FLIRTY PAPER PACK FOR SALE - $1.75!

Just a quick little post today! Just noticed that the While Supplies Last area of the CTMH website has the FLIRTY PAPER PACK on sale for $1.75! Wow and double wow! View it here. If you need some pretty spring colors and flowers, get one while supplies last. You can also get the BULK flirty paper pack of 24 sheets of the one double sided sheet shown here for just $3.50. What a steal!  There are some matching Flirty Dimensional Elements for $1.50 too.

HERE ARE THE FLIRTY PAPERS USED IN OUR DISPLAY TRAY.

 

 

 

 

 

They also are still carrying the Mischief paper pack for $2.50. Love this and love the blacks, grays and rusts that will go with so many of our current papers!

MISCHIEF PAPER PACK - NOT JUST FOR FALL OR HALLOWEEN! LOOK AT THE GORGEOUS BLACKS, BROWNS, BEIGES AND RUST!

AND ONE MORE EXCITING PACK - THE BULK PEAR & PARTRIDGE B&T DUO, which means you get 24 sheets of one design, shown here (the most popular) for $3.50.  You will get 24 sheets of the beautiful page of the partridges and green and red scrolls, plus a gorgeous green printed color on the back.  Here's one of my cards using the paper.. it's the little tree......  you can see the little pears and partridges and scrolls and the pretty green on the back.  I don't have a picture of the entire sheet... sorry.  You can view it above on my website.

PEAR & PARTRIDGE BULK PAPER USED ON THE TREE.  DAKOTA PAPER IS USED ON THE BACKGROUND (THE WOOD GRAIN PAPER).

That's my quick post for today!  Just wanted you to be aware of these fantastic specials going on right now on my website here.  Every week or so, new things are added, so be sure to check back every week or so!

HAPPY SALES!!!!!
 

 

NEW CATALOG - MY FAVORITE FUN PAPER!

Hi all!  We all know that the new Close to My Heart Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book is now published, delivered, online, and ready to view!  Or do you?  ha!  I've probably reminded you enough for the last month that you are sick of hearing it (if you're not a consultant or customer of Close to My Heart). This Idea Book edition is so beautiful. Here is is again. I just love the cover! 

And for you fabric lovers, be sure to scroll down to the end of this post to see the new exciting products!

I am so EXCITED about the new Chantilly  paper pack!  This is the most "fun" and "happy" and "cheerful" paper I've seen from anywhere, not just from Close to My Heart.  IT IS MY MOST FAVORITE PAPER PACK.

Here is the STAR of the Chantilly show!  This paper is so bright and happy.  The cover project on this Spring/Summer Idea Book uses the Chantilly papers and colors.

Here are pages from the Idea Book showing the entire paper pack (2 each of 3 two-sided B&T papers, and 6 colored papers that coordinate).

Note the DARLING Dimensional Elements on the lower right.  ALSO PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PHOTO DOES NOT DO THESE PAPERS JUSTICE.  THEY ARE MUCH BRIGHTER AND VIVID.

Two page scrapbook layout which is shown in the Idea Book on pg. 18. I LOVE these pastel papers!

And since I haven't yet purchased this paper pack (but it's next on my list), I wanted to show off a beautiful card made by Marilyn Gossett of Marilyn Gossett Designs.  She is so talented and this card shows the brightness and FUN of this paper!  

FABRIC, FABRIC, FABRIC!!!
And guess what?  for those of you who love sewing and quilting, CTMH has added FABRIC to their line of products!  How exciting is that?  My mind is spinning with all the things I can do with fabric and paper, and I'll be posting some projects as soon as I receive the fabrics.  Their line of fabrics matches two sets of papers.  One line coordinates with the Chantilly papers, and the other coordinates with the For Always papers shown here.

Each fabric "coordinates" with the papers and is not an exact match. Each piece is 14x24 Inches (much bigger than a fat quarter!) and the 3 pack set sells for $8.95.

Here's a project designed by the CTMH designers which is pictured on the back page of the Idea Book, which uses the For Always papers and fabric. They've also used a little bit of Chantilly paper, and the new My Reflections Clear Paper Pouches as a little envelope for the tag.  Isn't this sweet?  If you want to find out how to make this, please get in touch with me.

