Last 2 Emporium Layouts for class

Yesterday I posted the first Emporium Layout for an upcoming class I'm planning to teach... today I'm posting the last 2.

Class layout 2

Class Layout #3

here's a close up of the upper right of the right page that is hard to see from the lighting in the photos:

Almost Friday...

.. and I can't wait!! I have so much to do this weekend and it just can't come fast enough for me!!

Today though I thought I'd pop on the blog and show you a layout for an upcoming class... I can't take credit though- it was designed by Close To My Heart- I loved it at first sight and bought all the supplies to re-create it and 2 other layouts the company designed using the same supplies. I'm planning to offer this to my customers as a class in late February/ Early March and wanted to get some pictures on-line so I could start showing them what's coming up.

If you're interested in a mail order version of this kit- check the bottom of this post- it has all of the order numbers you would need to purchase the supplies and if you order them on my website I'll mail the full color cutting guides and assembly directions to you for free. I'll be posting the other 2 layouts that coordinate tomorrow :)

This is the left page- so sorry for the lighting!! I just couldn't get the set up right to keep the light from being so bright on the right side.

The cutting instructions come with the large flower template and the smaller one used on the right page.

You use a fun rubber brayer technique to edge the base paper and the journalling block on the right page. Some designer pewter brads and colonial white ric rac finish the pages off nicely.

I really can not wait to teach this class!! I love the layouts and plan to use them in my album as soon as my classes are over!!

To purchase the supplies necessary- follow this link to my website. You'll be able to use the item numbers below to do a search for the supplies and see the items before purchasing!!

In order to receive the free instructions- you need to purchase the items with an asteric(*) next to them as a minimum purchase. You may already have the other items so they are not a required purchase but I'm listing them in case you need them.

X7105B Emporium Level 2 Paper Pack *

X7105C Emporium Level 2 My Stickease*

Z1146 Pewter Designer Brads *

D1330 My Acrylix Connections Stamp Set

E1003 My Acrylix Boutique Alphabet (any larger alphabet set would work- I didn't use it yet as I haven't added my title to this page- but you'll want a larger alphabet for your title)

Z2114 Cocoa ink pad

Z2153 Sweet Leaf ink pad

Z1126 Colonial White Designer Ribbon Collection

Z616 Rubber Brayer

Z1294 Sanding Kit

Z1102 Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon

Z4128 Foundry Frames (the directions will show these used on layout number 3 which will be posted tomorrow- but I myself did not use them so they're not necessary unless you choose to use them.)

9030 Imagine.

Spring Crop Coaster Frames

I'm vendoring 2 crops in February and needed a make and take for both. I decided to design some cute little hanging coaster frames made by 4x4 white coasters that you can buy in bulk.

The croppers will have two options to choose from: Easter and Winter.

This first one is obviously the Easter option. I thought the colors worked well for a photo I took last year of my daughter dyeing Easter eggs.

Supplies: Close To My Heart: Blush Designer Ribbon, Spring Harmony Buttons, White Daisy paper flowers (sponged with Sweet Leaf Ink), Unforgettable paper pack, Sweet Leaf, Petal, Blush stamp pads, Colonial White cardstock, Easter Eggs stamp set (available Feb 1-28, 2009) and Moments stamp set (available Jan1-31, 2009), March Word Puzzle stamp set (for the word Easter), Liquid glass (to attach the ribbon, flowers and buttons so those babies NEVER fall off!), sandpaper

Other suppliers: Coaster

If you look real close at both photos- you'll see that the actual design in the paper is the same- it's only the colors that change!! The awesome thing is that both were made from the SAME sheet of paper- The blueish side is the front of the paper but on the back is printed the same design in PINK!! How perfect is that? It means I cut all the paper for the projects at once and the cropper can choose which version to make!! Very simple planning for me.

Supplies: Close To My Heart: Colonial White Designer Ribbon, Holiday Button Collection, Colonial White Cardstock, January Word Puzzle Stamp Set, Juniper and Chocolate ink, Liquid Glass, sandpaper to sand edges.

