Fundamental Friday!

I made this one last month with some new toys I purchased with my birthday money...

Paper Fundamentals Basic Assortment

Black and Grey Glitter Paper

This is how I colored the White Daisy CS with my Sparkle Watercolor Gel Crayons!  I just colored directly on the paper and then went over the crayon with my Blending Pen.

I purchased these on Amazon with a gift card because, let's face it, they had MY NAME on it!  ;)

Last call for JUMP ON IT IN JULY deals for the month!!!

Spend $25 in STAMPS, get a $5 Hostess Rewards Stamp!

This sale is only through 5 pm MST!!!

UPDATE!!!  The Studio J sale has been extended to August 3rd at 11:59PM MST!!!

FREE Stamp of the Month, YES, PLEASE!!!

Happy Birthday, Sister!

My sister turns 40 today so I got her a pair of reading glasses--she's totally going to need them.  I am the big sister, so I just KNOW this is a fact, OK.  She might be taller than me, but I will ALWAYS be the big sister.

I made her a special card with the retiring Gypsy Heart patterned paper from the Paper Fundamentals Adventure Palette from Close to My Heart.  Yep, I realize it isn't Fundamental Friday yet, but I had to get this one in today!  ;)

I used a couple of stamp sets for this card:  Playful Pups from Mama Elephant, and the Jumping Geometrics Background stamps from Close to My Heart to give the blanket some texture.  I do need to learn a bit more coloring technique, but I LOVE coloring! 

See the special sheen of the embossed hearts on this side of the paper?

I used some of my MCT stitched dies to frame out the main part of the card and another from Mama Elephant to cut the edge of the blanket.

Love adding a simple touch to the inside of a card!

Happiest of birthdays to you sis!  Cannot wait to celebrate it with you!  :)

A Special Little Thank You

I had my first Close to My Heart Gathering in a looooong time on Saturday, and oh my goodness, was it a wake up!  I forgot how easy it was to go on and on and on and on and on...(I think you get it) about the fantastic quality of the products I use and sell.  Thanks so much for opening your home, and Facebook page, Heather!

We made a cute little thank you card with one of the Hostess Rewards Stamp sets to kick things off...

We used the Confetti Wishes Paper Packet along with the Cuddly Salutations My Acrylix.  The sentiment is stamped on a simple shape from the Art Philosophy Cricut Collection and a couple little Purple Glitter Gems (retiring next month, gasp) finish it off nicely indeed.  It always makes me smile when my customers and guests like my designs, and this one was a hit!  :)

Don't forget!  You don't have to be a hostess to earn the Hostess Rewards Stamps this month!  Just purchase $25 in My Acrylix stamps in July and you can choose ANY of them for just $5 more!!!

Smile, it's Saturday!!!

Oh my goodness!  I am so excited to share this with you today!  Close to My Heart has supported Operation Smile for as long as I have been a consultant, and now they have yet ANOTHER way to contribute to giving children everywhere a reason to smile!  Take a look at these pics from the Close to My Heart website!

You can now find Operation Smile T-shirts on my website for purchase!  Consultants do not receive any commission from the sales of these shirts and the price does not count toward hostess rewards, instead, $10 of the purchase price goes straight to Operation Smile!  Now THAT is something to SMILE about!
Find them HERE starting today!

Don't forget about our special Operation Smile My Acrylix Stamp set, Happy Everything,  that is only available until the end of August too!  Another fantastic way to make a difference in the life of a child!  :)

For more information on Operation Smile, visit this page on my website.  :)

Fundamental Friday!

Yes!  I decided to make my Friday posts ALL about the Paper Fundamentals from Close to My Heart.  They are one of my favorite products right now, AND to come!!!!  (Hint, hint!)  ALL four current Paper Fundamentals color collections will be retiring AS THEY ARE NOW (more hints!) after August, so get them while you can!

I wish I could tell you more, but consultants are not allowed to share the new products on our blogs JUST yet.  You CAN see some sneak peeks over on my Facebook Page until Sept. 1st when I can post them here.

Soooooooo, while my friend and I were at our "off-site" convention this year, she gave me a few leftover cuts from a workshop she had.  I was able to use them to make this adorable, loveable layout!

You can see both sides of the Ruby heart pattern on this sheet from the Paper Fundamentals Enchantment Assortment. One has a shiny embossed pattern and one side has a white heart pattern.

Black Shimmer Trim is ALWAYS the answer! 

I added the Slate Striped Ribbon (retiring) with the Mini Stapler.

The Mini Stapler also adds some super-cute metal embellishments!

This heart pattern won't be around after August, so pick up your Paper Fundamentals Enchantment Assortment today!

