Picture My Life(TM) - Not Just For Scrapbooking!

OK, by now you MUST have seen, or at least heard of, Close To My Heart's Brand New Scrapbooking Program called "Picture My Life™". This system allows you to put an entire album together in a flash with only your 4" x 6" and 3" x 4" photos, a journaling pen, and a corner rounder (optional). Every "Picture My Life" kit comes with 122 double-sided cards in 3" x 4" and 4" x 6" horizontal & vertical designs, 10 Memory Protectors™ in mixed designs, and a 12" x 12" cover page to bring it all together. The programs, of which there are eight different themes/designs, are designed to pair with approximately 100 photos, but you are free to use as few or as many as you like! This is truly a fun & FAST way to scrapbook your photos.

But what about us card-makers out there? Isn't there something we can do with the "Picture My Life" kits? You bet! In fact, I can't remember having as much fun making cards as I did when I made ones using "Picture My Life" cards. I made so many the first night that I decided to show them to you in two parts. I will show you the first three cards I created using the "Picture My Life" Program this week, and next week I will show you three more. OK - let's get started!

First, I will show you the "Picture My Life" card that I started with. I used all 3" x 4" cards. The "Picture My Life" Program that I have is "Skylark" (just so you know):

My first thought when I saw this card was, "What a perfect place for a sentiment!" So I took out my "Country-Born" and "Distressed Backgrounds" stamp sets, my "Ariana" paper pack (I noticed that the colors in this paper pack matched/coordinated really nicely with the Skylark PML cards), and my Honey, Sweet Leaf, and Whisper Exclusive Inks Markers, and made this:

All of the cards I created are 4.25" x 5.5". See how perfectly the "Picture My Life" card fits right into the finished card? Oh, we're just starting to have fun! The next card I picked out was this one:

Again, I'm thinking perfect spot for a sentiment! This time I pull out my "Lollydoodle" paper pack, my "Word Balloons" stamp set (from the Cricut "Artiste" Collection), and my Juniper Sparkle & Shine Washi Tape (no longer available) to create this monochromatic masterpiece:

Look at how beautifully those colors blend together! You'd think they were made for each other. How fun! The third card I chose was this one:

I saw this card and thought the empty space in the upper left would make the perfect home for an embellishment - or focal point. I decided to create an accordion flower with paper from the "Ariana" paper pack, and give it a flashy center from the Rosewood Mini-Medley Accents Collection. I used another pattern from "Ariana" behind the card, as well as some Teal Shimmer Trim:

Nice, right? As a final touch of bling, I outlines the "Picture My Life" card with Stickles.

Well, that's it for now. But come back next week when I'll show you three more ways you can use these awesome "Picture My Life" cards in your cards!

NEW Spring-Summer 2014 Idea Book!

I had a lot of fun last month at my friend Julie’s crop (thank you, Julie!). I was able to break out my BRAND NEW products from the Close To My Heart Spring-Summer 2014 Idea Book! My two FAVORITE new paper packs are “Ariana” and “Lollydoodle”. I also really liked the look of the “Ariana Complements” and the “Ariana Assortment”, so I got those as well. I had fun creating! Here are the three cards that I completed at the crop:

This card uses the “Wishes Card Confidence Program”. It is the “Long Layers” pattern (6” x 3”) pictured on page 81 of the book. I used the “Ariana” paper packet and Compliments, as well as Slate Polka-Dot Washi Tape. With the Washi Tape, I adhered a length of it to a strip of white cardstock, then pleated it and adhered it to another strip of white cardstock for stability. I then layered it behind the “Smile” chipboard Compliment. I just love what it adds to the overall look!

This next card also uses the “Ariana” paper pack (love these patterns!) along with the “Ariana Assortment” (adorable self-adhesive bows!), Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape, Smoothie Striped Washi Tape, and the “For a Friend” stamp set. The pattern comes from “Make it From Your Heart – Volume 1”, page 44, Pattern 23. Again, with the Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape, I adhered a piece to white cardstock, then cut the piece in half and dove-tailed the ends to create two pieces of faux ribbon. I love this card because I was able to showcase every one of the paper pack’s six different patterns.

