Scrapping with Heart

Make A Miracle Challenge

2012-01-31T20:00:00.001-05:00

Help me to help these children, donate to Operation Smile at upper right of this blog. I'll be keeping this post at the top for awhile, please check out next post for the most recent Studio J layout!

Do You Have A Dream Job?

2012-01-30T06:48:00.006-05:00

An ambitious woman entered a successful store with a reputation for beautiful, fine quality merchandise. She walked up to the owner and said, "Sir, I am very impressed with your store and I would like to work here. I promise I will work hard and I would love to build a career here. In return, all I ask is the following:

1. First, I would like 22% commission on everything I sell.
2. I expect to receive a 22% discount on the merchandise I wish to purchase.
3. I would also like to earn free merchandise every month based on my sales.
4. Plus, if I bring in and train any new sales people, I think I deserve a percentage of their sales.
5. I would like the opportunity to rapidly advance within the company.
6. When I do well, I expect LOTS of praise and recognition, plus free products, special awards, and fabulous trips.
7. I would like my friends and family to work here.
8. By the way, I need to set my own schedule and work only when it suits me and my family.

So... when can I start?

After the store owner recovered from shock, he ROARED with laughter, "Lady, you can't be serious! You're dreamin'! You'll never find an opportunity like that ANYWHERE! And if you do...come back and get me cuz' I want to work with you!"

Well, I know just the job for you and it has all the above benefits. Come join my Close to my Heart team today!!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 34

2012-01-27T04:00:00.000-05:00

This is my last Studio J layout in this series, I hope you've enjoyed checking out and learning all the things you can do with Studio J. I really encourage you to try it, remember it's free to play with it all you want, it only costs when you decide to have a layout printed and sent to you. Remember that it's much most cost effective to buy a 3 month or yearly membership so you can get the pages half price along with free page protectors and free shipping once a month. Give it a shot!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 33

2012-01-26T03:56:00.002-05:00

With Studio J you can change the papers to 60 different colors PLUS adjust the intensity so that the pattern and/or color is just barely showing or turned up really high! Just another advantage...

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 32

2012-01-25T15:51:00.004-05:00

Now just look at this layout, the graphic nature of it just screams "this is not traditional scrapbooking" which is why I love it! Studio J makes this so simple to do, give it a try!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 31

2012-01-24T11:48:00.000-05:00

The lacy decoration on this layout is actually a sticker that I have enlarged and cropped, easily, in Studio J. It's just yet another cool embellishment that you could play with should you decide to try Studio J. Remember, it's free to play, just click here and start.

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 30

2012-01-23T06:56:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I talked about mats, today I'm going to talk about not matting. With Studio J you have a choice and you can play with your photos until they are in the right place on your layout so no mat looks good! You can switch pictures around all you want and even rotate the entire layout to give yourself a whole new look. The possibilities are endless.

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 29

2012-01-22T06:52:00.000-05:00

I love mats! Ilove how they frame a picture just like it was on the wall. With Studio J you can mat your photos in 60 different colors and several different widths. There are ways to even double mat your pictures and mat your journaling too. Try it out!!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 28

2012-01-21T10:59:00.004-05:00

Borders are a category on the Studio J stickease section. They are premade but can be sized to your desire. Look how these borders over the sea turtles add so much to the page. It's just another aspect of Studio J to try.

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 27

2012-01-20T08:11:00.004-05:00

These photos were a problem for me. There was such a variety of colors in the pictures that I couldn't find a color combination that would work with everything. After trying many different paper sets I finally realized my best bet was to change some of the photos to black and white. With Studio J I can do that in less than a second. I just click on the picture and select color, sepia or black and white and instantly it's changed. Yet another advantage to this type of scrapbooking....

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 26

2012-01-19T06:52:00.007-05:00

Fonts are fun! With Studio J you have LOTS of choices. I loved being able to use this font which would emphasize the rocking and rolling of the boat we were on in the Galapagos. Like every other embellishment in Studio J, you can also change it to 60 different colors. What are you waiting for? Try Studio J out today!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 25

2012-01-18T08:45:00.005-05:00

Let's face it, sometimes we take way too many scenery pictures. They are beautiful but you don't want to use the full size photos. With Studio J, scenery photos are a snap, there are so many different templates in Studio J that can hold tons of pictures and, guess what? They automatically adjust the size of your photo for you. So, you can have all those pictures and not get rid of any of them! Try it RIGHT HERE!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 24

2012-01-17T07:10:00.005-05:00

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 23

2012-01-16T08:53:00.004-05:00

My sister's family must have some pigment in their eyes that really reflects light because whenever I take a picture of any of them, the pictures inevitably have red eye. Luckily, that's not a problem anymore because I can simply eliminate it with Studio J. I love that it has it's own photo editing program built in!!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 22

2012-01-15T16:30:00.006-05:00

The best reason to try Studio J still comes down to time. How many times have you said, "this year I will keep up with my scrapbooking?" Well, I do. When I have new photos I can immediately upload them into Studio J and within 20 minutes per layout, have them done, I still love traditional scrapbooking but now I feel caught up!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 21

2012-01-14T08:34:00.005-05:00

The reason I like it when papers come in sets is so I don't have to go to the effort of matching colors. Studio J is based on the paper sets that Close to my Heart sells and has sold so everything is already planned out for me as far as which colors go perfectly together. I love it!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 20

2012-01-13T14:53:00.004-05:00

This little design just below the title is actually a stickease that I have cropped to fill in the background again. It's so easy to manipulate the various embellishments in Studio J to be just the size, color and in just the place you want them. Have you tried it yet?

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 20

2012-01-12T22:16:00.005-05:00

I'm late getting my Studio J layout today because I woke up with the flu. For the most part I spent the day on the couch which brings me to the reason to try Studio J for today. It's something you can do while lying on a couch suffering from the flu! After awhile you can only watch so many Judge Judy's, right? Studio J is only a laptop away!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 19

2012-01-11T09:03:00.005-05:00

Are you a distressing addict like me? Ever since I saw a distressed piece of artwork for the first time, I was hooked. I was SO happy when I saw that I could add distressing to my Studio J layouts. Not only can I distress but there are several different ways to do it, sanding, inking edges, adding a stipple look, and I can distress in any of 60 colors. I'm in heaven!!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 18

2012-01-10T07:01:00.005-05:00

Stickers are a staple of scrapbooking and they are right here in Studio J too! Look at this beautiful sticker I used as a title. Each paper set in Studio J comes with the corresponding stickease and not only can you use them, you can resize them, layer them, decorate them with embellishments and turn them every which way you want. Try it today!

Scrapbooking in Paw Paw, Michigan

2012-01-09T11:05:00.006-05:00

Scrapbook Fundraiser

Saturday, February 18, 2011

9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

American Legion Hall

115 N. Niles St., Paw Paw, MI

Cost is $30 if you register before February 4 which includes 5 raffle tickets - $35 after February 5

Snacks, Brunch and Dinner Included

All Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society

Please send Registration & Check to Laurie Gronau, 10679 26^th Street, Gobles, MI 49055. Call Laurie at (269) 628-2558 if you have questions.

Name __________ Phone # __________________

I will be attending the fundraiser on February 18, 2012. My check is enclosed

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 18

2012-01-09T06:52:00.004-05:00

Check out the fancy border on this page, imagine how long it would take you to create it on a traditionally scrapped page. Studio J is too cool!

Retiring List for Close to my Heart Products

2012-01-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

Here's the complete list of products retiring January 30, 2012. Get them before they are gone by clicking on the shopping icon at upper right of this blog:

Level 2 Paper Packs:

Believe

Dreamin’

Fanfare

Lucky

Mayberry

Mischief

Sophia

Wonderland

Workshops-on-the-Go:

Believe

Dreamin'

Elemental

Mischief

Roxie

Sonoma

Typeset

Wonderland

MyStickease:

Believe

Dreamin'

Fanfare

Lucky

Mayberry

Mischief (Rub-ons)

Sophia

Wonderland

Mini-Medley Accents:

Antiqued Copper

Colonial White

Brads & Eyelets:

Colonial White Brads

Pewter Decorative Brads

Black and White Daisy Soft Set Eyelets

Chocolate and Colonial White Soft Set Eyelets

Dimensional Elements:

Flurry

On Target

Ribbon & Floss:

Colonial White Ribbon Collection

3/8" Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon

3/8" Cocoa Grosgrain Ribbon

3/8" Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon

3/8" White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon

Wings Level 2 Assortment

Embroidery Floss:

Blue/Purple

Green

Red/Pink

Waxy Flax:

Cranberry

Crystal Blue

Juniper

Sorbet

Various Accessories:

Bliss Level 2 Assortment

Fanfare Level 2 Assortment

Foundry Metal - Bookplates

Harvest Charms

Holiday Pockets

Just Blooms Spring Blossom Paper Flowers

Just Blooms White Daisy Variety Pack

Lucky Level 2 Assortment

Lucky Level 2 Journaling Spots

Midnight Felt Shapes

Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment

Color-Ready Alphabets:

Hodge Podge

Oxford

My Creations Mini Albums and Paper Crafting Items:

Board Book

Journal

9x9 Memory Showcase

Top Coats:

Top Coats Icing Overlays

Supplies/Tools:

Rubber Brayer

Soft Set Eyelet Tool

Eyelet Tool Replacement Punches

8 1/2 x 11 Cardstock:

Black

Colonial White

White Daisy

My Acrylix Stamp Sets:

A Hop

A Little Buzz

A Little Everything

A Love

A Paisley

A Posey

Adoption

Adorning Corners

Always In My Heart

Ambiance

Around The Block

Baby Love

Backgrounds & Borders

Beary Best

Beary Busy

Beautiful Butterflies

Beautiful Things

Believe In Your Dreams

Beloved

Birthday Blast

Birthday Boy

Bless This Nest

Blooming Layers

Bon Appetit

Boom!

