Close to My Heart

Club Night – Left overs

Once a month a great group of ladies haul their crafting tools and supplies to the church and create some beautiful artwork.   For the past several months the project I have provided comes from CTMH (close to my heart) Insider guides and their choice of bulk papers and cardstock from my stash.   Each insider guide is designed for creating 10 cards.  So my girls either pair up and split the set with a friend,  or if no one else wanted the same paper,  I got the other half of the set.  So,  the following few posts will be my use of those shared packs.  The first set comes from the Urban Insider Guide.   Urban_IG_ImageUrban_Creative_IG

This first set of cards use the For Always bulk paper. foralways01

 foralways02 foralways06 foralways05The stamp sets used are both older stamps of the month so they aren’t available,  but I’m sure you can find something that will work for you!   The last set of cards of were colored using the watercolor paints. (So much fun!)

Happy Crafting!

Spring Break

It is spring break in Michigan,  but it looks like we are heading into Christmas!   With the kids home and too many projects to be done,  I have not found much crafting time.  And,  the crafting time I did find I can’t post the photos yet as they are projects for my upcoming craft retreat.   Don’t want to post any spoilers.

So,  I will leave you with enticement of some new artwork,  and reassurance that I am finding more of my studio table so I’ll have loads of future artwork to share with you.

Happy Crafting!

Ground Hog’s Day

Ground Hog’s Day and Phil didn’t see his shadow.  I heard on the radio that is only the 18th time since the mid 1800s.  (that seems awfully low,  maybe I heard it wrong?)

This month is support Operation Smile.   If you purchase the Share the Love stamp set  (only available during February)  or Animal Greetings,  $7 will be given to Operation Smile.  Either stamp costs only $17.95 with $7 going to a great organization.

AnimalGreetings ShareTheLove

I have used and love the Animal Greetings stamp set several times and have even managed to show photos on this blog.   DSC_0031a DSC_0030 DSC_0029 DSC_0028 DSC_0027 DSC_0037 DSC_0036A great addition to any crafter,  but especially a card maker.   I haven’t used Share the Love yet as it just arrived last Thursday and the kids were off school until today.  (Also why My blog is a day late in being updated.  opps!)

Happy Crafting and support Operation Smile!

Die Cuts – Love it or Leave it?

Yes I have an electronic embossing machine.   I love it.  I use it often.   That being said,  I have not once used a die in my machine.  My plates are clear without blemish,  or should I say my plates were clear. . .    Please pause for a moment of silence.

lit-candleThank you.

Now that I have come to terms with the marring of my once pristine plates I can tell you about the new Thin Cuts that Close to my heart released!

There are four designs of Thin Cuts that correspond to four stamp sets.

Thin-cut-AnchorMy Anchor Thin Cuts Z3202Stuck on You Thin Cuts Z3200

 Thin-cut-critters

Spring Critters Thin Cuts Z3207Thin-Cuts-Springtime-

  Springtime Wishes Thin Cuts Z3201

Thin-cut-Stuck

Stuck on You Thin Cut Z3200

So,  you see how many different dies you get with each set.   The leaves from Springtime Wishes have already gotten used many, many times.   Oh,  did I mention the price?   Each is only $13.95.  That seems great to me.

So,  want to see the stamp sets that correspond to these dies?   Me too!

Stamp-MyAnchor

My Anchor Stamp Set – C1642 (13.95)

Stamp-SpringCritters

Spring Critters Stamp Set – C1638 ($13.95)

Stamps-Springtime-Wishes

Springtime Wishes Stamp Set – C1641 ($13.95)

Stamp-StuckOnYou

Stuck on You Stamp Set – C1643 ($13.95)

I just love all the sentiments and fun puns CTMH has included with these sets.   Make putting together a quick card easy and fun.

Consultants were invited to a workshop your way event on Dec 5th.  I was able to attend thanks to two CTMH sisters who toted me and my stuff around and allowed me to continue to heal after surgery and join in the fun.  We did the Charlotte Workshop your way (WYW).  It was fun.  The cards from the WYW use the Springtime Wishes sets and having the Thin Cuts made them oh so easy!

CharlotteWYW-cards

So,  for me,  I started hesitantly down this new road of crafting (I have a gypsy and cricut after all).   Now that I’ve made the first step(s),  I am loving die cutting and the thin cuts that are paired perfectly with the stamps.   If you try them,  I would love to hear your opinion!

Happy Crafting!

New Year – New Product

There is just so much I am excited about this month.  First of all the Stamp of the Month is super cute and I love, love, love  multi layered stamps.   So looking forward to finding my craft desk again and being able to play with it.   Here is what part of my craft desk looks like currently.  (Hubby saw me taking a photo and asked if I was going to post the items as a “lot” on ebay.  Good thing he’s cute.)  For the few that know me,  this is not a normal situation for me.  I have been treading water for months now,  and the fall vendor schedule paired with holidays and surgery has taken me under!   I will emerge again,  might not be this week.

carfttable-janFor now I’ll share the generic images and tell you what I hope to do soon!

belovedbouquet_imageSo,  first of all,  the “baby’s Breath” branch is going to add to many of my random stamping sheets in the future.  I just know it.  Also,  the details in the flowers and leaves should make whipping up a quick thinking of you card easy!    (I got a MISTI – most important stamp tool invented,  and I look forward to creating several cards with this stamp set and the MISTI tool!)

Beloved Bouquet

Beloved Bouquet

A couple more images of artwork,  then I need to say goodbye so I can get some bookwork done before I start afternoon Mom duties.

02 – Sarita L3

02 – Sarita L3

1601-sotm-artworkI really like the pairing of the black and white (La Vie En Rose).  Don’t you just love the depth of  the two step stamps?

Happy Crafting.