CTMH’s 24 hour Sweet Sale – 30% discount on select products from our Annual Inspirations AND Seasonal Expressions. Beginning now (11am), for one day only. The offers are only available on orders through my website, so jump on, check them out, and go grab yourself a deal HERE
Enjoy!
There are many mums around NZ right now checking off lists as they prepare for kids heading to/going back to school. For the first time in 15 years I’m not one of them :(. It is hard to believe that both my boys are finished at school and are now at Uni. Dean was deliberating about going to uni in Victoria, but I am very glad he has decided on Auckland – I’m not quite sure I’m ready for him to be leaving home just yet!!
Anyway, I digress. If you do have children heading to school, it’s easy to get caught up in the stress/excitement of it all, and to forget about ‘recording’ those moments. So I thought I’d share a few ‘photo’ tips to help ensure you capture all of the firsts and special moments in their school life.
Some photo recommendations;
First year of school;
I really love this page below that I found on Pinterest – the photo is not a ‘posey’ shot but it has so much in it. I love how big the backpack is in comparison to him – and this would be a good ‘comparison/measure’ each year. And I love her journalling – it really tells the story (like all good journalling does).
I love this page also by Vicki Wizniuk from the Wizards Hangout. Just like her, all through the kids school years we took a photo of them in their uniform outside our front door – one together, and then individually. It is so special looking back through them, seeing when their uniform changed, how they grew, and now, it’s funny to look and see how small Dean was compared to Jackson (our baby is now now 6’2″, the tallest in the family and still growing!).
Although on this next page the photo was taken the first day, the page has been created at the end of the year – the journalling tells the story of the year. If you’re going to do your page like this, make sure you put notes in your diary as the year progresses, so it’s easy to remember the milestones and write that story!
Each year consider taking photos of;
Along with the photos, consider including these;
Some people I know have a list of questions that they ask each year – so the same questions, asked annually. It’s quite funny and really interesting to see how it changes. These are questions like, what’s your favourite colour, what would you like to be when you grow up etc
Where and how do you store their report cards and certificates?
I like to store these in their albums, so everything that relates to school is together, is safely preserved, and I know where it is.
Depending on the format of the item, I find the CTMH flip flaps are great for adding memorabilia into my pages, that I don’t necessarily want adhered.
Have a great time recording your child’s life at school. They spend a significant amount of time there, recording it will make you feel more a part of it (you’ll be surprised how much you learn along the way), and it will be a wonderful resource of memories that you’ll both have forever.
As you turn your photos into treasured memories, don’t forget that CTMH have some wonderful products themed to make accenting your school photos a breeze. Here’s a few;
There’s a thin cuts that goes with this too
If you’d like to order any of these products, pop onto my website www.cropcraftcreate.co.nz
What else do you find has been an important ‘school’ memory? Feel free to share your top tip, and if you have one of the ‘question’ lists, what are your questions?
Megan
x
I know I know, it’s only January 18th, but that means it is less than a month to Valentine’s Day, and wouldn’t it feel just so good to be organised early??!!
As much as I love all of the stamps on this months’ SOTM, I really really love the heart on it – it is so special, and oh so pretty. So whilst I had lots of other ideas when thinking about creating a card, using the heart was at the forefront of those ideas, and this is what I’ve come up with;
A simple but stunning card, featuring the CTMHJanuary 2017 SOTM, Adore You
Along with the SOTM heart, the other two hearts were created using Hello Lovely – Cardmaking C1670.
Now, if you’d like some further inspiration using the SOTM, you should jump onto my Pinterest board – Ideas using SOTM. One of my favourites on there is a layout by Tamytha Jenkins – http://www.paperheartist.com
Isn’t that just so beautiful?! She also created a stunning card – pop onto my page to check it out.
I hope you’re inspired to share a little love.
x
Next to my speed scrapbooking kits, CTMH Workshops Your Way are the best way to complete fabulous pages fast!
Each kit comes with everything you need to complete 6 pages (that’s 3 double page spreads). But did you know that alongside the 6 scrapbook layouts, the kit also includes the cutting guides and base materials to complete 9 cards, AND the inserts to fill a Pocket Plus page??!! Now that’s value! The instructions are online, and include a full cutting guide – so you simply sit down, do all the cutting as per instructions, then stick it all together. So quick and easy, and you still have leftovers to create even further with.
This month I’m focusing on the Sugar Rush range, so thought I’d share with you here the pages you can create using the Sugar Rush WYW (Workshop Your Way);
But wait …. there’s more! Here’s a sample of what you can do with pocket plus pages;
And here’s the card ideas;
Aren’t they fabulous?! To download the instructions, click HERE – under the product description there’s a link called ‘download guide’.
Happy New Year!
Oh there is so much to tell you – so many new goodies and events to share it’s difficult to know where to start!
But, as this particular item is only available this month, I’ll start with the National Papercrafting Month kit …. the Welcome Home wreath.
This kit is filled with foliage, succulents and rolled flowers – but comes all pre-cut – so all you need to do is ‘pop it out’ and stick it all together with liquid glass or glue dots. Here’s how it comes;
And here’s what it looks like when you’re finished;
You can create and copy it as is, or you can totally personalise it. Of course, it has full colour instructions, and two sheets of gold lettering so you can title it however suits you best.
Now have I told you about the best part yet?? You can get this wreath for FREE!!
