Fancy Fold Cards, CTMH Style

Hello Scrapfans!

I am so excited to show you my latest artwork. Well, there's a lot more than this but I really want to show these cards. 

I have been wanting to experiment with fancy folds for awhile and I finally got the opportunity to do that last weekend. I made a tri-shutter card and a twist on a concertina card.

For a tri-shutter card, take a 5 1/2 x 12 piece of cardstock and score at 2', 4', 8' and 10'. Turn your cardstock so that your score lines are horizontal. Measure at 1 1/2' and make a cut with a craft knife between your 2' and 10' score lines. Repeat on the other side. Fold your card as pictured above. Using the base as a template, measure and cut panels for your card. I used the Claire Paper Packet here (X7166B, 9.95) along with Outdoor Denim, Sunset and Hollyhock coordinating solids.

This fold I learned from one of the ladies at my local scrapbooking shop. The closest tutorial I found to match this card is Concertina. Out of a 12 x 12 piece of cardstock, cut two strips of paper 7' at one end and 3 1/2' at the other. Score both pieces of paper at 2', 5' and 7'. Glue the two larger sides together with the corners at opposite sides as pictured above. Using the card base as a template, measure out your panels. You will need to place panels in the middle of the back of the card as well. I used Clementine Paper (X7156B, 9.95) along with Creme Brulee and Sorbet coordinating solids on a base of New England Ivy.

Fold your score as pictured above. Cut a 3x3 piece of Creme Brulee and 2 3/4x 2 3/4 piece of colonial white, then stamped "Thank You" and attached to the front of my card. I used adhesive-backed velcroe on the right side for opening and closing the card.

I really enjoyed making these cards, and the fold were incredibly easy to learn. If you have been contemplating taking your card making to the next level but haven't yet, these folds are a great place to start. They are a little time-consuming but trust me, it is worth the time and effort. I feel so confidant after making these cards, I cannot wait to learn more fancy folds! 

I've been working on artwork using paper lunch sacks and will post pictures and instructions for those projects this weekend. You can also go to my facebook page, www.facebook.com/strescha.ctmh to see more artwork I've created. Scraplifting is encouraged!

Until next time,

Strescha

New Products, New Artwork

Hello Scrapfans!

Words cannot express how excited I am for August to be here! Yesterday, the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book and Catalog went live to all of you. Now, I love Autumn/Winter catalogs because these are the books that have the awesome changes and new products that makes crafting fresh, exciting and unique!

So there are 8 new gorgeous additions to the My Reflections line of scrapbooking and cardmaking products. One of those is Clementine. Oh Clementine, how you have won my heart. I L-O-V-E-D the Lucy paper from the last catalog and was downright angry when I found out it was retiring; but once I saw Clementine I said, "Lucy Who?"

I've spent the last couple weeks playing with Clementine and golly, have I had fun. I made some wonderful cards which I had/will have the pleasure of sharing with my hostesses at their gatherings. I haven't even gotten a chance to scrapbook with Clem yet, but I can't until I get some more paper! In the meantime, check out these cards:

Okay, So I went a little overboard with the last design. But it was simple and so fun to make. As always, I hope you enjoy looking at these cards as much as I enjoyed making them. Scraplifting is encouraged!

Create-Away,

Strescha:)

Latest Happenings

Good Afternoon Scrapfans!

Whoo! It's been awhile since you've heard from me. For that, I apologize. Sometimes it's difficult for me keep up with certain things since I've had so many irons in the fire at once lately. But I wanted to stop and give everyone an update on the latest goings on and upcoming events!

Convention 2012:
...is happening. Right now, as I type! And I'm not there. I wish I were. I planned to be! But my car died and my wonderful husband couldn't bring it back to life even though he tried very hard to make it happen. So I had to cancel my plans to attend convention in Dallas, Texas. However, I have some AMAZING
CTMH sisters who are tweeting and posting updates to facebook, in addition to my awesome upline Alex texting me pictures of everything! So I can give you a few details on the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book and Catalog!

• 8 new My Reflections Paper Packs----Which are absolutely adorable! You're gonna love them! I can't decide which one I want to play with first!
• New Workshop On The Go kits including 8 scrapbook kits, 2 card kits(one of them Christmas) and 2 home decor items!
• The return of bulk paper! (I'm told there was a standing ovation at this announcement)
• Tons of new stamps!
• 6 new colors: Slate, Whisper, Saddle, Champagne, Cashmere & Ruby
• New Markers---A CTMH spin on a popular marker line!
• A New Cricut Bundle!

The Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book and Catalog goes live August 1st. There's a lot more to come to stay tuned Scrapfans. I'll post a list of retiring items and more information on my August open house and the new products, as well as pics of my creations as I have them.

