Get 'em while they're on sale! 

Once again, I'm faced with the dilemma of what to get a male teacher for a gift.  Charlie's teacher has had a huge impact on my boy, engaging him and supporting him like few teachers he's had before.  So while I don't usually make a huge deal at Christmas, I wanted to recognize this special person.



So I gave him something crafty ... but useful too, and something that can be appreciated for years to come.  I used my Cricut Art Philosophy and Artbooking cartridges to cut a whole selection of gift tags in different colours, then I stamped a message or an image on the back.

Lastly, I decorated up one of our Designer Creations cupcake boxes to hold all the tags.

Thanks, Mr. Gill, for all you do to make learning fun for Charlie.  Merry Christmas!

• This is a circular hop so you can start here and go all the way around.
• If you came from Krista's "Simply Creating" blog, then you are going in the right direction.
• Visit Michelle's My Creations blog, for the complete blog list if you get lost along the way. 

My family has a number of traditions for the holiday season.  From the food we eat, the music we listen to, the movies we MUST watch and watch together ... it's all part of enjoying quality family time.

So this year, I've created a mini album, using the Pear and Partridge Picture My Life cards to document the traditions for years to come.

These mini albums would make great hostess gifts for friends or special memory gifts for grandparents, aunts and uncles.  Simply choose the PML cards that match your theme and get creative.  And now that the PML card come a la carte, you can just get the cards and have some fun!


I've kept mine pretty simple as the cards really speak for themselves.  I bound the book in sections using Topiary washi tape and then bound the sections together into one big book.


You can use both sizes of cards to make your album a little different.  I will likely add cardstock mats for photos and embellish with a few sparkles, stars or Stickles.  I can't wait to add photos to this album.


Don't like the bound book look?  Try an accordian album.  You can use fewer cards but still have big impact!



The most important thing with these albums is to have fun!  Make use of the sentiments and images on the cards, add what you need with photos and stamps.  And let your creativity flow!

I love making new ornaments for my tree.  Now that my husband has downsized us from a 10' tree (that he hates assembling) to a 6' tree that is prelit and folds open like an umbrella, I have much less room for them.  But I will find a way to deck the halls of our home with my creations.  And I'll give some as gifts too.

Here are some cute ornaments I made using metal cookie cutter and some Paper Fundamentals papers.

Instead of paper, you can also use washi tape!  This one turned out great, and washi tape is so forgiving, you can unpeel and restick multiple times to get it straight.


These cookie cutters I purchased came in a little circle tin. So I decorated it too -- it will make the perfect gift!

A few years ago, I found this idea somewhere on the Internet.  It's so super cute and a great way to give a little gift with big impact.

Let me "bake" you up some sock cupcakes.  It's so easy and can work with any kind of socks -- fuzzy, festive, expensive or affordable.

Start with a pair of socks and a cupcake wrapper.  I love that with the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge, I can cut a cupcake wrapper out of any paper I want, any size I want.



Roll up the socks and tie them with some ribbon or twine.  I prefer to put the twine close to the bottom, so I can play with the "rolls", fluff them up, layer them and give them more of a cupcake shape.



Then simply insert them in the cupcake wrapper and embellish.  I like to use red pompoms to create a "cherry" on top.  The "Cutie Pie" Stamp of the Month is perfect for creating the SWEETEST tags to go with these cupcakes.



I find that fuzzy socks work the best.  They're nice and plump and you can even get them from the dollar store.  For this one, I used Snowhaven paper and added some candy striped buttons.

Snowhaven is one of most favourite CTMH paper packs, probably ever.  I love the sweater-look paper, the glacier-and-black-and-cranberry colour combination, the snowflakes, the dots ... everything.  So needless to say, I was a little disappointed when the only Snowhaven Workshop on the Go kit was a card kit.  Don't get me wrong -- I love the cards too -- but that left me thinking and creating in my mind.

CTMH has given us some great templates and patterns to follow.  And I really loved the layout they created for Scaredy Cat (see it here) so I thought, "Why not "snow-ify" Scaredy Cat?

Here it is:



I also used the "Polar Bear Holiday" stamp set to jazz up this cool layout.  My Shin Han Touch Twin markers were perfect for colouring the adorable bears and cute presents.  And I just love the white enamel stars -- they go with just about anything!



Supplies:

• Snowhaven paper pack
• Polar Bear Holiday stamp set
• Artbooking CTMH Cricut Cartridge
• Alpha stamp set from Artfully Sent CTMH Cricut Cartridge
• White Enamel Stars
• Shin Han Touch Twin markers
• Black and Glacier inks

Now, normally you would never hear me say "I can't wait for snow", but I'm looking forward to snapping some fun pics to put on this layout this winter.

