creating backgrounds...

I love the June Stamp of the Month!  The argyle stamp is so FUN to create your own background and texture paper with- easy peasy! 

I used Dutch Blue Ink and Chocolate ink to create the stamped images.  I also used our textured cardstock in chocolate and sweet leaf- love sanding this paper! 

This stamp set is a must have and definitely a great addition to my collection as I feel I have a lot of "girly" stamp images!

During the month of June you can earn it for 25%, 50% or 75% off with a qualifying purchase or spend just $100 and get this set for FREE!!!!  Everyone loves a deal and Jackpot June Deals each day are a great thing to check out.  Today is a great goody box full of wonderful goodies!!!!  Want to check it out?  Click here

~Jennifer :-)

Life is a Bowl full of Cherries!

Love our cherry paper- so stinkin cute and FUN!  I have been making the bridal shower invitations for my sister's upcoming shower- OH SO EXCITED- so I thought I would share the final product with you!  Hope you like them!

We are doing a fun cooking/recipe theme for her shower.  I enclosed a brand new color coordinated Recipe Card( love our new My Originals Sugar and Spice Card Kit) with each invite so they can share their favorite family recipe or tradition with Michelle and David.  I am going to love seeing all the great recipes that pour in- hmmm thinking that might help us too with our cooking dilemma's we have from time to time! 

Well off to do the school shuffle---we still have 2 weeks to go!  We are all ready for a FUN break!


oh and RUMOR has it there is a GOODY Box as today's Jackpot June Special!  Over $120 worth of goodies for just $60!!!  Click here to order yourself an amazing deal!


~Jennifer  :-)

Pinwheels!!!!

I had fun last night using the left over paper from our Cherry-O kit to create some cards plus use the AWESOME Stamp of the Month Set this month- LOVE IT!!  If you have not ordered yours yet you have gotta get one!  And what is even better is you can get it 25%, 50%, 75% off or even FREE!  Yes you heard me FREE!!!!  You are not going to want to miss this awesome set!
      I had so much fun playing and enjoying that I decided to create some cute pinwheel flowers!  They are pretty easy to create- just need some cute/colorful paper and start folding!!
The colonial white designer brads worked perfect in this first one to finish the flower off- love these new fun brads!!! 

So are you curious how to make these???  Okay so excuse my crazy pics but hopefully you will get the idea and I cannot wait to hear how much fun you are having with them!  

I started with a 4x4 piece- it is a great size to practice with.  The pieces in the card started out as a 2x2 piece and I layered 8 of them together. 

fold in half

fold in half again- this will give you a center line for your two next folds- open it up

now fold down using the crease as your guide for the middle...

fold down flaps to form 2 small triangles

turn over- and take the triangle on the right and bring it over and fatten sideways...

after you have folded all your pieces now you can layer them on each other making sure the points stay close together.

and here is another I created too last night!

Hope you have fun!!!!

~Jennifer :-)

where to start?

So Flag Football season is back!  So far Patrick's team 'The Patriots' are 3-0!  WOO-HOO!  Their team has really pulled together from a rocky start.  One of the outcomes of the rocky beginning is that Mr. B is now the head coach and I think he is enjoying it!  :-)  He was afraid to step up as he thought he would be better suited for older kiddos but he is doing awesome!!!!  The kids love him and respond to his quiet, fun yet stern personality plus he runs the drills with them!  It was so fun to see them running the cones this morning together.  They looked like that Centipede Game from the Atari system way back when- remember?  Anyways- they had a great day.  Patrick was in his zone on defense-pulling flags, breaking up plays and almost had an interception!!!   BUT it turned bloody with about 5 minutes left to the game...

   When Patrick came walking over to me with a massive bloody nose!  It was crazy.  I had ONE tissue in my pocket and scrambled to find something- came up with our reusable grocery bag.  But thankfully some fellow Moms came with an ice pack and then 2 diapers- YES Diapers and they did the trick!  There was a time that 2 of us were looking at each other and wondering if we needed to make a visit to the ER but thankfully it FINALLY stopped bleeding!  So now I am thinking I need to have some better supplies ready for Game Day- who knew Flag Football would cause such a commotion!

My kids have their last day of Church School Tomorrow morning- so I needed to come up with some thank you gifts for their awesome teachers!  The kids have had a fun year and we are so grateful to their teachers for their time and dedication!  I made an Event Calendar for Patrick's teacher and then Ireland's Mother/Daughter team I put together 6 personalized cards for each.  I used the Silhouette Paper Pack, some fun retired ribbon I have, the Boutique Stamp set for one and then the Treasure Life Stamp Set for the other plus the fun Just Blooms Spring Blossom Paper Flowers.  I sure hope they enjoy them!

    I am looking forward to tomorrow as well!  I am heading over to my friend Barb's house for a fun joint Team Meeting with her team and mine.  We are going to have a blast!  I always love getting together with my team and I know we all love being inspired by each other and just enjoying a fabulous afternoon to reflect on how much we love CTMH!!!

Hope you have a great rest of your weekend!

~Jennifer :-)

come on over!!!

