Happy New Year's Eve

G'day all.....

Since I won't be posting tomorrow (I will be indulging in Surf n Turf), I wanted to send you this wish:



Happy New Years to All and to All to a Good Night. Until next time....

Out With the Old, In With the New

G'day all.... I am trying this again. I wanted to share a small gift I made for my parents to give them before their actual gifts. In Kindergarten, we made an egg carton ornament for Christmas for our parents. Well, for the past 38 years I had come to despise the ornament as it did not show I had an ounce of creativity! I spent many a year trying to steal it to put it out of it's misery but always got caught. I decided that it was time to come to terms with it and re-create it. Here are the two side by side:

I found this very cathartic. Sometimes we need to just let things go or turn it into something beautiful. Let's look forward to a wonderful 2014! Thank you for sharing a bit of my childhood! Until next time...

It's a Blue Christmas....

Happy day all.....

I wanted to share this card that I made my little bro for Christmas. He is a HUGE Beatles fan so I try to do something Beatles oriented every once in a while. Last year he got a Beatles mini lunch box with a gift card. This year I made this card:

I cannot believe I pulled it off. Here is the inside:

He loved it of course! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will join me tomorrow for another fun project.....

Challenge Inspiration for Get Inky! Stamps

Good day all :)

Today is my turn to bring some creative and wintry inspiration over at Get Inky! Stamps. For my card I combined two stamp sets available at Blue Moon Creations. They are the 2013 Holiday Set and the Whimsical Moon and Stars. Here is the card that I made:

I just love how this all came together. The supplies I used are:

* Get Inky! Stamps 2013 Holiday Set and the Whimsical Moon and Stars.
* Cuttlebug Embossing Machine and a Zebra print folder (from Darice I believe)
* All papers from my scrap pile
* Close to My Heart Exclusive Inks Cocoa, Black and Twilight
* Sakura Pink and Gold metallic gel pens
* SU Markers 

Thanks for coming by and sharing this time with me. Until next time....

May I offer my services to you?

Good day all.... 

Today I wanted to share something that many of you may or may not know. In addition to meeting the paper crafting needs of other at my Close to My Heart Website, I also offer my services in making personalized cards and scrapbook albums. For my card making service, I can offer samples for all types of cards and issue you a free estimate. My blog has many examples of the cards I have made and there are also options on my website with new inventory coming in the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book.

If you have many pictures you wish to include in a specially made scrapbook album, the prices are as follows:

Custom Made 8" x 8" album - $120*

This includes 5 double pages with up to 20 pictures (space permitted), embellishments, text and a spot to record your memories (if desired). Additional pages are  priced at $15 per page.

*NOTE: Design fee is $30 per album and $5 per additional double page. Rush fee is $25 per album.

I also provide private scrapbook and cardmaking lessons as well in person or via Skype. Contact me for more details. 

I hope that you have an amazing day and I look forward to availing myself to your cardmaking and scrapbooking needs. Until next time....

You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

Happy Day all!

It is the day after Christmas so I can share some of the presents and cards that I have made as gifts this year. It is a lean Christmas as the financial world is suffering. I think it made us appreciate what we did get this year. I have an Aunt who LOVES The Grich, A Christmas Story and Betty Boop. So I took the opportunity to try this Pinterest idea of "Grinch Pills". Here was the outcome:

I knew she would get a kick out it. Next year I think I am going to try something from A Christmas Story (I could never get through the movie myself). Well, off I go for some quality family time. Until next time....

Merry Christmas to All and To All a G'Nite...

Season's Greetings to you and yours from me and mine. I am going to be taking a much needed break from my real life and spend time with the ones that I love this Christmas. 

So for now I leave this with you. Should you share this holiday with me, "Merry Christmas". If not have a wonderful day filled with all you love. Until next time....

A Small Tip I Thought I would share....

Good day all!

Since it is Christmas Eve, I am busy getting ready for family stuff. So I decided to share this little tip with you. After using A LOT of Red Line tape for the tart warmers, I had all these little static strips stuck to me. So here is what I did:

Here is the infamous Red Line Sticky Tape

I took my adhesive and made some
rows on a scrap piece of cardstock

Almost time to peel these off!!

I took those stubborn strips and
stuck them on the adhesive.

VOILA! Until next time...

Oh Where is the Red Line??....

Red Line tape that is. Hubby and I collaborated on some more tart warmers and it ate up all my red line tape. It is nice to combine our hobbies to make something creative together. Here are the 5 tart warmers we did as a collaborative effort:

Hubby makes clocks, tart warmers, photography and video editing/production. He also composes music, plays multiple instruments and sings. I am a lucky gal. Here is the videos that he has done recently:



He taught himself this song as it is one of my favorites as an Anniversary present.