Bunny Love

Campin' Fever

Carefree

Catching Waves

Charmed

Cherished Flourishes

Ciao

Circle Around

Circle of Love

Circle Together

Connections

Cruisin'

Cupcake Sprinkles

Daydream

Down By The Sea

Dream Big

Dreams Come True

Enjoy Every Moment

Extreme Happiness

Family

Family Ties - Adult

Family Ties - Children

Family Ties - Pet

Fill In The Blank

Flower Pot

For Every Occasion

Friendship Blessings

From My Heart

Fun Times

Happy Holidays

Happy Moments

Hero

His and Hers

Horizon

Hot Diggity

Howdy

In The Month Of April

In The Month Of February

In The Month Of July

In The Month Of June

In The Month Of March

In The Month Of May

It's A Zoo

Just For Boys

Just For Girls

Just The Ticket

Kanji Phrases

Let's Go Camping

Little Princess

Love Always

Love Birds

Love Ya

Magic Tabs

Makin' Waves

Ms. Chillin'

Ms. Scrapbook

Notice The Details

One Of A Kind

On The Edge

On This Day

Over The Rainbow

Paisley Praise

Piece of Cake

Play Day

Post Card - Travel Series

Precious Love

Priceless Love

Recipe Box

Retro Tech

Royal Birth

Salutation Seals

Shining Star

Smiles

So Lucky

Soul Mates

Springtime

Star Power

Summer Breeze

Summer Days

Sweet Baby

Take Luck

Tasty Treats

Tea Time

Thank You

Thrill Ride

T.L.C.

Togetherness

Treetops

Trellis

Two-Step Backgrounds

Unity

X-Treme

You Did It

You Rock

You're Great

You're Sweet

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 17

2012-01-08T08:57:00.006-05:00

There's a whole section on Studio J that is just metal accents, brads (made to look shiny), page turns, photo hangers, hinges, clasps and staples. They look so real that you'll be touching the pages that Close to my Heart prints for you just to check!!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 16

2012-01-07T10:02:00.005-05:00

Studio J doesn't require you to use only pattern papers, you can make a complete layout just using cardstock too and 60 different colors of cardstock to boot. These awesome pictures of frigate birds didn't need a lot of decoration, they stand out for themselves and that made cardstock just perfect! The only patterned paper I used is so subtle that it nearly looks like cardstock itself. Play with Studio J today by clicking on the store button at the upper right of my blog.

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 15

2012-01-06T08:06:00.006-05:00

Layering is another wonderful aspect of Studio J. Those flowers down at the bottom left of this layout...they are just a "sticker" and I was able to move them about, flip them over, put them on top of each other....I could have even turned them upside down if I wanted to. Studio J rocks!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 15

2012-01-05T06:34:00.004-05:00

So we all know that vellum is a pain to use in regular scrapbooking because adhesive just loves to show through it so you're stuck using brads or trying to cover up the patches of glue. No worries with Studio J, no adhesive necessary to use vellum here.

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 14

2012-01-04T08:32:00.003-05:00

When my family visited the Galapagos Islands we were able to swim or snorkel every day. The first day out my sister in law, Maria, and my son, Sam, went out in the water to play. Little did they know but a sea lion wanted to play too. For the longest time they didn't even see the animal who was just feet from them. When they finally noticed him it was a glorious experience that they will never forget. I'm telling you this story because journaling is an important part of scrapbooking. I could just have scrapbooked these pictures but without the words, the whole story isn't told. In Studio J it's a snap to journal with so many fonts, colors and styles ANYWHERE on your layout. You can even put it right over a photo. Try out Studio J today and see!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 13

2012-01-03T06:07:00.006-05:00

There is a whole section of Studio J that just has ribbons! With Studio J, "tying" a ribbon on is easy, check out how these ribbons below look like they are wrapped around the background paper. Sure, you could do it in traditional scrapbooking but, let's face it, it's a pain! Not in Studio J!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 13

2012-01-02T08:29:00.003-05:00

Color schemes are simple to play with on Studio J. How many times have you been scrapbooking traditionally and you have trouble matching the photos? With Studio J you simply change the papers to 60 different colors until they match your photos perfectly. Here I matched the paper to the Sally Lightfoot crabs I saw in the Galapagos, so easy!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 12

2012-01-01T06:56:00.006-05:00

I love staples! I couldn't believe it when Close to my Heart made staples one of the embellishments we could use, and in 60 different colors (something I had trouble with in real life as the color would peel off). Check out my staples on this layout then go play with them yourself on this link FOR FREE.

Rock the Block Promotion

2011-12-31T10:08:00.000-05:00

You can get this excellent special from me by clicking on my store link to the upper right of this blog.

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 11

2011-12-31T08:57:00.005-05:00

When you work with Studio J you don't need to have special equipment for what normally would be difficult with traditional scrapbooking. For instance, writing white on a dark color, no white pen needed and and you can even write red on black or peach on brown, sixty colors are at your disposal for your journaling and your journaling backgrounds, whoo hoo!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 10

2011-12-30T08:32:00.004-05:00

Another great aspect to Studio J is the editing component. You can whiten teeth, get rid of red eye, fix blemishes, reduce glare and lighten and fix colors on a photo. Studio J is the complete package and you have many options on the cost.

Buy as is for $13.00 for a two page layout OR

Buy a 3 month or yearly membership and your layouts are 1/2 price PLUS you get special templates, papers, free shipping once a month and free page protectors.

Sign up to be a consultant and get a yearly membership for $40 and the two page layout reduces in cost even more to $5.00 per two pages. Think about it!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 9

2011-12-29T06:18:00.005-05:00

One of the newest layout templates has this nice tilt to it. Did you know that almost all the layout templates in Studio J come from the How to books that Close to my Heart sells? That means if you fall in love with one, it's not too hard to duplicate with traditional scrapbooking too!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 8

2011-12-28T06:20:00.003-05:00

Along with each paper set in Studio J comes the Stickease that were in the original real paper set so you there are a lot of options of pretty designs to use when decorating your layout. Studio J also allows you to some unusual pattern types such as the diagonal photos along the side of this layout. Imagine how long that would take using real paper!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 7

2011-12-27T07:27:00.004-05:00

A neat thing about Studio J is that it's about the easiest way to put a lot of photos on a page. The templates can be divided by number of photos you have to scrapbook. Then you just slip them over into the photo wells with your mouse. You can try it out for free yourself (really, try for free, you only pay if you want to buy the layouts). Just click here!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 6

2011-12-26T08:32:00.003-05:00

This is Bliss paper, one of our retired papers. It's not retired in Studio J though! The colors were just perfect for this layout of our trip to Ecuador.

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 5

2011-12-25T07:47:00.003-05:00

I love the layered look of buttons when I'm traditionally scrapbooking and when I'm digitally scrapbooking. What makes it super simple is that I don't actually have to tie the threads on these buttons! Have a Merry Christmas!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 4

2011-12-24T07:09:00.000-05:00

There are so many different paper sets to choose from in Studio J, even the ones that you can't get anymore in our catalogs. The other cool thing is that all the paper sets match the colors of our "actual" paper exactly so you can barely tell the difference between our physical paper and the printed out Studio J layout paper.

Just a quick plea

2011-12-23T09:13:00.002-05:00

Hopefully you saw this story on the Today show this morning. It's so heartwarming to see the money roll in to help this young firefighter. Can you help?

http://www.indiegogo.com/marcdoty?c=comments&a=353453

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 3

2011-12-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to my Studio J Layout a Day post. Did you know that Studio J now has stitching! Check out the hearts below. I could make them any of 60 colors and any size!

