Halloween Mini Album featuring the CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge

This is a mini album kit I created for Scrap-a-way in Massachusetts last weekend.  I used the new Close To My Heart Cricut Artbooking cartridge. I LOVE how it came out! I also really love halloween so this album was so fun to create.  I added a bunch of layers including vellum, glitter papers, sparkles, opaques and even fabric and tulle to really make this album a scream! :)  Kits are still available! Contact me for more details. 

 Can't wait to add more photos of my scrappin friends and family at halloween to this spooky mini album!

Frosted Layout Kit #1

This is the first kit I created for Picture Perfect Weekends in Farmington, CT this weekend.  I have included pictures below for those that did not get to take the class.  Kits are still available to order! Please contact me for details. Thanks!

Frosted Layout Kit #2

This is the Frosted Kit #2 that I created for the Picture Perfect Weekends crop in October.  I have included below some photos to reference and directions on completion and materials used.  Please contact me with any questions.   Thanks!

Used white daisy pigment ink for snowflake background

Stamped You melt my Heart with Lagoon pigment ink and heart in Ruby pigment ink

Cut flourish with CTMH Cricut Artiste cartridge (Card on pg. 58)

Used top of this card cut out as a stencil to cut the bottoms of B&T paper strips

Stamped word puzzle using pigment inks in Whisper, Slate, Twilight and Crystal Blue 

Frosted My Stickease: trees, birds, snowflakes

Frosted Paper Packet

Frosted Kit Stamp 

Silver Shimmer trim

Clear flourish and sparkles

FALL layout class Huntington Paper

This coming weekend I am so excited to announce that I will be a CTMH vendor at Scrap-a-way Retreats in Rhode Island. I will be teaching a FALL layout class.

Instructor:   Stephanie Brown, Close To My Heart Supervisor and Independent Consultant
Cost: $30  Create this two page layout featuring NEW Close To My Heart products.  

Included in this class you will receive:

·         Precut papers from the Huntington paper packet

·         Precut overlay and title from the new CTMHArtbooking Cricut cartridge

·         Cardstock base pages

·         Burlap ribbon

·         Huntington Assortment featuring canvas and wooden accents (shown below)

·         Rosewood Assortment featuring metal flourishes and sparkle flowers (shown below)
plus a flip flap for the right page 

Please bring with you: your adhesive of choice, clear or 3D pop dots, and photos (5 x 7 and 4 x 6).  You can also add the photos later.

(above photo shows page 2 with flip flap open)

I hope you will join me in welcoming this beautiful season of autumn!

Happy Crafting :)

Stephanie Brown
Close To My Heart Independent Consultant
order online:   www.stephaniebrown.ctmh.com
FB:  Stephanie Loves Scrapbooking
203-927-0872

Chevron Card with Laughing Lola

One of my favorite paper packets from the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book is Laughing Lola. I just love the black, purple, blue and golden color scheme.  As part of my convention goodie bag, I received all the materials needed to make this chevron card featuring the Laughing Lola papers, Circle Spin cards, Bronze Shimmer Trim, "I love you" Stamp and Aqua Dots.  These cards are so cool because the circle portion spins around when the card is open adding interest and fun to your card.

Here are a few more pics of how I created the chevron pattern.  

Happy Crafting! :)

Retired Products List 7/2013

The following list was provided by Kathy Markloff.  Some of these products may already be sold out.  Please contact me for availability ASAP at my email stephanielovesscrapbooking@gmail.com or you can place your order on my website at stephaniebrown.ctmh.com 

Close To My Heart Products Retiring On July 31, 2013:

Item No.	Description
Z1347	12 x 12 Post Bound Album- New England Ivy
Z1366	Brads Metal Assortment
Z1410	Antiqued Copper Designer Brads
Z1358	Buttons Basic Assortment
Z1369	Buttons Red Assortment
Z1370	Buttons Pink Assortment
Z1371	Buttons Blue Assortment
Z1372	Buttons Green Assortment
Z1703	Wooden Badge Buttons
Z1704	Pewter Badge Buttons
Z1821	Buttons Black Assortment
G1060	Workshops on the Go® For Always Cardmaking Kit
G1061	Workshops on the Go® Chantilly Cardmaking Kit
Z1412	10-Things Pocket
Z1474	6″ x 6″ Kraft Die-Cut Cards & Envelopes
Z1721	3” x 3” Kraft Envelopes
Z1722	4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ Kraft Envelopes
Z1723	5” x 7” Kraft Envelopes
Z1724	6” x 6” Kraft Envelopes
Z1450	Cork Color-Ready Alphabet
Z1718	Color-Ready Garden Wooden Shapes
Z1719	Color-Ready Evergreen Cork Shapes
Z1773	Color-Ready Noted Canvas Shapes
1771	Waterbrush Medium
Z1246	Embossing Powder Cocoa
Z1350	Embossing powder topiary
Z1351	Embossing powder dutch blue
Z655	Embossing Powder Olive
Z656	Embossing Powder Outdoor Denim
Z659	Embossing Powder Cranberry
Z670	Embossing Powder Black
Z672	Embossing Powder Red
Z673	Embossing Powder White
Z724	Embossing Pen
X7155C	Avonlea Complements Canvas Shapes
X7156C	Clementine Complements Canvas Shapes
X7157C	Dakota Complements Silver Foil Images
X7159C	Scholastic My Stickease® Assortment
X7164C	Buzz and Bumble My Stickease® Assortment
X7166C	Claire Complements Canvas Shapes
X7167C	Later Sk8r My Stickease® Assortment
Z1392	2″ Scallop Circle Punch
Z578	Corner Rounder
Z1326	Sparkles Red, Pink & Purple Assortment
Z1327	Sparkles Blue & Green Assortment
Z1710	Just Blooms® Paradise Paper Flowers
Z1612	Paper Clip Pins
Z1827	My Creations™ Paper Pouch – Small
Z1828	My Creations™ Paper Pouch – Large
G1062	Workshops on the Go® Canvas Art Kit
Z1734	Irresistibles™ Persnickety Journaling Spots
Z1755	Posh Journaling Spots
G1053	Workshops on the Go® Chantilly Scrapbooking Kit
G1054	Workshops on the Go® Buzz and Bumble Scrapbooking Kit
G1055	Workshops on the Go® For Always Scrapbooking Kit
G1056	Workshops on the Go® Claire Scrapbooking Kit
G1057	Workshops on the Go® Later Sk8r Scrapbooking Kit
G1058	Workshops on the Go® Tommy Scrapbooking Kit
G1059	Workshops on the Go® Surf’s Up Scrapbooking Kit
Z1748	Brocade Assortment
Z1766	Memo Assortment
Z1780	Wrangler Assortment
Z1794	Cottage Assortment
Z1810	Later Sk8r Assortment
Z1813	Claire Assortment
Z1831	Buzz and Bumble Assortment
X7155B	Avonlea Paper Packet
X7156B	Clementine Paper Packet
X7157B	Dakota Paper Packet
X7159B	Scholastic Paper Packet
X7164B	Buzz and Bumble Paper Packet
X7166B	Claire Paper Packet
X7167B	Later Sk8r Paper Packet
Z1487	Mini Medley Accents Pewter Collection
Z1489	Mini Medley Accents Olive Collection
Z1697	Mini-Medley Accents Smoothie Collection
Z1740	My Creations® Bookmark Album
Z1774	My Creations® Canvas Journal
Z1081	Colonial White Waxy Flax
Z1088	Chocolate Waxy Flax
Z1089	Black Waxy Flax
Z1096	Embroidery Floss Neutral Assortment
Z1798	Black Tulle Ribbon
Z906	Bamboo Waxy Flax
W1123	Spring Summer 2013 B&T Duo Sampler
Z1267	Paper/Stamp Organizer 8.5×11 (3)
Z4134	Handle and Swivel Base
Z4136	Exclusive Inks Organizer Carrying Case
Z4200	Accessories Organizer
Z608	Embossing Stylus Medium
A1132	Family
A1133	Festival of Lights
B1372	Circle Together
B1395	So Grateful
B1396	School Rocks
B1405	Rugged Dude
B1406	Blessings of Peace
B1410	A Friend Like You
B1414	Bonjour
C1438	Tea Time
C1461	Salutation Seals
C1466	Instant Memories
C1505	Pun Fun
C1507	Angelic Blessings
C1508	Paisley Flair
C1511	Love Blooms
C1520	Christmas Joy
D1187	For Every Occasion
D1388	Card Chatter – Christmas
D1399	Dream Big
D1440	Everlasting Life
D1444	A Little Thanks
D1492	Christmas Love
D1517	Game On
D1519	Abundance
D1521	Powder Heaven
D1523	Sweet Music
D1528	Jardin
E1010	Chocolate Alphabet Large
E1014	Posterboard Alphabet
E1015	Cocktail Alphabet
E1017	Old World Alphabet
E1018	Pennant Alphabet
E1019	Bohemian Alphabet
E1020	Token Alphabet
E1021	Trinity Alphabet
E1022	Hero Alphabet
E1023	Varsity Alphabet
E1024	Keepsake Alphabet
K900	Single Name Stamp
K9012	Address Stamp w/o Icon 2 Lines
K9013	Address Stamp w/o Icon 3 Lines
K9014	Address Stamp w/o Icon 4 Lines
K9022	Address Stamp with Icon 2 Lines
K9023	Address Stamp with Icon 3 Lines
K9024	Address Stamp with Icon 4 Lines

