Welcome Autumn !!

There has been a dramatic change in the temperature here in my neck of the woods.  We went from shorts and tshirts to jeans and sweaters overnight.  I love Autumn and I find myself wanting to curl up with a hot cup of coffee and a good book.  Thanks to my friend, Sarah, I discovered Caramel flavored Keurig coffee cups and Caramel creamer and thanks to my Book Club, I am reading a great book by Anne Patchett, State of Wonder.  I also find when the thermostat drops that I want to stay inside and create.  I am very blessed to have friends who I can share my passion with.  I have had a great time getting together with a few friends and have been getting a lot of scrapbook pages and cards made. Would you like to see a few?

Fanfare paper and Stickease

Mayberry paper and Stickease

Sophia paper

Sophia paper

First day of School

Today was K's first day of school, which was actually the 2nd day of school, but the real first day got delayed because of Hurrican Irene.  We are luckier than most, though, Baltimore and Anne Arundel Counties are still out.  I'm glad our county had us go back quickly, now we won't use up our snow days before winter even gets here.  K had a great time playing with her friends at the bus stop today.  We meet up early because some moms work, so we each take a day to be in charge of watching the kids for a half hour before the bus comes, so others can get a jump start on their day.  I love this time in the morning, the kids play and blow off some steam before school and there's usually a couple of other Moms to hang out and chat with.

I am looking forward to having more time during the day to get "stuff" done.  I have been neglecting my household duties, lately and I have been getting a lot of crafting done, which has been food for my soul.  Here are some of my creations:

 

Lucky  Level 1 (X7137A), Level 2 (X7137B), Lucky  Level 2 Assortment Irresistables (Z1356), the Stickease (X7137C) and Enjoy Life stamp set (C1439).  Blue Buttons (Z1371), Kraft borders (retired) Colors:  Desert Sand, Outdoor Denim, Sunset.  

This gorgeous card (if I do say so myself) is made using the Treetops stamp set (C1368), Sentiment and tiny flower from Pair-a-Phrase National Stamping set for Sept (see my CTMH website for more info on how to earn this set for free), Sonoma B&T Paper (X7143B) , Mocha Opaques (z1333) and 3D Foam tape (z1151).
Colors:  Smokey Plum, Amethyst, Olive and Desert Sand

Art Philosophy Fun

I been having so much fun with my new Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge and stamps  I don't want to admit how late I was up last night, just playing away.  I could not stop.  Here is a link for a wonderful video made by My Pink Stamper, Robyn that features the cartridge with another super easy and cute card she made (at the bottom of this post).  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3SLqOE76dQ

Check out a few things I've made so far.

Here are a few bits and bobs I made with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge and stamps (z1686)

Super easy Birthday card made using Roxie B&T paper (x7140B), Pink Ribbon (z1384)
Copper Bitty Brads (z1368), 3D Foam tape (z1151) Tulip and Cocoa Ink, Cocoa and Black Cardstock
and the 2" Scallop Circle Punch (z1392) and 1 1/4" Circle Punch (z1311).
Happy Birthday pieces are cut using the Art Philosphy Cricut Cartridge.
I stamped the Happy on a separate oval , then stamped Birthday partly on the oval and the rest off.  Then I popped up the oval with 3D Foam tape

I love this bag box with the handles, cut from the Cricut, in Sunset cardstock.
See other images for more details about materials and technique tips

Other materials used:
Licorice  (z1335) and Mocha (z1333) Opaques, Glitter Glitz Gel (z1313), Liquid Glass (z679)
Grey Wool, Sunset, Desert Sand, Black and Barn Red Inks and Pansy Purple Marker

Techniques used:
Stamp Manipulation - I cut and bent one of the stamps to make the imprint on the handle
Faux Glitz Color- Glitter Gel looks colored, by using a marker first, then putting Glitz on top
Masking - To get the image of the withces skirt and feet and the broom, I put a piece of
scrap paper overthe handle, then stamped half on the bag and half on the scrap paper

I LOVE this heart shaped box I made (the lid is removable).  The phrase I  found on the
Pair-a-Phrase stamp set (our National Stamping Month special) was perfect for this project.
See other images for more details about materials and technique tips

Materials used:Roxie B&T paper (x7140B), Cocoa Ink, Mocha (z1333) Opaques, Glue Dots (1772)
Glitter Glitz Gel (z1313), Flower is cut using the Art Philosphy Cricut Cartridge

Techniques used:
Homemade Flower - made by rolling the flower cut out and then glueing it to the base using
Glue Dots.  The base is already attached when it is cut from the Cricut, how convenient is that? 
Zip Strip - each of the new B&T papers have a piece at the top that lists every color that
is in the pattern and on the other side is a strip you can cut off and use
as an embellishment.   That is what the scalloped edge piece of  the lid is decorated with.
Glitter Glitz Gel - each of the little gems that are printed on the Zip Strip are dabbed with Glitz to make them pop.

************************************************
 Here is a link for a wonderful video made by My Pink Stamper, Robyn that features the cartridge with another super easy and cute card she made (at the bottom of this post).  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3SLqOE76dQ

I've been busy....

...especially since I've been feeling so much better.  So I hope you enjoy seeing some of my newest creations.

Beautiful Thank you card I made using Mayberry B&T Paper (X7136B), Pink Assorted buttons (Z1370), Embroidery Floss, Mocha Opaques (Z1336), Bitty Sparkles (Z1263), Thank you stamp set (D1361), inks: Crystal Blue, Goldrush, Sweet Leaf and Smoothie.  I made the flower using the pleating technique.  Shout out to Barb Carrico, my awesome Grandma Upline, who taught me this technique at our team meeting recently.

