Autumn is in the Air - Finally in Alabama!

Finally it feels like fall, so the cards can flow! Here are some I have done using several different techniques including gold embossing. I really love doing it and the way it looks. It is like magic.

I am Thank you for you and you visiting my blog. Please let me know what you think of these cards, and even my blog. I am here to encourage you!

It's Beginning to Look at Lot Like Christmas!!!

Here is my 2009 Christmas Card Workshop! Please see slide show below! It is done with a Level 1 Paper Packet - Jingle and you will be able to make 16 Christmas Cards, 18 gift tags and a box to hold them all in! These are easy but special and no two will be exactly alike. It will also include embellishments and full use of stamp sets to complete these one of a kind cards! The cost is only $20 to cover all your supplies.

Email me today if you are interested and we can set up a time for your workshop! And if you email and set up your workshop, you will receive a FREE Stamp set of your choice! That is an A - D set of your choice Free!!! Just email me at dinaloves2scrap@bellsouth.net today!!!

I am feeling a little like Christmas!

Card Front


Inside card

Here is one of the Christmas Cards that I am working on this year. When I first saw this stamp set, I knew I wanted to make it into a Christmas card. It looks like my living room! I just used our Evergreen Christmas Tree stamp and cut it out and then popped it up on the front.

Let me know what you think! I am currently working on an Easy Christmas card workshop that I will show you in a couple of days. Then you can make your cards this year and it will only take a few hours. How special will that be for those you send them to.

Merry Christmas early to you all.

Happy Scrappin, Dina

New Product & Card!

Here is sympathy card that I made using a new product called Flower Soft. It is a fuzzy type sprinkly product that helps make a three dimensional look to a stamped image.



Close Up of Flower Soft



This particular Flower Soft color is Heather. It is multi colored and I also think this helps with the dimensional look. It is fairly easy to use with just pvc glue.

Hopefully, I will have more samples coming up. Dina

Life is sooo busy sometimes!

Today is Monday and a day of rest! I had to work all weekend and I had to take a break today. I did pay bills and get the finances caught up which was a good thing. It always takes a load off for me.

Yesterday was our monthly scrap crop for my work. Most of these ladies are novices but I am sooo proud of them. One lady yesterdy completed 15 pages. And they were beautiful! They are all really coming along and their love for scrapbooking is growing.

Just a note that if all those that have responded about wanting to come to my first scrapbooking retreat send in their money by November 15th, I will only have 5 spots available. So please let me know today if you want me to save your spot. The dates again are June 11-13, 2010. Deposit is only $45 with the total cost only $135 for all weekend and all meals and goodies included. I am already buying and planning and it is going to be a great time!

Happy scrappin, Dina

Sunset on the Beach and a Technique!

Here is another 2 page layout from our beach vacation. I loved the way these sunset pictures turned out and our Moondoggie paper was the perfect paper.

The picture below is showing a special technique called crosshatching.



To do this technique, find a scrap piece of card stock, about 2 inches long and at least 2 inches thick (so it is easy to hold in your hand). Then take your stamp pad and run the edge of the card stock piece across the stamp pad. (please note that you can use the same color ink as the paper you are applying this technique or as I did above a coordinating coloring) Next you will take the card stock piece with the ink on its edge and use chopping type strokes on the edge of whatever you want to use this technique on. Change direction with your chopping strokes. First up and down and then to the right and then to the left. It will make an "x" or cross type lines on the edge of your paper. You will need to "re-ink" your card stock piece several times during this whole process and do as much or as little "cross hatching" as you wish. It is always best to start off with less and then you can always add more.

If you would like to know more details on how to this technique as well as other stamping techniques, please email me and I would love to "show you how" at your own gathering or workshop. And you can earn FREE product as well. Just email me at dinaloves2scrap@bellsouth.net.

Yes, A Layout and not a card!

I do love making pages but not trying to photo the pages! I want the pics to look as good (I hope) as the layouts in person.

Here is my Anna Boo! This is from our vacation album that I am working on for our summer 09. I just love this picture of her! So therefore, she is center stage. I also included some others of her and they frankly looked liked she was "water dancing"!

I wanted you to see some of the details which included the popped up lettering(using my cricut) and how I distressed the edges of the letters as well. Some details like this can really add to your pages.

If you can see - there are a couple of hula girls on page 2. Once again, the cricut and I thought a nice touch to go with her dancing pictures.

Remember, that I can always "Show you How" to do all kinds of layouts and techniques, so email today and let's set up a party or workshop. The first one that emails and references this blog, will receive a special gift from me!

Happy scrappin'
dinaloves2scrap@bellsouth.net

Exciting News!! Scrapbook Retreat!!!

I will be sponsoring my first ever – Scrapbook Retreat!

Dates – Friday, June 11 Thru Sunday, June 13, 2010!

