It's Beginning to Look like the HOLIDAYS!

The holidays are HERE . . . so fast, I say, so fast!

I did make my tags this morning and thought you'd like to see how fun and easy they are. I used the Believe paper pack and the December 25th stamp set. Oh, and of course, the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge cut all the tags for me. As easy as 1, 2, 3 presto!

First batch of pretty tags. Merry Christmas!

This set went roundish . . . very chic! And ready for me to actually do the shopping so the wrapping can begin. LOL

I did also start some Christmas cards . . . this cute one is my favorite I stamp lifted from the card the Corporate CTMH office sent all Consultants. Cute!

This card was made with the Remarkable Wreath set (CTMH) and the Believe paper pack. I love the Friends saying . . . all of you, my friends, do warm my heart!

Enjoy the season!!!

Rockin the Block with this Special!

Hello Stamper friends!

I am remiss in getting my blog updated. I know, what kind of a person lets the blog stay just the same for a month? Oh the horrors! But I have been stamping so I have something to post. LOL

Here's an adorable card I made for the season:

And speaking of seasons and gift giving, the special this month is perfect for a quick and easy gift for someone!

The stamp set that comes with the Rock the Block 

stamp set

The special is easy, spend $25 on anything in the catalog and for just $15 you receive the blocks set (made of chipboard) and the adorable stamp. Can't wait to get mine .. . but don't wait it's only available through January 31st. Eeeep. :-)


The Stamp of the Month this month is also very versatile:

 

And here's a card I made for my hubby to celebrate our anniversary. Note any of the images outline in red have a coordinating Cricut image. Stamping has never been this easy and fun!


Happy Stamping this month. Tis the season to make a few cards for those closest to your art. Be sure to let me know if you need anything or would like to purchase a gift certificate for the person who LOVES stamping, and Cricutting and Scrapbooking!


Yours in Stamping Bliss,
Elaine Hagebush
Close To My Heart Consultant since 1997

November Holiday Wishes

I am SO far behind . . . this month's special for the month is an adorable stamp set at an incredible discount.

When you purchase $25 in My Acrylix Stamp sets between November 1st and 30, you can add a new exclusive to November only, D-size Holiday Wishes stamp set for only $5. One Holiday Wishes stamp set for every $25 in qualifying purchases.  As a plus, 4 of the images coordinate with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge (only available though a CTMH Consultant). Here is some artwork from the flyer. For more information, email me or go to my website. I can't wait to get my set!

Playing in Wonderland

I ordered the Wonderland Workshop on the Go and I am completely in love with the little stamp set that comes with the set! The little coffee cup is adorable . . . and I love the second generation set you can stamp on top of the coffee cup.

The card is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" and the white part is a 2" square cut out so the little cup shows through. I also used a Cricut Cartridge (not Art Philosophy) to add whirly stitches.

If you love getting card ideas that are fun and easy to make, be sure to sign up for the Stamp Club. One of the best perks of the club is your own blog. Once a month (15th) just place a $15 order and you're in the club . . . once every 10 months you get to be the hostess. Wahoo!

Best of all, you will receive 4 card ideas on Elaine's Stamp Clubshouse Blog. Yup, it's worth it. I have the cards ready to post and am getting some things worked out on the blog before it goes live November 15. The cards are pretty cool and they use the Wonderland set from Wonderland Workshop on the Go.

This set would also be great with the Holiday Magic set stamp of the month, but don't wait, you only have until Monday to order. You can either order the set outright for $17.95 or order $50 in product and purchase the set for only $5.

Enjoy all your stamping and Cricuting.

Christmas in October

Yes, the weather is so warm I wore shorts over the weekend and yet, here I am playing with the stamp of the month "Holiday Magic" and this adorable "Bundled Buddies" stamp set. It looks like this little raccoon is going for a ride in a winter wonderland.

I used my Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to cut the oval shaped red and white mat behind my scene. The great thing about the Cricut is the ability to cut one size bigger than the other as easy as a flip of the knob. Be sure to look for items outlined in red in the current catalog, that means it has a coordinating shape on the cartridge. That makes stamping faster, easier and simpler for sure!

What have you made with your Cricut lately? Are you having trouble getting started? Good news, I'm planning a Cricut Party soon . . . keep your eye out for the email!

Have a chirpy day!
Elaine

Cricut Creations You Can Make!

The Cricut machine sat for years  in my closet. In it's cute little leather bag I looked at it occasionally and thought about dragging it out, but really it seemed like a lot to do and I wasn't really sure what to do with it. And then Close To My Heart introduced the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge bonus bundle and I decided, "whoa there, this is the coolest thing since sliced bread!"

 I returned from the CTMH convention and proceeded to set up that green little Cricut critter on his own table and have been happily Cricut cutting ever since. Out of sight, out of mind I guess.

I thought I'd share a few things I've made in the last week or so. My favorite is the scrapbook page I made for my daughter's National Charity League album . . . it's SO beautiful!  
 

These pages were made with the Mayberry Level 2 paper and the Cricut cut the flower border and the fun 3D flowers.

Side view of the 3D flowers.

Then I made some cards which were amazingly fun!

This card was fun to make since it had the hand cut paper doily and the fun sunflower looking flowers.

This card not only includes the flowers cut with the Art Philosophy cricut, but I used one of the stamp set that came with it to stamp the "Thanks." It's just a beautiful card with the larger flowers bringing out the paper pattern (Mayberry again).

This card looks like a big postage stamp to me with it's fun, decorative edging, all cut on the Cricut. I also cut out the dragon flies, using the new Dreamin' Paper pack. I used the under layer with the decorative squares and the top part is the sold blue, Pacific cardstock. (Note: stamplifted from Jeanette's website.)

Have fun with your Cricut . . . but remember, don't tuck it away, bring it out, give him a home and USE him! :-)

Crop Escape!

Chandra and Elaine, working HARD!

You know you need a break when you're too busy to stamp and/or scrapbook all you want to do. Running away doesn't have to be very far away and maybe, to not scare the husband and children you could call it a business trip. It's business, it's your business.

Denise, organizer of Crop Escapes and Elaine

This last weekend Chandra W., a dear friend
and member of my CTMH team, and I escaped to Milpitas, which is literally 30 minutes from my house. We stayed at a very nicely decorated Courtyard Marriott. Not only did I catch up on my sleep, I completed pages and pages, as well as several cards. I played with my Cricut machine and familiarized myself with the new CTMH Art Philosophy set (it comes with stamps and die-cuts).

I did not want to leave, but alas, real life called me back to reality . . . but when I came downstairs and saw all my pretty artwork I was already plotting my next escape. Come with me?

Father and me layout.

Cricut Flowers, No Watering Needed!

I have had so much fun these past few weeks with the latest and greatest product from Close To My Heart, The Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge and coordinating stamp sets. Talk about easy as sliced bread, this little puppy has made even my little Cricut (he's old, only 6"x12", poor baby), crank out the most beautiful artwork and all with the snap of an "on" button!

This beautiful card was made using the Mayberry paper from our last catalog and the cut outs from the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. The stamped saying is from one of the stamp sets that come with the cartrige bundle.

To add a little pizzazz, I used 3D foam tape under some of the flowers and the saying as shown in the photo below. I can't believe how fast this card came together! A few pieces of advice I've gathered from the last week . . . find a spot for your Cricut to make it accessible. If you have to dig for it in a closet or pull it out of a bag, you will be less likely to use it. Mine is sitting on a little side table, ready for some Cricut cutting at a moment's notice!

Also keep a few of the paper cutting mats so you can leave one loaded with your different color cardstock or paper while you are working on a project. Do not leave them over night or it will become a sticky mess, but I found it saved a ton of paper if I just left the Colonial White mat where I could pop it in the machine for a quick mat or another flower.

Enjoy your Cricut!!! Chirp, chirp!

Cricut Creations!

The Cricut, baby, the Cricut! I absolutely am in love with this new creation! The Cricut Art Philosophy Collection has got to be the hottest thing since sliced bread!!!!

This card, which I have stamp lifted somewhere, and I'm so sorry I can't remember where . . . took me minutes to make! Really! I cut the flowers and the little doily and the leaves out with the Cricut . . . added the "Best Wishes . . . " from one of the sets that came with the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection. The paper is from Dreamin' Collection. So easy!

I have a very old Cricut (it only cuts 6"x12" paper) so I made the french fry box but could only make it 5 1/2" so it turned out little, but SO cute. It would be perfect for little party favors or a gift card.

I used the Dreamin' Paper pack for this one too and the stamp sets that came with the Cricut Art Philosophy stamp set. Oh my goodness, it was super quick to make too and I loved how easy it was to stamp the thank you tag on the die-cut ticket. Super easy too!

I'm hooked on my Cricut!

Get yours too! The CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy is only available through CTMH so let me know if you *need* one too! :-)

See page 13 of the new catalog and be sure to come to my upcoming Cricut 101 class! Fun!

Creative Convention Extravaganza

Oh yeah, baby! Close To My Heart Convention is ALL about the artwork . . . not only do the Consultants get to see some of the best artists at work at Extravaganza, but the attendees also receive all the products they need to create their own fun artwork with the new tools, papers, stamps, and doo dads (oh, how I love the doo dads!)

 These two pages (which I wish I could figure out how to display side by side) was the project layout idea we were given at Convention.(And yes, we received EVERYTHING we needed to make it including the awesome bling, found on page 127 & 128) I used photos highlighting a recent stamp session with my very good friend, Michele, who is SO creative. You should definitely check out her blog for ideas too: http://michelesinkitstampit.blogspot.com/.

I created the pages in her Studio and then went around her beautiful rural property and took some pictures. Michele also took me to a fun lunch place and  . . . yes, there was a chicken store next door. Alas, no big chicken artwork, but I have not lost hope.

These pages were created with the new Roxie paper pack and the stamp set, 10 Things C1474 (remember new stamp prices so it's only $13.95!!!) and the ribbon (which I just noticed is majorly crooked . . . ah well, I'm not perfect either) is from the Designer Ribbon Red Collection Z1615 (only $5.95). I wrote something I love about stamping with Michele on each of the little tags in the pocket (on page 123 of the catalog . . . only $3.95). Michele has a rockin stamp room, you can see from the picture of us . . . don't even worry, I'm heading back that way SOON!

Convention attendees also received everything to create a darling mini album using 6x6 Kraft Cards (p. 123 and only $6.95 for 10 cards & envelopes). The stamp set was an exclusive Convention attendee only stamp set, featuring that adorable castle which Megan, my oldest daughter, says is a rendition of Hogwarts! LOL

The book is created using 3 of the Kraft cards, folded accordion style and attached with strong adhesive. Pictures of my friends from high school playing in Mickey land look GREAT in this book! I love it!

Stay tuned . . . I'm stamping again today! :-)

Playing with new papers!!!

Today I decided to play with some new products from the brand new catalog. These are the rub ons that coordinate with the Wicked set, found on page 46 of the new catalog. They were super easy to apply and not only does it include Halloween themed rub ons, but also Thanksgiving and the borders could easily be used for just about any theme. I love multi use items!

So I made this card, using only the rub-ons, no stamping . . . and the papers from the Wicked set (don't you just love saying you used "Wicked" paper?) I also sanded the background paper and sponge a tad bit of Cocoa ink around the edges to make it look rather Fall like. I love how easy the card was to make and how fun the images came off the paper . . .

The Zip Strip from Dreamin'

Then I decided to make a daisy card, using the stamps from Thanksgiving stamp set C1426 on page 65 of the new catalog. The little sayings came from the "zip strip" from the top of the new background and texture paper. You will notice that our new paper not only is a heavier weight, but it also does not have the logo stamped on the useable piece of paper, it is on one side of a 1/4" strip at the top of the paper and the back side of this piece? Totally different little strip to be used for decorating whatever your heart desires.

I also decided to use some scraps I had left over from Convention make and takes to create these 3 little notecards. I love 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" little cards. Perfect for including with a gift or just writing a little something to a friend or favorite neighbor with those batch of cookies (hint, I love chocolate chip . . . )

Have a fun stamping day! And remember, if your fingers aren't inky when you're done, you didn't do it right!

Wickedly Awesome Stamp Deal

There are only a few more days left to take advantage of this awesome spooky Wicked Deal! This month you can not only get this stamp set for only $5 with a $50 order, but you'll receive the alphabet set shown to the right. Free stamps! Yeah!

The stamp set this month is called, Wicked . . . I love the witch, her stripey socks make me want some just like hers! And the kitty? Well, she's going to be good for other things besides Halloween, like birthday cards for my feline loving pals. I have already made a bunch of cards and then realized . . . oh, I need to wait for OCTOBER to be sending out spooky greetings. LOL

The best change to our stamping program (besides the lower price on all the stamps) is the complete guide to the projects that are shown with the Stamp of the Month at the back of the catalog. How does this work? Well, the CTMH Art Department have shared how they made all that beautiful artwork. Not just WHAT they used, but HOW they did it. Oh my, stamp lifting made even easier??? Sign me up!

This cute box is shown on the last page of the catalog, only it's shown open . . . go to the link from the CTMH website under the "Campaigns and Promotions" section and you can see exactly how it's been done. Yeah!


 http://www.closetomyheart.com/en/Campaigns_and_Promotions/Stamp_of_the_Month.aspx

Happy Stamping and Crafting! Let me know if you *NEED* Wicked or anything else. :-)

Stamper Girls Unite!!!!

Part of our team at Convention 2011

In 1997 I went to my first stamping party . . . my husband asked where I was going at 7:00 pm on a Tuesday night (not that he cared really, not with that dazed look a new dad has when he has a 4 month old baby, a rambunctious 3 year old and a 7 year old that was really just wanting attention, so maybe he just wondered how long he could hold onto his sanity).  I said I was going to a stamping party which was kind of like Tuperware and no, I wouldn’t spend too much, but could I take the checkbook, you know, just in case. When I look back at my life from that point forward (and I still say I'm only 29, just an OLD 29), I have to say the best thing I decided to pursue was my journey as a Consultant with Close To My Heart, the best stamping and scrapbooking company in the whole world. Not kidding, it's true! I've been a Consultant for almost 15 years (that's half of my 29 years . . . oh wait, now my math is getting kinda blurry. LOL)

I love being a Consultant and not just because they carry a FULL line of the best scrapbooking paper (yes, I sniff the new bags of paper. Best. Smell. Ever.), best clear stamps (I sniff them too), and matchy matchy everything from the inks to the accessories to the ribbons, oh how I adore ribbon. You can never, ever have too much ribbon. No, the very best thing about Close To My Heart is the friendships I've made and the connections I have made with both my customers and my team members and others in this awesome company from around the world. And let's face it, many of them became team members after becoming my customer or were my friend and I hooked them into this fabulous art world. Truly, when I say hooked, it really is addicting. My husband watched me with a class of stampers one day and he pulled me aside and said that it was a little like a drug deal going down.

Me: "This stamp pad color would go perfectly with that paper pack."
Mary Stamper: (name changed in case the husband reads this) "oh, yes! I love that color, is it Tulip?"
Me: "oh my, you know your CTMH color palette so well. Would you like to look at the other Tulip accessories?"

Michele P.'s beautiful card.

And so it is that Mary Stamper orders EVERYTHING she needs to make an adorable Cherry O greeting card and enough paper to create pages for her scrapbook and maybe even little goodie bags for her daughter’s birthday party. Yes, it is a little like dealing, I suppose. However, unlike dealing bad things, stamps and scrapbook things are GOOD things. Not only is it extremely therapeutic (I have a psychologist on my team who has endorsed stamping and scrapbooking as a form of therapy) but we stampers create a legacy of scrapbooks and cards for generations to come. Plus, it keeps us out of trouble. Right? Get the glitter, girls, we've got work to do!!

Look what I stamped today!

I made these cute little 3x3 cards today with my new stamps and papers we received at Convention . . . It was SO much fun and now my fingers are inky and I am pretty sure there is a smudge on my nose too (I can just see it as I'm typing this . . . ) but it makes me happy so, that's okay. Maybe the pizza delivery guy won't notice. Oh wait, that's just Dave, my hubby.

I made these cards too . . . I love the blingie buttons (that's a real word) and the butterflies are beautiful and make me think of a Jason Mraz song.

Then I totally switched gears and made a Halloween card. I know, random, huh? But I couldn't let the cat be so boring so I added an opaque black button for her nose and red sparkles on her eyes. Spooky!

But wait, isn't Halloween not for another 2 months? Don't tell Target or Michael's that, they barely got the summer stuff out there for me to think about and bam, it's Christmas stuff. Huh? Anyway, Have a Wicked Christmas! LOL

Paper Flower Tutorial

I love making the paper flower rosettes that are on the new CTMH Art Philosophies cartridge . . . and my friend, Michele Pryor really has the best tutorial ever!  Michele's Flower Tutorials

Making flowers is SO much easier than growing them! Michele is an exceptional paper gardener as shown here with a card she made using her Cricut and the CTMH set that coordinates. Beautiful!

 This is the side angle of the Cherry O paper card . . . I love how Michele has the flower petals curled up a bit to give it more diminsion. Simply lovely! And no watering involved. Have fun with your paper garden!

Wicked Fun

 I am LOVING the August Stamp of the Month . . . and maybe it's not just because it's called Wicked. It's no where near Halloween and yet, the stores are full of Halloween stuff already (and school hasn't even started). Heck, if I bought candy for the trick or treaters now, what would the chances of it still being here (or me finding it in October because I hid it in such a perfect place from myself that I can't find it) . . . yup, not a good idea.

So, instead I'm stamping witches and brooms and lots of scary stuff . . . including the cat, who, by the way, is NOT wicked. She's really cute and I just had the thought that she would make an adorable card . . . and I could make her have green eyes with some of my little jewels. OR I could make her spooky with some of the red ones.

this is a cute cat card

this is a real wicked cat

Oh, and the cat card was really fun to make because I cut the scallop shaped card out with my new CTMH Cricut cartridge. There are several really fun shaped cards, including circle cards which I love making, but are hard to cut out because, well, I failed cutting circles out in kindergarten. LOL

Okay, so apparently, I need to go make some more cards with my new Wicked stamp set. I hope it's not wicked of me to not make my family dinner because I'm too busy stamping. It's not Wicked if you make cute stuff, right?

MeOw!

Fun with the Cricut (I know, more!)

I just found more ideas and hints and tips for integrating the Art Philosophy cartridge with the stamp sets.
I want to make more of these adorable flowers.

Also, if you want more step by step directions on very 3D rosette flowers, see page 33 of the current catalogs. It couldn't be easier to create one of a kind art work!

Online Current Catalog (go to page 33)

Have fun and let me know if you have any questions or want your own Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.

Chirp, chirp!

Scrapbooking in Studio J

https://stampedbyme.myctmh.com/Retail/StudioJ

I bet you didn't know this, but I have expanded my Studio . . . don't even worry, Dave won't be mad, because the Stamp Studio, also known as our living room, is still the same. I've expanded my studio with Studio J, which is the Close To My Heart digital online scrapbooking program.

I know, first I was using the Cricut this week and now I'm scrapbooking online. It's crazy! Today I created 4 beautiful layouts this afternoon and I have submitted them to print . . . my total cost: under $25.00 and I get free page protectors and earned free shipping! And that's not all! I immediately received the jpg images so I can show and tell them here or on Facebook or if I wanted to print them myself (although the CTMH printer uses higher quality and the colors are much better than my Canon.)

For a VERY short and easy training (7 minutes) we have a video on YouTube: 

 This is the link to the video if this doesn't work: http://www.youtube.com/Studio J
This is the link to the pricing information . . . there are several options to pick from, but to just try the software and creative your page so you can see how it works . . . that's FREE! http://www.studioj.com/studioj_pricing.html  Let me know if any of those links don't work!

(To see the layouts in a larger size, click on them and it will enlarge them!! Magic!)
The first layout I created featured my fun day at Disneyland last month:

Then I had some more fun with our trip to the zoo!

And the last two were memories from my two summer birthday children. I am so excited to get so much scrapbooking done!

Hope you enjoyed my show and tell. If you have any questions regarding the program or the how to's, just give me an email or call and I'll walk you through it. It sure does make scrapbooking SUPER fast and super easy. And did I mention cheapest way I can think of to get some cute pages done too! Make sure to tell all your friends about my blog so I can get more followers and I won't feel so sad that I only have 12 people. LOL

Happy Scrapbooking!