Saturday, December 29, 2012

January Creative Club - Flirty Chalkboard Frame


What better way to start off the new year then by focusing on all the things for which we are grateful. This chalkboard will be a great place for your family to write different things for which they are grateful. Hang it in a special place where everyone can see it. This way they will be reminded each time they walk by, how blessed they are. If you choose to not use it as a chalkboard, you can put a photo inside or use the free faux chalkboard jpeg file that I created that says, “I am grateful for my family.” (See photo for sample of what the jpg image looks like.)


January’s Creative Club will be held on Thursday, January 17th at 7pm. This month we will be making this fun chalkboard using Close to my Heart’s My Creations 3-D Bracket Frame and special 12" x12" self adhesive Chalkboard Sheet.

You’ll learn how to add dimension to your frame by using 3D Foam Tape to create layers on your flowers.




The kit is $20 and includes:
  • (1) My Creations Bracket Frame
  • (1) 12"x 12" Chalkboard Sheet
  • (1) 12" x 12" sheet of “woodgrain” B&T from the Dakota Collection
  • (1) 12" x 12" sheet of “floral” B&T from the Flirty Collection
  • (2) 4" x 3/4" Colonial White cardstock strips 
  • free jpg file of the “I am grateful for my family” faux chalkboard image
  • step-by-step instructions
Add on the A Friend Like You stamp set for only $10 more.

 

Other supplies, not included, needed to complete the project:

Due to popular demand, these kits are now sold out.

To find out more about my monthly “no-commitment” Creative Club, click here. You do not need to be local to participate.

A great way to use those leftovers...


My sweet friend and downline Christine Adams sent me this adorable Christmas card! I love how she used a left over piece from the Advent Calendar Workshop on the Go Kit on the card. I have a little stash of leftovers that I have been saving. Now I think I know what to do with them. *Ü*

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!


Thank you for helping to make 2012 a successful year for my Close to my Heart business. As grateful as I am for your business, I am so much more thankful for your friendship! Close to my Heart has provided so many wonderful opportunities for me over the past 8 years, but the friendships I have made, both in real life and online, are truly priceless.

I look forward to sharing many new and wonderful products, techniques, projects, and more with you in the new year. (By the way, I just got my 2013 Spring/Summer Idea Books and I am sooo excited about all of the amazing new products. I can't wait to share them with you!)

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Lots of Love,
Lisa Stenz

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Cream Puff Christmas Gifts


I have such wonderful neighbors and always want to give them something special at Christmastime. Unfortunately I am not the best cook, so whenever I try to attempt to make something fancy, it always ends up being a disaster. (No, seriously. It does! LOL!) This year I tried a couple of fun recipes that I pinned on my “Yummy Things to Cook” Pinterest board, but most of them didn’t quite work out. Soooo...I reverted to one of my all time favorite desserts, and one that it pretty hard to mess up—cream puffs. Cream puffs and eclairs have to be the best desserts ever invented. I could sit and eat an entire plateful in one sitting! I’ll share the recipe below.

After I made the cream puff/eclairs (and fought to not eat them all), I packaged them in a 4" x 4" clear box that I ordered from www.clearbags.com. I wrapped the box with some dark chocolate striped grosgrain ribbon, then added a tag with some Cranberry Bakers Twine. The tag was cut with the Artiste Cricut cartridge and stamped with the Very Merry Christmas stamp set (October Stamp of the Month.)


Here is the easy, peasy recipe that I use when I make these scrumptious treats...

Ingredients:
1 sheet frozen pastry puff (1/2 of 17.3 oz pkg), thawed
1 cup cold milk
1 pkg (4-serving size) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1/2 cup thawed Cool Whip
1 square Baker's Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted

Recipe:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Unfold pastry on lightly floured surface; roll pastry out to 10" square. Cut into 9 circles with 3" cookie cutter or rim of glass. (I actually just cut mine into squares so that none of the yummy pastry is wasted.) Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Meanwhile, pour milk into large bowl. Add dry pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes or until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Cover. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Cut pastry circles horizontally in half. Spoon pudding mixture evenly into bottom halves of pastry; cover with tops. Drizzle with chocolate. (I also added some powdered sugar on top.) Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

And there you have it. The one and only thing I know how to make in the kitchen. LOL!
Enjoy!

