Tuesday, December 25, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art # 20

Art by Karen Pedersen
JUNE

1st Tool of Christmas - Rub & Remove Eraser


Welcome to the Twelve Tools of Christmas!

Be sure to check in each day for the next twelve days, and see great tips and uses for our wonderful Close To My Heart tools!
There's always something new to learn . . .

Monday, December 24, 2012

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Friday, December 21, 2012

Thursday, December 20, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art # 15

Art by Karen Pedersen
JANUARY

For the remainder of December, I will posting artwork created by Close To My Heart Consultant, Karen Pedersen. I met Karen at a Close To My Heart Directors' event many, many years ago, where we were assigned to room together.  I was very intimidated at first, as she was gorgeous (a former Mrs. Utah) and did such an amazing job with her Close To My Heart business.  I still look back on those couple of days, so grateful that I had the opportunity to spend one-on-one time and get to know her, and get OVER myself!!! :-) She is a wonderful leader, artist and friend.

I'm thrilled to feature Karen's artwork here for the coming days.  She shares with us little square cards, one for each month of the year, using this December Stamp of the Month set, "Year-Round Cheer."  Enjoy!  And thank you, Karen!

The Christmas Present


Present.

No, not the kind in a box or gift bag.
The be here now kind.

The being present with the person right in front of you.
The being present with all the memories, feelings and emotions that the Holidays bring to mind for you.
The being present with what you're engaged in now:  The wrapping, the cookie tasting, the decorating, the planning, the music, the smells, the lights, this very minute.

The Honor of your Presence is requested in the present.

Slow down.
Breathe.
Pay attention.

Give yourself the gift of connecting: To your experience, your relationships, your own sense of who you most truly, deeply are.

Your presence is a light in the world.



www.LifeUnstuffed.com

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art # 14

Art by Tina Dupin

This "Hello Sunshine" stamp has been a favorite this month, hasn't it?  What a darling look this big, fluffy "Slate Satin Polka-Dot Ribbon" provides.  The scalloped edging at the bottom of the card is a great complement!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art # 13

Art by Sue Laufer

What is it about this little ornament that I love?  It's the feather in the hanger . . . I don't know why, but I think it's so darned cute!  

Monday, December 17, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art # 12

Art by Shannon Law

Wood!  And a plaid that makes me think of a picnic table cloth . . . What a perfect background for a BBQ image!  Again . . . our "Dakota" papers provide the backgrounds here.  What I think really ties this whole card together is the black ink sponging around the edges of all the papers.  That little added technique carries such a visual value!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art # 11

Art by Maggie Cameron

Maggie and I were thinking along the same lines when we made our cards for with this stamp set!  This paper is from the "Flirty" paper pack, and the bold layering here is a pretty contrast to the cute little summery image.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art # 10

Art by Linda Taylor

What is it about those "Dakota" papers???? They just keep appearing!  I think that really speaks to the flexibility of their designs.  This cute little floral print is great here!

Friday, December 14, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art #9

Art by Kelly Hammonds

Love the vintage-looking ribbon here?  It's our Color-Ready Seam Binding Ribbon, antiqued with ink.  What a romantic look.  Wouldn't this make a perfect Valentine?

Thursday, December 13, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art #8

Art by Kathryn Wafer

Traditional Christmas colors - you just can't beat them!  Our Pear & Partridge papers are featured here, and the "Perfect Fit Frames" stamp set provides a beautiful wreath framing for the ornament image.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art #7

Art by Julie Reynolds

I went "natural" looking for this card, using our hemp for a tie. Edges are inked to soften the look, and again - tiny bitty pink sparkles appear here as raindrops!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art #5

Art by Janice Hodgkin

Our "Just Blooms Paper Shapes" bring a surprise here.  That bright package of summery-looking flowers now presents as a poinsettia!  A tiny leaf cut from BT paper on the Cricut finishes it off for this cute and clean holiday card.

December Stamp of the Month Art #6

Art by Debi Gardner

I love Debi's use of the Silver Shimmer Trim on this card!  Add it with the little bitty sparkles, and it gives the impression of a cloudy rainy day, but still with a bit of shine! 

Sunday, December 9, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art #4

Art by Cathy Stai

Nothing says "sunshine" like a pitcher of lemonade!  This darling little 4 x 4 card is presented in a monochromatic look, and a single golden sparkle brings it to life.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art #3

Art by Amy Raimy

Our "Dakota" papers appear again here, in the fine-striped print, together with its paisley print.  These set nicely on Amy's randomly-stamped snowflake background.  The Cricut cartridge cuts beautiful single snowflakes and a snowflake border here to make the focal elements. 

Friday, December 7, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art #2

Art by Becky Mackenstadt

What a fun way to present someone special with a gift card!  This is a rectangle piece of BT paper, folded and glued up the back and along the bottom edge.  Then punch a circle in the top for a "grabber."  This holder is finished off with a fancy band, decorated with a beautifully colored-in design.  A tiny sparkle on the ornament finishes it off!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

December Stamp of the Month Art #1

Art by Amy McGrew

For me, creativity is all about looking at something with fresh eyes - without any preconceived notions.  When I first saw our Dakota papers, my mind stayed strictly in the "Western" theme.  I would not have thought to use it with this cute little birdie!  But the print works beautifully, with its multi-toned blues.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Another Star Gift


This star was for my friend, Laurel, who is much more "classic" in her taste.  I used our retired "Wonderland" papers to suit her personality.  Pick up a couple of these stars and tailor make some gifts of your own!

Monday, December 3, 2012

What a GREAT Christmas Gift!


Using our My Creations Star (page 132 in the Autumn/Winter Idea Book), I recently made some Christmas gifts for girlfriends.  It's so fun to personalize according to their personalities . . . This was for my "whimsical" friend, Chris, made with our retired "Jingle" papers.  Stay tuned to see a more "classic" look in another color scheme!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

The Twelve Tools of Christmas!



I've always loved the idea of the "Twelve Days of Christmas."  The big build-up we have to Christmas Day can sometimes lead to a little post-holiday letdown, unless we are intentional about continuing the mindset of what we are indeed celebrating.

To continue in that spirit, I'm teaming up with a Consultant friend of mine, Kimberly, to present a holiday gift to our loyal Close To My Heart crafters - and that includes you!

If you're like me, you have a creative burst in anticipation of the Christmas holiday, and then a little letdown.  Instead of the after-Christmas slump, please join me for the "Twelve Tools of Christmas," beginning Dec. 25!  Visit this site each day for 12 days to see a unique Close To My Heart tool highlighted.  You will learn tips and techniques that will enhance your post-holiday crafting!  Such fun, at the click of your mouse!

Christmas Blessings to You!