The Thoughts Of Crafters...

I'm busily working on new projects for our team's upcoming Open House Bash featuring the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book.  That means I should have lots of things to share with you in the weeks to come.  But as I was going through the blogosphere gathering ideas, I found this video on my friend Buffie's blog.

I can relate to just about everything these two girls say...can you?!?

Party Time with the Artiste Cricut Cartridge

Have you seen all the fun ways you can use the new Artiste Cricut cartridge?
Check out the CTMH video below and learn how to create an party full of decorations with just one button!
 



Nothing says Faster. Simpler. Easier. than Close To My Heart stamps and Cricut!
There is a Halloween Themed button , a Christmas Themed button , Cupcake Wrappers and lots more!  Look at some of the things you can create with this amazing cartridge:

As always, the Artiste bundle comes with the cartridge, 3 full size exclusive stamp sets, and 3 sheets of coordinating chipboard shapes!  Pretty sweet deal!

Your party and holiday crafting are waiting!   Stop by my website and get yours here!

New Autumn/Winter Idea Book from Close To My Heart

August 1st means it is the first day of the new Idea Book from Close To My Heart!  Yeah, let's all do the happy dance!


There you go!  A whole 6 months worth of new products and ideas for paper crafting and home decor!

I've sent out my first batch of Idea Books to customers and included this cute little card as a thank you.

It uses the new Flirty paper pack and Love Blooms stamp set!

To get the New England Ivy cardstock to wrinkle up like that I held each piece under running water until it became pliable.  Then I squished the heck out of it!  I carefully opened them all up and laid them on a paper towel under my ceiling fan.  After about an hour of Olympics watching, they were dry.

Actually, they were probably dry much sooner than that...but you know, I get carried away watching the Olympics!


You can see the Idea Book online here.  But if you'd like a copy of your very own...to hold, to carry around, to make lists from, to put under your pillow and dream about...wait, I didn't say that out loud, did I?!?

*ahem*

If you'd like your own copy...to do with as you please...just click on the link up at the top left and I'll get yours sent off today!

Free CTMH Paper Packs and My Stickease Sets

I love the Olympics...love them.  Get goosebumps and tears in my eyes at almost anything that happens during them.  Did you watch the Opening Ceremonies last night?  Did you stay awake for the whole thing??


My favorite part was of course the Queen and her escort, James Bond.  My boys all loved Mr. Bean and the Chariots of Fire.  Then they quickly fell asleep sometime after that.
I waited for an appearance from the Doctor...but didn't see one speck of a blue police box.  Rats.

For breakfast this morning, Engineer made us all Olympic Ring pancakes. Yummy!

Right now the TV is tuned to the Olympics and no doubt it will stay that way for the fortnight.  See, that's my Old English coming through.


Before I get too carried away with Olympics and all things English, let me share with you what I came to share...FREE Close To My Heart products and an offer from me!
July is almost over and the end is quickly racing towards us like...  well see, I've started up again.

This month, CTMH is offering a pair of free products when you place online orders!  How does it work?  Today, July 28th and tomorrow, July 29th, when you place a $75 order with me here,  you'll recieve a free Sophia paper pack and My Stickease!

Orders place Monday, July 30th and Tuesday, July 31st will recieve a choice of a free Believe paper pack and Holiday Pockets...

Or a free Wonderland paper pack and My Stickease!

With the end of the Spring/Summer Idea Book in sight, now is a great time to get all your favorite products before they retire at the end of the month!

And now for my offer...when you click to JOIN the "July's Craft Closet Party" from my website when you place your order, your name will be entered to win $30 in free products from the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book!

Have fun shopping and good luck!!

Me Mini-Album Featuring New CTMH Products

Well look at that...two posts in one week!


Careful...I wouldn't want any of you to get hurt.


I finished up one of the projects we did at Convention a couple of weeks ago.  There is always so much to do and look at, I don't think I've ever brought home a finished piece!  This one was fun to do and I'll be offering it as a class next month.
It features all new products, so this will be like a sneak peek for you! I've used paper from the new Avonlea and Scholastic packs, Slate cardstock and ink (a new fabulous color!), Slate Satin Ribbon, Silver Shimmer Trim (love this...self adhesive and the glitter doesn't flake off!), Houndstooth Irresistibles, Floret Paper Shapes, Sparkles (ok, not new but I still love Sparkles!!), and our new Album Pages Dimensional Elements...which happens to coordinate perfectly with our new Artiste Cricut Cartridge!

Take a look at how it all comes together:















I just love it!

It measures 4"x4" so it's the perfect size for little hands or for capturing little moments in life.

I hope to be able to get back to regularly crafting and blogging.  School started last week and this year, all 3 boys are in school all day.

Gives this mama lots of crafting time!  You know, after housework is done.


Yeah, that's what I thought, too!

CTMH Convention 2012 Roommate Gifts

It seems I've been neglecting my blog lately!

I'd love to say I've been on an extended holiday,

or become rich and famous,
or even been approached by a tall, dark and handsome man with a british accent and magic blue box.
But sadly, none of those things have happened...yet.

What did happen was Blogger changed things around and with the end of school and summer travels, I just did not have the time, or patience, to sit and figure things out again.

I did start several different posts, but ultimately had to just give up.  Things looked wonky and I had to wait for my IT guy (Engineer) to sit down with me and help.

But now I think things are settled down and I can actually get some things posted!

Let me start with sharing this necklace I made. 

A couple of weeks ago, our CTMH Convention was held in Dallas.  I've always brought the whole family with me to convention, but this time they opted not to join me.  Dallas in July...can't imagine why.


Anyway, since I was going to stay with friends, I wanted to join in that long tradition of giving roommate gifts.  I wanted something we could wear the whole time and decided on these stamped washer necklaces.  Do you like?

Inks: Ranger Inks Black, White, Stream, and Silver

I got a metal stamp set earlier this summer and was happy to find another use for it!  As you can see, I stamped "CTMH  Dallas  2012" on the back and colored the letters with a black sharpie.  Then I used rubbing alcohol to quickly wipe off the excess ink.  I used Ranger Inks to color the front of the washer to match our convention group color (Lonestar Lagoon) and then covered it with CTMH Liquid Glass.  I let them dry over night.  I found charms that would mean something to this convention: our initial, a heart with a rhinestone, and a boot.

I had so much fun making these!  I'm going to have to look for more excuses to whip some up...or not!

So now that I think I won't blow a gasket every time I try to post, I promise to be better about sharing things.  After all, a new CTMH Idea Book is almost here and it is full of fantastic things for the upcoming holiday seasons!

But if I do see a magic blue box around my house, you may not hear from me for a long time!