For this last card, I used the “Lollydoodle” paper pack, White Daisy Die-Cut Cards, “Art Philosophy” Cricut Cartridge, “Framework Alphabet” stamp set, Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape, Teal Shimmer Trim, Scallop Border Punch, Sweet Leaf Exclusive Inks marker, and Sparkles – Black & Grey Assortment. This pattern also comes from “Make it From Your Heart – Volume 1”, page 47, Pattern 29. After cutting the white cardstock shape from the “Art Philosophy” cartridge, I stamped my sentiment, colored it with my Sweet Leaf marker, then used a piercing tool to make holes all around the edge of the shape. I did this to create more interest and texture. I could have just as easily inked the edges, or distressed them with a distressing tool or the edge of my scissors. I then attached the piece to my card with 3D Foam Tape. I used the Border Punch to create a fun scallop with the Teal Shimmer Trim. Admittedly, this was a little difficult, as the adhesive from the back of the Shimmer Trim, even unexposed, kept causing the piece to stick to the punch. But I was able to, very carefully, get this piece to use on my card. It added exactly what I needed for the card to be “finished”.

I really hope that you take some time to look over the NEW Spring-Summer 2014 Idea Book. In addition to “Ariana” and “Lollydoodle”, there are five additional NEW “My Reflections” sets to choose from – “Skylark”, “Ivy Lane”, “Balloon Ride”, “Jubilee”, and “Timberline” – all of which are fun and versitile! And don’t miss the introduction of the NEW “Picture My Life” Scrapbooking Program. You will LOVE this for your quick, easy, no muss-no fuss scrapbooking, but also for incredibly gorgeous card-making! Oh yeah! Tune in next week when I post the first of two sets of cards created using 3” x 4” cards from the “Skylark Picture My Life” program. You are going to love it!

More Jewelry Options from Close To My Heart!

I'm so excited that February is finally here! I have had my new products from the brand new Spring-Summer 2014 Idea Book for several weeks, just itching to share them with you! For this blog post, I will focus on my new favorite products - new additions to the Base & Bling line: Pendants, Chain, Charms, Glass Covers, and Style Sheets. The chain, pendants (both round and square) and charms come in both faux antiqued silver and faux antiqued gold. There are currently 5 different themes of charms available, and four different style sheets. Here is what I got for myself:

I just loved the colors and patterns of the "Dreamer Style Sheet". I also chose to work with the "Square Pendants" in the silver color and the "Rhinestone" charms. Here's how to use these cool products to create a fun necklace. Start by getting out your materials:

Next you will choose one of the fun squares from the Style Sheet to place on the inside of your pendant. I used this colorful chevron pattern, and also used the tip of my bone folder to make sure the square was securely and evenly fastened to the pendant (the Style Sheet images are self-adhesive):

Ooo, it's cool already! But there's one more thing to add - a glass cover! To adhere that to the pendant, I used the clear choice - Liquid Glass. Use enough to cover the square when spread around with the tip of the bottle (the first one that I did, I just filled the square with Liquid Glass - it was WAY too much!!!):

Then gently place the Glass Cover on top and tap it down until the Liquid Glass spreads evenly underneath (you will be able to see where there are bubbles that need pressing out):

That's it! Now just wait for this to dry, slip it onto your chain with your charm(s), and wear proudly!

These are so easy and fun to make. And each package of pendants comes with three for only $4.95 (U.S.). You only need one chain, because you can change the pendants in and out on the same one. What surprised me was how thick the Glass Covers are! Check out the profile:

I immediately made the other two pendants in the package:

Then I decided to experiment with other things for my second package of three. I used a postage stamp from last Christmas (how cute!), and two photos from our latest cruise:

After they dried, and for the first couple of days, these looked fantastic. But when I went to take a picture of the three of them (several days to a week after I made them), I noticed that the two I had put photos into were covered with bubbles beneath the glass. I can only conclude that this had something to do with a reaction the Liquid Glass had with either the photo paper or the ink that I used to print the pictures (they were printed by me at home). I also considered that I had not let the photos themselves dry long enough before using them. I am curious to know if I would have the same result with photos that were commercially processed...but I have used up all of the pendants that I had, so I will have to wait to test that one!

This was so fun! Next week I will be showing you three cards I created using two of the newest paper packs! I can't wait to show you!