It'll Be Okay

I have a few craft shows coming up, so I have been busy making cards.  This is one of the encouragement cards that will be in a set.  

This stamp set is called Keep Your Chin Up, and it is only $6.95.  

It is easily one of my favorite sets in the book.

I embossed the background with the Quatrefoil embossing folder to add dimension.  This is a peaceful card, and I wanted to keep it that way.  I chose a simple sketch from Make It From Your Heart - Volume 2 (pattern #25) and subtle embellishment.

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  I hope you find many blessings along the way!

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A Thankful Heart...For So Many Reasons!

This morning, I went to a class...yes, I had the opportunity to be taught!!  It was at my friend Marg's house.  I've linked her blog because you really should go see here at The Tater Patch.  You'll enjoy her blog!  Marg was my very first downline when I re-joined Close To My Heart in 2011, so after all this time, I am so glad I was able to take one of her classes!  We made the Thankful Heart box that is on page 53 of the Annual Inspirations Idea Book along with the gratitude cards.

Isn't that so pretty?  It went right on the hutch in my kitchen, and we'll use it for Thanksgiving Day.  I loved this class for a few different reasons:

• I was able to spend the morning hours doing what I love - creating!
• I spent the morning with friends, and that's an excellent way to spend any day!
• Marg's workshop was smart.  Not only did she teach me some great techniques, but she taught me how important it is to remember the beautiful, beautiful artwork in the Idea Book.  A very smart workshop indeed!

And if that weren't enough, then Marg handed me this pretty pink bag.

And this is what was inside...

Oh, I was over the top excited!!  The Close To My Heart Convention is at Disney, and Marg knows I love to make fun things for my team members that come with me.  Look at all those mouse heads and princess crowns!  I can't wait to create with these!!

I have a very thankful and overflowing heart today.  I have such wonderful, giving, and caring friends.   So many of them I am fortunate to call team members, and that makes my heart really happy.  I didn't know so many of the Rose Blossoms before they came to my team, but each one holds a special place in my heart.  God has really blessed me!

Thanks for stopping by this weekend!! 

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Gratitude Journal

I just wanted to get a quick post in on this late Friday night.  I think this gratitude journal took me about 15 minutes to make.  The star of the journal is shimmer trim and glitter paper.  

What a fabulous journal for this time of year!

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Winter Wishes

I decided to have a little fun with the October Stamp of the Month this morning.

I so love working with our Cricut cartridges outside the box.  I started with a 5-1/2" white daisy square base.  I used the Artbooking cartidge to create a 5-1/4" snowflake overlay to cover the front.  "Winter Wishes" is from To You and Yours.   The postage stamp is cut with the Art Philosophy cartridge.  Now don't you think that bear stamp is so cute!!  I stamped it in cranberry on the postage stamp, and then I stamped it on a scrap with glacier to make the scarf.  I used a couple of scraps to make the banners, and then I added some snowflakes that had been cut from the overlay. The silver sequins are such a fun embellishment, and that's how I finished off the card.

What a cute thinking of you card to send in those cold winter months!

Thanks for stopping in today!

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Artfully Sent + Gift Bags

When someone asks me if Artfully Sent is just for cards, I always tell them a resounding "no!"  There is just so much that you can do with this cartridge, and my goal is to show you some of those other things!!

I've used card fronts to decorate these bags.  Because they are "see through" sentiment card, I used gold and silver glitter paper behind them. What a fun way to decorate bags!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today to see what's new in my craft room!

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Getting Spooky with Cricut Vinyl

I have never cut anything with Cricut vinyl, so when my leader posed a challenge for a new technique, I had to give it a whirl.  I need a simple Halloween/Fall container for my craft fair, so this is what I came up with.

How fun and easy is that?!  I was very hesitant to try this, so if you are...don't be!  

These are the settings you need for your Cricut Expression:

Blade Depth - 3

Pressure - Medium

Speed - High

I have to get more of this vinyl and try some other projects.  I purchased a Cricut Explore last week on HSN, so I'm hoping to delve into a lot more projects!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and make today your very best day!!

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Visit Me at the Craft Show!

If you are local, come and see me at the Blaine High School Craft Show!

Saturday, October 18th

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

This is one of the nicest craft shows that I participate in, and I know many vendors and crafters that agree.  Not only are we spoiled greatly by the Swim and Dive team carrying our product in and out, but there are just so many wonderful crafters there.  I always find the perfect handcrafted gift!

I'll have a wide assortment of gifts for various occasions in my booth, and I will also be selling Close To My Heart paper, complements, and some very popular stamps.

 Today I wanted to show you a sampling of some of the Halloween treats I will be selling.  It has been so much fun to make these!!  

(Who wouldn't want a coffin filled with chocolate eyeballs for Halloween?!)

I'll come back again this week to share some more fun items that will be for sale.  I hope to see many of my local friends on Saturday!

