So hard to believe that today is the last day of October!  It is also time to say goodbye to the Fall catalog!  Today is the last day to order.  So many of my favorites are retiring...but fun new products are on the horizon! This super fun layout was created with the Gobble Til You Wobble stamp set!  So cute and perfect for Thanksgiving!
Do you mail out Thanksgiving cards?  I do!  It seems they are so unexpected, I always get lots of comments on them!  This set would be perfect for Thanksgiving cards!  You can view all of the currently available Close To My Heart products here!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Last call for all things Fall! I think Fall has pretty much left my part of the country...but those of you farther to the south are probably just starting to enjoy Fall.  The Close To My Heart catalog featuring Fall comes to an end on October 31 and all of the products will be retired.  I created my card based on the sketch challenge at The Paper Players-


My card features the Hawthorn Paper Collection and the October Stamp of the Month, Autumn Air. I inked my leaf and sentiment in Saffron ink and rolled into Sangria Ink for a two tone effect. I so love the Autumn Air Stamp of the Month. I can't wait to create some Fall scrapbook pages with the large sentiments.  Here is a look at the complete set-

You can add the set to a qualifying order for only $5 or purchase alone for the retail price of $18.95.

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
S1910 Autumn Air, October Stamp of the Month
Z3527 Hawthorn Scrapbooking Stamp Set
X7249B Hawthorn Paper Packet
Colonial White Cardstock-Retired
X6034 Sangria Cardstock
Burlap Cardstock-DCWV
Z2851 Saffron Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z6516 Sangria Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z4065 Rose Gold Loose Sequins

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Catch the Bug-Photo Inspiration
International Art & Soul-Celebrate Autumn
Moving Along with the Times-Rich Autumn Colors

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Last call for Every Little Thing!  The Fall Catalog is retiring October 31.  You only have a few more days to pick up your favorites.  The Stitched Circles Embossing Folder is a must have and is close to selling out!  My card is based on the sketch challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge-



My floral cluster is from the Every Little Thing paper pack.  I added Mint Shimmer to the rose for a little extra bling. I adhered the floral cluster with 3-D foam tape for extra dimension. The sequins are from the Julep sequin pack, the lighter tone sequins go well with Mint as well!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
D1283 Say It In Style Stamp Set
X7248S Every Little Thing Paper Pack
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
X6042 Mint Cardstock
Z6514 Wisteria Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z3570 Wisteria Ribbon
Z4225 Mint Shimmer Brush
Z3519 Stitched Circles Embossing Folder
Z3566 Julep Loose Sequins

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Crafty Friends Challenge-Embossing
Dream Valley Challenges-Add a Sentiment
Gem of a Challenge-Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Lots of Christmas tree decorating going on in the craft room!  While, I am normally one that totally does not put up the Christmas tree until after Thanksgiving...card making is different!  I am so loving the For the Tree ornament set!  I incorporated this ornament into the sketch challenge this week at Freshly Made Sketches-

Our Christmas tree is often done in shades of blue and silver....mostly because we have a Cowboys fan in the house....but also because I can not get away with doing a purple tree in a house full of boys!  I am sure you will notice this card has many similar elements to a card I posted earlier in the week in red.  I just love the addition of the pine boughs with the ornament die cut.  I have actually cut a full sheet of pine boughs to have on hand for future cards! The pine boughs were cut from the Close To My Heart Cricut Season of Joy Collection at 3.754" x 1.996" out of New England Ivy cardstock. I cut three branches and added shading to the edges with Copic marker G85. I then adhered the branches in layers onto the corner of my card. My ornament was silver embossed with color added with Copic marker B32.  A few bitty sparkles finishes it off!

