Scrapfest 2014 coming to Willow Grove, PA!

Time to get scrapping!  Need a break from the daily grind?  Check out Scrapfest 2014, hosted by Side Scrap Designs, at the Days Inn, Willow Grove. 

I have been invited to demonstrate Close To My Heart products at this event, and wanted to share this event with you. Want to come? 

 

The event is Saturday, April 5th at 10 a.m., through Sunday, April 6th at 4 p.m., and includes overnight accommodations, ALL meals, 30 hours of unlimited scrapping time, prizes and raffles.    

Registration is required to attend ScrapFest 2014, and space is limited.  Visit sidescrapdesigns.com for complete details and registration information.

I look forward to seeing you there!

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

This week: Last chance for your CTMH orders from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book!

Hello, Friends!

Well, you'd think as the cold has set in here in the Northeast and we've been buried -- and I mean buried -- under snow, you'd think I'd be hibernating and perhaps catching up on long-overdue blog posts?  Ummm, well, yes and no.

As you may know, I've been busy building my Close To My Heart business, and have also had a class to teach at Kathy Davis Studios. More about that class another day -- first, let me tell you about what's up with CTMH.

 

The Autumn/Winter Idea Book is set to expire at the end of this week -- that's right, January 31.  Much of what is in it will be retiring!  Four of the paper packs are continuing over, and you can still order most of the stamp sets (not Stamps of the Month) BUT if you're interested in products from 2013, now is the time to get your order in. 

...because we're making way for the new Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog!  You'll find 8 new paper packs, some 70 or so new stamp sets, brand new embossing folders, and so much more. It's definitely one of the BEST Idea Books e-v-e-r!!

Have you gotten your Idea Book yet?  Yes, you can order one from me (see sidebar, at right). However, you can get a copy FREE for the asking, by leaving a comment to this post.  Then, send me an e-mail (cardmonkey@comcast.net
) to provide me with your mailing address.  Please don't leave it in your comments -- that's just not safe.  I'd appreciate an order to my Online Business Address (cardmonkey.ctmh.com) to cover my mailing expenses -- but it is not required. I just appreciate YOU.
The card I've included at the top of this posting is a quickie that I made using the February Stamp of the Month, "Wild About Love." 

The sentiment is computer-generated and reflects that silly song that's so hot right now, "what would the fox say?"  Here is more information on the Stamp of the Month... watch for it soon!! 



CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Just Chillin' Blog Hop - January 18

Welcome to the Just Chillin' Blog Hop

Join us as we celebrate National Penguin Awareness Day by showcasing projects featuring the fun black and white birds: penguins!!

A little business: You should have come from our hostess, Connie's blog at Connie Can Crop which is the first stop on this Chilly Willy Hop.

Here is my penguin-related Valentine's project I made for this hop: a card (at right) and a matching candy pillow box (at left). 

Both of these projects were made using files from Silhouette America, and were cut on my Silhouette Cameo. I used paper from Close To My Heart, as well as some scraps from my stash. The white hearts on the card were stamped using a Close To My Heart My Acrylix stamp and CTMH Daisy White Exclusive Inks ink pad. The stickers (including the cute I love you banner) are by Recollections, available at Michaels. And of course, the Hershey's Kisses are ... chocolate ... and therefore, are no longer available because, well, I ate them! :)

More Hop business: This is a one-day hop, though you will have until Sunday, 1/19 at midnight to leave comments for everyone to be eligible to win the blog candy.

The blog candy: We have a fabulous sponsor, which has provided this prize:

Creative Kuts

 Cheryl will be giving one lucky winner
a $10 shopping spree to her paper piecing store!

To win: We appreciate your becoming a follower for each of the fabulous blogs in this hop, and please leave each a comment letting them know what you like best about her project(s).  Then return to our hostess Connie at Connie Can Crop and post that you followed the rules.You will have until 12:00 am Sunday to finish the hop and leave your comments. Winners will be announced on Wednesday at Connie Can Crop. 

GOT IT?  I hope you enjoyed my card and candy box. Now it's time to move onto your next HopStop, which is with:

JENNY

Crazy About Cricut

Here is our complete line up in case you get lost along the way:

1. Connie- http://www.conniecancrop.blogspot.com

2. Ellen -  http://cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com

3. Jenny - http://crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com

4. Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com/

5. Beth~ http://thecraftyscrapyard.blogspot.com

6. Nadja~ http://nadjarobbins.blogspot.com/

7. Miranda - www.nanasscrapspot.com

8. Lori - http://scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/

9. Robin Lane - http://create-a-latte.blogspot.com/

10. Amanda - http://cricktncrafts.blogspot.com/

11. Jessica- http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com

12. Holli - http://SunflowerHolli.blogspot.com

13. Wandy - http://greenapplescrapper.blogspot.com

Thank you again for stopping by.

