Clearly the Best: Behind the Scenes

Have a look at this video and see some great techniques.

Clearly the Best: Passion for Patterns

In this short video you can learn to make you own pattern paper.  Mix it and Match it, express your passion for patterns.

Whooo's Your Valentine? National Papercrafting Month: January 2013

You are going to love this and not just for Valentine's Day either.  You can get yours with a qualifying order.
When you place an order of $35 or more in Close To My Heart products, you’ll receive the Whooo’s Your Valentine kit for only $10. Qualifying purchases must come from Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book product (or products live on my website through January). Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book preview items are not eligible as qualifying retail purchases for this campaign.
You can see below that you will be getting a sneak peek at a couple of new items that we will have in the next Idea Book. 
It is available December 13, - January 31, 2013.




Featured Products: Whooo’s Your Valentine kit (CC1022)
12 – Die-Cut Boxes (3 each of 4 colors: Blush, Hollyhock, Ruby, White Daisy)
3 – 12" × 12" Cardstock Sheets (Blush, Hollyhock, White Daisy)
1 – Sheet Silver Glitter Paper – new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
12 – Treat Tubes with Lids – new product for Spring/Summer 2013!
1 – My Acrylix^® Whooo’s Your Valentine Stamp Set (D-size)


Be sure to get yours now these are while supplies last and they are going to go fast!  Don't wait!!!

Getting Ready for the New Year

Not that I want to make this year go any faster!  But I just wanted to make a little calendar for next year.
Remember the Butterfly card that I just made, you can see it here.  Well this is made using that little cut out from the center front of the card.  I had a bunch of them leftover and so I started playing around with them and this is what I came up with.

 The base for the calendar is a chip board coaster.  If you ask at you local Restaurant they will usually give you a couple.
I covered it with a piece of pattern paper from the Clementine paper pack you can see it here. 
I sponged everything with Twilight ink Z2160 except for the 2013.  That I sponged with Sorbet Z2164
The calendar is a free printable online for 2013.
The Ribbon in the Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon Z1617
You can order everything you need here!

These make great stocking stuffer too!  Who doesn't need a little calendar they can put just about anywhere.

Love Your Layout: November 2012

In this month's video you will learn some creative techniques on how to design with My Stickease images, create your own custom titles, and more.  Log into Studio J to create it yourself while you watch.

You won't want to miss out on this!!!

Check out the While Supplies Last section here.
You won't beleive the prices!  These are going to go fast.  So hurry over to my website and get yours now!
Like:

LUCKY LEVEL 2 ASSORTMENT
$10.95 $3.00 BULK204


MISCHIEF PAPER PACKET & MIDNIGHT FELT SHAPES
$15.90 $4.00 CC10181


MIDNIGHT FELT SHAPES
$5.95 $1.50 Z1462


4 1/4" x 5 1/2" CLEAR CARDS
$8.95 $2.00 Z1323


BOTTLE CAPS
$4.95  $1.25 Z1691


LUCKY LEVEL 2 ASSORTMENT
$4.95 $1.50 Z1356

These are just a few of the deals that we have for you.  Stop by and check them out! 
Don't forget that these are just while supplies last.  So hurry over and get what you need NOW!!!

Project Inspiration 2012 Autumn/Winter Idea Book: Framing Sweet Treats

Here you can see how to use the Close To My Heart's My Acrylix Perfect fit stamp sets.  They can be use on a project to fit together in many ways to create a cute surprise for a friend.
Watch and learn!  Don't worry it is a very short one. But you won't want to miss it.



What a fun gift to make for the Holiday.  I will be posting some that I have made soon.  So keep checking back.
If there is something that you would like to see just leave me a comment and I will try to make it.
Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas Gift Card Holder

Here is a just a plain cut for the Cricut Artiste cartridge that I made the other day.  I just love how simple it is.
It fits a gift card perfectly.

You can see the 3 different cuts that I used to make this.
All the B&T paper is CTMH Pear & Partridge the Cardstock is Desert Sand p41 Card.  I really like how it all coordinates and I really don't have to worry about finding things that go together.
The little gold doily is a from a yard sale about 70 differernt kinds of them in a baggie for $1.00.  I love yard sales.  I got the this frame and 2 others there too for $1.00.  I had no idea what I was going to do with them but when I started making this gift card I knew it needed a little something extra.
The Belly band is the cut that goes with the Gift Card holder p41 Card/S.  "Well that is what I am calling it."  You can use it as a stand alone card or and gift tag too.
The Tree is from Art Philosophy p52 Tree2/S.
The Stamp Set, Ribbon, and Bling are from the Pear & Partridge Workshop on the Go G1043 you can see it here.
I stamped, and sponged around everything with New England Ivy.
I will be making more of these for sure.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
 

Clearly the Best: Rock & Roll (S01E13)

Here is another stamping technique for creating beautiful stamped images with shaded edges in a similar color.  The technique is call Rock and Roll so take a look.