The items being retired will not be available in the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book. You still have a couple of weeks to pick up some extra of your favorite things or to stock up on items that you may need to complete projects you are currently working on.

And don't forget...while you are ordering retiring items, get the July stamp of the month set, with a $50 order for only $5 (savings of $12.95).

 Happy Crafting!

Joyful Stars July Blog Hop

Welcome to the Joyful Stars Blog Hop for the month of July! I am so excited to share my creativity with you using beautiful Close To My Heart products.  If you have arrived from Lori Meadows' blog  you are right on track.  If you are just happening by, you will want to start on Joyce Houck's blog. There are over a dozen talented women participating this month and we hope you will enjoy what you see, leave a comment for us, and be inspired to create your own artwork with Close To My Heart.

In July, I have been working on a few more pages from my personal scrapbook. This is a book I am making of pictures of me and my family when I was a little girl. I am using the colorful, happy Chantilly paper packet and accessories for this album.  I have also been experimenting with the Chantilly textiles to create the little fabric skirt, bow and flowers you see adorning these layouts.  I just love how they came out, don't you? :) 

Me and my dad swimming in Cape Cod.

I love this picture of me and my little sister Lisa. What cute kids we were!

Me dressed up as a Raggedy Ann doll for Halloween. 

It was a snap to put these fabric creations together with just a little bit of Liquid Glass.  This glue dries pretty fast, much faster than it would take me to actually sew  :)   I added a bit of hand stitching using Black Waxy Flax (a product that I LOVE) as well as some stamping, embossing, clear bitty sparkles and pink glitter gems. The stamps I used were Frame Flair and the Chantilly Workshop on the Go Stamp set.   Here are some close ups of the pretty details.

I am so happy the Chantilly collection will be carried over to the next Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter Idea Book coming out in only a few weeks.  I will have copies available for my best customers at the next Sterling House crop so be sure to ask me for yours! Oh boy if you love the Cricut, this Idea Book is going to knock your socks off! 

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my creations! Now hop on over to Heather Flaherty's blog.  I know she has something beautiful to show you too! :)  If you liked my project, please leave me a comment! If you would like to follow my blog, please click on the "Join this site" button on the left side of the page. Feel free to scroll down and view some of my past posts.  You can also find my artwork on Facebook at Stephanie Loves Scrapbooking. 

To learn more about the products that I used in this layout or about my upcoming classes and vendor events please view my calendar, contact me at stephanielovesscrapbooking@gmail.com or visit my Close To My Heart site to purchase products online.   Thanks for stopping by! :)

Happy Crafting! :)

Joyful Stars June Blog Hop Later Sk8r

Welcome to the first ever Joyful Stars Blog Hop! We are so excited to share our creativity with you using Close To My Heart products.  If you have arrived from Nancy Brown's blog you are right on track.  If you are just happening by, you will want to start on Joyce Houck's blog. There are about a dozen talented women participating this month and we hope you will enjoy what you see, leave a comment for us, and be inspired to create your own artwork with Close To My Heart.

