January 2013 News

First of all, Happy New Year to you!!  I love the beginning of a new year.  Of course, they come faster as I get older, but I still enjoy that feeling of a fresh start.  It's a chance to re-evaluate goals for personal and professional life.  I am not one for making resolutions, but I am an avid goal-setter.  Whatever way you enter into 2013, I hope your year will be blessed!

On to the January news from Close To My Heart.  I have told you about the Whooo's Your Valentine special and even how you can get that free!  Now I want to tell you about the Stamp of the Month, Happy Valentine's.  Hang on to your hat, cuz it's a beauty!

This set is filled with beautiful roses and delicate fonts.  And who wouldn't want a set that has the single word  "smitten"?  This set is fabulous for using with our Alcohol Markers, but today I want to show you how lovely it can be using cocoa pigment ink.

I used a sketch from Fetch a Sketch for this card, and I started out by stamping the large bunch of roses with cocoa pigment ink.  Even though it is no longer available, I used Florentine paper for matting because it was just so perfect with these delicate roses.  I sponged color ready seam binding ribbon with creme brulee ink, and added a couple of foundry pins.  It would be very easy to color the ribbon with a creme brulee marker, too.

So what do you think?  It's a must-have, isn't it?  Watch for many more examples this month - I love this stamp, and I'll show you many ways to use it.

January Classes

Of course, I have my four monthly club nights this month, but I have some other things going on, too.

• January Card Kit - I have just 10 kits left, so if you are thinking about this, you'll want to get your order in soon!  The cost is $7 for 4 cards mailed directly to you, and the kit includes instructions and envelopes.  CLICK HERE for more information and a payment link.
• Cricut Artiste Class - This class is being held on Tuesday, January 22nd at 6:30 pm.  The cost is $10, and all supplies are included in the cost.  We will be making a one-page layout, 3 cards, and one gift box.  Some things will be cut, but I will have you cut some of the items so that you can learn some of the buttons the Cricut.  I want this cartridge to add joy to your crafting life, so I want to show you how!  I am really looking forward to teaching you more in this class!
• Whooo's Your Valentine - This class is being held on on Sunday, January 27th at 4:00 pm.  It is free when you purchase your Whooo's Your Valentine kit from me!  Bring your basic supplies - tape runner, glue dots, pop dots, scissors, paper trimmer, and Liquid Glass.  I'll have blocks, punches, and ink for you to use, and you can follow my examples or do whatever you'd like!

New Consultant Kit

There is so much fabulous-ness in this kit!  Because I told you about it a few days ago, I am going to have you CLICK HERE to look at all the information again.  I will just say that it is $49 well spent!!

If you have any questions about anything, please don't hesitate to contact me!!

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A Little More Whooo's Your Valentine...

Well, how's that for colorful?  I always think Valentine's conversation hearts are so much fun!  These are of the six of the treat tubes from the Whooo's Your Valentine.  And just think - there are 6 more treat tubes, a great stamp set and plenty of paper to do whatever you'd like.  I think this set is really, really fun because it allows you so much creative leeway.  I added buttons and twine to the tops of the tubes to give then just that little bit more.  When you place a $35 online order, the order form will automatically prompt you to add the special.How much easier can that get?

Now I want to share the video about the kit.  Enjoy!!

   

Love You a Latte and Something Free!

I challenged my Rose Blossom team to create something with the Whooo's Your Valentine special that was not necessarily Valentine's Day.  I think those little test tubes are so cute, and so I put together a gift that could be used any time of the year to give to one of my coffee lovin' friends.  Along with the Whooo's Your Valentine set, I used A Cup of Cheer to go with the coffee beans.  There are so many uses for the treat tubes and the adorable owls on that stamp set that I can't wait to see what my team comes up with in the next couple of weeks.  They are a creative bunch, you know!

Now in case you missed it, here's how to get your very own Whooo's Your Valentine set.  Simply place an order for $35 or more, and you can add the whole kit and caboodle for just $10!  I am going to refresh your memory as to what is in the kit:

• 12 die-cut boxes
• 3 cardstock sheets
• 1 sheet of silver glitter paper
• 12 treat tubes, and
• Exclusive D-size stamp set 

I bet you've been reading to find out what the free offer is!  When you join my team during the month of January, I am going to give you the Whooo's Your Valentine kit FREE!  You don't need to spend the $35 or the extra $10 for your kit.  All you need to do is buy your Consultant Kit for just $49!  

