Christmas Tags

I love the stamp set, Merry Wishes (C1332) because you can create a bunch of tags quickly. Stamp your image on the fold of your cardstock and cut it out leaving the fold. Next add any one of a number of embellishments: liquid glass, primsa glitter, sparkles, waxy flax, ribbon, brads, eyelets, or pearls. You can also layer your image for more texture!

Announcing Tanner's Arrival!

Tanner is finally here! He arrived this morning at 7:13 am. Weighing in at over 9 pounds, he has very chubby arms and legs!

Bryce is excited

It was fun to watch Bryce meet his new baby brother. He was sweet and adorable! See for yourself!

Tanner 10 hours old!

A little more CPS inspiration!

Here are two more cards based on last week's Card Positioning Systems sketch, created by some of the CPS designers. Don't forget about the great deal, being offered through the month of August . . .

Save 25% off any CTMH order you place through me, Susan Tomaino, through August 31, 2009. To take advantage of this special please email me at JoeSusan@aol.com with your list and mention CPS. Visit my website for the complete line of CTMH products!

This first card is by Melissa Phillips. Be sure to visit her blog . . .it is always full of AMAZING inspiration, and super sweet projects! Melissa always makes amazing use of little embellishments and bits of this and that, and puts them together in such a lovely way!
The second card is by Lea Lawson. I am always inspired by Lea's use of color - her cards just make me HAPPY to look at! Be sure to stop by her blog! She is working on some amazing photography, and has lots of bright happy cards to share as well!

I am the CPS Sponsor - August 9

I am the CPS sponsor for the week of August 9, and I wanted to share a card I created using the design for my week. The stamp set is the August Stamp of the Month special, D1352 It's Your Day. The ink pad colors are Moonstruck and Dutch Blue. The paper pack came from X7109B Stardust.

Visit the CPS blog and check out all the other creations using this design and Close To My Heart products.

http://www.cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/

Creative Idea

My sister Nancy came to Fort Myers for a visit and I locked her in my "Art Room" (that's what my 4 year old grandson calls it) and made her create some cards! Although this picture isn't the greatest, I loved the card. Actually I loved everything Nancy designed, so watch for more ideas in the new few days.
The colors used are Twighlight, Sweetleaf, and Colonial White.

Animal Cookies & Backwoods

Sometimes you have to think outside the box. Traditionally we stamp our trees and leaves in shades of autumn, but I thought I would go primary with my color choices. The paper pack is from Animal Cookies and the stamp set is Backwoods.

New Layouts

The Workshops on the Go for the new Summer Idea Book are GREAT! Here's something to get you excited!

Using our new Tinkerin' paper pack and "Gear Up" stamp set, these layouts were really fast! Colors: Clover Meadow, Sunflower, Sunny Yellow and Twighlight.

Simple Scrapbook Magazine May/June

Hi Everyone,
I'm so excited and proud to share with you my daughter, Laura Williams, is published in Simple Scrapbooks Magazine. Check out Page 46 & 47 to see the cute layouts. Isn't Bryce adorable?!

Enjoy!

Susan

Liquid Glass Idea

This cute car is part of a scrapbook page created by my daughter, Laura Williams. I love the way she used Liquid Glass on the wheels and also as the glass on the window. Laura put Liquid Glass right over the photograph of Bryce and directly on the stamped image for the wheels. Great idea! Liquid Glass is a super product with many uses! It's also a fantastic adhesive for those big, bulky, or heavy items.

New Summer Idea Book Coming Soon!

I'm so excited about the new Summer Idea Book. Lots of new stamp sets and papers that I can't wait to play with! Watch for some new samples and ideas soon.

Ravishing Roses C1348

Ravishing Roses is just one of our beautiful new stamp sets.

Combined here with our new paper pack, That's Amore X7107B, our Pretty Pins Z1148, and D1331 Dream Wishes - this card can handle many different sentiments and purposes.

Spring Project

Fancy Cuts Botanicals

Have you seen the new Close To My Heart Fancy Cuts Botanicals (X1405)? The card above was created using some of the flower and center fancy cuts. The right flower is a paper flower that has been stamped with D1335 Intrinsic Backgrounds. The ribbon is our new Sorbet Ribbon Round, and the brads are from the Spring Collection.

The base card is Creme Brulee, my new favorite, and the sentiment is stamped in Tulip ink.

January PaperCrafting Special

NATIONAL PAPER CRAFTING MONTH - SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

Close to My Heart is proud to announce National Papercrafting Month—a January sensation that celebrates all the amazing things you can create with paper and a little creativity. And to make it even more fun, we're offering a fantastic kit that will enhance every one of your projects.

The gorgeous new Key to My Heart Level 2 paper packet features all of our luscious new exclusive colors: Tulip, Juniper, Sorbet, and Creme Brulee. The packet is accompanied by the awesome new E-size My Acrylix(R) Key to My Heart stamp set brimming with elegant, charming designs.

This beautiful combo is available through January 31 OR while supplies last. It can be yours at a substantial savings, or even FREE! You may purchase this gorgeous kit for $47.90; or when you order $75 you may purchase it for just $20; or purchase $130 and you will receive it FREE! To order, visit http://www.susan.myctmh.com/, email me JoeSusan@aol.com or give me a call (239) 433-2269.

What's more, if you join Close To My Heart between January 1–31, you'll receive the kit FREE in your New Consultant Kit. Enjoy National Paper Crafting Month!

Tampa Scrapbook Expo

A great big thank you to everyone who visited our booth at the Tampa Scrapbook Expo December 5 & 6. We had a great time!

Our next big event is Stamp Fest by the Bay in Clearwater on Valentine's Day and then in May at the Orlando Scrapbook Expo at the Gaylord Palms. Need details? Email me!

Below Adeline Brill is teaching a two-page layout during our Create & Take. It was FUN!

Snow in North Carolina

During our recent trip to our place in Sylva, North Carolina, we had some incredible weather. I was able to play in the creek with my grandson, Bryce. We had a blast. At (almost) 4 years old, Bryce really enjoyed the water. It was cold, but we laughed, played, explored, and never fell completely in the water!

A few days before we headed home, this is what we woke up to!!! It was a winter wonderland! It was still snowing when we got up, and it was so fun to watch. By afternoon it had all melted away! Good thing, I guess, since we had to get in the car and head back to Florida!

Creating Cards with My Stickease & Stamps

With the Notebook Paper Pack, the Notebook MyStickease, this card is super quick and easy. The ribbon is Cocoa, and the Photo Clips is Pewter. You can stamp any sentiment either on the front or inside the card!

Supplies from Notebook My Stickease and PP

The stamp used (bottom right corner) is from "Coffee Stain" (B1316). The paper is from Notebook (X7102b). The center is created from the Notebook My Stickease (X7102c).

Chicken Chili

One of the most popular meals I've served at my CTMH Unit Meetings or my all day Create & Crop is Chicken Chili. I thought I'd post the recipe here for anyone looking for a healthy, easy, yummy main dish!

Chicken Chili

1 can (16 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (16 oz) white beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (28 ounce) diced tomatoes (entire contents) you can use flavored like Italian
1 cup barbeque sauce (I use lite original, but any flavor is good)
Cooked cut up chicken OR cooked hamburger
Optional 1 can (16 oz) kidney beans rinsed and drained
Heat together. I crock pot it for 3 hours
Serve with sour cream, cornbread, and or shredded cheddar cheese.

You can keep all the canned goods on hand and have cooked cut up chicken in your freezer ready to go! I've also put all the ingredients together the night before in the frig, and then I just gave myself a little more time to heat since it's starting out cold.