Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Happy New Year!

2015 has been a wonderful year filled with fun with friends and family, a new precious baby granddaughter, amazing travel experiences, and lots of creative adventures!

To celebrate both 2015 and welcome in 2016, here's a CHEERS to you and yours!  
May your New Year be filled with all things great!  Cheers!


This little celebration card was made with the CTMH Artfully Sent and Artistry Cartridges. 
Thank you to my creative friend and teammate Dawn Lecy, for some inspiration for this card!  

Here are the products and details:

Card base- Black Cardstock - Artfully Sent Cartridge, page 39, Sleeve - shift.  Cut @ 5.50"
Champagne Glasses - White Daisy cardstock and Gold Glitter Paper - Artistry cartridge page 50,  Icon 2 - cut @ 3.25"
Cheers - White Daisy cardstock and Gold Glitter Paper - Artistry cartridge page 50, Shape. Cut @ 1.25"
Back the card inset with a rectangle piece of La Vie En Rose patterned paper.
Accents: Bitty Sparkles for bubbles.  Glitter paper strips.
Thin 3D Foam Tape under the Cheers rectangle and under the left glass.

Monday, December 21, 2015

For Unto You

All month long, I've been participating in a photo a day activity.  Actually, I've been taking part in TWO!  It has been a challenge, and even though I'm a bit behind by a couple of the days, I am throughly enjoying it.

Today's prompt for #somethingaboutsharingdecember is Peace.  I decided to take photos of a Christmas triptych with a Nativity scene I painted in the fall of 1982.  I was expecting our first baby and still had time to paint.  With a newborn, I didn't paint much, so this was likely the last big project before her October arrival.  I don't remember exactly how many hours I spent painting this special project, but I know it was a lot! 

I always think of peace whenever I see a Nativity scene and I definitely think of peace when I reflect on this project. 

Wishing you a Christmas filled with Love and Peace.








 I used a folk art style of acrylic painting and a pattern designed by JoSonja Jansen.  She inspired me with many of her wonderful patterns and I was fortunate to take classes with her for a week at her studio in northern California.  What a fun experience that was many years ago! 

May 2016 be filled with fun and memorable experiences and peace!

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Happy Mail!


Recently, I sent out a big bunch of Happy Mail to some great friends.  With each receiving three watercolor painted cards, I hope they brought a few smiles when they opened their package.




This floral card was stamped with the December Stamp of the Month ~ Candlelight Garden.  I love the jar, the flowers, the sentiments.... you get it, I LOVE this set!  
It's so pretty and so versatile!


Supplies:
December SOTM - Candlelight Garden, Sending Love (Sending Hugs)
Assorted Clear Sparkles

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Tiny Christmas Mouse in a Snow Globe!

Sorry my cute blog background has disappeared for some reason.  I hope to have something artsy and fun back again soon!

Now, on the the Christmas mouse post....

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...  That's because he was living it up in a little jar turned snow globe!  Who knew a mouse could be so happy in a jar with snow?!

This merry little card features the jar from the December Stamp of the Month "Candlelight Garden" and the tiny mouse from "Animal Greetings" Operation Smile Stamp set.




Coloring this little guy was a breeze with the beautiful 
ShinHan Touch Twin Markers!  Love them!


This is the AWESOME December Stamp of the Month S1512 "Candlelight Garden"!  So many possibilities with this set!  



Did you know that Close To My Heart donates $7 of each D1679 Animal Greetings stamp set sold to Operation Smile?  What a wonderful cause repairing cleft lips for children around the world, giving a smile to a child who could never have this surgery otherwise.  Warms my heart to help support Operation Smile!




Supplies:
 Animal Greetings (mouse), Reindeer Bells (sentiment), Holly Jolly Christmas (pine sprig)
White Pines Paper Pack, White Daisy Cards/Envelopes
ShinHan Markers: Carmine, Turquoise Blue, Sap Green
Retired: Season's Tweetings (tiny Santa hat), Cranberry Baker's Twine, Prisma Glitter

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Planners Gonna Plan!

I can't wait to get my hands on this gorgeous planner!  I saw one at our CTMH Album Retreat in Salt Lake City last month 
and it was amazing!  
The Everyday Life Planner became available to order starting 
Dec. 1.  Get it this month with a special bundle price of $29.95 (value of $35.85)  It includes the Album, 2016 Planner pages and the cool matching stamp!  Find it here: Planner Promotion.