I was recently asked to have a Gathering for two birthday parties, one for a 4 year old girl and the other a 6 year old boy. I came up with some great ideas from our new catalog products to make with the kids.  The first is a Memory Game, using stamping with coordinating ink and paper colors (one of the many, many reasons I love CTMH).  The shapes are made using our new Cricut Cartridge, Art Philosophy.   I love this idea so much I am going to make this as a gift for for my neice.  I will use the CTMH Memory Box (Z1614) with the Elemental B&T Paper (7141B), but because this is for a big group of 4 or 6 year olds to make, I chose to simplify the steps and keep costs down, since I will be charging per child.   The kids will also decorate a container that the game will go in, which will have each child's name on it (will be posted later).

Here's my other idea (I've got more), a notebook that the kids can decorate.  I also made a matching card with the same materials.  I did this with our July SOTM set, Celebrate America (retired), the Fanfare B&T Papers (X7138B) and Cranberry and White Daisy Cardstock.  Inks are Outdoor Denim, Crystal Blue, Sunny Yellow and Cranberry.  I also blinged up each a little, one with our amazing Glitter Glitz Gel (Z1313) and the other with Silver brads from our Metal Assortment Bitty Brad Assortment (Z1368) and Bitty Sparkles (Z1263).  To do the colored sparkle color, I used a marker underneath with the Glitter Glitz on top.

Extra! Extra!
August 2011 Constant Campaign

In celebration of our newly updated Stamp of the Month program, we're throwing in a little something extra: a FREE bonus stamp set! In August, when you or your customers place an order of $50 US/$55 CAN or more in products and purchase the August Stamp of the Month set, Wicked, for just $5/$5.50...

you’ll receive the My Acrylix^® A Typeface A-size set FREE (a retail value of $6.95/$7.75). Think of this as two promotions in one—qualify for and purchase the discounted August Stamp of the Month set and we'll throw in a second stamp set FREE! It's Extra! Extra!

Introducing Cricut Art Philosophy

I am delighted to introduce the exclusive Close To My Heart Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge!  Simply plug the cartridge into your Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter machine and you are ready to cut the 700 shapes with a touch of a button.  The exclusive images are versatile and many are designed to be used with specific My Acrylix stamps for real eye-popping power!

When you purchase the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge you will ALSO receive 3 exclusive D size stamp sets, designed to perfectly coordinate with images on the cartridge.  Plus we are including three 9 x 12 dimensional elements that work in tandem with the cartridge as well.  You can mix and match to your hearts content.  Stamp on your cricut shape, cover your Dimensional Element with a Cricut Shape, or cut, stamp and then cover!  You will be all set to create uniquely beautiful artwork with incredible ease!  Take a peek at the video that shows this great cartridge in use-

A few more highlights-

As you browse the new idea book, you will notice stamp sets that have a red line around them.  That means they are Cricut Compatible!  HOW COOL IS THAT!!!!

• 700 Shapes on the cartridge!
• 46 sizes each
• 32,200 possibilities!!!

So how do you get this exclusive cartridge? It is easy, here are a few ways to own this wonderful new cartridge.

1. I am taking pre-orders for this cartridge which is available August 1st.  Place your order before July 31st and get a free gift exclusively from me.  In addition to the free gift you will get the July SOM for FREE!
2. Host a party with sales of $250 or more and you can get this cartridge for half price!
3. Become a consultant and order it yourself at a great discount.

The Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection includes:
1 – Cartridge (700 images: Font, Shapes, and 3-D items)
3 – Coordinating My Acrylix® D-size Stamp Sets
3 – Coordinating 9" * 12" Dimensional ElementsSheets (Tags, Mixed Shapes, Banners)

This is one cartridge you will want to add to your collection.  It takes creating to a new level of faster, simpler and easier!

In closing I want to share this beautiful daisy boquet with you.  This was made with the new cartridge.  Love it,  love it, love it!

Katie does Locks for Love

July 4th at the Larneys

The theme this year was Hollywood and the Larney's did not disappoint with amazing decorations and activities.  We had a wonderful day, lazing by the pool, chatting, eating and drinking our way through the day.  Katie got her photo taken by the Paparazzi, her day was complete. It was great to have Laurel and our "gang" together, the 4 of hadn't been in one place in a looong time.

Happy Independence Day !!

My main purpose in creating this Blog is to share my love of all things made with paper and ink, including scrapbooking, card making, stamping and paper crafting.  After using and loving Close to my Heart (CTMH) products for about 5 years, I have now joined as an Independent Consultant in May of this year.  I am having so much fun with my new endeavor, having crops and gatherings.  I am talking to my friends about paper crafting and getting them excited about reigniting their passion for the art or introducing someone to a new craft.  I will be posting many photos of projects I make and sharing my own passion for all things Paper and Ink, I hope you  are as Inspired as I a

Here is CTMH's Stamp of the Month set for July, American Celebration (D1458) is a beautiful set of patriotic images for creating cards, decorations and scrapbook pages.  See below for some ideas for Birthday cards and other ideas made with this stamp set:

Here are some cute cards made with our Stamp of the Month set from last month (June 2011) called Jubilation:

Happy 4th of July, everyone.

July 4th Celebrations

I am having a wonderful holiday weekend.  My friend and her kids are visiting us from Long Island.  We are having a great time together.  We went to the pool on Saturday and watched the Harry Potter, Deathly Hallows Part 1 on DVD.  Sunday we had 18 people for a BBQ and now 3 more kids are sleeping over.  I love having lots of people coming and going, kids and dogs everywhere, I thrive on it.  Today, for the 4th, we are going to our friends in Southern MD for our annual get together with about 40 people.  Lounging by the pool, bocci ball games, good food, Hollywood themed parade, Blue Goo (a drink we created and named) and topped off with our own fireworks - Priceless.  Will post pics soon.