My Version of Project Life!

Have you heard of a scrapbooking technique called Project Life?  
I originally heard about this a few years ago through Becky Higgins and thought it was an awesome idea.  I have always wanted to get started with it but the timing has never been quite right....until now!!  I am proud to say that what you see above is the cover page for my 2013 Project Life album.  I used an older paper pack that I have hordes of, called Sonoma, along with the stamp set from the workshop on the go and the my stickease, and the Friendship alphabet (for the numbers) to create this.  The great thing about CTMH products is that the paper packs coordinate beautifully with each other.  You can view any of our products on my website HERE.

It really is the perfect project for any beginner or novice paper crafter.  I am anxiously awaiting my page protectors from CTMH so that I can make it more beautiful.

I thought to myself, what would be a good project to offer in the new year for the first therapy session?  And then it dawned on me that you might want to try this too!  So if you are interested in getting into scrapbooking, finally catching up, or an easy and quick way to preserve memories this year then look no further than this month's therapy session.  All the details can be found HERE.

My envelope system

By now many of you have heard of Dave Ramsey and the Total Money Makeover, if you haven't check it out HERE  Well, I have not taken the class but I have decided to try the envelope system that he talks about.  Of course I can not have plain ol' fuddy duddy envelopes so I created some fancy schmancy ones of my own using a template found HERE and printing it on Close to my Heart paper. 

I chose to use an older paper pack that I have been wanting to use up called Emporium.  The great thing about our paper packs is that they coordinate so well together that it was a cinch to whip these up.  Here are the steps that I did:

1. Choose paper pack and cut down to 8 1/2 x 11.
2. Using template print out onto paper.
3. Cut out template and using Tombow adhesive adhere bottom and side flaps.
4. Print out labels from same site and punch out with 1 1/4" punch. (I printed mine out on Avery sticky label paper to save time)
5. Adhere to 1 3/8" punched scallop circle (or use Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge to cut out scallops).

That's it!  Super easy, super fun and super fancy.  The labels I chose are groceries, gas, fun, haircuts & personal care, and eating out.  You can make as many envelopes as you would like to fit your needs.

Here is a peek into my grocery envelope. 

 I did not want to create an envelope for each week so  I used 3 x 5 index cards folded at different points to put four weeks into one envelope.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and let me know if you have used/plan to use the envelope system.

December SOTM: Greeting Cards

3" × 3" Greeting Cards

Helpful Hints

To create the techniques featured in this artwork, follow the helpful hints outlined below. Then use the patterns (Wishes: Middle Ground™, Wishes: Mini Combination™, Originals: Stage Right™, Originals: Pieced Panels™, Originals: Fun Flap™, and Originals: Side Accent™) found in our how-to publications Wishes™ and Originals^® for inspiration.

• When making cards to fit in the Card Box, determine how many you want to fit in the box—including the dividers—and then create accordingly with embellishments, making sure the embellishments aren’t too thick to fit in the box.
• Embellish with stamped accents, paper accents, and accessories, adding dimension with 3-D foam tape as desired.

December SOTM: Card Box

Card Box

Helpful Hints

To create the techniques featured in this artwork, follow the helpful hints outlined below.

• Cover some of the chipboard tiles with cardstock, depending on the amount you need. Add numbered tabs made from cardstock and B&T Duos^® papers to create dividers.
• Cover the outside and inside of the box with coordinating papers, sponging the corners and exposed areas of the box.
• Trim one of the chipboard tiles into a 2" × 1 1/2" rectangle. Cover with papers or the Memo assortment and sponge exposed areas. Attach to flap.
• Embellish with stamped accents, paper accents, and accessories, adding dimension with 3-D foam tape as desired.

December SOTM: 12x12 Layout

12" × 12" I Am So Very Lucky Page

Helpful Hints

To create the techniques featured in this artwork, follow the helpful hints outlined below. Then use the pattern (Reflections: Main Frame—Back Drop™) found on page 58 of our how-to publication Reflections^® for inspiration.

• To add your own personality to the layout, choose elements of the stamp images that coordinate with the emotion or setting of the photos, and then mask those portions and stamp them in your color of choice.
• Add visual interest by hand-stitching with hemp along the side of A.
• Embellish with stamped accents, paper accents, and accessories, adding dimension with 3-D foam tape as desired.

12 Days of Teachers Gifts: Snowman tealight project

I am currently doing a 12 days of Christmas project for my children's teachers at school.  I send them each day with a not that says "On the XX day of Christmas, my student gave to me XXX."  I have my girls each hand write the day and gift.  I did not take a photo of today's project but it was a little box full of gift tags that the teachers can use for their own presents.  Tomorrow the teachers will be getting these cute and easy snowman tealight projects!

