Some Kinda Wonderful

Happy March! and welcome to my workshop projects this month! We are gearing up for them to be Some Kinda Wonderful... full of bold, bright and beautiful, not to mention all that makes you happy.

Today I am sharing a preview of some of the layouts my workshop attendees have already created with this fun range of Close To My Heart products. We have celebrated friendship and have prepared pages in readiness for our Easter photos and there is still more fun to be had!

Don't you just love the cute cat and fox stickers from the Some Kinda Wonderful Complements Pack - they just look super sweet together! I extended the papers from the Some Kinda Wonderful Paper Pack with the Whimsy Fundamental Paper Pack... the very best feature of the Close To My Heart paper range is the way they all compliment each other and this collection is no exception!

Some Kinda Wonderful Paper Pack - X7217B  and Complements Pack - X7217C

 

 I followed the same sketch format for this Easter Layout and for this layout I extended the embellishments from the Some Kinda Wonderful Complements Pack with assorted Cricut cut shapes, the Title can be found on the Flower Market Cartridge. I then combined them with lovely Butterfly images stamped and cut from the Dreamin’ Big Cardmaking Thin Cuts Bundle. I am a huge fan of Thin Cuts, they are another fast and easy way to cut all kinds of shapes to embellish your crafting projects and this month you will find a huge variety of them available to purchase for 25% off retail price in my Online Shop.

I love meeting new crafting friends and you are very welcome to attend my workshop events - the next one is Saturday 18th March and we will be having more Some Kinda Wonderful fun.... you will find all the registration details on my Facebook Page...simply click here.

Happy Crafting - see you soon!
Chris xx

 

Onwards and Upwards

We haven't reached the end of January just yet, so I think it's still ok to say "Welcome to 2017" ? I am looking forward to a much better year ahead than the last...it wasn't that I had an annus horribilis - there was some good, mixed with the bad but it certainly was a tough one. There were times I felt very overwhelmed and just couldn't keep up with everything I wanted... crafting was still my salvation but my blogging fell to the wayside and I missed it! I am hoping this year to get back on track and while I can't promise a new post every week, I can promise a lot more regularity!

I have spent most of my hot summer days in my happy room creating with all the gorgeous new papers, stamps and embellishments from Close To My Heart's new Seasonal Expressions Idea Book Catalogue.

It is jammed packed with lots of pretty and cute yumminess... and I have already created some fun cards for my workshop events and for those of you who love to work with pre-cut scrapbook kits I have a new range available now - simply click here to find out more.

Here is a little preview -

This layout features the super pretty Hello Lovely Paper Pack combined with the  Hello Lovely Complements and Sugar Rush Complements

 

 

 

All these products and more are available to order on my website/online shop

 

http://chrislothian.closetomyheart.com.au

I look forward to sharing lots of creative playtime and paper crafting fun with you this year, using the fabulous Close To My Heart product collection!

Happy Crafting!

Chris xx

 

Jeepers Creepers - I'm Back!

Yes! - I have been "missing in action" for 4 months and while it may seem that I have abandoned my crafting, that is certainly not the case!  Life can throw you some curve balls, when you least expect it and mine came via a phone call back in May from our local hospital, my Dad arriving there by ambulance. He had suffered a major stroke and despite having surgery to retrieve the blood clot from his brain and lots of fighting on his behalf, he didn't fully recover. It is so sad to see an active man that was mowing lawns and building children's toys in his shed one day, to not being able to speak, eat and walk the next. He has now been admitted to a Nursing Home and life for my family has certainly changed, we hold on tight to our memories and take one day at a time....and although I haven't spent as much time in my craft room as I would like, I have managed some time out... to simply play and enjoy all the new goodies that Close To My Heart has released over the past few months in their Annual Inspirations and Holiday Expressions catalogue/idea books.

