A few Layouts I have been up to...

So, I promised at the end of last month that I would have a few posts. Well... I guess you have figured out that I failed to post like I wanted to. However, I have been busy getting other things ready behind the scenes :) I did a few layouts that I am going to post tonight, updated a newsletter that will be going out tomorrow via CTMH that will link back to this blog, working on some cards that will be posted later this week and other various projects. So, you will want to stay tuned. I really want to be more effective at this... So, here it goes. I hope you get some inspiration from these layouts
Missing You

This is one of my favorite layouts that I have done recently. I used the Close to My Heart Sonoma Paperpack and March 2012 Stamp of the Month Potential to complete this 2 page layout. I really love how the Cricut Art Philosophy Flowers stand out. I knew when I saw this paperpack last year, I would would be using it to scrapbook pictures of my grandmother. She passed away in January last year. Purple was her favorite color. So, I know this would have made her happy. The cut-away on the right page is pop-dotted so that I can put a DVD of photos inside to remember her. This is my special "tribute" page to her.

Best Friends

I just love the bright and fun colors of the Stella Paperpack. I can't wait to add pictures of Sydney, Reagan and Abbey on this Layout. Then, I want to do another layout for the Mommies that will have Jill, Rachel and I. How fun would that be? The little blue half circle under the orange block on the right page is a pull out journal tab that is under the orange pop dot cardstock. Gotta have hidden journaling on a best friends page!!

On the Beach

I have asked myself a thousand times "Why do I live in Ohio?" I love the beach!! If I could live on the beach, I would! I love the new Pemberley paperpack, seaside wooden shapes and the Perfect Day Stamp Set. This Layout came together so easy and I just love the clean look. I can't wait to put our family photos from Hilton Head on these pages. We all dressed in the classic White Shirt and khaki pant outfits. So, I think they will look stunning on these pages.

My Star

This 2 Page Layout was a ton of fun to do. I started with "flicking" paint on the pages to add a little distressing. Yeah, not sure if that is the technical terminology... However, you get the point. Then, I used a sponge and cocoa ink to sponge distess all of the edges of the paper. Elemental is another one of my favorite paper packets. I think I could use this packet for just about every season and subject that I ever needed to scrapbook!

Wow... It has been a long time!

Ok. So, I realize that it has been a long time since I have been on here. I said that I was going to do this great job of keeping up my blog. However, let's be honest... I have 3 kids, a house, a wonderful husband and oh.. did I mention we are living temporarily in WI! Yeah, so, I have a few excuses for things that take my time. I would really like to get into this Pinterest, Blogging and design team dream that I have right now. What is that you may ask? Well, as you know, I have been crafting for awhile. I feel like I have hit a point in my life where I am ready to start sharing my creations with others.... You know, spread my wings a little. Whenever I read about one of my favorite papers or embellishments looking for a design team member, or a design contest, my heart races a little. I guess I want to see if I have the talent. Many of the contests and opportunities require a fully functional blog. Not one where you just log in and post once or twice every two-three years. So, I guess, that is my motivation to keep up this blog a little better. So, I am setting a goal (before I announce this to anyone), to post a creation a day for the next week. Let's see if I can keep my goal. Wish me luck!

2010 List of Retiring Product

There are lots of great products retiring at the end of the year. Contact me today to host a gathering or visit my website to place an order (http://mariawoodworth.myctmh.com/). Here is a link to the list of the products that will be retiring at the end of the year. You will need to hit the blue box and download the file. A membership to this site is not required. http://www.4shared.com/document/zLMSkkBD/RetiredList2011.html

On-Line Stamp Set Sale

I have noticed that I have a bit of a hoarding issue when it comes to my paper and stamp sets. So, help me out!!

I have decided to post the stamp sets that I have for sale here. If you see one that you want, just let me know (email me - maria_woodworth@yahoo.com). I can take paypal, check, cash or credit card :) You can find the pictures, stamp set names and prices in the slideshow. I will be shipping them to you (unless you are able to pick them up). Shipping costs are as follows: $1.50 for 1st set, .75 for each additional set. OR buy 10+ and I will pay to have them shipped.

http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg247/maria_woodworth/Stamp%20Set%20Sale/?albumview=slideshow

More to Come August 2nd!!

