Merry Christmas to all!

Wow, it only seems like yesterday I made my last post but somehow a month has past. I knew I'd been super busy but this really proved it. If you're anything like me you've had party upon party to attend, last minute presents to buy or make & a parade of relatives and friends over for pre-Christmas visits. With my workshops now on holidays until 2015 I was hoping that I might finally get a chance to catch up on my own photo albums. This hasn't happened yet but it will. A few days now until the big red fellow pops down the chimney and I'm onto the last of my Christmas preparations. Presents to wrap and last minute food shopping left. So I'd like to share a few party photos with you and a special project (that can be used at any time of year) that I created for a Secret Santa thanks to an idea I saw on Pinterest.
Firstly the project. Not sure what the true name is but I call it a 3 tier box. I filled mine with Chocolates but the possibilities are numerous as to other fun gifts you can hide inside. The size of the box can easily be varied to what you need by changing the height and width of the inside boxes. Just remember to make the outside slightly larger than the inside so that you can create a neat close and a 1/16inch gap between the boxes so that they swing open easily. (Trust me I made that mistake the first time). So here it is my Christmas Tree 3 tier box filled with chocolates. If you would like instructions for this project, please leave a comment with contact email below and I will forward them onto you.

 

 

I had so much fun making this and sharing with other CTMH Consultants at our recent Christmas Party and awards luncheon. I was privileged to be specially invited to the Luncheon for the top sales and recruiting achievers for the last 3 months. We were joined by CTMH Australasian General Manager Brian O'Callaghan and ladies from NSW & ACT. It was lovely to share our stories and learn from each other.

NSW/ACT Achievers Luncheon recipients



With Presidential Director Susan Wilmot and GM Brian O'Callaghan

Finally a special group photo from my final workshop for 2014. We shared an enjoyable afternoon of friendship, crafting and afternoon tea. I am grateful for these ladies who inspire me with their willingness to learn and encourage me at every workshop.



Well I think there is only one thing left to say and that is to wish one and all a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with health, happiness and fresh inspiration for your craft.

A Blessed Christmas to you.

 

Happy Papercrafting.

 

 

Seasonal Inspirations and more gift ideas

Wow, it's getting busy around here. I don't know about you but my diary is full. Party season has started, there are gifts to make (notice I said make not buy) and the very first Seasonal Expressions catalogue starts December 1st. It's chock full of so much inspiration, two new paper collections with matching embellishments, new treat bag designs, embossing sheets and SHIMMER TRIM. I love Shimmer Trim and now I have two new colours to play with in Blue and White. These items are only available for a limited time, so don't delay. The front cover features the son of our CTMH Vice President Monica Zarete-Wihongi.

This is Jonah, isn't he cute.

 

And now for some more of the gift ideas I mentioned last post.

Base and Bling gives you the ability to create beautiful personalised necklaces and cuff bracelets that are as unique as the person you give them too. And they are so easy to make. Just choose your design, adhere to centre of base. Place on a generous dollop of Liquid Glass and press glass cover on top. Make sure you have a baby wipe on hand to wipe off any Liquid Glass that overflows and allow to harden. You can also use a photo for the picture, just make sure it has been printed at a photo lab and not on your home printer or the ink may run. And don't for get to add a charm or too. Us girls need our Bling.



Why not create a unique artwork or photo collage and display it in a Designer Décor frame. Special, personal and made with memories that you cherish. This type of artwork never goes out of style.

And last, but certainly not least, why not create a Brag book using the Hip Pics photo albums. Decorate a little or a lot, and don't forget your journaling. Perfect for Grandparents and close relatives. Maybe you could even get the kids involved to help decorate it.

Well that's all from me this week. I have lots more gifts and cards to complete.
Happy Papercrafting.
                                 
  

Gift Ideas

Sorry I'm a little late posting this week. I have been preparing for a local Handmade craft sale and work non-stop so that I could have a variety of items to offer. The majority of my display are cards, but I did include a few off the page projects too, suitable for inexpensive gifts for Christmas, teachers gifts, etc.
So what are my top crafting items of choice this year? CTMH Kraft Containers are no. 1 on my list. Suitable for chocolates, biscuits, homemade cooking, small gifts and even gift cards. They can be simply decorated or my elaborate like mine.



Covered notebooks or notepads. These can be designed as special personal gifts or simply mass produced for a large group. I have been particularly working with everyday shopping list pads and creating artistic covers inspired by the design on the book. Below is a cupcake cover. I always make sure that I add a pen and magnets on the back so that it can be attached to a fridge.

