Ish

No, that is not a spelling error but the title of a book that Stacy Julian read to us as part of her presentation at the Close to My Heart convention this past summer. 

Here's a video of a book reading.  

This really spoke to me.  I have been a memory keeper for many years but here is what I know.  I am not consistent.  I don't scrapbook in chronological order.  I have many scrapbook pages that don't have photos but I love the pretty paper and embellishments.  I have many scrapbook pages that have photos but no title or journaling.  My girls have always loved to look at their scrapbooks and Alli even brought them out at Thanksgiving to share with her boyfriend (does that mean this is serious?). 

After hearing Stacy share, I realized that "ish" was ok.  Her comment "you are doing better than your think" gives us permission to not feel guilty that all the photos are in a scrapbook, journaled about, in a page protector and finally snugged into an album. 

Here is a "conversation" I saw between two CTMH friends on Facebook yesterday. 

R:  I was going to do a December daily this year concussion slowed me down. Trying to decide if i should attempt to catch up. Or just skip it?

J:   Why don't you do a December week or 7 days of December?  That feels way less stressful!  Or just make a loyout of December memories.  One layout and use flip flaps for extra photos.  I will never forget Stacy Julian telling people that if you were feeling guilty about not having a scrapbook for your babies, make one layout with all the kids and their birth stories and BAM, you're done.  That is so freeing! 

WOW!  There are so many options of different ways to tell your story. What works for you? 

This month, CTMH offers a unique way of telling your story, Through the Year. 

This exclusive kit contains all the materials you need to create a complete calendar for 2018, including the My Creations calendar, papers, Complements, glitter gems, and custom gold glitter die-cuts—AND it is available at a 20% discount! Each month features a unique 12" x 12" scrapbook page that highlights different seasons or holidays. Just add photos to remind you of your favorite memories throughout the next year!

AND, if you want to add a bit more to this, you can join my "Year of Memories" workshop club.  After your initial purchase of the calendar kit, I will share a companion layout that you can add to have a complete double page spread.  Imagine having a completed album

I will have a monthly shopping list of items you will use to add a companion layout as well as teach you new techniques to keep your storytelling fast, simple and easy.  When you spend $25 a month, for 6 months, you will receive $25 in free product AND have a completed album for the year. 

You can work through 2018 or you can go back and tell the story of 2017.  If there is a new baby in your family or an upcoming graduate, you could use the calendar to document their year.

 If you are not local to me, but are interested in joining, I will have all the layouts with instructions as well as a video showing how to put it together. 

Let me help you tell your story! 

Michele

A Little Bit Pun: December SOTM Blog Hop

Are you ready for a little bit of stamping fun! This stamp set of "littles" brings a smile to my face each time I create with it. I can't wait to smile more as I hop through this set of wonderful artwork!

If you have arrived here from Miss Carrie's Creation blog, you are traveling through a big circle of artwork using the "A Little Bit of Pun" stamp set.  After your stop here, you will travel on to Wendy's blog.

These little stamps are perfect sentiments to share a smile with a friend or even create a Valentine greeting.  Kids will love to use these stamps to share little cards with their friends and classmates in February.

I started with the mermaid and of course, a shimmer brush when I began playing.  I used the peacock background paper from the Enchantment Fundamentals (wasn't that sale great last month?).

Although you can't tell from this photo, I shimmered each polka dot and the mermaid tail.  The Silver Glitter papers brings out the shine.

I just love these little light bulbs and the cute little pun that goes along with it.  The cricut cut light bulb is from the Artistry cartridge.

I am still playing with the fun set and will have more cards posted on my Facebook page. This set is only available to purchase during the month of December.  You can purchase it at a deep discount on your consultant's website with a minimum order.  If you do not have a consultant, head on over to my website and order this fun set.

Now remember you have many more cute ideas waiting on this blog hop.  From here, continue on to Wendy's blog.

Enjoy stamping!
Michele

Just for FUN blog hop

Close to My Heart has an awesome special going on during the month of November and you are not going to want to miss it!  After you see all the ideas in the blog hop, you will definitely be inspired to stock up on the Fundamental paper packs, complements and ribbon too!

If you have arrived here from Brandi's Blog, welcome!  To continue through the circle of artwork and inspiration, you will move on to Brenda's Blog next. 

What I love about the Fundamental papers and products is that no matter what your theme, color preference or style, there is something for everyone.  And the Fundamentals are easy to coordinate with other themed paper kits.  Versatility! 

Graduation was the theme for the photos I have on hand...and there were LOTS of photos.  I went with my daughter's school colors to start with and then added the gold (saffron) as an accent to the cords she earned. 

I also love that there is room to do some stamping with the larger patterns of the Enchantment Fundamental set so you can add your own embellishment or accentuate your own theme with the stamps. 

