red socks...a play on Dr. Suess

Maybe we have been reading a little to much of Hop on Pop and the Go Dog Go...but this layout just called out for a rhythm...so that is how I did my journaling! I know many of my friends struggle with journaling, but truly, it can be in any form...paragraph form, bullet points, in song, 3rd person, 1st person or even rhythm! My little rhythm reads like this:

"Red socks here,
red socks there.
Look, there are red socks everywhere.

Little red socks,
big red socks,
lots of in between
sized red socks.

Argyle or solid,
plain or designer…
even Buckeye red socks…
what could be finer?

Christmas just would not
be the same
if without red socks
someone came!

The wearing of the red socks…
a Smith family tradition. "

This layout actually originated as the Jingle Workshop To Go, but I needed more traditional Christmas colors so I created the layout in Evensong instead. I am thrilled with how it turned out! If you too would like to create this layout, the Workshop To Go is on December 13th. You may choose from Evensong, Jingle, or Animal Cookie. Can't make it, you can purchase the kit to complete at a later date. I also am more than happy to ship the kit to you! Click here for workshop details.

Supplies used:

CTMH Jingle Workshop To Go Exclusive Guide & Exclusive Stamp Set

Evensong Level 2 Paper Pack

Cranberry Designer Ribbon Rounds

Vellum

On Target Dimensional Elements

Twinkle Brads

Foam Squares & Mini Glue Dots

New England Ivy & Cranberry Exclusive inks & cardstock

In the spirit of gift giving...

I know many of us are looking for that perfect gift for loved ones, or for items to put on our own wish lists, and I have to share an idea that I have recently discovered that is completely awesome! Close To My Heart's Carrying Case for the Ink Tower is perfect for storing or transporting the MME Totally Cool Totes! No longer do I have to worry about my scissors or tools falling out going into a crop, or falling out in my car! My mom and I both used ours for our tool caddies when we went to a weekend scrapbooking retreat last weekend in the Outer Banks and she too was in love! What's better, the totes have dual handles for carrying ease and a slip back to strap it onto your rolling carry-alls! Priced at $34.95, this tote is worth it's weight in gold!!

Carrying Case Details.

It's all about the Gingerbread...

Our Gingerbread story...

Left side of the layout.

Right side of the layout.

Embossed Title...

The embossing details of the houses.

There is something about Gingerbread that warms the senses and makes my heart smile! A fellow consultant discovered that using White Daisy Embossing powder on Brown Bag Cardstock and inking with Chocolate ink gives the appearance of Gingerbread! Pairing this "technique" with the November SOTM Around the Block and Sweet Treats created this fun Gingerbread Layout. I love how the Embossing Powder looks like ornamental icing once it has melted.

Supplies Used:

E1007 Homestead Alphabet (retiring December 2009)

D1377 Around the Block (November Stamp of the Month)

C1294 Sweet Treats (retiring December 2009)

X7104B Evensong Level 2 Paper Pack

Z673 White Daisy Embossing Powder

Z555 Heat Gun

Z891 Versamark

Z1220 Twinkle Brads

Want to try paper-Gingerbread making yourself? Join me for an encore of this workshop on Sunday, December 6th. Cost: $16 or $14 for Club Members. You will also have the option of creating cards, and a little chipboard brag book with the same technique. Not a cardmaker? You can trade in your envelopes for additional paper.

The journaling reads: "My intentions were good. Actually my intentions were heartfelt, but the Gingerbread House on the other hand…like I said, my intentions were good! I have fond childhood memories of making Gingerbread Houses with all the candies and trimmings and I wanted to build those same memories with my children. I thought that they would enjoy building their Gingerbread House even more if we built it when their uncles and aunts were around to help so the plan was to build it when everyone was home for the holiday. But with time running short, I quickly realized I wouldn’t have time to bake the gingerbread itself, and in all honesty I was worried about the pieces being flat enough to fit together. SO, I THOUGHT I would purchase a Gingerbread House kit, and then let the boys choose their own candies at the candy store to decorate the house with…that way it would still feel like it was “homemade”. Needless to say, the setting was perfect…lots of little bowls filled with bright colored candies, the house pieces already to go and willing participants…but there was one factor I didn’t anticipate…the icing was not strong enough to hold the house together so try as we may, we could not make the house stand up! Most of the participants (aka the big boys and Gabey) quickly lost interest and decided to just eat the candies, but Nicholas, Mommy and Aunt Laura were determined and persevered! In good spirits we made numerous attempts to manipulate the icing and the pieces until at last we finally resolved to just decorate the pieces! They were beautiful house cookie pieces at that! So, my perfect Gingerbread House was never built, but what we did build was an evening of fun, laughter and memories. "

O-H ...how bitter sweet it is!

