Wednesday, December 17, 2008

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

... my CTMH Consultant gave to me: a quick, non-denominational "Peace on Earth" card!



It's funny that none of these stamps are Christmas stamps- the birds are from Free Spirit, the Globe is from long-retired travel set, and the Peace is from a sentiment set, and I used Linen stick-stock, so the cloth actually feels real!

On a separate note, I feel that this week is "crunch time"- the packages MUST be out before the weekend, the cards (which aren't even adressed yet) MUST hit that blue box at the Post Office no later than Friday, and co-worker goodies have to be ready to go by Thursday! ACK- where did the month go?

Here is to a stress-free Wednesday! Hopefully it is a productive day for all (me included)!!!

Lots of Love,
-Erin-

PS- Hi Sarah! Thanks for your call last night! I am glad you are enjoying the blog!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

On the Fourth Day of Christmas...

... my CTMH Consultant gave to me: A GREAT gift idea- a True-Fit- Folio Album!

Originally created by CTMH Consultant Kelly English-Triggs, this is an awesome little album that uses the True-Fit Folios as the base and lets you decorate five tags to put inside. Here is an example of one I made for my Dad with pictures of him and his "little girls":


Unfolded:


Unfolded with the tags out:


This project is compact and simple, and once you make the actual base, it is pretty easy to put together!

I liked showing these particular colors for today- it reflects the nice and rainy weather here in Phoenix! Midori is not too sure about going outside in the rain, but I have the day off, and with the exception of teaching Junior Achievement and running a few errands, I will be home with the pups all day (working on Christmas presents, of course)! I hope you all have a chance to relax and enjoy the holiday season!

Lots of Love,
-Erin-

Monday, December 15, 2008

On the THIRD Day of Christmas...

... my busy puppy-training consultant gave to me:

Another fun Gift Card holder! This is the VERY simple double-pocket gift card holder we made at the November Gathering! So easy to do, and it only uses one sheet of 6"x 8" paper!


This is what I love about the CTMH double-sided paper- it is perfect for this kind of project! I cannot take credit for this cute little template, but you can find a great video tutorial on fellow CTMH Consultant Nona Davenport's blog: http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/ (Scroll down on the left side, it will be the first video under "Classy Crafts" Tutorials).

For the one above, I used Evensong Creative Basics (B&T paper and the Olive grosgrain ribbon with it), Merry Pursuits, December Word Puzzle, and a Colonial White brad. I also used the Coluzzle circle template for the small holly berry circle on the front. Just slide a gift card in the back pocket, a tag in the front pocket, and viola, you are ready to give!

Happy Holidays!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

On the Second Day of Christmas...

... my CTMH consultant gave to me: A fun Gift Card Holder template!

I "lifted" and modified this idea from a Pier One gift card carrier from last year. It looks like a simple card, but when you open it up, the gift card is held right there!

Outside:



With Band removed:


Inside:
Materials:
Paper:
White Daisy Textured Cardstock, Juniper Cardstock, Perfect Day Paper (Juniper print B&T)
Stamp Sets: December Word Puzzle, Chocolate Large Alphabet, Jingle Boarders, Tiny Typewriter Alphabet
Ink: Juniper, Tulip, Grey Wool (marker)
Extras: Sparkles, 3D Foam Squares

Base: 10 1/2" x 4" White Daisy textured cardstock
Bottom: 4 3/4" x 4" Juniper Cardstock
B&T paper for front: 4" x 3 1/4" Juniper B&T
Title piece for front: 4" x 2" White Daisy textured cardstock

Band: 8 1/2 x 3/4" White Daisy textured cardstock

Ornament: 1 1/2" x 2" carstock

Bear with me- this could get a little tricky!

For the base, take a 12"x4" piece of white daisy textured cardstock and score along the following: 11 1/4", 10 3/4", 8 1/2", 5 1/4". Cut at 1 1/2". See below (Measurements on top are for each piece, measurements along the bottom are total lengths to make it easier to score in your paper cutter):

Fold A below B; C down to touch inside of B. D will fold out (eventually be the piece that holds the gift card), and E down (which will later attach to the bottom). Also, cut a slit down the middle of piece D to hold the card. I go about 1/2" from the edge, and then put a small piece of tape on either side to add a little more stability. You may have to work with this to make sure the card fits snuggly, as you do not want it to fall out or rip!

For the bottom piece, take your 4 3/4" x 4" Juniper Cardstock and score 1 1/2" inches in.

Cut a notch (1/2" x 2 1/2") in piece F. Fold F up. G will eventually attach to the top of A.

*Please note the Gift Card is not labled, but this just shows you where it will go*

Try piecing the holder together so you can see which piece goes where. I suggest stamping before gluing the final piece!

Attach the Juniper B&T to the front of B. Stamp JOY on the additional title piece of Cardstock, using the ornament stamp for the O. Cut around the bottom to follow the shape of the letters. Ink around the edges and adhere to front of B&T. Stamp the inside (C) with Jingle Boarders in Juniper Ink. Stamp the same pattern on F (tone on tone). Stamp holly berries along G (so that you will see it when the card is closed), and stamp images and sentiment on G for the inside. For an added touch, flip over holder and stamp the small "Joy" in a circle from the December Word Puzzle on the back of the holder (A).

Onto Gluing! Adhere the back of C to B. Adhere G to A, lining up the bottom edge. Now the tricky part- I always make sure my creases are nice and clean and try opening and closing the card before actually gluing this last part. Fold F down (to touch G like the card is closed). D will fold upward (touching C), E will fold downward, touching F.Put adhesive on E. Fold the card closed, so that E will touch F flat, and hold closed so the two will hold together. (I hope I have not lost you yet)!
To make the band, wrap the 8 1/2 x 3/4" White Daisy textured cardstock around the closed card holder. Glue ends together to create the band. Stamp the same ornament used for JOY on the scrap cardstock in Tulip; cut out. Slide the band around the holder, and using a 3D foam square, attach the ornament to the band in the same place as the juniper one on the front. Accent with small sparkles.
Slide a gift card into the holder (D), taking care not to rip the sides. Open and close a few times to test. Now sit back and admire your hard work!

Friday, December 12, 2008

12 Days of Christmas- Close to my Heart style! DAY ONE

On the first day of Christmas, my consultant gave to me...

A Sneak preview of the Spring 2009 Idea Book!

Cover:


Emporium (Buttercup, Cocoa, Crystal Blue, Sweet Leaf):


Unforgettable (Desert Sand, Cocoa, Juniper, Sorbet):


Daydream (Blush, Creme Brulee, Lilac Mist, Sweet Leaf):


That's Amore (Blush, Chocolate, Garden Green, Tulip):


Stardust (Bamboo, Honey, Moonstruck, Topiary):



Isn't that WAY better than a Patridge in a Pear Tree? Happy Holidays!
-Erin-

Monday, December 8, 2008

Meet Midori!

I hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving... My blog has been neglected in all the fun and excitement of the holidays approaching and life itself, but I just wanted to take a moment and share the newest member of our family- Meet Midori:



And of course, a tired Sauza trying to take a nap, but here I come with the camera again!



Now to just find time to scrapbook these! and to keep the puppy out of my pretty papers!

Monday, November 17, 2008

I am Addicted to the Puppy cam!

I have a GREAT template to post later tonight, but first I want to make a confession. I am addicted to watching the little Shiba-Inu puppies on the puppy cam on ustream.tv. They are just too precious... Check them out!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/shiba-inu-puppy-cam

I promise I will get back to craft-related and all things CTMH later... but for now, yep, I am going to go check on the sleeping furrballs!

-Erin-