Happy Monday!

 Good morning and Happy Monday!

I hope you are all doing well. It has been crazy busy these last to weeks. We are moving again, so between packing the house and taking care of all the necessary paperwork, I haven't had a chance to do much traditional scrapbooking lately. I have however had a chance to create a few embellishments and layouts in Cricut Design Space. 

A few of them I will be sharing with all of you, so be sure to check my Cricut Profile soon!

Current Cardstock & Shimmer Options From Creative Memories

 Current Cardstock & Shimmer Options From Creative Memories

I love all of our current colors available from Creative Memories. 

The cardstock works beautifully with my Cricut for my paper piecings.

Shop all of our cardstocks Here!

Beach Layout Made with Cricut Design Space

Hope everyone has had a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend!

A few days ago, I took some time to cut and complete a Beach layout in Cricut Design Space. 

Another artist in a file sharing group I am in, created the layout. 

I went in and altered it slightly to fit the look I was going for. 

So today I had the time to add my photos. 

These are from Panama City Beach in Florida, from a couple years ago. 

You will notice on the layout I do not have the date.

 I have to go back and find the date on another layout and add it. 

This layout is one of 6 layouts from that one day at the beach. 

I added journaling on the first layout in the set, which is why there is not journaling on this one. 

I did however add a Pocket Plus Memory Protectors to this one, because I had a few extra photos, I wanted to add, but didn't have the space on the two pages. 

I use Pocket Plus Memory Protectors often in my scrapbooks. 

Next week, I will have a tutorial on how to create shaker pockets in your albums using the We R Memory Keepers Fuse Tool. 

I have found sequins and creating pockets, is my new love.

If you haven't explored Cricut Design Space and all that Cricut has to offer, be sure to check them out.
I create many layouts in Design Space, that you can use for free to create your own pages.
My Cricut Design Space Profile can be found here, Enjoy!

When you use my affiliate link, I receive a small commission from each sale.
Thank you for your support. 

Unboxing My new Cricut 6 x 7 Raspberry Easypress

Thinking about getting the Cricut EasyPress 2? 

Perhaps my recent unboxing might help!

Watch below as I open my new toy!

Have You Checked Out My Cricut Design Space Profile Lately?

I create Cricut Design Space Scrapbooking layouts almost daily. 

Some of them are for personal use, but many of them I share in my Cricut Community Profile. 

If you haven't had an opportunity to check it out, I invite you to see what I have shared. 

I try to share a variety of different types of layouts, but keep it mind you can use any of the designs and simply change a title, to make it fit for your needs. 

Check out my Cricut Design Space Community Profile ~~Here~~!

Here is a sample of one of my layouts:

Some of the layouts feature our Close to my Heart Exclusive Cartridges, others use included images and cartridges that come with the Access subscription. 

If I use non-included items, I usually keep them at a minimum.

Want to see me create something specific? 

Just send me a message and I will see what I can do!

Easy Two Page Scrapbooking Layout Using Cricut Design Space and CTMH Art...

Quick and Easy Two Page Scrapbooking Layout Featuring 

the Close to my Heart 

Cricut Cartridge Artbooking.

Please contact me with any questions you may have!

Cute Little Fox Thank You Card Made With Cricut Design Space

I've always been a huge Cricut fan, and over time the types of projects I've created has vastly improved. 

I've morphed from just a few shapes, page elements, titles, etc. to full blown scrapbooking layouts and cards. 

Here is one of those cards:

Of course I did make a few modifications to the original Design Space File by Cricut from the exclusive
Close to my Heart Cartridge Artiste.

Here is my shared and modified version of the Design Space File.

The Close to my Heart cardstock colors I used were Almond, Toffee, Mint, White Daisy and Espresso.

The sentiment "Thanks" is from the January 2019 Stamp of the Month stamp set "Card Captions". 

This stamp set is only $5 when you purchase $50 or more from my online store. 

I love that there is still space on the inside for a handwritten message. 

I chose to embellish the inside top corner of the card with a few stamped images for some added flare. 

The entire card is distressed with Toffee ink for some added dimension.

I submitted my card to the following challenges:

Pile It On Challenge Blog - #150 Land Animals and/or Sea/Water Animals

Simon Says Stamp-Wednesday Challenge Clean And Simple

Kat Scrappiness Blog-January Card Challenge Anything Goes

Love to Scrap Challenge Blog- #117 Anything Goes

Crafters Castle- January Challenge #13 Anything Goes with Optional Fun Technique (Distressing)

A Cute Card For Pile It On! Challenge #149 Shaped Cards and/or Add a Charm

Today's card was created for this month's Pile It On! Challenge Shaped Cards.

Pile It On! is sponsored by Crafty Sentiments Designs for this challenge.

I used their Bundle of Hearts Digital Stamp.

I colored the image with Copic Sketch markers.