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 2

2011-12-22T07:42:00.003-05:00

Hello and Merry Christmas. Welcome to Day Two of my Studio J Layout a Day posts. I cannot tell you how resistant I was to any kind of digital scrapbooking. When Close to my Heart first announced that we were going to have a digital scrapbooking component I was certain that I wouldn't be interested and certainly wouldn't work to sell it. Boy was I wrong. I now do more layouts digitally than traditional scrapbooking (though I still love that) and not because it's so fast and easy (but it is) but because the layouts turn out so beautifully. I hope to share the evidence of all that with you as I continue my blog posts this month and next. This layout is again my newly married brother and sister in law. The paper set is Miracle. You can start your own Studio J layouts by clicking on the shopping link to the upper right of this blog.

Studio J Layout a Day - Layout 1

2011-12-21T06:54:00.001-05:00

I just bought a bunch of new Studio J layouts so I'm going to be posting one a day! First up is a layout I did for my newly married brother. They sent me all their engagement photos which I was able turn into beautiful layouts in just a couple hours. To get your own Studio J layouts done quickly, just click HERE!

Christmas Gift - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-20T10:08:00.016-05:00

Before I start my last Christmas card tutorial I'd just like to thank everyone who has been reading my blog these past 20 days. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I've been so excited about making a stair step card as the final card of my 20 days of cards. I am using the Wonderland paper but in a new way, concentrating on the spring iris color in the paper, a pretty lilac-y color. Even though we've barely had an snow in Michigan this winter, we will so here's a Christmas card with an emphasis on snow!

To make a stair step card you need to cut a piece of hearty cardstock 10 1/2" by 5", this is spring iris cardstock and I distressed with crystal blue ink. Put your paper in the trimmer the long way to score at the 1 1/4", 2 1/2", 4 1/4", 6" and 8 1/4" marks. I find that putting the card together while it's still flat works for the most part so don't feel that you have to fold it yet.

Some people don't put pattern paper on the back side of the "stairsteps" but I do, I like it to look great from all sides. Working bottom to top you need to cut pattern paper TWO EACH 1" by 4 3/4" (for the first step) , 1 1/2" by 4 3/4" (for the second step), 2" by 4 3/4" (for the third step). Glue them down.

Now on the bottom (first step) stamp the hat border from the Bundled Buddies stamp set in spring iris ink. Since the border is short you need to use the masking technique to finish the border. On a separate piece of paper, stamp the hat border again and cut out around the right hand half of that stamped piece. Using temporary glue, tack it down right on the image you stamped on the actual card. Now stamp again over this "mask" to finish up the border. Remove the mask.

Here's the finished look, you can hardly tell that the stamped image is actually two stamped images.

Using the Christmas Love stamp set, stamp on a piece of white daisy cardstock you've cut 2" by 3" in crystal blue ink. If you want to make the present on the stamp a different color you could:

a) use the masking technique

b) bend your stamp around the edge of the block so that you stamp only the words stamp in crystal blue, then put the present on the block and wrap the words around the side so they don't stamp and stamp the present in spring iris.

c) stamp the whole phrase on present and words in crystal blue and then on a separate piece of white daisy cardstock stamp the present in spring iris, cut out and glue on top of the blue one on your card.

Use some glue and prisma glitter to decorate the present and make it shine! Add it to a piece of spring iris cardstock you've cut 2 1/4" by 3 1/4", don't forget to distress.

On the second step, add a pretty sheer purple ribbon across the card, make sure to glue it down tight in the back of the step too.

Add your stamped present piece to the right hand side of the step. I used glue dots to hold it securely. Make sure to leave the top inch or so unglued so it stands up.

Decorate the bottom step with bitty sparkles. Add a big bow to the left side of the ribbon border. I tied it first out of separate ribbon then glued it down with liquid glass.

Using the Snowflakes stamp set, stamp the smaller snowflakes using twilight, spring iris and twilight inks.

Using your Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, cut out an assortment of snowflakes using spring iris and white daisy cardstock. Decorate and attach one big snowflake and layer the rest around it.

Use the Snowflakes set to stamp in spring iris and crystal blue inks on the white snowflakes and let some of them stand above the step. Try not to let any go off the side or it may be hard to put into an envelope (the bow can be folded around the back of card when mailing). Once everything is ready you can fold the card like steps so it all stands up!

Holiday Cheer - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-19T07:59:00.011-05:00

I recently bought every embossing powder that Close to my Heart owns, determined to teach myself how to "wet" emboss. Here's my first official try. Using the diecut cards that I love so much, I put this card together. I did choose an unusual color scheme for a Christmas card but I've seen store-bought cards in every color combination so I thought I'd go for it. This is Silhouette paper, one of the packs I miss the most! Cut a piece of bamboo cardstock 1 1/2" by 5 1/2" and distress with black ink. Using the Captured Memories stamp set (one of my favorites), stamp the long Christmas set using a Versamark ink pad. You won't be able to see where you stamped except when turning in the light but don't worry, it's not hard to use.

Now, use your craft tray and tweezers to hold the bamboo cardstock and dump black embossing powder over the ink. The ink is extra sticky and is made to hold this powder to the image.
Dump the embossing powder off and there is your image! One more step to go!
With your craft heater, slowly dry the embossing ink and watch it turn shiny! This is the fun part!
Now you can finish your card. Cut a piece of the Silhouette pattern paper 5 1/2" by 2" and glue to bottom of inside of the card.
Cut another piece of the Silhouette paper 1" by 5 1/2" and glue just above the curvy part of the card. Make sure it's straight!
Attach your stamp piece next.
Cut one more piece of the Silhouette pattern paper 1" by 5 1/2" and attach it just above the stamped piece.
Stamp "holiday cheer" just below the 1 inch strip onto the curve of the card. I love how tiny these letters are on this stamp set. The Captured Moments set has three "scenes" that are just too cool, make sure you check out the link above to really take a look at it. So, that's it, you're done! Tomorrow is my last card tutorial for this month. If you'd like to see my tag tutorials, sign up for my newsletter at the upper right of this blog.

Merry Christmas card - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-17T18:15:00.024-05:00

First I want to share a link to the card I was inspired by, thanks to Terri for posting it!

http://terryanndiack.blogspot.com/

This is made for a clear card, if you haven't tried these cards you are really missing out. They are so unique and truthfully, super easy to use for an even more spectacular card than you are used to seeing. There is a trick to using them that's important. Most glue's will show through so you have to be clever in where you are placing your paper. I'll show you what I mean here. First of all, everyone of our cards has a protective film on both the inside of the card and the outside. You need to remove this before starting so that your card is perfectly clear as you begin. Use your fingernail or a glue remover to pry up the edge. Once off, you can start layering your paper. Some people like to work back to front, other front to back. On the first piece I laid down here I worked front to back by putting a piece of Wings pattern paper cut 3" by 4 1/4" down with Tombow on the inside of the card, see how I have it open? Distress it first with garden green ink and use Tombow glue to attach. Make sure it's straight.
Now turn the card over and put a piece of sweet leaf cardstock cut 3 1/4" by 4 1/4" on the BACK of the card behind the pattern piece. Be careful to not put your glue too far to the edges so it won't show through the front. This is how you cover all the glue on a clear card. Don't forget to distress that piece with garden green ink too.
Now, for the front of the card I'll show you the back to front method. I'm putting the mat on first. Cut sweet leaf cardstock 2 1/2" by 3 1/2" and distress. I glued it only in the middle, not too close to the edges and placed it on the inside of the FRONT of the card. See the glue?
To cover the glue, cut a piece of colonial white cardstock 2 1/4" by 3 1/4", distress and attach to the front of the front of the card, right over the sweet leaf mat. Now, the glue is covered again.
Now cut a strip of sweet leaf cardstock 5 1/2" by 1 1/4" and distress. Attach it to the BACK of the front of the card behind the white and green pieces. Cut a piece of pattern paper 5 1/2" by 1" and add a ribbon across it, glue at least 1/2" of the ribbon behind it to hold it securely and prevent fraying. Attach to the front of the front side of the card, centering it on the long mat strip.
Stamp Merry Christmas from the Holiday Cheer set in garden green ink at the top of the white paper.
Cut a couple of snowflakes from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge in colonial white and sweet leaf. I cut mine 2 1/2" and 2 1/4". If you don't have that cartridge, use any snowflake decoration you might have and attach under the Merry Christmas.
Use a rhinestone brad on the front of the card. I wiggled the tines of the brad back and forth til they fell off so I could just glue it to the front of the snowflake with liquid glass. I also colored it in with a green Sharpie marker, something you can use on both our sparkles and opaque embellishments. That's it, not much paper, not much time, just remember to COVER THE GLUE!

