Sunday, May 31, 2015

Birthday Cards

I am grateful to be able to celebrate another year of blessings today! Today is my 45th birthday and I can truly say that I am surrounded by some amazing family and friends who have made this day extra special for me. I would love to share a couple of beautiful cards that I recently received.


The first card is from Jeanette, Monica, and Brian at the Close to my Heart Corporate Office. CTMH has been such a huge part of my life over the past 10 years and I am so thankful for all of the wonderful friends that I have made along the way, including those who work at the Corporate Office! Thanks for making my day CTMH!


The next card is from a sweet, sweet gal who I also met though CTMH. Alyson Mayo has one of the biggest hearts I know. Thank you Alyson for sending me this beautiful card!


Aren’t these Cricut cut butterflies gorgeous? They just make me smile! Alyson told me that she included them on the card because butterflies signify friendship. Thanks for being my friend Alyson! xoxo


And a great big THANK YOU to all of you who follow my blog! You make my day every day! *Ü*

Friday, May 29, 2015

Goodie Boxes Up For Grabs!

Just like most devoted crafters, I have waaay too many crafting supplies! I decided to go through my stash, box up lots of great goodies, and offer them to you at a HUGE (can you say 80%) discount! Most of the items are brand new, however I did include a few used stamp sets in each box.


I have 10 medium sized Flat Rate boxes filled to the brim with all kinds of crafting “goodness.” Each box contains approximately $400 retail value worth of Close to my Heart products. (Some retired and some current products are included.) While each box contains different items, the boxes contain a variety of the following: between 10-20 stamp sets, paper packets, Workshop on the Go kits, bulk paper, Designer Creations, Stickease/Compliments, paper flowers, ink pads, rub-ons, ribbon, markers, card kits, textile fabric, accessory assortments, and tons more!

PLUS, 3 of the boxes include a “golden ticket” that can be redeemed for a free spot in one of my classes or a free project kit of your choice up to $30 value!! Will your box contain one of the Golden Tickets???



While each box contains different items, they all have approximately $400 in retail value worth of Close to my Heart goodies. I am selling the boxes for just $75 (local pick up) or $85 (shipped) each! You may purchase as many boxes as you like, however I only have 10 up for grabs. They will go to the first 10 people who contact me and send me paypal payment. Once they are gone, I will post here on my blog and on my CTMH Facebook page.

I am looking forward to all of these wonderful goodies finding a new home where they will be well loved! *Ü*

Price is only valid for U.S. shipping addresses. If you are not in the U.S., feel free to contact me for actual shipping cost.

ETA: All boxes have been sold. Thanks everyone.
I hope you enjoy your new goodies!

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Bokeh Butterfly Card


With the Bokeh technique being all the rage right now, I couldn’t wait to try it myself. Instead of using the standard watercolor or sponged ink techniques I have seen used to create the background, I used Close to my Heart’s mini pigment ink pads. It was really fun. I started out by smudging some Crystal Blue Pigment Ink directly onto a piece of cardstock. Then I added a little Glacier, Juniper, and Lagoon ink. I used my finger to blend the colors together. It was really fun! It created a creamy, smooth background. I let it sit for a little bit and then hit it quickly with my Craft Heater.

Then I punched a bunch of different sized holes in a piece of vellum with some circle punches to use as a stencil. I laid the vellum stencil on top of the blue background and used White Pigment Ink with a Sponge Dauber to create the different sized circles which created the fun Bokeh pattern. (Make sure to overlap some of the circles, use various sized circles, and make some of the circles a little darker than others.)


Because the pigment ink is not easy to stamp on and when you stamp your sentiment first and then cover the stamped image with pigment ink, it looks faded, I decided to cut my sentiment from a piece of Cocoa cardstock. I used the Carolyna Pro Black font and created the “hello” sentiment in Design Space and then cut it with my Explore machine. I adhered it to the bottom with Bonding Memories Glue.

Then I stamped the adorable butterfly from the Hostess stamp set called Paper Bird onto a piece of vellum with Brown StazOn ink. I cut it out, bent up the wings, and adhered it to the cardstock by adding adhesive just to the body of the butterfly. I poked some holes in the cardstock with my Piercing Tool to create the trail. To finish it off, I adhered the entire piece to a Cocoa cardstock base.


