You Are My Happy stamp set trio!!!

This month's special is in celebration of National Stamping Month, an exclusive stamp set trio You Are My Happy. It has a "playful alphabet, light-hearted sentiments, and fun images for a variety of occasions to give a cheerful touch to your projects." During the month of September, when you make a purchase of $50 or more, it is available for only $10. Definitely too cute to pass up! I've been playing around with it this week, and I have a few things to share.

This first card is clean and simple, with a little bit of paper piecing from the Frosted set just for fun. I did all the stamping in Cocoa ink.



For the second card, I decided to highlight one of the images at the top of the card.  I carefully cut out half of the circle from the base to make the top portion.  I used one of the fun prints from Sarita and pulled my color scheme from there: Goldrush, Cotton Candy, Autumn Terracotta, and Creme Brulee.



Then since all the images were just so darn cute, I decided to make a little mini set of 3"x3" cards.  I kept each design simple using the polka dot pattern from Babycakes.  My color scheme was chosen from the paper: Colonial White, Autumn Terracotta, Buttercup, Cocoa, and Whisper.  I ended up making a set of 8 cards, all with the same format, just stamping a different design from the set.



Each card had a Whisper base, a strip of the polka dot paper, a stamped image in Cocoa colored with markers, and some Baker's Twine.  They look so cute together!



I also cut out a cute design from the Artiste Cricut cartridge as a holder.  Decorating it up with the same polka dot design, a thin strip of Whisper cardstock, and an embellishment from the ProPlayer Assortment set.



Unfortunately my family wants to eat supper, so my time is over.  (* sigh *)



Ha!  Enjoy!

~Dani
 

Just Because!

Here's a fun card to share, just because.  Using the new Maximum Power set, with some Liquid Glass as accents as well as some Square Studs.  The ink color is Chocolate with just a touch of Watercolor Pencils coloring the truck.  I also used the stubble brush from the Texture Tools set to add some dirt all over and especially "spraying" behind the truck.



Enjoy!
 ~Dani
 

September's Stamp of the Month set: Poster Tidings!

September's stamp of the month set, Poster Tidings, is perfect for the upcoming autumn and winter seasons.  While I personally am not anywhere near ready for the colder weather heading our way, I can have the perfect cards and layouts ready.  :-)







That last one is cute enough that it ALMOST makes me ready for winter... no, sorry... not really even close.  :-)

Enjoy!
~Dani
 

House Project: Ottoman!

I alluded to a house project that was almost finished, and I can finally share it.  It isn't using any CTMH products, but it is what I would consider a creative project... so therefore, I shall share it here.  HA!  There are some really neat blog posts on Pinterest (I know, right!) on how to create your own, inexpensive ottoman.  I had some leftover fabric and foam from making cushions in the living room, so I decided that I wanted to try to make one for our house.

Step #1: Have a good buddy who is always checking out garage sales find us a good base.  He did a great job, finding us this:



It was in great condition for little cost, absolutely perfect for the project and our budget.  My only concern was all the how-to's online were for square or rectangular shaped tables; I thought the oval may be tricky but probably still doable.

Step #2: Check out all the different how-to's online and determine what I needed.  I gleaned what I was doing from a few different blog posts, probably still pinned in my Inspiration board on Pinterest.  I really didn't need all that much. I had to get upholstery needles (scary looking!), buttons that I could customize, and batting.  I ordered what I needed from Amazon, and I waited.

Step #3: Everything is here!  Actually everything had been here for a while, I just hadn't really sat down and tackled the job yet.  First I had to get some measuring tapes and rulers to mark up where I needed the buttons to be.  This was not a one person job, my husband had to help me (probably a bit more than he really wanted to) with a few parts here and there.  His first contribution was drilling the holes for the buttons in the table.  It seems sort of sacrilegious to drill holes in a table that seems perfectly fine but just get over it.  After he drilled the holes, it was back to me again.