Holiday Cheer card - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-17T10:42:00.006-05:00

Here's a fast card that you can make even this week! Cut a piece of white cardstock 5 1/4" by 4" as a base for the front part of the card. No need to distress. Cut a piece of Believe patterned paper 3" by 4", I love the Santa pattern. Distress with crystal blue ink and attach flush with the bottom of the white base.
Cut a piece of crystal blue cardstock 2 1/4" by 4" distress and then dry emboss a grid pattern on it using your dry embossing tool and your trimmer groove. Sand with a sanding block. Attach to top of card base.
Cut a holiday red strip 4" by 1/2" and attach at the top of the pattern paper.
Cut a piece of white daisy cardstock 2 3/4" by 1 1/2" and a piece of holiday red cardstock 3" by 1 3/4". Distress with crystal blue ink. Using the stamp set from the Believe Workshop on the Go, stamp the base of the holly leaves in garden green ink and the outline in topiary. Stamp the berries in holiday red and the "holiday cheer" saying in holiday red as shown. Attach to the top part of the card, centered. Glue the whole card front onto a card base cut 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" and folded. If you like any of the products you see in this card, just click on the links. If you want to see a tag I made as a companion to this card, sign up for my newsletter at the upper right of this blog. I will be sending it out today.

Laugh until your heart overflows card - Christmas card a day

2011-12-16T07:41:00.009-05:00

Although this a common pattern from our card how-to books, I may have scraplifted this idea from someone so if you recognize it, please let me know the original consultant's name and I'll post it here. I make so many cards that I sometimes forget which I invented and which may have been inspired by someone else.

For this card I used a paper set that is no longer available called Cherry-O. The browns and pink in this set were so cool. Even though this is technically not a Christmas card I think it will make a good New Year's card so I'm including it here.

Whatever paper you choose, you'll need a cardstock base. I used chocolate cardstock cut 5 1/2" by 4 1/4" and distressed with chocolate. You then need three pattern papers from your paper set cut 4" by 3 1/4", 2" by 2" (needs to be a light color) and a different pattern 2" by 2" and distress with chocolate ink. Now attach the big piece to the right hand side of your chocolate cardstock card front about 1/8" from the side and top. Line up (just like a puzzle) the other two pieces along the left edge of the large pattern paper.
Using the Winter Joy set, stamp the Laugh phrase in chocolate ink on the light colored pattern paper.
Add a pretty matching ribbon across the center of card at the bottom edge of the stamped piece. Don't forget to cut it a little long and attach at the back of the card too. Cut a 1 1/2" chocolate circle (I used my Art Philosophy cartridge of course) and add to lower right of the card.
Cut a 2" by 2" piece of vanilla cardstock (again on the Cricut so I could have ruffles) and stamp one of the cute stamps from the set on it in chocolate ink. Cut a pink square 2 1/4" by 2 1/4" and distress. Add stamped piece to mat and attach to the card as shown. Add three buttons which you've tied with chocolate waxy flax. Cut a piece of vanilla cream cardstock 8 1/2" by 5 1/2", fold in half and attach this whole card front to it. You're done! If you like any of the products you see here, just click on the links to purchase. Make sure you've signed up for my newsletter at the upper right of this blog for giveaways up until December 24th!

Best Time of the Year - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-15T08:49:00.008-05:00

How about some dry embossing today? Cut a piece of garden green cardstock 5 1/2" by 4 1/4". Take your embossing tool and your trimmer and dry emboss the cardstock every 1/4". Take a New England ivy ink pad and run it over the embossed lines you made. Distress the rest of the card with the same ink.

Cut a piece of pattern paper (I used the much-missed Mistletoe paper) 2" by 4 1/4" and distress. Attach about an inch down from top of card.

Cut a piece of cranberry cardstock 2 1/2" by 2 1/2" and distress. Attach to upper left of the card as shown.

Cut a piece of garden green cardstock 2 1/4" by 2 1/4", distress and attach to red piece.

Using the Pair a Phrase stamp set (not available anymore but I have some for sale), stamp the present in cranberry ink on a piece of colonial white cardstock you've cut 1 1/4" by 1 1/4". Distress it and attach to a cranberry cardstock piece you've cut 1 1/2" by 1 1/2". Cut a piece of colonial white cardstock 2" by 1" and distress. Stamp "This is the best time of the year" on it in New England ivy. Attach to top of red and green square with the present stamped image just below it.

Now it's time to decorate. Use some sparkles and some red glitz glitter gel (only $2.75) to make your card shine. Remember when using glitz gel it's better to squeeze out dots of the glitter and spread instead of trying to "draw" in lines. Once everything is dry, attach to a piece of colonial white cardstock that you've cut 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" and folded. If you like the products shown here, be sure to click on the links to get your own.

Merry Christmas card - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-14T10:40:00.010-05:00

This is a fun card and you can make three card bases from one piece of 12 x 12 cardstock! Cut a piece of topiary cardstock 4" by 12" and distress with topiary ink on both sides. Score at the 4", 6", and 8" marks with your dry embossing tool

Fold down the top square and put glue on the 1st rectangle scored area. Press the top square to the 1st rectangle tightly.

Cut patterned paper (I used Believe) 3 3/4" by 3 3/4" two times, one for top square of the card, one for the bottom. Distress with topiary ink and attach centered on the card.

Cut a piece of topiary cardstock 3" by 3" and some holiday red cardstock, 2 3/4" by 2 3/4" and distress. Cut a piece of white daisy cardstock 2 1/2" by 2 1/2" and distress. Using the Holiday Cheer stamp set, stamp one ornament in topiary ink, one in holiday red. Attach all pieces together and center on card.

Cut a piece of topiary cardstock 3" by 1 1/2" and a piece of holiday cardstock 2 3/4" by 1 1/4" and distress both. Attach together then add pop dots to the back of the two pieces and attach to bottom of card about 1/2" up from bottom.

Cut a piece of white daisy cardstock 2 1/2" by 1" and distress. Stamp Merry Christmas in topiary ink and glue piece to bottom of card on top of the popped up piece. You must pop up the piece to make the card stand.

Add teeny tiny sparkles to decorate. If you like any of the products shown here today, click on the links! See you tomorrow!

December 25th - Christmas Card a Day

2011-12-13T08:23:00.008-05:00

Thanks for checking out my cards this month. For this one you will need the Believe paper set. Cut holiday red cardstock 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" and fold in half. Put the front half in your trimmer and make 5 horizontal lines with your dry embossing tool. No need to sand these. Distress with chocolate ink. Cut the green starred paper 2" by 4 1/4", distress with chocolate ink and attach under the last embossed line.

Cut a piece of the striped pattern paper 1" by 4 1/4", distress and attach across center of green starred paper.

Cut a piece of sky cardstock 2" by 2", distress and attach in a diamond shape in center of patterned strip.

Cut a piece of holiday red cardstock 1 3/4" by 1 3/4", distress and attach on sky cardstock piece.

Cut a piece of white cardstock 1 1/2" by 1 1/2", distress and stamp the December 25th stamp in the center. This stamp comes from the Believe stamp set that you can only get in the Believe Workshop on the Go. Attach horizonatlly in the center of the red cardstock.

Stamp Merry Christmas from the last month's special stamp, Holiday Wishes, using topiary ink.

When I first started with Close to my Heart we had these cool clear adhesive squares and circles, I still have some left so I threw it directly on the December 25th piece. If you like the glossy look you can get the same result by covering the stamped image with liquid glass.

Add some sparkles at each corner of the holiday red square and three next to the Merry Christmas stamped image. If you like anything you see today, be sure to click on the links to get your own paper and goodies!

Happy Holiday Card - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-12T09:05:00.013-05:00

This is a super easy card because I start out with the diecut cards from Close to my Heart. You can see the inspiration for this card in the Fall/Winter idea book, a wonderful place to find ideas for your cards. The cool precut border on the front makes the card look awesome from the start. I used the Believe paper. What's really cool is that with 6 different patterns in this set, every card can look totally different. Notice how many times I've used this paper set this week and yet the cards all look like they were made from different packs.

Distress edges of a piece of pattern paper that's cut 2 1/2" by 5 1/2". Glue to top of card.

Add a coordinating pattern paper strip cut 1/2" by 5 1/2", distress and attach right over the bottom of the pattern paper you just put down. Make sure to leave some white border because it's so pretty just by itself.

Cut another piece of pattern paper, you can see I used the same one here, cut 5 1/2" by 2", distress and glue at the bottom of the inside of the card.

Using your Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, cut this shape at the recommended size (listed right on your stamp set) of 1 1/4". If you don't own the cartridge (and what are you waiting for!!!), then cut a piece of white cardstock in a rectangular shape instead, 1 1/4" by 3". Stamp the "Wishing you a very Happy Holiday" stamp from the Holiday Cheer stamp set. Use cranberry ink. Attach to lower left of front of card.

