November? Already?

Is it really true? November is really here? We just got back from a 2-week trip to sunny Cancun! It was a great trip except Oct. was very short. And now, our short little time in paradise seems like a very long time ago, like it was just a dream.

Back to reality, back to the grindstone.

November we are featuring the White Pines paper 

pack 

and the Urban paper pack. 

With the White Pines you have a couple Workshops On The Go kits to choose from- 1 for cards and 1 for scrapbooking pages.

This month's special Simply Fundamental Scrapbooking will actually coordinate with the Urban paper pack. Great deal for scrapbookers and would even make a wonderful Christmas present. Hostesses can count this special towards their Free Hostess Rewards every time one of your friends or family purchase one of their own at your Gathering.

                                      

                                            Embossing Folders and Diffusers 101

Check this blog and the Facebook Page often for some inspiring ideas using November's paper packs and the campaign papers.

Make it from your Heart Blog- 

Close To My Hearts Facebook Page

                                                           

October's Deal!

First, let me tell you how much I appreciate all of you and your interest in Close To My Heart. Celebrating 10 years with this company has given me a lot of things to be thankful for. I am mostly thankful for all the precious friends I have made and have had the honor and privilege of spending time with, learning from you all has been a pleasure and an inspiration! 

I also love this business because I have learned so much from other talented and gifted consultants that greatly improved my efforts in this world of Paper Art!!!!!! The comradery is outstanding! I enjoy the freedom of making this business work with family obligations, volunteering, camping with family along with the many other things this life brings me. I have time to take care of both.

Why did I join this business in the first place? 

 My love for crafting, stamping and working with paper - making gifts and cards to give to those I love and putting our years of memories in a book for future generations makes for a pretty fun job! How many jobs out there give you the benefit to do your heart's desire? 

As a Consultant, there is the discount for product to use for your own projects.

Its also fun helping ladies earn FREE product and teaching them different techniques at their own gatherings. A chance to meet new people and make life long friends.

 If this sounds like the dream job you have been looking for, consider this:

 *Maybe you might want to just be a hobbyist and get the discount. 

 *Maybe you might want to pursue this opportunity as a business of your own.

 *Maybe you might want to start your own team building and make a generous income for yourself. 

Whatever you decide, October 1st. (click here) could be the start of an amazing journey for yourself. 

Feel free to contact me for more details.

Fall Decorations!

Brrrrrr.....its cold today! I went from summer clothes to fall in one day! LOL! Only in Indiana!
Thinking about decorating for fall? We will be making these cute little items at our next workshops in Ohio and hopefully here in Indiana.

First, is this banner you can put on your table or mantle. It was mentioned that you might want to decorate the back also if its on your table. I want to thank Chiaki Haverstick

for sharing her wonderful idea! As you can see, I made it my own. I made it 5" tall instead of the height she made hers but the measurements for the folding lines are the same as hers. 

These closeups will show you the 3-D flowers, leaves and letters I cut with the Art Phylosophy Cricut Cartridge and the Artiste Cricut Cartridge and rolled them using our Quill Tool. I used the flower tool also to get them to roll inside better.

I used the new Ink Blot Stamp Set-D166 with Sunset and Chocolate.

S1309- Poster Tidings (retired Stamp of the Month)

D1604 Season of Thanks- I stamped and cut some of the words for extra pizzazz.

S1208 Baroque Borders- (Retired Stamp of the Month)

S1509- September 2015 Stamp of the Month (stamped on the letters)

Z1927-Damask Embossing Folder

Cut these from the Artiste Cricut Cartridge on page 78. The little name place is the Accent 4 cut smaller and the object on the right is the thing that goes around the card. I am glueing it in a circle and using it for a napkin holder.

The flowers and leaves are D1550- Happy Autumn and could be retired. I am using the X7198B-Nevermore Paper Pack. 

September Highlights!

Where has the summer gone? Did we have one? LOL, mine went way too fast! We took a trip to California in June to see my big Brother and his family. My niece was up from Brazil with her two munchkins, and her 2 brothers from North Dakota along with the one brother's family and then her 3rd. brother that still lives in CA. Everyone except her hubby who had to stay behind because of his new job.
Then, we did the Grand kids trips back to back squished between baseball and school starting and our annual family camping trip. 