Step #4: I got out the batting, fabric and foam for the ottoman.  And I discovered a slight problem, a gallon of distilled water sitting by the foam had apparently for some reason decided to start leaking.  Lovely.  My foam was damp and in some places, really wet.  (* sigh  *)  Project put on hold once again as I dried out and ensured the foam wasn't holding any moisture before moving on.

Step #5: Foam is dry and good to go!  Yeah!  There seemed to be some differences between posts whether or not to use spray adhesive to attach the foam to the table.  Personally since I had some here already, I figured it could only help.  So Delaney was nice enough to spray the table for me in the garage (keeping me away from the fumes) a couple of times until it was ready.  Then I centered and placed the foam on top of the table, got out the cheap electric bread knife we got just for cutting stuff like this, and carefully walked around the oval table cutting as I went.  Next I centered and placed the batting, and then the fabric. 

Step #6: Creating the custom buttons for the cushion.  I had never done anything like this before, so to ensure I had a better idea of what I was doing I found some You Tube videos to watch.  Very helpful, so Delaney was talked into helping me make the buttons.  I used the template to carefully cut out the fabric, while she popped them all together.  It was definitely the easiest part of the entire project.  I was trying to get her to chat with all her friends that she was making custom buttons with her mom, but she declined.  Apparently her sharing of what seems like most everything, does not include lame projects with her mom.  :-)

Step #7:  It was time for Kenny to help again.  This is a two person project here; I really don't see how one person would be able to both wrap the needed batting and fabric around, staple it down, and hold everything at the same time.  So I was helping hold everything, getting the fabric in place, while he was doing the actual staple gun work.  Again, not too difficult.  The hardest part was trying to ensure that the curves were wrapped and draped in a visually pleasing manner.  :-)

Step #8: At this point, it actually looks pretty good even without the buttons, but I think the buttons will just give it that final touch (and we already drilled the holes and made the buttons already anyway).  Again, a two person project.  Kenny sent the upholstery needle through to me, I sent it back to him, and then he secured it down on the other side.  It was probably the hardest part of the entire process.  But now it is finished!  Ta-dah!



It doesn't even look like the same table, does it?  I am very happy with how it turned out; it is the perfect foot rest for watching television on the couch.  It is really hard to see the buttons in the picture, so here is a close-up:



That is it; the big project that I just finished.  I started making some art with September's Stamp of the Month set; I have a couple of cards made.  I have a couple other ideas to play around with, then I'll share all of those here soon!

Dani
 

Reel Life Artwork!

I was excited to make some cards with the new stamp set B1431 Reel Life, which is showcased with the new My Crush books.  I decided to play around with the pretty color schemes pinned on my Colors board in Pinterest too.  So I'll share the color inspiration first, then the card.

Color Scheme #1:
 


With this color scheme, I selected Champagne, Buttercup, Lagoon, Outdoor Denim and Sunset.  I also used a sentiment from the set Love Doily. Then for the final touch, I added a couple of heart embellishments from the Trinkets Wooden Shapes.



Color Scheme #2:
 


This color scheme led me to the colors of Black, Lagoon, Olive, Slate and Ruby.  I was visualizing a clean and simple design with the graphic elements from the set.  I also used a sentiment from the new set All the Details.  And since I didn't want to clutter up the design, I simply added a red Sparkle by the sentiment.



Color Scheme #3:



Since my first two color schemes had Lagoon in it, I decided to make sure the last one I selected had Lagoon as well.  For this color scheme, I went with Creme Brulee, Smoothie, Sunset and Lagoon.  I skipped the brighter pink color.  I decided to make my own polka-dot background with the Hello Today stamp.  I used the Cricut Artiste for the word Hello, with a pop of color in Lagoon.  Dressing it up just a bit, I added some Blue Epoxy Bubbles. 



It is almost hard to believe it is the same Lagoon color used in each color scheme, right?  We were definitely overwhelmed with the end of summer/beginning of school for both our kiddos.  I hope that things are getting into more of a routine, and I can share more art.  I also have a fun house project I am almost finished with that I can share here soon as well.

Dani

 

Grand Prize Winner from the Autumn/Winter 2013 Open House!

