Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book is almost here!

The new Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book will go live to everyone starting tomorrow, February 1, 2012.

You may have seen sneak peek here and there, but starting tomorrow, you could enjoy its full version.  Click here to browse the idea book.  Let me know if you'd like to have a copy of the Idea Book.  Enjoy!

Monday, January 30, 2012

Rock the Block Valentine's Day Card

Another simple card made by the Rock the Block stamp set.  With a couple of blings and buttons, this "Love you" card is done.  The stamp set is giving me so much fun!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

You Rock!

I am participating in this week's Mojo Monday.  This week's sketch looks like this:

This sketch really got me, as I rarely use building blocks on a card.  I had the joy of looking at other participants' artwork and am amazed by their creativity.  I found the You Rock paper from my stash I came up with this card:

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Photo Inspired Challenge

I am so excited to participate in this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge because it is a photo-inspired challenge.  The photo carries a strong sense of fall - the dark brown background, the leaves and the vintage feel.  Many of the design team's artwork also carries the theme of fall.  However, what really speaks to me is the transparent ornaments on the right. 

I would love to create a card with a lot of transparent objects.  So I searched through the stash and found the Clear Assortment Buttons.  The buttons, however, are more spring-inclined.  Thus, I used the Sophia paper to cut out a flower to sprinkle some sense of spring.  With some stamped accents and embroidery floss, a beautiful card is done. 



This also reminds me that our Sophia paper is retiring, and so are  the embroidery floss collections except the neutral one.  If you want to grab them before they are gone, you'd better hurry!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Makeover Monday Challenge

I am participating in this week's Makeover Monday Challenge.  In particular, I want to challenge myself to use a  large portion of space in a card for a sentiment because I rarely do it.  I used the Wings Level 2 Paper packet from my stash and gave it a try. 


Thursday, January 26, 2012

Sending Happiness to My Friend

I had the joy to catch up with my dear friend yesterday.  She is going through a lot at this time.  To cheer her up I have made her this card, where the layout comes from Wishes, our Card Confidence Program.  I'll also keep her in my prayers.



Wednesday, January 25, 2012

January Stamp of the Month - Little Reminder

I have made a 5" x 7" card using a template from Originals, the Card Confidence Program by Close to My Heart.  This template is called Medallion.  This card shown below is unfinished - I'll highlight the receiver's birthday by stamping a heart or a star on the month and date. 
Materials used:
1.  Colonial White cardstock
2.  Bamboo cardstock
3.  Chocolate cardstock
4.  Sonoma Level 2 Paper Pack
5.  Chocolate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
6.  Little Reminder Stamp Set
7.  For Every Occasion Stamp Set
8.  Bulk Ribbon - Colonial White Grosgrain
9.   Love Letters Rub-On (retired)


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Rock the Block Valentine Card

Before the Rock the Block Campaign comes to an end, I'd like to show you another card that I have made with the stamp set.  This time it is a Valentine's card.  I just stamped the sentiments "Love" and "You and me = love squared" onto the Roxie paper.   Voila!  It is a nice Valentine's card.

Does the layout of the card look familiar to you?  You may have seen this layout in our Idea Books or flyers.   I've used a template from Originals, one of the Card Confidence Programs by Close to My Heart.  The book provides the dimensions of each piece and a step-by-step assembly guide.  The book also showcases some finished artwork for each layout for inspiration. 


Materials used:
1.  Black cardstock
2.  Tulip cardstock
3.  Rock the Block Stamp Set
4.  Bulk Ribbon - Cocoa Grosgrain
5.  Dimensional Elements - Hearts
6.  Sparkles - Clear
7.  Desert Sand Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
8.  Tulip Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
9.  Roxie Level 2 Paper Packet

Monday, January 23, 2012

Make a Miracle!

Do you want to do something really significant?
Do you want to change a childs' life?
Do you want to create a miracle?



You are invited to participate in the Make a Miracle Challenge by helping raise funds to provide corrective surgeries for children through Operation Smile®.  Contact me and let me know that you want to donate make a miracle.  You may also round up your order total and contribute the difference.  If you want to learn more about Operation Smile®, please click here.

Rally your friends and neighbors to participate in this meaningful event.  We can create a miracle in many children's lives!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Color Challenge

The Heart 2 Heart Challenge this week is a color challenge.  We are asked to use the colors Amethyst and Crystal Blue.  The first thing that came to my mind was Winter Wonderland - the color packet that features these two colors.

I've used the patterned paper as a background, then use Cricut Art Philosophy Collection to cut out the doily.  On top of the doily was Crystal Blue cardstock with the stamped sentiment and matted with Amethyst.  I've used the zip strip as a ribbon across the card, and put a Rhinestone designer brad in the middle of the bow.

