Christmas Cards- with Mistletoe

So it's been a while since I last posted. Sorry and shame on me. But on a good note I have something new to show you. I created a Christmas Card workshop for some local ladies. We used the Mistletoe Creative Basics (page 88) and A Timber stamp set ($7.95). They are beautiful!! Yes, I'm humble can you tell. Everything is CTMH. If you'd like a copy of the workshop email me, and if you'd like to order the supplies log on to my website.
These cards were created using patterns from Jeanette Lynton's Wishes and my Originals. And the first card was inspired by another CTMH consultant.

A little of everything

Stamps of the Month from Close To My Heart are awesome and the March one especially. Here's a card I made using it along with the retired Key To My Heart special campaign paper and the exclusive stampset that came with the Topstitch workshop on the go.

Spring time

It was love at first sight with the new Springtime stampset from Close To My Heart. I have been wanting to use it since I got it, but here's my first crafty item completed with it. Everything is CTMH. The paper is from the Caboodle Level 2 kit leftover from the Workshop On The Go. The Flowers are clear button, and the rays of the sun are cut up sorbet ric rac ribbon. The stampsets used are Springtime, the Clouds and rain drops are from Childhood, the puddle is from Worlds Best Dad (past stamp of the month), Rain is stamped using Elegant Script.

Faux Metallic

I was honored to demo a Faux Metallic technique I created using our incredibly versatile Create a shade Paint. Here is the card and the instructions below.

Faux Metallic Look
w/ Close To My Heart Create a Shade Pearl Paint

Give your projects an easy to create faux metallic look

Supplies:
-White Daisy Cardstock
-Create-a-shade paint
-Paint brush
-CTMH Double Stamp Set & appropriate blocks
-Transparency Sheet
-Black Stazon
-CTMH Ink color of choice (darker colors work best)

Instructions:
-Stamp your base image on White Daisy Cardstock
-Stamp your overlay image with Stazon on to the transparency sheet
-Cut transparency image out
-Paint a thin layer of create-a-shade paint on top of base image
-Lay transparency on top of base image while paint is still wet
-Cut base image out and adhere to project

All products are CTMH. Paper used is Bella Level 2, Stamp set used is Aspiration & Somethin' Special. The card pattern is Center Circles from Wishes.

Gift of Cards

This is actually a set of 8 cards I created after being inspired by the always lovely Lisa Steinz a fellow CTMH'er. I gave this set as a Christmas gift. The photos are AWFUL! Hopefully you can get the idea any way. The Ink's and stamps as well as white paper are CTMH.

The stamps are Treasures, and Treasure Life.

Notice the details

You know when you have to give a card to a guy, you've got to simplify it and not make it too fussy. Well it can be harder than you think. I love to add all the little extras, (not talking about perfume and lipstick, because that would be weird and everyone knows I'm not weird. Unique maybe.?.) I'm talk'n embellishments and texture lending ribbon or fibers. I really love the December stamp of the month from Close To My Heart. The possibilities are endless. For this card I wanted to create something masculine for my brother in law's birthday. I used the Sweet Home paper pack and the Overview pattern from Originals to jump start this card. I think it turned out really nice, and no estrogen overload. The Stamp sets used are Comments, Notice the Details, and

NIce List

I am a maker of lists. I have list for everything and I LOVE having a cute notebook to keep them in. I saw the makings of a great Christmas Shopping List notebook with this wooden notebook I found in a $1 section at Michael's. I used all CTMH products with the exception of the stickles to create this project. The stamp sets featured are No Peeking, Celebrate, Christmas Greetings, Sans & Classroom Alphabets. The ribbon is Creme Brulee, the paper is Jingle level 2, the colors are Tulip, Juniper, Creme Brulee, and Black. Liquid Applique is what makes Santa's beard, hat and eyebrow so life like. It's super easy to use. You simply squeeze it to apply where you want it. Let it dry overnight, then use a heat gun to puff it up. (Make sure not to cut out the item before heating so that you have something to grip.) I did add glitter on top of it for the hat. Also, add brads to the ribbon and the paper before gluing the paper down. I didn't know I wanted to add them until after I glued the paper so that's where the ripples come from. If you like it let me know. Thanks for looking.

Grace Workshop project for Sept.

Here's a sneak peek of the new Grace Workshop on the Go from CTMH. I just love how it turned out. It was perfect for these photos of my son at just 9 days old. This is the project my hostess club will be completing in Sept. Close To My Heart has added great value to the WOTG program, now you can get a exclusive stamp set included in the kit along with a great accent like the edge anchors used on these pages. But the bonus is that you also get the step by step instructions for 6 cards using the same paper pack, stamp set, and embelishments. It's an awesome deal. I'll post the cards in just a bit.

16 cards from Wishes

Just a quick post before heading to bed. This is a super simple workshop from Jeanette Lynton's newest book called Wishes. It's a great resource for cards. It's got step by step directions for each card along with lots of variety of the same sketch. This set I created using Emporium and a variety of CTMH stamps (too many to list, you can email me if you'd like to know about a particular one). I kept this simple due to time issues (such as not having much of it). This workshop makes 16 cards 2 of 8 designs.

You can find this workshop on page 111.