But let me tell you a few perks about being a Consultant.  Our brand new, hot off the press Spring/Summer Idea Book is in my hot little hands right now.  

It's. Absolutely. Beautiful.

This book is filled with over-the-top incredible artwork, fabulous new papers, embellishments that will knock your socks off, and stamps that will keep your hands ink-stained.  Did you know that as a Close To My Heart Consultant, I get to start ordering from this book as of January 1st?  I am counting the minutes!!  There is nothing I love more than new product, and my wish list is a mile long.  It's a good thing that as Consultants we get a generous discount!

Also starting on January 1st, we have a brand new $49 Consultant Kit, and it has a retail value of $155!  Can you imagine what you can do with all of this?

So let me break this down for you.  If you join my team during the month of January, you get:

• A fabulous Consultant kit 
• A free Whooo's Your Valentine kit from me!

That is an amazing $195 in product for just $49 (plus $10 shipping).  Gosh, I wish I could sign up again!  That's a great deal!

What questions do you have for me?  My e-mail is grilygirlrose43@msn.com, and my telephone number is (763) 227-0583.  I would love to answers any questions you have and help you get started on a journey with Close To My Heart!

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Over the Moon

I found a lovely sketch over at Stuck on You sketches, and I had to sit down and give it a try this afternoon.

This sketch was perfect for a Valentine's card that I've been thinking about creating. (Don't laugh - you think about cards, too!)

I pulled out my Avonlea paper packet for this card.  That teal is so pretty, so I ran a piece of it through a script embossing folder to give it a little more depth.  Of course, everything had to be sponged with Slate ink.  The stamp set I used is the January 2012 Stamp of the Month.  One of my favorites for sure and if you have this one in your stash, you may want to pull it out to remember it.  I added a few key embellishments - black tulle, grey sparkles, shimmer trim, and some Maya Road trinket pins.

Keep watching for the next couple of days because I am going to tell you a tiny little bit about the new Spring/Summer Idea Book that goes live on February 1st, 2013.  I'll let you know how you can order during the month of January and get a free gift, too!  Are you intrigued?  Don't forget to stop back!

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Back in the Saddle Again

I've had a wonderful day of crafting today.  I got a two-page layout done that finished off my book for 2011.  Yes, I am a year behind...but actually I have several years to do before 2004.  2004 was when I started doing a yearly book.  I am not very good at keeping up with a year because I'm just not a chronological scrapper.  Once in a while a year gets finished, and that's what I did today.  After I was finished with that, I moved on to the Mojo Monday sketch, and this is what I came up with:

I so seldom use Dakota, so it was great fun to work with the colors in the paper packet - Slate, Pacifica, and Barn Red.  A few embellishments along with the paper, and this card was done!

I hope you are enjoying this time between Christmas and New Year's.  Be sure to take some time for yourself to re-charge!

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Merry Christmas to You and Yours

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." Dr. Seuss

To all my friends and followers, I pray that your Christmas will be filled with "more." May you rejoice in family, feel the peace of our Savior, and find yourself surrounded by those that you love!

Christmas love and hugs,
Brenda

January Card Kit - Avonlea Clear Cards

I put the January Card Kit together today, and I thought I'd post it for you.  I am excited to be bringing you a kit made completely with clear cards!  First I'll show you the pictures, and then I will let you know the options for this kit.

It is super hard to get good photos of clear cards (at least for me!), but I hope that by clicking on the photos, you will get a good idea of what each card looks like.  This kit will come with extra instruction so that you will know what pieces go inside and which go outside.  This paper is so pretty, and I know that you are going to love these cards!

This is what you will receive in the kit:

• 4 clear cards and envelopes
• All pieces are pre-cut, pre-stamped and inside an envelope with its card bases
• Colonial White pieces to adhere to the back of the card for writing purposes (they will be the proper size for the background).
• Rosette Ribbon, Sparkles, and Glitter Buttons
• Full instructions
• List of materials, stamp sets (we use 6 sets in this kit!), and specific Cricut Artiste cuts.

Liquid Glass is the very best adhesive for adhering paper to clear cards.  There is a payment option if you need to purchase Liquid Glass, too.  As a special for you, when you purchase Liquid Glass with your kit, I will ship the kit to you free!

You can order now through January 15th, and I will mail all kits on January 16th.  However, I only have 40 kits available, and they sell out quickly!  (December's kits sold out in 10 days!)  So if you are interested, contact me soon or go ahead and submit your PayPal payment.  Be sure to select the Liquid Glass option if you need a bottle.  Please let me know if you have any questions!  My e-mail is girlygirlrose43@msn.com.

Card Kit Options

Card Kit - Mailed Directly to You $7.00 USD Card Kit and Liquid Glass $13.00 USD

Tree Ornaments

I thought I'd share a quick and simple ornament that I made this year with Pear & Partridge paper.

It's so simple to make this!  Just cut twelve 1" x 12" pieces, stack them up, and staple them together in the center.  Then grab your Liquid Glass and start turn paper in toward the middle, one by one.  So simple, and it's really quite pretty on the tree.

Have you made any ornaments this year?  Here are some of my favorite ones that adorn my tree.  All of these were made by Shane when he was 5 and 6 years old.  I treasure them, and I couldn't imagine our tree without them!

Thank you for visiting, and I hope that you are having a most blessed weekend!
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Thanks

I found a most intriguing sketch over at Cardabilities:

With this kind of elegant design, my mind went right to Florentine.

Banners and clusters of followers and gems - what could be better?  I used the Art Philosophy cartridge to cut the card base, banners, flowers and leaves.  Those are Mocha Gems (my all-time favorite) hidden amongst the flowers and on the banner.The light yellow flower in the middle is from the Bouquet Assortment.

I know it's a busy time of the year, but take a few minutes to make something pretty today.  It's good for your soul!

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Avonlea Beauty

I don't know what it is about this time year, but I always start digging through my stash to see what treasures I can find.  I start thinking about how blessed I am to be a paper crafter and that I need to use things up - most likely so that I can buy more!!

Well I found this unique shaped box in my "big box of stuff," and I decided to cover it with Avonlea.

I started out by painting the edges of the bare wood with grey acrylic paint.  I used Liquid Glass for the rest of the project (I really should have stock in Liquid Glass!).  It works well for adhering paper to wood surfaces, and it worked extremely well to bond the pieces together.    From there, I was able to decorate this in whatever way I wanted!

Avonlea lends itself well to a vintage look, so of course that called for rolled flowers from the Artiste cartridge and loads of bling!  This would be pretty to hold cards, mini albums (I am always looking for a place for those!), or letters.

What have you found in your "big box of stuff" lately?  Thanks for visiting, and I hope you  have a blessed day!

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Thanks for Everything and An Invitation

Well, where have I been?  I keep losing track of time, and somehow my days are flying by!  If anyone of you knows how to catch time, you let me know!!

I sat down tonight with a sketch from Sketchbook Saturday.  Isn't it lovely?

I took out my favorite pieces of Clementine and got down to business!

I love clustering, and this sketch inspired me to mix all kinds of textures.   There are layers, a die-cut, ribbon, twine, canvas, a paper flower and fabric button.  Bling finished it all off and tied it together. I am always in need of thank you cards, and I love sending cards like this one.  Paper and all things that go with it can be such a gift!

I want to take a moment to invite you to watch my Rose Blossom team's blogs in the next few days.  (You'll find them listed on the right sidebar.)  Let me explain what's been going on.  In early November I sent out an invitation on my team's Facebook page to join a Secret Santa swap.  Several of my girls did, and I collected the names of all the favorite papers, colors, and candy from everyone.  I drew names randomly and sent each person their recipient's information.  Everyone has received their gifts, and they are almost all revealed now on our team group.  In the next few days, they will be sharing them on their blogs, too.  Really, you are so going to enjoy seeing everything that has been created!  This is one talented team that God has entrusted me with!  I am in awe of the ideas, generosity, and love each one of them showed through their artwork.  When people ask me about my team, I am always quick to say that anyone that joins the Rose Blossoms would be so blessed to join this team.  It has nothing to do with me - it is all about the camaraderie and support that is shared.  I feel very blessed - and most of the time - very humbled to call all these lovely women my team members!  So if you have the time this week, give these gals a visit and leave them some love.  You will leave very inspired!!

