Seasonal Expression Holiday Book - Sneak Peek Two

Here is sneak peek number two of the upcoming Holiday book. So beside the new papers, what else might be in it? Well let's see:


- Pocket scrap booking is becoming more popular, but did you know that we have a smaller version for you in stock? Perfect as a travel journal, diary, calendar or a scrap book for all these small events we like to remember. Quick and easy to fill with coordinating printed pages and memory protects and all of it in a handy 6" x 8" format.


- Matching the "City Sidewalks" paper pack there is a new Cricut City Sidewalks Digital Collection coming. It is only available as a digital cartridge and therefore can only be used with the Cricut Explore or Cricut Explore Air!!!



- A must have for this winter are for sure these cute snowflake thin cuts. The Close to My Heart thin cut will work with pretty much any die-cutting machine on the market. The snowflakes come in a pack of two and will embellish any card, page or home decor item you create. Don't miss out on them as long as they last!






 - Many new stamps are also coming your way and I am sure you will find some that fit your projects for the upcoming seasons....

Well, return to my website tomorrow (CLICK HERE) and have a look online at the new Seasonal Expression Holiday book. 

Please contact me if you have questions or if you would like to receive your own personal copy of the book. Have fun browsing and I see you soon back here with more projects to come....

Seasonal Expression Holiday Book - Sneak Peek One

We are only a few days away until the new Seasonal Expression Holiday book will go live. So what are you looking for this year? Do you need new papers or maybe some new stamp sets? Well, we can always use some new embellishments, right? I am sure we will find something for everyone. Let me give you a little inside of what's coming your way:

- Let's start...hmm?... Let's start with some embellishments, shall we? 

Each new paper pack comes with it's own unique complements package. It will work perfectly with the coordinating paper pack and it will make your life so much easier. The packs contain combinations of stickers, glitter die-cuts, gold foil accents, assorted white acrylic shapes or kraft die-cuts with gold and silver accents, all depending on what paper pack you pick.




- Speaking of paper packs... there are four brand new designed paper packs to choose from:

• Jeepers Creepers
• Swan Lake
• City Sidewalks 
• Oh Deer!

All come with their own complements, coordinating cardstock pack, special assortments and more. 

Yes, our paper packs have changed a little. Now you will receive in each paper pack 12 design paper (2 each of 6 double sided designs) including two tiled sheets. These are ideal for pocket scrap booking, journaling or card making. The matching cardstock can be bought in a separate pack or contact me if you like single sheets to go with the papers.

New embossing folders, and thin cuts are coming your way as well...Can you guess what they might look like? Oh and did I mention new bundles of stamp set and thin cuts? 

Well, stay tune to see more...

New Season Expression Holiday Book on it's way!

Well, I guess my creative summer break is almost over and I can't believe that I still have so many projects left... So before I start back up, here are a few updates what's coming up:

- Let's start with the brand new "Seasonal Expressions Holiday Book" which is going live on September 1st! Many new paper packs, stamps and embellishments coming your way. Check back here in the next few days and get a little sneak peek.

- To all my customers, living in the area and like to save some shipping costs: My next collective orders will come up soon on September 2nd and October 3rd. Naturally you can place orders anytime in between or online and items will ship directly to your front door :-)

- Classes will start back up at the end of September, so please contact me for more information or check the calendar here on the blog for updates. 

- All of you who are looking for a fun weekend to get some scrap-booking, card making or any other crafting done, come join us on October 20-23 at the Oakland Fair Grounds in Davisburg, MI. You can book the whole weekend or individual days, just as you like. Some sleeping arrangements are available if you life further away and like to spend the weekend. Please CLICK HERE to get more information. 

Lot's of crafty and funny ladies, good foods and awesome vendors (including me ;-) ... so come join us for some fun time! Looking forward to seeing you!

- More craft shows are coming up so stay tuned for more...

I hope you will enjoy the rest of the summer and hopefully we will have an awesome Indian Summer here in Michigan. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

See you soon

Claudia

A Year of Card Techniques ~ August Blog Hop ~ Baby Wipe Technique

Welcome to

It's month eight of our year long adventure into different card-making techniques, folds and paper crafting products. We hop you got the chance to hop with us each month.

It's not to late to hop and comment to be entered into out prize drawing. If you missed any of the previous months, you can click on the month to be taken directly to the start of that month's hop.

January February March April May June July

This month we are playing with the baby wipe technique and you won't want to miss the amazing and fun cards we've got for you today. We really love feedback, so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in today's hop. Each comment on the 12 hops throughout the year will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Blitsy.com or Stampin' Up gift certificate (Winner's Choice).

Now one with the projects:

 Wow, this months technique was really a challenge. Looking through my ink pad I noticed I only had two re-ink's that would work with this technique. Oh well, they have to do it.

So, how do we bring baby wipes and re-ink's together? My first try was to fold two baby wipes together. You just fold them over and over until you have a need little bundle square of about 1 1/2".

Next I grabbed my "juniper" color ink and placed four dots next to each other on the edge of the square, than simply place the ink side on the paper and pull down. Repeat until the paper is cover. This is seen here on the left!

Now I used the same square, added more ink to the first and third dot and added brown ink to the second and fourth. Similar technique here, place ink side on paper and pull down, repeat until paper is covered. Turn paper 90 degree and repeat to create the plaid design seen on the right.