Every Tuesday the Indiana ladies and I met up at the Old Train Depot in Pierceton starting at 1 pm to work on our projects. The ladies in Ohio meet on Friday eve either the first friday or the 2nd one at the Calvary Bible Church close to Greenville, OH. 

In the mean time, Close To My Heart's Convention came and went along with the new Annual Idea Book and the Holiday Expressions Book reveal and the new product for us to drool over! September 1 brought the first day to purchase. Lots of changes and lots of new products to see. Close To My Heart will be showcasing one sometimes two paper packs along with ideas and projects to inspire us. You can keep track of this through their Facebook page, Jeanette's blog, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube videos!

September's paper packs are Zoe and Nevermore. Zoe is in the new Annual Inspiration and Evernote is in the new Holiday Expressions. And don't forget the Zoe Workshops On The Go Kits.

Here is a little 3 x 3 inch card and holder kit we made in Ohio for their workshop.

First, I really want to thank the Consultant who gave this idea. Unfortunately, I can't remember who she is. This workshop is my version using the September Stamp of the Month, the August Stamp of the Month (no longer available), and the stamp set from the Zoe Workshop On the Go, cards, envelopes and the holder were cut from the Close To My Heart Cricut Artiste Cartridge. Want the instructions FREE? Purchase at least $25 in product from my website, email me asking for the FREE instructions and I will email a copy to you. Want the pre cut, pre stamped kit for only $8? There is a limited amount of Kits and the papers may vary. Email me your request at stampingranny56@gmail.com

July Stamp of the Month

Is it really July already? With July we change the Stamp of the Month, have a whole new campaign for you, I update the Color Club and will post samples as the month goes by. First, lets start with the July Stamp of the Month.



July Stamp of the Month- Click here to see more.

I made a couple cards using the Blossom paper pack and the July Stamp of the Month. I just love the colors in this pack.

 

This card was one I loosely made from the Mojo Monday card diagram below. I also used the My Stickease Blossom for the flowers and the new sequin colors in the Expression 2. I sprayed the base of the card with my Spray Pen. The My Stickease made the card go together really fast.

 

I made mine by the size in our own books- 8x3 1/2 finished size.

 

 

This card was based off the next card diagram below. Kinda. I used the Washi Tape from the Expressions 2 catalog, the new cute embellishment and some more of the sequins. I run the middle background piece through the embosser using the wood grain embossing folder.

 

Jump On It July- Click here to see all the info for July's campaign!

 

Retiring Product- Click here.You also have just 2 more months to get these items. Aug. 31 is the last day for these items and items in the Expression 2 and Annual Inspirations Book. Beginning Aug. 1,  you will be offered a new paper pack to purchase from the new Annual Inspirations Book and the chance to purchase the brand new Cricut Cartridge!!!!!!! How stinkin' exciting is that? Needless to say, I am looking forward to seeing the new items coming. Keep on crafting!

 

June!

June is almost gone, and we have been very busy! The first weekend was the weekend crop at the North Manchester University!  We get a 6 ft. table to spread out on, movie and popcorn on Saturday night, food, snacks, drinks, and making new friends and hanging with the old friends. Three different companies was represented this year, Stampin' Up, Close To My Heart (yours truly) and Creative Memories. I was working on the June project for the clubs and actually got it close to being done.

The next weekend was the Ohio Club/Workshop night. Everyone brought their own projects to do and I worked on the Blossom Workshop on the Go Card Kit.

The next weekend we left on Thursday and spent the weekend at Modesto, CA with my brother and his family. My niece was here from Brazil, two nephews from North Dakota, one nephew that lives there, our oldest daughter and her two boys and my hubs. Plus, their grandchildren. Was a very enjoyable time. Left Monday eve. and got to Indi about 5 ish Tues. morning.

Looking forward to a weekend with our other daughter. We will be listening to a Beth Moore seminar. Spending the weekend together in Cinncinati.

The month of June is also been a fun month at Close To My Heart! The campaign this month is about the My Crush Books called Summer Crush. A fun and easy way to scrapbook.

Also, another favorite thing of mine is when there is retired product added to the While Supplies Last at a discounted price.

