Artfully Sent Christmas Card Workshop

I will be holding workshops in my home the next couple weeks. Here's a picture with a few samples of the first workshop utilizing the new Close To My Heart exclusive Cricut Artfully Sent cartridge.

Workshop dates are:

• Tuesday, November 18th, 6 – 8:30 pm
• Wednesday, November 19th, 1 – 3:30 pm
• Or create your own workshop! 
• Contact me for available dates & times then invite 2 to 7 of your friends. All of your friends will receive free a mini stamp set and the 2014-15 Annual Inspirations catalog/idea book. And as the ‘hostess’ you’ll receive your choice of a 6” x 6” stamp set from my stash and earn rewards based on Close To My Heart orders you & your friends place within a week of your workshop.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

How I Met Close To My Heart

Earlier this month I responded to a request from Close To My Heart to share the story of how I became a Close To My Heart consultant. I am so honored to be chosen as one of four stories to be published. I've copied my story below but you can read all the stories on the Close To My Heart blog: Make It From Your Heart.

November 14, 2014

Blast from the Past: How I Met Close To My Heart

A huge thanks to everyone who read Monica's story a few weeks ago and then contributed their own tale of discovering Close To My Heart. Every story was heartfelt and inspiring. Though we can’t share them all, we've included a handful we know you’ll enjoy.

  

Wendy Bilyeu Hardin

Pekin, Illinois

I first met Close To My Heart at a CKC expo. Even though I only purchased a few items, I recall how genuine Briana Bostick was when talking about Close To My Heart. Over the next few years, she kept in contact, even though I only made sporadic purchases. Since I had started scrapbooking in the late 1990s, my scraproom had accumulated a hefty collection of papercrafting supplies and tools, so I already had a large assortment of inks, papers, and stamps. However, I was easily convinced to sign up as a Consultant when offered a free Cricut® cartridge. I was already a huge Cricut® fan and had been “chirping” since the Cricut® was first available. For the next two years, I enjoyed using the products, holding events, and passing on discounts to my best friends.

In January of this year, my husband of almost 30 years started having extreme back pain. In April, after many tests, we were told that he had stage four lung cancer that had spread to his spine. We were told to expect maybe 6–12 months. I lost him on June third.

Close To My Heart is not just a company name to me, it is my life. I now carry some of my late husband’s ashes in a heart pendant around my neck—close to my heart. Memories of our life together are captured in pictures and our stories written—from the heart—to the pages of albums. The home we designed and built together is now a retreat space and has become my refuge, filled with laughter—from the heart—as my friends are always invited to come and craft with me. Thankfully, my days are full and busy.

Close To My Heart, I am so glad I met you.

November Stamp of the Month

It's the Little Things, set of 15, S1411 - only $5.00 with a $50 purchase!

Autumn "Artfully Sent" Scene Card

Capture the beauty of autumn with this creative background technique as seen on the Make It From Your Heart blog and featuring Close To My Heart's exclusive Cricut Artfully Sent cartridge:

All-Purpose Mat Color Splat

When we posted the Halloween-themed cards on our Facebook page last month, the background on the Halloween village card captured many hearts across the world. (Click here to see the card.)

Several of you asked us how it was done. So we took your questions to the artist herself, and not only was she generous enough to show us her methods, but she also created yet another stunning card for us that illustrates this beautiful technique.

Check it out!Isn’t that beautiful?

The technique used to create this kind of background centers on our all-purpose mat. (This tutorial will only add more truth to its name!) The non-slip surface makes it perfect for mixing ink and water to create special artistic effects.

There’s an infinite amount of possible art you can create with this technique, but first try this quick tutorial on creating the background seen on this great Happy Autumn card.

What Tools You’ll Need:
D1604 My Acrylix® Season of Thanks
C1589 My Acrylix® Lifetime of Happiness
Z2123 Goldrush Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2118 Desert Sand Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2137 Olive Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2191 Sunset Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2101 Autumn Terracotta Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2162 Honey Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2643 Canary Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2172 Whisper Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2642 Flaxen Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z2641 Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Pad
Z1380 Spray Pen
1778 My Acrylix® Spritz Cleaner
Z697 Round Sponge
Z2045 All-Purpose Mat

1. Rub Olive, Desert Sand, Goldrush, Sunset, and Autumn Terracotta Exclusive Inks™ pads directly onto surface of all-purpose mat to create desired pattern.     2. Holding spray pen at a distance of about 12″ from the mat, spray water over ink until it has a dewed appearance.     3. Take your cardstock (preferably Colonial White or White Daisy) and lay it directly down into the watered ink. Rub back of paper lightly to ensure complete coverage. Lift paper and allow ink to dry completely. Use a craft heater to speed up the process.     4. Once ink has dried, repeat steps 1–3 with Glacier ink, except this time, instead of spraying the Glacier ink with water, spray it with the My Acrylix® Spritz Cleaner in order to achieve a more modeled look.

5. Using the My Acrylix® Season of Thanks stamp set, stamp several tree trunks in Whisper. Stamp some trunks with second-generation impressions in order to add depth.     6. Using the My Acrylix® Lifetime of Happiness stamp set, stamp leaves in Canary, Honey, and Flaxen inks. Stamp quickly, using both second- and first-generation impressions. To give some leaves a more finished look, spread some ink on the all-purpose mat, spray it with spritz, dip the stamp in the dewed ink, and then stamp on cardstock.     7. Using the sponge, daube Canary ink around your design to lighten things up and maintain depth.      8. In order to create a soft edge, spread Whisper ink in a circle on your all-purpose mat and then spray it with spritz. Rub each of the edges of your cardstock lightly in the ink until you achieve a subtle border on each side. Allow ink to dry completely.

Voila! Your beautiful background is now complete. Now all you need to do is add your embellishments and other additions to complete your card.

This technique is full of possibilities, so feel free to experiment with it in other ways, too. We’d love to see what you come up with!

Happy crafting!

My {Scrappy/Crafty} Home Flyer

Rack Cards by Vistaprint