Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays everyone!

I hope everyone had a Happy Holiday this year.  My family and I traveled back to IL for two Christmas celebrations with each side of our family. I made several gifts this year and took pictures of a few of them.  Now that I have given the gifts I can finally post them! So be looking for those posts in the next few days.

Enjoy your last few days of 2010!

Just a Note...

Christmas Gift Ideas on the Cheap!!!

This weekend I was able to finish one of my to do projects. I tried another new idea I had seen done creating a message board from a picture frame. Now all I have to do is buy a dry erase marker.

Supplies:

1 10"x13" Frame from Hobby Lobby - on sale for $4.99

1 pack of level 2 paper from CTMH - $11.95 (I had this Grace Paper on hand so it was free)

1 Alphabet Stamp Set from CTMH (can't remember the name off hand)

1 brad

CTMH Black Ink Pad

CTMH Barn Red Ink Pad

CTMH Sponge for distressing the edges of the paper and flower

1 scrap of green paper for the leaf

Cricut Expression and Accent Essentals Cartridge for flower and cut 6 flowers at 4"

Note: The flower would have been 3-D if it was not in the frame. To do that you wet the seperate petals and gently crumple them up into tight balls of paper. Then immediately and gently undo taking care not to tear the wet paper.  Then secure all the petal layers with a brad and scrunch them all in toward the brad, then gently pull out from brad a bit and they will dry like that. Looks more like a carnation when done that way.

Thankful for Family - Shabby Tea Room Challenge

The challenge this week at The Shabby Tea Room was to create a project or a card using no squares or rectangles. This Thanksgiving Holiday I was able to find some time to try my hand at something new. 

I made my first wreath! My Mother-in-Law's birthday was this week and she is down visiting us today so while I was out shopping I found this beauty on sale for half off at Hobby Lobby.  I had seen a picture of a similar wreath done by another consultant at the CTMH Convention this year. I am not sure her name, but she did the poster titled Boutique Chic on the art wall. If anyone knows her, I would love her name to give her proper credit. 

Now I forgot to take pictures of the before supplies, but this wreath was just a plain grape vine wreath at first.

Supplies:

1 plain grape vine wreath (Hobby Lobby)

1 sprig of artificial flowers (Hobby Lobby)

4 sheets of CTMH colored cardstock ( I used crystal blue, colonial white, sweet leaf, and blush)

2 strings of CTMH Natural Hemp

1 Sheet of CTMH plain chipboard

Glue Dots Adhesive

Tacky Tape

Liquid Glass Adhesive

Maybe even a hot glue gun or super glue

Paper cutter/scorer

scissors

I also used my Cricut Expression to make the letters with Opposites Attract Cartridge

and Sure Cuts A Lot to make the pennants

To make your own just follow these directions:

Cut branches off your sprig of flowers and weave them into your wreath using the grape vine twigs to hold them in place. Cut 2 stings of hemp and cut your pennant shapes. Mine are cut at 4.5" long. Score top part of the triangle (thickest end) about an inch down and fold over to the back.  This will allow the pennant to sit on the banner. Use your scissors to cut off the excess that is showing and use the glue dots to adhere the pennant to the hemp and repeat until all your pennants are hung. Attach your banner to the wreath how you wish. Then cut your title, I used chipboard for mine and this is the hardest part, attaching your title. Try the adhesive that works for you, I am probably going to get a hot glue gun to better secure my letters. I used tacky tape and liquid glass, but the liquid glass does not dry fast enough and the tape seems a little loose. So I recommend hot glue or super glue for quick, strong bonds. This took me about an hour to complete, but that was with constant breaks to take care of my two babies and even held one while working at one point.

I would love to hear from you...what do you think? It was my first try after all.

Blog Candy Winner!

According to Random.org the candy winner is Debbi!  Congrats Debbi...e-mail me at cjmilburn06@hotmail.com to tell me your address.  Thanks for playing at Courtney's Creations!

Friday's Feast Blog Candy Giveaway!!!

Blog Candy Giveaway just got Sweeter!!!

I am giving away some blog candy as a way of saying Thanks to those who help get the word out about my Black Friday Sale.

I have scoured my stash and I have come up with the following items to add to this blog candy.

3- Hand made Thank You Cards with a blank inside.

