Have you heard the news?!? Close To My Heart has teamed up with Cricut to create an exclusive CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge and three-stamp set! It will be available beginning 8/1 (and I am taking preorders now!).
Here's a cool video from CTMH showing you all about it.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
H2H Challenge: Doilies and Lace
This week's Heart 2 Heart challenge is to use doilies and/or lace on a project. Get in touch with your feminine side and play along with us! You can use real or stamped doilies or lace on your project, as long as you use Close To My Heart products too. We've got great prizes each month, so create a project, post it online, and link up at H2H for a chance to win. Plus, you'll be getting crafty and using your stuff instead of collecting it!
While searching through my stash, I found these pretty square doilies. I decided to make a wall hanging for my kitchen to remind me to slow down a bit and savor life. I used a Ponderosa Pine cardstock base slightly larger than the doily to match my kitchen, which also happens to be decorated with teapots and tea cups. To keep it soft, I paired it with Juniper (and Grey Wool and silver accents). Since hubby likes coffee, I prefer tea, and the girls adore hot cocoa, I didn't add any words to this steaming cup of goodness other than the sentiment "Celebrate the everyday." I hope that you'll do just that!
Again, be sure to find some doilies or lace from your collection and create to your heart's content at Heart 2 Heart challenges.
While searching through my stash, I found these pretty square doilies. I decided to make a wall hanging for my kitchen to remind me to slow down a bit and savor life. I used a Ponderosa Pine cardstock base slightly larger than the doily to match my kitchen, which also happens to be decorated with teapots and tea cups. To keep it soft, I paired it with Juniper (and Grey Wool and silver accents). Since hubby likes coffee, I prefer tea, and the girls adore hot cocoa, I didn't add any words to this steaming cup of goodness other than the sentiment "Celebrate the everyday." I hope that you'll do just that!
Again, be sure to find some doilies or lace from your collection and create to your heart's content at Heart 2 Heart challenges.
Friday, July 15, 2011
CTMH Product Spotlight Blog Hop: Kraft Color-Ready Borders
Welcome to the July edition of the Close To My Heart product 
spotlight blog hop! This month, we have a select group of consultants playing around with our fabulous Kraft color-ready borders. You get 50 of these precut, self-adhesive borders for only $5.95! (If you arrived here from Jena's blog then you're on the right path.) 
I'm entering this simple card in the City Crafter Challenge #65: Let the Sun Shine In!
For my sunny card, I used the back side of the Kraft borders. Instead of peeling off the backing, I sponged Sunny Yellow ink on it! They took the color well, and so I glued the front side of the borders to the card without peeling off the (sponged) backing. The partial circle of Sunny Yellow cardstock is adhered with 3-D foam tape to give the card more dimension.
I also used an edge of a piece of the border as a mask to sponge the inside bottom of the card. Fin
ally, I sponged the leftover piece of border with Outdoor Denim ink and added a button with a sparkle to match the card. The Indian Corn Blue ricrac was an afterthough, but I thought it was a cute touch.
Now, go visit NIKKA to see her Krafty creation!
spotlight blog hop! This month, we have a select group of consultants playing around with our fabulous Kraft color-ready borders. You get 50 of these precut, self-adhesive borders for only $5.95! (If you arrived here from Jena's blog then you're on the right path.) 
I'm entering this simple card in the City Crafter Challenge #65: Let the Sun Shine In!
For my sunny card, I used the back side of the Kraft borders. Instead of peeling off the backing, I sponged Sunny Yellow ink on it! They took the color well, and so I glued the front side of the borders to the card without peeling off the (sponged) backing. The partial circle of Sunny Yellow cardstock is adhered with 3-D foam tape to give the card more dimension.
I also used an edge of a piece of the border as a mask to sponge the inside bottom of the card. Fin
ally, I sponged the leftover piece of border with Outdoor Denim ink and added a button with a sparkle to match the card. The Indian Corn Blue ricrac was an afterthough, but I thought it was a cute touch.Now, go visit NIKKA to see her Krafty creation!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
CAS (Clean & Simple) #148
Though they really seem to be a challenge to me, I love clean and simple cards! I also really like the Clean and Simple Stamping blog sketches, and this week is no exception. In the midst of rearranging, purging, and cleaning up around the house, I sat down and created a card based on the current sketch, #148.
