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

Blog Hop: Thin Cuts

Woo Hoo!  Close to My Heart has a great sale going on right now!  All  thin cuts or stamp set, thin cut combos are 25% off! 

You are at a stop on a big circle of blogs that will feature amazing artwork using the CTMH thin cut products!  Now if you have arrived here from Krista's blog, then you have seen some fabulous artwork and are on the right track.  Next you will be traveling on to Gina's Blog to see her wonderful creations.  But first...take a look!

The set I chose to create with was the Dreamin' Big card making stamps and coordinating thin cuts. 

Bringing a playful childhood past time to mind, I captured these sweet little butterflies in a Mason jar. 

When working with the thin cuts, you can pre- cut your images and then stamp on them because the stamps and blocks are clear and you can align them perfectly.   OR you can stamp on your cardstock, place your thin cut over the image, adhere gently with a piece of washi tape (another great use for the stash of washi tape you have), and then cut them.  Good bye fussy cutting!  Perfect outlines every time. 

Now this is not the only set that is on sale this month.  To see the other sets that qualify for the 25% discount, visit your consultant's website or if you don't have a consultant, stop by my website here.  And remember when you make a purchase of $50, you can get the cutest tea cup stamp set for $5.  This all only in March. 

Remember to move along to Gina's Blog to see what she has created!  Thanks for stopping in. 

Michele

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

Flower Market Key 8: Nautical Theme

In this video, we walk you through all the shapes you can create with the “8” key on our Cricut® Flower Market cartridge, which is designed to help you create a perfectly coordinated scrapbook layout, card, or 3-D project. The artwork featured in this video is a nautical, boat-themed scrapbook page and a sympathy card.



Isn't is great that you can use a "winter" paper and create such beautiful nautical themed projects.  I love the diversity!

Happy Cricuting,
Michele

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

Flower Market Cricut Cartridge Key 15

In this video, we walk you through all the shapes you can create with the “15” key on our Cricut® Flower Market cartridge, which is designed to help you create a beautiful themed scrapbook layout, card, or 3-D project. The artwork featured in this video shows a masculine scrapbook page that’s perfect for a boy, father, husband, or grandfather.



Enjoy,

Michele

Flower Market Cricut Cartridge Key 6

Layering is key to creating beautiful flowers with this cartridge.  Learn how Close to My Heart has done the work for you!  The Lilac cluster is one flower featured on this key. 



Enjoy,

Michele

Flower Market Cricut Cartridge Key 24

Bring Autumn to your cards and scrapbook pages and even home decor with the beautiful icons on this key.  You will also see some ways to use the contour feature in Design Space to add more options and possibilities to your Cricut crafting. 



Enjoy,

Michele

Flower Market Key 10

Our newest Cricut Collection called Flower Market is filled with endless creative possibilities.  Each week, Close to My Heart is featuring a different key and showing artwork using that key. 

Here's this weeks feature video. 



Enjoy,

Michele

Holiday Expressions New Product Blog Hop

The new Holiday Expressions has arrived and what a delight!  Yes, two new idea books in two months.  So much fun. 

This blog hop will feature different products that you will find for our newest catalog supplement.  If you have arrived here from Jennifer's Blog, thank you for joining me.  After your visit here, you will travel on to Jean's Blog. 

There is so much goodness in this little book.  If I was a paper hoarder...oh wait, I am! 

My artwork features the new paper packet Jeepers Creepers.  Of course when you first look at it, you will probably think Halloween.  The challenge for me is, how can I use it differently.  I also get a lot of help with this challenge from inspirational artwork from our CTMH community.  So here is my Jeepers Creepers artwork and upcoming scrapbook workshop. 

I look forward to using this for a birthday celebration for one of my nephews.  What other "celebrations" might you feature? 

This page was create using the consultant workshop that was developed by one of our own!  I love the new Marker Alphabet E1034 and the colors of the "PARTY!" are the new colors of the adventure palette.