Other ideas include Base and Bling jewellery, notecard sets, Display tray for those special memories or even make a photo book with the Hip Pics albums. The ideas are only limited by you imagination.
So what are your favourite papercraft gift ideas? I'd love to hear what you've been up to with your own creative work.

Until next time,
Happy Papercrafting.

Christmas - Traditional vs Modern

It's now less than 2 months til Christmas, where has the year gone. Present lists need to be made, Christmas cards written and not to mention all of the end of year Christmas parties. I know my diary is filling up really fast. But after all of the events, the presents are opened and the Christmas pudding is gone, what do you do with all those photos and memories. There's no doubt they will be Scrapbooked but what style do you go with?
I'm loving this years Christmas range as it's got something for everyone.
Yuletide Carol is perfect for those traditional photos with it's Ruby, New England Ivy and co-ordinating patterns. Matching accessories and stamps make it easy to accomplish the right look. And don't forget the Pear & Partridge Picture my Life kits for quick pages or added embellishment on your page.
For the modern look, try Snowhaven with beautiful Glazier, Cranberry and Whisper tones. Also great for those snow photos that are still waiting to be done. Add a little Silver Shimmer Trim and some bling for a sparkly Christmas layout.
Here are my versions of Traditional and Modern.

 

 No matter the style, each will make a big impact when Scrapping your Christmas photos this year.

Until next time,
Happy Papercrafting.

CTMH Convention 2014

Hi All,
I have just returned after a weekend of amazing artwork, fun, friendship and training at our annual Convention in sunny Brisbane. The weather was perfect, the photo opportunities immense, and so much artwork to inspire. So hear are just a few of my top 10 moments over the weekend:
1. Owner and President Jeanette Lynton coming over for a special Q & A segment.
2. Catching up with the Beautiful Monica Zarete-Wihongi, Vice President
3. Winning a prize in the Artwork Contest
4. Getting to showcase and share my work with others
5. Raising money for Operation Smile, the charity that CTMH support to give medical assistance to underpriviledged countries to fix cleft palates.
6. Meeting some wonderful new friends
7. The Gala Dinner
8. Learning new techniques
9. Being able to get a sneak preview at the new Seasonal Expressions catalogue, available 1st Dec.
10. Gaining so much love and inspiration for the next year, until the next Convention.

But you don't want to hear me prattle on, so here are a few of my favourite photos from Convention.

My winning artwork

Opening session

Me and Vice President Monica Zarete-Wihongi

My Showcase pieces

President Jeanette Lynton and Monica

Me and my upline Susan Wilmot

The American CTMH team

At the Gala Dinner with Brian O'Callaghan, me, Monica Zarete-Wihongi & Brian Holman

Can't wait until next year now.

Until next time,
Happy Papercrafting.

I'm Back

I know that I've been missing for awhile, but like all of us Family matters have prevented me from updating.
So what's been happening? August saw the release of the 2014/2015 CTMH Annual Inspiration Catalogue that will run until next July. It's amazing! So many ideas to use and many many new products to excite your creative juices. I have been having a fabulous time playing and sharing with my Workshop attendees. Here are just a few of the things we have been doing in class.

Scaredy Cat

Confetti Wishes

Brushed

That's just 3 of the 9 NEW Paper packs and embellishments CTMH released.
We are about to start Christmas crafting at class but I'll share that with you next time.
If you'd like to check out all of the new product then head over to my website: www.laurenaustin.ctmh.com.au
You won't be sorry that you did.

Until next time,
Happy Papercrafting.

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge no. 56

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge No. 56
What busy week it's been for me. Scrapbook camp last weekend and a lovely afternoon spent with the Toukley craft group. But I couldn't not complete my entry for this weeks sketch challenge. The For Always paper collection has always been one of my favourites. You can do so much with Black and White paper and a little bling and colour. So now for this weeks sketch.

I've chosen to do an Anniversary card this week. I know of so many people celebrating special milestones this year.

 

Materials Used:

For Always paper

For Always assortment

Clear Sparkles

For Always stamp

Gold Ribbon

 

I always think these types of occasions call for something simple yet elegant.

 

If you to would like to have a go or just try a sketch challenge, then head on over to

www.atlanticheartschallenge.blogspot.ca

 

Until next time

Happy Papercrafting.



Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge no. 54

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge no. 54
Firstly a very Happy Mother's Day to all of the paper crafting Mum's out there. I hope you have all been thouroughly spoiled.
And now for this weeks Atlantic Hearts challenge.

I have chosen to take a slightly different take on the square image by using the circle on the CTMH spin cards as my image centre piece and highlighting it. Decided to use up some of our previous campaign papers, Chantilly.

I do love the spin cards, they add such an exciting dimension to a card and are a bit of fun.
If you would also like to have a go at this sketch or any of the past sketches then head on over to www.atlanticheartschallenge.blogspot.ca
Until next time,
Happy Papercrafting.

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge no. 52

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge no. 52
Firstly Happy 1st Birthday to Atlantic Hearts. You do a marvellous job and add inspiration & ideas to our week. And this weeks sketch was no different.

Don't know about you but I have a few months in the year where all of the immediate family Birthdays and occasions are on. I am currently in the thick of it and my card making has been going into overdrive. This weeks card creation has been inspired by my Nanna's love of roses and her Birthday. And not forgetting the ever lovely Ivy Lane paper and one of my favourites, Purple Shimmer Trim.

This week I used:
Ivy Lane Paper
Cardstock: Colonial White, Hollyhock, Ivy Lane Green, Blush, Sweet Leaf
Inks: Hollyhock, Sweet Leaf, Pear, Topiary, Blush
Dimensional Elements Tag
Purple Shimmer Trim
Purple Glitter Dots
Tombow
Liquid Glass
Cricut Cartridges
Gold Ribbon

I have to say it is one of my favourite cards I've made lately.
If you'd like to enter any of the Atlantic Hearts sketch challenges or just admire the work head on over to www.atlanticheartschallenge.blogspot.ca

Until next time,
Happy Papercrafting

Easter and Mother's Day

Two Holidays in Three Weeks
Wow how the year has flown already. Easter tomorrow and in just 3 weeks we'll be celebrating Mother's Day. I've been really inspired this year with the beautiful papers CTMH has brought out within the current Ideas Book. Lollydoodle was my choice for Easter and how could I resist Ariana for Mother's Day. Here are the latest projects that I've been working on.

I really had fun designing these. They are just waiting on the photos now.

If you'd like to learn how to do any of these project then leave a comment below and I'll get back to you.
A very Happy Easter to all.
Until next time,
Happy Papercrafting.

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge no. 51

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge no. 51

Now for something a little different this week. I've decided to move away from the cards and have turned the sketch into the design for the top of a box. This is to be a stationary set containing note cards, pen and self-adhesive sentiments for the cards. So for my inspiration, here is the sketch.

Mine is made using the CTMH My Creations card box. This is such a great idea for a gift and something that I will be using again in the future. It is also fully lined with the green side of the pattern paper



I used:
Ivy Lane paper
Ivy Lane Assortment
Sequin dots and Gold Glitter Trim from Ivy Lane Card WOTG
Liquid Glass
Smoothie Twine
Cricut cut embellishments

It was so much fun to do an off the page project, I must do them more often.
If you'd like to make one of these boxes or to turn this weeks sketch into your own creation then head on over to www.atlanticheartschallenge.blogspot.ca

Until next time,
Happy Papercrafting.

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge no. 49

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge no. 49
Good Evening all, Atlantis Hearts Challenge time again. This looks to be a really pretty sketch with many possibilities. I love images floating through the centre or side of a card. This weeks sketch:

I have chosen to flip the sketch over for my card and went for Butterflies instead of flowers. Really wanted it to look like the Butterflies are going to take off from the card.

Materials Used:
White Daisy Die-cut card
Inks: Cotton Candy, Sky, Crème Brulee
Cricut Artiste Stamp set
Love Life Stamp set
Dimensional Elements Awards
Artiste Cricut Cartridge
Various co-ordinating CTMH pattern and plain cardstock
Sponge Daubers
Liquid Glass

This really was a fun sketch to work with. If you'd like to play along too then head over to www.atlanticheartschallenge.blogspot.ca

Until next time,
Happy Papercrafting.

Atlantic Heats no.48

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge no. 48
It's that time of the week again for another sketch challenge from the lovely ladies at the Atlantic Hearts blog. This weeks challenge could lend itself to so many different themes but I have chosen to do a wedding card. You can never go wrong with a bit of bling and classic colours of black, white and red. Now for this weeks sketch.

I've chosen to use up some of last catalogues papers once again with the gorgeous For Always collection.



Materials Used:

For Always paper

For Always assortment

White Daisy blank card

Large Sparkles

Dimensional Element shape

Silver Shimmer Trim

White Daisy and Cranberry cardstock

Black and Cranberry ink

Scallop Punch

Stamps: The Happy Couple, Artbooking Cricut Collection stamp, The Best Things

 

If you'd like to have a go at this sketch yourself then head over to www.atlanticheartschallenge.blogspot.ca

 

Until next time

Happy Paper Crafting.