Clearly The Best: Do the Twist (S02E05)

I have used the twist ties on a card for a swap, but I never imagined all the different ways I could be utilizing this product!  I am going to go dig out my twist ties and washi tape and "twist the night away!"  I absolutely love how the twist ties actually dress up the burlap bag!  What fun and creative ideas!  This is why I love the Close to my Heart team!

October Stamp of the Month and Frosted Paper Packet

I've been getting ready for a small crop next weekend and while working on some of the display items, I realized that I hadn't posted anything for awhile. I also realized that when I do post a layout or a card, I never post a recipe so you can make one for yourself if you like what you see. I have added this to my list of improvements to make when I blog, along with trying to post more blogs! For those of you who check this, you know that is one area I'm slowly, very slowly getting better at! Thank you for your patience! So, here are some cards I made using the October Stamp of the Month: Scandinavian Wishes and our new Frosted paper packet!  All artwork is created using Close to my Heart products!

*X7175B Frosted Paper Packet

*C1506 Flakey Friends stamps (set of 7)

*Z2160 Twilight exclusive inks stamp pad

*Z2400 Twilight exclusive inks marker set

*Z2414 Pear exclusive inks marker set

*Chocolate marker (no longer available) 

use any color of brown for the snowman's arms

*X7175B Frosted Paper Packet
*S1310 October Stamp of the Month: Scandinavian Wishes
  S1310A same stamp is only $5.00 with a $50.00 purchase
  available only during the month of October!
*Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection from Close to my Heart
*Z1829 Black &  Grey Glitter Paper packet
*Z1864 Slate Striped Twist Ties
*Z2160 Twilight exclusive inks stamp pad
*Z2400 Twilight exclusive inks marker set

*X7175B Frosted Paper Packet
*C1510 Merry &  Bright stamps (set of 12)
*Z2170 Ruby exclusive inks stamp pad
*Z2429 Ruby exclusive inks marker set
*Z2145 Ponderosa Pine exclusive inks stamp pad
*Z2423 Ponderosa Pine exclusive inks marker set
*Z1893 Base &  Bling Red Jewels

*X7175B Frosted Paper Packet

*S1310 October Stamp of the Month: Scandinavian Wishes

  S1310A same stamp is only $5.00 with a $50.00 purchase

*Z2160 Twilight exclusive inks stamp pad

*X7175B Frosted Paper Packet

*S1310 October Stamp of the Month: Scandinavian Wishes

  S1310A same stamp is only $5.00 with a $50.00 purchase

*Z2173 Slate exclusive inks stamp pad

*Z2172 Whisper exclusive inks stamp pad

*Z1809 Black Shimmer Trim

*X7175B Frosted Paper Packet

*S1310 October Stamp of the Month: Scandinavian Wishes

  S1310A same stamp is only $5.00 with a $50.00 purchase

*D1482 Love Life stamps (set of 15)

*Z1809 Black Shimmer Trim

*Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection from Close to my Heart

*Z1829 Black &  Grey Glitter Paper packet

*Z1745 Sparkles Black Flourishes

*Z1861 Ruby Mini-Medley Accents Collection (buttons)

*Z1701 Baker's Twine: Neutral Assortment (black)

*Z2170 Ruby exclusive inks stamp pad

It's hard to tell in this picture, but this is a box I made using the

Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge.  It's so easy to put together and

use as a little gift box for a small, special treasure!

*X7175B Frosted Paper Packet

*S1310 October Stamp of the Month: Scandinavian Wishes

*Z1686 Cricut Art Philosophy Collection from Close to my Heart

*Z1829 Black &  Grey Glitter Paper packet

*Z669 Silver Embossing Powder 

Craft Heater

*Z1890 Frosted Assortment (dark grey flower)

Here is a look at some artwork completed using the
You are my Happy stamp special.
Only $10 with a $50 purchase in the month of September!