 The Planner Album - Beautiful!
The 2016 Planner Pages -  Stylish and Cool!
Stamp - Too FUN!
The Stamp - Too Fun!

And....there are more cool products to add to your Everyday Planner Albums!

My Crush Pages!  Love them!

 Fun new Washi Tape!  Yay!
Memory Protector Pocket pages in 4 x 3.....


 and 4 x 6 pockets!  Perfect!

Cyber Sale Week!

Jingle, Jingle!  Fantastic prices on some very popular products November 30 - Dec. 4!


Visit my website to view the following products.  margi.ctmh.com

  1. Z3111  Base & Bling Snowflake Charm—Faux Gold

  2. Z3112  Base & Bling Jingle Bell—Faux Gold

    Z3135  Base & Bling Snowflake Charm—Faux Silver
  1. Z3136  Base & Bling Jingle Bell—Faux Silver
  1. Z3138  Base & Bling Red Bead Charm—Faux Gold

  2. Z3139  Base & Bling Red Bead Charm—Faux Silver
          Z3180 Picture My LifeTM Going Places Scrapbooking Program 

          Z3147 Cut AboveTM Dapper Giraffe Card Kit

          Z2028 Designer Creations Short Stack Album
  1. Z2036  Designer Creations Slate Paper Bags

  2. Z2037  Designer Creations Lagoon Paper Bags

  3. Z2038  Designer Creations Ruby Paper Bags

  4. Z2039  Designer Creations Honey Paper Bags
  1. Z2049  Designer Creations Cupcake Box

  2. Z2050  Designer Creations Takeout Box   
          
    Z2053 Designer Creations Buttoned Bag

    Z1838 5" x 7" Hinged Display Tray

    Z1750 Designed Décor Display Tray

    Z2006 Designed Décor Red Magnetic Chalkboard

    Z2015  Designed Décor Black Shadow Box

    Z2016  Designed Décor Colonial White Shadow Box

    Z1833 My CreationsTM Kraft Container 

    Z1871 My CreationsTM Kraft 3-Ring Album 

    Z1953 My CreationsTM Journaling Cards Box 

    Z1956 My CreationsTM Hip Pics Album 

    Z3043 My CreationsTM Black Mini Book

    Z3044 My CreationsTM Kraft Mini Book 

    Z3069 My CreationsTM Mini Mix Album 

    Z3137 My CreationsTM Pint-Sized Container 

    Z3168 Cricut® Artfully Sent Collection      

    Z1476  4 1⁄4" x 5 1⁄2" White Daisy Envelopes

    Z1477  5" x 7" White Daisy Envelopes

    Z1478  6" x 6" White Daisy Envelopes

    Z1756  3" x 3" Colonial White Envelopes

    Z1757  4 1⁄4" x 5 1⁄2" Colonial White Envelopes

    Z1758  5" x 7" Colonial White Envelopes

    Z1759  6" x 6" Colonial White Envelopes

    Z1851 Scallop Border Punch

    Z1997 Triangle Border Punch 

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Reindeer Games!

Bring on Christmas led by my version of Rudolph!  He was Pinterest inspired via a dear  friend Bren and super fun to make!  Cardstock, glitter paper, baker's twine, wiggley eyes, jingle bells and candy canes all rolled up into this whimsical (verging on elementary) reindeer friend!  Stocking (head) and Snowflake (antlers) shapes come together to make this little guy fly!

I love him!  



1. Cricut cut pieces according to sizes above
2. Glue black shapes to stocking tops
3. Glue antler pieces to one side of one stocking so they will be sandwiched between the two
4. Place the two heads together with the antlers in between.  Staple close to edge leaving the end open for a pocket.  
5. Glue on ears and nose pieces.  They will hide a some staples nicely.
6. Add a wiggley eye to each side of head
7. Wrap Baker's Twine around the neck and add a jingle bell


Supplies:
CTMH Art Philosophy and Artistry Cricut Cartridges
Saddle, Chocolate and Black Cardstock
Red Glitter Paper, Mini Stapler, Baker's Twine (retired)
Non CTMH - Wiggley Eyes, Jingle Bell, Candy Cane



Thursday, November 26, 2015

So Grateful!

