Are you ready for Christmas?

Doesn't someone ask you that every year?   My answer is a resounding "No!".  It is no different this year, but I am starting to get a handle on it.  I completed my last cards a few nights ago and have them all mailed--one thing off my mind!

A few words about how I do Christmas cards.  I first check out the CTMH Idea Books and online resources.  Next, I stalk Pinterest.  Ah yes, Pinterest!  I have saved so many posts with awesome designs.  While I would love to make one of each, it is just so much more efficient to choose 6-8 and make several of each.

This card design was the last one I did and was created with the Woodland Wishes stamp set and coordinating Thin Cuts dies. I cannot locate the original and therefore am unable to give design credit...my apologies to the designer. I added white glitter paper for the snow and a few Bitty Sparkles for a little bling.  The stamps and Thin Cuts are perfect for masculine and winter cards.  They are from the Holiday Expressions catalog and will be retiring on December 31st.

Woodland Wishes D1696

Woodland Wishes Stamp  and Thin Cuts Bundle Z1405

I am hoping to get to my craft room a few times in between gift wrapping and food preparation.  The creative process of making cards and scrapbook layouts calms me.  

As this may be my last post before Christmas, let me take this opportunity to thank you for reading my blog and all your kind comments.  I am wishing all of you and your families a blessed Christmas and wonderful New year.

Merry Christmas,

Sue

Budapest

It is not typical for me to wait so long after a vacation to start scrapbooking it.  We saw and experienced so many marvelous things on our riverboat cruise, that I am feeling overwhelmed by the number of pictures I have (did I mention 1600?).

I like to create folders on my computer for each of the cities or major sites we visit.  I then move my digital photo files to the appropriate folder. Working with one folder at a time makes it easier to choose the best pictures.  Even so, it is so hard to decide what pictures to scrap!  No easy answers here...maybe take fewer pictures (like that is going to happen!).

So as our brief stay in Budapest was the beginning of our trip, so will the layout be the first of my trip album.

Here is a close-up of the panel with the umbrellas.

The red umbrella I am holding was my main focus on this layout and I was inspired by this Pinterest card to design the panel on the left side and the trio of umbrellas on the right.

I used patterned paper from the Jeepers Creepers packet and White Daisy, Poppy, Slate and Whisper Cardstocks.  The layout design is from Make From Your Heart, Volume 2.

I hope you enjoyed this one!

Later,
Sue

Changes

One of the November challenges for Heart 2 Heart is to create a project related to "Changes".  As I scrolled through layout and card pictures for inspiration, I came upon this layout and knew that I needed to enter this one.

One of the biggest changes ever in our lives was in March of 2015 when our son contracted Transverse Myelitis.  In the matter of a few days he went from living a normal life to being paralyzed from the chest down.  So many changes:

• Immediate changes as he was hospitalized for diagnosis and treatment
• Transfer to Rehab Institute of Chicago as he underwent intensive therapy and began walking again
• Learning to live with residual effects and impairments
• Returning to full time work in a new position that eliminated travel
• Family adjustments to this new phase of life.

Throughout this process he has been inspired and supported by the Transverse Myelitis Association.

In the above picture you see our family as we participated in a walk to raise funds for TM research and to support family programs.  

On November 12 Dan's story will post on The TMA site: https://www.facebook.com/myelitis/ On that day, I will be sharing a link to that story.  I don't often get on a soapbox, but this obviously is something near and dear to my heart. Thanks for reading..

Sue

Layout inspiration is the Charlotte Workshop Your Way from CTMH

For more inspiration on documenting change please visit:

http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/10/changes-changes.html

Quick Post for Freshly Made Sketches

I will be short about this card--

• It was created for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge
• The stamp sets are both retired...the leaf was last month's SOTM, Blessed Beyond Measure...one of my favorites
• The black background is from the Swan Lake paper packet.
• I was inspired to do the black on Kraft paper by a Pinterest post...darned if I can find it again!
• Hoping you find some inspiration from this card!

For more inspiration please see

http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/2016/10/freshly-made-sketches-260-sketch-by-kim.html

Jeepers Creepers!

Today I created a card that will meet the requirements for both the Mojo Monday and the Heart 2 Heart challenges.  While many of the papers in this set will work perfectly for all occasion cards, I still need a few Halloween cards, so Halloween it is!

Here are a few instructions...the circle was cut 5" and the scalloped circle 51/2 ".  I adhered them together, decided on the placement and trimmed off the excess.  The white square is 3x3" and matted on a 3 1/8" square.  The pennant was cut 1 1/2" wide.  I then marked 3/8" from each side, drew a line to the corners and trimmed.  Finally, it was dovetailed.  

