Christmas Card Workshop - Card #4

Here is the 4th sample of the Christmas Cards we'll be making this fall.  I hope you enjoy it.  The design is one from Close To My Heart that is included in the Pear and Partridge Card Workshop on the Go...  It is also the husband's favorite so far!  I do think it has a bit more of a masculine or a bit of western style to it.

We used the workshop stamp set and popped it up with some pop dots and then stamped part of the stamp in Cranberry instead of the Cocoa that the background stamp is done in.   Of course, you have to add a bit o bling with the red sparkles ~ they really dress up the stamp!  This is a fairly simple design and goes together quickly.

July 2012 - Art Philosophy Blog Hop... Footloose

Welcome to our July Art Philosophy Blog Hop! Each month we will showcase a feature of the amazing Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge which can be purchased exclusively through a Close to My Heart Independent Consultant.

We're so excited to be doing this hop and we have a fabulous lineup with some very talented ladies. There will be lots of fun projects AND some blog candy!!!

Lucy Kelleher, our hostess and fellow CTMH Consultant, will be giving away a stamp set! She is giving away a prior Stamp of the Month set that can no longer be purchased called "You Are ...". (This stamp set has a $17.95 retail value). You will find a picture of the stamp set on her blog. To enter to win, you will need to leave a comment on her blog and every stop of the blog hop. If you also become a follower of Lucy's blog, she will give you another entry .


This month we will be showcasing the "Card" feature of the cartridge. Did you know there are 100 different card shapes you can make with this cartridge? You heard me correctly -- 100!!! Now we won't be able to show you ALL 100 card shapes, but we will show you as many as we can.

If you just happened to come to this blog, you should start at the beginning at Lucy's blog.  If you have missed hers, be sure to click this link and start at the beginning of the hop!

My project is a card created from the B&T Duos Footloose Paper Packet.  I used the cricut cartridge to cut the card itself and it opens on the left fold.  Then I used the decorative layer feature of the same card shape to make smaller and smaller sizes to dress it up a bit - the card and decorative layers can be found on Page 51 of the Art Philosophy's booklet.  I had a piece of raffia that I tied around the Creme Brulee card stock decorative layer to make it more like a wreath and a little 'beachy'.  I stamped the center with one of my favorite stamp sets - Bee Happy.  And then...  I also had to add the bling to the antenas and the flower center.  Then I embossed some glitter into the wings to make them look real and how the real ones sparkle in the sun!

CTMH Tools and supplies used are:

Footloose Paper Packet (X7151B)

Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge (Z1686)

My Acrylix Stamp Set - Bee Happy (B1374)

Liquid Glass (Z679)

Sparkles / Blue Green Assortment (Z1327)

Sponge Daubers (Z726)

Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad / Cocoa (Z2114)

fine clear glitter (not CTMH)

 

The next stop on your blog hop fun is Kindred Hearts where Penny will show off her blog hop card!
Here is the list of all the talented consultants who are participating in this months blog hop - you can just click on their names to check out their card from Art Philosophy ~ I hope you enjoy...  Carolyn

1. Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com
2. Darla ~ http://www.stampingunderdoctorsorders.blogspot.com
3. Gloria Shirr - http://purpleglocreations.blogspot.com
4. Laura Wolff- http://scrappinsweetiesescape.blogspot.com
5. Eva-http://loveofcreating.blogspot.com
6. Danielle ~ http://littlebitofscrap.blogspot.com
7. Connie ~ http://conniescraftycloset.blogspot.com
8. Wendy ~ http://myscrapbookingblog.com
9. Joanne - http://josiesjoy.blogspot.com
10. Laura Charko - http://koladesigns.wordpress.com
11. Carolyn Heniges - http://www.nuts4scrappin.blogspot.com
12. Kindred Hearts (Penny) - http://itmakestotalcents.blogspot.com
13. Stephanie Feist- http://www.quiltedscrapper.blogspot.com
14. Julia Hammond http://youcancreatectmh.blogspot.com

Christmas in July - Card #3

Here is card # 3 of the Christmas Card Workshop I will be holding in September...  I hope you like!!

It is built from the Pear and Partridge Card Workshop on the Go from Close to My Heart...  Let me know what you think!! I am soooo IN LOVE with that paper package and stamp sets!!

The simple branch and green and red ornaments give such a classic look.  It is founded on some of the pattern paper and also some cranberry card stock and topped of with some red sparkles and tan ribbon!  So lovely.  Feel free to leave comments and thoughts about what you think, it makes my day!!  :)

My adventures into the blog hops is coming to fruition!  I'm sooo excited to share and see the creativity that is all over the internet ~ what a great resource and also source of encouragement!  Thank you ladies for mentoring me and helping me do this with you all - I am blessed with your support!

