Special Needs mini-album

Ok will it has been forever since I posted, but I have finally finished grad school, got my MSN and added the initials PMHCNS-BC to my signature.  I hope I will have more time now to craft. I am working at a special needs camp for Autistic youth this summer (my 5th year).  I love these kids and can relate to the parents.  I thought it would be nice for the parents to have a little mini scrapbook with some camp pictures of their kids.  The new CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge arrived just in time.  I made 19 of them.  The counselors are amazing with these kids and they have done a fabulous job putting them together. 

I can't show the insides since they have pictures in them. I used retired paper packs as I donated all the materials.  As I look through these books, tears come to my eyes at the beautiful pictures and stories that are there.  For the parents receiving them I believe it is a priceless gift.

As the parent of a special needs child as well as a typical child their are many things we miss and many milestones that pass our children by.  To see the good times, smiles and activities that the kids were involved in is a special joy that we don't always experience.  Many of these children are not able to express to their parents what they do all day and we wonder about it.

The many hours that I spent cutting these out was worth it to me and I am sure that it will be a super special treat for these parents.  I know that I would have loved something like this made by someone that works with my son.

Til next time,

Caren

Finally did some new Studio J layouts.

I love studio J.  When I don't have much time to scrap I can do a pretty quickie layout and get something done.  Here is what I have been working on this week.
Convention 2011

 My 50th Birthday and 10 years breast cancer survivor anniversary.

The title of this says it all.  I am so happy.  We are planning an August wedding.

I hope to get some more layouts done soon.

Caren

too long since i've posted.

I am in graduate school so I haven't even thought of posting in months, although I can't believe it has been 9 months since I posted.  I didn't even post the fun stuff I made at convention.  I will post some of my newest studio J layouts soon.  I promise.

Caren

Photo cube

 I made this adorable photo cube at CTMH leadershare at the end of April.  It is so cute and easy to make.  It makes a great gift, perfect for your childs teacher.  Ask me how to set up a workshop with your friends and earn free products at the same time.

Caren

Celebrate national scrapbook month

National Scrapbooking Month Time is running out so hurry!

 
                              May 2011 Constant Campaign

We are celebrating National Scrapbooking Month in May with a fabulous promotion! During May, when you or your customers place a minimum order of $50 US / $55 CAN for any Close To My Heart products*, you can grab an exclusive You & Me scrapbooking kit for just $15/$16.50—that’s more than half off the retail value of the kit! Woo-hoo! You can also purchase the kit outright for $34.95/$38.95 with or without a minimum purchase. It’s a charming kit you and your customers are sure to love. It features two fully embellished layouts, each with their own unique personality, a D-size stamp set, and an instruction guide to step you through the creation process. As part of our promotion, we’re also offering new Consultants who join Close To My Heart in May one FREE You & Me scrapbooking kit plus 50% off their New Consultant Kit! It's an incredible value just for May!

*Products or memberships purchased on a Studio J^® website do not count toward a qualifying purchase.

This is an awesome time to join my team with ctmh and get an amazing discount on your New Consultant Kit

Contact me ASAP as the promo ends May 31, 2011.

Enjoy the long weekend

Caren

March 2011 SOTM Blog Hop

March goes in like a Lion and comes out like a Bunny!.  And this months SOTM is the cutest set of bunnies I've ever seen. It is called "Sensational Season" and it is a set of 10 stamps (D1454).  It is only available for the month of March. Contact your consultant or click here to find out how to get if for a discount, or even free.  So get ready to do the bunny HOP along with us.  If you have come from Melissa Robinson's blog you are on the right path.

One of things I love about this set is that you can do other things, besides Easter (and since I do not celebrate Easter I am happy about that).  I chose to do it as a celebration type card.
 

 
It is hard to tell in this picture, but I used dimensional adhesive to pop up the bunny.  I used CTMH markers and I blended a darker color with the  lighter one while still wet and I was able to get the shadowing, similar to the way I use copic markers.  I used paper from "Wings" level 2 and "miracle" dimensional elements (they are so cool, they have a resist pattern on them so all you have to is ink them and voila!)  I added some Mocha "opaques", 1 for the bunny's eye and the 3 others on top.  I like how the bunny adds some whimsy to a more serious looking paper.  I used sunkiss yellow, taffy, key lime, juniper, baby pink, tulip, garden green and olive markers.  As soon as I finished colorin, I did a little shading and immediately blended with the base color.  I am very happy with the way the shading came out.  I also used the blender pen because I didn't have a gray marker so I picked up the ink form the cover of the ink pad to get the gray color of the bunny.
 
Well this is truly a hop so hop on over to Teri Baxter's blog and see what hopped into her mind this month to create with this set.  If you want to see the complete list of hoppers go to Helen's blog.  However this hop is circular so if you click on the link on each blog it will take you to the next blog.
 
Hop along with us!
Hoppy March
 
Caren

Feb. 2011 SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to the Hop!  This month we have over 60 consultants sharing there fabulous creations.  If you have come here from Melissa Robinson's blog you are on the right track.  I am in awe of the amazing talent I see as I go through the blog hop every month.  I am sure you (and I) won't be disappointed.  This lovely set is called "Friendship" D1453.It is a set of 8 stamps.  It is only available in February.  Contact your consultant (or click here) to find out how to get it at a discount or even free. 

Unfortunately I am studying for my GRE's which I am taking next week and I have a deadline of tomorrow on a software sight and so I must finish using it tonight, therefore I will not be able to post artwork until tomorrow night or weds. but please check back.  In the meant time hop on over to Melissa Laverty's Blog and check out her project, which I am sure will be amazing.

Don't forget to check back on Wednesday to see my project.

Caren