Simply Creating

I've moved!

2014-09-27T14:13:00.004-04:00

I'm very excited to share some big news with you! I've now officially moved to a new website!!!

I can now be found at simplycreating.ca. This website will be a one-stop shop for all things Simply Creating, CTMH promos and announcements, my workshops, my crops, special things I have going on, as well as my new online shop for all kinds of kit, used and discounted stamp sets, and project instructions! Check it out.

I will also be hosting my blog there as well. You can find that at simplycreating.ca/blog.

I hope to see you there!

Cross Canada Hop: Another of My Favourite Things

2014-09-15T03:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to our September Blog Hop. Last month I participated in a team Blog Hop where we shared our favourite new products. (I shared two projects made with the new colours.) Today I get to join the Cross Canada Blog Hop, showcasing more favourite new products! I'm sure you're going to see lots of great new products used in lots of creative ways. If you see something you like contact your consultant to get it in your hot little paws.

If you arrived here from Nicky at Timeless Cottage, you're in the right spot. If you're starting here, just keep hopping until you get back. If you'd like to literally hop across Canada, start at Julie at 12x12 Travels. Get lost along the way? Michelle will have a full list of all 17 hoppers if you need it.

On with my project!

One of my favourite paper packs in the new Annual Inspirations is Pathfinding. I love fall. It's my favourite time of year, so I find myself gravitating to any fall products. But this pack is also cute. The Complements have an adorable owl and fox, along with some great sentiments and titles. I'm excited to use this set for one of my new kit options I'll be releasing soon.

Here is one of the layouts I've created to be included:

Here are close ups of each page:

Isn't that fox so cute? I love the acorns and flowers; and the zip strips are such a perfect fit. I also added in some Bling Gems for some, well, bling. I don't have photos yet, as you can see, but I think I might go back through my past years' photos and see if I can find some that work. I do have some catching up to do. :)

Did you notice that there is NO stamping? These pages came together in a snap. Sometimes you just need that.

Time to keep on hopping. Your next stop is Brae at The Brae-er. Enjoy and Happy Creating!

Artfully Sent: Pop Up Cards!

2014-09-14T06:30:00.000-04:00

Welcome Back! I'm here with my third and final (for now) card created with the Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge. This one is my favourite. I've loved seeing the pop up cards that talented crafters have created. I'm all about the simple, hence the name Simply Creating, and so pop ups seemed like too much work for me. This Cricut Collection has changed all that and I'm excited!!!

Here's the front.

Isn't that fun? But wait till you see the inside!

Super cute and super fun and fairly easy to put together. There are score lines where you fold the balloon in the middle to help. It took some figuring out that I had to cut the top and bottom so the balloon would pop. Then I used my fingers to pull the sides forward where the balloon is still attached. You'll want to be careful where you put your adhesive so that the sentiment on the front doesn't show any.

The entire card is cut from two pieces of cardstock, Glacier and Thistle. The banner cuts are also linked to it, which make it easy to cut the cards. Perfect! And so fun to put together. Here's another shot of the balloon from the top so you see how it pops.

Here's a tip. Don't put adhesive on the middle of the banner, just on the ends. I figured that out the hard way.

I hope to have some more photos of artwork created by our corporate art department to post soon.

I can't wait to get my hands on this cartridge and create some more of these! Order yours today on my website or you can email me directly. I've got an order going in later this week so I can add your collection to it. Don't forget that when you do, you'll be entered into a draw for a Workshop on the Go of your choice.

Happy Creating!

Artfully Sent: Sentiment Cards

2014-09-13T11:03:00.001-04:00

I'm back with another card created with the newly released Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge.

There are lots of different types of cards available on the cartridge, with one being these neat sentiment cards. The card base is cut with a sentiment in the front. You can leave them as is or cover the back like this card I created at convention.

We backed the hello with Glacier cardstock and the sunshine with Colonial White, then added a Canary insert that covered the whole inside of the card. Here's a close up of what's all cut out of the front:

There's some Gold Shimmer Trim and Gold Sequins added along with some stamped flowers. Love this one! But my favourite card is still to come. Stay tuned to tomorrow's post.

