Last Day to Order Holiday Wishes Stamp Set

Today is the last day that you can order this lovely stamp set, Holiday Wishes!!!

When you place a minimum order of $25 in My Acrylix^® stamp sets, you can add a new D-size Holiday Wishes stamp set for only $5.00! That’s a significant savings off the full retail value of $17.95 US. You may buy one Holiday Wishes stamp set for every $25.00 in qualifying stamp sets you purchase. As a creative bonus, many of the images in the set coordinate with our Cricut^® Art Philosophy cartridge for added cutting and stamping fun!

To see more Close to my Heart products click either of the links above or click here to go to my CTMH on-line store. 

I hope that who are interested will be able to take advantage of this great stamp set at this great price - $5.00!!    ***Note:  You will be prompted to add Holiday Wishes during check out.***

I had hoped to make a cute card with this stamp set to share with you today, but... Remember that icky stomach virus?  I am dealing with "Icky Virus V2".  That's right, I got it a second time.  I actually had some real food tonight and I am waiting to see how my system handles it.  But honestly, I am SO ready for this to be over!!

Home with Sick People

I know, I know! I said that I would be back to crafting today. But, the best plans sometimes have flaws, or in this case, viruses. While I am completely over the yucky virus of last week, my son and future daughter-in-law have been sharing a particularly ugly illness.  So, as I explain what has been going on at our house I am sharing a few more cruise photos (Sorry, but that's all I have).

Crissie is on has been on antibiotics for the last week to combat bronchitis. While visiting Crissie's family, Aaron came down with a horrific stomach virus. They made it to our house on Saturday, only to have Crissie come down with the stomach virus! And we heard today that Crissie's mom also go the evil the stomach yuckies!

Aaron and Crissie were forced to stay an extra day just to relax and recover, which disrupted my promise to return to crafting by Monday. They will be able to leave for home in the morning (Monday) as both seem to be feeling much better, though I am not sure either of them is completely well.

I will get back to the scraproom on Monday!! I actually have been having scrapping withdrawals and cannot wait to relax in my scraproom and create!

Happy Anniversary to ME!

I must apologize for being away for so long!  I so enjoyed our 30th Anniversary cruise; neither Doug nor I wanted to exit the ship!  We are already talking about our next cruise. 

We arrived home last weekend and after unpacking and making my way through a mountain of laundry, I began to settle back into normal life.  Or so I thought. On Monday I came down with a virus - an unpleasant virus.  I am feeling totally, completely recovered today, which is wonderful as today is my actual anniversary! 

30 years ago today this cute little couple married:

I think we were 12.  Okay, maybe we just look 12!!!  We were 21 and 22!

I am going to share a few photos of the cruise with you and offer a promise that by cyber Monday I will be paper crafting again! 

View of the Lido deck from deck 12:

View of the Atlantic Ocean:

The Atlantic by night:

The food was AMAZING:

Loved the towel animals:

More dessert:

Key West:

First formal dinner:

 A tiny Key:

Goofing off in the Bahamas!!

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels!

Hello Kitty Christmas Gift Box - Greatest Hits

Today is the last day of my Greatest Hits week of posts.  Sadly it also the last day of our 30th anniversary  cruise....  Today's project is this fun gift box and card set I created using the Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridge and the Hello Kitty Greetings cartridge. 

I used Cricut Design Studio to design the project.  I placed the Christmas tree from Hello Kitty on the front of the box so that it would cut out with the cricut.  I then cut the frame and the packages and added to the front of the box.  Oh, and you know that clear plastic that the Cricut cartridges arrive packaged inside?  I always save the flat sides to use for windows in cuts.  Yes, that is what I used cover the tree cut.

Kitty was cut as a small card so that she could open to reveal a special holiday message!

I cut two scalloped circles and stamped them with a JustRight holiday stamp.  Using a small wire ring I attached the tag to the red ribbon bow at the top of the package. 

As I said above, today is final day of our 30th anniversary cruise.  We will be back in our own bed by tonight!  Yesterday was a fun day at sea and last night was our second formal night.  It was also the night the cruise line celebrated our anniversary with us in the dinning room! 

Home for Christmas - Greatest Hits Christmas Layout

Hello everyone!  Today's project is another Christmas Greatest Hits - Home for Christmas layout!  I love this layout!  My favorite things about this is that it is so colorful and so fun!  I like the red, white and light blue color scheme.  And I ADORE the train!!

