Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
many many many thanks!
I love to combine two different stamp sets to create some new unexpected cards! I used the August Word Puzzle set, along with the sentiment from Many Thanks.
To create the globe, I stamped the image in black onto a white cardstock block. Then I stamped it in Pear ink, on Sky cardstock, cut out just the globe and adhered it to the image. I sanded all the edges of my layers, and added a few little jewels at the end, for some added pizazz. Lots of layers doesn't mean it has to be a busy cluttered card. It's still pretty clean and simple, thanks to the double layer of white.
We are off to SeaWorld for the weekend, along with my parents, to celebrate Mr. B's 6th birthday! I'll share some pictures next week! Have a great weekend!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Blessings
Thursday, November 11, 2010
a seriously BRIGHT christmas!

I used Pear and Cotton Candy to create this card, along with the Evergreen stamp set. To create my snow drifts, I simply tore a few layers of cardstock, and tucked my trees between them. Then I punched some circles from white cardstock, adhered them, and covered them in Liquid Glass to create my sparkly, shiny snow.
As you read this, I am at my parents' house, probably rifling through all my mom's scrappy stuff, seeing what I can steal and take home with me!! ;) And I'm taking a stack of cardstock to punch circles with. I only have two little circle punches of my own (and no room to store more than that, anyway!) So I always fill up a Ziplock bag of assorted punched circles when I go home!!! (Especially the scalloped ones!!!!) So thankful for my mommy and all her toys!!!!
Have a great weekend!
XOXO
Monday, November 8, 2010
I'll love you forever
Today's card features paper from Splendor. This is such a pretty color palette - its great for spring and summer, but the colors lend themselves to fall too! (And the paper in that pack, with the clouds all over it, is one of my ALL-TIME favorite papers!)
I paper-pieced my little owls, from the Love You Forever stamp set. This is such a sweet little stamp set - lots of fun to paper-piece, but almost as fun to color too!
After I finished this, I felt like it needed a little something extra, so I pierced the edges with my paper piercer. (Another of my go-to techniques, as you probably already know!)
And now, I am off to enjoy a hot beverage, the cool weather, and some CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!! Bring it on!
See you Thursday! (Where I'll be coming to you live from my parents' house! HOORAY!)
XOXO
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Boo!
Boo to YOU! It's Halloween week! The boys in this household are getting geared up for Trunk-or-Treat at our church, trick-or-treating in the neighborhood, and a fall party at school!
Halloween also just so happens to be Susan's birthday!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MAMA!
Today I have a card featuring Boo Crew! I pieced together some scraps to make the patterned paper background on this card, matted it on black cardstock, and then added my stamped images.
Whether you are trick-or-treating, handing out candy, eating birthday cake, or none of the above, I hope you have a great weekend! Is it REALLY almost NOVEMBER?!
Friday, October 22, 2010
peace on earth

So, that's about it. Pretty easy peasy. Stamp, punch, cut, trim, adhere. And then add some pearls.
And you're done! I hope you like this card! I was really happy with how it turned out. I find I like my cards more, the more simple they get! It's hard to let go, and leave things more simple. Almost harder than piling on the goodies, and stamping like crazy. But it feels GOOD. Like a freshly cleaned room. :) (And I LOVE a freshly cleaned room just as much as I LOVE a clean and simple card!)
Have a great weekend!
Friday, October 15, 2010
cards in mass production!

If you plan to make homemade cards, calendars, gift wrap, or some other wonderful creation . .. NOW is the time to start!!!! I am working on digital calendars, card sets, and pretty soon I'll probably get started on some ornaments with Bryce.
And before I go, as promised, here is a picture from our trip to the pumpkin patch last week! Both boys picked out little pumpkins, and we got one big one that we are going to decorate soon! (Yes, DECORATE, not CARVE.) Carved pumpkins just can't handle the Florida heat, so in order to have our pumpkin actually make it until Halloween, we are going to make a happy little face out of felt for our orange friend.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Boo To You!

Today's card is featuring a circle card, and the stamp set, The Boo Crew. I used Pear, Sunflower, and Black cardstock, along with Sunset and Sunflower ink.
I hope your October is off to a terrific start! I'll share some of our pumpkin patch photos next week!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
what holiday is it?

