Which Do You Like Best?

I'm trying to decide which of these cards I like best.  I need your help.  If you're a crafter you might now what I'm going through.  Your creations are like your kids, it's hard to pick a favorite because you can see why each one is special!  

There's something about the combo of yellow and black that I really like.  I need to use yellow more; I for some reason tend to shy away from it.  The "Congratulations" is heat embossed.  In person you don't see the little spots that show up on this picture.  I think I might need to redo that.

The second one has a splash of red with it.  It looks a little pink in the photo; much better in person.

The last one uses the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  The saying inside says "Hey there cupcake!"

If you could only pick one, which would you pick???  Thanks for your help.  

More "Shape-A-Day"

I have chip board flourishes, sticker flourishes, sparkly flourishes, etc.  It's nice to think that I don't have to buy and keep an inventory of flourishes; I can make them when I need them, and I'll always be able to have them coordinate with my papers.  Awesome.  Here's the latest post from Jeanette Lynton from Close to My Heart regarding how to make flourishes using the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.

Many of you are sure to recognize my dear friend Monica and her sweet new baby, Maya, in this layout. If you’re looking for flourishes to add a big WOW to your layouts, the Art Philosophy has several to choose from. This gorgeous splash of color calls on a few different flourishes to achieve its effect.

Shape instructions: You can see several flourishes on page 76 of your Art Philosophy booklet. For the large flourishes used on the left page of this layout, push the “Font Layer” feature key, then shift, and then the second key from the right on the fourth row. These flourishes were cut at 2 ½”.

Jeanette Lynton's Shape-A-Day

Here's the latest Shape-A-Day from Jeanette Lynton's blog.  I like the simplicity of this card, and the colors really work for me!  The Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge makes it so easy.  Love it!

In today’s card, all three heart shapes were cut using different features found on the same button – and, as a result, you can see how the card cut-out, the heart, and the heart outline are perfectly matched.

Shape Instructions: For the basic heart shape, push the sixth key from the left on the top row, with the size set at 1 ¾”. For the outline, leave the size at the same setting and push the same key with the “Layer” feature key activated. For the card, you’ll set the size to 4 ½” and push the same key with the “Card” feature key and shift activated.

Crafting Chicks Giveaway

If you've read any of my other posts, you probably know by now how much I love Studio J, the online scrap booking program from Close to My Heart.  I'm a relatively new Studio J fanatic, and I think Studio J is so easy!  It gives me a great boost in my scrap booking because I can do so many beautiful layouts so quickly.  Don't get me wrong, I still love the traditional scrap book pages too, but I think having both options is such a great benefit.



Well, I'm glad to tell you, there are other Studio J fans out there.  Check out Crafting Chicks giveaway!  They love it so much they're giving it away, free!  They agree that it is so easy and fun to use, and want to share the experience.  So check them out, sign up for the giveaway, I'd love to have one of you win it.  Tell your friends!  And if you don't win, don't worry, contact me and I can get you started.  If you host a gathering, you can use your hostess rewards towards your Studio J purchase.  If you're not in my area, don't worry, we can do an online gathering.  Let me know if you're interested.

I Believe!

I used the Close to My Heart Believe Workshop on the Go Bonus Project to make these next Christmas Cards.  The instructions have two of the cards as Thank You cards but I switched one to Christmas.  I loved how easy these were!!!  And I think they turned out great.  The Holiday Pockets are a great idea, easy but they look great.  I might have to make a few more of these, and I have one Holiday Pocket left!

For my stars on card #2 I used the Art Philosophy cartridge and the Dimensional stars.  So easy, I'm not one who likes to cut free hand.

Christmas Cards!

It's time to start making those Christmas cards!  I like to have all mine made before Thanksgiving, I then spend the next week or so addressing them and they're off!   In the past I've made only one or two cards of each design, mostly because I want to try a lot of different designs and can't decide on just one.  Of course, this takes a lot of time!!!  I'm going to try to be more disciplined this year and do more of each design.

So far I've made the cards from the Close to My Heart Believe and Wonderland Workshops on the Go Bonus Projects, which helped give me a good head start.

Here are the cards I made using the CTMH Wonderland paper packet and Workshop bonus project instructions.  I love the Silver Glitz Glitter Gel!  It took me awhile to get the hang of it, I have sort of a heavy hand!  But once I did, I loved it.  I like the idea of cutting up the Top Coats Icing Overlays and using them on cards.  I think they add a nice touch.  Very blingy!

My Funny Aunt!

I have a great Aunt who's got a terrific sense of humor.  Birthday's and social etiquette are very important to her, so you always get a card from Aunt LaVelle.  But this year my birthday came right after she had heart surgery.  And it was sort of a tough surgery.  She's going to be fine, but the healing process is going to be slow for her I think.  Well, when my birthday came around, it was Columbus Day and so no mail, no birthday card. But my hubby and I were talking and he said it'd be surprising if she had been able to get a card out.  So the next day, when no card showed up, I wasn't surprised.  I was surprised the next day when lo and behold, there it was, my birthday card from Aunt LaVelle.  But the best part of all, it's hilarious!  I love this card!  I've gotten some great cards, and this one has to be one of my top three favorites.  When I called to thank her, she apologized for it being late but she had forgotten there was no mail service on Columbus Day!  What a gal.  Thank you Aunt LaVelle!

Inside it says "Hope your birthday is full of lasting memories."  Perfect!!!
(the card is from American Greetings, written by Jackie Tilton and designed by Jack Delaney.)

SVN Retreat 2010

This layout is of the Sperry Van Ness Retreat in 2010.  I used the Studio J online scrap booking program. I played around a bit with the paper styles and colors.  I also experimented with copying and re-sizing the embellishments.

While Supplies Last!

New items have been added to the "While Supplies Last" section of my Close to My Heart website, including Bliss paper packs for just $3.25, Miracle paper packs for $5.50 and your LAST chance at the retired sizes of our acrylic blocks! You can combine your order for these deals with regular priced items as well! Spend $55 and get this month's AWESOME stamp of the month for just $5.50!   Click here to start shopping!


     

My plan to get current (or at least closer to current) on my scrapbooking, is to use Studio J for the "new stuff". The older photos I'll use the traditional scrapbooking.

So here's a layout of my day at the pool with Pam and Charlotte!  I love this paper for pool pictures.  And Charlotte was such fun!

This layout uses the Dreamin' Kit from Studio J.  I tried the Double Mat technique on the photograph on the left.  

Love Your Layout

I didn't realize you could crop the My Stickease in the Studio J program.  I guess I never thought of it.  Another reason I love the Studio J videos that come out.  They really remind me to experiment and try new things.  Here's a video that shows how they cropped the stickease to make this beautiful layout.  You really need to try Studio J, and it's free!  Just click here to access it from my CTMH site.

Jeanette's Shape a Day - are you following it?

Love this card! I haven't made too many envelopes with the Art Philosophy cartridge, but think I might try it next.  I've enjoyed following her Shape A Day posts!

jeanettelynton.com: Shape-a-Day: Day 10

www.jeanettelynton.com

I could not love this card any more! Imagine my excitement when I'm perusing through my blogs in google reader and look twice at this card, only to be pleasantly surprised with the fact that it's using the new AP cartridge! I'm a new cricut owner, thanks to the AP cartridge and this card is really g...

I feel overwhelmed with all the projects I want to do!  Cards seem to get done first because they seem easier and quicker.  You can see something for your effort much quicker then with a layout.  Here are some cards I made.  I love this first one, it uses the Close to My Heart Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain ribbon that I love. I was looking for a project to use it with and this is what I came up with.  I also used the Dreamin' paper packet.  I need more of this paper, it is so versatile.  

This second one uses the Sweethome paper packet and the Neighborhood stamp set.

This last one also uses the Sweet home paper packet.  The stamp set is Welcome Home and Thank you.

We just spent three nights at Black Butte Ranch in Central Oregon.  It's a beautiful spot and we hadn't been there for awhile.  It's one of our favorite places to get away, maybe do some golfing, go on long walks, and just  enjoy nature and relaxing.  Here are two Studio J layouts of the trip.  I'm still working on a third.

This first layout I tried adding text to a ribbon.  I like how it turned out.  

And on the second layout and changed a text well to a photo well.  I liked this paper pack for Black Butte!

Become a Close to My Heart Consultant Now!

Now is a great time to become a Close to My Heart Consultant!  If you sign up in October, you not only get the new consultant kit for $99, but you get a free add-on! Click here to see more.

Sign up as a new Consultant between October 1–31 and receive one New Consultant Kit add-on collection of your choice FREE! Add-on collections are priced at $40 each and have a retail value of $80, making this an incredible deal!

For just a $99 enrollment fee, you'll receive a New Consultant Kit packed with business essentials and new products valued at over $280, plus a FREE add-on collection to enhance your kit! Then you can choose to buy one or both of the other add-on collections for just $40 each. It's an incredible deal!  Contact me today to get in on this great deal! 


Not sure if you would want to be a Close to My Heart Consultant?  As a consultant you can purchase CTMH product at great discount.  Many people sign up just for the discounts, and then end up making it a career.  There are many incentive programs that make it worthwhile.  It's also a great way to make money doing something you love.  You can work it as much or as little as you want.  It's a great company to work with and the quality of the products are something of which you can be proud.  Interested?  Let's talk!

Check out the October Stamp of the Month from Close to My Heart!  The link will take you to the CTMH site where there are examples of layouts and cards you can make with the set.  You can get this beautiful stamp set, just in time for the holidays, for just $5 - that's over 70% off retail!!!  You can get this special price when you place an order of $50 or more in Close to My Heart products.  But hurry, it's only available until October 31!  Let me know if you're interested.

jeanettelynton.com: Announcing Cricut Shape-a-Day!

www.jeanettelynton.com

Close to My Heart's founder Jeanette Lynton is starting a Cricut Shape-a-Day project on her blog.  She'll feature a different Cricut shape from the Art Philosophy cartridge every day!  It's a great place to get inspiration for your next project!