THINKING OF YOU

Here's a Thinking of You card that I'm mailing to a friend who recently suffered a loss. One of the best thing about my crafting passion is that I can send something I've made with my own hands to express the love and support I cannot often put into words. This particular card was quick to come together using scraps I had on hand. I started with some black ink and a simple Thinking of You stamp from Close to My Heart.

Here's a side angle of the card. While this is not a particularly thick card I had added dimension where I could through the use of the Rose Embossing folder and the small pink pearl. You can easily put something like this together in under 5 minutes...easier and quicker than getting in your car and running out to buy a card. This may not be super fancy but it comes from the heart.

I also like to decorate the inside of my cards to carry the theme from the front. All I need to do now is write my note and pop it in the mail.

I also love the idea of having a coordinating interior to my envelope. I've come across a Sizzix die set on clearance at Hobby Lobby this weekend and I love how the designer paper pulls it all together. Now I can take my card and envelope value pack to a whole new level.

Have a wonderful day my crafty friends!

PARADISE

Isn't this layout a little bit of Paradise? Our son Will is in his final year at the United States Coast Guard Academy (Go Bears!) and he has tremendous opportunities to travel and see some amazing places while working in the US Coast Guard. In these layouts I'm highlighting one of his ports of call...Bermuda. The layout uses a Cut Above Layout Kit (now retired I believe - sorry). These kits come pre-designed and often pre-cut for scrapbook layouts, cards, tags or other projects for a crafter with a need to create but not a lot of time to do it. This is also a great way to start scrapbooking or card making as the challenge of designing is done for you. I will be highlighting additional kits in the coming weeks. While this particular kit may no longer be available you can see other Cut Above Kits HERE.

I hope these layouts bring a smile to your lips this Monday morning. Have a wonderful week crafty friends!

Gemini Go Unboxing (Video)!

Hello Everyone,

I've created a video of my unboxing of my new Gemini Go I recently purchased on HSN's Craft Day this past week. I'm very excited to get into it and see what I think. I will be sure and post future videos demonstrating the Go.

If you're interested in ordering the Go for yourself, it's only available on HSN for the foreseeable future. HERE's the link to check it out. I have no idea how long they will be in stock so now's your chance!

SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS

There are times when you need to make a card to express sorrow or grief. I had an occasion this week to make such a card. I was able to quickly pull together scraps and put this card together. This card would work either for a feminine or masculine audience.

Rather than a traditional tutorial, I decided to take a picture of the supplies. Some of the items are no longer available to order from Close to My Heart but I wanted you to see what I was able to use on this card. If the items are still available I have added a link with the name. I used a solid piece of Juniper Cardstock and embossed it and layered in some paper from the Fresh Air Paper Pack. I found an older stamp set that had the appropriate sentiment, stamped it in New England Ivy ink on some White Daisy Cardstock, added it to a die cut rectangle made with New England Ivy Cardstock and popped it on the top of the card with some dimensional adhesive.

I hope this card inspires you to pull out some scraps and make something lovely for someone.

GOING, GOING...ALMOST GONE.

Friends, we are about to say goodbye to the Annual Inspirations Catalog to make way for the New Holiday Expressions Idea Book coming out on September 1st. While the new catalog will have a number of wonderful surprises in store for you I know some of you still have items on your wish list from the current catalog that may be going away. If that's the case, now's your chance to place an order before it's gone. 

You may also still want to pick up a last minute summer items from the Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea Book. This catalog runs through August 31st or until supplies last. 

Now's your chance to stock up on anything Bashful you want in your stash. With the new catalog comes a new Color of the Year. Be sure and check these off your list: Bashful Ink, Bashful Ink Refill, Bashful Glitter Paper, Bashful Cardstock, Bashful Mini Pigment Pad, Bashful Everyday Life Album and the Bashful Shimmer Brush.

You also don't want to miss out on our Punny Pals Stamp Set. A portion of the purchase price goes to charity (Operation Smile)...and they're just adorable. A new stamp set will launch on September 1st so grab these while you still can!

Interested in the Small Storage Organizer and the Foam Inserts...here are the links you need to get them before they're all gone!

Small Organizer

Craft Box Foam Insert

Dauber Foam Insert

My Acryix Blocks Foam Insert

Pigment Ink Foam Insert

If you have any questions about these retiring items don't hesitate to ask! 

Close to My Heart Retiring Colors!

BIG NEWS! Close to My Heart is retiring 11 colors. The CTMH colors you see below: Bashful (Color of the Year), Blossom, Cranberry, Crystal Blue, Flaxen, Juniper, Nutmeg, Pacifica, Poppy, Sorbet, and Tangerine.

This means we are also saying hello to NEW colors on September 1st with the release of the new catalog. But, in the meantime, if you need more cardstock, re-inkers, or ink pads in these retiring colors, be sure to buy them before they sell out!