I wanted to share another card from my Christmas in July line of cards.  I used the Close To My Heart Pear and Partridge Workshop on the Go!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

I used the stamp set included in the Workshop packet.  This was my first experience in stamping backgrounds on card stock and I LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out.  I'm an engineer and really like things to be perfect, but I just let loose and just started stamping randomly in rows and it turned out wonderful ~ I'm very pleased with how it turned out for my '1st one'!  I also love the small packages of various shapes and the message deco with the line between the wording.

This is card #2 of the Christmas Card Workshop ~ Available in September 2012...  Email me for more information.  Also if you are interested in the Workshop On The Go - click the 'shop with me' tab on the left.  The workshop is $29.95 (G1043) and is available on August 1st.  With the workshop you get to make 15 cards in three different styles...

Hope your day brings you wonder and joy!

Mojo Monday 251 - Christmas in July!

Here is my second try at Mojo Monday's blog (MOJO251) design.  I hope you enjoy this little treasure made with Close To My Heart's Pear and Partridge Paper Package (X7162B - $9.95).  You can order this paper packet in three ways - there are two Workshop To Go packages ($29.95) that include stamp sets and embellishments for more card making fun or you can do scrapbook pages.  What a fabulous way to get ready EARLY for Christmas (don't be a hater that I'm preparing for Christmas in July).

I am actually working on the holidays already because I have two Christmas Card Workshops coming up in September and October in the Vancouver, Washington area.  I also have a fair show coming up where I'd like to show off these samples to market those workshops...

I used one of my new stamps sets from the Fall/Winter 2012 catalog, called Flakey Friends (C1506) for $13.95.  With my lovely snowman, I added a little pizzaz to the snow flakes by using my liquid glass and then sprinkled a little glitter over the top!  I hope you like my first project using this new paper product line!  I have 14 more cards I'll be showcasing over the next few weeks as I prep for the workshops....  I hope you will stop by again to see my newest creations!  You can join my blog to get updates - look for the gadget on the left side of this blog wall.  Thanks again for stopping by ~ and feel free to leave comments about what you like or if you have suggestions or me since I'm new to blogs and blog hops in general...!

Here are a few more close up to drool over!!  If you are interested in ordering any of these Close To My Heart products - click on the link on the left side of the blog where it says - Shop With Me!

For those of you who are curious about this post - check out the Mojo Monday link at the top of this post - Every Monday there will be a new design that lots of scrappy designers will show off through this great website and web designers!  I hope you enjoy the designs as much as I do!  To the right is the design sample we all started from...

Blog Hop (first timer - Mojo Monday) - FAIL... :(

Well, I decided to jump into the blog hops on the internet and my first one is a FAIL!  While I LOVE LOVE LOVE the card I created with the Lucy line of products (papers, embellishments, etc.) I 'just barely' missed uploading it onto the website.  I was supposed to have it uploaded by 8pm Mountain time, not 8pm Pacific time!  Oh well - better luck next time.  I will have a new challenge tomorrow and am feeling a bit more creative and will contemplate it for a few days and make sure I'm EARLY to upload via the linky on their website. 

Here is the card I created - I did a little distressing on the edges with my daubers, I added bittys to the butterfly, I used the embelishments and paper packet from Lucy in the Spring/Summer 2012 catalog.  The cricut Art Philosophy cartridge was used to make the banner shapes and to cut the clean circles.  I 'fussy cut' the larger circle by placing the cutting knife near a flower I liked.  Then i added a large clear sparkle to the center of the flower.  I hope you like it! 

Here is a close up of the flowers.  They are easy to install with their own glue dots on the back - easy peasy!!  I'm too late to link it to the Mojo Monday website, but the reference design/hop is MOJO250.  I really do love it and am glad I made it...

Here is the original sketch that designers use to create from - I hop you like how I use this base and then went from there...

Crafty Momma... Production Mode

Crafting with the momma today making invitations to her sister's 70th birthday (Auntie Carol's)!  She loved the yellow, but it was a harder background to work with.  We used the Cricut cartridge that comes with the Art Philosophy package.  I also used the Life is Tweet stamp of the month set from June!  Mom was happy with how they turned out, so as long as she's happy, I'm happy!

Here is a list of supplys and tools we used:

S1206 My Acrylix - Life is Tweet
Z2147 Exclusive Ink - Smokey Plum
Z2195 Exclusive Ink - Lagoon
Honey card stock (dark yellow and orange pack)
Z1263 Bittys
<Banner1> from Art Philosophy (3" and 3-1/2")
Party D size stamp from Art Philosophy package
Dotty for you (constant campaign item)

Here is a look at the finished product - let me know what you think... 

