Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a heart and home full of peace and joy!

Merry Christmas!!

FREE Printable Christmas Gift Tags!

Just in the nick of time, Close to my Heart has provided some fun printable Christmas gift tags for you to download! 

Just visit my website here and download the file for FREE! Then you can print them out on white cardstock and attach them to your packages with ribbon or bakers twine!

They will be available to download through December 31st.

Merry Christmas!

Create the Date - Calendar Project!

In this episode of Clearly the Best, Kristine and Monica will show you how to use the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge and our Flip Stand to create your very own uniquely beautiful personal calendar for the year!

Click here or on the image above to watch in YouTube.

Are you ready to create your own version of this calendar? All you need is your Artbooking Cartridge, a flip stand, your favorite cardstock and a few accessories! You can even create your own accessories - like the arrows Monica used - with the cartridge and coordinating stamp sets that come in the Artbooking Collection! So cool!

You can click on the images above to add them to your cart!

Happy Creating!

Last days to order from the Holiday Guide...

Just a reminder that this is the last month to order from the Holidays From the Heart Guide! There are a select few items that will be available in our Spring/Summer Idea Book in February, but many of these products will be gone for good after December 31. So if there is anything you want, be sure to order it before it's too late!

Also, our special continues through the end of the month - purchase $100 in full retail product (discounted items don't apply) and receive a FREE item from the Holiday Guide. (When ordering online, once you qualify, you will be prompted to select your FREE item!) 

You can also receive the stamp of the month for only $5 with a $50 purchase!

Plus there are plenty of discounted items in our While Supplies Last section here.

And finally, don't forget about the products that are going to retire as of January 31, 2014. They are only available now - while supplies last, so if there are items you really want, don't wait. They just might be gone! You can see the retiring products here.

You can view the guide online and see sample artwork here.

You can view the Holiday Guide products available for purchase here.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!

Babycakes Birthday Layouts!

My clubs next month will be working with our Babycakes papers - but with a birthday theme!!

Several months ago I was inspired by the fabulous artwork of fellow consultant Pamela O'Connor when she designed birthday layouts using our Babycakes papers - which is purposely designed for babies. But as with all of our paper packs you will find that you can always deviate from the main "theme" of the paper pack and use it for many different occasions! As shown here...

(I really tried to deviate from Pamela's design but just couldn't! She did such a great job!!)

Here is the first layout:

All of the images were cut from our new Artbooking cartridge!

Your layout can say "girl" or "boy" or just "birthday"!

Here is the second layout:

This second layout is missing some elements. I only had a partial pack of the Babycakes Assortment so I had to order more. Once they arrive I will add a button/bling with twist ties on the end of the banners.

This layout is also PERFECT for our 6" x 4" flip flaps on the 2 main photo areas - to add more photos and journaling without making it look cluttered! The small photo/journal spot on the right will accommodate a 4" x 3" flip flap from our small assortment pack!

Again, the titles and elements on these layouts all came from our Artbooking Cricut Cartridge which makes creating beautiful layouts OH SO EASY!!!!

The basic kit is $15 and includes:

Babycakes Paper Packet

Babycakes Assortment

Instructions

Optional Extras include:

Bronze Shimmer Trim - $5

Brown and Tan Sparkles - $3

Slate Twist Ties - $4

4" x 6" Flip Flaps - $4

Small Assortment Flip Flaps - $4

Would you like to attend the club next month? 

We are meeting on Friday, January 24th! 

Contact me to order a kit, join the club, or attend as a guest!

(Stay tuned for the card kit - coming soon….)

Frosted Card and Gift Box!

Tonight our home group from church met at Rio for our Christmas Dinner together! 

Boy these guys are a wild bunch! I prepared some  trivia games for us to play and for a PRIZE! You should have seen them FIGHTING over who won! All over a bag of Christmas Kisses! Did I mention this was my home group from CHURCH? Just kidding. I love these guys!

I made each family a symbolic gift. We have been talking lately about being examples to those around us so I thought this went along perfectly with our study!

And since our products coordinate so beautifully, I had to have a coordinating card and package! I already had the card, so I simply added some of the Frosted Papers to one of our kraft ring boxes. 

I inked the edges of the box with our Colonial White pigment ink. Then added colonial white card stock and Frosted B&T papers - along with a sparkle flourish, silver shimmer trim, and some of our metal flowers.

I tied a big bow around the box using our Slate Satin Polka Dot ribbon. I LOVE this ribbon - and it's on the retiring list! (Stock up while you still can!!!) I stamped a sentiment from the Perfect Fit - Holidays stamp set and cut the shapes from the Artiste Cricut cartridge!

Inside is a Sparkling Icicles candle from Bath & Body with the "symbolic" part - Let your light shine! 

Then Jes handed out her gifts! Oh my! This woman is amazing! She shot the deer, then canned it, then decorated the can and included a coordinating card that she made at club last month! She even had a recipe inside the card to use with the venison!! 

I must admit I'm a little unsure about this - but I keep hearing how good it is…..so I'm determined to try it. And coming from Jes, it has to be good! Anyone want to stop by for dinner?

Merry Christmas! Hope your Christmas parties are just as much fun!

Artbooking Made Easy: Friendship Layouts

This latest video compares and contrasts layouts made with the same keys and elements, but how UNIQUELY DIFFERENT they look when placed in different areas or in different colors. 

(click the image above to watch in YouTube.)

The sky is the limit when using this fabulous cartridge! I know some of you will find this collection sitting under your tree this year! But if you don't, no worries! Just come back and click the image below to get yours right away!

Happy Creating!

Stonewall Resort Crop - are you ready to Party?

We had our planning meeting last night at Fat Patty's for the Stonewall Resort Crop coming up Jan. 31 - Feb 2, 2014!!! Woo Hoo!! We are getting excited -- are you? 

If you are signed up, head on over to my Facebook Page and join my event so you can stay up to date on all of the info - incentives and workshops and all the details!!

If you haven't signed up yet but are interested in going, let me know and I can add you to my waiting list - you never know, there are usually last minute cancellations and I don't want anyone to miss the fun!!

Artbooking Made Easy: Christmas Layouts!

Are you ready for another episode of Artbooking Made Easy? The program where we show you how EASY it is to create awesome projects using our new Artbooking Cricut Collection!

In this episode, you will see how to EASILY create layouts using the 2 Christmas keys just as they have been pre-designed for you - OR if you are feeling creative you can mix and match! Click on the image below to watch this episode in YouTube!

Do you have your very own Artbooking Cricut Collection? If not, click below to order today so you can be ready to get this year's Christmas memories in your album right away! Or to tuck under the tree for someone special!

Merry Creative Christmas!

Get Great Deals While Supplies Last!

There are a bunch of NEW products marked down to rock bottom prices!!! And they are only available while supplies last! Click on the shopping cart to check them out and grab some great deals while you can!

Artbooking Made Easy: Cross-Cartridge Collaboration

While each Cricut^® collection from Close To My Heart is a treasure trove all its own, together they offer an unmatchable selection of borders, overlays, photo mats, and much, much more! The thousands of both classic and trendy die-cuts found within this terrific trio will ensure that the projects you make are always uniquely your own. Mix ‘em, match ‘em, and love ‘em!

(Click on the image below to watch in YouTube)

You will love the imaginative ideas you get from this video! If you don't have ALL THREE cartridges, be sure to let Santa know what's on your wish list!! Maybe you can even send him this link as a hint! ;o)

The Artbooking Cricut Collection - $99

The Artiste Cricut Collection - $99

The Art Philosophy Cricut Collection - $99

I'd love to see what you create as you collaborate!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving! My heart overflows with gratitude for each one of you and I pray that you will be surrounded by loved ones today - for that is more important than all the good food that will be shared. (Did I just say that? Yep!) Although I LOVE food, it's the relationships in our lives that matter most.

Thank you Lord for the people you have brought into my life - to mold me, shape me, bless me, and challenge me. I pray for those who are alone today and ask that you bless them and comfort them with your love.

Now I'm off to go finish up some of that "good food"!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Clearly The Best: Do the Twist!

Here is the latest how-to video in the Clearly The Best series featuring our new Twist Ties! I've been playing with the curly-cues for a while now, but I LOVE the Wired Washi and Wired Ribbon techniques! I'm certain you will too!

(Click on the image above to watch in YouTube)

Below are some of the supplies used in today's projects. Click on those images to get more information or add them to your shopping cart!

 Slate Striped Twist Ties

Washi Tape to create the Wired Washi look:

Textiles to create the wired ribbon look:

I've got to go and "do the twist" myself now!

Happy Creating!

Sparkle and Shine Christmas Card Kit

Next month's card club will be making these 14 adorable but simple cards using our Sparkle and Shine paper pack along with our Sparkles - Holiday Shapes!

This first set of 5 cards comes with options - the tree version, and the baby Jesus version. Choose one or do a few of each!

The tree branches are embellished with a little Stardust Glitz Glitter and the banner with the sentiment actually folds down flat for mailing!

For the baby, I paper-pieced the blanket and body parts and added a little Blush Marker to his cheeks and Stardust Glitz Glitter on the halo.

The next set of 5 cards features the Sparkles Holiday Shapes! These fun shapes are actually one cluster - just like our flourishes. They easily lift up and lay right on top of your tree! And the star fits overtop of a cricut star shape cut at 3/4"! So easy!

I added a Silver Glitter cricut shape under the sentiment for a little more sparkle and shine! (The glitter paper is an optional add-on, but I LOVE the effect!)

This last set of 4 cards features cricut card bases and more Sparkles Holiday Shapes!

I added another Silver Glitter mat under this sentiment too!

The basic card kit is only $15 for 14 cards that really Sparkle and Shine!

The basic kit includes:

14 cards/envelopes

1/2 Sparkle and Shine Paper Packet

Sparkles Holiday Shapes

10 sparkles

Grey bakers twine

Optional Add On's include:

Black and Grey Glitter Paper - $6

Stardust Glitz Glitter - $3

Ruby, Juniper, Slate Ink Pads - $5.25 each

Merry and Bright Stamp Set - $13.95

Holiday Tags Stamp Set - $17.95

Always Grateful Stamp Set - $13.95

Mary and Babe Stamp Set - $13.95

We are meeting on Friday, December 20th at 1pm and 6pm. Contact me if you would like to join us! Even though it is so close to Christmas, these cards will be perfect to hand out to Sunday School teachers, neighbors, the mailman, the newspaper delivery person, your hair stylist, etc., as well as friends and family! Or make them a sparkling addition to your gift under the tree!

Hope you can join us!

Retiring Products - available while supplies last!

It's that time of year again - where we bid farewell to a host of products that have served us well, lived a long full life, and now must take a back seat to fresh, new, NOW products! 

You can see the products that will be retiring as of January 31, 2014 on my website HERE. They are available between now and January 31st at full retail price - while supplies last! So if there is an item that you really want or need to complete a collection, I recommend you grab it while it is still available. Once they are gone, they are no longer available.

There are some surprising items on the "retirement list"! That always makes us gasp with fright because we LOVE them and don't want to see them go! Ever! But once we see the fresh, new products that come in their place we always squeal with delight! So grab the ones you really want now and get ready to squeal on Febuary 1st with the release of our new Idea Book!