Holiday Gift Bag....

So I decided today that I would play around with my Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge again and see what other fun things where hidden amongst the 700 images! Guess what I found! A gift bag! Now this isn't just any ordinary gift bag as you can make it any size that you wish on your cricut machine! (For those of you that may not know what a cricut is... it is a personal cutting machine that can just about cut anything you can imagine) So I decided that I would make a Holiday Gift bag. I can't even begin to tell you all how many ideas starting popping into my head on how to use this one image! Just think, smaller bags can be used as simple thank yous at a shower or dinner, maybe even used for May Day baskets, or even personalized for birthday decoration maybe with some balloons tied down to the handle? The possibilities are endless!

So with out further ado... here is my simple yet heart warming holiday gift bag!

If you like this and want the details on how it was made feel free to email me at: amysue@diodecom.net

And the Winner is......

Missy V.!

Congratulations Missy! Please email me at amysue@diodecom.net with your mailing information so that I can ship it out to you this week!

Also, THANK YOU everyone for your amazing comments about the new blog! I am excited about it as well as our new venture... Heartprint Designs.

Heartprint Designs specializes in providing stylish high quality scrapbook pages by archiving your precious photographs and memorabilia. Each page or project is given special care and attention in preserving your memories so that they will be cherished for generations to come.

Heartprintdesigns.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday Mom!

So today is my mom's 59th birthday and I wanted to do something really special for her. SO I made a card with my own two little hands! lol I loved it so much that I thought I would post a picture of it on this blog. The products that I used from Close To My Heart were: Roxie papers, Just Blooms Flutter (butterflies), Foundry Pin Clips, Mini Medley in Pewter, Opaques pearl and the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge as well as the coordinating stamp set the comes with the cartridge.

Here is the card front (card measures 5 3/4" square):

And a close up of the card front to show more of the details:

And then the inside of the card as well:

I hope you all enjoy this card and if you would like to have the specifics simply email me or post a comment below and I will get them to you! Have a great day!

amysue@diodecom.net

Studio J anyone???

So I haven't had time yet to play around with Studio J by Close To My Heart, however with that said I have seen some pretty amazing layouts! Studio J is an online software that helps you easily create two-page scrapbooking layouts using Close To My Hearts exclusive scrapbook patterns, color palette and themed designs. Then when you are done your 12" x 12" custom prints will be delivered and ready to slide into your album.

The images below are from the Studio J's facebook page!

Personally I am a traditional scrapbooker who loves to touch each embellishment and remember the process it took to scrap my pages. However with the inspiration of the above layouts, I do believe that I am going to head over to try it out! Plus with ever layout purchase you receive a .jpg file of your creation to use however you please! :D Check back often to my blog to see what creations I post next!

Happy Scrapbooking everyone!

 To learn more about the Amazing Studio J... click on the link below! :D

 https://amysue.myctmh.com/Retail/StudioJLanding.aspx?PageId=185

104... really?

Okay so Happy 1st day of September... and what better way to celebrate it then with 104 degree weather! I know that really makes it feel like Autumn is here! :(

So maybe not... but in light of the me desperately wanting fall to be here... I have updated the look of my blog! Let me know what you think and be entered in again for the FREE Wicked stamp set giveaway! Yep you read that right double your chances and if for some reason you have no idea what I am talking about... look at my other posts in the archive! And GOOD LUCK!!!

FREE STAMP DRAWING....

I am giving away to one lucky blog subscriber a
Wicked* Stamp Set from Close To My Heart
valued at $17.95!!!!

How do you enter you may ask?
Simply subscribe or follow my blog, then post a short
comment below and that is it!!

I will select one lucky winner at Midnight
September 9th, 2011!!

So what are you waiting for ... go now and follow this blog!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

*This is a current Close To My Heart Stamp of the Month...
so after August 31st, 2011 it will no longer be available!
You may purchase this online for $17.95 or $5 with a qualifying order
placed online as well. Contact me for details!

Thanksgiving Day Card Idea....

Is Autumn here yet???

I think that I was spoiled a bit last week with cooler temperatures. I actually broke out my favorite jeans in hopes that Autumn was fast approaching. Autumn is simply my most favorite season for a number of reasons: 1) my daughter was born in Autumn and is named Autumn :), 2) I love to see the trees changing colors... red, orange and yellow, 3) the crisp air with a hint of firewood, 4) the sound of leaves crunching under foot 5) the fabulous holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving... not to forget the pumpkin patch, apple orchard, hayrack rides etc.

I LOVE AUTUMN!!!

So when the heat index reached 106 degrees today I became a little depressed! Where did Autumn go? Then I thought... maybe if I create Autumn it will come more quickly.... right???

I decided to try out my NEW Art Philosophy Cartridge from Close To My Heart... and well.... it may be hot out... but it feels like Autumn inside!!!

Okay so I made this hinged card out of Cocoa cardstock, Barn Red cardstock and a multi-colored paper that has the same colors and a little bit of Honey in it! The multi-color paper (Grace) is discontinued however you can use any other paper that you wish that is fall-ish!

I hope that you like this Autumn card ... now I wonder who I will send it too! :D

Dust Covers for your Cricut? Oh My!

Do you need a fun DUST COVER for your Cricut machine?? Wouldn't it be fun to pick out the color to go along with your craft room decor? Here are a few examples of what can be done:

Let my friend Chris Hill make you one to keep your machine running tip top with no dust!!
Only $12 each plus $3.00 shipping! Email her today at scrapwithchrishill@gmail.com if you would like a fun Dust cover!!

Extra Extra FREE Bonus Stamp....

When your purchase total reaches $50, you'll get the Stamp of the Month set for just $5, PLUS a FREE A-sized bonus set! Hurry, the free bonus set is available this month ONLY!!! Don't let this amazing deal pass you by!

Shop online at: www.amysue.myctmh.com 24/7 ... even in your p.j.'s!

You and Me kit....

This is a layout that I did with the Close To My Heart kit You & Me. The colors of chocolate and smoothie work really well together giving my two pages a vintage feel. I also used the Irresistibles Eclectic Chipboard Die-Cut Alphabets and applied smoothie ink to tie it all together. It is the little touches that really count when it is all put together. Hope you enjoy it!



Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about this two page layout and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks!

Wow... am I behind!

Well it is almost half way through August and I have yet to post anything that has been happening... so prepare to have a few posts back to back!

In a few short days my little girl will be a third grader! Seriously where has all the time gone? She is not too excited about school because she already has been given homework. :D Its nothing big just a little ice breaker type of an assignment, but she is still not looking forward to it. However she is extremely excited to be getting an actual locker out in the hallway this year. Apparently that is a sign of a "older" more "responsible" kid! :D I am sure we will find some really cool things to decorate her locker with for sure!

I hope you are all ready for the back to school photos... I can not wait to get a little extra time to scrapbook... although I will miss her horribly!

Look for a few more posts coming regarding layouts, new product items etc.

Sad to see them go... but bring on the NEW!!!

I don't know about you but when I find a certain product, paper or color... I simply hate to see it discontinued. Close To My Heart is discontinuing some of their products, HOWEVER they are bringing out a huge amount of new products. So even though I am sad to see them go... bring on all the NEW!! :D

The following products will be no longer available after midnight Sunday the 31st of July... TONIGHT!!!

You can order them 24/7, until midnight on July 31, on my website at www.amysue.myctmh.com. I promise you that as you say goodbye to these items, we have many amazing new products and programs that will blow you away August 1st!

ACCESSORIES:

Z1289 Block Buddy
Z185 Block Organizer
Blocks:
Y1001 1" x 1 1/2"
Y1005 1" x 6 1/2"
Y1007 2" x 11"
Y1004 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
Y1011 4 1/2" x 6 1/2"
Y1500 MyAcrylix Block Starter Kit

Ribbon Rounds Collections:
Z1125 Sweet Leaf
Z1154 Buttercup
Z1209 Cranberry
Rub-Ons:
Z1265 Primavera
Z1231 Across the Board

Dimensional Elements:
All Dimensional Element Monograms
Z1156 Borders
Z1140 Framed Fun
Z1223 Booksmart
Z1312 Stars

Mini-Medley:
Z1243 Pewter
Z1277 Outdoor Denim
Z1339 Pear
Z1340 Lagoon

Irresistible:
Z1354 Miracle
Z1390 Villa

Embossing Powder:
Z647 Heavenly Blue
Z648 Baby Pink
Z664 Pansy Purple
Z671 Clear
Z678 Silver Pearl
Z1211 Top Coats Framed In
Z1357 Sophia Journaling Spots
Z1377 Kraft Color Ready Borders
Z1141 My Creations 3-Ring Binder
Z1166 3"x3" Cream Mini Album
3501 Red Eye Pen
Z1009 Pivot Point Stapler
Z1090 Foam Brushes
Z263 Fun Flock White

All Ink Pad Sets (individual still available)
All Marker Sets (individual still available)

PAPERS:

All Level One Kits

Bliss Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Bliss Level 2 Paper Pack
Bliss MyStickease
Miracle Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Miracle Level 2 Paper Pack
Miracle MyStickease
Sweetheart Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Sweetheart Level 2 Paper Pack
Sweetheart MyStickease
Wings Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Wings Level 2 Paper Pack
Wings MyStickease
Magnifique Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Magnifique Level 2 Paper Pack
Magnifique MyStickease
Olivia Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Olivia Level 2 Paper Pack
Olivia MyStickease
Hooligans Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Hooligans Level 2 Paper Pack
Hooligans MyStickease
Mistletoe Level 1 Scrapbook Kit
Mistletoe Level 2 Paper Pack
Mistletoe MyStickease
8 1/2" x 11" Vellum Paper

Cardstock:

Close To My Heart will not be discontinuing any colors of cardstock, but they will be selling only select colors in individual color packs. All colors will still be available in combo packs.

The colors that will continue to be sold in 24 sheet packs of one individual color are:
Black, White Daisy, Colonial White, Vanilla Cream, Chocolate, Cocoa, Desert Sand, Bamboo, Sweet Leaf, Pacifica, Smoothie, Creme Brulee, Olive, Cranberry, and Outdoor Denim. All other colors will now only be sold in combo packs. Cardstock prices are also going up so order your bulk cardstock today!


Envelope Flats:

2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
3" x 3"
3" x 4 3/4"
4" x 4"
4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
5" x 5"
5" x 7"
5 1/2" x 4 3/4"
6" x 6"
8" x 3 1/2"

Fabulous and Fun Layouts....

Have you ever been stumped on how to layout your pictures on a scrapbook page? Or have you ever wanted just a little help from someone creative to point you in the right direction?

Well... the founder of Close To My Heart, Jeanette Lynton, has a line of published books that can help you break through your creative block. They are foundational how-to-programs that give you a step by step process to follow that is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Here is a page layout from the book Imagine that I put together of pictures of me enjoying a sucker when I was little. This layout can be found on pages 64-65. Most of the layouts in this book, as well as the other three programs, can be either a one page or two page layout. This makes it easy to coordinate your pictures into whatever layout you like the best.


First you pick a layout that fits your style and number of pictures, then decided on coordinating cardstock and printed paper! Now you are ready for the last couple steps. Cut the paper and cardstock to the sizes that are listed in the book. Finally, follow the layout diagram on where to put all your cut pieces and pictures! DONE!! Now the fun part begins... embellish and journal to your liking!

Truly these layout books have endless layouts as you can simply rotate each layout 90, or 180 degrees and get a whole new look!

Close To My Heart has four complete layout program books titled: Magic, Reflections, Imagine, and Cherish! Each are different and have finished layout examples throughout the entire book... they are a MUST have for any scrapbooker!

Check my website at: www.amysue.myctmh.com for more information on each of the layout books!

SNEEK PEEK.....

Here is a sample of just a few things that you will be able to create with the NEW Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge. Notice how there is not only two dimensional items but 3D as well! I myself can not wait to make my own paper flowers that look like I purchased them. What a wonderful way to make all your embellishments and journaling areas match your paper or layout! Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the new cartridge and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Only 4 more days to go until you can purchase your copy!

Shop online at http://amysue.myctmh.com/!

THE NEW: Art Philosoply Cricut Cartridge

Close To My Heart is set to introduce the exclusive Close To My Heart Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge on August 1st, 2011!

Simply plug the cartridge into your Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter machine and your ready to cut any of the 700 shapes with the touch of a button. Yep... 700 shapes!!!

Watch this short Youtube video to learn more about what the cartridge can do.



The ONLY place to purchase this cartridge is through Close To My Heart. However, you not only get the cartridge with 700 shapes, but you will also receive 3- My Acrylix D-size Stamp Sets and 3- 9" x 12" Dimensional Elements.

I know what your are thinking... cartridge, stamps and dimensional shapes seem like a weird pairing... right? NOPE!!! Close To My Heart has taken the Cricut cartridge to the next level. The 700 shapes that can be found on the cartridge also have stamps and dimensional that are designed to perfectly coordinate with the images. How exciting! Take your paper crafting to a whole new level!

Visit my Close To My Heart Website http://amysue.myctmh.com/ to see the new cartridge along with other new products... August 1st, 2011!

Welcome to my new blog! :D

This is really exciting for me as I have always wanted to have a blog, but just never knew what to blog about. :) I joined the Close to My Heart family and now have so much to share regarding the wonderful products, simply techniques and amazing ways to preserve your most treasured moments. I hope that you will find this blog not only helpful but fun as well.

Close to My Heart is getting ready to launch the new products for fall so stay tuned to get a few sneak peeks!