2011 Calendar Templates – FREE!

Using either Storybook Creator - a free program) or Storybook Creator Plus (SBC+ not free but worth every penny!)  you can create really really great gifts very quickly!  Below are the templates that are available to download for free!  If you are using SBC you can insert pictures into the grey frames and add text to the calendar grid.  With SBC+ you can edit the page layout, add or delete frames, add text, embellishments, etc as well as change the format & layout of the calendar.  You can also start with a blank template.  Lots of options with SBC/+!

The calendars are available in 2 sizes – 8x8 ($19.99) and 12x12 ($25.99) When the year is over you can detach the calendar portion and you’ll have  either an 8x8 or 12x12 page that can be put into an album and enjoyed throughout the years!

Be sure to order by December 13th so you’ll have them in time for Christmas gift giving!  last year I gave these and they were a huge hit! 

You can get more details about the calendars and SBC & SBC+ software here on my CM website!

 

“Full of Love” and the Hummingbird Series is now available!

Nancy O’Dell teamed up with Creative Memories to design a new line of scrapbooking items including an album, paper, stickers, paper embellishments, Page Planner templates a fantastic organizer/bag (my favorite part of the Hummingbird Series so far) & more!  Her book was released on October 15th and is now available to order.

Nancy O’Dell puts into words one of the main reasons so many scrapbookers make the effort to preserve their memories. 

"Full of Love" explores the power of family photo albums. Drawing upon her own experiences and the advice of renowned child psychologist Dr. Kenneth Condrell, O'Dell shows how photos and albums reinforce family values and traditions, strengthen family bonds, build self-esteem and show children how much they are loved.
"Full of Love" also features simple shortcuts to creating great albums, including time-saving tips on how to tell better stories, shoot better photos, and take advantage of clever tools and techniques. Dozens of sample album pages are included to inspire readers to get started on albums for their children and for themselves.

Nancy O’Dell was on the CBS Early show this morning and talked about these very important reasons to make scrapbooks and showed off a few of her layouts.  You can view her interview here.

I wish that Nancy O’Dell would have mentioned that you can only purchase this book and the Hummingbird Series (designed by Nancy O’Dell) from a Creative Memories Consultant.  To view all CM products or to place an order please visit my CM website!

Plastic Drinking Cup Mini – Lights

I got this great idea from Jo K. – thanks, Jo, for sharing!
It’s a set of cute little mini-lights that use Solo plastic cups (3 oz. size) as shades.  Once I gathered all the materials these took only about a half hour to make.

The light strand is a set of 10 – I found it in the Dollar Spot at Target – they came with either pumpkin or skull plastic covers and were $2.50.   I also got the Solo 3 oz. plastic cups at Target – they have colored ones.  You can see a bit of the green cups peeking out – they coordinate with the Cheerful Halloween Additions I used. 

To make these first cut a plastic cup open and remove the top piece and bottom ridge.  Use the middle of the cup as a template for your covers and trace around it on paper.  Cut out the covers and stick them on the cups.  I used the Creative Memories Photo Tape to adhere the edges of the paper to the cup – don’t use the CM Tape Runner for this project – it shows through the paper when the lights are on. 
I used the Cheerful Halloween Additions which has 8 pieces of 4x6ish Storybox paper –each one big enough to cover one cup.   I had 10 lights to cover and  I didn’t want to cut into the 4 pieces of 12x12 paper that came with the kit so I used a few of the coordinating Storybox papers from the Cheerful Power Palette.  The colors coordinate perfectly!  I punched a few halloween shapes from the CM Halloween Micro-Maker and glued them to the inside of a few of the cups.  This is what those look like when lit:
     I also saw some blue cups that I think I’ll have to get and use with the Winter Cheerful Additions!

I’ll be up at the Novi Sheraton this weekend at Camp Crop-A-Lot – stop up & say “Hi” if you’re in the area!!

Some examples of the new Cheerful Seasons and Reminisce Cricut – CM Cartridges

Technorati Tags: Cricut,Cheerful Seasons,Creative Memories,Reminisce,Power Palette,Layout,Scrapbooking,CMC,Creative Memories & Cricut

I had a little time to play work with the newest CM products and LOVE the new CM – Cricut cartridges!  Most of the cuts on these have just a few layers and only a couple have teeny weeny pieces!  I am so glad for that!  Here are a few cuts I made with CM cardstock and the Reminisce Cricut cartridge.

When Provo Craft updates their website I’ll be able to link these cartridges to my Gypsy or use Design Studio to weld multiples of the same border together to make a larger, continuous one (vs. putting separate identical cuts together to make a border.)

I did a quick layout with each of the new Power Palettes.  I’m a pretty simple scrapbooker and love using the Designer Print papers from the Power Palettes –I they are very nice on their own and most need very little (sometimes nothing at all) added to them. 