1- CTMH Twilight Exclusive Ink Pad NIP

1- Fall Flouish Clear Mini Stamps Pack

1 - CTMH Spring 2010 Idea Book

1 - CTMH Autumn/Winter 2009 Idea Book

4 - 12"x12" Pre-Printed Layout Pages from the CTMH Unforgettable Level 1 Kit

2 - 12"x12" two sided We R Memory Keepers Comstock Collection Cotton Candy Papers

3 - 12"x12" Karen Foster Design Photo Pedigree Chart Papers

4 - 12"x12" Karen Foster Design Life Story Papers

1 - Vintage Lace Theme 12"x12" Paper

1 -DCWV 12"x12" Ancient Scroll Paper

1- 12"x12" Ireland collage Print Paper

3 - 12"x12" School Themed Papers

1 - Bag full of Chipboard saysing for Children and Family

1 - NIP SEI Sparklers Dimensional Glass Beaded Stickers

1 - Zoophabet Borders Stickers NIP

1 - bag of paper photo frams

1- NIP EK Success vellum stickers baby theme

1- Quick Quotes mini book kit NIP

1 - CTMH My Originals Card Kit Rex and Friends NIP

Below are some close ups of this huge lot of goodies!

All you have to do is the following 3 steps:

1.Become a follower and grab my Black Friday Button on my sidebar and post it on your blog.

2. Write a post advertising my Close to my Heart Independent Consultant Black Friday Sale and the Blog Candy giveaway. Feel free to use this picture of the candy in your post.

3. Link your post up below using my Mr. Linky link-up directing me to your post.

This Blog Candy Giveaway is good until 10pm November 26, 2010 at which time I will pull a random winner.

Don't have a blog, but still want a chance to win?

If you do not have a blog, then leave a comment directing me to your facebook post or include me, cjmilburn06@hotmail.com, in your e-mail to your friends advertising the sale. Ready...Set.....GO!!!!

Black Friday Sale!!!! One day only!!!!

It's the BIG Day After Thanksgiving Special!!!


Friday, November 26, email me or comment here between 3pm and 10pm and take advantage of these specials! Get up early and hit the mall. When you have shopped till you drop, take a break from the crowds, grab your idea book (or go to this link for the online idea book) and shoot me a message, or send me your order via e-mail @ cjmilburn06@hotmail.com *

For every order over $40 get a SECIAL BONUS GIFT FREE!!! I will sweeten the deal even more! For every $40 you spend you get another FREE GIFT!!! Your order can also qualify for the Stamp of the Month Special. If you spend $25, you can get the Nov Stamp of the month for $17.21, spend $50 and get it for just $11.48, spend $75 and get it for just $5.74 and spend $100 and get it for FREE! And don't forget that during November we’re expressing our gratitude to you our customers. When you place a minimum order of $100 US / $117.50 CAN, you will not only receive the November Stamp of the Month set, A Little Thanks, for FREE, you will also receive ONE STAMP SET OF YOUR CHOOSING from the 2010 Autumn/Winter Idea Book for FREE! It’s just our way of imparting A Little MORE Thanks to you this November.                                 

Nov. Stamp of the Month

Place your Chistmas Orders between now and December 1st and I will giftwrap them for free and send them to the address of your choice. This deadline is to ensure delivery by Christmas Day.

OK here is how this BLACK FRIDAY SALE will work. When you place an order with me of $40 or more between 3pm and 10pm Friday November 26, 2010 you will recieve 1 FREE BONUS GIFT OF YOUR CHOOSING from the following list from the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book:

• 1 pkg. Waxy Flax (Bamboo, Black, Chocolate, Colonial White, Cranberry, Crystal Blue, Juniper, or Sorbet)
• 1 pkg. Hemp (Black, Natural, or White)
• 1 pkg. Opaques Adhesive Gems (Licorice, Mocha, or Pearl)
• 1 pkg. Sparkles (Blue and Green Assortment, Red, Pink, and Purple Assortment, Clear Assortment or Bitty Assortment)
• 1 pkg. Twinkle Brads Jolly Assortment
• 1 pkg. Colonial White Designer Brads
• 1 pkg. Pewter Designer Brads
• 1 pkg. Pretty Pins
• 1 pkg. Flexi Labels
• 1 pkg. Badge Buttons
• 1 pkg. Fancy Fuzz Borders
• 1 pkg. Fancy Cuts Die Cuts
• 1 pkg. Foundry Tabs
• 1 pkg Epoxy Clips
• 1 pkg. Filigree Charms
• 1 pkg. Tiny Tabs
• 1 pkg. Soft Set Eyelets
• 1 My Creations Memory Showcase Accordian Style Albumn
• 1 pkg. A-door-ables
• 1 3"x3" Mini Albumn
• 1 pkg. Dimensional Elements ( Fresh Shapes, Perennials, Simple Numbers, Stars, Plain make your own Chipboard, Hearts, or Monograms)
• 1 pkg Dimensional Elements in Color (Organic or Adventure)
• 1 pkg. Miracle Irresistibles
• 1 pkg. Color Ready Alphabets
• 1 pkg 6"x6" White Daisy Cardstock
• 1 jar of Embossing Powder
• 1 Embossing Pen
• 1 Rub and Remove Eraser
• 1 Dry Embossing Stylus
• 1 Sanding Kit
• 1 Edge Distressor and Sponge
• 1 pkg. Distressing Inks
• 2 Sponges
• 1 pkg. Sponge Daubers
• 1 container of Liquid Applique
• 1 Red Eye Pen
• 1 Blending Pen
• 1 Container of Create a Shade Pearl Paint
• 1 Pkg. Craft Jars
• 1 Marker (Color of your Choice)

