Is the Eastern White Pine Tree White

December is the last month to get your hands on Close To My Heart's White Pines Paper Packet (X7200B), matching Complements (X7200C) and Assortment (Z3077). You will be able to create beautiful Christmas layouts and cards using these fun items.

You can also order the White Pines Workshop on the Go (WOTG) which includes the Paper Packet, Complements, Red Enamel Gems, four additional Cardstock Sheets and a fun matching Stamp Set for $29.95 USD. It is item #G1098.

Below are the two layouts I created using White Pines WOTG. 

I love how this first layout turned out and cannot wait to find  some Christmas pictures to add to it. I used the Cricut Artistry Cartridge to create all the fun shapes. It really adds a lot.

The next layout is below. I added the White Pines Complements and more photo mats on the right side.

Pinups strobes, commonly known as the Eastern White Pine is not white. The tree is known to the Native American Haudenosaunee as the Tree of Peace. It is the provincial tree of Ontario, Canada and the state tree of Maine and Michigan, United States. The pine cone and tassel is the state flower of Maine.

Why is it called white pine? Well, freshly cut eastern white pine is creamy white (or a pale straw color) but after it has aged it is a deep rich golden tan.

Order your White Pines Paper Pack by going to my web-site at www.yvonne.ctmh.com today. I will post more layouts and cards using this White Pines Paper Packet during December so watch for it.

Your Friendship....

I'll be the first to admit it... I was not in love with Close To My Heart's December Stamp of the Month when I first seen it but after taking a second look I've changed my mind. Now I think it's a must have stamp set! I think you will agree when you see some of the artwork you can create with it.

 

 



Just think of all the Thank You and Friendship cards you can make using this fun stamp set. The jar stamp adds a fun touch. And don't forget you don't need to just make cards. How about adding a beautiful message around a candle? It adds a nice homemade touch. How wouldn't love getting a gift like this from a friend.

Here is a closer look at the card. I love all the stitching on it. It provides a great textured back ground.

Now are you ready for the card that made me fall in love with the stamp set? It was created by another consultant (Chris Lothian).

And here is another one she created. These cards are amazing. I plan to scarp-lift these for sure.

You can get this stamp set for $5 with your $50 purchase. It's item #S1512. Go to my web-site at www.yvonne.ctmh.com to order.

Attention all planner addicts!

During December, you can order the new, gorgeous Everyday Life planner bundle for $29.95. It includes the Everyday Life (black and gold) Album, accompanying planner pages, and coordinating Everyday Life plan roller stamp. How great is that?

This offer is only available while supplies last so hurry and place your order now.

Visit my web-site at www.yvonne.ctmh.com and order item #CC1059.

Cyberweek Sale

It's cyber week at Close to My Heart (CTMH). That means for the next five days a selection of CTMH products will be 25% off. This includes the Cricut Artfully sent collection!

Act fast because this offer is only available until Friday December 5, 2015!

Check out my web-site at www.yvonne.CTMH.com to view the entire list of items on sale and to place your order.

Charle's Retirement

The top card is a card I made for Charles (a co-worker) who retired this month. The bottom card is the first card I made but decided I didn't like.

I will miss Charles a lot. I was just getting to know him. I wish I would have had another year to work (and learn) from him.

Meet Jackson ...He will soon be gone!

If you like the Jackson Paper Pack (X7195B) you will want to order it now before it retires on August 31st. The paper pack contains 6 - 12" X 12" B&T Duos (2 each of 3 double sided design) and 6 - 12" X 12" Cardstock Sheets (2 Cocoa, 2 Glacier, 1 Barn Red, and 1 Juniper).

You can order the Jackson Workshop on the Go (WOTG) which includes the Jackson Paper Pack, a Jackson Acrylix Stamp-Set, 3 Colonial White Cardstock Sheets, the Jackson Assortment, Brave Enamel Shapes, and an Instructional Brochure.

I had a lot of fun making the 2 layouts in the Jackson WOTG.  The paper is perfect for any camping pictures or any other fun outdoor activity (such as mountain biking, river rafting, hiking, fishing or hunting).

I plan to use pictures from one of my many horseback riding trips to Parade Rest Ranch in West Yellowstone, MT. The pictures of my kids riding the horses will go perfect on these layouts.

Instead of stamping some of the hexagon images I used the Circut Artistry to create the same hexagon shape. I added 3-D Foam Tape under them to give some dimension. I like how they turned out.