Other Supplier: Coaster

I attached the paper to the coasters by simply using my normal scrapbooking adhesive (I usually use Tombow Mono Permanent Adhesive) The "Brrrr" and "Easter" pieces are only attached at the edges so a photo can easily be slipped underneath and attached to the mat at a later date.

After adhering the paper to the coasters, I sanded the edges and sponged with coordinating ink to finish off the coaster edges.

I've got a lot of cleaning to do in my scrapbook room!! I have NO space left to put anything. I'll be back this week though with more photos as I have plenty to share!!

40 % off sale today!!

Where have I been? I missed the announcement of this Thursday so I'm sorry for the late notice!!
40% OFF Close to My Heart Retired Items!Starts Monday, January 26 10am Eastern/8am Mountain or 9am Central)!
Every year Close to My Heart retires a selection of products. Then, at the end of January, what is left in inventory is put up for sale, and is only available on a MyCTMH website. These items are 40% off. Paper packs, embellishments, stamp sets, accessories, etc.
I'll warn you that in the past- the websites have really bogged down due to the rush of people shopping the sale! But the deals are awesome!!
Visit my website at www.tracigodbee.myctmh.com - if you have time do so BEFORE the sale starts and set up a customer profile with shipping and payment info (don't worry- I can NOT see your payment info at all) this will allow for a quicker checkout if the info is already in place.

If you place an order on my website during the sale... I'll send you a handmade card!!
Thanks
Traci

Christmas Card Sunday- week 4

wow!! One month already since I started my Christmas Card Sunday posting!! Yippeee...

For this month's card I again grabbed from my scrap bin. I used the December word puzzle stamp set and some gold cording. Very quick and simple... just the way I like them :)

I did quite a bit of papercrafting this weekend to prepare for some exciting classes and gatherings coming up this spring- so check back this week as I start posting photos on-line for my customers to see!

bookmark fun

I made this book mark for a gift for my nephew... then I decided it was too girly... then I said heck I'm mailing it anyway... then I sealed the box- and found the bookmark on my table. So it looks like I'm keeping this one for myself!! Guess I'll make a more "boy" looking one and mail in later.

Supplies: Juniper cardstock, Key to my Heart Paper Pack, Chocolate, Tulip, Desert SAnd and Juniper ink pads, hemp, Whoo Loves You Stamp Set- All by Close To My Heart.

Christmas Card Sunday- week3

I'm not sure about you but I'm in a "green" mood as of late. I try to reuse everything I can and am going through my hoard of scraps to design classes and such. Usually after Christmas each year- I set aside the homemade cards we received to remember how pretty they are- and sometimes reuse them by cutting the card front off and reattaching to a new base. This year I decided to save several of the storebought cards I received that had pretty designs that I thought I could work with. For this weeks card I pulled out this pretty card received by my friend Rachiel.

You can't tell in the photo but all of the greenery of the store bought card is really sparkley and pretty.

Here is the card I came up with: The vines going up the light colored panel are made with the Key To My Heart Stamp Set. I covered them with Bonding Memories Glue and sprinkled prisma glitter so it's nice and sparkley like the original card. I really wanted a vertical card so I trimmed the card design pretty tight around the 2 dear to make it fit- the poor 3rd dear had to go.

I am really happy with the way this card turned out!! I can't wait to reuse some more of the cards I saved this year!

Supplies: Cardstock: Outdoor Denim, Bamboo, Colonial White, Cranberry

Ink: New England Ivy and Versamark

Stamps: Key To My Heart (avail. Jan '09 only) and December Word Puzzle (peace)

Other: Cranberry grosgrain, bonding memories glue pen, prisma glitter, clear embossing powder, corner rounder

Note: The inside of the card has a bamboo panel attached for the writing space. The "peace" was stamped with versamark and embossed with a mixture of half prisma glitter and half clear embossing powder.

a very un-busy week

This has not exactly been the best week... my daughter came down with a stomach bug Saturday night... which passed on to my husband and I - Monday night. I finally went to work for a half day yesterday. My husband is finally well enough that he returned today... but our daughter is STILL sick!! She just can't seem to get rid of this virus and I feel horrible for her. We are going on a no food diet for her for at least half of today- the problem is she isn't always sick- only like once a day- and it's not always the obvious things making her sick- last night it was green beans! Come on- this has to end soon!!

