Happy New Year

Glad Tidings to You and Yours:

Today is the last day of 2014. I have to say that I am not sad to see it go. This has been a challenging year for many reasons. We lost my Dad, a dear family friend has been diagnosed with aggressive lung cancer and we have had some other large things to deal with. Even though there were tons of challenges, I am hopeful that 2015 will bring good things. So from me and Mine to You and Yours, I wish you a Happy New Year. 

Until next time....

Merry Grinchmas!

Greetings all and Merry Christmas to all you celebrate the day :) 

Each year I try to make a Christmas gift for my Aunt and little Cousins in Virginia. They have the greatest gift which is my Mom for the past 4 years. I still want to pass down something for them to enjoy. Last year I made Aunt Lori Grinch pills and this year I am staying with the Grinch theme. Here is an idea I saw on Pinterest.

I have to say I am loving vinyl and need to learn to work with it a bit better. It is not perfect but made with lots of love. Until next time....

Crafty Card Gallery Design Team - Snow Y'all?

Greetings all and thanks for stopping by today!

Today I get to share my creation for Crafty Card Gallery's theme for this month. I picked snow. There is nothing more peaceful than a fresh snowfall (with big flakes) in the woods. I am lucky have woods butting up against our back fence and I love seeing the snow fall in the quiet. So today my card reflects that happy feeling. Here is my card:

The "snow" on the ground is heat embossed and the big snowflakes are from Stampin' Up. I love how this card turned out. The sponged background makes it look like the sky. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will show some bloggie love. Until next time....

Snow too much :D

Greeting all!

I decided to get busy and make some ornaments as gifts this evening. I love making something to pass down so the kids can say, "Cousin Susan made these for us". There are 10 kids when I visit and last year I made them monogrammed glitter ornaments. This years theme is snowmen. I ended making 12 of these so I have one extra. Here they are:

I used my Cameo Silhouette to cut the faces and batting on the inside for the "snow". I am hoping tomorrow it will be kind to me for another gift I want to make. Then onto Christmas cards for the kids. And now it is time to go off to la la land. Until next time...

Operation Write Home - First Meeting Dec. 6, 2014

Greetings all! 

I just had to share what a success this first meeting was. There were 4 new card makers and 1 veteran (not including me) and they managed to make 39 cards! It was wonderful to see the creativity that just blossomed that day. I had two card samples and then they went to town designing their own cards. I will be making one more card to round it to 40 (I love even numbers). Here is the batch we made:

And here are some of the wonderful participants:

Remember that you have until the 20th of this month to get cards to me to be in the running for the $10 gift card for our online friends. The next date will be Sunday, January 25th from 1:00pm-4:00pm. The theme set for the month is Easter but we will also be making cards using the General themes on the Operation Write Home site. The deadline for online peeps to send cards to me is February 15th to be in the running for a $10 gift card (same as last month). I hope you will join this worthwhile effort. Off I go as it is really late here. Until next time....

From Our House to Yours

Me and Mine wish You and Yours a VERY happy & healthy Thanksgiving. We are having a Hispanic American one with Pernil (roast pork), Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas), oven roasted turkey breast, mashed and sweet potatoes. I wish I could have my wonderful peeps around my table but I will send my heartfelt wishes.

Until next time....

Happy Thanksgiving All!

Greetings and Salutations all!

Today is my turn over at Crafty Card Gallery for the Fall or Thanksgiving theme card. I am just in love with the glitter paper I can color on. I pulled this paper out of my scrap pile because it reminds me of Fall. This card took no time at all. Here it is:

The stamp set that I used was Close to My Heart's Thankful Heart (B1463). The star is from the Scaredy Cat Assortment (Z3011). The ink is Cocoa Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad (Z2114). This will be sent to my Mom. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful day. Until next time....

Operation Write Home - First Date Scheduled

Greetings All!

