February 28, 2015

March Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the monthly review of artwork created to showcase the Close to My Heart stamp of the month. 

If you have arrived here from Brenda's Blog, you are hopping right along. When you are done with your visit here, you will head over to visit Lillian and her artwork. 

This month the stamp of the month is Choose Happy.  The whimsical frames and flourishes add a light hearted feel to your artwork. 



I chose to use the frame and create a tag for my Easter basket made using the Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  To create the tag, I cut the "card" option from an Art Philosophy shape that mimicked the shape of the frame.  Several of these stamp images would work with cuts from this cartridge.  Then I used the Brushed Stroke stamp set to "color" in the frame.  It keeps with the whimsical theme and is fast!  I used the sentiment set from the Artfully Sent stamp collection to add my sentiment and of course, I just can't get enough of those cute little June Bug embellishments.  Now all I need to do is add my Easter treat to the basket and I am ready to give this to someone special.

Choose Happy this month when you place your Close to My Heart order with your consultant or me.  




Now remember to go to Lilian's Blog next to see what she has created. 

Have a happy March,
Michele

February 18, 2015

Hopscotch Scrapbook Kit

Just a reminder to place your order for your pre-cut and pre-stamped Hopscotch scrapbook kit by March 1st.  The Hopscotch paper kit, assortment, and June Bug Puffies are only available through Close to My Heart until March 31st, so I need your order now to get your kit made! 


You can see the additional layouts here and here.



Kit Options


Pass this on to a friend who might also like faster, simpler, easier scrapbooking.

Michele

February 17, 2015

Do you have a good work surface for your crafting needs?

The Versa Mat and All-Purpose Mats are valuable tools to help with perfect stamping, even placement of papers, and clean up after those "messy" projects. 

Take a look.






Here's to some happy, messy creating!
Michele

February 16, 2015

Confetti Wishes Scrapbook Kit

Here's my second kit, Confetti Wishes.  If you are like me, you have several birthdays to celebrate each year.  Get those memories in an album before the next birthday arrives with these pre-cut, pre-stamped kits.

This kit contains pre-cut pieces, pre-stamped papers, and complements to create six 12 x 12 layouts for $20.  Additional embellishments are available to add to your kit.

Here is one of the layouts that is included.  





Kit Options
Additional embellishments include:
Confetti Wishes Assortment $5.85


Purple Glitter Gems $4.65

Please order your kit by March 1st 2015

Birthday wishes to you!
Michele


February 13, 2015

Adding a little spring to you step

My Artfully Sent Cricut class will definitely give you that extra bounce!  Join me if you are local, Attend the workshop on Saturday March 7th, 10 a.m.  Contact me for details.  If you are unable to attend, contact me for the CCR file for these cards.




Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge is available on my website.


 Z3017 Artfully Sent Cartridge

These cards feature the following products.


 X7190B Brushed My Reflections Paper packet
Z1767 Chalk Marker

Z3038 June Bug Puffies (only available until March 31st).

Z1807 Pink Glitter Gems

Have a bright day!
Michele

February 11, 2015

All from one key!

Yes, my new Arftully Sent Cricut class is coming and all the cards come from one key!  The more I use this cartridge, the more fun I have seeing the endless possibilities!  And, I have yet to use the cuts on my scrapbook pages but that is coming soon!

Easter is April 5th this year.  Did you know they call this type of holiday a "movable feast"?  I learned that term on NPR and looked up the definition:  movable feast is an observance in a liturgical calendar that occurs on different dates in different years.  Just a little vocabulary lesson for today.  Onward!

What does that have to do with what I am showing you?  Easter cards...




 Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge let's you create these cards with a push of a button.






 X 7190B Brushed Paper Packet

Embellishments:  
Z3038 June Bug Puffies 

Z3024  White Shimmer Trim (highlights the rabbit cut out)
Z1767 Chalk Marker  (outline/highlight some images) 

If you are local, you are invited to attend the workshop on Saturday March 7th, 10 a.m.  Contact me for details.  If you are unable to attend, contact me for the CCR file for these cards.  

Happy crafting,
Michele







February 10, 2015

Hopscotch Scrapbook Kit

Hopscotch Scrapbook kit available. Contains pre-cut and stamped pieces to create eight 12 x 12 pages and coordinating complement sheets (stickers). Additional embellishments are available to add to kit.

Each pre-cut includes the paper pieces you see on the layout as well as a full set of complements.  The additional embellishments are available for purchase to add to your kit.  With the kit, you will receive an email set of illustrated instructions for assembling your kit.   Here's a second layout from the kit.

Photo sizes are 4x4, 4x6, 6x4. 

I have used the Hopscotch Assortment and June Bug Puffies as embellishments which you can purchase in addition.


Kit Options
Order this kit by March 1st 2015 to assure that all supplies will be available.

Price for kit:
Pre-cut paper and complements   $20, include tax, add shipping if not local
Hopscotch Assortment                   $7, includes shipping and tax
June Bug Puffies                             $5.85, includes shipping and tax



You can see the another kit layout here.

Hop, skip, and jump!
Michele

February 09, 2015

Spring Seasonal Sampler is ready to order.

I am so excited to share this sampler with you.  It is bright and brings the joy of spring into my home!





You can purchase this sampler for $20 and get all the supplies you need, pre-cut and ready to go.  The kit also includes a full sheet of June Bug Puffies and Brushed Assortment flowers.


Available options
If you are local to me, you are welcome to attend one of my assembly workshops:

  • Monday February 2nd 7 p.m.
  • Friday February 6th  9:30 a.m.
If you are not local you are welcome to order this sampler and I can have it shipped to you.  Contact me if you have further questions.

