Love Your Layout Jan 2013

Don't forget to go to order your Studio J layouts in February to take advantage of the wonderful special Close to My Heart has to offer. GO HERE to get started.

Love Your Layout

This is an older Love Your Layout episode but I realized I never posted it. Please watch if you are interested in participating in the Studio J special for February. It will be a good start if you are new to Studio J, or if you having been using it for a while and need a few new techniques.

Head over to my website to start your FREE Studio J session. You only pay for what you order!

2013 Has Begun

I have to say the 2012 Christmas season was a very relaxing time for my family and I, not because it was planned that way, but because we were sick and was forced to stay home and recover. I am very thankful for this time because it made me so grateful for my little family. Now 2013 is in full swing and we are going full steam ahead. So I wanted to share a few of the upcoming events I have planned.

Jan. 7 @ 6:30pm is Workshop Club
Jan. 11@ 12:00pm is Workshop Club
Jan. 12 @ 9:00am is Avonlea Card Workshop

If you are interested in joining me for next month's Va Belle Vie Scrapbook Workshop we will meet on  February 4th @ 6:30pm and February 8th @ 12:00pm you must order and pay me no later than January 11@Noon. Cost is $35

And don't forget it is National Papercrafting Month so with an additional purchase of $5 (total $35 before tax and shipping). You can purchase the adorable Whooo's Your Valentine Kit for only $10 (plus tax & shipping)!

If you are preparing for Valentine's Day don't forget the beautiful Happy Valentine's Day stamp of the month for $5 when you purchase $50. Or order directly for $17.95.

If you need a new technique to your 2013 projects, try the resist emboss technique!

Stamping Technique Tutorial

My absolute favorite stamping technique is random stamping. It makes all of your projects using only the colors that you need. Enjoy!

And if you need cardstock at a great price head to my website and purchase beautiful spring colors at a discounted prices "While Supplies Last"

Gift Giver's Survival Kit

Sometimes you have to think outside of the box! In today's day in time it is harder than ever to give a simple gift. Most people have more than they could ever want so I began thinking of what someone might use. After being inspired by many great crafting blogs (thank you to all of you extra creative people out there who share your gift with those, like myself, who can't come of with idea out of thin air) I came up with the Gift Giver's Survival Kit. All the little things that you think would be laying around your house, until you have the need to use it and you realize you have run out or it has been misplaced. All items are Close to My Heart unless noted other wise.

The box is a cupcake box found at Michael's in the Bakers section. I just covered it with Close to My Heart scrapbook paper (retired) I added a bow using the Cricut Artiste Cartridge and put a Pewter brad in the middle of the bow to hold it together.

Included in the box are gift tags, chocolate, a pen(Michael's), and post-it notes(Michael's). I used the Cricut Artiste and CTMH Very Merry Christmas Stamp to make the gift tags and chocolate labels. I used red Glitz gel to add a little pizazz to the "25" and cranberry bakers twine to use as hangers.

Also included in the box are 2-Gift Card Holders. I used the CTMHs Artiste Cricut cartridge to cut the cards and CTMHs Art Philosophy cartridge to cut out the envelopes both using the Believe paper (retired)

Don't forget the inside when making cards! Always add a blank neutral cardstock, light enough to write on when you have printed paper on the inside. 

Fun Cards with Cricut Artiste and Close to My Heart

Let's take a little break from all of the Christmas Crafts to look at something that is more everyday. Maybe you are thinking of making 12 months of cards to give in a cute box for Christmas this year. The Cricut Artiste will make it fast and easy by doing all of the cutting for you. Check out this video with Christine and then head over to my website to purchase the Artiste Cricut Cartridge being offered exclusively by Close to My Heart.

Christmas Ornaments with Close to My Heart

I know for many of you, you are already preparing for Christmas because you love crafting or maybe because of the economy you have decided to make more of your Christmas gifts. Either way these Christmas Ornaments are cute and easy to create. They will make great teacher gifts, gift tags, ornament swap gifts, or great to decorate your own tree. I also thought make these ornaments would be a great advent activity with your kids. So I hope you enjoy this video then head over to my website and pick up the necessary supplies.