For Always

Digital Delight

February is sure to be a month of digital delights because you can purchase any Studio J^® layout for only $5—that’s a savings of $1.95 per layout! This is a great opportunity to try Studio J for the first time. Create adorable baby layouts with the Wishes and Fishes kit (shown), or use the new Express Collections with collections of 10 ready-made layouts plus a front and back cover that are easy to use and professionally designed. Preserve your memories at a low price for a truly digital delight!

Visit my Studio J Website here: http://scrapbookwithkira.ctmh.com/CTMH/Content.aspx?id=%2fen%2fsitecore%2fcontent%2fOBA%2fProducts%2fStudio_J.aspx

February Stamp of the Month

February Stamp of the Month: Home Sweet Home

Available February 1-28, 2013
Retail Price $17.95
Spend $50+ and get the Stamp of the Month for $5.00

Spring/Summer Idea Book!

The Close to My Heart Spring/Summer Idea Book goes live today!  I have to say that I think this is their best Idea Book and catalog ever!  It is filled with beautiful artwork and inspiring pieces.  They have really gone over the top!

Please let me know if you would like a new hard-copy Idea Book.  They can also be viewed on my website here:
http://scrapbookwithkira.ctmh.com/CTMH/Content.aspx?id=%2fen%2fsitecore%2fcontent%2fOBA%2fProducts%2fOnline_Idea_Book.aspx

Whooo's Your Valentine Card- I {heart} You

Close to My Heart Products Used:
Make It From Your Heart Volume 1- Card #23
Whooo's Your Valentine Stamp Set
White Daisy Cards & Envelopes
White Daisy Cardstock
Blush Cardstock
Blush Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Whisper Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Slate Satin Polka Dot Ribbon
Baker's Twine Neutral Assortment (Grey Wool)

Other Products Used:
Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
Fray-Check

Valentine's Day Display

What do you do with your Cricut cut scraps?  I love to use them to make more projects!  This display, or wall hanging was made using the negative cut (what is left on the mat) from the bracket on the Amaryllis layout.  I trimmed up the excess around the edges to make it even and then started working!

I did the same thing with the fall display that you can see here: http://scrapbookwithkira.blogspot.com/2011/09/fall-wall-hanging.html

I have another idea with the left over negative space from the 3D flowers in the top left corner of the display, so keep your eyes open for that!

Close to My Heart Products Used:
La Belle Vie Paper Packet
Colonial White Cardstock
Cricut Artiste Cartridge

Other Items Used:
Cricut Word Collage Cartridge
Cardboard to stabilize the back (look with the packaging of your scrapbooking supplies for 12x12 plan cardboard that you can save for projects like this)

La Belle Vie Birthday Layout

Close to My Heart Products Used:
Recipe: Cherish-Elegant Context
La Belle Vie Paper Packet
My Acrylix Jardin Stamp Set
Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Black Mini Medley Accents Collection
Cricut Artiste Cartridge

Random Stamping Video

Love Swing Card

Swing cards are fun and the Artiste Cricut Cartridge makes them super simple to make!  The cartridge cuts everything out for you and even makes score marks so you know exactly where to fold.  There are a variety of shapes to choose from. I chose a heart to match the Love Stamp Set.

Close to My Heart Products Used:
Cricut Artiste Cartridge
La Belle Vie Paper Packet
My Acrylix Seals- Love Stamp Set
Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Amaryllis Layout

Can you tell that this is the same layout pattern as the stocking Christmas layout that I posted on Saturday?  I love how you can use the same layouts and make them look so different by changing the paper and embellishments!

I tried to follow the La Belle Vie Workshop on the Go layout as they had made it in the Idea Book.  I used the Jardin stamp set which has greatly grown on me the more I use it.