For those of you making the Altered Album, they have a couple of the items that I added to mine.

Color Ready Wooden Pieces



Laughing Lola Assortment


There are a lot of things in there that would work for the front also. Don't forget buttons too. Below is the album we will be working on in July.



 

My Creations™ Kraft 3-Ring Album


The next Ohio Workshop/Club night is July 10 at 7pm.

at- Calvary Bible Church 9462 St. Rte. 571, Arcanum, OH 45304

Indiana Workshop/Club night is July 21 at 1 pm.

PO Box 151 / 115 E Market St, Pierceton, Indiana 46562

 

 

Come and join us at one or the other of these two places for an eve. of fun and getting your projects done!

Journaling

Way behind on emails and blogging! I was busy working on cleaning out my thousands of backlogged emails and ran across this inspiring little blog from Close To My Heart. Even though its behind times, I do not think the information is outdated. Enjoy!

Spice up your journaling!

Card Challenge

Yesterday, I reposted a challenge on Facebook by Close To My Heart to make something using embossing folders and embossing everything. Here is a card I made using the May National Scrapbook Month exclusive paper pack called Taste of Summer. Love the bright colors and patterns!

 

Everything is embossed except the first layer of black and the smoothie layer behind the number 6. Even the flower is embossed.

 

 

I laid several pieces on the shim we need to put inside our folders and embossed all of them at once. I used 3 of our folders and changed up the Stripe embossing folder by laying the black layer behind the number 6 in the opposite direction of the background. I added a piece of our self-adhesive glitter ribbon and a brad to give it more "Wowzer" appeal. Click on the links below to see the Embossing Folders and a few other items I used on the card.

Stripe Embossing Folder

Item Number: Z1960

Chevron Embossing Folder

Item Number: Z1925

Taste of Summer

White Shimmer Trim-# Z3024

I would love to hear what you think of this idea! Thankyou Denise Anderson-Turley for this wonderful idea. I love how it looks!
 

My Creations™ Mini Mix Album and Mini Folio

How to Use Flip Flaps in Scrapbooking

Memory Protectors™ Flip Flaps™ 12" Assortment

4" X 6" Memory Protectors™ Flip Flaps™

Memory Protectors™ 6" X 6" Flip Flaps

Memory Protectors™ Flip Flaps™ Small Assortment



I have been having fun using these items in a scrapbook I am making for a friend. I can't show those pages because the photos I already put on the pages are not mine so, I will share this video by a fellow consultant Lynn Como. Great variety of ways to use all the different sizes.



As we clean up our craft rooms, be sure and save those small pieces of papers and use them to cut small Cricut cuts, weaving, creating mixed stripes, designing a quilted look, making little banners or sunbursts for your cards or scrapbook layouts.

Check out this blog by Jeanette our CEO for more great ideas!!!

Paper Patchwork-Making your Scraps Work for You

Spring Cleaning!

I just spent the weekend at my daughter's house helping her clean up and organize her Craft Room. Course, part of the time was spent in a rocking chair with our 2 month old grandson and reading a story or two to his older brother. I call that Grammie privileges!

Whenever I work on sorting papers, cardstock, stamp sets, etc. I get to thinking how can I use and organise these bits and pieces of papers or these retired paper sets. I will be attempting to show you some ideas in the next few weeks and hope this inspires you to start using up your own stash.

Let's start with this video showing some projects using the Close To My Heart's Artbooking Cricut Collection.

 

Great tutorial making the rolled flowers. I learned a couple tricks here.

 

I tend to save my scraps of paper from cutting projects. One thing I have done to organize them is to sort by colors ( blues, reds, neutrals, etc.) I use our

 

 Resealable Bags-Z329 (pg.187 Annual Inspirations)

 

 

 

 and then they will stand upright and ready to grab pieces out of it as needed. Also, easy to take to crops or retreats. These little pieces sure come in handy cutting smaller pieces with the Cricut, to stamp on and fussy cut, and to add color where needed. That's how I organize my bits and pieces, now please tell us how you organize yours by commenting below.

I would love to see pictures also. Feel free to post your photos in my Facebook Page.