I have decided on the first date for our Operation Write Home (OWH) session. The date for local peeps will by Saturday, December 6th from 1:00-3:00 PM (NO CARDMAKING EXPERIENCE NEEDED). Cards from our online peeps are to be received by December 20th (I need to get them there by the 31st). Each month I will give you a theme and the general cards that are being requested. For this month they are:

December Theme: 

Valentines and winter

5 General Themes requested:

Love *most requested
Missing you *most requested
Thank you
Birthday
Thinking of you, Hello, Blank (no sentiment)

Unaccepted themes:

Get Well
Sympathy
Wish you were here
Party invitations
Baby shower cards
Bridal announcements
Wedding cards
To mommy/daddy
Retirement, other rare themes

OWH is a great way to give back. And remember that, as an incentive, I will compile a list of names of all those who participate in the month and one person (each month) will win a $10 gift card. You can choose from the following retailers:

* Dunkin' Donuts
* Starbucks
* Walmart
* Target

You could also apply the $10 on my Close to My Heart website (suenj.ctmh.com). I hope we can accumulate lots of cards for our servicemen and women.

I hope you will join my in this endeavor to bring a smile to those far away from their families. If you have any questions (need my address to mail cards), you can drop me a line HERE.

Operation Write Home: The Lightbulb went off in my head!

Today is Veteran's Day and I was remembering all who have served this country. That includes my Dad and Grandfather (Navy). This has been weighing on my mind for a few weeks now and today the light bulb went off in my head when I woke up today! Why make Veteran's Day just one day? It can be every week or once a month. 

So..........

I have decided that I am going to organize a local group to join me in person and extend the offer online too. Here is how it will work. I will create an event Monthly on Facebook and post the information on my blog as well. For those not in the area, you can participate by making cards and mailing them to me to collect. For the local peeps, I will open my home for 2-3 hrs and we will make cards using my supplies. There is NO COST to the participants. I feel it is time to give back to those who give of themselves to serve our country. 

As an incentive, I will compile a list of names of all those who participate in the  month and one person (each month) will win a $10 gift card. You can choose from the following retailers:

* Dunkin' Donuts
* Starbucks
* Walmart
* Target

You could also apply the $10 on my Close to My Heart website (suenj.ctmh.com). I hope we can accumulate lots of cards for our servicemen and women. 

Here are the guidelines for cards we can send:

1. No glitter! It can flake off and cause a safety hazard. Please nothing shimmery.
2. A2 sized cards with envelopes are requested. No handmade envelopes.
3. Line cards made with dark cardstock.
4. Limit multiples to five.
5. NO handwritten sentiments

To read the full guidelines, click HERE.

I will be obtaining an Operation Write Home stamp to stamp the back of the cards received. Should you wish to order your own, you can read all about it on the OWH website.

Come back tomorrow for information on the first date. Until then....

Totally Wicked... It's my Turn to Post Over at Crafty Card Gallery

Good day! Sue B here with a really fun card. Pumpkins are the theme and I decided to use some new things to make this card. First, here is the card:

Here is the recipe for what I used:

Paper: This is various papers that I had in my stash. I am all for using leftovers
Stamp Sets: Close to My Heart's Wicked (Retired) & Thankful Heart (B1463)
Border Cartridge: This is from Heritage Makers Antique Floral Design Cartridge
Ink: Close to My Heart's White Daisy Exclusive Ink (Z2163)

I just love the colors of this card and grateful to Jenn from Crafty Card Gallery for having me. Until next time.....

Sue B

Lookie here... I do love leftovers

Greetings All:

What do you get when you combine a new to me stamp set, a retired stamp set and some retired paper? Well a Spanish thank you card is what. I made this card up pretty quickly because hubby needed one. Here it is:

There has been so much going on here so there has not been a lot of creative time. I hope to be able to share more in the coming weeks. Until next time......

I'm so cool I sweat Glitter

Happy day all!

I am so excited that Crafty Card Gallery's Design Team is back and I am here to share my take on this month's challenge. I have to say that it is good to be back. This month the challenge was if you have nail polish on your fingers or toes - do a card with that color in it... If you don't have any on now - use Blue, Pink (my current color) or something with sparkles in it..... on your card... Well, since I don't have nail polish on I went with option B but used Blue, Pink and Sparkles! I recently attended the Scrapbook Expo in Somerset, NJ and purchased my supplies just for this project. Here is my card:

Let me tell you that this was so easy! Krazy Kreations was at the Expo showing how to make your own glitter paper and how to color on it. Well I was a chicken and bought the glitter paper and the Outline Stickers (these are by Elizabeth Designs). I mounted the outline stickers on the white glitter paper, got out my markers and went to down. I like my little blue bird of happiness. As soon as I took this picture, I filled out the card for the parents of my son's girlfriend. They are so kind to our son, I wanted them to know we appreciate it. 