We have been overwhelmed with the start of school and everything going on, so I am a bit behind on everything!  Sorry it took me so long to get this all organized, but I have all the orders in and ready to go!  Everyone has been emailed if they won a door prize (if they won after they left), and now all that is left is the winner of the Grand Prize.  I had to film this myself, as my kiddos are both in school, so no judging please.  HA!

Drum roll please... and the winner is:



Congratulations, Joyce D. from Gary IN!  Enjoy all your extra goodies.  :-)

Dani

 

Art from the Open House!!!

It was great seeing everyone at the Open House!!! The 2013 Autumn/Winter Idea Book is filled with wonderful new products, so there was art, projects and a lot of ideas to share. I wanted to go ahead and share online some of the art on display.  First, I'll share the new Crown Point mini album kit, so it doesn't get lost in the post.



So here is the new kit, all ready to go, a Crown Point mini album - click here for a flyer!  A great little mini-album, perfect for all Crown Point events - personalized with whatever school name you'd like (just let me know when ordering).  Everything comes pre-cut and pre-stamped, ready for assembly, complete with instructions and photos. Here is a list of supplies needed that is not included, most of which you may already have or have something close you can substitute.

Supplies Needed for Kit: Scissors, adhesives (for paper and ribbon)

Any kit orders need to be paid for in advance, you can pay via check, credit card or PayPal online.

$18.00 - To make a Crown Point mini album (please let me know your title)   
$  5.00 - Add this for shipping costs, if you aren't local and able to pick up your kit   
$  ?      - Please contact me if you need some extra supplies for the project, and I'll give you a total  

CP Mini Album CP Mini Album (local) $18.00 USD CP MIni Album (to ship) $23.00 USD

The kits are available on a while supplies last basis.  If you have prepaid online and the supplies are no longer available for any reason, your fee will be promptly refunded.  If you have any questions regarding the kits, please don't hesitate to ask!  Moving on to some more art shared at the Open House!!!

Here is the other make-n-take that everyone made.  This card is made using Whisper and Slate to make a striped background, with a fun new shape from the brand new Artbooking cartridge for the ripped page.  The 'i heart you' sentiment is stamped in Ruby and is one of the new Mini stamp sets, Dotted Love.  These new minis are cute and affordable at only $2.95 each!  You can't beat that!  The mock heart print washi tape is from an extremely versatile new Hostess Rewards stamp set, Washi Wonder (a set of 24).  The new Hostess Reward stamp sets are only available for hostesses and are even specially reduced in price, which allows the Hostess Rewards to go even further.  It's time to get your gathering or book party on the schedule, so you can get your hands on these sweet sets!

 

Here is another card made with a Hostess Rewards stamp set: Wintry Wishes (set of 7).  These adorable penguins are perfect for sharing warm wintery wishes.  Combined with patterns from the new Frosted paper pack, and finished off with some Slate Polka-Dot Washi tape, a button and some baker's twine... this little guy can wish everyone to 'Have an ice day!'



I was so excited to see the new ProPlayer paper pack.  My son loves nothing more than to play video games, so I am sure that we will be using this paper and coordinating stamps a lot.  I used the set Tech Speak, along with Puns of Praise and All the Details.  I even used some coordinating Cricut shapes to pull it all together, including the 'Congrats' sentiment.



Using the new background set Geometric Backgrounds with the sentiment from the Sweet & Lovely stamp set from the Artbooking bundle, I was able to just play around with colors and come up with a unique combination of Sweet Leaf, Smokey Plum, Smoothie and Creme Brulee.  Adding a couple of butterflies sponged with Smokey Plum, embellished with green epoxy bubbles, and this card definitely is 'lovely'.



This card is made using the new Artbooking collection, not only the Cricut cartridge, but also one of the coordinating stamp sets: Sweet & Lovely.  The 'sincere thanks' sentiment is also stamped in Ruby from the Card Chatter-Sympathy set.  Just a touch of embellishments with the crocheted flower and a round stud in antiqued gold, and this card is ready to go!