Throwback Thursday: 45 Minutes to 19

Hey there crafty friends.  I have a quick joke for you!

Why was 6 afraid of 7?

Because 7, 8, 9!  (seven ate nine!)

Giggle.  I needed a really good laugh, and I just saw that I have 789 posts on my blog!!!  Wow!

I have been cutting with my Cricut Explore like a CRAZY woman today as I make a display board for my Close to My Heart Cricut Collections--and in case you haven't noticed, the family keeps growing!  I cannot wait to introduce you to the NEW member of the Cricut Family next month!!!  Check out my Facebook Page HERE to get a sneak peak since that is the only place to see it so far! 

But first, I sit here with little tears rolling down my cheeks as my oldest turns 19 in just 45 short minutes.  I was completely fine until I started thinking about it...aaaaand that means next year is 20.  Suddenly I am drowning in all the things I still want her to KNOW.  All the things we haven't DONE.  Will the things I have tried to impress upon her be ENOUGH?  I really don't like stressing out about it, because when it comes down to it, despite every moment of doubt, life is pretty wonderful, and I have successfully raised a kid to age 19!!!  Who'd have thunk?  ;)

A little reminder how wonderful life can be from the July 2015 Stamp of the Month.

I made this little PML (Picture My Life pocket-style scrapbooking) card at our little "off-site" convention a couple of weeks ago, and was so happy for the reminder when I put it in my organizer today while cleaning up the craft cave.  I used some Lagoon Hearts Washi Tape, and some Chalk-It Up Assortment puffies to make it mine.

How would you make it YOURS?  :)

Important Retiring My Acrylix Stamps Update!

Hey everyone!  It has come to my attention that the Retiring List over on my website has a glitch in the My Acrylix stamps.  There are several listed in the section that are actually going to remain and are unfortunately pictured.  Here are the stamps that are returning to the New Annual Expressions Idea Book and the Holiday Expressions Catalog in September...

A1146 Sincere Expressions
A1161 Beyond Measure
A1167 Keep Your Chin Up
B1419 Joyful Birthday
B1438 Banner Wishes               
B1449 Oodles of Doodles
B1453 Frightfully Fun
B1462 Lovely Birthday
B1463 Thankful Heart
B1479 Salute Our Heroes
B1481 Friendly Pets
C1559 Always Grateful
C1578 Camper Crazy
C1584 Feathers
C1588 Great Job
C1590 Delightful Ditty
C1591 Merry Merry
C1594 Treasured Friendship
C1605 Happy to Be Friends
C1607 Someone Special
C1608 Brushstrokes
C1611 Campfire Lifestyle
C1612 Shower Flowers
C1615 Instalife
C1616 Treats of Friendship
D1522 Glamour Lowercase
D1537 Glamour Uppercase
D1578 Flight of Arrows
D1600 Here We Go
D1604 Season of Thanks
D1607 Bodacious Banners
D1609 Seaside Greetings
D1612 Teacher Appreciation
D1614 Reason for the Season
D1617 Make it Merry
D1618 Build A Cake
D1627 Your Own Kind of Wonderful
D1634 Rain or Shine
D1635 Assorted Edges
D1636 I Do
D1637 Jumping Geometrics
D1644 The Authentic Life
D1645 Botanical Backgrounds
D1646 Finding the Words
D1647 Documenting Moments
D1648 Snapshot Memories
D1651 Wavy Blooms
E1027 Framework Alphabet
E1028 Hopscotch Alphabet
E1029 Marquee Alphabet
E1030 Handwritten Print
M1051 Wish
M1053 Sweeter With You
M1054 XOXO

Also, if you see any My Acrylix that has a Cricut compatible cut that coordinates--it will NOT retire!  :)  I just wanted to be sure you guys do not make any unnecessary purchases before they git it fixed.

Don't forget to JUMP ON IT IN JULY and take advantage of our amazing special this month--purchase just $25 in My Acrylix Stamps, and get any hostess rewards ONLY stamp for just $5!

Here are just a sample of some of the available hostess rewards sets:

Studio J Flash SALE!

Close to My Heart surprised us all with a FLASH sale on Studio J layouts!  Just $5 for PROCESSED 12 x 12 two page layouts!  These are not printed, they are processed, and SUPER high-quality.  Only through the end of July!  UPDATED:  Be sure to note that the sale ENDS JULY 31st at 5:00pm Mountain time!!!  :)  That is 6:00 pm for my CST friends...

Click HERE to set up your own FREE account on my website!  

Read more about this amazing sale over on the Make It From Your Heart Blog!  :)  New to Studio J and need help?  Visit my website to watch the tutorials HERE!

Retiring Close to My Heart Product News!

Happy Hump Day!

