The perfect card.

Well it's just 2 days until Christmas and I know my last few weeks have been spent making and wrapping numerous presents and cards. But I have to admit that they haven't all been for Christmas. Regardless of the time of year birthdays still come around and finding that perfect card for the occasion can be a daunting thing when the friend is hard to buy for. You know the ones - don't like florals, pastels, bright, cute, mushy verses, etc. So when invited to my friends 30th party on New Years Eve I knew I couldn't just go out and buy one as they all include the above elements. So off to my CTMH craft supplies I went and found all the pieces I needed to make a card that was 'her'.
And although not a mushy girl, her party has a tiara theme so it was a must this time.
Here is the end result:

Folded cards have become very popular of late and this is called an Easel Card. Very easy to make and traditionally in a 6" x 6" size. I've used a circle as my focal point when the card is propped up on the Adhesive Spring, but you can use many other shapes and a button or embellishment can be used in place of the Adhesive Spring if that works better for your project.
Below is the list of products that I used to make this card and if you would like some basic instructions on how to make this card or to attend a workshop in the New Year then feel free to leave a comment on this post and I'll get back to you.

Materials Used:

·         Lagoon Cardstock – X5762

·         For Always paper pack – X7165B

·         Silver Shimmer Trim – Z1799

·         Lagoon Ink – Z2195

·         Black Ink – Z2105

·         Swirls Around stamp – D1551

·         In The Moment stamp – C1565

·         Joyful Birthday stamp – B1419

·         Tombow - 1514

·         Black and Grey Assortment – Z1754

·         Adhesive Spring – Z1725

·         Dimensional Elements Mixed Shapes – Z1683

·         Acrylic Blocks: 2” x 6 ½” – Y1010; 2”x 3 ½” – Y1009

·         Micro Tip Scissors – Z1836

·         Paper Trimmer – X338

·         Sponge Dauber – Z726

You can order any of these on my CTMH site page by clicking on the icon to your right.

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours, and Happy Crafting in the New Year.

Friendship and Flip Stands

It's a wonderful thing when you have true friends in your life that you can count on no matter what. Since being unwell it's become so obvious who these people are. So as a special Christmas present and as a thank you I've made some of them one of our Flip Stands with what their friendship means to me. It's a surprise so don't tell!
All of the sayings I found on the internet and printed them off onto photo safe paper, except for the last one which is a mixture of some of the CTMH stamp sets. Sarita paper was a must as it includes their favourite colours. This is an important thing to remember when choosing papers for a gift, does the colour scheme suit the person. I was lucky as I knew they did. Now I haven't used any photos on my Flip Stand as it didn't suit the theme but they are perfect for showcasing special family photos or highlighting a recent holiday.
If you'd like to make a Flip Stand of your own, you can purchase all you need on my website.

       
       

Research and the Close to my Heart Ideas Book

So what do you do when your stuck on bed rest and not allowed to do much of anything for 6 weeks?
This is the predicament I have found myself in. I've hidden all my Scrapbook supplies so as not to be tempted to break Doctors orders. However, I still find ideas everywhere and so much to inspire my creative juices.
When an idea hits I sketch it down. I keep up to date with what all my Scrapbook addicted friends are doing on the many Facebook sites I follow and have had some fabulous online discussions.
Since I can't go out I've been revisiting some of my old Scrapbook and Card Making magazines that are all over the house. There are so many different styles that have never been a possibility to do until now that I have joined CTMH. Nothing is out reach with the variety of supplies available.
I've started planning for 2014, well at least on paper. Joined a group of very talented ladies to take part in an exhibit at the local show, but more about that in the new year.
But more than that I have taken a fresh look at the CTMH Ideas Book. It truly is more than a catalogue, jam packed with inspiration and colour photos from some of our very talented consultants.
So I encourage you to head on over to my website, www.laurenaustin.ctmh.com.au , and take a closer look. You'll be surprised at how much more there is to see.

  CTMH Stamps of the Month Australasian Blog Hop

Hi and welcome aboard the Australasian Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month Blog Hop. If you have arrived here from 'Your Creative Journey with Marianne' http://yourcreativejourneywithmarianne.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/ctmh-stamps-of-month-australasian-blog.html
then you are in the right place. If you landed here by accident, no problem, please join in by following the link at the end of this post.

Now I apologise that I don't have my own creation available for you to see this month but I have been unwell and on bed rest. Which for the addict in me is torture.
So today I would like to share with you this wonderful card from fellow CTMH Consultant Krista Hershberger which features "Illuminate", November's stamp of the month. Take a close look at the "petals" of her stamped "flower." The "petals" are actually the lantern image stamped six times in a circle to create a flower. Genius!  This exclusive stamp of the month is only available during November. It can be yours for just $5 with a qualifying order of $75 or for $24 if ordered separately from your CTMH consultant. If you do not have a consultant please contact me or place an order in my online store, www.laurenaustin.ctmh.com.au or you can click on the shop now icon on the right side of this page.
Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page before you move on to:
'Jenny’ s Creative Classroom'

http://jensdigiscrap.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/ctmh-stamps-of-the-month-australasian-blog-hop/

Look forward to seeing you again during next months Blog Hop.
Happy Scrapping!!!

3D Projects

There is so much more that you can do with the CTMH products than just beautiful pages.
Kraft Containers are a wonderful idea not just as a decorating idea but as gifts for family and friends.
This is my version using the Laughing Lola paper, glitter trim, sparkle swirls and of course you can add whichever stamps you like for your own design. It took no time to make and you don't even have to cover the whole container, just a few strips of paper, a little glitter trim or twine and a few embellishments and you've got a beautiful gift that you can fill with your favourite treat.
Too easy!!!

Welcome!!! Christmas is coming!

Welcome to my new blog.
I look forward to sharing with you what creative ideas I've been coming up with and hopefully you'll share your thoughts with me too.
So what have I been up to with my current projects?
Well Christmas of course.
It's not that far away now and it's always good to get started early. Christmas cards for my family have been my first order of business. I've been trying a few new techniques with a tri-fold card and stamping. Loving the results if I do say so myself.
Used the FABULOUS new Christmas collection from Close to my Heart which you can find in the Holidays from the Heart guide available to view on my website. Go on, take a look, you'll fall in love with it too.