New Close to My Heart - Seasonal Expression 1

Look out for the brand new Close to My Heart Seasonal Expression 1.
Starting, January 1st, 2016 you will be able to see the new booklet online on my website.

If you prefer a personal copy, let me know. I would love to get one to you!

So, what are the new and exciting things coming you way you ask? Well lets see....

There will be three new paper packs available in this new idea booklet. But beside three new designs you will also receive more design papers per pack. Yes, more design papers...yeah!

Old paper packs: 3 design papers (2 of each/ double sided) plus 6 cardstock 
New paper packs: 5 design papers (2 of each/ double sided) plus 2 sheets of picture my life style cards.

Charlotte (X7205B) is the paper design seen here on the right. Beautiful color combinations in this one.

The new paper pack on the left is called Penelope (X7207B) and includes some awesome spring colors. 

Each of the three new paper pack bundles is only available during a limit time, January - April! 

Each paper pack also comes with a coordinating complements pack (embellishments) and other decor ideas.

The last of the three paper packs is called Regatta (X7206B) and is shown on the right. Mediterranean flair and everything revolving around water.

Each coordinating complement pack is different, depending on the paper pack and its design. It could be foil sticker, die cuts, vellum, stickers, glitter and more.

You can buy matching cardstock sheets in combo packs or if you prefer individual sheets, you can buy those from me as well. Just let me know what colors you like and how many sheets. Email me for further information.


Last but not least, we can't revel a new booklet without new stamp sets, right? And there are some really cute ones in the new booklet. 

NEW! NEW! NEW!
First time from Close to My Heart, we have matching "Thin Cuts" for some of our stamp designs. These "Thin Cuts" work with any cutting machine, no matter if you have a Cuttlebug, a BigShot or any other die-cutting machine on the market. This is just the beginning and I am sure there will be more to come. 

So mark your calendar and check out the new Close to My Heart Seasonal Expressions booklet on January 1st, 2016.

If you like to know more about Close to My Heart contact me! Stay tuned for more to come ...

Christmas Party and Happy New Year

A few last "Thank You"'s and thoughts before the year 2015 ends. Hard to believe that we are already two days away from welcoming the new year. 

I like to take this moment to thank some wonderful ladies that continue to join me every month for some fun time making cards. About four years ago we started with just a handful and over the years our group has grown to 15 ladies. 

Each of our classes are filled with fun and laughter. Support, friendship and just being there for each other when times are rough, that is what this group is all about and so much more...

Thank You ...

Linda for putting up with us each month,... 
Carolyn, Debbie, Jan, Karen, Lin, Margie, Marsha, Nancy, Nikki, Pam, Ruth, Sandy, Shirley and Vicki for coming each month and joining my classes...

and let's not forget Izzy, our class dog for keeping us company!

You ladies are wonderful and I am thankful to be part of your group. Here are some Christmas party pictures (missing are Lin, Nikki, Marsh and Vicki)...

Another big "Thank You" goes to Vicki and Jacki for starting a new chapter in my creative life. Scrapbooking with you each month is so much fun and I am looking forward to 2016 and many more pages that finally get done...

To all of my followers and crafting friends, "Thank You" for your support through out the year. You are my inspirations that get's me going, so keep those comments coming. 2016 will be filled with lots of news and new creations, techniques to learn and classes to teach, so make sure to check back often.

Wishing you all a 

Happy and Healthy New Year

and let's get creative in 2016

Sincerely 

Claudia Henderson

  

Merry Christmas to ...

Dear Friends,

we are getting ready to celebrate Christmas and while I have a few moments to reflect on this year, let me tell you how grateful I am that you have been following my blog. I can't thank you enough for your support. Although it takes time to create all these products, get them prepared for the blog and finally posted, it makes it worthwhile to know you are enjoying them. 

I thank all of you for making 2015 a successful year and my Close to My Heart business grow. I hope you will continue to stop by here and to shop at my store in 2016. Please keep your questions and comments coming and I am looking forward to show you more technique and crafty items next year. So spread the work and invite your friends to join me and you in 2016.

I will take the next few days off to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with my family and friends. I will see you back here in January.

 

Until then, ... from our home to yours

Merry Christmas and

A Happy New Year

May all you hopes and wishes come through and may you and your families be blessed with health and happiness for 2016.

Sincerely

Claudia Henderson

Festive Merry Christmas

For this card layout I have to thank Jasmine Schulz who came up with this design. "Danke Dir Jasmin" ...

