Not too late for January's Stamp of the Month

It's still January, so you can still purchase the January Stamp of the Month.  If you weren't convinced before, see if this example doesn't put you over the top...

I used the baby's breath within the stamp set (at least that's what I see it as) and "love you!"with this simple card.

January Stamp of the Month set

Let me walk you through how I made this...

First of all, the card was inspired from a pinterest post, which in turn came from another pinterest post (no website listed).

I cut a 2" x 4.25" piece of White Daisy cardstock.  Using VersaMark ink(Z891), stamp the baby's breath twice (I went with different heights), pour White Embossing Powder (Z2068) on the images (tap off excess), and heat (Craft Heater Z555) the powder.

Next, I started with Cranberry Ink(Z2116)(the darker red color) and Sponge Daubers(Z726)*.  Moving in a circular pattern, rub on the Cranberry ink around the sprigs and in the corner - wherever you want it, really.  Definitely don't go straight from your ink to the project, though.  You'll end up with some very dark spots.  Repeat with Pomegranate ink(Z2653) (purplish hue) and then Poppy ink (Z2652) (bright spots) (I used this one sparingly).  Note that there are sections that don't have any ink.  *When I do this again, I'll use our Sponge (Z697)instead of the Daubers.  The Sponge is much stronger for this type of job (applying in a circular motion).  The tops of my used Daubers crumbled off.

The last step before assembling, is to stamp the breath.  I stamped first generation with Cranberry ink.  I cleaned the stamp, and added second generation (stamp off on scratch paper first) breath in Pomegranate ink.  You can see I stamped at different heights to give it more depth (that's what the second generation stamping does too).

Adhere the strip to the card front, and stamp a saying below (Cranberry ink for this card), and whalaa, your card is done!

I'm thinking this will be my Valentine's card to my husband.  It says "I love you" without being too lovey dovey.  Although, he's seen this card, so I might have to come up with another one.  Too bad!

Right... I got carried away with telling you how to make this card that I almost forgot to remind you that you have until Sunday at 11pm Pacific Time to order this set.  This set would allow you to make a great Anniversary card too!

Valentine's Mailbox

Look at how adorable this mailbox is that Monica made!  Check out the video on how it was done too!


Mailbox from Artiste Collection (page 51), cut at 11".  Use the relative size selection for the mailbox's flag.  Ruby cardstock for the mailbox itself.
The Hearts are from the Art Philosophy Collection (page 6).  She points to the outline image, but it was the full image that was used (<Heart1>).  1.5" and 1.25".  La Vie En Rose paper packet for the flag, front cover, and hearts.

Looks like a quick and easy weekend project!!

Thoughtful Thursday 1/28/2016

It's Girl Scout Cookie time, therefore I thought this caption was appropriate.  : )

I was looking for some recipes to use the cookies in.  You might think it blasphemy for not eating the cookies in virgin form - well, I'm a rebel!!  And I wanted to show they can be more than just delicious snacks.  They can enhance other foods too.

Serious stuff now... there were several blog posts saying that the cookie prices are ridiculously high. That made me sad. Unfortunately, I think people forget the fact that these cookies are a fundraiser.  Let me show you where the money goes.

So you see, when you buy a box of cookies, you are giving as well as getting.


Keep this in mind too.  In 2015, in San Diego County, a box of cookies went from $4 to $5.  That was the first price increase in 10 years!  Besides Costco's hot dog dinner deal, what goes up in price that slowly?!  Pretty much nothing!

Okay, I'm getting off my soapbox now...

If you don't want the cookies, and you're asked to buy, there are lots of military personnel who would love a box.  You can always support them by buying them a box too!  By the way, supermarket booth sales start February 5th and go through March 6th.

Happy Girl Scout Cookie Season!!

Decisions?!

I hate my job, sometimes!  Let me tell you why... And I should start with the fact that it's not a horrible problem to have.  Well it is when a decision needs to be made!

So, I'd been working on my birthday goodie cards and got to the Bandwidth card.  The plan was to emboss the base of the card and assemble.  First problem was deciding which side to have face up - the center of the design or the outline of the design (top left vs bottom right).  Next was the decision of the focal point.  Do I leave a little bit of border or more (top two vs bottom two).  After I couldn't decide which was better, I then thought of backing the base with Black cardstock to mimic the focal (top right and bottom left vs the other two).

So I made four of them and laid them all out.  Technically I should have made 12 more - one for each of the decisions, but I didn't have the time.

