Costa Rica Adventure

Joe and I had an adventure in beautiful Costa Rica with our CTMH friends.

There were gorgeous sunsets and very exotic animals. The locals were friendly.

Pura Vida!

Upcoming Events!

 

Here is what is coming up with Close To My Heart:

 

April 17, Thursday morning Card Round Robin 9 am - noon.  Come and create cards so you have cards to send out to family and friends.  You only create the cards you need as you rotate around the room.  Each card you create is only $1.25 and includes the envelope.  PLEASE sign up by February 8 so there will be plenty of supplies.

 

April 19, Saturday All Day Create and Crop 9 am - 5 pm.  Spend the day creating cards, layouts, goodies and more.  Bring your supplies or purchase what you need as you create.  Use my stamps, inks and tools.

 

April 25-27, Scraptique Weekend Crop at the Estero Embassy Suites.  This event begins at 6 pm and runs until Sunday at 5 pm.  Email Kim at ScrapNStik@aol.com and ask to be added to her email list. 

 

On my website - susan.ctmh.com - you can order, view the Idea Book online, and check out the sale items!  You will want to check out the items discounted on "while supplies last" and check back often.  We never know when new things will be added.

Always Dream

A sneak peek of a card featuring some new Close To My Heart goodies . . . .Surf's Up collection of Picture My Life pocket scrapbooking supplies, and the new Feathers stamp set! Check out the card over on Laura's blog, www.lauralooloo.blogspot.com!

Project Inspiration: Scribble Sensational

A sneak peek of new goodies!!!

Hello, hello! Laura here! I thought I'd pop in and make a surprise appearance to share a little card I made yesterday. I got a FABULOUS box of BRAND NEW product from CTMH, and I wanted to share some fabulous things that will be available in a few short days!

First up - my new favorite thing. . . .gold dotted washi tape. It's a wider than normal washi tape - for this card I cut one strip in half. LOVE it. I think I'll be using this on EVERYTHING!

Also, Laughing Lola Picture My Life products. The "hi" card is a new photo pocket scrapbooking product from CTMH. Even if you aren't converting to this new style of scrapbooking, these products can be easily incorporated into traditional scrapbook layouts, as well as CARDS!

Last new product shown on this card is that cute little bird. He is an accessory with the new Skylark paper pack. Aquas and greens. . . .LOVE the colors in this collection!

I'll try not to be such a stranger around here and share some more goodies soon!!! Get ready for the new products available on February 1st!

Scraptique Weekend Crops

January 24-26 is the upcoming weekend crop.  It's been sold out for awhile, but you can always stop by for a class, create & take, and to shop.  Below is information about the upcoming April crop which is selling out FAST!  If you want to join the fun, don't delay!  Sign up today to secure your spot.  To register you must sign up online at the Scraptique website (link below).  To be added to the mailing list, email:  Scrapnstik@aol.com


Our next Fort Myers Spring Fever Scraptique Weekend Crop registration is opened to everyone!  It is planned for April 25 - 27, 2014. 

TIME - Doors open at 6:00PM Friday night.  Non-stop cropping is available, so you can come and go as you wish!  We close at 5:00PM Sunday. 

Breakfast on Saturday & Sunday is in the restaurant with the full breakfast buffet.  The buffet is from 7:00AM - 10:00AM.  They will also be providing us with snacks on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon and will have coffee, tea, iced tea and lemonade throughout the day and night both days!  As always, lunch is included Saturday at 2:00PM and we will have menus where you can order lunch on Sunday if you wish to do so.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS - Please reserve your rooms early!!!  Doubles sell out fast.  Call the hotel directly at 239-949-4222 to reserve your rooms and ask for the Scraptique block to get our discounted rate.

LOCATION - the Embassy Suites in Estero, across from the Miromar Outlets.  This hotel is right at the Exit of I-75 and Corkscrew Road - you can see it from the Interstate!  With it's proximity to I-75, closeness to many area restaurants and shopping and new, clean atmosphere at the hotel, it's a win-win!

Use Coupon Code FMYApr25 to remove the shipping from your cart.  Only use this code if shipping is charged!!  If you are registering for more than one person do not use the code.

Sign Up Here For Scraptique's April Fort Myers Crop

More Scraptique Projects

Below are a few more projects that will be offered during the Scraptique Weekend Crop January 24-26, 2014 at the Estero Embassy Suites....some will be create & take projects and some are ready to Grab and Go so you can create on your own time table!

Look for Close To My Heart in the hotel Board Room off the main hall by the Banquet Rooms!  (Opposite from the kitchen).

Surfs Up Two Page Layout

 

Sweet Surprises Cards

 

Dream Two Page Layout

Cherry-O Two Page Layout



Scraptique Class: Fabulous Flip Flaps - Christmas Layout



Fabulous Flip Flaps

Saturday, January 25 at 12:30 and 3:30 pm.

Space is Limited

 

If you have gobs of Christmas pictures to scrapbook, this is the layout for you!  Using the Close To My Heart Flip Flaps, you can easily showcase over 2 dozen photographs on this two page layout. 

The dimensional elements shown below the layout (above) are all extras!  Add them to your layouts or create more pages!  The left layout has 4 Flip Flaps for your 4X6 photographs.  You can place your Flip Flaps as I did (opening first left and then right) or layer them like the pages of a book – OR you can even use them in another location on the layout.  So many options and possibilities for this layout!

Your right layout has your 8X12 and 4X12 Flip Flaps which open out.  Hiding inside is a 3X3 Flip Flap and hiding underneath that Flip Flap is your 2X2!  Lots of places to add photos, journal, and scrap your memorabilia.

Your kit includes everything shown to create the pages including the following Flip Flaps:  (4+2 extra) 4X6, (1) 8X12 (1) 4X12 (1) 3X3 and (1) 2X2.  You will also have additional cardstock for creating additional projects. 

The supplies you will need to create the layouts – your favorite adhesive.  I also recommend you bring two page protectors that fit your album.  Let’s place the Flip Flaps on your pages to complete your project!  Cost of this project is $12.00

 

Below - Inside right layout with your large Flip Flaps open.

 

Lots of Cards - Scraptique Weekend Class

LOTS OF CARDS

with the Chantilly Card Kit!

Scraptique Weekend Crop, January 2014

 

Your kit includes enough supplies to create 21 cards:

your own stamp set, instruction and cutting guide,

the cards, envelopes, and embellishments!

 

Together we will create 6 masculine cards (2 each of 3 designs) 

using the new (not even released) Timberline Paper Pack.

You'll see how easy it is to change the look of a card or stamp - we are changing a frilly design to masculine.

 

Cost $25.00 (Only 6 spots available)

This class will be offered on Saturday at 11 am.

To sign up in advance, email me and I will follow up and confirm if there is still space available.

 

These are the masculine cards we'll create. (above)

 

(Below) These are the cards you'll create from your kit (three designs, five of each card).

The ink colors are Lagoon, Sweet Leaf, and Goldrush. If you don't have any of those colors, stamp up the images during the weekend using my ink pads!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Sneak Peak ! Timberline Paper Pack & Weekend Crop Project

These three cards were created from the new (available Feb 1) Timberline Paper Pack.  I only used one sheet so you are seeing both sides of the patterned paper.

The card designs are from the Chantilly Card Kit (retired), and I used that stamp set, Colonial White & Chocolate Cardstock, Goldrush, Lagoon, and Twighlight inks.  The embellishments are Aqua Dots and a ribbon scrap.

Like the cards?  If you are coming to the Scraptique Weekend Crop the end of January, I will have a card class using this stamp set, the card designs, but different papers and colors.  You'll create 6 cards and have everything you need to create 15 more cards!  Your kit will include the stamp set, papers, cards & envelopes, and embellishments.  Cost $25.00.  6 spots available.  Look for Close To My Heart in the hotel Board Room.  Hope to see you then!

Fun at the October Crop!

We got to celebrate a special birthday with Susan!

Venia gave a Cricut workroom demo.

Croppers were busy making scrap book pages.

Anita made a Christmas Tree like the one on the cover

                                                         of the CTMH Holiday Gift Guide!

And I (Nancy, Susan's sister) was glad to be there for all of it!

Posted by Nancy

Snowman Poop!

Using our CTMH Artbooking Cricut Collection, Nancy Durant cut out the adorable snowman!  With the CTMH Chalk Marker, Nancy also added stripes to the scarf and box.  The candy in our CTMH Treat Tube is yogart covered raisins.  The poem reads:

I've heard that you've been naughty,

now listen here's the scoop,

I'm running short on coal this year

so you get snowman's poop!

Holiday Projects - Gift Bags!

These adorable gift bags were created by Nancy Durant using the new Sweet Tweetings kit and a few scraps of cardstock.  You can fill the bags with all sorts of goodies!  Super cute!  The kit includes the bags, the tags, t he string, and the stamp set!

Weekend Crop Class Schedule!

Hi Everyone,
Below is our tentative schedule for the classes next weekend at the Estero Weekend Crop sponsored by Kim of Scraptique.  If you are planning to attend and would like to secure a spot before the crop begins, just send me an email.  I will follow up with confirmation that space is available for you.  Artwork and class descriptions for classes with Susan are posted on this blog (you will need to scroll to previous posts).  All class projects will be displayed Friday at the crop with sign up sheets.  We are hoping the hotel will allow us to set up our class displays in the Board Room Friday beginning at 5 pm otherwise visit our booth to see all the classes offered.  Scraptique Class Projects should be on display too! 

Here is the schedule for the Close To My Heart Classes:

Saturday, October 26

9:00 AM to 10:30 Snowflake Cards $25.00  (Susan Tomaino) $25.00 Kit includes the stamp set and everything you need to create 20 cards.  Envelopes included.

11:00 AM to 12:00 Origami Wreath Class $10.00 (Venia Joray)  This has been a sell out at each crop when offered so don't miss out!

12:30 to 2 PM Christmas Book (Susan Tomaino) $14.00 and you'll have a book ready for pictures.

2-3 LUNCH BREAK

3:30 to 4:30 Event Calendar (Susan Tomaino) $14.00 - First Four participants receive the stamp set for FREE!

5:00 to 6:30 Cricut Craft Room with canvas gift project (Venia Joray) $20.00  Learn about the Cricut Craft Room and create a beautiful project!

7:30 to 8:30 Monogram Card Gift (Venia Joray) $10.00  Gift ideas this time of year are always in high demand!

MORE CLASS times will be determined at the crop.  The two page layouts, Merry & Bright and Anything Goes will be offered too!  Tentatively Merry & Bright will be Friday night and Anything Goes will be Sunday morning.  These two classes can also be purchases and created on your own.

Event Calendar and Cricut Craft Room Class

Back by popular demand!  Create this Event Calendar for your own use or give it as a gift to someone special.  The calendar is designed to be used year after year to remember all those special events!!!

EVENT CALENDAR

$14.00

 

The first four people who sign up for this class will receive the stamp set used FREE! 

Cricut Craft Room with Canvas Gift Project

Venia Joray

$20.00

 Colors may vary.

October Weekend Crop In Estero Florida - Snowflake Card Class

Here is one of the Close To My Heart classes that will be offered at the October Weekend Crop:

20 SNOWFLAKE CARDS

$25.00

Class kit includes:

• 20 Colonial White Cards with matching envelopes

• All the patterned paper and colored cardstock pre-cut and ready to assemble from the exclusive Close To My Heart Frosted Paper pack!

• All the embellishments (ribbon, sparkles, glitter gel, and glitter cardstock)

• AND the Snowflake Stamp!

You will love these cards!  These cards can be used for:

All the Winter Holidays

Thinking of You

Thank You

Get Well

Sympathy

or Happy Birthday

You decide what you want your cards to say!

This class will be offered twice in groups of 4.  There are only a total of 8 kits available, so if this class is for you, email me at JoeSusan@aol.com to sign up.  I will follow up with a confirmation email.

 Supplies needed for this class:

Adhesive.

Optional 2X2 clear block (or use one of mine).

More Classes for the Estero Weekend Crop!

 

Merry and Bright Holiday Layout

This layout includes (2) 4X6 Flip Flaps (shown below layout).

This class will be offered twice in groups of 4.

Cost $8.00

 

Anything Goes!

This layout has a variety of options. Shown - #1 Dad but you can choose 

"Party Time", "My Hero", "You & Me",  "Capture the Details", " Big Ideas" or "Birthday Boy".

Layout includes (2) 3X4 Flip Flaps.  Above the Flip Flaps are stacked but you can use one over each of the two 3X5 photo squares.  Lots of options with this layout!

This class will be offered twice in groups of 4.

Cost $8.00

Watch for our schedule next week!

6X6 Christmas Book

Here is another class project that will be offered at the Scraptique Weekend Crop this month in Estero.

This book has plenty of room for your holiday photos - for this year or past - and you'll maximize your space with the Close To My Heart Flip Flaps!

Everything is included to complete this book!

Below:  Both pages include a 4X4 Flip Flap.  

You can add additional photos, journal, decorate or add other goodies with the extra space 

the Flip Flaps offer!

 

 Below:  Another Flip Flap is under Santa!  This Flip Flap is 3X3.

 

Below:  The ice skates are inside a 2X2 Flip Flap.  

A great place to add a small photo or journal something special.

 

You will be amazed how quickly this book will come together.  We are using Mistletoe paper and complements, embellishments, and colored cardstock.  The featured colors include:  Cranberry, Cocoa, Colonial White, and Olive.

With only 12 kits available, this class will be offered 3 times in groups of 4.  Watch for the schedule here - soon!  $14.00.

Clearly the Best: A Burst of Creativity (S02E01)

Baby Cakes fussy-cutting

I get far too much satisfaction from trimming tiny things from patterned paper. It's oddly calming, so I didn't hesitate to trim this cutie patootie giraffe from the Baby Cakes patterned paper. Some call this technique "fussy-cutting" but I think it should be called "un-fussy cutting" because it makes me less fussy! :)

You can find the Baby Cakes paper, plus lots of accessories and goodies to coordinate, on Susan's Close to My Heart website!

xoxo - Laura