My Grandma's Teacups Scrapbooking and Craft Supplies: TIANYANG Dies: Layout #4

This is the fourth layout in our series reviewing the TIANYANG dies.  This is one of my favourite dies that I received. The legs on this ballerina are so delicate it is incredible.  I found it hard to decide which of the many ideas this cut inspired would make it to the studio table.

My Grandma's Teacups Scrapbooking and Craft Supplies: TIANYANG Dies :Layout #1

One of the wonderful folks from TIANYANG Dies approached me about trying out some of their cutting dies in my work. Generally I do not use dies as I have a Cricut explore but after several conversations I agreed to test their product. TIANYANG provided several dies for me to work with and I wanted to share what I created with you.

Layout #1

I used the TIANYANG product Product ID:32263845233 and 32263845263 
to create the lovely flowers in the layout. I was surprised by the number of sheets of cardstock that these dies can in fact cut in one pass. The edges of the cut are very clean and slightly embossed for a professional feel when working with the petals. I really liked the versatility of the design as I was able to make several variations with one die.

My Grandma's Teacups Scrapbooking and Craft Supplies: Giveaway Time- Scrapfest Kitchener VIP Marketplace Passes

Several years ago I went to my first major scrapbooking expo. My girlfriend and I bought tickets from our local scrapbooking store Sweet Sentiments Scrapbooking to hop on the bus with the best bunch of women you could ever want to travel with. The ride to Kitchener flew by as we created cards to donate to charity upon arrival. The entire group was alive with the excitement of what might be at the show.

When we arrived at the arena we were greeted at the door by some fabulous organisers and Lisa Sales Furtney, founder of Scrapfest Canada. She helped us all get oriented as to where the marketplace was and where to go for classes.

When we entered the marketplace we were stunned by the amazing array of vendors and products. Every booth was decorated and displaying the latest products that we poor crafters in Belleville had only seen in our copy of Canadian Scrapbooker. We were able to try new tools and different types of media. We were hooked. In hindsight we should have purchased our boatloads of paper after we had made our rounds of the marketplace and finished our classes as scrapbook paper weighs allot after several hours of lugging it.

It seems nearly every booth had  a make and take project that we could complete for free. So many in fact that we had to choose just our favourites to complete or we would have missed our class.

One of the absolute highlights for me was having the opportunity to take a class with Vicki Boutin. She is such a talented papercrafter and I have been a huge fan of her work for several years. Having an opportunity to spend time discussing scrapbooking with her was like sitting at the feet of Michelangelo as he painted the Sistine Chapel. It was inspiring beyond anything I had done before and really drove my interest in scrapbooking.

Scrapfest became our annual pilgrimage. Without even having to talk about it we automatically cleared our calendars to be there each year. After the first year we began driving to Scrapfest and the journey became part of the adventure. Scrapfest then came to Oshawa and we revelled in having yet another day to set aside to explore the pastime that had become such a big part of our lives.

I still have my pink Scrapfest Shirt from that first year. Its faded and a bit unsightly but I will never part with it. Each time I bring it out I am flooded with the happy memories and sometimes nearly scandalous escapades Rebecca and I had at Scrapfest. I have not been back to Scrapfest since the Oshawa Scrapfest in 2011. Rebecca was killed in an accident a couple weeks after the event. Each year I watch the updates flood in about Scrapfest and I long to be there. To be able to tap into some of that vast creative energy that flows there. This year may be my year....

Lisa Sales Furtney was wonderful enough to offer two sets of VIP Marketplace Tickets for the April 2015 Show in Kitchener, Ontario. So, four lucky My Grandma's Teacups fans are going to be going to SCRAPFEST.

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Family Photo Traditions At Christmas Time - Guest Post By Sarah Kirby

It's funny how little things become traditions without even noticing. 

One year you bake cookies and the next year your kids expect that you'll be baking cookies. One year you decorate the tree while watching Miracle On 34th Street and ... well, you get the idea. 

For my family, the "silly Christmas couch picture" seems to be a tradition we've had for a few years now and I don't see it leaving us anytime soon.

Because I'm a photographer, it's perfectly normal for me to never be in any family photos. Unless it's a cell phone "selfie", I'm the one behind the camera.

So, I started using my tripod to get at least one family photo with me in it. (We could be like the Simpsons!)

My husband is uncomfortable posing for photos, my girls are not (because of their years with a mom who always has the camera out). 

While I was taking some test shots to make sure the light was right, my girls used the time to make some faces and help Mike relax a bit. 