Finally, this page came out of our "Magic" how to book and is the layout called Hocus Pocus.  I, of course, altered it a bit.  My thoughts for this page were maybe Harry Potter World or even a Homecoming Dance, starry nights?  But really, it could feature a lot of different photo themes. 

To see additional non-Halloween artwork created with Jeepers Creepers, you can also visit our home office blog Make it From Your Heart. 

I will list all the items I used to create these pages below but remember to move on to Jean's Blog because the Holiday Expressions if full of more fun products and Jean will surely have something wonderfully creative to share.

Items used to create these pages:

• G1110 Jeepers Creepers Workshop Your Way
• E1034  Marker Alphabet
• Z3167 Artistry Cricut Cartridge
• Z3285 Flower Market Cricut Cartridge

 Thank you for stopping by.  Please reach out to your consultant for shopping information or if you do not have a consultant, visit my website or reach out to me for more information.

Michele


 

August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Purr-fect Halloween

Welcome to the stamp of the month blog hop.  I missed you last month!  I hope you were able to enjoy the hop without me but I was just too busy with the CTMH convention and travel.

But I am back and I am so excited to share this fun, silly, and maybe scary, crazy cat with you.

If you have arrived here from Michelle Stewart's Blog,  then you are following right along.  After you have visited, you are welcome to hop on over to Haley Dyer's blog and see what she has done with her crazy cat.

This cat reminded of me a book I used to read to my girls called Puppy Hide and Seek.  The cute little kitty would hide from the puppy in fun, unexpected places.  So, I was inspired to hide this kitty in some cherry blossoms from the new Flower Market Cricut cartridge.

 The cat is stamped on one of the papers from the Rustic Home collection and the flower centers and blanket in the basket are cut from our new Raspberry color.

This card brings on the Halloween feel that I had when I first saw the stamp set.  The background is embossed with our new Happy Thoughts folder, the "hello" is cut with the new Thin Cuts and tangerine paper color.  The stamped images are colored with the Shin Han markers.  This kitty was a lot of fun to play with and he didn't even make me sneeze (yes, I am allergic to cats).  And the color scheme that is featured is a hint of what's to come in our "Halloween" paper pack!

Remember that this stamp set is only available during the month of August.  You can purchase it for $17.95 or $5 with a minimum order.  Shop with your consultant for this stamp set and new products or if you do not have a consultant, you can shop on my website here.

Now remember to move on to Haley's blog and see how her kitty comes to life in her artwork.

Enjoy.
Michele

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

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:

• X7200B  White Pines Paper Packet
• S1510  Twinkle Stamp set
• Z3170  Artiste Cricut Cartridge
• Z3190 Artistry Cricut Cartridge
• Z2105 Black Ink
• Z2116 Cranberry Ink
• Z2650  Fern Ink
• Z1263  Bitty Sparkles

Happy Stamping,
Michele 
  

How do you get back to being creative after a hiatus?

I have been away from my creative space for just over two weeks and 7 days of that was also being completely unplugged and off the grid.  Oh my soul was thirsty when I got home!  I even had three boxes of new product waiting for me when I got home but I didn't know where to start...

Where would you start? 

Here's what I did...I had a set of pieces cut for a Ladies night out that I hosted just before I left.  The stamps were still on the blocks, the inks were stacked (thankfully closed up) next to the basket of paper pieces and the sample was sitting there too. 

My first thought was to just finish up the set of cards like the sample but then I remembered one of the ladies who attended had made the card COMPLETELY different from my sample.  I complimented her on it as it was beautiful!  She said "I didn't know I was supposed to copy yours."  Of course she wasn't supposed to do anything but enjoy being creative!  What a great lesson. 

So I took those pieces and let the creativity flow and made these four additional cards. 

Which card do you like best? 

Now my creative juices are flowing, I am going to clear off the desk after I finish this post and I am ready to open those boxes! 

Here's to letting yourself be creative.  It is good for the soul.

Michele

Below is a collage of the products I used.  Keep in mind that "Framed" stamp set, S1508 is the August stamp of the month, coordinates with the Artistry Cricut cartridge and is only available until August 31st, 2015.  Visit my website to purchase yours today for $5 with a $50 purchase or $17.95. 

