Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

December 15, 2016

Flower Market Cricut Cartridge Key 48

This video fits in perfectly with my December theme of Brown Paper to Beautiful!  Here's one project that they created using key 48 on the Flower Market Cricut Cartridge.  After cutting out some holly leaves, a spray of berries and pine sprig, the package was tied with baker's twine and decorated for the season. 

 To see more of what you can create with this key of the Flower Market Cartridge, key 48, take a look at this video.



If you own the Cricut Explore and Flower Market Cricut Cartridge, you can access these files and create the card and scrapbook page shown in this video. The link is here

Merry Crafting!
Michele

October 16, 2016

City Sidewalks: Digital Cricut Collection Blog Hop

There's a hidden gem tucked in the Holiday Expressions and you will find it here!  Welcome to the City Sidewalks Digital Cricut Blog Hop.


Did you find it?  It is on page 43.  If you came here from Corinna's Blog, you are continuing on a loop to see the wonderful artwork created with this Cricut collection.  After enjoying the artwork here, you will move on to Darlys' Blog.    What happens if you get lost along the way?  Take a look at the list of hoppers and find where you left off here on Melinda's page

You can dress up your artwork in holiday style with the festive images from the mini digital Cricut collection.  It coordinates with our City Sidewalks paper packet so you can complete your Christmas projects in less time. 

My artwork features a set of 6 gift tags using City Sidewalks. 

The first three tags include Cricut cuts from our City Sidewalks collection.  One of my favorite images is the swirling wreath on tag number three.



In addition to the Cricut cartridge and the paper packet, I used Z3090 Red enamel gems, M1152 Mini Christmas, and D1697 Perfect Presents stamp sets. 

Now that you have been introduced to this gem, move on over to your consultants website and add the digital collection to your cart!  If you don't have a consultant, you are welcome to shop on my website

And also remember it is time to move on to Darlys' blog to see what she has created! 

Enjoy crafting for the holidays with Close to My Heart products.

Michele




December 06, 2015

Stamping Techniques Blog Hop

This month our blog hop group wants to share some new and not so new but fun stamping techniques with you.  During our Creative Live event in November, we were reminded of how simple and easy some of these techniques can be and how much they add to our artwork!  It is fun to take favorite stamp set to a new level and try a new twist!

So, welcome to the technique blog hop.  If you have arrived from Brenda's blog, you are on the right track.  From here, you will move on to Darlys' Blog to see what she is sharing.

Since it is the holiday season, I added a little "mistletoe" to the mix and am sharing the kissing technique with you!  Yes, stamp kissing is a technique.  To do this, you take a solid stamp, like the tree base from this set, and you "kiss" a more line drawn stamp to it and you get a design on the solid stamp that will show when you stamp the solid image.



Here's exactly how I did it.
1.  I inked the solid stamp really well in the fern ink.
2.  I used the small swag stamp and kissed it to the solid stamp.  I used a VERY slight movement when they were kissed to assure an image transfer.
3.  I wiped the swag stamp on my dry stamp scrubber to remove any transferred ink and then "rekissed" in a new spot.
4.  I worked from bottom to top, moving the swag stamp up and altering the image side to side to avoid a repeating pattern.
5.  I cut out the tree and added it to my card.
6.  I added "bling" to the areas of the "kiss" that were "imperfect" or blank...a little bling covers a multitude of imperfect kisses.

Wah Lah!  You have perfectly kissed trees.

Now bring a little mistletoe kissing to your stamping and give it a try?

Michele


December 01, 2015

December Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Candlelight Garden

Another month brings another new stamp set to the collection.  Thank you for joining us for the December Stamp of the Month blog hop. 

If you have arrived here from Brenda's Blog, welcome!  I hope you have enjoyed the artwork you have seen so far.  When you have finished visiting here, hop on over to Jeanie's Blog to see what she has created. 

Candlelight garden is such a fun stamp set!  All I could think about is "what can I put in that jar?" 


And because my craft table is cover with Christmas stamp sets and paper as I prep for upcoming workshops, I grabbed for what was closest. 


So Christmas wishes in a jar is what I created first.  I also had some other ideas of items to put in the jar...you will see those later this month. 

Now remember, this stamp set is available during the month of December.  Contact your consultant to purchase the set for $17.95 OR for $5 with a $50 order.  If you need a CTMH consultant, feel free to shop with me on my website

Now remember to hop on over to Jeanie's Blog to continue on and see more artwork. 

How will you fill your jar? 

Michele



November 16, 2015

Have you heard of the December Daily?

If you haven't, it is a mini album documenting the 25 days leading up to Christmas.  I believe it is a registered trademark of Ali Edwards, a wonderful story teller, teacher and artist in the scrapbook world.  (Read to the bottom!  I have a special for you!)

