Website Clearance Sale!

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 to you. At 12:00 AM (MST) on December 1, we will add new items to the “While Supplies Last” section of my shopping page on my website. 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!  Shop early, because these deals are only available while supplies last.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Enjoy this first weekend of December,

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am blessed beyond words and thankful to my Heavenly Father for the many blessings and gifts He has bestowed on my family and I.  We are thankful to be spending the holiday weekend with my family in Southwest New Mexico and are looking forward to enjoying a time of fellowship and fun.

I made this cute turkey based upon the creativity and directions shared by my dear friend, Sheila Wilkerson. (Visit her blog by clicking here.)  It is made entirely from our exclusive Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  It was so nice that I did not have to cut the pieces by hand - gotta love the Cricut!

I made quite a few of these for my staff and filled them with a variety of Chex Mix and M&Ms - always gotta have chocolate. :0)  They were a big hit and I had fun making them.

Enjoy a wonderful and blessed thanksgiving filled with His grace,

Right up my alley!

You have heard me say (write) many times that Simple + Cute = RIGHT UP MY ALLEY!  I love being able to create something handmade that did not take me all day and night to complete.

I pulled this card idea from our new publication, Make It From Your Heart, and used the colorful, new paper packet, Flirty (pictured below).

The focal point for this stamp set was an image pulled from our Cricut Artiste Collection.  I cut the die-cut the perfect size to stamp the coordinating image.  When you purchase the Artiste Collection you get a lot for your money, to include 3-coordinating and exclusive stamp sets.

Without wanting to add too much to this card and make it too busy, I chose to use some of our Just Blooms Floret Paper Shapes (pictured below) - flower and leaves - and a bigger brad.  For the finishing touch I used some of our retired ribbon that was included in a kit some time ago.  

I had fun experimenting with this paper packet and card pattern and am creating more this weekend!

Lovin' Flirty,

Just a few days left to get this stamp set!

I have recently been inspired to create a card using the October Stamp of the Month, A Very Merry Christmas, and you have until November 5th to get it!  Did you know we have a few days grace period each month for the previous month's Stamp of the Month and campaign?  We do!  You have to email your order rather than place it through my website so I can date the order accordingly.  Read below for some reasons you don't want to pass up on this stamp set and contact me to place your order!

The red outline around some of the images in this stamp set indicate there are coordinating options in our newest Cricut Artiste cartridge which is exclusive to Close To My Heart.  With the easy reference book, you can set the settings on your Cricut machine to the right size, stamp your image and add it to your artwork!

I had fun creating this card using the Pear & Patridge paper packet (shown below).  It is absolutely gorgeous in person - the card (lol) and the paper packet.  Photos never do things justice, do they?  This paper packet lends itself well to Christmas items but it's also versatile enough to work beyond the holiday.  Using the ornament and greeting image from the November stamp set, this card was simple to put together and... a little bling always does the trick!

If you know me very well, you know that I cannot start most creations from scratch.  I have to be prompted by something.  I was a bit sad when it was announced that CTMH was eliminating our popular and very well-loved product line of How-To programs (Cherish, Imagine, Magic, etc.).  I could not imagine what could be put in their place but as always, Jeanette Lynton (our founder and CEO), never disappoints.  

She created this publication, called "Make It From Your Heart", which contains blueprints and inspirational ideas for scrapbook layouts and cards.  It's just $7.95 and it is what I used to create this Christmas card.  Gotta love being inspired and allowed an opportunity to put your own spin on things.  It is definitely something you want to add to your library of resources so click here for further details.  

There are more project ideas to come using this stamp set so do not let it pass you by.  Contact me today with your order!  You will be inspired with the fun cards and gift items you can make for Christmas!

Feeling the holiday spirit,