For the holly leaves, use the A Holiday set (only $6.95), cut the holly leaf from your Art Philosophy cartridge 2 1/4" and stamp three of them in topiary ink. If you don't have the cartridge, stamp on topiary paper and cut out the leaves yourself. Don't forget to distress. Glue to card overlapping into a cluster.

Stamp some berries from the A Holiday set in cranberry ink on a piece of white daisy cardstock and cut out. Glue to the place on the leaves where they all come together in the cluster. You can distress these too.

Finally cut a piece of gree or red ribbon about 2 inches long, tie in a knot and GLUE to the card just below the berries. That's it, you're done! If you want any of these products, just click on the links. See you tomorrow!

It's Christmas in the Heart - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-11T16:51:00.010-05:00

Reminder: I still have openings for the Shipshewana, Indiana 3 day crop January 27-29th, 2012. The price is $150 for four to a room, $180 for two to a room. The price includes room, 4 meals and gifts!! Come join us. (989) 906-6420.

I often get asked where I get ideas for cards. Normally it's from other cards, sometimes ones I find on the internet, sometimes my own and sometimes a card I get in the mail like this one from my friend, Terri. I took a look at this card and knew immediately that I could make one similiar that would follow the basic pattern.

Using the fun colors I used the other day, I chose juniper, twilight, sweet leaf and white daisy to play with. The pattern paper is from the Typeset paper pack. Cut a piece of twilight cardstock 5 1/2" by 4 1/4" and distress with chocolate ink. Cut a piece of juniper cardstock 5 1/4" by 4", distress and attach to the twilight cardstock.

Cut two pieces of Typeset pattern paper 5" by 1 1/4", distress and attach just 1/8" in from top of juniper cardstock and bottom of juniper cardstock. Cut a piece of white daisy cardstock the same dimensions, distress and stick right in the middle of the pattern paper strips.

Using the January Word Puzzle stamp set (no longer available) stamp snowflakes on the center strip. If you don't own this set, any snowflakes from any set will do. Use juniper ink.

Using the Card Chatter- Christmas stamp set, stamp "It is Christmas in the Heart..." on the left side above the white cardstock. Stamp "that puts Christmas in the air." on the lower right side just below the white cardstock. Use twilight ink to make it show up on that pattern paper.

Use liquid glass to dot glue on the snowflakes. Liquid glass works well for glitter because it is slow to run so stays put. Pour prisma glitter over the liquid glass and let dry.

Once it's dry, dump the glitter off and flick the back of the card to remove remaining glitter. Use a paintbrush to swipe away any extra (as long as glue is completely dry). I wish my photography could truly show how pretty the glitter looks on this but you'll have to use your imagination. Paste the card on a piece of white daisy cardstock that you've cut 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" and folded in half. Stamp any nice sentiment inside the card. If you like any of the products you've seen today, please click on the links and check them out in my store.

A Wonderful Season - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-11T09:49:00.008-05:00

For the first card today I'm using the Believe paper set. Each piece of patterned paper in the set is completely different on the backside. Here are the backs of two of the papers. You'll also need crystal blue ink and some sparkles.

Cut a piece of pattern paper 4" by 5 1/4", distress with chocolate or crystal blue ink. Cut a circle on your Cricut using the Art Philosophy cartridge 4" in diameter out of the blue polka dot paper. Distress and add to the top of the card.
Cut a card base 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" and fold in half. I didn't distress this one because I wanted the edges a crisp white. Attach the green and blue paper piece to the center of your folded card.

Cut a piece of white daisy cardstock 1/2" by 4" and distress. Attach to card and stamp A Wonderful Season of...." stamp from the set that comes with the Art Philosophy cartridge. Inside the card stamp "joy."

Cut out a snowflake on the cricut measuring 3 3/4" in white daisy cardstock. Attach to the large circle.

Now it's the fun part, take your blue and green sparkles and go to town decorating the snowflake and the "wonderful season" phrase. I find the easiest way to pick up the sparkles is by using a piercing tool to stick into the glue and lift. If you like any of the products shown here, please click on the links. Card two will be posted later today!

Birthday Calendar

2011-12-10T16:35:00.006-05:00

Due to oversleeping this morning and having to break the speed limit to get to my all day card workshop I didn't get a chance to post a card SO I'll post TWO tomorrow. In the meantime, here is a birthday calendar I did this week. If you'd like to get 3 or 4 of your friends together to make this calendar I can come to YOUR house and we can make it!! January would be the perfect month to set up your play date! (989) 906-6420

December card - Christmas Card a Day

2011-12-09T11:14:00.000-05:00

I'll be teaching this card in Marcellus tonight and tomorrow. It's a fun card to make. The most important thing you can do to make your cards look awesome is to layer. There are lots of layers on this particular card. Use the new Believe paper for this one, it's perfect! Cut topiary cardstock 5 1/2" by 4 1/4" and then cut a piece of the Believe patterned paper 5 1/4" by 4". Distress both with chocolate ink and attach.

Cut holiday red cardstock 4 3/4" by 3 1/2, distress and attach to center of other papers.

Cut a piece of white cardstock 4 1/2" by 3 1/4" and attach to center of red. Using the Enjoy Life stamp set stamp the corner stamp in sweet leaf ink to the lower left of the white cardstock. Stamp the two checkerboard thumbprint stamps in holiday red ink as shown and add the swirls in topiary ink as shown.

Using the Cherish the Day stamp set (no longer available in the catalog but I might have some if you need one), stamp the December stamp on a Cricut cut white cardstock decorative shape with topiary ink. Add to the same shape in holiday red cut 1/10" larger. Make sure to distress both. If you don't have the Art Philosophy cartridge, just cut a rectangle and mat instead.

Cut and attach 1" by 3 1/4" topiary cardstock strip to bottom of white rectangle.

Cut white cardstock 1/4" by 3 1/4", distress and stamp with the words Merry Christmas (in holiday red ink) from the Christmas Love stamp set. Remember we used this stamp set yesterday too, it's handy! Cut a decorative corner using your Art Philosophy cartridge in sweet leaf cardstock, distress and attach to upper left of white cardstock.

Again using your Art Philosophy cartridge, cut a 2 1/2" star, put it through a crimper and distress. Attach to the upper right of the card with glue dots.

Using pop tape, attach the December piece to the lower left of the white cardstock.

Stamp the inside of the card with any saying you like from the Christmas Love set. I used holiday red ink.

Now add a couple of sparkles for bling and attach the whole card to a white cardstock card base you've cut 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" and folded in half. If you like any of the products you've seen in my tutorials, just click on them to purchase!

Merry Christmas card - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-08T08:14:00.006-05:00

Like the cards I've been showing. How would you like one of each? I'm having a giveaway of all the cards I've done tutorials on this month, just check out the details HERE.

Often I will hear people say that they would love to scrapbook or make cards but aren't creative or can't come up with their own ideas. I'm here to tell you that I hardly ever come up with my own ideas. Almost every card or scrapbook page I do started with an idea that I found either in the Close to my Heart catalog or online. Sometimes I even copy myself. What I've found is that I just need a spark of an idea from someone else then I am able to just change it to still be me. In the case of this card I saw a card from my crafting idol, Vicki Wizniuk, and I just loved the colors and the basic layout. Vicki puts a lot of time into her cards and I'm more of a simple cardmaker so you can see that I skipped a lot of what she put on her card (the lacy look, the big bow) to make it work best for cardmakers who like it easy. So, now that you know my secret, let's make this card.

The colors are juniper, twilight, sweet leaf and colonial white. Cut the card front with juniper cardstock 5 1/2" by 4 1/4" and distress with chocolate ink. Cut the twilight paper 5" by 3 3/4", distress and glue to center of juniper cardstock. Cut a piece of sweet leaf cardstock 4 3/4" by 3 1/2" and dry emboss lines in it 1/2 inch apart with your embossing tool and the groove in your trimmer. Sand with sandpaper to bring out the white core, distress and glue to center of the other two pieces.

Cut a piece of twilight paper 3 3/4" by 2", distess and glue about an inch and a half down from top of the card as shown.

Using your Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to cut a circle 2 1/4" and a ruffled circle 2 1/2" using colonial white paper and juniper paper respectively. Use the Christmas Love stamp set's Christmas tree to stamp the image in the center. To make your Christmas tree really cool, ink it with sweet leaf, roll the edges in juniper and then in twilight before stamping directly in the center of your circle. Stamp Merry Christmas across the center of the tree using juniper ink. Attach to center of the twilight strip.

I cut a border strip on the cricut at 3/4", it makes a strip just a bit longer than the card but I just trimmed the edges after attaching. Use juniper paper for the strip and don't forget to distress with chocolate ink.