Hop on over to my website to purchase your own Artfully Sent Cricut Collection. Remember, anyone who orders a collection from me by Sept. 30, will be entered into a draw for a FREE WOTG kit, of your choice.

Happy Creating!

Artfully Sent is Here!

2014-09-12T10:27:00.000-04:00

As I'm sure you're already aware, our newest, much anticipated Cricut collection is now available to order! And we're all VERY happy! I'm hoping mine will be on the way later today.

Maybe I should explain why we had a delay of over a month (Consultants have been waiting since convention in June!). Our Cricut cartridges are made by Provocraft, like all Cricut cartridges. With their release of the Explore machine they have had some things to deal with and just didn't get our cartridges done in time. They just arrived in the CTMH warehouse yesterday, and were made available to order immediately.

I've had some people ask me about projects made with this cartridge. I don't have too many, just the three I created at convention, but I'll share them here today, and the next two days. Here's the first one:

This is one of the swing cards. Everything cuts out for you. And there are really tiny ticks where you need to score your card, even smaller than our previous cartridges. Here's another view:

Want to see more? Just pop over to my website here. Scroll down where you'll see links to sample cards and the shape index. Then place an order and it will be on the way super quick. Everyone who orders a collection, either on my website or through me directly will be entered in a draw for your choice of Workshop-on-the-Go kit*. Just my way of saying thank you for being so patient.

Come back tomorrow for another Artfully Sent card. Happy Creating!

*This WOTG offer is only available through me, Krista Ritskes.

Celebrating 30 Years of Happy!

2014-09-11T10:55:00.001-04:00

This month we have a wonderful new promotion. It's all about the Happy!

For the month of September we are celebrating Jeanette Lynton's (our founder) 30 years in the crafting industry. And you get to join in on the fun. Just order $30 in stamp sets, and you'll get this sweet stamp set, called #30yearsofhappy, for FREE! Yup, free. That's a savings of $15.25!

Here's a close up of the images included:

I had hoped to create some artwork with this set for you, but my sweet daughter is home sick today, so you'll just have to wait. :)

Contact me to place your order and take advantage of this deal. Or you can go directly to my website to place your order.

CTMH Stamp-of-the-Month Blog Hop: Family is Forever

2014-08-31T21:00:00.000-04:00

Hello and welcome to another Close To My Heart Stamp-of-the-Month (SOTM) blog hop! If you arrived from {Carla's blog}, you're on the right track. If you're starting here, just keep hopping until you get back to my blog. You'll have feasted your eyes on ALL the yummy projects.

This month we are creating with a lovely stamp set called Family is Forever.

I don't know about you, but this stamp set makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I am so grateful for the relationship I have with my family (my husband and kids) but also the extended family we enjoy.

Thanksgiving is in October for those of us in Canada and so I decided to create a card for my mother-in-law. She's the type of person who always mails a card to everyone for every occasion and I often neglect to return the favour. Not this year! She also makes THE MOST DELICIOUS apple pies and since I had a few chipboard pieces left from creating some layouts for kits, I made this 5x7 card:

Here's a close up of the tree.

I love the tree image in this set! It was just begging for some fun treatments. I inked the entire image with Chocolate ink, but then pulled the ink pad along the trunk section to give it (what I hope is) some bark-like texture. Then I took a bunch of colours and, using sponge daubers, sponged them on the leaves in different areas. I used Olive, Barn Red, Autumn Terracotta and even some Goldrush. All this took some time, so I had to breathe on the entire image to moisten up the ink again. (I love that you can do that with our dye inks!)

The papers are all from the Pathfinding paper pack and sponged with Chocolate ink. Chipboard pieces are from the Pathfinding Complements and parts are popped with our new Thin 3-D Foam Tape. Then I just added a few Gold Bling Gems and I was done.

Make sure to contact your consultant to get your hands on this stamp set, because it's only available until September 30.

Now, hop on over to {Dana's blog} and check out the beautiful card she has created. (Her stuff is always jaw-dropping gorgeous! I love it.)

Happy Creating!

Another Oldie But a Goodie

2014-08-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

I'm sure if you follow lots of CTMH blogs, you've been drooling over all the gorgeous new product. I'm drooling, too! But I also know that you probably have lots of older product you haven't used yet. We all hoard our paper and embellishments, saving them for just the right project. I want to encourage you to use them up!

