Hop along the Avonlea Trail

Welcome to the December Paper Trail blog hop.  You may notice that you don't see any pretty paper here, yet.  Well, due to some family emergencies this week I'm a little behind.  But I will have a cool project to share with you very very soon!!

I don't want to interrupt your travels, so if you've arrived here from Linda's blog (The Paper Taylor) or just thought you'd start here, I'll send you on your way to Amy's blog (Pineapple Paper Artist) for some more inspiration. 

S'long Rub-ons, So Sad to See You Go!

News from our corporate office.  This is so unfortunate, because they are such a cool embellishment.  If you haven't used them before get some before they are gone and have fun!

The vendor we use for producing our velvet rub-ons will no longer be supplying these products to us, which means that all velvet rub-ons are now available on a "while supplies last" basis and will be discontinued when our stock is depleted. The products affected by this are:

Z1742 Parlor Velvet Rub-Ons

Z1743 Festive Velvet Rub-Ons

Z1700 Dark Chocolate Tapestry Velvet Rub-Ons

Z1733 Black Tapestry Velvet Rub-Ons

We regret this unexpected outage. We anticipate running out within a few days of this announcement, so if you had planned projects using any of these products, we urge you to place your order immediately.

Clicking on the photos will take you right to my website to place your order.  

Pear & Partridge Paper Trail Blog Hop

Welcome to the November Paper Trail Blog Hop.  If you arrived from Lynne's blog, Field's Finery, you are on the right path. I hope you enjoy our presentations!

Every month we feature a new paper pack from Close to my Heart and this month we playing with Pear & Partridge.  I love these holiday papers that are subtle enough to use for many many projects, holiday or not.  I chose to go with the holiday theme and make up one of our My Creations Stars.  I love how it turned out!

My apologies for the fuzzy photo...

I also did my own version of the trees in the current catalog/idea book and using the new Artiste Cricut cartridge.

 

I made my poinsettia with the Artiste Cricut cartridge and added some mini pearls.  So fun to get creative!

Now hop on over to Connie's blog, Scraps & Stories, and check out what she's got in store for you!  Thanks for stopping by!

Halloween & Autumn Clearance

From now until October 31st all Halloween stamps & Autumn stamps listed in my "For Sale" tab are 1/2 the posted price.  Shipping will be charged at actual cost.  

Take a look and find something you like!  Email me your choices at StampScrapFever@gmail.com.

Let's Get Flirty in October

Welcome to the October Paper Trail blog hop.  This month we are sharing our paper crafts made with Close To My Heart's "Flirty" paper pack.  If you've arrived from Tracey's blog, Paper Crafting Princess, you are moving right along the paper trail. We have a circular hop so you'll see us all if you just follow the links.

Flirty has such beautiful fall colors, I could hardly contain myself when it came to getting crafty.  Now grab a cuppa - I've got lots & lots to share with you!

"Flirty" X7160B

First is a two page layout that is pretty much straight out of our 2012 Fall Winter idea book.  The cool thing about the idea book is that you can copy the art exactly as you see it or tweak it for your own preference.  My layout has been tweaked, and I love it!

Flirty Layout

Flirty Left Page

Flirty Right page

Layout Detail

I wanted to do something from our new Artiste Cricut cartridge and this pumpkin seemed really appropriate.  The leaves and 'badges' are also from the cartridge.  The cute little acorn (and the pumpkins on the layouts above) are part of our Color Ready Arbor Wooden Shapes. 

Pumpkin Decoration

Pumpkin as a place setting name holder

 Since I was having so much fun with the Cricut I decided to make a couple little 3" Cricut cards, too. The size is perfect for using some of the extra pieces of the Flirty Dimensional Elements after my layouts were finished.

Moth & Owl Thank You Cards

Thank You Card Open

Are you ready for some more?  I have more cards to share.  The versatility of colors in this paper pack really allows for a great variety of cards.

