, and I have lots of projects to get caught up on! Recently I have been making a bunch of cards as gifts and to send to people. Here are a few examples of what I have been working on:

Just Because Bike: Hero Arts Bike Stamp set, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Hero Arts Phrases Stamp, Hero Arts Neon Blue Ink, CTMH Heart stamp from the Be Mine Stamp set, and Distress Ink in Barn Red

Just Because Typewriter: Hero Arts Typewriter Cling Stamp, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, CTMH Exclusive Ink in Pear and Bamboo, Divine Twine in Grey, and CTMH Edger Distress Tool

Mustache You: Hero Arts/Studio Calico Stamp set, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, striped washi tape, CTMH Exclusive Ink in Pear, My Mind's Eye Swirl Paper, and American Crafts Grey Stripe Paper

Anniversary Card: Distress Stain in Scattered Straw and Tumbled Glass, CTMH Life is Tweet Acrylix Stamp Set, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, CTMH Exclusive Inks in Bamboo, Twilight, and Creme Brulee, Distress Ink in Mustard, American Crafts paper from Metropolitan set, and EK Success Border Punch

Thank You Wreath: CTMH Wreath Acrylix Stamp set, CTMH Exclusive Inks in Cocoa, Cranberry, and Outdoor Denim, and Glossy Accents

Sweet Birthday: Distress Stain in Picked Raspberry and Dusty Concord, Inkadinkado Birthday Stamp set, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, CTMH Celebrations stamp sentiment, washi tape, CTMH Bitty Bling, DCWV Harvest Paper, Copic Markers (if you want to know the colors, feel free and comment below), and Spica Markers (Pink, Purple)

Hello Kitty Birthday:  Distress Stain in Picked Raspberry and Dusty Concord, Hello Kitty Greetings Cricut Cartridge, Copic markers, phrase from Fiscars birthday party stamp set, and a Zig black, fine tip marker

Racing Birthday:  CTMH Fast and Furious acrylic stamp set, CTMH Exclusive Inks in Outdoor Denim, Pear, and Barn Red, Sakura Gelly Roll silver pen, phrase from Hero Arts/Studio Calico stamp set, EK Success tag punch, and papers from DCWV Boyhood paper pack

Shark Birthday:  Distress Stain in Tumbled Glass and Crushed Olive, Life's A Beach Cricut Cartridge, MME paper for the waves, DCWV Tahiti Paper for the shark, phrase from Fiscars Birthday Party stamp set, and a Zig black, fine tip marker

   Well I think that's it for today! I hope you enjoyed looking through my latest projects! Let me know if you have any questions on products used or techniques applied! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Update on Application

   I found out the results to the Fancy Pants Design Team the day we were moving. I didn't make the team, and was pretty bummed by it. It seems like it's impossible to "break into" the business and get published when you have the same "famous" designers applying for multiple positions and getting them. Then, of course, I started questioning my designs and projects and whether or not my stuff is any good at all! I would really like feedback from these bigger companies. Even if it was constructive criticism, at least I would know what they were looking for in the end. From my experience thus far, the details for applying are very vague and I have no idea if my application even gets looked at since I am a "no name" applicant. :/ I was bummed all last weekend, but this week I am feeling better about it. I knew I didn't have much of a chance, but it's hard to be rejected multiple times. I need to remember that this is for fun and that as soon as I make it something I HAVE to do...I won't like it! So now I back to feeling creatively energized and ready to get my new crafting space in some sort of order!

   I finally whipped out my new fancy camera to take the pictures of my projects for this last application! I love this camera! It's big and bulky and hard to get use to (because I can't just whip it out quickly), but I love all the settings and the clarity of the pictures. Here are a few shots of the projects I submitted to Fancy Pants Designs (not all papers and embellishments were Fancy Pants papers...I'm a mix-n-match person!):

Wooden Display Stand I made for our engagement pictures using "Country Boutique" and "it's the little things" lines

Example page on the memory display stand using the "Park Bench" line

Another example page on the memory display stand using "The Good Life" line

Layout #1 using "it's the little things"  line

Close up of the title on Layout #1

Close up of small details on layout #1. These chipboard hearts are from Pink Paislee and were sprayed using Mister Huey's and October Afternoon spray inks (mixed to get the right color green to match)

Layout #2 using "Down By the Shore" line

Layout #2 glimpse of the inside of the Flipbook I made

Close up glance at the flipbook on layout #2

Embossed card I made using the "Country Boutique" line

A close up of the card detail and the inking on the flower (using "Bamboo" dye ink from Close to My Heart)

    I hope you enjoyed peeking at my most recent projects! If you have any questions on techniques or products used, please let me know! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Design Team Application

   I am trying to get some projects together to submit to Fancy Pants Designs' Team Call. It would be awesome to work on their team this summer! I love every line they recently released! I picked up a few 6x6 pads of papers from each line while I was at Archivers last weekend. The application is due on Monday, though, so I need to get my butt in gear! It would be awesome to be chosen, but I have a feeling thousands are applying! At least it gives me an excuse to play before the big move! :)

   Here's a sneak peak at a similar project to one that I will be submitting to Fancy Pants:

My niece's 1 year pictures on a display stand I assembled!

   I love this project! It was so fun to do! The one I am submitting will be slightly different orientation with a different set of photos. My niece is cute, but I don't have time to edit and print the pictures again! I have to use what I have on hand for now!

   Well I better get back to being productive and getting things done! My list is only getting longer! :) Until next time: 

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Middle of February already?

   I am in the last week of Creative Bootcamp with some girls I scrap with. It has been a lot of fun and has held me accountable for getting some much needed (and overdue) projects done! I was hoping to post some pictures of projects I have been working on lately, but unfortunately I do not have all the pictures on my computer yet. Here's a couple teasers, though, to keep you interested:

Staggered Accordion Album: Finished girls cover and peek at inside cover design

Front facing pages of the girls staggered accordion album

   

Backside of the girls staggered accordion album

Staggered Accordion Album: Finished boys album cover and a peek at the inside cover

    I will try and post the finished product pictures on here soon! So stay tuned! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Paper and Glue

    I went to my all day crop at Archivers this past Saturday! I had a blast! The girls I went with were fantastic and hilarious! We had a wonderful time, and actually got some projects started. Notice I didn't say done. Here is a preview of what I am working on currently:

Multiple layer accordion mini books

Misted papers and inked chipboard to make the book covers

Embellishments and details added to the inside panels of the book

    These three books I am trying to finish this week because I owe them to friends of ours! One of the girls albums is almost a year overdue! Yikes! I am also participating in "Creative Bootcamp" with other ladies I scrap with in Wisconsin when I go to visit my family. Bootcamp lasts 4 weeks and each week you receive a challenge to work on in order to complete an album or mini-book. It's self-paced overall, though, and in the end there is a chance to win prizes for the hours participated and the projects completed! It is nice incentive to complete those albums and books that I have put off this past year during all the craziness! Unfortunately, though, bootcamp is going on during the month I need to be focusing on packing and cleaning our apartment to get ready to move in 6 weeks! That's okay! I'll balance the crazy with some creativity!

   I hope this finds the rest of you staying warm and enjoying your MLK day! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Merry Christmas......and free stuff.......Ooooo

   Okay now to everyone's favorite topic.....FREE STUFF! Yay! For those of you looking for some crafting and design inspiration, look no further than Heidi Swapp and Pink Paislee this week! Heidi has been posting free downloads the last couple weeks in anticipation for Christmas. These are really nice printable, cut-able (it's a word....), and customizable designs to use for your Christmas decor and crafting! You can find the links at her website:  www.heidiswapp.com

   Here are a couple of my favorite downloads so far, but definitely get them all! It's worth it!

I love the vintage Santa! So awesome!

Perfect! Chevrons and stars? What more could you want?

   Next is Pink Paislee! Now I haven't gotten into the digital scrapbooking world, but Pink Paislee is giving away some Christmas digital files for you to use on digi pages or to print and use as regular papers and embellishments! I use them for the latter. I like to be able to cut them out and use these images however I please! Heidi calls it Hybrid crafting! I think it'll catch on! Here's the link you need to download the fun items from Pink Paislee:  http://www.pinkpaislee.com/pink-paislee-blog/
 

   Well I think that's it for now, folks! I hope this has inspired you to get moving on your holiday projects and gifts! Only a few short days left (yikes!!!). Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!