July Constant Campaign:

Did you miss getting that coordinating embellishment you needed? Run out of that paper that's just perfect for  an upcoming project? Now's the time to restock! Go to my website and recieve a free (RETIRED) paper pack and coordinating embellishment with your order of $75! This sale is valid on my website only folks. See the table below so you can coordinate your order date properly:

Order Dates	Perfect Pair	Retail Value
July 1–5	Mischief Paper Packet (X7144B) and Midnight Felt Shapes (Z1462)	$15.90
July 6–10	Dreamin’ Paper Packet (X7142B) and Harvest Charms (Z1633)	$14.90
July 11–15	Fanfare Paper Packet (X7138B) and Fanfare Level 2 Assortment (Z1400)	$17.90
July 16–20	Lucky Paper Packet (X7137B) and Lucky My Stickease® Assortment (X7137C)	$17.90
July 21–25	Mayberry Paper Packet (X7136B) and Mayberry My Stickease® Assortment (X7136C)	$17.90
July 26–29	Sophia Paper Packet (X7131B) and Sophia My Stickease® Assortment (X7131C)	$17.90
July 30–31	Believe Paper Packet (X7145B) and Holiday Pockets (Z1486) OR Wonderland Paper Packet (X7146B) and Wonderland My Stickease®Assortment (X7146C)

To my knowledge, this will be my last gathering with the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book, so this may be your last chance to order your favorite products! I think I will wait until I can get another Sophia Paper Packet!

Next Gathering:

You can take advantage of the fabulous deal above and if you are local to the Yuba-Sutter area, make a free Create-And-Take Card! My next scheduled gathering is Saturday, July 21st @ 2PM, at the Sutter United Methodist Church in Sutter, Ca. Simply go to my website www.ctmh.com/strescha and look on the bottom right where it says "Join one of Strescha's Gatherings". See the gathering titled, "Yuba Sutter Scrapppers", click "Join" and shop! Yes, it's that easy! Your goodies will be shipped directly to you!




Until Next Time Scrapfans!


Create-Away,
Strescha

Mother's Day Card Kits


Hi and Hello Scrapfans! April was a very busy month on the CTMH front! A special thanks goes out to all of my guests at my last gathering, and a great, big congratulations goes out to Ms. Milly for winning some free hostess products!


Onto the next...Mother's Day is almost upon us and if you're as busy as I am, it has snuck up on you! But don't fret, because I have a great way to for you to show that special lady(or ladies) in your life how much you love and appreciate everything she does for you! 


You have two options for purchasing one or all of these lovely cards pictured below:

Option 1:
A kit with all materials pre-cut and stamped along with instructions for assembly and an envelope. 
Price is 4.00 each or 3 for 10.00. Feel free to mix and match!




Option 2:
A completed card hand assembled by yours truly! You need only to fill in the inside and sign. 
Price is 5.00 each or 3 for 10.00. Again, you're welcome to mix and match!




All orders should be submitted to me by 8PM on Friday, May 11th. All orders are processed on a first come, first serve basis. Act now because quantities are limited! And if your special lady is a papercrafter, I offer gift certificates to shop with me in increments of $10, $20. $50 and $100.As with any handmade item, these cards are very easy to customize to your specffic wants and needs. Let me also remind you that as this is a sale I am offering myself, you cannot take advantage of this opportunity through my website. You must call me at (530)933-9986 or e-mail me at strescha@gmail.com to place your orders. 

St. Patty's Day Tea Cards

Hello Scrapfans!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've posted anything! Life has been sooooo crazy! This morning I finally have a chance to 1. Breathe, and 2. Update you on the latest CTMH goings on!

March Promotion:
Want to get over $400 worth of great Scrapbooking product for only $99 in March? Join my Close to My Heart Team this March! In addition to the incredible Consultant kit you get the Cricut -Close to My Heart- Art Philosophy Cartridge Collection (approx. $124.00 retail value) for FREE (or $100 in product credit) with the New Consultant Kit (retail value $288.00) all for just $99.00 Plus you get a discount on everything you buy! This is by far the best sign-up special I have seen since I became a CTMH Consultant! Even better than the promotion I signed up under! Go to my website www.strescha.myctmh.comand click on 'your opportunities'!

Upcoming events:
My next gathering will be Sunday, April 1st. It will be an Easter themed gathering and the hostess is....You(Maybe)! This event will feature a mystery hostess drawing. Hmmm...I wonder what will be in your special easter egg....maybe FREE CTMH PRODUCTS! Contact me for location and more details if you would like to attend!

Now for a peek at some artwork! I made these cards and donated them as raffle prizes to a St. Patrick's Day Tea fundraiser event. Two each of five card designs, all green. This was a fun challenge for me. I never realized that green was such a versatile color! I had a blast crafting the cards and attending the tea party. Lots of raffle tickets were sold and the money went to a very good cause!