Where – Camp Sumatanga, Alabama

I am so excited to announce that I will be sponsoring my first ever Scrapbook Retreat. I have been to several but it is now my turn to encourage others and to offer this wonderful opportunity to get A Lot of pages done and have fun all at the same time!!!

My venue will be a little different. Camp Sumatanga is offering a great location, comfortable sleeping arrangements, great lighting with an exclusive one level cropping area, and ALL MEALS INCLUDED!!!

The cost for this great creative weekend away?
Just $135 per person.

That is right!!! For this price you will have your own scrap table, be in a room for 2 with your own bed with all linens provided and ready for you to sleep, all meals included (dinner Friday evening, Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday), great lighting, great fellowship (no family worries, just us girls!), 33+ hours of scrapbooking, use of a cricut/cricut cartridges, Close to my Heart stamps and inks, AND games and prizes for everyone!!!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! I only have room for 20!!!!!! All I need is a $45 deposit by November 15, 2009. Once you reserve with your deposit, if you must cancel only $30 of your deposit is non-refundable if you cancel by January 15, 2010. If you would like to be on a payment plan, your next installment will be $45 by March 15 and then the remaining balance of $45 by May 15. All money must be in to me by May 15, 2010. Just email me at dinaloves2scrap@bellsouth.net and reserve your spot today!

All are welcome, so spread the word!!! This will be a weekend you will not want to miss!!!

Happy New Year!

Yes, to all my Jewish friends, La Shana Tova. That is Happy New Year in Hebrew! I do work at a Jewish Temple, so I thought I would give out Rosh Hashanah Cards this year. We have a new Judaic Commentary stamp set that says just that.

I was trying to create some kind of emblem with stamps and came up with this one. This is using two pieces in two different stamp sets, Playful Petals and Legendary Moments. I loved the way it turned out. I thought it looked regal with celebration. Just what I wanted for these cards.

With our stamp sets, the possibilities are endless and this is just one example. Remember, if you too would like me to show you how, just email me at dinaloves2scrap@bellsouth.net.

Want to Make Cards! It is SOOOO Easy!

Here are two simple but personal cards you can make in just a few minutes!! The top card is a birthday card for our accounting manager at work. I just random stamp numbers in several sizes and then stamped in red his birth date. The tag says, "Your number's up...." and on the inside it says, It's your day, Happy Birthday. Simple but cute!

The second card is one from this month's special card kit, Everyday Celebrations. I Love this paper but needed a sympathy card. So I improvised with the stamping. You can do that, I mean change things around to fit the need!! It is rebellious but freeing. Try it sometime!

You can get this card set that includes paper, ribbon, embellishments, a stamp set, small distressing inks in chocolate and blue, scalloped shaped cards with envelopes, and the cutting instructions to make 16 cards All for Free.
Just email me and I will show you how!!! dinaloves2scrap@bellsouth.net

Sorry for the Delay in Posting

Computer trouble has slowed me from posting so please forgive me for the delay. But.... Please click on our new Fall Idea Book to the side of the blog and see ALL the new wonderful products we have in store - just for you!!! Our new paper is really spectacular and the colors are great for this time of the year. I must say though, that our book really does not do our paper justice. I am very impressed with the four new paper packets. If you would like to see our new paper packs in person and earn Free products as well, just book a gathering. It is a fun and easy way to see all the new "stuff" and get prizes as well. If you email today, I have a special gift just for you! dinaloves2scrap@bellsouth.net. Happy Scrappin!

Keeping it Simple but Pretty!

I wanted to share this simple round card to show how it doesn't take much to really say a lot. This is a sympathy card with basic chocolate, creme and olive colors. I cut the circle scalloped card out with my Cricut! LOVE IT! And then stamped with
2nd and 3rd generation stamping to create a soft and easy effect.

Remember that in card making, it doesn't have to ornate to really communicate a special feeling or emotion to the recipient. Close to my Heat always says, Faster, Simpler, Easier. Let me show you how!

We All Love Purses!!!!

But this one is full of surprises! It is a note card purse, full of personalized note cards. What a great gift! And it was easy and quick to cut and put together. YES, YOU can make this set! Let me show you how!

Contact me and we can set up a workshop and make this lovely purse and note card set just in time for our gift giving season. For just $15 per person, you will get half of a Level 2 paper pack, the purse, all templates, and stamp/ink usage which to make the purse note holder, and 6 note cards with envelopes. Then you will have the tools to make more sets at home.

Email today - dinaloves2scrap@bellsouth.net

If you would like just the directions for this set, I will be happy to share. Please email me.

Are you ready for school?!?!?

Well, here is a truly wonderful way to capture those great past moments and prepare for new ones! These are our True Fit Folios. They are 12 x 12 in size and are file folders. They fit perfectly in the page protector and now you can save all your child's honors, special papers and drawings neatly and in order. Did you ever wonder what to do with their class pictures? Here is a perfect way to display them.

And easy too! A level 1 paper packet works great and you can whip this up in just no time!

If you are wondering what all the words are around her class picture, I asked Anna to tell me words that came to her mind for that school year. I wrote them down and printed them off the computer and then just cut them out. Saving memories are such fun.

Front


Back


See what you can fit inside?!

Flipping for Flip Flaps!!!

Our new Flip Flaps from Close to my Heart are one of my most favorite new products. I hope you can tell what I have done with this two page layout! The flip flaps come with an adhesive strip so you can put it right on the outside of your page protector. It allows you to make a layout out and then add in more pictures without any extra bulk to your book. They come in 4 x 6 size that can be used either vertically or horizontally. You can also stack more than one picture with flip flap on at a time. I love how I can add captions to the photos! And....Now your pages are interactive!

If you have any questions or would like to order a package of our flip flaps, please email me at dinaloves2scrap@bellsouth.net. They come in a package of 15 for $3.95. Let's get flipping!!!!

Here is a tutorial about our Flip Flaps from one of our Consultants. Enjoy!

One Template Can Multiply to Two!

I love our Close to my Heart template books. Especially our new card template book, Originals. I had a lot of fun using the "Frame work" pattern for these cards. I was able to really personalize each card but yet make them look totally different with the same basic pattern.

The first one is for my son, Matthew, who is officially a teacher, starting this fall with his own classroom. It is fun to use black cardstock and when you stamp with our White Daisy Pigment ink, it looks like a chalkboard.

The second is for a very special work friend. She has been going through a lot right now and I really wanted to make an extra special card for her. With this design, embellishments and colors are the key. From 2nd degree stamping, over stamping, and sparkles, I think it has the elegant look I was trying to achieve.

Scrapbooking made easy is one of our goals and you can do that with one of our Template books. We have 3 different layout books and now 2 card books. Email me today to order your copy - dinaloves2scrap@bellsouth.net

More Cards!

I really enjoy making cards. And since I do, I can NO LONGER buy them so.... I have to make them.

Here are two new ones that I created myself. I love our Close to my Heart Stamps. They are sooooo versatile. You can stamp, you can stamp and cut out and you can make pattern paper with them too. With the first one that I call - What a great day card, I used our True Happiness stamp set for the waves and the clouds. I stamped the waves twice and then used pop dots to give it some dimension. With the clouds I cut them out and then used liquid applique to spice them up. Along with the Sun, I pop dotted them too.

The Merci card, I used our Friendship Blessings stamp set and random stamped the flowers in two different sizes and colors. I then added some sparkles to give it bling!

Always remember that I will be happy to show you how to make these cards and other layouts with these special effects. It is not hard, so give me an email and let's book a gathering or workshop today. dinaloves2scrap@bellsouth.net. Also sign up to be a follower and you will get all my posts!
Dina

The Personal Gift - A Heartmade Card!

When I first started scrapbooking, I never thought I would get into card making. I saw others doing it and it seemed like a lot of work. But....... when I made my first card, I was hooked! When I make a card for someone's Birthday, family loss or just because, it is a part of me. My special heart gift to them.

I think about all aspects of the card; the color scheme, the sentiment, the embellishments, all are vital parts of this heart gift. Sometimes they are even hard to give away.

Here is a special one I created for my parents anniversary. Hope you enjoy and remember, I would love to show you how. Just email me - dinaloves2scrap@bellsouth.net

Proud Momma!

I have to share the wonderful work my daughter, Anna did for her dad for Father's Day. She is 10 years old and does share my love for scrapbooking. She has some of her own materials, but is allowed to use my stamps. I am so proud of what she did all on her own. This is our Family ties - Adult stamp set which she stamped in black ink and then colored with our colored pencils. Daddy, Danny owns his own pest control company so she included his sprayer to make it more personal.

Way to go Anna. Great Job! See you can do it too! Let me show you how!!!

Happy Father's Day!

I am so excited to have finished my first mini album! These albums are only $5.95 in the Close to my Heart Summer Catalog and they are really a lot of fun to put together. I have wanted to do something like this for a while and well...here it is.

I wanted to make something special for my dad and after saving these old pictures from the trash (literally!), I just knew this was it. Daddy had recently scanned all our pics onto the computer to make us all discs, but I told him, I was a scrapper and wanted the real thing!

It is so much fun to look through old photos and experience all the wonderful emotions and memories. Just look at all those old clothing styles! I am really glad they are gone!

Just see how scrap booking can be fun, special and so rewarding when you can make a great project like this mini album. You can too! I would love to show you how. Email me and we can set up a time to do a workshop. This would be perfect for a special moment book for a child or a special occasion.

Posting Again!!!

So sorry that it has been a while since I have posted anything, but we have had some sickness at home and trying very hard to recover. Danny, my wonderful husband, has been fighting bronchitis with a horrible cough for really about 2 months now. But after 3 doctor's visits, much prayer and strife, and lack of sleep, he is doing better! Yeah!

I am so glad for my spiritual relief which is a must, but I am also glad for my creative release in my scrap booking. My son, Matthew, graduated this May - Sum Cum Laude from the University of Alabama with a double major in Education and History. I really wanted to do up a special card for him and since I am an avid War Eagle fan, I wanted to show him that I could get my hands dirty with some good old red and white just for him. This card pattern is one from our Originals card book and I thought it looked more masculine. It is hard to tell, but I did gold emboss on the "g" and black emboss on the lettering. The seal, I cut out from his graduation announcement.

Hope you enjoy and know that there IS more to come!

All About Me?!

Well, I did it! As requested by the CTMH National Scrap booking Month Contest, I have created a 2 page layout all about me! Do you know how hard that was?! I am the one taking the pictures, not in them! I am the one scrapping the pages for others, not doing them for me! But... I looked through old photos, recalled some old memories, and found some great shots of ...well...me!

I really wanted to do something different, so I thought about maybe using a quilt pattern for the page. I picked out a pattern that I thought would both suit paper piecing and incorporating pictures. I planned it all out on graph paper, then went to cutting. I did have to enlarge and reduce some pictures to make it work.

I then wanted to come up with a unique title. I looked for quotes and put together several and came up with, "I am a thread of gold in the quilt of life." I have recently studied again my favorite scripture, Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end," and it brought to mind again that God is using my life in His grand scheme of things. He sees the bigger picture and that picture is ultimately His grand tapestry. Sometimes it may be rough, some humor, some creative, and some passion, but all put together, I hope my life shines like gold for Him in my small piece of His grand tapestry.

So here it is. Thanks for looking. Dina

Special Easy Mother's Day Project!

I know that Mother's Day is this weekend but here is an easy quick project that you can make with one sheet of cardstock and your scraps! It is a card folder with 5 note cards inside. Everyone loves receiving cards, especially when they are homemade and personal. So now I have given them some blank note cards to send to their special friends. Here are some pictures.



Mother's Day Note Card Holders


Side view showing accordian pleating


5 note cards




If you are interested in learning how to make these gems, let me know and we can set up a workshop! A fun, inexpensive and quick project that is really a great gift!

Nattional Paper Crafting Month!

May is national paper crafting month, so let's get busy. For Paper Crafting month, Close to my Heart has a special "Tickled Pink" offer that we all can enjoy. It is a special kit that includes Glitter paper, card stock, white daisy diecuts, white daisy mini medley accents, a sponge texture tool and a D size stamp set. The cost is $34.95 to buy out right but if you buy $60 worth of stamps or have a gathering total of $400 you can receive it for FREE!!! I have included some pictures of two card projects that I have completed with the kit below. Please email if you are interested in this kit - dinaloves2scrap@bellsouth.net. CTMH also has a contest going on until May 31 for a chance to win $150 in CTMH product. Click on the flower icon on the left side of this blog for more details!

Also, for the first person that will book a gathering with me in May, you will receive one of our new products from our just released Summer catalog for FREE! And if you total gathering is at least $350, I will give you an extra 15% off of you personal order!!!! I look forward to hearing from you! Click on the new book icon and see all the new items or email me today for your new catalog!

Our next Crop Night for the Girls will be Friday, May 22 from 6pm - 12 midnight at New Covenant Fellowship on hwt 79. Reserve your place today!!!!

Scrap booking - Easier, Faster and You can do it!

I know that we all have pictures in boxes, bags, and even still in our digital cameras, but how do I get them onto a page or book? YOU CAN! I want you to remember those words. My goal thru this blog is to help encourage you and to show you how you can lay pictures onto a page and tell a story. I have seen 80 years old do it and even those who did not know where to start.

First I encourage you to come to a crop night! That is crop not crap and that is what we call getting together to scrap! Your first opportunity is this coming Friday evening - April 24 at New Covenant Fellowship on Hwy 79 in Pinson. It is Free! Come and bring your pictures, maybe some paper and glue and I will help you get started. Several of us girls get together and really have fun communicating, cutting, pasting and laughing in this world of scrap booking. Come and Join us beginning at 6pm. Please just email me and let me know that you will be coming!!!!!!

And You can even bring your daughters for this session. I will be offering a free card making class for all girls 12 and younger this session (we will make Mother's Day Cards, but don't tell!) I will provide all the materials, please just RSVP for a spot in the class.

I do want to share you some of my artwork which I am including below. If you think you can't well....You can! Remember, we all have a beginning, just make yours sooner than later.

What pictures are you holding in bags or boxes? Here is a 2 page layout of some people I love!



How about some cards?! Everyone loves it being personal!