National Papercrafting Month!

CTMH January Constant Campaign

In celebration of National Papercrafting Month, Close To My Heart invites you to reflect on the things that make you who you are and on what you want to accomplish in the coming months. Then, with the help of the Year >> Noted paper kit, record your experiences and goals! During the month of January, with a qualifying purchase of $50, you are eligible to purchase the exclusive Year >> Noted paper kit (which has a retail value of over $27 CAD) for only $5—that’s over 80% off retail! Or, for an additional $5, you can order the Year >> Noted paper kit with an accompanying My Creations™ kraft mini book. The paper kit for both options includes a C-size stamp set, stickers, cardstocks, and B&T Duos™ papers, all specially designed to coordinate with the My Creations™ kraft mini book so you can have a yearlong scrapbooking experience. This means you will receive over $37 CAD worth of product for only $10 if you purchase the kit with the accompanying mini book! But the fun doesn’t end there—included on the sticker sheet, you will find a large golden seal. Once the year is done and all the pages are filled, seal up your book and create a mini time capsule that you can open years from now. Remember, this deal is only available for January, so make sure to get your own Year >> Noted paper kit today for the perfect start to a crafty year!

Dates: Offer valid January 1, 2015–January 31, 2015. 

A BIG Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Thank you to all my wonderful customers and people who supported me this past year!

I really appreciate all your business and wishing you and your families and VERY Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I am going to be a part of the YNS Family!!

I got the most exciting news this week!

 I have been invited to join the Your Next Stamp Design Team!

I am thrilled to be a part of this really talented group and cannot

wait to start creating!

Check out the monthly Challenges HERE and the beautiful products that YNS has to offer HERE!

December Card Club

I thought I would show you 2 of the three cards we made in Card Club this month!

We used the Snowhaven papers and Glacier Cardstock as well as the Brushrokes and the Holiday Moments stamp sets. All supplies are from CTMH.

The "Thinking of you" is from the Happy to be Friends SS which is new in our Seasonal Expressions book which started on Dec 1st! I embossed it on top of the stamped image with Silver Ranger embossing powder (Which is also new!)

 

If you would like to come out and join us one night at Club just let me know!

To purchase any of these stamp sets please email me or click on the Idea Book above.

Cheers,

Sue

My first attempt at a December Book!

My BF made a beautiful book last year that documented her days in the month of December. It contained photos and journalling up until Christmas and I loved it so much that

I thought I would do the same this year!

Lucky me, CTMH came out with a perfect book in their Annual Inspirations book called  a My Crush Holiday Happenings book!

 They even have a matching stamp set, Badge Buttons and Assortments that match!

BUT, Me being Me.....I couldn't just stop at using CTMH products (even though I LOVE them!) I had to pull out all my Christmas horde and bling! (of course) so you will see several companies papers, embellishments, and inks etc.

The front cover came preprinted with the tree and I added Thickers (I wont tell you my obsession with them!).

Here is my first page! Complete with my two beautiful daughters in front of our Christmas tree and a title page. On December 1st we were actually in the Bahamas so I had to start my journey there!

Stay tuned for the continuation of my book...it may be a slow process!

Cheers,

Sue

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

Good Morning! Today I am Guest Designer over at the Atlantic Hearts Challenge Blog.

:A weekly sketch challenge blog hosted by Atlantic Canadians Darla Haverstock and Michelle Stewart.

Here is this week's sketch:

 

 

And here is my card for the Challenge:

I used papers and cardstock from CTMH (Snowhaven, Cranberry, Crystal Blue) and coloured the Stamp (called Bright Spirits Holiday A1162) with Shinhan Markers. I then masked the image with crystal blue ink.

Join in this week's challenge HERE

Hope you enjoy!

Sue

DT Day Meljens Today!

Christmas is fast approaching and I have been in FULL Christmas mode! 

We just returned from a vacation in a warm climate and now I am back to winter! To distract myself from the cold I thought I would create something fun!