Somehow, a perfectly lovely happy family photo turned into complete silliness and that silliness has evolved into one of our most fun traditions.

I do still get my perfectly lovely happy family photo too!

A few years ago we tried a "photobooth".  

I set up our little "booth" at the end of a hallway by tapeing a sheet to the wall. Our light source was a floorlamp with the shade removed.

I used my good camera on a tripod but I discovered that there are several "apps" out there that will do some really neat images like Photomat (free) and Pocketbooth (.99 cents). You don't have to have a big camera with a tripod to try it out.     

This hasn't become a tradition for us ... yet. But it was a hoot and definitely calls for a round 2 this year now that I have a home studio.

"What are your family photo traditions at Christmas time? If you don't have one, maybe this is your year to experiment! Have fun with it."

Sarah is the owner of Imagine Photography

About Sarah Kirby

My name is Sarah Kirby and I live in Belleville, Ontario with my husband Mike and my daughters Becca and Brianna, all of whom are tremendous supporters of Imagine Photography. In 2007 I began a second career as a scrapbooking consultant and it was through this work that my passion for photography developed. I began to see photos from a different perspective, imagining what they might look like in a scrapbook and how they might best be taken to preserve memories for a lifetime.

My passion (some might say "obsession”) eventually led to taking pictures for friends and family and that passion for photography was fueled even more. Through photography courses, I constantly strive to upgrade my knowledge, skills and equipment so that I can give you, the customer, the highest quality photos and the best overall experience possible.

From 2012 to 2014 I lived in and visited seven countries on three different continents. This experience not only gave me a deeper appreciation of diverse cultures, but also allowed me to photograph some of the most beautiful places on earth. Egypt’s Great Pyramids, Jordan’s ancient city of Petra, and Kenya’s Masai Mara are just a few of the locations I have been privileged to photograph. (please visit my Blog pages to view the travel photography or my Landscape page if you are interested in buying an image. Egypt/Kenya/Jordan Blog and Thailand/New Zealand/Ecuador Blog)

Now that I have re-settled in the Quinte area, I am ready to devote all of my efforts to serving my customers and creating beautiful and lasting memories

Find Sarah on Facebook

Meet My Friend Sarah and Sneak Peek at November Posts.

Its always nice when out of the blue you have the opportunity to get to know someone new. I was lucky enough to meet Sarah a few months ago in a fb group and we became quick friends. Sarah was kind enough to agree to guest post this week about Family Photos. I know this is something that I start to think about this time of year. Will they be formal shots of the whole family or just the kids dressed up in their Christmas best? I can't wait to share Sarah's "take" on the whole situation.

Join us this Friday for Sarah's informative yet unorthodox post.

Also, be sure to check back later in the month for articles from other guest bloggers about holiday entertaining, keeping holiday stress in check, eating right and staying healthy during the holidays and more.

Did you visit the Heroes Of The City Giveaway yet? Those wonderful folks are at it again. This time you can win a $25 Amazon card. Winners will be drawn every day December 1st-25, 2014.

Enter to win here: 

http://is.gd/HGIxtD

Jumpstart Your Christmas Cardmaking: Pop-Up Nativity Card

Who doesn't love a good pop-up card? This card requires a wee bit of fussy cutting but the end result is so cute that its worth the effort.

Materials:

Colonial White card base & Envelope

Colonial White Cardstock

Desert Sand Cardstock

Adhesive

Crystal Blue Ink

Desert Sand Ink

Cocoa Ink

I used Glory To God Stamp Set (Retired) but the new version is Reason For The Season (You can also use the diecut pieces that are included in the design file in artfully sent)

Embossing Folder (I used a frame folder from Cuttlebug)

Cricut Artfully Sent Cartridge

The best way to tackle this card is to work on it as two separate cards and then put them together. 

Cut a 41/4 x 51/2 piece of colonial white cardstock. Using your embossing folder create the frame impression. Next stamp your city background in desert sand ink. Next add your sentiment, wisemen and star in Cocoa. Using a sponge lightly ink your sky using crystal blue ink and the ground using desert sand. Allow the ink to dry completely and then adhere it to the front of your card base.

Using your artfully sent cricut cartridge select the Nativity Pop Up Design from page 46 of your instruction booklet. You will see all the layers you need appear. Once you have cut the pieces out of colonial white and desert sand you will want to carefully fold the pop up base. The easiest way to do this is by folding the card in half like a regular card using your bone folder and then go back and gently push alternating slotted areas forward. Once you have all your folds done attach it to the desert sand base liner. I find it is easier to line the characters up once it is stable (no pun intended). If you need to stamp your images now is the time to do it and then fussy cut them before adhering to their steps.We stamped our Creche right on the back of the card so that Jesus and his family would seem to be inside it.  Stamp your sentiment in the bottom right hand corner with cocoa ink. Once you have your nativity scene together you can gently adhere it to the card base. Voila you are a pop-up card whiz.

