Still Twitterpating...

I am so inspired by this paper collection...I just can't get enough of it! I have chosen it for the feature paper collection for my FALL IDEA BOOK Open Houses on Wednesday, September 2nd and Saturday, September 5th. When you join me at this kick-off celebration, you can make this layout for free! All supplies are included* as well as directions. *excludes Color ready alphabet used for title. And as a bonus, you can try the brand new innovative CTMH Soft Eyelets and Eyelet punch. So easy to use, and quiet to boot!

To see the details of this layout, click here.

Absolutley Amazing...

...and priceless in every sense of the word. My brother Chad has this incredible talent of incorporating his art into every piece of furniture he creates. For the past 8 months or so, he has been building this bed for my brother Michael and his wife Leah. The details were breathtaking! Chad delivered the bed this past weekend and we were lucky enough to see it. Words cannot describe awesomeness and I just had to share it!

A man and his bed!

To show the pure scale of the bed.
(L to R) Michael, Leah, Laura & Chad)

A carpenter of the wood...just like his father with him, and his grandfather before him.

I'm Twitterpated!

No, not Twittering, but Twitterpated! I am completely in love with Close To My Heart's new Twitterpated collection that debuts on September 1st! I have had the opportunity to order this paper early, and love, love, love it!

The first Workshop To Go of the Fall Season features Twitterpated and is pictured below. You can take the Card Workshop or the Scrapbooking Workshop. Whichever better fits your needs. As the exclusive guide has instructions for both, you can easily create both from the supplies in the kit! For the month of September only, I will be offering free shipping and tax for my Twitterpated Workshops To Go! The basic level which includes the Exclusive Guide, Level 2 Twitterpated Paper Pack, exclusive Stamp set, and Chocolate Designer Ribbon Rounds will then be only $29.95 and the best level which in the basic set plus, Organic Dimensional Elements, Natural Hemp, and the Basic Brad collection will be $40.65.

In addition, every time you take a workshop with me, I offer a special of some sort of special or promotion for attendees. For the Twitterpated WTG's I am offering the coordinating Exclusive Ink Pads for $4 each and the coordinating Exclusive Markers for $2 each. The coordinating colors are: Chocolate, Sweet Leaf, Crystal Blue, and Sorbet.

To see the exclusive stamp set Hello There, that comes with this set, click here.

I hope you can join me for this fun workshop!! The dates are:

Scrapbooking Workshop, September 17th 6-8:30PM. Register until: September 10th.
Card Workshop, September 10th 6-8:30PM. Register until: September 5th.

Want to see more? Join me at either of my Open Houses to see my interpretation of these fun workshops!

And by the way, if you are following the Fall Scrap Challenge, you will qualify for the following challenges:

Create (by stamping) your own patterned paper. Use a circular Dimensional Elements piece. Use a technique from Wishes on a layout. Use liquid glass in a way that you have not used it before. Wow! That is four challenges that you can mark off your list!! How cool is that!

Bittersweet moments...

For me, being a mom to three young children can be a whirlwind in full speed but today, everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. I took my son Nicholas to his preschool orientation this afternoon, and as I sat listening to the teacher, I had tears rolling down my eyes. I realized that this is my last year with Nicholas before he goes to Kindergarten. He couldn't wait to meet his new friends, and was quick to leave my side. Afterwards, he was so proud of a picture he drew for me...for me, his Mommy! Normally speaking, Nicholas' pictures are always for Grandmommy or Grandma or Daddy...but today, his picture was for me! How did he know that I needed that little piece of his love today?

As we left the preschool, Abby my youngest had her baby doll and her backpack that she had packed "all by herself" to go shopping with her Grandmommy later that afternoon and I couldn't help but think that it would not be long before she too would be in preschool. Independence is a good thing, but for me, and at this moment, it is truly bittersweet.

Fall Scrapbook Challenge!

How often do you go to a scrapbook store/craft store, fall in love with a paper collection or adorable new embellishements that you HAVE to have, only for them to sit in your closet (often still in the bag even) and they go unused? When you shop with me, or take workshops and crop with me, I try to come up with creative ways for you to use the great product that you buy! This is one of the reasons that inspired me to create this challenge series with my scrapbookers...to encourage you to try new things and to use your left over workshop treasures!

