Halloween Layout

I am giving a party for a new customer and she asked me to do a Halloween layout using glitter. I was inspired by a layout that was done by a fellow CTMH consultant, I wish that I remember her name, on the CTMH boards using "Raise the Curtain" from the Magic layout book. I did a modified version of hers by turning the first page upside down and putting the title on black. I used bulk Hooligans paper, and Black and Gypsy cardstock. The little monsters have Prisma Glitter on them and the title is stamped with the "Cocktail Alphabet" set.

My Little Hot Dog

My little dog Jesse posed so nicely for these photos that I needed to complete my layouts. He was a little humiliated at being dressed up as a "hot dog," but, he went along with it. This is one of the sets of layouts that we will be making at my "Hooligans" Workshop next week.

Happy Birthday Ryan!!! And Spook Alley

Yesterday was my son's 25th birthday. We took him out to dinner and then to Fenton's for dessert. I made this silly card for him using the "Spook Alley" stamp set from CTMH and the "Hooligans" paper. I knew he would like it.Here is a picture of him on his first birthday. He loved that pacifier. I had a hard time finding a picture without one in his mouth. That is me at 25!!!Here he is all grown up 25 years later with me. Here he is with his dad.

This is his sister Jennifer and niece Lexi.
This is Lexi and her dad.

It was a fun night for all of us. We had fun telling stories of when Ryan was little.

Hooligans Workshop

These are the layouts that we will be making at my upcoming "Hooligans" Workshop. I love the fun colors in this paper. For this first layout, I was inspired by a layout that Karen Pedersen made. I changed it up a bit to fit my workshop. When I went to convention this past summer, one of the talented consultants who was teaching a class made a layout similiar to this one. Her's was much more complicated. Mine is a bit simpler.

And, lastly this layout is from the Hooligans Workshop-on-the-go.

Autumn/Winter 2010 New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to the Close To My Heart Autumn/Winter 2010 New Product Blog Hop.
If you arrived from Heather's Blog, you are on the right track. For those of you who are not familiar with a Blog Hop, this is your chance to visit several blogs and see the artwork made by some very talented consultants. I will direct you to the next blog once you are done viewing my artwork. If you would like to start from the beginning, here is the LINK to Erin's Blog, otherwise you can continue on and the last blog will direct you to the first. Have fun ;)


I have made these Treat Covers using the new "Hooligans Paper Pack" from Close to My Heart. These would be perfect for your Halloween Treats. They are shaped like a tent, with the sides open and they hold a small bag of candy. The card on the left uses the new "Hooligans Level 2 Assortment" of adhesive-backed felt monters. The middle card uses the "Hooligans Level 2 My Stickease" assortment. And the card on the right uses the new "Party Animal" Stamp set.

If you would like directions for making these treat bags, I have directions listed below. Otherwise, head on over to Jessica's Blog and see what she has in store for you.

To watercolor the monster on the card on the right, I used a blending pen and "puddle pad". To make a puddle pad, give the closed ink pad a little squeeze. A small amount of ink will stick to the top. Add a couple of drops of water to the ink. I like to do this so that the color won't come out so strong. The colors that I used are "Pear"and "Sunset." Using a blending pen, swirl it around in the ink and gently color your image. Remember to keep the lid on your blending pen when you are not using it or it will dry out and make it difficult for you to color. The pen will want to drag and leave streaks. It shouldn't do this. If it does, try adding a little more water. If this doesn't work, it's time to get a new pen. To make the card, cut a piece of cardstock 3 3/4 x 10 1/2. Then score it at 4, 4 1/2, 5 and 9.

Fold all score marks. Fold the 4 1/2 score mark in the opposite direction.

Your folded card should look like this. Once you have the folds made, attach a 1 1/4" x 3 3/8", piece of B&T paper to the top flap. Attach a 3" x 3 3/4" piece of B&T paper to the front. Close top flap and using a small punch, punch two holes in the flap and threat ribbon through and tie in a bow. Finally, insert a small bag of Halloween candy like M&M's, Skittles or any of your favorites. To keep the bag inside, try using a glue dot or a small amount of adhesive.