This weeks blog challenge was to post a Halloween card! How fun is that? So I am going to post two pictures (actually 3) of the cards I have made this week. The first one is a darling circle card we made at my friend Shelley's Gathering the other night! It was so fun! Is that just the cutest little ghost you have ever seen?

You can tell I like him because I used him on both cards :~)

 I would love to give credit to the creative lady I got this next card idea from but I cannot remember which blog I found it on! Shame on me!

If this is your design?  Thank you for the cute idea.

Have fun making your own Halloween cards -

Trick - or - Treat!!!!


Thanks for stopping by ~

Organized for Christmas???

This is something that is not only near and dear to me but also desperately needed by me!!! I know I seem to have it all together, organized and so prepared everyday - oh heck who am I kidding - you all know me well enough by now that if I were to be completely organized, you would think I were kidnapped and replaced by an alien!!! ;~D  ~ So this class is for me too!

 We will be making a Holiday Organizer, an Event Calendar and a few stocking stuffers. Just to give us a little head start on the fun stuff.
Here is a picture to give you an idea of what they look like. Now keep in mind the stocking stuffers, stamps and papers may change a bit, we don't want to be exactly alike do we??

Each attendee will receive a CTMH Event Calendar; the template, instructions and where to find additional inserts for the organizer; and at least two adorable stocking stuffers. The organizers are easy to make so I'm sure you will want to make more for gifts.


As you know my space is limited so please sign up early -
October 13, 2012
1:00pm - 4:00pm
$25 per person
Please rsvp by 10/5/12 to reserve your space at the table I also want to make sure I have enough event calendars purchased -

Thanks for stopping by ~

Adding Color to Your Crafts

Pretty, but kind of plain ~

Oh my - I have been having a blast with my gold leaf! It is just as fun and just as messy as all that glitter that I love too! :~}

Here is a little pumpkin that I decorated with gold leaf. I like that it looks old and a little tattered - fits me. I used my CTMH Artiste cartridge and added some pumpkin leaves. I crumpled them up and added some gold leaf to them too. It just added so much to the pumpkin!

I put it on the table and decided it needed more!

Much better with the Fall colors

More gold leaf???

Noooo - just more!

So I got in my closet, found my fall leaves and berries, set the pumpkin on top and voila! I like it so much better.

I hope you like it ~



Thanks for stopping by ~

Stamp of the Month - September

Welcome to our monthly Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! On the 15th of each month we will be showcasing the current SOTM set with various projects created by talented Close to my Heart consultants. If you are visiting from Pam Stewart's then you are on the right track, if not please start at the beginning with her!
For all you fall lovers out there the "Fall Favorites" (S1209) will surly catch your eye!  This stamp set will turn out to be one of your favorites, especially after you see all the wonderful artwork done on this blog hop.
This is my creation! While I was in the studio gold leafing a pumpkin for my fall table I remembered a fun technique taught by Jill at Stamp Paradise (now closed, so sad). The cute little pumpkins in this stamp set worked out great for this technique.

S1209 - Fall Favorites - September Stamp of the Month

First I stamped the pumpkins with our brown staz-on ink on a piece of acetate and let it dry. Then I turned it over and painted the back of the pumpkins, stems and leaves only with the Bonding Memories glue pen. I let it get a little tacky then applied the gold leaf. I used bits and pieces of the gold leaf and had some with different colors so I used some of the green colored leafing for the stem and leaves - I hope it shows okay in the picture. I backed it with some 'quilted' honey card stock and framed it with one of the fun cards on Art Philosophy!
The little 3x3 card is made using the same pumpkins and our fun new alcohol pens.

Thanks for stopping by - Now if the goblins of cyber space have gotten you lost along away here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this month’s blog hop!   Hmmmm I guess I was the only one to participate in this hop!
So thanks for stopping by -

Here it is on my wall

I was so inspired by several fellow consultant's Christmas wreaths that I just had to make a fall wreath - I used CTMH Artiste and Art Philosophy cartrtidges some folded pinwheels along with a shiny ribbon to hang it. This was really fun to make - I hope this will inspire you to make your own wreath.

ps. . . I'm sure you will all be more careful with your hot glue than I was - ouch!!!

