Santa has Already Visited!

Yes, I was that good this year!  :)  We are doing a Secret Santa exchange within my CTMH team and I received my first gift yesterday!  All participants were to create and mail handmade items this week that could server as a stocking stuffer.  Isn't this CUTE?!

 It is one of our boxes, cut from the Artiste Cricut cartridge (as best as I can tell) and the creator was creative by adhering a Christmas tree to the top.  It has an interlocking top to hold the box together.  FUN!  She used the Paper Fundamentals paper packet.  Can you tell the glossy patterns on both the green and red?!

And look at the cute hearts on the inside?!  (The paper is double-sided for double the fun!)  Inside were lots of fun little things - like items for decorating my nails, Red Enamel Hearts, and CHOCOLATE!  How fun would this be for that special someone's stocking?!

Obviously, I love my first gift, Secret Santa (if you are reading)!  Thank you for the fun mail!

Artiste Treat Box

I conducted a Close To My Heart Gathering today where the Hostess invited several of her friends to join the fun!  I highlighted our AWESOME products and then demonstrated a project they were able to duplicate.  The hostess benefits from the FUN we had and from the purchases made by her guests!  Right now it looks like she will have at least $60 in Hostess credit to spend AND she will get an item of her choice at 1/2 off!  Yeah her!

Click on image to enlarge or click on link at bottom of post.

We made this CUTE box I cut from our exclusive, Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  It was cut "Fit-to-Page" which ended up measuring 8 1/2".  It's a good size box, 2 3/4" cube when folded; plenty of space for that fun goodie (aka chocolate) but not too big to break the bank.  LOL

We used the "You Mean the World to Me" and "Happy Birds" stamp sets for the front of the box. Chalk It Up was used for the polka dot pattern paper and a little Aqua Dot was perfect for the flower center.

By the way, this box was showcased on page 98 in the NEW Annual Inspirations (aka Idea Book).  Look how cute they are created from the Brushed paper packet.

I absolutely LOVE sharing Close To My Heart with others!  If you would like to earn FREE products by hosting a Gathering (aka Party), I would love to help you do so.  In this day of technology, you can even have a party long distance and invite acquaintances from all over the country who can purchase from your event and contribute to your hostess rewards.  Contact me with any questions or to get yours scheduled!  Visit my website to see what fun products you can earn for FREE!  

Off to create some more!  Happy Saturday!

As Sweet as You

This is a card I made with none other than the Chantilly paper packet.  Have I already told you, a million times, that it's one of my favorites?

I kept this card simple, only stamping two images, the cupcake and the sentiment in Black ink.  I used our Cotton Candy Exclusive Inks Marker Set to color in the cupcake image and then added in some of our Pink Glitz Glitter Gel to pretty up the sprinkles on the cupcake.

The cupcake image was cut out of the Artiste Cricut Cartridge and the scallop image, out of the Art Philosophy Cartridge.  The cupcake image is in one of the stamp sets included with the Artiste Collection.

If you are interested in purchasing this Collection or any other products, please visit my website.  Items can be shipped straight to your door!

Happy Thursday!

Happy 2013!

Happy New Year!  I am thankful to a God who has allowed me to see this day and who continues to bless me just as He promised!

If you have been reading my blog for long, you know I love a fresh start and I am especially thrilled for this one.  There are so many things I am expecting in 2013 and I am charged up and ready to move forward towards all that lies ahead!  Thank you for reading my blog and stay tuned for all that is in store for this new year.

I had fun creating this card just a couple of days ago.  I used the December and November Stamp of the month stamp sets to create this fun card!  A list of supplies I used is provided below but would you like to know how I got the multi-color effect on the stamped image?  I put Scotch tape over the portion of the image I did not want to ink up, inked the image, REMOVED THE TAPE (don't forget this step) and then stamped the image where desired.  I repeated this process to achieve the three different colors on the focal point.  Cool huh?  This stamp set is perfect for that but it's only available for a few more days!

Supply List:

• S1211 November:  Capture the Date SOTM (no longer available but you can use another stamp set for the numbers)
• S1212 December:  Year-Round Cheer SOTM (available through January 5, 2013 - contact me directly or click here to place an order)
• D1530 Cricut Artiste Collection Kudos (only available when you purchase the Artiste Cartridge - click here for details)
• X5761 Sky Cardstock
• 1386 Black Cardstock
• Z1799 Silver Shimmer Trim - It's self-adhesive!  
• Smoothie Polka Dot B&T Paper from a retired paper packet (you can use any coordinating B&T of your choice)
• Z578 Corner Rounder (to create the scallops)

 Here's to a fresh start and the best year yet!

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,