Have you tried this before?  If so what did you think?
You can shop with me here.

Butterflies in my Life CTMH/ Artiste

With all the rain and storms coming this week I guess I just needed a few Butterflies in my life.  We are supposed to be getting 12" or so of rain this week and that is a lot for us. 
Okay enough whining and on to my card.  I saw this on Pinterest and just had to make one.  I created it in my Gypsy by selecting the card shape and the the single shape itself.  If you want to see how just leave me a comment and I will make a video.  It is hard to explain but very easy to do.

You can see how the card was cut.  All products used are Close To My Heart.  I embossed the stamp A1120 Quick card Butterfly, you can see it here.  The branches and leaves were cut with the Art Philosophy and the Artiste cartridge along with the flowers and the butterfly.  I sponged with Sunset, Sky, and Twilight.  I use the Brown and Tan sparkles in the center of the flowers.
If you need to order anything just click on the Shop with Me button or here. 

You can use the CCR to do this as well but I don't always have an internet conection so I rely more on my Gypsy.

The Right Tools Make All the Difference

Discover how easy crafting can be when you use the perfect tool for your project.  Whether your creating 3-D Flowers, applying rub-ons, or writing on chalkboard sheets, there is a tool for you.  Watch this short video and see.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

I just want to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  Hope your day is a fun one with all your loved ones.
Here are some of the decorations that my DIL Jenn and I made.

 Thank you for stopping by.

Clearly The Best: Re-vamping with Overstamping

Watch this short video and learn how to make your stamp images jump off the page with overstamping.  This is a layered stamping technique to add artistic flair to you projects!

Stamps and Dimensional Elements from the Cricut® Artiste Collection

Make your cut-out and artwork stand out.  Watch this short video and see how.



If you haven't gotten yours yet you can order it here!

I just found out that my entry in the H2H challenge made Top 10

I am very excited to find out this morning that my entry in the Heart 2 Heart Challenge made Top Ten.  You can see it here.   Just scroll down until you see my name Michele.
This is the very first time I have won in any Challenge.
Here is the link to the story on my blog

Thanks again for the new badge on the Right side of my blog for Top 10 Winner. 

Cricut® Cards and Envelopes

In this video you can learn how to cut both Card and Envelopes with one setting and have them match perfectly.  You are going to love how simple it is.


See I told you it was easy.  Now go and give it a try you will have lots of fun creating these and more.

Clearly The Best: How to Kiss—with Stamps

Learn how to kiss... with stamps!  This video will show you how to use this easy technique.  You can use this clever and unique design on your stamp image for a more customized look.  Let me show you how!

Have you every tried this before and what did you think?  Let me know

Card Swap Group Nov 2012 Video

Here are the cards that everyone made for our Card Swap. We meet every month and have a great time. This month was my turn to host the group. You can see all the other ones here!

Sorry for the photo but my Nikon got dropped while we were in Disneyland last week and the lens was sheered off so I have to use my long lens only. It doesn't quit hook up right either. I had to stand at the other end of the room to be able to fit all the cards in.
Not sure what to do about my camera now?????
I made a short YouTube video so you can see them all up close.

                   
Thanks for stopping by.  Leave us a comment and let us know what you think...

Pigment vs. Dye base Inks

Here is a video that tell you the difference between Pigment inks and Dye base inks.  Watch it and get some great tips and tricks on when to use which ink.

See now you will be able to get the look that you want.
You can get yours here!
 

Give Thanks

This is the card that I made for our Nov. card swap group.  I am using this card in Mojo Monday Card Challenge,  Heart 2 Heart Challenge, Fantabulous Cricut Challenge.  I was inspired by the photo this week and the sketch.  We had just come back from Disneyland for Halloween.  What a great time the family had.  My Mom 92, my Son his wife, my Daughter and all 3 Grand kids, my Husband and myself.  We were 4 generation literally from 1 to 92.  I was realizing how grateful I am that we love to all be together and how close we all are.
We ate at the Rain Forest Cafe in Disneyland one night; we make it a point to go there every visit.  The kids love all the things going on with the waterfalls, lighting and thunder as well as all the animals.
You can see the Pumpkin Box here.