Anyway- It's a good thing I did a lot of crafting last weekend or I'd have nothing to show you today... Here is a layout I made last weekend of our 2008 Easter photos. I thought the January special "Key to My Heart" was perfect for these photos.

The left page uses a flourish image from the stamp set. I stamped the image and then used my cutting knife to cut around the parts that I would have covered with my photo- so that they could pop out and sit on top of the photo.

The "Eggs" look hidden in the bottom right corner- but it's just the lighting- they show up better in real life. Some of the stripes on the paper are dotted so I used the dotted border from the February Word Puzzle set to edge each letter.

The right page has a few stamped eggs from the February Stamp of the Month aptly named "Easter Eggs". The set contains a variety of 19 Easter Eggs and one sentiment. I chose to use

the polka dotted eggs to go along with the rest of the dots in the paper, but the eggs in the set contain a variety of floral images along with cool finishes like crackle, linen, woodgrain style and more!! I am egg-cited to play with this set some more! LOL - that was cheesy.

Supplies: Key to My Heart Paper Pack and Stamp Set (available through January 31, 2009 only), Easter Eggs Stamp set (available Feb 1-28, 2009 only), Juniper marker, Juniper, Tulip and Creme Brulee ink pads, Building Blocks Alphabet Stamps (for Dyeing), Oxford Color Ready alphabet Stickers (for Eggs), Gold photo hangers, Sorbet ribbon collection.

A few days ago I posted a layout using new paper from the That's Amore pack- it's my customer's kit of the month. The kit also includes 2 cards and today I'm showing the cards. They are pretty simple for the most part because I have a limited amount of money to spend on the project and the layout is pretty heavily embellished. One nice thing about simple cards is that they are easy to mail.

The first uses the pretty papers in the way you would think of for a pack called "That's Amore"- it's a love card and it's styled after the Christmas cards I posted Sunday. It's a 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 square card in a "love" theme. I left the inside blank because this card could easily be used for Valentine's Day, weddings or anniversary. Leaving it blank inside gives my customers more options.

I used the same blush ricrac ribbon from the layout on the card- and included a rhinestone on the little bow.

Supplies- That's Amore Level 2 Paper Pack, February Word Puzzle, Blush ricrac, sparkle(rhinestone)

The second card uses the included papers for a masculine birthday card. I love this little owl and used fun flock on the top of his head and his tummy. The dotted strips were stamped using a fun dotted border stamp from the February Word Puzzle- had no idea that was on there and now I'm in LOVE with it!! You'll see a lot more dotted borders in the future :)Supplies- That's Amore Level 2 Paper packet, February Word Puzzle stamp set, Whoo Loves You Stamp Set, Chocolate Ink, Antique copper brads

Christmas Card Sunday- week 2!

Hi There- Did you notice my new blog header? I've been wanting to make a new one for quite a while and love how it turned out!! I think I'll try making a new one with each new catalog release- This one uses the January National Papercrafting Month promotion paper- Key to My Heart, along with the Building Block alphabet, Ms. Sweetheart Stamp Set and Friendship alpha. I threw in lots of rhinestones, brads, and our new crochet flower and pewter designer brad at the bottom- this was so much fun!!

Luckily I was able to make it to my craft room this weekend- because last night my daughter was quite sick... from about 9pm- 9am this morning- a 12 hour stomach bug- at one point I gave her water just so there was SOMETHING in there that could come back out. She's only 4 and so I slept on the couch with her so I could be there every hour when she woke up sick... it was horrible and I am hoping not to get it!!

Before that all happened though, I did manage to create a few things to show this week- including my Christmas card for today- only I made 2 cards AND a gift tag- yeah me!!