Add a couple of sparkles on each side of the Merry Christmas saying. If you want even more bling, add glitter to the Christmas tree too! The ribbon that I attached across the border came from a Creative Basics set for Wings paper awhile back. It's no longer available so find any sweet leaf, twilight or juniper colored ribbon and run it across the front of the border wrapping about a 1/2" to 1" around the back and glue down. Attach the whole card to a colonial white cardstock card base you've cut 5 1/2" by 8 1/2" and folded in half. If you like any of the supplies you see, just click on the link to buy!

Celebrate! Christmas card a day!

2011-12-07T09:11:00.008-05:00

Today's card is just a bit beyond Christmas, it's for New Year's! You'll need Wonderland paper and the Snowflakes set plus I used a January Word Puzzle set that's retired. Cut a piece of crystal blue cardstock 5 1/2" by 4 1/4" and distress with twilight ink. Cut 1 1/4" squares either by hand or using the great Art Philosophy cartridge that you can only buy from Close to my Heart from the various patterned papers in the Wonderland set. You'll need twelve of them.

Distress the squares and line them up in a grid pattern and attach, yes this is hard to do if you are like me and want everything perfect but try to let that go and just be less than perfect.

Cut snowflakes according to the sizes on the stamp set with your Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. The sizes you need to match the stamp set are listed for you right next to the stamp, isn't that convenient? This large snowflake is 3 1/4". Stamp on it with the matching stamp using grey wool ink. Attach to right hand side of the card.

Next I added the crystal blue snowflake and cut it 3" wide but didn't stamp on it. Attach as shown.

Cut out the middle snowflake 1 3/4" and stamp using crystal blue ink with the matching stamp.

Attach to center of snowflake piece.

Cut a white daisy cardstock base 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" and fold in half. Stamp Happy New Year inside using crystal blue ink.

Using Shimmer Designer Brads choose a large one for the center of the snowflake. Cut a piece of white daisy cardstock 2" by 1" and stamp the word "celebrate" with grey wool ink. Distress and attach to lower right of the card. Attach to card base. If you like this card, you can click on the links above to get the supplies you need. Make sure to check out the new clearance items while you're shopping too! See you tomorrow.

Merry Christmas card - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-06T08:37:00.011-05:00

Make sure to check out the clearance items that were just added to my website, click on the shopping link to the right and then "while supplies last."

No need to always use the traditional Christmas colors when making your cards. How about sweet leaf, sky and white together? Take a look! Cut your card front 5 1/2" by 4 1/4" out of crystal blue cardstock. Dry emboss with your embossing tool and the groove in your trimmer 1/16" from the sides of the cardstock then sand to bring out the white core. You'll want to distress all pieces with sky.

Cut a piece of the beautiful Believe polka dot pattern paper 5 1/4" by 4", distress and glue to center of sky cardstock.

Cut a piece of white cardstock 4 1/4" by 3" and dry emboss lines about 1/2" apart, no need to sand. Attach to center of the card.

Cut out a 3" present and ribbon using your Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge with sky and sweet leaf cardstock. Attach together and glue onto card as shown.

Cut a strip of the green star patterned paper from the Believe set 3" by 3/4", distress and attach 1/8" from top of the white cardstock piece.

Stamp Merry Christmas using the Christmas Love stamp set using sky ink onto a white cardstock piece cut 2 3/4" by 1/2" and attach to green patterned paper.

Add some sparkles at the ends of the Merry Christmas word and then attach the whole card front to a white cardstock card base that you've cut 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" and folded in half. If you like what you see here, click on the links above to get your own card supplies. See you tomorrow!

Tis the Season to Sparkle - Christmas Card a Day

2011-12-05T07:21:00.004-05:00

When I saw this saying on the Holiday Wishes stamp set (our special last month), I was thrilled because I love sparkles! This is such a fun but simple card. I had an image of candy canes in my head today and was going to go with red and white stripes but saw this pretty honey cardstock and just went with the traditional green, red and gold colors instead. As you can see, I love the white daisy die cut cards so here they are again. I cut the stripes (and you could use any color) out of cranberry, New England ivy and honey cardstock. They measure 1/2" by 5 1/2 " long EXCEPT for the piece inside the card which measures 2" by 5 1/2".

Attach the strips starting at the top of the card and spreading out so they are about 1/8" apart from each other. (I didn't distress this time because I wanted the white to be very stark as a part of the pattern on this card). Five fit on the front.

Attach the 2" strip inside the card and layer a red and green inside on top of the honey cardstock.

It should look like this when you close it. (Please excuse some of the blurry photos).

Stamp "Tis the Season to Sparkle" on the honey cardstock strip using cranberry ink.

Now have fun and add our sparkles! Groups of three always work well but you can go wild too!

See how easy that was? If you want the supplies for this card, just click on the links. If you would like the Holiday Wishes stamp set (no longer available through CTMH), I have some that I will sell during December only for just $10.00! Just email me! caldreamin05@comcast.net

Happy Holiday Card - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-04T06:05:00.000-05:00

I have made this next card and was going to write up a tutorial for you all and then I came across a video already made for it!. So here's the Happy Holiday card instructions. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas card - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-02T18:50:00.011-05:00

(If you are enjoying my tutorials, there will be more starting December 13th in my Twelve Days of Christmas newsletters. To get them, sign up at the mailing list link on the upper right of this page).

This card is based loosely on a pattern I saw by the talented Carol Labuski. I used Mistletoe paper, a retired paper that I miss very much. Cut New England ivy cardstock 5 1/2" by 4 1/4" and a piece of the Mistletoe pattern paper 5 1/4" by 4". Distress and attach the smaller to the larger.

Cut another piece of the pattern paper 5" by 3 3/4", distress and attach to center.

Cut a strip of a third pattern paper 1 1/2" by 4 1/4", distress and attach about 1" away from right side.

Find some matching ribbon and glue down to right of strip, making sure to wrap extra ribbon around the back of card and glue down. Cut off a small piece of ribbon, tie in a knot and glue down to top of the flat ribbon.

Cut a piece of cranberry cardstock 3 1/4" by 3 1/4", distress at attach just left of center. Cut a piece of colonial white cardstock 3" by 3", distress and stamp the star from the Happy Clusters stamp set in New England ivy ink at an angle on it. Attach to cranberry square.

On your cricut, using the Art Philosophy cartridge, cut a 1 1/4" ruffled circle in New England ivy cardstock. Distress and add to lower left of star.

Again, on your cricut, cut a 1" circle out of colonial white cardstock. Using the Countdown stamp set, stamp the circle in cranberry and the Merry Christmas in New England ivy. Distress and add to cranberry circle on card.

Using waxy flax, thread a red button and attach to the star with a glue dot. Add the whole card front to a card base that you've cut out of colonial white cardstock 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" and folded and you're done! Stay tuned for the next card tomorrow!

Merry Christmas card - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-02T06:26:00.007-05:00

Here's another card that uses the White Daisy Die Cut cards that I love so much. It would also be handy for you to have the Art Philosophy cricut cartridge (unless you want to try and cut these fancy snowflakes yourself)!! The "ruffled" strip at the top cuts just right if you use .90 tenths of an inch on your machine. The paper is Wonderland and you can cut it 5 1/2" by 1" for the spring iris cardstock, 6 1/2" by 3/4" for the brown polka dot pattern paper and 5 1/2" by 1/2" for the crystal blue cardstock. The striped piece inside the card (flush with the bottom) is cut 5 1/2" by 1 1/4". Glue these on your card as shown starting at the top and working down the card. You may distress first with chocolate ink if you like.

Cut a ruffled circle on your cricut 2 1/2" in diameter out of white cardstock. Attach to left center.

Cut a variety of snowflakes to layer of the variety of snowflakes on the cartridge. This one, out of spring iris, was cut 2 inches in diameter.

The crystal blue snowflake was cut 1 3/4" and the smallest spring iris snowflake was cut 1 1/2". Stamp Merry Christmas from the Say It In Style stamp set (the handiest stamp set I've ever owned). Use chocolate ink.

Now it's time to have fun and add a lots of sparkles. Our sparkles are self adhesive and I find the easiest way to life them is with a sharp piercing tool. I just dig into the glue under the adhesive, lift and place. A little bling brightens up any card or layout. So there you have it, card two, stay tuned for 18 more! If you want to make this card just click on the links above and get your own supplies and get started!!

Joy Card - Christmas Card a Day!

2011-12-01T11:55:00.018-05:00

I've fallen in love with clear cards. They are so unique and beautiful but do take special instructions to show them of at their best. First off it's important to know that the clear cards sold by Close to my Heart have a clear film on both sides of the card that you need to pull off. I usually can pry it off with my fingernails but you can also try a glue eraser. Remember there's one on the inside of the card and the outside!