Thanks to Jenn at Crafty Card Gallery, Krazy Kreations and Elizabeth Designs for the inspiration and tools to make this card. Until next time.....

Scrapbook Expo 2014: Somerset, NJ ~ Sparkle and Sprinkle

Happy day all!

I recently was able to attend the Scrapbook Expo in Somerset, NJ last week and registered for classes/lectures as a birthday present to myself. I even stayed overnight!!!!  I took a Class with Sparkle and Sprinkle and had an AMAZING time. Here is the page I got done in the class:

Now I have to say that I did make one faux pas. I decided to use a Versamark reinker on the tag to make a pattern. EPIC FAIL! I still love it anyway. Learning how easy it is to emboss your own chipboard is a great thing. Here are some closeups of the embossed elements and the quote I love:

I can see that I will be ordering more of their embossing powders and glitters for sure (and you all know how much I hate glitter). I will be sharing pics of another class and Make and Take I made in the same weekend. Until next time....

Cricut Artfully Sent can be yours NOW!

The time we have all been waiting for has arrived. The NEWEST exclusive Cricut Collection, Artfully Sent, is available on my personal website. 

* Contains a full font

* There are 50 pop up cards with coordinating icons
* Contains many icons, shapes and phrases that coordinate
* There are 50 cards that create a scene and even swing cards
* You can make 100 quick and easy layered cards
* You can also make 100 sleeve and overlay cards
* Love Project Life? You can make 100 card fronts that could easily be used in your PL albums

* You can even make envelopes!!!

If you place an order on my website between now and October 15th, you get:

* The Exclusive Artfully Sent Cricut Collection (700 images, 3 D size stamp sets and one 12 x 12 White Daisy Cardstock Pack)

* A free Paper Pack OR a B size stamp set of your choice (when I receive confirmation of your order, I will email you for your choice)

* You will have the Opportunity to get the Stamp of the Month for only $5 (September's is here). The September's Stamp of the Month coordinates with the Artiste Cricut Collection

Let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to lots of amazing projects with this new collection. I am sure you will too :) Until next time....

You can get Cricut Artfully Sent Collection NOW and FREE/DISCOUNTED items

The time we have all been waiting for has arrived. The NEWEST exclusive Cricut Collection, Artfully Sent, is available on my personal website. 

* Contains a full font

* There are 50 pop up cards with coordinating icons
* Contains many icons, shapes and phrases that coordinate
* There are 50 cards that create a scene and even swing cards
* You can make 100 quick and easy layered cards
* You can also make 100 sleeve and overlay cards
* Love Project Life? You can make 100 card fronts that could easily be used in your PL albums

* You can even make envelopes!!!

If you place an order on my website between now and October 15th, you get:

* The Exclusive Artfully Sent Cricut Collection (700 images, 3 D size stamp sets and one 12 x 12 White Daisy Cardstock Pack)

* A free Paper Pack OR a B size stamp set of your choice (when I receive confirmation of your order, I will email you for your choice)

* You will have the Opportunity to get the Stamp of the Month for only $5 (September's is here). The September's Stamp of the Month coordinates with the Artiste Cricut Collection

Let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to lots of amazing projects with this new collection. I am sure you will too :) Until next time....

BREAKING NEWS: Cricut Artfully Sent is AVAILABLE NOW!!!!

The time we have all been waiting for has arrived. The NEWEST exclusive Cricut Collection, Artfully Sent, is available on my personal website. 

* Contains a full font

* There are 50 pop up cards with coordinating icons
* Contains many icons, shapes and phrases that coordinate
* There are 50 cards that create a scene and even swing cards
* You can make 100 quick and easy layered cards
* You can also make 100 sleeve and overlay cards
* Love Project Life? You can make 100 card fronts that could easily be used in your PL albums

* You can even make envelopes!!!