Please tell me in your e-mail your order, how you are paying (Cash, Check, Credit, or Paypal) and which item from this list you wish to be your FREE GIFT and which color or design you want if applicable! Also let me know if it is a present for someone else you want gift wrapped for FREE and shipped to the address of your choice. HAPPY SHOPPING!

* note* This offer is only good with Courtney - Close to my Heart Independent Consultant at cjmilburn06@hotmail.com.

Shutterfly may be my new favorite company to print with!

I used to print my photos with a competitors site, but I may switch now after hearing such great things about Shutterfly. Just  check out a few of my favorite designs for this years Christmas Cards.

More Than Merry American Lung Association Holiday 5x7 folded card

I like this one to show off a family photo and one of the girls alone

Counting The Days Christmas 5x7 folded card

This one is really cute and childish which will fit nicely with my girls baby pictures I want to exhibit

All Of Us Christmas 5x7 folded card

I like how this card has room for a full length and head shot of each of my girls and I love the colors.

What A Year Christmas Card

This next two are probably my favorite because of how much they can be personalized and their fun color schemes. I love this one for the Christmas letter with photos incorporated idea.

Top Ten Moments Christmas Card

And I love this one for the same idea, but a little more concise with some very bright, fun colors. This has been a year I could sum up with 10 points.

Now to go play on Shutterfly and create some CUTE cards!

A little Thanks H2H Challenge entry.

Heart 2 Heart Challenges is doing another 4 for 40 challenge.  The goal this week is to create your best thank you cards in honor of Thanksgiving. Here is the card I created:

I hand stamped the dots just by eyeballing where they should go, I used a fiskars embossing template and a stylus to emboss the Twlight cardstock, and used the generation stamping technique to create a shadow look behind my thank you sentiment. I also used Diamond Stickles on my flourish. I can't remember which stamp sets I used off the top of my head.  I will have to look and edit this later. Thanks for looking!

This card is one of a set that actually match this card box

All created with CTMH products (except the ribbon and embossing plate) using the colors Cocao, Colonial White, and Twilight.

For the purse/cardbox I used Accent Essentials Cartridge.

H2H Challenge - Make it Girly

I am so excited about this challenge since I am the proud Momma of two baby girls. When I thought of something girly this layout came to mind.

I used the following supplies:

All CTMH except the flowers and I used the Cricut for the letter cut outs but on CTMH paper

Topstitch Paper

Chocolate Ink

Blush Ink

Chocolate Ribbon Rounds

The pink flower image was from a CTMH stamp set, but I don't remember which one.

Natural Hemp

Chocolate Brads

This was the layout I made of my first Mother's Day as a Mom myself. I hand stamped my own background on the Colonial White Cardstock, and used my Cricut Opposites Attract cartridge to cut the title.  I used Chocolate Ink to distress the page and edges as well. I was not overly impressed with my photography, but decided it was important to document the event anyway and I ended up loving the final result.

My daughter is dressed in what was my take home outfit and her booties were made by my Grandmother for me when I was a baby. My Grandma passed away from cancer when I was in 4th grade so they are something special I have of hers.

What do you think...is it girly enough?

Scrappy Saturdays

Maryanne at Scrappy Gifts is hosting an online crop! Go take a look and leave a comment telling her I sent you.  Then tell one of your friends and have them do the same! Check out all the great inspiration for all us ladies who are too busy to attend a regular crop.

My favorite CTMH Product Right Now

My Favorite Close to my Heart prodcuts would have to be the paper...both the cardstock and background and texture (B&T) papers.  I just LOVE how all the colors are coordinated for me.  It takes the guessing and matching paper part out of the equation.

Just look how well the papers coordinate with each other and how perfectly they match the inks I used on my background stamping.