And here it is on my door

Thanks for stopping by ~

Blog Challenge - Make it From Your Heart Volume 1

Our challenge this week was to take a card design from the Make it From Your Heart - Volume 1.  Close to My Heart's newest how-to publication. It is small and easy to carry with you, and packed full of beautiful designs for scrapbook pages and cards.

My two designs are Pattern #19 on page 42.


The FALL card is made with the Stella (X7147B) paper pack, the Burlap Ribbon (Z1760), Cocoa and Colonial White card stock and Glamour Lowercase (D1522).

The NOEL card is made with the Pear & Partridge (X7162B) paper pack, the Silver Shimmer Trim (Z1799), Olive, Cranberry and Colonial White card stock. (the font is from a discontinued set - but worked well with this card)


Thanks for stopping by ~

INSOMNIA! Sometimes it's a good thing!

This is what happens when I can't sleep at night!!! I go on line, watch u-tube videos and get some great ideas - then it's time to hit the studio and create - create - create!!! I watched an amazing paper artist (Angie) create the cute little mummy candy holder and the envelope candy holder.  So I just had to try them - Thanks Angie -

The mummy is just torn bamboo card stock. I put mine only on the front, but you could go all the way around - Colonial white cardstock with Desert Sand sponged on the edges would be really cute too. I like the red bling on the mummy eyes - makes them really scarey!!!

While I was putting the mummy together I thought the top of the pillow box looked like owl ears - so, nothing better to do - I made an owl candy holder.Both pillow boxes were cut at 3 1/2" from the Art Philosophy cartridge. I cut the owl feathers and face from some discontinued polka dot paper with the Artiste Cartridge at 3 1/2" (with real dial size off) since I wanted it to fit my 3 1/2" box :~) . I also gave the owl some of the amber bling in his eyes. I think it just makes him look wiser!

The coffin was cut at 3 1/2" also from the Artiste Cartridge, and the skull was cut at 1" (with the real dial size on) and just popped it up with a foam dot!

What can you fit into these cute little candy holders? Tootsie rolls, small packs of M&M's, Peanut Butter cups, the possibilities are endless.

I hope these will give you some inspiration to make some really cute candy holders for your special 'Trick-or-Treaters.

Thanks for stopping by  -

Now to get creative and get my items ready for the next Workshop on The Go Blog Hop and the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! Coming soon! Watch for it!!!

Scrapbooking on the Move - NEW CLUB!

Have you always wanted to scrap book your photos but didn't know where to start? Let me show you how!!! Coming soon to Becky's Studio - 'Scrap Booking on the Move!!'

Because I know you are all busy people and don't have time to sit - for long! And yet - you need time for your self. And we all want to finish an album -

This club is only a two hour commitment - once a month! And at the end you will have a lovely completed album! It's that easy!

Make a two hour a month - 10 month commitment
Each month you will make a two page layout -
Each month you will receive tickets for a drawing that will be held at the end of your 10 months (see details below)
At the end of the ten months one lucky member will win a 'FREE' album.
AND
the rest of the club members will be able to buy an album for HALF PRICE!!

What a great deal!

This is how you will get tickets for the drawing:

Committing to the Club - and being the hostess one month - 5 tickets
Come to the monthly club - 1 ticket
Complete the two page layout - 1 ticket for each page
Bring your pictures for the layout - 1 ticket
Actually adding your pictures to your page - 1 ticket for each page

Finishing an album - Priceless

If you are interested in the club please let me know -

Thanks for stopping by ~

Workshop On The Go Blog Hop

Welcome to our first Workshop on the go blog hop!  Each month on the 20th a group of talentedClose to my Heart consultants will be featuring projects made showcasing any of the 13 current WOTG kits!

