Papercrafting Meets the NFL

Question: What's a little friendly football smack-talk among fellow papercrafters ?

Answer: A whole lotta fun!

I've never met Tracey Pierce in person but this is what I know about her:

1. She has a really cool craft space

2. She's very creative {love her cards}

3. She loves her family and is a true country girl at heart

4. She's a die hard Seattle Seahawks fan!

I on the other hand  am an enthusiastic Minnesota Vikings fan. So, back in the 2015-2016 NFL season Tracey and I started some friendly online banter. That turned into a bit of a wager. When the Vikings and Seahawks play against each other, the losing team's fan had to create something using the winning team colors. That first year the Vikings let me down {go figure} and I made something for Tracey using a blue-green combo. 

This year however, the Seahawks lost to the Vikings and lookie-lookie what I scored:

Not only did she create with Vikings colors, but she included some wonderful treats

from her home state! How cool is that?

Super cute 6x6 card featuring Fundamentals paper and the exclusive 

Operation Smile Stamp Set

How about this 12x12 page!

I have the perfect photos in mind for this one.

And about the confetti sprinkles in the pics ... 

Tracey's green packaging didn't escape my notice!

Die-hard Hawks fan to the core I'm tellin' ya!

Thank you Tracey from the bottom of my Purple and Gold heart!

You can find Tracey and her creations here:

  Instagram

papercrafting_princess

Blog

papercraftingprincess.wordpress.com

Little Presents and a Blessing

My daughter is a giver ... big time! She's a wife, mother, and director of a memory care home. She heads a local support group for families who have been affected by Alzheimer's and Dementia. She's passionate about giving, caring, and loving others through the trials these debilitating diseases bring.

She's always so appreciative of the people who work hard to make a difference in the lives of others. On a recent shopping excursion we ran into a season-end sale at Bath & Body Works. She picked up little gifties for her daycare providers and work team. 

Here's how I packaged up those thoughtful little presents:

Paper: Zoe

Cricut Cartridges: Artiste and Artistry

Stamp Set: B1506 Little Presents

Sequins: currently available in Gold and Silver

I used the same tags to pretty-up these little gift bags too

{bags purchased at Hobby Lobby}

Used my {favorite tool} Mini Stapler to attach the tag, popped on a little Whisper Twine bow, and called it cute! 

This girl is a blessing in my life and in the lives of so many others. I love and respect her to no end.

To learn more about the efforts to end Alzheimer's, participate in your local Walk to End ALZ, or to find support resources, please visit:

www.alz.org

Jackson From the Bungalow

I participated in a Secret Sister gift exchange at Convention last month and came away with a stunning swag bag of Jackson goodness from my friend and fellow team mate Lynn Darda. Let's take a look:

Good things come in small bags. I just don't know how she managed to get all this and more into one bag!{I never did get all of it back into the bag}

The bag all by itself is a beauty!

How could Raisenettes be any better?

Answer;  Wrapped in Jackson!

Not only are these four cards perfectly amazing, but they came packaged in that coordinating gift box.

Again, you see an awesome example of how to use that Jackson Paper Collection!

And it gets EVEN better! .... Check out what Lynn did with the Jackson papers, PML cards, and our Lagoon Paper Bags!

Yep ... that's a mini album and you can bet I'll be using this for "Camp Nana" photos!

And if all those creations were gift-enough from a very talented Secret Sister, there were two Honey Paper Bags adorned with Jackson tags and filled plump full with Bit 'o Honey!

What's that you say? The bags look rather flat and empty?

Well .... the Bit 'o Honey DID make it home with me and I used it to fuel me through the "unpacking after convention" process. I also blame those sweet laden little bags for putting my checked luggage overweight ....  {not really ... it was probably all those Disney Souvenir Pins!}

********************************

MANY the products you see featured in Lynn's artwork are due to retire on August 31st.

 You can see a complete listing of retiring Close To My Heart products HERE.

Gifts From the Heart

I was thrilled to be able to attend the Annual Close To My Heart Convention last month and came home with a whirlwind of fond memories, accomplishments, and inspiration.

Now that ALL my bags and boxes are unpacked, new product swag sorted, artwork completed, and photos edited, I'm going to share some of my favs from my days in Anaheim.

I roomed with friend, and team leader Brenda Rose who had this gorgeous 6x6 canvas artwork piece waiting for me when I arrived on Wednesday morning.

Despite her very busy convention schedule, she took the time to create this gift from the heart that now graces my craft room as a reminder to cherish friendship, kindness, and memories made.

Isn't this cluster amazing?

 Brenda mixed her floral flair with one of my all-time favorite paper packs, Jackson. 

