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