Friday, July 8, 2016

What Do You Think Of........................

when you think of "scrapbooking"?   Elaborate pages?  Lots of embellishments? A need to be creative or artistic? Takes lots of time? Need to mount every photo you have ever taken?  Overwhelming?  Not sure where to start?

Actually,  scrapbooking can be whatever YOU DECIDE it is to you!  Yes, it can be elaborate pages if that is your style but it can also be very simple pages with just your photos and some journaling.  It can also be a "photo album" style book that contains pages divided into pockets to hold pictures, journaling cards and some simple cards to add some art to the page.  Each of these choices has a different time commitment and style but each will tell your story.  And telling your story is what scrapbooking is about.

Scrapbooking is not mounting every photo you have ever taken.  IT IS about choosing the pictures that best depict the story you want to tell.

Let me show you how to celebrate and preserve the special moments of your life!

This is a sample of a "Picture My Life" (ctmh) scrapbook page.
This is a sample of  a simple scrapbook page.  Just paper, photos and journaling.
And, finally, a more elaborate layout.  

What style are you drawn to?   Share your answer at my facebook page:  My"Creating With Paper" World.

Want to learn more and keep up on the latest products from Close To My Heart?  "Like" my facebook page and stay connected.

Happy Scrappin'

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

DON'T MISS OUT! AVAILABLE ONLY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.............

August 1st brings the unveiling of the new Close to My Heart Annual Expressions catalog.  That means a host of new products are coming but it also means lots of products will be retiring.  Three of the most popular products to be retired are the EXCLUSIVE Close To My Heart cricut cartridges:








All three of these cartridges have become indispensable to me in creating cards, scrapbooking and making a variety of other paper crafts.

So, don't lose out on getting your exclusive cartridges.  Once the current supply is gone they will be gone forever!

Just click on the shop now button at the top right and go to my shopping site.  Then click "shop" and then "Going Soon".

 CHECK BACK OFTEN IN THE COMING MONTH FOR  SOME TEASERS OF WHAT IS COMING IN AUGUST!

Have a Scrappin' good day!

Monday, April 13, 2015

Retirement................................

As of last Friday I am a retired lady ready for a new phase of my life.  I am excited to find what this part of my journey will bring my way.  One of the activities I am planning to pursue more consistently is creating, posting and selling my paper creations.  To that end here is an addition to my Etsy shop.  I created this set of cards over several days and they came together in phases.  I decided to do a "one-sheet-wonder" series of cards using the Close To My Heart paper.  I cut the pieces with particular designs in mind but some of the designs got revamped before the resulting cards were finished.  Once I had the backgrounds completed I decided that each card needed something more so I added the flowers which then led to the flourishes in black.  I really like the look of the black against the lagoon blue and wood-grain paper.  I decided to keep the sentiments simple. As I usually do, the cards are blank so the a personal note can be written by the giver.

So here they are.  I hope you like them.  I would love to know you stopped by, so please take a minute to write a comment. 








https://www.etsy.com/shop/CelebrateMemories?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Finished Bride's book..................................

          On July 13th of last year I posted pictures of a Bride's book I was working on and said I would post the rest of the album when it was done...............Well, two weeks shy of a year and here is the completed album!  
          Somehow it got put on the "back-burner" and I didn't pull it out again until three days ago!  I am, however, pretty happy with the results.  So better late, then never, here is my latest Bride's book.



This is the inside of the front cover.  It is a note card that can be used by the giver or by the bride to put important dates, notes....
The facing page has an accordion folder holding 8 - 2 X 4.5 " tags. Cont. Page 2

Thursday, February 27, 2014

February 27th, 2014

Here is a new video from Close To My Heart that showcases the newest line of papers in the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book.  It offers some beautiful and unique ways to use these quality papers.  ENJOY!




Saturday, February 22, 2014

Karen's "Creating with Paper" World: My Gallery

Karen's "Creating with Paper" World: My Gallery: February 22, 2014 Hello from wintry, wintry southern Minnesota.  I finally got the snow removed from my driveway and deck (so I could get...

Karen's "Creating with Paper" World: Artbooking Made Easy Videos

Karen's "Creating with Paper" World: Artbooking Made Easy Videos: February 22, 2014 Here is another Close To My Heart "Artbooking Made Easy" video:  How To Size Images"   If you ow...

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Monday, February 17, 2014

Karen's "Creating with Paper" World: Stamp of the Month Creations

Karen's "Creating with Paper" World: Stamp of the Month Creations: The February Stamp of the Month is soooooooooooo cute.  It's called "Wild About You" and features adorable little fox i...

Karen's "Creating with Paper" World: My Gallery

Karen's "Creating with Paper" World: My Gallery: February 17th, 2014 Happy President's Day!  It is another snowy, blowy day here in southern Minnesota but there have been reports of r...

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Karen's "Creating with Paper" World: March Card Making and Workshop On The Go workshops...

Karen's "Creating with Paper" World: March Card Making and Workshop On The Go workshops...: Hi my scrappin' friends, It has been a while since I have posted but I'm back and ready to get going with some fun, creative works...

March Card Making and Workshop On The Go workshops scheduled....

Hi my scrappin' friends,

It has been a while since I have posted but I'm back and ready to get going with some fun, creative workshops.  

The paper pack I have chosen to feature in March is "Skylark" .  Here are the six card designs I have created for the workshop. 