So how was this card done. First I stamped different snowflakes in our white daisy pigment ink all over a sheet of desert sand cardstock ... all from Close to My Heart. Since pigment ink is thicker and needs longer to dry I let the piece air-dry over night. I think I got carried a way just a big with the flakes but, oh well, random stamping sometimes does this to you.

I cut the sheet down to 4"x 5 1/4" and punched a 2 1/4" circle on the right side. 

Now I used a square piece of colonial white (cream color) cardstock, measuring about 2 3/4" and stamped some pine trees on it. I used the pine tree from the set "Always Grateful" (C1559) and two different shades of green ink all from Close to My Heart. I must say this again, if you haven't bought this set yet...Go Get It!....it is awesome!

First I stamped the lighter green. I inked the stamp and set it onto the paper, then without re-inking I stamped again aside of the first one. Once I was happy with the background I used the dark green to stamp the tree three more times. I inked the stamp each time.

I had some hemp thread with gold left and wrapped it through the circle and a round the left side twice before I tied it to a bow. I used a silver thread from the sewing department to go along with the hemp. This one is so thin, I just wrapped it around twice, fastened it with some tape in the back and arranged the pieces.

The little flag like the card base is cut from colonial white cardstock. I stamped the phrase in black ink. To decorate the card I used one big Gold Glitter Paper (Z3076) star and one little one. 

OK, how is the card assembled?

First you determine witch part of the stamped trees you like to see through the circle cutout. I adhered the stamped tree square directly on the cardbase front. I then placed the snowflakes layer with foam dots in the center of the base (there will be an 1/8" edge around the layer). Now all that is let is to ad the phrase banner with foam dots and glue the stars in place.

As you know by now, a phrase was stamped on the inside and the envelope was decorated as well.

















Isn't this a wonderful Christmas card? If you like to purchase cards or anything else seen here on the blogs, please contact me.
Why not join one of my classes and learn how to make these cards? Lots of fun....email me for more information!   

Christmas Tree in Silver

I found this cute tree die from Whimsy stamps and even so it is very delicate, it is easy to die-cut.   

But lets start with the base and work out way up. The cardbase is a regular 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" daisy white cardstock base.

The next layer is a piece of dark-blue cardstock (outdoor denim) from Close to My Heart center on the cardbase.

For the background I used a pieces of watercolor paper, smooth side up and Spectrum Aqua markers. 

I used three different markers, two blues and one green. 

The colors were scribbled on a pallet and added to the paper with a brush and lots of water. I let my paper air dry, but you can use a heating tool to speed up the process. 

Be aware that you might get harsher edges then when you let it air dry.

The most difficult part of this card was to adhere the tree to the paper. Yes, that was the difficult part! With the watercolor paper in the background you need a liquid glue that will hold the tree down good. There is not a lot of glue needed, but it should be strong. I used ArtGlitter glue with the super fine tip.

Center the watercolor paper with the tree on the blue cardstock. I embellished with a few sparkling sequins too.

And finally the embellishment is the little flag. I first stamped "Merry Christmas" on a pieces of white daisy cardstock. Cut the flag and adhered it to a piece of metallic silver paper (same paper the tree was cut out). Now I cut the flag into the metallic paper matching the white flag. I adhered the flags with foam adhesive to the card and trimmed the end on the right side of the card flush with the card.

And ... I had to decorate the envelope again ;-)

If you like to purchase this or any other card/ item seen on this blog, please contact me for more information.

Or if you like to join my monthly cardmaking classes, let me know. I would love to have in my group.

Christmas Tree in Gold

Remember the "Merry & Bright" card we made in class earlier? We used the negative of the die-cut in that card.
Now it is finally time to use the actual, the positive of this die, the tree!

The background of this card is made with watercolor markers and more details on how to use them will be on tomorrows blog. You can also always contact me if you like to know more about techniques.

In this sample I used little red rhinestones to make the card even more festive.

The tree is cut from gold metallic paper and the same paper was used to create the little flag with the Merry Christmas sentiment on it.

The card is a regular quarter card measuring 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".

And as you have seen me do this now to many of my Christmas cards this year, I had to decorate the envelope too. I am getting use to this! What about you? Do you like the decor on the envelope? 

Although this Christmas tree die is more of a stylish modern version, I really like it a lot. Delicate, modern and festive at the same time... love this little tree.