Now that Close to My Heart Convention is over, I am getting tons of questions about what products are staying and which ones are saying good-bye.  One of the FIRST things I want to let you know is about a color change-up.  Trends come and go, and with them often comes a change in palette.

The Enchantment line of colors is getting QUITE the makeover with the new Annual Inspirations, and I cannot WAIT to share the new colors with you.  First, take a peek at what will remain of the current colors...

Only 3 colors staying:  Ruby, Goldrush, and New England Ivy

IF any of these colors are required to finish your ongoing projects, head on over to my blog to find all the ENCHANTMENT cardstock, ink, and reinkers.  There are 4 pages worth of these gorgeous fall hued colors, and they are already starting to disappear, so I would not wait! 

Now, I REALLY want to show you the new colors, BUT consultants are not quite allowed to share the new goodies on our BLOGS.  We ARE allowed to share the pictures corporate released at convention on our other social media, so head on over to my Facebook page HERE to see the NEW colors coming!

Wondering how to order the amazing Close to My Heart specials each month on my website?  I made a video to show you how!

One More Makeover!

I just can't help it...making over the fantastic designs available in the Close to My Heart Annual Inspirations Idea Book is easy peasy.  When you start off with a whole KIT pre-designed for you, it makes it super simple to put YOUR own touches on a project without having to start from scratch.

Let me show you what I mean by using the Blossom WOTG (that's Workshop on the Go for you non-Close to My Heart addicted papercrafters, lol) Card Kit....again!  ;)

On the left is my "almost according to directions" version of one of the cards in the kit.  I simply swapped out some ink and washi to create a whole new color theme for the card on the right...

I didn't tie the bow on this one to save a little bit of twine length...I like to make the MOST of my supplies! 

What do you think?  

Just think of all the creative ways YOU could make this one over!  Take another look at the adorable stamp set it comes with...

and the rest of the supplies...

 All for JUST $24.95!!!

The Card Kit and washi are only available while supplies last now, so if you want it, go get it!  :)

Close to My Heart Convention Themed Up Card!

HI EVERYONE!!!

I am a little hyped up on adrenaline so excuse me for yelling!  ;)

It is the last night of our little off-site Close to My Heart Convention, and I made a little something to commemorate the occasion.  Corporate decided to go with a Disney "Up" Theme for this year's shin-dig, so I thought this was a great way to wrap up our time here...

I tied up the balloon strings with a piece of Extra Thick Twine in Thistle to match the Paper Fundamentals Whimsy striped Thistle Cardstock.

I used the balloon image from the current Operation Smile Happy Everything My Acrylix to create a giant bouquet of balloons on my card.  I stamped them in Black Pigment Ink from the Mini Pigment Pad Set and then used several differnt colors of ShinHan Alcohol Ink Markers to color them in.  I popped some up with foam tape for a bit of dimension.  The clouds are cut on White Daisy CS with the Art Philosophy Cartridge on my Explore.  Then I used a black marker to add the details just like the gals over at convention added to their adorable UP layouts.  The sentiment is bright and cheery like the balloons!

Operation Smile My Acrylix

Close to My Heart Convention Time!

Oh my goodness, I just typed that title and got a bit giddy.  Then I remembered I am not going to be in Disneyland for the big reveals this year.  Insert pouty face here.

Aha!  No time to pout!!!

BECAUSE...One of the big parts of convention that makes it such a fantastic experience is sharing the time with some amazing friends who don't really mind at all if I talk about CTMH from dawn until dusk (you just can't count on the hubs to sit and listen to that)...SOOOOOO...that is exactly what I am doing!  I am meeting up with one of my BFF's who happens to have a heart for the same things as me--one of them being Close to My Heart!!!  We are going to talk business, get creative, and miss our friend dearly who is not able to make the trip...but we are going to sparkle times ten!

I cannot WAIT to get going and to hear all the little tidbits of new product rumors that are soon to come!  Will they bring back buttons?  Will there be more GLITTER???  Will TC show up at CTMH convention in Disneyland????   WHO will find a Sticky Boy???  ONE thing that I CAN tell you...

*******NEWS FLASH*******

...there is DEFINITELY going to be a NEW Cricut Collection released!!!  AND it will be available to all my customers starting a MONTH EARLY!!!  I have no idea what is on it, or what it is called, but the NEW Close to My Heart Cricut Collection is coming to you LIVE on August 1st!  BUT, that's not ALL!  There will also be a new My Reflections paper line introduced and available for purchase that same day along with the usual complements and assortment embellishments, so STAY TUNED!!!

Now would probably be a really good time to follow me over on Facebook or Twitter! 
I will be posting all the new product news as I learn about it!  

Like this Hostess Stamp Set?  You can get it for just $5 in July!