I have also been busy designing new workshop kits for those of you who like to play along with me and scrapbook at home. The first of these I have to share uses the new Jeepers Creepers Paper Pack and Complement Pack which includes fun stickers and black glitter die-cut letters and shapes....see the preview/s below or click here to view the full layouts and to find the purchasing options available to you.

and while you may think the papers are very much Halloween based...they really are so much more....this project contains layouts and cards to celebrate all that is "sweet" in your life, create fun birthday messages or simply showcase your children's monstrous activities.

 

The layouts have been designed in a classic format with minimal resizing and cropping of photos needed, they include journalling boxes and also allow you the opportunity to further embellish and create your own style.

 

I had so much fun creating this project... and I hope you enjoy it just as much.

 

 

 

 

Album Bundle & Workshop Project

November brings a FABULOUS special and a workshop project focused on scrapbooking just for You!!

During the month of November purchase an exclusive Scrapbook Bundle for just $100.

This Bundle Includes: 

  

A My Legacy™ album  (style and design of your choice)

 

Paper Fundamentals Enchantment pack

Fundamental stickers Enchantment pack

Peacock Fundamental assortment

Three sheets of White Daisy cardstock

 

 

FREE - Value Pack of Memory Protectors (25 protectors)

  

 

This bundle also includes a full colour workshop project that features 5 layouts you

 

can make from the product supplies in your bundle.

 

 

Click here to order your bundle/s

 

All orders placed in my online shop will receive some personal "gifts" from me that includes 2 pre-cut kits - a title page and an additional double page layout... all you need to do is assemble them!!... along with a Black Journalling Pen to add your stories to the layouts. Orders can be placed in my online shop or email me at lotfam@iinet.net.au for more information. Please note - these gifts "from me to you" will be mailed out to your address once your order has been processed.

 

...and that's not all!! - if you and a friend (or friends) would like to take advantage of the Bundle Special you may be eligible for an extra $30 or more in FREE product - email me at lotfam@iinet.net.au to find out more!

...and there is more!! - remember this order also makes you eligible to purchase the November month's Stamp of the Month - "Cheers" for only $7.50 - click here to view this stamp set.
 

 

 

Happy Scrapbooking my Crafty Friends!!

Convention 2015 - Make It From Your Heart Part 3

In my last post I promised to share a few more of the layouts that featured in my presentation at the Australasian Close To My Heart Convention.

I certainly don't scrapbook as much as I use to when my children were younger. I also don't to take my SLR camera with me everywhere (as I once did), I now tend capture those little moments of my life on my smart phone. The majority of the layouts I create today represent this... they comprise of a single photo and cluster decorating.

This layout is a quick snap shot of my daughter and niece. The page design was inspired by the colours in my niece's dress.

I used papers from the Whimsy Paper Fundamental range and Kaleidoscope Paper Pack. The floral cluster was created using the images from the Blossoming Expressions stamp set...stamped in the following colour inks Canary, Sorbet, Glacier and Lagoon. The white cardstock leaves were cut from the "new" Cricut® Artistry Collection and the cute little sentiment sticker verse & "best buds" chipboard embellishment can be found in the Kaleidoscope Complements Pack. A few Enamel & Glitter Duos Blue Dots and white enamel dots from the Grey Enamel Gems Pack were used to finish off the cluster arrangement.

This 2nd layout is one of my favourite photos taken when I was attending meetings in Utah serving on the Close To My Heart Product Strategy Committee. I loved sharing time with these like minded ladies, they are not only great work colleagues but they are an awesome group of life long friends.

This layout also uses a combination of different products from the Close To My Heart product range including Zoe, Kaleidoscope and Urban paper packs. The floral cluster arrangement for this layout uses stickers and chipboard from both the Kaleidoscope and Zoe Complement Packs. The "selfie" title was created using the white mini alphabet stickers from the Fundamental Stickers Basics Pack. The scallop border trim was cut from Pixie Cardstock using the Scallop Border Maker and trimmed with some of the Silver Foil Trim.

I can't "sing the praises" of the Close To My Heart product range enough, everything is so complimentary and it makes mixing and matching different papers, stickers and embellishments all in one layout so very easy indeed!!

All the products listed and highlighted here, can be found in my online shop - click here to create your order and have it sent directly to your doorstep!

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I would love to hear your comments on these single page layouts and I hope you are yourself enjoying a fun-filled crafty weekend.

Convention 2015 - Make It From Your Heart - Part 2

One of the highlights (for me) at this year's Convention was the invitation to be a "special on-stage presenter" sharing my love of the Decorative Scrapbooking Style.

To me, decorative scrapbooking is all about the fun of creating layouts with lots of intricate detail, dimension and differing techniques. The Close To My Heart product range is jam packed with gorgeous papers and embellishments that the task of "decorating" is easy...everything is so complimentary that you can still add lots of detail and keep your photo or photos a focal point.

Here is a little peek at a few of the layouts I created for the presentation...along with close up pics of some of the decorative detail.

The "Hello There - Beautiful"  layout uses a combination of papers from the Urban, La Vie En Rose and Enchantment Fundamentals. Embellishments from the La Vie En Rose & Urban complements packs, the Basic Fundamental Stickers, Gold Foil Tape and the Gold Fundamental Assortment.

This 2nd layout is exactly the same sketch pattern and was super fun to create  - the photos of this sweet little cherub is just cuteness at it's best!

I used a combination of 15 different Close To My Heart products, once again proving how versatile the range is. Taking inspiration from little Missy's clothes I chose to use papers from the  Zoe, Kaleidoscope, Georgie, Sangria and Enchantment Fundamentals collections. The border was cut from the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge and the flowers & leaves from the new Artistry Cricut Cartridge. The page was then embellished with Silver Foil Tape, Sangria Assortment, Georgie Complements, Enamel & Glitter Duos Purple Hearts and Grey Enamel Gems. The journaling box is one of the 3" x 4" cards from the Picture My Life™ Georgie Scrapbooking Program and the "Smile" title was cut from one of the Silver Picture My Life™ Overlays.

All the products listed for these layouts can be found at my Online Shop - you can place an order there and have it delivered direct to your door...easy peasy!!

I prepared 10 layouts for this presentation and I plan to share them with you over the coming weeks. However, in the meantime head on over to my Facebook Page to see one of the single page layouts that features one of my Instagram photos.

Convention 2015 - Make It From Your Heart

I am currently in the lovely city of Brisbane saying goodbye to the 2015 Close To My Heart Convention we had a great time, learning, crafting and generally having a whole lot of fun!

One of the things I love most about convention is catching up with my interstate consultant friends we have had such a fab time socialising but we also got to share creative and business ideas too. Friday evening we had our team meeting... it was awesome!  - my head is spinning with ideas and my heart is full of gratitude for the consultant sisterhood and all that was shared.

Prior to the event I had prepared 180 scrapbook page kits for a "make & take" segment I was presenting about using page sketches as the foundation for your own unique decorative designs.

This is the sketch we used:

We then worked with the delightful cards from the  Picture My Life™ Beautiful You Scrapbooking Program and the La Vie En Rose Paper Pack to create a layout. Everyone was asked to put there own creative spin on it - selecting a combination of decorative elements from the following packs, Gold & Black Fundamental Assortment, Whimsy Fundamental Stickers, Gold Sequins and Bling Gems along with
Pixie Extra Thick Twine and Gold Foil Trim.

These are two of my pages... I love the colour combination of Black, Pink and Gold. These pages were also auctioned off during the Awards Dinner on Saturday for Operation Smile. I am so proud to say that they raised enough $$ to grant almost 2 smiles and you couldn't ask for more than that....very very special!!

If you follow me on Instagram (chrissyml) or Facebook (Close To My Heart Crafting with Chris Lothian) I have posted some close up photo of these layouts.

 

This is one of my single page interpretations of the foundation sketch - and I already have the perfect photo waiting on my camera to finish it off!

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed this little peek and some of what has been happening here in Brisbane. I am hoping to post some more from Convention in the next few days so don't forget to pop back!



 

New Scrapbook Kits Available

Craft Your Style with these 3 Limited Edition Scrapbook Kits

 

 

Each kit is pre-cut and/or pre-stamped and comes with photo mats, embellishments, titles...  along with full colour instructions and a formula sketch that can be used again.

The kits can be purchased individually for $10 -  including postage..... to order or for more information simply click HERE  - when you place your order, the kits will be mailed immediately - hurry before they are gone!! - limited numbers only!

* Please note FREE postage offer is only available in Australia - more details can be found here.

Enjoy! - Chris

 

Stamp of the Month - Friend Layout

A few days ago I shared a card created using the June Stamp of the Month - You Are My Happy  paper-pieced with a selection of printed papers from the Seaside and Blossom My Reflections™ collections. I really enjoyed piecing this card together and decided to recreate  some of the elements of the card into a scrapbook layout - the original card can be viewed here.

I combined the You Are My Happy stamp set with a selection of some of my current favourite stamp sets - Friendly Pets (dog with balloon image and friends sentiment), Snapshot Memories (love it - ink blot image) and the stamp set found in the Workshops on the Go® Wanderful Scrapbooking Kit  (journalling box)

I used Cocoa Ink for all the stamped images and sentiments. The title was created using a combination of different paper packs... the  "This Day Was The Best" can be found in the Jackson Paper Pack, the "Friends" sentiment was stamped onto paper from the Blossom pack and the "Together" can be found in the Seaside Paper Pack - I love how everything in the Close To My Heart range co-ordinates with one another.

The layout was based on this sketch - that uses layered paper strips and the Scallop Border Punch - my "go-to" tool of the moment!!

The You Are My Happy stamp set is available for only $5.00 with a purchase of $75 during the month of June - it is such a fun set to play with... it simply makes me smile.

If this is a set you would like to add to your crafting collection?... remember we are already over half way through June and this set won't be available come July 1st. Head on over to my online shop today so you don't miss out?

My Crush Love

During the month of June, when you purchase any My Crush® book and its accompanying assortment pictured in Annual Inspirations 2014–2015, you will receive the coordinating stamp set FREE! That is a savings of at least $15 AUD - Choose from five lovely My Crush® book offerings... each My Crush® book also features unique details... glossy print, vellum pages, gold foil patterns and ink-resistant patterns... that make displaying your personality easier than ever. Plus, once you add the artistry of the coordinating assortments featuring sticker sheets, envelopes, alphabets, cards, and journaling spots, along with your FREE stamp set, you will be well on your way to your own gorgeous mini book creation!

I also love using the My Crush® book's outside their intended use ... the  60 – 10"x 7" printed cardstock-weight designed pages are acid-free, lignin-free, and buffered making them perfect for traditional scrapbooking. Combine them with the coordinating assortments and you will be creating gorgeous pieces of art work in no time at all.

I used pages from the My Crush™ In the Pink Book to create this layout. I teamed the paper patterns with Slate, Lagoon and Hollyhock cardstock and a combination of fun embellishments - Glacier Extra Thick Twine, Oceanside & Silver Sequins, Boardwalk Washi Tape. However, the majority of the decorative elements come from the My Crush™ In the Pink Assortment that includes journal spots, sticker sheets, alphabet sticker sheets and envelopes some of which were altered and layered to create this layout. The rose embellishment was also fussy cut from a page in the My Crush™ In the Pink Book... so many great possibilities that you can't help but fall in love with the My Crush Collection of products... be sure to check out the full range in my Online Shop.

 

Picture My Life Projects

Only a few days remain to purchase any of the 13 available  Picture My Life™ Scrapbooking Programs featured in the 2014–2015 Annual Inspirations Idea Book (you can view them all here)  and receive your choice of  Memory Protectors (10-pack) for just $4.00! - such an awesome deal!  Each Picture My Life Scrapbooking Program already includes a coordinating 10-pack of Memory Protectors, so when you add an additional pack you will be well on your way to your own picture-perfect pocket album/project finished, done and beautiful!!

Each of the Program Kits contains a 12" x 12" cover page to begin your album project, 10 co-ordinating Memory Protectors,  and 122 double-sided cards (in 3" x 4" and 4" x 6" horizontal and vertical designs). The double-sided cards include titles, journaling boxes and so many beautiful patterns & designs to embellish your project. However, the cards can be adapted and used in various other paper craft projects and this is one of the reasons they are one of my all time favourite products. I am currently conducting card classes where you will make 10 cards in less than 1 hour!?!  - Yes! 1 hour!...they are quick, easy and you end up with a collection of cards (and envelopes) that will make you feel very organised - cards for every occasion. If you would like to be super, super organised and a step ahead of your Christmas preparations this year? - why not contact me today to schedule a Christmas 10 Card Picture My Life class - they are a lot of fun!

The cards below, feature the gorgeous Picture My Life Pear & Partridge Scrapbooking Program. I stamped all the blank areas of the embellishment cards with some of the lovely sentiments from the Christmas stamp sets Mary and Babe, Yuletide & To You and Yours....added some Washi Tape, Clear Sparkles and they were finished in no time! I have 2 of these kits in stock now, available for immediate delivery, contact me at lotfam@iinet.net.au and they are yours!

All 13 of the Picture My Life Scrapbooking Progams can be adapted & made into cards such as these - why not choose your favourites from my Online Shop and get started today...remember, multiple purchases that add up to $75 or more, also entitle you to add the August Stamp of the Month to your order for just $5 - don't miss out on this offer...these Owls are just so so cute!!

Single Page Sketch Layout

Every now and then I come across special photos that not only deserve a place in my memory albums but also need their own place in the limelight....and the gorgeous Designed Décor and My Creations range of products from Close To My Heart provide the perfect way to do that. This range is not only trendy and fun but it is also very functional. One of my favourites is the Designed Decor Shadow Box they come in Black or  Colonial White - wooden frames with a hinged back that opens for easy loading and have a magnetic closure.

I've just designed a simple Single Page Sketch that I can adapt and use time and time again to create interchangeable layouts to showcase in my frames. In the Black Shadow Box Frame I made an affirmation layout for my youngest daughter to place in her study - she is just finishing up her final year at University and now, while she is searching for employment, it is even more important that she doesn't give up on her Dreams!.

I love how a bit of random stamping and some layering of paper trims made with the Scallop and Chevron Border Punches can create a layout that looks like a mixed media piece of artwork without all the preparation and mess!! The "splotch" stamp image found in the stamp set from the Brushed Workshop on the Go Scrapbooking Kit makes it so easy to added a painted look to cardstock that is almost feels like "cheating" - Fun, Fun, Fun!! My "Dream" title and other stamped embellishments were fussy/hand cut using my trusty Micro Tip Scissors - I use them so much I think I have to put them as No. 1 on my Top 10 list of favourite products...do you have a "go to tool" or a No. 1 favourite?? if so, leave me a comment below... I'd love to hear what is your most treasured tool.

This is the Sketch I created, along with the layout I have placed inside the Colonial White Shadow Box Frame for my own study - a favourite photo of my girls that I simply treasure. The large "smile" title was cut from some of the 3 x 4 cards in the Picture My Life Seaside Scrapbooking Program using the font found in the Art Philosophy Cricut Collection - the heavier paper adds a little more dimension and makes the title pop! I "blinged" this layout up with a couple of different embellishments, the puffy stickers from the Chalk It Up Assortment and some White Enamel Stars .

If you have a favourite photo or some other artistic handiwork you would like to feature in your home just log into my Online Shop and click on the 3D Gifts and Decor Section and you will find a variety of  display frames to suit your own personal decorating style - even the very on trend Chalkboard and Shabby Chic Wire Frames.

Happy Decorating!