Ready Made Card Kits

Here is a great way to see what Close To My Heart offers now in ready made card kits and treat bags for the upcoming holidays! I have used these kits and love the quality and value!

 

If you'd like these products, contact me today!

Boy's Monster Birthday Party

As a woman (a girl really) I find it easier to plan and understand what a little girl might want in a birthday party. And because my two youngest are only 14 months apart, I alternate who gets to have a "big" birthday party every year. So, this year was Oliver's turn. He is turning 8! Here are some pictures from the monster birthday party he had last weekend.

The eyes on the water bottles was an easy and fun way to carry the theme all the way through the party

This is the piñata I made. I am just to cheap to buy them when I can make one for about $3.00. I picked orange because I like the bright colors for this party.

 

Even the cake was "Monster." I asked the bakery to make me a "hairy" cake and they did a fantastic job! I attached a paper eye I made to a popsicle stick and cut to the correct height.  The mouth I cut out of black cardstock.

 

We played "pin the eye on the monster" so I painted a bright purple monster on a large piece of cardboard. This picture shows the monster when it is not quite done.

One of the gathering games (games or activities you do while your guests are arriving) was to guess how many eyes were in the jar. I dyed the rice using vinegar and food coloring. When dry, I added it to a mason jar and added eye. No one guessed even close! There were 55 eyes in this jar.

 

We had a fun time even though it took time and planning. The best part of the day is when Oliver said, "This was the best day ever." Boy does that make it all worth it!

 

A New Type of Kissing

This video is awesome at explaining a showing how to "kiss" two stamps together to add so many possibilities to your stamping projects! Check it out!

 

 

Embossing Tools

IF you have ever thought of embossing but didn't really know how, here is a super simple how to. For you DIY-ers out there, this is a great way to kick those homemade cards up a notch!

Homemade Thank You Card

 

 

The new Close To My Heart annul Idea Book is out! One new item is really nice for those of us who lack time in our busy lives to be creative. Cut Above Kits have every thing you need to make homemade thank you cards as well as other cards and treat bags. This is my example of the Cut Above homemade thank you card.

 

 

Most items you need come in the kit and are precut. This thank you card kit includes the card base and envelope as well as the 3 different banners. Also, there are foam pop up squares and bakers twine. All that you need to provide is the stamps and ink. A pigment based ink is best for the black banner. I used White Daisy (z2163)

 

So, how much for this Cut Above Thank You Card Kit is $10.95 USD. That is just $1.10 for each card. So, if you are looking for a quick creative fix, I'd recommend making these homemade thank you cards!

 

All-Star Scrapbooking

Necklace Workshop

 

This is the first time I have attempted to make a piece of jewelry from the Close To My Heart Spring catalog. I was a little intimidated, but in the end pleasantly surprised at how simple the steps were to do (and do correctly).

I pick the top right image of an opened birdcage. These are all stickers so once you choose

your picture, it's just peel and stick.

  I chose the square shaped pendant in antique gold. Since all the stickers are square I thought this would make my first time easier not having to trim to fit the round pendant. Liquid Glass is the preferred adhesive. It dries clear and  relatively quick.

 Sorry the picture is sideways... Then I chose which charms I wanted with my birdcage.  I chose out of the Free Thinker and the Dreamer Charms.

 These glass covers go over the sticker once you place it into the pendant. The glass is a nice way to make the piece look polished and professional. The Liquid Glass will help adhere the glass to the sticker in the pendant.

Here are my choices. I thought I would put a few on one side and one on the other. 

 You can see that I changed my mind and put all the charms on one side. I like the look of it and feel like it is very hip and fresh.

 

I will be holding a necklace workshop in April. Contact me if you are interested in participating or have items shipped to you so that you too can join in the fun!

 

 

 

Awesome Embellishments

I love the sparkle from these embellishments!

Pure Joy of Washi Tape

Picture My Life Scrapbooking Program

Washi Post Cards

 

 Obviously my new word is "Washi." I just can't get over how beautiful and easy to use this tape is. Most of this tape is Happy Tape with a few pieces being sold by Close To My Heart. I just love the quality for the cost. I love to get a bargain. This blue post card is my favorite. I love the pinks and reds of Valentine's Day, but the blue just hits me as soothing and beautiful.

 

 These two are different styles using almost the same tapes.

 

 

 

 I usually enjoy browns A LOT - Ask anyone who has been to my house... But, I may have over done the browns on this post card. Next time I think I'll leave a bit of white at the top and bottom.

 

 So here are the 4 cards all together. I love the simplicity. Not to fussy but a lot of fun!

Simple Valentine's Day Gifts

 

This cute Valentine's day gift is called a sour cream cup. These are simple and inexpensive and can be filled with anything you chose. Not only are these great for a teacher's gift but for just about any holiday needing an inexpensive gift with a homemade touch!