I moved my stamp when I stamped this title so it now has a double look. Rather than start over I just went with it. Sometimes our mistakes make the layout our own and I've learned to embrace my mistakes. They are part of me.

I stamped the hexagon title and then stamped it again. I cut the second one smaller than the 1st one and added 3-D Foam Tape to bring dimension to it. I also added ribbon, enamel shapes, Jackson assortments and metal brads.

The Jackson Assortment includes 5-pieces of metal-rimmed enamel-filled pieces with an adhesive back. They added the right amount of touch to the layouts.

The Brave Enamel Shapes also added a nice touch to the layouts. The sheet of Enamel Shapes comes in a variety of shapes and colors (from dark blue to light blue.)

Hurry and get your Jackson fix before it's too late.

It's a Scardey Cat Birthday

I made this birthday card for my friend. She has a birthday in October so I wanted to use Halloween colors but still use a birthday (not Halloween) theme. I have an entire pack of Scaredy Cat Paper that has never been used so I decided to use it instead of the new Halloween paper coming out in September.

I used 3-D foam tape to give the card dimension. I think 3-D foam tape is my number one favorite item to use on my cards. I also dry embossed the cardstock and sanded it to give it more dimension. I love the look.

RECIPE:
Scaredy Cat Paper Pack (X7185B)
Just To Say... Stamp Set (D1629)
Build-a-Cake Occasions Stamp Set (D1618)
Diamond Embossing Folders (Z3020)
Silver Assortment Sequins (Z2013)
Baker's Twine Natural Metallic Assortment (Z1921)
Black Brads
Black Foam Letters
Sanding Kit (Z1294)
3-D Foam Tape

Today was FUN

I had a lot of fun crating this 1-page layout. I used my leftover Zoe scraps and Zoe Complements. I love how it turned out and cannot wait to get pictures on it. I can put 5 pictures on this layout. How awesome is that?

The Kraft banner will go on top of the picture (on the far right). I didn't glue it down yet and just placed it there for this picture.

I used the sketch below for my layout design. This allowed me to create the layout very quickly. The sketch is from www.sketchsupport.com.

The flowers in the Zoe Complements are the perfect accent on this page. I used 3-D Foam Tape to give them some dimension. I also colored my clear sparkles with a Leaf Green marker.

I used a small piece of Glacier Extra Thick Twin to accent the page and 3-D Foam Tape to give the page some more dimension.

I hand cut the banner but could have used my Cricut to do it quicker. I used 3-D Foam Tape to give them dimension and used Liquid Glass on the bottom top of each banner to attach to the Glacier Twine.

The Fun, Fun, Fun title was some old alphabet letters I had stashed away and is not a Close to my Heart product. They are not even in their original package so I don't remember the brand name or where I bought them from.

RECIPIE:
Zoe Paper Pack (X7197B)
Zoe Complements (X7191C)
Kraft Cardstock (Z1375)
Glacier Extra Thick Twine (Z3039)
Clear Sparkles (Z1752)
Leaf Green ShinHan Touch Twin Marker (GY234)
3-D Foam Tape (Z2060)
Liquid Glass (Z679)

Starting today I plan to show more gratitude!

I grew up learning to give thank you cards and for some reason I stopped. My new goal is to start telling people how thankful I am for the things they do for me!

I made these thank you cards using the Zoe Paper Pack and the August Stamp of the Month. I love the Zoe Paper.

I made a birthday card too.

I used 3-D Foam Tape to give the card some dimension... which I love!

I think everyone likes getting snail mail.... right? These cards were mailed off.

RECIPE:
Zoe Paper Packet (X7197B)
August SOTM Framed (S1508)
Coral Shimmer Trim (Z3088)
Black Shimmer Trim (Z1809)
Black Ink (Z2105)
Sorbet Ink (Z2164)
3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)
Black Opaque Adhesive Gems
Flutter Paper Shapes
White Rickrack

hb2u

I created this card for my daughter's 13th birthday. I used paper from the Blossom Paper Pack because of the bright colors and girly look. It reminded me of her bubbly and sweet personality. I made the title black so it would stand out and added black shimmer trim.

I used 3-D foam tape to add layers of dimension on the card. I even added 3-D foam tape under the number 2. I outlined the paper using a black liner and even lined the flower (which came from the Blossom Complements.). I  added sequins and black brads for the final touch. I love how it turned out.

I cannot take total credit for creating my card. I located the card (below) on Pinterest. It was created by Michele Boyer. The moment I seen this card I knew it would be perfect for my daughter.