If you place an order on my website between now and October 15th, you get:

* The Exclusive Artfully Sent Cricut Collection (700 images, 3 D size stamp sets and one 12 x 12 White Daisy Cardstock Pack)

* A free Paper Pack OR a B size stamp set of your choice (when I receive confirmation of your order, I will email you for your choice)

* You will have the Opportunity to get the Stamp of the Month for only $5 (September's is here). The September's Stamp of the Month coordinates with the Artiste Cricut Collection

Let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to lots of amazing projects with this new collection. I am sure you will too :) Until next time....

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Greetings all!

Now that I have my markers and Exclusive Ink Stamp pads organized, I could start creating. I decided to make a Christmas card to start out with. Here it is....

The supplies I used are:

Ruby 12" x 12" cardstock (X5927)

White Daisy 12" x 12" cardstock (1385)

3D Foam tape (Z1151)

Art Philosophy Cricut Collection (Z1686)

Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads: Hollyhock (Z2128), Ruby (Z2170) and New England Ivy (Z2135)

My Acrylix Stamp Sets: Merriest Christmas (B1468) and Trim a Tree (A1149)

Silver Geometric Washi tape (Z1932)

Sparkles Black and Grey Assortment (Z1754)

The ornaments and tag are all cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut Collection. I like how this is pretty clean and simple. I can see mass producing this pretty easily. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you come back this week for another card I made. 

Remember, that I have a special offer this month in honor of my birthday.

On my website (suenj.ctmh.com), I have an Online Party going. If you place an order in any amount this month, you get entered to win this stamp set.


So come on by and join the festivities. I look forwarding to giving away a present in honor of my birthday. Winner will be announced on October 4th. Until next time....

Want to Get Organized?

Greetings all!

I sure did. I decided that my stamp pads and markers needed a new home. So I ordered the Exclusive Inks Organizer (Z4131) with my Hostess Rewards credit (I got it for 50% off. Let me tell you how). I just love how it made it everything organized and can hold 60 stamp pads.  Here is what it looks like.

I know I will be adding to this for sure.... I feel accomplished now that I can find my items more easily and can get busy creating. There will be more to come.

Remember, that I have a special offer this month in honor of my birthday.

On my website (suenj.ctmh.com), I have an Online Party going. If you place an order in any amount this month, you get entered to win this stamp set.




So come on by and join the festivities. I look forwarding to giving away a present in honor of my birthday. Winner will be announced on October 4th. Until next time....

Where I've been Hiding :)

Greetings all!

I must be doing something wrong as I have not gotten anything created recently (besides starting a new fitness regimen). So I think it is time for me to give back. Since my birthday is in 2 days, I decided to do a giveaway this month. On my website (suenj.ctmh.com), I have an Online Party going. If you place an order in any amount this month, you get entered to win this stamp set. 

So come on by and join the festivities. I look forwarding to giving away a present in honor of my birthday. Winner will be announced on October 4th. Until next time....

Doing the Snoopy Happy Dance......

Why do you ask? Well for several reasons actually. I have been enjoying a week off from work with my family, I found a new beach I like best, it is the 1st day of August and the NEW ANNUAL idea Book is available!!!!!!!! You can view the Idea Book and shop directly on my personal website 24 hrs a day.

http://suenj.ctmh.com/ctmh/products/online-idea-book.aspx

This 193-page catalog is loaded with ideas, more than 250 new products, five new colors (available in solid cardstock and Exclusive Inks), 9 new My Reflections designer double-sided paper packs and Workshops on the Go, a new Cricut Collection and the new Cut Above cardmaking and treat kits. I will be previewing these items for you each day beginning on Monday. For now, I leave you with the project using the August Stamp of the Month that is available with a qualifying order. 

Also, don't forget that you can join the Online Hostess of the Month Club and earn FREE products your Hostess Month ($25 guaranteed). You can read more about it HERE and feel free to contact me HERE with any questions. For now I wish you a wonderful day and hope to meet your creative needs soon. Until next time....

Artfully Sent.... just for you

Greetings all!

