2013 New Idea Book News

Hello! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Part of the perks of being a consultant, means that we get to preview the new products ahead of time. Every time we get a new idea book, I say it's the best one I've ever seen. The Spring/Summer 2013 (2013?!) issue does not disappoint. 

Below, I am sharing a sneak peek at the front cover.

If you have been considering signing up for a while, this is one of the cutest Consultant kits I've ever seen, and is also a great value! This new consultant kit will be available beginning January 1st.

Essentials Kit $49.00!

Master Kit $99.00! (Includes everything in both pictures.)

Before I forget, we have a cute promotion going on right now through January 31st, called "Whooo's Your Valentine". If you spend $35.00, you can get this fabulous kit for just $10.00.

Last up, don't forget that starting January 1st through January 31st, you can get this beautiful stamp of the month set for just $5.00 with a qualifying purchase. 

Both promotions will offer you many exciting possibilities to create your loved-themed projects just in time for Valentine's Day.

If you would like to hear more about any of these exciting promotions, please visit my website here. Thank you, and Happy New Year!

Casandra

MFTWSC102 Snow Angel Card

Hello. Since Friday, I have been in such a state of grief and shock over the loss of so many young lives in Newtown. Really, it could have been here in my school district...where my 6-year-old son attends elementary school. To think of so many beautiful lives cut short by such a senseless act of violence...it has been absolutely devastating to my sense of security for my children. I have been praying for the families that were affected by this tragedy.

This morning, I saw this on Facebook and wanted to take a moment to share it with all of you.

"CNN just shared a mailing address that the USPS has set up for the Connecticut School Shooting if you would like to send a sympathy card to them. It is... 

Messages of Condolence, P.O. Box 3700, Newton, CT 06470"

Now, on to the artwork part of my post.

Recipe:

Paper: Sophia, White Daisy CS (CTMH), Kraft CS (MFT)

Stamp: PI-Snow Angel (MFT)

Inks: Chocolate, Hollyhock, Pear, Desert Sand, Heavenly Blue (CTMH)

Tools: Paper-Piercer, Glue Pen, Blending Pen, Watercolor Pencils, Embossing Stylus, Sponge Dauber (CTMH), Icicle Border Die-Namics, Jumbo Snowflake Die-Namics (MFT)

Other: Prisma Glitter, Stardust Glitz Glue, Pearl Opaques (CTMH)

I created this card for the following challenges.

1) My Favorite Things MFTWSC102 Challenge

2) Black Friday's Challenge #13
3) The Paper Players PPP126 Challenge

Thanks for stopping by. Please be safe, my friends.

Casandra

Whooo's Your Valentine Blog Hop

Welcome to the Whooo's Your Valentine Blog Hop! Today, we are featuring projects created with this adorable kit.

If you have come here from {Jean McNulty's Blog}, you are on the right path!

Now "Hop" on over to {Krista Hershberger's Blog} to see her lovely artwork. Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to place your order. You can get this exclusive stamp set with treat boxes for just $10 when you place a minimum order of $35 in full retail products from December 13th, 2012 through January 31, 2013.

Casandra

MFTSCRAP2 Avonlea Layout

My daughter's preschool is doing a gift basket raffle drawing for Christmas. Her teacher just happens to be expecting her first child in January, and is also an avid scrapbooker. So I am creating a baby album for the gift basket. I only have 8 more days to get it done, so wish me luck!

Recipe:
Paper: Avonlea, Chocolate CS, Slate CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Clearly Sentimental About New Beginnings (MFT)
Ink: Twilight, Chocolate (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Mocha Pearl Opaques (CTMH)

Piece A: 1/2" x 10 1/2"
Piece B: 9" x 11 1/2"
Piece C: 1 1/2" x 10 1/2"
Piece D: 12" x 2"
Piece E: 5 1/4" x 7 1/4" Photo Mat
Piece F & G: 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" Photo Mats
Piece H: 3" x 4" Photo Mat

I love our Avonlea papers. The colors are gorgeous and trendy, and perfect for winter, family, and heritage pages. I am debating adding some pink stamped snowflake images within the memory protector in case a girl is born and the recipient wants to add some girly flair.

Hope you like!

