CTMH Specials

It's a Thanks-a-bration!
August 3-17 only

You do so much for everyone else; let Close To My Heart do something for you! This August 3-17, place an order of $100 or more, and you not only get the FREE Stamp of the Month, but you will also receive a free Level 2 My Reflections kit. To make this offer even sweeter, Close To My Heart will pick up the shipping and the tax for both the Stamp of the Month and your free My Reflections Kit! CTMH will choose your free My Reflections Kit from the following kits:

My Reflections® Vintage Travel Level 2 Paper Packet
My Reflections® Rough ‘n Tumble Level 2 Paper Packet
My Reflections® Route 66 Level 2 Paper Packet
My Reflections® Expedition Level 2 Paper Packet
My Reflections® Floral Tapestry Level 2 Paper Packet
My Reflections® Everlasting Level 2 Paper Packet
My Reflections® Caprice Level 2 Paper Packet
My Reflections® Enchanted Level 2 Paper Packet
My Reflections® Free Spirit Level 2 Paper Packet
My Reflections® Life Delights Level 2 Paper Packet
My Reflections® Whoops-a-Daisy Level 2 Paper Packet
My Reflections® Perfect Day Level 2 Paper Packet

September is National Stamping Month!
August 18 - September 30

Delight in the Everyday with a Stunning New Card Kit
To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, we've designed a gorgeous new card kit for making 16 cards and are offering it in a multi-faceted Everyday Celebration campaign where there's something for everyone!

Provo Crafts Gypsy

For weeks now Provo Craft has been playing with our hearts and minds, us with clues about their newest release. From the clues, many were able to discern that this new gadget was going to be some sort of hand held device that worked with your Cricut machine to let you design on the go and create all the art projects you could imagine in the palm of your hand.

This device is going to let you download all your Cricut Cartridges onto it and it will do everything the standard Cricut software can do, but without a computer!
With the Cricut Gypsy you can weld, stretch, rotate, slant, and all the other functions that come stock with the PC software Cricut Design Studio. It will also provide you with a central location to store all your designs, photos, and craft projects so you never have to worry about transporting your giant Cricut machine again to get what you want. The Gypsy also stores the manuals and overlays for all the cartridges, so you literally have everything to design and shape any art project you can imagine in the palm of your hand.

Gypsy Benefits:•No computer required•All CDS functionality on-the-go with no PC•Interfaces with CDS when connected to a PC•Stores All Content•Stores All Overlays•Stores All Manuals•Stores CDS Projects

Woot! Woot! WHo will be buying a Gypsy? I don't know if I will but I think the idea of this gadget is absolutely wonderful and provides alot of freedom for designers.. Think about virtually anywhere you go you can be creating fabulous designs..

Price Range 200-$300

At the Sizzix 8th birthday bash, you get all the gifts, including savings on select products and crazy deals in our Clearance section. But here’s the ultimate icing on the cake: we’ve temporarily cut prices on many more of our hottest products throughout the site! So what are you waiting for? Let the Party Begin.

woot! woot! I placed an order.. did you?

Beware:Fraud & Credit Cards

I just received a phone call from stamps.com welcoming me to them.. How very weird that after reading the message from WVCathy just after ordering from cricutrewards and the charge just posted to my account yesterday/today that this should happen..

The person used my VISA and my address but their email and secret question were incorrect. I had the account closed and called my VISA to close that account as well.. ughhg I use paypal whenever offered as I feel that is a safer route, however there is on occasion places that do not offer paypal as an option...

cricutrewards is one of them and I had to use my VISA and I will go back over my recent charges and see where else I had to use my cc instead of paypal.. recently within in 2-3 weeks (stampington.com, frugalities.com and cricutrewards.com (this is the most recent) NOTE: Nothing against any of these comapnies I am not accusing them of being the culprit..

so buyers as I am sure you know..just beware and always watch your charges being posted.. thankfully the company called me before any charges were made.

This also makes me wonder though, if somehow they were able to obtain my information just from me visiting their site.. I wanted to check out what stamps.com was after WVCathy had posted it..I never signed up or anything I just viewed the site..

Stampin Up Party

This is funny! My friend and cohort in all things was invited to a home party and asked me to come along..she called it a craft party.. I was like craft what I am totally there what company is it for? She had no clue as she is not into crafting like I am and was just going to support her daughters coach who was having the party..

So I pick her up and we head over to the party, the first thing I see is a Mary kay Consultant setting up I was like HEY! I thought this was a craft party.. she had no clue what was going on.. Turns out they all take turns hosting and going to eachothers parties and this was a 2 fer party..

Mary Kay samples and a Stampin Up consultant.. Even though I LOVE CTMH because of their My Acrylix stamps and wonderful paper packs, I did not want to leave the party just because I am an opposing company Consultant. I had a good time meeting new people crafting together and seeing everyones own personal take on the DIY projects the SU consultant provided..

Videos from the Festival

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Die HARD Harry Potter fan here.. I have some serious Potter Mania going on! I have read all of the books and watched all of the movies numerous times..

However..small spoiler alert if you have not seen the Half Blood Prince yet..

The movie was 2.5 hours long and it seemed to miss some key points of the book. Overall I think I rate this move a B-/C, I knew what was going on because I have read the books. However DH who has not read the books was left asking why and I had to explain alot of the movie to him, which was fun discussing the movie like this with him.

Dumbledore does not visit the Dursley's to collect Harry and talk about the protection on the house and how Harry needs to return one more time.. since he does not collect Harry from the Dursley's there is also no mention of Sirius' will and Harry inheriting everything and of course that means there is no Kreacher in this movie.

Harry and Dumbledore do not talk in the shed with Dumbledore telling the Harry to share the information of the prophecy with Ron & Hermione and that he will be taking lessons with Dumbledore this year.

Nothing about O.W.L scores

Tonks was not at the Weasleys when Harry arrived looking all distraught, no Tonks at the train to discover Harry after Malfoy stomped on his face or around Hogsmeade.

There was nothing about Bill & Fleur (without this element will the wedding still be in the next movie as the reason why Harry should be at the Weasleys and why he has to be disguised?)

The only mention about Fenrir Greyback is a small wanted poster even though Fenrir Greyback is in the movie.

Dumbledore never explains what happened to his hand, and horcruxes are touched on a bit.

No mention of Percy and his issues with is family, or Harry meeting Scrimgeour

No apparition lessons

No trip to Marvolo Gaunts via the pensieve, nothing to do with Snape as the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher besides being announced.

Where in the book did Death eaters burn the Weasley house down?

No run in with Mundungus Fletcher at Hogsmeade with him nicking Sirius' stuff.
Also my biggest beef is this: the way Albus Dumbledore died and what Harry was doing at the time of his death... and there was no funeral in this movie for Dumbledore.

Will there be a funeral at the beginning of the next movie?
The movie was overall ok but I felt that it lacked some key parts from the book. I have watched it twice I think I will watch it again on Thursday however this is my least favorite of all the Movies.. I understand time contsraints and that there is alot more in the book than the movies usually protray however and again just my personal opinion it just lacked.

Yamato Summer Festival

I spent Saturday afternoon at the Yamato Summer Festival. There were Taiko drummers from our base students who have taken the Summer class to learn how to do taiko drumming.
There was a live band and lots and lots of food booths. Yummy!




view of the train station





My favorite place to shop in Yamato.. A craft store Yuzawaya..they have Copic markers! Yeah!

New! Sensational Simplicity on Art & Soul

It’s been said there’s great beauty in simplicity, and it’s so true in artwork. In this episode of Art & Soul, you’ll learn how to create simple yet gorgeous layouts and cards using basic techniques and tools that everyone can enjoy! From designing handmade B&T papers, selecting the right adhesive, and choosing perfect color combinations to make your photos pop, your crafting hours will be simple and oh-so pleasurable! You’ll also discover what’s most important to Jeanette and drives her love of stamping and scrapbooking.

Watch Here

Be One of a Kind

Yes one of a kind is upside and yes it is intentional.. Thank You

Stamps #D1349 Be Yourself

Papers Key to My Heart (CTMH)

Color Ready Alphabet (letter B)

Inks Juniper, Black and Tulip

Diamond Glaze is on the B to give it some shine and dimension

Thanks for looking

More Cards

Doodled background with a white Inksentials pen
Nestabilities Scalloped Rectangle
CTMH Black Ink

Key to My Heart Papers

Topiary Brad

Autumn Blooms

Juniper Ink

Flower from Friendship Blessings

Stamp set D1349 Be Yourself CTMH May Stamp of the Month

Papers: The animal print is from DCWV All Dressed Up Stack

I took some time last night in the heat to work on a few cards..
Yeah Me!