Saturday, December 22, 2012

A Special Gift from CTMH


I know I have said it before, but I’ll say it again...I love being a Close to my Heart Consultant! Every year at Christmastime, Directors get a special gift from the Corporate Office. This year was no exception. Just look at this pretty Brighton keychain and beautiful handmade card that showed up in my mailbox this week! Thank you CTMH!!!


By the way, my 6 year old asked me this morning how old you have to be to be a CTMH Consultant because she LOVES to craft and always sees the wonderful ways that Consultants are spoiled by Jeanette and the rest of the Executive Team. When I told her that she needed to be 18, she got a big frown on her face and said, “Oh man! I’m not even close to 18 yet!”

But, I am sure that most of you qualify by being over 18. If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a Close to my Heart Consultant, you are welcome to visit the New Consultant FAQ page here and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. (The New Consultant Kit, filled with all new products, will begin shipping in January.)

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Looking for a last minute gift?

Jeanette Lynton posted a couple of great practical gift ideas on her blog earlier this week including this adorable gift card holder that can be made with the new Artiste Cricut cartridge. I made a similar card last month using the same shape and size with different paper and stamps that you can see here. I love that the possibilities are endless with this one card shape on the cartridge. Imagine how many possibilities there are with all 700 different images!



Visit Jeanette’s blog here to see more.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

"Whooo's Your Valentine?" Christmas Card


I made this Christmas card using the cute owl and the scallop circle image from the stamp set in the adorable Whooo’s Your Valentine kit. (See this post for more information on how you can get the kit for only $10!) To make the card, I started with a piece of Close to my Heart’s Kraft cardstock and cut it down to 4-1/4" x 11". I scored it in the middle and folded it in half to make a standard sized card. I rounded the bottom corners with a Corner Rounder.

I used the Snowflakes stamp set to random stamps some snowflakes with White Daisy pigment ink on the front of the card. The sentiment is from the Pear & Partridge Workshop on the Go Card Kit and was stamped with Cocoa ink.

Then I cut a 1-3/4" scallop circle from some Kraft cardstock on my Cricut using the Art Philosophy cartridge. I stamped the scallop circle image from the Whooo’s Your Valentine set in Cocoa ink and sponged a little Chocolate ink around the edges. I stamped the owl from the same set and the branches from the Pear & Partridge Card Workshop on the Go set in Cocoa ink onto some extra Kraft cardstock and punched them out with a 1-1/4" circle punch. I colored in the owl’s nose with an orange marker and his eyes with a white gel pen.


The Kraft envelope is also from Close to my Heart. They are available in many different sizes. I used the 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" envelopes. You can find all of the sizes  here. I stamped the flap with some snowflakes from the Snowflake set in Cocoa ink and White Daisy pigment ink. The photos don’t show it, but the front of the envelope has a large snowflake stamped in the corner with White Daisy ink as well.

I love that the Whooo’s Your Valentine set can be used for much more than just Valentines. Stay tuned for more ways to use the cute set...

Thursday, December 13, 2012

“Whooo’s Your Valentine" Promotion starts today!


Starting today, you can celebrate National Papercrafting Month with an incredible deal—our Whooo’s Your Valentine kit for only $10! Combine your love of papercrafting with the contents of this kit to create personalized valentines—perfect for classrooms, co-workers, and as gifts for your favorite friends and neighbors. This darling kit, which retails for $40, can be yours for only $10 when you spend $35 or more in Close To My Heart product from the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book. You’ll receive 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sheet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes, and this exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit.


This kit offers you a sneak peek at two new Spring/Summer 2013 products: the treat tubes and the silver glitter paper! Decorate the die-cut boxes with the stamp images, cardstock, and glitter paper. Then attach the clear tube and fill with treats for valentines in a cinch! Soooo cute!

Watch this great video to see what's included in the kit and how to put the cute projects together.


Contact me or click here to place your $35 qualifying order.