While we were there I heard from a very close friend that her Granddaughter was just born and had to have surgery right away. So sad for someone that small to go through all that and the family too! Little Shelby has been in our thoughts and prayers. She is doing great after her surgery.
I have so much to be Thankful for in my life. This card is just a little reflection of that.  So the Give Thanks was the perfect saying for this card.
Sorry for the long story but I just wanted to let you know how truly Thankful I am.

All products are Close To My Heart

Cardstock:
Lagoon, Colonial White, Black, Sunset

Inks:
Twilight, Black, Sunset

Ribbon:
Seam binding Ribbon sponged in black,

Bakers Twine:
Sunset

Sparkles: Brown & Tan Assortment

Cricut:
CTMH Artiste cartridge

You can order everything Here...
Thanks for stopping by!
 

Holiday Ornaments with CTMH, Cricut, and Art Philosophy

Make your own handmade ornament with your Cricut and CTMH's Art Philosophy.  Watch this short video and lean how.

Did you think it could be that easy?
You can order what you need to make them right here!
 

CTMH Monogram Magic

This video show you just some of the things you can make with this very affordable monogram stamp. 

You can see them all here.
These make great gifts or Stocking Stuffer too.  Just in time for the up coming Holidays. 

Victorian Tea Light Lanten Video

Here is a short Video on the Victorian Tea Light Lantern that I said I would make. 
Don't forget to only use a Battery Operated Tea Light. 

 You can see the lantern lit up here and the post.
Want to see other things I have made with Tea Lights?  You can see them here.

Mini Album with The Artiste Cricut Cartridge

Here is a short Video that I made using the Chipboard Album pieces that come with your Cricut Artiste Collection Z1790.  The paper is cut from page 60.  It really is as easy as that.  All the measurements are on the chipboard package.  I used up lots of bit and pieces left from my Bliss paper pack that is retired. I gathered up all my metal pieces that were not used up in another project.  Everything is sponged in Chocolate Z2111.  I plan on taking some Black and White Photos and using the in this album.  I will make the photos Sepia Tone to match the Album.  So as you can see this is just the start of this project.  I will post the finished project soon. 

 

Thank for watching and check back to see it finished.
 

Here is the Video for the Swing Card

I said I would make a video for the Swing Card so here it is.  Better late than never.

You can see the Swing Card here.
Leave me a comment if you would like to see more on how to use the layering in your Gypsy.
Thanks for stopping by and taking a look.

Card Swap Group for October BEWARE!

Here are the cards that were made for the October Card Swap.  We meet at Gayle's this month and what a fun Spooktacular evening it was.  The cards that everyone made were great.  I know you want to see them.  So here they are:

First the group shot

 

This is Debb's, she used lots of elements that she cut out from the Art Philosophy Cartridge to make this card.  She pieced everyone together to make the witch and the backgroud.

 Here is Gayle's I love that Stamp and the die cut frame too.

Jeannine made this one.  It has a Mini Monster image and welded and flipped in her Gypsy to make the Mini Monster into a card on the front of the big card.  Very clever don't you think?  Check out the 3 googly eyes. 

Jodie did a Haunted House card cut with the fence and Haunted House from Happy Haunting I think??   The witch and the moon too.

Judy did Witches legs and used lace and ribbon for the dress.  Got to love that for sure!

 Kathy made her Mummy from strips of card stock that she sponged.  The bow give her flare.

Lani used her big shot to cut and emboss the elements on this cute card.  Oops I mean very scary card...  The pumpkin is made from 3 ovals.

 Laurie used her big shot for this one too.  I love the witches leg for the cake plate legs.  Who would't love to get this one.

 I made a treat holder for my card using up all my leftovers from spellbound WOTG Halloween party for 8.  It was full of Treats in the top pocket behind the Happy Halloween plaque.  But the Trick was on me.  By the time I shot this picture there was not a Treat in sight just empty wrappers in the box.  Someone enjoyed a little Treat I think.  LOL!  All the cutouts were from the Artiste Cartridge.  The fly and the ant I got at the $1.00 store.

We had a great desert that I did not get a picture of again.  That's because by the time I thought of taking the picture, it was gone!  Next month is at my house so keep checking back to see what we make for Thanksgiving.
Thanks for stopping by!