Close to My Heart Products Used:
Recipe- Make It From Your Heart Volume 1: Pattern 8
La Belle Vie Paper Packet
My Acrylix Jardin Stamp Set
My Acrylix Field Trip Alphabet Stamp Set (retiring on 1/31/2013- last chance!)
Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Clear Sparkles
Black Sparkle Flourishes
Cricut Artiste Cartridge

Love La Belle Vie Card

Recipe: Mojo Monday 277

Close to My Heart Products Used:
Colonial White Cards & Envelopes
La Belle Vie Paper Packet
My Acrylix A Love (retired but any heart stamp set could be used)
My Acrylix Home Sweet Home (February 2013 Stamp of the Month)
Smokey Plum Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Opaques- Pearls

Whooo's Your Valentine Card- Owl with Heart

Close to My Heart Products Used:
Make It From Your Heart Volume 1- Card #24
Whooo's Your Valentine Stamp Set
White Daisy Cards & Envelopes
White Daisy Cardstock
Blush Cardstock
Ruby Cardstock
Whisper Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Slate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Ruby Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Baker's Twine- Harvest Assortment (Cranberry)
Cricut Artiste Cartridge

Other Products Used:
Zig Journaling Pen- .05 Black

Whooo's Your Valentine Treat Tubes

The Whooo’s Your Valentine kit includes 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sheet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes, and an exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit. This kit offers you a sneak peek at two new Spring/Summer 2013 products: the treat tubes and the silver glitter paper!
Remember, it is only available until January 31st or until supplies last!  It has a retail value of $40 and can be purchased for only $10 with a $35 order.


Close to My Heart Products Used:
Whooo's Your Valentine Kit
---My Acrylix Whooo's Your Valentine Stamp Set
---Treat Tubes
---Die-Cut Boxes in Blush, White, and Ruby
---Silver Glitter Paper
Ruby Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Slate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Blush Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Cricut Artiste Cartridge

The Stockings Were Hung...

Close to My Heart Products Used:
Recipe- Make it From Your Heart Volume 1: Pattern 8
Pear & Partridge Paper Packet
Ruby Cardstock
My Acrylix Chocolate Alphabet Small Set (This set will be retiring on 1/31/2013!  Get it while you can!  This is one of my favorite alphabet stamp sets!)
My Acrylix Christmas Delights Stamp Set
Cocoa Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
New England Ivy Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Mini Medley Accents- Antiqued Gold Collection
Colonial White Crocheted Ribbon (retired)

Create Your Own Patterned Paper Video

Whooo's Your Valentine Card- You + Me =

Close to My Heart Products Used:
Make It From Your Heart Volume 1- Card #29
Whooo's Your Valentine Stamp Set
White Daisy Cards & Envelopes
White Daisy Cardstock
Blush Cardstock
Ruby Cardstock
Ruby Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Silver Shimmer Trim
Clear Sparkle
Cranberry Ribbon Rounds (retired)
Cricut Artiste Cartridge

Other Products Used:
Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Orange/Teal Quilt

This is the in-progress larger Orange/Teal quilt that I mentioned in last week's post.  I have 10 out of 25 blocks complete!

This quilt pattern can be found in and on the cover of the Simple Quilts & Sewing Magazine- fall 2012 edition.  http://www.quiltmag.com/magazine/simple-quilts-sewing-%E2%80%93-fall-2012/

Monogram Stamp Video

Whooo's Your Valentine Card- Happy Valentine's Day

Close to My Heart Products Used:
Make It From Your Heart Volume 1- Card #29
Whooo's Your Valentine Stamp Set
White Daisy Cards & Envelopes
White Daisy Cardstock
Blush Cardstock
Ruby Cardstock
Ruby Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Whisper Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Slate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Silver Shimmer Trim
Cricut Artiste Cartridge

Sit Long, Talk Much, Laugh Often

 I saw this sign in a country home decor store in the mall and fell in love.  I knew it would be perfect for our basement living room, right above the couch.  The price was a little steep and I thought, "I can make this!"  I took a picture and then about a month later on a nice day, got busy.  Jerrad had left over boards from finishing the ceiling in the detached garage and let me use one.  I cut the words using vinyl on the Cricut and stuck them down nice and sealed on the board.  I spray-painted the board using a black metallic, let it dry, and then peeled the vinyl letters off.  I am so excited it turned out exactly like I had imagined!

A Work of Heart- Grand Central Mall in Parkersburg, WV.

Orange/Teal Quilt

I tried really hard to get this quilt done for a Christmas gift for a special person, but just couldn't get it done in time.  I finished the top of the quilt and it just needs sandwiched, quilted, and bound. 

This quilt is made with scraps from a larger quilt (in progress) using the same colors, a small charm pack, and white sashing strips.

 The large quilt pattern can be found in and on the cover of the Simple Quilts & Sewing Magazine- fall 2012 edition.  http://www.quiltmag.com/magazine/simple-quilts-sewing-%E2%80%93-fall-2012/

Whooo's Your Valentine Layout

I wanted to show the versatility of the Whooo's Your Valentine kit and make a layout using the stamp set!  This layout is made using only cardstock! 

When you place an order of $35 or more in Close To My Heart products, you’ll receive the Whooo’s Your Valentine kit for only $10 through January 31st.

(remember, you can click to make the photo larger!)

Close to My Heart Products Used:
Make It From Your Heart Volume 1- Layout #5
My Acrylix Whooo's Your Valentine Stamp Set
White Daisy Cardstock
Petal Cardstock (retired)
Smoothie Cardstock
Hollyhock Cardstock
Blush Cardstock
Whisper Cardstock
Smoothie Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Hollyhock Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Whisper Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Silver Shimmer Trim
Silver Glitz Glitter Gel
Cricut Artiste Cartridge

Whooo's Your Valentine Video

Whooo's Your Valentine Card- Blush Hearts

Close to My Heart Products Used:
Make It From Your Heart Volume 1- Card #30
Whooo's Your Valentine Stamp Set
White Daisy Cards & Envelopes
White Daisy Cardstock
Blush Cardstock
Blush Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Whisper Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Silver Shimmer Trim
Slate Mini Medley Accents Collection
3D Foam Tape
(Straight Pin Embellishment is retired)
Cricut Artiste Cartridge

La Belle Vie

The La Belle Vie collection is a beautiful collection of vintage and romance.  The mauves, pinks, and purples mixed with neutral tones combine to make this collection work for any of your projects.

Pair this collection with the January Stamp of the Month- Happy Valentine's to get a head start on your Valentine's Day projects.

La Belle Vie can be found on pages 36-41 of your Autumn/Winter Idea Book.

January Stamp of the Month

January Stamp of the Month: Happy Valentine's

Available January 1-31, 2013
Retail Price $17.95
Spend $50+ and get the Stamp of the Month for $5.00

Blog Schedule

One of my resolutions for 2013 is to spend more time doing things I enjoy.  Scrapbooking, quilting, fixing up the house, home decor projects, gardening, etc.  With this, I hope to complete more projects and blog more.  I have had a little blog "schedule" this past year, but was unable to keep it up.  For 2013, the blog schedule should look like this:

Sunday- Quilting
Monday- Home Decor
Tuesday- Card
Wednesday- Layout
Thursday- Card
Friday- Video
Saturday- Studio J/ Layout

I hope to fill the calendar and inspire each of you!

Christmas Stocking

My aunt had given me a stocking years ago with my name embroidered on it.  I just love it and needed to make Jerrad a stocking that matched it well.  I got out my stocking and my stash of Christmas fabrics.  I traced my stocking onto the fabric and batting.  I quilted squares 1 inch apart and then embroidered Jerrad's name using my embroidery machine and gold thread.  I added a little scrap of ribbon for the hanger.  I am really pleased with how this turned out!

Woodland Animals Christmas Quilt

Everyday Embellishing

It’s easy to incorporate chalk, metallics, and bling into your artwork with a few embellishments you can use on your everyday papercrafting projects. Let us show you how!

This Merry & Bright page uses dots created with the gold metallic marker to add extra sparkle around the edges of the page. Notice the scalloped accents with outlines in gold marker which adds dimension and draws your eye. Our metallics markers will make your artwork sparkle!

Add heart to your art with an extra touch of bling—cover your Dimensional Elements with silver Glitz™ glitter gel, a clear Sparkle or two, or a touch of silver from the metallics marker! Your heartfelt messages will bedazzle your loved ones.