Now it's time to head off and do a little Mojo Monday work and also my Art Philosophy work...

Walt Disney World - Here we come!

I have my reservations set for next year's convention in June 2013 and I CAN'T WAIT!!  We'll be going to Walt Disney World and staying at the Coronado Springs Resort!  And oh boy will it be fun...  I will be sure to get my Mickey Mouse ears for sure!  Who knows what theme corporate will choose - I will just have to wait and see...
          I also got to spend some quality time with my upline Theo at Celebrate Crafts today.  We met at a local park where her girls could play while we talked business!  She's so sweet to take the time to show me her new products and make and takes from convention including her convention bundles.  The new lines of papers, inks and embellishments are more mellow or muted tones in the catalog as we head into fall and winter, but they are very distinct in person and brighter than I thought initially.  I will be sure to share examples on the web for you all to see.  It was good to understand better how convention goes, learning sessions about business development and new product exposure!  Also she was able to share some of the new products that are more geared towards home decor - VERY COOL!!  So sorry I couldn't make it to convention to see/learn all this first hand, but Theo went out of her way to make sure I got the benefit of what she has learned... When they went off to convention, I was barely more than 3 months as a consultant, so it just wasn't in the cards quite yet.  I'll be all geared up for June next year...

Good news - My Special Product Credit order arrived yesterday and it is everything I imagined! I will be locking myself in the craft room to make up holiday samples to share for the upcoming Christmas Card Workshops in September and October..  It's time for me to get on the Blog Hop projects so I can join Mojo Monday and another one for Close To My Heart Art Philosophy.  I'm going to try those two for now and see how I do.  I always enjoy hopping through other crafters blog sites to get ideas, learn new techniques and learn how to approach this electronic world we live in.  What is so wonderful is all the great ladies willing to teach and help us newbies!  Very cool...

Hope you have a great night and I'll be sure to see you later this weekend!  Cherrios...

Where oh where did our northwest sun go?

Up here in the Pacific Northwest we need a lil sunshine!  We're under clouds and having lots of Thunder/Lightning storms to our east - so here's a little sunshine from Jeanette Lynton, Close To My Heart's founder! 

It's just not possible to NOT think of sand between your toes when you check out this beachy card!  Jeanette is an amazing designer for papercrafts!  This card is made with the Footloose collection that will soon be gone as we transition from Spring/Summer to the Fall/Winter catalog...  Get yours while you still can!

I hope you enjoy your day and it brings wonderful surprises to you and yours and that you are most especially taking time to enjoy a bit o' summer!  Think fruity drink, sandy toes and a bunch of kids running around splashing in the waves in front of you!  :O)

Christmas in JULY???? What am I thinking?

Well, I just confirmed my Special Product Credit order is on it's way with lots of new goodies from the Fall/Winter catalog!  It will be here Thursday and ready to dig into.  I ordered up some general stamp sets, but also some more Christmas ones including the beautiful new line - Pear and Partridge.  Check this out and let me know what you think and if it tickles your holiday urges!

I think you'll love it as much as I do - the greens, roses and reds draw out the holiday spirit for sure! 

I'm off to the craft/sewing room to finish off some cute lil dresses for the two youngest grand-daughters who will be so adorably dressed when I'm done!  Then I will be able to move onto my paper crafts guilt-free if I can just get them done!  :)

Hope you're having a fantabulous Tuesday!  And for those that think Holiday stuff does NOT belong on blogs in July, I would normally agree with you...  BUT, I have two holiday workshops to prepare for and of course I have a 'day job' building roads, bridges and stormwater facilities, so ...  crafting is my real passion - but creating is in the blood!!  Whether it's with asphalt, concrete, wood, steel, paper, beads or fabric - I <love> it ALL!!    Cherrios!

New Consultant Gift - Beautiful Tote Bag

Free Exclusive Tote Bag when you become a Close To My Heart consultant.  When you join Close To My Heart as a new consultnat in August you will receive an exclusive Damask Tote Bag for FREE (retail value $50)! This offer has limited availability, so if you are thinking about joining to act quickly to ensure they snatch this darling tote bag. This offer is good for both the $49 and $99 New Consultant Kits (while supplies last). Yes, this is the same cute bag that Consultants who attended Convention 2012 in Dallas received. The bag is a coated-canvas tote that can be slung over the shoulder, across the chest, or worn as a backpack.  This offer is valid August 1, 2012 (9:00 am MDT) – August 31, 2012 (11:59 pm MDT).

I am TOTALLY jealous that I can't even order this bag as a consultant since I didn't make it to convention!  ;O}  But don't let that stop you from getting yours while supplies last!  Let me know if you're interested...  (I would NOT recommend waiting on this if you are in love with this bag!)