It is Monday and I want to share news about the new EXCLUSIVE Cricut Collection that is being released in the NEW Annual Idea Book. Your Cricut is going to sing with happiness with this new Collection from Close to My Heart. Here is a sample of a card that you can make with it:

This Collection includes 3 coordinating stamp sets and special features like 50 Pop Up cards, 100 icons, shapes and phrases and White Daisy 12 x 12 Cardstock and so much more! You certainly will not be disappointed. Here is a picture of the bundle.

Imagine all the beautiful items you will be able to make! Now Close to My Heart knows that you will be anxious to have this one for yourself, so they are allowing us to compile a waiting list so you can get it as soon as it is available (Provocraft is stating it will debut in the month of August - more details to follow). To be added to the waiting list, you can email me HERE. When your order is processed in the month of August you will qualify for:

- An A size stamp set for FREE (you will email me your choice from the NEW Annual Idea Book and it will be sent to you separately). 

- You will qualify for the Stamp of the Month for only $5 (retail $17.95). 

So don't delay, contact me today.

Also, do not forget to check the Retiring Items and While Supplies Last sections of my website to get the products you want before they move onto greener pastures. If you have any questions, you can always drop me an email. I am happy to help with your crafting needs. Until next time.....

Have as Much Fun as I do - New options to Join My Team

Happy Sunday All:

It is such a beautiful Summer day but I had to share the news with you all. Close to My Heart is such an amazing company to work with and I am so grateful that I decided to join it as an Independent Consultant. I meet wonderful people to share my love of papercrafting with and work with HIGH QUALITY products. Close to My Heart is a company where you can gain so much for just a small investment. Currently there are two Consultant Kits to choose from when you decide to join my team. They are (click the link to see ALL of the items that come in each kit):

Scrapbooker’s New Consultant Kit

AND

Cardmaker’s New Consultant Kit

I have to say that I love both of these sets and you would not believe how much product you get for ONLY $99 (value is $370). The benefits (besides of LOADS of high quality products are:

- You get a 22% discount on all CTMH products.
- There is the potential to earn extra free products each month.
- You get to preview and order new products before they are released.
- You are given an exclusive consultant site containing artwork, templates, swaps, business ideas, gathering, and more.
- You can earn your $99 kit fee back when you submit $1200 in your first 3 months.
- Close to My Heart provides free on-line training program with creative, personal and business classes.
- You have the opportunity to attend corporate sponsored events and to earn dream vacations
- You make make your own hours and meet wonderful people

- And of course you get ME to assist you in building your business. 

You can see videos on the joys of being an Independent Consultant HERE. Have questions? You can email me HERE. I am looking forward to sharing the Joy of Close to My Heart with all of you. Until next time....

Class is in Session.....

Howdy all! At last month's Stamp Club we each had to teach a new technique. Here are the cards that we made to share.

I made these to demonstrate stamping on vellum/Using stamps as a background (all Close to My Heart Products)

Card on the left: Fringe scissors/Card on the right: Sponging and paper piecing tool

I really need to get more creative time in but I am too busy checking out the new items in the Annual Close to My Heart Idea Book that is coming out in August (less than a mnth). I will be debuting an Exclusive Hostess Club in honor of this new Idea Book. Stay tuned for more information. Until Next time.....

Holy Moly Macaroni! Has it really been THAT long?

Greetings to all my friends out here in Cyberspace. I cannot believe that I have not refreshed my blog since May 24th. A little thing called life kind of intervened. Lots of changes going on in the Casa de Bermudez. I lost a Dad, regained a daughter, changed positions at work (new hours) and have embarked on being healthier. I am sure many of you can sympathize. As many changes that go on in my personal life, there are some changes coming to Close to My Heart that I am SUPER EXCITED about. The first thing is that there will be a new ANNUAL catalog. I have had a chance to preview it and am making a list and checking it twice. One of the items that is at the top of my list is the new Cricut Collection, Artfully sent and will be available sometime in August. I will keep you posted as to the date for sure. This Collection includes 3 coordinating stamp sets and special features like 50 Pop Up cards, 100 icons, shapes and phrased and White Daisy 12 x 12 Cardstock and so much more! Here is a preview pic for you:

And a video too:

http://youtu.be/O14hn3xP_ko

Out with the old (products that are taking a rest) and in with the new. It is that time again to stock up on your favorite items on the Retiring List. The Workhop on the Go's that I love are in this section. There are also some Elements from Prior Workshop on the Go's. Do not delay as once they are gone, they are gone. As always, I am here to answer any questions you may have. You can contact me HERE. Come on back for some more happy items that are coming soon. Until next time....

