Here's to You Blog Hop

Welcome to another blog hop featuring the Here's to You workshop kit from Close to My Heart.

When I saw the colors and artwork featured in this kit, I am not gonna lie, I truly had a little gasp!  So beautiful!

If you have arrived here from Miss Carrie's Creation's blog, you are following right along.  When you are finished here, you will move on to Brenda's blog.

This kit includes 4 exclusive stamps sets that are perfect sentiments for weddings, anniversaries, and everyday celebrations.  You can purchase the kit with or without the rose embossing folder!  AND the best part is that Close to My Heart has created a Cricut Design Space file and detailed instructions so all you have to do is cut and create!

In addition to creating the cards with the kit, I knew that I was not going to create the 12 x 12 layout so I took the elements that I cut on the Cricut Design file and created an 8th card.

To create this card, I added 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch glacier piece for the back ground and then cut an additional Pacifica blue and vellum piece as shown and then added the "love" element and silver glitter pieces.  You will have plenty of pearls in your package to embellish as well.  

I also really love the sentiment stamp "sending you sunshine, laughter, and hugs" so I paired it with the August stamp of the month and created two double Z-fold cards.  

What will you create with the "gasp inspiring" kit?  Visit your consultant's website or if you do not have a Close to My Heart consultant, join me here to purchase your Here's to You kit.  

Now that you have spent some time here on my blog, remember to continue on to the next stop, Brenda's Blog.  

Enjoy!

Michele

For the Love of Crafting: August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

Welcome to the August stamp of the month blog hop.  I haven't participated for a few months as my business has taken me in a different direction but I am back and looking forward to participating again!

If you have arrived here from Miss Carrie's Creations, welcome.  You are traveling around a big circle of Close to My Heart consultants' blog, full of creative artwork for you.  When you have finished browsing here, you will travel on to Alayne's blog.

Now this stamp set is perfect for the crafter at heart.  The snarky sayings and cute camera and typewriter speak volumes to those who love their paper crafting.

I have created several cards with this set and this one if my favorite! 

This was my first one and I had the leftover stickers on my desk from the Central Park workshop so I popped them on for my sentiment.  (I didn't have 2 "L"s so I used "T"s and cut off the extra.)  I loved how this turned out but soon realized, if I am running out of letters so will you...Alphabet stamps to the rescue.  

So, I pulled out Simply Said, a brand new stamp set from the Holiday Seasonal Catalog coming in September and stamped my greeting!  I have several different alphabets and could use larger ones as well.  BUT I will never run out of letters when I use my stamps!

What do you like to use?  Stamps or stickers? 

This stamp of the month is only available during the month of August and with a minimum purchase, you can get it for just $5.  Visit your consultants website, or if you do not have a consultant, pop on over to my website and take a look!

Thanks for stopping by and now you will be moving on to Alayne's Blog. 

Craftiness in happiness!
Michele

Build a Banner and Basic Stamping

Did you see the the alphabet and number solos 

are back for this month only?  

I love having these letters and numbers in my collection because they are so easy to pull out and use for titles, banners and home decor...especially when I don't want to fire up the Cricut!  This is a home decor piece I made when they were originally released and it still sits in my window.

This is also a great time to brush up on your stamping skills by joining my Build a Banner workshop.  We will go back to the basics for those who are new to stamping or who haven't stamped in a few years.

During this workshop I will cover:

• the care and keeping of your stamps
• basic stamping techniques such as loading your stamp with ink for a crisp image every time
• two easy and fun techniques that can add more color to a single image
• preventing unwanted "ghost" marks

Can't join me in the studio?  I will be opening a virtual classroom and all the lessons will be recorded on video so you can watch, learn, try it and repeat as often as needed!

Workshop Details

Build a Banner    $5
July 18th 7 p.m. at the Rowley Residence
RSVP by July 17th
Choose the word for your banner

Can't make it?  Order your kit to go and join us in the virtual classroom to get all the tips, tricks and info needed to make your stamping spectacular. 

Don't forget that all stamps are Buy2 Get1 free for the month of July.  This includes the alphabet solos AND all the stamp sets in the Annual Inspirations catalog and Seasonal Expressions 2.  (Excludes hostess reward stamps, Operation Smile stamp set, and stamp of the month.)

Happy stamping,
Michele

Welcome to July!

This is the season of summer fun and vacations!  I hope you have some great plans to vacation and celebrate the summer season with family and friends.

Close to My Heart has some fresh new products and specials just for you during this summer month.

Stampaganza is Back

This sale on stamp sets is one that you have consistently loved over the years and during July,

BUY 2 get 1 free!  

Buy any two My Acrylix stamp sets at the full retail price and get a third stamp set of equal or lesser value free! 

Choose from stamp sets in the current Annual Inspirations or Seasonal Expressions 2, PLUS the popular Solos number and letter stamp sets that we've brought back just for July! Solos stamp sets can also be purchased in two different bundles, one for letters and one for numbers, for even more savings! 

See all the solos here!  

For my hostesses!  

When you host a party that reaches the third level of Hostess Rewards or higher (submitting your party order no later than August 6, 2018), you can choose three number Solos stamp sets, FREE.  I have space available for two more hostesses this month

For new consultants!

Anyone who becomes a Close To My Heart Consultant in July can choose three number Solos stamp sets, FREE. That’s up to a $29.85 value, totally free!  

To see all the stamp sets, head on over to my website here.