End of convention - beginning of a new set of products to covet!

All the Close to My Heart consultants are on their way home from Convention!  They had a wonderful time and I'm totally jealous I wasn't there with them...  My 2nd Upline, Wendy at Stamping Rules kept us up to date, tickled us with pics of new products and updates on news releases along the way so the folks stuck at home could keep up!  I've vowed next year that I will be there with them all learning, scrapping and having fun.  Now to just wait out the time until next June to go to Disney World in Florida!

In the meantime, there is a lot going on with new catalogs for Fall/Winter 2012.  If you want to book a party, I'm happy to get a party package to you right away including some of the fantastic new product information and new ways to include scrapping into your world.

I'm also getting stocked up quickly with holiday stamps and supplies for the upcoming September and October Holiday Card Workshops.  Please do let me know if you are wanting to sign up, space is limited and each class is currently 1/2 full.  The workshops are $25 each and you will create and take 15 holiday cards home with you completed that day!  It's a great way to be prepared for the holidays!  If you bring your stamps and addresses with you, you can just pop them in the mail when it's time! Here's a sneak peak at the new stamps and papers we'll be using:

I love the beautiful hues chosen for this winter's line of great papers and stamping inks!  Get yours today...  Can't wait to get my papers and get into the craft room to put some cards together as samples for you all...

Ok, got my blog updated and now off to the craft room to get some projects done!  Cheerios! 
Love love love my Close to My Heart products and tools.

Independence Day - Happy 4th

I want to wish you all a safe, happy and wonderful 4th of July!  Take the time out today to thank those who have worked hard to protect our independence and freedom - we owe them much more than we can ever repay, so thank you all our service men and women now and in the past...

Enjoy this photo and let it encourage you to enjoy a patriotic crafty day, from 247 moms! 

Place an Order for Perfect Pairs

Place an online order of $75 or more in July and we’ll send you a popular paper packet and coordinating accessory—a Perfect Pair—for free! Different Perfect Pairs are available on different dates throughout the month so you’ll want to place more than one qualifying order to snatch several Perfect Pairs.

Specific pairs are available on specific dates; see below to find out when your favorite Perfect Pairs will be available. Be sure to place your order early in the availability period, as the promotion is while supplies last.

Here is the schedule and what is available when - for reference:

Order Dates	Perfect Pair	Retail Value
July 1–5	Mischief Paper Packet (X7144B) and Midnight Felt Shapes (Z1462)	$15.90
July 6–10	Dreamin’ Paper Packet (X7142B) and Harvest Charms (Z1633)	$14.90
July 11–15	Fanfare Paper Packet (X7138B) and Fanfare Level 2 Assortment (Z1400)	$17.90
July 16–20	Lucky Paper Packet (X7137B) and Lucky My Stickease® Assortment (X7137C)	$17.90
July 21–25	Mayberry Paper Packet (X7136B) and Mayberry My Stickease® Assortment (X7136C)	$17.90
July 26–29	Sophia Paper Packet (X7131B) and Sophia My Stickease® Assortment (X7131C)	$17.90
July 30–31	Believe Paper Packet (X7145B) and Holiday Pockets (Z1486) OR Wonderland Paper Packet (X7146B) and Wonderland My Stickease® Assortment (X7146C)

Life is Tweet

Life is Tweet (S1206) with this stamp set.  I whipped this little treasure up in just a couple of minutes prior to my sister's Bunko/Close to My Heart party just over a week ago.  The card it sporting a few of my favorite bittys, a little border from some Dotty for You paper, and then a pop-up message about tweet wonderful you. 

I've also been a busy BEAVER (OSU Grad, sorry) getting my first card workshop finished from Celebrate Crafts and Stamping Rules - Pemberly Card Workshop.  Got the box all stained and one card to finish off.  Can't wait to finish it all off and post up some pics for you - it is a beautiful theme and so versitile.  I would not be surprised at all if it is not one of Close to My Heart's best seller.  You can check it out at my website at nuts4scrappin.ctmh.com in the Idea Book pages 20-25.  Check it out! 

For July if you order $75 in products you'll get a chance to buy some matched pairs of paper and matching accessories.  Check out the details on my website - for the Perfect Pairs!

So many stamps, so little time in the craft room!  Have a stellar day everyone, tomorrow is our nation's 236th birthday - Be safe, but be sure to enjoy the holiday with family and friends!

Gearing up for Christmas Card Workshops

Got the latest order from Close to My Heart today and it included quite a few Christmas/Holiday stamps.  I'm anxious to start putting together some samples to get you all excited about the Christmas Card workshops coming up in August and September.  Also super anxious to see what comes out in the new catalog with new Christmas stuff.

Stay tuned for more samples...