Even I can create my own 'designer' paper!!

In my latest efforts to design stuff for workshops in January I was coming up empty in my paper selection.  I know that CTMH has created 8 paper packs per idea book, that last 6 months, and that should be enough, but with the very holiday stuff in this latest one, I've exhausted my options.  So I decided to try the whole random stamping technique to come up with my own 'designer' stuff.  After a few miserable attempts, I actually came up with something that I liked!  I like damask, and I like chocolate, so this is what came together after rummaging through several stamp sets.  I coupled that with the Celebrate the Everyday card guide from way back when, and VOILA!!  For my first attempt at something completely from 'scratch', I'm pleased with myself for stretching beyond my comfort zone...may even have to try this again!

Now if only I could come up with an argyle print like they did in this guide, I'd be tickled pink!

One option for 20 page workshop

Awhile back I found a template for a 20 page workshop on the consultant bulletin boards.  I used it and made 20 fabulous pages with the fanfare paper pack.  You crank out 20 pages and then embellish as you put pics on them.  It's sort of like the retired base pages, only much cooler!  I decided to give it a try with the new paper packs, a huge challenge considering that you only get 6 b&t pages per pack, and 6 sheets of cardstock.  I bought 2 packs of Believe, gathered a bunch of cardstock, and went to town.  I'd like to thank Myra Grodziuk (sp?) for the original template using the old paper pack, it saved me much time and misery trying to figure it out on my own!  I also had about a half a pack  of stickease leftover from another project, so I pre-embellished some of the pages.  And I cannot wait to use my Paper Doll Dress Up Cricut cartridge for some more cute reindeer, Santas, elves, sleighs, etc...  This will be one option for the 20 page workshop I'll be doing in January, the other option will actually be 10 pages of Elemental and 10 pages of Dreamin...if I can figure it out! ; )

Here's a sample of the 20 pages of Believe:

Green light, yellow light, RED light

Lucas' kindergarten teacher has been having 'fun' keeping 22 kids in her afternoon class under control.  So the kindergarten teachers collectively came up with a new reward system, referred to as the stoplight system.  You get a star at the end of the day if you don't receive any warnings, or lights.  A week of stars gets you a piece of candy at the end of the day on Friday!  You get a green light with the 1st warning, yellow with the 2nd and red with the 3rd, and you owe the teacher recess with a red light.  If there is more than one red light each day a note goes home, or she calls the parents to discuss.  It's only for 3 hours a day though, so I relaxed the rules a little, and added some GOOD rewards!  You still get a star for a green light.  You can do extra chores to get a yellow light reduced back to a green light, or to remove a green light...you may not get rid of a red light once you get there though.  Red light gets the Wii taken away for the day, or if it has already been played that day, no Wii the following day.  2nd red light gets the show before bedtime taken away.  3rd red light gets bedtime stories taken away.  4th red light gets the Wii taken away for a week.  5th red light states that you don't want to find out, cuz it's that bad!!!!  5 stars gets you 2 quarters, 10 stars gets you 4 quarters, 25 stars gets you ice cream at Baskin Robbins, Cold Stone or similar, 50 stars gets you lunch out at place of your choosing, 100 stars gets you a play date at Pojo's, Bounce, Black light mini golf, or similar.  And then we start over...and maybe change up the rewards a little too.

Here is a pic of the board I made for them...the letters of their names are their favorite BSU colors (barf) to encourage them further!  And it's like Christmas came a month early in this house!  They have done this for the weekend, and it's going rather well...we shall see if it lasts! : )

Angry Birds

My friend's son is having an Angy Birds themed birthday party on Saturday.  I bought him a couple of plush Angry Birds, and wanted to make some bags/boxes to put them in.  This is what my Cricut and I came up with!  LOVE that Cricut!  I never would have attempted this without it!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Today's litle project

I have recently begun couponing, and thus visit the coupon websites frequently.  After Thursday's find on A Thrifty Mom's website, I will be visiting even more frequently!  She found this link from a follower's post, but I fell in love with these pom poms!  The tutorial is found at:
 http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/2011/01/t-shirt-pom-poms-tutorial.html

I decided that I needed something to add to my Thanksgiving decor, so I found an old gold, brown and red shirt.  I didn't cut my strips as thin as hers, so my pom poms aren't as tight, but I love them nevertheless!

I am most impressed that it didn't take long, didn't cost me a dime and I reused tshirts that otherwise would've met their demise in the garbage can once I got around to cleaning out my closet in the spring! 

Now I'm thinking I need to make some light blue and white ones for Christmas...to match the wreath that I'll be making from paper fans!

Holiday Extravaganza pics

 The 300+ paper flower Christmas tree.  Flowers cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  Tree was designed by Mandy Leahy, fellow CTMH consultant.  Love her stuff.  Love this tree, but what a labor of love it was!!

 My 6x6 2012 desktop calendar.  It is in a dispay album so it stands up, rather than needing to be pinned up on the wall.

 A notecard set and holder that I made, perfect for gift giving.

 The notecards that fit inside the holder.

 The inside of the holder with the notecards.

 Sorry, it won't let me rotate this, or delete it now.  My 12x12 calendar for 2012.  This page is January.

A set of thank you cards cut by the Cricut.  The envelopes and liners are also cut by the Cricut, the Art Philosophy cartridge again!  And then a cute little holder that easily holds 5 cards and 5 envelopes.

I'm head over heels in love with the wonderland paper pack, and these fun easel cards this year!  They stand up to display and fold flat to mail!  The snowflake and the Happy Holiday tag were cut from my Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.

Saw a similar design at CTMH convention in July, and did my best to duplicate the top/main part of the card.

Totally stole this one right out of the catalog, and then put the easel card twist on it!  LOVE the little banners, which were of course cut from the Art Philosophy cartridge.

Got the present idea off the bulletin boards last season, so I don't remember the consultant's name to give her credit!  But I love the idea for using up scraps of paper.

Imagine that...more wonderland paper, and more snowflakes!!!

Tags that were cut from AP cartridge on kraft cardstock.

My spooky banner, once again cut from the AP cartridge (banner shapes and letters).

This is just a small sample of the goodies I had at the open house!  I had entirely too much fun creating them.  Not enough time to do them all as workshops, but hopefully they will inspire your creativity as well!

If you have any questions, or need any supplies, let me know!  My website is available 24/7  www.ctmh.com/rhondac

I'm baaaaaack, again!

Oh what a busy several months it has been since I've visited my dear blog! I'm back to being a consultant, and the times they are a changing. They will be getting rid of our CTMH websites soon, so the hubby is working hard to develop my own website, and my blog will be a big part of my lil business! So I've updated my background, and soon I'll post pictures of my Holiday Extravaganza/Open House. Just a lil inspiration for the holidays that are going to be here quicker than I care to admit!

Have a great weekend, and hopefully I'll get the pics posted this weekend! Until next time!