Halloween Cupcake Boxes!

At our annual convention this year, I taught a class using our new Party Products! I just love parties! And I love decorating and creating an atmosphere of FUN! So this week, I'm going to share the Halloween Party theme and some of the new products I used!

Our new Designer Creations Cupcake Box comes in a 2-pack for only $5.95. It is made of sturdy kraft cardstock and embossed with white diamonds and includes an insert to hold your cupcake in place!

The cool thing about the white embossed diamonds is they resist ink while the kraft paper absorbs ink! For my Halloween Boxes, I used a sponge and black ink and just rubbed the ink into the box. As you can see, the diamonds stay white, but the box turns black!

I used our fabulous Artbooking and Artiste Cricut Cartridges to create these images on the boxes - so easy!

The spider webs, fence, cat, and haunted house are from the Artbooking cartridge pgs. 70-71.

The Trick or Treat came from Artbooking pg. 55. And the spiders on the web came from our Artiste cricut cartridge pg. 77.

Inside each of these boxes I placed an electronic votive candle to turn these into luminaries at the party! When your guests are ready to leave, you can remove the votive and place a cupcake or treat inside to send home with them!

I used my new Cricut Explore to cut these images. I LOVE the intricate detail this new machine allows! I also use some of our new Purple, Black and Grey Glitter Paper to add a little sparkle! As well as a black bubble on the back of the spider for added dimension and creepiness and a bitty bubble for the door knob on the house!

Even if you aren't hosting a Halloween Party, these would make a great display on the mantel or by the candy bowl at the front door! Want to give it a try? Here are the products I used:

Artbooking Cricut Collection

Artiste Cricut Collection

Designer Creations Cupcake Boxes

White Cardstock

Black Cardstock

Purple Glitter Paper

Black/Grey Glitter Paper

Black Ink

Sponge

Black/Grey Epoxy Bubbles

Here is the Cricut Explore cutting file if you want to give it a try!

Happy Creating!

Creative Blogger Award!

I am honored to be nominated as a Creative Blogger by fellow consultant and good friend Karen Pedersen! Karen is amazing - she is the REAL Wonder Woman! She excels at everything - daughter, wife, mom, friend, cook, consultant, artist, leader, goofball! I just love her! If you don't already follow her blog, you will want to head over there and start now!

Creative Blogger is a chain of blog hop tours where you will have the opportunity to meet new bloggers, be inspired beyond your wildest dreams, and connect with blogs that will enhance your creativity!

 So here are my 4 questions I need to answer before I pass along my nominations…

What am I currently working on?

I'm ALWAYS working on something! Right now, at this moment, I am putting together goodie bags and treats for my upcoming weekend crop! Want a sneak peek?

How does my work differ from others in its genre?

Hmmm…..kind of a tough question. We have so many CTMH consultants creating the same products, but if you look closely, you will often find obvious and even subtle differences. I've had people say to me "that looks like something you made". It surprised me! You mean, I have a "look"? Cool! Another comment I have heard is that I focus on the details. Sometimes I just can't "let go" of a project until I add that one little special thing! I try not to "plow through" a project. I really want to give each project a piece of my heart!

Why do I create what I do?

Why….well, I find having a creative outlet to be therapeutic, relaxing, and rewarding! Don't get me wrong -- there have been projects where I've been so frustrated that I've thrown sparkles across the room! (Never a piercing tool though!) But most of the time, I find it very fulfilling to complete a project that I believe will bring joy to others! Every project I make is either a gift for a family member or friend, or one that my customers will recreate for themselves, family, or friends. So bottom line, I guess I create in order to bring JOY to others!

How does my creative process work?

The "process" can be different for everyone! For me, I need a spring board or starting point. For example, when decorating a room, you should pick a piece of furniture or picture or something to build around. With scrapbooking, I like to start with my pictures, pick a focal picture and theme, then select paper in the theme and color to make my pictures shine! When creating for my club, I usually start with a paper pack or stamp set and build around that. Like any creative process - whether writing a book or forming a sculpture - it kind of develops as you go along. I have a general idea of what I want, but as I cut each piece it begins to take shape and often changes from my original idea!

So…now I'd like to nominate some inspiring bloggers of my own!

This is SO hard! Many of the bloggers I drool over have already been nominated! And there are many more…..but just 2? Here goes…..

I nominate Michelle Snyder and Pamela O'Connor - two of the sweetest, most beautiful women inside and out! AND their artwork will knock your socks off!

Popcorn and Movie Nights at the Crop!

My helpers and I have been busy little bees getting ready for our crop on Friday October 3rd! I'm getting super excited for our weekend away!

NEW this year is popcorn and movie nights! We will be playing familiar, non-offensive, romantic comedies on Friday and Saturday nights just for fun! You can take a break and watch the movies up front at the workshop tables or stay in your seat and work without feeling like you are missing important plot points. 

If you are attending my crop, be sure to check out my FB Events page for all kinds of announcements and updates this week! It's probably not showing up in your newsfeed, you have to go looking for it. Or click here to go straight there!

See you all on Friday!!!

Crop Update!

I'm posting updates on my Facebook Events Page for my upcoming crop and I don't want you to miss out! 

Often times Facebook decides what you see in your newsfeed and I don't want you to miss this. If you are signed up to attend my crop coming up October 3-5 in Huntington, WV you need to visit my events page so you don't miss out on workshops, announcements, final details and fun stuff!

So head on over to my FB Event Page to keep updated and get ready for a weekend of FUN!!

Cut Above Cards with Hostess Stamps!

I'm so excited about my club cards for next month! These are the EASIEST cards you will ever assemble!

We are starting with our new Cut Above Happy Birthday Card Kit, but instead of the "birthday" stamp set, we are using a couple of my favorite HOSTESS ONLY stamp sets!!

Did you know that pgs. 5-10 of the Idea Book contain discounted stamp sets that ONLY Hostesses can order with their FREE product credit? Be sure to take a peek! I'm certain you will find a few "must haves"!

So combining the ease of the Cut Above Kits with these adorable stamps, here is what I've come up with! 10 cards (2 of each design) simply adding our black pigment ink and clear embossing powder and a touch of black cardstock!

 (swing card closed above - open below)

And each of these cards comes with a pre-printed coordinating envelope to make your mail stand out as EXTRA SPECIAL in the mail box!!

My club girls are going to LOVE this set! No cutting! And I haven't done any paper-piecing or coloring with markers on the stamped ladies - but you certainly CAN if you want! I just kind of liked the "classy" look of the plain black outline. And of course the raised SHINE of the embossing powder adds a touch of class! This is such a fun set of cards to have to send to a friend who might need a note of encouragement or a happy hello!

This 10 card kit is only $15!
And local club members will have option of choosing what to stamp on each of their cards, or to choose from other stamp sets if they want.

Want to join the club? Remember, "everything is better with a friend"! Join with a friend or come and make new friends today!

Artfully Sent Cricut Collection is HERE!

The highly anticipated Artfully Sent Cricut Collection is HERE!!! 

It was just unloaded from the Long Beach Pier and has been delivered to the Close To My Heart warehouses ready to ship to your front door!!

This amazing cartridge is designed specifically for card makers, but you can also use it for ALL memory keeping - including the new Picture My Life pocket cards!! Really, you can use it on ANY paper crafting project! Read on for all of the juicy details!

First, the collection itself is certainly SWEET enough, but I would like to mix in a special of my own to reward my customers. Anyone who orders the cartridge from me in September and October will receive a FREE pack of cardstock of their choice!

I will also be offering a FREE class this Fall to everyone who orders the cartridge from me! Stay tuned for the date….

Okay, let's talk about this amazing new product!! Close To My Heart has once again done all of the "think work" for you with this cartridge by creating pre-designed, gorgeous, high-level, often interactive cards for you! All you have to do is select the one you want and CUT! Wait 'till you see all you can do!

The cartridge, like our other cartridges, contains 700 images! It also features 400 unique projects (in addition to an assortment of envelopes and a font) with more than 25 card themes and 5 different card formats including dynamic interactive designs, this cartridge has a card for any and all occasion—even if the occasion is “just because!”



You can see from the chart below, the many different types of projects and finished sizes.



Card styles include:

In addition to the amazing cartridge itself, the Collection also comes with a full pack of White Daisy cardstock and 3 adorable stamp sets including a whimsical alphabet, fun frames, and TONS of great card sentiments! They have been designed to fit images specifically designed for this cartridge!

This entire collection has a retail value of nearly $120 - but can be YOURS for just $99!

Are you ready to order yours and start creating??? Click HERE to place your order today, then email me the FREE cardstock pack you would like and I will get it sent to you right away!

Would you like to get your cartridge at half price? Contact me about hosting an in-home, online, or book party to get yours for only $49.50!

Are you interested in getting this and ALL Close To My Heart products at a discount every day - along with extra income and FREE products and incentive trips for two? Contact me about joining my team! I'd love to share the opportunity to CREATE for a living with you!

As you can see, the options are ENDLESS with this cartridge!!! I'm so excited!! I've JUST NOW placed my order for mine and will be watching for that FedEx Truck to arrive! I can't wait to start playing and creating!!

Cut Above Halloween Treat Bags!

Here is another project I am offering my club members this month! This idea came directly from my dear friend and fellow consultant Brenda Rose! Check out her blog - you will be AMAZED!

I really TRIED to make mine different from Brenda's, but I just loved everything about hers that I couldn't!! They are so bright, and cute, and FUN!

You start out with our Cut Above Treat Bag kit and simply add a Cricut pinwheel/yo-yo and a Thistle cricut shape (both from the Artiste Cartridge) and pop-up your image and tuck in a sentiment! Voila!

I added a small bow from our new Thistle Diagonal Striped Ribbon and 2 black stars from the Scaredy Cat Assortment to each bag and colored the eyes with our new Golden Yellow marker.

The stamp set is adorable! It's called Frightfully Fun and is only $9.95! There are several images and sentiments to choose from!

I'm making club kits of 5 for $10 each

kits include:

5 pre-printed bags

5 plastic candy bags

60 candy stickers

10 black epoxy stars

30" Thistle Striped Ribbon

pre-cut paper to create pinwheel and image/sentiment

Optional Add ons:

Black Ink

Frightfully Fun Stamp Set

Micro Glue Dots

3-D Foam Tape

Liquid Glass

Mini Stapler and Mini Staples

You will have everything you need to assemble the project EXCEPT the candy. The bags hold 6-12 pieces of candy each. I used Rolo's since they have a flat bottom for the sticker to adhere to. I only used 6 but you can definitely add more! 

These would make great gifts for friends in the office or book club or kid's club! Or make a few to hand out to special neighbor kids or elderly couples that could use a cute little pick-me-up! Or you could be that one person in the neighborhood who goes all out and makes these to hand out to ALL of the neighbor kids! But really, this is an inexpensive project that is guaranteed to brighten someone's day!

How many sets would YOU like to do?

Sign up today!

Scaredy Cat Club Layouts

This month my club will be working on their Chalk It Up layouts, cards, and teacher gift. But we will be ordering for next month's project which is our Halloween kit - Scaredy Cat!

Here are the layouts we will be making. This first one is a pattern from the Make It From Your Heart Book - Volume 2. And it features a couple of images (web and fence) from the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge!

I've used the Chevron Border Punch (AGAIN! I can't stop! I love it!!) and the Scaredy Cat Assortment backed with some cardstock for a POP of color! And some of our black glitter paper for a border!

I also added some bats, bubbles and black stars!

This second layout is so very simple, but your photos can really SHINE on this one! The pattern comes from the Make It From Your Heart - Volume 1.

Here is a cute sticker that makes journaling your memories of the evening so EASY!

A fun pinwheel or yo-yo to accent the witch!

And I've added some silver glitter paper and used our scallop border punch to accent the title!

And since there are two photos that are 4x6, our flip flaps will allow you to add even MORE photos and journaling if you want!

The basic kit for my club members is only $15

and includes Scaredy Cat Paper and Stickease.

Optional add on's include:

Scaredy Cat Assortment - $6.95

Black/Grey Epoxy Bubbles - $3.95

Black/Grey Glitter Paper - $5.95

Journaling Pen - $3.25

Chevron Border Punch - $17.95

Scallop Border Punch - $17.95

3-D foam tape - $5.95

Liquid Glass - $6.95

4x6 Flip Flaps - $3.95

Make It From Your Heart Vol. 1 - $7.95

Make It From Your Heart Vol. 2 - $7.95

If you are NOT in one of my clubs, you can join today! Simply contact me and I can give you all the details! 

Thanksgiving Table Setting

My favorite season of the year is just around the corner! FALL! And all of the scents and flavors that come with it - pumpkin pie, cinnamon, pumpkin spice lattes, nutmeg, vanilla, warm bread baking, soups and stews, etc. But another thing that comes with this season is the back to back holidays designed to bring family and friends together to celebrate! And everyone knows I relish the opportunity to gather with others and celebrate just about anything!

So, continuing with my CROP workshops, (there are still a few more spots open if you want to join us), here is a Thanksgiving Table Setting that is sure to please!

I've used the colors in our fall Pathfinding Paper pack so that you can either SAVE these decorations for next year OR incorporate them into your Fall and Thanksgiving layouts! I've also used our Art Philosophy and Artiste Cricut cartridges for all of the pieces!

It features one of our burlap bags to tuck your napkin and utensils into along with some leaves and an acorn. You can assign seats by adding a name to the bag...

…or simply add a "grateful" tag instead. I embossed the chocolate colored oval with our new Woodgrain Embossing folder to add to the outdoorsy look!

I also included a card - that you can use for your invitation, or in this case I will write a note to my guest telling them how grateful I am that God brought them into my life!

You can see the Woodgrain Embossing Folder on this oval too! Love it!

Each guest will also receive a "slice" of pumpkin pie! I tried my best to make the lid look like whipped cream and the "flower" to look like a dollop up whipped cream!

I've added "crust" the the back and bottom and created a hinge-lid so they can open their pie for their goodies inside!

Inside they will find 3 strips of paper for them to write what they are grateful for. Okay - does YOUR family groan when you do stuff like this? Mine does, but it doesn't stop me! It's important to articulate a grateful heart every day, let alone once a year! I will include some chocolate candies inside to help sweeten the activity!

Each setting will also include Fall cupcake wrapper sized just perfectly to fit around a votive candle! I think candles instantly add a warm, cozy, welcome feeling to a room - or a table!

And finally, each place setting will include 8 leaves and 2 acorns to spread out around the table.

The cost per place setting is only $5

and includes:

Burlap Bag with leaves, acorn, and name or grateful tag

"Give Thanks" Card

Pumpkin pie slice with whipped cream

Candle wrapper with leaves

Leaves and acorns to decorate table

The more settings you have, the more candles and leaves you have to spread out on the table!

Be sure to sign up for this workshop BEFORE my crop to ensure you will have a kit waiting for you! If you aren't registered for my upcoming crop (Oct 3-5) CLICK HERE to sign up today! We are going to have a GREAT time!!