The paper, Thin Cuts, stamps and embellishments are CTMH (except the eyes...any craft store).

I know Halloween is around the corner and you have finished your cards, but you may want to consider this cute paper pack for your Halloween scrapbooking as well as your everyday card making!

Jeepers Creepers X7211 B

Mounstrous Halloween Thin Cuts Bundle  Z4006


For more inspiraton, please  visit the Mojo Monday and Heart 2 Heart blogs

http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2016/10/mojo-monday-471.html

http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/10/jeepers-creepers.html

New Layout

I actually finished a layout this week! These pages were created with current cardstock, retired CTMH paper and paper from my stash (the Eagle Scout paper). The title on the top of the right hand page was created in Photoshop Elements and printed directly on the 12 x 12 paper. The stamping was all done with retired stamps. This layout created by Shelly Nemtiz was really fun...it is the second time I used it and am sure I will be using it again!
Of particular interest is the Memory Protectors Pocket Plus that is new this year in the Annual Inspirations book. Add extra photos or artwork to your layouts with these protectors. When placed between the two pages , they become a cohesive part of your layout. With their full gutter they will work with both the D-ring and post bound albums. They come in four layout designs and can be found on page 12.

This is the basic layout

Design Four of the Memory Protectors Plus...4 x 12" holds four to eight 4 x 3" pictures

The protector will be sandwiched between the 12 x 12 protectors in the album.

Talk to you soon!

November class

I have started planning and creating the card projects that will be taught at my card class on November 16.  It will be at my home and will start at 6:00 p.m.

I will be teaching how to make five cards including an easy gift card holder for Christmas. The other projects will include birthday and everyday cards.  To pique your interest, here is a sneak peak of a fun fold card that can be used for various occasions...

So here are the details:

• The class fee is $15.00.  I will supply all supplies except tape runners.  I do ask that you bring one or two to the class. If you desire, you can also bring favorite basic tools such as scissors or a stamping mat.
•  I prefer prepayment by check or Pay Pal.  If using Paypal, my email address is suebruch47@gmail.com.  If paying by check, my address is 13301 N. 950th Ave., Granville, 61326.
• There is no purchase required.  However if you choose to order  Close to My Heart products that night, I will deduct $5.00 from your class fee for all orders over $25.00.  If you have prepaid, I will deduct that amount from your order total.
• No need to bring drinks or a snack... I will provide those.
• So I can have the class kits prepared, I ask that you RSVP by November 9th.. If I have forgotten anything or you have questions, please feel free to contact me.

Hope to see you then!

Perfectly Pine

Perfectly Pine is one of my favorite stamp sets in the Holiday Expressions catalog. It is clean looking, ideal for Christmas, Winter and everyday outdoor projects and only $6.95!  What is not to love?  Here is a Christmas card that I created with this set for the Heart 2 Heart "Woodgrain" challenge.  I created my woodgrain with a retired embossing folder and my embossing machine.  Similar folders are available in many craft stores.  I also used the Very Merry D1694 stamp set for the sentiments.

Click on this link to see the layout that inspired this card and instructions for cutting and assembling:http://www.lisasstampstudio.com/2016/02/grateful-bunch-double-front-fold-card-.html

Perfectly Pine A1191

Very Merry D1694

For more "Woodgrain" inspiration, please visit:

http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/10/woodgrain.html

Mojo Monday meets City Sidewalks!

Here is the promised card for the Mojo Monday challenge.  I really do appreciate the inspiration I get from these projects.  Again I used the City Sidewalks paper packet.  The stamp set used is Very Merry D1694.  Nothing special going on with this card...just some patterned paper, a little stamping and a little bling...just my style!

For more inspiration, visit:

http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2016/10/mojo-monday-469.html

Challenge time!

This afternoon, I decided to create cards for a couple challenges.  Today I am showing you the card for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge.  The layout was designed by Rita.  The object of the designs from this challenge is keep the look "clean-lined and fresh"  This idea is right up my alley as I prefer the simple look. So here is my offering...

 

The paper (City Sidewalks X7213B) and the Shimmer Trim are from Close to My Heart.  I cut the wreath on the Cricut with the Flower Market cartridge from CTMH. The sentiment was stamped with the Woodland Wishes stamp set D1696. The bling was from my stash.  

Hope you enjoyed seeing this card.  Watch for another one in a day or two

Sue

For more inspiration, please visit

http://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/2016/10/freshly-made-sketches-258-sketch-by-rita.html

Spike!

It has been a little while since I posted on my blog...so sorry!  I am not sure where my time goes.  I do know that I have been busy with my kids and grandkids and that is a good thing.  Next week looks a little slower so I may soon have more projects to post.