And then finally, adding glitter embellishments topped it all off.  Our glitter paper is so easy to cut on the Cricut that I didn't have any trouble cutting out the stars. 

Finally, remember that I have LOTs of photos?  I added the pocket plus protectors so I could easily add these photos and memories to my page. 

If you would like to take advantage of a 30-40% discount on all the Fundamental papers, complements and ribbons, head on over to your consultants website and order today!  These products are only available while supplies last and you won't want to miss out!  If you do not have a CTMH consultant, you can purchase these products from my website.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you were inspired by what you saw.  Remember now to travel on to Brenda's blog. 

Michele

Christmas Card Blog Hop

Sometimes I have great intentions to make handmade gifts for Christmas but the time gets away from me and I either don't get them finished or I only get some finished.  But, I do love that I can add a handmade touch to the holidays with handmade Christmas cards.

Welcome to the Christmas Card Blog Hop.  If you have arrived here from Brandi's Blog, you will be continuing your journey through the big circle of artwork and inspiration.  After you have visited my blog here, you will travel on to Emily's Blog.

Now to share my cards.  Each Close to My Heart paper packet has a 2 sheets of Picture My Life cards.  These can be used in a variety of ways:  scrapbook titles, embellishments, card fronts, pocket scrapbooking and more!

For my cards, I used the cards to create gift card holders.

When you open the "gift,", the card pops up.  These are simple cards and make gifting "just a gift card" lots of fun.  I hve embellished these card with red glitter paper bows and shimmer using the shimmer brush.  They fit perfectly in a regular A2 envelope.

You can purchase the products to create these cards from your Close to My Heart consultant or if you do not have a consultant,  I would be happy to help you.  Your can shop directly from my website here.

Now remember, you will be traveling on to Emily's Blog to see what she has created.

I hope you holiday time is filled with family, great memories, and blessings.
Michele

Stamp of the Month blog hop: Through the Year

This stamp set is a bit unusual for our regular card makers but brings out the creative challenge!  I can't wait to see what people do!

Get ready for a fun run through inspiration alley!  If you have arrived here from Emily's blog, you are one your way through a big circle of creative artwork by several consultants.  After you have visited my blog, you will travel on to Tracie's blog.

Through the year stamp set includes the 12 months of the year spelled out in a script font and then 16 icons that represent different themes and seasons of the year.  If you enjoy planners or making your own calendar, this set is a staple for your collection. 

But, if you are also a card maker, these icons add perfect images for your greetings.

Here, I used the small sunshine icon and stamped in Goldrush and Tangerine alternately to create a greeting.  I colored white dots with the Shin Han marker to create an embellishment to add dimension.  I used the "Jennifer's Hand" alphabet to stamp the sentiment.  (Tip:  I have two of these alphabet sets because they are inexpensive and I always need more than just one of the letters to complete my thought.  I put both sets in one envelope so they are always together.)

Sticking with a weather theme, I created this card using the raindrops.  The clouds and the umbrella are cut from the Artistry Cricut cartridge.  The sentiment is from the "Stronger Together" stamp set.

Although I don't have a photo of this, I purchased a large desk calender that was blank and I loved using the month stamps to label each month with a pretty font, instead of my handwriting.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

This stamp set is also used the December special, Through the Year Calendar.  You will be able to purchase it with a kit in December OR save yourself some money and purchase it this month for $5 with a $50 order.  Then in December, you can order the kit without the stamp set and again save on your purchase.  These calendars are great gifts as well as ways to share your memories through out the year.

Thank you for stopping by.  You will be able to order this stamp set from your CTMH consultant through the month of November or from my website here.  The calendar will be available in December so watch for news from your consultant.

Now remember to continue your hop through the blogs by moving on to see what Tracie has created.

Michele

What color is your thumb?

Do you like the look of indoor plants?  I love how they freshen up the space, add color and texture to the decor, bring a bit of the outdoors indoors.  But....I do not have a green thumb.  Well it is not exactly that I don't have a green thumb, I just forget to take care of them...and they DIE!

The Flower Market Cricut Cartridge to the rescue!  Last year, succulents became popular and CTMH introduced paper succulents in our Welcome Wreath.  These fun little plants can brighten up any room.  So I took their idea and created these little succulent pots as gifts. 

To create these I went through my stash of B&T papers as well as some older textured cardstock and started cutting out the plants.  Now, Close to My Heart and two toned cardstock so it makes finding paper for these succulents fast, simple and easy!

I inked the edges to add depth and then used my bone folder to add a bit of curl to the "petals."  The purple hue on the edges is my favorite.  I attached each plant to a pipe cleaner or straw (again I went through my craft stash) and then stuck them in a small block of floral foam.  I added a bit of moss and a plant stake with a sentiment.  Oh and don't forget the gold gem in the middle and they are ready to gift. 