I used the stamp set "Believe" from the Believe Workshop on the Go, it's adorable. It contains a holly leaf that you do in steps which makes it easier to really mix up the colors. Stamp the solid part of the holly leaf in garden green on a piece of white daisy cardstock that you have cut 5" by 3 3/4".

Stamp the outline of the holly leaves in New England Ivy ink. Lining up is easy with clear stamps!

Now use the small berries in cranberry ink to add the final touch.

Stamp the "holiday cheer" stamp in New England ivy on a piece of white daisy cardstock you've cut 1" by 1 1/2".

Cut some cranberry cardstock 5 1/4" by 4" and a piece of New England ivy cardstock 1 1/4" by 1 3/4". Use your Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge and cut your letters at the 2" size. I cut the J and the Y as capital letters and the O as a small. You will need TWO of each letter. Distress all the pieces with New England ivy ink.

Glue the large cranberry cardstock TO THE BACKSIDE of the card. Do this to hide the adhesive, also make sure you put your adhesive in about a half inch so as not to show behind the stamped piece.

Glue the stamped holly piece INSIDE of the back of the card, centering it on the cranberry cardstock.

Glue the "holiday cheer" piece to the New England ivy mat and attach right on the stamped holly piece (on the inside of the card).

Close the card and glue on the JOY piece.

Now open the card and glue the letters again on the inside of the card back to back with the letters you put on the front. This hides the glue.

Close the card and use some silver glitz glitter gel to make dots on the letters (front of the letters only). Let it dry for a couple of hours.

Isn't that a great card? You can buy all the supplies for it by just clicking on the links I've added above. Make sure to sign up for my newsletter at the upper right of this blog for my 12 days of Christmas tag tutorials starting up December 12th.

Memory Makers Retreat Christmas Card Workshop

2011-11-30T16:21:00.003-05:00

I'll be working at this event teaching two cards if you'd like to attend.

Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10

Two local demonstrators will design 2 unique Christmas cards each and provide you with all the guidance and materials to make a total of 20 beautiful cards that will be ready to mail when you leave.

Just bring your personal trimmer and tape runner. We even feed you! Only $35!

Two sessions to choose from:

Friday, December 9, 6-11 p.m.

Saturday, December 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - you are welcome to stay as late as you like to complete your holiday projects.

While you have your creative juices flowering why not stay productive- make this a One Night Retreat for only $74 total.*

One night retreat includes use of the house and cropping area through Sunday at 6p.m.

*Food only included during workshop.

Add a night or spend the weekend. MMR offers comfortable sleeping acommodations. Offering 12 beds away from the cropping area, everyone is sure to enjoy their time, no matter if you pull an all nighter or like to sleep in late. MMR's full equipped kitchen is open for your use. No need to pack much - bathrooms are stocked with fluffy towels and all the essentials.

During the workshop, enjoy:

*Pamper yourself to soothing chair massage to relax those tired neck, shoulder and back muscles...15 minutes for $10.

*MMR treating you to many yummy snacks and beverages.

*Checking out some local vendors for their newest products.

Damarle at Home, Scentsy, Thirty-one.

Questions? Contact: Sally at 269 806 8949 or Sheli at 269 506 9720

MMR 11583 Hoffman Road, Marcellus, MI 49067

Keith Urban Layouts

2011-11-27T09:11:00.005-05:00

Don't have time to scrapbook your concert photos? I do! I will scrapbook your layouts for you and have them sent directly to your house. Contact me for prices! caldreamin05@comcast.net

Coming Soon! Rock the Block!

2011-11-22T13:42:00.002-05:00

Sneak peek of our next promotion with Close to my Heart. Come see my gather ideas for these blocks on PINTEREST!

Stay Tuned

2011-11-20T08:55:00.001-05:00

For the first 20 days of December I will post a tutorial for a different Christmas card each day!

Studio J layouts

2011-11-02T10:24:00.002-04:00

Here are just a few of the layouts I made as a wedding gift for my brother's marriage. You can make these easily by using Studio J!

$130 in free products, this month only!

2011-10-20T08:28:00.005-04:00

For the month of October only, you can get $130 in free products EXTRA when you sign up to be a consultant. You already will get $280 in products just by signing up but THIS MONTH ONLY you get to choose one of three product collections FOR FREE on top of the regular consultant kit. You can see the choices at THIS LINK. AND it's still only $99 to sign up (shipping and tax extra).

Shipshewana Crop - January 2012 A Third Full!!

2011-10-17T07:56:00.000-04:00

Join us for a relaxing weekend of cropping, games, fun & and opportunity to get those wonderful summer photos preserved.

Total Cost: $150 per person (4 per room)
(for 2 persons to room cost is $180 per person)

$25.00 non refundable deposit to hold your spot.
Mail your deposit by October 31, 2011.
Remainder due by December 10, 2011!

Cost Includes:
Lodging for two nights (there will be two queen size beds per room)
Hot Continental breakfast from 6am to 10am, Saturday and Sunday
Lunch and dinner on Saturday
Cropping from 6 p.m. Friday - 2 pm Sunday
Make and take on Friday and Saturday
Goodie Bags, games, prizes, & visits from the stamp fairy!
Indoor pool, hot tub, recreation fitness center and cozy
fireplaces at the hotel!

Email or call me for more information:

Consultant Info: Barbra Otten 989 906 6420

caldreamin05@comcast.net

WE ARE ONE QUARTER FULL ALREADY, DO NOT DELAY.

Again, to register, send your deposit with your name, email, phone number and preferred roommates to the following address:

Barbra Otten 1247 W. John Beers Road, Stevensville, MI 49127

Galapago Island Layouts

2011-10-12T17:49:00.004-04:00

The Close to my Heart Regionals celebration is happening next week in Detroit and one of the perks of attending was that I was able to get five free Studio J layouts! Here's they are, all photos were taken by John Gauthier. John does sell prints of his beautiful photos in case you're interested. aardvarkwindow@gmail.com

Toilet Paper Roll Album

2011-10-10T07:22:00.012-04:00

ver the weekend spent scrapbooking with friends, my friend, Sue, taught us all how to make this mini-album out of toilet paper rolls. Yes, you heard that right! Note that each page has a tag inserted which also contains a photo.

I'm am now going to prepare a class on this myself. If you have a group of 3 or 4 friends who would like to make one in your home or theirs, give me a call at 989 906 6420 or email me at caldreamin05@comcast.net. The class will be $20.

Cropping at the Beach

2011-10-05T08:43:00.000-04:00

Good news! My team member, Jamie Miller and I have just scheduled a one day crop at the beautiful beach house in Bridgman,Michigan on November 20th from 1:00-9:00. It will be ONLY $10! Pizza will be provided plus a few other surprises! Sign up now by contacting me at caldreamin05@comcast.net. More details to follow! Here's some pictures of our last event at the beach. To pay even faster, use paypal!

Shipshewana Crop - January 2012

2011-10-02T08:36:00.005-04:00

Join us for a relaxing weekend of cropping, games, fun & and opportunity to get those wonderful summer photos preserved. (See the pictures from our last crop in the post below this one)!

Total Cost: $150 per person (4 per room)
(for 2 persons to room cost is $180 per person)

$25.00 non refundable deposit to hold your spot.

Mail your deposit by October 31, 2011.
Remainder due by December 10, 2011!

Cost Includes:
Lodging for two nights (there will be two queen size beds per room)
Hot Continental breakfast from 6am to 10am, Saturday and Sunday
Lunch and dinner on Saturday
Cropping from 6 p.m. Friday - 2 pm Sunday
Make and take on Friday and Saturday
Goodie Bags, games, prizes, & visits from the stamp fairy!
Indoor pool, hot tub, recreation fitness center and cozy
fireplaces at the hotel!

Email or call me for more information:

Consultant Info: Barbra Otten 989 906 6420

caldreamin05@comcast.net

WE ARE ONE QUARTER FULL ALREADY, DO NOT DELAY.

Again, to register, send your deposit with your name, email, phone number and preferred roommates to the following address:

Barbra Otten 1247 W. John Beers Road, Stevensville, MI 49127

OR: You can paypal me! Remember to include your email, phone, preferred roommates, AND CONSULTANT (this crop only) in notes.

Scrapbooking in Shipshewana - Aaah the Memories

2011-10-02T05:51:00.000-04:00

On the last weekend of January the Can't Stop Dreaming Team (my team in Close to my Heart) threw a big three day party down in Shipshewana, Indiana. Fifty one women attended the crop and we ate, laughed, played, and, of course, scrapbooked! The attendees were wonderful and I do believe that everyone had a great time. I know I did! We will be doing it again August 12th through 14th and are now taking $25 deposits to hold spots. There is more information in my newsletter, sign up at the upper right of this blog so that you can join us too!!

The croppers stayed up til all hours of the night! These are diehard scrapbookers!