Color Challenge

This post is a little late for this week, and I am sorry. I have been working on my Valentine Buffet Workshop and lots of running errands this week plus, getting food ready today for tomorrow's All Day Crop!!!!!
Here is another peek at a card you can make.

Parts of this super simple card is cut with both the Close To My Heart Art Phylosophy and the Artiste Cricut Cartridge. The Cashmere piece was cut using my Gypsy incorporating two different shapes from the Art Phylosophy. Using this little machine helped me be able to utilize the paper I cut it from also. You can do the same thing by cutting this piece at 5 1/2" x 3 1/2" then, using the Center Point Button on your Cricut Machine to cut the 2 1/4" circle about 1" down from the top.

Here is a close up of the flower. Rolled flower from the Art Phylosophy and 3 different sizes of the same die cut flower from the Artiste. Stamp with

 this background stamp D1637 Jumping Geometrics. 

The rest of the card was stamped with the January Stamp of the Month. The round stamp fits exactly inside the circle.

I used retired Baby Pink, Cashmere, Colonial White, Hollyhock, Pixie, Cotton Candy and Cocoa. Now, its your turn, make something with these colors or something similar and post it on my Facebook Page. 

National Papercrafting Month - Year Noted Paper Kit

We have only 9 more days to get this beautiful Kit to celebrate National Paper crafting Month!

Watch the video below and see for yourself what a wonderful product this truly is. Maybe you already know exactly what you want to use yours for. 

Click here for more information!

Valentine Card Buffet and All Day Crop!

The weather man is reporting a warm up this weekend! Looking forward to a little warmer weather myself. How about you?

Last week I shared the January Fun that's going on with Close To My Heart. The fun is still happening and if you missed the blog, click on the words January Fun to catch up.

Still working on the Valentine Buffet Workshop. I have settled on a date and also a date for the first All Day Crop for this year! Check out the information to the right of this blog and the Events tab above.

Here is a sneak peek of the Bonus Gift Box we will make after the 2 hour buffet workshop is done! Of course, you have the option of decorating it to your liking. This is just a sample. 

Come and join the Fun and make Valentine Cards and a gift box for your Sweeties!

Part of the fun of today's blog is I am sharing some wonderful and creative ideas from some fellow consultants in a blog hop. Start here and jump from blog to blog. They have added the next person's link in their blog which is usually towards the bottom of the blog and highlighted. Have fun hopping and looking. 

Retired Stamp Sets and more!

Hey ladies! It's January already! Like you all haven't 
noticed. LOL! Christmas is over, New Year's is over and now were looking forward to a long winter's rest. I call it hibernating, and this is when I can really get some cards and scrapbooking done! Who is with me?

Even though we didn't have a White Christmas or even a real cold one, we sure are white and below zero cold this week and especially today! My dear Hubby and I took a little road trip about 30 miles south of us to meet our Son and deliver his mail to him plus deliver an order to a dear sweet friend of mine this evening.We started out about 4:30 and although the wind was blowing snow, the road wasn't too bad. By the time we started back towards  home, it was blowing harder and snowing so, the roads were becoming more thick with sticking snow, plus the wind was making it a bit hard to see the road in front of us. I am glad we had our Suburban! 

So, talking about hibernating, and making cards and scrapbook pages, that is what I have been doing this past week. It's the first I have been able to get up here for a month at least. We had a lot of family events going on like I am sure the rest of you have too. I was working on a Valentine Workshop this week to take to Ohio tomorrow but, now I have to cancel. Looking forward to maybe rescheduling for them. I will be posting pictures and offering a workshop here also with these same cards. Watch for the event on here and Facebook.

There is 2 Campaigns going on for the month of January! Purchase $50 in product and you not only get the January Stamp of the Month 


for only $5 but, you also get:

1. CELEBRATE NATIONAL PAPERCRAFTING MONTH 





2. Extra, Extra Hostess Rewards!



Although any month is a great time to book a Gathering,this is the month to be a Hostess! You will get to bump up your Hostess Rewards! Click on the links for more information. 

 Close To My Heart has posted their 

retiring stamp sets here. Get them while they last!


And one more limited time offer, check out the Studio J limited time offer ( Express Yourself) for your Christmas photos.