 
I used Cricut Design Studio to create this layout.  I welded the train pieces and I used the hide select contour feature to block part of the train cut. 

Below is a photo of the design studio screen.  This will give you some idea of how I created the train cars.  I placed a box over the top two-thirds of the right hand car to cut away that section.  I used the hide select contours feature to remove the window cuts from both box cars and the decorative cuts from the left hand car. The two layer of cuts are both on this one mat.

Finally I am going to share a close up of each of the two pages.  The cut file is available for free download in the left hand column of my blog.  The title is Home for Christmas Layout.

I am still on my anniversary cruise!! Yesterday we toured Key West - I will have a lot to tell you about that!  And today we are in Nassau, The Bahamas!  It's a good thing I brought two huge media cards along for my camera!! 

So while I am away, please remember that my Close to My Heart online store is open for all of your CTMH needs!  Frankly I am hoping that you are all shopping because I have been spending on this trip!! LOL.

Fun Holiday House with Happy Hauntings - Greatest Hit

Are you ready for another inspirational greatest hit? I created this fun house last year for Michael's craft up some holiday fun contest.  I am pleased to say that I won a $100 gift card for this funky house!  The judges told me that they loved that I cut the house using Happy Hauntings.

I cut the house at 7 inches using red cardstock for the walls and white cardstock for the roof pieces and trim pieces.  I gemmed and blinged the house with red gem stones and iridescent snowflakes.  The house is sitting in a pile of iridescent shred, with snowflakes, on a red charger.

I found some great pearl snowflakes at Michael's to trim the house.  I also found the fun mini Christmas lights on the "widows walk" portion of the house.

I shopped the miniature dollhouse section for the wreaths and trees to put around the house and the yard! I finished the house with a North Pole yard sign! 

As you read this I am touring Freeport, The Bahamas!  Last night was our first formal night on board.  I will take lots of photos to share with you upon my return!

Advent Calendar Crafting Time

This next week is going to be a lot of fun for me and hopefully not too dreary for you!  I am departing on a seven day cruise with my sweet husband to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary!!  The house sitter has everything under control except my blog!  Where can you find a house sitter that cares for the house, the property, the dog AND the blog?

You have just under three weeks until December first and even with the Thanksgiving holidays here in the U.S. that is still plenty of time to create an advent calendar!  I used a Kaiser Crafts Beyond the Page Advent Calendar kit and Graphic45 cardstock.  I really like how this project turned out - which is good since I still need to make two more.  A friend pointed out to me that I have three children and I really should craft an Advent Calendar for each of them.

Thanks for stopping by for a bit of Advent/Christmas decor inspiration.  I will be back with another project to share with you on Monday.

Remember that I am still taking orders on the Close to My Heart Art Philosophy cartridge - and you may want to mention to your Santa that he can order this for you for Christmas.  Also remember that for every $25.00 in Close To My Heat  Acrylix Stamps you order in November you can purchase this beautiful stamp set Winter Wishes for only $5.00.  You will be prompted at check out to add the Winter Wishes stamp set to your card. 

Christmas Tag Swap at the Greenville Circle Crop

I have had an eventful few days, but I think I have finally recovered from my fun and stress!!  As most of you know last Thursday I traveled to Greenville, SC to attend a Cricut Circle Crop.  The theme of the event was Southern Christmas/Holidays.  In addition to a Christmas/Holiday Card contest, there was also a gift tag swap for everyone who attended.

The tag pictured here was my tag for the swap.  Using CTMH's Art Philosophy to cut ALL of the pieces, I made 54 of the tags so that each of those attending could have one, even if they did not plan to participate in the swap.  In addition to using on of the set of stamps that comes as part of the Art Philosophy set, I also used the set pictured below, December 25th.  I used the "Do not open until Dec. 25th" stamp.

The recipe for the tag:

Base red tag - cut at 5.5 inches
Pink scalloped double edge - cut at 3.5 inches
White scalloped oval - cut at 2 inches
Red scalloped frame - cut at 2 inches
White stamped flowers - cut at 1.75 inches
Red bottom flower - cut at 2 inches

Use the flower stamp in your CTMH Art Philosophy set to stamp the flower in red ink.  Use white ink and stamp the words and phrase at the top and bottom of the red tag.  Use the December 25th stamp and red ink to stamp the Do Not Open phrase.

