Check it out!

This is what my computer looks like when it boots up.

Unfortunately, my Mac has decided to fritz out and I need to take it to the hospital (Apple Store Genius Bar). That means no posts until I get it fixed which I hope is by Feb. 1 when the new Idea Book is released.

Until then…

P.S. – I typed this on someone else’s computer.

Jeanette Lynton – Spotlight on Art: Mix and Match
CTMH CEO Jeanette Lynton shows you how to mix and match patterned papers from different paper packs.

Simple Scrapper – How To Decide Which Photos to Print
Stuck on which photos belong on your layout?  Learn a “work-backwards approach that will help you more quickly decide which photos to print.”

Creating Keepsakes – Create a Mini Album with Calendars
Designer Mou Saha examines the trend of using various calendar products as part of your scrapbooks.

• Here are some CTMH products that would work nicely with this project idea:

• Save the Date stamp set
• Blank Monthly Calendar
• January Stamp of the Month (available until Jan. 31, 2012)

ScrapScene – How to Make Faux Photobooth Strips
If you use Instagram, here’s a tutorial on how to make photobooth strips.  I think these would make cute bookmarks.

Fabulously Artsy – Faux Stitching with the CTMH Paper Piercing Tool
Fellow CTMH consultant Tresa Black shares a simple way to affect stitching on your projects.

Enjoy!

Welcome to Free-for-All Friday!  Free-for-All is your time to ask all your burning questions about scrapbooking, cardmaking, stamping or papercrafting in general.

Do you want to know more about making layouts?  How to use a certain stamp set?  How to step up your cards?  How to use Studio J?  Need inspiration for a project you’re working on?  Ask me anything and I’ll answer it.  If I can’t, then maybe other readers can answer it for you.

If you don’t have a question, but just want to comment, you can do that too!

Do you want to know more about making layouts?  How to use a certain stamp set?  How to step up your cards?  How to use Studio J?  Need inspiration for a project you’re working on?  Ask me anything and I’ll answer it.  If I can’t, then maybe other readers can answer it for you.

If you don’t have a question, but just want to comment, you can do that too!

To get things started, I’ll ask the first question:

What do you think about the new Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge?  Have you used it yet?  Are you thinking about getting it?  Do you like Cricut or another die-cutting machine?  Share your thoughts!

This Friday I’m starting a new thread called “Free-for-All Friday!“  Free-for-All is your time to ask all your burning questions about scrapbooking, cardmaking, stamping or papercrafting in general.

Do you want to know more about making layouts?  How to use a certain stamp set?  How to step up your cards?  How to use Studio J?  Need inspiration for a project you’re working on?  Ask me anything and I’ll answer it.  If I can’t, then maybe other readers can answer it for you.

So think of your questions and get ready for Friday!  I may even do a random drawing from all the commenters.

See you then!

Flag Banners – We can’t seem to get enough of them!

• Cricut Art Philosophy Collection – includes banner shapes on the cartridge and comes bundled with Dimensional Elements Banners chipboard pieces
• Vintage Type stamp set
• Remarkable Wreath stamp set
• Party Pennants stamp set
• My Creations Banner

Monsters

• Party Animal stamp set
• Hooligans Level 2 Assortment

Retro/Vintage (Dress Forms, Cameras, Sewing Machines, etc.)

• Sonoma Paper Packet
• Sweet Moments stamp set (coordinates with shapes on the Cricut cart)
• Childhood Portrait stamp set
• Retro Tech stamp set
• Tailor Made stamp set
• Filigree Charms
• Pin Clips
• Heirloom Assortment

Have you used any of the items listed?  Which ones are your favorites?

Here’s a handy chart that show all of the shapes available on the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.  The download is a PDF file.  Enjoy!

I’m a basic shapes-and-fonts-kind-of-gal so I’m limited to using only a few of the seemingly hundreds of Cricut carts out there.  I own five and I haven’t used them much in a long while.  I’ve been focusing more on stamping and punches because those tools fit my immediate crafting needs.

HOWEVER…with this new CTMH cartridge I am ready to start creating with Cricut again.  This cartridge has so many possibilities with all the shapes, fonts, etc. that I’m going to go out on a limb and say this cart is really all you need.

