I did it!

Well, the pro's won out and I purchased the new Cricut Explore. 
I have to wait until April but that is OK

It's something good to think about while I am not feeling well.
My son gave me a bug and not getting too much done.

CTMH New Embossing Folder Video

Cricut Explore

 

 If you are like me you have been recieving tons of emails about the new Cricut Explore.

Are you on the fence too?  I sure am.
I am anxiously awaiting the reveal on HSN on Feb 12th. I want to see what all this new machine does and doesn't do.
 I have even started a pro and con list about this new machine.
Pro's:
Cuts more sizes
Cuts smaller images better
Cuts perfect circles and scallops
Cuts many different file types
I don't have to write down the sizes of everything I cut because I can just save the project.
Easy to use Design Space
Carbide blades
Old mats can be used

Con's:
No android wifi
$299 ouch
Not compatible with CCR

Not sure if I am trying to talk myself into it, or out of it?  I guess I still have too many questions to find the answers to before I decide.


  

Triple Heart Easel Card using Ariana Papers

A little while back I saw one of these cards on a youtube video.  The gal used a Sizzix Heart Die Cutter to make this project.  Since I don't have them I knew I could reproduce the same look using my Art Philosophy Cartridge and the Cricut Craft Room. 

 

Here is a screen shot of 2 of the 3 hearts for the base.  I put up two 5" hearts, turned one upside down and joined them together.  The middle sized heart is 4" and the smallest is 3".  So if you don't have Sizzix or Nesti's to make the hearts you can do it in the CCR.

This beautiful paper is called Ariana.  It's so pretty and vintage.    

New Spring 2014 Consultant Kit

Thinking of becoming a consultant with Close To My Heart?

I love what I do and so can you!

Recruiting Special see the end of post.

This wonderful kit is now available for only $99

What's included in the new kit?

Business items:
10 Spring Summer 2014 catalogs
Hostess Order Forms
Customer Order Forms
Cardstock Color Swatches
B&T Paper Swatches
Petite Perks Incentive Stamp sets (5)
Reflections Scrapbook Program
Originals Card Confidence Program
Cello bags

Creative Items:
G1072 Skylark Workshop on the Go kit
X7177C Skylark Dimensional Elements
Bulk322 Skylark Bulk B&T (24 sheets)
Bulk 340 Bulk Resin Flowers
Z1928 Triangle Studs
Z1928 Teal Shimmer Trim

Exclusive Ink Pads:
Lagoon
Desert Sand
Slate

E1028 Hopscotch Alphabet stamp set
C1575 True to Life stamp set
C1574 Believe in Yourself stamp set

Acrylix Blocks:
3x3
4x5
2x6 1/2

Nonstick Micro-Tip Scissors
Stamp Scrubber
Spritz Cleaner
Bonding memories Glue
Sponge
Liquid Glass

Recruiting Special:

In February I am offering a very special incentive for those that join my team.
Get an extra $50 in select product!
Email me for all the details at ddd4nier@aol.com

Simply Inspired CTMH New Idea Book Blog Hop

Don't you love it when a new Idea Book comes out!

If you arrived here from Blythe Shupe's blog you are in the right place.  If you get lost at any time you can find a complete list of hoppers at  http://www.danakessler.com/1111-2/

Pop-Up card Box

I found the directions for this fun and really easy Pop-Up Card box on Splitcoast stampers and had to try a couple of them.  It was really very easy to make.
This Valentine's box is for my sweet hubby of 37 years, Gary! He has been so wonderful putting up with me all these years I decided he needed something special this year.

I started with X7128B Timberline paper packet.  The base of the box is made using the Twilight cardstock that comes in the kit.  I then decorated it with patterned paper from the same kit.
I used Wild About You, Stamp of the Month, to decorate the inside and outside of my card.  This fun set is available only during the month of February. The lopsided hearts and saying on the front of the closed card are Cricut compatible with our Art Philosophy Cartridge. The Be Mine on the card was made in Cricut Craftroom also using the Art Philosophy Cartridge. The stamp pads used were:  Slate, Barn Red, Twilight.
Accents used were Aqua Dots and Black Sparkles.

Now head over to Diana's to see more new products and Ideas. 

Here is another Pop-Up card box I made.  This one uses the beautiful Ariana Papers.
It's my Happy Birthday to Me card for this year when I hit the big 65!

Card Kit with Sneak Peak New Product

Look at this fun new paper, called Lollydoodle.  I think my favorite new paper in the Spring/Summer IdeaBook from CTMH.  This is the new card box, comes white you decorate the way you want.
Included in my kit is:

My Creations Journaling Card Box - Box is covered front, back, sides and top
6 Envelopes and Card Bases
Pre-cut Cardstock and Lollydoodle papers for box
Pre-cut Cardstock and Lollydoodle papers for 6 cards
Pre-cut Cricut images and stamped sayings for 6 cards
2 - Happy Birthday
2-  Thank you so much
2- Have a Wonderful Day
Pre-cut Cricut flowers
2 Black/Gray Epoxy Bubbles
6 Aqua Dots
6 Flamingo Dots
12" Gray Chiffon Ribbon
Instructions

Cost:  $24.00 USD
Kits ordered by Feb 15th will be shipped on Feb 20th.
Kits ordered after Feb 15th will be shipped on March 5th.
Questions about kit, please email me at ddd4nier@aol.com

It feels like Love

 This 3-D heart frame was shared with me by fellow CTMH Consultant Joanne Walton.  I recreated it in Cricut Craftroom.  It is in a white 12x12 frame I got a Michael's.  Each of the flowers are made with folded hearts and topped with Cricut cut Art Philosophy rolled flowers.  It looks great in my office.


New catalog is live on Saturday February 1st:

Sneak peak into new papers, loving this Lollydoodle paper packet.  I love this box card with Hershey nuggets wrapped with more paper.  I improved the pattern by adding additional 1/2" to the flaps sealing the openings top and bottom, so it can be opened and closed.  No more tearing up the box to get the candy out.
If you are interested in the CCR file for cutting the hole in the cardstock to make the box email me at ddd4nier@aol.com.  It cuts only the hole for the base box and the patterned overlay.  Not the whole box.

Cloud Nine

January is National Paper Crafting Month!

This year Close To My Heart had a fun, trendy Card kit to celebrate.
The kit makes up 10 standard cards and some left overs.
$15 with a purchase from the current catalogs of $35.00

Cloud Nine Card kit includes:
Stamp set
B&T Duo
Lagoon c/s
Honey c/s
Die-Cut sheet for those fun images
1- roll Gold Polka Dot Washi tape
1- roll Team Shimmer Trim
1- pkg Durable Triangle Shimmer Trim
10 cards and envelopes
Instruction Sheet

The group I belong to did a blog hop featuring this fun Kit.  I did not participate but I sure want you to see what they came up with.  You can start anywhere on the list below.

http://www.danakessler.com/blog/
http://lynncomo.com/
http://www.roseblossomlegacies.com/
http://delightfuldenise.com/daily-delight/
http://SomethingAboutSharing.com
http://reflectionsofmyartandsoul.com/blog/
http://scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/
http://dianavee.blogspot.com/
http://fancymelissa.com/blog/
 http://blytheshupe.blogspot.com
http://www.rebeccalcross.blogspot.com/
http://www.mysweetstudio.com/
http://blog.run-with-scissors.com/
http://www.kristascraftycorner.blogspot.com/

This is what the kit looks
like when completed per
instructions.




My friend Jean Johnson
used Laughing Lola to
make another version,
I copied! 

Washi Wonderland