I see angels...

First thing I thought of was..."I see dead people"!  I can't remember what movie that is from but when I had all my angels completed for the year, I immediately thought of that...so because it is Christmas & my angels are pretty (at least I think they are), I thought I would change it to I see angels ;-)

So I have been very busy the last few months making items for the various craft shows I am in & I thought I would share some of my angels with you.  They are my biggest seller & this year, my husband (yes, you read correctly) & I came up with a design for mini angels.  What is nice about the large angels is that you can leave them out in your house all year long as their greenery is removable & you can put something else in the place of it so you don't have to worry about packing it up ;-)

If you live near by & would like to purchase an angel, please email me here.  I will post more photos of the other items I have been working on in the next few days or so, but in the meantime, please enjoy a little bit of heaven ;-)

Page Protectors Going Up in Price in 2014...

Just in from Corporate... "The prices of our Memory Protectors™ will be going up with the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book. There are many factors driving this price change. The main factor is that the production costs have been rising steadily all along, but a dramatic line expansion, like the one we have going into effect in the next Idea Book raises our costs considerably, making it unfeasible for us to maintain the same pricepoint. These price changes to our 12” x 12” Memory Protectors will not be affecting any of the Flip Flap assortments, which will continue to be available in the upcoming Idea Book at their current pricing. When comparing prices, keep in mind the superior quality of our Memory Protectors, which we assure you will continue with all the new products in this line. While the sudden change in price presents its challenges, increasing prices gradually would only prolong the process and lead to frustration with the release of each new Idea Book over a period of years." So in all fairness, CTMH has given us 3 months notice for the price change so that we can stock up & I know that I will be as these are the only protectors on the market that truly fit a 12x12 page. Right now, our "bulk" package of memory protectors (50) is $22.95.  When the new idea book launches February 1st 2014, the new price will be $19.95 for 25!  If you are interested in ordering any, now is the time.  Contact me to day to place your order or click here to shop on line. Thanks for stopping by!

CTMH Fall/Winter Blog Hop 2013

I just wanted to recap all those who are participating in this blog hop...hopefully, you blog hop from each one in the order they are listed in the idea book but if you don't, that is ok too...

Starting off first is Tracy Holmes whose paperpack is Laughing Lola...hop on to her site here...Papercraftnut

Next in line is Caroline Bredeson whose paperpack is ProPlayer...hop on to her site here...Caroline's Creations

Then next in line is Diana Saunders who has the paperpack Babycakes...hop on to her site here...Farmer Di Stamps

Then you should be here at Sheshy's Time & as you can see I have the Huntington Paperpack...

Then you finish on up at Heather MacIsaac Hunt's blog who has Frosted...hop on to her site here...Creative Coconut

You will notice that we don't have the Sarita paperpack assigned to anyone specific & that just means that you are going to find it sprinkled in to our blogs as each consultant may have something up their sleeve with that paper pack so be sure to be on the look out for it!

Thanks for stopping by all of our blogs & we hope that you are inspired to create some new amazing artwork using any of the new products shown on our blogs or in our new Idea Book!

Happy Creating!

The Grand Finale!!!

From the moment I laid my eyes on the Huntington paperpack, I knew I had to purchase it!  I also felt the same way about the new Designed Decor Colonial White Frame...I just love all country things & when does chicken wire not scream country?  But I hit a creativity block when it came time to do "something" with the frame & the paper...then it hit me!  I was inspired by CTMH's version in the new idea book but I added my own personal touches.  Once I was all done, I had it laying on the counter in our kitchen as I wanted to show my husband when he got home from work...but he beat me to it as he went in the house before I knew it & saw it.  When I walked in the door, all he said to be was "Beautiful" & then when he saw 2 special details that I added, a few tears fell...I must admit, when my work brings tears (whether it be my quilting or scrapbooking) to those I create it for, I feel inspired to keep doing it.  I create to bring smiles to those around me & with my husband's reaction, I knew I had accomplished that!

So, I used our burlap ribbon ( I think I might love that as much as the Bronze Shimmer Trim!) to create the assorted "flowers" on the frame; I also used the Art Philosophy Cartridge to create the pennants & the font for the title, I used the Artbooking Cartridge to create the photo mounts & the "So" in the title & I also used the Brown & Tan Assortment Sparkles, the Rosewood Collection, the Jute Ribbon & the Mini Clothes Pins.  The only item that you cannot purchase is the stamp set I used to put wings on our babies who are no longer with us as that was a special stamp set from Convention 2010, otherwise, all of the products used are available in the new Idea book.

So that does it for me.  I hope you have enjoyed viewing my artwork as much as I have enjoyed creating it for you!  I will say that I will do a blog hop again...it "forced" me to sit down & do something for me for a change instead of doing what I have to do!  I hope you take some time each week if you aren't lucky enough to do it more often than that to do something that makes you happy.  If I can help you unleash your inner creativity in any way, please let me know.  For that matter, if you have any questions about any of my techniques used in any of my artwork, please let me know!

Thanks for stopping by & spending some time with me & keep hopping along!

Tracy Holmes - Paper Craft Nut

Caroline Bredeson -Caroline's Creations

Diana Saunders-Farmer Di Stamps

Heather MacIsaac Hunt -Creative Coconut

Bling!!

Ok, I lied...I have one more post before the grand finale!

I love that CTMH is trying something new & the base & bling collection is absolutely just so much fun!  I did pick up the necklace kit but I ran out of time to create it before the hop but I did manage to make the wrist bracelet that would be perfect to wear to that country wedding or upcoming country fair dance!  What do you think?  I made it all with just our burlap ribbon & one sparkle from the Brown & Tan assortment...

Ok, so now I promise to go & get the grand finale ready!

Keep hopping...

Tracy Holmes - Paper Craft Nut

Caroline Bredeson -Caroline's Creations

Diana Saunders-Farmer Di Stamps

Heather MacIsaac Hunt -Creative Coconut

How about some Huntington cards?

How about some cards now?  We all need cards & I like to have a variety on hand as I can always use a card & I don't want to bother going to the store & giving someone something made in China when I can create something beautiful right her in Canada with products proudly made in North America!

Here is the first card I made; I was inspired by Sheila's Stamping Stuff but I changed it up just a bit...I used up some of my scraps from the cardstock that was used in my layouts using our scalloped punch, I used a scrap of the B & T on the inside of the card, cut out some scalloped circles using the Art Philosophy Cartridge, the Bronze Shimmer Trim (did I mention that I love this trim?) & the sentiment is from the stamp set Always Grateful which is available in this new idea book...

This next card made me step outside my comfort zone...when I look at this paperpack, I only think of fall but I don't send out a lot of cards that are fall themed so to challenge myself, I went Christmas! I used only the cardstock & B & T from the paperpack, the Brown & Tan Assortment Sparkles, the colour ready ribbon, some scrap from the burlap ribbon for both the background of the tree & in the ribbon as well as the stamp sets from the WOTG (the design on the ribbon which I then purposely smudged to give a used look) & the stamp set To You & Yours...& oh yeah, I used the Art Philosophy Cartridge to cut out the triangles...

And finally, my last card...I LOVE this card!  I "made" my own B & T paper with random stamping an image from the To You & Yours stamp set in various pigment colours & each time I did, I would sponge that same colour randomly around to blur the image.  Then I cut out the flower in 5 different sizes with the Art Philosophy Cartridge again, hand drew on the "artwork" & then distressed the edges.  I also cut out the flowers with the same cartridge & did the same hand artwork.  I used a scrap from the trim on the B & T (you know, that part that lists the colours etc) & some scraps from tearing apart the burlap ribbon & then to finish it all off, a sparkle from the Brown & Tan Assortment...

So that's it for cards.  I will be back with my final post of my artwork & I think I have save the best for last!

Keep hopping along...

Tracy Holmes - Paper Craft Nut

Caroline Bredeson -Caroline's Creations

Diana Saunders-Farmer Di Stamps

Heather MacIsaac Hunt -Creative Coconut

Thanks for stopping by!

Hopping right along...

So, as promised, here is more artwork that I have created using the Huntington Paperpack from the new 2013 Fall/winter CTMH Idea Book...

This is a layout that I created using the new Cricut Artbooking Cartridge...it was so fun to work with & just with a push of a button & a few sheets of paper, this layout was created.  Did you know that the new cartridge creates mini books, 12x12 layouts, borders, photo mounts, overlays, titles & so much more?  I just followed the sizing in the guide & I also took the cutouts from the first photo overlay & used it as a mount for the 2nd photo & then put the little fire cut outs beside it...why waste!  Seriously, this layout took no time at all to create...can't wait to play with it more!

Then I finished up the WOTG kit with the other layout shown:

I also used the artbooking cartridge on this layout too creating the title...

This next layout is one of my favourites that I made!  I used one of the patterns from the newest volume of Make It From Your Heart, our newest How To book...just love how CTMH helps me out by taking out most of the hard work...all that thinking! lol!  I have a lot going on as do we all so that is one of the many things I love about CTMH is how they do a lot of the behind the scenes work with the thinking & inspire us with amazing artwork!  Let me know if you can figure out which pattern it is from when you get your very own copy!

Here you can see the dimension I have added to our burlap ribbon by "folding" it over & tacking it down with some hot glue & you can also see how thick my rose is, again, made with our burlap ribbon.  I also snuck in a new colour to the combination...can you guess what colour isn't part of this paperpack??

I also used the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge for the banner but I used the Artbooking Cartridge for the title.  I also used a stamp from the WOTG set to stamp the wood grain on the title & then embellished with some of the Bronze shimmer trim (love it!) & the Rosewood Collection.

Before I forget to mention, I only ever use CTMH products in my artwork.  I love our products so much that I don't mix & match!

Now, to keep you going in the right track, here is the list of participants in our blog hop...

Tracy Holmes - Paper Craft Nut

Caroline Bredeson -Caroline's Creations

Diana Saunders-Farmer Di Stamps

Heather MacIsaac Hunt -Creative Coconut

Thanks for stopping by & I will be back to post more amazing artwork today!

It is finally here!!! The new fall/winter CTMH Idea book!!!!

So...how many of the new products do you love???  Every fall, I swear I am going to go broke as I always love this idea book the most!  I really can't pick just one product as my favourite, there are too many!  Let me know if you can pick just one...lol!

I am happy to be participating in a blog hop this month with some of my fellow CTMH sisters!

If you are coming to me from Diana''s blog Farmer Di Stamps,  you are in the right place!  Diana has some little ones in her family now so Babycakes was a perfect paperpack!

I picked the paperpack Huntington to create some fabulous artwork for you...

So I started off with the WOTG...I changed it up a little bit as I was mainly concentrating on a fall theme vs the love theme showcased in the kit...

Now notice the photo in the lower right hand corner...see the button?  Here is what I did with that button...

I turned it into a secret photo collection!!

Then I wanted to do the other layout in the workshop...just love how vibrant this layout turned out!

I will be posting more artwork today but wanted to give you a taste of what I have been up to so make sure you check back in later on!

Now, hope on over to Heather's blog , Creative Coconut & see what she has created with Frosted!

Make sure you check out all of the creative ladies on this hop as we are all displaying projects with the new paperpacks: 

Tracy Holmes- Paper Craft Nut

Caroline Bredeson-Caroline's Creations

Diana Saunders-Farmer Di Stamps

Heather MacIsaac Hunt-Creative Coconut

If you are interested in getting your hands on any of these fabulous products, the idea book is now live & you can start shopping here!

Thanks for stopping by & make sure you stop by later on today for more new projects!!

While Supplies Last...& they aren't lasting long!!

With the launch of every new Idea Book, CTMH puts out a retiring list which I mentioned about last week.  But they also have a While Supplies Last section on our websites for products that are "dirt cheap" so make sure you check them out as there may be something there that you can't live without & once they are sold out, they are gone forever...so hit up my website & start shopping now!!

I also mentioned last week that I would be sharing sneak peaks with you each week...so here is your sneak peak at some of the new product coming out...

I wanted to save this as the big finale, but I just can't wait!!  This new cricut cartridge is going to blow your mind away!!  With this newest creation, you will be able to take your artwork to amazing levels!!  There are oodles of images in each of the 15 layout themes, yes themes!!  & you can create coordinating pages for each theme using just 2 keys!!!  There are also mini albums, photo mats, overlays, borders, titles & so much more!!  Not only does it include amazing images, you also get 3 D-sized stamp sets AND 3 brand new design12"x9" dimensional elements!!  And to sweeten the deal, if you pre-order your cartridge through me, I will include the shipping on your cartridge & include the July SOTM!!  Just email me for details on the pre-order & you will be sure to be one of the first to get your hands on this amazing new product that is just going to knock your socks off!  So what are you waiting for!!!??  This amazing deal that I am offering (not valid on any other CTMH Consultant's website) will expire on July 31st so don't delay, contact me today!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sneak Peak Time...

So as Convention 2013 starts to wind down, here is a little teaser of the AMAZING new products that will be available in the 2013 Autumn/Winter Idea Book...I cannot wait to get my hands on the physical book!!  Every year, this is my favourite edition but they have done it AGAIN...made it better & better & have taken it so much further than any other company out there!!!  Just another reason why I LOVE CTMH so much!!  I can't wait to share all the new goodies with you!  Idea Book goes live on August 1st on line but if you would like to get your hands on a physical copy before then, let me know!

So are you ready for your teaser??

This frame is one of the many new items available!!!  Just love it!!  Thank you Jeanette & team for being so creative, ahead of the rest & just plain AMAZING!!

Thanks for stopping by & stay tuned, more teasers to come!!

CTMH Annual Retirement List

Sadly, all good things must come to an end but that only means good things for CTMH as they have to make room for all the new goodies that are released in the Fall/Winter Idea Book which is available August 1st!

Send me an email if you are interested in seeing this list & I will send it off to you!  I know there are a lot of items on it that I will just "have" to get :-)

Thanks for stopping by!

If you are like me, you have been affected by cancer in one way or another.  The Canadian Cancer Society holds events called Relay For Life & since my Mom was diagnosed in 2010, I have participated.  Last year, my husband & I lost our best friend to cancer in April so for the relay, I decided to remember him by purchasing a luminary...

CTMH isn't just about scrapbooks & cards, it's also about celebrating life & by being part of this amazing company, I was able to share with others my boy Springer.

Here is my Mom with a "little help from her friends" Dad ( in the yellow shirt) & Uncle Bill:

Thank you for stopping by today~

Will you join us??

Please join us in helping support the victims of the tornado in Oklahoma as CTMH has released a cute new 2013 Fall/Winter stamp early and are donating 100% of the profits to the Red Cross!!

It is only $2.95, yes you heard me correctly! There is no minimum purchase & no limit on the amount you can order!  Donations will be made on all of these stamp sets purchased between now & June 30th.  It's a win-win!  Start shopping here!

Thanks for stopping by!

FREE Live Webcast Thursday May 30th!!

In case you haven't heard, CTMH has partnered up with Big Picture Classes to bring you a live webcast with step-by-step instructions for making this super cute Happy Thoughts kraft container!  This will air from 7 pm to 8 pm MDT, which is 9 PM EDT on May 30th & anyone with an internet connection can watch but you have to be registered first!  It's not too late to sign up & even if you don't have the same materials, you can use whatever is on hand or make later on as there are FREE handouts too!  Sign up here

Have fun with this & I'll "see" you there ;-)

Thanks for stopping by!

Do you ever wonder??

Do you ever wonder how Close To My Heart is staying "alive" in this uncertain economy?  Well, Jeanette Lynton, CTMH’s founder and CEO, posted a great message on her blog recently that I thought you might like to read. This is such an amazing company, and the fact that we are 100% debt free in an economy like this, just proves how amazing CTMH is.  Read on...

Creativity Now and Always

by Jeanette Lynton

Within the past month, paper crafters have heard and seen some hard news—well-known industry names have announced bankruptcy or removed their scrapbooking lines. It may leave many wondering what the future is for our beloved pursuit of memory keeping and creativity. As the CEO and Founder of Close To My Heart, I have many thoughts on the topic and wanted to share a few with you.

First off, preserving our memories is NOT a fad. It's one of the most important things we do in our journey here on earth, and it's as key as breathing and as sustainable as family. In the past few years, we have seen scrapbooking come into the spotlight and many flocked to set up shop and design products to capitalize on it. While we at Close To My Heart have welcomed the focus on scrapbooking over the past few years, we know that even when the hubbub fades, the core and relevance underneath the hype remains. I have been in the industry for nearly 30 years—LONG before it was "trendy"—and plan to be in this essential industry for decades to come.

Because Close To My Heart will be here for the long-term, we have run our business differently than many others. We are not leveraged to the hilt or financed by outside investors. I have always believed in organic, cash-based growth, and the simple provident rule of spending less than I earn. It's a principle I've applied to business and it's ensured that Close To My Heart operates profitably. We have been profitable month after month, year after year. Our credit rating is excellent, and this protects our commitment to delivering a wealth of diverse, beautiful products at competitive prices while providing secure commission checks for our Consultants, employees, and vendors.

Second, yes, the industry is changing. I welcome and embrace that! In my 30 years in business, I have seen many changes and they almost always yield fresh directions, new products, and a new crop of crafters. Change always brings opportunity! I have long said that as long as little girls are born with hands, they will want to create. I am grateful to be a part of such an important contribution to society and know that this will continue.

Ultimately, I invite everyone—whether you are an existing Consultant or customer, a past purchaser, or even if you have never purchased a Close To My Heart product—to get to know us again for the first time. Close To My Heart is strong. Papercrafting, memory keeping, and creativity are more important than ever before and we provide unique, diverse products for every style and ability of crafter.  Close To My Heart is committed to scrapbooking, and if it's a passion you share, then YOU ARE WELCOME HERE.

If you would like more information on Close to my Heart’s products, hostess program, Consultant benefits, etc. Feel free to contact me. See for yourself if you haven't all ready why this company is "Clearly The Best"!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Does this happen to you??

Ever have your layouts or cards "wrinkle" like this?  This is one of the first layouts I had created & although I love the layout, I hate it just the same...why?? Because I used cheap adhesive :-(  When I first made it, it laid flat, now, years later, this is what it looks like :-(  Don't cheap out with your adhesives; now all I use is the Tombow Permanent Adhesive Roller & don't have any issues at all.  If you are interested in this system, I am a rep for Tombow & can offer you a great price on the 3 pack refill packs, half of the price than what you would pay at Michaels!  If you are interested, please send me an email here for more details.

Thanks for stopping by & stay clear of the cheap adhesive ;-)