If you are visiting from Melissa Kosena - www.scrappingplace.blogspot.com then you are on the right track, if not please start at the beginning with our hostess Pam! http://i-candy-scraps.blogspot.com.
This is my creation! Pear & Partridge two page layout - I put my own touch on the WOTG layout - I hope you like it!

 
Now if the goblins of cyberspace have gotten you lost along away here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this month’s blog hop!

1. Pam Stewart - http://i-candy-scraps.blogspot.com -
2. Shirley Ross - http://www.momnmescrap.blogspot.com/
3. Joanne Barnes - http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com
4. Shalana Glass - http://scrappinwithshalana.blogspot.com/
5. Melissa Kosena - www.scrappingplace.blogspot.com 
6. Becky McClain - www.beckysstudio-cards.blogspot.com

While Supplies Last!!!

Are you wishing you had some Close To My Heart items that have been discontinued? And everyone likes a good deal - so be sure to check out the "While Supplies Last" section under the "SHOP" tab on my website - you may just find something you can't live without!  http://beckymcclain.ctmh.com/Retail/Products.aspx?CatalogID=1702

Kris's Gathering

"'Lets Hang Out!"

My sister Kris had a wonderful gathering the other night. She wanted something special to make - from the Artiste cartridge!

Isn't this fun? We made the darling little bag (on the Artiste cartridge), wrapped it with a belly-band with the adorable bow (also on Artiste), added a fun little stamped image from My Acrylix Pun Fun. And yes! the pink tissue paper is holding chocolate!!

The Artiste Cricut cartridge is so  amazing! Just perfect for those of us who like paper crafts, stamping, scrapping and well paper crafting of any type!

So much fun! Thank you Kris and thank you to all who attended -

Becky's Studio - Additional Make-Overs!!

Hmmm maybe some day I will have matching chairs! :~)

As you know craft rooms are always a work in progress! After our meeting the other night my friend Tina helped me attach my new table top - thank you Tina! And now I have two wonderful tables with nice smooth tops ready for some stamping and scrapping.

On the back walls I have new shelves - just perfect for showcasing new product and hand made items!

2nd Monday Card Club

We had such a good time making cards this past Monday - We have some openings if you would like to join us! 6pm on the 2nd Monday of the month -

Oh My Gosh! Convention was so fun - and the tips and techniques we learned were fun and I can hardly wait to share them - The big thing is - YES we do have a new cricut cartridge and it is even more amazing than the first!!! Pretty hard to imagine isn't it?

Artiste has more than 700 images on it and an instruction booklet on how to put the items together! Pretty cool, right? And the new stamps that coordinate with it? Well the carrier sheets tell you which page in the book you can find the coordinating  image! I know, very cool!

Since I was one of the lucky ones to 'WIN' one of the Artiste cartridges during our first general session, I just have to show you a sneak preview of just one of the sweet little 3D items them have! Okay two of them - the box with windowed lid, and, the sweet little bow! OOOPs how's that to give you a sneak peak at one of the new paper packs too??? Yes the big box is made with Pears and Partridge!

2nd Monday Card Club Cards

We had a fun time at card club last night - trying new techiniques making some cute cards and watching the storm clouds move in -

And now for convention - Dallas here we come! See you all when I get back -

Thanks for stopping by -

Becky's Studio - Redecorated!





This is the view from my work table!
A little rainy today but makes it better to work inside!

 As I previously promised here are pictures of my new and improved studio. There is not too much you can do with a small room except to make it look bigger and work more efficient, so that is what I tried to do!

I love the new color and my new work and cutting stations are really working out really well.

And the gathering table is so much more accessible!

Now I just wish I had taken before and after pix - it might have made a really good scrapbook page!  Go figure! :~) Oh well! Next time!!

Thanks for stopping by!

The cutting station and my work table - yep this is a good day! :~)

This is the customer creating table - ready for the next group!

