Damask Divas Huntington Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Damask Divas Huntington Blog hop!

If you arrived from Hillary's Blog, then you are on the right path.  If you would like to start at the beginning of our hop, just head on over to the Damask Divas Blog for the entire line-up!  The blog hop starts on November 1st, so don't worry if some of the links aren't up yet!

I wanted to use Huntington for a home decor piece since the colors would be just wonderful for Thanksgiving, or even Christmas.  I think the gorgeous wall cone that that I came up with would work well for both!

This came out even better than I had hoped!  I didn't want it to be too busy, so I limited my embellishments to keep it clean and simple. The cone and the poinsettia are both cuts found on the Close to My Heart Cricut Artiste Cartridge.  The cone is cut from one of the B&T papers from Huntington at the largest possible size on a 12 x 12 mat.  The beautiful accent paper is cut at the same setting on relative dial size using the shift key so they will be sized perfectly to go together.

This poinsettia is cut on the Barn Red CS and inked in the same color along all the edges.  I layered the cuts ranging in size from 1.75 to 2.25 inches.  A beautiful sparkle from the Rosewood Mini Medley Accents Collection adds just the right amount of bling.

I took an old bunch of faux flowers that were actually white and pink and colored them with my Barn Red Alcohol Ink Marker.  I love that I was able to match them to my papers without going out and spending any money on new greenery!  :)

I hung it by attaching the new Jute Ribbon with a brad from the Mini Medley Accents Antique Gold Collection on each side.  They were SO easy to slip through the weave of the jute!  The final touch was trimming the top with some Bronze Shimmer Trim.  You simply MUST have this amazing color of our Shimmer Trim!  It coordinates so beautifully with the Huntington Papers.

You can even hang this from a doorknob!

That's it for me on this hop!  Your next stop will be Jamie's Blog, so hop on over and see what amazing ideas she has for you today!  Thanks for popping in!  :)

Don't forget to check out this month's NEW November Stamp of the Month, Illuminate!  Just $5 with a $50 purchase!

Blue Christmas for Muse Challenge

Happy Halloween!  And now, let's jump to Christmas!  ;)

I am BACK in the challenge saddle!  I had a chance to goof around a bit after doing what I HAD to do today, and it was quite the cram session!  All the cards I made have a similar theme, but they have completely different FEEL.

The first one is for the current Muse Challenge.  The Muse card is by Janet Ribet...

Muse Card by Janet Ribet

I just love the cool winter color scheme she went with for her card.  Also, I happen to HAVE that embossing folder!  A plan began to evolve in my head, so I tried to get it onto paper just as fast!

You might recognize this design from an earlier Christmas card I made with these same Close to My Heart stamps, Tree Delights and Framework Alphabet.  I stamped them here in Crystal Blue ink before using my embossing folder over the image.

At the bottom of the card, I tore pieces of White Daisy CS and layered them into a snowy landscape.  I actually had a wonderful spool of trim to use along the bottom as in the Muse card as well. 

This star is from the Sparkle Holiday Shapes, a NEW item in our Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide!  I adore these sparkly outlines!  I noticed that the Muse card also uses some iridescent glitter, so I added some Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel to the stars on the tree.  A few Sparkles, and the tree was done!

I can't wait to show you my other two cards like this...the same, but different!  ;)

Halloween Tool Box Treats with Artiste!

WHeW!!!!  I finished them!  All 25 treat boxes are filled and sealed for my daughter's 4th grade class party on Thursday.  Time to kick back and....create some things for my next craft show, lol!  ;)

Anyhow, I had picked up some of the Close to My Heart Spellbound papers for a steal on my website when it appeared in the "While Supplies Last" section.  Have you ever checked out the great deals there?  You sure should!  Click HERE to take a peek!  Right now, there is a 2" scallop punch for just $5!!!!  I used it to make the tag on this adorable, adhesive-free tool box!

One of my favorite crafty blogs, Creating with Color by Cassandra, recently showed some adorable creations using googly eyes...and I absolutely loved the idea!  I decided to use them on my tags in a slightly different way.  The stamp I used is from MCT, and those white circles are leftovers from some projects I was cutting...I love finding a use for everything!  ;)

Now, I know these painstakingly crafted designs will be torn apart by the 4th graders, so I kept it super simple, lol!  You could say I kept them totally clean and simple for CAS-ual Fridays new challenge to make a gift box with a tag!  ;)

Like I mentioned, these boxes require absolutely NO adhesive to put together!  SCORE!  No, really!  You just have to find the score marks and fold away!  ;)

Unfortunately there is no food allowed in the treat boxes for school, so I found some erasers and trinkets to fill them with instead of candy.