I Washi, You Washi, We all Washi

Happy day all!

I am here to share some Challenge Inspiration for the current one going on at the BMCCS Challenge blog. The current theme is Stamping With Washi and I love working with the stuff. Unfortunately my order did not come in time so I am sad. I improvised though and love this card:

I just love the look and will make another with the actual Washi. The items used were:

* Get Inky Stamps Hip to Be Square Stamp Set

* Close to My Heart Dotty for You B&T Duos Paper (retired), 12 x 12 Black Cardstock, Durable Triangle Studs and Lagoon Exclusive Inks! Stamp Pad

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join the Stamping With Washi Challenge. Until next time....

Crafty Card Gallery's Challenge Inspiration

Happy day all... Sue B here sharing the most recent Challenge given to us by Crafty Card Gallery. This month we were challenged to try a new technique. Well, I am always interested in trying to make new fun fold cards and this is one that I have always wanted to make. It is a Flower Petal Card. I used a template cut from CTMH's BandT Duo paper from the Free to Be special paper pack for May. Here is my card:

You can get this exclusive paper pack with a qualifying purchase. The other items I used are:

- CTMH Exclusive Inks: Ponderosa Pine, Sorbet, Sunset, Ruby and Bamboo

- CTMH Cricut Collection Art Philosophy Stamp Set

- CTMH Angel Friends Stamp Set

- CTMH Banner Wishes Stamp Set

I hope that you enjoyed my challenge inspiration. Until next time......

Challenge Inspiration for the BMCCS Mother's Day/Spring Flower Challenge

Happy Day All:

Sue B here with a little inspiration for the current Mother's Day/Spring Flower Challenge over at the BMCCS Get Inky! Stamps Challenge Blog. I got to break out a retired Close to My Heart B&T Duos Collection called Dotty For You. I also decided to use the current Get Inky! Moonbeams Club Sketch. I love this club as I get digi stamps to work with and a sketch to inspire me. Here is the end result:

The stamp set I used is Blue Moon Creation Crafting Station's Hoppy Spring 2014. I hope that you will come one over and enter the current Mother's Day/Spring Flower Challenge. Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to seeing your cards as well. Until next time...

Happy National Scrapbooking Day....

Good day all!

I hope this day finds you well and had time to get some papercrafting in today. I was able to and will continue throughout the weekend. It started with my Monthly Stampin' Up group and then progressed on to scrapbooking with my new friend, Franne. I was doing great until I ran out of adhesive-EEEEKKKK!!!!! I wanted to show you the cards that we made today and the ones I received from our monthly swap. You saw the cards I made HERE. Here are the cards I received in the swap:

And here are the cards that we made inking embossing folders:

A big KUDOS to my dear friend Julie K for another wonderful month. Next month is going to be interesting as we are being challenged to use something new and share it. We decided we are going to make kits. I am looking forward to this for sure. I will have more to share as I complete them. I have to bust out my Cricut and the EXCLUSIVE Close to My Heart Cricut Collections (Art Philosophy. Artiste and Artbooking). 

Also remember the special this month, during National Scrapbooking Month in May, you can get the Free to Be Me paper collection for just $5 with your qualifying purchase of $50. The paper collection features artfully designed cardstocks, vellums, and B&T Duos paper-exclusive products that you can't get anywhere else. With a retail of $11.95, this collection is a fantastic deal! Plus with your $50 qualifying purchase, you will also qualify for the May Stamp of the Month for an additional $5 (retail value of $17.95). This mean May is the perfect month to DOUBLE UP on promotions- getting the paper collection for $5 and the May Stamp of the Month for $5 saves you nearly $20! This offer is valid May 1-31, 2014. As an added BONUS, EVERY order gets you an entry to win a FREE stamp set (retail value of $13.95). You can check out these and many HIGH QUALITY products at my website HERE.