All supplies by Close To My Heart,except where noted:
D1891 For the Tree Stamp Set
D1283 Say It in Style Stamp Set
Z3533 Custom Ornament Thin Cuts
Cricut Season of Joy Collection
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
X5959 New England Ivy Cardstock
X6039 Carolina Cardstock
Z3366 Silver Foil Paper
Z891 Versamark Ink Pad
Z2067 Silver Embossing Powder
Confetti Embossing Folder-Retired
Z4213 Silver Embellishing Thread
Z1263 Bitty Sparkles
Fishtail Dies-MFT
Copic Markers B32, G85

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Art Impressions-Holiday Cards
Creative Knockouts-Embossing
Happy Little Stampers-Anything Goes with Dies

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Scary good deals to be had on current and retired Close To My Heart items!  The sale starts at Friday, Oct 25 at 3:00 PM MT and ends Saturday at 3:00 PM MT.  All items are while supplies last!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I so love the versatility of the For the Tree stamp set! Just like your Christmas trees, you can create ornaments in any fashion you wish.  This card has quite a bit going on...but I love all of the dimension!  Just in case you want to replicate it, here is a break down of how it was created.

My base is a panel of 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"  White Daisy cardstock, embossed with a Confetti Embossing Folder.  I used Confetti to replicate falling snow.  I added a bit of sparkle, by embossing sparkle embossing powder to the raised image.

The pine branches were cut from the Close To My Heart Cricut Season of Joy Collection at 3.754" x 1.996' out of New England Ivy Cardstock. I cut three branches and added shading to the edges with Copic marker G85.  I then added them in layers to the corner of my card.

The Merry Christmas sentiment was cut from the Close To My Heart Cricut Artiste Collection at 4.159" x 2.445" out of Candy Apple Red Cardstock. I cut three sentiments and layered them together.  I added shading to the edges with a Copic marker R24.

My ornament was stamped with Versamark ink onto Candy Apple Red Cardstock and heat embossed in white.  For a little added sparkle, I overstamped with Versamark ink again and heat embossed in sparkle embossing powder.  My image was die cut with the Custom Ornament Thin Cuts. Bitty Sparkles were added for a little more bling. I cut the ornament topper out of Silver Foil Paper and tied my ornament to the branches with Silver Embellishing Thread. I applied my ornament to the base with 3-D foam tape for more dimension.

To pull it all together, I cut a frame out of New Englandy Ivy cardstock with a Simon Says Stamp Stitched Die.  I don't have any frames in my collection, so I cut out the center with my paper trimmer.

It might seem like alot for one card...but it did come together quickly and I love the end result!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
D1891 For the Tree Stamp Set
Z3533 Custom Ornament Thin Cuts
Cricut Close To My Heart Season of Joy Collection-Branches
Cricut Close To My Heart Artiste Collection-Sentiment
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
X6038 Candy Apple Red Cardstock
X5959 New England Ivy Cardstock
Confetti Embossing Folder-Retired
Z891 Versamark Ink Pad
Z2068 White Embossing Powder
Sparkle Embossing Powder-Hero Arts
Z4213 Silver Embellishing Thread
Z1263 Bitty Sparkles
Copic Markers R24, G85

I have entered my card in the following challenges:
Creative Sketchy Girls-Create a Christmas Card
Creative with Stamps-Tree
Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge-Anything Goes w/optional Twinkle
Heart 2 Heart Challenges-Sparkle
Sweet Stampin Christmas-Anything Goes
The House the Stamps Built-Anything Goes
Watercooler Wednesday-All About Occasions
Word Art Wednesday-Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by!

This card was so fun to make....and super simple!  This is about as close to a one layer card as I get!  I still had my favorite snowflake stamp out and decided it was perfect for the sketch challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch-


It also goes along perfectly with the Say It Loud Challenge at The Paper Players-


My card is created with the long retired Snowflakes stamp set by Close To My Heart.  These layered snowflakes have always been a favorite of mine.  Honestly I think this stamp set has seen more ink than any stamp set I own!  My peace die cut was created in Cricut Design Space.  I cut the World Peace sentiment from the World Peace Day cartridge at 3.779" x 2.881".  I cut the image out three times, and adhered them together for added dimension.  Here is a close up-


A few bitty sparkles and sequins finish off the card!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
D1480 Snowflakes Stamp Set-Retired
World Peace Text from Cricut World Peace Day
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
X5957 Sapphire Cardstock
Z2848 Sapphire Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z6505 Carolina Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z1263 Bitty Sparkles
Z4304 Silver Loose Sequins
B29 Copic Marker
Stitched Frame Die-Simon Says Stamp

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Alphabet Challenge Blog-O is for One Word Sentiment
Inspire.Create.Challenges-Die Cutting
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Look at the gorgeous layouts you can create with the Cedar & Pine Scrapbooking Workshop Kit!  I am in love with the wreath page!  Close To My Heart has done an awesome job with the details included in this kit.  You get materials and easy to follow instructions to create four single page layouts and one double page layout!  Here is a look at the full kit contents:

You can see all the details here!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

My favorite color to create Christmas cards with....purple!    Purple snowflakes are my absolute fav...but I decided to play with the Custom Ornament Thin Cuts again!  I created my card based on the sketch challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.


