Snowflakes!

This is another boxed set of holiday cards that I created using one recipe, but every card has a different mixture of papers, embellishments, and ribbon.  This makes the set of 10 cards look cohesive and like they belong together, but yet, each card is an individual work of art and unique in its own way.

I really like how these cards came out considering that I used a traditional winter element of the snowflake, but then paired it with non-traditional color combinations, patterns and textures.  I think the overall effect is rich and expensive looking, but still definitely speaks to the holidays.  What do you think?

Here's a link to a similar set of stamps still available called "Victorian Snowflake". 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...CARDS!

This is a set of 10 holiday cards that I created for a customer using the "Holiday Trinkets" My Acrylix stamp set from Close To My Heart.  I also used the "Holiday Warmth" stamp set which is no longer available.  I create custom cards, envelopes, and a one of a kind original gift box to hold the cards for $50.00.  It's not too late to order yours today!  I can also customize for any holiday or occasion.

Happy Halloween!

It's that time of year when all the good and bad boys and ghouls come out to knock on doors and spread spooky cheer.  What better way to get into the Haunting mood than to send a Happy Halloween card?

This is just a little something I whipped up in the corral this morning.  Trying to get my Halloween kicked into gear now that Breck's birthday is behind us.  We try not to break out with the Halloween decor until after her birthday so that we keep her day special.

Speaking of her day...did you see the invitations that we made for her party?   They turned out pretty neat, if I do say so myself.  Although these were a tad more labor intensive than I had anticipated or really wanted them to be...but...it was for a GREAT cause, right?!  

We had such a great party for her birthday.  It was Western themed and I even broke out of the gate with a cowboy boot cake! I know, can you believe it?  It must've tasted okay because by the time we got done dishing up cake for the day, there were only three small pieces left.  I did another first for this party, which was to cook up a big pot of ranch style pinto beans.  Now that was an adventure!  Somehow between the recipe I found online and when I finally started soaking the beans I ended up with thinking that I needed to prepare 8 cups of pinto beans...well, if you've ever made beans you know that I GROSSLY overestimated the amount of beans to cook!!!  The moment I had to call my mom in a panic because the beans were growing in size and swelling out of the huge pan I had them in was when I knew there was something rotten in Denmark.  But I got it under control and the beans were DELICIOUS!  Here's a shot of the happy little 7 year old cowgirl to prove that the day was a success!  

Creativity in a Pickle.........Jar?!

Whether your creativity is in a "pickle" or a "jam", you can take those jars and some of your scrapbooking supplies to create a cute home decor item that is perfect to gift or keep. 

Here I took a pickle jar and spiced it up with some of the Moon Doggie paper and stamped elements using the MyAcrylix Extreme Happiness stamp set.  I also painted the lid with primer grey spray paint.  I use this jar at my home gatherings for the door prize drawing slips.  But I thought that another fun use would be to use it as a penny bank to save for a Hawaiian vacation.  You could change the theme and purpose by selecting the perfect papers and stamp sets to suit your occasion.  Check out my website to see the great selection of papers, stamps, inks, and embellishments that Close To My Heart offers. 

Pickle jars stink you say?  Here's my secret to getting that strong pickle scent out of your jars and lids.  After I wash the jar and remove the label I fill the jar and the lid up with a solution of hot water and about a 1/4 cup of vinegar, then let it soak for an afternoon.  Wash and rinse again, and no more pickle smell.  Some lids are particularly smelly and I may have to do a stronger solution of vinegar and water one more time, but so far, I haven't met a pickle jar I couldn't de-stink!

Here's another tip:  The small Vlasic jars have really pretty raised scroll work designs on the jar.  You can make these really stand out by applying paint all over the jar, let dry, then sand the paint off only on the raised designs.  Then decorate with your favorite papers and embellishments for an extra special effect! 

WOW! Home Gatherings are Terrific!

So, I've been at this Close To My Heart thing for a couple of months now and have had the wonderful opportunity to do a couple of workshops at my house and a couple of home gatherings.  I am simply in shock at how much FREE product Close To My Heart rewards our hostesses with! 

Between hostess rewards, hostess plus rewards (half priced items) and promotional items, a recent hostess of mine got more than $126 in FREE merchandise.  And what did she have to do?  Simply invite her friends over to make a free create and take scrapbook project at her home.  Does it get much easier than that?  I don't think so!