Jump Start Your Christmas Card Making - Mary & Babe Card

The countdown to Christmas has officially begun in my house. Once the first Christmas card classes occur I
know that time will start to pass quickly and I have to put myself into high gear. I love the way that our first set of cards turned out. The ladies in the club had allot of fun with the design and I hope you will too.

The first card in the series is the Mary & Babe Card.

Mary & Babe Stamp Set

Materials:

Water Colour Pencils 
Chocolate Ink
Adhesive
Colonial White Envelope
Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (or scalloped oval and oval punch)
Crystal Blue Cardstock
White Daisy Cardstock
Colonial White Cardstock
Mary & Babe Stamp Set


Cut a 81/2 x 51/2 sheet of crystal cardstock to create a card base (I used my cricut and the damask decor cartridge to get the edge you see pictured.) If your design requires a liner like mine did be sure to cut the coordinating piece out of colonial white cardstock.

Using your punches or cricut cartridge cut a scalloped oval out of crystal blue and a liner for it out of colonial white. Cut an additional oval out of white daisy that fits just inside the blue shape. I cut an additional oval frame out of colonial cardstock to frame my focal image but the other ladies chose to leave that piece out.

Using the Mary and Babe stamp from Close To My Heart stamp the image on the white daisy oval. Colour with your favourite water colour pencils. If you want to wet the image after colouring be sure that you used an archival ink. If you would rather use your alcohol based markers you will want to use MEMENTO ink.

Use Pop dots to mount your focal image to the blue scalloped oval and then to the card base.

June Stamp of the Month: Kaboom

Have you started planning all those summer celebrations yet? This month Close To My Heart is offering the cutest stamps set that would be just perfect for your Canada Day Celebration invitations, cards and layouts. Its called Kaboom! You can snag this set for only $5 with a qualifying purchase in June. Be sure to take advantage of the anniversary kit offer at the same time. Have fun creating with these explosive deals.

Don't limit yourself to fireworks and picnics. I see this set being used for an action hero type layout for my five year old. Bam, Bang, KABOOM! Love it.

Quick Crafting with Class

Cropping for a Cause

Hello friends.  I have been very busy the last couple of weeks getting ready for what turned out to be a wonderful day with an amazing group of women.  Originally we planned the event in support of the Relay for Life Team that my son has been on for the last few years.

After months of planning the event and after paying for the hall the team folded. Ironically I had been at a meeting of 31 gifts consultants that same day and had met a woman who's father needed a kidney transplant. I am a huge believer that God puts us where he wants us to be so I was sure that this was a sign that we should continue with the event and give the proceeds to this local family.

After having most of the vendors and croppers pull out at the last minute because it was no longer in support of Cancer I was ready to throw in the towel. After prayerful consideration and a looooooooonnnnnnnnnngggggg discussion with my husband (who is always my sounding board in situations like this) I made the decision to proceed and just accept whatever happened.  What happened turned out to be a wonderful day!

The vendors that came were quite possibly the nicest bunch of direct sales people I have ever met. The Scrapbookers were a cozy little group that spending the day with was a delight.

At lunch time we sat at tables to the side of the hall in small groups of 2-4 women. At supper time we put all the pizza on one table and strung the other tables together so that we could all be together. My husband had quite a chuckle when he realized we had all been sitting there eating pizza and sharing stories for over an hour without noticing. We bought things off each other, learned from each other and laughed so much my sides are still a bit sore.

We may not have raised a ton of money for the family but we raised $127 which is not bad. I will continue to brainstorm ideas to raise more money as part of my charitable plan for this year.

I love love love Scrapbooking, but scrapbooking for a cause was an incredible experience.  What can you do to use your creative skills for a good cause? Cards to shut ins? Crafts with kids groups? It is an amazing feeling to use the gifts God has given each of us to make others lives a bit better.

Please visit our amazing new friends: (I will add the links as I receive them )
Pampered Chef- Chantele
Ahna & Zoe- Claudette
Thirty-One Gifts - Julie
Scentsy - Lisa
Organo Gold- Yvonne

Artbooking Made Easy: Fun in the Sun

Artbooking Made Easy: Artbooking My Life

April's Stamp Of The Month

The stamp of the month for April has got to be one of the cutest sets this spring. Imagine all the projects you will be able to create with this adorable collection of "blurbs" and "chat balloons".

