Thanks

It is always nice to have Thank You cards on hand to show your appreciation.  Here are some of the cards I created for Hayley's graduation.  After using my new dry embossing folders with the new emerald green card stock I swiped the top with my emerald green stamp pad to add dimension. 

 I added a couple strips of emerald green shimmer paper for a pop of color.   Glitter always makes your cards fun and prettier!

 I love how easy I can add a sentiment with CTMH's new thin cuts.  So pretty!

Fun with Whimsy - Baby Album Series

Well after attending convention I fell in love with Close to my Heart's new Whimsy Fundamentals!   After seeing some of the presenters beautiful artwork and baby layouts I decided that I had to re-do Hayley's baby album.   I will be posting her layouts as part of a series to showcase the before and afters of her album.  

When I did Hayley's album I didn't have a lot of great products and made do with what I could find here and there.   Mixing and matching papers and stickers.  I bought a bunch of stuff before we moved to Korea and worked on it while we were stationed there and when we got back. 

 

Great products really does make a difference in your scrapbooks.  Not only do my layouts look way better, I know that my pictures will be preserved and will last for years to come! 

Here is a close up of the lettering.  I wanted you to see the shimmer effect on the letters.  I used Close to my Heart's new Shimmer Brush.  This brush is a fun way to add shimmer to your art work for the added wow factor! 

Here is another layout I did using Close to my Heart's Whimsy Fundamentals.  You will also notice the splattering effect that I created using Close to my Heart's watercolors.  Such an addicting & fun way to add dimension to your art work. 

 Above & below are close ups of some of the Whimsy Baby Girl Complements.  They coordinate perfectly with the Whimsy paper and come with stickers, gold glitter die-cuts, and vellum die cuts with gold or white foil accents.

Stay tuned for my layouts in this series.

Layout creation from A to Z

How do you create your layouts?  There are many ways to get started.  Close to my Heart has 'how to books' with pattern layouts that show you how to cut your papers to create beautiful layouts.  Close to my Heart also has several Workshop Your Ways that includes everything you need to create 3 beautiful layouts along with instructions to guide you through the process.

I start out by gathering up the pictures that I want to create with.  I really love the bright blues in Hayley's outfit that she wore for her Senior pictures.  My page actually came fairly easy once I started to pull different sheets of papers from the new Paper Fundamentals packs. 

I went ahead and matted my photo with some of the brand new Sea Glass paper.  It really brought out the photos of Hayley perfectly.  I added some of the new Rustic Home Fundamentals to soften the page.





 

  

 


Next I added in some pops of color by adding the Tangerine dots and Lagoon writing paper from the Adventure Fundamentals paper.  Now my page is really coming together. 

Glitter always makes your artwork come alive.  So I used Close to my Hearts new Thin Cuts to add dimension to my layouts.  The solid hearts are popped up using 3D foam tape.  I also added some of Close to my Heart's newest ribbon from the Rustic Home Ribbon Pack.

Here are both pages of my completed layout.  I really do love how beautiful the pictures of Hayley look on this layout.  With just a couple of splashes of paper here and there and a sprinkle of glitter paper my layout came together with ease.  Mixing and match the new paper fundamental is so easy and really makes your photos come alive.  Try a pack or two or three and see how creating layouts becomes super easy.

Till next time, Happy Scrapping!

Your creative coach,

Lori

Layout Presentations

As I mentioned in my previous post got asked to be a presenter for the 2016 Close to my Heart Convention.  I was sent a big box of goodies and told to create to my heart's content.  What an honor for me!  So as soon as I got my box I got to work on creating.  My presentation was going to cover embossing folders and thin cuts.

Here is a fun layout I did with some of Hayley's senior pictures that we took in Salado.  It might be hard to see, but I first used CTMH's watercolors and did the splatter technique to create a background on my base paper.  I used the new Adventures Fundamental paper adding a pop of color and fun to this layout.  I love how easy it is to embellish my layouts with some flowers and the 'Celebrate' thin cut.  You can even thin cut our glitter paper for the added sparkle and shine!

The background on this layout was created by scrunching up cellophane wrap and dabbing it on my Emerald stamp pad and dabbing it on my paper.  I used 2 of our new alphabet stamp sets to create my title and journaling for this layout.  I used scraps of gold glitter paper to back some of my thin cut stars and popped them up with 3D foam tape to add embellishment to my layout.

I created this fun frame for my friend's grandson.  He is sure a handsome little fella.  I used leftover scraps of the Enchantment Fundamental paper.  Stamped and fancy cut some images from the Race Car Birthday stamp set.  I know my friend is going to love this gift and it was super easy to make.

Stay tuned for my layouts and techniques!

