Take Twelve Layout - January

In a previous post I shared my January Take Twelve photos. Now, here is my finished layout.

I used the sketch provided in the challenge and some leftover papers I had in my stash. I kept my stamping to a minimum by stamping the numbers for both the photos and journaling.

I'm really looking forward to this challenge next month. It's nice to be able to stay current this year and not feel so overwhelmed with all the photos.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 
Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, KI Memories Scrapbook Kit
Stamps: Token Alphabet
Ink: Goldrush, Cocoa
Other: Ribbon and Stickers (KI Memories Scrapbook Kit)

Cupcake Toppers

I'm working on using up my stash of papers so when my son celebrated his 2nd birthday Jan 21 I figured I'd use my scraps and make handmade cupcake toppers! This is a perfect activity to do while your cupcakes are baking and cooling (see tutorial below).

He shares his birthday with another little boy so we decided to have a joint party. We kept it small with family only and we all seemed to enjoy ourselves more!

The top cupcake uses the January SOTM to highlight the special occasion. I cut two scallop circle at 3" and two circles at 2 1/2". I used  3D Foam Tape to add the toothpick and each side together. It was looking a little bland so I added a small dollop of Glitz Glitter Gel to each scallop.

The rest of the layers used a simple accordion flower and the Token Alphabet Stamp Set for each boy's initial.

I love the way these turned out and so did everyone else! They were a huge hit!

Below is a step-by-step tutorial on how I made them. Let me know what you think or if you've done this yourself.

1. To make these start out with eleven 1" x 12" pieces of pattern paper and twenty-two punched circles.

2. Score each one in 1/4" increments and accordion fold. Add adhesive to the ends and connect.

3.Fold into center and add strong adhesive (I used a glue gun) to adhere accordion flower to punched circle. You may need to "fight" with the paper a bit. It's OK! If you don't adhere something to the middle the flower will pop back up. 

4. Turn over and add more glue, a toothpick and the another punched circle.

5. Decorate center as desired. To keep mine simple I stamped initials using the Token Alphabet set and another punched circle.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 
Paper: You Rock (retired), American Crafts Textured Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock, Grey Flannel Cardstock
Stamps: Token Alphabet, January SOTM
Ink: Grey Flannel, Outdoor Denim, Cranberry, Topiary
Other: Circle Punch, Glue Gun, Toothpick, 3D Foam Tape, Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Glitz Glitter Gel-Bronze

Sweet 16 Birthday Card

I was recently asked to make a Sweet 16 Birthday Card for a customer. The only guidance I had was that she liked green.  Here's what I came up with:

It's a 5 x 7 card. Since I wasn't sure of her likes or dislikes I kept it pretty simple. For the dimensional numbers I first colored them with a Chocolate Marker. Then, I stamped them with Colonial White Ink using the same image I used on the card front. A little ribbon and some bling and it's done! Hope she likes it!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 
Paper: Key Lime Green, Crystal Blue, Colonial White, Chocolate
Stamps: Friendship (former SOTM),Fill In The Blank, Party Pennants
Ink: Chocolate, Colonial White
Other: Dimensional Elements Numbers, Colonial White Ribbon Rounds, Sparkles

Spring/Summer Open House

If you live in the Northern VA area please join me for my Spring/Summer Open House on Saturday, January 28th from 10 am - 12:00 pm (directions and address will be sent with RSVP).

I'll show you the newest CTMH products and you'll get a chance to play by making this sweet bookmark with the new stamp set, Card Word Puzzle!

I will have Idea Books for sale as well as some retired products at a deep discount. If you can't make it and would like to order an Idea Book please let me know and I will get one sent ASAP! You can also earn one for free...just ask me how!

Use Your Stash Blog Hop

If you are joining us for the "Using Up Your Stash Blog Hop" you are right on track. WELCOME! You should be coming from Ann-Marie's blog. I'm so excited to be participating in this challenge hop. Lord knows I have a ton of items stashed up and I look forward to bringing out some of the old and making it new and fresh again.

