Find all the crafting products you need for the holiday season in the
2016 Holiday Expressions idea book from Close To My Heart. See all the
products on your Consultant’s website or at closetomyheart.com. View this short video for a brief tour of the delightful products.
Ready for holiday crafting?
Michele
So much more than crafting—it's about connection, community, and the friendships that blossom along the way. Yes, I offer workshops, classes, and retreats where I teach card-making, scrapbooking, and journaling techniques, but what truly matters is the sharing of stories, the support we give each other, and the laughter we share.
September 19, 2016
September 17, 2016
More Jeepers Creepers
My inspiration was to work with some of the different "folded" card patterns I have seen lately. And from this, I created a Monster Workshop!
Here's the first card.
I think this is referred to as the "Z" fold card. The paper dimensions are as follows.
Lagoon card background is 4 1/4 x 11 and is scored at 2 3/4 and 5 1/2.
Pansy strip is 1 x 11 and is scored at the same measurements.
I then added my Monsters, a Picture My Life card, some masked stamping, and a zip strip! The Jeepers Creepers assortment includes wonderful "eye" buttons but I had run out. Luckily, I have some googly eyes in my stash!
If you are local, come create this fun card with me at my "Monster Workshop" on Monday October 10th 7 p.m. If you are not local but would like the kit and instructions, contact me and I will provide a kit for you. Also, to see upcoming workshops, make sure you visit my Calendar of Events here on my blog or my Facebook Events.
I have more monsters and fun folds to share with you next week!
Michele
September 16, 2016
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
Here's this weeks feature video.
Enjoy,
Michele
September 15, 2016
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:
Michele
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
Michele
September 06, 2016
National Stamping Month Blog Hop
September is National Stamping Month. Close to My Heart has created this...to celebrate!
Welcome to the blog hop featuring over 20 consultants who will be sharing their artwork with you.
If you have arrived here from Jennifer's Blog, you are headed around the circle of creativity! When you have finished at my stop, you will continue on to Jean's Blog and see her wonderful artwork.
One of the many benefits of being a CTMH consultant is getting to create, preview and share artwork before it becomes available to the world! There were so many beautiful renditions using the cards and stamp sets, my brain was full of inspiration. I started with the ideas shared by Brenda Rose, and then created a card using Swan Lake papers for my upcoming 20 card workshop.
Here are my cards inspired by Brenda using the card bases in the kit.
The Create Kindness card kit contains all of the supplies needed to create 24 beautiful handmade cards that you can use to brighten someone’s day! The kit can be yours for only $46.95—a 15% savings off the retail value! You can also purchase the mini stamps individually and refill the kit with extra card sets and envelopes. Shop on your consultant's website to get your kit during the month of September, or if you are new to Close to My Heart, you can shop on my website.
After you have perused the blog hop, you can see more artwork you can also use #createkindness on Facebook and Instagram. Don't forget to head to Jean's Blog first.
And here's the kit in detail.
Enjoy National Scrapbook month, take some time to be creative and create kindness in your community.
Michele
Welcome to the blog hop featuring over 20 consultants who will be sharing their artwork with you.
If you have arrived here from Jennifer's Blog, you are headed around the circle of creativity! When you have finished at my stop, you will continue on to Jean's Blog and see her wonderful artwork.
One of the many benefits of being a CTMH consultant is getting to create, preview and share artwork before it becomes available to the world! There were so many beautiful renditions using the cards and stamp sets, my brain was full of inspiration. I started with the ideas shared by Brenda Rose, and then created a card using Swan Lake papers for my upcoming 20 card workshop.
Here are my cards inspired by Brenda using the card bases in the kit.
The Create Kindness card kit contains all of the supplies needed to create 24 beautiful handmade cards that you can use to brighten someone’s day! The kit can be yours for only $46.95—a 15% savings off the retail value! You can also purchase the mini stamps individually and refill the kit with extra card sets and envelopes. Shop on your consultant's website to get your kit during the month of September, or if you are new to Close to My Heart, you can shop on my website.
After you have perused the blog hop, you can see more artwork you can also use #createkindness on Facebook and Instagram. Don't forget to head to Jean's Blog first.
And here's the kit in detail.
Enjoy National Scrapbook month, take some time to be creative and create kindness in your community.
