Thursday, December 29, 2016

Day 3 of the Sale of the Year!

OMG!  I love a great deal, don't you?  This week Close To My Heart has been offering a Boxing Week Sale with 50% off new and retiring products!  I have LOVED each product they're offered! 

We're almost finished with Day 3 and it includes the coolest 2017 Planner and Album ever!  

Not only can your write appointments and other important dates in it, but you can:
*Color
*Journal
*Organize
*Store Photos, Notes, Tickets, Coupons, etc
*Add Photo Sleeves and it's a Photo Album too!

What's not to LOVE?

Day 3 of the sale also includes mini albums called InstaLife with fun accent cards you can add with your precious photos, and more!

Check everything out here: Day 3 Boxing Week Sale Products





Color!

Be inspired by meaningful quotes!

Organize important dates!

Journal!  

Add photos and memorabilia in the photo sleeve pages!

You can love your planner too!

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Oh Deer, I Will Miss This Paper!

 It's almost Christmas and it's almost time to say goodbye to this gorgeous winter paper pack.  Sniff, sniff.  I have to say, Oh Deer is my favorite wintery Christmas paper we have ever had with Close to My Heart.  I will truly miss it!  



This is a fun and easy style of card called a Z Card.  Looks complicated, but it's not at all.  We made this as one of our Holiday Workshop projects this year.  It was a favorite with everyone who attended!


Supplies:
Oh Deer Paper Pack, White Daisy Cardstock 
Clear Sparkles: Small for deer's eye, Medium for the middle of the Snowflake *it fell off while photographing and I didn't notice.  Oops!

Monday, November 28, 2016

Happy Cyber Monday!

What a perfect day to get a CTMH Exclusive Cricut Bundle at a BIG savings of 30% off!  Wow!
Hurry, offer ends at midnight tonight MST!


Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Happy Holidays!

I love how these cheerful Christmas cards came together!  Bright Cranberry and Willow Close To My Heart papers and inks make them festive and fun!  Add some sparkly White Glitter paper and Red Enamel Gems and you're ready for the Ho Ho Holidays!  


Last night at my annual Christmas Card Class we used the Workshop Your Way Happy Holidays Cardmaking Kit....but with a twist!  I added my own touches to some of the suggested designs and created one of my own designs using 
the super cute Santa zip strip.  
We made 15 cards total: 3 of each of the 5 designs.


Supplies:
exclusive stamp set and Gold Shimmer Trim
Cranberry and Willow Stamp Pads

Monday, October 31, 2016

Scary Bird!

For my final installment of Halloween projects, is it a crow?  
A raven?  It's Scary Bird!  
This is a little banner project that rounded out 8 fun creations from my Boo University workshop this month.  It measures 6" x 9.5".  
I used Cricut Design Space to cut the scrolls on top of the scary bird.  You could, however, cut the scroll images out of Thistle cardstock and adhere them on top of the bird.



Close To My Heart products used:
Jeepers Creepers Paper Pack and Complements
Thistle, Black and Goldrush cardstock
CTMH Artbooking - Spiderweb, Spider, Crow/Raven
Silver Sequins (dark silver for the eye)
Retired CTMH Products: Purple and Dark Silver Glitter Paper 
Thistle Extra Thick Twine 
CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge - Banner, and Scroll shapes on the bird


Friday, October 28, 2016

EEK! Halloween Potion!

EEK, some spooky fun potion to dress up your Halloween decor!
This was one of eight creative projects made at my Boo University workshop this year and I love how it turned out!  



This creepy potion bottle started as one of several clear bottles from a friend of a friend of a friend.  I thought they could be worked into Boo U as eery potion decor and they worked perfectly.  

I mixed an eery concoction of green acrylic craft paint, water base varnish, and Prisma Glitter (oh, how I miss that sparkly product from Close To My Heart!)  I poured the paint potion into the bottle and swirled it around to coat the inside.  Next, I set it upside down on a paper towel for a few hours to drain out the excess paint, 
I mean potion!

The bottle decorations are a creepy combo of:
Black and White Cardstock Tags
Lavender and Leaf Green ShinHan Touch Twin Markers
Stamped Pickled Toad image from Magic Potions (retired CTMH set)
Clear Sparkles and Black Twine
Cork - online source

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

BOO!

I made my first Triple Panel Card for one of the 8 projects made at my Boo University workshop recently. What a FUN fancy fold card, and so easy too!

