Believe Christmas Frame designed by Michelle Snyder

Do you ever see one of those projects that just makes your jaw drop and you say, "I WANT TO MAKE THAT!!!"  Consultant Michelle Snyder designed this decor frame to auction off at our Convention to benefit Operation Smile.  Needless to say, the frame went for an incredible amount of money because it was just stunning!!  Michelle was generous enough to share her pattern with us so that we could make them ourselves, and I'm really pleased how it turned out.  I wish that you could see the sparkle of the Glitter Paper and the depth of the embellishments a little more in this picture, but at least you get the idea!  

I'm offering this as a workshop on Monday, November 23rd.  Some of my customers already have one of these decor frames, so I'm giving them the option of purchasing the frame.  Cost for the class is $23 for the layout without the frame and $56 with the frame.  Let me know if you'd like to attend!

November Stamp of the Month, "Cheers"

Here's a fun stamp set for your New Year's cards and layout pages!  Get it before it's gone!  You can order online at http://christinactmh.com.  As always, the Stamp of the Month is only $5 with a $50 purchase. . .or you can get it for $17.95 retail price.  Available through November 30th.

Fantastic November Special!!!

I've become a big fan of Close to My Heart's Fundamentals papers, stickers and accessories.  They are SUPER versatile, and you can mix and match them with so many different things.  During the month of November, we are offering a phenomenal "bundle" of products featuring your album of choice and the Fundamentals Enchantment paper pack and accessories.  If you purchase this product bundle for $71.80, you get a VALUE PACK of our Memory Protectors FREE ($19.95 value) plus a workshop guide to create the layouts shown in the photos.  WOW!!!  If you have never used our Memory Protectors (page sleeves), they are the BEST on the market--you won't find better quality anywhere!  To take advantage of this November offer, visit my website at http://christina.ctmh.com

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!