I have spent the past few days prepping catalogs to mail(they go out tomorrow), putting fun make n takes together for Friday(I have 5 for you to do!), and putting some cute little goodie bags and prizes together!  I just love having my crafty friends come over and play- makes me Happy, Happy, HAPPY!  I even have some new friends that are joining us on Friday and I cannot wait to meet them!  I would love to have you and if you are reading this- seriously give me a call(850-217-7034) and let's set a date to create!!!

So here is one of the Fun Make n Take cards I will have you do on Friday!  It uses the fun new puddle technique as shown on Art and Soul TV- check out my website!

I look forward to seeing you Friday and I just know you are going to flip over Studio J too!  Have you check it out yet???  hint...hint...you gotta go try it!  Wonder if there will be a prize or fun something for someone who has already played around???  hint..hint!  :-)  if you are picking up on the hints and need to try...just click here!  and added bonus if you have an account too!  :-)

Looking forward to seeing you on FRIDAY!!!!  and my long distance customers- I will have some fun waiting for you in your inbox this week via my newsletter!!!

~Jennifer  :-)

Must have....

Do you love a deal?  Who doesn't- right?!?  Well our A size stamp sets are a MAJOR Deal and super cute to boot!

I had some leftover card supplies from a card class I taught back in February and I wanted to try out the the FUN new A size stamp sets we have!  I played around with the A1103 A Love and it was so fun and easy.  Plus I love that these stamp sets are only $7.95(plus shipping and tax).  Huge DEAL!!!!!!  So as you look at the catalog and are looking for a great deal- check out the great A size stamp sets- you are sure to find something you LOVE!!!!

~Jennifer :-)

one with nature....

So we have been outside A LOT lately and the kids are loving it( me too except I have not been able to play in awhile and my list is a mile long- we will get to that in a minute).  Patrick got a Basketball for his birthday and that kids is OBSESSED!  He is bouncing it everywhere and constantly asking- "Mom, can I go to the courts and shoot?"  I of course LOVE this and love that wears him out!  I also was not sure how long this would last as the hoops out back are 10 feet tall- he is still a little tyke.  Most kids I would think would get a defeatest mentality but not my Patrick- he is determined!  And when he makes a hoop- OH YEAH!!!!
So I emailed Josh at work the other day and said we need to get this kid an adjustable hoop he can practice with and keep encouraging him.  So Daddy ran to the store and picked up a hoop and Mr. P is using his birthday money to pay for- LOVE IT!  But the assembly of said hoop was no picnic!  Why oh WHY do projects like that cause sheer craziness/meltdowns in my house and I am talking the older 35 year old man kind!?!

Patrick came home from school today with a zeal to go outside.  I said sure and then I had an epiphany- I could create out back on the deck and keep an eye on him!  So that is what I did!  Don't you just love when you figure out how to balance something(and let me tell you I have not felt very balanced lately!). 

So here is my view of Patrick...off and running....FREEDOM!!!!!









And Here is the workstation I made outside....

So I was able to knock off on my creation list today- Thank You Cards for Patrick.  I made 8 of these and used my good old trusty Originals companion!  LIFE SAVER!!!!

Hope you enjoy my cards that I created outside today.....

Wishing a fun, creative day wherever it may find you.....

~Jennifer :-)

Prepping...

I am prepping for an upcoming Card Class this Thursday at 10:00am. I love this group of active adults- super fun!!

Do you have some friends that would like to get together once a month to create cards? I would love to develop a workshop for you and your friends- I am here to help. Just let me know!

I am busy getting ready for the kids upcoming Springbreak and Patrick's 7th Birthday. WOW! Time is flying bye.....

Close To My Heart Products Used to Make these Cards:

*Wishes- card design book
*Colonial White Card Bases and Envelopes
*Veranda Paper Pack
*Friendship Blessings Stamp Set
*Bronze Brads
*Cocoa and Creme Brulee' Ink Pads

~Jennifer :)

feeling winter blues....

So here is the deal, I am a Colorado girl at heart- think open spaces and BLUE Skies! Colorado is the state I lived in the longest in my life, 8th grade through college-9 years. Crazy to think that is the LONGEST I have lived anywhere! YIKES. The state of Florida comes in 2nd- with 5 years. We lived in Clearwater, FL for a year and then Navarre, FL for 4 years. What do these two states have in common I ask you??? SUNSHINE!!!!!

I am thankful that as I sit here writing this little blurb that the sun is shining but I have not seen much of it this winter and that has seriously made me a little nutty! The sun gives me my pep and helps to keep my drive going....grey skies make me want to curl up, snuggle and read(oh eat too!). I know I am not alone in this crazy seasonal depression thing but seriously it BITES!

I am hoping that Spring is on its way soon! The white fluffy stuff is pretty and fun but I think I am over it already! :)

So yesterday I dived into my craft room to work on an upcoming little project...pick up on a tease here...and I made 8 cards to teach in February. After taking the pictures this morning, I can tell how much I am longing for April Showers to Bring May flowers! I love the colors and ease that they work together- hope you do too!