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Rose Blossoms Artfully Sent Blog Hop

Welcome to the Rose Blossom blog hop!  This month, we are pleased to bring you some Thanksgiving and Christmas ideas using Artfully Sent.

If you came here from Marg's blog, then you are on the right track.  Marg is a dear friend and exceptionally talented team member, so I am certain you enjoyed her Artfully Sent project!  This hop is a great big circle, and there are six blogs to hop today.  Should you get lost along the way, I've got all the blogs at the bottom of my post.

I made a swing Christmas card today using two different keys on Artfully Sent.

There are 41 swing card projects on Artfully Sent, and they are found on the Scene key.  Here are the two pages from the book that I used for this card (pages 47 & 48).

As you will notice, the book tells you to cut the card at 7".  This will make a 5" x 7" card.  However, I wanted a standard card, so I turned my dial to 5-1/2".  I cut the base of the card once in white daisy, and once in the glacier blue print from Snowhaven.  I brought the base into Cricut Craft Room to hide contours and make the various colored snowflakes, and the black snowflake overlay for the left side of the card.  If you are unsure of how to use Cricut Craft Room, you can also cut a silver glitter paper and a black Snowhaven print card base.  Just cut the pieces you need and fit them to the card.

I cut the the inside overlay from the Scene +shift key shown below.  Because the images are linked, and I re-sized my card, I needed to cut this one at 5-1/2', too.

Let me show you how this all looks up close:

As you can see, I tucked little pieces of green glitter paper behind the trees and leaves.  I used silver glitter paper behind the diamond cut outs.  The red enamel hearts added just the right pop to this card!

Now it's time to hop over to the Kim's blog.  She is amazingly talented, and I can hardly wait to hop over to see what she has created!!  Enjoy the circle hop!  I know the girls on my team, and I know they are not going to disappoint you!!

Should you get lost along the way, just come back here to the list of blogs.  If you just click on the name, it will take you directly to the specific post!

Brenda 
Kim H 
Morgan 

Shelly 
Lynn
Marg 

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Christmas Mini Album Class

Christmas mini albums are such a nice way to record some favorite memories of the day!

I've used the My Creations Hip Pics Album to create this mini.  This is a spiral bound album with 16 pocket pages to record memories and store photos.  I combined this album with Yuletide Carol paper and the Holiday Happenings Assortment from the My Crush Collection.  I've shown you the cover above  and here are a few up close photos of the inside.

The colors of the papers, album, and embellishments made this such a trendy album!

Class Details:

Sunday, November 23rd at 2:00 pm

$24.00

Class Includes:

My Creation Hip Pics Album, Pre-cut Yuletide Carol Paper, Holiday Happenings My Crush Assortment, Gold Dot Washi Tape, Epoxy Bubbles 

(Deadline to sign up is November 14th)

If you would like to attend my in-home class, please e-mail me HERE.

If you would like to order this class long distance with a minimal shipping fee,
please use this convenient payment link.  The long distance class comes with step by step photos to make this an easy class for you to complete at home.

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Winter Pennant Frame Class

The next class I would like to introduce is my Winter Pennant Frame class using Snowhaven paper.

My husband's first reaction when he saw this frame with our handsome son was "wow, is there depth to that frame!"  And that is exactly how I designed this class.  Snowhaven paper allows you to enjoy this frame all through the winter!

Class Details:

Sunday, November 9th at 2:00 pm

$22.00

Class Includes:

My Creation Pennant Frame, Pre-cut Snowhaven Paper, Snowhaven Dimensional Elements, Sparkles 

(Deadline to sign up is October 31st)

If you would like to attend my in-home class, please e-mail me HERE.

If you would like to order this class long distance with a minimal shipping fee,
please use this convenient payment link.

Thank you so much for stopping in!  I'll be sharing a mini album class tomorrow!

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December Daily Box Class

I love having a box in my kitchen during the month of December.  

It helps me stay organized (and sane!) during the busy Christmas month.

This box will serve many uses for me in December...

I will use it to store receipts, photos, lists, ideas, recipes, and Scriptures and thoughts that mean a lot to me during Advent.

Class Details:

Thursday, November 6th at 6:30 pm

$26.00

Class Includes:

My Creation Cards Box, Pre-cut Yuletide Carol Paper, Yuletide Carol Stickers, 

Gold Bling Gems, Cranberry Striped Twill Ribbon
(Deadline to sign up is October 27th)

If you would like to attend my in-home class, please e-mail me HERE.

If you would like to order this class long distance with a minimal shipping fee,
please use this convenient payment link.

I hope to see you tomorrow when I tell you all about a winter frame class that is perfect for a gift!

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Christmas Card Class

It's time to show you the Christmas classes I will be teaching in November!
Over the next four days, I will be sharing all of them.  To make it easy for you, I will put a photo of each class on my right sidebar so that you can find it quickly.

You can register for my in-home class by e-mailing me HERE.

As always, sign up early as the spots fill up quickly!