Intriguing?  What is the story of your December as your family begins celebrating the traditions of the holiday season?  Have you ever documented these traditions?  Do you remember your childhood traditions?

Close to My Heart does not have an exact replica of the "December Daily" as created by Ali Edwards but we do have products that you could use to create your own mini album and tradition record of December 2015.

Begin with this 30 page – 8¼" × 6½" mini album with a mix of papers: printed vellum; printed, cardstock-weight; and page protectors in various styles. Kraft hardcover with foil gold accent, wire-bound.

 From here, you can just add your own photos and journaling telling the story of your December and holiday traditions OR you can add some detail with the Holiday Happenings Assortment.

This set of cards,  mini envelopes and stickers allow you to add special details highlight moments and memories.

Finally, you can add some more dimensional detail with the Holiday Happenings Badge Buttons.

Created to coordinate perfectly with the album and assortment, you can add these special badges to finish off your album.

Wait, that is not all.  Of course what is December without sparkle?  When you purchase this set of three items in the Holiday Happenings Mini album set by November 30th, I will add a free package of Assorted Sparkles to make it shine! Shop on my website here

This special is only through me, Independent consultant and all products are while supplies last.  This would also make a special gift for a family with a new baby or newly married couple. 

Happy memory keeping,

Michele


October 08, 2015

Shin Han Markers are a great tool for your holiday crafting

Close to My Heart has been selling these markers for a year now and if you have not tried them, you should!  I love how they color smoothly and easily and use them to brighten my artwork.

Here's a container that I covered with cardstock and then used a PML card as the focal point.  This particular card was very simple with an outlined design in green.  I wanted to add a simple bit of color so I used the Carmine, Golden Yellow and Sap Green.





Here's a video showing you the benefits of the Shin Han markers and some techniques you can use to add color to your artwork!  Green in the hair?  Sounds like the days of pool chlorine damaged hair...so watch closely how it works with the Shin Han Markers.



These markers are $5.95 each but can be free with your hostess rewards.

Close to My Heart also has a perfect way to store your markers, keeping them in the horizontal position so the ink is equally distributed in both pen tips.

If you are interested in learning more about the markers, watch for my upcoming classes or contact me to schedule a mini class. 

Thanks for stopping by.
Michele


October 06, 2015

Holiday Expressions Blog Hop

Welcome to our blog hop taking an in depth look that the products in the Holiday Expressions.  The products in this seasonal book are available through Dec 31st, 2015 and will bring a sparkle to all your holiday celebrations and memories. 

If you have come here from Michelle's Blog, you are hopping right along.  After you have visited here, you will hop on over to Kathy's Blog to see her artwork. 

I have been creating with many different products from this little book of goodness and have lots of kits and classes ready to go.  It was hard to choose what to highlight but I think my favorite is the White Pine Cardmakers Workshop on the Go paired with the Twinkle stamp of the month. 


What I love about the workshop on the go is that you have a pattern for three cards and you can use those same patterns with same paper packet and different stamps or change it up to different papers and stamps.  Each kit has supplies to create 15 cards. 



You can see here how I created the cards from the workshop on the go and then the same cards using the Twinkle stamp of the month.  So fun, so easy, so fast!  Here's a closer look at the cards created from the workshop on the go. 




And here's a closer look at the cards created using the Twinkle stamp of the month. 


And even better, these card kits are "refillable".  Ask your consultant or contact me to see yow you can get additional paper, sparkles, twine and cards to create additional cards which may be needed for your holiday greetings. 

Now if you want to see more artwork using the stamp of the month, remember there was a blog hop that you can start here featuring that set exclusively.  And if you are ready to go on to Kathy's Blog, hop on to her site. 

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to sharing my classes and kits with you. 
Michele


October 01, 2015

October Stamp of the Month: Twinkle Blog Hop

Welcome to the October Stamp of the month blog hop.  This hop brings along with it that sneak peek at the upcoming holidays.  If I am going to create gifts and cards for the holidays, now is the time to get started.  The Twinkle stamp set is the perfect place to begin!


If you have arrived here from Lauren's Blog, welcome and you are on the right track!  After your visit here, you will move on to visit Carol's Blog.

I have been using this stamp set to create cards, scrapbook pages and bags and tags for holiday gifting.  Here I used many of the stamps to create a double page layout for my holiday photos.


The ornaments cut from the Artiste Cricut Cartridge, lights and tree cut from the Artistry Cricut Cartridge all remind me of family tree decorating!






Adding bitty sparkles puts the final twinkle on the page.

I hope you have been inspired while you have looked at my artwork.  Now, remember you will move on to Carol's Blog and through the hop to seeing more inspirational artwork.

