December Rush

Time flies when your having fun!

It seems that since my last post I have been running around like a chicken without a head. For Thanksgiving we went to visit my sister and stayed for the weekend. The following weekend was the Bazzar. While it was a small event I had a really nice time with my other sister and our friends. I was proud of my sister and the way that she conducted her business! Keep up the great work!!! We met some wonderful people too! What a great learning experience it was!!! Sorry about the pictures they were taken with my phone.

My niece and her boyfriend came to spend the week with us. While she worked on a Quilt for her BF, he helped out with bringing up the Decorations for Christmas and dinner prep work.

Matthew got braces put on and has been in much pain the first few nights. His lunches for school consists of pudding and yogurt. (Every kids dream lunch.. lol) He is doing much better now and is venturing into the solid foods.

My husband has been on vacation this past week and this week. (Well for the most part, he still gets the calls and helps the guys out) We have been running around trying to get our shopping done for the season.  This weekend my Brother-in law and his family are coming up. I am so excited to see my Katie and them too! They will be staying at our house along with Mike's mom and dad on Christmas Eve! I love having a house full of family for Christmas. There is no greater feeling than having the people that you love near by!!!!

So as you can see I have been a bit busy with decorating, cleaning, laundry, cooking, shopping, entertaining, creating, teaching and preparing for the family. Not to mention School projects with the kids. It's always busy for some reason and I really don't mind. Just as long as the family is healthy and we are together... all is right with the world.

Shaded background

Hi everyone.
I have been a bit busy getting ready for a Bazaar. As I was working on a few things, I thought that this would be a good time to take a break and make a video demonstrating how I make a background for some of my tags. I know a few of you have been asking me to post more videos and I hear you and will do my best to keep them coming. I hope that you like this video!

November news

Introducing this months Constant Campaign!

Wow, what a beautiful stamp set. and bonus..... you can use the Cricut Art Philosophy Cart to cut out the shapes for the images!!! How cool is that! I am lovin' this stamp set!

Holiday Wishes is only available for the month of November.

Here is how you can get yours for $5.00.

Just purchase a minimum order of $25 in My Acrylix Stamp sets during the month of November. That's a huge savings!! Holiday Wishes is a D size stamp set.

***Note...Stamp of the Month, K-size customized name stamps, Cricut^® Art Philosophy collection, and Workshops on the Go™ kits do not count toward a qualifying purchase.

Stamp of the Month for November!

This is another great stamp set! Just imagine all that you can create with this set! And yes... you can cut the shape with the Cricut Art Philosophy Cart and stamp any one of the month images!



October News!

Do you like to create cards and/or scrapbooks or maybe you like to paper craft with what ever you can get your hands on? Maybe your a people person who loves to meet new people, or just get together with your friends and create. Then Joining my Close To My Heart Family could be for you! Weather you are a hobbyist (someone who wants to join up just to get the discounts) or someone who wants to grow a business and earn Fantastic rewards such as cruises, October is a great time to join!

If you sign up in the month of October for just $99 (US&CAN) you will receive one new consultant kit add-on collection of your choice Free!! What an incredible deal! Each kit is priced at $40 but has a retail value of $80 US/ $85 CAN to $130 US/$140 CAN. (Shipping & tax not included)

That's not all, You can also purchase extra add on if you like. Contact me for details and to sign up today! I am here to help you!!



Roxi Add-On Collection

 


Elemental Add-On Collection




Studio-J add-On Collection


October's Stamp Of the Month is fantastic!!!! If you love stockings, banners and Sleighs this is the set for you! Every month Close To My Heart has a new D-size Stamp set that is available for one month only for just $5.00US (that's 72% off)  with a qualifying purchase of $50.00 or more. Or you could buy the stamp during it's month for the full retail price of $17.95.

