I've written before about She Art -- a mixed media project that used inspirational quotes and female images to inspire and empower.

I so loved doing this project at a leadership event, that I brought it to my 48 Hour Scrapathon.  Five ladies joined me to create some fun art and it was an interesting experience.  They struggled a bit with the "loose" directions, lack of frame work and wide open creative opportunity.  But once they got started -- once they started cutting, pasting, tearing and creating -- an amazing thing happened.  Our spirits and our confidence lifted, and we created some amazing pieces of art.

A regular visitor at my 48 Hour Scrapathon is the Scrapbooking Fairy.  She sneaks in each night and leaves small gifts for the scrappers on their pillows.  This year, she used the CTMH Treat Bags.  They don't have to be filled with candy -- the Scrap Fairy filled them with stickers and other embellishments that they could use throughout the weekend!

At my weekend retreats, I host a card swap.  Based on a theme that I set and change each year, each participant designs a card and makes multiple copies.  Then, we "swap" with the other participants and go home with a whole selection of cards.  It's so neat to see all the different designs and ideas!

Here are my cards, as well as the full set of cards that were swapped:

Can you tell that I love the yummy Taste of Summer promotional paper pack that we're offering this month?  I love the bright colours and the adorable fruits -- but I also love the fun patterns on the reverse side and the punny stamp set that goes with it all.

#CTMHTOS #NSM #CTMH

But you know what I love the most?  It's that this paper is like an all-you-can-eat buffet!  You just cannot get enough.  You've already seen the two mini pocket albums I've made and the 2 scrapbooking layouts I created.  Believe it or not, there was STILL more paper to play with, so I started making cards.

And just kept going and going.  Here are some of my creations:

Every one of us needs our time away.  Time for ourselves.  And that's why I love hosting my 48 Hour Scrapathon -- it gives my amazing friends and customers an opportunity to get away and craft the weekend away.  It's relaxing, it's energizing, and it's so much fun!

My most recent 48 Hour Scrapathon was May 1-3 and we celebrated National Scrapbooking Month in style!  Look at the fun we had ...

Many people ask me where I get my ideas.  It's a hard question, because as a creative person, I get my ideas from anywhere and everywhere.  Pinterest, magazines, advertisements, store windows, book covers, thin air ... you name it, inspiration is everywhere.  But then comes the next step -- turning that inspiration into a well-designed layout.  That's where CTMH's how-to books come in.

We have an extensive and versatile line-up of books to help you create layouts and cards that are balanced and beautiful, with blueprints, instructions and cutting guides to make sure you don't waste paper and supplies.  They are so easy!

Here's a video to tell you more about these valuable tools.


Personally, I think the cutting guides are phenomenal, and make scrapbooking and cardmaking EASY!  There's still lots and lots of room for creativity, but it helps you to manage your supplies and your time.  And you get so many ideas, just by rotating a blueprint and changing up the paper.

And they are so affordable!  In a time where we pay $15 to $20 OR MORE on scrapbooking magazines at the bookstore, these books are value-priced and value-packed!  Use them over and over and over again.



To get your hands on one of these amazing books, email me at justscrapit.ctmh@gmail.com or shop online!

Just another in my birthday card mania this month!  I used Close to my Heart's Confetti Wishes paper pack again.  And D1597 Hoppy Birthday stamp set from our Australian series.  I coloured this adorable kangaroo in with our Shin Han markers to match.

This one will be hopping it's way to my nephew this weekend.  I hope he likes it!

I love washi.  I think I've said that before.  My "collection" of washi tape is starting to rival my "collection" of ribbon (mmm, ribbon!).  So when we made these fun cards in Hawaii using CTMH's new washi tape, I was in heaven!

Check out the Boardwalk collection, used on these cards here, or the Carnival collection.  Both are super fun for cards and layouts!

Just shows you cards don't have to be complicated to be WOW!

I have birthdays on the brain.  Starting at the end of March, through to the end of May, my family has a ton of birthdays to celebrate, including mine, my husband's and my youngest son's.  (He just turned 10 years old yesterday - where did my baby go?)

If you're like me, there always seems to be a time of year where you're inundated with birthdays to celebrate ... and you need cards!

So come to my 50 Birthday Card Value-Packed Workshop on May 24th at 1pm.  For $35, you will make and take home 50 awesome and easy birthday cards, using the Confetti Wishes paper pack.  Add on the versatile "You Mean The World To Me" stamp set for just $10.95 (plus shipping and taxes).

Get more details on my Workshop Page.  Email me at justscrapit.ctmh@gmail.com before May 4 to reserve your spot!

Here are just a few of the cards that you will make.  The cutting and patterns are easy -- for beginners and veterans alike.  And there's lots of room to play around and get creative.

Spring is here at last (though Mother Nature has been playing games with us, giving us some more snow and cold weather).  If you're like me, you're craving the sunshine, warm temperatures and bright colours of the season.

We've been cooped up inside long enough, and sometimes, it's hard to feel creative when we're still suffering the winter blahs.  So how do you get your mojo back?

Here are 5 things I try when I'm feeling some creative block:

ONE:  CREATE WITH YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR

Odds are, you have lots of stuff in that colour -- we tend to gravitate to our favourite colours whenever shopping and creating.  This will get your juices flowing and lift your spirits up.

TWO:  CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO USE AN EMBELLISHMENT OR TOOL

We often purchase embellishments just because we like them, or we buy them for a given project but then forget about them.  So go through your embellishment stash and pick out something that speaks to you.  Then create a project around that.

The same can apply to a tool that you have.  Maybe it's dry embossing or heat embossing.  Maybe you want to stitch with your sewing machine.  Maybe there's a stamp set you've been wanting to use.  Start with that tool, pull out papers and photos to go along and start creating.

THREE:  COPY!

Feeling the pressure of creating something original?  Don't.  Pull out a magazine, visit your favourite blog or Pinterest board, or look at something you made before.  Then recreate it.  It's a great way to get started and once you start cutting and gluing, you'll feel your creativity coming back.

FOUR:  USE YOUR SCRAPS

I have a huge box that I keep all my scraps in.  When I want to do a quick project, or just get warmed up for something bigger, I pull out these scraps and start playing.  It's amazing what you can create just by moving some pieces around and layering them in different ways.

FIVE:  CREATE WITH A FRIEND

Good friends bring good conversation and a relaxed atmosphere.  Set aside some time to get together with a crafty friend and create together.  You can share ideas, get ... and give ... advice on a project, and just have a good time.


No matter what you do, setting aside some time to be creative is important.  Forget the laundry for an evening.  Order take out instead of cooking.  Find a babysitter if you have to.  YOU are important and the best way to get your creative mojo back is to "just do it".

I'm lucky.  I really am.  I have a wonderful family.  I have good friends that support me, no matter what.  I have a job that I love and that allows me to be my true, authentic self -- creative and passionate.  It allows me to share and teach and be a resource to others.

Most of what I have in my life is thanks to Close to my Heart.

Last night, we had a Corporate event in Toronto, called Making Connections.  And nothing rings more true to me than that -- I have made so many meaningful connections over the last 10 years, thanks to CTMH.

At this event, I was given an award for Top Personal Sales.





This is a repeat win for me, but I am honoured and grateful, nonetheless.  It's hard getting to the top, but it's just as hard to stay there.  I would not have been able to achieve this level without my amazing friends and wonderful customers.  THANK YOU!

I also got to hang with a bunch of talented and terrific ladies from my team.  You ladies ROCK and I am grateful to have you on my team.


So today, I am counting my blessings.  I am lucky and I know it.  I work hard, too.  But it's easy to work hard when you love what you do.