Christmas Planner - Quick and simple gift

The planner is made using a manila folder. You cut it down to 8inch tall and then score the pockets. Cover with patterned paper and your done!

I found this Youtube tutorial which explains how to do it. Check it out!




I used the printable planner pages from this site -

I've been thinking though that this basic idea could be adapted to be used for a wedding planner, a baby shower planner or family reunion planner. Basically anything you could be planning.

Make sure you use a really good adhesive so it stays together!

Pumpkin Dip - Quick Easy and delicious!

This is my favorite recipe for when visiting friends and you need something quick to take at this time of year. It tastes even better if you make ahead so it has plenty of time to chill - serve with the best ginger cookies you can find (Try World Market they have the best!)

You Will Need:

-1 can of pumpkin 15oz (Not the mix…you want to add your own spices)

-2 packages (8oz. each) of Cream Cheese (Room Temp. makes it easier to mix)

-1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

-1/2 tsp. Nutmeg

-1 1/2 cups of Powdered Sugar


Directions:

Combine all of your ingredients in a large mixing bowl. I used a whisk by hand, but unless you’re looking to sweat, use your mixer with a wire whisk attachment. Beat all ingredients until smooth, place into a serving bowl.

November SOM Ideas

This months Stamp of the Month with Close to My Heart is a very cool Snowman set














I've been teaching this snowman card in my classes which is using paper pieced items stamped on patterned paper and cut out. Everyone has loved him!















I came across this treat bag on the CTMH website which won second place in the consultant competition for October today. How cute is that! I think I'll be making some of these for gifts. The consultant who made it is Lisa Burdick, Appleton, WI. Great job Lisa.



Here's the supply list

Happy Holidays Cocoa Gift Bag

D1308 My Acrylix® All Decked Out
D1307 My Acrylix® Annotations
X7103B Aspen Level 2 Paper Packet
1292 Crystal Blue Cardstock
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
X5754 Crème Brulee Cardstock
Z2114 Cocoa Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2105 Black Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2167 Crème Brulee Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z900 Clear Watermark/Embossing Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z888 StazOn® Ink Pad
Z1124 Designer Ribbon Rounds™ Heavenly Blue Collection
Z673 White Daisy Embossing Powder
4110 Clear Memory Protectors®
Z578 Corner Rounder
Marshmallows
Cocoa Packet

Dazzling Die Cuts - Layout

As promised a scrapbook layout using the Dazzling Die Cuts. These pictures were taken at a dance festival last spring on a really cold day. When your dressed to dance a cold front blowing through isn't the best thing that can happen.

The stars were inked in petal then the pink die cut was adhered over the top before coating in liquid glue and prisma glitter. Notice I have three stars on the layout making the layout flow and draw the eye through the page.

Have you tried liquid glass??? Its the best adhesive out there for 3d elements but it does so much more. I've used to glue items to display board for the kids school projects, fixed glasses and even a call phone. But for our crafting it makes a glossy finish if you cover stickers with it. Great for doing a stain glass effect and for prisma glitter I love it. The other great thing about it is that its Cheap!

Both of the layout designs come from the scrapbook design book Reflections which features 100 12" x 12" scrapbook pages. Each layout pattern comes complete with a shaded blueprint, detailed assembly instructions, companion layout guides, photo options, and creative techniques - Check it out on my website!

Dazzling Die Cuts

Have you see the CTMH Dazzling Cuts which are the special for this month. They are really cool. You get 12 sheets of pre-cut die cuts plus a sheet of dimensional elements (chipboard shapes). Whats really great about the die cuts is that they are designed to go with the CTMH dimensional elements. This makes them really easy to add without any messing around with the filing tools. With a $50 purchase you choose one or more the sets at $6 each. Each set is a different family of colors. I especially like the basic set which is full of the browns which go with everything.

I decided to play with them to show how you could make a simple card with them. The heart is from the dazzling die cut set and the & is from the dimensional elements alphabet but covered with a dazzling die cut. I then added the rub-ons to finish it off. Done in minutes.

If you want more details about the special check my story page on my website at www.ronnie.myctmh.com - while your there you could even place your order to make sure you don't miss out. Remember their while supplies last.

I want to make a scrapbook page using the dazzling die-cuts so I'm off to play - watch out for a further post when I'm done.

Great News from CTMH

Tonight I received an email from CTMH updating their policy on my use of a blog. They have changed it to the better for me and you. Blogs may now be used for posting artwork and recipes, as well as listing and promoting upcoming events. This is great and means you should be expecting to see more postings on here as I can share more of what I'm doing via my blog - how cool is that. I'm so excited. I'm even allowed to link my blog from my website. I'm even allowed to mention the specials that CTMH are offering! They are also going to provide us with pictures we can use.

So come back often!

Mini Memories

Mini album are all the rage at the moment so I thought I add a class to my normal schedule to make these really cute ones. The original idea comes from Teresa Black - thanks Teresa for sharing a great idea. Each page has its own little pocket to add journaling or even more pictures. They make great gifts for the special people in your life and they aren't expensive to make.

The class sign-ups are complete but if you'd like to host a workshop with friends to make these little books using any of the CTMH level 2 paper packets please free to contact me and we can set a date.