Watch for my "Build a Banner" workshop which you can participate in here at my studio or in the comfort of your own home in a virtual classroom!

Enjoy the summer days!
Michele

My Happy Place

Every year I take a trip to the Close to My Heart convention.  I spend that time relaxing a bit, connecting with friends I have met through the years and then filling my creative soul with inspiration. 

This year I am heading to Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, chosen specifically for this conference! 

Over the 16 years as a consultant, I have met many wonderful people who I look forward to reconnecting with during these times.  They have become friends that are family and we have shared many stories of adventure, travel, and offer one another encouragement and support in all the ways.

This is a great opportunity to connect and learn with my team.  They have been on this journey with me for many years and I appreciate the talent and gifts that each offer!  (And some are already there getting some play time in before the conference begins. 

I am so fortunate to work with a company that provides these opportunities of enrichment!  I will come home with my bucket filled and ideas overflowing, ready to share with you!

And...

looking forward to a little time by the pool today! 

Can't wait to share when I return. 

Michele. 

Fresh Air

Just a breath of Fresh Air brings so much to my craft table!  I am in love with this paper and all the creativity it brings.  My artwork and classes for July will feature all things Fresh Air!

The simplicity of this stamp set with ombre stamping technique makes for a perfect sentiment to share with a special friend. 

This sweet little Koala fits right in to the mix of Fresh Air paper and oh doesn't his face make you smile? 

Time together for a family hike was just what we needed this spring.  And, this gem of a trail to a waterfall is so close to home.  How didn't I know about it before?

The embellishments and titles for the scrapbook workshop fit right in with the memories we share in the great outdoors. 

You can see the entire Fresh Air Collection here on my website. 

Contact me for details about my upcoming classes and kits to go using this paper collection. 

Enjoy yourself some Fresh Air.
Michele

Welcome June, Rainbows, Apples and so much more!

I missed my Monday post.  I guess that was because it was Memorial Day weekend.  Hope you enjoyed a long weekend with friends and family. 

Now it is June and Close to My Heart has a new set of specials and stamp sets that might just hit your creative button! 

A Bushel & a Peck

 June stamp of the month

Pull out your Shin Han markers.  I was happy to pull out my markers and color again.  I find that my creativity and use of techniques can be sparked in one direction or another by a simple stamp set.  

And isn't this girl adorable?  I love that she is wearing a scarf and boots.  I feel some winter inspiration coming on!  This stamp set is available only during the month of June and with a qualifying purchase, you pay $5!  Shop on my website for all Close to My Heart products including the stamp of the month.  To see more artwork using this stamp set, you can follow my Facebook Business page, join my VIP Evergreen Memories group, follow EvergreenMemories on Instagram and take trip through this blog hop.  So much inspiration ahead! 

Create the RAINBOW

During the month of June, you can get 25% off custom cardstock bundles, individual spools of ribbon, and select accessories!  Close to My Heart has bundled cardstock in like color groups so if you are a person who tends to create with mostly blues, there is a package of blues for you! 

We also have an exclusive stamp set available, D1813 My Acrylix® Be a Rainbow! This set of 23 stamps comes with sentiments, quotes, and images that will coordinate perfectly with all your beautiful artwork!

To see the cardstock bundles, ribbons, embellishments and discounts, visit my website here.  

Thanks for stopping in and I look forward to sharing more with you in the month of June,

Michele

Dad is Rad

To celebrate the dads in your life, the Dad Is Rad special features the exclusive Rad Dad stamp set and discounted Dad Is Rad Workshop Bundle. 

The products in this workshop kit include the stamp set and other items to create one 12″ × 12″ layout, one 12″ × 12″ page, and four cards that can be used both for Father's Day or to share with all the “rad” people you love!  

The featured stamp set can be purchased by itself on my website or as part of the bundle.  

The full bundle offers a 25% savings and includes the following product.  

And did I mention, the you get a FREE workshop cutting guide for all the artwork shown?  
Here is an up close view of the four cards that you can create! 

And here are the layouts created with the bundle.  

Now if you are a "double page spread" person like me, you can create an additional page using the scraps from the workshop.  The extra cardstock I needed was a white daisy base page and a 1 x 12 piece of Crystal Blue.  

I am looking forward to using this stamp set for graduates I will be celebrating in the next couple of weeks.  

Happy dad celebrations to you all! 
Michele

Beautiful Friendship

Each month, Close to My Heart highlights one of the paper packs and artwork from our current catalog.  This month we highlight Beautiful Friendship. 

What better way to celebrate a friendship but over a cup of your favorite warm beverage.  The teapot and tea cup are a highlight of this floral paper! 

New to our paper packets is a full page print that can be used as the base to your scrapbook page.  Embellishing is well underway with the pennant banner printed at the top of the page.  And of course, we have a different pattern on the other side for flexibility in your crafting.  In addition to this layout, you can create two additional layouts with our workshop your way. 

When you purchase the Beautiful Friendship Workshop your Way, not only do you get a workshop guide for scrapbook pages but these two cute cards as well.  The stamp set featured on these cards is the Beautiful Friendship Cardmaking set and can be purchased with or without the die cuts. 

The Festive Cardmaking Kit include the supplies and guide to create 12 cards.  You will also learn a fun way to use your paper piercing tool to add dimension to your card. 

Add a little something special to a party you are hosting with this banner!  We have the directions to create the banner and paper tassels!  Message me if you would like a copy! 

Enjoy your friendships and celebrate them with this beautiful paper packet and your creative juices! 

Michele