This is a pretty quick and simple 5x7 Christmas card, using the gorgeous new Christmas papers, called Mistletoe and the new stamp set, I Believe.
I did lots of inking on this, along the edges of the paper. I used a mixture of a few different colors. . .Chocolate and Barn red mostly. And when I inked my images, I inked them in red ink, and then bumped the edges around in a brown ink pad. (I think it was Barn Red and Chocolate!) It's subtle, but it adds a little extra interest and dimension (especially in person. Sometimes it's so hard to photograph those little details!)
Whatever you are working on. . . Christmas, Halloween, or something else altogether, I hope you have inky fingers and maybe some glitter on your nose! Have fun!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Products & Pricing
Studio J® is free online scrapbooking design software brought to you by Close To My Heart. Studio J helps you easily create two-page layouts using our foundational scrapbook patterns, exclusive color palette, and themed designs all delivered in 12" × 12" custom prints ready for your albums.
Full Retail –
You’ve taken the photos—now keep the memories. In five easy steps, create beautiful 12" × 12" two-page layouts showcasing your stories. When the custom prints arrive at your door, slip them into your cherished albums. No one will guess it only took a few minutes to design them!
Purchase Option Price
Per two-page, custom-printed layout $13.00 US
Shipping per box of up to 20 layouts $5.95 US
Membership –
Save an amazing 50% off retail price by becoming a Studio J® member. Order up to 10 custom-printed layouts per month—that’s as many as 20 pages at half price! Only members receive free JPG files of their layouts with each purchased custom-printed layout and also have the option to purchase JPG files separately. JPG files come in both high resolution and thumbnail sizes to print, share, or archive. Membership comes with other perks like exclusive patterns, kits, and free Memory Protectors®. On top of all that, members also get free shipping on their monthly order of 4 to 20 layouts in the continental US or 7 to 20 layouts in Canada and non-continental US shipping zones.
Membership Option Price
12-Month membership $99.00 US
3-Month membership $30.00 US
Per two-page, custom-printed layout $6.50 US
Per two-page JPG file $3.00 US
Minimum layouts per order for free shipping 4 (continental US)
Additional layouts over 10 (per layout price) $11.00 US
5-Pack –
A 5-pack includes 5 two-page, custom-printed layouts, 5 Memory Protectors, and free shipping. Ideal for gift giving, or as an affordable way to try Studio J for the first time.
Purchase Option Price
5-Pack $55.00 US / $73.00 CAN
Shipping –
Close To My Heart products are shipped to the continental United States by Federal Express (FedEx), to the non-continental US by United States Postal Service Priority Mail, and to Canada by Landmark. Studio J layouts ship in a protected box that can hold from 1 to 20 two-page layouts, plus Memory Protectors. Standard shipping and handling per box is priced as follows:
Destination Shipping Method Price
Continental US FedEx SmartPost (< 8 days) $ 5.95 US
FedEx Ground (< 5 days) $ 7.95 US
FedEx 2nd Day Air $11.95 US
FedEx Standard Overnight $18.95 US
Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam USPS Priority Mail $ 9.95 US per box
Package Tracking –
FedEx or Landmark will notify you by email when an order is shipped so you may track the delivery of your order. Studio J orders shipped through USPS do not have tracking numbers.
Shipping Options –
In the continental United States, Studio J customers have 4 shipping methods available through Federal Express (FedEx). These options are not available for destinations outside the continental United States. Upgrading your shipping method will not affect the in-house turnaround time of your order (typically 2 to 4 business days). Please keep in mind that upgraded shipping methods are guaranteed by the carrier, and Close To My Heart is not responsible for shipping delays after the order has left the warehouse. The shipping options are:
FedEx Standard Overnight: After leaving Close To My Heart’s corporate office, this option guarantees next-business-day delivery Monday through Friday by 3:00 pm to most US addresses; by 4:30 pm to rural areas.
FedEx 2nd Day Air: This option guarantees orders will arrive to most areas 2 business days after leaving the corporate office, Monday through Friday by 7:00 pm.
FedEx Ground: After leaving the corporate office, orders using this option typically arrive within 1 to 5 business days, Tuesday through Saturday between 9 am and 8 pm.
FedEx SmartPost: After leaving the corporate office, orders using this option typically arrive within 2 to 8 business days. SmartPost orders are delivered via the FedEx network but will use the United States Postal Services (USPS) for final delivery.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
halloween? or not!
These felt self-adhesive monsters are soooo fun. I paired my fuzzy googly-eyed pal with the matching Hooligans paper. I tried and tried to decide what sentiment to put on this card, and I think I found the perfect one. . . it's from Be Yourself (one of my favorite sets. . ..you can see it HERE!)
To create the vertical purple zigzags on my card, I cut them out from the backside of the patterned paper. Love the tone-on-tone on the back of the CTMH patterned papers!!! It makes them even more versatile!
Have a great day! I'll be back next week. . .and we're jumping back (ahead) to CHRISTMAS again! See you then!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
moving backwards!
I stamped the cutie pie pumpkin face (from Spooky Smiles) onto my can using black StazOn ink. It's slippery, so be careful . . .but when stamping with black, I have an easy trick for boo boos. If it doesn't stamp totally evenly, just use a black Sharpie to fill in any un-inky spots! Easy peasy!!
I told you it was easy!
This idea can be VERY easily altered for just about any occasion! This would make a great teacher gift, co-worker gift, or a child's gift! (I think ours is going to be a Halloween decoration for just as long as I can keep Bryce's fingers out of those Peeps!)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
It's not too early!!!!