All Rights Reserved - Close to My Heart.  I would have the little copyright thingy here but I can't figure out how to make it on my blog!  sorry...  (Fabric is used for the background, around the edges and behind the photo, oh, and a little ruffle too!).

 

Close-up of the cute little paper pouch, and the ruffled fabric.

As I said above, my mind is spinning with ideas for projects using fabric!  I have been a quilter and seamstress for years, and I actually could NOT get to sleep the other night because of the ideas running through my head.  I had to get up and write everything down before I forgot them.  

And when I woke up, I couldn't find the piece of paper!  I thought I might have been dreaming, but phew.... I found it and there was my scribbled hand writing so I knew I hadn't been dreaming {shaking my head}.

I'll be posting some of those projects and more of my favorites soon!

THE JOY OF GIVING.

I'm just in the mood today to play with and share some of my photos. They are my passion and I love sharing them with others.  

I ran across some neat sayings in an old magazine I was reading, and they invoked in me a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation of the beauty around me.

These sayings speak of "giving", so I thought I would give to you some beauty as I see it........ and it is usually and mostly in the simple things.

 No one has ever become poor by giving.  Anne Frank, diarist, 1929-1945.

Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.  

John D. Rockefeller, Jr.  1987-1960.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.  Winston Churchill  1974-1965.

Scatter joy.  Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer, 1803-1882.

 

My creed is that:

Happiness is the only good.

The place to be happy is here.

The time to be happy is now.

The way to be happy is to make others so.

Robert G. Ingersoll (1833-1899)

American lawyer and orator

 

 AMEN TO THAT!........... SO I GIVE BY SHARING WITH YOU. .................................and that is the reason I blog.

CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER!

Just can't wait any longer to give you a peek at the new Idea Book coming out on February 1st!  The Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book goes public and can be viewed online on February 1st! 

Here's the cover. Isn't it fun and bright and pretty?  Just what we need to see this time of year. And look at a hint of all the gorgeous new papers!  I am so excited to see these beautiful pastel papers, and especially some more pinks and greens which are my absolute favorites.

Here's another peek at some of the For Always papers:

IF YOU'RE A BLACK & WHITE LOVER, YOU'LL BE THRILLED WITH THESE PAPERS!

 Here's one more page form the new Idea Book, just to tease you:

AREN'T THESE COLORS DELICIOUS????????????

That's all for now. I'll be posting some more peeks in the next few days.  It is so exciting and fun to see what new things Close to My Heart has come out with.  I've seen the new Idea Book and here are a few highlights:

1.  MORE HOW-TO VIDEOS which you will be able to watch from my website.  (as of February 1, 2013).

2.  7 NEW BEAUTIFUL 12 SHEET PAPER PACKETS.

3.  4 paper packs from the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book are being CARRIED FORWARD to this new Idea Book..  Those are Avonlea, Dakota, Clementine, and Scholastic.

4.  TWO BRAND NEW, AWESOME products for those of you who love to incorporate some fabrics into your scrapbooking and card making! (very exciting).

5.  Many new, beautiful, and artistic My Acrylix stamp sets.

I could go on and on but will stop here for now.

Only 11 more days to go and then you can see what's inside the exciting Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book!

JANUARY STAMP OF THE MONTH - Happy Valentine's.

I was so busy baking my yummy gluten free desserts, that January has gotten away from me! I haven't even posted the beautiful Close to My Heart Stamp of the Month, Happy Valentine's which I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE! Here it is:

SET OF 7 BEAUTIFULLY DONE STAMPS. YOURS FOR $5.00 WITH YOUR $50.00 ORDER!

Can you imagine how fun this set would be using our wonderful markers or watercolor pencils?  

Here's a wonderful card by Renae at Renae Creates. She is using my favorite paper, La Belle Vie, which sadly is retiring at the end of this month.  Get it while it lasts!
 

Here is another fabulous card made by Allisa at  Rocky Mountain Paper Crafts using the January SOTM set.  She has colored in the roses using CTMH markers.  You can see more instructions for this card on her blog.

ALLISA HAS USED THE CHEVRON STAMP FROM THE WHOOO'S YOUR VALENTINE STAMP SET WHICH IS ALSO A SPECIAL DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY! THE FLOWERS AND SENTIMENT ARE FROM THE JANUARY STAMP OF THE MONTH.