But that's not all! .... There was a pair of Mickey Mouse PJ's and a box of Bit o' Honey too! Turns out we had matching pj's and neither one of us thought to get a photo! Go figure! We're scrapbookers for heavens sake! As for the Bit o' Honey .... delightful, and all gone!

FYI .... JACKSON is one ELEVEN Paper Collections due to RETIRE on AUGUST 31st.  So if you have a project to complete, or know this is a perfect fit for your future projects, visit my website today and place your order before Jackson is gone .... like my Bit 'o Honey!

Secret Santa Snowhaven Delight!

One of my favorite Rose Blossom events is our Secret Santa Gift Exchange. I am one lucky girl to be part of an incredibly talented Close To My Heart team! No matter who my Secret Santa is, I'm always wow'd and blessed with a beautifully handcrafted gift. This year is no exception. Here's what showed up on my door step from one Mary Newman:

Mary is known for her mad home decor skills. I have long admired her knack for creating display items like this 12x12 canvas piece.

I love how our Snowhaven Paper Collection can be dual purposed for holiday or winter themes. It's likely that this piece will be on display in my living room beyond the traditional holiday season!

Mary also treated me to a pretty Snowhaven greeting card, polka dot booties, and some fun lotions ... can you say BONUS!

'Tis the most wonderful time of the year!

Stamp of the Month Bumper Crop

 I have a bumper crop of lovely artwork created with the October Stamp of the Month "Home for the Holidays". This is one stamp set that will remain in my collection and be put to use again and again.

It just so happens that I have very generous "upline" {team leaders} who reward our accomplishments with their fabulous creations. Over the course of the last few months, I've enjoyed receiving happy mail from both Brenda Rose and Karen Pedersen.

Here are some of the most recent pieces I've been gifted:

It's wonderful to have the support of team leaders and fellow team mates at Close To My Heart.
It's one of the many things I love about being part of it all!

I recreated this gift box right from a page in the Annual Inspirations Book
This charming little piece has been my featured make-take at events this month and everyone has just loved it. Let's face it, that bear is adorable!

Here's a closer look at "Home for the Holidays"

Coordinates with specified Art Philosophy cuts .... Bonus!

It's only available until October 31st. 

You'll find it right HERE

Thanks for stopping by ... enjoy your weekend!

Easy Wedding Shower Decor

Just look what happens when I let Close To My Heart product leave my craft room! It becomes party gear! These items were created for a "Couple's Wedding Shower" we hosted for my son and his lovely bride-to-be.

Banner

That is the banner I featured in a recent Rose Blossom Blog Hop.

Get the close-ups and the details HERE!

Card Basket

I used Art Philosophy to cut the banner pieces and Artbooking to cut the letters for this card Basket.

I used the Skylark Scrapbooking Workshop Stamp Set and Cocoa ink to add some "love" directly to the basket. It is tied together using Skylark Textiles and Hemp Twine.

Party Favor Thank You Bags

I stamped these kraft bags (source unknown) with the Skylark WOTG stamp set, added a tag from Art Philosophy, a dab of Gold Dot Washi Tape, a dash of sparkle, and some textile or hemp.

Banner Accents

I used the little dragonfly cut outs from the tags to add a few more embellies to the banner.

Quick Tip

When having to "mass produce" a tag, it's pretty easy to add your stamping before removing the tag from your Cricut mat!

Shop the entire line up of wonderfully coordinated and versatile Close To My Heart products HERE!

Thanks for stopping by .... enjoy your day!

Art Philosophy: For the Love of Rolled Flowers

When the Art Philosophy cartridge hit the scene a few years ago I was inspired to wander outside my box and expand my creative skills. There are several rolled flower cuts on the Art Phil cartridge that allow me to make pretty little things like this:

It's not like me to be all blingy and flowery but Art Phil makes it easy for me to create something special for someone who is blingy and flowery .... Gotta love that!

Supplies used:
Art Philosophy Cartridge
Ariana B&T paper
White Daisy CS
Crystal Blue Ink
My Creations Kraft Ring Box
Sparkles Flourishes

I'd love for you to join 
The Spud Buds in April!

Receive over $400 worth of product* for only $99!

Join Close To My Heart as an Independent Consultant April 1–30, 2014, and receive your favorite favourite “art-full” Close To My Heart Cricut^® collection FREE! Our New Consultant Kit is just $99 and comes packed with nearly triple the retail value in products and supplies to help you succeed. Plus, when you qualify for the Straight To The Top program, you will be refunded the price of your New Consultant Kit. Select your FREE Cricut^® collection—retail priced at $99—when you order your New Consultant Kit and watch your new business soar!
Contact me for more details.

