Photo Pillow Sham!

This is a project that I had started a while ago, back in early March actually, but I wasn't able to get back to it until now. It is going to be a Mother's Day gift for my grandmother, and I didn't want to be working on it the day before... so it was starting to stress me out a bit that it wasn't finished. (And since my Grandma isn't online, I think it's safe to share here early.  Anyone who knows both me AND my grandma... mums the word!!!)  As my sewing skills (I hesitate to even use the word skills) are self-taught and more of a learn-as-I-go sort of process, I wasn't even sure how long it would take me to complete. Thankfully, I had some great instructions in a book by Donna Downey, Fabric Scrapbooking.  (It's part of a 'Yes, It's a Scrapbook Series' of books that I really enjoy, I actually have three more: Creative Albums, Photo Decor, and Decorative Journals -- all by the same author.)



The project I was doing was the Photo Pillow Sham.  Since this is for my grandmother, I found pictures of all her great-grandchildren to include -- my two kids, my sister's two boys and my cousin's two girls.  I printed the photos out on colorfast sew-in inkjet fabric sheets.  That was the part that I had finished for a while now, I just hadn't gotten around to the sewing it all together part.  But I'm happy to say, that I started working on it today and was able to finish it!!!  I even had to run some errands, get supper ready, play chauffeur to/from school events, laundry and help with homework and STILL was able to finish it even with my very limited sewing skills.  So all in all, I count it as a success.  I especially love the fact that it was a sham, so I was able to do all the sewing on my machine and not have to hand sew the last seam or anything.

And yes, I was using some of Close To My Heart's very own textiles: I used the Black Damask print from the For Always Textiles with the Buttercup Polka-dot from the Chantilly Textiles with the Black with white script from the For Always Textiles for the back.

Here is a closeup of one of the pictures of my kiddos on the pillow sham:



It's pretty neat - the pictures turned out really well I thought.  I'm very pleased with the final project.  Now I'm anxious to try some other projects in that book!  There is an Accordion Album, Ribbon-Hinge Album, and an Altered Canvas Tote that I have sticky noted, just to name a few.  So nice to get another project on the To Do list finished!

Hope you like it!
Dani
 

May's Workshop!!!

I thought it would be neat to use some of our fun wooden embellishments.  This workshop will be set up like normal -- with either a scrapbooking project, cards or both.



This class will be held on Friday, May 17th at 6:00pm.  Again for scheduling ease, they'll be held on the third Friday of the month so we can all plan ahead.  You can decide to do either scrapbooking or cards for the $25 fee, and it comes with the B1372 Circle Together stamp set as well as the Wooden Mini-Medley Accents Collection and the Trinkets Wooden Shapes.  If you'd like, you can make both the scrapbooking and cards for an additional $10.  Everything is pre-cut and ready for you to assemble.

For those of you who would prefer, I'm also offering To Go kits with every workshop.  This will allow you to create the projects at your own convenience, directions will be included.  I'll also have a list of supplies needed for each project that aren't included, most of which you may already have or have something close you can substitute.

Supplies Needed for To Go Kit: Z2191 Sunset Ink Pad, Z2153 Sweet Leaf Ink Pad, 2"x2" acrylic block (minimum), adhesives  

I'm even offering a club option with the workshop, providing even more benefits!  Club Members will commit to a 6 month rotation workshops, which will make them eligible for hostess goodies, prizes, members-only specials, etc.  To see all the nitty-gritty details about the workshop and club option, check out the flyer.

If you are interested in attending the workshop, I'll need your RSVP (including payment) by Friday, April 26th.  This will allow me time to order the necessary supplies and get all the packets prepared and ready to go.

Now you can easily pay online via PayPal, if you'd like!  Check out the chart to see the payment required, and you are good to go (and let me know what your highlight color request is):

$25.00 - To make either the scrapbook or cards (please let me know which one you select)  
$10.00 - Add this to make BOTH the scrapbook and cards     
$  5.00 - Add this for shipping costs, if you aren't local for the To Go kit    
$  ?      - Please contact me if you need some extra supplies for the project, and I'll give you a total  

If you are a CTMH consultant, interested in giving this class yourself, please contact me for special pricing.

Workshop Costs Scrapbook, Cards, or To Go (local)$25.00 USD Scrapbook & Cards$35.00 USD To Go - Scrapbooking or Cards (w/shipping)$30.00 USD To Go - Scrapbook & Cards$40.00 USD

Sorry this is online so late -- still catching up from our vacation!  :-)

Dani
 

April Stamp of the Month: My Sunshine

Even though we don't have any sunshine outside hardly yet, I had a lot of fun messing around with April's Stamp of the Month set, My Sunshine.  Even if I can't enjoy warm weather outside yet, I can pretend, right?  :-)

First, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the hot air balloon image and give it a 3-D effect.  I used a print from Surf's Up as the background and stamped the balloon image three separate times: in Cranberry, Honey and Sunset.  I added a few clouds and stamped the sentiment on the largest cloud.  Pretty cute, if I do say so myself.  HA!



Since I am in dire need of some sunshine, I was drawn to the sun images and sentiment next.  I pulled the chevron pattern from Claire and pulled my color scheme from there.  Now if it could just get nice and warm outside... it is, after all, the middle of April.  I don't think it is too unreasonable to want warm weather!!!



And last, but not least, I stamped the bird and you're tweet sentiment.  I inked the bird up in Honey, then rolled the tail and tummy with Smoothie to give it some dimension.



I ended up using the Cricut Artiste with each card too.  From clouds and balloons, to suns, leaves, birds and more -- it had just what I needed to quickly finish up each card perfectly!

Dani

 

Sign Up and Celebrate!

Free stamp sets for signing up in April!

 

When you join the Close To My Heart family during the month of April, you'll receive the April, May, June, and July Stamp of the Month sets for free* (that's a $71.80 value)! And that's in addition to what you receive in your start-up kit, let me share what you can get:

When you sign up and select the Essentials Kit, you'll receive over $226 worth of products and supplies for only $49 (including the kit and April's special).  And as a consultant, you'll be eligible for:

- discounts on your own product orders
- FREE online business address
- oodles of FREE training (creative, business and more)
- ability to order new products before they are released
- pre-designed workshops and bulk items
- earn even more product in your first 90 days with the Straight-to-the-Top program
- access to very active consultant-only bulletin boards (art, business, swaps, etc.)
- and so much more!!!

One of the things I love about this company is the flexibility that is offered.  You can run your business as little or as much as you want, and believe me, depending on different circumstances in my life -- I've worked it at almost all levels, I've been with Close To My Heart for over ten years now.  You can run it as a hobbyist, just to get the discount; you can run it as a part-time business, to get a little extra income; or you can run it full-time and make it your career.  It all depends what you want to get out of it.

If you are interested in joining my team and becoming a part of the Close To My Heart community - make sure to contact me!  You can even easily sign up online, at any time that is convenient for you.

Dani