Can you guess which CTMH paper pack and stamp set I used? Leave me a comment with your guesses!
Reed Diffusers on Sale
Click HERE to take advantage of these diffuser bottles, reeds, and yummy Buttercream Vanilla oil. Wouldn't these make great gifts?
Monday, July 11, 2011
H2H Challenge: More Inspiration
The Heart 2 Heart Challenges Design Team has some real challenges for you this week! Won't you play along? This week, we each picked an inspiration piece and then created something from it. Your job is to now use our inspiration piece as a springboard to your work! Remember, you need to use some Close To My Heart products to be eligible for this month's fab prizes. (See my side bar at right for all the DT members and our prize sponsors this month.)
This blouse has been begging me to try to recreate it! This card is actually my second project, with the first featured below. The print reminded me of the One of a Kind stamp set, and the best color matches were Cranberry, Sunset, Juniper, and Cocoa, with a touch of Colonial White thrown in too. To get the color on the dark background,
I had to first start with a light background. Huh? You read right! I stamped my scene and then sprinkled clear embossing powder on it. Because I had stamped the Juniper leaves first, the powder didn't want to stick, so I went back over it with the stamp inked up in Versamark ink, added more clear EP, and then heat embossed. To give the focal image the rich Cranberry background, I brayered ink over the entire image, and then buffed it with a paper towel to remove the ink from the clearn embossed images. A little gem in the center of the flower and some ruffled paper finished off this card very nicely!
As I said, that was my second card. For my first card, I tried the emerging color technique and made a criss-cross card to mimic the bodice of my blouse. (I'm not sure that I like this one as well; hence it playing second fiddle.)
To create the emerging color background, I first stamped Colonial White cardstock with images from the One of a Kind stamp set (same color palette as above). Then, after it dried completely, I used my Versamark ink to stamp the flower and leaf images all over the top of what I'd already stamped. Then it was time to sprinkle on the clear embossing powder, dump off the excess, and then heat emboss. As I did on the first card, I brayered Cranberry ink over the entire piece and them buffed off the excess ink.
The card ended up a lot busier- and less "wow"- than I had pictured it, but it still turned out pretty cool. I think the addition of the Sunset strip (LOL!) and the Red sparkles along it really give the card some pizzaz.
Feel free to leave any questions that you have in the comments section. Go check out all the Design Team member's blogs and choose one to inspire you. We'd love to see your creations! You have all month to play, but what are you waiting for? Visit the H2H blog today!
I had to first start with a light background. Huh? You read right! I stamped my scene and then sprinkled clear embossing powder on it. Because I had stamped the Juniper leaves first, the powder didn't want to stick, so I went back over it with the stamp inked up in Versamark ink, added more clear EP, and then heat embossed. To give the focal image the rich Cranberry background, I brayered ink over the entire image, and then buffed it with a paper towel to remove the ink from the clearn embossed images. A little gem in the center of the flower and some ruffled paper finished off this card very nicely!As I said, that was my second card. For my first card, I tried the emerging color technique and made a criss-cross card to mimic the bodice of my blouse. (I'm not sure that I like this one as well; hence it playing second fiddle.)
To create the emerging color background, I first stamped Colonial White cardstock with images from the One of a Kind stamp set (same color palette as above). Then, after it dried completely, I used my Versamark ink to stamp the flower and leaf images all over the top of what I'd already stamped. Then it was time to sprinkle on the clear embossing powder, dump off the excess, and then heat emboss. As I did on the first card, I brayered Cranberry ink over the entire piece and them buffed off the excess ink.
The card ended up a lot busier- and less "wow"- than I had pictured it, but it still turned out pretty cool. I think the addition of the Sunset strip (LOL!) and the Red sparkles along it really give the card some pizzaz.
Feel free to leave any questions that you have in the comments section. Go check out all the Design Team member's blogs and choose one to inspire you. We'd love to see your creations! You have all month to play, but what are you waiting for? Visit the H2H blog today!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Happy Anniversary!
Hubby and I are celebrating our 16th aniversary today! My, does time fly!!! We are so blessed to have each other and our sweet girls.
(Here we are at my cousin's wedding two weeks ago.)
