Christmas Cards

Christmas is here!  I love celebrating the season with BIG meals and lots of dessert.  I guess I will have to run extra to keep all of the weight off!  I love to run first thing in the morning when the air is nice and crisp!  I am ready for some hot cocoa or cider.

 This is the last of my Christmas cards for this year.  I hope they inspired you to create something wonderful for your family and friends.

Wishing you and your family many blessing for this holiday season and for the next year!  I will be back blogging using some beautiful new paper featured in CTMH's Annual Inspiration that is currently available for purchase. 

Have a great holiday,

Lori

Holiday Cards

I have been staying busy this holiday season creating a lot of fun cards to give out to family and friends. 

 Everyone loves to get homemade cards.  Take some time and create your own to give out this year.

I used CTMH's Yuletide paper to create both of the above cards.  I hope you are taking some time to create your own Holiday magic this year.  I used my new Shin Shan markers to color the bling red on my card to make it look like berries. 

Your craft coach,

Lori

Holiday Magic

Have you gotten all of your shopping done?  Still working on mine.  So much to do and get done.  Tons of wrapping to get done as well.  Hopefully I can get it done this week.

Here are some cards I created using CTMH's Yuletide paper pack.
I used the Noel stamp set and colored in the letters using CTMH's Shin Shan markers. 

 I added some gold shimmer trim to spice up my cards and make them sparkle.

I used my Shin Shan markers and colored my gems right on the sheet and then added them to my card.  So now you can have any color sparkle you want.  You create however many you need using your clear ones.  How great is that?!

Time to get some shopping done.  See you soon!

Lori

Seasonal Expressions

The new Close to my Heart Seasonal Expressions book is here!  I am super excited and love everything in it.  If you want one please contact me for a FREE copy!  There are 2 new paper packs that are so beautiful.  Heartstrings is a great paper pack perfect for all of your love/Valentine themed projects and Hopscotch is great for all of your Springtime/party themed projects.  I can't wait to start creating with all of my new goodies and sharing with you. 

I have a waiting list for the new rolling tote.  If you want one please contact me so I can order it as soon as it hits the shelf.  The last batch went so fast that they never made it to the shelf! 


 If you purchase both the rolling tote ($149.95) and shoulder tote ($26.95) from me I am throwing in a FREE paper pack of your choice. Just let me know which one you want when I take your order for your totes.

CTMH is expecting more shipments throughout the month.  Make sure I get your name on the waiting list if you want our new totes!

Till next time, Happy Scrapping!

Lori

Rolling Tote

The rolling tote is finally here!  So excited and can't wait to get mine.  If you are interested please contact me to get on the waiting list for the next shipment.  They are going fast because they are so awesome.  There is also a matching shoulder tote as well.  Go in style to your next crop or retreat with these fabulous totes.  Everything you need to scrap will fit in these totes for sure.  There is a ton of room!!!  Get both from me and I will throw in your choice of a paper pack FREE!

Staying Busy

I know everyone is staying busy and trying to finsih up those last minute projects.  Where has the time gone?  Can you believe this year is almost over?  Here are some more cards from my workshop using CTMH's Snowhaven paper.

 This paper pack is so bright and pretty and uses colors like Glacier and Cranberry.  The scooter was stamped using Archival Black and the Make it Merry stamp set. 

I used the Best Christmas stamp set using Whisper stamp pad and I used the Cranberry stamp pad to stamp the Warm Wishes. 

I hope everyone is enjoying the season and getting to craft. I will be planning some crops for the upcoming year. I will post details here on my blog and on Facebook.

See you soon,

Lori

Snowhaven

Here is another Christmas card using CTMH's Snowhaven paper.

 

I folded the top flap of my card back.  I stamped my Christmas tree using Best Christmas stamp set and matted it with cranberry card stock.  I colored in the hearts on my tree using CTMH's new Shin Shan markers.  I also lined the inside of the card with Snowhaven paper and stamped Peace & Joy using the same stamp set.

I hope you are enjoying your Christmas season.  Take some time to create and share with family and friends.