I-O... Buckeyes have been saddened by the loss of Stefanie Spielman this week making the victory this afternoon over Michigan ever so bittersweet. The team wore a pink Buckeye leaf on their helmets with "SS" on them in honor of Stefanie...she would have been so touched. What an awesome way to remember and honor her. Stefanie was such an inspiration! She gave so much hope to women, the Buckeye Community and to the city of Columbus. Our hearts go out to the Spielman's.

Heartfelt Christmas Ornaments

When I was little, I remember the care my mom always took in making ornaments for our Christmas tree. We had store bought ornaments, and ones that we had made, but there was just something special about the ones that she made. She adorned the tree with these ornaments and they just brought that special "wow" factor. I remember one year she made icicles from clear beads, and one year she made strawberries from dried walnuts! Though each year her ornaments seem to be fewer and further between, I still cherish the ones she made the most...and the memories of those special ornaments on our tree. I want to bring the same joy to my children when we decorate our tree. My daughter, Abby, has her own pink feather tree for her room and I thought I would decorate her tree with white snowflakes. The pictures don't give the snowflakes their due justice, but with the Prisma glitter, they create that wow factor! We will add more ornaments to her tree once Christmas is closer, but I couldn't resist trying this and taking a picture of it!

Supplied used: Dimensional Elements Flurrys, Prisma Glitter, Bonding Memories Glue

Scrapable Gifts!

I am facilitating a workshop on Sat. December 5th to help my customers "Scrap That Gift". I will have many styles of alter-ables available in varying price ranges...you are certain to find something perfect for any gift on your list! For details, e-mail me at: inallsassiness@juno.com. This little flat tin is one of the alter-ables! It is the perfect size for Gift Card or money.

Supplies used: Glitter Brads, Tulip Exclusive Ink, White Daisy Cardstock, Creative Basics Jingle Collection, Prisma Glitter and Dimensional Elements Flurrys.

Embellishing Snowflakes Tuitorial

CTMH has outdone themselves this season with these beautiful Dimensional Element snowflakes! They are beautiful...and when decorated, no two are the same! I have used these snowflakes to adorn trees, gift packaging, cards, and much more! The snowflakes add that simple, final touch to gift packaging and gift giving this holiday season!

1. To begin, punch out the
snowflakes from the carrier sheet.

2. Using the finishing files, sand down the little "knobs"
left by the carrier sheet.

3. Use an fingertip sponge dauber, and ink of choice,
to color the snowflake.
For white flakes, skip this step.

4. Ink the entire snowflake with the color.

5. Cover the snowflake with Bonding Memories Glue.
This should be used graciously.

6. Position the snowflake over an enclosed container,
or wax paper, and cover the snowflake
with Prisma Glitter.

7. Lightly spray the snowflake with aerosol hairspray
to seal the glitter.
The more inexpensive the hairspray,
the better (as due to the higher alcohol content).

8. All done! YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL, UNIQUE SNOWFLAKE!
Experiment with the amount of color,
and shading for even more unique designs.

Supplies used:
Dimensional Element Flurrys
Finishing Files
Sponge Daubers
Exclusive Inks
Bonding Memories Glue

Prisma Glitter

November brings an abundance of love!

i LOVE fall! The richness of the colors, the briskness of the air! But how to capture that on a scrapbook canvas? This is a layout that I created for my monthly Word Puzzle Workshop about a very special Sunday happening! For a closer look at the layout, click here.

The journaling reads:

"So Nicholas’ 5th birthday began as most of our family parties start…surrounded by love and laughter…me stressed out as I try to finish the last minute details…and the kids being completely wound up by Uncle Michael and Uncle Chad! We had dinner, and it was just as we were getting ready to have cake when Uncle Chad started asking about presents…he teased that I would just love the gift that he and Laura had gotten for Nicholas. He is such a child at heart…always the one that can’t wait for the presents! My thoughts were to pop him one because far too often, Uncle Chad LOVES to find the perfect gift to delight the kids…but annoy his sister with…Elmo’s that do the chicken dance…need I say more! After cake we all gathered for gifts…Chad was insistent that everyone had to watch Nicholas open his gift and he instructed Nicholas that Mommy might need to help him with the tape. I tried to brace myself for an extravagant toy that was going to rattle my nerves. Nicholas opened the present and there taped inside the box was not a toy that sang a song or repeated “cleaning crew coming through”, but an ultrasound picture! I was ecstatic! Nicholas was indeed going to be a big cousin…and myself an Auntie! I have been hoping and dreaming of this day…I have longed for my children to have cousins close to their own age and for my brothers and their wives to experience the pure joys of having a child. And although Nicholas didn’t quite understand this very special present, it was definitely the best present he received…one that money could never buy. We are so truly blessed and I am honored that Chad and Laura included Nicholas in their special announcement."

