Sew Fun!

Stitching is one of my favourite "embellishments" for a scrapbook page. (Is it really an embellishment? A technique? Mixed media?) I'm so glad Studio J has so many stitching options! What's even better is how easy it is to add stitches to your Studio J layout--much easier and faster than doing it by hand.

Take a look at the stitching on my Air Zone layout. If I'd made this page the traditional way, there is no way I would have spent hours stitching a mesh look over the cardstock blocks. But in Studio J, I just clicked on the stitch, dragged it and placed it. A perfect accent to the page!

Not a Studio scrapper but love the look of stitches on your page? There's a CTMH stamp set just for you! Stitched Together lets you add a variety of stitches to cards, scrapbook pages and crafts without the work of piercing holes and threading needles.


Want some more stitching inspiration? Head over to Heart 2 Heart Challenges. The challenge this week is Nip and Tuck--adding sewing to your creations.

Still Dreaming....

There's still time! The Dream Pop promotion is on until May 31st. You still have time to get your order in for these fabulous papers.

The Dream Pop paper packet comes with 24 sheets of double-sided papers and cardstock in trendy, vibrant colours. The cardstock has embossed designs in fun patterns.

Pair these papers and cardstocks with black or dark blue for dramatic effect, or tone down the bright colours with neutrals. Versatile and beautiful, Dream Pop is a breath of fresh air for scrapbookers and cardmakers.

To take advantage of this offer, simply place a minimum order of $35 and add the Dream Pop paper packet for only $10! (That's 41 cents per sheet!)

To make it easy, I've created a Dream Pop Gathering on my website. Just click to join the Gathering and place your order online! All online orders are delivered directly to you!

Make your Dream Pop come true! Order today!

Reflections

You know how much I love a good sketch. I finally gifted myself a copy of Reflections, one of CTMH's How To books. I know many of the designs in the Idea Book and Workshop on the Go kits continue to be based on the patterns in this book. It was a must-have for my tool kit.

I thought it was just going to be a collection of sketches.

I was delighted to find Reflections is much more! It's a mix and match system allowing you to create hundreds, if not thousands, of layouts based on simple designs and variations.

Here's the basics of how it works:

• select a sketch for the left hand side of your layout;
• rotate or mirror the sketch for the right hand side; or
• choose another layout for the right hand side; or
• select one of the suggested right hand side layouts from the list provided.

CTMH has made it easy to "put the puzzle pieces together" to create beautiful pages with solid design.

This is the first layout I've created based on Reflections sketches.

I began with the sketch on pg. 16: Title Topper: Pieced Together. Instead of the paper rectangles along the top, I created a banner. To create the right side, I used one of the recommended complimentary sketches: Side Bar--Main Frame. Reflections provides three variations on this sketch. I used the Master Pattern, but altered it to accommodate a 4" x 6" and a 4" square photo in on the bottom row.

Add a few embellishments and stamping and in no time at all (less than an hour!) I had put together a great layout highlighting a special tradition.

I'm really looking forward to more scrapping with Reflections!

Let's Celebrate May!

There are so many reasons to celebrate in May: spring has arrived (finally!), the flowers are blooming, there's a long weekend coming (God Save the Queen!) and there's an amazing Stamp of the Month!!

The May Stamp of the Month, Pinwheel, has fun images and sentiments to make your scrapbook pages and cards as special as the occasion. Summer BBQs, days at the beach, parades, Victoria Day--dress up all your celebration pages with these cute pinwheels.

Layer them, pop them up, mix and match--there's so much you can do with this stamp set.

Go to my Facebook page (Susana Gomes, Close To My Heart Indpendent Consultant--and like it while you're there!) for cards and pages using the May Stamp of the Month. For even more inspiration, follow my Close To My Heart board on Pinterest.

Remember, the May Stamp of the Month is only available until May 31st, and it can be yours for only $5 with a $50 purchase! That's 72% off the regular retail price!

Join one of my Gatherings in May, or host your own!

Happy Scrapping!

An Oldie but a Goodie

For National Scrapbooking Month 2013, Heart 2 Heart Challenges is asking what our favourite layouts are. It can be really hard to choose sometimes, but the one I find I keep going back to is this one:

Maybe it's my son's glorious smile and the pure bliss of his expression that's so appealing. But I also like the papers and the little details I added, like the stitching and brads.

This layout is over a year old now, but it will remain one of my favourites for years to come, I'm sure.

Circle Journal: Jen

Glitter, Bling and Pretty Things is the theme of Jen's Circle Journal. That presented quite a challenge for me. I'm not a glittery kind of gal. I have been trying to make my pages and cards more sparkly since I started with CTMH--there are just so many great shiny products--but with a house full of boys, glitter, bling and pretty things don't make it onto too many of my pages.

Thankfully, I found lots of inspiration online! I based Jen's layout on one I'd seen on Pinterest, by Nickie Hoffer.

I love the neutral black and white colour scheme with a pop of Cranberry. Black, cream and red has long been my favourite colour scheme.

Instead of the For Always patterned paper (which I don't have yet), I used black and white papers from My Mind's Eye I already had in my stash. The CTMH stamps used were BohemianAlphabet, Sweet Moments, the March 2012 Stamp of the Month, Florentine Workshops on the Go stamp set, and the Whoo's Your Valentine stamp set.

Did you notice the two-tone ink on the title? To achieve this look, simply ink stamp with the lighter colour first, top or bottom, and ink the darker colour second. Keep a straight line by inking on the edge of the stamp pad. The technique is simple and the effect is stunning!

To fit in with Jen's theme, I used CTMH silver Glitter paper to mat the large photo and add a stripe under the lace stamping. An alternative product that would work just as well for the stripe is Shimmer Trim. Available in black and silver, Shimmer Trim is 3/8" wide and backed with adhesive.

Additional sparkle was added around the page and to the large medallion with various adhesive bling: Sparkles Clear Assortment, Sparkles Pink, Red and Purple Assortment, and Pink Glitter Gems.

Glitter paper, bling gems and pretty stamps bring Jen's theme to life! If you'd like any of these glittery, sparkly, beautiful products for yourself, just check out my online store or pop me an email.

Happy Scrapping!