Today I am showing you a layout celebrating Emily's 8th grade volleyball season.  I took most of the game pictures with my phone...not a good idea. Because I was in the bleachers and because of the action, the pictures did not crop well.  I had a regular camera at a couple games and was able to capture these shots.

As for this layout, I was inspired by Laura Fairbrother of www.foreverscraps.com.  I really liked the artwork on the right hand side created with the 2 inch squares.  I opted to use the stamps from Play Hard--Volleyball B1502 (currently available) on some of these squares. The other stamps are from Team Player D1652, a retired CTMH set. The gold and white polka dot was from Craft Smith (found at Michaels) and the rest of the papers are Close to My Heart.  This layout was time consuming, but worth the effort!

Play Hard-Volleyball B15012

Talk to you soon,

Sue

Graduation Time!

Our oldest grandchild graduated from high school this year and here are a couple layouts to commemorate this event.

The paper with our school name on it came from a local scrapbook shop that closed a couple years ago.  I actually bought all they had as I knew I would be needing it for the kids' books.  The Honey card stock is retired CTMH...again I bought an extra pack!  The star paper is retired also...sorry about that!  However, the die cut stars are new from the 2016-17 Annual Expressions book.  They are cut with the Stars Thin Cuts dies (Z3261).  I love the fun asymmetric look of them!  As for design, I actually put this one together myself!

This layout was created with White Daisy and Black card stock and two "Lemon" papers from the Adventure Fundamentals packet (Z3253).  For accents, I used Black Shimmer Trim (Z1809) and a few blue embellishments from my stash. The title was cut on the Cricut. The design is from Close to My Heart's Charlotte Workshop on the Go.  Yes, I have used this before (see the most recent post)...I love it and it looks different with each paper selection!

Thanks for stopping by again today. Later this week, I will be joining some ladies for stamping, scrapping and card making and will be sharing some of my projects with you.  

Until then,

Sue

Whole lot of stamping going on!

One of the Heart 2 Heart Challenges for National Stamping Month is to create something using Close to My Heart Stamps.  I chose to do layouts for my grandsons' birthdays.  Yes...they are exactly the same...saves me some time and design stress!

This layout design is from Close to My Heart (Charlotte Workshop Your Way--retired).  I used Willow, Poppy, Lagoon, Black and White Daisy cardstocks and paper from the Adventure Fundamentals packet.  I used stamps from the Darling Dinos set  which is unfortunately retired. To stamp the background on the Willow paper, I arranged my stamps on a large block so that my pattern would be consistent.  After stamping the dinos, I filled in with the bone stamp.

I used the stamps in layers to create the dino embellishments.  I stamped each on White Daisy  and then again on the Lagoon patterned paper.  After coloring with the Warm Gray Shinhan marker, I fussy cut everything and layered.  i bumped them up on the layout with thin foam tape.  Gray Enamel Gems added just the slightest bit of bling.

The red dotted strip under the willow was stamped with one of the background stamp sets that comes in the Flower Market Cricut Cartridge bundle.

Thanks for visiting today.  For more CTMH stamping ideas, check out this link:
http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/09/national-stamping-month.html

How about a card class?

Ordinarily I charge $15.00 for a 5-card class, but because it is National Stamping Month and my birthday month, I am celebrating by offering this deal…

                The reduced charge will be $10.00 for 5 cards and…

                If you order $25.00 of Close to My Heart Product that night, the charge will be $5.00 and…

                If you order $50.00 of product, the class will be free!

Don’t feel like you want to order?  No worries…you are welcome to take the class for the $10.00

I am planning to host this class at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 21^st at my home.  If you would like to join me, please notify me by Wednesday, September 14 so I can have the kits ready for you.  I prefer prepayment by check (contact me for my address) or Paypal (suebruch47@gmail.com).  If you decide to order Close to My Heart product on class night, I will deduct the appropriate amount from your order total. 

We will be making cards with materials from the Holiday Expressions catalog. I will have all the supplies you will need except tape runners…I do ask you bring one with you. Beverages and a snack will be provided.

http://suebruch.closetomyheart.com/ctmh/products/online-idea-book.aspx

I hope you will join me for an evening of creativity and fun!

Sue

I'm in love!

Of all the new paper packets in the Holiday Expressions, catalog, Swan Lake  was the last one that interested me, but I ordered it anyhow because I liked the papers with the Fall feel.  Well, now I think I am in love!  I have created a couple cards with a Fall theme and am looking forward to getting my swan dies and stamps next week.  Here is the card I made today, again for a Mojo Monday challenge.