Michele
September 01, 2016
September SOTM Blog Hop: Blessed Beyond Measure
Welcome to the beginning of fall. Well at least in many places we think of fall as the beginning of September or when the kids go back to school. But I love the September weather in the Pacific Northwest and so for me, it is a continuation of summer with some of the fun artwork for fall. And that leads us right into the stamp of the month.
Blessed Beyond Measure is the featured stamp set and has a wonderful fall feeling to it. If you have arrived here from Vickie"s Blog thanks for joining us. From here, you will travel on to Gina's Blog and enjoy the blessings of her artwork. And here's the card I created.
Using Swan Lake, a new paper packet from the Holiday Expression catalog, I featured the pumpkin stamp from the set. I stamped on Saffron Cardstock in Goldrush ink to get that true pumpkin color. I used the Mahogany Shin Han marker to add detail. I added the small spray of leaves stamping with fern ink on fern cardstock. The sentiment is stamped in Cocoa ink and the leaves are colored with the Sap Green Marker.
I look forward to using this stamp set throughout the fall! Remember, you can purchase this stamp set during the month of September order. The retail price is $17.95 or $5 with a qualifying purchase. Contact your consultant or visit my website to purchase your set today.
Now remember you will be traveling onto Gina's Blog for more artwork.
Enjoy the colors of fall!
Michele
Blessed Beyond Measure is the featured stamp set and has a wonderful fall feeling to it. If you have arrived here from Vickie"s Blog thanks for joining us. From here, you will travel on to Gina's Blog and enjoy the blessings of her artwork. And here's the card I created.
Using Swan Lake, a new paper packet from the Holiday Expression catalog, I featured the pumpkin stamp from the set. I stamped on Saffron Cardstock in Goldrush ink to get that true pumpkin color. I used the Mahogany Shin Han marker to add detail. I added the small spray of leaves stamping with fern ink on fern cardstock. The sentiment is stamped in Cocoa ink and the leaves are colored with the Sap Green Marker.
I look forward to using this stamp set throughout the fall! Remember, you can purchase this stamp set during the month of September order. The retail price is $17.95 or $5 with a qualifying purchase. Contact your consultant or visit my website to purchase your set today.
Now remember you will be traveling onto Gina's Blog for more artwork.
Enjoy the colors of fall!
Michele
August 08, 2016
We did it!
As of July 31st, I earned the Puetro Vallarta trip with Close to My Heart! I couldn't have done it without YOU! Everyone has played an important part in making this dream come true. It has been a great 10 months of offering workshops, retreats, gatherings and sharing the wonderful products with you! Thank you for your support and encouragement! I look forward to another promising year of sharing my love of everything Close to My Heart with you!
And, there is more to come with the introduction of our new Annual Inspirations idea book August 1st.
Blessings to you all,
Michele
August 06, 2016
Blog Hop: Fresh New Papercrafting Adventures Ahead
I love this time of year when Close to My Heart releases their new
Annual Inspirations Idea book. Along with the new product comes fun
ideas, new tips and techniques and a refreshed color palette.
You are going to love the redressed fundamental paper packets. They are on trend with designs and colors you will find in the market. And oh, so much pretty gold.
Enough with the oohing and ahhing. Lets get this blog hop started...or keep it going. If you have arrived here from Kirsten's Blog welcome. Enjoy what you see, leave a comment about what you are excited about, and then move on to Haley's Blog and see what new product she is featuring.
And now, here is what I have been playing with. Actually, it was really difficult to decide what to share with you but I decided to start with the Adventure Fundamental Papers. Updated with the colors lemon, raspberry, tangerine, willow, emerald, and pansy, these papers paired with their complements create a fun set of scrapbook pages.
This month, when you purchase all three set of the Fundamental papers, Adventure, Whimsy and Enchantment, you get to choose either the Rustic Home or Uptown Fundamentals for free. Contact your consultant to take part in in this special or if you do not have a consultant, you can get this special from my website here. When you purchase these paper packets, ask your consultant about how you can get the cutting guide to create scrapbook pages like those shown above.
I hope this peek into the Adventure Fundamentals has inspired you to continue on in the blog hop and see what else is new! Remember, you are heading to Haley's Blog next.
Finally, supplies used created these layouts are shown below.