Adhere the layers together.  Tie white ribbon around the pink cut and adhere to the red tag.  Layer the flowers together and attach them to the tag with a pop dot, adding a button to the center of the flower.  Affix the Do Not Open tag with glue or mono adhesive.  Add gems using the I-Rock tool.  Finish the tag by with tulle or ribbon tied to through the top of the tag.

I have been making package tags for my family using Art Philosophy and the Close to my Heart stamps for several weeks now.  I am excited that we should not have to purchase any gift tags this year.  Best of all, tags can be made from our scrap stashes! 

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If you have not already ordered your CTMH Art Philosophy Cartridge set, now is the time!!!  Just click on the cartridge name and it will take you to my CTMH online store.

If you have ordered your CTMH AP cartridge set, this is a great time to purchase some additional stamp set to go with the cartridge.  For every $25 in Acrylix Stamps you purchase this month, you can get this great Consultant Special stamp set, Holiday Wishes, for only $5.00.  That means you can get stamp sets for yourself and purchase the bonus sets for your scrapping friends!

NOTE:  Do not add the bonus stamp sets to your cart until you are prompted to add them at the special price during check out!!!

November Specials

I just love the flowers and the elegant white circle cuts used on the adorable layout above.  Well, let's just be honest, I love all of the cuts on the Art Philosophy Cartridge!  I know you think I am just pushing this cartridge because I now sell Close to my Heart.  And honestly in one respect you would be correct. But the truth is, I honestly think that Art Philosophy is the best cartridge Cricut has ever put out!  I have never used a single cartridge (with the exception of George) as much as I have used this cartridge!!

I would love to assist you in acquiring your CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge and stamp sets. Just click on the cartridge name to visit my Close to my Heart store site.

The Art Philosophy set includes:

CTMH Art Philosophy Cartridge (retail $55.99)

Three coordinating stamp sets (retail $17.95 each)

Three chipboard sets (retail $4.95 each)

This is $124.69 value all for $99!!

Remember is you purchase the Art Philosophy cartridge set or any $50.00 in Close to my Heart mechandise, you will want to add the November stamp of the month, Cherish the Day to your order! This cartridge coordinates with the Art Philosophy cartridge.  Just like last month, this stamp set is only available in the month of November, it retails for $17.95, but if you spend $50 you get it for only $5.

 November stamp of the month images - Cherish the Day!

Remember that we have a new FOR THIS MONTH ONLY reward stamp set at Close to my Heart!!! When you place a minimum order of $25 in My Acrylix® stamp set (until November 30th), you can purchase a new D-size Holiday Wishes stamp set for only $5! That’s significant savings off the full retail value of $17.95 US / $19.95 CAN.

 And here’s a bonus: many of the images in the set coordinate with our Cricut® Art Philosophy cartridge for added cutting and stamping fun!

Please note:  Do not add the Stamp of the Month set or the Consultant Special Holiday Wishes  stamp set to your card.  To get the special $5.00 price you will be prompted during check out to add the stamp sets at the special price!

Home from the Greenville Circle Gathering

Here I am at the Cricut Circle Gathering in Greenville, SC.  To recap, I drove up to Greenville on Thursday where I met Susan F. and Mary H. from the Cricut Circle MB.  The three of us checked into the hotel and went to P.F. Chang's for dinner.  Then Susan helped me tie tags onto the welcome treat bags I had made.

Friday was a non-Provo Craft sponsored day and I confess that most of my photos are from Friday.  The group photo above, however, was taken on Saturday before anyone began to depart.

 Gina Piazza and Sandy Oliveto flew in from New York to attend the event AND they created the Snow-fabulous decorations!  The six foot tall snowmen were amazing as were the floating balloon snow cloud!!  They were sooo nice and so talented!!

Sandy and Mary chatted it up while one of the snowmen "had their backs"!

This poor guy was listing a bit, but he was in the south!  Ahh the heat!

I love, love, loved the balloons hanging from the ceiling.  I wish I could have captured the entire room. 

I loved being part of "TEAM GREENVILLE" with Susan F as captain and Kim S and I as worker bees.  Susan and Kim are such wonderfully nice women and I would love to spend more time with them again.  Also sitting at our table was Mary Hinson.  Mary was a delight!  And, I cannot wait to hear when her grandchild arrives (maybe this week?).

I would truly do this again, but with some tweaks.  And as nice as this weekend was, next time will be even better due to lessons learned.

Sorry I am missing the weekly challenge at Bitten by the Bug2, but it was too busy of a week and I did not get my project completed.  Sorry Heather.