CreAtiVeLy Yours,

I'm on Cloud Nine! It's National Papercrafting Month

Hi, all! Did you know that January is National Papercrafting Month?  So break out the scissors and glue -- and of course, paper -- and let's get started making all of those beautiful cards you'll use all year long.

Close To My Heart has a terrific special this month in honor the national celebration -- a "Cloud Nine Cardmakers' Kit" that is available for just $15 with a qualifying $35 purchase.

The Cloud Nine kit contains enough supplies to allow you to make two of each of the five designs shown above. You'll receive:

1 - My Acrylix™ Cloud Nine Stamp Set (D-size) (shown here, at right)
1 – Cloud Nine B&T Duos™ Paper
1 – Lagoon 12x12" Cardstock Sheet
1 – Honey 12x12" Cardstock Sheet
1 – 9"x9½" White Daisy Die-Cuts Sheet
1 Roll – Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape*
1 Roll – Teal Shimmer Trim*
1 Package – Durables Triangle Studs*
10 – Card Bases & Envelopes
1 – Instructional Brochure

(*the items with the asterisk are sneak peeks at items available in CTMH's Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog!)

Watch the video below, where Christine from Close To My Heart will show you a bit more about this fantastic kit. If I can help you choose some fun items from the Autumn/Winter Idea Book (valued at $35 or more, to qualify to buy this great kit), please don't hesitate to contact me at cardmonkey@comcast.net ... or if you want to just shop on your own, visit my CTMH Online Business Address at http://cardmonkey.ctmh.com

...and Happy National Papercrafting Month!

 

Ringing in the New Year!

Well, hello!  Long time, no see!  A faithful friend and blog follower (hello, Star!) pointed out to me yesterday via e-mail that it's been almost a month since I posted.



RCCL Grandeur of the Seas -- one of our favorite ships!
We sailed from Baltimore to St. Kitts, Tortola, San Juan
and Labadee (Haiti)

I apologize!  We all have reasons, and fortunately for me, mine were nothing but sweet ones. Hubby surprised me with a pre-holiday 10 day cruise in the Caribbean ... and that meant not only getting ready and packed for that, but also getting my Christmassing done, as we would not return until Christmas Eve. 

Granddaughter Charlotte, at Christmas, waiting for Santa

So I got no cards mailed. None! For a cardmaker!!  Can you believe it?  To my friends and family who might expect one, I hope to send a personal non-holiday greeting as soon as I can. I'm sorry! 



This bald-headed eagle was spotted in the tree-line behind my
stepson's home in suburban Philadelphia .. .what an omen!

The cruise was one reason, and "life" is just the other. Even good things like the Eagles heading to the play-offs next weekend takes my attention. Such is the life of a diehard fan!

 

So now we're on the cusp of the New Year, when I really do hope to be more diligent about posting more regularly. I have some tutorials in mind, some ideas ... and would love to hear from you about what you visit here to see. Let me know, will you?

Our New Year's Eve is planned to be quiet. I'm hoping to get another bottle of Yellow Tail's "Pink Bubbles" to celebrate the New Year.  Oh my word, daughter Emily bought a bottle to serve with Thanksgiving dinner, and it's my new favorite.

And what better to serve it in than a champagne flute like this, custom made using The Buckle Boutique's Rhinestone Resin Sheets in ice blue. 

To make this glass (one of a set of four), I designed the 2014 using Silhouette's Designer Edition software, and cutting the resin sheets on my Cameo. The sheets are self-adhesive, just peel and stick. For the little blue resin dots, I just punched standard paper punch holes from the Dazzling Diamonds, and viola!

No matter how you ring it in, I  hope your New Year is filled with peace, love and joy; good health and prosperity, and lots of crafting adventures!! 


DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

No better bling than a Granddaughter's Smile!

Can you believe this cutie

is three years old today?!

 

 

HaPpY birthday

to my dear granddaughter,

CHARLOTTE!

 

 

 Today, Charlotte and her Mommy Emily and I are going out to see the new animated movie, "Frozen."  It's the first time Charlotte is seeing a movie in the theaters and we think she's ready to handle it. Charlotte is a little bit afraid of the dark so she said she'll bring a glow bracelet and a "fwashlight" just in case. 

 

Tomorrow is the party with more family -- Daddy Josh, Pot (my hubby John), Bubba (Josh's Mom), Grandpa Steve (..and Josh's stepdad), and Uncles Nick and Matt. The theme will be a surprise to me; depending on the weather I think, Charlotte tells one of us or the other that she wants a Doc McStuffin party, an Ariel party, a dolphin party, a Minion party or a Princess party. All I know for sure is that she wants "balloons" and "cake ... lots of cake!"  (late breaking news: I'm told the cake is MINION!!)

