Thursday, December 18, 2014

Some Basics on preventing a "Hot Mess"

OK, I have to admit that the last time I re-inked one of my stamp pads, I kept filling the pad and all of a sudden there was a small puddle in the middle. Oops... I started inking a stamp and the ink was all over, in the crevices, on the block, on my hands. Clearly, it was a "hot mess". I've sopped and sopped and there is still too much ink in that pad.

Time to go back to the basics. There is always time for a refresher course when there are things you just don't do very often. Low and behold, CTMH TV comes to the rescue!

Here is some very basic information about re-inking a stamp pad and creating a colorful mist that coordinates with your pages:



We are never to old to learn!! 


Go to my website and the CTMH-TV bar at the top and watch and learn from the short videos. 




Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!
XO
Dot


Monday, December 8, 2014

Christmas Cards

Fast and Easy Christmas cards


You still have time to make your own Christmas Cards. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Snowhaven Workshop On The Go Card kit
This is the same card with different greetings using the stamp "Merriest Christmas" B1468


This is the Snowhaven Card Workshop On The Go G1085. There are only straight cuts, the Cricut isn't needed. The embellishments, paper, cards and envelopes, stamp set and instructions are all included. Just the inks and blocks are needed. The workshop makes 5 ea of 3 designs, 15 cards in all.

The inks are:
The absolute easiest cards to make are the new Cut Above card kits. The Cut Above Christmas card kit is on the left and the Cut Above Holiday card kit is on the right. Each kit makes 10 cards and comes with a coordinated printed envelope that is too cute! Each kit takes about an hour to complete all 10 cards!!








XO,
Dots

Just Chillin' in the Snow!

Snow Papers with Snowhaven Paper pack


I love the Snowhaven papers (X7188B). I did the Snowhaven Card Workshop On The Go (G1085) and really love the cards that I will be sending out as my Christmas cards but there was not a workshop for pages. Of course, this is a great opportunity to make your own pages. This does not mean you have to be on your own to come up with a design for those of us who are design challenged. I got my idea from the Annual Inspirations Idea Book page 83. I made a few adjustments and more snowflakes using my Artbooking cartridge (Z1906) page 76. The titles came from the same page. Here is how my pages turned out:



The embellishments used were:
  • Red Enamel Hearts Z2009
  • Sparkles Clear Assortment Z1752
  • Silver Shimmer Trim Z1799
For those of you who don't have a Cricut:
  • Snowhaven Complements coordinating chipboard sheets X7188C
  • Snowhaven Assortment Z3008

You can click on any of these links above to see the product and shop at my website. :-)

Now all we need is some snow... I know the northeast and various places have had snow already but we haven't seen any in Texas yet!



Hope you like my layout! 

XO
Dots

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

A Studio J Digital Scrapbook

What I Did On My Thanksgiving Vacation

Here are some of my Studio J jpegs that were sent to me within 2-3 days after putting them together over Thanksgiving.





Each photo is 12x12-I wanted the full feel of the land.


Each photo is 12x12-I wanted the full feel of the land.


   

Try it, you'll love it!!

XO
Dots


December Specials


December Stamp of the Month


 This Stamp of the Month can be yours for $5 with a $50 purchase from 
Close To My Heart from now till December 31, 2014.


December Stamp of the Month



And here's an adorable card, using the Stamp of the Month, 
perfect for the "cupcake" in your life!




It is truly the deal of the decade.



This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Close To My Heart’s revolutionary My Acrylix clear polymer stamps. We can’t wait for you to celebrate with us! 

With a qualifying purchase of $50 during the month of December, you will be eligible to purchase ANY C- or D-size stamps from the Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 idea book for only $10. That’s up to $7.95 USD/$9.75 CAD of savings on a single stamp set! Plus, once you achieve the qualifying order total, there is no limit to the number of eligible stamp sets you can purchase at this discounted price. Remember, a purchase of $50 will also qualify you to receive the December Stamp of the Month for only $5, so if you purchase both the discounted Stamp of the Month and additional stamps at this special campaign pricing your savings will compound! It is truly the deal of the decade.

Start your savings here:





Thanks for stopping by!
XO
Dots

Seasonal Expressions I-You Can Order Now!



December 1 started the availability for all the fun new items in the 
Seasonal Expressions I catalog.


This new mini catalog is in addition to Close To My Heart's Annual Inspirations catalog. The mini has new items and workshops that include Valentine's Day and spring and is effective from December 1st through March 2015.  You can view all the exciting new items now available by clicking on here: 

Seasonal Expressions I
The following is some of the artwork that can be created from this new mini catalog:

Heartstrings paper x7193B     Heartstrings Complements x7193C     and  Heartstrings Assortment z3015

Heartstrings Workshop On The Go G1090

Both cards were made from the new stamp Brushstrokes C1608

I love this sweet little card. The stamp is A Little Note A1171
This is just a little sampling of wonderful things that you can enjoy making and giving from Seasonal Expressions I.

I hope you had a memorable Thanksgiving. After a delicious meal with my family and a quiet evening on Thursday, I was ready to go on Friday. No, I didn't shop.

I got going on the Yellowstone vacation photos from the summer. I took tons of shots of all the incredible sights in Yellowstone. This has to be one of the most amazing spots on the Earth. So many strange and unusual formations to just stand in front of and gawk. Well, I have 21 digital layouts, 42 pages, finished. Studio J software is so easy to use. 

When you use the "Express Collection", you just add your pictures and titles and journaling. But if you use "Create your own Custom Layout", you can determine how many pictures you want to use. There are many templates to choose from, and depending on the colors that catch your eye in your photos, you will want to pick digital paper, as your background, that brings out those colors. It is very easy to change paper colors, picture sizes, add or remove embellishments-you name it. I do like to change things, so that is why I use the Custom feature. I'll share when I get my jpegs. Oh yeah, in addition to the beautiful 12x12 prints you get jpegs (for free) that you can share. $6.95/layout-you can't beat it!!!

 I LOVE Studio J TRY IT!!!! Please :-)


It's time to start Christmas shopping so Close To My Heart is a great place to start!



XO
Dots