Just look at how the white core of the cardstock shows through with some sanding.

Play Date Cafe Color Challenge

This is my submission for this week's Play Date Cafe Color Challenge. For this layout I used the Twitterpated papers from CTMH and the stamp set from the Twitterpated Workshop on the GO and the Felicity Constant Campaign Paper Pack.  The colors are Sorbet, Chocolate, Sweet leaf, and Colonial White. I used the Reflections How-to Book from CTMH for the layout patterns.

You can't see it here very well, but I made my own shimmer mist and sprayed the family title.

I hand-stamped my own background on the colonial white paper.

Added some ribbon

Another look at my hand-stamped background.

Close up of the second page.

I distressed the edges of the sweet leaf paper with chocolate ink using a sponge. I also hole punched the chocolate cardstock and layered sorbet cardstock behind it to create my own background and some texture.

I stamped this tree using the treetops stamp from CTMH and cut it out to make a die-cut shape for my journal. Leave your comments here and tell me what you think.

Mommy and Me artwork

This is the first paper craft project my little girl (age 18 months) and I have done together. I punched out some different size squares from my paper scraps and we worked on saying square and understanding the square shape and learned to glue things with a glue stick...she was the glue stick queen.  She would get very upset if I took it from her and she wanted to do it herself.  Then she learned how to stick something to paper.  That part was tricky as she just wanted to keep gluing and she wanted to pull off the already glued pieces, but eventually we ended up with this lovely piece of artwork that is now hanging on our fridge in true proud Mommy fashion.  I have to teach her young so she will become my scrapping buddy someday.

Without further adieu....here is the beautiful picture.

New signature line attempt

Paper Issues Scalloped Challenge Entry 5

This is my 5th entry into the Paper Issues Peer Pressure Challenge. To make my scallopes on this page I broke out my ancient fiskars scissors.

Paper Issues Scalloped Challenge Entry 4

Sorry for the bad picture.  This is my 4th entry into the Paper Issues Peer Pressure Challenge. For this layout I used Close to my Heart Miracle Constant Campaign kit, Amore Alphabet and Numbers stamps, and Posterboard Alphabet Stamp. This layout was about when my oldest daughter caught the swine flu at 5 months old last year.

Paper Issues Scalloped Challenge Entry 3

This is my Paper Issues 3rd entry for the Peer Pressure Challenge.  I created this purse/gift box/card holder using Close to my Heart Twilight, Cocoa, and Colonial White Cardstock and the Annotations Stamp set. I also used my fiskars embossing plates and my Cricut Expression with the Home Accents Cartridge.

Paper Issues Scalloped Challenge Entry 2

This is my second entry to the Paper Issues Peer Pressure Challenge. I got this layout idea from the Scrapbooks Etc magazine.

Paper Issues Scalloped Challenge Entry 1

This is my 1st entry for the Paper Issues peer pressue challenge. I used Grace Paper from Close to my Heart and the CTMH Posterboard Alpha and Basic buttons.

NVS Challenge #8 Entry

I created this layout of my daughter and my friend's son when he came to visit. We tease that this is her boyfriend. I used my cricut expression to cut out the letters and they were on white paper. I used my chalk inks and colored the letters. I used my sewing machine to stitch around the photo and felt shapes and chipboard for the accents.  I truely hope these two will be friends always.

This is my entry for the challenge at NVS challenge #8 due today 10/31. If you would like a chance to earn the prize from BlueMoonScrapbooking then enter today.

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Embossing

I am re-posting this purse/greeting card holder/gift bag that I created on my cricut expression.

I used the Accent Essentials cartridge and the following supplies:

14" of ribbon...not sure what brand mine is as I store them all together

2 eyelets, mine are making memories

CTMH Colonial White Cardstock

CTMH Twilight Cardstock

CTMH Cocoa Cardstock

6 CTMH Colonial White Brads

Fiskers Embossing Plate

Tacky Tape strips

Velcro adhesive dot

CTMH Bonding Memories Glue

Diamond Stickles

CTMH Annotations Stamp Set

CTMH Twilight and Cocoa inks

Mommy's Free Day!

Here is my latest artwork from my Mommy only day with my good friend Megan. She and I were able to get free from our little ones and get scrapping! I myself have not been able to scrap since my second baby girl was born almost 4 months ago. So not only have I not been able to start her album yet, I am still only on months 4-5 of my first baby girls album!!! Does this sound familiar? I used Close to my Heart paper kits on several pages to help me get caught up. I LOVE the fact that the paper packets all come like a kit with all the coordinating papers. It takes the guessing out of it for me.

