My new toy!

I have always wanted to be able to stitch on paper. And it doesn't make it any easier to ignore when Close to My Heart is all about stitching! But being extremely initimidated by those big, heavy, fancy sewing machines, I was always able to supress my "sewing desires" until....I saw this totally cute mini, light weight sewing machine at Walmart!! I had my reservations on how well this little machine would work and I did get a bit upset because the knob kept flying off every time I would start the machine. But, Adam (with his super man muscles) snugged the knob on and it hasn't popped off since! Of course, the hardest part for me was having to read the directions on how to thread the bobber and stuff (because who wants to read directions when there are so many crafts to make??!!) I created a scrapbook page and a card with stitching and I have even sewn up some pants!! I am so glad I got this machine! It may be little but the possibilities are endless!!

CTMH Good Times Line

Click on the pic to see each card!

Hi there! Here are those boy/man birthday cards I was talking about the other day! Again, I only used 1/2 a pack of the Good Times Level 2 paper pack & 1 pack of the Good Times My Stickease Assortment and made 10 cards! I also used CTMH's Liquid Glass (as the adhesive & as a glassy accent) and the Sanding Kit but if you have any sort of sanding item (paper, a block, a nail file even), that will work too!

For those of you who are not big into stamping or want to make some fun cards fast, this is for you!

Here is a breakdown on the cost of items:

• Good Times Level 2 Paper Packet = $12.95
• Good Times Level 2 My Stickease = $8.95
• Liquid Glass = $6.95 (optional)
• Sanding Kit = $3.50 (optional)

Remember, if you order the Paper Packet & stickers, I will include directions for the 10 cards for FREE!!

Happy crafting! Thanks for peeking!

CTMH Let's Get Together Line

Hey everyone! I've been busy crafting away when Ami takes a nap and after he goes to sleep. Yeah, so don't come over because I haven't cleaned in a while and Adam is home. That means between my crafty stuff in the kitchen, his bags & work stuff and Ami's toys in the living room, there isn't much space to walk! But, I have some cards, a scrapbook page & a mini-book to show for it... :)

{Scrapbook Page}

{Mini-book}

{Cards}

To see all of the pages in the mini-book or the cards up close, click here.

Believe it or not, all of these projects were created using only 1/2 of the "Let's Get Together" Level 2 paper pack. I know, wow! Other supplie:

• Garden Green Collection ribbon (all three projects)
• My Accents in Buttercup (buttons, spiral clips, conchos, etc.) (all three projects)
• My Acrylix Solos "T" stamp set (cards)
• My Acrylix Friendship Word puzzle stamp set (mini-book)
• liquid Glass
• Garden Green ink pad (cards)
• Black ink pad (mini-book)

For anyone out there that would like to purchase supplies to make one or all of these projects, let me know! I am in the process of creating directions for the cards & mini-book which will be free with an order of any supplies for the projects! Or, if you'd like to host a party (you get rewards to be a host!!) and make cards or a mini-book, we can do that too! As a special incentive, the first person to set up a party or order some fun products, will receive the other half of the Let's Get Together paper pack...buy one of that stamp sets, some ribbon and Accents and you're ready to create!!!

I have some Idea Books that I would love to share with you! Just give me a ring (930-0282) or an e-mail (h.annabelle@yahoo.com). Or if you need to look right now (like me!), click on the Close to my Heart logo on the top, right of this page.

Thanks for looking! Stay tuned for some fun boy/man birthday cards which have no stamping. Just paper, stickers & Liquid Glass!

~~~~> I almost forgot. There is a really fun July Stamp of the Month called Life's a Jungle...

It is regularly $22.95, but if you spend $25 it would be $17.21, spend $50 and it's $11.48, spend $75 and it's $5.74...

spend $100 and it's FREE! (Offer for this stamp set is over Aug. 31st.)

Boom-Di-Ada CTMH line

Cards & ATC's

Close up on the cards!

Close up on the ATCs

6"x8" mini scrapbook!

So my Close to My Heart box finally arrived and here is my first attempt at creating with the products! I had a great time using what I had (you know it's going to be crazy hard for me, I'll always be thinking "oh man, I could do this, use this, cut this if I had this...oh yeah, but those were all things at the store!"

Here are some things I've discovered about CTMH:

• I was pleasantly surprised at the CTMH stamp pads. The tops are connected to the base but the cool thing about it is that the tops spin around and lock into place, they stack beautifully and each one is marked with the actual color so it is easy to pick out the right one from the stack!
• I was not impressed with the Bonding Memories Glue as I am addicted and comfortable with our Tombo "green glue" but I did find that the Liquid Glass works as an awesome adhesive...I might like it better than the green glue just because the tip is smaller! Plus, it does a great job adding that "glassy" look to projects that "just need something"!
• The My Acrylix Stamps are pretty cool too...they come in their very own case! I love that!
• The papers? Well, I'll have to get used to them. I am used to the Bazzill cardstock with the awesome texture and a pretty heavy weight and the CTMH cardstock I was working with was smooth and on not as heavy. On the plus side, it has a white core so when you distress the edges or sand it, the white shows through...love that! I have some of their textured cardstock on order so I'll let you know about that.
• I will be getting some more of the Exclusive Inks Markers. They have my two favorite tips- a small tip and the brush tip!!! Plus they match perfectly with the inkpads! (And you know how I am about matching!)
• They have this really neat book called Reflections. I am so liking this! It is for scrapbooking (but can be adapted to cards also) and has step by step directions, measurements & examples for layouts and extra little tips for different techniques.

Ok, now that I've written a novel! I just wanted to share with you what I've learned so far with CTMH. If any one is interested in an Idea Book for Summer 2008, just let me know and I'll hook you up! I am working on how I might be able to put together some card/mini-album kits and if it is even legal! Although I am still trying to get comfortable with all the products, if anyone is interesed in hosting a party, let me know! We could make the cards, ATC's or the mini-album that I have in the pics above!

Thanks for looking (and reading)!