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White Elegance - Cut It Up Challenge

We have a new Cut It Up challenge for you, and it's called White Elegance.  Create an all white card with just a small touch of another color.  Remember to use a die cut!

This was a great challenge for me as I just don't make white cards.  Here is what I came up with:

I used the Cricut Artiste cartridge to cut the card, envelope, medallion, and flowers.How easy peasy is that?  I used the Bonjour stamp set for the sentiment because it really fits the elegance of the card.  I used the swiss dots folder in my cuttlebug to emboss the envelope flap and card base.  I added a little white ribbon from my stash, a couple trinket pins, and a couple of pearl badge buttons.  It was relatively easy and quick to make this card!

The challenge is sponsored by Cut It Up, and this is the lovely prize you have a chance to win if you play along:

I am going to enter this card and envelope into the Shopping our Stash challenge which is to focus on sentiment.

National Paper Crafting Month

January is National Paper Crafting Month and at Close To My Heart, we start the party early!  Celebrate with an incredible deal—our Whooo’s Your Valentine kit for only $10!  (Read on to see how you can get this kit FREE!)  Combine your love of papercrafting with the contents of this kit to create personalized valentines! This darling kit, which retails for $40, can be yours for only $10 when you spend $35 or more in Close To My Heart product from the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book.  This is what you will receive:

• 12 die-cut boxes, 
• 3 cardstock sheets (White Daisy, Blush, and Smoothie)
• 1 sheet of silver glitter paper (this is AWESOME!)
• 12 treat tubes
• Exclusive D-size stamp set created specifically for the kit. 

Here is one of the treats tubes that I made:

I also scanned the stamp set so you can see how cute it is!

This kit offers you a sneak peek at two new Spring/Summer 2013 products - the treat tubes and the silver glitter paper! Decorate the die-cut boxes with the stamp images, cardstock, and glitter paper. Then attach the clear tube and fill with treats for valentines in a cinch!

Remember I told you at the beginning that you could get this kit FREE?  Simply join my team from now through January 31st, and I will buy this kit for you!  That's a savings of approximately $54!  The Consultant Kit is $49 (plus $10 shipping), so think of how much more you will get for your money!!  Please contact me at girlygirlrose43@msn.com if you have any questions about the consultant opportunity.  I'd love to have you join my fabulous Rose Blossom team!!  They really are the best bunch of gals I know!

If you'd like to place an order for the set, simply go to my website!  I know you will have a great time with Whooo's Your Valentine!

Merry Christmas

I thought I'd try some non-traditional colors for the Christmas card I made today.

This card was fun to make because it's unlike anything I am used to making!  I ran white daisy cardstock through my Cuttlebug using a snowflake folder.  I sponged it thoroughly with sweet leaf and then went over that with crystal blue.  I like that technique - what do you think?  The snowflake is one of the free cuts in the Cricut Craft Room this week, and I covered that with stardust glitter gel.  The addition of the silver ribbon tape and sparkles on the snowflakes makes this a pretty sparkly card!

I am going to enter this into the following challenges:

• Always Playing with Paper - any sketch (I used sketch #35)
• ABC Challenges - Let is Snow
• Addicted to Stamps - Bingo (glitter, embossing, snowflakes)
• Heart 2 Heart - Christmas Creations

Sympathy Card

I have been looking over my card rack in the last week, and noticed that it's getting awfully lean for my customers.  I set it out at classes and clubs, and it's an easy way for people to pick up a card or two for the month.  I noticed especially that I am out of sympathy cards, so that is one of the cards I put together today. I wanted to use the inspiration from Authentique because I don't often use blues.  And I don't know why because I love them!

This is the card I came up with using Authentique's Genuine collection and a few CTMH supplies:

The banners are cork, and I cut them from larger pieces of the Color Ready Evergreen Shapes.   The sentiment is from the Words of Comfort stamp set.  I have never inked the Color Ready Seam Binding Ribbon with outdoor denim ink, but boy, did I like the result. As long as I was sponging, I distressed the edges of all the pieces with outdoor denim.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Bonjour

Happy Weekend!  I hope that you are having a great weekend so far.  I found this sketch at Deconstructed Sketches and thought it was a great challenge!  It has a lot of layers and that is always fun.