In fact, there are 4 ways to get your hands on this fabulous kit;
How amazing is that?! And let me tell you, this looks even better in ‘real’. Don’t delay, as this kit is available this month only while stocks last.
OK – so of course, it’s a new month, we have a new SOTM – click the Stamp of the Month tab above for full details – it’s truly beautiful. But before you head away, check out this stunning artwork created with it;
And on the subject of beautiful, how could you resist the products in our new Seasonal Expressions book. Just released, this book and it’s products will be around for just 4 months, so don’t delay planning your projects with these stunning papers. And I can’t resist mentioning the gold shimmer brush as I know how many of you love our standard one – now you can add finishing touches with a beautiful gold.
OK – so you want to check out the rest right??!
Click HERE to view the book online. OR receive your free copy with any purchase with me this month.
I am so looking forward to sharing lots of inspiration through beautiful artwork created using products from this book – stay tuned!
Megan
x
No – not me! But there are two important ‘things’ retiring at the end of December. All of the paper suites and stamps in our Holiday Expressions book will retire at the end of the month. Now this book has our Christmas range in it, so if you’re thinking you’ll be scrapbooking Christmas photos in January (or anytime later in the year), make sure you purchase the Christmas products you need now.
This is the book which will retire at the end of December.
BUT, there are some very special products also retiring at the end of December, that you may not even be aware exist. There are many many things I love about our CTMH corporate office, and one of them is that they created a whole bunch of stamps, just for our market downunder. These have been around for a year now, so they also will retire from the end of December. Click on the two links below to see the full range, but here’s a sample of some of the kiwi specific ones;
1511-outback-originals-flyer-au_nz 1511-celebrate-you-flyer-au_nz
So – if you’re sending cards from NZ overseas, host international guests, love NZ, or play a bit of backyard cricket – you may just want to add one or two of these to your collection before they go.
As you get older (!) you realise it’s life little moments that matter most – and what better way to celebrate the little things in life than with adorable mini albums?! These just fit the bill whether you’re looking for a treasured keepsake or a meaningful gift idea. They are suitable for those who’ve never made an album before, and still offer plenty of creative options for those more experienced.
But for all – they are fast, fun and fabulous! And if you need a quick Christmas gift, they are just perfect.
Let’s start with the Blue Jean Mini Album. This entire bundle is just $33.95 – it’s a complete gift – all anyone needs to do is add photos.
Next up is the Blush Mini Album bundle, also $33.95.
Now if you do want to see what an ‘experienced’ scrapbooker can do with an album like this, check out Lisa Stenzs’ blog – she did an amazing Countdown to Christmas with this.
Isn’t that so beautiful??!!
The next album is the Everyday Life Album. This is a little bigger than the other two, so the pages inside are 6×8. I have to admit that this is one of my favourites, and I have a great project lined up for this one (which I’ll share with you next year). The Adventure Calls My Crush pages are perfect for travel or an event diary. And you get all of this for $35.95!!!! What are you waiting for??!!
For some fabulous inspiration with this album, check out the CTMH blog, click HERE.
Bookings are NOW open – get in quick as this event WILL sell out.
Click HERE for more details and/or to register. Early bird discount until the 7th January.
So hands up if you’re one of those terribly organised people who’ve sent your Christmas cards and completed all of your Christmas shopping?? My hand is NOT up! But I’ve started – does that count?!!
I have to admit to feeling a little like a child in a candy store – I’m overwhelmed by all the beautiful ideas I’ve seen on places like Pinterest (dangerous site!), and just want to make them ALL! Lack of focus is slowing me down. But it is so much fun creating all of these different goodies. I am happy to say my Christmas cards are made (Christmas shopping is another story), and tomorrow I’ll be starting to write and send them.
So I have made many beautiful cards, but wanted to share one in particular with you, for no other reason than I want to acknowledge the lady who inspired this one.
Vicki Wizniuk is a very clever Canadian consultant who does the most beautiful work. She never fails to inspire me, and when I saw her card below I just fell in love with it. As you’ll see, I did modify it a little. Check out her blog for lots more inspiration http://wizardshangout.blogspot.co.nz
The card uses a combination of two stamp sets. The first is Woodland Wishes, which very handily also has co-ordinating thin cuts – which is why the deer and the banner are so perfectly ‘stamped’ and cut. Thin cuts make life so much easier and perfect!
The other stamp set used is the Season of Magic C1665 – I mean, with a name like that how could you not LOVE it. And LOVE it I do – it is one of my favourite Christmas stamps ever. And the little ‘with love’ banner will transcend into any other type of card, as will the flowers etc – so you’ll get great use of this stamp set outside of Christmas.
If you choose to duplicate my card, you could use the sentiment above on the inside of your card.
I hope you enjoy this little bit of inspiration.
Megan
Do you love getting a deal on your crafting supplies???!! Who doesn’t right?! Well, let me help facilitate this for you! For 24 hours only, from tomorrow (Friday) at 8pm, you can purchase a themed mystery box (ie. scrapbooking, cardmaking, Picture My Life etc) filled with retired CTMH products, all at a MAJOR discount, ie. like 50% off! The mystery boxes will have 5 different price points, from $75 – $250 – but all boxes are while supplies last, so if you want one, don’t dilly dally when the sale starts. Shop at www.cropcraftcreate.co.nz