I bought a pack of 24 flameless tea lights at Sam's Club and aside from the ones I am using for advent and our votive tree I had no idea what to do with the extras.  I am so glad I came across this project.  I adapted this from an idea I saw HERE.

I used the exclusive Close To My Heart Cricut cartridge Art Philosophy (Z1686).  I cut out the red and green ovals using the <Oval2>  keys at 1 3/4' each.  I then punched out the top red circle using a 3/4" circle punch. For the scallop underneath I cut out a <Scallop> at 1 3/4" as well.  I used my Sizzix texture botique machine and a holly embossing folder to run the pieces through.  I then started assembling.

To create the red brim I used a 1" circle punch and made two random punches.  I then cut the green oval in half.  I glued the green oval on top of the red oval.  I then attached the red circle to the top.  I cut the fringe as an after thought but make sure to cut it before attaching so the adhesive holds well.  Before attaching the bottom green scallop I used the 3/4" punch to make a circle in the bottom for the on/off switch.

After attaching all the pieces I placed two dots of red glitz glitter gel (Z1484) on the cheeks.  I then drew on the eyes and a smile with a black sharpie.  Lastly, I tied a piece of baker's twine (Z1751)for a little scarf.

Thanks for viewing my little project and stop back for more of the 12 days of teacher gifts!

Roxybonds Scrappers Team Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Roxybonds Scrappers Team Blog Hop!

We will be featuring artwork from the Pear & Partridge Paper Pack (X7162B).

If you have come here from Denise's blog, then you are on the right path. Your next stop will be Stephanie's Blog

Today I have created a simple card using a stamp of the month from October 2011.  This card is 5 x 6 1/2 on Colonial White card stock.  I used the P&P paper for background as well as olive and cranberry card stock.  I stamped the stocking on desert sand card stock with cranberry and new england ivy inks. I randomly stamped the snowflakes with olive ink.  The sentiment is cranberry ink stamped on olive card stock.  I added some itty bitty sparkles (Z1263) and our silver shimmer trim (Z1799) for some bling because you can never go wrong with it!

Now hop on over to Stephanie's Blog for your next stop.

Here's a list of all our team members participating:

Jen Patrick: http://roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com

Sharondalyn Tweeta Newton http://clippingsbysharondalyn.blogspot.com

Keeley Becker Kirwan http://keeleyskreations.blogspot.com/

Denise 'Carper' Heiden: http://deniseheiden.blogspot.com/

Amber LaMons (YOU ARE HERE) http://www.scrapperstherapy.blogspot.com/

Stephanie Feist: http://quiltedscrapper.blogspot.com

Catherine Nowak: http://catscrapbooking.wordpress.com/

December SOTM: Year-Round Cheer

December 2012 Year-Round Cheer

Year-Round Cheer, set of 12

Recommended Block:
2" × 2" (Y1003)

Beautiful Stamps, Amazing Discounts

Each month you can enjoy a new D-size stamp set, available for one month only, for just $5—that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing.

December 2012: Year-Round Cheer (S1212A)

Spend $50 and get this Stamp of the Month set for just $5.

Incredibly Cool Crafts

In love with the artwork we created with this stamp set? Get ready to make it yourself! Purchase the materials listed here along with your deeply discounted Stamp of the Month set to get started!

Materials Needed

1. S1212 My Acrylix^® Year-Round Cheer
2. X7160B Flirty Paper Packet
3. X5666 Twilight Cardstock
4. Z1614 My Creations^® Memory Game
5. Z1764 Just Blooms^® Floret Paper Shapes
6. Z1766 Memo Assortment
7. Z1777 Color-Ready Canvas Alphabet
8. Z1371 Buttons Blue Assortment

Required Tools

1. 1301 Bamboo Cardstock
2. 1243 Goldrush Cardstock
3. Z2103 Bamboo Exclusive Inks^® Pad
4. Z2123 Goldrush Exclusive Inks^® Pad
5. Z2116 Cranberry Exclusive Inks^® Pad
6. Z2135 New England Ivy Exclusive Inks^® Pad
7. Z2160 Twilight Exclusive Inks^® Pad
8. Z280 Natural Hemp
9. Z1706 Durables Round Studs
10. Z1294 Sanding Kit
11. Z1311 1 1/4" Circle Punch
12. Z697 Sponge
13. Z341 Memory Book Mini Glue Dots^®
14. Z1151 3-D Foam Tape
15. Various Adhesive
16.   Staples