Here's a layout I created with a very old paper packet, Pemberly. Anyone remember that one?

I love these photos of my daughter. And I had fun creating this layout, full of sponging, some dry embossing with my trimmer, just a bit of stamping for the title and popping up photos and the title. I know this is a pattern from one of our books, but I have no idea which one now. Here are close ups of each page:

And here are some close ups of the embellishment clusters, made up mostly of Stickese. I love the simplicity of those!

Now, I challenge you to dive into your stash of retired or old products and use them up. :)

Happy Creating!

Moxie Fab and Atlantic Hearts, A Just For Fun Card

2014-08-20T15:06:00.002-04:00

Browsing through Bloglovin' a photo on the Moxie Fab blog caught my eye. The inspiration photo for the Fabulous Friday Challenge: Trendy Triangles was one I had seen before.

It was from the Close To My Heart corporate Instagram Feed! Those are colours I know well and I had the exact tool they used to create those sweet triangles. I knew I had to play along.

I also loved the sketch at Atlantic Hearts this week.

So I used it as a starting point.

Here is my card:

I punched the bottom edge with the new Triangle Border Punch. I also punched some triangles from the six colours in the inspiration photo: Pear, Thistle, Lagoon, Flaxen, Pixie, and Smoothie. I sort of dropped them on the card base and then arranged them a bit until I was happy. Each triangle is glued down with a Bonding Memories Glue Pen. The sentiment, stamped in Black, is from Have a Happy Day. And then because I thought it needed some bling, I added some Stardust Glitz Gel (retired) on each little triangle. Here's a close up of that sparkle. :)

Thank you, Moxie Fab and Atlantic Hearts for the inspiration to create something just for the fun of it.

Happy Creating!

More fun with PML (Picture My Life)

2014-08-16T05:00:00.000-04:00

I promised in my last post that I would share some cards made with PML today. They are also from the Chantilly kit. Here they are:

I added a piece of paper from the Chantilly paper pack, retired now, as well as a zip strip on the first card. I did some sponging with Slate ink on the second card. I chose one PML card to highlight and then added some pieces I cut out of other ones. Popped a few elements and add some Flamingo Dots to finish off the cards. So quick and easy. It probably took me longer to pick the cards I would use than it did to put them together.

Remember, now is the time to get your Picture My Life kits. Take a look at all of them here.

Cross Canada Blog Hop: Picture My Life

2014-08-15T03:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to another Cross Canada Blog Hop! If you've arrived here from Nicky at Timeless Cottage, you are on the right track. If you'd like to literally hop across Canada, you can start at Julie's blog. The entire list of hoppers can be found here.

This month we're focusing on Picture My Life, the pocket scrapbooking program Close To My Heart introduced in our last catalogue. But, we're not doing scrapbooking with it, at least not how it was designed. We're going to show you new and different ways to use this program.

I chose to use only the Chantilly PML collections. Check it out here. My project sort of came to me while I was looking through all the cards. They have some wonderfully uplifting sentiments on them, so this little encouragement album came about.

I chose some cards and the order I would put them in, adhering some together if the back of the card didn't work. I added just two photos and some special messages for my daughter. I punched a hole in one corner and used some really old Hollyhock and Blush ribbon to a jump ring. Here are a few more of the pages.

Hop on over to Lucy's blog to see more fun ways you can use PML cards. Check out the Chantilly PML kit here. And tune in tomorrow for two more projects with this kit.

Don't forget that this month you can get a pack of page protectors for just $3 when you purchase a PML kit.

Workshop: Be Thankful Box with Journaling Cards

2014-08-12T06:00:00.000-04:00

I'm looking forward to my next workshop, even though we haven't had my August one yet! On Friday, September 19, at either 9:30am or 7pm, you can join me to create this Be Thankful Box with Journaling Cards.

This little box will help you and your family focus on being thankful this holiday season. (Personally, I can't wait to see what my kids write down!) I plan to use this for years to come, since there is lots of room in the box for more than the 12 cards we will make.

You'll get to play with a new embossing folder as well as our new ShinHan markers. (They are SO great!)