If you like to learn how to make cards like this and other once you have seen here on the blog, come join me in class and contact me today. No matter if you just want to try it, if its just for the Christmas cards or if you like to do it on a monthly base, there is room for you. Email me today for more information.

You can also order all cards see on the blog or have me put your special twist to them :-) Just contact me!

More Wine Bottle Sleeves

Well, these are a few more pictures of the different sleeves/ boxes for wine bottles that I made...looking for a different design or interested in one of the ones shown? Please contact me for more information...

Wine Bottle Boxes/ Sleeves

Giving wine as a little "Thank You" gift to your host is quite common and so is the challenge of wrapping it. Right?

Well you can buy these little long gift bags, but that's what everyone does, so why not make your gift stand out and use something different this time.

I made these "fancy" wine bottle sleeves or boxes as you can call them. They fit nice and tide around your bottle of wine and all that will peak out on the top is the neck of your bottle.

Each one is made out off different cardstock and design papers from Close to My Heart. All decorations were also uniquely picked matching the papers. Here is the "Candy Cane" version. The paper is enhanced with glitter glue along the striped design. A clear Christmas ornament, some artificial pine greens and Cricut cut out snowflakes are used along some pretty glitter ribbon to decorate this sleeve. 

For this sleeve I used the polka-dot paper that was enhanced with glitter glue on some of the dots. 

Silver ribbon, white shimmer ornament, a few white glitter stars and some artificial pine greens decorate this sleeve

Similar decoration with this one...pine green, silver ornament, white ribbon and red glitter ornaments for the one shown above.

All tops look like the picture shown on the left here. You open the box by carefully pull the ribbon wider from the back to the front. Place your bottle inside and start pulling the ribbon tied towards the back again. The paper flaps will go above and under all the way around so you end up with a nice rosette. The excess ribbon on the back is simply tied into a knot and you are ready to go...

If you like to make these sleeves or if you are interested in purchasing one, please contact me for more information. Stay tuned for more pictures...

Festive Lanterns

This is one of my favorite little gifts and decor items. So festive and can be used all year round. 

What is even more amazing, these little gems fold flat and are the size of a regular A2 card, measuring 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"... yes, perfect for sending in the mail to brighten the day of some one special.

The base is made from Close to My Heart cardstock colors "desert sand" and "cashmere".
Each panel is scored so you end up with four even sized panels and a small glue strip to assemble.

I used a star die to cut out each star (one on each panel). You can use other die images too.

Once all the cutting was done I embossed the panels with a star design. Since the lantern folds together so small, you can actually fit the folded piece completely in your embossing folder. Therefor you only have to run it through your machine once!

I stamped snow and stars on some vellum paper using white pigment ink. This needs to dry completely before you continue. I cut the vellum to size and adhered them over the star cutout on the inside of the lantern.

I used crochet ribbon and hemp thread with gold around the top of the lantern and tied it into a bow. The ends of the ribbon were cut and the thread was decorated with more glitter stars. I used the gold glitter paper (Z3076) from Close to My Heart, since all our glitter paper pack come with three different shades of color. The gold glitter paper (Z3076) includes two hues of gold color and on beautiful white glitter paper. So I had to make some in gold and some in white glitter. 

I used a LED tea light or one of those little LED stump candles to place inside the lantern.

Would you like to make one of these (or more) or would you like to purchase a lanterns? No matter what questions you have, please contact me by clicking HERE...

These are beautiful decoration items, don't miss out on them....

Christmas Wishes

Here is another example of cards we make in class. 

The base is cut at 4 1/4" x 11" and folded at half. So this once has the fold on the left side. I then folded part of the front panel of the card base back creating a little flap.

Before I adhere the flap to the front I adhered my green design paper. The panel is covert in brown cardstock and a piece of gold glitter paper (Z3076) centered over it. 

The holly and the ornament both are cut with the Cricut. You find the images on our Close to My Heart cartridges for the Cricut. 

The are exclusive to Close to My Heart and include over 700 images including fonts. You can find them on my website by clicking HERE.

Once you open the card there is room for your Christmas greetings and wishes.

The tag was cut from "desert sand" cardstock and embellished with a nice phrase and a few little red rhinestones.

Last but not least we had to decorate the envelope as well.

If you like to join one of my classes or if you have a group of people that would like to start card making, please contact me for more information. All cards and other items seen here on my blog can also be purchased from me.