August Joyful Stars Blog Hop: Chalk It Up Workshop 2nd Layout

Welcome to the August edition of the Joyful Stars Blog Hop!

This is a circular hop so no matter where you start you can just keep going around till you get back here (or wherever you started). If you get lost along the way, stop over at Joyce's blog for a complete list. If you're coming from Krista's blog then you're on the right track!

CTMH Chalk It Up Workshop Layout 2 from LavendersageDesigns.blogspot.com

I used Pattern #3 from the Make It From Your Heart vol. 2 pattern book with leftover papers from the Chalk It Up workshop. I don't have a title or much embellishments because I'm waiting for some photos to develop to see what will fit ... this reminds me of the old Chicken and Egg question - which came first: the photos or the scrapbook layout? :)

If I go over board with the first day of school photos, then I'll use this in addition to this layout, but I could probably use it for beach pictures too.

What would you do to embellish the page?

Now you're off to my friend Nickie's page to see what she has to share!

Scrappy cards, part 2

After getting out my Fanfare paper pack of scraps, I noticed I had four card bases cut and scored already. Inside, I found some cut B&T. After scrounging around for my Fanfare WOTG instruction book, I realized that I started to do the cards that were included in the WOTG but never finished. Since I couldn't find the stamp set that went with the paper pack, I improvised with left over Stickease that were in the pack. The sentiments are from the Card Chatter - Birthday stamp set and Outdoor Denim ink.

More Scrapbooking layouts

Here are three more layouts I added pictures to this past weekend at a day crop I went to.

The first layout is the Workshop on the Go layout from Winter Wonderland. I used some photos of my son in a blue snowsuit - I don't even remember him ever wearing it other than these pictures until I read the journaling notes on the back of them and remembered the story behind them. That's why we scrapbook, huh? To remember all those moments we would otherwise forget.

My 2012 Class Schedule

I have just updated my Class Schedule for the new year. Check it out on the above tab! See you in 2012!

I have all the final details in place for my Winter Weekend Crop in February. Check out the "Upcoming Events" tab for more information or email me for an application.

Upcoming Class Schedule

I have updated my September Class schedule to include a picture of the 2 scrapbooking layouts we'll be doing on Saturday, September 24th at 10am. I need to have your payment by 9/12 to hold your spot. If you can't join me that day but still want to do the project, let me know by 9/12 so I can mail your project with instructions to you.

You may recognize these layouts - they are on page 16 & 18 in the current Idea Book. I liked these so much better than the Workshop on the Go kits for this paper pack that I figured you might like them too! (Of course, if you like the WOTG kits better, please let me know so I can schedule something for you!)

I also wanted to apologize that I haven't posted anything new recently, I am working my designing butt into the ground for a Christmas Card Workshop I am teaching in a few weeks with a few other consultants. I can always whip up a pleasant looking card when I'm late for a birthday party or baby shower but when I'm asked to teach - whoa! My brain shuts down. I have designed at least six cards for this event and I'm not happy with any of them. I have to figure something out soon - the event has sold out and I need to start prepping the materials! It's a good problem to have, I guess but I will post the cards once I figure out which one I'm using. Until then, have a great day!

July Events

I know you are all enjoying the kids being home making some memories - but remember to schedule some time to preserve those memories you're making! I just updated my schedule for July so check out my Events tab to see when you can come!

Saturday July 9th - free crop at my house from 10am - 6pm. Child care is available so please RSVP by 7/5. We usually get a lot accomplished on these crop days so save some time for yourself this summer!

Saturday July 30th - At 10 am I will be teaching the Fanfare Workshop on the Go. We will do 2-3 layouts and the class fee is included in your materials purchase. Payment and RSVP due 7/19. Then at 3pm, I will be having my Christmas in July Card Workshop where we will make at least 6 cards using a variety of papers and stamps. $15 class fee is due by 7/19. Childcare is availabe for both.