I saw these cute Kit Kat sleighs on Pinterest and thought I would try it! To go with my sleigh I made a tag using the "Candy Cane Sled Mouse" which is a perfect image for this project!

I coloured the image with Copic markers and put it on a Kraft cardstock tag with patterned papers and added ribbon.

Join us every month for new Challenges!

Hope you enjoy!

Sue

Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine

HI Everyone! I would just like to share my recent publication in the Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine! pg. 119- Winter Edition

For this card I used papers, c/s, from CTMH, Fhionas Snowman stamp from YNS, and an embossing folder from Spellbinders. The image I coloured with Copic markers and then I embellished using Wink of Stella pens, bling and ribbon.

Hope you enjoy!

Sue

A Special Wedding Card

We were just in the Bahamas for the wedding of my husbands cousin and had a wonderful time!

 I thought I would share the wedding card I made them.

For this card I wanted to keep it simple but elegant so I stuck with the "white on white" theme. I embossed the flags with CTMH polka dot embossing folder, then punched out a double border with a MS punch, then added a silver trim with pearls. To finish it off I added an organza bow, resin flwer square and more bitty pearls.

Hope you enjoy!

Sue

December Challenge at Meljens Today!

We are having a Holiday Challenge at Meljens today! 

Submit your best project with a Meljens Digital stamp and you could win a great prize!

For my Holiday Challenge I used the cute digi called: Santa's Little Helper (and Magical Christmas Word Art)

You can find this cutie HERE

I coloured the image with Copic markers and embellished it with Stickles. For the card I used papers from Studio Calico and SU.

Join us this week on the Meljens Blog HERE

Cheers!

Sue

ITS HERE!

ITS HERE!!!!
THE NEW SEASONAL EXPRESSIONS BOOK!

It is filled with gorgeous new products and you can start ordering these starting December 1st. 

Click on the Idea Book to the right of this post!

I will placing an order on December 12th if you would like anything!

DECEMBER SPECIAL:

 We have celebrated some major anniversaries this year: Jeanette’s 30 years in the stamping and scrapbooking industry, as well as the five-year anniversary of Studio J®. There is one more very special anniversary we have been saving for an end-of-year treat: the ten-year anniversary of our industry-changing My Acrylix® clear polymer stamps! We’ve created the December campaign, Deal of the Decade, to commemorate this milestone and celebrate this cornerstone product line! Place a qualifying purchase of $50 during the month of December, and in addition to getting a great deal on the sweet Cutie Pie stamp of the month set, you will ALSO be eligible to purchase ANY C- or D-size stamp set from the Annual Inspirations idea book for only $10! That’s up to $9.75 CAD of savings on a single stamp!

Christmas Card

Here is a Christmas card I made recently. We did a version of this for Club in November.

I used Canary and Crystal Blue c/s and the stamp set called " Bright Spirits A1162". Then I coloured the image with Shinhan Touch Markers and masked it with Crystal Blue Ink. To finish it off I added Ruby Chevron ribbon and pearls. All supplies are from CTMH.

Cheers,

Sue

My DT Day Today

It is that time of month again! My DT Day over at Meljens!

I fell in love with the Snow Bunny image and knew I had to use it soon and seeing that it is cold enough for snow, it just seemed fitting!

I started off by colouring the bunny with Copic markers and then masking it with inks from CTMH. I love how this adds a great background! Then I added white highlights and adhered it to papers from Carta Bella and CTMH.

Have a look at all Meljens has to offer at: http://www.meljensdesigns.com/

and join us every month at our Challenge blog! 

http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.ca/

Thanks for looking!
Sue

New Release DT Dare at YNS!

Well, it has been an exciting time over at Your Next Stamp for the last couple of days with all

 the new releases for November!

 Don't you just love the new stamp sets and dies!

Today I have been challenged to use "Red, White and Green" and frankly this is awesome because I get to use my new stamp set and it is perfect for these colours!