Till next time,

Lori

Christmas Season

Holy cow the Christmas Season is upon us!   I have my cards made, but I need to get them addressed and out the door before Christmas.  Have gotten yours done? 

Looking for inspiration?  I will be posting throughout the season so stayed tuned to my blog for updates.

 For these two cards I used CTMH's Snowhaven paper packet which uses: glacier, whisper, cranberry, white daisy.  I added some red shimmer trim and bling to complete them.

I just love polar bears!  He is handsome, isn't he?!

 

Till next time...

 

Happy Scrapbooking!

 

Lori

Your Creative Coach

 

 

Thanksgiving

Well Thanksgiving is upon us.  I know most of you are getting your turkeys and hams to prepare a BIG meal for family and friends.  I love to cook a big meal and fix everything from turkey to pumpkin pie.   I can't wait to enjoy some food, friends, and family!

 One of the many things I am thankful for this season is that I have my very own craft space, aka 'the scrap cave'. I can go in my room and work on my layouts and cards and not worry about cleaning up and putting everything away. I love being able to leave a project out and come back to it later. 

Even if you don't have your own room, find a small area and set-up a table and make some cards or work on a layout. For me crafting is very relaxing and brings me inner peace. Find what makes you happy and do it!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Lori

Chalk It Up

Well the school year is off and running.  Just wanted to share this fun layout I did for Hayley's first day of school pictures.

 

I created this fun layout using the alternate layout in the Chalk It Up Workshop on the Go.  Once I get Hayley's first day of school pictures printed I can add them to great layout and add a few more embellishments to complete this layout.

Other items used to create this layout:

Black Striped Twill Ribbon

Chalk It Up Complements
Chalk It Up WOTG Stamp set

Here is what my layout looks like now that I have added some pictures of Hayley that I took of her on her first day of school this year. 

I love how this layout looks!  Now it is ready to go in my album.  Time flies.  Make sure you capture those memories and stories for your album.  :o)

Till next time, Happy Scrapping,

Lori
Your Creative Coach

Thankful

There are so many things to be thankful for in my life.  My friends are my family and I am truely thankful for them and glad to have them in my life.  My long distance friends are in my heart as well and I think of them often.  I look forward to visiting them soon!  I will be sending them one of my cards to let them know that they are loved here in Texas!

 

 

 

I took inspiration for the above card from our Annual Inspirations book and re-created this card using Pathfinding paper and embellishments.

 

I really love CTMH's Pathfinding paper packet and have enjoyed creating several layouts and cards using it.  Fall is here and this paper says it!

Don't forget the inside of your card.  You can make the inside just as beautiful as the outside.  What a great suprise for the receiver to open the card you made to see more embellishments. 

I also stamp the outside and gussy up the envelop as well.  The person receiving your card will know before opening it they are getting something super special. 

Happy Scrapping friends,

Lori

Owl love you...

This card came together pretty easy.  I have lots of great Picture My Life cards left after creating a couple of mini albums for shower gifts this pasted summer.  I used CTMH's Pathfinding paper and a regular 5 1/2 X 4 1/4 card base. 

 

 

Below is the card in the open view.  I folded back the top flap of the card.   I cut down my PML card and matted my owl friend in Autumn Terrcotta CS.  I used my non-stick, micro-tip scissors to cut several leaves that I stamped using the Thankful Heart stamp set.  My leaves were colored in using CTMH's Shin Shan markers. 

 

I added some bling to my owl's eyes and some ribbon to embellish the front flap of my card.  Such a fun, cute card to make.  I love this little owl and I know whoever receives this card will love it as well.

Till next time, happy scrapping,

Lori

Thankful

Well November is upon us and soon the Christmas holidays will be here. I got to spend some craft time in my Scrap Cave and decided to work on some Thanksgiving cards.  Most of you know that I am more of a scrap booker,  but I decided to creat some cards to give to family and friends. 