Well this has been the week from "busy"!!! After 4 or has it been 5 years (?) I'm old (LOL) and I don't remember??? Anyway, I decided it was time to redecorate 'Becky's Studio' - Close To My Heart style! WOW what a change - I have gone from Desert Sand with White Daisy trim to a brighter Buttercup yellow with White Daisy trim! I know the trim color is the same but now it is a brighter White Daisy and the Buttercup yellow looks like sunshine on the wall! Now what to do with the floor? Do I want to paint it again? Put down tile? Wood floors? Make the painted floor look like tile? I just can't decide? When I finally decide and I post completed pictures you will have to let me know if I made the right choice!
Along with the color changes I am also making a new cutting station for my paper cutters, cricuts, oh! and of course my xyron - can't be without any those items, as you all know! Hopefully the new changes will give more room for my ladies and their wonderful creativeness! Is that a word? Not sure? Oh well it is now! Ha Ha Ha!!
Now I know a lot of you have not seen 'Becky's Studio' in the past colors - but - seeing the new and improved version - I'm sure you will agree it IS better!!! Stay tuned for pictures - soon!

Oh my gosh I didn't talk about our 'Crafto - d - Mayo!!! What a fun day we had! This all day crop was filled with a wonderful group of ladies and we were fortunate enough to have enough room this time to allow each lady to have her own table! It was so fun! Debbie (formerly of Debbie's Brown Bag) catered our lunch and dinner this time around and it was awesome! She made some amazing soup and sandwiches for lunch and a yummy taco bar for dinner. Anyway, here are are a few pix from the da

y - you will have to plan on joining us next time around!

Look at these busy ladies and they all seem to be having fun -  at least they have smiles on!

Monday night is 'Card Club' and this card is just to give you a little sneak peak at one of the cards we are going to make - isn't it fun? We are using the 'Dotty for You' paper packet - so so cute! Love this paper pack!!

Happy Mother's Day!

To all my friends out there who are MoM's - I hope you have a lovely, happy, sunny Mother's Day filled with Love, Family and Friends. Above is the card I made for my Mom-in-law I hope it will inspire you to make a special card for your favorite Mom or Mom's.

Forsythia

Flowering Quince

What says spring more than the Forsythia! Bright yellow flowers shining on our ususal non sunny spring day that brings extra sunshine when we need it. So what does this have to do with cards and paper crafting? Just look at those colors!!! Sunny Yellow, Chocolate, Sky and Heavenly Blue with Topiary and Ponderosa Pine. Try a combination of these colors on a card and just see how beautiful your spring card will be.

The pink hues of the Flowering Quince is a nice contrast to the bright yellow of the Forsythia! Add a small pinch of Tulip, Smoothie or Sorbet and it will add a punch to your cards that will make you smile.

Happy Stamping! Happy Easter! Thanks for stopping by!

I'm getting very excited about the new things I am learning about blogging - so today I have added links to my website and a few favorite blogs of mine - I hope you enjoy them also.

Before heading out to the yard today - I spent some time in my studio. I have been having some fun making Easter cards. Oh my gosh Art Philosophy has made them so easy! I thought to myself - self? Does AP have a basket? No sadly they don't - BUT - with a little experimenting I made the cutest basket from none other that the 'cupcake layer' feature! That along with some 1/8" paper strips and voila! A basket is born! Of course how can you go wrong with 'egg' shaped cards - a few flowers, some bling and well what more could a girl need! enjoy!

I just love the new paper packet 'Pemberly'. The colors, the patterns they are all so beautiful and versatile. The center of the flower is the bronze glitter gel a perfect combination.

Today we are having a dinner for our friend who just graduated from Dental Assistant School. The Lucy paper packet seemed to be the perfect paper for her card.

Today I have become a blogger! Who knew? Hopefully this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship - me and this blog of mine! Catchy - maybe I should write a song!
The wind has yet again decided to blow - imagine that in the Tri-Cities!!! Well we did get about 10 drops of rain last night so we should have expected 50 mph winds today.