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!

 

MYSTERY HOSTESS ONLINE GATHERING!

Just a quick note today! I've decided to have a Mystery Hostess Online Gathering. It starts today and ends at midnight on December 31st! For anyone who orders any amount of product, I'll enter your name in a drawing and if your name is chosen, you will be my "mystery hostess" and will earn FREE hostess rewards! As the "mystery hostess" you don't have to do anything but win! I've sent out the EZ Invites today. If you didn't receive one, just go to my website and "join" the Mystery Hostess Gathering.

For anyone who orders $35.00 in products, I am offering a FREE A-sized stamp set ($6.95 retail value) or TWO monogram stamps ($5.90 retail value)! Wow... how neat is that? (And as you know, if you do purchase $35.00 in products from the Autumn/Winter 2012 Idea Book, you can purchase the Whooo's Your Valentine kit for just $10.00!)  For another $5.00, you can purchase the December Stamp of the Month which is Year-round Cheer , a $17.95 value.

Below are the A-sized stamp sets you can choose from and the darling monogram stamps.  Remember, you receive TWO FREE monogram stamps of your choice with your $35.00 order, or any ONE FREE A-sized stamp set below with your $35.00 order.  Many of these A-sized stamp sets will be retiring at the end of January, which I've indicated.

If you do order, please just email me with the stamp set you would like for FREE!

Monogram stamps:

ANY TWO FOR FREE WITH YOUR $35.00 ORDER!

 A-sized stamp sets:

WILL RETIRE AT END OF JANUARY, 2013.

WILL RETIRE AT END OF JANUARY, 2013.

WILL RETIRE AT END OF JANUARY, 2013.

WILL RETIRE AT END OF JANUARY, 2013.

WILL RETIRE AT END OF JANUARY, 2013.

WILL RETIRE AT END OF JANUARY, 2013.

WILL RETIRE AT END OF JANUARY, 2013.

WILL RETIRE AT END OF JANUARY, 2013. I LOVE THIS TREE!!!!!

WILL RETIRE AT END OF JANUARY, 2013. DARLING TULIP BORDER!

WILL RETIRE AT END OF JANUARY, 2013.

WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF JANUARY, 2013. LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS HEART!

WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF JANUARY, 2013.

WILL RETIRE AT END OF JANUARY, 2013.

WILL RETIRE AT END OF JANUARY, 2013.

TYPEFACE STAMP SET.  VERY HANDY TO HAVE.

As I looked through these A-sized stamp sets, I realize how many I still want! They are so adorable and would have so many uses, like coloring with the markers, using for borders, and cute little trees to use in all kinds of settings.  

Go to my website, join the Mystery Hostess gathering and be eligible to earn FREE products, and also a FREE stamp set.

Have fun!

QUICK AND EASY CARDS.

Note: Before I begin this post, I want you to know that I have placed a special prayer on the top of the home page of my blog, for the families of the Newton tragedy. My heart hurts for them and everyone affected.

I had all of my cards done and ready to mail the other day, when I realized I was short one card! Plus... I had put everything away! Here is what I did to get one more card made in very short order, maybe less than 10 minutes: 

1. Found a piece of kraft card stock, 81/2 x 11 in size. 

2. Went through some papers I had purchased and found a gorgeous piece of black glitter paper (not CTMH). 

3. Dumped out all the little extra shapes I'd cut using my (new) Cricut Expression (that I just love!) and pulled out a couple of tags and a few stars. 

4. Laid out a quick design on the kraft card (made 5x7 in size) by cutting my kraft paper 10 x 7 and folding it in half. 

5. Distressed edges with cocoa ink on the kraft paper and red ink on the cream card stock.. and I had already stamped a greeting on some cream card stock tags. Here is what I came up with!

 

I added a little twine bow and a piece of leftover ribbon (not CTMH) that I had. I used the CTMH Pear & Partridge papers for the tags which is still available. I hated to cut into it but made a bunch of other cards using it and they came out gorgeous!

I had previously cut some cream stars and green glitter paper stars of different sizes, so just put two together, distressed the edges in red and put a little jewel on top.  I stuck the green star flat, and put 3D foam tape under the cream star to make it stand out.  

On the inside, I stamped a blessing on cream card stock, distressed it and stuck it on.

This is the Christmas Love stamp set from Autumn/Winter 2011.  LOVE IT!

I'm loving my new (reconditioned) Cricut Expression!  I had cut extra tags and stars when I was playing around with sizes, etc.  This was a good lesson learned because then I could just pick through what I already had!  Neat!  I think I'll have little baskets of my shapes for the different holidays or seasons.  I've already started a scrap box with just Christmas scraps and a little basket with Christmas tags, labels and shapes.

It took longer to explain how to make this card, than it actually took to make it!

Here's another fairly quick card I made using the Dakota  paper.  I love the wood grain and tweedy design on the back! This paper will be so versatile so I bought the bulk pack.

I distressed the edges of the card in cocoa ink, red on the cream card stock and used the Nature's Gift stamps (from Autumn/Winter 2011).  I had a scrap of this cute snowflake ribbon and put a little twine bow on.

I used 3D foam tape to lift up the little tag, and used green glitter paper that I purchased elsewhere.  I LOVE GLITTER PAPERS! I matted the tweedy design with some red paper I had already cut and it fit perfectly!

Used some more of my extra stars, with 3D foam tape behind them, and a few sparkles.

 VOILA!  There are my two quick cards.

There's still time.................. get busy!  (as if you didn't have enough to do right?)