Supplies used to create this card:

X7186B - Pathfinding Paper Packet
D1604 - Season of Thanks Stamp Set
B1463 - Thankful Heart Stamp Set
Z2641 - Glacier Stamp Pad
Z2135 - New England Ivy Stamp Pad
Z1985 - Gold Shimmer Trim
Z2012 - Sequins, Gold Assortment

Please feel free to shop my link for all of your paper crafting needs.

Till next time, Happy Scrapping!

Lori

 

 

Masquerade Madness

I took a little break from scrapbooking to make some beautiful masks for Hayley's volleyball banquet.  I wasn't able to find a Cricut cartridge that cut Mardi Gras masks so I did it the 'old school' way and hand cut 24 masks.  Actually it wasn't that bad.  I  really don't mind 'fancy' cutting too much.   I really love how all of masks turned out.  I had fun and can't wait to see how they look in the center pieces on the tables at the banquet.  I still need add dal rod and curling ribbon. 

The feathers sure do look pretty, but my scrap table looked like a flock of seagulls were molting in my room! I got all of the feathers cleaned up and I am back to creating layouts and cards.  Stay tuned for some Thanksgiving cards in my next few posts.

Monterey

We got to spend 3 great days in Monterey before heading down to Los Angeles while on vacation.  The sun didn't come out until our last night in Monterey, but we still enjoyed everything Monterey had to offer.  Hayley had a good time seeing the seals and otters.  We think we saw a whale, but not 100% sure.   We enjoyed driving along the coast and jumping out and taking pictures.  Blogging about my vacation is making me want to take another one that is for sure!!!

 For my first page I used a 'cover sheet' from my Seaside Picture My Life Kit.  I used some teal shimmer trim and smoothie washi tape to jazz up the photo of Steve and I.   I really love that photo of us together.  For the rest of my layout I was able to use scraps of paper from CTMH's Seaside paper packet, some stamping and embellishments to complete my layout.

Well, of course I took a ton of photos. But, this time I created a big 12X12 flip flap to incorporate all of my photos.  Here is my layout opened.  I really like how it turned out.  I can't wait for my next vacation.

Till next time,

Lori

San Francisco

Our first stop on our California vacation this summer was San Francisco.  Even though I lived in Monterey and went to San Fracisco several times I never got to go across the Golden Gate bridge.  Well I was going to get across that bridge this time!  I can check Golden Gate off my bucket list.

 My layout inspiration came from Tresa Black and I added some of my spice.  I used a combination of the Cricut Artbooking along with CTMH's new Wanderful WOTG along with other embellishments from CTMH.

Of course I had alot of photos so I did use a flip flap to add 5 more photos.  Although my photo of the layout is a little blurry, you can see my flip flap open on the right side of layout. 

 

I hope you are getting crafty and getting those photos and stories preserved for everyone to enjoy.

 

Till next time, Happy Crafting,

 

Lori

Snowhaven

Don't goto the card store and spend a bunch of money on Christmas cards this year when you can join a bunch of friends and make them yourself.

Your friends and family will love your homemade cards and know you made them something special from your heart!

Come join me and create 10 beautiful cards - 2 each of 5 designs. Your fee of $25.00 includes: card bases, envelopes, all of your paper pre-cut and ready for assembly, use of stamps, ink, and of course bling! Light refreshments will be served.

All you need is your adhesive, foam tape, scissors, bone folder, and anything else you like to use when making cards.

Join me on FaceBook:  https://www.facebook.com/events/957216964304068/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

or contact me at my email:  Lori.Allen94@yahoo.com

Thanks

Big Sur

Well I got to spend my birthday weekend doing my favorite thing...scrapbooking.  What better way to celebrate then spending the weekend at a Birthday Bash Scrapbooking retreat.  I got quite a bit done.  I will be sharing pictures of my layouts through the month of October.

 After spending a few days in Monterey we headed down HWY 1 along the coast through Big Sur to Los Angeles.  The views from the car are amazing.  Nothing beats driving down the coast in California, yet!

