Projects from my Team Christmas Party

Every year, I host a Christmas party for my Memories in Motion team.  This year, I was running a little behind, but we still managed to squeeze our get-together in!  What I LOVE about this event (besides spending time with some really awesome ladies), is that we have a handmade gift exchange, and all the gifts feature Close to My Heart products.  Not only is the swapping (and stealing) FUN, but we get some great project ideas for the upcoming year.  These projects really reflect what being a Close to My Heart Consultant is all about--sharing what you LOVE with others!   So, let's share. . .

This album was made by one of our brand new Consultants, Kathy Smith.  Not bad for a newbie, eh?!!!  My photo doesn't even begin to capture the beautiful embellishments Kathy put on this book.  Her book was inspired by Tresa Black's Fabulously Arsty blog.

Gwen Fillinger made this adorable Christmas album.  What you can't see in the photo is that each page folds out.  Gwen got this ideas from splitcoaststampers.com -- look for "flip book."

Patricia Ervin made this spiral mini album.  She used the stamp set from our Rock the Block special to stamp all of the cute images in the book.

Sandee DePriest made this JOY banner using our My Creations Banners.  The embossing and embellishments were really pretty!

Pam Mosier made this album using Typeset paper.  Again, what you can't see is that pages fold out in a really nifty way. 

 Jan Jackson made this card holder full of cute Chistmas cards.  It's actually made to hold smaller cards (which would allow you to tie it shut at the top), but Jan filled it was some really cute standard-size cards.

Rhonda Leeper made this adorable paper tree using papers from the Sophia paper pack.  You can get instructions from splitcoaststampers.com (look under Resources for Paper Tree). 

Okay, this wasn't technically part of the gift exchange, but I thought I'd show you this album that Sandee DePriest created using our My Creations banners.  Sandee did a class demonstrating several great ideas for how to use the My Creations banner, and this was one of the projects. 

Diane Meinhardt made this "Stack the Deck" album based on an idea she got from splitcoaststampers.com.  She used envelopes, and each page is like a pocket. 

Suzanne Thomas made this beautiful cookie sheet magnet board featuring the Sonoma paper.  She used spray adhesive to attach the papers to the tray.  I love how she embellished the magnets and clips!

I made this project at the Scrapbook Spa Getaway, and it was fun to get to share it with one of my team members.  There's a piece of sheet metal attached to the front of the wooden piece so that the magnets will stick to it.  The calendar pages are printed on the computer and are held to the board using the magnets. 

Christmas Tag Class, Thursday, December 1st, 6 p.m.

I love that our new Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge cuts tag shapes that coordinate with our Dimensional Elements chipboard tags.  At this workshop, we'll turn these chipboard tags into works of art by adding our beautiful paper, stamped images and embellishments.  Cost for the class is $10, and you'll receive a full sheet of Dimensional Elements tags as part of the class fee.  Sign up today!

Projects for my upcoming Great Gifty Ideas Workshop, Tuesday, November 22nd, 6 p.m. (if we overflow, I may open up another night, Monday, Nov. 21st)

Mandy Leahy posted this project on the Close to My Heart artwork board, and I LOVE it!  Thanks to the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, you can put this together in minutes.

This is another "stamp-lifted"I found posted by Andrea Marie Sherman (her blog is GIRLplusPAPER.blogspot.com).  You can hang it on a tree like an ornament and it's the perfect size for a gift card.

I used to make notepad covers and Post-It note covers all of the time, and I thought it was time we made another one.  The cover is made out of chipboard (I used three pieces so that it could bend) covered with B&T paper from the Roxie kit.  Now that we have the Art Philosophy cartridge, we can add 3D elements like the roses.

This box is made using the Wonderland paper and the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  It's just the perfect size to put a couple packs of cocoa and some candy canes.  If you want pattern on both sides of your paper, but you need it to be a little thicker/sturdier, you can glue two sheets of B&T paper together with spray adhesive, then cut it as one piece on the Cricut.

I saw this project posted last year on the artwork board by Debi Davis, and I thought it was just a fun way to dress up a candy bar!  You can use any patterned paper for the hat and scarf (think scrap bin), so it's an economical project.

