Monday, December 31, 2012

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!



Saturday, December 29, 2012

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!

Friday, December 28, 2012

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



Thursday, December 13, 2012

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.

Monday, December 3, 2012

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. 

Sunday, December 2, 2012

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.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

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

Monday, November 26, 2012

More Out of Home Decor

There are so many creative ways to use hand-crafted 3-D items. Use our great products to create home décor that will bring a fun and unique accent in your home. It’s easy to use Close To My Heart products you already know and love—with a different twist!

This festive thankful countdown uses the My Creations® cubby to celebrate Thanksgiving. Fill the Cricut®-cut boxes with reminders of things you are thankful for, and share the grateful fun with your family. Use it to countdown to your favorite holiday, like Thanksgiving, or use different embellishments and countdown to a loved one’s birthday to show them how much you love them.

This adorable star was made from Collection Two of the Hostess Collections, available through Hostess Rewards in the Autumn Winter 2012 Idea Book. Show your hostesses this spunky star so they have an idea of what they can create from this particular Hostess Collection. While the Dakota paper packet, Casual Expressions stamp set, and Dakota Complements Foil Images have a country feel, you and your customers can use all of these same materials to make a welcoming star for your front door.

Everyday household items can also be combined with Close To My Heart products to create dazzling home décor. Use the Flirty paper packet and your Cricut® machine, along with everyday household items such as a flower pot and Styrofoam ball, to create a papercrafted tree. Or add a few Dimensional Elements to the autumn colors of the Flirty papers to create a desk calendar using two My Creations blocks. You can even use cute Cricut®-cut flowers and leaves to make a festive banner!

For displaying precious memories, the display tray is a perfect fit! Display photos, stamped sentiments, Dimensional Elements, and other embellishments for a prized layout that you can proudly hang anywhere in your home. The display tray is easy to personalize, too; cover up several windows with cardstock for larger photos!
Show your customers how they can make eye-catching home décor in a cinch. Creating unique home décor is so much fun to do; the trick is deciding which project to create first!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Monday, November 19, 2012

Scroll Album Workshop

One of the new Close to My Heart home decor workshops is the Scroll Album.  This is a completely unique spin on showcasing your photos and goes together super fast and easy.  With a lot of glue, the included stickers, and photos your scroll album will be together and sitting on a table, shelf, or mantle for everyone to enjoy. 


Friday, November 16, 2012

Monday, November 12, 2012

My Creations Star


I have recently started fixing up and decorating my basement.  In the living room, I am doing a country/ red barn theme.  This is not usually my style, but I really like the way it is turning out.  I knew the My Creations star would fit right in with the rest of the decor.  I am really happy with the way it turned out and it looks nice hanging in the living room.  I will share photos when I have a few more pieces done!

Close to My Heart Products Used:
My Creations Star
Cashmere Pigment Ink Pad
Chocolate Pigment Ink Pad
Cocoa Pigment Ink Pad (I wasn't sure what shade to use, so I started light with Cashmere.  It was too light, so I added Chocolate.  Still too light, so I added Cocoa.)
La Belle Vie Level 2 Paper Packet
Ruby Cardstock
Artiste Cricut Cartridge
Black Sparkle Flourishes

Friday, November 9, 2012

Monday, November 5, 2012

Cheetah Rag Quilt




Everytime I would walk by this charm pack of fabric at Walmart, I would think of a certain person.  Last year, I finally broke down and bought 2 packs to make her a quilt for a Christmas present.  Rag quilts are so super easy to make and a great way to use up scraps of batting. 

Friday, November 2, 2012

Flirty

The Flirty Collection is fun and bold!  It is perfect for so many occasions, including fall and valentine's day both! 

For a more funky flavor, take a look at the new Flirty paper pack! Florals just got a lot more fun. You probably guessed already that this is another paper pack that introduces kit-specific colors for increased variety and flexibility in your crafting. I love the colorful Dimensional Elements that complement the kit, with more of those delightful multi-color flowers as well as other natural images, such as moths, an owl, acorns, leaves, and more.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Capture the Date, Capture the Savings!

In November, you’ll get something extra when you buy the Stamp of the Month—50% off another stamp set! When you qualify for and buy the November Stamp of the Month set, Capture the Date, you’ll receive another stamp set* of your choice for 50% off—it’s like two promotions in one! The versatile Capture the Date stamp set is great for any layout, card, invitation, or calendar, and now you can choose another stamp set at half-off for more wonderful papercrafting. Get Capture the Date and then capture the savings today!

November Stamp of the Month

November Stamp of the Month: Capture the Date
Available November 1-30, 2012
Retail Price $17.95
Spend $50+ and get the Stamp of the Month for $5.00