Thanks for stopping by! .... 

Now go get all blingy and flowery .... 

or not!

Artiste: Ivy Lane Gift Box

The Artiste Cricut cartridge by Close To My Heart is my go-to cartridge anytime I make party favors or gift boxes. I've been using Artiste for nearly 2 years now and still have not tried every feature .... there's just so much Artiste fun to have!

Here's a pretty little gift box complete with a bow ... perfect for a shower gift, Mother's Day, birthday, thank you or "just because":

Supplies used:

Artiste Cartridge

Ivy Lane B&T

Cotton Candy CS and Ink

Pink Glitter Paper

Receive over $400 worth of product* for only $99!

Join Close To My Heart as an Independent Consultant April 1–30, 2014, and receive your favorite  “art-full” Close To My Heart Cricut^® collection FREE! Our New Consultant Kit is just $99 and comes packed with nearly triple the retail value in products and supplies to help you succeed. Plus, when you qualify for the Straight To The Top program, you will be refunded the price of your New Consultant Kit. Select your FREE Cricut^® collection—retail priced at $99—when you order your New Consultant Kit and watch your new business soar!
Contact me for more details.

Thanks for stopping by .... 

Your comments are welcome and appreciated!

Art Philosophy: Gift from the Heart Tag

One of the many things I love about the Art Philosophy cartridge is the selection of fun, creative tags that can be made quickly and easily.

Here's just one example:

Supplies used:
Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge
Cardstock: Outdoor Denim, Sorbet, Colonial White
Ink: Crystal Blue Pigment
Clear Sparkles recolored with Crystal Blue Marker
Colonial White Grograin Ribbon (retired)
Foam Tape
Stamp Set #C1582  "Made From Scratch"

Join Close To My Heart as an Independent Consultant April 1–30, 2014, and receive your favorite“art-full” Close To My Heart Cricut^® collection FREE! Our New Consultant Kit is just $99 and comes packed with nearly triple the retail value in products and supplies to help you succeed. Plus, when you qualify for the Straight To The Top program, you will be refunded the price of your New Consultant Kit. Select your FREE Cricut^® collection—retail priced at $99—when you order your New Consultant Kit and watch your new business soar!

Contact me for more details

Thanks for visiting the Tator Patch ..... enjoy your day!

Artiste: Oodles of Yummy Fun!

We all have a favorite "craft snack". You know. The one that inspires, helps you concentrate, and adds a little extra yummy to your fun!

Well, mine is Bit 'O Honey. Those chewy bites of sweet goodness go with me on retreat weekends and day crops. {they also keep me quiet for minutes at a time .... but that's a whole other story!}

Here's a little giftie inspired by my favorite treat and the Artiste Cricut Cartridge:

Supplies used:
Jubilee B&T Paper
White Daisy CS
Cranberry Bakers Twine
Ruby Chevron Washi Tape
Stamp Set #B1449
Clear Sparkles
Whisper and Cranberry Inks
Clear Pillow Box #Z1840

So ... what's YOUR favorite crafty treat?

Join Close To My Heart as an Independent Consultant April 1–30, 2014, and receive your favorite  “art-full” Close To My Heart Cricut^® collection FREE! Our New Consultant Kit is just $99 and comes packed with nearly triple the retail value in products and supplies to help you succeed. Plus, when you qualify for the Straight To The Top program, you will be refunded the price of your New Consultant Kit. Select your FREE Cricut^® collection—retail priced at $99—when you order your New Consultant Kit and watch your new business soar! 

Thanks for stopping by the Tator Patch .... I appreciate YOU!

Paper Anniversary Gift Album

Paper + Studio J = Surprise Gift

My daughter and son-in-law celebrated their first wedding anniversary last week! So, in keeping with tradition (all be it a fading one), I used photos from their Florida 2013 vacation to make them an album for their "Paper Anniversary".

The title page was created using the  "No Limits" pattern and Footloose digital paper in Studio J



This is a "Love Your Layout" project created using THIS Studio J video tutorial from May 2013.

I made these Footloose layouts about 2 years ago and stashed them away until the perfect photos came along! These layouts are based on pages originally created by Karen Pedersen. I left space for my daughter to add journal boxes.

The Footloose papers have long been retired but are available in digital form at Studio J. I was able to create a number of photo collages using the No Limits pattern and components from the Footloose collection.

There are 6  pages fitted with sheets of Footloose papers for my daughter to add more photos, journaling, and memorabilia. I included a variety of journal cards and embellishments for her to complete the album.

I loved putting this album together and my daughter and son-in-law were very happy to receive it!

So there you go ...... Paper meets Studio J!