Used the Wishes Card Making Book- inside you will find some great card workshops- take some sheets of paper, cut and you have a bunch of cards ready to go in no time flat!
Papers: Veranda Paper Pack
Ink: Creme Brulee and Cocoa
Stamp Sets: Friendship Blessings and For Every Occasion
Embelishments: Copper Brads, Just Blooms Spring Blossoms
All are Close To My Heart Products and you can shop right from your seat by clicking here.

Here is hoping that this touch of Spring brought a smile to your face like it did mine....and stay tuned for the 7 other cards that go along with this class!

ready for some CLUB FUN!!!!

I am bubbling with excitement and anticipation for my Scrap n Play Date with my customers! Plus they are getting some added extra fun. In the spirit of my new motto for this year- Work Smarter Not Harder- I thought it would be fun to combine my Scrap n Play Date with my Idea Book Launch!!!

So my Scrappin friends can come work on their layouts for club, get their hands on the fabulous new book, make some fun Make N Takes and shop in my store. And my regular customers get to drop bye to say hi, grab their books, make some super CUTE make n takes and see how much FUN we have in CLUB! Sounds like a win-win to me! And here is a sneak peak at a cute happy they will each get from me- they are filled with some yummy homemade treats! :)

I will be posting more pics on the Scrap N Play layouts for this month and the cards- OH MY GOODNESS THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!!! LOVE IT! I also made an extra layout tonight to share with my club members. So stay tuned for that artwork but in the mean time here is a picture to wet your whistle on how fabulous the Veranda Kit is for this Month!!!


You are welcome to join us if you are local to Northern Virginia Area or you can join my Club To Go and get the fabulous kit delivered right to your door each month. Would you like more information....simply email me at craftingdivas@cox.net and I would LOVE to fill you in!

come on over for some FUN!!!!

I am so excited for this Friday- it is Scrap N Play day AND I will be sharing the New Spring Idea Book with my local customers! I have been busy today working on a some fun make n takes for everyone to do when they come over to grab their copy of the latest and greatest! I have been trying to use what I have and think my customers enjoy me sharing with them how our paper and stamps are timeless even if they are sadly retired!

So here is a few sneak peaks into 2 of the Make n Takes for Friday....

Close To My Heart Products use: More to Adore Level 2 Paper(retired)
D1194 All my Love- Stamp Set
Chocolate Ink
click here to shop online

CTMH Products Used: More to Adore Level 2 Paper(retired)
D1406 True Friends- January Stamp of the Month
Chocolate Ink
Z1263 Sparkles

I LOVE the January Stamp of the Month- I am having so much fun playing with it and it is definitely one stamp set I find myself trying to use more! You can earn this for FREE with just $100 order or discounted. I just love getting FREEBIES!

Well I have been busy in the "sweat shop" as my sister likes to call it! I am looking forward to seeing my local customers Friday and I cannot wait to see Bridget- waving HI to Bridget! (more on that story later- you are going to love it! It sure brings a smile to my face every time I think about it!)

~Jennifer :)

oh I am in LOVE with Felicity!!!!!

I had so much fun diving into this special collection of Paper tonight! The colors are so soothing, the stamp set so versatile and it works great with the January Stamp of the Month beautifully! I am just in love with Felicity and cannot wait to play more tomorrow!!! I used our awesome Wishes book tonight too to help me design the cards- love our how to programs!


I love that the colors are from masculine blues to soothing sorbets- so smart! You are just going to love to have this kit for yourself and you won't want to miss out!

from Wishes- Gallery

From Wishes- Collage

From Wishes- Lucky Layers

If you are dying to know how you can earn this special collection of papers and stamp sets for Free just read over on the side of my blog, view my website or shoot me an email- I will be more than happy to get you your exclusive set!

~Jennifer :)

CLubbin' FUN!!!!

Yesterday was my local Scrap n Play Club and we had so much FUN! I just LOVE my club members and I love when they bring their artwork to share!!!!! I have a challenge with my Club Members that if they bring back their pages with photos on them and if they have created more with all the left over paper I will have fun "happies" to give them for sharing and going the extra mile! It is so fun to see their artwork and the fun things they have created! I know we all love being inspired by each other and having our work appreciated! So here are some pics of their fabulous creations(feel free to click on the pic to see it bigger).




Last night we created 2 12x12 2 page layouts and the kit comes with directions to make 12 cards too. I made all of this plus had paper leftover to make a fun layout and a couple of cute 6x6 cards and I STILL have paper left in my kit. I love showing my friends and customers how much value they are getting from their monthly kits- it just simply ROCKS!!!! And thank you to my local club members you helped me get back a little of my creative groove I have been missing! And to my Club to Go Members- look at all this you can make! Are you long distance and want to be one of my Club to Go Members just simply email me at craftingdivas@cox.net to join and I will get you all set to go!

layout one- cannot wait to add pics!

layout two- so super cute!
one set of 6 cards- love these! (I still need to finish the other set)

bonus layout I created last night! it is from Cherish p. 108
bonus cards I created last night using Originals pgs.18 and 75

and here is all the paper I still have left over to keep creating with!!

Sorry for the long post but I sure made up for lost time, ehh?!?

Creatively Yours,
Jennifer :)