This month, I am featuring a layout made with our Later Sk8r collection.  If you follow my blog, you know that I have a pretty active 5 year old son named Joshua.  This paper fits him perfectly! He recently had a play date with his godfather and they had a blast! I had to capture these important treasured memories in his playtime scrapbook.  To really highlight the papers "play hard" theme, I used our exclusive Cricut Artiste cartridge to cut gears and blinged them out using Artisan Studs.  I used a lot of direct distressing with my Outdoor Denim ink pad to make the gears and papers look worn and torn.  I used my scissors to rough up the edges of the photos as well as some 3D pop dots to add dimension to the gears and the rubber Later Sk8r shapes for even more texture and pop!

Here are some close ups...

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my creation! Now hop on over to Crystal Davis' blog.  I know she has something beautiful to show you too! :)

If you liked my project, please leave me a comment! If you would like to follow my blog, please click on the "Join this site" button on the left side of the page. Feel free to scroll down and view some of my past posts.  You can also find my artwork on Facebook at Stephanie Loves Scrapbooking.

To learn more about the products that I used in this layout or about my upcoming classes and vendor events please view my calendar, contact me at stephanielovesscrapbooking@gmail.com or visit my Close To My Heart site to purchase products online.   Thanks for stopping by! :)

Happy Crafting! :)

Dream Pop

Do what you love and love what you do! I just love that saying!  On this page I have used the new Close To My Heart Dream Pop paper packet available in honor of National Scrapbooking Month.  This big set contains 24 sheets of paper, 12 of which have shiny resist patterns and the other 12 have very trendy designs printed on them which remind me of the Level 1 papers that we used to carry.   I just fell in love with the bright and summery colors in this pack!  The colors have such a positive energy and I couldn't help but feel excited using them to create the title page for my scrapbook about all of the things that I love.  The photo of me was taken at Convention in Disneyland. What an amazing time that was!  I hope you will use this pack to scrapbook some of your most happy memories.  The Dream Pop paper packet is only available until May 31st so make sure to get yours today! Email me at stephanielovesscrapbooking@gmail.com or Click here for more details.

Here is some more beautiful artwork created with the Dream Pop kit to inspire you.  

Here is a more detailed view of the many cheery papers in this kit. 

Happy Crafting! :)

Karate layouts using Studio J

My son Joshua recently earned his camouflage belt at karate.  This means that he is no longer a "little dragon".   He has now moved up to the "karate kids."  Josh is learning so much and having such a great time too! And, of course, I am making an album to document this!  I am using Close To My Heart's online scrapbooking program called Studio J.  This program is great because in an hour or two I can catch up on a months worth of scrapping and my layouts are printed with amazing quality.  Once I receive the printed layouts in the mail, I can't wait to put them into the most perfect scrapbooking album ever.  It has actual little dragons all over it.   I loved the symbolism.  Plus, I have always loved dragons so this is just super extra cool for me. 

Joshua with one of his favorite instructors, Sabinum T and his new camouflage belt in May 2013!

Joshua having fun in his last little dragon class with his red and black belt. 

Joshua and his class with Sabinum W doing obstacle courses and practicing Chun Be.

We were so proud when Joshua moved up from his yellow and black belt to his red and black belt in February 2013. 
Time sure flies!

Joshua earning his yellow and black belt at Little Dragons class in November 2012. 

I hope you enjoy the layouts I created.  Please let me know if you have any questions on how Studio J can make your scrapbooking FASTER. SIMPLER. EASIER.  :)

Happy Crafting!

Later Sk8r layouts

Later Sk8r is the most awesome boy paper ever! I just love the mixture of cool blue and green colored sayings such as RAD, FUN, ROUGH and TOUGH with the images of gears, wheels and skulls (I teach Anatomy & Physiology so I am particularly fond of skulls).

I am all set to fill an entire scrapbook of layouts using Later Sk8r and the coordinating My Stickease,  rubber accessories and blue and green epoxy bubbles. Here is a close up...

I just could not resist showing you the next layout that I created for Joshua's scrapbook. 

As you can tell from the close up below, I distressed the edges of the papers and My Stickease with Outdoor Denim ink.  Doesn't that really make all the layers stand out?  It is one of my favorite distressing techniques.  I love the My Stickease that come with this set.  So many options for them from cars, to robots, to riding bikes or skating, they cover just about any activity that a boy could get himself into.

This paper is just a perfect fit for my son.  His adventures never end and I am blessed to go along for the ride.  :) 

Happy Crafting!