Christmas Card Workshop

Designs and photo are CTMH www.closetomyheart.com

Love the look of handmade personal Christmas cards but don’t feel like you have the time? Get an early jump start on your holiday greetings with this 2 hour workshop. You will create 12 beautiful yet deceptively easy (meaning no creative talent needed) Christmas Cards to send to your loved ones. What’s the cost? $15 dollars and you get: great time with fun gals, snacks, 12 completed cards, (see Merry & Bright on page 52) accented with cranberry grosgrain ribbon, and cranberry brads. RSVP by Oct. 1st please so that I have time to place the order and get all of the supplies.

When:
Friday Oct: 10, 2008:
6:30 to 8:30pm

Where:
My place. Call for directions

RSVP by:
Oct. 1, 2008
251-661-9550

Cost:
$15.00

Give a gift, Get a gift!!

• Who wouldn't love to help a child have a future and get something really wonderful in return. Here is a great opportunity for you to receive this wonderful From Me To You card kit and give the gift of a better life to a child. I am so proud to announce this partnership with Close To My Heart and Operation Smile. This card kit can be yours for only $10 (plus S&H), and all of the profits go to Operation Smile! Isn't that amazing.

You'll get

• 16 Colonial White Card Bases
• D size My Acrylix From Me to You stamp set (value 22.95)
• Precut cardstock and textured cardstock
• Coordinating brads & ribbon
• Sandpaper
• 16 Envelope Flats
• Step-by-step instruction booklet to create 16 cards (2 of each of 8 beautiful designs
• An attractively decorated box

The retail value of this kit is $34.95

Operation Smile is a wonderful organization that works in 26 different countries around the world with volunteers preforming surgeries on children with severe facile deformities. The deformities are debilitating and in some cases lead to death. While at the 2008 Close To My Heart convention. I was blessed to hear co-founders Dr. William P. Magee Jr., a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen S. Magee, a nurse and clinical social worker speak. I was so impressed that they used their talent and time for the last 20 years to give an amazing gift to children who would have had no chance at life. Since their inception in 1982, OS has helped more than 115,000 children . I was astounded to learn that the life altering surgery takes less than 45 minutes to preform and costs about $240 each. I really encourage you to check out their website and learn more about Operation Smile for your self. I am sure you will feel the same way I do about such a worthy cause.

If you would like to order this card kit or any CTMH products, or even host a gathering please contact me.

Just Because!!

You could WIN $1,000 In CTMH Products & Earn this beautiful Card Kit FREE!!! Close To My Heart is featuring an exclusive and really fabulous Just Because card kit in honor of National Stamping Month, and you can get it free, or greatly discounted.

The Just Because card kit will make 16 beautiful cards and includes
-A D-size My Acrylix® Just Because stamp set
-Designer ribbon and Sparkles
-Two Exclusive Inks™ mini stamp pads
-Cardstock and B&T Duos™ papers
-A magnetic-closure designer box
-Step-by-step instructions for making these stunning cards
-Kit colors: Chocolate, Colonial White, and our new Tulip color.

Beginning Aug. 14, - Sept. 30 you can purchase the Just Because card kit for $34.95, or if you make a purchase of CTMH products with the minimum of $75 you can receive the kit for $15.00, or you can get it free as well as the Stamp of the month free with the minimum purchase of $125. That's $57.90 free!!!

To enter for a chance to win $1,000 in CTMH products, begining Aug. 14th, you can log onto http://www.closetomyheart.com/ Just fill out the entry form and you're entered to win!

With this kit you will not be intimidated, instead you'll be amazed at just how easy it is to create 16 beautiful cards with the easy step by step instructions and photographs. Your friends will be so pleased when they receive a hand made card created by you. If you would like to see move of this kit or would like to order one please contact me.

Photos and cards by Lourae Minor

Back from convention

This was my first, but not my last Close To My Heart Convention. Lisa Murphy and I traveled last Wednesday to sunny Orlando, Florida and stayed in the beautiful Gaylord Palms Resort. I have returned with a fresh new perspective and invigorating energy and I'd like to share it with you.

The excitement in the room during the first General Session of convention can be compared to the Beatles landing in the U.S. Yes, we were all screaming teenagers when we learned of the great new products being released by Close To My Heart. Some of them include 4 new colors with delicious names I can't wait to share with you on September 1st. We created a fabulous Christmas album with the crystal clear My Acrylic album (retailing for 14.95). We saw and came home with many beautiful new stamp sets and lots of creative ways to use them. I would love to show you the great new products and the truly fabulous current products Close To My Heart has to offer during my Open House coming in September.

I will be posting more information, and great items you can walk home with FREE. So like your favorite TV show keep it tuned right here for updates.

Let The Creativity Begin

I am so excited; I can feel the creativity pumping through my veins! I am starting this blog as a way to share with you ideas, tips, new techniques, and great new innovate products that will help your own creativity flow. Here you'll find semi-weekly blogs concerning scrapbooking, card making, creative gifts, photography tips, and much more. I am going to keep this introduction short. I don't know if you are like me but I don't have a lot of time to read all that I'd like, so I appreciate brevity and great new ideas that are to the point. So that's just what you'll find here.

Let me know you've visited with a quick post.

Sincerely,
Leana Ott
Independent Consultant
with Close to My Heart