Always Be a Unicorn

The new catalog is LIVE!!!

At the Seasonal Expressions 2 Launch Event, we made two cards using the super-sweet Little Dreamer collection.  And unicorns are so very on-trend!

Supplies:

• Little Dreamer Paper Packet (X7219B)
• My Acrylix® Little Dreamer—Cardmaking Stamp Set (C1677)
• Little Dreamer Complements (X7219C)
• Little Dreamer Coordinating Cardstock (X7219D)
• White Daisy Cardstock (1385)
• Thistle Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2840)
• Lagoon Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2895)
• Blossom Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2810)
• Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z4189)
• Whisper Thick Twine (Z3095)
• Black & White Dots (Z3314)
• White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack (X254)
• 3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)

Just to Say - Workshop My Way

I love Close to My Heart's Workshops Your Way™:  great artwork and so easy to put together.

This month we thought it would be fun and interesting to add some other CTMH embellishments to the Just to Say cards.  In addition to the contents of the Workshop Your Way cardmaking kit, we used Sea Glass Exclusive Ink, Whisper Thick Twine, Grey Enamel Gems, Aqua and White Shimmer Trim, Black Cardstock, and Silver Foil Tape (unfortunately it looks like black tape in the photos).

Supplies: 

• Just to Say Workshops Your Way™ Cardmaking Kit (Z3254)
• Archival Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z3271)
• Blossom Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2810)
• Raspberry Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2812)
• Whisper Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad (Z2872)
• Thin 3-D Foam Tape (Z2060)
• Sea Glass Exclusive Ink (Z2813)
• Whisper Thick Twine (Z3095)
• Grey Enamel Gems (Z3089)
• Aqua Shimmer Trim (Z3086)
• White Shimmer Trim (Z3024)
• Silver Foil Tape (Z3130)
• Black Cardstock (1386)

Sweet & Simple Get Better Soon Card

I wanted to show how well the Fundamentals can be used with the seasonal paper packs.

This is the Sweet & Simple design from the Originals Card Confidence Program.  I made this card with paper from the Swan Lake paper packet, the Rustic Home Fundamentals paper packet, and the Enchantment Fundamentals paper packet.    The sentiment is stamped in Peacock ink on White Daisy cardstock.  

Supplies: 

• Swan Lake Paper Packet (X7212B)
• Enchantment Fundamentals Paper Packet (Z3254)
• Rustic Home Basic Fundamentals Paper Packet (Z3262)
• School K-6 Complements (Z3265)
• Get Better My Acrylix® stamp set (B1543)
• Peacock Exclusive Inks™ stamp pad (Z2849)
• White Daisy cardstock (1385)
• White Cards and Envelopes (X254)
• Originals Card Confidence Program (9036)

Base and Shade and Generational Stamping

Birthday card for a friend made using base and shade and generational stamping techniques.  Used La Vie en Rose paper, Blossiming Expressions stamp set with Hollyhock, Pomegranate, Fern, and Black ink, and Pixie, Pomegranate, Hollyhock, and White Daisy cardstock.

Keep It Simple

Sometimes it's better to keep things simple.  This card used the Stamps of Approval stamp set with Fern ink.  Also used Charlotte B&T paper, Whisper and Fern cardstock. 

Live Out Loud - July SOTM

I think that this month's Stamp of the Month is one of my favorite. 

Here are a few cards I made using it and the Cruisin' paper.

Supplies:

• Cruisin' Paper Packet
• Cruisin' Silver Foil Images
• Twilight Cardstock
• White Daisy Cardstock
• My Acrylix July SOTM:  Live Out Loud
• Bitty Sparkles
• Twilight Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad
• Juniper Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Bling Cards

I had a Bling Card Workshop in February.  Here are the cards we made.

Supplies:

• Stella Paper Packet
• My Acrylix Just for You
• My Acrylix Stella WOTG stamp set
• My Acrylix February SOTM:  Thoughtful Tidings
• Colonial White Die-Cut Cards & Envelopes
• Bling Assortment
• Clear Sparkles

Disney-Bound

At the end of January, my friend Kim and I met in Orlando for an extended weekend at the Happiest Place on Earth.  I sent her travel documents to her in this folder.

I used the Dreamin' paper packet - to coordinate with the Disney Magical Express colors - and the My Acrylix Cocktail alphabet.  

Getting Out From Behind

Christmas wasn't what we had planned.  Instead of driving to Michigan, I returned Blitzen to his foster home after picking up Comet from a night at the vet where he was having pieces of Blitzen's tooth removed from his paw.  To add to the drama and expense, my car broke down on the Pennsylvania Turnpike at 10:30 at night--even more frustrating because I'd had the annual inspection performed earlier that morning.  So, I had the car towed 150 miles back to the service station, where it turns out one of the bolts from the new brake calipers they'd installed had come loose.  They fixed it within 15 minutes, delivered the car to my house, and gave me a voucher for my next visit.

We've been taking it easy, trying to get caught up on everything we haven't been doing for the past month, like FINALLY making my Christmas cards.  I like the way they turned out, but I didn't know prior to choosing the design that I'd have to pay additional postage for the size/shape.  Ah, well, something to remember going forward...

Now I've got to get to work on projects for January and February workshops...

New Beginnings...

This new adventure has been a little more stressful than I'd anticipated.  I'm trying to get off to a strong start as a Close to My Heart consultant, scrambling to develop projects and workshops in some sort of timely-ish manner in order to help everyone make some homemade stuff for Christmas.  I've got three workshops scheduled over the next two weeks:  a gift card holder workshop on Monday, November 28, a card workshop on Thursday, December 1, and a napkin ring/place card holder workshop on Sunday, December 11.

Gift Card Holders:

Cards:

Napkin Rings and Place Cards:

Next I've got an idea for a "Ten Things" book to either use for resolution setting or a year in review or as a gift to commemorate an occasion in the new year.  That'll be scheduled for late December/early January.

Plus, I'm working on some Asian-inspired cards to send to friends around Chinese New Year (February 3).  They're not Chinese New Year cards, but cards with an Asian sentiment.

Stay tuned...