Specials!

I've got to say that I am so impressed with Close To My Heart for offering so many specials and being extremely current with the trends!  Not every project appeals to every person so having all of these choices makes it a sure thing that something is going to be right up your alley.  Links to my website are underlined.

If you like getting something for free and doing scrapbook layouts, why not grab one of (or all of) the bundles fore The Best Moments Are Free.  For the price of a stamp set, you also get the materials to make a 2-page layout absolutely free!  Even if you're not a scrapper, you can still use everything to make cards or other types of artwork.  To make things even more interesting, you can save money buy purchasing all of the kits for only $52.95 (actual value is over $107!!!).  You'll need to hurry, though, as this special is only good through the end of June.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also ending this month is our You're The Best mini album project.  It's a great gift for that special person in your life or as a memento of a favorite trip or event.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last but certainly not least is the new Share The Joy special.  There are so many ways to use these stamps and Thin Cuts, my head is spinning!  This special is good through the end of July OR while supplies last.  Thin Cuts are a huge favorite so they can and do sell out quickly.  Don't wait too long to order yours!

Phew, I told you it was a lot to take in!  My only problem - if you could call it that - is where to start since I love and have all of them!  

Smiles, Caron

Scrappy Days Studio update!

Every few years I get the urge to shake things up and rearrange my craft studio.  I know I'm extremely lucky to have an entire room dedicated to my hobby/business but I'm constantly trying to improve the setup.  For years now I've held my classes and workshops at the dining room table because I just couldn't figure out a way to comfortably seat everyone in the studio (it's long and narrow).  However, I think I've finally done it - at least for small groups.  The secret was moving all of my sewing gear and fabric into another room (that's a project for another day...have you heard of the Ultimate Sewing Box?!).

So, today I'm sharing pictures of my redesigned studio.  Please let me know what you think!
Smiles, Caron

This is the view from the pass-through window of the kitchen. My creating space is way at the other end.  By the way, you can make any picture bigger by clicking on it.

Then we have the view from the other end of the room. This is where I plan to have my guests come to create now.  I can also move the tables so they're end to end in case I have more than four at a time. Yes, I totally staged this picture just for my blog visitors!  Normally, the tables are left empty as my son loves to come in and do his own scrapbooking while I'm at work and he knows not to touch mom's stuff; something he learned the hard way.

Here's a closer look at my work station.  I need to get a rug under that chair because it keeps catching on the tile grooves.  I've already fallen out of a rolling chair a couple of times and it's not fun!  All of my cardstock, paper collections, albums and really big things are in the Expedit unit to the left.

This is my Workspace Wonders setup.  I love being able to customize it to my needs.  The small containers have my ribbons/twine/larger embellishments.

I keep all my smaller embellishments in these drawer units, separated by color.

Larger items like stickers/complements and such are in a larger drawer unit nearby.

At the other end of the room is where I keep my stamp sets and completed cards.  These mesh drawers came from Bed Bath and Beyond and are a perfect fit.  The cabinets below hold all sorts of craft supplies and other things for projects I'll probably never get to future projects.

And this little area is where I can showcase current classes, upcoming workshops and what-have-you.  It also comes in handy for passing drinks and snacks through the window :)

I've shown this before but it still gives me warm fuzzies when I look at it.  This is my art wall. Rather than spending lots of money on a "system", I designed and installed my own on the cheap using things from Walmart.  I change out the artwork whenever I have new things to showcase.  My Cricut and Cuttlebug are on the rolling cart below which makes it easy to move them close when I need to use them.

And that is my happy place!  Thanks for sticking with me to the end.  I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

The process of creating...

Sometimes, it's very easy and the ideas are just hopping out of my brain and onto my desk.  Other times, not so much.  So what do I do when inspiration just isn't there?  I start by finding the stamps I want to use and then I choose a couple of papers.

Then I look through my idea book or any of our Make It From Your Heart guides and find something that I think will work.  I figured the design below would work with my horizontal sentiment and that I would use the eggplant stripes instead of the yellow and the floral print instead of the white/clouds.

Well, somewhere along the way, I decided I didn't quite like that look so I tried a couple of other things and voila!  My card was complete.  It's funny how I start out trying to copy and end up being creative on my own without even knowing it :)  Same basic card/different look altogether!

And that's how my process works!  By the way, even if you straight up copy a card, it still counts as being creative.  The pieces didn't put themselves together, after all, did they?

Smiles, Caron

Happy Day!

Here's one of the cards I'm offering at this month's card buffet.  The pattern is from one of our design guides in the Make It From Your Heart line.  It's so quick and easy when paired with our paper packs!
Smiles, Caron

Workspace Wonders Sale!

We're having a special flash sale from now until the end of February!  If you need organization for all of your crafting supplies, look no further than our Workspace Wonders which are 35% off!  There are several different pieces you can choose to customize your setup exactly for you!  Don't miss out!
Smiles, Caron

Workspace Wonders!

Going, going...

...almost gone!  There are only 4 more days in the month to grab your Heart Happy items!  There are many options to choose from to make it customized especially for you and your budget so check out my website.     

Smiles, Caron                                   

 Heart Happy

Foreshadowing?

Just two days after my last post, I fell in my house.  What should have been a minor thing turned out to be a lengthy ordeal.  In the fall, I managed to cut open my shin to the point where I had to call 911 and be taken by ambulance to the hospital.  Twenty two stitches and staples later, they sent me home.  Three days later, I didn't think things were looking very good, so I went back to the ER.  They didn't seem alarmed and sent me home.  A week later, I still thought things looked bad so back I went.  This time, they decided I was right and I ended up being admitted.  Unbelievable.  Apparently, my wound wasn't healing properly and my blood pressure was sky high.  From then on, I've been stuck at home with my leg elevated and in a soft cast until it heals.  It's going on two months now!  Never did I ever imagine something like this would happen.  So, there's my explanation of my absence (if anyone noticed).

Because of my limitations, I haven't been able to play with any of the new products in the Seasonal Expressions :(  However, I am having a little "Check it Out" night this coming Tuesday.  I have new idea books and lots of products to show and I'm somehow going to manage a card or two to make.  If you'd like to join us, let me know!

Smiles, 

Caron