National Scrapbooking Month Kickoff!

This is one of my favorite times of year.  People and companies all over gear up for National Scrapbooking Month in May.  Close To My Heart is no different and they do it good too.
Starting April 17th you can get this beautiful Dotty for You paper packet for $5 with your $35 order.  How easy is that?!  If you've had a hankering for something crafty delicious,  this paper is scrumptious! 24 specially designed pieces of paper (2 each of 12 designs)!
Don't miss out.  You will be sad if you do.
I will try to post of few projects made with this but I may be stingy and horde it ;)

                             Available to order April 17th - May 30

Valentine gifts

I don't get a lot of projects done in order to post here on a regular basis.  Working on raising little people.  But I did get a few Valentines made for my children's teachers and a few neighbor treats.  I know this is a bit late for your Valentine projects but they really show off the great projects that can be made any time of year using the Close to My Heart Art Philosophy Cartridge for the Cricut.  I have been wanting to do all of the fun things possible since I purchased it but haven't taken the time. 

I stuffed these little goodies with yummy Ghirardelli chocolates.  

supplies used-

Kraft paper

Art Philosophy Cartridge

Vineyard berry cardstock and ink pad

paper of choice for flowers

your choice of stamps for saying and flourish

twine

  This is a great deal.  Even if you don't scrapbook online you know others that do and who doesn't like gift cards?  Buy one get one free= 10 layouts for $55 dollars,  includes shipping and handling.  That is $2.75 a page. 
   I personally do Classic Scrapbooking but this past year I made two additional scrapbooks, one for my parents and one for my in-laws.  I would never have done those by hand, so much time and work. But with Studio J they were done quickly and beautifully.  Thus making these 5 packs great to have on hand for those times when you want pages done Simply and Beautifully.  
  Or if you have been on the fence about online scrapping this is a great time to try it out with no commitment.  You don't have to be a member to use these.  Create your pages and redeem your card at checkout and you are done.

Its New and fun!

It is February and I can finally let the new Spring/ Summer 2012 Close To My Heart catalog out of the bag.  As we forge through winter it was fun to browse through this catalog and think of warmer days.  I am so excited to use these new products and combine some of them with my older stuff too.
Let me know if you want in on this warm creativity.  Request a catalog or select my  order page and go to the online shopping to browse for yourself and buy directly from there!  Spend $50 and get the Stamp of the Month for $5.

Operation Smile

This organization is a little closer to home in the fact that my Sweet and Fabulous Sister-in-law, Heather, has gone on 20+ Operation Smile trips in the capacity of Nurse.  I am amazed at the sacrifice of time, talent and money these doctors, nurses and other staff  put into giving to others.
 Thank you.

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!!!

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!!!