A simple post on Thanksgiving Day.  
Giving thanks for all I have.
Wishing you and your families Love and Thanksgiving Blessings!





Artistry Cartridge, Pathfinding Paper Pack
Bamboo, Goldrush, Saddle, Chocolate, Ruby cardstock
Gold Sequins, Woodgrain Washi Tape, Journaling Pen

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's a little turkey gift box to help celebrate Thanksgiving!  He'd make a fun little hostess gift filled with chocolates or caramels.  

Have a wonderful day of gratitude, family, friends and food!

Thank you for stopping by my blog throughout the year!  I am grateful for your support!


Supplies and cuts:
Turkey - page 78 - Accent 3, Cocoa cardstock cut 3.75"
Feathers - page 53 - Accent 2 :
1.50"  Eggplant cardstock cut 7, and Sangria B&T paper cut 6.
1.25" Poppy cardstock cut 5
Box - page 23 - Font Layer - shift - Kraft cardstock 5.75"


Gobble, gobble!



Thursday, November 19, 2015

Christmas Tags Sneak Peek

Christmas is just around the corner!  I have a few pieces of Thanksgiving artwork to post, but thought I'd share a sneak peek of some charming little Christmas creations first.  We made these cute Christmas tags at a Cricut class I taught this past week.  The were fun and fast to put together, as a tag should be!

All the tags are cut with the CTMH Artistry Cricut Cartridge which has been the focus for my VIP Cricut classes this fall.

Hope you enjoy them and have fun making some gift tags for your family and friends this Christmas!



1. Page 48.  Shape.  2.75 and  3".  Stamp set - B1506 Little Presents
2. Page 43. Layer - Shift.  3".  Stamp Set - D1657 Holly Jolly Christmas
3. Page 28 - Layer - Shift.  3" and 3.25". Stamp set - C1627 Reindeer Bells
4. Page 12.  Layer - Shift.  2".  Stamp set - D1657 Holly Jolly Christmas
5. Page 29 - Shape - 1.75" and 2". Stamp set - B1506 Little Presents

Other Supplies:
White Pines paper and zip strip
Shinhan Touch Twin Markers: Golden Yellow, Clay
Retired: Olive Cardstock, Baker's Twine


Wednesday, November 18, 2015

It's that festive time of year again and time for my favorite workshops of the year!  
Join me in making some delightful Christmasy projects at my 20th Annual Holiday Workshops.  Choose the date that works best for your schedule!  

Hope to create with you soon! 
Merry, Merry!


Monday, November 16, 2015

Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving month!

Even though I give thanks for my blessings every month of the year, November is a month were my thoughts focus on being even more grateful for all I have.  I am very thankful for my Close To My Heart life of 20 years!  CTMH has given me wonderful friendships, financial and travel rewards, and a creative outlet!  Signing up to be a consultant 20 years ago was a wonderful decision!


This quick card features a Hostess Exclusive Stamp set from the Holiday Expressions.  Anyone hosting a Gathering, Book Party, or Online Gathering can earn this stamp set for free!  You can see the inspiration for my card below.  I've added some Sangria patterned paper and Gold Sequins for added color and shine.


Supplies used: 
C1634 Blessings of Autumn, Sangria Paper Pack

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Day #31 Happy Halloween 2015!

Halloween Countdown Day #31 and done!  Whew!  It's been a fun and challenging month to keep up with daily posts.  I was a day late a couple times, but hey, I got caught up and finished!  Yay me!

I truly hope you enjoyed this month long assortment of cards and projects!  I have loved sharing them with you!

So, with one last Halloween post for October 2015 comes photos of my hubby and myself dressed up in our best scarecrow finery.  I totally changed gears last minute and in one day threw these costumes together!  My original plan will have to be for Halloween 2016. 



I did use some CTMH product for the photo booth!  There are CTMH Artiste and Artbooking Cricut Cartridges shapes of pumpkin and ghost faces and spiders cut from  White Daisy, Honey and Gypsy cardstock.  

 I hope you had a spooktacular month!  Boo to you and yours!


Day #30 Steampunk Scoundrels Tag Card

Day #30 and we're almost finished with this crazy month of Halloween Countdown posts!  Funny thing is, I could keep on going with fun cards and ideas, but we're moving on folks!

This is another card I quickly put together with bits, pieces and stamped images which had no place to go....put them altogether and we have a spooky steampunk spider-crow card!


Supplies:
Retired- Black Hemp and Black Sparkles Flourishes


Friday, October 30, 2015

Day #29 Mixed Media Photo Canvas

Day #29 is a mixed media canvas project I've wanted to create for a couple of years.  I finally sat down the other day and did it!  Actually, I made two, one as a gift for my sister and one for myself.  The project features one my all-time favorite Halloween pictures!  It was an early morning photo taken in 1966 as my sis and I were on our way to school.  I was in 1st grade and she was in 6th.  This was the only year we were ever in the in the same school, which happened to be a little country school with 15 or so kids in all six grades!  
It was sort of "Little House on the Prairie" in rural Minnesota!

 On a 6x8 stretched canvas, I used acrylic paints, Nevermore patterned paper, glitter paper, Mod-Podge, and assorted accents.  

I cut a pumpkin face stencil with my CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge and stenciled little golden, glowing faces on the sides of the canvas along free hand checkerboard and spider web designs.


The bottom has a row of little Goldrush and Sunset pumpkins and a Black Glitter paper spider cut with the CTMH Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  I painted detail on the pumpkins after they were Mod-Podged onto the canvas.

I finished up this fun mixed media canvas with some Sparkles, Black Enamel Stars and retired Haunted Assortments.

See you tomorrow for #30 and #31 as I complete the Halloween Countdown!




Thursday, October 29, 2015

A Day Late with #28 Halloween Countdown

#28 comes a day late, but who's counting???  Well, I guess that would be me.  Not sure anyone will notice, but oh well, I'll get them all in by the end!

Today is a Throwback Thursday all the way back to 1990!  Here's a vintage photo of my with adorable daughters who were 8 and 6 years old at the time.  Where has the time gone?

As you see, I'm sporting a perm and stonewashed jeans.  
Too funny!


What's even funnier is that I still have the sweatshirts!  I dug them out of a box today so I could take a close up photo of the design.  I actually taught a sweatshirt painting class that year!  I wonder if all the ladies who took the class still have their shirts too?  Haha!


Fabric paints and glow-in-dark puffy paint!  Oh, those crazy 1990s!

Happy Haunting!


Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Day #27 Little Monsters

Little Monsters doing the Monster Mash under a full moon!  Day #27 is a cute little card using a Picture My Life shape from the Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge and a darling stamp set called Little Monsters.  Aren't they fun?


I actually put this card together with bits and pieces of other card parts.  Yes, sort of a Frankenstein of  cards.  I had experimented with the Little Monsters for a card swap and didn't end up using them.  I had an extra tombstone laying around, as well as a Sunset circle which was the inside of a circle frame from a previous card.  The PML frame was a piece that didn't make it onto any other projects so far, so I put them all together, and this is the creation from my laboratory tonight!  I love when I can use up pieces I've already put a little time into.

Supplies:
Black and Slate Stamp Pads
CTMH Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge
Green and Black Shimmer Trim, Gold Sequins
Clear Bitty Sparkles
NonCTMH- Google Eyes 


Monday, October 26, 2015

Day# 26 Witchy Is Here!

Five more days remaining in my Halloween Countdown!  This month has flown by like a witch in a full moon spooky sky!  I've been waiting until this week to share one of my favorites of favorites in my Halloween decor collection.  
Here she is, Witchy! 

I designed and painted old gal in 1995.  My woodworker hubby cut her out, actually he cut out several of her because she was a very popular class project back 20 years ago.  


Witchy has a nose made from sculpty clay.  I remember giggling as I formed a pie tin filled with noses and baked them in the oven for a dozen or so witches!  




She's a tall drink of potion measuring 21"!  Everyone who painted her in my class loved her.  I hope you do as well!


See you tomorrow for #27!



Sunday, October 25, 2015

Day #25 Magic Pumpkin

 We're really getting close to Halloween now!  Day #25 brings this eerie pumpkin with his black sparkly face and spider friend!

The Nevermore Complements sentiment says 
"There is magic in the night when pumpkins glow with candlelight"
This one isn't glowing, but I kind of like the spookiness of the 
dark sparkly jack o'lantern face!  



Artbooking shapes: Pumpkin 2.50", Spider 1", 
Spiderweb Frame 4" x 5.25" edited shape with Explore Design Space


Supplies: