Monogram Note Cards Make GREAT Gifts!

I know I've shared a couple monogrammed notecards sets in the past. They truly are one of my favorite gifts to give. I've made a few sets as hostess gifts lately, but silly me, I forgot to take pictures of all of them. I do have one set to share though!

These cards use the Vogue Alphabet (E1026) as well as Paper Fundamentals-Whimsy Assortment (Z2033). I love the versatility of the Paper Fundamentals - fun colors and white pattern on one side with a the same pattern clear embossed on the opposite side for a more subtle look. For these cards I just used the color & white side so the designs would pop a bit more. A little Slate Diagonal Striped Ribbon (Z1989) added the finishing touch!

Visit my website to find the products to make these cards - and so much more!

Seasonal Expressions Blog Hop

The first ever Seasonal Expressions from Close to My Heart is HERE! Seasonal Expressions is a "mini" supplement to our amazing Annual Inspirations, but there is nothing mini about it - it is simply chock full of fun new crafting products...new papers, new stamp sets and lots of new embellishments! And what better way to welcome the Seasonal Expressions (and give YOU a taste of what's inside) than with a Blog Hop!

If you've arrived here from Jean's blog, you are on the right track. If this is your first top, following along is simple - just click on the link at the bottom of each blog post to be taken to the next blog in the hop! We have over 35 talented consultants participating - just enough to whet your appetite for the goodness within the pages of the Seasonal Expressions!

This super easy card illustrates the versatility of our Picture My Life cards.  

I found the rainbow piece in the new Hopscotch PML kit. The "thanks" is from the new Variety of Thanks stamp set - a Hostess Exclusive - and is stamped using Ponderosa Pine ink. Those fun butterflies are from the new Junebug Puffies - yes, super fun puffy stickers! The rest of the card features Hopscotch papers (and one strip from the Heartstrings paper packet - I love how our papers mix and match so wonderfully!).

Products from the Seasonal Expressions are available NOW through March. Head on over to my website and pick up your favorites today!

Time to hop along and see what Judy Faye Garner created to share with us all! Happy Hopping!

December SOTM Blog Hop: Cutie Pie

December always has a way of sneaking up on us, doesn't it?!?! Well it's here and that means many things...holiday shopping, Christmas carols, baking, time with family and of course, lots of memories! It also means it's time for another Blog Hop!

If you've arrived here from Vicki's blog, you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, following along is simple. Just click on the link provided at the bottom of each blog post to be directed to the next blog in the hop. By the time you arrive back here you'll be filled with sweet, sweet inspiration! If you get lost along the way, or find links not working, you'll find the complete list of hoppers HERE!

The December Stamp of the Month, Cutie Pie (S1412) is a set of 11 stamps sweet enough you'll want to take a bite.

I was so excited to play with this scrumptious set and get some more time with my ShinHan markers and the brand new Hopscotch paper packet featured in the first edition of Seasonal Expressions (watch for another blog hop featuring all the Seasonal Expressions goodness later this week)! The result was this fun 8" x 3.5" card with a little freehand doodling with my Journaling Pen and a few Clear Sparkles.

I used the following ShinHan markers to color the cupcakes: Tender Pink, Light Orange, Turquoise Blue, Cherry Pink, Mohagany, and of course, the Colorless Blender.

For a little added inspiration, here are a couple adorable items created by our corporate Art department!

Time to hop along and see what treat Michelle cooked up for us!

Remember, the December Stamp of the Month set is only available through December 31st. Order it for $17.95, or place a $50 order and add it to your order for just $5!! Head on over to my website to get yours today! 

Cyber Monday Special!!

For the first time EVER, Close to My Heart is offering a Cyber Monday special - and it's AMAZING!!!

On Monday, December 1st only you can put any (or all) of our four exclusive Cricut Collections under your tree and save 20%!!!

Whether you love scrapbooking, cardmaking or any other kind of paper crafting, our four Cricut Collections are the perfect addition to your craftroom! Each Cricut Collection includes an exclusive Cricut cartridge (with over 700 images), 3 stamp sets that coordinate with the cartridge, and either 3 sets of coordinating Dimensional Elements, or in the case of the the new Artfully Sent collection, a package of cardstock. 

This is definitely a deal you don't want to miss! The sale begins at 12:00am, December 1st (that's 11pm CA time) and ends at 11:59pm. 