The chalk marker and 12" × 12" chalkboard sheet are a perfect pair for creating a unique project. Journal and embellish your memories with the quaint look of a chalkboard—minus the dust—and a lot of freehand fun, perfect to display in your albums or on your walls!
If you haven’t had a chance to scrapbook your Halloween photos yet, here’s a great idea for a spooky page. The Haunted assortment with its cute skull brads, spider badge buttons, and more, is the perfect go-to for scary Halloween memories. It also coordinates nicely with the Moonlight paper packet and Moonlight Complements Dimensional Elements.

Tell your story with papers and accents that complement your unique tale. The Memo assortment’s little note tags are great for embellishing and journaling all in one, and the tiny epoxy numbers mimic old typewriter keys. Pair the Memo assortment with our Scholastic paper packet and My Stickease^® assortment for your school-themed memories and more!

This elegant layout is tied together by antique elements from the Baroque assortment, Avonlea Complements canvas shapes, and the beautiful Avonlea papers. Add a timeless quality to your memories with graceful keys, broaches, and buttons from the Baroque assortment.

Whatever your project, embellishing will bring your artwork to life.  Add that extra something to your everyday projects!

Baby's 1st Christmas Ornament

 

When I saw this idea on Pinterest, I knew I had to make one for my beautiful niece.  I made 3 of these ornaments.  One for mom, grandma, and me.  I am very happy with how they turned out and I hope that the recipients liked them also! 

 

Source: etsy.com via Kira on Pinterest

Close to My Heart Products Used:
My Creations Block
Pear & Partridge Paper Packet
White Cardstock (ran through printer)
My Acrylix Christmas Delights Stamp Set
Barn Red Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Gold Ribbon from Mistletoe Creative Basics Kit (retired)

Other Products Used:
Jingle Bells from Stampin' Up

Whooo's Your Valentine Kit

Celebrate National Papercrafting Month with an incredible deal—our Whooo’s Your Valentine kit for only $10! Combine your love of papercrafting with the contents of this kit to create personalized valentines—perfect for classrooms and other group settings. This darling kit, which retails for $40, can be yours for only $10 when you spend $35 or more in Close To My Heart product from the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book. You’ll receive 12 die-cut boxes, 3 cardstock sheets, 1 sheet of silver glitter paper, 12 treat tubes, and an exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit. This kit offers you a sneak peek at two new Spring/Summer 2013 products: the treat tubes and the silver glitter paper! Decorate the die-cut boxes with the stamp images, cardstock, and glitter paper. Then attach the clear tube and fill with treats for valentines in a cinch!
Available from December 13, 2012 to January 31, 2013.

Video- Easy Party Planning with Cricut

Christmas Tree Pants

When I saw this sew-along on Sew Mama Sew last year, I had to go directly to Walmart (the only fabric selection in my town) to purchase fabric.  I found this nice collection filled with non-traditional colors and glitter and thought it would be perfect.  It was super easy to make, and I love this lady's blog- she is a hoot yet inspirational and informative.  I am really really happy with how this turned out and cannot wait to use the left overs to make more things for my house like pillows, place mats, or a table runner.

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2011/10/christmas-tree-pants-holiday-sew-along-because-not-all-trees-like-to-wear-skirts/#.UCk-bEQzKUc

http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/?p=516

I let no scraps go to waste.  When I made the points on the stars, I went ahead and sewed another seam 1/2" from the original seam before trimming.  This gave me little squares. 

Avonlea

The Avonlea collection is a mixture of blues, greens, teal, and neutrals.  My favorite from the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book, it can be both feminine or masculine depending on which papers and colors you highlight.  I have seen beautiful layouts, cards, home decor, wedding, Christmas, winter, and everyday projects made with this collection.  I hope you will like it as much as me and create some extraordinary pieces of art!

Avonlea can be found on pages 16-22 of the Autumn/Winter Idea Book.  It is also featured on the cover.

December Stamp of the Month

December Stamp of the Month: Year-Round Cheer

Available December 1-31, 2012
Retail Price $17.95
Spend $50+ and get the Stamp of the Month for $5.00