All 3 projects use some retired paper from CTMH- I found some scraps laying around. The only stamping is the "peace" on the cards which was from the December word puzzle set. The rest of the images are stickers (I think Mary Englebrandt) that I purchased eons before becoming a consultant. I made an attempt to straighten part of my room yesterday but pretty much quit when I came across these stickers and realized they'd probobly match this paper pretty well.

I used some colonial white ricrac on the cards. Both cards are 4 1/4x 4 1/4 square- I was in the mood to make some square cards and since these will still fit in a standard size envelope they won't cost me any extra to mail them. It was nice to use up some retired paper scraps and really- REALLY old stickers!

When I saw the baked goods sticker- I knew it would be the perfect image for a tag that can be attached to some homemade goodies. I added a colonial white square to write the name of whomever I plan to give this to. These were some pretty quick and simple projects but I like the end result :) I hope you do too!

Family Love

Yeah!! New paper!!

This layout is my Kit of the Month for customers. The title says "Happiness is Family"

The Kit includes all the supplies to make these two pages- plus 2 cards that I'll show in another post. The paper pack is the brand new That's Amore- which is beautiful!! I love it. The main mat is for a photo and the long, narrow mat at the bottom is for journaling.

The right page holds 3 photos. There's lots of pretty Blush colored ric rac on this layout!.

Supplies: That's Amore Level 2 paper pack, Colonial White Cardstock, Big Pink Just Blooms, Sparkles (rhinestones in the center of each flower), Antique Copper Brads, Blush Designer Ribbon Collection, February Word Puzzle Stamp Set, Friendship Alphabet set (no longer available), Metal Rimmed Circle Tag, Chipboard Letter (made with my sizzix from a chipboard coaster)

The kit itself comes with half a pack of the That's Amore paper pack and then the extras needed to create this layout and the two cards I mentioned that I'll show this weekend.

Thanks for looking!

One final Christmas Layout...

Not sure if I've mentioned it but I'm totally sick of Christmas layouts!!! I did want to design one for my club members though as many of them are scrapbookers and if they haven't already scrapped their photos then this will be a quick accomplishment for them!!

I'm planning to develop my Christmas photos this weekend and fill the 3 layouts I've designed for classes over the past several weeks.

So... without further delay- here's the Christmas layout I'm offering my club members this month (they'll choose between the cards posted the other day... and this layout)

The left page has a space for a 5x7 photo. Another small photo could fit on the green strip to the left. The journaling spot has some matching sassy strands tied around.

The right page holds 4 photos about 4x4 in size. The sassy strands along the red strip at the top

are stitched by using the 1/8 inch long reach punch and stitching through the holes. I used a ruler to plan my hole placement. To the right the word "joy" is circle punched and tied into the stitching before it was knotted.

Supplies: Evensong Paper Pack, Autumn Sassy Strand Collection, December Word Puzzle Stamp Set, Holiday Joy Stamp Set, January Stamp of the Month "Moments", Ink Colors: Cranberry and New England Ivy.

I hope you are as excited as I am that this is the last Christmas project for now... well- until Sunday when I post my card for "Christmas Card Sunday- Week 2"!

Thanks for looking!

Club cards

I was on such a roll over the holidays that I've already designed all of my January projects... today's post shows the cards that my club members can make this month if they choose (they can decide between cards or the layout which I'll show another day)

This first one uses a variety of new, awesome product in the Spring Idea Book! The paper and Vineyard Berry ribbon are from our newest Creative Basics set- The Creative Basics is perfect for cardmakers because you get 8 sheets each of 2 patterned papers (which are double sided so it's like getting 4 different patterns!) plus 8 yards of coordinating ribbon... super good deal for only $8.95! The flower is a blush flower sponged with V. Berry ink and the stamp set is from a new series of Close To My Heart Stamps. This is the Ms. Sweetheart set which has 3 cute ladies plus several images and words. The other 2 sets in this series released for spring are Ms. On the Go which is great for busy moms and then the 3rd is Ms. Gardener. I'll be picking the other two up for sure but settled with this one to start.