Coffee and Donuts?

Yes!  The carb free kind?  Yes!  These cards were made using the new product released this month from Close to My Heart. 

Join me Saturday August 29th 10 a.m. to create these two cards and others for a total of 15 cards for $25.  RSVP by Aug 22nd.  If you are not local to me but would like a kit, contact me to order yours. 

The product used includes:

Happy stamping...or munching,
Michele

August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: Framed

WooHoo!  August is here and it is time for some exciting news!

This month on the blog hop we are featuring the Framed stamp of the month which also happens to have matching Cricut cuts for the new CTMH Cricut cartridge called Artistry!  If you have joined me by hopping over from Beth's Blog, welcome!  After you have visited here, you will be hopping on to Jilena's Blog.

Now here is what I have created for you!

Three different cards using the same "sketch" and the backgrounds and icons from the new cartridge.  I love how they all turned out so different and it was so easy to create using just one card design.

Below are a collage of products I used.  These are all available beginning August 1st.

Here's a photo of the complete stamp set. 

 

You can purchase this stamp set only during the month of August for $17.95 or $5 with a $50 purchase.  Ask your consultant how you can get it or if you do not have a consultant, I would love to help you.  Now remember to head on over to Jilena's Blog to see what she has created with the stamp of the month. 

Happy August!

Michele

Blog Hop: Picture My Life Cards created using Artfully Sent

 On this blog hop, we are featuring pocket cards created with the Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge. 

Did you know that you can use the Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge and create your own pocket scrapbooking cards?  Yes, easy as pushing a couple of buttons and you can personalize your pocket scrapbooking!  If you came here from Mary Brooks' Blog, you are on the right track.  When you are finished here, hop on over to see the pocket cards created by Tina Lovell. 

I used the Blossom Paper packet and the July Stamp of the month to create these two cards.

 4x3 Pocket card

 4x6 Pocket Card

 Although these cards are great for pocket scrapbooking, you can also use them on your classic layouts.  You can see here, I added the top card to the left hand page.  I then stamped the "Wonderful" from the July stamp of the month on the right hand page to complete the title. 

 I did make a third 4x6 pocket card but it didn't fit on the layout so I paired it down a bit to make it work.  You can compare the layout with it here.

If you want to learn more about creating your own pocket cards or the Artfully Sent Cricut cartridge, then contact your CTMH consultant or if you don't have a consultant, I would love to help you out!  Not all the cards swapped will be represented in this hop, but I will be posting those I received over the next few days as well.  Enjoy this hop and remember to head over to Tina's next! 

Happy stamping,
Michele

Blog Hop: Jump on it July!

During the month of July, when you purchase $25 in current, retail priced stamps, you qualify to receive either the July Stamp of the Month,  Life Is Wonderful, FREE or any one of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets featured in Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 or Seasonal Expressions 2 for only $5! That is a savings of up to $17.95!

To celebrate this great special, several talented consultants have put together this artwork blog hop to share ideas with the different Hostess Reward stamp sets.

If you have come here from Melinda's Blog, you are on the right path.  After you have read my blog post, you will be traveling on to Brenda's Blog. 

I knew I had to have it when I first saw it...yes it was the Paper Bird Hostess reward set.  I am really drawn to designs, paper and embellishments that include "newspaper" or "dictionary" type text as part of the design. 

This stamp set features on image that is cut using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge but I also wanted to use a butterfly cut as well.  So I looked through the book and with a little trial and error, I found that Butterfly 2 found on page 55 of the handbook, cut at 1 1/2 inches, although not a perfect match, works well to for the stamp image to capture the "text".  I cut a large butterfly in our silver glitter paper as an accent and then used smaller butterfly cuts to embellish. 

Here's is a card create by the corporate artists using the Art Philosophy Cricut heart cut. 

I have had fun playing with this set and you can too!  Contact your consultant about the Jump on it July special or visit my website and click on the Promotion tab. 

Hope your day is filled with smiles. 
Michele