KRAFT ALBUM AND MOD PODGE.

Just a quick post today to remind you of the really versatile and darling CTMH My Creations KRAFT POCKET ALBUM album! What a great gift it would make.  Here's mine (not done yet!) using this season's Huntington paper pack. 

Here's my Kraft Album cover. I"ve used some of the Huntington My Stickease  assortment for the little flags at the bottom and the sentiment and buttons. I made the dahlia type flower on the top left using of all things, last year's Pear & Partridge papers! It's amazing how so many of the CTMH papers from different catalogs match!

You can find some of my dahlia-type paper flowers in my ETSY SHOP.

Close to My Heart has just put a video on YouTube on some ideas on making an album using Mod Podge also!  I love using Mod Podge!  It protects and seals the papers when there is going to be alot of handling, especially photo albums. It is such a neat idea that I thought I'd post the video for you. Here is the video (to watch the video, you must be on my actual blog, not at your email inbox):





One pointer: When adhering the paper first to the album, instead of using the Tombo adhesive, I put a thin layer of the Mod Podge right onto the back of the paper, then put Mod Podge on the album front, and smooth the paper onto it, plus the strips of papers, and then put another layer of the Mod Podge OVER all of the papers, right over the edges onto the album.  This is a good way to be assured that the paper and the edges are snugly glued and secured to the album.  When you only use strips of adhesive to put the paper down, there will be bubbles in the paper. 

Another pointer: there may look like there are bubbles in the paper even AFTER you smooth it down really good!  but.. they go away once it is dried.

That is the way I do it anyway!  The Mod Podge is really a glue and a sealer. Once it dries, it is a little shiny and looks really neat.  I use it on all of my canvas board projects.

I inked all of the edges of the papers and my album using a Tim Holz distress ink. This Kraft album is a generous size and measures 6-3/8" x 8-1/4". There are 8 pages with 18 pockets inside. It's a great size to put 4x6 photos inside, or small envelopes and pieces of paper, flyers, memorabilia, etc.

I added some of the Huntington papers on the inside pages, inked all of the edges and added some of the Huntington My Stickease flowers. I did Mod Podge these two pages, but I don't think that's such a good idea to Mod Podge all of the pages as it makes them too thick.

I used our Kraft paper to make some 4-1/4" x 6-1/4" tags to put in the pockets. These are for journaling, and I will also do some blank tags so a person could adhere photos to them.

This photo shows the nice sheen that you get using Mod Podge.

One final photo - this is the darling Kraft album pictured in our Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book. This one has alot of detail and tabs on the pages. It uses the Babycakes papers. This album has not been Mod Podged.  And remember, these Babycakes papers (without the little giraffe and baby stickers) are beautiful colors to use for your Fall projects.  They aren't just for babies!

I hope you give this awesome Kraft pocket album a chance to become a gift for one of your loved ones. Try a little Mod Podge too.  And for someone who likes to craft, why not give them this album made up in a "kit", with the papers all cut out and ready to stick onto the album cover and pages, some Kraft "tags", and a set of the My Stickease stickers to match the paper set??

If you have any questions on Mod Podging, please comment or email me. The Mod Podge brand also has some great tutorial videos on You Tube. I'm always glad to help!

HOLIDAYS FROM THE HEART ONLINE NOW!

Today is the day! The Close to My Heart Holiday Gift catalog is now viewable HERE on my website.  I hope you will go take a look. There is a beautiful Sparkle and Shine paper pack and some other really pretty Christmas things.

The Close to My Heart gals are at it again, already making cards and projects for Christmas and there is a blog hop going on right now (see link at the end of this blog post).

Below are a few pretties that I've picked up from the various blogs of the participating consultants:

Cute owl card from  Sheila's Stamping Stuff. This shows off the darling polka dot papers in the new Sparkle & Shine paper packet.  These papers DO sparkle and shine!

From Barb's Bits and Pieces using the new Sparkle and Shine papers and one of the compliments rosettes.

Darling "easy" card from  Barb's Bits and Pieces  using the new Sparkle & Shine papers and Santa Claus stamp set.

From  Card Monkey's Paper Jungle. I LOVE how the striped paper looks like candy canes!

My all time favorite card!  I am in love with this striped paper! The darling little house and "Joy" cutouts are from the CANDYLAND  stamp set in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book.

If you want to use the traditional red and green colors, here is a darling card from Tresa Black at Fabulously Artsy. She used the Pear cardstock and did some stamping on it using a background stamp called Geometric Backgrounds.

The Santa is from the Santa Claus stamp set in the Holidays from the Heart catalog which she colored with watercolor pencils. I love the traditional look of the red and green.

Here are all 10 stamps in the Santa Clause stamp set:

Bonus! Choose one “star” product FREE for every $100 in retail-priced items in your order from the Holidays from the Heart gift catalog and/or the Autumn/Winter 2013 catalog. When you check out, you will be offered the free item of your choice that is "stared" in the Holiday gift catalog.  
If you want to check out all of the CTMH consultants participating in this Holiday blog hop, please go to Pamela O'Connor's BLOG. Her blog will direct you to the next person's blog, and you can take off from there!  

The CTMH consultants who have joined this blog, are showing off each of their own creations using items from the Holiday Gift catalog (and there are MORE than cards too!). 

 
And while you're at it, don't forget the OCTOBER STAMP OF THE MONTH SET Scandinavian Wishes, to go with all of your beautiful Christmas projects! Yours for only $5.00 with your $50 order.

I could keep going and going... Just one more thing!  I want to remind you of the gorgeous FROSTED paper pack (available in the Fall/Winter 2013 catalog) that will be so beautiful for cards and scrapbook layouts for the holidays.  

This photo does NOT do the papers justice! They are beautiful soft gray/blues, silvers and grays with nice antique cream colors. Look in your Fall/Winter 2013 Idea Book on pages 48-52 for some creative ideas for using these papers. I love them! You can also view the Fall/Winter Idea Book HERE on my website.

And don't forget the CLASSY DOILY stamp to use with those unique Christmas cards and projects you are going to make!

If you like to color (like I do!), can you imagine what you can do with this stamp? As you can see, there is a red border around this stamp, which means that the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge makes a perfect cut on your Cricut machine for this doily stamp!

Here are a few things made using the Frosted papers, that have been created by some very talented CTMH consultants:

The Holidays from the Heart Gift catalog is available for ordering until December 31st, but some of the items are "while supplies last", so if there is something you really want, I would urge you to get it now!

I hope I have given you some inspiration from this blog post.  I sure have given myself some and I'm anxious to start working on my Christmas cards and gifts.

HAVE FUN AND ENJOY BEING CREATIVE!



 

MY ETSY SHOP IS OPEN!

With great excitement, I'm happy to announce that my Etsy shop is now open for business! 

There is a link on my side bar to my shop.  You can also click HERE TO GO TO "MY PINK PAPER COTTAGE" on Etsy. 

I have so much fun making so many things, that I decided I needed a place to share them with you. 

Etsy is a WONDERFUL market place where you can buy handmade and custom made items. There are literally millions of items for sale. I can spend hours just looking.  Everyone is so talented.

My shop is set up so you can purchase via debit card, credit card or Paypal.

HOPE YOU ENJOY IT!

NATURE............INSPIRED..........

I was out in the woods the other day and took a ton of pictures. It is so inspiring to be out in the woods and by the river..... so I felt compelled to share some of it with you.

I love walking in the woods. I feel so insignificant compared to the majestic trees. 

 I have a "thing" for trees. I love them in all sizes, shapes and forms.

And I have a huge "thing" for water!  I NEED to be around or near water at all times and places in my life.  It energizes and refreshes me.

And if I feel "stuck" or a little down, all I need to do is go outside, walk in the woods, or stroll by the river and feel the wind in my hair, and I'm recharged and ready to get back to my life.

How does Nature inspire you?
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HOLIDAYS FROM THE HEART - NEW CAMPAIGN!

Are you ready? Are you ready for some pre-holiday excitement? (Christmas to be exact!). 

Close to My Heart has an awesome special beginning October 15th! 

I'm going to show you an early peek! 

Beginning October 15th, you can shop the (new and fun) Close to My Heart mini Holidays from the Heart gift catalog!  This is so exciting! It's 24 pages of yummy Christmas (new) items and some "after Christmas" fun products to move you into the new year and your January and February crafting.

IN ADDITION, for every $100 you order (from the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book or the Holidays from the Heart catalog), you will qualify for one free “stared” item in the holiday catalog! 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" products include:

• Sparkle & Shine paper pack 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)

Here are a few of the items in the catalog:

Tweetings Gift Bags (while supplies last).

Hip Picks mini Album Kit (sweet!)

Look at the neat colors, mini size and stamp set! WHAT A GREAT GIFT FOR SOMEONE FOR CHRISTMAS!

Magical Days 25 days of Christmas stamp set (you can earn this set for FREE with your $100 order)! Stamp set is shown here mounted on little gifts bags stuffed with tissue, and then clipped to the CTMH black wired frame.

This is just a peek!  There are three more Christmas stamp sets, plus other little Christmas goodies. 

You will also be delighted with some "after Christmas" stamp sets and projects.

Beginning October 15th, you'll be able to go HERE to my website  and view the Holidays from the Heart catalog (click on the link for the 2013 Holiday Gift Guide). 
 
If you would like a "paper" Holidays from the Heart catalog, please let me know and I'll be glad to send one to you.

Enjoy!

 

OCTOBER SWEDISH CHRISTMAS.

Oh my! Close to My Heart has such fun and exciting specials in October!  First, being offered during the month of October only, is the Scandanavian Wishes stamp of the month set.... SO DARLING.

Isn't this just so sweet? The words can be stamped separately or in a line. The items outlined in red can be cut out with the CTMH Artiste or Art Philosophy cartridge (the tag, the house, the heart, and the ornament).

As with every Stamp of the Month set, purchase any items in the current Idea Book for a total of $50.00 or more, and receive the October Stamp of the Month set for just $5.00!

Go HERE on my Website to begin your order and to view the stamp set and ideas for using it. There are ideas for a Joy scrapbook page layout, a Warm Wishes Card and a Holiday gift box.

WARM WISHES CARD prepared by Close to My Heart designers.

HOLIDAY GIFT BOX prepared by CTMH designers.

I found some DARLING cards and tags made by Annette Green at Annette's Creative Journey. This gives you some ideas on how to use this sweet and versatile stamp set!  I love her ideas and designs, and especially the creative little house box/basket.

I'm of Swedish ancestry so of course, I love this stamp set!

There's another wonderful and fun special coming up on October 15th.  Stay tuned for my next blog post.  Subscribe to my posts via email so you won't miss anything!

Have fun creating!

 

OCTOBER FREE DOWNLOAD - REDISCOVER CTMH.

Simply Awesome! A free download each month from Close to My Heart!   

CLICK ON THE BOX TO THE RIGHT......
As a year-long "Rediscover CTMH campaign, there will be available each month a FREE exclusive download from Close to My Heart. There will be specially designed, colorful gift tags, notepaper, home décor, and more!   I will post it here on my blog the first of each month.  

AND DID I SAY FREE???? We love free stuff, right?

For October - Rediscover Sweet:

Life is sweet and so are these adorable designed paper pieces! Download them for free through October 31st, and use them as cupcake flags or to wrap small chocolates and give the gift of sweet.

Click on the picture box above (Rediscover CTMH blue box) which will take you to the link on the Close to My Heart Website.  The link to this sweet paper strip set is under the Rediscover blue box on the CTMH website.

Save this PDF file as a JPEG file on your computer. Then you can print out all or part of these darling paper strips!  I can see using them to add decoration to cards and scrapbook pages. These are neat designs that coordinate with our paper packs, and yet are new and different.

Do I see some Christmas, Halloween and Fall colors in there?

Enjoy this free download!