Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Cricut Artiste Christmas Workshop



I have had lots of requests for an Artiste Cricut Workshop, so I thought now would be the perfect time. With Christmas just around the corner, I know we all can use some quick and easy gift packaging ideas. Hopefully this class will help.

The class will be held on Saturday, November 17th from 10am - 1pm. We will make (2) each of four different projects including a gable box, a “formal Santa” gift bag, a gift card holder, and a tag. I will walk you through the process of cutting and making each project. Just bring your Cricut machine, Artiste cartridge, adhesive, and ink pads and I will supply the rest. Or if you do not have a Cricut but would still like to join us for the class, I will be happy to pre-cut everything for you for an extra $5.

The cost is $20 (or $25 for pre-cut images) and includes all of the following:

Very Merry Christmas stamp set included in your kit


Other supplies needed to complete the projects:
Gable Box



Gift Card Holder



“Formal Santa” Gift Bag



Gift Tags


If you are a Consultant and would like the instructions for this project, feel free to visit my “Consultant Project Guide” page here for more information. (Instructions for this project will be ready by 11/5.)

ETA: Thank you for the wonderful response. 
This class is now full, and all kits are sold out. Sorry.
Stay tuned for more Cricut classes coming soon...

Saturday, October 27, 2012

November Creative Club - Perpetual Calendar


November’s Creative Club will be held on Thursday, November 15th at 7pm. We will be making a perpetual calendar that will make a great gift for the holidays. (Or make one for yourself to keep on your own desk.)

There are 3 kit options this month.

Option #1 is $20 and includes:

Option #2 is $37 and includes everything in option #1 plus:

Option #3 is $54 (best value) everything in option #1 and #2 plus:
Other supplies, not included,  needed to complete the project:


You have the option to add this stand to make your calendar tilt back or choose to keep it off and have your calendar sit flat. The instructions will explain how to create it both ways.



Here is a view from the top. Doesn’t it look like a wrapped present? (Who wouldn’t want a beautifully wrapped present sitting on their desk year round? LOL)


The best part about this project is that I will show you how to create this box that not only displays the current month, but it also holds the months that you are not using so they will never get lost. The Hook & Loop Dots make this project easily customizable.



Due to popular demand, these kits are now sold out.

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

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Want to make a difference in a child's life?

For the past 12 years we have been involved with a wonderful organization called Compassion International. They are a Christian child development organization dedicated to releasing children from poverty. Their ministry is twofold: They work through local churches to provide child development programs to deliver children from economic, physical, social and spiritual poverty, enabling them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. And they speak out for children in poverty – informing, motivating and equipping others to become advocates for children.

We have sponsored two children over the years. We are currently sponsoring Felipe who lives in the Dominican Republic with his grandparents. He is almost the same age as my son which makes it fun when we send letters because they like to do some of the same things. Because of the Compassion International program, Felipe is able to go to school, get health check ups, hear God's Word, and have hope for a bright future.

Meet Felipe...


I encourage you to take a look at their website and if you feel lead, consider sponsoring a child. There are so many in need and it just breaks my heart every time I look at all of the sweet photos of children who do not yet have a sponsor.

Here is a great video of some of the children thanking their sponsors.


OK, now back to your regularly scheduled programming. *Ü*

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Sweet Treats "Artiste" Cupcake Box


I made this little box of “sweet treats” using everything but actual sugar. LOL! I started out making the box by using Close to my Heart’s new Artiste Cricut Collection. I cut the cupcake box shape shown on page 69 of the Artiste booklet at 3". (The base was cut out of Chocolate cardstock and the top was cut from a piece of patterned paper from the Clementine Collection.) Then I trimmed off 1" from each side of the box base before assembling. I cut the Chocolate frame around the opening on the top by cutting the frame at 2-1/4" and again at 2-3/4" and selecting the “center cut” option both times. I added a piece of acetate on the inside of the lid with some Glue Dots.


The tag was made with one of the stamp sets that comes with the Artiste Collection. I adhered it to the acetate with a Glue Dot and then added a self adhesive fabric flower from the adorable Cottage Assortment. I added some Sweet Leaf cardstock leaves cut with the Artiste cartridge under the flower. (To cut the leaves, select the leaf image on page 32 of the booklet and cut at 3/4".)