Here are your kit options:

Basic Kit $15:
Journaling Box
Sequins, Gold Assortment

Basic plus Stamp Set $28:
Basic Kit
Thankful Heart

Basic plus 2 Markers $31:
Basic Kit
Golden Yellow marker
Marigold marker

Basic plus Stamp Set and Markers $44:
Basic Kit
Thankful Heart
Golden Yellow Marker
Marigold Marker

All papers needed will be pre-cut for you, like all my other workshops.

Email or call me to claim your spot, or if you'd like to create at home, just add $5 to your total.

Brae-er's Blog Hop: Some of My Favourite Things

2014-08-10T19:00:00.000-04:00

I am joining another Brae-er Team Blog Hop! You should have arrived here from Carol's blog. If you're starting here, just keep hopping until you get back.

This month's hop is all about our new favourite products. I've been really enjoying the five new colours Close To My Heart introduced with the Annual Inpsirations catalogue. They're beautifully soft, but not just pastel soft. They're modern and a lot of fun to work with. I also love the new Designer Creation collection of party favour items and such. These paper bags are so cute! I stamped some images with Have a Happy Day stamp set, trimmed them out and popped them with our two different heights. Then I added some Gold Bling Gems.

Here's a close up. You can see the two different heights here. (Full recipe below.)

I also made a card, one that came out of my own head (no, that doesn't happen often!) and I absolutely love it!

The background is from the Basic Paper Fundamentals (we now have them in ALL our colours). I added new Thistle and Slate ribbon and sponged with Whisper ink. Those stars are also new, but they only come in white, so I used our new ShinHan markers to colour them!

Now, hop on over to Heather's blog to see what her favourite new products are.

Items used:

Designer Creations Slate Paper Bags

Bling Gems Gold Assortment

Paper Fundamentals Basic Assortment

Slate Diagonal Striped Ribbon

Thistle Diagonal Striped Ribbon

Whiper ink pad

White Enamel Stars

Tender Pink ShinHan Marker

Pastel Green ShinHan Marker

3-D Foam Tape, 2mm

3-D Foam Tape, 1mm

PML: Picture Perfection!

2014-08-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

Check out this month's fabulous promotion:

During the month of August, when you purchase any of the 13 available Picture My Life™ scrapbooking programs featured in the 2014–2015 Annual Inspirations idea book at their full retail price of $27.50, you are eligible to add your choice of 1 of 8 qualifying Memory Protectors™ 10-packs for just $3.00! Each Picture My Life scrapbooking program already includes a coordinating 10-pack of Memory Protectors, so when you add your additional 10-pack for only $3.00 you will be well on your way to your own picture-perfect pocket scrapbooking adventure!

Only available until August 31. Check out all the PML collections here.

Stay tuned next Friday for a blog hop about other ways to use these fun cards.

Introducing the Simply Scrapbooks Club!

2014-08-06T14:57:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited about a new program I have starting this month! It's the brand new Simply Scrapbooks Club, and it's exactly what the name says ... all about simple scrapbook pages.

This club works the same as my Creative Card Club. It will run for 5 months and here's the low down. Each month:

You will purchase a paper pack, complements, accessories, and some sort of bling like sparkles, shimmer trim or sequins, totalling around $30 before shipping and tax.
You will receive an exclusive set of full-colour instructions to create two 2-page layouts.
One person will get to choose $25 in hostess rewards, think FREE product!

That's it! You're wondering what makes this simple. Take a look at the first two layouts using the Seaside Collection:

There is absolutely no stamping and no Cricut cuts involved in any of the layouts we'll be creating in this club! That means that these pages will come together pretty quickly. And, the fun part, I get to teach you a technique, too! For the first month, you will also purchase a pack of Colonial White cardstock and later there will be a purchase of White Daisy cardstock, unless you already have some in your stash.

If club members want to get together to create these layouts, we'll work out a time. But the beauty of this club is that these layouts can be created on your own time in your own home.

Interested in joining up? Email me at simplycreating@hotmail.com right now so we can get started. Want to give it a try before committing? Order this month's product and you'll receive the instructions free, for one month.

Don't wait. Contact me today.

Seaside Mini Album Details

2014-08-04T13:15:00.001-04:00

Remember this post about my next workshop?