Enjoy!
Create-Away,
Strescha

Valentine's Cards

Hello Scrapfans!

I'm going to tell you a deep, dark secret about myself. It's very difficult to admit, and you probably wouldn't even guess it since my personality is so cheery, bubbly and scrappy. But I used to HATE Valentine's Day. I did! It's the honest truth. That was back when I was with a boyfriend who took me to dinner and bought me gifts on the occasion. I know how I sound. But he was a guy who treated me one way in public and completely different in private. The "I'm gonna take you out and show everyone how good I am to you even though you're not worth it" type a guy. That was several years ago and thankfully, that guy is long out of my life. For our first Valentine's Day together, my husband Chris wanted to take me out for an expensive meal and buy me gifts he thought I would like. But I told him that the best gift he could give me is to just treat it like a normal day. At least that year anyway. I was still feeling the sting from the ex and I wanted nothing to do with V-day. And like the wonderful man he is, he gave me exactly what I wanted. So this year on February 14th, we're going to stay home, probably eat some Mac N Cheese and watch Ringer. And I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to that. I don't think it matters what you do on Valentine's Day, as long as you are spending with the person you love.  But I digress.

I do, however, make Chris a card. And with my first gathering for the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book coming up tomorrow, I thought it would be nice to do Valentine's Cards for the Create & Take. So for all of you who are local to Marysville-Yuba City, Ca and the surrounding areas here are the details:

When: Tomorrow, February 11th, 2012 @ 1:00PM
Where: Sutter United Methodist Church, 7751 Butte Rd. Sutter, Ca

You can e-mail me at strescha@gmail.com or call me at (530)933-9986 for directions or more details. Enjoy these photo's of the Create & Takes:

Create-Away,
Strescha:)

Welcome!

My name is Strescha and I am a scrapbooking addict. Welcome to my blog! I created this blog because I love scrapbooking and Close To My Heart and I am eager to take you with me on my papercrafting journey!

So I thought that for my first post I could tell you a little about myself. I am 25 years old and I became a scrapbooking addict almost 4 years ago when I got married. While Chris and I were planning our wedding, my future mother-in-law asked me if I planned to scrapbook the photos, and I said yes. To be completely honest, at the time I wasn't sure if I was going to scrapbook or not. The driving reason behind saying yes was that I was eager to please my future mother-in-law. I am so happy that I said yes. After we got home from our honeymoon, my MIL(mother-in-law) invited us to have dinner and to help me my album started. I spent a few hours in her craft room learning a few simple techniques. She gave me a few things-some paper, embellishments, etc. and made plans to get together over the weekend to work on my scrapbook some more. I cannot express to you how much fun I had that first night. I was hooked and not just on scrapbooking either. That was the first time my MIL and I had to chance to sit down and really talk and get to know each other. Here we are, almost 4 years later and my bond with her is one of my most cherished relationships. She's more like my mother, and I will admit that as close as my husband is to his step-mom of over 30 years, I am definitely closer.

Sorry to go off on that tangent, but my MIL is a big part of my papercrafting journey. So I scrapbooked our wedding and honeymoon, then our lives. Holidays, birthdays, day trips, pets. Cardmaking was always in the back of my mind though. I loved scrapbooking, and I felt like I would be cheating on my scrapbook if I started making cards. As much as it intrigued me, I would not try it. Then Father's Day came a couple years ago. I had an awesome gift, but no card. Let me tell you, I am not a no-card type of girl. When I give a gift, there's always a card with it. So I relented and made one. It was definitely different to be decorated a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 cardbase instead of a 12 x 12 scrapbook page. And I was stumped. I had never decorated something so small. So my first card was primitive for sure. I don't have a picture of it, but I will never forget what it looked like. And I gave it to my father-in-law and I know it was plain and he probably didn't like it, but I was proud to give it to him. It made me feel so good to give someone something that I made with my own two hands. So I started making all my cards. Then facebook came into my life and I started photographing and posting pictures of my cards. Then eighteen months ago, I was at my in-laws house scrapbooking with my MIL and she said to me, "Have you ever thought about selling Close To My Heart?" My immediate reaction was, "What's Close To My Heart?" I told her I would think about and forgot about it....for six months. Then one day CTMH popped into my head and I e-mailed a consultant for more information. After seeing the products, I was in love. I knew CTMH was for me. So I signed up and here I am, about to celebrate my one-year anniversary with the company. And I couldn't be happier. CTMH took my papercrafting and catapulted it to a whole other level. I've learned so much, and I think that when you papercraft, learning more tips techniques only makes you better. Your projects can be either simple or complicated or both at the same time. I will be posting pictures of my cards and layouts for your use. Scrap-lifting is encouraged here!


Create-Away,
Strescha