Supply List:

Autumn Teracotta & Barn Red Cardstock & Exclusive Inks

Gold Brads

Versa Mark Ink

Gold Embossing Powder

Vellum

Enchanted B&T Paper

Goodness of Life Stamp Set

November World Puzzle Stamp Set

Say it in Style Stamp Set

February Word Puzzle Stamp Set

I love the richness of this layout! The combination of the intriciate details from the stamp set, and the use of the Gold embossing powder created a "Wow!" in my opinion. I wish the photograph could do the layout justice...but the richness was difficult to capture with the camera.

Sadly, both of the stamp sets that were used are retiring on December 31st. They can be ordered on MYCTMH website by clicking the title of each stamp set. And remember, through the month of November, the stamp sets are all Buy 2 Get 1 Free.

Goodness of Life C1286 $18.95

November Word Puzzle D1312 $22.95

Aarrgh....Happy Birthday Matey!

Yesterday, we celebrated Nicholas' 5th birthday!! Granted, it was a few days early, but this was the day it worked for all of our families. Nicholas soaked up every minute of having all of his favorite people with him at his Pirate party! He was so very proud that it was his birthday! Uncle Chad and Aunt Laura helped with a super fun Treasure hunt to finish off the perfect party! Happy Birthday sweetie!

CTMH Stampaganza...a way to collect your favorite stamp sets before they retire!

CTMH stamp sets are now Buy 2 Get 1 Free! And because of this awesome promotion, I have been able to construct an even more discounted price for the collection, and a payment plan suitable for ever budgets.

Month Word Puzzles Special
All 12 Monthly Word Puzzles Stamp sets for $185.00 (a savings of $126.73)

The Monthly Word Puzzle Stamp Sets are retiring on December 31, 2009. These are great, well rounded stamps with worlds of possibilities! I have taught a 12 month series this year with this fantastic collection and completely fallen in love with them. I would like my customers who have expressed interest in this collection to have the opportunity to collect them all before they retire, so I have come up with a few buying options.

Three Payments of $61.66 each; two Payments of $92.50 each; or 1 Payment of $175 (which includes an additional $10 savings for paying the amount in full).

Have a few already? Order 10 Word Puzzles for $150.00 or select a substitute D sized stamp for the ones you already have.

In addition to the 12 Monthly Word Puzzle Stamp sets, you may choose an October, November, or December Stamp of the Month for free and a second one at 50% off.

Solo Numbers Special
10 Solo Numbers sets for $110. A Savings of $48.11.
Two Payments of $55 each or One Payment of $105 (which includes an additional $5 savings for paying the amount in full).

Note: You may also choose ten Solo letters for this same sale.
In addition to the Solo Numbers, you may choose an October, November or December Stamp of the Month for free.

Solos Letters Special
26 Solo Letters for $ 280 (a savings of $131).
Three payments of $93.33. Two Payments of $140. One Payment of $260 (an additional $20 saving for paying the amount in full).

Note: Have a few of the stamps already? You can easily substitute any of the Solo Numbers or other B sized stamps to still take advantage of the sale.

In addition to the Solo letters, you may choose 2 Stamp of the Month’s for free and the third at 50% off(from October, November and December).

The Fine Print: Due to the deep discount in this promotion, it is not valid with any other promotion unless specified by consultant, and is not available for fundraising or gathering credit. In order to take advantage of this promotion, the first payment must be made by November 28th . You may set the dates of the installments, but payments must be made in full by December 15th for Christmas Delivery or by December 28th to guarantee availability of product before retirement date. Payments may be made in the form of check, cash, major credit card, or PayPal.

These offers are available through Consultant Tonya Sheridan exclusively and must be purchased through me directly as my website does not have the capability to provide the discounts.

If you would like me to send a Wish List with these collections, or any other ideas to your loved ones I am happy to do so. I also offer free gift wrapping for Wish List Orders. Need more details, just ask me: inallsassiness@juno.com.