                                                                    

Hi all,
I have had my 3 year old niece this past week and what can I say but she is a ball full of energy! I just wish I could bottle it up!! I always have a good time when she is here. I just know that I am going to miss her soooooo much when they move away!
School is going well for the boys.  Joe's senior portraits came in today and I have to say that they really aren't as bad as I thought. They turned out nice! I just can't believe that my baby boy is graduating this year. Where does the time go. Tonight is Matt's first school dance. He is looking forward to it and I am hoping that I can get some photo's of him.
What can I say but enjoy the little moments in life and don't get hung up on trying to make big moments. It the little ones that we remember the most!

9~11

There isn't much that I can say that can convey what I am feeling.

On September 11th 2001, I watched as the twin towers of the World Trade Center were hit by airplanes and crumbled to the ground. I sat there in the kitchen staring and crying. My heart sinking with every thought that I had of those who were stuck inside the building and couldn't get out. I cried for the 1st responders who risked their lives to save whom ever may be still alive and those who never made it back home to their families. I cried for the families of the victims and I prayed that they find peace and strength, knowing that  they will be fighting for the rest of their lives for answers and longing to hold their loved ones that will no longer be coming home. I held my baby boy in my arms sobbing like a child and fighting the urge to run to my other sons school to get him out and hold him tight, never wanting to let go! I have cried for the bravery of those of United Flight 93. I am astound at how they were able to push their fear aside and take action to insure that more people would not get hurt. They may not have been able to push that fear completely aside. To hear all the testimonies of family who have recorded messages from passengers of that flight tares at my heart strings to no end!

For the 2,973 people who perished September 11, 2001 after hijacked planes crashed in New York City in Arlington, Virginia and in Pennsylvania. The victims were mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers of many faiths and races who came from more than 80 nations.

All who were killed died working and living the American dream.
I will never forget!!!! I honor and hold with much respect for our men and women who are over seas fighting to keep freedom alive and the ones that are disabled and those will never make it home!

What's been happenin'

I know that it's been a little while since my last post.
First let me say that Irene has come and gone with no real damage to our home. There were however a few tornado warning/watches so we took the mattress into the basement and slept down there to be safe. The boys viewed it as an adventure. The youngest was nervous and scared but that was mostly due to the news broadcasts. Once the TV was off he did a lot better. Unfortunately there were areas that didn't make out as well and my heart and prayers went out to them.

Organization: Well that has been a slow go. While most of my stuff is pretty organized I still want more. lol
I have scanned all my stamps (except the ones that I just got) along with art work that co insides with the stamps sets from the Idea Books for inspiration. My next step is to print the out and have them in a binder for easy access. They will be stored in theme/number order as well as the reference book. I have a lot of images to print and I know that I will go through some major ink to get it all done.
I also did move my stamps up a drawer level from where they were. It makes more sense since I am constantly going through them and I don't have to bend over to see them.

School: Matthew's first day of school was cancelled due to Hurricane Irene which he was very happy for.
This is Joe's Senior year of High School. They already did the senior portraits during the summer. I am not to thrilled with them but at least he did it. This boy really hates his picture taken. It;s like pulling teeth to get him to let me take one.

Allergies have been my worst enemy as of late. I have been taking some meds but they make me drowsy if I am not kept busy or moving constantly. So needles to say my crafting hasn't been up to par in my book. I have had a friend who is pretty new to scrapbooking come over and showing her how to do a layout that is in the Idea Book. She is enjoying learning the different techniques.
Other than that there really isn't much going on here. I hope that you all are in good health and enjoying life! Don't let it pass you by!!

