Simple Holiday Tags - Cricut Art Philosophy

Making beautiful holiday tags couldn't be easier when using the CTMH Circut cartridge - Art Philosophy. Here's a new YouTube video from CTMH showing tags made with the Cricut and the MyAcrylix stamp set 'December 25th' (C1469 - $13.95). They're so adorable and really, really simple.

Here's a cute little tag I made with the Cricut cartridge and the 'A Holiday' stamp set (A1115 - $6.95). This stamp set is so versatile! I used it to create one of my holiday cards, I use it on Christmas envelopes, and I love making little gift cards with it, too.

Handmade gifts and cards are such a wonderful way to say "You're Special!" to the ones you love. If you've made your own gifts &/or cards this holiday season, please share them! E-mail me a photo and I'll create a slideshow so that everyone can enjoy, share, and learn from each other.

Have fun!

Photo Surprise Workshop

Here's the last workshop for my weekend at Purity Spring. It's a fun hidden photo slide layout from CTMH's most recent 'How To' layout book - "Magic". This layout uses a 4x6 photo, but the book includes templates for 6 different sizes. It's a great way to add "Wow" factor to your layouts -- and lots of fun, too!

Workshop will be Saturday morning at 10:30am and fee is just $5. Send me an e-mail if you'd like to pre-register (see profile info on right for e-mail address).

Purity Spring Workshops

Less than 10 days until I'm packing up for Purity. I can't wait! I really love the Purity Spring scrapping event and am putting the finishing touches on the workshops I'll be holding.

I'll be doing a couple of classes that I hope will introduce my friends at Purity to a few new techniques and give them a little sample of what can be done with the new CTMH Cricut cartridge - Art Philosophy. I will be doing a couple of wintery themed workshops (photos below) and also teaching a class to demonstrate an interactive technique from our 'Magic' layout book (photos coming soon!).

I have a limited number of spots available for these workshops, so if you're coming to Purity and see something you like, please e-mail me to pre-register.

Here are some photos of the two 'Holiday Jump Start' classes:

Festive Holiday Cards Workshop 12 cards & envelopes (4 each of 3 designs)

Saturday, 4:15pm - Cost: $20.00

Wintery Fold Out Box Album

Friday, 4:00pm - Cost: $15.00

Getting Ready for Purity!

It's September and that means I'll soon be heading up to Purity Spring Resort for their awesome scrapbooking weekend the 14th-18th. Great people, terrific food and round-the-clock scrapbooking in our pjs -- what could be better?!

This year will be a little different since I'll actually be attending as a vendor for the first time. I'm really excited (and a little nervous) and I know it will be here before I know it! Luckily, my good friend, Susanna, and her mom, Elijean, came to visit this weekend and were willing and MORE THAN able helpers! They provided wonderful artistic inspiration and pumped out lots of piece work on the Cricut (I think I even heard someone mention 'union'! :) And beautiful Eliana kept us entertained!

(I think Abbie's saying "I didn't put her in there! I swear!!")

Amazing Album-Amazing Artist!

I just have to share this incredible YouTube video with you! Tresa Black, an incredible artist and scrapbooker, created this album for the Make A Wish contest at convention this year. It is truly a work of art and needs to be shared! I hope you appreciate not only the quality of artwork, imagination and ingenuity, but also (and maybe most) the terrific story. It's a great one! Enjoy!!

For more creative inspiration, visit her blog at FabulouslyArtsy.com.

Croptopia Mom & Me Crop

What a fun time I had last weekend at Croptopia's Mom & Me crop in Orange, CT! The people were all so wonderful and the girls were a BLAST! They created some really amazing layouts, had a great time playing with the Cricut machines and entertained us all with their energy and humor.

I helped the girls create a cute little purse made with the 'Heartfelt Treasures' stamps set and a personalized notebook using the MyCreations Journal & Pennant Alphabet stamp set.

Thanks for a great time, ladies!

10 Things I Love About Paris

Tomorrow I am off to Paris to cat sit. That's right! My wonderful friends have invited me to stay in their home while they are away and watch their adorable kitten, Graffiti (isn't she adorable?).

With Paris on my mind, I just had to adapt the layout we made at CTMH Convention from "10 Things I Love About You" to "10 Things I Love About Paris".

Of course, there are so many more than 10, but here are the ones I picked:

1. Waiting for the Eiffel Tower lights to twinkle

2. My morning Cafe Créme and Croissant du Chocolate

3. Pont Alexandre III at sunset

4. Sail boats in Jardin Luxembourg

5. Street performers at Trocadero

6. People watching on Champs Elysees

7. Seeing Sacre Coeur on my way to the metro every morning

8. The Musée d'Orsay gallery

9. Book sellers along the Seine

10. The Prud'hommes!

This layout features 'Roxy' - it will be my featured Kit of the Month for August. The bling & envelope with tags are new products, as well as the '10 Things' stamp set. I always encourage my customers to "think outside the 'event' box" - meaning, scrap things that are important to you in your everyday life -- not just the big events. This stam

p set is a perfect prompt for that an a bargain at just $13.95!

What are YOUR '10 Things'?

All materials are Close To My Heart. Click here to order!

Stamps: 10 Things (C1474-$13.95)

Paper: Roxy (X7140B-$9.95)

Ink: Tulip, Black & Desert Sand

Accessories: 10 Things Pocket (Z1412-$3.95) & Bling Assortment (Z1466-$4.95)