Sunday, March 31, 2013

March Stamp of the Month Art # 13

Art by Alyson Mayo

Remember the other day, I told you about our Glitter Paper and how it is Cricut-friendly?  Well, here's a great example!  These scallops are cut on the Cricut and add just a little bit of sparkle.  The white flower is also cut on the Cricut, then a simple tender rose placed in its center.

Check out our Art Philosophy and Artiste Cricut cartridges - designed by Close To My Heart specifically for your papercrafting pleasure!  Not to mention their compatibility with our stamp sets..........

Saturday, March 30, 2013

March Stamp of the Month Art # 12

Art by Kim

Close To My Heart's Black Tulle Ribbon (Z1798) gives the soft brush of texture behind these roses.  My handy technique for attaching this to your artwork?  Place a large glue dot on the surface where you will be attaching your tulle. Then just pinch the tulle in the middle, give it one twist.  Press it onto the glue dot.  Then place one more glue dot (or a piece of 3D Foam Tape, if you'd like some height) on top of the twist, and attach your next layer, such as the oval mat here.  Works like a charm!

Our Black Tulle is just $5.95 for a full 10 yards - 3inches wide.  Can't beat it!

Friday, March 29, 2013

Just 2 More Days to Enter!

March Stamp of the Month Art # 11

Art by Nancy Womersley

What?  A zipper and lace?  Together?  You bet . . . here is our Hollyhock Zipper Lace (Z1826) priced at just $3.95 for a full yard.  It's one of the hot new trends in crafting!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

March Stamp of the Month Art # 10

Here's a little mini-album, featuring our March Stamp of the Month set.  "It's not just for cards!"

Art by Terry Ann Diack





Wednesday, March 27, 2013

March Stamp of the Month Art # 9

Art by Maureen O'Sullivan

Drama!  Add some chunky bling . . . some bold black and red . . . and you've got drama!  Some Cricut-cuts are added here, including foliage and a scalloped edge.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

March Stamp of the Month Art # 8

Art by Kathleen

The romance of a rose!  Combine this set with other romantic looks, like a cameo . . . for a sweet touch.  Note the tiny sparkles that are added to the necklace.  Claire papers give texture to this card.

Monday, March 25, 2013

March Stamp of the Month Art # 7

Art by Helen Onulak

Glitter Paper adds punch to this pretty card.  Here Helen uses some from our "Brown & Tan" Glitter Paper pack.  Just $5.95 for 3 sheets.  This is cardstock weight paper, and Cricut compatible!!!  It provides great glittery shine without being "chunky" or messy.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Girlfriend Fun


My Seattle ladies had a great time today making their little handbags that hold Hershey Nuggets. What fun! 
If you'd like to gather your girlfriends together for an hour of fun to create these, let's set a date! :-)




Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Know When to Fold 'Em


Know when to fold ‘em.

Sometimes we make being organized more work than it needs to be.
The goal of being organized is to simplify your life.
Not add unnecessary steps or complications.  

We want to make the tasks of daily living as simple and easy as possible.
It isn’t about how the space looks; it’s about how it function, for you!
Create specific homes for your possessions and simplify your routines and habits.
Give yourself  a sense of control in your life.
Do you need to fold your underwear and arrange it neatly in the drawer?
Probably not.
Why spend the time?
Do you need to neatly fold the towels in the linen closet?
Actually, rolling them up and stacking them takes up less room.
Bonus-they look neater.
Neatly folding your clothing and layering them up in your drawer usually means you wear the top three items in each drawer, over and over.
Try folding them in half one more time, then nestle them up against one another, front to back, so you can see what you have.

Spend your time and energy getting the maximum amount of organization for the least amount of effort.
Permission granted for it never to look perfect.
Know when to fold ‘em, and know when to walk away.


Thursday, March 14, 2013

"Like" Me to Win!

Yes - I've made the leap into the 21st Century and now am on Facebook! :-)

I have a special "Create With Julie" page dedicated to Close To My Heart art ideas and inspiration.

"Like" me on "Create With Julie" between now and March 31, and you will be entered into a drawing to win $20 in FREE Close To My Heart paper packs and stamp sets.

Monday, March 11, 2013

March Stamp of the Month Art # 6

Art by Tina Dupin

This big flower sets beautifully in the middle of a 6 x 6 card.  Here Tina uses "direct to ink" swiping of the cardstock edges for a shabby chic look.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

March Stamp of the Month Art # 5

Art by Shannon Law

Here is a clear picture of using the base and shade stamping technique.  With these stamp sets, it's so easy, just in two easy steps, to create color and depth.  Stamp the one flower image with darker color, and the second flower image with the lighter - and you get this beautiful rose.  Same process with the leaves.  Finish it off with a little Baker's Twine.  This vertical card, folded at the top is a style that always catches my eye, and I don't use it often enough when creating!

