I'm Baaaack...

After several years toiling away in grad school and maintaining a busy family lifestyle I have created a space in my life for crafting again.  It feels great to regain some balance in life and return to creating.  I am really geeked about the new things available at Close To My Heart and wanted to show you a quick pic of what is to come in my order soon:

These look fun for making cards for Weddings, Christmas, Birthdays, pretty much any occasion I guess. :)

As soon as I get my hands on the paper I will make some projects to share.  It is like I'm a kid waiting for my birthday to get here!!!

Perhaps I can share a few of the things the kids and I created while we wait.  More soon!

Home Decor Kit and I am in LOVE!!!!

This new kit comes with a cute stamp set, the frame, the mini clothespins and the kraft cardstock shapes.
I used the picture from the Idea book for inspiration and some random pictures from family events and trips in the past 6 months.

Here is the 'big picture':


I also used Pacifica Ink and White Daisy Ink to stamp the images.  I traced around the pennant shapes with a black marker and outlined some of the white daisy arrows for more definition.

A close up with some of the shapes more visible:


The mini clothespins are great because I feel that I can easily change up the look without too much effort and I could reuse the pictures on pages in my albums.  The new Artbooking Cricut collection has the Polaroid-type shape so I could recreate that same look or try something else...who knows what I will do?  (Probably leave it because I really like how it turned out.) :-)

Cute clothespins:


The kit also includes extra tags and banner pieces so you can change the title or embellish the photos.  I prefer to keep things simple and easy.  The entire project from start to finish...including thinking time for what color, photos, etc. took about 2 hours.  I first chose pictures, then color palette, trimmed photos, stamped images, used Tombow permanent adhesive to attach photos to frame shapes, added the string to the banner/title, decided to outline the white daisy stamped images, arranged the title on the top of the frame and used glue dots to secure it, realized that I put the title on upside down (the little hanger thingy was on the bottom!), removed the title, reattached it the correct way, arranged the photos and clipped it all together.  Done!

A better view of the embellishing shapes:


Whew!  It sounds more complicated than it was.  I hope you got a giggle from my wee mistake!  It happens to all of us I assume?

Your mission?  Enjoy and share a link to your latest home decor items.
Stay safe out there agent scrappers!
Amy AKA Agent Reverso

Pajama Party

Just finished watching the pajama party on Big Picture Scrapbooking. The ladies on that site are so funny! CTMH joined BPC to create a cool project using the new Cricut Artbooking Project. I CAN'T wait for tomorrow to post the pictures of all the fun projects I have created (with little E) from the new idea book. If you want a book just let me know via email or comment and I will work with you to get it to you. More pics to follow...only a few more hours. :) Your mission...keep it scrappy!

Spinner Contest

Email your use of the spinner idea (yep you can get creative) OR post a pic here and I will randomly choose a winner from everyone who posts...even CTMH consultants can join in the fun.

Here is a short video with some ideas from Close to My Heart on using the chipboard spinner:


Enjoy!

Hello again from the STILL frosty north!  UGH!
At least we are dealing with rain rather than snow and ice.  (Sorry little brother!)
OK waaaay back in January my baby girl turned 6 and we had a fun doll/tea party with a bunch of Kindergarten girls...so fun!

We "borrowed" a room in the library. :)
I found tea cups and saucers at the Salvation Army (only about 50 cents a cup).  The Salvation Army also had tablecloths and scrap fabric for table coverings for about a dollar each!

I used the Cricut Artiste to create a gorgeous (if I do say so myself) banner and other little decorations.
I used the Who's Your Valentine Kit to make the treat boxes for the girls as well.

It was cute, magical and fun!  Here are some pictures of the day:

Some close ups of the banner:

 Love that glitter paper! Love the Artiste cartridge.  Love my baby girl most of all. :)

I have been under cover for a few months. :) I'm currently posing as a college student! The classes have been intense and very interesting, however, I am finally nearing the end of my first semester back in school (after a VERY long break) and looking forward to some free time! E (my 5 year old) and I made the advent calendar last weekend...yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it was mid month...the kids have been rushing downstairs each morning to see what is in the treat box for them! (Hint: it's always chocolate.) Speaking of chocolates :) When I ordered the Advent Calendar Workshop on the go kit...which was really easy and fun (you also need the Artiste Cricut Cartridge to cut the boxes out)... I also ordered the Whooo's your Valentine Kit. Sneak peek of new goodies for spring!!! Cute owls, glitter paper, oh my! Get your hands on one I am sure that they will sell out before the end of January. Here's a video with the kit it is even better in person. Well I'm back into deep cover for a week or so...last final is Monday! Statistics?! Why, at nearly 40, am I learning inferential statistics?! Seriously though, I am so happy to be finishing what I started so long ago. :) Life is definitely a winding road. Happy Crafting, Amy

Technique Blog Hop: Alcohol Markers

This is the technique blog hop Welcome to Amy Kaminski's Blog: Creative Agents!

There are 7 lucky bloggers participating this month.  We are using our Alcohol Markers to color.  This technique is highlighted on page 55 of the Fall/Winter 2012 Idea Book.  This blog hop is a big circle so begin wherever you wish and keep clicking to see all the fabulous art work and inspiration; eventually you will end where you started. :)  If you are coming from Shirley Ross' blog then you are on the right track.

Here is a cute little gift tag I made using the Light and Cotton candy pink marker set.  I colored the cupcake pink and the bling too!
How neat that you can use alcohol inks to match bling to every project.

On this bookmark I wanted the trendy blended color look.  I love the bright oranges but enjoyed playing with the blending marker to see what effect it would have on the colors.  Don't you love the look of the oranges and reds blended? (Goldrush and Ruby)  I have been reading for HOURS and HOURS and this little bookmark makes me feel happy. 

Thank you for stopping by, now head on over to Wendy Kessler's blog for even more ideas using this technique.
Be sure to leave a kind comment and happy hopping!
Amy