Time for Christmas Cards!!

I'm hosting a Christmas Card Marathon workshop next week, and I thought I'd show you some of the cards we will be making.  At my marathon class, participants make four each of five different cards designs. . .they leave with 20 cards ready for the holidays!

This card features the October Stamp of the Month, Twinkle.  I got the design idea from one of my team members who went to the CTMH Making Connections event in Overland Park, KS.  I think Shari Froemming may be the original designer!

I like to give my customers options at the Card Marathon class.  This card is the very same design, but they get to choose which stamp image to put in the box.  

This card features the stamp set from the White Pines Workshop on the Go Scrapbooking Kit.  I just love this stamp set!!  I can't take credit for the card design, though--I saw the card on Pinterest by Liz Johnson.   

Here's another card with the October Stamp of the Month.  I like the clean crisp lines on this card.  I always put a variety of message stamps out on the table at my Card Marathon class, so my customers can put any Christmas message they'd like on the card..

My October Club Layouts

Thought I'd share the fun Halloween layout that we're making in my October clubs.  I'm using the Nevermore paper and Eggplant, Pear, and Saffron cardstock.  I started with the same basic layout design, but I'm offering two options for embellishments--one featuring the Nevermore Complements and one featuring the Little Monsters stamp set (C1630).  You can't see it very well in the photo, but both layouts have the Black Shimmer Trim running along that bottom border, and it gives the layout some fun sparkle!

If you like to stamp and color, you'll love the images in the "Little Monsters" stamp set.  They are ADORABLE!!!  I used the ShinHan markers to colors the stamped images.  Below is a close-up of the little witch.  The "Halloween FUN" title was cut from the Artiste cartridge.

If you prefer to skip the stamping, use our Nevermore Complements to add fun things all over your layout.   You'll see some close-ups of the embellishments below.  I cut the "SPOOKY" title from the Artbooking cartridge.

Nevermore Collection Connection

This Is Halloween, This Is Halloween. . .

Though we don't do much Halloween-ing around my household, I do enjoy making some fun Halloween papercrafts!  Here's a look at some of the projects I've made this year. . .you can purchase the products to make these items on my website at http://christina.ctmh.com

This is made with our new My Creations Pint-Size Containers (Z3137, three in a package for $3.95).  I embellished it with paper from the Nevermore paper pack and some of our black Shimmer Trim and Glitter Paper.  

I can't take credit for this idea, but I saw them at Convention this year and KNEW I had to make these broomstick lollipops.  They're made with Blow Pops, though I think you could use any type of lollipop.  I sponged the handles with Desert Sand ink.  I cut a piece of Kraft Cardstock 2 1/2" x 12" and then I cut thin vertical lines all the way down the piece (they do make fringe scissors now--that might help a bit).   I cut up just a little over 2" so you still have some solid part to hold it together.  Then I wrapped it round and round the Blow Pop stick (adding some adhesive every so often so it doesn't unwind).  Then, I stamped a cute label and tied on some of our Thistle Twine.

Here's a variation on a theme, in case you have some kind of lollipop aversion.  Anyway, these broomsticks (also an idea I got at Convention) are made with grape licorice and paper from the Nevermore paper pack.  I put the licorice inside one of these super-skinny clear bags.  I ordered the bags a long time ago from clearbags.com, but I'm not sure if you can find them in stores.  Walmart carries pretzel stick bags back in the cake decorating/wedding section, and those might work.

We have such great ready-to-decorate products liked these Designer Creations Paper Bags (Z2036--only $3.95 for 12).  I cut out some tag shapes on the Cricut and then added some stamped images from our newest Halloween sets.  I also used a zip strip from the Nevermore Paper Pack.

I didn't get much of a chance to play with my Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge last Halloween, so now it's time to pull it out and see what fun things we can create with this awesome cartridge!  This is one of the MANY pop-up cards you can find on this cartridge. . .and it was very easy to put together!  

Here's the front of the card. . .I used some paper from last year's Scaredy Cat Paper Pack.  

This is the card I made for one of my recent team card swaps.  I adore these cute little kids in the Little Monsters stamp set (C1630) which is featured in the new Holiday Expressions.  It's the perfect stamp set to use with our ShinHan markers, so if you're into color therapy, this one's for you!  The "Trick or Treat" sign comes from the Pumpkin Chevron stamp set (B1488).  Paper is from the Nevermore paper pack, and, okay, I can't remember which CTMH cartridge I got the bats from.    

Here's another fun creation I made with the Artfully Sent cartridge.  This is a Pocket Card that I cut out in black cardstock.  I put our silver Glitter paper behind the web to give it a fun shiny look.  I cut my pocket card at 5 inches, and it seemed just about right for some stick candy or Pixie Sticks, but you could make it larger if you need to stuff it FULL of candy!!  The spider came from the Artbooking Cartridge--he was slightly mean until I gave him some google eyes!

October Stamp of the Month: Twinkle

You're going to love all of the fun holiday images and words that are in this stamp set!!  It's one of those MUST HAVE stamp sets for the Christmas season.  To order, visit my website at http://christina.ctmh.com.  You can purchase the stamp set for only $5 with a $50 purchase or you can order it for the regular retail price of $17.95.  The three images with red around them correspond with shapes on the Artiste Cricut Cartridge.

JOIN THE CLOSE TO MY HEART FAMILY IN OCTOBER!!!

When you sign up as a Close to My Heart Consultant in the month of October, you'll receive this adorable bag absolutely FREE!  It's a fantastic time of year to get your business rolling.  And, as a welcome gift for joining my Close to My Heart team, I'll give you two My Reflections paper packs of your choice FREE to help you stock your stash with more of our beautiful products!  To sign up, visit my website at http://christina.ctmh.com, and click on "What We Do."  I'd love to have you on my team. . .whether you live near the Springfield, MO, area or anywhere in the country!  If you have questions about becoming a Consultant, feel free to contact me!