So, without further to do, here is the fall list of challenges. The deadline is the November Crop.

Fall Scrap Challenge!

1. Use different font/types of letters to create an interesting title—no two letters can be done the same.

2. Somewhere on the layout create a pattern of mosaics.

3. Create a border using stamps (on at least one side).

4. Use photo corners on a layout.

5. Cut lettering for a title (or some other important written) from a coordinating patterned paper.

6. Triple layer a flower and use brad or some other embellishment in the center.

7. Use ribbon accent by layering it under at least one photograph and over another…like a weaving.

8. Use a repeat punch in a way so that it creates another image.

9. Use at least 5 arrows to go through both right and left side layouts to carry the eyes through the pictures.

10. Use either real stitching, marker stitching, or rub on stitching somewhere on your layouts.

11.Stamp a design, cut it out and use as an embellishment

12.Use a circle on a layout - the top of a brad, a button, the circle made by an eyelet or a window charm does not counts towards this :)

13.Use a bracket shape.

14.Use tearing.

15. Use a metal rimmed tag.

16. Do embossing using a stylus.

17. Use one or more eyelets (see Tonya's blog post of 4/29 for suggestions)

18.Use a picture that is a shape other than a rectangle.

19. Use a photo hanger.

20. Create (by stamping) and use your own B&T paper.

21. Use a circular Dimensional Elements piece.

22. Use Liquid Glass on a layout in a manner you have not used it before.

23. Scrapbook a layout that includes a photograph of yourself.

24. Use paint in some shape or form on a layout.

25. Use two shades of Waxy Flax on the same layout.

26. Use a technique from Wishes on a scrapbooking layout.

27. Create a layout with textured cardstock.

28. Create a layout with a solo stamped somewhere on the layout.

29. Color in a stamped image with watercolor pencils.

30. Use a number in your title.


Here’s the fine print! The challenges should be completed on artwork from August 22nd-the November Crop (date TBA). Complete 25 of the challenges and receive a Level 2 Paper Pack. Scrapbookers who complete all thirty items on the challenge may choose a Level 2 Paper Pack and a coordinating My Stickease to reward you for your hard work! Remember, this should be fun! Enjoy the challenge!

Petite Perks!

I adore this petite little stamp set! The stamps are just 1 inch in size and perfect for a small gift card or tag, or to adorn the inside of a card! Earn this cute little stamp set for FREE when you make a $40 purchase at my Open House! The Petite Perks stamp set is not available to purchase through the catalog so what an awesome chance to add it to your collection! Live too far away, or can't make it to the my Open House? Place a $40 with me, or on my website, between August 30th and September 1st and the stamp set will be yours.

A continuation of circles...

While I am on the topic of circles...these are a few circle cards that I created. They are created with the Bella collection! The patterns came from the new Wishes book! I will have the book available at my Open House on Sunday for those who would like to explore it! The perfect addition to any Paper crafter's library and just in time for Christmas Card making!

Circles, circles, and more circles!

Circles everywhere! Circles can add another dimension to a layout! Many times, the artist will cut the photographs in the shapes of circles to incorporate the shapes into their layout. Here, I choose another route--I left all of the photographs in rectangles (except for the one that is 4x4" in the bottom right corner), and then created circles around them! To keep the continuity, I added buttons around the focal picture (5x7"), and rub-ons around two of the curves of the supporting circles. For a more detailed look, click here.

Supplies used: Summer Craft Buttons, Assorted CTMH Rub-ons, Animal Cookie Creative Basics Collection, August Word Puzzle Stamp (soon to retire), Bold Color Ready Alphabet; Dutch Blue & Tulip Exclusive Inks; Coluzzle Cutting System.

I am teaching this layout a part of the Month's FLy By Series Workshop that features the monthly Word Puzzle stamps. The workshop will be this Thursday, August 27th from 6-8:30PM in Broadway. The cost is $16. $14.00 for club members. There are still spaces open if anyone is interested. E-mail me for details.

For those following the Fall Scrap Challenge, I completed :

#10. Use either real stitching, marker stitching, or rub on stitching somewhere on your layouts.

