Getting the most out of your inks and stamps

Learn about generational stamping, coloring in stamped images, and creating your own stamped pattern by going back to the basics for results you’ll love!

One last snowflake

One last snowflake card from my December Card class.  For the center of this one, I used one of our clear buttons, “painted” the back side with Stardust Glitz Glitter gel and then when it was dry, attached it to the center with a glue dot.

The clear buttons are in the “while supplies last” section of my website.  I have also used liquid glass to adhere a piece of paper behind the clear button when I needed something to coordinate with a project.  I love their versatility.  Order them while you can!

Inspired by Brenda Rose

Life is Good

I was looking back at my photos and realized there is a group of artwork that I never shared with you! 

I created a set of Clementine cards using the patterns from the Clementine Workshop on the Go bonus project.  Instead of stamping the flower images, I used the Cottage Assortment fabric flowers and then stamp my sentiments.  I love how they turned out. 

FYI, this last one felt like it had too much white space so when I taught my class, I added the mini floral print from the paper and it brightened it up just right!

Here’s the details!

Whooo’s your Valentine kit is available through January 31st and is only $10 with a $35 purchase.  The video below shows you what is included in the kit.  Need a list of products that will help you create with this kit or add onto it?  Look no further.

Inks, $5.25 each: Slate (Z2173), Ruby (Z2170), Hollyhock (Z2128)

Blocks: 2x2 Block (Y1003) $6.50, 31/2 x 1 Block (Y1002) $5.95

Treat Cups (Z1778) $3.95 (made additional treat cards with left over paper)

Glue Dots (1772) $7.50 (great for adhering the rosettes and other embellishments to the tubes)

Perfect Fit

Use our Perfect Fit stamp sets featuring frames, sentiments, and images that fit together to create a fashionable message or accent. Pair your sentiment or image with a gift box made using our Cricut^® Artiste cartridge for a sweet surprise for neighbors and friends!

Do you like a White Christmas?

Some years I long for a white Christmas.  This year, not so much.  Maybe it is because we have lots of traveling to do.  But I do love to celebrate the shimmer of snow with glitter!

Here’s another snowflake card that we made in the card class this week.   

Inspired by Brenda Rose

Year Round Cheer

This cheerful D-size stamp set includes month after month of fresh, whimsical images for your seasonal and holiday projects all year. From Father’s Day to Thanksgiving, there is an image in the Year-Round Cheer stamp set that is perfect for the occasion you want to celebrate. You can snatch this treasure up for a mere $5 with your qualifying $50 order this month only, so be sure to get your order in!  Remember Year Round Cheer is only available through December 31st. 

  “Fresh start” is for January.  I love the detail of the snowflake.  I stamped it in Slate ink and then added Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel.  (You can’t really see it in this photo.) 

My tree was cut using the “Dotty for You” paper packet that was a special last spring.  The sweet leaf green polka dots feel like a “fresh start” for me! 

If you want to see other artwork created with the December Stamp of the Month, take a hop through this blog hop. 

To get your own set, you can purchase it on my website for $17.95 or just $5 when you place a $50 order! 

Inspired by Brenda Rose

Beginning December 13th, combine this special with the Special Paper Craft Kit, Whoo’s Your Valentine, for just $10.  To see more details about this special, see the previous post. 

Coming soon! “Whooo’s Your Valentine”

In the midst of one of the most festive times of the year, Close To My Heart is giving you one more thing to celebrate. January is National Papercrafting Month, and we want to get things started early with the special “Whooo’s Your Valentine” kit! This kit is especially designed for Valentine’s Day gift-giving in and out of the classroom, but of course can be used for any variety of occasions. The “Whooo’s Your Valentine” kit includes:

• 12 – Die-Cut Boxes (3 each of 4 colors: White Daisy, Blush, Hollyhock, Ruby)
• 3 – 12" × 12" Cardstock Sheets (White Daisy, Blush, Hollyhock)
• 1 – Sheet Silver Glitter Paper — new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
• 12 – Treat Tubes with Lids — new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
• 1 – My Acrylix^® Whooo’s Your Valentine Stamp Set (D-size) Stay tuned for a photo

This kit, featuring an adorable exclusive stamp set as well as two “sneak peak” items from the 2013 Spring/Summer Idea Book — the treat tubes and the silver glitter paper — has a full retail value of $40, but it can be yours for just $10 when you spend $35 on other Close To My Heart products from the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book. I know now you’re just wondering when you can get your hands on one — well, you can order yours beginning December 13, 2012.  Pencil the date on your calendar so you don’t miss this special. 

Cluster Stamping

Embellish a page or card with a cluster. You can create a clustered look with multiple stamp images for a cute and coordinated design!  The versatility of CTMH clear acrylic stamps is a bonus for your creativity. 

Barn Star Addict!

If you have ever been in my house, you know that I love barn stars.  They grace my walls in all different sizes, most of them the "traditional" rusty brown color.  Close to My Heart came out the with My Creations Star this fall and I love it!  The option to easily decorate the star with paper, stamps, and embellishments makes this items affordable and versatile.  Here is my Christmas Star covered with Pear & Partridge Paper and the pointsettia was made by cutting multiple sizes of snowflakes from the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge and layering them together.  Close to My Heart has provided a template for cutting the paper as well.  How would you decorate your star? 

Snowflakes Card Class

Join me December 12th at 10:30 a.m. for the final card class of the year.  We will make 5 cards for $15 and each person will get a bottle of Stardust Glitter Gel to take home.  RSVP by Dec 10th so I have your cards ready for you!  Bring a friend and save $2 on your workshop!

The is a “Z” card that pulls out to the left.  Artwork inspired by Brenda Rose. 

Horse Crazy!

That would be my daughter!  This year she had the opportunity to show her horse in the Evergreen State Fair.  It was a great experience and she did a fantastic job trying events that she doesn’t usually do and adding her love of jumping to the show! 

The Dakota paper packet was perfect for these photos.  I really had fun with the wood grain paper and love how it shows off the barn feeling.  I used the round metal studs and corrugated Milepost shapes (these will be retiring 1/31/31 so order yours while they are still available) to carry out the theme.  I scrapped these pages with a smile on my face, remembering the great season we had at the fair. 

The “Horse Crazy” lettering and other titles are stamped from the Old World Alphabet.  It matched the original sign that I was adapting for my title.  (Wild horse feathers website)  And it is true…a horse crazy girl will be more than happy to clean a stall than her room.