Casandra

MFTGUESTDT1212 Christmas Caroler

I decided that I would give the guest designer challenge a try. There is some serious competition out there, so I don't think I have a chance. I made this next card for my little girl, who has shiny brown hair and bangs, too. She also really loves flowers...especially the flowers she's not supposed to pick. :)

Recipe:
Paper: Mistletoe, Cocoa CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH), Kraft CS (MFT)
Stamp: Pure Innocence-Christmas Caroler (MFT)
Ink: Cocoa (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen, Blending Pen, Watercolor Pencils, Cricut Artiste Cartridge, Corner Rounder (CTMH), Fancy Flourish Die-Namics (MFT)
Other: Prisma Glitter, Pearls (CTMH)

Here is the MFTGUESTDT1212 link to find out the details for this challenge. It closes today, but perhaps you can join in on the fun next month!

Casandra

Mistletoe Christmas Layout

Last night, I held my monthly Friday night workshop. Attendee's have the option of making a layout, or 3 cards...or creating both layout and cards.

This workshop serves two purposes. 
1. Use up older papers to make way for new.
2. Provide reasonably priced projects for those working with a tight budget or lack of time.

Recipe:
Paper: Mistletoe, Colonial White CS, Cranberry CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Very Merry Christmas (CTMH)
Ink: Cranberry, Olive, Champagne (CTMH)
Tools: Silver Glitz Glue, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen, Cricut Artiste Cartridge (CTMH), Snowflakes Die-Namics (MFT)
Other: Reflections How-To Program, Cranberry Baker's Twine (CTMH)

These two patterns combined allow for 9 photos. If there is one time of the year that I need to cram more photos onto a layout, it's Christmas. 

Today, we went and picked out our Christmas tree. It took me less than a minute to find the perfect one. LOL It was a Clark Griswold kind of moment, in that the tree seemed to have a halo of light around it. ;) I'm so happy to have a tree that isn't a blue spruce for the first time in many years. 

Have a great night!

Casandra

MOJO270 Valentine's Day Card

As promised, I am back with a second Valentine's Day card.

I am entering this into the Mojo Monday #270 Contest Challenge.

Recipe:
Paper: Roxie, Black CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Whooo's Your Valentine (CTMH)
Ink: Black, Tulip, Smoothie (CTMH)
Tools: Micro-Tip Scissors, Corner Rounder (CTMH)
Other: Grey Ribbon (American Crafts), Glue Dot (CTMH)

This is my favorite Valentine's Card of all time. Nice having a sketch that gives you a clustered embellishing idea, and immediately made me think of the new stamp set that arrived the same day. It was kismet. :)

Casandra

H2H Valentine's Day Card

Today, I thought I would switch gears from Christmas to Valentine's Day. Cardmakers are always thinking up crafty ideas way before a particular holiday comes along. 

When I saw this next sketch from Heart 2 Heart Challenges, I immediately thought of the rounded square sentiments in my new stamp set "Whooo's Your Valentine".

Recipe:
Paper: Roxie, Black CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Whooo's Your Valentine (CTMH)
Ink: Black, Tulip, Smoothie (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Sponge, Watercolor Pencil (CTMH)
Other: Bitty Sparkles, Black Baker's Twine (CTMH)

I will be back again soon with my next Valentine's Day card. :)

Casandra

DS79 Flakey Friends Card

Hello. I worked on another card last night. 

I am entering it into the following challenges.
1. Deconstructed Sketch DS79 Challenge
2. Color My Heart Dare #20 Challenge
3. The Paper Players PP124 Snowmen Theme Challenge

Recipe:
Paper: Pear and Partridge, White Daisy CS, Cranberry CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Flakey Friends (CTMH)
Ink: Black Pigment (Tsuniko)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Corner Rounder, Craft Heater, Craft Tray, Craft Tweezers, Watercolor Pencils, Chocolate Marker, Cranberry Marker, Olive Marker (CTMH), Snowflakes Die-Namics (MFT)
Other: Silver Glitz Glue, Clear Sparkles, Clear Detail Embossing Powder (CTMH)

Thanks for stopping by. 

Casandra

DD#31 Believe Card

Good afternoon! I'm back with one more card today.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
1. Dynamic Duos DD#31 Color Challenge
2. Inspired By #52 Challenge
3. Merry Monday A Year In Review Challenge

Recipe:
Paper: Believe, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Believe WOTG (CTMH)
Inks: Black Pigment (Tsuniko), Sweet Leaf, Cranberry (CTMH)
Tools: Cranberry Marker, Blending Pen, Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Craft Heater, Craft Tray, Craft Tweezers, Glue Pen (CTMH), Floral Doily Motifs Die (Spellbinders)
Other: Cranberry Ribbon, Clear Sparkles, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Glue Dots (CTMH)

I used Merry Monday's sketch #25, which you can view here.