 

I hope you've enjoyed my Flirty Gallery.  Now hop on over to Mary's blog, Road to Peace of Mind for some more great ideas & inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by!

Retirement Party - Stamps for Sale!

I've added a new tab to my blog labelled "For Sale."  What could it be, you ask?  Why, stamps for sale, of course!  I'd love to send them out to new loving homes, so take a peek and let me know which ones you want! Some have been gently loved and others are brand new.  You know how it goes, so many stamps, so little time!

Instructions for purchase are on the page.

For Sale - needs a loving new home!

A Little More Moonlight

My daughter Alyssa got this idea from Pinterest - isn't that where we get most our ideas now days?  Witchy Fingers are made with sugar cookie dough and then presented in a French Fry holder from the the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  The papers, of course, are Moonlight.

Gnarly, Arthritic Witch Fingers

Empty French Fry Box

Cookies and box are by Alyssa. If you missed the Paper Trail blog hop featuring these papers, you can pick it up here. 

Moonlight in September

Welcome to the September Paper Trail Blog hop featuring our beautiful Moonlight Papers.  If you have arrived from Linda's blog, The Paper Taylor you are already on your way.  If you are just starting don't worry, it's a circular hop and you won't miss a thing!

I love the Close to my Heart papers we chose for this month.  "Moonlight" will work very well for your Halloween layouts and projects but the papers are not Halloween specific and will be beautiful for lots of other projects as well. 

B&T Duos from the Moonlight Paper Pack

I thought I'd stay away from Halloween and do other things, but alas, all my ideas brought me back to the Witchy Holiday.  First I just fell in love with this Bat card from the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge.  I cut it out twice, once in black and once in stripes.  I used the stripes (and it's backside) to line the inside of the card.  A couple of sparkles from our new gray/black collection worked super as eyes.  Isn't it a great card?

Bat Card, Wings Closed

Bat Card, Wings Open

Also from the Artiste cartridge is this adorable little owl.  I cut the base twice and glued them together at the ears to make a 3" card.  A couple more sparkles to make his eyes pop and there ya go!

Owl Card

My layout is inspired by Layout 04 in the Make It From Your Heart magazine, a new product from Close to My Heart.  I used our new black tulle at the top of the left page and the bottom of the right page.  But before I attached it, I scrunched it all up so it's uneven and bumpy.  I love the look and my embellishments seem to float on it. 

Moonlight "October" Layout

Left Side

Right Side

Left Side Detail

Right Side Detail

I hope you've enjoyed what I have to share today. I intend to post more projects from my Moonlight paper pack throughout the month so I hope you'll check back.  In the meantime, hop on over to Amy's blog, Pineapple Paper Artist for a peek at her inventions.  I'm sure she's bringing us something awesome! 

Thanks for stopping by!

My Close To My Heart Open House

Banner from the Spellbound WOTG

I had so much fun at my open house this past Saturday I've decided to do it again!  And if you couldn't make it last week, I'm doing it online this coming week at my Facebook page, Betsy's Paper Boutique Featuring Close To My Heart.  Be sure to go "like" that page so you will be notified of all the fun ideas and give aways that will be happening this coming Saturday & Sunday.

Unfortunately, all I'll be able to offer for refreshments are virtual goodies.  This is the last remaining Vanilla Latte cupcake my daughter baked for the in-person open house.

Yes, it's as amazingly yummy as it looks!

Did you know you could win $25 of select Close To My Heart product every month on my website?  Just join one of my online gatherings when you place your Close To My Heart order and you become eligible to win the Hostess Rewards!  In August all you have to do is 'join' the Sizzlin' Hot August Gathering and you're entered to win! Shop online at my secure site at http://betsy.ctmh.com/.

On a final note, as of Friday there was only 45% inventory of the beautiful CTMH bags left that new consultants receive as a bonus when you join my team in August.  Just $49 for the Essential kit and you are on your way with your new Close To My Heart business.  And who wouldn't want their very own scrap & stamp store right at their finger tips to shop at for themselves or to offer to their friends?  Go here to see why I do it, then go here to join my team.  If you want to think about it, let me know and I'll add you to my team page for a 30 day trial period while you consider this opportunity.  But remember, the bags are going fast and that offer ends soon!  

Paper Trail Blog Hop- Anything Goes!

Welcome to the August Paper Trail Blog Hop!  This month, in anticipation of the new catalog release, our artists are using paper of their own choosing.  So be ready to see lots of great ideas and inspiration! If you arrived from Mary's blog, The Road to Peace of Mind, you are on the right track.  If you are just getting started here, with my blog, not to worry, we are a circular hop and you won't miss a thing!

With convention behind me and an open house on the horizon, I'm sorta kinda cheating this month. To ensure I would be ready to post I decided to use a couple of the layouts we made at convention using new product.  This paper pack is called "Clementine." 

Clementine Stars Shine Bright layout

The first photo is just a few of my upline's first downline that attended convention.  She has a "Rootin' Tootin' " team! The banditos are my roomies and me.  I had the BEST time with them! And below that... can you guess?  It's five of the Paper Trail artists!! 

Left page

The Antiqued Gold metal embellishments on these two pages are part of a new Mini-Medley containing metallic buttons, metallic swirls, brads, clips and more.  They add so much! When I add a little journaling, this page will be complete.

Right page

Clementine Havin' Some Boot Stompin' Fun layout

This layout is all about my roommates and me.  These gals were so much fun, convention just wouldn't have been as exciting without them!  That is an elephant we are having our picture taken with.  There wasn't just one in the lobby, there were two!

Left Page

 We have new Just Blooms in pretty autumn colors and patterns, a new Baker's Twine in Harvest colors and the CUTEST new Irresistibles Alphabet in Houndstooth pattern.  Oh, and I almost forgot the Noted Canvas Shapes!

Right Page

There is so much new and exciting in our 2012 Fall Winter Idea Book.  Contact me to get yours!

Now, hop on over to Vicki's blog, The Wizard's Hangout.  I can guarantee she has something fabulous for you!

Convention Swap

One of my favorite activities at convention is swapping cards with other consultants.  It's a wonderful way to get some really good ideas for projects in the future, as well as a fun way to meet other convention goers without feeling too awkward.

I usually try to make something that is a little different than a standard card.  For me it's as much (if not more) about the idea I give someone than what I get in exchange. This was my swap for the Dallas Convention.  It was inspired by Mrs. Magoo & Lou, a couple of really fun ladies I took some classes from when I was waylaid in Seattle for so long. Check them out on Facebook and "Like" their page.

Double Pocket Note Tag using Stella papers

With the note pulled out

The back is the same as the front without the flower embellishment

A small instruction sheet was folded inside the back pocket

A friend and I brain stormed some different uses for this item.   One that I really liked was to use it as the gift tag on a gift basket.  Using a 9x9 paper to start with, it holds a gift card very nicely, but of course the measurements for all the folds have to be adjusted, too.  Would a Christmas version of these be adorable hanging all over a Christmas tree?

What would you use it for?

Getting Caught Up

If you check my Scrap 2012 tab you may have noticed that I am a couple of months behind.  There is a good reason for this, but instead of going into a boring dissertation of my life in the past 3 months, I'll just show you what we've done instead!

You can see the full year up to date at Scrap 2012

Like May, June was designed by my darling daughter, Alyssa.  Which may explain why all the father/daughter photos feature her.

June Layouts featuring Close to my Heart Victory papers

June Left Side

June Right Side

 I was scrambling to complete the August layout prior to our class last night so I didn't provide photos.  The paper is "Footloose" and will be retired as of August 1st.

August featuring Footloose and Cricut Art Philosophy cuts

August Left Side

August Right Side