Going a little crazy with the new Artbooking collection once again, I created the chevron background as well as the adorable lion.  The Sweet sentiment is from the Sweet & Lovely stamp set from the new Artbooking collection too.



Using a couple more of the new inexpensive, but oh-so-cute Mini sets, I have a colorful birthday card.  This card is using A Little Gift with Heartfelt Birthday Wish.   Playing around with colors again, I used Ruby in the background along with Sorbet, Olive, Lagoon and Creme Brulee.  I had a hard time getting the colors in the picture to all look right for some reason, I think this one looks pretty close at least now.  A little paper piecing with a touch of sparkle, and voila, a quick and simple birthday card.



The ability to utilize whatever colors you want is one of the great strengths of stamp sets, and why I just love to use them.  Playing with yet another fun color scheme, I used Chocolate along with Lagoon, Sunset and Pear on a Kraft background.  This card is using Love This with A True Thank You with a touch of baker's twine with epoxy bubbles.



Simply by adding the Cranberry ink to the Frosted paper pack, I have a fun holiday card using the stamp set from the Frosted cardmaking kit. A touch of pearl opaques along the border and the holiday festivities are ready to begin!



Keeping with the same festive spirit, I have this simple 3"x3" Christmas card made with the Tree Delights mini set!  A strip from the Frosted paper pack as well as Brown & Tan sparkles completes this cute card.



More fun with the new Artbooking collection, I cut out this fun sun background and combined it with the Cityscape set. The 'Sparkle & Shine' sentiment is from an upcoming Stamp of the Month set for November, Illuminate. 



And last, but not least, having fun with a couple of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets again, Washi Wonder with Family Photo, I made this fun "Oh, Snap" card.  A print from Laughing Lola paper pack is used, along with the Cricut Artbooking collection for the large 'OH SNAP' sentiment with the smaller sentiments stamped from the Sightseer set.



If you weren't able to make it and get your new Idea Book, make sure to stop by and pick one up.  You can also view it on my online business site: Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book. 

Enjoy!
Dani

 

August's Stamp of the Month set: A Chocolate Affair!

August's stamp of the month set, A Chocolate Affair, is absolutely delicious! I think it is really hard to go wrong with chocolate, right? Yum! And to 'sweeten' the deal, Close To My Heart is offering it FREE this month with a $50 order.  You can't beat that!  I know that many of you were planning on ordering the new Cricut cartridge anyway, so check out these scrumptious cards that you could make.







I think I need some chocolate! :-) Double Stuf Oreos sound really good, don't they?

~Dani
 

Open House this Saturday - August 3rd from 9am to 2pm!

An Open House Celebration
for the new Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book!
Saturday, August 3rd -- 9:00am - 2:00pm


There will be:

-New product and artwork on display

Including a fabulous, brand new Cricut collection - Artbooking; paper packets with the enticing names of Laughing Lola, Frosted, ProPlayer and more; beautiful new home decor options; stunning new stamp sets; and so much more!
-Free make-n-take projects, here's one project:


-A small selection of "take home today" products, specially priced

-Open House only specials
Also a special Open House only incentive for anyone purchasing a Cricut collection - select from the new Artbooking, Artiste or Art Philosophy!
-Door Prizes & Grand Prize Basket

-Light snacks and refreshments


Make sure to stop by to get YOUR *FREE* Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book!!!

Dani

 
 

July's Stamp of the Month set: Sweet Life!

I made some time early this month to play around with July's Stamp of the month set: Sweet Life!  It is a very artistic set with several sentiments that coordinate perfectly.  My first one, I just reached for our new markers and colored away.  Have you used our new markers yet?  I absolutely love them!  I can easily color without any lines, blend and color over areas without the paper pilling.  So nice!!!  I think I used the two Creme Brulee colors with a touch of the lighter Autumn Terracotta color.



Then I decided to color with our Watercolor pencils next.  I also had fun with combining several embellishments on the card as well.



Then just to keep with doing something different, on this last card I paper pieced.  It is very clean and simple, but I really like how it turned out.  I love the patterns peeking out on the images.