There are 9 participants this month. If you get lost along the way you can see the entire list of hoppers on Rachel's Blog. 

Today I am showcasing the "You Rock" paper set and coordinating Stickease to highlight my oldest son riding his bike without training wheels. Yeah Luc!! 
This layout was super easy with the stickers and has zero bulk. Both pictures are 4 x 6. To highlight my sweet boy I used one of the sticker frames on top of the layout to draw attention to him and not the house behind him.

Unfortunately this set is retired but the Hooligans set would be a great alternative and it's on sale on my website!

I have a few more pieces to this set and I'm working on a follow-up post with some fun food decor items so stay tuned for that. Now hop on over to Wendy's blog for more ideas of using up your stash.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 
Paper: Grey Flannel Cardstock, Your Rock (retired), American Crafts Cardstock
Stamps: none
Ink: none
Other: You Rock My Stickease, Page Maps Sketch, Miss Elizabeth's 2-Sided Clear Stickers

Another Argyle Card

I was so inspired by the Argyle Technique from our recent blog hop that I made this card with my version of an argyle pattern.

I didn't have an argyle stamp set so I decided to make my own. I used the backside of a square stamp (love that I can do that with an acrylic stamp) and stamped it on top of my B&T paper using Black Ink. Then, I lightly drew a stitching pattern with a pencil and the CTMH ruler and used my piercing tool to add evenly spaced sew lines. I finished it off with some hand-stitching and voila!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 
Paper: Typeset Level 2, Black Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock
Stamps: Boys at Play (C1386), X-Treme (D1432)
Ink: Vineyard Berry (Z2157), Black
Other: Edge Distressor, White Embrodiery Floss, Ruler, Piercing Tool

Technique Blog Hop - Argyle Technique

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month we are highlighting the Argyle Technique as shown on page 91 of the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book!  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique.  If you would like to start from the beginning, please visit this link.  While there you will also find a listing of all participants and their blog addresses if you should get lost or want to reference a blog along the way.  Let’s get started!


If you've arrived from Lisa's Blog you are on the right track! I've been enjoying simple designs lately so when I saw a card on page 114 of the current Simply Handmade Magazine (Northridge Publishing.com) and I knew I had to do my version of it. 

I started out by using the capital letter 'V' from The Works Alphabet and Grey Wool Ink. Once the first row was finished I turned my block and stamped in the open spaces of the first row.

I continued this alternating process until the whole 4 x 4 card front was created. Once I got going it didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would!

I finished my card off with a scrap of black cardstock and the Irresistibles Lots of Dots set to finish off my sentiment. Of course I had to add a little bling to my felt flower!


Thanks for stopping by. I'd love to know what you thought of my card so please leave me a comment below.  Please continue onto Judy's Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique!  Happy Hopping! 

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 
Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Black Cardstock
Stamps: The Works Alphabet (D1195)
Ink: Grey Flannel (Z2125), Grey Flannel Exclusive Inks Marker (Z2324)
Other: Lots of Dots Irresistibles (Z1261), Sparkles (BULK232), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Felt Heart

Take Twelve Challenge

This year I'm all about challenges! I signed up for this wonderful class from Ella Publishing. It's called Take Twelve. The goal is pretty simple: take 12 photos on the 12th of each month. Not only is it a photography challenge but it's also a wonderful scrapbook class to get 144 memorable photos scraped during the year. For those of us that like more guidance, this class provides awesome lists with specific themes each month that will help tell your family life as it is on the 12th. I may not stick to the list every month but I love that it gets me thinking about taking photos besides the typical sports/birthday/holiday.

January's theme is "Taking Inventory" so that's what I followed. Here are my photos of my life on 1/12/12. I haven't cropped, adjusted or mucked with these photos. They are straight off my camera. I'll worry about all that stuff when I scrap them later.

I can't wait to get these photos on a layout (this challenge even provides sketches each month). I hope you'll follow my journey and share a link to yours. I'd love to check it out and see what your 2012 is like! If you would like to participate in this challenge (even if it's after the 12th) go here and sign up! The cost is super reasonable (and there is a discount code in the link). I don't benefit from you signing up but I think this is a worthwhile investment into recording your family life.