Remember to purchase this stamp set, contact your CTMH consultant or if you do not have one, you can contact me to get yours.  Below is a collage of the products I used to create this scrapbook layout to make your shopping easier.  All the items can be purchased on my website.


Items include:

Happy Stamping,
Michele 
  

January 05, 2015

What if....

you could scrapbook all your holiday photos in just a couple of hours with no mess.  Just imagine how it would feel to wrap up your holiday memories and share them in the new year! 

A new limited-time Express Collection is available in Studio J® beginning January 1. The new collection has been designed by our studio artists using the Yuletide Carol paper packet, which is perfect for preserving your memories from this festive time of year. Like our other Express Collections, this limited edition collection will offer you 10 pre-designed layouts, plus a layout designed to give you a first and last page for your album. With a grand total of 65 photo wells, this collection has plenty of room for your favorite photos from the holidays.

 I started mine and completed the first pages in just 20 minutes.  I chose the "home for the holidays" layout, uploaded my photos, dropped them in the photo wells, resizing them just a bit, added my journaling and it was done!  If you click on the photo, you can see a larger image.



Now I know that it is fast, simple and easy but of course, I did a little bit of "editing" to make it my own.  I changed the background paper from Flaxen to Desert Sand, the brads from White to Ruby, and I added the "distressed embellishment" of sanding.  I also changed the lettering to Colonial White in the title and Cocoa in the journaling.  See the difference?  Really, this only took me about an additional 5 minutes.



The collection will only be available through February 28, so be sure to make time in the first part of the year to add your photos and order your layouts to keep the memories fresh for years to come!

FAQ's:

How do I access Studio J?   Visit my website and click on"Products>Studio J Online Scrapbooking>Enter Now".  If you don't have an account, create one so you can save your work. 

How do I learn to use Studio J?  Close to My Heart has provided several videos for beginners.  You can access these on my website here.  Or, I am happy to give you a 30 minute tutorial in person or over the phone. 

Here's to a new year of scrapping,
Michele

December 08, 2014

On the 10th day of Christmas CTMH gave to us...

An new rolling tote!  This beautiful carry all makes getting to your crops and retreats faster, simpler and easier.  Watch this video to see all the details and thought that went into developing this great product. 



You can order yours today on my website or by contacting me. 

And because we are celebrating the 12 days of Christmas until Dec 10th, your purchase will qualify you to earn tickets to win the mystery hostess rewards which are currently a total of $130 in free products and 3 half price products! 

As a reminder here are the specials you can take advantage of:

Mystery Hostess

With every $25 purchase, you get a ticket entered in a drawing for all the free loot!  One person will win!

Album Special
  • Order one album and get a free pack of flips flaps and a ticket for mystery hostess rewards.
  • Order two albums and get free pack of flip flaps, a package of label holders, and two tickets for the mystery hostess drawing.
  • Order three albums and get free flip flaps, label holders, the stamp of the month for free and four tickets for the mystery hostess drawing. 
  • Order four albums and get flip flaps, label holders, stamp of the month AND $25 in hostess rewards, no ticket needed.  
 Let's get together!

You can choose a gift of either a My Reflections Scrapbook Kit or a My Acrylix stamp set(s) up to a $10 value.  Free product?  Yes! Just for meeting with me? Yes!  Not a crafter but still want to meet?  I will let you choose 10 handmade cards from my collection for your personal use.  Email me today or before Dec 10th to set a date. 

Deal of the Decade!

With a qualifying purchase of $50, you can order "C" and "D" size stamp sets for $10 saving up to $7.95 per stamp set.  (Discounted stamps sets from the 2014 Annual Inspirations book.)  Shop at MRowley.CTMH.com

Free Annual Inspiration and Seasonal Expression idea books
Receive one free copy of Annual Inspirations and Seasonal Expressions 1 when you place an order. 

Seasonal Sampler Club
Join the Sampler club and purchase eight sampler kits with a frame, and get the ninth for free.  Cost of each kit is around $15.  

I hope you are enjoying your days of Christmas!
Michele

 

December 02, 2014

Fourth Day of Christmas!

On the fourth day of Christmas...the gifts just keep coming. 



Starting today through January 31, 2015, you will receive one free copy of Annual Inspirations and Seasonal Expressions 1 when you place an order. This one-time bonus will be available to each customer. The option to add the free idea book will appear on the website or I will add it to your order.  Everyone should have a copy of our idea books, because they do are such a wonderful display of beautiful artwork, provide creative inspiration and offer tips and techniques. 

Want to make it just like you see it?  Did you know we have "recipes" for each piece of artwork featured?  You can access the "recipe" book here



And, the artwork shown in the idea book often has an italic print below it referring to the Close to My Heart "how to" pattern?  They make it faster, simpler and easier for you to create beautiful artwork on your own. 

