Trick or Treat!

We don't have trick or treaters in our neighborhood but I do like to give out treats to friends and family who come for a visit during the week of Halloween.  Really, I have the most fun making the treat delivery cute! 

You can create fun and cute ways to deliver your sweet goody this Halloween! 

Here I used the Designer bags, Nevermore paper and the Artbooking Cricut cartridge to design tags for my treats.  The little broom is a lollipop wrapped in a strip of Nevermore paper and tied with Thistle thick twine.  Color the stick brown with the Shin Han markers (permanent so the ink won't run during consumption).  Oh yeah...notice the blank white space?  That is waiting for the BOO! stamp from the Pumpkin Chevron Stamp set. You can order all the products to create these treats on my website.  See the list of items needed below.  Contact me for cutting dimensions. 

Now...what would you like to receive in your treat bag? 

Supplies needed:
X7198B  Nevermore  Paper  Pack
Z2036  Slate Designer Creation Paper bags
Z3040 Thistle  Extra  Thick  Twine

Tools needed:
B1488 Pumpkin Chevron Stamp set
Z2173 Slate ink
Z2647 Eggplant Ink
Z2105 Black Ink
Z3169 Artbooking Cricut Cartridge

In addition you will need some mini clothes pins. 


May your treats be sweet!
Michele

CTMH 2015 retirement series: Chalk it up!

Well, CTMH has told us that they will have to retire some products to make room for some new.  Over the next few weeks, I will highlight individual paper packets that will be retiring, showing the artwork I have created and what will be retiring.  Remember, if the featured paper kit and coordinating supplies strike your fancy, shop now because all items are while supplies last. 

So lets start with Chalk it Up!  A fun paper packet to celebrate the school years, your rocket scientist or even a trip to Harry Potter world at Universal Studios.

 Shown:  Chalk it up Workshop on the Go

Just a reminder you can click on the photos to see them larger. 

Highlights:  I used the Workshop on the Go to create my layouts as well as the Picture My Life set, complements and assortment.  I love the word bubbles in the assortment set and those hearts can be colored with Shin Han Markers to coordinate with other "reds" in your project. 

My favorite element in this kit is the stamp set which is only available in the Workshop on the Go and will retire along with it! 

To order this set before it retires, shop on my website. 

Life is Good! 
Michele

And then this happened!

On May 1st, Close to My Heart came to town!  I love Close to My Heart events.  They inspire and energize me AND I get to share CTMH with some of my closest friends who also happen to be my team members. 

Prior to the CTMH event, my upline, Naomi had a meeting.  Part of the meetings are rewards and I was the happy recipient of three awards...and I owe two of them to my team! 

First of all, the Evergreen Memories team placed second in team sales for the first quarter!  Way to go ladies. 

Second, my team grew by 8 members in the first quarter!  I love sharing this wonderful company and all the benefits with people!  I am so happy that 8 new people joined us!  Welcome to Lorene, Mary, Cat, Jen, Jennifer, Cheryl, Mindi, and Nicole. 

Finally, I got first place in the artwork contest.  Many consultants participated with absolutely beautiful artwork.  What an honor to be chosen. 

Here's the card I made for the contest. 

Aren't the awards Naomi made just gorgeous and multipurpose?  Yes, they are great inspiration for cards and they fit in the Picture My Life page protectors so my keepsakes are ready to safely store in my album.  Thanks again to my team for all the support!

Now if you want to join this fast growing, award winning, fun loving group, you are welcome here! 
For the most recent information on becoming a consultant, visit my website here.  If you have questions about other details, please feel free to contact me. 

Have a great day!
Michele

Jackson Seasonal Sampler

Each month I create and hold a workshop called the Seasonal Sampler.  You may have seen these throughout the year.  I say this each month, but I truly think this is one of my favorite!

This sampler was inspired by the layout in the Seasonal Expressions 2 and is a perfect theme for the summer in the Pacific Northwest. 

I used the Campfire Lifestyle stamp set, Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, Artbooking Cartridge and pigment inks for lasting stamp images. 

If you are interested in creating this, you can attend one of my workshops (contact me for dates) or to order a kit. The kit is $15 plus shipping.   Order by May 20th for June workshops. 

Happy Stamping,
Michele

Seasonal Sampler: Give Thanks

The November Seasonal Sampler is here.  I am working on kits for my upcoming workshops and kits to go.  If you would like to participate in the Seasonal Sampler club or just make one month's sampler, or get a kit to go, please contact me. 

This month the sampler is created using the Pathfinding paper packet, complements, assortment, bronze shimmer and brown and tan sparkles. 

 The original design was created by Lalia Harris.  I love working as a team to create these projects. 
Here you can see her artwork and what it looks like in the beautiful Design Decor Black Shadow Box. 

 This is a bit of a variation on Lalia's sampler.  I added a the Pathfinding assortment for a little more texture in the elements of the sampler.  The cost of the sampler kit alone is $16.60 and the frame is purchased separately.  If you would like to use up all the elements in your kit, for $2.50, you can purchase a supplemental kit to create the following two cards and medallion which can be used as a stake in a floral arrangement or tied to a wreath as I did.

