Santa's Workshop

For the past few years, I have done a workshop where my friends' kids can come to create small gifts for teachers, grandparents, neighbors and their friends.  These little elves, believe it or not, are mostly boys.  Since I have two girls, it is great fun to get to watch the creative processes of these guys.  Well, this year, the workshop will be open again this weekend.  (If you are in the Bothell, WA area and want to attend, email me for more information). 

Here are a couple of the items we will be making.  Of course, I was able to get some of these ideas from Pinterest.  (That's another post itself.)

Wishing you opportunities to create with the elves during you holiday season!
Michele

An Awesome Ride

My husband earned an awesome trip to Banff with his company.  Part of the reward was the opportunity to choose from different activities.  We chose white water rafting along with many others from the group.  Our guide Martin made the trip wonderful as we hit the white water on the Kananaskis River running from a glacier.  We were fully suited in gear and still got soaked.  At the end of the trip, we had the opportunity to jump in the water.  Well, I did it and then immediately was pulled back into the boat.  It was freezing!  But that ride was awesome.

Dreamin’ paper packet is versatile.  This is just one of the many creations I have made using this paper.  “Water” is made using the Trinity alphabet.  The lowercase letters come in three different sizes in one stamp set.  Also very versatile. 

Share it with your family & friends: Black Friday Sale!

As you sit down with family and friends this weekend, share CTMH and collect orders together for the "More for your money" sale.  Details are below. 
Here’s the deal:
When you place a $99 order (before shipping and tax) with me between 6:00 AM Thursday November 24th and 11:00 PM Sunday, November 27th, you will get to choose $20 in additional product for free! And, you can also get the stamp of the month for $5. And, your name will be put in a drawing to receive half off one additional item or hostess bundle. All orders need to be placed through me by email or phone.

Need some ideas?

Purchase the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge for yourself or as a gift and choose $20 in stamp sets that have coordinating cartridge cuts or other product on your wish list.

Gather $99 in orders from your friends and family, and you choose the $20 in “gifts” for yourself.

Planning to “catch up” on some scrapbooking in the new year? Purchase a Studio J membership ($30 - $99) and then schedule a personal tutorial time with me to get started.

Add some personalized stamp sets to your gift list. These run between $5.95 and $9.95 and come with a 1 x 3 1/2 inch block. You can choose from six different fonts, add an icon if you like and have up to 4 lines on the stamp. Paper crafters enjoy “signing” their creations with a “Handmade by…” stamp. Children like to have a name stamp and an address stamp is great for a family or individual. Choose their favorite color ink pad and you have a great stocking stuffer.

January is a great time to get organized. Purchase a Inks Organizer $69.95, Acrylix Stamp Set Organizer $12.95,and/or Accessories Case $12.95 and you will have what you need to start your organization in January.

Start planning your Thanksgiving weekend purchases and share this event with your friends. And just a reminder, all orders need to be place through me by phone or email.

Mini Album Madness

I love creating mini albums.  They are fast, simple, easy and oh so satisfying.  I made this album from the 6x6 Kraft card set.  The scalloped edges add a soft touch to the kraft texture.  We invited the “F” Family to join us at our cabin during Labor Day weekend.  It was so fun to “play” with their family on the lake.  This album is for them to keep and write their memories.

Other items used to create this album:

Dreamin’ paper packet, Trinity alphabet stamp set, Harvest Happiness stamp set (border).  Photo mats cut on the Cricut. 

Need a gift idea?

Make it a calendar!  These Studio J pages were created with the intention of using both pages of each layout to create a calendar.  I have printed these and will attach them to the Close to My Heart 12x12 calendar.  But with a Studio J membership, I also have the option of purchasing a jpg or using the jpg that comes with the layout purchase and I can use another digital source to actually print the calendar. 

If you want help with this idea, feel free to contact me to set up a personal consultation.  I would love to help you create your calendar.  Or you can try it on your own…HERE!

April calendar page

January calendar page

Cricut: Ideas for delivering those little gifts and dressing those packages

During this workshop, you will learn how to use the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to create bags, tags, and boxes for you holiday giving.  These small bags & boxes are perfect for little goodies, homemade treats and gift cards.  You will create two bags, two boxes, 10 tags and one bow!  The bow is a bonus item and you will have a worksheet to take with you and create more at home.  Workshop fee:  $10   Can't make it Tuesday, November 22nd evening?  I am repeating the same class on Thursday Dec 1st. at 10 a.m.  Contact me to RSVP.  Workshop samples below. 

