Another Great Expo!

The Santa Clara Expo is now in the books. I had a great time. A few years back when I started my Close To My Heart business, Expo scared me. I stood in the corner of the booth wondering what I should do. At this Expo, I was so excited to see so many people I knew. I was greeting people, talking about projects, laughing with other vendors. At the end of the day, I was tired-- really tired-- but really happy too. I was wonderful to see all my friends and customers. I enjoy my Close To My Heart business. I get to play with paper and ink and visit with so many friends. Expo is just one part of it.

Our booth had three great make and takes over the two days of Expo.

For my make and take, we made a 4 1/4 square card.  I cut the goldrush paper using the new Artbooking cricut cartridge at 4 1/4 inches. The strips of paper under the overlay is the Sarita paper and I used the All In the Details stamp set. The flower accent is an acrylic flower from the Base and Bling Teal Jewels set.  Other items used are outdoor denim and colonial white paper and cotton candy and lagoon inks. This card was really quite easy to put together. The part that took the longest was cutting the overlay. The Cricut takes a few minutes to cut out such intricate cuts. Make sure that you have a sharp blade and turn your speed down to the slowest setting when cutting something like this. 

This gift tag was Mary Wood's  make and take. She used the Cricut Artiste Cartridge to cut out this tag out of the new Frosted paper pack. The stamp set is the Perfect Fit- holidays and the accent is a small flourish.

Jeanette Matthews made a fun treat card for her make and take. This uses the Pro Player paper pack and the stamp set in the ProPlyer Scrapbooking kit. Jeanette added a treat cup with a pull tab to reach those treats without destroying the card.  This is the card opened. 

Such a fun card. I will be trying this with a card soon.

All in all, Expo was a great success. I wish I had the energy to attend the crop last night but I really just needed to go home, see my kids, and go to bed. Today, I am up and ready to play with paper.

Make a Mini Album

I was at Scrapbook U Creates Carmel Retreat over the weekend. It was a great event. Monica and Veronica put on a very nice crop. I spent a couple hours working with croppers on this make and take-- a mini album using just 1 sheet of paper and a little scraps.

This is an easy little album to make and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun doing it.

Start with a 12x12 two sided piece of cardstock.  I used Buzz and Bumble.

Using a paper trimmer, cut off 4x4 squares from each corner.

Cut the 4x4 squares down to 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 squares.

Take a coordinated paper and cut two 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 squares. I used colonial white paper.  Ink the edges of all papers. Decorate one of the colonial white squares as the cover.

I used the stamp set in the Buzz and Bumble Workshop on the Go Scrapbook kit. The small flowers are stamped using sunset ink. The sentiment is in cocoa ink. I used a scrap of sunset paper to make the flower. I stamped in and cut it out, adding a little bling to the center.

Attach all the squares.

Add pictures and a note, fold up the edges, and tie with a string. I used the bakers twine hemp which is currently my favorite string.

That's all there is to it.  I will be doing this make and take again at Scrapbook Expo in Pleasanton this weekend. Come by the Close To My Heart booth and say hello.

Give this project a try and have some fun with paper today!

Workshops, Getaways, and more!

I had a great time meeting people at Scrapbook Expo this weekend.  So many new faces. I can't possibly remember everyone so I hope I took some good notes. If you had a question and I don't get back to you in a few days, I lost the note.  PLEASE, contact me again.

I spoke to a lot of people about workshops. Here is a list of my current workshops, hopefully clarifying what is happening:

This Thursday, August 16 at 7:00, I am holding a card workshop featuring the Avonlea paper pack. I have 4 projects planned. Cost is $10. You must register by August 13. I will have all the supplies ready for you, including the paper cut. If you have a favorite adhesive, bring it along. I will have some CTMH adhesive available if you aren't married to yours. This class is at my home in Fremont.

On Sunday, August 19 at noon, the Avonlea card workshop will be repeated in Oakland. Register by August 16.

