How You Can Help, Operation Smile From my Close to my Heart Website

Looking for a worthy cause to donate and help? 

There are several ways you can help Operation Smile through my Close to my Heart website... 

watch this short video for more information!

Vintage Butterfly Card...

This morning's card uses a combination of the digital image 
Butterflies Are Free 
by Pickled Potpourri 

and Close to my Heart products. 

I was going for a vintage look. 

I love butterflies, and this image is simply beautiful. 

The base of the card is White Daisy cardstock by Close to my Heart, I added a layer of Tangerine cardstock, then a piece of retired patterned paper from last fall's seasonal expressions. 

The image is colored in with Copic markers, and distressed with both Toffee and Almond ink.

The sentiment "Missing You" is from the "Shell Sentiments" Stamp Set by Close to my Heart and distressed with Toffee ink. 

Then mounted on a piece of tangerine cardstock as well.

I finished off the card with a few gold pearls as embellishments. 

I entered this card into the following challenges:

Pile It On! Challenge Blog - #144 Vintage/Retro

Jo's Scrap Shack Fun-day Friday Challenge- #242 Anything Goes

Color Crazy Craft Challenge- Week 28 Anything Goes 

Artistic Inspirations Challenge - # 204 Anything Goes

The Sketchy Challenge - # 144 Anything Goes

Polkadoodles challenge- #28 Anything goes

Magically Masked - CTMH Technique Blog Hop

As mentioned in a post a few days ago, I recently signed up for an Artist Trading Card (ATC) Swap on Splitcoaststampers. 

I've been a fan of the Splitcoaststampers forums for swapping for years. 

For the ATC Swap, there are 4 categories. 

They are Vintage, Disney, Shades of  1 Color, and Bugs/Insects. 

So I present to you one of the 4 Artist Trading Cards for the Vintage category. 
"Vintage Buggie"

I chose this artistic style to highlight the "Magically Masked" technique for this month's Blog Hop. 

I used nearly all Close to my Heart products for them.

The "Good Times" sentiment and the Volkswagon Beetle are from the

July Stamp of the Month "Highlight Reel". 

When you purchase $50 in products you can purchase
"Highlight Reel" for only $5!

There are also 9 other Close to my Heart Consultants 
sharing their amazing artwork with you, 
so please be sure to make your way around the entire Blog Hop. 
You are going to love this month's artwork!

If you are coming from Wendy's Blog, you are on the right track.
Should you get lost along the way, all participant's links can be found here. 

On White Daisy cardstock, I stamped the sentiment first, in Saffron ink. 

I then masked the sentiment and stamped each Beetle in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

I then colored each Beetle in with Copics. 

I mounted the White Daisy piece to a piece of Tangerine cardstock.

I then used Tangerine ink to distress the edges of the front of the card 

and mounted the card onto chipboard. 

Then on the back, I mounted a piece of Tangerine cardstock. 

Then used my ATC information stamp on the back on White Daisy cardstock. 

I also distressed the information portion of the back with Tangerine Ink as well. 

Thank you so much for stopping by, before heading over to Sarah's Blog, please consider leaving a comment and enjoy the rest of the creative talents in this month's Blog Hop! 

My Acrylix® Stamps - Tips For Use & Care

Awesome information provided in this new video from the Close to my Heart home office!

Disney's Up Themed Artist Trading Cards For An ATC Swap

So earlier this weekend, I signed up for an Artist Trading Card (ATC) Swap on Splitcoaststampers. 

Splitcoaststampers has been my go to for swaps for years. 

For the ATC Swap, there are 4 categories. 

They are Vintage, Disney, Shades of  1 Color, and Bugs/Insects. 

So since my time tends to be limited, I decided to go ahead and get started. 

Well we all know I am a major Disney fan, so of course that is the category I completed first!

So I present to you my 3 Artist Trading Cards for the Disney category. 

They are titled "Up Fan Art", I made only 3. 

In hindsight, I should have made a 4th for myself. 

But it's okay, I am just happy that the picture in my mind, turned out the way I wanted them to.

I used nearly all Close to my Heart products for them.

The house and balloons are from the July Stamp of the Month "Highlight Reel". 

When you purchase $50 in products you can purchase "Highlight Reel" for only $5!

(#1 of 3)

On White Daisy cardstock, the house is stamped in Toffee ink. 

The balloons were stamped in Archival Black Ink. 

The balloons are masked to create varying amounts. 

Then colored in with Copics. 

I then used a Clear Shimmer Brush to give them some shine. 

(#2 of 3)

The cliff, and waterfall were drawn with a pen. 

Then colored with Copics. 

I added Liquid Glass on top of the waterfall, to make the water really stand out.

(#3 of 3)

I used the Pen Pal alphabet set to stamp UP. 

The UP is stamped on Lagoon cardstock, with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink. 

I then dovetailed the cardstock, then mounted it on dimensional tape. 

I then used Pacifica Ink to distress the edges of the front of the card.

I mounted the card onto chipboard. 

(Back of all Three Cards)

Then on the back, I mounted a piece of Sapphire cardstock. 

Then used a stamp I found while in Las Vegas, that is made specifically for ATCs. 

I also distressed the information portion of the back with Pacifica Ink as well. 