A Day of Thanks

As Thanksgiving approaches, I created these cards for the senior center workshop.  I have to say, my senior group does not like to cut out images.  This has been a challenge for me because I often create a card with an image cut out.  The Cricut has saved me!  I am able to create cards with more interest and design but with ease in assembly!  Here are two of the cards we created last month!

These cards are made using the Dreamin’ paper packet, Remarkable Wreath stamp set, and Treasure Life stamp set. 

Thanksgiving Special: More for your Money

I am getting right in there with the big guys and having a fun special during the Thanksgiving weekend.  You can get more for your money when you shop Close to My Heart from me, for your Christmas projects and gifts.

Here’s the deal:

When you place a $99 order (before shipping and tax) with me between 6:00 AM Thursday November 24th and 11:00 PM Sunday, November 27th, you will get to choose $20 in additional product for free!  And, you can also get the stamp of the month for $5.  And, your name will be put in a drawing to receive half off one additional item or hostess bundle.  All orders need to be placed through me by email or phone. 

Need some ideas? 

• Purchase the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge for yourself or as a gift and choose $20 in stamp sets that have coordinating cartridge cuts or other product on your wish list. 
• Gather $99 in orders from your friends and family, and you choose the $20 in “gifts” for yourself.
• Planning to “catch up” on some scrapbooking in the new year?  Purchase a Studio J membership ($30 - $99) and then schedule a personal tutorial time with me to get started. 
• Add some personalized stamp sets to your gift list.  These run between $5.95 and $9.95 and come with a 1 x 3 1/2 inch block.  You can choose from six different fonts, add an icon if you like and have up to 4 lines on the stamp.  Paper crafters enjoy “signing” their creations with a “Handmade by…” stamp.  Children like to have a name stamp and an address stamp is great for a family or individual. Choose their favorite color ink pad and you have a great stocking stuffer.
• January is a great time to get organized.  Purchase a Inks Organizer $69.95, Acrylix Stamp Set Organizer $12.95,and/or Accessories Case $12.95 and you will have what you need to start your organization in January. 

Start planning your Thanksgiving weekend purchases and share this event with your friends.   And just a reminder, all orders need to be place through me by phone or email. 

Studio J Layouts: A great way to catch up

Don’t get me wrong, I love classic scrapbooking.  It’s my job and I love it!  But sometimes it is so satisfying to sit down and get a set of pages done in thirty minutes.  No mess, no clean up, just pure satisfaction!  Did you know about the Studio J blog?  Close to My Heart shares art and tips that support your play!  Visit the blog here. 

Retiring Items

The following items will be retiring from the Close to My Heart Product line.  If any of these are a favorite of yours, I recommend that you order today! 

Color-Ready products:
• X1406 Color-Ready Hodge Podge Alphabet
• X5749 Color-Ready Oxford Alphabet

8 1/2" x 11" cardstock:
• X1411 8 1/2" x 11" Colonial White Cardstock
• X1412 8 1/2" x 11" Black Cardstock

Brayer:
• Z616 Rubber Brayer

Eyelets:
• Z1228 Soft Set Eyelets Black & White Daisy Collection
• Z1229 Soft Set Eyelets Chocolate & Colonial White Collection
• Z1208 Soft Set Eyelet Tool
• Z1245 Eyelet Tool Replacement Punches

Retreat Results

That’s a funny way of say “look what I made.”  Last weekend was the scrapbook retreat I host on Whidbey Island.  I think I need to change the name…I did very little scrapbooking but I created many different projects.  It was so much fun!
Here is my favorite project and I like it even better now that it is hung in my home. 

To create this banner, I used the CTMH My Creations Banner, distressed colonial white cardstock with a woodgrain background stamp (the name is not coming to me right now), and cut the letters from the Cricut. 
I got this idea from a posting on Pinterest.  Have you discovered Pinterest? 

Cherish the Day

A Thanksgiving Card using the Dreamin’ paper packet, Harvest Happiness stamp set and the stamp of the month.  The great thing is that the leaves and the tickets are cut on the Cricut!  Cut the leaves and ticket, stamp image on the shape, and attach to the card.

Here’s another piece made using the stamp of the month as well as the Cricut.  Layered together, it make a tag for a holiday package.
The stamp set contains a specific ticket for every month of the year as well as the calendar dates to personalize a card and add details to your scrapbook pages.

Take a closer look at the artwork and the supplies used here. 

Purchase your set today by contacting me or shopping here.