Shipping/handling may apply. Offer valid December 13, 2012—January 31, 2013. Maximum of one Whooo’s Your Valentine kit per qualifying order.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Monogram Stamps — A Personal Touch

I absolutely LOVE our new Monogram Stamps. (If you know me, you know how much I love personalized stationery and these little stamps are PERFECT for making your own sets of stationery, among many other things!) The best part is that they are only $2.95 each! Yes, you read that correctly...only $2.95! Wouldn’t it make a great gift to create a set of monogrammed cards for someone and then include the stamp with their initial so they can make more later?

Here is a set that I made a couple of months ago with my monogram. Click here to see more photos of this fun project.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Check out the videos below for some other great ideas on how to use the Monogram stamps!


Look at these cute office supplies and household items you can make with the Monograms! Aren’t they darling?


Click on the image below to place an order for your own Monogram stamps.
(Don’t forget a block to go with them.)  

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Everyday Embellishing

It’s easy to incorporate chalk, metallics, and bling into your artwork with a few embellishments you can use on your everyday papercrafting projects. Let me show you how! Check out these great projects from the Close to my Heart Art Department for some creative ideas!


This Merry & Bright page uses dots created with the gold metallic marker to add extra sparkle around the edges of the page. Notice the scalloped accents with outlines in gold marker which adds dimension and draws your eye. Our metallics markers will make your artwork sparkle! (The metallics are very cool and perfect for your holiday cards and layouts!)


Add heart to your art with an extra touch of bling—cover your Dimensional Elements with silver Glitz™ glitter gel, a clear Sparkle or two, or a touch of silver from the metallics marker! Your heartfelt messages will bedazzle your loved ones.


Isn’t this layout cute? The chalk marker and 12" × 12" chalkboard sheet are a perfect pair for creating a unique project. Journal and embellish your memories with the quaint look of a chalkboard—minus the dust—and a lot of freehand fun, perfect to display in your albums or on your walls!


If you haven’t had a chance to scrapbook your Halloween photos yet, here’s a great idea for a spooky page. The Haunted assortment with its cute skull brads, spider badge buttons, and more, is the perfect go-to for scary Halloween memories. It also coordinates nicely with the Moonlight paper packet and Moonlight Complements Dimensional Elements.


Tell your story with papers and accents that complement your unique tale. The Memo assortment’s little note tags are great for embellishing and journaling all in one, and the tiny epoxy numbers mimic old typewriter keys. Pair the Memo assortment with our Scholastic paper packet and My Stickease® assortment for your school-themed memories and more!


This elegant layout is tied together by antique elements from the Brocade assortment, Avonlea Complements canvas shapes, and the beautiful Avonlea papers. Add a timeless quality to your memories with graceful keys, broaches, and buttons from the Brocade assortment.

Whatever your project, embellishing will bring your artwork to life. Don’t forget about these exciting embellishments that add that extra “something” to your everyday projects!

Click on the image below to visit my online shopping site where you can find all of these great embellishments and MORE!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!


We had our annual Consultant Club Christmas party last week which included a potluck dinner and a gift exchange. Just look at the beautiful burlap wreath that my creative friend and downline, Vanessa Garcia, made. Isn’t it pretty? I was thrilled to be the one who got to keep this beauty! Thanks Vanessa!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

December Creative Club Kit - 6x6 Christmas Mini Album


How would you like a fun way to preserve your Christmas memories this year? This month we will be making a 6" x 6" Christmas Mini Album that will be a perfect place to keep your favorite Christmas photos this year. It is also great for that last minute gift for a special friend, teacher, co-worker, Grandma, or neighbor. The mini album also has a secret little pocket to store your favorite Christmas cards or letters.


December’s Creative Club will be held on Thursday, December 13th at 7pm. You will learn how to use Close to my Heart’s fun Rub-Ons with our new Rub On Tool that makes crafting faster, simpler, and easier!


The kit is $25 and includes:

Other supplies, not included,  needed to complete the project:
Store your favorite cards, letters, or gift tags in the center pocket that you will learn how to easily make.


Open your album to a two-page spread where you can add five of your favorite Christmas photos.


Turn the page with the hidden pocket and add two more special photos.
 


On the back of the album, you have space for one more photo.


Use 3-D Foam Tape to add a little dimension to your album.


Your Rub-Ons can be added to a piece of cardstock and popped up with Foam Tape or added directly to your page or even directly to your photos.


