12-12-12

Once in a lifetime.  What did you do today?  I didn't really put much thought into it actually, and I am totally fine with that.  :)  I was cruising my Facebook wall today and realized that everyone has such different ways of preparing for Christmas.  Some friends have precious cookie recipes to make that have been passed down through the years.  Others have that Elf sitting on a shelf waiting to bust a move.  Many of you are busy getting those crafty Christmas cards into the mail.  Writing letters to Santa is a popular pass time right now too.  Personally, I am constantly playing my Christmas CD's *cough, cough* I mean Christmas songs on my iTunes or Pandora--my how the times have changed!  The best part is that there is no right or wrong way to celebrate.  Whatever your family's festivities might include, I wish you joy and peace and love this year.

Tomorrow is the official start to the 12 Days of Christmas.  I hope to post up a new card or project leading up to the 25th ~ the day that my family celebrates the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  For me, it truly is the most wonderful day of the year! 

NOW...

If you have crafty people on your shopping list, then you won't want to miss out on this special that starts TOMORROW!!!  When you spend $35 on products from the Autumn and Winter Idea Book, you can purchase the Whooo's Your Valentine Kit that has supplies to make 12 treat tubes!  Here is the adorable stamp set that comes with it (a $17.95 value!)

Check out the pic I took of mine...notice that shiny sheet of glitter paper?  NEW PRODUCT ALERT!!!  If you love our shimmer trim, you will not want to miss this paper!

Here is the link to my website if you want to check it out starting December 13th!   If you want to get your order delivered by Christmas, you must order by this Friday the 14th!!! 

mimimyselfandi.ctmh.com

Mojo Monday 270 Merry Christmas!

I haven't been doing too much crafting the last few days because of a nagging headache, but it let up a bit late last night so I took full advantage to get some things done around the house.  HA!!!  No I didn't!  I took full advantage to make my Mojo Monday card!  Hee, hee, come on, I totally have my priorities straight.  ;)

Here my card:

 and here is this week's sketch:

 I really had fun with this one.  The snowflake border and solid snowflake cut are on page 79 of the Artiste handbook.  I embossed the Cranberry Cardstock for the background with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Folder on my trusty old model red Sizzix machine.  Did you know that the size A2 embossing folders will work with this old machine?  If you have one, dig it out and put it to good use!  ;)  A little bit of sanding revealed the white core nicely. 

I really was anxious to use one of our BRAND NEW products in this card as well--Close to My Heart Glitter Paper!!!  I used it to mat my sentiment for some shine.  This is a sneak peak at one of our exciting new products coming in the Spring/Summer Idea Book.  You can actually even get this fabulous paper starting December 13th!  Details to follow below!  If you like our Shimmer Trim, then you will love this paper--it is the same texture and sparkle! 

I also added a glitter button from the Bohemian Assortment (retiring, so get yours while they last!) with a tiny bow of Black Waxy Flax.  Have you tried our Waxy Flax?  It is like Bendaroos for adults!  Soooo much fun!  I love using it for bows on buttons because it is super-easy to thread it through the button holes.

So, do you want to get your hands on some of this amazing Glitter Paper?  Starting Dec. 13th when you place an order of $35, you can get a 12 x 12 sheet of it in the Whooo's Your Valentine Kit to celebrate National Papercrafting Month!  Have a look!

The kit is only $10 and includes 12 die-cut boxes, 3-12 x 12 cardstock sheets (1 blush, 1 hollyhock, and one white daisy), 1 sheet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes, and an exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit. This kit offers you a sneak peek at two new Spring/Summer 2013 products: the treat tubes and the silver glitter paper!  This is a limited time offer and only available while supplies last, so don't wait!

Flakey Friends Christmas Cards

I am not quite ready for snow yet, but snowmen I can handle!  Here are a few of the Christmas Cards I have made using the Close to My Heart C1506 Flakey Friends My Acrylix Stamps.

These first two are made with the Wonderland Bulk paper from Close to My Heart which is retired.
I colored them in with our awesome Alcohol Ink Markers.  Then I added some Glitter Glitz to the snowy parts of the picture for some sparkle.  I used CC1015 Holiday Wishes for both sentiments.

The cardstock with my snowman friend is popped up with some foam tape for dimension.

Some shimmer trim was inevitable...

For the second card, I changed up the color scheme for the picture a bit and flipped the background paper to the other side.  A new sentiment gave the card whole new possibilities.

Here is that Glitter Glitz...

Finally, I wanted to do a more traditional color scheme.  I embossed our Sweet Leaf cardstock and sanded it to reveal the white core.  I LOVE using our cardstock to do this easy but powerful technique.  I stamped some White Daisy snowflakes onto Cranberry cardstock to break up the red.  The simple sentiment sums up my wish for the recipient.  It is from the D1492 Christmas Love My Acrylix set.

A bit of organdy ribbon and twine wrap this one up just perfectly!

You can find these adorable snowmen in my Etsy shop now just in time for Christmas or on my CTMH website to make your own!

And the winner is....

Time for me to announce the winner of my Black Friday sales!  Well, OK, it is past time so I won't make you wait any longer.   The winner is....


BETH OMAR!!!!  Congratulations, Beth!  Please let me know which WOTG you would like and I will get it right out to you!  :)

I have a few miscellaneous Christmas tags left to show you too...

I went a tad bit poinsettia happy the past month or so while making my wreath, lol.  Here is one of the first tags I made this season.

Next, I wanted some easy ones to mass produce for my gifts.

The shimmer trim sandwiches easily in between these two tag cuts on the cricut Art Philosophy collection.

I LOVE using my Gelly Roll Stardust pen to just add some sparkle to these...but it is tricky to photograph.  I drew along the lines in the middle of the star.

Are you making any Christmas tags this year?  :)

REMEMBER!!!!  I am hosting our Damask Divas Blog Hop giveaway this month!  You can enter to win this size B My Acrylix Stamp set, Blessings of Peace on the Damask Divas Blog HERE!  ENDS tomorrow, Wednesday, the 5th!  Hurry, and Good Luck!!!

UPDATE:  SO SORRY!  The giveaway said until Tuesday and I thought that included today.  :(  So sorry!

Damask Divas December Blog Hop ~ Pear and Partridge

Ho, Ho, Ho!  Welcome to the December edition of the Damask Divas Blog Hop!  This month we are showcasing our gorgeous Reds and Greens of the Pear and Partridge Paper Packet just in time for Christmas.  If you came from Mandy Leahy's Blog, then you are on the right path!

I decided to make decorations for my Christmas Wreath with the different B&T Duos from the Pear and Partridge Paper Packet.  I have been wanting to make poinsettias for this wreath since last year, and with the proper motivation of a blog hop, I finally did it!

All of the shapes for the decorations were cut from the Close to My Heart Art Philosophy and Artiste Cartridges.  For the first poinsettia, I layered different sized flower cuts on Cranberry Cardstock and a red patterned B&T Paper from Pear and Partridge using foam tape.  I also added a layer of White Daisy which is actually a snowflake cut.  I stamped an image from the Snowflake My Acrylix Stamp Set in Cranberry Exclusive Ink (dye ink.)  The center is fastened with a gold Shimmer Designer Brad.  These brads will be retiring next month, so get them while you can!

I dotted the points with Almond Glitter Glitz for some added sparkle and shine.

I made these two other poinsettias as well using the same supplies.  The leaves were super-fun to make and are another pattern paper from Pear and Partridge.  I used a stylus to "draw" the veins on the leaves, and then I colored over the impressions with my Ponderosa Pine and Olive Alcohol Markers to give it some depth.

I love how the foam tape placed at the outer edges of the petals gives the flowers more "POP!"  I sponged Cranberry Ink onto the edges of all the petals as well.

I also wanted to use other decorations on the wreath, so I strung up this pair of mittens.  This striped B&T (Background and Texture, in case you were wondering what that stands for...) is also in the Pear and Partridge Packet and looked great as a knit pair!  They have Shimmer Trim on the cuffs, and a cute little snowflake adorned with a big, clear sparkle on the body.  A length of Olive Baker's Twine holds them together.

What to do about a bow???  OF COURSE!  Our new Burlap Ribbon was the perfect choice for added visual interest.  I used liquid glass to form three 18" loops, and then wrapped a short piece around them in the middle.  The liquid glass is THE best adhesive to keep bigger embellishments in place.  After it dried, I attached it to the wreath with some thin wire.

One more space remained, so I decided to hang an ornament shape with more Baker's Twine for balance.  The image is also from the Snowflake My Acrylix and stamped in Cranberry Ink after cutting the coordinating shape on my Cricut Expression.  O Shimmer Trim, O Shimmer Trim, how silver are your sparkles...sing with me.  ;)  Come on, you knew I would add some, didn't you? 

I hope you have been inspired to create your own Christmas decor and paper projects using some of the products you have seen along our hop!  I only wish I had more time to make EVERYTHING that pops into my head!

DON"T FORGET to make sure you enter the Rafflecopter drawing on the Damask Divas page at the beginning of our hop!  I am giving away the beautiful Christmas My Acrylix set, Blessings of Peace.   This is a fabulous time of year to use it!

Don't miss your chance to win if your mailing address is in the USA!  :)

Your next stop along our merry hop is Melissa Thompson at My Love 4 Creativity.  I can't wait to see her gorgeous creation! Remember, if you get lost on our hop, just check the Damask Divas Blog for a list of participants.  :)

Christmas Tag Blog Hop!

