Teacher Appreciation: U R Priceless!

We are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week at my kids' school this week! In addition to the students bringing in small gifts each day for their teachers, our PTC does our best to show the teachers and staff just how much we appreciate all their hard work to enrich and enhance the lives of our children.

Today, we gave each staff member a small treat...a 100 Grand bar! However, we all agreed that 100 Grand simply wasn't enough for those who give so much of their time and their hearts, so we added the tag that reads "U R Priceless".

These little candy bar wrappers were simple to whip up - and fun too!

Simply cut your desired paper to fit the specific candy bar you are using (be sure to allow a little overlap for adhesive). These wrappers used B&T papers that were cut to 6 1/2" x 4". I scored one long side of the B&T at 1/4" and folded the other edge to meet the score line. The 1 1/4" circle punch was perfect for punching the notch out of the top (be sure to do this before adhering the sides together unless you want the front and back notched out). Next, I added adhesive to the 1/4" flap and along the inside bottom edge and folded the wrapper to adhere. My paper crimper was getting a little lonely after sitting in the same spot for probably the last 6 years, so I pulled it out and gave it a workout - I'm not sure it shows so well in the picture, but I crimped the bottom inch or so of the wrapper. Add the candy bar, embellish as desired, and the basic wrapper is complete!

It is our hopes that during Teacher Appreciation Week, we make our teachers feel like 100 Grand, but we all know they truly are PRICELESS!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Mom's all over town were singing this morning...'It's the most wonderful time of the year..." You know, from the Staples commercial!! Is it stuck in your head now too?!?!

Yes, today was the first day of school for my two kids, and thanks to Studio J, I was able to scrapbook the pictures I took this morning, BEFORE THEY HAD LUNCH! Cool, huh?!?! They are both very quickie layouts, but they are ready to be ordered and added to my album!


Jenna was all smiles on her first day of First Grade! She woke up early, got dressed, ate breakfast and then tried to help me wake Joey (see more of the story below)! She practically bounced onto campus never once looking back to see if I was still there.

I opted to use the Life's Delight kit for her layout to coordinate with her dress and backpack. I simply LOVED being able to resize the My Stickease to meet my needs.


Joey on the other hand has become a rather typical 4th grade boy! The one picture I didn't get was the one of Jenna completely ready for school standing at Joey's bedside as his head was buried in his pillow. He really does love school, but I think he wasn't quite ready to see his lazy days of summer come to an end.

His layout was done with the Zippidee Papers. I experimented a bit and added the Cocoa cardstock into the color palette and really liked the results!

I love how Studio J makes scrapbooking so easy! Haven't checked it out yet? Join me on September 16th at 10am or 7pm for a Studio J preview! Call or email me to RSVP.

Zippidee is Something Splendid

Okay, I'll admit it, I'm not much of an outside the box thinker! I tend to look at a paper packet and see the featured colors and how they work well together. Thus, it has been my personal challenge lately to try to step outside the box a little more and see the many, many possibilities for our amazing kits!

This is one of the cards we created last night at my Zippidee Card Night. Yes, that's right, the Zippidee papers that are so fun and so "Disney-esque" can have so many looks. We used the Honey and Black cardstocks and the Bamboo B&T paper found in the Level 2 paper packet.

At first glance, I wouldn't have thought to pair Zippidee papers with our GORGEOUS August Stamp of the Month set, Something Splendid, but when I found a similar card on super crafty consultant Karen Pedersen's blog, I had a feeling it would work!

The large flower is stamped "tone-on-tone" on the Honey card base and the Bamboo B&T is matted onto the scalloped black cardstock (TIP: Did you know you can use the nifty Corner Rounder from CTMH to make a pretty scalloped border?). A little ribbon and a small flower stamped on a 1" circle of the Bamboo B&T and you have a super simple card!

My card ladies LOVED this one and I can't wait to reproduce it in many colors and kits!

I will be sharing more gorgeous cards using the Something Splendid set over the next few days, but don't wait...head over to my website and get your set today! It is only available through August 31st. The stamp of the month is $22.95, but you can earn it at a great discount or even free with the rest of your order.

Still Time to Get "Happy Forever"

Aren't you just loving this cute little hedgehog and his buddies?

I thought I'd share a few more pictures of some fun ideas using the July Stamp of the Month set. Remember, this set is only available through July. Order it today for only $22.95 OR see how you can earn it at a great discount or even FREE! Visit my CTMH website for all of the details!

This first card was created by my dear friend, Sue Laufer (check out her blog HERE). Sometimes I am amazed at how Sue and I can come up with designs that are so similar. In case you didn't see my Stamp of the Month card, you can see it HERE! I love Sue's use of the fun Zippidee papers and the different colored Bigger Brads - isn't this such a cheery card?

Have you tried out new Clear Cards yet? They are so fun, and really quite easy to use! Consultant Karen Barber created this adorable card using the Zippidee papers, the Clear Cards and the cool, new Fancy Fuzz Borders!

Buttons make the cutest balloons, don't they? Consultant Janice Hodgkin's pierced border on this card gives it a fun look. Simply use your piercing tool to make small holes, fairly evenly spaced, around the edge of your cardstock - a quick and easy border technique!

Don't forget, the Happy Forever stamp set is only available through July! Get your sweet hedgehogs today!

Zippidee makes me want to SING!

I don't think there has been a product from CTMH that makes me want to break out in song more than the fun new Zippidee My Reflections kit! My, oh, my what a wonderful kit! These papers will certainly help you create some of the "Happiest Pages on Earth!"

Make plans to join me in August for one of my fun scrapbook nights where we'll create this gorgeous two-page layout.

Your workshop kit will include everything you need to complete this layout - and so much more! You'll also a gorgeous full-color instruction brochure that will give you step-by-step instructions for this layout as well as 6 fun cards - and when you're done you'll still have more to keep creating!

Signing up is simple...just choose your date and then choose your Kit from the choices below. Space is limited, so RSVP today!

Zippidee Scrapbook Nights:
Monday, August 2nd, 7-9pm (RSVP by August 1st)
Tuesday, August 17th, 6:30-8:30pm (RSVP by August 10th to allow time to order your supplies)

Zippidee "Best" Kit: $40.15 (plus tax & shipping)
My Acrylix Ticket to Ride stamp set
Zippidee Level 2 Paper Packet
Dimensional Elements Stars
Holiday Craft Buttons
Black Hemp

Zippidee "Basic" Kit: $25.65 (plus tax & shipping)
Zippidde Level 2 Paper Packet
Dimensional Elements Stars
Holiday Craft Buttons

If cardmaking is more your thing, join me Monday, August 9th for a Zippidee Card Night! We'll make 3 fun cards using the Zippidee papers. Workshop is FREE with a $25 order placed that night! RSVP by Saturday, August 7th.

I hope to see YOU at a workshop SOON!