Here it is, SEPTEMBER. . . . and if you are making your own Christmas cards, NOW is the time to start! Before the hustle and bustle of the crazy winter days, get a head start! I have one done now, see!?
To create this card I used a stamp from Christmas Melodies along with the NEW holiday paper, Mistletoe. I also used the new Mocha Opaques Adhesive Gems. (LOVE these things!) The flower is from the Mistletoe Level 2 Assortment. I snipped between each petal a little bit, so that I could fold them and crinkle them a bit. I also inked the edges just a bit!
I hope I've given you some holiday inspiration. Now. . .go get busy! Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Hooligans Invade!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
For My Teacher

I stamped the Spot On Background stamp on white cardstock, and trimmed it to be the size I wanted. (Just slightly smaller than the actual stamp size) Don't feel limited by background stamps, just because they aren't quite the shape or size you need! I've been known to stamp a square background and punch circles or flowers out of it. The possibilities are endless!
I stamped the apples (from You're So Sweet), and cut them out (Kiwi or Pear are both perfect shades for this card!) I think I used Clover Meadow for the leaves, and the sentiment, but any of the darker shades of green will work! The sentiment came from the Family Ties - Adults set. And three red buttons finished it off!
If you have kiddos back to school, I hope their year is off to a great start! Bryce is doing FANTASTIC, and he loves it! Hooray!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
more blue skies!
Happy Thursday! Two days until Tanner's first birthday party (but thankfully another week before the ACTUAL day. I'm not ready to have a one-year-old!!! I've been working on some fun decorations, using Close To My Heart products, that I can't wait to share with you next week!
I've also been working on a cute teacher card for Bryce's Kindergarten teacher! I'll have that to share with you soon too!
But in the meantime, I couldn't resist heading back to my favorite stamp set, Over the Rainbow. I was thinking that this card would be really cute in a primary color scheme, of red, blue, and yellow too. Or what about something a little different, like pink, purple, and yellow?
I am off to enjoy the last few days of summer vacation. We're heading out this morning for one last morning playgroup day, with Bryce's pals. Then home to decorate cookies for the birthday party! Have a great day!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
You're Sweet!
I'll tell you a secret. . . in retrospect, I sort of wish I hadn't put the ricrack all the way across. I wish it was only across the green cardstock. But I couldn't get it off the card without having to start over. . .
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Sweet Cherry-O

Thanks for stopping by! (And sorry that I am a bit late this week! I'm sure you were checking every ten minutes for my post! Tee hee! Hopefully the boss lady won't fire me!!!)
XOXO
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Hope You Feel Better

First I stamped the background from Spot On Backgrounds onto ivory cardstock, and cut it out. I stuck it onto my 4.5x4.5 card base. I was going to pop it up on foam tape, which is why I cut it out - but I changed my mind! You could just stamp it right on the card if you'd like. Then I stamped the scalloped circle and sentiment from Tasty Treats. The circle I did pop up on foam tape.
Last week was the Close To My Heart convention, which means NEW NEW NEW product, a NEW catalog, and lots of big news!!!! (I am MOST excited about some new COLORS!!!!!!) Hopefully your trusty CTMH consultant will be along soon to tell you all about it! (Although we are all heading up to the mountains, so you may have to wait a bit!)
Have a terrific summer day!
XOXO
Thursday, July 8, 2010
life IS good!

I combined a couple of stamp sets for this card. . . . two of my favorite stamp sets - Treetops and Over the Rainbow . The colors I used are Bamboo, Desert Sand, Topiary (ink on the trees) and Sweetleaf. I headed straight for my go-to finishing technique and added some paper-piercing along the bottom strip when I felt like it needed a little final touch!
I am going to get back to spending time with my family. . . .goodbye computer! Have a terrific day! Thanks for stopping by!!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Roaar!!! Happy Birthday!

This time next week, I will be at home with my parents, sleeping in the very room which houses more stamps and scrappy goodies than I can imagine. It smells like paper in there. . .it's delicious!! (It also happens to be my old bedroom. . .I can think of no more fitting use for my dear bedroom!) It will be TONS of fun!!
Have a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by today!!!!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
nothing but blue skies!

