Rock around the Block

This is available December 19th and runs through January.  Qualifying purchase is a $25 purchase from the Autumn/Winter 2011 catalog (so easy).  Great Deal!!!

Please note:  new catalog goes live February 1st.  So if there is any must haves from the Autumn/Winter catalog  get them in soon! (Stamp sets from this catalog will carry over for the next catalog cycle.)

Happy Holidays!!

Fabulous Opportunity!

If you have ever thought of starting a little in home business.  Or if you have wanted to have access to great scrap booking/ paper craft supplies at a discount and share with your friends.  If you have wanted to expand your creative talent and share that love with others.  October is a great time to start!  Close To My Heart is offering a free add-on collection with the purchase of a New Consultant Kit ($99).  So if you have been thinking about taking the step, October is the time to do it!  Whoo hoo!

Studio J

Here are some layouts I put together for my parents anniversary.  So nice to hand them a scrapbook with all the look and none of the mess.  So easy with Studio J. (check out the link on the left side of page)  If you are trying to catch up with your scrapbooking Studio J is great for that quick catch up.  Then you can go back to your classic scrapbooking (if you want to).  No software, it is all online.  Creating and ordering is so simple and fun.  BeWaRe, it is addictive.  If you want to try it out click on  the Studio J link and have some fun.  Please note: these come as 12X12 layouts, in sheet protectors for a three ring binder.  They are not bound books.

More to choose from

I tried out a few more shapes and styles of candles for this quick and easy project.  They are so easy you could easily get carried away.  Some shapes are obviously easier than others and I found that the cheaper candles do better than the nicer ones.  I think more expensive candles are not made to deface so easily.  Here are my newest endeavours from simple to a little more elaborate.

This one was fun to do.  I added a few more pieces to give an overall design.  I think its one of my favorite.  I wrapped some black tule around the bottom.  A nice inexpensive touch.

I couldn't help but do another with the sassy witch.  This time I added a few more elements to the design.  Plus I added colored glitter to her hat, tights, the broom (can't tell in pic) and a button on the ribbon at the bottom.

These are some of the "odd" shaped candles that I tried.  A little votive is simple, I think I will melt the wax around the top a little to give it a dripping look.  The round candle is limiting because of its shape.  The stick candle is tricky but do-able.

If you don't do Halloween.  Fall is the next best thing:)  This was a little more tricky with so many pieces.  I used my fingernail to "tack" them down into the wax before I rolled it up in the wax paper.  I think it turned out quite nicely.

Candle Decor How To

I have had many people ask me how to make these and they dont' live close enough to come over so I decided to do a little demo.  My photography isn't that great but it should show you how to get the job done!

 The materials you will need are easy, a candle (I've done a three inch pillar and the taller 6 inch, I have purchased other sizes and widths but have not finished making those yet), wax paper, tissue paper (the paper used in gift bags), black stamp pad (or other colors as you see fit), your stamp of choice (for the candles pictured I used Close To My Heart August Stamp of the Month, which is only available thru August 31 but I am planning on using other fabulous Halloween Exclusive Stamp Sets on my other candles) and last but not least your heating tool (I have a craft heater but I am sure a hot blow dryer will work)  and then the sky is the limit according to your creativity.

I place my clear stamp onto my acrylic block and am ready to go

Stamp your image on one layer of tissue paper.  Tear your image out.  Cutting it won't look as blended. Also make sure it is dry, there may be some ink transfer to your hands. 

                                    

Place your stamped image on your candle.  The next step is using a piece of wax paper to hold your image in place while you heat it. 

Use your heating tool to slowly heat the image.  It will look wet.  If you get it to hot or too close your candle will melt a bit chunky/ripply.  You have to be especially patient while heating colored candles sometimes they have a white core that could show through if you melt too deeply.

Once it is melted into the candle peel your wax paper away.  Use a soft cloth to buff the area around and over the stamped image to return its glossiness.

And of course you can spice it up a little.  Ribbon or toole are easy add-ons.  My sister recommended adding a bit of bling or glitter.  I haven't gotten that far,  yet:)

There is also the option of using stamps of Fall leaves or getting a jump on the Winter holidays and making Christmas candles.  These can make fun neighbor gifts or a little something for the mantle:)

Have Fun!!!

Oh the fun and simple

I love sharing ideas.  I love that others have great ideas to share.  I appreciate these people because without them,I don't know if I would seem as colorful and creative as I am today:)  Laugh Out Loud!

Anyways by way of another consultant I found a fun, simple and fantastic way to dress up those shelves and mantles for Halloween (can be tweaked for any holiday). 
This project is especially fun for those that love the Acrylic Stamp sets but don't scrapbook or make cards.

I am actually doing a Get2gether4fun gathering in September to make these little things.  So excited.  Keep up on the date and time on my Facebook page. You can do this on any sized candle.  I have bought a bunch of different sizes to experiment on this week.  I will post more of the results.  So that I don't spoil the surprise of my gathering ( of how easy this is) I am not going to post the instructions just yet.  If you email me I would be happy to let you know, especially if you don't live nearby. 
In the mean time start stocking up on the candles and the stamps you want on them:)

National Stamping Month (a bit early)

Today Close To My Heart is kicking off National Stamping Month a bit early.  With your purchase of $75 you will get the adorable double stamp set "Pair a Phrase" free.  Not to mention still getting a free font with your $5 Stamp of the Month Stamp set (this is for August).

Good through September 30, while supplies last.

Cricut Art Philosophy Collection

One of the fantastic things with the new Autumn/Winter 2011 catalog was the introduction of the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection.  It illiminates some of the cutting to the stamping process.  Along with an exclusive cartridge you also get 3 D sized stamp sets and 3 sheets of dimentional elements.  Plus!...the cartridge can also cut images found in many other stamps sets found throughout the catalog.  If you want to take a gander at the shape index for the cartridge, follow the link found below and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Have fun!!


http://www.closetomyheart.com/Ideas_and_Inspiration/Cricut%20Art%20Philosophy%20Collection.aspx

If you've got an itch...scratch it!

Whether it's a bite from the Scrappin' bug, a card fetish or a hankerin' to craft, this is a fun place to start...Coming Soon the ability to buy online from me, waahoo!


August 1st is the launch of our new Autumn/Winter 2011 Catalog.  There are some fun new changes to the product line as well as a few AWESOME additions, a Cricut Cartridge (Cricut Art Philosophy Collection)for one, fun new My Reflections Scrapbooking kits and lower prices on My Acrylix Stamp sets.  There are also new ways to earn free (hostess rewards) or discounted (Stamp of the Month)  products.

Don't wait!  Call me to see the new catalog or check out http://www.closetomyheart.com/ to view it online starting August 1st and see what's new.  To place an order or for more information email me at Jlynnscreativeitch@gmail.com .  Close To My Heart is making it hard to resist with some great deals and offers August thru September don't miss out.  And I have some fun workshops planned for the upcoming months, interested in participating let me know!

p.s. July 30th is the last day to order products  from the Spring/Summer 2011 catalog.  Minus the stamp sets, which are still available through this next catalog period, at lower prices no less!

                                                                     August's Deal!


                                                  September is National Stamping Month

                                    This offer is good August 15th through September 30th!!!

Under Construction

Now this kind of constuction I don't mind, the crafty kind.

Coming soon my Close To My Heart blog!!!