Do you see my PROBLEM?!  Having to make these types of decisions is just exhausting sometimes!  I didn't even have family members around to help with the decision.  And the WORST PART is I STILL CAN'T DECIDE!!

I did make a decision, but you'll have to make one too, if you receive this card as your goodie card.  You'll have to decide which embossed part goes upward.  All I have to say is, "Good Luck!"  : )

January 2016's Stamp of the Month

I don't think I've shown you this month's Stamp of the Month yet!  Shame on me!  And two samples from corporate.  This stamp set is available until January 31,2016.  Why not add it to my birthday party gathering.  It can help you get a stamp set and card kit!

My Birthday Party Goodie Cards

My birthday is just around the corner, and I'd like you to come to my "party".  I opened a Gathering on my website called "My Birthday - Goodies for You".  When you make a $35 purchase (subtotal), I will send you one card kit (from the six shown below) as well as the flower stamp set (not available for purchase).  For every $15 after that, I will send you another card kit.  So, if you spend $45 (subtotal), you will receive the stamp set and two card kits.

For you with $35 purchase to thank you for coming to my "party"!

Here are the cards... : )

Each card measures 3" x 3" and will come with the papers cut and stamped with the saying (hostess rewards stamp set - Say it All C1632).

Close to my Heart has a couple of campaigns you might be interested in.  The first is from now until January 31, 2016 and is National Papercrafting Month - Live the Day


Celebrate National Papercrafting Month with the exclusive Picture My Life™ Live Your Day scrapbooking program—available for one month only! This collection was designed to coordinate perfectly with the sensational Everyday Life™ 2016 Planner Pages and My Crush^® Everyday Life Pages, so you can seamlessly integrate pocket scrapbooking into your 2016 planner. Whether in the planner or on their own, these cards make it easy to preserve your everyday moments all year long. Get yours today for only $8.95 USD before this offer is gone!

The second campaign starts February 1, 2016 (and runs through the month).

Share the love this February by purchasing the exclusive My Acrylix^® Share the Love D-size stamp set (CC1060). Filled with adorable icons and loveable sentiments, this stamp set will be a beautiful addition to your collection—but there is more to this stamp set than meets the eye! Not only will you be getting a high-quality, swoon-worthy stamp set by taking part in this promotion, but Close To My Heart will also donate $7 of the proceeds from this stamp set to Operation Smile™, an amazing organization that provides surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates for children all over the world!* Check out our social media channels all month long to see this stamp set in action, and remember to post your own artwork using the hashtag #ctmhsharethelove to help bring attention to a wonderful and worthy cause.
*Product purchases in US states Alabama and Massachusetts excluded from donation

So, you can see, you can make a purchase now or wait until February.  Or you can do both!  Whatever you choose, make a purchase at my party and you'll get a goodie bag for coming.  But you have to make your purchase before February 19th because my gathering will close at 7pm (Pacific Time).


Items to think about purchasing for these cards:
Z2164  Sorbet Ink
Z2172  Whisper Ink
Z2174  Champagne Ink
Z2015  Black Ink (just in case you don't have this color)
X5751  Sorbet Cardstock
X5929  Whisper Cardstock
Z726     Sponge Daubers
Y1000  1" x 1" Acrylix Block

Want to recreate these at home?  You'll need these items:

X7205B Charlotte Paper Packet

Z1926    Quatrefoil Embossing Folder

Z1924    Dot Embossing Folder

Z1809   Black Simmer Trim

1386      Black Cardstock

1385      White Daisy Cardstock

Z1475    3" x 3" White Daisy Envelopes

Y1002   1" x 3" Acrylix Block

9036     Originals Card Confidence Program

Want to earn your own stamps?!  Or paper, markers, or blocks?  Host a gathering online or in your home.  Heck, I can host it at my home, if you'd like.  Gather some friends and neighbors and make a couple hours of it.  You'll be amazed at how easy it can be!

February Workshop

It's been too long since I saw my friends!  My next workshop is Monday February 8th and Tuesday February 9th, both from 7 to 9 pm.  You will be making three of each of these two cards:

These cards use the Charlotte paper, Black and Gold Ribbon, Treasured Puffies, Springtime Wishes stamp set, and utilize our newest line - Thin Cuts.  Thin Cuts are designed with specific stamp sets and use an embossing machine (such as Cuttlebug).  No more cutting by hand!