First Christmas Layout

I'm using up my stash of  paper and wanted to share this Believe WOTG layout I created. This layout covers my son's first Christmas in 2010.

Poor little guy was so sick with a respiratory infection. I was up at midnight giving him breathing treatments. My other two children were up at the crack of dawn but I made them wait until Gino woke up before they could open presents. It was torture for them but they did it! In the end everyone had a wonderful day. Gino was most excited by the wrapping paper.

If you would like to make this layout then you'll want to get the Believe WOTG kit before it retires at the end of the month. The stamp set is exclusive to the WOTG and is so cute don't you think? Here's what's included with this kit:

• 1 - Believe Level 2 Paper Packet
• 1 - My Acrylix Believe Workshop Stamp Set
• 1 - Mini-Medley Accents Olive Collection
• 1 - Dimensional Elements Stars
• 1 - Instructional Brochure

Purchasing the kit will allow you not only make two beautiful 2-page layouts but you'll also save about $5 by purchasing it as a kit as opposed to buying the items separately. Plus, with a just a few other items you'll be able to make the additional bonus project. To purchase your own kit go here.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 
Paper: Believe Level 2
Stamps: Believe WOTG, Bohemian Alphabet
Ink: Black, Olive
Other: Dimensional Elements Stars, Mini-Medley Accents

Clean and Simple Cards Day 1

I recently signed up for an on-line card class to sharpen my clean and simple card skills. The teachers are fabulous and the ideas are AMAZING!

Day's 1 class was about sketches. I loved the square sketch they provided and decided to make some baby cards (there are 3 neighbors on my street due within the next month or two so this is perfect prep)!

I went monochromatic for each card which I thought gave it a nice soft feel for the baby cards. The sentiment came from the January SOTM, Little Reminder.

I used my piercing ruler and tool to create faux stitching lines. This helps to define the stamped area and offer a bit of contrast.

Do you have a favorite color? Out of the three I think the pink is my favorite although green is very close too.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 
Paper: Pastels (American Crafts)
Stamps: Rock The Block, January SOTM
Ink: Grey Flannel, Sweet Leaf, Buttercup, Blush, Grey Flannel Marker
Other: Piercing Tool, Ruler, 3D Foam Tape, Baby Embellishments (Michael's)

Another Wedding Card

Here's another wedding card I recently made. It's similar to one I made earlier this year and was a second option I made for a recent customer. I love this card pattern and how easily it comes together!

I couldn't forget the inside of the card. The sentiment is hard to read but it says "Celebrate Love."

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Bliss (retired), American Crafts Cardstock
Stamps: Bliss WOTG
Ink: Bamboo, Vineyard Berry, Chocolate
Other: Just Blooms Spring Blossom (retired), Big Pinks (retired) Making Memories Blossoms, Chocolate Waxy Flax

New Product Preview & Retiring List

The new Spring/Summer Idea Book is just a few weeks ago! I'm currently taking pre-orders for Idea Books. Email me and I'll have one waiting to mail out! The total cost (with shipping) is $9.00 but you can get it for free any one of the following ways:

• Join one of my clubs (you'll get first preview and use of the products with our club projects)
• Order the Rock the Block special in January and request the book for Feb
• Place an order of $25 or more in Feb
• Host a home gathering or on-line gathering
• Join my team!!!

Since CTMH is adding some brand new items (that are soooo awesome I might add), they unfortunately have to retire some items that were featured in prior books. I would hate for you to miss out on something you've been waiting for so here's a complete list of items:

Level 2 Paper Packs:

Believe 

Dreamin’ 

Fanfare 

Lucky 

Mayberry

Mischief 

Sophia 

Wonderland 

Workshops-on-the-Go: 

Believe 

Dreamin' 

Elemental

Mischief 

Roxie 

Sonoma

Typeset 

Wonderland

MyStickease: 

Believe 

Dreamin' 

Fanfare 

Lucky 

Mayberry

Sophia 

Wonderland 

Mini-Medley Accents: 