Happy Holidays!

Casandra

MFTWSC100 Howdy Cowboy Card

One of my favorite weekly challenges is the Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge by My Favorite Things. I love their detailed, layered sketches. 

Recipe:
Paper: Dakota, Pacifica CS, White Daisy CS, Colonial White CS (CTMH)
Stamp: PI-Cowboy (MFT)
Inks: Black, Barn Red, Pacifica, Champagne (CTMH), Black Pigment (Tsuniko)
Tools: Craft Heater, Craft Tray, Craft Tweezers, Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer, Blending Pen, Glue Pen, Watercolor Pencils (CTMH), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (SU!), Picket Fence Die-Namics (MFT), Cuttlebug
Other: Round Durables Studs, Clear Detail Embossing Powder (CTMH)

Although the deadline is just a few minutes away, if you would like more info. on playing along or seeing the sketch up close, please visit My Favorite Things Blog.

That little cowboy stamp is one of my favorites. Have a great day! Thanks for stopping by.

Casandra

CTS#7 Flakey Friends Card

Good morning! I'm cutting it close on a couple of deadlines.

Yesterday, my Flakey Friends stamp set arrived (this is unheard of for FedEx on a Monday!). I was so excited to ink him up and stamp away.

Recipe:
Paper: Pacifica CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Snowflakes, Flakey Friends (CTMH)
Inks: Heavenly Blue, Black (CTMH), Black Pigment (Tsuniko)
Tools: Craft Heater, Craft Tray, Craft Tweezers, Paper-Piercer, Corner Rounder, Micro-Tip Scissors, Glue Pen, Watercolor Pencils, Blending Pen, Cranberry Marker (CTMH), Die-Namics Snowdrifts (MFT), Cuttlebug
Other: Cranberry Ribbon, Bitty Sparkles, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Prisma Glitter (CTMH)

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
1. CAS(E) this sketch! CTS#7 Challenge
2. The Paper Players PP124 Snowmen Theme Challenge
Have a great day!

Casandra

Dakota Workshop Layouts

We just finished up an hour ago with the Dakota workshop. I wanted to share my layouts with you. I can't take total credit for the design of any of them, really.

Layout #1: Inspired by Page 33 Imagine: Fantastic Five

Layout #2: Inspired by Page 30 Magic: Top Hat

Layout #3: Inspired by Jeanette Lynton Blog Magic: Illusion

Products Used:
Paper: Dakota, Barn Red CS, Black CS, Pacifica CS, Cocoa CS, Desert Sand CS, Garden Green CS, White Daisy CS, Colonial White CS, Whisper CS, Slate CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Classmate Alphabet, Paisley Flair, Avonlea WOTG, Casual Expressions, Stars Shine Bright (Convention 2012 stamp) (CTMH)
Inks: Pacifica, Black, Barn Red, Slate (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Watercolor Pencils, Cricut Artiste Cartridge, Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, Sponge, Rub-On Tool, Corner Rounder (CTMH)
Other: Green Baker's Twine, Burlap Ribbon, Parlor Velvet Rub-On's, Wrangler Assortment, Houndstooth Alphabet, Durables Round Studs, Black Embroidery Floss (CTMH)


The last layout had a color switch-up so that customers could work with the kit papers they had left. The blue paisley paper replaced the red houndstooth; the cocoa cardstock was replaced with black cardstock. The desert sand cardstock was replaced with pacifica cardstock. Then the pennants were changed to coordinate with the blue, black and grey theme. 

Now, as you can see, I really didn't go completely western theme on my layouts. I had the complements, but decided against using them. We live in Northern Michigan so western really isn't that big around here. My original thoughts were to scrapbook hubby's pic's when he was a child. Western shirts were pretty popular then. But, realistically, I scrap mostly my children's pages. I thought the "Blue Arrow" badge went perfectly with the one layout, so I added it in, and no, we didn't buy the bow and arrow just so I could use the badge. LOL

I believe we had 2 full sheets of B&T paper left so you may see more Dakota layouts soon. :) One more quick note to share with you...that rub-on tool is the bomb! Love it! Makes adding rub-on's easy peasy, and is well worth the expense.

Have a great night!

Casandra