Hurricane Irene

So as you all know that Irene has been on the East Coast. The media has it hyped up and is scaring the young and elderly. I understand the need for Caution and preparedness, but if it were presented with more positivity than negativity I personally think that people would be more responsive. The media has desensitized the public with it's constant negativity.
So with that being said, We have all our important papers and medications ready along with tons of water to keep use going in case the water system is compromised along with none perishable foods if the electric goes out. I can't denie the dangers of a hurricane. They are fierce and extremely dangerous. I tell the kids that it'll be nothing by the time it reaches us so that they don't worry. My youngest wants to "hold out" in the basement because of all the windows in the house and is afraid that they will blow out. (Mind you we do live inland but the winds are still gonna be strong) By the time the eye of the storm is over us it will be around 2 am. I guess my biggest fear is flooding. What a mess that is to clean up. lol Plus all of my crafting stuff is in the basement. My main concern is keeping my youngest assured and calm and having the family safe. They are my everything! Family is the single most important thing to me in the whole world! With out them, I am empty!!
It's funny when my oldest tells me "it's fine" and "why are we getting this stuff together" Remember he is 17 and a worry wart so for him to be saying these things is pretty funny. I tell him that it is better to be prepared and have nothing major happen to not be prepared and have the worst happen. As my mom would say, " It's better to be safe than sorry!"

Playing with the Cricut Art Philosophy Cart

I just wanted to share with you all what I have come up with while playing with one of the images on the Art Philosophy Cartridge. I really love the look of the lace. I used the "square" lace that is on the "shape5/flower2" key with the shift key and the font layer key depressed.

 With the card below, I used that lace square (cut off the outer four corners and saved for the next card), Branch2, and the rosette from the banner6/heart3 key. All items were cut out from White Daisy Card stock and inked to my preference except the branch that was cu out off sweet leaf card stock and then inked. The small flowers were also cut from the same cartridge. The stamped image is the exclusive August Stamp of the Month "Wicked". I just love this sassy little witch! Additional products used is liquid glass and prisma glitter. (along with grey flannel and black inking) I also stamped the background with the Two-step Background stamp using Black and Pear.

With this card below, I used the outer corners from the lace square. When I cut them off they immediately reminded me of fish! So I NEEDED to make a fish card! I inked them using sunny yellow, honey and sorbet. Then I used liquid glass and prisma glitter.  For the air bubbles I used the cricut to cut out the circles. Then I used the water brush and my ink pads to give them some color. And yet again, I used the liquid glass and glitter. The "seaweed" was cut from the same cartridge using the "banner5/petal2" button along with the shift key and font layer key. The only think that is not CTMH are the googly eyes.

Rainny Day

It's a rainy day here and I am desperately wanting to lock my self up in my craft room. There are so many thing that I want to create and do. First I want to make some bags (kinda like the Vera Bradly Bags), I have plenty of patterns and fabrics to choose from. It's just a matter of getting the room cleaned up and fully ready for a crop that I am having at my house on the 20th. (not to mention all the other projects that I have started that needs to get finished. lol)
I still need to put all my goodies away from the weekend crop that was at the end of July. Summer really is busy for me. I guess I never really seen it as busy before. With school supply shopping and crops and family functions the time flies by with out even giving you time to breath sometimes.
With that being said I am going to set small goals to get me (and keep me) on track with time management as well as having an organized house. This has totally worked for me in the past. With organization I have found that I had much more time to play and create!!
I will keep you all posted on my progress as I move along and hope that you too will join me in my adventure of organization!

A super deal for August 15th to August 31st!

Wow, there are so many specials this month and I want you to get the most bang for your buck!!!
First let me tell you about the specials!

• By placing your order in August you can qualify for the Stamp of the Month WICKED! With the new SOTM (Stamp Of The Month) program, an order of $50 will qualify you to get it for just $5.00! And to celebrate the new changes to the SOTM program, the August campaign gives you the "A Typeface" stamp set FREE to anyone who purchases the SOTM!

• The NATIONAL STAMPING CAMPAIGN place an order of $75 you will get the "Pair-a-Phrase" double stamp set FREE. That's 2 D size stamp sets. The retail value on this double set alone is $35.90. What a HUGE savings!!

So lets take a look at what you get and what you pay!

A $75 order from August 15th- 31st gives you:

• Two D-size stamp sets in the "Pair-a-Phrase" campaign - Free (Retail $35.90)
• August SOTM "Wicked" - $5.00 (retail $17.95)
• Bonus Stamp set "A Typeface" with $5.00 SOTM purchase - FREE (retail $6.95)

That's Four stamp sets for just $5.00 (plus shipping/tax) instead of $60.80 retail. INCREDIBLE!!