Antiqued Copper 

Colonial White 

Brads/Eyelets: 

Colonial White Brads 

Pewter Decorative Brads 

Black & White Daisy Soft Set Eyelets 

Chocolate & Colonial White Soft Set Eyelets 

Dimensionals (Chipboard): 

Flurry 

On Target 

Ribbon: 

Colonial White Ribbon Collection 

3/8" Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon 

3/8" Cocoa Grosgrain Ribbon 

3/8" Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon

3/8" White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon 

Wings Level 2 Assortment 

Embroidery Floss: 

Blue & Purple Assortment

Green Assortment

Red & Pink Assortment

Waxy Flax: 

Cranberry 

Crystal Blue

Juniper 

Sorbet 

Various Accessories: 

Bliss Level 2 Assortment 

Fanfare Level 2 Assortment

Foundry Metal - Bookplates

Harvest Charms 

Holiday Pockets 

Just Blooms Spring Blossom Paper Flowers 

Just Blooms White Daisy Variety Pack 

Lucky Level 2 Assortment 

Lucky Level 2 Journaling Spots 

Midnight Felt Shapes

Mischief Rub-ons

Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment

Top Coats Icing Overlays

Color-Ready Alphabets: 

Hodge Podge 

Oxford 

My Creations: 

Board Book 

Journal 

9x9 Memory Showcase 

Supplies/Tools: 

Rubber Brayer 

Soft Set Eyelet Tool 

Eyelet Tool Replacement Punches 

8 1/2 x 11 Cardstock: 

Black 

Colonial White 

White Daisy 

Stamps: 

A Hop 

A Little Buzz 

A Little Everything 

A Love 

A Paisley 

A Posey 

Adoption 

Adorning Corners 

Always In My Heart 

Ambiance 

Around The Block 

Baby Love 

Backgrounds & Borders 

Beary Best 

Beary Busy 

Beautiful Butterflies 

Beautiful Things 

Believe In Your Dreams 

Beloved 

Birthday Blast 

Birthday Boy 

Bless This Nest 

Blooming Layers 

Bon Appetit 

Boom! 

Bunny Love 

Campin' Fever 

Carefree 

Catching Waves 

Charmed 

Cherished Flourishes 

Ciao 

Circle Around 

Circle of Love 

Circle Together 

Connections 

Cruisin' 

Cupcake Sprinkles 

Daydream 

Down By The Sea 

Dream Big 

Dreams Come True 

Enjoy Every Moment 

Extreme Happiness 

Family 

Family Ties - Adult 

Family Ties - Children 

Family Ties - Pet 

Fill In The Blank 

Flower Pot 

For Every Occasion 

Friendship Blessings 

From My Heart 

Fun Times 

Happy Holidays 

Happy Moments 

Hero 

His and Hers 

Horizon 

Hot Diggity 

Howdy 

In The Month Of April 

In The Month Of February 

In The Month Of July 

In The Month Of June 

In The Month Of March 

In The Month Of May 

It's A Zoo 

Just For Boys 

Just For Girls 

Just The Ticket 

Kanji Phrases 

Let's Go Camping 

Little Princess 

Love Always 

Love Birds 

Love Ya 

Magic Tabs 

Makin' Waves 

Ms. Chillin' 

Ms. Scrapbook 

Notice The Details 

One Of A Kind 

On The Edge 

On This Day 

Over The Rainbow 

Paisley Praise 

Piece of Cake 

Play Day 

Post Card - Travel Series 

Precious Love 

Priceless Love 

Recipe Box 

Retro Tech 

Royal Birth 

Salutation Seals 

Shining Star 

Smiles 

So Lucky 

Soul Mates 

Springtime 

Star Power 

Summer Breeze 

Summer Days 

Sweet Baby 

Take Luck 

Tasty Treats 

Tea Time 

Thank You 

Thrill Ride 

T.L.C. 

Togetherness 

Treetops 

Trellis 

Two-Step Backgrounds 

Unity 

X-Treme 

You Did It 

You Rock 

You're Great 

You're Sweet