The goodies on the inside are all unfortunately not editable. (But the good news is that there are no calories. LOL!) The square boxes are cut at 1-1/2" as shown on page 45 of the booklet. The Colonial White box is wrapped with some Baker’s Twine and the Chocolate box has another Cottage Assortment fabric flower on top. I set them both inside of some paper candy wrappers.

The cupcake wrappers are cut at 1-1/4" and are found on page 63 of the Artiste booklet. To make the cupcakes inside, I wrapped the top half of (2) 1-1/4" styrofoam balls with some Baker’s Twine. I adhered the twine with Liquid Glass, but you could also use Aleen’s Tacky Glue. To top off the cupcakes, I cut more of the same leaves that were used on the top of the box cut at 1/2" and slipped a big brad through the hole and stuck it into the top of the styrofoam ball. I added some Red Glitz Glitter Gel mixed with Liquid Glass on top. I tried it first without the Liquid Glass and it popped off once it dried, so make sure you mix it with some Liquid Glass so that it sticks to the brad.


Slip some candy or another fun surprise into the mini boxes and you have a fun way to wrap a little birthday treat. Enjoy!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Have you tried Studio J yet?


Studio J® is free online scrapbooking design software brought to you by Close To My Heart. Studio J helps you easily create two-page layouts using our foundational scrapbook patterns, exclusive color palette, and themed designs all delivered in 12" × 12" custom prints ready for your albums.

Indulge your desire to create gorgeous layouts in minutes — it’s easy, fast, and fun with Studio J! Your artsy side will be inspired by the variety of timeless patterns, your creative side will love the themed kits, and the over-achiever in you will be thrilled at how much scrapbooking you get done!

I created all of these layouts with the new Express Collections layouts. The layouts are already done and you just drop in your photos and personalize the journaling and titles and you’re done! Talk about quick and easy!




Get a free Studio J® layout in October! In this special promotion, you will receive a free custom-printed layout when you buy 9 custom-printed Studio J layouts. To receive the discount, just add 10 or more layouts to your cart. You’ll see a discount reflected in your order total. And you can totally take advantage of this promotion by ordering in multiples of 10. Buy 9, get 1 free. Buy 18, get 2 free. Buy 27, get 3 free. Up to 4 free layouts! It’s a great time to use any Member Bonus layouts you may have. If you haven’t tried Studio J yet, now is the time to start!


Click here or on the icon below to try Studio J for free!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Alcohol Marker Madness

Learn how to color stamps with pairs of coordinating Close to my Heart alcohol-based markers that are sure to brighten a page, spruce up a card, and add pizazz to any project!


Click here, or on the icon below, to order the supplies to make the projects shown in the video.
 

Saturday, October 13, 2012

"Just Because" Floral Card


One of my favorite new Close to my Heart stamp sets is called Jardin. I have used it on a few projects already, including the display tray here and the layout here.  For this card, I used the floral stamp with the script background.


I stamped the image in Desert Sand ink twice. Once for the actual card and once on some scrap cardstock. I colored the latter with CTMH’s Blush alcohol markers and then cut out the flowers. I adhered them to the card with some tiny pieces of 3-D Foam Tape. Then I colored in the leaves with Sweet Leaf alcohol markers
 
 

The sentiment is from the Avonlea Workshop on the Go Card Kit. I also lightly stamped some Bamboo cardstock with the script image from the same set. (It coordinates with the script background from the Jardin set pretty well.)


I added a strip of patterned paper from the La Belle Vie paper packet on the left side of the card. After inking the edges, I added the inside and outside panels, making sure to overlap them so that when the card is closed, you wouldn’t see the panel on the inside. I finished off the inside by stamping the little bee in the corner. The bee is also from the Jardin set.

I have a few more project ideas for the Jardin set, so stay tuned...

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Coordinate with Cricut Cuts


Learn how to use your stamps to bring Cricut® cut-outs to life in this great video! Many Cricut® shapes from the Artiste and Art Philosophy collections coordinate with stamp sets so you have more potential for creating, decorating, and accessorizing!


