Make a Desk Calendar!

Here is a great gift idea (I know it's after Christmas) but you might want to make some of these for future gifts or for your desk.  Check out this video on how easy it is.



If you would like some of these products email me and I will be happy to help!

Adorable Bears!

I just LOVE these little bears!  They are from our Polar Bear Holiday stamp set (C1557).  This was created by me, but one of my (talented) downlines (Maureen Falcon) came up with it!  I LOVE how you can see the reflection of the bears!  Want to learn how to do this?  Come to my card workshop this January!  

Check out the upcoming events tab to see when I am having this card workshop!  You don't want to miss this AWESOME technique!  

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I wanted to share my Christmas card with you! 

 I have to tell you a funny story about them!

So as many of you know...I always try to use what I have...

So I found these envelopes in my closet.  Kind of strange size.  And I had a LOT of them!  They have been in there for about 5-8 years!  EEK!  So it's time to use them!

Oh, side note on the trees, I put some of our stardust glitter glitz gel...in real life it looks like they have snow on them!  

So, I decided to make my Christmas cards to fit in the envelopes!  LOL  It worked!  I used about 1/2 of what I had.  AND you know those annoying return address labels that come in the mail?  Well I had a bunch of those too...so I put them over the Close to my Heart logo and tada...using a lot of what I had!  

I still have more of those envelopes left...in fact, I found some in a different spot too!  UGH!  So it looks like I will have the same size Christmas cards next year too!  LOL

I hope you and your family have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Be safe and enjoy!

Scallop Punch

Do you love the look of scallops on your projects?   Here is a quick video that shows you how to use out scallop punch.  It's quick and easy!  Check it out!



Make you want to grab your supplies and start making scallops doesn't it?  LOL  Go ahead...leave work early and start crafting!

Winter Wonderland Layout

Have you gotten out there and taken pictures of your kids (pets, spouse) in the snow?  If so, here is a great layout using our Frosted paper pack!  I am so in love with this adorable polar bear stamp set!  You can see the whole set on page 90 (C1557 $13.95) of our current catalog.  View this on 

my website under the shop tab.

If you have not taken any pictures this year yet, make sure you go through your past winter pictures and get those out!  Let's GET IT DONE!  

Winter picture taking tip...want REAL cool pictures in the snow?  Here is a great tip!  First, it has to be snowing, and at night.  Then make sure your flash is on...and start taking pictures.  What happens is the flash reflects on water in the snowflakes and makes them appear big and fluffy in the picture.  It is a real cool picture...so make sure you get out there and preserve your snow memories! 

If you would like to make these layouts...you can by going to our Make It From Your Heart #2  How to book pattern 6.

Snow Layouts

Now that we have had some snow...it's time to grab your camera and take some pictures!  If you have them taken already, make sure you get them developed and grab your paper and your Cricut Artbooking cartridge and make some great layouts.

Watch this video for some great ideas for those layouts!


Need the cartridge?  I can get them for you!  Simply email me and I will be happy to help you!

Cute Gift Bags

Do you love to make homemade things but some times you just don't have a lot of time?  Here's your answer.  We have these cute red and green Season's Tweetings bags.  You get 3 green & 3 red bags for $8.95.

To personalize them this one, I cut the mustache image from our Cricut Cartridge and took the negative image.  Then I took our black pigment ink and sponged it on.  Now I have a customized mustache bag!  And they are NOT just for Christmas.  This one I put "world's best dad" on it.

 Below are a few I created in different ways.

 This one I did the same thing as the mustache bags but using the negative image to the letter S.  Great way to use your supplies you have to embellish these bags.

You can get the pack of 6 bags OR you can get a pack with 6 bags, 9 tags and a stamp set for just $14.95!  This is a GREAT deal.  But like all the other cute Christmas stuff...it is only available until December 31...so get them soon!  I do have a few here at my house if you like instant gratification!  Call soon!

Christmas Pages

I just LOVE this layout.   My friend Julie Nilsson created it (or one like it) and I had to scrap lift it!  

I used our Sparkle & Shine paper pack and our Make it From My Heart #2 pattern 11.

