September SOTM

For the last year I have been trying to find a group to learn new techniques, now I know there are plenty of YouTube videos out there but really I don't want to spend all my time watching videos when I can be playing with my scrappy stuff. I did join a Stamp'in Up group but was not a fan of their product, had to purchase $25 worth of their stuff which was hard when I don't like something. Then of course I became a Close To My Heart Consultant because I LOVE their product and was getting discouraged that every time I applied to a Design Team I was told no. Well my desire to finally learn new techniques is happening. Also most on a monthly bases I learn something I never knew or try something I hadn't done before. This month was CTMH's new alcohol based markers and blending techniques.

Here is the LO for Sept. The word patch was cut out on my cricut once in cream and second in brown, same size both times and then just slightly miss aligned so you can see its shadow. I then pop dot them up for more affect. Also got to use burlap ribbon for the first time too, boy is that stuff is messy but what a neat texture it adds . I also used my SewEasy to punch the straight holes around the page and twine to stitch it. The small tag is also cut using the cricut and is just waiting for a date to be posted on it once the pictures are added. The pumpkins are stamped and then coloured using CTMH markers and blended, I then fussy cut them out and pop dotted them up too. Now I did not get a picture of my girls at the pumpkin patch this year so this will have to wait until next years photos.

Altered gifts

Good morning all my crafty friends!! There are several websites I talk about regularly on here and one of the ones I am most active on is www.scrapbook.com I am very active on that site as a daily poster. My full gallery is on there of work I have done in the last 7 years. Most of the swaps I do now are pal swaps or altered swaps. This one group I am in is a 3 month commitment and for those 3 months you send you secret pal a $25 scrappy gift plus any extras you would like to send. This last sister that I had I spoiled, she was a fellow Canadian and I also made her an amazing set for her desk.

This is the Journal that I made. All CS is DCWV the Sweet Treats stack. The fabric on the binding is from Walmart. Everything is done in pink and brown which is a beautiful combination of colours. I used a beaded and lace trim from my stash with a matching beaded trim to run down the journal between the paper and fabric. The little bronze plaque says "Friends" I punched a hole in both the front and back cover for the ribbon closer. Flower spray, pink ribbon bow and heart trinket all from my stash. Added a jeweled stickpin to the ribbon flower.
So elegant and feminine.

Here is the matching stationary box. This is an altered cigar box and the CS is DCWV Luxury stack. Again I lined the box with fabric and CS, the lace has a pink trim and the braid is also pink both of which I received from Lorna Lee on sb.com. The butterfly, flower, and fabric and lace flowers are from my stash and some that I bought from www.laceheaven.com Again added a stickpin which is the matching one to the Journal.

I made about a dozen matching cards to go in the box. I did not have enough fabric to line the bottom because I cut the fabric wrong :( but normally that would also be lined.

I LOVED making this set and I am surprised at how quickly I can make this all at once. I love it when an idea comes to such sweet fruition and the finished project looks better then the one in your mind.



I have a new little sister to make something for and the last month is December, I am thinking an ornament but not sure what else yet. Have a wonderful day and God Bless :D

Lost Post

Seems that I lost my Halloween Post. Not completely surprised as I had an insane week trying to get everything done. Of course things have not slowed down completely yet. Well I was getting all my post done and scheduled too, I was also making cards and packaging them to sell at my first trade show. First I had to make 100 cards as bag stuffers for the first 100 people through the door, then I had to make some to sell(which I did not sell any of LOL). Next I had to make a Christmas Advent Calendar as a display, now originally I had a partner for the show but she got a new full time job and ended up sick so was not able to attend with me. It was her job to make the Advent Calendar, she dropped it off at my house the night before the show, UGH. Got it all done in the morning and then proceeded to pack up for the show. Also had to make a draw basket so people could enter to win the Advent Calendar. Once all packed up and everything was in the van I then needed to get ready :D

Well I get there, and start setting up when the lady running the show comes over and tells me I won a prize for best bag stuffer!? I didn't even know there was one LOL. Apparently it was decide that I won because I handmade a hundred cards. I explained to the woman that that is what my business is and I thought the idea was to showcase my business for the stuffers. She said it was amazing and I get first dibs on a table at the next trade show as well as a discount price. I thought that was pretty cool but at the time was not sure if I would do another one. It really depended on the response I got that night. Well let me tell you it was amazing. over 400 women were at the show and I got a ton of new contacts, which I need to start calling now that Halloween is done. The next show is in May in time for Mother's day so I am thinking of making a 100 little purses or a flower box. I have to check out my Cricut Cartridge and choose something amazing that will get people calling me. Plus need to make a bunch of altered journals to sell, was told by several ladies that they would by them if I had them. They saw mine there as I use it to take notes and things when it comes to my business of Close to My Heart.

Well I think I have bored you enough and it is time to start up with my more crafty posts again. Check out my next one as it will that gorgeous set I made for a pal. :D
Have a crafty day and God Bless.