Cut paper 5 1/2" x 8 1/2".  Horizontally, score at 2", 3 1/8", 5 3/8", and 6 1/2".
The first fold is valley, then mountain, mountain, and finish with valley.  I used my bone folder to get nice crisp folds.


It's decorated with the cute Jeepers Creepers patterned papers.  I cut two side panels 1 3/4" x 5 1/4", and middle panel is 2 x 5 1/4".  The sticker accents are from the  Complements and are festive, fun and fast!


Monday, October 24, 2016

HALLOWEEN!

Last year during the month of October, I posted a Halloween post every day for 31 days.  It nearly did me in!  This time, I'll be posting several fun Halloween cards and projects from now until Halloween.  Wish me luck!  It's only 7 days.  
I think I can, I think I can!

This was a super quick and super fun card to make!  The Jeepers Creepers Complements contain darling stickers and black glitter paper cut outs including words: Halloween, Scary, Trick or Treat.  I simply cut some coordinating cardstock rectangles to add the black glittery letters onto.  I added checker borders to the sides of the white card base with the Jeepers Creepers Washi tape.  
Fun, easy and CUTE!


The eyes are from the Jeepers Creepers Assortment.  Love them!


How cute are these Jeepers Creepers Complements?  



Supplies used:
Jeepers Creepers Complements, Assortment, and Washi Tape
Cardstock: Black, Pansy, Tangerine, Lagoon, Willow


Saturday, October 22, 2016

They did the Mash

They did the Monster Mash.  It was a Graveyard Smash!




We had a blast creating this framed Monster decor at my Boo University 4 Halloween workshop this past week!   The Jeepers Creeper Complements are the perfect 
combination of spooky cute for this piece!  

See the black sparkly bat on the wire flying over the top?  Too fun!

Supplies:
Pansy Purple cardstock (retired color)
Dollar Store Frame, Wiggly Eyes

Friday, October 7, 2016

Howl-ooo Friends!

One of our favorite workshops is coming up soon! 
 That’s right, it’s time for….BOO University 4!  

Space is limited for this SPOOKTACULAR creative event, so please scream your RSVP soon!  Deadline is 10/13 if the spaces don’t fill before then!  

Bring a friend!

Wear a costume for extra festive fun!

Hope to see you soon!


Thursday, September 29, 2016

CTMH Rockstars! Get Your Cards Soon!

Let me introduce you to these two little CTMH Rockstars,  
Sticky Boy and Sticky Girl!  Aren't they the cutest?

Who are they and how did they come to be? The founder of Close To My Heart, Jeanette Lynton, drew the boy image for her husband, David 25+ years ago and named the him "What's Up"? He was a cute and curious little rubber stamp on a wooden block that people were a little puzzled by, but loved him for his quirkiness! Sticky Boy, in the wonderful Close to My Heart Acrylix stamp version, came to life 12 years ago and was introduced at our annual convention in a very fun video. You can view that short video by scrolling down to find it on the right side. In June of this year, Sticky Boy found a girlfriend named Sticky Girl and they've been very happy ever since!

Ok, back to reality people! As the deadline for earning the CTMH Incentive trip to beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico approaches soon, like TOMORROW, I am offering these 3 special cards for a very limited time!

If you would like 1 of these Sticky Boy/Girl cards to visit your mailbox, simply place a $25 (before ship/tax) on my website and tell me which is your favorite card. I will make that card especially for you! But wait! Want 2 cards? Increase your order to $35 (before ship/tax).  And, if you want all 3 cards, place a $45 order (before ship/tax).
(Cannot be combined with other free product offers)

You'll need to hurry! This offer ends at 5 pm CDT on Friday, September 30th! Hurry over to my website http://margi.closetomyheart.com. Place your order and I'll get your card(s) made and in the mail to YOU! Thank you so much!

Hope you enjoy these fun cards starring Sticky Boy and Sticky Girl! They've been created in 3 sizes and will arrive to you with envelopes.


Sticky Boy with Sunflower - 5 x 7 card


Happy Holidays card - 4.25 x 5.50 card


Celebrate with Sticky Boy 3 x 3 card

This couple of Sticky friends can't wait to start their travels to your home!


