Short and Squaty

A few weeks ago, we had a big snow storm that dropped a little over a foot of snow in two days.  We haven't gotten much snow this year which is a little unusual, so, with this January snow storm, the kids were ready to get outside and build a snowman.  I too was excited to build our first snowman of the winter and had grand ideas about how awesome he would look in our front yard...you know...kind of like a Christmas card.  Our plan was to roll three perfect snow balls, stack them on each other just so, add the perfect face (bark-eyes, carrot-nose, grapes-mouth--all decided and picked out before we headed out) and finish it off with a cute blue striped scarf.  This was going to be the best snowman EVER!!!  

Like all best laid plans, that didn't happen.  After the snow storm, the weather warmed up a bit and we got a fresh layer of ice on top of the snow.  Every time we tried to start a big snowball, the snow would crumble and fall off.  It was impossible to roll a snowball (it was however really good snowball making snow for a snowball fight.)  So, instead of our perfect snowman we built a tiny "snow blob" with a head.  We all worked together to pile the snow into a blob and formed a nice round head out of the snow.  Those carefully picked out face parts still donned our "blob" and that blue striped scarf really did finish him off.   

 Although he wasn't what we had pictured (what really ever is), we loved him and we were proud to have him inhabit our yard.  He is a cute little guy isn't he? 

I think the rosy cheeks and smiles say it all.  It's not the end result that matters, its the process and the time spent together that is most important.

~Amy

Only 2 More Days

Close to My Heart's Spring and Summer Idea Book will be available, February 1st.  The new papers and embellishments are just gorgeous.  Make sure to check it out on Wednesday. 

Although a new Idea Book is exciting news, it is also unfortunate because some of our favorite CTMH product will be retired, including all the Workshops on the Go .  They take all the work out of scrapbooking, and you are left with just the fun.  No planning, no trying to coordinate papers or trying to find stamp sets and embellishment, CTMH does it for you.  For $29.95 plus tax and shipping and handling, you receive a Level 2 Paper Pack, Coordinating Stamp Set and several embellishment to make your layouts stand out.  Plus don't forget, you get complete instructions on how to create the layout.    

Check out the cut layout I made from the Roxie Workshop on the Go. 

Hurry, you only have until tomorrow, January 31st to get these workshops with their exclusive stamp sets only available in the Workshops on the Go.

Here are the Workshops on the Go that will no longer be available.  

Wonderland Kit 

Believe Kit

Mischief Kit

Dreamin' Kit

Sonoma Kit

Elemental Kit

Typeset Kit

**NOTE:  You will still be able to purchase Typeset, Elemental, Roxie and Sonoma Paper Packs in the new Idea Book, just not the Workshops on the Go.  Wonderland, Believe, Mischief, Dreamin' paper packs will be discontinued.

All discontinued items will no longer be available at midnight (mountain time), January 31st.  

Happy Shopping!

~Amy 

Patchwork Valentine

As you can tell from my past couple of posts, I have really been using a lot of the CTMH Elemental Papers.  I love the brightness of the combination of Cranberry, Creme Brulee and Pacifica, especially on these cold January days.  They also fit into the Valentine theme pretty easily, so I have been busy using them with a few challenges to get a stash of Valentine Cards ready to send out.  Check out my creation this week for the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge.    

~Amy

Tag Me

This weeks Heart 2 Heart Challenge gave us this picture for inspiration.   

 I was inspired by all the cute tags and decided to make these simple "tag" cards. 

 Won't they make cute tags to put on baked goods for a neighbor/friend in need or great even for a random teacher gift some time this year. 

~Amy

Does this card make you dizzy?

I loved the idea, of creating new B&T paper by directly stamping on existing B&T paper, that was featured a month or so ago on Jeanette Lynton's blog.  So decided I to try it myself.  The Elemental paper pack is super easy to embellish with stamping because of it's simple repetitive patterns.  My original idea was to create a cute little set of mittens using this paper with snowflake stripe across the middle.  Unfortunately none of my winter cricut cartridges had a mitten in them and I wasn't feeling creative enough to try to cut out a pair myself, so this is what I came up with.   

 I really like how the small snowflake stamp adds a little dimension to the paper and creates a simple break in the card without adding an additional layer of paper.  It kind of looks like a Scandinavian sweater.   

Don't you also love those beautiful snowflake die cuts?  They were cut using CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge. What a great embellishment to add to a winter card or layout. 

~Amy

Scrappy Creations Class-February

Don't miss out on February's "Scrappy Creations" Workshop, February 9 at 7PM.  Be the first to use the new products from the 2012 Spring and Summer Idea book available February 1st.  We will be creating 2-12x12 two page layouts using the Stella Paper pack featured on the cover of the Idea Book.  The papers combine exclusive Close to my Heart colors, Olive, Lagoon, Sunset and Cocoa.  They are perfect for any occasion; school pictures, spring flowers, fall photos and more.  Come check it out! 

Please RSVP and send payment before, Wednesday January 25th to hold a spot in this fun class.  Here are the 4 different kits you can chose from.  If you don't want to purchase all items (Kit 4) but still want fun pages with simple embellishments, I highly recommend Kit 2.  

Kit 1- Stella Paper Pack (just paper no embellishments) $11.67

Kit 2- Stella Paper Pack, plus Canvas Shapes (similar to stickease but in canvas)  $18.65

Kit 3- Stella Paper Pack, plus Bohemian Assortment (includes lace flowers and buttons) $17.48

Kit 4 Stella Paper Pack, Canvas Shapes and Bohemian Assortment $24.47

Please message me with your email address so we can arrange payment and I can give you more info on the class. 

~Amy

P.S.  Make sure to check out Close to My Heart's "While Supplies Last"  for excellent deals on discontinued items.  Includes adorable Halloween and Christmas Paper and other great supplies for up to 80% off.   

My Happy Home

This morning I read a delightful post from Serena's Farm Chick Blog, regarding creating a happy home.  Here is an excerpt I copied from her blog.

I'm reading a mother's book from 1902 and have enjoyed discovering that the importance of a happy home has been around for a long while. In fact, I think this content is perfect advice for what I'm trying to convey.

Pleasant Homes:

Beautiful furniture on its own will not make rooms cheerful. The charm of a cozy home rests with its homemaker. If she is fortunate enough to have sunny rooms, her task is half done. In homes where the sun never shines, something must be done to make up for it. A sunless room should have bright and joyous color in its furnishings. The walls should be warmly tinted, and the curtains give a rosey glow to the light that passes through them. Ferns and shade loving plants may add cheer to the room and suggest quiet forest nooks.

An attractive room need not be too orderly. A book left lying on the table, a bit of needle-work on the window sill, an open piano, indicates the tastes and styles of those who live there, without suggesting that there is not a place for everything in that room.

There is such a thing as being too neat and nice to take comfort in everyday life, and this is anything but cheerful. And there is such a thing as being so disorderly and messy that comfort and cheer are impossible.
If a mom cannot rest while there is a fingermark on the paint or a spot on the window panes, she may have a neat home, but her tension will keep it from ever being cheerful.

A bird singing in the window, an aquarium on the table in some corner, plants growing and blooming, pets moving about as if at home, these give life and brightness to a home.

Creating a warm and inviting home is something all "mothers" aim for.  Yet with two young children, I often wonder if my home ever seems welcoming.  Our floor is always scattered with toys and it seems when I finally clean and organize one part of the house, there is a disaster in other part of the house waiting for me to tackle it.  For every mom, a completely clean home is a never ending battle that I am not quite certain will ever be won.

The tips from the 1902 Mother book made me smile today.  For a "happy" home is not the appearance of a perfectly clean, decorated and designed home, but one that is filled with the sounds, smells and sights of a family that lives together, plays together and loves together.

Here is just part of my happy home.  Amongst the constant clutter these small signs that little people live here always make my heart happy.        

~Amy

Another Take....

I liked the card I made last week for Valentine's Day so much, I decided to make a different variation using the same Close to My Heart Paper Pack and Stamp of the Month sets. I was inspired to use the Mojo Monday's sketch to see how how it would turn out. 

Cute and simple, perfect for Valentine's Day!  I stamped the hearts to highlight the date using second generations stamping in Cranberry.   

~Amy

Sharing the Love

I love Close to my Heart's Elemental paper pack.  I love the simple patterns and color palate of the pack and love how it can be used for any occasion.  Check out this cute Valentine's Card using two stamp sets I have been meaning to use for quite some time, December's Stamp of the Month, Over the Moon and January's Stamp of the month, A Little Reminder.   

Isn't this a great stamp set?  Purchase it on my website for only $17.95 or get it for $5.00 when placing an order of $50 or more.  This stamp set is only available until January 31st.   

 Don't worry, if you didn't purchase the Over the Moon Stamp set last month, you can still get the same affect I did.  Simply cut out a heart using CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy, and then find a small, floral, heart or any small stamp and random stamp it on your heart.  Ink the edges and you get a cute embellishment to add to any project. 

Please check out more CTMH artwork on the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog, where this weeks challenge was to use a stamp set we have never used before.

~Amy

Studio J. Basics

Get started on your perfect 10 with Studio J. Create an account and get started now. Below is a short instructional video on how to use Studio J.

Good Luck! Go here to get started today. 

~Amy

Picture Perfect

 Have you always wanted to scrapbook and organize your family photos?  Why not set a new year's resolution to save family memories using Close to My Heart's online scrapbooking tool, Studio J.  It is super easy and mess free.  Simply log in to the website and create gorgeous pages online.  Become a Studio J member this month and receive 1 layout free when you purchase 9.  Hurry, this offer ends January 31st!  As a member your 2 page layouts are 50% off, you receive free jpegs of all your purchased layouts to share online or make copies at Costco, plus you get free shipping 1 time per month on up to 20 pages, as well as free page protectors to hold your layouts in scrapbooks.  The savings and freebies definitely pay for the membership fee.  Please try out this awesome program here.  You will not be charged until you decide to purchase a layout.

Check out some of my Studio J. layouts below.  Feel free to click on the images to see them larger.     

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like a personal tutorial with tips and techniques for getting the most out of Studio J. 

~Amy

January/February Scrapping Opportunities

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, start preparing now! 

Join me for my "Scrappy Creations" Class, Thursday, January 12th at 7PM to create the following layout to display pictures of your favorite sweethearts, plus make 2 additional cards that would be perfect for Valentine's Day.  The total cost is $15.  Please RSVP as soon as possible as I need to put my order in right away.  I need to know if you will be attending no later than Wednesday, Jan. 4.  

 

or

Host a Valentine Making Party.  Make 5 cards of your choice using exclusive Close to My Heart "Roxy" or "Elemental" papers plus some "bling" for $7.50 per person plus earn hostess rewards if additional Close to My Heart products are ordered at your party.  Message me for more info or to schedule a party.

  

 Roxy Paper

 Elemental Paper

~Amy

P.S. The new Spring/Summer Idea Book is available February 1st.  Host a party in early February and earn new CTMH product just in time for spring. 

Tradition #12-Pots and Pans to Ring in the New Year

Well it is officially 2012!   The holiday season is over and it is time to clean up from the holidays, make resolutions, get healthier, go back to school/work and just get back into a regular routine.  It also means that this is my last tradition of December post. 

New Years Eve is our family's last celebration of the year.  We usually get out our New Year hats, noise makers, confetti, pops, and of course our pots and pans to welcome in the new year. 

 Since our kids are still pretty young, we usually celebrate the New York New Year at 9PM.   The fun part is getting ready.  R. with her pot and wooden spoon to make lots of noise.

 J. preferred to use the 2 lids as cymbals. 

 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1 HAPPY NEW YEARS!  Time to head outside and wake up the neighborhood.

 This year we set off a firework and sprayed silly string all over the front porch.  Do you think our neighbors thought we were weird celebrating 3 hours early? 

 Now time for a New Year's toast with sparkling cider. 

 The kids love to "cheer" and think is is special to drink out of our "fancy"champagne flutes. 

This year the kids resolved to "be good kids", not "break anything breakable, "share their/my toys" and per R.  "put up lots of decorations." 

Hope 2012 is a good year for you and your family and that this fresh start to the year leaves you encouraged and energized to do your best. 

~Amy