Mojo Monday 252 {Soar}

I don't know if the rules of Mojo Monday allow for doing LOs instead of cards, but I really wanted to do a layout today.  :)

I also wanted to use the July SOTM.  Here's the sketch:

And here's my take on it.  For some reason the Lagoon CS looks super bright in these pictures.

I added butterflies in the place of the hearts to go with the Soar stamp.

And I sometimes feel like my daughter needs to know the truth....

I really love how this one turned out.  I think I will frame it for her room.

Remember today is the last day to grab the July SOTM!
Meredith


Supplies:  all CTMH unless noted
Paper:  Lagoon CS, Creme Brulee CS, New England Ivy CS, Sweet Leaf CS, White Daisy CS, Footloose B&T
Ink: Lagoon, Versamark, Creme Brulee
Stamp: Live Out Loud (S1207)
Other:  White Daisy EP, foam tape, edge distresser, micro-tip scissors, sponge dauber, Cricut Art Philosophy, adhesive pearls, bonding memories glue.

Crazy Nails!

Here's a new mani that I only wore for a little bit.  It started out all "cool let's call this one firecracker nails" and ended kinda "looks like a slammed a hammer on my nails."

You're kinda anxious to see them now, aren't ya?

I was going for the reverse of glitter on the tips.  And I was going to do one nail, but then I thought it looked so neat I did all of them.  Then I wore it for a few hours and every time I caught sight of my nail I did a double take.  They looked a little too Halloween.

Here's the formula:  one coat Orly 'Spark', one coat Princessa 'Picking On Waikiki', accent with Sally Hansen 'Rockstar Pink'.

See ya later,
Meredith

Five Studio J Layouts!!

Well I finally finished designing my layouts in Studio J.  Because I kept wanting to make more and more layouts!!  Here are the five I made this weekend.  The first is a LO of our Thanksgiving trip to the Cowboys game.  (Since my blog layout may cut off some of the details please click to enlarge the pictures and see the full layouts.)

This next one is a LO of my son's second birthday.  I love it SO much.

Here is a LO of my daughters in their various dance outfits.  My sweet Mirielle had to miss her first recital because she was in the hospital with pneumonia, so this layout is a little bittersweet to me and I tried to capture that in the journaling.

Next up is a LO of my beautiful niece.  She arrived VERY quickly!  And when I arrived at the hospital to see her I could not stop taking pictures!!

My final LO is of a recent experiment.  We dyed Delaney's hair with Kool-Aid.  Fun and entertaining...

These were so much fun to make.  Of course there was a bit of a learning curve.  The best thing you can do is just play around with it.  I highly recommend trying it out.  I was the biggest skeptic you will meet about digital scrapbooking, but this is a quick and fun way to get some pictures in the album.  And if you're not happy with how a page is going you can just start over without having wasted any paper at all!

I found that when I got weary of a design I would step away for a bit and then come back with fresh eyes.  The same way I do with traditional scrapbooking.  Oh and another bonus...many retired paper packs are still available in Studio J!

Let me know what you think if you try it out!
Meredith

Experimenting with Studio J

I was flipping through an old Idea Book yesterday with the kiddos playing outside in the water hose.  (Well I'm not going to take a new Idea Book out there to get soaking wet!)  And I saw some papers that I wish I had ordered.  I thought they would work perfectly to scrapbook our trip to the Dallas Cowboys football game this past Thanksgiving.  Then it hit me!  I bet that paper is in Studio J.  And, shamefully, I've never used this tool from CTMH.

I decided to just bite the bullet and try it out.  So last night--with kids up way past a respectable hour--I had to do something to keep myself awake.  I logged in and decided to search through the new Express Collection.  The Express Collection are layouts that are already designed and all you have to do is drop in your photos and journaling and that's it!  You can even add some embellishments.  There are 60 layouts to choose from.

I found a perfect layout.  It was grey, blue and white with swirls and stars.  Absolutely made for my game day photos!!

I have to say after dragging my feet to finally use Studio J I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to use and how cute the layout look.  I wish I could share them here, but as soon as I purchase them (and the others I created from scratch) I'll post pictures of them.  I'm really excited to see them in person!

Until next time,
Meredith

New and Old {First FB Drawing}

I did a little drawing on my Facebook page for people who "liked" my page.  The winner chose a card set as her prize and here are of a few of the cards she'll be receiving.

The first card is using the beautiful Lucy papers.  And if you like these papers you need to grab them before August 1st!  For this card I stamped on the brand new canvas shapes with our new pigment ink.  It works beautifully!

The second card is my favorite.  I am loving the new Flirty papers--and silly me--I didn't even order this set!!  I will have to amend that!

And this final one is made using almost all retired product.  {{Sorry}}  I just went for the masculine stamp and that's how it came together.  The inside is stamped with a Happy Birthday sentiment.

I hope the contest recipient enjoys them.  I made the embellishments/layering pretty flat:  A. I'm shipping them to an Air Force base in Germany, and B. If she wants to mail them she probably will need them to be flat also.

Thanks for stopping by!
Meredith


Supplies: all CTMH unless noted


Happy Birthday card:
Paper:  Lucy B&T, Colonial White CS
Ink:  Cotton Candy pigment
Stamps:  Casual Expressions (D1525)
Other:  Pewter brads, Color Ready Noted Canvas Shapes, adhesive, Scallop Punch (SU)


Thank You So Much card:
Paper:  Lucy B&T, Flirty B&T Colonial White CS, Slate CS
Ink:  Slate 
Stamps:  Thank You (D1361)
Other: Sparkles Assortment Black and Grey, edge distresser, foam tape, micro tip scissors, adhesive, sponge dauber


Sailboat card:
Paper: retired--sorry I can't remember the name
Ink:  Heavenly Blue, Outdoor Denim (inside sentiment)
Stamps:  New Horizons
Other: oval cutter, adhesive

July Stamp of the Month

Close to My Heart offers a special stamp every month available at an awesome discount with a qualifying purchase.  If you spend just $50 with me you can get this month's stamp for only $5!  It's a great deal!!  And it's only available until the end of July.

Get yours while you still can!

You can visit my shopping page to see the recipes for this art and to start shopping for this great deal!

See you soon!
Meredith

Convention Cards {final two}

Here's the last of the cards I made.  Probably two of my favorites.....

They came together super fast.  I probably finished them both in less than 30 minutes.  That may have been because two out of my three children were asleep.....

Until next time,
Meredith


Supplies: all CTMH unless noted
Paper:  Flirty B&T, Dakota B&T, La Belle Vie B&T, Goldrush CS, La Belle Vie CS
Ink:  Slate, Blush
Stamps:  Stars Shine Bright (D1532--gift to convention goers) Approved (C1521)
Other: Artiste cartridge, Mini Medley Accents-Slate, Sparkles-Black and Grey, Baker's Twine-Havest, Silver Shimmer Trim, foam tape, adhesive

Mojo Monday 251 {Dakota}

I haven't played along with a challenge in literally years.  And to break back into the challenge scene (with my new blog) I decided to start with Mojo Monday.  Their sketches are always so cute!  Just take a look at this one...

I immediately wanted to put a pair of cowboy boots where that flower is!  Don't ask!  Anyway--here's my version...

On the inside I might write: like a pair of sparkly pink cowboy boots!  I have to say I'm still loving the new Slate grey from CTMH.  Ah, and glitter.  A girl can never have too much of it, can she?

Speaking of too much, I recently bought my first pair of cowboy boots since high school!!  {which was--ahem--almost twenty years ago}  They are pretty cute even if I went with distressed tan.  I may go back and get another pair in chocolate...lol

Thanks for stopping!

Meredith

Supplies: all CTMH unless noted

Paper: White Daisy CS, Slate CS, Dakota B&T

Ink: Hollyhock, Slate

Stamps: Stars Shine Bright (D1532--only available to 2012 convention goers)

Other:  edge distresser, foam tape, prisma glitter, shimmer tape, sparkles

Convention Cards {part two}

Here are two more of the six cards we were able to put together from our convention packets.  Again I have to say I love the fresh color palette.  It's really inspired me to think out of the box when I start putting my own stuff together.


This card is a two piece.  The woodgrain card fits into the little sleeve.  So adorable!

This next one I have to admit I'm a little on the fence about.  It's just not my favorite, but I thought I'd post it anyway.  It's growing on me (wink).

Hope you enjoyed these.  And hopefully I'll have the final two for you tomorrow.
Meredith


Supplies: all CTMH unless noted
Paper:  Flirty B&T, Colonial White CS, Goldrush CS, Dakota B&T
Ink: Slate
Stamps:  Pun Fun (C1505)
Other:  Sparkles-Black and Grey, Baker's Twine-Harvest, Silver Shimmer Trim, Foam Tape, Liquid Glass, Micro-Tip Scissors, Sponge Dauber, Mini Medley Accents-Slate

Convention Cards

We received so many great projects to make at the CTMH Convention.  Here are two of the six cards.  I made them both yesterday evening.  It's pretty quick and easy when the paper is all cut and the plans are all laid out!  

I have to say I love the way CTMH is using color.  They are throwing fresh combinations together and I totally love it!  For example the way these have the tried and true pink/grey combo with another color thrown in...orange or green.  So funky and fresh!

I also am a little in love with the new accessories like resin flower pins and baker's twine.

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend,
Meredith


Supplies:  all CTMH unless noted
Paper:  La Belle Vie B&T, Colonial White CS, Dakota B&T, Raspberry CS
Ink:  Slate
Stamps: Pun Fun (C1505) Stars Shine Bright (D1532--gift for convention goers) Approved (C1521)
Other: Cricut Artiste, Mini Medley Accents-Slate, Baker's Twine-Harvest, Glue Dots, Liquid Glass, Foam Tape, adhesive, Sparkles-Black and Grey

Suess!

I have already shared how much I absolutely heart ::whimisical ideas by pam:: polish.  It is so lovely.  And has a wonderful formula and great staying power.

Today I am wearing Suess, which is the first of her polishes that I saw on the web.  Oh and now I own five of them and have a list for four more that I want.  It is possible to get your hands on these.  Simply email her (directions are on her FB page linked above) and in a bit you will be opening them up!!  It took about two weeks to get mine from the time I sent my email.  Not to bad for handmade polishes.


Anyway here's the polish--

And as usual I have to apologize for my sad little cuticles and sad little photo taking skills.

Until next time,
Meredith

Deepest Sympathy {Pemberly}

When I made this card, the day was overcast and rainy.  It makes for a cozy afternoon and maybe the deary skies led me to make a sympathy card.  I tend to steer clear of dark colors for sympathy cards, but at the same time I wouldn't go overly bright.  Enter the Pemberly papers.  Perfect colors!

I tried something new on this card.  I used an X-acto knife to cut portions of the B&T and then popped the pieces up with foam tape.
  

I think if I had a sewing machine set up I would have tried some stitching on this one.  It just seems like it would have worked here.  


I also chose a larger size card.  I think most people usually like to write something special in a sympathy card so I left it blank and open.


See you soon,
Meredith


Supplies:  All CTMH unless noted
Paper:  Pemberly B&T, Vanilla Cream CS
Ink:  Desert Sand
Stamps:  Card Chatter-Sympathy (D1476)

Other:  Sponge Dauber, foam tape, Opaques Licorice, X-acto knife (Harbor Freight Tools)

SHE Mini Album {Mirielle, Age 4}

The convention was a little overwhelming for me.  So many new people and a ton of beautiful artwork.  I decided to take most of the Create N Takes home to complete.  Here's a mini album we were given (pre-cut and with instructions) that showcased some of the new products.  It was supposed to be titled "ME", but I don't have that many pictures of myself.  And since my 4 year old's baby album isn't even started yet, I wanted her to have this one to herself.  

This was made with all new products...except the twine I used to bind it.  That was my fault.  I had the Slate ribbon to use, but I just lost patience with it and then later realized that I forgot to mount all the paper to the DE shapes.  That would have helped.  Anyway--these little mini album pages are just a few of the 700 images that you can cut with the new Artiste Cricut cartridge.  It has so many cute shapes and holiday stuff AND tons of 3D.  Here's a LINK to the booklet.

PS Did you notice the glitter ribbon?!?  Swoon!!

Until Next Time,
Meredith

You're Sweet

I put this card together using a new stamp set I received at the 2012 CTMH Convention.  It's a great set that is perfect for making cute cards!

I paper-pieced the cupcake and colored the icing with the new alcohol marker and then, of course, had to douse it with Prisma glitter--the shinest stuff on earth!

More to come!
Meredith

Supplies:  All CTMH unless noted
Paper: Lucy B&T, Sweet Leaf CS, Creme Brulee CS, Colonial White CS
Ink:  Slate, Cotton Candy (marker)
Stamps:  Pun Fun (C1505)
Other:  Blush organdy ribbon, edge distresser, Glu Dots, Bonding Memories Glue Pen, Micro Tip Scissors, Prisma Glitter, adhesive (Hobby Lobby)

Convention Re-cap {part one}

Chantilly Ballroom, Saturday

Well I am back at home!  What a whirlwind adventure!  I have to say that I really enjoyed getting to meet so many people so intent on sharing CTMH with friends!

And seeing all the exciting new products was not too shabby either.  ;)  For this post I wanted to focus on the people and the place.  First, the people.

Here's a picture of me, my upline Lisa Stenz and my new friend Susan.

Susan, Me, Lisa (L-R)

I have to say these women were just so sweet!  Lisa is a real jewel and I am so thankful to have her as an upline.  And Susan is just as wonderful.  As newbies, we helped each other find our way around and keep each other company.  We also are keeping in touch so we can bounce ideas off each other.

The following picture was taken at the Awards Banquet on Friday night.  Lisa received awards and was also appointed to the 2012 Advisory Board.  A great big Woo-Hoo to her!!

Paige, Me, Noelle, Christine, Vanessa, Lisa, Lisa, and Susan (L-R)

Now for some pictures around the hotel.  It had an Asian theme.  And I couldn't help but feel like a tourist in a museum carrying my camera around and snapping pictures of the artwork.  Here's some shots I got....

little heads that I first thought were bugs

figurines carved in what looked like 'pink' jade

the amoeba...it changed colors and shape, hung from the top of the atrium

giant elephant!

angry art 

kind of haunting

really haunting

good to know the hotel doesn't support mao

in the garden

a huge statue

Next time I'll post about some new products!
Meredith