Have fun and don't you just love this set???  I can hardly wait to get mine!
 
 

GLUTEN FREE CARROT CAKE!

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted! Time has gotten away from me, as with everyone I'm sure! Although I loved the holidays and what they represent, I am kind of glad to be starting a new year. 

Since I didn't get a chance to do very much baking this Christmas, I decided to try out a new gluten free recipe for one of my favorite desserts, CARROT CAKE! I just love carrot cake! 

OF COURSE THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING MAKES IT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS!

SERVED UP FANCY ON MY CHRISTMAS DISHES, EVEN THOUGH IT'S PAST CHRISTMAS.  I STILL LOVE USING MY CHRISTMAS DISHES THROUGH JANUARY.

THE DELECTABLE FROSTING AND ALL THE WALNUTS INSIDE. OH YUM.

I got the recipe from the Betty Crocker website which has many gluten free recipes.  I love their gluten free products!  I made a few changes which I'll note:

GLUTEN FREE CARROT CAKE

1 box Betty Crocker Gluten Free yellow cake mix

1 c. water (calls for 2/3 cup but that is not enough)

1/2 c. softened butter

1 tsp. ground cinnamon (calls for 1/2 tsp. but I like more cinnamon in mine)

1/4 tsp. nutmeg (I put in 1/2 tsp.)

1 tsp. guar gum (didn't call for this but if you add guar gum, it helps the cake be more spongy)

2 tsp. vanilla (gluten free)

3 eggs

1 cup finely chopped carrots (I used about 1-1/4 cup, makes it moister)

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (I used walnuts)

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Frosting:

4 oz. softened cream cheese

2 tbs. butter, soft

1/2 tsp gluten free vanilla

2 cups powdered sugar

1 to 3 tbs. milk

Add 1/4 cut coconut to frosting if you desire 

Heat oven to 350 degrees and grease bottoms of two 8 inch square cake pans with cooking spray.

FOR CAKE: In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, butter , cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and eggs on low speed for 30 seconds. Then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl often. Once blended and mixed well, then mix in by hand, the carrots and nuts.  Spread half in each pan.

Bake about 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Check sooner to be sure you don't overbake!  This is the secret.... DON'T OVERBAKE!  Cool competely before frosting, or if you just can't wait, have the frosting ready, and make it a little thinner so you can drizzle it over a hot piece of cake right from the oven!  That is what I usually do.

FROSTING:  Beat all frosting ingredients together in a bowl on low speed. Add milk gradually, starting with 1-2 tbs and add powdered sugar gradually until frosting is smooth and the consistency you want.  Make it thicker if you want to frost your cake after it has cooled.  Make it thinner if you would like to drizzle it over a warm cake.

AND THEN ENJOY!  This is the BEST carrot cake I've made that is gluten free.  It is moist and flavorful and you can't eat just one piece.

HAPPY BAKING (AND EATING)!!!!!!!!

LAST DAY FOR CHANCE TO WIN FREE PRODUCTS!

Just a quick reminder. This is the last day of my Mystery Hostess Online Gathering! Join today here for your chance to be chosen as hostess for this gathering and earn FREE hostess rewards.

Any order gets you into the drawing for hostess rewards.

And any order $35.00 and above from the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book earns you a FREE A-sized stamp set or TWO FREE monogram stamps.  You can choose from the stamp sets I've listed on my previous post.   With the $35.00 order, you are also eligible to purchase the Whooo's Your Valentine kit for just $10.00!  Wow... and WHOOO can pass that up?

Here's a cute little treat tube I made for doggie treats!  So cute. Could make it for kitty treats too.  I used the owl outline from the cute stamp set that comes with the kit for the doggy head and added floppy ears (cut freehand).  The chevron pattern and heart are also from the stamp set that comes with the kit (see my December 11th post for a picture of the stamp set).

Here's a closeup of the doggy head.  I used large sparkles for the eyes with a dot of black using a Sharpie marker, used some felt for the hose, and drew on the mouth.

You have until 11:59 p.m. tonight (Dec. 31st) to shop and join this online gathering, but I would order earlier to avoid the last minute rush of MANY consultants putting in their last minute orders for the quarter.

Let me know via email which stamp set you would like, if you do place a $35.00 order.

HAVE FUN AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!