I'm "Dreamin" of Christmas Cards

Thank you all for the beautiful Christmas cards that have been arriving in my mail box.  I have received so many gorgeous cards and pictures of you and your family.  Thank you so much!  I don't have everyones addresses so I thought it would post a few pictures of the different cards I made this year. 

I love using up scraps that I have from workshops and events in my cards.  To me is truly is "scrap" making :)  For this years cards I used the Dreamin papers (which I absolutely love) and the Glory to God My Acrylix Stamp Set.

Here is the main card I made for our family:

Above shows the inside of the card and the picture below shows the inside once the picture was removed.  I used our 6x6 Kraft cards for this card and turned it inside out so the flap that you see here with the Merry Christmas card sediment acted as a photo holder on the inside of the card instead of a card flap opening as originally intended.  Warning: these cards do cost a little more to mail since they are a square but the shape just adds to it's beauty if you ask me.

Here are just a few other cards I made.  They are all about the same but just with a few slight differences.

Rock the Block!!!

Do you want a sneak peak at the Spring/Summer idea book that isn't due to be released until February!?!  Close to My Heart is offering a special sneak intro into the new book with their special this month.  Spend a minimum of $25 in purchases from the current Autumn/Winter Idea book and receive TWO new products for just $15.  The exclusive E-Size Stamp set Rock the Block My Acrylix Stamp set (only available with this special) and My Creation Collage Cubes (a total retail value of over $30). 

These cute and playful cubes can be a beautiful coffee table display, a toddlers fun puzzle of familiar faces, and so much more!  Go to my website now at www.CTMH.com/HeatherHicks and get those stamps and papers you have been wanting from the current catalog.  While you are there, remember to check out those discontinued and sale items - they are going fast!

Also, I have heard from several people that my old e-mail address is not forwarding anymore and their e-mails to me are bouncing back.  So... Please update your e-mail address for me to HeatherHicksCTMH@gmail.com.  I'd hate to miss talking with you!

Last Minute Christmas tags!

Can you believe it - 2 posts in 2 days!?!  Well actually, how about 2 posts in 2 hours (the same sitting) :)   I wanted to post this quick video that shows how to make some quick Christmas tags for those last minute cookie exchanges, neighbor gifts and Christmas gifts. Watch, create and have fun!!!

Merry Christmas from Lyons GM Dealership and more clearance items!

Is it really only 11 days until Christmas?  It is so hard to believe that we are so close.  I have so much to do and so little time!  I love Christmas and everything it stands for.  I love giving and watching people open their gifts, gifts that I have put a lot of thought into to pick just the right gift for each person.  Usually I shop all year long to find that perfect gift for each person.  This year, however, somehow escaped me. Just last week I was thinking and looking through what I had for each person and realized, I still have a lot more to go!  So... if you see any amazing sales or have some great ideas, pass them along!  :)

Though I haven't been shopping I have been busy.  Last year I was asked by a local car dealership to make up some Christmas cards for them.  They needed to be simple but stand out.  I was happy to create for them and apparently they liked what I made and asked me to make more cards again this year.   Here is what their cards looked like this year.

 It's hard to see in the picture but I used our Red Glitz glitter gel sporadically around the wreath.  to make the  card simple to put together, I used the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge for the Topiary and White Daisy floral circles and then stamped with wreath in Cocoa, Cranberry and Topiary using the New Remarkable Wreath stamp set.  I had to make 100 of the cards but with the new cricut cartridge they all came together in about 2 hours.  Woohoo!!!

I've also been blessed to have family in town.  My Grandparents have been here from NY as well as my sister and her husband here from Wisconsin.  Time with family is so special!!! We have been spending every spare moment with my grandparents while they are here. Sadly they have to leave before Christmas but we are so thankful for the time we have now.

Merry Christmas from us all!!!

Lastly, check out my website at www.ctmh.com/HeatherHicks for brand new markdowns and clearance items.  Level 1 kits for $5, Glitter Rub-ons for $3 and lots and lots of embellishments.  Get them now before they are gone and keep checking back regularly as we continue to mark down more!





A Little Help

Well, it is that time - time to start working on Christmas cards.  I have already received 2 Christmas cards!!! If I was really with it, I would already have them put together but...  Anyway... This year I need to put Christmas cards together for a car dealership and for our family so my head is spinning as I try to get creative.  However,  I have a new big helper this year.  No, not my 4 kids who are always my big helpers, but our new Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.  I was looking through the cricut book and through our catalog and trying to figure out which stamp sets went with which cuts and thought surely, someone else has had the same question.  I went to my online Close to My Heart Consultant site and found a fabulous spreadsheet that details the stamps and the cricut and I thought I would share it with you.  This spreadsheet was created by another sister consultant and I thank her for all her hard work.

Go to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjUg6hxX6qrSdHhldm1lQXZQYV84SXQ4TmxaSWtkZVE&hl=en_US#gid=0

To print it out , print it using Adobe and it should line up well.  Enjoy and happy creating!!! 

A "Grand" Weekend

This past weekend was our annual scrapbook weekend retreat.  This time we tried a new destination, Grand Oaks Retreat in Scottsboro, AL.  I have to say that this house is amazing!!!  There was plenty of room for us to spread out and scrapbook in comfort, the scenery was amazing, the food outstanding and even a movie room for some down time.  I have come to really enjoy these weekends.  It is one time I can get a way, relax and rest without having to "be in charge" the entire time.  This year was no exception.  This was definitely a weekend to remember.  I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the pictures that were taken from our weekend.  The layouts shown were the ones created from our annual paper swap workshop.  I love how this "workshop" required everyone to get out of their box a bit and create with some papers that they might not choose on a regular basis.  Everyone did an amazing job!

Plan on joining us next year. The dates have already been set - November 15th - 18th. If you can't come on Thursday, you can come down on Friday for a reduced rate. Believe me though, being there Thursday really helped us each relax and enjoy the weekend that much more. Do yourself a favor, plan on coming Thursday for the most relaxation possible. Contact me at HeatherHicksCTMH@gmail.com if you are interested and I will keep you in the loop through out the year for deposit, deadlines and all the retreat information.

Christmas Cards in a Flash

Close to My Heart recently created a new video showing how fast, simple and easy creating Christmas cards can be especially with our new Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.  Take a look at the video below and then start working on your own cards.  I would love to see what you come up with.