Merry and Bright Cards

Very simple cards -- I'm using my stash of papers and enjoying all the merry and bright colors!

Ho Ho Ho card is a sample of how you can embellish with Liquid Glass. Make those big letters SHINE!

A printed paper doesn't need but a simple matted sentiment ...

Then remember to put some color into the inside of the card too.

CTMH products: Merry and Bright papers, inks, ribbons, Sparkles, and Liquid Glass

May your preparation for celebrating Jesus' birthday be merry and bright and full of JOY!

Christmas in the Heart--Christmas in the Air

I used Pear and Partridge papers from Close To My Heart to make "banner strips" cards--a variety of three cards here, each a bit different.

I was inspired by the banner strip card designed by Karen Day, shown here:

Thanks for stopping by to look!

Clear Acrylic Christmas Card

I used:
CTMH Clear Acrylic Square Card Base
(How I LOVE making clear cards! Oh, that our windows would be so clear and bright!
I'm hoping CTMH will bring back more clear card bases...not many are left right now on the Clearance List)

Evensong papers
Sparkles
Mistletoe pewter brad
Christmas "Prince of Peace" stamps
Cranberry ink

Don't you just love these colors?

I hope you enjoyed a Thanksgiving week full of thanks-living, and that you do the same EVERY day.

"In everything, give thanks."

More Pear and Partridge Christmas Cards

Here are a few of the Christmas card designs I've used with the Pear and Partridge papers.

Additional Close To My Heart products I used:
Mistletoe poinsettias
Evensong ribbon
Cranberry Ribbon
Itty Bitty Sparkles
Burlap ribbon

Click here to see more Pear and Partridge cards I've made.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Advent Box

About 5 years ago, I bought this Advent Box Kit (made by Making Memories Inc.) at a clearance sale in a discount store. I wish had I had found many more of them to make! I made this early in the Fall, and it was so simple and fun, I'd make more for friends' families if I had the kits. If anyone knows where I might find them, please contact me! (The only things I added to this one are the Mistletoe Flowers from Close To My Heart.) Meanwhile, I'm going to be scouring the discount stores with my eyes wide open.

Close To My Heart has an Advent Calendar Box available (Autumn/Winter Idea Book, page 67) and I'm going to try that project soon.

If you've made one of those, I'd love to hear your comments about CTMH's kit!

Meanwhile, I'm deciding what surprise treats to put into each of these little boxes for special children!

Happy weekend--and keep your fingers sticky and inky!

Clementine Recipe Box

Start with Close To My Heart's Recipe/Photo Box.  (Z1322)
Add favorite papers and embellishments.
Voila! 
A pretty and easy gift item for someone special!

The front flap section has a magnetic closure, a great detail. 

I used:
Clementine Papers
Cottage Assortment florals
Irresistable lower case letters with Twilight ink

Leave a comment -- tell me how you'd rate this as a gift item! 

You could fill it with favorite recipes, special photos, or CDs -- or love notes!

You could also make it into a memory box for someone's wedding or anniversary, graduation or birthday ... just some creative starters to get your mojo going.

I hope your Thanksgiving Day was filled with blessings!

Jingle Banner Card

I used:
CTMH Jingle papers
Mistletoe embellishments
White ric rac
Tulip and Juniper inks
Christmas stamps
Bonding Memories Adhesive
Glue Dots

Other: MS star punch

And remember to make the card inside eye appealing too!

Two randomly stamped sentiments inside the card:

Jingle All the Way

The colors in the Jingle paper packet have always been my favorites -- and the Baker's Twine seemed to be a natural complement to the gift boxes' designs and colors.

So simple. Paper strips. Adhesive. Baker's Twine. Sparkles. And a couple favorite stamps and inks too--Juniper and Tulip.

It's "jingle all the way" with Christmas music playing in StudioJane as I use some of my scraps and stay warm inside.

Glad you stopped by!

Family Bracket Frame

Close To My Heart has a "My Creations Bracket Frame" that's so easy to use to create a shadow-boxed frame wall art.

You can cover the bracket frame with any paper choice -- I used Colonial White and stamped "family love home happiness" around the center edges in chocolate ink.

You can see the depth of the frame and how the photo section is recessed:

I chose the Avonlea patterned papers and used the Artiste Cricut Cartridge to cut the large paper pleated flower. The two smaller dimensional flowers are from the Cottage Assortment.

Other CTMH items I used include the Irresistable Alphabet (inked with Juniper), Bakers Twine, Canvas Button, Sparkles, and the Avonlea paper border strip "snapshots ... timeless ... blessings" along the bottom of the photo. (My photo wasn't tall enough, so the strip helps to fill the photo space and also give an added effect.)

The bracket frame would make a fantastic gift for someone--for a family--for a graduation--for a birth--for a wedding or an anniversary -- or for any special photo/memory you want to showcase!

You can find the My Creations Bracket Frame on page 132 of the CTMH Autumn Winter Idea Book. 

So glad you stopped by ...

Close To My Heart Helps Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

It's November -- the traditional month of Thanks-giving -- 

However, this month we all can be extra thankful for the relief efforts happening for the people in the U.S. Eastern region and those along the East coast who have been so greatly affected by Hurricane Sandy.

I'm thankful to tell you that CEO Jeanette Lynton and Close To My Heart believes in giving back to the community!

CTMH is donating $1 of every special sold this month to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts.

To participate in the November "Capture the Date, Capture the Savings" promotion, simply place a $50 order to be able to purchase the Stamp of the Month for $5.  Then you will be able to purchase an additional stamp set (size A, B, C, D, E, or M) for 50% off!

Order your promotion and extra stamp sets by emailing me or by ordering online through my CTMH site.

Share this promotion with your friends, and join us all in thanks-giving and thanks-living for all God's blessings.


November's "Capture the Date, Capture the Savings" Stamp of the Month: