Oh My!

I love to share what I have learned in the art of scrapbooking and paper crafts.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

So Much to be Thankful For

I love this time of year.  It seems that once October arrives, there are so many fun activities to enjoy.  Here in New Hampshire we have beautiful colors, delicious apples, and crisp, fresh air.  I have been thinking about the simple things that we take for granted and I'm so thankful that my life is full of those simple blessings.  

Last Thursday I went out with my grandchildren as they went house to house trick or treating. It was a beautiful evening and I got lots of cute pictures.  I especially enjoyed going to the homes of people who were in costume.  We got to meet Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, some Disney princesses, and even some scary characters.  Enjoying this time with my grandchildren brought back so many memories of when I was young. I remember some times when you had to wear your winter jacket under your costume.  I remember how every home welcomed me and gave out the best treats.  I remember the excitement as we planned what our costume would be.  I love chocolate, so the treats that involved anything chocolate were wonderful.  I do have to admit that there were some times that I got an apple for a treat and I wasn't quite as excited about that! Today as I reflect back, I realize that the apple really was a treat.  

I was fortunate to attend an event in September where I created Halloween pages so as soon as I get my photos printed, they are going to be lovingly added to the adorable pages.




The layouts were created by Lynn Como.  She is so talented and artistic.  I love that she makes it so easy for us to create this adorable artwork.  It is truly a form of art and it is also so relaxing to see pages come together.  

I am currently getting my Thanksgiving layouts together so I'm ready when my pictures are printed. As I work on these pages, I contemplate what I am thankful for.  Making these pages ahead of time also helps me to take pictures that will fit the layouts.  

My monthly crop with the Tri-City Christian Academy Boosters helps me to get my projects done and also gives me a wonderful time of fellowship with fellow scrappers and crafters.  I am so thankful for my opportunities to crop with these ladies. 

As the days get shorter and we are inside more, I look forward to more time in my scrapping corner! I love Summer and love the long days but I don't seem to do much scrapping while I'm out and about taking pictures.  Summers are so busy, that I have to get back into a routine once school starts so I can get all those pictures scrapped.  The longer nights give me lots of opportunity to play with all my paper and ribbon and bling.  There is always something to be thankful for...........

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Feel the Colors

October is my favorite month.  Not only is it my birthday month, but the colors here in New Hampshire are incredible.  Today we are having quite a bit of rain and wind, so those beautiful leaves will be scattered on the ground.  

When I went to the CTMH event weekend, we made a six page layout for Halloween.  I can't wait to get those pictures of my grandchildren so that I can use these adorable pages designed by Lynn Como.  It is so much fun to create pages that are so incredibly cute.




It was so much fun to see these pages come together.  With a few stamps, a few Cricut cuts, the Scaredy Cat paper pack and the Scaredy Cat Compliments, and a few extra pages of cardstock, you can make these adorable pages.  If you are interested in creating these pages, just place a $30 order on my website, and I will email you the files to complete these pages.

I went out one day last week and took pictures of some of the beauty around my own home.  I will share those with you soon.  If you are in a part of the country that escaped this wind and rain and still have beautiful colors on your trees, get out an enjoy the beauty around you.  Feel the colors......

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Chalk It Up 

It's so beautiful here in New Hampshire at this time of the year.  I can't believe we are almost halfway through October.  I have a couple of crops that I am attending so I am looking forward to creating more layouts and scrapping more of my pictures.  

As soon as I got my first box with the goodies from the new catalog, I couldn't wait to start creating.  I love the Chalk It Up paper pack as you don't have to use it solely for school pictures, although I did when I created my layouts.  Here is what I chose to do with the beautiful paper and a few extra pieces of cardstock. I'm currently working on Pathfinding (Fall Theme) and when I'm done with that I'll have to start working on Confetti Wishes (Birthday Theme).  So many paper packs, so little time.

Here is what I created using the Chalk It Up Workshop on the Go.  It was perfect for my granddaughter's apple picking field trip.




I love the colors in this paper pack.  They are so bright and cheery.  I should go out and get some pictures of the beauty around me so that I can scrap those using my Pathfinding paper pack.  Enjoy the colors!




Wednesday, October 1, 2014

As Promised!

So today was spent figuring out my new Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge.  It wasn't that there was anything difficult about the cartridge, I was just having an off day and couldn't seem to do anything right. My first card didn't make the cut so I decided to do some simple cards and at least work on something.  Some days are just like that.....

Here are the three cards that I created.  I love how there are so many different occasions represented in the cards and I love that each occasion has title cards that you can either use in a layout or even attach to the front of a card. The wonderful thing about Close To My Heart Cricut cartridges is that you can do so many things with them.  There are 700 items in each and every cartridge.  That means with just the four Cricut cartridges from Close To My Heart I have 2800 images!  

Here are the cards I made today.  Please don't judge.  I have been struggling physically with a nasty cold and just wanted to curl up on the sofa all day, but those CTMH boxes were calling my name and once I opened them up and got that Cricut cartridge out, I could not wait!  


They are so simple to make.  All you need  for one card is two pieces of cardstock and a little bit of glue. I saved the cutouts from the butterfly cards to use on other cards or layouts. All three cards are 5 x 7.  I'm so glad I decided to work with this  new cartridge.  Next I want to make some cards for my scrapbooking.  

Sunday, September 28, 2014

What a Month!

What a Month I Have Had!

September is always busy for me.  I'm the Administrative Assistant in a Christian school so most of August and all of September is busy for me.  This September was also very exciting for me with Close To My Heart.   I loved the two CTMH Conventions I attended, but I couldn't justify the cost of going every year because it always includes a plane ticket as well as hotel stays.  My wish has been that somehow CTMH would have an event that was close enough that I would be able to drive to the event.  Not only did my wish come true, but the event was so close, I was able to drive home afterwards and return the next day for another wonderful event!  Thanks goes out to Lynn Como for sharing this wonderful event with my team members.  

I got lots of ideas from the event and I've been busy putting things together for my crops and my scrapbook class that I teach at the school.  (Yes, I get to do what I love and show students how to preserve memories.)
The event that we had on Saturday was filled with create and takes for consultants and I actually brought home a six-page Halloween layout and 12 beautiful cards.  (Pictures will be coming.)  

The next two weekends I was happy to attend two crops. I had been anxiously waiting for September 13th for our first TCCA Booster crop of the year.  I miss those ladies over the summer.  We had lots of laughs and caught up on what had been happening over the summer.  Then I was a vendor at a Crop for the Cure.  Cancer research is near and dear to my heart and I was glad to be able to participate in something that would benefit those who are affected by this terrible disease.  Meeting new ladies who who love to scrap and make cards was a bonus.

Another exciting event that happened this month is that the new CTMH Cricut cartridge, Artfully Sent, was released!  I have been anxiously waiting for that to happen.  My Artfully Sent is currently on the way to my home.  I can't wait to play with it after it arrives on Tuesday!

I have to get busy taking pictures of the layouts I've created this month.  In the meantime, here are some pictures of the beautiful sunsets I've been enjoying.



Isn't it amazing?   What beauty God has created.











Sunday, June 29, 2014

I'm So Excited

I spent the last week in Kansas with my son and his family.  He is preparing to deploy to Korea and it had been almost two years since I saw him.  It was a wonderful time of sightseeing and connecting with this beautiful family.  While I was there, the annual Close to my Heart Convention was happening.  New and exciting product was introduced to thousands of excited Consultants and I was where I longed to be, with family.  It was a wonderful but short week and I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to see my son, daughter-in-love, and my grandchildren.

While we were out and about we went to my granddaughter's favorite place Barnes and Noble.  It's also one of my favorite places.  On our way to the checkout, I noticed these adorable 3D cards and told my daughter-in-love that I was going to go on YouTube and figure out how to make them.  You can imagine my excitement the next day when I signed in to view our new catalog and saw that the new Cricut cartridge is all about those 3D cards.  It's almost like the designers at CTMH tune in to my wishes and come up with a Cricut cartridge to fulfill those wishes.

Another exciting thing about this cartridge is that you will be able to create Picture My Life cards to add to your Picture My Life scrapbooking.

Here is a video that will be sure to get you as excited as I am right now.



Aren't these just adorable?

I cannot wait to get my hands on this cartridge.

Till next time......

Sunday, June 1, 2014

So Excited

I just pre-ordered the new Close To My Heart catalog!  They start shipping on June 26th.  I'm always excited to see what Jeanette Lynton and her designers come up with every year.  Every new catalog is more amazing than the previous catalog.   This year Close To My Heart celebrates 30 years so I'm expecting something big.

There is a difference with this year's catalog.  We have gone down to one large catalog per year called Annual Expressions.  Everything in this catalog is available from August 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015.  It will be larger than our other catalogs, 192 pages!   We will also have two mini catalogs called Seasonal Expressions 1 that come out in December for the winter scrapbook themes and Seasonal Expressions 2 that comes out in April with spring scrapbook themes. The products in these catalogs will be available for a 4-month period, but the stamps that are showcased in these catalogs will be available for 12 months.

It seems that this company is always looking for ways to keep us all supporting our habit.  

I hope all of you were able to order the National Scrapbook Month special in May.  It was such an adorable paper pack.  I was able to make a couple of layouts using this trendy paper and a layout for each of my scrapbook students at school.  I ordered two paper packs and I have so much left over for more layouts and cards.  I can't wait to get down to my scrap corner to use these beautiful papers.

I'll be busy next week preparing for my 10-page layout class using our gorgeous Jubilee Workshop on the on The Go and the June Stamp of the Month.  We always have a big 4th of July get together with friends. This year I'll be ready to scrap those pictures ahead of time!  Here is an example of how you can use the June Stamp of the Month.


Isn't it just adorable?  I think I know what one of my pages will look like in the 10-page layout.  

Hope you all are enjoying the beautiful weather we've been having for the last few days here in New Hampshire.  It's been a long time coming, but now that it's here it is just spectacular!  

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Mother's Day Fun

Every year I make a card for my Mom for Mother's Day.  This year I decided that I would make a card in a box.  I had seen several examples on the internet and when I went to my scrapbook retreat, a Stampin' Up consultant taught a class making one of these adorable cards. I watched tutorial videos online to learn how to make the cards and found out that I could make this card using the Close To My Heart Artiste Cricut cartridge!  It was so easy and fun that I made cards for my daughter and daughters-in-law.  I could have cut out the flowers using my Cricut cartridges, but decided to use up some of my stash.  Here are a couple of the cards.....




I have to say that I'm hooked on these cute little cards. My grandkids can expect these cards for their birthdays this year.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

What I Have Been Up To


I know I haven't posted in quite a while.  That is because I've been doing lots of fun things over the last few weeks.  During school vacation, I was so happy to go to a Girl's Night Out and participate in a Paint Nite in Newmarket.  I was a little worried as I had never painted before, but Dina picked out an easy pattern for this night.

Here are a few pictures of what it was like
This is my painting.


Look how serious we are about our paintings!

I was oblivious to the fun the people beside me were having.

Look how big our group was! We took up one whole table.

It started raining just as we left, but we were all able to keep our paintings dry.
Can you pick mine out?

If you ever have a chance to go to one of these do it!  It was such an enjoyable time and I found that I LOVE painting.  Big surprise right?  


Friday, May 9, 2014

Free to Be Me

This month Close To My Heart has a cute paper pack to celebrate National Scrapbook Month.  For a $50 order, you can order the Free to Be Me paper pack for just $5.00.  I ordered mine already and it is absolutely adorable.  It even has a couple of vellum papers included. If you purchase the paper pack, I will give you a set of instructions to make this adorable layout.  The instructions also include an additional layout and three cards using the May Stamp of the Month.  The Stamp of the Month valued at $17.95 can also be purchased for $5.00 with a $50 purchase.  So, for just an additional $10 with a $50 purchase you would receive a $29.90 value.

Here is a photo of a layout that you can create using this beautiful paper pack:



My friend Dina made this layout last weekend while we were away scrapbooking and it is absolutely gorgeous.  The colors are so vibrant and I absolutely love the vellum paper.  I can't wait to get started on my layouts and cards.

If you are interested, just go to my website at  claudettelewis.ctmh.com

Have a great day!

Monday, March 3, 2014

Trends

Scrapbooking has been going through quite a few changes lately.  Your local scrapbook store may have closed and the big box stores have downsized their scrapbook departments.  For those of us who love to create with paper and love to preserve memories this is disheartening.  I am so thankful to work for a company that is committed to memory keeping.  Because of that, not only do they continue to produce traditional scrapbook supplies, they also follow the trends.  One of these trends is the Smash Book.  Close To My Heart has come up with it's own version called My Crush.  It is an on-the-go scrapbook/journaling system that appeals to the younger crowd.  

We recently went on a cruise to the Southern Caribbean with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law.  I always make some sort of mini scrapbook for them.  This year I decided I would make them a My Crush book.  I'll be teaching a class on this wonderful way to document memories at the scrapbook retreat at Singing Hills.  Here is my teaser picture to get the ladies interested in my class.  



I am going to show them how to take this portable My Crush book with them and how they can put everything together.  Does this make you want to make a Crush book of your own?  It's easy.  The book is only $12.95  and there are adorable embellishment assortments that include alphabet stickers, journal cards and envelopes for only $4.95.  It's quite a deal.  You can get this and much more at my website:
www.ctmh.com/claudettelewis

Thursday, February 27, 2014

It's Been a While!

I can't believe that we are ready to welcome March in.   Will it come in like a lion or a lamb?  Hard to say with the weather we have had this year.  I know there are lots of people here in New Hampshire who would not be upset if there was no more snowfall this year.  I don't know though, they are predicting another storm for Monday.  I guess we'll wait and see.

You would think that with all the snow days and vacation I would be all caught up with my scrapbooking by now, but not so much.  I love taking the pictures and I love scrapbooking them, but I do not like uploading and printing them.   Next month Close To My Heart has a special for their Studio J layouts.  Just $5.00 a layout.  Ladies, that is a bargain!  I am going to experiment with their new photo well layout and get some of those odd sized pictures printed.  Not mention, I have quite a few pictures that need to be scrapbooked and are not printed yet so I'm going to get some of that done on Studio J.  It makes my heart happy to get caught up.  If you would like to play with Studio J.  Head on over to my website www.ctmh.com/claudettelewis and try it out.  There is no fee for playing.  You only pay for the layouts you order.

I promised I would show you some pictures of my 10-page Christmas layout in my last post.  I know we are thinking about Spring now. But please bear with me and I show you a cute layout using our new Ivy Lane paper pack after.  That should get you in the mood for Spring.  


I apologize for the pictures.  I didn't have the time to play and crop the pictures.

 

Okay, so tell my why this page loaded sideways when none of the others did?






These last two pages are from the Sparkle and Shine Workshop on the Go.  Love the paper?  You cannot get the paper pack anymore, but it is in our Studio J program so stop in and try it out.  


And now, for the new Ivy Lane.  I couldn't resist using this beautiful layout to focus on my beautiful granddaughters.  They are a joy.  



I'm off to get organized for my scrapbook weekend.  I love to spend time visiting with the ladies and scrapping my beautiful family.


Friday, January 3, 2014

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I have been home an extra two days for snow days and I'm loving it.  Yesterday was spent preparing for my 10-page Christmas layout and today was spent putting away Christmas decorations, cleaning the house, and cleaning out my inbox for my email (yes, it hasn't been done in a long time and there was a lot to be done).  

I have also been spending time each day pouring over the new Close To My Heart catalog.  It's so much fun to browse and dream about what I "need."  This year we will have a new scrapbook program called Picture My Life which is like the Project Life program that many have been doing.  I'm so excited to get going on this as I have lots of pictures that need to be scrapped.  If you're wondering how that is different than traditional scrapbooking, here is a quiick view of one of the kits available in February:

I have lots of pictures from our cruise excursion last February to see the Mayan ruins in Belize.  This is the perfect solution to scrap all those extra photos in a jiffy.  I think Picture My Life and traditional scrapbooking will help me to stay on track this year. 

Happy New Year!