Honestly, I said it was a challenge and I didn't really had an idea what I should do with these paper....yes we do trial and error too LOL

And then I had another idea!... I took two baby wipes, folded them together in a long strip about 1" wide. I rolled the strip together into a small cylinder. Next I used my chocolate brown ink and added it to nicely rounded bottom part of my cylinder. I used some "desert sand" cardstock as my base.

I randomly dabbed the ink side over my base leaving rose like images behind. Eureka... that's more what I need :-)

I added a few small leave stamped images in between and my background paper was done. 

Oh and don't forget to decorate the inside of your card... 

 Sometimes when you try a new technique the turnout is not always what you expect. I am sure I will find a good use for the other two papers I made with this technique, but for know they will be on my "work in progress pile". I do love the rose like image I made, which was more of an excident :-) but a good one!

I hope you had fun with my challenge today. Leave a comment and make sure to hop over to the lovely Debbie and here creations.

Up next are the wonderful creations of Debbie!

Keep on crafting and don't forget to comment!

Have a wonderful day

Claudia

Here's today's line-up in case you get lost along the way

Theresa ~ http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com
Lisa ~ http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com
Kim ~ http://katydidcards.com

Claudia...Your are here!

Debbie ~ http://pawstoscrap.blogspot.com 

Sharon ~ http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com

Baby Wipe Technique

Here is a little sneak peek of this months technique. All you need for this technique are some baby wipes and some re-inker. Please don't use alcohol re-inker, because those wont work with this technique. Alcohol inks simply dry too fast!

I have to admit, I had a hard time with this technique this month, but I think my problem was that I only had two re-inker colors on hand. Yes, a consultant ran out of suppliers LOL!

Well, I still wanted to get some thing done so I started with one color and some stripes. All I did was folding two baby wipes together. You fold them over and over until you are left with a nice square bundle. Now pick the side with some nice round folds and add some ink to them. I place like four dots next to each other. Don't worry if there is white in between!
Take a pieces of cardstock, place your square ink side down on one side and swipe along. Repeat until the strips covering the cardstock. 

My second try I used the same square, added more blue color to dot one and three. I covered dots two and four with some brown ink this time. Yes, I put it right over the blue. In may case using a brown ink, it didn't matter that the previous one was blue, but you want to be careful if you use light color or other combinations. In this case you want to start with a clean baby wipe bundle. 
Start on a piece of cardstock and swipe like you did with the first sample. If you like, you can turn the paper and add more stripes in the other direction to create a plaid design.

I used a third and different way for my third test, but this one will be on the blog on Saturday ;-) so check back to see the final result!

Video 1, Video 2, Video 3

Scrapbook Garage Sale

Good Morning everyone,

I know it has been a bit slow here on my blog in the past few weeks. I am on a ...how do I call this?... creative summer break! That's it! :-)

I am just taking things easy since the weather is so hot here in Michigan lately and even with the AC on and the humidity way better inside the house than outside, it is still not nice when you stick to your papers ... and that is without having spread glue all over yourself LOL!

Well, I am still working on things and getting classes prepared which will start back up in September. In the meantime, I am also getting ready for our annual association garage sale! Lot's or scrapbook items including Close to My Heart products and more...Where?When?

Friday August 12th & Saturday August 13th

From 9 am - 4 pm

Rain or Shine (we are inside the garage ;-) )

Streets: Mill Pond Drive, Holly Point and Heritage Circle

We are a small subdivision, but we have multiple neighbors participate along all three streets, so make sure to go all the way to the end :-) Please drive slow and don't park on the sidewalks or curbs. Parking on the street is OK and we also have guest parking areas available. Please make sure not to blog traffic or other members driveways. Thank You!

Hope to see many of you shopping!

August Constant Campaign - "Basically the Best"

During the month of August, when you order the Close to My Heart "Whimsy, Adventure, and Enchantment Fundamental" papers, you can choose to get either the "Rustic Home" or "Uptown" Fundamentals for FREE! Both of these Basics packs feature foil designs and specialty materials for making your artwork unique. Yep, this deal is basically the best!

You can order direct from my website or send me an email! Click HERE to see the new Close to My Heart Annual Idea Book 2016-27 online!

Remember ... Orchids you have never seen

Here are a few memories of our trip to Germany last year....Throw-Back-Friday....

On our trip to Germany this year we got to visit some of the most impressive castles in Germany and some of the most beautiful areas in south Germany as well.

One of my all time favorite places is a little island in Lake Constance called "Mainau".

The "Insel Mainau" is one of the most beautiful islands with flora and fauna you have never seen together. All year round the show of beautiful seasonal flowers and trees. A wonderful landscaped island with a big palm house and many many other things to see and explore. If you ever get the chance to visit Germany, make sure to visit this jewel, beside my hometown naturally :-)

Here are some pictures of the Orchid flower exhibition they had going on in April. Hope you will enjoy them as much as we did...

I think more flowers are coming up in my designs and all these awesome color combos...

Annual Idea Book 2016-17 from Close To My Heart

Let me introduce you to the brand new Close To My Heart Annual Idea Book for the season 2016 - 2017.

Filled with lots of new paper packs, stamps, inks, Cricut cartridges, dies, embellishments, organisation products and so much more... 

Check it out online right now to see what great products are available in the new Idea Book.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE NEW IDEA BOOK ONLINE!!!

Have fun browsing and let me know if you like to get our own personal copy of the Idea Book or for any other question you might have. You can order online directly from my website or email me your list if you like to safe on shipping costs by picking it up at my house!

So let's get excited and have fun browsing

Happy Launch Day Everyone