The tag on the frame that is clipped with the red mini
clothespin shows the entire stamped message of the
September Stamp of the Month "Poster Tidings".
Only $5 with a $50 purchase in the month of September!

National Stamping Month: September 2013

Just received my "You Are My Happy" stamp set and it is one you do not want to miss out on!  With a $50.00 purchase this month, you get not only 1 stamp set, not a set of 2 stamps, but a set of 3 stamps for only $10.00!  It all comes in one folder and includes a very cute alphabet set! Plus you will also qualify for the stamp of the month for only $5.00!  You will basically receive 4 stamp sets for only $15.00 (shipping/handling and tax will apply on the retail price of the stamps)!  This is one of the best deals I have seen!  Don't miss it!  If you would like to take advantage of this amazing special, you can order directly by clicking on the "Shop With Me" icon to the right of this post, or if you are local to me, you can contact me directly at thecountrycropper@gmail.com.  Don't wait, this offer ends on September 30!!

I know that it's only the beginning of August, but I wanted to share a sneak peek of one of the items that I will be showing at my September gatherings using the new Huntington paper!  I love this paper so much that I actually used up the entire packet on my September display!  This is a first for me!

It also helps when the focus of your page is so cute!

Project Inspirations: Ombré Technique

Just watched this technique video and can't wait to try this!  I've been looking for something new and fun and I think I just found it!  If you would like to give this a try, the products can be purchased by clicking on the "Shop with Me" icon to the right of this post!

Artwork using July specials

I finally took pictures of my artwork that I created using the Canvas Art special, the patriotic stamps that are also a July special, and the cards from a card swap using the July stamp of the month so here they are:
                                                              Canvas Art Special

The couple is my maternal grandparents and the small pictures contain a picture of me with each grandparent.

                                       

                                                          Patriotic stamp special

                                           July stamp of the month "Sweet Life"

(Mine is the 2nd from the left on the top!)

Get Organized!

These organizers are wonderful!  They stack nicely, are easy to carry, see through and hold a lot of stamps or supplies in one nice container.  However, if you have a lot of stamps and supplies, like I do, then 1 just isn't enough!!  If you would like to purchase an organizer or two, you may order from the "Shop with Me" icon on this page.

July Special!!

Get the discounted Worshops on the Go canvas art kit (G1062) from July 1 to July 31 for the discounted price of only $19.95 - more than 50% off of the regularly priced $39.95!  No qualifying purchase needed.  No limit per order.  Order yours today before they are all gone!

Let's Get Patriotic

Show your support of troops and country with new patriotic stamp sets—available only from June 1 to July 31, 2013! As a show of our support, Close To My Heart will donate $3 from each

HOME OF THE BRAVE

COURAGE

B-size My Acrylix® Courage stamp set and $5 from each D-size My Acrylix® Home of the Brave stamp set to the USO, the leading, most recognized military-support and services organization in the country. Show your support today—stamp style!

* Offer valid June 1–July 31, 2013. No qualifying purchase required. No limit per order.
Simply click on the "Shop with Me" icon and order your sets today!  They will be delivered directly to your door!

Marker Magic

Stamp of the Month cards

I finished the cards for the Stamp of the Month swap for April, May, June and July.  Sharing them now so you can see what's coming up!  Simply order $50.00 or more of product and you can get the Stamp of the Month for only $5.00!  To order, click on the "Shop with Me" icon on the right side of this blog.