#12. 11.Use a circle on a layout - the top of a brad, a button, the circle made by an eyelet or a window charm does not counts towards this :)

"Star"dust Brag Book!

The perfect brag book for your little (or big) star!

Join me on Saturday, August 29th and Scrapbook for the New Market Shockers Baseball Team! We will be getting together from 10am-1PM at the New Market Americian Legion Hall and scrapbooking the morning away. The cost for the crop is just $2 all of which will go to the Shockers. Beverages and snacks will be provided.

There will be an optional mini-workshop where we will be creating the little star brag book below. The workshop cost is just $5 and includes the chipboard book & jump ring, paper from the Stardust collection to create the book, detailed instructions, and coordinating embellishments. If you would like additional embellishments, Liquid Glass, coordinating stickers, or other supplies they will also be available for Cash & Carry. A portion of the CTMH proceeds will be donated to the Shockers as well.

Tools to bring with you for the mini-workshop:

Adhesive of choice

Fine Tip Scissors

Paper Trimmer (preferably 12x12 size)

Photographs: (optional) size is: 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Journaling pen (optional)

For more details on the Shockers, visit their blog at: http://shockingscrapbookers.blogspot.com/

If you would like to join us, please RSVP to me by Friday, August 21st or to the Shockers Coordinators.

All Ears!

The boys have been begging all summer to try corn on the cob! Uncle Mike took Gabey to a friend's where they picked the corn themselves so of course, we had to let them finally try to eat corn on the cob. Both boys loved it! Gabey said it tickled his tongue, and well, Nicholas ate and ate until there wasn't a single kernel left on his cob! Like Mommy, like sons I guess!

Everyday Celebration Card Kit Now Available!

What a fun way to wind down the summer with this fun, and energizing card kit! Perfect for the cardmaker and scrapbooker alike! What? How, you might ask? This kit, unlike previous card kits, comes with full sheets of 12x12 paper which just opens up the opportunity for artistic possibilities! Before the kits were pre-cut which were awesome, but provided less opportunity to "tweek" and of course were challenging for non-cardmakers to use...this one has endless possibilities! And what I love best, is that it is perfect for the men in your life! Fun bright colors that can have a masculine twist!

And even better, the first FIVE clients to qualify, and order, this fun kit will receive FREE shipping & handling on their entire order AND an EXTRA FREE SPONGE!!

Here's included:
1 – My Acrylix® Everyday Celebration Stamp Set
(D-size) (Only available with this kit!)
16 – 4 W" * 5 V" Colonial White Card Bases
16 – 4 W” x 5 V” Colonial White Envelopes
1 – 12" * 12" Dutch Blue Cardstock
1 – 12" * 12" Colonial White Cardstock
4 – 12" * 12" B&T Duos® Paper
1 – Chocolate Distressing Ink
1 – Dutch Blue Distressing Ink
1 – Mini-Medley Accents Shades of Chocolate
Collection
5' – Chocolate Ribbon with Colonial White Stitch
50 – 3-D Foam Squares
Sponge
1 – Full Color Step-by-Step Instructional Brochure
Featured Colors: Chocolate, Colonial White,
Dutch Blue, Sweet Leaf

Here's how you get it:

TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL STAMPING MONTH
in September we are giving you 3 ways to get a FREE Everyday Celebration card kit for making 16 beautiful cards!
• Purchase a minimum of $60 US/ $75 CAN in stamp sets** (includes A, B, C, D, and E-size between August 18–September 30 (CC1006C)
• Host a Home Gathering with minimum sales of $400/$500 between September 1–30
• Sign up as a new Consultant between September 1–30
You can also buy as many card kits as you’d like for $39.95/$49.95 per kit (CC1006B).
And there’s more fun! Place any order between September 1–30 and you’ll be automatically
entered in our daily drawing for a FREE card kit! Winners will be announced on
your Consultant’s MyCTMH website and www.closetomyheart.com. Express your passion for
stamping with this pretty new card kit today!

And, of course, the fine print:
* Tax and shipping/handling may apply. Limit of one free kit per order.
** Stamp of the Month, Art & Soul, Workshops on the Go™ kits and K-size custom stamp sets not included.