While it's frosty outside and holiday music is playing everywhere you go, you might want to escape, even if just in your mind and your craftroom.

The November Stamp of the Month has some great floral images and designs to make some fun cards and get away from the cold.


Here are just some of the things I created using this fabulous stamp set:




To get this fantastically floral stamp set, simply place an order in November.  And if your order is $50 or more (before shipping and taxes), you'll be able to get it for just $5!  Email me today at justscrapit.ctmh@gmail.com or shop online!

What better way to tell someone you love them than by sharing memories from the past year all throughout the coming year?

That's where a Scrapbook Calendar is the perfect gift!  Close to my Heart offers a blank calendar that you can jazz up and personalize with your own photos and creativity.

This year, I'm giving two scrapbook calendars as gifts.  So I started by creating my layouts in Studio J.  In November, you can get Studio J layouts for just $5, so it's really affordable and easy!

I created each month in one spread, so I could change the paper for each month.  I also like how Studio J layouts LOOK layered but are really flat and without bulk -- which is ideal for calendars.  You don't want them too heavy.

Santa knows who has been naughty and who has been nice.  And all the crafty ladies on the NICE list are wishing for some fun, bright, sparkly, useful bits and bobs in their stockings Christmas morning.  Here are 10 ideas to make their wishes come true:

1. WASHI TAPE:  Bright, colourful, repositionable, fun.
   
   
   
2. SHIMMER TRIM:  Sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!
   
3. SHIN HAN TOUCH TWIN MARKERS: Vibrant colours that blend easily.
   
4. NON-STICK SCISSORS:  Perfect for cutting 3D foam, tape and more.  Stays clean easily!
   
5. SPARKLE FLOURISHES:  Bling-tastic for layouts and cards.
   
6. MINI MEDLEYS:  Coordinate your colours with a variety of embellishments.
   
   
   
7. SPONGE DAUBERS:  For distressing, stamping, colouring.  You can never have enough.
   
8. MINI STAMPS:  Good for cards, scrapbooking, any-time fun!
   
9. ADHESIVE:  Bonding Memories glue, tape runners, glue dots and more.  Always needed, always appreciated.
   
10. SPRITZ CLEANER AND SCRUBBER:  Good for cleaning your stamps after getting inky.
    

Studio J is so fun!  This online scrapbooking program helps you to create scrapbooking layouts fast and easy, while keeping lots of dimension and colour.  Each page comes together quickily.

But you can do so much more ... and they make for great gift ideas and great accents.

Here are some adorable gift tags that I made in Studio J.

2x3 Gift tags

4x4 gift tags that can double as adorable mini gift cards

These are so easy to make.  Here's the step-by-step:

1. Login to Studio J and choose to create a project.
2. Choose your paper pack.
3. Choose the "No Limits" layout template.
4. Delete the pre-set photo wells created in this template.
5. Create a Title box and set the size in your tool box (it pops up automatically when you select the title box).
6. Position the box in the top left corner of the left page.
7. Drag and drop your chosen paper into the Title box.
8. Copy and paste.  Drag a new paper into the second Title box.  Position it beside the first box.
9. Repeat again and again to cover your pages in tag backgrounds.
10. Use journaling boxes, My StickEase, embellishments and more to decorate your tags.  Copy and paste them as needed onto other tags.

When you checkout, you can print as many copies as you want to build your collection of gift tags.

Need help?  Please email me at justscrapit.ctmh@gmail.com with your questions or if you want to set up a Studio J 1-on-1.

Tis the season to be jolly.  But sometimes, the idea of crowded malls, tight budgets and hard-to-shop-for loved ones can take the spirit out of the season.  Let me help!

Close to my Heart has great gift ideas for crafters of every type -- even non-crafters.  Here are some suggestions on what you can get for the creative person in your life.

SCRAPBOOKERS DELIGHT
Scrapbookers love Close to my Heart and the quality products we offer.


Choose from:

• 9 fabulous themes, including paper packs ($10.95), coordinating complements ($5.50) and embellishment assortments (up to $7.75)
• Gorgeous faux leather albums ($32.95) and top quality page protectors (up to $21.95) to protect and display your layouts
• Inspiring how-to books with hundreds of page sketches and ideas for layouts (up to $16.95)
• 3 sizes of organizers ($16.50 - $27.50) -- to keep your embellishments, stamps and tools tidy and in one spot.
• Amazing Cricut cartridge bundles, including Artbooking, a scrapbookers dream with overlays, pre-designed layouts, icons and great font and more!  ($109)
• A fabulous array of tools, like paper trimmers, our handy Versa Mat, non-stick scissors

WANNABE CRAFTERS AND CREATIVE TYPES