Happy anniversary, Honey! We've come a long way, and the best is yet to come!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
It's Horizon of Hope Month @ Longaberger
Monday, July 4, 2011
H2H Challenge: Be Inspired
Welcome to the first Heart 2 Heart challenge for July! Today is an extra-special H2H day because we are welcoming a new Design Team! Please be sure to stop by the H2H blog to check out our new members and their fabulous inspiration for you. Welcome Brenda, Cheryl, Debi, Michelle, and Pamela! We also have a guest DT, Tracy, joining us. Jody, Mary, and I are so glad you're on board.
For all my American friends, happy Independence Day! I hope you're enjoying your holiday and find a little time to play along with us. You have the entire month to play along with this month's challenges, so let's get started!
We have this gorgeous photo trio to inspire you. Your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to create something inspired by this photo. It can be a card, a layout, a home decor item, or anything else under the sun, as long as it uses Close To My Heart products. Did I mention that there are prizes for playing along too? Our two prize sponsors are Sandra and Tonya. Be sure to visit them and leave them a little love for sponsoring H2H this month.
My card came together very quickly. I was inspired by the beautiful flowers, the colors, and all the beautiful "white space" is the inspiration photo. I grabbed my favorite floral stamp set,
Treasure Life, and some bright, fun inks: Cotton Candy, Lagoon, Pear, Sky, and Sunny Yellow. I inked up the different flower stamps using the rock 'n roll technique to add multiple colors to one solid stamp. I also stamped some of the flowers and leaves in second and third generation (stamping again without reinking) to give the card a softer, muted look. I finished it off with quite a bit of bling from the various CTMH sparkles collections. Although my card ended up being bolder than I anticipated, I like how cheery it is. (I really did mean to leave more white space on it!)
Before saying au revoir, this inspiration piece also reminded me of this quotation:
"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers."
~Veronica A. Shoffstall, "After a While," 1971
Create something beautiful today to decorate your soul (and don't forget to link it up to the H2H blog)!
For all my American friends, happy Independence Day! I hope you're enjoying your holiday and find a little time to play along with us. You have the entire month to play along with this month's challenges, so let's get started!
We have this gorgeous photo trio to inspire you. Your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to create something inspired by this photo. It can be a card, a layout, a home decor item, or anything else under the sun, as long as it uses Close To My Heart products. Did I mention that there are prizes for playing along too? Our two prize sponsors are Sandra and Tonya. Be sure to visit them and leave them a little love for sponsoring H2H this month.
My card came together very quickly. I was inspired by the beautiful flowers, the colors, and all the beautiful "white space" is the inspiration photo. I grabbed my favorite floral stamp set,
Treasure Life, and some bright, fun inks: Cotton Candy, Lagoon, Pear, Sky, and Sunny Yellow. I inked up the different flower stamps using the rock 'n roll technique to add multiple colors to one solid stamp. I also stamped some of the flowers and leaves in second and third generation (stamping again without reinking) to give the card a softer, muted look. I finished it off with quite a bit of bling from the various CTMH sparkles collections. Although my card ended up being bolder than I anticipated, I like how cheery it is. (I really did mean to leave more white space on it!)Before saying au revoir, this inspiration piece also reminded me of this quotation:
"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers."
~Veronica A. Shoffstall, "After a While," 1971
Create something beautiful today to decorate your soul (and don't forget to link it up to the H2H blog)!
All supplies from Close To My Heart: Treasure Life stamp set; Cotton Candy, Lagoon, Pear, Sky, and Sunny Yellow inks; Cotton Candy card stock; scraps from the Olivia and Hooligans paper packs; assorted sparkles
Happy 4th of July!
HAPPY 4th of JULY! Remember that freedom is never free. Enjoy your holiday celebrations!{You can get your own free download of this beautiful image HERE.}
Saturday, July 2, 2011
More BANG for Your BUCK!
This month, Close To My Heart is offering a fun special! You can read all the details HERE, but basically, if you make a $50 purchase (before S/H & tax), you can purchase another item from a select list for only $1 more! Plus, you're also eligible for the July stamp of the month, American Celebration, at 1/2 off!
Contact me at haleyd@myctmh.com or visit my website to place an order.
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