Layout below uses elements from the Reminisce Power Palette and “Cherish” cut with the Reminisce Cricut Cartridge.

Elements used on this page include Designer Print paper,  paper flowers, paper frame, paper ribbon, Medium Photo Corners and Foam Squares. 

 

Just a few cuts made with the Cheerful Seasons Cricut cartridge.  The little bluebird has a bit of detail added from the new limited edition CM Chalking Inks.

Thank goodness for the Precision Point Adhesive Pen and Pick Up Square…those things are perfect to use with the thin/tiny die cut pieces. 

Another simple layout below featuring the Cheerful Power Palette.  I used Cheerful Tone-on-Tone Paper, paper ribbon and a paper tag.  The page was laid out using the new Page Planner Templates.  “Snow”, the snowflake and “2004” were cut from CM cardstock using the Cheerful Seasons Cricut cartridge!

Want to learn more about Power Palettes?  Click here for a video explaining your options.  I ♥ Power Palettes!

I will be working more with the Cricut Cartridges but will have to wait a bit to work again with the new Power Palettes.    I packed them up & sent them with Michelle P.  who is having a “Party on the Go” – it’s like a catalog party but with lots of products to see, feel & try out instead of just  looking at the catalog!  Contact me if you’re interested in hosting an event & earn DOUBLE hostess rewards in August.

Layouts made with new Creative Memories Cricut cartridges, Power Palettes and other new products!

While I’m anxiously waiting for my order filled with new products to arrive I’ve been looking at the CM Project Center to see ideas featuring some of the new products.  Here are a few of my favorites:

        This one features the Cheerful Seasons Cricut cartridge and paper from the Cheerful Power Palette

Layout features cuts from the Reminisce Cricut Cartridge and Reminisce Power Palette as well as the new Wavy Tearing Tool and Chalking Inks.

Layout features the Cheerful Power Palette, Circle CCS pattern, Swirly ABC stickers, Foam Squares

Page features the Cheerful Power Palette, Jumbo Wavy Square CCS Pattern, Grip & Clip and Foam Squares

Featuring the Cheerful Autumn Addition, Circle CCS patterns,  Swirly Monogram Stickers and the Corner Maker

New CM Products & Info – sneak peeks from Showcase!

Products are available to order Sunday, August 1st!

You’ll find them on my CM Website! – much better pictures, too :)

Link to all new August products

Updates:

Nancy O’Dell’s new Hummingbird Series – available October 1st

New Power Palettes:

 

More stuff to come in the line designed by Nancy O’Dell – I think that is an organizer/cropping bag in the background – I also heard that there will be a hummingbird punch. Available beginning October 1st!

Cheerful Seasons Cricut Cartridge!

New Photo Solutions Party – learn how to take better photos w/the help of Nick Kelsh!  (Nick has a fantastic Facebook Page – How to Photograph Your Baby)

New Reminisce Cricut Cartridge!

Double Host credits in August – earn 30% credit when your party sales are $400 & over. 

New  cards from CM –

Designed online or with SBC+ – available to order one by one or in packs.  CM will print & ship them to address of your choice!

CM is partnering with Provo Craft – 2 exclusive cartridges will coordinate with the 2 new Power Palettes!  Cheerful Seasons and Reminisce Accents will be available in August and will retail for $55!

CM is partnering with Nancy O’Dell – book, products…etc.

From the CM FB page: 

2 new power palettes - rich, earthy tones in our new Reminisce Power Palette (replacing Jewel Power Palette) and bright primary colors in our Cheerful Power Palette (replacing Primary). Pics of the goodies to come soon! :)

Heard a great rumor – the Cricut Expressions will be demo’d at CM’s Showcase Convention this weekend – let’s see if CM is partnering with Provo Craft..that would be exciting!

More info posted as I get it!!

Here are some new products that should be available in August:
Grip & clip - latest addition to the Custom Cutting System.
Tightly holds up two 4 items (photos or paper) in a perfectly spaced square for cropping, mounting or displaying.
(use with the Custom Cutting System to hold 4 photos in the center then cut the edges with the large patterns)

It’s magnetic so you can use it with your Everyday Display! 


Page planners: set of 4 plastic templates (with measurements -can be rotated for additional layouts) and idea book

Wavy Tearing Tool:
2 edges - designed to recreate the edges from the 12" Deco Trimmer


Chalking Inks – designed to get in those tiny spaces.


Leaf Pocket Punch – last in the LE series of 4 (snowflake, butterfly & dragonfly)

 

Creative Cuts Collection  – available in October.  Cut out your own letters, numbers & more.   

Cut freehand or using CM templates.
The tool has a distressing end.
and a new logo for CM!

Storybook Creator Plus will be available November 1st for Mac’s! It’ll be compatible with iPhoto!