This layout was of my daughter at 5 months old when she had caught the swine flu. It was scary, but she had no major complications...in fact you can see she was still a pretty happy baby.

Supplies:

All CTMH

Felicity paper pack

Sweet Leaf and Crystal Blue Ink

Bamboo Brads

Amore Alphabet

Posterboard Alphabet

 

I apologize for the glare on this page. One night my daughter was playing in her exersaucer and it was really loud. Just jumping and jumping and jumping.  I had sort of tuned her out while I was on the computer since she was having fun close by.  Then I had one of those Mommy moments where everything got really quiet and you know you need to go investigate. Well this is what I found. She had just kept jumping until she got so tired she fell asleep right there! If you knew my daughter at all, you knew she was a horrible sleeper so this was a tiny miracle!

Supplies:

CTMH Topstitch Paper Pack level 2

CTMH Chocolate distressing ink, Stipple brush, and sander (all from the distressing kit)

CTMH Alphabet Stamp set from the Felicity Kit

CTMH Chocolate Ribbon

CTMH Amore Numbers and Letters Stamp sets

CTMH Spring Harmony Brads

Making Memories Copper Brads

Pink Thread

Cricut Opposites Attract Cartridge

This picture has bad color, so let me show you 1 page at a time.

For this layout I used a scrapbook overlay.  These overlays come with the squares cut out already and you just place photos behind the squares or paper scraps like I did. It really helps speed up the page. I think I am going to re-do the journaling block as my handwriting got sloppy, but other than that it turned out really cute.  Can you tell my daughter was not into it! Ha Ha! That is what I get for trying to get in a photo shoot before nap time! I am not sure of which company's these papers came from since I store mine by theme.  These were not CTMH though.

Jump for Joy!

October is the best time to hold your own Home Gathering. Why, you ask? During October, all of my hostesses will earn more Hostess Rewards with a qualifying Gathering of at least $450 US in sales. How does this work? As a qualifying hostess, you'll automatically jump up to the next Hostess Rewards level. In other words, if your Gathering sales qualify you to receive $100 in free select product and two items at 50 percent off, you'll actually jump up to $120 in free product and three items at 50 percent off! This means more for you! You'll earn at least $20 more in free product and may even earn an additional item of your choice at 50 percent off. So, don't wait! October is a great time to invite your friends and family over to do some holiday shopping with Close To My Heart, order their holiday card, craft, or scrapbooking supplies, and have a fun night out crafting, laughing, and relaxing.

It gets even better! Beginning October 1, 2010, an EZ Invite Gathering can be held completely online. As long as two orders are placed (either through the Consultant or online via EZ Invite) by guests invited through EZ Invite, and as long as the total reaches at least $150/$175, the hostess will qualify for Hostess Rewards. That means hostesses holding face-to-face Home Gatherings or virtual Online Gatherings can both reap the benefits of Hostess Rewards! So this means you don't even have to actually clean your house.  You can have a completely online catalog party! Now your party guests can be from all over the country!

Contact me today to Host a Party! This offer only good this month.
cjmilburn06@hotmail.com

OMG look what I just learned!!!!

Check out this video to see how you can emboss with your circut machine for free! No additional parts needed other than a rubber type mat and she shows you which one she uses.  WOW!  I may have to try this now!!!  I have seen additional parts you can buy from a company that works with cricut, but WOW! Now I can try to do it free.  Why did I not think of this!  Ok I will try to calm down now.

Heart to Heart Challenge - Stitching up some artwork

Here is my artwork I am re-posting as my entry for this weeks Heart to Heart Challenge.  Having two girls I hardly get to use blue in their scrapbooks, but I LOVE how this one turned out!

For this layout everything is CTMH except for the blue threads and ribbon.


Supplies:

1- 12x12 Colonial White Cardstock

1 - Felicity Pack of Paper and stamp set

several scraps of Colonial White Cardstock

Cocoa rectangular plates and Bamboo bitty brads.

Basic Brads and Basic Buttons

Natural Hemp

Amour lowercase alphabet

Reflections Pattern Book

1- Dollar Spool Ribbon



For this layout I followed the basic layout in my Reflections How to Book from CTMH. I turned it on its side to accomidate my 5x7 photo. I made a return to sewing on my page with this layout as I have not done so in a while. I had never sewn directly onto a photo before and I really love the results. Doing girl pages, I hardly use any blue and I must say I LOVE it!. I also random stamped the Col. White background. What do you think? I would LOVE to hear from you!