Bliss Wedding Invitations

A dear friend of mine is getting married and asked if I would make her invitations! I was thrilled to be asked! And so excited for her too! My inspiration came from Tracey Mason's card she made using Bliss and our February Stamp of the Month - Friendship. Here is the card that I made in February.

So when my friend asked me about her wedding invites, I immediately thought of this card. So I made a few subtle changes and here is what I came up with.

I used the Friendship stamp set along with the Bliss WOTG stamp set. (The inside information is printed in the same fonts as the front, I just didn't think I should show her personal info.) I started by printing the personalized sentiment on Colonial White cardstock. Then I stamped the couple holding hands using Versamark ink, sprinked with Clear Embossing Powder, then heat set with a craft heater. Then I sponged black ink in a circular motion over the couple. The ink will resist the embossed couple. Cool huh?

I also used our trendy black pleated ribbon from our Wings L2 Assortment pack (Z1398), some Pearl Opaques (Z1336), and the beautiful silver mesh flowers from our Bliss L2 Assortment pack (Z1355).

Sweetheart Baby Journal Gift Set

Boy - you can sure tell Spring is here! I have several baby gifts to make or purchase! Since I'm working on a tight budget, I decided to make personalized handmade gifts that hopefully carry more meaning. How precious would it be to have a book filled with "love notes" from mom, dad, sibblings, grandparents, godparents, etc. to read many years later or even as a child or teen when you need some encouragement! I hope each child will be overwhelmingly blessed by the words they read in these journals!



I altered a composition notebook, made a coordinating pen, card, and gift bag too! The card slips into a pocket on the front of the gift bag:



I used my computer to create the personalized title and changed the font color to coordinate with the papers. I also used our new designer ribbon pink collection - I chose the blush lace ribbon and the cotton candy pom-pom ribbon.


Under the flower, I added a "cheater" bow. Check out this tutorial on how to create less bulky "cheater" bows by Tresa Black.

Are you interested in purchasing a kit to make your own gift set? Contact me for more information!

Hope For Japan Fundraiser

We've all been reeling with the images of tragedy and devastation in Japan. If you're looking for an easy, real, practical way to help relief efforts, then I invite you to join me in our Hope for Japan fundraiser by purchasing this inspiring stamp set!

This beautifully designed stamp set reminds us of how our hearts are hopeful for those who are in need. Typically, our A-size sets retail for $7.95, but the "Hope for Japan" set will be available through April 30 for just $5--and Close To My Heart will be donating 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross to benefit relief efforts in Japan.

In our fundraiser for Haiti, consultants and customers across the US and Canada pitched in to provide help and it was amazing how much was raised to help with relief efforts! If we all do a little, together we can do a lot. Let's show our support and together, provide real HOPE for Japan!

This offer is available now through April 30, 2011. Click here to shop online (and check out our "while supplies last" discounted items while you are at it) or contact me if you'd like me to place an order for you.

Thank you for participating in providing help and hope!

Simply Scallops!

Our new 2" scallop circle punch is SO MUCH FUN! I've used it in our March Creative club as the cupcake top. Watch this tutorial for even more ideas with our scallop punch AND our 1 1/4" circle punch, Salutations Seals stamp set, and our My Creations Banner too!

Why I LOVE my job!

I've never had a job that gives me so much flexibility with both my time and income! I absolutely LOVE being a Close To My Heart consultant for MANY reasons....here are just a few....



Even our consultant kit offers different options to suit your interests and desires! And I have a welcome gift for you - just for joining my team! Close To My Heart even offers fantastic incentives for reaching certain, achievable goals in your first 90 days. I can help you reach those goals so you can receive even MORE in commissions and FREE product! I offer training to help you get started, along with mentor programs and quarterly team meetings. And be sure to mark your calendars for our annual convention! You don't want to miss the fun & excitement, training and free product we receive each year!!

Contact me if you have any questions or just want to chat about whether this could be a good option for you!

Birthday Cupcake Card Tutorial

Watch how easy it is to create what looks like real frosting and sprinkles on your cupcake card!

Birthday Cupcake Cards

This month's creative club project was inspired by the wonderful Lisa Stenz. (Woo Hoo!) She designed a birthday card project using our new 2" scallop punch and our new Card Chatter - Birthday stamp set! Here is my version:


And I always say - while you have your stamps and inks out - go ahead and create a coordinating envelope to go with it! Here, I used the Fanfare Workshop on the Go stamp set for the cupcake image.


This project teaches some very cool techniques including using a paper crimper for the cupcake "papers" and our very fun 2" scallop punch for the cupcake top! It also includes one of my very favorite new stamp sets - Card Chatter Birthday! This stamp set includes coordinating inside/outside birthday greetings!

As an alternative, I wanted to create another version that wasn't so feminine - more multi-purpose. In this version I used white cardstock for the cupcake top - then topped it with Liquid Applique and REAL cupcake sprinkles!



I'll post a video tutorial of this technique next so you can see how fun and easy this is!

Contact if you would like to join me for this month's project or if you would like to order a kit by mail - complete with pre-cut, pre-stamped papers and step-by-step instructions!

The kit is $5 for 3 cards/envelopes (pink or red/blue) or FREE with an order of $25 or more. Get TWO sets for FREE with an order of $50 or more, and so on. Additional sets may be purchased for $5 each.

Happy Creating!