The optional challenge is glitter.  I've put a tiny dot of glitter gel on the florishes.  The glitter gel is like a bottle of two thousand rhinestones, and the best of all - mess free!



Materials used:
1.  White cardstock
2.  Winter Wonderland Workshop on the Got
3.  Cricut Art Philosophy Collection
4.  Designer Brads - Rhinestone
5.  Chocolate Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
6.  Amethyst Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
7.  Crystal Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
8.  Glitter Gel

Saturday, January 21, 2012

You are a Star

I am participating in the Makeover Monday Challenge again!

I made this "You are a Star" card using the retired Level 2 paper pack called Hooligans.  It can be used for Halloween but I have used it to make more non-Halloween projects than Halloween items.  The combination of vibrant colors of Sunset, Lagoon and Pear may seem intimidating, but they coordinate so well with either white or black that the neutral colors will make everything balanced out.




The Hooligans paper pack is on sale right now.  If you'd like to try these bold colors, it is the perfect time!  The sentiment comes from a set called "Shining Star," which may no longer be available after January 31, 2012.  However, don't you love Baker's Twine?  Close to My Heart has just added it to our Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book!

Materials used:
1.  Hooligans Level 2 paper pack
2.  Dimensional Elements - Stars
3.  White cardstock
4.  Sunset Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
5.  Mini-Medley Accents Collections - Sunset
6.  Baker's Twine - Paradise Assortment

Friday, January 20, 2012

My Hero with Victory

To participate in this week's Mojo Monday Challenge, I have made this 4" x 4" card using some of the new products from our Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book.

The sketch looks like this:
And my card looks like this:


I have kept the original designs quite intact except that I've substituted the scalloped circle with a badge and the ribbon/strip across the card with the hemp.

The paper packet is called Victory and features some masculine patterns.  I think it will be perfect for a guy's card or layout.  The stamps used come from the set that is part of the Workshop on the Go Kit.  The square studs in the lower right corner and the hemp that goes around the card also come with the Kit.  The only item that comes from my stash is the wooden designer button.  Don't you love Workshop on the Go Kit?  A little kit has everything you need!

Materials used:
1.  Colonial White cardstock
2.  Chocolate cardstock
3.  Victory Workshop on the Go Kit
4.  Designer buttons - wooden
5.  Outdoor denim Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
6.  Barn Red Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Stella card

What was the first thing that I created when my order came in?  The little card shown below!  It is made of one of the new paper sets called Stella.  The vibrant colors are so brightening!  To make it more brightening is the stamp set that comes with the Workshop on the Go.  I've used the images of the lamp and the sentiment "You are the light of my life."  The card is made based on a pattern in Originals, one of our Card Confidence Programs. The images and the sentiments are so neat - what a great card to show appreciation.

Materials used:
1.  Cocoa cardstock
2.  Colonial White cardstock
3.  Stella Workshop on the Go
4.  Sunset Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
5.  Cocoa Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
6.  Colonial White Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
7.  Brad Assortment - Basic Assortment

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book is here!

The new Close to My Heart Idea Book will go live to customers in about two weeks.  Are you excited? If you'd like a copy of the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book, ask me how!


As a reminder, if you are considering to become a Close to My Heart consultant, you'll always get to review the new idea book and to order the new products before others can.  It is really a nice perk!

I'll share some artwork using the new products.  Stay tuned!


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The New Consultant Kit is now available!


Do you want to enjoy Close to My Heart products with a great discount?
Do you want to make extra money with your hobby?
Do you like Close to My Heart products?
Would you want to meet new people who have the same passion in paper crafting as you do?
Have you thought about being a Close to My Heart consultant?

If you answer "yes" to any of the questions above, you will want to know more about the benefits of being a consultant and how to become one.  Please contact me if you have any questions, and you may read more here.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Cherish with Roxie

At the Roxie playshop we made several items using the Roxie paper.  My favorite is the Cherish card shown below, which was designed by Close to My Heart.  This card features one of the patterns in Wishes, our Card Confidence Program.  However, I have given it a little tweak:  instead of using a circle, I have used the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge to cut the scalloped circle for the stamped image.  The two patterns actually come from the same piece of paper, just different sides of it.  That's why our new B&T paper is so versatile!
Materials used:
1.  Cards and envelopes (Colonial White)
2.  Roxie paper
3.  Colonial white cardstock
4.  Sparkles - Clear
5.  Flutter Paper Shapes
6.  Love Life stamp set
7.  Smoothie Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
8.  Desert Sand Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Mojo Monday 223 - Typeset card

I am just having so much fun with the Typeset Workshop on the Go that I am using it for the Mojo Monday challenge.  This is the sketch that I based my card on:

And my card looks like:
Instead of using scalloped circles, I have substituted with the two stars that came with the stamp set and I've replaced the bracket with an oval.  Originally I wanted to use the stamp "Let's B friends" included in the stamp set, but I came to realize that I should prepare a birthday card for a young gentlemen, so I have used the sentiment from Card Chatter - Birthday

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - use a stamp that has not been used

The Heart 2 Heart Challenge asks us to use a stamp that has not been used.  I was going through my stash and found this stamp set - A Melody.  I bought this immediately after I had seen it in the Idea Book because I am a music lover, but for some reason it was never used.  Thanks to this challenge I found out that it is perfect for a 3 x 3 card!  I am so glad that I have tried one of the patterns in our Card Confidence Program and I have used this stamp set!