Another Silhouette Giveaway

I am really hoping to own one of these someday! Here's a link to the contest for anyone who would like to also participate!


http://create.northridgepublishing.com/thirty-days-of-holiday-giveaways-day-5-silhouette-portrait/#comment-255807

The holiday season is upon us! I hope this finds everyone enjoying the start to my favorite time of year! Happy Holidays!

Challenge Post #4: Vinyl

   As promised, I wanted to post a couple quick projects I have done recently using vinyl. Vinyl is WONDEFUL for home decor projects! I absolutely love it! Plus you can get it super cheap online and in many different colors! My go-to website for vinyl use to be Oh My Crafts, but lately they have had issues with their processing and shipping. So I might be looking else where next time I need it (which won't be for awhile...).

   These first few projects are all different photo and scrapbook albums that I decorated with vinyl to dress them up and personalize them!

This is an album I did using vinyl cut outs from my Cricut Expression. I used the "Accent Essentials" cartridge which has a nested circle design on it. I cut the circles in a 2-3 different sizes and two different colors. To get the border effect, I simply cut come of the circles and applied them about an inch to 1 1/2 in from the sides.

This album I made for an expecting friend. The giraffe and the borders matched a photo box I decorated to keep loose photos in of the baby. At the shower, we each decorated and signed a scrapbook page to start the scrapbook album for her! I used the "New Arrival" Cricut cartridge for the giraffe and the bow.

This album I made for my sister a few month back as part of her baby shower gift. I decorated the front and the spine of the album to match the invitations I sent out for the shower (also shown on the table). The same giraffe image was used as the previous one.

   I have a couple more albums I am working on for a couple other baby shower gifts. These ones I would like to try and use Mod Podge over the vinyl to keep the vinyl permanently adhered to the cover. I do not think it will show too much on the album, but it depends on the type of album used. All of the previous albums were leather finish, 3 ring albums.

   The next set of projects were ones I just completed for our wedding last month. These were little "treasure" boxes I made for the nieces and nephews that were in the wedding. They were filled with goodies and games for the kids to play with during the down times throughout the night. They were a huge hit!

These were the ring bearers "Pirate Chests" complete with the skull and cross bones! I used a simple black vinyl to cut out both the image and the names. I stuck the vinyl on there as best I could (the boxes are wood), then used Mod Podge Matte to seal the vinyl to the box.

A view of the top of the "Pirate Chests" with the boys' names sealed on top with Mod Podge!

The flower girls and junior bridesmaid received these cute little jewelry boxes. I decided to make them more personal by added pennant banners and each girl's initial on the top with vinyl. I sealed each of these with the Mod Podge Matte as well. It definitely helped with all the edges on the pennant flags.

A view of the top of one of the girl's jewelry box! These were so quick and easy, but really made it special for each kid! They loved them!

   My last project I am going to share is an etched mirror that I made for the families a couple Christmases ago. The funny thing is, I only got a couple done before we had to move a couple times. So I still owe a couple mirrors to a couple people (Sorry Zac and Nichole...I promise you will get it soon! haha)

   Etching mirrors is very tricky and it takes a little practice. I practiced on a couple small table mirrors I bought at the craft store first to make sure I was using enough etching cream and to get use to using the vinyl as a stencil. I will post a picture of my practice mirror once I find it in my mess of pictures!

   I definitely suggest using transfer tape on the vinyl before placing it on the mirror. It helps keep the vinyl straight and smooth. I also would suggest using some type of vinyl scrapper tool to smooth the vinyl down on the mirror and make sure all the edges are stuck down really well! I use Armour Etch etching cream for etching mirrors and glass. I will post a picture of the finished project tomorrow when I'm not so tired!

   I hope you are enjoying these little creative posts this week! Hopefully you are getting inspired to create your own projects! Like always, if you have any questions or need extra details on anything I posted, please leave me a comment below! Until next time:

Here's to life, love, and creativity!