 

For my first layout I used CTMH Wanderful paper pack.  I like how the blues and purples help the ocean back ground stand out.  I also used the Wanderful Embellishments along with cards from the Wanderful Picture My Life kit.  I used 2 cards on the left side and the 'Just Go' card on the right.  The PML is a great ways to add some fun to any layout.

I had fun creating my VW Bug embellishment.  I cut the Love Bug out using my CTMH Cricut Artfully Sent.  Although this cartridge is meant to be used to make cards, don't let that stop you from thinking outside the box and creating fun embellishments for your layouts.  I used CTMH Liquid Glass for the head lights and windshield of my bug.  Liquid glass is a must have for scrappers!  Dries clear and looks like glass!

 

Surprisingly, I didn't use any Flip Flaps on this layout! I still need to do some journaling, but my layout is pretty close to complete.

 

I hope my layout gave you some inspiration.  Get those photos out and get crafty!  Have fun while preserving your memories.

Whoot

Haven't gotten to play in my scrap cave lately.  I did get the chance to create this fun card using August's Stamp of the Month.

This card was created using a 4X10 strip of Colonial White card stock.  Folded in half, then the top flap is folded back in half.  Really cute and fun.  Take some time to create something fun this week.

Happy Scrapping
Your Creative Coach

Lori

Seaside Picture My Life Layout

This summer we went to Califonia for our family vacation. I took so many pictures that I ended up printing 350! We got to spend some time at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. If you ever get the chance to go I highly reccommend it. The jellyfish exhibits are amazing.

Here is my layout with the flip flaps 'open'. I wanted to include as many photos as possible to show all of the great sea life we saw at the aquarium. As you can see we got a lot of great photos!  

I used Seaside Picture My Life along with scraps from my Seaside paper pack to create the above layout. I love how the gold shimmer tape makes my pages pop.  Now all I need to do is add some Seaside Compliments, sequins, and do my journaling to call this layout complete.

I hope you enjoyed my 'unfinished' layouts. I will post pictures of them when they are complete. They already look great in my opinion.

Till then, happy scrapping ladies!

Lori

Seaside Card Workshop

Come join me and create 6 beautiful cards using Close to my Heart's new Seaside paper pack. Your $20 workshop fee will include all of your paper pre-cut and ready for assembly as well as use of stamps, stamp pads, embellishments to complete your cards and envelopes to send to your friends or family once complete. All you need to bring is your adhesive, bone folder, 3D foam, and creative spirit. Light refreshments will be served to keep our creative juices flowing! ;o)

Please RSVP by September 19th so that I can have your kit ready to go for this event.

Seaside Double Layout Workshop

I have an upcoming Seaside Double Layout Workshop coming up on the 17th of August at my home for my local scrappers to attend.  Details are posted on my Facebook Event page here:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/661206767301894/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming If you aren't local or can't attend this workshop, but would like to have this kit to create on your own, please contact me at my email:  lori.allen94@yahoo.com.  I can send you this workshop kit for $25 plus s&h that will have all of the paper pre-cut, complements, and embellishments that you will need to create both of these layouts along with a photo guide and layout instructions. 

 

The above layouts aren't finished, they just need the complements and embellishments, but already look great with the new Seaside paper pack. 

**********************Consultants***********************
I have created template/cutting guide e-files for this workshop for CTMH Consultants to use for their business. 

This workshop will create (2) layouts with plenty of paper left over for the customers to create more layouts or cards.  
Your files will include:
• Seaside color photos of each of the 2 layouts
• Seaside layout instructions
• Seaside cutting instructions
• CTMH Consultant Information containing:
    o Supply list o Suggested coordinating 'Up-Sell' products
    o CTMH Consultant Manual policy information
• CTMH Consultant Release Form

You can get these files by purchasing $21 worth of product on my OBA site here: www.texasscrapbookingqueen.ctmh.com

You will receive the files via e-mail so you can print them and be able to save them to your computer to use at a later date. You can even use a different paper packet!