I am linking this Halloween themed project up over at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog.  Thanks for peeking in today, and hope you all have a safe Halloween! 

Festive Mini-Albums with Arbooking!

I just drooled while watching this new episode of Artbooking Made Easy...really!  These albums are just amazing, and I love every detail!  Take a look, and you will see just what I mean!  ;)




Don't FORGET!!!  Have you heard I am starting my very first Rewards Club for Close to My Heart?!  You really do want to get in on this one...you could win one of our Cricut Collections--your choice AND earn $25 worth of products for FREE!  Check out all the details right HERE on my blog!  Not many spots left to fill, so better let me know fast!  :)

A Witch Hat Sucker Tree with Liquid Glass to the Rescue!

Hi everyone!  Hope you had a productive weekend!  I did, and I didn't, lol.  Kids' school projects DID...my projects DIDN'T!  Oh well! 

This is one of the projects that my daughter asked me to assist with...actually, she complimented my craftiness by coming to me for her group, so goodness knows I was not saying NO!  ;)

This is a statistics project for a carnival--sounds more like fun than school!  Love it!  Anyhow...they wanted to do a pumpkin shaped foam, but since they don't actually MAKE that, I suggested this instead, and they LOVED the idea!

WHY, you ask, is there a bottle of my Close to My Heart Liquid Glass sitting in the pic?  Well, because when my hot glue gun decided to take a day off from working (grrrrr) I grabbed the only other thing that was guaranteed to hold the brim on this hat!  And it worked like a charm!  :)

The odds are NOT in the game-players' favor for this one, but the sign sure is CUTE!!!  A little help from my trusty Cricut, and a sign was tossed together lickity-split!  We used the Kate's ABC's Cricut Cartridge for the lettering.  My girlie was gluing the "u" from sucker together with my Bonding Memories pen when I took the pic...

Do I really need to convince you of the wonders of Liquid Glass any longer?  It that can't make your kids' school projects easier, then I am not sure what can!  ;)  Thanks for popping in to see me today and have a blessed, sparkly day! 

Angel Friends Wall Hanging

Hi everyone!  Hope you are having a good weekend so far.

Sorry for the big tease on my FB page showing you this too soon...my posts got a bit out of hand this week trying to catch up!  Well, I finally am, and here is this adorable wall hanging I made for a friend's daughter.  She chose the bible verse to encourage her daughter to not be afraid, and I think it is a wonderful reminder!  In case you can't see it, it is 2 Timothy 1:7  "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

I just adore this little angel!  She is found on the Angel Friends My Acrylix in the new Holidays from the Heart Holiday Gift Guide out NOW from Close to My Heart!  I colored her and the flowers from the same stamp set with my Alcohol Ink Markers and added some bling!

I made this bow removable by adding a little hook and loop dot to the back.  I can't believe I never thought of this before!!! 

The bow does a fantastic job of hiding the plastic holder!  

I hope you are inspired by this verse as well as the project today!  Have a fearless day!  :)

Thanks A Bunch Color My Heart!

Hi everyone!  Thanks a bunch for stopping in today to see the next challenge from the Color My Heart Color Dare.

This week, we are using Gypsy and Buttercup along with any neutrals of your choice.  I used White Daisy and Slate for the neutrals on my card, and tried a little technique with my white gel pen that I have seen around quite a bit.

There are a few things that I just LOVE about this card...first being the awesome background stamp I used from the Close to My Heart Geometric Backgrounds My Acrylix.  I stamped it in Buttercup all down the front of my White Daisy card base.  I wanted a nice "picnicky" feel from it to go along with the grapes.  The Gypsy CS grapes were easy to cut out with a small 5/8" size circle punch.  I inked the edges with Gypsy Exclusive Ink and highlighted a little semi-colon on each of the top grapes with my white gel pen--SO fun!

The edges of this White Daisy panel are distressed to add some texture, and I even popped it up with foam squares.  Some of the grapes are popped up as well--I am kind of a dimension girl, lol.