Supplies: Patterned paper and ribbon: Emporium Creative Basics Cardstock: Sweet Leaf and White Daisy Stamps: Ms. Sweetheart Inks: black ink, Vineyard Berry Coloring Medium: waterbrush with blush, hollyhock, chocolate and bamboo inks, vanilla cream marker for flesh Embellishments: write and rub blue pen with prisma glitter (the heart is all sparkly), Big Pinks bloom, pewter designer brad

The second card uses some older supplies and stamps that I hadn't picked up in a while.

My coloring leaves much to be desired... and I admit it fully- I thought I was using the watercolor version of a particular color and realized too late that it wasn't. I opted not to redo it because it doesn't look nearly as bad as this photo suggests.

Supplies: Patterned paper: Paper Garden set Cardstock: Blush, Sweet Leaf Textured Cardstock: Colonial White Stamp Set: Hmm... I forgot to write down the name- The set has several animals and Birthday sentiments Ink: Black Watercolor (and non- watercolor) pencils Colonial White ric rac ribbon and spring colored buttons with colonial white embroidery floss through the buttons.

I figured it out!!!

I tried to post yesterday and typed up an entire post before realizing none of my photo/ link/ text/ font options were available... and it wouldn't save! Since I was headed out the door till today I had to just let it go- I thought I had saved the wording as a document so I could copy and paste today.. but alas- I never saved it. Darn.

Yesterday's post had to deal with my New Year's Resolution and to make a long post very short- It deals with my papercrafting goals this year. My main goal is to just make more time for myself to papercraft (hasn't been a problem the last few weeks- but I do return to work tomorrow :(

At any rate- my goal is to once again make all of my Christmas cards this year since my '08 cards ended up being photo cards!! I just didn't have the energy to make them all for this past Christmas and it was the first time in a while... so I actually have a blog goal of a Christmas Card post every Sunday... and today is Sunday so you know what that means! Yep- while everyone else has moved on from Christmas and into spring- my first post of the year is a Christmas card. I hope you'll forgive me- but if I don't start now I fear another non papercrafting holiday for me next year!! And as thanks for your understanding- I'm also posting a desk calendar I created for work that showcases the two January specials by Close To My Heart... you'll see what I mean as you scroll down.

First: here's my Christmas card for "Christmas Card Sunday... Week 1" - It's nothing spectacular but since I mail nearly all my cards it needs to be flat.

I used some scraps from my scrap basket which will be my goal for all of my Christmas cards this year!! We'll see how that goes.

Supplies: Cardstock: Cranberry, White Daisy

Patterned paper: Evensong Creative Basics (retired) Stamps: Holiday Joy and December Word Puzzle

Inks: New England Ivy, Cranberry

Coloring Medium: colored pencils

Last but not least is the above mentioned calendar. This little desk calendar is made of coasters and held together by 2 silver hinges. The back side is NOT finished off pretty as it won't be seen where I plan to use this- but I'll show you the picture as the back side holds the year's worth of calendars. The calendar set is the fun new Jan Stamp of the Month by Close To My Heart. The fun thing about this set is that the months, years and numbers are all seperate. There are 7 calendar stamps- Each one has the 1st of the month on a different day of the week. Each calendar goes through 31 days so for shortened months some people are covering the last day or two with tape, inking and then peeling the tape before stamping. However, I'm a no fuss kind of person and found that by simply looking through the stamp you could ink up only the numbers needed(the beauty of acrylics revealed!)- it really wasn't difficult and I stamped a year's worth of calendars in only a few minutes. The longest part was referring to my 2009 calendar to make sure I got the correct day of the week to start the month on. The paper and "You hold the key to my heart" are part of the January National Papercrafting Month by Close To My Heart. You can see the cool details here and if I get a chance I'll post a photo of the full stamp set this week!.

Supplies: All CTMH except the coasters:

Paper: Key To my Heart paper pack

Stamps: Key to my Heart Stamps, Moments(Jan. stamp of the month set)

Ink: chocolate, Black and Juniper

embellishments: Clear photo corners(not CTMH either), white crocheted flower (from Mini Medley White Daisy Collections), pewter designer brad.