Swan Lake Drapery Fold Card

Admit it...we all like to have an easy button for something, am I right?  I know I sure do!  Especially when it comes to getting my craft on these days--easy is MUCH more likely to happen, lol.

One of the MANY perks I adore about being a Close to My Heart Consultant (besides the obvious discount on all my goodies, of course) is all the AMAZING support we receive from corporate!  Take, for instance, this time saving idea for a workshop class that was provided to consultants...making a popular drapery fold card! All the instructions and measurements are provided, so I just added a bit of my creativity!

Ink colors used: Goldrush, Cocoa

I used my favorite double-sided pattern in the Swan Lake Paper Packet and the Blessed Beyond Measure My Acrylix stamp set that is the September Stamp of the Month.  It is only available on my website for ONE more day, so scoop it up if you like it!  Those gorgeous leaves are cut from the Artbooking Cartridge on my Cricut Explore.  The sizes are listed right on the carrier sheet of the stamp set to make it EASY, just like I love!

Here is another easy-button idea for you when making your own drapery fold cards...

This little tip makes assembly THAT much easier!

One Pumpkin, Two Ways!

I haven't had too much time to get crafty lately, but I did manage to sneak in some playtime with the Close to My Heart Blessed Beyond Measure September Stamp of the Month.

Here are two ways to make a rich golden pumpkin for your autumn crafts!

The first way is to cut the shapes out using the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge from Close to My Heart that coordinates with the stamp set.  I cut the two shapes in Goldrush and White Daisy.  Then I used Fern and Goldrush inks to add a bit of color with my daubers.

The second way is to stamp the pumpking image using some "rock and roll!"  This time I stamped the entire pumpkin in NEW Tangerine ink...then rolled the outside edges in Goldrush.  Finally, I went back to use the dauber to add a bit more layers of ink.  I adore how easy this is to do!

Just a few more days to grab this beautiful autumn-themed My Acrylix Stamp of the Month in September!

Swan Lake with Attitude

It's finally finished!!!  I started this layout last month after playing around with the Purr-fect Halloween Stamp of the Month for August...and then hit a wall with no time to finish.  My sister finally showed me how to use my ShinHan markers to make a beautiful Birman version of the cat image, which was quite the improvement on my first attempts.  After that, I just needed TIME! 

Our sweet girl, Willow!

I ended up using the Swan Lake Papers and Complements for this layout in a way I never quite expected. Do you see the 4 Picture My Life cards I used?  One of them is matting a pic at the top middle of the page, two are sticking out right behind that one, and the fourth is used as a journaling box!

I didn't need the swans anyway!

I simple adore the Thin Cuts Hearts in any color!  Here I used the Rustic Home Fundamentals Kraft paper, and even added a bit of glitter with the new CTMH Shimmer Brush!  I cannot say enough about this amazing new product!  You can use it as-is to add a bit of sparkle...OR...add some ink to create lots of colored shimmer!

The Swan Lake Compliments include a touch of gold glimmer...and I dug out an oldie but goodie--White Marquee Enamel Shapes!

The Complements also have several title stickers that are FANTASTIC for layouts!  I snipped the "G" in one of them to turn "Gratitude" into "Cat-itude!" It was a great little stumble onto the perfect addition to my layout!  :)

Don't worry!  I am still full of gratitude! Thanks for stopping in today!  ;)

This week only!!!

Don't miss the Create Kindness Kit--there are less than 1000 left!!!

CTMH Perpetual Calendar: July, August, and September!

Hmmmmm, I was browsing my picture folder tonight to see what I have left to post and realized I never shared my Close to My Heart Perpetual Calendar pages for July, August, OR September!  Sorry about that!  A lot of what I used is retired product, but you can still use the general idea if it inspires you!  Plus, I have a feeling I am not the only one who still has a few older CTMH products sitting around...lol.

July is a combination of old chevron embellies, part of an overlay cut from the Cricut Artbooking Cartridge, and a beautiful Picture My Life Card.  The Brave Enamel Shapes  and Sparkle Chevron Shapes are available on clearance now!

This particular month of the year I happened to receive one of the best gifts ever!  One of my sisters!  :)

August turned out to be pretty simple and fabulous!  I used an old stamp of the month (June 2015, Ice Cream Dream) along with black glitter paper!

I adore the simple chalkboard look!  And I sort of fell head over heals for the whole "hashtag" thing too, lol!

 September is another easy-peasy design using one of the CTMH Picture My Life cards, some retired (waaaaaaaah!) teal shimmer trim, and a CUTE little retired Chalk It Up puffy sticker.

Bueller.....Bueller.....Bueller...........classic!

Thanks for popping in to read my blog today!  Hope you were able to get some good ideas for your own perpetual calendar!  :)

Blessed Beyond Measure

Happy after Labor Day Weekend!

It was a pretty frustrating and disappointing weekend for us, but I finally got to squeeze in a bit more craftiness after dealing with the emotions of my oldest going back to college (again!), school germs that finally struck, and something totally new to me...poison ivy!  Apparently it comes with the territory when you don't really have much experience weeding and such out in the country, lol.  Still dealing with it, unfortunately. 

The good news is that it is a brand new month, and a brand new limited edition Stamp of the Month from Close to My Heart!  The beautiful images on this set coordinate with the Cricut Artbooking Collection.  Plus, a little bit of crafty therapy is always good for the crafter's soul, especially with this particular set, Blessed Beyond Measure...

I didn't attach the leaves...I will be using them on the layout when I print my pics.

I did a bit of simple sponging in Goldrush with my daubers over the cricut-cut leaves.  It was the perfect background for this little reminder to myself.  I sized it to be 3 x 4 and will use it in a pocket page from the Picture My Life collection.  The layout will encompass pics from this unfortunate weekend...but it will also reminded me to focus on being grateful for the things we aren't struggling with!

One way to remember to be grateful is to spread some kindness!  This month, Close to My Heart has JUST the ticket to help you do it!  The Create Kindness card kit includes all you need to send out some smiles...and you can't do that without forming one yourself!  Check out all the details HERE on my website!