TERRIFIC TIP TUESDAY 4-28-15 "Repurposing for Storage!"

April Stamp of the Month Art # 8

Art by Debi Gardner

My eye loves the ROUND-ness of this card . . . from the old-fashioned typewriter keys . . . to the polka-dotted paper . . . to the black sequins in the corner.

April Stamp of the Month Art # 7

Art by Julie Reynolds

The hand image is folded over and glued to the back of the card.  This card opens backward, so the hand forms a closure.  Have you tried our embossing folders?  They are a ton of fun for creating easy texture.  Here I lightly sanded the Lagoon cardstock, after embossing.

TERRIFIC TIP TUESDAY 4-21-15 "April Stamp of the Month"

April Stamp of the Month Art # 6

Art by Maggie Cameron

Maggie was on a roll at a recent retreat, using the "Brushstrokes" stamp set.  Here, it's a background study in shades of blue!  Notice how the third stamp, which layers the "Congrats," is reversed from the other two?  It draws your eye to the sentiment.

April Stamp of the Month Art # 5

Art by Leslie Ann Chivers

The crisp accents of Black Shimmer Trim create a clean look on this black and lagoon card.

April Stamp of the Month Art # 4

Art by Shannon Law

I'd never have thought to use the "Confetti Wishes" paper pack with this set, but it works great!

Creativity: Why It Matters and How to Nurture It

We are all born with the innate desire to express ourselves creatively!
Think about watching a child at play. Ordinary sticks transform into magical swords in the blink of an eye, the family cat becomes a wild tiger in the jungle, and household objects take on entirely new purposes.
This same vibrant creativity is still housed within each one of us, longing to be set free.

Why does creativity matter?

Here are five ways that taking the time for creativity will make a difference in your life:

1. Increase Happiness

Scientific studies have shown that being creative actually increases your satisfaction and happiness in life. Every crafter intuitively knows this. Spending an afternoon in the craft room always feels great!

2. Find Solutions

Creativity helps you find solutions to your problems. When you feel stuck, step outside of your box and approach things in a new way. Engaging in this creative process makes new connections and brings answers to problems in unexpected ways. When you feel stuck deciding how to make your layout really stand out, try letting your creative genius out of the box so you can approach the situation from a fresh angle.

3. Make Discoveries

Being creative is the catalyst for new inventions and discoveries. Think of all the latest inventions you enjoy—every one of them is the end result of someone (or many people) going through the creative process. Even self-discovery is a creative process that will greatly enhance your life. Get creative with the colors on your next project and you may just discover your all-time favorite combination!

4. Leave a Legacy

Your creative works of art will be a legacy for the next generation to cherish. Your passion and love for your life will flow from your artwork and into the heart of the viewer. What better way to say, “I love you!” than to exemplify an appreciation for life through beautiful memory keeping?

5. Have Fun

Best of all, the creative process is fun! Creativity allows your soul to express itself in exciting new ways, so get out your stash of paper and ink and get to work!

How do you nurture creativity?

One way to ignite your creative spark is to participate in creative challenges. They inspire you to approach your crafting from a new angle, which presents the kind of environment that will get your creativity gears moving. It’s exciting to experiment with new color combinations, use embellishments in unexpected ways, or scrapbook with a new theme you haven’t tried before.
Close To My Heart currently offers the ideal opportunity for this through our super fun weekly creative challenge! You can get details on each week’s challenge by going to the Close To My Heart corporate Facebook and Instagram pages. Find out what the week’s challenge is, then see what you can come up with!
But don’t stop there. Creating is only half the fun! Once you finish creating your artwork, post a picture on your Instagram feed and/or the Close To My Heart corporate Facebook page using the hashtag #jrlcreativechallenge. This will not only allow you to share your art with fellow Consultants, but will also enter you into the contest for the chance to win a prize! But prize or no prize, it’s always a blast to see what everyone comes up with.
If you want more details about the creative challenge, read Jeanette’s original invitation.

April Stamp of the Month Art # 3

Art by Kimberly Ganiere

I love the use of our Cricut cartridge here to cut the Colonial White cardstock mat.  What a perfect accent!

APRIL - Deal of the Day!!!!!

Want the Details?

April Stamp of the Month Art # 2

Art by Becky Mackenstadt

This card features some QUICK and EASY products!  "Picture My Life" cards . . . and Washi Tape.

TERRIFIC TIP TUESDAY - 4-07-15 "Let it Tempt You!"

If you are a paper lover . . . enjoy this! Open your mind and let it tempt you into trying something new - or returning to something you haven't done in a while. I promise - you will see something that you'll love!

Take a peek . . .

Decor Frame Workshop for April

Here is this month's project for the Decor Frame.  This frame is available in both Colonial White and Black, as shown.  Each month, you are invited to come create my featured project (12 x 12) so you can change out your framed art on a regular basis.  What a fun way to refresh your home decor!  Each class is FREE with a $30 order placed that day, or just a $15 class fee.  All materials are pre-cut for you.  Use your own creativity to put it all together to suit you!

This class is typically the 2nd Friday of the month - we will meet this Friday, April 10, 10am at my house.  Email me by 4/8 if you'd like to join the fun!

April Stamp of the Month Art # 1

Art by Darlys Recker

This card takes me right back to my childhood . . . old black reels of typewriter ribbon, carbon paper and bottles of Liquid Paper correction fluid!

Is This Your TYPE of Art????

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE April's Stamp of the Month!  There's just something about old typewriters . . . Stay tuned to this blog for artwork featuring this set, throughout the month.  Make your wish list of items from our TWO current catalogs.  When it comes to $50, you can add this terrific set for only $5!