And here we are having a little fun when my son came home for a visit. It is always fun at our house. I am so glad that I could share a little peak into your household. Until next time.....

Tag You're It.....

Okay, it is 69 degrees today on December 22nd. SMH! It definitely makes it feel surreal when you are trying to prepare for the holidays and it feels like late Spring/Early Summer. My co-worker's granddaughter is celebrating her 1st birthday and Christmas so she requested some special gift tags. Here is what I came up with for the Christmas ones (ooops I forgot to photograph the birthday ones):

I enjoyed doodling on these Silhouette cuts to "dress" them up. The birthday tags are essentially cupcake toppers (Silhouette Design ID: 9977) that I enlarged.  Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you will po by tomorrow to see what else I have been up to. Until next time....

It is a beautiful day here in NJ....

It certainly does not feel like almost Christmas here in NJ. We are at almost 70 degrees and I am trying to stay festive as I am way too hot for the beginning of Winter. I have been so busy trying to get some projects done as gifts. Here are some Christmas balls I have made as gifts:

Sorry for the messy desk but Creative minds work that way. I am looking forward to sharing something else tomorrow. Until then....

Get Inky! Stamps Christmas Challenge

Happy Day all!

Today I get to share my card for the Christmas Challenge over at Get Inky! Stamps. I tried a new technique called Letterpress with a Cuttlebug folder. I did find it a challenge to do. Here is my card:

I used the 2013 Holiday Stamp Set and using Close to My Hearts Olive, Cocoa and Ruby Exclusive Inks. I hope that you will join the challenge over at the Get Inky! Stamps Challenge blog.

Artbooking Made Easy: Christmas Layouts

Happy Day all!

I just wanted to share with you a great video posted by Close to My Heart. This is for the Cricut Artbooking Collection. There is so much you can do this this and with over 700 images to mix and match you will never tire of it. Here is the video and, after watching it, scroll to below to see a great deal:




When you order the Cricut Artbooking Collection you can get the December Stamp of the Month (Special Care)  for only $5.

This set coordinates with the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection (which I also love). 

Here are some great ideas with the Stamp of the Month:

So come on by and grab this great deal.

http://suenj.ctmh.com/Default.aspx

Until next time.....

A Kudos to Mark Montano....

Happy Sunday all....

Have you noticed that I have had a post a day all month? Well, I am proud of myself and inspired by many talented artists/bloggers that I follow on Facebook and Blogger. One such person is the UBER TALENTED, Mark Montano. He shared a Christmas ball video and I decided to do it. Unfortunately I did not have all the supplies and had to improvise. Then I managed to squish it :( So here it is:

I really enjoyed making this so I will do it again with the right items. Thanks Mark for the inspiration! Until next time......

Welcome Home......

Happy Saturday all! 

After a work friend of mine saw the birthday banner I made, she asked could I make a Welcome Home banner for her son. You see her son joined the US Army when he graduated High School. This will be his first holiday home as he missed Thanksgiving, Here is the banner I made:

It is a little cockeyed as I am much shorter than my son who was holding the right side. Welcome home David. We are all so proud of you.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will come back tomorrow for another project. Until next time.....

Celebrate Good Times, C'mon.....

G'day my crafty peeps. Today brings another triple step stamping card that was a collaborative effort with my local crafty friends. Anytime we spend together is such a blessing that I came up with this second Triple Step Stamping Card for our card swap. This time it is a birthday card. Here is the pic:

This time the supplies used were:

* CTMH Celebration stamp set for the EXCLUSIVE Art Philosophy Cricut Collection
* CTMH Paisley Perfect Flair stamp set
* CTMH Ruby Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad
* CTMH Cranberry Cardstock
* SU Rhinestones (as I ran out of the Sparkles Black and Grey Assortment)  

Remember that if you want any of the supplies above and even more wonderful goodies, you can shop my personal website HERE. Thanks for coming by to visit for a bit. Until next time....

Snowflakes keep Fallin' on my Head.....

Good morning all :)

I am happy to share my contribution today for the Craft Card Gallery's blog. The theme was Snowflakes or Snowmen. I decided to choose Snowflakes as it reminds me of the song from the Sound of Music (My Favorite Things):

"Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things"

Well there are quite a few of my favorite things in that verse. So here is my Card for today:

The technique is called Triple Step Stamping and I am going to teach it as a workshop. Here is the "recipe":

* CTMH's Christmas Cheer stamp set

* CTMH's Frosted Cardmaking Workshop stamp set

* CTMH's Twilight Exclusive Ink and cardstock

* SU Adhesive rhinestones (as I ran out of my Sparkles Grey & Black Assortment)

Remember that if you want any of the supplies above and even more wonderful goodies, you can shop my personal website HERE.

Thanks for stopping by and please stop over at Crafty Card Gallery's blog to show some bloggie love. Until next time....

Our monthly Stamp Group....

Happy Day everyone!

I just had to share some cards that I received in our monthly swap with my dear friend Julie. We meet every month and I get inspired. Here are some of the cards I received in the swap:

Then we learned to make two new cards. Here they are:

I think for the next snowman I will give him a bowtie :) Thanks Julie for another great class! Until next time...

Another Day, Another Project

Happy Tuesday Everyone:

I made some more gift tags for a co-worker to put with her handmade goodies. I got home really late after work and a bunch of errands. So I had to use my Cameo Silhouette for the Print and Cut feature. Here are the tags that I made:

I am so glad to be able to give back this time of year. I think that it is so important. Thanks for coming by and I hope you will stop by tomorrow for another great project. Until next time......

A little Cricut hiatus for a special birthday

Happy Day All!

I am so glad you stopped by to see the latest and greatest. A very special work friend of mine had a milestone birthday this past week and I offered to make some decorations and cupcakes. I broke out the Cameo Silhouette and worked into the night like a little elf. Here are some things that I made:

Here is closer view of the banner I made

I added a little bling to the banner as she LOVES bling

I believe in celebrating milestones so here is some more bling

I used the Cameo Print and cut feature to make these little cupcake banners

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to sharing more craftiness. Until next time....

Special Guest Designer, Allison

Greetings all!

Today we have a special guest designer, Allison! Allison is a lovely young lady and we began working together on 2 wedding albums that she made for dear family friends. She did such a great job and got really excited over a new Scrapbook kit she received for Hanukkah. We decided to make some of the layouts included in the instructions the other day. Here they are:

I am looking forward to trying this with some Close to my Heart papers and the Cricut Art Philosophy and Artbooking Collections. Thanks to Allison for allowing me to share your newest creations. Until next time.....

We're talking Tags and I am not talking about Price tags

Good day all!

Today I decided to bring you a fairly simple tag that took me no time at all using the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection and the My Acrylix Christmas Cheer stamp set. I literally made 4 of these bad boys in less than a half hour and I even got to color. Here is the tag:

The paper that I used is from the 2013Holiday from the Heart Gift Guide called Sparkle and Shine. I will be ordering more of this paper as I loved working with it. There are some non-traditional papers that you could make work for some other projects (the green and gray specifically). 

This paper pack comes with:

6 – 12" × 12" Cardstock Sheets (2 Ruby, 2 Slate, 1 Juniper, 1 White Daisy)
6 – 12" × 12" B&T Duos® Papers (2 each of 3 double-sided designs)

I actually had purchased the Sparkle and Shine Workshop on the Go Scrapbooking Kit and have been using the remaining paper. The only non-Close to My Heart Products were the ribbon and the punched border.

I also wanted to share with you all that almost 50 Discounted Items added to "While Supplies Last" category. There are some incredible deals here. You can CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT ALL THE DEALS, Here is a picture of a small assortment of the list:

I would love to make your holidays Merry & Bright or your birthday a Blast, so if you would like me to send a note to your loved ones with your wish List. Just send me this information HERE:

I would be happy to make your Close to My Heart wishes come true! So for now, I wish you a happy day. I am off to continue to be crafty. Until next time....

I've been bitten by a bug... the Cricut Bug that is.....

Good day all....

As promised I am now going to be sharing projects that were made with my Cricut Expression and some Close to My Heart EXCLUSIVE Cricut Collection cartridges. These cartridges are an incredible buy. Here are the links and details:

Cricut® Artbooking Collection$99 (retail value of nearly $125)
1 – Cartridge (700 images: themed projects, cards, font, shapes, 3-D items)
3 – My Acrylix® D-size Stamp Sets*
3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements in coordinating shapes

Cricut® Artiste Collection$99 (retail value of nearly $125)
1 – Cartridge (700 images: themed projects, cards, font, shapes, 3-D items)
3 – My Acrylix® D-size Stamp Sets*
3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements in coordinating shape

Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection

$99 (retail value of nearly $125)
1 – Cartridge (700 images: font, shapes, 3-D items)
3 – My Acrylix® D-size Stamp Sets*
3 – 12" × 9" Dimensional Elements in coordinating shapes

Today's project was made with the Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection.  A coworker needs some tags for some home made goodies and I (of course) volunteered my services. This one was so super easy to make.

The supplies I used were:

* CTMH Christmas Cheer stamp set

* Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection

* CTMH Bonding Memories glue pen

* CTMH Black Hemp (get it before it is gone)

Come back tomorrow to see the next project that I make with my Cricut. Until tomorrow....

Close To My Heart offers a Fantastic Sign-Up Special! Now through December 15!