If you are wondering how to use the Cricut machine or wondering which cartridge (Art Philosophy or Artiste) you should buy, then my class on Thursday August 23 is for you. At 7:00, we will get together for a FREE hands on workshop with the cricut machine. I will have two machines running, one with Art Philosophy and one with Artiste. We will make a couple projects and then you will have a chance to just play with the machines. I will only take 6 for this class, so sign up early. (Fremont location)

Want a day time workshop? I had several requests today for a day time workshop. In the past I haven't had a lot of luck getting people to show up for a workshop during the day. But because of the requests, I thought I'd try it out for a few months. Thursday, September 13 from 10-noon, I will host a card workshop featuring the Flirty paper. We will work on 4-5 projects. The cost is $10. Please register by September 10. Without 3 people signed up, I will cancel. (Fremont location)

That evening, I will repeat the workshop at 7:00 for those who can't make it in the morning. 

Next, we need to get ready for the Holidays! I am teaming up with a couple of other consultants for a huge event. We are putting together a Holiday Extravaganza. At this all day event on October 20, you will make at least a dozen projects-- cards, tags, and gifts-- for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. All supplies except adhesive are provided. Plus-- we  serve you lunch! This will be held in Sunnyvale off of the Lawrence Expressway near 101. This is a project making day only, not a shopping opportunity. This location does not allow us to exchange money on site. So, if you want to do more of a project and need materials, you can order after the event. Or you can order beforehand and I can deliver it there. Because of the size of this event, I need you to register with payment by September 22.

To sign up for any of these workshops, please email me at cathryno@gmail.com.

Don't forget that you can host your own workshop. I'll be happy to come to you with supplies for you and your friends to make cards or scrapbook pages. I love holding workshops for people. I love to watch everyone have fun with their craft.

Several of you asked about getaways. Scrapbook U puts on a great getaway. Check out their website at http://www.scrapbooku.com/. I am looking forward to the November crop which I will be attending with a few friends. It is a great crop for those who don't want things too loud. Perfect to laugh with friends while doing your crafting.

Scraptacular (http://scraptaculargetaways.com//) is a getaway company with  bigger crops, a lot of games, and a lot of vendors. I attended this one in May and had a great time.

I recommend both companies. It all depends on what you are looking for and what weekend works with your schedule. I did meet with another woman who runs a getaway company in Northern California. I seem to have misplaced her info. But as soon as I can check her out I will pass along the info and let you know what I think. I love going to crops -- working on my pages and talking with people.

Are you planning your own event? Why not invite a massage therapist? Kristie at Clients Kneaded (www.clientskneaded.com) has a wonderful set of hands ready to give your shoulders a massage. I've spoken with her (and had massages from her) at the last 2 Scrapbook Expos and would recommend her for your next event.

Well, the excitement of Scrapbook Expo is over until March. Now, we need to keep up that excitement by using the products we purchased and trying out all the new techniques we learned. I'd love to help. Let's get together and play with paper.

Getting Ready for Expo

The Scrapbook Expo in Pleasanton is this Friday and Saturday, and  I will be in the Close To My Heart booth. I have been spending the last few days getting ready. The Cricut is running full steam. I just love the Art Philosophy Cartridge for the Cricut. I use it constantly. Practically every project. Really, every paper crafter should have a Cricut and the Art Philosophy Cartridge.

It is just amazing!  My make and take for the Expo uses 2 cuts with this cartridge.

I used the Pemberley paper cut with CTMH's Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge as well Colonial White card stock. The Card Word Puzzle stamp is used for the stem in olive ink and the "for you" in outdoor denim. I sponged the edges of the card with outdoor denim also. The flower is from the Paradise Paper Flower pack. 

I will be running the Make and Take table twice on Friday. Other times I will working the register or talking with people. Please be sure to come by and say hello while you are in the Expo. I would love to see some friends.

We are not charging for our Make and Takes, just asking for a donation to Operation Smile. Such a wonderful charity-- helping kids with facial deformities all over the world.

I am very proud to support this organization. Thinking about babies who can't nurse because of a cleft lip upsets me. But in a small way, I am helping these little ones.  If you would like to make a donation, go to https://cathryn.myctmh.com/Retail/RetailLanding.aspx?PageId=184. There is a spot on the left hand side for Operation Smile.

Back to the Expo-- I will be ready Friday morning for a fun filled two days of scrapbooking products.  Hope to see some of you there!