Full Flyer.

It's Beginning to feel alot like Christmas...

In August?? When you work in retail, that is very true to the case! On Wednesday, we set the first large shipment of Christmas products at Michael's...it was super hot out, and yet, I still longed for Hot Chocolate! Amazing how that works! So, anyway, since I was in the Christmas "spirit" anyway, and since there are no rules to when you scrapbook what, I thought I would post this Christmas layout! This is inspired from the Evensong Workshop To Go How-To Program! I altered it to make it more of my style, but after all, isn't that what scrapbooking is all about? I love the journaling!! Although I can not take credit for it, the WTG has the journaling in the form of a Christmas tree--but it is hand journaled--it was a challenge to structure the journaling into "tree" form. I am delighted with how it turned out, and I couldn't resist adding a jewel to the top of the tree! If you look closely, you will see several others throughout the layout.

Supplies used: Evensong Level 2 Paper Pack & My Stickease, Cranberry & New England Ivy Cardstock, Jewel, Cranberry Ribbon and Chocolate Alphabet (large) Stamp Set.



For a closer view of the layout, click here.

The little details...You Make My Heart Sing!

Okay, quirky, but true! The little details are what makes this layout and make it work. That, and the cute smiling faces! Inspired by Close To My Heart's Animal Cookie Workshop To Go How-To Program, I created this fun page about my two youngest children's relationship together. The title stickers "Wild Thing...You Make My Heart Sing" from the My Stickease was perfect for these pictures! To create the accent flowers, I used the masking stamping technique with the Sweet Baby Stamp set. Craft buttons adorn the right side of the layout to give it a 3-d look. Supplies used: Dutch Blue, Sunflower, Clover Meadow, and Tulip Exclusive Inks, White Daisy Ric-Rac, Craft Buttons, Animal Cookie Paper Collection & My Stickease.

The journaling reads: "Wild Thing...you make my heart sing! That phrase fits these two silly monsters to a tee! Abby & Gabey have such an awesome relationship! They just adore each other and are each so compassionate to the other! Gabey's world revolves around Abby, as hers him! Best friends for sure! These pictures were taken on Abby's 2nd birthday while Gabey was singing Happy Birthday for at least the millionth time!! And of course, she just ate it up! I love watching the two interact together...it makes my heart sing! I hope they keep this special relationship as they up together! June 2009.

For a close up view, click on the layout, or here.

And for those of you following the Nat'l Scrapbook Challenge (that was extended until the August Crop), this layout would qualify for #4 Using Ric Rac on a layout.

Introducing....The New Fall Idea Book!!!

Per the request of many, I am finally caving, and posting the cover of the new Fall Idea Book! It is beautiful!! I have only seen the book on-line (no, I am not holding out on you), but it is all that I had hoped for and more!!! I will be holding an official unveiling on Sunday, August 30th from 2-5PM if you would like to pick up your free copy, or contact me and I will have one sent to you. The book is free from me, you just take care of shipping. E-mail me for details!

Funny Ears!

I have been working like a little bee since returning from Chicago to try to get caught up on started projects! This is a Workshop To Go from CTMH that I started months ago and was finally able to finish up! The original design used the That's Amore Paper Collection but I needed something a little brighter and more boyish for these pictures! I was delighted with how it finally turned out! The That's Amore "version" is posted under the Art section of my website.

The supplies used are: CTMH Good Times Paper Collection, Dimensional Elements, Good Times My Stickease, Colonial White Edge Anchors, Hippo Font, & Chocolate Exclusive Inks.

Rocking Chicago 1 mile at a time...

for 13.1 miles!

Training for, fundraising for, and running with Team in Training in the Chicago Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathon, has by far been one of the best experiences in my adult life. Words will never be able to express what it has meant to me, or the impact it has had, on my life. I began this adventure because of the love that I have for a friend who has been a major influence to me --she has been there for every major milestone that I have had since high school. Karen, is my best friend's mom, and has had Lymphoma. I began this in honor of Karen, and in the process of this endeavor, I was touched by the support of many and personal stories that warmed my heart...Nathan, Geri's sister and many others who have fought this terrible disease.