Flowers I just can't stop them

I just cant seem to stop with all the flowers..
Supplies are all Close to My Heart
Key to My Heart Papers
Topiary Brad
Tulip and Cocoa Ink

Thanks for looking!

Sketch Challenge

This Thank You card was made using the NEW Wishes Card Confidence Program book from Close to my Heart..

Top Band Pattern: The Card measures 8x31/2

Supplies:

Provocraft Black CS

CTMH Key to My Heart papers Juniper, Tulip and yellow polka dotted

White Brad

Cocoa, Tulip Inks

The Challenge:

My challenge is for you to show me your take on this card. You do not have to use Close to my Heart supplies. To enter post some verbage about the challenge on your blog as well as your card and in my comment section link to that post..

You can print the Pattern Here ..

The Prize:

The winner will receive a $25.00 shopping spree with CTMH also the following stamp sets Butterfly Wings and Summertime and 2 new Ink pads (colors TBA).

Wishes by Jeanette Lynton can be purchased here for $29.95 #9033

Cleaning out ... Items for Sale!

CTMH Stamp Sets for Sale I accept paypal.. Please email me if you are interested in a set.
I am cleaning out my craft room, starting with my stamp area..
First up: Close to my Heart Stamp Sets.. (Photos are posted HERE)
New:
Butterfly Wings $20.00
A Friend Is $15.00
Miracle $15.00
Expecting $15.00
The Gift of Love $14.00

Used: (Staining on some stamps)
D1208 Ticket Tags $11.00
C1270 Pure Love $9.00
C1217 Smitten $9.00
B1235 Solo K $7.00
D1307 Annotations $11.00
A1053 Love Bug $5.00
D1111 Card Sentiments $11.00
B1280 Best of Times $7.00

Huge Discount:
Let's Shop (missing 4 of the shoes) $4.00
For All you Do (missing word For all you do) $4.00

Cold as You

My daughter Amanda singing in the Kanto Plains Talent Show
She did an AMAZING job!

She laughed she said because her Dad was looking at her.. We were in the 2nd row so very visible to her..

Blog Candy Alert

clipped from: sassydesignsbysusie.blogspot.com
clipped from: karolyns-paperkraft.blogspot.com

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BLOG CANDY!!
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a Card for Jessica

I made a card for Jessica the Girl Scout Summer Camp Director for Tama Hills that I had the privilege of working with for about 8 days.. She left some paperwork in my bag and I am mailing it back to her and decided to make this card to send along with her paperwork.

Camp was fantabulous and Jessica is fun, driven, funny, and also a little kooky (aren't we all though?).. I had a small (ok maybe not small) meltdown in front of Jessica and she handled the situation and me well and I thank her for that..

4th of July Dinner

Mmm.. I am such a good cook at times.. No really I am.

Have you ever tried a recipe or just thrown something together all willy nilly and have it taste wonderful, then you wish you would have paid more attention so you could be sure to duplicate it? Well that was what I did for a couple nights ago with what I am calling a summer salad..

I tried to duplicate it for the 4th of July, but I was unsuccessful however my attempt was not futile it still produced a delicious side dish (just this ---- far away from being a salsa).

Dinner was, baked chicken, garlic bread (at least my attempt at turning french bread into garlic bread) sliced peaches, corn on the cob, and the summer salad..

Summer Salad:

6-8 Roma Tomatoes Diced

1/2 purple onion Diced

1/2 Avocado Diced

1/4 cup of Cilantro

salt and pepper to taste

Refrigerate and serve chilled

other add ins to make it spicy

Lemon Juice

Tobasco Sauce

Tony Cachere's

Thank You Card

Thank You card for a Customer who placed an order online during the Deal a Day promotions..

All Supplies are Close to My Heart (CTMH)

Paper: Key to My Heart, Colonial White Cardstock

Brads: Pewter Designer Brads and Chocolate Bitty Brads

Stamp Set: Consultant Set "Huge Thanks"

Ribbon: Cocoa

Ink: Juniper, Creme Brulee, Tulip

and a Thank You Gift! Shh! don't tell her..

Happy 4th of July

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!

Sneak Peek! Harry Potter Swap

Ok, I signed up for the Harry Potter swap on the Cricut Messageboard. For those that are in the swap here is a sneak peek at what you may be receiving from me.. I am trying to work all logistics out and right now I am not 100% happy with the results. I know I can make them look better than they currently do..

One will be a Magnet and the other a Keychain..