Friday, January 13, 2012

You are Special - Typeset Workshop on the Go

I saw the post on Makeover Monday Challenge and I thought I could create a masculine card using the Typeset paper.  This "UR Special" card is made of the same paper as the box yesterday.  The Typeset paper carries the theme of going back to school, but we could always expand its use to something else.  This you-are-special card is one of the expansions.  The stamps come with the Workshop on the Go include stars, button, sentiments such as "UR Special," "Friends 4Ever," "Your're 1 in a Million," "Let's B friends" and "Just the 2 of Us."  The stamp set is exclusive to the Workshop on the Go. With the kit you'll have the Typeset Level 2 Paper packet, an instructional brochure, Milepost shapes, which are shapes made of corrugated paper, and a Create-a-Shade Pearl paint, which gives a shimmering effect and with which you can mix your own glimmer mist!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Rock the Block Gift Box

The Rock the Block stamp set is really versatile.  I can't help but reiterating it.  I've made two small gift boxes with the stamp set, along with other Close to My Heart products.
The box measures 2" x 2" x 2", just fit for Ghiradelli chocolate pieces, which make it a perfect gift for Valentine's Day!  I've used white cardstock and Tulip cardstock for the feminine version and the Typeset paper for the masculine version.  They are both cute.  What do you think?

Feminine version of Rock the Block box:




Musculine version of Rock the Block Box:



This stamp set is only available this month and won't be available anywhere else.  You'd better get one before it is gone.  When you place a minimum order of $25 from the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book, you get the stamp set and the My Creations Collage Cubes for $15!  It is a discount of $30!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Rock the Block card - Simple Birthday card

The Rock the Block stamp set is so versatile!  Not only is it good for the My Creations Collage Cubes, it can also be used to make other projects.  I have made this simple one-layer masculine birthday card in two versions.  They are essentially the same, just different orientation.


I'll share other projects I made with the Rock the Block stamp set.  Stay tuned!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

A Perfect 10!


If you have taken a ton of pictures over the holiday season, you probably want to download them from the memory card and make them alive in your scrapbook pages.  This month, Close to My Heart is offering a special called A Perfect 10.  If you are a Studio J member or become one in this month, you will enjoy one free layout for every 9 that you purchase. 

Not sure if you want to become a member?  Try it out!  It is FREE.  You'll see the magic of digital scrapbooking where you can finish layouts in a short time.

Monday, January 9, 2012

2011-2012 Close to My Heart Retiring List

Sadly, some of the Close to My Heart products may no longer be available after January 31, 2012.  The retiring products are listed below.  To order your favorites before they are gone, click here.