This offer is not available through the MYCTMH website. So feel free to contact me to place your order!!

National Stamping month

Celebrate National Stamping Month in September! CTMh is offering their first ever double stamp set! You can get these exclusive stamps Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set FREE when you place an order of $75 from August 15th - September 30, 2011. You'll love this double set - two D-size sets in one envelope - which includes lots of cleaver phrases and coordinating images you'll use in your handmade cards all year as well in your scrapbook projects!

Have double the fun during National Stamping Month with the Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set!

Scrappin' getaway

I don't know about you but I just love to hang out with the girls and scrap. It's tha time of year when we get together for a weekend at a hideaway! You may pack just the essentials such as your layouts that you want to greate and the minimum accesorys. Not me! I bring it all! from cardstock to decorative sicorrs, patterned pappers to embossing powders. Knowing full well that I will most likely not use one forth of my supplies. I bring just about all my stamps as well. I like to share! Who knows I may just have something that you need.

This year I am not sure as to what I'll be scapping. I will be teaching a multi- page workshop along with doing a tutorial on how to make some 3-D flowers. For me it's not about what I can get done, it's about spending time with good friends making new memorie and sharing what I love!

Here ia an example of the flowers that we will be making.

 Have a fun anf great week!! I'll be busy getting things together for the weekend!

Art Philosophy Cricut® Collection

Here is the new Art Philosophy Cricut collection that is exclusivly availible through Close To My Heart. his great collection will be availible to order starting August 1st.
Check out the video and stay tuned for a special deal that will be availible from August 15-Sept. 30, 2011.

New Idea Book!!

WOW! I am at a loss for words! I have to say that my New CTMH Idea Book came in the mail the other day and I am in love! Yes, I am in love with CTMH! They have done it again! There are so many new and exciting things happening in the Fall/Winter Book.

I am super excited to introduce you all to the new Cricut Art Philosophy Collection!
Yes, You read right Cricut!! With CTMH Teaming up with Provocraft they have created this special Cartridge that includes 700 shapes to choose from, 3 stamp sets and 3 sheets of Dimensional Elements that coordinate with this fantastic Cart! Yes, you can even create 3D items as well!! And with our new line of B&T papers with their 2 distinct sides, I can't think of a more perfect partnership! The possibilities are endless! Here is a link to preview the new Art Philosophy Cricut collection. This is a Youtube video put out by CTMH. Enjoy!! http://youtu.be/OdUV0y4RFDI

Our stamp set prices have dropped and the quality is the best by far! Our clear stamps beats the competitors! There are no restrictions to your view as the stamps themselves are completely clear, No picture of what the stamp looks like where it clings to the acrylic No guess work as to "if it is close enough" or other tools to get you to where you want it to be. You can CLEARLY see where you want it to be! I just love our stamps.

Workshops on the go now have a larger stamp set included in the kit along with 1 or 2 Embellishment packets!

Our B&T papers are now even more versatile! They thicker and have two distinct sides that you can use independently of each other, coordinate together, contrast together or compliment together! They also have a patterned strip on the top of one side that can be used as an accent or embellishment!

There are so many new and wonderful thing happening! Staring August first you can view the new Idea Book online!

Another Studio J layout

Hi there. I have been having fun playing around with studio J. I just wanted to share with you some of the embellishments that you can create. Here is the full view of the layout.

In the view below you will see that I have created a flower using the buttons, ribbon and my stickease along with a brad. First I selected the size button that I wanted to use then I copied and pasted 5 more to form the flower base. I then used the stitching for the button holes and put them in there place. (I also used the button stitching to create a running stitch on the green pattern paper) I then selected the flat knotted ribbon and sized it down. I again copied and pasted then place in the "divots" between the buttons. Then I right clicked my mouse =and selected "send to the back" and it sent the ribbon to the back of the buttons. I selected 2 different my stickease and re sized them as well and placed them in the middle of my "flower" If for some reason they seem to go behind any other embellishment, just right click your mouse and select "send to the front" and it will place it on top of everything else. For the finishing touch I placed a black brad in the center. Which you can find under "embellishments, Metal" .

