Creating Live!

I spent last weekend along with thousands of other crafters around the world, tuned into a live 2 day broadcast featuring all things Close To My Heart. It was so inspiring and well worth the 3am starts so I could watch this event unfold in real time. I can truly say it was one of the best creative learning experiences I have had for some day. It was a credit to both the Home Office team and the wonderful consultants who planned and participated in the event....I was so inspired!!

I hit my craft room the minute the broadcast finished on the first day and created 2 cards inspired by what I had seen... and techniques that I simply had not used in a long time.

During the scrapbook segment we were shown a gorgeous layout embellished with ink sponged die-cut shapes from the Cricut® Artistry Collection and other leaf and flower shapes cut from the Basic Fundamental and La Vie En Rose Papers. The layout became my inspiration for this card...my flowers were sponged in Hollyhock and Canary Exclusive Inks™  and the splattered background was inked in Black ink using the 2nd generation stamping technique. This splattered background comes from one of my favourite stamp sets called Ink Blot - there are 7 fun images in this set that are ideal for backgrounds and highlights in any paper craft project.

I used the same design elements for this card and it also uses the 2nd generation stamping technique along with base & shade stamping. The flower images were stamped again in Hollyhock and Canary Exclusive Inks™ with the additional flower stamped in Sorbet Exclusive Ink™.

The flower images came from the Blossoming Expressions stamp set (pictured below)...it was designed as a 2 step process stamp set, meaning it has base and shade elements. To create this card I used the 2nd generation ink as my base and then using the shade /or overlay image I stamped over the top of the base in 1st generation ink. However, there are endless other creative processes you can use with the Blossoming Expressions stamp set...which is one of the reasons it has fast become my most used stamp set of late, you can see another of my creations featuring it here ... and the full stamp set is pictured below.

 

 

The thank you sentiments on the cards came from 2 different stamp sets - that also get a lot of use in my collection! - Australian Thanks and  A Thousand Thanks.

I have good news for those of you who would like watch the broadcast from the CreativeLive classes shared this past weekend -  you can now access them for FREE by clicking on this link. I have no doubt you will be inspired by what you see, as I was - Happy Crafting!
 

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!



 

Hello Darlings

....have you missed me??? I know I have missed you and my craft room! Sadly, I have spent the past few weeks laid up with a nasty flu and sinus infection - not much fun at all!! However, I am happy to report I am on the mend and the lovely spring weather, along with my blossoming garden, has put a smile back on my face.

This is a pic of a dwarf cherry tree blossoming in my front garden - it is very pretty... so you can see why I am smiling!

I have managed some "playtime" in my craft room this week too... and I hope this card I created for a sassy girlfriend brings a smile, if not a giggle, to her day.

I combined a few of my favourite new "pink" products from the current Annual Inspirations Catalogue to make this card and I love how well they all worked together.

The glossy accented black background is from the new Paper Fundamentals Basics. The pink striped paper can be found in the Kaleidoscope Paper Pack, the black striped paper with the Hello Darling sentiment is actually a Picture My Life™ card...  from the gorgeous new Beautiful You collection. It was embellished with some Pink Enamel Gems then I added a further sentiment - "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"  - that can be found in the Diamonds Are Forever stamp set . The little pink diamond in the centre of the sentiment is one of the stickers found in the Kaleidoscope Complements pack. You really need to check out all the new revamped Complements packs - they are amazing value for only $9.00  this pack contains the following: 2 – 6" x 6" Coordinating Sticker Sheets, 1 – 6" x 6" Thin Plastic Sticker Sheet (looks like vellum on your pages) and assorted Chipboard Die-Cuts. Each of the My Reflections™  range of products has a co-ordinating Complement pack and they are jammed packed with a variety of embellishments, vellum, kraft, chipboard and plastic die-cuts along with sheets of cute stickers - click here to browse through the collection.

Close To My Heart have had some great stamp sets available only during September for National Stamping Month and as there are only 5 days left for this promotion don't forget to place your orders - you can order by following this link to my Online Store - also head on over to my Facebook page and scroll through the posts featuring some of the beautiful art work created with these sets. They simply are a "must have" and as an added bonus... anyone who places an order over the weekend  (26th-27th September) will go in the draw to receive an additional stamp set - a gift from Me to You!!

These are the 3 sets available:

 I hope you have had a great week too and your weekend is even better!

Happy Crafting!

Chris x

Welcome Spring!!

Yay!! - today is the 1st day of Spring and I have been looking forward to this day for so many different reasons!... here are my top 2 reasons

1). It means warmer weather is on it's way! (I am so not a winter girl!!)

 

2). It is the release of our brand new Close To My Heart Catalogue/Idea Book (Annual Inspirations) - jammed packed with delicious new papers and crafting goodies to inspire your creativity!

...but that is just the beginning - today also sees the release of our Holiday Expressions supplement too! It contains lots of wonderful ideas and products to prepare you for Christmas and the holiday season... you can view the contents here.

 

September is also National Stamping Month, and this year Close To My Heart has something to help every kind of papercrafter say a big “hello” to life! Available only during the month of September, these exclusive C-size My Acrylix^® Hello, Life! stamp sets can be purchased for $21 each! or - for an even better deal, you can purchase all three for only $53 —a savings of $10!! Each stamp set is designed to fit with a specific type of papercrafting, whether that’s scrapbooking, cardmaking, or pocket scrapbooking. However, all the stamp sets coordinate with each other and can be used together to create dynamic artwork. These stamp sets also coordinate with shapes from the new Cricut^® Artistry collection to help expand your artwork options, even further. Remember, these stamp sets are available for one month only, so head on over to my Online Shop for one stamp set—or all three—before these gorgeous stamps disappear!

 

 ...and don't forget when you place your order for these stamp sets to add the September Stamp of the Month too - it's the perfect accompaniment for both your Springtime projects and the Hello, Life stamp sets. Here is a little preview of a card I made combining the 2 sets.


This card also uses one of my favourite "new" products released this month - Watercolour Paints! These paints fuel my passion for the Adult Colouring craze and I love that you can just play or unleash your inner artist with fancy techniques. The background for this card was simply created by "dripping" paint and water onto my watercolour cardstock and moving it around with my heat gun to create a marbled looking background...this is a fun technique to try if you are new to watercolour paints.

Another simple technique for beginners to try is applying a "wash" of colour over die-cuts and shapes... for this technique the 1st step is to adhere the die-cut shape to the watercolour cardstock and dampen the surface with water before adding the paint. A little tip is to attach your cardstock/working area to a hard surface with washi tape before you wet it. This will help eliminate the distortion (buckling and wrinkling) of the cardstock.

For the card below, I cut a title from the new Cricut® Artistry Collection multiple times (four) adhered them on top of each other with Bonding Memories™ Glue Pen and then applied a "wash" of pink coloured tones of paints across the title. The card was then embellished with Kaleidoscope Complements and stamped images from a new stamp set called Diamonds are Forever. The images were stamped in champagne pigment ink from the Basics Exclusive Inks™ Mini Pigment Pads Set, along with a few little star images stamped with the VersaMark™ Ink Pad and embossed with Silver Embossing Powder.

These cards also showcase one of the new paper packs released today, called
La Vie En Rose... a lovely romantic pack that contains some classic black and white prints.

I am looking forward to sharing the full array of new products and some more fun and advanced watercolour techniques with you over the coming weeks... it is going to be one very creative journey that I know you are going to enjoy!