No matter what the ground hog says, spring is a comin'
Michele



February 06, 2015

Saving the best for the last? You're the Bomb Blog Hop

Have you seen the stamp set on the last page of the Seasonal Expressions?  It is called "You're the Bomb" and that is what I think about this set, it is THE BOMB!

Not just perfect for scrapbook pages, Valentine cards or other greetings and Picture My Life, when you purchase this set, three dollars is donated to Operation Smile.  Since its founding in 1982, Operations Smile has performed over 220,00 surgeries to correct facial deformities and change the lives of these children.

If you have arrived from Cat's Blog, you are on the right track.   If you are starting here, you are about to embark a great artistic adventure!  Next you will visit Melissa's Blog

Now here is what I have to share with you!

This card was so fun and easy to make.  I paired the "You're the Bomb" set with "Brushstrokes" and stamped up this card.  Since the brushstroke was a little bit arched, I was able to arch the sentiments from the stamp set to match and fit perfectly into the brushstroke.  I used the bright vibrant color tones of the Hopscotch paper packet to highlight each sentiment.

Remember, you can now hop a long to Melissa's Blog to see her creative hand at work.

If you would like to purchase this stamp set, you can contact your consultant or shop on my website.  

The products I used to create this card are shown below.







Thank you for supporting Operation Smile through your Close to My Heart purchases.

Michele

February 05, 2015

It's all about the people!

In late January, the Evergreen Memories Team and some adopted members gathered for a day of fun and fellowship.

In April I will be celebrating my 13th year with Close to My Heart.  It has been a rewarding and adventurous thirteen years.  When I started, I wasn't sure I would make it past the first quarter!  But, I invited friends, like you, to join me for monthly scrapbooking time and now...as they say, the rest is history!

In April, I will share 13 things I love about CTMH but today, I will give you a sneak peek.  The people!  Especially these ladies with whom I share this special bond of being part of my team!

 Gail is has been a part of my team the longest and attended the most conventions with me.  Love this sweet lady.  Although she works full-time in addition to being a consultant, she has recruited several team members and been a manager...and will be again!


Cindy is second in longevity for my team!  When Cindy lost her full-time job in 2006, she thought "Why not try CTMH?".  Since becoming a consultant, Cindy has gone back to school, moved, gone back to school some more, and remarried!  She continues to work full time and is also establishing her CTMH activity in her area!  Cindy is full of ambition!

Carla has been on my team for 5 years with one short absence last year.  She loves to create and her sister, Carmel, supports Carla's CTMH hobby through her purchases and papercrafting.  What a great way to spend time together.

Meredith just celebrated 6 years with CTMH and has maintained her business through monthly card classes and online sales.  Since becoming a consultant, she has gotten married and had two babies.  She also parents her teen son who will be graduating this year.  Meredith has partnered with me in different events to continue to build her CTMH community.  And, she was the top recruiter for 2014!

My dear Tracie!  She works so hard at her full-time job and finds a creative outlet in her CTMH life!  She has attended many of my retreats as well as held retreats for her friends and customers.  Her hospitality is wonderful, her artwork stunning (she won first place at our retreat) and her smile uplifting.  She too will celebrate 6 years with CTMH in the next month.

 Diana is the newest consultant on my team.  A couple of years ago, she "rolled up" to my team after her upline became a junior consultant.  Diana has such a unique eye for color and style.  She challenges me to think outside of my box!  Her smile, delightful!  Her sense of humor, so much fun!  I love having her as a part of our team. 


I couldn't help but adopt this sweet lady when I met her at CTMH album retreat in the Fall of 2013.  She sat at our table and became an immediate "team member".  Joanie's upline is in Pennsylvania.  She is a talented mini album creator and full of bubbly, positive energy!  I am so glad she joined us for the retreat!

Now if you have stayed with me throughout this lengthy article, you will see that I am blessed with great friendships from my Evergreen Memories team.  (I have several team members and adoptees who were unable to be at the retreat or hid from the camera.)  Each member has their own personal story of why they became a CTMH consultant.  Each member also has a unique way of doing "business" or as I sometimes refer to it, "hobbiness" with CTMH.

So I ask you, "would you like to join this great group of people?"  I would love to hear your story and how you might see CTMH fitting into your life.

Think about it,
Michele






February 04, 2015

Hopscotch Scrapbook Kit now available

Does lack of time interfere with your scrapbooking?  I have a solution.  I am beginning to sell pre-cut and stamped layouts.  It will take you minutes to put the layout together and add your photos and journaling.  Here's my first one!

Hopscotch Scrapbook kit available. Contains pre-cut and stamped pieces to create eight 12 x 12 pages and coordinating complement sheets (stickers). Additional embellishments are available to add to kit.

Each pre-cut includes the paper pieces you see on the layout as well as a full set of complements.  The additional embellishments are available for purchase to add to your kit.  With the kit, you will receive an email set of illustrated instructions for assembling your kit.  Ready to see it?


Here's one of the layouts included in the kit.  Photo sizes are 6x4 and 3.5x2.5.

Order this kit by March 1st 2015 to assure that all supplies will be available.  More photos to come in the next week.



Kit Options


Details:






I have used the Hopscotch Assortment and June Bug Puffies as embellishments which you can purchase in addition.

Price for kit:
Pre-cut paper and complements   $20, include tax, add shipping if not local
Hopscotch Assortment                   $7, includes shipping and tax
June Bug Puffies                             $5.85, includes shipping and tax





Happy Scrapping,
Michele