April Club Samples

Our recent short but wonderful heat wave in March inspired these summer themed Layouts. I was Footloose using our level 2 paper kit of the same name. By combining our create a shade paint, cocoa reinker, and prisma glitter we have an unforgettable keepsake with a faux sand texture.

Also New in April, coming to your Inbox is the Close to My Heart Newsletter. You will find updates, specials and tips about the products we love. Feel free to email me if you want to be added to the list.

March Club Samples

Marching in with our new Pemberley Paper and Card Word Puzzle stamp allowed us to create layouts that show off Classic Beauty.

The idea for these layouts, (Ok, almost all of my layouts) came from our How to Books. These six books make scrapbooking and card making painless. I can pick from hundreds of layout patterns, that come with a complete shaded blueprint, detailed assembly instructions, companion layout guides, photo options, and creative techniques. These layout suggestions have allowed me to take my pictures and memories from dusty boxes to brag books I am proud to show to anyone who will give me 5 minutes.
These books are being retired and are available while supplies last.

February Club Samples

Using Florentine Papers from our new spring/summer 2012 catalog, We have created layouts that sing TA-DA. I also have to say our Color Ready Seam Binding Ribbon allows me to make a ribbon accent in any color, matching my papers perfectly.

January Club Samples

These warm and sunny layouts remind me of our unusually warm January weather. The layouts were made from our Dreamin Paper and a cutout using our Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection.

December Club Samples

Have you ever noticed that a whole month can just slip away before you even know it. Luckly I have the photos to help jog my memory. After adding my titles and journal entries, I have yet another Perfectly Caputured Moment.

Our Decemeber Pages give me a perfect template to record My Crazy Christmas.

Check back in Jan for more Dream Pages.

Mr and Mrs Santa Treats Cartons

Need a super fast and very cute Holiday Treat/Gift Box. Well, take a look at these Mini Santa’s.

I used our Tulip, Honey, White and Black 12 X 12 Sheets of Cardstock. The Body/Carton was cut using a mini milk carton diecut in my Big Shot. You can get 4 of these little Jems out of one 12 x 12 sheet of Tulip. Add a little of our Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel or Prisma Glitter to add a bit of twinkle. They can be filled with nuts, chocolates, gift cards, or money.

These Mr. and Mrs. Santa Treat boxes hold just the right amount of holiday pleasure for all of those on your "NICE" list.

Holiday Hide and Seek Game

Last week I created this Super Cute Cupcake Tin Display.

I used it for hiding the special prizes that attendees can earn during our monthly group. When I got home I set it on the table in my craft room with no real second thought about it. Later I heard my daughters 2 and 4 giggling and whispering in my craft room. As I approached the door with a sense of Mom dread, I hear my 4 year old say "I WIN, I found a match", when I entered in the room they were sitting at the table with several of the flowers removed, and set very carefully to the side (The flowers you see were attached to the tin by magnets. The 4 year old was showing a pair of matching numbers I had been using for the special prizes. Which started me thinking, how else I could use this Tin Display to encourage and motivate the Grissman family.

Here were just a few ideas I have come up with:
1) A Chore List: each person could pick one circle and be responsible for that chore each day/week. You could replace the flowers with little dishes, pails or baskets.
2) Where is "Copyright Named Person Here" (Hint he has big glasses and a red and white striped shirt) you could also pick any of the great image we have on our Bundled Buddies Stamp set for a holiday game of hide and seek.
3) Word Skill Game: Place letters, numbers, shapes, colors, or words on the circle and cover with a matching cut out. Could be good for learning a foreign language.
4) A Prize Chart: Great way to monitor progress for little ones who need motivation to achieve goals like potty training or big kids who need a small prompt to pick up their bathroom each day.

I could list many more but thought I would see if you have any ideas to share. Feel free to post a suggestion or two in the comments section.

What I Learned with my Club this Week

I often find that I learn the most when I am least expecting it, and that if I just roll with it great things happen. Like this week while I was preparing the pages and forgot to measure twice and cut once. By forgetting this simple rule I cut my sweet leaf patterned paper at 6x6 instead of 7x7 making the balance of the layout off. My fix and unexpected feature of the page became the plain piece of sweet leaf cardstock I then cut at 7x7 to frame the 6x6 pattern paper.

This "mistake" made a great unexpected focal point.

I also love the small doors under which you could place pictures or journal entries about the holidays.

Our Believe Level 2 Paper Kit or D1469 Polka Dot Alphabet make great gifts to put on your Christmas wishlist, helping you with your own Holiday Traditions.

Holiday Wishes

My Holiday Wishes have come true this November. This month an extra special stamp set is available with your purchase. This Beautiful twist on traditional images will make any holiday layout or card sing with your praises. Also many images can be cut out using our Art Philosophy Collection Images, this holiday it just keeps getting better.

This video shows a quick and easy way to make your own Homemade Christmas Cards. Close to My Heart products like the Art Philosophy
Collection and White Daisy Die-Cut Cards & Envelopes make this project Perfect for those of us who want to be creative but lack a lot of time.