I am so glad I scrap lifted it!  lol  

I used our Sparkle & Shine washi tape and our silver glitter glitz ribbon.  Such an amazing layout!  Thanks JULIE!

Remember if you want to get some of this Sparkle & Shine paper, you need to do it before December 31st...because once it's gone...it's GONE!

December Group Layouts

It's time for Christmas layouts!  And we are making them in December.  If you would like to make these, check out my upcoming events tab for dates.   

 This layout is using our Make it From My Heart #2  How to Book, pattern 8

And this layout is from our Make it From My Heart #1, pattern 13

This is our Sparkle & Shine paper pack and it is only available until the end of December, so if you would like to get a pack or two, let me know!

Retiring Close to my Heart Products

This year Close to my Heart has giving us a list of all the retired products and it is on my website.  Simply click on this link to see all the products...and I mean SEE!  New this year they have put pictures of the items!  YEA!

After you click the link, go to Shop>Retiring Products.  While you are there check out the "While Supplies Last" area...there are some GREAT deals there...however, those can NOT be purchased through a party or group.  Those are online only.  The retired products can be purchased through parties, groups or just by calling me.

Check them out!

Get in the Christmas Spirit!

The Christmas Spirit and now is the perfect time to make thoselittle gifts to people...and here are a few that I have given out in the past couple weeks.  These are little treat tubes filled with festive colored M&M's.  I used our Mini stamps!  These are my new love right now.  The first one is Santa's Greetings.  I simple stamped it using a black stamp pad and colored it in with Cranberry & Pear markers.

Here is the little display I created using them.  Not the best pictures...but I gave most of them away before taking a good picture!  LOL  I gave these to everyone who attended my Holiday Extravaganza.

 And the one below is using our Tree Delights stamp.  They are fun and easy to make!

You can also make gift tags with them...

And gift cards too.  The one above I used some red sparkles that I had extra and used them all up!  YEA!  

And my last card is a 3 x 3 card that in a store would cost about $1.50 - $2.50 and I used scraps that I had, so maybe cost me 2 cents.  So make sure you pull out your scraps and these adorable stamps and get creating!

Decorate Your Thanksgiving Table...FAST!

I just saw on pinterest how you can take your washi tape from your scrapbooking supplies and use it on tea lights...so luckily I have a bunch of both washi tape and tea lights...LOL  so I grabbed some and wrapped them!  How fun is this!

This picture you can see them better.  For my "fall" scape I used our new Party Washi Tape.  How fun is this!

Here is a close up of them.  I love the wood grain one...looks like I cut a little tree down and put a candle in it.  LOL  

Then I decided if it is good enough for Thanksgiving...surely I could make some Christmas ones!  So out came my Sparkle & Shine Washi Tape and off I went.

These literally took me 5 minutes to make.

Here is a close up of my luminary.  It is made using our Artbooking Cartridge.  That one took a little longer to make (most of the time was getting the extra pieces off the Cricut mat!  LOL  

But they were fun to make and it adds a little homemade feel to my Thanksgiving table.  So get your washi tape out and whip some up!  But do it fast...Thanksgiving is almost here!  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Become a Close to my Heart Consultant

If you have been thinking about becoming a Close to my Heart consultant or if you have been with another company, now is a GREAT time to switch over and become a Close to my Heart consultant.  Watch this video to learn more.



In addition to all this, you will also get videos like this that are exclusively for consultants so we learn and are able to teach our customers.  I also have monthly unit meetings, one on one training and weekly emails to my team.  And for just $49, you can get a starter kit.  So whether you want a discount for you & your friends, want to make a little money or earn even more money and go on once in a lifetime trips, then you need to call or email me to learn more.  I will be happy to talk to you  about how Close to my Heart will work for you.

Don't delay, get started now!

Personalize Your Gifts

About a month ago I fell in love with our muslin bags.  And Close to my Heart just made this video and now I am REALLY in love with these bags!!  Right after I get done posting this video I am going to run and get some and create!!  LOL

These bags are 3 for $3.95.  What a GREAT value to create something so cute!