Hey everyone!  Well, the leftover turkey and stuffing is gone, the tree is up, and the Christmas CD's have officially come out at my house.  Time to get ready for my favorite time of the year!  In celebration, some of the Damask Divas are having an impromptu Christmas tag blog hop to help you get ready!  

We are featuring something that EVERYONE needs at this time of the year--gift tags for Christmas packages!  So grab a cup of hot chocolate, sit back, and enjoy as we share our creations with you!

I went a little "tag happy" actually this year as it is my first Christmas with Close to My Heart.  I have made sooooo many, but blogged so few!  Here are a few of my faves that I made.  They are all created with cuts from the Cricut Art Philosophy or Artiste Cartridges along with other fabulous Close to My Heart products.

Artiste and Very Merry Christmas S1210

Art Philosophy and Holiday Wishes CC1015

 Shimmer Trim and Sparkles too!

Art Philosophy, Perfect Fit Frames D1527, and Countdown B1390

Art Philosophy, Snowflakes D1480, Universal Backgrounds D1477, and Very Merry Christmas S1210

Hmmmm...it is kind of crazy, but guess what I feel like doing now?  Making more Christmas tags!
Hop on off to see the other amazing creations while I get busy!  Thanks for hopping with us!

Your next stop is Traci Williams at Paper Crafting 101.

If you get lost along the way, here is a list of participating blogs:

Mimi, Myself, and I --you are here!

Paper Crafting 101 --your next stop!

Crafting with Carolyn

The Gypsy Chic

Cutesy and Sills Crafts

Creating Fun Crafts

Enjoy the fabulous creations!

Tag, You're It! Capture the Date!

Happy Cyber Monday!  I have been getting into the Christmas Spirit and making some festive projects.  Here is a simple, yet unforgettable tag to help you find your Christmas Mojo!   I used some retired Close to My Heart paper and ribbon that I just couldn't resist stocking up on when they left.  BUT, I also used current products including this month's Stamp of the Month, Capture the Date.

The snowflake is cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge available exclusively through your Independent Consultant (like me!)  I used the Snowflakes My Acrylix Stamp set to stamp the image that perfectly fit the shape my cricut cut out.  This snowflake looks fantastic with the paper in our  Sky Ink.  I love adding the Bitty Sparkles to just about anything this time of year!

Guess what?  You can get the Stamp of the Month I used for this tag right now for only $5 with a $50 purchase from my website!  Guess what else?  You can also get ANY stamp set of your choice for 1/2 off when you do!  AND GUESS WHAT ELSE???  My Black Friday sale is STILL ON!!!  Check this out!

Spend $25-$34.99 before tax----------------->   Get a free Monogram Stamp of your choice A-Z!

Spend $35-$49.99 before tax-------------------->  Get a free Ink Pad of your choice!

Spend $50-$74.99 before tax------------------------>  Get a free size A stamp set of your choice!  OR GET YOUR STAMP OF THE MONTH SET FREE!!!! (contact me to place your order!) PLUS you qualify to get the Stamp of the Month: Capture the Date for only $5 if you don't take it as the free item PLUS any other Stamp Set for only HALF PRICE when you do!!!

Spend $75-$99.99 before tax-------------------->  Get a FREE Paper Packet or size B Stamp Set of your choice, PLUS you can add the Stamp of the Month, Capture the date for only $5 and any other stamp set for HALF OFF when you do!

Spend $100-$149.99 before tax------------------------------>  Get a free size C stamp set of your choice!!  PLUS you can add up to two Stamp of the Month, Capture the date sets for only $5 each and any other stamp set for HALF OFF when you do!

 Spend $150 or more before tax----------------------------->  Get a FREE size D stamp set of your choice,  $25 of qualifying hostess rewards, AND you can add up to three Stamp of the Month, Capture the date sets for only $5 each and any other stamp set for HALF OFF when you do!!!  YOU MUST contact me directly to order so that you can receive your free hostess rewards!!!  You can find my contact information on my website.

BUT WAIT!  There's MORE!!!  Every person who orders through "Amie's Christmas Card Workshop" link on my Close to My Heart website will be entered to win a FREE Workshop on the Go of their choice!!!  Yep!!!  I will draw the name on Sunday, December 2nd and announce the winner on my blog, right here!

WHEW!!!  You may place your orders directly through my website (unless the offer says to contact me) and remember to join Amie's December Christmas Card Workshop to qualify for the drawing above.   Click HERE to do this now.   I will contact you personally for your free item choice as outlined above.  If you are coming to my Christmas Card Workshop, bring your wish list and I will get it all taken care of there (as well as enter you in the drawing.)  I am so excited to be a business owner on my very first Cyber Monday!  ;)  I hope you all enjoy your shopping and saving, and good luck in the drawing!