I have to say that I am enjoying my new found love of Close to My Heart products and I want you to enjoy them as well. My dear friend, Ellen (AKA Cardmonkey), introduced me to these EXCEPTIONAL products and it was love at first use. As you can see from my prior posts, they all use CTMH products. And now CTMH has something for the Creative Memories folks who find themselves in need of refills for their albums...

First, to serve those who have built their albums using Creative Memories' unique strap-based albums, CTMH will launch a new page protector specially designed to meet the needs of the clients of the former pre-"A & Z" CM album.  

On February 1st, you will be able to purchase 25 side loading memory protectors for $19.95!  Perfect for your strap designed albums but with the quality and thickness of a CTMH memory protector -- considered TOPS in the industry!  And the new page protectors are an addition to, not a replacement of, the post-bound page protectors for which CTMH is famous. They're an industry BEST! 

In addition, Close To My Heart will simultaneously introduce a new product line consisting of a variety of 8 designs for Picture My Life Scrapbooking Program (sample shown below).

Each kit will contain:

• 10 memory protectors to hold creative combinations of these cards:
• Forty-four (44) 4″ × 6″ cards (2 each of 22 designs) which come in 14 vertical and 8 horizontal designs.
• You also get Seventy-eight (78) 3″ × 4″ cards (3 each of 26 designs) which come in 10 vertical designs and 16 horizontal designs.
• That’s 122 cards in a variety of combinations!
• And there will be EIGHT choices in themes that will make your on-the-go scrapbooking tailored to what's happening today, in your life -- perfect for the busy scrapper!
• It's retail price is $24.95 and it's available beginning February 1st .....

.... but you can be the first on your block (even before ME!) to have one of these fantastic kits AND FREE by signing up to be a Close To My Heart Consultant anytime between November 1 - December 15* (Conditions apply.)

This is only ONE design of our *new* Picture My Life

scrapbooking kits! You’ll have 8 to choose from.

NOW through December 15th, you can earn one of eight Picture My Life Scrapbooking Programs for FREE when you sign up to become a Close To My Heart Consultant on my team!  

Join for only $49 and receive this kit below containing $155 worth of products, and have the opportunity to earn a Picture My Life Scrapbooking Programs for FREE when you sign up to become a Close To My Heart Consultant on my team!  

YOU TOO CAN JOIN my Team today -- take advantage of the camaraderie AND the special offers I have outlined above. SIGN UP here on my CTMH WEBSITE.  

If you have any questions, please e-mail me @ suenj99@yahoo.com.  
I look forward to sharing CTMH with you!  

Better late than never :)

Good evening all....

I am a little behind schedule tonight. It has been a few busy days but I have still found time to be creative. Here is one of the projects that I worked on:

I call this my Charlie Brown tree as I got a little off kilter. I used a load of scrap papers and the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection. The stamp set is one of 3 that you get with this EXCLUSIVE collection. It includes:

1 – Cartridge (700 images: font, shapes, and 3-D items)
3 – My Acrylix® D-size stamp sets
3 – 9" × 12" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)

Creative Feature Keys: Layer, Decorative Layer, Tag, Card, Font, Font Layer.

Come back tomorrow for another fun Cricut project. Until tomorrow.......

Holiday Cards, Day 5

Hidey ho all!

Today is the last day that I am sharing a holiday card and I have chosen a Hannukah card inspired by Hero Arts. I used the Green and Blue Epoxy bubbles and my Corner Rounder. All other products are since retired but still came in handy. I am eagerly awaiting the new catalog to enjoy even more Close to my Heart products. Here is my card:

To make your own version of this card you could use the 12" x 12" Twilight Cardstock and one of the Close to My Heart Alphabets. Coming up next will be some Cricut Collection inspired projects. Until next time...

Holiday Cards, Day 4

It is Day 4 of sharing holiday cards that I have made this week and boy do I feel like a penguin. I probably would be happier as the temperature has definitely dropped with the arrival of December. Today I decided to make a non-traditional holiday card. Here it is:

 The supplies I used are a modge podge really. I forget where I got the silver paper but everything else used is from Close to My Heart. This includes:

-Wintry Wishes Hostess Rewards set
- The stamp set from the Frosted Cardmaking Workshop on the Go (which is on the Retiring List)
- Exclusive Inks: Black, Twilight and Olive

I did use a technique that my friend Cardmonkey showed me about paper piecing with stamps. This is how the penguins on the outer edges got their scarves and hats. 

I cannot wait to share the next card with you. Remember that the current Promotion, Holidays from the Heart is currently going on. Choose one “star” item from the Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide FREE for every $100 of retail-priced products in your order from the Holidays from the Heart Gift Guide and/or the Autumn/Winter 2013 Idea Book.

Shop online or contact me to place your qualifying order to earn your own “star” products today!

*Offer valid October 15 – December 31, 2013. No tax will be charged on the free item(s). Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the free item(s).

Until tomorrow....