Video On How to Set Up Your Cricut Explore Air™ 2 Machine from Close To My Heart

Have you recently purchased a Cricut Explore Air 2? 

Received one as a gift or are thinking about getting one? 

Here is a quick, helpful video to assist you in setting your new machine up. 

I have several Cricut machines to include the Explore Air 2, and I love mine. 

You will begin seeing me post more videos and tutorials on how to use the Cricut and Design Space. 

Did you know you can also receive a special deal on a Cricut Explore Air 2 when you host a Close to my Heart gathering? 

Learn more by clicking here. 

We also have a wide range of Cricut Cartridges that are exclusive to Close to my Heart, view our collection by clicking here.

 I do own nearly all of them, and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about them. 

Embellishment Organization with Close to my Heart Products

Just a quick video to show how I organize my embellishments in my craft studio.

To purchase this size organizer, please visit my website.

To see all of our organizational products please visit my website.

Consultant Showcase Projects from Close to my Heart Convention

I had an awesome experience last week at the Close to my Heart convention in Las Vegas, NV. 

While there I had an opportunity to showcase some of my cards, a mini album and scrapbook layouts.

For those that were not able to attend, I thought I would share my projects on video, so that you might be able to get a closer look. 

I feature all of the pages of the Disney Mini Album I posted a few weeks ago. 

Please note that I did misspeak in the video, and that the "Simply Beautiful" sentiment actually came from the "New Adventure" stamp set, that I correctly listed on my blog post for that card a few weeks ago. 

As always if you have any questions at all, please feel free to comment below or email me. 

Cut Above® Kitchen Traditions Recipe Kit Video

Do you have a chef in the family? 

Are you the chef in the family? 

This cookbook kit, is the perfect birthday or Christmas gift! 

What about for the newly married couple? 

Know someone who is getting married? 

You could have a cooking themed bridal shower, where each guest creates their own recipe card to add to the new brides cookbook. 

The perfect way to fellowship and celebrate their new marriage. 

Three Ways to Add Dimension to Your Scrapbook Layouts and Cards With Ink

Three Ways to Add Dimension to Your Scrapbook Layouts and Cards With Close to my Heart Ink


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Three great ways to add dimension to your scrapbooking layouts, cards and other paper crafts. 

These techniques are perfect for most types of cardstock layers and cricut die cuts.

The sponges, daubers (3 pack), daubers (12 pack) and ink pads can all be found on my Close to my Heart website.

Thin Cuts- Favor Box Assembly Video

Perfect for birthday, wedding or baby shower favors! 

Want to see more information? Click here.

Story by Stacy™ Introduction Video

If you haven't had a chance to watch one of the previous videos, 

this one highlights the Story by Stacy 4 x 4 mini albums. 

This is the same album, I used to create the mini Disney album a few weeks ago.

Vintage Typewriter Card With All Close to my Heart Products

Happy Monday!

As I journey back to Georgia for Las Vegas to return home from the Close to my Heart Convention, my mind is literally spinning! 

This week I learned so many new layout ideas, techniques, and business concepts, that I can not wait to try out and share with all of you!

While at convention, we worked on several projects, many of which will be shared with you either here on my blog, in my VIP group on Facebook or in my new Virtual Classrooms. 

My New Virtual Classrooms will feature various videos, some will be free general technique videos, others will be videos provided free with the purchase of a specific kit or products used to create them.

Close to my Heart has so many great items coming your way! 

I truly was blown away and am so impressed with the new catalog that will begin September 1st. 

If you are interested in receiving a new Holiday Expressions catalog, please complete the free request form here.

One of the many awesome projects we created this week, was this adorable Vintage Typewriter card.

This card actually features several new products.

The paper pieced typewriter, alphabet border and the sentiment are both from the new stamp set "My Type of Note".

I popped the typewriter panel up with 3-D Foam Tape for some dimension. 

The paper packet is from a new Christmas themed collection called "'Tis the season". 

The cardstock featured is Charcoal and one of our new colors Mint. 

Speaking of which, with the new catalog change in a few months, there are ten colors that are retiring. 

They are:

flaxen

sorbet

crystal blue

juniper

cranberry

poppy

pacifica

blossom

tangerine

nutmeg

So if these are colors, you know you have projects you need them for, now would be the time to begin ordering a sufficient amount of them. 

They will be retiring the cardstock, ink, and reinker bottle for each color.

I will create a separate post with a video about the new ten colors that will replace the retiring ones.

There will also be a post and video about the new "Color of the Year".

I distressed the edges of the card, and pieces with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, another product that will be retiring soon. 

I also added a few new embellishments; Silver Glitter Gems and Silver Embellishing Thread.

I entered this card into the following challenges:

Pile It On Challenge Blog-#144 Vintage (Typewriter)
Simon Says Stamp- Wednesday Challenge Anything Goes
 Creative Memories - #147 Anything Goes
Jo's Scrap Shack-#240 Fun-day Friday Challenge
Whoopsi Daisy Digi and CD Challenge- Anything Goes with Optional Christmas 

As always, I hope you enjoyed my post, feel free to leave me a comment below. 

I would love feedback on the type of products, techniques and themes you would love to see.