• 6 3D roll-style flowers
• 8 different boxes
• 9 flat flowers
• 5 banner shapes
• 2 envelope shapes
• 100 basic shapes
• 100 card bases – some have peek-a-boo windows
• 50 labels and 50 tags
• 17 borders
• 8 flourish designs that include layers

There’s so much good stuff on this cart, it’s almost sick.  It’s insane.  It’s awesome.  And because you can pair it with CTMH stamps and they include three sheets of medium and large size Dimensional Elements chipboard pieces with the cartridge bundle…it’s heaven.  I am so very excited about this cartridge.  Can’t you tell?    Stay tuned to the blog where I’ll be posting some of my Cricut “experiments.”

In the meantime, check out this video to see how to incorporate the Art Philosophy shapes into the new Dreamin’ Workshops on the Go kit projects.

P.S. – The Art Philosophy bundle is available August 1, 2011.

A few of you have asked me, “Why should I join a scrapbooking club?  What will I get out of it?”  These are excellent questions and I hope to show you why being in my online papercrafting club will help you budget your scrapbooking spending AND help you get FREE product at the same time.

How the Papercrafting Club Works

A group of people get together and agree to spend a certain amount of money a month for a specified amount of time.  Each month, someone acts as “hostess.”  The hostess rotates each month for the duration of the club.  This hostess is eligible to receive a minimum of $25 in FREE Close To My Heart product when the group order totals $150.  In my club, I have five people who agree to spend $30 a month for 5 months.  Everyone stays in the club for the five-month period so that each member has an opportunity to receive hostess rewards.

Hostess Rewards

During your hostess month, you can ask friends who are not in the club to join in on the order.  Why would you do this?  To increase the amount of the group order total and increase YOUR rewards.  For example, Hostess Hillary spends $30 to meet the club minimum.  The other club members do the same.  The group total is $150 so far.  Hillary is eligible for $25 in free product.  But Hillary has her eye on a few other items in the Idea Book that she would like to get for free.  She asks a few scrapbooking buddies if they would like to order something too.  She sends the secure online ordering link to her friends and they submit their orders.  The group total is now $400.  That means that Hillary is now eligible for $60 in free products AND any 1 item in the Idea Book at 50%.  Hillary goes on a shopping spree and is very scrap-happy!

In my last club period, all of my members received rewards–many of them at the $40 in free product plus 1 item at 50% off level and others at the $60 in free products and 1 item at 50% off level.

When it’s your turn as hostess, I will help you maximize your rewards so that you can get the most product out of your club membership.

Club Benefits

Aside from getting free scrapbooking product, the other benefit to being a club member is that you can budget your spending over time.  Think about it—how much money do you spend on scrapbooking right now?  You probably go to Michael’s, JoAnn’s, A.C. Moore, etc. for a few things (with your coupons) and then you end up spending more than you thought.  Maybe you are spending only $30, but are you getting free stuff in return?

Consider this too—you buy the items from the stores I mentioned and when you get home, do you use your stuff?  Or do you stash it?  I know scrapbookers tend to be hoarders (myself included), but really, shouldn’t we be making layouts and cards from the stuff we buy?  With my club, I give you a club project every month to inspire you to actually MAKE SOMETHING with your stuff.  You get a project sheet AND a video demonstration.  You can’t get that from Michael’s!

Club Options

In addition to my 5 member/$30-a-month option, I’m now offering a custom club option.  If you have a group of friends who are interested in doing a club, I can help you set it up in a way that works best for all club members.  For example, maybe you can’t swing $30 a month.  Times are tough, I understand that.  But maybe you can do $30 every other month.  Your club period will be longer since you’re not doing it every month, but you will be able to save up for when it’s time to do the group order.  Maybe you want to do $15/month for 10 months.  Or $50 for three months.  It’s up to you.  If you want to try the custom club option, please e-mail me and we’ll work it out.  If you’re local to me (DC, MD, VA), I’m happy to set up club meetings where we can work on projects in person.

Sign Up Today!

The next club period starts August 1, 2011 and runs through January 31, 2012.  We take off in December due to the holidays.  If you are interested in joining this group, please e-mail me with your name and address by August 1. At that time, I will send club details, send an Idea Book and assign your hostess month.  The first order is due by August 15.  You’ll receive a link from me for secure online ordering.

If you are interested in a custom club option for you and your friends, please e-mail me as soon as possible so that we can get you set up.  You may not want to start August 1, however, I do want to work with you soon so that we can get your club going.

And if you have any questions in general, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to seeing you in the club!

Read more about the Crop Candy Papercrafting Club