All 4 Months

All Products from Close to my Heart
April Stamp of the Month: S1034
 Surf's Up Paper Packet: X7168B
 Cricut Artiste cartridge for bird cutout:
2" Scallop Circle Punch: Z1392

Brown & Tan Glitter Paper: Z1830

Sparkles Brown & Tan Assortment: Z1754

Chocolate ink pad: Z2111

                                                                           

  All Products from Close to my Heart 

  May Stamp of the Month: Pinwheel  S1305

  Later Sk8r Paper Packet: X7167B

  Cricut Artiste Cartridge for the large star: Z1790

  Ribbons: Close to my Heart-discontinued, use any other kind

  Sparkles: Clear Assortment Z1752

  Sparkles: Blue & Green Assortment Z1327

  Lagoon ink pad: Z2195

All Products from Close to my Heart

June Stamp of the Month: A Flowering Bunch  S1306

For Always Paper Packet: X7165B

Exclusive Inks Markers in various colors of choice

Lagoon ink pad: Z2195

Green Glitz Glitter Gel: Z1771

Black brad from brad assortment: Z1366

All Products from Close to my Heart

July Stamp of the Month: Sweet Life

Top paper has been scored vertically and horizontally.  I then used sandpaper across the front.

Colored pencils in various colors of choice.  Watercolor pencils work great: 3505

Designer brads, antiqued copper: Z1410

Durables, artisan studs: Z1816

My First Pinterest Organizing Project

I have been working on my daughter's wedding details and needed a break so I spent some time on Pinterest.  I love pinning all of the organizing items and finally decided that I needed to do more than just pin something... I needed to "do" something.  My youngest daughter had volleyball practice so I dropped her off and headed over to the local Dollar General store.  I spent some time searching through their storage containers until I found some that I really liked.  I filled up my basket and when I got home, I went to work on my son's bookshelf and dresser.  Here's the before and after photos:

                     Before                After

 I created all of the labels using Word and Google images.  I printed them out onto Avery labels and placed them on the containers.  For the wire baskets, I printed the labels and glued them onto cardstock, punched a hole at the top and attached them with fiber ribbon that I had on hand from Close to my Heart (discontinued, but they have great colored twine that I could have used instead).  For the basket with handles, I wrapped ribbon around the handles to keep them up and it made easy for my son to grab onto and carry.

January 19th Crop

A few photos from our January 19 crop at Connie's.  We had a full house!  Always willing to make room for more!  Great day, great food, great company!  If you haven't joined us for one of our mini crops yet, you don't know what you are missing!

The Spring/Summer Idea Book is here! If you have not received your copy, please let me know! You can also view the Idea Book on-line by clicking on the "Come Shop With Me" icon on this page. February Specials: Only $5.00 for a 2 page layout on Studio J! To check out Studio J, click on the "30 minutes" icon on this page. This is a deal you do not want to miss out on! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at thecountrycropper@gmail.com. February Stamp of the Month: With an order of $50.00 or more you can add the February Stamp of the Month for only $5.00! This stamp is only available until February 28th, so get your order in soon! Below is some artwork from Close to my Heart done using this month's stamp. Tomorrow our crop has a busy bee theme and I will be showing the Buzz and Bumble paper packet and accessories. I will post my display before the end of the weekend! I totally love this paper packet!

Well, it's February 22 and I have hopelessly failed on one of my New Year's resolutions already! I haven't posted since December and when I read my post again, I wanted to rewind time so I could actually do what I said I was going to do! Oh, well, I can start now (only 2 months overdue!). I may not have actually started putting my Project Life book together, but I have started the process. I have taken pictures almost everyday and I ordered a new Work-in-Progress Album from Close to my Heart (http://www.lauriesmith.ctmh.com). This album is great! It is a 3-ring binder that holds 12" x 12" page protectors. It also includes a sturdy protective case. I also ordered the Memory Protector Photo Storage Pages which are 12" x 12" protectors with 4" x 6" pockets. I ordered one package of vertical pages and one package of horizontal pages to get started. And, of course, I ordered one packet of each of the new papers in the Close to my Heart Spring/Summer Idea Book! So I guess I don't feel so bad now. I may not have put anything together yet, but I have everything ready to get it started! I also wanted to start posting the monthly specials on here for you to see and also some more of my artwork. I take lots of pictures, but don't always take the time to put them on here. I will start with some of the specials and the Stamp of the Month and later work on adding some of my artwork from my crops!