Ready to create yours?  Give me a call or send me an email and I will be happy to order some for you!  Now off to create mine...Stop back to see what I create with them.
Now that craft show season is over I will stop ignoring my blog!  LOL

Time to do the Twist

This video is 5 minutes of great ideas of how to use our Slate Twist ties!  So many CUTE ideas.  So grab a cup of coffee and get ready for some cuteness!

More Close to my Heart Cricut Cartridges

Here is another episode of our Artbooking Made Easy.  There are some great ideas out there for creating with our cartridges.



Want these cartridges for Christmas??   Simply give my name and number to your significant other and have them call me.  All they have to do is call and pay me...I will do the rest.  I will order it, wrap it and deliver it!  It's that easy for YOU to get what you want for Christmas!!!  Do delay!  You want to make sure you get them in time for Christmas.

Close to my Heart Stitching Guide

Here is a video on our Stitching Guide.  It is a GREAT tutorial on how to use it and give your projects a little stitched look without breaking out sewing machine.



I am off to get mine out and play!  If you wold like one, give me a call or email me!

November Monthly Group Layouts

It's time for the beautiful colors of fall.  And I have the layouts for all those pictures you will be taking.

Here are the layouts my November groups will be making using our Huntington paper pack.

I just love them!

So get out there and catch the beauty of fall, share great times with your family and most of all take pictures to preserve those moments.  And then, call me and sign up to come to one of my groups in November!  

Christmas Album using Artbooking Cartridge

If you love mini albums...you will LOVE this!  This is using our Cricut Artbooking Cartridge.
It uses the Christmas keys!  Lots of fun ideas too that you can use on your card or scrapbooking pages!

Check it out!


If you don't have this cartridge yet, you can call me and get it now!  I have some on hand!!

Halloween Mini Book!

OH MY GOSH!!  You have to do this!!  I LOVE this mini album book!  In fact, as soon as I saw this video, I dropped everything and made one!!!  Check it out!!



This is using our Artbooking cartridge.  If you have not gotten yours yet, contact me and I will be happy to get it for you!  AND, if you do have it...get it out and make this!!  LOVE IT!

Football Time in Nebraska!

Time to preserve your Football memories!  This is using our Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  I just set it at 11" and it cut everything I needed!  Just add pictures! 

These pictures are of my son and my NEW daughter in law at a Nebraska football game.  

And then below is a picture of my grand dog with her football.  I stamped the "N" using our now retired Varsity alphabet.  It is the perfect N for Nebraska!  Then I added "Go Big Red" with our Kraft keyboard alphabet.  

So many fun things to do with our scrapbooking products.  And these are just a few.  If you would like to find out more about my workshops, groups and or Close to my Heart products, contact me today!

More Fall Scrapbook Layouts

I LOVE fall...except for the part where winter comes right after it...but fall is beautiful.  And taking pictures in the fall is another favorite thing I love to do.  

I made these layouts...inspired by my friend Michelle Snyder and came up with these.  

In Nebraska we have something called Apple Jack festival...and these are perfect for that.  Or  you can also take pictures of your "apple of your eye".  

The apples are cut from our Artbooking Cricut cartridge (yes I have been using it a lot lately  LOL) I stamped "apple" with our white stamp pad, using our Frame works alphabet and "of my eye" with our September special stamp set.  It isn't available any longer, but if you were one of the lucky ones that purchased it...get it out and use it!  

And YES, I took the paper and did a basket weave with it.  I really liked the look of it.  Not sure I would do that all the time, but this time...it was perfect.  The pattern I used for this was from our Make It From Your Heart #2 how to book, pattern #4.

Halloween Layouts

Here are the layouts that my customers made at my recent crop.  It was an easy layout, yet CUTE!  I made the spider webs from our Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  

 

The striped paper was from our Buzz & Bumble paper pack.  Just another way to use that paper! Who would have thought you could make Halloween pages with that paper pack!

It's time to get ready for Halloween and here are the layouts for it.  

Happy Haunting!

Close to my Heart's Artbooking Cricut Cartridge

Do you love Cricut Cartridges?  Well if you do, you will LOVE Close to my Heart's newest cartridge.  The Artbooking Cartridge.  Here is a video that gives you helpful tips and techniques for using it and also shows you some of the cool things it does.