You will have fun exploring all of the possibilities with these fun Rub-Ons.



Due to popular demand, these kits are now sold out.


If you are a Consultant and would like the instructions for this project, feel free to visit my “Consultant Project Guide” page here for more information. (Instructions for this project will be ready by 12/8.) 

To find out more about my monthly “no-commitment” Creative Club, click here. You do not need to be local to participate.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Another BIG Sale coming soon...


Everyone enjoys shopping the deals this time of year, and you’ll be tickled to learn that Close to my Heart is making more fabulous deals available! At 12:00 AM (MST) on December 1, LOTS of new items will be added to the “While Supplies Last” section of my website here. Among the new additions you will find a wide variety of paper and coordinating accessories, all with a substantial markdown. You will also find that most of the items that are currently available will also see a further markdown at that time.

To sweeten the deal even more, from December 1–31, all orders placed on my website that reach or exceed $50 will also include a free Bonding Memories® glue pen (Z553)—a $4.50 value! Make sure to shop early, because these deals are only available while supplies last.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Curled Paper Christmas Wreath


This wreath was inspired by Debbi Fournier who was inspired by Roberta Dermody. It was so quick and easy to make! I started with a 12" green foam wreath. Then I cut (8) 12" x 12" sheets of patterned paper from the Pear & Partridge Collection and the Stella Collection into 1/2" x 12" strips. Using a bone folder, I curled each strip of paper like you would do with ribbon when wrapping a gift.

I attached the curled strips to the wreath with small sewing pins. To finish off the wreath, I added three small ornaments to the center with a small organza bow on top of each one.


These fun wreaths can be made using just about any shape or image. I made one last year using 3-D paper flowers cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. You can see some photos of it here and a video on how to make them here.

Happy wreath making! *Ü*

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner...


I forgot to announce the winner of the FREE  Workshop on the Go Kit from my Black Friday sale yesterday! (Sorry for the delay.) Thank you to everyone who placed an order. I hope you all enjoy your new goodies when they arrive!

Congratulations to JULIE REIDER! You are the winner! Contact me with which Workshop on the Go Kit you would like and I will get it sent out to you right away!

Stay tuned for more fun giveaways coming soon...

Monday, November 26, 2012

Pigment Ink Snowflake Card


I can hardly believe that Christmas is only FOUR weeks away! Yikes! I figured that I better start working on some cards before I end up having to make Happy New Years cards instead. LOL!

I used a couple of my favorite Close to my Heart products on this simple little card including some Kraft cardstock and our wonderful new pigment inks. The pigment inks stamp beautifully on the Kraft cardstock. It is a little harder to clean the stamps when using pigment inks, but as long as you have our new Stamp Scrubber and our Spritz Cleaner, you should be all set. You can even use an old toothbrush to get into the little nooks and crannies of some of the more detailed stamps.

I love that the new pigment ink colors come in mini pads and can be purchased in sets. I used the Sky color which comes in the Whimsy Collection. The White Daisy pad is larger and can be purchased separately.

The Snowflakes stamp set was the perfect choice for the snowflakes, and the October Stamp of the Month had the nice the sentiment which I stamped in Chocolate.

After stamping the snowflakes, I added some Clear Sparkles and a small piece of Cocoa Ribbon. To finish off the card, I rounded the corners with our Corner Rounder and sponged some White Daisy ink around the edges to look like snow. Now I just need to make 300 more. *Ü*

Yay! My artwork is featured on Jeanette's Blog today!


What a wonderful surprise to see that my La Belle Vie artwork is featured on Jeanette Lynton’s (CTMH’s founder and CEO) blog today.

If you’d like to take a peek, here is a link to the post. While you are there, be sure to check out all of the amazing artwork and other posts that she has shared. I will warn you, you may find yourself losing track of time as you explore her fabulous blog! There is so much to take in.

You can also see more details of the artwork here, here, here, and here.

Thank you Jeanette for all that you do!
xoxo

Friday, November 23, 2012

How about a little giveaway on this Black Friday???

How about a little giveaway on this fun Black Friday weekend??? You can win a paper packet of your choice just by leaving a comment on my CTMH Facebook page here! (Make sure to comment on my FB page post and not here on my blog.)