If you have any questions, please contact me at:  Lori.Allen94@yahoo.com

 

 

Annual Inspirations Blog Hop Artwork

Here is some great new artwork using Pathfinding Paper.  This is one of the Pathfinding Paper Pack in CTMH's Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  This paper pack is perfect for all of your fall pictures and more. 

1.  I used CTMH's new Chevron punch along with brown & tan glitter paper to create the embellishment on the leftside of my layout. I backed this embellishment with the new Glacier card stock.

2.  I used some of CTMH's Liquid Glass to give the 'hearts' on the 'Give Thanks' a shiny effect. 
3.  I used 3D foam tape to pop-up the Pathfinding Compliments (Give Thanks, squirel, fox, and owl) and layered a bunch of leaves that I created using CTMH's Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  I sponge the edges of my leaves to give them depth.  I think they look like the real thing. 

As always I take too many photos.  That is why I love using CTMH's flip flaps. 

1. On page 2 of my layout I used 2 - 4X4's adding 4 additional photos. 

2.  I also added a 6X12 flip flap to the right side of page 2 on my layout adding 4 extra photos.  This is the open view of my layout with the flip flaps. 

Here is a close up of one of the Pathfinding Complements, the little fox.  Isn't he cute.  I had to include him on this layout.  You can see the leaves up close as well as the Pathfinding Assortment button that I layered with some bling as well.

 

I hope this layout inspired you to create something wonderful with your pictures.

 

Now Hop over and see some great artwork from the new Annual Inspirations Idea Book.

 

Lori

Annual Inspirations 2014/2015 New Product Blog Hop

I will be joining another great blog hop starting August 1st.  All art work will be featuring new product from Close to My Heart's 2014/2015 Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  I can't wait to see everyone's creations.  I will be posting several layouts, some not quite done, but I wanted to show you some of my layouts from my recent vacation to California.  So make sure you check back in a couple of days.  Click here to view the current Idea Books.

You can get a FREE copy of the 2014/2015 Annual Inspirations by placing a $50 order on my site.

Interested in receiving more information on hosting a get together your friends?
Interested in becoming a consultant for an awesome company?

Contact me!

See you soon,

Lori

Designed Décor flip stand album

With the help of the Cricut® Artbooking collection and Designed Décor flip stand album, Close To My Heart will make a home decorator out of you! Watch as simple icons, shapes, and titles from this cartridge are transformed into works of art perfect for display in your home.

 

Happy Scrapping!

 

Lori

Annual Inspirations

NEW BOOK

Who is dying to get their hands on the BRAND NEW 2014-2015 Close To My Heart Annual Inspirations Idea Book?! *************Want one FREE?! *************

Spend $50 or more on my website and I will send this AMAZING book out to you.  It's full of so much inspiration and NEW products that will be orderable starting in August.

It is truly beautiful with 250 new products!  I can’t wait for you to get a copy!  It goes live August 1st!  More in depth info to come soon ….I would love to have the opportunity to show you and your friends how to create beautiful artwork that captures the special relationships you share in your life.  Please contact me to see the latest exclusive product line offered by Close to my Heart, and learn how you can schedule a Home Gathering, or receive information on joining my team.

Skylark - Featured Artist

I am so excited.  I have added 4 new team members.  I would like to give a BIG Welcome to Judy, Vera, Angela, and Betty. 

There is only 1 day left to take advantage of this month's promotion.  Sign up for just $99 and get $300 worth of product plus a Cricut Cartridge valued at $99 for FREE!  That is $400 worth of product for $99!!!  No obligation and no strings attached.  Contact me if you have any questions.

One of my newest team members, Angela has been creating some really great layouts.  Below is her first layout using CTMH flip flaps.  I really love how the Skylark paper brings out the pictures on her layout.

Angela used CTMH's spray pen to mist the edges with Lagoon re-inker.  This creates such a pretty effect and looks great on this layout!  Angela also incorporated some of CTMH's Picture My Life cards from the Skylark collection on her layout (bottom right side of her layout).

Angela is excited to get her new consultant kit.  She has been getting her photos printed and ready to start her next layout. 

 

Till next time,
Happy Scrapbooking!

Lori