I will post all of the videos here on my blog as they come out..so make sure you stop back and check them out.  If you would like any of our 3 Cricut cartridges, contact me at gottastamp@cox.net and I will be happy to get them for you!

It's Time for Halloween!

It's time to get in the Halloween spirit!  And why not make your layouts NOW!  You can make these for this Halloween, or maybe you still have to get past Halloweens scrapbooked!  Here is a video Close to my Heart produced with some GREAT layouts using our ArtBooking Cricut Cartridge.  If you don't have this cartridge yet, you NEED IT!



Call me soon to get your cartridge!  I can get it ordered for you (I even have one here at my house if you prefer instant gratification!)  and you can get working on your layouts!

This cartridge is AMAZING!  As you can see from this video.  And this is just 2 keys!!!  There are 700 images on it!  So get yours NOW!

Here are the layouts I made by "scrap lifting" from this video.  I can't wait for Halloween to get some pictures for these layouts!!

I used our glitter paper...falling in love with this!!

 I lined the back of the house with Lagoon cardstock for this look

Here I used a piece of the green glitter paper.  

The bottom spider web and the BOO are made from the glitter paper too.  LOVING IT!

Holiday Extravaganza!

I am VERY excited to announce my upcoming Holiday Extravaganza!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20TH AT 1:00

This year I am doing something different!  We have a new Holiday Gift Giving Guide and I am excited to show you all the cool stuff in it AND give you TONS of ideas for the upcoming Holidays!  That is Holidays PLURAL!  Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas.   Not just cards and scrapbooking, but also gifts, home decor, festive decorations & invitations.

It is Sunday, October 20th at 1:00. This is different then my normal Open Houses! I am going to give you TONS of ideas for the holidays that you can make FOR handmade holidays.  

Check out the "upcoming events" tab for more information!  This is going to be a TON OF FUN!

Make sure you RSVP to reserve your spot!  

October Group Layouts

Here are the layouts my groups will be making in October.  I used our Sarita paper pack to make them. I have to say after 15 years it still amazes me on how pictures just work with our paper.  

After making these layouts, I went downstairs and was going through pictures and found these.  They work PERFECT!  The above are pictures of my son Cody & his dad sleeping and playing together.  It was so funny to see these pictures again and see how Cody as a 1 month old would sleep in the same position as his dad!  Oh how I love pictures!

And this layout above are of my FAVORITE grandparents.  They are both deceased now, but I am THRILLED to have these special pictures to remember all the wonderful times we had together.

I challenge you to pull out some pictures and relive your memories too!  And MORE importantly, get them scrapbooked!  

If you would like to make these layouts, just give me a call or send me an email.  I will be happy to sign you up as a guest for one of my groups!  The dates for all my groups are listed on the "upcoming events" tab here on my blog!

Wedding Guest Book

You might know that my son recently got married.  And his bride didn't want the traditional guest book.  Last year we made one of these for her friend that got married and she wanted one of her own.

So we got out my Cricut and used the Close to my Heart Art Philosophy cartridge and cut a tree branch.

I cut them in multiples and different sizes.  Then I got out my stamps (because you "gotta stamp") and stamped their names and date at the bottom.

 As the guests came in, they put their finger in a stamp pad and pressed it on our tree.  Then they wrote their name by it.  It was very cool.  This is what it looks like all done.  I used 3 different colors of green and goldrush.  I only wanted a little bit of the goldrush because I wanted it to represent what the trees looked like at this time of year.  So the person that was helping the people ink their fingers pulled the Goldrush pad so we wouldn't get too many.  LOL

Brooke (my new daughter in law) wanted a rustic frame for it.  So I framed it all up for her and now they will hang it in their house and remind them of their special day and all the people who shared it with them.  

Here is a close up of my husband's and my fingerprints.  How fun!  I just LOVE crafting...and I am so glad that I have a job that I can craft and get paid for it!  

Life is good!

Artbooking Made Easy - Summer Mini Album

Here is another video by Close to my Heart featuring our Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  You can make a TON of mini albums with this cartridge.  Not to mention 3 d items, scrapbook pages and cards!