All you need to do is post a comment here with your favorite stamping technique. I will pick a winner via random.orgon 11/25  at 9pm (PT). I will announce the winner on my CTMH Facebook page. :)
Don't forget about all of my other GREAT Black Friday Specials as well!

Good luck!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!


I have so much for which to be thankful. I am thankful for God who has blessed me with more than I could ever have imagined, for my family who fills my life with love, for the ability to live in this wonderful free country we call America, for the passion that I have to create, and for technology which allows me to connect with all of you!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Huge (Did I say HUGE?) Black Friday Sale!


Due to popular demand, my Black Friday sale is back and better than ever! In fact, my Black Friday sale will last more than just one day! The deals you see below are good starting tomorrow, Wednesday, 11/21 - 11:59 pm Sunday, 11/25. So you have 5 whole days to shop and save! 

Have you been thinking about getting the new Artiste Cricut Collection? Have you been eying our new organizational tools? Have you thought about signing up to become a Consultant? Whatever is on your Christmas list this year, now is the time to get it! Check out all of the great deals below and place your order no later than 11:59pm Sunday, 11/25 to take advantage of these great offers!


Place an order, get free goodies

Place an order of $25 - $50
Receive a free Dye Ink Pad of your choice ($5.25 value.)


Place an order of $51 - $75
Receive an A sized stamp set or marker set of your choice (up to a $6.95 value.)
This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for just $5! Plus, if you order the Stamp of the Month for $5, you can also choose ANY other stamp set for 1/2 price!


Place an order of $76 - $100
Receive a free B size stamp set or Level 2 Paper Pack of your choice (up to $9.95 value.)
This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for just $5! Plus, if you order the Stamp of the Month for $5, you can also choose ANY other stamp set for 1/2 price!


Place an order of $101 - $149
Receive a free Cardstock pack or size C stamp set of your choice (up to $14.50 value).
This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for just $5! Plus, if you order the Stamp of the Month for $5, you can also choose ANY other stamp set for 1/2 price!


Place an order of $150 or more
Receive $25 in free products of your choice*, PLUS a free D size stamp set of your choice (valued at $17.95.)
This also entitles you to receive the Stamp of the Month for just $5! Plus, if you order the Stamp of the Month for $5, you can also choose ANY other stamp set for 1/2 price! (If your subtotal is $150 or more, please contact me to place your order, so that you can get the extra $25 in hostess goodies.)

 


But wait, there's more...




Order a Cricut Collection
Order either the Art Philosophy or Artiste Cricut Collections and I will pay the tax and shipping! That's a savings of over $16! (Contact me to place your order.)





But wait, there's more...



Enter to win a FREE Workshop on the Go Kit 
Everyone who places an order during these five days will be entered into a drawing for your choice of a FREE Workshop on the Go Kit! (Winner will be notified on Monday 11/26.)




But wait, there's more...



Become a CTMH Consultant
Join my team anytime from 11/21 - 11/25, and I will pay the tax and shipping on your new Consultant Kit! You can order either the $49 kit or the $99 kit! Plus, if you are local, you can get your $49 kit today! (I have one kit here that I will be happy to bring by and drop off to you so that you can start enjoying your new CTMH goodies today!) Click here for more information about joining my team.



But wait, there's more...


Get 20% off all of my already reduced Cash & Carry Items
I have an extensive list of products for sale in my “cash and carry” section. They include new and used, current and retired products. From 11/21 - 11/25, they will all be 20% off of my already reduced prices. Click here to see what is still available. (Actual shipping cost will be added.)



But wait, there's more...


You will also get a free set of Ginsu knives with each order! (Just kidding. I couldn’t resist. LOL!)


Be sure to place your order here and click on the link at the bottom that says …join” by the “Black Friday Specials Party” in order to be entered into the drawing for the free Workshop on the Go Kit.
 
If your order is over $150, be sure to email me your order by clicking here.
(If you place the order online, you will not be able to get your free goodies.)


Note: these are my own personal specials and may not be available from other Consultants.

*Free products include the following: stamp sets, paper packets, ink pads, markers, re-inkers, My Stickease assortments, Compliments, cardstock packs, Workshops on the Go Kits, Studio J layouts and 5 packs.