Technically today is the last day to sign up, but I'll extend the deadline by a day. If you'd like to join me, let me know by Tuesday at midnight. Click on over to this post to get all the details about kit options.

I thought you'd like to see some of the pages from inside this album.

Don't miss out. Again, check it out here.

Happy Creating!

CTMH Stamp-of-the-Month Blog Hop: What a Hoot!

2014-07-31T21:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to another Stamp-of-the-Month Blog Hop! If you've arrived here from {Lucy's blog}, you're on the right track. If you're starting here, just keep hopping until you get back here and you will have feasted your eyes on all the wonderful artwork created with this month's set. If you get lost along the way, just click here: http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html for a complete list of hoppers.

On to the artwork! This stamp set is so cute! I love it.

And here is the layout I created:

My two kiddos can be so silly and it's a hoot to watch them sometimes. This stamp set was perfect. Here's a close up of the two owls. I used the new Pathfinding paper pack to create this layout. I love it!

I coloured both owls with the new ShinHan markers. I just love them! You'll notice the colouring is a bit splotchy. I chose to leave them like that because I like the added texture. If you continue to layer the colours, it will look beautifully smooth. And here is a close up of the bottom part.

I used the colourless blender to lighten up the top half of these letters. And scattered around are our new Gold sequins, also love those!

Now, hop on over to {Haley's blog} and check out the two adorable cards she's created with this cute stamp set.

CTMH: Catch the Creative Card Club Fever

2014-07-29T10:59:00.001-04:00

Did you know? Have you heard? I have a monthly card club. And it's tons of fun, right ladies? There are four lovely ladies in my club right now but I'd love for more of you to join us!

Want to see some of the cards we've made in the last few months? Of course you do.

Each month we focus on a paper pack, a stamp set, and matching embellishments. You order the products I've selected with your input, totaling (with shipping and tax) about $40. I design 5 cards for you to create and give you special printed full-colour instructions that only my club members get. You can either come to the class or create them on your own. Super fun! On top of all that fun stuff, one club member gets $25 in free product each month. And what's not to love about free?

This program is available even if you don't live near me or can't come to class.

Want in or need more info? Email me at simplycreating@hotmail.com.

CTMH's Stamp-of-the-Month is a Circus!

2014-07-27T14:54:00.000-04:00

I love the stamp-of-the-month for July and time is almost up to get your hands on it. This set, called Circus Alphabet, will no longer be available after Thursday! Pop on over to my website to place your order (and snatch up those last retiring products you've been planning to get).

This stamp set is so perfect for lots of projects. Not just layouts, but cards, as well. I made this cute card with some Jubilee and Kraft paper I still had on my desk.

I didn't have any green sparkles so I used one of my new ShinHan Touch Twin marker to colour some clear ones. I used Topiary Chevron ribbon on the sentiment piece, attaching it with Glue Dots. I also sponged all the edges and stamped with Cocoa ink.

So, head over to my website and get your own stamp set. Don't forget, if you order $50, which will give you this stamp set for $5, you'll also get your choice of M-size stamp set for free! Don't wait, both these offers are gone Thursday at midnight.

Another CTMH Oldie, But Goodie

2014-07-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

Here I am, back with another Oldie, a project using long-retired items. I did this layout as a sample for this super fun paper packet. It's actually the Workshop-on-the-Go layout.

Isn't it fun? Do you recognize the paper? It's called Superhero. There's a really silly story about this layout. The kids had been watching episodes of one of my favourite shows when I was growing up, Fraggle Rock. They particularly loved one episode called Goober and the Glob. They decided to do their own story. So, we did a photo shoot. I had to scrapbook this one!

Here are photos of each page:

Here's what the journaling says: "Watching a Fraggle Rock episode, Goober & the Glob, started this all off. Super Doggie to the Rescue! The glob, played by Nathaniel, was eating the doozers, played by Little People. Arianna calls Super Doggie on his special phone. He tells jokes to make the glob laugh & the doozers are freed! Photo Shoot: Jan. 29/12"

Here's a close up of the fun stars I stamped and sponged and then popped up:

I was chuckling to myself the entire time I was working on this layout. I love the characters of my kids. They're still so full of personality even now, two and a half years later. :)

What kinds of silly things have you had the chance to scrapbook? I'd love to hear about it.