I.              Paper Collections
a.    Level 2 Paper Packs (8):
                                          i.    Believe
                                        ii.    Dreamin’
                                       iii.    Fanfare
                                       iv.    Lucky
                                         v.    Mayberry
                                       vi.    Mischief
                                      vii.    Sophia
                                     viii.    Wonderland
b.    Workshops-on-the-Go (8):
                                          i.    Believe
                                        ii.    Dreamin'
                                       iii.    Elemental
                                       iv.    Mischief
                                        v.    Roxie
                                       vi.    Sonoma
                                     vii.    Typeset
                                    viii.    Wonderland
II.            Embellishments
a.    MyStickease (8):
                                          i.    Believe
                                        ii.    Dreamin'
                                       iii.    Fanfare
                                       iv.    Lucky
                                         v.    Mayberry
                                       vi.    Mischief (Rub-ons)
                                      vii.    Sophia
                                     viii.    Wonderland
b.    Mini-Medley Accents (2):
                                          i.    Antiqued Copper
                                        ii.    Colonial White
c.    Brads & Eyelets (4):
                                          i.    Colonial White Brads
                                        ii.    Pewter Decorative Brads
                                       iii.    Black and White Daisy Soft Set Eyelets
                                       iv.    Chocolate and Colonial White Soft Set Eyelets
d.    Dimensional Elements (2): 
                                          i.    Flurry
                                        ii.    On Target
e.    Ribbons (6):
                                          i.    Colonial White Ribbon Collection
                                        ii.    3/8" Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon
                                       iii.    3/8" Cocoa Grosgrain Ribbon
                                       iv.    3/8" Colonial White Grosgrain Ribbon
                                         v.    3/8" White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon
                                       vi.    Wings Level 2 Assortment
f.     Embroidery Floss (3): 
                                          i.    Blue/Purple
                                        ii.    Green
                                       iii.    Red/Pink
g.    Waxy Flax (4):
                                          i.    Cranberry
                                        ii.    Crystal Blue
                                       iii.    Juniper
                                       iv.    Sorbet
h.    Various Accessories (11):
                                          i.    Bliss Level 2 Assortment
                                        ii.    Fanfare Level 2 Assortment
                                       iii.    Foundry Metal - Bookplates
                                       iv.    Harvest Charms
                                         v.    Holiday Pockets
                                       vi.    Just Blooms Spring Blossom Paper Flowers
                                      vii.    Just Blooms White Daisy Variety Pack
                                     viii.    Lucky Level 2 Assortment
                                       ix.    Lucky Level 2 Journaling Spots
                                         x.    Midnight Felt Shapes
                                       xi.    Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment
i.      Color-Ready Alphabets (2):
                                          i.    Hodge Podge
                                        ii.    Oxford
j.      My Creations Mini Albums and Paper Crafting Items (3):
                                          i.    Board Book
                                        ii.    Journal
                                       iii.    9x9 Memory Showcase
k.    Top Coats (1): 
                                          i.    Top Coats Icing Overlays
III.           Supplies/Tools (4):
a.    Rubber Brayer
b.    Soft Set Eyelet Tool
c.    Eyelet Tool Replacement Punches
IV.          8 1/2 x 11 Cardstock (3):
a.    Black
b.    Colonial White
c.    White Daisy
V.           Stamp sets
1.    A Hop
2.    A Little Buzz
3.    A Little Everything
4.    A Love
5.    A Paisley
6.    A Posey
7.    Adoption
8.    Adorning Corners
9.    Always In My Heart
10. Ambiance
11. Around The Block
12. Baby Love
13. Backgrounds & Borders
14. Beary Best
15. Beary Busy
16. Beautiful Butterflies
17. Beautiful Things
18. Believe In Your Dreams
19. Beloved
20. Birthday Blast
21. Birthday Boy
22. Bless This Nest
23. Blooming Layers
24. Bon Appetit
25. Boom!
26. Bunny Love
27. Campin' Fever
28. Carefree
29. Catching Waves
30. Charmed
31. Cherished Flourishes
32. Ciao
33. Circle Around
34. Circle of Love
35. Circle Together
36. Connections
37. Cruisin'
38. Cupcake Sprinkles
39. Daydream
40. Down By The Sea
41. Dream Big
42. Dreams Come True
43. Enjoy Every Moment
44. Extreme Happiness
45. Family
46. Family Ties - Adult
47. Family Ties - Children
48. Family Ties - Pet
49. Fill In The Blank
50. Flower Pot
51. For Every Occasion
52. Friendship Blessings
53. From My Heart
54. Fun Times
55. Happy Holidays
56. Happy Moments
57. Hero
58. His and Hers
59. Horizon
60. Hot Diggity
61. Howdy
62. In The Month Of April
63. In The Month Of February
64. In The Month Of July
65. In The Month Of June
66. In The Month Of March
67. In The Month Of May
68. It's A Zoo
69. Just For Boys
70. Just For Girls
71. Just The Ticket
72. Kanji Phrases
73. Let's Go Camping
74. Little Princess
75. Love Always
76. Love Birds
77. Love Ya
78. Magic Tabs
79. Makin' Waves
80. Ms. Chillin'
81. Ms. Scrapbook
82. Notice The Details
83. One Of A Kind
84. On The Edge
85. On This Day
86. Over The Rainbow
87. Paisley Praise
88. Piece of Cake
89. Play Day
90. Post Card - Travel Series
91. Precious Love
92. Priceless Love
93. Recipe Box
94. Retro Tech
95. Royal Birth
96. Salutation Seals
97. Shining Star
98. Smiles
99. So Lucky
100.              Soul Mates
101.              Springtime
102.              Star Power
103.              Summer Breeze
104.              Summer Days
105.              Sweet Baby
106.              Take Luck
107.              Tasty Treats
108.              Tea Time
109.              Thank You
110.              Thrill Ride
111.              T.L.C.
112.              Togetherness
113.              Treetops
114.              Trellis
115.              Two-Step Backgrounds
116.              Unity
117.              X-Treme
118.              You Did It
119.              You Rock
120.              You're Great
121.              You're Sweet