Seaside is Back!

If you haven't laid your hands on the newest Close to My Heart Catalog and Idea Book yet you are missing out.  The papers, embellishments, stamps and card options are over the top and wonderful!  Our first workshop with the new catalog fell on this Labor Day weekend and left many who were not able to participate due to having family plans.  However, many of you asked and I am happy to oblige - we will have another Seaside Workshop on September 20th from  2- 5pm at my home.  There are two workshop options:

Basic: All supplies minus the stamp set and colored workshop guide - $25
WOTG kit: All supplies with the stamp set and colored workshop guide - $35

workshop options

basic $25.00 USD    WOTG $35.00 USD

All paper are PRE-CUT making your time more enjoyable and productive.  Because the paper are precut and this layout has so many cuts, I have had to shorten the registration deadline to September 5th. So sign up to save your spot and have a blast creating with friends.   Still can't make it but want the papers, go to my website at www.heatherhicks.ctmh.com. Check out our while supplies last items and the Stamp of the Month while you are there.

I was in a Flash Mob!!

I am so embarrassed that I have not blogged more recently.  Our newest idea book is here and absolutely amazing!!! You are going to love it.  I have been dying to scrap and show everything off but we have had a whirlwind summer ending with a quick trip to NY to visit family last week.  Needless to say I am more behind then ever.  However, I didn't want you all to think I had forgotten about you.

I had told several of you I was going to participate in a flash mob when I went to convention and yes I did!  It was a blast and I am so glad I did it.  Here is the video for you to see.  This is a video from another consultant so I can't point out exactly where I am but my good friend Barb Carrico is the one you see when the camera goes all the way to the left each time.  Fun, fun!!!

I hope it makes you HAPPY!

Skylark Cards

Last weekend I had my Skylark Card workshop and I thought I would share with you the cards that we made.  We used the Skylark papers and the  Skylark Complements to make the bulk of the cards which fit perfectly to make some beautiful cards with just the right sentiment - I love that!

 This card was made using our embossing folders and a little ink to distress it.

I'm going to miss these papers which will retire along with all the other papers in our current catalog on July 31st. If you love them as much as I do, hurry and get yours now because they will be gone soon!

I've Got to Brag on My Husband!

You know how you have these items on your to-do list that you REALLY want to tackle but they seem enormous and you just aren't sure if you have the know how or creativity to do it?!?  Well, my downstairs entry wall was that thing for me.  I had on my to-do list to decorate the entry wall (pretty much for the last 6 years) by the end of the summer. I knew I wanted it to be a wall of photos but not a grandma wall, if you know what I mean. I had all the picture frames and most of the pictures (even though I wasn't sure which would go where).  Yesterday morning, my husband's first day back from being out of town, we are sitting on the couch facing the wall and I nonchalantly say how I don't know how I will ever tackle it.  I want it to be nice but not sure how to pull it together.   We talk some more and somehow I start pulling my frames out and setting it out on the floor like I think I want it.  We talk, I rearrange, we talk some more.  I finally get it like I think I want it and then he went to work hanging the frames on the wall.  It may not be the most professional wall but I love it and am so glad it is off my to-do list.  Woo-ooh!!!!  Thank you, sweetheart!

Another reason I love my Cricut: I was able to cut out the words using my Cricut and the CTMH Artbooking Cartridge. 

Skylark Cards

 If you haven't seen the Skylark papers - you are missing out!  These papers are absolutely beautiful and so easy to work with. 

 

Look at the top left paper  - look at how it is already set up. It is already laid out. All you would have to do is add a couple matted photos and journaling. Super Easy - Awesome!!!   The other papers in this paper pack are gorgeous too!  Love them!

Here is a card I created for the Crop for the Cure in Nashville two weekends ago and is also one of the 20 cards we will create at the workshop on the 25th.  Super easy and I think super pretty.  It's so easy to create beautiful cards when you have beautiful paper to work with. 

  

To get your own paper pack click here but hurry this paper will retire on July 31st and is going quickly!

 

Win a Free Paper Fundamentals pack!

Each month, founder and CEO of Close to My Heart, Jeanette Lynton has a special giveaway on her blog. This month she has Monica telling us about the fabulous Paper Fundamentals papers and just how versatile they are for all your crafting needs.   Watch the video here and then post under comments on the YouTube site what your most fundamental crafting item is.  You will be entered into a drawing for your own pack of the Basic Paper Fundamentals!  Don't think you have a chance at winning? Well, two of my own customers won from the June contest -   Congratulations Linda and Jeanenne.

Heading Out On An Artistic Adventure

Last week I was excited to be in California for our annual convention.   I knew BIG things were coming and I love being at convention each year and getting first hand knowledge as it is unveiled. These big things make me so excited to be part of Close to My Heart.

Each year at convention we have a tradition that we bring gifts for our roommates.  This year I decided to go outside my box and do something completely different for me.  I made these lipstick holders using our textiles and embellished them with our Base and Bling items. I have an embroidery machine but always seem to have trouble with it.  I was excited to get it to obey for this project. 

All of these little embellishments were super easy to create and I was able to customize them to each person - love that!

Click here for the tutorial I found on how to create the lipstick pouch.