Annual Inspirations Release Party!

2014-07-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

I'm sure you're eager to get your hands on the brand new year-long catalogue Close To My Heart is just about ready to release to all of you. I've been thoroughly enjoying my chance to play with new paper, and accessories, and markers, and stamps, and ... well, you get the idea. There's a TON of new, beautiful stuff!

You can do all that when you attend my Annual Inspirations Release Party on Wednesday, July 30, at 7pm - 9:30pm.

Touch and feel new products. Have fun with a Scavenger Hunt/Bingo game. Play with new markers. Create a fun little project, which at the time of writing this post I haven't planned yet. (Better get on that. Cough, cough.) Sign up for my workshops. Enter draws for new, yes NEW, product and some older stuff, too.

Bring someone new to CTMH and/or me and you could win a Medium Organizer!

I'll also have some bargains ready for you to snatch up. I will be adding a bunch of new stamps to my sale bins as well as some other goodies.

There are two ways to register for this event. 1.) You can call or email me directly. Or 2.) RSVP Yes! to my Facebook event.

See you there!

Get 'Em Before They're Gone: Part 2

2014-07-21T15:50:00.000-04:00

Last week I shared with you the paper packs that are on their way out. Today, I want to share a few of the other items you won't be able to get after July 31. Check out the entire list at my website.

Stamp sets such as:

Candyland

Just a Number

Accessories like:

Kraft Keyboard Alphabet stickers

Lagoon Houndstooth Washi Tape

Lollydoodle Accessories

Midtown Cork Shapes

And some My Creations items such as:

Kraft Pocket Album

Check out the rest of the retiring items here and place your order before they're gone. Don't forget that for every $50 you order you get to choose an M-size stamp for free. (And you qualify for the Stamp-of-the-Month as well!)

Get Brand New Products Before Anyone Else!

2014-07-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

Did you catch that? Did you know you could get your hands on brand new product before any of your friends? You can! One of the many perks of being a consultant is that you can order brand new product a full month before any of your customers. But you're not a consultant, you say. Well, signing up in the month of July also means you get brand spanking new product in your New Consultant Kit! How awesome is that?!

We now offer two different consultant kits, based on what type of crafting you love to do. Here is the Card Maker's Kit:

Check out all that gorgeous paper and stamps and markers and embellishments ... Beautiful! And here is the Scrapbooker's New Consultant Kit:

So many yummy products to play with! The products in both these kits were specially selected to help you get your new business off to a great start. I know you're wondering, "How much?" Both kits are your's for just $109. That's a huge deal, especially when you add in all the training and support you'll receive from both our corporate office and from me.

I'd love to have you join our team of exciting and passionate Simply Creating consultants. Check out the video I made a few months ago.

If you can't see the video, click here to view. Then go to my website for more information and to sign up.

CTMH: Get 'Em Before They're Gone! (Part 1)

2014-07-17T15:00:00.000-04:00

In my last post I mentioned the special deal I have going on this month. If you missed it, go check it out. ;)

With our new Annual Inspirations catalogue kicking off August 1, there are a bunch of products that are on their way out. Did you know there are 250 brand new products in this catalogue??? Wow! That means some of the items we've already been selling have to go, and some of them are already gone, so I thought I would show some of the great products that are on their way out, but still available.

Paper packets:
For the first time, all the paper packets are on their way out. That means everything that coordinates with them as well.

Ariana

Balloon Ride

Ivy Lane

Jubilee

Laughing Lola

Lollydoodle

Sarita

Skylark

Timberline

Babycakes and ProPlayer are already sold out. If you want to get your hands on any of these sets, make sure to place your order soon, because they may be almost gone.

A Special July Deal

2014-07-15T14:04:00.001-04:00

I can't believe we're already half-way through July! This summer is going too quick. As a special, just for July, I'm offering this deal: For every $50 you order, you can choose one of the M-size stamp sets, pictured below, for FREE! Don't miss out.

If you order on my website, do not put your choices on your order. Email or call me with your choices and I'll get them to you.

Please note, this special is only available through me, not other consultants.

Hop over to my website and snatch up those retiring items or even some while supplies last.