I promise the sketch design is there....I just covered up a large portion of it with my ornament!  My card is super simple to create.  I cut my the Wisteria print from the Mix In paper pack to 1 1/2" squares and matted them onto Wisteria cardstock.  For my ornament, I first embossed a panel with the Stitched Circles Embossing folder, then die cut.  I added just a teeny bit of bling, by cutting my ornament topper in Silver Foil and adding the hanger with Silver Embellishing Thread.  My ornament is popped up with thin 3-D foam for added dimension.  A wisteria ribbon bow and a sentiment from For the Tree finishes it off!

All supplies by Close To My Heart:
Z3533 Custom Ornament Thin Cuts
D1891 For the Tree Stamp Set
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
X6032 Wisteria Cardstock
X9007 Mix In Paper Packet
Z3366 Silver Foil Paper
Z3519 Stitched Circles Embossing Folder (Almost sold out!)
Z6514 Wisteria Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z3570 Wisteria Ribbon
Z4213 Silver Embellishing Thread

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Addicted to Stamps-Holiday
Always Fun Challenges-Monochrome
Art Impressions-Tags or Ornaments
Craft-Dee Bowz-Anything Goes
Gem of a Challenge-Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers-Anything Goes w/Dies

Thanks so much for stopping by!

The snow was flying here last night....so I might as well get the snowflake stamps out! I have a fondness for snowflake stamps and the majority of my Christmas stamps feature them.  My fondness for snowflakes....pretty much ends at stamps!  Mother Nature can keep the white stuff for a little longer...  My card is based on the sketch challenge this week at Freshly Made Sketches-

My card is super simple.  I stamped my images in Toffee and Carolina Blue.  It is hard to see in the photo, but I finished it off with a soft shimmer spray and added in a few bitty sparkles.  Gotta add a little bling!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
D1480 Snowflakes Stamp Set-Retired
Z4015 Woodland Wishes Stamp Set-Retired
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Z2828 Toffee Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z6505 Carolina Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z1263 Bitty Sparkles
Pearl Glimmer Mist-Tattered Angels
Double Stitched Rectangle Die-Simon Says Stamp

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
AAA Cards-CAS One Corner
Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge-Anything Goes w/optional Twinkle
The Paper Shelter-Anything that Flies (the snow truly flies in Wyoming!)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

There are sooo  many ways to customize the ornaments in the For a Tree Stamp set!  I created this card in Ballerina Pink......though my photography skills are not quite portraying that!  I created my card based on the sketch challenge this week at Fusion Card Challenge.  My elements are a tad larger than the sketch, but I think it still works and the sketch was truly the inspiration for this card!

I created my plaid ornament, as shown in the set.  I got a little creative with the round ornament.  I first masked off the center of the ornament, leaving a blank space to stamp my sentiment.  I then die cut the stamped image with a circle die.  I love the mix of shapes combined.  The cute little ornament tab included in the Custom Ornament Thin Cuts set, lets you turn any shape into an ornament! I finished off the ornament with some Bitty Sparkles and a hanger made of Silver Embellishing Thread.



Here is a look at the original stamp set-


All supplies by Close To My Heart::
D1891 For a Tree Stamp Set
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
X6036 Ballerina Cardstock
Z3366 Silver Foil Paper
Z6501 Ballerina Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z3519 Stitched Circles Embossing Folder
Z3533 Custom Ornament Thin Cuts
Z3318 Basic Circles Thin Cuts
Z4213 Silver Embellishing Thread
Z1263 Bitty Sparkles

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Allsorts-Add Something Gold and/or Silver
Craft Rocket Challenges-Pink
Creations in Pink-Anything Goes in Mainly Pink
Jingle Belles-Think Pink
Simon Says Stamp-All Things Pink
Unicorn Challenge Blog-Pretty in Pink

Thanks so much for stopping by!