Supplies used:
Sticky Boy stamps (unavailable to order.  Can only be found at CTMH events!)
Swan Lake and City Sidewalks paper packs
Cricuit City Sidewalks Digital Collection
ShinHan Touch Twin Markers
Assorted accents and cardstock 

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Spread Some Love


This True Love stamp set is so adorable and very special!  
With the sale of each stamp set, Close to My Heart will donate $7 to Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that provides surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates in children. 

Spread some love with your purchase of this sweet stamp set (here) and help a child smile.


Here are 5 cards I made with the True Love set and the Enchantment Fundamentals papers. 
I wish you could see the hint of sparkle from my new favorite tool, the Shimmer Brush!  So easy to use and it makes such a soft subtle shimmer effect.  Perfect!


Additional Supplies used:
ShinHan Touch Twin Markers, Black Shimmer Trim, Gold Sequins, 
Journaling Pen
Retired - Treasured Puffies

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Hello Crazy Cat!

Halloween stamp set.  Where?  What?  Huh?  
Yes, Purr-fect Halloween, my new favorite stamp set!  

I'm sad that there are only 2 days left for this
 August Stamp of the Month! 
You can grab it here!

Funny cat with his big wiggly eyes!  (couldn't find my little ones when I was making the card.  Sorta like the bigger ones!)

See you tomorrow with another sample!



Available through 8/31



Additional Supplies:  
Watercolor paper, Paint Brush set, Black Shimmer Trim
Journaling Pen, Calypso Sequins



Monday, August 29, 2016

Purr-Fectly Spooky Cat!


Only 3 days remain for this super cute, super fun Stamp of the Month set "Purr-fect Halloween!  Love it!  Find it here!


I whipped up this quick card with some of the beautiful new Adventure Fundamentals Papers and some Watercolor Paints. 
I simply painted and splattered a scrap of white watercolor paper with a couple of grays.  Let it dry completely, then stamped the cat with Memento Black Stamp Pad.  Some copper colored sequins from the Florence accents and some colored Bitty Sparkles top off this Happy Halloween card!






Additional Supplies:  


Sunday, August 21, 2016

Crazy for Color!


Look at these beauties! 
Seven new CTMH Stamp Pad colors in newly designed cases! 
I love them all and so will you!

Also available in cardstock and reinkers.


Monday, August 15, 2016

Peek!

I have two adorable granddaughters and we play a lot of 
peek-a-boo!  When I created this hello card, I kept thinking of my little sweeties! 

This cute cat is from the Purr-fect Halloween Stamp of the Month for August.  So fun and so versatile!

 

The background is a wash of watercolor and the banner is a combination of watercolor paints and watercolor pencils.  How about that Thin Cut "Hello"?  I am really loving these cool new tools!  Have you tried them?  They're like a cookie cutter for paper!  Just put them through your Cuttlebug and viola!...you have a fun shape magically cut!






Addition supplies used:
Sentiment: Sending Smiles (from the Flower Market Cricut Bundle)

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

It's Time for a NEW Annual Inspirations!


The date Close To My Heart fans have been waiting for.....
August 1!  
This beauty is LIVE and filled to the brim with fantastic 
new products!    Here over to my website and see all the creative awesomeness inside!


The exclusive new CTMH Flower Garden Cricut Cartridge is in a word, FABULOUS!


I made this pretty card with the Flower Market cartridge and bit of the new Whimsey Fundamentals patterned paper.  I wish the photo would show how dimensional and fun it is!

  


Take a look at how adorable this August Stamp of the Month is!  Purr-Fect Halloween is available for $17.95 or $5 on a $50 order.  Love it!


Monday, July 18, 2016

From the Notebook: Celebrate!

It's Monday and here's a bright and cheerful message to remind us to celebrate today!  Hope you have the best week ever!  


I created this fun card with the July Stamp of the Month "From the Notebook".  
There are a lot of hidden treasures in the set if you just look for them.  It's fun to put together sentences with the words and icons.  Let your imagination lead you to some creativity!


I used the Magical patterned papers because they make me happy!   You just can't help but smile with you look at the fun colors and patterns!  

I love all the little M size stamps!  This one is retiring July 31st.  
Get it while you can!


The sequins didn't photograph well on my card, but trust me, they are shiny and bright.  Even though there are sequins to match the Magical papers, I used the red and gold from the Florence Sequin pack. 

Additional CTMH Supplies used:
Stamp Pads:  Cranberry, Saffron, Black
Clear Sparkles
(Scallop Border Punch - Retired)