Hope to see you in July - and remember -- I am just coming back from Convention and I might *might* have my pictures back to show you! :)

Mayberry and You & Me card

This is a card I made to show a customer the beauty that is in the Mayberry Workshop on the Go stamp set. I thought of her when I saw it but she said she wasn't sure she liked it. So I made a scrapbook page and this card to show her something else to make with the stamps and -- she likes it! I hope you like it too!

Easy cards from You & Me

I was on vacation this past week and really enjoyed my time away from reality - sitting on the beach is very therapeutic! My hubby requested that I take only a small stash of my papers along, the idea of a family vacation is that we spend time as a family, so I limited what I brought to one small rolling bag. My mother in law brought another box full of stuff down for me when she came for a few days so I was able to accomplish more than I thought I would. And my son actually took 2-3 hour naps each day! I won't bombard you with all I did in one post but I will have something to post every day for the next few weeks so make sure to check back often.

Embossing backgrounds

Since I joined Close to My Heart last fall, I've been in self-imposed exile from the local craft stores only so I'm not tempted to buy something I already have (a sad, but often repeated offense). But my dad's birthday party was fast approaching and I was in charge of favors, table numbers and other things my family thought I would like doing. As I was walking through the two craft stores who share a parking lot I was only finding things on sale that I needed to buy for the party. I had a 40% off coupon burning a hole in my pocket - actually I had given in to my son so I wouldn't forget it and he was waving it in front of me. Constantly. (He's good at helping me remember things)so I wondered over to an aisle I don't visit often - Cuttlebug, Cricut and Sizzix territory. I was lucky enough to find an embossing machine from Sizzix for a price I was willing to pay with the coupon and a folder I could use this weekend. This is the result:

I used a template from Wishes Card Confidence Program and some scraps left over from the Wings Workshop on the Go. The background image is from the Wings WOTG kit stamp set and the sentiment is from Treasures stamp set. The card base was embossed using the Sizzix then sanded.

New Workshops and Upcoming Events

I updated my Upcoming Events page through August. I have a Workshop class and Free Crop every month through the summer. I have some open dates for you to host your own Workshop with your friends and earn some free product. Check out the photos below.

Also, be sure to check back soon because Close to My Heart has some AMAZING specials for you in May since it is National Scrapbooking Month! Check out my website to see all those specials deals!

Miracle Scrapbooking Workshop

Miracle Card Workshop

Lucky cards

Finally getting around to posting these cards I made for the "Lucky" Workshop on the Go in March. I have since used all of these because the paper pack is so versitle that I made them into birthday cards, thank you cards, gratitude and even a simple "hello". I used scraps from the workshop so I didn't follow the design too closely. But I am surprised by how addicting the wooden buttons are - I will definitely be ordering more of those!

Sophia Cards

I played around with the extra paper left over after finishing my Sophia Workshop and here's the result...

I loosely based the design and embellishments from the suggestion in the Workshop on the Go kit but didn't want to cut up all those little pieces so I used what I had on hand and did it my way! Kinda cute!

Sophia Workshop

I will be hosting a Workshop on April 17th from 6-9pm. YOU WILL WANT TO BE HERE! In addition to the two layouts will do using a beautiful paper pack, I will teach you some new, fun techniques to make 3D flowers to add to your layouts, cards, gifts and home decor. You do not want to miss this!



Payment is due in my hand by April 2nd  (I accept credit cards) to reserve your spot. Due to the extra technique, I am only having 5 spots for this event! This my only event this month so don't miss it!

Valentine's Day gift cards

Valentine's Day is soon approaching and the paper kit I'm using for my February Workshops is perfect for Valentine's Day. Baby Pink, Tulip and Black accents paired with Licorice Opaques, Black buttons and the Sweetheart stamp set (only available with the Sweetheart Workshop on the Go kit) and a new stamp set Card Chatter-Love make some really adorable and really easy gift cards. I left the insides blank because I will be giving these out to customers when their orders arrive. I used Baby Pink, Cotton Candy and Black inks to decorate. I made 8 cards in about an hour with the leftover scraps from the WOTG kit plus supervising my toddler with scissors (I'm helping Mommy!) and play dough.