Thanks for stopping by,
Michele
You are going to love the redressed fundamental paper packets. They are on trend with designs and colors you will find in the market. And oh, so much pretty gold.
Enough with the oohing and ahhing. Lets get this blog hop started...or keep it going. If you have arrived here from Kirsten's Blog welcome. Enjoy what you see, leave a comment about what you are excited about, and then move on to Haley's Blog and see what new product she is featuring.
And now, here is what I have been playing with. Actually, it was really difficult to decide what to share with you but I decided to start with the Adventure Fundamental Papers. Updated with the colors lemon, raspberry, tangerine, willow, emerald, and pansy, these papers paired with their complements create a fun set of scrapbook pages.
Featuring Cranberry, Willow and Lemon
Featuring Tangerine, Emerald and Lagoon with a little Pansy
Featuring Pacifica, Willow, and Tangerine
Featuring Lagoon, Tangerine and Pacifica
Featuring Pacifica and Raspberry
Featuring Cranberry and Lemon
This month, when you purchase all three set of the Fundamental papers, Adventure, Whimsy and Enchantment, you get to choose either the Rustic Home or Uptown Fundamentals for free. Contact your consultant to take part in in this special or if you do not have a consultant, you can get this special from my website here. When you purchase these paper packets, ask your consultant about how you can get the cutting guide to create scrapbook pages like those shown above.
I hope this peek into the Adventure Fundamentals has inspired you to continue on in the blog hop and see what else is new! Remember, you are heading to Haley's Blog next.
Finally, supplies used created these layouts are shown below.
Thanks for stopping by,
Michele
August 04, 2016
Magical Birthday!
A friend and instructor of spin classes at our YMCA had a special birthday this summer and I was commissioned to create a card for her that many people could sign. I took my inspiration from the accordion Father's Day card shown in the video below.
Of course I had to start with a bike stamp, Enjoy the Ride, the celebration wishes begin.
From there, I used the Magical Paper packet and other bike stamps to continue the special wishes.
Oh and don't forget the stamp set Jennifer's Hand to add personal sentiment.
I love how it turned out and I hope it carried with it wishes for more fabulous birthday's to come.
And now here is the video that will help you to put together an accordion card for someone special.
Enjoy the ride,
Michele
Of course I had to start with a bike stamp, Enjoy the Ride, the celebration wishes begin.
Enjoy the ride,
Michele
August 02, 2016
Basically the Best!
Our new 2016-1017 Annual Inspirations idea book has arrived! It is chocked full of new paper, stamps, embellishments and of course inspiration! To introduce you to the new fundamental paper collections, Close to My Heart has a special for you!
During the month of August, when you order our Whimsy, Adventure, and Enchantment Fundamental papers, you can choose to get either the Rustic Home or Uptown Fundamentals for FREE! Both of these Basics packs feature foil designs and specialty materials for making your artwork unique. Yep, this deal is basically the best!
Let me introduce you to our Fundamental papers.
During the month of August, when you order our Whimsy, Adventure, and Enchantment Fundamental papers, you can choose to get either the Rustic Home or Uptown Fundamentals for FREE! Both of these Basics packs feature foil designs and specialty materials for making your artwork unique. Yep, this deal is basically the best!
Let me introduce you to our Fundamental papers.
WHIMSY
Featured colors: Thistle, Crystal Blue, Glacier, Juniper, Sweet Leaf, Canary, Flaxen, Sorbet, Pixie, Smoothie
ADVENTURE
Featured colors: Pansy, Pacifica, Lagoon, Emerald, Willow, Lemon, Tangerine, Blossom, Raspberry, Cranberry
ENCHANTMENT
Featured colors: Eggplant, Sapphire, Peacock, New England Ivy, Fern, Saffron, Goldrush, Poppy, Pomegranate, Ruby
When you purchase one of each of these sets of paper, you will get to choose one of the following Basic Fundamentals for free.
UPTOWN
12 – 12" × 12" sheets (2 each of 6 designs), including some vellum paper and gold foil accents
RUSTIC HOME
12 – 12" × 12" sheets (2 each of 6 designs), including some kraft paper, vellum paper, and copper foil accents
You can shop on my brand new website here! Or if you have an order of $150 or more, contact me to place your order and receive $25 in free products.
Enjoy,
Michele
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