Again, I used the September Stamp of the Month, Blessed Beyond Measure ( I think I am in love with it also).  I used one of the small images to stamp the diamond shape with random stamping which is just what it sounds like...stamping randomly while switching the position of the stamp.  You can also use more that one stamp to create your pattern and also more than one color.  I used the Clay Shinhan marker to color the design on the leaf.

All product used came from Close to My Heart. Please see my previous post for more pictures of the Swan Lake  packet and the September Stamp of the Month.

For more creative inspiration using this sketch, please visit:

http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2016/09/mojo-monday-464-contest.html

Stamp of the Month meets Swan Lake

Swan Lake is one of the new paper packets in the Holiday Expressions catalog.  Here I have used it with the September Stamp of the Month, Blessed Beyond Measure.  It is perfect for Thanksgiving and your everyday fall cards and scrapbook pages.

This layout is another Mojo Monday sketch.  The leaf was cut with the Artbooking CTMH Cricut
cartridge,  I sponged on Poppy, Tangerine and Canary inks.  The stamped image was heat embossed with gold embossing powder. Honestly I was not happy with the embossing...I think the sponged on ink was still wet enough to grab some of the powder.  However, after looking at it some more, I think it gives the leaf a rustic look.  So we will call it a happy accident!

The product used was all Close to My Heart.

Swan Lake Paper Packet X7212B

September Stamp of the Month Blessed Beyond Measure S1609

Volleyball!

Good morning!

I want to share a few things about this layout that I created yesterday.  First, other than the card stock, i used non-CTMH paper from my stash. Sometimes your project may call for a certain theme, color or texture.  In my case, I wanted to use volleyball themed paper. I was able to pick up the paper at a Springfield shop when some friends and I did a road trip! What a fun place! Unfortunately, the local scrapbook store has become a dying breed, but specialty papers can still be found online or often times, at the the larger craft and hobby stores.

I also want to point out the title.  IVVP stands for the club volleyball team my granddaughter was on this spring.  Knowing I would never be able to purchase a title, I did the next best thing.  I laid her warm up shirt out flat and took a picture.  I cropped it to the appropriate size and printed it on white card stock.  No fancy camera needed...I took my picture with my phone!

I was inspired by a layout from Scrapbook.com that I spotted on Pinterest.   I used the idea of the five tipsy-turvy pictures across the page.  The rest of the design is mine.

Till later,

Sue

Boys will be Boys!

Yesterday I posted a layout  in the For the Girls challenge on the Heart 2 Heart blog.  Well, I can't forget the boys...here are a couple layouts created for special men in my life. Most of the product is retired, but I hope you are inspired by the designs.  The first design is by Becky Higgins. The second is from Pinterest; I am sorry I am unable to locate the name of the designer. 

For more masculine inspired designs, visit:

http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/08/boys-will-be-boys.html

Playing with Fundamentals

I took some time this week to play with some of the Fundamentals papers from the 2016-17 Annual Expressions catalog. I also used the Good Life Complements.  They made it so easy to provide embellishment to an otherwise plain layout. Design credit goes to Cheryl Even of Even More Scrapping. While the design is very linear, it does give you the option to scrap a lot of pictures.

This layout is about my granddaughter's graduation from junior high. Our school colors are black and gold and I wanted to highlight those colors.  A little hard to see, the light paper is printed with Saffron letters in a Find a Word style.  I added  the Eggplant patterned paper on the sides to bring out the color of her dress.  The gold shimmer trim and the gold sequins added extra bling.

Close to My Heart Products used:

Enchantment Fundamentals Z3254

Good Life Complements Z3264

Black cardstock 1386

Gold Shimmer Trim Z1985

Gold Assortment Sequins Z2012

Have you checked out the new catalog yet?  It can be viewed on my website http://suebruch.closetomyheart.com

Till next time--

Sue

I have posted this layout on the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog.  This challenge is For the Girls.

http://heart2heartchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/08/for-girls.html

Magical Mojo Monday!

Mojo Monday time again and I am using the Magical paper packet from CTMH.  It is another packet that will be expiring at the end of the month.  The theme and the colors of this packet make it perfect for all things Disney or any of your other summer activities!

vis

The scalloped circle is from the Artiste Cricut Collection from CTMH and it is cut at 3 1/2" while the polka dot circle is cut at 3".  The Honey piece is 1" by 4".  The piece the sentiment is stamped on may be cut according to the size of your stamp.

Close to My Heart products used include:
Magical Paper Packet X7209B
Magical Sequins Z3214
Black cardstock 1386
White Daisy Cardstock 1385
Momento Balck Ink Z899
Carmine Shinhan marker Z2448

Please visit the Mojo Monday blog for more creaative ideas!

http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2016/08/mojo-monday-461.html