The new set is called " Santa Express Train Carts" and it can be found HERE.

Since Christmas is such a fun time of year for me and I LOVE giving gifts I thought I would do something a little different than a card so I created a gift box.

I just LOVED this saying included in this set (Merry Kiss-Mas)

and this little birdy with the mistletoe!

The box I created with my Cricut and then I stamped the Snow People and coloured them with Copic markers. For the cart I stamped it separately, coloured it and cut it out. Then added fake snow, a paper pieced scarf and glitter. (There is also ribbon, washi tape and more cardstock!)

 Go to the YNS Blog to see all the wonderful projects that the DT have made.
And check out all the new products including the stamp set above HERE!

 If you comment you could win a new release stamp set of your choice!

Commenting will be open from today until the 14th so....... GET going!

Cheers,

Sue

YNS New Release and Blog Hop Day!

Hello and welcome to the YNS NOVEMBER New Release and Blog Hop!
 I was thrilled to be asked to participate in this awesome event this month!

It is ONLY 45 days until Christmas and I am very excited! My daughters birthday is Christmas Eve so we have a lot of events leading up to the big day and it is a busy time of year! As we approach the holiday season I am usually in "production mode" making all the holiday cards and this year is no different! That is why I am VERY happy to see all the new releases that YNS has to offer!

They are just the right thing to make my personalized holiday cards!

We have a fun November lineup of stamps and dies for you this month.
We know you are going to fall in love with the new dies and our holiday characters!

As a great bonus, this month you will receive 20% off all new Release purchases!

Everything is available now in the YNS Store HERE!

The Hop begins on Brianna's blog and if you've been hopping along,
you should have come from Tracy's blog!
Make sure you hop around to all the blogs featured in the link list located at the bottom of this post for lots of inspiration using the new products!

Here are my projects for the Hop!
 For both of them I used the new stamp set called: "Santa Express Train Carts"

For this one I punched out a square from the white cardstock, then embossed it and added a sheet behind to look like a window. I coloured the Snow People with Copic markers and then paper pieced the scarf and ledge. To finish it off, I added fake snow, an organza ribbon and stamped the sentiment.

In this card I coloured the toys with Copic markers, cut them out and placed it on a piece of embossed cardstock. Then I added the patterned papers, punched a scalloped strip and added ribbon and the sentiment.
 
Here is the stamp set I used for both called "Santa Express Train Carts" - Isn't it cute!!

Thank you SO much for stopping by and hopping with us!

The lucky winner will be announced by Karen on the Your Next Stamp Blog on November 12th!

*Remember: You have to comment on all the blogs to qualify for the grand prize*

Now it is time to head over to Deborah's blog, but before you go, don't forget to leave a comment!

Have fun creating,

Sue

Sneak Peek at YNS today!!!

SHHHHHH....
Today is a Sneek Peek of Your Next Stamps NEW November stamp release!

Here is a card I made using the brand new stamps called: Santa Express Train Carts

I stamped the cart and wheels onto coloured cardstock and patterned paper and then cut it out. Then I stamped the Christmas tree image and coloured it with Shinhan markers and added Stickles (You have to have the glitter!)
I put everything onto a textured white card base, used papers from SU and ribbon from CTMH.
The sentiment is also from the stamp set!

Stay tuned for more exciting new releases and exciting Blog Hop starting tomorrow!
Go to the YNS BLOG for a complete Sneak Peek List!

Check back here tomorrow for the Blog Hop and Reveal!!
Sue

Meljens Sketch Challenge

Today starts a great "Autumn Brights" sketch challenge over at Meljens!

 

I was a little pressed for time this week so I took advantage of the great pre-coloured images that Meljens offers!

 This one is called Autumn Leaf and Acorn.

I paired it with papers from DCWV and ribbon from CTMH.