If you are local, you are welcome to attend one of my three workshops.  Monday Nov 3rd 7 p.m.,  Friday Nov 7, 9:30 a.m. or Sunday Nov 9th 7 p.m.  If you would like to order a kit to go, please contact me for details.  All kits to go contain photo instructions, sent via email. 

Below you can see the products used for the sampler.  They are also perfect for scrapbook pages, Thanksgiving decor, and cards.  You can shop for these product here. 

Thankful for you!
Michele

CTMH New Product Blog Hop

 You are sure to be rewarded as you travel through this blog hop that is filled with wonderful artwork created using product from the new Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  

 If you have come here from the inspirational blog of   Sarah Hirsch  you are on the right path. This blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around. If you get lost along the way, you'll find the complete list of participating consultants here.
This hop we are featuring brand new Close To My Heart products that made their debut with the new Idea Book on August 1.  I'll share the new products I used on my projects as well as give you their names and order numbers so that you can go straight to my website and shop for the new products you love! 
After your peek at my artwork, you will hop on over to  Dawn Haight's blog to continue the hop!
  So here it is!  


I absolutely love these new Designed Decor Shadow Box frames.  I have decided that I will create a Seasonal Sampler each month and switch it out as a display in my home.  

 

For the month of October, I will be displaying this sampler made using the Scaredy Cat My Reflections paper kit, coordinating complements, and assortment.  I also used foam tape to give the elements dimension as I attached them to my paper.  Although you might not be able to see the detail, I also used one of my all time favorite tools, the Uchida LePen Journaling Pen to outline some of the elements with a thin line.   Finally, I used the hook and loop dots to set it in the frame to it is easily interchangeable without damaging the sampler.  Photos and link of the product are listed below. 

I absolutely love how this turned out and am planning a Seasonal Sampler Club. If you are interested in the details of this club and how you can participate and earn a free sampler, contact me!

Don't forget to move on to Dawn's Blog  and enjoy the full circle of new artwork made with new product.  And now for the product list.  Click on the photos for a link to my website.

Michele

It's a Circus around here!

Spruce up your circus with this cute alphabet which is only available through July 31, 2014. 

I love the versatility, the option of upper and lower case, and the whimsical nature.  You can get this set for $17.95 or $5 with a qualifying purchase. 

Here are the two cards I created using this set.

Visit my website to purchase your set before it is gone.

Michele

Artbooking Made Easy: Love is in the Air

I have been busy creating with new products for fall and winter workshops.  I am so happy that all the new workshops on the go feature layouts using the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  Every time I use this cartridge, I discover something fun and new!  You will start to see these layouts on my blog in August but until then, continue to enjoy these videos about how to create layouts, gifts, and mini albums using this fabulous cartridge.



Use Close To My Heart's Cricut® Artbooking cartridge to create striking scrapbook pages for your loved ones, from happy couples to loving families to cherub-like babies and so much more! Plus, learn how to create dramatic backgrounds to perfectly complement your love-struck photos.

You can purchase this and other cartridges here on my website OR ask me how you can get it for half price!   

 And here is the card I made using the same key! 

Enjoy!
Michele

I almost missed it!

Tonight I was at the farmer's market after a busy day with my girls.  I almost missed my post but I want to share with you the cards we made Friday night at the 20 Card Marathon.  It was so much fun!  Excuse the photo quality...love the ideas. 

 

Created By Meredith using the Stamp of the month Circus Alphabet.

 

Created by Meredith

 

Created by using a photo mat from the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.

Used the Chevron Embossing Folder (new in the Annual Expressions!) and then sanded to expose the white core.  Then I sponged on some Hollyhock pin to add a two tone look to the texture. 

Created by Meredith using the Free to Be Me paper packet which was the Nat'l Scrapbook Month special.  I don't think I can tire of this!

One of my standard cards created with the stamp set from the Artiste Cricut Collection.  I adore cupcakes!

And because I love cupcakes, one more!

Have a great week,
Michele

Skylark: Beautiful for all occasions.

As we start the two final weeks of the Spring 2014 Idea Book, I wanted to share some photos of the Skylark paper packet.  As a reminder, we will also be saying goodbye to this set of gorgeous set of papers.  I have used them for beach scrapbook pages, home décor, and of course cards.  I love the versatility.  Have you used the Skylark paper packet?  If so, I would love to see a photo of your artwork. 

 

Don't forget to pick up your Skylark paper packet, complements or WOTG before the end of the month.  

Finally, when you place your order of $50 or more, you can get the Circus Alphabet for $5.  This cute set is also only available until the end of the month.  Here's a card that was created for the 20 Card Marathon last weekend.  So simple yet it will make the receiver happy when they see it.

Created by Meredith Nguyen

If you missed the blog hop for the stamp of the month and want to see more artwork.  You can start here and hop through!   

Michele

 

This week in review!

Saying good bye to Timberline at the end of July!  

Available while supplies last.  

Introducing Artfully Sent

The new Cricut Cartridge from Close to My Heart which will delight card-makers and their receivers both.  Sign up to be notified of the cartridge availability in August 2014.

Fun and Sun

I am loving the summer weather in Seattle and enjoyed the warmth at convention in Disney!  Use Artbooking to create titles and textures on your scrapbook pages.   Artbooking collection can be purchased for $99 or you can get it for half price.  Ask me how. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Michele