Now for my absolute FAVORITE part of the card--the Slate Striped Twist-Ties!  I simply cannot thank whoever came up with these enough!!!  They are perfect for grape vines, don't you think?  I find that glue dot minis are perfect for adhering these to my projects.

I try not to use too many retired products in my DT designs, but this was exactly the right sentiment for my grape bunch!  It is from the June 2013 Stamp of the Month, A Flowering Bunch.  I stamped it and the leaf from the same set in Slate Exclusive Ink and added a little Slate CS stem.

Ready to get busy creating yet?  I hope you have time to join us this week over at Color My Heart, and cannot wait to see what you make with your Close to My Heart colors Gypsy and Buttercup!

I still have a few more spots left open in my NEW Close to My Heart Reward Clubs, so please check them out HERE!  You could win your choice of Cricut Collection!  :)

A Simply Stamped Christmas Card

I am back with another card for my Christmas Card Workshop!

This one was created in a moment of inspiration taken from the Frosted Workshop on the Go Cardmaking Kit that I had so much fun with over the weekend.  The card is ONLY stamped images on the card base.  That's it.  Nothing else except my sparkle pen...have a look!

I used the tree image from the Frosted Cardmaking Kit for the lovely row of trees.  I stamped each set of trees in New England Ivy Ink twice before I re-inked, using the first and second generation images to create an illusion of depth.  LOVE that technique.  I also ADORE this sentiment from the NEW Mary and Babe My Acrylix from the Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide...I stamped it in Cocoa.

Now for the grand slam...this is the image that takes this card from awwww, to YES!!!!  The star is also on the Mary and Babe stamp set.  I used my Bamboo Ink to stamp it and then traced over it with my Stardust Glitter Pen.  Suddenly, the row of tranquil trees stands at attention in the night as they see the star for the first time announcing His birth.  This is probably my favorite card this year so far!

 What do you think of adding a strip of Bronze Shimmer Trim to the bottom?  ;)

I KNOW!  I couldn't decide either!  Thanks for popping in today!

My local peeps can make this card at my Christmas Card Workshop on November 8th at 7pm and the 9th at 10 am.  Who's with me?  :)

Hexagons on a Christmas Card? Yep. And HOW!

Welcome to my blog!  I have a fantastic Christmas Card to share with you today that is rather contemporary, I have to say.  I was absolutely wanting to challenge myself to use Close to My Heart's brand new Irresistibles Hexagons on a card...and my head is stuck on designing Christmas Cards for my upcoming Christmas Card Workshop....so guess what I did?  Yep!  Combined the two for one SUPER card!

I would have never thought hexagons would belong on a Christmas Card, so what gives?  I honestly do not know!  You really just never know!  I might as well throw a few sparkles into the mix, right?

The honeycomb embossing folder is from Provo Craft and the Woodgrain paper is a scrap I had left from the 6 x 6 MME Dolled Up Pad.

Now, this sentiment is fantastic, and I even used it on another card HERE.  It is from the Cricut Artiste Cartridge, and is backed with a slim strip of Green Glitter Paper.  Doesn't it add just the right something?  That green Hexagon is also a leftover cut from the retired Victory Paper Packet.  I have one pack left in my Flee Market if you are looking for this one!  :)

This is my last link up with this week's Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge...because it is already Wednesday again!!!  ;)

Want a chance to win the Cricut Artiste Collection that I used here?  Check out my new Reward Club for some great deals on Close to My Heart products and a chance to win!  :)

Artbooking Made Easy: Everyday Layouts

Here is a brand new Artbooking Made Easy video!  I love the color combinations they used in these!  Remember, you can always click on my Artbooking Made Easy Gallery Tab up above to watch any of these episodes on my CTMH website!  Enjoy!

Artbooking's Sweet and Lovely Lace Stamp and a Fry Box? Oh, Yes!

Hi everyone!  Team Sunset is back with a new October challenge for you from Heart 2 Heart Challenges.  It is time to grab your LACY Close to My Heart supplies and get crafty, because we are LACING it up this week!  :)

My first instinct was honestly to cringe for this one, lol.  I am not that much of a lace girl.  Bling and sparkle, definitely, but lace, not so much!  Anyway, I did think of the beautiful new stamp on the Artbooking Collection's Sweet and Lovely My Acrylix Stamp Set...