This one with the Washi Tape is my personal favorite.

 

I made 5 different colors for the 5 ladies I work with at the preschool.

 These are 4-1/2 x 6 inches. I glued along the 4-1/2 side first and let dry well. It will be shaped like
a toilet paper tube.

 

Then I glued one of the 6" sides. Then I filled them - I pick Hershey's kisses to go inside.

Do not over fill as it makes it very hard to glue up the other end.

Glue last side going opposite of the first 6" side and decorate with Washi Tape or any other embellishments.

If you plan on stamping on the paper, do so before you construct the cup.

Happy Valentine's Day with Happy Tape

So, Washi Tape or Happy Tape is becoming B.I.G. I did several Valentine's Day cards and other items with Washi. Here are some Valentines I made for my children. I also made 15 more just like these for my preschool class.

 

 

 Here is what my current stash of Happy Tape looks like.

 

 Here is a Valentine's day letter from my children to their grandma. Happy Tape makes this envelope pop with color.

 Here is the close-up of the back of the envelope.

Crush On You!

Who's The Boss?

 

Well, this product isn't out yet. It will be soon. Our new Spring/Summer Idea Book goes live

on February 1st, 2014. There are a lot a new cool items.

How does Close To My Heart do it?

I don't know, but I LOVE it!

 

New - Embossing Folders!

Here is a sample project made with one of the folders.

There are 5 embossing folders available. Don't know what that is...

...it is clear pattered folders into which you put your paper and run it

through an embossing machine. Your paper comes

 out textured and tantalizing! These folders measure 5x7 and

work with most embossing machines.

Theses cute patterns are easily repeatable for larger projects as well.

At $8.95 per folder this is an inexpensive way to add a little

something to your next project.

That's all of a sneak peek you get today!

Enjoy

 

*let me know if  you'd like the new Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book*

 



I Love Love!

 

I was inspired to make this simple Valentine's Day card from a card

I saw on Pinterest. What a fun and easy way to use up your scraps.

The heart is slightly folded and glues only on the fold.

This gives it a 3D type feel.

The Washi Tape makes this project feel very

hip and trendy.

 

 

On this card, I put some of the scraps on an angle to add visual interest.

I stamped "love" and added pearl embellishments.

 

 Here is the 1st card without any embellishments. 

 

What are you doing to tell those close to you that you love them this Valentine's Day?

 Comment below.

Celebrate With Me!

 

You can get an exclusive Cloud Nine cardmaking kit for $15 (retail value $46) with a qualifying purchase of $35 or more (excluding tax and shipping) during January in celebration of National Papercrafting Month. Make 10 adorable cards (2 each of 5 designs) with funky messages to put any recipient on cloud nine! You can add one cardmaking kit for every $35 in your order*.

It comes complete - 1 – My Acrylix™ Cloud Nine Stamp Set (D-size) 1 – Cloud Nine B&T Duos™ Paper 1 – Lagoon Cardstock Sheet 1 – Honey Cardstock Sheet 1 – 9" µ 9½" White Daisy Die-Cuts Sheet 1 Roll – Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape 1 Roll – Teal Shimmer Trim 1 Package – Durables Triangle Studs† 10 – Card Bases & Envelopes 1 – Instructional Brochure Featured colors: Lagoon, Sunset, Honey, White Daisy.

What a steal of a deal.

Come celebrate National Papercrafting Month with me!

Love Is In The Air

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is right around the corner.

 I love to make homemade cards with the kids. They love the glue and the glitter and stickers and time with mom. This year, I have some new toy to play with. If you read my last post,

 you know that I received a sewing machine for Christmas. So, on to the sewing projects.

 I have yet to sew on real cloth, I just keep sewing on my paper projects.

 Here I cut hearts with my Cricut. I cut many of the same size and took two and started to sew them together. When I was about 3/4 of the way around the heart, I stuffed in a tissue with scissors to really work it in there. Then I finished sewing the heart closed.

Then I added smaller hearts that were also cut on the Cricut.

 

Then I added embellishments.

The kids will add the sentiments.

Super easy!

I could become addicted to this sewing on paper thing.

 

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Is That What I Think It Is?

Is that what I think it is? Yes, that is what I said when I opened this Christmas gift from my oldest son, Lincoln. Now, some of you who know me know that I DON'T sew. But, I have seen many examples on Pinterest and in the Close To My Heart Idea book of sewing on paper. Wow, it looks incredible and adds a little something more to the cards and scrapbook pages.

 

So, here it is. A Brother. Simple and easy for me to learn on.

Sooooo exited!

 

 

Here is the 1st project I have used the machine on.

 

 Here is a close-up of the stitching detail. Sorry it is upside down.

 

I didn't want it to be perfect, I wanted to see the stitching so I made sure NOT to overlap as I went back and forth with the machine.

 

I would love to see your ideas and projects where you use a sewing machine to embellish.

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