Visit my website to order yours!

CELEBRATE with Artfully Sent!

I am totally in LOVE with Close to My Heart's newest Cricut collection. Artfully Sent has so many amazing cards that come together so quickly and easily!

Thanks for joining us for the Artfully Sent Blog Hop! If you've arrived here from Michelle Jones' blog, you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, following along is easy. Simply click on the links provided at the end of each blog post to be taken to the next post in the loop.

I recently played with the CELEBRATE sentiment card design. I started by cutting it at 7" as specified in the handbook. The result was this fun and super simple 5"x7" card. The Snowhaven papers gives it a holiday feel.

After creating the simple 5"x7" card I decided to resize to create a smaller card. 

This one was cut at 4.75" and layered on a 4.25"x5.5" card. I added the sentiment at the bottom to add to the holiday feel of the card. 

As I was cleaning up, I noticed that I had the word celebrate still sitting on my Cricut mat. Hmmm...certainly those could be used!

I also had some of the Snowhaven scraps on my table, but wanted a different look for this one, so I use the Glacier B&T from Snowhaven along with a little Pixie cardstock. 

For more information on the Artfully Sent Collection, check out my previous blog post HERE and be sure to visit all the blogs in the hop!

Time to hop on over to Kelly's blog and see what she has created to share with us!

November SOTM: It's the Little Things

Happy November! Welcome to the November Stamp of the Month blog hop! If you've arrived here from Gina's blog, you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, following along is simple. Just click on the link at the bottom of each blog post and you'll be directed to the next blog in the hop. If you get lost along the way or find links not working, you can find the entire list of hopper's HERE.

This month we celebrate those little things that make life wonderful with a cheery set sure to make anyone smile. It's the Little Things (S1411) is a set of 15 stamps...fun and funky flowers and sweet heartfelt sentiments.

I just LOVE the new Seaside papers and thought it went perfectly with the fun flowers in this stamp set. This quick and easy card uses Hollyhock, Sorbet and Glacier inks. The strip of Bronze Shimmer trim adds just that touch of bling I love so much!

Time to hop along and see what my friend Dana has created to share with us!

Remember, the November SOTM is only available through November 30th. As always, the retail price is $17.95, but you can add it to your $50 order for just $5! Head on over to my website and order yours today!

October Stamp of the Month: Home for the Holidays

Welcome to the October Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! If you've arrived here from the amazing Fancy Melissa's blog, you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, following along is easy! Simply click on the link at the bottom of each blog post to be taken to the next blog in the hop. This month we have over 70 talented consultants sharing their creations, so by the time you arrive back here or to your original starting place, you will be inspired to get those holiday crafting projects started! If you get lost along the way or find links not working properly, you can find the complete list of hoppers HERE.

The October Stamp of the Month, Home for the Holidays (S1410) is an adorable holiday themed set of 7 stamps that coordinate with the exclusive Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. This fun set has so many possibilities...scrapbook pages, cards, gift tags, and more! It is also the perfect companion to our new Snowhaven paper packet!

I couldn't resist this opportunity to play with the brand new Cricut Artfully Sent cartridge as I created with the Home for the Holidays set. Just as I'd hoped I found the perfect card base in Artfully Sent to go with the adorable bear "postage stamp" image in the stamp set.

The postage stamp image was created with a series of paper piecing. I stamped the image a total of 4 times - one time each in Glacier, Cranberry and Black and then once again in Glacier on the postage stamp shape cut from Art Philosophy. 

Next, I cut the parts I wanted from the first three stamped images.

I used a little 3-D Foam tape to provide a little pop to the black layer and the bear.

I chose to adhere the Cranberry scarf flat, but you could certainly add another pop of 3-D Foam Tape.

After cutting the card base from the Artfully Sent cartridge, I used a touch of Red Shimmer Trim and the diagonal striped "zip strip" found on one of the papers in the Snowhaven kit. I also added a few Sparkles on the black background of the postage stamp image and the 4 snowflakes on the card base.

Here are a couple additional pieces of artwork from our amazing Art Department at Close to My Heart!

 

Time to hop along and see what Lalia Harris has created to get us in the creative holiday spirit!

Remember, the Home for the Holidays stamp set is only available through October. It retails for $17.95 or you can add it to your $50 order for just $5! Visit my website to get yours today!