I had recently hopped through my awesome teammate's Damask Divas Sparkle and Shine Blog Hop, and thanks to Jamie, my Kraft paper was calling out my name!  How could I deny these two the chance to get together?  ;)  I cut a Fry Box out of the Kraft paper from the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge...and the rest is history!

Wow, do I love the look of the White Daisy Pigment Ink stamped on that Kraft CS!  I thought the lace would made a lovely little backdrop for a wintery Christmas scene. 

This adorable little snow-covered house is from the new Close to My Heart Christmas Village My Acrylix.   I LOVE it!  I stamped the image in Slate Ink and used my white gel pen to color in the snow.

The Sparkle and Shine Complements Dimensional Elements are a new FAVE of mine!  They are super for adding to both cards AND layouts AND as you see here--just about everything else!!!  I added some Bitty Sparkles to the tree too.  You can never have enough sparkle!  ;)

That star on the tree is sporting another of my new favorite products--the Sparkle Holiday Shapes!  Aren't they fantastic!!!?  They add an outline of bling to several different shapes that coordinate with the Art Philosophy Cartridge cuts! 

I also used the new Sparkle and Shine Washi tape in metallic silver on the star before I added the bling.  Here is how I did it...then I just cut it out with my Non-Stick Micro-Tip Scissors.  What did I ever do without these?  Oh yeah...gum up my other scissors!   ;)

The washi is silver metallic--not white!  That is the shine you see!

This tag is White Daisy CS cut into this fave shape of mine using the Art Philosophy Cartridge.  I attached it to the Ruby Chevron Ribbon with a skinny little strip of Silver Shimmer Trim looped through.  

I used Slate Exclusive Ink to stamp the wonderful tag image found on the Scandinavian Wishes October Stamp of the Month.  If you have your eye on this great set, don't wait!  It is only available this month and coordinates with the Art Philosophy Cricut Collection!

DON'T forget to check out my new Reward Clubs that are forming NOW!  You have the chance to win one of Close to My Heart's Cricut Collections JUST by joining!  Read all about it HERE.

I hope you have a chance to play along with us this month over at Heart 2 Heart!  All the challenges can be played throughout the month, so you still have plenty of time to link up!  For a full list of the rules to play by, click HERE.  I love to see all of your beautiful inspiration! 

I am also linking this up to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge for Christmas Themed projects!

Close to My Heart's NEW Crush Books!

Hi everyone!  How would you like to win one of our new Close to My Heart Crush Books?

I just received mine recently, and can't wait to use them with our innovative Flip Flaps!  I am planning on scrapping all my concert ticket stubs from way back--I never really knew what to do with them--but now this is the perfect solution.  I can even add my celebrity moment pics (Chris Isaak, and Matthew Sweet) from back in the day!  Take a peek at this great and easy way to preserve your memories.



I think these are going to make some awesome gifts for some people on my list this year...just sayin'!  ;)

I will be showing you more about these books soon--including some of the GREAT kits that you can get that coordinate with them!

Don't forget to go to YouTube or Jeanette Lynton's Blog HERE before the end of October to leave a comment for your chance to win!!!

ALSO!  In case you were interested in having a chance to win your choice of Close to My Heart's Cricut Cartridges,  don't forget to check out my new Rewards Clubs HERE!!!!

A Special Clip for A Special Survivor!

Hi everyone!  Today is my first EVER vendor gig, and I am super-duper excited!  I need to run, but I have a special post to go along with this event.

The ladies in this group have a pink theme for their all-day craft event this year.  In the spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness, I created a pin to wear on my apron from my Close to My Heart Base and Bling Hair Clips.  I also made one to give away to a former consultant and new friend of mine who happens to be a Breast Cancer survivor herself.

It was really easy to make with the For Always Textiles, Black and Cotton Candy CS, and my cricut cartridges.  The scallop is from Art Philosophy and the cause ribbon is from Artbooking.  I had a bit of bling left from a chopped up Sparkles Flourish that looked just perfect on the ribbon.  :) 

See you back here soon!  :)

Breaking News! Special Close to My Heart Rewards Club Announcement!

Hi everyone!  I already announced this to my Facebook Followers, so be sure to follow me there if you want the scoop early!  ;) You can find the link over to the right ------>

So, level with me...how many of you have an ENDLESS list of wants NEEDS each time Close to My Heart releases a new Idea Book?   I know I do, and I bet there are several of you who simply want more than you can spend.  Well, I have the solution!  I am starting up a REWARDS CLUB!  YES!  I am totally serious!  The best part is that you don't even have to live near me to participate! 