So, if you need to make a card in a hurry but want it to look great, check out all Meljens has to offer at: http://www.meljensdesigns.com/

And join in on our Sketch Challenge using the above sketch. You could win a prize!

http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.ca/

Happy Fall!

Sue

DT Day at Meljens Today!

Its my DT Day over at Meljen Designs and I thought I would share with you a card I made.

I wanted to do something sunny and bright because outside it has been so 

dull and gloomy here lately!

I used the image called: Lazy Susan Buggies and coloured them with Copic markers. The papers are from Close To My Heart and the sticker is by Sophisticates.

Join us in several monthly challenges http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.ca 

and check out the NEW shop at: http://www.meljensdesigns.com/

Cheers,

Sue

Trick or Treat!

Its Trick or Treat day over at Meljen Designs today! 

Join us in this new blog challenge and make something Halloween themed!

I used the image called "Crazy Broom Witch" and coloured her with Copic markers. The papers and glitter ribbon are from CTMH and I embossed the cardstock with Spellbinder embossing folder.

Go to:http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.ca/ 

and join us for this new Challenge!

Cheers,

Sue

October Sketch Challenge at YNS

Your Next Stamp has a great sketch challenge this month:

 

 and here is my design....

I used papers from Simple Stories and CTMH. The stamp set from YNS is called: Birthday Animals and I coloured it with Copic markers and distressed it with Tim Holtz Distress Ink.

   Here is the stamp set- Isn't it cute!

Thanks for looking!

Sue

Submitted in the October YNS Challenge at: http://ynschallenges.blogspot.ca/

Diamonds Challenge over at Meljens!

Today starts a new challenge over at Meljen Designs! 

Bring out your bling with a "Diamonds are a Girls best friend" challenge!

It is my sweet niece's birthday next weekend so I thought I would make her a princess card.

For this card I used the cute Meljens image called " Sweet Rapunzel" and coloured it with Copic markers. Then I paired it with papers and cardstock from CTMH and added diamond bling.

Join us in this fun challenge! 

http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.ca/

Thanks,

Sue

Ribbon Campaign! Get yours FREE!

During the month of October, with each qualifying purchase of $55 CAD you are eligible to receive—as a special bonus—one of two chevron ribbons FREE! Each chevron ribbon—Ruby or Outdoor Denim—has an original retail value of $7.75 CAD. So which ribbon will you get? It’s a surprise! Quantities are limited, so place your orders as early in the month as possible. Be sure to take advantage of this fantastic offer so you can enjoy embellishing your creations with your own surprise roll of bonus ribbon!

Orders are going in on October 9th, contact me!

Spotlight on Creativity...From Designing Divas

Creativity from our team

It's time to meet Sue Taylor-Hill, Consultant and her artistic flair

Once again it's Friday, and time to meet some more creative talent!

Let me introduce you to Sue Taylor-Hill!  A multitalented artist and crafter, Sue is a consistent top-seller and has been a valued member of the Designing Divas for several years.  Take a look at her fabulous work and get to know her a little bit better!

I run two monthly Clubs and enjoy teaching new techniques and getting together with new people.

I am a stay at home Mom of two children, married for 15 years and my office is my creative safe haven. I love anything to do with scrapbooking, cardmaking and crafts and have been with CTMH for almost 7 years.  

Materials:
My Creations Pennant Frame
Seaside Papers
Sorbet, Colonial White, Glacier, Kraft C/S
SOTM - Family Is Forever
Chocolate, Glacier, and Sorbet Inks
Chalk it Up Assortment/ Bulk Hearts


Thanks Sue, for sharing your wonderful project!

So sad to go.....

Well, today is my last day of creating with the Your Next Stamp Design Team! 

I am very sad to go but had an amazing time making things with the beautiful stamps and dies.

I created this layout and I used the "Piles of Smiles"stamp set and matching die. I paper pieced the little man, and cut out lots of leaves. As well, I used both of the "Ink splatter" stamps on the background.