From upper left: "Beautiful Memories"; Thank You; Baby Boy; "Non stop fun"; Happy Birthday; and Congrats.

I hope you like the designs and will join me in making your own set of "skylark" cards.

The Card Workshops are scheduled for:

Thursday March 20th 6:00-8:00pm 
or 
Saturday - March 22 10am-12:00pm

Cost: $12.00 - register with a friend and attend for $10.00 each. 

Registration is due by March 6th. 

To register email me at:  karenb2648@gmail.com or phone me at: 507-213-1017

SPACE IS LIMITED so register early.  Your spot will be held once payment is received.

The Skylark Workshops On The Go 
scrapbooking workshop will be held on 
Thursday March 27th from 6-9pm.

*Cost of the kit is $34.60. Registration is due by March 15th.*
Email: karenb2648@gmail.com or phone: 507-213-1017
Again space is LIMITED.  So register early to save your spot.


I hope you will join me in some fun, creative time this March!

Take Care of YOU!
Karen

EARN FREE PRODUCT - HOLD A HOME GATHERING - ASK ME HOW! 


Thursday, August 15, 2013

What's New In Close To My Heart Stamps.................


You'll love Close To My Heart's latest enhancements to stamping. Watch the video to see what the new stamp set happenings including updates to Workshops on the Go® stamps, E-size stamp sets, mini stamps, and exciting "retro" stamps from Jeanette's archive.

Watch the video to learn more...............



AND go here-> karenbells.ctmh.com and check out the stamps in the Fall/Winter 2013 Idea Book. If you have questions my contact information is in the upper left hand corner of the home page for my CTMH site.

Take Care of YOU!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

The Close To My Heart HOSTESS REWARDS program................

has new items that you can earn when you host a gathering.  A gathering can be in-home, a "book party" using the e-invite option or a traditional book party by sharing the new Idea Book with friends and family.  Soooooooooo........watch the video and check out the rewards in the Fall/Winter 2013 Idea Book pages 6-11 to see all the wonderful products you can earn for free or at discounted prices.  To see what you can earn at each party level go to page 6. You can find the Idea Book here-> karenbells.ctmh.com




Don't forget that placing a $50 order during August earns a FREE Stamp of the Month, "A Chocolate Affair" 

Take care of YOU!



Thursday, August 1, 2013

Project Inspirations: Ombré Technique

Chocolate Lover's Delight......August Stamp of the Month.........

and this month you can get it free with a qualifying purchase!  


Sweetening the Deal
August is an especially sweet time to shop—when you place an order of $50 or more during August, you’ll receive the August Stamp of the Month set, A Chocolate Affair (S1308A), FREE! This D-size stamp set with a retail value of $17.95 includes 16 images and sentiments that will have your friends salivating over your chocolatey layouts and cards. Make every project a treat with this must-have set.
*No additional tax will be applied for the free stamp set. Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the stamp set ($17.95). Offer valid August 1-31, 2013.
Dates: Offer valid August 1–31, 2013.
Click here -> Sweetening the Deal to place your qualifying order and receive the August Stamp of the Month "A Chocolate Affair"  FREE!

Don't pass up this sweet deal!

Take Care of YOU!

Karen

Please leave a comment - I would LOVE to know you stopped by~

Friday, July 26, 2013

Fabric Flower..................................

Hi Friends,

I had to share my first handmade fabric flower!  I watched several YouTube videos in the last couple of days to see how others created their handmade flowers and then set about making my own.

Here it is..........................


I'm pretty happy with the results ;-)  

The "lace" I used was a gathered cotton that I cut apart between the scallops.  I then put hot glue along the rough edge of the individual scallop and turned in each side.  I made a bunch of the "petals" and then attached them, with hot glue ( I have the burns too!),  to a 2 inch cardstock circle creating 3 rows of petals.  I then put a large brad in the center and then attached the handmade paper flower to the center.  I sprayed the entire flower with Iridescent Glitter spray.  

Off to make some more .................

Thanks for stopping by.  I would love to know you were here so please leave a comment.

Take Care of YOU!

Thursday, July 25, 2013



It’s a Scrapbooking Pajama Party!


Close To My Heart is teaming up with Big Picture Classes to bring 
you a live webcast about the Cricut® Artbooking collection. Purchase 
the collection beginning August 1, 2013 and revolutionize the way 
you scrapbook!

Tune in for the FREE webcast on Wednesday, July 31 at 7:00 pm 
(MDT) (9:00 pm CDT) at BigPictureClasses.com. During the presentation, you’ll 
learn to make several projects from a variety of sponsors, including 
Close To My Heart’s Artbooking “2 of a Kind” layout. 


If you’d like to interact on the message board, participate in live 
chat, post to the gallery, download handouts, or enter any contests, you 
will need to log in to the Pajama Party “classroom” by creating a FREE 

We hope you enjoy this sneak peek of the new Artbooking collection as Kristine Widtfeldt and the Big Picture Classes crew make the 
featured project and share their tips and tricks. We know you will 
be chomping at the bit to make the Artbooking layout, so take this 
opportunity to sit back, relax, and drool over the items, then be ready to 
spring into action August 1 when you can buy the collection. Then tune 
in to the archived event for step-by-step details on how to make the 
project. 

To make the project, you will need the following items—
or similar products—on hand:


*These products will be available for purchase beginning August 1, 2013.

© 2013 CTMH CO. ALL DESIGNS ARE ORIGINAL.

Saturday, July 20, 2013