This set is only available until the end of July, so don't wait to order it.  You can just purchase it regularly priced, or get it for only $5.00 with a qualifying order.

We also have a couple of patriotic stamp sets available this month, and here is a quick card made with one of the sets.  Love it!  Perfect for the Fourth of July holiday weekend pictures.  :-)



Our current Idea Book is live until 7/31/13!  This is your last chance to stock up on any patterned paper, embellishments and basically everything else but the stamps.  Any of the retired items are on a while supplies last status, and there are a few things already unavailable -- so don't wait to get your order in!!!  Starting in August, we'll have a brand new Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book (and a brand new Cricut cartridge that you are going to absolutely adore, and so much more to share!).  More details on an Open House to come soon...

Dani

   

New Kit: Happy Birthday themed!

I'm going to go with, better late than never, and finally share the next kit available.  :-)  I'm switching things up a little, and there will be no more workshop class times.  Everyone is always busy, myself included, and attendance has really dropped at the classes.  Many times those who were planning on attending, call me the day before or day of the class to say that something came up and to just package up their kit to go.  It's not a big deal, I completely understand; it seems as if our schedule is always jam-packed as well.  Since the To Go kit option seems to be more popular and convenient, I'm going with kits only for a while and see how it goes.

This will also open up possibilities for a variety of kits.  I was always careful to include a scrapbooking and card making option in each kit, so that everyone had the chance to do one or the other (or both!) and that way everyone is happy.  But now, the kits will just be available as long as the supplies are, so I can now have fun and have even more projects.  I am working on a Crown Point school themed mini album which I will have available here soon, and I have lots of ideas for additional kits that I can't wait to share.

Some of the nitty gritty details:

-Each kit is pre-cut and ready to stamp and assemble, complete with all products listed and directions.
 
-Kits are available on a while supplies last status.  If you have prepaid online and the supplies are no longer available, you will be promptly refunded.  
 
-Everyone who purchases a kit will receive one free copy of the current Idea Book, just let me know if you need one.
 
-Each kit will come with a special coupon, that is exclusive to the kit.
 
-Local participants can simply pick up their kit, while long distance participants need to add $5 for shipping.

-Kits will be mailed within 2-3 weeks (allowing time to order needed supplies).
 
-All kits need to be paid for in advance, thanks for your understanding.

-If you have any problems with your kit, please contact me.  I'll be happy to help figure it out, or if you are local, you can set up a mutually convenient time to work on it with me.
 


So here is the new kit, all ready to go, with a Happy Birthday theme - click here for a flyer!  Don't we always need birthday layouts and cards?   You can create the projects at your own convenience, directions included.  Here is a list of supplies needed for each project that is not included, most of which you may already have or have something close you can substitute.

Supplies Needed for To Go Kit: Z2171 Saddle Ink Pad; 1"x1", 2"x2", and 2"x6-1/2" acrylic blocks; adhesives; and a Z1114 Piercing Tool kit would be helpful (but not necessary)

Any kit orders need to be paid for in advance, you can pay via check, credit card or PayPal online.

$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 and able to pick up your kit   
$  ?      - Please contact me if you need some extra supplies for the project, and I'll give you a total  

Kit Costs Scrapbook or Cards(local) $25.00 USD Scrapbook & Cards(local) $35.00 USD Scrapbook or Cards(to ship) $30.00 USD Scrapbook & Cards(to ship) $40.00 USD

Since setting aside a time for a class is no longer a consideration, any of my previous kits since I started back up again may be available for purchase again as well.  My time is hard to come by as well, so I'm not going to take the time now and check whether all the supplies are available for each kit right now.  If you are possibly interested in one, simply let me know, and I will let you know whether or not I can still make the kit.  I just included a link to the original blog post, so disregard any class times and RSVP dates -- just pay attention to the kit design and supplies. 

Previous Kits (just let me know whether or not you are interested in purchasing one):

















 If you have any questions regarding the kits or any of the recent changes, please don't hesitate to ask.  I love to hear from you guys!

~Dani