October is quickly coming to a close...and with that the current Expressions catalog will be retiring.  If you love the Hawthorn line for your Fall projects, get your supplies now!  The last day to order from the current Expressions catalog is October 31!  You can view the full product line up here.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Your continued support is greatly appreciated!

I am so not ready for Christmas!  I used to create Christmas cards all year.....but have been severely lacking in the Christmas spirit this year!  It is now or never, if Christmas cards are going to be mailed this year!  The new Holiday Expressions release is at least helping me get into the holiday spirit!  I created my card with the For the Tree stamp set that was just released and the sketch over at Mojo Monday-


I had ever intention of putting a bow on this card, in place of the flower on the sketch.  Couple of bows in and it just was not working for me!  I really needed some soft crinkly ribbon, which I seemed to have run out of! Sequins to the rescue!  My card is created with minimal supplies!  I often change up my stamp sets to suite my needs and this time was no different, here is the actual stamp set-



I used the original plaid stamp (who doesn't love plaid)....but in keeping with the sketch design, I changed up my other ornaments to circles!  I stamped my images as usual and then used a circle die to create the circle ornaments!  This stamp set has a set of dies that are sold separate.  The die set, Custom Ornament,  was used to cut my main ornament and the topper for all three of my ornaments. Here is the complete die set-


The dies are sold separate, so  you can purchase both or pick and choose to suit your needs!  You will be seeing lots more ornament creations in the near future!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
D1891 For the Tree Stamp Set
Z3533 Custom Ornament Thin Cuts
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
X6038 Candy Apple Red Cardstock
Z6509 Candy Apple Red Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z3519 Stitched Circles Embossing Folder-Almost Sold Out!
Z3318 Basic Circles Thin Cuts
Circle Stax Dies-MFT
Z4213 Silver Embellishing Thread
Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon-Retired
Silver Sequins-Ms. Sparkle & Co.

I have entered my card in the following challenges:
Addicted to Stamps-Holiday
Always Fun Challenges-Monochrome
As You Like It Challenge-Favorite Stitching Style (Anything Stamp or Die related....as I can not sew!)
Art Impressions-Tags or Ornaments
Crafty Friends Challenge-Christmas
Crimbo Crackers-Anything Christmas Goes
Southern Girls-Anything Goes
The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge-Anything Christmas Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Christmas will be here before you know it!  I love the super cute Holly Jolly Cardmaking Kit!  The stamp set and coordinating Thin Cuts are adorable!  The kit comes with supplies and envelopes to create 16 cards.  Here is a look at the kit contents-


You can check out all of the great new holiday products in my online store!  From traditional to cute, we have you covered!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Commemorate your sweetest holiday moments with this year’s Days of December bundle and workshop! We’ve revamped this popular special from last year with new paper, cardstock, and embellishments, so you can create an all-new Everyday Life™ album with one page for each magical day in December. To review all the details about the Days of December bundle and workshop, take a look at the Days of December overview here!


The Days of December bundle is available with or without the stamp set and Thin Cuts.  This special bundle is only available until November 30, 2019 or while supplies last!

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I have been so wanting to create with this striped pattern paper from the Mix In Paper Collection!  I have been submersed in  making Fall cards, and have just not had the occasion to create with it. Then I saw the sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch...


The moment I saw the sketch, I instantly thought of candles!  I knew my striped paper would be perfect for the background! I inked up my candles with the same colors from the striped paper.  I cut my Celebrate sentiment from the Cricut Artbooking Collection.  I cut the image out three times and adhered them together for more dimension.  A few Julep sequins finish out the card!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
Cricut Artbooking Collection (celebrate)
Make a Wish Stamp Set/Dies-MFT (candles)
X9007 Mix In Paper Packet
X5957 Sapphire Cardstock
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Z2841 Glacier Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2843 Canary Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2851 Saffron Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z6511 Julep Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z6514 Wisteria Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z3566 Julep Loose Sequins
Stitched Frame Die-Simon Says Stamp