What color is your thumb?  It can be green when you create paper plants!
Michele

Tried this pin?

Have you seen the button on Pinterest that let's you share if you have tried one of posts and how it went?  Well this is a story of "trying" an idea from the Close to My Heart Facebook page and they aced it!

My friend and customer Gail, along with her daughter Kelly saw the post and decided to give it a try!  They then posted the results which were stunning!  Don't you love it when it works? 

Here's how to make these:

🎃

1. Spray paint pumpkins white, or use ghost pumpkins. 
2. Stamp & emboss on white tissue paper- (we used silver & gold embossing powder with our 'Falling For You' stamp set).
3. Cut the image out - the less tissue paper along the edges, the better.
4. Mod Podge image onto the tops of your pumpkins & let dry! Simple, fun, fabulous!😘

And here are the results in Gail's home!

Absolutely beautiful!  What crafty idea have you tried lately?  I would love to see what you have made! 

Holiday Card Classes

Yes, with fall comes holiday crafting for those of us who like to add handmade touches to our festivities.  I have two classes coming up that offer opportunities for you to create your holiday cards.

November 3rd 7 p.m.  OR  November 4th 10 a.m.

$25 to create 10 cards, 2 each of 5 different designs. RSVP for your class space or a kit to go by October 30th. Classes in Bothell WA.

November 18th or December 9th at 3 p.m.  

Create 2 cards, two large tags and 8 gift tags for $20.  RSVP for classes two weeks prior to date.  Classes at A Little Knitty 218 E Main St, Auburn, WA 

Are you getting ready for the holidays?  

Michele

Blog Hop: Share A Smile

This month Close to My Heart is hard at work increasing awareness and raising funds for Operation Smile.  In support of this effort, they have created a special set of die cuts to go with our Punny Pals stamp set and an easy to make card kit!  Welcome to the blog hop featuring these products!

If you have arrived here from Alyson's Blog, you are on track to continue a large circle of blogs featuring artwork creating using the products on special this month.  I have some artwork to share with you here and then you will move on to Gina's Blog. 

This set of little animal characters and their punny sayings are great for a variety of different greetings. 

Here I created a birthday card for my sister who is a lover of all things green and especially frogs. 

 

For this card I tried the partial die cut technique that was recently featured on the Make it from Your Heart blog.  With the detailed instructions, this was an easy technique to do.  

 

And then I couldn't ignore this puppy!  I added him to a tag from the stamp set "The Thought That Counts" (C1692) which has some fun, snarky messages for holiday gifts.  His little guys goes perfectly.   

With every sale of the Punny Pals stamp set, $7 goes to Operation Smile.  It takes $240 for a surgery that can change the life potential of one child.  You can also donate by "rounding up" on your Close to My Heart orders and during October, Close to My Heart is matching the donations up to $10,000.

AND, when you participate in the Share a Smile promotion by purchasing any of these special items or rounding up your order, you will automatically qualify for a chance to win a not-yet-released stamp set from our upcoming 2018 Seasonal Expressions 1 idea book!  Close to My Heart will be choosing winners throughout the month of October, so any time you place an order, you can be a winner! 

 The following are the thin cut set and the card set that compliment the Punny Pal stamp set.

If you would like to support Operation Smile AND have a super cute stamp set with a fast, simple and easy card kit, visit your consultants website!  If you do not have a CTMH consultant, I would be happy to help you.  Visit my website here for all the details about the special or contact me personally. 

Now remember your won't want to miss the artwork shared by the other consultants so travel on to Gina's Blog and see her inspirational work. 

Share a smile today!
Michele

Blog Hop: October SOTM Christmas Tunes

Welcome to Fall and the October Stamp of the Month blog hop.  If you are a crafter, the fall season also ushers in holiday crafting and Close to My Heart has a perfect stamp set to get you started on cards, tags, scrapbook pages or even gifts. 

 If you have arrived here from Krista's Blog, you are continuing on the big circle of ideas using this stamp set.  After you have visited here, you will continue on to Carol's Blog. 

 

This set features songs that you will hear through out the holiday season.  And while you have those tunes going through your head, you can sit down and create some fun cards! 

 I used our silver metallic paper and clear shimmer pen to add sparkle to these cards.  I also love the tree line die cut and will be using that for many creative sessions to come.  It fits so well with the "Evergreen Memories" theme. 

The Christmas Tunes stamp set is available only during the month of October and you can purchase it at a deep discount when you have a $50.  Take some time to plan out some holiday crafts, Make a list of items you need to complete them, visit your consultant's website, and add it to your cart!  If you do not have a consultant you are welcome to shop with me at MRowley.ClosetoMyHeart.com. 

Now to see more artwork using the Christmas Tunes stamp set, hop on over to Carol's Blog and then keep hopping through to fill your pinterest board with great ideas and inspiration!

Happy Hopping,
Michele