Isn’t the Paper Bird stamp set cute? You can get it for just $8 with your hostess rewards when you host a qualifying CTMH Gathering either online, in person, or by contacting me with with a $150 order. With $150 order, you will earn $25 in Hostess Rewards (free goodies!) Contact me if you have any questions.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Taste of Summer Layout and Cards with FREE Cutting Guide

Have you seen Close to my Heart’s Taste of Summer Paper Packet and coordinating stamp set yet? It is a fun and “juicy” collection that is only available during the month of May. You can purchase the paper packet for just $8.95 and the stamp set for $17.95. And, if you order both of them from my website anytime during the month of May, I will send you a cutting guide to make the layout below and (10) cards (5 each of 2 designs) absolutely FREE! If you already ordered them earlier this month, I will be emailing you the guide shortly.


The juicy ink colors used in these projects are Topiary, Sunset, Canary, Chocolate, and Thistle. I also used a little White Shimmer Trim and some 3-D Foam Tape. If you have an Explore machine, you can use the Design Space file that I created here to cut the title and bracket shapes. (The font is from the Artfully Sent Cricut Collection.)






The cutting guide will show you how to cut enough pieces to make 10 cards (5 each of the 2 designs below.)



The paper packet includes 12 double-sided papers.


The stamp set coordinates with the Artiste Cricut Collection.


Click here or on the image below to place your order. I will email you the cutting guide within 24 hours after placing the order.


If you have an Explore machine, you can use the Design Space file that I created here to cut the title and bracket shapes. 
(The font is from the Artfully Sent Cricut Collection.)

Saturday, May 2, 2015

May Project Kit - Jackson Flip Flap Layout


I had such a great response to my Flip Flap Layout project (shown here) a few months ago and have had many requests for a more masculine version so I decided to recreate the project with Close to my Heart’s great new Jackson Collection. You will utilize Close to my Heart’s various sized Flip Flaps to turn three layouts into one fun interactive layout where you can add up to 52 photos and/or Picture My Life Cards! If you liked my last Flip Flap layout, you will love this one too!

This month’s local class will be held on Thursday, May 21st at 7pm. (If you'd like to order a kit to be mailed to you instead, see shipping option below.) The project kit is $40 and includes all of the following:

Additional supplies needed to complete the project:
Both pages closed...


Right page open...


Left page open...


Both pages open together...


Use photos or Picture My Life cards to fill each of the 52 spots on your layout!








Use the Jackson Compliments for titles and accents on your layout...





Watch this video to see how the interactive layout works. (Note: This layout uses different paper, but the layout concept is the same.) You will turn 3 layouts into one interactive layout ready to hold 52 photos, Picture My Life Cards cards, or other memorabilia.


Kits are now sold out. Thank you for the great response. 

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

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!


Happy NSD! I hope you are doing something fun and crafty today! *Ü*

Friday, May 1, 2015

May Promotions

National Scrapbooking Month 
Get a little taste of summer today for only $8.95!


Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month during the month of May with our exclusive mouthwatering Taste of Summer paper packet, available for only $8.95! Featuring bold, vibrant colors, this exclusive paper packet is perfect to pair with your sweet summery memories, and provides delicious designs for your layouts, cards, and more! This paper packet is only available during May while supplies last, so get your order in early. No matter where you are or what the weather may be, you deserve a little taste of summer in your life!




Plus, as a special bonus, during the month of May you can also purchase the exclusive Taste of Summer bonus D-size stamp set for $17.95. 



Watch this great video for more information.



 *Offer valid May 1, 2015 (9:00 am MDT)–May 31, 2015 (11:59 pm MDT). Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the item ($8.95).  

_______________________________

May Stamp of the Month - Just Sayin’ 
Get this adorable stamp set for just $5!



With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your D-sized Stamp of the Month set for just $5! Add the stamp set to your cart here at full retail price ($17.95) or, with your qualifying order of $50, add it to your cart for the promotional price of just $5.



Set of 14
Recommended My Acrylix® Blocks:
1" × 3½" (Y1002), 2" × 2" (Y1003), 3" × 3" (Y1006)

Click here or on the image below to order your May Stamp of the Month.