I used more Blossom Complements for the inside of the card.

I gave my son pre-cut paper, stickers, markers, ribbon, and glue and asked him to create a card for his sister. I was impressed with the card he created. He made it while playing a game on the computer. Making cards is so easy you can create while doing something else... thus multi-tasking.

I love how he wrote his name in big letters... so she would know immediately who created the cute card. He even added the dog Lily to his card.

My daughter wanted an ice cream sandwich cake. It was easy to make. Just 2 layers of ice-cream sandwiches, whip cream, chocolate and caramel topping. Glad she made things easy on me this year.

I asked my daughter if she wanted a party with friends and she said no. She didn't even want one with family. I decided to blow up a bunch of balloons and put them in the front room with hear gift to make it a little fun. She said all she wanted was to sleep in and have a day off from chores and work (she weeds the neighbors flower beds for money). Her wish was granted! Easy peas for me! I love this girl of mine.

Be sure to visit my web-site at www.yvonne.ctmh.com. You can also find me on Facebook at Yvonne, Close to my Heart Independent Consultant.

RECIPE:
Blossom Paper Pack (X7196B)
Blossom Complements (X7196C)
Black Shimmer Trim (Z1809)
Coral Reef Sequins (Z3041)
Black Brads
Black Foam Letters
3-D Foam Tape

Friends fur-ever

I love my friends! I made 3 of these cards to mail to my friends. I don't tell them often enough how much I love their friendship and all they do for me. 

The idea for this card came from the 2015-2016 Close to my Heart Annual Inspirations Idea Book (page 87). This Idea Book is available on September 1, 2015.

 I used paper from the Chalk It Up Paper Pack. I love the colors of the paper and think it was a perfect fit for this card. This Friendly Pets Everyday Life stamp set was perfect too.

I love giving my cards dimension. The 3-D foam tape allows this cute cat to pop off the card. I colored the cat using the ShinHan Touch Markers and water color paints around the edge of the cat. I gave the card a final touch by spraying it all with a spray pen.

Visit my web-site at www.yvonne.ctmh.com to place an order.

RECIPE:
Chalk It Up Paper Pack (X7184B)
Friendly Pets Everyday Life Stamp Set (B1481)
Gold Shimmer Trim (Z1985)
Gold Assortment Sequins (Z2012)
Water Paints (Z3132)
Paintbrush Set (Z3188)
Mahogany ShinHan Touch Twin Marker (Z2456)
Clay ShinHan Touch Twin Marker (Z2451)
Barley Bedge ShinHan Touch Twin Marker (Z2445)
ShinHan Touch Twin Colorless Blender Marker (Z2469)
Spray Pen (Z1380)
3-D Foam Tape (Z1151)

It's better when you're laughing

I made this card for a friend who was in a bicycle accident. She was scheduled to ride 75 miles in the Wildflower Pedalfest Bike Race but was unable to due to an accident the night before.

 

I used the Hopscotch Paper Pack and the Circut Artistry Collection. 

 

I too was planning on riding 50 miles but due to a hamstring and Achilles tendon injury I could not ride. I still attended the race to watch my daughter and best friend ride. Both of them were cranky and in no mood to ride yet I wanted to ride and couldn't. Ugh... life sometimes is not fair.

I hung out with my dog Lily under a shade tree while looking through the new CTMH and Stamping Up Idea Books. I think Lily wanted to go for a walk but I couldn't do that either.... ugh!

My friend sent this picture of my daughter at the halfway stop. The birthday sign in the back was for the race. I think it was the 5th year that had the race... or something like that. My daughter's birthday is the next day so I'm hoping she looked at the birthday sign and treats and thought it was for her. HeeHee.

 



My daughter and BFF completed the race in no time at all. My BFF said they should have picked a different race with a longer distance. They had several race distances to pick and they did the 20 miles but should have road 35 miles instead. Twenty miles was too easy.

I was able to get my injured friend and I this Wildflower headband. It was given at the finish line.

I added this fun statement inside the card: It's better when you're laughing! I hope my other friend is back to laughing and biking soon.

Here is a picture of my injured friend in the ER. No broken bones just banged up pretty bad. She's a tough cookie so I know she will be back to herself soon.

Be sure to visit my web-site a shop for all your scrapbooking needs at www.yvonne.ctmh.com.

RECIPE;
Hopscotch Paper Pack (X7194B)
Cricut Artistry Collection (Z3167)
Gold Shimmer Trim (Z1985)
3-D Foam Tape