But in this video it features the mini albums.  Check it out!



And if you want this cartridge, contact me and I will get one for you!

Mix and Match Your Close to my Heart Paper Packs

I love this video...it shows you how to mix & match your Close to my Heart paper packs.  This is GREAT when you have just a little bit of several packs left.  So check out this video and get inspired on how to mix them!



Now, here is the key...make sure you get your paper packs out and USE THEM!  If you are not using what you have and documenting your life...YOU NEED TO!  I have crops that are GREAT for this.  So check out my blog under the upcoming events tab to see when my crops and workshops are scheduled.

AND, here's another tip...GET YOUR PICTURES PRINTED!  This is very important!  You don't want to lose your pictures by losing your memory card, computer crashing or getting stolen etc. etc.etc. If your pictures are important to you then get them printed and make sure you back them up digitally to a safe place.  But most importantly...SCRAP THEM!

Close to my Heart Cricut Cartridges!

If you love your Cricut...you will LOVE these GREAT Cricut Cartridges that Close to my Heart has come up with.

We currently have 3 cartridges and they are all unique and amazing.  They all have 700 images...YES 700!  lol  Watch this short video that tells you the differences between all of them.  AND, if you are ready, let me know and I will be happy to order any or all of them for you.



I also have a few here at my house so if you would like instant gratification, just give me a call and I will get it right out to you!

And then, get creating!  I LOVE using my Cricut cartridges and I really don't know what I did before we had these!  LOL

School Scrapbook Pages

It's time for school and I hope you took lots of pictures of the first day...and all the other days...LOL

On this video that Close to my Heart produced, they show you how to make some ADORABLE school layouts using our NEW Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  If you do not have this cartridge yet, you need it!  And I will be happy to help you get it!
Check out the video.


I am also working on a school workshop where you will make several pages for those first days (and others).  It will be on Monday, October 21st from 6:00 - 9:00.  Reserve your spot today!

My Baby Gets Married!

Saturday, September 7th, my pride and joy got married!  It was ONE of my BEST DAYS EVER!

It was a BEAUTIFUL (humid) day.  When we were taking picture it was a little overcast...perfect for taking pictures!!  

The wedding was outside at a local country club.  Every detail was perfect and beautiful.

Here is Cody walking me and Brooke's mom Tracy down the aisle.  I was more then happy to share my son and the walk down the aisle with her.

This was a special moment as I hug my baby before he says I DO!  Cody was VERY nervous..for a moment we thought we were going to have to carry HIM down the aisle!  And there looking on behind us is my husband Stacey.  He got the honor of marrying them!  It was very special.

This is Brooke & her dad Scott.  This moment was touching!

This was a great moment...Cody was very emotional (he gets that from his mom) and as soon as they joined hands, it calmed Cody down.  To me this really symbolized how well Brooke is for Cody!  

It was all ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL!  

Let me introduce to you...MR & MRS SEATON!

Cody was now VERY happy and CALM!  lol  

I think this is the most BEAUTIFUL wedding cakes I have ever seen.

Ahh...don't you just LOVE pictures!

Their first dance together as husband and wife.

This was the room we had dinner in...again BEAUTIFUL

Cody giving a toast

Stacey & I up at the alter area with the fountains in the background...and let me tell you...when you walk down an aisle...rose petals on the floor are VERY slippery!  lol

Here they are dancing again...I really like this picture because it gives you a better view of the outdoor pavilion where the wedding was, but when we went inside for dinner, they took down the chairs and set up a dance floor.  

And see all those tissue flowers up on the ceiling.  I made every one of those 175 flowers!  I still have blisters!  It was TOTALLY a labor of love!  Stacey tied all the strings on them and my friends, Brooke and her brides maids and her mom all helped "fluff" them.  It was ALL well worth it!

Here is our dance.  Yes the humidity likes naturally curly hair!  And the TEARS!  Wowsa!  lol

This was a cute game...they each had one of each others shoes and they were asked questions like...Who has the most shoes, who spends the most etc.  And they had to raise the shoe of the person who best fit the answer...it was VERY fun.

It was a beautiful ending to the perfect day!  Thanks for taking a peek into one of my best days ever!