Virtual Swap Blog Hop

 I've been with Close To My Heart for a little less than a year now and I LOVE it! They keep up with trends but never fail on the basics we crafters want & need. When I joined CTMH I was lucky enough to sign up under Pamela O'Connor. Now I am part of a team with great & creative members but they are also very far from me. So thankfully Pamela has organized the 1st Stampers From The Heart Virtual Swap so now we can craft together. We had some basic rules to inspire us:   

• *Make It From Your Heart - Vol. 1 Pattern 19 featured on page 42.
• *New 2013 Spring/Summer Paper Packet of your choice.
• *New 2013 Spring/Summer Accessory of your choice.
• *New 2013 Spring/Summer Stamp Set of your choice.

The new items I used here are "For Always" paper pack, the yellow flower pin from "For Always" accessory assortment, & "Honeycomb" stamp set. Also used but not new, silver Shimmer Tape & stamp sets "Family Love" & "Trinity Alphabet". 

This card started with a folded size of 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" of White Daisy paper. The printed "For Always" paper was cut into 4" x 1 1/4" strips. The strips and the base are edged with Ruby ink. I then added strips of the shimmer tape down the center of all four strips, cutting them at an angle just shy of the edge. 

  
   I made the letter base with the "Honeycomb" stamp set. I adore these octagon shapes! The look nice with the "Buzz and Bumble" paper pack but the shape is not just for honey bees. First I stamped the outline stamp with black ink on Ruby paper. To give it dimension I stamped the fabric texture octagon filling the outline. (w/ second generation Ruby ink). Using the Ruby ink again, I stamped the letters (first generation) in the center of the shapes. After I cut the octagons out I edged them in black ink to cover any uneven lines and used foam tape to adhere them to the card. 
  Finally, I made the "Sweet" banner on scrap white daisy paper. Sweet is stamped in black & from the sentiment on "Honeycomb" & Love is stamped in Ruby & from "Family Love" stamp set. After I trimmed it into a banner and edged it with Ruby ink, I slid the pin from "For Always" into through it and into the foam tape behind the "E". To give it movement I put two tiny pieces of foam tape under the banner. 


Here is my favorite part: Every work of art starts with a mess so I always take a snap before I'm done. 

Hope you liked this. Now hop on over to my friends and see what they did with the same rules.
Pamela O'Connor ~ http://reflectionsofmyartandsoul.com/
Debbie Martin ~ http://wow-debbielou.blogspot.com/
Katy Taylor ~ http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/

I have been in a crafty mood and getting things done. 

Thought I would share two new projects made with some great products from Close To My Heart.

This finished product makes me so happy. It is like Close To My Heart made the "Avonlea" paper pack  just for this retro family photo that I love! Don't you love it when things work out like that? Besides the paper I also used a My Creations Star as the base, Avonlea compliments canvas shapes, chocolate waxy flax, green & blue buttons, & Foundry binder clips.  All can be found @ my online store craftymrst.ctmh.com

Project number two is something I have been itching to do. So when my daughter's eighth grade photos arrived I was so excited:) Close To My Heart's display tray is such a good quality. I have used trays from other companies and I find the size depth to this well built tray superior.  The best thing about this project was that I made it with the scraps and stamps from the Scholastic Workshop On The Go and other extras that matched this paper line!  Again you can find everything at craftymrst.ctmh.com and if you have any questions or comments feel free to share.  

Happy Crafting!

Organizing Your Supplies

If you are like me, you are always looking for a better way to organizer your supplies. More specifically , organizing while attending a crop! Close To My Heart came out with a wonderful organizer that fits the bill. Watch this video to get a better look at the items.



If you have a question send me a message. Or head over to my store and get these awesome organizers now!

Bonus This Month Only! If you order either Cricut set from me I will give you a paper pack of your choice for free!

If you don't have a Gathering you are attending please purchase at my online store by joining the "Cricut Special Party" at the bottom of the home page. Within a few days of your order I will email you to find out which paper pack you would like from the current Idea Book.  (This special is available only through myself and not a Close To My Heart company special.)

Check out the new Idea Book @ my online store. Happy to answer any question you might have.

New Cricut Artiste Cartridge Set 

Available only through Close To My Heart

In the new Fall/Winter 2012 Idea Book you will find this amazing $99. It includes versatile cartridge for any craft need you can have: card, decorations, scrapbooking, gift giving, & so much more. Along with 3 coordinating stamp sets and 3 coordinating chipboard sheet. These are great on there own but combined with the cartridge lift your ordinary items to extraordinary! If you follow this link you will be able to go through the complete cricut handbook showing you all the cuts with this cartridge.cricut artiste handbook

You can purchase on my site starting August 1st or have a Gathering and earn it for half price!

New Workshops to go, can't wait!

I'll be planning craft nights soon for these cute projects!

Summer Crop & 10 Page Footloose Kit

 August 4th, 2012 10am-10pm
Workshop & Crop 
Location - My Place Bradley, IL

        As with any all day crop I have your lunch, drinks, & dinner is provided. But this time you have a choice of including this amazing 10 page kit to your all day crop. The kit costs $45 and you don't have any extra cost for the crop day, if you are interested only in the crop (without the kit)there is a $25 fee for the day.

Materials and Instruction Included 

You’ll receive three paper packs and 5 full packages of embellishments, plus a full-color cutting and instruction guide to create 10 pages for your 12”x12” scrapbook. 
Featuring the Footloose paper pack, the color scheme is suitable for baby or summertime photos. Create a perfect baby shower gift for boys or girls, or scrapbook your favorite summertime memories. When you pay for the kit I will email you a PDF of your step step color guide. You will also want to print this out to bring to the workshop.

        In the morning I will start a walk through with everyone doing the kit so you can get your cutting and embellishments going on the right track. I will be able to help out as you go along, however you can opt to work on whatever you like and take home the kit, the directions you are emailed are very thorough and easy to follow. 

Please sign up and pay by July21st so I can have all kits made and ready for you. 

Before and after this date you can purchase the 10 page kit for $45 without attending the crop day.

Please email with any questions JnRenee@comcast.net. You will get a confirmation from me within 3 days of purchase. Please allow 2 weeks for kits that will be shipped and not picked up @ workshop.

Stella Workshop Update

     Here is a sneak peek of one of the layouts I finished for the Stella Workshop I am having June 21st. (Follow the blog page down for full information.)
If you attend you will get a chance to see the 10 page layout workshop I am having in August. Perfect for a summer scrapbook or even a baby book.