On Saturday night we had a pajama contest! The pj wearers danced around the room to really show off their attire!

Spooky

2011-09-28T16:44:00.004-04:00

Learn how to make this card by signing up for my newsletter (to the right). The newsletter will go out next Tuesday.

Love Your Layout: From Close to my Heart

2011-09-24T11:27:00.001-04:00

While Supplies Last!

2011-09-14T18:56:00.002-04:00

Some cool new items up for clearance on my website, some 75% off and lots already running out. Several $1.00 and $2.00 items. Don't be the last to take a look. HERE'S WHERE TO CLICK.

Memory Box Directions

2011-09-13T13:43:00.000-04:00

I had such fun making these two memory boxes. One could be yours if you put in an order on my website this week before Wednesday evening. One lucky person will win the completed memory box! See post below this one for more details.

I got the idea for this particular box off from the Roxie Workshop on the Go bonus project. Even though I decorated a bit differently the basic directions are the same as you see right HERE. Use the cutting instructions for the paper that decorates the box and the inside coasters.

The Memory Game box is a low-cost way to do some creative papercrafting. We all have leftover paper and embellishments that we'd love to turn into some special gift or even something for ourselves. I loved the idea of making a bucket list as I've recently turned 50 and have some more things I want to do before I "kick the bucket."

I've decorated my boxes differently than the ones in the bonus project instructions but the sizes are the same so go ahead and cut your paper as shown in the cutting instructions and then do the following.

Since I made two boxes I cut a lot and the best thing about cutting these papers this time is that I was able to do almost all of it on my Cricut using the new Art Philosophy cartridge. Just use the rounded square button to cut all the paper for the coasters. I also added background paper (3 x 3) and mats on the back side that measure 2 1/2 by 2 1/2.

Two of the 3 1/2 by 3 1/4 pieces need to be distressed (I used black on this Roxie paper) and attached to the side. I recommend using both Tombow adhesive and glue dots to attach firmly as these will be handled.

The top also needs to be 3 1/2 by 3 1/4 and distressed. Isn't this paper beautiful?

To cut the front of the box, trace around the flap's curve on another of your 3 1/2 by 3 1/4 paper and cut it out. I did cut out a piece for the inside of the top cover, it's up to you (3 1/2 by 3 1/4).

Distress and attach it to the front. I trimmed a bit to get it to look the way I wanted.

Here's the top of the second box, it was fun making two at a time.

Trace around the 1 3/4 by 3 1/4 piece around the front flap and trim to make it fit. Don't forget to distress.

Here is the background papers, distressed and attached to the 24 coasters. You can also add 2 1/2 by 2 1/2 mats. (not shown) Imagine all the things you could so with these memory boxes. I have a list I'm going to give you soon.

For the bucket list side, distress your 3 x 3 papers and attach. Add 2 x 2 and 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 as shown. If you do not want to use this box for a bucket list, you might want larger squares.

Stay tuned tomorrow to see how to decorate your box and don't forget to place your order HERE to be entered into the drawing for the memory box!

Memory Box Directions - How to Decorate

2011-09-12T08:53:00.015-04:00

Don't forget that you can win one of these boxes by placing an order on my website before Wednesday at midnight. All person placing order will go into a drawing for a box (I'm leaving the bucket list cards empty for your own bucket list).

I'm not a big fan of stickers on my scrapbook pages. I don't even use them on my cards but I sure do find them super convenient and perfect for my paper crafting! I took the Roxie Stickease and decorated both the outside of the box and the inside with them. Remember I'm making two boxes so you're going to see two different looks here. I love the vine on the stickease and it fit perfectly on the top of both boxes as a background for my 3-d flowers.

The rhinestone designer brads are perfect to make a little "clasp" on the front of each box.

Since it's a brad I was able to punch a hole in the lower center of the front and attach it. The boxes close magnetically so no velcro or anything else is necessary.

There are adorable little corner decorations on the stickease that were very nice for this box, just two attached down at the bottom.

Here's the second box with the vine on top.

Now, using your Art Philosophy cartridge for your cricut, cut the 3 -d flowers in sizes 3 and 4 inches. Distress the edges then roll towards the color you want to show. Once you have it fluffed up a bit, use either a glue dot or liquid glass to attach to the base of the flower. Let dry then attach a rhinestone if you like and use a glue dot to attach to top of box.

I added self-adhesive sparkles to the vine to bling it up even more.

On the side I wanted to fill up some space on this particular box. I used a strip of plaid paper cut one inch shorter than the base background paper.

Add stickers from the set as you like.

Here's the paper added to the second box. I also added some sparkles instead of stickease to this one.

On the back I added buttons with waxy flax tied to them. I love this look.

Here are the completed boxes. I can't wait to make another one. Next up will probably be a Christmas countdown box!!! Stay tuned.

Memory Game Box - Bucket List

2011-09-11T16:27:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow I will be putting up directions for how to make these cute boxes. Inside are 24 cards which I have turned into a "portable" bucket list. If you haven't heard, a bucket list are the things you'd like to do before you "kick the bucket." You might win the box on the left with 24 cards left blank for your own bucket list (or whatever you like) by placing an order on my website before Wednesday night (Sept. 14) at midnight. Everyone who places an order will be put in a drawing for the box. Place your order RIGHT HERE!

Studio J layouts from my Galapagos Islands trip

2011-09-09T07:37:00.005-04:00

My family went to the Galapagos Islands this past summer. On Wednesday I sat down for about 6 hours and did 23 layouts. I still have more to go but I love how fast I was able to do these on Studio J.

My Close to my Heart Stamp Sale!

2011-08-31T10:44:00.043-04:00

I'm selling these stamps, first come, first served. Most of my used stamps are gone, you can see the ones left below with prices.

Under those are NEW stamp sets that are priced as listed. I will be adding more all evening and probably into tomorrow.

Contact me at caldreamin05@comcast.net with your stamp wish list! Postage will be charged if you need them sent to you.

Aspiration (USED - $5.00)

A Game (USED - $5.00)

Mayberry (USED - $5.00)

It's Your Day (USED - $5.00)

Timeless (USED - $5.00)

Blessed SOLD

Heart to Heart (missing the little black dot) (USED - $5.00)

Wings (USED - $5.00)

Friendship (USED - $5.00)

Angel Sent (NEW $6.00) SOLD!!

A Game (NEW $6.00)

Always in My Heart (NEW $6.00)

Doesn't have a name, let's call it Thanks for everything (NEW $6.00)

Simple Invites (NEW $6.00) SOLD!!

A Melody (NEW - just came out! $6.00) SOLD!

Genuine Fun (NEW $6.00)

My Heart (NEW $8.00) SOLD!!

Fright Night (NEW $8.00) SOLD!!

Thoughtful Script (NEW - French - $6.00) SOLD!!

Ocean Treasure (NEW $8.00) SOLD!!

Merry Pursuits (NEW $8.00) SOLD!!

Harvest Happiness (NEW $10.00) SOLD!!

Unity (NEW - $10.00) SOLD!!

Family Ties-Adults (NEW $10.00) SOLD!!

Fluttering Frames (NEW - $10.00) SOLD!!

On the Edge (NEW - $10.00) SOLD!!

Enjoy Life (NEW - $10.00)

Western Flourishes (NEW - $10.00)

Not sure the name, let's call it So In Love (NEW -$10.00)

No name, let's call it Perfect (NEW - $10.00)

No name, we'll call it Live Life (NEW - $10.00)

Key to my Heart (NEW $18.00)

Key to my Heart (USED - $8.00)

Building Block Alphabet (USED - $10.00) SOLD!!

Boutique Alphabet (USED - $10.00) SOLD!!

Homestead Alphabet (USED - $10.00) SOLD!!

Homestead Alphabet (USED - $10.00)

Tickled Pink (NEW - $13.00)

"Dreams" (NEW - $13.00)

Around the Block (NEW - $13.00)

Dreams Come True (NEW - $13.00) SOLD!!

Find Your Style (NEW - $13.00)

It's Your Day (NEW - $13.00)

Annotations (NEW - $13.00) SOLD!!

Cherish the Moment (NEW - $13.00)

Friendship (NEW - $13.00)

Thriller (NEW - $13.00)

January Word Puzzle (NEW - $13.00)

Wonderful Friend (NEW - $13.00)

Give Thanks (NEW - $13.00)

One of a Kind (NEW - $13.00)

Blessed (NEW - $13.00)

You've Got Flair (NEW - $13.00)

Chairs To You (NEW - $13.00)

Footprints (NEW - $13.00)

Sensational Season (NEW - $13.00)

American Celebration (NEW - $13.00) SOLD!!!

Nursery Bash (NEW - $13.00)

Share the Magic (NEW - $13.00) SOLD!!

The Present (NEW - $13.00)