Special blessings in store!

My friend is about to become a mom after waiting for almost seven years!  She and her husband are adopting a little girl from China.  I never knew it took so long but the time is finally arriving and they should be going to get their little princess next month.  I'm so happy for her!  In anticipation of the little one's arrival, her friends threw a baby shower and I wanted to share what I made for her.

I love all types of crafting so it's a treat when I get to create something other than cards or a scrapbook layout.  I hope her little girl likes it!

Smiles, Caron

A card for all seasons!

Here's yet another card my students recently created.  I wanted the milk jug to be cream colored but didn't want to color it myself so I stamped the whole image in black on colonial white cardstock and then cut the jug out.  Then I stamped the image again and glued the colored jug on top of the plain one.  Easy peasy!

Smiles, Caron

September Newsletter

September 2013A newsletter from Caron Little moments matter. Caron Barnard Close To My Heart Independent Consultant Supervisor 9549646067 "Fall" in Love! Autumn is a great time to fall in love with crafting all over again!  I don't know how it works for anyone else, but for me, it's a time to get back to business. Summer sort of slows everyone down which is a good thing but too much of that and laid back becomes lazy bones!  Even though I no longer have kids in school, I still like the structure the school calendar gives me. It's a nice way to ease back into a schedule of some sort and start getting some new projects going.  After all, the holidays are looming just around the corner! So, before the chaos begins, go through your craft stash, peruse your idea books, cruise on Pinterest for ideas and get ready to fall in love again with creating! Check my blog for class schedules! Smiles, Caron September is National Stamping Month! Cheerful wishes to lift your loved ones year-round Read Celebrate National Stamping Month by ordering our new, exclusive You Are My Happy stamp set trio for just $10 only during September. When you place an order of $50 or more you qualify for this whimsical triple stamp set of cheerful sentiments, images, and an alphabet to complement life’s silly, sweet, and serendipitous moments. The stamp set trio, which arrives on three D-size carrier sheets in two envelopes, is stylistically designed so all images coordinate to help you celebrate your happy times all year! Contact your Independent Consultant today to get your own You Are My Happy stamp set trio for just $10 — a savings of $37.90 over retail value! Offer valid September 1–30, 2013. Get your $10 You Are My Happy stamp set trio today! » Stamp of the Month: Poster Tidings Block out some time to make stunning holiday projects Read With the September Stamp of the Month set, Poster Tidings, you’ll have exactly the right words to express what you feel this upcoming holiday season. All of your favorite holiday phrases are included on these fun block stamps, and mixing and matching words is easy to do using the masking technique! The trendy “subway art” look is a cinch with the September Stamp of the Month, so make sure to get it while you can! Offer expires September 30, 2013. See the September Stamp of the Month » Have a Crush? Fall in love with quick and easy memory keeping Read With our two new My Crush™ books, Modville and Bluebird, preserving everyday memories and mementos is a snap! The little things that normally get lost in the busyness of life will be safe within your book’s pages. With just a little tape, glue, or even a paper clip, you’ll be able to preserve life’s adventures as they happen — ticket stubs, receipts, photos, and fast journaling And thanks to the coordinating My Stickease® images, journaling spots, alphabets, and envelope pockets in the four My Crush assortments, you’ll make beauty in no time at all. Fall head-over-heels for the ease of scrapbooking on the go with our new, handy-sized My Crush books!

Surf's Up!

Here's a nice birthday card for someone celebrating in the summer.  It's made with the Surf's Up paper pack.  What's great about this one is the use of scraps.  I didn't have much left of this paper after doing other projects but it was just too difficult to throw away the little bits.  So, I glued them all together to make my own patterned paper!  I also used the new stamp set D1560 Holiday Tags for the sentiment and Cricut Artiste to cut it out.  A little bit of Paradise baker's twine, a single Aqua dot and it's time to party on!

Smiles, Caron

A simple hello!

Here's a simple card that has an adorable embellishment on it.  You don't need much else! I used paper from the Chantilly paper packet and one of our beautiful textiles from the Sarita assortment.

Here's a close-up of the flower.  It's so simple to make!

First, cut six circles from your chosen textile.  Don't worry, they don't have to be perfect.  If you use your microtip scissors you'll easily be able to trim the flower evenly once you're finished. My circles are about 2".

Next, fold each one in half and finger press the seam.

Then, place a mini glue dot along one edge.

Visually estimate folding this half circle into thirds and then fold the edge with the glue dot up .

Flip your petal over and place another glue dot on the folded edge.

Fold this edge to meet the other one.

You've made your first petal!  Just remember your folds should be opposite each other (like a Z).  Then take your petals and a circle you've cut from cardstock to assemble your flower.  My circle is slightly smaller than my fabric circles.

Start gluing your petals on, having all the points meet in the middle.  You could get technical and mark the center if you want.

Place your chosen button or embellishment in the center, glue it down with some liquid glass and you're done!

You can get fancy if you wish by cutting the circles with pinking scissors or other decorative edge as well.  Just make sure they're super sharp!  For this sample, I used some fabric from the Chantilly assortment.

Have fun!

Smiles, Caron

22 years of miracles

Adam turned 22 last week.  I can't believe that much time has passed since I first held him in my arms. He was such a tiny boy and stayed tiny for much of his growing years. Even now, though he's my size (short, I know but still adult sized!), he still gets mistaken for someone much younger.  Come on, people, he has 5:00 shadow!  Anyway, I remember before I had him I used to wish that my children would stay little longer than they did.  I got my wish. Adam may be 22 but he still believes in Santa Claus, thinks movies are real and can find happiness playing with a pair of tube socks. Sure, those can all be considered drawbacks to someone his age but on the flip side...he doesn't know sarcasm, he is not afraid to be himself and he loves unconditionally.  I would say that the blessings he has been given far outweigh the challenges. We experience little miracles every single day of our lives.  Thanks to life with Adam, I've been lucky enough to notice them!  

Smiles, Caron