I have two BRAND NEW clubs that I am opening up for membership!

~The first is the Savvy Spender Club.  This Club will have ten members who purchase $15 worth of product each month for 10 months.  One of those months will be YOUR reward month!  You will get to choose at least $25 in Close to My Heart products*** during your reward month for FREE!  WOW!  

~The second club is the Ink Me Up Club! Want to take advantage of your rewards sooner?  Sign up for this club for a 6 month commitment and spend $25 each month on your favorite Close to My Heart products.  Again, you will be able to choose at least $25 worth of free Close to My Heart Products*** during your reward month.  This club is limited to 6 members.  WOOHOO!


***Rewards must be chosen from Papers, Inks, Acrylic Blocks, Stamps (including the limited edition Hostess only stamps!), My Stickease, or My Reflections products--the same choices that are available through the Hostess Rewards Program as outlined in the Idea Book on Page 4.  MANY products to choose from!  I will draw the names out of a hat to chose which reward month will be yours.

Space in either club is on a first come, first served basis, so don't wait!  Le me know by commenting here with a way to contact you, or email me at mimimyselfandi@outlook.com to let me know which club you are interested in joining.  Don't worry, I preview all my posts because of spam, and I won't post your comments that include your contact information, I will just use it for my personal records and club purposes.  I cannot wait to start you on your way to earning your rewards!

BUT WAIT!!!!

There is more!  Since this is my first rewards club, I want to REALLY reward you!  At the conclusion of your club commitment on either club, I am going to draw a name of one of the Club members to receive THEIR CHOICE of Close to My Heart's Cricut Cartridges for FREE...from ME!  You read that right!  Someone from EACH reward club is going to win a FREE CRICUT CARTRIDGE!!!  :)  Remember, space it limited, so let me know right away if you are interested in joining!

Want more details?  Click HERE to go to my Rewards Club Page! Some of this information is repeated, so scroll down for the details over there...thanks!

Another Chrismas Workshop Card!

I have really kept you waiting for these, and I apologize!  I finally have my Sparkle and Shine paper, so I am ON it!  :)

Here is the second card for my Close to My Heart Christmas Card Workshop in November.

I used an unusual My Acrylix set for Christmas--it is called Patterned Pennants, and really meant for summer time fun!  I love that I was able to make is more versatile!  Pink Glitter Gems adorn the tree.

A little tree trunk of Bronze Shimmer Trim is the perfect touch at the bottom, don't you think?  We will have to practice some light Glitz Glitter Gel application for this one!  ;)

I am linking up with the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge for Christmas Cards!

I heard a rumor that my next card is for the birds...we shall see!  ;)

REMINDER!!!!  The October Stamp of the Month is a FANTASTIC Christmas set, so be sure to pick yours up before October is over if you like it!  ;)  It even coordinates with the Art Philosophy Collection! 

Damask Divas Sparkle and Shine Blog Hop!

Welcome to my blog for the shiniest hop this year!  ;)  If you arrived from Jamie's Blog, then you are on the right path.  If not, just check out the Damask Divas Blog for the entire line up!  :)

I finally had a chance to play with my new paper, and love how it looks with this simple card design!  I have had this one brewing in my mind for a while, using the tree as the letter 'A' in PEACE.  I had no idea it would work so perfectly with the Tree Delights My Acrylix and the Framework Alphabet!

Now, you sure can't tell in the first picture, but take a look at this one close up!

The lettering is stamped in Juniper Ink, while the tree was stamped with Versamark and sprinkled with Close to My Heart's Silver Embossing Powder.  The heating tool just shines it right up to match the silver color in the new Sparkle and Shine patterned papers!   I am really loving the softer look of the Juniper rather than the more traditional green for Christmas papers.

I trimmed the edge of the White Daisy card front with the Scallop Border Punch for a different look.  Hope you are inspired to try something new with my card, but now you are off to Tammy's Blog for another amazing paper creation!  Have a fantastic time on the hop!

Remember, if you get lost, jut pop on over to the Damask Divas Blog for the entire line-up!  :)

Don't forget to pick up the Stamp of the Month, Scandinavian Wishes before October ends!  :)