Wouldn't you like to get your share of some free Close To My Heart product too?  Call or email me and let's get your home gathering booked.  It's that simple.  Come on, let's party!

Follow the title link to learn more about all the great hostess rewards from Close To My Heart. 

Snow Fun

This is the project that we made at the Home Gathering I did last night.  We got to use the new Jingle paper pack papers and the new Twinkle brads which add sparkly fun to any layout.

Around the Holidays Card Kit

This project was another super simple one with great results.  I made this using the My Originals "Around the Holidays" Card Kit (X8623).  I put a link to this kit above.  This kit makes 12 cards and I assembled all 12 cards in less than 2 hours last night.  You can get as creative as you want by adding extra embellishments, however I just stuck with what comes in the kit, except I added Liquid Glass to give some glossy sheen to certain design elements.  Besides the card and envelope blanks and the My Stickease design elements, this kit also includes enough ribbon to add an elegant touch to all 12 cards which I thought was pretty neat.  I give this card kit a definite must buy too.  It was fun, simple, and the results are gorgeous! 

Celebrate My Favorites

This cute little book would make a perfect stocking stuffer.  It is made with two beverage coasters sandwiched between cardstock.  I added cut out stamped images to the cover and inside accordion pages to give it extra pizazz.  I just love how it turned out.  If you would like to learn how to make this adorable little book, please contact me to schedule a home gathering and I will show you how!

Hello Birdie My Originals Card Kit

These 12 cards were created using the My Originals "Hello Birdie" card kit.

This was a fun and simple project because the kit comes with 12 card blanks, 12 enevelope flats, and 3 sheets of coordinating stickers. I took the creativity up a notch by adding Liquid Glass to certain parts of the designs to give more dimension to the card front and draw attention to the details I wanted highlighted. I also used a corner rounder on a couple of the cards, and finally I used my craft knife to make cut-out embellishments to a few of the cards.

All 12 cards were created in an 1.5 hours from start to finish, including gluing the envelopes together. I definitely mark this kit as a "Must Buy"!

Mommy & Me Card Workshop Cards

We had a very nice time at the Mommy & Me card workshop. I wish I could've scanned in the creations of all the kids before they took off tonight with their finished cards. Below are a couple new cards I created while the group was here. I utilized a variety of products that I had hanging around. I really like how the "Celebrate" card turned out with the tag pocket on the front...simple, clean, but oh, so chic. I hope you enjoy these too and find some inspiration while you're here!

You're a Hoot!

This adorable card was created using the Close To My Heart My Acrylix "You're a Hoot" stamp set.

I'd love to teach you how to create fabulous hand crafted cards of your own. Sign up to attend a card workshop and I'll show you how.

Thank you for being my friend - 08/08/09

This is what the back of the card looks like.

This is what the interior of the card looks like.

This is the front cover of the first card I created today. I used a recipe found in the Close To My Heart Card Confidence Program book "Originals". Using a recipe found in the book, and the paper cutting template for the center "sash" found on the included CD, and several wonderful Close To My Heart stamps, inks, and papers, I was able to create this stunning thank you card.

Thanks - 08/08/09

This is card number 4 created today during our crop time today. What do you think?

Thansk-a-Bration

Close To My Heart has an incredible campaign right now to tell our customers THANK YOU! With every $100.00 of product purchased (before shipping, handling, or tax) you receive the August Stamp of the Month My Acrylix stamp set, PLUS you get a My Reflections Level II paper packet absolutely FREE! Book a home gathering today so that your friends and family can take advantage of this incredible special before time runs out!

Mommy & Me Workshop - Grandparent's Day Cards

What: Mommy & Me Card Making Workshop
When: Thursday, August 13th, 2009 starting at 6:00pm
Where: My creative studio at my home in Auburn, WA

What:
This is going to be SO MUCH FUN! This workshop is for Mom's and their children to work together to make cards for the grandparents in their lives. Grandparent's Day is just around the corner, and this workshop will help you to have VERY special, HANDMADE cards completed in time to mail them to all the special grandparents in your life. For a nominal fee to cover supplies, I will show you and your children how much fun, and how EASY it can be to make cards to send for all kinds of occasions. All materials and use of my tools are included in the workshop fee. You'll also get to use the BRAND NEW "Made with Love" My Acrylix stamp set that won't be available until September 1st. This clever stamp set has 10 different images that allow you to stamp your unique creations as being created by YOU! I know you'll fall in love with this stamp set when you see it! I did!