I haven't been blogging the past week, because I have been busy creating!! I am working on the Mini-Convention that I will be hosting at my house this week for My Close to My Heart Club members. This is a club member ONLY event! Just another great reason to join the club!

After convention, I came back refreshed, excited and ready to share all the new projects, techniques and ideas that I gained! So, the idea of the mini convention was born. I will be sharing Art Boards, a post convention wrap up presentation, what's trendy workshop, a game with FABULOUS prizes and a new product sneek peek!!!

After the mini-convention on Sunday, I will be posting pics to my blog of various items I share with these lovely ladies. So, you will want to check back. There will be technique tutorials, artwork, and fall/winter product sneek peeks. Ok.. enough chit chat, I gotta get back to work. See you in a few days!!

Just Blooms Wire Bouquet

While at Convention, I attended something called extravaganza. It was 8 mini classes that lasted 30 minutes each. During one of the classes, I met an amazing papercraft artist... Tracey Mason. I learned so much from her in that 30 minutes. One of my favorite things that I took away from the class was how to create wire flowers from the Just Blooms flowers Close to My Heart sells.

This past Saturday, I went to project day at the church. This gave me a kid free zone to recreate from memory Tracey's Mason Jar of flowers. It took me about 30 minutes to complete this project. I can't take the creative credit for this because it is completely scraplifted. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it :) Have a great Monday!

My 5 Goals after the 2010 Close to My Heart Convention

Wow!! One word can't really begin to capture how much fun and creative genius that I was exposed to at the Close to My Heart Convention this year!

The theme this year was "Picture This". For me, this really hit home. While at convention, I began to look at my artwork, pictures and business in a whole new light. I decided that I had to come home and change a few things. I am giving myself 5 goals to shoot for this upcoming year.

So, first things first... I am resolving to keep up this blog. I will be adding artwork, family stories, papercrafting techniques and many other ramblings along the way. I think this will be a great way for you to get to know me a little better, and for me to share things that I learn along the way. I hope you are able to find some inspiration and motivation when you visit this blog.

Next, I have resolved to stay current with papercrafting trends. NOW in my defense, let me say, I try to stay pretty current with learning new techniques. However, I realized that there were sooo many things that I could add to my artwork that are current and fresh.... banners, paper ribbon folds and paper flowers just to name a few. This is a picture of a card that was on display at convention. It was created by Tracey Mason. Isn't it FABULOUS!! She is an amazing artist. Ohhh... what I would give to have a dropper full of her creativity.

The third thing that I will be doing now that I am home from convention is to take advantage of all of the training academy classes that Close to My Heart has to offer. I will be working through a Bachelors, Masters and eventually PHD in papercrafting. Now, I just hope that my kids get the memo and allow me a little time to do this :)

Fourth goal is to produce more!! I have all of these ideas swirling in my head. However, I need to get the picture to the page, card, altered item, etc. So, I will be working to catch up on more pages, cards, etc. I am looking to Studio J to help me with this. When Close to My Heart first introduced digital scrapbooking, I thought, NAH! Not for me. However, I must tell you. I think they have brought me to the dark side a little. Don't, don't move, don't cover your ears... listen to me. I am still a classic scrapbooker at heart and always will be. I love the feel of the paper and stamps in my hands. I like the smell of the My Acrylix stamps and getting inky! However, let's be honest... how many of us could stand to get caught up a little more? AM I right? OF COURSE! So, I will be using Studio J to help me catch up on all of those layouts that I can't seem to get to while I am busy classically scrapbooking the others!

The final thing that I will be doing is investing more time and effort into my business. I am looking to do more craft shows, kits of the month specials, fun technique workshops, etc. I am just sooo excited about all of the things that I learned at Convention, and I am ready to share the WOW! factor with someone else. I want you to learn all of the great things that I learned during my time in DC!! So, I hope you stop back by again. I promise, there will be sooo much more to see!