Finally, the idea book is full of tips and techniques to help you get the most from your CTMH products. 

Don't forget, the first days of Christmas...you can still take advantage of the special offers including the Album offer, Deal of the Decade offer, stamp of the month, AND mystery hostess tickets for free product drawing. 

Happy Creating,
Michele


November 30, 2014

Third Day of Christmas: A Huge Cyber Monday Special!

My Oh My!  (In the voice of Dave Niehaus for you Mariners fans.)  This is an incredible day to save with Close to My Heart!  Make sure you pass this on to your Santa!


Cyber Monday with 20% off all Cricut Cartridge bundles


Art Philosophy, Artiste, Artbooking and the new Artfully Sent.  All 20% off Dec 1st 12 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. MST.  Shop on my website or contact me.  And to add to that, you will qualify for the December month long special, DEAL of the DECADE.  Shop at MRowley.CTMH.com

Deal of the Decade with $10 stamps after $50 qualifying order



With a qualifying purchase of $50, including the Cyber Monday special, you can order "C" and "D" size stamp sets for $10 saving up to $7.95 per stamp set.  (Discounted stamps sets from the 2014 Annual Inspirations book.)  Shop at MRowley.CTMH.com


Seasonal Expressions 1 catalog supplement goes live

 

Chocked full on fresh new product for the later winter early spring, you are going to love the Seasonal Expressions.  View online at MRowley.CTMH.com




Cutie Pie Stamp of the Month
A sweet calorie free treat!  Great for any celebration and only $5 with a $50 purchase or $17.95.  This can be combined with the Cyber Monday Special AND the Deal of the Decade.  To see artwork made with this set, visit this wonderful consultant blog hop

 Mystery Hostess Tickets for each $25 ordered


 This is simple, the gist of it is, for every $25 ordered, you will get a ticket for the hostess rewards, combined over all the sales between Nov. 28th and Dec 10th.  WOW! 


Second Day of Christmas Album Special continues


 
See my Second day of Christmas Album detail here

Have fun saving! 
Michele

Second Day of Christmas: Albums

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave me....Scrapbooking Albums!



Yes!  Close to My Heart has a new line of albums and they are perfect for storing your family memories whatever style of scrapbooker you are!  Classic scrapbook page fit work well in the post bound albums as do the Studio J online scrapbook pages.  If you enjoy pocket style scrapbooking such as Picture My Life, you will love the new D-Ring albums.  If you are like me and scrapbook is all these different ways...and combine them all in one album, you will love the versatility of the D-ring style.

And here's the deal!
  • Order one album and get a free pack of flips flaps and a ticket for mystery hostess rewards.
  • Order two albums and get free pack of flip flaps, a package of label holders, and two tickets for the mystery hostess drawing.
  • Order three albums and get free flip flaps, label holders, the stamp of the month for free and four tickets for the mystery hostess drawing. 
  • Order four albums and get flip flaps, label holders, stamp of the month AND $25 in hostess rewards, no ticket needed.   

You can see the albums above, Black, Lagoon Chevron, and Red Floral.  Please contact me directly to take part in the special so I can include your free products. 

Offer is good through Dec 10th, 2014 through Michele Rowley, CTMH Independent Consultant.  

Happy Second Day of Christmas.
Michele






November 29, 2014

Did you survive black friday? Ready for the First Day of Christmas?

Today is the First Day of Christmas (in my countdown special) and it is also Small Business Saturday.  I have loved the opportunity to have a small business.  It has allowed me to stay home with my children, have a flexible schedule, meet great people, make wonderful friendships and earn two all expenses paid luxury vacations.  The connections with my family, community, friends and you is what makes it all worth it. 

Playa Conchal, Costa Rica

Have you ever wondered how this works?  I would love to share more with you and learn about your thoughts.

So here's the First Day of Christmas special.  I am offering you connection!  Schedule a phone call or in person meeting with me (meet up before February 1st) to get together. 

Need an incentive?  After we have met, you can choose a gift of either a My Reflections Scrapbook Kit or a My Acrylix stamp set(s) up to a $10 value.  Free product?  Yes! Just for meeting with me? Yes!  Not a crafter but still want to meet?  I will let you choose 10 handmade cards from my collection for your personal use.  Email me today or before Dec 10th to set a date. 

If you know me at all, you know I am not a pushy sales person and this is not about getting you into something that is not for you.  This is about meeting with YOU, getting to know YOU, and hearing YOUR story.  If CTMH fits into your story, Amen!  If not, then at least we have strengthened our connection, Amen!

Looking forward to a new year filled with stronger friendships,
Michele