This card was sooo super quick and simple. I am doing a lot of plain white cardstock cards lately. White space is a beautiful thing! It really makes your stamps and sentiments stand out and make a BIG statement! Bright and bold is almost always my style!
I stamped the rainbow right onto my card base, stamped the sun over the top, and then stamped it again on yellow, paper-piecing it onto the card. Then I stamped the cloud onto a scrap of white, cut it out, and adhered it with foam tape. The ribbon was recycled from some packaging. . . .I love rescuing ribbon from presents and packages!
I hope the skies are blue where you are! Enjoy your summer day!
See you next week!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Where the heck did Thursday go!?
Too many days at the pool for swimming lessons must have fried my brain a bit, as all the sudden, here we are on Saturday, and I realized - "I Didn't BLOG this week!!!!"
The good news (for me anyway) is that I have found some time to create. . ..and although this is an oldie-but-a-goodie from my stash, I have a couple of super cute new cards using BRAND NEW CTMH stamps and papers - the only sad part for you is that I can't show they to you. There are a couple of publication calls for "never before seen" work - so if the magazines don't pick them up, I will be happy to show them off here. But in the meantime, you can enjoy this one, using Caboodle paper, and the stamp set, Candlelight!
And I promise, this week I will create some goodies with the NEW stamps from my big CTMH box, that you CAN see . . .because there are some seriously cute stamps!!!!
Monday, June 14, 2010
My Creations All-Sorts Mini Album by Sue Waters
Sue Waters created this beautiful book for me to show off my adorable grandsons. I haven't had time to add the pictures yet, but I was anxious to share this book with all of you!
On the cover Sue created the title "Mimi's boys", and she added stamping, embellishments, twill, and distressing to the edges. The paper is from our Caboodle paper pack and features the following colors: Buttercup, Crystal Blue, Sorbet, and Sweet Leaf. The colors are great for this book!
The right page shows a big pocket with 3 different tags that can be pulled out. I can see both photos and journalling on those tags to help tell our story.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Believe
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Good Luck!
Just for the occasion (but actually quite coincidentally) I have a Good Luck card for you today! I used some of the new Splendor paper that I was able to snag from my sweet mama's booth at Scrapbook Expo, along with Cocoa ribbon and cardstock, and a sentiment stamp from Dainty Thoughts.
I didn't have a scalloped punch that was quite the right size, so I used a small circle punch to create my scallops. I also used that same circle punch to punch out the corners of my layered squares.
There just might be a whole BOX of CTMH goodies heading my way soon, so I am looking forward to having lots of new projects to share with you in the coming weeks!!! I'm super excited about this, and this, and most especially this!! (Come on, go click on them. . .you know you want to!!!)
See you next week!! Thanks for stopping by!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Close To My Heart has announced a special deal for June!
Read on for more information so you don't miss this exciting special!
Check out my web sit at susan.myctmh.com daily for each new and exciting offer!
· Some days you can grab loaded Goodie Boxes at 50% or more off retail value.
· Other days are Jackpot Days. These days give you a list of 5 products offered at special discounted prices - - one of which will trigger the Jackpot - - a surprise product you’ll receive free! Take a chance and hope that you buy the right item that gets you the free product, or play it safe and buy one of each, guaranteeing that you will hit the Jackpot!
Jackpot June purchases must include ONLY Jackpot June items (the Goodie Box or the discounted items) and nothing else. This will streamline orders and allow Close To My Heart to offer discounted shipping for this exciting promotion.
A great big thank you to Julie Reynolds for sharing her post!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Whoooo loves you?

As you read this, my sweet mama and I, along with our trusty sidekicks (our men doing manual labor and babysitting) will be setting up the Close To My Heart booth at Scrapbook Expo in Orlando! We're hoping for a great show, and lots of happy scrappy fun! Then we'll be heading for a day at SeaWorld. I am so excited to be there with my parents and my family - the boys will have such fun with Mimi and Poppy there!
Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!
(card goodies: Whoo Loves You stamp set, along with. . .another set for the scalloped circle, of which i can NOT remember what set it is!!!)
Thursday, May 20, 2010
everything grows better. . .

I adhered the sentiment with foam tape, as well as the hearts. But before I attached them, I stitched a little embroidery floss through each one, and tied a tiny knot at the back.
Thanks for stopping by today!
(card goodies: Grown With Love stamps, Veranda paper, Cocoa ink and cardstock, and a little scrap of sorbet paper for the hearts)
Thursday, May 13, 2010
a couple of little cuties!
Simple. Simple. Simple. 8 cards. (I spared you from seeing all 8 of them!) A cute little matching set. Perfect for gift tags, for throwing in with a package, or for packing up as a gift! I used Dream Big and sentiments from Say It In Style. These cards are 3x3 - which means you can make 8 card bases out of one sheet of cardstock. I stamped each image on a 1.25 in square, and matted it on a 1.5 inch square.
I really dig SIMPLE. Cute images, and fun colors can stand alone and make a statement without having to do anything fancy! You could make these cards a thousand different ways, with different stamps and colors. And it's a great way to use up scraps!
So there you go! :)
Thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful end-of-the-week! (It's almost Friday!!!)