 

Pot and I gave Charlotte her own "pink iPad" for her birthday. It's actually my 1-yr old iPad but she has more apps and videos on it than I do. So we upgraded the case to a heavy-duty pink "childproof" case and gave it to her last week when she visited.  We have a few other "prezzies" for her, but none is as nice as the gift she gives us all year long.  She gives us life ... joy ... and makes the air so much sweeter to breathe. Being a grandparent is THE BEST!

 

Now a little bit about crafting, just because that's the reason you stopped here. Charlotte's Mom Emily asked me to make the Age Shirt for kiddo.First I backed the cute bubble fabric with Pellon Light adhesive interfacing. Then, fabric side onto the mat, I cut the fabric using my Cricut Expression 2, and peeled the adhesive backing off the "3" and ironed it onto a shirt from Old Navy. I machine-appliqued the number using a tight zig-zag stitch on my Husqvarna Diamond Viking sewing/embroidery machine.

For the cute sneakers -- Charlotte's "Chucks" -- Emily traced a paper template for the toes. Then she lightly taped the template onto the Dazzling Diamond rhinestone resin adhesive sheets from The Buckle Boutique* and cut the clear "diamonds" using regular scissors. She peeled off the paper backing and applied the sheet -- no individual rhinestones, no choking hazard -- GREAT for kids' and adult shoes alike!

 

I made the crazy bows and sewed them onto crocodile hair clips. The Chucks were laced with satin ribbons and the removable bows were added for the pictures and party.

 

 

Here's Charlotte's month-by-month progression, from 2 years to 3, almost all in 2013.

I have a massive crush on this girl!!

Happy birthday,
darling Charley!!

LOVE ALWAYS,

 

Gii
also known as

What's in Santa's bag for the Krazy Craftin' Crew? Blog Hop December 1!

Have you been a good girl or boy this year? Are you on Santa's Naughty or Nice list? Better yet, would Santa know what to get the crafters who made it onto the Nice List?  After all, it's the Elves who are really the handy ones, you know.

The Krazy Craftin' Crew comes together today to present things we're either like under the tree, or things we'd make for the fellow crafters on our gift list.

First up, let me show you what's on my Christmas list -- and it's something that I think every scrapbooker would want.


The Canon Selphy CP900 is a very small (the size of a shoebox) wireless photo printer that promises to get the photos off your cell phone or iPad and into those scrapbooks. Optionally, there's even a battery for photo printing on the go. The printer is self-contained, and the consumable is the pack of paper and ink that is purchased complete. The pack that Santa's bringing me will print 108 4x6" photos. There are other sizes available as well. Together -- with the printer and one pack of refill paper/ink, this gift is about $100 USD. 

Use the Canon Selphy in tandem with Close To My Heart's newest Scrapbooking On The Go program called "Picture My Life", due to be released after the first of the new year. With "Picture My Life," I plan to use the divided page protectors to insert designer elements (art, journaling spots, titles, etc.) and my Selphy pics to finish pages quickly and easily -- without the fuss and muss of design, glue, scissors, etc.  The new CTMH Picture My Life program is also on my Wish List!

Now, for the gifts you want to make for your crafty friends, why not get a cute pink "Adhesive Tape Gun" (ATG) by 3M, and bling it up with Dazzling Diamonds adhesive rhinestone resins from The Buckle Boutique?  That's what I did to my own ATG, here:

While I hand-cut (regular ol' scissors) the silver/clear background here and the flowers, I wanted my name to be set a little more formally. Did you know that Dazzling Diamonds can be easily cut using your Cricut, Pazzles, OR Cameo?!  This time, I used my Cameo to cut out the word Ellen (yes, my real name!) for the ATG. It makes me smile each time I sue this gun.

If  you'd like to try out some Dazzling Diamonds, The Buckle Boutique is offering a shopper's special this weekend in celebration of Black Friday - Small Business Saturday - and Cyber Monday.  Go to The Buckle Boutique and enter the promo code happyholiday15 to get 15% off your order now through December 2. 

Would  you like a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the store of your choice??  Comment on every Hop Stop's post, and follow their blogs. Our blog hostess, Lissa Marie of So Many Crafts is sponsoring the prize -- check her blog for more deets.

Now it's time to send you down the blog hop lane to see what other goodies the KCC would like to see in Santa's bag. Your next stop is:  Robin Lane at Create-A-Latte. 

In case you get lost along the way, do start at the beginning (www.somanycrafts.com), or hop into the fun by jumping into this list: 

Lissa ~ So Many Crafts, So Little time

Ciclily ~ Pink Dalmatian Scrapper

Ellen ~ Card Monkey's Paper Jungle

Robin Lane ~ Create~a~Latte

Janet ~ Janet's Creative World

Lori ~  Scrappin' my Stress Away

Christina ~ Crazy about Scrappin'

Paula ~ Precious Pages by Paula

Robin ~ Scrap n' Chat

Thanks for joining us ... and Merry Christmas!

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,