I hope you have fun playing and creating with studio J. The possibilities are endless when you use your imagination!!

My Free Studio J layout!

You gotta love Freebies! If you do then this is for you!!! Today I fiddled with studio J using the photos that I took of my son's 5th grade graduation. What do you think? Just click on the image to get a better view! It was super easy and quick too! You can even distress your edges!! I really love how it turned! With CTMH's campaign this month you too can get your Free JPEG. file and start sharing and printing your creation! For more information just check out my post below! Have fun!!

Here is a photo of the layouts that I did and printed up on my home printer with 13" x 19" photo paper. They look fantastic. The photo itself isn't the best but in real life the quality is fantastic!!

Just thought that I would share.

June has begun!!

The kids are just about done with school. There are graduations and end of year parties. I can't think of a better time to tr CTMH's Studio J. During the month of June CTMH is having a FREE FOR ALL with Sudio J. They are giving away a free Studio J JPEG file... no purchase necessary!!

All you have to do is click on the shop with me icon on the right and log on to Studio J. create a layout and order a jpeg file, It's that simple. Then download and save the file so you can post your creation online, email it to your friends and family it out.

If you already have a Studio J or MYCTMH account, just sign in and start creating.

Also, Close To My Heart is having a campaign featuring the You & me kit to help raise money for the survivors of the severe storms that have pummeled the midwest and and southern states.

This campaign is a limited quantities and is called "You & Me Stronger Together". During the month of June, order the You & Me Stronger together kit for just $15.00 US/ $16.50 CAN. ( a retail value of $34.95 US/ $38.95 CAN). A prtion of the proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross 2011 FLoods and Tornadoes relief operations. This campaign will last till June 30th or while supplies last.

Spring is in full Bloom!

I just love spring. The gentle warming from a cold winter to the buds on the trees. It brings to light the promise that no matter how cold life can be there are always new beginnings!

Everything seems to be more vibrant and in tune with their surroundings. The birds that have come back from their winter homes serenade the winds with their songs as they prepare for their offspring building nests and protecting their new homes.

It truly amazes me how remarkably strong the nests really are. Once their eggs are laid they are beautiful colors.

I was able to get a few photos of the new life that has just begun. I hope that you enjoy them and they remind you not to take life for granted, make the best out of what you have and don't dwell on what you don't have. More than likely, you are already blessed with so much more than you realize.

They have grown since the previous photo. There are 4 babies. At first I only saw three and was worried that the fourth didn't hatch.

National Scrapbooking Month!

Hi everyone. There has been a lot going on so I will be making a few posts over the next couple of days.
First I want to share with you all the wonderful kit that CTMH has come up with to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month. This kit is so wonderful. The B&T's (basic and Textured papers) are cardstock weight and the revers side is a totally different pattern along with full color, not just the monochromatic scheme that you are used to seeing on these papers.

The You & Me kit includes:
1 - My Acrylix You & Me stamp set ( D- size)
1 - 12x12 colonial white cardstock
6- 12 x 12 B&T Duos Papers (new cardstock weight)
1 - 6 x 9 You & Me Irresistible Chipboard Die cut Sheet
1 - Yard - Chocolate Stripe Ribbon
1 - Package - Opaques Mocha Adhesive Gems
1 - Instruction guide to make 2 double page layouts
Featured colors: Chocolate, Creme Brulee, Olive and Smoothie

When you place a minimum order of $50, you can get this kit at half off for $15.00 Or you can purchase the kit at full price for $34.95.
Below is a link to a video showing you all that is included with this wonderful kit.
http://youtu.be/myK0CzfXL70

If you would like to place an order you can go to http://reneewichert.myctmh.com/ .

Hope for Japan

I love Close to My Heart!!!