All classes are available long distance and are pre-cut and pre-stamped.  

They can be purchased using the payment link.

SNOWHAVEN CHRISTMAS CARD CLASS
Monday, November 3rd at 6:30 pm (2 spots remaining)
Tuesday, November 4th at 6:30 pm

In the class, we will make 15 Christmas cards - 5 of each design!
Basic Kit In-Home Class - $20
Best Value Kit In-Home Class - $29

BASIC Kit includes:  15 cards & envelopes, full package of Red Enamel Hearts, full roll of Silver Shimmer Trim, Pre-cut Snowhaven paper and cardstock, Photo of Cards

BEST VALUE Kit includes:  Everything in the Basic Kit PLUS the D-sized Snowhaven Stamp Set and Workshop Instruction Guide with Patterns

(You can view the Snowhaven Stamp Set HERE or on page 76 of your Annual Inspirations Book).

Snowhaven Class - Deadline to sign up is Friday, October 24th

Snowhaven Basic Kit - Shipped $25.00 USD Snowhaven Best Value Kit - Shipped $34.00 USD

Come back tomorrow to check out my Yuletide Carol December Daily Christmas Box!

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There are Some Things that Just Make Your Heart Happy...

I was asked to teach a creative presentation at the Close To My Heart Convention in June.  I was given Scaredy Cat paper, and one of my tasks was to design a make and take for Gatherings.  

I bet you want to know what makes my heart so happy...

I was looking at Pinterest the other day, and there was my make and take card pinned by several people!   How cool is that?!   

This is a simple z-fold card made from a 4" x 8" base.

I am 

beyond thrilled 

that people have enjoyed sharing this card!

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Pathfinding Layout

I am having a crop in November, and the fee includes a fall page kit.  I was so happy to create with the woodland animals of Pathfinding!  What beautiful paper for the fall!

I've only used three things to create this layout - Pathfinding paper packet, Pathfinding Complements, and Olive Mini Medleys.  The Olive Minis are on While Supplies Last and are going, going, almost gone!  So if you'd like some to match your Pathfinding, hurry on over!

 I can't wait to put our Thanksgiving pictures on this layout!!

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Simply Inspired Artfully Sent Blog Hop

I am so glad that you could join us on this hop to gather all kinds of inspiration for the Artfully Sent Cricut Collection. If you've come here from the Fancy Melissa's blog you are on the right track!  The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way around.  If you get lost along the way, you'll find the complete list of participating consultants here.

You may have heard that Artfully Sent contains 700 images that create 400 projects!  I will be busy with this one for a long time!!  The project types are pop-up, scene, sentiment and sleeve cards.  You will also find fun icons, pocket cards, envelopes, and a great font.  Along with the cartridge, you will receive three D-sized stamp sets and a full package of white daisy cardstock!

I wanted to step outside the box and create a layout using the icons and a sentiment card.

Just when you think that you don't need this cartridge as a scrapbooker, I hope that I've created something that will change your mind!  This layout is a gift so I didn't put a photo on the mat, but I think you get the idea!

I've used four icon keys to create this woodland scene, and they are:

Deer - Key W (icon+shift)

Fox - Key 5 (icon)

Butterflies - Key R (icon + shift)

Banner - Key 3 (icon)

I used the front of a sentiment card for the saying and lined it with white daisy cardstock.

Sentiment Card - Key W (sentiment)

Now I am very happy to send you on to the, oh, so talented Lisa!  You will love what she has created for you!  Be sure to follow the hop all the way around because I know you will be inspired!

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Dreaming, Wishing, Believing

As paper crafters, we should never have to buy a bow for packages.  We have so many options when it comes to stamps, ink, and paper!  I hope that I can show you this month how very easy it is to grab the stamp of the month, Home for the Holidays, to make all those little finishing touches for Christmas!

I used Artiste to pieces for the accordion-fold.  This package topper is large - about 4-1/2" when finished.  What a stunning piece when finished!  Just so bold and Christmas-y!  Besides using this for a topper, you could also add some metallic twine and hang it on your tree.

Thanks so much for stopping in today!  I appreciate you!!

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October Stamp of the Month and FREE Ribbon!

I am just so very excited to share the October Stamp of the Month with you!  A really good Christmas stamp is one that will be versatile for you throughout the season.  Home for the Holidays is just that stamp set!

Five of the stamps in this set can be cut with Art Philosophy.  This makes me really happy because it makes your life easy!  Just cut the image, stamp, and you are on your way!  I'll have several gift and tag ideas for you this month, but I wanted to share a card right away today.

I used outdoor denim and Snowhaven paper for this card.  It really wasn't all that complicated, but it's an example of a quick card that you can make!

As always, the Stamp of the Month is just $5 with any $50 purchase!

But if you make that $50 purchase, wouldn't you like to get something FREE, too?  We ALL love FREE!!   And you can't get better than FREE (and beautiful) ribbon!! 

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