I decided to run in the Chicago Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon with Karen's daughter Heather & her Husband Paul with Team in Training. Being in Virginia, I wasn't able to train weekly with the Team in Training team, however, you would not have known it! The support I received during the race was absolutely amazing. TNT requested that we add our names to the front of our shirts, and so we did. And to my surprise, all through the race, I heard shouts from the crowds "Go Team" and other encouragements attached with my name! It was empowering & inspiring! And at any point when I passed by a coach or mentor, they would jump in the race, and run side by side with me for a little ways. They didn't know me at all, but it made such a difference!

If you are ever looking for purpose, or to make a difference in the life of others, I highly recommend participating in a Team in Training event. You don't have to be a super star, or fast runner, just an individual with steadfast determination! And you will find that regardless of your finishing time, you are a winner.

Runners ready!

Paul, myself & Heather! Finally finished!

Such sweetness!

Thank you to all who aided in my efforts! Together, you helped me raise over $1700.00 to fight blood cancers!

Moon Doggin' Around..

I love the versatility of CTMH's Moon Doggie Paper Collection! I have previously posted some of the cards I created with this collection, but I thought I would share some of the layouts I created as well!

This first layout is actually taken from the company's "Workshop To Go" How-To program with some tweaking on my part! Other supplies added, were the Moon Doggie My Stickease for the "This is The Life" title, & the All Out Adventure Rub-ons that were used in the journaling on the right page. The Stamp Set used is "Extreme Happiness" and I incorporated the stipple brushing technique.

To create this second layout, I created a different look by pulling out the Indian Corn Blue colors out instead of the Cranberry & Desert Sand. Here I incorporated the "Barefootin'" Title from the Moon Doogie Level 1 Collection Stickease sheet, and the journaling was printed on my computer. Because both layouts were of the same event, I tied the two together by using the Colonial White Crochet Ribbon (if you LOVE this ribbon like I do, ask me how you can order it!) Complete directions on how to re-create this layout are on my website at: https://tonyasheridan.myctmh.com. Link to the My Art section and select the below layout. Of course, if you have questions, just -mail me!

CTMH's Retired 2010 list is now available!

It is time to say goodbye to some favorite Close To My Heart products as they prepare to retire on December 31st. This particular list made me sad as one of my favorite collections made the list (Lets Get Together) so I guess that just means I will have to stock up! From the 3rd (today) until the 17th of this month, is the perfect time to stock up as it is right before the new books comes along, AND the COMPANY is having an awesome promotion: Thanks-a-bration! Purchase $100 in product and receive the Stamp of the Month Free AND a Level 2 Pack of paper! PLUS, the company will pick up the tab for the shipping and tax on the free items!! That is an amazing deal!

In addition, for each $100 purchase made during this promotion, I will add a bag of the retired flowers (assorted) so that you can be sure to have some once they are no longer available. Each person's name will also go in a drawing for A FREE My Stickease to match their free paper pack! The more $100 sales you make, the more times you qualify!

Click here for the retired list.

6 hours & counting...

Tomorrow is the big day and my nerves are starting to settle in. All of the stories that have been shared with me are flooding my head and I have no doubt it will be an emotional race. This is the first time I have seen my girlfriend Heather since her mom's diagonosis and that in itself brought on the tears. Tomorrow we will not only be rocking Chicago, but we will be running and walking for so many who cannot...and for so many who now can because of Team in Training & the Leukemia & Lymphoma society. Until tomorrow...

The Toledo Zoo!

Monkies?? oh, my mistake, those are my children!

Left to right: Gabey, Abby, Nicholas Noah, Alydia, & Gabriel.


Just couldn't resist taking yet another picture of the Rhinos!

Thursday was about as perfect of a day as it gets! (except for my sunburn...lol!) We spent the day with my girlfriend Jessica, her children, her mother-in-law Audrey, and Grandma and Grandpa! We started with lunch at Donato's (can I just sayone word...YUMMMMMMYYYY!!), then spent the afternoon at the Toledo Zoo. The children all seemed to hit it off from the start & a great day was had! Afterwords, we went to Grandma and Grandpa's for a cookout. It was great reconnecting with my friend and seeing our children play together. I was sad to see the sun set on the day!