Balloon Talk is available to purchase for just $5 with a qualifying purchase in April. It has 24 sweet sentiments that will have you stamping happily for every occasion.

To order this adorable set just visit my site at My Grandma's Tea Cups Close To My Heart

Now is the Time to let your Creativity Make Your Dreams Reality

Have you been dreaming of starting out on a new adventure? Last year, that was me. By chance I was invited to party at a new neighbours house. I had heard of Close To My Heart as I was an avid scrapbooker. I even owned a couple of the cricut bundles and a few stamps.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would sign up to be a consultant and a year later have my own business that I love, an amazing scrapbook club, a downline of enthusiastic consultants, a schedule of classes and workshops and so much more.  My life has changed in ways that I can not begin to describe.  Are you ready to take that first step? During the month of April, Close To My Heart is offering an incredible package, The consultant kit contains over $300 in products and supplies and costs only $99.

If you reach your sales goals of $1200 for your first quarter they will give you your enrollment fee back so the kit is free. 

For the month of April only new consultants get their choice of one of our three exclusive Cricut bundles. FREE!!! $99 value

If you are unsure of the cartridge bundle that suits you best Senior Director Melissa Laverty created a really helpful video:

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to follow your dreams. I did and now I can't imagine my world without Close To My Heart. Take the leap and join my team ------------------------------> Your dream starts here------------->

Artbooking Made Easy: All-Star Scrapbooking

Pick Me Up Gifts : Explosion Boxes

Hello there.  I just wanted to quickly share a little video I made of two explosion boxes that I made today. I think that they might be just the trick to cheer up a couple of ladies that are going through a rough patch.  If you have any questions about the construction of the boxes please leave me a comment below.

Explosion Boxes

Artbooking Made Easy: Fab Frames

Is there something on your mind. Feel free to share it.

Artbooking Made Easy: Happy Springtime

Is there something on your mind. Feel free to share it.

My Latest BZZZZZ Agent Assignment Arrived Today.

What a wonderful thing to chase the winter blahs away. I went down to the post office to pick up my Close To My Heart Order and received the happy news that I had a second parcel waiting. You have to see how cute it is.

I can't tell you what the campaign is just yet as the official buzz does not start until Wednesday. This campaign was made for me...if you follow me on fb you will hear me talking about this very topic regularly in the morning.  Check back Wednesday to see what we are up to.

The other package contained my Close to My Heart order for February. One of the ladies ordered the Jubilee paper packet and it is even cuter up close then it is in the catalogue. Guess what is going on my list for next month's order!  Here is a peek at all the goodies we ordered. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! This is going to be a super busy week here in the studio but I hope you will take a moment to say hi here or over in the google plus group. if you have not joined yet, be sure to find  My Grandma's Tea Cups Insiders  I have to run now as I have orders to sort. Oh, and don't forget about the Mystery Hostess Party going on today! You could win some awesome Jamberry Nail wraps .Mystery Hostess Jamberry Nails Party

February Stamp Of The Month: Wild About Love

Have you heard about the amazing Stamp of The Month special from Close To My Heart? Each month you have the option of purchasing a full size stamp set for only $5 with a purchase of $50. I purchase mine every month because I am one crafty Mama that loves a deal.  The hardest part is waiting for the month that I can grab up my favourites for $5. The great part is that you can purchase the stamp sets for every $50 you spend. If you are like me and have a young stamper in the family, it is a really inexpensive way to build her collection too. They also make perfect gifts for scrapping friends and family.  Close to my heart makes it so easy to qualify for the Stamp Of The Month each month by offering a different special or incentive to get you stocked up on all the supplies you need to make beautiful works of art.






The Stamp of the Month for February is "Wild About Love". You will love the cute woodland feel of this adorable set.

See I told you so!

Two of the stamps coordinate with the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge available exclusively from Close To My Heart.  If you have not purchased this bundle yet you should put it on your wishlist.  Each Close To My Heart Cricut bundle come with over 700 images to cut, coordinating stamps and chipboard pieces. Each bundle costs only $99 but by hosting a home gathering, FB party or catalogue party, you could get it half off or even free using your hostess rewards.  If you live in Canada and would like to book an online or catalogue party please contact me at mygrandmasteacups@gmail.com. If you live outside of Canada you can go to the Close To My Heart website and search for a consultant in your area.






Imagine the possibilities for all the artwork that you can create using this super adorable stamp set.