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Allsorts Challenge-Spots and or Stripes
Heart 2 Heart Challenges-Julep
Seize the Birthday-Anything Goes
The Paper Girls-Birthday

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Great news....Close To My Heart is releasing the Holiday Expressions catalog early!  All items will be on my website starting October 15!  This will give you extra time to create your holiday projects!  You can view all of the products here!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope everyone is getting to enjoy at least a little bit of Fall.  I am already in the single digits at night, so my fall is quickly fading to Winter! I created this fun Fall card with the Autumn Air Stamp of the Month and the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches-

My card is created with a combo of Goldrush and Sangria.  I dug deep into the stash to come up with the Goldrush plaid paper!  Willing to bet that paper is pushing twenty years old!  I love paper....problem is I seem to just collect it!  I have decided to share the love and start using it!  My sentiment and leaves are from the current Stamp of the Month, Autumn Air....great for scrapbooks and cards alike! You can add the Stamp of the Month to a qualifying order for only $5!


My sentiment was first inked into Goldrush Ink and then rolled into Sangria Ink.  For my leaves, I sponged Goldrush and Sangria Ink onto cardstock and then stamped my  leaf image with Sangria Ink.  Super quick way to get a multi tone image. I popped up the sentiment panel with foam tape for added dimension.

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
S1910 Autumn Air Stamp of the Month (Only available in October)
X5962 Goldrush Cardstock
X6034 Sangria Cardstock
Colonial White Cardstock-Retired
Goldrush B&T Paper-Retired
Z2823 Goldrush Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z6516 Sangria Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Sequins-Unknown

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Addicted to CAS-Plaid

Little Red Wagon-Cut it Out
Sweet Stampin-Autumn Colors

Thanks so much for stopping by!

My burlap is going uptown!  The moment I saw the sketch at Inspire. Create. Challenges, I knew what I wanted to create!  The only problem is...this card has only been made in my head all week.  I have finally made it back to the craft room, just in time to enter the challenge!  Here is the original sketch design:

The moment I saw those little strips, I knew I wanted to add some gold embossing on the sides of my cardstock panel!  I inked up the stamp set from the Hawthorn Cardmaking Workshop and heat embossed in gold.  I then added a a little color to the image with Copics.  I will list the colors I used....but it is pretty random!  I figure fall leaves are very random in their colors....so I tried to mimic the same.  For my gold embossed sides,  I ran a piece of painter's tape 1/4" from the outside of the panel on each side.  I then applied Versamark directly to the paper and then applied my embossing powder.  I removed the painter tape before heat embossing.  My image was die cut and popped up with 3-D foam tape.  My panel was then mounted onto a panel of burlap!

All supplies by Close To My Heart, except where noted:
G1190 Hawthorn Cardmaking Workshop Kit (retiring 10/31/2019)
Burlap cardstock-DCWV
Colonial White Cardstock-Retired
Z891 Versamark Embossing Pad
Z2066 Gold Embossing Powder
Z1151 3-D Foam Tape
Copics-YR16, YR18, YR21, Y26, YG91, YG95,E30, E31,E59

I have also entered my card in the following challenges:
Heart 2 Heart Challenges-Fall
Simon Says Stamp-Fall/Autumn

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Stitched Circles is my new all time favorite embossing folder!  The texture it adds to your projects is amazing! Close To My Heart embossing folders give you a full 5" x 7" coverage of embossing.  They also feature an open slit at the top, so you can easily make your embossing panels longer for your scrapbook pages!  Here is a look at the full pattern-

I so love the design and it will work for any project....masculine cards too!  You can pick one up in my online store here!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I love the Cardmaking Workshop Kits.  The kits include materials and instructions to complete 15 cards, along with an exclusive stamp set with coordinating Thin Cuts.  The fall spray in the Hawthorn Cardmaking Workshop Kit, made it a must have for me!  Here is a look at the contents of the kit-


Instructions are included to make the three cards shown (five of each) or you can easily use the supplies to branch out on your own!  This kit is only available until October 31, or while supplies last.  You can purchase your kit here. 

Thanks so much for stopping by!