   

I would just like to thank Karen and Thanh and all of the other Girls from the Design Team who welcomed me to this great team this month!

Check out all the great products from YNS at:  http://yournextstamp.com/

Thanks and have a great day!

Sue

Patchwork Challenge at Meljens Today!

Today we are using the theme "patchwork" in our newest Challenge!

I used this adorable image called: Fru Fru Fairy Joy and coloured her with Copic markers. The paper I used is from Crate Paper and I pieced squares together to make a quilt effect. Then I outlined it with a journalling pen to add stitches.

Check out our new challenge at: http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.ca/

Cheers,

Sue

Creative Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Creative Blog Hop:

This hop is a way to have an ongoing and never-ending hop to introduce each other and make new friends and broaden our list of blog artists!

Thank you to Thanh Vo ( http://makeitsweetandneat.com ) for nominating me!

What am I working on now?
I was a lucky Girl this month to be asked by Your Next Stamp to be their Guest Designer so I am working on cards for them using their new release stamps.
 

 How does my work differ from others in my genre?

My work is different than others in my genre in that I use all types of stamps (Acrylic, digital and rubber) and I like different mediums. (Copics, Prismacolors, Distress Inks) I constantly change it up depending on what I am doing and feeling.

Why do I create what I do?

I create the things I do basically because I LOVE papercrafting. Papers, markers and embellishments make me happy! My office is my creative safe haven and I love sitting at my desk using new products and creating.

How does my creative process work?

When I get a new project I will actually make a sketch first of what I want to do. Then I pick a stamp that goes with the theme, then the papers and cardstock. The sketch helps me think out and balance my project and I can make changes to it without wasting supplies.

Hope you learned a bit about me today and I would like to introduce you to the next Blogger! 
SHERI BALLANTYNE



Sheri Ballantyne:  http://sherisays-justscrapit.blogspot.ca

 Who is Sheri?

I am a jack of all crafts.  I love scrapbooking, cardmaking, home decor, jewellery making and so much more.  I'm also a writer and love playing with words as much as my crafting supplies.  For me, it's about the creative process, and throughout the process, I learn new things, relax, de-stress and just have fun. 

Please visit Sheri's blog and give her some love!

Hugs,

Sue

YNS Fall Treat!

Fall is fast approaching and YNS has some fantastic new stamps this month to celebrate!

One of my favourite is called "Piles of Smiles" and I love the way it makes me 

happy when I look at it!

I embossed the leaves from the set onto Kraft cardstock and inked them, then attached them over washi tape and an embossed wood background and added punched out branches.

Piles of Smiles

Take a look at all the new releases at:   http://yournextstamp.com

Happy Fall!

Sue

YNS September Challenge

September is a great month at Your Next Stamp!
They have some great new releases and a wonderful Challenge going on right now!

It is a sketch challenge based on this sketch:

And here is some inspiration for you:

Here is the card I made for the Challenge:

The stamp set I used is called: Tea-Rific

Please join us in this month's challenge at: http://ynschallenges.blogspot.ca/

And to find the above stamp set and to see all the new releases this month

go to:   http://yournextstamp.com/

Sue

DT Day at Meljens Today!

HI Everyone, it is my DT Day over at Meljen Designs today and I thought I would do a little project!

I believe in recycling, reusing and repurposing things and when my daughter's Epipen expired I was left with this great green case with a locking lid. Just the thing for me to find something to do with it!

I first printed the image called " Little Sign Mouse" by Meljens and punched it out with a square scalloped punch. I then cut a background cardstock and rounded the corners of it. The image was then coloured with Copics and I added the word "Piercers" to it.

 

Here is the end result! I now have a fantastic container for my piercers and needles (which were ALWAYS getting lost!) and a great tag to go on it!

Check out Meljens wonderful designs at: http://www.meljensdesigns.com/ and also join us in the monthly challenges!

Hope you enjoy,

Sue