Thursday, March 7, 2013

March Stamp of the Month Art # 4

Art by Maggie Cameron

What a great little tab Maggie has here, to the right of the flower.  The perfect place for a follow-up sentiment.  This card has an eclectic look to me - and I like that it combines elements that don't normally occur to me . . . the delicate rose with the strong striped bow . . . the blues and browns of the paper with the delicate pink and green of the floral . . . it all works, and I love the look!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

March Stamp of the Month Art # 3

Art by Darlys Recker

Clementine Papers are featured here on one of our great swing cards.  This card is easily cut on our Artiste Cricut cartridge to make a fast and creative presentation!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

March Stamp of the Month Art # 2

Art by Julie Reynolds

Those who know me well know that I'm not normally a "flowery" let alone "rosey" kind of person!  But I loved using some of the other stamps in this set.  I chose the Buzz & Bumble papers here, and the stripes worked perfectly for this card.  I used the smallest of the Mocha Opaques in between the leaves, along with some dots drawn with an alcohol marker.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Dramatic Drop in Gas Prices!!!



Things aren't always what they seem . . .

Yes, this sign I drove by the other day (actually I was STOPPED at a stop light!) did catch my eye, and it DID show a drop in price . . . but not the kind of drop that would show up at the pump or in my wallet.  Though my headline here may be misleading . . . it's still "somewhat" true . . . 

Life isn't always what it seems.  Have you ever looked at someone else's life and thought, "They have it all together."  "They really have the best job."  They really have a fully functional family!"

We've all done that.  And then . . . as time goes by, we realize that those situations aren't always what they seem.  Just like our own lives, those situations are not as perfect on the inside, as they sometimes appear on the outside.

When I turned 50, I decided that I would let myself live with imperfection more easily.  Imperfection in myself.  Am I running late?  It's not the end of the world.  Did I make a mistake?    The house won't fall down around me.  Did I say the wrong thing?  I'll get over it.  Perfection is usually a myth - kind of like the idea of dramatically dropping gas prices.  

So I'm growing up!  I realize that things aren't always as they seem.  Other people's lives aren't perfect, and mine isn't either.  I'm blessed and surrounded by God's good gifts.  I'm going to choose to live happily in the midst of the imperfection!


Jump for Joy in March!
Jump to the Next Level of Hostess Rewards
Consultant with Hostess and guest
Close Read
During the month of March, hostesses “jump” to the next level of Hostess Rewards when a Gathering reaches $250 or more!* More discounts and free product for hostesses. Now that’s a reason to jump for joy!

*Shipping/handling and tax applies. Only Gatherings with a total of $250 or more will qualify for the jump in Hostess Rewards or Hostess Rewards Plus! Qualifying hostesses will receive Hostess Rewards from one level only—the level that is one higher than their sales total. Offer valid March 1–31, 2013.

Make your jump to the next level »
Extra! Extra! Studio J® Savings Extended!
All Layouts are $5 through March 15!
Get Studio J layouts for just $5 through March 15
Close Read
In order to allow even more time for you to create and purchase Studio J® layouts at the wonderful $5 per layout price, this offer has been extended. Now through March 15, 2013, all Studio J layouts will be $5!* That’s $1.95 savings per each two-page layout!

It’s the perfect time to get clicking with ready-made Express Collections or customize layouts with embellishments, My Stickease® accents, and unique papers and color combinations of your own. If you’ve never tried Studio J before, what are you waiting for? You’ve taken the photos. Now keep the memories!

*Shipping/handling applies. Studio J credits must be redeemed before this promotion can be applied. Offer valid February 1–March 15, 2013.

Get started with Studio J »
Stamp of the Month: Floral Happiness
Happiness Is . . .
Close Read
...the My Acrylix® Floral Happiness stamp set! Whatever happiness is to you, you’ll be able to share it using this stamp set with many sentiments to express what makes you happy. This set of 16 stamps also contains base and shade floral images to guarantee that your projects will really blossom in two-tone trend. Let your art flourish with each layer of added color. This happy set is $5 with your qualifying $50 order this month only.

See the March 2013 Stamp of the Month »
The Perfect Fit
More My Acrylix® Perfect Fit—Frames!
Close Read
If you loved the My Acrylix® Perfect Fit—Frames stamp set, you’ll flip for the Perfect Fit—Frames 2! Like its predecessor, this is a set of four stamps that coordinate with other Perfect Fit sets, such as the new My Acrylix® Perfect Fit—Birthday, My Acrylix® Perfect Fit—Mom, and My Acrylix® Perfect Fit—Dad stamp sets.

Additionally, these stamps have a corresponding shape on the Cricut® Artiste cartridge so that you can stamp right on your Cricut®-cut pieces! Because it works well with so many other products, this set is a perfect choice at $17.95.

See the new Perfect Fit—Frames stamp set » 

Friday, March 1, 2013

March Stamp of the Month Art # 1

Art by Debi Gardner

Isn't this just lovely?  It looks to me like the inside should say, "having you as my mother."  The perfect Mother's Day card!  But with this set, you have several options to stamp, if you didn't want to write your own message.  You pick!