They have released an a size Stamp set that would normally cost $7.95 US/$8.75 Can. but are only charging $5.00 and the profits go to the American Red Cross in Support of those in Japan. The Stamp set is called "Hope for Japan" item # A1118. It is going to be available until April 30th. This is not a "while supplies last" thing. They will continue to meet demands for this stamp set.

So please help show your support and love and purchase your set today!

Just click on the shop with me icon in the upper right corner and put the item # A1118 in the quick find box, of the word "Hope" in the search by name box under the Find Item By: column on the left side bar.

Using water color pencils to color dense stamped images.

Water color pencils

Hello there.

Water color pencils? What are they? Well, they are pencils that you can use as pencils and to use with either a blending pen or a water brush to paint with. They can give a soft look to your project, it all depends on how much color you use. I love using them. They are a good start for those that want to use Copic markers but don't have the money. These are affordable and you can start to use right away and you don't have to build up your collection before you can blend well like you do with Copics. they need to have at least three markers in the same color family to blend well for each color. Don't get me wrong. I love the Copics as well. I have some, but my stash is small. ;-) So the CTMH Water Color Pencils keep me going while I slowly build up my Copic Stash.

With that being said let me show you what I have done with my water color pencils.

Using the March Stamp Of The Month Sensational seasons I made the card that is in my previous post using the pencils. I also colored in the image of the two bunnies with the carrots.

Here is the basket of eggs that I made. I also made a video showing how I stamped and colored the basket. Please check it out and leave a comment. Thanks!!

Sensational Season

That is the name of March's Stamp of the Month.

I want to share with you today a card that I have created using the SOTM set. I love the bunnies that are in this set. What's not to love. To me bunnies remind me of spring and I can't wait for it to get here. Enjoy!!

The bunnie was colored in using CTMH's water color pencils and blending pen. I really love using the pencils and the look that it gives. I unfortunatly don't have many copic markers so this makes a great alternative Plus the cost is sooo much more affordable!!

Here is a look inside the card. Sorry about the lighting. I do need to get a light box together. ;-)

The flower is was handmade by me using my cricut. It started out as plain whit cardstock.

Organization 1

Hello There,

Too many times I find myself in a rut and I don't know what I want to create. Then when I do figure it out I am left searching for the right products to use. You see, I have all kinds of inks and papers and other supplies from many different companies and when I want to work on something, I kinda get discouraged with the way I have everything spread out. So the other day I started to organize some of my embellishments by color the other day, not worrying about what company they are from. My thought is that it will help me find what I am looking for in the color family that I want. That is all fine and good and probably will work for me.

As I was doing this, I realized that I have other inks that I really like to use but seldom do, due to them hiding away in a drawer that I hardly ever go into. So I started to make a binder that would allow me to see the complete list of a particular product that a company makes. With this "list" I made a "chart" and left spaces so that I can fill them in with that particular product, a swatch if you will. Now I only made charts for the product lines that I have. As I build my stash, I will make swatch charts for them as well.

I also plan on making swatch charts with my embossing powders too. Who knows, flipping thought the book may inspire me.

Here is a close up photo and explanation of how this system will work:

CTMH Ink pads:

The space above is where I stamped an image in the color that is labeled below it. This allows me to see what the color will look like when it is completely dried and stops me from ordering another stamp pad in that color. The dot next to the name tells me that I have this color in a re-inker as well. So no need to re order. ;-) The bottom of each page tells you the company and what the product is.

The stamp used is from CTMH and is only available the month of June for it is the featured Stamp of the Month.

Here is what the pages look like:

I chose to do this with my stickles as well. The product looks sooo much different when it is out of the bottle. So now when I want to use them all I have to do is look at my swatches and pick out the best one for the project.

Within the binder there will be sections. Each section will be for something specific, Like ink pads, Markers, glimmer mists, paints, card stock and then I will have a separate binder for my Stamps.

This system is sure to help me find the right inks, paper or whatever I want for whatever I am creating.

I hope that this will help you get organized and keep you productive.

Wings workshop part 2

As promised here are some additional layout that I have made using the Wings workshop kit along a few other items. Enjoy.