I decided on using a clear card so that some of the layers are on the inside and some on the outside.

I should have taken a picture from the side so that you could see more easily that the only things on the outside of the card are the tag and tulle.  Otherwise everything is on the inside.  I love the look of clear cards, and if you do, watch for my January card kit at the end of December.  I'll teach you all about how to create them quickly and easily in that kit!

I used Avonlea and the Bonjour stamp set on this card.  I've shown in this card why you save your scraps of tulle and rosette ribbon.  I throw away a lot of scraps of paper, but I always save bits of ribbon!

I have been so happy to be in my craft room today.  I had surgery on Thursday afternoon, and one day of sitting around doing nothing was plenty for me!  My husband would tell you that I am not a very good patient, and he would be right.  I had my gall bladder taken out - thank goodness! If you have ever had gall bladder problems, you know just what I am talking about.  I am so blessed to have the type of job that allows me to work but still heal at the same time.  Truth be told, there is great healing power in paper, stamps, and ink!

Thanks for stopping in and have a great weekend!

A Very Merry Christmas

I had a little time this morning to continue on my quest to make more Christmas cards.  I found the color inspiration from Color Throwdown:

and the sketch from The House That Stamps Built:

I challenged myself further to create this card with just cardstock, so this is what I came up with:

I used a Darice embossing folder to run the olive cardstock through my Cuttlebug.    It's very easy to take the emery board from our sanding kit to lightly run across the raised snowflakes to bring out the white core and add the depth.  Because I sanded those, I felt like all of the other pieces to the card need sanding on the edges.  In the end, I thought it gave a nice appearance of snow.  I wish you could see the sparkle of the bitty gems in the middle of the snowflakes!

I hope that you are having a wonderfully crafty December!

Christmas

I had a few more scraps of Mistletoe sitting out, so I thought I 'd keep making Christmas cards today.

I love this paper, and I think I only have enough for one more Mistletoe card.  Guess I'll have to play with it in Studio J!  I used the sketch from this week's Mojo Monday, and I kept pretty true to the design:

I hope you are having a great week!

It is Christmas in the Heart

I am still working on my Christmas cards.  I keep telling my husband that I may have to send some New Year's card this year!  I don't know about you, but this year Christmas came really, really fast for me!  So I sought out some fun challenges and went about making another Christmas card.

What could be better than red and green for me to work with for a Christmas card?  And that exactly what Dynamic Duos, Pause Dream Enjoy, and CWC Cricut challenges wanted.

And then I found this GREAT sketch at Heart 2 Heart that is wide open for possibility!  

So here is what I came up with:

I decided to use some long retired Mistletoe scraps to make this card.  I love the look of vintage snowflakes in the red paper.  This is one of our diecut cards, and I love them because that flap is fun to work with!  I cut the snowflakes with the Art Philosophy cartridge, and I popped the middle one up to add some good dimension.  If you look closely, I put some bitty green sparkles around the snowflakes.  The sentiment is from the Christmas Card Chatter stamp set, and it's my favorite sentiment from that set.  But my favorite part of this card is the layered ribbon.  It is colonial white organdy and crocheted ribbon, and I will admit that I have been hoarding both of these for almost 3 years.  I've used them sparingly here and there because they are my favorite ribbons of all time - especially when they are layered.  The ribbon slide works well with the crocheted ribbon.

With all the snowflakes, this will also go into the snowflake challenge at Eclectic Ellapu.  

How is your holiday season going?  I'd love to hear about it!  I've already told you that I think time is going way too quickly.  I have so many ideas for classes and personal artwork, and I really need 36 hours in a day to implement all of them!  Thanks for stopping to visit today!

November Winner and December Monthly Giveaway!!

The Monthly Giveaway winner for November is Amanda H!  Congratulations Amanda - you have won the pigment tower of your choice!!

December Giveaway:

The "rules" are really easy!

• Place an order in December of $50 or more, and 
• Purchase the stamp of the month for $5

You will be entered into a drawing for a Color Package!  You will receive the cardstock and ink pad of your choice ($20.00 value)!

You can easily go to my online website and place an order.  Or you can call (763.227.0583) or e-mail (girlygirlrose43@msn.com) with your order.

Please let me know if you have any questions!!