Your creative coach,

Lori

LA Tournament

For Hayley's last tournament we got to go to LA!  The girls had some free time so everyone meet up at Manhattan Beach know for it's beach volleyball.  So in between catching some sun the girls played some beach volleyball with their coach and a couple of the parents.  I always find the beach is so relaxing and always enjoy watching everyone playing in the water or in the sand.

Here is a fun layout I created using CTMH's Calypso Workshop Your Way.  The background was created doing the splatter technique using CTMH's watercolors in two colors.

One of my favorite new products is the new version of flip flaps.   They are now called Pocket Plus.  Instead of attaching directly to the page protector they are basically smaller version of our Picture My Life insert.  By using these pockets I was able to add 6 additional pictures to my layout!  

Here is a close up some of the embellishments that I used from the compliments that are included in our Workshops Your Way.  You can also see some of the splatter technique in the background as well.

Another close up showing the vellum compliments.  I went ahead and backed them with card stock and popped them up with CTMH's 3D foam tape.  I love how are compliments are easy to layer and adds dimension to my layouts.



Enjoy life and take some time to scrapbook those memories.

Your creative coach,

Lori

Convention Fun

 

One of the many perks of being a Close to my Heart Consultant is being able to go to the Annual Convention!  My first convention was back in 2009 at our Dallas Convention.  This event is a wonderful way to meet with other crafty ladies and learn some new techniques and share business ideas.  Our first day we get to see some of the wonderful new products along with business training.  









We get to play with new products and create beautiful layouts and cards using some of the new products.  We also get to see some beautiful artwork created with brand new products from some of the top consultants.  I even got the honor of being a presenter this year!  I look forward to going and hanging out with all of the friends I have made and I always make new ones!  I am truly blessed to have meet some really wonderful ladies who I consider FAMILY!

 

Our last night at convention ends with all of us getting dressed up for a great banquet dinner.  Close to my Heart presents awards in a multitude of categories to include top sales, team recruiting, and team sales.  

 


We always add a couple of extra days to the end of our Convention to hang out and play in town with each other.  Our last few convention have been at Disneyland or Disney World.  So why not catch some rides with Mickey and Minnie.  One of my favorite treats to get is a Dole Whip...yummmmmmm!  What a great way to cool off on a hot day at Disney World!  We talk business and new strategies while waiting in line for rides.   Owning your own business doesn't get any funner then this!

If you have ever thought about becoming a Close to my Heart consultant now is the time to do it!  CTMH always has fun activities planned throughout the year for you to attend and CTMH has the BEST scrapbooking products in the industry hands down.  Come join my growing team, Fun, Fabulous Friends and learn about all of the great reasons CTMH is the best!

Contact me if you have any questions.

Your creative coach,

Lori

Close to my Heart Convention and more!

Hello Blogger Friends!  I know it has been a LONG time since I last blogged.  Life got a hold of my time!  I have finally feel like I am catching up.

Back in April I got a call from Close to my Heart asking me to be a presenter at our upcoming Convention.  I was beyond excited!   I received a box full of brand new products and was told to create to my heart's content.  I would be covering the new Thin Cuts, Embossing Folders and some of the new Paper Fundamentals.  I also got to play with all of the new colors!  

Here are some of the cards I created.

Card 1 - Dry embossed with the Chevron embossing folder.  I used the 'Hello' thin cut with our gold glitter paper.  Card 2 - Dry embossed with the Wood Slats embossing folder.  This time I thin cut Hello using our new Sea Glass card stock.  I also used our new Sea Glass glitter paper to embellish my card.

I love how all of the new colors play so well with each other.  I also love that we now have RIBBON!

Here are 2 of my favorite cards.  Both cards were created at the same time using the negative and positive images.  You can also see all of the beautiful colors in our new Adventure Cardstock Combo Pack.

Here is another fun set of simple cards that I created.  Card 1 - the center heart I used the negative space to sponge in the color.  Then I just added the 'Hello' thin cut.  Glitter paper makes everything pretty!



Here is my Consultant Showcase where I got to display my convention presentation stuff along with other things I have been creating all year long. I was truly honored and blessed to have such a wonderful opportunity to create with great product.


Stay tuned for more layouts that were created for my presentation coming soon.

Create Kindness Campaign

Celebrate National Stamping Month this September with hand stamped cards designed to help create a little more kindness in the world. The Create Kindness card kit contains all of the supplies needed to create 24 beautiful handmade cards that you can use to brighten someone’s day! The kit can be yours for only $46.95—a 15% savings off the retail value!

    

Thanks to the pre-printed card bases, these cards come together in no time, leaving you more time to do something thoughtful for someone.  Join the fun and order yours here: CREATE KINDNESS