Click below to order the supplies to make the projects in this video.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Combining Paper Packets = a Rainbow of Options


Sometimes I like to combine papers, patterns, and textures when I create. This layout was created by combining three different paper packets. Can you guess what they are?


If you guessed Pear & Partridge, Flirty, and Clementine, you guessed correctly! I simply cut strips of the different papers and adhered them to a piece of black cardstock. I added some of the Flirty Dimensional Element Compliments for a little whimsy touch. The title was created with Close to my Heart’s fun Glamour Glitter Alphabet stickers. And to finish it off, I added a little hand stitching with some Embroidery Floss. By using CTMH’s great see-though ruler with guide holes along with the piercing tool, it was easy to space the holes perfectly.

By the way, if you haven’t figured it out, this layout showcases a photo of me with my mom. It is one of my favorites because it reminds me of how much I love my mom and how blessed I am to have such a great relationship with her! Love you Mom!!! xoxo

Friday, October 5, 2012

Happy World Teacher’s Day!


What a great way to wish your favorite teacher a “Happy World Teacher’s Day!” Thanks to Close to my Heart for the adorable artwork.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Dauber Dynamite—Getting Perfect Precision from Your Inks

Discover the beauty of sponge daubing. When you ink your stamps with sponge daubers, you can create a soft, shaded look that is perfect for a page or card!


If you’d like to order any of the products to make the cute projects in the video, feel free to do so by clicking the image below.

And the winner is...


Thank you to all that posted such wonderful organizing suggestions and tips. Be sure to read though all of the comments on this post to get some great organizing ideas!


The winner of the FREE pack of 3 craft boxes is Barb who posted on September 27th at 12:24pm. Barb said, “I am working on organizing my studio, too. I am a paper addict and I get really freaked out if my paper has a wrinkle or ruffle on it. So to prevent that from happening, I store my 12x12 paper flat, in drawers that are labeled with each season. And my card stock is stored in hanging file folders, that are labeled with a color swatch. I love to have things organized and looking nice. Thank you for the opportunity to win this awesome prize package!”

Barb, please email me with your address and I will get your craft boxes out to you right away. *Ü* 

If you’d like more information about CTMH’s awesome organizational tools, feel free to contact me or order them here.

Monday, October 1, 2012

October Creative Club - Christmas Cards and Tote Bag



October’s Creative Club will be held on Thursday, October 18th at 7pm. We will be using Close to my Heart’s beautiful Pear & Partridge Collection to make 15 Christmas cards (5 cards each of 3 designs) and a cute tote bag to hold them. Once you send out your cards, you can use the tote as a gift bag!

The project kit is $30 and includes all of the following: 
  • (15) 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" Colonial White Cards/Envelopes
  •  Pear& Partridge Workshop on the Go stamp set (see photo below)
  • (3) pieces of Pear & Partridge patterned paper
  • (4) sheets of cardstock (Colonial White, Cranberry, and (2) Cocoa)
  • (6) Pre-cut Colonial White bracket shapes
  • (6) Pre-cut Cranberry bracket shapes
  • (10) Pre-cut Cranberry poinsettia shapes
  • (108) Red Glitter Gems
  • 5 yards of Tan Twill Ribbon
  • Step-by-step instructions
Other supplies, not included, needed to complete the project:

Stamp set that is included with your kit.


Your completed cards and envelopes will fit inside the adorable tote bag that you will also make. Everything will be at your fingertips when you are ready to fill out your Christmas cards this year. Once you send out your cards, you can use the tote bag as a gift bag for someone special.

Make (5) each of these three cards.




 


Everything fits nicely inside your tote.





ETA: Thank you for the wonderful response. 
This class is now full, and all kits are sold out. Sorry.

If you are a CTMH Consultant and would like the instructions for this project, feel free to visit my “Consultant Project Guide” page here for more information.

Feel free to contact me for more information or to sign up for this month’s class. Please contact me no later than October 7th if you would like to join us for the class.
 
To find out more about my monthly “no-commitment” Creative Club, click here.
You do not need to be local to participate!