I Spy, I Spy...(a couple of layouts)

Can you spy any new CTMH products in the first layout?

 Nope...it's not the Lucky paper, although that was new when the last Idea Book was released.

 The banners and arrows were created using the NEW CTMH cricut cartridge.

The NEW cork letters are quick and easy to use!

an image from one of the fabulous NEW stamp sets :)  

Yes, there's LOTS to look forward to in the new Idea Book.  Get yours next week...only $3.95 each. Send me an e-mail or message if you are interested.

One of the more recent products that CTMH has come out with are the the Workshops on the Go or WOTGs as we refer to them. They include coordinating paper, stamps and embellishments for creating great layouts. Also included are complete instructions for completing a layout and more project instructions to be found online.  The following is a layout I created using the exclusive You and Me WOTG.  I didn't exactly follow instructions; though I did get the general idea from the instructions. Following my layout, is one my sweet friend completed, following the directions precisely.  

I

I LOVE the token Alphabet set!

Aren't these little pennants adorable? With the new Cricut cartridge, you can make them any size from 1/4" to 11 3/4" !

 At the last minute, I decided to add one of the NEW journaling spots.  Hidden tags for journaling...happy sigh. 

These last photos are the layout my friend Donna P created, following the WOTG instructions:

Tomorrow, I'll post some of the cards I created this week :)  In addition to 3 layouts, I created 20+ cards!

Thanks for stopping by,

Marie with a :)

Sentimental Sister/Heart 2 Heart

I finally created for the Close To My Heart challenge again. The challenge this week was to use doilies or lace. I used a bit of lace ribbon.  The card is for my sister who is having a pretty rough week.

Don't you love our new foundry photo clips???  (click on any photo to enlarge)

(anyone out there who can explain to me how to rotate my photos?  They are correct in my photo files online but when I post they sometimes turn sideways!) 

Some of you have asked why I switched to the larger Cricut.  When I first entered the paper crafting world, it was scrapbooking that drew me in.  I liked card making and have made hundreds of cards over the past couple of years, but my passion continues to be scrapbooking.  The smaller Cricut is fantastic for creating titles and die cuts and all sorts of things.  But it doesn't cut out 12 x 12 doilies or circles and such: it is limited to 5 3/4 inches - perfect for card makers. So I sold mine to a talented and avid card maker.  Plus I have a daughter getting married (the one who is often seen in the craft room with me :)  ) in 9 months and we are pretty excited about making banners and invitations and table decor. Finally, with the new partnership that Close To My Heart has with the Cricut I thought this was perfect timing to make the switch - check out the link below:

 what a deal! 

Thanks for stopping by.  I have more cards and layouts to share soon!

Marie with a :)

The Goodies Have Arrived!

Yes, my new Cricut (I sold my smaller one to purchase the 12 x 23 size) is here AND my box of new, amazing Close To My Heart products galore is here as well...but I can't play. Sigh. It feels like I am five years old and it is Christmas Eve and I can hardly stand the anticipation. For a sneak peak at one of the new paper lines as well as some new embellishments, check out this layout I created last night while watching Monk. You can click on photos to enlarge.

I have lots more to share and post but I have some kids chomping at the bit to get to where we are supposed to be going so I'll be back later :)  

(The photos are from a couple of months ago, when I got to visit my sister Samantha (http://samiesentiments.blogspot.com/) in Vermont. We had a fun "sisters" photo shoot.  A couple of the photos insist on being sideways in this post and I haven't figured out how to change them.)

Thanks for stopping by!

 Marie with a :)

First Post-Convention Card

I'm super excited about all of the changes CTMH has in store for you!  I will be sharing all of those details tomorrow. In the meantime, here's a card using a new pin clip and stamp from the Blue Ribbon stamp set.Have I mentioned LOWER PRICES?
Lots of posts/cards/layouts coming soon :)  Thanks for stopping by!  Marie with a :)

Here's me with Mickey in front of the Disneyland Hotel :)

Ready For Convention (I think...)

This is my first CTMH convention and I'm not sure what to expect...hopefully lots of creativity and fun!  I've been trying to get back into the creative mode in preparation and made over a hundred cards in the last two days.  Here's a couple of them (some of these I made in bulk):

(The Scripture verse on this last card is from Verve)