I kept the card relatively simple this time, with just a few layers. 

The card base was cut with the Cricut Explore Air 2.

The base is Kraft paper from Close to my Heart.

The circle layer behind the image is the lighter shade of Ruby cardstock.

I added a strip of Red Shimmer Trim, for a little sparkle.

The "Grateful" sentiment is from the Grateful Heart Stamp Set by Close to my Heart 

and is stamped in Pewter Ink. 

I entered the card into the following challenges:

Creative Moments- #158 Anything Goes 

Through The Craft Room Door- Challenge for the Week of December 11

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog- #410 Anything Goes

Dragonfly Dreams- Anything Goes

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge- #442 Anything Goes 

Aud Sentiments- #218 Anything Goes and a Sentiment

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. 

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.

The Impossible Card Cricut Design Space Template

So you may have seen my previous post, about using the "Impossible Card" fancy fold technique... 

While I love this style, I knew there had to be an easier way... 

So I spent several hours designing a Cricut Design Space File. 

While it is not perfect, it will serve it's purpose. 

The file is for an A2 size card. 

The first file contains the base and the second contains the two side layers and the top standing layer. I am not charging for these, they are free for you to use, however I ask if you use, them to please give me credit, as the designer of the file.

Please note the file does contain a score piece and the cutting. So if you do not have a Cricut Score tool, you may wish to purchase one. If you are a Close to my Heart consultant we do have them in our Supply Section.

I can't wait to see what you use the file to create!

August 2017 New Consultant Promotion

***August 2017 New Consultant Promotion***

Signing up as a new Consultant with Close To My Heart during August is more rewarding than ever! When you sign up as a new Consultant you already get:

• A New Consultant Kit with essential supplies for only $75 USD/$95 CAD 
• $50 USD/$60 CAD in Select Product Credit to spend on additional supplies 
• The chance to earn fantastic Straight To The Top start-up rewards 
  Now, during August only, you can also earn your choice of a FREE Cricut® collection, a Block Alphabet Thin Cuts bundle, or an additional $99 USD/$126 CAD in Select Product Credit! Earn your choice of these rewards when you submit $300 USD/$350 CAD in commissionable sales by September 30! If you have ever thought about joining, now is the perfect time. Just in time to earn some extra money towards your holiday expenses. Message me to ask me any question about our career plan!

A New Fun Card, For a Few Challenges

It is Friday, and I've been busy the past few days, creating some new fun goodies to share with you, this card, was created with inspiration from the My Favorite Things Sketch #340.

This one was fairly quick, I did pull out the Cricut to cut my circle, but that was about the 

only extra thing I had to get up from table to do. 

The half circle reminded me of a Sun rising or setting...

The sentiment is from Close to my Heart's Petite Perks stamp set "Just For You".

This card was added to a few challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks: #358 Stampin-No Digi's

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Summer Sunshine

CraftyHazelnut's Patterned Paper July 2017 Challenge

New Card for a Few Challenges

Hope everyone had an awesome 4th of July!

We had a chance to relax, did little grilling and then went on the base so the kids could play at the park and watch fireworks. I love that we have the freedom to do just about anything to celebrate. Overall it was a great day!My husband is retired Army, therefore patriotic holidays are usually spent with a great deal of pride of his accomplishments and sacrifices. Therefore you will notice that this is the second card this week that was red, white and blue. 

This card didn't take too terribly long. I utilized Sketch Saturday #470, for the format.  

Here is the actual Sketch:

Then I added a few extra embellishments to meet the guidelines for a couple of challenges. 

There's a ribbon tab, and a few rhinestones for some sparkle. My favorite way to add ribbon, is to create the little tab, as you see here. I like using it this way, because it gives just a touch of ribbon without taking over the card, but also I am able to utilize scraps and small pieces of ribbon.

I even pulled the Cricut out for the oval layers, and flourishes at the bottom.

The sentiment is stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, and the You're the Best stamp from the Petite Perks set "Just for You" by Close to my Heart. 

The inside of the card, is matted with little ink for the distressed look.

This card is also submitted to the following challenges:

Glitter & Sparkle Challenge Blog: #246 Freedom

Cards In Envy: Patriotic Please

Jo's Scrap Shack: #195 Fun- Day Friday Anything Goes

As You Like It Challenge : Favorite Way To Add Ribbon & Why

 Deep Ocean Challenge Blog : #158 Lots of Layers

The Ribbon Girl Blog: July Card Challenge

Shopping Our Stash: #310 Flag Day

SugarPea Designs: Mix It Up Challenge #33

Paper Sweeties: #57 July 2017 Challenge

Convention & New Products

While I was not able to attend Convention this year, my upline is there sharing information and amazing pictures! 

Love the new hostess rewards and the new color of the year! Stay tuned for more pictures!

Have you been wanting the new Cricut? Now would be a great time to be a hostess!