Projects and Layouts from the Scrapbook Spa Getaway

We got to make some dimensional projects as well, thanks to our fabulous Cricut cartridge.  This one holds a five-pack of monogrammed cards and envelopes.

This is the french fry box that you'll find on our Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  To get these two contrasting patterns, we used papers from the Elemental paper packet and the Typeset paper pack and glued them together with spray adhesive before they were cut.  The rose and other elements were also cut on the Cricut.

What's neat about this layout is that it's made using cardstock--no patterned papers.  The suede look on the brown background is created by rubbing a Cocoa ink pad in a circular motion directly onto the Cocoa cardstock.

This was my favorite layout that I made this weekend.  It's like it was MADE just for Erin's birthday photos!

This layout is SUPER fast.  It uses the Typeset paper packet and the coordinating canvas Complements. 

This is the layout that one of the Close to My Heart artists created just for me!  I absolutely love it, and the details on it are incredible!  It uses the Dreamin' paper packet as well as the Hooray Bouquet stamp set.

Okay, for some reason, the computer keeps flipping this photo on its side.  So, let's all lean our heads sideways!  What's cool about this layout is all of the circles that are layered onto the layout--kind of like clouds, or fish scales, if you want a creepier comparison.

Autumn in the Ozarks is BEAUTIFUL!!!

 This has been one of the most beautiful fall seasons that I can recall.  Just when I think the color can't get any better, it does!  The first two pictures were taken right off my front porch. . .what a blessing to be able to gaze out at something so pretty.  The large maple tree in the photo used to be the most amazing tree.  Then, it was nearly destroyed in the ice storm of 2007.  Thankfully, our neighbors chose not to chop it down, and, over the past few years,  it has begun to make a recovery--still with a few scars, but definitely beautiful.  When I look at this tree, it reminds me that, even when life deals us some blows, God can take our messed up lives and make something beautiful out of them.   Some people might want to give up and chop us down, but God is willing to nurse us back to health.  I'm so thankful for a compassionate God who heals and restores!

Scrapbook Spa Getaway

 I had such a wonderful time at the Close to My Heart Scrapbook Spa Getaway!!  What a treat!  This special prize was given to eight lucky Consultants from across the country, and I was so fortunate to be one of them.  We spent the weekend in Heber City, Utah, surrounded by the beautiful mountains.  Kristine and Monica from Close to My Heart were our hosts for the weekend, and they spoiled us rotten.  We scrapbooked, ate wonderful food, scrapbooked, got massages, ate wonderful food, scrapbooked, got pedicures, ate wonderful food, laughed and shared and scrapbooked some more. 

As a special gift to us, Kristine had the artists from Close to My Heart create an original layout for each one of us.  These layouts were absolutely beautiful!

Lots of giggling and silliness--Michelle and I found the stuffed rooster downstairs and thought we'd bring it up for fun!

This is the house we stayed in.  It was so beautiful and comfortable, and the view around it was inspiring.  Wish I could take some of my downline and customers to this place for a scrapbook retreat!

Our eight lucky winners!

Our scrapbooking room was set up in a loft in the house--a perfect place to spend the day making beautiful creations.

We had some light snowfall while we were there--just enough to dust the mountains with white.

Showing off one of my layouts.

Showing off our pedicures.

Deer grazing in the front yard.

Our crew enjoying one of MANY fantastic meals.

Christina, Kristine and Christine

Louise, Christina, Lynn, Michelle and Tina

German Apple Cake

I found this cake recipe in Taste of Home magazine, and it's one of those yummy, comforting fall desserts.  I served it at one of my workshops the other night, and it was GONE before the evening was over.

By the way, if you need good recipes, I recommend visiting Taste of Home's website:  http://www.tasteofhome.com/.  They have a plethora of recipes in all categories, and you can always find something tasty to make.  Their recipes are very practical for the everyday home cook.

 Directions

• In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; add to egg mixture and mix well. Fold in apples and nuts. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
• In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter. Add confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth. Spread over cake. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 12-16 servings.

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups chopped peeled tart apples
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• 
  FROSTING:
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 2 teaspoons butter, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

NEW SPECIAL AVAILABLE NOW!!

From now through November, you can get the Holiday Wishes D-size stamp set for only $5 with any $25 acrylic stamp purchase.  You can order online or contact me directly to order.